National Republican., 1888-03-23
VIRG1Nl.A's NEW SETTLERS
Doing Better Than They Had Expccte,


to DO.
Great as are the natural advantages that
Virginia offers to settlers from the colder
and blzzard-ridden sections of the United
States, little or nothing has been done by
the Legislature of the state to make known
these advantages or TO invite the settlers to
CCmc and see for themselves the great in
ducCmcnts that can he offered them. Despite
this neglect on the part of the state authori
ties many new settlers have made their
home in Virginia, and are doing bctter--most
uf thcm--than their ardent expectations led
them To expect.
This is specially true of the great truckery
section lying adjacent to the city of Norfolk
in the counties of Norfolk and Princess
Anne, and along James river in the counties
Of Isle of Wight and Nansemond Great
improvements have been made in this sec
ton, many new people having come In and
purchased farms. These lands are all in
ihe highest state of cultivation, and are
perhaps paying better than any others in
ihe state. And vet there are farms in this
favored section that can now be purchased
for less per acre than there would be re-
uuircd to set ones self sup as q farmer on
some remote western lands, and then there
is the additional advantage of climate,
This section offers much better climate
and lower freight rates than does the west
The rainfall is well distributed throughout
the year. The summers heat and the win
tcr's cold are both equalized by the presence
of the gulf stream.
a few years ago Mr.. D. w. Holmes, of
Binghampton, n. Y, purchased thirty-one
acres of land near the city of Norfolk,
through which the Norfolk and Western
railroad runs on its way from Norfolk to
lamhcrt's Point coaling pier. His sales last
year from this little farm amounted to over
10000, exclusive of freight and commits
sions. lie gave employment TO from eight
To twenty hands during the greater part of
the year.
lie raised five crops on the same land.
lis first crop was spinach, sowcd In Scptem-
her, and harvested early in the January
following. Radishes followed the spinach,
which matured and selling WELL was fol
lowed by another crop of radishes.
Among this second crop of radishes at
regular intervals were put out and protected
ly glass in April canteloupcs, which ma
turod in time to SOW millet on the same
ground, which was put in August, over
three tons per acre. in time to put the land
! ack into the same rotation If deemed ad
visabe All these five crops in one year,
from the same soil paid we'll and were all
grown in open air, except the canteloupc
plants.
A friend of Mr.. Holmes, living in Flor.
ida, having written him "that he had sue
/ ceedcd in prolitably growing three crops
from the same soil in one year, Mr..
Holmes replied that he would ''sce Florida's
! three crops and 90 two better In the
/ same section there are many other highly
| cultivated FARMS most of them larger than
| Mr.. Holiness Among the number may be
mentioned the farms of Mr.. Charles Sharp,
/ leading lawyer of Norfolk; Mr. VI. p. Rue,
! Mr.. Il. A. IIyslop, Mr.. George w. Wilson,
/ Mai. Sandcriin, Messrs. McCleary & Ever
EFT, Mr.. II. ID. Van Wyck, brother of eX-
| Senator Van Wyck, Mr.. Thos. Il. Ballan-
| tyne, and Mai. Seldcn.
y The late cold Snap did some damage to
/ the growing crops near Norfolk, but not SO
seriously as had been feared.
The crops of kale and spinach were beaten
down on some FARMS and the young cab
bage plants nipped a little. The young
| radishes suffered most seriously, but with
favorable weather they will soon be out
again and will soon he ready for market.
! Potatoes are all planted and on many places
up and looking well.
! Corn, rye, and oats are also grown In this
section, but the small crops or 'trucks,n as
they are called, receive the most attention
aud generally pay the farmers the best
! motifs.