Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-03-06
Stauntott Spectator.
WEDNESDAY,, MARCH 6, 1889.
Augusta County.

Augusta County.
Farming always has and always will be
the chief industry in the Valley of Virginia.
In farming, of course, are included its as
ISOLATED pursuits of other than our staple
products, with live stock, &C., in all Of
which the farmers of Augusta are making
substantial and profitable progress.
1t is estimated that the indebtedness OF
the farmers of the United States amounts
to two billions of dollars, sum greater
than the national debt, but, on the Other
hand, the value of their products annually
Is more than double that amount, being
over four billions of dollars. The future
that the agricultural interest of the country
is to maintain in relation to these supposed
facts representing Indebtedness and in
come, cannot, of course, be solved in ad-
vance. Whether Indebtedness or produc
ton relatively is to increase or diminish as
viewed from the present standpoint. the
balancing of accounts hereafter is the only
conclusion of satisfactory character.
The discussion of this general feature of
the question, only concerns US in a general
way. 1t is a well-established fact, which
statistics and analysis will demonstrate,
that the iDdebtness Of the farmers of the
United States is much below the pro rata
of persons and corporations conducting
other pursuits with holdings of relative
values. The same method of investigation
reveals ether important facts which do not
now, but will have consideration here
after. National legislation and policy.
and to some extent State and municipal
partiallty, confer special favors ON the
products and enterprises of other indus
tries, whilst the National Government
denies the one only and single favor agri
culture asks as the trade of the country is
regulated-to foster it through an enlarged
outward commerce.
Recurring to the subject as it concerns
us locally, observation warrants these con-
illusions The Indebtedness of the farm
ers of Augusta county is much less than
the proportion their numbers bear to the
aggregated numbers, and their produced
values are larger-when considered by the
same method of computation-than the
proportion they bear to the agricultural
production of the country.
We should have remarked, when con-
sidering the matter from a general stand
point, that the best Informed persons who
have investigated and written upon the
subject, have not the least doubt of a COM
plete restoration of prosperity to our agri-
culture. Such being the case, as that
great and absorbing interest is generally
viewed, the application of the conclusion as
it concerns the farmers of Augusta county
should produce no dreary reflections in
their minds, nor weaken the ardor of their
zeal and industry in their noble pursuit.
To cheer them on in their work and in
that elegant progress Of which there is, on
every hand, increasing evidences, we could
point to many pleasing facts and circum
stances. Fields and orchards and gardens
and forests are cared for and made TO yield
in fruitiulness as never before. Neatness
in style and permanency in buildings and
Improvements are becoming q distinctive
policy upon Augusta farms, and delight
to their owners. This characteristic of
their brethren in other States, and in our
own where opportunities with less reverses
than have been the experience with our
farmers, shows a commendable disposition
to improve by following good example as
we'll as to profit by a genuine and econo-
MIXING industry.
The development of the iron and other
resources for manufacturing purposes will
enhance every interest of town and county.
The opportunities are great for such enter
prises and new commencement should
awaken every energy and move every hand
to well-applied effort. The improvements
made to our highways and byways, by the
building of bridges and the Inauguration oil
better system of roads, have already
placed Augusta in that respect in the front
rank with the most advanced communities
The commercial interests of Stauntor
and the county are of a large and superior
order. The grain and produce trade il
large and increasing, and is finely con
Quoted. The milling interests are not ex-
oelled at any place in the State outside o.
Richmond. The weekly transactions in
grain, hay, and valley staple products at
test the superiority and profitable culture
of the soil in all the country in trade-inter
course with Stanton, which long sinct
made the city an emporium Of well-to-de
thrift for many miles around 1t ard il
counties adjoining.
All our pursuits have some trials as well
as good advantages. All occupations and
enterprises, no matter where located, are
SUBJECT to the same laws, which cannot
prevent occasional adversely any more than
they would close up the avenues of return.
ing prosperity. Take it, all-in-all,
Augusta county with its advantag es-a
few of which have been enumerated, and to
them especially should be added it's superior
facilities, except in one section, for trans
portation,-is most opportunely favored
Tor q bright future. Always substantial
and progressive in the past as the way was
opened to her people, the good old county
will measure up to high standard in every
requirement of the future.
The BENEFITS OF GOOD RoADs.-The
value of good country roads, says the Bait
Sun, is strikingly illustrated in the case Of
Madison county, Alabama, of which Hunts.
vile is the county seat. That county has
In its limits several macadamizad roads, so
its people have fslt both the need and the