The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-20
THURSDAY, MARCH 20. 1900.


NIEGINIA'S OIIDklt MI -
The statement is made on excellent
authority. that owing to the agricultural
d preston now prevailing TO an unprece-
d ,nted extent in Ohio, Illinois aud Indiana
there is a notable disposition among the
turner's of those great comm0nWcalths 10
sell their lands even at prices lower than
t1e assessed value. and cmigrate TO points
sin further West. where farms equally as
productive az those sold can be bought ~
rates very much less an acre. thus leaving
q pccuniary margin that can be turned 10
useful account either in the way Of perma-
ncnt investment or in making further im-
provcments upon the newly bought
properties.
The question may be portnently asked;
Is il not possible 90 devise some means by
which Virginia can obtain the benefit OF TINS
disposition among the farmers Of the states
named. 10 abandon their homes. with We"
10 establishing themselves in distant locali-
ties Offering what they justly consider TO DE
the strongest inducements TO JUSTIFY the
changer Cannot the proper authorities OF
this state bring sufficient influence TO bear
10 partially divert 10 its soil these bands OF
immigrant farmers? Search where we
NAV. il would be difficult to find
class Of immigrants that surpass them IN
all those qualities which constitute the
most valuable characteristics of citizenship.
Reiug sturdy individuals, descended IN
great part from hardy New England STOCK
accustomed both 10 labor with Their own
hands. and 10 exercise supervision over
others. trained TO habits Of economy and re-
garding thrlflessness as crime they
would add new economic force and pracu-
cal vigor to any community in which they
would make a permanent settlement
whether they brought with them large
amount of capital or not.
But this they would do if they are con-
sidered i'm the aggregate. Not only would
they have sufficient means to buy Virginia
lands. now in so many instances thrown
upon the market with little prospect Of
being purchased, bnt they would also be in-
possession Of sufficient capital TO improve
these ltIlNs anu ~ pave Ah'Ah "i'' - 1870
ing most conducive 10 their profitable work
ing. There is reason 10 believe that our Viz
ginian soil can be cultivated TO as much adj
vantage, if the proper courses of agriculture
are followed. as the soil Of Ohio, Illinois
and Indiana, ard yet in spite of the deprcs-
sion in the farming interests Of these states,
a depression in some respects greater than
that prevailing in this Commonwealth, The
lands in the former are held at very much
higher rate. There is very wide difference
between the assessments of real estate of an
agricultural character in the two divisions
of country respectively. A iarmerot ONO
for instance, might dispose Of his farm at a
price which would enable him TO purchase
"A farm of equal area, and similar fertility of
soil in Virginia. and yet have remaining
over very considerable sum TO be applied
to whatever purpose might commend itself
90 the Owner.
There can be no doubt that this state Of
fers 10 such an immigrant more advantages
in the point OF climate, productiVeness and
cheapness OF land. established Institutions
in the way Of schools and churches, and
proximity 10 market, than those parts Of the
the extreme West TO which the movement
of farmers from the States Of Ohio. Illinois
and Indiana is now directed. Never before
has such an opportunity been presented Co
the state of Virginia 20 rescue her agricul-
tural classes from the poverty into which
they have fallen, TO bring her untitled soil
into cultivation, to renew her worn out
lands. 10 utilize % the utmost those that are
fertile, TO give an impulse 10 all her rural
industries, and TO increase thepopulation Of
her villages and towns. The agricultural
ruin in the West can by wise management
aud judicious energy be made the basis of
the permanent agricultural prosperity OF
Virginia.
The present state Of agriculture cannot
last for a great number of years. IL carries
In its very decay its own remedy. An adj
iustment of agricultural methods to the
new conditions Of success and the lower
ing Of the tariff must, at a comparatively
early day. cause the tide in agricultural
affairs TO turn. II is now in this interval Of
depression that the question Of the emf
grafton Of farmers from the West 10 Nir-
ginia can be most effectively agitated. IL
Is lust at this critical moment that = State
board Of immigration, composed of practi-
cal and sagacious men and backed by sufli-
cient means to carry ont every plan adapted
20 ensure success. would rebound 90 the
lasting benefit OF the state by introducing
into all It's farming communities most
valuable element Of population, which is
now being diverted in other directions.
In the absence Of this board il would
seem advisable for all the real estate agents
Of our county courthouses and small towns
20 form a general association for the pur-
pose Of cooperating in the work OF Undue
ing the farmers Of ONO, Illinois and In
diana 10 seek new homes within the hos
pitable and capacious borders OF the Old
Dominion, thus returning 70 her some Of
those swarming colonies which she has 80
long been sending out 10 the West.
THE PAN-AMERICAN TOUR.