The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-27
FRUIT INTERESTS OF VIRGINIA.

The natural productions Of Virginia are IN
surpassed in quality. Whenever a syste-
matte and organized effort Is made TO display
the best specimens of these productions,
however intelligently directed may be the
competition with which the Virginia exhibit
tors have to contend. they are generally sue
cessful In carrying off the chief prizes.
This fact was again illustrated at the meet
ing of the American Pathological Society,
which was in session in Washington city a
few dnys ago. SO marked was the superiority
of the Virginian exhibit of fruit that the
Washington Post spoke Of the day on which
the honors for superiority in his line were
distributed as Virginia's Day. The ii rst sI-
yer medal was awarded our state Board Of
Agriculture on this occasion, AM three OF the
eight bronze medals were received by VIZ
einians. and of the five honorable mentions
Virginians received three.
In the address which Mr.. Lyman delivered
after the prizes were awarded we do not
think that he exaggerated the virtues of our
soil in the production OF fruit. From the
very fret discovery Virginia has been
famous for the variety as well as the quality
Of her fruit. Nothing impressed the c~oIonists
who founded jamestown more deeply than
the quantities of strawberries, mulberTies,
raspberries, plums, cherries. melons and,
above AL of grapes which they observed in
every direction in which they extended their
explorations. The soil seemed to be espe-
cially adapted to this form of growth, and
| this has not been disproved by the subse-
| ouent history Of the colony and the State.
II is only since the war. however. that an
effort on an extended scale has been made TO
utilize the fu II resources Of Virginia in this
respect. That effort in the light of the vast
results that will be accomplished hereafter
has been only tentative, but it has at least
served to show that Virginia is capable Of sup
| plying the markets of thislcountry with all of
certain varieties of fruits.
One of the most hopeful signs of the grow
ing prosperity of the State is the increased
attention which is being paid to the minor
industries. At one time the energies of our
landowners were substantially restricted TO
the production Of tobacco and the cereals.
Now we observe in every part of the Com
monwealth II Investigation of industries
that must add very materially to the wealth
of our people.
We recently noted the indications Of a rap
%idly-growing interest IN sheep husbandry
throughout the Southwest, the Valley and
Southside Virginia. More attention is being
paid in the more highly-favored grazing sec
lions of the State to fine horses and cattle
than ever. The SUCCESS which has
attended tho exhibit of Virginian fruit
in Washington is a proof that fruit Gull
ture is being conducted in this State with
great skill and energy. The enlargement Of
the trucking interests of Tidewster Virginia
is only the beginning Of a development in
this direction which must in time reach pro-
portions unsurpassed by the trucking in
terests of any State in the Union. whether
situated in the North or the South.
Standing at the gateway to the North and
the South alike. Virginia must in the course
of time derive an hundred fold increase in
income from supplying the needs of both sec
tions in tobacco, wheat. corn, vegetables,
fruits and live stock of every kind.