The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-05
FRuIT CULTURE IN VIRGINIA.

A few days ago The TIMEs contained brief
report Of an interview which its representative
had held with Mr.. G. K. Lyman, the we'll
known member Of the State Board Of Agricui-
ture from Abemarle. with reference to fruit
culture in Virginia. Mr.. Lyman is chairman
of a committee which was recently appointed
by the board to confer with the railroads to
secure cheaper and better facilities for the
shipment of our fruits TO markets situated
outside of the boundaries of the State. II is
cause for congrAtulstion that the efforts OF
the committee to secure these facilities have
proved successful arrangements for fayora-
bic schedule being now in process OF formu-
lation. which when consummated will as Mr..
Lyman very Justly states. have an important
influence in stimulating fruit culture in Viz
ginia. and thus in adding TO the means OF
Virginia landowners.
We believe that Mr.. Lyman is strictly &C
curate in declaring that if the proper degree
of attention were paid to the industry, Viz
ginia can be made tho centre of fruit canning
in the United States. What advantages has
MARYLAND over this Commonwealth in respect
TO soil or climate2 Not one. It's single point
OF superiority lies in It's accessibility TO mar
ket This will at once disappear when the
Virginia roads which lead directly to the
Northern markets have lowered their rates
for canned goods and fruit, of which there Is
now so fair prospect in consequence of the
active steps which have been taken by Mr.
Lyman and his associates
1t is not an e1aggeration 10 say that there Is
no State in the Union which is better adapted
to fruit culture than Virginia. Competent
Judges agree with Mr.. Lyman in thinking that
this Commonwealth is superior in this respect
even to California. certainly in the variety of
it, fruits and in 1.-THE quality of the kinds
which are especially suitable for canning pur-
poses.
1t is lamentable to observe how little our
soil has been utilized for fruit culture The
culture of vegetables on the other hand. has in
recent years spread very notably. The vicin-
fly of Norfolk, the Eastern Shore aud large
part of the Western Shore have become a
great truck garden to supply the needs of the
North in successive seasons The amount of
money brought into Virginia by this means is
enormous. AS the trucking interests enlarge,
which they are doing under the stimulus of
a growing demand, proportionate addition
is made to the incomes of those engaged in
these interests.
Why should not the same energy be ex-
hibited in the development of our fruit inter-
estsS The reward of intelligent labor ex-
pended in this direction would be even
greater than that derived from the develop
ment Of our trucking interests. In the cult
walton of the apple, the peach andthe grape
three fruits only-there is reason to believe
that many hundreds of thousands of dollars
could be made every year. Ii is in diversity
of product that Virginia must expect to find
her principal source Of wealth in the soil
With the extension of every form Of agricul-
tural industry this State is assured of pros
perity wholly unexampled in its history.
The Board Of Agriculture, acting through its
representatives, Mr.. Lyman and the commit
tee over which he presides, is showing a
thorough appreciation Of the conditions of
success in arranging for lower rates on the
railroads in the transportation of Virginia
fruit, and if this, the first step. is followed up
in the same spirit by other steps equally ne
cessary and equally practicable, there is excel
lent ground for anticipating that the fruit in.
terest Of Virginia win become at a compare
lively early day one Of the most profitable
and extensive in the Commonwealth.