Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-07
From the Richmond State, Dec. alst.]
How to Secure Settlers.
The Board of Agriculture to Discuss
Immigration.

FIFTEEN MILLIONS OF ACRES OF uNcULT1-
WAITED LAND IN THIS STATE WHICH CAN
BE BOUGHT AT Low PRICES.
The State Board of Agriculture will meet
here on January 18th, and will be in session
two days.
One of the most important matters to be
considered is the question of securing SET
tiers for the uncultivated lands in Virginia.
According to the annual report of the Com
missioner of Agriculture, which is now in
the hands of the printer, there are in this
State Ii, 900, 600 acres of land suitable for
cultivation which is not titled. Such
property is burden to the owner, for
while he gets no benefit from such real
estate he has to pay taxes upon it each
year.
CHEAP, BUT PRODUCTIVE.
Most of this land is for sale at low prices
and the Board of Agriculture will discuss
ways and means to get immigrants who
have money to make purchases to come to
Virginia, buy farms, and help to enrich
the State.
With small expenditure Of money ell of
this vast amount Of uucultivated land can
be improved and will produce splendid
crops which will pay the industrious farmer
who takes advantage of the excellent
climate, good markets and low taxes Of
fered to settlers in Virginia.
WHAT TEE BOARD HAS DONE.
The question of attracting immigration
to Virginia has often been discussed by the
Board of Agriculture. At the meeting last
September the Commissioner of Agriculture
was directed to advertise the advantages
offered by our State in number of news
papers throughout the country. He did SO
and the result has been he has received a
great number of letters from all parts of
this country and Canada asking for further
information. This has been furnished by
the Commissioner in the shape of all kinds
OF Literature bearing upon the climate, soil
and all other advantages Virginia offers to
settlers.
MONEY WELL SPENT.
The iU migration question is one that is
Interesting the people of the South general
feelir g among wise business men in favor
OF Inc State making an appropriation sufi-
Gent to carry on the work in proper man-
ner. Those who have given some thought
to this subject take the ground that no
matter how much money is spent by the
State to secure settlers it will pay in the
end an enormous per cent. on account of
the increased value of lands and the conse-
quent increase in the aggregate of taxes.
THE LACK OF FUNDS.
The State Board of Agriculture at pres
ent is handicapped for the want OF funds.
About the best they can do with the means
at their disposal is to advertise the States
advantages in newspapers and to send out
literature to inquirers. Had they the means
to employ few experienced immigration
agents to send to such persons as are inter
ested in coming to Virginia, the effect
would be much greater and many persons
with money to invest in lands would be Sc i
cured as settlers in this State who other
wise might not come.
LITERATURE AND AGENTS.
The plan of sending out literature has
proved to be profitable. For instance,
gentleman in Switzerland got hold Of copy
|sof Col. Whitehead's book, Virginia as
/ She Is," and wrote for further information,
which was furnished him. The result was
he came to Virginia with $1,000 in gold
and purchased nice little farm in New
Kent. and is now doing we'll. But in there
days of competition the immig alton agent
is as indispensable to the State that wants
to secure settlers as is the drummer to the
big Wholesale merchant.
While in session the Board of Agricul-
ture will also discuss the question of hold
ing Farmers Institutes throughout the
State. The President of the Board is
Major W. T. Sutherlin, of Danville, one
of the most practical farmers and business
men in the State.