The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-12
OUR UNPROFITABLE LANDS.
4 Plan Suggested For Their Settlement and
Cultivation.
FAILURE OF EFFORTS AT IMMIGRATION.
the State Purchase and Sell Them
to Settlers.

When the late war came 20 an END, more
than twenty-five years ago. the people OF VIZ
GINA had nothing left but their lands. These
they held to be very valuable and for two
reasons, They had once managed to live and
thrive on them, and therefore had a right to
suppose they could do the same again. In
deed many were Of opinion that country
property would at once sell at premium;
that immigrants would suddenly pour into
State so well known as was Virginia, and that
even the soldiers Of the late invading armies
would hastily return to buy up the fields over
which they had marched at prices far below
their value. Thus they deluded themselves
until the lapse Of time proved that their
hopes we're in vain. Meantime they had been
compelled to go 20 work themselves. They
had been accustomed for gener atoms TO
particular system of agriculture, and not be-
ing familiar with any other, they quite
naturally fell into the old way, they reasoned
that ifsuch an acreage OF land worked by slave
labor yielded such and such results, the same
land in the hands of the same negroes and
titled in the same manner, would produce &C
cordingy. But they soon found that as a
rule they were mistaken. They could not
understand for n long time why 1t was that
the labor of the black man under one con-
dition should not be az profitable as 1t had
been under another. IL IL not neces-
sary 10 review here the causes which
finally led the farmers of Virginia TO the
sad conclusion that nothing but ultimate ruin
awaited them II they continued TO practice
the system they had adopted Immediately
after the war. They now began 10 be willing
10 sell part if not all. the limits they owned.
But the trouble was TO find purchasers. No
body doing better at other callings could be
induced to undertake agriculture "a paying
business. At last things began 10 get so bad
that the country people IN many Instances
cheerfully abandoned their homes 10 seek
employment in the towns and cities This
desertion of farms that had lately been
yielding something. added year by year to the
acreage OF waste lands. In a word, the agri-
cultursts of the State and all others inter
ested in its prosperity soon realized that their
only hope was to be found in some scheme of
immigration by which these waste lands
should be occupied. In the meantime. thou
sands had been leaving the State Whole
families sought homes IN the South and West,
while the younger men crowded 70 the chief
cites of the North.
Forced by tho logic Of events not only
the people but the public authorities under
took 10 remedy the evil. The Legislature
formulated schemes of immigration agents
were appointed, money was spent, speeches
and appeals were made, and documents al
most by the acre were sent broadcast over
this and the European continent setting forth
the attractions held out to immigrants by the
State Of Virginia. With what avail the expe-
rience of the last twenty years has shown.
In certain neighbOrhOods few settlers have
bought up the poorest lands they could find,
and have on this account been obliged 10
abandon them. Others with moderate
amount of capital have hopelessly gone
sFaNA Of hfTN
for the most part have failed. sold out at loss
and left the country. Another class have
purchased small tracts of land near the cities.
and manage 10 exc out living by cultlvating
small fruits and vegetables. These came
South chiefly for change of climate, and are
willing to remain. Still higher class, but
few in number have been foreigners whose
incomes were toOsmall TO warrant their remain
ing at home. but which support them COM
fortably and allow them higher social posi-
tons than they enjoyed elsewhere. They are,
therefore, satisfied The discovery of vau-
able mineral resources in some parts Of the
State has attracted immigration. AS it were by
proxy. considerable amounts of capital having
developed localities heretofore worthless as
sources Of taxation. IL must be admitted,
therefore. that considering the efforts made
In the last twenty-five years, the numerous
attempts TO establish healthy and contin-
uous flow Of settlers into the state have been
failures. Instead Of the sporadic cases men,
toned above, by this time the business Of di-
recting and controlling immigration should
have become one Of the great economic agen-
cies of the State Failing in the means here
tofore employed the last device of the land
jobber and Spectator has developed a system
of quackery by which strangers, aliens and
all corners are decoyed into the State. Bodies
of land are selected at convenient places upon
which cities are expected 10 grow in day
Bouleyards and avenues are constructed in a
wilderness, greatly 10 the discomfort of the
mOles and hares and crickets. but much to the
pleasure Of those who listen with credulity to
the whispers of fancy, and pursue with eager
ness the phantOms OF hope Ii may be. few
Of these uncertain enterprises may, for time,
furnish market for the agricultural products
of the neighborhood and restore to the specu-
lator the funds he originally invested with con-
siderable interest thereon. But they can never
become centres Of population until the rest
of the State has been proportOnately settled.
The mechanics who were first employed at the
new furnace. and in erecting the grand hotels
built chiefly of slabs and paints, may continue
10 linger for time in the wake OF the specu-
lator expecting further jobs. But even these
will ultimately find it prudent to seek living
for their families and themselves elsewhere