The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-22
yIRGINIA FRUITS.
\ Complaint TINT fheir Culture IS Not sufi
cientlY EnconlAcsd.
Editor Times


Editor Times:
through the kindness OF the secretary Of
the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical So
Getty am in receipt of the list OF premiums
offered by the Society to the counties ~ TIE
state ~ its second grand exposition I'D Dc
held at it, grounds from October 10 vet be-
Der ~. 1872. The secretary THINKS IL very
attractive list OF premiums ana sh'uld IN
duce the counties 10 be Wei repIesehleI.
This may all be So. But 10 strikes me the ISL
JIG sadly defective as regards the leading pre-
minus Were Virginia simply al agrcul-
tura. state and could only grow success
fully the cereals. tobacco, COTTON. pea
nuts and hay. and was deoarreu uy
climate locality IT any other cause Whatever
from the cOntcst IN "a horticultural point from
connetitiou with other States IN this limo.
then the premiums might Le we'll enough.
But such is not the case. SIMPLY as hn agfl-
cultural state, she can well alora 70 contest
the po.nt ON the score ak climate, locality,
&c. with those States liable 70 Devastating
cyclones. Interminable winters ana CLOUDS oi
locust But this Is not her vantage ground.
this is not her chief excellence. The oldest
of States she has looked manly 10 agi-
culture conducted on the oldest style, and
has not progressed. other and Younger
STATES have 0ut-trpped her. The culture OF
corn. wheat and tobacco alone has LETT heF
most sadly d the lurch, for there can be 10
prosperity in any community which fans 10
foster and encourage IN every possible way
the most promising outlOoks, nor can there
ever be any until new headlights are raise D,
new industries encouraged and the Oh pic do II
b comes the new and Wide-awake man OF the
nineteenth century.
Many shrewd and far-seeing men are very
hopeful OF the future of Virginia. but u is
nom a different standpoint from that taken
.I. of \ o. Pc
cultural and Mechanical Society.
The superior adaptabilty OF Virginia o.
Horticultural products has long been con-
ceded by those who are familiar with the
products OF oil the States IN that line men
who are able 10 give an ineligible and reiia-
ule opinion upon the subject. Her ppp.ns
have a reputation world wide and her ether
apples arc fully equal. If not superior. ln sizs.
appearance aud flavor 10 the best gro ia
all tho land.
Here the pear. peach. plum and the caery
all attain 20 very superior excellence under
proper conditions and cultivation. il these,
then. are indisputablo facts, why does not the
society now 30 very prominent ia prospective
Virginia outlook acknowledge the fact hY
giving Virginia fruits % more prominent pre-
MUM instead Of assigning 10 IL back
seat. reward somewhat commensurate
On tic bright outlook aud importance oI
TINS cOinDaratlyoiy new industry. Why offer
over 800 III prizes 10 grain and tobacco and
simply go ou iruit, Why. II Immigration q,
what Is wanted. the first Question asked by
the more intelligent NOrtherner is ln regard
a. the fruit growing capacity OF the State. tie
very product which pays best IN almost all
sections whore successfully grown,
take IL Tor granite IL Is within the control
of the clety 20 award IT'S premiums as Il may
best deem lit. and l suppose Il is "a fact that
needs no reasseitlOn that fruit succeeds o. u
charm throughout the length aud breadth VI
tie Old Dominion. 10 is furthermore
known 10 be the most Temuneratiye
branch of agriculture IL these are
facts why not give this branch al any rate
q fair chance with the crops grown bv the
rreat minority. and which ls nOtlri0u,ly
thought 10 be auything but profitable. ]
notice further II 800 is the sweepstake award
% agricultural productions. minerals W DDS
and timber and 10 various Virginia mauufuc-
turing interest. but no sweepstako award
whatever Is given O. trusts. /. along with
others am eager % see the fruit interest OF
the State properly on its feet. and ava
unwilling 10 see il pine for lack Of that atlen-
ton il SO justly deserves az the hands OF those
VINO are able 10 push 10 t. tee front When
every valley lill and mountain III the tate IS
made 10 Yield rs quota Of lIsc GUS iruit. and
Virginia is known as tie greatest irlit-pr0-
duclug State o. tho MON ~ quality u.s. We'll as
quantity then Will the seal ol prosperity boz
affixed u her name and the rustlng boom OK
success make her continuing abiding place
with Us. VALENTINE Fox
Harris Creek. Va. April s.. 1872.