Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-17
SOIL, FOREST. AND NINE RESOURCES.
These Subjects Discussed by Men wen
oualIfird to speak on Them.

Professor ". D. Atwood. Of the Nir-
gina Agricultural and Mechanical College,
was. AZ the conclusion Of NJ. Koiners
remarks. introduced as the first topical
speaker. his subject being The Aericul-
turai Resources ana Capabilities of the
Soil"
Professor Atwood started out with the
contention that agricultural resources.
practically without limit must BE- the
basis upon which we seek 10 gain the ear
of the Lone-sc-ker. IL was not possible
for him 20 enter into extended discussion
Of tho geology Of the state. but he with
a 10 indicate. as definitely as practicable
Tn, several sections having in the main
common characteristics Of formation.
topography, and climate. He then took
up the several sections seriatim and
showed their diversity OF crop OF the
TdeWater section he gave a most encOur-
aging q scrption. especially Ia respect Of
truck crops. and declared that TideWater
Virginia had not been developed TO %
per cent Of its productive capacity. It's
richness he attributed as well 70 climate
as soil. He would not. however. he said
have it understood that Tiiewater was an
exclusively trucking section lie then
enumerated It's other crops.
MIDDLE VIRGINIA.
Professor Atwood next took up Middle
Virginia. which. ne said. had received less
impetus than any other section since the
war. but he could speak from knowledge
that when properly cultivated. the soil
yielded abundantly He gave some very
interesting statistics as TO the tobacco
and grain-crops of Middle Virginia. and
said the farmers Of this section had been
pursuing system Of robbing IN. soil
lie made a strong plea for fruit growing
in this section lie also cOntended for
less tobacco and more Of other crops.
The Piedmont and the Blue Ridge sec
tions were treated together, and their
present condition and possibilities Were
pointed out. Here. too. cOntended Pro-
fcssOr Atwood. a system OF exhaustion OF
the soil had been followed. lie dwelt
especially upon the fruit poss bilities OF
these sections.
Next were taken up the Valley and
the Appalachian sections. and AN inter
esting treatise upon their products. soil.
and climate given. For these sections.
Professor Atwood predicted a great
future, especially iii cattle grain, and
fruits.
In conclusion, Professor Atwood gave
some interesting statistics, demonstrating
that Virginia was only on the verge OF
her agricultural development.
Forestry and Forest Products.
Or. John 5. Apperson was next intro
duced his subject being. Forestry and
Forest Products" After stating that
statistics on Virgin forestry were very
d!fiicult TO obtain, DIR. Apperson said:
THE forests OF Virginia have been con-
spicuous for their diversity and uniform
distribution, the varieties OF trees they
contain. and the estimate placed upon
tben because of their products for do
mestic purposes. as we'll as their import
ance in the commerce OF the State. The
Significance OF the question is intensified
by the fact that less than three hundred
years ago this was the best-wooded coun-
try In the world. Probably In the whole
area OF the present State Of Virginia there
was less than square mile OF tillable
land not covered by forest growth. There
is to-day, out OF about 2o.co0ooo acres OF
land. only about one half In wood land.
CONCLUDED ON THIRD PACED