Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-15

Tn his London Truth Mr.. Laboucnere
has been dIscouraging the emigration Oh
rnv,,sh,rcn 10 the farm lands or Canada
and Virginia. The system OF farm pu-
nils" Is especially derided by him. As
10 Canada he says there are genuine
OPENINGS for farm pupils there while
'in Virginia there are none" virginia
has some attractions and advantages OF
i,s own. he admits: but the prospect OF
obtaining a remuneratlve return from
land investments there not one oil
them. and those who are tempted to sink
capital in that direction may rely upon
1t that they are being invited to help
some one else out Of bad bargain"
These observations OF Mr.. Labouchere
are based In the main upon letter
which he publishes from IAN Anglo-Vir-
ginIan of twenty years residence" here
but which. as we read It. by no means
bears out all OF the editors assertions.
IL is, however. easy to see that the edi-
tors correspondent has not been fortu-
nate In his investments here, though ne
recommends Virginia 10 gentlemen OF
large families. limited, but assured
means. and country tastes" and for
them" he declares. 1.-THE country has
many advantages" &c.
AS general thing the English settler
buys too much land. and thus usually
leaves himself without the necessary capt.
tai wherewith TO maintain himself while
he Is getting his farm in order and await
ing moneyed returns from his crops. 100
often he is over-wlse and rejects the eA-
periences Of Virginia farmers and sets
out upon new and untried experiments.
| Then again many new settlers are not
| farmers and are wholly incapable OF
| learning the farming business, and would
! fail In 1t in England or In any State OF
| this Union. Some who have bought lahus
no doubt have been the victims OF sharp
ers and have paid prices which would
have bought them fine. productive truck
| farms in Tdewater Virginia or good
grass lands in the uD-country.
| Now, as to farm pupils" If a young
man purposes TO settle In this country
and would be taught the methods of agri-
| culture In vogue here, and would learn
how the country suits him and he the
| country, 1t might be well for him to
come over here and spend year or two
with some well-known practical farmer;
| but if he really wishes to learn farm
ing he must give his main attention TO
farming and not to society and sports.
| III. nj Of
doesn't like the country he can pack his
luggage and quit without much loss. Not
50 the man who has imprudently laid out
his all in a farm which he doesn't know
how and can never be taught TO cultivate.
This man must remain here until he finds
n purchaser and perhaps b. that time
he is hopelessly involved in debt
| The English settlers who have come
amongst us since the war have been OF
various characters. Some were uneXcep-
uonal men; some very wild young fell
lows. Some had good business instincts;
| some were thriftless, and existed chiefly
on remttanccs from home. Some bought
| land advisedly some bought rashly.
We welcome all good settlers. our lands
are now at the lowest price they have
ever been known to reach. but when the
general tide Of business turns they are
sure to rise In value. Virginia and the
southern States have touched bottom
and their future will be upward ana on
ward.
The Dispatch has over and over
said that the best way for Virginia TO Sc
cure desirable immigration IS through the
help of new settlers resident here and
who are satisfied with their new homes.
Never shall we succeed as We ought L
| succeed until We adopt this plan. III each
| congressional district, If not in every
| county. there ought TO be a new settlers
committee on immigration. Such com
mittee could put the truth before the
world and get a hearing where other per
sons could not. and would be Of invaluable
assistance to all foreigners who come Of
propose to come TO Virginia.