Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-18

homestead. This seems 10 be truly
chnrrncd section of the old Common
wealth. Cllnging to many or these ola
homesteads were still the imprints OF the
old aristocracy. and some OF the dear
est memories and most interesting his
tory OF the past. Here in the dying days
OF the CONFIDENCE the squadrons OF
Lee and Sheridan FLASHED on the histori-
cal fields OF Five Forks Last season the
golden. bright tobacco grew and blos-
somod on these fields. and thus another
charm and means Of rising out OF her
ashes has been added TO the attractions
OF Dinwiddie
IL IL desired here TO call attention OF
farmers on the sandy lands In the coun-
ties around Richmond 10 these model to-
bacco farms run by a colony Of Tarheels.
both white and colored They are all
pleased with their surroundings and won
derfu success. They believe they have
struck an Eidorado. and have never seen
n place. mot even in Carolina. where
bright tobacco can be cultivated 50 easily
and grows so fine" Cheerful faces were
70 be seen on all Sides bright not with
hope--no futures about it-but a veritabie
reality Not that somebody thought
these lands would produce bright tobacco
or that it could or would be raised here.
but their pack houses were already full
Of the money-making weed. The writer
has not seen in years such crops OF fine.
bright tobacco IL tends 20 a luxurious
growth but is OF an ideal fibre and tex
ture. For mahogany wrappers and Eng
lish export and stripping leaf the to-
bacco Of Eastern. North. and South Caro-
lima will not compare with II. The claim
Is thus established that. when these fine
lands contiguous TO our city are put in
bright tobacco they will produce n type
and class Of tobacco that will be distinct
and OF a superior quality. Just as are
the sweet sun-cured OF Caroline and
Louisa. And thus much of the prestige
Of Richmond as an original and farmers
market may be restored TO her. a great
item I'm the count here too. is the cheap
ness Of these lands. Many Of them have
been sold FOR mere song, and the price
is still ridiculously low. They have a
tenacious subsoil. and are susceptible OF
the highest Improvement for grain
clover, grasses. etc. Tho more 1 think
the more the wonder grows how i'm these
past twenty or twenty-five years. these
lands have not been utilized for this
valuable crop. for which they seem spe-
cially adapted. and how. out of the mill
lions of dollars that have boon paid out
by the Richmond tobacco dealers TO
farmers in the Carolinas. not farmer
Of this section has gotten n dollar and
that. too. when bright tobacco was SELL
ing as high as 80, 7jc., and 81 per pound.
Farmers I'm Chesterfield. King George.
Surry, and King William counties who
have tobacco lands can find model farms
here. The cultivation and fert,fzing is
thoroughly understood and is after the
most approved methods. The barns and
pack-houses are as neat and complete as
possible. and properly located. and equip
ped with the latest Improvement. II Is
worth any mans while who is interested
In farming 20 go and see them, for there
is still more money in bright tobacco
than any crop that can be grown In this
section on the comparatively poor lands
now turned out in broom-sedge and
growing up I'm pines. And now is the
time 10 secure tenants and laborers from
the old tobacco sections. Already quite
a number of Carolinians have made ar
rangements for another year, and will be
added to the Dinwiddie colony.
| can but add that the generous efforts
Of the Dispatch have been very much
appreciated by the trade and by the
farmers all around who have undertaken
this crop for the first time this season.