The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-16

elcquence have ever inspired their fell
low men to deeds OF valor and patriot
ism, and in the stern arena Of war Vir-
gipia's generals and Virginia's soldiers
have at all times proven themselves
among the best OF the Anglo-Saxon race.
minion stands pre-eminent. In the days
OF horse racing Virginia-bred animals
proved themselves equal, both in en-
durance and speed, to any that ever con-
tested for the palm on the best courses
OF the English turf. Besides the various
productions OF prolific soil, our rivers
are filled with the choicest fish, our for
ests abound with valuable woods, and
our mineral resources are inexhaustible.
Virginia oysters promise under proper
regulations to become source OF wealth
to the people and OF revenue TO the
State that is likely to lead to the most
beneficial results. Besides these our
rivers and bays will yield employment
to thousands Of men in supplying the
markets Of the country with fish and
game.
Fortunately for Virginia and the rest
OF the South their resources and advan-
tages are at last becoming known, and,
now that sectional barriers have been in
great measure removed, we may ex-
steady increase in wealth and popula.
ton that will give to all the States their
proper places in the American Union.
NDr. Charles w. Dabney, assistant Secre-
tsry OF Agriculture, in his recent ad-
dress before the Virginia Farmers Insti-
TUE, gave some facts and figures in con.
nection with the growth and progress Of
the South which have astonished the
whole country and greatly encouraged
our own people. Among other things
he showed that while the wealth of the
New England States increased 60 per
cent. between 1870 and $780, the Middle
States IS per cent, and the Prairie
States only 3 per cent. the States OF
the South showed the enormous In
crease OF $50 per cent. The South in
1890 produced S773. 0oO.o 900 from Its
farms, and the total value OF Its farm
assets was s3.1s2. 900. 900, while it's
products returned in gross "a. l per cent.
npon this capital. against q yield of
only 1871 per cent. in other parts OF the
country.
n concluding, DR.. Dabney said:
The Southern farmer is destined to
do far more and much better in the near
future than he has done In the past.
do not mean by this that every indi-
vidual is going TO attain success or that
every country will be restored to pros
perity. In the complete reorganiza ton
of industry which Is taking place
some sections and some people may be
entirely ruined. Only those who learn
the new methods will share In the com.
ing prosperity.
ITO the Southern farmer ny word
would be: Cheer up; there is q good
time coming Be not deceived by
either the calamity bowler or the
quack. Neither silver nor gold will buy
prosperity, but only hard work. You
must have something to sell before you
can get money of any sort, and this
something the farmer must make out of
the soil. The only true measures of
prosperity are the products Of the farm,
and these will find markets II they are
of the proper character. The successful
farmer Is the mau who grows the best
and finest things-nice fruit, nice vege.
tables or manufactures his farm pro.
duce to the highest degree before he
sells it,"