The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-15
A Steady Advance ofIndustrial Worth
in Rural Virginia.
GOTH RACES FEEL THE ADVANCE.
The Evidences In tho Comparatively
Poor County or spossylvania Point
to Prosperity and contcntmcnt.
People Are More Industrious

No exciting events have disturbed the
peace of the people and no wave OF en-
thusiasm or OF wrath has swept over the
country. News items, In the common
acceptation OF the phrase. have been UNI
known. But IL 1t be true that a country
Is happicst when its annals are brief it
may also be true that the gradual and
steady development OF the Industries OF
a community rs no less worthy of note
by the public press than the rivalries and
contests OF local politicians and office
seekers or the record OF crimes, casualties
and the gossip OF society.
This section Is one which suffered
heavily during the civil war 1t has had
no boom since that period. II may be OF
interest. therefore. TO note the fact that
the farmers were never more prosperous
or more contented striking evidence
OF this fact is TO be seen in the Increased
acreage OF land seeded TO wheat ana
grass, Notwithstanding the low prices OF
grain and hay. The sales Of commercial
fertilizers have been heavier than In any
previous season. The transportation Ia
cilities Of the railroads were taxed 10
their utmost capacity TO bear this trafnc
promptly and highways leading from the
railway stations were for many days en-
livened by trains of farm wagons heavily
laden with fertilizers.
TRADE IN FERTILIZERS.
This trade has grown steadily from
year to year for a long period and Is not
the result OF a boom. The very notable
increase in purchases last year was at
tributed to the high price OF wheat and
many feared that this branch OF agricuh
fure would be stimulated TO an UNI
healthy degree This year there is no
temptation TO the farmer TO engage In
wheat growing as a speculation; and the
fact becomes manifest that the increased
use OF commercial fertilizers is due to
wider and fuller perception of the value
OF grass crops for the Improvement OF the
soil.
There was time when we heard much
ofthe impoverishment of the farmer from
purchasing fertilizers. Now the best
farmers do not expec, TO succeed with any
crop without fertiizirg II and the pros
perity OF a farmer may be estimated with
some degree of accuracy by the amount
of fertilizers which he uses.
For many years after the civil war agri-
culture languished in this portion Of the
State and II was very generally accepted as
a truism that the wealth and property OF
our people were declining. And this be-
lief became so far fixed In the minds of
men that they were for a long while un-
able 10 understand that the tide had turn
ed. This truth has now become too pat
ent for denial.
HAND OF PROSPERITY.
1t Is made evident not only by the facts
TO which allusion has been made. but
also by many others
Residences are larger. better and more
numerous. Old fields. once abandoned
and bare have been reclaimed brought
under cultivation ard are now covered
with clover and grass. There is a much
more careful preparation of the seed bed
for crops and the cultivation of the soil
IS much more thorough There is de
cided Improvement in the fences and bv
moving the weeds and bushes the fields
are made to present an appearance OF
neatness and thrift which IL a marked i'm
provement upon Old methods.
Upon almost every farm there has been
a large Increase in the number of horses;
and the increase in number Is not more
noteworthy than the great Improvement
sn their appearance and the condition in
which they are kept. There has been
large increase I'm the herds of cattle on
farms and the interest In the raising OF
live stock was never so great nor so
general as at the present time. Our peo-
pie have learned that II is far more profit
table to raise well-bred cattle and while
they are not attempting TO raise fancy
stock, the effort TO improve their breeds
IS far more widespread than ever before.
There has been a great increase In the
implements and machinery kept by farm
IL 10. r.1,x
riages.
FRUITS OF INDUSTRY.
In a word II may be said that our
people are working harder. more steadily
and more effectively than ever before.
That they live better and dress better,
and that they are more hopeful and con-
tented. The growth of prosperity Is
especially noticeable among those holding
small areas, and the change for the bet
ter is no less marked among the negroes
than among the whites.
Indeed. IL must be said that. taken
as whole. the negroes have MADE
greater progress than the white people
during the past twenty years. The the
ory so widely accepted years ago, that
the negro in state OF freedom would
revert to barbarism has been so utterly
exploded everywhere that one no longer
hears II advanced by even the most pro-
nounced pessimis,; and men who are
still disposed TO croak about the condition
OF the country. do not attempt 10 deny
that the negroes are rapidly learning
habits of industry. economy and thrift.
A very large proportion of them evil
IDENTIFY appreciate the advantages which
they enjoy for lettering their condition,
and are working well. cheerfully and
hopefully.
There are no rich men here: most OF
the people are in very moderate circum-
stances; many are very poor. and the
increase in thrift is by nomeans universal
IN either race but the facts which have
been set forth establish Enthusiastically
that this section has seen its darkest
days. and that steady and healthfui
growth In its Industrial life has set In.
A FAIR TYPE.
This seems to me important, because
|, his regime may be taken as fair type
OF the least prosperous sections OF the
State. What is going on here, 1t may
be believed. IL going on all over Nir-
glnia. And II this be true the next
census must show that the present de-
cade marks new era In our history.
Notwithstanding the thriving condition
OF the farming industry and the bright
and hopeful outlook for the future. the
price of land Is so low as to be almost
There Is probably no portion
OF the Union in which good farming
lands. with equal advantages. can be
had so cheap as in Virginia, and in no
portion OF the Site can the home-seeker
invest his money With greater assurance
of q good return than in this section.
We have no land agents. and no at
L. S.lo oA In M Qtt