The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-09-17
WEST VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE.

The Magnitude Of the Industry In this
stats-A Readable ReHums by Governor
Atkinson.
Governor Atkinson in Up to Date
Farming and Gardening: That the i'm
portance and magnitude of the agrIcul-
tural products and interests of West
virginia are greatly underestimate
both within. and without Its borders, is
certain. The idea prevails among many
of our own people, and by large num-
Der OF people in other sections. that the
state OF Yves. Virginia, because OF IT'S
ruggedness, is almost wholly UNIT for
agricultural purposes, and that the OPP
portunlty to proftably engags IN such
business here does not exist. II Is
great wrong that such impression OF our
state should have been permitted 70
gain credence in any quarter; and stlh
the more to be regretted that so little
has been done to correct this false ana
damaging belief. The facts are general-
~ being gathered and spread abroad by
an awake and aggressive state board
of agriculture, which was created by
law in 1891 assisted by the old and time
tried patrons OF husbandry, the state
Horticultural Society, the State Sheep
Breeders and Wool Growers Associn-
tIon, and many other kindred organiza-
tions.
Perhaps the work OF our agricultural
board, in publishing monthly maya
ZIne.-The West Virginia Farm Review
land In carrying on system OF farm
ers county Institutes throughout the
state, are proving the most potent fac-
tors in establishing and giving publicity
10 the facts as they really exist, ana
bringing to public attention the real
merits OF West Virginia as an important
and. indeed, valuable agricultural state.
The fact that larger profit for the
number Of acres fnrmed, comes to the
West Virginia agrlculturallst than TO
those In many OF the western states
which are considered our superlorS IN
farm products. Is 80 startling TO most
people as to be doubted, and Outlines
positively denied. And yet 1t " never
thelesB fact. The West Virginia
farmer. who conducts his work intelli-
gently, using not only his muscle, but
his brain as well. will have M need 10
bewalI his station or occupation IN NE
and Will never go hungry or unled' ne
should be proud OF his calllng-indeed:
may say observation-disclosures us the
first. and the greatest of all earthly
avocatlons.
You will pardon me. am sure, for
giving few facts and figures TO verify
my statements. We cultivate annually
about 100000 acres Of corn, yielding an
average OF 100000 bushels In round
numbers. valued at &7.OOO.0OO 90; 10000
ncrcs Of wheat. producing 6,OOO,OO BUSH
els valued at S5,S0OOO M: 10000 acres
Of oats, producing 100000 bushels, val
lled at $3.50 0OC 40: $4,000 acres Of buck
wheat. producing 10000 bushels, valued
NJ ssl 900 %: $1,000 acres Of rye, prnduc-
ing $4,000 bushels, valued at $4,000 %;
900 acres OF sugar cane. producing Co.,
OOO gallons. valued at $3.50 900 90; 2.SOO,00O
pounds Of tobacco valued at f2sO,0OO 90;
600. 900 acres OF hay, producing GOOOOO
tons. valued at $500 900 90; 10000 acres
Of Irish potatoes, producing 100000
bushels. valued nj 100000 90: l,AOO acres
of 6weet potatoes, producing $4,000
bushels, valued at $4,000 90; 10000
pounds OF maple sugar valued at $751;
900 90; 10000 gallons OF maple rolrsseal
valued NJ $4,000 90; 100000 bushels OF
apples, valued al Si,i3j,OOO 20: $4,000
bushels Of peaches. valued At S22s,OOO 90;
70 GOO bushels Of small fruits, valued at
$4,000 90,
About onc-hnif or the acreage Of our
stcte Is Ia uSe Tor farming and grazing
purposes. The total asstEs1ble value OF
our lands. fences and buildings IL $lJ2,-
900 900 90; live stock ON hand July !. OF
present year $4,000. 900 w. farm pro-
ducts. same date. t2I. 100000; horses and
mules. 1871. 900 head. 81 900 90: i2i.OOO
head VI cattle. 81. 500 900 90; 100000 sheep
81 40 600 90: 100000 h0gs 81 iSO 600 co.