The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-25
APPLE RAISING
IN VIRGINIA
Commissioner KOiner Returns From a
Trip to Roanoke County.
BROUGHT BACK FINE SAMPLES.
Interesting Account Of the Orchards
He Nisited-lincst i'm the World.
Woman Asks Governor Not 10
Pardon Her SOn-Notes.

The Department OF Agriculture d. deeply
imDre= SEED with the possibilities oil apple
raising in Virginia IL is believed thal
there is no industry which can pc un-
der.aken iu the state with assurances
of better or safer returns.
Commissioner kolner spent Monday III
the great fruit belt OF Virginia, ur rather
that portion OF il IN Roanoke county
known as the Back Creek country. Inc
Commissioner brought back specimens OF
as tine apples as one ever sees, ana says
that the varities represe nted-Aloenlall e
P.ppin, the York Imperial. Ben DAVIS
wmesap and cauuOn-grow better ln tho
soil Of the Virginia belt than anywhere
else iu the world.
He visited the Diamond Orchard Com
pauys orchard. which is situated near
salem This orchard. containing 1900
trees. IS the largest IN the United States
east OF the Alleghanies and In eight years
will yield an ayefage OF 10000 bushels
every year.
4, The orchard Of Mr. NJ. G.. McClung,
the Ferguson orchard, HOwe's orchard
and Wertzs orchard were also visited
bv the commissioner. on Mr. Wertz 8
place a tree. probably fifty years old,
was pointed out 20 Mr.. KOiner, who was
told that IL had realized at least Sl.OcO TO
the owner. Last year seventy-two
bushels OF apples we're picked from this
tree and sold for 81 bushel.
one apple orchard In Roanoke county
last year uetted the owner 5000. This
year the crop is held at 5000 or 5000
The peculiarly fine favor OF the apples
grown In this section Of Virginia is rec
ognized abroad. Agents who come
from New York 81. Louis and other mar
kets say it IL the finest fruit Of the kind
in the United States. Even North Caro-
lima, an adjoining competing state, ad-
mits the superior adaDtability or VIZ
ginia soil for apple-raising. An agent
representing a North Carolina syndicate
is now negotiating with Roanoke coun-
" men for the purchase OF 100 acres or
land which they propose 10 devote TO
appe-raislng.
Mr.. Koiner regards IL as remarkably
fine field for agricultural investment.
The land sells for from $40 20 $50 an
acre. Not one acre in two hundred. he
says, IS IN orchards.
The commissioner found that the re-
suits obtained as above indicated were
under very poor system OF care on
the part OF the farmers. az a rule. They
were in Ignorance Of how best 20 cult
yate their orchards.
lie noticed. too that insects are devas-
tating the crop TO a very appreciable eN-
tent The insects made their appear
ance a year or two ago, and have be-
come more numerous. The farmers, he
said did not know how 20 destroy the
pest Spraying would, In a short time,
rd the orchards Of the tiny depradators.
In this connection NJ. Koiner deplored
the fact that funds are not available for
the publication Of bulletins, which would
be OF the greatest value 10 the farming
element OF the state.
HER son A BAD MAN.
UNIQUE communication vas received
at the Governor office yesterday from a
colored woman in South Carolina. She
states that she has a son IN the Virginia
penltentiary. and that Il has come to her
knowledge that an effort will be made to
nave him pardoned or released. Notwith-
standing the fact, that she stands In the
close relationship Of mother, the woman
petitions the Governor not TO pardon her
son. He is a bad man. she says, and IS
better off where ne Is.
A commission was made out yesterday
at the Governors office commissioning
Edward Carter a Commissioner " deedA
In the State of New York.
Il. 3. Taylor was yesterday appointed
a notary public Of Alexandra.
j. 5. Burke. Of this city. was yesterday
appointed a notary public for this city
NORFOLK CHARTER.
The charter OF Incorporation OF the
General Supply Company, OF Norfolk.
Va. was filed with the Secretary of the
Commonwealth yesterday The purpose OF
the company is 10 engage In the manu-
facture OF material for constructive pur-
poses. Capital stock is named as $500
minimum and so. 900 maximum. The offl-
GERS for the first year are John c. Taylor.
president and treasurer; Walter II. Tay-
Tor. president: James W. Balm. sec
rotary and general manager. The above.
with Barton Myers and Walter II Taylor.
NJ foyan & Aaylor. Norfolk. constitute
the Board OF Directors
THE GOVERNOR ABSENT.
0svsrAes 1Sler il away attend