Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-25
ROANOKE
Facts About a Great Fruit Growing
Section.
Tho Apple Industry an Developed by
Farmer-A Recently Organised
Company IL Planting Immense
Orchards Decision Sustained.

Roanoke, Va, Feb. 24.-Roanoke
county is destined to be the greatest
fruit producing section of the State
Among the fruit growers, Jordan
Woodruff, of Air Point, Is perhaps the
pioneer, as he was the first to demon
strate the fact that as an apple grow
ing district Roanoke county Is unsur-
passed. He was the first TO plant an ex-
tensive orchard in the Bent Mountain
section, which is now yielding annually
to the owner from $4,000 to $1,000. The
apples of this one orchard are sold to
packers on the trees. so It can be seen
at once how we'll an investment Of a
small amount Of money in fruit will
pay In this section in the course of a
few years.
Since the success of Mr.. Woodrum be-
came apparent nearly all the farmers
in the county have set out orchards
some on a small scale and others more
extensive. Many of these are already
on q paying basis, and every spring and
fall notes a material increase in the
number OF trees planted. Mr.. Woodrum
is now making some interesting eX-
periments In planting red fruit that will
bear shipping. OF the many red varie-
ties growing through the United States
all will be tested, and those found best
section will be adopted, and his large
orchard will at once be grated into the
varieties proving most successful IN the
test now being made. This test, which
Will require years of careful research
is destined to be of untold value to fruit
growers.
The demonstration of the fact that
Roanoke county soil will grow fruit as
we'll as that OF any other section of the
United States has developed the organ
ization Of the Diamond Fruit Company
at Salem. a. NJ. Bowman. of Salem,
is president. and L. J. Shickel, secre-
tary.
They have purchased $50 acres of
land on the south side of Roanoke river,
along the foot hills of the Blue Ridge
mountains. and 1t will be planted in
peach and apple trees. There are al
ready growing $4,000 trees. and 5000
more have been purchased, and are
heeled in awaiting the spring planting.
or the $4,000 trees half are apple end
half are peach. This will be the largest
single orchard In this part of the coun-
try. and is said to be by far the largest
in the State. The peach trees will bear
In three years, but the apples will yield
no profit under eight years.
Judge John w. Woods to-day render
ed his decision in the petition for a re-
hearing OF the case OF officer Robinette.
convicted of killing Kills Clemens. a
negro and who was sentenced to six
months imprisonment. and to pay q
fine OF $500. The Judge sustained the
verdict of the jury. and now. the case
VIII be taken to the Court Of Appeals
by the defendant.
DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN.
Anthony Randolph. son of Rev. C. c.
randolph, OF Fincastle, died Tuesday
afternoon of pneumonia. Young RAN
dolph was just entering manhood, and
his death Is mourned by the entire
county of Botetourt. He was a young
man of fine promise. His father. who Is
quite III, Is rector of the churches ut
buchanan. Fincastle and Eagle Rock
and one of the most popular divines in
this section of the State