Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-12-30
WEST VIRGINIA.
Governor Atkinson Tells w at
1t is and is to be.


ties In Many Directions state
~ Just Entering on its Era of Pros
/ perity.
Gov. G.. w. Atkinson. in Manufac-
turers' Record: | take great pleasure
in complying with your courteous re-
/ quest 10 furnish your readers an arti-
Gle upon the material resources of my
state, and its outlook for the future.
1t is only within the past few years
| that the people outside of our borders
have sought 10 acquaint themselves
with what We have and what we are in
the Mountain State Of the republic.
Fortunately, however, for them aud
us, of late they have begun TO turn
their eyes upon us.
1t Is now, think. generally con-
ceded that West Virginia is really
great state, and | very much doubt IL
any other state in the Union Is keep
ing apace with us in growth and de-
velopment. Coal and oil and gas and
timber are our principal sources OF
wealth. Ont of $4,000 square miles
of area. 30 are coal and oil and
gas miles, and we have yet remaining
between 5000 900 and 5000, 600 acres
of virgin forests. So you see our nat
ural resources are practically inexhaus-
tible
We have In many sections OF the
state eighty-nine feet Of coal meas
ures above water level, and in boring
for oil we find many valuable coal
seams deep down in mother earth.
So that when we consume our drift
veins of coal we can engage our time
and energies for few thousand
years shafting of the 'dusky dia-
monds'' that lie beneath the level
The opportunity, therefore, for money
Investments in West Virginia coal
acres is almost without limit, and 1t
can be done without risk TO the in YES
tor.
In Pennsylvania coKing coal Is get
ting scarce, while with us 1T Is only
ia its infancy; and this is why the
coal men are coming among US, and
are rapidly buying up our coal fields:
and this is one Of the reasons also
why our state is SO rapidly coming
into public notice and public favor.
We are now next TO Pennsylvania 10
coke production. We are third among
the states ia coal output, and will be
second within year. We are first IN
OIL, having shipped in the last twelve
months over 5000, 900 barrels, and
we believe that it will yet be found
in every portion OF the state; and as
to gas, it Is absolutely without limit.
Timber-big timber grows on every
hillside, aud the buzz OF the mill-saw
lulls our people to sleep and awekens
them from their SAUNDERS at the
dawning Of the morn. So, on the
whole, we are prosperous. Business
of all kinds is good and there seems
to be plenty of money in the land.
Viewed from an agricultural and
horticultural standpoint the state Is
making rapid progress. Stimulated
and encouraged by the earnest and
well-directed efforts OF an aggressive
non partisan state board OF agricul-
ture, which is ably seconded and ma
terially aided by the Patrons OF Hns-
bandry and other kindred organiza-
tions, great improvement is readily
seen by those who are familiar with
past conditions, and who observe
things as they exist today. AS the hus-
bandman gradually adopts more ex-
tensive system and cultivates we'll the
limited number Of acres he owns upon
which paying crop Is practically
certain, conditions are changing for
the better, and in time, ST this system
is adhered to, the cultivated portions
or the state will be greatly advanced,
and those who own and cultivate them
will be among the best, happiest and
most progressive people within our
borders. Such families will enjoy all
the opportunities for mental improve
ment and culture which are necessary
to their ell-being and happiness.
There are many reasons why agri-
cultural pursuits pay as Well 10 this
state as In many Others which are
generally considered much more de-
sirable as homes for those who propose
to follow this first and greatest OF all
industries. Our nearness to the great
markets of consumption, our very
few crop failures and the great diver
sity OF products we are able to grow
successfully are few Of the many
reasons we could give why agriculture,
properly followed, will prove as profit
able in this state as in any other state
in the Union We should only culti-
vate such lands as are suited to that
purpose, and this is an important les
son which we are slowly but surely
learning.
We have other uses TO which we
can put our hill lands, and which Oft
times prove just as satisfactory and
renumerative to our people. This
state is pre- eminently a grazing and
fruit growing state, and our upland
and mountain tops, which are in no
sense adapted to che growing OF the
cereal crops, are the ideal fruit farms,
and when well set in the famous blue
grass, which is indigenous to a large
araq nf nur st1rfafSa make vpritable