The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-08
ALL
DRUGGISTS.

In the future than It has received in the
past, or decided falling off in the sup
ply is sure to result The why or the
wherefore OF this condition Is not clearly
understood by the writer. but the neces-
sity of giving careful attention to 1t Is
clearly evidenced and cannot be empha-
sized too strongly. Every effort should
be made to foster and develop an In
dustry Of such Importance, and when 1t
Is recognized that the streams OF Vir-
ginia are remarkably free from pollu-
ton and. favor the production of an
oyster OF superior size and flavor this
industry should be encouraged by the
enactment of such legislation as Will be
to the greatest interest OF those who en-
gage In oyster farming. for II Is safe TO
say that the oyster lands Of Virginia
can be made far more productive and
profitable than they are to-day II science
comes to the assistance of the oyster
man as II has done 10 the farmer and
Htockman. ! understand the oyster men
have various problems OF their own.
which have been ignored up to the pres
cnt time. A great natural industry and
one capable OF such remarkable develop
rnent under scientific and intelligent
management is deserving OF the great
est Immediate consideration, for 1t will
he eas.G to assist the industry and place
II on a stable basis now rather than to
wait until the practical determination
of the oyster has made II so extremely
difficult and expensive to re-e5tablish an
industry which has done so much for
the State. and which can be made
much greater source of revenue and
profit in the future than In the past.
OPPOSED TO FARMING.
In sense, Clustering has interfered
with the agricultural development of
Tidewater Virginia, particularly since tile
war. AS already mentioned, Its profitable
nature has caused many men TO engage
in Il who might otherwise have titled the
soil. In fact. the larger part OF the popu-
iation is engaged in oyster-growing. as
result the lands have been neglected.
and this accounts for their being SO cheap
and so badly run down In many in
stances. and 1t is not due to the natural
poverty OF the soil and its unsu!ta bility
for growing q great variety OF useful
crops. as many who have visited the
region have wrongly concluded. This is
one of the nlisforttnes incident to the
oyster trade which has done much 10
prevent rapid development of some
areas of Underwater since the war, be-
cnrse visitors have drawn wrong con-
clusions. and no very strenuous effort
has been made TO correct them up to the
present time. But now the need OF farm
labor has become so apparent and the
necessity for intensive farming SO clearly
emphasized by the success of the truck
ers that every legitimate effort must be
made 10 induce desirable immigration into
this section of the State and develop
the lands which have lain practically
dormant and frequently regarded as I'M
profitable for the last forty years.
Another need OF this section Is the do
velopment of the live stock industries
commensurate with the needs of the
people At the present time not enough
beef, pork or mutton are produced to
supply home needs. Yet the soil Is easily
capable of maintaining all classes of
live stock and the location Is such that
dairy enterprises can certainly be devel-
oped to a highly profitable degree, and
certainly enough beef and pork should
be made for home consumption. There
Is no reason in the world why modern
practice should not make beef-growing
and pork-raising permanent and profit
able Industry In this section of the state;
for it Is quite clear that alfalfa. Bermuda
grass, silage and cotton seed meal, with
the large amount OF corn which can be
successfully grown. will provide the basis
for the development of great live stock
interests and with the coming of the
live stock interests and the accumuls-
ton of large supplies of farm-yard ma
nures, and a systematic rotation of field
crops, the rejuvenation of these impover-
ished soils Is only n matter OF very
short time, and what better future awaits
the young man than to become an owner
of some of the lands which are now Of
fered so cheaply because their value UNI
der modern systems of culture are not
understood and make of them highly
profitable lands through his own indivld-
ual efforts. There are many hundreds OF
acres of land in this region which can be
bought for 1900 that in ten years can
be made worth $4,000. Does not Virginia
offer opportunities equal to those found
in the West. or, for that matter, in any
other section OF The country?