Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-25
ROOM FOR FARMERS.
Virginia Has Valuable Untitled
Lands to Offer.

RICHMOND. Va. December 25.-Ceorge
W. koiner, commissioner of agriculture
for the state of Virginia. is accomplishing
results in the way of building up the old
commonwealth and bringing more people
into its boundaries to occupy the idle acres
of land. This is evident from the records
of nearly every county in Virginia. Upon
fair estimate, Virginia has in the last
twelve months welcomed over ., 400 settlers
from the north and west. The records of
some of the counties show that as many
800 farms Were sold to nonresidents of
Virginia within the past year. Statistics
reveal that Virginia property values in
creased S1SI.HGo,00o from 1900 to 1903, and
there is no doubt that the agricultural in
terestS of the state contributed the larger
part of this increase.
Commissioner Koiner is vigorously push
ing this work. The literature published by
him and distributed from his office has been
sent to every section of this country, and
under the immigration act Of the last SEES
sion of the general assembly the work has
been broadened 50 that it has extended to
foreign lands.
Literature sent from the office of the
commissioner is being read today in Eng
land, Scotland and Germany, Norway, Swe-
den, Denmark and Germany. The COM
missioner has also furnished the Industrial
agents of several Virginia railroads with
literature descriptive of the resources
of the state, and Is always in touch with
them. lie naQ u long conversation last
week with NJ. V. Richards land and in
dustrial agent for the Southern railway, in
regard TO the immigration work, and as the
result OF this the publications of Mr.. koiner
are now in the hands of the foreign agents
of the Southern railway. The commits
soner also endeavors to assist the real
estate agents of the state.
The publications issued by the depart
ment to advertise the resources OF Vir-
ginia embrace varied range of subjects
Besides his annual reports, he has pub
lished special bulletins upon corn growing
fruit growing, poultry raising, sheep rails
ing, cattle raising, horse and mule raising
Each of these bulletins is a separate pub
LEGATION, and they have been distributed
widely throughout the north and west as
well as in the state, for they have been
much sought for by the farmers in Vir-
ginia The geology of the state has not
been overlooked, and effort has been made
To induce capital to be invested in Virginia
mineral properties by the publication of re-
ports upon the subject.
Quite Il complete report upon the minerals
of the state has been issued by the depart
ment of agriculture. as we'll as separate
reports upon lead and zinc, clay deposits
and the water powers of the state. While
the handbook was In course of preparation
Mr.. Koiner published @ handsome well
illustrated booklet of information to the
home seeker and investor, and 10000 copies
of this publication We're distributed.
While Commissioner koiner has already
accomplished a great deal, there is q great
work yet before him. In Virginia there are
about 12O00,OOO of acres lying untitled
Every acre OF this land. with Intelligent,
comprehensive and energetic work. can pro-
duce crop that will bring profit to the
man who engages in simple, practical farm
ing. Virginia needs men who are willing to
work on the farm. She needs an army OF
them.