The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-07-12
The Basis Of Virginia's Wealth.

IN -
sSs Hn5his address before the Farmers In
as I titnte at Roanoke, President Jollnson.of
II Tic Norfolk ana Western Railroad, made
5fie remarkable statement that there are
twelve million acres of tilahle, but un-
titled, lands within the borders OF the
III state of Virginia.. and that every acre
q. 81 this land, with Intelligent, comprehen-
S sive and energetic work. can produce a
81 crop that will bring q profit to the man
al who engages III simply practical farm
IN irg.'g'' s S "a s
I'll That statement Is hard TO- believe. The
cntire Statc Of Virginia contains but
4! Id, 16o 600 acres Of land. The State OF
Rhode Island contains less than = ,OGO. ooO;
Stte state OF Connecticut only S193, CIV;
the state of New Jersey only 5,cOl,6OO
III acres. II But d man Of Mr.. Johnson's posi-
u ton md training would hardly maise3an
sinaccurate statement Of this sort. Il g
II has DOUBTLESS thoroughly investigated the
L subject and knows whereof lie speaks
SSISs Think Of 1t !S Twelve million acres $or
productive lands that are not even ,ln-
y der cultivation. II these lands should
sSbe cultivated and should produce an
& average OF only $40 an acre, the wealth.
& 81 Virginia would be increased each year
n S12O 900, 00o. The total assessed value OF.
lands, town lots, and buildings x In the
Vi State Of Virginia. exclusive OF the cities,
5is only 500. S57 013, according to the assess!
rnent Of 1903. Therefore. according to Mr.
IN ohnson's statement, we have untitled IN
\ lands capable OF producing each year
Crops equal to more than half the ,valua-.
4 ton OF all 1.-THE lands In the State. II u
ssss 81 4 such IL stntement does not stir up
the Virginia authorities, nothing Will.
we are going to have a great exposition
Jsnext year. and It should DO Jour ems
K deayor to bring prominently TO the at
stentor Of the whole world the swondrous
advantages which Virginia offers to set
tiers We should employ every posi-
$$ble means TO bring these waste lands
j under cultivation.
9ssBB gain, Mr.. Johnson called attention
to the fact that many farmers living
along the line Of his road leave their
" farming implements in the field exposed
to the clements md that others are at
II tempting to cultivate their lands with
rs poor, worn-out teams. which are not
uble to pull plow. In short. that there
a lack OF thrifty and lack OF sctenT
A. titic and businesa-lk infringement in the
cultivation of many farms. Therefore, 1t
IA should be our endcavor by such meet
y ings as that now In progress at Roanoke
y and by all means available to aid and
q instruct those who arc already cultl-
waiting Virginia lands. With our waste
lands under cultivation and with Ill our
lands under expert and scientific cult
3 Walton, the farm products of Virginia
would be Increased many fold and the
wealth OF the state Increased according
s8ly. 1t Is important that we build up
our manufacturing industries and our
commerce. but it Is more important that
we build up the agricultural Industry
and bring It up to the highest state Of
perfection. II VIC should do this. Yir-
glnia would be one of the wealthiest and
most prosperous of all the States Of the
4 Union.