The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-15
THE STATE FARM
UP JAMES RIVER
Place Where Convicts Are Made
Profitable to State and
Reformation Aided.

The State of Virginia has cause for
congratulation upon a comparatively
new institution that is doing a great
work for the State and more than real
izing the hest expectations of those
statesmen and men of practical bust
ness sense who had the wisdom to in
augurate 1t. I refer to the Virginia
State Farm. on the James River at Las
sitter. Va, about twenty seven miles
above Richmond. a recent visit to this
beautiful farm surprised the writer
with the abundance and excellence OF
the growing crops and the tiourishing
and thrifty condition of the stock. and
the whole appearance of productive
ness and prosperity seen on every hand
as the patent results of energy and
good management.
Right Man in Right Place.
The magnificent effects achieved un-
der the present management OF the
State Farm produce very strong i'm
preston upon the writer and con-
WINGED him that the State is very for
tunate in having the services Of such
and exceedingly competent official as
the gentleman now in charge of this
most important enterprise, Superin-
tendent Thomas j.. Davis, of Lasstter.
Mr.. Davis Is the right man In the
right place. He has not only succeeded
beyond expectation from an agricul-
tural point of view, but has done more
than any Of his predecessors in this
position in opening and working a
rock quarry on the lower portion of
the States land in order to find employ
ment for the large force of conyicts
entrusted to his care. He is shipping
crushed stone from this quarry. and
finds a market for 1t by carloads at a
reasonable profit to the State.
Mr.. Davis deserves much credit for
Ibis very commendable enterprise In
this matter that promises to prove of
| much practical value and benefit.
| Farm Products.
The corn crop likely to be produced
i this year on the farm Is estimated at
over 1000 barrels. Tho large fields of
| tomatoes in successful cultivation pre-
| sent very unusual and beautiful farm,
crop on about eighty acres of land re-
/ minds one Of a garden on q gigantic
4 scale.
The neat and thrifty appearance Of
4 the whole place and the plenty and
\ disturbance of the crops and produce
and the fat herds Of horses, an.nles, cat
tile. sheen and hogs, constitute tndu-
.lshitable evidence of the successful con-
4 duct of the farm. The people under
| the charge of superintendent. Davis are
fortunate In having so kind and good
a ruler, and they recognize this fact
and In most cases appear to appreclate
/. his lust and kind rule and good treat
4 ment With the result that they are
4 thereby aided and encouraged In thell
4 penitent resolutions and In tho refor,
4 nation az their lives.
The Lady Of the House.
No sketch of this Institution woulf
he nearly complete without giving tc
4 the lady who aids her worthy husband
.lsin his efforts to, promote the welfare q
.Ethose u,ider his control and to accom-
I plish ,the hest results for TIN
\ state, her due and aroper sllar'
i az the commendatlon Warrantet
1 ny the successful management
that lis SO apparent 70 aieyery observer
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