Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-05-20
YIRG1NIA sTArE cAPITOL.

more than 5000. AS densely populat-
ed as England it would have 22,00O.-
600.
PouItry-Under the comprehensive
term of poultry in Virginia will be
found chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys,
peafowls. pigeons and guineas. Our
climate is well adapted to the health
full growth of all kinds of fowls; its soil
produces freely all they need for food
birds and eggs always command good
prices; the wild turkey is a native of
the State and can still be found in the
woods. Tame varieties Of turkeys
flourish; geese and ducks are also
proGtably raised The duck farm Of
John W. Morgan, at RivertOn, Va, is
perhaps the largest in the country, the
annual output running as high as 50,-
coo; ducklings weighing from four to
four and one-half pounds are ready for
market in nine weeks. A farmer near
Woodstock. Va, has for many years
supplied the White House with eggs
Near Richmond. Va. there is firm
engaged in fattening geese for mar
ket the number handled each year
averaging about 10000.
Public mprovements.-Visi to
most of the towns and cities OF Vir-
ginia will find them lighted with cleo
works. and enjoying not only local tele-
phone service, but speaking connection
with the surrounding country, as well
as with cities OF this and other States.
All the principal cities have trolley
lines, and service is being extended into
the country.
Railways.--Virginia was early in the
field in the building of railways, the
State aiding in the construction OF no
less than fourteen lines, but the VEN
lures did not prove profitable. In 1890
the State had 1850 miles OF track
which in 1907 had increased to 1900
miles.
Ralnfall.-The annual rainfall ranges
from 40 to 60 inches, depending upon
locality, from tidewater to the noun
talns. II Is fairly well distributed
through the entire year.
Resorts.-No State in the Union pro-
duces such a variety OF mineral waters
nor contains such a number of medi-
cinal springs, situated for the most
part. In a delightful summer climate
in the most beautiful scenic parts OF the
Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains,
Offering ideal locations for summer and
health resorts, some of which are
world-famous. There are also delight
full seaside resorts.
Root sCrops.-Potatoes Irish and
sweet, turnips, parsnips. carrots. onions
etc, grow bushels and bushels to the
acre.
Seaports.-The South is the front
yard of the country, and Virginia is
right I'm the middle Of IL, as can be
seen by a study OF the map OF the
world. The railway haul is practically
all down-hill. and therefore following
the lines OF least resistance foreign
trade must naturally now through
Southern seapOrts, at least, to countries
nearest, and these are the West Indies,
South America, Panama. Central Amer
lea and Africa, with an even race for
Europe and Asia. Norfolk harbor is
one Of the greatest on earth The
South has advantages in respect to
nearness TO more great world markets
than any other section OF the American
Union. The Union is already q potent
factor in world affairs, and when the
Panama Canal Is completed, to which
the South has nearest access, the Unit
ed States will still have more influence.
viii not the South be prominent in
this coming greatness?
Shecp.-Conditions all favor sheep
husbandry in Virginia. One who knows
speaks Of sheep as "the best, most
quiet, peaceable, industrious and prof.
table labOrers, who nearly double their
number annually. demand no wages, do
not steal or commit other crimes, labor
assiduously throughout the year, feed
and clothe themselves and their mas
tiers, make no strikes, utter no COM
plaint and never die II debt to man. ."
Spring lambs from Virginia farms
bring top prices in the nearby great
city markets
Soils.-There are all kinds OF soils
In Virginia, alluvial soils-rich as
cream-limestone soils, red soils, and
chocolate solls-colored by fertiliZing
miperaIs-loam soils, clay soils, sandy
soils, sravelly soils, each and all adapt
ed to peculiar crops from those OF the
garden 10 cereals, grasses and fruits.
It is noy, an established fact that 1t is
possible to grow crops without depict
ing the SOL. 1t is known. too, that
sick soils can be cured OF their COM
plants, and stubborn soils can be sub
due6. 1t is only a question OF intelli-
gent effort The u. S. Department OF
Agriculture has already made soil maps
OF a dozen or more Virginia counties.
Storms.-Virginia Is exceptionally
free from wind storms and hurricanes.
never having any like those which fire.
duent the Western plains and the states
OF the Southwest. Such thing as
dwelling house being blown over IS
practically unknown occurrence.
swIne.-For the raising of swine the
pasture lands Of the mountain districts
Of virginia and the South offer unusual
advantages, for, besides the nutritious
grasses and leguminous plants, there
are succulent and aromatic roots in
which these animals delight. There
is also an abundance OF mast which
supplies food for cattle, as well as hogs,
from early fall through the winter I'M
I'll the grasses and forage plants spring
up with the warmth OF the season. The
mast is both bitter and sweet. The
bitter mast Is composed Of acorns Of
the oak trees; the sweet mast is COM
posed OF the nuts OF the beech, hickory.
chestnut and walnut trees and hazel
bushes. Persimmon, haw, pawpaw.
huckleberry, blackberry, dewberry.
mulberry, service berry, Wild grapes
and other fruits are greedily devoured
nv hogs. Thousands Of head OF these
animals are kept fat throughout the
entire year by the food which they get
from the natural pastures. The Smith
field hams Of Virginia are known in
the markets OF the large cities. and
command a higher price than any 9TH
or American pork product Nut-fed
pork in any form Is always good. For
age crops-alfaha, beans peas clover
sorghum. etc.-can be produced in
abundance for feed.
Taxes.-Land is assessed ior t&xa-
ton at what is considered Ialr casn
value at forced sale me general