The Washington herald., 1909-08-08
By j. c. RANSOM.

From the rocky heights OF the Blue
Ridge mountains slopes Loudoun Valley
toward tho southeast over rolling hills
and through pretty wales runs the broad
outlines Of the valley. % miles wide and
go miles long l. lies between the Blue
Ridge and Catoctin mountains. and from
colonial days has been known as the
Northern Neck Of Virginia"
In the triangular area formed by the
mountains and the Potomac River the
forefathers carved out 525 square miles OF
territory from the vast estate which
descended to Lord Fairfax and called it
Loudoun County. The name was de-
rived from Lord Loudoun, a representa-
tive peer OF Scotland. who in the French
and Indian wars was appointed captain
general and governor Of the province Of
Virginia. He probably never set foot
on the territory which bears his name.
IL Is Fair Land.
Fair az the garden Of the Lord" has
always appeared this valley from the
time when the Indian peered over its
forests 10 that when the tourist climbs
up the sleeps to gaze enraptured upon it's
grandeur in the lmpid air OF June. il
IS favored land, and since 172j when the
first representatives of the Anglo-SaNon
race began 10 take possession and cul-
uvatc its acres, "a prosperous people
have lived contentedly I'm "Old Loudoun" "
To-day 10 is the site Of growing towns.
over It's broad pastures Craze the Guern-
sey herds. and beneath its trees stand
the hackney and Percheron. lazily frlsK-
ing the flies from their ianks on sunny
days. Fine crops grow. and the farmer
is rich in LoudOun from the product Of
his toll.
The county shares with Frederick. on
the other side OF the Blue Ridge noun
tains. the post Of northern sentinel OF the
old Dominion. The eastern twin watches
the Northland from It's vantage point be
hind the Potomac. and whether a. the
spirit Of war or the peaceful spirit OF
industry. she is enthroued upon mighty
hills. with the tapping waters at her
feet. her majestic face 70 the north. and
her hand extended in protecting gesture
over her children toward the south
Country Is Agricultural.
Loudoun is an agricultural country.
Some OF It's 525 square miles must re-
main forever wooded hills. too steep for
the plOw and only III for forest
and minerals which are now being
brought TO the mart OF the world or
soon Will be. as the industries OF the
nation develop. The bulk of the land IS
under cultiyation-5l390 acres being
under the plow. and 62,02S being in forest
or otherwise UnimprOved
Loudoun has approximately 1000 farms
Of which, according to the last census.
twenty-five were OF three acres each,
and eight Of 1000 acres each. the others
being between these limits. The actual
owners OF farms In the county are 1.1l6.
other farms being under some form Of
leasehold
The population in 1900 was 21.9iS. housed
In 4l5' dwellings. composing s.23l fami-
lies. The cOlored population Of the coun-
" in 1900 was a little over 5000 The
value of the farms is estimated at 50
13S.560. and the value OF farm property
al Nl,056.l09 Manufacture has made a
good start I'm Loudoun County. and at
Leesburg Purcellville. and other points
the production of lime. lumber and other
manufactured products has made con-
siderable headway. though the county IS
strictly an agricultural cOunty-the third
richest I'm the State.
Blue Grass in the Pastures.
Loudoun is known as the Blue Grass
region" OF Virginia It's pasturage IS
said to be equal to that Of any part OF
the United States. and within the county
are some Of the noted stock farms Of the
country Loudoun produces large ouan-
titles OF milk. which finds its way 10
Washington. II stands fourth among the
counties or the State IN the production
OF butter. It's cattle are among the finest
IN arnI
other counties Of the State in quantity
Horses and mules are bred in great num-
bers and form one OF the large sources OF
profit to the farmer. Sheep. goats. and
swine are a considerable part Of the
annual output domestic wool Is a staple.
and poultry and bees are regular and
profitable industries in a large way.
or late years the growing Of apples and
peaches, particularly upon the hillv
farms, has taken on importance. Lou
doun County Is easily third in the State
in the number Of domestic fowls and the
production OF egges for market purposes.
Grains, hay. and forage crops are
raised IN abundance, and these go largely
10 feed the stock and enrich the land.
The principal agricultural products are
corn, wheat clover and timothy. and
the minor products. fruit and vegetables
The favorite varieties OF apples are the
Ben Davis. Newton Pippin. and Paragon.
The best apples are sold to buyers in the
orchard and shipped 10 the large markets
Peaches do well on the sunny slopes but
in the past have been an irregular crop
on account Of the cold spring winds and
frosts.
Ground I'm Local Mills.
Much OF the wheat grown in Loudoun
Is ground in local mills operated by water
power along the mountain streams. The
rest is stored in elevators and ultimately
shipped to Washington and Baltimore.
BY far the greater amount OF the corn
and oats grown In the county is fed on
the farms TO stock. only a small percent
age being shipped out 10 market Hay
Is shipped 10 market on quite an extern
sive scale. though it is thought bad policy
by the better farmers Of the county
Beer Is grown in the county. and steers
are bought in other parts of the State TO
be FED and fattened In LOudoun. Sheep
are found on every large farm. kept both
Tor the clip and for mutton. The latter
Is principally Of home consumption. Hogs
are grown IN quantity and form one Of
the sources Of profit, being shipped away
N large quantities 10 the larger markets.