Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-09-16
GOVERNOR MANN ON
VlRGINIA'S PROGRESS.
tRichmond Evening Journall
The Baltimore Manufacturers Rec
ord prints the following:

Richmond Evening Journall
The Baltimore Manufacturers Rec
ord prints the following:
Commonwealth of Virginia,
Governors Office, Richmond.
Virginia is progressing along three
lines-its roads, schools and agricul-
tural interests. The latter must fur
nish the basis Of its substantial growth
and development. because. with the
increase i'm wealth which improved
methods of agriculture will bring, the
building of good roads and the improve
ment of our schools, already holding an
enviable position, will be possible.
believe we are in the beginning of an
agricultural advance. which thinking
men are pushing forward along intelli-
gent and well considered lines. The
last session of our Legislature bill was
passed establishing United Agricul-
tural Board. composed of representa-
tives from all of the agencies having
for their object the advancement of
agriculture and designed to harmonic
and coordinate all of these agencies
with the United States Department of
Agriculture, SO that the full power
might be exercised in behalf of this i'm,
portant interest. Adult demonstration
work in twenty-nine counties has raised
the average production of corn by those
engaged in it from % to Al bushels of
corn to the acre, while the average
production by boys belonging to the
corn clubs last year was So bushels to
the acre. This year / know of crops
cultivated by boys which / think will
yield as high as $50 bushels to the acre
on high land.
Our farmers using the latest methods
are producing from four to six tons of
hay to the acre. These figures will
be hetter understood when we remem-
ber that the average yield of corn in
the United States is q little over 25
bushels. and of hay about two tons to
the acre. In Illinois the average corn
crop is 33 bushels, and in Iowa Al bush.
els TO the acre. Besides these crops.
Virginia is amongst the first, if not the
first, State in the production of pota.
toes. Our tobacco crop is valued al
about $10.OO0,O 900; wheat, $l2, ZOO. 900
trucks, $l4, 900, 600; orchard fruits. &C..
500, 600, with good crops of peanuts, oats
and other crops. We have as good fruit
land as any State in the Union, oul
fruits comparing favorably in appear
ance and surprising in flavor the frui
of the most favored States. In 100,
the value of our agricultural product
was $s7.3O4. 900; this year conserva
tive estimate shows this to be abou
$500, ,000, 900.
Our farmers are enthusiastic, and
with the help of our State agencies
the United States Department of Agri
culture and the board of trade of som
of our cities and many of our best citi
zens, / am striving to, and believe wi
succeed, in doubling our crops in tn
next four years. Our lands are sus
ceptible of RAPID Improvement withou
any great expense, and can now b
bought at a most reasonable, thin
{ at low. price, hut they are rapid
! increasing in value, and | think wi
? sell for twice and perhaps three time
! as much in the next five years. Wit
good climate, good, healthful cond
tions, good water, fine transportatio
n facilities, good schools, plenty {
. churches and good people. nothing ca
\ prevent the rapid and substanti
growth of this Commonwealth.
WILLIAM HODGES MANN,
d. Governor.