The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-25
RICHMOND MARKET
FOR 8 COUNTIES
Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover
Farmers Easily Dispose OF
Produce Here.
DISTRIBUTING CENTER
Increasing Demands of Local Con-
sumers and Shippers Brings
Good Prices for Wares.
DISTRIBUTING CENTER

Richmond Is a greater food market
than it's size would warrant were one
unfamiliar with its location and with
conditions. 1t is not likely that any
other American city of the population
OF Richmond does as prosperous
trade in eatables.
Richmond is the trade center for
Chesterfield. Heurico and Hanover
counties, one OF the most fertile CEN
tiers Of one OF the most fertile states
along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Hanover is noted Tor ITS production
OF potatoes and melons aud attention
to fruit culture Several large cam
neries are located here and are sue
cessfuily operated in putting up fruits
and vegetables. Trucking il carried on
extensively, while farmers make dairy
ing and poultry trying a prominent and
successful part OF their occupation
Corn. oats and wheat are also largely
raised in this territory. Though ut
tie attention is paid to stock raising.
Hanover takes pride IN producing
some OF the fnest FLOODED cattle in
! Virginia,
I Henrieo County
Farm production In Henrico is val
led and extensive. Many orchards
abound in this county. while corn, oats
and wheat and some barley and rye are
successfully raised. Many dairy and
poultry farms do big business Mark
et-gardeniug and trucking Is largely
/ carried on, while much attention Is de-
voted to breeding fine cattle and the
Improvement of sheep for mutton and
lambs
( Chesterfield County.
( For wears Chesterfield county has
captured first premiums at all state
.ltx u
Here corn. wheat, cats we and pea
nuts are produced in profusion. North
and Western settlers have recently TAX
en- up farming in this section and de-
voted unusual attention TO small fruits
and vegetables.
I While large portion OF these are
! marked in Richmond. Chesterfield also
supplies Petersburg and seyIfal other
! surrounding towns and Northern cit
les, The product is shipped by boats
down the James river, Grapes are
largely cultivated here, Dairy prod
ucts. especially butter, are largely
+ handled.
! Worthy of attention Is the increase
Of corn production in Chesterfield
county, and for that matter through
out Virginia This, say students of
economic conditions. is reproach to
/ one OF the most fertile States in the
union. The Statea,is doing everything
in its power to encourage corn growing
ana nowhere is the idea being followed
and carried out than in Chesterfield
county.
I Prizes are offered to the boys who
produce the best corn. in the belief that
when they come to manhood and be-
gin managing the farms they will turn
their attention to this great staple. The
States corn crop has been increasing
/ each year and the day is not far distan
I ii is believed. when Virginia will be
/ producing more than enough corn for
/ its own consumption.
! A Garden Spot.
| Virginia is one of the great gardens
| spots OF the United States Onions,
potatoes, cucumbers. beans, cabbages
kale. spinach and other kindred vege-
tables are grown in large quantities.
/ The cultivation of Strawberries is
/ being largely taken up In this vicin-
ity, though il is in the Tidewater
section. where the finest are now
grown. The Virginia berry follows
! that of North and South Carolina into
the big Northern markets. but the
( demand Is always limited to the sup
ply. The product of the Old Domin-
| ion Is considered the finest. excelling
! the noted output of Mississippi
Virginta's products are shipped
( North in carload lots. Produce deal
ers do large business in beets, rad
! ishes. green onions, green peas and
I other vegetables.
| Great Distributing Center.
From the earliest days Richmond
has been great distributing CEN
| ter for groceries. Nowadays II Is
holding It's own and more. 1t prac-
/ ticaily dominates the State, with large
| portions of North Carolina. West Vir-
! ginia, Tennessee and Kentucky
| This business had its inception In
plantation and slavery days. Once a
| year the old Virginia planters made
| trips to Richmond. coming by coach,
| where they spent a leisurely two
weeks selecting the stock for their
| ceries were kept for twelve months
for the family and slaves Most of
| this was done on credit, but a mort
| gage was sufficient security.
1 The wholesale grocers are among
| the most influential men in the COM
munity. They are closely knit to-
| gether in an association and are a
power In the city's affairs.
splendid Fish Market.
Though Richmond does not boast
| as fish market. the supply of sea-
| food for local consumption Is equally
| good as that enjoyed by the Tide
| water cities. Norfolk. Portsmouth.
| Newport News and Hampton. and the
| little towns along the Chesapeake Bay
| This Ia because the Chesapeake. one
Of the finest bodies of water in the
country, and famous the world over
| for its production OF fish and oysters
and crabs. is almost at Richmond's
! very door.
| In few hours after they are re-
moved from the waters of the bay
! fish and crabs can be received In
I Richmond and placed on sale. giving
| q constantly fresh supply Of mack
| lContinusd o. Second Page.l