Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-08-25
Letter From Old Virginia.
Williamsburg, Virginia,
August. II, 1911.

Angus IL, lolI'
Dear Sir An Old Nirginian wish
ing to learn more OF the wonderful
development Of your country, | wrote
for a copy OF your paper, this being
in close touch with the people would
give a glimp Se behind the curtain. !
thank you for the courtesy and con-
graduate your readers on so excellent
a medium for exchange Of thought
and news.
In scanning it's pages | was struck
with many differences between the
sections. First the price Of your
lands. about -four times farms Of same
character here, which range from $50
to $40 per acre, according to improve
mentS.
In contrast to the high price Of
farms is the material difference in
value of products, just the reverse
of what one would naturally expect.
Hay in our markets 1926, which is
usual price, Corn here 76 cents and
Oats 60 cents per buShel.
Now these relative prices puzzle me
and though not "from M%iSsiOuri," |
want to know why. Some II has
said MAN never is but always to be
bleSt,n but the comparison just ell
umerated should certainly make us
even more contented with this PENN
sula, the Garden Spot Of Virginia,
and | hope none will be offended if |
recount some Of our blessings.
Williamsburg was the Capital Of
the State until 1879, moved to Rich
mond then, for greater security
against the British troops. The Col
lege Of William and Mary, second old
est In the United States, located here,
and to illustrate healthfulness Of his
section, enjoys the unrivalled record
in all these years, never to have lost a
student by disease locally contracte d.
Splendid Seminary for young ladies,
excellent public schools, no saloons,
churches of all denominations.
Down the enter Of the Peninsula
runs the G. & O. r. r. t" Newport
News, Va, u miles distant on Hamp-
ton Roads, the finest harbor on the
Atlantic Coast, or which the com
bined navieS Of the world can ride.
On either side flows a mighty tidal
river, its water in ceaSeleSs motion,
ebb and flow day and night. create air
currents that passing across this ele-
waited land, back and forth, make an
atmosphere dry and balmy, especially
delightful to those who have lung or
throat troubles OF rheumatism. 1t
seems a perfect panacea for all these
ailments.
Lands produce two crops a year.
Potatoes planted in February sold in
June often pay 800 per acre. Corn
planted then In same land yields 80 to
rs bushels and an immense quantity OF
long forage, fed dairy cows. Crimson
clover sOWed in corn at last working,
furnishes excellent grazing all winter
is cut for soiling April 10th, for hay
May 18th. Winters, are so mild vege-
tation never stops growing. | pause
TO acknowledge a debt to your people,
who haye made their homes among
us, for establishing creameries, about
which we knew practically nothing.
They in turn are delighted with re-
suits and claim the profit is twice
what they realized at their old homes,
which they attribute to mildness of
the winter, avoiding housing and feed
ing. They are admirable citizens,
desirable neighbours; to this class an
Old Virginia welcome is always ex-
tended, the latch string hangs nut
side.
Our waters abound with fish and
oysters. We are free from all insect
pests, and grasshoppers, which several
of your correspondents report.
All violent and destructive atmos'
pheric d%isturbanc es, extremes of heat
or cold, billiards, cyclones, tornadoes,
drought, fOgs, or diseases resulting
therefrom. catarrh, malaria, hay
fever, bronchitis are unknown.
/ fear this letter Is far to long and
yet the half has not been told.
Will you solve the puzzle why this
disaprity in land values and superior
price we receive for prod ucts?
Very truly yours,