The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-15
IN THE VALLEY OF
THE MATTAPON|
A Neglected Portion OF Virginia
That Is Coming to the
Front
BEST OF LANDS, GOOD WATER
Country That Can BE Made
Good for Anything That
Is Valuable.
BY MRs. THOMAS =. pAcuy.

West Point Va. september i4.-An
Intelligent resident OF the Mattaponi
VALLEY was asked DO you know OF
any good vegetable or fruit that can
not be successfully grown here no.
except those OF the torrld zone' was
the answer. Great aud ineNndustiole
crops OF black berries grow Wild ana
arc picked ana shipped in great guam
titles. from spring until late summer.
SOIL and climate seem particularly ia
variable. 10 the grape and much attSn-
zion is being PAID to its cultivau on
is also 10 the hg. How about the
water. There is an abundant supply
OF pure. wholesome water gurglins
forth from every hillside. quenching the
thirst of man and beast y say nothins
OF the hundreds OF Artesian wells that
have been bored at comparatively small
cost to depths 10 l50 TO 400 feet with
the result that ms gniicent streams
pours clear sparkling waters into the
house and Kitchen. The main feature
in this water is its helfth giving quail
.ties. II is especially adapted t. those
VINO suffer from dyspepsia. many cases
having been cured ~ it's u.s.. II IS
also highly beneficial Tor kidney troub-
les. This water is gree from taste or
smell The artoSian water should De
an in6ucement to tho establishment OF
Ice factories
Good Land For Factories.
In this section the manufacture Will
find inoNhaustihle supplies OF cheap
'iond. cheap ;uel cheap foo1. ami
ready markets for his productions The
country should rapidly I'll with spl,n-
did class ~ citizens like those who
nave already come and settled. II I'M
the North ana West, drawn hithcr by
cheap land and the mild and health
giving climate. The increase OF popu-
lation gives = splendid opening FOR
canning aud picking establishments
With good land and plenty Of people
10 raise the vegetables and fruit and
= handle them. enterprises along that
line would flourish In winter. oysters
could he canned.
Immense quantities OF timber for
building purposes and fuel. poplar for
the manufacture OF paper etc. are an
nually exported and in some cases
purchasers have paid f3r their lands
from this source alone.
There are great facilities for fac
tories a number OF steam mills are
engaged in cutting shingles. la,hs and
other lumber but there is room Tor
more
1t will not d, to pass lightly over
the corn meal turned out hy the mills
IN this valley People who formerly
lived IN this section and those q no havs
VISITED mere have sent them. to FAR
away Northern and Western cities.
corn meal by tho barrel.
The people in this section lok ask
nnoe at the person who comes along
and never saw and does not like corn
pone. hoecake batter bread. hot-water
bread. and ash-cake with buttermilk.
Poultry and Other Good Things.
There is an Increasing demand an
nrally for poultry and eggs. and is
often beyonw the supply though this is
enormous Many improved breeds OF
FOWL are constantly being introduced.
y great deal Of milk nd butter. Of
the finest kind is produced in this sec
tion Sanitary dairies with all modern
appliances are here and there through
the valley. and cream, milk and butter
are shipped to city markets and TO
private families in the city. Tho native
GROWTH OF grasses. In many Instances