The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-05-30
HOW INVESTORS MAY COMMAND
BIG RETURNS In SOUTHERN
AGRICULTURE.
An Investment Opportunity in The
South That Has Been Largely
OyerOoked Nv Southern Canifal

Industrial Agent of the Norfolk and
Western Railway outlines a situation
that confronts the South, and offers
a practical solution.
Prime beef cattle sold in Chicago
the other day at III 1-2 cents pound
ION the hoof, the highest price in thir.
ty years. Hogs have sold ON the
Western markets at 10 and III cents
a pound within the past six months
Mutton brings the highest price in
years, and these conditions will not
materially change in the next decade.
In fact the tendency of all meat pro-
ducts is higher from year to year,
and consequently the field OF pro-
duction is an attractive one. The
Agricultural Colleges Of the South
are turning out practical, we'll train
ed young men In considerable num-
bers every year, that are prepared to
go ahead and talk over the manage
ment of a large plantation or stock
farm and conduct 1t intelligently and
probably for the owners. In mid
die and southern Virginia, and even
I in the Shenandoah Valley and the
slopes of the Blue Ridge, and
Southwest Virginia, good farming
lands can still be obtained at prices
ranging from three to ten dollars per
acre. A considerable area Of our
Blue Ridge mountain lands can be
obtained at from four to five dollars
per acre, and wnen cleared Of brush
and small timber, sets quickly to the
indigenous grasses, and makes ex-
cellent grazing for sheep or cattle
during a period Of seven to nine
months in the year Many Of these
large tracts contain several thousand
acres, including valleys and arabic
farm lands on which an ample supply
If winter feed and fattening grain can
be raised The young cattle can be
bought in the market as yearlings
or under, turned out to Craze, and
topped off with grain for the mar
ket when two and half or three
years old I believe l am safe in
the assertion that these cattle can
be produced for ais little cost here in
our Virginia mountain plateaus as
anywhere else in the country. 1t
should not be difficult to get young
men, well trained, to handle these
properties successfully, and land Of
this character cannot fail to appre-
ciate constantly In value when han
died in this manner. Up to very re-
cent years the South as a whole, has
not realized its possibilities from
stock growing standpoint, and the
most vital factor in successful agri-
culture is the continual raising of
I've stock on the farm. I am CONVEX
SAINT with several properties that can
be obtained at prices mentioned
above, and which ought to insure
an annual return Of from twenty to
thirty per cent on the investment If
stocked with cattle, hogs and sheep,
and put In charge of a practical
manager.
There Is no more interesting voca-
ton on earth than that of farming
and growing well bred stock. To the
capitalist who has given his time and
energy for years to strictly CONNER
cial or industrial pursuits the break
ing away from the city and sojourn-
ing for few days on his farm, is
one Of the best and healtliest recre-
atoms that he can possibly avail
himself of, and | believe that in hun
dreds of instances this getting back
to the farm on the part OF business
men, who have lived in ultra-strenu-
ous business life, has resulted in
their existence, and in
surfing them a broader, healthier and
saner view Of life itself, to say moth
Ing Of the comfort, satisfaction and
recreation that they and their fami-
lies derive therefrom
! am interested in the possibilities
that are offered in this attractive
Held because / believe that 1t means |
much for Virginia and the country
1T large. 1t devolyes on all Of US |
% offer every encouragement to the
young men who are willing to pre-
pare themselves for effective accom- |
plishment on the farm by going to |
IN Agricultural school and securing |
The needed training therein. The
business colleges scattered In every
own and city throughout the coun-
.ry are one large drainage outlet |
through which boys and girls pass
n hundreds and thousands every
year from the country to the city |
environment. The glitter, glamour,
glory and opportunity that await |
.hese young country bred men and
women are continually brought to
heir attention, and in view Of all |
his, and the fact that there are no
,ounteracting influences at work to
induce them to remain in the coun-
ny, it Is not strange that the popula-
slon has shifted in the past few
years to an extent that Is reducing |
IN alarming shortage in farm pro-
iucts, and consequent rapid rise in
1rices thereof.
No better field Of accomplishment /
s offered to the young man OF today
han awaits him on the farm, pro-
rided he has secured practical i
raining for his life work In some
Institution devoted to that purpose.
When he graduates he ought to have
syery opportunity for immediate
and our moneyed men
AN assist very materially in bringing
his a.bouf n fhav will doruonofrof1 Il