The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-02
PEOPLES FORUM
The Tantalizing Patrick Apple.

Editor of The Nrginian:
Slr-This world is a strange mIx-up any way
you take Il People living far out IN the cooh-
trv are often heard clamoring to be in the city.
where the blaze of gas and electricity turns night
-iata-aaay- ana-Irany- da-ret- breakfast next
morning until after country dinnertme ANA
city folks are pining live in the country, where
the perpetual bloom of youth NANTES the cheekS
of the fair maidens. who think IT the proper
thing to beat the up three hundred and sixty
five DAYS In the year. Then there are some OF us
who are privileged to live both in the country
and the city. at least make frequent visits 10
the artificial zone. Being the latter class makes
it an easy matter for me TO make just comparl-
between the two. But comparisons are
odious," this viii be only snort ietter 10
speak of some aspects of country life in Patrick
county where some OF your city folks are inter
ested in the great apple industry which is crown
ing these accommodating hills and slopes with
fruit SO magnificent that no one can be censured
for commencing Mother Eve for falling by the
wayside. These not idle words, Mr.. Editor
conjured up to look we'll on paper for give you
special and cordial invitation to come to the
fair grounds October 9th and verify with your
own eyes whether these are idle words We VIII
show you individual specimens and plates OF ap~
pies as we'll large combination in artistic
effect, that will induce almost any Eve to come
across"
Yes, and Patrick girls will be there, too to
arrange the fruit on the tables, ana II you are
compre hensive enough 10 call yourself Adam,
you may find yourself the proud possessor of a
box (of apples, not a slap on the cheek) handed
you by--weN you can find out for yourself.
But must not get to romancing, though there
is much of that written in the bright colors Of
the luscious fruit.
In 1903 the first trees were set in the large
Stuart orchard, and 10 some Of these trees
bending under twelve bushels Of apples is a
positive contradiction that has to wait SO
long for an orchard To come into bearing. The
latest candidate, and the sixth of the large com
mercIal orchards In this country that Is bidding
for public favor, is the Premium and when 1t
is known that it is manned by such gentlemen
as your Mr.. l.. o, Miller, president; our next
governor, Hon, Henry c. stuart Colonel A r.
Andrews vice president Southern railway; Mr.
H. +. Cook. Colonel James =. Groves, of Wash
ington: Messrs. Rufus Edwards. of South Caro-
lima; w. +, Gross of Danviile, and others, II is
not saying too much that with such a personnel
an greater success can be promised in this
enterprise because il can profit by the experience
I of the other orchards. | visited with Colonel
Stedman Of Stuart, that fine body of land today.
where planned to set 5000 trees this fall and
next spring and to clear land for many more a
year hence. Then we drew plans Tor our neces-
sary buildings and noted the location of them,
and we arranged for the purchase of teams and
tools push the work forward in vigorous fash
ion for there IS dense African jungle to sub
due and transfer the wilderness into rose gar
den of apple blossoms. Don't tell me life in the
country is prosyit is boundless life with poetry
written large every leaf and bough The
woods and fields filled with the rankest YER
dure imaginable This orchard has butter weeds
more than feet high and such goldenrod never
was seen before, or, at least | never did. Many
specimens We're over feet tail, and the yellow
hues the most brilliant in individual and general
effect. The hiiisides embellished with great
oak timber. hickory, dogwood and other trees
gives indisputable evidence of the richness or
the soil and the entire fitness for orchard pur-
poses. At this point. Mr.. Editor. / want to ex-
tend you hospftable invitation to come and see
for yourself whether not / am giving en-
belishment to the truth in speaking of our new
enterprise in this country more beautiful than
fairy dreams. Here Is where the famous Fairy
stones alone are found, and / will present you
with perfect cross that will charm all evil
from your pathway long you may live
Come in october, when the forest sare ablaZe
with autumnal colors that Just beginning at
this time To show their tnts. Or come next
May If you prefer when sweet nature all is
glad and tender. In case you lack courage TO
gain your own consent, ask Mr. and Mrs Gordon
Woody of Highland Park. who visited us at the
! Fairy Stone House" In August Mr.. H. r.
Cook who photographed some Of our orchards
three weeks ago, or Mr.. l.. O. Miller who paid
his deveirs and devours under the Handy Apple
Tree, the largest on earth, In May, and then you
may enthuse sufficiently to come to this land of
promise. The drive to the Premium orchard is
inspiring, and you get enhancing views:
but. to be frank, part of the road is rough and
you must prepare for some. jots that will make
you write long articles the good roads ques-
ton. Ere long we Will have some Of these grades
overcome by relocating and correct the iolts by
scientific work. The worthy president of the
state Fair association is named Henry our next
governor is named Henry, and this is sent you
| by another
l. HENRY.
Stuart, Va. Sept 26. 1919.