'lass j/jfj* uk^ih^ -o n FRKSKXTED UY ABBREYIATED HAND-BOOK OF VIRGINIA. Published by the STATE (BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 1897. ^•■> rX V e>' ^■ 71280 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. First Congressional District, A. J. McMath, Onley Second Third Fourtli Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth ..'/* R. L. Henley, WilHamsburg. A. S. BuFORD, Pres., Richmond. R. M. Mallory, Smoky Ordinary. Jno L. Hurt, Hurt's Store. W. W. Brand, Catawba. J. K. McCanx, Stephenson. 0. E, Hine, Vienna. H. C. Stuart, Elk Garden. J. R. Kemper, Fisherville. Commissioner of Agriculture, Thomas Whitehead, Richmond. S ABBREVIATED HAND BOOK —OF— VIRGINIA, This little pamphlet is issued by the Board of Ag;Ticulture to furnish inquirers for Virginia lands and investments, some Yaluable, gen- eral information in a compact form as to the location, condition and resources of each county in the State. By addressing the member of the Board for the District in which the count j^ is situated, inquirers will be furnished with the address of reliable persons livuig in the county about which specific information is desired. FIRST DISTRICT. A. J. McMath, Onley. This District is situated in the Tide Water section, immediately on the Chesapeake Bay and near the mouths of the largest rivers in the State, and contains thirteen counties. ACCOMAC Is the northernmost of the two counties be- longing to Virginia on the "Eastern Shore" Peninsula. It contains 252,945 acres of land, and a. population of 27,277. It is about forty miles long, with an average width of ten miles; the Atlantic Ocean bounding it on the east and the Chesapeake Bay on the west. There are numerous arms and inlets from both, extending into the main, and a chain of islands on the ocean side acting as break- waters to the higher lands. The salt air from the surrounding sea and the high temperature of the gulf-stream make the climate milder and less liable to frost than other localities much further south. The State weather service of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, at Bird's Nest, reports monthly average temperature for year ending 30th November, 1892, 58.1°; monthly total pre- cipitation for the same period, 46.80 inches; average monthly precipitation, 3.90 inches. The soil of this section is alight sandy loam, warm andeasil^^ tilled; the sub-soil is red clay. Corn and oats were long the staple crops of the Eastern Shore; but with the unsurpassed facilities for marketing small fruits and vege- tables, the latter industry has come to be the principal one. This region is one of the prin- cipal market gardens for the great cities of the north The climate is pleasant and salubri- ous, the salt air being wafted over the Penin- sula from almost every point of the com- pass. Transportation communication with mar- ket is by steamboat and sailing vessels. A fine line of steamers plies regularly between this county and Baltimore. In this way the staple crops, thesAveet and Irish potatoes, the onions, peas, cabbages and other vegetables, and the small fruits, are sent to the markets of Baltimore, Philadelphia aud New York, bring- ing an annual return to the i)roducers of a million and a half of dollars. In addition to these facilities, the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk railway from Del- mar, on the dividing line between tlie States of Delaware and Maryland, to Cape Charles City, near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, and thence making the city of Norfolk by a line of fast and elegant steamers, completes the chain of the great short line, north and south, and lessens the time of transit some ten hours be- tween New York and points south, and puts the truckers and fruit-growers of this Penin- sula in close communication with New York and Philadelphia. The road is admirably lo- cated along the central line of this county and Northampton, almost an air line, with a max- imum grade of less than ten feet, first-class steel rails and an equipment unsurpassed. No county in the State has improved more rapidly than this within the last few years. The building of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk railroad is quietly but rapidly and surely working out its destiny, which is to be the vegetable, fruit, fish and shell-fish supplying section for the great cities of the country. Game especially water fowl, is plentiful, and all the birds of Ti- '.ewater Virginia found in the forest, fields and swamps are to be found in Accomac. Number of public schools : White, 79; col- ored, 22; total, 101. There are several fine pri- vate schools of high grade. Churches of four or five denominations are numerous. County levy : Tax for county expenses— 50 cents capitation tax and 20 cents on the $100 assessed value of real and personal property. NORTHAMPTON Occupies the southern end of the Eastern Shore peninsula. It is thirty miles long, with an aver- age width of only about five miles, and contains 113,255 acres of land. Population, 10,.313. The soil is a sandy loam with a sandy clay sub- soil — suflicient clay to hold manure and sufficient sand for drainage. 6 The crops principally cultivated are corn, pota- toes, both sweet and Irish, and onions; and since the opening of the railroad, peas and berries. The county is well adapted to general trucking and fruit culture. The largest and one of tne most suc- cessful truck farms in the iState is located at Cape Charles. Gross sales of trucks from this farm for one year have reached $80,000. The climate is temperate, the almost insular po- sition giving Northampton an exemption from vio- lent extremes of heat and cold. Weather stations are at Cape Charles and at Bird Nest, in this county. Bird Nest reports average annual temperature 58.1°; annual rainfall, 46.80 inches; avera^>e monthly, 3.90 inches. Cape Charles, for ei^ht months to September 1st, gives annual temperature 55 81° rainfall, 45.84 inches. Black and English walnut and pecan grow and bear well here. This county being below the isothermal line of 60°, olives, figs, pomegranates and the scupper- nong grapes have fruited here. The southern terminus of the great railroad, con- necting with Philadelphia and New York, is in this county, at Cape Charles City on the Chesa- peake Bay, where a steam ferry connects with Norfolk and the South, and a great impulse has been given to agriculture, and trucking in partic- ular, by the facilities afforded by the railroad, which passes through the middle of the county for about twenty miles. Two crops have been greatly increased by the facilities furnished by this road — to-wit, sweet and Irish potatoes. Northampton is reported as producing the lar- gest crop of onions in the State to the acre — to-wit, nine hundred bushels. All the farms are within a short distance of a railroad depot or a water-course, making the trans- portation to market easy and convenient. Fish, oysters and wild fowl form a source of cheap and luxurious living, and large revenues to the inhabitants of these counties. There is no part of the country cheaper to live in than this. About one-fifth of the population of the Peninsula is engaged in planting oysters and fishing, from which a good living is ea.sily made. Wild fowls are abundant. Ducks, geese, brant, in all their varieties, furnish sport and profit for the hunter. Churches are numerous and public schools are convenient Number of public schools, 33— white, 21; colored, 12. The county roads are well located and naturally good, and in many places are being considerably improved. County taxes : For county schools, 5 cents on $100 value of property; district schools, 15 cents; public roads, 5 cents; county levy, 20 cents; total, 45 cents. LAN(JASTER Was formed in 1651. It lies on the North bank of the Rappahannock river, where it debouches into Chesapeake bay. Northumberland and Richmond counties bound it on the North. Area of the county, 80,486 acres. Population, 7,191. The surface is mostly level, with some rolling lands. The soil is a sandy and clay loam, pro- ducing good cropg of corn, wheat, oats, vegetables and fruits. The lands are easily improved, and, with clover and peas and the judicious use of fer- tilizers, are easily kept productive. Corn is the chief farm crop, but some of the lands produce large crops of wheat. A large area, consisting of apples, peaches, pears, apricots, plums, etc., of this county is in orchards. Cheap communication with Northern markets and proximity to the National Capitol, make early fruits and berries profitable. Ship and other timber, and a large quantity of cord-woe d, is shipped from this county; and im- mense quantities of oysters are shipped annually, and the fisheries support a number of people. Spring lambs, which can be raised early in this county and sent North, have caused increased in- terest in sheep. It is drained by numerous creeks running from tijB interior of the county, tributaries of the Rappa- hannock river and of Chesapeake bay. There are two steamers plying between Baltimore and Fred- ericksburg, which touch at various landings in this county four times a week; and one steamer be- tween Baltimore and Piankatank, touching at a wharf at Dymor's creek. The health of the county is good. Consumption is rarely heard of. Average temperature about 58°; rainfall about 46 inches. Number of public schools, 25; white, 15; colored, 10. Rate of county taxation: For countj^ purposes, 45 cents on the $100 value of property; schools, 15 cents; district schools, 15 cents; county roads, 15 cents; district roads in three districts, 5 cents RICHMOND "Was formed in 1692 from old Rappahannock; is tbirt}'' miles long and seven miles wide. Area, 117,252 acres. It lies on the north bank of Rappahannock river, which is navigable here for large vessels, and is watered by Rappahannock river, Moratico creek, Farnham creek, Totrisky creek, Rappahannock creek, Men- okin creek and others. Population, 7,146. The low-grounds are very fertile, producing fine crops of corn, wheat, oats and vegetables. The upper or forest lands are rolling, and the soil is a light sandy loam with red-clay subsoil, susceptible of a high state of improvement, and is worth, at present prices, from $5 to $25 per acre. This is reported to be a good grazing country. Sheep especially are found very profitable. The river along its front abounds in fish and oysters, the shad and herring fisheries being very productive and profitable. The oysters are of choice quality, as are the fish and wild fowl. The water-fowl are: Ducks, geese, swan, brant, teel, etc. Marsh birds: Sora, woodcock, marsh hens, snipe, reedbird, etc. Field birds: Partridges, pigeons, doves, larks, robins, etc. Wild turkeys are plentiful. Wild animals are: Deer, fox, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, hare, otter, mink etc. There are 38,843 acres in timber of oak, hickory, chestnut, pine, cedar, walnut, poplar, dogwood and maple. There are vast quantities of marl in this county (both blue and white marl), which has been used with good effect in improving the land. Warsaw, the county-seat, is situated about the cen- tre of the county, six miles from the river, and contains a population of about 300. There is daily communication with Baltimore, Fredericksburg and Norfolk by a line of fine steamers. Average temperature for 1892 about 53°; rainfall, about 42 inches. The State weather service, at Warsaw, by the State Board of Agriculture, only began in November, 181)2. Kate of county taxation: For county expenses, 40 cents on the $100 value of property; county schools, 10 cents; district schools, 10 cents; road tax, 5 cents. A capitation tax of 50 cents is added. The winters are mild, cultivation of soil easy and cheap, living abundant and easily obtained, and access to market very convenient. Altogether this is a very desirable county. NORTHUMBERLAND Is one of the five counties constitatingthe "North- ern Neck," which lies between the Potomac and 10 Rappahannock rivers and Chesapeake bay. North- umberland county was formed in 1648. It is twenty.five miles long and about seven to eight miles wide, and contains 118,197 acres. Popula- tion, 7,885— males, 4,065; females, 3,820; white, 4,795; colored, 3,090. The surface is mostly level. The soil on the streams is a sandy loam, with clay subsoil, and is very well adapted to wheat. The ridge lands have a light soil, and are generally thin, but easily im- proved. The farm crops are corn, wheat, oats and green vegetables for city consumption. A correspondent in this county writes, September 3, 1886: "Our lands produce clover luxuriantly. Recently the farmers have been saving clover seed, and there will be as much as twenty-five hundred or three thousand bushels of seed saved the sea- son, 1886." There are valuable fisheries in this county. * 'Fish- chum," or the refuse from fish-oil factories, is largely used as a fertilizer here, as well as in many other counties of this section, especially on wheat, with marked benefit. There are two marine railways on Wicomico river, where vessels are built and repaired with dispatch. Many hands are employed and a large capital invested in these enterprises. Almost every part of the county is accessible to water transportation by the creeks and estuaries from the bay and Potomac. The cities of Alexandria, Georgetown and Wash- ington are largely supplied from this county with melons, fresh vegetables, oysters, fish, wild fowl and poultry. Number of public schools, 36— white, 26; colored^ 10. Churches of the various denominations are con- veniently located in the county. Rate of county taxation: Capitation tax, 50 cents, and about 40 cents on the $100 assessed value of real and personal property for all purposes. 11 WESTMORELAND Is bounded by the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, and counties of King George, Richmond and Northumberland. Average length, thirty miles; width, ten miles. Number of acres, 141,983. Population, 8,399. The surface is generally level, but broken and hilly about the sources of the streams. Soil good, light loam resting upon red cla}^ It is well wa- tered; pure springs abound, and very good well- water is in easy reach. Numerous tributaries of the Potomac penetrate inland. Corn, wheat and clover are the staple products. Winter oats are cultivated profitably. Potatoes, sweet and Irish, grow well. The soil is very fine for all varieties of vegetables, and trucking is in- creasing. Orchard-grass and timothy are being in- troduced; their cultivation and raising clover-seed for market are a decided success. Marl in many locations, marsh mud and oyster- shell lime are within easy reach of every industri- ous farmer. Many orchards of fruit— peaches, apples and plums — are found. There are several canneries. Increased attention is beiDg paid to sheep hus- bandry. Cattle do well; oxen often weigh 1,000 pounds at four or five years old, fed in winter upon dry fodder only, and then upon the natural grasses of the county. A third of its surface is woodland. In many parts are found pine, four or five varieties of oak, hickory, cedar, chestnut, locust, poplar and gum. Lands are easy of cultivation; capable of sus- taining a population ten times as numerous as that it now has. Regular lines of boats give access almost daily to Washington and Baltimore. The inlets abound in oysters, fish and fowl. Good public. schools, 40; several private schools; churches, 29 — Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian. 12 County taxes : 50 cents capitation tax and 48 cents on $100 value of property for all purposes. Monthly average temperature for 1892 to Novem- ber 30th, 58°; annual rain-fall about 43 inches. GLOUCESTER Was formed in 1661 from York. It is twen- ty-seven miles long and about eight miles wide, and contains 137.365 acres. Population, 11 653. It lies between Mobjack Bay and Yoik, and is watered by "Ware, Severn and North rivers and by numerous creeks. Piankatank river forms part of its northeast boundary. These streams give very extensive tidal waters, mostly navigable for large vessels, and filled with fish and oysters of the finest quality. The climate, owing to the presence of so many large bodies of salt water and the nearness of the ocean, is very mild in winter — snows rarely at- taining sufficient depth or remaining long enough for sleighing ; and the summer's heat is tempered by the sea breeze, which blows nearly every day. In the low grounds an abundance of good well water is procured at from six to twenty-five feet below the surface, while in the higher parts deli- cious springs bubble from the foot of every hill. No point in the county is very far from deep water. Bordering upon the rivers the land is low and alluvial, and, where properly managed, very productive. Running back of this the lands become higher, the soil of clay or sandy loam, with numerous rich flats along the many streams which flow through the upper portion of the county. Marl is found everywhere, underlying the lands of the low grounds at from two to eight feet below the surface, and cropping out of every hillside among the highlands. Gloucester was, before the war, one of the large wheat-growing counties of Tidewater. All the grains flourish here — corn, wheat, rye. oats and barley. The grasses, where proper attention is paid to them, grow to perfection. 13 Tlie attention of many of the people in the lower end of the county is being turned to trucking, to "Which the soil and climate prove admirably adapt- ed. Tobacco does well. Peanuts also have been profitably grown. As to fruits, few parts of east- ern Virginia produce them to greater perfection. The culture of fruit is rapidly increasing. Among the large fruits, pears prove the most profitable, and strawberries amoug the small. Grapes are beginning to be grown for market, and are paying well The county is, as a whole, healthy, the salubrity of the lower portions being unsurpassed. The lands are cheap. Owing to her great extent of water front, Glou- cester is more largely engaged in planting oysters than probably any of the counties; a very large proportion of her people are deriving a livelihood almost entirely from the water. Vast quantities of fish are taken in pound-nets and other devices, and shipped to the Northern maikets or converted into oil and fertilizers. The roads are excellent in the low grounds, and in the highlands are not so good, but being im- proved. Steamers to Baltimore and Richmond stop daily" at the various wharves on the York river, while- the country on'Mobjack Bay has a tii-weekly- steamer to Norfolk, which connects at old Point. with steamers to Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Providence, and new wharves are projected with daily steamers to Norfolk and Cape Charles City. A steamer also runs several times a week from the Piankataiik to Baltimore. This, together- with numerous sail vessels, provide cheap and suf- ficient transport for the various products of the lands and waters. A daily mail reaches every neighborhood. Tax for county purposes, not including schools, is 20 cents on $100 value of property. 14 Good schools in good school-houses, public and private, exist in every Eeighborhood. Number of ,:public schools, 52; white, 25, colored, 27. Churches of the various denominations — Episco- pal, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian — are placed at convenient distances over the whole •^county. MIDDLESEii Was formed from Lancaster in 1675. It com- prises a strip of land about 30 miles in length, with an average width of five miles, lying between the Rappahannock and Piankatank rivers. It con- tains 80,829 acres of land. Population, 7,428- The whole county is underlaid with beds of mio- cene marl, which have been extensively used, with great benefit to the soil. Some of this marl is nearly pure carbonate of lime, analyzing 95 per cent. It is no longer questionable that the land of this county can be carried to the highest fertility by the use of these marls, using clover and cow-peas, which here grow luxuriantly, in a proper r. station of crops. Wheat, corn, oats, hay and trucks are the regular crops. Peaches, apples, grapes, apri- cots, pears and the smaller fruits and berries do well. On the rivers the elevation of the land is from ten to thii ty feet above tide-water — a mile or two back it rises to a hundred feet or more. The soil, varying in texture from sandy loam to the stiffest clay, is well drained, easily tilled, productive, and very improvable. Being very convenient to mar- ket (there are lines of fine steamers on both rivers bordering the county — time to Baltimore, eight hours, and freight low), Middlesex offers great in- ducements to truckers, fruit-growers and farmers. Fish and oysters abound. Society is good, and the people will welcome im- migrants. Lands are yet low-priced, but rising in value. 15 The public roads are level and easily kept in order, and the county will compare favorably with any Tidewater county. Timber is abundant, cheap and of excellent qual- ity. In colonial times there were potteries here, there being beds of fine potter's clay. Number of public schools, 28 — white, 15; col- ored, 13. Rate of county tax same as the State, 40 cents on $100 of real and personal property. Churches numerous. Average temperature 57°. Average rainfall 45 inches. MATHEWS "Was created in 1790 from Gloucester, It is twenty miles long, and at its widest section about nine miles across— a peninsula, extending into the Chesapeake bay, united to the main land by a narrow neck of land scarcely a mile wide, so that its boundaries are almost entirely of water. It contains 53,515 acres. Population, 7,584. The surface of Mathews is almost a dead level; the soil light, easily worked and fertile. Corn, wheat, oats, grass, fruits and vegetables are largely produced. Lands sell from $5 to $.30 per acre. Mathews is famous for oysters and fish, which are a source of large revenue, and furnishing em- ployment for many of its inhabitants. Shell marl is found in many localities, and a species of peat well adapted to composting is found in the ravines. These and the abundance of fish suitable for fertilizers, together with its water transportation, make Mathews an admirable loca- tion for large fertilizer factories. Owing to its almost insular position, Mathews is swept by salt breezes, and is said to be very healthy — a most desirable location for settlers. Wild turkeys, geese, ducks, woodcock, part- ridges, sora and many other water and marsh birds are abundant. 16 It may be remarked that Mathews is among the most thickly-settled counties in the State, not reck- oning cities. Number of i^ublic schools, 34 — white, 23; colored, 11. Churches of the various denominations are con- veniently located. ESSEX. Was formed in 1692 from Rappahannock county — the records of the original county remaining in its archives. It lies on the south side of the Rap- pahannock river, about forty-five miles northeast of Richmond, and is about thirty-five miles long and six wide; area, 160,667 acres. It is well watered by numerous tributaries of Rappahannock river, some of which are navigable. Population, 10,047. The surface of the county is generally level or slightly rolling. The river lands are, where properly drained, very productive and valuable. Back from the river the soil is more sandy, but productive. On Dragon Swamp, which separates Essex from King and Queen, are some fine wheat lands with a heavy, tenacious soil of great fertility. This county was once the seat of great wealth, and as then, still produces fine crops of corn, wheat and oats. Tobacco has been only to a small ex. tent, since, the war profitably raised. Clover and orchard-grass hay have increased greatly, a most gratifying indication of im- proved farming. Marl is abundant in many parts of the county, and has been applied with great benefit in days gone by. Gj'^psum and com- mercial manures are found to act well. Peanuts might be profitably cultivated. There are several large peach orchards in this county of ten or twelve thousand trees each. Melons and fruit are largely shipped from the various wharves along the river. 17 Rappahannock river is well stocked with fish and oysters, and is navigable to the city of Freder- icksburg, which is about fifty-five miles above Tap- pahannock, the county-seat of Essex, Wild animals: Deer, fox, raccoon, and opossum. The Weem's line of steamers run three boats a week to and from Baltimore, and a boat twice a •week to Norfolk. Rate of tax for county purposes: For county levy, 30 cents on $100 value of property; coun- ty roads, 10 cents on $100 value of property; county schools, 5 cents on $100 value of proper- ty; district schools, 15 cents on $100 value of property. Tappahannock, the port of entry for the district, has 700 or 800 inhabitants, a large sumac mill, canning-house, and a foundry and machine shop. This town was laid out on the same plan and on the same day that Philadelphia was. Number of public schools, 44— white, 23; col- ored, 21. There are six or seven denominations with churches in the county, and churches are numer- ous. KING AND QUEEN Was formed from New Kent in 1691. It lies be- tween the Mattaponi and Piankatank rivers, which, with th^ir numerous tributaries, drain this county, and make it one of the best watered in the State. It is about thirty miles long by ten wide, and contains 194,713 acres. Population, 9,669. Eastern Virginia enjoys a remarkable exemp- tion from violent storms. A severe and destruc- tive wind is rare, and in Tidewater Virginia floods can do but little damage, owing to the fact that the lands are rolling and the rivers lie between high banks. Floods occasionally damage some of the flat lands on the upper portions of the rivers above tide- water, but the area liable to them is 18 very small. King and Queen needs only this de- scription. Average temperature, about 67°; average rainfall, about 44 inches. Gray marl underlies a large portion of the county and is very accessible, being dug from banks in- stead of having to be raised from pits. Some of it is very rich in lime, yielding upon analysis 70 to 80 per cent, carbonate of lime. The river lands, which constitute a large part of the area, are very productive, and the inexhausti- ble beds of marl found here afford the means of permanent improvement. The staple crops are wheat, corn, oats, rye, hay, fruits and vegetables. The lands are variable in quality and productive- ness. Some are heavy and stiff, and well adapted to ■wheat, grass aud potatoes. A large portion, especially on the rivers, is light, but even these generally yield good wheat crops. Many of the farmers grow good crops of clover, timothy and orchard-grass hay. Some of the light lands pro- duce profitable crops of peas Some good tobacco is raised in the upper portion, and the cultivation is gradually extending, and may, in the course of some years, obtain over the whole county as it was one hundred years ago. The farmers are, to some extent, beginning to raise truck, chiefly Irish and sweet potatoes, to which much of the land is well adapted. Wild animals: Deer, fox, squirrel, hare, opossum, raccoon, ground-hog and polecat. Domestic fowl: Turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, guinea and pea-fowls, and pigeons. Wild fowl: Turkeys, ducks and geese. There are many good peach and apple orchards. Peaches, as a crop, are rather uncertain. The apple crop is more certain, and early apples are destined in the future to be a source of considera- ble profit. County taxes: 50 cents capitation tax, and 45 cents on the $100 value of real and personal prop- 19 erty. Fourteen per cent, of the tax collected is for county schools. The forests contain white, red and Spanish oak, yellow pine, gum, sycamore, poplar, hickory, dog- wood, holly, walnut, persimmon, beech, birch, etc. Number of public schools, 48 — white, 27; colored, 21. There are twenty churches of the various de- nominations. The Mattaponi river lies on the southwest side of the county, and is navigable almost up to the upper boundary. There is steamboat navigation as well as many sailing vessels. CAROLINE, Though classed as one of the Tidewater counties, is in part upon the primary or archfen formation. It was f.)rmed in 1727 from Essex, King and Queen and King William; is about twenty-eight miles long and twenty wide; contains 335,354 acres of land. Population, 16,681. It is drained by the Rappahannock, the Matta- poni, the Pamunkey and their tributaries, which are numerous, and is one of the best- watered coun- ties in the State. The various rivers and creeks give much bottom land (which is very productive) and fine water-power and mill-sites. The northern boundary of this county extends to within eight miles of Fredericksburg, and the southern to within twenty of Richmond city. The soil of the county is easily cultivated, readily improved. It produces winter wheat and corn. Red clover growls luxuriantly on the low^landsand improved uplands, and orchard grass and timothy are grown to a very considerable extent. Field peas are grown in great abundance, both as an invigorator to the soil and as a forage crop. Oats, both spring and winter, are successfully grown. Sweet and Irish potatoes are grown with a surplus for market, and all vegetable products 20 abound. The lands along the Richmond, Fred- ericksburg and Potomac railroad are peculiarly adapted to the trucking business. The facilities with which the markets of Richmond, Washing- ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York can be reached, make this portion of the county an in- viting and remunerative field for parties wishing to engagein this work. In the wide and productive Valley of the Rappahannock, large crops of corn, wheat, rye, clover and hay are raised. Stock farms are increasing. But to the growth of fine tobacco is a large por- tion of the soil of this county, more particularly and specially adapted. Nearly all classes of tobacco can be grown here successfully. "Bright" tobacco, also coal and flue-cured, has been successfully raised here. The experiments of some of our planters with this class of tobacco demonstrated beyond doubt by the quantity raised per acre, and the prices for -which it has sold, that bright tobacco can be profitably raised on much of the soil in this locality. But for the production of fine manufacturing chewing tobacco this county yields the palm to no other locality in Vir- ginia, nor, indeed, to that of any other State. All fruits thrive, and apples (especially the cele- brated winesap), peaches, pears, grapes, strawber- ries, etc., are grown, though chiefly as yet for home use. Blackberries, dewberries, huckleberries and black raspberries are abundant in the wild state. All varieties of small fruits have their wild or uncultivated varieties, and the native grapes have been proved by experiment to have fine wine- making qualities. There have been no experi- ments made by experienced wine-makers. The native live stock is being improved. There are stock-farms breeding Jersey, Guernsey, Red- polled and Short-horned cattle; Southdown, Cots- wold and Hampshiredown sheep; Berkshire and Duroc Jersey red swine, and improved poultry. 21 The dairy interest is fast gaining a hold on our people, and the ready sale found for gilt-edge butter in the markets of Richmond and Washing- ton affords ample encouragement. The climate of Caroline leaves nothing to be de- sired. The season during which work is sus- pended bein^ only a week or more in which ice is secured, the extremes of heat and cold are rarely felt, and the seasons are generally good. There is an exceptional absence of storms and blizzards; hurricanes and northers are unknown. The health- fulness of the county is largely insured by the abundance of pure, soft-drinking water, and mala- rial fever is rare where any sanitary precautions are taken by individuals, and there is an almost total exemption from typhoid and other dangerous fevers, so fatal in some sections. County taxation, 50 cents on $100 worth of real and personal property for all county purposes. Bowling Green, the county-seat, with a popula- tion of 500, is situated near the centre of the county, two miles from Milford station, on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad, before mentioned. There are large male and female academies liberally patronized, which, to gether with the primary and graded free schools, afford ample educational advantages. Number of public schools: White, 43/ colored, 31; total, 74. Monthly average temperature for 1892, 56°; total annual rainfall about 44 inches. SPOTSYLVANIA Was formed in 1720 from Essex, King William and King and Queen counties. It is twenty- three by seventeen miles in extent, and contains 258,879 acres. Population. 14,233. The surface is mostly undulating, with much fertile bottom land on the numerous streams which form its drainage system. It lies between the Rappahannock and North Anna rivers, which 22 form, repectively, its north and south borders. The interior is watered by the numerous tribu- taries of these rivers, and of the Mattapoui. The wide-bottom lands on these streams pro- duce fine crops of corn, melons and vegetables; good tobacco is also raised in the county. The soil of this county varies greatly, much of the upland being of tenacious clay, while that of the bottoms is mostly of a light, sandy texture. The productions, besides those mentioned above, are wheat, oats, rye and grass. Large quantities of poultry, vegetables and fruits are sold in the Fredericksburg and other markets. Considerable attention is given to improved breeds of horses, cattle and sheep. Mr. A. P. Kowe has probably the largest and finest bred herd of Jerseys in the State. Mr. C. H. Pearson has a fine herd of red- polled cattle. The annual agricultural fair, held at Fredericks- burg, has done much to improve the live stock of the county. Dairying and poultry-raising, in connection with general farming, have increased, and are profit- able. Gold, iron and pyrites have been developed. Gold and pyrites are now mined and worked. There are quarries of granite and sandstone in operation. The timber consists of pine, oak, birch, poplar, willow, hickory, gum, etc. Besides water transportation, this county has two railway lines — the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad and the Orange and Fred- ericksburg Narrow Gauge railway to Orange Courthouse, where it connects with the Virginia Midland. Taxes: County levy, 63 cents on the $100 value of property, as follows: County expenses, 30 cents; county roads, 15 cents; county schools, 8 cents- district schools, 10 cents. Public schools, 52 — white, 33; colored, 19. 23 There are over thirty churches of the different denominations. Fredericksburg is the principal city, and is one of the oldest in the State. It has a population of 6,000, and is located on the south bank of Rappa- hannock river at the head of navigation, with lines of steamers to Chesapeake bay and Northern cities. SECOND DISTRICT. R. L. Henley, Williamsburg. This District contains eleven counties sit- uated both sides of James River. PRINCESS ANNE Was formed in 1691 from Norfolk county, and lies on the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, ex- tendmg south to the North Carolina line. Area, 139,070 acres. Population, 9,510. The surface is level. The soil a sandy loam, rest- ing on a yellow-clay subsoil, is easily tilled and is generally productive. The best lands are on Hol- land Swamp, Eastern Shore Swamp and on Back Bay. It would be hard to find lands more productive of corn and potatoes. The productions are corn, oats, potatoes, trucks and fruits. A large part of the county is devoted to truck farming, a ud great quantities of vege- tables and fruits are annually shipped io the North- ern markets Stock-raising is not much pursued in this county, except for dairy and family purposes, and this stock is of good quality. Most attention is paid to hogs and cows. There are two dairies in the county. Considerable attention is given to grapes, small fruit, berries and pears. Most fruits succeed fairly. The shipments of fish, oysters and wild fowl from this county produce a very large revenue to the citizens. The fisheries on Cape Henrj'- Beach, 24 Lynnhaven bay and river are very valuable. Lynnhaven bay oysters are renowned for their size and fine flavor. Fish are of every variety. Ocean, river and creek are full of them. The! sportsman can find abundance of wild geese, ducks, swan, and every variety of these, and of ocean fowls and birds. Sora, woodcock, snipe, martin, reedbird and blue- wing blackbirds are in all the marshes, and partridges, robins, plover, doves I and larks in the fields; and the woods are filled I with singing and ornamental birds. Deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, hares, otters and musk-rats are found in the county. The timber consists of oak, pine, gum, cedar^ cypress, elm, holly and persimmon. The Seaboard district, comprising the northeast angle of the county, is perhaps the best timbered region of lower Virginia. The transportation facilities are ample and con- venient to all parts. The ocean front is about twenty-three miles in extent; Back Bay and North River are both navigable, and comprise a great extent of water fronts in the southern part, while the northern portions have the Eastern branch and Elizabeth river, Lynnhaven river and the bay shore. Besides these facilities for market by water, there is the Virginia Beach railroad from Norfolk, passing- across the county to a beautiful and most attractive watering place called "Vir- ginia Beach," on the Atlantic shore, and the Nor- folk and Southern running through to the south. Public roads are fairly good v^here they have any attention. County tax by levy is 40 cents on the $100 of assessed value of real and personal property for county expenses. Number of public schools, 36— white, 24; colored, 12. Twenty churches of different denominations are scattered over the county, mainly Methodist, Bap- tist and Episcopal. 25 The temperature and rainfall are about the same as Norfolk. NORFOLK Was formed in 1691 from Lower Norfolk. It is twenty-four miles long, with a mean breadth of nineteen, and stretches from the North Carolina line to Hampton Roads on t^ie north, with Eliza- beth river and its branches penetrating every part_ In the southwestern corner, partly in this county and partly in Nansemond, is the celebrated "Dis- mal Swamp," which, lying higher than the sur- rounding country, furnishes an abundant supply of the purest water, which can be carried to the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. This large, and to a great extent undeveloped, if not unexplored tract of land, is covered with the most valuable timber. Pine, cypress, cedar, juniper and gum of wonderful value, interspersed with the oaks and other hard woods, are all around a navigable lake or bordering outlets into the waters at Norfolk. When cleared of timber, and where necessary, drained in the simplest manner, these lands exhibit the t*:reatest fertility. It is doubtful if any land in the United States can excel the Dismal Swamp in the production of corn and potatoes. The population of Norfolk county, including Norfolk city and Portsmouth, is now 77,038. Number of acres of land, 229,647. The surface of the county is level, the soil a sandy loam with clay subsoil. Nature seems to have designed it for a great garden, and it is rapidly being utilized in that way. Gardens and trucking farms are spreading in every direction around Norfolk and Portsmouth — soil, climate, market facilities, all concurring to give an unex- ampled impetus to the tracking business. Other crops can be raised— corn, oats, peanuts and other field crops. Communication with all the great cities north of Virginia is now rapid and easy. 26 and freights are cheap. The New York, Phila- delphia and Norfolk railroad, shortening the time to the great markets by five hours, has giveu a great impetus to market gardening. Early vege- tables and strav^berries of the finest qaality are shipped in immense quantities and bring a large amount of money into this county and those ad- jacent. Perishable fruits and vegetables can be gathered in the evening and placed in the New York market by sunrise next morning. Norfolk is celebrated for the excellence and quantity of the oysters and fish brought to its market, and for the abundance of game. Public schools: The county of Norfolk has 80 public schools — white, 40; colored, 40. Ports- mouth has 22 — white, 15; colored, 7. Norfolk and its twin sister, Portsmouth, are rapidly growing in importance. Lines of steamers to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, besides those running inland to Richmond, Smith- field, Newport News, and those across the bay to Cherrystone and Cape Charles City, and by the canal to Currituck, throng* the fine harbor. The foreign trade of Norfolk, too, is considerable, and increasing, as Norfolk has become a great cotton port — the third in the Union. (For full descrip- tion and statistics, see titles "Cities'' and "Trans- portation.") The Norfolk and Western, the Seaboard and Roanoke, the Atlantic and Danville, the New York Philadelphia and Norfolk, the Southern, the Nor- folk and Southern, the Norfolk and Carolina rail- roads terminate here, and the railroads to the popu- lar sea-bathing places at Ocean View and Virginia Beach have made these places easily acces.>ible and draw great numbers of people to Norfolk. The city of Portsmouth is a port of entry and the county-seat of Norfolk county. It is situated on the west bank of the Elizabeth river, opposite the city of Norfolk, with which it is connected by a steam ferry. 27 The percentage of pulmonary diseases is very small, and the mortality record shows a smaller death-rate than that of most of the cities on the Atlantic seaboard. In the southern part of the city is a United States navy-yard — one of the largest and best equipped navy-yards in the country. A great naval station and dry-dock of the United States is located here, and the largest ships can be accommodated in this fine harbor and dock. The enterprise and public spirit of the people have kept pace with the development of their re- sources and of their commerce. Fine shell roads, radiating in sundry directions from Norfolk, have superseded the dirt roads that were used a few years ago. No part of the country offers a more inviting field to enterprising and industrious settlers than does Norfolk county. NANSEMONI) Lies on the west side of Norfolk, and, likethat county; extends from the North Carolina line to Hampton Roads, being, in round numbers, thirty miles lon^ by nineteen wide. It is w^atered by the Nansemond River and other streams running into the James, and by tribu- taries of the Black water. Number of acres of land, 259,394 Population, 19.692. The surface of Nansemoncl is nearly level — the soil a friable, sandy loam, a description of land now considered the best for general purposes, the most profitable to work on ac- count of economy of cultivation and adapta- bility to a great variety of crops. Marl is abundant in the county, and is much used. This is the great peanut section of the United States, and as lime is a necessity in the produc- tion of peanuts, this marl is very valuable, 28 furnishing" lime of excellent quality and in proper condition "on the hill." Peanuts and cotton, corn, oats and vege- tables of all sorts (truck) are the principal products of this thriving county. A large portion of the land is devoted to "trucking." Fine tobacco, which has been but is not now cultivated, would grow well on the thinnest clay lands if fertilized, and the productions of this county would coverall the crops of the middle of the temperate zone, from cotton to potatoes and cabbage. The potatoes of Nansemond have long been celebrated, and other vegetables grow in equal perfection and ripen early, especially melons, peas and tomatoes. Onions from the seed could,and will sometime, be a large and profit able crop. Much of the time and capital of the farmers of this county is devoted to trucking and market gardening. It has its own thriving little city, Suffolk, and Norfolk, Richmond and the Northern markets for all its products. The result is that many of the farms look like an aggregation of gardens. Fish and oysters abound, and ean be easily and cheaply transported east, west, north and south of the county. Poultry raising is increasing and is profit- able. There is \'et much fine timber in this county, mostly pine, cypress and juniper. Nanse- mond's interest in the Dismal Swamp renders a lumber famine in her borders impossible. The wild animals, bears, wild-cats, deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums, otters, muskrats, squirrels and hares, are mainly found in or near the Dismal Swamp. Wild fowl: Ducks, geese, swans, teel, in the waters; woodcock, snipe, sora, reedbirds, in 29 the marshes; and partri(lg:es, doves, larks, plovers, robins, blackbirds, etc., in the fields. Suffolk, the county-seat, is a busy and thriv- ing town, the center of a large local trade. It is connected with Norfolk and Portsmouth by railroads and by river navigation, and is the terminus of the Suffolk and Carolina railroad. It has, by the census of 1890, o, 354 inhabitants. It is the seat of great lumber interests, both manufacturing and shipping. Number of public schools, 09 — white, 41; col- ored, 28. Easy access to market is furnished by the Nansemond river and the steamers plying thereon, and by railroads to Norfolk and Portsmouth (the Norfolk and Western and the Seaboard and Roanoke^, Churches are abundant and well attended, all denominations being represented. Weather report for 1892, ending December 1st: Average annual temperature about 58°; average annual rainfall about 46 inches. The county taxes are very low — 20 cents for county and 5 cents for schools on the $100 worth of real and personal property. ISLE OF WIGHT Was one of the original shires into which Vir- ginia was ^divided in 16-34. It is thirty-five miles long, with a mean width of about ten miles. Population, 11,313. It has 191,451 acres of land. The surface is mostly level, and the soil a light sandy loam. The productions are corn, wheat, oats, cotton, peanuts, fruits and vege- tables. The land is easily tilled and produces good crops. Trucking is carried on very suc- cessfully. Vegetables, fruits and melons are shipped from this county to the Northern cities in 30 large quantities. The supplies of fish and oys- ters are very large and valuable. Game is abundant. The streams furnish geese, ducks, swans and \\^ater-fowls in abun- dance; the swamps, sora, reedbirds, wood- cock and snipe; the fields and forest, turkeys, partridges, pigeons, larks, robins and an end- less variety of song birds. This county has valuable and extensive de- posits of marl, rich in carbonate of lime. This and lime are largely used in peanut culture. Timber of all the varieties native to this section is abundant. The health of this county is as good as any portion of Tidewater. The transportation facilities of this county are excellent. This county has the James river on its north- east border, and is penetrated on the south by Blackwater and braches of Nansemond river, Pagan creek and their tributaries. The Norfolk and Western railroad traverses the centre and the Seaboard and Roanoke rail- road x>asses through the southern part. These roads, together with the navigation on the James and on Pagan creek, place all parts of the county within easy and quick communi- cation with the markets of the whole coun- try. Taxation: The county levy for county ex- penses is 33^ cents on the $100 assessed value of real and personal property. Number of public schools, 58— white, 38; col- ored, 20. The county is well supplied with churches — Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Disciples. One of the most interesting relics of the past (the most interesting to the antiquarian) is Benns church, which stands in the forest five miles from Smithfield. It is cer- tainly the oldest church in Virginia, and is 31 said to be the oldest in America, built by European hands. Smithfield is the largest town and shipping point. It is situated at the confluence of Cypress and Pagan creeks, four miles from James river. Smithfield was an important trading post long before it was incorporated in 1752, It has now a population of about 1,000, with banks, stores, factories, churches, schools and all the industries that accompany a busy town. It has the largest peanut factory in the State and probably in the world, with electric plant, working 175 hands and turning out about 200,000 bags of peanuts per annum, and there are two other large factories. For more than a century Smithfield has been cele- brated for its hams, which are rated superior to the Westphalia, of which 200,000 pounds w^ere shipped in one year. Besides a daily steamer to Newport Ne^vs and Norfolk, many sailing vessels are em- ployed in the trade of this place. There were handled here the year ending July 1, 189J, 4,000,000 feet of lumber, 20,000 barrels of pota- toes, 230,000 bags of pe:muts, 25,000 packages of fruit, 1,200 crates of strawberries, 2,500 crates of eggs, 5,000 barrels of flour, 20,000 bushefs of oysters (local fishing), besides 1,000 barrels of fish and oysters by steamer. More than $125,000 was paid on freights to and from this point. The above enumeration does not in- clude a large trade in cattle, sheep, horses, farm products, truck, etc. SOUTHAMPTON Was formed in 1784 from Isle of Wight. The surface is level and the soil productive. It is watered by Meherrin, Nottoway and Black - water rivers, which furnish broad and fertile 32 lowlands and a ji'ood supply of fish. Area, 369,618 acres. Population, 20,078. The Blackwater river forms the eastern boundary of the county; theMeherrin its west- ern boundary, while the Nottoway river flows through its centre. They are well stocked w^ith a variety of the choicest fish. The principal productions are corn, cotton, peanuts, truck and potatoes. Soil a light and sandy loam, with red-clay subsoil. The natiA^e grasses, as wnre-grass and crab- grass, are very nutritious. Timotliy, orchard- grass and clover grow luxuriantly. There is no vv no doubt in the minds of the farmers of this county that hay of the finest quality can be produced here. The Japan clover seems to flourish here, and in many parts of the county it is gaining the mastery over the wire-grass. Cattle do well, and need to be cared for only four months in the year. Sheep husbandrj'^ could be made a profitable enterprise with proper care; early and fine lambs can be raised and shipped North at great profit. Here we have an excellent range for hogs. Large numbers are slaughtered annually, and thousands of pounds of the choicest bacon hams are sent to market. As to game, there is all common to this sec- tion — deer, fox, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, opos- sum, wild turkey, partridge,; and along the rivers, ducks, beaver, otter, etc. Apples and pears of superior quality yield abundantly. Peaches mature well, but late spring frosts prevent annual yield, and they are, therefore, n 't considered a sure crop. Grapes grow luxuriantly. The Scuppernong, Isabella, Concord, Clinton, and other varieties are grown here abundantly. 33 Plums and cherries do well. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries of the finest qual- itj^ can be profitably grown. Cranberries grow to perfection on the alluvial bottoms. Southampton is among the most thriving counties of this prosperous section of Virginia. This is the banner county in the State in the production of cotton, between five and six thousand bales being sent to market annually. Cotton gins, in n^^at and commodious houses, are conveniently located in every part of the county. The soil is peculiarly adapted to the growth of sweet and Irish potatoes, which can be produced in great abundance. Stock peas, the black-eye pea, the black pea, the yellow pea, and other varieties grow in all parts of the county to great perfection. Watermelons, muskmelons and cantaloupes of the finest fiavor and quality are produced. The soil, being light, warm and easily tilled, and being favored with a semi-tropical climate, is par excellence garden soil. Within the last few years a few farmers of this county have paid some attentinn to the production of tobacco, a,nd samples of the bright flue-cured tobacco have been shown to several experts, and were pronounced very fine. It is no longer a question of doubt that much of our soil is admirably adapted to the growth of the bright leaf tobacco. The Seaboard and Roanoke railroad runs through the southern portion of the county, and the Norfolk and Western passes near its northern limits. There is much valuable tim- ber, as oak, pine, chestnut, etc. Large quan- tities of heart pine, white and red oak, cypress, dogwood, hickory, persimmon, ash, pop- lar, gum, walnut, sycamore, maple and ordi- nary pine are distributed over the entire countv, and much of these are CL>nvert^d into 34 lumber by the saw-mills, of which there are twelve in the county. The Norfolk and Western railroad has eight miles of its track along the eastern portion of the county; the Seaboard and Roanoke rail- road runs eighteen miles through its southern portion, and the Atlantic and Danville passes through its centre from east to west. These roads, together with the Surry, Sussex and Southampton railroad, now completed from James river to Courtland, the countj- seat, afford to every farm in the county ample and convenient facilities for transpor- tation. The county levy (tax) for county expenses is 32 cents on the $100 value of real and per- sonal property. Courtland (formerly Jerusalem) is the coun- ty-seat, and has a central location. Number of public schools, 86— w^hite, 48; col- ored, 38. Franklin is a thriving town, located at the head of navigation on Blackwater river. A regular line of first-class steamboats is estab- lished between it and Edenton and Plymouth, North Carolina. The Seaboard and Roanoke and the Atlantic and Danville railroads con- nect it with Portsmouth and Norfolk. Ivor is a thriving village on the Norfolk and Western railroad. Many thousand bushels of peanuts are shipped from this station. Numbers of artesian T\^ells have been cheaply and successfully sunk in all the villages and in many parts of the county, and afford the purest water, and it is claimed that malaria has practically disappeared. Temperature and rainfall are about the same as Surry county, reported by Spottsville station. 35 ELIZABETH CITY Was one of the eight original shires into which Virginia was divided in 1634. Its form is nearly a square of seven miles on a side. It lies on Hampton Roads, Chesapeake bay and Black river, and is intersected by several creeks. The surface is level and the soil fertile, some of it highly so. Number of acres of land, 29,s97. Population, 16,168. The climate of Elizabeth City is delightful, the average temperature being 75° in summer and 44° in winter The supply of fish and oysters of the finest quality is almost inexhaustible. The fisheries take quantities of shad, trout, bluefish, bay mackerel, etc Elizabeth City is penetrated and almost sur- rounded by navigable waters, and is in daily com- munication with Norfolk, Richmond, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, by regular lines of steamers to each of these cities, affording great advantages to truck and fruit growers. The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad has its ter- minus at Old Point Comfort, so well known for the grand fortress located there, and the Hygeia Hotel and Chamberlain, now resorted to by thou- sands as a winter sanitarium and luxurious rest- ing-place, while in summer it is equally popular for its sea breezes and salt baths. It has stations at Bampton and Phoebus, and the Hampton and Old Point Electric Railroad, and the Hampton and Newport News Electric Railroad furnishes full facilities for the people. Public roads are very much improved. County taxation: 35 cents for county purposes 18 cents for county schools; 2 cents for district schools; 18 cents for roads; making 73 cents on the $100 valuation of property. Hampton, the county seat, is a thriving town of about 5,000 inhabitants. Here is located that 36 noble institution, the Hampton Normal and Col- legiate Institute, for the education and training of negro and Indian students, with accommodation for. six hundred. Hampton Female College is also a successful institution. Near Hampton is also located the National Soldiers' Home for 2,500 disabled volunteer sol- diers, with beautiful grounds and buildings. Number of public schools, 31 — white, 14; col- ored, 17. Churches : Baptist, 4; Methodist, 4; Episcopal, 1; Presbyterian, 1; Disciples, I; Catholic, 1; total, 12. The Manufactories consist of a shoe factory, iron foundry, sash and blind factory, and an oil factory. WARWICK, Though a small county in area, and the smallest in population, was one of the eight original shires, and was densely peopled; there were in this little county six parishes. It contains 42,766 acres. Population, 6 650. The surface is level and the soil productive. The land is easily cultivated and very improv- able, and there are large deposits of excellent marl. Trucking and market gardening are extending. Wild animals of the county are deer, fox, rac- coon, squirrel and hare. Besides the water fowls there are wild turkey, partridge, woodcock and sora. Fish, oysters and wild fowl are abundant. Poultry is increasing. The timber of this county consists mainly of oak, pine, ash and gum. Monthly average temperature for twelve months to 1st December, 1892, 59°; rainfall, 46 inches. County taxes, 90 cents on $100 value of property for county expenses and schools The population of Warwick was, in 1880, only 2,264; but since that time the extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway to Newport News, in the southeastern angle of this county, has made an immense difference in the status of Warwick, Newport News having grown to be an important shipping point resorted to by ocean steamers. This is, perhaps, the best coaling station on the continent/ and there is here a grain elevator with a capacity of 1,500,000 bushels, and wharves on a grand scale, with depth of water to accommodate the largest ships that float. The "boom" at Newport News was not merely a "boom." Town lots and farms in the vicinity have rapidly and steadily advanced in price, and there are plain indications of a "coming" city, which will extend from Old Point Comfort to New- port News. Ship building js the great industry and is rapidly increasing. The Chesapeake and Ohio railway has already arranged for a line of ocean steamers from this point to Europe, which will make Newport News not only a great coaling station, but a most important port for the exporta- tion of grain and cattle. Another result will be a great increase in the production of truck and berries for the Western markets by the fast freight line established last summer. Churches of all religious denominations are to be found in the county. The public school system is enlarging. There are thirteen public schools — seven white and six colored. YORK County was one of the original shires into which Virginia was divided in 1634. It was first known as Charles county. It is bounded by Chesapeake Bay on the east, York river on the northeast, and by James City county and Warwick on the west and southwest, and b}^ Back river, which separates it from Elizabeth City county, on the south. It is thirty miles long, with a mean breadth of five miles. 38 The population is now T.-OG. Ti^e Disciples, Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyte- rians and Methodists each have churches. There are numerous public schools iu every dis- trict, both for wiiite arid colored. Bruton produces corn, oats, potatoes, etc., iu abundance. Nelson and Grafton are devoted mostly to trucking. In Poquosin District the peo- ple are largely engaged in building of canoes, which have a world-wide reputation. Apples, peaches and pears aie grown all over the county. This county is intersected by several navigable creeks, and by Poquosin river, which, with York river and the Chesapeake bay and Back river, afford excellent shipping facilities. The Chesapeake and Ohio railway passes through a small portion of the county. The county roads, with proper drainage, could be made first-rate. There are no manufactures in this county. The various rivers and creeks of this county af- ford splendid oysters and fish in abundance. Pound-nets and fykes are set along the shore; fish of everj^ kind and variety are caught. Oysters are produced by simply planting shells. Game is very plentiful in this county. Squir- rels, hares, deer, turkeys, partridges and wild geese and ducks afford excellent shooting. Bruton District is particularly well adapted to stock-raising. Sheep have proved profitable. The first battle of the late war was fought at Big Bethel, in this county, and the last battle of the Revolution was fought at Yorktown, the county- seat. This place is in Nel-on District, on York river, 11 miles from its mouth, 33 from Nor- folk and 70 from Richmond. It was established by law in 1705, and had considerable com- merce. It la now in bad condition, but it is believed that it has a bright future, as it will one day be the terminus of a great railroad. There 39 is already a prospect of a short road from York- town to Jamestown. On the main street of York- town is the Nelson residence, the home of Thomas Nelson, the Governor of Virginia, during the Rev- olutionary war. Yorktown is memorable in his- tory as the spot where, on the 19th of October, 1781, the army of Cornwallis surrendered to the combined armies of America and France which practically ended the war. The place of surrender is about half a mile from the town, on the south side of the road to Hampton. JAMES CITY. James City was one of the original shires into which Virginia was divided in 1634. Its length is 26 miles; breadth, 8 miles; area, 92,377 acres. Jamestown, in this county, was settled May 13, 1607, by Capt. John Smith and his companions. Of this deeply interesting spot, little now remains but a church-yard and the ruins of an old church* Williamsburg, the county-seat, was laid out in the ciphers "W." and "M." This was first called "Middle Plantation," and is the oldest incorpor- ated city in the State, having been settled in 1632. In 1698 the seat of government was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg, and it continued the capital until 1779, when it was removed to Rich- mond. In this old city is the "old Powder-Horn,," memorable as being the building from which Lord Duumore removed the powder belonging to the colony, which caused the first assembly of an armed force in Virginia in opposition to royal au- thority. Here is also Bruton Parish church, which contains the font from which Pocahontas was bap- tized. The Eastern Lunatic Asylum is also situ- ated here, the first institution in this country at which colored lunatics were treated, and now in full tide of success for the maintenance and cure of white insane. On Ware creek, a tributary of the York, is the "Old Stone House," the most curious relic of an- 40 tiquity of Virs^inia, and supposed to have been built by Capt. John Smith. In Howe's History of Virginia, this is located in New Kent, but this is a mistake. Two battles were fought in this county daring the Revolution — the first J une 25, 1781 , at Spencer's Ordinary; the second near "Green Spring," once the elegant home of Sir William Berkeley. One battle was fought at Fort Magruder during the late war, May 4tb and 5th, 1862. A skirmish also took place at Olive Branch church. The population of the county, Williamsburg in- cluded, is 5,643— white, 2,317; colored, 3,326 Churches are numerous; the Baptists, Christians, Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians have churches in the county and town, or adjacent thereto. Public schools are reasonably convenient to all parts of the county, and in Williamsburg there are public and private schools and a well-conducted high school. At Williamsburg, in this county, is W^illiam and Mary College, founded in 1693. This institution has been three times destroyed by fire; the last time by the Federal soldiers during the late war, but was rebuilt by private subscription, the people of this locality (although almost ruined by the war) contributing thereto, and is now in a most flourishing condition. Number of public schools, 17 — white, 9; colored, 8. There is no newspaper now published here. The Virginia Gazette was published at Williamsburg August 6. 1736, and was the first newspaper ever published in Virginia; it has just been revived. Temperature: The temperature is so equalized by large bodies of water that it is not extremely hot in summer or extremely cold in winter. The Chesapeake and Ohio railway with its six stations, and broad rivers, afford all the transpor- tation that could be desired. The county is between Richmond, the State cap- ital, and Virginia's infant city, Newport News — 41 being less than two hours' ride by rail from the former, and one hours' ride from the latter place* Unimproved land can now be bought at $4 per acre. Improved lands are higher, but cheap; it is believed that in the near future there will be a de- mand for land along this end of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway. Taxation for county expenses, 40 cents on the $100 value of property/ county schools, 5 cents; district schools, 15 cents; public roads, 10 cents; total, 70 cents. CHAKLES CITY Was one of the original shires of Virginia, and was established in 1634. It is thirty miles long, with a mean width of about eight miles, and con- tains 113,405 acres. Population 5,066. This county occupies the peninsula formed by the Chickahominy and James rivers The sur- face is mostly level or gently undulating. The lands on the rivers are generally of excellent qual- ity, and constitute a large proportion of the area. Many fine estates and sundry old colonial resi- dences grace the banks of the James; among them the homes of two presidents, William Henry Har- rison and John Tyler. The productions are corn, wheat, oats, peanuts, clover, and the finest timothy hay and orchard grass. The grape produces abundant crops, and is rarely affected with disease. Cherries and pears succeed admirably. The climate and soil are suit- able to an endless variety of fruits and vegetables, many of the former growing wild and in great profusion. Poultry-raising and dairying are increasing, and both are profitable. Wild Fowl : Turkeys, pheasants, ducks, geese, sora The timber consists of oak, pine, elm, ash, pop- lar, etc. Both rivers and all the creeks are filled with fi^h. 42 Lying, as Charles City does, between two naviga- ble rivers, and having a railroad (the Chesapeake and Ohio) skirting its northern boundary and pass- ing through its northwestern corner, its means of transportation to the markets of the country are convenient for all parts of the county. Marl is abundant, both eocene and mioceue — some of it rich in green sand. Number of public schools, 23 — white, 11; col- ored, 12. Church buildings ample for the congregations of the several denominations. SURRY Is one of the oldest counties in the State, being just opposite Jamestown, the cradle of the colony. It has James river for its northern boundary and the Blackwater for a portion of its southern. Area, 138 131 acres. Population, 8,256. The weather service of the State Department of Agriculture at Spottsville gives the monthly aver- age temperature for the year ending November 30, 1892, as 56.8°, and the rainfall as 47.77 inches. The lauds are level and slightly rolling. The principal products are corn, wheat, oats, peanuts, lumber and fire- wood for Northern markets. About two-thirds of the county is in timber, principally pine, white oak, hickory, poplar, beech, walnut, persimmon, cypress, holly and the gums. All kinds of fruits are cultivated with success. Marl exists in great abundance and is very ac- cessible. Wherever applied it has never failed to produce most excellent results. The Atlantic and Danville railroad runs from Danville to Claremont. The Company runs a steamer from its wharves at Claremont to Petersburg, a distance of fifty- miles. The Surry, Sussex and Southampton railroad has its water terminus in this county, and twenty 43 miles of its line will be in the county, passing through the county-seat. The Surry Lumber Company has eleven miles of narrow-gauge road connecting with the Atlantic and Danville railroad at Spring Grove. The Surry and Smithfield railroad was chartered by the Legislature to run through the finest truck- ing section in the county to Smithfield, in Isle of Wight county. Other shipping facilities are the James river, which forms the northeastern boundary- of the county, on which ply daily the steamers of the Pe- tersburg Steamboat Company, the Virginia Steam- boat Company, the Old Dominion Steamship Com- pany, touching ai all the wharves, of which there are six in the county; and the Norfolk and Wes- tern railroad, which passes oq the southern side of the county. Claremont, the eastern terminus of the Atlantic and Danville railroad, is a colony settled since 1880 by Northern people. A Northern capitalist bought the old Allen estate of 12,500 acres, and divided it into small farms. About three hundred families have settled there. This was in 1886. This county has twenty-two churches — three Episcopal, nine Methodist, eight Baptist and two Christian ; and twenty-three public schools — nine- teen white and four colored. The rate of county taxation is 35 cents on the $100 valuation of land and personal property. THIRD DISTRICT. A. S. BuFORD, President of the Board, Rich- mond. This District has six counties and includes the cities of Richmond and Manchester. HENRICO Was one of the original shires into which Virginia was divided in 1634. Its length is twenty-seven miles; mean breadth about eight miles. The sur- ace is undulating; soil on the rivers very produc- 44 tive. It is drained od the south line by James river, and on the north by the Chickahominy, and by their tributaries. It produces largely of corn, wheat, oats, trucks, and some tobacco. The popu- lation, including Richmond, is 103,394. Number of acres of land, 161,816. Having the large city of Richmond, with a population of 81,388, near the centre of its south border, and four railroads passing through this county, the products of the farm have quick, ready sale and small cost of carriage. Its produc- tions are large and varied, and the profits of farm- ing as good as in any part of the country. Grass succeeds well. There are several large nurseries and many large orchards and vineyards in the county; and dairy farming is extensively carried on. The largest and finest dairies in the State are located around this city. There are a number of smaller dairy farms that do a large and successful business. These have greatly improved the lands of the county and in- creased the production of grass, hay and ensilage. There are several large poultry farms near the city, which is an excellent poultry market. Market- gardening and trucking are rapidly increasing, keeping pace with the increased growth and in- creasing consumption of the city of Richmond. Improved stock of all kinds are to be found in thig county. In addition to the improvement in cattle by dairy-farming and the introduction of blooded cattle, there are several stock-farms for the rearing of blooded horses of different breeds, and atten- tion has Leen lately giyen to the improvement of sheep for mutton and spring lambs. The planting of vineyards is goinj on rapidly, as experience has shown that this county is admirably adapted to grape-growing. The Norton, the best of American wine grapes, except the Cynthiana, which is of the same family, originated just out- side of Richmond, and almost all the native grapes do well here. 45 Large quantities of table grapes from the vine- yards of the county are annually marketed in Richmond. Granite in great abundance, potter's clay and coal exist in Henrico. "Natural" coke of excellent quality is largely mined in the upper part of the county. Fine marls are found in different parts of the county. Good green-sand near Malvern Hill has been developed, and the best shell- marls are found on the Chickahominy and White Oak swamps, one deposit analyzing 85 per cent, car- bonate of lime. Valuable brick-clay is found in different locations along the James river, and larg® quantities of building brick are manufactured. The James River Division of the Chesapeake and Ohio railway runs along the southern border of this county, and the Chesapeake and Ohio, the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac, and Richmond, York River and Chesapeake, and the projected Richmond and Chesapeake railroads pass through the county. The Belt line from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac, crossing James river above the city, connects with the Rich- mond and Petersburg beyond Manchester. The Seven Pines railroad, from Richmond to the Na- tional Cemetery, affords accommodation for nine miles through a thickly-populated and improving section. Many of the public roads have been greatly improved and are being improved. Richmond, the capital and largest city in the State, is situated in this county, on the north bank of .Tames river, at the head of tide-water. It has extensive wharves and docks, with a depth of eighteen feet of water over the bar, to be increased to twenty-four feet. It has extensive commerce and tiade and large manufacturing establishments of every kind. It is the chief market of the State. Henrico county, surrounding as it does the citj'- of Richmond, which is reached from every direc- tion by railroads and traversed by street cars, en- 46 joys exceptional educational advantages. The colleges, private institutions, and splendid public school system of Richmond, and the admirable public schools of the county afford every facility for acquiring an education. Number of public schools, 71 — white, 41; colored. 30. Churches of all denominations are scattered over the county. Farming lands in the county vary in price from $5 to $200 per acre, according to improvements and location. Taxation for all county purposes, 45 cents on the $100 valuation of real and personal property> being fixed at 90 per cent, on State tax and valua- tion. GOOCHLAND Was formed in 1727 from Henrico. It is thirty miles long and about ten miles wide. It lies on the north bank of the James river, in its entire length. The surface is undulating. Area, ir8,G04 acres. The population is 9,958. The soil is a gray or chocolate loam., resting on a tenacious red-clay sub-soil, and is noted for its large and excellent crops of wheat. The soil on the rivers and creeks is very- rich ; on the ridffes not so good, but is easily improved and then very productive. It pro- duces large crops of tobacco, corn, wheat, oats and hay. As fine timothy meadows can be shown as are in the United States. Attention is being paid to the culture of the vine, to which much of the land is admirably adapted. In this county are found gold, iron ore, cop- per and coal. There were seven gold mines and two coal mines in the county in 1885. Some of these are noT\^ at work and a new impetus has been given to this work. A fine mica mine "\;vas worked near Irwin Station, and in the lower end of the couuty, on the 47 railroad, petroleum ornapthahas been found, and considerable quantities of "mountain- tallow" exhibited. The indications are that this oil is in considerable quantities. Besides gold, iron and coal, several other minerals are found here, such as granite, plumbago and asbestos. The county-seat, near the centre of the county, is thirty miles from Richmond, and is a thriving little village. The number of public schools, 59— Tvhite 35; colored, 24. Twenty church buildings are oc- cupied by five or six denominations. Average temperature for 1892, 56°; rainfall about 42 inches. Good land can be bought for $12 per acre; on the ridges, from $2 to $5. The Richmond and Alleghany Railroad, running through its length, forty-two miles by the windings of James River, furnishes transportation for the farm products. The health of the county is excellent. It is drained by several large and many small creeks, which empty into the James. Rate of county tax : 40 cents on the $100 valuation of property for county purposes ; county school tax, 10 cents ; district schools, 10 cents ; making 60 cents for all county taxes. Many Northern men have purchased lands and settled in this county, and are well pleased with it CHESTERFIELD "Was formed from Henrico in 1748. It is 28 miles long and 18 miles wide, and contains 293,074 acres. Population: White, 15,399; colored, 10,812; total, 26,211. The surface is rolling. The soil is in general light and gray in color, easily improved. Chesterfield county lies between the James river on the north and the Appomattox on the south. It is intersected by a number of large streams. The county is divided into two unequal 48 parts by the seam of granite which marks the limit of tide-water in all of the rivers of the State. The eastern and smaller section is, therefore, in Tidewater Virginia, and is adapted to all the crops of that section. The southern section, in addition to the cereals, vegetables, peanuts, etc., of the Tidewater section, produces a good quality of tobacco. The lands along the James and Appomatox rivers, both above and below tide-water, are good, some of it being unsurpassed by any in the State. The historic farms of Drewry's Bluff, Presque Isle and Bermuda Hundred, with many others just as productive, are on the James river, below Rich- mond, and are certainly equal to any lands in Eastern Virginia. There are some fine farming lands on the large creeks. The highlands in many cases, though naturally good, have been worn down, and need improvement. Chesterfield, in the Exposition of 1889, got the first premium for county agricultural products and the second for timber wood and minerals. The farming interest of this county is rapidly undergoing a change through the energy and per- severance of Northern and Western settlers, who, finding that they could not compete with the West in the cultivation of grain crops, have been seed- ing their meadow lands to grass, raising butter and milk for the three adjacent cities — Richmond and Manchester on the north and Petersburg on the south. Also, they are now planting vineyards, strawberries and small fruits generally. The county, lying as it does between Richmond and Petersburg, offers extraordinary inducements to the market gardener, to say nothing of the ad- vantages of being in easy reach of the Northern markets by steamers on James river, at many of the wharves of which vessels can be freighted for foreign ports. Dairying is now in its infancy, but the ease with which grass can be grown on much of our river 49 land and the proximity of two large cities will at no distant day make it an important industry. All the little industries fostered by the proximity of large cities have a place among its industries. There is a large blooded-horse stock-farm near Manchester. As to game, the county has all common to this section— deer, fox, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, opos- sum, etc., with wild turkeys, partridges, and along the rivers ducks, geese, sora, etc. Our streams are well supplied with fish— all native to this section abound, and m tide-waler streams sturgeon, shad, herring and terrapin in great abundance. The facilities afforded by the railroads, navigable rivers, etc., for shipping, has built up a very large industry in the cutting of wood and lumber for the Northern market. All kinds of timber can be utilized — gum, oak, pine, cedar, dogwood and popular. Even the catting of hoop poles, tobacco- box linings, etc., gives employment to many. The Richmond coal-field, sometimes called the Chesterfield coal-field, runs across the county from north to south. At Midlothian the workings are in the hands of companies, independent of the railroad. At Clover Hill the Brighthope Railway Company is working two large pits. Manchester, opposite Richmond, is a largely manufacturing city, with a population by census of 1890 of 9,240. Taxes for all county purposes amount to 70 cents on $100 worth of all real and personal estate. Ochre is being successfully worked on the lower Appomatox. On the seam of granite above mentioned there are one small and two large quarries, the output of which is said to be equal to any in the country. There is room for unlimited enterprise in this direction. Chestei, on the Richmond and Petersburg rail- road, and Bon Air, on the Richmond and Danville, are summer resorts for a class of people in the 50 cities who wish to get their families to the country, but cannot leave their business. The county roads are fairly good, and are being rapidly improved. The Buckingham turnpike in the western part of the county, and the Richmond and Petersburg turnpike, running across the county, no longer charge tolls, but are still good roads. Number of public schools, 77 — white, 49; colored, 28. The Normal and ('ollegiate Institute for col- ored students is located in Chesterfield near Peters- burg. Average monthly temperature for 1892, 58.4°; rainfall, 40.30 inches. NEW KENT Was formed in 1654 from York. It is twenty-six miles long and seven to nine miles broad, and con- tains 129,609 acres of land. Population, 5,511. This county, lying between the Pamunkey, York and Chickahominy rivers, has extensive and fertile bottom lands, with navigable streams on two sides. The soil is light and sandy in the interior, and varies from sandy to stiff clay on the river bottoms, and is easily improved by clover or peas in proper rotations. The productions are corn, wheat, oats and early vegetables and potatoes (both sweet and Irish), for which, latter soil is well suited. Trucking and poultry raising have increased and are profitable. Wild animals: Deer, foxes, hares, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, otters, musk-rats, etc. Wild fowl: Turkey, duck, goose, blue pullet, etc. Wild birds: Partridge, dove and lark. Marl is abundant and of excellent quality. That near St. Peter's church contains about ninety per cent, carbonate of lime, and has been successfully 51 used on the lands and even for mortar in laying bricks. Valuable green-sand marl is found on the Pa- munkey, and many lands have been kept up in fertility by its application. The timber consists of oak, hickory, maple, dog- wood and pme. Two railroads furnish added facilities for access to market. The Richmond and York Kiver rail- road on the north, and the Chesapeake and Ohio railway in the southern part, are of convenient access to all parts of its territory. Providence Forge, at the head of Chickahominy navigation and on the Chesapeake and Ohio rail- way, is a thriving village in a fertile valley, and well located for a considerable town. It has good water-power. It is a healthy county, with the exception of mild types of intermittent fevers, easily controlled. Lands can be cheaply bought, the price varying from three dollars to twenty dollars. Rate of county taxation: 50 cents for county purposes; 15 cents for schools, and 15 cents for roads, making 80 cents on the $100 value of real and personal property. The people are intelligent and cultivated, and are noted for their generous hospitality and soci- ability. Number of public schools, 25 — white, 14; colored, 11. Churches are conveniently located over the county, and most of the denominations have houses of worship. KING WILLIAM. This county is a narrow peninsula, lying be- tween the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers, which unite and form the York. It is some thirty miles long by about eight miles as its average width. Population, 9,605— males, 4,823; females. 4,782; white, 3,783; colored. 5,822. Area, 172,433 acres. 52 As might be supposed, the land lies well for cul- tivation. About 10 per cent, of the area is in orig- inal timber, and 40 per cent, under systematic ro- tation of crops. The flats along the rivers are extensive and pro- ductive; the soil throughout the county is of good quality, producing a fine quality of corn, wheat tobacco, oats, peanuts, peas, potatoes and vegeta- bles of all kinds. Clover, millet and other hay crops do well; timothy also does well in many places on the bottoms and improved highlands. Large deposits of marl are found in many sec- tions. There is abundance of good marl, which has been used with much benefit to the soil. The green-sand marl of King William is similar to that of New Jersey, which has been foand so valuable as to bear carriage considerable distances from the beds. The timber consists of pine, oak, chestnut, beech, poplar and ash. The green sand along the Pamunkey is one of nature's best fertilizers, producing wonderful im- provements wherever applied, and large quanti- ties are raised and shipped on the river. The climate is unsurpassed; just cold enough for ice and never too hot to work. Average tem- perature, 59°; average rainfall, 42 inches. The health of the inhabitants will compare favor- bly with any section of the South. The supply of water is good from never failing wells. Artesian wells have been introduced in different parts of the county and a large number in West Point, and they have succeeded beyond expectation in furnishing a full supply of the best water. The Pamunkey and Mattaponi are navigable for steam and sail boats of large size for about two- thirds of the length of the county, affording ample and cheap transportation to all the Eastern mar- kets. The York River division of the Richmond and Danville system of railroad passes through about 53 twenty miles of the county, connecting daily with steamers for Baltimore and other points Norths and semi-weekly with those for New York, Bos- ton and Providence. West Point, the deep-water terminus of the Rich- mond and Danville system of railroads, is situated at the extreme east point of the county. HANOVER Was formed in 1720 from New Kent. The popu- lation is 17,402. There are 293,569 acres of land. It lies between the Pamunkey and Chickahominy rivers. The northeast line is formed by the North. Anna and Pamunkey, the latter stream being formed near the centre of that line by the junction of the South Anna with the North Anna. The central parts are well drained by tributaries of these main streams. The surface in the eastern part is generally level, and the soil is a light sandy loam, well suited to trucking. The sweet potato here attains its great- est perfection, and the melons of Hanover are un- ' surpassed In the central and western portions the surface is more rolling, and the lands suited to the culture of tobacco, the cereals and grasses. There are many fine blooded horses and cattle in this county. On the Pamunkey are some fine wheat lands. A considerable number of farmers make dairy- ing and poultry-raising a prominent and success- ful part of their occupation. The upper end of the county is a very fine tobacco section, and many fine crops are produced. Game is abundant. Wild turkeys, pheasants, woodcocks, snipes, partridges and wild ducks abound. Occasionally deer are seen. Foxes, raccoons, opossums, woodchucks, squirrels, hares, otters, minks, musk-rats, are plentiful. Marls of several sorts, both miocene and eocene, with green sand of the richest quality, are found 54 here, and have been very profitably used on the lands. Very large quantities of lumber, cross-ties and cord- wood are marketed every year from the county. Mica, feldspar, asbestos and gneiss are found in the western half of the county. A deposit of the finest mica and a quarry of red granite, of excellent quality, are being developed near Verdon station, on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. This is a fine county for immigrants with small capital and industrous habits. The trucking and canning business can be, and is made very profit- able here by persons familiar with gardening. The county is fall of delicious wild berries, and all of the cultivated berries do remarkably well, and there are several large canneries for fruits and vegetables; a large fertilizer factory and several saw-mills. Taxation: Whole tax. State and county, 90 cents. Tax for all county purposes, 60 cents on the $100 worth of property; State tax 40. The railroad facilities of the county are excel- lent. Besides the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad passing through from north to south, the Chesapeake and Ohio intersects it in a north and northwest direction, having a course of nearly forty miles in Hanover, and the Richmond and York River railroad skirts its southeast cor- ner. The accommodation trains of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac running daily be- tween Fredericksburg and Richmond, and twice a day between Ashland and Richmond, give great facilities to the citizens of these growing towns. TLere is also an accommodation train of the Chesa- peake and Ohio railroad between the Junction and Richmond running daily. Number of public schools, 83 — white, 48; col- ored, 35. The graded schools in Ashland has four 55 teachers and gives great satisfaction. Randolph- Macon College, under the patronage of the Vir- ginia and Baltimore Conferences of the Methodist Church South, is located at Ashland. Ashland, a town of fifteen hundred to two thousand inhabitants, is the educational centre of the section. While mainly a residential town, with many fine homes, it has a fine trade and ex- tensive business operations. The weather station located here gives the monthly average temperature of the county for 1892 at 56°; rainfall, annual, 42.48 inches; monthly, 3.54 inches. FOURTH DISTRICT. R. M. Mallory, Smoky Ordinary, Brunswick County. This District comprises eleven counties situ- ated south of the James river and extending to the'North Carolina line. AMELIA. This county lies on the south bank of the Appomatox river, is thirty miles long and about ten broad, contains 222,788 acres and has a population of 9,068. Soil, gray slate, red clay and sandy loam, and producesgood crops of tobacco, corn, wheat, oats, rye and grass. Tobacco is the chief money crop, and flue cur- ing furnishes bright tobacco of the finest qual- ity. All fruits grow well and are prolific under proper care, vegetables of all kinds grow to perfection. Grapes are cultivated with profitable results. The plum, whortleberry, dewberry, grape and blackberry grow wild and are used for canning. The county is Avell supplied with wood of all kinds. The wild sumac has developed a new trade. The winters are mild and short, the sum- mers pleasant. 56 The minerals are various. Mica is abundant, kaolin in great abund- ance. A mine of steatite is operated. Some coal and some gold. Mineral springs, both sulphur and lithia exist. The public schools are in prosperous condi- tion, and there are churches of various denom- inations over the count3^ The Richmond & Danville railroad passes through the center of the county, and the Norfolk & Western near its southeastern border. The Appomatox river on the northern edge, is open for naviga- tion to the markets of Petersburg. The lands are for sale at Ioav rates for their real produc- tive value and improvements and average from $2 to $10 per acre. BRUNSWICK COUNTY. This county was formed in 1721 from'Surry and Isle of Wight. It is nearly square, contains 345,976 acres and has a population of 17,245 The surface is undulating and the lands well watered, having the Nottoway river on its North and the Meherriu and tributaries through the central parts and the tributaries of the Roanoke in the Southern sections. The soil is mostly a sandy loam, easily \\^orked and very productive in wheat, corn, cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. Bright tobacco has been raised for the last ten years with great success. Vegetables of all kinds and fruits and melons grow in great perfection, grapes in abundance and figs and quinces also do Tvell. The lands in this county are for sale at lower rates for their real value than in any other part of the State. The climate is mild and healthy, the people generous and hospi- table. There is wealth in the fine timber of this county, such as oak, pine, poplar, hickory, gum, maple, birch and other kinds. 57 The line of the Atlantic and Danville rail- road passes through the heart of the county and its shops are located atLawrenceville,the county seat, a growing and thrifty town, where are published The Brunswick Gazette and Brunswick News. There are churches of different denomina- tions in all parts of the county, and the school^ are in a most prosperous condition. Lands sell from $2 to f 10 per acre. DINWIDDIE. This county was formed in 1752 from Prince George. The surface is mostly level and the soil is light clay loam, susceptible of high im- provement. The Appomatox river on the north boundary and the Nottoway river on the South, with their tributaries, give ample drainage and furnish fertile bottom lands. The area of the county is 326,075 acres, the population 13,515. The principal crops are corn, tobacco, wheat and oats, while cotton, peanuts, potatoes, melons and vegetables of every kind grow well. Near Petersburg, farmers en- gage largely in trucking and small fruits. All the grasses grow well. Large forests of oaks, pine, hickory, ash, dogwood, walnut, elm and poplar; lumber and wood are largely marketed. In some portions of the county there is an abundance of marl. Several veins of hematite and of magnetic iron ore, and also a large supply" of granite. The Appomatox has been dredged and is navigable for small vessels. The Central Lunatic Asylum is located in this county. The free school system is well established. The city of Petersburg is a large cotton, tobacco, wheat and peanut market, with various lines of railroads running to the city. Lands sell from $2 to $25 per acre. 58 GREENSVILLE COUNTY. This county was formed in 1780 fri»m Bruns- wick. It is on the North Carolina line and is one of the cotton and peanut producing coun- ties, with an area of 186,728 acres and a population of 8,230. The surface is level, soil sandy loam, and is easily cultivated. The Nottoway river on the north line and the Meherrin flowing through its central parts with their tributaries, drain its surface and furnish ample water power, and abundant supplies of fish. Tobacco and wheat are raised in some parts of the county, and corn, oats, cotton and peanuts in all portions. Lands are cheap and the people hospitable and kind. The climate is mild and healthy. Timber is abundant and valuable. Marl is found and is valuable in the production of peanuts. Transportation facilities are good. The Coast Line, The Atlantic & Danville and The Seaboard and Roanoke traverse the county. Plenty of churches and schools. Lands sell from $2 to $20 per acre. LUNENBURG. This county was formed in 1746 from Bruns- wick. It is 30 miles long and contains 267,535 acres, with a population of 11,372. White and other oaks, pine, hickory, walnut and maple are abundant. Fine whetstone is found. The surface is mostly level, the soil a greyish slate, easily cultivated and producing good crops. The county lies between the Not- toway and Meherrin rivers, their tributaries penetrate the county and afford many loca- tions for mill sites. The lands of Lunenburg are lower in price than any lands in South side Virginia. This is a healthy section and well adapted to fruits and the grape. The people are kind and hospitable. The produc- 59 tions are tobacco, wheat, corn, oats, cotton, and urasses. The finest bright tobaccos are produced and cotton is ex-ellent quality. Sheep do Tvell and rarely need feeding or. housing. The Richmond and Southein rail- road passes the northwest border, while the Atlantic and Danville passes near and along its southern border. Lands sell from $2 to $20 per acre. MECKLENBURG. This county was formed in 1764 from Lunen- burg. It is 36 miles long and contains 414,262 acres and has a population of 25,359. It is watered by the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers and their tributaries. The Dan and Staunton rivers unite in this county and form the Roanoke. Upon these rivers there is a large extent of rich bottom land. The soil is varied and susceptible of improvement. (Copper, granite, soapstone and kaolin have been dis- covered The staple crops are tobacco, wheat, corn, oats and cotton. Sorghum, from which a superior quality of molasses is made is easily produced. This county is celebrated for its fine grades of tobacco. The fine river bottoms produce large quantities of corn. Winter oats succeed well when seeded early. Herds and orchard grass, timothy, clover and most of the domes- tic grasses flourish luxuriantly and yield abundantly. There is an abundance of oak, pine, hickory, ^valnut and various other kinds of timber. The climate is fine and the water good. The Buffalo Lithia Spring is in this county and has a woi-ld wide reputation. Transportation facilities are good in every portion of the county. There are plenty of churches and school houses scattered over the county. Lands sell from $3 to $25 per acre. GO NOTTOWAY. This county was formed in 17SS, from Ame- lia,. It is 20 miles long and about 12 miles wide and contains 224,966 acres, with a popu- lation of 11,582. The principal crops are to- bacco, wheat, corn and oa^s. The tobacco of this county is noted for its excellent quality. The timber consists of oak, pine, hickory maple, walnut, beech, poplar, ash, gum, cedar and dogwood. Mica, steatite, kaolin and granite are found There has been a great shrinkage of value in real estate, owing to change of the population in this county and fine lands can be bought at a low price. Churches are found scattered over the county and education is on the free school system. Lands sell from $3 to $15 oer acre. PRINCE GEORGE. Prince George has an area of 171,016 acr.^s and a population of 7,872. Its north and northwestern boundaries are the James and Appomatox rivers. The lands on these rivers are noted for their fertility. The surface is level, and the soil on the rivers very fine. The productions are wheat, corn, oats, hay, pea- nuts, cotton and tobacco. Fruits, especially the grape, seem wonderfully adapted to this soil. Pears succeed splendidly. There can be no better trucking land than this county. Marl of various sorts is abundant and has been used with fine results. Many churches of various denominations, and free school sys- tem in prosperous operation. Fish and fowl are abundant and the marshes furnish sora, woodcock and snipe. The transportation facilities are convenient to all parts of this county by the navigable rivers and by several 61 lines of railroads Lands sell from $3 to $12 per acre. POWHATAN. This county was formed in 1777 from Cum- berland county. It is 25 miles long- and con- tains 162,816 acres of land and 6,791 people. The climate is very mild, so much so thatTv^ork maybe done during any of the winter months, and cattle and sheep do well out of doors with very little feed. The surface is gently undulating and the soil mostly gray and of a light texture, with some stiff clays. The jjroductions are tobacco, corn, wheat, oats and hay, tobacco being the prin- ciple money crop. The soil abounds in lime and mica which makes them easy to work and well suited to grains and grasses. All of the grasses do well here, but clover, timothy, herbs, grass, millet, and orchard grass are mostly raised. Fruits, vegetables, melons, et6., are abundant and cannot be excelled. Coal, mica, kaolin, iron ore and granite are found There are various mills, one large brick works, spoke factory, tobacco factory, one fancy hardwood works and one pipe fac- tory in this county. Churches and schools as in other counties. Lands sell from $5 to $40 per acre. PRINCE EDWARD. This county was forme. 1 from Amelia in 1753. It is 25 miles long and about 10 wide, and contains 218,604 acres with a population of 14,694. The Appomatox river and its tri- butaries water the county. The soil varies greatly. There is the gray, soft soil, with stiff re^l clay sub-soil. This class of land is con- sidered best for heavy dark tobacco and also good for wheat and red clover. Then there is the red land with stiff red clay sub-soil, 62 which is good for wheat and red clover and tlie other t^rasses and makes fine dark tobacco, while the gray, soft sandy soil with a yellow clay sub-soil produces the fine fancy yello^^ tobacco used for wrappers and smoking to- bacco. These produce corn, oats, all the fruits, vegetables and somegrasses, well. The minerals are iron, mica, copper, kaolin, coal and building stones. Springs of pure water are abundant. 'I here is no healthier region in the State. Hampden-Sidney ('ollege and the Union Theological Seminary are located near Farmville, a thriving town in this county. The State Normal School is also here. Trans- portation facilities are afforded by the Nor- folk & Western and the Richmond & Danville railroads. A moral and hospitable people, good lands at cheap rates, are strong induce- ments of this healthy region. Prices range frpm $2 to $10 per acre. SUSSEX. Sussex county was formed from Surry, the Black water river separating the two counties. By this river and its tributaries, Sussex is watered in its northeastern parts, while the Nottoway river meanders through the heart of the county with many branches. The area of the county is 298,002 acres, its population 11,000. Its soil is light in general and productive on the streams. The crops are peanuts, cotton, corn and oats. Marl is abundant and much used. The principal wood is pine. Grasses grow well, and much of Sussex is admirably adapted to sheep raising. The transporta- tion facilities are fine. The Norfolk & Western passes through the county, also the Coast Line and the Atlantic & Danville railroad. Plenty of churches and school houses. Lands sell from ^2 to $20 per acre. 63 FIFTH DISTRICT. John L. Hurt, Hurt, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. This district is composed of seven counties and extends from tlie mountains to the North Carolina line. PITTSYLVANIA. This county is situated on the Southern border of the State and is thirty-five miles long and about twenty wide. It is the third county in area in the State, and contains 618,267 acres, valued at $3,313,454, with a popu- lation of 70,246. It is bounded on the North by the Staunton river and has Banister, D jn and Hyco rivers through the Central and Southern parts. These rivers and their tribu- tary streams afford ample drainage, water- power, and much fertile bottom land. Thp surface is rolling and hilly, with some low mountains. The soil is light gray, and grav- elly on the hills, while the low lands vary from stiff red to a light, fiable, sandy texture, and are very fertile. Tobacco, corn, wheat, oats, rye and the grasses are the chief farm pro- ducts; the tobacco is largely of the bright, high priced kind and is the main money crop. Danville is one of the chief tobacco marts of the State and is a growing city, with many large manufactui'ing industries and an im- portant railroad centre. - It is located on the Dan river, near the southern end of the county, and is the terminus of four railroads. All parts of the county have convenient ac- cess to market by railroads crossing its terri- tory. The Richmond and Atlantic enters from its Eastern border, the Virginia Midland from the North, traversing its greatest length, and the Danville and New River frooa the Western line all center in the town of Danville. 64 The miueral wealth of this county is very great, and was illustrated in part at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial by the following specimens: Superior magnetic iron ore, manganese, barytes, kaolin, asbestos, gray granite, soapstone, and marble. Good farms can be purchased at from 4 to $10 per acre on easy terms. FRANKLIN. This county is situated in tRe southern part of the State and is thirty miles long and about twenty wide. The Roanoke (there called the Staunton), runs on its northeast border, and the county is intersected by numerous creeks. The surface is rolling as in the Pied- mont counties generally. The soil is fertile any produces large crops of tobacco, corn, wheat, hay and oats. The population is 24,953. Good land can be bought at $4 to $10 per acre. Franklin contains 435,175 acres as- sessed at $1,622,342. This county, as is all of Piedmont, is an ex- cellent fruit region, particularly adapted to grapes and apples; and it is also a good grass and stock raising county. Limestone, mica, asbestos, granite, soap- stone and allanite are found in paying quanti- ties and the iron ore is inexhaustible Thel^'ranklin and Pittsylvania railroad, and the Roanoke and Southern railroad, wiiich crosses the countj' from north to south fur^ nish ample facilities for transportation. HENRY. Henrj^ county is situated on the southern border of the State and is nearly a square of eighteen miles, containing 241,700 acres ap- praised at $1,265,572. with a population of 18,208. The surface is undulating, in parts hilly, and there are some mountains. Smith 05 river and Mayo river with their mountain branches afford ample water power. The soil is fertile and the climate salubrious. It is fi fine grape county and all the cereals grow to perfection. The tobacco is celebrated for its fine quality. The grape, apple, peach, al- mond, apricot, nectarine and fig are grown extensively. Hematite and magnetic iron ore in immense beds, mica, soapstone, chalybeate and alum water are found in this county. The Danville and New River railroad crossed the county from east to west and the Roanoke and Southern runs through it from north to south. Lands sell from $5 to $25 per acre. PATRICK. This is the extreme south astern county of the Piedmont section. It l>orders on the North Carolina line, being separated from it by the Dan river. Until very recently it was cut off from the ^vorld, having no means of communication, except the ordin-ny dirt road. Its area is 277,219 acres, assessed at .1791,353, with a population of 14,147. The low price of the lands is due to the cause before mentioned and to the fact that 63 per cent, of the land is woodland. Large tracts have never been settled. The lands are watered by Smith's river, a large tributary to the Dan, and other streams. A part of this county is hilly or semi-mountainous, but there is a large plateau, called "The Meadows of Dan," which is well adapted to grass. The timber of this county is very abundant and of fine quality. The county is also famous for the apples, and the abundance of small fruits which grow wild. The minerals are iron, of the finest quality, 66 lead and silver. During the war this iron was worked by the Confederate Government. Recently the Danville and New River rail- road has been completed to Stuart, the county seat. This is the only village of note in the county. The countj- offers great in- ducements to settlers on account of the cheap lands and probable rapid growth. Large bodies of land can be bought at low figures, from f 3 to $8 per acre. FLOYD. This county- is situated in the southern part of the State and is thirty-eight miles long with a mean width of eighteen miles and an acre- age of 239,415, valued at $836,787. Population 13,221. The surface is rolling, the soil fertile* and Avell adapted to the grains and grasses. The products are tobacco, wheat, corn, oats and hay. Many fine horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs are raised. The finer grades of tobacco are grown here and bring a considerable revenue to the county. It is watered by Little river and its many branches. This is an elevated and healthy region and possesses a delightful summer cli- mate. Fruit raising is profitable. The near- est railroad is the Norfolk & Western. Floyd C. H. is the county seat. The timber consists of white oak, red oak, black oak, chestnut oak, hickorj^, white ash, pine, walnut, dogwood, maple, black gum and chestnut. About one-half the area of the county is in original forest timber of the vari- eties named. Minerals are found in different localities — gold, iron, copper and ochre; also, a very fine quality of soapstone and asbestos, in large quantities. The copper ore is valuable. The soapstone is also valuable in the construction 67 of furnaces for smelting operations. The gold discoveries on Laurel creek are proving valu- able. Lands range from $3 to $20 per acre. CARROLL. Carroll county is situated on the southern bolder of the State; contains 355,731 acres, val- ued at $548,397 and has a population of 13,323. The surface is broken and mountain- ous, but there are many rich valleys and fer- tile plains, and the hill lands and mountain sides afford grass and pasturage of the best description. The soil varies greatly in color and texture, is uniformiy fertile. Ihe productions are tobacco, wheat, corn oats, grass and fruits. Fruits are produced in great perfection here, especially the apple and grape. A large portion of the county is still in tim- ber of the original forest growth, consisting mostly of the oak and other hard wood trees. There are some very good bodies of white pine in the northwestern section of the county. New river and many of its large tributaries flow through the county, and furnish much valuable w^atei'-power. This region is very rich in minerals, consist- ing of iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, steatite, mica, etc. Parts of the county are noted for the growth of the cranberry. Hills ville is the county seat- Lands can be bought from .$2 to $15 per acre. GRAYSON. This county, situated on the Southern bor- der of the State, contains 351,645 acres, valued at $6,614,317. Population, 14,394. The climate is pleasant and healthy and the natural advantages are very great. New river 68 and its tributaries traverse the county and afford abundant water-power for all kinds of machinery. The western portion is mountainous, but its eastern and central parts lie in a fertile valley. Fruit raising is very profitable, and fine apples cind grapes are grown. Iron, mica, granite, asbestos, and steatite are found, also a bed of very rich copper ore. Yellow^ pine, white oak, chestnut oak, chest- nut, hickory, and maple timber are abund- ant. Many horses, cattle and sheep are raised in this county. The county seat is Independence. Lands sell from $3 to |8 per acre. SIXTH DISTRICT. W. W. Brand, Catawba, Roanoke County, Va. Six counties comprise this district, which ex- tends from the Valley of Virginia to the North Carolina line. MONTGOMERY. This county enjoys one of the most delight- ful climates in the State, and is a most desira- ble part of the great valley of Virginia, con- taining 239,032 acres and has a population of about 18,000. The soil is mostly rich limestone, and is especiall^^ adapted to grass, so thatgraz- ing and stock raising is very profitable, and is carried on extensively ; some of the finest herds of shorthorn cattle in the State are found here, sheep also do well. In the southern part of the county fine tobacco is raised and brings high prices. All kinds of fruit do well, and the apple crop is abundant and pays hand- somely. The minerals consist of iron, galena, zinc, copper, manganese, coal, slate, lime- stone, etc. Much of this mineral wealth is now 69 being developed and gives employmjent to cap- ital and labor; her industries are only in their infancy. Churches and schools are abundant. At Blacksburg, in this county, is situated the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, which is doing an admirable work in educating the young men of the State. Land is compara- tively cheap and can be bought unimproved at from $5 to $15; improved lands from $15 to $30 per acre. This is a good county for invest- ments. Labor and capital are always wel- come here. ROANOKE. Roanoke county is situated west of the Blue Ridge mountains, and has an acreage of some 196,000, with a population of 40,000 about one-fourtly of which is colored* The surface Is undulating, being divided into vallej^s and mountains. The val- leys are very productive, raising wheat, corn, rye, oats and all the cereals with to- bacco, particularly heavy shipijing tobacco. The mountainous parts are adapted to fine tobacco and fruits, especially apples; the Back Creek pippin has areputation almost national and its culture is beginning to be one of the leading industries of the county. Peaches, pears, and grapes succeed well. Cattle and sheep are raised extensively, a good part of the valley lands being set in grass and used for grazing especially in the northern part of the county. Catawba valley is peculiarly adapted to natural blue grass and large herds of cattle are raised there and sold annually to eastern feeders as well as to supply the local demand for beef in Roanoke and Salem. Sheep are profitably raised in the mountain- ous parts of the county but this industry is only in its infancy. The minerals are iron, manganese, slate. 70 limestone, zinc, barytes and marble. There are minei»al waters of great purity in abun- dance. All the woods peculiar to central Vir- ginia flourish here. Black walnut, yellow poplar, oak, chestnut, pine and hickory pre- dominate. This county has a splendid school organiza- tion, Eoanoke College is at Salem, the county seat, and Alleghany Institute, Hollins Insti- tute and Virginia Female College are at Roa- noke City. Churches are numerous and in- clude all the principal Evangelical denomina- tions. Salem has a population of some 6,000, and Roanoke City has a population of 20,000. These two towns furnish a good market for all kinds of produce. Lands can be bought for from $5 to $10; in the mountain sections from $20 to $50 per acre. BEDFORD. This is one of largest countries in the State, containing 492,990 acres with a population of 25,000. It has as many diversified industries as any county in the State. The surface is broken and mountainous, but well watered by brooks and streams, nearly all the land being productive when properly cultivated. It produces fine crops of tobacco, cereals and all kinds of grasses and fruits being especially adapted in the mountainous parts to apples,, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, etc. The Winesap and and Ben Davis apples are fine in this county. Blue grass is indigenous and affords fine grazing ; cattle do well and this is the natural home of the sheep, the winters being mild, since the western winds are broken by the Blue Ridge mountains. Fine light tobacco is grown here to perfec- tion . The minerals are iron, asbestos, slate, zinc. 71 kaolin, graphite, ochre, limestone, cement and sandstone, but are only partially de- veloped. The lumber industry is extensive; fine walnut, locust, poplar, the oaks and pine predominate. There are churches and schools in every neighborhood. The health of the county is excellent. The hotels and boarding houses -are filled in summer with people from the South. This county is susceptible of great de- velopment and nowhere in the State can im- migrants do better than here. Lands sell from $1 to $10 per acre. CAMPBELL. Campbell county including the city of Lynch- burg, has nearly 50,000 inhabitants, and her advantages for manufacturing equal any county in the Southern States. She has water power, iron, timber, etc., in abundance, and having four railroads centreing in Lynch- burg, gives her peculiar facilities over any other part of Virginia. The soil is fertile and particularly adapted to raising fine high grade tobacco, as well as grain and grass. Sheep do well and there is no county whose climate is better adapted to the profitable growth of both wool and mutton. Cattle do well and are jjrofitably raised. The produc- tions are wheat, rye, corn, oats, sorghum, vegetables of all kinds and fruit. Her peaches have a fine reputation for size and flavor and cannot be surpassed. Apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes and the lesser fruits all grow well. Indeed her sunny hillsides seem espe- cially adapted to fruit-raising and with the proper effort this industry could be brought to a very high standard. Land is very cheap, selling from $4 to $20 per acre, and considering her facilities for transportation, there is no county in the 72 State with better inducements to home- seekers, and in which a good home can be built up with a little money. HALIFAX. This, at one time, was one of the wealthiest counties in the State and there is much wealth and refinement still here, though many families lost heavily during the late ■u^ar. It is a large county, having 516,961 acres, with a population of 35,000. Tobacco raising is the chief industry, this being the home of bright rich wrappers and almost every farmer has his field of tobacco. The ijoorest land in the county along the ridges is a soft gray soil unsurpassed in the world for the growth of fine tobacco. The lands upon the principal streams are adapted to wheat, corn, rye, oats, clover, etc., and fine crops are raised. Potatoes, both Irish and sweet, and all kinds of vegetables are grown. Fruit, espe- cially peaches and nectarines grow finely and in some localities apples do well. This is an ideal county to live in, the climate being un- surpassed. Cattle, horses, sheep and hogs are raised in goodly numbers. Schools and churches of the various denom- inations are numerous and convenient. To a man with little money but with indus- try and thrift there is no county in the State where he can do better or find a -^^armer wel- come. Lands are cheap and sell from $5 to ^30 per acre. CHARLOTTE. Charlotte county has an area of 297,927 acres, with a population of about 16,000. The soil is capable of high improvement. This county is the 73 liome of fine, high-priced shipping tobacco, and with proper cultivation pays well; the profit of one crop has frequently been made to pay three or four times the price of the land. Wheat, corn, rye, oats, all the vegetables and melons do well. Apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries and grapes all grow to perfection. More than half the surface of the county is yet covered with the original forest; the chief varieties of wood are the white oak, post oak, poplar, pine> cedar, hickory, walnut, ash, wild cherry, maple, locust, etc., which makes lumbering a very profita- ble interest. Cattle, horses, hogs and sheep do well here, and are raised in quantities. The nuts and acorns in the forests frequently furnish enough food to fatten the hogs in the fall. Schools and churches are numerous and con- venient in almost every neighborhood. Lands can be bought from |2 to $25 per acre. SEVENTH DISTRICT. J. K. McCann, Stephenson, Frederick County. Virginia. This district comprises ten counties situated on both sides of the Blue Ridge mountains, all being the famous Shenandoah Valley with the exception of four counties. FREDERICK. This county is twenty miles long and about eighteen wide. It is the northernmost county of the State, and one of the finest of the famed Valley of Virginia and noted for its fine lands. It con- tains 278,169 acres with a population of 15,652 whites, and 2,288 negroes. The surface is undulating and the soil produc- tive. Along the eastern line and running the en- tire length of the county is a belt of gray slate land from two to six miles wide west, and parallel 74 with this is a limestone belt from four to eight miles wide, west of this, and between ''Little North Mountain" and "Big North Mountain" is a valley of limestone land about six miles wide. The chief productions are wheat, corn, rye, buckwheat, oats and grass. Fruits succeed well, particularly apples and peaches. West of the North mountain the land is of gray slate which produces well. Some of the finest live stock is in this county. The timber in the limestone belt consists of oak, walnut, ash, locust and elm; on the slate lands, pine. Soil and climate combine to make this one of the richest and most healthful regions in the world, and it abounds in streams and springs of pure water. One of these springs, situated just out- side the city limits, affords to Winchester an abundant supply of water. Eock Enon Springs, west of North mountain and Jordan's White Sulphur Springs, five miles from Winchester, have an extended reputation for the beneficial effects of their waters. In the North mountain are extensive de- posits of iron ore, which has been successfully worked. Anthracite coal is found. The Valley Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad runs through the county. The Cum- berland Valley railroad extends from Penn- sylvania to Winchester. Winchester is the county seat and has a population of nearly 6,000. There are several thriving villages including Middletown, Stephen City and Brucetown. The number of public schools are eighty- two white, seven colored, including a fine graded school. There is also an excellent male academy and three female schools under the direction of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. There are thirty-seven flour mills; the largest has a capacity of 175 barrels per day. 75 There are seven woolen mills, several tanneries, one steam jjaper mill, one fertilizer factory, one sumac and bark mill, two iron founderies, a shoe factory, six glove factories, (the largest of which works from 200 to 30C hands), ten cigar factories, working from five to forty hands each, three box factories, several cabinet factories, one wheat-fan factory, one agricultural implement factory, several saw and planting mills, one glass cutting establishment, one steam laundry, one dyeing establishment and a number of minor industries . Winchester has four hotels, two banks (with a capital of $150,000>, and twelve churches. There are eight macadamized turnpikes running into Winchester. The public roads and turnpikes are better than those of most counties, and the spirit of the people is in favor of a good road system. Farms are worth from $20 to $75 per acre. CLARKE. Clarke county has an area of 109,173 acres and a population of 5,617 whites and 2,454 negroes. In proportion to its size it is one of the richest coun- ties in the State. The main portion lies between Opequon creek on the west and the Shenandoah river which flows through the eastern part of the county at the foot of the Blue Ridge. The soil of this portion is un- surpassed in fertility and is adapted to the growth of wheat, corn, oats, clover and timothy. Blue grass soon forms on uncultivated fields. The land east of the Shenandoah is mountainous and generally covered with timber of fine oak, chestnut, locust, cedar, hickory, and poplar, fur- nishing business for fifteen saw-mills. All fruits of this latitude are grown and many apples and peaches are shipped. 76 Large numbers of cattle and hogs are raised and sold in the Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Washington markets. A number of flour mills are located in the county. Limestone is obtainable on almost every farm. Iron ore is abundant and copper and lead are found. A branch of the Norfolk and Western railroad passes through the county, also the Valley Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Five macad- amized turnpikes traverse the county. Berryville, situated on the Norfolk and West- ern, is the county seat and has a population of 1,500. It has seven churches, a graded school, one bank, a number of mercantile establishments and one weekly newspaper. The other villages are Boyce, Millwood and White Post. Churches of various denominations are found throughout the county and twenty-five white and eleven colored schools. The farms are well improved with buildings and fences and are in a thorough state of cultivation. Sell from $20 to $50 per acre. The climate is very healthful. WARREN Contains 125,391 acres, with a population of 7,016 whites and 1,264 negroes. It lies on the western slope of the Blue Ridge. The south fork of the Shenandoah river passes through its center. Water power is abundant. There are sixteen grain mills in the county. The soil is excellent and produces fine crops of grass, corn, wheat, oats, rye and buckwheat. Stock raising forms one of the most important in- dustries. Much care and attention is devoted to fruit growing. One of the oldest and largest vine- yards of the South is located here, and much fine wine is made. 77 The minerals are iron ore, copper, ochre, umber, limestone and maganese. Timber consists of walnut, hickory, cherry, oak, pine and poplar, and furnishes work for ten saw mills, a lumber manufacturing company and two bark mills. Transportation facilities are furnished by the Norfolk and Western and the Manassas Branch of the Southern railway. Front Royal, the county-seat, is a prosperous town of 1,600 inhabitants and has three large hotels, twenty stores, two banks and several fac- tories. There are good turnpikes and county roads and fine schools and all that is needed is plenty of cap- ital to develope the mines and improve the waste places. • Randolph- Macon Academy, under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, is situ- ated at Front Royal, There are 66 public white schools and S colored. There are 25 churches oc- cupied by six different denominations. Two weekly and monthly newspapers are pub- lished. The average temperature is about 53°; average rainfall about 45 inches. There are numerous mineral springs. Lands can be bought from $10 to $50 per acre. PAGE. Page county is a valley thirty-three miles long and eleven wide, with the Shenandoah river run- ning through it. It contains 174,572 acres with a population of 11,320 whites, and 1,772 negroes. The surface of this valley is gently undulating, rising gradually to the summit of the Blue Ridge on the east and Massanutten on the west. The soil is limestone of unsurpassed productiveness, admirably suited to grain and grass. Dairy and poultry products have largely in- creased and both are profitable. 78 There is valuable timber of these varieties: Oak, pine, locust, chestnut, walnut, ash, and poplar in abundance. The minerals are iron ore in vast quantities, ochre, manganese, copper, limestone, some of it maganesian and travertine marl. Aside from agricultural and a number of mills and manufactories of lumber and bark, several tanneries and leather works, fifteen saw-mills, about twenty-five grain mills and a number of mineral works. This county is traversed by the Norfolk and Western railroad. Lura^^ on this railroad, is the county-seat, and near it is a beautiful cave with an endless succession of extensive chambers, orna- mented with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. It attracts from ^11 parts of the world thousands of visitors. The average temperature of the county is 53°, the railfall 40 inches. Farms sell from $10 to $25 per acre. SHENANDOAH Has an area of 354,598 acres with a population of 18,829 whites and 842 negroes. The surface is rolling with some mountains and valleys of great fertility, admirably adapted to all the cereals and grasses. The uplands are fine for grazing, being natural for blue grass. The North Fork of the Shenandoah river traverses this county furnishing abundant water power. Much of the wheat is exported as flour. Minerals are iron, coal, manganese, galena, anti- mony, marble and limestone. The Columbia and Liberty furnaces make good pig-iron. There are valuable clays at Strasburg which are profitably utilized. Travertine marl of fine quality is found. Among the attractions are the Orkney, Shenan- doah Alum, and Burness' White Sulphur Springs, besides many mineral springs on the farms. 79 There are the following varieties of trees: Oak, walnut, hickory, pine, chestnut, ash, cedar, locust and elm. The Valley branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad terminates at Strasburg. The Southern passes through the county and connects with the Baltimore and Ohio at Strasburg. Woodstock is the county seat. New Market, Edinburg, Strasburg and Mount Jackson are enter- prising and thriftly small towns. At Strasburg there are a number of factories including porce- lain, pottery, etc. There are 115 public white schools and 4 col- ored. Churches are abundant of all denomina- tions. Average annual temperature 53°; rainfall 42 inches. Lands sell from $10 to $50. ROCKINGHAM. Is the largest county in the State, having an area of 606,775 acres, with a populationof 28,485 whites, 2,814 negroes. Every part is watered by the Shenandoah river and its tributaries. This is one of the largest grain and hay producing counties in the State and ex- ports large quantities of flour. It is peculiarly a grass and cattle region. The mineral wealth is considerable; iron, copper, lead, coal and limestone are abundant. Several varieties of marble exist and there are many quar- ries of stone and marble. Timber is abundant, consisting of oak, chestnut, pine, poplar, cedar and walnut, and gives employ- ment to fifty sawmills. Harrisonburg the county seat has a population of 4,000 and is the terminus of the Manassas Branch of the Southern railroad, running from Washington; also of a line of the Baltimore and Ohi^, running from Lexington, Virginia. The 80 Norfolk and Western also passes through this county. The Great Valley turnpike passes through the county and the public roads are as good as any of the Valley counties. Churches of all denominations are numerous. There 204 public white schools and 14 colored. Average annual temperature 38° degrees; rainfal 3S inches. Lands can be bought from $5 to $50 per acre. ALBEMARLE Is thirty-five miles long and twenty wide. It has an area of 459,238 acres, with a population of 18,252 whites and 14,127 negroes. It is mountainous and rolling. The soil is chiefly red clay. The western portion of the county lies in the Blue Ridge and the eastern in Midland Virginia, mainly in the noted Piedmont region. The James river flows along the south- eastern boandary and receives the Rockfish, Hard- ware and Rivanna rivers, which with their tribu- taries drain the county. It has a mild climate, being protected from the cold winds b}'' the Blue Ridge mountains, while in the f?ummer its elevations and proximity to the mountains renders it agreeable. The annual rainfall is about 45 inches. Iron, slate, soapstone, building stone, graphite, zinc and clay abound. The Albemarle Slate Com- pany employs about seventy-five persons in making slate-pencils. The timber consists of oak, chestnut, locust, pine, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, beech, walnut, gum and dogwood. The products are corn, oats, wheat, tobacco, grass and sorghum. Large sections are well adapted to dairying, grazing and sheep-raising. Fruit growing is an important industry, this being the home of the celebrated Albemarle pippin; and especial attention is given to grape culture and the 81 production of wine, over 100,000 gallons being produced annually. The educational advantages are unequalled in the State. Its free school system is of a very high order; there are 81 vrhite and 46 colored public schools. Also the Miller Manual Labor School at Crozet and the University of Virginia at Charlottes- ville, the county-seat, a town of 6,000 inhabi- tants. Scottsville is a thriving town and there are nu- merous villages. The Chesapeake and Ohio and the Southern rail-* roads have twenty-eight stations in the county. The dirt roads are unusually good. There is one large woolen mill, two knitting mills, about twenty flouring mills, besides a num- ber of grist and saw-mills. The newspapers are the Jeffersonian, Chronicle, and Republican, of Charlottesville, and the Scotts- ville Courier. There are eighty-five churches, embracing eight denominations. GREENE. This county is separated from Rockingham by the Blue Ridge, and has anarea of 107,016 acres, about 42 per cent of this is woodland. A population of 4,114 whites and 1,508 negroes. The surface is mountainous or hilly but the less elevated portions are fertile. It is watered by the Rapidan and its tributaries, and the headwaters of the Rivanna. Stock, especially sheep are profitably raised. Timber is abundant and consists of pine, oak, hickory, chestnut, walnut, and poplar. The minerals are copper and iron ore. The Southern railroad runs within a few miles of the eastern border of the county. There are eighteen grain mills and seven saw mills. Stanardsville is the county seat. 82 There are 24 white public schools and 7 colored, and twelve churches. The annual rainfall is about 42 inches. The lands sell from f to $ per acre. MADISON. Madison county is about thirty-three miles long and has an area of 224,740 acres, with a population of 6,260 whites, 3.965 negroes. It is an excellent grass and grain producing county, beside being admirably adapted to therais- . ing of fine tobacco and to fruit growing. Grape culture is a profitable industry, especially in that portion of the county bordering on Orange, as the land there is of a better quality owing to an ad- mixture of sand from the adjacent sand belt which renders it particularly adapted to the growth of this fruit. The Catawaba which is difficult to grow in many sections, does finel}^ here. Along the rivers and creeks are extensive and fertile bottom lands. The minerals are graphite, ochre, statite, iron (magnetic and hematite), and copper. Some of the important industries are dairy, one cheese factory, nine flouring mills, six grist mills, four furniture factories and four tanneries. The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad passes near the northern boundary and the Southern passes near the eastern and the Norfolk and Western near the western. There is one macadamized road and the public roads are fairly good. There are 47 white schools and 23 colored, and 35 churches in the county. Lands sell from f to $ per acre. RAPPAHANNOCK. Rappahannock county lies on the upper Rappa- hannock river which divides it from Fauquier county. Its area is 175,691 acres, of which about 30 per cent, is woodland. Population, 5,863 whites; 2,818 negroes. The surface is hilly and fine grazing land. It is "well watered by the Rappanannock river and its tributaries. Its lands are naturally fertile, pro- ducing fine crops of corn, wheat, oats, barley, etc. There is fine timber, consisting of oak, chestnut, pine, hickory, poplar and walnut. There are eight saw-mills. Large quantities of tan-bark have been taken from the mountain lands. Kaolin and iron are found. Washington is the county-seat; other villages are Flint Hill, Woodville, and Sperryville. At the latter place there is a large tannery, and there are^ many shops for the smaller mechanical indus- tries. There is one turnpike in the county, and public loads are fairly good. There are 39 white schools and 13 colored. Churches of the different denominations are scat- tered over the county. EIGHTH DISTRICT. O. E. HiNE, Vienna, Fairfax County, Virginia. This district, containing ten counties, is sepa- rated from West Virginia by the Blue Ridge mountains, from Maryland and the city of Wash- ington" by the Potomac river, and extends south- ward to the Rappahannock and Rapidan. With the exception of Orange and Louisa coun- ties the district is all a part of the six million acres granted by Charles the Second, King of England, to Lord Culpeper and others in 1671. This de- scended through Catherine, daughter of Lord Cul- peper, to her son Lord Thomas Fairfax. A princely heritage for a young man of twenty. In the ten counties of this district are found the distinctive characteristics of Piedmont, Middle and Tidewater, Virginia. It is one of the most prosperous districts devoted to general farming in the State, and contains an intelligent and thrifty population, with excellent school and church priv- ileges in nearly every community. 84 . ^j . LOUDOUN. This county is bounded*^y the Potomac on the North, Fairfax on the East, Prince William and Fauquier on the South and the Blue Ridge on the West. It contains 322,745 acres of the finest land in any one county in the State, with a population of 23,745. Grain and stock-raising are the chief interests and much attention is paid to improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Recently the shipping of milk and cream to the city of Washington has been a growing industry. As a whole, it is the best farmed county in the State. The farmers are thrifty and prosperous and many of them wealthy. The thrift of the large number of Quakers who live in this county attracts general attention. Gold, silver, iron, copper, barytes, soapstone, hy- draulic lime and marble are found. Leesburg the county seat is a thriving town of 1,650 inhabitants. The Washiugton and Ohio branch of the South- ern railway furnishes an outlet for the productions of this splendid country. Lands sell from $8 to $60 per acre. Good farms can be bought from $20 to $40 per acre. FAUQUIER. This is the next county south of Loudoun and has many similar characteristics. It contains 22,590 inhabitants, and has an area of 413,697 acres, the greater part of which is good land. Large crops of grain and hay are produced and the blue grass pastures are not excelled by any in the State. Stock raising is the chief industry, and Fauquier beef and mutton are famous in the markets of Bal- timore and Philadelphia. Many fine saddle and carriage horses are sent to market. Forty grist mills and fifty sawmills grind the 85 grain and saw the lumber of tlie county. Several spoke mills and other small factories are in opera- tion and there is abundant water power for all kinds of manufacturing. Gold, iron, asbestos, barytes, and marble are found. Warrenton, ihe county seat, is a thrifty village of 1,500. The public schools are excellent, and Marshall Hall and Bethel academy have an excellent stand- ing. The Southern railway and its two branches traverse the county. Lands sell at from $5 to $50 per acre and good farms can be bought at from $15 to $30 per acre. CULPEPER Is separated from Fauquier by the Rappahan- nock and lies within the Piedmont region. Several detached mountains or spurs give this region a very picturesque and attractive appearance. It has a population of 13,185 and an area of 237,635 acres, about one-third of which is in wood and timber. Red clay, chocolate and sandy soils prevail, procuring fine crops of wheat, corn, oats, grass and fruits, especially apples along the moun- tain slopes. Much attention is paid to stock-raising and the breeds of cattle, horses and hogs have been greatly improved since the war. Several small manufactories are engaged in mak- ing chairs, barrel staves, spokes, spools and shut- tle blocks. Numerous mills are scattered over the county along the water courses. There are 43 white and 30 colored schools. Lands sell from $5 to |40 per acre, and good farms can be bought from $15 to $30 per acre. ORANGE Is situated in the Piedmont region, on the south side of the Rapidan river and contains a popula- 86 tion of 12,804 and an area of 213,007 acres, of which the greater portion is excellent land. The surface is generally rolling, with some hills and mountains in the western part. Grain and stock-raising, with fruits, constitute the chief branches of farming. The famous Albe- marle pippin is at home in this county and much attention has been given to grapes and wine mak- ing. Gold, iron, limestone, marble, fire clay and as- bestos are found. The Southern, the Chesapeake and Ohio and the Fredricksburg railways traverse the county. Gordonsville is a thriving town of 1,000 inhabi- tants, while Orange, the county seat, contains 500. Abundant water, fine grazing, and a great varie- ty of soils makethisone of the most desirable coun- ties for general farming. There are 40 white and 27 colored schools. Lands are worth from $4 to $40 per acre and average farms sell from |10 to $25 per acre. LOUISA. This county lies in middle Virginia, contains a population of 17,000 and has an area of 286,445 acres. It is watered by the North and South Anna rivers and their tributaries, which furnish abundant water power. The surface is gently rolling and the soil is easily brought into a state of high cultivation. The famous Green Springs district in the western portion is highly productive and is supposed to be the bed of an ancient lake. Corn, wheat and oats are largely raised but to- bacco is the main money crop. Louisa has been justly famous for a century for high grades of to- bacco, and the superior manner of curing enables the highest price to be secured. Gold, iron, mica, soapstone, ochre, red and gray granite are found. 87 In addition to the public schools there are two flourishing academys. The Southern and the Chesapeake and Ohio railways afford railway facilities. Lands sell from $5 to $35 per acre in moderate sized farms. KING GEORGE. This county lies between the Potomac and Rap- pahannock rivers with a frontage of twenty miles on each river, contains a population of 6,641 and an area of 111,676 acres. Both rivers are navigable and numerous landings on each afford cheap facilities for reaching Fredericksburg, Nor- folk, Baltimore and Washington. Along these rivers are many fine farms, and large crops of grain and vegetables are raised. Fruits of all kinds, especially the smaller varieties do well. Extensive marl beds are found, which afford a cheap and effective fertilizer. The rivers furnish an abundance of fish and water fowl. Rabbits, quail, pheasants and wild turkeys are numerous. There are 21 white and 14 colored schools. Lands are very cheap, often selling as low as $3 or $4 per acre, and there are many fine old estates which have been neglected since the war, which may be bought for half their real value. STAFFORD. Stafford also extends from the Potomac river to the Rappahannock, and is like King George, which it joins, in general characteristics. It con- tains a population of 7,362 and an area of 163,908 acres. The surface is rolling, and the soil with proper cultivation is capable of high improve- ment. Good crops of all kinds of grain are produced, but small fruits, vegetables and poultry are exten- sively raised for the Washington market. There are numerous evaporating establishments in the county. 88 Gold, iron, mica and sand-stone are found. The White House at Washington was built from white sand-stone from the Aquia creek. Large quantities of railroad ties, lumber and poplar wood for paper stock, are shipped. In addition to the excellent water transporta- tion facilities, the Alexandria and Fredericksburg railroad passes through the county. Land is cheap and farms fairly improved can be bought from $5 to fil5 per acre, PRINCE WILLIAM Extends from the Bull Run mountains on the north, to the Potomac river on the south, and has a population of 9,805, and an area of 220,685 acres. Most of the land is of good quality and produces under proper cultivation fine crops of grains, grasses and fruits. In the upper end of the county there are some fine blue grass lands and many cattle and sheep are raised. The Southern railway and its Harrisonburg branch and the Fredericksburg railway pass through the county and along the line of these roads considerable milk is shipped to Washing- ton. Gold, copper, barytes, slate, soapstone, brown- stone, limestone, marble and coal are found, and one slate and twobrownstone quarries are success- fully worked. Manassas, the county-seat, is a prosperous town of 600 inhabitants. Many Northern, Western and English families have settled in this county. Lands sell from $5 to $40 per acre, and good farms can be bought at from $12 to $30 per acre. FAIRFAX Was formed from Prince William in 1740 and is now separated from it by Bull Run. It is bounded by Loudoun county on the west and the Potomac river on the north. It contains a population of 16,655 and an area of 259,362 89 acres, nine- tenths of which is arable. A great variety of soils exist but all are capable of high cultivation. The chief products are corn, wheat, oats, rye, hay, fruits, vegetables, poultry raising and dairy products. The latter interest has enormously increased within recent years until over 4,000 gallons of milk and cream are shipped to Washington daily. On the Poto- mac are several extensive fisheries where great numbers of shad and herring are caught for market. The lands are divided into comparatively small farms, and are generally well improved by neat, tidy buildings, and many of them are in a high state of cultivation. Three steam and two electric railways con- nect this county with Washington and at- tract a considerable population to the numer- ous a-nd convenient suburbs in the county. Lands near Washington are high, but in the interior of the county, good farms can be bought, from $20 to |40 per acre. ALEXANDRIA. Alexandria county was ceded to the general government from Fairfax in 1789, and re-ceded to the State of Virginia in 1846, and organized as Alexandria county. It contains a population of 17,907 and has an area of 20,288 acres, in the shape of a triangle with the hypothenuse on the Potomac river. It is situated opposite the city of Washing- ton and includes the city of Alexandria which has the finest harbor and wharf facilities of any place upon the Potomac. Ocean steamers of the largest draft land successfully at the wharves. Three steam and two electric railways traverse this county, making it accessible to the Capitol of the Nation, from any part of the county nearly every hour in the day. With such facilities for 90 quick communication and the markets at its door this little county has advantages that are not sur- passed. Dairying, market gardening, fruit raising, especially berries and the smaller fruits, poultry and bee-keeping are the chief farming indus- tries. Lands are higher than elsewhere in this district, varying from $25 per acre for unimproved land covered with brush to $100 and upwards for im- proved lands near the city. NINTH DISTRICT. H. C. Stuart, Elk Garden, Russell County, Virginia. This district contains fourteen counties. BLAND. Bland is a border county, touching West Vir- ginia. It is bounded South by Wythe and Pulaski; East by Giles; and West by Tazewell and Smyth counties. This county, while small and somewhat moun- tainous, has a considerable quantity of fine blue grass land where the grazing of cattle, horses and sheep is carried on extensively and successfully. The land produces good crops of corn, wheat, rye and oats. The timber is exceptionally fine, white oak, chestnut oak, and chestnut being found in almost every part of the county. There are also large quantities of white pine and other merchantable timber. This county is rich in minerals, especially iron ore and manganese, while there are also indica- tions of lead and zinc. There are a large number of mineral springs, some of which are liberally patronized during the summer season. The grazing lands range from $10 to |30 per 91 acre, according to location, fertility and general desirability. In other portions of the county, land is from $5 to $15 per acre. Seddon, the county-seat, is near the center. The nearest station is Wytheville, about twenty miles distant. WASHINGTON COUNTY Is the largest of the Southwestern counties and one of the largest and most populous in Virginia. It is situated on the extreme Southwestern border of the State, and is bounded on the South by Ten- nessee and North Carolina; on the east by Smyth; on the West by Scott, and on the North by Russell county. Iron ore exists in quantities, but the principal wealth of this county consists in salt and plaster, dividing, as it does with Smyth, the great basin Saltville. Washington is the least mountainous of any of the Southwestern counties. Its valleys are broad and easily cultivated and with a proper system of tillage are made very productive. Farming is carried on more largely than grazing, a large percentage of the area being devoted to corn, wheat, rye, oats, &c., while tobacco is grown extensively on the North side along the ranges of Poor Valley and Clinch Mountain. There are a number of towns and villages in this county which afford convenient markets for many small farm products. In these towns are located several colleges and other institutions of learning, both male and female, which afford exceptional advantages for education. Much farm land is for sale and can be bought at from $10 to $20 per acre. The county-seat is Abingdon, a town of about 1,800 inhabitants immediately on the line of the Norfolk and Western railroad, fifteen miles from the city of Bristol. 92 WISE COUNTY Is situated in tlie great Cumberland Range and is bounded on the North by Kentucky, on the South by Scott, on the West by Lee and on the East by Dickinson counties. This county carries the greatest amount of valu- able bituminous and cannel coal to be found in any county in Virginia. In fact, there are few areas of like size to be found in the world of more value in this particular. This interest has been recently stimulated by the building of a railroad through the county. There are now large coal operations, and coke ovens are •being built in considerable numbers. The iudica- tione point to some of the largest collieries and coke plants in the United States. There are also large deposits of iron ore. Wise has an immense area of virgin forest com- posed of the finest timber, poplar and white oak predominating. The surface is hilly and mountainous, and the soil is sandy Farming is carried on in a limited manner, the principal crops being corn, wheat, rye and oats, most of which are consumed at home. The lands rate in value from $2 to $15 per acre. Much of it, however, could be bought for $5 per acre. The county-seat is Wise, located three miles from Norton, the terminus of the Clinch Valley Division of the Norfolk and Western railroad and the Louisville and Nashville railroad. WYTHE. Wythe is bounded on the north by Bland and Tazewell, on the south by Grayson, on the east by Pulaski and on the west by Smyth counties. Within these bounds may be considered to lie an extent and variety of mineral and agricultural lands which taken together are unsurpassed by the same area anywhere in the United States. 93 Alternating with eacli other on the south-side of the countj'' are wonderful deposits of iron ore, manganese, lead and zinc of extraordinary purity, while in the northern half of the county fine maganetic and brown ores are abundant. Lying between these great mineral belts are blue grass and farming lands of the highest order. All the minerals are being worked on a large scale at vari- ous points in the county, affording home markets for the small products of the farm. The lands of Wythe are divided about equally between grazing and farming, the eastern end of the county having large areas of grazing land, while the western part is largely devoted to small farming and trucking, which is carried on exten- sively, especially the raising of cabbage which has become one of the most important and successful branches of agriculture. Lands vary much in price, as they do in value, ranging all the way from $5 to |10 per acre for un- improved lands, up to $40 and $50 per acre for the best. The county seat is Wytheville, situated on the main line of the Norfolk and Western, and having a population of about 2,500. BUCHANAN. Buchanan is one of the extreme border counties of the State in the great plateau of the Cumber- land mountains, having Kentucky on the north and northwest and West Virginia on the east. This county is noted for its coal and timber. A larger area of fine forest, consisting of poplar, oak, ash, walnut and other valuable timber is found than in any other county in the State. It is claimed that this county produces the finest quality of yellow poplar in the United States. While considerble quantities of timber have been floated out to the Ohio river on the streams passing through this county, there are still immense quan- tities for sale at a figure which should be most in- 94 viting to persons engaged in the lumber "business Many of the poplar trees in this county measure from 13 to 18 feet in circumference, and the trunks are frequently sixty feet without a limb. Three large streams, capable of carrying timber, pass through the county, and the Ohio extension of the Norfolk and Western railroad passes along its border. The whole county is underlaid with bituminous coal of fine quality, the veins varying from three to six feet in thickness. The county being a mountainous plateau, cut by deep gorges, the land is steep though fertile. The soil is of a sandy nature and produces corn, oats, wheat and rye fairly well, and sweet potatoes almost to perfection. Land varies in price from $2 to $15 per acre. The county seat is Grundy, which is reached from Williamson, on the Ohio extension or from Eichlands on the Norfolk and Western. CRAIG Is bounded on the North by Alleghany, on the East by Botetourt, on the South by Roa- noke and on the West by Giles. It is the smallest in area of all the South- western counties, but by no means the least important. This county is highly favored in iron ore, some of the largest deposits to be found anywhere exist within its borders. The lands are usually fertile and well kept by a prosperous population. Some portions of the county are in the limestone formation, affording fine pasturage for all kinds of stock, while abundant crops of all sorts are easily produced. The county seat is Craig City, the t^^rminus of a short branch of the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad. The lands range in value from |5 to $25 per acre. 95 DICKINSON. Dickinson is a new county, lying between the counties of Buchanan and Wise. It is small and has almost the same resources and general features as Buchanan county. It is watered by Russell's fork of Sandy river which affords excellent means of floating out timber. To say that the forests equal in ex- tent, variety and value to those of Buchanan county is sufficient. Immense beds of fine bituminous coal are found; also fine deposits of splint and cannel coal. A railroad is projected to extend from Charleston, South Carolina to Chicago, pass- ing through the county, most of which has already been graded; some 250 miles in North and South Carolina are now in operation. When this is completed it will add greatly to the wealth of the county. The soil is sandj^ and produces corn, oats, rye, and sweet potatoes well, and grazes many cattle and sheep. Lands range in price from $2 to $15 per acre. Clintwood is the county-seat and can be reached from Cleveland, on the Norfolk and Western railroad. GILES Is situated on the border of Virginia. It is bounded on the north by West Virginia, on the west by Bland, east by Craig, and south by the counties of Montgomery and Pulaski, Virginia. The whole area is well watered by New river, a large stream flowing through the middle of the county from the south to the north. A large portion lies in the limestone belt and is valuable for grazing and farming 96 purposes. The cereal crops all grow well, while considerable herds of young cattle, are sold each year. This county abounds in iron ore and mag- anese in large quantities and of superior qual- ity. There is a considerable amount of good tim- ber, lying in large areas which is accessible to railroad transportation. The farming and grazing land varies in value from $10 to $30 per acre, while undevel- oped land may be bought at from $5 to $10 per acre. The New Eiver division of the Norfolk and Western railroad passes entirely through this county. The county seat Pearisburg, is situ- ated on this line of railroad. LEE. Lee is the extreme southwest corner of Vir- ginia, having Tennessee on the south and Kentucky on the north and west, and is marked at its extreme western limit by the widely known Cumberland Gap. Situated as it is in this remote corner of the State is less known than any county of equal wealth and resources. It has been for many years considered one of the most fertile of all southwest counties. The broad and beautiful valleys which have been for many years culti- vated in corn, have of late been turned to grazing stock. The county is now rapidly coming to the front in the production of horses, sheep and young cattle. There are large areas of fertile soil in this county which are smooth and easily cultivated, and adapted to all the cereal crops and to blue grass. Agricultural lands in this county vary from $10 to .f 40, per acre. Undeveloped lands may be had from $5 to $12 per acre. 97 This county is finely timbered and rich in min- erals, notably bituminous coal, which exists in large quantities, covering an area of 75 square miles. Iron ore is found in large quantities. Louisville and Nashville railroad passes through the county, and within six miles of Jonesville, the county seat, Pennington Gap being the nearest railroad station. PULASKI Is bounded on the north by Giles county, east by New river, south by Floyd county, and part of Carroll, west by the county of Wythe. Pulaski is one of the foremost counties in the State in Minerals and mineral development. Here are found immense deposits of iron ore in close situation to inexhaustible quantities of simi-an- thracite coal. This county also holds a part of the great zinc and lead basin which is developed to such value and extent in Wythe county, a few miles to the southwest. Several large iron fur- naces are in this county, and are now and have been, even through all the years of the recent de- pression in the iron trade, in constant and success- ful operation. Here are the largest zinc furnaces in the world. The product of these furnaces is the standard in the United States, as it is in a num- ber of European countries, for alloy in its silver mintage. There are other large public works in Pulaski; thus is afforded a most convenient and profitable home market for small farm products. Pulaski city, the county seat, is immediately on the Norfolk and Western railroad. The soil of the county is rich and produces all the cereals. It is considered one of the best grazing counties in the Southwest, producing fat cattle equal to any in the United States. Most of these find their way to the English market. Agricultural and grazing lands are held from $10 to $50 per acre, while undeveloped lands can be bought at from $5 to $15 per acre. 98 RUSSELL. Kussell is a large county, being about 34 miles long from east to \\'est and about 18 miles wide from north to south. It is bound- ed on the north by Buchanan, on the south by Washington, on the west by Scott and on the east by Tazewell county. That portion lying between the Clinch river and the top of Sandy Ridge is covered by a fine growth of timber and is underlaid with bituminous coal of superior quality. It is principally for its fine blue grass lands that this cc)unty is noted. Thegrass growing area is in the Limestone Belt, and the blue grass is spontaneous, and all lauds which have not been exhausted return I'eadily to sod. Fully two-thirds is embraced in the limestone formation and is now^ covered by blue grass sod. This county lies principally in parallel valleys divided bj^ low ranges of mountains or hills of great fertility. There is no land in the State of more value for grazing especially for raising the highest grade of fat cattle. As fine cattle as are shipped from American ports to England, and as many as from any other county in the State are raised in Russell. The grazing and feeding, not only of cattle but of horses, sheep and hogs is ex- tensively carried on, and the quality and breeding is exceptionally fine. All grain crops are grown but are consumed at home. The farming and grain lands sell from $15 to $50 per acre, while unimproved lands are bought at from $8 to $12 per acre. The county seat is Lebanon, six miles from Cleveland, a station on the Clinch Valley di- vision of the Norfolk and Western railroad. SCOTT. Scott county is bounded on the North by the counties of Wise and Lee; East by Russell 99 and Washington, and South and West by the State of Tennessee. On the North next to Wise county is found excellent bituminous coal, and iron ores are found in considerable quantity in various parts of the county, while marble of superior quality is abundant on the South side. The surface is hilly, although there are some fine farming lands along the Holston and Clinch rivers and there are some excellent blue grass lands on the Southern border of the county. Its mineral springs are valuable and its water power unlimited. The farming and grazing lands vary in value from $5 to $20 per acre and other lands in the county can be bought for less. Gate City is the county seat, and is imme- diately on the line of the South Atlantic and Ohio Railroad, which extends from Bristol, Tennessee, to Big Stone Gap, Virginia. SMYTH COUNTY Is bounded on the North by Tazewell and Russell counties ; on the South by Grayson ; on the East by Wythe county ; and on the West by Washington. It is justly considered one of the richest, both in mineral resources and in fertility, of all the Southwestern counties. Besides her rich deposits of iron ore and manganese, she has within her borders one of the most valua- ble deposits of salt and gypsum to be found in the United States. Immense quantities of salt are manufactured at Saltville, while gyp- sum is being extensively mined. There is in operation at Saltville a large plant devoted to the manufacture of alkali, soda-ash, bleaching powder, &c., which was erected at a cost of 18,000,000, emi)loying a large amount of labor, thus affording an excellent home market for farm labor. L if a 100 The lands of Smyth are mainly in the lime- stone area and produce all the cereals. Con siderable livestock is raised and fattened each year for the European market. The farming and grazing lands range in value from $12 to per acre; unimproved lands from $5 to per acre. The county seat of Smyth is Marion, sit- uated immediately on the main line of the Norfolk and Western railroad. TAZEWELL COUNTY. Tazewell is bounded on the North and East by West Virginia; South by Smyth county and West by Russell. It is frequently spoken of as being the finest county in all respects to be found in the State of Virginia. In this county is situated a considerable of the area carrying the Pocahontas coal which has already earned a national and international reputation as a steam and coke coal. There are other large areas of coal and indications of large beds of iron ore. There are large forests of fine timber; but rich as this county is in other resources, she is richer still in the fertility and productiveness of her soil. Fully three-fourths of her territory is in the lime- stone belt as is her sister county, Russell, and pro- duces the cereals and blue grass quite as abun- dantly. Tazewell has perhaps the largest grazing capa- city of any of the Southwest Virginia counties, producing, on a large scale, export cattle of unsur- passed quality. The grazing and farm lands rate at from $15 to $50 per acre, while unimproved land may be bought at from $8.00 to $12.00 per acre. The county-seat is Tazewell, a thrifty and hand- some little town on the Clinch Valley Division of the Norfolk and Western railroad. 101 TENTH DISTRICT. J. R. Kemper, Fishersville, Augusta County, Virginia. This district is situated in the central wes- tern portion of the State on both sides of the Blue Ridge mountains, a considerable portion being in the great valley of Virginia. ATTGTTSTA Is chief among the counties of the great Shen- andoah Valley, second in size, containing 1,000 square miles and has a population of nearly 40,000. The surface is mountainous on its eastern and western borders, being bound- ed hy the Blue Ridge on the east and the great North mountain on the west. The valley between these mountains is very fertile and well watered by the Shenandoah, North, South and Middle rivers and numerous small streams and springs. Augusta has a variety of soil, producing wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, all the the veg- etables, and the various grasses for hay and I)asturage. Has fine horses, cattle and sheep, The county is noted for its flouring mills, some of which have a capacity of five hundred barrels per day The county does not pro- duce enough wheat to run them all the time, consequently this is the best wheat market in the State. Butter, milk, and all the dairy products are produced in abundance, and there is still room for further expansion in this line. White and black oak are abundant and of fine quality, also hickory, chestnut, walnut, poplar, mai3le, locust, pine and cedar. Many minerals are found, such as iron, maganese, kaolin, marble, &c. There are many mineral springs which are well patronized. 102 The Chesapeake and Ohio, the Norfolk and Western, and the Valley branch of the Balti- more and Ohio traverse this county and afford ample facilities for marketing her many and valuable crops. Hay is produced exten- sively and some small stations on the C. & O. have shipped as much as 2,500 tons in a single season. Land can be bought at reasonable prices from $15 to $50 per acre. HIGHLAND. This mountain county lies on the West Virginia line, contains 264,911 acres with a population of 5,352. The soil is chiefly limestone and produces fine crops of all the cereals and grasses, blue grass coming spontaneously. Grazing and the raising of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, being the chief dependence of the farmers. Walnut, wild cherry and other valuable timber abounds, and more maple sugar is produced than in any other county in the State. The head waters of the Potomac and of streams flowing into the James find their headquarters here. Iron and other minerals abound. Monterey, the county seat, is on the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike. liands are worth from $3 to $30 per acre. BATH Has an area of 500,157 acres, with a population of 4 587 white and 3,827 colored. It is one of the border counties lying on both sides of the Warm Springs mountain, a spur of the Alleghanies. It is watered by the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers and their tributaries. The average crops taken one year with another but depending on their location are: Corn, 25 to 103 50 bushels per acre; wheat, 10 to 25 bushels; hay, ] to 3 tons; oats, in good seasons, from 25 to 40 bushels. Apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, rasp- berries, strawberries and grapes, do finely. In addition to the cleared land which is tilled, there are many thousands of acres which has never been cleared which give a most excellent range for cattle and sheep, while in most seasons, the heavy crops of nuts, and mast affords very rich feed for hogs. During eight months of the year cattle, sheep and hogs are kept in the ranges and do better than on pasture land. Sheep raising is universally acknowledged to yield large profits. The lambs when they come from the ranges in September are placed on the Markets, averaging in weight from 80 to 100 pounds. The mutton raised on the ranges and pork produced, command higher prices than that otherwise produced, and there is always a good market for cattle, sheep and hogs. The county is traversed by an excellent system of dirt roads well built, well graded and well kept. The Chesapeake and Ohio railway skirts through the southeastern portion of the county, with a station at Millboro. A branch line of the same road enters the southern portion and runs to the Hot Springs. There are large and valuable deposits of iron ore, much of which has bfeen developed. There are a number of valuable deposits of manganese and marble and some coal. There are large bodies of white pine, oak, pop- lar, hickory, locust, cherry and some walnut. The chestnut oak bark for tanning purposes is an important industry. The public free schools are well conducted and are supplemented by a number of private schools. The religious denominations in this county are the 104 Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodist, Baptist, Dunkard and Catholic. Bath has long been famous for its numerous mineral springs to which invalids have resorted since the beginning of this century. The most widely known are the Warm, Hot, Healing, Bath, Alum, Millboro, Wallawhatoola and Bolar. Of these the Hot Springs are the most famous at which two magnificent hotels and one of the finest bath houses in the United States are among the improvements. The Hot Springs Company have spent $1,500,000, and are continually making improvements. The springs create a constant de- mand for labor and farm produce. Lands are worth from $3 to $30 per acre. ROCKBRIDGE is situated between the Blue Ridge and Alle- ghany mountains and named after the won- derful Natural Bridge, a natural rock arch two hundred feet high, across a small moun- tain stream. Soil chiefly limestone and very productive ; all kinds of grass do well and the fine grazing makes stock raising the chief farm industry. An abundance of fine timber is found, but the chief wealth is in mineral resources. Iron, tin, and hydraulic cement mines are success- fully worked. The Victory Iron furnace at Goshen is the largest in the State, producing 150 tons of iron per day. Mineral springs abound and attract great numbers of visi- tors. The most noted of these springs are Rockbridge Alum, Wilson's White Sulphur, and Rockbridge Baths. The Chesapeake and Ohio, the Baltimore and Ohio and the Richmond and Alleghany railroads traverse the county. Lexington the county seat is a city of 4,000 inhabitants and here are located the Virginia 105 Military Institute and the Washington and Lee University. There are 132 public schools in the county. Good farms sell from $20 to $60 per acre. ALLEGHANY Is a mountainous county, but contains some bea I »tiful valleys that are very fertile. Has an area of 431,782 acres and a population of 9,283. It is watered by the Jackson and Cowpas- ture rivers which unite and form the James. Immense forests of timber still exist and many minerals abound. Iron furnaces at Clifton Forge, Low Moor and other places are turning out excellent iron at a low cost and furnish good markets for farm produce. Some tobacco is raised but the grains, grasses, fruits and vegetables constitute the chief farm staples. The Chesapeake and Ohio and the Richmond and Alleghany railroads traverse the county. Covington the county seat isa thrifty town and there are several other iron manufactur- ing towns. Average annual temperature 54°, rain fall 38 inches. Lands can be bought from $1 to $150 per acre. BOTETOURT Lies between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains and is one of the finest coun- ties of the James River valley, contains 394,092 acres and has a population of 14,759, and is noted for its fine grass lands. The soil is largely disintegrated limestone and produces fine crops of wheat, corn, oats, tobacco and fruits of all kinds. Minerals abound, especially iron and coal and their location enables them to be easily 106 mined, while the proximity of hmestone ena- bles furnaces to turn out pig- iron at low cost. Several kinds of marble are found. There is plenty of oak, ash, hickory, poplar, tvalnut and pine timber. The Richmond and Alleghany, the Shenan- doah Valley and the Norfolk and Western railroads traverse the county. Fincastle and Buchanan are thriving towns and there are many villages throughout the county. Hollins Institute and 107 public schools fur- nish the best of educational advantages. Average temperature 57°, rainfall 39 inches. Lands can be bought from $3 to $50 i)er acre. AMHERST COUNTY Lies on the North bank of the James river and contains 300,013 acres with a population of 17,551. The alluvial lands of the river are well adapted to all kinds of grasses, grain and tobacco. The red clay lands of the spurs of the Blue Ridge and To- bacco Row mountains are especially adapted to fruits. The celebrated Alhemarle pippin thrives well. The cattle interest of the county is consid- erable as the lands are well adapted to grazing. The timber is oak, hickory, walnut, pine, chest- nut, poplar, cherry and locust. The minerals are varied and valuable. Deposits of magnetic, brown hematite, and specular iron ores are abundant. Copper, slate, pyrites, plumbago, ochre and mauganese are found. The Richmond and Alleghany, the Southern and the Norfolk and Western offer fine access to Lynchburg, Richmond, Washington and the North. Churches of every denomination are numerous and . schools abundant. The climate is mild and healthy and new comers will find a warm welcome extended to all desir- able settlers. The lands are cheap and those con- templating purchasing here will find an inviting field. Lands vary in price from $3 to $40 per acre. APPOMATOX COUNTY Adjoins Buckingham, Prince Edward, Charlotte and Campbell counties, and contains 203,697 acres, and a population of 9,589 It lies on the South bank of the James river and is well watered by the tributaries of that river, and by the Appomat- tox river and some of the tributaries of the Staun- ton river. 107 The surface is rolling and the chief crops are tobacco, grain and grass. The soil varies from a stiff red clay to a gray slate. Timber is abundant and consists of oak, hickory, walnut, chestnut, maple, &c. Gold, iron, copper, manganese, mica and as- bestos are found. The Norfolk and Western, and the Richmond and Alleghany railroads furnish ample transpor- tation. It has a healthy and pleasant climate and lands are cheap and productive. Monthly average tem- perature 56°. Lands sell from $3 to $40 per acre. CUMBERLAND COUNTY Is about thirty miles long and ten miles vride and contains 189,886 acres, with a population of 9,484. Is watered by the Appomatox, the James and Willis rivers. The Norfolk and Western runs through a portion of this county. The surface is undulating and the soil productive. The lands along the rivers are fertile and the climate healthy. Many inducements are offered to new settlers. The products are wheat, tobacco, corn and oats. Clover succeeds well here. The lands lie well for farming, and there is still much original growth of timber. A fine mineral spring has been recently discov- ered, from which within a few feet of each other, flow lithia, sulphur, chalybeate and magnesia waters. Sheep husbandry has been successfully followed and the flocks are remarkably healthy. Lands are worth from $3 to $30 per acre. BUCKINGHAM COUNTY Lies on the South bank of the James and contains S51,785 acres, with a population of 14,383. The surface is generally rolling, but there is a great quantity of level bottom land along the rivers. Soil generally of red clay of a slaty texture of good quality. The chief products are tobacco, corn, wheat, oats, rye and grasses. A large number of cattle are raised. For many years gold, iron and slate mines have been successfully worked. Barytes, as- bestos and limestone are found. 108 v^ The Richmond and Alleghany railroad passes through the county. Average temperature 57°; rainfall 40 inches. Lands sell from $2 to $80 per acre. FLU VAN A Lies on the north bank of the James, contains 180,009 acres with a population of 9,508. Soil chiefly red clay and rotten gray granite, pro- ducing good crops of wheat, corn, oats, rye and tobacco. "Fluvana tobacco" is noted upon the market as among the best in the State. Many cattle and sheep are raised. Gold, iron, copper, slate, talc and asbestos are found. The "Tellurium" is the oldest gold mine in the State, and is still worked. Palmyra the county seat is a thriving village at the mouth of the Rivanna river, andhere is published The Bulletin, a weekly newspaper. There are fifty-three public schools. Lands sell from $3 to $30 per acre. NELSON Extends from the James river to the summit of the Blue Ridge and contains 288,127 acres and a population of 15,356. The surface is rolling soil generally redclay and produces fine crops of heavy tobacco, corn, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat and the grasses. Large numbers of sheep and many cattle are raised, but tobacco is the chieif money crop of the farmers. The Albemarle pippin, the pilot, another famous apple, and a native of this county, flourish here. Nearly half of the county is in original tim- ber, white and yellow pine, oak, walnut, hickory and chestnut. C<>pper, garnet, ochre, kaolin, iron and maganese abound and mines of most of them have been extensively worked. The Southern and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroads traverse the county. Lovingston, a town of 300 inhabitants, is the county seat. There are several private and 98 public schools, and churches of the various denomi- nations throughout the county. Lands sell from $5 to $15 per acre. ABBREVIATED Hand-Book OF VIRGINIA PUBLISHED BY THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 1897. TAYLOII * TAYLOR PRINTING CO ) RICHMOND VA. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS