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of it is excellent land for tobacco, grapes, and fruit. Among the mountains are 
also rough and rocky areas, of little value, except for minerals, in which this 
county is peculiarly rich. The reporter says of its soil and timber growth: 
“The greatest source of wealth in this county is from blue-grass. Large por- 
tions are used entirely for grazing purposes, as after the timber is deadened and 
cleared of the undergrowth, the blue-grass springs up at once without sowing or 
breaking the surface of the soil. It becomes better by use, and if not too 
closely pastured soon forms a sod that nothing but the stoutest team and most 
improved plough can break. Formerly alarge quantity of sugar was manufactured 
from the sugar maple. ‘This from various causes has declined, the two principal 
reasons being the destruction of the trees, and the labor devoted to its manufac- 
ture having to be performed in the early portion of the spring, that should be 
devoted to preparing for the summer crops. ‘The sugar maple is fast disappear- 
ing. Formerly it predominated. It is the best indication of blue-grass, to 
which it is rapidly giving way, and is now only found, to any extent, on steep 
mountain sides, or in groves specially reserved and called ‘sugar orchards.” 
We have the usual variety of the oaks indigenous to this climate. White and 
black walnut, chestnut, buckeye, beach, &c., in their proper locations. Timber 
is only valuable for building and fencing purposes, as there is no transportation 
for sending it to market.” In King William, on the Pamunkey and Mattapony, 
are lands subject to overflow, obtainable at $5 per acre, “consisting of both 
forests heavily timbered and high woody flats, having the most luxuriant vege- 
tation, and furnishing the finest pasturage for cattle and hogs. As the greater 
portion of this land is alluvial, rich, loamy soil, its capabilities would be very 
great if made available by dykes and canals, which would be easily practicable.” 
The wild lands of the Blue Ridge are exceedingly desirable, from their climate, 
soil and location, with reference to markets. 'They can now be obtained for 
one-fourth to one-half the price of improved farms. The growths are oaks of 
several varieties, chestnut, hickory, dogwood, poplar, &c. 
A fair indication of the quality of the tide-water lands may be obtained from 
the following concerning King George county: “A large proportion is of good 
quality, covered with a good growth of oak, hickory, locust, cedar, pine, &c. 
Where underlaid with marl, as in the western section, though hilly, it is fertile, 
easily tilled, and produces finely natural and cultivated grasses. The same, toa 
less degree, may be said of the unimproved lands in other parts of the county. 
All are susceptible of high improvement by the use of marl, lime, clover, 
plaster,” &c. Of wild lands in Amelia, held at a nominal price, it is said: 
“ Their capabilities for improvement are excellent, and at small cost they might 
be made to produce corn, wheat, oats, and tobacco. To get them in the road to 
self-improvement requires the capital to purchase grass-seed, and 250 pounds of 
guano to the acre, to start this vegetation, to make them self-sustaining, and im- 
prove the land, by green manuring, to a high degree of productiveness.” In 
Buckingham: “ There are large bodies of wild or uncultivated lands, varying 
in price from two to five dollars per acre, according to their proximity to 
market facilities. ‘These lands lie well, and abound in oak and pine timber, 
and are well watered by small streams. The soil is generally gray, soft, and 
lively, and, when cleared and brought into cultivation, is susceptible of the high- 
est improvement, producing all the crops common to this latitude.” 
3. The wood and timber of Virginia cover a large portion of her area. 
Much of the eastern and central forests have been culled, and large areas of 
arable land have grown up in pine and other growths; yet there still remains, 
even on the navigable waters, which are estimated to have a coast line of fifteen 
hundred miles, a large amount of timber suitable for ship-building, cooperage, 
and various manufacturing purposes. On the Blue Ridge, within a few miles 
of the Orange and Alexandria railroad, are some forests of original growth, 
which are never utilized, but deadened, and left to decay, when the soil is wanted 
