WEST VIRGINIA. T5 



ing farms of average fertilitj, assessed at nearly the same value as tliose of 

 Wirt, and occupied mainly for the rearing of live stock. 



Gilmer adjoins Calhoun on the east, is drained by the Little Kanawha and 

 its tributaries, has fine forest ranges for cattle, and a comparatively small are^ 

 of improved land. 



Roane, south of Calhoun, abounds in steep hills and grassy valleys, through 

 which flow the waters of the Pocotalico and other streams, tributaries of the 

 Great Kanawha. It is a fine region for cattle and sheep, and unwillingly fur- 

 nished ten thousand dollars' worth of horses for the cavalry of the rebels. The 

 number of sheep was rapidly increasing in 186.9; but the raiders having a 

 taste for good mutton, it is presumed that losses and gains have left the flocks 

 as they Avere in 1860. Tobacco does well in this as in the adjoining counties, 

 yielding a product that commands a fine price for its excellent flavor. In one 

 instance last season twenty-one acres, with indifferent culture, brought $2,000. 

 When such results can be attained with so little labor on lands which average 

 but a few dollars per acre, it should not be said that the soil here is unpro- 

 ductive or farming unprofitable. Fruit is usually abundant. Good peach crops 

 have been enjoyed for a succession of years past. The fruit is often sold at 

 25 cents per bushel. 



In evidence of the adaptation of this soil to tobacco, a statement of a cor- 

 respondent may be referred to relative to the crop of a neighbor, Martin W. 

 Kidd, of this county. The land was in forest, and cost to clear twenty acres 

 and cultivate the crop $1,100, and $153 more to get it to market. Though 

 he lost considerable of it for want of sheds suflicient to cure it properly, he 

 sold 13,500 pounds for $2,074. This gave a profit of $1,421, or $71 05 per 

 acre — amply sufficient to buy a large farm of unimproved land. 



B-raxton county is more ;aearly than any other the geographical centre of 

 the State. It is intersected by Elk, Little Kanawha, and Ilolly rivers, and 

 Bird creek. It is well watered and fertile. Little more than an eighth of the 

 fai-m lands are improved. Average assessed valuation $4 28. This is very 

 low in comparison with their intrinsic value. It is midway between Clarks- 

 burg and Charleston, and on the line of the proposed central railroad route. 

 Sutton is the county seat. 



Webster county, drained by the headwaters of the Elk and Gauley riverrf, 

 is a new county, with resources very little developed and lands cheap — aver- 

 aging $161 per acre. 



Nicholas, upon the south, intersected by the Gauley, has a promising future. 

 It contains 1,460,228 acres of farm lands, of which but 34,941 are improved; 

 average valuation $2 51 per acre. It has clear, running streams, filled with 

 the speckled trout, and fine forest pastures and grassy glades. Though only 

 two and a half per cent, of its farm lands are improved, its live stock is valued 

 at $334,820, its flocks of sheep numbering 9,093 ; and while it lies well up 

 towards the mountains, there is required for the winter support of 20,536 farm 

 animals but 2,035 tons of hay. Winters cannot be very severe if 100 pound-s 

 of hay will suffice for each animal. 



Clay county lies south of Braxton, upon the Elk river. It is a small coimty, 

 with but 5,565 acres of improved land. Its location is eligible, and much of 

 its land productive. 



STATISTICS OF PRODUCTION.* 



A statement of the farm products of West Virginia will not indicate an ex- 

 traordinary production in proportion to population, nor will it show so meagre 



*The statements in this chapter, as well as those interspersed in descriptions of the several 

 counties, are based upon the census returns of 1860. Returns made to the State Auditor, if 

 they could be made complete, would show advancement in many of the counties even during 

 a civil war. 



