860 EFFECTS ON PUBLIC INTERESTS. 



that of 1819), had in fact begun about 1828, when there existed a 

 much lower state of depression of production and of value; from 

 which lower rate, and earlier time, the selling value of lands, and 

 much more the productive or intrinsic value, had been increasing 

 for 22 years preceding the last assessment of 1850 and (at least) 

 to the amount of nearly 30 millions of dollars; instead of 17i 

 millions increase in 12 years, as computed in the governor's mes- 

 sage. 



4. All this stated increase of value of lands is much less than is 

 the actual increase ; and though stated as for the whole tide-water 

 district, in truth it has been achieved upon a very small proportion 

 of the surface of that district the great remainder (more than 

 twenty times as much in quantity) still being without any such 

 improvement, or increase of either assessed or productive value. 

 Even on the very small proportion marled or limed, the improve- 

 ments are of less than half the value which judicious procedure 

 would have effected, and earlier, at less cost, and also permanently. 

 Hence, the actual calxings may yet be doubled in effect and value, 

 and twenty times as much space may be raised to like increased 

 production and value. 



5. Therefore, the admitted newly created value of land, of 17i 

 millions of dollars between the two latest assessments, and the as- 

 serted increase of nearly 30 millions from 1828, are both, beyond 

 comparison, far below the available increase for the whole of the 

 tide-water district alone to say nothing of the other parts of Vir- 

 ginia, improvable by like means. The whole available increase 

 of value on lands alone, and for the tide-water district alone, on the 

 premises stated, may reach to 500 millions of dollars with pro- 

 portional increase of value of other farming capital and connected 

 movable property, and of population and products of taxation. 



Enormous or incredible as these predicted results may appear, I 

 maintain that there is more ground now to expect the complete 

 fulfilment within the next' 35 years, than there was, 35 years past, 

 in the then desperate condition of agriculture, to expect, not only 

 the now actual increase of values in lower Virginia, but even any 

 smaller general increase. The main thing needed to aid and hasten 

 the fulfilment should be a measure which heretofore has been en- 

 tirely neglected and scornfully refused, in this and in all other 

 relations to agriculture, viz. : that the government of Virginia 

 shall in proper manner induce investigation, and encourage the 

 diffusion of knowledge, in this and every other department of agri- 

 cultural research and labour. 



In the report, part of which was quoted above, it was recom- 

 mended, and again more formally in the general report of the Board 

 of Agriculture -to the legislature, that the amount of land marled 

 and limed should be obtained by the commissioners of the revenue, 



