USA > Virginia > Charlotte County > Charlotte County > Charlotte County, Virginia : historical, statistical, and present attractions > Part 4
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WILD NUTS AND FRUITS.
Our forests and fields moreover abound in a great variety of nuts and acorns, which furnish valuable food for man and beast. Among these are the white and black walnut, more than a dozen varieties of hickory nuts, pecans and shell barks, chestnuts, beachnuts, hazlenuts, chinquapin and thirteen varie- ties of acorns. Some of these bear more or less every year, furnishing ample food for game and wild animals. About every other year there is a heavy mast, sufficient to fatten hogs and keep stock well through winter.
Wild Fruits .- The provision made by nature in the way of wild fruits is equally abundant; beginning about the middle of May with strawberries, followed by raspberries, dewber- ries, blackberries, whortleberries, gooseberries, mulberries, cur- rants, cherries, plums, apples, peaches, pears, grapes, persim- mons, haw apples-black and red, haws, etc., all of which appear in great variety and of superior excellence. So abundant is the supply, that with ordinary care the table can be furnished the year round from this source aione, besides furnishing a large quantity for canning and drying, which find a ready and profitable market in the cities. From many of these also, particularly some varieties of the grape, very excellent wine is made, which is superior for domestic use to those of foreign manufacture.
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" Do Well "-Residence of Maj. R. V. Gaines, Mossingford, Va.
Residence of L. S. Jackson, Drake's Branch, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
WILD GAME.
Owing to this abundant provision by nature, no section of the United States has a greater variety or is so well stocked with game, animals and birds. Standing at the head is that incomparable bird-the wild turkey-in its native heather. Large flocks may be seen roaving over the fields, some of which, at full maturity, reach twenty-five pounds in weight. In the forests pheasants are often found, and in every field one or more covies of quail. These furnish sport during the latter part of the fall and winter, while in the later winter and spring we have wild duck, snipe and wild geese upon our own water courses in endless profusion. In August and September the woodcock makes his appearance.
Of late years deer have become quite abundant in some sections of the county, and deer hunting is becoming popular, but from colonial days down to the present fox-hunting has been the favorite pastime of the Virginian; he is never so happy as when mounted on a blooded steed, with long horn around his neck and followed by a large pack of hounds.
FISH.
Our streams are well stocked with fish, which, in their several varieties, furnish a supply the year round. Shad, which were formerly abundant in the Staunton river, are now rarely found, but the sorrel horse makes his appearance in large numbers in the month of February, and during the spring months penetrate all the smaller streams to deposit their spawn.
In addition to these we have the fat-back, red, black and silver perch, jack, pike, chub and cat. Of late years black bass, scale and leather carp have been introduced into our ponds and streams, to which they seem admirably adapted.
GRAPES AND WINE.
The geological formation and climatic conditions of Char- lotte correspond exactly with those portions of Europe which
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" Green Level "-Residence of B. N. Holt, Charlotte Courthouse, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
have for centuries been devoted to vineyards and in which are produced the most celebrated and delicious wines. Not less than twenty varieties of grapes are found growing along our hedges, fences and throughout the forest, running up often to the tops of the highest trees. From actual experiment it has been found that our native grapes, including Concord, Norton, Cunningham, Cynthiana, Catawba, etc., produce wines of great excellence, varying in body, color and aroma with the character of the soils upon which they grow.
AN ADOPTED CITIZEN WHO SPEAKS WHAT HE KNOWS.
The adaptedness of the Virginia soil and climate to the industry of viniculture is not a mere item of idle speculation, as has been proven by many successful experiments in different sections of the State, which shows fully that every essential requirement has been provided by nature.
Looking around us we see wild grapes of many varieties growing luxuriously on every hill and crag, while on the lowlands we view them in great profusion weaving their way among the trees, and often bearing their extended branches to the ground beneath the weight of their abundant fruit.
These natural advantages have long since impressed the progressive farmers of Albemarle, Amelia, Chesterfield, Nelson and other counties with an appreciation of the profitable value of this industry; and here is to be found a truly developed manifestation of the capabilities of viniculture.
Yet when we analyze the formation of the soil in Charlotte county, and find it either naturally fertile or easily and cheaply fertilized, and laying over a strata (at the depth of from four to six feet) of loose, rocky sub-soil, we at once observe its superior quality over other lands in this State for grape growing purposes. Here the hills slope gradually to the east and south and west, giving the land the proper exposure and effecting the best drainage; here is to be found cheap land and labor, and easy accessibility by direct rail route to Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York-the best grape markets of America.
The noted colonial hospitality-long lost to other sections of this country-is still the pride of this locality, and the exemplary moral white population may well form the pride of any Commonwealth.
The climate, too, is mild, and only sufficiently moist to render it healthful, and malarial ailments are almost unknown.
It is not generally known that two of the finest grapes produced in America-the Catawba and Norton seedling-are native wild grapes of Virginia, developed by cultivation.
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County Bridge Across Staunton River.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
The hills of Charlotte county, when brought before the notice of grape and fruit growers, will in a short time grow in beauty to favor- ably compare with the vine-clad hills of Lombardy or the smiling vineyards on the banks of the noble Rhine.
The writer has had occasion to taste native wine from every acknowledged wine-growing section of the world, and has found many Virginia wines not only equal, but superior to most of the so-called fine wines. A sample tried in Charlotte county proved of such excellency of flavor as is only found in the wine of a few silent vineyards of Europe. It is a remarkable fact that in this county the many diseases so common to the European and American vines were found to be totally unknown.
The land in this county, as has been before stated, is peculiarly adapted to the production of wines, and when new land is cleared all that is necessary is to burn the stumps, branches of trees, etc., and distribute the ashes over the soil, in order to destroy any sourness that may exist and to destroy the germs of insects.
The cultivation of grapes, as few agricultural industries permits of a small subdivision of land, a thing highly desirable in Virginia. It is also a pursuit that requires intelligence and skill and not a large capital. In this field Charlotte county invites not only the outside world, but her own people.
J. F. Z. CARACRISTI
LOWER END OF THE COUNTY.
Hon. B. D. Adams, member of a colony from Pittsylvania county, who moved to this county only a few years ago, whose success has been truly wonderful, writes of the develop- ment of the lower end of the county.
JANUARY 15, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Replying to your inquiry, will say:
First. The development and improvement made in the southern end of Charlotte county, especially the section around Red Oak, has been wonderful during the past ten years.
Second. The rapid, but substantial, growth of this section has been due first to its fertile lands and other natural resources, and secondly to the determination of progressive men to take advantage of our hitherto dormant possibilities. Our people have truly put their shoulder to the wheel of progress, and are proud of the results.
" Red Oak Grove "-Residence of Hon. B. D. Adams, Red Oak, Va.
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Third. The land in this section is particularly adapted to tobacco, both bright and dark-especially bright. Farmers here in recent years have been cultivating large fields of bright tobacco, that yielded as much as $275.00 per acre. Farms of several hundred acres have been purchased in this neighborhood for from $3 to $5 per acre and paid for in full from proceeds of first tobacco crop, and the tobacco was cultivated on from eight to fifteen acres of the land.
Fourth. Our soil, unlike most land in Piedmont section of the State, yields a rich harvest, when properly cultivated, in grain and grasses. Ask any man who has been through this section in past few years and he will tell you of our hay, corn and wheat fields-for it is a fact that no stranger comes here without being impressed with our magnificent fields and heavy crops. Corn on our improved high lands yields from fifty to sixty bushels, wheat from fifteen to twenty- five bushels and hay from one and one half to two tons per acre. The growing of clover, timothy tall meadow, oat grass and red top for hay has given the very best results, and our farmers are fast realizing that we can raise hay at good profit and at the same time beautify and improve our farms. Where there was one acre of grass grown for hay in this section ten years ago there are now one hundred acres. Our land is usually allowed to stand from three to five years before plowing up, and in most cases grass is cut twice a year, thus yielding from two and one-half to three tons per acre each year. Our farmers are buying the most improved machinery for saving hay, and the cost of saving the crop is reduced to a minimum. They are now selling nay at $20.00 per ton that cost them less than $2 per ton to harvest. The cost of preparing and seeding the land is practically eliminated when we consider the improvement of our lands from the crop. Here you can see the fields of a 100 acres of hay without a rock or stump, and the crop is heavy and clean as any in the valley of Virginia.
Fifth. All kind of fruits do well here, especially apples, pears, peaches and grapes. Peach trees come into full bloom within three years after planting, and apples from four to five, according to variety. While we have no very large orchards, yet numbers of farms have from 250 to 600 fruit trees just beginning to bear.
Sixth. This section has been materially benefitted by its timber lands. We have had for ten years a well-equipped plant for the manufacture of rough and work lumber of all kinds, barrel heads, shuttle blocks, hickory and white oak wagon and buggy spokes. The products of our forest are finished up at home, ready for the consumer, and our people derive the benefits of the industry that fits the rough tree for parlor furniture or the wagon wheel. There are yet thousands of acres of timbered land in this section, and the quality of our forest pine and white oak cannot be excelled.
100-Acre Hay Field of Hon. B. D. Adams, Red Oak, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
Seventh. Copper has been recently discovered here, and in paying quantities, and the mines of the Carnegie Copper Co., bid fair to be one of our largest industries-full line of machinery to be in operation in the near future. We have also large deposits of soap-stone and Kaolin, and northern capitalists are now beginning operations towards developing these industries.
Eight. This section has had a large number of farmers to come here in the past ten years from other counties of the State, being drawn here by the fertility and cheapness of our land, and they have taken a leading part in developing the county.
Ninth. A large cannery has been recently erected for canning apples, peaches, corn, etc., and we will have market for all such things.
Yours truly, B. D. ADAMS.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
BEE-KEEPING PROFITABLE.
Taking into consideration the vast amount of money ex- pended by the United States annually for sugar, the import- ance of bee-keeping can be readily seen.
FROM A BEE-KEEPER WHO MAKES BEAUTIFUL HONEY.
CUB CREEK, VA., January 21, 1907.
DEAR SIR: I have been in the bee business twenty-six years and find it profitable. Sold my 1906 crop of honey at 121/2 cents per section for comb and 10 cents, per lb., for extracted. My bees usually produce from fifty to one hundred pounds per colony, spring count.
Bee Pasturage. The natural resources are fruit blooms. In the months of April and May, clover, linden or poplar, and sourwood from the 15th of May to the 1st of August; golden rod, asters and other fall blossoms first of September to October 15th. Have raised buck wheat and alsike clover for bee pasture. They both grow well here. There is no better plant for honey than alsike clover. It is also good for hay and grazing. Bees winter well here outdoors, on summer stands, with no other covering but what they have in the summer. Never had foul brood or any other disease in my Apiary. In fact, never heard of any disease among bees in this county.
S. J. ADAMS.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
Saw and Planing Mill of Hon. B. D. Adams, Red Oak, Va.
Residence of W. T. Marilla, Red Oak, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
FROM A BEE-KEEPER, FARMER AND CANNER.
CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, VA., January 26, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Replying to yours, concerning my experience in bee- keeping, will say I am no expert; never saw a queen. Started with one stand; now keep ten. Have taken 120 pounds from supers, not touching the body-that being full.
Wheat. Have raised sixty bushels of wheat on one and three- fourths acres of land.
Corn. Have gathered fifteen barrels of corn from one acre of high- land, the only fertilizer used being stable manure.
Vegetable cannery. I have been operating a cannery for four years. Output first year, 15,000 cans from four acres. Not in full operation other years. Land well adapted to growth, flavor and sweetness of tomatoes and other vegetables, excels for canning further north. I expect to put out five acres this year and resume business.
R. B. MOORE.
POULTRY RAISING,
Poultry raising is increasing in popularity with our house- keepers. It has been found that with very little attention and a small output of capital no other industry brings better returns, The mild climate and large field and wood ranges conspire to reduce the cost to a minimum and render the business very profitable. Letters from some of our poultry raisers are here given.
SMALL ATTENTION BUT LARGE PROFITS.
KEYSVILLE, VA., January 10, 1907.
I herewith furnish for publication in the hand-book my record of net sales of poultry for twelve months-from December 22, 1905, to December 21, 1906.
Amount received from sales:
Eggs, 526 dozen $102 50
From sales of seventy-one turkeys 130 57
From sales of ninety-eight chickens 45 20
Total
$278 29
" The Oak "-Residence of E. R. Monroe, Brookneal, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
I keep sixty chicken hens, and in addition to the 526 dozen eggs from them, they also furnished eggs and chickens for the table for a family of six persons (a part of this time a boarder also), of which no record was kept. These fowls are common, mixed breeds, except six leghorn hens. They do their work in common, log hen-houses, with dirt floors-no brooders no incubators are used. Five turkey hens composed my spring flock, from which my "turkey crop" is raised. The fowls are fed on food the farm produces. We do not record just how much, but the whole amount is small.
MRS. LEE W. NORTON.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
LARGE PROFITS-SMALL CAPITOL. CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, VA., January 22, 1907.
My success in poultry-raising. on a small scale, has been very gratifying. For the year 1906 I had twenty-three hens. From these hens I sold $50.00 worth of eggs and $35.00 worth of chickens, besides supplying my family the year through. I paid but little attention to my fowls, and am satisfied that with the proper attention poultry- raising on a large scale would be extremely profitable.
MRS. B. J. ATKINS.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
TURKEY RAISING PROFITABLE.
CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, R. F. D., January 20, 1907.
From three turkey hens and one gobler last year I raised twenty- five young turkeys, which (sold when the market was off, delay being made in shipment) netted me $25.00; besides, some were consumed on my table.
J. W. CARDEN.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
SUCCESSFUL POULTRY- RAISER, BUT MOSTLY FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.
HILLCROFT, VA., January 23, 1907.
DEAR SIR: I do not attempt to raise chickens for market, but usually keep between forty and fifty hens and pullets, which have the run of the plantation and supply my table with poultry and eggs all the year. In April, 1905, I bought four single comb Rhode Island red pullets and a cock. Kept them yarded during spring months, and in October, 1906, had 150 pure bloods to my credit; one-third of which I have sold at fancy prices and replaced with common chickens for the
COMINGS
Silver Laced Wyandottes.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
table use. I keep no account of feed, as they consume waste wheat, corn, etc., raised on the place, but I sell enough, after supplying my table, to more than cover cost of that.
MRS. SAMUEL C. DANIEL.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
BALANCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
SAXE, VA., December 12, 1906.
DEAR SIR: I have now about 400 chickens. Keep only one kind- single comb, white leghorn. Have never kept an account of the net income, but know the balance is on the right side. Am satisfied that poultry-raising can be made a profitable business in this section. I sell stock for breeding purposes and eggs for hatching in season, but do not undertake to raise chickens for the general market, because not fixed to engage in this branch of the business. Make a specialty of fresh eggs for the general market-shipping to Richmond and Lynch- burg. Get from two to three cents more per dozen than eggs shipped from stores. Without a line of advertising we sold seventy-two set- tings for hatching and thirty pullets last season.
J. W. HOWARD.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
SUCCESSFUL CHICKEN-RAISER.
CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, VA., January 26, 1907.
DEAR SIR: I have seventy hens of ordinary breeds, and, without paying them any special attention, I sold during the year 1906 in chickens and eggs $114.00 worth, practically all profit, as the chickens had a good wood range and had to be fed but little.
MRS. B. M. PILLOW.
HANDSOME RETURNS FROM POULTRY AND BUTTER.
CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, VA., January 28, 1907.
DEAR SIR: You want to know my experience in the poultry busi- ness. I am a farmer and leave the management of chickens , turkeys, etc., to my wife. She keeps eighteen hens and two roosters. From these sold, in 1906, about $50.00 worth of eggs and about $60.00 worth of frying chickens. Total income, $110.00, and from an investment of $5.00.
As a side-line I don't doubt there is anything more profitable than the poultry business, except perhaps the dairy business, which is even more profitable than the poultry business. I have one cow. She furnishes ample milk for my family, besides we make a pound of nice butter every day. Another good investment.
Yours, etc., E. W. WILKERSON.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
" Barwyns "-Residence of Mrs. D. C. Jeremy, Saxe, Va.
Buff Orpingtons.
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" THE VIRGINIAN "
Direct descendant of the great Speed Sire Nutwood, owned by G. G. Moseley and Bro., Belleville Stock Farm, Saxe, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
STOCK RAISING.
Stock raising forms an important industry as an adjunct to agriculture. Charlotte is in what is known as the Race-Horse District of Virginia. In the ante-bellum days many of the best thoroughbreds of England, and some of the best types of the Arabian horses were imported into this section. Diamed, Eclipse, Rowton, Trustee, Flyde and others, from which have descended the most celebrated horses upon the American turf of to-day, have graced our breeding studs, and formed the basis of the Virginia cavalry horse, which added eclat to that branch of service during our late sectional conflict. Some of the most celebrated horses which have adorned the annals of the American turf register were bred in this section; among which may be mentioned Sir Archer, Sir Charles, Boston, Reality and Bonnets O'Blue. In later years these have been supplanted by trotting and harness horses; and later still, we have had an importation of Percherons. Our people have turned their attention more to raising their own horses and mules of late years, and with very marked success. It is found that the home-raised animals are superior in style and action and much more durable than any imported from other States. Conservative estimates place the value of the home- raised horse, or mule, at least 25 per cent. greater than any raised elsewhere.
CATTLE.
Cattle raising has proved a profitable industry for the market, to all who have tried it. It takes but little to carry them through the winters, as they are generally mild and cattle fair well upon the natural grasses. Broom sedge, burnt off in the spring, makes the finest milk and butter in the world, and cattle always become fat upon it. Good butter commands twenty-five cents a pound the year round, and dairying offers an inviting field.
" Elm Shade "-Residence of Lee W. Morton, Eureka Mill, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
SHEEP.
In no portion of the United States can small flocks of sheep, properly tended, yield a larger profit. They feed the entire year upon the natural grasses, except in very cold spells when snow is on the ground; then a small supply of provender is all they need. The breeds of sheep mostly raised here are the Southdown and Merino. The following letters from some of our leading and most reliable citizens attest their success in this line :
SHEEP NOT HOUSED OR FED, BUT YIELD ABOUT $6.00 PER HEAD ANNUALLY.
KEYSVILLE, VA., January 7, 1907.
DEAR SIR: I herewith hand you for publication in Hand-Book some data on my experience in sheep raising. I keep a flock of eigh- teen to twenty ewes and one buck. The sheep were originally com- mon stock, but have been graded up by the use of Southdown, Oxford- down and Shropshire bucks. The average net sales of lambs from this flock amount to about $85.00 and sales from wool about $28.00. These lambs have sold upon an average of $4.60 a piece net. The climate is so mild that my sheep are never housed, and as a rule are only fed when the ground is covered with snow, which is very seldom the case. Salt is practically all that is fed them. They are pastured with hogs, horses and cows and have a large range. They have received little attention. With a larger flock more feeding and care would be necessary. I consider the sales from my sheep practically clear profit. I purpose increasing my flock and giving them more attention, as it is clearly demonstrated that "the hoof of the sheep is golden."
Very truly, LEE W. MORTON.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
THE EX-SHERIFF SPEAKS-SHEEP PAY THEIR VALUE ANNUALLY.
CHARLOTTE COURTHOUSE, VA., R. F. D., January 17, 1907.
DEAR SIR: Your inquiry about sheep raising and other stock to hand. This is a fine country for sheep. The climate is not too cold or warm for them, and they will pay over 100 per cent. I sold my last year's lambs at six cents per pound gross, and the wool was worth thirty cents per pound, uncleaned. Hogs pay well. Our hams have a big reputation and bring from twenty to twenty-five cents per pound, and the bacon sells well also. Hogs can be raised cheap on vegetables, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins and corn field peas, with a
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
little corn. This is a good climate for all vegetables and corn field peas. Pea hay grows fine and is very profitable. The finest type of shipping tobacco and wrappers is raised in this county, which is also adapted to wheat, corn, oats and all grasses.
Yours respectfully, J. H. PRICE.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
SHEEP RAISING THAT PAYS $6.00 PER HEAD.
MADISONVILLE, VA., January 1, 1907.
DEAR SIR: In response to your inquiry, I would say that I have been farming on my own account about twenty years. I commenced on a farm containing 232 acres, bought for $1,650.00. I paid $300 cash and had just enough money left to buy two horses. To-day I have
Sheep at John H. Hatchs', Wylliesburg, Va.
a well-stocked and improved farm, enclosed with woven wire fencing. My buildings are all in good repair, and I would not sell my farm for $5,000.00.
I have enough money to conduct all of my operations on a cash basis. I have raised a large family and spent a large sum in educating my children, and my only source of income has been from the farm. I will add that, in my opinion, diversified industries are the surest success to the farmer. Take for example sheep raising. I have a small flock of seventeen, from which I derived a net profit last year, from sale of lambs and wool, of $6.00 each, or $112.00, and still have the same number on hand.
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