The Value of Lands

From the Richmond Enquirer
VALUE OF LANDS.
The “Free Press” of Charlestown, Jefferson county, Va., contains the following article:

“Jefferson County Land.– Late sales indicate a just estimate of the value of our Lands. The Keyes’ Ferry tract, on the Shenandoah, lately sold for $64 per acre, at auction. A beautiful farm of 200 acres, with good improvements, a mile and a half south of Charlestown, was lately disposed of, at private sale, for $60 per acre. A tract of 225 acres, within a half mile of the Shenandoah, but with scarcely any improvements, brought, at auction, $45 per acre; and another, of nearly 200, acres, two miles north west of town, with ordinary buildings, was knocked off on Monday last, at $43 70, cash. These sales prove, either that there is an intrinsic value in our soil, which our farmers know well how to appreciate, or that the great public works in our vicinity have something to do with the matter. Our readers will perceive that there is still some land in market. A man, with a Jefferson farm, clear of debt, and with a clear conscience, need ask or desire no better ‘home’ this side of Jordan’s bright fields.

That the lands in Jefferson are very rich and productive of small grain and grass, has been known to other portions of the State for a long time. It is a rich limestone soil, peculiarly adapted to wheat. But, there are facts in relation to those lands, and the management of them, independent of their original fertility, which deserve consideration. They have been judiciously and well farmed for a long series of years, by laborious and careful people; being benefitted, in this time, by the best ploughing, the use of lime, clover and plaister, and manure. But what would this acknowledged improvement count in the estimate of value, if they were not immediately within the beneficial influence of the Baltimore Rail Road and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal? There are some lands of equal fertility in Bedford, Amherst, Nelson, Albemarle, Orange, Madison, Culpeper, and Fauquier; But it is doubted whether or not they would command a forth of the price of these sales in Jefferson. And what is the reason? Is it not because the produce of them is so heavily taxed before it reaches a market? Cander compels me to acknowledge that, in the county of Jefferson, there is a spirit of industry nad painstaking among the farmers, which enables them to reap heavy crops from the soil, and, at the same time, keep it improving. We have not this spirit East of the Blue Ridge. It may exist generally in Loudoun, in parts of Fauquier, and with a few individuals scattered over other counties. But, generally, we do not take proper pains with our lands– and the efforts we have made to obtain cheap transportation to market are even more disreputable to use than our tillage.

These sales in Jefferson shew the advantages of roads and canals, and ought to stimulate the people East of the Mountains to obtain similar facilities. At present, produce bears a good price, and is likely to maintain it. Yet, look at the low price of our lands. Even within four or five miles of Richmond, really good and productive land can scarcely be disposed of for half price. And why is this? For my own part, I cannot account for it, except it be owing to the low price of land throughout that portion of country trading to Richmond. It cannot be denied but that there is much good land in Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover, although there are large bodies of poor soil in each of these counties. But it is worthy of remark, that, the poorest of these, even the pewtry, crawfish slashes and whortleberry ridges, improve rapidly under careful and fine tillage.– But the quantity of fertile creek and river low grounds within ten miles of Richmond, is ten times as much as a stranger would suppose. Parts of them are kind to wheat, and they all yield profitable crops of grass, corn, oats, rye, and all the varieties of vegetables, both for the table and for the farm pen, notwithstanding we buy so much hay and so many vegetables from the East. Very little expense has been incurred in careful draining and neat cultivation; though were this has been the case, I doubt whether the fine lands of Jefferson have yielded a better clear profit, though they may produce heavier crops.

Why, then, should there be such a wide difference in the price? I speak only of the good lands, and those with requisite qualities for improvement.– If our men of capital prefer to invest all their money in brick houses in town, in bank stock, or to lend it out to individuals, they probably err. For, a well-improved little farm in the neighborhood of a good market and good society, is a delightful retreat for pleasure or for health– and in very many cases, may become the permanent residence of the family, and a certain source of comfort and independence. These considerations, acting on the minds of capitalists and men of business in other commercial cities, have induced many of them to purchase establishments in the country, and to improve them with spirit and taste; thereby giving new life and animation to stimulating the improvement and enhancing the value of the surrounding country.

If the destroying tide of emigration can be stopped, Virginia will soon recover from her depleted condition.– And nothing can stop it, but vigorous efforts to make the necessary internal improvements, that the products of her soil may get to market promptly and cheaply. When this shall be the case, a new spring will be given to industry; men will see their way clearly, and set to work to enrich their farms, and to make something beyond a scanty living. If they do not do so, other men will come from other quarters and buy up their lands and make them what a kind providence intended them to be. In either point of view, we need in the State generally, the improvements which give to lands in Jefferson so much additional value. If we do not choose to remain in the land of our fathers, we shall be enabled the more readily to sell their bones and migrate. What we spend for good roads and canals, will be returned to use three-fold, in the enhanced price of lands we are tired of and wish to abandon.

RICHMOND.