99

Alleghany county on the west. A spur of the Blue Ridge, nam-
ed Elk Mountain, is comprised in this county, between which

and the Blue Ridge on the east, is included a very charming
and beautiful valley, whose qualities are but faintly expressed
in the name of "Pleasant Valley." These mountains do not
need "distance" to "lend enchantment to the view," but afford,
'whether far or near, the most beautiful and picturesque scene-
ry, and at the" same time yield very large returns for the skil-
ful cultivation bestowed on them to their very summits. The
surface of the country is rolling with large but not abrupt
hills.

The soils of this county are very fertile, being for the most
part of the very best class of clay limestone soils, with oc-
casional varieties of shaley soils, all susceptible of high and
easy improvement. The agriculture of this county is in a high-
ly improved condition and as a result, large crops of wheat,
rye, oats, Indian corn and ail the crops and vegetables and
iruits suited to the latitude, are produced of fine quality and
in great abundance.

The live stock has been improved with the best and most
approved foreign breeds, and the care, skill and attention be
stowed on this branch of husbandry has met with most grat-
ifying rewards. The abundance of clover and the other cul-
tivated grass crops, afford means for a large supply of dairy
productions, which alone are sources ot handsome profit.

There are numerous quarries of most excellent limestone
for agricultural improvement in various parts of the county,
and some also of the kind used for making hydraulic cement,
which is furnished to a considerable extent from this county.
There is also considerable quantities of good iron ore, also
good brick clay in almost every locality.

This county has long been famous for the distillation of
whisky, the excellence of which has been attested by good
judges in every section of the country.

This county has very extensive water-power on the Potomac
and its tributaries in almost every neighborhood. This has

been improved to a large extent with flour mills and other
manufactories. The brands of flour from this county
have always borne a high character.

The price of land varies from twenty to two hundred dol-
lars per acre, and when all of its advantages are considered,

these rates are very far below those fixed on similar lands in
Northern and Western States.

The dwelling-houses, and farm buildings are well construc-
ted by the generality of farmers, and agricultural enterprise
is quite a characteristic of the people—judicous economy
with kindness and generosity are strongly marked in the
practice of the people of the county of Washington.