Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 15.djvu/506

 VIRGINIA

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VIRGINIA

ural increase and conversions. Seventy years ago the (output, 4,284,000 pounds; value, $4,240,000), Catholic population was but 3000. In 1912 the faith- second in tobacco (output, 132,970,000 pounds; value,

ful numbered 41,000, composed mainly of native Americans, Irish, Germans, Italians, Bohemians, Poles, Slavs, and Syrians, with a few French, Bel- gians, and other nationalities. There is one parish each for Germans, Italians, and Bohemians.

PHYSiciL Characteristics. — Virginia is divided into six great natural sections: (1) Tidewater, (2) Middle, (3) Piedmont, (4) Blue Ridge, (5) The Valley, and (6) Appalachia. Some make a seventh division into Trans-Appalachia. Certain sections possess some things in common, yet all differ greatly in topog- raphy, climate, soil, and resources. The altitude varies from a few feet in Tidewater to more than 5000 feet in the mountainous regions. The highest mountains areMount Rogers (5760 feet), and the Peaks of Otter (3993 feet). Nearly the whole of the state is drained by five large rivers, navigable to the head of Tide- water, and their trib- utaries; namely, the Potomac, Rappahan- nock, York, James, and Roanoke or Staunton, all tlnwini; in an easteily diiir- tion; while the Shen- andoah, Kanawha, or New, and Holston, i n- Tennessee rivers, drain the valley. Be- cause of the gradual, and sometimes ab- rupt, lowering of the river-beds from their

$12,169,000), and fourth in fertilizirs (niitput 364,613 tons; value, .$6,561,000). In 1910 ihe \icld in bushels was, corn, 38,295,000 (value, $2S,,S66,000); wheat, 8,077,000 ($8,776,000); Irish potatoes, 8,771,000 (85,668,000) ; sweet potatoes and yams, 5,270,000 ($2, 681,000); oats, 2,884,000 ($1,610,000); rye, 438,000 ($.344,000); buckwheat, 332,000 ($196,000); barley, 254,000 ($180,000); and in tons of hay and forage, 823,000 ($10,257,000). The cultivation of alfalfa (now 3126 acres) is rapidly increasing. The total value of crops in 1910 was $236,000,000, from 3,300,000 acres, an increase over 1900 of nearly 100 per cent. The farming interests are greatly furthered by the Commissioner of Agriculture, literature, farm- ers' institutes, inspectors of fertilizers, seed and lime laws, a horticultural society, test farms, and a truck and an agricultural station.

The rapid develop- ment of tlairying is due principally to the efforts of the dairy and pure food department. The number of dairy cows (1910) was 356,000 (value, $10,285,000). Effective means to- wards the eradication of tuberculosis and other diseases existing amongst cattle are emplojed by the state. With an The State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia abundance of forage

elevated sources to Formerly the Capitol of the Confederacy^ _The Central Portion was designed Crop, a long grazing

the basins into which. ™. ..

they empty, an almost limitless supply of water- power is found within the borders of the state. The state is famed for natural wonders, including the Natural Bridge; Luray, Weyer's, Madison, Blowing, and Saltpetre caverns; Mountain Lake, Balcony Falls, Natural Tunnel; and the great Dismal Swamp (30 by 10 miles, extending into North Carolina), with beauti- ful Lake Drummond (7 by 5M miles) in the centre. There are 68 accredited mineral springs. The climate is mild, the temperature varying from an average mean annual of 64° in Tidewater to 48° in the mount- ains, the average temperature being 56°. The rainfall is plentiful, averaging from 32 to 60 inches. The

by Thomas Jefferson season, and mild

winters, the conditions for stock raising are pecu- liarly favourable. Thousands of beef and other cattle are annually exported. Within 30 years the sheep in- dustrv has increased 150 per cent. The value of Uve stock'in 1910 was $74,891,000. Virginia has (1911) taken the lead of the other states in fisheries, the an- nual output totalling $7,600,000, thus distributed: oysters, $3,500,000; crabs and clams, $1,000,000; menhaden fish, $1,250,000; from pound nets, $1,500.- 000; other fish, .$250,000. The increase over four years is 300 per cent. Of t he nearly 3000 square miles of salt-water bottom, 4000 acres are set aside for oyster planting and about 200,000 acres as a reserve, making border ranges of mountains protect the state from the Virginia waters one of the greatest oyster sections unusual storms and hurricanes. Government statis- in the world. Tidewater abounds in water-fowl such tics show the Piedmont region to be the most healthful as the canvasback, black mallard, water-goose, and belt in the United States. teal. There are various species of birds, including

Resources. — In agriculture Virginia ranks as one quails, woodcocks, and sora, with some wild deer, of the foremost states of the union. Every product bears, foxes, and wild turkeys, and many rabbits, grown in the other states, except the tropical and squirrels, opossums, muskrats, and lesser ganie. semi-tropical, thrives upon her soil. The total value Every wood, except the sub-tropical, including the of farm lands with buildings, implements, machiner}', valuable hardwoods, is grown in Virginia. The Tide- and live stock, in 1910 was $625,065,000; an increase water section contains vast forests of pine and cypress in a decade of 93.2 per cent. The farms embrace and much cedar, willow, locust, juniper, and gum. In more than three-fourths of the total land area, or the inland region abound the oak, walnut, hickory, 19,495,636 acres; over one-half representing improved chestnut, beech, birch, maple, poplar, ash, cherry, elm, acreage. The number of farms was 184,018, of and sycamore; whilst the mountains are rich in white which 84 per cent were free of debt; the average value pine, spruce, and hemlock. The bark of the oak and per farm, including equipment, being $3397, and of sumac leaves are much used in tanning and dyeing. In

farm land per acre, $20.24. Tidewater, the great trucking section, and the Valley of Virginia, are con- sidered the most fertile regions. The trucking has in- crea.sed .500 per cent in thirty years. In 1910 the Norfollc truckers shii>pc- known mineral of com- mercial value. The estimated vearlv mineral output in 1906 was $30,000,000. The minerals may be divided into (1) building and ornamental stone, in- cluding the famous Richmond and Virginia granites,

ing $500.00 per acre. The state ranks first in peanuts sand.stonc, slate, and limestone; (2) cement and ce-