Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/208

VIRGINIA. to the Blue Ridge range of mountains, is also well adapted for general agriculture. Greater productivity is now being secured through the increased use of fertilizers, the amount in 1894 having averaged $22 per farm. The agricultural interests of the State suffered vastly from the Civil War, and important changes have been made in the agricultural system since that time. In 1860 the farms averaged 336 acres in size; in 1900 the average was 118.6 acres. In 1900, 19,907,883 acres, or 77.5 per cent. of the area of the State, were included in farms, and 10,094,805 acres were improved. The improved area increased nearly 1,000,000 acres between 1890 and 1900. Since 1880 there has not been any marked tendency toward an increase in the tenant-operated farms, as against the farms operated by owners. In 1900 the latter class included 69.3 per cent. of tlie farms, and of the remainder two-thirds were rented on the share system. About one-fourth of the farms are operated by negroes, but such farms include only 11.2 per cent. of the total farm acreage. By far the most common and most valuable crop is corn, the acreage of which has grown in recent years. Wheat, the next most important cereal, has also increased its area since 1890. Oats, the only other crop of much importance, has declined in rank since the Civil War. Strawberries and other small fruits are extensively grown. Between 1890 and 1900 there was an increase of 88.5 per cent. in the total number of fruit trees. In the latter year there were 8,190,025 apple trees, which was 75.6 per cent. of the total number of fruit trees. The acreage of peanuts almost doubled between 1890 and 1900, and the State ranks first in the cultivation of this product. Their production is largely confined to the southeastern counties. Some of the southern counties raise cotton, but the industry is declining. The following table shows the acreage of the leading crops for the census years indicated:

From the beginning of the State's history tobacco has been one of its most important economic products, and prior to the Civil War the State had always ranked first in its production. There is a great fluctuation in the area devoted to it from year to year, the increase from 1889 to 1899 amounting to 66.7 per cent. The crop is grown most extensively in the south central counties. The tidewater and midland sections have developed into one of the leading truck-farm regions in the United States. The freight steamers trading between the coast towns and the large Northern centres provide special accommodations for the marketing of truck. In 1899 97,285 acres were reported in miscellaneous vegetables, of which the most important were cabbages, tomatoes, and watermelons. Both Irish and sweet potatoes are important products.

. Stockraising is growing in importance in the north central and western parts, where the blue grass flourishes. The number of dairy cows and of other cattle, horses, and mules has increased every decade since 1870, while sheep and swine were each more numerous in 1900 than in 1870. In the last census decade there was an increase of 34.5 per cent. in the production of milk. The following table shows the number of domestic animals on farms:

. In 1900 the woodland included about 23,400 square miles, or 58 per cent. of the land area. The pine forests which were formerly common in the mountain region have been generally removed. The greatest cut in late years consists of the yellow pine found in the region below the Fall Line, and these forests also have become largely depleted. The Piedmont forests consist largely of oak and other hard wood, and from this region likewise the better has been cut. The value of the timber cut in 1900 was more than twice as great as that in 1890. See table in the following paragraph.

. Like most other Southern States, Virginia has, since 1880, had a noteworthy industrial growth. The value of manufactured products increased from $51,780,992 in 1880 to $132,172,910 in 1900. The aggregate capital invested in the latter year was $103,670,988, and there were 72,702 persons engaged as wage-earners. The varied and extensive resources of the State can well supply raw materials for an extensive manufacturing industry. The culture and manufacture of tobacco has always played a leading part in the economic life of the State. The second most important branch of industry, flour and grist milling, also draws upon the State's agricultural products. The State produces sufficient quantities of flour to allow of exportations to foreign countries. Virginia's production of iron ore and coal has made the manufacture of iron one of the leading industries. This industry is carried on chiefly in the western part of the State. The closely allied foundry and machine-shop industry made decided gains between 1890 and 1900. Among its principal products are tobacconists' tools and machinery. One of the most rapidly developing industries is tanning, which has the special advantage of the oak bark which the timber of the State affords. The manufacture of cotton goods, although still small, is a growing industry. The abundant water power of the Piedmont district is being utilized in this connection. Between 1890 and 1900 there was a large increase in the railroad car and shop construction business. Since the Civil War the manufacture of fertilizers has become a leading industry. Richmond is the principal manufacturing centre, but Norfolk is the most rapidly growing centre. The following table shows the relative importance of the leading industries: