Lynchburg Daily Virginian

Amherst County.
The Alexandria and Lynchburg Road,
It will be seen from their advertisement that the friends of this improvement in Amherst propose meeting at New Glasgow the 10th inst., for the purpose of uniting in a movement to promote its construction. Their invitation is general, as their hospitality, we are sure, will be liberal: and we trust that the zeal and discretion displayed, when they shall have come together, will be commensurate with the interest they really have at stake. We know no county that may hope for greater benefits, from availing itself of the improvements which are renewing the life of our old commonwealth, than Amherst. An agricultural county, and originally one of the most fertile of the Piedmont range, a bad system of cultivation has impoverished the soil, and thus paralyzed and weakened the main support of its inhabitants, and reduced the valuation of its lands in the market to prices greatly below their real worth. But the county has this remarkable advantage: that, owing to the texture, tenacity and original strength of its soil, its most exhausted fields are capable of an easier reclamation, and susceptible of a higher and more enduring improvement than, perhaps, any other uplands in Virginia.
The advantages to Amherst of a railroad will be: the readier access to market and the stimulus to greater exertion thereby given to the farmer and planter—increased means of obtaining fertilizers, and the increased productiveness thereby imparted to the soil—the attraction of farmers from other regions, bringing with them the implements, experience and information, of a better system of farming, and sum to be exchanged for surplus and non-productive lands. We go not design any reflection upon the farmers of Amherst which would not be applicable to any of the neighboring counties. We have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with very many of them, and know them to be intelligent gentlemen, and industrious, prudent and frugal citizens. We know too, that within a few years past, very evident signs of improvement have become visible. But we know also that for some reason the fault whereof may belong more to the past, than the present time, the lands of Amherst are most undervalued, will bring less in the market, in proportion to their real and intrinsic value, than any other in upper Virginia. Construct a Railroad through the county, and it will not at all surprise us, if its arable lands are, in ten years, enhanced one hundred per cent. in value. The reaction, already commenced, will be quickened and strengthened, and will not stop short of that goal. We throw out these reflections, as inducements to the citizens of the county to attend and unite in the meeting of next Saturday, and to give their cordial and liberal support to every movement designed to promote the construction of the Orange and Alexandria road. We hope that Lynchburg may be represented on the occasion, and promise, in behalf of our friends, the manager at old Virginia style to all who may attend.