Benjamin Turner 15 

It is said that we are living in the garden spot of Virginia.

It is true that we do live in a very beautiful valley surrounded by mountains on almost every side. Some of them may be classed as only hills.

The mountains near us afford much beautiful scenery. They are visited by tourists every year and have been declared as beautiful as some of the mountains of Switzerland. Where the North Fork of the Shenandoah River breaks through the mountains the scenery is beyond description.

Gap Rock, about a mile from our school is a place of interest for those living near and for travelers.

The farming land around our school is rolling but fertile. The soil is principally limestone and clay. Most all grains are raised here, wheat being the principal crop. More grain is raised than is needed for home purposes. The remainder is sold to other parts of the world.

Through this valley flows the North Fork of the Shenandoah River which affords water supply for a great many mills.

It moistens the bottom ground and in this way good crops can be grown in time of drought.