Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-13
AeeIcULnRE m VIRGINIA.
Extract from. the + Ire Essay cfC. w GoooH'
Es{ Of Henrieo.

eff YOU exsmnSt the plantation OF the tooacco
maker, you find etry appearance OF poverty OF
objectionable nesl&t. The owner will ackoow-
ledge that things otht to be and might be better;
bu, that he has no tiSe to spare owing to the pres
sure of his crops, hrticuIarly his tobacco CROP
which interferes wi3 all other operations through
out the while year, There is much truth 10 ms
excuses; for, IN January. February, and Marcn'
he is clearing new bounds; preparing ana ourr
ing plant.beds; fencing. manur'ng' ana Ia'' md
ing tobacco lots; sowing oats; ploughins a"u
preparing corn land; and, either su'PP's VI
pricing tobacco; perhaps both. In Apr, may'
49, snd ,eouire more exertions: his whole crop
or corn II to plaot, re.plant, thin, weed and cui-
t;y.ts. the tobacco hills are to be made, torred.
cut off. and the first paintings made. Inc DID
crop Of tobacco is yet to finish pricing, and haai
ed TO market, If not previously done; experlsn.e
having proven that the longer it is kept before
nrizine. the sounder and better cured It will DE-
EespeciaIIy for shipping Harvest is now al
hand: but that period Of industry and test''iiy
n the mere farmer, brings with it sleepIess toll
and accumulated cares to the planter. The re
nlantine tobacco, the topping Of that which stood
well. and the most careful Village of the whole
with the hand hoe, press him on the one hand,
81 ist. on tina other, his late corn is not yet laid
by. and his grain requires cutting From the
nressure Of the corn and tobacco, the grain is too
often literally moved down and shocked about
tho field in still more hurried and sovenly
mapner, to be half destroyed by winds and rains
throughout the months Of July, August and Sep
tembsr, not moments respite is enjoyed. The
tobacco crop has to be gone over more than do
zen times in the laborious operations OF topping.
succouring, worming, working, cutting, pI'lng.
removing to the houses and curing The small
grain must be hauled up and stacked, and when
the depredations Of the weevil leave no other al
tsrnatiue, the wheat is gotten out and carried to
market The fodder SOON has to be secured, and
this comes on Just with the cutting OF tobacco
During the other three months OF the year, the
better securing of the fodder, the gathering and
housing of the corn, and the sowing OF the next
years crop Of winter grain. leave no leisure time
10 the poor planter. Tie tobacco, although
housed, must be closely watched; the latter cut
tngs cured; and then commence the tedious ope.
rations Of striking, stripping, asserting and balk
ing away. Besides these conflicting objects Of
attention, there are many Others that demand the
care and attention Of the planter. The whole
circle of the year is one scene OF hustle and TOLL IN
which tobacco claims constant and chief share
No time can be devoted to the planting Of fruit
and ornamental trees-to misunderstanding up
waste and retaining CALLED spots-makng and
spreading manure on the grain heIds-deep and
careful p!oughing-sowing clover and plaster
or providing comfortable shelters for stock IN the
winter. The dwelling house, yard and garden
enclosures. and all the out buildings, tao often
fall into decay for the want of some trifiing re-
pairs. which the crop hands might make, If they
had time The plantation soon looks tauere1
and almost desola,e-ealed and quilted hill
sides, and sedgy, briary fields show themselves
10 every direction. The profits from the de.
struction Of one plantation are applied to the
purchase Of another, and of more negroes The
uew one is put in charge Of an on shares,
who soon brings it to greater steriity and desoIa.
ton. II is in this way that most Of the best
lands in Virginia have been brought to their pre-.
sent condition, and have been, then, deserted by
the destroyers.
But the existence of Negro Slavery among
US. has, in great degree, influenced the mode
OF destroying our lands, and fastened its accom-.
pishment. In former times, the eyactions Of
the master were only limited by his rapacity.-
In this respect favorable change has taken
place. Our Slaves are now as well fed and cloth.
ed. and enjoy as many comforts, as the Iaboring
class 10 other countries; and they have improved
proportionably in their appearance and intelii.
gence. 1t is not my purpose to touch the dark
question which involves their future destiny
lts agitation has already. on two occasions, rous.
ed state Of feeling which verged to desperate
extremes. Whatever evils may attend it, the
right Of property can never be permitted to be
questioned by others.
"The possession of Slaves has had too great
tendency 10 make the owner and his family un.
willing to take upon themselves any part Of the
drudgery Of out door business; and too many Of
our people think it disreputabIe to labor. We
have been accustomed to be waited upon from
our infancy, and, consequently, keep about US
ton many wasteful and almost idle domestics.-
Exempted from labor aud even from the cares Of
business by the employment Of agents, we i'm.
bibe habits and modes Of thinking unfavorabIe to
physical improvement Or successful agriculture.
The unfinished houses, and projects half execut.
ed, which are to be seen throughout the State,
are evidences Of the meaning and truth of this
remark. That the ease in which we have so long |
INDUCED, favors the attainment Of literary and |
political knowledge and personal accomplish
a n