Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-16
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIFIC.


|
| During the year ending October 31st, 1912, the
nett revenues of the Company were 1898 95; for
the year ending October 81, lS4S, they were Sl25,
627 06; and for the year ending October 81, lS4S,
Sl75,639 49. The actual tonnage conveyed on the
canal has mounted from ll2,707 tons in lS42, 10
l75,210 in 1919. The tolls received from passen-
gers have been fuctuating. In 1912 The amount was
S5.797 "a; in l649, S4.347 Al.
We understand since writing The. above that the
falling off in revenue from passengers was caused by
a material reduction in the tolls largely increas-
ed number Of pas sengers hare been conveyed upon
the packets, and a! greatly reduced rates.
The average rate oi toll reatszcd IN 1913 was zxl
cents per ton per mile.
There ha. been, as will be seen, large increase
of revenue. Let us see how it has been made up.
In the article of tobacco, which at time look.
ed to by some of the friends Of the improvement a.
likely to contribute more than any thing else 10 its
revenues, we find an evident falling of. During elev-
en- months of 1912, ending November 30Ih. there
were transported 20,S00 hogsheads during the year
ending October 81, lS4S, 9255, and the year ending
October 81, lS49, 14,046. Thus we have ar evi-
dent dimnution of The crop, which shows that lands
once devoted 10 tobacco have been usei TO grow 9TH
er crops But let us not omit to observe The increas-
ed quantity of manufactured tobacco which comes
down from Lynchburg and other points. During
eleven months of 1912, the number Of boxes trans
ported was 23,006 for the year ending October 81,
1913, 5SS73 lor the year ending October 81, lS49,
527l7 II is more than probable That this article Of
transportation will continue 10 increase. II is said
that the Lynchburg manufactured tobacco is advanc-
ing 10 high grade Of reputation in the Northern
markets. The increase in stems is triHng-S95
hogsheads in lS42, 1896 IN 1S49.
Rut the rarsmount cause of the DreEent favorable
state of the Company's fiscal affairs, is the progres.
sive increase Of the wheat crop. Eleven months Of
lS42 only saw l67,603 bushels brought down tho
canal. During the year ending October 81, lS49,
the quantity reached 4S5,99l bushels. The reader
who has heard of SO many country millers having
abandoned the purchasing of wheat for manufacture,
will be apt suppose that the city mills have gained
what heretofore went to them, and, therefore, the CO.
nal freighs have mol increased from this source
Not so, however. Toe increasing number OF bar.
rels Of -four, though not par pdssu with the wheat,
has been steadily progressive. The number brought
down IN 1912 eleven months) was 60, ,l39 barrels;
in 1S49, 137,315.
There was time when much Indian corn was
carried up James River TO supply planters who gave
their whole attention TO wheat and tobacco. Now,
that article is important item of the do,cn trade
In 1912, S,343 bushels were brought down; in lS4O,
ltf,UUO. anu WSiC 40 n.y. "h'S' ""s 49, Se'''S~
up the river some extent, which now begins 10
come down We find l27 tons set down for le49
We omi! other articles brought down, as not bear.
ing directly Spon our subject. Let US look at :hs
amount of trade in two articles alone which
red up and the consumption Of which is mainly with
the agricultural community. We mean plaster and
sall The extensive use Of no two articles affords
truer index the planters prosperity. Of salt, due
ring The year ending October 81, 1914 (when the first
account appears TO have been kep there was trans.
ported lS2O5 sacks during the year ending October
81 lS49 the number of sacks carried up reached 40.
Gil. OF plaster, during the year ending as above
October lS44,) 1910 tons were carried and for the
wear ending October lS49, 6S47 tons. We should
Judge that experience of the fertilizng effects of sul-
phste Of lime was no bad teacher 1t has had the
effect of causing six times the quantity 10 be used n
period Of less than five years.
This increased production of the staples OF our
Slae-especially of that which forms the staff OF life,
bread-mus be gratifying to the heart Of every low.
er of the Old Dominion. Unquestionabiy some Of
the increased values sent 10 market have been caused
bv the Improvement Of which we have spoken. 1t
has afforded superior facilities for getting to market,
and, therefore, brought out many products which
would otherwise have been wasted or suffered to lie
dormant at home But who will say that much 10
not due to the improving modes Of culture and farm
management now adopted in the beautiful valley Of
James River and upon the ridges which tributary
10 it on either side '-Southern Planter.