Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-25
GA7ETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER OCTOBER 49, 1858.

than % bushels to the acre--to the present
time. when the entire Valley did not yield
more than 8 bushels to the acre, and such
counties ms Frederick but s, Berkeley ii;
Warren s: Clarke 10; and Jefferson II.
lie illustrated the decline in the production
of wheat in New York, commencing IN 100,
AMI traced It through the several PERIODS OF
1875, 1915, and lS4j, as shown by hlstoricai
i .ta, aud off Iial statistics--also In the Ne"
England States.
The virgin soils Of the Northwest were
now the great wheat producing regions OF
this continent. Chicago, which IL loo2 had
shipped less than a million OF busheis--in
1917 shipped upwards of 10 100000.
lie alluded ia considerable detail to the
Improved Agriculture of ETgland-sho"ed
that although her production of wheat less
than a century ago was less than 10, OOO,OOO
Of hushels, il was now upwards OF 9O,OoO,'
OUO--cxhibiting a product of 80 bushels for
every acre 10 wheat, and a yield from three
millions Of acres, nearly equal to mat OF the
81 States and territories of the Union, cover
ing a space OF 5000, 600 square miles.
lie compared the soil and climate OF Eng
land to the soil and climate of the Valley,
and showed there was nothing in either to
Justify This superiority 10 product over the
lands Of the Valley.
lie then proceeded to state the agencies,
which did produce these results-their sys-
tematic attention to all the requirements OF
good tarming-,bcir liberal expenditures Tor
manifestation drainage and their system OF
rotation Of grain and cattle crops--or white
aId green crops.
lie pointed out the obstacles to good farm
ipg 10 the Valley. The banetul Influence ex-
ertgd by the constant temptation to emIgrste
to tho virgin soils of the West. The large
size of farms-too large because capital was
deficient and labor TOO high. The large
amount Of land in the hands OF tenants, on
short and illiberal leases. The exhaustion OF
the lands from the constant SUCCESSION OF
grain crops, without the Intervention of anne
l~iorating crops. lie proceeded TO point out
out the remedy for these defects.
lie next spoke Of the importance OF the
Mechanic Arts to Agriculture, and partlcu-
larry Of the steam plough, as recently exhibl-
ted on the ~prairles of Illinois.
lie then proceeded to address toe ladies,
and closed with an earnest exhortasion to men
of all parties, to unite IN a common effort to
renoyate the agricultural condition OF the
Valley.
Al Q o'clock ct night, the military with a
number of invited guests, sat down to a mag
~nifcent supper, prepared at the instance OF
the Morgan C0ntinentals. After the whole
company had done justice to the good things,
a number Of toasts were drank complimentary
to many OF the invited guests present, which
called forth pertinent and happy remarks
from Senator Mason, Hons. Charles j. Faux
ner, IL. NJ. Betinger, A. K. Boteler, esq,
Capt. Baylor, of the Augusta Guards, Maj.
b. Is. Washington, Lieut.. Lee, OF the Charles
town Company, {. Lewis Brent, Chas. Wash
ing,on, esq, u Fairfax county, and q num-
Der Of other persons whose names we could
! not get. We were unable to get the toasts,
as Vt had 10 lea sc 1.-THE ext morning very early.
The COntirentals deserve a great deal OF
credit and praise for the elegant supper
ybrcb they he'd prepared. In regard to Ma
ilr Reilly, Major b. Il. Washington aud his
noble company Of Continentals, we have only
t. say, that words are inadrquate to express
our thanks for their kind and hOspItat!e
treatment.
We return our thanks to the Band OF the
CharIcs;own Company, Tor the delightful mu'
sic they gavo US on the night OF the 2lst.
We had heard much Of Virginia hospi-
teliiv, and thought that We bad witnessed
| SOME of its nobicst display; bu; those Of Us
! whn were SO fortunate a. to be quartered with
! l!cs.rs. William Miller, Baker Miller, and
VI !. Ricly-and while enjoying the undivi-
iai alterations Of their estimable families
were forced to acknowledge that the "balt
had never been tyli.' There are often green
spots in tie desert Of lie, which mark the
way of the traveller, ard 20 which be delights
to reeur, as he advances in bis journey, to
refresh his spirit and nerve him for future
contests. Aud we are free to say, that our
| visit t. w nchcstrr has furnished Us with
such an oasis, which will ever prove greencSt
IN memory Observation-Disclosures, and which
shall leave Us when memory's sunset shall
proclaim tue close Of lies day.
OBSERVER.