Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-09-13
For nc ENq"trer
Crops Of the vailey-a Valley Farm Urfathonable
We'll

Mcssrs. Editors Though recent rains have
somewhat improved the condition ofcropS' the
prospect is still discouraging, especially along
the principal thoroughiares East of the noun
tains. Lands capable Of producing five to ten
barrels, promise now about two to four The
wheat crop is found to turn out less than two
thirds of the expected yield. In approaching
the valley gradual change for the better Is
observed. In Frederick, Clarke, and Warren
there will bc halt crop Of corn, unless sharp
frosts occur during the present month Inc
wheat crop of the limestone region is good
Farm Of d. ". .So@ers Es7.-This estate
distant one mile from Bcrryville, formerly
y'clept Battletown, from the many rcncountrcs
of Gen. Morgan, Bill Davis, and other redoHbt-
able pugilists of BY gone days contains some
$50 to 800 acres. 1t is gently undulailns'
covered with healthy growth OF clover, where
not under crop or forest 1t is worked 10y ~
or 10 field hands, and 2d horses, under the
supervision of the proprietor in person.
Though lime may be had at H6it~m Tor the
tronble q Turning the rocks and mari, 0raver-
tincl exists in numerous flats adjacent to the
water courses, few applications are made IN
this favored region the rcnovatins powers oil
clover and plaster, being deemed Sullcieht.-
Mr.. Sewers wheat crop is very heavy, and III,
cludcs a quantity of zimmerman, oil perfect
purity, which ought to be bong int by the low
landcrs for seed OF corn MIR. 5: expects only
half crop, viz: sIEem to c'ght barTetS per
acre.
The Unfathomabie IIeN.-Leaving the pala'
tial residence of the hospitable proprietor, a
short walk through lofty grove, where dark,
towering columns support thcilnmensc mass OF
ycrdure above, with no underground to obstruct
the vision. led to an undulating field. This was
bounded West and South by heavy forests, but
omen to the East and North, with fine view OF
the Blue mountains bending Northward to liar-
per's Ferry. In the midst Of the field is cir
cular chasm 90 or 80 feet in diameter OF gorge.
Jefferson and other tourists Of olden times tell
ns that the waters Of this abyss were believed
TO communicate with the Shenandoah river,
only few miles distant; that they rose and
fell with the waters Of the latter; that the
longest sounding lines failed to reach the bottom
of the objectionable we'll" How many living
creatures have plunged headlong into this pit,
which. for thousands of years yawned IN dark
ness, must be left to conjecture. Only lately
fine goat lost his footing, while grazing too near
the brink of the chaSm, and was hung to death
by the horns, amid the overarching wires anc
brushwood. But the days Of the "uniathoma
bic we'll are numbered.
Tees and rocks have rolled in, and earth has
been brought down by the torrents from tho
HIGHER adjacent grounds. Thus floor is alrca
dv formed so or 40 feet below the general sur
face: and in half century, or less, the plough
man will ~; over, unconscious OF the deer
nit bcnea,n him. All of this fine region l.
more or less cavernous-long ranges oil SILK:
marking out the localities oi extensive caves.
ploueh.tcams Jredk an sometimes, but ART
rescued without great difficulty. There is
SINGLE instance on record where horse ant
nlon.b went down to depths unknown, leaving
the driver we'll satisfied with his own escape
This occurred in distant county, possessing
the geological features above described.
Dsnth of Trees.-Here, as in other parts
the State, cold and wet winters, dry and no
summers, arc making havoc among the forests
Mr.. Sewers has adopted the wise plan oil con
yerting the dccaying oaks into cord-wood anc
slaves. \ very simple machine, worked 6y
three horses, was in operation, turning off &c
slaves to the minute.
Fruit rape.-Fruit of every sort has
failed in the Valley, with the exception Of
grapes; these are abundant and fine. Some
portions of this region are too broken and
rocky for any other than the grape culture
Such lands may be bought very low. Those
who would invest in vineyards, and at the
same time become residents of the healthiest
region on the continent should take loo! at
the limestone lands Of the Valley.
j. L. D.
WINCHESTER, Sept 7th, 1859.