The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-03-13
Friday, March 13. 1864.
ThcFood Question:.

The, Food Question:.
This is really now The, great question 70 be
considered and acted upon. Last week we
inserted speech Of Mr.. Wyndham Robertson
upon the subject, and ON the frst page Of this
number We copy an admirable and timely ar.
ticle from correspondent Of the Richmond,
Wing. There never was tine WHEN circum-
stances demanded greater effort at an IN
creased production Of the staff of life. and we
very much doubt whether such demand will
occur again during the present OR next gene
ration.
A large majority of the farmers of Virginia
are in the arms and within few weeks past,
the negroes have been caHed for to work on
Notifications. In this emergency, eyery.man,
woman and child, who can contribute any
thing, should feel called upon to plant corn.
In very sensible and forcible article in
the Richmond Examiner, we find the follow
ing: -.
"The South, is in no real peril while it has
bread for its army. Let this be supplied, and
all the restfs certain. In view of the new
turn which affairs have now taken, it is plain
that notonly patriotism, but interest, require
that allthe agricultural power of the country
should be devoted to the production of grain.
Cotton and tobacco will have only specula-
tive value for years to come; bat corn ard oats
are worth five dollars bushel as fast as they
can be brought out of the ground. Let every
man and every woman in the country plant
corn now. The wheat crop of this year will
be failure, bat it is not too late to replace it
with superabundant harvest of Indian corn.
Every part of the Southern country can pro-
duce.it in perfection and profusion. tits the
natural crop of the country. Every farmer
in the South will become suddenly rich, if be
will this year utterly renounce cotton and
tobacco, and plant every acre at his command
in corn and oats" :.
We are glad to know, that It is the purpose
of nearly all the farmers left in Ills part Of
the country, to raise every bushel of grain
they can possibly cultivate, although some
few have said, when. perplexed by impress.
ments, that they would not raise more than
would do their families. In heir cooler mo-
ments, they think, and will act differently.
Some of our most extensive farmers, we are
sorry to learn, have their. hands employed at
chopping wood for the Saltwor.ss. Salt maxi
ing has to be attended to, of course, but first
let the crops be made, and then let the wood
be'attended to. We can make ont to live a
while without salt, but just about the time we
begin TO learn to live without eating, we die.
The following, from the Examiner Of the
9th, win open the eyes Of the people to the
true condition of things
The days grow long and warm, the grass
springs green, the earth is filled with life
Now, if ever. is the time to plant the corn
that alone can carry the COME lcracy through
the trial of this year. Yet many planters
seed tobacco, which, they thinkl will. not be
impressed, and which h.worth much money.
We would say one word to them. IF the
country cannot supply the army with prsvi-
sions, during. this summer; the army cannot
remain IN Virginia. If it leaves, Virgins
mnst be given up to the Yankees. who will
appropriate not only. tobacco. lcontraband Of
war, but seize everything else that We have
and reduce the country to . wilderness. If
the Legislature adjoarns without prohibiting
the culture of tobocco, and requiring the rffi !.
GERS Of the law to destroy every leaf which
they find growing for twelve months to coue,
the chance of this State is indeed posx."