The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-16

correspond nes Of The Richmond Dispatch.
wheat crop On che sseshside- FersitsersSIne
rarnsers CaaseSxisn In Richmsud-Ls
The free&mens
PETERSBURG, November To- icy =

Wheat Crop On thc SS0shstde-rersshhesS -
farnsers CsaseSsisn In Richmsud-LSo
Ths Freedmen.
= PErEssnrRa, November 15' 1862, !.
The reports from several parts " ~, t
country, represent tho appearance =, s
youns crop Of wheat as very pr os r,rar n.
SS,ncr living on upper James ,ei .a
ra.m,s ~. that he anished seeding ms crop
lvlns ION - rectobcr, and that the young
ou Wy , ns. Almost hides tho ground. ane
gso~ih s. hscr, exceedingly favorable for
season nas Of seeding, the only draw
Inc prsns two or three, heavy rains |;
PACK hnxevcr, did not retard the process
Mpmor;.Ily. The temperature has been so
MAJ MAJ chat the termination OF the grain has
,a a place almost Immediately after DO
INC committed to the soil.
AZ far MS your correspondent haSbeen
ohio 10 form Judgment, It is believed that
aIn,ost every farmer has sowed more or
less Of wheat this fall. Not many, per-
hans. have gotten in full crops, If indeed
there DO any,. Independent of the labor
oues.ion, there was general insuficiency
Of seed, and this was held OF unprece-
dented prices. There was also dearth OF
means for the purchase of fertilizers, with
out which no Virginia farmer now thinks OF
growing winter grain, except on improved
lots or on tobacco land. Corn land, as all
experience proves, however good the
ouality. cannot be depended on for re-
Inuncratiyc crop of wheat without some
assistance. Both crops draw their sus-
tenance from the same constituents of the
soil. and the second must Of course be
stintcd in It's nourishment. The system OF
following and rotation has never yet OBJ
tanned generally in the State, and until it
does, artificial manures must continue to be
necessity.
In spite, however, Of all the inconve-
aiences to which farmers have been sub
jected, it is confidently anticipated that the
next wear will show great advancement
upon the present. Under favorable skies,
wheat enough will be raised to serve all
purposes Of home demand, and surplus
Of greater or less amount for expectation.
But it will be several years probably be-
fore We shall reach the maximum OF pro-
duction which existed before the war, when
Petersburg was only second to Richmond
in the wheat markets Of the South.
The proposed convention of farmers, to
assemble in Richmond ON the goth Of this
month, has attracted good deal of atten-
ton, and il cannot be doubted that there
will be numerous and intelligent repre-
sentation from the Southside. We look to
that body not only for valuable Practlcai
Information applicable to the times, but to
lead and influence the public mind in the
development of some plan for rescuiDg the
agriculture of the State from its present
depression. OF all the problems requiring
solution, the most important is doubtless
the question of labor. AS an humble indi-
vidual, long devoted to the agricultural
prosperity of our beloved mother OF States,
/ would earnestly invoke the convention to
the consideration Of this subject in the most
catholic spirit. Both interest and duty re-
quire that the freedmen should be treated
with Justice and kindness, and that every
thing should be done to elevate them to q
higher status. We shall have, as matter
of necessity, to depend on their labor for
many years to come; and as their condi-
tion is improved, both morally and intel
lectually, so VIC may expect their useful
ness and fidelity to be increased. Until
they are tried and found wanting, it would
be unwisc to introduce white labor on a
large scale. An antagonism will inevita-
bly, be engendered between the two classes,
which will only lead to trouble and confu-
sion, to the dctriment of every interest.
The negro is endowed with many admi-
rable qualities. Has he not served faith
fully, as a general thing, during all the
period of his bondage Did he not prove
himself true in those days of recent trial
when nearly the whole male population of
the country were absent from their homes,
and every interest, social and material, was
committed to his keeping? The debt of
gratitude VIC owe him can only be repaid
by extending to him humane and Chris
tian treatment, and securing every right to
which he isjustly entitled. SNowDEN.