The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-10-09

Fro>t-Aguc aud Tcycr-Iinc Var ieties OF
Grapes and .trawhcrric.--Thc New urass-
Captain " uddyil-1:ayur's Court.
PETERSBURG, October s, 1867.
There was quite sharp white frost this
morning in all this section Of country, and
!, was even visible on the housetops within
the limits OF the city. On inquiry, how
ever, Of some Of the ncighhoring farmers,
It does not appear to have been biting
one. as the cotton and other tender vese-
1ation has not been seriously affected
by it. -,
In nv letter Of yesterday ! spoke of the
prevalence of aguc and fever in the city.
But il is ulucn worse, rs | learn to-day, IN
Ihc country. The whole county of Prince
George is represented 10 be little better
than 2 hoSpitQI. In most families there
are not enough Of the we'll ones to wait on
the sick. From other parts We have re-
ports very similar in character. 10
large extent, therefore, agricultural ope-
rations must be suspended, with but little
prospect Of being resumed until after we
have killing frost. This may be expect
ca, however, in short time, though it will
DC months itItlt kLC !IiLSt4-Lo Va lIiS oiS
case can be cXtrpatcd.
The proposed genealogical exhibition ii
Richmond cXcitcS an interest among us,
and we are hoping that our city may be
represented by some OF the fine fruits and
flowers cultivated here. There is, | think,
more interest manifested now IN the Gull
trlrc Of superior fruits than has been shown
since the war. The strawberry, the grape,
and the pear are receiving considerable
attention. The new varieties Of the two
former, which have been introduced to
the notice Of the public within few years
past, are OF great excellence, and the
Strawberries particularly are Of enormous
size and product!rcneSS. 1t might be pre-
Stunning too much TO recommend any va
rieties by name 10 the skiltul horticultur-
lists OF Richmond: but as the UESpdtch
speaks 10 much wider audience, ven
turc to specify among strawberries the
,tNcHuda and Golden green. The former
grew here in great perfection during the
past season. The berries are of the largest
size, and the vines extremely prollhc.
The Qiant promises well, but 1T has not
been in cultivation long enough lully 10
test its merits. Before the war " lSO1t
-1UoHy took the lead, but 1t SINKS INTO III
significance compared with the pre-
ccding.. OF grapes, the old estaphsneu Vi
rictieS with us were the Cdt0HOd, NOr1o"
SeeAli1,l and Isabella. The two lrst VI
these Will always maintain high place III
any collection, but there arc others lhal
rival, If they do not surpass them IN eAccl-
lencc. These arc the Hartford Frounc,
Ontario. Dtuna, Crcucling, Dela,caTc, anu
some others. In the course OF time the
number Of American varieties Will proba-
hlv equal the number of European-but
when can we ever hope to produce any
thing 50 luscious as the ToHIiWQm and the
ChuSSei0s ? 1t is not in our coarse Amerl-
can species ever to be brought TO such
high perfection but We must be satisfied
with lis greatly superior vigor and produc-
tiycnrss, almost enabling it to defy the
worst treatment. 1t is like the mule
among the high bred domestic animals
YOU NAV kick and maltrcat him ever SC
much, but few mules were ever known TO
die.
While writing about these matters a
subject Of kindred nature presents itself.
We have had wonderful accounts lately
OF a grass, though grass it is not, since 1t
is 4 lcgutninous plant, which has made its
appearance III Georgia and Alabama. The
botanist Gray pronounccs it to bo leSpe-
ds@d $triata, and u native OF Japan. How
it came there is not known; but most
probably il was brought, unnoticcd, in
some Of the packages received from that
empire since it was opened TO general
commerce.. 1t can hardly be indigenous,
or it would have been spoken Of long be-
fore. 1t is represented to be nearly allied
TO the clover family, growing luXuriantly
on all soils, even those which have been
impoverished, without cultivation, and of
properties so nouriShing that every kind of
stock tattcnS upon II. 1t comes early, and
remains green and ilouriShing all the sea-
SoA; and will, it is thought, be a valuable
agent III restoring our exhausted lands.
Inc commissioner OF Agriculture would be
t'haeting L good service il he would cause
quantity OF the seeds 10 be collected
ana distributed III various localities of the
Souincfh States. In our low condition il
may prove TO oe an invaluable blessing .
ana from the statements which have been
made, ii well deserves trial.
Captain Waddcll, late Of the Shenan.
doah, has been spending several days with
MS relatives i'll this city, but left this
morning for his home in New Orleans. |
nave seen few persons Of so fine a bearing
OF 50 manly III his appearance.
IN The Mayors Court to-day there was
'no usua! number Of cascs--somo Of
""NchncSs, some Of matrimonial lisa-
cement 4uarrcliiug, resistance 10 OH
I'iS' &c. The parties were all coIor.d
bul as these things are common .yarr.
"herc, lho particulars would Furnish y,