The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-17
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Of the Richmond Dispa,eh.
PETERSBURG. June -, lse'

psrxssnuRa, June ID, 1857.
Within the last day or two the sumtet ,n m
set in at a high and UNIFORM a,,pha, orb;
s,nr division of the season Is someWhal arpi-
trary. Though we have warm days oceasiom,
ally' vet steady heat never commences TN
near the middle Of June. In ike manner Au-
tumn begins about the middle Oh sep, s ina,
cns Spring at q corresponding time in Feorua-
w March is y sort Of nondeecript month,
nartsking OF winter almost as much as spring
Fl is as II the Frost King was making despe-
rate effort to proiong his dominion, but is
naiiy compelled to yield to the smiles and
tears Of April.
The joyful harvest songs are now beginning
10 be heard In the neighboring fields. The
farmers down the river commenced cutting
their wheat several days ago, and now in Din
widdie and the counties higher up, the work
is in progress. This statement applies to the
early grain, and 10 such as was bountituily
manured. 1t may be week before the later
varieties are ready for the scythe; but so far
the weather is propitious-warm without
being intensely hot. and with no rain for a
week.
Very few reapers have been sold by the
vendors of agricultural implements, though
they have been brought TO the highest perfec
ton during the last four or five years. In times
before the war they were very much OF hum
bug, costing, that is, quite as much rs they
came TO. In the future, however, as soon as
the farmers acquire the means, they canno'
fail 10 come into general nse. One will be ne
cessary on every large farm, while small
farms lying contiguous to each other NIGH
hold one in common. This sort of proprietor
ship, though, is not very desirable, and viii
probably not obtain in many cases. But i
reapers have not been in demand, cradles have
been much sought after These implements
have now been brought as nearly to perIecti9 ~
as IL is probable they ever viii ne, oeinH niau'
nv noochinery and all after the same pattern
Tbew come 10 us from a Baltimore manufac-
tory In all the requisites OF good scythe,
however they do not surpass those made forty
wears ago In Powhatan by blind man OF the
name of Cosby He had skill in construct
ing them which was never approached either
before or since, and he attracted customers
from all the nd jacept counties. No scytheman
i'm all that region who valued his proves in
the field was content 10 labor with any other.
This tribute 10 a deserving man and most sklliul
mechanic though wholly impromptu, Will be
recognized as being eminently just by many OF
the old farmers along the upper James river
on either side.
There is so much inactivity in our market
that il is difficult 10 give any interest 10 any
thing like detailed report. The sales OF to-
bacco are very brisk, and the receipts per ran.
road are undiminished amounting 10 ABOUT
EoO hopsheaGs weekly. During the week some
crops have brought very fine prices But ht-
tie is doing in cotton-the crop being nearly
exhausted The transactions OF the week
have been on basis OF 2Sh 10 2lc. Tor md
ding and 22k 10 23c. for low middiinS he
CENTS for the week, 70 bales. Total receipts
since the LIST of September last 22,SSS bales.
The stock of bacon, both Virginia ana west
ern is very good. The supply OF corn is 1ully
ADEQUATE to the demand; yellow ana mixed
may be quoted at 81; white, al 10 sl.oo' >.