Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-12
LOCAL NEWS.

as to the waste water from the Alexandria
Canal We learn that the waste-way at Four
Mile Run, which was once deemed necessary
to let ofany surplus water from the main canal,
in order to protect our canal from overflow ut
the great bank, at that point, has been discon-
tinued, and that outlet is filed up, as solid as
any other part of the canal banks.
The only waste-way now on the whole line IS
near the entrance of the basin, which is regu-
lated by slides of or inches in width, put
in or taken off, according to the height Of
water in the canal We learn that for some
time past, say ) or weeks, it has not been
necessary to waste any water at this point.
This waste is absolutely necessary, when the
water in the main canal is flush or at its fullest
height. as preeaution, to prevent this excess
from overhowing the canal banks and washing
them out bodily, which it would invariably do
without this ...t ..
The only waste from the Alexandria Canal
this summer, is for the use Of the locks from
the basin into the river, for descending loaded
boats and empty ones ascending
In fact We learn from the best authority
that the Alexandria Canal is actually reservoir,
or feeder, to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
the water foacing back into the latter, whenever
the level of the former is the highest. This, Of
course, cannot occur when both canals are flush
or have any surplus water. ,.... p.
We are further advised upon the authority
referred to- that within a. few days past, that
actual experiment, by throwing chip into the
Alexandria Canal midway between Alexan-
dria and the Aqueduct, the chip foated to-
aCarlls the Aqueduct-not towards Alexandria
and by actual measurement, the upaoard cur
rent was at the rate Of more than mile per
hour.
The boats descending from the A4ueduct in
stead Of being aided by descending current at
this rates they should, were iupeded in that
proportion.
The Georgetown nllers arc right as to their
complaints.of the insutfclency OF the feeder
at the Little Falls to Georgetown, arising, as
they say, from the inetficiency of the dam at
the head of the feeder
So long ago as the first opening Of the Alex
andria Canal the late Col. rnbull-under
whose admirable eng iueering. the piers and
ubutments of the Aqueduct we're constructed
made report upon the dam at the Little Falls
to the President and Directors of the Alexan-
dria Canal Company, and suggested improve
luents which would turn nearly the whole
water Of the river, when necessary, into this
feeder. From recollection alone, We are In
formed that this report is believed to have
been transmitted To the &. 4 0. Canal Go.
y,
absolute necessity fora better supply, as we'll
as the we-known poverty Of that company
then, no action was taken on it.
The last mentioned fact We give under the
authority ofthe only surviving member of the
Board OF Directors at that time, who vouches
for it's general accuracy. 49,.
The Pathological CONVENTION
what we learn the recent exhibition Of fruits
by the Pathological Society in Richmond must
have been the grandest display ofthc kind that
ever was made in the United States. There
We're 5000 plates of fruit, thf, greatest por-
ton Of II apples, though pears and grapes were
there in great numbers. Our immediate vicln-
ity was represented by Messrs. Giingham and
Munson, COL Chamberlain, of Loudoun and
and our old friend H. G. Williams, of Fairfax,
who exhibited thirty-slx varieties OF apples Of
standard merit and six kinds Of native grapes,
one Of them the celebrated mustang grape OF
Texas
FROM one Of the returned members We learn
that the utmost good feeling prevailed, not
angle expression being uttered caluated In the
least to disturb the harmony Of the meeting
all were pleased, and separated in hopes OF
meeting again under as suspicious crcumstan-
ces SO says the Washington Patriot.
In addition to the above, We will state that
we have had an interview with Mr.. H. T.. Will
iiams of Fairfax county, whom. in all the no
tees of his fruits which we have seen charac,
terizc him as AN old friend, who confirms all
that is stated above Mr.. Williams is native
of Georgia, raised in Tennessee, has lived in
Alabama and Texas, and is probably better ac-
quainted with the productions, natural history
and course of agriculture, from the Potomac to
the Rio Grande than any person 10 this vlclnl-
ty. He is now fruit grower in Fairfax coun-
ty, and claims the distinction OF being the
oldest cutivator of improved fruits in the State
Of Virginia. Like all men engaged in a favor
lite pursuit he has become jealous and seems to
be perfectly acquainted with fruit culture in all
it's bearings, both practically and scientifically.
Believing him to be authority on the subject
we shall state some of the conclusions to which
we have arrived after an extended conversation
with him on the subject
Mr.. Williams divides the State into three
fruit districts-the first he calls the Piedmont
region extending throughout the State and by
its length has Northern and Southern subdl-
yision-the second is the country comprehend
ing the limestone formations Of the Alleghanles
or the Appalachian chain of the Gcologlsts-
the third is the tertiary regions extending from
Richmond to Norfolk: which have a semltrop-
zeal clllllulC. LII Tux oSCeipu Va Wv
first district there was Il large collection, 1t
being the farthest North Most Of the best
cultivated in New Jersey will be highest
excellence In the Southern extremity the
fruits of North Carolina, Upper Georgia
and East Tennessee will find a congenial
soil and climate. The exhibitors from the
first section, Mr.. Williams, Messrs Dollins and
others, from Albemarle, whose names we regret
We cannot MENTION and Mr.. Hart, Of Bedford,
were the observed of all observers Capt. d.
b. Jones, of Rockbridge, with l2o varieties,
indicated the high claims of the Allegheny re-
sion nC while Gen. Page and Mr.. Leighton, from
near Norfolk, threw California in the back,
ground, at the large size and excellent flavor Of
their pears
It was the opinion Of the most experienced
pomologist present at the late meeting, sustain
ed by the exhibition Of fruits, that the eastern
slope of the Blue Ridge will, at no distant day,
AZ ,,oe+ oalo1, ta1 district tho