Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-15
Letter from WeStmOrelaId 90.

CORRESPONDENCE of the Alexandria Gazette.
WEsrMORELANp, Va, Sept. II, ISL 1.-The
drought that prevails 50 extensively has been
quite severely felt throughout the Northern
| Neck, diminishing very materially the pros
poets Of good corn crop, which up to the LIST
of August seemed quite fair. On some OF the
farms in this section, however, there is two
thirds of good crop The drought is also felt
severely in the pasture lands which are in
many cases sadly parched. Springs and wells
are also dried, and much Inconvenience results
thcrrtrom. | was informed yesterday by a
gentleman residing in King George that all the
springs on his farm-howing freely i'll ordinary
scasoIs-fve in number, are dried up, and his
supply has to come from neighbor half mile
distant Having recently moved to that county
he was much discouraged, though of course I'M
necessarily. as such drought isextremely rare.
There is some indisposition in this section to
purchase fertilizers, owing to the scarcity OF
money. and other causes. The cash outlay is
| heavy, and the returns mcagre or uncertain.
The wheat crop here for the past few years has
proved of unreliable yield, and farmers are not
able. generally. to risk the additional cost OF
the fertilizer without toler;lbly sure promise
its paying. As consequence. the barnyard
is more looked to than formerly, and study
made of the best means Of increasing and utll-
zinr its manurc<. Lime. it is said, is not Pc
culiarly valuable AS fertilizer for these lands,
else shells could he purchased in Baltimore or
Alexandria and burned here, where fuel ls no
object, to great advantage Oyster shells may
be purchased and delivered along the rivers IN
this section for three cents bushei, and Tor
lands on which lime is useful would prove 4
good investment.
Miasmaic diseases prevail though it seems
to me hardly IL extensively here at THIS
time rs in other paccs. Chllls and levers are
the usual type, easily controlled by prudential
conduct and the administration OF qulnnc. a
few fatal cases Of congestve chills are reported.
Many constitutions here seem proof against
chiIl.. probably from being acclimatised. They
hunt, fish, irequcntlng the marshes and wadlng
in the water day and night with impunlty.,
GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE PROTESTANT
EPISCOPAL CurRcl.-I'hc tricnnial meeting
Of the convention, takes place in Baltimore on
the first Wednesday, being the 18th day OF Oc-
t0bcr next.
The House Of Bishops, now tlity-two IN
number. will hold its sittings in Grace Church.
The deliberations are not open TO the public.
The lower house Of clerical and lay delegates:
:;l:, in number. will assemble in Emanuel
Church. The presiding bishop is Bishop
Smith. of kentucky, lex offcio from his sent
GRITTY. The president Of the lower house is
elected at each triennial convention.
In 1865 the whole number Of commandments
was $50. 900. now there are over two thousand
six hundred parishes and nearly three thou.
sand ccrgymen, with over twenty-five thousand
combinations during the past year.
The first general convention was held IN
1890.
There are now thrty-nn lioccses, under,
charge Of bishops using the same liturgy and
Welding obedience to the canons enacted ny
the general conference.