Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-09-16
letter from WesfmorcIanG 90.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
WEsTMoRELAND, Va, Sept H. 1S7l.-Thc
frequent failure Of the wheat and other grain
crops in this section, has led some Of the farm
ers here to turn their thoughts toward other
fields Of industry, in the hope OF i more profit
able return for the labor invested. Among
these l may mention Mr. T. H. Massey and
Mr. John Rust The. former has an extensive
peach orchard and nursery The efforts of Mr.
Rust are more diversified, embracing peaches,
pears, apples and grapes of many varieties and
in great quantity. He has planted 4 large vim
yard of the varieties Of grapes experience has
served to demonstrate most suited to this eli
mate; these are just coming into bearing con-
dition. They comprise the Delaware, Clinton:
Concord, Catawba: Iona, llcrbcmont, Adlron-
dac, several varieties Of Roqus llybrlds, tu-
melan and others. OF these he considers the
Delaware the best for market purposes, rs 1t
ripcns early, is L beautiful cluster and Of
fine quality. The Concord, SO highly praised
in other States, he thinks is rather inferior
poses The Catawbas DO well here. The Gin
ron is 4 very prolific vine and hardy, well suit
ed to the wine maker The Ilcrbcmort is u
most delightful grape for the table, yielding in
great abundance and ripcning after all the
other varieties are gone. The clusters. though
very palatablc now, will hang on the vines and
improve in quality until the middle Of October.
Mr.. r. thinks that the RoQu's, liybrds are
uncertain to some extent, so far us his ohser-
walton of them goes. The tendency to rot Is
more manifest in this than any other grape he
has. Still many Of them do quite well.
Pears have been made 4 speciality by Mr..
Rust, and his collection embraces L large va
riety. Many Of these are dwarf trees, and the
weld from them is astonishing have seen
il pears on one little tree no higher than lny
head, averaging thrcctUurths OF pound
each. The large one sent you short time ago
weighing sixteen and Il half ounces WAS from
one of these trees the Duchcssc i Angoulcmc.
The climate here is thought particularly favor
able to the growth and perfection OF the pear,
and indeed is we'll suited to all fruits OF this
latitude. 1t is sight calculated to fill novice
with establishment to see the fields and hills
covered with acres on acres Of peach and ounce
trees Of one and two year 5 growth. These arc
grown from the seed and buddcd with such
varieties as are desired, the ounce trees being
for dwarf pears.
There would seem to be 4 good opening iur
enterprising young men in the business Of bud
ding fruit trees It is monopoiscd here hy 4
few individuals who charge from $3.50 to 50
per thousand for inserting buds, and an expert
can 90 over about 1000 to $500 III I day.
The same difficulty Of obtaining labor that
has existed here 80 long: still exists. The field
hands are, rs class, exceedingly unreliable,
and the house servants no better. Many Of the
colored people are leaving, with their year
contract for work incomplete, to work eli the
Railroad where they get better wages. uood,
reliable, Industrious laborars arc sadIy wa2!cd.