Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-04
Crops that Pay,
From the Warreuton Index, |

n recent VlSlL To LVeTSFtcu, Iue IeSlueuCe
of John B. Hunton, esq.,, for the purpose of
has suggested some reflections that | think
would be well for our farmers to put into prao-
teal operation. A brief account of what l saw
will give valuable hints Of what can be done
here in our midst by all who will avail them
selves of the advantages they possess-and it
such successful examples as this will not drag
our people out Of their old Improbable courses,
then indeed are they hopelessly welded to their
folly. -,
Mr.. Hunton has employed an Englishman,
MIR. Stephen Redgrave, whom found to be
gentleman of intelligence and ,edueatioa, and
who is showing what skilful and -iutehigent cul-
tivation can do with our soils. He has the su-
perintendence of thewhole farm, but adheriue,
to the practice in his native country, isexpend
ing all his labor on so much only as he caa cul-
tivate we'll and make produce to its utmost ca
pacity There is lot of about 20 acres, com
lprising the vineyard, pear and peach orchard,
and vegetable garden and upon this he ls be-
stowing all his attention the present season.
About four acres Of the vineyard are in bearing
condition and promise a rich yield of luscious
grapes. He is busily engaged in trimming and
Topping, and the healthy and luxuriant vines
already present an appearance that Is indeed
beautiful. But what impressed me more even
than the attractive and stimulating vines was
the thorough and complete preparation OF the
ground for his vegetable and root crops.
The soil IS so thoroughly pulverized and
made so light that but little cultivation will be
needed after the crops are planted. In short
he cultivates his plants before he puts them in
the ground-and the process by which all this
is done is so simple and involves so little abour
that it would repay any one trip for twenty
miles to see'it Mr.. Redgrave expects to cou-
meet the dairy business with this, and he ex--
poets to raise on few acres Of this ground
roots of various kinds and such as are. valua-
BILE for milch COWS. sufficient to feed all his
stock through the Winter And he will do it
too, for be evidently knows what he is about,
Now just here I will venture the prediction,
that this small area of land in cultivation will
make more clearmoney than any 30O acre farm in
that neighborhood. Mr.. Hunton informed me
that his vineyard last year, which was the first
bearing year, paid him 5000 per acre-and
from what | saw, do not believe that it is too
high an estimate to put. the roots, vegetables,
and fruits at the same figures. That is, the
land in these things will produce at the rate Of
5000 per acre., Ibelieve this is an extremely
moderate calculations Now let our farmers sit
down and figure out the result of their system.
But [ am making this communication twice
as long as | intended aud will close it, by stat
ing Ia fact in connection with Mr.: Redgraves
settlement in our midst that highly encourag-
ing to all who are anxious to see our section
filled up with population OF which he IS the
type. He has been in this country, several
years and has traversed it North, South, East
and West. He located for time, near Nor
fox. but was soon compelled to abandon that
.locaiity BY the chills and fever of that region.
He prospected further north, west, and south,
:and fnally settled down here, where, he says,
he hopes to spend his days on earth. tor with
climate, soil, productions and people ne
seems 10 be perfectly charmed. de express
edito me the opinion that there were thousands
of his countrymen of means that would soon
build up all the waste places of our glorious
Piedmont region, did they but know its great
attractions, aud advantages. He says he can
buy land here for what is annually paid as rent
in England which with the same cultivation
and treatment can be made as productive as
that in the old country. And then our superb
climate which has in a short time taken out OF
him the chills and fever which ne contracted
near Norfolk seems tolhave charm for. him
This, he says, he has found no where else':ln
this country and particularly contrasted our
great advantage over the west in thi, regard.
He showed me some letters from Mr., James
M. Holmes, Secretary of the International
Land and Labor Agency Of Birmingham, Eng.
land, and is evidently well acquainted With all
the advantages and disadvantages OF every.
section of our country. He deserves and should
receive the generous appreciation OF our peo-
ME !1'i = Il = 81 -, {. or AaRICOLA.
l"BRaNCHENa Corn ''--An interesting inves-
tigation took place at the Gazette office q few
days since, being no less than the dissection OF
the sample stalks of Judson Branching Corn,
which had been sold to the agent operating at
this point. >tat ! $. ~, 4" (. i :,
It was rumored some days previous that
there had been fraud and deceit practlsed IN
the branching corn business in the manufacture
of sample stalks bearing four, FIVE and SIX full
grown ears These samples were sold by, DIT.
Judson at enormous figures to- agents canvass
ing for the sale Of packages OF corn, ana the
wonderful stalks were such strong and undenla-
bic proof Of the variety very prolific nature,
sTke produces like, - bit at once and invested
stamps in Judson's corn. Mr.. Stewart, OF tins
CITY, was swindled into purchasing considerable
territory and several Of the wonderful stalks
having as high as $25 each for the latter.
The crash came at last. }, Judson was arrest
cd in Ch;ca 90 for swindiDg ;; waived examlna:,
t;on.: gaVe bail, and fed. Things began to,
show symptoms of foul play all around the
board, and Mr.. Stewart determined to lnvestl-
gate, hence the dissection of his samples.
Briefly, the result Of the examination G 9! II was
about as follows: One sample having p, tour ears
was made up Of two stalks neatly tn loiuea aaba az
Ss onSs, h1s aSl g svs e1ss se spoe pssne aee1
original l sts,k having two ears ito begin with,
the alliance formed By means of the pine stick
doubled the CROP in manner not fully ex,
planned in the Judson circulars. ! ~! ~
Il other stalks in which no dowe-pn were
found, the ears we're closely examined ana thres zee
out of FIVE were found to, be ingenlously g'ueo
on n-C1nn,pai!ggn tIHl Gazette. .:2------.- i
FORTY GROCE pint and half dc; FLAshs ~ ts
Il 'ana10. groce- WINE BOIFEkS,' Jus' 70
catuod for la ~