The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-29
A Talk with VIRGINIA Farmers.

Although Subscriber" of Prince VIII
liam county, Va, docs not seem inclined to
have Il talk about Virginia farming, still G.,
of Albcmar!e county, takes it up and shows
en- inclination to investigate this subject.
Now, do not assume the position OF in
strlctor, but will write, rs near as clrcum.
stances will permit, as | would talk il q.
were to sit down with me. II am able TO
offer any suggestions that will hc useful to
the correspondents named, and to other Viz
ginia farmers, my labor may not be in vain.
An important point in the communications:
referred to is the want of concentration---thc
farming is spread over too much land. Only
two hundred bushels of wheat are raised on
sixty acres, when that amount should be
raised on seven to ten acres; and there al-
pears to be a similar state of things in regard
to other crops. Now, it is very desirable to
raise more wheat on good deal less land
and the question is. how to do it? In an
swering this, the first thing to be improved
is the rotation. G.. plants corn. next spring
sows oats, and in the fall puts the land
into wheat. Here we have three en-
hausting cereal crops in succession
all requiring similar plant food--and all
can only be expected to do well on rich land;
it is very bad policy to take this course
on the land described. AS the oats were so
poor, Il thorough summer tallow after the
corn would seem to be much better. Plough
ing the land very deep in the spring and
thoroughly working it through the summer
would make a much better preparation for
wheat. Then put in the seed with good
wheat drill, and if the land has ever been
good wheat land fair crop ought to be
raised. If the wheat still heaveS out badly.
ha lam avid 10 III rui a
experiments on few acres or with few
drains should lie tried. This may make a
great difference, and draining and summer
following may bring the land into fair con-
dition for wheat and clover. Then reno
waiting course may beadopted that will bring
the soil up right.
If good summer iallow and underdrain-
ing do not materially improve the crops i,
system OF green manurlng may be tried,
have little doubt that land which has been
in cultivation one hundred years, managed
rs is said to have been the practice in Eir-
ginia, and will still grow corn, wheat, and
clover, as described, can be brought up and
made profitable. l have long been convinced
that where moderate growth of clover, by
the help Of plaster, could he obtained on
the start to turn under, in few years
l could make such land rich and pro.
ductiye. Indeed, this has been done where
the soil was 80 poor that clover would
not grow to amount to anything. In sucl
cases rye was first sown to plough under;
and usually two crops brought the land into
condition to raise clover, and ploughing
under clover put it into good order for other
crops. l have considerable faith that u sum.
mer fallow, as above described, will produce
moderate crop of wheat and fair seeding
to clover. This clover ploughed under when
IN blossom, and the land well prepared, NAV
DC expected to produce still better crop OF
wheat; While this course of ALTERNATELY clover
and wheat may make the land rich enourh
for any crops. At least this course has been
practieed with great success on rundown
farms in Western New York.
but II this will not answer in Virginia
why not sow corn In the spring, and when
IL Is rs large US it can be well turned under
Noush It undcrand SOW buckwbeat or neos
10 oe also pioughed under when in BLOSSOM
ineh thoroughly prepare the land in the lall
anu , 50" ciover HIS early in the spring ~ il
WIN uo "ell--sowing at least q buSheI OF
P,aeSoi pei acre soon after seeding to clover
plaster should always bssown when sao e1H. 4, ,
10 clover, and also every spring. if the nia'
yer Il not pretty sure TO be Iar~a e,,n, ~
without 1t. Let this clover rrow ana 81 u
down on the ground, if not very large .Ss
frst season, and the next, when in blossom .
and the increased growth of roots and pre.
Vious growth of clover will altogether fur.
nlsh considerable fertilizing matter; then
plough 1t under for winter gTaii1. Ifthe land
Is very poor, and rye will do well there, rye
may be sown in the fall and clover and plas-
Ter IN the spring. This clover ploughed un-
uef the next season, as before, should nut
the.hnd In condition for wheat.
have referred to the meet, OF concent,,,.
ZION, which may be done in this way: Part
OF the land, say one-third or sne.haIf NAV
oe devoted to such crops lis must be grown
ana the other part to slch renoyatins course
az may DO best adapted to the circum.
staIlees-more labor and fertilizers being
., concentrated se and applied TO the crops grown
~ ~ NC. harvested. In deciding what course
t 70 ADOPT It Is Well to keep in mind that In
~ t,nlroYlng the Ioil a general change of crops
% ,,n treat help, and that renoyati1g and i'm
~ Living sfols should be brought Ia as often
~, ~ la's'Ipie. HENCE peas, il they can be
A'''o' eau elten be subsiils,td Tor other