The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-18
Correspondence of tAc Richmond Dispatch.
From Tho ~SaIley--Dry Weather and
GrOp S--TOmIncnccrucnts--Nov Ii

Correspondence of t4c Richmond Dispatch.
From Tho Salley--Dry Weather and
liz
brary--Acc Moaurncnt--An Old Hero.
The people of the entire Valley have suf:
fcrcd considerably from the recent dry
weather. 1t has been several weeks since
ANYTHING like Il general rain. Springs, wells,
and streams never before known to fail have
failed, many of them entirely, to furnish
| water. Much Inconvenience to the citizens
and omc suffering to the cattle has resulted.
The water works of Lexington have long
proved a great convenience, but of late the
| spring supplying us has run very low, SO
that Il general scarcity of water has been felt.
The Military Institute was long since re-
duccd to one-inlf the usual quantity. The
North river and canal are very low. On Fri
| daV the 7th 4 pleasant rain visited the upper
part of the Valley, greatly 10 the relief of
the people and benefit Of the crops. Last
| FRIDAY the l4th we had a nice rain, extend
| ing over Il large territory, and very much re-
| yiYins the face Of creation. The crops, too,
will he benefited.
The oat crop in the Valley is almost II to-
tai failure, in many communities not worth
rcapiny. The grass and clover is some bet
Ter. but of small growth, owing to the pro-
tractcd dry weather. 1t is estimated ut about
half a crop. The wheat, however, IS much
more promising than last year. There is not
30 much straw rs usual, but fine, large heads,
seemingly very full. The crop suffered from
dry weather, but late wheat will be benefit
cd by recent rain. In some places the joint
worm has injured the grain very much. On
the whole, IL fair crop Is expected III the val
ley.
The great objects of interest to Lexingto-
mans, the commencement OF her INSTITUTIONS,
are rapidly approaching. Hotels and board
ing houses are preparing for a large number
of visitors. Most of the citizens will enter;
tain visiting friends, and an unusually large
attendance is expected during these interest
ing occasions. The Westinghouse UniVer-
sity commencement is the first to occur.
The commencement exercises OF the Virgil
mia Military Institute occur in a day or two
after those of the University. Commence
ment day will be OH tho 4th of July. The.
two institutions have been favored with I'M,
usually large patronage this year consider
ing the times. tho University having an.
attendance OF over three hundred; the lnsti-i
tute nearly three hundred.
The Institute authorities are erecting a
very broad and handsome gateway to their
grounds, which will be completed by the
anniversary, and prove very ornamental.
The Howard library Of over 5000 volumes,
The munificcnt gift of Colonel Corcoran, OF
Washington city, has been putin place in the
library of the University, and proves q gilt
OF iucstimable value. "What 4 handsome
thing it would re if some gentleman of means
and liberal spirit would erect for the Uniyer-
sity a 6re-proof library building. 1t is q
pressing necessity. and the halls for the socl-
cites, which it might also contain, would
prove Q blessing to the young men. The do
natioifut iii. Bayley, Of New Orleans, will,
it is expected, be available for the next ses-
sion. fTle trustees ut the ensuing session
viii, il is presumed, fill tho chair called
for by this legacy. Mould it not be a fitting |
tribute to the honorable calling of Mr.. Bay
10y to cndow the Business School? We have
heard it suggested BY q merchant as 6 the
nice thing"
The recent announcement MS to the pro-
grcss of Mr.. Valentine on the sarcophagus of
General Ice WAS received with great pleasure
So 80 . 80 N-.Hs -