The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-09
Virginia Fruit Growing.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1872

7b TIE Editor Of the State Journal
Yesterday the Potomac Fruit Growers
Society held their May session, and an in
teresting meeting it was. Several interest
ing topics were discussed, number of
new members were elected, and measures
taken to increase the efficiency of the ex-
cellent association. Friend Gillingham,
the ever-faithful President, was on hand
but as the leading editor Of the JOURNAL
was present taking notes, as he also en-
gagged in discussions, will leave the report
of details to his active pen. Mr.. Sanders
gave the society useful ideas on many SUBJ
.jects. BY travelling about, find the fruits
in this section looking well, and give pro-
mise of fair yield. Though late, large pre-
parations are being made in the truck gar
dens to give a good supply.
From the Richmond Farmers Gazette |
CLEAN the following items. A Valley cor
respondent gives the following useful hints
in regard to raising onions. and more di-
versified system of crops generally:
VI have known very good onions raised
from the seed in the Lower Valley. |
have scarcely more than adverted to the
cultivation of this vegetable to call the at
tention OF our farmers to one way they
have in other parts Of the world of making
money. We stick to the staples through
thick and thin, and if we do not actually
lose money at them, we keep poor, while
in other sections of the country men, with
no better land than ours, are realizing
handsome fortunes.
"At this writing the wheat does not look
very promising. The cold April winds
have checked its growth very much. |
am inclined to think that the plant has not
been winter killed, but that there is enough
on the ground if it can get start.n
A ''Rockbridge" correspondent has the
following about farmers complaining it is
better to make additional efforts to over
come difficulties than to groan about them:
"Of all things l hate croaking among
farmers, and i tell you sincerely, that |
am not given to it. rather like to brag
little when | have the chance, and am more
apt to err in that respect than in the croak-
ing line. had hoped to have the pleasure
of reporting to you fine wheat crop in
this portion of the Valley, but it is no 60
for this season, and as one of the disap-
pointed clodhoppers hereabouts, have to
reconcile to myself the disagreeable reAec-
ton of another short crop of wheat.
=" The oat crop, and as large an one as
usual, has, been sown. The season has
been too dry, but they. are coming up tole-
rably well. WeA are much in need of
good shower now, but still it don't come.
The ground is getting rather hard for the
late blowing. Most Of the corn ground is
prepared, and some Of our farmers are now
planting. The weather has continued SO
cool that We have not been anxious about
putting corn in the ground yet awhile. 1t
is now warm enough, and this week the
most of the crop will be planted, should
the weather continue as favorable us at
present" N
A Washington correspondent gives
the following suggestions in regard to grow
ing potatoes and wheat in Virginia
In travelling about the State of Virginia,
so far as have been able to notice, there
is great lack of Irish potatoes raised in
Virginia, both for eating and seed; which
is great mistake, as this section is highly
favorable to the abundant yield of that val
liable tuber, if properly pursued. No crop
more needs or better rewards the liberal
application of old lime and ashes than po-
tatoes, mixed with compost in the hill, or
sprinklcd on the surface after planting or
both.
sit is not many years since Virginia was
unsurpassed by any state in the Union in
raising wheat, whether regarded as to yield
or quality of grain and for long keeping,
to send to the tropics, flour from the Vir-
ginia wheat unsurpassed all others.
deeper blowing, with liberal cloyering,
and top-dressing in autumn, with free use
of plaster on the clover in April, and inn
mediately after the first moving, to fix
moisture and ammonia on the clover stub
bic, and the roots laid open to the sun by
moving, to bring forward good growth
to pillow under in September or October, to
be sowed with wheat, then that top-dressed
in December, both to protect it from winter
killing, and preserve it from the sun early
in the spring. This will secure good yield
Of good wheat, and bring up worn land and
save good land" GENEsEE.