The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-20
sundry Items-Tn smythe and Wythe.
From otr Special Corresaondentl
WYTHEvILLE, February Is, 1873.

From our Speclal CoffeSuondenb,I
WYTHEvILLE, February Is, 1873.
Notwithstanding my illness, came OF
here last night, in the midnight train. Tn,
snow has been falling all day, having com
menced before the breakfast hour and con
tinuing until supper time, making the hills
and fields white again, and aggravating tht
troubles Of mud.
There were several matters of some IN.
terest in Smythe county which should
have been mentioned in my letter from
there-which follow below:
At Goodell's mill was shown q barrel
of most splendid buckwheat. He informs
me that last year he received one gallon
of choice seed of this fine variety from
the commissioner of agriculture he had
it carefully sowed on good ground, and
harvested from that gallon Of sowing
nearly four bushels Of the beautiful grain
shown to me, and he is going to give a
portion of it to several good farmers to pro-
pagate it through the county. lfmore of the
seeds sent out by the agricultural depart
ment fell into as good hands as Mr.. Goodell,
it would be better for the country generally.
And further, if Congress would appro-
pirate more money for propagating the
staff of life than for missiles of death I; if
it would do more to cherish the depart
ment Of agriculture than the military, and
give the preference in its support to the
producers who feed the millions, than to
the murderers Of millions, we should have
stronger and happier nation.
In addition to the flour mills mentioned
at Marion, the large one of Taylor & Bro.
should be named; it has two run of
burrs, and others are being put in it to
meet the increasing demands upon it by
the country. 49,
The Holston river and Staley's creek
furnish several superior water powers here,
and the lands along their valleys are among
the most productive in Southwestern Vir-
GINA, and perhaps it is not far out Of the
way to say, that In Smythe and Wythe are
many Of the best and richest farmers and
stock growers in the state of Virginia.
Wylheville also has its mills for grinding
plaster baryta; and many farmers appre-
ciate the value Of plaster and lime on their
meadows and wheat lands and, no doubt,
they will soon understand the still greater
value of salt, as fertilizer, and
as an insect destroyer. The large
benefits of four to ten bushels to the acre,
will be seen for several years after applica-
ton but it should be well mixed with the
earth, and not put on the growing plants,
as it will kill them. But if mixed with
stable manure or marsh muck it may be
spread, to great advantage, on wheat and
meadows, in the autumn. at the approach
of cold weather. -. :
just now, am stopping at the comfort
able hotel kept by Captain Crockett, and
in his business be seems to have adopted
the motto OF his old -namesake, Know
you're right, then go ahead'-and so he
does.
The people feel gratifed at the passage of
the clause in the bankrupt law allowing the
homestead exemption Of the state and
there is no doubt but that it is good public
policy, to save the people in their homes
it will encourage honest debtors, and can
net hurt creditors villains would find
way to evade the laws; and every country
is better and stronger for having as many
home-owning citizens as possible.
And Il find the most substantial and in
dustrious people in favor of sheep protec-
tion against dogs; one substantial farmer
told me, the other day, he wished nine.
tenths Of the dogs were killed off, then we
would have ten times as many sheep"
SUNDAY, February. 16.
1t rained all night, and is raining this
morning; the eastern mail due, last night,
has not yet arrived tracks flooded and
no knowing when this will reach you.
Your correspondent cannot get about the
country. .aaia d. s.. G.
LARGE YIELD OF CORN.
DIR, Grant, of Abingdon, informs me
that be raised five hundred and thirty-fye
bushels of sound corn on five acres of
ground, or, one hundred and seven bushels
to the acre. 1t grew on land that was
once covered with chestnut and other
timber. He plowed and sub-soiled it to
the depth of about eighteen inches in the
fall Z in the spring he put on good supply
Of lime and manure and plowed again
about six inches deep, planted two kernels
in hill two feet apart each way. @.