The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-12-24


CHEESE DAIRIEs.- are no two sub
jccts that should receive more careful e9nsi(ler=
alton from OH farmers than cheese making and
sheep raising. Not that they have any natural
relation to each other, for they have not but
because they constitute the most feasible and
useful enterprises to which the attention of our
land owners can be directed to better their pur-
ses and rest and improve their lands. 1t is an
indsputable fact that the increasing volume of
the Western cereals nenders 1t Utterly impossi-
bic for the middle states to compete with them.
The average acreage production OF wheat and
corn in the west is three times greater than III
Virginia. and therefore the price that tile ives
tern farmer could make money in taking would
bankrupt the Virginia farmer. We can raise
sheep and cattle here, and by this means lay
the foundation for wooden and cheese factories:
Our soil has been exhausted of the ingredients
that enter into the successful production Of
wheat, and the sooner this fact is recognized
and acted upon the better. The Valley Of Vir-
ginia is peculiarly adopted to Dairy purposes,
by reason Of its luxuriant grasses and abundant
water. Its mountain ranges and high, rolling
and we believe that if systematic effort were
directed to the encouragement of these two
branches of farm industry, great pecuniary sue
cess would follow.
A Doc LAw.-Friday, Mr.. Stuart, Of Au-
gusta. presented a petition to the Legislature
from the Patrons of Husbandry of Augusta,
favoring the enactment Of dog law. In
conversation with Maj Koincr, one of Angus
ta's representatives inthe Legislature, he sketch
ed the outlines of law, regulating this sub
jeet, which we think both reasonable and feas-
ible. His idea is to exempt from taxation one
dog or each family; to provide for a reward
for the capture Of any fox, so as to meet the
tax of those who may desire to keep hounds;
to appropriate the tax arising on dogs, to pay
ing the owners of sheep whose focks may be
invaded by dogs. With these provisions safely
guarded in their construction, we think dog
law would be sustained by tile people. 1t is
certainly very important subject for the in
terest Of husbandry in Virginia. Sheep rails
ing is one of the most profitable branches OF
farm enterprise, for the amount invested, and
if proper security could be obtained from the
destruction incident to the existence in our
midst Of innumerable worthless ours, would be
largely engaged in in Virginia. The double
benefit would be realized in the profit on the
wool and increase of the flocks, and the inn
provement of the lands pastured. AS wheat
growing country, the lands OF Virginia are
nearly exhausted. The average yield in Vir-
ginia is not over 10 bushels to the acre, while
in the Rocky Mountain country and the Pacif-
ic region, It is from 40 to so bushels. The far
mers OF Virginia know that it does not pay to
raise the cereals, and we think true enocomy
would suggest that sheep raising be more gen
erafiv encouraged, to relieve and improve the
lands.
DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND INSTITUTION.
I'VE have received the annual report of the
Virginia Institution for the education OF the
Deaf and Dumb and Blind to the General As
sembly of Virginia for the year ending Septem-
Der 80, 1874. From it we learn that there are
enrolled for the present year 124 pupils-87
deaf mutes and 81 blind. There were admit
ted during the past fiscal year 90 pupils-l6
deaf mutes and 4 blind-the average age being
II years. The capacity OF the Institution Will
only accommodate 12a pnpis, and hence the
Principal states that he has been compelled to
postpone the admission Of several deaf mutes.
10 the end that the existence and objects OF
the Institution may be made known to the
parents of all children whose condition requires
the aid of its instruction the Principal urges the
enactment of law by the legislature imposing
the duty npon the Superintendent OF public
schools for each county to report once year,to
: the Principal OF the Institution, the name, age
and postoffice address of every deaf mute and
blind person between the ages of and "a, who
resides in the county in which he is superin-
tendcnt.
We.think the suggestion is worthy the atten-
ton of the Legislature; for there is no duty inn
posed upon society more sacred and imperative
than to provide for the comfort and happiness
of those of us, who in the inscrutable dispense
tions of Providence, have been deprived of any
of their senses.
The health of the institution is reported as
excellent, there having been only one case Of
sickness during the year, from which the pa
pupils, james w. Stone, died at his home in
Richmond, age 10, of typhoid fever.
The report of the principal, Capt Mccoy,
gives comprehensive and satisfactory exhibit
of the workings and progress OF the Institution,
and offers such suggestions as he deems perth
nent.
There have been no changes in the officers Of
the institution, except the resignation of Miss
Mary B. Berkeley, as music teacher, and the
election of Miss L. T. Berkeley, OF Amelia Co.,
to fill the vacancy; the resignation OF Mr.. Job
Turner as Teacher in the Deaf Mute Depart
ment, on account Of i'll health, a position he
had held since the foundation of the institur ion,
and the duties of which he discharged with
singular efficiency and fidelity, and the cleo
. ton of Mr.. C. w. S. Turner as a teacher in the
deaf mute department, in a new class created.
The Laundry authorized by the Board to be
built, will soon be finished, which, with the
machinery complete, will cost $s,00O,-the fl
nancial exhibit showing that there are funds
f on hands to liquidate the obligation. The fl
. nances Of the institution have been well mana
: oed it, being free of debt and surplus sufli-