Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-19
JOr4TNGs BY THE WAY.


During the present trip my attention has
been particularly directed to the condition
of the wheat fields, and the prospects for q
spare or bountiful crop. On the south line
toward and beyond Warren, especially on
the clay soils, the prospects. ares not very
fiattering being badly winter killed On
all such lands, too little attention Is given
to surface or underdrainage, and the roots
of the plants are constantly iimbedded IN
water. In the more rolling country farther
south, and in the valley Of the Beaver Riz-
Ell, there is a much finer appearanee-
promising well. In the vicinity of New
Castle, Beaver Falls and Rochester, ]
could not but notice the difference in the
advancement of Fegetation-at least
weeks difference. There the cherry, peach.
pear and some apple trees. we're in fun
bloom. Westward, along theP. +. We
C. r. R., through Columbiana, Starke and
Summit counties, where there ara hns
wheat lands and generally good crops,
there are many fields that are almost bare
and would seemingly be best managed for
this season if ploughed and soxn to cats.
Even some Of the best lands, aad with
southern exposure, are showing some pf
the poorest indications Of even a half crop.
saw much better wheat as asFale, from
OTille, Wayne Co., along the c., Mt. Yer
non 6 Columbus road, southward to Mt.
V. and then northWard along the Mt. Y.
& Mansfield road, and through RichlaAd
county. a1n 1l l1-li---i.l
From Gallon westward through Marion,
BellefOntaine, Sidney, Sc, the land Is not
so wel adapted to wheat, being black
earth-corn and oats land-thOugh there
are some very fine fields Of wheat. Though
there may not be any better or more fertile
lands than these, or that yearly yield larger
returns to the husbandman for an ais ton
and anxiety, yet even hers.theFe are serious
drawbaeks. One is the almost dead level
Of the country, which, In wet seasons, ran
ders it almost impossible 10 work them
prOperly-the furrOWs holding the water
from end to end Of these vast fields which
one here often sees planted 70 corn. So ev.
cry section has its own peculiar advantages
and disadvantages. Those living in the
more hilly and rolling portions Of the coun.
try, even though the soil may not be 50
easily TILED, or 50 productive as that on ths
plains, yet they can rejoice over their low.
land neighbOrs-espeeially during such q
season as the last, for they are exempt form
floods and can cultivate their crops when,
and as they choose. There isa grand law
Of compensation running through al
branches Of business and trade, relating to
communities, states and nations affecting
all elimes and countries. ia.i-l 80 2 ~
Friday and Saturday last vsro days Os
rain and sunshine, and the sLfect upOnveg,
citation was almost magical One could
almost see the grass and grain grow, and
the rapidly developing foliage as nature
clothed the trees with thar summer dress'
| As I passed up and down the rich valley
Of the Great Miami-alwayS besutiful-i
thought I had never seen it present 50
bright, cheerful and delightful an appear.
anee as now. II one might judge from thn
profasiOn Of bloom upon the various kinds
Of fruit trees the impression would Be thai
there were prospects Of an abundant eroF
of all kinds. But such Is not the fact. Ths
frOsts Of last Sabbath and Monday even
iugs did great damage through all this SEQ,
ton Of the State. On Monday morning
last, at Canton, there was ice Of an inch
thick, and the ground was frozen 50 It Dor,
vehicles. Let as hope that the statement
already published Of the widespread ani
II devastating effects Of these frosts na,
prove 10 be exaggerated Nay he gooi
fruits Of earth abound, this rear, to glad
: den our hearts and sstiaiy our tastes ans
!. / desires. VIAfoR.
/, Bellefontaine, o., May 8, 1879.