Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-14
Letter from KappnhannOck.

Correspondence OF the Alexandra Gazetto. |
WASHINGTON, RApPAHANNoCK Co., Va.
Feb. II, le7G.-The wheat looks bcttera this
season than it has for many years, and should
none of those grain killing days Of continued
thawiug and ire, ziDg come, which destroyed it
last Spring, we may, with propricty, predict a
good yield for the coming harvest. 1t has been
growing now 6uely since the cold spell in the
early part of December, and the fields look as
though they had been visited by April showers
and sunshine. We cannot estimate the advan-
tagcs to this now depressed region that real
good crop of wheat will bring, such as VIC used
to have in the good old days of 16. There has
been considerable loss sustained by the farmers
in their housed crops OF corn. Unfortunately
they were ignorant Of the heated condition OF
their corn, and when discovered, the progress
already made was OF IA serious character, and
though steps we're at once taken to arrest the
injury, still the part actually worthless was
large, and in some Instances large piles of q
hundred bushels or more were more or less af.
tectcd and Unfit for market. 1t is impossible
to &c; at the loss in bushels, but that it is
heavy will appear from the fact that scarcely a
farmer escaped al! generally losing some. Still
the price for good corn is lower with Us than it
has been for many years, and corn can be bought
by the small or large quantity for 40 cents per
bushel. 4 great deal Of ploughing for the
Spring crop has already been done, some of our
most energetic farmers having already finished.
The ground is in first rate condition for plough
ing, and az early crop will generally be put in
should the weather prove it,
We have had but few land sales in this couu.
ty lately, those being made by DEGREES of the
Court for the most part, and the land bringing
very small prices even Oh unusually long pay
ments. We hear Of one tract OF land, the Old
Fristoc Place, sold last week on private terms
at Sl2 per acre.
Col. } g. Gibson, of Culpcpcr, is building
q large -four mill. saw mill and other improve
ments CD one of his farms near the Court House,
at a large expenditure OF money.
The fine new Church, just built by the New
School Bsptsts, in Washington, our county
seat, is now ready for occupation, aud presents
good appearance. 1t cost about s., 900, and
has large aud comfortable Masonic hall over
its auditorium.
Buck l. Reid have lately opened good drug
store 10 this place, and MIR. John Miller has
taken possession of the large store room former.
Iy occupied by DR.. Templeman, aud has on
hand large and fine assortment Of goods.
There are many persons who Intend visiting
the Centennial from this neighborhood, some
of whom will be exhibitors.
There is much comment here, as elsewhere,
as to the ineficiency of our present LegIsla-
turc, though the raising OF the salaries Of our
County Judges meets with general appro-
baton. 1t ought never to have been reduced
to mere nominal figure for our judiciary can
i'll afford to quit the practice OF Law in exchange
for Judgeshlp that pays Dcxt 10 nothing. We
can now hope TO See an end of charges brought
against them for bribery aDd corruption.
The new uthce Of the County Treasurer here
is very neat and comfortable building and
staods within the Court green.
Sheep raising has been unusually profitable
with uS this year, the fine sunny weather prov
ing the very thing for the young lambs, which
arc growing finely, there being but lew of : hem
lost. The cattle that arc being ted arc tatten
iDg finely, the good weather also being of great
adva' tagc 10 them.
Horses arc lower 10 price than We ever re-
member them, good young animal only bring
ing about S75 and 40 safe hardly at that low
figure.
There is but little wheat left in this county,
it ali having been hauled of during the fine
weather, as our roads during the rainy season
Of winter are almost impossible to heavily load
ed wagons.
Our merchants now have 90 hand large quao.
titles Of butter and eggs, waiting rise IN the