Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-03
Letter from Westmoreland.

| Correspoodence OF the A!exaudria Gazette.
WEsTMoaELAND. Va, July |. lS76.-Har'
vest with our farmers came Oh early this year,
but so far as the profits are concerned, might as
well have been late. So puor yield las not
been known, think, for years. lo some fields
no attempt was made to cut the grain, aud OF
that which is harvested the yield is, or will be,
tratug, though | believe the quality Of The
grain is good. The entire season shows az ad-
vancsd stage, aud coro is we'll forward, and IS
looking remarkably we'll. So far the year has
been seasonable, with abundant rains. L am
told by the steamboat meu that there is less
shippiug of chickens ADD such produce lare
chickeus classed as produce y to market this
spring than usual, The reason given for 1t by
the country people being that 1t pays them pet
ter to eat their fowls than to sell them at the
low prices they at present command. NOW tnat
cherries aud blackberrlcs are ripe and rlpening
the boats are doing better. 1t Is dltcult Tor one
not on the spot to realize 10 what proportions
this small fruit trade grows. The quantity OF
blackberries shipped 90 the Rappahsnnock
steamers to Baltimore is prodlelous, and must
furnish employment for mauy hands. Peaches
year as last--last year from inability to sell the
enormous stock, year as there are no
reaches, | do not hear of an orchard which
will produce peach to the tree. The immense
orchards of Mr. L. H. Massey, covering hun
dreds of acres, are bare of fruit. Gu the other
hand, as compensation, there Is an abundant
yield of cherries, apples, pears, grapes, &c.
w e can, have ali our good thugs at once.
Il Lear of politics 10 this s.questered re-
riou. TO discussion of the merits ol Candidates,
or argutyiug on platforms Doubtless how
ever, they will get at it as the result oil the 81.
Louis Cow Dtlop is made known. l think most
of the people here are very anxious to make
living, and good deal concerned Tor fear they
will not, aud under such pressure are not dis
posed to run about to conventions or 10 court
houses. Indeed notable change is seen III the
conduct of our people in Virginia III this re-
spect, aud from its beog formerly said that
Virginia lived on the stump, 1t Is comiDg 20
pass that they negcct the hustlDgs TOO com
pletely. Form tly Court day was the bust
ness d ~ OF tha cou ty. Men went to Court
regu .rly to hear tie news, To met tier uelgn'
borS, 10 coll, ct bllls-.n word to transact he
business OF the month. There Was big tavern
or two hourishing at the county seat bIg din
uers were eaten, aud the day Was notable one;
the man .sho didn't go to court Was out OF the
worId NV all this IS changed, and only the
most urg mt business takes the farmer to the
court hGuse, and If he is Obliged to go, the
saddle bags carry uucI, aud be eats this,
i. aviny the t4v.ro ii.ucr All this, however,
is DO, so much the result of improved ideas OF
&C ,nomy, but is forced Oh him by necessity.
there Is no deuyug it that rur people 10 this
section are poor, vtry poor, aud getting poorer.
Why this is, aud the remedy, do nOt 10 this
letter, propose to discuss.
| notice our Country merchants get most OF
their goods 10 Baltimore. Cannot your Alex
ardria mere ,auts offer such inducements as
will causr tn % to shop with you 1t seems as
if it might be done.
notice a pew wharf is being built at or pear
Buff Poiot, on the Potomac, by some New
Yyrkevs. 1t is to be hoped that 1t will be a
greater SUCCESS than the L'ng@ood wharf,
built by the Washes, which, though OF mag
ni6cent proportions, costing thousaDds,l slowly,
or rather quickly, ro,ting down.
Much OF tie trade of this couaty goes to Bal
timore via the RappahauDcck. Ii should De
and ii seems as though it could be directed to
its former MISUNDERSTANDING.
It sumething could be done to induce the
young meo of his sectiou to stay here and build
up the old places, it would be great thing !;
as it is they all 90 off to the cities In search OF
employment, or west or south. We have few
Of our young men to stay with us. IL.
Letter from the White Sulphur.
Correspondence OF tho Alexandria Gazette. ]