The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-03
!, ,n,r,,;rration-- Domestic Industry

81 immigration Domestic Industry.
MI, RupFiS, through che Saturdays DIS
patch, gave good letter to our intelligent
Tunkcr friend, Rev. Mr. MILLER, OF Penn
sylvansa. Mr.. RUFfzS understands what he
is talking about in speaking thus concerning
Virginia.
AS Mr. MILLER Is endeayoring to intro
tiuce some of his worthy brethren into Viz
rinia. aud has said some very excellent
things about our social condition, it is well
for our people to consider them, and to en-
deayor by improving upon the suggestions
OF intelligent strangers whenever they can
to promote the economy and thrift OF their
domestic industry. Mr.. RUEFIN corrects
Efr. MILLER In some respects, and explains
matters that seemed to Mr.. MILLER strange.
His people would be valuable citizens, and
both he and they viii find that the soil and
climate OF Virginia are well suited to, their
health, their industry. and their happiness.
II is inrespect to their peculiarly steady
and sober habits and well maintained in
dustry that we might welcome them to Vir-
ginia and cndeayor to incu!cate the value OF
such economy as they pursue to the farming
community Of Virginia. And with regard
to Immigration we cannot but feel gratifica-
ton whenever solid men OF experience and
perseverance, come into our State.
we must remember that under the social
revolution in Virginia there is necessity
for change in the order Of industry and
OF tillage. 1t is indispensable that econo-
my shonld rule in everything. The dis
tances travelled upon the farm must be
economical. The surface-tillage should be
diminished as much as possible. The lands
should be wisely husbandedaI and small areas
made 10 produce more than larger ones !;
distances for hauling should be shortened;
crops should be housed upon small area !;
animals should be kept near their food, and
all as near as comfort will admit to the hab-
itation OF the farmer. The implements
should be gathered and sheltered within
the easy supervision OF the farmer, and
"these headquarters should be policed
and kept in perfect order. Thus there will
be less waste, more security and comfort,
and health insured to men and animals.
Our farming community cannot make
living and pursue the old-fashioned and en-
pansiye system under slavery. They must
concentrate, and also increase surveillance
and system. Thef farmer must get the labor
that is to be paid for. and that labor must
be iudiciously directed and performed TO
the best advantage. Sighted labor cannot
be allowed for the reason that it is to be
paid for. and for the further reason that
sleyeniy and imperfect work Injuries alike
land and crops.
We need reform in all tilla@e, and with
reference to the general rules but partially
outlined here. We want economy and fru-
gaiitY, and system, and general cleanliness.
Without assailing any OF the concentrated
manures, it may be said that that farmer
who saves in proportion to his stock and
his farm the largest amount of manure in
the best order, and properly applies, is The
best farmer.
This. system is indispensable in our
changed condition. Oar own people should
pursue it with irrepressibe devotion, and
we cannot rejoice in the coming OF anybody
into Virginia who does not. She is one OF
the richest Of the. States of the Republic in
her natural blessings, and when our domes-
tic economy and our system OF cultivation
shall become well adapted to our condition
it will be proved that more happy land for
man to live in Is not to be found on the
globe.
Slavery had its peculiarities and its
pleasures which suit not 4 condition Of free
labor. 1t was impossible to eradicate the
customs under slavery with its abolition.
Many still lnger. Under slavery large
part of the population were idle and de-
pendent, because there were slaves. Idle
and dependent people we must always have,
but it is not proper that those who have
health and strength should eat all the time
the bread of idleness. With slavery the
number was excessive, and though necessi-
ty has forced many to become producers
that were not before, still the effect OF
thing that is abolished fingers in too great
a degree, as all must see. 1t is passing
away, aud cannot disappear too soon.
But the worst effect OF the customs now
out Of time Is the waste Of time for the
want Of system and concentration, and for
the want OF the practical knowledge and
the provident forethought and ordinary
mechanical skill that the man OF the farm
should always have. :" :
Close tillage, the eyer-improying hus-
bandry, and the economy that cannot fail to
thrive are the great points. These are the
things to study-these are the things which
cannot be disresarded in a thrifty agricul-
tural community. We should never forget
them, and whoever comes TO Virginia to.
practice such system should be hailed
with welcome and accorded q place in our
social fellowship.
Hon. T. S. BoCoCK writes an ingenious
letter to the Lyncbburg Eirginidn to prove
that biennial sessions of the Legislature
ought not to begin until 1879, or later. We
had no :dea that so much could be said on