The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-31
OUR sHoRr CREEK LETTER.
The Present Extraordinary wintcr-Thc
Growing wheat-Prospects for n Big
Crop-The Country ROads-What ls
Needed In the short Creek Region.
SuoRT CRRRH W VA. January %. 1880,


Growing Wheat-Prospects for big
Crop-The Country R0ads-What Ii
Needed In the short Creek Region.
SHORT CREEK, VIVA, January 20, 1880.
Editors IntellIgencer.
The past few weeks has been as une-
ventful and peaceful as summer Sunday
in some Country village" To say some
thing is often a dire necessity, and when
all else is unavailable, "the weather" like
a well supplied contingent fund, is an un-
failing resource, 1t is among the best sub
jects for general conversation. There is
80 much about 1t that we cannot under
stand or explain that our love OF the mys-
terious is gratified in 1t, and our inquisi'
tiyepess finds ample room for asking ques-
tions without fear Of being troubled with
attending to their answers. 1t is quite
certain that the record OF the past few
months will be point OF interest in the
meteorological history Of the age. True It
is yet too soon to write down the charac-
ter OF this winter, as we do not write obit-
uaries while their subjects survive, and as
there is still time enough between this
writing, and the vernal equinox, to re-
deem the character OF the season, 1t be-
comes us to be cautious. think we are
safe in saying that the January's OF other
years were not after this fashion, nor can
our winter be long one.
The wheat is looking remarkably we'll,
and unless it Is injured by some genuine
winter" [ such as some Of the old set
tiers predict for the next two monthsl
there Is a.good prospect OF an increased
crop over last years yield.
The continued rainy spell has caused
the roads to be almost impossible, If not
entirely so, and this is one Of the greatest
drawbacks to Short Greek. The farmers
are beginning TO see the great advantages
OF good road, and tho advantage the
farmers living on thepike have. There is
sufficient money spent every year 70
make apermahent improvement that If
now scattered In temporary character
It is time now 10 abandon the old system
Of road making such as piling in the road.
way soft earth. 1t Is q silly waste in any
locality where supplies Of stone may be
procured. Some penny.wise economist
will say stone roads are too expensive in
construction 10 allow them 10 be made in
farming districts. Not SO. Dirt roads
are too expensiye-not in the making bu
in the use. Where there are farm landI
so much encountered by field stones rs K
impede cultivation, clearing them of is {
necessity, and If they are down intC
the road to the depth OF q foo
or more there is n double benefit
improved land and good roads. Suppose
the labor be all charged to the road
will be balanced and more by the i'm
proyement. Soft earth for road mendint
or road makinglis but 0 poor make-shiit. l
Is never good except in the dry weather o
summer or when frozen in winter. In
terminable repairs are needed, and |
made with the same material they ar
! thrown away. Why. not abandon tn
. senseless method in districts where stone
can be had for the hauling. A good ston
road, well made, will last twenty year
without repairs, and ten TO one will b
more serviceable every day than the OF
dinsry dirt road at !ts best But the latte