The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-17

But no action was taken in the matter.
The writer's health is such that he can
not go out at night, consequently he could
not attend the night meetings of the So
ciety, and thus was not brought in con-
tact with the " Executive committee" and
with the farmers, or he might have sub
mltted this proposition of forming sheep
breeders association. Some Of the sheep
raisers with whom we conversed, favored
the plan. A letter was received dated
October 25th, from DIR. John R. Woods,
of-Albemarle, a most intelligent and sue
cessful farmer and breeder, in which he
says, " l am much impressed with your
communication in the last Central Pres
6yteriar, suggesting the organization of a
sheep-breeders' association during the
fair. 1t is a serious misfortune that our
farmers are so slow in cooperating for
the furtherance of any great agricultural
interest" The DR.. had not intended to
come to the fair as he was very busy seed
ing wheat, but said he would come, if
possible, and aid in the formation of the
association proposed But in subse-
quent communication he stated it was
impossible to leave home, as he had failed
to get additional help on his farm, as he
expected. 1t seems the new railroad up
the James is taking off good many
hands from the farmers. So this project
will have to rest until the next State
Fair. We shall see that the subject is
sufficiently agitated then if we are living.
Awards to Iron Ores and Goals from
the Virginias.
We notice the following as very Aatter-
ing to the iron ores of Virginia. The
Ferrol Furnace is in Augusta county.
At The eighth animal Cincinnati Ex-
position the highest prize-a silver medal
was awarded to Pleumer & Bramwell,
metal and mineral dealers of Cincinnati,
for the best display of iron ores from any
State. 1t was for iron ores from along
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway in Vir-
GINA and West Virginia. A silver medal
was also awarded to the Pennsylvania
and Virginia Iron and Coal Company for
the best display of iron ores 1t is
needless to say that these are from the
same line samples of ore used by that
company at its Ferrol and Quinnimont
furnaces. To Pleumer & Bramwell was
also awarded the highest prize for Goals,
gathered also from the Kanawha and
New river fields. The competition for
these awards was from all directions
from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ala
bama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and
Virginia; and it is no small matter that
these States have won them. We ask
the attention of those who say that the
Goals, cokes, and ores from these States
are not equal in quality to those of other
States to these impartial awards "-WeaO
York Coal Trade Journal.
IRON ORE IN HALIFAX.-We have re-
ceived from Mr.. ]. M Jordan, of Halifax,
samples of magnetic iron of excellent
quality for surface specimens. The de-
post is near South Boston, and 3! miles
from the Richmond & Danville Railroad.
Mr.. Jordan is anxious to have the mine
fully developed, and to lease or sell the
property His post-ofice is South Boston.
Grape Culture in Virginia.
We give the following as very encour-
aging to grape growing in our State. The
price for grapes now is not more than
five cents per pound. But at that price
an acre of well cultivated Concords will
bring 800. Judge Van Ness, of Char
lotte county, says:
The grape industry in Virginia is now
assuming respectable proportions, It is
clearly shown that the grape here is
superior for all purposes to that either
North or South. The soil and climate
are both adapted to grape culture.
Vineyards are being planted everywhere
in the State. Two gentlemen have re-
Gently come from New York and settled
in an adjoining county, and are meeting
with complete success in this new indus
try. All kinds of grapes seem to thrive.
The Concord, of course, produce in the
greatest abundance. The vines seem to
have no enemies, and need nothing so
much as the severest pruning, inasmuch
as the growth in single season is some
thing amazing.
Until Northern people began to settle
IN this State, grapes were hardly known.
1t is only about four years ago that Mr..
r. l.. McGeorge, near this town, a gen
tleman from the North, set out half
dozen Concords and Catawbas. He now
has immense quantities of the fruit from
those few vines giving away bushels and
selling large quantities at ten cents per
pound. Indeed, there is a ready market
at that price in Richmond, Washington
and Baltimore for every pound of Vir-
ginia grapes. 1t has been demonstrated