The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-12
farm aud 6ardeu.
conducted by DR.. THOMAS POLLARD, State
Commissioner of Agriculture
Explanatory.

the cause OF temperance, and was proba-
bly, the best mode of warning against in
temperance. we explicitly stated that we
only spoke for ourselves, and not for the
Editors of this paper. 1t was however
proper for them to state, as they did, that
they do not advocate in this paper the
manufacture of wine, and regretted the
insertion of Mr.. Riersons article on grape
culture and wine making in Virginia,
particularly as many might not see my
disavowal in their behalf. We were in
dnced to publish Mr. Riersons article for
the purpose of imparting information to
the farmers on what we think is destined
to be an important interest to the State
with the honest belief that as people will
use stimulants of some kind, they had
better drink light wines than whiskey or
4 brandy.
Our Exports and Imports.
In recent number of this paper we
gave statement of some of our exports
derived from the farm. AS further evil
dence Of the prosperity of the country,
and the demand for our products, we
give the following: Indian corn exported
IN 1880 for nine months to the value of
$5O,565696, and in 1879, $32,9l1, lib;
wheat and wheat -four for same period in
1880, $l56, 224,054, and in 1879, $780,
407 Asa. CThe year 1879 was the year
of the great failure of the wheat crop in
England.) For the same period in 1880,
cotton, manufactured, exported, $685.
446, 500, and in 1879, sos, 429, 797. To-
bacco leaf and manufactures thereof, in
1880, nearly fifteen million dollars, and
in 1879 about ten millions and quarter.
Of wood and the manufactures thereof,
in 1880, near thirteen millions, and in
1879 about eleven and third millions.
OF machinery and other manufactures of
( iron, In 1880, upwards of six millions
and in 1879 upwards of five millions
!. This is independent of manufactures of
steel and fire arms, the latter item amount
ing in 1880 to $9l7, 1863, and in 1879 to
81 81 ,66l, strange difference in the
two years.
Among our articles of import, coffee,
tea, wool, sugar, manufactures of iron.
silk, and cotton, are the heaviest items,
three of which, viz: sugar, cotton manu-
features, and wool, we ought to make and
raise at home. In round numbers in
dollars the imports of coffee for 1880 was
40 MILLIONS, and in 1879, 35 millions-of
tea nearly II millions in 1890 and III
millions in l879-of sugar and molasses
IN 1880, about n millions, and in 1879
about DO mllllons-of unmanufactured
wool, III millions in 1880, and 81 mil
lions in 1879, (this besides cloths shawls,
blankets, &C., which are heavy items)-
of cotton manufactures in 1880, about 26
millions, and in 1879 about II millions
OF silk manufacture in 1880, 80 millions.
and In 1879, % millions-of iron and
steel and manufactures thereof above 60
millions in 1880, and about Is millions
IN 1879. This is drain upon the coun-
try which should be stopped. We import
not only manufactures of iron, but in
1880 we imported upwards of 80 millions
of pig, bar, old, and scrap iron. And
this with the immense deposits of iron in
this country. Virginia alone could fur
nlsh this amount of iron for many years
to come
"reminiscences of the Weather.
We give some memoranda of the
weather, in past years 1t has been re-
marked that the last fall has been one Of
unusual severity. This only shows how
little persons remember about the wealth
er IN years gone by, as has been frequent
ly and very justly remarked In 1841
Novemt6er 10Th, we had a very deep snow
with very cold weather, the deepest
snow, and the coolest weather during
the succeeding winter. remember this,
because | had just then commenced prac
ticing medicine in the country-(which
was also combined with farming). And
these cold falls have required since 1841.
more than once. 1868-again resumed
farming, after practising medicine 81
years. The winter of 1868 and 90 from
farm memoranda kept was very mild
and well adapted for farm work. A cold
winter was predicted for 1869-'7O, but it
was mild winter. January 13th-mild
enough to do without fres-sowed gar
den peas. January 31st-violets migno-
nette, and jasmine in bloom, and peach
trees nearly so. February 2d-peas com
ing up; has been no snow to lie on the
ground. February 2Oth-turned cold
and on 22d had snow of one inch tbe
first to lie on the ground during the win
ter. March 6th-deep snow, of 8 or 9
inches, deepest in the winter, but not
very cold. Ice put up in the western
parts Of the State, and some in the east
ern part.
The winter of 187O-'71 was cold. with
frequent SHOWS. That of 1912 was