The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-03-03
NrwsoM's. VA, February u, 1881

Dr.. Thomas POHard, RicEmOnd, w.:
Dear Sir,-In reply TO yours OF the Cab
uIIimo asking nv opinion relative to the
raising Of cotton further north in Virginia
than it is at present grown, and whether
think il is prottably raised IN the counties
now growing it, &c.. | would state ]
consiuer our lands here as well adapted
TO The growth Of cotton as thO'e
i'm the regular "cOttOn States" Our
seasons, while not quite u warm
nor long, are sufficiently So for It's
perfect maturity, and when Skifully cuiti-
waited, a liberal yield. The average quantity
made per acre in the "cOtton States l.
estimated at tye,huDdred pounds seed.cot-
ton. We make all OF that, il not more,
here. OF course. on the more fertile lands
OF these States they sometimes make four
or five times that quantity, and 30 DO we on
some farms in Virginia. In 1866 | pur'
chased very poor farm in this
Southampton cOuntV-s0 poor that
some parts OF IT would not produce
seyenly.tive pounds Of seduction per acre.
By The aid Of commercial fertilizers ! have
been making on this land for several years
about eighteen hundred pounds seed cotton
per acre.
Since receiving your letter have CORE
sponded With Colonel Alexander Savage, Of
Norfolk, who grows cotton on his truck
farm, about eight miles south OF that city.
He writes: "AbOut six years ago | bad
pIanted ten acres in cotton, and having
noticed particularly the methods OF
cultivation by successful farmers III
North Carolina / succeeded in maxi
| ing bale OF 500 pounds per acre. Since
which time | have planted yearly few
acres with success. Th3 past year bad cul-
| tiyateG twenly-cight acres in cotton, which
made an average OF 1900 pounds seed-cot-
ton per acre, or forty bales rs put up at the
gin. Some OF my tenants also made a
much per acre. Fertilizer used was OF my
own composing, using stable-manure ana
cotton.seed with chemicals purchased.
MANY OF my neghbOrs are successful In
making good crops OF cotton" tie further
states, "The staple raised in Underwater Nlr-
guia is as good a. any shipped from North
| Carolina" About five hundred bales were
packed in his immediate nelghborhood the
past season. where there was not gin a
| few Years ago. This is remarkably success
| full farming, and very few may hope to do
as well. Indeed, very few sections OF the
" cotton States can compete with II. Unlll
within the past few years cotton has been
/ regarded the most prOhtaDie crop mere,
The Virginia peanut now rivals it, and
but for the very low. price thl'
| product at pleSent communist /
| 20 very successfully rai>ed-it would
no doubt take the precedence. 1t require
| considerable attention to raise cotton suc
cessfuly. Slip.shod farming will not do II
YOU would make it pay. There has been
| considerable improvement in the culture OF
cotton here since the war in the way OF i'm
proved implements, deep ploughing, and
more liberal Use Of commercial fertilizers
| There is 10 doubt that commercial fcrtlli
GERS greatly promote the growth. early ma
turity, and opening OF cotton. | am OF ih'
opinion that cotton conld be probably
grown in many other counties In Virginia
| further north than it has been, and believe
THAT Virginia will yet be numbered anon;
the " cotton States"
am yours, very respectfully,
| w ii. DAUGHTERY.