The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-28
Our Virginia Crops.

EXPECTS or THE RECENT COLD AND WET wEA-
THER--PRosPECrs FOR THE LARGEST CROP
or WHEAT SINCE THE wAR-coRN BACK
WARD. But NOr NECESSARILY DAMAGED To
SERIOUS EXTENT - TOBACcOPLANTs IN
ABrNDANCE-sCARCITY or LABOR WITH
FARMERS; RAILROAD WORK THE CAUSE.
our adyices from all portions OF the
State in regard TO the growing crops are of
the mfst encouraging character.
Owing 10 the cool, damp weather which
we have had during nearly the whole OF
the spring
THE WHEAT CROP
n not so forward as usual. Wet weather,
or rather a wet May In nine years out OF
ten, indicates a poor wheat crop; but du-
ring this entire month, while there has been
much rain, the low temperature has kept
down rank growth and preciudcd all fear
OF rust. The harvest will be later than or
binary. but all the indications point to a
good Weld. while the acreage is at least AN
average one, and probably exceeding that
for several years past. The probabilities
are that there will be more wheat har-
vested in this State than for many years.
and that impression has already made
IFS influence felt in the market.
The James-Rlyer valley. both Tidewater
and Piedmont, will from present appear
anccs pour H. golden treasures In great
profusi0n into our city, while the tier Of
counties along the base Of the Blue Ridge
n far up as LOudoun. which county alone
raises n much wheat ~ all Of New Eng
land, and n far south n Pittsylyania, will
not be- behind in the race.
CORN.
The same causes which operated 10 keep
back the wheat have had their influence on
the corn crop. II was planted i'm good
time and came up, but there it, growth was
stopped, and Il looked yellow and sickly.
4 good working ami 4 few days Of hot
sunshine will. however, make a wonderful
change in Is looks, and where the land
now looks almost u il scOurged. will then
present long rows Of green and shining
foliage. Much rcplanting may have 10 be
done, but there Is plenty Of time for crop
10 mature, II even the entire field has 10 be
planted. our adyiccs are that there H.
rather above an average acreage under cul-
tiyatiOn.
10 - too early a. yet to make any estimate
Of the
TOBACCO
crop. Only in few places have planters
BEGUN 10 sci ont their plants. Except in a
few counties around Gordonsyille. where
we hear of some scarcity, there Seems TO be
an abundance Of plants. These have now
passed the age at which they receive injury
from the ily, and may be considered rs 81
cure. The labor question will prevent the
pitching - OF a. large a crop As formerly
The negro hand who have been relied upon
10 do the work u the farm, and who
seem 10 be peculiarly fitted for this
kind OF work, has found his labor tempo
rarily more rcmuucmtiye in other pur-
suits, mainly on railroads, and for this
present bcttcrmcnt be leaves his home and
gOes of until the cold OF winter drives him
back again. But the time OF his absence Is
The very season when the planter need him
on hi- farm, and because OF this unrc-
liablcncss The cutiyat0r Of the soil has TO
reduce his acreage, often very materially,
aud 90 his loss.
OATS.
This cereal has not received from our
planters the attention which Il deserves.
because Of 70. frequent failures. Winter
olt- are looking well, and give evidence OF
good yield. BIT few spring oats are
raised. Where they are sown they look
well. but IL + too early a. yet 30 make pre-
diciions or estimates regarding the yield.