Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-08-12
Wheat-GrOwing in.the Future.

There was time when the wheat pro-
ducers of Virginia had an influence in reg
ulating to some extent the price to be paid
for their surplus. There was no regular
organization in this, it is true, but by a
close investigation of the demand, with an
estimate of the quantity available as sup
ply, especially considered with reference to
exports of -four from Richmond to South
America and coast-wise, the whole subject
was within their ability to exercise dis
corning discretion as to the time, and at
what prices, they would be willing to un-
lock their barns. The preference for Rich
mond flour, made so by the superior Vir-
ginia wheat, without wide Western fields
in competition, placed the whole question,
as we were then situated, within the bounds
to which we have adverted.
The opening Of the great West, and new
and wonderful facilities of transportation,
have shorn Virginia farmers of discre-
ton, never exercised unreasonably, though,
according to the rules which govern all 9th
er than agricultural interests, it was pre-
rogative, and it's power made to advance
their direct interests a natural right.
After reading and rejecting on an arti-
Gle, which will be found on another page
of the SPECTATOR, entitled '-Competition
in European Grain Supplies" we have
thought how soop the time might arrive, if
not already here, when the wheat produ-
GERS of this whole country may find that
great interest checked to an alarming ex-
tent in it's value, and upon scale to which
the Virginia adversely is but a feeble illus
tration. More than this, the specializing
interests and power, which is wont to lay
violent hands on our chief staple, will be
unable to regulate, under any rule, reason
able or otherwise, it's value, or to corner
the foreign markets, though they might do
so in our interests.
The writer of the article referred to, and
to which we invite attention, is a philoso-
pher in his composition, and does not leave
us stranded on that future, which is to drive
our surplus wheat from foreign markets.
Whilst he wrote from standpoint which
has placed Western interests uppermosr in
his reflections, his suggestions are worthy
of consideration by our Valley farmers, for
in many respects the means for gaining
profit thereby are more at our command
than they are in the West. Meat supplies
and the winter dairy products are far short
of the demand, and in these he sees the
silver lining Oh the cloud.
The whole matter affects our Augusta
and Valley farmers, whether it be the large
producer or the solitary toiling man on his
few acres. More than this, it concerns the
hired laborer, whose interests are identified
with his employer and cannot be separated,
except through improper means and by IN
natural causes.
If Russia and India are moving along
the pathway of enlightened agriculture te
the extent which will bring our wheat-ex
porting States to pause In its cultivation,
the revolution will touch the interests Of
every man whose money or hand is en-
ployed in it. To the mixed industries, al
present so well pursued in our own section,
we can enlarge and add others, if unfavora.
BILE circumstances shall demonstrate that oul
surplus wheat is improbable for reward
Our section of country now fills no unimpor
tant place in live stock growing 1t car
be immensely enlarged, and if capital and
energy should be applied to dairying pur
suits, no equal amount of acres anywhere
can excel it.