Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-04
DANVILLE AND VICINITY.

Rains aud Crops-The Coiored Man Ms .
Chopper Tobscco-Seeds - The Dan-River
Association.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dlspatch.l
DANvILLE, VA, August 3, 1885.
The rains which fell Saturday and
last night must have refreshed crops,
men, and beasts, and yet the rains are
very local, and parts of the country
are still suffering to some extent. In
travelling twenty-five miles across the
country in a buggy on Saturday the
writer was in one rain-storm, passed
from that due west into tract where
the wheels exposed dry earth, and
thence into a tract where the larger
creeks had been raised from two to
three feet an hour or two before by an
other storm.
The crops on the south-ofDan side
of Halifax county seem more backward
than those on the north side, the sea-
sons for planting having apparently
come later, and there was, it appears,
rather more land on that side let out to
negroes than on the north side. The
negro crops can be identified anywhere,
and this difference in the crops Of the
two races arises not only from lack Of
skill and energy on the part Of the ne
gro, but from want Of money for the
purchase Of fertilizers and the want OF
agricultural implements and Of teams,
and from unwillingness on the part of
the colored mans family to assist him.
The colored man as cropper has too
much faith.
One Of the Halifax farmers, gen.
tleman who has written much in behalf
Of the farmer and planter, has given at
tention to the raising Of tobacco-seeds
for market. Prom seventy-ive to
eighty bushels Of seeds are raised by
him per year, and are sent in every
direction at twenty-five cents per ounce.
This business having seemed profitable,
another planter, gentleman of some
note as local politician, has entered
it, and promises to rival the frst-named
gentleman.
The Dan-River Association held one
of the most pleasant Of its sessions at
CROSSROADS church, in Halifax county,
three days OF last week. Rev. w. b.
Williams, in the opening sermon,
preached on the unity of the Church.
The letters showed that about 100 per-
sons had been baptized, 4, during
the year, that there were about
1000 people engaged in Sunday
school work, and that the members
of the churches about 10000 had paid
in for the boards OF the General Asso-
citation about 1890. Rev. Drs. Duna-
way, Brown, and John William Jones
were present, and made interesting and
instructive speecheS-Dr. Brown on
education, DR.. Dunaway on home mis-
sions and temperance, DR.. Jones on
education, State missions, ministers
relief, and temperance. Rev. W. b.
Williams made speech on temperance.
He said "This matter belongs to the
churches"
Mr.. and Mrs. Elijah Jordan, who
live not far from South Boston, the pa
rents Of the Jordans Of South Boston,
will have seen the si1tieth anniversary
of their marriage if they live through
| October.
DANYILLE ITEMS.
The Grays, forty strong, have &C
cepted an invitation to attend the fu-
neral of General Grant as part Of the
Governors escort.
Sunday-school pic-nics are the estab-
lished order Of the day.
The Baptist church gave DR.. Good.
win on yesterday leave Of absence
for one month.
From Halifax Courthouse to Danville
all the Democrats approve the nomina.
tons, and General Lee had an'the time
been the choice of them all.
ALPHA.