Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-04
EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS IN AGRICUL
TIRE

winch Cne success OF Gne luSOauuncil, ut-
chanics, and merchants largely depends
ought never to grow threadbare; and as
readers of public journals, in general, re-
ceive super-abundance of editorial politi-
cal views and extracts, something out of
| the ordinary stereotyped grooves will
doubtless prove beneficial and of interest
It is self-evident fact, that the super
structure of all wealth, is based upon what
comes out of the ground. But for the Ag-
riculturist, there would be no merchant,
and upon the success Of the farmer de-
ponds the growth and advancement in all
the marts of trade. This, in the natural
course of events, extends to manufacturing
interests and even to the professions. So the
farmer is The man around whom resolves all
the machinery that goes to make up progress
and success The question then presents
itself, how the average farmer can be in
duced to put into practical operation rules
and laws which have been furnished for
his guidance? Too many cling to what
they regard as the result of their own ex-
perience, regardless of the fact that great
| improvements have been made in this nine
teenth century, and facts have been devel.
oped from well ordered and thoroughly
considered experiments. Men of science
have interpreted the laws of nature, and
from their deductions we are enabled to
answer intelligently why the soil is impov-
erished, and in some degree explore the
kingdom of nature, and learn the best
methods of again making it fertile. The
network of railroads throughout the entire
country pours the agricultural wealth of
| the West into our commercial ceptres, and
brings its products into competition with
the lands of the East-lands of Virginia.
which, in many instances, are worn out, SO
to speak. Now, what application Of sci
ence can place us on a platform of equality
with the West. The question is ably an
swered by Dr. NJ. P. Scott, of the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical College, who
says:
"This can be most certainly and sooner
done by the establishment of experimental
stations and farms, so that faith may be
based on works. They will serve, besides
to illustrate and demonstrate the rules of
the art of agriculture, the science of agri-
ture as Taught in our Agricultural Colleges.
| The benefit of experimental forms would
not be confined to the immediate neighbor-
hood, for it would not be difficult to induce
earnest men in different and distant regions
to cooperate, and adopt systems demon
strated to be beneficial; indeed, spirit of
experimental investigation would be en-
| gendered which would result in the prac-
| tice of agriculture upon fixed rules or laws
adapted to the conditions of soil, climate,
and topography.
! The introduction of Peruvian guano
marks an era in the history Of Agriculture
| This wonderful agent seemed to be the long
sought-for philosophers stone; by its magic
| tonch the minerals of the earth were in
very truth to be transmitted into gold.
The earth was to yield up her hidden treas
| ures and empty them into the lap of the
| place to the age of gold-poor land was
considered better than rich soil; it would
be more profitable to cultivate poor and
cheap land if in possession of this talisman
or elixir of plant life.
| 1t is probable the use of Peruvian guano
| resulted in ecuniary loss to the farmer as
well as injury to the land, because he knew
not how to avail himself of this wonderful
agent. Nevertheless, the Introduction of
Peruvian guano gave great impetus to
| agriculture. The chemic art was at once
appea ed to in order to ascertain the ingre-
dients as well as proportions in which they
existed.
\
| The question in relation to the value of
| fertilizers can only be ascertained by means
of experimental stations Those manufac-
turers who make a FL st-class article are in
terested in this matter; for it seems to be a
law of trade that mean, cheap article
will drive out of the market good, but
higher priced one.
Experimental stations should have farms
attached, so that results may be verified
upon a larger SCALE A farm would at
| he same time afford an opportunity to put
in practice the recognized principles of
stock breeding and would enable the State
to distribute the finest varieties to farmers
those best adapted to the different regions
of Virginia. AS matters stand now, the
rich have monopoly of tine results of the
| talent and labor spent in stock breeding.
A liberal spirit would dictate that farmers
might send their heifers to the thorough
bred bulls, on paying cost of feeding, atten-
ton, etc.
In view of the CT that the great West
can, or soon will be able to, lay at our doors
wheat cheaper than we can gather it from
our fields the question must be considered
of engaging in those agricultural pursuits
for which the soil and climate are especially
adapted-particular varieties of tobacco,
grape culture, the best suited to the differ
ent climates and soils, possessed by the
State. Beet culture for sugar, etc.
The geographical position of Virginia
shows that she should become the high
way for Western produce to reach the
markets of the world but what is essential
to her prosperity and development is the
cultivation of those products for which her
climate and physical relations afford supe-
rior advantages.
All these questions will doubtless be dis
cussed fully. in the coming Farmers Con-
vention, to which delegates from this coun-
ty have already been appointed, and our
readers will be kept posted upon these i'm
portant and interesting subjects.
Suicide Of a Foreigner at Hinton, W. Va.
On Sunday morning of last week, the
body of dead man, who had hung him
self, was found in the hay-mow Of the sta
BILE of Mr.. Clark James in Hinton, W. Va.
1t is supposed that the body, which was
frozen stiff when discovered, had been
hanging there for two weeks,-the NOV
not having been used for that time-and
the rats had eaten the nose and portions of
the arms.
The Hinton Herald says
Con his person was found a railroad
baggage check, seven cents in money, and
slip of paper, on which was written in a
bold, free hand, the following:
please give this man the nearest way to
Pocahontas mines. He cannot speak Eng
lish. Give him all the assistance you can
Does he not have to cross the river at Hin
topO;