Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-05-27
Stauntotl Speftatos,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 81, 1885.
WHEAT.

suits, which were not agricultural, became
the owner of Virginia Valley farm of ell
egant natural resources upon which to base
a high grade of culture. With his solid
Judgment in re-arranging, cleaning up,
deep ploughing, and the regular shifting of
the cereals and grasses in crop production,
fertility was restored, and his barns and
cribs were annually stored with abundant
yields-the farm paying under his direction.
Prices of products were, however, low, and.
investigating to find something new which
would pay better, he was induced to try a
new departure, leaving for the time of
making test the old methods and systems
in the rear, which his practice and expert
ence admitted had produced fine results in
contributions to his aggregated wealth,
though he complained of insufficiency in
clear cash. His conclusion was, that the
experiment must be made, and the finest
field of the beautiful estate was assigned
for the test In less than four years, the
broad even acres became poor again, and
the increased revenue failed to appear. In
lieu of wheat, corn, oats, timothy, and
clover, and the aftermath of the last, with
its seeds of golden value, another and a
new kind of crop for the region was pro-
duced. 1t left no green sward, as did the
abandoned system, and as to pasturage it
was not in the count. The new departure
was, of course, dropped from the order of
business, but the fine old gentleman did
not live to see that beautiful field, which
had so often filed his heart with gladness,
restored to it's wonted state.
Enlarging and improving our resources
and opportunities, and not the abandonment
of any of our many mixed productions to
which our lands are adapted, should be the
purpose of all engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. In addition to the chief occupation
of raising staple crops, livestock, orchards
dairying, wool, ETC., are the natural expan
sions of enterprise, but they are not new
departures. Keeping pace with the en-
lightened systems of farming. and awaiting
ourselves of all the benefits of improved
machinery, are, also, natural results which
follow the permanency with which we ad-
here to the cultivation of our long-tried
and standard field crops.
Having had for series of years abun-
dant harvests with fair prices for our wheat,
the low figures at which it started in the
markets after the OVERLOOKING yield of last
year caused feeling of depression through
out Virginia, which, with the over-esti-
mated production of India, caused for a
time the farmers seriously to think that
wheat culture with us was to be a thing of
tie past. The State Convention of farmers
which assembled at Charlottesville in Au-
gust generally entertained that view. We
combatted from the first the idea which
ment of the wheat-crop; not only because
we were passing through times of depres-
sion, but because its absence from our sys-
tenn would arrest, if not destroy, the high
coarser work und less profits in the aggre
gated values of our husbandry. To pre-
pare the surface for the profitable employ
ment of tie dill, the reaper, and the
mower, has accomplished and is doing
more "a Store oar wasted fields than al
other agencies which are employed in soil
culture. Year Ly year, except this, has
witnessed continued increase cf surplus
wheat, and the exports, by railroads alone,
of hay for the year ending last July from
Augusta county was five times larger than
the entire crop forty years ago-that, too,
with an increasing home consumption
Ours is not strictly pastoral country, and
without wheat-culture the grass-crop will
not progress in enlargement. Wheat has
accomplished that result and its inviting and
elevating associations in our pursuits out
may occas onally take from it direct cash
profit.
Estimates made from the most reliable
sources of information, bring out the tate
ment that in proportion to acres the aver
age falling off in our next harvest will moi
be below some of the more prolific wheat
growing States of the West. Unfavolable
seeding seasons come alike to ALL The Sc,
we're winter ard unpropitious spring time
have visited all sections, and a deere ased
yield is set down for every portion Of the
country, and largely so in the spring sowing
localities. Notwithstanding these facts,
Western farmers are not discussing tie
qut stion Of change. 1t las ceased to be as
much talked Of here as formerly, and we
are glad of it.
In relation to the next harvcst-yield.
there is general concurrence in the esti
mates made, except by the specializing in
terests. Mr.. Chamberlain, Secretary of
the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, puts it
at 262, IA, 900 bushels. The National Ar
Iicultural Department makes it more, but
upon closing dates not as recert as Mr..
Chamberlain had. All agree that as the
season advances, the prospect diminishes in
comparison with preceding estimates-the
weather continuing unfavorable. This, we
believe, is also the conclusion of all OBJ
servers in Virginia.
The estimate of average yields during
the last five years, aggre eating all the wheat
growing States, were 412, 800, 600 bushels.
The great crop of 1894 was estimated at
100000 In round numbers the short
age this year will fall below the average
years $50, 900, 600, and under 1884, 200, OOO.
900 bushels. Mr.. Chamberlain concludes
his report with the statement that the
coming harvest will be most disastrous
failure.
Two weeks ago, we compiled summary
in relation to wheat prospects in the West
ern and Northwestern States from the Chi
cago correspondent of the New York Jour
nat Of Commerce, which presented gloomy
outlook. Continuing, Ne same authority
~" leereselllSIn me pictures in very dark
colors. Regarding the winter wheat as a
failure, he has this to say in urging a con-
tinuation Of sowing spring wheat, and re.
iterating his formerly expressed opinion that