The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-05-07
Wiregrass.

"lrcBraSS.
The following communication rather
surprises us. We have heard at lcas
one Virginia farmer speak almost as
hghly OF wircgrass as does Mr.. Pcarcc,
but we had no notion that it was the
one thing needed to restore Virginia to
prosperity and TO attact settlers from
without. We should like to hear from
Colonel Knight, or Colonel Ruf1in, or
some other expert, on this subject:
Quincy, Va, March 81, 1885.
TO the Editor Of the DisDatch:
Dear Sir-I have recently moved into
the State, and have read with much
interest your article III the Weeh3u Of
the 9th instant under the head Of GA
Question:" You say: "Thc history
of the world cannot produce such bar
gains for agriculturists as NAV be had
in Virginia lands. This state of things
has existed for years. These bargains
have gone a begging. Why?" Think
1t is because of the want of correct
information amongst the farmers Of
the Statc'as to the true value of "wirc-
grass Improperly so called, because
1T is the genuine "Bcrmuda"), which
is universally considered a great curse,
and as far as l have been able to learn
II is without friend in the State; but
It's properties are SO valuable it will
stay by its enemies until, in the course
OF time, it will be the redemption of
Virginia, If it is to be saved, of which
Go not doubt. If it had not been
that L recognized it as the genuine
"Bcrmnda," with which vas familiar
(out TO be certain that | was not mis-
'taEen, as it was disputed by promi-
Of A.
some to the Country Gentleman for
dollar for the whole of Spottsvlvania
county for agricultural purposes in the
sense you doubtless mcan-lhat is, for
wheat, corn, tobacco, etc. People
seem amazed when, III reply to their
question as to what crops am going
to raise, / tell them "wircgrass."
and refer them to the stock in nv
house-lot that have been wintered on
cornstalks and the dead wireprass
standing i'll the yard. Two aged COWS,
think, are fattcr than any ever had
Wlntcrcd on cornstalks and blucurass
IN kentucky, and are fat becvcs TODAY,
1t Is conceded by all that "wircgrassn
improves the soil; the objection TO it is
that it cannot be killed by cultivation.
Why kill it, if it will produce more net
money to the acre by grazing it than
anything else that can bc raised on the
lana! L have, however, very little
doubt that shall be able TO kill if if |
should at any time wish to do so. |
nave what is considered one Of the best
farms III the county, and the crops of
wheat and corn raised on it have not
pald expenses for some years, and WHY
still further impoverish it without
profit! The "wircgrass' patches have
furnished the best yields Of corn and
show.
-+.. | KNOW from gentleman who owned
kentucky bluegrass farm, and also q
sugar plantation in Louisiana, that he
considered forty acre field of his
"Bermuda" in Louisiana equal to any
one hundred and twenty G2O) acres
OF blncgrass that he ever saw in Ken
tucky. And | think one acre Of the
"wircgrasS" in my yard here will fur
nish more grazing than the best two
(2) acres Of bluegrass in Kentucky or
anywhere else.
If the land on the railroad between
Richmond and Washington is a fair
sample of the State, | do not think
either foreign or northern emigrants
should be invited into Virginia, unless
they have means to pay for land,
fences, and to live while planting and
getting sod of "Bcrmuda" ("Wirc-
grass"D, and then be able to stock up
with, cattle and sheep when prepared
Tor them, without expecting any in
come from the farm in the meantime ;
otherwise they are invited to certain
disaster, as the lands arc too much
exhausted to furnish living by culii-
Vation and be improved at the same
time by poor man.
L hope when The farmers meet in
convention at Richmond, if anv If
them have or may know any ono who
has utilized "wiregrasS" for grain"
purposes in Virginia, that it may be
brought out, and hope may be able
ana willing to spare the time necessary
t. find out all about "wircgrassH
>Bermuda) for the benefit of the State
at large.-J. Pearca IN Souihern
Planter.