Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-07-16
fIrain and CIR "a Crops

Wheat will always b. che principal grain
crop of Augusta. The soil: and seasons
suit it. No where in the world can better
mill ing wheat be raised that right here in
this part of the Valley of Virginia. Our
bearded wheat-"Longberry" it is called
ON change in the cities, has no superior in
quality. It is always wanted. Patent
Roller New Process millers want it for
their best grades of family flour made for
home trade. The large city mills want it for
export, for flour ground from this wheat
has the virtue of bearing transporting
from this country to South America with
out being hurt by the change of climate.
The market price for wheat has lately
ruled very low, yet our farmers have the
satisfaction of knowing that their wheat,
wherever sold, always brings the top of
the market. The crop just harvested in
the county is a very large one: The acre.
age sown was more than an average. the
growth luxuriant, the yield heavy. I'm
fortunately the weather was unfavorable
for harvesting. It was difficult to do sat-
isf actory work with the self-binders. and
Grabbing was out Of the question with
such crop. The weather has continued
wet since harvest, preventing the crop
from being hauled up. The situation,
therefore, is critical. It will take nice
management to save the grain now stand
ing in shock. The few crops already
threshad have proven too damp to be mer.
charitable. We notice the Richmond
millers and grain dealers have met and
adopted resolutions begging the farmers
Of the State not to ship wheat there I'M
J less in good dry condition, as it could be
handled. il wet, only at a heavy loss to
the farmer. It is good advice. Wheat
will dry in the straw better than anywhere
| else. We may say it is the only way it
ever thoroughly dries. Science hasn' t
found means OF drying damp wheat by
chemical process, and milers really cannot
use at IN that condition, and will buy it
only at greatly reduced prices, if at ALL
| This is one OF the years when it will pay
farmers TO ''made haste slowly" about
| threshing. Let the avheat dry in the Strdap.
| CORN.
! II there is anything in the old saying,
| "a dry June for corn," the crop cannot
amount to much this year-June certain
ly wasn't dry. But taken as whole, the
crop looks tolerably we'll. There was not
SO much planted as last year, and if the
crop turns out in bulk half what was
gathered last fall, it will be about as much
as we expect.
| OATS.
The cold rains OF early Spring delayed
the oat sowing until late, and the crop
started badly. Later the season was fav-
orable, and the prospect improved. The
continued rains have caused the straw to
fall, and in many places the crops are ly-
ing On the ground, and If cut will be nee
essary to use the grass scythe to do it.
| HAY.
! The clover crop was most elegant-the
best for years. 1t was practically ruined by
rain. The crop could not be saved. Much
! of it rotted CD the ground, and that hauled
| up Is worthless for market, and of very
little value for feed at all.
Timothy is good, both as to the stand
and quality. 1t is now being cut, and 1t
is hoped will be saved in good order.