Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-14
BUSY BEES.



To the Editor of the Dispatch:
One Of the mistakes Of the farmers of
Southside Virginia since the war has
been the undue attention paid to one
crop to the consequent neglect of all
others. Tobacco has been king, and
never did despot rule with more rigor.
Few have been found to dispute its right
to rule, and none have dared to usurp
its place. / have no word to write
against the weed. l recognize that it
has a proper place in the farming world.
/ only wish to protest against its abso-
lutte sway. No one can deny that we
grow in this section Of Virginia a to-
bacco which is grown nowhere else.
The world wants it, and we should fur
nish it. But the market does not
call for an imitation. 1t demands a
good sample. How to get it, then, is
the important question, and the answer
brings me to the subject Of this COM
mupication. Cultivate only so much
as YOU can enrich and cultirate pslf-
and this gives time for proper atten.
ton to other things-and you will
make the kind Of tobacco which is
wanted and for which . remunerative
price will be paid. i have recently
been on . visit to "Edgewood," the
home Of that enterprising Virginian,
Major A. r. Venable, Jr., some two
miles from the town Of Farmville, and
in the very heart Of the tobacco-grow-
ing section of Southside Virginia. l
presume that this land is IS we'll adapt
ed to the growth of tobacco as any in
the State, but its thoughtful owner
has determined that the weed shall
not choke out other industries, or
consume every energy at his command.
Hence preparation has been made to
plant 81 acres in tomatoes. These, of
course, will be put up for winter use,
and if the Major could only induce his
neiehbors to furnish him with the mate
rial upon which to operate, this indus"
try would soon assume splendid pro-
portions, and furnish not only remune-
rative work for the laborer, but homo
market for tomatoes, corn, beans, peas,
and fruits Of all kinds. / truly believe
that il the farmers Of that immediate
section were to curtail their tobacco
crop by one half and then devote the
land and the labor to the cultivation oil
such crops as have named that one
years experience would satisfy them
Of the folly Of being absorbed with to-
bacco. wish they would try it.
And now as to the busy bee, OF whom
/ started to write Well, these are the
pets of the Majors just now. Ofcourst
he will cultivate tobacco, and can to.
matoes, but the bee will command much
of bis labor and most Of his love.
never expected to spend day in the
very presence Of the busy and buzzine
little Iriendst }, but, having been armoret
by the Major, | invaded his home
and under the leadership of one who
was trusted staff.oflicer Of the immer.
tai Stuart communed with the house
hold without sting, and learned some.
.bipg Of the habits of this most remarka
BILE worker. These, however, lido not un
dertake to write about, as whole
volumes are already dedicated and
devoted TO that most interesting
subject. My purpose is only to cal
attention to the fact that bee-cultore il
Southside Virginia can be made very
pleasant and most profitable. min,
host" knows his bees-many Of then
by pame-and derives great pleasure
from sssociatipg with them. Befor
smbs, king upon the enterprise largely
a. be has now done--he had thorough!
informed himself by extensive readinl
Of their culture and care, and has great,
increased this knowledge by daily con
tact with them. What mistake tn
farmer makes who does not study hi
business Is the successful professions
man does his books.
Tho Major, with his accomplishs
son, Master Reid venable, just sixtee
years OF age, makes his own hives, an
they are things Of beauty, and whs
filled with honey, as they are bsin
rapidly done, will DO sources of gre,
profit. Take just one hive and pu.
in the corner Of the yard, attend to i
and then keep an account of the yielt
and this will encourage you to pr
twenty there, and your honey become
the spin. money for the family, th
everyday currency Of home. and whs
the tobacco crop is sold you will hav
10 grocer's bill to pay, but will be or
abled to make some profitable invest
ment. Yes, continue to raise tobacco
but give some time to fruiss, and ffou
srs, and busy bees, and home become
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