Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-04-13
MAR ETS.
VINDIcAToR OFFICE,


The dull season has now fairly set in with
the grain trade, and will remain until the new
crops. Hay and wheat have been sold off
closer than usual, and there is, perhaps less
of both in the hands of farmers than is often
the case at this time of the year, though there
is enough to supply the very limited demand
now existing.
Potato planting is mostly over for the early
varieties, but those of our readers who have
some still to plant, should, in a small way, try
the plan recommended by the Rural New York
err the trench system and level culture. The
plan is to plant in trenches say Is inches
wide and deep, covering the seed very light
ly, with dirt, and filling the trenches with
high grade fertilizer. Hills are discarded,
and the after culture is level throughout. By
this system the 'Rural New Yorker claims
to have grown at the rate of 700 bushels of
good potatoes to the acre on poor land, and
. has wagered $50 with another agriculturist
that the same quantity will be raised this
year regardless of the kind of season. The
300 goes to charity and the crop is to be
gathered and weighed in the presence of three
we'll known farmers. We repeat that some of
our potato growers should in small way try
this plan for themselves.
1t is rather early to prophesy about the
coming crops but one can't ride through the
county just now without feeling cheered to
his very bone at the prospect. With a
fair season the next two months, we will
have crop the like of which has not been for
years. Wheat has ''boomed' from the seed
ing. The Fall has just suited, the crop was put
in well, and is now simply luxuriant. Fields
that have been pastured all winter will now
hide a rabbit. Grass is looking equally as
we'll, and, unless all .signs fail, this will be a
| fruit year long to be remembered. ''There is
many slip between the cup and the lip"
! but the present indications are all that could
| be desired.
The circular of R. G. Dunn & Co., of New
| York, for the week ending Saturday, reports
| considerable shrnkage of business for the
month of March. The tonnage of the great
| trunk lines from the West to New York shows
reduction of nearly thirty per cent. as COM
| pared with March, 1887. The decline of ex-
ports from New York for March, was 20 per
cent against an increase of 3 per cent. in i'm
ports. OF -four and wheat, exports for five
weeks have been shade less than half those of
last year, of corn only 43 per cent, and of
cotton 603 per cent. Prices, after three
| months of remarkable steadness, were lifted
by variety of speculations rapidly, but show
| weakness again; the general level is now less
| than three quarters of one per cent above that
of January LIST, with improvement in farm
products made scarce by last years drou ght,
| but general decline in manufactured products.
Wool has been weaker, manufacturers buying
for only present needs and the trade in woolens
is restricted In cottons the upward tendency
is arrested and print cloths are little down
with jobbing trade below expectations. In
| the hardware trade disappointing slaekness
| is reported. Hides after week of briskness
are dull again. Tea, sugar and butter, are
| all weak Comparative dullness usually pre-
{ walls in year of Presidential election, and it
would not be prudent to count upon speedy
return of the great activity of last year
Lie Dublu6SS ldIlUI6S UCCuTlluS uuiluS GlG
last seven days throughout the country num-
Der, for the United States. 1879, and for Cana
da %, or total of 227 failures, as compared
with total of 223 last week, and 243 the
week previous to the last.
Bradstreets for the week ending last Satur-
day, says funds do not show any signs of in
creasing stringency. Total exports of Wheat
and flour, both coasts, last week were the
| heaviest since early in September, equalling
2 100000 bushels. This makes total export
ted since July 1 last. of 101, 745, 600 bushels,
| or ii, 600 600 bushels less than one year ago,
but 40, 100000 bushels more than in like
portion of 1665-'o6.