The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-16
Progress in Riverheads
NOTED BY THOMAS.

w VilC bcdu vi NUllett 3 CREEK, Ill aug lol d
1t requires two days time to complete The
route of gathering the cream. The Fair
lamb cans are used. At present the cream
is gathered only twice week. So far the
patrons are well pleased, as they are get.
ting more for the cream that makes a
pound Of butter than they could for the
butter made by themselves.
Several new industries are spoken of to
be commenced this spring. There is but
little doubt that a cannery will be started
at Spotswood. Mr. Spencer and others
have the matter in hand and they will no
doubt push the enterprise to a successful
issue. Capt. VIM. G. McKemmy visited
some of the Botetourt canneries few
days ago, with view to embarking in the
business The Captain has been large
dealer in cattle, and finding the balance
often on the wrong side of the ledger, be
is looking about for some more certain
business. AT least he means to diversity
his methods and if one fails another will
hit,
| Some of the more progressive farmers
of this section, have enhanced the feeding
value of corn fodder by threshing it, The
| product thus obtained has feeding value
equal to cut fodder. and at far less cost.
| F. B. Terry says in the Country Gentleman.
| 1.-THE new plan of threshing the corn is
going to help some. as very much more
fodder can then be stored in the same
space under cover, and it is in good shape
TO feed out, and what is left will not make
such terribly long manure. Quite large
amount of corn has been threshed this
season. Some are running the fodder
through after husking the corn. They
report that they can thresh the fodder
easier than they can cut it, l have more
faith in this practice than in the threshng
of the corn" We note also that the prac.
tice is followed to considerable extent in
several of the Northern and Western
States. During our stay in Riyerheads.
we had the pleasure of examining some of
this threshed fodder 1t is literally cut to
pieces, as fine as shavings from planning
1 mill. The cows and calves to which it is
| fed, eat it greedily. and only reject the
hard hull of the stalk. Not only is the
feed value of the fodder increased, but it
opens up a new field for the thresherman.
/ In these days OF hurry and rush, the
thresherman' season for the use of his
grain machine, only lasts about 60 days.
Now let him use the same machine for
threshing fodder and his season can be
do lbled. The threSherman will no doubt
say IF we use our machines for threshing
fodder, we will have TO procure new ones
the next season." The report comes from
the craft in the West and North that the
threshing of corn is as easily done and of
no more injury to the machine than ordi-
nary grain. The subject is one OF impor-
lance, and should be Investigated by farm
ers and threshermen both. Many tons of
fodder are wasted annually in every neigh
bolhood, because of its unwieldly nature.
Generally it is fed in the field where little
value results as manure; the hard stalks
being scattered about do not readily de,
compose,
If hauled to the barn and fed In stables,
its bulk greatly increases the labor of
keeping them clean Thresh your fodder
and it is no more trouble to handle than
timothy hay, makes almost, if not alto
gether, as good feed, and will double the
manure pile,
The road subject we will not tackle fur
| hon, tn hot no trin 1y
complished in four or five hours by your
correspondent, took the entire day. v e
passed in sight of your Middlebrook CORE
spondent' s house, and would like to have
called but our time was limited AS his
| familiar cognomen has not appeared in
| the VIRGINIAN for some time, we wonder
if he is taking a Rip Van Wrinkle sleep
Let him wake up and report what IS going
on around him,
We learn that the measles are prevailing
from where the Howardsvllle road crosses
Christians creek, up the South side of the
valley as far as Raphine. Two or three
schools in the section afflicted have been
closed because the teachers are down with
|
Johnnie Garrison, at Raphine on Monday
last.
| Mr.. Gibson has been in the district for
some time, buying walnut. He takes the
whole Of trees cut that can be used either
in the log or sawed. The price paid is
about $2l per thousand feet, net in the
tree. Mr.. G. ships to Boston. The most
of the walnut found along the base of
North Mountain and in the foot hills, is
of the genuine black variety and is of
more value than the red kind. Other par
ties are getting out quantities of hickory
and shipping it east. Thus is the old story
verified of sending away raw material and
! buying back the finished product. How
long our people can stand this drain, time
alone can tell.
Some of the sportsmen of Waynesbero
and vicinity have organized gun club.
They will meet weekly and practice in the
art of shooting on the wing. AT the lirst
meeting held few days ago. Mr.. James
Coiner succeeded in breaking ten out of
twelve balls. When the boys become ex.
perts. let them use their ammunition on
the English sparrow, and while they are
amusing themselves, they will be meriting
the thanks Of the community, by destroy
! ing. in a measure, a worse than useless
bird-unless it can be converted into pot
pie. as has been recommended in some
quarters.
News has just reached here that Mr.
Frank Finks, former citizen of this
place, was shot by an operator in Texas.
| His brother John, a U. S. commissioner,
a constable and some of the railroad Off
cials are in pursuit of the murderer with
blood hounds. The cause of the tragedy
was not stated. THOMAS
CentreVille Items.
FRpnOrtad for the VIRGINIAN1