Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-11

IRRIGATION, RRAINAGE AND ENCLOSURES,
"There is but little need for irrigation in
Virginia, but it is an advantage that might
be made of much value in gardening in
some sections, and many locations could be
permanently prepared for irrigation at little
cost.
drainage is all important in lower Vir.
ginia. To secure perfect health and the
most magnificent roads in Tidewater Vir-
ginia demands public system changing the
road laws a. we'll as laws to secure the
proper drainage Of private estates. Moth.
ing so much retards immigration to Tide
water Virginia as it's swamps and bad roads,
"As to enclosures there is rapid ten.
dency in public opinion to abolishing all crop
enclosures or fence laws. The value of
timber for market and the price of labor
have concluded the discussion in regard to
lawful fences of five feet high of timber.
DAIRYINa AND LIVE STOCK.
"Ssock raising and dairying in Virginia
have materially increased, and there has
been large increase in the number of i'm
proved aninals. There are counties in the
State where on nearly every farm will be
found Jersey and Holstein stock or their
grades. There are few counties in which
there will not be found horses with more or
lees Norman and Clydesdale blood. Breed.
ing fine trotting stock as we'll as fine road
sters and English backs and hunters has
increased, and while the former record of
the race horse region of Virginia has been
lowered still horses on the turf reared in
Virginia, and stables that furnish fine blood
ed animals, can be found. More attention
has been given to sheep, especially to the
rearing of lambs for the Northern cities,
than ever before, and Virginia is now pro
ducing as fiue Cotswold and Southdowns as
ever, and has added quite number of
Shropshire and Lincolnshire focks to the
list. Wool growing has decreased. No
State is better adapted to the prod of
wool, but neither the old settlers DOR the
immigrants will invest in large -focks un-
til they are assured Of proper the perma-
nent dog law
POULTRY RAISING.
"rhis industry has increased and is still
increasing, both as an adjunct to farming
and as main industry. In some places the
incubator has been introduced, but has not
been sufficiently tested to create much in.
terest. Nothing appears to pay better for
the capital invested and tho care and atten-
tion required than the rearing of chickens
and ducks, and on the large farm, turkeys,
guinea fowls and geese. The consumption
of fowls and eggs in the cities and towns
has increased and bids fair to continue, and
the price of ponltry and eggs for consump-
tion 10 the cities of the State, aud for ship
ment North, has been we'll kept up through
the year. There has been less general com
plant of diseases among fowls this year
than for several years. Everything con-
nected with this branch of agriculture indi-
Gates that farmers will do well to increase
and give more attention to poultry raising.
IMMIGRATION.
81 have received several letters Zone from
Ireland and two from England) stating that
the writers had seen notice of Virginia from
this department., and that they desired to
buy farms in this State at about $5, 900
cash, and making further inquiries. One
children, came from Switzerland in answer
to literature sent him, bringing $4,000 in
gold. He bought farm, team, &c., and
went to work in New Kent county, but did
not buy of the county agent. am still re-
ceiyiug letters from parties in the North
west expressing desire to come and look
at Virginia this fall. l am satisfied that
while, without more than the newspaper
notices of our mineral wealth and its partial
development, and the examination of the
cabinet, numbers of capitalists have visited
Virginia and invested in its mines and fac
tories, and have brought many laborers and
employees; yet it will take more direct and
personal work in the North and North west,
and more money than this Board can with
draw from the other legitimate work, for
which the department was created, to secure
the immediate immigration of the large
number of agriculturists who have means
and desire to settle in Virginia. The early
settlement of Virginia's uncultivated lands,
the .relief of her people from this burden,
the change of lands at once non-producing
but tax-paying, into cash capital to be used
in Improvements and the increase of valua-
bic stock, filling the State with intelligent
prove lands, is great question, demanding
grave consideration and early attention.
LARaR STATISTICS.
s'That labor in Virginia is cheap and
abundant in many sections is true, and that
in most sections farm labor of the simpler
kinds is worth its cost, except near villages
and railroad stations.
''In some places it is unreliable, but
wherever abundant and hired by the day,
with or without rations, and employed un-
der the eye of the employer, it is cheap and
reliable.
"The labor of Virginia is fairly content
ed, farm labor especially; free from strikes
and disturbances. The pay of farm labor
by the day is fifty cents with board, seventy
five cents without board; and from eight to
twelve dollars per month, with rations. For
boys and women the price is less. This is
perhaps more than a farmer (except on rich
land) can afford to pay the year round. The
best olsss of white farm lahorers might be
Increased here and do we'll; in some Sec
tions they might buy cheap land, work and
pay for it, and secure q home"