The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28
The PROSPECT And AREA.
A Forecast Of The Wheat, Corn and Fruit
Crops Of Virginia.
HOW OUR COUNTIES ARE BEING SETTLED.
Immigration Is Receiving Much Attention.
The Farmers Institute at PULASKI VIII
Have Distinguished Speakers.

The Commissioner Of Agriculture sends out
two general inquiries TO farmers throughout
the State twice year. One Ia june in con-
nection with the crop average and prospect
and the other in October on the harvest. The
inquiry for crop area and prospect was sent
out May Goth to several known reliable farm
CTS IN each county with request that they be
returned by June goth. so that the report
might be published by July lst.
The information asked for covered the
average of each crop aud the PROJECT for
yield rs compared with previous years. Com
prehensiye reports have been received from
seventy-eght counties and the average OF
the various reports from each county has
been made out, and tho whole placed III tho
hands Of the printer.
AREA AND PROSPECT.
4 TINES reporter called at the Commissions
er's Office yesterday and found dat tie COM
missioner had gone 10 Naveriy 10 mako an
address on immigration. but through tho
courtesy OF his accomplished secretary. Mr.
| David =. Garland. be was permitted to make
the following forecasts ir M the reports mem
| toned: The average Of prospect for wheat in
seventy-one counties growing that cereal Is 81
uer cent. as compared with other years while
the acreage IS only ~ per cent III other
cpai wheat-grOwing counties tie crop pros
poet IS s71s per cent of average years while
the area IS only 81 ! per cent. ot the average
year.
THE CoRS CROP.
The corn crop in the whole State is unusu-
| ally large IN acreage. there being 8 per cent
over the average wear. but the percentage of
yield is estimated at only 90 per cent. Of tine
average year. whereas. taking as q Dnsi5
/ thirty-twO of the largest corn producing cour-
ties in the State. the acreage planted TINS year
| is per cent less than the 2, eraee ! he pros
pect If yield for that growing crop however
! is only IS per cent. and notwithstanding the
increase in area the crop will be short one
unless the prospect increases later ID the
season
THE FEUIT CROP.
The fruit crop throughout the State is very
irregular and because If tho variety of fruit
in the various sections it is difficult O. made
comprehensive forecast. but by q careful dlr-
sion of he State it appears that Do Appalacha
the fruit crop IS very poor but generally eoou
in the New River Valley. on the Southside
q part is good and part very bad The re-
ports from the Northern Neck indicate fun
Weld while that in the extreme Southwest is
almost a total failure.
The lower Valley counties promise a fair
crop. and the apple and grape crops OF the
Piedmont section are generally GOOD. Inc
reports from the Iidewater and middle
counties are Irregular, but lew are very
good.
1ANIGRATIoS.
The reports also now coming in from the
various counties in answer TO some uue-uohS
on immigration are highly interesting ana
give some idea of the movement OF men from
other States into Virginia in the last three
years. These inquiries come from the com
mis.iOners of the revenue ~ their respective
counties and. therefore. arc reliable.
Sir. fenndor Reed writes from Mecklenburg
that twenty-five settlers have come from
North Carolina and Kentucky into that county
i'm the time stated. Bright tobacco raising Is
the attraction.
Observation-Disclosures Breckinridce. of
BOtetourt. reports few Pennsyi wanna work
ing Manganese aud two Italians planting
vineyards
s. r.. Nicholson. Of Southampton. reports
ZOO families from the State of North Carolina.
shout one-f0urth of which purchased land
They are all engaged either IN farming OF saw
milling
NORTHERN sTTrLERs.
II. IT, Hoge. Goochland county, reports
soventv-fye families from the Northern States
settled on farms IN that county
". T. johnson, Buckingham. reports fifty
families. mostly Welsh slate miners, ana I'VE
farmers
r. L. Twyman Madison county, reports
two Italians planting vineyards for VINE
making.
INTERESTING HISTORY
These reports are lust hecinnngto come In.
and VIXEN they are collected they viii make
an interesting history of the growth Of the
State IN farming population. Inc interest in
Virginia imm grafton ls increasing as eve
denccd by the increased number ~ Letters
from foreign points. The Swiss Minister.
Alfred Maparid, has Just written % the Com
missioner thanking hun for information re-
Gently furnished Oh this subject.
He is also in receipt of a letter from the inn
migration agent Of Smyth county stating
that the county is considering the matter 10
sending an agent to the New England states
TO induce immigration from that section
The commissioner ipdOrsed the iden and
promised him all tie printed nformaion on
the advantages Of Virginia necessary.
FARMERS INSTITUTES.
A great deal Of interest is being taken now
in the farmers institutes appointed by the
Board of Agriculture. The board meets al
Pulaski CITY July 18th and the institute COM
mences there on the 18th. Mr. a. A. Gins
tian. of the committee of arrangements,
writes that building Of 1000 seating capacity
has been arranged, ana lhe aNalr promises 10
be q great success.
DISTINGUISHED SPIT tkf RS.
Commissiouer-of- Agriculture John Robin
clined on account of bad health
f.. NJ. Newman. of Orange. is expected to
deliver an address on sheep husbandry.
DR.. Chambarin, of Ohio. viii speak on tho
subject OF live stock and Or. Clark, OF New
York, on dairyine.
Commissioner Whitehead received an inyi-
tatiOn Yesterday 20 speak before the Sleuan-
doah Agricultural Society September lst.
Hon Jerry Rusk and Hon Jerry Simpson
IRE expected on that occasion.
TERIILILEHS.
We learn from the inspector Of the Agricul-
tural Department that he has drawn COS sam
pies IF fertilizers during the season IN the DIFF
ferent parts of the States mainly in planting
and trucking sections. These and
considerable number of agreed SAM
pies drawn under the new act by
seller and purchaser have all been Analysed
in the laboratory Of the department. and
five bulletins have been published and mailed
10 alliances. farmers clubs and many indl-
vidual farmers. The last bulletin ior the
season is now in course of preparation. I'M
mediately after the board meets. July 18th,
e l..., Il. Ia ri lf