Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-27
SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA.
Dtought-WeIis and Water-Medici-
nuI springs-Our Autumns.

began in August and continued with only
one or two light rains until October 5lst
was one of the seyerest that We have ex-
perienced in this section for many years.
The most noted features on this drought
were the great intensity Of the heat and
the absence OF dew at night. the very
maximum Of September heat was, doubt
less. attained in 1895. Under the scorch-
ing suns. and lack OF all surface moisture.
pastures became like dry stubbe. and
would burn over readily at the touch OF
a lighted match. All late summer crops
were failures. and late maturing crops
such as sweet potatoes and peanuts. were
rapidly curtailed I'm condition from about
two thirds the normal QulD yield. to as
low as 40 per cent. Some farmers did not
realize % per cent. OF a crop OF sweet
potatoes. The peanut crop is estimated
at 80 TO 20 per cent. in yield. and quality
about 80.
Owing to the dry weather wells began
10 fail, many did fail entirely, and very
few indeed furnished an ample supply OF
that indispensable article, water. The
wells Of this section are mostly shallow
Is to 30 feet-and while they furnish pien-
~ OF water in an ordinary season. are
summer or fall. They may be called sur
face wells, and most OF the water used
for drinking and cooking comes from
these wells. This is not hilly section,
and springs, while plentiful enough, are
not often large. and are but little used
Yet We have springs here. and good
water. too, both Ia well and sprng.
And this is one of the notable features Of
this immediate region OF country. No
matter how severe or protracted our
summer droughts may become. there is
always some water within reach OF all
stock ranging upon the commons-some
spring or oozy place where water con-
tinues to run and collect in little basins
in quantity sufficient for all stock. wild
animals, etc Few farmers here ever
need to haul water for family use or
stock. II wells fail they can be carried
deeper. II the woodland and pasture
streams so dry. some spring may be
found where water continues to run.
And we have good water, too much as
good as can be found even I'm mountain
Gus countries. Unlike the prares OF
the West and unlike the lands near the
Atlantic seaboard, our supply OF water
may be said 10 be ample and good be-
sides we have here both medicinal springs
and "A peculiar kind OF springs. called
DOIlHR springs. lncse are not hot
springs as the word boiling might lead
some TO suppose. but springs that boil
up from the bed Of streams, never from
the hillsides. They are not noticed at
all, nor their existence even suspected,
maybe, TIL the streams run dry and re-
veal the location Of these boiling springs.
II is remarkable physical feature OF
this section. The writer knows OF six
or seven such springs some of them
yielding medicinal water-lithia, chaly-
beate copper etc. Is not this nature
provision to furnish wild animals and
livestock with water In times of drought?
Perhaps, also. these medicinal waters
are natures remedies for the diseases
most common in this zone OF malaria and
liver and lung troubles. Though at present
these waters are little used, II may be
that nature has given us. within reach Of
all, cheap and effective remedy for the
liver and kidneys. for indigestion and
Bright's disease. for weak. thin, or i'm
pure blood When future years shall bring
us a denser population and full develop
ment or all our rich resources. no doubt
these waters will be utilized. and some OF
the springs will become noted summer re-
sorts At this writing some OF the lands
where such springs exist could be pur-
chased at less than so an acre
Our autumn seasons. as a rule. are COM
monty the finest period OF the year for
outdoor work-clear dry. pleasant crisp.
frosty mornings. bright sunny moons. and
a sweet. balmy aroma from the pine for
ests. very strengthening TO the lungs and
invigorating to the system. Very much
farm work can be done at this season to
help the labors of the spring and early
summer. such as clearing and ploughing
land mendng fences ditching. collecting
forest mould and hauling manure burning
logs for ashes, digging mari, OF which
there Is plenty, and dragging muck from
the swamps Our agricultural year pro-
perly begins with September and all the
heavy ploughing, hauling, cutting, &c,
can be done by the opening OF the new
year.
The housing OF the crops OF the year is
often finished up by the last Of October,
but as the crops TO be housed here at this
season include only corn and peanuts.
there Is. or may be, ample time secured
for the jobs named above. We do not
shuck corn in the field. but pull it down
and haul It to the crib or barn al once,
so that IL requires but few days work
10 house a large crop OF II. And peanuts
are Of course all In shock. and where
not picked I'm the field. these have only
10 be taken down and hauled TO shelter
So the housing Of crops need not consume
anything Ike all Of the farmers time.
Live stock receive here comparatively
light and inexpensive attention through
late fall and winter After the crops are
removed they get the geanings OF the
fields. with perhaps a brush shelter and
a bed OF leaves for night protection
and from storms AS winter comes on.
and the fields are picked bare by them,
they are fed peanut vines. top fodder,
or shucks This Is commonly the best they
get all winter. Mich COWS fare some
what better, receiving whatever bran or
rotten corn there may be. and some
times clover hay or blade fodder. Many
stock hogs sheep, ana cattle range the
woods all winter. and often reach spring
In better condition than those housed and
fed at home our winters are generally
mild. and the forest lands always afford
something that animals can get 10 eat.
The northern reader will perhaps
wonder what we IN this part OF Viz
ginia have to do 10 get ready for winter.
with few crops 70 house and no special
pains bestowed on the live stock Well.
there Is the winters supply of fuA 10
cut split, and haul. bedding neaves
pine tags. to haul for the stables. and
cattle pens, fence rails 10 split little
ditchlng perhaps, picking on, baggng.
and shipping peanuts, lattehlhs ara Kill
ing the pork. and, largely, II muit he
confessed. social gatherings, and killing
time. instead Of better employment. The
average farmer regards his years work
as about done by the list OF November.
and he Is going 70 take matters easy
after that and have an easy. good time
till about February. For solid enjoyment
OF rural life. though after rugged.
non-intellectuai fashion. the farmers OF
this region are the peers Of any in this
broad land Kind hearted. social indus
trious In their way, content with their
attachments and surroundings. they love
ease and good living and are not am
bilious to be thought lords or ns bobs.
Does this picture NJ the farmers Of any
other part OF our land'
Yes, there is room for great improve