Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-21
IL has often proved very remunerative
to the small farmer.

Il has often proved very remunerative
to the small farmer.
VASTLY IMPROVED.
But, II the people OF this part Of the
State could do without cultivating 1t. ana
would utilize the time. manure. and atten-
ton usually given Il In cleaning UP ditch
banks and fence-rows; filing up guliies
and washes; draining fairgrounds; top
dressing thin spots In their fields re-
pairing fences gates, and outbuiidings,
etc. there Is no question that the gene
raj appearance OF this country as an asti-
cultural section would be vastly improved
I'm a few years, and the people lar better
of eventually: but how to get along IN
the interim is the question, ana an I'M
portant one, too.
A SUBSTITUTE.
When Colonel Randolph Harrison was
Commissioner OF Agriculture. some years
ago. he gave considerable study TO a SUD
stitute for tobacco as money-crop III
some parts OF Middle Virginia, ana sus
eested that possibly the systematic anu
scientific cultivation and curing OF sumac,
NJ nracticed In Sicily-then. as now, the
favorite base OF supply-might AFFORD our
farmers a beneficial change. But, SO tar
as know. his idea was never acted on
The limited States Department OF Agfi-
culture at one time collected ana pun
lished in pamphlet form much vaiuaple
,pformation concerning sunac. Foreign
and domestic, and an analysis made al
the Washington laboratory showed Una.
the Virginia product was CONSIDERABLY
stronger In tannin acid than the I'M
ported article. Yet the latter commands
a higher price than ours ana Is pr
ferred by American dyers on account OF
its better and more uniform color ana
the greater care given TO curing anu
handling the crop. Possibly, the proposed
sumac extract works In FREDERICKSBURG
NAV give an impetus to this home inaus-
try some day.
Until the appearance Of the recent de-
lightfully reminiscent and well-wrltten
sketches In regard to Beaver Dam, III
the lower part OF the county, some were
not aware that our prosperous htte ra,i-
road village, above Hewletts' on 'ne
Chesapeake and Ohio. had a namesake
In Hanover.
Roth people and stock have gotten
through the winter so far In pretty good
condition, but long feed Ia becoming
scarce. and the end Is not yet. Ice mea-
sured nine inches here yesterday, out the
sun was stronger than for many days
THE GAME.
Much apprehension Is felt for the game
Dead crows, iarks. sparrows, and par
tridges have been found. and unless the
latter are helped many more VIII PERISH
and they were beginning to become quite
plentiful again, comparatively.
The remains OF the late Mrs. Captain
William Dabney. OF Boutwell,. were In
TERED at the Fork church on Monday
last in the family section. the Rev. 5. ;.
Hepburn officiating. Mrs Dabney was a
Mice Watkins ~ "AmpthIll" Chesterfield
county. The condition OF her venerable
husband is said to be better.
All honor TO the old Dispatch. which,
since the dark days OF reconstruction,
year in and year out. through good report
and evil, and the rise and fall of parties
and journals, has never faltered In It's
loyalty to Virginia. and has ever striven'
wisely and steadfastly. to uphold the
hands OF those who were trying, as best
they could 10 steer the old ship through
troubled waters to a heaven OF rest!