Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-03
SMALL WHEAT CROP.


To the Editor of the Dispatch;
visited the state farm, situated IN
Goochland county, on the James river
May 18th, for the first time, and was sur
prised to find il and everything connectel
with il in such splendid order. You must
Judge a farmer by his farm; that Deihs
so. [ must say the manager, Mr.. A. }.
Craven, of Albemarle county, must be
one of the best farmers in the State, and
Major Lynn has certainly had the interest
of Virginia In view when he selected Mr..
Craven for that position. on account OF
his sickness | was unable TO meet with
Mr. Craven, but was met and kindly
shown over the farm and through the
prison by Dr. thurman. the resident physl-
clan. and during the sickness or absence
OF Mr.. Craven the acting manager. lie
Or Turman) is another good man IN the
right place | made a visit with him
through the hospital. and was particu-
larly struck with his kindness and his
careful treatment OF the sick and suffer-
ing.
Mr. Thomson, the steward, whose duty
1t is 10 provide the rations and superln-
tend the preparation of the food for the
employees and convicts, | found TO be
every inch gentleman and fully up 10
his duties-courteous and polite 70 visit
- y
seemed TO have been selected with an
eve single to getting good farmers ami
good and true men. They are from diff
ferent parts of the State. Among them
Is Mr.. Bridges. of Loudoun county; Mr..
Tatum, of Amelia county, and others
whose names | have forgotten, down to
Mr. Jones, OF Orange; Mr.. Clemens NOTED
as the constable who arrested the Pollard
murderers). and Mr.. Daniel, of Louisa
county the youngest man on the force.
Each man seemed 10 be thoroughly in
earnest and in sympathy with the man
ager, Mr.. Craven, and trying TO make the
State farm a thing of beauty and OF profit
TO the State.
The growing crop OF corn. about 300
acres, on the James river, and about leo
or more acres on branch land lately re-
claimed, is beautiful TO behold, and with
100 hoes in the hands OF as many con-
victs the cultivation was first class.
There are about thirty acres in potatoes,
the finest have seen this year anywhere,
and there are vegetables OF all kinds,
such as onions. peas, beans, kale. &c, in
large quantities These are being raised
TO feed the convicts at the pententiary
in Richmond as well as the 80 now on the
farm. They also have over fifty acres or
rented land across the river I'm Powhatan
county in tobacco. which has even this
early been planted and Is now being cul-
tiyated. The corn-houses are full OF corn.
not yet used from the last years crop. or
about 100 barrels. The mules twenty In
NUMBER and other stock on the farm are
in splendid condition. which speaks well
for Mr.. Wick, who has charge OF that de-
partment.
am glad TO see that the Board Of Di-
rectors OF the penitentlary have decided
TO build a managers house, barn. &c, on
the farm, for these are much needed.
In conclusion (using the language or
Mr.. Wilmer. wealthy farmer near Rapid
Anne Station, l will say. 81 wish every
farmer i'm the State could visit the State
farm and learn something from the man
agement OF Mr.. Craven"
Yours, &C., ID. NJ. PATTEE.
Madison Courthouse, June 1st.