Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-11
MORE FERTILIZERS.
ymn AMOUNT USED IN THE STATE
THIS YEAR VERY GREAT.
II WILL REACH $4,000 TONS.
The Excellent Prices for All Farm
Products Have Caused Great In
crease of Acrcsge-News About the
Capitol.

Mr.. Thomas T. stratton. State Inspector
Of Fertilizers. said to Dispatch reporter
yesterday that the farmers OF Virginia
would this year use far more fertilizer
than in any preceding year in the history
OF the State.
Tho total amount which will be used
he said. twill, ] think. reach at least
x25.ooo tons. The amount used last year
vas not quite 200 900 tons. The total cost
Of that which will be used this year VIII
reach about $4,000.
II account for the increase" continued
Mr.. stratton, by the fact that farm pro-
ducts OF every character have brought
such large prices recently. You know the
tobacco market fairly doomed last winter
and spring, the price of wheat was double
what IL had been. and the prices Of nearly
all other products went up. The result
was a greatly increased acreage in every
thing"
LARGE ACREAGE OF WHEAT.
The acreage Of wheat this year will be
very large. and IL the seasons are pro-
pitious Virginia's wheat crop in 1899 will
probably be the heaviest in her history.
The prospects are now that her corn
crop this year will very nearly break the
record.
Farmers are more and more using COM
mercial fertilizer for all crops, according
20 Mr.. Strstton. Formerly IL was never
employed in the cultivation of corn, but
now many farmers use IL for that pur-
pose almost as much as for wheat. 1t is
also used on oats and other crops 10 q
much greater extent than in former years.
This may Indicate that the lands cannot
now be made to produce without manu-
featured fertilizers, or that the farmers
are just realizing that the use Of them
increases the yield. IL does not mean
necessarily that the character of the soil
has undergone deterioration or change
or any kind. The farmers may only be
coming 10 know II better.
QUIET AT THE CAPITOL
The day about the Capitol and Library
building yesterday was one of unusual
quiet. Private-Secretary owen was not
in the Governors Office as usual, being
at the State farm for the day. Secretary
f-the-Commonwealth Lawless was at the
Office but a short time, and his clerks
Mr.. Gus Hankins and Mr.. John Moore
had little to do, and beguiled the time re-
vacations. Mr.. Moore returned several
days ago from the seashore, but Mr..
Hankins has just gotten back from his
old home in Halifax, where he spent |
some time.
In addition to a very pronounced and |
even aggravated tan which Mr.. Moore |
brought back with him. he also secured |
and exhibits TO his friends brick from /
the old burned family homestead. near
Hampton, which he prizes highly. Cut |
into the side of the brick. which ne pried |
out OF the wall is the date 1876 The
bricks Of which the old mansion was built
were brought from England.
Walker Howard, the old colored janitor
OF the Capitol. yesterday received another
war relic TO keep company with his Maui
ser rife from the Maria Teresa and the
flags from the Maine sent him by his son.
Ed, who is serving aboard the Texas.
Ed. reached home yesterday. and brought
his father a small piece Of the shell which
exploded on the flagship Brooklyn In the
fight with Cervera. Ed. has leave to re-
main In Richmond until Monday, when he |
will return to New York, where the
Texas is in dry-dock.