Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-24
THE FRUIT ESCAPED.
THE CLARKE COUNTY ORCHARDS
SURVIVE TUE RECENT FROsTs.
FARM WORK IS HUGH BEHIND.
The People Violently Opposed 10
War, aud Are Willing to Let
Others Fisht-IierrSNiIie Happen
ingS nIC IcrsGI,nIh.

BERRYNILLE. VA, April 23.-(Special
Investigations made lately warrant youl
| correspondent in stating that reports sent
| out about two weeks ago relative TO tht
| destruction Of fruit by the frosts and
| freezes I'm the early part of this month
| were too hasty. and that a great deal OF
| the fruit IL unhurt. IL is true that many
apricOts and some Of the earlier pears
! and peaches were killed, but the proper
ton is very small one, and those re-
naming uninjured, if one can judge by
the wealth of bloom with which the
trees are now covered, are ample to
afford large yield OF peaches, pears,
and cherries, while the apple-trees, Just
now budding. promise an unusually large
crop. Ii is safe to predict that unless an
other frost comes shortly there Will be
an abundance OF fruit in Clarke county
this year.
FARM WORK BEHIND
In spite Of the open winter and mild
March, all farming operations and spring
work are more backward in Shis and ad-
joining counties than usual at this time
in April.
Many farmers took advantage Of the
favorable weather Of the winter and
during March TO push their work vigo-
rousiy. but since the first Of this month
the weather has been so unfayorable
that much Of the work usually done in
March is still unfinished. This applies
especially TO ploughing. with the active
prosecution Of which the recent rains have
materially interfered, and il is feared that
planting will be delayed The farm
ers are taking advantage of every bit OF
good weather and with a favorable May,
abundant crops will be raised this year.
Wheat and grass are looking better and
are further advanced than at this time
for several years past, and the country,
with its green fields and orchards full or
bloom, furnishes as attractive a sight as
one could wish 10 see.
SPRING LAMBS.
Spring lambs are very abundant, and OF
a quality unequalled. They have been
sold for the most part at good prices ana
IN many instances will be ready for
market by the lst of May. Horses and
cattle are also bringing higher prices than
Tor some time past. and BUYERS for the
county weekly making purchases. Mr.. \.
Moore, Jr., who deals quite largely in
cattle, has recently sold his cattle. which
Will average about l.60O pounds each. for
five cents a pound This is the largest
price realized here for long time.
The recent developments i'm the
troubles between this country ana Spain
have attracted large crowds TO the ,ost-
Offices throughout the county, all eager
10 hear the latest war news. The senti-
ment of the people at large remains un-
changed, and almost without exception
they are opposed 10 war. and see no just
cause for il. And now that war is upon
them they are loud In their denuncia-
tions OF the politicians. who. against the
wishes of great majority Of the people.
have inaugurated the conflict. and should
the time come. as il may shortly, when
the people here are called upon TO enlist,
then 1t will be found how bitterly op-
posed they are to il.
NOT PUGNACIOCS.
i am within bounds when | assert that
out of population OF over 5000 in the
county OF Clarke. not a dozen would fight
against Spain unless forced 20 do So
Several trains loaded with troops have
passed through here over the Norfolk
and Western railway en- route 10 the
points of mobilization In the South within !
the past few days. but their passage has !
not even aroused the interest OF the |
people sufficiently 10 cause them TO go TO |
the stations 20 see them pass by
4 great deal OF interest was taken IN |
the election held on Tuesday last in |
Greenway District, This county, 10 de- |
Iermlne whether or not liquor should be !
sold In that district, and large vote /
was pOlled The vets won at the cleo
ton by a majority of &c. \ good deal OF |
feeling has been shown I'm previous con- /
tests Of like nature held in this dis
.rict. and IL was feared that some !