Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-20
THE NORTHERN NECK.
WHAT THE FARMERS SAY ABOUT
THE PROPOSED NEW RAILROAD,
WILL 1T DEPRIVE THEM OF LABOR ?
Rural Citizens Not So Anxious for
War NOw-Thc County Has Two
Undertaking Establishments That
Might Prove Useful.

CONFORM, KING GEORGE COUNTY.
VA, March I2-(Speclal)-The work of
constructing the proposed railroad
through the Northern Neck now suggests
a possibility Of inconvenience never be-
fore considered in connection with the
great enterprise. 1t occurs to the farmer
all at once that the high prices paid for
work on railroads may obtain here and
attract all Of the good labor away from
the farms. Although the farms cannot
utilize more than 50 per cent. Of the labor
here ordinarily, some of the farmers be-
gin to fear that the railroad may absorb
all, and at a time when the farmers most
need help. OF course, this borrowing OF
trouble is not participated in by all, on
even by the most calculating ones. for
viewed from another standpoint, the
building of the railroad may result in an
increase here of laborers and a decrease
in the price OF wages. 1t is most natural
TO presume hat the great influx OF labor
from the counties south Of Rappahannock
river, from all along the upper Potomac.
and even from Charles county, Nd, seek
ing a job on the new railroad will soon
put more labor in this section than ever
before. Another thing TO be considered
by the farmer is the fact that many OF
the laboring men who Will rush 10 the
railroad TO get work and high wages will
soon get quite enough of the shovel and
PICK and viii rush back to the farm, for
thousands OF our labOrers have never been
accustomed to work as IS necessary in
building a railroad. and they never will
accustom themselves long at a time.
GADnENNT Nc AMI utpr~rrrrN-,
Gardening and trucking are farther adj
yanced here now than ever before at this
lime Of the spring. Instead of waiting
Tor 81. Patricks-Day TO SOW cabbage
seed, plant Irish potatoes, English peas,
ETC., as has been the custom here for
many years, this kim of work was lone
by many Of our people weeks ago, and
81. P~atrick's-Day found cabbage-plants,
tomato-plants, n English peas up and
growing, and Irish potatoes planted. Seed
Irish potatoes AVE been very scarce and
hard 10 get since planting season opened.
Those who have not planted find it diff
cult to procure seed from the stores.
Seed potatoes sold here one year ago at
from 60 TO 50 cents per bushel. The same {
classes are now selling at 81 to $40 per
bushel, and are in demand at these
figures.
Some Of the rural citizens h%ereabouts
who have been painting and pining for
war with Spain for several weeks view
the subject very differently since the stu
alton has ssumed a serious attitude.
Some find themselves with impaired
vision" some with rheumatic" some
with blind ~staggers," and IL has lust
been learned that some were born nigh
and the impaired sight conse-
quent upon this congenital 'affiction,"
has just been developed by malignant
Rockfsh have appeared in some parts
Of the Potomac at times since the middle
Of last week in the most enormous
Some OF the nets have been so
full that all could not be taken out and
at one time. Mr.. Barnes took
from his nets near Matthias Point some
days ago, eleven barrels and 1876 punches
choice rockhsh at one fishing. Other
had similar experiences. These
fine rockfsh. and thousands OF large
mud cats" are being shipped TO Wash
Baltimore, Philadelphia. and New
York as fast as taken from the nets and
The grip has been more prevalent
this section for two weeks
than at any season since the spring
II 1891, and a number OF cases have re-
in pneumonia. An epidemic OF
his disease in one neighborhoOd In the
over end of this county. caused a sns-
pension of all business from the first OF
he month up 10 the middle OF this week,
turing which time every house there had
Ieveral patients bedridden.
PERSONAL NEWS
Mr.. VondeI McKenny. OF this county.
nd Miss Blancb Treakle. OF Westmore- !