Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-06
CATTLE TRADE IN SCOTT COUNTY.
Much Stock Has Been SOld-Agri-
cultural Notes.

GATE CITY, VA, March 4-(Special)-
| There is unusual activity in the cattle
trade in this part of the State. The
| good prices which cattle have been COM
handing have caused the supply to run
snort Many OF the larger farmers COM
| plain that they cannot find stock suffl-
Client TO consume their feed, and that
much of their grass this spring will go
to waste. Many dealers from the blue
| grass section Of Russell and Tazewell
| counties nave been through here buying
| up all the calves they could get at nigh
! prices, and they claim that their supply
! OF cattle Will be short Hard times
, force the smaller farmers TO sell any
thing they nave that will bring them a
| rev dollars. Very little OF the small
farms OF Scott county are in grass. The
result is, few of the small farmers are
able TO mold their cattle till they could
realize something substantial from them.
This makes the money In circulation
much scarcer than it would be If the OPP
poslte conditions existed.
mis- brings up a chain of reflection.
Some OF the people say the population
here is becoming too great, and advise
I young men TO seek homes in the West,
IN the race or the Iact that our hillsdes
are being swept away by reason OF
swallow plougn1ng and want Of grass to
hold the soil and keep 1t fertile and pro-
ductive. Much labor is needed TO re-
claim the land that Is going to waste.
The soil here could easily be made to
yield at least double the amount 1t does
yield. Besides, in many sections, enough
land has been permitted to overgrow with
thickets to supply food for the present
population.
Every year more land is being thrown
out, the gullies are getting deeper, and
the country's capabllity to sustain a
large population is diminishing. The
young men, who are seeking employment
IN other States, are needed here.
AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP.
Scientific farmers maintain that five
acres or land, properly improved and Gull
tivated will support an average family.
The truthfulness of this claim Is being
proved in many sections. If the land in
Southwest virginia was properly cared
for. It would more than sustain the
present population sextupled, and at least
half OF II could be allowed for grazing.
which would keep an abundance OF
money in circulation. These are things
winch our farmers should think about |
seriously before so much OF the land is |
gone TO irreparaDle rum. Tnere is no |
part of Southwest Virginia that could |
not, with a little OF the right kind Of |
export a large surplus an |
nually.
Dealers who have been South with ]
horses and mules report fair sales and (
prices looking up some, owing TO a slight |
advance in the price OF cotton. Low /
prices have lowered the grade OF horses |
and mules greatly in this section.
The wheat crop of this vicinity looks
quite promising. 1t is noticeable that
the farmers took more care than usual in
putting in the crop last fall.
The special road law for Scott and Lee
counties recently passed by the Legisla-
Iure seems to give general satisfaction
here. Our roads are, as rule, In de-
plorable condition, and the new law, it
IS believed, viii put them in good shape.