The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-06-07
WESTM0RELAND.
Popularity OF The Free Lance -Valu-
able Advice to Farmers Personals
and Others Notes.


Montross. Va, June 3d, 1901
Business engagements have kept me
away from the county for some weeks,
but have not failed to keep mp with the
news Of the day by reading The Free
Lance, which | found at many homes
during my travels, aud which md 10
be the most uewsy and reliable i1ufnnl
in circulation through this section This
il evidenced by so many readers borrow
ing my copy OF The Free Lance in addi
ton To your regular subscribers
Our farmers generally have the hest
stand of corn for many years, and some
will have no replanting to do
The complaint | notice through Inc
Free Lance of the scarcity of hay ana
fodder throughout the Neck appIits to
this section ~ well Some farmers whom
never knew To buy hay, but have
always been sellers, are now buying and
an unusual quantity OF hay has been
brought to this section since christmas.
This speaks badly for the farmers, who
really ought TO ra se sufficient quantity
of hay for their own use II not TO sell. IL
il easily accounted for when we consider
the late departure taken 10y most oi the
hest farmers from the old standard crops
OF corn. wheat, clover, timothy and other
grasses 10 trucks. | am OF the opinion,
formed from experience and observation,
that the tomato crop and canning oi the
same il a drawback TO the farming IN
terest. and am not alCne in such con
clusion Labor Is exceedingly scarce. and
a Il - ~ do "a IL 81
tiyating and saving she standard crops
(eorn, wheat and grass that this section
has been accustomed 10 grow, there
would be none TO spare, but the change
made by the farmers from the growing
of these crops to trucks, and especially
tomatoes takes the labor away from
the farmer At the time il II most needed
and the result j. smaller acreage Il
cultivated in corn. wheat and grass, but
even the smallest quantity II damaged
ior want OF proper attention at harvest
time owing % lack Of labor ! can see
see no profit To the farmer who devoteT
his attention 70 { acres Oi tomatoes 10
the neglect of corn. clover and peas.
lie NAV realize $40 an acre net from the
4 acres Of tomatoes. but il force 10 buy
=
bushel. and has to reduce his stock by
selling cows or young cattle.
Many of our farmers are preparing the
land for peas aud sorghum as a proven.
der. which when properly cured and
saved makes fine feed for rcatte or horses
Mr.. r. B. Murphy. one OF our farmers
fed 20 head Of stock last winter until the
spring opened with the pea hay and sor-
ghum grown on 6 acres 9i land. The
land was put down in peas, one bushel
mixed with one peck OF sorghum seed 10
the acre. drilled in with 100 lbs South
Carolina rock. The growth attracted
the attention Of all who passed on the
main road. | mention this that those
who read The Free Lance, and desire to
supply themselves with an abundance Of
first class feed, can dosO with little labor
and small expense.
Mrs +. f. Porter and Mrs. NJ. \. Muse
went up to Fredericksburg on steamer
Caroline. and will be the guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Hayes Bsckwith for several
days.
Mr.. James =. Jenkins, Sr, ~ Mon
tross, is shipping large quantities OF hoe
strawberries, which are netting Zoe.
quart in Washington. The MOntross
market il literally supplied at Sc. aquart.
Soft crabs have made their appearance
in large numbers on the Potomac at
this point. The herring aud other hsh
30 not appear on the market now, the
trappers having taken up their nets
The wheat crop throughout the county
is exceedingly promising; and heaNJ
yield il anticipated. Farmers are very
busy and all farm work is well 10 the
front
The board Of supervisors decided to
put the old Clerks office in thorough re
pair. The carpenters, Messrs Brown
and Atwill are now putting on the I'm
ishing touches, which make it hand.
some building of modern appearance. 1t
will be occupied by Or. NJ NJ Walker,
who will conduct first class drug store.
in connection with which will be a soda
fountain during the summer months.
In removing the old floor from this build
ing. some very old coins was found da
ing back to 1900, and old checks that
had never been used, which were sup
posed to have been deposited by rats.