The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-25
IDLE GROUNDS
MAY BE USEFUL
Most Interesting Address Made
by One Who Has Made a Study
of the Subject of Drainage.
Words of Wisdom for
Virginians to Con-
slider.
by FRANK S. wooDsoN.
IndustrinI Editoro

At recent meeting held in this
city, to consider the great subject OF
draining the swamp lands of Virginia,
and, as for that matter, ali of the
lands that need draining, g. G. Elliott
chief pf drainage Investigations On
the United states Department of Ag
nculture. was the principal speaker.
Mr.. Elliott has made study of tn.
drainage subject, and like all men
VINO make specially of a particular
subject. he probably emphasized
his particular wark with trihe too
much emphasis. 1 take issue with Mr..
Elliott. when he says that there is
superaoundance of poor land in Vir-
Sinia, and that Nirginia's sole saliva
tion consist in draining its overwe.
or swamp lands. | believe, as have
often set forth in this section, that
there is very little poor land IN Vir-
ginia, If the owners of the same VIII
only take care of 1t and keep it In
good shape in the same way that they
look after the health of their children
but l believe with MIR. Elliott that
much of Firginas land needs to be
looked after in the matter of drain
age and do know that there mil
lions OF acres that could be made into
producing acres. ii by proper drain
age system the swamps wete convert4i
into producing acres
In this connection | think MIR e.
liott's address, barring the pessirn sc
paragraphs, that the reader uill readils
pick out, is we'll worth the attention
of Virginia farmers especially thosa
who are the happy owners of swamp
lands and huckleberry plots.
Words of NvIsdom.
am glad to be able to give Mr..
Eliiottis address in full Here 1t is:
u have no apology to offer in pre-
senting the subject of land drainage
a this time, for believe it Is in
timately connected with further de-
relopments of this agriculture of the
state. Virginia was the original gate
way to the New World--the avenue
through which the pioneers of early
days reached the UNEMPLOYED regions
beyong. 1T is the birthplace of regions
dents and statesmen. and the home OF
learning, chivalry and valorous deeds.
The history of the State shows an
array of notable events second to no
other Commonwealth in the Union
NO one would dare to dispute for %
moment the prestige of the Dominion
State in these things, hut the people
OF to-day are confronted By problems
which cannot De solved by contemplate
ing the achievements of the past.
.They are the problems of the hour, and
relate to Industrial conditions which
vitally concern the people. Say what
we may concerning the Importance
of other pursuits, agriculture cannot
be neglected without materially re-
tarding the prosperity of the State
The improvement of agriculture is the
most'realistic subject before us. Lands
have been cultivated for 200 years, and
are said TO be depleted in fertility.
Improbable for cultivation, and fur
thermore, many of them are aban-
doned. What are we going to do about
1t? We are going to build them up
by restoring their fertility through
every available means. That propo-
sition brings me to the subject we
have before us. | know from personal
inspection that many of these fields
which have been cultivated for a CEN
tury. have within their boundaries
swales and bogs which are wet every
spring. and where horses and men
have lahored through mud and nl!ra
at every seed time, and where indiffer-
ent harvests have been gathered with
thankfulness that they were no less
Agricultural Advantages.
There are epochs in agrlcultureas
well as in politics, science and dis
covery. One of them is upon us now.
and calls for the reclama ton of wet
lands which may be made suitable for
agriculture. These lands are found.
particularly in the plains section OF
the State. which are useless for any
purpose, the larger part of which may
be drained and made productive
1t Is not the purpose OF this address
to criticize methods of farming. or to
discredit the efforts of those who are
attempting to coax a living out OF the
land under discouraging environments.
There are certain fundamentals. how
ever, that demand our attention, and
= Il L.. Al .a
over the situation, and for those who
are engaged in agriculture in this
State to decide whether they are pur-
suing the proper course for the ultf-
mate advantage OF themselves and ors
the Commonwealth. Every agricultural
section has found 1t wise. and even
necessary, to materially modify it's
practice In farming In proportion as
social and industrial changes follow
the more primitive customs, 1t is the
practice of farmers to first take the
cream of the land. TO despoil the soil
in the attempt to secure It's treasure,
and neglect those things which will
insure future profit and permanent
prosperity The land Is the farmers
capital, the soil Is his source OF
wealth, 1t is a part CT wisdom to per-
petuate it's natural fertility. to con-
serve the resources he has, to develop
the latent strength OF waste lands
which lie at his door, ard to embelish
every corner OF his personal domain
With useful crops
Necessity or Drainage
'fhe loss upon many farms resulting
from portions OF tields which are nm
drained is hardly anpreciated by the
owners, The corn on wheat held 81
ten acres may contain only eight acres
OF productive land. The two a@ras
which are wet receive the same "A III
and seed as the balance, hilr etys W Is
or no return a good erap npol IN Is
(Continued ON S{sGoad Pags S