The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-05
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
HAS THE WORLD BEATEN
Grand Prize For Best Single Farm
Exhibit Taken by J. \.
BellwOod
People of Nation Impressed by Versa
tility and Productivity of Soil In
Old Dominion-Morc Than 800 Va
r1eties.

rfeties.
When Virginia decided to make an
exhibit at the Panama Pacific Internal
ttonal Exposition. there was some
question as to the character OF the
same. reads an rticIe in the September
issue of the Norfolk and Western
Guide. After a careful survey of kae
possibilities afforded the commission
concluded that a single farm agricul-
tural exhibit would in all probo bilfty
be conducive of the best results there
by affording to the visitors at the expo
stion an opportunity to learn about
the large and varied crops that may
be grown on almost any farm in Nir-
ginia under conditions suitah BILE for
the production Of the same.
For a number of years the Bellwood
IA -..te--. II mars peen
Showing at the Virginia State Fair,
and elsewhere, a large and compre-
henslVe single farm exhibit. Its dis
play has improved from year to year,
and wherever exhibited has been tho
center OF much favorable comment.
When 1t Is understood that at the time
James A. BelIwood. the proprietor,
with his family. migrated to Virginia,
some twenty-five years ago and pur-
chased his present farm of fifteen
hundred acres, Virginia did not attract
the attention afforded her-t4aap::- but
the Beliwoods were workers. conse-
quently. the entire plantation is now
In a high state Of filth and is one OF
the best-known farms In America 1t
Is net show farm. on which the pro-
prietor lavishes large sums of money.
but Is a farm built out of the rough
until today in fertility it ranks we'll
toward the top
This is evidenced by the fact that
the more than three hundred varieties
of grains, grasses and other products
shown at San Francisco all are grown
economically on the Bellwood plan
tation. In fact Mr.. Bellwood was not
approached on the subject of making
this exhibit until long after many Of
the crops had matured and were gar
nered for use on the farm; therefore,
the great honors bestowed upon v:r-
ginia and this exhibit are meritorious
indeed.
Bellwood Farms Work.
1t is not amiss ato refer 10 the ac-
complisllments on the Bellwood farm.
The primary secret for success is in
the dairy herd. which comprises about
one hundred gallons of milk daily to
the Richmond market. thereby obtain
ing very satisfactory income from the
year. and at the same time retain all
fertility on the farm. which in turn
builds up the soil and is the primary
reason why Mr.. Beliwood can produce
annually about five hundred tons Of
alfalfa, as we'll as timothy, crimson
clover. COW peas and other forage
crops. The annual production of corn
totals about 1900 bushels; barley, 500
bushels: wheat, $500 bushels; pump
kinS 700 q wall anSiIa for
silos having a capacity for about nine
hundred tons. No forage or grain,
with the exception of wheat is sold
off the farm; the remainder is fed
into the dairy herd and other live
stock. Mr.. Bellwood has erected one
of the most modern dairy barns in
Virginia. being in size 65y20o feet,
and has second one under construc-
ton. He purchases no commercial
fertilizer. depending entirely on green
crops and harnyard manure to pro-
duee the necessary plant food for all
crops grown.
Land Grows In Value.
AS a result of this. his land is In
creasing IN value every wear and this
Is the reason way Mr., Beliwood can
go to the Panama Pacific International
Exposition. capture the grand prize. as
well as three gold medals for collective
peanuts. one gold medal for special
ten ear corn exhibit. and six silver
medals for sorghum. wheat. cow peas,
soy beans, grasses and barley. resnec-
tively-thus. Mr.. Bellwaod received
the grand prize and Virginia wins
When Mr. Redwood purchased hts
farm NE paid about $4,000 per acre
for the same---it is now estimated to
be worth nearly 5000 90 per acre: he
works the entire farm himself, with the
assistance of two sons and half dozen
hired hands; purchases nothing tor
the farm except a carload OF bran
per wear.
The exhibit at San Francisco is
in charge of his son. Mr. Albert r.
Redwood, who at all times Ia ready
to answer questions crtainipr To the
Old Dominion and Is spreading valu-
able information as to the possihili-
ties that the thrifty and industrious
worker may obtain on a Virginia farm.
Mr.. Frank Bellwood Is managing the
farm in the absence of hts brother
End all of them work and advise freely
the best manner whereby to obtain
the largest results. and therein lies
the secret that has SO successfsllrp
crowned the efforts OF the Rellwoods.
There are manv other undeveloped
farms in Virginia that can be con-
verified into .Reliwood plantations--all
they need is Redwood methods. and
energy and the application OF pra ctical
methods to modern agricultural pro-
cedure