STATUS OF VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE IN 1870. 287 
stable, the barn-yard, the lime-kiln, or plaster banks, are used by all 
good farmers. Plaster is the one thing most needed, and with the least 
expense produces the heaviest crop of grass, and the most abundant 
_crops of corn and other grain. An experience of forty years shows that 
an application of one bushel to the acre will increase the product of 
grass four-fold. At Saltville two varieties of fertilizers are manufac- 
tured, in one of which plaster, salt, and ashes, in equal proportion, form 
the component parts; in the other, plaster and ashes in equal parts. 
They are both highly approved by the farmers who have tried them. 
Seott: The use of fertilizers is quite limited. About one-fourth of the 
cultivated surface is manured. . 
FARM ANIMALS AND IMPROVEMENT OF FARM STOCK. 
Tide-water district, (Northside.)\—Henrico: Farm animals have largely 
increased since the war, but the number was very much diminished, and 
has not yet been brought up to the standard of 1860: Some attention 
is paid to the improvement of cattle, the Ayrshire and Alderney being 
the favorites. Much more than ordinary attention is being paid to hogs, 
the white Chester haying the preference. New Kent: A visible increase 
of farm stock of ail kinds. Someimproved horses have been introduced, 
such as the Morgan, Revenue, and Red Eye, with a few fine specimens 
of Planet. Short-horn, Ayrshire, and Alderney cattle have been intro- 
duced, and are making some headway. Chester and Irish Grazier breeds 
of hogs are preferred, and much attention is paid to the improved 
breeds of poultry. The farmers are ambitious, and doing all they can 
to make progress. York and the Peninsula: The response comes, 
“very slowly.” King William: Efforts are being made to improve the 
stock of all descriptions. Working animals are increasing, though still 
not so numerous as they were ten years ago. Cattle as usual, though 
some improved stock has been imported. The stock of hogs is being 
improved by crosses with the Chester and Berkshire. Essex: Farm 
animals are not increasing in numbers. <A few farmers are struggling 
to keep up the stock of improved breeds they had before the war, and 
now and then one is endeavoring to raise a fine horse. The breeds of 
cattle preferred are the Devon and Ayrshire; of hogs, the Chester and 
Berkshire; and of sheep, the Southdown. King and Queen: Farm 
animals increasing, but no particular care or thought is given to im- 
proved breeds. Many of the mares are the broken-down animals left 
by the war, and are utterly worthless except to breed mules, King 
George: Farm animals are not increasing, except such as are used in 
' cultivation. The destruction by dogs prevents the increase of sheep, 
and has prevented some farmers from raising them. The Cotswold is 
regarded with most favor, the Merino with the least. There are 
some good cattle; the Devons are thought to be best suited to the 
climate; and there are some good crosses cf Devons and Short-horns. 
The county is well suited to the raising of good stock, and sheep 
would do well if the dogs were out of the way. Richmond: The im- 
provement of farm stock is engaging greatly increased attention. The 
breeds preferred are Cotswold sheep, Jersey and Alderney cattle, and 
Chester hogs. Northumberland: Stock of animals generally quite 
smal}. <A few of the Devon cattle, Cotswold sheep, and Chester and 
Cheshire hogs have been introduced, and promise well. Lancaster: 
_The best breeds of horses and Spanish jacks have been introduced; 
also Chester, Jersey Red, and Essex hogs. Cattle are improving, and 
the increased sales show the profit of hay and pasturage afforded by 
the system of rotation. 
