Proceedings of the Far3iers > Club. 321 



summers. The bountiful rainfall this summer will do much toward 

 dispelling the fear that droughts were annual in this country, but will 

 not heal all discontent among northern settlers. There are too many 

 instances of discontent having their foundation partially in other 

 causes ; as, for instance, too many came here and bought more acres 

 than were of any use to them, and more than they could pay for ; 

 men inexperienced in the art of farming, who thought old farmers 

 were fools beside them, and who imagined the touch of their mas- 

 terly genius all that was necessary to make "old tobacco fields give 

 forth in abundance. This class of immigrants are full of unrest. 

 But the thinking, reasoning man, whether he was formerly a farmer 

 or a business man (and the most successful and hopeful are the busi- 

 ness men who are carrying business principles into farming) is full of 

 hope of the development of Virginia and the success of their under- 

 taking. Our three summers' experience has proven beyond a perad- 

 venture that these lands are easily recuperated. It has shown that 

 the slightest possible sprinkling of manure insures a stand of clover, 

 and some land on every farm will bring it without the aid of manure. 

 The fear of continued droughts are no longer felt. California has 

 had her three, in succession, to two to be scored against Virginia. The 

 doubt about successfully growing clover is dispelled. The solution 

 of the cpiery as to how the people would treat us, is made by our 

 learning that northerners should settle in neighborhoods convenient 

 to one another ; not because of any violence nor positive ill-treatment, 

 but for reasons that soon become obvious to the immigrant. He who 

 comes here in the hope of making money, by raising ordinary farm 

 crops, is destined to disappointment. Prices are so low, and trans- 

 portation is so high, as to preclude it. And now, while prices of 

 grain are low, is the proper time to improve impoverished lands. 

 More money may be made by thus enhancing the value of your farm 

 than by raising grain. The recent advance in the price of wool will tend 

 to increase its production, and, in a few years, the northern and west- 

 ern shepherd will be found killing his sheep to save the expense of 

 continuing the flock. Such a state of affairs will never be known in 

 Virginia, for the reason that a flock of sheep are absolutely no 

 expense at all to the owner. I speak from positive knowledge when 

 I say that numerous large flocks of sheep are kept here, year succeed- 

 ing year, costing nothing but the salt they are given. Spring lambs 

 I have never known to bring lower than four dollars, and from that to 

 seven dollars, in the Richmond market. I have known a number of 

 small flocks, this season, whose wool was sold before the advance, .yet 

 [Inst.] 21 



