Agriculture

Scope and Contents

Docketed "Rough field Notes taken by George Washington in running the courses of the Land bot. from George & Jas. Mercer".

[reverse of document dated Mar. 5, 1785, Patrick Henry to George Washington].

Scope and Contents Pair of plans for crop rotation and the plowings it required in the hand of George Washington. One plan is neatly headed "Rotation by AW with the Plowings necessary to carry it into effect." The initials may refer to John Augustine Washington (1736-1787), for whom this plan may have been devised. The second plan is similarly headed "Rotation by CW...," and was perhaps intended for Corbin Washington's use. Both plans are based on 75 acre plots of farmland. The number of days to plow or harrow...

Scope and Contents Anderson writes that his failure to answer Washington’s earlier queries was not caused by deceit--he then relates his background and experience in farming north of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the English border lands, and in America--he came to U.S. in 1791--has seen Mt. Vernon estate--mentions the distillery he runs on Salvington plantation and that he thinks a properly conducted distillery of much gain to owner--mentions crop rotation and the use of manure as necessary components in improving...

Scope and Contents Russell writes to Washington that he was mortified to discover that all conveyances for bringing Washington’s ram and straw machine from Middletown, Connecticut to Mount Vernon had failed and now that the river is frozen it will take until spring to deliver them--he looks forward to his friend’s report on planting wheat in England which Washington procured for him--with the sheep and chaff Engine, Russell proposes sending a "Ground Borer" for digging fence post holes--it can also be of use...

Scope and Contents Crop rotation plan--hopes to bring fields into a profitable state of cultivation--mentions Mr. Stuart's suggestion that the good fields be planted with corn and poor parts with buck wheat--sending 14 bushels of clover seed--suspects that Negro seedsmen are taking toll on seeds--manure to Mansion house for oats, grass and potatoes--fences at River farm--Thomas Green taking fine flour from the mill--payment of a hundred dollars to Mr. Dulany--rent due to Mrs. French for year 1793-wages for...

Scope and Contents Sending paper for two lower rooms in house--warns Pearce to wait until plaster is thoroughly dry--Green--instructions for the payment of the Sheriff's and Clerk's notes--Mrs. Fanny Washington--cut the hay and grain in time at harvest--be attentive to the drilled wheat--secure it in the seed loft at the Mansion--approves of sowing the first lot in the mill swamp with buck wheat and timothy--corn--grass--mentions Pearce's complaint of bad pastures--wool of dead sheep--inquires about corn,...

Scope and Contents Crops labouring under drought--2 or 3 fine rains have fallen in Philadelphia in past week--unfavorable account of the drilled wheat--great change and decrease in number of sheep since George Washngton's leaving 5 years ago--average fleece from 5 pounds down to 2 pounds--ship Peggy arrived in George Town with the white thorn trees and Mr. Lear's fruit trees--enclosed list for gardener--fence around slave quarters at Union farm--sent oats--on next vessel Washington will send paper for the...

Scope and Contents Favorable appearance of the corn--ground is in good order for wheat--buck wheat--hemp growing in the vineyard--inquires to the appearance of the potatoes--Kate (wife of Will) at Muddy Hole wishes to serve the Negro women (as a granny) on the estate--pay of 12 to 15 pounds per year--in the George Town Gazette it is written that holders of shares in the Potomac Company (treasurer William Hartshorn) are to give 12 pounds sterling per share--Washington holds 5 shares--Col. Lyles Bond--Crow and...

Scope and Contents

Col. Lyle's bond is discussed--Washington approves of Pearce's sowing early (or distilled) wheat at different seasons to discover the best for it--double headed wheat at Union farm--heavy rains--problems as a result of it--drains in all the fields that need it--Pearce has the ague and fever--young Boatswain--Washington warns that yellow fever may possibly be in Baltimore.

Scope and Contents Potatoes and corn are likely to turn out well--keep enough buck wheat and potatoes for seed--it is miserable for a farmer to be obliged to purchase his seeds--exchanging may be useful--prices for wheat and flour in Alexandria--Sally Green and her distressed circumstances--James Donaldson into the Green house--Pyne was more a talker than [a worker]--fall plowing--cutting up the fallen timber--hogs for sale--culled sheep--Mr. Hawkins left sundry cuttings of valuable grape vines at Mr. Lund...

Scope and Contents Course of crops--objective was to recover the fields from exhausted state-manure-buck wheat-Indian corn-comments on the insufferable conduct of overseers-Col. Ball of Leesburgh promised to send buck wheat-commends on poor quality of common oats brought from Eastern shore-garlick and wild onions-complains about overseers not doing much fall plowing--has little dependence on overseers when left to themselves-gives directions on how Pearce is to treat overseers-warns Pearce not to be like Mr....

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

This collection contains letters to and from George Washington that have been aquired by the MVLA since 1858. For more information, see content note for individal items. The collection grows organically as new items are acquired.