la AAA, AI A A \ As LA Zieve Aas WAIN TalOnny ] A. r A “BROR aA ‘ AOA ACRArO ne MA *! ‘AN f, - a \ A fal rn ne A nhan AWANAWA, lca An a chan cana aan | sa Ne ANH RABAR. naaCAARAN On” __A.. Ke 3 ee aA AwAAaa al a1) LAA ail cee es ae AAA an aaaQard 200" os A ets ae ee I NOP tas f PMS SY Ye / eA ed VVY AOS po: V Na LE Wag view ho ; beg he tia od Vireivveveys iin, tN © Nd ed Vy wy y Wy Well du ysey MWe Vv ) SAG WO WUMU YUU We viuvrvuvvoviv AC CARA ie = WOU Gd VE ae Bieter CU Mena a eweay te mores y RADII ASTD i 7% a= S' Vv) > GOW GWG GY GYD BOGGS govusevrowrcevever v iuweeuemeviid we VoUveeuuEUelyy WL AS Vv ww \ efilahadvie Ny wee YOUS wt SS | ay NSAI; Wil Nw Ned 8 weve ws WOM Wy aatial ie’ Wy ee iosies : dulvud ide Vili TRAC RA) WAWY JIS ISIS ING PFE ASS S Z SISLOGVGY Vey J I # Sed Vv WIGU Gua Gy: bd WG. MAMI MU GU UY OVeU SEC LI AN w VJ POS GGe JADA HUM Ye Seth Ae con : SS seh SMe oon Ww SPAY OADY | S NS Sv Ae hea 7 YEOUGuy: oars A E : r ~ S ~ . ww * Jed SAS: SSIS SD RPS Ne SDSS dd ae Wii | Y j Ded wo UU UU a Wve a SSIS IIIS AS “ute 3 ~ LES SS vee RGM “Ue AR | leg INI FS 4 J DIYS, JU UY UCC Ohad had Vda eld td a a ed id tad les en CNG Ss YU WY ; UIsgess” = AP AB RS SS SRA = J; wy WN aN wiv WAY \ Jw DO }\ . SUSI y4ysLy See a PS : i EERO Y TITIAN) Wy WWW suweyewd St IeSSVNy Verve % es ll Tesytcalieg ted te ered oa © i) Wd A ny > pie ~ RR AaABZARE ~ Annan? \ ~ = 7 AnAnAA AMA nA OE TEST VAR RAR ae AAARAAAA RAR APA Ses } alalala t at AAAAAAAAan a 4 MARA ‘Al + TY V eiBia! PUY la A p AA a A Ae [ef AMAA aa. A AARAANA AAA AA AN Ann = AA A n i A A A i ow a A iA \F ‘DIP 'p \!/ a AAAANAAE Ak a Ne A Roa “* ARARAAAA YARARAAWA = AAAAN AAARA la va i bs ‘ t i : * ' Na RRB AZAA A AAA aN AADAD aA RAAARLAL ; An Jal 4 y f Waalale .AAA AR RAM AR A) An isadanann TAA AA . “ARAN AAAA AN aA, } A as ANNO An Ri P ARAN Mann. lege an na NA \ a BY INR Ag a NA A ®ARe, AAAA i AN AA AINATATALA wy PAAAAAA A Px ARAAAAAAA ana AN Annan AR RAR AA A Av RRA mm aaa BAARAATARARA RAR. an ane nARRAN aA aA AAA BA An Aaaessiaa Rann nnnen PARAAAAAR AAAANAN mAAAAAS A Ne A We A en AA mnnnnnninnannnnny a neynanony n Ans aah A A a RA AA NA A Aa Aaa a eee 150 HOUENIZORS) se Sonne care she eincrwee nade aoe swe se Soe eae Sea On a ee 524 Fultz and Jennings’ wheat, 387 PEAS: (LIOULNE ALLACWIMN) oo occaonns. esoncecantecdendsce ts scene he eae 59 PU yMOTOLA Soc s 2 oon ees nesta or sa mnloe cee ee ee ee 428 BULAN ES Ne eet nein meas asicinn seme ae een acrtaenavecmtce eae eee ane 331 the Brunswick cabbage and the Nocera onion...............---.--..--.---- 388 Biber SIIG TAPE MPN est ce oe Seca ge RE Nene Seok acc le cease Mesog es fadecka. haat eee 158 RISEN OMS aie sine Ucia meen ae cman. tooo se tee ceetn ee numbers and prices of statistics of, for 1874 Farm-produets, market prices of IAS Sn SY TP PAN AES VOR PSS CMSA C 67, 162, 238, 278, 335, 394, 455, 539 PIACING rei OUpUIE Riemer oo. Sea ly ie LRN ORES TELL Clues eM or es 2 ae 452 VOESATARLEPAE SLE [77% ay TE GHOSE TS ELECT Heys Eo me a ag gD Ig Tier RU SR Ar 23 [ay GNU Tu Sb Sie STA ESTE hae Se eR Oe as ek Oe a ee een 50 oR Cig Erte 392 BAU AECG) 1202s) SNE, RCW eas ee ee ee a A 2 ed EE 235 REIN CCH MEME EEG UES CON ares a een eer ae SN ee ORM ULL MNES FELT 2 eee 23 BOSONS iene et ors ee Sn sae Na OS a ee 19 VI INDEX. Page. Fattening cattle; number and condition of... .- 0.2.0.2. scene ce e- eee sees coe 1s a 5 =e oe 417, 419 efrectsoMeol dimes eas ciacals isinialeibiele sisininee ecieieinio Meee cine mie ce acc clSe ae ee 65 Heads, therdigesmbility ot Giterenty cama acier PRT tees Mien Sas 69, 167, 241, 282, 337, 398, 457, 543 DRO LOS IOR fatal Zola ai ciavalavcicearevatolaiatetatcte kre vialintejesiwrarp wink Ciwiate(oleiasatalstoraiore tele ale mid alemia wae emacs sere 426, 489 REGRRD TOLER ULLO; TOL SH CG py = tare era SN AA Geo mse Agnes Sin re niet te ate ais hel soroa noe ee Reee PPE 198 ‘ farm aerials from NOt SHOMELIT Pe ii) oe oto scict tai cterel ore Stole. wis wlole'e Hoaie slate clelaiele sone sale 190 MERRPLET CI UIMTILOMLT Mee ties ec ine oor coarse a dio Sasa Weve Sitaicete dees Shae aes atlacwtbc a eee ee ee eR 389 rice-culture in 373 seedsrirom. the Departmentinss 205225232 0cccceveeeee ee cccseuceaeey ceesiees duis sis 60 PAV CIReAROCHARVOM) Ilse sul chee ce deine es nose aad dues ta dela cme aee eee access peeee 22 393 M. co Ets, TUITE Tn aj digi a ail pe li ae aa Ds BO id gh aa vea pV” YEO NB Ad Ma La 60 TUE UT NSU) TY 2 ep a Pg aE RN Pn LAC ET ORS Oe 63 235 263 454 62 Maple-sugar, the RCA GY Ol, MMANTACDULOC erceizs semana uaa Nocioni calatle nu ora aitajaisa le aria alteeee 254, 256 64 94 67, 162, 238, 278, 335, 394, 455, 539 ‘orel, 70, 169, 242, 284, 338, 399, 458, 544 BHODAU NASH SIE 12 cA SO RS OT ee a A 69, 167, 241, 282, 337, 398, 457, oe 16 532 Vill INDEX. ‘ AEA Page. Meéasuresand weirhts uniformity ines ce. aces jescesicciee saeinciser seein eseten she See ice cl- eee eee 61 Meat, pricestor, inplnropercce aoe te esee aie en emcmnas as oelens saeee ook obee cet octane 234 Meteorolozicaliextromeseascscee-sicec aan ceed Seem ccna ae oo tmencesicn oes aeeue eemeais ob: See 319 IMGxi CO APTICOLMMOOtMns panilss- nee ecae scene aamine sae Slam wis Ciajelsiae este eels one Cee ene 498 Microscopic observations .......-.--..-...- 52, 228, 273, 439, 514 Middle-men, raBety Olea seta eeseter a ats ele islaye terete oe) elon a ctsaia nie icin + beste cee Sees ee eee 537 Milk, effect of different feeds on quantity and quality of ...........--.....-- Se maps eyes ee anver ene 28: Mineralproductioniot Great Britain in\18732-5- See ris Gece De CO COE Dee al SS SUS pee ionor Bape deer REA LOES ACT ONE Oler eran... cc cn nate ie scale team cae oes 2e caine eee eee tS a Se made 305, 317 CONGTCON IO mrss 1s. a! oer Memes ace eierate eiahe sje ole rate ae SU Et see te eee ets Ee pee ae 305, 354, 414 CISSBREDLOO Lea. <0 ae eee ments antes ats cise oe one et ias ne emote rte ecg me haere ere Rue eh 534 OXPSMMOENUS WL. senemeteelts asisis'sleise aaa e ee es Op ne es Sere a eS ee SEAR EEN yal ete 331 STOVERNC YANO DTCSOR Vili Ome tec ecaasetee a tae tetra eae ae elias alas en ee eee 258 Brow Man: a Carle Gavemuemtann sc cacice vee cevcmesosact ene dssces acnos eee deeeeetee eee ee 151 where report2d the most profitable Grop OE foie sos Sao oa la uigs sete cin emrene ae Been sae 95 Wield! Of... - = -. a Aeeseeaee icles ove eee mre mcal se tabs se ry Sieras vata gfe aiaihs a) Sea ans ate re StS 6, 11 Poultry daeaue wow alas Sine eae a alanis a nial ola/siote = cla Sloot am Sse a tala So oad See Re Set ee 370 ICON an A UML DOLs Ob TARMI AMAIA er aon os es och ee beresacnekeek ccs rencecscecocce someon eee 9,13 local (oF farm=roGMGin ce loses tice © cee ape ace cic ee asicdin ee Goce eased See cnet ae Sean 425, 492 OL/CLOPSiy teneeete eee ac sae osc esate ese eee see ae ancsscanecince ce teee= Seee eee ee ee 6, 11 MOgG AME MAT OM Girt ere sce a ears seme = ahem cece nw aula ane PA Me me eetnats eee ae eRe eee 234 Product, comparative, of farm-crops 11874... o.oo oc). ace ane -ensnans beac soee see se beonekiee 463, 485 IPTOP TESS, LOCOMU TM SE TIOUUULO. coats so vane ee mail alas ce vercleeacese ocineouies es teeta aS eee 26 R e EURO RRL NORE MCHC COASUE arias ciate teva osieae nae eve ate seen iainicial=aapnsioya gee aa Seman o an ON EEE Reset OMCUSRUY On sist terse cis pinevs smo aaisinit emma ees we cee cee mek Oe cee INC AUTOM Tat hSSCASOMOL oc aa- ohana ease es ea ceiae ks cele cls ie ce nom eee ion mee aoe an oe ae ADANIONCE OL LOTESES: OWN asin waneia ccs vids eat On eo et oe ee tee see acne eee eee eAaIO-MAChinoyanGunOn oce= 5. seecs ese = sae ie ecm ue eels ce oe saa Stale sco eas eee Le ees Puee-Cu UULe Ms MOMISIAN a: cs s22 cso koe secncmess ses. CtoeK Uta dct ne enmes ants coesekn ce baatene the south) the extent and anereaseOl- 22552 ceesce cesta cee esses seeees caeeneeee Caniden; County. Goorriaivass cass on cee e eee ree eee oe ene) Senn eee SUT ig ice oS UIC RIG EEE ETO RU DIIGO OC OCR eS ERS ECS IE ICTR ATE eatin ek Sa Richmond County, New York, agricultural industries in Rocky Mountains, grasses growing in the............... Sia a eeia ek sjuisiaie hd nine Risie me aieca aerate eollerydrousht prevented* bythe -sesse. i coce-s -25 2eh ccc teetececnsse oe CaO ees Rotation, the best BYSUOM Ofmeeme me anmetsete seas anit aoe esate a en eae ante ne aS een ee ee Russia, protection SGT ES Sync el ge aE ee eee Tae ONE Pe eo nee Date ies tigated | aly MO eACLOAD EEO lame 5 actos soon Saeed So seers cle ata ne Seca nodes end eOen ae eee CONMGLON Olimme so sss se= es osc s ccs cciee sian fe wae eie eel ee Maree eee cera sala clocde ai erases ae WRTILON siete Sena ses mec eite naa mean oa ae Name Tae eee ene Se ns Ca ae TLOMEACCOMUSTT Dt Dy Tine De pAPtMONbss a0. canton asses ccc esees conc ne See cs ene ee 371 BEIGE) Olpereterteenin tac an aoe anew ean cates sabe ns Sones tomer Ono e tne cece ke cee 8, 11 MP MILORWINGCIN Asana nee asa s + Aah esis tse e asa see ae Side sealers cision maseeee eee 422 ARS RO Hereeerte re aioe Nae aia cee re nN MA anne hoe aide a ach tae wae Sosa ee a eet Sena 11, 409, 418 8. STH Lee OR) Es COU URC See cece Se CeO Snpaeebbna SebbSen -SSoncesrneneeee ce iGkaaccaser 536 PAB UCILOU AMON Ole s2 7822 o2Stases2 cf sas nce assoc ene dasancteccedcscene Barna eieaioin ai tia ioe Momeeion 151 Sausages colored Multitneliahine sacle vo ery Va Spare oof Bye i! ae P27 ee GOW nie es 225 Scotland, LALININ 24 DIF SCORMIN: 2c. Nae Sena ese Soest ae cea a ee eee eee ca cces cee 1, 392 Seed- distribution, TOGA) Cle Oe oot ES GO SOt St Sn RMEE CeanG ROSS OBER.CaEE eae See ee Ee CaS eeare nas 533 NOSUI OP soars an ees Aas at alteesea sd nee ee coe ae Socete eeceaee eens 238 Reresresul Ls Omexperimonts ig SOleCuOM. 22-254 sass asccne nade see cisc ce soem ce ten bebe necun eee 381 MNS PSOLEG hin casi Oe Lala til ON Ole ne aaa sec Urmtcs Sanaa aa nek San meee rete enema Re et) Serpe 381 wheat for Egypt Sea Tee Pa eerie tetath alas laisemintelaisieia w swreieine ete amicarciacieerin cite cseieraseeee amore 422 Seeds from the Department i Puss arisen ete cc Me need orale NG crt bree hc etal Oe a 60 BOSMOL INSWaAshin SON) LerritOry= ss ccaeecoscecnce oeseccecse Sa ee aS aleteine ae Stes eee ere 534 vitality OS! SESE POL SE SO SEA RDI SESE Se OOO DUC Cone ROC Ee SBOE eee BES SU Seat ona ee cecel 534 Sem Oy Re ATA MULE al ON Olea sep ena fORe oe. cieie oeeiacau anaes ee teer eee ee 233 PATE Op RUT AN: ele one sncnalel mee wtete eae sae ae ieee amie oan ose eon soe tere mae eee 531 Sheep, a flock of, MIN ROXAS a agement eisai Satie mi sinic heya ate pamieeld mae welc ens a Sas Semele anak aon 523 CONCHTOMDLI es eisai sae eae Bree em ee ane Oninine ate ere ialei meow Stvcte ates ane 195 WEISER RCI C Ap fel egato a AOS Se SAE Ee Pa ret uae ane ee ee Ua eg mee Mie a 22d 207 DASPANUL VAN AL ASMANID: nc Assess sete coe see se sstss see See e ee ea oo oe ce ee teen eee 524 losses of Short-horn ie eeders, SS aSean aS of 537 Sabi oy, “SPE u SCS ROT 4 set Seis i eee em 5 et ae ee a a TL 46 PER REIIE ae rat ene may ree Cem ene ak sae seh ae SLT iy isl AS se ages | 60 Ber oarer and CONGHLOD(OL <5! j- senna caecc as ce coteee seu cu eee yee. Bacice bette eee 310, 318 TORDE Ci geese ae Sor Sarr se ea SER Ba Semen e/a aR RO Guana ame ey ema ss 1 AOE fh 486 agriculture ant fae ENGEL NAL ON A Aes se ee eee sash cee en bonain ee cigs SeRheee 495 HISULEpPANCYsINNODala wen stance aches auch eae cece ncleneee 536 PRIN SDR etet tee Sanne tT tee Ree oe ee hola orn erabie a enibedaicto cies wise eees 525 PHY ar. «112 7” 11 be SS gigas ne a TAD TEE ON RT 5 aa A RO 523 CLOPSILG ene a ae ree ae ee bent mr ee Ne Bee se il Ss Aen amen eas aa ee Seen te ee Ue ce Wi ioan gale atu mann ee 485 A—II x INDEX. Page Stavishicsof ifarm-animals tor i8y4 ee am inte )eo = eiein = ola eral eee tae areeletiel tale aleltaya lata = 2s 212s ae 13 LATIMSTSaN MAAN COM e os cons oe seo - es eek eele enieee Searles eae acne coe eee 452 ENERO DACEO-CROD reel ereee einn alanis atte te ae lee ale ie tel ae eae 138 violations of British game-laws é 452 WWE DDSOWIN Oye eek aoa) ios od cee sale oie ete aetels eres eet alee mi tale tote lata ata 2 a) cte aro ea 186 Steam-cmlnvailou essen «co ctooe Sa ciato cio on ae a win lat ale satel teletstet = =i elle a al te a5 (ols 528 OS, WE OH Wee aa NeS Se ese oer eon b amas obocosbecrocses comte dr osesteaneseseeonsticss 66 Steeliandironi production inthe United States. 2222. teencm meee om et = = = maim cle tie oa = eis ciate 65 SiOC Kean Ovo Tal ndn (NG DIAS Kase a fa ae cielo oars ine an See ene Sels oininie's sese eects arma eee hogssreduction inthe numbers Of .22 sagas saci scmecse setae oais sine te Sees ae sree LAISIMOFSPECMMAMCVANTACES IM las. os sels cesar tls ema eee elela amlelnl a oie otal =) iene te eee SimwiVOLries *CONGMON: Of 0.2515 <.55.02(5 os 25 Scie smieteiels ie eee ease aicia ee ocd Soe Sete eae CAI CAN WACTOA UG Ole ona) se nin oe ee ama a ee eee eee ete steiae ele eee a aa ee ee ee CONGIMONIOL Sor cass see os Sas ve Sak aw Se eae sole cach eioeieisie rie sie slaiet nieve oo ae ee eee extracting crystallizable, from molasses INBVIN OW EAVOS yacsiss- 258. oe's aos Nasi wc oe oe eereaceteaeteiae productsn Monroe: County, Ohio: os s2eee ee se eee nee se eee seecs eee sees eS eeeeee DNOLUA NEO TOW UN OY sb scree one a Se ae aioe a see ate mine ne spree eee elses ieee a sioner quantity of maple, manufactured Sulpho-cyanic acid poisonous to plants Sweden, area and population of Pwhiskvwmanutactored tromumoOss see oscen nee a eemiemee hee eee see ein sil eee 331 MWeet-potatoes, acreage and Condition Of. 2 =< ce. sacle cic saeewsisisine semieiaete ols oi > ani ete 317, 356, 415 pricesand yield:of 3. ..-- see ee ete see are oe ec Ste sate eae yarn cee in teres etnies nia tare lecatey sme Pee at e 423 Weights and measures, uniformity in 61 WHAT RACKOAT COR r ee ce nesem eine ae ene eee eee neteae nee 245 and flour, British imports of --.......--.....-...-- 156 ANTIGOLE OL AMUN Ge ence oe hese ac ae tel m ae ane mecewis rata mits 422 PAT AUG ae aes esos = ate aio ie alcrerals eles Sek isle sree stein eters cp oterimeterelace Seis siare fee a telah eae 60 EB RI LASy MA POLES OL pee oe ae ce ee aes eve ae cere ee eee eerste mat ere wena ie iait =:0 61. o oe eae 522 MOW, cise se iec me emcee tence bee ste ciemacncivem spice =a =e lace eee 523 Comparative profits im raisin ge esos see eee eicse sees eee caltelieiaa sl tay ost = eee 83 CONMIBOTI VOL ae oe ee se oe ee ie ee Romain ne aia anita are increta Sena ais <1 eee eee 245, 294, 348 WAMGOD eee sceeicaiscine so tatias ce Se intel sens setoalaciaciaistes occ c.abine osteo nies ies apace bh ie neeia See Menem Sckic «kl ao See 79 85 MISS OUT Seen tees ohn asia cos as aie el ae cee a ee ec ot 1 13) eae USE NTR E NS tia as Sa a al es pe NERS REE BE i as ne eS a AICO) oa beget NSO TAS ako e Aetee Ai ek wells Me eR RAE Pane SRM he Bea Ree 7p 73 The influence of a partial crop failure in 1872 is marked in Missouri and Kansas, causing great scarcity and high price. The fact that Kan- sas this year obtains a higher price than Wisconsin, and Missouri higher than any other State west of Indiana, shows that other causes than fa- cilities for transportation affect the price of grain. The quantity grown in Missouri is much less than half the crop of Iowa, and is largely manufactured in her own mills. Kansas always obtains remunerative prices for wheat, because immigrants at home and in adjoining Territo- ries absorb any surplus without necessitating a dependence on eastern markets. Other crops.—Rye commands rather better prices than last year in New England, slightly lower in the Middle States, in the South varia- ‘ble with increase or decrease of quantity, (being saved mainly for seed- ing winter pastures,) and in most Western States slightly increased rates, just in proportion to the rate of yield and comparative supply. The averages for oats are some above and.others below those of last year, according to local production. The prices in prominent States as» follows: WHY Pa. Ohio. Ind. I. Iowa. Mo. Kans, WTS PMA. Hee sla oe ASME 48s 2 SOR ABB? 2 28s Oa eee 12 7 pee a AA AB MDD. 5 P2BS 19. 8 OTT ee nee A reference to the tables will show a positive increase in the prices of barley in nearly all the States. A heavy increase in the price of potatoes is observed in the Western States, whilea decline is seen in the seaboard States. The comparison in the West is as follows: ‘ Ohio. Mich. Ind. Ill. Wis. Iowa. Mo. Loe tote Sin Nene ope entre see eee ae Bo Ve oo Pia OO 88 87 MSs cs ce te ee ne Eee 63 63 54 46 44 22 50 The price of hay rules a little lower than last season in most of the States; rather higher in Massachusetts and New Hampshire; lower in Rhode Island and Connecticut; about the same in New York; a decline in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, a majority of the Southern, and most of the Western States. The following illustration of different sections is given as the price per ton. Na Ys Va. -Ga. Texas. Tenn. Til. Kans. LS Tae asian $18 00 $17 20 $2050 $12 75 $15 50 $8 75 $3 90 Io PARI Ie tS 460s 6 62h aes 2ovdL , 1ao2 tel be46 9 47 3 89 For the value of other crops in and details of local prices of the above, reference is made to the tables. The influence of the law of supply and demand upon. price—relative quantity acting with great delicacy as an indicator of value—is all-pow- 9 erful, and shows that it is useless for farmers to expect average returns from production much above the usual demand for consumption. It ap- pears to be a self evident proposition; but it proves a difficult one for producers to appreciate. COMPARATIVE NUMBERS AND PRICES OF FARM ANIMALS. NuMBERS.—Horses : Returns relating to the numbers and prices of farm animals in 1873 show a decrease of horses of 1 per cent. in Con- necticut, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, and 7 per cent. in California. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wis- consin report the same number as in 1872. In the remaining States the increment varies from 1 per cent. in Massachusetts, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Indiana, and Iinois, tos 111 in Kansas and 119 in Nebraska. Mules : California reports a decrease of mules of 8 per cent; Oregon, 6 per cent.; Indiana, 5 per cent.; Iowa, Wisconsin, and Florida, 3 per cent. each; Illinois, 2 per cent.; Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, Maryland, and New York, 1 per cent. each. The other States show either an equal or an increased number, the maximum, 10 per cent., being in Kansas. None of the New England States make any returns under this head. Oxen and other cattle: A decline of 15 per cent. is manifested in Texas; 5 per cent. in Rhode Island and Delaware; 4 per cent. in Louisiana; 3 per cent. in Connecticut, New York, Alabama, and Cali- fornia ; 2 per cent. in Vermont, Mississippi, and Ohio; 1 per cent. in New Jersey and Kentucky. All the other States report a number fully equal to or greater than the previous year, the maximum, 20 per cent., being in Nebraska. Milch cows: Nearly all the States report the number of cows as equal to or in excess of last year. Texas declines 7 per cent.; Delaware and Florida, 4 per cent.; Louisiana, 3 per cent. ; Massachusetts, New York, and Alabama, 2 per cent.; Rhode Island, North Carolina, and Ohio, 1 per cent. A number equal to the previous year is found in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, Ten- nessee, Kentucky, and Michigan. In the remaining States an increase varies from 1 per cent. in Arkansas to 15 per cent. in California, Sheep: An enormous increase, 96 per cent., is noted in Kansas, sev- eral counties having during the year developed a very considerable en- terprise in sheep-husbandry. Large flocks were directly imported by resident farmers, but a very large proportion of the increase was brought in by emigrant settlers. California, increased her flocks 17 per cent. ; Arkansas, 10 per cent.; Maine and Texas, 8 per cent.; Nebraska, 7 per cent.; Oregon, 5 per cent.; Minnesota, 4 per cent.; New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, and Wisconsin, 3 per cent.; Massachusetts, Alabama, and Michigan, 2 per cent.; Illinois, 1 per cent.; New Jersey and Ohio report a number equal to the previous year. In all the other States there is a decrease, ranging from 1 per cent. in South Caro- lina and West Virginia, to 12 per cent., in Louisiana and 15 per cent. in Delaware. Hogs: The only States reporting an increase are Kansas and Nebraska, 6 per cent.; California and Oregon, 5 per cent.; Alabama, 3 per cent. ; Delaware, 2 per cent.; Florida, 1 per cent. The greatest decrease, 15 per cent., is found in Louisiana. Tennessee declines 11 per cent.; New Hampshire and Arkansas, 10 per cent.; Ohio, 9 per cent.; Vermont, Virginia, Mississippi, Indiana, and Illinois, 8 per cent.; Texas, 7 per 10 cent.; Michigan and Wisconsin, 6 per cent.; Rhode Island, Pennsyl- vania, West Virginia, and Kentucky, 5 per cent. The remaining States show minor rates of decrease. PRICES.—A general decline of prices is noted in all parts of the Union. New Jersey, however, indicates a slight advance in all kinds of farm animals. 5 Horses : An average increase in the price of horses is shown in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Iowa, Ne- braska, and California. In Texas prices remain comparatively unchanged. In all the other States there is a decline. In Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island the increase is decided. In Massachusetts the comparison is as follows: 1 year. 2 years. 3 years. Over 3 years. emer ot Ae e Cuk eesti, a ste Kets $33 20 $55 00 $84 40 $130 00 MOUS eee ke es Steet Re OR 66 70 95 00 142 50 The increase in New Hampshire is not great, while in Connecticut there is a small decrease. New York indicates a considerable decline, as follows: 1 year. 2 years. 3 years. Over 3 years. Wadia 8 iD eitytole ra aia ie ase eae $42 00 $69 50 $99 00 $135 00 "Cop: RO AMA) Pe SS 38 20 63 67 92 54 125 50 New Jersey reports an increase a little greater than the decrease of New York. The South Atlantic and Gulf States show a marked decline, except in Texas, where prices remain stationary. The southern inland States and those north of the Ohio River present nearly the same indi- cations. Ohio presents the following comparison : 1 year. 2 years. | 3 years. Over 3 years. LES, coche Cities caita nee eles he poe $34 39 $53 89 $77 00 $104 45 eve ete eee he Rr eee 34 17 D5 80 76 75 103 $1 Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois present a much wider vari- ation. West of the Mississippi River, Iowa exhibits some increase in the prices of older horses, but all the other States of this section show a marked decline. Missouri may be taken as a specimen : 1 year. 2 years. 3 years. Over 3 years. Manion wee epic. eis Reco $24 72 $36 62 $51 45 © $72 35 RSA eee eee fA SS eee 21 25 34 00 49 64 68 75 On the Pacific coast, California shows an increase and Oregon a de- crease. Mules: Prices are increased in South Carolina and Iowa; in New Jersey, Texas, and Tennessee they remain about the same as in the previous year, and decline in all the other States. Cows: An increase is shown in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Texas, and Tennessee; in all other States there is a decline. Oxen and other cattle: The older grades of cattle show a large increase in Maine. There is a general increase in New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, Minnesota, and Iowa. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Illinois present but little change; all other States decline. Sheep: An increase is shown in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Mary- land, Mississippi, Texas, and Tennessee; all others decline. Hogs: An increased rate of prices is noted in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and California; the other States indicate a decline. ef 9¢ O&T £06 6G 86 cj ¢ ‘LE 68 Crd 06 61 09 : of EAE Te ee ee mo0Set ae a aoe oe G'96 $8 08 06 0% te T cel oh lig TSengter nes set Re wyutos TIES +6 0f GG 0 0g 96 Of £S oT Gh ¢ ‘CT 8G CRs aioe esas ee aoe **---BYBBAQON ¥6 oe a6 0 @ £B ee 9¢ CLT 00 T eye 1¢ er ieee pike ieee SC susUe yy sd : ae at a 16 Of 86 #9 CPL coy HF 8°OT 8E GCC nF eee hog ee TnNosst pL £9 OL 9°9T by My ns && 8h gT 6h &T its joe (Byesbererogsics aR 55 S003 MOT 08 IL IL ”" ae os €'06 Ts ELT 08 8'9L 167 Cale alee Sees sess" 5" BLOSOUUTTT aE T OF ¢'8 ef ae eo L°sT 6 G‘9T ag Obie Poly aes Saees's OSHS UISMOOST AL. cg 9G Let 8% 0f 8S G "oT OL T Gel Ge 1G Rae a ae a aes ee STOUL[L OL Gl © FL ce _ 26 Th coat 2 T adi OF Ok ee ee - euvipuy aa cg FIL re 6 '0E GL G'éL ce T GGL LP Osea passes SES +-* UVSTYOIPT 29 6G £ CT S6 LG oh it Te f GL GP Ce a NE ie iam TIC TOIL ati Id ogg OL OL TLE He Lis kh &'8 1G I 6 bb G66 -- Ayonjuo yy 99 | Gy, © OT & he b8 8 GI £P 9°6 #S 66 oe eae VIOITATA 980 A, ante ie IP 9 06 06 6 Boa GL 8¢ CCG -* 908ss0uNaT, co T 06 Oh P&G og T 8 OL 0g T OT 08 G'S ---SEsUByLy 60 T 09 Se ‘ie esis |e eee RUN ins: at 08 61 “7145+ SUXOT, 0% T LS na i as Nie a mas Kae iS i= et | ton eas 06 CSO et | ice ae een “*7*> BUBISINO'T 08 T 08 aa aa 09 T or ch T 9°6 98 GGT ddyesisstyy 0c T £6 8 S°sT 20S. 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We STONOUT siejeieinls in "7777" SyjJOSnOVsseyy soln cnn = ne niviecjeininsinisisininseiscie ems cnccaseneheir meee cc = qo pisinielacleteJoiplninieiniainin kein nieinieieninicimieirlsicininieiin nie nme" OTT SOUL FANG Ni "7 QUIB]L AT ropun prey zed BIOAV 3 BLOAT “plo reo 3 ‘< cee eee eee 651 PHOBPNOTIC ACIC- 22.) 22 sac. socninncce esc s See eeena sos 2: pea ae 440 RORAB DE Ne eiats Sse mona scm es yo dete = pape ae Re ER eee ane os eaee Salat eee ee 2, 077 IWEAPNCRIA oo osc e bac cc cease cee ra coos ere tereeemann|s-s6)- <2 shee 1,395 Mrniep es esses tees os SALE oF See ooere: oon 6. ee 1, 023 Gieeanioinatiet 31.60. ots. 2) 00.40 Beales & Les). 62, 001 It will therefore be seen that the soil in question contains sufficient material te satisfy the immediate demands of a cotton crop, although the quantity may be somewhat limited. The main trouble is undoubt- edly due to the fact of the existence of proto-sulphate of iron in the subsoil, and probably free sulphuric acid also. Both of these sub- stances. have a poisonous influence upon plants. The planters of the South Atlantic coast, who have this difficulty to contend with, must necessarily adopt some means to remove this salt of iron, and to neutral- ize the free sulphuric acid. The most economical method by which this may be accomplished is a copious application of lime. In case of the soil in question, about 150: bushels of lime per acre will probably be required. I would also advise thorough under-draining where this is deficient, and it is probable that this is the case wherever the difficulty ‘in question exists. EXHALATION OF MOISTURE BY PLANTS.—That plants emit moisture during their growth is generally admitted, but whatare the circumstances which are the most favorable to this action has never been fully deter- mined until lately, when Mons. A. Barthelemy took up the subject. Many observations have been made itis true, but itis probable that the results obtained by the observer named above will be found more satis- factory than any heretofore published. In some of his observations Mons. Barthelemy followed the method of Mariotte, which consists in causing the branch to be experimented upon to penetrate a flask or other closed vessel and weigh the condensed water. He took the pre- caution, however, to introduce into the vessel a thermometer. When the plants were enclosed in this manner and exposed to direct sunlight, the temperature rose to 50° C., and small drops of moisture condensed upon the cold parts of the receiver. When removed to the shade the temperature rose slightly and the condensation almost entirely ceased. For certain reasons, however, he was inclined in further researches to give preference to the method of M. Gareau, which consists in absorb- ing the moisture in chemical substances, in order to determine the com- parative quantities evaporated from each side of the leaf. The leafy portion of the plant, with a weighed quantity of chloride of calcium is placed under a carefully luted receiver, and in order that the plant may have the same conditions as in the atmosphere, there was also inclosed in the receiver a small quantity of bicarbonate of soda, which by disso- ciation supplied the requisite quantity of carbonic acid. The complete results of his experiments are too lengthy to be given in extenso, and we shall give only his conclusions, referring those of our readers who may desire more complete data with regard to this subject to M. Barthelemy’s report in Comptes Rendus of November 10, 1873. 49 He concludes that aqueous exhalations from plants may be effected in three ways: 1. By insensible exhalation from the entire surface of the cuticle by means of a true gaseous dialysis. 2. By sudden emission of saturated gases which escape from the stomata when the plant is submitted to a rapid elevation of temperature, especially when inclosed. 3. By accidental exudation, resulting from a defect in the equilibrium between the absorptive action of the roots and the work of the parts exposed to the atmosphere, in fixing carbon combined with the elements of water, work which ceases with the dis- appearance of light. I know that it is also right to conclude that heat exercises a strong influence upon this function, and that at equal temperatures carbonic acid in presence of light has the effect of diminishing the evaporation. AMMONIA AND NITRIC ACTID—THEIR RELATIVE VALUE IN AGRICUL- TURE.—Dr. Hellriegel of Dahme, having had his attention particularly, directly directed to the comparative influences of ammonia and nitric acid upon plant growth, was led to make an extended course of investigations continuing through a series of years, the results of which formed the sub- ject of an interesting paper which he presented at a late meeting of the Central Agricultural Society in Frankfort. His work consisted princi- pally in sand and water culture experiments with different compounds of ammonia and nitric acid which may be practically applied in agriculture, and he has certainly obtained some very interesting and valuable results ; effects of the application of the different compounds may be shown by the following table: Amount of dry substance har- vested. Nitrogenous compound . Kind of seed grown. applied. Milligrams. Nitrate of lime-...--.-.-.:-- 2 Sal ammoniac!--2---2-.2=: 300 OU Gn a eee see eee 300 Nitrate of lime-.-...-.-..--- 22, 000 Sal ammoniac..-..---.---- 380 Wone, 32 2222/3 one as 630 Nitrate of lime. -.........-. 15, 000 Nitrate of ammonia. ....-- 720 ING@HOis 452555 «See sc cc ese 810 Tn case of the barley, when the nitrogen was applied to the plants in the form of nitric acid they grew normally and well, but as may be seen from the table when sal ammoniac was applied, no more was produced than when no nitrogenous material was added. The same remarks ap- ply to summer-wheat and summer-rye, except that in these cases the production was less when ammonia-Ssalts were applied than when the plants received no nitrogen whatever, showing that the ammonia-salts seem really to have an injurious effect. It would, therefore, appear that in their decomposition the roots suffered from the deleterious influences of the separation-products. In the decomposition of nitrate of lime, however, nothing but carbonate of lime; which is perfectly harmless, is left behind. Since it is evident, therefore, that ammonia-salts failed to produce good results in sand-culture, it was considered of some import- anee to make some experiments to determine if it were not possible to devise some means by which these could be employed and be not entirely lost. In order to avoid the injurious separation-products in question, Dr. Hellriegel tried the effect of nitrate of ammonia, and as this combi- nation contained two sources of nitrogen, both nitric acid and ammonia, he took advantage of it to endeavor to determine the relative value of these two constituents, since, when comparing this combination with nitrate of lime, the former contains two equivalents of nitrogen, while 4A 5O the latter contains but one. Application of two equivalents of the latter should therefore produce an effect equal to that of one equivalent of the former. If this be confirmed by experiment, then must nitric acid be as assimilable as ammonia, and vice versa. The experiments with this re- gard resulted as follows: In 1870, barley which had been fertilized with 12 equivalents of ni- trate of lime, gave, in two experiments, respectively, 14,910 and 15,854 milligrams of dry substance. ‘Application of 6 equivalents ot nitrate of ammonia also gave in.each of two experiments, respectively, 14,910 milligrams of dry substance. In other years, little more than one- half ‘the ¢ amount of dry substance was collected when one equivalent of nitrate of ammonia was applied as when two equivalents of nitrate of lime were employed. Experimenting with regard to the neutralization of the injurious acids liberated by the processes of vegetation in case of the application of sulphate of ammonia and sal-ammoniac, he made use of a simultaneous application of carbonate of lime, and found that by this means healthy growth could be produced. The following table indicates his results : ‘Am’t of dry Kind of seed sown. Compounds applied. substance ; | harvested. i : ‘Milligrams. Summer-wheat .--.}| Twenty equivalents of nitrate of lime.............---.--------.-.---- 30, 552 IDOE code saGoarae ‘Lwenty equivalents of sulphate of ammonia .-..---..-------.--.---.-) 406 Mnsieeeee case Twenty equiv alents of sulphate of ammonia and carbonate of lime. 22, 674 IDV). 3458565 1586 Twenty equivalents of sal-ammoniac...-..--....---.----- ----------- 171 MD OM Se ss eamecias Twenty equivalents of sal-ammoniac and carbonate of lime _....---- 25, 647 Barlewmesse cesses Sixteen equivalents of. mitratejotlimer.o2- 220s oe ssises eee eee 19, 525 DOW eee essere Sixteen equivalents of sulphate of ammonia..-..-......------.---:--- 983 Does eek: Sixteen equivalents of sulphate of asimonia and carbonate of lime. --. 16, 081 These results have. a 1 practical: pearing 4 in that ‘they show that while ammonia salts of any kind may be employed upon soils containing car- bonate of lime, their application must be avoided in case of clay. soils containing little or none of this constituent. BOTANICAL NOTES. By GEO. Vasey, BOTANIST. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM AS A FIBER PLANT.—We have received from Rev. George Ainslie, Idaho, some roots and stalks of a plant which grows wild in that Territory, and which furnishes an abundant and strong fiber, used by the Indians in manufacturing cord, cloth, &e. Mr. Ainslie says that the Indians believe that for bow- ‘strings, fish- lines, &e., it is stronger than any fiber furnished by civilization. They callit kam. The specimens sent appear to be Apocynum cannabinum, a plant closely related to the milk-weed family, which also furnishes some valuable fibers. This plant occurs more or less extensively in all parts of the country, and particularly in the West. It has long been known to pos- sess a strong fiber, and has, on that account, been called Indian hemp. Some months ago the Gardener’s Chronicle (London) gave an account of a species of Apocynum (A. Venetwm) which had been discovered in Turkestan, growing wild in great abundance, and whose fiber is said to be “as tender and delicate as flax, as strong and tenacious as hemp, and, by combinin& the qualities of the two, oreatly superior to either.” ———— of It was expected that this plant would be transplanted to Europe and other countries. Itis very probable that our own apocynum: may pos- sess all the qualities of the one above mentioned. Many of our native plants furnish strong fibers, but their relative value and commercial im- portance can only be determined by experiments on a suitable scale, and these experiments can nowhere be more satisfactorily instituted than in those places where the plants have a natural foothold. NOURISHMENT OF BUDS THROUGH THE BARK.—In Comptes Rendus for November is an article of much interest. by M. E. Favres, detailing the results of some experiments made by him to determine the direct source of supply of food to the buds of trees. The trees selected for the experiments were the mulberry, walnut, and cherry laurel. Three kinds of experimeots were instituted : Ist. The removal of a complete or partial ring of bark. 2d. Separating flaps or strips of bark bearing buds. 5d. A combination of the two preceding methods. On the walnut and laurel complete ringing of a branch was followed by early death of the buds above it, but a narrow bridge left sufficed to secure continued growth. The exposed wood was in all cases protected from the air. If the ringing is performed around the bud instead of around the branch, the same results followed. In all these cases starch is found in the buds below the ringing, but above it is soon exhausted by the growth of the bud, and when the supply of starch is exhausted the death of the bud follows. There is no difficulty, M. Favres observes, in proving the ascent of nourishment by the bark, if a strip bearing a bud be detached, except its lower end, from a mulberry during the season of active vegetation. A strip of bark with a bud separated the 20th of June made a branch 20 inches. long by the end of August. The walnut gave the same results, with abundant cellular exudation on the internal face of the strip, which must be kept from drying, but which did not show quite as great growth as normal branches. 3,272 | Crucifere..-.-..- " Hon teadalins 100 98s Scrophnlariaces ........_. 176 T Gc9) | Solenadeds.. 1. Sao. o ee. 65 Pes Se Wmbelliferse,: 220 ee 160 1, 016 52 The most numerous genera are as follows : Species. Species. eENOMIN EI. SoC male = .2 see soe e 915))Bhyllanthas 2-2-2022 0 soe « 447 UT PHOLbIa eee ee a ee ee 751 | ERICBi tain = =<) coe aie tee <- Je ee 429 DOMECIO wa tere me eye njs cion.ce a claes cm GOL ahviay.s.... > ./-\.> Saeose tn a - 410 CTC) 100) TWO SHS, a Oe a a ce 4017 i Peperomia... sesce.-- e-- eee 389 POPULUS MONILIFERA AS A SHADE TREE.—M. Van Hulle, curator of , the Royal Botanic Gardens at Ghent, writes as follows: e Many kinds of trees, chosen for planting avenues, public promenades, &c., either do not accommodate themselves to all kinds of soils, or else require an inconvenient length of time to attain to such size and development of foliage as will afford the desired shade. In consequence of this, the Canada poplar (Populus Canadensis) has been largely planted about Munich and other places in Germany. This tree grows quickly, and in almost any kind of soil. Its only defect, as a shading tree, is that it sometimes, if left to itself, shoots up into too spiral a form to be of service in that way. This, however, is easily guarded against by heatling down the young trees to the height of from 12 to 15 feet, and paying some attention to the pruning of the branches for some time, so as to secure the formation of handsome crowns. Treated in this way, the trees are quite as effect- ive at some distance as well-grown specimens of horse-chestuuts.—The Garden. The Populus Canadensis mentioned above probably means our cotton- wood, (Populus monilifera Ait.,of which P. Canadensis isasynonym.) We would suppose the Populus balsamifera to be at least equally valuable for the purpose of shade. EARLY FLOWERING OF THE JASMINE.—In consequence of the mild- ness of the winter thus far, Jasminium nudiflorum, a Japan species of jessamine in cultivation here in the open air, has been in flower since near the Ist of January, two or three weeks, at least earlier than usual, MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATIONS. By THoMAs TAYLor, M1Icroscoprist. BLAck-KNoT.—Entomologists and botanists are now pretty gener- ally agreed that the black-knot of cherry and plum-trees is produced by a fungus, but they have faile?thus far to define its internal structure. Schweinitz, the American botanist, who died in 1834, seems to have been the first who suggested that it might be of fungoid origin, and he named it Spheria morbosa. During the present year several correspond- ents engaged in fruit-growing have sent to the Department specimens of cherry aud plum tree black-knot, asking for information in relation to its cause and cure. Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston, forwarded some specimens of the black-knot on cherry-tree branches, which I used as the basis of my experiments. The usual methods of investigating the black-knot by placing opaque sections of it under the microscope, gave results so un- satisfactory that I determined to employ my usual methods of rendering organic bodies transparent and yielding, by means of acids and alkalies. In this way the higher powers of the microscope may be brought to bear effectively on the fungus, its mycelium and spores, if present. The im- mediate use of strong mineral acids and caustic alkalies on suspected fungoid bodies has this advantage, that these prevent the possibility of the production of fangus growths by fermentation during the investiga- tion. Portions of the black-knot were subjected to strong nitrie acid during several days, and then examined under low and high powers of the microscope. Portions were also well washed in pure water, to free them from acid, and then submitted to the action of caustic potash. For the purpose of distinguishing colorless spores, mycelium, starch, chlorophyl, and cellulose from one another, a solution of iodine, con- ° ~ 53 taining a small portion of nitric acid, was applied to the specimens. This solution colors starch blue, fungoid transparent matter a light am- ber, infusorial forms a dark amber, while cellulose and chlorophyl re- main colorless under certain conditions. - When viewed under a power of 100 to 600 diameters these substances are clearly distinguished from one another. I also submitted the dry leaves of the twigs to the same - processes and examined their translucent cellular forms carefully, and observed some indications of fungus spores within the cells of the leaves. 1. Fig. 1 represents the general appearance of the black-knot of the cherry; 2, a cross section; 3, an enlarged view of it, showing indenta- XN 54 tions in the center of the conceptacles or Perithecia of the fungus; 4, a longitudinal section of the black-knot and branch of a cherry tree, in which sections of the Perithecia are exhibited highly magnified, while the woody fiber is represented of the natural size, as seen by the naked eye; in its advanced stages its woody structure appears as if it had been broken up into shreds or burst asunder, and its interstices filled with a very porous bark-like substance, which is again interspersed with a very fine transparent thread-like mycelium; I have no evidence, how- ever, that this mycelium has any direct relation to the black-knot fun- gus; 5, a typical representation of the Perithecia ; 6, a very highly mag- nified transparent view of a Perithecium. The structure is cellular ‘as exhibited, and of a dark amber color. Each top surface-cell of the Per- athecia generally contains two or more very minute spore-like bodies ; frequently the bottom cell of the mycelium contains these spores also. Perfected fruit will doubtless yet be found on the mycelium, which is joint- ed and branched, and resembles very much in structure the fruited black- orange mycelium, described in my last report, except in color. I have found floating in the gum solution, when examining the mycelium of the black-knot, several Perithecia without stalks having the same color as the mycelium ; but further observations are necessary to demonstrate their relationship. Further investigations will have to be made before any suggestions can be published in relation to the prevention of black- knot as a result of the work already prosecuted. ONION-RUST.—In a recent experiment, made for the purpose of de- stroying fungus on the onion, the following mode has proved very sue- cessful: Some specimens were obtained in the market, covered with amber-colored fungus. I secured one of them in an inverted glass receiver, which I placed over a beaker filled with nitrous acid. The fumes arising from the acid, without the application of heat, enveloped the onion, and soon dissolved and destroyed the fungus covering its surface. In order to ascertain whether the life of the plant had been destroyed, I placed it in a bulb-glass filled with water. It sprouted in a few days, and is now in healthy growth on my desk. It has numer- ous leaves, which have attained a length of 6 to 12 inches; thus show- ing conclusively that, in some cases, fungoid growths may be effectually destroyed without injury to the plants on which they grow. This principle admits of many important applications. In some dis- eases of the potato the surface alone appears to be affected, and the same is true in regard to certain diseases affecting the tubers, roots, fruits, and grains of various other plants, any of which may be readily exposed in large quantities to the fumes of nitrous acid. As nitrous acid has the power of depriving organic bodies of their oxygen, its destructive action on fungus is probably due to this property. The extent to which this treatment may be safely applied to the smaller grains will be the subject of future experiment. THE PHYLLOXERA IN AMERICA. It is known that M. Planchon, a distinguished scientist, was delegated by the Agricultural Society of Hérault, in France, to visit the United States during the last summer for the purpose of investigating the character and habits of the insect which has for several years past been so terribly destructive to the vineyards of Europe, and the ravages of See oe SP 55 which, although to a much less extent, have also been experienced in this country. M. Planchon, upon his return to France, has promptly made known the results of his mission. An early copy of his report en- ables us to state these results for the information of vine-cultivators in this country. It will be seen from what follows that M. Planchon’s observations have led him to conclude that the insects which have devastated the European grape-vines, and which have been more or less injurious to the vines in this country, are identical; that in consequence of the disease occasioned by this insect the culture of European grape- vines in this country has in all cases proved a failure; that certain American vines are found to resist, to a great extent, the attacks of this destructive enemy, while there is one, the Scuppernong, of North Caro- lina, that absolutely and entirely escapes its ravages; and, what is most important, that another insect has been discovered here, which proves to be a natural and active enemy of the great destroyer, and which it is believed may be effectually employed in impeding if not in finally arresting its ruinous mareh. M. Planchon’s report, of which the following is a translation, is dated at Montpelier, France, the 10th of November, 1873, and is addressed to the minister of agriculture of France: REPORT -OF M. PLANCHON ON THE PHYLLOXERA OF EUROPE AND AMERICA. Mr. Minister: In accordance with the proposition of the Agricultural Society of Hérault you have commissioned me to proceed to tle United States to study the history and habits of the insect which has for years ravaged the grape-vines of Pro- vence, Languedoc, and Bordelais. The points indicated to me for investigation were as follows: 1. Is the Phylloxera rastatrix of Europe the same as the insect described in the United States under the name of Pemphigus vitifoliae ? 2. Does the European vine yield to the fatality in America ? 3. Do certain varieties of American grape-vines resist the destructive action of this insect while others absolutely escape its attacks? Consequently, can the different varieties of European vines be successfully engrafted upon such vine-stocks as may be found to resist the Phylloxera ? : 4, Does there exist in the United States an insect which is destructive of the Phylloxera, and that even seeks it beneath the ground? And, if so, could these can- nibals of. the Phylloxera be introduced into Europe, so as to keep the ravages of their enemy within certain limits? j To these paincipal objects were added, as accessories, those of the study of the habits of the Phylloxera in America; of indigenons vines and the principal varieties of vines in that country; and finally, the study of American vines with a view of ascertaining their specific characters and the mode of culture. Tleft Havre on the 4th of August, 1873, and was enabled to devote to these re- searches the interval of time between the 29th of August -and the 4th of October, to visit the principal vine-growing districts of the United States, with the exception of California, where the Phylloxerais yet unknown, and, thanks to the generous aid which I received in all quarters, I was enabled to collect the materials for a complete and sat- isfactory report upon the objects of my mission. I have now the honor to submit to you, in an abridged form, the conelusions to which my researches have led me; conclusions which are confirmed by the opiniens of Mr. Riley, in America, and of Messrs. Laliman and Lichtenstein, in Europe: First. As to the identity of the European and American insect. There is no doubt on this point. I have examined the insect iu all its forms and under all its conditions, upon American vines, both wild and cultivated, and have found it absolutely the same as that of Europe. Its existence in America for a long period has been proved by the Phylloxera galls which were collected in Texas as long ago as 1834, by the botanist Ber- landier, upon the vines of the Vitis monticola. Secondly. The decline, in some cases nearly fatal, of Enropean vines transported to America is a fact long known but not generally understood. I have found new proofs of it. Some have attributed the decline to a change of climate, since the culture of European vines has been universally unsuccessful throughout the whole country, from 56 Canada to Florida, and from the East to the Rocky Mountains, Mr. Riley has discov- ered the true cause to be the Phylloxera. Thirdly. The resistance of certain American vines to the attacks of the Phylloxera has been noted by Mr. Laliman in Europe, and by Mr. Riley in America. Shall we con- fide implicitly in the statements of these gentlemen, or shall we inquire into some apparent contradictions in their assertions? Upon these points I make, from my note- book, the following extract : A particular species of vine, special to the Southern States, and not generally known in the Northern States, where the climate will not admit of its culture, the Scupper- nong, ( Vitis rotundifolia,) absolutely escapes the Phylloxera; and, in all my researches, I have never found it upon either roots or leaves. It is the only vine that possesses this characteristic, and it will, therefore, be the vine-stock to choose as a graft-bearer of European vines, if certain difficulties can be conquered, that the nature of the wood seems to oppose to its multiplication by cuttings and its aptitude to receive the graft- ings of other vines. I shall refer again to this entirely new subject, that I have studied with care in North ‘Carolina, where the Scuppernong exists in a wild as well as cultivated state. Although the Phylloxera attacks the roots and sometimes the leaves of the resisting vines, I will point ont those stocks that ought to make excellent graft-bearers of our vines. They are the Concord, (Vitis labrusca,) the Clinton, ( Vitis cordifolia,) the Herb- emont, the Norton’s Virginia, and the Cunningham ( Vitis ewstivalis.) My detailed ob- servations would permit me to add other names to this list; but I have purposely limited myself to the indication of those stocks the resistance of which has been proved, and the introduction of which can be recommended to the vine-cultivators of Europe, as proof against the Phylloxera. ; Upon the question of the attempt to graft European plants upon the resisting vine- stocks of America, allow me to await the approaching deliberations of the Central Agricultural Society of Herault, and then to transmit to you for publication the con- clusions which may be reached concerning the stocks to introduce; the practical means of procuring them in good condition ; the modes of grafting by which we may most promptly discover whether the grafting of our vines upon them will give the desired results, or whether it is necessary, in case of failure, to cultivate seedlings of the best American vines. This last resource of direct culture depends upon the locali- ties where the constant presence of the Phylloxera and the impossibility of submersions will oppose themselves to the culture of European vines. Fourthly. The existence in America of an enemy to the subterranean Phylloxera is happily no Jonger an hypothesis. The active and intelligent researches of Mr. Riley have enabled him lately to discover an acarus, which justly fills the réle of cannibal to the Phyllorera. This acarus, the history of which has not yet been published, but of which Mr. Riley and myself will shortly give an account in detail, is actually living in my possession, having been captured more than a month ago. It isa kind of Tyrogly- phus, which we have named the Tyroglyphus phylloxera. It is of the same genus as the mite, or flesh-worm of cheese-rind, and like other Tyroglyphs, produces an acarus of & different appearence, described under the name of Hypopus. My efforts this winter have been to multiply it in a close box, and in the approaching spring, I shall endeavor to acclimate it in the soil. Although naturalists perfectly understand the importance of the réle that these par- asites or cannibals play, in checking the increase of certain destructive insects, if is not well to exaggerate the importance of the acarus that devours the Phylloxera. Upon this point, as well as that of grafting upon resisting stocks, experience alone will permit positive affirmations, The results of my mission may be stated in general terms to be: 1st. The discovery of the absolute identity of the Phylloxera vastatriz of Europe, and the Pemphigus vitifolie of America; the proofs that the European vines have always failed in the United States, California excepted; the confirmation of the existence of vines which resist the attacks of the Phylloxera; the discovery that the Scuppernong, ( Vitis rotundifolia) is not even attacked by this insect, and the introduction of an acarus that can check the multiplication of this enemy of our vines. 2d. The consequences of the preceding facts are: the probability of being able to save our vine-stocks from destruction by grafting them upon the American resisting vines that have been named; and the possibility of cultivating directly these resisting vines and obtaining good stocks, the Nerton’s Virginia, and the Herbemont, for example. I propose to treat the subject of the culture of American vines, and the nature and fabrication of their wines, in extenso, in asubsequent report. I also intend to intro- duce into the report, a study of the species and varieties of American vines. M. Planchon is undoubtedly in error in attributing the failure in the out-door culture of the European grape (or, more properly, the Asiatic grape) in this country solely to the ravages of the Phylloxera. The true cause of this failure is well known to be that of fungoid growth ‘ 57 upon the foliage. It is purely a climatic influence, as totally indepen- dent of any insect as was the destruction of Huropean vineyards in 1845 by the Oidium. In the summary of his observations, M. Planchon refers to the meas- urable absence of the Phyllovera in California. It is remarkable that he did not note the evidence in the case, as the European grape is almost exclusively cultivated there; and consequently it might be expected that the Phyllorera would be more plentiful there than here, where the foreign. grape is not generally cultivated. In this particular M. Planchon has evidently been misled by Mr. Riley, whom he quotes as his authority for the statement relative to the cause of failure with the foreign grape. It may also be questioned whether the selection of our native varieties of grapes that are comparatively free of the disease, as made by M. Plan- chon, agrees with the numerous observationsof American grape cultiva- tors. Certainly, all recorded observations go to prove that the smooth- leaved species and varieties of our grapes are more generally attacked than are those with pubescent foliage. The Clinton, a variety of Vitis riparia, is particularly subject to attack, yet M. Planchon includes this variety in the list which he recommends for importation into France, as resisting the attacks of the Phyllorera. As a strong growing stock to graft upon, it is undoubtedly meritorious, much more so, indeed, than some other varieties in his list. W. S. FACTS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES. JUTE.—North Carolina.—A planter, writing from North Carolina, says that he planted the jute-seed, furnished by the Department, May 1. The ground was prepared as for cotton, and the seed dropped 12 inches apart; land, moist bottom, and, as the spring was a very wet one, the seed lay dormant for three weeks; consequently, a good stand was not had. The plant grew to a height of 15 feet, with limbs from 5 to 7 feet long. The plat was plowed twice, and hoed once. It was cut Cctober 1 and thrown into water, where it remained to rot three weeks; the bark was théna easily stripped from bottom to top. A specimen of the fiber was exhibited at the State fair, and pronounced very fine by per- sons who were familiar with its culture, having seen the plant and fiber in their native habitat. Our correspondent is of the opinion that the bottom lands of North Carolina could be made to produce, by liberal manuring, as much as 3,000 pounds of fiber per acre. It was troubled by no insects; besides, he had a cotton patch by the side of the jute, and no caterpillars made their appearance to disturb the cotton; while in other fields they destroyed several acres in a week. Georgia.—A planter in Georgia, who has succeeded well in an experi- ment in raising jute, says that if 5 cents per pound can be netted, more can be made by raising jute than cotton. He planted about the Ist of May; the seed germinated freely, and the plants grew finely on rather poor land, attaining a height of over 10 feet by the 19th of September. Louisiana—Mr. Le Frane, President of the Jute and Ramie Company of New Orleans, has sent to the Department, for its museum, five speci- mens of jute and its fabrics raised and manufactured in Louisiana. These consist of jute filament, rolled, after cleaning by machinery ; jute rope, crude or unrotted, as it comes from the machine; and jute rope 58 6 made of rotted jute. Mr. L. says the jute is acknowledged to be 50 per cent. superior to the India article. Inspection of these very fine speci- mens, by those interested in this new American industry, is invited. Bengal.—The increased demand for jute in Calcutta, whence almost all that is manufactured is imported, has stimulated the culture of the plant in India in a high degree. In Bengal, where twenty years ago jute was only cultivated for individual use, the plant now forms a staple product of the country. Next to rice, it is the principal product; and, as compared with rice, it is found to be the safer and more certain and profitable crop. In several divisions of Bengal the culture has been ex- tended enormously within three or four years, and yet the demand for exportation is by no means met. Both high and low lands are found to be adapted to its growth, and it is easy and sure of cultivation; and so remunerative that the condition of the ryots, or cultivators, is seen already to have been much improved by it. Hitherto India has not merely raised the best jute, but it has been almost the only country where it was grown at.all. The culture in the United States is only just beginning ; but, as will be seen from the opinion quoted above, in regard to Louisiana, we have already succeeded in producing a fiber which com- petent judges pronounce to be superior to that of India. INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION AND BOTANICAL CONGRESS IN ITALy.—The Department of Agriculture has received through the State Department an official communication from Count Zannini, the chargé d’affaires of Italy here, giving information that an International Horticultural Exposition anda Botanical Congress will be held coincidently at Florence in May next, under the patronage of the Royal Tuscan Horticultural Society; and that the project is commended by the government of the King of Italy to that of the United States, to the end that commissioners may be appointed to take part therein. It has not been deemed advisable to request legislation upon the sub- ject; but Count Zannini has been informed that such information will be given through this Department as will enable horticulturakand other bodies in this country, if so disposed, to take part in the exhibition and congress. The former will embrace exhibitions of fruits, plants, flowers, &e., for the best collections of which gold and silver medals will be given, respectively, by the King of Italy, the minister of agriculture, and an association of lady patronesses in Florence. The botarfical congress will be occupied with memoirs, essays, and discussions of appropriate topics. Both the exhibition and congress will remain open from the 11th to the 25th of May. GUINEA GRASS.—Mr. C. Codrington, of Florida, formerly of Jamaica, communicates to the Department w paper touching the cultivation and natural growth of Guinea grass.in the West Indies, and its intro- _ duction into Florida. Speaking of the island of Jamaica, he says he has never known the working mules there to get grain of any kind, and if offered them they would not eat it, yet they are as hard-worked as any stock in the world ; Guinea grass being the only feed supplied. Of course, therefore, in those islands this grass is not considered a nox- ious weed, as it is too often regarded by Southern planters. The peo- ple are only too glad to have it, and, where it thrives, abandon every other cultivation to make way for it. Once established, very little cultivation isrequired. Hired laborers go through the fields cutting out the young trees with machetes, (a kind of cutlass,) at a cost of about 25 cents per acre. Mr. Codrington says: 59: On coming to Florida [ perceived at once that the great want of the State was a good grass to suit the climate. I wrote to Jamaica for some seeds of the hardiest variety, called there the “St. Mary’s grass.” This I planted in the spring of 1872, and got about twelve plants to grow. As fast as the roots got sufficiently large I took them up, separated them and replanted, some roots giving me twenty-five to thirty plants; but I found that the planting should be done immediately after a heavy rain, when the earth is quite wet. I continued this operation until September, when I allowed the plants to go to seed. Part of the seed I gathered, and left some to drop. The plants stood several severe frosts before the grass was killed. I then cut it off and found stock even then eat if with avidity. This spring the old roots sprouted again, and all around them innumerable young plants came up from the seed that had been sown the last autumn. I continued the same system this summer that I did with my plants in 1872, with perfect success. Others, who procured plants from me and have tollowed the directions, have also succeeded, and it now only requires enterprise to make this State the grazing State of the Union; for the success of the grass I con- sider established beyond a doubt. The land [ used was the poorest, worn-out pine land; too poor even to grow sweet-potatoes. Ihad the grass 8 feet high in some places, and I cut some of it three times during the summer. He adds, in a postscript : In planting from roots, the tops should be ent off before planting; and do nol plant the roots straight, but in a slanting position, almost lying down. Do not plant deep; about four inches of the stem should be out of the ground. A letter on the same subject has been received from Mr. Adains, of Jacksonville, Fla., to whom a small quantity of seed, received from Jamaica, had been sent by the Department for experiment. He sowed the seed in rather poor, light land, slightly manured. It grew rapidly and steadily, even luxuriantly, “and has at the height of two feet (December 11) been cut three or four times during the season, and is now flourishing finely.” Mr. A. continues : It does not “ plant” or spread from the root during the first season as much as I had expected, showipg that probably the best way to start a field is by broadcast or drill sowing. But as to its adaptability to the climate and soil of the South, and of Florida especially, (where the greatest agricultural need is confessedly a grass that will bear sun and drought,) I have not a shadow of doubt. In two-thirds of the northern and southern extent of the State cattlé are raised without any feed or care except grazing at large; yet there is an annual ratio of increase of more than 30 per cent. So that with an available grass to supplement the natural or wild grasses, Florida is bound to be an important cattle and stock raising State. : EXPERIMENT WITH GRASS.—A package of grass-seed, Lolium Ltali- cum, having been sent to a gentleman in Cobb County, Georgia, he con- ceived the idea of an experiment to determine whether cutting early, and not allowing seed to ripen, would preserve the vitality of the roots. In a former season he had raised grass on a piece of ground on which sheep were pastured, and gathered twenty-seven bushels of clean seed from three-fourths of an acre; the steins were three feet high; still, after cutting, all the old roots and the fallen seed sprouted, but the dry weather and crab-grass together killed both. At the time of sowing the Lolium* Italicum, above mentioned, the sea- son was unfavorable on account of the early springing up of the crab- grass, which smothers whatever has not got a good start in advance of it. The planting was on the 3d of March, on good, high ground, well prepared and manured with Charleston phosphates. A second applica- tion of phosphate was made on the 2d of June. It was first cut June 23, to keep down the weeds and crab-grass, when a few seed-stems were in bloom; a second cutting was made about seven weeks after— weather hot and dry. At the date of writing, November 24, there was every hope of the success of the experiment, with the help of nitrogenous ° fertilizing. This correspondent thinks that the best cultivated grass for that part of the State, which is of granitic formation, is the orchard, since it stands hot and cold, dry and wet weather, equally well. 60 CoRN IN MAINE.—Adams’ Early corn grew 10 feet high last season, buthad many false stalks, ears short; ‘‘ too late,” says our correspondent, ‘¢ by three weeks, for Maine.” He findsthat corn grown two hundred miles north or south accommodates itself to the seasons of Maine in about ten years. DEPARTMENT SEEDS IN LOUISIANA.—Dr. Allen, of Saint Mary’s Parish, says of the garden-seeds received from the Department, that some of the varieties have developed and flourished beyond any of the kinds he has ever before seen in that section. He mentions the early red onion, Brussels sprouts, horticultural pole-bean, kohl rabi, purple cap brocoli, large Brunswick cabbage, and McLean’s advancer peas, as having produced well; but that cach was the best of its kind, as to quality, that he had ever tasted. The McLean pea proved a wonder; withea low vine, requiring no support in the way of sticks, it produced an extra- ordinary number of pods, each pod filled with the largest and most tender peas “I ever tasted.” In conclusion, Dr. Allen says that he can- not conceive of a more satisfactory or more profitable garden than one planted with the same kind and assortment of seeds as those distrib- uted by the Department. ARNAUTKA WHEAT.—A correspondent of Vivian, Minnesota, says that Arnautka wheat proves to be hardy, vigorous, and very productive, but grades as “rejected” in Chicago, and sells at 15 cents per bushel Jess than varieties usually grown in his locality.. The complaint against the wheat is as to its flintiness. He says the varieties of spring-wheat grown in Eastern Europe all rust so as to shrink badly when grown in Minnesota. PEELER CoTron.—Iwo quarts of this cotton-seed were planted in Greene County, North Carolina, in sandy loam; seed dropped at inter- vals of 12 inches, in rows 34 feet apart, occupying about one-eighth of an acre. Amount of seed-cotton picked, 150 pounds, which made 50 pounds of lint, equal to 400 pounds per acre; considered a very good yield in that county. Our informant says that the staple is considerably longer and finer than any other variety in the county. This variety is only the ordinary cotton of our Southern States déveloped by selection and superior cultivation. SorGHuM.—Mr. James Vaux, of Iowa, says of the imported sorghum (black seed) sent,to him by the Department, that he planted the seed side by side with the same quantity of the large red variety, and that the former was far the richer in product, growing also three feet higher than the Jatter. From twenty rows grown across a two-acre garden he made forty-three gallons of molasses, which was thick and of good qual- ity. Planted the last of April. ‘ FULTZ WHEAT.—In Saratoga County, New York, one grain of Fultz wheat is reported as having thrown out nine stalks bearing 378 kernels. Selected heads in the field contained 50, 53, 58, and up to 63 kernels. FLOWER-SEEDS.—A Missouri correspondent says that the vegetable and flower seeds he received from the Department have invariably proven true to name and of superior kind. Of the flowers he freely distributed seeds of their production, and a hundred homes have been adorned, IMMIGRATION IN 1872~73.—The records of the Bureau of Statistics, Treasury Department, show that 459,803 immigrants arrived in the United States during the year ending June 30, 1873. Of these, 66,359 had attained the age of forty years or more, 288,272 were between the 61 ages of fifteen years and forty years, and 104,672 were under fifteen years of age. The following table gives the principal nationalitie¥ of the immigrants: Countries. Males. | Females.) Total. England...--- _ ot RE ROBES eS ho 2 Ses SBE gee ac Sac = REE SPERe |}. 45, 094 29, 777 74, 801 HUST 52 ee Sos Rev SES iiss) a I Sore ei ~Sss5 52628625 40, 993 36, 351 77, 344 ST pInCC he a a ee eee Ls = ABER aero At concern eee , 254 | » 5, 587 13, 841 SHIRT. ¢ abostendoceee becee send siete doses ASO SES se eee see 2 ) 2 86, 411 63, 260 149, 671 DCT Re a ee ee de BS RE ee ee ee ees eee a ae a | 3, 098 2, 667 5, 765 ee eee ee SAGE oor Retna Be a See = Bene ae Cee a sore ote 8, 656 5, 647 i 14, 303 LITLE as Se eS ik) GOO oe a eee ne | 9, 928 6, 319 16, 247 MROUATION. $22. Sos SoCo nee Sasa ee AAS Pepe clos bielcs sect seme 3, 326 1, 605 4,931 “Uninet ie GRRE RS Le ae ee On ENE SE eee eee ee | 2, 282 1, 529 3, 811 BREMEN AT 528 oe A Ne ere oe ataic in cn Poca ae a ale He msin Sleme aie one an a ately 1, 943 1, 164 3, 107 Hearigcu es eee e eke) epeny marti lias Lb a Ai ee se seth esol Gee Sebeee sack « | 9, 500 5, 298 14, 798 TE ESTES scat amet Ribas pled Oe SSE Ca CR, RR: CDi pe er ee | 6,851 1, 864 8, 715 225) b Ti de eh eee bee Bote cee 2 aes 5a ee RS ae eS eee ae { 2, 224 1,114 3, 338 Rian pee eet eee ey ee heir la tee gah Ste hd aye | 19, 403 889 20, 292 JSP Sed oS Se SE Es a a eee } 2a AIS 14, 598 31, Til Nova Scotia....-.. RINE Be Sette ha naeece eet aees evacane wee su eoeeeS | 2, 093 1, 826 3, 919 Other British North American provinces. ......-.-.--------------------- 1, 240 1, 001 2, 241 PMGUMEN TCOUNIIOS 9s.) otc oe 2 a's nice coc esate ne sok cece sec asecuee 7, 453 3, 515 10, 968 BRN en tee cfc a nian See ee hace oe Se Sg sotto lgse See ee ater 279, 792 184, 011 459, 803 The total immigration from the British Isles was 166,843. There were 1,560 immigrants from Russia, 1,347 from Hungary, 1,176 from b] 2 9 y) = e b] Belgium, 1,161 from the Azores, 962 from Cuba, and 1,130 from. Aus- tralia. The following gives a general classification of occupations: Occupations. | Males. | Females,| Total. —" Pretessional occupations - 2.222: 2-22). -2 6-26 2 ss - + SEES Ph Shee 2, 747 239 2, 986 SEOUEE Ut TDR Bek a See eee eee eee 47, 490, 1, 302 48, 792 Miscellaneous Occupations: --.....--...---2..-..-.---- Se ee Se eee | 152, 575 16, 143 168, 718 Occupations not stated, (chiefly women and children) .....-..---.-.----- 1, 371 3, 497 f OU LEP G (LEU ERC eke as ala ot allege i i ai la Sle fa ain Deere ee | %1,609 | 162, 830 234, 439 nf aleeme se ete AR Ce eee Rb. Re i. ew eee 275,792 | 184,011} 459, 803 Detailed statements of occupations show 36,983 farmers, 530 farm- laborers, 538 gardeners, 104,423 laborers, 7,038 merchants and dealers, 6,406 carpenters, 4,293 masons, 2,411 shoemakers, 2,393 tailors, 1,894 blacksmiths, 334 clergymen, 187 physicians, and 370 teachers. PROFIT IN CLOVER-SEED.—Our correspondent in Outagamie Couuty, Wisconsin, reports that from the second crop on a clover-field of ten acres, clover-seed was harvested which sold for $340. UNIFORMITY IN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.—One of our correspond- ents calls attention to the desirableness, on account of its great practi- eal value, of a law passed by Congress securing uniformity in weights and measures throughout the country. In illustration of the evils of the present system, in which each State and Territory has its own inde- pendent standard, he states that the legal weight for a bushel of seed is in some States 12 pounds less than in others. Those who are not aware of these differences in weight or measure are often deceived by quota- tions in the newspapers, and in buying or selling in markets outside of their own State. FOREST-TREES.—The following is an extract from the recent message A the governor of Pennsylvania addressed to the legislature of that State : 62 J respectfully invite your attention to an evil of considerable ma gnitude, which every yeanerows more aggravated, and in certain regions, at times, is the oceasion of serious ‘apprehension. I refer to the wholesale destruction of our forests, the stripping of our mountains and hills of their trees, resulting in an enormous diminution of water for mechanical and fertilizing purposes, and in ‘ereat changes in the normal conditions of temperature and moisture, affecting the general health and at seasons bringing about devastating floods. These consequences, as the effects of this indiscriminate waste, are demonstrable, and a wise legislation will forecast the future and establish such regu-~ lations as will rescue our descendants from the ills a perseverance in this practice will certainly entail upon them. PENNSYLVANIA FISH ComMISSION.—In his recent message, the goy- ernor of Pennsylvania communicates facts and conclusions of general interest respecting the transactions and anticipated results of the fish commission of that State. Assuming that the success of fish-culture is now assured; that its extent is to be limited only by the wants of con- sumers and the capacity of the streams, rivers, and lakes of the coun- try, and that Pennsylvania has superior advantages for producing fish, not only of ordinary but of rare and most delicious varieties, he gives the following summary of the doings of the State commissioners the past year: At Newport, Perry County, where the water is especially adapted to the purpose. they succeeded in hatching, by the aid of Mr. Seth Green’s patent, 2,700, 000 shad, which were tur rned into the Juniata at that point. They also, during July and August, distributed in the Susquehanna, Lehigh, and Juniata, 2,600 black bass. Through the co- operation of Professor Baird, United States lish Commissioner, 27,000 California salmon were planted i in the Susquehanna and its tributaries. In 1870 two or three hundred bass, which are represented as not migré tory, and very prolific, were placed in the Susquehanna near Harris- ‘burgh, and the great number now found in the river in that vicinity af- fords evidence of the rapidity with which they multiply. The law ecre- ating the commission directed that four fish-ways should be constructed at different dams on the Susquehanna and Juniata, but the commis- sloners regarding the question whether fish will ascend an artificial way as still a mooted one, have thus far constructed only one ; that is at the Columbia dam, and is 120 feet long, 60 wide, very eradual i in the ascent, and made as nearly as possible to imitate a natural fish-way. Ifin the spring it is found that shad pass up this, the construction of the others willimmediately follow. The commissioners have erected and properly furnished, near Marietta, a hatching-house, supplied with water from an inexhaustible spring, and having a capacity equal to the proper care of 700,000 young fish. RATE OF EXHAUSTION OF MANURES.—Aft a late meeting of the Ayr- shire Farmers’ Club, Scotland, the subject discussed was, compensation to outgoing tenants for permanent improvements and unexhausted ma- nures. By way of illustration an agreement with his tenantry entered into by Sir Patrick Keith Murry wasintroduced. Among the principal points were these: the beneficial effects of horse, cow, and town manure, guano, bones, and Eupepiiles are held to ast four years, and the rate of exhaus- tion to be ;4, the first year, and 1; less each succeeding year; of ea applied to arable ae to last ten years, and the rate of exhaustion 1 i the first year, and ~ 1 Jess each succeeding year; applied to permanent pastures to last twelve years, and the rate of exhaustion 1% the first year, 11 the second, and -7, less each succeeding. Nitrate of soda and sulphate ot ammonia are held to be exhausted “by the crop to which they are applied. For oil-cake cr any similar substance of equal manurial value except grain of all kinds, purchased and used by the tenant in feeding sheep or cattle on the farm, | of the entire cost of all so used during the i a 63 last three years of occupation shall be allowed. The value of any new manures not included in the above list, and the unexhausted value of any included, but of a quality better or worse than average, or applied in exceptional quantity or under exceptional circumstances, is to be determined by arbitration. In the course of the proceedings it was unanimously resolved : That in the opinion of this meeting the land of this country will-never be farmed _ in such a way as to make it produce all that it is capable of doing until a law is passed giving fair and reasonable compensation to the tenant, when he leaves his farm, for all unexhausted improvements and manures that will add to the value of the farm : and that, on the other hand, when a tenant, through negligence and bad farming, deteriorates the natural fertility of the soil, he should be ‘compelled to pay his land- lord for all such deterioration. WILD CATS IN MAINE.—Onur correspondent in Hancock County states that within the last two years wild cats have been making great havoe of sheep in that section. It is estimated that during the past season they destroyed in one town sheep valued at $100. WOLVES IN PENNSYLVANIA.—Our correspondent in Elk County reports that wolves have lately been very destructive among sheep in that locality. One man lost his whole flock, 55; and during the past six months as many as 150 had been killed by them within a distance of five miles. Our correspondent in Clearfield also states that great numbers of sheep have been killed. by wolves in that county within the preceding two months. EXTRAORDINARY YIELDS OF CORN.—Mr. John W. Murry, of Carroll County, Maryland, reports in the Westminster Advocate, that on one acre, the past season, he raised 304 barrels (1524 bushels) of shelled corn. The reported culture vas as follows: the land was so situated that it received the washings from the road and from his barn-yard, and had been in grass for fifteen years. In the spring of 1872 he plowed it and planted it in corn. The yield thatyear was 26§ barrels. On the 16th of May, 1875, he plowed the corn-stubble ground ° very deep, and harrowed and rolled it. The next day he sowed 300 pounds of bone-dust and har- rowed it again, marked it off 52 inches one way, sowed 200 pounds of Rhodes’s super-phosphate in the rows, and dropped the corn, one and two kernels in the hills, 10 inches apart. The variety of corn was the Ches- ter meee Mammoth Yellow. On the 4th of June, as much was miss- ing, he ‘‘dragged the ground and replanted ;” plowed on the 10th, some hills still missing; on the 17th plowed, hoed, and * plastered the weak spots;” on the 30th dragged, plowed and thinned; on the 4th of July ‘‘hilled with a potato-plow as deep as one horse could pull,” and econ- tiuued to thin as it required until the shoots appeared. According to a report of the Agricultural Society of Washington, Pa., Mr. James W. Dickey, whose farm lies partly in that county and partly _ Brooke County, West Virginia, produced last season, on 15 acres, 2,5353 bushels of shelled corn—average 169 bushels per acre. The only conditions of culture reported were these: the field had been used for a sheep-pasture for the preceding eighteen years. In thespring, as soon as the frost was out, he broke up the sod, plowing not deeper 1 than three inches, planted with good seed, and gave due care and culture to the growing crop. BLEDSOE County, TENNESSEE,—The following is condensed from a report to this Depar tment by the secretar y of the Farmers and Mechanics’ Association in this county. The crops of wheat and nye the past season were the best for several years. Wheat sells at $1.25; rye, 75 cents; corn, 50 cents ; oats, 50 cents; potatoes, Irish and sweet, 40 to 50 cents; 64 cattle, $2.50 per cwt., gross; hogs, (badly thinned by cholera,) $3.75 to $4; horses and mules, ‘dull sale at low prices.” Our correspondent further reports: . Lands are greatly reduced in price. Farms which were purchased fiveand six years ago for $20 and $25 per acre can now be had at $12 to $18 per acre. Mountain table- lands are a mere drug—worth from 10 cents to $1 per acre, aud no buyers. Five years ago these lands were sold readily at $2 to $5 and $10 per acre, according to amount of improvement. Wild lands generally (and wild-cat titles) on Walden’s Ridge and Cumberland Mountain get away with northern and western men. The object of many unprincipled men here is to rob and plunder. They write flattering letters to be pub- lished in the different agricultural papers of the Union, or send out circulars in every direction; and for the past four or five years they have succeeded admirably in en- trapping the unwary. Now, however, the pens of those who have been taken in are making vast changes in regard to emigration ; hence the great decline in the prices of mountain lands. We might safely add that two-thirds of the immigration to these lands for the past five years have migrated elsewhere after having been stripped of every dollar and valuable. The mountain is the home of the rich man who can num- ber his cattle by the hundred and in the autumn drive them to his farm in the valley, or to market. The land is not adapted to agricultural purposes, or, at least, has failed forsome reason to produce enough to bread the settlements, and, therefore, men with limited means cannot accomplish anything on them. ° MARION CouNTY, OREGON.—Under date of December 1, the Secre- tary of Rock Point Farmers’ Club, in this county, reports that within its limits the year 1873 has been one of general prosperity to agricultural industry. Farmers have realized good crops and higher prices than ever before. The wheat crop was 20 per cent. larger than any previous one, averaging 30 bushels per acre; rye, 30 bushels per acre ; corn, po- tatoes, and hay were average ; oats, 10 per cent. below; wool and cheese, each 10 per cent. above ; butter, 10 per cent. below, but in good demand at 574 cents per pound; the number of horses 20 per cent. and of hogs 30 per cent. below. Cattle plenty and dull sale, except for good dairy- stock; all kinds of fruit plenty except peaches. Prices: Wheat, $1 per bushel; rye, 75 cents; oats, 40; potatoes, 40; dried apples, 6 cents per pound; dried plums, 16; beef on the hoof, 5cents net; pork, 54, net ; hay, $10 per ton. LICE STRAW.—Our correspondent in McIntosh County, Georgia, re- ports that rice-straw in that section has become an important article of trafiic. It is used largely by farmers and lumberers as a substitute for hay, and is also in great demand for the manufacture of paper. ATASCOSA CounTY, TEXAS.—This county is situated in the interior of Southern Texas. A correspondent communicates the following state- ment respecting its products in 1873: Besides the “‘ enormous number” of cattle killed and stolen away by Indians and Mexicans, over 50,000 were driven to distant markets, and yet “untold thousands” remain in the county. The cotton-crop turned out 450 to 500 pounds of lint-cot- ton to the acre; corn, 35 bushels; sorghum, sweet-potatoes, and other vegetables, also pea-nuts and the native Mustang grape, a full crop. THE COW-PEA IN SOIL RESTORATION.—On almost every plantation in the cotton States there are worn-out cotton-fields, which must remain unproductive until restored by fertilization. To find a fertilizer adapt- ed to the wants of the soil, involving neither cost nor trouble of trans- portation, easy of application, and yielding the quickest and largest re- turns with the smallest outgo, is a great desideratum. ‘The cow-pea, as an agent in soil restoration, combines iu a large degree these advantages. A planter in Gwinnett County, Georgia, reports as follows: Having a worn-out field of 20 acres which had been lying in broom-sedge for several years, he broke it up in the summer of 1868, plowing deep with a turn-over plow. In the fali he sowed it in wheat. The yield, carefull)’ measured, 65 was a little less than 4 bushels per acre. In 1669, immediately after harvesting the wheat, he sowed cow-peas at the rate of 2 bushels per acre. Harly in October he turned the resulting crop under with a deep furrow. A few weeks later he sowed on this pea-sod wheat, harrowing it in carefully. He harvested 9 bushels per acre. He repeated the same process in 1870, and realized 175 bushels per acre; and again in 1871, followed by a yield of 27 bushels per acre ; and again in 1872, with a promise at the time of reporting of 40 bushels per acre. Throughout this experiment, covering five years, no fertilizer except the cow-pea was applied. PRODUCTION OF IRON AND STEEL IN THE UNITED STATES.—The fol- lowing facts are condensed from a report of the secretary of the American Iron and Steel Association, made at its late annual meet- ing. The number of furnaces in the country, not counting abandoned and projected,is 636. Of these,41 were completed and put in blast in 1872, and 42 in 1873. These 83 increased the furnace capacity of the country fully one-fourth. The ascertained and estimated numbers of net tons of iron and steel produced in the United States in 1872 and 1873 respect- ively were: , 1872. 1873. DOA LA Ree TET SS ee ee ee ae ae ae cee re 941, 992 850, 000 Maver rolled:and hammered: ion: 2° - --~ 22-2 een cee s-= 5 *_ 1,000, 000 980, 000 ane ONPATNAMLOGIICIIESU: 2 ce Sate hoa ke eons wa foes vale ese aee's 58, 000 50, 000 DSTA SLE 2 2 Ee NR Se RES ee Be BO De PN tee ee eee - 32,000 28, 000 ERNE MER SLOG mec tonya eo) Sits bin sieges hehiscsost esse babii ee ee 110, 500 140, 000 ei sik oebs 22048 See Se a ae Soe er eee aes ee 2, 830, 070 2, 695, 434 Pig-iron is now made in twenty-two States, and the estimated annual capacity of all the furnaces for producing it is 4,371,277 net tons. Six- teen States manufacture iron and steel rails,;and of the aggregate Pennsylvania produces 444 per cent.; Ohio ranks second, and Illinois third ; these two States having exchanged ranks since 1872.. New York holds the fourth place. On the 17th of September, the day before the financial crisis, the quoted prices of raw and manufactured iron were as follows: American Bessemer rails, $120; iron rails, $75; No. 1 pig-iron at Philadelphia, $12; merchant bars at Pittsburgh, 34 cents; English iron rails at New York, $65, gold; the prices asked November 1 were, - for Bessemer rails at mill, $110; ironrails at mill, $68; best No. 1 anthracite pig-iron at Philadelphia, $36; merchant bars at Pittsburgh, 3 cents: English iron rails at New York, $60, gold. It is estimated that fully one-third of the 636 furnaces above named were blown out by the 1st of November, and that one-half would be by the end of the month. : ) EFFECTS OF COLD IN FATTENING.—A producer of pork in Muskingum County, Ohio, who has made an experiment with hogs, with a view to ascertain how far cold retards the rate of fattening, reports the follow- ing results: Carefully weighing the hogs fed, and the corn fed to them, and estimating pork at four cents per pound, he found that what he fed out during the first week in October returned (in pork) 80 cents per bushel; the first week in November, 60 cents; the third week 40; the fourth week in November and the month of December, 25; the first half of January, 5; the last half, 0. In the October week of the ex- periment the weather was pleasant and warm. It gradually grew colder till the latter part of November, from which time it remained about Stationary till the 1st of January, after which it ran down to zero, and below in the latter part of the month. The hogs were well sheltered in a good pen with plank floor. 5A 66 TRIAL OF THE PARVIN STEAM-PLOW.—This plow, patented by R. C. Parvin, works by “ direct traction.” It is manufactured at Farming- ton, Fulton County, Illinois, and costs $4,000. A trial of it, reported as entirely successful, took place under the direction of the inventor, at Dixon, Solano County, California, November 11. The ground, stiff clay, or clay adobe, was a field of wheat stubble, from which the grain had been harvested by heading. An eight-gang plow was first attached and found not adapted to the conditions. A large three-gang plow and _ a two-gang plow were substituted, each cutting a foot wide furrow and running 5 to 6 inches deep. With forty pounds of steam it traveled off | and worked these plows withease. Subsequently twelve men got upon the plows and a drag was attached so that both plows and drag ran to the depth of 10 to 12 inches. By applying 80 pounds of steam the en- gine again had sufficient draft power to move forward and plow without apparent effort. It appeared to be as easily managed in its movements as a team of farm-horses. Its speed is regulated by the amount of steam, and is controlled by the operator up to the rate of three miles per hour, The proper rate is represented to be about two miles per hour. Moving at this rate, never tiring, and plowing aribbon 5 to 8 feet; wide, it is easy to estimate the amount it would plow per day. Torun it re- quires a man and boy, and a “tender to furnish fuel and water.” The inventor claims that one of these steam-plows has, at a cost of 75 cents per acre, “ broken up the tqughest kind of prairie meadow” in Illinois. In this estimate the cost of hands was reckoned at $2.50 per day, and of coal at $2.50 per ton. It is reported that so much confidence in its suc- cess has been inspired that a joint-stock company is being organized in Sacramento for the purpose of manufacturing these steam-plows. THE SEASON OF RAIN-FALL IN CALIFORNIA.—The amount of rain-fall at Sacramento for the last four months of 1873 was 11.529 inches; the amount for the same months in 1871 was 12.021 inches. This was fol- lowed by 11.326 inches in the first four months of 1872; in 1867, 16.662, followed by 15.837 in 1868; in 1866, 11.938, followed by 15.359 in 1867 ; whereas, the 7.540 inches which fell in the last four months of 1872 was followed by only 6.653, in the first four of 1873 ; in 1869, 4.932, followed by 8.639 in 1870; in 1868, 3.386, followed by 12.602 in 1869. These facts seem to furnish ground for anticipating an abundant rain-fall (and con. sequently a fruitful season) in the four months following January 1, 1874, PoRK PACKING IN THE WEST.—The Cincinnati Price Current gives the following statement of the number of hogs packed up to January 22 of the present and previous season at the six principal packing points of the West, together with the total operations of last season : Total for the To January 22, | To January 22, 1874. 1873. ae CCST 8 ORs 2 SA (othe. eee eee 550, 000 560, 000 626, 305 CHICHED hag acp a sealo5 ac Sa SUS ne Capo OBS See Eee se meme ire ac 1, 275, 000 920, 000 1, 425, 079 SES TET PELT 2B Sea ea es | oS a Eg Sk 430, 000 460, 000 538, 000 MAOTIRW Lee eee ice cele Seles teioieia a= vim ial lqpsielelsinisie\= = (mime mim 230, 000 300, 000 302, 246 Dt PLE @ 2 Sob eosoe oes os Se aSseosseacerecspaccas 240, 000 175, 000 303, 500 Indianapolis\--......-..5<2----=- jsocesgassasosogoneasse 235, 000 150, 000 196, 317 igi meee ee anes cieeiniems ta = seins ein nio = sinaim= mle 2, 960, 000 | 2, 625, 000 | 3, 391, 447 The aggregate number, at the date above mentioned, is 430,090 short of the operations of the previous season. On account of the scarcity of hogs at some points, and of high prices and poor qualities at other points the packings had nearly or quite closed. eae a MARKET PRICES 67 OF FARM-PRODUCTS. The following quotations represent the state of the market, as nearly as practicable, on the 1st day of January Q 1874: Articles. Price. Articles. NEW YORK. Boston—Continued. Flour, superfine State. - ae DbIE| $560! to ($6000! || Meard) 2242-24 Js.estiess. ose per lb. extra State... ..-..- do.-.| 655 to 730 || Butter, N. Y. and Vt.-.-..-- per Ib. superfine western ...do...| 5 60 to 6 00 western, fair to extra, . extra to choice western, per pound See ae Be Mor banTel ase s a= 3 oe 6 50 to 11 00 || Cheese, N. Y. and Vermont fac- eommon to fair, extra tory, per pound.......- southern -.-..-. per bbl.| 6 85 to 8 00 western factory, per good to choice, extra pound. Ssa775)2- Vee southern ....-.-. per bbl.| 8 05 to 11 00 || Sugar, fair to good refining, per Wheat, No. 1 spring -- -per bush.| 163 to 1 65 pound: 2.22.52 Se Ae ee INO. SDR a2 ae do. 158 to 1 613]| Tobacco, lugs.-.....-.--.-- per lb. winter, red, western, | eri to medium per ECE eS 158 to 1 65 ead 2.2 2S2soe = per lb. winter, amber, western, Cotton, WSs to good ordi- per bushel! ...3.252.-5 165 to 1.68 HAL: specter see per lb. winter, white, western, low matinee to Y opal per bushel’)s-.2:..-3:.. 170 to 195 middling ....... per lb. Ry Gcenc= se aeeaaclccse et per bush.| 100 to — — || Wool, Ohioand Pa ......-... do... BAM Ges ee aateae aati oor ot, do...) 155 to — — || Michigan’ ..2555 225. dots Cornet etose ase tec Lass do... 78 to 85 other western ....... dose: Osbsi se ase eae ee on dese ks do 60 to 63 palledyi. 2 2224-5055" do...| Hay, first qnality -......per ton.| 26 00 to 28 00 combing fleece -...-.- do... second quality... SEP Es ae do...| 23 00 to 25 00 California ........-.- do... Beef) mess, .: =. 2.2 2.455-6 per bbl.| 8 75 to 11 00 "RGRYS) =6 5 ceeds sso dols @xtra mess ----....-.. do...| 11 50 to 13 00 Porkymess).2 22s 22 .eqebh do...) 16 373 to 16 50 = PHILADELPHIA. exira\ prime sos. -,.-- do...| 13 00 to — — || prime mess). -2..5--... do...| 14 25 fo 14 75 || Flour, superfine.....-... per bbl. 1G ig Pee ee ee ee per lb.| 8 13-16 to 9% Pa extras seee do. - Butter, western ....-..--. per lb. 26 to 35 Pa. family and fancy.do. -- State dairy -...-.-.- dovz: 33 to 45 western, extra -..-.. do... Cheese, State factory....... dos z. 12 to 148 western "family Mo ataate do... western factory ...-do-.-. 12 to 143|| Wheat, winter, red....per bush. Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- winter, "amber.....- do.. TUAW YS a eh eee per lb. 134 to 143 winter, white ...... do... low middling to good SPIN tess 22a ene se do middling, ... ..-. per lb. 152 to GSR RYO soe aan ee nected tala do... Sugar, fair to good, vrefining. do... 7 to W2||Rbatleye sy geet alas do... prime, refining fatal do. . iz to — SCOR 5 saws see soc wersaeas 2 do. .- Pabacco, loos. icone; do. . 64 to OR MOBUSE Firs sso es Swe tere eee do... common to medium Hay, fresh baled.-...----- per ton. Ned tels 8s aa per lb.! 8 to 10 common to fair shipping, Wool, American XXX and pick- per ton’ oe eS: lock tie oii ad per Ib. 62 to 70 || Beef, western mess ...--. per bbl. American X and XX, per extra mess..-.:------ do... Pound ise tc Satese ou Nie Ht 47 to 60 Warthman’s city family, American,combing. per lb. 52 to 60 per barrels: 2.2. 22) 02 ee PuUbedees 8s. st do... 25 to 52) | MPorkemessi4ss5- ee oss per bbl. California spring clip, per. prime mess. .--.---.-- doy. z Coir Gt nee ee ee eee 18 to 35 PLENOISs= soos eee do.. California fall clip and Tardy. 5.222 1)tn ech per Ib. | Tamia tosses +5252. per lb. 19 to 29 || Butter, choice Middle States, MOXAS\oe tosses ce 42 per lb 15 to 35 per pounds sssa. eases! choice westera -.-per 1)_! BOSTON. Cheese, N. Y. factory ..-.--. do...| Ohio factory .-....- do. - Fiour, western, superfine perbb].| 5 50 te 6 00 || Sugar, fair to good refining. do. western extras -..--. do...| 675 to 8 00 Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- western choice ...... do...| 850 to 1100 Arye fens a per lb | southern extras... ... do...} 650 to 700, low middling to good! choice Baltimore ....do...| 9 00 to 11 00 middling. -.-.. per Ib_| LAE PE perbush.| 150 to i 85 || Wool, Ohiofleece X and XX.do...| LG coe nee Eee per bush.| 100 to 1 05 Ohio combing.-.-....-- do. ..| LUAU GSy Soe Seo e ee eee dose2l)) 1,25) to) =) 75 pulled sss 3252 32k do... Corn, southern yellow...... do. . 83 to 85 unwashed, clothing and | western yellow -...-..- do... 89 to 90 COM bmp 2219255 28 per Ib. | Oats es ‘dosan} 60 to 63 Hay, eastern and northern, per BALTIMORE Oe ete eiate aaa Saat meine teal 15 00 to 25 00 Hay, western choice. ....per ton.| 24 00 to 25 00 || Flour superfine .-.. .-..- per bbl Beef, western mess..-... per bbl.| 10 00 to 12 00 extras sea ee ae do... western extra.....--- do...| 13 00 to 14 00 family and fancy ....do.-- Pork, prime mers we. fe do...| 13 00 to 14 00 || Wheat, white. fair to choice, per MEST epee eee esc. e : do 16 50 to 17 00 |) PUSHEHI ANS a tee os. Se Price. $0 093 to $9 10 30 to 4) 28 to 35 12 to 15 11 to 14: 7 to 8 7k to 9 9 to 102 14 to 154 16 to 18 48 to 65 45 to 53 40 to 52 25 to 60 55 to 60 17 to 36 18 to 30 4 5 50 675 to — — 700 to 8 00 6 00 to 6 75 675 to 8 00 147 to 163 168 to 10 i 73? toy) Hes 155 to 1 59 90 to 93 120 to 165 70 to 85 52 to 58 23 00 to 24 00 20 00 to 22 00 8 00 to 10 00 9 00 to 12 00 16 00 to — 16 50 to 17 00 15 00 to _ 13 00 to — — 3} to 114 30 to 42 30 to 38 14 to 15 14 to 14 7 to iz 14 to 15}° 153 to 18+ 55 to — 60 to 63 423 to 50 31 to 43 52 to 600 675 to 8 50 — — to 10 75 170 to 190 68 Market- prices of ‘farm-products—Continued. Articles. Price. Articles, Price BALTIMORE—Continued. Cuicaco—Continued. *Wheat, amber......... per bush.| $1 65 to $1 87 || Rye, No.2...---.-.---- per bush.| $0 73 to $0 TOQR sear cease teen. do... M60 to 1/80 ipBarley. No.2 -.-2- se seen: do...| 1.43 to 2 Rye, common to prime ..... do... 90 to 98 || Hay, Dody. RoE see. per ton.| 11 00 to 15 Corn, white southern -..-.. do... 70 to 78 UAC’ 2 oes eee do. 7 00 to 10 yellow southern... -.- do... 74 to 80 Beef, HOVERS) agonoe 2a So>- per bbl.| 825 to 8 Oats, sonthern ---.......... do. 51 to 54 extra ‘mess. -.------se5 do...} 9 75 to 10 WVESSERD |. oo <-ei)= ooo do.. 50 to Dau MBOrk, Mess! 24! /-.-\c2 seen ee do...| 14 35 to 14 Hay, Pennsylvania... --. per ton.| 20 00 to 24 00 ‘prime MOSS. cee seer do...| 13 00 to 13 Ey ranean eat do...| 24 00 to 25 00 extra prime...--...-2: do...} 11 00 to 11 Beef, Baltimore mess- Bae bbl. Ta00to, 20°00) \Miarde. osce86 oa 2 per cental.| 8 454to 8 MUU Bice rois=- cian Gereei-tes 23 00 to 25 00 || Butter, choice to fancy .-..per lb. 30 to PORK, MNOKS'.<22 222-50 4oneein roe 15 50 to 16 25 medium to good ...do.-. 22 to Lit ea a per Ib. 9 to 93|| Cheese, N. Y. factory ..---. do... 15 to Butter, western ......---.- ao.. 24 to 35 Ohio and western fac- GHISIIAN GSoC 5a ose do... 24 to 35 fOLrvers ssese52 te yer Lb 14 to Cheese, eastern cutting ....do-.. 154 to 16 || Sugar, nN O., prime to choice .do. . 8% to western cutting ...do-... 144 to 15 N.O., common to fair.do- - 7k to ugar, fair to good refining. do... 7} to 3 || Wool, tub- washed, common to aibacon lugs. See ee do.. 5 to 8 PING Ss 5452-05. per Ib 40 to common to medium leaf, fleece-washed.....-.- do... 36 to EE POUNG---c4 oa 7 to 10 || unwashed ....-.-...- do. 25. to Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- pulled ee. 2: eee do. 30 to Eh) Sieaoreonor per lb. 14 to 14 || low middling to mid- SAINT LOUIS. linge oe. a= eee perlb. 153 to 163} ‘W ool, fleece com. to fine. ee Ib. 45 to 50 || Flour; spring..--..--.--. per bbl.| 500 to 6 tub-washed.......-.. do... 55 to 60 WIEN st ereca eae: do..-| 560 to 9 unwashed « ..-\- gee do-. 35 to 38 || Wheat, red winter...-. per bush.| 124 to 1 mulledeeae tense ee do. . 35 to 40 white winter ....... do...| 1 32$to 1 SPMNGoces-eoss5-Fe do 124 to 2 CINCINNATI. Worn \s2 Bes seetests antes do... 50 to RVG. 28 = secon tose are ate 2 do. 80 to Flour, superfine. ....--.. per’ bbl-| 25400) to!) 150") Bawley - 22. ooo ce 4252s. ce8 do. 2/1 20 te aw! OXGMB soe cins tales see do...| 600 to 6 60 || Hay, choice timothy...--. per ton.| 16 00 to — family and fancy ....do...| 6 85 to 7 25 Mixed Sos soa see do...| 12 00 to 14 Wheat, red winter ..-per ‘pushel.| 130 to 1 52 Beek, Mess. .- seo. e528 per bbl.}| 13 00 to — Pees sarees wate do.. 1'55.4to.) 160) || (Perk; mess. Sees once ase do...| 14 50 to 15 WHITE =o ae ted)'s 5 do 160) boi 165) )}| Muard 2s Se en cece eee cee per lb 7% to Puy Ole siete se jo see e tei era betsiee do 93 to 95 || Butter, common to medium, Rave ies cn. saeee- a ciaeelet do. 120 to 1 60 packed =o... ee per lb. 20 to AGOMNE Schoen ecb e euee do. 56 to 60 Choice’... 32 tti <8... doz=s 28 to OBESE Ste). ee woe scl Ee SSE do... 44 to 50 || Cheese. factory .--24..%7.--- do... 13} to Hay, baled, No. 1.....--- per ton.| 15 00 to 16 00 || Sugar, N. O., common to fair, per lower grades. <2 22: do...| 10 00 to 14 00 pound « Le ape ane oe 9 to POLES AMNESS\. see esas ree per bbl.| 15 25 to 15 50 N. O., prime to choice, per Ona) 2 ae eA RG perlb.| * 8%to 83 pound 228.) ee eee 93 to Butter,choice .-.-...- Siro do. . 28 to 30 || Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- TOIT) Aes Soeaee ae do. 25 to 27 Taiyieee ee eee ee er lb. 12} to Cheese, prime factory -..-.- do... 133 to 14 low middling to good Sugar, N. O., fair to good....do-... 8} to 94 || middling. .....- per lb. 141 to prime tochoice.....-. do... 9% to 10 || Wool, tub-washed ....... .-. do. . 50 to Mobacco; lugs)... -.-- <2 doze 9 to 12 fleece-washed. .......do 35 to Sener et 2s do-. 15 to 25 unwashed combing ..do... 29 to Cotton, ordinary to good ordi-_ AT Vieaei cee er lb. 123 to 133 NEW ORLEANS. low Panui to good middling .. .... per lb. 14} to 163|| Flour, superfine .--....-. per bbl.| 525 to 5 Wool, fleece common to fine, per OXtlAS eens do..-} 600 to 7 pound ...... sinicigis (ates bimiaie « 45 to 46 choice to fancy ---.-.. do. . 800 to 9 tub-washed .....-. per lb 438 to 49 || Corn, white, ....--.-:.-..- per bush 71 to unwashed, clothing .do... 30 to 32 Viele was see eels -ieee era do. 710 to unwashed, combing .do. .. 33. to 315) |i GRitSoeGnn0 go g3odecgonsssesee do... 57 to PU ee sim afm. = ine le do... 35 to 3a || ela ChOIGe le ee eee ee per ton.| 25 00 to — HAVING Soodscossnescees do...| 21 00 to — CHICAGO. Réetwlexassena-sosceee per bbl.| 11 00 to 12 Fulton market ...per 4 bbl.! 11 00 to 12 Flour, white winter, fair to good, westerns s-ceceees- do...| 900 to 9 NOUADALLEle ass: Hoe oe 6 75) to’ "150! Porkjmess: --2--- S35 500 per bbl | 15 25 to — white winter, choice, per Tie RR secrete arate ete et etetterevetate per lb &i to leans We. --, 4 ORS Somes mae 800 to 9 25 || Butter, choice southern...-. do... 42 to — red winter,.-..--- per bbl.| 5 75 to 7 00 choice western. ---.-- do... 30 to medium to fancy spring Cheese, choice western factory, s extras, per barrel. .....- 475 to 625 perspound.ceoee- -. = 143 to spring superfine..per bbl.| 2 50 to 4 25 INDY, ereamin. 2252 per lb | 17 to — Wheat, No.1 spring...per bush.| 1.20 to — — || Sugar, fair to fully fair ..-.-. do. 63 to BNioA2 Spring. --e-—- do...| Li7ito 118 prime to strictly prime, No. 3 spring...--.-.- do...| 114 to 1 143) PRE MOUNC eee. -A1."-~')s | 8 to COrnmNOn eh snp tescis--ooce do... 49 to 534 elaritied, white, and yel- Oats NO een sere cies ecscems do 383 to — — low, per pound. BES sess | 8h to 69 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. Price. Articles. Price. NEw ORLEANS—Continued. San Francisco—Continued. Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- Oats Ree sase s-seb er per cental.| $1 60 to $1 85» nary, per pound........ $0 115 to $0 133|) Corn, white -.-..-- Ve mre do..| 140 to 1 45 low middling to good yellowtes 2 o-2-scess >: do..| 140 to 1 45 middling.....--. per lb. 14% to L7A||, Hay, Staten. .2. 028252 per ton-| 13 00 to 18 00: Mobaeco lass). 222 2 tls. do.. 54 to Al eet, MOSK ats ances cone er bbl.| 9 50 to 10 00 low leaf to medium leaf, family mess .-...per4bbl.| 9 00 t0°10 06 perpound,... 2202. -ee 7} to 92), Pork; messs. 7. 2! si2-. 27 per bbl.| 18 00 to 18 50 {fl CE) KG) a ee per Ib 25 to — — deat prime mess-... 2-25... cre 16 00 to 16 50 g ATA tea ce eS er 10 to 11 ee ee Butter, overland.....----- ss -do.. 15 to 25 Flour, superfine.......-.. per bbl.| 550 to 5 75 ORIOL sae crea ce do. 30 to 45 Gane WeRespmereseTe ce do...| 600 to — — Oresons. 252.5 2-8 do. 15 to 20 family and fancy....- dossai) (6 2o-\to / 400) ||, Cleese, — 2735 2 Ss a oo do. 12 to 18 Wheat, California. -.. per cental.| 225 to 2.30 || Wool,native..-.....-......- do 13 to 16 (Oss) UR EP RES SHsoee do...| 225 to 2 30 + Calitornia. <5. %< oosc do. 18 to 22 arp (oe 22 ioe tes as poe caces do.-.| 135 to 1 65 @rezon-- = 255 asses. do. 18 to 22 LIVE-STOCK MARKETS. Articles. Price. Articles. Price. | NEW YORK. Cuicaco—Continued. Cattle, extra beeves---.per cental.|$12 50 to$13 00 || Cattle, Texans, choice corn-ted, good to prime. .-.-..- do...-| 11 75, to 12 25 peneerntals.s326.)-- se $4.25 to $4 75. common to fair.-.-... do....|:10 25 to 11 50 Texans, north-summered, : AVORAGO. ss 52 2he-- do....| 10 25 to 11 25 per cetital Ys. 300 to 3 75- FR GMANS 352 Sacks sca ans see lied WO) bo -10R00 Texans, through-droves, premium bullocks..do..-.} 13 00 to 13 50 ‘per'centale 5: 5/0 242). 252. 175 to 25 milch-cows, ordinary to Sheep, poor to choice.per cental.| 300 to 5 00 choice, per head......-.. 40 00 to 80 00 |) Swine, poor to common ...do.-..| 490 to 510 calves, grass-fed, per head.| 6 00 to 12 00 mediony 2:22.42 do... 5 20 to 5 30 Sheep...... seene dee tee per cental.| 350 to 7 374 good to extra ......- do.-..|. 535 to 5.55 RaNVRG te meee cece oc Saran do....| 5 374to 5 874} PHILADELPHIA. Soe Let | Cattle, common to choice beeves, Cattle, choice native steers, 1,300 | percentals os. .3-.225+/.- 3.50 to 8 00 to 1,600 pounds,percental.| 5 00 to 5 50 SiG PS Besar ee per cental.| 4 50 to 6 25 prime second-class, 1,150 to Swine, corn-fed....-....... dol: | 7 50etor” 0 75 aw fae ee age cental.| 450 to 4 75 good third grade, 1,050 to rae a 1,300 panes -per cental | 350 to 3 75 Cattle, best beeves....per cental.| 5 75 to 7 00 fair butchers’ steers, 1,000 first quality ...-.-. do. =..|44 Tio, 5 75 to 1,200 pounds, per medium or good fair qual- Centallyen joo oes acon 3:25 to 3 50 TD Vioe ee oe per cental.| 400 to 4 75 inferior native grades, per general average of the ¢ Gomtal/s ase 22s acest 200 to 425 market...... percental.| 512 to — — Texans and Cherokees, extreme range of prices, corn-fattened.percental.| 175 to 4 00 Merrcental oo eet. 300 to 700 through-droves. .--. do....| 150 to 3 00 Sy a See a per 'cental:|+ 4 00to’ 6 50 || Sheep .::.2.--.-..5.---... do..-.| 375 to 500 20202) BUS eee oe ae ee do.-..| 700 to 8-25 Sine fe uote hn fei 281 to 5 37} OTN’ orses, plugs ...-...-. per head.} 30 00 to 65 00 poner street-car WOckaiy “aa 75 00 to 90 06 Cattle, common to fine butchers’ good work-horses...do....| 80 60 to 100 00 beeves ..:-.- percental.| 275 to 5 25 driving-animals, good to shipping grades ...do..,.| 450 to 5 25 extras. 2208... per head.| 90 00 to 150 00 milch-cows...-- per head.| 35 00 to 60 00 draught horses, heavy to ( calves -....--. per cental.| 6 00 to 7 00 extra heavy .-per head. ./125 00 to175 00 Sheep, common to prime grades, Mules, 14 to 15 hands high, per ericentale. .--- 55.0. .-- 350 to 5 00 CRO: - 2h acieieeee Ek os 60 00 to 110 00: Dimer. oe LE eee percental.| 525 to 5 80 thes FA hands high, per ala ‘ (Gob g iO ater ei ido te sere 120 00 to16 a Oe extrac. ses per head.|150 00 to 200 00 Cattle, extra-graded steers, 1,400 to 1,550 pounds, per cen- NEW ORLEANS. ; iG See e ee ope ean 5 80 to 6 00 ; choice, fat, well-formed, 3 Cattle, Texas beeves, choice, per to 5 years old, 1,300 to head. 22. s22 lS eee — — to 45 00 1,450 pounds.-percental.| 5 30 to 5 65 first quality. .--. per head.| 35 00 to 40 00 good, well-formed and fat- second quality...... do..-<} 20 00 to 28 00 tened, 1,200 to 1,350 western beeves. per cental,| 10 00 to 12 50 pounds....... percental.| 490 to 5 15 milch-cows...-.-- per head.| 35 00 to 100 00 medium, fair-fleshed, 1,150 ealyes). 2 2cgsaag cece do.-..| 700 to 10 60 to 1,250 pounds, per cen- Sheep, first quality .....-. do....| 400 to 5 00: Pee ee ea oe 450 to. 4 75 | second quality.---.- do. - 300 to 4 00 lower grade natives, per Bll Swinertoss 4s Heenan: per cental.| 750 to & 00 Cental eeaeeee esas. ss: 175 to 4 40 70 FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEAT.—The year 1873, in England, closed with fair prospects to — the grain-growing interest. A very unusual mildness of weather pre- — vailed through Christmas week, with very little wet or frost. A good © breadth of wheat had been sown, and the early sown fields, for the most — part, looked even and well. Those more lately planted were springing © up favorably. The price of wheat was well maintained, and there was — every prospect that it would so continue clear up to harvest. Wheat- sowing in France was generally forward, and there was no apparent — drawback to the crop except a lack of rain, which is desirable on light © lands to settle the plantings before frost comes. In continental Europe ~ the prospects of the crop just sown were generally favorable, even in Hungary, where drought and vermin had been so injurious to the © erop of 1873. The acknowledged deficiency of the rye-crop, however, ~ had kept up the high ratés of some continental markets. Late rains — had greatly improved the newly sown crop of Australia. ¢ The sales of English wheat during Christmas week amounted to 56,610 quarters, at 61s. 7d., against 53,276 quarters, at 56s. 5d., during the 7 Christmas week of 1875. The London averages were 63s. 1d. on 2,387_ quarters. The imports of the week ending December 20 were 1 011,288 ; hundred-weight of wheat and 172,500 hundred-weight of flour.” Monday before Christmas opened upon small supplies of English wheat, but a large stock of foreign, more than half of the latter” being from New York. In Mark Lane, new Essex and Kent white wheat brought from 53s. to 68s. per quarter. Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire new red, 5ds. to 61s.; Dantzic and Konigsberg, 62s. to 72s.; Rostock, 62s. to 71s.; Silesia, red, 57s. to 66s.; Pomerania, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark, 62s. to 64s.;_ Ghiska, 55s. to 61s.; Russian hard, 52s. to 57s.; Saxonska, 61s. to 638.5 Danish and Holstein red, 62s. to '64s.; American, 57s. to 62s.; Chilian white, 65s.; Californian, 675.5 Australian, 68s. In Liverpool American white brought 12s. 10d. to 13s. per cental; ditto, red winter and southern, 15s. to 13s. 4d.s ; ditto, spring, No. 1, 12s. 4d. ‘to 12s. 8d.; Canadian white, 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d: ditto, red, 12s. 8d. to 12s. 10d.; 7 California white, 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d.; Australian, ids. to 14s. 2d.; Chi- i lian, 12s. 8d. to 13s. 2d.; Spanish white, 13s. 6d. to 14s.; Danubian, 1& to 98. Ghiska, 11s. 6d. to 12s. 2d.; Egyptian, 10s. 9d. to 12s. 8d. FLouR.—The supplies of English flourin Mark Lane were good, with © a large import of American in barrels. The Paris flour trade during the © week was very inactive. Prices were generally steady in the continental markets, and but little varied from our last report. MaAtzE.—In Mark Lane American white was quoted at 36s. to 38s. per — quarter; ditto, yellow, 35s. to 37s. In Liverpool, American white, 36s. 9d. — to 37s. 6d.; ditto, yellow, to 37s. 6d.; Galatz, 38s. 6d.; Danubian, 37s. 9d. ~ Woo.L.—English wool was in moderate demand in ‘London. For colo- © nial produce there had been but little demand since the close of the pub- ~ lic sales. Prices about the same as in our last monthly report. Live stock.—In London, coarse inferior cattle brought 4s. 4d. to 48. — 10d. per 8 pounds, sinking the offal; second quality, 5s. 4d. to 5s. 8d.; prime large oxen, 6s. 2d. to 6s. “4d. ; prime Scots, 6s. 4d. to 6s. 6d. ; ; sheep, 4s. Sd. to 6s. 10d. prime Southdowns, 6s. 10d. to 7s.; calves, 5s. 100. to 6s. 2d. ; hogs, 3s. 10d. to 5s. ¢ ~ ~ MONTHLY REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1874. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1874. Poh en Wh iia aa ine ay ir 6 CONTENTS. ~ Page DIVISION OF STATISTICS : Report on the condition of agriculture..---.--...---------------------+--+--- 75 The most profitable crops...-...----------------+-----+ --+- ---- +--+ ++ 75 OOUbOMNs she ss oo con Noda n\e sensalvlcia’aoe eam sap = aialnein[o= 5] q «)s/0 onlea sia) etal 77 (iraa) 22 ee ee REE REO COLO r Oo eaene ceoeo Ronee reerotcccdebare 80 RUA eu ore erat co ate re orm a hale Saas Sat ialle acts Sa) olereinale (wal afetelal aiefiela! areal ala telat mm 83 DIVERS CLOPS 55. 55,2126) s— sco aes mea ae Seiaeinta een ean ninta ios Selaa ia 85 Dairy-husbandry -- .. ---. ---- ..---2 220-00 =~ - =o ene one ee ene eee eee eae 90. BHOOKEFAISIBGE . oo wo 205 o)o nae oon mac teghs San oes eecic enna sc naseaeocs=an)= 92 Market-gardening .... ------ ------ -----+ see eee ee enn seen ene eee e eee ee 94 [ESITT ES SUOMI RERNS RA RIES CCE ers Dane ee Pe ere Perec aricke ceca) ma! TBI Deo ot ee Gane 6 Cea OSB Geno as ECE OEE ROBO COmnCHeToceme Ce mec coors coseed 95 RED RUNYRNEY tac e Ste adnan seid OA g ooen scene ann wmsecn sacs qantas names TNO DP) Sec Gee cass cecE es REE OEE DOC ECE OSOD BORED EEE EOr OCC COEOCreS COSm boa: 98 Agricultural improvement ..---..------.-----++---- +--+ -+----e--- eee ee eee 99 amgiioalitecultd ob AssgGatiONG.. 0... 6 208 Sok sos a .55 oceans Soe ce eee eee 113 Quality of the cotton-crop..-... -.-..----- ------ ---2 --- 205 eee ee eee eee 123 The tobacco crop.... .--- ---- +--+ -- ¢+- 2-2 2-2 seen eee eee ee tenner eee 132 Forest culture in the Austrian coast provinces.....--..------------------- 141 MWorent Culbuce NMR Trance. 20 ook oo oe noc Seek at deca Gamo cee cease ser eereera a Rad obs fromm: Oli SOURCES 1 ooo ei ic oe we Sale tila e ces aan nace teen LOG Market prices of farm-products...... Beene Roe nee pec eeeer er rocorkee 162 HEV -ShOC kc INALTICCUSs~ Coca cae os ac aad ae Satales ce anteaele ais Suiniciecas eacalceacee 167 Woreign Markets 62 <2 - 6522-2 sa oes sacle own we oo 8 en cite mee aon nde-s enemas 169 Trade Che CL CSS rae ee Se Balas he SNE Sy Bea Se Oo ta bie amet ore a LO DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY : Hemi Gal mle moan ae sae See sole sale alec =) aa oe a a) aeclatnctatel wafealwaiatetatctate, ateala 148 Pine rimonmisn with DeGbsee eee Scie ala aoa) oa seen eae asia sc eeeateeea oe LOO Extraction of crystallizable sugar from molasses.----...----.--.-..--- eos lol! Seer WEll Oh HOLAIOUN 9/24 Se aqua 4 sate as,- oo a daafe awe nome eacicwana<) fehl DIVISION OF BOTANY Se Ee AnIGAUNOLES) Sos also n ae sna tan valence Soe wats ale 5 an Soaelinmae etatee ne 151 PRROMLRILOM Ole Na Deca aoe soon oo Aa a Iae oSaates enn cacelsnieagae aioe eisaie 151 ee eMETIEAI PPANRO Hs Aon Shs oa ots 5 = wa hdsing Sw gt aaecea auaameet uanace LOE MONTHLY REPORT. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Statistical Division, March 25, 1874. Sir: I present herewith, for publication, a digest of the returns of March upon certain tendencies of progress in agriculture, with the results of a special statistical investigation of the status of the last cotton-crop, as to comparative quality, causes of injury, length of cotton season, &c.; a statistical inquiry relative to the quantity and quality of the tobacco-crop; a synopsis of a recent Austrian official report on forest-culture; chemical memoranda; botanical notes ; market reports, &ce. Respectfully, J. R. DODGE, Statistician. Hon. FREDERICK WATTS, Commissioner. REPORT ON CONDITION OF AGRICULTURE. THE MOST PROFITABLE CROPS. What branch of agriculture has been most profitable in your county the past year ?—This was one of the inquiries in our circular returnable March 1. Our correspondents have very generally respouded. A dem- onstration of superior absolute profit in the culture of particular crops was not intended, as profits vary from year to year, with changing con- ditions of supply and demand. Profits also vary with variable fertility of soil, adaptation of soil to crops, and differing skill and economy in culture. Aside from these causes of difference of opinion and state- ment, another prominent bar to such a demonstration would inevitably be the want of accurate record of expense and receipts, the general neglect of thorough book-keeping in farm accounts, resulting in frag- mentary or incomplete statements. Nor would a mere record of current receipts and disbursements sufiice; it would be necessary to calculate exactly the value of both manures and manipulation upon crops of sub- sequent years—a height in the mathematics of farm economy to which neither practice nor science has fully attained. It was believed, how- ever, that valuable data, even though fragmentary, would be obtained. relative to the cost and income of particular crops, showing incidentally the amount and kind of culture, the local yield and prices; and also that expressed preferences of different sections would show in a general way what are actually the popular and paying branches of husbandry, as at present managed, in those localities. The number of these details 76 has been so great that only the most suggestive and important facts are given. Generalizing very briefly the results of this investigation, as to the industries popularly esteemed most productive, local preferences are as follows: In Maine, hay occupies the first place and dairy-husbandry the second; hay and stock-raising are of equal importance in New Hamp- shire; dairy-husbandry stands high in its predominance in Vermont; in Massachusetts, hay first, market-gardening next; the garden and the dairy divide the honors in Rhode Island ; and tobacco stands first in Connecticut. There is much diversity in New York, but dairy-hus- bandry is far in advance, being the choice of one-third of the counties. There is much variety in New Jersey, though market-gardening stands first. In Pennsylvania, manufacturing and mining make a varied pro- duction most popular, few counties indicating very decided preferences, though wheat (as few would suppose) holds the first place in one-sixth of the counties. In Delaware, tobacco; in Maryland, tobacco and fruit growing. Of more than fifty Virginia counties expressing decided preferences, 16 favor tobacco, 9 ‘mixed husbandry,” 6 corn, 5 stock-rais- ing, 5 market-gardening, and others pea-nuts, sheep-husbandry, fruit- growing and wheat. In North Carolina corn stands numerically before cotton. In Florida sugar-cane is preferred, while cotton predominates in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and in Texas. In Arkansas corn stands first; and in Tennessee hay and corn are pre- ferred. In West Virginia, corn and stock-growing; in Kentucky, to- bacco and corn; in Ohio, great diversity appears—sheep-husbandry, corn, general cropping, wheat, hay, and fruit growing; and in Michigan a similar variety—wheat, dairying , and fruit-growing. Corn is king in Indiana and hay prime minister. Corn is also fisst in Illinois and wheat next. In Minnesota, wheat; in Wisconsin, wheat and the dairy; in Iowa and Missouri, stock-growing, corn, and wheat. The order in | Kansas and Nebraska is wheat, stock- erow ing, and corn. In Califor- nia, wheat, sheep-husbandry, and fruit-growing. In Oregon, wheat and stock-growing. One of our correspondents, after setting forth the impoverishing results, in the long run, of the single-crop system and dependence on imported supplies and fertilizers, says: ‘“‘Our intelligent farmers are waking up to the necessity of improving the land and considering that a part of the year’s profit. When they do that and get some of our old fields now worth $4 to $10 per acre to be worth $50 per acre, then our people will begin to open their eyes to their best interests.” Many more fail to see the all-important distinction between the return above expenditure of so much per acre and the per cent. of profit on the amount expended. For instance, a farmer reports that cotton was more profitable than corn, and proves it by exact statistics which show that, after deducting in both cases all expenses up to sale, the cotton returned per acre $3 more than the corn. But the same statistics show that the corn re- turned 175 per cent. on the cost of producing and the cotton only about 68 per cent. That is, 3 acres of corn, yielding a profit of $14 per acre, could have been cultivated at less cost than 1 acre of cotton yielding a profit of $17. There is no vocation in which a well-trained judgment, and a knowl- edge of the principles and practice upon which success depends, are more important or pay better than in that of the farmer. The size of the farm; the amount of additional capital required ; the adaptation of soil and Climate ; the practicability of obtaining labor and the ex- pediency of employing it at the cost; the distance from market and Ui cost of transportation ; the difference between a certain and uncertain, and a constant and intermittent, cash-market ; comparative uniformity or great fluctuations in prices; comparative risks in producing differ- ent crops; the relative per cent. of profit in the expense of producing ; the relative advantages of producing market-crops with which to pur- chase supplies and fertilizers, or producing them on the farm, thus avoiding transportation both ways; the time intervening between the outlay and the return; the comparative advantages between culti- vating crops to be sold off the farm and crops to be utilized and.con- centrated in value on it; the relative profits of systems which furnish profitable employment for Jabor and work-animals longer and shorter portions of the year; and, above all, the anticipated result, after a series of years, on the productiveness of the farm itself, the farmer’s invested capital—these are some of the more prominent considerations which the intelligent farmer takes into account in deciding what branch of farm- ing will be most profitable for him; and the following extracts will afford many illustrations of the fact that, in all sections of the country alike, as a rule, the degree of permanent success or continued failure of success is in proportion to the degree in which they are regarded or overlooked. These extracts also furnish several striking illustrations of the great advantages resulting to a farming community by the establishment, either by their own or other agency, of mechanical or manufactur- ing industries. In Columbia, N. Y., mills for the manufacture of straw-paper make rye one of the most profitable crops raised. In Butler, Pa., in consequence of recent developments of oil production, “towns and improvements have sprung up as if by magic, scattering millions of dollars among land-owners,” and causing “an unprecedented demand, at high prices, for every article the farm can produce for man or beast.” In Mercer, also, iron manufactories and oil production ‘“‘make a cash demand for cattle, cheese, and butter;” and in Luzerne, in consequence of mining operations, farm products of every kind find a ready market at good prices.” COTTON. The purport of the returns from the cotton States is this: Nothing pays but cotton, and cotton does not pay. Every season of large pro- duction and consequent decline of prices wakes the echoes of the old wail of ruin. Like all statements of individual views of comparative profit in any branch of industry, these are various and apparently con- tradictory, the difference in part consisting in widely different rates of yield and cost of culture, and in part in the varying judgment of the observers and their differing views as to what profit may be deemed remunerative. Supposing these differences harmonized, there is another important element of error which the majority of our correspondents have apparently not considered. They simply deduct expenditures from receipts, without inquiring whetber they have enriched. or depleted the soil. Many report gratifying success from the first or second annual application of commercial fertilizers ; many others, in giving the history of further applications, say that they fail to yield the former return. When such results follow, the first success was only apparent, not real. Another defect in reasoning is very apparent. Many appear to de- duce, from a clear showing that an acre of cotton yields a larger net return than an acre of corn, or that $100 expended in the culture of cotton produces moie mouey than a similar sum used in the production 78 of corn, the conclusion that the exclusive culture of cotton in the present exhaustive mode is more profitable than rotation with other crops upon a recuperative basis. Herein lies the whole question of the future profit of cotton culture. Our correspondents, now and heretofore, farn sh facts to prove the possibility of growing more than the present amount of cotton on half of the area now cultivated, leaving the remainder to produce, with little added cost, an abundance of corn, beef, pork, wool, fruits, etc. This can be accomplished by a system which shall make the soil more productive than at present, while it is undeniable that the mode of culture now and heretofore practiced renders the soil less pro- ductive. Will planters continue the old practice? Many correspondents think a new departure is pending. It has often been promised before. The first rise in cotton has usually buried the impulse in oblivion. The dif- ficulty is, as one correspondent has foreseen, the present race of planters know better than outsiders how to “ make cotton,” but very few of them have learned how to do it without injury to the soil. They can only ob- tain golden eggs by killing by inches the goose that produces them. Norra Caroirna.—Craven: The only crop for money or exportation ; $50 per acre may be counted as the maximum yield, though some, by extra care and caloure, have produced three times as much. Montgomery and Tyrrell : Cotton and corn the chief pro- ducts; corn, being heavier in proportion to valne, costs more for transportation, and therefore brings the producer less money. Pitt: The crop from which the tillers of the soil expected to realize the most profit ; but, in consequence of the low price, many have failed in their expectations, and are obliged to curtail their operations for the ensuing year. Chowan: Although most profitable, the low price has caused several farmers to fail. Farmers begin to learn by experience that cotton will not do to de- pend upon. Catawba: One acre will produce 350 pounds of lint, at 14 cents, $49 ; cost of fertilizers, $6.30; preparing ground, cultivating, and gathering, $18; net profit, $24.70. Moore: Almost the oniy medium of money circulation among the farmers. SourH Carouna.—Williamsburgh: About the only crop. Some few farmers who did their own work or hired on specially favorable terms may have cleared enough to pay taxes after supplying their families. Chesterfield: The crop was below the average, and the price scarcely sufficient to pay the cost of production, leaving the planter with no margin to support his family or as compensation for his services and interest on investment. Even those who did their own work have failed in most instances to pay for supplies consumed in making the crop. Lexington: Most profitable, but even that has fallen very far below the profits of the previous year. Laurens : The all-absorbing crop. A good and full crop was wade; but little margin to the producer. Chester : The only product to which our people look for profit ; yield average, but price too low to be remunerative. Barnwell: Notwithstanding the low price, and the failure of many planters and the bankrupting of a large portion, those who managed the business in a business way with their own capital realized a larger per cent. on investment than those engaged in other branches. From actual experience you have the fdllowing statement: Five hundred acres of land, at $4 per acre, $2,000; work-animals, $800 ; implements, $300; total capital, $3,100; laborers sufficient for this farm, 200 acres in cultivation, working on half time, supporting themselves, make for the proprietor 30 bales of cotton, of 500 pounds each, worth $60 per bale, $1,800. Deduct for fertil- izers, $300; use of work animals, $250 ; of implements, $50; annual repairs, $225 ; taxes, $75; total, $900; clear profit, $900. The feed of the work-animals is replaced by their work in addition to the cotton, and the cotton-seed and manure pay for ginning, bag- ging, and ties. GrorGiA.—Hall: Before the war not 100 bales of cotton were made in this county. We have marketed this year over 5,000 bales, most of which was grown here. Brooks: Not, however, so’ remunerative as it would have been had not the planters bought so largely of fertilizers. Whitfield: I planted 4 acres; used 500 pounds of Stonewall gu- ano, which cost $20, and raised 3 bales, 500 pounds each. A neighbor planted 20 acres, common upland, without using any fertilizer, and raised 11 bales, averaging 5U0 pounds. Another planted 22 acres without manure and raised 15 bales, Another planted 1 acre, using stable-manure, and raised 2,200 pounds of seed-cotton. Gordon: Our poorest land for the past two years has yielded more per acre than our richest land in cereals. Upson: Many who have managed their farms well and had a little money ahead have lost it all, aud those who were in debt are worse in debt than ever. We do but little in the way of diversifying or rotating crops. Upon an average we plant 19 abont two-thirds of our land in cotton and the remaining third in corn, and call that our crop. Muscogee: It did not pay the cost of production. Jorsyth: In sev- eral instances lands which were worn out and would not produce 200 pounds seed- cotton per acre, by the use of fertilizer made, after paying for fertilizer, $20 per acre. Some did even better; in one instance one acre of old, worn-out land, after de- ducting cost of guano, netted $70. Douglas: Cotton is made a specialty by many to the neglect of making meat and breadgand, to my knowledge, but few have made money the past year,and those are the few who did not use any commercial fertilizers, and raised their own meat and bread. Dooly: Planters expected to realize 18 cents for their cot- ton, and made heavy liens for their provisions. At the maturity of the liens, cotton was selling at 114 to 13 cents, hence a large number were forced into bankruptcy to pro- tect themselves against their heavy liabilities. Others sold off a portion of their stock, and are farming on a smaller scale this year. Wilkes: Cotton was the crop. Those - who raise most supplies, and devote the rest of their time to cotton, have, not only in the past year, but in the olden times, succeeded best. They were before the war, and still are, the money-lenders outside of banks and regular capitalists. Harle: On 8 acres four laborers, with two horses, made 16 bales, besides corn, fodder, oats, pease, and potatoes to run the farm another year. This, however, isabove an average. Putnam: A larger crop made than ever before—about 9,000 bales. Columbia: Less guano used, less cotton and more food-crops will be the motto this year. Madison: Commercial fertilizers pay a better percentage in Northeast Georgia than in any other portion of the State, from the fact that we are too far north for fruit on cotton, (without such stimulants,) owing to the shortness of the season. With the aid of fertilizers we make fine yields. It does not require much skill to raise 300 pounds of lint-cotton on poor land. Froripa.— Tallahassee: The county has not more than made a living for the past two years. Madison: Has been deemed most profitable. No statistics are or can be given which show this to have been the case, except that almost every farmer planted more or less cotton, generally as much as he could tend. The larger farmers have been falling behind every year, aud a majority of the larger farms are cursed with liens for the last and previous years. There now appears to ve a determination on the part of planters to make their farms self-supporting, as has been the case heretofore with the smaller farmers who did not use colored labor extensively. , ALABAMA.—Clarke: For the last two years it has failed in amount of production, and prices have been low, particularly the last year, and, therefore, instead of a pay- ing crop, it leaves the planters largely in arrears with their factors. Montgomery: Either corn or hay might have been made more profitable than cotton, but provis- ion-crops are of secondary consideration in this county. Conecuh: The only thing that has been cultivated on anything like a large scale, and I am fearful that it will be so for years to come. Lauderdale: The only branch followed for profit; about two- thirds of the land cultivated is planted in cotton. andolph; Nearly every one planted his best lands in cotton, bought fertilizers extensively, to be paid for in cotton by the tirst of November, at 15 cents per pound, (instead of which many subsequently agreed to pay cash, with 2 per cent. per month added, in anticipation that cotton would be higher.) They also made and used home fertilizers. The summing up of the whole is, we lade a good crop, at large expense, and realized considerably less thancost. Corn is selling at $1. This last year has taught many a lesson I hope they will not forget. Franklin: Almost exclusively relied on here for money. A simple statement of the _ cost of production will show that, at present prices, it is cultivated ata loss. Butler and Pike: As a rule farmers mortgage their stock, lands, and growing crop to procure supplies with which to make cotton, and at the end of the year are in a worse pecuni- ary condition than at the commencement. Limestone: It will not pay the expense of growing. Blount: A vigorous effort was made last year to raise a large crop of cotton. The crop was good; about $150,000 worth was raised in the county, mostly by white labor. But the price scarcely covered the cost of production. Calhoun: The best and only paying crop. Mississippi1.—Pike: The crop resulted, in most instances, in a loss to the cultivator. Grenada: Every other crop has been unprofitable, owing to neglect aud bad culture, and the cotton crop short and unprofitable, owing to disorganized labor, bad culture, &e. Kemper: Did not return the cost of production. Yalabusha: Has not proved very profitable the past year. Madison: The majority of the farmers are in debt, and to a certain extent are compelled to cultivate cotton, to hand over to the merchants whom they owe, as the latter advance the supplies on the condition that the cotton be shipped to them. Attala: We consider the cotton crop the most profitable, yet we must acknowledge that this seems unreasonable. While the cotton crop requires the labor of the entire year, corn, sugar-cane, and potatoes, sweet and Irish, can be raised by half the labor. The difference in result is that the cotton crop, great or small, can be sold for cash, while the other products cannot, and herein is the secret of the rage, as we call it, for cotton. Claiborne: No branch protitable, save in a few instances in which the labor was done, or directed and controlled, by white men. Smith: The principal branch, but do not think, as now followed, it is profitable. $0 Trexas.—Parker : Owing to the continual depredations of the grasshoppers until the season was too far advanced for corn, oats, &c., no other crop was profitable. Hood: Yielded the largest return per acre. Wheat and all cereals were seriously damaged by late freezes and grasshoppers. Montgomery: Nothing else is raised for export, and not more cotton the past year than enough to cover expenses and purchase bread- stuffs. Fort Bend: The only branches followed, with a view to profit are cotton mainly, and sugar to a limited extent; both of which have proved unprofitable in the last two or three years, involving planters more and more. Still: We have made at least 5,000 bales, which have sold at $60 per bale, $300,000. ARKANSAS.—Sebastian : Being the main staple, producing it at the prices that have been paid for it,9 to 12 cents in the lint, is a losing business. We do not raise a sufficiency of corn, wheat, rye, oats, and potatoes for home consumption. Jackson: That it is more profitable to plant all cotton and purchase corn North is believed and practiced by many of our oldest and most successful planters; it is, however, the opin- ion of the majority that it pays better to raise all the planter needs at home and less cotton. Sharp: Where the soil is rich and not sandy, corn pays as well. CORN. The cases classed under this head are for the most part limited to corn produced and sold directly in the market. Extensive returns one year ago, in response to an inquiry respecting the relative profit on corn when sold in the market and when fed on the farm, so as to return an equiva- lent for what it takes from the soil, and to diminish the cost of trans- portation by concentrating its value, seemed to show, so far as weight of testimony from experience and observation can, that farmers who practice feeding out the corn they raise get a larger profit than those who practice selling it. As a rule, this conclusion is sustained not only by results of annual statistics, but still more decidedly by contrasted results, on farms and in pockets, after practice for a series of years. In regard to the relative profit in producing corn and cotton, the return from Green, N. C., reports that corn can be produced with some profit at 80 cents per bushel, while cotton, at 13 cents per pound, will not clear expenses, and adds: ‘Cotton is now selling at 124 cents, and corn very readily at $1.” Another return from a county where much more cotton than corn is produced, expresses the opinion that the greater expense in producing the former, and the greater fluctuations in the price, make the profits, in a series of years, ‘‘far inferior to those of corn.” PENNSYLVANIA.—Clearfield: We know of many fields which, accerding to the accredited number of acres, yielded from 100 to 120 bushels of ears to the acre the last season, though these figures are considerably above the average. Vireinia.— Washington: One man states that he raised 800 bushels on 8 acres. Orange : On some farms 40 and 50 bushels of corn per acre were harvested, and in one instance 90 bushels per acre were gathered from 12 contiguous acres in a field of 25 or 30 acres. Middlesex: The average price in this county for three years has not fallen below 80 cents. This may be accounted for in part by a local demand caused by the absence of thousands from the farms, who are seeking a living on the vast oyster-beds of every river in this section. James City: The cost and profits of cultivating an acre of corn and an acre of oats of the same soil and fertility were as follows: Total cost of cultivating and harvesting the corn, $13.12; returns, 3 barrels of corn, $24; shucks and fodder, $7; profits, $17.88. Cost of cultivating and securing the oats, $9; returns, 3,000 pounds of oats, at 60 cents per 100 pounds, $18; profit, $9. Norru Carorina.—Clay: The leading crop. Mitchell: I planted on good upland, without manure, 8 acres; gathered, November 1, 240 bushels; placed it in a crib by itself, and on the 17th of February it measured 232 bushels; worth, at 75 cents, $174; cost of cultivating, &c., $34.80; net profit, $139.20. Haywood: As a general thing the wheat crop is the most profitable, but last year it fell off about two-thirds of a crop, leaving the corn crop in advance of all others. Burke: Our principal crop for market which is sure, and pays generally very well. Pamlice: The price is about 80 cents per bushel, and the yield generally good. Gum: While corn was selling at 80 cents per bushel, cotton was selling at 13 cents per pound. Corn can be produced at some profit at 80 cents, while cotton at 13 cents will not clear expenses. Cotton is now selling at 12} cents, and corn very readily at $1. Polk: The principal crop. S'aniy: Though much more cotton than usual has been produced, the 81 greater expense in its production and the great fluctuations in price make the profits far inferior to those of corn. Where a planter made 100 barrels of corn with great ease, and could sell the crop for $500, he would have been obliged to make 10 bales of cotton of 400 pounds to the bale, which would have overtasked his available labor and capital. Greenville: Last season a man and his wife, with a team of bulls, planted four acres in cotton, worked the land well, manured in the row from the barn-yard 19 wagon-loads, and gathered 647% pounds of cotton in the seed, at 34 cents, $22.624. The same land, with one-third less labor, put in corn, would have produced 15 bushels per acre, which, at 75 cents, (corn is now 90 cents,) would have brought $45; 500 bundles of fodder, at $2.50 per 100, $12.50; shucks, (one load sells for $10,) $20; total, $77.50. GEORGIA.—Fannin: Corn occupies about two-thirds of the land under cultiva- tion. There are other things that pay better, but they are raised on asmall scale. Trish potatoes axe very profitable; we raise 150 to 200 bushels per acre, worth 50 cents per bushel at home. Also cabbages, which are worth 5 to 8 cents per head, or 3 to 4 cents per pound. Towns: The principal crop raised in the county. Jefferson: He who neglected to make corn, relying upon cotton to pay for his fertilizers and furnish his supplies, had no cause for surprise to find himself unable to make both ends meet. This has been the practice and experience of hundreds of our planters. ALABAMA.—Saint Clair: On lands which have been in cultivation continuously for thirty-nine years, I made 70 bushels of white corn to the acre; turned the land over in October, 1872, 10 inches deep; planted April 10; plowed and hoed three times. In addition to the corn I raised a quantity of cow-peas and a large number of pumpkins, buat from experience I think the production of red clover, millet, and red-top or timo- thy pay me better, in proportion to the labor, than anything else. Henry: A few farmers made an average of over 20 bushels per acre. Clay: Corn has been more profitable than cotton for the reason that the farmers bought largely of counterfeit guano, Many of them did not make enough cotton to pay for the guano they used. TEXAS.—Anderson : Being in the cotton-belt, it is natural for each cultivator to plant cotton, which is grown with great ease and facility ; and even with miserably demor- alized conditions of labor, the product of 1873 reached 10,000 bales, of 450 pounds each. Yet not an ounce of guano or other fertilizing material has ever been applied, except that,in isolated instances, barn-yard manure is carelessly applied, usually by the plant- ers’ children. -But in regard to profit there is no question that maize yields the greatest. The average stands thus: Preparing, planting, and thinning 5 acres of corn, eight days’ labor, $8; plowing, six days, $9; gathering corn and fodder, eight days, $8. Total expenses, $25: Yield of corn, 150 bushels, at 75 cents, $112.50 ; fodder, 1,500 pounds, at $1 per 100, $15. Total, $127.50 ; net profit, $102.50. Preparing, plant- ing, and thinning 5 acres of cotton, fifteen days labor, $15; cultivating, twelve days, $18 ; hoeing three times, ten days, $10; gathering, fifty days, $50; incidentals, $10. Total expense, $103. Yield, 5,000 pounds seced-cotton, 3 cents, 150 ; 120 bushels of seed, 25 cents, $30. Total, $180; net profit, $77. Atascosa: From the fact that it has not required so much labor, and is less subject to worms. Victoria ; The yield with ordinary culture has been 40 bushels per acre, worth $30. One man with a good team of two horses or mules, can cultivate 30 acres with ease. Upshur: Last year our best lands produced about 22 bushels of corn per acre, worth $1 per bushel, $22 ; total cost of production up to sale, $8 ; net profit, $14, (or 175 per cent. in the outlay.) Our best cotton-land produced about 1.000 bushels of seed-cotton per acre, which will give 333 pounds of lint-cotton, worth 124 cents, $41.62; 20 bushels of seed, worth $2; total ex- pense of producing up to sale, $25; net profit, $18.62, (or 74 per cent. on the outlay.) Uvalde : Our soils are best adapted to corn, and is surrounded by military posts which consume more corn than it produces, giving us the advantage of a near market. ARKANSAS.— Crittenden : One hand can work fifteen acres; can easily raise 30 bush- els per acre, worth 75 cents, $337.50. Hire of hand and other expenses, $275; net profit, $62.50. Madison: Hogs that cost in February, 1873, $1.35, after taking the mast in the fall, and being fed 5 bushels of corn each, sold readily for $10. Little River : Experience since the war puts the maximum of cotton per hand at 6 bales, which at present prices would be worth $324. The same hand would be able to attend to 20 acres of corn, which would require his attention for only a few months in the year. This 20 acres would produce 600 bushels, which, at $1, would yield $600; difference in favor of corn, $276. : TENNESSEE.— Decatur: Worth 80 cents to $1. Hancock: Yielding 25 bushels per acre, worth 50 cents per bushel. WEsT VIRGINIA.—Jefferson : On a field of 14 acres, 510 bushels of corn were raised, at a cost of 16 cents per bushel; the corn at time of gathering was worth 40 cents per bushel, yielding a clear profit of $122.40, being $8.74 per acre. The corn crop of 1873 aggre- gated 474,250 bushels, and was produced at an average cost of 20 cents per bushel, leaving a protit of $7 per acre The profit on the wheat crop will not exceed an average of $5 per acre. Cabell: A farmer of this neighborhood received for raising corn $13.50 per acre, the landlord taking two-fifths, the renter three-fifths ; another received $12 per acre, receiving one-‘hird for rent. Tobacco generally does better, but this year has proved an exception. \ + 82 KEnTUCKY.—Shelby: Corn-fed hogs sold at 4 cents per pound, gross, equal to 40 cents per bushel for corn; after this a demand sprung up from distilleries, and the price advanced from 30 cents to 50 cents, and even to 60 cents per bushel, and at this last price our large surplus was disposed of. On10.— Pickaway : The yield of corn upon well-managed farms amounted to from 40 to 75 bushels per acre. Some fields yielded 100 bushels per acre. The price realized trom this crop will average 45 cents per bushel, and the product of an acre $20.25 exclusive of the fodder, which is worth from $1 75 to $2 per acre. The cost of produc- ing this crop and disposing of it will amount to an average of $8.50 per acre, leaving a profit of $13.50. Corn fed to hogs will average about the same. Logan: Corn has yielded the largest margin over expenses. Cost of raising 35 bushels of corn on one acre of Jand, $9.50; value of corn, at 50 cents per bushel, $17.50; value of fodder, $1.50 ; total, $19; deduct expenses of raising, and a clear gain remains of $9.50. Inp1ana.— Vanderburgh: From 60 to 100 bushels of corn are raised on the river-bot- toms. The yield in the interior is comparatively small, and 30 bushels to the acre is as much as the uplands will average. Madison: With us corn averages 38 bushels per acre, selling at an average price of 40 cents per bushel, making a value per acre of $15.20. Wheat will yicld 10 bushels per acre, at a selling-piice of $1.10 per bushel. The surplus corn is fed to hogs and cattle. Average price of hogs, (gross,) $3.40 per bundred ; price of fat cattle, 5 cents per pound, gross. Ripley: I have sold corn at the crib this winter for 60 cénts per bushel, and wheat at $1.50:per bushel, my corn aver- aging 50 bushels per acre, and wheat 15 bushels per acre. The average for corn (for the whole county) would be 30 busbels and for wheat 10 bushels per acre. No other branch of agriculture here pays so well, except a few isolated cases of hop-raising and haying. Hamillon: One great advantage in raising corn is that a man may avoid all high wages and expensive machinery; he may gather the crop at bis leisure. At the present high price of corn there would be no profis in feeding it to hogs. Martin: Corn may be considered the main crop, and the average va‘ue per acre is greater than apything else cultivated here. The corn is principally ted to hogs, and they are mostly sold to agents who purchase for Cineinati packers. Franklin: The best feeders here get from 10 to 16 pounds of pork to the bushel of corn; this at 5 cents per pound, will yield the prodncer from 50 to 80 cents per bushel for corn. The best corn-lands yield an average of 50 bushels per acre, giving a cash value per acre from $20 to $40, for the produce of the Jand, less the cost of production, interest and tax, but still yielding a balance in favor of the farmer greater than from any other crop. Gibson: Even at the low price of pork for the last two years, I have found more clear money in feeding corn to hogs and selling them for others to fatten. For example: I sold 75 stock-hogs for $469.43, while the corn they ate at 45 cents per busbel, and the pasturage at $1 per month, amounted to $307.20, thaking a difference of $162.23 in favor of the hogs. Corn and pork necessarily go together, and have proved the most profitable. Miami: There is but very little difference in the relative expense of raising oar two principal crops—wheat and corn; of the latter we had about 30 bushels to the acre, and it has been selling for 50 cents per bushel ; of the former we had about 15 bushels to the acre, selling at $1.35 per bushel, and I believe this statement approximates the facts of the case for the past three years, although [ am-well aware the prevailing opinion of our Wabash Valley farmers is in favor of the corn-crop. Dakorta.— Minnehaha: The total expenses of raising 480 bushels of corn on a ten-aere field amounted to $104.37; the crop sold at 60 cents per bushel, or $238 for the crop, leaving a net profit of $183.63. On a ten-acre field 250 bu-hels of woean were raised. The crop sold for $187.50, and the expenses foot d up $105.50, leaving a balance of $82 for a profit. The crop of cora could be market d at home, but the wheat must be taken hence for a market, and which would make the difference in favor of the cora s ill greater. ILLiNo!Is.— White: Raising corn has paid better this season than any other crop, and is now in demand at 50 cents per bushel, shelled and sacked. Our wheat-crop was very light, and not of good quality; the average price per bushel was about $1.30, and the same wheat brought $1.50 a month ago. ; MINNESOTA.—Redwood: All other products excepting corn have fallen off 50 per cent. in consequence of the grasshopper, Corn is now worth 69 cents per bushel, whereas wheat fetches only 75 cents; corn can be consumed at home, and wheat has to be shipped to a market. lowa.— Wayne: Corn with us is worth 40 cents per bushel, or $16 per acre; the total expenses for raising the same amounts to $3.50, leaving $7.50 net profit. Hardin: We raise from 35 to 50 bushels of corn to the acre, and are selling it at from 40 to 45 cents per bushel, realizing about $15 peracre. Polk: The average yield of corn is 45 bushels to the acre; this at present is worth 40 to 42 cents per bushel, or. say, 41 cents, and we have $18.45 per acre. Wheat with us averages» bushels per acre, $1 per bushel, equal to $9 per acre. Oats yield $16.50 peracre. Mtcoupin: Corn fed to hogs realized 50 cents per bushel, most of our hogs selling at $5 per hundred. Wheat-erop of 1873 was light, and paid but little over expenses. Cass: Raising corn and feeding cattle 83 and hogs. Stock-cattle sold in November at 4 cents per pound; hogs, 3} cents per pound; fat cattle are now worth 5} cents per pound, and fat hogs 5 cents per pound. We feed our cattle on shock-corn, that is, the corn, fodder and all. We keep two hogs to take up the waste or litter of each steer. Thus our stock at the cost price in Novem- ber, and at the present prices of fat stock, will make us 60 cents per bushel for our corn, which we consider a good price, where one hand can cultivate 40 acres of corn, making 50 bushels to the acre, equal to 2,000 bushels; this, at 60 cents per bushel, would foot up $1,200, a very profitable return for 40 acres of land, and the labor of one man. Missouri.—Ralls: Corn pays a profit from $12.50 to $15 per acre ; wheat, from $9 to $9.90 per acre; and oats from $9 to $10.50 per acre. Dallas: Notwithstanding the light yield of our corn, still it was the most profitable crop that we had, as the price ‘per bushel has been in advance of the prices obtained for several years past; also where the crop has been used in making pork and the pork packed at home, it prom- ises to pay very well. Kansas.—Linn: One man can farm 50 acres of corn, which if fed to growing stock nets more money than any other work. Riley : Careful accounts for the past five years kept on one farm have shown the wheat account in debt $80, while the corn shows a profit of $110. Cloud: The raising of corn, which has been sold to feeders at 20 and 25 cents per bushel, and according to their own statements they will realize 60 cents per bushel. JVoodson: One farmer states that he cribbed 1,100 bushels of corn from 25 acres, for which he has been offered 25 cents per bushel. The cost of an acre he reckons as follows: preparing ground, including plowing, harrowing, and laying out, $2; planting, 50 cents; cultivating, $1; picking, $1.50 ; total, $5. The crop averaged about 40 bushels to the acre, and at 40 cents per bushel would be worth $16 per acre, less the expenses, $5 per acre, leaving a profit of $11 per acre. WHEAT. The simplicity of the process of cultivating and preparing for mar- ket, the comparatively small amount of labor and expense required, a constant cash market, and the quickness of the returns—that is, the short interval between the outgo for seed and labor and the income from sale of the crop—are among the reasons advanced in favor of wheat as a desirable and profitable crop. The drawbacks are that it is a very uncertain crop, and, as it is never fed out on the farm beyond what is needed for family use, it is constantly taking from the soil without any return, and hence, where cultivated as a specialty, there is apt to be a steady decrease in the average yield. PENNSYLVANIA.—Lawrence : I give the result of my experience on 10 acres of clover- sod; plowed under in August, 1872, and on September 14, drilled in with Fultz wheat. Expenses: Plowing, $30; harrowing twice, $10; drilling, $7.50; 10 bushels of seed- wheat, $20; harvesting and thrashing, $55; interest on 10 acres, at $100 per acre, 6 per cent., $60; total, $182.50; returns, 230 bushels of wheat, $1.75 per bushel, $402.50; profit, $230. Lycoming: The crop was remarkably good. Lebanon: Average yield about 20 bushels per acre, which, at $1.60 per bushel, and the straw $10, makes $42 per acre. Some of the best farmers averaged 25 bushels per acre. Corn comes next ; best farmers averaged about 50 bushels per acre, which, at 55 cents per bushel, and fodder $12, equals $39.50. Northampton: My own crop was greatly in excess of that of 1872, in quantity, quality, and weight; every bushel has exceeded in weight the legal standard, and it is so generally in the whole county. MaryLann.— Montgomery: I put $500 worth of fertilizers on my crop; had 1,300 bushels, at $1.80 per bushel, $2,340, leaving $1,840 for labor, seed, and profit, and a part -of the effect of fertilizers for after crops. Virernia.— Northumberland : When Peruvian or fish guano have been applied, say 200 pounds of the former and 400 of the latter, the yield has been 20 to 30 bushels per acre. Essex: The average yield of wheat was about 5 bushels per acre, worth at $1.60, $8; straw, $2; cost of production, $4.70; net profit per acre, $5.30. The yield of wheat on improved lands was 15 to 25 bushels per acre. I was at much pains to ascertain the result when a good dressing of barn-yard manure was given, and the yield was never less than 15 bushels per acre. The application of commercial manures did not give the yield that was expected. NortH Carotina.—Forsyth : Price, from $1.25 to $2. TEXAS.—Basque: The average of yield of wheat per acre is 20 bushels, and average price $1.25—$25. The expenses per acre: 1 bushel of seed, $1.25; seeding, $2.25; har- vesting and thrashing, $5.50; total, $9: net profit, $16. Wheat is also much better in this region for being pastured, and is worth about $6 per acre as a winter pasture. 84 But a few months in tue year are required for cultivating and saving it, so that a plenty of time is allowed for other crops, repairing fences, and other farm-work. Gne acre of cotton will, on the average, yield about 400 ponnds of lint after deducting toll at the gin, which, at the average price of 9 cents, gives $36. Expenses—breaking ground and planting, $3.50 ; cultivating, $4.25; picking, $15; hauling to gin, bagging, and ties, $6; hauling to market, at an average of thirty miles, $3; total, $31.75; net profit, $4.25. And but little time can be had for other crops and work on a farm where cotton is the staple. West VirGiniA.—Barbour : The raising of wheat leaves a net profit of $14.50 per acre. Mason: One field of wheat of 180 acres produced an average of 25 bushels per acre, and sold early in the season at $1.25 per bushel, or $31.25 per acre. Another crop of 225 acres produced 22 bushels per acre, and sold at $1.50 per bushel, or $33. An- other field of 90 acres yielded 23 bushels per acre, and sold at $1.40 per bushel, or $32.20 per acre. a ov Ay A 4 S | Cents. 151, 189 200, 000 150 | 15 $30, 000 00 2, 473, 265 3, 000, 000 |......------ 12 360, 000: 1, 095, 923 1, 155, 000 770 | 10 115, 500 3,720,587 | 3, 720, 000 9, 450 |3. Soa] soe 7, 289, T15 7, 875, 000 3,220 | 114 475, 500 531, 399 750, 000 500 | 25 187, 500 1, 048, 569 1, 000, 000 900 | 10 100; 000 5, 830, 209 6, 000, 000 3,239) 24 1, 440, 000 7, 410, 177 7, 750, 000 4,639 | 22.3 1, 727, 500 150, 540 124, 730 387 | 14 17, 462 475, 905 700, 000 500 |: (#) |e eee 1, 257, 603 1, 500, 000 1,500 | 10 150, 000 1,884,048 | 2, 324, 730 2,387 | 10.3 167, 462 151, 372 891, 600 143 | 2c.c cl ee 2,692,584 | 13, 683, 600 11, 403 | 13 1, 778, 868 2, 843,956 | 14, 575, 200 12,146 | 13 1, 778, 868 3, 665, 054 4, 500, 000 7,000| 9.5 427, 500 2) 102) 739 3, 500, 000 5,000) 7 245, 000 630, 000 650, 000 930| 8 52, 000 2, 522) 91a 2,522) 000 |....-..2... | 7 176, 540 182, 980 5 12 24, 000 9,103,690 | 11, 372, 600 12,930 | 8.1 925, 040 « Not sold. Jivays) HH (2) i al ‘ iS = & RS 5 = ° on Z as te £5 County. S& “a oe a 5 2 of be D oS = ae zs orm op& z Ss = 2 ae o = 5 a a5 = 5 5 = 5 a a ae A 4 be Cents WikGHIA—Hranklin 1 S2t0.5-4cessese sense 1, 696, 549 3, 000, 000 4,000 | 10 $300, 000 Buekinshamiesy ees eee 809, 937 1, 012, 921 1,352 | 68 67, 101 Bruns WACK. tess ten see tae 1, 121, 480 SATO eee 5 42, 055 Nelson ded oe ae ee 1, 199, 182 1, 125, 000 1, 650 8} 95, 625 Piptsylvanian ss. s2 20.2822 2222 4, 282, 511 4, 600, 000 10, 000 8 368, 000 Campbell ai ee ie 1, 761, 901 2, 418, 400 3,023'| '3 193, 472 Botetourteeeess sees We: 196, 459 500, 000 1,250 | 10 50, 000 TOUTS ee etd eee ae 930, 226 1, 500, 000 2,000 | 64 97, 500 Spotsylvania) 25-52 5.422228 - 132, 502 700, 000 1, 500 % 49, 000 TOM ee ee a ed AE HY SE 157, 467 200, 000 2,857 | 10 20, 000 Gharlottesedes 024 ete 1, 964, 736 1, 600, 000 (*) 6 96, 000 Prince Edward .........-..-.. 960, 700 1, 400, 000 2, 000 7 98, 000 onenpucche. 2 4 Geet 963, 673 855, 000 2,100] 6 51, 300 (Aipemarleeso.s2e da eat at 1, 781, 619 2, 000, 000 1, 600 6 120, 000 Rockbridees sos. 1 ee 186, 469 200, 000 400 | 6 12, 000 Mecklenburgh ...........---. 2, 166, 628 3, 000, 000 5,000] 7 210, 000 (patwickstseo uss 24 oes 323, 886 442, 676 1, 884 8 35, 414 G@hestenticld) ) 22-1 eel 194, 510 200, 000 400 ve 15, 000 Goochlandesetescs eee ae 405, 215 700, 000 23501 ove 49, 000 iWiyanna tcc ss see tee ee june 894, 023 1, 500, 000 2,600] 8 120, 000 @arolinesee fo sede e le es! 417, 848 800, 000 1,000} 12 96, 000 1: iia Gh perso eee ee PPLE) 1, 129, 617 3, 000, 000 6,000 | 10 300, 000 IDinwiddieeeec sid ue Seca se 844, 504 550, 000 950 5 27, 500 TROARO KEM oS Samo am chdea bea oote 280, 550 200, 000 400 9 18, 000 Motalte ss snoee casos 24, 802,192 | 32, 345, 107 7.8 2, 530, 967 NortTH CAROLINA—Watren...-..-.....-.. 751, 045 500, 000 9 45, 000 TANTS 54 see ee wee 530, 442 1, 000, 000 8 80, 000 SULIT? aber Bye ae 254, 286 320, 000 13 41, 600 Worsytie: soa scee 238, 262 1, 000, 000 8k 895, 000 IMaLviewe: a4 hoe is sae 247, 555 480, 000 10° 48, 000 Ciswell, Sot ees eran: 2, 262, 053 2, 000, 000 94 190, 000 Granville ........... 2, 134, 228 1, 422, 819 8 113, 825 Stokes. . 21222482) 2) 844, 145 682, 491 124 85, 311 Persons. 54 se eee 1, 227, 150 1, 000, 000 6 60, 000 Guilford. 1:0 ot ee 177, 782 195, 560 84 16, 622 Totals .--e. a 8, 666,948 | * & 600,870 8.9 765, 358 , Brorma—Gadsden .............-....-.-- 118, 799 50, 000 38 19, 000 TRNNESSEE—Summer .......-.2-2:-222s-- * 909, 568 300, 000 4.5 13, 500 Wreatley: 420s) een a 2,599, 590 1, 000, 000 7 70, 000 Sinitheaae. 2) Mar Nee 2, 250, 202 3, 500, 000 6 210, 000 Mahierinont? 2222.25. - sees” 2, 103, 322 2, 500, 000 7 175, 000 sWrlsore es a5 0s 228 Se 332, 901 400, 000 4 16, 000 Dyer 412, 440 100, 000 8 8, 000 713, 578 1, 300, 000 5 65, 000 645, 937 220, 000 6 13, 200 Montgomery .......-...-..- 4, 856, 378 6, 500, 000 6 390, 000 ota lbt sc 4: eae oe 14, 823,916 | 15, 820, 000 6 960, 700 West VircintA—Putnan ...........-.-.- 472, 765 290, 000 8 23, 20 Mercer tes semen eee 117, 429 200, 000 i0 20, 000 Kanawha 22) 0. Ae 412, 469 549, 925 10 54, 992 Cabell sort 2s ter as 135, 410 250, 000 i 17, 500 LRA {i eae Ce en eaga 188, 165 95, 000 10 950 Total 22 emeces. T, 326, 238 1, 384, 925 8.4 116, 642 KENTUCKY—Hickman ..............----- 570, 287 1, 000, 000 5 50, 000 Obertson’. 2...) 2.0285. 2 2. 1, 648, 200 2, 713, 700 " 189, 959 Orumemdenss so 234.55 2520 oS: 1, 970, 776 PTB ral G22) tee se em plod] Ge coec Mocenoueoaaee: IDhia |. 2h i ee ie 2, 863, 455 954, 485 8 76, 353 CES) Gea an 145, 982 | 250, 000 3 7, 500 Wisrion - ee eae 2, 035, 139 2, 071, 800 4.5 93, 231 De Si l ) s 1, 416, 282 1, 782, 726 7 124, 79@ * Not ascertained. KENTUCKY—Callaway INDIANA— Vanderburgh Counties. Hancock .. NVODSGEN oi. 25-5 = gages-sthee Muhlenburgh Simpson Comberlang: 42 2 2 Oldham Grayson Trimble McLean See eee ees Livin gston EES Pour es OX Taylor Hardin ORE ee as ae ae eee eons ae Montgomery Athens..-.... Vinton s--=<. Washington Morgan Adams ¢:-6 spe crc +speataea te Preblezeict yee lene s-sseay meses ow Lennie Perry .-- Spencer ee ee 140 S 2 a 3 D = = a. = =| ° of a Es me lee : se om ce ae = =~ aes Panes ot a ig, 25 S| & - = == = e6 | g 5 5 = | S a 4 A < e . Cents. 1, 924, 502 2, 500, 000 5 $125, 000 1, 679, 384 2, 096, 580 5 104, 829 3, 511, 649 5, 500, 180 5 275, 009 1, 821, 988 2, 000, 000 6.5, 130, 000 1, 072, 401 1, 200, 000 i 84, 000 1, 304, 366 1, 265, 435 8.5] 107, 561 2, 890, 670 4, 000, 000 6 240, 000 240, 435 275, 000° 6 16, 500 1, 375, 364 2, 089, 090 Sp acins |e tee eee 1, 375, 091 1, 912, 200 7 133, 854 1, 231, 665 1, 800, 000 4 72, 000 4, 188, 039 5, 060, 000 10 500, 000 281, 704 702/370) - ~ “2,000 513.2 alee ee 2, 096, 260 4, 450, 000 4.7% 209, 150 1, 008, 582 1, 000, 000 6 60, 000 360, 983 800, 000 6 48, 000 3, 012, 053 5, 000, 000 5.5 275, 000 6, 273, 067 9, 000, 000 54 513, 000 5, 384, 137 15, 000, 000 6 900, 000 301, 285 350, 000 7 24, 500 859, 760 1, 500, 000 4.7 70, 500 688, 465 1, 351, 930 6.5 87, 875 2, 262, 037 3, 636, 565 6.5 236, 376 2,707, 571 4, 332, 112 5.8 251, 262 368, 100 800, 000 4.7 37, 600 279, 740 348, 500 5 17, 425 1, 651, 593 3, 000, 000 5 150, 000 3, 338, 471 3, 500, 000 6.2 217, 000 4, 174, 195 6, 000, 000 6.5 390, 000 669, 875 400, 000 8 32, 000 539, 000 596, 000 6.5 38, 740 305, 954 499, 980 S15 42, 498 2, 315, 212 2, 500, 000 5 125, 000 1, 086, 578 900, 000 5 45, 000 1, 209, 830 1, 300, 000 5 65, 000 284, 178 300, 000 t 21, 000 75, 294,305 | 109, 050, 475 6 6, 187, 517 === SSS == 2, 687, 743 2, 972, 019 12 356, 642 167, 989 300, 000 6 1, 800 2, 845, 525 3, 000, 000 3 90, 000 3, 963, 183 8, 178, 543 6 490, 712 * 207, 839 147, 227 4.6 5, 889 110, 739 152, 621 4.7 reaue 1, 041, 125 2, 293, 367 3.5 80, 267 486, 125 1, 300, 000 3.7 58, 100 102, 473 120, 000 10 12, 000 330, 987 1, 488, 486 4 59, 539 11, 943, 728 19, 952, 263 5.8 1, 162, 122 167, 150 250, 000 5 12, 500 1, 119, 356 2, 000, 000 4 80, 000 224, 125 235, 000 4.5 10, 575 3, 019, 970 5, 000, 000 5 250, 000 4, 530, 601 7, 485, 000 4.4 353, 075 157, 000 50, 000 7 3, 500 135, 045 80, 000 4 3, 200 133, 150 205, 000 6 12, 300 387, 382 415, 000 6 24, 900 541, 605 400, 000 5 20, 000 1, 152, 589 1, 536, 952 4.5 69, 162 2, 506, 771 2, 686, 952 4.9 133, 062 645, 508 2,400| 47 131, 600 —— 2, 800, 000 141 3 g Py 5 = =| S) os a Bs e 25 gs Eola Sa aie os Counties. 2S ca MES 5 = ar aS Bet Bos 3 g chog (bbe lo 5 = 5 her ce & a A A 5 Cents. . MissouRI—Monroe ............---------- 187, 091 809, 000 1, 600 3.5 $28, 000 00 Saint'Charles .: -. -v-20'/....-- 146, 754 pe GUC Leal Pee Gaeeeese ont 11, 314 00 1 RoR ROOD Seer Sobsnseeaseee 190, 355 250, 000 333 3 7,500 00 La Fayette :.........-. ------ 113, 735 75, 000 90 3 2, 250 00 Wineolay.< 5: = - sh ew eke oe n 891, 727 650, 000 800 7 45, 500 00 Stoddard -..2-5) 4553 cet... 118, 534 108, 000 vis) + 4, 320 00 Oarrellize 2 s.2 53. 22S se 5s 256, 578 1, 000, 000 1, 428 3. 2 32, 000 00 Hi@wAriie ------j0c0 0 --Ee = =< 788, 132 945, 758 1, 800 3.5 33, 101 00 ran kin cei woe seins 783, 270 | 702, 300 380 10 70, 230 00 iotaleen setae ee soa 3,476,176 | 4, 678, 004 | 6,506 | 5 234, 215 00 This showing indicates an increase of 41 per cent. over the census figures of 1869; and if the same proportion of increase may be assumed for what is not here represented, it points to a crop of about 370,000,000 pounds. FOREST-CULTURE IN THE AUSTRIAN COAST | PROVINCES. From a report prepared by Simon Scharnaggl, royal inspector of forests in Trieste, and published by the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, it ap- pears that the destruction of forests upon the Adriatic is clearly recog- nized as the cause of the frequent droughts, failing harvests, and con- sequent poverty of the people of those regions., The total area of the coast provinces is 1,385,476 joch,* or 1,970,562 acres. About 23 per cent. ‘of this area is designated as “ Karst griinde ;” that is, land incapable of plow-culture on account of its irregularity of surface. For many years the Austrian government has been anxious to restore the luxuriant ‘forest-growth that once covered this ¢lass of lands, as well as to re-af- forest other portions of these provinces. In 1857 the mayor of Trieste planted a tract of barren Karst near Brassovizza with Austrian pine at a considerable expense, but with entire success. Other partial experi- iments demonstrated the practicability of re-afforesting the Karst. In 1864 the imperial government commenced systematic operations by ap- pointing local directors and by establishing nurseries for the growth of young trees. Serious embarrassments were felt from the lack of practi- cal knowledge in these local directors, and in numerous failures in ob- taining tree-plants; but by the concentration of tree-raising at a few central nurseries, and by profiting from the lessons of experience gener- ally, the enterprise has become quite promising. A powerful impulse was given to the movement by a convention of Austrian foresters in 1865, who, after a thorough examination of the Karst, came to the conclusion that the whole of this region was capable of improvement, and that the forests would re-appear in a few years if the ravages of live stock and wood-choppers could be restrained. They appealed to government for aid, and proposed several judicious meas- ures to secure the right kind of trees for replanting and the right methods of culture. The government responded to this petition in 1868 * A joch is 1.4223 acres. 142 by the appointment of a professional forester and by the establishment of nurseries of forest-trees. Of these, two were established at Mount Sermin, and one at Gortz for deciduous trees, and one at Rodik, 1,600 feet above sea-level, for conifers. These nurseries have furnished an ample supply not only for the karst, but also for portions of the Crown neha in other regions. Their production during four years was as ollows: . ae ee — — —- — ee ——————— | f ate Deciduous Mulberry and Year. Conifers. | Fence | Siregihae cael Total | “Lit. ees Ee eR aE 813, 100 | 543, 700 | 48,300 | 1, 405, 100 Re et aa Oe sic iceiegaciceeeamisa swat vcansaag 1, 892, 800 1, 918, 000 178, 400 | 3, 989, 200 TE ce cee cots oem REE ear, Oe ie Be 3, 302, 666 6, 806, 266 | 370,660 | 10, 479, 292 Bot oeers oc -nercrabass se cicc ae camscctwce we cseeme 3, 909, 466 6, 247, 676 | 660, 599 | 10, 817, 241 otal for four years: i. 2sseo2tescesesee 9, 918, 032 15, 515, 636 1, 257, 959 26, 690, 831 These trees were furnished to the royal foresters superintending dif- ferent sections of the Crown lands, and sold at cost to individuals and communities applying for them. They are also furnished gratis to pri- vate parties who promise to use them for public benefit. Two and a half million of trees have already been set out, and the demand transcends the supply. All the Crown lands have applied for trees and for instruc- tion in replanting. The coast-nurseries are best for deciduous trees, giving them a longer season of growth without risk of injury from the winter. Many sorts make a growth sufficiently rapid to plant the second year. Locusts average in one year a height of 3 feet; rock maples, 1 foot; ashes, lin- dens, and elms, from 6 inches to a foot; fruit-trees, from 1 to 3 feet, with well-developed roots. Deciduous trees are more vigorous than conifers, especially in the Karst, where the bora and sirocco prevail. They are also less liable to injury from pasturing and from fire. Among deciduous trees the oak, the elm, and the ash have been found to be the most vigorous growers; among conifers the Austrian pine is the most eligible. The latter, though an excellent shelter and timber tree, is not a favorite among forest-growers. The Karst region, embracing 284,870 acres according to the tax-rolls, is mostly owned by the townships, but a small proportion being in pri- vate hands. The lands are mostly used for pasture, and are closely grazed by the numerous flocks and herds, which furnish almost the sole income of the inhabitants outside of the vine-growing districts of Gortz and Volusca. The Austrian pine having been found unfavorable to the growth of grass, the people of the Karst have conceived a special aver- sion to it. In 1872 several townships taxed themselves to re-afforest their lands, but stipulated that only ash-trees should be planted. They stated that they could not wait eighty years for the Austrian pine. They received 70,000 ash-trees, not one of which appears to have died. The pine and larch (Abies pectinata and Larix Europea) have proved to be well adapted to the higher regions, within the zone of the red beech, ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 feet above sea-level. Below these limits the elm and flowering-ash seem to combine the qualities that enable them to resist both storm and drought. The last named is excellent for vine- poles and wagon-timber, but its leaves are inferior to those of the com- mon ash for fodder, inasmuch as they contain too much tannin for cattle. The ailanthus was almost a total failure, but the box-maple (Acer negundo) and the Canadian poplar have succeeded very well. From 50,000 to 60,000 mulberry and fruit trees have been distributed with excellent results. 143 The severe droughts of the Karst region are unfavorable to the growth of tree-seeds, except the chestnut, walnut, and. others which admit of being planted deep enough to secure the requisite moisture. The best results have been obtained with Austrian pine two years old and decid-— uous trees one and two years old, set in holes a foot square and from 3 to 5 feet apart. A man can dig eighty to one hundred holes per day, and a woman can set four hundred to six hundred plants per day. Grass and weeds are beneficial in shading the soil and giving shelter from the wind. It is useless to raise mounds around the base of the trees, as the heavy rains wash them away. Fencing against live stock is desir- able. The digging of the holes is paid for by a special tax, and the nurseries furnish all the trees necessary to fill them. Formerly each district was permitted to transpiant its own trees, but the wretched manner in which this was done caused the government to take the su- pervision in its own hands and to employ only skilled laborers. The Karst is divided into four sections, each under the authority of a forester appointed by the government. The general direction, including the management of the central nurseries, is confided to an inspector resid- ing at Trieste. The foresters are appointed by the minister of agriculture on recom- mendation of the governor, and receive a salary of 1,200 gulden per an- num, with an increase of 100 gulden every five years till the whole reaches 1,800 guiden. They are also allowed rations and traveling expenses. Their duties embrace the enforcement of the forest laws, and the regu- lar visitation of the forests-according to a plan devised by the governor and the local authorities. They are also to assist private enterprise as far as possible, and to use their utmost influence to extend forest-culture. They are expected to watch closely, and frequently report the practical workings of the measures taken for re-afforesting the country; to lay out, build, and control timber-slides; to give instruction in forestry ; to prepare estimates for the local government, also tables of statistics and blanks for local officers; to superintend all forest operations, including nurseries; to keep a record of their action; to prepare estimates for the government, and to give all practical information on forestry to private individuals and societies. Thesystem contemplates not merely a routine official action on the part of these officers, but also an intelligent and spontaneous co-operation with every effort that shall be made by all parties for re-afforesting the country. Subordinate foresters are ap- pointed to carry out their measures and to perform the details of forest duty. Forest legislation and the administration under it have become already a very considerable branch of jurisprudence of a very practical character. It has not yet been found necessary to use compulsory measures, as the spontaneous demand for forest-culture has so far exceeded the means pro- vided by the government; yet a few districts refuse to have anything to do with it. The policy of the ministry is to bring all steep slopes and all bare places under the jurisdiction of the foresters, for the pur- pose of replanting them in woods. The forests already standing are under close supervision, and many wasteful abuses have been corrected. According to history and tradition, this whole Karst region was once covered with oak-forests. Previous to the twelfth century it furnished piles, ship and building timber for the republic of Venice during her brilliant maritime career. The previous spoliations of Aquilegia, a prominent stronghold of the old Roman Empire, had but slightly affected the immense resources of the forests then existing. Venice plundered the Istrian forests systematically, and reduced that previously fertile 144 region to barrenness and poverty. An old description of the maner of Pfifenburg states that.a squirrel could travel for three miles along the Istrian coast upon the branches of trees; a few bushes now occupy the site of that luxuriant vegetation. The former fertile landscape is now replaced with naked cliffs and bare rocks, upon which an intense sun- shine permits no springing plants. The numerous rivulets, dry for most of the year, become, during the remainder, roaring torrents, carrying the soil into the sea. The denudation of these forest areas has been still more active in modern times. The plain of Volusca was stripped a hundred and fifty years ago. The oak ship-timber was carried to Fiume mostly for expor- tation to Italy. The red beeches are still numerous on the mountains. The woods in Castelnuovo were destroyed during the current century. The red beeches being only valuable as fuel, were too remote from Trieste to be disturbed till all nearer supplies had been exhausted. At the close of the last century these woods furnished hiding-places for the bandit population, but the French invasion broke up their predatory habits, and they turned their attention to the destruction of their former forest covert, which is now nearly exhausted. The once dreaded dark beech wood of Tschitchen has disappeared, leaving but a few stakes on a barren, stony coast. But little is grown in the way of crops. The people have a great aversion to farm-labor, preferring a nomailie life, with a preca- rious support from teaming, charcoal-burning, &c. The women perform the small amount of farm-labor, and are in the degraded condition char- acteristic of semi-nomad populations. The abrogation, in 1824, of restrictions upon the export of ship-timber, imposed for the benefit of the royal navy, caused the removal of the large trees from the coast regions by English and Freneh merchants. In Istria, and in the Gortzer, and Trieste-Karst but little snow now falls, and great flocks of sheep and goats sweep all the young growing trees, except the cedars, and these are taken for fuel. A special difficulty in re-afforesting the Karst region is found in the singular dryness of the soil. The underlying masses of chalk are split, seamed, and honeycombed with numerous cavities, through which the rain-water from the surface isabsorbed. In some small tracts the num- mulitic sandstone decomposes rapidly, leaving a surface stratum much more retentive of moisture than the chalk-beds. The leading character of surface-soil, however, is a red ochreous loam mingled with fragments of limestone, which dries out very rapidly. On the mountains and higher summer pastures may be found a dark-brown soil, largely composed of humus, the remains of ancient forest-growth, from which, however, the soluble mineral constituents have been removed. ‘Exposure to sun and rain, since the destruction of the forests, has deprived this humus soil of its fertility, and crops can be raised from it only by copious mixture with the underlying ferruginous clay. Without this preparation neither grass-seed nor tree-seed will grow ort it. The lack of moisture cannot, here, be compensated by irrigation. The only river—the Recca—in passing the Karst region disappears in a subterranean channel at St. Cauzain, and re-appears at Duino, on the coast, as the Timavo. In long droughts water for domestic use is often transported several miles. The droughts usually begin in April and last till September, with the exception of occasional showers in August. Then the moist sirocco alternates with the desiccating bora, with intervening spells of agreeable weather. The spring bora, after damaging the fruit-bloom, frequently absorbs the entire moisture left by the winter. For forest-culture it is important that operations should 145 commence in early spring, before the last rains. But this is often diffi- cult; the ground may be too wet, and if delayed till sufficiently dry the baking of the late muddy soil prevents the growth of both seeds and plants. The Karst region, ten miles long, and embracing twenty-nine square miles, has but one small wood. A few bushes and alders scattered over naked. stony fields, are the only subsisting representatives of a once magnificent forest-growth. The soil has much strength, and if it could be protected against the destructive extremes of temperature, Xc., it would soon be covered with vegetation. Its dry seasons are, however, especially favorable to vine-growth. The leading kinds of timber indigenous to this region are the Turkey oak, (Quercus cerris,) elm, (Ulmus campestris,) and ash, (Fraxinus ornus.) The last-named surpasses all others in tenacity of life under extremes of drought. In the Gortzer Karst the hop hornbeam (Ostrya vulgaris) and the common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) are found. Three varie- ties of the maple, (Acer campestris, A. pseudo platanus, and A. platanoides, ) the linden, (Tilia grandifolia,) and the red beech, (Fagus silvatica,) begin at an elevation of 2,000 feet. Near Duino, on the coast, the holly-oak (Quercus ilex) and the Celtis centralis are frequently planted in the borders of the fields. Even on the poverty-stricken mountain-pastures the locust (Robinia pseud-acacia) and two species of poplar (Populus nigra and P. pyramidalis) have been successfuly grown. Of fruit-trees, the walnut, (Juglans regia,) the cherry, (Prunus avium,) and the pear, (Pyrus communis,) succeed best. The first two grow along the roads. The chestnut is very successful, especially near Volosca and Loverano. The white mulberry (Morus alba) is widely distributed. Sumac yields con- siderable material for tanning. The rapid rise in the price of fuel presents great temptation to exces- sive chopping. Vine poles in 1870 were worth 3 florins per cental ; in 1872 the price was 7 florins. Charcoal is largely manufactured in Cas- telnuoyo. The Celtis australis, a small tree, is largely exported for whip-handles and wagon-timber. It grows in the fence-corners, attain- ing a height of 7 or § feet. Such a tree is worth in Trieste from 2 to 25 gulden. In spite of the scarcity of wood-growth there is a considerable exportof fire-wood. The annual production of fuel in the Karst amounts hs tie two and a half millions of cubic feet, principally oak and red eech. . Of districts outside the Karst the first embraces the higher mountains, chiefly the bold and steep declivities of the southwestern part of the Julian and Carnian Alps. Its average elevation is 6,427 feet above sea- level, and it is well watered by springs. Yet even here the destruction of the forests has produced the same irregularity of rain-fall; the streams in winter become torrents, while in summer destructive droughts are frequent. The soil is especially favorable to conifers, but their growth is restricted by merciless chopping and by the grazing of goats, of which over 15,000 are kept in the mountains. The red beech mingles with the pines, firs, and larches in the higher portions. Lower down the rock-maple, elm, and ash begin to appear, and still lower the oak becomes the predominant type. The hazel and the barberry are com- mon in the valleys. The land here is mostly in commons. Some small pieces are owned by the government. It has been found that its sub- division into individual proprietorships has been detrimental to the growth of wood. On the crown-lands and ina few private domains, forest-culture prevails ; but elsewhere, the same reckless destruction is observable as in the Karst. Chopping is now forbidden during the 146 growing-season as wellas the grubhing of stumps. The annual produc- tion of woods amounts to over 3,000,000 cubic feet, about half of the home consumption. The second district, outside of the Karst, embraces Capo d’Istria, Pisano, and Pinquenty, with several neighboring sub-districts and some adjacent islands. The soil is deeper and less absorbent of water. The denudation of forest-areas here also manifests its mischievous conse- quences in the same irregularity of rain-fall as in other sections. The summer sun heats the bare and stony soil, producing a radiation which disperses the rain-clouds and causes destructive droughts. Anciently Istria was a fertile country, ranking next to Campania, for productive- ness among the old Roman provinces. Then vast forests covered its hills, which remained comparatively intact till the middleages. Venice, after the conquest of Pola, in 1150, A. D., extorted heavy supplies of piles, ship-timber, and fire-wood. But the axe of the woodman was less destructive than the teeth of the goats, which were introduced by thousands into the forests. Their ravages were so serious that, in 1754 and 1760, Venice enacted that these animals should be destroyed on sight by the foresters; these enactments were but partially executed, and not less than 5,000 still roam over these depleted forests. A Crown-forest of oak in the fertile Quieto Valley has, by the annual floods of seventy years, received depos- its of mud from 5 to 7 feet thick, greatly injuring the timber. ‘This land yields but 6 florins per joch; as meadow it would yield 40. It should be exchanged for some of the denuded mountain-tracts. The oak is the prevalent type of tree-growth. On the mainland the durmast (Quercus pubescens) and on the islands the evergreen varieties (Q. tlex and Q. cerris) are found. Of these the first two are excellent for ship-timber. The common and cork oaks, (Q. pedunculata and @. suber,) the water- beech, (Ostrya vulgaris,) and common hornbeam, (Carpinus betulus,) are spread over the country; they grow slowly and furnish but indifferent timber and fuel. The mountain and field maples, (Acer pseudo-plata- nus and A. campestris,) the flowering ash, (Fraxinus ornus,) the cork- barked elm, (Ulmus suberosa,) and the French maple are occasionally found. The undergrowth represents a southern flora, viz: wild olive, (Phyterea angustifolia,) red-berried juniper, (Juniperus oxycedrus,) &e. The locust (Robinia pseud-acacia) has been largely and profitably grown in old fields for vine-poles; it yields biennial crops more valuable than the best grain-crops. The ailanthus has been successful on only a few tracts. The derangement of the conditions of growth has also affected the habits of the people, indisposing them to farm-industry by its imper- fect returns. They live chiefly by gathering wood and raising live stock, both of which pursuits are destructive of the timbered areas and inten- sify the influences which discourage agricultural production. The re- port complains of the number of ecclesiastics on the islands, numbering one for each two hundred and eight inhabitants, and exercising a dead- . ening influeace upon the industry and welfare of the people. Forest-culture is here at a lowebb. The yearly product of timber per joch (1.4223 acres) ranges from 20 to 60 cubic feet; in the better managed state-forests the yield is 80 cubic feet and above. The wood is cut every 7 or 8 years on themainland and every 8 to 12 on the islands. -Tf the time were doubled the production would be much more than doubled. The law now forbids the cutting of timber during the flow- ing of sap, but close vigilance is required for its enforcement. Sheep and goats do more injury than the axe, The woodland is mostly owned by the township. The produce of the forests amounts to nearly 6,000,000 of cubic feet, about half the home-consumption. 147 The third district outside of the Karst is, the plain of Turlani, which extends westward to the Italian frontier. This region, no less than the preceding, shows the effect of forest destruction. The rich soil is pecu- liarly adapted to deciduous trees; of conifers the Pinus pinea, formerly common, is now found only on,the coast. Most of the land is devoted to cultivation, being held by large owners. The fuel necessary for the inhabitants is chiefly furnished by trimmings from vines, mulberries, and roadside trees. Willow-culture furnishes the basis of a profitable industry in basket-making. A joch of well-set willows will yield an annual cutting worth from 25 to 34 florins. On the coast a large area of unproductive sand-hills, subject to malaria, might be greatly im- proved in its sanitary character by the growth of poplars. In this vicinity a small village now represents the old Roman stronghold of Aquilegia, once called the second Rome. FOREST-CULTURE IN FRANCE. f A recent report presented to the Central Society of Agriculture of France recommended the award of a gold medal to M. Jules Mion, President of the Tribunal of Commerce of Upper Marne, for the re- planting of forest-trees upon his estate, Val-Barisien. This tract, of 296 acres, is traversed by the little river Suize, with a channel about a mile long from south to north. The valley is very straight, and bordered in the south and west by rapid decliyities which in summer were for- merly parched by heat, and in winter denuded of their light top soil by rains. M. Mion first cut down the poplar and willow groves, which ob- structed the current and favored inundations. He diminished the flow of the stream by weirs, removing the talus. Some hills previously used as sheep-pasture were first planted with resinous trees, which he made to grow by extra care in spite of the drought of 1846. He afterward cleared the valley of its rubbish and enlarged the river-bed, obtaining from 500 to 600 cubic meters of rich earth with which to reinforce the scanty soil of some portions of his farm. He continued his tree-plant- ing notonly upouthe declivities but also the poorer portions of the more level land. In 1869 the total area thus replanted amounted to 133 acres, of which -53 acres, planted in 1845, were of large and full growth. Over 70 acres planted at the same time had been several times destroyed by the illicit introduction of sheep, and hence had to be replanted. Jtesinous trees, twenty-two to twenty-six years old, presented stems 27 to 30 feet high and nearly 3 feet thick at the base, the soil being calcareous and poor, with a broken subsoil and a rapid southern declivity. The northern exposures, with an argilo-calcareous subsoil and a topsoil varying from 3 to 12 inches, showed a more active growth. It was not rare to find box-trees from 30 to 60 feet high with stems between 2 and 3 feet in circumference. The trees selected were the Pinus sylvestris, the black pine of Aus- tria, the Epicea, and the larch. They were first planted a little over a yard apart, or at the rate of about 4,000 per aere, but were subsequently thinned out to about double that distance apart. The ground was trenched with the plow for the seed, which was drilled. At first, M. Mion used plants three years of age, costing from 6 to9 francs per thou- sand, but he subsequently planted the seed. His oldest plantations now give him enough seed to maintain or renew his plantations. The ex- pense amounted to about 100 franes per acre, not including the ditch- ing, which adds about 25 per cent. to the aggregate. The land before 148 planting rented at about 2 franes per acre, and its value was estimated by M. Mion at about 40 frances, or $8 per acre. Theimprovements have raised the investment to 180 or 200 franes per acre. The owner, per- haps extravagantly, anticipates that in fifty years the value of the tract will have risen to 4,000 or 6,000 frances per acre, yielding a revenue of nearly 100 frances independent of the annual products of these planta- tions derived from clearings necessary for the development of the plants. These tree-plantings have covered with a beautiful vegetation the rocks and hill-sides formerly so desolate. The city of Chaumot and the Baron Fraville have in the same manner embellished the country. M. Mion found strong opposition in his own tenant-farmer, on which account he took the cultivation into his own hands, replacing sheep with mileh cows. He reduced the area under cultivation to about 165 acres, which he rendered mich more productive by a judicious culture. By care in preserving manure and by the growth of forage-plants he was able to raise the wheat: -crop to 26 or 27 bushels per acre. From the results of this enterprise the inspector of forests of the arrondissement of Chaumont concludes that the bare, unproductive, and valueless hill-sides of the Upper Marne may be replanted with resinous trees, assuring a.good return upon the investment. Tbis opinion is in- dorsed by several of the most intelligent agriculturists of the Upper Marne. CHEMICAL MEMORANDA. By Wm. McMurtrig, CHEMIST. All analysts who have had any experience in making determina- tons of tannic acid in different materials can, doubtless, very well ap- preciate the difficulties which have heretofore been met in securing results for which complete accuracy can be claimed, on account of the unsatisfactory character of the methods which have thus far been em- ployed. Fully appreciating these difficulties myself, I have endeavored to devise a method which would, in a measure at least, remove the diffi- culties in question, and at the same time be free from all complication which might have a. tendency to vitiate the results. Probably the most convenient method given in the works on chemical analysis for making these determinations is that of Lowenthal, described in Fresenius’ Quantitative Analysis, fourth English edition, page 673, depending upon the oxidation, with a standardized solution of permanganate of potassa, of tannic acid and sulphindylate of potassa, and decoloration of the latter by means of this reaction. In this method the tannic is extracted from the material with water, and in its use, therefore, there is great danger that the results may be vitiated by the presence of gum, sugar, &c., which are soluble in water, and which may also be oxidized ‘at the expense of the permanganate of potassa, and it was with this difficulty that I was called upon more par- ticularly to contend. In one of the varieties of wood I have examined, gum, as well as some coloring matters soluble in water, are present in considerable quantities. These substances are, however, to a great extent, insoluble in sulphuric ether, while the tannic acid is quite easily soluble in this menstruum. I have, therefore, made use of it in my 149 analyses. My method isasfollows: Afterthe material to be examined has been finely pulverized by grinding in a steel drug-mill, and thoroughly dried, it is digested several days with about twice its volume of sul- phuric ether, the solution decanted, and the residue well washed with ether as long as anything may be removed. When this operation is complete, the solution and washings are united, and the ether removed by distillation. It may be collected by condensation for further use. The residue remaining from this distillation is treated with water until the final washings fail to produce any coloration with salts of iron, the entire solution thoroughly mixed and made up to a given volume. The solution thus obtained may contain very small quantities of coloring matter, which are seldom sufficient to be taken into account, but it is completely free from many of the troublesome impurities found in solu- tions made by extracting with water directly from the material. Very nearly the same method has been applied by Julius Lowe * to the preparation of pure tannic acid from sumac. For this purpose he, how- ever, makes use of acetic ether, and reverses the treatment; that is, he exhausts the material with water and removes the tannin from the solu- tion by agitation with acetic ether, from which it is said the tannic acid may, by distillation of the ether, be obtained in a pure state. He recommends the use of acetic ether on account of its being less inflam- mable than sulphuric ether. My attention was particularly directed to this subject by the receipt of samples of the wood of mesquite, (Algarobia glandulosa,) Osage- orange, (Maclura aurantica,) and live-oak, (Quercus virens,) from Mr. J. M. Wilson, Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas. It was désired that the comparative value of these woods as tanning materials be determined, since it is believed that they contain considerable quanties of tannic acid. - The different parts of the woods, which had been previously air- dried, were carefully separated and finely pulverized. They were then subjected to digestion with twice their volume of sulphuric ether for ten days in closed flasks. The solution was at the end of this time de- canted and the method above described was followed throughout. The analyses resulted as follows: ~ adi 3. | 882 3 ond ong wns SS Sot 5 aS om 3 be * 22 ne as | eae (0) a es a s2 | 83° 2 a. 'O & Saas Mee wTibe-WOOd {3 esiicceks cd Se. ll eb ele role 0. 90 NO ON o-oo | 525 55 cele pigaioeidwlag - 4254b> aes Base 2. 505 Rare W VG oe eo ahe oe os 8 eg oe ae hoe Sees ewe 0. 60 LET: Lei ft tea ti le al le eh cath ee Ba eae «fA bs 6.70 rates ae. 3 P88 yes 2h PRUE AIELLO eM’ Fe Aiea Rhe eeeare! 1.84 Osage-oranpe, heart-wdod.. .. ....- 202. 02202 v tens eee een eee eases. 6.93 DLC“ WOOK = oo. vat te sck whic eis ests leh eee ee 4.90 “DTTP ci RR gE SEINE ENE DG NM Oe 13.10 It will be seen from the above table that’the heart-woods of the mes- quite and Osage-orange contain tolerably high proportions of tannic acid ; nearly as high, indeed, as many varieties,of barks used in tanning, * Fresenius Zeitschrift fiir Analytsche Chemie, t. xii, p. 128. 150 and in the Southwest, where these trees grow abundantly, there is no doubt that they may be found of great value in this branch of industry. The liye-oak contains so small a percentage of tannic acid that it will be found of little value. There was extracted from the Osage-orange a yellow resinous coloring matter, soluble in ether and causte potassa, which we have not yet examined, but which we shall at some future time make the subject of an investigation. It is possible that it may be found useful as a coloring matter. Experiments with beets.—In his experiments upon the effects of differ- ent fertilizers upon sugar-beets, the results of which have lately been published, Professor Goessman, of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col- lege, has found that beets do much better as a second crop upon soil to which farm-yard manure has been applied, the potash and other mineral elements of plant-food being then in a more favorable condi- tion for assimilation by the root. He found that beets grown as a first crop upon land which had received an application of farm-yard manure gave a lower percentage of sugar than those grown under other con- ditions. The most favorable application seemed to be kainit and super- phosphate of lime, or even sulphate of potassa alone. In order to show the results of Professor Goessman’s experiments in this particular, we append the following table exhibiting the percentage of cane-sugar found in the juice of roots grown from different seeds ander the influence of various fertilizers. = ee raise} Ne eb |) Hay eee Kind of fertilizer applied. 5 2a | BR | 2& at of fe ppliec = a3 ce thee 2 + oMm |} 8& 2 3 Be le i mn i) ees resh horse -nianurodncs asic See osakiede aes Seu sae ee esc aot eaamee ee 11.96] 9.71 9. 42 7.8 Blood guano, without potash....- SENS eR a” AE ge OK) BPE 10. 99 9.17 | 10.10} 10.20 Blood cnano* with patashte ns cierto nioe conctse cee eemecest ee Meee 12.55 | 10.01 | 13.24 10. 50 Kainit. with superphosphate of lime !: 2.5252. 2/2 2S. 13.15 | 10.91 | 12.16; 10.50 Suelphatero fp obassa ws. ee pene te en ee ee eee eee eh eeeens 14,52 |\ 12.47 | 14.32) 12.7 No manure ; second year after application of stable manure ........-. 13. 49) |-- ~~... 12.78 | 12.19 Deherain’s late experiments prosecuted on the experimental farm con- nected with the school of Grignon, show results somewhat similar. Of all the fertilizers with which he experimented, principally phosphatic and nitrogenous, one manufactured by MM. Coignet, of Paris, con- taining 30 per cent. of dried bone phosphate, and 50 per cent. of dried animal matter, and yielding 6 to 7 per cent. of nitrogen, gave the best results. The yield was very much increased, and the beets contained an average of 12 per cent. of sugar. This result corresponds more nearly to the results obtained by Professor Goessman by application of blood-guano and potash, than those obtained by application of blood- guano alone. The fertilizer of Coignet, however, doubtless contained more phosphoric acid than the blood-guano employed by Goessman, and the increased percentage of sugar may be due to this fact. Or, since Deherain remarks that unfortunately for his experiment the soil at Grignon is very rich, it is possible that all the potash which was needed by the crop, and which had to be appiied artificially by Goess- man‘in his experiments, was supplied by the soil itself. We therefore consider it evident that this compound is necessary to the successful cultivation of the crop in question, and where it is wanting in the soil it should in all cases be contained in the fertilizer applied. 151 Extraction of erystallizable sugar from molasses.—In 1848 Dubrunfaut showed that the sugar contained in molasses was crystallizable and identical with ordinary cane-sugar. He then devised a method for its separation, depending upon the precipitation of the sugar with baryta, and decomposition of the insoluble sucrate of baryta thus formed by means of a current of carbonic acid gas. This method has been prac- tically applied by M. Tillois, at Courriers, and as described by M. Boud- ard the method is as follows: The molasses is treated with a concentrated solution of baryta, and the sucrate of baryta thus formed, after being allowed to settle, is sep- arated from the supernatant liquor by decantation of the latter, mixed with a small quantity of water, and placed in large wooden vats, provided at the bottom with spiral tubes pierced with small holes. Car- bonic acid gas is forced through these tubes and from them through the mass. The saccharine liquid, which is quite clear after the carbon- ate of baryta formed has subsided, is drawn off, and the carbonate of baryta freed from any remaining liquor by placing it in strong sacks, and submitting it to careful pressure. The clear saccharine liquid is then submitted to the ordinary processes of evaporation and erys- tallization, and the carbonate of baryta remaining at the close of the process is, by calcination, reduced to caustic baryta, and is then ren- dered fit for use in subsequent operations. Strange growth of potatoes.—A curious fact with regard to the growth of potatoes is recorded by M. Charles Rabache, in which it appears that the tubers were planted in pure sand, in the bottom of a cave which was quite dark, and provided with little or no ventilation. When spring approached the tubers germinated, and after a given time small nodules appeared upon the roots, developing into tubers of fair size. The stems grew quite long, and were perfectly white except at the ex- tremities, which were directed toward the opening, and therefore some- what exposed to the action of diffused light. The tubers, though smal- ler, were in every way Similar tothe original, having the same color and taste, and showing the same composition upon chemical analysis, and the volume and weight of the entire product, stems and tubers, was three times that of the original tuber. / BOTANICAL NOTES. By Dr. GrorGE VASEY, BOTANIST. CIRCULATION OF SAP.—The most important contribution to our knowl- edge of this subject is a lecture of Prof. W. S. Clark, president of the Massachusetts Agriculture College, delivered before the Massachusetts State board of agriculture, at Fitechburgh, December 2, 1873. The lecture presents a concise summary of the principal theories and conjectures on the subject, details a series of carefully conducted experiments made at the college, and gives the author’s conclusions thereon. The lecturer premised a brief but clear statement of the structure and functions of plants so far as they relate to the subject in hand. We condense and present below some portions of the lecture, which seem to be of the most general interest. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced to account for the circu- lation of sap through the operation of some merely chemical or physical OA 152 \ forces, but their very multiplicity exposes their unsatisfactory charac- ter. Malpighi was of the opinion that the contraction and expansion of air in the ducts under the influence of heat and cold pumped up the sap, but this could not be without valves to obstruct its reflex action which do not exist, since they cannot be found, and since willow or rose cuttings will do as well with one end up as with the other. More- over at the period of greatest pressure, there is often no air in the tree, but every cell and duct is gorged with sap, as has been fully shown in the experiments at the college. Knight, without any good reason, assumed the pith-rays, extending from the center to the circumference of the stem, to possess irritability, and by their contraction and expansion to compress and dilate alter- nately the fibro-vascular tissue and so cause it to act somewhat like a force-pump. Du-Petit-Thouars, rejecting all mere physical forces, advanced the hypo- thesis that the original force is a vital one, but that in the spring, after a period of repose, the buds under the influence of the sunshine, begin to expand, and by the absorption of sap, which they exhale, create a yacuum or suction which puts the finids in motion throughout the entire plant. Exhalation and chemical changes, then occurring, keep up the flow till the fall of the leaves in autumn. This, however, entirely fails to account for the familiar fact that the sap is often pressing into trees, like the birch, with tremendous force, several weeks before there is the slightest activity in the buds. Dutrochet discovered the principle called osmose, which causes unlike fluids separated by a thin septum to flow together with different degrees of rapidity. Thus, if a solution of sugar be separated, by a thin membrane from pure water, the water will pass through into the sugar freely, while a minute portion of the sugar will enter the water, the result being a large increase in the volume of the sugar solution. This force, under favorable circumstances, will overcome the force of gravita- tion so as to cause the rise of water in a tube to a considerable height. The general principle of osmose has been almost universally adopted, without any considerable attempt at demonstration by physiological ex- periments, .as the chief cause of all the motions which occur in the con- tents of vegetable cells, such as the absorption of water by the rootlets, the ascent of the crude sap to the leaves, and the general transferrence of all nutrient matters to the parts where they are deposited and assimi- lated. There are many difficulties in the way of accepting this charm- ingly simple hypothesis. Among these may be named the fact that there are found in the different adjoining cells of plants entirely distinct substances which do not mingle, as in the brilliant petals of flowers, where superimposed layers of cellular tissue contain fluids of unlike colors. . The cambium, also, which evidently does not penetrate the sap- wood, readily finds its way through hundreds of feet of its proper con- ducting medium. A gain, the organic contents of plant cells are almost exclusively colloids, and the proof of their easy and rapid transmission through imperforate iembranes is yet to be discovered ; neither is there sufficient evidence of any such exudation of organic matter from the rootlets, where osmose is imagined to occur, as is required by all thatis known of this principle in its ‘operation upon lifeless matter. Ordinary absorption and capillary attraction have been thought to assist in Brodie the phenomena of the motions of sap, though no one regards them as sufficient of themselves, since they not only lack the requi- site power, but also that peculiar ability, manifested by the living plant, 153 to select from the soluble materials of the soil just those substances _ which every species needs for its peculiar constitution. Herbert Spencer has attempted to demonstrate that the compression and dilatation of cells and ducts, caused by the swaying of stems and branches in the wind, is an important aid in promoting the flow of sap. When we consider that many trees grow where the wind scarcely affects them, and that plants flourish in glass-houses, where they are never disturbed in this way, we shall see that this hypothesis is of small ae- count. There is also here, as in the hypothesis of Malpighi, a need of valves to prevent regurgitation, and we have during the present season demonstrated that detached living roots, entirely underground, exert an enormous force merely by their power of absorption. In 1720 Rev. Stephen Hales, an English clergyman, made some exper- iments on the absorption and exhalation of water by plants, and on the force with which absorption was exerted. He applied mercurial gauges to several different grape-vines, and obtained, as the maximum pressure exerted by rising sap, a force sufficient to sustain a column of mercury 38 inches in height, which is equal to a column of water 43 feet high. To learn how far this might be true, and what,were the facts concerning the spring flow of sap in our forest-trees, and especially in the sugar- maple, in regard to which scarcely any accurate observations had been made, we began some investigations at the agricultural college last March, the results of which may be summarily stated as follows: A gauge was attached to a sugar-maple March 21, which was three days after the maximum flows of sap for this species, so that further ob- servations are required earlier in the season to complete the record, and determine with certainty the maximum pressure which it exhibits in the spring. Of the record made the following facts are specially inter- esting : First, the mercury was subject to constant and singular oscillations, standing usually in the morning below zero, so that there was indicated a powerful suction into the tree, and rising rapidly with the sun until the force indicated was sufficient to sustain a column of water many feet in height. Thus at 6 a.m., April 21, there was a suction into the tree sufficient to raise a column of water 25.95 feet. Assoonasthe morning sun shone upon the tree the mercury suddenly began to rise, so that at 8.15 a. m. the pressure outward was enough to sustain a column of water 18.47 feet in height, a change represented by more than 44 feet of water. On the morning of April 22 the change was still greater, requiring for its representation 47.42 feet of water. These extraordinary fluctuations were not attended by any peculiar state of the weather, and happened twelve days before there were any indication of growth to be detected in the buds. These observations are quite new, and as yet wholly inexplicable, but will receive further attention at a future time. : On the 20th of April two gauges were attached to a large black birch, one at the ground and the other 30 feet higher. The next morning at 6 o’clock the lower gauge indicated the astonishing pressure of 56.65 feet of water, and the upper one of 26.54 feet. The difference between. the indications of the two gauges was thus 29.92 feet, while the actual dis- tance between them is 30.20 feet, so that they corresponded almost precisely as if connected by a tube. In order to learn whether the same principle would prevail if the other gauge was moved, it was raised 12 feet higher. The same correspondence continued through nearly all the observations of the season, notwithstanding the gauges were separated by 42.20 feet of close-grained birch-wood. The sap-pressure continued to increase until, on the 4th of May, it represented a column of water 154 84.77 feet in height, which is believed be the highest pressure of vege- table sap ever before recorded. To determine, if possible, whether any other force than the vital action of the roots was necessary to produce the extraordinary phenomena described, a gauge was attached to the root of a black birch-tree as follows: The tree stood in moist ground at the foot of the south slope of a ravine, in such a situation that the earth around it was shaded by the overhanging banks from the sun. aire eee ya ha gas per barrel... 14 00 to 14 00 to MOTs INORG eae ok ao ere wiow Soe wee oslae do--a222t 515/50). to 14 25 to 14 50 Bn oisters ei Ore arorettorerer silo = tea per pound... 9 to 104 83 to 9 PAIBGOTS CHOC ie oo ees He cb ei AO nn nnn 34 to 38 38 to 40 PIED EE oss os con oso sue Cr a nee ol to 33 35 «to 36 Micro machi y+ =... 264, i655. keca-- dose 3c) 16 to 17 16} to 17 AE eS (nl ES eee ek eee dosssccs a) toe. ree 22 to 23 Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good.-..... dozen ase 8i to 94 _ 8t to 9+ prime. to choice..do...... 92 to 104 93 to 10 abaccow lume. 20228). scope eo domtanae 63 to 12 9 to 12 LE) ee ee Sees eee. ae eee doz. 7 to 25 $5 HO! © 825 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary-.-...do...... 113 to 134 11; to 13+ low middl’g to good middl’g-.do.-.---. 143 to 152 144 to 164 Wool, fleece-washed, com. to fine. .--. dp sas oe 45 to AT 45 to 47 tub-washed .2---./.2<= 5=-/----- dow oe. 48 to 49 48 to 49 unwashed, clothing........--- dos ss3% 30 to 32 30 to 32 unwashed, combing...--.....- doz-.a82 33 to 3D 33 «to 35 pulled:c23. 2582.22 <5 see se dol Apacs 35 to 38 35 to 38 CHICAGO. Flour, white winter, fair to good-perbarrel..; 650 to 7 50 6 50 to 7 50 white winter, choice.........-- does) UC fey sto, 9-25 7 75, ta 9 25 BEG GMO ber 2: roe te ee OR dona 4s I; 22G00% tO; ig) -225ss5-220 0222 per barrel-2|. 11.00. jto.<—=— to MESS yeas Seen Sea ee at el olee Owes | 1200 to ——— — to PREEAMMGRA) Sess alee te kes Oe cee: | 1300 to 13 00 to BOL, AOR aee oes lanenoceUlek oth soe Neesecse 15 25 to 15 50 14 75 to 15 00 ards ee sateen see see cnet eee ee per pound... 72 to 93 8 to 92 IBUULEENENDICO. 5c S20 4 J2e-les ose docnc.--| 28 to 38 || 36 to 38 anterior srades... 2.22 32s... 2: do.cecee 25 to 30" 25 to 34 Cheese, Ohio arid N. W. factory ...... Go.s5 226 151 to 16 | 16 to 164 New: Yorkfactory 22225-2554. doe ess 16 to 164 16 to 163 Sugar, New Orleans, common to fair..do......! 9 to 9 to —— prime to choice -do...... | 94 to WG) | $1 104 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...... 11 to 13 to low middling to good middling. ...... 1414 to 163 to fyool tab-washed ...222. 2.48. Jc .ido.. 2. 4 48 to 53 | 47 to 53 unwashed, combing -..-...-.--. dO. WING J. =. elk Se eG per cental $0 14% to $0 174 54 to 74 5 to 64 72 to 9 64 to 8 PST) to 550 to 5 75 BS Nira Maya!) 6 00 to 575 to 6 00 650 to 7 00 6 25 to 650 2 Loe bon eLcoM 185) tomb 95 215 to 2 2% AW telimengitay Ia Late ss 140 to 1 65 I 45) to. 1 75 150 to 180 P45 ton ee 1 75 160 to 1 65 E65 neon oe a) 1 60 to 1 65 1a 65ratow ade 7 14 00 to 17 00 12 50 to 16 50 950 to 10 00 900 to 950 9 00 to 10 00 9 00 to 10 00 18 00 to 18 50 17 00 to 17 50 17 50 to 18 00 17 50 to is 60 10> to 11 10 to 11 15 to 95 oO 2s 30 to 38 30 to 3 15 to 20 15 to 20 12 to 18 12 to i8 14 to 16 14 to 18 to ye) is to —— 18 to 22 18 to —— $12 50 to $12 75 | $12 00 to$i3 00 1 WS to! 2125 PISOM Go) 19.25 10 00 to 11 50 OMoe eto 11 95 850 to 900 8 00 to 9 00 10 50 to 11:50} 1050 to 11 00 8 00 to 10 50 8 50 to 10 25 40 00 to 8000] 40 00 to 80 00 806 to 13 00 8 60 to 15 CO 650 to 8123) 600 to 8 00 625 to 675 6:62 to 7 25 7 OOo web | 6°75 tow ie 600 to 650/ 600 to 6 50 5 00 to 550)| 525.to 5775 400 to 475; 400 to 5 00 3 45) to 3 45 sto 100 00 to 250 00 |100 00 to 250 00 35 00 to 95 00] 35 00 to 95 00 10 00 to 1800}|1000 to 18 00 500 to 600| 500 to 7 2 a UUM toe 4050) 3:50) to 4% 6) 50 to: V6"7% 650 to 6 75 168 Live-slock markets—Continued. Articles. February. March. PHILADELPHIA. Cattle, common to choice. .-.-.... per cental..) $400 to $7 75 | $400 to $8 00 Sheep, common to choice -...---..--. donesece 500 to 725) 550 to 7 50 Swane,wor-ted .2 02.02... cep ene « Monte: 925 to 950) 850 to 900 BALTIMORE. Cattle, best beeves......-...----.percental..| 575 to 687 / 575 to 7 00 sh GEN CoG eoo betes soca douesee 450 to ~ 5 75\) 462°) to) Sons AONE, Se ooeadoseGenco7ese cs domsces 400 to 450] 400 to 4 62 ONGINanYViee ee eee see eee et dOsnee cc 300 to 400} 350 to 400 general average SAS tesacee Oh ater 475 to A751 tO. most of the sales between ....do...--. 42% to 562] 425 to 525 Se] pea Scoy dageoorseaesd Cone bHes dess Onnne ee 400 to 700] 250 to 77% SWING pote eis hice sae eeeiner ee dopesen: 725 to' 825 | 7:25 tow Mei25 CINCINNATI. Cattle, good to prime butchers’ steers, per cental..| 475 to 550/! 525 to 550 common to good medium .....do..-... 400 to 450] 325 to 5 00 il Ch-COWS ee =o tsincsar lel QOzneens | 3000 to 50 00 | 25.00 to» 65 00 Sheep, common ..-.--.------ -------- Gh osmiedc 225 to 425) 4 50 -to good to prime butchers’ -..-.- Over es 450 to 5 50 to 6 00 Swine, shipping grades -.....-. .----- MOeeeees 550 --to 600 | 5 10 tom S70 good to prime butchers’ .--.... donseaee 600 to 6 25 | 5°90" to 6300 CHICAGO. Cattle, extra-graded steers, 1,400 to 1,500 POUNDS eee ee eee per cental...| 5 75 to 6 25: 5 855" fomeomee choice beeves, 3 to 5 years old, 1,250 to 1,450 pounds -.----.. per cental.. 5 20 to 550 | 540 to 570 good beeves, 1,200 to 1,300 pounds, percental..| 4 75 to 510} 510 to 530 medium grades, 1,150 to 1,300 pounds per cental.. 4 50 to 47 475 to 5 00 lower grades, natives ......-. UU es | 175 to 400) 200 to 450 Texans, choice corn-fed..---. dOsso30- 4 00 to 460| 425 to 47% ‘Texans, north-wintered...--.. dos -peae 3 00 to 3.90 | 325 to 4°00 Texans, through droves.----. dons. 1 75 to 275 | 200 to 3 00 MULCH COWS see eee eee per head.-| 20 00 to 50 00} 20 00 to 45 00 veal calvesi:c S222 eee oe oe dose see 3 00 to 500} 350 to 57% Sheep, poor to medium .....-.-...... Gos eae 3 75 to 450} 400 to 5 2 good to choice ea. ee mae = dosssep- 4 75 to 050} 550 to 6 25 Swine, good to extra ..-....--.-..--- doz e2e5 5 40 to 5°75) | 5 330) to Grd inferior to medium ..---..--- MOss2ee 4 80 to 530} 425 to 5 00 SAINT LOUIS. - Cattle, choice native steers, 1,300 to 1,600 mounds.-2+ 22... ss eee aper cental..| 5 75 to 625 | 550 to 6 00 prime second-class, 1,150 to 1,400 DOWNS Ses oogbsessacsee per cental..| 4 50 to 500) 475 to 5 00 good third-grade, 1,050 to 1,300 pounds ‘per cental..| 3 50 to 400); 375 to 400 fair butchers’ steers, 1,000 to 1,200 (POUNUSeeese sce eee per cental..| 325to 350| 350 to 375 inferior native erades ..-...- dozens: 2 50 to 3 75.) 2 50 itomiments Texans and Cherokees, corn-fattened p per cental..| 2 00 to 400| 300 to 32% through droves ..-.........- COs e255 1 50 to 2.50) | aicioreaco 169 Live-stock markets—Continued, Articles. February. March. Saint Lovis—Continued. SS 70 a I ret per cental..| $4 50 to $5 00 Nimmo ton oo. oo. SME See eee eae Goss $4 90 to $5 65 | $490 to 5 30 Horses, plugs’: .\ 0 SOae Fae 5 eres oe perhead..| 3000 to 6000} 30 00 to 60 00 street-car horses ..---.---..----- do.-.-| 8000 to 9000; 8000 to 90 00 good work-horses .-------.---- do...-; 85 00 to 100 00]; 85 00 to 100 00 driving horses) ssssss 4-2-6 56 do....| 100 00 to 140 00 | 100 00 to 140 00 heavy draught-horses..--..---- do....| 125 00 to 165 00 | 125 00 to 165 00 Mules, 14 to 15 hands high....-..-.-.-..- do....| 5000 to 100 00] 50 00 to 100 00 15 to 16 hands high...-.......-do..../ 115 00 to 165 00 | 115 00 to 165 00 Exe Besote poecen eoones esoeeoe do=. -:| 150 00 to 200 00 | 150 00 to 250 00 NEW ORLEANS. | | Cattle, Texas beeves, choice... --.- per head..| 45 00 to | 45 00 Texas beeves, first quality -....-....... do..-.| 3500 to 4000] 35 00 to 40 00 Second Qualltyisg— oa. oe ae do....| 2000 to 2800) 20 00 to 28 00 Western beeves...- .-.:-.+.-1...-per eental.:| 10 00 to’ 12°50 8 00 to 10 00 Milch-cows -..---.----------------per head..| 35 00 to 100 00 | 35 00 to 100 00 RINT Bue BERS eB EEC apEe Eee eeere dozez.|44 COxto., L000 7 00 to 10 00 heen. tirstiqualitves cco - 3 oc sa55 caso cea do..-.| 4 00 to 5 00 400 to 5 00 second quality -.5-=.+--------- doz. 3 00 to 4 00 3.00 to 4 00 WINGY seems acialao ee nclec cele acs per cental..| 6 00 to 7 SOs, br OO} tov a0) FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEAT.—The weather in Europe has been remarkably mild since the opening of 1874, but a sharp frost during the second week of February checked the dangerous forwardness of vegetation and greatly benefited the soil for spring crops. From the continent comes a complaint of lack of snow to cover the winter crops. The mild weather in the United States greatly favored the continued shipment of grain. Both English and French deliveries of wheat were increasingly short, owing to the exhaustion of stocks in first hands. The deficiency of English home- supplies, however, was more than met by‘copious foreign imports. The Bengal famine is influencing the European markets by diverting sup- plies from Australia. The weekly deliveries of English grain are at least 10,000 quarters short of last year, while in France strong induce- ments are necessary in order to bring native produce to market. The effects of the American monetary crisis were visible in the increased sensitiveness to English advices in the New York markets. The defi- ' cleney in the English markets must be mainly supplied from America, from which at least half the late foreign arrivals have come. The imports of wheat into the United Kingdom, during the second week in February, amounted to 594,340 cwts. The London market opened the following week with small supplies of English wheat and no great stock of foreign, half the latter being from America. The show of fresh samples from counties near London was limited and poor. The London averages were 65s. 8d. on 1,299 quarters. In Paris holders were successfully resisting further decline, the new offers being scanty ; good 170 white wheat ranged from 64s. to 70s. per quarter; Spanish white, from Marseilles, was offered at 69s. per quarter; American spring at 64s. per uarter. . . In Mark Lane, Essex, and Kent, new white was quoted at 54s. to 67s. per quarter; ditto red, 56s. to 64s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and York- shire, new red, 55s. to 62s. Of foreign wheat, Dantzic mixed brought Gis. to Tis.; Konigsberg 61s. to 70s. ; Rostock, 63s. to 70s. ; Silesian red, 58s. to 60s.; ditto white, 63s. to 65s.; Pomeranian, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark red, 61s. to 63s.; Russian hard, 54s. to 57s.; Saxonska, 61s. to 62s.; Danish and Holstein red; 61s. to 63s.; American, 58s. to 60s.; Chilian white, 64s. ; Californian, 67s.; Australian, 69s. to 71s. In Liverpool the import-trade was declining but the exports were in- creasing. American white, per cental, brought 13s. to 13s. 6d.; ditto red winter and southern, 12s. 4d. to 13s.; ditto No. 1 spring, 12s. to 12s. 2d.; ditto No. 2 spring, lls. 6d. to 11s. 10d.; Canadian white, 13s. to 13s. 4d.; ditto red, 12s. 2d. to 12s. 4d.; Californian white, 12s. 10d. to 13s. 8d.; Chilian white, 12s. 4d.; Australian white, 14s. to 14s. 2d.; Spanish white, 12s. 10d. to 13s.; Danubian, 7s. to 9s.; Ghirka, 11s. 6d. to 12s. ; Egyptian, 10s. 10d. to 12s. 9d. FLouR.—The supplies of both English and foreign flour were quite moderate in London in the third week of February. Trade was dull, but holders were not disposed to lower the rates. The Paris market suddenly declined 3 frances per 157 kilograms in the face of declining supplies of wheat, the range being from 49s. 4d. to 51s. 4d. per 280 pounds. In Mark Lane the best town househoid four brought from 50s. to 57s. per 280 pounds; best country household 45s to 47s.; Nor- folk and Suffolk, 39s. to 44s. American flour, per barrel, 28s. to 30s.; extra, 30s. to 32s. In Liverpool English and Ivish superfines, 44s. to 45s. 6d. per 280 pounds; ditto extra, 45s. 6d. to 50s.; French, 56s. to 60s.; Spanish, 49s. to 52s. 6d.; Trieste and Hungarian, 66s. to 78s.; Chilian and Californian, 46s. to 52s.; American Western State, per barrel, 30s. to 32s.; extra State, 31s. to 33s.; Baltimore and Philadel- phia, 30s. to 32s.; Ohio, 31s. to 35s.; Canadian, 33s. to 37s. Maize.—In Mark Lane, American white was quoted at 40s. to 43s. per quarter; ditto red, 36s. to 38s. In Liverpool, American white, 59s.; ditto yellow, 37s.; Danubian, 37s. 6d. to 38s.; Galatz, 40s. Woou.—The London wool trade has become firmer. Business not re- markably brisk in English wools, but steady. Colonial wools are steady at current rates. LIVE STOCK.—The cattle ttade was quiet but firmer on account of short supplies. Coarse and inferior beasts brought 4s. 6d. to 4s. 10d. per 8 pounds; second quality, 4s. 10d. to 5s.; prime large oxen, 5s. 6d. to 5s. 8d.; prime scots, 5s. 8d. to 5s. 10d.; coarse and inferior sheep, 5s. to 5s. 6d.; second quality, 5s. 6d. to 5s. 10d.; prime coarse wooled, 6s. 6d. to 6s. 8d.; prime southdowns, 6s. 8d. to 6s. 10d.; large coarse calves, 5s. to 5s. 6d.; prime small calves, 6s. to 6s. 4d.; large hogs, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 10d.; small porkers, 4s. 4d. to 4s. 6d. TRADE OF ODESSA. Odessa, at the head of the Black Sea, is the grand emporium of Southern Russia. It was made a free port in 1817, a privilege which, in connection with its admirable commercial position, has given it a practical monopoly of the trade of Southeastern Europe in the export of 171 erain and other agricultural products. Regular official bulletins are issued monthly, and sometimes more frequently, showing the extent and value of its commercial operations. Irom two bulletins issued January 12 and January 15, 1874, and signed by H. Willenz and Simon Bernstein, courtiers-jurées, are gathered the following statistics of the trade of 1873: The course of trade during the year was marked by numerous fluctua- tions, sympathizing with changes in foreign markets. In the middle of the year prices were very high, and in almost every case higher, in pro- portion, than in the markets of consumption. The reason of this is found in the great rise of prices in other markets, coming upon the heels of the very poor crops of the regions adjacent to Odessa. It was neces- sary to depend upon arrivals from the north of Bessarabia, from the governments of Kieff and Podolia, where cereal crops were good in quantity and very satisfactory in quality—in fact, finer than for many years. The campaign was opened at prices unexampled at that period of the year and such as were customary only at its close. During the entire year, in spite of declining movements in the great markets of consumption, prices at Odessa were, with slight variations, constantly sustained. This was the result of light stocks in depot. A daily accretion of 25,000 to 30,000 tchetverts by rail, and 40,000 to 50,000 by way of the Dnieper, scarce met the wants of the local and coast trade, a branch of commerce already large and constantly increasing. The wool-business was almost neglected till the end of May. Im- portant purchases on French account, at the fair of Charkoff, during June, produced ariseof 2 roubles the poud, in the price of fine wools in grease, raising the quotations to 10 roubles the poud. The rouble is the standard silver coin of Russia, but varies in value, according to date of coinage, from 73 cents to 80 cents. The poud is equal to 36.06764 pounds. Russian purchasers declined purchasing at these enhanced prices, and the former calm was re-instated as the prices abroad gradually declined. Washed fine wool was neglected the whole year, the prices ranging from 24 to 27 roubles the poud. White Donskoi was in but moderate demand at 105 roubles the poud. No commercial disasters were experienced during the year. The financial crises of Austria, Germany, and America necessarily produced some stagnation in business, lowering prices, and compelling-some hold- ers to realize at a loss. Russia, among commercial countries, was least affected by these crises, yet its enlarged speculations, provoked by the inflation of currency, felt the spasmodic contraction severely. The com- merce of Odessa suffered but little from the reaction compared with other great marts of Europe. d PUPERP SE ree weet tees ee Cea ees ee tC) ee er ere Phan chad CEA Se Se ee eae 4 ew when ect wee ieee fs Yack ite, CU 1 ERR UEUE IMEEM LOR CALEC ALT SSA CLY tikes tate en aire » J Aw Mi “ H Ade pratt totale ese e sey one vant a koa sa es hs soe y HUME B/S) FI Phan wié Fe bac ds ck dba ea Caen risa d aba dae C Gl cama ae ye fF iahoeihce excel i i es f gt 1g i PEree eRe eee) Cee er ee ee ee BAYT Cait a = i ealenhs eC eee eee ee ee ee ek. ere er aua e Vane ee) doh core [Perna hs lavas «owe ee heen Cb Baws Satta ace aa pee = ~ bl editee r Y “ - * L ‘ =_ ‘ ee. ik ie Sete rs x eee et eee ee a8 9. roe aa Sa . reel i re rie #1) fn ae ¥? : J ka & vas park VA R ibe ‘ . * . . ate. 7 "hy iy F a v fa'ews aS SAL * 26> - venue a a-¢ ts * a4eua FS a . s Sicduxd wads dad aime ue op ¥ ' | 4n% 3 \ ; ; , ae thas USA etal tt ale tae WA WEE CREE CERES EEE PA CEOEOETVETWA TTS CAL ePrice ew CREEL CT eRe ee ee ee ee eee! se hd tek ee eee ae we 7h. a Bee ees s bw eae ind Py uti ra VW mee wo MONTHLY REPORT. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Statistical Division, April 18, 1874. Sir: I present herewith, for publication, a report of the condition of winter-grain throughout the United States in the first week in April ; a statement of the condition of farm-animals during the past winter, and of the prevalence and fatality of diseases among them during the past year; also an enumeration of the official schools of France, in the in- terest of rural industry, with a brief view of their constitution and status ; the usual records of investigations in other divisions of the De- partment, and a variety of minor statistics. } J. R. DODGE, Statistician. lon. FREDERICK WATTS, Commissioner. CONDITION OF WINTER-WHEAT. Four-tenths of the wheat harvested in the United States is fall-sown. The spring-wheat territory includes practically the six Eastern States, four Northwestern, .and those of the Pacific coast. The former are of lit- tle importance in production, and the latter are not properly included in either list, sowing being continued from fall to spring in California and in winter and spring in Oregon. The four States, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, now produce 90,000,000 bushels, or about one- fourth of the crop. The present returns include the larger portion of the winter-wheat area. They represent the crop as more generally promising than at this period for several years past. The influence of sudden alternations of temperature, and of cold and drying winds, during the month past, has been almost the only drawback to the uniformity of vitality and higher condition of the wheat-plant in every section of the country. The winter has been so remarkably mild in the South, with almost entire absence of injurious changes of temperature, that the returns from Virginia to Texas are nearly unanimous in ascribing either average vigor or luxuriant growth to the wheat-area. In about one-fourth of the counties in the Ohio Valley an unpromising appearance is reported, while a majority represent in various terms a condition above an aver- age. From Missouri and Kansas still fewer unfavorable returns have been received, ° 16 Though the wheat-product of the New England States is little more than a peck to each inhabitant, of which but one-twelfth is fall-sown, winter-wheat is sometimes grown in Aroostook, the most northern point in Maine, and it is common to obtain on new lands there a yield 50 per cent. higher than the usual average for the whole country. About half the winter-wheat of New England is grown in Connecticut, where the proportion of spring-wheat is only one to twenty. The small areasown has been less effectually covered with snow than usual, having been bare much of the winter, even in Maine and New Hampshire, with occa- sional thaws, and has suffered injury in consequence. Six-sevenths of the crop of New York is seeded in the fall. Favorable reports are more numerous than unfavorable. The promise is good in Ontario; a fair expectation is entertained in Niagara; a better prospect than last year in Livingston; average in Genesee, though injured on low grounds by alternate freezing and thawing. These four counties produce one-third of the winter-wheat of New York. In Seneca the fields were full of promise until late in March, when the effect. of -cold winds and changeful temperature was apparent. Among other counties reporting favorably are Yates, Greene, Steuben, Chautauqua, Wyoming, Kings, Seneca, Rensselaer, Schuyler, and Suffolk. Wheat-fields have suffered considerably from the cold winds and alternations of freezing and thawing, in the latter half of March, in Albany, Montgomery, War- ren, Saratoga, Schenectady, Fulton, Oneida, Sullivan, Otsego, Wayne, and Washington. In several northern counties, in which the back of winter was not broken, it was deemed too early for areliable opinion. Not one county in New Jersey reports an unpromising appearance otf growing wheat. In Gloucester, the recent atmospheric changes have despoiled its dark green color to some extent. In Burlington it has im- proved in appearance throughout the winter, and looks now as if it would do the county credit. In analysis of Pennsylvania returns but four counties present inferior condition, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, and McKean, while forty are char- acterized as “ average,” “unusually good,” “ very promising,” ‘ extra,” ‘never looked better,” notwithstanding the winter has been open and the ground bare for much of the time in many counties. This exemp- tion is remarked as exceptional, and due to theabsence of sudden and ex- treme changes. In many counties there are occasional fields, in undrained and unsuitable sdéils, badly frozen. Among these are Clearfield, Mifflin, Lancaster, Lycoming, Union, Washington, Luzerne, and Dauphin. In Wyoming the remarkable vigor of drilled wheat is noticed. The early- sown is in several cases reported superior to the late. The Berks cor- respondent thinks it “‘ astonishing how nice it is, considering the open winter,” and “has not seen one very poor field.” Little Delaware produces about one million bushels of wheat, and the promise this year is very good, counties ranging from average up to 50 per cent. better than last year. The Kent correspondent remarks its fine appearance wherever attention was paid to tle preparation of the ground. Fourteep counties in Maryland have indicated prospects ranging from fair to extra, and not one makes an unfavorable return. The cold winds of March have temporarily affected the appearance of many fields. ,The Queen Anne correspondent says: ‘I have never seen so good a stand of wheat, even in low and unfavorable ground, although continued rains in October prevented seeding until late in the autumn.” Returns from sixty-four counties in Virginia represent the prospect good at present for an excellent crop. No county fails to show average 181 condition. Wheat-growers generally are delighted with the prospect. Comparisons are frequently made with former crops, and some declare the crop finer at this season than in any April since 1860. The cotton-States cultivate wheat sparingly, and only in counties which produce little or no cotton. Throughout the entire area the prom- ising appearance of growing wheat is remarkable. We have never been able to report such uniformity of high condition, and only once, in 1871, anything approaching it. Scarcely a really marked exception is reported. Although many counties in North Carolina grow no wheat worth notic- ing, fifty-two reports represent a condition from fair to superior. Many give precedence to present prospects over those of springs from seven to ten years past. Some counties in the Carolinas and Georgia re- port an increased area. Alabama and Mississippi grow wheat in very small areas ; in most of the counties none. It presents a fine appearance where it can be seen at all. In Bibb, Alabama, our correspondent was shown a stalk in bloom 3 feet in height, representing a field of three acres. In Lee, Mississippi, a field of eight acres is deemed worthy of special mention. Our correspondent there, in an experiment with a quart of wheat, which he sowed in a drill made with a bull-tongue plow, obtained wheat enough to seed six acres, and says he intends to put in thirty acres in the fall, as wheat will usually command $2 per bushel. Fifty-five counties in Texas report favorably, with the slight exception of the appearance of rust in Gillespie, McLennan, Victor, and a few other eounties. 1849 | 30] 2] 256] 2 9% | 10 24 | 2 | 240] 16 to 21 L’Orme-du-Pont ..| Yonne.....-..----- 1848 } 33 |.-..} 192) 3 8 9h 3 2 | 403 | 16 to 22 The condition and operations of these schools are generally satisfac tory ; but in two instances the inspector-generai criticises the lack of a weighing-apparatus, without which it is impossible to test and record accurately the results of cultivation. The school of Etoges maintains. a large vegetable-garden, with ample resources for illustrating the pro- cesses of vine and fruit culture. Fertilization is systematically and energetically prosecuted. A neighboring swamp yields about 140,000 pounds of muck per annum, while about 10,000 pounds of domestic manures are applied to each acre, besides guano, purchased for wheat- growth, and salts of potash, furnished by the salines of Beer, at fifty cents per hundred pounds, which have made good crops of lucern in calcareous soils. The cows are of the Normandy breed. The school of Malgrange, near Nancy, upon its diluvial and easily worked soils, alternates grain and root crops. Its stronger lands, after © thorough drainage and liming, are subjected to a four years’ rotation: 1, roots or half-fallow for colza; 2, winter-grain; 3, clover and annual forage-plants; 4, oats. The farm-animals furnish nearly a million pounds of manure, and about the same quantity of mud is brought from the streets of the neighboring city. The eastern agronomical station performs its experiments on the farm, adding a valuable element to the course of instruction. The school of Saint-Eloi strongly recommends salts of potash for silico-caleareous soils. It uses freely of oil-cake for stock-food. Its sheep-fold contains 450 metis-merinos, served by rams of the silky-fleeced Mauchamp breed; the Dishley rams will be in- troduced hereafter as suited to a more intensive sheep-husbandry. The piggery is recruited from the Berkshire breed. The low grade of study here is justly attributed to excessive labors, but the price of hired labor is alleged in palliation. The school of La-Roche is greatly bene- fited by the annual reunions of the Agricultural Society of Doubs on its farm. Besides a regular farm-equipment, it has a flour-mill and circular saw, driven by a portable steam-engine, which also drives a thrashing-machine, a laundry, and a root-cutter. Py a rm gq Ss m2 3 Zz Schools. Department. fb 4 5 3 = 5 g|/ 2]s a = on apa (Pee) 3 a = 5 5 R= | J Settee ate bee [ao hae brates S epee Gee et ety pce Wh) he Wrote de etapa Ge | ee hag: Gn oh ae |) ae. Wp Be ees < La Montaurone...| Bouches du | 1839 | 33 359 | 3 t 11 3 24 544 | 17-21 Rhone. Saint Donat-la- | Alpes Mariti- | 1863 | 33} 3] 168] 3 10 10 3 2 349 | 16-22 Paoute, mes. Germainyille ..... Pyrénées Orien-| 1849 | 33 |....| 244] 3 9 9% 4 34 297 | 16-19 tales. Besplasic 2. sos. Andee ate, 2-217 1849) | 30) 2052) 211s 9 3 5 250 | 18-19 Nolhie: cosh 2 22. Haute Loire ...| 1849 | 30} 1) 200| 2 10 104 3 2 187 | 17-20 Recoulettes-...... Loz6re=.--5---- TBSP Sie see Ok a 7 103 5 13 129 | 16-19 erthaud..-...... Hautes Alpes --| 1849 | 24 |....| 149} 3 8 103 4 174 | 17-20 a Battie... .<.. TeGre 2, seen os 1857 | 33 | 5 ey |g ee see | eho se Sal eee 225 | 16-22 salem ius Basses Alpes--.| 1849 | 33 | 7 SOS Seto oe so sea lS elise see Re Ou eee The school of Montaurone, formerly a model farm, has 90 acres of vine- yard, which suffered severely fromthe phylloxera. A fine plantation of 12 acres of olives was severely injured by frost in the winter of 1871- 72. The school devotes its level land to grass, forage, fruit, vegetable, and flower crops, and to vineyard ; its undulating lands are planted in olives, almonds, and evergreen trees. The mud and offal of the neigh- boring city of Grasse is utilized by the school of Saint-Donat-la- Paoute. A manufactory of perfumes has been established. The school of Germainville has reclaimed its farm from a swamp. Viti- culture is the leading pursuit. The school of Besplas devotes two- thirds of its acreage to forage-plants. The school of Nolhac has been famous for good culture, and has sent out many distinguished grad tes. Of late years the ill-health of the director has some- what crippled its operations. The school of Recoulettes is criticised for having pushed the culture of sainfoin to too great an extent. The school of Berthaud contends with great difficulties, growing out of insufficient capital. It cultivates almonds, olives, and vines. The school of La Batie is highly complimented for extensive improvements, excel- lent methods, and satisfactory crops. A gold medal was awarded the director. The school of Paillerols presents the greatest variety of cul- ture in the southern region. Its level plain isirrigated and subjected to 220 a judicious rotation of cereal, root, and forage crops. Flowers, shrubs, and industrial plants are extensively cultivated. Viticulture is pursued according to the most approved methods; choice almond and olive trees are also planted in large numbers. VETERINARY SCHOOLS.—Besides the foregoing schools, several in- stitutions for instruction in special branches have been established. Among these are the three veterinary schools at Alfort, Lyons, and Tou- louse. These are under the supervision of the departmental prefects. The course of study embraces four years, and comprehends physics, meteorology, chemistry, botany, geology, zoology, anatomy, physiology, hygiene, zootechny, special and general pathology, medical and surgical therapeutics, pharmacy, sanitary police, medical jurisprudence, &e. The board of instruction consists of a director and five professors, with a number of tutors necessary to give proper instruction to all the pupils. A variety of subaltern agents are employed in the administration of the school. All the functionaries are appointed by the minister of agriculture. An inspector-general is appointed by the minister to Supervise these schools. The management is committed to a coun- cil composed of the director and professors. The director receives a salary of 8,000 francs per annum; professors, 4,500 to 6,000; chiefs of service, 2,400 to 3,000; stewards, 3,500 to 5,000, &c. The price of tui- tion is 600 franes per annum for boarding pupils, 200 franes for exter- nal pupils, and 150 franes for free hearers. Applicants must present the same preliminary requisites as in the regional schools, and must pass examination upon the French language, arithmetic, geography, and French history. A regular uniform is prescribed. The school of Al- fort admits forty pupils from the army, who are supported by the war department. SCHOOL OF SHEPHERDS.—This institution, located at the Bergerie of Rambouillet, the national sheep farm of France, is intended to train young men in the management of flocks. It is open to pupils from all parts of France. Every applicant for admission as an apprentice must pass examination in his own commune, and must show that he was six- teen years old on the previous 1st day of January. The same moral and Sanitary requirements are demanded as in the other schools. The pupil must be able to read and write and must understand the ground rules of arithmetic. His application and accompanying record of examination must be presented prior to the 10th of September. The school year begins October 1; every apprentice not present forfeits his standing in school. All the pupils are boarded gratuitously, receiving the same fare as the rural population of the country. They sleep near the sheep- folds in regular turn. Their course of instruction lasts two years, and no charge of tuition is made. The chief shepherd exercises them in the management of all operations of sheep husbandry, lambing, weaning, castration, pairing, gestation, parturition, shearing, folding, feeding, slaughtering, preparation for market, &c. They are taught the best treatment of sick animals. They also cultivate the land. If their primary instruction is defective it is supplied by special teaching. Their instruction is tested and completed by the sub-director. After two years of pupilage, if they pass a Satisfactory examination, they receive a certificate with a premium of 300 franes. If they do not pass this examination they receive only 200 franes. Each pupil is required to bring with him a stated amount of clothing, which his friends must keep him supplied with. The washing is done at the expense of the school. 221 ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. By ToWNEND GLOVER, ENTOMOLOGIST. LUMINOUS BEETLES.—As it does not appear to be generally known that a luminous beetle closely resembling the ‘‘ eucuyo” or fire-fly of tle West Indies is found abundantly within the limits of the United States, and although the fact may not be of any value to the agriculturist, it must yet be interesting to entomologists in general. We, therefore, make extracts from a letter from a valued correspondent, Mr. N. B. Moore, Manatee, Florida, who at the same time forwarded with his letter specimens of an insect, which proves to be the Pyrophorus physoderus, (Fig. 1,) a species of snapping-beetle, and closely resembling the Pyrophorus noctilucus, (Fig. 2,) or far-famed fire-fly of the West Indies, with exception of size, as will be seen by the wood-cuts. — Mr. Moore writes that “ these insects are very plentiful on the ‘pine barrens’ and among saw-palmettoes, having captured as many as nineteen on the 28th of August. The common ‘ lightning-bug,’ or fire-fly, (Photinus pyralis,) is also abundant, but appears an hour earlier in the eve- ning, and, no doubt, has often been mistaken for this insect. In its manner of flight the Pyrophorus seldom rises more than three feet above the earth, so as. to pass close over the tops of the vegetation. Their flight is also much slower and more meandering. The light is emitted from the reservoirs of the thorax at the base of the spines and through them. When on the wing it is generally, if not always, con- tinuous, and equal in amount, as seen from above or below. I do not think it is remittent, and there is no flash, and in amount there is less than the Photinus pyralis emits at the time of its flash; there is no per- ceptible difference in the color of the light of the two species except that which rises from degree of intensity. Its utmost luminosity is attained when running on the ground. When placed upon a quilt or pil- low an almost dazzling effulgence emanates from the thoracic reservoirs, seemingly from the disks or perhaps globes, one at the base of each spine. If caught and held between the thumb and finger gently, the same effulgence is emitted. If the insect stops running or takes wing the light emitted is much less, though a fixed increment. “ Experiments in a dark room, with eighteen of the Pyrophorus and one of the common Photinus ona table, enabled me to compare the light of one of the former with that of the latter at their maximum brilliancy, and I find them about equal; though, as oneis a flash and the other a continuous light, I think the latter is really superior. I have not found the one, when in its native habitat, intruding upon the possessions of the other, but they keep apart. When examining them with a glass, I discovered, while observing one that lay upon its back, other sources of illumination ; luminous dots, in pairs, were first detected along the lateral margins of the abdomen, and transversely opposite; the ante- rior pair rather faint, indeed not discovered till after the next succeed- ing pair were seen; the next bright; the third pair I would rate be- tween them inluster; a fourth pair a little fainter; these, united by a line of light extending across the abdomen, at the junction of the seg- ments. I could discover no trace of concurrent or sympathetic action between the light emanating from the thorax and that from other parts 222 of the body, nor could any mode of teasing the insect induce an aug- mentation or diminution of light from the last. “The Pyrophorus has a habit, before it becomes jaded, of throwing itself up from the ground or other surface when placed upon its back, by aspring or jerk of the head downward, and can throw itself to a height of six or eight inches. I found the combined light of eighteen, in a two-ounce vial, sufficient to enable me to read a newspaper, as one could desire to do in a public assembly.” In answer to a request for living specimens, Mr. Moore replies that those he confined died in less than thirty-six hours. POKE-ROOT FOR DESTROYING INSECTS.—Dr. F. C. Renner, of Frederick County, Maryland, writes to the Department that several years ago he collected some poke-root (Phytolacca decandra) for medicinal purposes, and placed it at various places about the house, to dry. After several days he observed that there were many cockroaches lying dead, and upon ex- amination found they had been partaking freely of the poke-root. Some of _ the root was placed near their haunts, and the result was that it rid the premises of those insects. Since then he has communicated the remedy to others, who have tested it with satisfactory results. We have not yet had an opportunity of trying the efficacy of the root as an insecticide, but shall test it in the spring. Should any of our cor- respondents have experimented with it, they will oblige us by giving the result of their experience before we venture to recommend it for general use. CHEMICAL MEMORANDA. By WM. McCMuRTRIE, CHEMIST. This Department has received from Messrs. Geo. R. Hil & Co., Alex- andria, Va., a sample of offal from their hominy mills, with the follow- ing communication : Recent experiments by farmers in Connecticut and New Jersey having determined that corn-meal is a most valuable fertilizer, (equal in some cases to guano, ) we have the honor to forward this day, by express, a specimen of the offal from our hominy mills, composed prin- cipally of the hearts or germs of the corn, and hence believed to be the more valuable, (as the phosphatic element so largely predominates, ) and respectfully ask that you will cause an analysis of the same to be made at an early day. / In response to the request embodied in the above communication, a complete analysis has been made, the following results having been obtained : One hundred parts of the material contain: WSIS 4+ SSeS es eoe nee S544 a506 456 sSbbes 445500 Ssas S55 eb seecss es ssese- 6. 38 (Ol ss. Jes oe eee ee ete sae Pee einn anni 7.50 Sugar la. cee ee eee eeereeesicme tees inciton | VMOU Gum. 2222) See eee ce recceiee ees ace ecer 2. 4982 Ormanicmrnaiionmn. ee)... 2)2 oem ee tetetels eryiate ele melee ete iaelele (ee 1.8400 > 91. 4875 Starch. .. <.. | 22 Saeeae tee ae cise wege cbc ove mis ice oe 65. 9732 JAMES 55.50.4445 GOS SSR ROE BOERS SOEs SO5¢ 6. 1961 Cellulose: oct settee acc scccce esses eeeeee 5. 9800 J Aelia |<...) See ti cet le eee Pee 0. 1479 AGING 4). See REE OE Selon st see eeoenmer sae 0. 0797 MA ON OSI w5 oni eee ao le =< 2.1319 Pliosphoric/acidhpmerrs=-1)- 2-5 see ese erases 0. 9698 Potassad. Jt eeeee eee cies sce ehcene eee element 0. 6237 _ Soda J3. /0 17 00 to 19 00 medium to fancy spring ex- Beet Memadee oe sc oc sess - per bbl | 12 00 to — tra, per barrel..... ....-- 5% to 6 75 | Philadelphia. ...---.... do...| 16 00 to 16 25 spring superfine. -. per bbl | 300 to 4 75} Fulton market.-.per half bbi.| 12 00 to — — Wheat, No. 1 spring..-..per bush-| 125 to — — | Westen to a. peeee ke aoe do.. 9 60 to 9 25 No. 2 spring.....---- Oe 52) Al@aD) sito \ 1224) Rorkmoss Sac: sone ape cect. = do...| 16 874 to 17 00 Wo. 3.spring........- do.. 17 to ——- —= || Saari’ er S28 eo tee oe per pound. 9 to 10} WGOrDn, NO: Bich cosco ence nceeas do... 524 to 634|| Butter, choice Goshen.. .... doce 45 to 46 (CREB IN), SSS ose essere oce do... 422 to 48 | \idaleuier waite SAPO Ee ore do.. 33. tO. ie POAC N Og > estates aan ete nica e do... 90 to 93 || Cheese, choice western fac- AME. WINOD wsiciscccisme scales ite 1 52. to — — | GOrte Seemeecin doa, 17 to — — Hay, timothy =<... <.i5-<. per ton.| 10 50 to 14 00 IN: WeiGhes Me ociene-'- do.. 19 to 20 PHAGE So. aku hiee oe do...| 8 00. to 10 00 || Sugar, fair to full fair -..... doce Wvto 7k Besfimess Gs-c2 -cls-2e2~ per bbl. 875 to 9 00 prime to strictly emira meus: 4... ee. cons do...| 9 75 to 10 00 PRIME: oP scc «a do... 7s to K's OVS MAYS kee ce = + erie ees =e On, «lon ODs MOLD) 50 clarified, white and : PRIMEsMEeNS | 5. chs. =. do-- =| 1a) 00 tos ep Vellow-s---5--cne- Gozns 9 to NP extra prime-..-..------ do..-| 11 75 to 12 00 || Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- LES 29. SeMSES ep sere per-cental.| 9 20 to Y 224) ROOT oe esheets do. 12} to 14¢ Butter, choice to fancy.-...-per lb. 36 to 40 low middling to good medium to good...-.. done. 32. to 34 roap toot bia ye a oes 2 dae 15% to 175 Cheese, N. Y. factory .--...-. per lb. iy tO 18.)||Robacco) Ines .. {ose do. 5.5. do. 4§ to oF Ohio and western fac- low Jeaf to medium ROU e eens ate ee er lb. 16 to 17 Eh ee a al eS do. 5% to 8 Sugar, N. O., prime to choice do. -- 9 to OF Wool: lakes2.. sce sees sce do.. nowinal, common to fair.do... 73 «to 8t Wool, tub-washed .. ........ donk 48 to 55 fleece-washed .....-.-. do... 36 to 48 SAN FRANCISCO. unwashed............ do. .- 25 to 32 | Pulled ss sacmeeeecee ee do. 2 33 «to 40 | '|Flour, superfine.......--. per bbl-| 450 to 5 00 SAINT LOUIS. GR ee els eaten a oles Go. 2. "Sie, to" oro family and fancy..-.-. do..-|} 5 75 to 6 00 milour Spring... --- --nce--= per bbl.| — — to — — || Wheat, California....-. per cental.| 1909 to 2 00 MUINCED << seen ener do.--| 520 to 8 50 Oregon. sae do... 312to 475 CONTA coerce acme teres ate 275 to 4 50 general average..... dolce!) S87 pt Ee Texans and Cherokees,. most of the sales be- corn-fattened. per cental.| 350 to 4 00 tween ........ per cental.| 550 to 650 inferior-.2- 6 cece per cental.| 2 00 to 3 00 SEG beseee See dacbeesoamae do... Ze50?tol: Gt 50n| Sheapss- -2+4seeee ease. - > do....| 250to 5 60 Swine, corn-fed...-....----. docre= wit Ontos (Sy ogel ie MANO Mee esse oieeiaee ate do. =. |) jo Upto a) 25 Horses; pings. sees sase per head.| 30 00 to 60 00 CINCINNATI. street-car horses ....do....| 80 00 to 90 00 good work-horses.-..do.--.| 85 00 to 160 00 Cattle, good to prime butchers’ driving-horses -....- do....|100 00 to 140 00 steers. 6 feo 5-4 percental.| 525 to 5 75 heavy draught...-... do..../125 00 to 165 00 common to good medium, Mules, 14 to 15 hands high..do..-.} 50 00 to 100 00 per Cental ce s2.feeak ae 350 to 500 15 to 16 hands high..do....|115 00 to 165 00 milch-cows-....-. per head | 30 00 to 60 00 OSU eetalmiel= siete sine l= do... |150 00 to 200 00 Sheep, common .......- per cental.| 4 50 to 5 50 good to prime butchers’, NEW ORLEANS. DPPRcentel ye a. aseite esis 950 to 7 00 Swine, shipping grades, per cen- Cattle, Texas beeves, choice, per ell ta Seictocae see ene ne 525 to 5 90 iter OE BE See er meee ec Sel 40 00 to 55 00 good to prime butchers’, first quality.....-. per head.| 35 00 to 40 00 Per centaln-ctasseaee sae 610 to 6 20 second quality ...... do....| 20 00 to 28 00 western beeves, per cental | 10 00 to 12 50 CHICAGO, milch-cows ....-. per head.} 35 00 to 100 00 CHIVERS ..45 cea agiie do....| 700 to 10 00 Cattle, extra graded steers, 1, 400 Sheep, first quality ......... do.:..| 400 to 5 00 to 1,500 pounds, per second quality ...... do..-.| 300 to 4 00 CONTA ede om eae ee 6 Estto 576750 iliS winets..--n2 eee ae per cental.| 5 00 to 700 ue 242 FOREIGN MARKETS. WuHeEAtT.—The month of March, in Europe, was generally mild, with, however, a wintry reaction which pervaded the whole continent about the middie ofthe month. Ice re-appeared at Odessa and at many other points. This was followed by more seasonable weather. These varia- tions created considerable sensitiveness in the markets. Advices from the United Kingdom still indicate short supplies and an anxious outlook to the coming harvest. Weekly deliveries in March show an average falling off, ascompared withlast year, of 5,667 quarters, the deficiency of January and February amounting to 400,000 quarters. To supply bread to the British nation till the end of August, nearly 7,000,000 quarters will be required, or nearly half the reported stocks at New York and other great supply markets. French farmers have sold out their stock with unusual closeness, and the wants of Southern Europe will probably divert early deliveries of the next harvest from the United Kingdom. The weekly imports of foreign wheat during the four weeks ending March 21, respectively, were as follows: 1,120,694 quarters, 800,764 quarters, 910,533 quarters, and 639,537 quarters. The London averages during the third week of March were 64s. 11d. on 1,533 quarters. The wheat-trade of France shows an upward tendency. In Paris, Califor- nia brought 68s. 9d. per quarter, American red winter 63s. 6d.; spring ditto, 62s. In Mark Lane, London, Essex, and Kent, new white brought from 53s. to 66s. per quarter; ditto red, 55s. to 62s.; Norfolk, Lin- colnshire, and Yorkshire, new red, 55s. to 60s. Of foreign wheats, Dant- zic, mixed, was quoted 58s. to 69s.; Konigsberg, 58s. to 68s.; Rostock, 61s. to 67s.; Silesian red, 56s. to 57s.; ditto white, 61s. to 63s.; Po- merania, Mecklenburgh, and Uckermark, red, 58s. to 60s.; Kussian hard, 52s. to 55s.; Danish and Holstein, red, 58s. to 60s.; American, 55s. to 57s:; Chilian, white, 62s.; California, 65s.; Australian, 67s. to 69s. In Liverpool, American white was quoted at 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d. per cental; red winter and southern, 12s. to 12s. 2d.; No. 1, spring, 12s. to 12s. 6d.; Canadian white, -12s. 9d. to 13s.; ditto red, 12s. to 12s. 2d.; California white, 12s. 6d. to 13s.; Chilian, 12s. to 12s. 2d; Australian, 14s.; Spanish white, 12s. 2d. to 12s. 5d.; Danubian, 7s. to 9s.; Ghirka, 11s. 6d. to 128.; Egyptian, 10s. to 12s. 2d. FLourR.—The third week in March opened, in London, upon moderate supplies, both of English and foreign flour, yet the trade was quite slow upon English samples at the prices of the previous week. In foreign flour prices were unchanged, but the demand was less urgent. The Paris market collapsed 4 franes per 157 kilograms on flour for consumption, the range being from 48s. to 49s. 4d. per 280 pounds. In Mark Lane, London, the best town households brought from 50s. to 57s. per sack of 280 pounds; best country households, 44s. to 46s.; Norfolk and Suf- folk, 38s. to 43s.; American, per barrel, 28s. to 29s.; extra, 29s. to 31s. In Liverpool English and Irish superfines were quoted at 44s. to 45s. 6d. per 280 pounds; extra ditto, 45s. 6d. to 50s.; French, 56s. to 60s. ; Spanish, 49s. to 52s. 6d.; Trieste and Hungarian, 66s. to 78s.; Cbilian and Californian, 46s. to 52s. ; American, Western States, per 196 pounds, 30s. to 32s.; extra State, 31s. to 33s.; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 30s. to 32s.; Ohio, 31s. to 35s,; Canadian, 33s. to 37s, Maize.—In Mark Lane, London, white is quoted at 40s. to 44s. per quarter; yellow, 37s. to 40s. In Liverpool American white brought 40s. to 40s. 6d. per 480 pounds; ditto yellow, 40s.; Danubian, 38s. to 38s. 6d.; Galatz, 40s. ~) MONTHLY REPORT ' OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE JUNE, 1874. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1874, > ¥ 0 a) * (A Ba try Ay : iO CVT tear in \ \ NO: ‘ vill iM 4.8 SU al WE UPA a wae” 1h + ae : ; mt a an Beh Aa : a : \ \ ee, | | WE ig ey . . Ae | ' oy, J An rei, ae: hes ie oh b ce ‘ ah - owl 1s Side fay. hs ae ” Tah : Ps “7 Pr ee nny Pt a 7 wy: @° Vilna ad S etan | We ; i «1 ° & ’ 4 ou , ' he Nes 9 ' bod * \ anes UMM PREY ON r i's hs Maiti. mo :* | DER A yes MONTHLY REPORT. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Statistical Division, June 18, 1874. Sir: I present herewith a digest of the returns of the regular corps of statistical correspondents for June; a brief view of the proceedings of the National Agricultural Congress; some statistics of the German Empire; and other current official matter. J. R. DODGE, Statistician. Hon. FREDERICK WATTS, Commissioner. DIGEST OF THE JUNE RETURNS. WHEAT. The breadth of wheat, both winter and spring, has been increased. The indicated aggregate increase is 107 per cent. Combining fall and spring sown, the area in comparison with last year in each State is thus indicated: Maine, 90; New Hampshire, 92; Vermont, 95; Massachu- setts, 89; Connecticut, 100; New York, 100; New Jersey, 99; Penn- sylvania, 103; Delaware, 101; Maryland, 103; Virginia, 103; North Carolina, 196; South Carolina, 108; Georgia, 115; Alabama, 107; Mis- sissippi, 150; Texas, 135; Arkansas, 149; Tennessee, 120; West Vir- ginia, 102; Kentucky, 109; Ohio, 103; Michigan, 103; Indiana, 106; Illinois, 109; Wisconsin, 103; Minnesota, 100; Iowa, 110; Missouri, 111; Kansas, 123; Nebraska, 116; California, 110; Oregon, 115. The reduction of acreage in Vermont and elsewhere in New England is owing to the lingering of winter in the lap of spring, which caused a portion of the land intended for wheat to be planted in other crops. » The increase of area in the South is due to a realization of the necessity of growing home-supplies on the part of a few planters. The remuner- ative- prices of the past year have had a stimulating effect on grain- growing in the West. The condition of wheat is better than the average of a series of years. In Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, spring-wheat looks well, Slightly better than in the remaining New England States. In New York, the depreciation in condition is 10 per cent. The effect of frost in clay soils could not be utterly overcome by subsequent favorable weather. In Seneca County, late-sown wheat was nearly ruined and has been largely plowed up or intersown with other grain. Recent rains are improving the prospect in this State. In the remaining Mid- dle States, and in all the Southern States, except Mississippiand Texas, the condition of wheat is represented by figuresranging from 104in South. 246 Carolina to 119 in Tennessee. These figures would be still higher but for occasional injury from floods or too heavy rains in April, and rust in May and June. In some instances rust has attacked the stalk and destroyed the heads, but generally is confined to the leaves. In North Carolina, depredations of the chinch-bug are reported. While the aver- age in Texas is not high, the quantity of wheat produced will be largely in excess of former supplies, and in some counties the yield informally reported is very high, 20 bushels per acre being the estimate for Dallas, and 20 to 25 for Hood. In one instance, in Prairie County, Arkansas, a field yielding 40 bushels per acre in prairie-sod is reported. The crop will be heavy in Tennessee. The varieties sent from the Department have generally, though not in every instance, given great satisfaction ; our correspondent in Sullivan County, Tennessee, reports 59 stalks from one kernel of Fultz wheat. In West Virginia and in all the Northwestern and Pacific States an increased acreage is reported. In West Virginia wheat, in some quar- ters, stands drought better than any other crop. Several counties an- ticipate the finest crop for years. In Russell, Ky., rust has spoiled a splended crop ; in some other counties drought has prevented the filling of the grain, but the general condition is 25 per cent. above average. North of the Ohio River the crop was considerably winter-killed. The chinch-bug is reported as injurious in some counties of Illinois and Wis- consin. The prospect is below average in all these States except Illinois, which reports winter-wheat 117 and spring-wheat 108. In some coun- ties of Minnesota there is a tendency to introduce winter-wheat. The grasshopper is at work in Steele and Faribault Counties. In Iowa, Mis- souri, and Kansas the chinch-bug is threatening extensive injuries ;° otherwise the crop is generally very promising. The dry weather in some localities has greatly shortened the straw, but the heads were filling rapidly. In Wilson, Kansas, chinches were more destructive on upland crops. The Tappahannock and Fultz wheats are generally well reported. The Touzelle succeeds in some cases; in others it is a complete failure. Dry weather in the fall reduced a superior prospect of winter-wheat in Nebraska to about average; spring-wheat is reported at 109. On the Pacific coast there has been a considerable increase in acreage; the con- dition is above average. In Del Norte, California, the Fultz, Tappahan- nock, and White Surrey varieties have lately been tried, with excellent results, the Tappahannock being the special favorite. In some localities excessive rains have injured the crops, but the conditions of growth are generally favorable. RYE. In most of the States the acreage in winter-rye is fully equal to or surpasses that of last year. The comparative aggregate area is 101. A remarkable increase, 50 per cent., is found in Nebraska, and 20 per. cent. in Vermont. The States reporting a decrease are Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri. The condition of the crop is below average in all the New England States except Connecticut, and also in New York, Pennsyl- vania, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The maximum, 115, 1s in Nebraska; the minimum, 80, in Vermont. In the Northwest the crop, in several counties, was greatly injured by the chinch-bug. In some parts of Penn- sylvania the yield is annually lessening. In some counties of Virginia, on the other hand, the prospect is better than for years. 247 OATS. The breadth of oats is increased 2 per cent. The States reporting the same area as last year are—Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Tennessee, West Virginia, Illinois, Nebraska, Oregon. Those showing an increase—Alabama, Iowa, 1 per cent.; Florida, 2; Wiscon- sin, 3; Minnesota,4; Vermont, Ohio, Michigan, 5; North Carolina, 106; Indiana, 107; Louisiana, 110; Arkansas, 114; South Carolina, 116; Texas, 117; Georgia, 125. Those indicating decrease—California, 5 per cent.; Massachusetts, 4; Connecticut, New York, 3; New Jersey, Missouri, 2; Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, 1. The condition of the crop is slightly below average. The only States not showing inferior averages are Massachusetts, 100; California, 102 ; Vermont, 104; North Carolina, Texas, 105; Nebraska, 106. The West- ern States range from 91 in Wisconsin to 98 in Illinois. Almost the only variety of oats successfully grown in the South is the “red rust-proof,” which has been cultivated twenty years in a single locality withoutrusting. The testimony is general, almost universal, to its exemption from rust. In a few cases some signs of rust are reported. Drought in May, after long-continued rains in April, has been a promi- nent cause of inferior condition. COTTON. lt is evidently much easier to increase the cotton-acreage than to re- duce it. The exceedingly unpropitious season for planting, aided by the counsels of Patrons of Husbandry to produce needed home-sup- plies and be independent, has scarcely sufficed to reduce the breadth of cotton to that occupied in 1872. Our correspondents have been urged to exercise extreme care in their estimates, and their returns cover the larger portion of the area producing cotton. The result of accurate calculations of State-averages from such data is as follows, the comparison being with the area of 1873: North Carolina, 89; South Carolina, 91; Georgia, 90; Florida, 91; Alabama, 86; Arkansas, 89; Tennessee, 92; Mississippi, 88; Louisiana, 80; Texas, 102; Missouri, 75. The aggregate reduction slightly exceeds 10 per cent. The condition of the crop is represented by the following figures, 100 being normal or fair condition: North Carolina, 89; South Carolina, 81; Georgia, 80; Florida, 90; Alabama, 82 ; Mississippi, 78; Louisiana, 70; Texas, 90; Arkansas, 90; Tennessee, 85. The report of condition in June, 1873, is more favorable in every State except Texas, the record standing as follows: Virginia, 93; North Carolina, 85; South Carolina, 88; Georgia, 94; Florida, 102; Alabama, 93; Mississippi, 92; Louisiana, 94; Texas, 86; Arkansas, 92; Tennessee, 90. The season has been remarkable for heavy and frequent rains during the month of April throughout the cotton States. In some sections the aggregate reported exceeds 16 inches. All rivers, creeks, and “ spring branches” even, overflowed their banks, destroyed the plants, and pre- vented germination on newly-planted lands. In the more southern belt replanting was general both on bottoms and uplands. From the first week in May to its close drought was almost universal. The soil was afterward baked by the hot sun, retarding cultivation and preventing growth. The stand is therefore very poor, many plants not having made their appearance on the Ist of June. Since the last of May light showers have been general and prospects 248 are much improved. Fields are much cleaner than at this date last year, and can easily be kept free from weeds. With favorable weather, rapid improvement is certain and a fair comparison with July quite pro- bable at the next report. The returns are so similar in tenor that unnecessary repetition in ex- tracts will be avoided. In North Carolina the complaint is general of slow germination, on account of cool, dry weather. The soil has been cloddy, rendering cultivation difficult and imperfect. The stand is better in States farther south, where planting was general before the April rains. In some counties the plant has come up quiteevenly. In Greene County the stand is the best for several years. There was a frost in Craven on the 9th of May sufficient to kill cotton. The improvement has been very satisfactory during this month and the last week of May. Fields are generally chopped out reasonably clean, and in good condition to make the most of growing weather. The stand in South Carolina is not uniform in different localities, and there is wide difference in reports of condition. Rains in May brought up replanting in Edgefield, and late seeding has been successful in Georgetown, on the coast. The standis poor in Union, Beaufort, Barn- well, Chester, York, and Richland. In Laurens one-fourth of the spaces were unfilled on the 1st of June; plants were dying out in Newberry ; in York the cotton planted since May 4 was not half up; and there was the worst stand for years in Marlborough. The crop is late, but promis- ing, in Marion. Early planting was injured by cold rains and frost, especially that of April 29. The reports from Georgia are full of complaints of the drowning- out of cotton in April by overflow of bottoms and saturating and pack- ing the soil of uplands, making replanting generally necessary. These rains continued till about the 5th of May, ceasing then entirely, the ground becoming so dry that new seed germinated very slowly, and in some cases not until the coming of the showers of June, if at all. There was some difficulty in obtaining seed to plant, and some of that used may have been deficient in vitality. Some plants came up freely, and afterward withered and died. It would have been better, in the opinion of some correspondents, not to have planted till May. The planters have been incessant in efforts to repair damages and secure the required area in culture. The quantity of commercial fertilizers used in Georgia this year is evidently less than for several years past, and labor is somewhat cheaper. The later reports are more promising ; seasonable showers, with increasing heat, has given the crop a start indicative of rapid improvement. Returns relative to cotton were received from fifty- nine counties of Georgia. The stand is better in Florida than in neighboring States. The weather was mild until April, when cold rains became frequent, gene- rally with high winds or hail. For a time the plants felt the effects of these unfavorable changes, but have largely recovered, and now begin to look quite promising. Some correspondents say there is talk about increase of supplies and decrease of cotton, but think there will be little change. In Madison there is less cotton and also less corn. With an absence of worms and equinoctial gales, or similar causes of loss, corres- pondents are hopeful of a good harvest. Much of the first planting was destroyed by floods and cold, saturating rains. The replanting was at first favored by dry weather, afterward retarded by continued drought, and the germination was very slow in the baked, indurated soil. Mississippi reports conditions similar to those affecting the crop of Georgia and Alabama; the same rains in April, frost the last two nights 249 of that month, replanting, drought, andslow germination. In Lee, plant- ing was not over on the first of June; in Marion planting was still in progress; so in many other countries. In Wilkinson, from January 1 to May 1, there were fifty-five days of rain, four of snow, and only two absolutely fair days. In Clark 16.7 inches of rain fell in April. The crop made very little show above ground until late in May, and chopping out was correspondingly delayed. As soon as showers came, and plowing and chopping out were finished, a new impetus was given to growth. In Louisiana the overflow of the Mississippi overbore all other calam- ities. An immense area was submerged, and the crops totally destroyed. Some of the parishes were mostly under water. Our Madison corres- pondent reports “ where the water left the land, it is so hard that it is impossible to plow.” In the eastern part of State the overflow of the Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers caused much injury to plantations. In Saint Mary, two-thirds of the area was submerged ; in Terre Bonne, more than one-half; in Richland, one-third. In the latter parish the rain-fall reported for April is 20 inches. The rain was so heavy in Iberia as to prostrate the plants and strip them of their leaves. The weather was very dry for a month subsequent to the 25th of April. The crop is in better condition in Texas than elsewhere. The,stand is more uniform, and the vicissitudes of the season less injurious. In some counties there is complaint of injury by wet weather. The growth is less advanced than usual, but the plant is generally healthy and the fields clean. Our correspondent in Austin says cotton is a surplus crop, supplies of other products being grown at home. The area planted is fully equal to last year, as might be expected from the constant im- migration received from other States. Arkansas has suffered much from the overflow of the Mississipp1 and tributary rivers. The rains in April and drought in May injured the crop in the uplands. Recent showers and sunshine have conspired to give new vigor to the plant, and the prospects are brightening. The season has been very unpropitious for cotton in Tennessee. Little was planted till May, and in some places not a row had been worked on the 1st of June. There is much complaint of poor stands and un- promising appearance. Over 17 inches of rain in April fell in Knox- ville. FRUITS. # The bloom of all orchard-fruits has been generally abundant. The frosts of April, especially those of the 29th and 30th, were not too early in the Southern States to be harmless. They proved exceedingly de- structive to fruit-prospects throughout the entire region south of the thirty-ninth parallel and the Ohio River. There are exceptions in the vicinity of rivers and in other protected locations, but they are very few. Scarcely a southern county makes so positive a statement as Boone, Ar- kansas. ‘Almost every tree is loaded. Thousands of bushels of apples and peaches will doubtless rot in the orchards.” A reduced yield is the nearly universal expectation, and many reports indicate less than a fourth of an average crop, and some scarcely a tenth. In cases where the germ escaped destruction by frost the young fruit is rapidly wither- ing and falling off to a very discouraging extent. In the Eastern States the bloom is generally quite full, but the fruit was not developed sufficiently to make a report of condition satisfactory. Reports from the fruit regions of Western New York, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and California are variable, but of fully average promise. In Pennsylvania the prospect for fruit is 250 generally good. Increasing attention is paid to fruit culture in some portions of this State. It is stated that in Wyoming County “ millions of fruit-trees and vines have been set out within the past fifteen years, and all are loaded with bloom and set with fruit.” Fruit-culture is also attracting much attention throughout the Sonth. Apples.—The States reporting condition, average, or above, are as follows: Maine, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, 101; Rhode Island, New York, Minnesota, 103; Vermont, Illinois, Wisconsin, 104; Iowa, California, 105; Pennsylvania, Missouri, Nebraska, 106; Michigan, 107; New Jersey, 111; Massachusetts, Kansas, 118; Connecticut, 119. Those below average: Virginia, 59; Mississippi, 67; Louisiana, 75; North Carolina, 76; Georgia, 82; Alabama, 83; Delaware, 88; Tennessee, 90 ; Maryland, 92; Arkansas, West Virginia, 965 South Carolina, 97. There is some complaint of injuries of insects in different portions of the country. ‘‘ Caterpillars are more numerous than ever” in New ‘London County, Connecticut, and very abundant in other sections of New England, and the pest is reported “in countless millions” in Rip- ley, Ind. In Decatur, Iowa, “ the leaf-roller has taken nearly half the apples.” The ravages of the measuring-worm are also reported. In Montgomery, Ala., a blight similar to that affecting pear-trees is inju- rious to apple-trees. PEACHES.—The eastern peach-growing regions do not present very favorable reports of condition. ‘The average for Delaware is but 60; that of Mary:and, 61; and New Jersey is placed at 80. Mild weather in winter advanced the buds, and late frosts and sleets brought much injury throughout this belt. A report from Kent, Maryland, after the great April frost, stated that peaches would be abundant; but ten days later, after the occurrence of further frosts, our correspondent wrote that there would scarcely be a fourth of a crop—a full crop of Hale’s Early, but scarcely any of Crawford’s Early or Crawford’s Late. Hale’s Early has also measurably escaped in Caroline and Queen Anne. A similar injury of late frosts is reported from Wicomico and other peach counties. The reports concerning the Michigan peach-region are favor- able, and the average for each of the States west of the Ohio is not less than 100. The Middle States, (excepting Pennsylvania,) Ohio, and all the Southern States east of the Mississippi, will have a comparatively small production this season. The destruction was caused by frost and hail. The storm of the 29th of April, which was of snow as far south as Washington and throughout the plateaus of the South, was peculiarly destructive to young fruit or its germs. A portion of Indiana and Ili- nois report excellent prospects. itis reported from Jasper County, Mis- souri, that seedlings are a failure, while budded trees bear half a crop. In orchards of Bourbon, Linn, and Wilson, Kansas, the leaf is curling and the fruit dropping. The past winter has proved very destructive to peach-trees in Oregon, especially those growing on a good soil, highly cultivated, and still worse on lands irrigated late in the season. In some localities in California the crop will be reduced by the effects of curled leaf and mildew. PrARS.—The condition of the pear-crop is below average in nearly all the States east of the Mississippi, the principal exceptions being South- ern New England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The bloom was abundant, but frosts proved very destructive. In Queen Anne, Mary- land, ‘all are gone except some Seckels and Duchesses.” In Anderson, Kentucky, “a large part dropped off.” In Montcalm, Michigan, “the - trees are about all dead, the effect of the winter of 1872~73”—a state- ment which is made elsewhere relative to peaches as well as pears. In 251 the vicinity of Concord, Massachusetts, the old favorite, the reliable Bartlett, has died out in considerable numbers, and many others are visibly declining in vigor. LOCAL STATISTICS OF FRUIT-GROWING.—The following items of infor- mation concerning orchard interests are received from correspondents: Niagara, N. Y.—The apple is our leading fruit, of which there has been sold from the county, in one year, 600,000 barrels. The export of apples in any considerable quan- tity commenced twenty-five years’ ago, and has steadily increased. There are thou- sands of trees of only a few years’ growth, and many large orchards are now being put . out. Thousands of trees in the county, from twelve to twenty years’ growth, once in two years produce from three to seven barrels of apples, worth about $2.50 per barrel in the orchard, including barrels. Older trees often exceed these figures. Peaches come next in order of importance. The early Crawford takes the lead of all other varieties. Pears claim considerable attention, and under favorable circumstances and judicious management are paying well. They bear very regularly, and bring from $5 to $8 per barrel. Quite a large amount of cherries and plums are sent off. Grapes are made a specialty by a few and with profitable returns. Baltimore, Ma.—A number of small vineyards are in a flourishing condition, varying in size from one acre to five, a few exceeding the latter number, and pay from $300 to $500 per acre. Apples are our main crop of fruit. Almost every farm has an apple orchard containing from 100 to 800 trees. The profit is in late-keeping fruit, in any instances paying better than cereals; the demand for good fruit is greater than the supply. With careful and judicious culture apple-orchards are paying from $100 to $200 per acre, the refuse not included, which is profitable to convert into cider and food for hogs. Pear-culture is receiving more attention lately, paying better than apples, paying from $200 to $300 per acre. Cherries are also a noted fruit, and profit- able. The trees need no cultivation or manures, and are not expensive in any respect. From trees that bore from six to eight bushels per tree, the fruit has been sold at $4 per bushel. The census of 1870 states the value of our fruit-crop at about $103,200, the crop reported being a partial failure. The value of our marketable fruit in a favorable year is not less than $200,000. Albany, N. Y.—An apple-orchard of twelve acres in 1872 produced 3,900 barrels of apples, and $90 worth of fruit was sold from three pear-trees in 1873. Steuben, N. Y—Of summer and autumn apples we cultivate the Early Joe, Early Strawberry Harvest, Tart Bough, Sweet Bough, Fall Pippin, Gravenstein, Hawley, Porter, Rambo. Winter-apples, in the order of their prominence, Baldwin, Northern Spy, King, Lucky Apple, Rhode Island Greening, Seek-no-further, Swaar, Wagoner, Russet. The number of bushels reported for 1873 was 492,527; cider, 22,116 barrels. Peaches are grown in some of our towns; more particularly in Pultney, Bath, Cohoc- ton, and Corning. The varieties cultivated are: Early York, Early Crawford, Alberge, George IV, Tillotson. The first two are the most productive and profitable. The yield in 1873 was 5,697 bushels. Pears are grown along the shores of the Crooked Lake with profit. The Bartlett is the leading variety in yield and profit; six trees in this vicin- ity yielded, in 1873, 14 bushels, which solid at $6 per bushel. The Flemish Beauty, Dix, Duchess d@’Angouleme, Napoleon, and Seckel do well with us. The report for 1873 was 1,798 bushels. Grapes constitute a notable feature of our fruit-production. Sev- eral hundred. acres of vineyards are cultivated in the towns of Pultney, Wayne, and Urbana, and the yield in 1873 reached the enormous amount of 3,000 tons, two-thirds of which were sold in New York and the balance made into wine and brandy. The yield per acre is from 1 to 2} tons. One vineyard of five acres produced 12} tons, which sold for $1,500, but the usual net product is about $125 per acre. A vineyard of Delaware grapes has netted for the last three years $275 per acre. The Catawba and Isabella are deemed the standard varieties, and the Concord and Delaware the best early varieties. Tompkins, N. Y.—The Duchess d’Angouleme, Bartlett, Virgalieu, Flemish Beauty, Seckel, Sheldon, Beurre d’Anjou, Vicar of Wakefield, Howell, Onondaga, Beurre Diel are a few of the many kinds of pears. I raised over 500 bushels upon 280 dwarf Duch- ess d’Angouleme trees, that occupied less than one acre of land, and which sold for over $1,100, besides transportation and commission. The prospects this spring are as favor- able for a large crop as one year ago. Burlington, N. J.—J. 8. Collins, of Moorestown, reports his strawberry-crop, on five acres, as averaging $350 per acre; his raspberry-crop, five acres, averaging $250 per acre; blackberry-erop very light. The above are gross receipts. Year before last his gross receipts from 75 acres of blackberries were $22,500, or $3U0 per acre. This last- named crop was not grown on his home farm, but on his farm in Camden County. The Park Cranverry Asscciation, formed in the spring of 1865, and purchased 164 acres ef cranberry-lund in New Hanover Township, and proceeded at once to prepare the ground and plant cranberry-vines. The first season about 15 acres were planted, 252 and for the three or four following years a portion was planted each spring, until the quantity in vives amounted to about 90 acres. The expense was heavy and at times looked discouraging. The amount received from commission-merchants, each year, after they had deducted the charges for freight, cartage in the city, and their commis- sions, is as follows: for the crop of 1867, $590; 1868, $2,334.46; 1869, $5,776.16 ; 1870, $16,981.17 ; 1871, $12,058.58; 1872, $34,732.70. The crop of last year was a good one, amounting to over 10,000 bushels, but owing to the derangement in financial matters prices were low and the amount received was much below that of the preceding year. William Parry, of Burlington County, New Jersey, writes: Strawberries are more extensively grown in this neighborhood than other fruits. The system adopted of cov- ering the beds all over with stable-manures at the approach of winter has the most salutary effect ; it protects the crowns of the plants from the bleak winds and severe weather; prevents the roots from being thrown out by alternate freezing and thawing; the strength of the manure penetrates the ground and supplies the roots with nourish- ment to produce an abundance of large berries. The principal objection urged against the practice, that the covering retards ripening the fruit, is now considered a gain, as it allows southern berries to disappear and there is a demand for fine strawberries some- thing later. Erie, Pa.—The lake-shore plain, from 30 to 100 feet above the level of the water and about two miles wide across our country, with a gradual rise of about 300 feet above the lake-level, has proved very prolific in the culture of the vine. The leading varieties are the Concord, Hartford Prolific, Ives’s Seedling, Delaware, and Catawba. The Delaware is sometimes injured by frost in the fall, before ripening. The other varieties generally ripen well. Hillsdale, Mich.—Our orchards range from 50 to 500 trees, more or less, many of them shipping from 50 to 400 barrels. One orchard (that of B. B. Willett’s) produced 600 barrels; he has about 800 trees. Among the most prominent varieties raised here are the Russets, Swaar, Spitzenberg, Seek-no-further, Peck’s Pleasant, Belmont, and Tal- man Sweet. Among the most prominent pear-orchards is that of H. B. Tucker, of Janesville, containing 1,300 trees, 400 in bearing—standard and dwarf. His principal varieties are Bartlett and Sheldon for standard, and Duchess, L. B. De Gersey, and Seckel for dwarf. Mr. Tucker has also the largest peach-orchard, I think, in the county, containing 2,000 trees eight years old, and a prospect now of a full crop. In 1872 he shipped 300 bushels, but last year was a failure. Washtenaw, Mich—Thomas Wood, of Pittsfield Township, from 1,000 Baldwin trees, thirteen years from setting, produced a net income of $2,665 in 1872. The purchaser packed them and Mr. Wood picked them, and the culls more than paid for picking. Mr. Groves, of Northfield, in 1872, from 600 trees, § Baldwins, } Steele’s Red, produced a net income of $1,300 to $1,400. Same man, in 1873, $900 from same orchard. G.N. B. Renwick, of Salem, in 1872, from 600 Baldwins and Steele’s Red, thirteen years from setting, produced a net income o! $2,000, and in 1873, $1,500. Noah Donaldson, of Saline, in 1872, from 32 Baldwin trees, thirteen years from setting, sold $250. CLOVER. In the New England and Middle States the acreage of clover does not vary much from average. Indiana indicates a decrease of 1 per cent.; Michigan, 6; Ohio 9; West Virginia, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, no change; from Florida, Louisiana, and Texas there are no returns for clover; the remaining States report an increase: Nebraska of 31 per cent.; California, 23; Arkansas and Kansas, 15; South Carolina, 12 ; Missouri, 8; Mississippi only 1; others range from 3 per cent. in Vir- ginia to 7 in Iowa and Oregon. The condition reported is average- in New England. In New York, 11 per cent. below, being extensively winter-killed. Niagara reports that old clover-meadows never looked so badly. Pennsylvania is 2 per cent. and Michigan 14 below, for like- reasons; Ohio, 16 below, and Indiana 9, owing to the combined effects of winter-killing and drought; Tennessee, 14 below, drought being: specified in several counties. The following States report the condition above average: South Carolina, 104; Arkansas and Oregon, 103; Mis- souri, 102; California, 109. In the last-named State, Napa reports that alfalfa, which is being cultivated on a large scale, in favorable locali- ties yields three crops of hay per annum, besides affording rich pasture and Placer, that it has become a favorite, and in future will be exten- 253 sively cultivated, as it produces six to ten tons of hay per acre. New- ton, Missouri, reports that clover does so well that it will soon be the crop of the county; Fulton, Arkansas, that the encouraging results of experiments thus far will cause extensive sowing; and Antelope, Ne- braska, that the first sowed, last year, promises well. The average con- dition for all the States is 97. SPRING PASTURES. The late spring caused pastures to be generally backward at the time of reporting. It is evident that the figures were somewhat reduced, owing to this circumstance, though it is one from which a speedy im- provement almost necessarily follows. The only State in New England in which the average condition is below 100 is Maine, 96; the cause in- dicated is winter-killing. The following States report that pastures are suffering to a greater or less extent from dry weather: Virginia, 99 ; Alabama, 92; Tennessee, 91; West Virginia and Indiana, 90; Kentucky, 97; Ohio, 88; Iowa, 94. Returns from New York indicate an average condition of 94; Pennsylvania, 93; California, 110; Texas, 109; New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, Arkansas, [llinois, Missouri, Ne- braska, and Oregon range from 100 to 105; the remaining States, from 90 in West Virginia to 99 in Minnesota. The average condition for all the States is about 99. FARM-STOCK. Cows.—Milch-cows have generally entered on the 1st of June in fair condition. The average for the entire country is 100. The highest con- dition reported, 25 per cent. above average, is in Texas, where the win- ter was unusually mild and free from hard storms. The next highest, 11 per cent. above, is in Arkansas. The lowest, 15 per cent. below, is in Kansas, owing chiefly to suffering in the winter and spring for want of shelter in severe storms, aggravated by scarcity of feed. Ohioand Mis- souri report a condition averaging 8 per cent. below. In the remaining States the averages range between 94 and 106. CALVES.—Returns from all the States, of the number of calves dropped indicate an average increase over last year of 1 percent. The largest increase, 9 per cent., is in Nebraska; South Carolina, 8; Texas, 7; Wis- consin, Minnesota, 6; Iowa, Virginia, 5; Maine, 3; Pennsylvania, Michigan, Louisiana, 2; Vermont, North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, West Virginia, Oregon, 1 per cent.; Illinois averages the same as last year, and Indiana 2 per cent. less. SHEEP.—The loss of sheep the past winter averages for all the States 7 per cent. of the whole number. The heaviest losses were in Louis- lana, averaging 14 per cent.; Georgia, 13; North Carolina, 12; Ala- bama, 11; Mississippi and Tennessee, 10; South Carolina 10; Missouri, 9; Arkansas, 9. In New England and the Middle States, where the flocks are generally small and well sheltered, the losses aver- age about 6 per cent. The report from Licking, Ohio, calls atten- tion to the well-known fact that losses are much greater in proportion in large than in small flocks. Madison, North Carolina, reports that sheep recently shorn were frozen to death in a snow-storm occurring on the 29th of April. The snow was 2 to 12 inches deep, according to locality, and remained on the ground four days. In Missouri, Crawford, Johnson, and Franklin report that the losses are chiefly by dogs. Similar reports come from Wicomico, Md.; Gloucester, Essex, Louisa, 254 Southampton, and Powhatan, Va.; Bedford, Tenn.; Logan, Ky.; and Kosciusco, Ind. In Iowa, Mitchell reports that sheep-husbandry is gen- erally discontinued, and Benson that it is growing in disfavor, owing, principally, to destruction by dogs—“ more deaths from this source than from all others.” Clackamas, Oreg., reports that the dog-law has to a great extent lessened the mortality among sheep. LAmBs.—The average of lambs lost in all the States is 11 per cent. of the number dropped. The largest losses are in Louisiana, 24 per cent.; Rhode Island, 16; Wisconsin, 16; Kansas, 16; Ohio, 15; Michi- gan, 15; California, 15; Missouri, 14; Lowa, 13; Kentucky and New Hampshire, 13. One clew to these high figures is given in the report from Placer, Cal.: ‘A heavy loss of lambs from the poor condition of sheep in lambing-time.” Blount, Tenn., reports that losses of sheep and lambs have resulted almost entirely from shearing followed by cold storms. Texas, Arkansas, and Oregon report the lightest loss—8 per cent. Of the other States the maximum—13—is in Vermont. MAPLE-SUGAR. The season for maple-sugar was unusually favorable, and the quantity, both of sugar and sirup, manufactured was largely above an average. Compared with last year, the average increase reported for New England is, of sugar and sirup, about 50 per cent. for each; for New York, 27 and 18; for Pennsylvania, 6 and 12; for the four States, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, nearly as much increase. In Wisconsin and Min- nesota, and in the other States farther south which manufacture maple- sugar on a small scale, the quantity of both kinds is 4 to 12 per cent. below that of last year. 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PrA-NuT Hay.—Hickman, Tenn.—The pea-nut has been our principal crop since the war until last year, 1873, for which I estimate the crop at 50,000 bushels. The hay saved is worth to the farmer about half the market-price of the pea. It is very nutri- tious, and, when carefully gathered and cured, all kinds of stock will eat it greedily. The pea-digging time commences in the latter part of September, and continues uatil about the Ist of November. The implement used is something like a subsoil-plow; a furrow is run on each side of the row, loosening the vine without turningit. A boy or girl follows the plow, after the second furrow is turned, catches the top of the vine and turns it bottom upwards, exposing the pea to the sun, where it lies from one and a half to three days, if clear weather. An 8-foot stake is then driven into the ground sufficiently deep to prevent the wind from blowing it down. The vines are gathered and packed around the stake, pea inside, in which position the pea will remain all winter without injury. Those who have barns or sheds, under which to pick off the pea, commence hauling these small stacks as soon as their other farm duties will per- mit, and then commences the picking season. As the pea is picked off the vine is care- fully housed for the stock. Those who have no barns or sheds let the stacks remain in the field and pick off the pea, restacking the hay as leisure or the weather will permit. They subsequently haul the hay as it is needed. The average yield per acre is about 1,200 pounds; in a wet season the yield is greater. The hay is fed alone. It will in- crease the milk of a cow threefold. I know of many instances where cows have been kept in good beef condition and giving an abundance of milk all winter. A neighbor informed me that he wintered 16 head of beef-cattle on his hay, (pea-hay,) feeding nothing else, and drove them to market last spring, receiving a fair price, though not so much as he would have realized had they been fed on grain. PROFIT IN RAISING SUGAR.—Suwannee, Fla.—Sugar-cane is the most profitable cr p raised in this county, as the following experiment will show: One acre-of sugar-cane will make 2,000 pounds of sugar, worth 8 cents per pound, $160; drippings or molasses from the same, 100 gallons, worth 40 cents per gallon, $40; total, $200. Expenses: seed for one acre, $30; manuring, $10; cultivating, $5; manufacturing sugar, $55; total expenses, $100, leaving a clear profit of $100. SCUPPERNONG GRAPES.—Randolph, Ga.—Grape-culture is assuming considerable im- portamce. Our climate is peculiarly adapted to the culture of the Scuppernong variety. Being indigenous and exempt from any of the casualties of the bunch grape in the more northern climate, it will in time render this the grape country. The yield is enormous— from 400 to 500 bushels per acre, and from 4 to 44 gallons per bushel. This yield, at a small price, will make the production a lucrative business. One hand can cultivate ten acres. The vines live from twenty to one hundred years, and need nothing but virgin earth and scuffling to insure a bountiful yield every year. DAMAGES BY RAIN AND FLOODS.— Perry, Ala.—During the month of April an un- precedented amount of rain fell, and farm-work has greatly suffered. Less than half the days in the month were fit for work in the lime-lands. Wheat; though good, has been somewhat injured by the rains. Corn has suffered from the rain and cold weather. The cotton crop is in a very bad condition, and farmers are more gloomy about it than I have ever seen them. Arkansas, Ark., April 26.—For the last seven weeks the weather has been so wet that nothing has been done. The Arkansas River is still rising. Many bridges are gone, most of the bottoms on the south side are under water, and cattle and stock of all kinds, where the owners can save them, are being rafted over to the north side, so that our prairies are now dotted over with poor, starving cattle. Hundreds have lost all, and it is reported that many lives have been lost. On the north side we are out of the reach of the river, but not a furrow has been turned over yet in this section. Tensas, La., May 1.—Our parish is now almost entirely under water, consequently there is no other subject on which to report. A few small fields and parts of fields, just behind the levees that have not given way, are out, but the rains have been so fre- quent and so heavy that this land has no cropsonit. All willrequirereplanting. The amount of rainfall in the month of April was never before witnessed by any person living—nearly 22 inches in thirty days. And still the weather is unsettled, and the water rising. What is to become of the people is the question. The low price of last year’s cotton crop left the laborers without any surplus proceeds. The corn crop, much better than the preceding year, but not nearly sufticient to carry them through, is now about exhausted. No money, no credit, no provisions; that is the condition of most of our laboring people. Their stock is on the mounds and up in the barns and houses. One man has his six mules in the kitchen adjoining his dwelling. Osage, Kans.—In my April report I stated that cattle were coming out of winter quarters in good condition. Since then we have had a succession of sleets and storms which, in connection with great scarcity of feed, have caused the death of thousands upon thousands of cattle in Kansas. From the best information I can get the loss in 258 Osage County alone will amount to not far from $150,000. At this date, May 1, the ose i just starting a little, so that the cattle which are still on their feet, may pos- sibly live. Marion, Miss.—The rains in the latter part of April exceeded anything within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The flood in Pearl River was higher by three feet than has been known since the settlement of the country. One-half at least of the lands in cultivation in the river swamps is totally ruined, either from washing away or by immense deposits of sand. In consequence, the crops in this county will be re- duced at least one-half, even if we are favored with a good season. Cotton is just now, May 1, being planted. Cotton on lands not submerged has been killed up to the present time by the rain and cold. GROWING AND PRESERVING POTATOES.—Marion, Miss.—The destitution likely to re- sult from the failure of the corn crops this year has led me to consider the improvi- dence of the people of this section in failing to plant, in sufficient abundance, those food crops which can be raised in unlimited quantities with a small expenditure of la- bor compared with that required for corn. The first of these is the Irish potato, which now constitutes the staple article of food of the laboring classes in the most thickly set- tled parts of the earth. Itisa singular fact that, although the Irish potato can be raised with no more labor, and with far more certainty than in the North, it is univer- sally regarded in the South as a sort of luxury to be planted in the garden and en- joyed only during three months in the year. Sufficient to supply any family during the whole year can be raised with ease on one acre of ground, and to a large extent take the place of corn as now used. The only drawback is the fancied impossibility of keep- ing them sound; but I know ofone farmer who has Irish potatoes all summer, simply ~ by letting them remain in the ground, after they come to maturity in May, until it is time to plant again in the fall. He never has a rotten potato. When he is obliged to dig he spreads them out on a dry floor and has no trouble from the rot. I think they might be kept sound, also by burying them when dug, under two or three feet of earth. Please call attention of farmers through the South to this matter, and invite discus- sion as to the most certain means of keeping the Irish potato free from rot after dig- ging. Another objection made to its culture in this section is, that it “runs out,” thus requiring the purchase of new seed every year. The experience of several planters during the war has shown this to be a mistaken notion. I know several who raised Irish potatoes from their own seed for five years in succession, and they suffered no deterioration. Another substitute for the corn we buy so largely from the West is the sweet potato. This flourishes here in the greatest perfection, the yield being often above 300 bushels per acre. It is now used to a considerable extent for food, but I think the greatest advantage might be realized from its use as feed for horses and other stock. It can be raised at a cost of 8 cents per bushel, and as a feed for horses two bushels are equal to one of corn or oats, which costs on the average $1. By rais- ing sweet potatoes the saving in money would be great, even if it took five bushels to equal in nutritive capacity one of corn. Here, again, the difficulty of keeping them, in the mode practiced by the majority of farmers, is the only obstacle in the way of increased use of them for feed. But last year I saw, in October, 3,000 bushels in one pile on the farm belonging to the Lunatic Asylum of this State. The superintendent stated that he had sweet potatoes during the whole year, and explained his method of keeping them. He puts his whole crop in one bank. This, at the time named, was at least 60 feet in length, 14 in breadth, and 1 in height; over the whole pile dry grass was thrown to the depth of one foot; the earth was thrown on the bank to the same depth, extending to the top on the north side, but only about half way to the top on the south. The whole was covered with long plank laid on from the north side at an angle of 45°, extending over so as to protect the whole bank from the weather, and supported by posts standing in the middle of the bank at intervals of 4 feet. The posts were hollow and full of auger-holes, so as to afford ventilation and the escape of moisture generated in the heap. The superintendent, Dr. Compton, stated that his potatoes banked in this manner remained sound during the whole year. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. The third annual session of this body, composed of representatives of the various open and secret local organizations in aid of rural interests, convened at Atlanta, Ga., May 13, and continued in session for three days. The proceedings were entirely harmonious, and characterized by a fraternal and progressive spirit. ‘ 259 The meeting was called to order by Gen. W. H. Jackson, of Tennes- see; opening prayer was offered by Rev. David Wills, of Atlanta; speeches of welcome were made by the mayor, Samuel B. Spencer, in behalf of the city, and by Gen. A. H. Colquitt in behalf of the Georgia Agricultural Society ; and a response was made by the secretary, C. W. Greene. In the afternoon a paper from Mr. Lawton, of South Carolina, was read as a partial report of the committee on transportation, favor- ing a line of narrow-gauge railroads from the Mississippi Valley to Sa- vannah. A communication was presented from Prof. C. G. Forshey and Hon. P. H. Herbert, of Louisiana, relative to the proposed Fort Saint Philip Canal. On Thursday, the 14th, a resolution was passed pledging aid to the sufferers by the disastrous overflow of the Mississippi; another for a committee to memorialize Congress for the passage of a bill for, the further endowment and support of colleges for the advancement of practical industrial education. The committee consists of Messrs. Bishop, of Arkansas; Beverly, of Virginia; Colquitt, of Georgia; Aiken, of South Carolina; and Winter, of Alabama. By invitation, the Direct-Trade Convention occupied seats in the hall . during the delivery of addresses of the morning, and Governor Smith and the State officers were also present. General Jackson then pro- ceeded to deliver his annual address as president, which was received with much favor. This was followed by an attempt to deduce from agricultural statistics certain practical lessons of vital importance to the agriculture of different sections of the country, by the statistician of this Department. The matter of both of these efforts was strongly indorsed by subsequent action of the congress. A paper from Prof. C. V. Riley, on the use of paris-green as a remedy for the cotton caterpillar, was read. On the third day a paper from Hon. C. W. Flagg was presented on cheap transportation and the power of the National Government over inter-State commerce. The committee on transportation, consisting of Messrs. Peyton of Vir- ginia, Dodge of the District of Columbia, Colquitt of Georgia, West of Illinois, and Maxwell of Tennessee, made the following report: Whereas it is evident that cheap transportation of the commodities of a country is a necessity of agricultural prosperity and national development; that the agriculture of the interior of our country is now paralyzed for want of facilities for transportation of its products to the seaboard; that while we recognize the value of railroads, and the necessity of further railway extension, we deem the cost of transporting the crude pro- ducts of the field, the forest, and the mine so disproportionate to the cost of water-car- riage as to render imperative the duty of Congress to improve the navigation of the rivers of the interior, and connect them with the ocean by artificial water-ways, thus giving to the Mississippi Valley continuous lines of water transit to the seaboard ; and that the railway system has engendered monopoly and unjust discrimination, the evils of which can only be obviated by completion of water-lines under Government con- trol: Therefore, Be it resolved by the National Agricultural Congress, That it is the duty of the National Government, which has so long and so liberally fostered foreign commerce, to enter at once upon the work of constructing asystem of water-ways adequate to the present and prospective wants of inland transportation, and continue it by annual installments of aid to full completion, until unrestricted channels of trade shall be opened, not only through the entire length of the Mississippi, but connecting that great river with the Atlantic Ocean, by way of the lakes, by the Ohio, Kanawha, and James, and by the Tennessee and Savannah Rivers. Resolved, That this convention consider appropriations by Congress for such a system wise national investments, which will at no distant day repay the Government by in- creased revenue created by enhanced production and developed wealth of the country. The chairman, Col. H. E. Peyton, sustained the report in a speech re- plete with striking fact and telling argument. The discussion was gen- eral, resulting in the adoption of the report by a large majority. 2A 260 A resolution was also passed opposing national abridgment of the authority of States in railway control. A paper from Dr. John A. Warder, on forestry, was read. It recom- mends a national commission, the establishment of forest schools, and would make forestry a leading study in agricultural colleges. The speculations and abuses practiced under United States patent- laws, and desired changes in patent legislation, intended to “‘ secure the greatest good to the greatest number,” came up for discussion, and a committee was appointed to prepare a suitable memorial to Congress on the subject. A resolution, presented by Mr. Winter, of Alabama, was adopted, deprecating so exclusive a reliance upon cotton as at present, declaring that planting must remain unremunerative while it fails to furnish agricultural supplies of prime necessity, and urging a better culture and a greater diversity of production. Col. R. L. Ragland, of Virginia, from the committee on the tobacco tax, made a report favoring the reduction of the tax to a uniform rate of 12 cents per pound, which was adopted. Cincinnati was selected as the place of meeting in September, 1875, ’ and the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year : ’ President.—Gen. W. H. Jackson, of Tennessee. Secretary.—Geo. E. Morrow, of Washington. Treasurer.—J. J. Poole, of Indiana. Vice-Presidents—Alabama, C. C. Langdon, Mobile ; North Carolina, T.M. Holt, Tar River ; South Carolina, W. M. Shannon, Camden ; Virginia, H. E. Peyton, Waterford ; Arkansas, A. W. Bishop; Tennessee, J. O. Griffith, Nashville ; Mississippi, C. E. Hooker, Jackson ; Florida, W. H. Scott, Midway ; Georgia, R. A. Alston, Decatur ; District of Columbia, J. 8. Grinnell, Washington ; lllinois, W. C. Flagg, Moore ; Indi- ana, Alexander Heron, Indianapolis. In accordance with the request of the congress as expressed by unani- mous vote, the address on agricultural statistics, by the statistician of the Department of Agriculture, is herewith presented : PRACTICAL HINTS FROM AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. The members of the National Agricultural Congress too thoroughly appreciate the importance of a systematic collection of the facts of agriculture, which necessarily in- clude those illustrating almost every branch of natural and social science, to require an elaborate argument to prove the utility and beneficence of agricultural statistics. The range of such facts is quite too wide for bodily presentation, in however concise a form, in the time allotted to the opening of this discussion. Nor is such epitome espe- cially required in this presence. Rather would it seem preferable to present a few deductions drawn from classes of facts, designed to be eminently practical in tendency, suggestive of grand schemes of needed improvement, perhaps provocative of whole- some criticism, and stimulative of thought and suggestion for the amelioration and advancement of American agriculture. A brief cousideration of the means and appli- ances of statistical collection may also be deemed appropriate and timely. USES OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. It is the province of agricultural statistics to measure the extent of our vast re- sources; to contrast the actual with the possible in production, by living examples of accomplished results; to weigh the effect of overproduction in the diminution of prices ; to illustrate the folly of dependence on distant and uncertain markets for pri- mary products; to show the correlation of the industries, and the advantage of aug- menting numbers of consumers upon the prices and profits of agriculture ; and to mark the progress of the sciences, in their application to the business of the cultivator, and to aid the ruralist in keeping pace with such progress. There is great activity of statistical inquiry at the present time, and but little patience of investigation; there is frequency and flippancy in statement, but less of accuracy and thoroughness. There is a feverish desire to accomplish the census of a continent in one day, and proclaim its results the next. Few take time to weigh facts, sift error from truth, and reach broad and philosophical conclusions. What is wanted in statistics is more of thought and less of flurry, more industry and less precipitancy, 261 * sounder judgment and less zeal without knowledge. Few have yet learned the logic of statistics, and some even of our lawgivers are prone to build by proxy the frame- work of their political economy, and liable to give it a fantastic and incongruous finish, THE BREADTH OF OUR STATISTICAL FIELD. When we consider that less than a third of the area of the States, and less than a fifth of the entire domain of the United States, is mapped into farms, and remember that of this farm-area only one-fourth is tilled or mowed; and when we further reflect that the average yield per acre could be doubled if the many could be brought up to the plane of the few inthe practice of intensive culture, then we begin to realize what numbers our country is capable of feeding, and what waste of toil and effort comes from neglect of the economic lessons taught by the statistics of scientific agriculture. We now know that our wheat occupies an area less than the surface of South Caro- lina ; and, if the yield should equal that of England, half of that acreage would sufiice. We know of our national crop, maize, which grows from Oregon to Florida, and yearly waves over a broader field than all the cereals beside, that it covers a territory not larger than the Old Dominion, and might produce its amplest stores within narrower limits than the present boundaries of Virginia. The potato-crop could grow in the area of Delaware, though yielding less than a hundred bushels per acre; the barley for our brewing requires less than the area of a half-dozen counties; and the weed of solace, sufficient to glut our own and European markets, is grown on the area of a county twenty miles square. STATISTICAL TEST OF CURRENT PRACTICES. The dictum of the poet, “ Whatever is, is right,” must have in agriculture, as in morals, a restricted acceptation. The prevailing practice may have an obvious and even a specious reason for its existence, when its contravention by science and experimental test is undeniable. We often fail to do what we know is best, because custom has made easy what has become habitual. The deductions of agricultural statistics reveal many a popular error or short-coming in agricultural practice. Perhaps I may not better illustrate the province and proper use of this science than by a few examples showing the prevalence of such misconception and remissness in different sections of our common country. THE WEAK POINT IN NEW ENGLAND AGRICULTURE. The average farmer of the Eastern States disregards the logic of facts which reveals success only in high culture. His brother of the West has cheap lands, very fertile, easily worked, without obstructions interfering with the most varied employment of agricultural machinery. His own lands may be low in price, because poor in plant- food; his sons have gone into trade and manufactures, and to virgin soils toward the sunset ; his surplus earnings have gone to the savings-bank, or to Illinois or Kansas, as a loan at 10 per cent., until, rheumatic, and declining with age, he finds production also declining, his herds and flocks decreasing, and the conclusion inevitable that “farming does not pay.” Labor is scarce and high because in demand by other indus- tries, which in turn offer high prices for farm-products; fertilization is needed every- where, draining in many situations, and irrigation in some others. But these things cost money, and he has neither the ambition nor the confidence for its expenditure, and, worse still, in many instances the money is lacking. These may be potent reasons for discouragement, but they do not prove that farming there, with money, youth, enterprise, and skill, may not be highly profitable. And the teaching of statistics, in examples of high success with high culture, disproves the current assump- tion of unprofitableness. There are numerous cases in which the gross return per acre has been hundreds of dollars instead of tens. [ know an instance there in which a common vegetable, usually known in field-culture rather than in gardening, returned in 1873 $12 for every day’s labor expended on it. The lesson of statistics of Great Britain, of Holland, of all countries of dense population, proves success to be only pos- sible by enriching the soil and increasing the yield. Though Massachusetts farmers con- stitute but one-eighth of the aggregate of all occupations, there is no reason why they should not be able to feed all, if Great Britain with one-sixteenth of her population can furnish more than half her required food-supplies. And if, in the present state of Mas- sachusetts agriculture, the value of her annual product be $442 to each farmer, while the cultivator of the rich prairie State, Illinois, earns but $560, (and in point of fact it is probable that unenumerated products of the former State would swell the total to the latter figures,) then the results of intensive culture throughout the Commonwealth would be comparatively munificent. This is a valuable lesson which New England will ultimately learn from statistics, far more thoroughly than is now known and prac- ticed by a few of her best cultivators. 262 A WESTERN FALLACY. The West has also much to gain from the teachings of statistics. Iowa, vigorous and ambitious, too young for despondency, is in a spasm of indignation against monopoly and an excess of middlemen, and yet in trade and transportation she has but 8 per cent., or little more than half the proportion of the Middle States. She may have too many and too greedy go-betweens, and she needs justice in the transportation of her products; but these evils remedied, the burden of her trouble would stillremain. The great diffi- culty is, her corps of industry has 61 per cent. of farmers instead of 25. Double-track rail- roads, canals vexed with steam-propellers, grange-association, free-trade, and every other fancied boon obtained, she will still remain in comparative poverty and positive discontent while she continues to have less than 14 per cent. of her people engaged in manufacturing and mechanical industry. History does not point to a permanently prosperous people having such proponderance of population in agricultural pursuits. FOLLY OF FOREIGN DEPENDENCE. Minnesota is only happy when the people of Great Britain are supposed to be in dan- ger of starvation. That danger is greatly overestimated. Statistics will show that in some years but 3 per cent. of our wheat-export, and but a trifling proportion in any season, can be sold to any except subjects of Great Britain. On one-sixteenth the area of that island is grown in a good year one hundred million bushels of wheat; in an average season ninety millions; and in fifteen years, from 1858 to 1872 inclusive, the deficiency made good by importation was a fraction less than sixty-six millions per annum. Could home-culture be extended to meet this demand, the total breadth required would be equal to one-ninth the surface of Minnesota. An increase in the average yield of wheat in France from fifteen bushels to eighteen, by a small advance in culture, would fully equal the British deficiency, as was recently stated by the well-known statistician, Mr. James Caird. Russia, with her broad and cheap acres, also stands near to compete for this deficiency. Minnesota, mean- while, as her crop is maturing, can never ascertain whether the want will be forty millions or ninety, or whether the home price will be 50 cents or $1, or the ulti- mate result debt or competence. And yet 70 per cent. of the cultivated area of Minnesota is put in wheat, and 57 per cent. of her people are engaged in its cultiva- tion; 8 per cent. in sending it to market; a large proportion of its 14 per cent. of mechanics and manufacturers are building mills and grinding wheat; and its 21 per cent. of professional men expect much of their income from wheat. There are reasons why wheat should be temporarily grown there, but dependence upon foreign markets, evidently felt by many, for a permanent and increasing demand, is shown by statistics to be foolish and futile. The home-market is the only reliable and permanently valu- able one for this cereal, and the nearer to the place of growth the surer and larger the benefit derived. THE ERROR OF THE SOUTH. The cotton States have been especially persistent in disregarding the teachings of statistics and defying the laws of political economy. Every intelligent publicist knows that a certain amount of money, say a present average of $300,000,000, may be derived from cotton. If the average quantity is increased the price diminishes, and vice versa. If fluctuations are frequent the speculator or manufacturer, and not the producer, derives an advantage. If you choose to produce five million bales, you obtain 10 cents per pound and lose money; if you grow but three, you get 20 cents and obtain a profit. Now it is better for the world, and in a series of years better for the grower, to pro- duce regularly enough to supply the current wants of the trade at a medium and remu- nerative price, or as near a regular supply as possible, for the vicissitudes of the season will inevitably cause injurious fluctuations despite the highest effort of human wisdom and foresight. As the uses of cotton increase, and markets are extended throughout the world, its manufacture will be enlarged, and its culture should obtain correspond- ing enlargement. To overstep the boundary of current demand and glut the market, may be pleasing to the speculator and to the manufacturer, so far as he combines spec- ulation with weaving, but it is death to the grower. | There is much false reasoning on this matter. A planter may truly affirm that he obtains $30 per acre for his cotton and but $25 for his corn, and he thereupon and therefore declares that he will plant no more corn. Let all act upon this sugges- tion, and instead of $55 for the acre of cotton and that of corn, the total return of the two acres of cotton will be but $30. A surplus of corn may be put into meat, and wool, and whisky, or used to eke out a scarcity of some kind of forage for animals ; but a surplus of cotton must wait for the slow grinding of the mills of the fabricating gods, usually until disgust at low prices reduces production correspondingly. Thus, while cotton is and long will be the leading product and the most profitable field- crop at fair prices, its prominence in the list has kept, and is now keeping these States 263 in comparative poverty, which is unnecessary as it.is inconvenient and injurious. It does not produce money enough to give wealth to a population of nine millions. The other crops, instead of barely equaling in the aggregate the receipts from this, should represent at least $4 for every one of cotton. The census-record of production in these States is but $558,000,000; the record should. be made to read $1,500,000,000. With three-fourths of the people of ten States employed in agriculture, the value of agricultural products exceeds but little that of the States of New York and Pennsylva- nia, where only one-fourth are so employed. The averages foreach person employed in agriculture in those States are respectively, as deduced from the census, $677 and $707, while those of Georgia and Mississippi are $239 and $282. For the ten States the aver- age is $267; for the four populous Middle States, $686. Even the States producing cheap corn show a larger return, the average for one man’s labor in the five States be- tween the Ohio River and the lakes being $498, while the six sterile Eastern. States produce $490 for each farmer. It may be the census is less complete in the cotton States, but it is undeniable that agricultural industry makes a smaller aggregate re- turn there than in any other section. Nor is the reason wanting ; it is due to the promi- nence of cotton, the return for which is substantially a fixed quantity, and the neglect of all other resources. Let us glance at the topography and capabilities of this section. The area occupied by cotton, allowing 10 per cent. addition to usual estimates, is less than one-fortieth of the surface of these States ; it is but one-thirteenth of the proportion actually occupied as farms. Forty-six per cent. of the census crop was grown in 81 counties, which are all that produce as much as ten thousand bales each; and 77 per cent. grew in 215 counties, making not less than five bales each. The total acreage in cotton is scarcely more than one-sixteenth of the surface of Texas. What is to be done with the other fifteen-sixteenths? A very large proportion of the area of these States is un- adapted to cotton, either by reason of elevation or of soil. There is no other section of the country with resources so varied; none presenting such a field for new and promising enterprises. Competition is possible with the sea- islands in oranges and bananas and other fruits in Florida, and with New York and Michigan in apples and other fruits, on the table-lands of the Alleghanies. More than lalf the value of all cotton-exports is paid for imports of sugar, which could and should all be grown in these States. But one pound in ten of the required supply is now made, upon a smaller surface than half of a single county twenty miles square. The demand of the world for oils—cotton, rape, palma christi, and many other—is large, and prices are remunerative, and this section is peculiarly adapted to their production. A hundred million pounds of cheese, to compete with an equal quantity in New York, without danger of glutting the market, could be made from grasses of the glades that grow on lands costing one-twentieth the value of Empire State pastures. More than two hundred millions of acres of these States are covered with wood, and the ax is still brought into requisition to girdle the monarchs of the forest, and await a slow decay for replacing fields worn out by a wasteful culture, while a timber-famine threatens other sections of the country, and a thousand forms of woody fabrication can readily be transmuted into gold—at least into greenbacks, which seem to be preferred to gold in certain districts. Even the forest-lands, cer- tainly those of the coast-belt, are covered with wild grasses, only partially utilized, which, in connection with the herbage of the prairie sections, are worth, in flesh and wool, at_a meager estimate, half the value of the cotton-crop. The list might be increased indefinitely. With the introduction of the best machinery, the most eco- nomical methods, and the most efficient means of fertilization, with well-directed and persistent labor, adapted to the wants of all classes of workers, the present population is amply sufficient to double the gross product of agricultural industry, and far more than double its profits. SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING. Ihave hitherto only spoken of agricultural industry. The suggestions relative to the necessity of other productive industries in the West apply with augmented force to the South. While the proportion engaged in them ranges from 14 per cent. in lowa to 24 in Ohio, it only runs from 3 per cent. in Mississippi to 6 per cent. in Georgia. The intelligent planter of Georgia knows perfectly well, by the test of local experi- ence, that the manufacture of cotton in his State is far more remunerative than the same business in Massachusetts, not only on account of saving freights and commis- sions both on raw material and manufactured goods, but in the greater abundance and cheapness of labor. It might be considered a fair division of the crop, and certainly a generous one on the part of the South, to keep one-third for home manufacture, to send a third to the North for manufacture into finer goods, and the remaining third to Europe. This would insure a steady and imperative demand, and a great enlargement of net profits. If you can do this without a tariff, you can afford to let the tariff slide; if not, far better for twenty years a tariff utterly prohibitory of all cottons than to forego this opportunity to make the country prosperous and rich beyond your pres- ent imaginings. 264 There is no good reason why Virginia should not equal Pennsylvania in manufac turing and miving production, as she ever does in resources of mine and forest. There is no sufficient cause why 25 per cent. of the people of Pennsylvania should produce in agriculture a value of $52 annually for each inhabitant of the State, while 59 per cent. of the people of Virginia should only divide $42 per head of total population. The influence of home markets on prices, with the reflex influence of prices on fertili- zation and culture, is sufficient to answer for all this difference. I ask, in all sincerity and deference, if it is manly or just to decry others who take advantage of opportuni- ties enjoyed in equal fullness by ourselves, while we utterly refuse to use them. In this connection permit me to repeat what I said years ago, in the sincerest and most friendly spirit, of the unsurpassed facilities for mining and manufacturing enjoyed by the southern portion of the Atlantic slope : “This path of progress has been equally open to all; laws supposed to favor a diver- sified industry have been applicable to all States alike; the best water-power and the cheapest coal are in States that make no extensive use of either; milder climates and superior facilities for cheap transportation have furnished advantages that have not been transmuted into net profits; and yet such communities, daily inflicting irrepar- able injuries upon themselves by neglecting the gifts of God, and spurning the labor of man, are wont 1o deem themselves injured by the prosperity flowing from superior industry and a practical political economy.” THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICS. Leaving considerations bearing on the value and uses of agricultural statistics, a few thoughts may be essayed upon means and appliances for statistical collection. More attention is now drawn to this subject than ever before. It is work that requires great industry and conscientiousness in collecting and arranging, and presupposes in- telligent appreciation and willing co-operation on the part of the people. Hence sta- tistics is a science that did not flourish in the dark ages. There is even now great dif- ficulty in statistical collection, on account of popular ignorance and prejudice, in European countries, and not a little in our own country. There is yet in many minds a suspicion that the census marshal is only a harbinger of the tax-gatherer. As an ex- treme illustration, the State census of Ohio returned 38,000,000 pounds of tobacco as the crop of 1869; the General Government, which levies a tax on tobacco, obtained re- turns of only 18,000,000 for the same crop. Ordinarily, the census makes larger figures than State assessors. For instance, in the same State, the United States reported 15,000,000 bushels of wheat in 1860, and the State only 12,000,000. Intelligent people should combat this prejudice among their neighbors, and educate them as to the value to themselves of an accurate knowledge of local resources. The means employed and lines of investigation undertaken in the countries of the globe, which encourage systematic collection of agricultural statistics, are of great variety, and the degree of efficiency attained is equally various. Specific investiga- tions, and independent research, may be conducted irregularly by individuals ; societies often do successful work within their own organization; but general investigation, in- volving every portion of the territory of a country, can only command success with the aid of the dignity and authority of government. The European governments are very generally committed to some system of obtaining the acreage cultivated annually in the principal farm crops, though not all of them. In this respect they are in ad- vance of our own, which has never included in census laws a provision for this initial point in statistical inquiry. The agricultural census of Great Britain, which is annual, is almost confined to an enumeration of farm animals, and the establishment of the area of each crop. The quantity becomes a matter of estimate. In this country, we are left to guess the size of our fields, and the rate of production, and only once in ten years do we venture to obtain a record of gross quantities. These quantities, in the case of cereals, may, and often do, vary 200,000,000 bushels in a single year. The census of 1860 made the corn-crop of the previous year 838,000,000 bushels; that of 1870 credited but 760,000,000 to the crop of 1869; whereupon short-sighted statisticians proclaim a great decline in the culture of maize. Such an assumption is utterly un- founded. Not only is the aggregate quantity increasing, but the ratio to population— bushels per capita—is certainly not decreasing in any marked degree. The crop of the year 1869 was considered a failure, when Ilinois actually obtained 130,000,000 bushels, though expecting in the previous July fully 230,000,000. So in wheat, the apparent increase from 173,000,000 to 287,000,000 bushels is deceptive in a less degree, and par- tially due to the exceptionally increased yield of 1869. The need is imperative for a census at least every fifth year, and an agricultural census, embracing area and quantity and number of farm animals, should be taken yearly. Agitation should be continued till the people, and the Congress that does their bidding, shall be educated up to the realization of such a necessity. The State governments have an important work to do in this direction, Ohio has 265 long and successfully taken the initiative; Minnesota and Kansas have made a brave beginning; Iowa takes a comparatively full agricultural census biennially, and New York and Massachusetts have made quite thorough work in decennial periods inter- mediate to those of the national census. Other States have made partial enumerations: Iam glad to learn that Georgia has commenced the work, and I hope all the people will aid in making it a thorough one. Most of the States have literally done nothing. The collection of agricultural statistics has been made an important function of the Department of Agriculture, in accordance with its organic act. It gathers the official records of foreign governments, societies, technical schools,and those of individual workers in experimental science; of the United States census, of State assessors, and of agricultural organizations; and in addition, has an enthusiastic corps of reporters in all sections of the United States, working unselfishly for the benefit of local agri- culture, and for the general weal, and monthly—sometimes oftener—aiding in a com- prehensive and systematic investigation upon any topic deemed practical and import- ant, sometimes reaching the whole country and sometimes of limited range. The work includes the reporting the condition of growing crops, the comparative area in cultivation, and ultimately the estimated product. It has proved the most reliable source of current information obtainable, has been increasing in efficiency, and can be rendered still more efficient. It is of course not a census, and is not so regarded. In the older and settled States, as to principal crops and numbers of farm animals, the degree of reliability has compared favorably with the results of an average census, and in some points has far exceeded in completeness and accuracy the results of several State enumerations. In Kansas, for instance, it proved the assessor’s enumeration of sheep to be little more than half the real numbers in the State. The official enumeration of farm animals, in every State or Territory west of Missouri, either by census or assessors, is exceedingly incomplete. In the minor crops, and in all crops in new States, there is _ more or less incompleteness cr inaccuracy in the estimates of the Department, from the present necessity of the case, as there is in many points in State and national enumer- ations. Only Ohio has for any considerable period made such enumeration ; a few others have barely commenced the work; the great State of Illinois only returns stock and two of the principal crops ; and all of these publications are too late by months to aid in per- fecting Department estimates. There is also a difficulty in constant, sometimes enor- mous, fluctuations in cultivated area. The wheat-crop in Ohio may in one year be 8,000,000 bushels, in another, 28,000,000. Yet, in the settled States, especially as to prin- cipal crops, approximated accuracy has been attained. For seven years the Illinois estimates of each year were based respectively on those of the preceding; the esti- mated percentage of the previous year’s crop was returned for each county, and these local returns were combined with due reference to the relative crop-value of each coun - ty, te form an accurate State average. In this time, not one scintilla of aid was ob- tained either from local official returns or unofficial estimates. What could be expected in such a case but discrepancy? Opportunity for verification was naturally awaited with misgivings. When the census was complete, the estimates and the returns of domestic animals were as nearly alike as two independent enumerations could be ex- pected to be. The corn-crop had met sudden disaster by early frost, and the expected yield in August had been relentlessly reduced in October by more than 40 per cent., equal to the enormous difference of 90,000,000 bushels; the census showed a reduction only about 2 per cent. less. The figures for wheat were still closer. In fact, the sub- stantial identity on all important points was remarkable. Was this mere guess-work, or something more? The same year the estimate of wheat in Minnesota was deemed too large by local official authority, yet the census sustained the accuracy of the national estimate, and proved the State enumeration incomplete. A highly esteemed rural publicist, in New York, called in question the Department estimate of wheat of the same year, as quite too high both for New York and the entire country, and yet the census figures, afterward published, were higher still. In the South, with a gap of years in its comparisons of production, its industrial dis- turbances amounting to convulsion and partial destruction, equal accuracy was impos- sible, and of course unattained. Information concerning the cotton-crop has been more complete and of greater accuracy than all other current data upon that subject. It is true that the preliminary estimates made during the picking season have usually been under rather than over the actual outcome; and commercial estimates have usu- ally been placed about 10 per cent, higher. The result has been, whenever a crop mati short has occurred, as in 1871, the commercial authorities have been sadly at ault. ' As to acreage generally, of all our crops, there has been no reliable authority, no basis whatever being furnished by the census, and none by States with very few exceptions. The Department has attempted estimates, deducing crop-acreage from estimates of aggre- gate production and estimated yield per acre. Now while a county estimate of total product is liable to be slightly too low, the estimated yield per acre is quite apt to be slightly too high, and if uncorrected it would necessarially make the area of crops 266 too small, a tendency against which I have continually had occasion to labor. Some critics have flatly disputed this tendency to overestimate the yield per acre, but they have done it in ignorance of proven facts. From this consideration I have for years believed that the reported cotton acreage might be proven by accurate enumeration somewhat too low, but have not felt authorized to enlarge it without positive proof that it is so—proof that I hope soon to be able to accumulate. I recognize fully the importance of the utmost accuracy, as the Department figures for acreage of cotton are the only basis for all published statements of such areas. As an illustration of this fact, it will be remembered that during the war, great efforts were made to grow cotton largely near the northern limits of its possible maturity, and the area was estimated accordingly, and strange to say, though the effort was long since mainly aban- doned, those same figures, (ten times too large for the present day,) with annual per- centage modifications, are still doing duty in journalistic statistics. But the subject is one of difficulty; no authority is infallible, and the degree of modesty with which it is treated will distinguish the superficial tyro from the expe- rienced in statistics. Could annual enumeration be not only inaugurated by. States, with a common schedule, which should include only a few plain and practical points of inquiry, but be also thoroughly made and promptly published, current estimates on such bases might be closely approximate and of greatly enhanced value. I would urge upon this body the importance of laboring to establish uniformity, to encourage in every State an annual census on such a plan, and to attempt the more difficult task of educating publicsentiment to the necessity of appreciation and careful and conscientious co-operation on the part of the people. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, allow me to express the hope that the wise deliberation and efficient action of this body may tend to hasten the day when 25 per cent. of our people shall furnish a better and more varied agricultural supply than is now obtained by the 47 per cent. employed in agriculture; when the 21 per cent. now engaged in mining, manufacturing and the mechanic arts, may become 42; when two blades of grass shall grow instead of one, twenty-five bushels of wheat instead of twelve, and an acre of cot- ton always bring a bale; when clover shall appear in place of broom-sedge, the sun cease to smite with barrenness the southern slope, and many fields shall be green with mangolds for the fattening of lazy bullocks grazing on a thousand hills; when superior and more various implements shall, while dividing, multiply the labor of human mus- cle, and steam shall supplement and save the costly strength of beasts ; when a moiety of the farmer’s income may suffice to pay his taxes, his bills for commercial fertilizers, and all purchases of farm produce that he fails to procure from his own fair acres; when railroads shall cease from troubling with unscrupulous exactions, and unnecessary middlemen are ever more at rest; when the farmer’s home shall be beautiful with flowers, his farm a smiling landscape, and his barns shall groan with the burden ot plenty ; and, finally, when the farmer shall in every section of a broad and prosperous land be recognized as nature’s nobleman, the most intelligent, just, healthy, and happy of his countrymen—‘“‘ an honest man, the noblest work of God.” THE GERMAN EMPIRE, From a statistical memoir of the German Empire prepared by T. Bodi- ker, and published as an introduction to the official catalogue of the German department of the late Vienna International Exposition, the following notes have been compiled : GEOGRAPHY AND CHOROGRAPHY.—AS now constituted, the German Empire occupies almost the entire center of the European continent; its western neighbor, France, extends to the Atlantic Ocean; while on the east, Russia stretches to the Ural River, the frontier of Asia. The transverse diameter of the empire runs northeastwardly, eight hundred miles, from Metz to Tilsit; its extreme breadth, from Hadersleben, near the north border of the late Danish province of Sleswig, to Kempten, near the Swiss frontier, is five hundred and thirty-four miles. The total area is stated at 9,887.4 German square miles, which, according to the late imperial standard of 7,500 meters to the mile, gives an area of 214,711 English square miles. 267 The northern part of the country, skirting the Baltic Sea and the Ger- man Ocean, is low and level, constituting the depressed westward pro- jection of the great Russo-Polish plateau, which extends eastward to the Ural River. In some places the depressed shore-line renders necessary the erection of dikes to keep out the German Ocean. West of the Elbe the coast is frequently lined with fertile meadows, back of which is a considerable waste of swamps and moors, interspersed with sand-hills. From Denmark to the Ural River the plateau is broken by the Baltic- Uralian ridges, which reach their maximum elevation of about 900 feet in the Karthaus plateau near Dantzig. The mountain ranges appear to converge near Minden in West- phalia, spreading with a fan-like expansion southward. The principal systems are: 1. The Westphalian Rhine Slate Mountains, of Devonian origin, running southwest across the Rhine. 2. The Rhine system, run- ning south-southwest and stretching from the celebrated Black: Forest to Sollinger Forest on the Weser. 3. The southern system, embracing several ranges starting from near Passau and the sources of the Oder, and running northwest to the valley of the Ems. On the south flanks of this system are found the Bohemian, Bohmerwald, Thuringian and Teutoburger forests. The principal rocks are granite, gneiss, mica, and hornblendic slate. 4. Portions of the Alpine system, the Algiuer, the Bavarian, and the Salzburg ranges cross the southern frontier. Germany participates in ten large streams, of which three are impor- tant rivers, besides one hundred and fifty smaller streams, of which sixty are navigable. A large number of brooks afford immense water- power, driving 39,000 flour-mills. The Pregel, Vistula, Weichsel, and Oder, empty into the Baltic; the Hider, Elbe, Weser, Ems, and Rhine, into the German Ocean; the Danube into the Black Sea. Considerable lakes are formed at the foot of the Alps, in Brandenburg and in the neighborhood of Posen. CLIMATE.— According to Dove, the Atlantic Gulf Stream exercises a considerable influence upon the German climate. The cold arctic cur- rents not having direct access to the Baltic, this ameliorating influence is not greatly counteracted. The principal winds are the equatorial, which raises the winter temperature, bringing rain and snow, and the polar. The general temperature is higher than is usual in the same lat- itudes. The average temperature of leading points is shown in the following table. Average temperatures, centigrade. Places. Winter. Spring. Summer. | Autumn. ane ghale Tilsit aa ale maa teeta ne aio 8 mi) airs, oc qa’ —3. 62 5. 02 16. 91 6. 99 6. 38 WAGs Ree sonne ee eee ee es, 0. 85 7.08 16. 35 9.15 8. 35 Bex: foe pae tere eee os te ok 0. 25 8.14 18. 50 9. 20 8. 90 Oldenang = 3). . cee ee es Se 1. 05 7.50 16. 63 8. 89 8.51 Cleve .......-....-- Ape) 1.98 8.10 16. 55 9. 45 9.03 Cron, see Site on anes ae ee ec 1. 75 9,11 17. 71 9. 83 9. 60 Stuttgart wiminie oon nnn ones seeeeescascenaas 1. 64 9. 94 18. 89 10. 28 10.19 Issny, (in Wtirtemberg) .......-......... —1. 40 6. 83 15. 79 7. 69 7.28 Munieh Fea. sot. we 2 =~ o55 a ee 0, 28 9. 20 17. 58 9. 34 9.10 JGADZIE Is Lae eee ee cee A. < eae —0.14 8. 09 17. 28 8. 73 8. 49 Breglatho sess cases cab iso cnet ee —1, 20 7. 63 17. 89 8. 64 8. 24 The above temperatures may be transmuted into degrees Fahrenheit by multiplying them by 1.8 and adding the product to 32°, the freezing ch ama case of minus temperatures the product should be subtracted rom 32. 268 The yearly rain-fall in the Rhine provinces is 24 Paris inches; in Bavaria, 32.9; in Wurtemburg, 28.2; in Elsass Lotharingen, 28.6; in East Prussia, 22.6; in West Prussia, 19.9. The last spring frost occurs at the end of April in the eastern provinces, and three weeks earlier in the western; the first fall frost in the east is about the middle of Oc- tober, and in the west about a month later. In the east the annual number of days above 19° centigrade, or 66.2 Fahrenheit, ranges from 26 to 28; in the central provinces, 40; at Cologne, 42. Spring work begins the last of February in the Rhine provinces, but as late as May in the mountains of Pomerania and Silesia. Rye harvest ranges through July. Potatoes are dug in October. The grape and the maize find their northern limit along the isotherm of 9° centigrade, (48.2 Fahren- heit.) The climatic conditions of both animal and vegetable growth are on the whole favorable. Sor.—About 49 per cent. of the empire is rated as garden and plow land; 18 per cent. meadows and pastures; 25 per cent. woodland; 8 per cent. waste. The soil is not remarkably fertile. In the level northern portions it is light and by no means rich, except in East Prussia, where less favorable climatic conditions reduce its full productiveness. The regular rain-fall, however, favors the untiring and iptelligent cultiva- tion which extorts good harvests. The conditions of growth are more favorable in Middle and South Germany, but far below those of Lom- bardy, Belgium, and England. LAND-TENURE.—The farms of Germany are generally of medium size and are held in fee-simple. Near Treves and Coblentz, and in Baden, Nassau, and Wiirtemberg the allotments are small. In the north- eastern provinces and on the Upper Elbe more than half the land is held in tracts exceeding 370 acres. On the west the, land-tenures resemble those of France; on the east those of Russia. Thus in social organization as well as in climate, Germany occupies middle ground between Southwestern and Northeastern Europe. TILLAGE, LIVE-STOCK, ETC.—Saxony leads in high farming, but is not quite able to raise her own grain. Next follows the Lower Rhine, Hesse, Baden, Elsass-Lotharingen, Bavaria, and Wiirtemberg. The richest grain-lands are in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, Hanover, and the Danube Valley. Gardening prevails in the middle and south. The seed and flower gardens around Bamberg, Nuremberg, Ulm, and _Frankfort rival those of Belgium and Holland. Baden, Hesse, and Wiirtemberg export considerable quantities of fruit, while a small surplus is annually found in the Palatinate, the Rhine provinces, Thur- ingia, and Saxony. The flax fibers and fabrics of Silesia, Westphalia, and Hanover have a world-wide reputation. Bavaria, Elsass, and Posen raise superior hops. In 1872 Saxony, Silesia, Brandenburg, Anhalt, and Brunswick produced 61,000,000 centners* of sugar-beets. The vine, cultivated since the time of the Romans on the hills of the . Rhine, in the Palatinate, Wiirtemberg, &c., covers 308,887 acres. Baden, Elsass, Hesse, Middle Franconia, the Palatinate, and a small portion of Prussia, in 1871, had 54,860 acres in tobacco. The average yleld of wine is about 118,879,100 gallons; of tobacco 77,000,000 pounds. In 1871-72 the aggregate yield of tobacco was 78,533,950 pounds, valued at 6,068,500 thalers, or about $4,247,950. Of this aggregate Baden produced 22,557,590 pounds; Prussia, 21,877,900 pounds ; Bavaria, 15,856,830 pounds; Elsass, 12,706,980 pounds; Hesse, 3,906,210 pounds, Fine meadow and pasture land is distributed throughout the empire *By lateimperial decree the centner has been fixed at 50 kilograms, or a little over 110 pounds. 269 giving large scope to live-stoek raising, especially in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Algau. The last census enu- merated 3,500,000 horses, 15,000,000 cattle, 30,000,000 sheep, 8,000,000 hogs, and 2,000,000 goats. The wool-clip of 1869 amounted to 824 million pounds, mostly in Prussia, Posen, Silesia, and Mecklenburg. ForESTRY.—Forestry, an important branch of German rural economy, dates back to Charlemagne, who afforested the Ardennes and Osnabruck woods. German forestry is the best in the world. The empire embraces a forest-area of 56,460 square miles, about equal to the State of Michigan. Of this area 34 per cent. belongs to government ; 16 per cent. to individ- uals, or societies, and the remainder to individual proprietors. Upland forests embrace 81 per cent. of the whole, and conifers 55 per cent. About 310,000 acres are devoted to oak for tanning. The net profits of forest-land range from 56 cents to $3.56 per acre. At an average in- come of 77 cents per acre, the value of the German forests is computed at $466,000,000. This large area of forest gives scope to a considerable yield of wild game, of which, however, no trustworthy statistics are ac- cessible. The fisheries are decreasing in yield, but measures have been taken to arrest this decline. Several sorts of fishes, especially the bream, are abundant in the waters of East Prussia; 100 tons, worth $5.60 per ton, have been taken at a single haul. POPULATION.—The total population is stated at 41,058,632. The following table shows the population and area of the different states of the empire, in English square miles : States. Population. Tania Kingdom of Prussia, (including Lauenburg) .-....---.----.------- 24, 691, 307 180 1a Ete Soe ene bce eee sua pos SetnoecconsSeupeceoo 4, 863, 450 163 Rasiya ee 8 ood sa ase eas igen ee aaah 2, 556, 244 433 “WRG Ode ae SA Re oo Senbocooored bee ctseocscnared 1, 818, 539 236 Grandemnchw OmBade ne asses ess sce cals soos mnaanaine ac ceeae™ 1, 461, 562 242 TH ORSO ya teeece aise Soothe oat tides eaic’s’s ceeeceee es 852, 894 282 Mecklenburg-Schwerin...........--------------- 557, 897 106 Saxé=W elimar ee =. <2 ccnscdecemcces sscasesesseses 286,183 | - 200 Wecklen bore: Sone loge. ese eeee te aaa se anise sseae 96, 982 90 Oldenbureesse- seasee seen eae ee as tees ato eee 314, 777 124 TI Dy ALT LES LS SE See ase cde sabe Hagges be poder cane ane sue. aa 311, 764 214 \ DI aMOs MTOM SOM «ane a foras-eaore nietaioaicini=/alelaita aa rae Sees 187, 184 192 Saxo A Len bun meas. eases eamely faacsaeeea= sadam ce asems 142, 122 273 ISPSaeH OMe eres E yi Se Saree SBE ce Secmccr gaaTiseecsoded 174, 339 222 PATNA od ee eee es See ees see cine tactemarehc ates eerie ao were 203, 407 222 Principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.............-------.----- 75, 523 203 Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen ...--..--..--.----.--- 67, 191 199 ANA ORO ea a 58 oe es Sey ae oe eer are amines 56, 224 127 FEOUSG: caLEGROLEIIO +24 ou auto oo am ile re cinerea tase aie 45, 094 418 LRGs Spiers) 42) hth SOB as eenoemnonSeercoesadeece 89, 032 272 Seka MUL MIP POl a= )-- ss as teen amiss ana me = e 32, 059 183 LL ee) 0 2) G Sa een ee ee eae 6 ac aeneEaRtce ne 111, 135 249 AALS STRATE) OT USLOLE oe Ee ee 52, 158 461 ISLOMOIME TS or ten ie Ry so a doddeisxasetetae 122, 407 1, 212 EVAN Gunmen een Se eS ok ka tess < ae 338, 074 2, 087 Crowa-lends’of Alsace-Manname). oc oc2- cacccc chet sensceceseucse 1, 549, 459 271 Tie ead RCE eke och toe 213,020 | 41, 058, 632 192 Adding the coast-harbors, &c., and the areais......--------- 214, 711 The nationalities of the population are stated as follows: Poles, 2,500,000 ; French, 270,000; Lithuans, 150,000; Techerkin, 150,000; Danes, 150,000 ; Wends, 140,000; the remainder are Germans. In regard to religion, 25,549,781, or 62.2 per cent., are Evangelical Lutheran; 14,851,455, or 36.3 per cent., are Catholics ; 512,069, or 1.2 per cent., are Jews. A smaller number profess other forms of belief. 270 Of the total population, 20,149,800 are males, and 20,993,800 females, the ratio of the sexes being as 100 to 103.8. The proportion of individ- uals of the “productive” and ‘non-productive” ages is as follows: 5 SS 5 8 m | a 1D 2 - Re ee eee Population. Pps Se gue be , a i oS ~ ) gel Pa : | —Q o) | | Per cen t.. Per cent.| Per cent. Rotalspopulation -.-acs-- see eeeeeere es. - cose Sasehe coe: ol | Gane 2.3 VIEDIGREMT REE: MS- De R eh Sas 2 See me aed BEET OES ees | SGA ar 63.1 eee Hem al OG)? ss ces teat ee srt ee eicae cube ct 4 YS 33e6 64.0 2.4 The average annual number of marriages, births, and deaths, during eighteen years, in Prussia, Austria, England, and France, were as fol- lows: oH S > ce = Pig ae i az Ho 5 eal Countries. oa ae) aS SS > a eve ig heey a ae > 8 oS i) 5) = | A FST SS as Aare ewes Ce re ee i eI Bey th a coe kee | 8.41} 38.99 28. 40 PATS bia Ase Ae be ne teh es a eee es gee 8.56! 40.17 31.99 mo land st srsen a eco eer ee. eRe NS Cae ee eae Neg Aaa ena a, 8.37 | 34.67 24, 43 FPN CO res Seen Mee ae ay ee eee ike ee wea ae soe ane Seen ee 7.86 26. 33 24, 02 . The population has doubled in fifty years, and has increased 150 per cent. in eighty years, though depleted by emigration at an accelerating rate during the past and current generation. About 2,700,000 have settled in the United States, including 133,141 in 1873. The percentages of married, single, widowed, and divorced were as follows: iS 8 Condition. = “ ay) : a c+ n oS = = fy Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent. IMATTICO) 2.2 Ree. ec. oS ot oo a ee Sylar noe 50.1 WaGowed..: .2.teeeeeee cc... eee” .. (o2. eee 8.6 BS (Reig ROO be es): 5k.< JERS is: 5 «tee oe «abies eee 40. 0 42,2 37.9 MOTOR CG = © oa) -s do.ssee% SPRING ie toate es aren ate ceialo stot =| - OO ater este meee Seas, bx Bate Coto PRe dozen (LEG Cen? BORE ere ter ere dOps eet GUT nece bona ce pence Gn Sad DSEObABADE dojseesas OS RS SE eae Bp ee eer ere e Op a tasty iPlay presi, Walediaas. tciad sadetea ss) «= <1 per ton. . common to fair shipping .----. do; Beef, western mess .....-..--.--.- per barrel. . GRIMM WACSS: . 25 s- sen csealeae = ae daze sie. Warthman’s city family.-...---- dope sees PANE MMeCS eee ioct.- ssfels fot -eeeo set = doce 5- [UNS GRR Ree pond ane coceuar)aeeac. ETE ea eo nar swce ~'s fed wee oxo dO rotates Manders setis( 22 a. otese Se6 82 eus POE pound. Butter, choice middle State .......... dq-Sacee choice western. .......--.--.. Uae Cheese, New York factory. .--.-..---.do.--.-. OMIGFERGAOE Teo wa wn dots came doesas-s Sugar, fair to good refining -...-..-..do..---. Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...... low middling to good middling.do....-- Wool, Ohio'X and XXWupsseos5. 5. doses. Ghioicombing: 22. esos ess GTaca6se pulléde 3... -2g2..)5- sees COwcs ssc unwashed, cloth’g and comb’g .do,..... BALTIMORE. Flour,, superime sees -: sid. See per barrel... CXUPAye Urs geeeeens es. scccee dose... family and fancy -2... 4 ---.<. dns... May. June. .| $14 50 to $15 00 17 50 ~to 18 00 102 to 112 28 to 2 25 to 33 15 to 174 14 to 17 7% to et 64 to 8 * 84 to 10 13 to 164 162 to 194 49 to 60 45 to 53 6 OVO Ot s3 SI AI OS ee eS Nor lonKo ton CO OBASSOONUMIAS co ° — ro) S 8 00 to 10 00 9 00 to 12 00 16 00 to 17 00 to 17 25 16 00 to 14 50 to 104 to 13 33 to 40 35 «to 36 164 to 174 16 to 164 72 to 72 13) to 151 164 to 184 56 to 58 60 to 63 47 to 49 21 to 374 5 00 to 5 50 5 Wome, 7 50 7 25 to 10 50 $15 00 to $15 50 18 50 to 19 00 114 to 12 23 to 98 22) to 26 154 to 16 15 to 154 7% to 8 64 to 8 84 to 10 15 to 17 174 to 21 49 to 60 45 to 53 44 to 52 25 to 56 54 to 62 18 to 38 20 to 3D 47D) tO) (5825 600 to to 8 75 5/50: to 6:75 6 25 to 975 45 to. 155 160 to 1 68 165 to 1 69 1 45 to 1.49 98 to to ——— 82 to 89 61 to 674 280 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. May. BALTIMORE—Continued. Whealy white pees. ---- stecok per bushel $1 60 to BMDEM eee. «=o 5-51 cee ane se dowe=2e2 1 60 to ROU Ge I lee, sis\= eee do..-.| 100 00 to 140 00 |-—— to —— heavy draught-horses...--..-.. do...-| 125 00 to 165 00 |-—— to —+— Mules, 14 to 15 hands lets Ree apes os doze 50 00 to 100 00 |—— to —— 15 to 16 hands high.......... --do.-..| 115 00 to 165 00 |\——— to ——. SDM? ee obon dodobabaaeso HSSacue do..-.| 175 00 to 200 00 |——— to ——— NEW ORLEANS. Cattle, Texan beeves, choice.-...--- per head..| 40 60 to 55 00} 40 00 to 55 00 first quality .-.-.2.-2--+0+2---+-@0.--. 35 60 to 4000) 35 00 to 40 00 second quallihy, ssc. cee cee eee do.-..| 20 00 to 2800) 20 00 to 28 00 western beeves....--..--.per cental..| 1000 to 12 50 to milch-cows . -.---.-.-------per head..| 35 00 to 100 00 | 35 00 to 100 00 CRIN GS Aig Ae Sh = SERIO SACO Soecocat Kine 7 00 to 10 00 7 00 to 10 00 Sheep mursh malay eee eee eee eee ee doe 4|) 4 00M ton 5200 400 to 5 00 Becondiomalttvece eee eee dossee 300 to 4 00 3 00 to 4 00 VME <1. Aan tonioe palciomar ec ear cee per cental 5 00 to 7 50 500 to 7 50 FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEAT.—The spring in Europe has been, on the whole, favorable to the wheat crop. An early harvest was confidently anticipated, but the succession of cold days and frosty nights, together with lack of rain, amounting almost to drought in some regions, about the middle of May, destroyed - that hope. In “France wheat in many places began to turn yellow, and in other localities to show signs of rust. The exhaustion of home stocks of wheat in Europe, caused by two scanty harvests, becomes more painfully apparent as each week develops its results. Although the increased facilities of ocean transport, and the enhanced efficiency of the Suez Canal route, places England in closer relations with the wheat-producing regions of the world, she yet fails to realize any im- portant relief from the terrible pressure of short crops. With a demand for foreign wheat, absorbing not less than a million quarters per month, she finds her supplies constantly shortening. In the four weeks ending May 9 her actual receipts from abroad were but 595,000 quarters. The stocks in London were but 203,160 quarters, or less than one month’s supply for the metropolis alone, with its three and one-third millions of hungry mouths. English wheat is almost entirely exhausted, the small ‘upplies i in first hands being held by large and wealthy farmers, holding 1 for maximum prices. The facts now show that 1873 was a short ‘eat year throughout the world. The yield of South Australia is esti- i 285 mated at 500,000 quarters, only two-thirds of the previous crop of the colony. In Hungary the high prices of flour caused such a general dis- use of that article of diet as to extort a concession of 1 shilling per quarter on wheat. . Fine wheat had begun to come to Odessa in consid- erable quantities, but was met by an ample demand at high pricés. French, Belgian, and Dutch country markets gave signs of close ex- haustion ; while Switzerland and Italy are heavy importers of wheat, and Germany also feels the stress. The Indian famine adds its depressing influence. All indications seem to point to a scramble for breadstufts in Europe before the coming harvest. The weekly deliveries in London during the last week in May were nearly 15,000 quarters short of the corresponding week of 1873. The aggregate of deliveries for seven and a half months of the cereal year, ending April 11, amounted to 7,190,805 quarters, requiring 4,809,105 before harvest. The shortening foreign supplies of the harvest of 1873, as shown by the startling growth of weekly deficiencies, give but poor prospect of meeting this demand in England, where farmers will have to purchase largely for bread for their own families. In France the pressure is still more severe, all the corn- try markets showing a serious rise in prices. Late rains in the south of France have materially enhanced the prospect of the growing crop. The London averages during the last week in May were 63 shillings per quarter on 1,322 quarters. Full half of the current arrivals from abroad were from New York. In Mark Lane, Essex, and Kent, white wheat brought 53s. to 67s. per quarter; ditto, red, 55s. to 63s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, 55s. to 61s. Of foreign wheats, Dantzig mixed, all grades, is quoted at 60s. to 70s.; Konigsberg, 59s. to 69s. ; Rostock, 63s. to 69s.; Silesian red, 58s. to 60s. ; ditto white, 63s. to 68s. ; Pomeranian, Mecklenberg, and Nolenmark, red, 59s. to 62s. ; Ghirea, 56s. > to 60s.; Russian, hard, 54s. to 57s.; Saxouska, 60s. to 61s.; Danish and Holstein, red, 60s. to 62s.; American, 58s. to 62s.; Chilian, white, 65s. ; Californian, 66s.; Australian, 64s.to 67s. In Liverpool American white brought 12s. 6d. to 13s. per cental; red winter and southern, 12s. 4d. to 12s. 6d.; No. 1 Spring, 11s. 10d. to 12s. ; No. 2 spring, 11s. 2d. to 11s. 94.; Canadian white, 12s. 6d. to 12s. 10d.; ditto, red, 12s. to 12s. 2d. ; California white, 12s. 7d. to 13s. 3d.; Chili, white, 12s. 2d. to 12s. 4d.; Australian, 13s. 6d. to 13s, 9d.; Spanish, white, 12s. to 12s. 2d.; Danubian, 7s. 6d. to 9s. 6d.; Egyptian, 10s. 8d. to 12s. 6d. In Paris French wheats brought 67s. to 73s. 6d. per quarter. At Rouen and Havre, California was quoted at 69s. 6d.; Chili, 68s.; American spring and Polish, 63s. 6d. FLouR.—The supply of flour in London at the opening of the last week of May was very moderate, the imports of the previous week being only 86,394 ewt. In Mark Lane the best town households brought 47s. to 54s. per 280 pounds; best country households, 44s. to 47s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 38s. to 44s.; American, per barrel, all grades, 30s. to 34s. In Liverpool English and Irish superfines were quoted at 43s. 6d. to 50s. per 280 pounds; French, 55s. 6d. to 59s. 6d.; Spanish, 48s. 6d. to 52s.; Trieste and Hungarian, 65s. 6d. to 77s. 6d.; Chilian and California, 45s. Gd. to 51s. Gd. ; American, Western State, per barrel, 25s. 6d. to 32s. 6d.; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 29s. 6d. to 31s. 6d.; Ohio, 29s. 6d. to 34s. 6d.; Canadian, 29s. 6d. to 36s. 6d. In Paris prices for consumption were. strengthening, from 51s. 4d. to 54s. per 280 pounds. Ma1zE.—In Mark Lane, London, white is quoted at 41s. to 44s. per quarter; yellow at 37s. to 39s. In Liverpool American white brought trom 39s. to. 39s. 6d. per 480 pounds; ditto yellow, 37s. 6d.; Danubian, 38s. to 38s. 6d.; Galatz, 44s. 6d. to 45s. o) fren 2 Ni ieee oa ' | ' is * 4 i, sf 7 Aa rey ag 1 yi, 4 ive eee 3 a i ve ve l'¥ r 1 a 4 , iw . ‘ 1 i E y ; ¢ i} j ' \ ¥ 4 iv — y " a : \ / Me. Bre i liane ii ; ‘ , neu. F Pele T yeh . f a \ q - ' ; = Ne: eae | ai ' 5 f whe i i «ee : Dt, ‘in x i Ps i, rs 7 ars Me At Pe : . - ’ m t : 7 cite ee RAO eal MONTHLY REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE asthe se as eee WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1874. GONTENTS. Page. DIVISION OF STATISTICS: Digest of crop-Teburns\. - scssere meee ete a iae alone Sa ce sUeinis ceo tee 291 ee COR Aor ois n cian a teia cin alnle Saree eieee parece tes cic cise ois eisiciee Sicier>. claw ele nee leeteeteeets 291 IRE ne See sono GUO CESIenOCHEb SS 5550.5050 HOEn CEnU See e eRe Emer stos ofcac0 296 CobtOn . Wosesec see weincn .wlecseemnces ese solsidaa ceeds Sea's tadncince seeeeeee 301 Oats iearecis cee Oc sieicts Bia aie wtayalciele ialsce are ee iomeemmca ie elate le wiciciets ores ole inicic olan ate a emma IR) Gab SDD BOO COO GODA6 0 OE OBOE OSGSES Shoo. 4500 Goce OnDaSa Goad GSan ano aa0 ooos 306 IBAPlOY 2 = Se cin cicc ss setetcecelcecince cewateancie do see ecisce els aonive cls icle setneneeeete 307 POURLORS ai nisccncimise cams cine Sais scrle'e cleo Cid viele oeinleleielereiata laters clo ralonmiareteeeaes 307 WWiOOl ie eiremism actinic cisions win cee noes semivccuie se aews sae cosine Soe ee eC eneenes 310 MODACO ee sae ee eieclele nets s oi tins Wine ania Geie tele Sella ele Ie eialasicioieisee enero 310 Sripar- Cana. oaso ne eco cama ent wackspedse seaside tae ce ccae see 311 SOTHHUM Pesce cise -eeein ioe eine omnes Ce caiseticas tacmicel oe cate nete eens 312 TUM Pe caine inate ne eee Sema Roce ee nisin waters esis oar aeciese eaten oceans 312 Hayiand pasture sos ccietiew set ewe smie anise si ccece mane cae cece eens 315 Tabulated retuEens 34-5 ec sacecs ose p- sabes -socee ssadee ao se cooeeeeeee 319, 320 Extracts irom conrespondencerse sas esere sees eeneonceceenee eae vot otereeeee » ool Royal Agricultural Museum at Berlin... -22 22 1c o~ eeiom selene oe ee eeeyeeer 323 Facts trom Official sources)... 22 0 Scene ose ose cob eine ete nee coh he eee 333 Markebt-prices of farm=products sence. secs seneesiecce es sete ce haeee ne eee ee eEe 337 Mive-stockimarkets 22). cocci se vole lee asses ees soe ee Venn mia eee ree eee 339 Horeiga Markets cae oa neeecee nee aaees eeecns aaa asa eee 340 DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY : Entomolosical eC Ore. .c.ceme soca wees ccs welcomes cone Soeeia ose «eee 326 Colorado potato-beetle --.-.---..----..--...------ sie westtescesiee see eee Insect-injuriess-cossonemciemesinayeeinetiscices Sone eanepOcEbacacsoesocéoosc 328 DIVISION OF BuTANY: Me OtAMICAl NOLES )s.\-c:.seetec cece aes Seco cie Mele acai eae aleme cee cscs Soca ceeennee 332 POSONOUS Plants came stacaswceas cee mae eee mecca loce\sc sate veeee ee 332 M0 .N Dab Yabo PO R-T. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Statistical Division, July 21, 1874. Sire: I submit for publication -a digest of the returns of acreage of certain crops and condition of crops for July, a record of market-prices for the month, together with current results of investigation in other divisions of the Department, and other matter, J. R. DODGE, ; Statistician. Hon. FREDERICK WATTS, Commissioner. DIGEST OF CROP RETURNS. 4 CORN. An increase in the corn area of fully 2,000,000 acres is apparent, or 6 per cent. above the breadth of last year. The percentage is largest in the South ; the increase in acres is largest inthe West. Returns make the gain in Iowa over 300,000 acres; in Missouri, about the same ; in Illinois, about 200,000 ; in Indiana, fully 200,000; in Kansas, about 170,000. Georgia shows almost as lar ge an increase as lowa and Mis- souri; Alabama, 180,000 acres ; Mississippi, 120,000 acres; Texas, 200,000 acres. The inducement to enlarge the corn area of the cotton States appear to have been less influential in the Mississippi Valley than in the more eastern States, Georgia particularly. The increase in Texas is synply due to the natural expansion of crop areas from immigation, and is equally noticeable in cotton and other crops. The number of States reporting a decrease in area is small, including only Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, and California. In Northern New England a late unfavorable spring interfered with planting, and in Louisiana the area is less by reason of the overflow. The States making increase are as follows: Maryland, Virginia, Wis- consin, 101; Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, 102; Massachusetts, Ore- gon, 103; Connecticut, North Carolina, Illinois, 104; South Carolina, Michigan, 106; Indiana, 708; Iowa, 109; Mississippi, Minnesota, 110; Alabama, Arkansas, 112 ; Kansas, 114; Georgia, 115. The condition of corn is generally ood in the West, but elsewhere variable. The only States reporting average condition, or above, are Massachusetts of the Eastern States, Pennsylvania of the Middle States, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Texas of the Southern States, and the Western ’States, except Minnesota, reporting 94, and California and Oregon. 290 The percentages of condition above average are as follows: South Carolina, 101; Massachusetts, Florida, Michigan, Kansas, 102; Mary- land, Iowa, 104; Illinois, 105; Texas, 106; Indiana, Nebraska, 109. The States averaging 100 are Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Mis- souri. On the northern Atlantic coast the late planting and cold storms are the causes of somewhat inferior condition, though the color is generally good and present growth promising. The inundations, soaking rains, and consequent replantings in the Southern States make the appear- ance of corn quite variable, and account for condition below average in certain States, while in others such disadvantages, existing to a less degree, have been overcome by good culture and good weather. There is complaint of local drought, but it is not of long continuance or in- volving wide areas. It has been most serious in Arkansas, some coun- ties having had little or no rain in two months. In the Ohio Valley there is some complaint of drought; in West Virginia, Ohio, and Ken- tucky, and in some parts of [llinois, and to some extent in States west of the Mississippi. So far the injury from this cause throughout the country is less than usual, but should the droughts existing July first be continued and intensified through the month, great injury may result. Cut-worms have been generally injurious, and chinch-bugs in the West, after devastating wheat-fields, have attacked corn vigorously in many localities. The following condensed exhibit of remarks accompanying returns will illustrate further peculiarities of condition: Matne.— York; Too wet and cool. Cumberland: Not much planted; season too late and cool. New HaAmpsuire.— Hillsborough: Backward; injured by worms, Rockingham: Back- ward. Belknap: Backward. VERMONT.—Lamoille : Kept back by cold and wet; poor condition. Windsor: Back- ward on account of late spring. Rutland: Late. Franklin: Keptback by late spring, but of good color. Chittenden: Small and backward. Caledonia: Smallest for thirty years. MASSACHUSETTS.— Berkshire: Corn has made a good growth considering the late spring. CONNECTICUT.— New London: Very promising. New York: Columbia: Planting delayed by rain and cold; crop backward. Livingston : Growing finally. Rockland: Late planted, and backward, but of good color; weather now propitious. Montgomery: Corn-fields grown over with weeds; a succession of thunder- storms prevented working them, especially in low lands. Wyoming : Stands well and looks well. Otsego: Backward; needs warm, dry weather. New JERSEY.— Hudson: Late planted and backward, May and June being unusually cool. urlington: Fields very clean, and weather good for cultivation. Warren: Looks well except some late plantings. ‘ _ _ PENNSYLVANIA.—Northampton : Doing well; no replanting. Clearfield: About ten days late, but doing well. Mashington: Very uneven; dry weather has given start to worms. Westmoreland: Suffering for rain, Hantingdon: Shortened by drought, but looks healthy. Lycoming: Promising. Lehigh: A little backward through late planting. In- diana: Doing well. Lancaster: Average increased to take the place of tobacco. Beaver: Very short and not growing. Pike: Looks well. DELAWARE.— Sussex: Retarded by heavy rains early in June and by subsequent drought. MARYLAND.— Baltimore : Crop in fine condition, but somewhat backward. Washington: Looks well. Calvert: Crops very favorable. Saint Mary’s: Small, and injured by cut- worms. Queen Anne’s: Promising, with seasonable showers. VirGinta.— Powhatan: Being late planted, the crop shows poorly. Rappahannock: Wet weather has restricted cultivation. Fluvanna: Stand backward, but good and clean. War- wick; Suffering from drought. Pittsylvania: Prospect good. Dinwiddie: Looks poor; late planted and badly cultivated. Nelson: Looks well, but is threatened by chinch-bugs from the exhausted wheat-fields. James City: Small, but well worked. Mecklenburgh : Small for the season. Prince George’s: Growth stunted, but healthy. Prince Edward’s: Acreage increased by failure of tobacco-plants. Buckingham: Threatened by chinch-bugs. Clarke : Suffering for rain. Albemarle: Chinches. Chesterfield: Late, but clean and promising. Campbell : Looks well, but chinches are after it in places. Henry: Generally well tilled. King and Queen: Backward, but looks well. Lunenburgh: Late, and difficult to cultivate. Madison: Well worked and looks well. Westmoreland: Backward; late planted; season 291 cold and wet. Gloucester: Badly injured by bud worms. Henrico: Large crop planted ; short through drought. Halifax: Late, and suffering from drought and chinches. Bu- chanan: Late planted. Bath: Looks well, but badly needs rain. NorTH CaroLina.—Edgecombe : Stand good; plants small. Person : Injured by drought. Rowan: Promising, though small for the season. Caswell : Late, but looking well. Gas- ton: Season favors both cultivation and growth. Greene: Injured by cut-worms. Chowan : Unusually late; small plants. Moore: Backward; injured by bud-worms. Alamance : Poor. Haywood: Injured by drought. Madison: Late, but promising. Wayne: About 28,000 acres planted in the county. Nelson: Large acreage but bad stand. Newberry: Promising. Fairfield: Crop promises to equal that of 1873. Spartanburgh: Uneven. Burke : Two or three weeks late. SouTH CaROLINA.—Williamsburgh : Plants look finely, but stand inferior. Marlborough : Unusually fine. Marion: A little under size, but prgmising. Darlington: Better than for many years. Clarendon: Stand injured by bud-worms; crop late, but looking well. Union: Two weeks or a month late. Edgefield: Another good rain within ten days will make the upland crop. Lexington: Low in the stalk, haviug been injured by April frosts. Laurens : Good, but small. GEORGIA.— Columbia: Season very favorable. Harris: Looks well. Upson: Stalks small but growing tinely. Gordon: Late, but looking well. Mitchell: Crop about made. Mus- cogee: Much cotton acreage plowed up for corn. Clinch: Crop will be made in two weeks, and will be ample for home-consumption. Randolph: Fine, Wilkinson: Promises a large yield. Gwinett: Late and small, but otherwise promising. Wayne: Rain becoming exces- sive ; injured by cut-worms and then by another worm cutting the stalk off at the ground. Hancock: Suffering for rain. Dougherty: Rainy weather favorable. Baker: Very fine. Cobb: Very good. Dooly: Backward through early rains and late drought. Liberty: Fine. Milton: Growing fast; promises more corn than ever before. Richmond: Early corn in- jured 15 per cent. by drought. Heard: Fine prospect of grain-crops. Morgan: Not rain enough to bring up late plantings. FLORIDA.—Columbia : Much improved by recent rains. Zeon: Crop made; good where cultivated. Jackson: The late rains have rescued the corn-crop; sufficient for home-con- sumption, but none to spare. Jefferson: Very satisfactory. Gadsden: Acreage increased 10 per cent.; crop about made, and a full average yield; asurplus of old corn selling at 75 cents per bushel. ALABAMA.—Looking very fine; excellent season. Dale: Low, but well-eared. De Kalb; Late, but promising. Chambers: Looks well. Montgomery: Promising. Macon: Grassy through excessive rain. Conecuh: Bad stands on account of the ravages of cut- worms and bud-worms. Clarke: Suffered first from excessive rain and then partial drought, but is doing finely. Franklin: Not promising; planting delayed by drought. Lauderdale: Very backward; stand poorest on the bottoms and upland flats; too wet. Pike: Damaged by drought, but fine rains lately. Dallas: Promising. Perry: Excessive rains. Marshall: Floods have prevented planting the best corn-lands. Bullock: Excellent where the land is not too wet. Clay: Small and poor. Baldwin: Excessive rains benefited upland crops, but almost destroyed bottom crops. MIsSISSIPPI.— Amite: Too much rain, with hail, yet the crop is of average promise. Co- piah: Small, but clean and promising. Newton: Looks finely. Warren: Grows rapidly on recently overflowed land. Jasper: A month late. Grenada; Promising. Wayne : Excessive rains prevented good stands, but subsequent drought enabled planters to work it clean. Tunica: Great destruction by cut-worms. De Soto: Not large, but healthy and fine. Lowndes: Standsirregular. Kemper: Promising. Wilkinson: Damaged by ‘raimin some places, and by drought in others, Lauderdale: Great improvement lately. Hinds: Well worked. Holmes: Backward. Loutstana.—Morehouse: Corn six weeks late and quite irregular, though generally looking well. East Baton Rouge: Suffered from drought following excessive rains. Union: Suffered from drought; too late forgreatimprovement. Rapides: Much improved, but too late to make more than the three-fourths of a crop. Franklin: Early corn inferior in quality; late corn mostly promising. Cameron: Promising. Caddo: Half crop; suf- fered from drought. Tensas: Planting retarded by the overflow; rain wanted. Wushing- ton i Injured by drought. Richland: Early corn in.some places plowed up; late corn looks well. Texas.— Hood: Prospect finer than ever known. Austin: Reduced below average by drought. Bosque: Good, but late. Red River: Great difficulty in getting stands. Upshur: Good. Bee: Only late crops benefited by the late rains. Bandera: Early corn killed by April frosts. Grimes: Shortened by drought. Harrison: Lack of rain will re- duce the crop one-half. Houston: Reduced by excessive drought. Lamar: Very prom- ising. Milam: Recent rains too late to overcome the two months’ preceding drought. Robertson : Looks well where well cultivated, but needs rain. Washington: Early drought enabled the farmers to work the crop thoroughly, and Jater rains have insured a good crop. Cherokee: Retarded by wet, cold spring and late frosts; fine growing weather succeeding drought; Pennsylvania white corn, from the Department, is the best in the neighborhood. Matagorda: Very fine; improving rains will greatly benefit the crop. Bell : Generally clean, 292 but need rain. Anderson: Succumbing to drought. Uvalde: Suffering forrain. Laraca: Prospects favorable. Cooke: Looks well, but need rain. Marion; Suffering for rain. Lampasas: Crop safe; grain fine. Medina: Prospective yield doubled since June. Nacogdoches: Short through drought. Shelby: Late planted, but better cultivated than last year. Kaufman: Promise of best crop for twelve years. , ARKANSAS.— Boone: Backward, but coming on finely; recent warm rains. Franklin: In fine condition. Clark: Affected by drought; good weather may raise it to 75. Pulaski: Much injured by eight weeks’ drought ; two weeks more will ruin it. Union: Eight weeks’ drought. Craighhead: No general rain since April 5. Garland: No rain for nine weeks; corn dead. Jackson: Rain badly needed. Bradley: Drought of ten weeks has cut down the corn-crop very seriously. Columbia: Three weeks more of drought will finish the crop ; not over half a cropat best. Independence: Greatly damaged by protracted drought. Hemp- stead: Almost ruined by a seven weeks’ drought. Washington: Suffered severely from drought. Sebastian: Farmers, during the drought, put the crop in fine order for the late genial rains. Fulton: Generally well cultivated, of good color, and growing finely in spite of drought. Arkansas: Damaged by drought and cut-worms. TENNESSEE.—Loudon : Less than I ever saw it at this season of the year. Madison: Bad stands and looking badly on account of drought. Lzncoln: Badly affected by drought. Grundy: Backward. Sumner: Drought since May 14, seriously affecting the crop ; still of good color though very low. Carter: Improved by laterains. Hickman: Small, but healthy and growing fast. Bedford: Injurious drought. Blount: Still very small and suffering for rain in some quarters. Hardin: Damaged by drought. Hawkins: Late planted on ac- count of wet spring ; not further advanced than it usually isJunel. Monroe: Late planted, but growing finely ; seasonablerains. Polk: The variable season prevented proper cultiva- tion. Roane: Very backward on account of unfavorable weather at planting and now shortened by drought. Cannon: Drought prevented the planting of 10 per cent. of the land intended for corn. Bradley: Corn planted about May. It is very promising ; later or earlier plantings poor. Macon: Small and drying up. Maury: Worst prospect for many years.. Montgcmery : Early corn weil tended in good ground, is growing some; some seed in the hill as sound as when it was planted; result of extreme drought. Wayne: Very late; looks well. Hancock: Never looked better. Giles: Well worked. Lauderdale: Stand poor. WEST ViIRGINIA.— Harrison : Very backward and short. Brooke: Looks well; crops clean. Monroe: Came up badly on thin old land. Wayne: Drought. Cabell: Extreme drought; doing badly. Hardy: Extreme need of rain. Marion: Growing fast; very sea- sonable weather. Morgan: Needsrain very much. Grant: Beginning to suffer severely from drought. Kanawha: Drought. Lewis: Drought. Mercer: Short and unpromising through drought and worms. Monongalia: Backward, but may turn out well. Fayette: Drought restricted the acreage planted; it was too dry to plow. KENTUCKY.—Shelby : Looks green, but grows slowly; from 12 to 18 inches high. Boyle: May yet make anaverage crop. Franklin: Drought. Adair: Will make a toler- able crop if rain comes soon. Hardin: Smaller than ever known at this season. Mont- gomery : Backward, but recent rains will bring it forward. Laurel: Late plantings of no account; early plantings look well. Anderson: Low and backward, but healthy; Hop- kins : Corn lost without speedy rain. Butler: Color fine, but beginning to suffer trom drought; not all planted yet. Graves: Damaged by drought and chinch-bugs. Livings- ton: Chinch-bugs very destructive. Logan: Jsooks bad; not over a half stand, and that very uneven; some fields replanted five or six times; plants range from 3 to 36 inches; ground too dry. Marion: Putin in bad condition, and growing slowly. Mason: Well- rooted, healthy, and clean. Ohio: Extreme heat and drought. Mercer: Suffering from severe drought. Russell: Suffering severely ; norain since April 28; probably not over a fourth of a crop. Scott: Not over a half-crop. Owsley: Gloomy prospect. Nelson: Dry- ing up. Grayson: Light showers kept corn growing in some places. Henry; Looks well in some localities, but the general prospect is very unpromising ; chinch-bug very destrue- tive. OnIO.— Trumbull: Abundant. Coshocton: Late, but looks well. Delaware: Good stand, well-worked, and promising. Montgomery: Backward through drought. Monroe: Threatened by the long drought, lasting from May !. Addams: Threatened by drought and chinch-bugs. Crawford: Doing finely. Hancock: Surpasses all previous crops, both in acreage and condition. Mahoning: Injured by drought. Marion: Never promised bet- ter at thisseason. Scioto: Backward, anda bad stand. Washington: Early plantings on good ground are doing well; Jate plantings small, and a poor stand. Meigs: Suffering from continued drought. Columbiana: Driest season since 1854; corn-leaves rolled up like cigars; no rain since May. MIcHIGAN.—Saginaw : Sod-corn injured by cui-worms. Kalamazoo : Coming on finely + warm, with abundant rain. Tuscola: Looks remarkably well; growth 1ank and color good. Montcalm: Looks finely. INDIANA.— Madison: Never looked better; fine rains of late. Howard: Prospect never better. Decatur: Corn lay in the ground without sprouting for six weeks; no rain from April 24 to June 25; bad stand and the chinch-bug after it. Kosciusko: Very fine. Perry: Leoks badly ; no rain for six weeks; chinch-bugs at work; Pcsey: Poor stand ard late. 293 Putnam: Over average. Ripley: Growing finely and clean. Shelby: Chinches com- mencing to eat the crop. Washington: Improved by late rains, but threatened with the ehinch-bug. Gibson: Uneven, small for the season. Harrison: Late and small; suffer- ing for rain. Brown: Generally good ; dry weather improved in clearing the crop; greatly improved by late rains, Cass: Clean and growing fast. Clay: Clean and of good color; some damage from chinch-bugs. Crawford: Threatened by chinches. Floyd: Promises well, but needs rain very much. Hamilton: A remarkably good stand, and looks well, though in some places injured by too much rain, Jasper: Looks well, but needs rain. Marion: Improved by late rains. Noble: Prospect never better. Pike: Late corn threat- ened by chinch-bugs. Steuben: Never looked better. Wabash: Never looked better ; seasonable rains. Tippecanoe; Rarely hadsucha prospect; crops forward and well tended. Warren: Promises a large yield. Whiteley: Has done finely. ILLINOIS.—Jroquois : Promising ; growth not large, but even and well cultivated. Wood- ford: Large crop promised. Grundy: Withering from drought. Jersey: Planted late, but growing fast and doing well. Kankakee: Prospects exceedingly fine. Macon: Gen- erally good; chinches commencing operations in places. Madison: Late, and suffering from chinches. Pope: Threatened with chinches. Mason: Drought, and chinches injurious. * Saint Clair: Very precarious; poor stand and greatly injured by drought and chinches. Cass; Chinches commencing their work. Clinton: One-third of the acreage destroyed by chinches, and the rest threatened. Effingham: Injured by chinches. Jackson: Badly damaged by drought and chinches. Macoupin: Chinches have commenced at the crop. Moultrie: Better than for years in spite of chinches. Richland: In many places injured by chinches. Morgan: Prospe¢ts declined within two weeks. Sangamon: Planting stimulated by high prices. Vermillion: Never better. Washington: Late planted, and would be average but for the chinch-bugs; many fields destroyed. Wayne; Badly dam- aged by drought and chinches. Piatt: Chinches working hard on corn. Perry: Attacked by chinches; will be a failure if rain does not come soon. Schuyler: Threatened by the second brood of chinches. WISCONSIN.— Dodge : Average on old land; sod-corn injured by cut-worms and other in- sects. Douglass: Somewhat drowned out. Green Lake: Somewhatinjured by cut-worms. Juneau: Backward; but a good, even stand. Calumet: Late, but prosperous. Green: Good. MINNESOTA. —Steele : Never so promising as now. Houston: Rather low, but advanc- ing with the hot weather. Olmstead: Cold, wet weather of May and June injurious. Sherburne: Backward and weedy. Jackson: Plantedlate to escape grasshoppers. Stearns: Retarded by the cool, wet weather of early June; late rains and warmth bringing it along finely. Sibley: Late, but heavy. Jsanti: Much corn injured by rain, Iowa.—Cass: Especially promising. Linn: Lookssplendidly; crop clean. Mahaska: Looks remarkably well; best stand for years. Washington: Will suffer from drought. Clinton : Unusually good stand ; a little late, but growing rapidly. Lee : Never looked bet- ter. Mitchell: Growing fast. De Moines: Injured by worms; some pieces had to be re- planted three times. Harrison: Much corn planted in place of spring-wheat. Henry: Corn well worked and clean, but needs rain. Howard: Early plantings kept clean are extra ; late are about average. Jowa: Well tended and promising. Taylor: Fine weather since June 10 has greatly improved the crop. Tama: Good stand; unusually free from weeds. Missourt.— Caldwell : Looks remarkably well, but is injured by chinches. Cass: Very seriously injured by chinches. Vernon: Chinches destructive. Saint Clair: Chinches. Greene: Beginning to feel the drought. Moniteau: Chinches injurious. Barton: Threat- ened by chinches. Daviess: Fine; not so rank as last year, but much better cultivated. Taney: Well cultivated; Pennsylvania Yellow especially promising. Bates : Chinches. Benton: Badly injured by chinches, especially on prairie soils. Carroll : Crop 1ooked splendid until the chinches came. Cape Girardeau: Affected by drought and chinches. Christian ; Chinches. Clinton: Chinches. De Kalb: Chinches. Harrison: Looks fine. Montgomery : Chinches very bad. Miller: Chinches numerous in some fields. Perry: Drought prevented planting on the best corn-lands, the black Mississippi bottoms. Potter : One-fourth destroyed by chinches. Polk: Fields adjacent to wheat, mostly destroyed by chinches. Ralls: Suffering from drought. Newton: Unusually clean; injured in places by chinches. Dallas: Chinches sweeping whole fields. Cole: Late but promising. La- clede : Backward ; infested with chinches. Pike: Looking fine. Crawford: Very back- ward and poor; ruined by chinches. Clay: Drought and chinches. Howard: Just shoot- ing, and already injured by drought. Jasper; Corn-fields adjoining wheat and oats are eaten by chinches; others are doing well. Kansas.—Leavenworth: Early planted is doing well where closely tended; late plantings have either failed to come up or are feebly struggling against heat and drought. Woodson: Fearfully ravaged by chinches near wheat-fields. Douglass: Chinches have taken 10 per cent. of the crop. Wyandotte : Never looked so well, but needs rain. Allen: Damaged by chinches. Anderson : Injured by chinches. Bourbon : Chinches sweeping crops on thin, light, high prairie soil. Chase: Badly damaged by chinches; not overa half crop. Cherokee: In- jured by chinches in fields adjoining wheat-fields. Ellsworth: Must have rain soon. Doni- 294 phan: Condition excellent, but in some places poor seed has made a thin stand. Franklin Every day hundreds of acres are destroyed by chinches; a field within 20 rods of a wheat- field stands no chance; most of the corn-fields, however, are too far from the wheat to be seriously injured. Jackson: Chinches at work. Lyon: Chinches in corn; no rain since May 19. Linn: Damaged by chinches. Montgomery: Will suffer severely from chinches. Morris: Threatened by chinches. Sumner: Threatened by chinches. Butler: Chinches after the corn. Greenwood: Threatened by chinches. Osage: Suffering from chinches. Wabaunsee: With ten days more of drought the crop will be a failure. Republic: More than half sod-corn; a very uncertain crop. Wilson: Cut down by chinches. Atchison: Greatly damaged by chinches. Neosho: Stalks black with chinches; much will be de- stroyed. Rice: Suffering from drought. NEBRASKA.—Lincoln: Backward, but looking well. Antelope: Magnificent. Adams : Remarkably good. Burt: Retarded by rainand hail. Cass: Looks fair, but needs rain. CALIFORNIA.—Sacramento: Affected injuriously by the unusuaily cold and backward season. OrREGON.—Clackamas: Injured by excessive rains; difficult to keep down weeds. Utau.—San Pete: Prospect good. WHEAT. The average condition of winter-wheat for the whole country is 104. The most favorable conditions of growth were found in several of the States in which other crops suffered most severely. Arkansas the maxi- mum, 144; Tennessee, 119; West Virginia, 118; Kentucky, 117. In these States a severe and destructive drought, commencing shortly before wheat-harvest, gave to this grain a fine opportunity for ripening tho- roughly, but told fearfully upon all spring and summer crops. In the Middle States the crop was generally above average, and in the States north of the Ohio nearly or quiteaverage. Ohio, where drought has most prevailed, shows the highest average, 105. West of the Mississippi the crop was generally very good, and above average, except where late sowings were caught by chinch-bugs, which, with other causes, reduced the average of Kansas to 90. This plague was also felt in a few locali- ties in Virginia and North Carolina, but the crop in the southern wheat States generally showed a considerable margin above average, though Texas reached only 84. In New England the small acreage of winter- wheat was somewhat injured by winter-killing. The Fultz wheat, from seed furnished by the Department, is favorably reported in Chester, Pennsylvania, but rusted badly and yielded lightly in Talbot and Calvert, Maryland. In Buckingham, Virginia, it excelled all other varieties ; in Augusta it ripened several days before any other ; in Madisonit retained its prestige, as also in Bath; but in Spottsylvania it yielded only a half crop,andrusted badly in Dinwiddie. In Stanly, North Carolina, binders complain of the weight of the sheaves. In Fannin, Georgia, it was very fine. In Knox, Tennessee it was hardy, vigorous, and productive, ex- celling all other varieties. Tappahannock wheat is also reported as very successful in several portions of the county, its occasional failures being generally traceable to special abnormal conditions. _ Spring-wheat shows a general average of 96. In New England it was on the whole considerably above average, though backward in seye- ral counties. In the few counties growing this crop in the Middle States it is below average. In Ohio, Nebraska, and on the Pacific coast the crop was above average. In the Northwestern States it especially suffered from the ravages of chinch-bugs and other insects. In several counties of Indiana this insect was demonstrating seriously; in Morgan several fields were destroyed and were plowed up to be put in other crops. Hli- nois reports numerous casualties of similar character, and in those dis- tricts of Wisconsin where droughts prevailed the same misfortune is noted. In several localities in lowa timely rains destroyed the young 295 insects and saved the crops from their ravages, but not till after consid- erable damage had been done. {The grasshoppers were also injurious here. In Missouri the chinch nuisance was quite serious. In Caldwell County the injury to the crop was estimated variously from 35 to 50 per cent. It is noticed in Benton that, while the crop was badly injured on prairie soils, on timber-land it reached a full average. Pettis reports the insects as reducing the crop from 25 to 30 per cent. In other coun- ties, however, the pest is hardly noticeable, and the crops are uncom- monly promising. The chinch also infested the spring-wheat o fKansas ; in Anderson they nearly ruined the crop; in Franklin and Wilson, farmers propose to sow no more wheat till secured against this risk, In some counties, as in Montgomery, early sowings were but lightly affected, especially of drilled wheat, but broad-cast crops were badly affected. In Nebraska, where the pest did not appear, the crop was above average. In one or two counties an aversion to improved ma- chinery for harvesting is noted; farmers preferred hiring extra lador to purchasing reapers and mowers. In some localities of California the crop was affected by hot, dry weather and north winds. In some coun- ties of Oregon heavy rains produced a heavy growth, which it was feared might prove excessive. In Utah the crop was injured by cut-worms. Matne.—Cumberland : Spring-grain looks well. New HAmpPsnire.—Rockingham : Spring-grain average. VermMont.— Rutland: Late. Lamoille: Late. Franklin: Backward. Windsor: Back- ward. Grand Isle: Considerably winter-killed ; spring-wheat late; season backward. CONNECTICUT.— Hartford : All cereals ten days late, but of unusually vigorous growth. New YorkK.—Steuben: Need rain. Westchester: Grain-crops look well. Washington : Growing. Livingston: Growing finely. Wyoming: Improved during the last few weeks. Jefferson: Weather favorable for grain. Wayne: What escaped winter-killing is promising. ’ New JERSEY.— Burlington : Wheat harvests splendid. Warren: Fine; né rust or bugs. Sussex: Much better than usual. PENNSYLVANIA.— Northampton : Straw longer and the crop better than last year; harvest later than usual. Snyder: Very fine, and of good quality. Clearfield: Never better. Bucks: Ripening rapidly, and very promising. Washington: Many fields rusted; grain shriveling in some cases. Cameron: Promises anearly harvest and a good yield. Chester : Ripening rapidly; Fultz already cut, showing a good yield. Lycoming : Thin on the ground, and short-strawed ; heads light. Butler: Winter-wheat the only crop that will reach an average. Lehigh: A fine prospect injured by drought; grains light. Union: Benefited by late rains. Dauphin: Damaged by a worm which eats out the inside of the grain, leav- ing the hull. Fayette: Finest crop in twenty years; uniformly good, well filled, evenly ripened, bright and in prime condition. Indiana: Filling finely. Lancaster : Looks re- markably well. Lancaster ; Tappahannock, from Department, very fine; Jennings win- ter shows larger heads than any other variety; wheat looks fine generally. Crawford: Most promising crop for years. MARYLAND.—Caroline: Harvested in good order; the heads are not so plump as last year, but the yield will be greater, for the stand was good and uniform on both high and low lands. In some cases the grain is shriveled by innumerablesmall green lice, ( Aphis avenae,) which sucked the milk while the grain was in the milky state. These pests appeared too late to do great mischief. Charles: Yield somewhat disappointing. Baltamore: Fine yield, though somewhat injured by the Hessian fly. Dorchester: Wiuter-wheat extra good, and harvested in good order. Washington: Remarkably well filled. Talbot: Fultz nearly a total failure; grain small and light; straw rusty, falling down in many fields before ripen- ing. Wicomico: Somewhat shriveled, but yielding well. Calvert: Much injured by mil- dew and rot. Saint Mary’s : Fultz a failure; red wheat better, but a third short of average. Queen Anne: Extreme heat ripened our red wheat all at once; straw heavy, but it is feared that the grain is shriveled ; Fultz very popular; ripens three or four days earlier than red wheat ; it will probably stand ten days after ripening. : ViRGINIA.—Northumberland: Badly rusted and smutted ; fell down green, instead of ripen- ing,in many cases; many lose their whole crops. Tazewell: Promising till within the last few days; considerable damage from an insect, probably the wheat midge, ( Diplosis tritici, ) sucking the milk of the grain. Warwick: Failure through rust. Pulaski: Somewhat in- jured by drought. Buckingham : Improved surprisingly in the early part of June; Fultz, from the Department, excels all others; Touzelle also grows finely, but ripens rather too late for the climate. Itand the Weeks wheat suffered severely from chinch-bugs. Spottsylvania : Yield curtailed by rains during the blooming season; early-sown injured by hot, wet weather; later-sown escaped. Tappahannock and Fultz only half crops; grain good. Dinwiddie : 296 All varieves injured except Lancaster red, which yielded very finely; Fultz rusted badly ;: Touzelle winter-killed and rusted ; Tappahannock did well. Fauquier: Best crop for thirty years. Nelson: Chinch-bugs have spoiled the finest prospect for ten years; loss from 30 to 40 per cent. Orange: Ripened prematurely by hot weather, impairing both yield and quality. Augusta: Fultz, from the Department, ripened several days earlier than any other ; Tappahannock next; Touzelle will not ripen for a week yet. Charles City: Some crops- rusted. James City: Rusted three days before harvest. Page: Most promising for twenty- five years; quality good; labor. scarce for harvesting. Powhatan: Good. Rappahannock: More favorable weather of late. Mecklenburgh : Shortened by rust. Prince George: Largely injured by rust on leaves; but for the large amount of Lancaster wheat sown there would not be half a crop-. Prince William: Red-rust, occasioned by rainy and foggy weather, has caused a great shrinkage of grain. Prince Edward; Crop short andinferior. Clarke: Heads light. Albemarle: Chinches. Campbell : Considerably injured by rust and chinches. Culpeper: Not well filled. Highland: Never better. King and Queen: Rusted; grain shriveled. Lunenburgh: Rusted and filled imperfectly. Madison: Rusted, but crop aver- age; Fultz retains its prestige. Smyth: Best crop since 1867. Westmoreland: Red-rust, owing to extreme heat in June. Gloucester: Grain light. Henrico: White wheat failed to fill well. Halifax: Injured by chinches and rust. Buchanan: Blade-rust. Bath: Fultz, from the Department, very fine; also the Tappahannock and the Touzelle. NortTH CarOLina.—Ashe: Fultz harvested very finely. Caldwell: Promised an extra crop a month ago; reduced 10 per cent. by rust. Cleveland: A third better than last year both in quantity and quality. Rowan: Head short, but the grain is good. Stanley: Grain generally heavy ; rusted in spots: Fultz steadily improves; binders complain of its. weight in gathering; Tappahannock still maintains its reputation; we thank the Depart- ment for its introduction. Caswell: A promising crop, reduced to a third below average by rust and chinch-bug. Forsyth: Best crop. for six years. Gaston: Rusted in some fields. Greene: Best crop in five or six years. Warren: Injured by rust. Moore: Injured by rust, especially late wheat. Davidson: Yield large and quality good. Alamance: Injured by late and wet spring ; some of it blighted; some failed to mature; much of it very light.. Madison: Fifteen days earlier and a fourth better than last year. Macon: Excellent, though somewhat rusted in places. Burke: Best crop for years. SouTH Carouina.—Lexington : Injured by rust or mold. Fairfield: Very good in good: land. Laurens: Turns out well; best yield for twenty years ; good flour; culture will in- erease next year. GEORGIA.—Harris : Disappointed expectation, Dawson: Prospect declining. Gordon: Damaged by rust; quantity average, but quality depreciated. Fannin: Fultz very fine. Gwinnett: Rust cut down the crop a little below average. Marion: Better than for many years; Tappahannock, from the Department, very fine. White: All cereals about average. Stewart: Unusually good. FLortDA.— Gadsden : Tappahannock, from the Department, has been very satisfactory. We would be glad to find some party prepared to furnish seed for a large cultivation. ALABAMA.— De Kalb: Yield above average, but quality depreciated by rust. Calhoun: Grain fine and well filled. MIssissipPi.— Kemper : Rusted somewhat. TExaASs.—Kerr : Much wheat frost-killed; winter-wheat averages 6 bushels per acre; a fourth of a crop ; springw-heat 8 bushels, or athird of a crop. Tappahannock, from the Depart- ment, averaged 16 bushels of beautiful grain. Bosque : Depreciated in quantity and quality by rust. Red River: Badly damaged by drought following excessive rains. Comal: Will average 10 bushels per acre. Collin: Does not thrash outas wellas wasexpected. Kendall : Winter-wheat badly rusted. Burnet : Frosted in some cases and rusted in others. Bandera : Winter-wheat averaged 9 bushels per acre; spring wheat 184 bushels. Ellis : Yield small, but grain good; average about7 bushels per acre. Hunt; Blackrust has done some injury. Lamar: Does not fulfill the promise of early spring; too wet. Wood: Rusted. Cooke: Did not fill well; average yield about 10 bushels per acre. Kaufman: Light, through rust 5. will average 10 bushels per acre. ARKANSAS.— Craighead: Unusual acreage sown. Independence: Crop never better; some of it already marketed. Washington: Full average, or 10 bushels per acre. Fulton: Universally good, and harvested in fine condition. Marion: Better than for years. Arkansas: Good. Boone: Fine and abundant. gs TENNESSEE.—Loudon: Heavy straw and very light heads. Lincoln: Full average and of good quality. Grundy: Splendid. Carter: Many fine forward fields damaged by snow and frost during the last days of April. Hickman: 'Thrashes out 50 per cent. more than last year. Blount: Damaged by drought and rust. Greene: Failed to meet expectations. Grainger: Very fine. Hawkins: Largest acreage and yield ever known. Knox: Fultz. the most valuable variety yet received; it is hardy, vigorous, and productive. Monroe: Slightly rusted. Polk: Somewhat rusted. Moane : Better than for several+years. Bledsoe = Unusually good, free from smut, cheat, or cockle; alittle rust on the blade. Lawrence : Best crop for ten years. Cannon: Quality extra. Eradley: Upland wheat finer than any since 1857; rust quite fatal along the water-courses. Montgomery: Fine. Hancock Best crop for many years. Giles: Extra good. 29T WEsT VirGINiA.— Putnam: Above average on our best lands; below average on poor soils, owing to severe drought in May. Harrison: Finest crop for eighteen or twenty years. Brooke: Better than for many years. Monroe: Heavy yield and excellent quality. Nicholas: Good. Cabell: Better than for many years. Hardy: Superior in quality and quantity. Barbour: Good. Grant: Considerably reduced by drought. Jefferson: In- jured in some places by chinch-bugs and rust; filled finely, but straw not heavy. Mercer: generally good, though injured in some places by the midge and grub-worm. Monongalia: Largest and best crop in twenty years; equal to the last two crops. Krentucky.—Rowan: Wheat the only successful crop. Shelby : Above average in spite of drought. Franklin: As good as any previous crop. Adair: Better than usual. Mont- gomery: Never better. Laurel: Good. Bracken: Some smut and midge, but yield is good and quality better than for many years. Anderson: Good; somewhat injured by the midge. Christian: Best for years, both in quantity and quality. Lincoln: Good. Lewis: Largest harvest ever known. Warren: Best crop ever raised in the county. Graves : Reduced 10 per cent. by wet spring and dry June. Logan: Large yield of fine, plump grain. Mason: Excellent in quality, but the yield short of expectation. Mercer: Approxi- mates the great crop of 1855. » Touzelle, from the Department, heads well, but the straw is rather delicate; Tappahannock much better. Scott; Unusually good; the only crop ap- proaching average. Owsley: The only successful crop. Nelson: Excellent, having matured before the drought. Metcalf: Good. Gallatin: Above average. On10.— Trumbull: Abundant. Coshocton: Largest and best crop for years; Fultz superior to other varieties. Delaware: May and June very favorable; crop recovered from winter-freezing, and is fine in yield, stand, and plumpness of berry. Licking: Harvest early and abundant; better crop than for many years. Montgomery: Good. Erie: Quality fine. Hancock: Unusually fine; some fields will average 30 bushels per acre. Marion : Spring-wheat aboutabandoned, Scioto: Better than for years. Athens: Average in spite of drought. MICHIGAN.—Saginaw : Injured by spring frosts. Kalamazoo: Ripening finely, Hillsdale : Tappahannock 10 inches above the Touzelle, both sown at the same time; the Deal and Treadwell our most usual varieties. Tuscola: What survived winter-killing is doing very well. Calhoun: The dry, windy, hot weather may injure the crop, Montcalm: Never better. Cass: Just ripening ; if well secured, the yield will be larger than ever, INDIANA.—Grant: Very seriously damaged by chinch-bugs.—Elkhart: badly winter- killed on clay soils; filled unusually well on sandy soils. Madison: Moderate. Howard : Nearly half-destroyed in March, but the remaining half is 10 per cent. better than last year. Decatur: Injured by storms in harvest. Kosciusko: The crop, on other than clay soils, never filled better ; a week or ten days early; fine season. Perry: Injured by chinch-bugs. Putnam : Chinch-bugs cut the crop down below average. Ripley: Yield good and grain fine ; harvest hastened by drought. Shelby: Chinch-bugs very injurious to late-sown win- ter-wheat. Washington: Best crops since 1869; chinch-bugs injured it a little. Gibson: Berry good; will average 20 bushels per acre. Harrison: Winter-wheat above average. Brown: Early-sown good; late-sown damaged by chinch-bug. Cass: Some fields {thin, but with large heads. Crawford: Somewhat injured by chinch-bugs, but will probably be average. De Kalb : Winter-wheat a failure on clay and flat grounds; very good on sandy soils. Floyd: Best crop in twenty years. Hamilton: Damaged by rain and wind; much will be lost’in cutting. Morgan: Some fields taken by chinch-bug ; some had been plowed for corn ; yield reduced. Nolle: One-fifth of the wheat on clay ground was badly winter- killed ; the rest as good as ever. Pike: Never better; some farmers average 25 bushels per acre. Steuben: Greatly improved since early spring. Switzerland : Surpasses any previ- ous crop. Wayne: The grains unusually good. Franklin: Unusually good. Tippecanoe : Unusually fine fields on drained lands. Warren: Somewhat damaged by chinch-bugs in places. Whiteley: Badly frozen out, but what survived did well. Paolz: Injured by chinches in some cases slightly, and in others very severely. ILLINOIS.— Pike: Looks well; straw heavy ; some rust; anda great many chinch-bugs. Logan: Spring-wheat injured some by rust and chinches. McLean: Grain of all sorts looks well; less injured by insects than was supposed ; weather warm and showery. Cum- berland : Somewhat injured by chinches. Jersey: A tornado, June 28, scattered the shocks and sheaves; the crop will be well saved. Macon: Winter-wheat heads well filled; some pieces infested with bugs. Madison: Generally good; some fields infested with chinches, Saint Clair : Harvested in fine order. Carroll: Too dry to fill well. Cass : Spring-wheat eaten by chinches. Clinton: Much injured by chinches. Winnebago: Prospects dampened with- in a few days. Montgomery: Mostly good and fine, but somewhat injured by chinch-bugs. Moultrie: Not over a fifth will be cut; the rest ruined by chinches. Sangamon: Dry, hot weather favorable to winter-wheat, but not to spring crops. Vermilizon: Injured by chinches to some extent, but the yield will be fullaverage. Washington: Largest crop ever ches in the south part of the county; winter-wheat generally good, being fine and raised here; wheat superseding other crops. Piatt: Spring-wheat destroyed by chin- plump. Perry: Good, although chinches were very troublesome. Schuyler: Winter-wheat harvested in fine order; quality extra; spring-wheat mostly destroyed by chinches. White : But for chinches the wheat-crop would have exceeded any priorone. Mercer: Rapidly dry= ing up. 298 Wisconsin.—Crawford : Winter-wheat suffered from drought. Pierce: Many fields thin and weedy. Clark: Increased attention to winter-wheat. Dodge: Thin and short. Douglas: Somewhat drowned out. Green Lake: Promising. Jefferson: Damaged some- what by chinches. Calumet: Drilled wheat far ahead of broadcast. Dane: Fultz wheat a fine yield, though winter-wheat is not much grown; spring-wheat threatened by chinches. Fond du Lac: Berry shrinking through excessive heat. Green: Chinch-bwgs flourishing in the drought; some farmers have plowed up their spring-wheat. MiINNESOTA.—Steele : Some pieces, through drought in May, did not stool out thick, but, on the whole, it now looks very promising. Chippewa: Spring-wheat, our staple crop, promises finely; no grasshoppers. Goodhue: Spring-wheat affected by drought, especially on old iand. Houston: Growing finely, but it is feared the wet weather will produce an excessive growth of straw. McLeod: Wet weather enhances the growth of straw. Meeker: Improved by the wet weather. Mower: Exceeding all expectation since the rain of last mouth. Sherburne: Best crop for many years. Wabashaw: Shortened by May drought. Jackson: But few pieces lett by the grasshoppers. Faribault: Eaten by grasshoppers. Douglas: Prospect for small grain never better. Sibley: Stands well; promising. Ren- ville: Looks fine where not devoured by grasshoppers. Rock; Injured by grasshoppers fully one-tenth. Jsanti: Late rains gave small grain a start. Jowa.—Cass : Never a better prospect for wheat and all other cereals. Marion: Cereal crops shortened by drought. Clinton: Wheat just heading out; extreme heat may pro- ducerust. Clarke; Rains destroying the young chinches and perfecting the small grains. Tee: Winter-wheat an unusually large crop; spring-wheat will not pay for cutting. Mitchell: Growing rapidly. Greene: Did not stool at the proper time on account of drought; hence crop shortened. Hancock: On new breakings spring-wheat is full 15 per cent. better than last year; on old lands as much poorer; grasshoppers, in some places, have swept the fields. Harrison: Much spring-wheat destroyed by grasshoppers and plowed up for corn; three-fourths of the crop destroyed. Henry: Looks well, though it suffered from the hot sun while in blossom. Howard: Early sowings on new soil are ex- cellent; late sowings injured by drought. Hardin: Thinner than usual, but clean and free from rust. Jefferson: Seriously injured by drought and chinches. Taylor: Spring-wheat rather short-strawed; a little damaged by chinches. Humboldt: Injured by grasshoppers. Webster: A third of the wheat 1m the northern part of the county destroyed by grass- hoppers. Missourt.—Lauwrence: Chinches not very injurious, but Hessian flies threaten the whole crop. Texas: Fifty per cent. better than last year. Caldwell: Threatened by chinches; crop damaged already 35 to 50 percent. Cass: But few fields of good wheat. Chinches have been very destructive. Nodaway: Fall-wheat leaf-rusted; spring-wheat injured by drought. Greene: Fine in quality. Moniteaw: Finest crop ever raised here. Barton: Best crop for many years. Daviess: Excellent; chinches behind time. Tuney: Never better. Bates : Chinches nearly destroyed thecrop. Benton: Wheat on prairie soil badly injured by chinches. On timber-land the crop is average. Carroll: Spring-wheat eaten by chinches ; winter-wheat did not entirely escape. Cape Girardeau: Suffering from drought. Clinton: Chinches. De Kalb: Winter-wheat somewhat injured by chinches. Harrison: Chinches in spring-wheat. Jron: Best crop for years. Johnson: Chinches destructive in some places. Sage: Harvest ten daysearly; crop better than for many years. Perry: Excellent in quan- tity and quality. Pettis: Damaged by chinches 25 to 30 per cent. Polk: Fultz, from the Department, a very superior crop. Ralls: Chinches have done great damage in a few fields. Randolph: Chinches injured a few late-sown fields. Reynolds: Better than for many years. Riply: Finer than ever, Stoddard: Largest and best crop we ever raised. Adair: Dam- aged by chinches. Cole: Prices sinking, crop so large and fine. Laclede: Best crop ever known here. Clay: Chinches too late. Howard: Good quality; crop safe. Jasper: Largest crop ever harvested. KANSAS.— Leavenworth: Threatened by chinches. Douglas: Spring-wheat mostly de- stroyed by chinches. Wyandot: Never bettr; secured in excellent condition. Allen: Damaged by chinches. Anderson: Nearly ruined by chinches. Barton: Winter grain good, and well secured. Bourbon: Harvested in good condition. Chase: Spring-wheat badly damaged by chinches. Cherokee: Ripened too soon for chinch-bugs; a very superior yield. Franklin: Wheat-fields full of chinches. Farmers say they will sow no more wheat. Jack- son: Chinches injured fall-wheat and almost ruined spring-wheat. Jefferson: Badly in- jured by chinches. Lyon: Chinches in spring-wheat. Zinn: Damaged by chinches. Mont- gomery: Early sowing got the crop mostly out of the way of chinches. Early varieties, drilled, suffered but little; late broadcast crops suffered more. Morris: Spring-wheat threatened by chinches. Smith: Spring-wheat from the Department will yield 40 bushels per acre. Sumner: Spring-wheat injured by chinches, Washington: Spring-wheat the best yield I have seen in this State for twenty years. I am satisfied that our prairie sub-soil, so rich in gypsum and iron, cannot be exhausted by cereal crops. Butler: Largest and best yield of winter-wheat—30 bushels per acre. Some fields reach 40 bushels. _Spring-wheat almost totally destroyed by chinches. Greenwood; Winter-wheat affected, and spring- wheat almost destroyed by chinches. Marion: Wiunter-wheat could not be better. Spring- wheat injured by drought in May and by chinches. Many fields will not be cut. Labette : 299 An unparalleled success, but in some cases cut too green in order to escape chinches; some of it damaged in the sheaf. Tappahannock gives poor satisfaction. Fultz does well. Osage: Chinches destroyed the spring-wheat and most of the fall-wheat. Wabaunsee: Spring-wheat largely destroyed by chinches. Republic: In fine condition where early sown. Wilson: Castor-beans and flax taking the place of small grain till the chinches get out of the way. Atchison: Chinches very injurious. Neosho: A magnificent crop but for the chinches; in the north part of the county one-fourth of the grain was left standing, not being worth cutting. NEBRASKA.— Nicholls : Late-sown wheat affected by the drought. Cass: Our wheat was blighted considerably. Antelope: Very promising. Merrick: Some wheat ‘‘ fired” by hot south winds following a wet spring. Boone: Lack of harvesting-machinery ; many prefer hiring labor to purchashing implements. Hall: Grain-crops improved with late warm south winds. Adams: Remarkably good. Nemaha: Spring-wheat somewhat ‘‘ scabbed. ” CALIFORNIA.—San Diego: Better crops than for five years. Napa ; Sowing delayed, and acreage restricted by heavy winter-rains; yield subsequently injured by dry-north winds. Del Norte: Grain locks well, but is late. Santa Clara: Affected seriously by hot, dry weather and north winds. Santa Cruz: Grain-crops fine, especially early sown; late sown greatly improved by recent rains, and will be a fair average crop. Stanislaus: Overesti- mated as usual. Merced: Lately injured by northwest winds ; all grainexcept summer-fal- low is more or less shrunk; crop, however, in centals, will be a full average. Alameda: Considerably rusted, especially near San Francisco Bay; ships loading new wheat at Oak- land wharves. Mendocino: Late wheat locks remarkably well. Placer: Poorer than inany other county of the State owing to excessive winter rains, OREGON.— Multnomah: Grain-crops heavy on account of unusual rain-fall; some fear that the crops may overgrow and fall. Benton: Spring unusually cool, with frequent rains ; harvest will be late, but the yield abundant. Columbia: Looks exceedingly well. UtTau.— Weber: All our cereals promise abundant crops. San Pete: One-fourth destroyed by cut-worms. Utah: Injured by cut-worms. COTTON. The cotton-planters report to the Department of Agriculture, in ac- cordance with the conditional promise of the June report, an improve- ment in the condition of the plant in every State. The percentages of average condition are higher than in June, by the following figures: 3 in Louisiana, 4 in Arkansas, 6 in Florida, 7 in South Carolina, 9 in Missis- sippi, 10 in Alabama, 11 in Georgia, 12 in Tennessee and Texas, 13 in North Carolina. Texas and North Carolina return condition above average. The following are the State averages: North Carolina, 102; South Carolina, 88; Georgia, 91; Florida, 96; Alabama, 92; Missis- sippi, 87; Louisiana, 73; Texas, 102; Arkansas, 94; Tennessee, 97. As compared with July of last year, condition is higher, except in Florida, Louisiana, and Arkansas, though the difference is slight in Tennessee and Georgia, and not very wide in Mississippi and Alabama. In North Carolina temperature has been high, rains seasonable, and growth rapid; the plant is still small and ten days late in certain coun- ties. Fields have generally had good preparation and clean culture. Edgecomb, which produces one-eighth of the cotton of the State, re- turns condition 110. Improvement has been rapid in South Carolina, and is still progress- ing, though growth is not advanced to an average. Lice infest some fields. Darlington, yielding one-seventh of the fiber of the State, re- turns condition at 90. Seventy-three counties in Georgia, representing two-thirds of the crop, report a backward season, too much rain, better and cleaner til- lage than last year; less of fertilizers used. Rumors of the caterpillar come up from Southwestern Georgia. Improvement is manifest in Florida, with too abundant rains in some counties, and a tendency to the shedding of forms. While rains have been frequent in Alabama, fields have generally been kept clean. Of seven counties, which yield a third of the crop of the State, condition is placed at 90 in Bullock, Barbour, Montgomery, 300 Marengo, and Russell; 80 in Hale, and 199 in Dallas. None are lower than 75 or higher than 100. é The crop is late in Mississippi, but growing rapidly. It is grassy in places, yet much cleaner than last year. Condition ranges from 50 in Tunica, where it was destroyed by overflow, to 110 in De Soto and sey- eral other counties. The Louisiana planting continued after the overflow until June 15, and the crop is therefore later than elsewhere, and has suffered in places from cut-worms, drought, and excessive rains. The caterpillar has ap- peared in Rapides. Rarely has Texas had better promise of a fine crop. In some coun- ties growth is not well advanced; in a few localities plants made their appearance late in June. The stand is generally better than in other States. Drought has been injurious in Arkansas. Some localities have had no rain in eight weeks. In one township in Independence 1,000 acres were left uncultivated on account of drought. Rains have been more general of late in portions of the State; yet fully half the counties re- port 100 and above. A majority of the counties of Tennessee return average condition; a few range from 65 to 100, and Shelby County, which yields one-sixth of the State aggregate, is placed at 110. The following extracts from remarks of correspondents are made : VIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie : Looks well, though planted late; season favorable and crop ‘clean. NORTH CAROLINA.—Cleveland : Good season; land better prepared, and more commer- cial fertilizers than usual. Edgecombe: Good stand. Rowan: Promising, though small for the season. Wake: Greatly improved by the hot dry June weather; crop perfectly free from grass; fine rains beginning to fall. Gaston: Last six weeks favorable to working the crop; crop looks flourishing, but it is ten days late. Lincoln : Acreage increased at the expense of corn and tobacco. Greene: Stand good, and generally clear of grass and weeds; better cul- tivated than for six years. Chowan: Plants small, but look well. Warren: Injured by late spring. Pitt: Very little grass in the crop. Moore: Doing well. Davidson: Greatly bene- fited by recent rains. Wayne : About 20,000 acres in the county this year planted in cotton. Wilson: Acreage decreased, but the improved condition will make up the deficiency. SouTH CarOLina.—Union : From two weeks to a month later than usual. Clarendon : Small and two or three weeks late, but growing very well, and of healthy appearance. Dar- lingion: Early spring very unfavorable. Marion: Generally in good condition, and grow- ing rapidly ; improved 10 per cent. in June. Marlborough: Late and infested with lice ; cultivation improved ; with a favorable season a decreased acreage will make an average yield. Williamsburgh: Poor stand. Edgefield: Almost average; improved by late show- -ers, Richland: Improved by recent rains, but stand generally bad. Lexington: Backward. Newberry : Yield will be short without a seasonable fall. Orangeburgh: Cleau and growing fast. Fuirfield: Doing well. Sparianburgh: Doing pretty well; bloom almost as early as ‘usual. GrorGta.—Columbia : Season fine; crop healthy but grassy and backward. Harris: Considerable replanting, putting the crop back three weeks; injured by frost and rains; if everything is favorable we will have two-thirds of a crop; labor easier. Worth: Cut off by frost, rain, and cut-worms; stand poor. Muscogee: Much of the cetton acreage plowed up for corn; improving though rains have been excessive ; alarming rumors of caterpillars in southwest Georgia. Clinch: Very promising. Randolph: Looks well, though small. Schley: Two weeks late; can’t make more than 80 per cent. of an average. Wilkinson: Small but promising. Guinnett : 6 weeks late; much replanted ; first bloom June 27, gen- erally not before July 4. Terrell: Running considerably to weed; bad stand; injured by rains. Taliaferro: Acreage reduced 25 per cent.; only half the guano of last year used ; stand i:regular; better tillage than last year, but the yield will fall short 25 or 33 per cent. Wayne: Rain becoming excessive. Hancock: Small, but good and growing tolerably fast. Dougherty : June favorable for growth but not for cultivation ; grass growing fast. Brooks: Greatly improved by rains of June. Baker: Only tolerable; toomuch rain. Carroll: The crop has taken a fresh start and will be fair with a late fall. Cobb: Weed growing rapidly from late rains. Douglass: Cropclean. Dooley: Poorer thanever known. Fulton: Vig- orous ; first bloom June 20; last year June 15. Freedmen doing well. Lincoln: Three to four weeks late; 50 per cent. less of fertilizers used; season promising. Liberty; Culture 301 diminishing ; highland rice taking its place; cotton stolen from the fields by night; stand late. Milton: Have been growing fast forfour weeks; still a little late but promising. Putnam: A month backward. Richmond: At least twenty days behind last year; damaged by storms. Twiggs: Three weeks late; would greatly improve with favorable weather. Heard : Some indications of boll-worms. White: A little better. Early: One worm reliably identified. Oglethorpe: Bloomed three weeks later than last year and about half the size of this time last season. Stuart: Badly in the grass; rained twenty-seven days in June. De Kalb: Healthy but late. Morgan: Not rain enough to bring up late plantings; crops clean. FLoripa.—Jefferson : Satisfactory. Gadsden: Some complaint of defective stands, and of a tendency to shed forms, but the condition has greatly improved and is now quite satis- factory. Constant rain for two weeks. Jackson: Cotton doing well. Leon: Crop greatly improved in June; some fields grassy. Columbia: Stand inferior, but looks well. ALABAMA.— Greene: Heavy spring rains caused much of the cotton to be replanted; it looks healthy, and is doing well, though backward; stand defective. De Kalb: Late, but weeding finely. St. Clair: Has been backward, but has started to growing finely. Cham- bers: Three weeks late. Montgomery: Backward, but looks well. Macon: Grassy, through excessive rain. Crenshaw: Some complaint of poor stands, but generally flour- ishing. Conecuh: Too much rain; looks badly. Clarke: Bad stands, through defective seed and a wet, cold April, but greatly improved with recent rains; plants thrifty and grow- ing finely. Franklin ; Looks unusually well; though planted fifteen days later than usual the first bloom was seen June 25, a week earlier than usual. Limestone: Early plantings full average; later, not so good. Lauderdale: Improved wonderfully during the month of June ; has been well cleaned, and is growing finely with recent showers. Hale: Behind time twenty days but growing finely. Pike: Stand poor; fruit formation backward; acre- age reduced 20 per cent.; labor improving. Dallas: Promising. Perry: Weeding rap- idly, but fruit does not appear; daily rains injurious. Clay: Poor stand and growth. Bul- lock: Stand poor; plants small. Wilcox: Stand defective, but the plants look well. Cal- houn : Greatly improved, but still behind in growth. MIsstssIPPI.—Amite: Rain following drought; hail-storms injured the crop, but still it is of average promise. Copiah: Small, but clean and promising. Harrison : Growth some- what retarded by unfavorable weather and insects. Pike: A month backward. Newton: Good stand; doing well. Warren: Grows rapidly on recently overflowed land; much replanted. Jusper: A month late. Grenada: An unusual amount in grass; prospect fair where well worked. Wayne: Excessive rains prevented good stands, but subsequent drought enabled the planters to work it clean. Coahoma: Late, but looks well. De Soto: Fine. Lowndes: Stands irregular; late rains have improved the crop in some localites. Kemper: Promising. Smith: Ten days behind, but of average promise; first bloom June 23, usually June 10 to 15. Lauderdale: Great improvement lately, Lee: Improved astonishingly within a month; weed large and full of squares. Marion: Cotton-flies in im- mense numbers have appeared in one field. Madison: Late eighteen days, but well worked ; plants small but thrifty. Jefferson: Small, but growing well. Louistana.—Morchouse : Three weeks late, but is as large as last year, and in better condition; planting delayed by excessive rains. East Baton Rouge: Suffered from drought following excessive rains, yet the crop is about average. Union: Suffered from drought. Rapides: Growing finely, but two weeks late; caterpillars have beenseen. Franklin: More late cotton than usual; looks well but cannot bring a full crop. Cameron: Promising. Concordia: Planting, after the overflow, continued till June 15; acreage decreased 30 per cent. ; May drought kept the seed from germinating ; stand generally good, but cannot make over half acrop. Caddo: Has done remarkably well; unusually clean, Tensas: Doing as well as late cotton can be expected to do; some of it looks badly: injured by cut-worms ; rain needed. West Feliciana: Replanted cotton late; stand irregular; many bad spots. Washington: Suffered some from: drought. Madison: Improving for thirty days past. Richland : Early planted doing well; no good rainfor nine weeks ; plantings on overflowed lands suffering from drought. TEXAS.—Hood : Prospect finer than ever known. Austin: Late but doing well; yield will be below average. Bosque: Good; improved by the late fine weather. Collin: Never more promising. Waller: Growing steadily and fruiting finely; cotton fly reported. Up- shur : Crop clean, and stand excellent. Burnet: Looks well generally ; season favorable. Bandera: Low, but looks well; growing fast. Ellis : Never in better condition. Fayette: A little backward, but very promising. fort Bend: Prospects better than at any time since the war. Gonzales : Good where good stands were obtained before the drought. Grimes : Fine. Harrison: Late, but looks well; needsrain. Hunt: Finelooking, but late. Lamar : Prospect very fine. Milam: One-fourthrotted by recent rains; the rest promising. Robert- son: Looks well where well cultivated. Smith: Has rapidly improved with the last six weeks of dry ~hot weather; growing finely. San Jacinto: Three weeks late, but well worked. Williamson: Poor stands, especially on new lands; only slight showers for sev- enty days; plants small. Washington: Well cleaned during the dry weather, and now profiting from the seasonable rains. Wood: Better condition than last year; threatened with worms. Matagorda: Some fine crops, but mostly indifferent; about 30 per cent, has 302 just come up.? Bell: Generally clean, but needs rain. Anderson: Late; sustains the drought wonderfully. Uvalde: Suffering for rain. Lavaca: Prospects favorable. Atas- cosa: Hot and showery. Marion: Looks well. Medina: Early plantings killed by April frosts, replantings promise well. Nacogdoches: Rather promising. Falls: Injured by heavy spring rains, frosts, &c. Kaufman: Promises the best crop in twelve years. ARKANSAS.— Pulaski: No rain for eight weeks; at least 20 per cent. of the cotton planted en the blackland has never come up; on the sandy ground the condition is average; bloom- ing prematurely on account of drought; 5 per cent. of the cotton-land is not in culti- vation on account of bad condition of plantations. Union: Eight weeks’ drought; crops clean and promising. Dallas: Part of the crop has had no rain for eight weeks, but will compare with last year’s condition. Craighead: No general rain since April 5. Garland: No rain for nine weeks; cotton dead; wet spring delayed or prevented planting; what was planted had to be replanted in many cases; what plants have come up failed to mature. Jackson: Extremely wet up to June J, and no rain since; cotton stands drought better than any other crop. Crittenden: Floods made cotton three to four weeks late; doing as well as could be expected; boll-worms attacking the squares, but not in large numbers yet. Columbia: Doing weil in spite of eight weeks’ drought; crop clean; stands average. In- dependence: In one township 1,000 acres, intended for corn and cotton, were left unculti- vated on account of the drought. Hempstead : Cotton doing very well against a seven weeks’ drought, but cannot stand it much longer. Sebastian ; Drought enabled farmers to put the crop in good condition; recent rains have been very invigorating. Fulton: Best crop Tever saw. Yell: Season favorable; crop clean and in fine condition. Marion: Gen- erally smaller than last year, especially on old land; wet spring caused the ground to bake ; on new land and on bottoms the crop is fine. Arkansas: Short; wet in the early spring, and dry afterwards for seven weeks ; not over a half crop. Boone: Backward but growing finely. . cine eee Naar : Bad stand and looking poorly on account of drought. Lincoln: Healthy but very small; two weeks late. Bedford: Cotton stands the drought better than the other crops. Giles: Well worked. Lauderdale: Stand poor. MissouriI.— Ripley : Cotton late and a bad stand. CALIFORNIA.— Fresno: Cotton squaring out, and some early cotton in bloom; temper- ature 105° Fahr. in the shade, at 2 p. m. OATS. The average condition for the whole country is 90, the maximum being, in Nebraska, 113; and the minimum, in Kentucky, 54. In general the condition of the crop is better in the higher latitudes, though Mis- sissippi and Louisiana are full average or above. In New England and the Middle States the crop, though in many places backward, promised favorably, except in Pennsylvania. Here, in many counties, drought at the critical period shortened both straw and grain, reducing the State average to 83. The same cause, together with rust, depreciated the crop in the South Atlantic coast States, and in most of the Gulf States ; in Arkansas to 80; Tennessee, 56; West Virginia, 62; and Kentucky, 54. North of the Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin are above average, and the other States below. West of the Mississippi the condition ranges from 101 in Iowa, to 65 in Kansas. Here and in Missouri the chinch-bug was very troublesome in many counties. In Nebraska, and on the Pacific, the crop stands considerably above average. From Utah Territory come complaints of cut-worms. VeERMONT.—Rutland : Backward. Franklin: Backward. Windsor : Backward. La- motile: Backward. MASSACHUSETTS.— Berkshire : Look finely. CONNECTICUT.—New London: Excellent. é New York.—Washington: Growing finely. Westchester: Look very well. Livingston : peed rain. Wyoming: Very promising. Sullivan: Remarkably fine. Wayne: Large and eavy. New JeRSEY.—Camden : Very short; but with good rains may fill well. Warren: A little late, but making a good stand and growing well. Mercer: Drought injurious. Hudson: Sown late, but with a good season they will do well. PENNSYLVANIA.—Northampton: Very poor and backward. Bucks: Will be ruined without rain. Perry: Injured by drought. Washington: Very short-strawed. Westmore- land: Very short crop. Huntingdon: Almost ruined by drought. Lehigh: Short-strawed ; nj ured by drought. Fayette: Very short, owing to late spring-droughts. Indiana: Short 303 and needing rain. Pike’: Not promising. Tioga: Shortened by drought. Crawford: Best crop for years. DELAWARE.—Sussex : Retarded by drought following excessive rain, . MarRYLAND.—Caroline : Early yellow oats from the Department are very fine, supersed- ing all others. Baltimore: Crop will be short if rain does not come soon. Washington : Will be shortened by drought. Aarford: Suffering from drought. Queen Anne: Doing well; heads full of grain. VIRGINIA.—Spottsylvania : Very short; no rain for two weeks while heading. Fauquier : Heading low, and will be short. Nelson: Light crop. Orange: Crop short, except winter- oats sown in autumn. Augusta: Improved by late rains. James City: Winter-sowings are magnificent. February and March sowings very good; later, chaffy, and scarce fit to cut. Elizabeth City: Injured by drought and extreme heat. Since June 6 not enough rain has fallen to moisten the rain-gauge. Mecklenburgh : Promising till the rust set in about ten days ago. Prince George: Spring-oats seriously affected by drought. Buckingham: » Threatened by chinch-bugs. ‘Albemarle: Chinches. Chesterfield: Winter-seeding good ; spring-seeding damaged by drought. Campbell: Indifferent. Highland: Injured by drought. King and Queen: Favorable. Smyth: Affected by drought. Halifax : Short- ened by drought. Buchanan: Unfavorable season. Bath: Light and short. Norta Caro.ina.—Ashe: Very short through drought. Caldwell: Shortened by drought; very poor. Cleveland: Fall-sown oats a good average; spring-soavings cut short by drought. Rowan: Winter-oats good; spring crops almost a failure on the uplands. Transylvania : Almost a failure through rust. Caswell: Damaged by drought and rust. Randolph: Spring-oats scarcely worth harvesting; destroyed by rust; fall-oats (early sown) are excellent. Haywood: Injured by drought. Wilson: Poorest crop for years. SouTH CaroLina.—Clarendon: Fall-sowings generally good; spring-sowings generally destroyed by rust. Potato-oats ten days later than the common varieties; Somerset will probably do well, if fall-sown. Richland: Spring-oats greatly improved by late rains. GEORGIA.—Columbia : Almost a failure from rust. Upson: Some rust. Pickens: Rust. Gordon: Fall-sowings good; spring-sowings trifling. Harris: Benefited by June rains. Troup: Fall-oats good. Gwinnett: Fair; rust on bottom-lands. Montgomery: Average in spite of tust; better than for many years. Forsyth: Badly rusted. Baldwin: Acreage nearly or quite doubled. Baker: Rust-proof here, never fails ; crop fine. Cobb : Shortened a third by cold spring. Upson: Suffering from dry rust. Carroll: Rusted. FLoripa.—Jackson: Acreage constantly increasing ; rusted in some localities, but a good crop on the whole. ALABAMA.— De Kalb : Damaged by rust. Conecuh: Shortened by rust. Clarke: The anti-rust variety is the only one that has done anything. Bullock: Very fine. Calhoun: Damaged by rust and storms; Somerset oats from the Department rusted and fell down before ripening. MississipPL— Kemper: Fair. Atlanta: Red oats our only safe crop. Grenada: Potato- oats from the Department did well. Wilkinson: Damaged by rain and wind. Newton: Shortened by drought. Jasper: Spring-oats injured by the May drought. Rankin: Even the anti-rust oats have rusted; fall-sowing, full crop; spring-sowings, half a crop; White Schonen and Somerset from the Department destroyed by rust. Louistana.— Caddo; Ruined by drought. Texas.—Austin: Rust. Bosque: Fine; yield from forty to eighty bushels per acre. Red River: Suffered from rains and drought. Victoria: Winter.oats more extensively sown ; average yield, fifty bushels per acré. Caldwell: Oats from the Department rusted. Grimes: Shortened by drought. Lamar: Excessive rains have made a poor crop on flat lands. Shelby : Only red rust-proof escaped rust. ARKANSAS.—Independence; Suffering from drought. : Sebastian: Shortened by drought of May and June. Fulton: Nearly ruined by drought. Marion: Almost a failure; early season wet, later very dry. Arkansas: Shortened by drought in places. TENNESSEE.— Grundy : Rust cut the crop down one-third. Carter : Shortened by drought. Hickman: Almost ruined by drought and rust. Bedford: Injurious drought. Blount: Damaged by drought and rust. Greene: Shortened by drought. Grainger: Short. Mon- roe: Cut off by drought and storms, Polk: Materially injured by rust; some fields fell . before ripening. Roane : Shortened one-half by drought. Lawrence: Very indifferent, owing to drought and rust. Bradley: Spring-oats extremely short. Macon: About knee-high. Montgomery: Too low to be cut. Hancock: Some rust. Giles: Almost a failure. West VirGINIA.— Harrison : Cannot make over a half crop. Preston: Both early ahd late sown, poor. Jackson: Shortened by drought of thirty-five days. Brooke : Almost @ total failure through drought., Monroe: A failure, except on good rich soil, Nicholas: Half a crop; drought, Ritchie: Shortened by drought, Cabell: A total failure; drought. Morgan: Shortened by drought. arbour: More or lees injured by drought. Grant: Al- most ruined by drought. Mercer: Short-strawed, but heading out well; injured by drought. Pendleton : Injured by drought. Monongalia: One-fourth short. Fayette: A large acreage will not be harvested. KENTUCKY.—Jefferson : Shortened by drought. Shelby: From 10 to 18 inches high ; almost a failure. Trimble: Damaged by drought. Boyle; Will be but a fractional crop. 2A 004 Adair: Almost a total failure. Hardin: Almost an entire failure. Laurel: Cut off one- half by drought. Taylor: Nearly cut .off by drought; three-fourths of the acreage will not be cut. Anderson: Almost a failure through drought. Christian : Ruined by drought. Hopkins: Will not pay for cutting. Lincoln: Almost a failure. IMWarren: Shortened by nine weeks of drought. Carroll: Shortened by drought of May and June. Russell: A complete failure, Rockcastle: Nearly a failure. No rain since May 1, except a light shower June 26. Owsley: Not over half a crop. Owen: An entire failure; in some places they are too low tocut. Gallatin: Very short. Metcalfe: Poor. On10.— Vinton: Will scarce pay for cutting; but little rain since May 1. Jackson: A failure. Coshocton: Seriously injured by drought. Delaware: Rather dry, but promise an average yield. Licking: Shortened by drought; no rain since May 1. Perry: Injured by drought. Montgomery: Shortened by drought. Adams: Chinch-bugs eating the oats. Mahoning : Shortened by drought. Meigs: Suffering from continued drought. MicuiGan.— Menomonee: Season favorable. Calhoun: Look well. INDIANA.— Orange: Greatly damaged by chinch-bugs. Howard: Fine. Decatur: Al- most a failure. Derry: Almost a failure. Putnam: Not very rank, but heading up well. Ripley: About half a crop, Washington: Short through drought. Harrison: Oats almost a failure. Brown: Short through drought; some too short to cut. Clay: Short, but fairly headed. Crawford: Threatened by chinch-bugs. Floyd: Average about a foot in height ; some crops not worth cutting; most will be mowed as hay. Hamilton: Extra fine. Ma- rion: Shortened by drought. Wayne: Shortened by drought. Franklin: Shortened by drought. Whitely : Rather dry. ILLINOIS.— Kankakee : Late reins saved the oats. Madison: Very short. Clinton: In- jured by chinches. Effingham: Shortened by drought. Jackson: Damaged by drought and chinches. Montgomery: Very short. Richland: Largely destroyed by chinches. Sanga- mon: Too dry and hot; injured by chinches. Washington: Many fields destroyed by chinches. Wayne: Badly damaged by drought and chinches. Perry: Nearly destroyed by chinches. Schuyler: Very little damaged by chinches, though these are very numerous. Mercer: Rapidly drying up. Dodge: Nearly average; late sown. WISCONSIN.—Greene: Below average. MINNESOTA.—Meeker : Look well; growing very stout. Mower: Flourishing since the June rains. Wabasha: Shortened by May drought. Rock: But slightly affected by grass- hoppers. Iowa.— Marion: Shortened by drought. Henry: Looks well. Howard: Karly-sown very fine; late-sown injured by drought. Taylor: Rather short-strawed. Tama: Look finely. Humboldt : Injured by grasshoppers. Mebster: A third of the oats in the northern part of the county destroyed by grasshoppers. Missouri.— Caldwell: Promising, but threatened by chinches. Cass : Hundreds of acres destroyed by chinches. «Vernon: Prematurely ripened by ravages of the chinches. Saint Clair: Chinches making havoe. Greene: Beginning to feel the drought. Moniteaw: Chinches injurious. Taney: Injured by June drought. Carroll: Destroyed in many places by chinches. Cape Girardeau: Afiected by drought. Clinton: Chinches. DeKalb: Chinches. Montgomery: Chinches bad. Sage: Injured by drought in May and June. Miller : Damaged by chinches. Perry: Failed from excessive rains at sowing-time and subsequent drought. Potter: In many places the chinch has made the crops not worth cutting. Reynolds: Shortened by drought. Ripley: Shortened by drought. Newton: Low; injured by chinches in some places. Adair: Fine. Dallas: Very short, Laclede: Shortened by drought in May; infested with chinches. Pike: Damaged by rust. Craw- ford: Prospect never so poor, Clay: Drought and chinches. Kansas.— Douglass: Mostly destroyed by chinches. Allen: Damaged by chinches. Anderson: Injured by chinches. Barton: Shortened by drought. Bourbon: Shortened by chinches. Jefferson: Injured by chinches. Linn: Damaged by chinches. Mont- gomery: Injured by drought. Morris: Threatened by chinches. Sumner: Injured by chinches. Greenwood: Badly injured by chinches. Marion: Light. Osage: Injured by chinches. Wilson: Cut down by chinches. Atchison: Greatly damaged by chinches. Neosho: Terribly injured by chinches. NEBRASKA.— Lincoln: Looks well. Antelope: Very promising. CALIFORNIA.— Alameda: Very good. UTaH.—San Pete : One-fourth destroyed by cut-worms. J RYE. Winter-rye is full average, or above, in most of the States, and very nearly average in several others. Its maximum condition is in Con- necticut 116; and its minimum 88 in South Carolina. The New Eng- land, Middle, South Atlantic, and Gulf States generally show superior condition. The crop ranges above average also in the inland Southern States, in which grain and fruit crops suffered so disastrously. Spring- 305 rye is reported in none of the States south of the line of the Ohio River. In most of the other States it is full average, or above. Its maximum, 107, is in Oregon; its minimum, 78, in Minnesota and Kansas. New YorK.—/Vyoming: Largely winter-killed. PENNSYLVANIA.—Clearfield; Fair. Indiana: Filling finely. Lancaster: Short. Missourt.— Madison : Very good. NortTH CAROLINA.—Greene : Good. GeorGiIA.—Marion: Better than for many years. TpexAs.— Burnet: Disappointed expectations. KeENTUCKY.—Jefferson; Fine. Shelby: Above average in spite of drought. Franklin: As good as any previous crop. Anderson: About average. Lincoln; Good. Graves: Reduced by wet spring and dry June. INDIANA.—Floyd : Extra good. f ILLINOIS.— Woodford : Injured by freezing. Moultrie: Good. Humboldt: Injured by grasshopper. Kansas.—Douglas : Winter-rye badly injured by chinches, BARLEY. Winter-barley attains its highest average, 103, in Kentucky and Kansas. It is full average, or above, in Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, California, and Oregon. Its minimum is noted in Illinois, 87; it is reported in about half the States. Spring- barley shows its maximum in Oregon, 106, and its minimum in Ohio, 78. — It is not reported in any State south of the Ohio River, nor in New Jersey and Indiana. In the Northwest it is generally somewhat below average, but on the Pacific coast it rises above. New York.—Livingston: Needs rain. Wyoming: Backward and small. Wayne: Large and heawy. PENNSYLVANIA.— Tioga : Shortened by drought. Texas.—Lamar : Did not realize ifs early spring promise. On10.—Montgomery: Good. Sciota: Better than for years; same fields yield from forty to sixty bushels per acre. InDIANA.— Floyd: Extra good. WISCONSIN.— Douglas : Somewhat drowned out. Iowa.—Marion: Shortened by drought. Humboldt: Injured by grasshoppers. NEBRASKA.— Antelope: Very promising. CaLirornia.— Napa: Average retarded by winter rain, and yield shortened by dry north winds. Alameda: Promising. Humboldt: Retarded by wet spring. Uvrau.—San Pete: Injured by cut-worms. Utah: Injured by cut-worms. POTATOES. The acreage in potatoes is about 2 per cent. in advance of last year. The States showing an increase are Michigan, 121; Massachusetts and Kansas, 113; Connecticut, 112; South Carolina and Nebraska, 109; Ohio, 108; Indiana, 107; lowa, 106; New York, 105; Maine, Illinois, and Missouri, 103; Vermont, Arkansas, and California, 102; Alabama, 101; North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Oregon report an acreage equal to last years; the other States show a decrease, the minimum, 85, being in Tennessee. The crop is reported in highest condition in Connecti- cut, 110; next Massachusetts and Nebraska, 108; Texas and Kansas, 106; Michigan, 103 ;, Missouri, 102; New York, Florida, Wisconsin, and Towa, 101; all the other States are below average, the minimum, 50, being in Kentucky ; Tennessee reports 65; West Virginia, 71; Arkan- sas, 78; North Carolina, 84. The Colorado beetle is extending its de- structive operations to the eastward, while in many sections of the West its virulence is unabated. In other localities, however, the nul- sance seems on the decline. The persistent use of Paris-green and other remedies is reported as entirely successful in many places. The 306 presence of parasites, destroying the eggs of the beetle, is gratefully acknowledged in several counties. It is not at all improbable that the enormous multiplication of these beetles will call forth destructive ene- mies to feed upon them, and that thus the pest will be mitigated or re- moved by natural causes. The following notes have been compiled from our correspondence : VERMONT.—Caledonia: Potatoes small and late. MASSACHUSETTS.— Berkshire : Doing well, considering the late spring; some plantings. delayed till June 20. Plymouth: Look well, but ten days late. New York.—Cattaraugus : Very promising ; beetles less injurious than was expected. Madison: Bugs on hand. Tioga: Bugs on hand, but have not done much damage yet. Wyoming : Promising; bugs few and not very injurious. Wayne: Bugs on hand; not very severe, New JERSEY.— Burlington: Early plantings injured by drought, Warren: Tops grow- ing well. ORS A ee : Threatened by Colorado beetles. Snyder : Potato-bugs very bad. Clearfield: Bugs very injurious. Perry: Early plantings destroyed by bugs. York : Bugs very mischievous. Philadelphia: Colorado beetles in great numbers. Adams: Potato-bugs in great numbers, but kept in check with Paris-green. Cameron : Colorado beetles at work. Chester : The Colorado beetle shortening the crop. Huntingdon: Bugs nu- merous, but the early crop was rescued by great efferts from their destructive influence. Lycoming: Bugs very troublesome. Wayne: Bugs in some places. Franklin: Some early plantings ruined bybugs. Butler: Colorado beetles very injurious, but resisted in a great variety of ways. Armstrong: Threatened by bugs. Union: Bugs at work; here called the California bug. Dauphin: Bugs injured early crops, but are disappearing, and leaving the later plantings uninjured. Forest : Colorado beetles leaving ; crops not much in- jured. Indiana : Doing wellin spite of bugs ; not much damage. Lancaster : Considerably injured by bugs. Beaver: Bug and drought threaten the whole crop. Elk : Look well; first brood of Colorado beetles too young to do much injury. McKean: Bugs threaten total destruction. Luzerne: Bugs; Paris-green somewhat successful. MARYLAND.—Frederick: Injured by beetles; may be an entire failure. Caroline: Threatened by Colorado beetles. Baltimore : Colorado beetles at work, but successfully resisted with Paris green. Carroll: Considerable dathage from Colorado beetles. Wicomico : Crop promising. Montgomery: Colorado beetles. Harford : Colorado beetles very general, but will not be so injurious as was thought; great efforts to destroy them; crop suffering also from drought. Prince George : Colorado beetles have just come. Queen Anne: Colo- rado beetles too late for serious damage in early potatoes, but are demonstrating against the tomato-crop. Cecil : Colorado beetles doing considerable damage. Vireinia.— Warwick : suffering from drought. Dinwiddie: Early crop injured by April frosts. Fauquier: Threatened by Colorado beetles; great efforts to keep them down. Prince William: Threatened by Colorado beetles; farmers afraid of Paris green. Prince George : Injured by drought. Clarke: Early potatoes almost a failure from drought. Campbell: Good, but short. Culpeper: Colorado beetles. Highland: Injured by drought and a very destructive bug. Henrico: Shortened by drought. Haywood : Injured by drought. NorTH CAROLINA.—Allamance : Poor. : GEORGIA.— Upson: Fair. Pickens: Killed by late frosts. Wilkinson: Fine. FLoripa.— Wakulla: Fine season for growing sweet potatoes. Gadsden: Unusual acre- age planted in Irish potatoes, and the yield, both in quality and quantity, surpassed the most sanguine expectations; one field averaged 300 bushels per acre, some of the single tubers weighing twenty-three ounces, A second crop is frequently planted about the last of August and matures before frost. Our potatoes, with proper care, keep very well. The sweet-potato crop is rapidly increasing in acreage, as the propagation by slips will last till August. The root-planted crop is in fine condition. With proper facilities for transporta- tion Gadsden County would find the sweet-potato crop a valuable industry. The best varie- ties bring from thirty to forty cents per bushel. Jackson: Recent rains have caused a great extension of sweet-potato culture. ALABAMA.— Montgomery: Sweet potatoes doing well. Clarke: Irish potatoes never better. LovIsiana.—Franklin : Sweet potatoes late in maturing. Trxas.— Austin : Good though shortened by drought. Bee: Crop matured before the drought; yield unprecedented. Burnet: Greatly injured by frost. ARKANSAS.—Jackson : Cut down half already by drought. Bradley: Irish and sweet potatoes reduced by drought to halfacrop. Independence: Suffered severely from drought. Hempstead: Very few sweet potatoes planted yet. Washington: Both Irish and sweet potatoes suffered from drought. Sebastian : Injurious drought. i TENNESSEE.— Grainger : Shortened by drought. Hardin: Injurious drought. Monroe: Ruined by drought in April. Lawrence ; Potatoes a total failure from drought and bugs. . 307 Bradley: Potatoes nearly destroyed by the May drought and bugs; sweet potatoes very romising. . West Vireinia.—Harrison: Good rains will make a large crop in spite of the bugs. Preston: Infested with bugs; hand-picking the only remedy used. Brooke: Drought has almost ruined the crop saved from the bugs with such great effort. Nicholas: Cut down half by drougkt. Cabell: Early plantings about ruined by drought and bugs. Hardy: Early plantings injured and later threatened by the Colorado beetle. Hancock : Colorado beetles very destructive ; Paris green the only successful remedy. Jefferson : Colorado beetles still destructive. Braxton: Potatoes planted in March not so promising as those planted in May. KENTUCKY.—Jefferson : Nearly destroyed by Colorado beetles. Shelby : Will be an en- tire failure if rain does not come soon. Hardin: Ruined by drought and bugs. Harrison: Almost ruined by bugs. Taylor: Crop nearly ruined by Colorado beetles. Anderson: Greatly shortened by drought and Colorado beetles. Lincoln: Almost ruined by drought and Colorado beetles. Grant: Almost a failure through Colorado beetles. Graves: Will hardly return their seed. Russell: A completefailure. Rockcastle: Almost a failure. Scott : Almost destroyed by bugs. Spencer: Attacked by bugs twenty-seven days earlier than last ear. : Ont0.— Trumbull : Better than last year; bugs numerous, but successfully resisted ; not much damage done. Delaware: Drought and bugs. Monroe: Will be destroyed if the drought continues. Crawford: Doing finely. Erie : Bugs plenty, but killed with Paris green; our potatoes have never failed. Lucas: Colorado beetles numerous; Paris green a successful exterminator. Meigs: Suffering from drought. Micuigan.—Lenawee: Colorado beetles threatening the crop. Antrim: Bugs plenty. Bay: Bugstroublesome. Van Buren: Colorado beetles less numerous; kept in check with Paris green. Tuscola: Promising; bugs Jess numerous than formerly. Cass: Promise to more than meet home-demand. InDIANA.—Elkhart : Planting deterred by the bugs. Perry: Early plantings; no crop. Washington: Shortened by drought. Harrison: Early plantings failed. Cass: Colorado beetles less numerous than when they first appeared this season. Clay: Colorado beetles less troublesome than for two years past. Floyd: Few and small. Jasper: Colorado bee- tles less destructive than usual. Marion: Colorado beetles did little damage on account of strenuous efforts for their destruction. Whiteley: A big crop promised. ILLINOIS.—Cumberland : Colorado beetles and old-fashioned potato-bugs are numerous. Hancock : Potato-bugs have been bad, but are decreasing. Kankakee: Bugs not so bad as in the last two years. Macon: Promise better crop than for Jast two years; bugs doing but little damage. Madison: Very few Colorado beetles, but a new enemy in the form of black lice greedily eating the tops. Tazewell: Bugs plenty; destroying them with Paris green. Carroll : Colorado beetles checked by the rain, and the great efforts made for their destruc- tion. Henderson: Will soon dry up. Ogle: Colorado beetles have mostly disappeared. Putnam: Parasites have destroyed the eggs of the Colorado beetles. Wayne : Colorados injurious. Pulaski: Early plantings almost a total failure, owing to extreme drought. WISCONSIN.— Pierce : Bugs thick as ever. Walworth: Reduced below average by Colo- rado beetles. Clark: Colorado beetles destructive. Dodge: Do well in spite of innumera- ble Colorado beetles. Douglas: Colorado beetles have come in great numbers, but men, women and children are fighting them. Green Lake: Bug war still continues. Door: Co- lorado beetles not so injurious, but the black potato-bug is worse. Outagamie : Colorado beetles and black beetles very injurious, especially the latter. MINNESOTA.—Steele : Colorado beetles at work, but not very injurious. Chisago: Color- oo very numerous. Meeker: Colorado-beetles destructive. Sibley: Good in spite of bugs. Iowa.—Cass: Some Colorado beetles, but a plentiful use of Paris green will secure a large crop. Howard: Colorado beetles in full force. Mahaska: Look very fine. Clinton: Fewer potatoes planted, and bugs more numerous than usual.— Tama: Colorado beetles as numerous as ever. MISSOURI.—Greene : Drought affecting the crop. Phelps: Some bugs reported both in potatoes and sweet potatoes. Adair: Fine. KaNsSAS.— Mitchell : Lady-bugs destroying the eggs of the Colorado beetle. Woodson: Colorado beetles very threatening. Wyandot : Very tine, but need rain. Barton: Crop of extra promise till June 15, when it was attacked by the large green-tobacco-worm. Not over a half crop will be harvested. Ellsworth: Will be a failure if the drought continues. Jackson: Threatened by drought. Sumner: A large worm is destroying the vines. Green- wood: Crop injured by Colorado beetles and a slender slate-colored bug, (probably one of the Cantharide@.) NEBRASKA.— Antelope: Ravaged by Colorado beetles and tobacco-worms. Thayer: Potatoes and tomatoes badly injured by Colorado beetles. CALIFORNIA.— Alameda : First crop ran to tops. OREGON.—Clackamas : Injured by excessive rains. Columbia: Potato blight has ap- peared. Earlier kinds too far advanced. Late plantings hardly worth digging. 308 WOOL. The wool-clip was larger than last year. In Nebraska, 151; Oregon, 124; California, 120; Connecticut, 117; Minnesota, 110; Texas, 104; Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Indiana, 103; Arkansas and Missouri, 102; South Carolina, 101. It was equal to last year in New Jer- sey, Michigan, and Iowa. The greatest decrease, 11 per cent., was in Vermont. Among the larger wool-producing States Ohio decreases. her clip 3 per cent.; LDlinois, 4 per cent.; New York and Pennsyl-- vania, 2 per cent.; Wisconsin, 3 per cent.; Kentucky, 9 per cent. There is a very marked increase of wool production in the States west of the Mississippi and on the Pacific coast. ViIRGINIA.— Northumberland : Without protection from dogs the wool industry must per- ish. Page: Worthless dogs are cutting down the flocks of sheep. NorTH CAROLINA.— Transylvania : Wool of better quality and sheep in better condition than last year. Lincoln: Many sheep killed by dogs. O for a stringent dog-law ! GeEoRGIA.— Worth: Sheep dying out. s Texas.—Victoria: Wool production increasing. Nueces: Large increase in sheep hus- andry. : . On10.—Marion: Fleeces from three-quarters of a pound to a pound lighter average than last year. Assessor reports 12,000 sheep less than last year. A large percentage died. The flocks were poorly kept on short feed and poor corn. Monroe: Wool in improved condi- tion ; better care of sheep. MIcHiGAn.— Calhoun: Looks well. : a a Winnebago : Lightest clip in proportion to the number of sheep for many years ack, Wisconsin.—Fond du Lac: Clip heavier than usual per sheep; but this is because of the number lost. One farmer lost 757. TOBACCO. : The severe drought prevailing in sections specially devoted to tobacco- culture, together with the destruction of plants by insects, has reduced the acreage in this crop to less than half of that of 1873. The only tobacco State showing an increased acreage is Maryland, 109. The heaviest reduction is found in Kentucky, which returns an acreage of but 26 per cent. of the previous year. As Kentucky produced two-fifths of the last census crop, this reduction is significant of a thorough and extensive demoralization of the tobacco interest. Tennessee makes almost as gloomy a return, 31 per cent.; Ohio, 33; Massachusetts, 50 ; Indiana, 58; Virginia, 61; West Virginia, 62; North Carolina, 65; Pennsylvania, 79 ; Illinois, 87; Missouri, 88; New Hampshire, 89; Con- necticut and New York, 90. The condition of the crop planted is above average in only two States: Connecticut, 110, and Alabama, 103; it is full average in Massachusetts, but in all the other States it is below, the minimum, 42, being in Kentucky. West Virginia reports 62; Tennessee and Ohio, 69; Virginia and-North Carolina, 79: Texas, 88; New York, 91. In some localities early-set plants look promising, but later ones look poorly, on account of insect injuries and drought. In other places the low prices of last year greatly discouraged planting. In portions of North Carolina the tobacco-culture, once a flourishing industry, is re- ported as dying out. In Greene, Tennessee, the crop has nearly ceased, on account of the law forbidding sales to any but manufacturers and ship- pers. Our Kentucky correspondence, especially, is full of gloomy ac- counts and presages in regard to the crop. How far the present reports are influenced by the panic prevailing in the tobacco regions it is now impossible to say. It seems sufficiently clear that in the most hopeful aspects of the case the aggregate yield will be much less than half of 009 last year’s, evenif the conditions of growth should be most favorable for the remainder of the season. The following notes from our correspondence will give some of the more striking local aspects of this crop: PENNSYLVANIA.—Cumberland: Acreage limited by drought. Lancaster: Crons discour- aged by low prices. MARYLAND.—Charles : Great scarcity of plants. Montgomery: But little tobacco planted, on account of drought and scarcity of plants; probably not a half crop will be set out. Calvert: About 75 per cent. of a crop set out ; plantslooking well. Prince George’s: A large proportion of the crop not planted. Vireinta.— King William: Acreage diminished by failure of plant-beds. Powhatan: Plants nearly all destroyed by the fly; not a third of a crop will be planted. Fluvanna: Lack of plants will cut down the acreage one-half. Orange: Late planting and scarcity of plants will cut down the crop. Mecklenburgh: Early-set plants look well; later have con- siderably died out, with little prospect of re-setting from the scarcity of plants. Prince George: Stunted, but healthy. Prince Edward: Failure of plants. Pittsylvania : Season very discouraging. Campbell: Prospect bad; much tobacco-land was put in corn. Henry: A third of a crop planted. Lunenburgh: Three-fourths of a crop planted ; plants inferior. Madison: Half-crop planted. Halifax : Unprecedented failure of plants. NortTu CarRouina.—Person: Scarcity of plants cut down the acreage one-half. Cas- well: Planting reduced one-half; fly destroyed the plants. Randolph: Crop growing weaker every year;, will soon be raised only for medicinal purposes. Warren: Plants in- jured by late spring. Haywood: Shortened by drought. Madison: Acreage and condition reduced by drought. : FLORIDA.— Gadsden : Cuba tobacco made a poor stand, but the plants are growing well. TeExASs.—Austin: Backward ; drought. TENNESSEE.—Greene : Tobacco-growing has nearly ceased since the enactment of the law forbidding sales to any except manufacturers and shippers; grown mostly for home con- sumption. Montgomery : Almost an entire failure. West VIkGINIA.—May drought fatal to tobacco-seeds; have never known plants so scarce. Cabell: A small black fly destroyed nearly all the tobacco-plants. Randolph : Nearly a failure. Ken'rucKY.—Shelby : Want of plants, and of a season for setting them, will make an ex- traordinarily short crop. Adair: This county produced, last season, 2,300,000 pounds ;. up to June 25 not over 25 acres had been planted; flies destroyed many plants, others dried up. Bracken: Flies, bugs, and drought have almost entirely prevented tobacco-planting ; plants set out died ; not over a fourth of a crop. Taylor: A failure; plants destroyed by fly. Anderson : Badly injured by drought. Christian: No tobacco set as yet ; plants burned up in their beds; those set dried up. Hopkins: Not over a tenth of acrop. Warren: Short- ened by nine weeks’ drought. Carroll: Drought prevented the setting out of plants. Grant: Almost a failure through the fly. Graves: Only a fifth of the usual acreage. Lo- gan: Almost an entire failure. Marion: Too dry to put out tobacco; drought since May 15. Mason: Almost a failure; plants scarce and dying in the bed; too late now to set them. Russell: A complete failure. Edmonson: Fly destroyed more than half the tobacco- plants; not a tenth of a crop will be made. Owen: Tobacco is our great staple; drought destroyed two-thirds of the plants, and it is already late for transplanting. Grayson: Not a fiftieth part of a crop planted; nine weeks’ drought. Henry: Not a fourth of a crop will be planted, and the plants mostly destroyed. Trimble: Damaged by the fly. Metcalf: None planted; no rain since May 6. Gallatin: Plants mostly destroyed by worms; very little tobacco planted. Outo.—Vinton : Drought and fly destroyed most of the plants. Monroe: Drought; not over a fourth of acrop. Guernsey: Almost an entire failure, from the great yield and low prices of last year, and from the efforts of eastern dealers to discourage planting this sea- son; to say nothing of the failure of plants through drought. WISCONSIN.— Dane : Growth discouraged by low prices; much difficulty in getting plants ; much of the seed did not germinate. Iowa.—Humbolat : Injured by grasshoppers. Missourt.—Randolph : Looks well. Adair: Looks well. SUGAR-CANKH. Six States report the cultivation of sugar-cane, in all of which the acreage has been increased, viz: Alabama, 131; Mississippi, 120; Texas, 110; Georgia, 108; Louisiana, 104; Florida, 103. The condition in all these States is above average, viz: Louisiana, 108; Mississippi and Texas, 105; Florida, 104; Alabama, 102; and Georgia, 101. It is the prevalent opin- ion that the Louisiana sugar-product will be equal to that of 1873, not- withstanding the overflow. 310 SORGHUM. Alabama has increased her acreage 11 per cent.; Minnesota, 9 per cent.; Texas, 6 per cent.; Mississippi and Arkansas, 5 per cent.; Kansas, 1 per cent.; Delaware reports the same acreage as last year. In other States there is a decline, the minimum, 77 per cent.; being in Maryland. New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, California, and Oregon make no returns of the crop. The condition is 1 per cent. above average in Texas; full average in Delaware, Michigan, and Wisconsin ; in the other States it is deficient, Kentucky showing the greatest decline, 43 per cent. below average. Several counties in different parts of the country report a declining in- ' terest in sorghum-culture. FRUIT. The fruit-crop has suffered from a number of casualties during the past season. The bloom was uncommonly full in most of the counties reporting, but for some reason the fruitage in a large number of cases was small. Late spring frosts and destructive insects are reported as the specific causes of the decline in such cases. APPLES.—Apples are above average in Arkansas, 121; Connecticut, 120; Maine, 110; New Jersey, 105; Kansas, 105; New York,103; Texas, 103 ; Nebraska, 101; below in all the other States, (Florida making no return.) The lowest condition is in Virginia, 47 per cent. below average. Here an unusual number of counties report late and destructive frosts. The same cause reduced the crop in North Carolina 52 per cent. below average; in Georgia, 24 per cent.; in West Virginia, 23 per cent. In- diana reports a discount of 23 per cent., mostly from insect ravages, although a few counties show very large crops. Illinois shows a decline of 20 per cent. below average; in many counties the fruit, after form- ing, dropped off, leaving in many cases but a small fraction of an aver- age crop. Tennessee shows an equal decline from the same cause. PEACHES.—The crop is above average in Nebraska, 122; Arkan- sas, 121; Kansas, 120; Connecticut, 115; Ohio, 112; Michigan, 110; Iowa, 110; Missouri, 106; Texas, 102. It is full average in Ore- gon, and below in all the other States. The greatest depreciation is found in Delaware, one county of which reports the condition 70 per cent. below average. In Virginia the loss is 63 per cent., the result of late spring frosts. The same cause in North Carolina resulted in a de- preciation of 40 per cent., and in Maryland of 39 per cent. Hailstones, excessive rains, and insect ravages reduced the crop of Mississippi 35 per cent. below average. West Virginia reports an equal loss; Lou- isiana a depreciation of 32 per cent.; Kentucky, 26; Georgia, 24; Ala- bama and Indiana, 22. In many of the northwestern counties the de- preciation of the peach-crop is referred to the loss of trees from the severe freezes of the last two or three winters. A tendency of the fruit to fall from the trees after blooming is extensively noted. GRAPES.—Grapes have had fewer casualties than apples or peaches, and, consequently, present a closer approximation to a uniform average condition. The highest average, 121, is in Florida, in several coun- ties of which grape culture is extending, and showing very satisfactory results. California reports a condition 11 per cent. above average; Missouri, 10; Maryland, 9; Arkansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota, 7; Maine and Ohio, 6; Texas and Michigan, 4; Pennsylvania, 3; Indiana and Kansas, 1. Vermont is fall average, and all the other States 311 below. The greatest depreciation, 17 per cent., is found in Georgia. North Carolina reports 15 per cent. loss. Nearly all the other States are less than 10 per cent. below average. Frosts and insects are assigned as the causes of these losses. The general aspects of this crop, however, indicate a decided improvement. STRAWBERRIES.—Strawberries are 25 per cent. above average in Con- necticut, 19 per cent. in California, 10 per cent. in Massachusetts, 6 per cent. in New York, 5 per cent. in New Jersey, 2 per cent. in Texas, 1 per cent. in Florida. In all the other States the crop is below aver- age. The drought, which was so disastrous to the summer-crops of Kentucky, reduced the strawberry-crop to 68, the lowest State average returned. Tennessee, from similar causes, is reduced to 72; Maine, to 73, tent-caterpillars being very destructive in severai counties. West Virginia reports 77; Louisiana, 79; Delaware, 80; Kansas, 81; Ohio, 82; Virginia, 83; Alabama and Minnesota, 85; North Carolina and Mississippi, 86; Iowa, 87; Indiana, 89. In some quarters, where full yields were noted, it is complained that the conditions of growth were such as to precipitate the crop upon the market, glutting it for a week and then leaving it entirely destitute. In California some second crops were blasted by north winds. Matne.—Franklin: Tent-caterpillers injuring fruit-trees ; it is stated that in Somerset County they have defoliated 1,000 acres of poplar-trees. Androscoggin: Apples and grape fine ; strawberries light. ; New Hampsuire.— Hillsborough : Small fruit very abundant. VERMONT.—Grand Isle : Apples and pears have just begun to grow. MASSACHUSETTS.— Plymouth : Apples in fine condition, except a few orchards infested with canker-worms ; our few peach-trees are loaded with fruit. ConNectTICUT.— Windham: Cranberry culture extending. New London: Apples promise an abundant crop; peaches doing finely; grapes excellent. New YorkK.—Steuben : Fruit promises better than cereals, especially grapes. HWashington; Small fruits will be light. New JerseyY.— Hudson: Apple bloom copious, but much of the fruit has fallen ; peaches injured by late season, as also grapes; strawberries better in quantity than quality. Bur- lington: Apples falling from early drought; cherries better than for years; the trees appear to be recovering. Warren: Some over-blooming apple-orchards failed. Camden: Straw- berries unprofitable ; season short and hot, throwing the whole crop into market at once. PENNSYLVANIA.— Bucks : Apple-crop generally promising, but the ‘‘Smith’s cider” will yield lightly ; drought hard on our few peaches. Washington: Apples not a fourth of a crop; grapes and cherries better than usual. Cameron: Péaches destroyed to a considerable ex- tent by the rose-bug; grapes and apples less affected. Indiana: Apples and peaches a half crop; fallen off from late frosts or dry weather. Lancaster: Apples, pears, peaches, and grapes promise abundantly, but caterpillars are very bad. Tioga: Apples falling off badly. MARYLAND.—Caroline : Immense crop of strawberries; peaches an entire failure. Balti- more: Apples dropped exceedingly during June; grapes present a luxuriant growth; Con- cords the popular variety. Dorchester: Peaches an entire failure through late frosts; apples and grapes promise an abundant yield; strawberry-crop 50 per cent. greater than last year. Talbot : Peach-crop short; abundant apple-bloom, but the fruit fell off badly. Wicomico: Apples and peaches scarce; strawberry-crop large and profitable. Queen Anne’s: Peaches a total failure; grapes and strawberries very abundant. Calvert: Peaches a failure, Cecil: Apples and peaches blighted and falling from the trees. VIRGINIA.— Powhatan: All peaches and early apples destroyed by frosts. Fluranna: All fruit, except grapes, destroyed by frosts. Sussex: Peaches and most of the apples destroyed by frost. Spottsylvania : Apple-crop short. Dinwiddie: Apples and peaches mostly killed and strawberries injured by frost; grapes abundant. Floyd: Cranberries grow abundantly without cultivation. Fauquier: Apple-crop fair ; no peaches, cherries, plums, or pears. New Kent: Fruit-crop a failure. Charles City: Peaches and apples frost-killed. Elizabeth City: All fruits frost-killed, except strawberries and grapes. Prince George: Apples and peaches almost complete failures. Prince Edward: Apples and peaches frost-killed. Highland: Heavy bloom, but poor crop. Greenville: Apples and peaches almost a failure; wild grapes abundant. King und Queen: But little fruit, except grapes. Henrico: Grapes fine, but other fa Buchanan: Apples and peaches mostly killed in bloom by snow and frost of pril 28. , NortH CaroLin4.—Haywood : Peaches and apples almost a failure. Madison : Apples and peaches mostly frost-killed. Macon: Apples and peaches almost destroyed by frost. Carteret : Half the apples and peaches killed*by April frosts. Person: Geneval failure ; 312 mostly frost-killed. Tyrrell: Apples, peaches, and grapes mostly ruined by late frosts and cold wet spring. Chatham ; Grapes destroyed in many cases by April frosts. Greene: Ap- ples and peaches almost a total failure. Chowan: Fruit of all kinds almost a failure. War- ren: Fruit killed by late frosts. Moore: Half the fruit frost-killed in places. SouTH CAROLINA.— Greenville : Injured by April frosts; strawberries killed by heat and drought of May. Lezington: Strawberries good, but failed in the middle of June. The Seth Boyden variety, from the Department, is well suited to our climate. GEorGIA.—Montgomery : Fruit frost-killed. Cobb: Fruita half-crop. Dooly: All kinds of fruit damaged by late frosts and a late cold spring. Carroli: Killed by late frosts and wet spring. FLoripa,— Columbia : Not over half a crop, and that inferior and wormy from late frosts. Jackson: Apples and peaches injured by changes of weather during bloom. Gadsden: Grape-culture extending ; established vineyards have produced satisfactory yields. ALABAMA.—Greene: Not heavy, but good. Mobile: Ordinary varieties of grapes are 25 per cent. below average; the Scuppernong,5 per cent. above; figs are above average ; melons and pears below. Saint Clair: Grapes rotting. Montgomery: Apples and peaches rotting; grapes and strawberries very good; blackberries abundant. Calhoun: Nearly all fallen off. MississIpPl.—Amité: Fruit-crop greatly damaged by hail-storms. Harrison: Peaches demoralized by excessive rain; oranges very promising. Grenada: All kinds of fruit bet- ter than last year. Tuallahatchee: Fruit-crops destroyed by caterpillars resembling the ‘‘army’’ worm, butsmaller, Copiah: Cut short by rain and late frosts. Smith: Grapes rotted, except Scuppernong. TEXAS.—Austin: Native grape-vines, especially Concords, are loaded with fruit; foreign grapes also beginning toripen; severalorchards of apples lately planted. Losque: Peaches mostly frost-killed. Victoria: Peaches falling badly; trees vigorous and healthy; the most abundant grape-crop yet-produced. Berur: Largest grape-cropever known. Lamar: Peach-crop good. SanJacinto: Orchards receiving more attention. Williamson : Peaches a full yield, but fruit small, owing to the drought; Hale’s Early just ripe; three weeks later than in 1872. ARKANSAS.—Bradley : Apples bloomed well, but the fruit dropped off. Jzard : Grape-cul- ture but little attended to; would be profitable; also strawberries. Yell: Blight or rot is destroying cultivated grapes. 4 ‘ TENNESSEE.— Bedford : Grapes very light. Grainger : Apples and peaches falling off ; infested with curculio. Lawrence: Peaches a total failure. . West VirGinta.—Preston: Fruit injured by late frosts. Brooke: Apples bloomed pro- fusely, but the fruit fell off badly. Monroe: Apples, half a crop; injured by insects ; peaches almost a failure; grapes recovering from May frosts. Nicholas : Fruit-crops light, but good. Marion: Apples fall from the trees on account of the cold, dry May. Jefferson: Fruit prospects not so favorable as a month ago; grapes doing better than other kinds ; pears scarce. Pendleton: Apples and peaches injured by late frests. Monongalia: Short crop of apples and peaches. Braxton: Fruit injured by freezing weather of April. KENTUCKY.—Jefferson: Fruit-crops look well. Franklin: Fruit greatly injured by nu- merous destructive insects, Logan: Fruit of all sorts continually dropping off. On10.— Trumbull : Fruit never more promising. Vinton: Cold in May caused apples to drop; strawberries almost burned up; hottest June ever known here; thermometer above 90° for thirteen days, and for two days 102°. Jackson: Apples doing badly. Highland: Much damage to fruit and fruit-trees by the black measuring-worm. Licking: Apples falling off; strawberries very short; June 28 the hottest day—104° inthe shade. Montgomery : Apples dropping; peaches hang better; grapes in fine condition. Medina: Apples and peaches never better. Crawford: Apples falling off considerably; curculio pest on the wane. Han- cock : All fruit-crops superabundant. Mahoning; Too dry for small fruits. Marion: Ap- ples poor; trees blighted; grapes never better. Meigs: Half the apples have fallen off. Columbiana : Apples and peaches almost ruined by drought. MicuicaNn.— Antrim: Plums, cherries, and blackberries in abundance. Hillsdale: Apples shortened by hot weather. Jonia: Apples greatly injured by an unknown inseet. Van Buren: Fruit of all kinds abundant. Juscola: Apples dropping badly. Grapes and small fruit promise abundantly. Wayne: Fruit of all sorts abundant. INDIANA.— Elkhart : Not the bearing-year for apples. Peach-trees full of fruit. Grapes bore heavily last year, and are consequently light. Strawberries always good. Howard : Peach-crop heavy; the first in seven years.. Apples scarce. Perry: Apples damaged by insects. Posey: Apples, peaches, and strawberries frosted ; insects injuring fruit. Putnam: Peaches at first promised finely, but are dropping off badly. Apples and small fruits doing well, Ripley: Apples and peaches have fallen badly, but will leave a fair crop. Pears and cherries good and plenty. Shelby: Apples have fallen badly, Washington: Apples light; peaches almost a failure. Hamilton: Apples and pears injured by some insect. Noble: Apples scarce. Pike: Apples searce and poor; berries fair; pears scarce; grapes doing well. Steuben: Peaches promise well. Switzerland: Fruit-crops promise to be enor- mous. Franklin: Apples dropped badly. Whiteley: Apples dropped; peach. prospect un- usually fine, , 313 ILLINOIS.— McLean: Trees all bloomed, but did not set, and the fruit is falling, off. Bureau: Apples a half-crop. Peaches few, but look well. Hancock : Curculio is more de- structive than ever; codling-moths less numerous. Stephenson: A fair show of almost all sorts of fruit. Saint Clair: Apples almost a failure compared with their bloom. Concord grapes rotting. A new insect has appeared on the Norton. Montgomery: Strawberries lasted only a week, and then a luxuriant crop dried up; apples almost a failure. Moultrie: Apples promising. Young peach-trees will have a fair crop; old trees dead. Putnam : Apples dropped off to a third of a crop. Morgan: Fruit prospect has declined within two weeks. Ogle: Unpromising. Vermillion: Apples dropped off. Wayne: Apples and peaches have fallen short. Piatt: Apples have fallen badly. WISCONSIN.— Walworth: Fruit a failure; usually precarious. Brown: A singular dis- ease affecting fruit-trees; limbs dying gradually from the top. Juneau: Best apple-crop we have yet had. Fond du Lac: Copious apple-bloom, but blown off by east winds. MINNESOTA.—Goodhue: Apples have not recovered from the injuries of 1873; trees still dying. Jackson: Nearly all the berries eaten. Iowa.—Marion: Apples fallen from the trées; cherries, full crop; insects destroying plums; grapes and small fruits good. Marion: Apples, cherries, and small fruit grow well here. Zee: Peach-trees full. Van Buren: Small fruits abundant. Marshall: Apple-trees dying ; raspberries winter-killed ; grape-vines never before so loaded with fruit. Des Moines : Orchards doing nearly nothing; strawberries ruined by drought. Harrison: Apple-trees injured by grasshoppers ; many trees set out in the spring have been killed, Howard: Apples have not recovered from the freeze of last year; gooseberries remarkably fine and plentiful. Guthrie : Copious apple-bloom, but light crop. Hardin: Strawberry and grape- vines largely killed by drought last fall. Jefferson: Good prospect of apples destroyed by worms. MIssouRI.— Texas : Peaches, apples, and grapes 50 per cent. better than last year. Platte: Apple-bloom copious, but few trees have any fruit, and those shedding; a small worm is found in each falling apple. Caddwell : Prospects remarkably good. Saint Clair : Peaches have fallen badly. Nodaway: A beetle destroyed many of the apples about the middle of June. Moniteau: Peaches and apples dropping; leaves crisped and drying ; probably the work of some insect. Daviess: Apples dropping; injured by worms: peaches promise a most extraordinary crop. De Kalb: Apples blasted, but peaches a fine yield. Johnson: Apples a good crop generally; peaches mostly failed; grape-culture increasing. Marion: Splendid bloom, but light yields. Phelps: Apples and peaches have fallen badly. Adair: Peaches and grapes abundant. Cole : Fruit a good average ; early harvest-apples already gone. Pike: Fine apple-bloom, but poor yield. Jasper: Seed- ling-peaches, on prairie lands, were killed by protracted spring cold, while bedded trees are well filled, raising the crop to half average. KANSAS.—Leavenworth : Immense crop of apples, peaches, and cherries; small fruits injured by fall drought and winter-freezing. Douglas: All varieties of cherries have pro- duced abundantly ; peaches, plums, and grapes will also yield large crops. Nemaha: Fruit- crops never better. JVyandotte: Fruit abundant. Bourbon: Apples abundant; peaches leaf-blighted and dropping off, but will be sufficient for home consumption; grapes look splendidly. Doniphan: Fruit materially injured by south winds while in bloom. Jackson: Fruit-crops generally fine, but strawberries poor; grapes splendid. Montgomery: Peaches and strawberries suffering from drought. Washington: Rose-bugs injured tame grapes; afterward a worm denuded the vines of leaves and fruit. Peaches and small fruits abundant. Butler: Peach-crop large. CALtrorniA.— Napa: Curl-leaf injured peaches ; apples short; extraordinary yield of grapes. Sacramento: Peaches injured severely by curl-leaf; many orchards along the streams injured by seepage-waters, from overflow; second crop of strawberries destroyed by the north winds. El Dorado: Fruit-crops much increased ;. fine growing rains. Ala- meda: Grapes looking very well; promise the largest crop yet known. Urau.—Boex Elder: Apricot-crop heavy; fruit generally promising. Salt Lake: Cod- ling-moth as destructive as last year on apples and pears; a destructive worm attacking the grapes. Utah: Apple-blossoms blown off by high winds. Early peaches frost-killed. . HAY AND PASTURES. Timothy is in highest average condition in Connecticut, 118; and above average in New York, 106; Vermont, 104; Massachusetts, 103; and Nebraska, 101. It maintains an average in Delaware, Mary- land, California, and Oregon. Its minimum condition is found in Ken- tucky, 55, where it was depleted by the severe drought; West Virginia stands but little higher, 62; Tennessee, 70; Ohio, 71. North of the Ohio River it is uniformly below average, reaching its highest figure, 98, in Michigan. The severe drought, as well as spring-frosts here, o14 injured the crop. West of the Mississippi the crop is generally better, while on the Pacific coast it attains a full average. In some of the North- ern States, both east and west, the crop suffered from winter-killing. Clover seems to have suffered somewhat less from drought and other injuries than timothy. Its highest condition, 109, is in Massachusetts ; in Maryland and California it stands at 108; Oregon, 107; Connecticut 106; Pennsylvania, 105; New Jersey and Nebraska, 102; New Hamp- shire, 101; Delaware, 100, It is very near average in Missouri, 99; Vir- ginia, Alabama, Illinois, and Iowa, 98. Its minimum is found in Kentucky, 60. The low averages of Tennessee, 73, and West Virginia, 75, also show that the most unfavorable conditions of growth were south of the line of the Ohio, In the Northwest the general condition is below average, but improves toward the West. The Pacific coast is above average. Pasture shows a higher average than mown grass, indicating, on the whole, a more favorable condition of grass-growth as the season advanced. This crop suffered from severe drought in the earlier part of the season in a large number of counties. In the New England and Middle States it stands full average or above, except in Pennsylva- nia, 88. Seasonable showers, especially on the eastern shore, enabled Maryland to maintain her high average, 108. In the South Atlantic States drought reduced the condition below average, except in Georgia, 103. Of the Gulf States Alabama and Texas are slightly above average,. the rest being below. To the northward the severe drought cut down the average to 82 in Arkansas; 76 in Tennessee; 66 in West Virginia, and 59 in Kentucky. North of the Ohio River, Ohio, 80, suffers most severely; Michigan and Wisconsin being less affected by drought, rise above average; Minnesota, on the same parallel, is also above average ; while southward Indiana, [linois, lowa, and Missouri sink below; the trans-Missouri and Pacific regions stand above. In some parts of Ore- gon the rains were excessive and injurious. In California the successful growth of alfalfa is noted with an unusually luxuriant pasturage. MaIneE.—Cumberland : Some pieces of hay look finely ; old fields badly winter-killed. New HampsHire.—Hillsborough: Hay-crop very abundant. Sullivan: Good. Rock- ingham : Hay-crop promises largely ; two weeks later than last year. Belknap: Old grass- lands somewhat winter-killed ; hay will be average. VeRMoN?T.—Lamoille : Hay-crop in fine condition ; stock-raising and dairying the main business of the county. Franklin: Grass late, but doing well; pastures good. Rutland: Pasture and meadow good. Grand Isle: Grass late; timothy thin, but rank. Chittenden: Grass heavy on dry land. Caledonia: Grass badly winter-killed. MASSACHUSETTS.—Berkshire: Pastures never better; white clover abundant; frequent and heavy rains and rapid drying of the surface. Plymouth: Hay-crop large, except on a poor, wet soil. ConNneEcTICUT.—New London: Grass-crop very good. Litchfield: Frequent and heavy showers have lodged the grass and delayed cutting. Hartford: Grass much above ay- erage. New York.— Columbia: Pastures better than for years past; rains copious; hay-crop promising. Steuben: June dry and cool, retarding grass-crops; clover-crop now being cut; a light crop; timothy still lighter. Westchester: June very seasonable; grass look- ing finely. Washington: Grass getting a good growth, but is thin in the meadows ; clover largely winter-killed. Cattaraugus : Best hay-crop for three years. Oneida : Season wet ; grass-crops good. Wyoming: Pastures uncommonly good; clover somewhat winter-killed, but has latterly done well; timothy rather short and backward. Wayne: June rains gave a heavy growth to grass. Jefferson : Grass never looked better. Sullivan : Pasture abund- ant; catile doing finely. Otsego: Great growth of grass. New Jersey.—Camden : Hay-crop gathered better than ever before; fine harvest weather; Warren: Pasture good; clover and timothy fine. Burlington: Severe drought telling on pasture. | Hudson: Newly-sown timothy looks well; old meadows short and inferior. Mercer: Drought damaging timothy and pasture: clover all gathered without a drop of rain or dew; hay looks as green as when it was cut. Sussex: Never had such pasture for stock. PENNSYLVANIA.—Bucks : Clover and mixed grasses. doing well; timothy suffering for rain, Perry: Grass-crops in jured by drought. York: Fine hay-harvest weather. Phila- o15 delphia : Hay harvested in good condition; some timothy and clover cut two tons per acre on rather dry ground. Chester: Clover harvested in very excellent condition. Butler: Grass- crops injured by the wet and cold spring, followed by a hot, dry summer. Lehigh: Hay- crop shortened by June drought. Union: Shortened by June drought and heat. Fayette: Hay light owing to drought in May and June. Lancaster: Hay-crop unusually large. Beaver: Clover short and cured on the stalk ready for the barn assoonas cut. Pike: Grass- crops never better. Indiana: Grass-crops superior. Tioga: Hot, dry June shortened timothy 10 to 20 per cent. ; clover and pasture less affected. Crawford: Best hay-crops for several years in prospect. é MARYLAND.— Wicomico : Timothy and clover show most gratifying results. Harford: Pasture suffering from drought. Queen Anne: Showers have kept pastures fresh and green. VirRGINIA.— Fluvanna : Clover and timothy fair. Warwick: Grass suffered from drought. Pulaski: Hay-crop light. Fauquier : Grass-crop good. Augusta: Clover and pasture im- proved by late rains. Charles City: Hay from timothy and orchard-grass, a recent intro- duction, has been very remunerative on good lands. Craig: Injured by drought. Clarke : Young clover will probably be killed; timothy did well when cut early. Chesterfield : Clover; the finest crop yet raised here. Culpeper: Good grass-season. Highland: In- jured by drought. Madison: Clover, small; timothy, fair. Smyth: Grasses shortened by drought. Henrico: Early pastures and hay-crop good. Nort Caroiina.—Ashe : Grass-crops shortened by drought. GeorGIA.—Harris : Pastures fine. Forsyth: But little clover sown, but that has done finely. iat Gera ueciee : Injured by late rains. ALABAMA.—St. Clair: Clover good; timothy injured by May drought. Misstssippi.— Wilkinson: Clover damaged by wind and rains, TEXAS.— Austin: Improved by late showers. Brazos: No cultivated pastures. Wild grasses very fine. Fayette: Prairie-pasture excellent. ARKANSAS.—Fulton : Prairie-grass fine and abundant, but imperfectly utilized. TENNESSEE.—Sumner: Pastures dried up; water becoming scarce. Carter: Hay-crop much injured by drought. Hickman: Pasture fast drying up. Orchard-grass and clover cut June 1; yielded well; timothy and red-top not so well. Bedford: Hay, half a crop. Blount: Pastures drying up. Grainger: Clover and timothy shortened by drought. Bradley: Extremely difficult to get a good stand of clover of late years. Roane: Grass of every description nearly a failure. Montgomery: No clover or timothy fit to cut; pastures drying up. . West VIRGINIA.— Harrison : Drought has shortened both meadows and pastures. Jack- son: Grass-crops greatly shortened by drought. Monroe : Pastures and meadows burning up. Nicholas: Grass-crops cut down one-half by drought. Ritchie: Greatly shortened by severe drought. Marion: Pastures fine and cattle fat. Barbour: Grass crops injured by drought. Grant: Hay almost a failure. Graxton: Meadows and pastures short, especially pastures. Jefferson: Grasshoppers destroying the young clover. Mercer: Grass-crops all below average, through drought. Monongalia: About half a crop of hay; pastures fair; cattle doing well. Randolph: Pastures hardly sufficient for a goose. KENTUCKY.—Shelby : Pastures drying up; stock-water becoming scarce and springs failing. Boyle: Very poor; hay prospect next to zero. Adair: Not a fourth of a hay- crop; half the meadows will not be mowed. Hardin: Pastures dried up. Laurel: Mead- ows and pastures burned up. Anderson: Ruined by drought. Christian : Hay and pas- tures dried up. Hopkins: Grass-crops almost a total failure. Lincoln: Pastures burned up. Warren: Drought of nine weeks has cut timothy short. Carroll : Timothy shortened by drought of May and June. Butler: Pastures dried up and eaten to the ground. Grant: Shortened by a terrible drought. Greaves: Grass-crops a failure. Logan: Pastures dry enough to burn; stock-water scarce; families hauling drinking-water a considerable dis- tance ; stock dying of thirst. Russel: Pastures dried up; meadows not worth cutting. Edmonson: Meadows and pastures have died out. Nelson: Grass-crops burning up. Gal- latin : Clover and timothy very short. Onto.— Trumbull ; Both timothy and clover abundant. Vinten : Meadows will scarce pay for cutting. Jackson: Grass-crop short; pastures drying up. Coshocton: Pasture, clover, and timothy seriously injured by drought. Licking: Clover and timothy short; little rain since May. Perry: Drought injuring grass-crops. Montgomery: Pastures short. Monroe : Drought hard on dairies. Crawford: Grass-crops light. Mahoning: Drought shortened meadows and pastures. Athens: Grass-crops not over one-fifth of an average. Meigs: Grass-crops light. Columbiana: Everything parched. oe] MICHIGAN.—Lenawee: Clover badly winter-killed on clay soils; good growing time now. Saginaw: New clover and timothy badly injured by spring frosts. Menomonce ; Season favorable. Wayne: Grass thin on the ground, but of good quality ; secured in fine condition. Calhoun: Grass-crop looks well, though shortened by drought. Montcalm: A great hay-crop. Cass: Hay nearly all secured in superb order, though a very light erop ; pastures still very short, though cattle do not fall away in flesh very seriously. InpiaAna.—Llkhart : Clover and timothy badly injured by two dry seasons. Madison: Meadows and pasturesshort. Decatur: Hay and pastures dried up. Posey ; Pastures good, 316 but not large enough for the stock on them; clover generally good, but grown in small quan- tities, Ripley: Grass half acrop. Washington: Timothy and clover shortened by drought. Gibson: Pastures good. Harrison: Hay-crop failed; pastures burnt up. Floyd ; Some meadows not worth cutting ; clover better than timothy. Marion: Hay-crop shortened by drought; pastures improved by late rains. Tippecanoe: Fine grass-crops. Warren: Pas- tures and meadows need rain. /Vhitely: Meadows light, but hay of good quality. Orange : Timothy overgrown with white blossom. ILLINOIS.—Jersey : Grass heavy and pastures good. Kankakee : Timothy shortened by drought. Madison: Timothy good but thin. Tazewell: Pastures need rain very much, Henderson : Pastures will soon dry up; wells andsmall streams failing. Sangamon: Pastures excellent till within two weeks past. Grundy: Grass withering. Montgomery: All grasses failed except clover, which grew luxuriantly. Moultrie: Timothy injured by drought. WISCONSIN.—Crawford : Timothy suffered from drought earlier in the season. Waukesha : Badly winter-killed, but what was left is growing vigorously. Dodge: Pastures shortened by drought. Calumet: Timothy very good. Outagamie: Clover injured by grasshoppers. MINNESOTA.—Dodge: Grass crops recovering somewhat from the previous drought. Wabashaw : Shortened by the May drought. Iowa.—Henry: Pastures injured by drought; hay well secured. Linn: Grass-crops short; rain greatly needed. Mahaska: Too dry; hay very light. Washington: Pastures suffering from drought : stock-water scarce. Lucas: Injured by drought. Mitchell: Grass growing rapidly. Greene: Hay short. Hardin: Timothy thin and short on account of the dry spring. Missourt.—Cape Girardeau: Meadows and pastures suffering from drought. Sage: Grass injured by drought in May and June. Adair: Timothy shortened by drought. if Kansas.—Leavenworth ; Grass-crops, except clover, shortened by drought. Franklin : Chinches going for pastures. NEBRASKA.—Adams : Prairie grass nearly equal to meadow in the older States. CALIFORNIA.—San Diego; More pasture than for five years. Napa: Alfalfa a good stand and promising. Fresno: Mountain pastures poor. OREGON.—Multnomah : Grass-crops luxuriant from the heavy rains. Clackamas: Clover injured by excessive rains. 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The Chronicle is, in my opinion, willfully misrepresenting the condition of the growing cotton-crop. Its remarks upon the June report of the Department are in bad temper and worse manners. It comes with bad grace from a paper that in the spring stated that “ cold, wet weather was favorable to the development of the young cotton-plant, causing it to take root.” This nonsense appeared in the Chronicle, and is a fair sample of its perversions. As you are aware, cold, wet weather is the worst thing for young cotton, causing it to die faster than anything else. If such a paper is to be taken as authority, then the planters themselves are ignorant of their business. This same paper stated that an increased acreage in the Southwestern States might be expected, and at that very time the Mfssissippi was pouring through half a dozen crevasses. FARMING IN RicHmonpD, N. Y.—Market-gardening and fruit-growing are the principal features of cultivation in this county; mixed hus- bandry is found to pay better than special crops. AGRICULTURAL MACHINES.— Dickenson, Kansas : A hundred reaping- machines have been sold in this town (Abilene) this season. IRRIGATED LAND.—Kern, Cal.: This county has been grazed more than farmed, though we have about 500,000 acres of good bottom-lands. The delta of the Kern River can be easily irrigated, and will produce a crop of barley or wheat, and one of corn the same season. It will raise from 30 to 60 bushels of barley per acre, and from 20 to 40 of wheat. On 4 crops of Alfalfa 8 tons may be raised; this grass is superior to red clover for feed. OVERESTIMATED CROPS.— Stanislaus, Cal.: The California wheat-crop, as usual, is overestimated this year by 10,000,000 bushels. A compari- son of the amount shipped, as gathered from the commercial returns for several years, with the present estimates, will show that my view is ¢or- rect. METEOROLOGICAL EXTREMES.—OCraw/ford, Wis.: The thermometer showed 100° in the shade, June 24; ranged from 85° to 94° during the four days just previous. St. Croix, Wis.: Thermometer 100° in the shade. Morgan, Ohio: In June the mercury ranged from 90° to 96° for ten days in the shade; on the 23d it stood for five hours at 98°; on the 25th a terrific wind-storm from the southeast leveled trees, un- roofed houses, blew in the gables of brick dwellings, &c. It was followed by a rain-fall of 1.2 inches within 40 minutes. Hancock, Ill.: During the night of June 4, 5.45 inches of rain tell—more than ever fell at one time before. Madison, N. Y.: A-tornado, June 7, blew down build- ings, demolished fences, and destroyed crops; hail-stones as large as hens’ eggs. Salt Lake, Utah: The rain-fall has exceeded, by 40 per cent. that of any previous season. . LaBor.—Schenectady, N. Y.: Help is plenty, and can be procured at a lower price than in former years. WAYNE, N. C.—This county contains 310,000 acres, or nearly five 3A 320 hundred square miles. One-third is cleared land, of which one-half is laid to rest every year; about 28,000 acres are this year planted in corn and 20,000 in cotton ; the remainder in wheat, rye, potatoes, &c. NEW FArMs.—Benton, Minn.: The stagnation of business has turned attention to opening new farms and improving, old ones. FLAX-CULTURE.—Stearns, Wis.: The yield of flax promises to be enormous; it is cultivated for the seed only. Kock, Wis. :—About 300 acres of flax sown; condition not promising, owing to late sowing and grasshoppers. Chippewa, Minn.: Quite a breadth sown, but does not promise a large yield. Marshall, Iowa: About 4.000 acres of flax in this county, and 2,000 to 3,060 in the adjoining counties, from _ seed furnished mostly by the Hawkeye Oil-Mill Company, of Marshall- town; average yield, from 8 to 10 bushels per acre; price from $1.25 to $1.65 per bushel. Benton, Iowa: Flax isan important crop here; raised principally for seed; condition full average. JUTE.—Leon, Fla.: The jute I planted as an experiment came up well, and has grown finely. It was planted as cotton and with cotton April 1 and 30, and has sinee been cultivated as cotton. The stalks are now from 8 to 6 feet high, and very thritty. DECREASE OF LIVE-STOCK.—Medina, Ohio: The diminution of stock in this county is alarming; horses are 523 less than last year; cattle, 4,480; sheep, 8,543. But once in fifteen years have we had so few—in 1865. The decrease this year is owing to the diminution of the hay and corn crop. The wool-clip is 30,000 pounds less than last year, but - the fleeces average heavier. Hops.—Sauk, Wis.: A larger crop than at any time since the panic of 1868; acreage increased, 20 per cent.; new yards, 25 per cent. above average; old yards, 10 per cent. below. CASTOR-BEANS.—Franklin, Kans.: Castur-beans are becoming an important crop; last year they were profitable. Wilson, Kans.: Cas- tor-beans and flax taking the place of small grain till the chinches dis- appear. ONIONS.— Dorchester, Md.: The onion is fast becoming a standard crop; the soil and climate present admirable conditions of growth for this vegetable. WATERMELONS.— Wicomico, Md.: This crop yields from $30,000 to $40,000 in this county. NEWSPAPER CROP-REPORTS.—Barneell, S. C.: The ne wspapers are publishing the replies of their correspondents as_ to condi- tion, &c., of growing crops. These are generally local, and cannot be expected to apply to the whole country. There will be the earliest ‘‘open cotton” in this county this year ever known, from plants that escaped the frost of May 1. Were the whole crop like these favored spots, there would be the most advanced and promising fields ever seen on the 1st of July. . o21 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM AT BERLIN. The agricultural museum of the United States Department of Agri- culture has, until recently, been unique in its character. But the value and utility of stich an institution are so evident that a number of at- tempts are now being made, both in this country and Europe, to establish collections of a similar character. Among these, that commenced at Berlin, Prussia, appears likely to assume a prominent place. Ocea- sional notices of it have appeared in the “Annalen der Landwirth- schaft,” and we have recently received its catalogue and a guide to the museum, which enables us to give the following description : The Royal Agricultural Museum was established by Minister of A gri- culture von Selchow, at the instance of the royal agricultural commis- sion, and was opened on the 4th of April, 1868, in temporary quarters, No. 24 Potsdamer strasse. Its object, as stated in the introduction to its catalogue, is to benefit agriculture “ by exhibiting the best exam- ples of every kind of product,” and “by giving valuable information of all kinds.” To accomplish the first object, seeds, grains, fruits, and samples of every kind of agricultural production are exhibited ; while to attain the second end, the library, models, or actual machines, and illustrations of all the different tools and processes employed in agriculture are pro- vided. The collection occupies two stories of an irregular building, di- vided into seventeen apartments, of which the first contains specimens of wood, native and foreign, including very fine collections from Canada and Hindostan. The heating power of different kinds of wood is shown by Winkler’s tables, as follows: Taking a cubic meter of common spruce as unity, to give the same amount of heat will require .94 white pine, .92 popiar, .91 willow, .70 beech, .69 Norway spruce, .66 birch, .65 maple, .63 elm, .59 oak. Near this collection are the seeds of the different trees, and charts showing the extent of forests in Prussia and their product. Also, here is a stem of Lonicera periclymenum cut so as to show that it is the descending sap-current which forms the wood. Next, in three rooms, is the collection of wools, grouped under six heads, viz: First. Pelts, mostly of Russian breeds. Second. Com- mercial samples. Third. According to fabrics made from them. Fourth. General collection arranged by countries. Fifth. Showing improvement of staple. Sixth. Special German collection as it was arranged for the Paris Exposition, 1867. Of these, in the third division, the prepara- tion of combing-wools is shown, from which ladies’ cloth, thibet, last- ing, &c., are made ; then the short and curly, or merino wools, capable of felting and making close cloth; and, third, the wool from rags and waste, known aS mungo and shoddy. The first is made from all-wool rags; and the second from mixed stuffs, from which the cotton is re- moved by treatment with acids. Near by are specimens of different kinds of yarn, and cloth in all its stages of manufacture. In the machine-halls is a collection of East-Indian drills sent by the British government of Bombay. Some of these represent ma- chines that have been in use thousands of years, and which undoubtedly gave us the first notions of drill-culture. A statement is made that the earliest European drill was invented between 1638 and 1653, by Gabriel Platte, an Englishman, and was arranged to plant in hills, but in a straight line. The invention is also ascribed to Joseph Locatelli, a nobleman of Carinthia, and to an Italian, Cavallina. Locatelli’s “‘ seed- ing-plow” went to Spain, and from thence to England in 1669, but 322 Jethro Tull, by the invention of the three-shared drill in 1738, first brought drill-culture into prominent notice, and after him James Cooke, a min- ister of Heaton-Norris, in Lancashire, made, in 1783, a six-toothed drill with cups for distributing the seed, which must be considered as the parent of those now in use. Another Englishman, Ducket, advocated the cylinder-sower already used by Tull, and introduced into Germany by Von Thaer, chiefly however for broadcast-sowers. The first broad- casting machine was made by Slight, of Edinburgh, in 1817, but was soon supplanted by the drill. The first box-drill for small round seeds, as rape, mustard, &c., was made by an English captain, T. Williamson, 1809. The oldest mowing-machines, though very rude, were used by the Gauls. < do..-| 18 00 to — — BEE Spaeedonc- SS2ssouiss¢ per lb. 12 to 12% Butter, western ........-...- do.. 23. to 25 @astemMm- cos... c------- do.. 20 to 23 Cheese, eastern cutting._...- do... 15 to — western cutting.....- do..- 124 to 134 Sugar, fair to good refining..do-.. 7%to 8 RObsaCCO MIN ERE coma. n eee en do... 4¢to 6 common to medium.do. -. 6 to & Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- MARY eee Re eee per lb. — to 154 low middling to imiddling, DOLsPOUNG ene mae= meee 164 to 173 Wool, fleece-washed — to — tub-washed.... — to — unwashed..-.-- — to — iiltaGl peas sonscsessocr — to — CINCINNATI Flour, superfine........-.. per bbl | 4 75 to 5 00 Gade pao oe IO DCA do..-|} 550 to 5 75 family and faney ssbso¢ do...| 560 to 6 00 Wheat, red winter.-..-.- per bush.| 118 to 1 20 ‘hill winter....-....-. do...|— — to — — white winter......... do. . 20 tol 123, TEMG) Geo Sc anoaeidoncoeseda5¢ do. . 90 to — — 1 EV Bacsed apo HOdeOUAOoOe do...| —— to — — Combes aesm aes cine eets, see ne do. 55_~=«tto 71 Ost Seo Peso ee eeiceiee eee do. . 48 to 56 Hay, baled INO. Weseciem == per ton.| 17 00 fo 20 00 lower grades ........--. do. 10 09 to 14 00 Beef, platocces.- sce. seas per bbl.| 13 00 to 14 50 Pork MES Yn ecec a. aes anise do-..| 18 00 to 18 25 Ward. 650) |) Swine . 22-eeceeee 2. percental | 700 to 750 3038 FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEAT.—The forcing weather of the first part of June, in England, brought the wheat-crop into a critical state for the recurrence of wintry coldness in the middle of the month. The consequent injury to the grain and the deferring of the harvest made the lightness of the stocks of old wheat a matter of serious anxiety. Rains in France appear to have im- proved the prospects of the wheat-crop, depressing the markets about 1 shilling per quarter. This downward tendency, however, was by no means permanent. Contracts for the delivery of flour and wheat on the continent show a large abatement from present high rates, but such is the critical character of the times that a revulsion toward higher rates is feared. The rapid clearing out of British stores is shown in the fact that the deliveries of the third week in June are 8,805 quarters below those of the corresponding week of 1873, and the weekly imports fail to make up the deficiency. Prices continue measurably unchanged in Belgium, Holland, and Germany, but theimproved prospects of the crop have depressed prices 1 shilling per quarter in the Hungarian markets. The sales of English wheat during the week amounted to 36,002 quar- ters, at an average of 61s. 4d. against 44,807 quarters at 53s. 4d. during the corresponding week of 1875. The London averages were 63s. 2d. on 1,278 quarters. The imports into the United Kingdom during the week previous were 444,480 cwts. The show of fresh English samples grows more meager each week, yet millers hesitate to purchase at ruling prices. In Mark Lane, Essex and Kent, white is quoted at 53s. to 66s. per quarter; ditto red 55s. to 63s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire red, 55s. to 61s. Of foreign wheats Dantzic mixed brings from 60s. to 68s. Konigsberg, 59s. to 67s.; Rostock, 63s. to 68s.; Silesian red, 58s. to 65s.; Pomerania Mecklenburg, and Uckermark, red, 59s. to 60s.; Ghirka, 55s. to 66s.; Russian hard, 52s. to 55s.; Saxonska, 57s. to 59s; Danish and Holstein, red, 58s. to 59s.; American, 55s. to 59s.; Chilian, white, 63s.; California, 64s.; Australian, 62s. to 65s. At Paris farmers’ parcels are quoted at 71s. 6d. to 73s.; at Havre, Rouen, and Dunkirk, Oregon brings 70s.; Calitornia, 69s.; Chilian, 68s.; American spring, 62s. 6d.; Polish, 61s. 6d. At Liverpool, American white is quoted at 12s, 6d. to 13s. per cental; red winter and southern, at 11s. 9d. to 12s.; spring, No. 1, Lis. 2d. to 11s. 4d.; spring No. 2, 10s. 8d. to 11d. Canadian white, 12s. 4d. to 12s. 6d.; ditto, red, 11s 4d. to 11s.9d.; California, white, 12s. 6d. to 13s. 2d.; Chilian, 12s. 3d. to 12s. 4d.; Australian, 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d.; Spanish, white, 12s. to 12s. 2d.; Danubian, 7s. 6d. to 9s. 6d; Egyptian, 10s. 3d. to 12s. FLour.—The imports of flour into the United Kingdom during the week ending June 13th amounted to 104,172 ewts. The supply of Eng- lish flour at the opening of the following week, in London, was mode- rate, but the import was increasing. In Mark Lane the best town households brought 47s. to 54s. per sack of 280 pounds; best country households, 44s. to 47s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 38s. to 43s.; American, per barrel of 196 pounds, 28s. to 30s.; extra and double extra, 29s. to 33s. In Paris, the rates for consumption were 52s. to 54s. per 280 pounds. The “eight-marks” for June closed at 53s. 2d.; Superior flour was weak at 52s. 4d. for June. MaAtzn.—There was a fair supply of maize in London, but a brisk inquiry soon hardened prices; in Mark Lane white was quoted at 41s. to 44s. per quarter; yellow 37s. to 39s. At Liverpool, American white brought 33s. to 38s. 6d. per 480 pounds; mixed, white and yellow, 36s. to 36s, 6d> Galatz, 43s. 6d. to 44s. ) MONTHLY REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1874. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1874. COON WE Nols: Page. DIVISION OF STATISTICS : [NETO CH Geo Davee e535 Soe ao eee ees ees] seca aotseones= 5525255005 5504 341 (CONN. 346 coger aseaa on SH 5 66 cede UO RESO pppecd aseca pecSoscuSode sossc- 341 Wiheait:: = 220) oS seieme eee e lo cececlsiosieeSccuins set can oe eee 343 abs eso eee ores Ee Dneaes see ae = Se oe mcio -e SeeE eee meee eee ere Bol 1i\/@s Sase SSC Ree se s0 865525 36 5050 SE SEBO DOT OCR Sac SONS sat ones Soe ckescso7s- 353 IBA OY i jaro 2 jxisohscoi a) ces Oe ici aie owls etc os ees csisel- matte a eee Bi Buckwheatac s-6ic2se cee eeeeeeere ec sate ka bice's dccctsusccee espe 303 TODACCO D222 32.22 = Hoes see eee Sere es see Sees eases tee cee eee 393 POUatOeS 2c keke ews k ct cee ee eee en es oe emai wo oceans 354, 356. Cotton: << 42.222 s os sten.c ccloer eee aebyameae ase eee se sSectn/ee 52 See 396 Hay and pastures; -- = 25.2 225 saocee eemeeecoocee erie acese oes aoe eee 361 Slockshovsc--s5csc s-5 eecciese oe eee STE eens nie sae nice se < 2. ascents 3. 90 82) || :Arkansasics.-s2psseaeeeteeee ee ces 93 53 Massachusetts!-+ 25-2 nese cee ect ans. 99 83) || Dennesseee-=- cee ee sae oe - 80 66 Rhode sland. ... <:..058eesees tee ses O65 105°) West Vircinias=seeseereee cess. 105 89 Connecticut... 4=-cossce eee: OF lle || Kentucky .e- ce eeeeemmemaer ne cnc scre c 94 87 N@w Morkset 2 so. 22.\.8* tae eee cece 90 92) Ohi0== 532) aaseeeeeeeeee eee sa cesese 91 93 iNew Jerseys 4-10 2-/- = Soe ee eee 104 7150|| Michigan’: -eeeeepeeeers-e.ceas =o sseeeeeeeees sce pe wee scan 87 96 Delay atele ane et se) ott = eee 90 SID |) WU eed S52 osc con ode copeeedeesasc 68 78 Maryland xtaocs scree fats dec sion ene eae 94 S8' |, WASCONSIN: fc Seema te coe = ob ecmnare a9 91 WVirpinia we eoseeneonccee ces toe aces 99 G5) |||) Minnesota. Somsemeeeerie.-- ----6 seca 100 96 North Carolimate--!2eee cs... --s. cee 99 Oeh||lowa .-<: +: See eeeeeee aos 2s 2 cle cee 81 92 South) Carolinaieeseseee eerie Oa | eLOON | MLISSOUNI ..eemmeteneice == = <5. cme 67 53 GeOrviane =: i aaesae se eee nee cine sence 1035}) 105) ||) Kansas -2 saceseeeeee ss os «sso ceebeeee 63 45 MVOrida -w2 2. fh. saa es Spee eee ose ewleni os LOZ) eVO2ei Nebraska :22eteeeet.....2 028 \aeeeee. 63 37 Alabama. .-ic2n= sseeaseeeeeree = ss ce 94 94 || California ...... MEN a as scene as 97 105 IMIBBISSIPPI'-2-//ceoee eae stiseeeh ees 87 SON Oregon .25-Aaeeeeee secs. scacmeceeesee 102 100 O42 None of the large corn-producing States reach average, while sey- eral of them show a decline from even last year’s depressed condition. The onlyfStates that are average or above are Rhode Island, Connecti- cut, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, California, and Oregon, which, together, produce less than one-twentieth of the crop. Of iF 145 counties reporting corn-culture, 273 are above average, 240 average, and 632 below. ‘This classification of counties in the different States is shown in the following table: o A J) oO : 5) Bee ig a ee Aaa D os ~ Qs Do: States. BS | Sh) 38 | 28 States. BE | 2%) ge | oe a ae Se) Ee | oe Srp /|e™ | Be o Ae] 4a as |3 Ae | 4 Aae|s = = S ~~ =| =} i=] ~ 5 i) ° =) 5 S 2) 2 SS OMe ga et. | S/O .e iS WENITG) a canocsccuesacdccne saccecllboaqce 13 116}"||) SUESYEES Seascousucasnesas 16 14 30 60 New, Hampshire... --<.-||--2--- 1 6 A PATE KAMIBAS)E <6 aiet so wieiciemie|| Bese eee 34 34 WVELMONG aoe aces ene see 1 1 8 LOM RGNMOSSEO) mee coe meso ci 1 4 39 44 Massachusetts --....-.--- 1 1 3 5 || West Virginia .......... 1 14 18 33 Rhode Island .-...------ il | 1 0 al CONGO Keyiece = sleaiacia=: 8 5 36 49 Connecticut .-. ---...-- 3 | 0 2 ail [PO -assousssapoaonecone 16 12 25 53 ING@w WoLk eee secee sence Ant a8 26 SB eMuchigany-sessoes esse: 8 8} 20 36 iNew Jiersey,----..------- Shieeeee- 2 well dama ees gen esas 16 14 23 53 Pennsylvania....--:-..- 11 alts 38) | MUM OLS eee eee eee s- 6 9 50 65 Melaware. <2: c2c.-cc-sie- Di ON Bye 28 || Wisconsin .............. 9 Shiels 32 iMarylan deco. cose neeeees 12 2 10 14) Minnesota sess secseee 12 I Bish Si) PATON soso os ose 22) 14 30 66:1|| LOwareee se ereeeee eee 23 16 24 63 North Carolina .....--.-. 22) 19 15 30) || MaSSOnI se eeeeeeee = 7 3 52 62 South Carolina....-..-.. 12 3 4 19) Kan SAS ean seem emits [seria | eee 3L 31 Georriate see oeees- oes 36°) 19 19 14-)| Nebraska. -2ss-fs--ecoe| eae 1 11 12 PLO aie tae Sets eis i: 6 | 6 1 13) \Californiae=-as5ee see -eee 7 9 2 18 ING} CHINE) Se ae eee 12 9 15 36) Oregonie t-te algerie 1 4 3 8 (MISSISSIPPI -ss=~s Sees = 5|| 9 19 33° | | WHOUWISIANA=;cen Jase ese 2) 3 17 22 || Mobale sea seens- 2 s..| 273°) 240) ) 6325\)) 145 | The New England States, as a whole, fall about one-tenth short of an average. The plantings were generally late, and the crop is conse- quently backward, and has already been touched with frost in some of the more northern counties. Farmers are hoping for a warm Septem- ber to enable it to mature. The Middle States will fall about as far below average condition. They complain of the same unfavorable conditions, besides an abnormal de- pression of temperature at night. In some localities drought, and in others excess of rain, is stated. The greatest depression is in New Jer- sey ; Pennsylvaniais nearly average. An improvement inthe conditions of growth is noted in many localities, which in another month may con- siderably raise the average during the current month. The South Atlantic States, as a whole, are slightly above average, the high condition in South Carolina and Georgia compensating for the decline in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, caused by drought, chinches, cool nights &e. Late statids to some extent depressed “the yield. The chronic complaint of slovenly cultivation is also received from some counties, but not so frequently as in former reports. The Gulf States promise about nine-tenths of an average crop. Drought, extreme heat, and hot winds injured late plantings in several counties, in some cases very severely. These were felt most widely in Louisiana, where the flooding rains of spring prevented an early stand, and threw the crop mostly into the later droughts. Crops made before the drought were generally fine. The inland Southern States will make but three-fourths of a crop, the averages being respectively as follows: Arkansas, 53; Tennessee, 66 ; 343 West Virginia, 89; Kentucky, 87. The leading cause of this low con- dition was drought, which was partially alleviated in the northern coun- ties before the crop was entirely destroyed. All the States north of the Ohio River show depressed condition, though the great corn States, Ohio, Indiana, and Iilinois, are more prom- ising than in September, 1873. Drought, heat, hot winds, and chinches are alleged as causes of the depression. Several counties report very superior crops. This region, as a whole, will probably fall 15 per cent: short of an average. West of the Mississippi River the crop has met with terrible disasters from drought, chinches, and grasshoppers, of which some idea may be formed from the subjoined notes of correspondence. Minnesota and Towa seem to have nearly weathered their difficulties, but in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska they fell with crushing weight upon the corn crops. Our correspondence from these States reveals a wide-spread destruction in many counties, giving rise to grave apprehensions of dis- tress among the farmers. This region will not, as a whole, make over seven-tenths of a crop. On the Pacific coast California reports a prospect of 5 per cent. above average, and Oregon full average. Matnrt.— Penobscot : Season favorable. York: Two weeks late; weather favorable. Oxford : Growth good, but two weeks late; injured by frost August 3. Androscoggin: Backward; in danger of early frosts. Piscataquis : Will be poor unless frost holds off. Franklin : Small and late. New HampsHire.— Merrimack: Backward; mostly in the milk; slight frost August 24, Hillsboro’: Backward, but looks well. Carroll: Backward and green; will be safe if frost holds off till October. Sullivan: Acreage decreased ; crop late. Cheshire: In- jured by drought, and slightly by frosts August 23 and 25. Rockingham: Late and backward. VERMONT.—Lamoilie: Season wet and cold; all crops backward. Caledonia: Still very late; frost in some sections did some damage. Grand Isle: Suffered from wet and cold. Rutland: Late. Franklin: Just fit to roast. Massacnuserts.—Franklin: Very backward; a warm September necessary to a sound crop. Serkshire: Reduced to half a crop by cool, wet weather. CoNNECTICUT.—New London: Kept back by rain. Litchfield: Large growth, but ears are not filling well; backward and in danger of frost. New Yor«K.—Sieuben: White frost August 3. Allegany: Green; cool nights. Dutchess : Badly injured by drought at earing time; ears not coming out well. LHrie: Average, but late. Franklin; Late spring. Otsego: Needs a warm September to ma- ture. Albany: A failure through wet, cool nights. Columbia: Light crop; very un- favorable season. Mensselaer: Poor crop; drought. Schoharie: Late. Seneca: drought threatened. Cattaraugus: Dryest August for seven years. Delaware: No rain for four weeks. Genesee: Suffering from drought. Livingston: Suffered severely from drought ; many stalks have no ears on them. Montgomery: Backward; cool nights. JVarren: Cool nights. Washington: Light; coolnights. Jefferson: The dry August has brought the crop to average. Sullivan: Injured by drought. Jfonroe: Shortened by drought. New JERSEY.—Hudson: Wonderfully improved. Gloucester : Severe drought. Salem: Reduced to a half crop by drought. Warren: Promising. PENNSYLVANIA.— Butler: Light crop. Clearfield: Late, but looks well. Lehigh: Grew wonderfully during August. Northampton: Very promising. Perry: Drought. Snyder: Never fairer or larger than this year. Warren: Too dry to fill well. Lawrence: Shortened a third by dry, cool weather. Indiana: Promising. Pike: Drought. Tioga : Very fine in spite of the dry, cool season. Washington: Early plantings ripening fast ; late plantings need another good rain and good fall weather. Bucks: Too far matured to be injured by drought. Westmoreland: Looks well, but is late and in danger of frost. Lancaster: Less promising; drought. Armstrong: Injured by storms. Beaver: Drying up; ears small and not well filled. DELAWARE.—Sussexz : Greatly shortened by drought. MaryLanpD.—Dorchester: Shortened by drought. Frederick; Injured by early drought, but will compare with last year. Worcester: Shortened by cool weather in August. Calvert: Suffering from drought. Queen Anne: Shortened by drought one- half. Washington: Short in some places. Wicomico: Shortened by drought and the borer. VIRGINIA.—Alexandria: Fodder-corn badly damaged by drought. Bedford: Abun- dant rains willraise the yield to average. Fluvanna: General yield 10 per cent. short, but fair on good lands. King William: Finest crops for years. Middlesex: Small, but O44 of average promise. New Kent: Late, but the best crop since the war; well-worked corn is as good as the land can make it. Orange: Reduced below average by cool, dry weather; injured also by chinches. Pittsylvania: Greatly improved by late rains. Princess Anne: July rains brought the crop up to a fair average; much young corn, following potatoes, is not yet matured. Pulaski: Very finecorn season. Ltappahannock : Shortened by three or four weeks’ drought. Spotisylvania: Best crop since the war. Stafford: Recent rains too late to do much good. Sussex: Looks well. Tazewell: Sutiering for rain. JWashington: Looks well considering the drought. York: Early corn much cut up by bugs; late planted escaped; plenty of rain except, early in the season. Hssex: Bad stand, and late, but otherwise promising. Henrico: Still promis- ing, though dry. Clarke: Half crop. Fairfax: Greatly injured by drought. Henry : Never saw so fine acrop here. Northampton: Improving. James City: Nominal price $6 per barrel, but none for sale. King and Queen: Very promising. Mecklenburg : Fair on high lands and fine on bottoms; well worked. Prince George: Late corn injured by drought. Southampton: Greatly improved by late rains. Charles City: Very good on loam soil, though somewhat injured by bugs and worms. Chesterfield: Very good; earing finely ; late plantings injured by cool weather. Floyd: Fine but late. Loudoun: Drought from May till August; rains then, but too late to save the crop. Louisa: Greatly reduced by drought. Madison: Improved with late rains to about three- fourths average; highland cropsindifferent. Augusta: Continues toimprove. Elizabeth - Cily: Early plantings failed on account of worms. Greenville: Some crops suffering from drought; late-planted corn ears poorly. Page: Revived by late rains, especially well-cultivated crops. Lunenburg: Improved, but still short; late planted, poorly cultivated and injured. Nortu CaroLina.—Wayne.: Good season; crop promising. Robinson: Will be abun- dant. Pasquotank: A little below average through drought. Granville: Very good where well worked. Gaston: Promising, except a small area visited by hail-storms. , Franklin: Very gocd where well cultivated. Chowan: Injured by flooding rains on lowlands. Forsythe: Good. Cleveland: Abundant rains have made full crops. Beau- fort: Greatly improved by late rains. Martin: Splendid. Bladen: Inferior. Cald- well: Good rains will probably bring the crop to an average. Hertford: Full average; 10 per cent. more acreage. Onslow: Weather unfavorable to late crops. Alexander : Season fine for late crops. Currituck: Fair promise. Camden: Good. Moore: Finest crop since 1865. Perquimons: Full average. Rowan: Best crop for many _ years. Alamance: Fair; late rains; only half a crop planted. Caswell: Late; drought and imperfect cultivation. Greene: Good. Person: Very much injured by late rains. Stanly: More plenty than the hogs to be fattened with it. Wilkes: Greatly improved by late rains. Soutu CaroLins.—Fairfield: Very favorable corn season. Clarendon: Fully 50 per cent. better than last year. Edgefield: Injured by drought. Lexington: Better than for many years past. VWarlborough: Best crop since the war. Georgetown: Failed on thin lands; ears small and not well filled. Newberry: Drought has cut off late crops except on bottoms. York: Very fine. GrorGia.— Bullock: Six weeks of favorable weather. Carroll: Best crop for six years; season favorable to both early and late plantings. Catoosa; Injured by drought; late reviving rains, however, on the uplands. Clinch: Crop made; best since the war. Dooly: Fine crop. Elbert: Late, but good; good rains. Gordon: Late plantings in- jured. Schley: Reviving rains making fine crops. Stewart: Finest crop since the war. Sumter: Crop made; full average; acreage insufficient. JVhitfield: Badly injured by drought. Wilkinson; Large acreage; promising. Chattooga: Badly injured by drought. Fulton: Suffered from drought in some places. Jackson: Early crops abundant. Lee: Crop as fine as the land will make. Madison: Never better. Cobb: Very good. Fay- ette: Early crops good. Floyd: Five weeks of drought and intense heat have greatly injured the crop; very late corn improved by late rains. Towns: Improving rains. Gwinnett: Good; fine rains of late. Jefferson: Doing finely. FiLoripa.—Jackson: Yield will be ample for home consumption. Levy: Injured by alternate flood and drought. ALABAMA.—Limestone: Prospects blasted by drought. Wilcox: Benefited by the drought. Blount: Cut off by drought from one-fourth to one-half in places. Calhoun : Late crops badly damaged by drought. Lowndes: Lack of rain for late plantings pre- vented this year’s crop from being the best for many years. Pike: Late corn a failure. Saint Clair: Dried up; will leave enough for home consumption. Choctaw: Suffering from drought, especially late plantings. Covington: Injured by drought. Greene: Shortened by severe drought; young corn, late planted, isruined. Macon: Late plant- ings ruined by drought ani grass-worms. Montgomery: Late plantings injured by drought. Colbert: Injured by extreme heat. De Kalb: Injured by twenty days of ex- treme drought. Lawrence: Very unequal; some crops better than last year; others poor. Calhoun: Early crops good. Conecuh: Affected by drought. Dallas: Drought. Perry: Shortened by excessive heat and drought. Misstssippi1.—Lauderdale: Shortened half by drought. Covington: Shortened by drought. Grenada: Affected by drought and hail-storms. Pike: Late corn injured by 345 drought. JWVarren: Late-planted corn irreparably injured by drought. Holmes: In- jured by extreme drought. Panola: Unusually good. Jefferson: Fine; very improv- ing rains in good time for late plantings. Attala; Late corn injured severely by drought. Kemper: Badly injured by drought. Lincoln: Bad stand and injured since by drought. Smith: Late crops dried up; early crops good. Yalabusha: Shortened by drought, grasshoppers, and worms. DeSoto: Acreage increased and condition good. Lee: Acre- age increased 20 per cent. ; great injury from drought. JVinston: Greatly injured by drought and hail-storms. Rankin: Greatly varied in character. LovuIstana.—East Feliciana: Short. Franklin: Late corn severely injured by cut- worms and drought. Madison: Greatly improved within ten days. Moorehouse: Dis- astrous five weeks’ drought. Richland: Late corn mostly a/ailure through drought ; heat almost unparalleled. Carroll: Late corn nothing; earlynotmuch. Assumption: Suffered from early rain, but has wonderfully recovered Jackson: Late plantings in- jured by drought. Claiborne: A failure. Concordia: A failure. La Fourche: Short. Rapides: About average. Trexas.—Shelby: Shortened by drought. Waller: Severely injured by drought. San Jacinto: Better than for several years. Bosque: Shortened by drought 30 per cent. Dallas: Prospects for an extra crop cut off by drought; temperature over 100° Fah. in the shade for thirty days; yield will besufficient for home consumption. Fannin: Light on sandy soil; fair on black land. Goliad: Shortened by drought on uplands ; full average on bottoms. Kendall: Yield very large. Liberty: Good. Marion: Corn made before the drought is very heavy; freedmen’s crops will not average a bushel per acre. Palo Pinto: Half crop. Parker: A little better than last year. Titus : Some full crops, but the general average short. Upshur: Better than last year, though injured by drought. Williamson: One-third of the crops full average; the rest half average. Wood : Somewhat shortened by drought, but sound. Hunt: No rain since May 20; half crop. Comanche: Cut short; no rain since July 1. Cooke: Ruined by drought ; half acrop. L£llis: Not so good as was anticipated. Grayson: No rain in eight weeks; early corn will make thirty bushels per acre ; late corn scarcely any. Harris: Supply abundant ; selling at 50 cents per barrel in the husk. Medina: Dried up; late plant- ings failed. Cherokee: Drought ruined late corn; Pennsylvania White harvested a good crop. Hood: Enough for home consumption. Fayette: Drought. Gonzales: Crop made before the drought. Houston: Ruined by drought; no rain from May 1. ARKANSAS.— Baxter : Cut down to a fourth of a crop by extreme drought. Cross: Drought. Pranklin: Drought. Craighead: Drought. Dallas: Terrible drought; no corn or mast; many will suffer for food. Garland: Many farmers have not raised a single ear of corn, most having to cut down the green fodder for feed. Hempstead: Fields vary from full average to two bushels per acre. Last general rains May 12. Randolph: Destructive drought. Crittenden: Drought. Independence: Early planting will make from ten to forty bushels per acre, but three-fourths of the crop was late planted and will not average five bushels. Jzard: Half crop; drought. Jackson : Drought for two anda half months; many farmers will suffer for food themselves as well as theirstock. Jefferson: Ruined by drought. Monroe: Disastrous drought. Crawford : Tolerable in hollows; almost ruined by drought on some uplands. La Fayette: Half crop; drought. Scott: Drought. Washington: Upland crops failed entirely ; lowlands, half a crop. Ashley: Terrible drought. Arkansas: Many fields burnt up. Benton: Exceedingly dry. Pulaski: Total failure on uplands; lowlands, a half crop. Carroll: Short. Fulton: Withering drought and hot winds. Prairie: Devastating drought ; many will not raise their own bread. lWoodruff: Half crop. Sharp: Cooked by hot winds. TENNESSEE.— Bledsoe: Late corn will be full average in spite of drought.. Bradley: Badly damaged by drought and grasshoppers. Carter: Injured by drought. Greene: Promising. Hardin: Suffered greatly from drought, but late corn bids fair; some early plantings will not bring a bushel per acre. Warren: Badly injured by a thunder- storm August 29. Washington: Very late, but much improved by recent rains. Camp- bell: Late plantings injured by grasshoppers. Lawrence: Unprecedented drought. Cheatham : Materially atfected by drought; late plantings badly affected by army- worms. Coffee: Will come nearer an average than any county in Middle Tennessee. Decatur: Short from drought. Dyer: Shortened two-thirds by drought. Lincoln: In many places almost a total failure. Madison: No rain to wet the ground from April 25 to August 22; no feed for hogs. Rhea: Injured by grasshoppers and high winds; late corn doing well. Macon: Late rains brought out the corn considerably. Grain- ger: Mostly late planted and caught by the drought, but has greatly improved with late rains. McMinn: Improved by late rains, but still light. JVilliamson : Will aver- age two and a half barrels per acre. Dickson: Very little rain since corn planting. Gibson : Late crops destroyed except on bottom lands. Monroe: Cut off by drought; fine rains benefiting late plantings. Sullivan: Greatly improved; abundant rains. Giles: Cut down half by drought; good only on clover lands. Putnam: Rescued by late rains and doing finely. Sevier: Improved wonderfully since the drought; a full average. West V1IRGINIA.—Brazton: Above average in quantity and quality. Mercer: 346 Greatly improved by August rains. Jfonroe: Greatly improved. Preston: Short. Jefferson : Drought has cut down the crop 40 per cent.; backward. Grant: Some com- plaints of chinches; the crop, being late, will depend on the nearness of frosts. Cabell : Brought out finely by late rains. Boone: Fine rains have improved the crop beyond all expectations. Harrison: Brought out surprisingly by the late rains. KentTucky.—Shelby : Some parts of the county have good corn weather and others very poor. Clarke: Suffering from drought. Daviess: Failed to get in crops on over- flowed bottoms, yet the crop of the county will be 50 per cent. greater than last year. Hardin ; Improved to half a crop. Lewis: Late rains brought the crop to full average. Laurel: Recent rains bringing out the crops. Harrison: Short through drought and ravages of the chinch-bug. Gallatin: Greatly improved by recent rains. Nicholas: Shortened by drought. Oldham: Poor stand and suffering for rain. Mercer: Late plantings filling out, bringing the crop to average. Boyle: Improved by late rains. Lincom : Growing finely, but in danger of early frost. McLean: Wonderfully improved by late rains. Taylor: Drought from May 1 to the middle of August. Breckenridge: Materially improved by late- rains; crop bids fair. Grayson: Fine season since July 15; crop has come out wonderfully. Graves: Greatly improved by laterains. Logan: Late rains too late for corn. Russell: August fine for corn, which, however, is fifteen days late; will make two-thirds of acrop. Livingston: Rains too late to save early plantings; chinches injurious in places. Greenup: Seasonable rains. Clinton: Good crop. dmonson: Improved 50 per cent. since August 1. Ohio:, Small stalk but unex- pectedly fine earing. Owsley: Crops greatly shortened by drought; rain too late for early plantings. Mason: Late plantings greatly shortened. On10.— Harrison: Improved by late rains. Williams: Very good; a third more planted than usual on account of the clover freezing out. Scioto: Backward; injured by local storms. Crawford: Splendid crop for quantity and quality. Van Wert: Fine rains for late corn. Ashland: Promising, in spite of drought. Hancock: Largest crop we have ever had, though shortened by drought. Farmers making arrangements to winter thousands of dairy cows. Pickaway: Cut down half, by drought extending from April 25. Stark: Drought. Ottawa: Severe drought. Athens: Wonderful growth in six weeks. Belmont: Weather fine, and growing. Licking: Growing finely. Medina: Suttering from drought, especially late planted ; ears not filling well. Meigs: Coming out finely from late rains. Adams: Shortened by drought. Perry; Late corn greatly improved by late showers. JVashington: Poor stand, and may not mature be- fore frost. MicuHIGaNn.—Charlevoix : Drought. Kalamazoo: Notearing well; injured by drought. Hillsdale: Badly injured by drought. Berrien: Cut off one-fourth by drought. Lena- -wee: Much shortened by drought. Montcalm: Very dry. Saint Joseph: Injurious drought. Branch: Not over a third of a crop on sandy soils ; on timbered land, very good. Calhoun: Seriously injured by drought and heat. Wayne: Fine, where not in- jured by hail. Tuscola: Somewhat shortened by drought. Shiawassee: Injured by extreme drought of six weeks. Cass: Poor, but improved by late rains. TypiANna.— Cass ; Shortened one-fourth by drought. Clay: Good season. Hamilton: Good average, in spite of drought and chinches. Martin: Benefited by recent rains, especially late plantings. Shelby: Drought. Washington: Shortened by drought. Warren: Drought. Kosciusko: Cut short 30 per cent. by August drought. Noble: Greatly injured by drought. Steuben: Injured by drought; halfcrop. Howard: Never so fine; mostly out of danger. Posey: Greatly improved by late rains. Madison: Fine season. Huntington: Improved by late rains; some grub-worms. Fountain: Short- ened one-fourth by drought. Fayette: Slightly injured by drought and chinches. £/k- hart: Unparalleled drought; crop shortened 30 per cent. Decatur: Drought and chinches. Perry: Very poor. Crawford: Part of the county suffered from drought ; the remainder reaches average. Carroll: Some crops injured by chinches. Pike: Prospect very good ; fine rain of late. Mipley: If frost keeps off three weeks the yield will be fair. Wabash: Shortened by drought and chinches. Julion: Shortened by drought. Morgan: Drought cut down the crop to average. JVhitley: Good crop. Union: Very much shortened by drought. Franklin: Short in quantity and weight. Lawrence : Drought. Marion: Above average, and out of danger. Marshall: Short- ened by drought. Inurnors.— Washington: Badly injured by chinches. Johnson: Drought. Logan: Rains too late to save the crop. Livingston: Severe drought; stock fed on corn-fodder fora month. Sangamon: Chinches destructive. Winnebago: Half a crop; scorching south winds. Lee: About 92,000 acres in corn, averaging 28 bushels per acre, and aggregating 2,375,000, of which 1,887,000 will be available for export. Alexander: In- jured by chinches. Henderson: Fine prospect injured by drought within the last week. Perry: Ruined by drought and chinches. Efingham : Half crop; drought and chinches. Fayette: Hardly half a crop; drought and chinches; late crops have fine rains. Taze- well: Fine growing rains. Macon: Better than common, excepting a few fields eaten by bugs. Jackson: Upland corn badly damaged by chinches ; bottoms escaped. Clay: Injured seriously by drought and chinches. Wayne: Improved by late fine rains. Troquois: Cut short one-half by drought. Whiteside: Somewhat fired at the roots. O47 Madison: Suffering from chinches. Moultrie: Average. Carroll: Continued drought. Clinton: Taken by chinches. Shelby: Materially injured by drought and chinches ; fine rains too late for corn. Vermilion: Shortened athird by drought. St. Clair: Second attack of chinches very destructive. JVhite: Crop unparalleled but for chinches. Henry: Shortened greatly by drought. Randolph: Destroyed mostly by chinch-bugs. Cass; Shortened a fourth by drought and chinches. Ford: Half eaten by chinches. Ogle: Light through drought. McLean: Greatly improved, but short. Hancock : Some injury from chinches; abundant rains during summer, Mason: Suffered severely from drought and chinches. Pratt: Drought and chinches. WISCONSIN.—Sauk: Ten per cent. eaten by chinches; injured by drought. Fond du Lac: Earing poorly on account of drought. Juneau: Good in spite of drought; no rain for two months. Columbia: Shortened by drought and chinches. Jackson: Full average. Pierce: Drought. Jefferson: Drought and chinches. Richland: Late plant- ings badly hurt by drought. Outagamie: Rains too late. MINNESOTA.—Nower: Unusually good. Nicollet: Injured by grasshoppers. Steele : Fully matured. Blue Harth : Increased acreage, but yield reduced to average by drought and grasshoppers. lowa.— Chickasaw : Late rains may bring the crop to average. Dallas: Ears small, but abundant. Des Moines: Injured by larvie of the May beetle. Henry: Acreage 10 per cent. increase; average crop. Late copious rains. Story: Shortened by drought 20 per cent. Polk: Shortened by drought; favorable weather for maturing the crop. Appanoose: Saved by timely rains ; crop ungathered selling to feeders from the grasshopper regions of Nebraska at $10 to $12 per acre on the stalk. Emmet: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Jackson: Shortened by drought. Cass: Largest crop ever raised; ten days willsave it from frost. Mitchell : Splendid crops where well cultivated. Mont- gomery : Injured by drought. Pocahontas: Muchimproved. Van Buren: Fine growing rains. Woodbury: Shortened 20 per cent. by grasshoppers. Washington: Greatly affected by drought. Howard: Almost out of danger. Audubon: Plenty of rain in August; crop heavy. Buchanan: Fair average in spite of drought. Decatur: Best crop for many years. Delaware: Suftering. Harrison: Badly injured by grasshoppers. Tama: Driest season since the county wassettled. Pottawattomie: Late plantings suf- fering from drought. Missourt.— Texas: No rain for seven weeks; will not reach 7 bushels per acre. A hot southwest wind is doing more damage than the drought; thermometer at 107° in the shade for six days. Baxter: Crop worth nothing ; our people must suffer terribly ; nothing to feed stock with ; drought terribly destructive. Chariton: Suffered severely from drought. Jefferson: No rain for five weeks. Oregon: Ruined by drought and chinches; no rain for ten weeks. Polk: Ruined by drought and chinches; worst out- look ever known. Christian: Ruined by drought. Crawford: Ruined by drought and chinches. Caldwell: A third of a crop; much being cut for fodder. Platte: Crop now being cut to avoid grasshoppers; terrible drought. Putnam: Prospects mostly fine ; drought injurious in some parts. Saint Genevieve : Excessive drought at last broken by abundant rains. Clinton: Hot southwest winds blasted some spots of corn. Douglas: Cut down half by drought and chinches. Ray: Seriously injured by protracted drought. Sates: Terrible drought; ruined the crops. Daviess: Drought cut down the crop to 25 per cent. De Kalb: Injured by drought and chinches; a third of a crop. Moniteaw: A fourth of a crop; drought and hot winds. Aflontgomery: A few crops taken by grub-worms and a few by grasshoppers. Newton: Reduced to a lower figure than was ever before known by drought and chinches. alls: Better than for many years; rain abundant and seasonable; chinches did little damage. Ripley: Dried up by hot, burning atmosphere ; yellow field-corn from the Department matured two or three weeks earlier than common sorts. Vernon: Injured severely by drought and chinches; not half a crop. Shelby: Suffered from drought and chinches. Morgan: Chinches destructive. J/cDonald: An entire failure in many places. Phelps: Nearly ruined by six weeks of drought. Pettis: Reduced by drought and chinches to an average of 4 bushels per acre. Johnson: Almost a total failure, through drought and chinches. Cass: Will average 5 bushels, leaving out some neighborhoodls favored with good rains, Dallas: Destroyed by drought and chinches. Taney : Will not average 10 bushels per acre; late plantings scarce worth gathering. Benton: Drought and asset Grundy: Nearly ruined by drought and chinches. Cole: Upland crops scorched, ea KANnsAs.—Jefferson: A fourth of a crop; drought, chinches, and grasshoppers. Mor- ris: Sutiered severely from grasshoppers. Cherokee: Short through lack of cultivation, drought, and chinches. Franklin: Vearfully reduced by drought, chinches, and grass- hoppers. Nemaha: Nearly ruined by drought and grasshoppers; not 5 bushels per acre. Mitchell: Ruined by grasshoppers. Montgomery: Not over 15 bushels per acre. Allen: Materially injured by millions of grasshoppers. Smith: Totally destroyed by grasshoppers. Lourbon: Injured seriously by grasshoppers, drought, and hot winds. Douglas: Not over one in fifty fields made any grain at all; grasshoppers took every- thing. Leavenworth: Grasshoppersand drought. Cowley: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Labette: Destroyed by drought; used only as fodder; man ard beast must live on 048 wheat. Neosho: Ruined by drought, chinches, and grasshoppers. JVoodson: Destroyed by drought on high prairies, fair average in the valleys. Pennsylvania Feld-corn from the Department a success; matures early. Osage: All destroyed by drought, chinch- bugs, and grasshoppers. Lepublic: The long drought proved nearly fatal,and the grasshoppers completed the destruction of the crop. Graham: The grasshopper army arrived about the 14th of July, and have destroyed all the corn. Crawford: So injured by drought and chinches that it will not average more than 10 bushels per acre, and that of poor quality. llsworth: Total failure; grasshoppers took it. Greenwood: In- jured more by drought than by grasshoppers. Pawnee: Eaten up by grasshoppers. Chase: Amounts to scarcely anything; drought, chinches, and grasshoppers. NEBRASKA.—Boone : Cleaned out by grasshoppers; not a bushel left. Dixon: Al- most totally destroyed by grasshoppers. Pawnee: Reduced to nothing by drought, hot winds,and grasshoppers. Merrick: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Lincoln: De- stroyed by grasshoppers. Burt: Almost a failurein the west part of the county, owing to drought and grasshoppers. Totally destroyed by grasshoppers except a few pieces. Gage: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Oloe: Cut very short by drought. CALIFORNIA.—Sacramento : Cultivated only in the bottoms; season favorable, and yield good. WHEAT. The average condition of the wheat-crop of the United States, as shown by our September returns, is 93, or 2 per cent. less than the average of September, 1873. The increased acreage, however, amount- ing to 7 per cent., raises the prospective yield to nearly average upon last year’s acreage. The September averages of the different States for 1875 and 1874 are shown in the following table: September, | September, || 2 September, | September, States. reT3. Pea. || States. PSB. 1874. IMBIMO ocr sce > ote c= 83 100 Louisiana - s5,-\s2-1ss=.s=||0050lc cise eda see eeipeeeee New Hampshire ...... 95 103 AURA SdsGa0 ssescdase 85 79 Vermont ys. 2-25 55-5252 96 106 Arkansas < <6 252% 1 95 120 Massachusetts .....--. 102 101 Tennessee ..........- 73 104 Sioa Gy iia aes aes asensaoee toc ton aspeache sce West Virginia-...-..- 91 111 Connecticut.-.....-.-.. 104 103 ent ekyiee- pekinese 85 112 ING We ORK cre cesein nic 72 LUG ROWIG Ses atee tee mer 97 109 ENO Wid CLSOY lan sino a 105 1019 ]) Milehigan == 252 -pee-- 96 104 Pennsylvania .....---. 102 103 Indiana s- asec seca 84 104 WMelaware- .s..-.<5--2- 85 100 MUMO see eee eee 93 98 Merrylands a2 os aeierinee 96 96 Wisconsin). .2s--se2-2 107 ir! ATOM Atl Sook a cee 32 88 Minnesota .:.......-- 109 86 North Carolina ........ 82 92 TOW AAs acieee saeco aee 100 96 South Carolina.-....--. 75 83 MISSOURI. teen oeeoeoe 100 104 Georoapeseoee snes 75 98 GAN SASy Sos eee ie 100 89 inh) -S Se Se Bees er Ceo ser SenOSee aerrees iNebraskae- eee ee eee 107 91 IED) OFT ee ea asaeeaete 85 101 California eescoe cones 92 104 MIISSISSUP DL | -/30-'< =(-crn 90 94 OREGON Sse oo ee wees 107 103 Rhode Island, Florida, and Louisiana make no return of wheat-culture, as wellas a large number of counties in the Southern States. The total number of counties reporting this crop is 960; of these 383 are above average, 294 average, and 283 below average. The following table shows the number of each class of counties in each of the different sections of the Union: Counties | ;, : Counties States. above oe below Total. average. average. iNew: En elanduStatestce. cies 2i-icaae cece Seer eoe ete sini ep iate ne 16 15 6 37 Mad dle States fecemcee wera cic < conse cee eee eee sie ela sais care 33 46 9 88 South Atlantic Statest sacs an<<2-msce ast eee eee eae scm eae =< 47 44 75 166 Gulivestates: . ose e ey see ck 22. Pa see casseeece 10 | 15 27 52 Sauuecn inland Statesie sess osc conn eee te eee eae okies cewlearae 4 34 17 145 Slanesmortih: of the Onioieea «xs: aco e eee alee ri= ieiscmere 106 70 58 234 States west of the Mississippi-.............-- eS eee oe 64 59 84 207 PAOMMERSLALOS «oe sc 2a oe. 2. Le eT es eee =e 13 11 7 31 Moatalteeemiacs cawie ssn othe olscc cnt cow e eee eens cee ees seer 383 294 283 960 349 The New England and Middle States are all above average except Delaware, which, however, is full average. In several counties the yield is beyond any crop for twenty years. In Schuyler County, New York, the Seneca white or Clawson wheat averaged 40 bushels per acre. All of the South Atlantic and Gulf States are below average except Alabama, 101. In Maryland the crop was damaged by intense heat in some counties. One farmer in Frederick averaged 424 bushels per acre of Fultz wheat. In Virginia the majority of the counties report unfavorable conditions of growth. Here the chinch, which for many years has not troubled the farmer, re-appeared in several counties. Parching weather in June, and subsequent rains, produc- ing rust, are also alleged as causes of decline. The Fultz wheat is well reported in several counties. In Craig County, Touzelle yielded 29-fold, while in Powhatan it is pronounced unadapted to the soil and climate. In North Carolina, in spite of some unfavorable circumstances, the condition is 10 per cent. better than in September, 1873. The Fultz wheat here also gives satisfaction. Georgia comes nearly up to aver- age, and is 13 per cent. better than at this timelast year. Excess of rain is reported in some counties, but in others the failure may be clearly laid to improvident selection of lands and injudicious culture. The crop of Alabama is quite satisfactory; Mississippi is better than this time last year. In Texas the rust is the leading complaint. This, with other drawbacks, made the condition less promising than in Septem- ber, 1873. Arkansas presents the highest condition of all the States —1i20. The drought, so fatal to other crops, seems to have favored the ripening and harvest of wheat. Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ken- tucky also present very fine crops to encourage the farmer for the great loss inflicted upon him in the other crops. In the subjoined notes will be found notices of several very suecessful experiments with Fultz, Tap- pahannock, and Touzelle wheats, some of them on a large scale. North of the Ohio River those counties not infested with chinches generally report very superior crops. Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, scarcely, if at all, troubled with this pest, are all above average. It cut down the crop of Illinois 2 per cent. belowaverage. Injudicious culture is complained of in some quarters. In Wisconsin this insect enemy, together with intense heat and other causes, cut down the crop 23 per cent. below average. The Fultz and Tappahannock varieties have been satisfactorily tested in several counties of these States. West of the Mississippi the crop is below average in all the States except Missouri. Drought, heat, grasshoppers, and chinches have not only cut down general averages, but have inflicted severe injury in numerous localities. The heaviest loss has fallen upon spring wheat. Both the Pacific States are above average. In Sutter County, Califor- nia, summer fallow-wheat averaged 30 bushels per acre; some fields reaching 56. An increased use of steam thrashing-apparatus is noted. In Oregon, excessive rain and hail storms injured many fields, yet the general condition is above average. Matne.—Penobscot: Greatly improved by rains in July. Aroostook: Never more promising. York: Grain fulland plump. Oxford: Growth good, but injured by rain in harvest. NEW HampsHiIre.—Carroll: A failure on many farms. New Yor«.— Wyoming : Oran spring wheat from the Department a failure; but few heads matured ; crop darker than the seed, which must have been bleached. Albany: Fair. Genesee: Wheat full average, and of good quality. Schuyler: Best crop in twenty years; Seneca white or Clawson variety has averaged 40 bushels per acre. Tioga : Never harvested in finer condition. NEw JERSEY.— /Varren : Grain plump, fine, and of good weight. 350 PENNSYLVANIA.— Clearfield : Shortened by extreme hot weather in July. Northamp- ton: Yield very good ; 7 bushels per 100 sheaves; grain full, sound, and heavy. Snyder. Very good. York: Injured by a worm; the second year it has infested the county. Indiana : Superior quality ;;wellsecured. Bucks: Not so heavy as was expected. Lan- caster ; Very good. MArYLAND.—Frederick : Injured by extreme heat just before harvest. One farmer reports a yield of 424 bushels of Fultz wheat per acre; no fertilizers used. Wicomico : Fair yield. Baltimore: Good; averages from 10 to 25 bushels per acre. VirGinis.—Bbedford : Not turning out as well as was expected. Fluvanna : Yield one- third short. Frederick : Two quarts of Fultz from the Department, three years ago, have this year yielded over 400 bushels of excellent grain. This variety averages from 20 to 30 bushels per acre, while other varieties only yield from 10 to 15 bushels. Middle- sex: A failure. Powhatan : Tappahannock from the Department yielded 16-fold ; Tou- zelle not adapted to the climate or soil. Pulaski: Damaged by rain in the stack. Prince William : Crop inferior, but well secured. Tazewell: Turning out well. Hssex: Injured by rust and parched in June. Henrico: Turned out very badly. King and Queen: Badly injured by rust just before harvest. Charles City: Threshed out only a half crop. Chesterfield: Very poor; brings from 80 cents to $1.45 per bushel. Floyd: Fultz wheat does finely. Amelia: Half average; Fultz the best of all. Craig: Two quarts of Touzelle sown on thin land with a light top-dressing of manure yielded 58 quarts, or 29-fold. Loudoun: Chinches injured the crop. Madison: Rusted, bat secured in good condition. Augusta: Threshed out poorly. Lunenburgh: Below average. Nort Caroiiwwa.—Vforsyth: Best crop in eight years. Alamance: Heavy strawed ; grain-yield three-fourths average. Anson: Full average. Greene: Very good. Rock- ingham: A quart of white winter-wheat from the Department yielded 40-fold ; a quart of winter-rye, 48-fold. Stanly: All crops light, except the Tappahannock and Fultz, especially the latter. Native seed contaminated with smut. GrorGIA.—Fannin: More wheat raised than ever before. Sumter: Thrashed out poorly; slovenly culture and injudicious selection of lands. Cobb: Over average. Jefferson : Injured by excess of rain. ALABAMA.—Jackson: The Tappannock wheat yielded three times as much as the common variety ; Touzelle has done no good. ~Calhoun: Good, but damaged by rain in the stack. Mississippi.—/Vinston: A quart of Tappahannock from the Department, in spite of rust, yielded 3 pecks of wheat. TEXAS.—Upshur: Ruined by rust. Titus: Badly rusted. Dallas: Yield 15 bushels per acre, berry fine, and flour good. Uvalde: Talavera wheat from the Department has failed after three years’ trial, through rust. It is not suited to the climate. ARKANSAS.— Crawford: A quart of Touzelle from the Department yielded 32-fold ; ordinary varieties yield but 12-fold. Arkansas: A good average; well secured. Newton: Fultz and Tappahannock just what we want. TENNESSEE.— Washington : Injured by wet in the stack. McMinn: Will average 8 bushels per acre. Williamson: Harvested in fine order. Monroe: Fair crop. Giles: Extra yield and heavy grain. Putnam: Largest crop ever raised here. West VirGinis.—brazton : Recent rains will bring the crop up to average. Mercer: Above average in spite of midge and worms. Monroe: Crop heavier and better than ever before. Putnam: Damaged by rain in the shock. The Fultz from the Depart- ment has proved the most prolific in this region. One farmer, from 50 bushels of seed, ob- tained a crop of 1,800 bushels. Harrison : Thrashes out unusually well; some crops injured by rain in the stack. Kentucky.—Daviess: Crop fine, averaging 20 bushels per acre, and ranging as high as 374 bushels; grain good. Hardin: Only 85 cents per bushel. oone: A farmer ob- tained 4 bushels of Tappahannock wheat from 4 quarts of seed sent by the Depart- ment. Another reports 80 pounds of Touzelle from 2 quarts of seed. Both experi- ments were tried on clay soil. Nicholas: Unusually good. Lincoln: Generally sound and good. McLean: Better than for years; Fultz did admirably. Graves': Good crop, but quality somewhat depreciated by the drought. Russell: A gallon of Fultz sent three years ago from the Department has this year resulted in 98 bushels. A gallon of Mediterranean winter produced 3 bushels ; promises to be very fine. Out0.—Coshocton: Crop larger, better, and better secured than for many years. Fultz better and more abundant than any other variety. Ashland; Abundant and extra fine. Morgan: Largest and best crop for many years; Fultz from the Depart- ment isthe best; Tappahannock not quiteso good. Ross: Splendidcrop. Columbiana: Very fine. MIcHIGAN.— Berrien: Fair. Branch: Fullaverage and fair. Tuscola: Great varia- tion of yield and quality. Inprana.—Never larger or finer; average from 20 to 40 bushels per acre. Steuben: Partly recovered from winter freezing ; well secured. Howard: Fine yield in spite of winter-killing. Madison: Fine. Fountain: Good. Fayette: Good quality. Crawford: 351 Abundantand good. Carroll: Injured someby chinches. Pike: Quantity and quality never better. Inuinois.— Menard : Chinches injurious. Sangamon: Excellent; yield varies from 5 to 35 bushels peracre. Winnebago: Half acrop; scorched by south winds. Zee: About 30,000 acres in wheat, averaging 13 bushels per acre, with a total yield of 390,000; of this amount 237,500 will be available for export. Alexander: Better than ever known; fields average from 22 to 34 bushels per acre. Jackson: Good average; commands 90 cents to $1.05 per bushel. Wabash: Fultz wheat, from the Department, is yielding very satisfactorily. The wheat-crop generally is very large; large fields have aver- aged from 35 to 42 bushels per acre; county average, 20 bushels. Cumberland: Good. Edwards : Damaged by rain in the stack. Carroll: Yield and quality good; price 80 cents per bushel. Saint Clair: Splendid where well cultivated; one farmer averaged 374 bushels per acre. Massac: Late wheat injured by chinches. /Vhite: Crop unparal- leled but for chinches. Macon: Spring-wheat poor; fall-wheat did well; Tappahan- nock the best. WISCONSIN.—Sauk : Reduced by intense heat and chinches. Adams: Ten per cent. short, but of good quality. ond du Lac: Considerably shrunken. Juneau: Yield from 3 to 6 bushels per acre. Jackson: Third of a crop. Minnesota.—McLeod : Spring-wheat poorly filled on account of extreme heat fol- lowing wet weather. Mower: Short, but of excellent quality. Nicollet: Injured by grasshoppers; Nicollet Township averages 10 bushels per acre. Sibley: Injured by drought, heat, and grasshoppers. Winona: Odessa wheat entirely failed. Wheat-crop averages 14 bushels per acre, ranging up to 30. Steele: Fine harvest weather; crop thinned by drought during stooling; berry fair size and sound; yield ranging from 14 to 30 bushels per acre. Llue Harth: Injured by drought and grasshoppers; quality good, except red Osaka, which rusted badly. Pope: Blighted by the hot sun and injured by storms. Yodd: Seasonable rains; Oran wheat rusted. Chippewa: Probably injured by grasshoppers. Stearns: Damaged by storms in the shock. Douglas: Poor; unfavorable harvest-weather. Swift: Extreme heat prevented heads from filling. Buchanan: Harvested in good condition; good quality. Iowa.—Chickasaw: Spring-wheat abundant and excellent. Dallas : Unusually good quality. Des Moines: Ripened too rapidly on account of the intense heat. Lee: Win- ter-wheat greatly damaged by rust and chinches; spring-wheat a complete failure. Story: Better than ever before; averages 18 bushels per acre. Calhoun: Would have been average but for grasshoppers. Polk: Both winter and spring-wheat above aver- age. dmmet: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Jackson: Good grain but diminished yield. Cass: Average 20 bushels per acre; very full and plump; well secured. Mitchell: Fair; Odessa a failure. JVoodbury: Shortened 25 per cent. by drought and grasshop- pers. Howard: Averages 10 or 12 bushels per acre. Harrison: Half eaten by grass- hoppers. Missouni.—Jefferson : Average 15 bushels per acre on uplands and 25 bushels on lowlands. Platte: Sells at $1 per bushel. Douglas: Wheat never better; Fultz and Tappehannock, from the Department, average about 25 bushels per acre. Daviess: Good and well secured. Newton: Twenty per cent. above average. Vernon: Half crop. Douglas: Fair crop. Cowley: Very good; 20 bushels per acre. Pulaski: Best crop for years; 12 to 30 bushels per acre. Kansas.— ]Voodson: Almost totally eaten by chinches. Osage: Excellent where not injured by chinch-bugs. Republic: Winter-wheat a good crop; early-sown spring- wheat good. Burton: Winter-wheat very good; spring shortened by drought. NEBRASKA.—Boone : Badly swept by grasshoppers. Dawson: First quality. CALIFORNIA.—Stanislaus: Disappoints expectations; not over 10 bushels per acre average yield. Sutter: Volunteer wheat averaged 8 bushels per acre; summer-fallow averaged 30 bushels and reached 56 bushels per acre. Santa Clara: Prices reduced about 5 per cent. San Joaquin: Splendid harvest; straw well developed and grain good; most of the threshing done by steam-power. Mendocino: Abundant; grain- hay is also abundant. Placer: Crop light but very good. Sonoma: Grain full, plump, and clean. Alameda: Farmers sell only as their necessities compel them at present prices. OREGON.—Clatsop : Damaged by rain in the shock. Clackamas: Excellent every- where. Grant: Badly injured by hail-storms. Umatilla: Averages 20 to 40 bushels per acre. OATS. In New England the crop is unusually good. Maine, from which every county reports, returns an average condition of 104; New Hamp- shire, 105; Vermont, 110; Massachusetts and Connecticut, 103 ; Rhode Island, 100. Minnesota and California return 103. All other States fall 352 below average, ranging from 99 in Oregon to 47 in Kentucky. The report- ed causes of reduced condition are: New York, 88, drought and rust; New Jersey, 72, rust ; Pennsylvania, 82, drought and grasshoppers. Through- out the South Atlantic and Gulf States both drought and rust have ex- tensively prevailed. The same is true of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In the other States west of the Mississippi grasshoppers have been very destructive on oats as on other crops. Chinches have also done extensive injury in large areas of both the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Drought united with chinches to reduce the crop in Wis- consin, 83. The average for the country is a condition of 86. Matne.—Penobscot: Greatly improved by rains of July. Aroostook: Never more promising. York: Best crop for years. Oxford: Not well filled. Massacuvusrtrs.—Berkshire : Heavy crop. New Yor«k.— Otsego : Best crop for years. ‘yoming : Early fallow oats later than the Brunswick, but have done well. Albany: Rust in some places. Queens: Reduced by drought. Washington: Growth extraordinary, but somewhat rusted. Sullivan: Large growth of straw, but light grain. New Jersey.—Warren: Light and somewhat rusted. PENNSYLVANIA.— Butler: Very light; late-sown best. Northampton: Poor, Indiana: Half a crop; well secured. Tioga: Never harvested in finer condition. Bedford: Damaged by drought. Lancaster: Short in straw and light in grain. Beaver: Light, and badly eaten by grasshoppers. Miflin: Very poor; some crops scarcely worth har- vesting ; some plowed under. Armstrong: Shortened by June drought. MaryYLanvb.— /Vicomico: Fair yield. ViIRGINIA.—Prince William : Quality inferior; secured in good condition. Bedford: Greatly damaged by drought. Henrico: Winter-oats good; spring-crops the lightest yet grown here. Clarke: Almost a failure. Prince George: Schonen, from the Depart- ment, a great success ; exceeds all other spring varieties. Chesterfield: Winter or fall seeding excellent ; spring seeding very poor. Madison: Grain small and inferior. Page: Almost a failure. Nort Caroiina.—Alamance: Shortest crop of spring-oats for several years; winter- oats better than usual, but only a small crop sown. Ashe: Affected by drought. dn- son: Fullaverage. Greene: Two-thirds average. GEORGIA.—Fannin : Oats almost a failure through rust. Lumpkin: Ruined by rust. Walton: Badly rusted. Cobb: Rusted. Murray: Cut off half by drought. Jefferson : Have done finely. TrExas.— Upshur: Ruined by drought. Titus: Red-rust proof did well; winter-sown oats about two-thirds of a crop; spring-sown destroyed. /JValdo: White Schonen, from the Department, well adapted to soil and climate; potato oats improve as they become acclimated. ARKANSAS.— Baxter: Shortened by drought. Randolph: Destructive drought. Craw- ford: Ruined by rust. Arkansas: Good. Carroll: Short. Dorsey: Half crop; drought of ninety days. TENNESSEE.— Granger : Half crop. Bradley: Spring-oats an entire failure. William- son: A total failure. Monroe: Cut off by drought and storms. Giles: Almost de- stroyed by drought. Putnam: Almost a failure; few sown. WEs?T VirGinta.—Braxton: Short through drought. Mercer: Three-fourths average ; Schonen the best. Monroe: Third of acrop. Preston: Short. Doddridge: Injured by drought. Grant: Injured by chinches. Boone: Harvested in good condition. Kentucky.—Boone: A farmer obtained 3 bushels of Somerset oats from 4 quarts of seed furnished by the Department; sown on clay soil. Nicholas: Very light. Oldham: Failed. Lincoln: Almost a failure—only half the area harvested. McLean: Almost a failure. Ohio: Injured by drought. j Ounto.— Williams: Very good. Ashland: Very poor. Hamilton: Partial failure ; drought and chinch. Ross: Shortened by drought. Columbiana: Very short and poor. Geauga: Shortened by drought. MICHIGAN.—Shiawassee: Yield light; quality good. Hillsdale: Badly injured by drought. Livingston: Light through drought. Menomonee: Some damage from grass- hoppers. Wayne: Fine where not injured by hail. Inp1ANA.—Dearborn: Ruined by drought. Steuben: Generally good. Huntington: wory heavy. Decatur: Drought and chinches. Pike: Too low to be cut. Franklin: ery light. ILLrNo1s.— Menard : Injured by chinches. Sangamon: Short. Winnebago : Scorched by south winds. Lee: About 30,500 acres, averaging 30 bushels per acre; total, 901,350 bushels, of which 235,350 will be available for export. Alexander : Injured by chinches. Perry: Ruined by drought and chinches. De Kalb: Below average. Cumberland : 353 Light, owing to late seeding and drought. Massac: Injured by drought and chinches. Randolph : Short and thin; only one-third of the crop was cut. Cass: Chinches. WISCONSIN.—Jackson : Half crop. Clark: Fast maturing; no frost yet. Jefferson: Drought and chinches. Richland: Light. Mrnnesora.—VNicollet : Grasshoppers reduced the yield to 15 bushels per acre. Sibley: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Blue Earth: Very light; injured by grasshoppers. Todd: Seasonable rains. Jackson: What the grasshoppers left bids fair. Iowa.—Chickasaw : Splendid crop and in good condition. Polk: Good yield and quality. Mitcheli: Good. Woodbury: Somerset oats, from Department, of light weight and poor quality; will not weigh over 20 pounds per bushel. Howard: Heavy and good. Buchanan: Good, but short. Missourl.—Ray : Seriously injured by protracted drought. Newton: Half crop and light weight. Vernon: Half crop. Douglas: Small crop saved. Johnson: Straw short, heads light. Kansas.— Osage: Eaten by chinches. Jepublic: Early sown very good ; late, about one-third of acrop. Burton: Shortened by drought. RYE. The average condition of rye is 92. It is above average in all of the New England and Middle States except Vermont and Pennsylvania. It is below average in all the Southern States except Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky. In Ohio and California it is full average, and in all the other States below. In the Eastern States generally it appears to have enjoyed favorable conditions of growth, and also in the Southern inland States. West of the Mississippi it suffered from drought and insect-ravages. It is very little cultivated in the Gulf States. BARLEY. Barley averages 92 per cent.ofa full crop. Very little is raised south of Kentucky, where it is above average. In the New England and Middle States it is about average. In the Northwest it is about 90 per cent., and on the Pacific coast a little above average. The late crops in the Northwest were injured by drought and insects. BUCKWHEAT. This crop is below average in all the States except Vermont, Massa- chusetts, and Connecticut. In New England it is about average on the whole. In the Middle States it is about 92. Considerable quantities are grown in West Virginia and Tennessee, but in the other Southern States its culture is insignificant. In the Northwest the crop has nowhere been very satisfactory. In Kansas the grasshoppers reduced the average to 39. TOBACCO. Our returns foreshadow that less than half a crop of tobacco will be gathered this year. The only States presenting a condition above average are Connecticut, 107, and California, 102. Wisconsin, lowa, and Oregon are average. These five States, however, grow less than one twenty-fifth of the whole crop. Kentucky, representing about two-fifths of the tobacco-growing interest, averages but 31, a decline of 11 since the July report. Tennessee and Nebraska make a still more unfavora- ble return, averaging but 24 each. Kansas strikes the base-note at 20. In the South and West the prevailing drought is sufficient to account for the generally low condition, which, in connection with the reduced acreage, will warrant the low estimates received from this part of the 354 country. The following extracts from correspondence will show some of the local aspects of this industry. The report from Alamance, North Caro- lina, will excite special attention on account of its different tenor from the general mass of our reports: Connecticut.—Hartford: Early planted secured in fine order ; late plantings require ten to fifteen days more of good weather. MarybLanp.—Charles: Not half a crop planted, and much of that injured by the cold, harsh, and dry weather. Calvert: Suffering from drought. Saint Mary's: Very poor. VirGm1a.—Flwanna: Full half short. Orange: Late, and threatened by frost ; only early planted and well cultivated tobacco will mature. Patrick: Scarcely any. Pittsylvania : Condition somewhat improved of late; area greatly reduced. Spotisyl- vania : Hardly a fourth of last year’s acreage, and less promising. Caroline: Almost a failure. Halifax: Smallest crop for years, and badly injured by horn-worms. Henry : From one-fourth to one-third average ; fair proportion of fine leaf if the season is good. Mecklenburgh: Drought and tobacco-worms injurious, the latter more numer- ous than for many years. Buckingham: With late frosts the crop may be one-third of an average. Campbell: Backward and unpromising. Chesterfield: Only a half crop planted; looks well. Amelia: Almost a total failure from want of plants and ravages of the fly. Louisa: Greatly reduced by drought and flies. Madison: Good when a stand was secured early; late plantings small; crop about half. Bath : Two-thirds of a crop. Nort CaroLina.—Alamance: The northern portion of Alamance County is one of the finest tobacco regions in the State, though until the last few years it was not fully realized. In all the tobacco sales which have been held of late in Danville, Va., and when premiums have been offered, Alamance farmers have taken the prize. In one township, Pleasant Grove Township, which lies in the northeastern part of the county, there has been $75,000 worth of tobacco sold of last year’s crop, and some yet to sell. Some farmers have made from $500 to $1,000 per hand, after paying all expenses. Caswell : Scarce half a crop standing; with an ordinary season much of that will not mature. Person: Half a crop planted; unusually fine. TEXAS.—Titus : Plant-beds failed. ARKANSAS.— Washington : Half a crop; drought. TENNESSEE.—Vacon: Almost a failure. Williamson: A failure. KEeNntTUCKY.—Daviess: About one-tenth of a crop; looking well, but complaints of worms are numerous. Lewis: A third of last year’s crop. Bracken: No improvement ; almost a total failure. McLean: Almost a failure; about an eighth of a crop. Gray- son: Very little planted. Graves: The crop will not be over a million pounds, and that inferior, against an average of six millions. Metcalfe: The small crop planted is poor; too late to ripen. Mason: A tenth of a crop. Inprana.—Pike: Looks well, but the crop will be small. Intrvois.— Massac : Injured by drought. Missourt.—Chaviton: Suffered severely from drought. Shelby: Short. POTATOES. The average condition reported for the entire country is 83. In New England, where the crop has suffered scarcely any drawback, full re- ports return an average condition of 103. Throughout the remainder of the country, except on the Pacifie slope, droughts, Colorado beetles, grasshoppers, and chinches, either singly or conjointly, have preyed on the crop to a greater or less extent. All these have combined to reduce the condition in Kansas to 20, and in Nebraska to 24. Elsewhere, the areas over which they have severally prevailed will be sufficiently indi- cated by the annexed notes from correspondents. The prevalence of rot is only noted in Otsego, New York. In the Middle States, except New York, ravages by the Colorados have been more extensive than heretofore. MAtIne.—Penobscot: Greatly improved by July rains. Oxford: Two weeks late. Sagadahoc: Rotting in some places. Hancock: Rotting. New Hampsuire.—Hillsborough: Yieldingabundantly. Grafion: A good yield. Sulli- van: Promising. Cheshire: Injured by drought. VERMONT.—Caledonia: Some rot. Franklin: Have begun to rot. : CoNnNECTICUT.—Vindham : Rotting. New London: Crop large, but commencing to 35) rot; late plantings badly eaten by worms and injured by late rains. Litchfield : Prom- ising, but some varieties are rotting. New Yorx.—Otsego: Rot quite prevalent. Albany: Very poor. Columbia: Short- ened by drought. Rensselaer: Poorcrop; drought. Genesee: Suffering from drought. Queens: Improved; the new late Rose potato is highly spoken of. JWarren ; Suffering for rain. Washington: Drought. Monroe: Shortened by drought. New Jrersey.—Hudson : Turning out well, especially Early Rose. Gloucester : Late white potatoes injured by Colorado beetles and drought. Salem: Colorado beetles very destructive. Warren: Shortened by drought. PENNSYLVANIA.—Butler: Crops saved by fighting the worms. Clearfield: Seriously injured by bugs. Franklin: Almost destroyed by Colorado beetles. Northampton : Poor; drought and bugs. Perry: Destroyed largely by beetles. Wayne: Rotting. Warren: Colorado beetles successfully resisted ; fine crop of potatoes, especially Early Rose. Pike: Drought. Tioga: Early plantings short; late ones look well. Washing- ton: Badly injured by bugs and drought; poorest crop for many years. Bedford: First appearance of Colorado beetles; no greatinjury. Bucks: Notwithstanding the increased acreage, the drought will bring the yield down to less than average. Lancas- ter: Very much injured by bugs. Luzerne: Yery serious drought. Northumberland : Shortened one-fifth by Colorado beetles. Armstrong: Very good where the bugs did not get at them. DELAWARE.—Sussex : Greatly shortened by drought. MARYLAND.—Caroline: Injured by Colorado beetles. Dorchester : Badly injured by Colorado bugs in some places. frederick : The Colorado beetle is disappearing in some sections, but has done serious injury. Queen Anne: Badly injured by Colorado beetles. Cecil: Much injured by Colorado beetles. Washington: Nearly a failure through drought. Baltimore: Late crops injured by Colorado beetles. VirGINIA.— Washington: Poorest crop for many years. Prince William: Rain in time for late potatoes. Loudoun: Injured by Colorado beetles. Page: Injured by Col- orado bugs. NortH Caroiina.— Beaufort: Greatly improved by late rains. Lincoln : Almost an entire failure. Greene: Average. GrorGIA.—Carroll: Never better. Towns : Improving rains. ALABAMA.—Choctaw : Suffering for rain. Mississipp1.—Kemper: Badly injured by drought. Madison: The worst season for many years. LouistaNa.—Franklin: A good yield housed. Texas.— Wood: Ruined by drought. Red River: Late reviving rains. Dallas: Quite a failure. Austin: Only early plantings will bring anything. Cherokee: Late rains saved half a crop. : ARKANSAS.—Randolph : Destructive drought. Independence: Nearly a failure. Wash- ington: Almost a failure. Arkansas: Half crop. TENNESSEE.—Bledsoe: Scarce through drought. Bradley: Ruined by drought. Greene: Very poor. Blount: Fineseason. Cheatham: Almosta‘failure. Dyer: A com- plete failure. Rhea: Late plantings doing weil. JVilliamson: A failure. Monroe: Early plantings ruined by drought; later ones improved by fine rains. Wes? VIRGINIA.—Mercer; Good. Monroe: Badly injured by insects. Hardy: Al- most destroyed by Colorado beetles. Lewis: Shortened by drought. Doddridge : Early plantings injured by drought. Boone: Coming on finely. Kentucky.—Nicholas: Nearly ruined by bugs. Russell: A failure. Greenup: Sea- sonable rains. Owsley: Greatly shortened by drought. Onto.—Harrison : Improved by late rains. Crawford: Much injured by long black beetles. Van Wert: Rains too late for early potatoes, but in time for late ones. Ash- land: Promising; acreage far larger than ever before. Ottawa: Late plantings affected by drought; early kinds did well. Medina: Suffering for rain, especially late plantings. Perry: Bugs injured early crops. Lucas: Late potatoes not turning out well. Geauga: Late potatoes suffering for rain. MicHIGaN.—Charlevoiz: Suffering from drought. Delia: Late crops fine; earlier ones injured by bugs. Kalamazoo: Early crops injured by drought and bugs. Hills- dale: Injured by drought. Bay: Late potatoes injured by drought and bugs. Berrien: Much injured by drought. Saint Joseph: Shortened by the most severe drought and heat known in forty years. Calhown: Drought. Branch: Very light. Wayne: Fine where not injured by hail. Tuscola: Fair in spite of bugs. Grand Traverse: Karly crops shortened by drought; late ones promising. Inpiana.— Wabash : Early potatoes good; late ones short throngh drought. MWhit- ley: Good crop. Marshall: Shortened by drought. Dearborn: Affected seriously by drought. Warren: Suffering for rain. Orange: Tops eaten by cantharides by July 10; not enough left for seed. Kosciusko: Late crops suffering from drought. Sieuben: Injured by drought. Posey: Injured by Colorado beetles. Madison: Good, Decatur: Nearly a failure. Perry: Look bad. Crawford: Shortened by drought. ILLINOIs.—Logan: Rains too late to save the crop. Sangamon: Poor; ali sorts of pests. 2A 356 . Alexander: Toodry. Cook: Parched by summerdrought. Tazewell: Fine growing rains. Whiteside: Not doing well; a new winged beetle is destroying the Colorado beetle. Moultrie: Early plantings injured by drought; late ones better. Cumberland: Almost swept by bugs. Shelby: Bugs of both kinds worse than ever before known. Vermil- lion: Destroyed by drought. Massac: Early plantings injured by bugs. JVhite: Nearly destroyed by beetles. Montgomery: Musthaverain, Henry: Shortened greatly by August drought. WISCONSIN.— Adams : Colorado beetles less destructive than usual, but the drought very serious. Columbia: Early Rose, good; Peach-blows nearly ruined by drought and bugs. Outagamie: Late crops injured by bugs. MinneEsora.—Mower: Poor. Sibley: Injured by drought and bugs. lows.— Washington : Severe drought. Howard: Early plantings good. Decatur: Not half a crop. Dallas: Severely injured by Colorado beetles. Henry; Late copious rains have greatly improved late plantings. Muscatine: Late heavy rains will make late potatoes a fullcrop. Calhoun: Colorado beetles and drought materialiy injured the crop. Polk: Suffered greatly from bugs and drought. Montgomery: Late potatoes a failure. Van Buren: Fine growing rains. Woodbury: Shortened one-half by drought, grasshoppers, and Colorado beetles. Missourt.—Crawford : Ruined by drought. Caldwell: Late potatoes nothing. Platte: Early crop fair, and selling at 80 cents per bushel; no late crop. Ray: Seriously in- ' jured by protracted drought. Shelby: Short. McDonald: A failure. Phelps : Late plant- ings hardly make seed. Johnson: Dried up. Grundy: Late crops failed; Early Rose, a fair yield. Cole: Early crops good; late ones failed. KANSAS.— Mitchell: Only a few potatoes, and those of early planting. Bourbon : Com- plete failure. Osage: Total failure. Republic: Eariy, a fair crop; late, an entire fail- ure, owing to protracted drought. Barton: Early, half crop only, by reason of drought and iacck green tobacco-worm; late, entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. NEBRASKA.— Dawson: Utterly destroyed by Colorado beetles. Lincoln: Eaten by a cantharis. Nuckolls: All late potatoes have failed to mature, owing to extremely hot and dry weather. Gage: Will be no late potatoes, owing to drought and grasshop- pers. Otoe: Late potatoes about destroyed by drought. OREGON.—Clackamas : Injured by late rains. SWEET-POTATOES. As the entire sweet-potato area has been more or less affected by drought, our returns show that the condition of this crop is from 8 to 10 per cent. below average. VirGINIA.— Washington: Fair crop. Northampton: A very remunerative crop. Ches- terfield : Crop large and profitable. NortH Caronina.—Greene: Two-thirds of a crop. SourH CaroLina.—JWilliamsburgh: Will suffer materially from a severe drought. GEORGIA.—Clinch: Very fine. Dooly: Badly damaged by drought. Sumter: In- jured by drought; acreage increased. Taylor: Injured by drought and hot winds. Terrell: Injured by heat and drought. Froripa.—Columbia : Injured by drought. Wakulla: Injured by drought. ALABAMA.—Chambers : Crippled by drought. Montgomery: Injured by drought. Conecuh : Look well, but mature slowly. Misstssipp1.— Pike : Injured by drought. Holmes: Extremely shortened by drought. LovuIsIANA.—Franklin : Severely injured by drought. Jackson: A general failure. Trexas.— Upshur: Half crop. Titus: Drying up. Karnes: Drought cut down the crop 25 per cent. below last year. Burnet: A total failure. Ellis: Greatly shortened, if not ruined. Grayson: Shortened by drought. ARKANSAS.— Independence: Nearly a failure. Crawford: Very short. Arkansas: Half crop. TENNESSEE.—Greene: Look well. Cheatham: Look tolerably well. Monroe: Light. TLuinois.— Cumberland : Good. Iowa.—Harrison : Culture profitable and increasing. NeBRASKA.— Dixon: Escaped the ravages of the grasshoppers. COTTON. ‘ Our September returns indicate a heavy decline in the prospects of the cotton-crop in all of the States except Virginia, in which the condi- tion remains about the same asin our August report. The crop of Vir- ginia, however, is too small toinfluence the general result to any appre- ciable extent. > oOT In North Carolina the leading complaint in several counties on the coast and in the northern part of the State is, cool nights, arresting veg- etation, in some cases accompanied by late rains producing rust. The earlier part of the season having been favorable, the bottom erop is generally good, but the middle “and top crops Lave in some counties been greatly injured, if not destroyed. In some cases the weed is large, but the fruit is scanty and imperfect. In several counties in the interior a damaging drought set in about the middle of August, which caused copious shedding of forms. Several counties report very fine crops, having escaped the injurious conditions of growth so serious in other parts. Moore County reports the finest crop since 1865; Pasquotank better than last year and full average; in Pamlico the drought only reduced a superabundant crop to an average. In one or two other coun- ties the crop is promising. The State average declined 15 per cent. during August. The same general conditions are apparent in South Carolina. Damp weather in some places has caused an excessive growth of weed with very little fruit. Rust and drought haveinjured many crops. Several counties report a good prospect, although the bolls were opening late. The general tone of the reports, however, is less hopeful, and the pros- pects of the crop declined 13 per cent. since the last report. In Georgia a decline of 17 per cent. is noted. Protracted drought is the leading cause of this decline, but in many counties it was accompa- nied by extreme heat and hot, blasting winds. The destructive efficacy of the drought was not in all cases proportioned to its length. In Dooly County some promising fields were parched within half an hour. In Baker all the blooms of three weeks opening were blasted. Where drought was less severe, in some cases the weed grew at the expense of fruit. In other cases the close of the drought was marked by storms of rain and hail, doing serious injury to the remnant of the crop. In a few counties, such as Clinch, De Kalb, Elbert, and Sumter, the prospec is reported as good. In Florida there is a decline of 25 per cent. In some counties, as Levy, alternate flood and drought ruined the crops on the best lands, causing great discouragement among farmers and a desire to emigrate. In other counties severe drought alone, and in others heavy rains, are alleged as causes of the decline. In Alabama, though the same injurious causes have been operative, the general decline—9 per cent.—has been smaller than in any other great cotton State. In some countiesit was noticed that high fertilization re- enforced the injurious influence of the drought, which was more gen- erally distributed, as there are fewer counties reporting promising crops. Mississippi reports a decline of 15 per cent. The general cause of injury here was drought, which manifested itself more destructively upon upland than upon bottom crops. In Washington County but one rain has fallen since April. In Louisiana the falling off amounts to 21 percent. The drought ap- pears to grow in virulence toward the Southwest. The intense heat and blasting, hot winds are more frequently noted. In Tensas the crops having been planted mostly upon lately-overflowed lands, the drought, instead of working injury, seems to have been beneficial, especially in repressing noxious insects. All other reports, however, are of a gloomier tone. The most marked change in the prospects of the crops is found in Texas. From an average of 105 on the 1st of August, the prospects fell to 65—a loss of 40 during August. The “untoward influences . 358 that had affected the crop in the other Gulf States here found their cul- mination. In some counties no rain had fallen since May. Simoom winds prevailed in numerous localities, withering all vegetation. Ken- dall County, however, promises an unprecedented yield. In Liberty, drought was felt but slightly. Upshur expected to equal last year’s crop, but such expectations are rare. In Arkansas and Tennessee the drought of August combined with that of the earlier season previously reported ; in several localities no rain has fallen since April, andin some of these the injury was agegra- vated by hot winds. Arkansas has declined 40 per cent. and Tennessee 31 per cent. Injurious insects appeared at several points in the cotton area, but their ravages were seldom such as to excite any remark. The condi tions so injurious to vegetation were no less repressive of insect-life. The State averages are as follows: Virginia, 98; North Carolina, $7 ; South Carolina, 86 ; Georgia, 77 ; Florida, 77; Alabama, 81; Mis- sissippi, 74 ; Louisiana, 62; Texas, 65; Arkansas, 47; Tennessee, 52. The following notes of our correspondence will give some salient local features of the crop: ViRGINIA.—Sussex: Looks much better than at this time last year. Prince George: Cool nights have caused rust; shedding forms and bolls. Southampton: Injured by cool nights, causing rust and premature opening. Greenville : Promising. NortH CarRouina.—Pimlico: Drought has reduced cotton, but bolls enough are left for an average crop; the worm has appeared lately, but the weather is too cold for serious damage. Seaufort: Seriously damaged by rust; almost every crop affected. Cleveland : Runs too much to weed ; bolls and squares dropping off. Pitt: Looked well till August 15, when rust came; bottom crop good, but top crop nearly ruined. Chowan : Seriously injured by heavy rains and cool weather; rusty ; shedding leaves and bolls. Sranklin: Cotton season very unfavorable; rust has destroyed the top crop. Gaston; Injured by hot days and very cool nights. Granville: Slightly dam- aged by cold nights. Lenoir; Suffering for rain. Lincoln: Materially injured by a drought of five weeks. Mecklenburgh: Large and tender stock full of sap, but defi- cient in bolls; rust in many places, and in others shedding of forms. Pasquotank : Better than last year; full average and forward as usual. JVayne: Damaging cool weather; a great failure foreshadowed. Martin: Two-thirds average; worst kind of season since July 20. Sladen: Rusted from late rains. Hertford: Promises a heavy yield. Onslow : Weather unfavorable to late crops. Alexander: Season fine for late crops. Currituck: Looks well, though injured by cool August and July. Edgecombe : Rust and blight injuring the crop; flooding rains. Camden: Good, if frost delays. Davidson : Two weeks late in maturing. Moore: Finest crop since 1865. Perquimans: Cold, wet weather for two weeks caused the forms and bolls to shed; suffering heavily on light lands, 33 per cent.; only 10 per cent. on clay soils. Rowan; Fine, but late. Anson: Weed large, but poorly fruited ; rust insome places. Greene: Rust has injured the crop from one-fourth to one-third; some crops dead and dry enough to burn. Person: Below average. Stanly: Fine growth of weed, but the late cold spell has greatly injured the bolls,some of which show a rotten interior. Wake: General complaints of rust and scarcity of bolis, but the crop still promising. SouTH CAROLINA.—Fairfield : Crop doing well; no caterpillars; opening later than last year, but mature bolls are numerous. Barnwell: Fallen off 5 per cent. from drought; no worms. Clarendon: Large weed, but little fruit; rust becoming general. Chesterfield: Rusted badly. Darlington: Injured seriously by rust; top crop opening rapidly. Laurens: Larger weed than last year, but not so well fruited. Union: Great injury from heat, drought, and storms. Edgefield: Drought injuring early crops, caus- ing young fruit to drop. Marion: Top crop drying up to some extent, yet the bolls were so numerous that the crop will probably be full average. Lexington: Not over a half crop; drought caused the bolls to fall. Beaufort: Rains have caused the fruit to shed; some rust and caterpillars. Marlborough: Early bolls have yielded well, but rust has injured later ones; rain and cold nights. Georgetown: Too much rain; weed copious, but fruiting unsatisfactory. Newberry: Fruit dropped badly; half a crop. tichland : Drought caused much shedding; some complaints of rust. Spartanburgh: Not fruiting well. York: No August crop; badly injured by lice, rust, and cold nights. Williamsburgh: Has yellow-leaf badly; leaves look as sere as they ordinarily do in November. ;. GrorGiA.—Bartow: Three weeks’ drought caused copious shedding; fine rains re- cently. Dodge: Injured by rust, caterpillars, and drought. Hart: Plenty of weed, 359. but little fruit ; decreased amount of fertilizers used ; some fields injured by hail. Bul- lock: Opening too fast, and shedding leaves and fruit. Carroll: Four weeks’ drought caused shedding. Catoosa: Drought causing squares to fall. Clinch: Considerably above average. Columbia: Unprecedented decline within a week through extreme drought and heat. De Kalb: Injured in a few localities by drought, but the most of the county has had abundant rain, making the cotton large and well fruited, though rather late. Dooly: Badly injured by drought and storms of hot wind; some promis- ing fields were parched within half an hour. Douglas: A month’s drought stripped off one-fourth of the forms and small bolls. Elbert: Two weeks late, but promising. Effingham: Badly rusted. Telfair: Backward. Gordon: Top forms falling. Hall: Fallen 1 per cent. per day for ten days. Hancock: Severe drought; nearly all the middle and top bolls fell; cannot make over a half crop at best. Harris: Caterpillars came August 5; crop later than usual; drought has caused much shedding. Heard: Severe hot drought materially injured the crop. Henry: Protracted drought has caused rapid shedding of forms. Liberty: Caterpillars reported, but do not cause very great alarm, Mitchell: Three weeks of drought and extreme heat have caused cotton to shed forms severely ; there will be no top crop and a very small middle crop. Muscogee: Drought has injured early plantings and retarded late plantings. Pierce: Five weeks of drought and severe heat: cut off the late crop. Randolph: Injured one-fourth by,ex- treme heat. Scriven: Unprecedented decline in five weeks. Stewart: Very badly in- jured by protracted heat and drought; most of the later bolls have dried up; no rain for six weeks. Sumter: Crop average; there having been no general rain, the crop is too tough for the caterpillar. Taylor: Severely injured by drought and hot winds from the northwest; top crop destroyed and middle crop greatly reduced. Terrell: Greatly injured by drought. Troup: Severe damage from drought and shedding of large bolls. Walton: Badly injured by drought and extreme heat. iViitfield: Badly injured by drought. Taliaferro: Hot winds have cut the crop down,to nearly half average. Wilkinson : No late crop can be made; rust in spots; bolls small; but little over a balf crop can be made. Chattooga: Badly injured by drought. Fulton: Shortened 20 per cent. by drought. Morgan: Early cotton shed profusely from heat, and opened pre- maturely ; rain injured the open bolls; fertilized cotton shed most freely ; late crop doing well. This year we used 769 tons of fertilizers and expect 7,000 bales. Baker : Damaged by drought of four weeks; blooms of three weeks past all blasted. Jackson: Badly injured by drought. Zee: Serious injury from drought. Macon: Shortened by drought 25 per cent. Madison: Late; poorly fruited. Marion: Shortened 25 per cent. by August drought. Twiggs: Three weeks of heat and drought, unequaled in thirty years, have done incalculable injury; not over two-thirds of a crop. MWayne: Drought. Banks: Laterevivingrains. Brooks: Drought caused rust and shedding of boHs. Cobb : Two weeks late; drought caused shedding of small bolls and forms. Fayette : Plenty of rain, benefiting cotton greatly. floyd: Greatly injured by five weeks of drought and intense heat. Murray: Very injurious drought. Gwinnett: Nearly aver- age; slightly injured by two weeks’ drought in August; shedding late forms; acreage decreased 1,000 acres. Jefferson: Badly injured by rain; more rain fallen than for twenty years; rust. Putnam: Shedding forms and bolls. JVilkes: Suffered from ex- treme heat; bolls falling badly. FiLorips.— Hamilton : Injured 10 per cent. by drought. Jackson: Sporadic boll- worms and rust, but probably a larger crop than last year. Jefferson: Injured by drought. Madison: Drought has caused fruit-shedding and rust. Wakulla: Damaged by heat and drought. Columbia: Caterpillars plenty, but doing less damage than usual. Zeon: Boll-worm did much damage; caterpillars increasing, but slowly. Levy : Injured by alternate floods and drought ; crops on the best lands ruined, causing people to desire to emigrate. Tuylor: Ruined in places by heavy rains. ALABAMA.—Henry : Severely injured by the hottest short drought—three weeks in August—ever known here; boll-worm injurious. Zowndes: Cut down half by the un- precedented heat. Russell: Four weeks of hot, dry weather have caused cotton to shed forms badly ; caterpillars cut down late cotton one-half; Paris-green used but little. Chambers: Shed heavily under a three weeks’ drought. Pike: Hopelessly gone; not over a half crop. Saint Clair: Shedding through drought ; hottest August ever known here. Choctaw: Suffered from drought. Covington : Drought beneficial, keeping back the caterpillars. Greene: Drought disastrous. Hale: Crop shortened on uplands by six weeks’ drought; has sustained itself on rich slough and bottom land. Lee: Stand late and bad, but was doing well till the drought, commencing August 1, when it was shortened one-third; especially injuring manured fields. Macon: Shed most of the squares and small bolls; some damage by boll-worm. Montgomery: Considerably in- jured by drought. Dale: Destructive drought ; no top crop. Colbert: Little over half crop; extreme heat. De Kalb: Extreme heat and high fertilization injured the crop very seriously. Marion: Late and shortened by drought. Franklin: Drought cansed the bolls and squares to fall to some extent. 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Burk’s Golden Straw was fourteen days earlier, and weighed 70 pounds to the bushel. It makes as much flour from 4.72 bushels as can be made from 5 bushels of any other variety. The Fultz yields more than any other. From one quart sowed last year, and the pro- ceeds resowed this year, I have received 83 bushels by weight. It produced, on my farm, 36 measured bushels per acre, weighing 64 pounds per bushel. Jersey, Ill.—If we could get wheat that would ripen about June 10, of short growth and fair heads, it would be a great thing for this section. A number of years ago we had wheat of this description, which suited the soil and climate so well that we got the reputation of being the best wheat-growing section of the State, and our wheat brought the highest price in the market. I think the seed came from France, and was first sown in Virginia, whence it was distributed over the country, being known as the May wheat. Wheat ripening after June 25 is of no use to us, as the rust always stri kes ib. Walla-Walla, Wash.—Inadequate transportation allows us only 40 cents per bushel. ‘armers say they cannot raise it at that price. Morgan, Utah.—Excelsior wheat from the Department preferred to Tappahannock, Fultz, or any other kind. It stands drought, yields well, and bears a long straw. Coffee, Tenn.—A neighbor thrashed 90 bushels of Fultz from 2 bushels sown on 34 acres. From 3 quarts received from the Department, and distributed by me, thousands of bushels have been grown in three years. Alexander, N. C.—Two quarts of Touzelle wheat, from the Department, sown in Octo- Der and harvested in June, made two bushels of fine large grain. It will do well in this section. Uvalde, Tex.—The Falcon wheat does not make as good a yield as our native wheat. Fannin, Tex.—F rom extreme scarcity of money, many are selling their wheat to Saint Louis merchants at $1 per bushel, and will probably buy flour at high prices next spring. This is a long distance to send to mill. Guthrie, Iowa.—On old land poorly put-in, wheat was cut short by dry weather. Fortunately we have less of such farming than usual, and I think this year will “ play out” a few more slovenly theories. Lincoln, Mo.—Touzelle wheat kept green until a few days ago. None of it matured. Marion, Mo.—F all-wheat crop the finest ever raised. Tappahannock from the Depart- ment preferred; grain large, more transparent and heavier than any other; weighs as much as 72 pounds per bushel. Wood, Ohio.—The Fultz wheat you sent me two years ago has proved a perfect suc- cess. From the 12 quarts received I bad 12 bushels of nice wheat. It is almost identi- eal with the old blue-stem wheat raised in Eastern Ohio thirty-five years ago. Its supe- riority is seen most strikingly when threshed; it will yield from the dozen sheaves a larger amount than any other variety. Spottsylvania, Va.—A farmer in this county has made good crops for three years by late seeding. He sows from October 25 to November 16, His land being poor, he treats it with 200 pounds of guano per acre. This year the seed yielded nineteen-fold. CoRN-CULTURE.— Carroll, Afo.—The necessity for thorough cultivation as well as the evil consequences of cultivating the soil too wet has never been more thoroughly demonstrated than this season. Corn in some fields looks green and promising, while in adjoining fields, broken up too wet, it is “fired” up to the shoot, and will not make even good fodder. Ricn-crops.—La Fourche, La —The rice-crop looks well; March plantings will shortly he harvested. JI am satisfied that the material regeneration of Louisiana will be effected by means of the rice-crop. It is of quick growth—only five months from seed- ing to harvest; it is easily cultivated ; allows a large acreage per hand; yields well, and commands high prices. It is easily cultivated by white labor; and in Louisiana, unlike South Carolina, it does not cause sickness, as the land is high, formerly culti- vated in sugar-cane. POULTRY-DISEASE.— Voodson, Kans.—Chicken-cholera has swept the entire stock of poultry from scores of our farm-yards—turkeys, geese, ducks, and Guineas, as well as Brahmas and Shanghais. The Houdans are the only fowls exempt; they appear to be the hardiest of the new varieties, and the best layers. | 'TOBACCO-CULTURE —Hampden, Mass.—The tobacco-crop is somewhat backward, but looks unusually healthy and strong. Considerable of Spanish leaf is being raised 371 in this vicinity, which gives a much finer leaf than the old Connecticut seed, and is more forward, some pieces being already topped and of heavy growth. Grarr-crors.—Monroe, W. Va.—A few small vineyards promise immense crops of grapes; at least 5,000 pounds peracre. ‘ Salt Lake, Utah.—Grapes mildew before ripening ; no remedy found. It is estimated, that 70 per cent. of the crop will be thus ruined. New London, Conn.—Grape-vines are loaded with fruit, and the indications are that the yield will be nearly as large again as ever before. Damy-propucts.—Orleans, Vt.—Our specialty is butter-making. Yield up to average with fair prices—25 to 30 cents per pound. Washington, N. ¥.—Dairying unusually prosperous and on the increase. Frurr-cutture.—Pulaski, [1l.—Bitter-rot alarmingly on the increase. There is good reason to believe that it spreads from tree to tree, as if certainly increases most rap- idly in the vicinity of kinds first affected by it. A still more fatal malady is a form of blight known as root-rot, which destroys a large percentage of our trees, giving no outward sign until the trees are ready to be pushed over with a slight push. AVERAGE YIELD OF WooL.—Sangamon, Ill.—Five different flocks yielded as follows : No. 1, 111 head, 420 pounds; No. 2, 35 head, 150 pounds; No. 3, 22 head of high grade Cotswold yearlings, 176 pounds; No.4, 110 head of common sheep, (corn-fed during the winter,) 660 pounds; No.5, 74 head good merinos, 592 pounds. Total, 347 sheep, yielding 1,998 pounds of wool, and averaging 5.75 pounds per head. ‘The average of the county is about 5 pounds. HEAVY WArIL-stoRMS.—Hart, Ga.—A remarkable hail-storm passed over a portion of this county August 14, covering a streak about three miles wide and fifteen or twenty miles long. In some places it completely stripped all vegetation of fruit and foliage. The hail lay on the ground three inches deep. Grant, Oreg—The most destructive rain and hail storm ever witnessed in this county occurred on the 9th instant. A dark cloud appeared in the southwest, while at the same time a heavy storm seemed approaching from the northeast. Carried by two opposite currents of air, they drifted together immediately over a portion of the settle- ments. Considerable wheat and barley was ready for the sickle, and where this was the case the grain was as completely threshed as if passed through a thresher. Only four or five farms received the full force of the hail-storm, but these suffered severely. Apples, plums, and pears were almost entirely ruined ; even the new fruit-buds form- ing were materially injured. Had the hail-storm been general throughout the valley, not enough grain would have been left for seed and bread. As it is, there will be quite a large surplus. EXCESSIVE RAIN-FALL.—Chowan, N. C.—Rained six hours July 29, filling wash-tubs a foot deep. Morgan, Ohio.—July very hot and dry till the 11th, when it rained 1.2 inches ; 12th, 0.3 inches ; 21st, 0.5 inches ; 24th, 0.7 inches ; 26th, 0.8 inches, with a heavy storm ; total, 34 inches. Washington, I11.—Six inches within twenty days. Lewis, N. Y—From 8 p.m. August 1 to 9 a. m. August 2, 7.8 inches. Wasatch, Utah.—More rain than ever before. Summit, Utah—Heavy and frequent rain-storms to an extent never before known, causing heavy floods and much damage to hay. Des Moines, Iowa.—Drought broken by a rain-fall of 12 inches. PRICES OF PRODUCE.—WMacon, Ill.— Wheat, 85 cents to $1.05; corn, 55; oats, 35: live hogs, $6 per cental. AGRICULTURAL PROSPERITY.—Crawford, Pa.—No season has been so prosperous for twenty years. Van Buren, Iowa.—I am running a small farm of 40 acres, with 20 under cultivation in fruit, nursery, vegetables, and some grain. My income varies from $1,500 to $2,000 per annum. RyYE-CULTURE.—Osage, Kans.—The white rye sent me by the Department last fall has produced a splendid crop of fine, well-filled grain, ripening ten days earlier than the black rye, sown beside it the same day. Dickson, Tenn.—A neighbor raised 34 bushels of winter rye from 4 quarts received from the Department, although the chickens had destroyed at least one-fourth of the sowing. Drovucutr.— Hood, Tex.—The Brazos River in hundreds of places is as dry as the public road. The Palaxy Creek at this point is still running. Wild animals are coming long distances for water, and hogs by hundreds are seeking the Palaxy. The oldest citizens have never seen such a drought. Thousands of trees are dead, or their leaves are as dead as ordinarily in the month of December. Independence, Ark.—The drought which had begun to affect crops in July continued till August 20. This was attended with a degree of heat never before experienced. With this heat there was an almost constant wind coming in gusts and heated so as to raise the thermometer to 106° and sometimes to 110° in the shade. oA La Fayette, Ark.—No rain since May. Bradley, Ark.—No rain since April 19. Pulaski, Ark.—On July 8 the only rain fell since April 20 ; thermometer, from July 15 to August 25, ranged from 92° to 106°, with extremely hot winds; cotton is as dead asa November frost could make it ; one-twentieth of the oak timber in the hills dead. Prairie, Ark.—On the 10th August the thermometer was 10819 in the shade. Sevier, Ark.—No rain since May. RICE, In reply to letters of inquiry concerning the cultivation of rice, as to its extent and increase, the Department has received several interesting statements from leading fields of production. SoutH CarouimnA.—Dr. J. A. BR. Sparkman writes from Georgetown County, South Carolina: The tide-lands of this county, so particularly adapted to the culture of rice, border several rivers—the Waccamaw, Pee Dee, Black, and Sampit, (which unite to form Winyaw Bay,) and the two Santees, which empty into the ocean about twelve miles south of Winyaw Bay. Up to the year 1860, there were about 46,000 acres under regular cultivation, and, according to the census returns of that decade, the crop of 1859, the largest eVer grown, yielded 95,127 tierces of clean marketable rice. Estimated at 600 pounds to the tierce, the product was 57,076,200 pounds, or upward of 1,200 pounds per acre. From 1860 to 1868, no records of acreage or product have been preserved. The area of cultivation for 1868 and 1869, but not the product, has been ascertained. During the four years succeeding, both product and acre- age are known, as shown in the following statement, viz: Year. Acreage. No. of tierces. | Pounds per acre. | — Ise Sede so socmae cd scone ooprecoseenanss=caocoh WD, MAB oe ae ele statm storm Aveta) spam =e) (= iol IEG sanguin sabe Scoseiu ent ooocoscepesooSbeqesscitic apt tee Sear Sacer coo Che lomec mes scoTccceo = dO 65 Sa525 de Cen Cosee bot eer to Ssop asec aaa Ss.45 15, 133 13, 636 540 Us7G) Ss caesacessecbacudssosnogs sen sssics sSdscnoeds 17, 439 13, 500 404 ISD) ssoscbevece toose Coons cnbeseooesseoscsoor sae 16, 900 15, 175 562 USGS « ssscecsebbsncgs op sdoossesesr SoS HeeoSaceis es 17, 100 13, 126 460 TEE a Lge aI PE RR IC ape Sin 16;239 icc l ol ll eee ie It will be seen that the area of cultivation in 1871 was greater than in any one of the seven years cited, and 1,207 acres in excess of the present year. Dy. Sparkman says: The diminished product of 1871 resulted from an almost unprecedented wet har- vest, by reason of continued rains when the crop was on the stubble. The rice was seriously damaged in quality, wasted in the fields, and made a very unsatisfactory turn-out in the mills. So in 1873, a heavy and protracted freshet, from August to the middle of October, proved most disastrous as to quality and quantity of rice, and the crop, considered the best grown since 1865, sold at non-remunerative prices, causing heavy disappointment and embarassment, pecuniarily, throughout our entire district, not 5 per cent. of the rice-estates paying expenses of cultivation. Most of the plant- ers had to give liens upon the present growing crop to cover deficiencies of the last year, and the usurious rates of interest demanded by money-lenders, and by those who furnish advances in the shape of plantation-supplies, leaves so small a margin of profit for the producer that no wonder need be expressed that the area of cultivation has decreased. The additional cumulating difficulties in the management and control of labor renders it highly improbable that an improved condition of things may be looked for until the political and monetary affairs of the commonwealth assume a sounder and healthier tone. As to the prospectsof the crop for the present year, (1874,) we may now speak under- standingly. The winter and spring months devoted to the preparation of the soil were unusually wet and unfavorable. A series of freshets, up to the middle of April, retarded field-work until beyond the usual time for seeding, and the preparations of three to four months had to be hurried through in as many weeks, late in the season, when imperfect drainage and the heat of spring rendered the use of machinery with 373 animal-power less available than usual; consequently the work was slovenly done and the crop badly set. Upwards of one-third of the 16,232 acres planted were seeded late in May, and up to the 20th of June, the usual time for sowing being from the 25th of March to the last of April. The water-grasses, started by the condition of the lands under a very low subsidence of the freshets, were well rooted when the rice was put in; and high up the rivers, where the drainage is still deficient, these grasses have never been eradicated or controlled. The almost universal report, therefore, is that the crop is “ grassy” —which means unsatisfactory cultivation. Under these circum- stances the growth has not been vigorous, and the product cannot possibly exceed the average of the past four years. The crop is assuredly not as promising as the growth of last year, and the harvest has not yet commenced. That portion of the crop planted in May will inevitably be seriously damaged by birds, (a terrible pest with us,) and it has yet to be seen whether the June rice will mature so as to be out of the way of harm in the contingency of an early frost. All things fairly considered, there is no ground for caleulating upon anything more than an average, which has not, since 1868, reached higher than 560 pounds of clean rice to the acre, this being 55 per cent. less than the maximum of 1,207 pounds in 1859. GEoRGIA.—The following account of the rice-fields in MeIntosh County, Georgia, Las been received : Yield per 7 ” 29 Ta Year. Acreage. wate. Total yield. Bushels. | Bushels. 6 32 TET coll tae Lk ae he AA lh RE kar eB ul tar 3, 300 105, G00 DAL: Jono anrapl hee Mam a a a ea ESI RE 8 OTe EET ATT, 2, 460 20 49, 200 ir eM) BO 0%, 2 ie ie a a rRNA SN Be UCD 2 tae 2,020 30 60, 600 ios lop ali le A Pe eee 2 Yee A ee 8) 2, 430 31 75, 361 In the year 1871 two-fifths of the entire crop was destroyed by a heavy storm and continued freshets after if was cut and stacked in the fields. In 1872 the acreage was greatly diminished by an excessive freshet of long duration, which occurred during the planting-season. In the present year nineteen hundred acres have been planted up to September. The heavy and continued freshets, together with a cold spring, retarded pianting operations. Planters, however, are still at work, and there will probably be as much planted as in former years. Upon a review of the acreage planted, it is ascer- tained that only one-third of the land “ under bank,” and which was planted prior to the war, is now under cultivation. The fact that all the lands have to be kept in good order tsinsure the safety of the crop, and the additional facts of limited resources in money and a failing supply of labor, account for the reduced acreage in the county, and for the reduced average per acre. LOUISIANA.—A correspondent writing from Point 4 la Hache, says: Of the yield of our rice-crop in 1873, we can estimate with certainty that the yield was about 240,000 barrels of rough rice, or 120,000 bushels of hulled and polished. Not- withstanding the many difficulties planters had to contend with in the beginning, their success was very encouraging, for the crop of 1873 was in proportion doubled to that of any preceding year. The condition and prospects for this year (1874) are wholly changed on account of a wet and late season for planting. It may be estimated that i crop will reach 180,000 bushels of rough, or 90,000 bushels of rice hulled and pol- ished. ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. By TowNEND GLOVER, ENTOMOLOGIST. INSECT INJURIES.—Cotton-caterpillars (Anomis avylinev).—This insect appeared at different points in the cotton States, but their injuries were scarcely appreciable except at a very few points. In Pamlico, North Carolina, the weather was too cool for them, but generally the extreme heat was unfavorable to their propagation. In Russell, Alabama, and a few other counties, they were somewhat destructive to late crops; but elsewhere they were either of very little force, or were easily de- stroyed by Paris-green. The planters of Harris, Texas, are hopeful of finally exterminating them. o74 Cotton-lice (Aphis sp.,) were quite injurious to cotton in York, South Carolina. Boll-worms (Heliothis armigera,) were more or less injurious to cotton in Jackson and Leon, Florida, Henry and Macon, Alabama, and Titus, Texas. Chinch-bugs (Micropus Rhyparochromus leucopterus).—This insect, a former visitant of the Atlantic coast States, appears inclined to renew its old acquaintanceship in that quarter. In Orange, Virginia, it cut down a superior corn-crop to an average; in York it affected early corn, but did not molest late plantings. It was injurious to grain-crops gen- erally in Prince William, and in Loudoun ravaged wheat and grass. In Harrison and Livingston, Kentucky, it damaged corn. In Hamilton, Ohio, it attacked oats. It was somewhat troublesome in Tuscola, Michigan, and injured corn and wheat in Sauk and Columbia, Wiscon- sin, but these counties were too far north for a severe visitation. It inflicted greater or less injuries in several counties of indiana upon different crops, viz., Hamilton, Fayette, Carroll, and Washington. In Hllinois its destructive sweep was still wider,embracing Menard, San- gamon, Perry, Effingham, Fayette, Jackson, Clay, Madison, Clinton, Saint Clair, Massac, White, Randolph, Cass, and Ford counties. In Missouri it is reported in Ralls, DeKalb, Callaway, Carroll, Morgan, Pettis, Johnson, Dallas, Pulaski, Benton, and Grundy. It was also injurious in Franklin, Osage, Linn, Miami, and Crawford, Kansas. Colorado beetles (Doryphora decem-lineata)—This pest is making its presence painfully felt in some new localities on the Atlantic coast. In Salem, New Jersey, it injured late crops very seriously, and did consid- erable damage in Gloucester. In Pennsylvania they are noted in But- ler, Clearfield, Franklin, Northampton, Perry, Bedford, Huntington, and Cambria; in Northumberland they abandoned the vines and were observed crawling over the pavements and streets of the villages. In Caroline, Dorchester, Frederick, Queen Anne, Cecil, and Baltimore, Maryland, they have been more or less destructive. In Prince William, Virginia, wasps have been observed destroying them very rapidly. They were quite injurious in Page. They were at work in Monroe. Preston, Hardy, and Jefferson, West Virginia; in Nicholas, Kentucky, they nearly ruined the crop. In Ohio they are noted in Perry and Washington, but no serious injury is stated. In Charlevoix, Delta, Kalamazoo, and Bay, Michigan, their presence was felt in greater or less devastations, but Paris-green was found to be a very effective anti- dote. In Indiana their ravages were not serious; they are reported only in Clay, Posey, and Decatur counties. In White, Cumberland, and Shelby, Illinois, they inflicted more or less injury, as also in Adams, Columbia, and Outagamie, Wisconsin, and in Sibley, Minnesota. They were injurious in Calhoun and Woodbury, Iowa, but in Howard they were extensively destroyed by parasites. They are also reported in Shelby, Missouri, and Dawson, Nebraska. Grass army-worms (Leucania unipuncta,) shortened hay-crops in Rich- land, South Carolina, and Heard, Georgia; in Macon, Alabama, they injured late corn; in Cheatham and Dickson, Tennessee, they were destructive on grass-crops, especially German millet. They appeared in Putnam, but did little damage. Old potato-bugs (Cantharis sp.,) were noted in Decatur and Orange, Indiana, and Shelby, Ulinois. Grasshoppers, (Caloptenus sp.)—The C. femur-rubrun is reported in ~ several localities in the Middle States, and between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi, but its injuries do not appear very formidable. The C. spretus, the formidable grasshopper of the plains, sometimes erro 375 neously termed “ locust,” has inflicted terrible ravages in the Northwest, of which the following specimen is presented in the language of our correspondent: Doniphan, Kansas—The late summer and fall crops have been almost entirely de- stroyed by grasshoppers. The common jumping grasshopper did much damage through the early part of the season, but about the middle of August clouds of the flying ones made their appearance over the county, devouring and destroying vast quantities of vegetation. Gardens were quickly eaten up, corn-fields were stripped of leaves, and in many cases the corn was entirely eaten off; fruit-trees are left with naked branches, and in many cases the half-ripened fruit is left hanging on the trees, presenting a sicken-- ing sight of death and destruction. In addition to the actual loss by devastation, the loss caused by discouragement will be greater. Years of patient waiting, hard work, and self-sacrifice have been destroyed in a few days, with no known remedy for protection—just as the fruits of labor were beginning to be realized, destruction came—and the question with mapy is, “Is it of any use to try again ?” Here is a field for the Department of Agriculture. Some method of protection or relief must be had against the destruction of this insect, or an immense tract of mag- nificent country will never be what it would without this curse. Iam one of those who believe all such things may be controlled by some practical method ; it only requires study, enterprise, and means to learn how. This county (Doniphan) could well afford to pay $100,000 for a guarantee that no grasshoppers should ever trouble it again. I have learned that vegetation highly cultivated and growing vigorously is less liable to be destroyed than when on the decline or growing feebly. Thus it is we often see a single tree in an orchard eaten even to the bark, while others of the same variety are: not damaged so much; and upon examination it will be invariably found that those mostly eaten were diseased, or had their vitality in some way impaired. This thing was noticeable when the same kind of insects were here six or seven years ago. Of all fruit-trees, apple and pear trees suffer the most, while peaches, plums, and cher- ries suffer the least. They eat the leaves off the apples and leave most of the apples on, but the peaches they will eat the fruit and leave the foliage ; but, in many instances, when vegetation is not plenty, I understand they clean all as they go, and I have seen instances of this kind. The damage to vineyards in this county is not so great. They do not seem to relish grapes, and are satisfied by eating off the stems and leaving the bunches fall to the ground. There will not be enough corn in this county to feed what stock there is in the county as it should be fed. This plague is reported in Brown and Broome, Wisconsin; Nicollet, Sibley, Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Douglas, and Wright, Minne- sota; Sioux, Emmett, Harrison, Calhoun, and Woodbury, Iowa; Platte, Shelby, Daviess, and DeKalb, Missouri; Jefferson, Morris, Cherokee, Franklin, Nemaha, Mitchell, Montgomery, Allen, Smith, Bourbon, Douglas, Leavenworth, Cowley, Labette, Osage, Rice, Neosho, Graham, Cloud, Crawford, Ellsworth, Greenwood, Jackson, Butler, Miami, Linn, Pawnee, Chase, Sedgwick, and Shawnee, Kansas; Pawnee, Cass, Nuckolls, Furness, Dawson, Madison, and Gage, Nebraska. In some localities the hot winds, so destructive to vegetation, with the parched earth, addled their eggs. The wide-spread destruction which they have caused in the Northwest has not been adequately described. In many places large masses of people will probably suffer during the coming winter for the necessities of life, their crops having been swept by this remorseless enemy. MISCELLANEOUS.—Cut-worms (Agrotis sp.,) injured corn and cotton in Franklin, Louisiana. Fruit-caterpillars (Clisio campa) infested three- fourths of the apple-orchards of Oxford, Maine, and were seen in Clay, Indiana. Coddling-moths (Carpocapsa pomonella,) injured apples in Moultrie, Mlinois. Horn-worms (Macrosila carolina,) were destructive of tobacco in Halifax, Virginia, and Pope, Illinois. A species of Aphis de- stroyed buckwheat in Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Grub-worms (Lachnos- terna sp.) infested corn-crops in Huntington, Indiana, and in Mont- gomery, Missouri. May beetles (Lachnosterna sp.) were found in corn- fields in DesMoines, Iowa. In Whiteside, Illinois, a new beetle, unde- scribed, was observed destroying the larve of the Colorado beetle, thrust- ing it through the body with its beak, and killing it instantly. The 376 tobacco fly (Macrosila carolina,) was injurious in Amelia, Virginia. The eurculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar,) injured fruit-crops in Clarke, Virginia Late wheat in Piscataquis, Maine, was infested with the weevil (Diplosis tritici.) The “borer” was observed in the corn-fields of Wicomico, Maryland. In Lunenburgh, Virginia, an undescribed insect attacked growing corn, boring its roots, and causing it to fall. CHEMICAL MEMORANDA. By WM. McMurrriz, CHEMIST. CASTOR PLANT.—Mr. J. P. Lawrence, of Dallas, Texas, sent to this De- partment a sample of seed of castor plant, (Ricinus communis,) that the quantity of oil contained therein might be determined, and in order to compare their value in this particular with that of foreign varieties. We have also made similar determinations with samples of the varieties R. minor and &. sanguinarius from France. The beans from Texas seem to belong to the variety R. sanguinarius, and, as will be seen from the analy- ses given below, compare very favorably with those grown in France. The analyses resulted as follows: \ayerse Ii Tit } IMGIS IEEE R Jeeta nt tae ae co be tee Rene aive cane 8 aS S laa ee Daan cites see e ees | 4,40 4,35 4.10 (ON ea es ok Cee ene cane See ee cA ee” Sree Sn. 6 ae ER Ee ey: 8 46.95 47.78 45. 55 Mattenextracted by alcohol and water =.= 4.25: 3. 2s25-2 dc ence tones er seeess~ 6.35 4, 20 4, 40 PSY PONE 1 ats eee a eRe al Ae os gh 20 hare ll Bem ea ee a i 8. 8735 9. &1 12. 50 PAMPTITGATIOLES oe eetsk Sao ee eomae nee ee ee ae ee eae AA Ase ae Tec 3. 788 3. 10 2. 40 ACG ORIN SS Te eae OR oo Se oem ote oe ae ae ee SS Bel ee ae, 2 eee Ee TS | 25. 50 Dii2e 27. 70 EOL PANICUM AGI Sine ca cece oe e wee ara ce ee eee noes hice tae ae ean ee eee eens | 2.90 2.90 2.94 | $8.763 | 99.36} 99.59 No. I represents the composition of the sample of Ricinus sanguina- rius, grown in Texas; No. Il the same variety, grown in France; while No. UI represents that of a sample of Ricinus Minor grown in France. The following are the results of an analysis of the mineral matter con- tained in the beans of Ricinus sanguinarius : ILiliaaVa sae Ses Re ep he Senet SER Gee eR ae Dee Pepa Ay mee Ae ely are sf ial Magnesia .---. FE Ce SAS ee ee Se eet ee Cee orto tis oP = 7.33 Beroxiderof irom i222. 5 2. SS NS AE ERE Neo be oe eerie is ee it yn 0.89 DOS PUOLIC. 2C10 . 22 /- ss veeiene wee ae prat ocala anne wee eee Saas a scrse ee ae 38. 657 SUMO MUINICL ACIG SSS ore N SUSIE See pee Parla ayes oS Pe ee ee Sieh eee 2.218 @iMoriney a. 222122 .tcsee Gee es Pee PSUs Ly tee ee ee ieee 2a mae ee 0. 89 LEO TASS PS eae eee ee eee ek hee Oy a) a ae i I te Oe ee IE reer < 29.52 SOM ume earns ots a -kce me Res POE Smee aera Ste ine eeteieritet. So. .3 55. 5ee ee 8.75 99, 565 ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION OF INDIGO.—The discovery and applica- tion of a practical method for the artificial production of alizarin bids fair to be followed by one somewhat similar for the produc- tion of indigo. T. L. Phipson has succeeded in obtaining a purple- black product in small quantity showing considerable resemblance to the black product resulting from the unfavorable fermentation of the leaves of Indigofera. It is insoluble in water and alcohol, but is soluble in sulphuric acid, and is obtained in the following manner: Phenoleyanin is melted with sodium acetate or with nitro-naphthalin, and the product dissolved in oil of vitriel. On addition of water a sul- pho-acid is precipitated, which, when treated with excess of ammonia, yields a small quantity of the purple-black product in question. OTT Us& OF PARIS-GREEN.—Reports from different localities seem to indi eate that farmers are afraid to make use of Paris-green (arsenite of copper,) for the destruction of the Colorado potato-beetle, thinking it possible that the arsenic may be taken up by the tubers in sufficient quantity to become injurious to the health of consumers; and the ques- tion has arisen, ‘Is there any ground for this supposition.” It is true that arsenic has been taken up by cabbage i in notable quantities, but the conditions were highly favorable. It is also reasonable to suppose that it would be assimilated by plants, from the fact that arsenic acid is included in the same chemical classification as phosphoric acid, the two compounds haying many similar properties. But whether the former may be substituted for the latter in the economy of plant-growth is a point which has not yet, to our knowledge, been determined. We hope to settle this point by the results of an investigation lately instituted in our laboratory, which shall be published as soon as complete. In the mean time, however, we think it will be safe to make applications of Paris-green in the small quantities usuaily recommended, since the dan- ger to the consumer from the small amount that can be taken up will undoubtedly be very slight. SUGAR CONTAINED IN VINE LEAVES.—Some time ago M. Petit pub- lished the fact that grape-vine leaves contain from 20 to 30 grams of glucose and 13 to 16 grams of acid, consisting principally of tartaric acid in combination with potassa, per kilogram of leaves, and it ap- peared to him that the sugar present was inverted sugar alone, without admixture of cane sugar, but subsequent examination, by tests with Fehling’s liquor, both before and after treatment with acid, and by means of polarimetric tests, showed that cane sugar was present also. He made two determinations of the amounts of each kind of sugar present after treatment with animal charcoal to remove the coloring matter and tannin. In. the first, one kilogram of leaves gave— SPT LEST TCE s UE ARE TS AR SS RM TORN Panache Gaene ape Ut PANY a ef oA oh ais 9.20 grams, MEO SE ooo ls alm arate = aad ie a rat eke pn atnce al cea ake, rege ieeses (eer fetlnol Peaaeel OLE In the second, operating more rapidly, he obtained— Cane sugar ........- biG a et WA aro We a aw ete a cyl d oi 15.80 grams, ROO SO 508 = ois ols ete Me a a ect Meat Se SSRN Oe a NEY 17.49 grams, He also found a mixture of cane sugar and glucose in the leaves of cherry and peach. One determination gave, per kilogram of leaves— TET TE aR ie ROS dC ch an ee DON oR EN RRR 33 grams. OME ROM Etc ui eee cule Sue ees Beg ts 2 oe) a a 12 grams. A SOLUBLE MODIFICATION OF STARCH.—After a series of experi- ments with this regard, M. Musculus has succeeded in obtaining a mod- ification of starch, ‘said to be soluble, and preserving at the same time all the other properties common to this substance. In order to obtain this product, common starch is treated with strong acid, which is subse- quently removed by repeated. washings with cold water. A granular body is left behind, which is insoluble in cold water, but completely sol- uble in water heated to 50° C., and seems to be starch not aggregated in grains or fecule, possessing all the other properties, especially the same rotatory power. The following table, prepared by Professor Freytag, showing the pro- portions of proximate organic principles, as well as the percentages of inorganic principles found in the ashes of several feeding-materials, has been published in the general catalogue of the Royal Agricultural Mu- Seum in Berlin. The table will explain itself: yen gle LT L'6 CGF | 9S F GL 10) | Lek) WRGiGie ahora VeSe0e | 06 9 ‘P66 £6E PFT sss7-7* AVY MOPVOT “ET eis gr 6 80 9°0 GL'T | 9F T 80'0)/ 9° | S'S | C6 TL) 19 F G 16 G68 168 "7°" "S9ABO[-JOO “CT ee cd, is Ue c'0 ¢'0 €4°0 | 490 TO|/S'S | LG | 69°0} #8°0 L 96 OL OL SY[CJS-OFJOT “TT er: 91 rT 9% |1e'e|20°¢ | sto} ToL; 1s | 2% |S ‘Tt. | oF cp | gee Gh ROUT ai] 3s Setaee eames oes - "28> > STS aa ae el ee L0 8% | ere | 8s | ero] ger} se | GH | SLsr | cs 068 Ch |) OL |Reke ler ner sae eecte pe ss =>" "ee" SS HPSS aa aRG peace 2S LIL Piel S18 | 8:1 |€0'3 | 10} 9 | 8 | 8'6| STE | 08 GOR} Se teo8 9] 9ce, olathe sleek aa eceeaa sr scrses aos s> Ment OsG pears Or 9°T See ke Ei. 9S COLO OMieL | GeSiePaes: 1ST QGP (PEGG 92) ISTEP ois cee see ee omeciee ean ine oe” 57 AINA ABOU NA aN 2 8Y)S PUD ND.GYS—'TTT OL 9° T‘0 £°0 PO T°0 £0°0 | $0 L'0 0O°L | OL FP T LE OfT x 8 SIS) [VA ee ee eee “*7-" sjooq-dvsng ‘9 9 EIT £°0L 6'0 @'0 €L°0 | 60% c0'0 | 60 b'0 B00) 29r9 & PL 00GB | 9°EG OSE. || fae ine ae ire ele aes ie ety Be 800}8}0qg °G £8,004 —'TI OS ame tal Mic G'R La) 6ST | 8F 8ST 100 | 36'S | 9F 9°0 | 8h OT | 00S (AO lea Sng OLE INO. «I? ge Sa abe t= aS cee Seneca nanan: ~oduy "pf G TRG LOL FG GG “0 860 | 26 °6 80°0 | GL 6°T C'T | 0G ‘TIT 03 88 COP CEG “* 880d ‘€ B1é 6G yey GBGL | 6F'O | 6T 9 80 fe Wessels 6'T ¢ 09 OOT 09¢ | 9"EIT “7*" 8380 “G OLE 09 ct £°0 6F ‘0 | Fo 6 90°70 | 970 | 66 (yO) ) cI 0€ 99.) E TSP ee xs iene a mmo ASA WY Ng : spoag—'T. be b mn a wa rg by HH is D | | Q nn b> < =I = r=] m LR iS ct = eeoteese Ges | & los] ¢ | 2) Fhe +e) @ |) & B | og SE | BRog | fBE] oo = D On eae ee B er 5 5 Pl eeeietess | 2 | A | 8 |’. a z eee Peieeegee | & |e) 8 | & Begle cele ee 8 @ |= oh on) wo Soe i} fe} i 5, 4 = 3 Faak, ae on ys 5.8 8, S) 2 a ry 4 ae fe eg soy eee elias B ay a ® 3 5 ai el EB | Gece | eg ; a ; ES 5 & E. a ‘S[PILOPVT. 62> eoe¢h td ® © ote ® Bt » POs hs th 26 re SF | So hu ape & Us S se) 2 a “09 bar | 4 ee otc EHO ~ p . i=} oO go [ees | BE - Frethae Be | BSE ao D as - o~ oe i Bade EY © RB |esar| Fe Wee sun we surmjzu0s spyruajow Burmopof oy) fo (sum ooo'T) woubopry auo 379 PRODUCTION OF OZONE BY OXIDATION OF VOLATILE HYDROCAR- BONS.—It has for a long time been a generally accepted fact that ozone is produced in the absorption of oxygen by essential oils, and in 1863, in a paper read before the Chemical Society of London, Lawes, Gilbert, and Pugh stated their belief ‘that the ozone said to be observed in the vicinity of vegetation is due rather to the intense action of the oxygen of the air upon minute quantities of volatile hydrocarbons evolved by the plants, than to any action within the cells.” These views seem to have been proved fallacious from the results of certain investigations embodied in a paper lately read before the same society by Mr. Charles T. Kinzett. He has experimented with a large number of the volatile hydrocarbons, and finds that the reactions heretofore believed to indi- cate the presence of ozone, are due merely to the presence of easily-re- ducible oxidized products of the hydrocarbons themselves. His experi- ments have been of a very thorough and exhaustive character, and the conclusions he has arrived at are doubtless correct. Experiments made in the laboratory of this Department, with the oil of Hucalyptus globu- lus, though not as extensive, have furnished results tending to confirm his conclusions. BOTANICAL NOTES. By Dr. GEorGE VASEY. GRASSES FOR THE SoutTH.—The question of what grasses are best adapted to the wants of the Southern States is one which is receiving © deserved attention at the present time. A correspondent in Brazil has sent us Some specimens of three kinds of grasses which are most esteemed for cultivation in that country, and his account of them may have some value with reference to our own country. No. 1 is the Hleusine Indica. He says: This is the grass with which the pastures are made in this province, generally on bottom lands, and it is considered that cattle and horses become as strong on this grass as when fed on corn. The Brazilians call it graminea; but it is not the gramma of Europe, and I think it is native. It runs on the ground, and takes root at the joints, and is extremely hard to eradicate on good ground. It forms a very heavy sod. The Americans say that it is the Bermuda grass, but I think it impossible. It is the most valuable grass here. In botanical works the common or vulgar name given for this grass is dog’s tail, or wire grass. It is much like the Cynodon dactylon, or Ber- muda grass, but coarser and heavier. No. 2 is a species of Rottbellia, of which he says: No. 2, Gramma roxa.—-This, I think, is a species of Roétbellia, of which we have sev- eral in the United States. It is not many years since it was introduced into Brazil, and it has the advantage of the graminea in that it grows on poorer ground and stands the frost better. Itis more hardy in habit. I think it is not a native, although we have native species. A Brazilian told me that he saw this grass in England. The Brazil- lians have cultivated it only a few years, but it promises to be a very valuable grass. Although we have several species of this genus in the Southern States, it has not, so far as we are aware, attracted any attention as a valuable grass. No. 3 is a species of Panicum, of which our correspondent says: Capim de Angola.—This grass, as its name imports, probably comes from Africa, and in rich, moist ground will produce on the same ground probably more vegetablé matter than any other grass in the world. It grows in favorable places 30 feet in height, and 380 is edible for cattle. There are two kinds, which I cannot distinguish apart. This is called ‘ Capim de Angola,” and the other ‘ Capim fina,” which latter is cultivated in large pastures in the provinces of Mines Geraes, and the cattle taken to Rio are fat- tened on it principally. It bears burning well, whereas the Capim de Angola does not. It is said that the Capim fina does not flower. I think this would be a very valuable grass in the glades of Florida. We have not the means of accurately determining the species of this panicum, but it is probably the P. jumentorum, Salz., and is probably the same as the Guinea grass, or at least it is one of the grasses so called, for unfortunately the common names given to grasses, and often to other plants, are very uncertain and unsatisfactory. JOHNSON GRASS.—Some aceount was given of this grass in the monthly report for last December. We have recently received speci- mens from Mr. John Haralson, Selma, Ala., requesting an analysis and name. He says: I beg to call your attention to a grass that is grown in this section, and is known here as the Johnson grass. It propagates from the seed and roots. It sends upa tall stem, very tender till after seeding-time, with long and luxuriant blades, resembling the blades of Chinese sugar-cane or chicken-corn. It puts out among the earliest vegetation in spring, and soon yields a crop for mowing. On good land it may be mown half a dozen times in the year. It succeeds very well on any kind of soil, on ridge or bottom lands, and, in the very fertile black or bottom lands, yields arank and unsur- passed crop in abundance. Stock of all kinds love it, and, where it grows, give the preference to it over any other growth. There is a divided sentiment in reference to it in this section, where people think of growing nothing else but cotton and corn; but all are agreed, so far as I know, that for a stock-growing country it is the best grass known. Many persons here object to it because of its great tenacity of life, matting the soil with deep and spreading roots, like the cane-root, and the rapidity with which it spreads itself over a farm when once set, and the difficulty of eradication, in case one desired to subdue it for some other crop. This class of persons admit its virtues as a forage-crop, such as I have mentioned. Others, again, contend that it may be con- fined to one field, if it is fenced and not allowed to go to seed, and that by constant pasturage and mowing, and turning the soil over in winter, to expose the roots to frost, it may be subdued. Experiments in this direction have not reached satisfactory results as yet. It is proper to add that the name given it here is from the man who brought it to this country many years ago, whose name was Johnson, and it is said to be what is known as the Guinea grass. An examination of the books in reference to that grass, however, does not convince me of its identity, or else that very little is known by the writers on grasses of the Guinea grass. The seeds are abundant, some- what like the chicken corn, but not so abundant on the stalk, and weigh about 35 pounds to the bushel. I have thought that the above statements in reference to this grass might prove of interest to you. This grass, upon investigation, proves to be sorghum halapense, closely related to sorghum vulgare, which ineludes the broom-corn, Guinea corn, &e. This is a perennial with strong, vigorous roots, and an abundance of long and tolerably broad leaves. Dr. Chapman, in his “ Botany of the Southern States,” mentions this species of sorghum as being some- times cultivated under the name of Cuba grass. It is possible that it is also called Guinea grass, but incorrectly, as that name belongs to the Panicum before mentioned. THE OATS-CROP IN THE SOUTH. Reports to this Department make the impression that in most, if not all, of the Southern States the oats-crop is wholly unprofitable. The best seed sent there greatly degenerates, the complaint being that it is more subject to mildew than any other crop. And while there is found : 381 there a red oats, for which it is claimed that it is proof against mildew, at its best it is so inferior in quality as scarcely to be entitled to the character of oats. It has been pressed upon the Department, by south- ern farmers, that it should be procured for distribution, in consequence of which the best sample of it was sought for and purchased from near Selma, Ala., and after subjecting it to an additional winnowing it weighed but 28 pounds to the bushel. Unless it be upon some of the highlands of North Carolina or Georgia, it is not worth while to waste time and labor upon the effort to precure a paying crop of oats in the Southern States. Although the Department has distributed among southern farmers the red oats procured at Selma, its use is not recommended, THE SELECTION AND PLANTING OF SEED. This Department has taken much pains to impress upon the farmers of the country the great value of a careful selection of seed. In Eng- land experiments have been made in the cultivation of wheat which have produced the most remarkable and, indeed, almost incredible results, from selections for a series of years. These experiments have been conducted by Maj. F. F. Hallett at his Manor Farm, Kemp Town. On the 4th of June, 1874, Major Hallett read a paper before the Mid- land Farmers’ Club at Birmingham, expounding his “ pedigree system” as applied to cereal crops, which created a wide and deep interest in agricultural and other circles, and has since been a prolific topic of dis- cussion. The author of this system says: The plan of selection which I pursue is as follows: A grain produces a plant, con- sisting of many ears. I plant the grains from these ears in such a manner that each ear occupies a row by itself, each of its grains occupying a hole in this row; the holes being twelve inches apart every way. At harvest, after the most careful study and comparison of the plants from all these grains, I select the finest one, which I accept as a proof that its parent grain was the best of all, under the peculiar circumstances of that season. This process is repeated annually, starting every year with the proved best grain, although the verification of this superiority is not obtained until the fol- lowing harvest. In illustration of these principles of selection, I now give the following results, due to their influence alone—as the kind of seed, the land, and the system of culture em- ployed were precisely the same for every plant for four consecutive years ; neither was any manure used, nor apy artificial means of fostering the plants resorted to. Table showing the importance of each additional generation of selection. wo | a 8 ag a oA 4 Length. ‘3 babs i 4 = ~ Ap is eS 6Om A 3 te pe a Tnehes. | Grains. LB5t( Oriani al Cars sae cee See 8 oe de oak clccccts cance ce be eee ae: 42 44 | jade = ='- ROS) | PHS ts OTe cai. Sa eer Ree eter a eee nana ocls bad oUltene ee 64 79 10 g RSS WE Cin Ss] EC) CR Ss se) al ie as 9c’ oe ee 7 91 22 T8860. Harseperiecn thom web Aeasonmemenen eee ss oo. 2 eee Pe 8 ee 39 TROL \ | SHG siren sne ea. ect cose eee eget £1020. eee eee © 8} 123 52 Thus, by means of repeated selection alone, the length of the ears has been doubled, their contents nearly trebled, and the “ tillering” power of the seed increased five-fold. 382 The following table gives similar increased contents of car obtained in three other varieties of wheat : Sa | AS na ae foo | sea io) aye eo 9 Originaliredicommented d1B5 1/2 -- = .ssceei- cee se So=- Cece elche ade~ soe hese eee Bee eee ener 45 123 Hunters whiteicommenced 1861. :..cecmcck 2.22 ec are nte us see eee eee eae eee 60 124 Wictonapybibercommonced ul 8622.0 a cmeemermce = =2— mar oer een nei eee ee = eee 60 114 Goldenidropyconmmenced 1664 (<2 see sere poco cis oe cine cainicnein ote eie ne ee eae ee eee 32 96 It was supposed by the ancient writers that the powers of grains differed in relation to their positions in the ear. This I investigated in 1858 by planting the grains of ten ears ona plan showing their several positions in the ear. The only general -result, among most conflicting ones, was that the smallest corns, those most remote from the center of growth, exhibited throughout, most unexpectedly, a vigor equal to that of the largest ; and that the remarked worst grains, in one or two instances, did not by any means fall so far short of the good ones as had been expected. I have also made frequent trials of the comparative power of large and small, plump and thin grains— and, in the case of oats, which produce a small grain attached to a large one, trials as to their respective powers—with uniformly the same result, viz., that in good grains of the same pedigree neither mere size nor situation in the ear supplies any indication of the superior grain. Very close observation during many years has led me to the discovery that the vari- ations in the cereals which nature presents to us are not only hereditary but that they proceed upon a fixed principle, and from them I have educed the following law of de- velopment of cereals: 1. Every fully developed plant, whether of wheat, oats, or barley, presents an ear superior in productive power to any of the rest on that plant. 2. Every such plant contains one grain, which upon trial proves more productive than any other. 3. The best grain in a given plant is found in its best ear. 4, The superior vigor of this grain is transmissible in different degrees to its progeny. 5. By repeated careful selection the superiority is accumulated. 6. The improvement, which is at first rapid, gradually, after a long series of years, is diminished in amount, and eventually so far arrested that, practically speaking, a limit to improvement in the desired quality is reached. 7. By still continuing to select, the improvement is maintained, and practically a fixed type is the result. Thick and thin sowing has always been a mooted point among farmers. Major Hallett’s experience fora series of years proves most conclusively that thick sowing of wheat is not only wasteful, but pernicious. Whatis called stooling in this country, is known in England and called tillering, and he advocates the doctrine that tillered wheat is far preferable to that which grows from the germ of the seed; the advantage is twofold, saving the expense of seed and the superior quality of tillered plants. His reasoning upon the subject marks the consideration which he has given to it. He says: We find then that a perfect plant of wheat consists of three principal parts, viz., the roots, the stems, and the ears. When a grain is planted in a proper manner, these are produced as follows: shortly after the plant appears above ground it commences to throw out new and distinct stems, upon the first appearance of each of which a corresponding root-bud is developed for its support; and while the new stems grow out flat over the surface of the soil, their respective roots assume a corresponding development be- neath it. This process, called “tillering,” will continue until the season arrives for the stems to assume an upright growth, when tillering ceases, and the whole vital power of the plant is concentrated upon the production of the ears. These wili be the finest it is capable of producing, unless the growth of its roots has been in any way interfered with, as, for instance, by having been crowded by those of other plants, when the size of the ears will be proportionately diminished. This tillering is the great characteristic of all the cereals, and as an instance of the ex- tent to which it may attain, I have known a plant of wheat grown from a single grain to cover in May a circle 5 feet 6 inches in diameter, measuring from the extremities of the opposite leaves as they lay tillered out flat upon the surface. 083 At the Exeter meeting of the British Association I exhibited three plants of wheat, barley, and oats, each from a single grain, with the following : Stems. ROMER Sch ret. oa ac ee Sn ee eo rs Dinero ee ee obs Sue eee 94 RETO 4520/5 2S ERE Se Uc ete ee ele ete meet otore Calo. cole te. See see eee 110 MOMS: 2 oo. eee eae Le te ee Se SS eer IS eh ate aied oie eee 87 The fact then at once stands out that a plant of wheat requires space for full devel- opment, and, therefore, time to fill that space. It is evident that the proper space and time to allow to each grain are those which, while sufficient for full development, leave no ground unoccupied at harvest. Such proper time must, it is plain, be much earlier than when wheat is planted so thickly that “ tillering” cannot take place. In reference to this point of time of sowing we must consider the rate of wheat growth during the different months, and the best measure we can have of this is the time which it takes to come up. Thus wheat sown— IS OH SE REM EP COMES G50) == Beas 4554 (Soe S ODS ee BOnBEeod ec escce cocs 4455 7 days In a mild autumno—Ist of October comes up in...--..-.--..--.-----=------ 14 days’ Ist OL November Comes! UP IN ~~ 25/2 sa yeioeee canta 21 days’ Istiof Decembericomes Up in .<-2e<2- 5. ciss 2 sissclen le 28 days. And assuming, as we may fairly do, this as the relative rate of wheat growth when it is up, then wheat which is up on the ist of September makes in the first fifteen days of that month a growth equal to that of the whole month of October; in the next ten days a growth equal to that of the whole of November; and in the last five days of September a growth equal to that of the first twenty days of December ; or in other words, wheat up on the 1st September, compared with that up on the Ist October, has exactly a double autumn for growth before the winter sets in; and/indeed, the case is in reality much stronger than this, for if winter were to set in early there would be for wheat sown at the end of October little or no autumn growth above ground. The importance of every day (especially the earlier days) of September growth can- not be overrated. It must be borne in mind always that it is a matter for the maturest study and judg- ment to correctly apportion the quantity of seed to the time of sowing and to ail the existing surrounding circumstances. A large quantity of seed sown early is just as mucb opposed to reason as the late sowing of a small quantity of seed, and, indeed, more so, for the first must become win- ter-proud and cannot succeed, while the season may be of such a character as to enable the last to do so. As a general basis I would suggest on a large scale the drilling of wheat as follows: End of August to 10th September, 2 to 3 gallons per acre; for each week later, to the end of September, an additional] gallon per acre. When opportunity is afforded for observing the unimpeded growth of the cereals there is seen to exist a striking variation in their mode of growth and powers of pro- duction. ; The superiority of some individuals over others is so marked in various ways as to lead irresistibly to the inference that it must be hereditary, and the desire to prove this brings us to the consideration of the selection of seed. In reference to the animals of the farm, whether horses, cattle, sheep, or pigs, the importance of a good pedigree is fully recognized, as also with regard to some of our agricultural plants; for if a farmer wants a good cabbage, mangold, turnip, or carrot, he selects the seed from a good parent, but the moment he deals with the cereals he altogether ignores the great principle of like producing like. Upon this great principle, running throughout all nature, I base my system of se- lection. The results of selection in many agricultural plants, such as the parsnip, cabbage, turnip, potato, hop, &c.,are well known; and there has recently been published in France a report showing how my principle of selection, applied to the beet culti- vated for sugar, has resulted in an increase of 5 per cent. of sugar. In the case of the vine, too, I may cite an instance : Some eight years since I communicated to an Italian friend my views as to the se- lection of the vines. These he carried back with him to his relative in Piedmont, and two years ago he informed me that the produce in wine from his relative’s estate had been trebled by adopting the principle of selection. No one can go into a hop garden in this country without being struck with the con- trast between some of the poles covered with hops, and other poles having scarcely any at all upon them, the season of course having been the same for all. The science of horticulture, too, presents innumerable proofs of, and, indeed, may be said to owe its very existence to, the principle of plant selection. Now that some, at least, of the variations of cereals are heritable is obvious from the existence of the numerous distinct varieties. 84 Go The transmission of minute characteristics is evidenced in the variety of wheat known as “‘Grace’s White.” There is in every grain a kind of indentation across the back, as if when still soft a thread had been tied tightly round it; this mark is more or less dis- tinct, but never entirely absent. It even hasa practical bearing upon its market value, the grains occupying as much room in the measure as if no such indentation existed. In fact close observation shows that in the cereals, as throughout nature,no two plants or grains are precisely alike in productive power, and hence that of any two or greater number of grains or plants one is always superior to all the others, althongh that superiority can be discovered only by actual trial. This superiority may consist in various particular characteristics, as power to with- stand frost; prolificness; size and character of ear; size, form, and quality, and weight of grain; length or stiffuess of straw; powers of tillering; rapidity of growth; and many others. : Now, while our farmers and planters will not, each for himself, pur- sue this system for a series of years, of procuring ‘ pedigree seed,” one or more in a vicinity may do it, for the benefit of others and his own profit. The manifestly successful results of Major Hallett’s planting 1as so convinced the people of England, that his “ pedigree wheat,” to the extent of all he can raise, is now sold at a price three times as great as any other wheat. This Department has procured some of this wheat, and will have its merits fairly tested in this country. Such is the interest taken in this subject in England that the Mid- land Farmers’ Club, at Birmingham, appointed a deputation of its most distinguished members to visit the farm of Major Hallett for the pur- pose of making a personal inspection of his growing crops, his “ pedi- eree barley” and oats as well as his wheat. This examination was made on the 10th July, 1874, and the report of this deputation to their society was highly satisfactory. It seems to have been established beyond any reasonable doubt that a ‘‘ pedigree,” in its capacity to transmit powers of production, is as certain as that of a horse for swiftness of speed, or that of a cow for her quantity and quality of milk. While all farmers are choice in their selection of a profitable breeding stock, it is only be- cause the results are palpable to the eye; those of the careful selection and care of seed are not so immediately seen, but they are even more certain and profitable in their consequences. The bushel of ordinary wheat contains 700,000 grains and upwards; and taking 2 bushels per acre as the seed sown, we have, speaking roughly, 14 millions of grains per acre put into the ground. I have counted at harvest the number of ears upon a quarter of an acre of wheat (drilled 20th November, with 14 bushels per acre, and which proved an exceptionally heavy crop of nearly 7 quarters per acre,) and I found the number of ears per acre to be 934,120, or not so many ears as the grains sown. Here it is clear from the number of grains sown that either the natural powers of tillering could not have been exer- cised, or that the greater part of the seed must have been sown uselessly. Doubtless some of the grains did produce more than one ear, but this only makes the case still worse for the remainder. Not only was the number of ears below that of the grain sown, buteach ear was but the stunted survivor of a struggle for existence. Indeed, it has been stated by Jethro Tull, that ifa square yard of thickly-sown wheat be counted in the spring, and the supposed number of ears then recorded, it would be found that 90 per cent. of them would be missing at harvest. Beyond all question, in thickly-sown wheat a very large proportion of what appear as stems in the spring die away before harvest, and have thus grown not only uselessly, but in the struggle for existence have starved and stunted those which ultimately came to ears. In ordinary crops the number of ears produced per acre being taken as about one million, and the crop as 34 bushels, we have at 700,000 grains to the bushel, 23,800,000 grains per acre, or an average per ear of only 23 to 24 grains ; and if more than one mil- lion ears per acre be claimed, it must be at the expense of their contents. Five pints of wheat per acre planted in September, 12 inches by 12 inches, gave 1,001,880 ears per acre, or 67,760 ears in excess of those produced on the other side of the hedge from 6 pecks, or more than twenty-one times the seed. Again, 5 pints planted 12 inches by 12 inches October 17, gave 955,320 ears per 385 acre; and planted similarly October 4,* 966,762 per acre; while 1 bushel planted October 15, gave only 812,160. . Two plants of 24 ears each gave 1,911 and 1,878 grains, or 79 per ear. 20 ears per foot, at 48 grains only per ear, would produce 11 quarters per acre. All the conditions of time and space being fulfilled, we can obtain from a single parent grain as many ears as are ordinarily obtained from twenty grains, with this most im- portant advantage, viz: these ears being produced from plants which have attained (or nearly so) perfect development of their growth, contain more than double the com- mon number of grains, and their contents may be largely increased by 'the continued annual selection of the most vigorous parent grains. These small quantities may in the following manner be drilied on a large scale with- out additional expense: My principal object is to insure perfect singleness and regularity of plant with uni- formity of depth. The two latter may be attained by the drill, as may the former also by adopting the following plan: The seed-cups ordinarily used in drilling wheat are so large that they deliver bunches of grains, consisting of six or seven, which fall together within a very small area, from which a less produce will be obtained than if it had been oceupied by a single grain. The additional grains are thus not only wasted, but are positively injurious. By using seed-cups, however, which are only sufficiently large to contain one grain at a time, a stream of single grains is delivered, and the desired ob- ject, viz., the depositing of grains singly, atonce attained. Theintervals in the rows will not be exactly uniform, but they will be sufficiently so for all practical purposes. The width of these intervals will of course depend upon the velocity with which the seed- barrel revolves, which can be regulated at pleasure by a proper arrangement of the cog- wheels which drive it. By drilling thus we obtain the advantage of the “ broad-cast” system also, equal distribution, as we can have the rows as close together, and the grains as thin in the rows as we please. The crop should be hoed as soon and as frequently as practicable, with Garrett's horse-hoe. If the seed has been sown early this should be done in the autumn, as it causes the plants to tiller and occupy the whole ground before the winter sets in. It is essential to the success of thin sowing to keep the land perfectly free from weeds during the growth of the crop. We will now consider a few facts as to what may be produced under my system. And first I would draw attention to the effect upon the crop of the mere increased size of the grain produced. A bushel of pedigree wheat, (original red,) produced from single grains, planted 12 by 12, contains about 460,000 grains, while a bushel of ordinary wheat contains 700,000 grains and upwards. Therefore, in two crops consisting of precisely the same number of grains, the crop from the thin seeding would be upwards of 70 bushels against 46 bushels, or 9 quarters against 6 quarters, per acre. Again, a bushel of pedigree barley, produced from grains planted singly 12 inches by 12 inches, contains 390,400 grains, while a bushel of ordinary barley contains upwards of 550,000, or in two crops of equal numbers of grains the one would be 55 bushels, the other 39, or 7 quarters against 5 quarters per acre. Thus in tbe increased size alone of the grains produced we obtain an increase of crop of from 40 to 50 per cent. The following are some of the advantages which, apart from the increase of crop ob- tained, would attend the adoption of the August and early September sowing of a proper quantity of seed: 1. The saving of seed.—Although this is no main object of my plan, but only, as it were, a necessity arising out of it, this single one of its features isin itself of national importance, resulting in a saving of nearly one million quarters of wheat alone. 2. Power of withstanding frost and insects.—The roots of wheat sown in August become by the middle of October so developed as to render it quite safe from lifting by the frost, and attacks of wire-worm, &c., would be almost entirely unknown. 3. Forwarding of the work of the farm.—If the wheat were practically all drilled by ° Rows (3 outside) Planted. Missed. Gave ears. Per foot. 87 — 5 == BZ = = = = - 2184 - - - - - 264 74 — 6 ==) 165 - = = ~ - 1832 - - - - - 27 14 — 0 a ee - - = = - 420 - = = - - 30 7 inside rows. = a2. _— 1 eel - - - - - 282 - - - - = 95 1-7 17 — 0 =e NE, - - - - - 395 - - - ~ - 234 14 — 0 se - - - - - 322 - - - - - 23 14 — 0 =e ee - - - - - 276 - - - - - 20 14 _- 0 = 14 - - - - - 303 = - - - 214 14 — Q peep fe - - - = - 317 = - = - - 264 14 — 1 =e - - - - - 304 - - = - - 23 99 95 2199 23 1-7 ~ 2199, (224 including misses,) or 966,792 per acre. 386 the 10th September, the whole autumn would be at the farmer’s disposal for clearing the land and getting ready for the autumn and very early spring sowing of barley and oats, beans, and peas; the root-crops would not require to be hurriedly removed; and, in fact, the farmer would be always well ahead of all his work throughout the year. 4. The crop would never become “ winter proud ” even in the mildest seasons, or laid by heavy summer rains. 5. The harvest would be from two to three weeks earlier. Thus, notwithstanding the cold spring, I had (May 26) August-sown wheat just bursting into ear, and August- sown barley, which was quite out in ear and in full bloom more than a week before. The harvest being over at least a fortnight sooner would be of immense advantage in the cleaning of the land. 6. Whereas seasons are frequently most unfayorable to late-sown cereals, they are scarcely ever so to early-sown ones. There is no real ground whatever for assuming our present amount of produce per acre to be final and unalterable. One hundred years ago the produce per acre proba- bly was, and certainly might with equal reason have been, deemed so; and yet it has now been nearly doubled. We have seen that the present average contents of our ears of wheat must be from 20 to 30. Were it grown as I propose, the average contents of the ears would be at the very least from 40 to 60—far more probably from 60 to 90; for under such a system so small an ear as one of 40 grains is quite the exception. And this increase of the contents of the ears would be obtained without any diminution of their number; in other words, the crop would thus at least be doubled. This is no mere speculation, as I have had 27 quarters of wheat grown upon 3 acres of land from 1 bushel of seed upon the whole 3 acres; and I have grown over a whole field 82 bushels per acre of barley, weighing 57 pounds per bushel, from only one peck of seed per acre. And this was only an approximation to the system which I advocate before you to-day. It may very fairly be asked me: Is your crop of wheat at present growing sown in August and the early days of September; and if not, why not? Ianswer at once that it is not so, I am sorry to say, although a good deal of it was got in at the end of Sep- tember. I have been foolish enough to try and combine the old practice with the new, and to hope by an approximation tou August-sowing practically to reap allits advantages. The success which has attended this earlier sowing has been most remarkable, as the crops at this moment growing upon my poor land will abundantly show; but such approxi- nation is at the most but a half-way honse to the greatest possible improvement, as may be seen by comparing these crops with those I have which were sown in August. I have become, by these gradual steps, convinced of the absolute necessity of aban- doning entirely our ordinary practice of sowing wheat after mangolds, carrots, cab- bage, rape, &c., and have arranged to have very nearly, if not quite, all my wheat drilled this year in August and the early days of September; and my crops are and will be at all times open to the inspection of every member of this club. There may be seen upon my farm now, wheat sown in single grains, in August, one foot apart each way; and some sown early in September, 15 inches apart each way ; also about 30 acres drilled at end of September and the beginning of October with 5} gal- lons per acre. Barley sown in August, single grains, 18 inches apart each way, side by side with some planted April 1st, 9 inches apart each way ; also a field of barley drilled with 2 gallons per acre, and 48 acres drilled with 33 gallons per acre. I counted (May 26th) the stems upon a plant from a single grain of wheat, of barley, and of white Canadian oats, all sown in August, as follows: JA FERN OB AGH eee a5 seatos dososao5se5 J edeosbodedaqe cbecee Adee = crete 84 stems. AGplamhot barley. 22 soe eases ce ere ee eae aa ieee eee &7 stems. JA FRI OR CEN eess gh65 oe—ae0 Sooo oascRs 6550 06 =0en c+ >> 6 aeeIsee eee boao tc 36 stems. I will now show how the 34 millions of acres of wheat sown in England could be drilled in August and the early days of September. Taking the crops of England as given in the agricultural returns for 1872, at the end of this paper: First, there are 585,000 acres of bare fallow. Next, there are 496,000 acres of beans, and 353,000 acres of pease. And these beans and pease should be sown in the autumn and come sooner to harvest. Then there are 420,000 acres of vetches, lucerne, &c. And of clover and grasses under rotation, 2,822,000 acres. In all 4,676,000, out of which to obtain 3,337,000 acres of wheat. To the extent of about one-half of the clover and grasses under rotation, whether for hay or not, it would doubtless be necessary to sacrifice all the growth at present obtained after about midsummer or the middle of July. In the Standard of December 10, 1873, in an account of the annual dinner of the Central Farmers’ Club, an honorable agricultural member is thus reported: “ He was astonished, therefore, to hear so painstaking, careful, and thoughtful a statesman as 387 the Earl of Derby saying that it was his deliberate opinion that the land of England might be made to double its present produce, and still more that Lord Leicester should back up that opinion.” Now, I do not hesitate to say that with regard to corn the noble lords were strictly rigat, and their honorable critic egregiously in the wrong. By the adoption of my system this could be done, and the whole of the breadstuffs which we purchase each year at the enormous sum of forty millions sterling might be produced upon our own land at home, enriching the proprietors and cultivators of England, and annually adding these forty millions to the wealth of the entire nation. CROP EXPERIMENTS. FULTZ WHEAT.—A correspondent writing from Lauderdale County, Alabama, gives the following as his experience with one quart of this wheat received from the Department in 1872: This is my third crop from the one quart of wheat received. The amount of land employed was four and one-half acres, from which I have just threshed ninety bushels of splendid wheat, or twenty bushels to the acre. It was sown in a field by the side of eleven acres of Reed-straw wheat, which yielded nine bushels to the acre. The sea- son was very unfavorable on account of heavy and continued rains throughout March and April. About the Ist of May the Fultz was badly scalded, or blighted; in fact looked as if it would not make half acrop. With a favorable season, I am confident it would have made thirty or more bushels per acre. I think it will prove the best wheat yet introduced into this part of the South. Our average yield of wheat for the ast five years has been about ten bushels. Hon. W. E. Niblack, of Indiana, incloses to the Department the state- ment of a farmer in his district in which it appears that a sowing of one quart of Fultz, November 6, 1871, yielded thirty pounds. This product was sown in September, 1872, and yielded ten bushels. In turn, this was sown in September, 1873, and produced 300 bushels. Two acres, sown after tobacco, yielded 104 bushels, or 50 bushels per acre. The entire crop was grown on clay soil. The Frederick County (Md.) Examiner, of recent date, records a yield of Fultz wheat in that county of 42 bushels per acre on 424 acres, “ a result which, as far as we have heard, has nowhere been equaled.” The results for three years on the experimental farm of the University of Wisconsin are given, as follows: Sown. Rate per acre. | Harvested. Yield. Depremperd GAL. Ae cocci pcp ercopscanaiesae 1% bushel .-..- duly, 120s 33 bushels. NeProMmVeritOurer es so ase eGo See eke S 14 bushel ..... daly 12s. 20 bushels. DEpLenipaE yO ubOR gas . SUe I. Ao se etl eeale s 1? bushel ..... July 1-.--.. | 34 bushels, 55 pounds. The yield in each case is given by weight, 60 pounds to the bushel ; the grain has weighed 60 to 62 pounds to the measured bushel. The crop of 1872~73 was on new and partly low ground. The ice in early spring killed a part of the crop. This year (1874) a lot on old ground,’ following oats, and on side-hill facing south, yielded 29 bushels 263 pounds per acre. ish ST ite x Fultz wheat was first distributed by the Department in 1871. A his- orical note of its origin was given in the Annual Report for that year. JENNINGS WHEAT.—Dr. H. M. Price, of Fluvanna County, Virginia, reports the results of a {comparison}between the Jennings wheat (re- 4A 088 ceived from this Department) and two varieties, the Clawson and Tappahannock. He sowed the Jennings October 9, on one-twelfth of an acre, which before had been planted in cabbage. Soil, a dry, stiff clay, which was fallowed and harrowed, and the seed turned under with a Shovel-plow. No fertilizer used. On the same amount of land equal quantities of the Clawson and Tappahannock, respectively, were sown. The following is a tabulated statement of results: a Weight of straw. | Weight of grain. | Yield per acre. | When ripe. Pounds. Pounds. Bushels. JSR, 56 soGSSpOpeDDEpeSsbaeee= 485 165 33 June 16. CLG 533355 See eerie 461 183 36 3-5 June 20. Tappahannock ...--...- 2 gacessna: 401 - 122 24 2-5 June 14, The straw was weighed June 30. BRUNSWICK CABBAGE AND THE NOCERA ONION.—While the Depart- ment aims at all times to introduce superior varieties of vegetable-seeds, very great importance attaches to careful and methodical cultivation. It is clearly the duty, as it is the interest, of recipients of varieties of pronounced excellence to care for them with scrupulous regard. Ina statement of Mr. Cook, of Baldwin County, Georgia, recently made to this Department, there is evidence of such regard worthy of especial commendation. His experiment was confined to the Brunswick cabbage and the extra early Nocera onion. He says that it is a very prevalent notion among the farmers in that part of Georgia that cabbage cannot be grown successfully, believing which the majority continue to grow calewort, and look upon an eight-pound cabbage, if home-grown, (re- ferring to his own success,) as something almost wonderful. ‘‘ Let them procure seed of the Brunswick, and raise strong, healthy plants by thin- ning out liberally; make their land rich, and plow deep. Set out up to the first leaf, (very important,) and cultivate carefully, and they will soon discover that they have been laboring under a mistake,” is the advice and prediction of Mr. Cook. Mr. C.’s method with his cabbage was as follows: Planted the seed in a cold frame February 10; transplanted to soil of medium fertility March 20. The land had been deeply plowed and manured a month before; raw cotton-seed applied broadcast before plowing, at the rate of 100 bushels to the acre; when the plants were ready, the soil was freshened by a shovel-plow, dispensing with the har- row. The plants were set out 3 by 3 feet apart, during alight rain. Two days after two tablespoonfuls of superphosphate was applied to each plant by sprinkling on the surface and slightly raking in. The cultivation consisted of two plowings and three hoeings. Four applications of land-plaster were made, following as many rains. The first head was cut May 26, and nine-tenths of the product were marketed by July 10, the heads ranging from 4 to 8 pounds in weight. Comparatively - few plants failed to head; but for the cabbage-worm, 99 per cent. would have headed. These insects were unusually destructive, and would not yield to plaster alone. In brief, Mr. C. says that, after having tried all the leading varieties of cabbage except the Early Wyman, he is de- cidedly in favor of the Brunswick. In regard to the Nocera onion his praise is unqualified. Seeds for ‘‘sets” and for large onions were planted February 16, and on June 15 both were harvested. The average diameter of the onions was three inches, and the sets were very fine, and yielded well. 389 JUTE IN LOUISIANA. Mr. Emile Lefranc, president of the Southern Ramie Association, at New Orleans, as is known, has been for a considerable period very actively engaged in the culture of jute, as well as in perfecting a decor- ticating machine for cleaning and preparing the fiber for the market and for manufacturing. His experiments, which have been conducted on an adequate scale, have confirmed the impression that the cultiva- tion of this valuable fibrous plant will eventually become a very profit- able industry, especially in the southern portion of this country. In a recent letter to the Commissioner, Mr. Lefranc states that, in spite of the difficulties and drawbacks which he has had to encounter the present season from diluvial rains, overflows, and droughts, he will have 150 acres of jute to harvest, if the weather be not too unfavorable, in September. Some of the fields he describes as splendid, growing 8 feet high, and as thick as wheat. Mr. Lefrane’s jute-cleaning machine, a description of which, with illus- trative drawings, may be found in the forthcoming Annual Report of the Department, for 1873, has been improved, as he states, by unceasing researches and numerous applications, from which the best have been selected. It is said to work well, and to produce over a ton of clean fiber per day, with four attendants only. It cleans jute, ramie, and ~ okra radically and without waste, and it is believed that hemp and flax may be as well treated by it. Mr. Lefranc says: ‘“‘ We treat jute with- out leaving butts or refuse, and we can treat hemp and flax without having the loss of tow.” If this be so, the machine will effect an im- portant reform in our textile trade, and exert an influential agency in developing our hemp and flax production. Mr. Lefranc mentions a curious fact in connection with his experience in the culture of jute. A piece of land that produced jute-seed last year is now in full growth of jute again, though none was planted there this year. The seed which dropped last year was sufficient for a new crop. AGRICULTURE IN INDIA. C. Samba Siva, secretary of the Native Association of Mayaveram, Madras, furnishes this Department with a very interesting account of the state of agriculture in the rice-producing district of Tanjore, and of improvements about to be set on foot. He says: There has been formed an association in Mayaveram, a town in the district of Tanjore, in the Madras Presidency, the chief object of which is the introduction of improvements in the art of agriculture. Mayaveram is situated on the banks of the Cavery, and from its position it will be seen that it occupies the center of the delta of the Cavery, which has, not inaptly, been called “the Eden of Southern India.” The population almost entirely subsists by agriculture; and here, as in many other parts of this large country, the art, though practiced perhaps from the very origin of civil- ized life, remains in the same state. The cultivator depends entirely on the fertility of the soil, which is every year renewed by the Cavery. The government has done much to economize the supply of water, and a large extent of land has been brought 090 under cultivation since the commencement of the British administration in th country. The agriculturist enjoyed many advantages here, but the times are changed so much that it will not do for him to remain in ignorance. The labor-market now presents difficulties which did not exist before. Taxation has increased. The increase in the price of articles of comsumption is great. In the midst of these altered circum- stances, the agriculturist begins to see that only by improving his art can he cope with the difficulties. A brief sketch of the present state of agriculture in this district’may not be out of place. The Cavery begins to flow in June, and continues to supply the fields with water till October. Cultivation commences soon after the southwest monsoon sets in, and ends when the northeastern monsoon ceases to bring down rain. Rice only is cul- tivated. In some places two crops are raised, but only one crop is raised in the greater part of the delta. The great body of land-owners possess no capital, and the few who save do not invest their savings in the improvement of their lands. The consequence is, the agriculture of the district is left in the hands of a laboring class called “ Pura Kudi,” who generally own a pair or two of plowing cattle, and till, on an average, not more than six or seven acres. The understanding between the Pura Kudi and the landlord is by no means satisfactory, and the art of tilling is therefore neglected, each being satisfied with what littie can be scraped, and neither willing to employ skill nor capital. There is a total want of improvement in the implements made use of by the farmer, and the condition of the cattle is truly deplorable. These, added to the subsiding of the river floods at irregular times, render agriculture very unsafe for the small and moneyless farmers in many places. This is the chief cause why only one crop is raised in the greater part of this dis- trict. The raising of water two feet higher is never thought of, and and whole tracts are left waste, though, during the season of cultivation, water is never two feet below the surface. Many an improvement might be made in the art of agriculture that is at _ present carried on in the district, and the association has this in view. A model farm will be established this year, with a view to show practically what improvements can be effected in the art. Experiments in the use of manure and in the culture of various grains and plants will be undertaken, and the results carefully recorded. In its en- deavors the association has received much help and encouragement from the superin- tendent of the Government Experimental Farm at Madras. FACTS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES. THE PHYLLOXERA IN FRANCE.—The Prefect of the Department of the Rhone has published a decree directing the mayor of each Commune within his jurisdiction, upon the indication of the presence of the phyl- loxera, to proceed at once to determine the limits of each local district infected by the insect. Every vine affected and all the roots within 5 meters are to be dug up and burned. This decisive measure has not escaped sharp criticism. To save the vine lands of the Rhone from de- struction by this pest, it is now proposed to secure winter irrigation by a grand canal connected with that river. M. Dumont, Ingénieur en chef des ponts et des chaussées, has developed, before a governmental commis- sion, a scheme for the construction of such a canal, within four years, at a cost of 102,000,000 francs. This, it is supposed, will rescue from destruction over 60,000 acres of vine lands, yielding products worth 200,000,000 frances per annum and taxes amounting to 20,000,000 franes. THE GULF REGION AS A FIELD FOR EMIGRATION.—The American Patron, a journal published at Finley, Ohio, having addressed a series of inquiries to intelligent parties residing in different parts of the Gulf Coast, in regard to the eligibility of that section as a field for northern immigration, received an official reply from Citronelle Council No. 7, Order of Progressive Farmers, Mobile County, Alabama, to the follow- ing effect : ool 1. The salubrity of the Gulf Coast, east of Louisiana, is fully equal to that of any section of the Union. Miasmatic diseases prevail during certain seasons on the river-bottoms, but of a less malignant type than is found in similar localities of the North. The yellow fever is expected in the cities about every five years, but it never troubles the rural dis- tricts. The whole region is almost totally exempt from Asiatic cholera. 2. The climate of the South is destitute of the extremes of both heat and cold found in the North. A summer temperature of 90° F. is un- usual, while the Gulf breezes render the air very delightful. 3. Most of the crops grown in the North can be successfully grown on the coast, with a great variety of tropical and semi-tropical products,. giving scope for an exceedingly varied culture. An acre of corn there represents a greater money value than at the North. 4, Markets are fair and constantly improving. An increased produc- tion would call forth increased facilities for transportation. The early spring products are shipped North at a period when they find no com- petition. 5. Southern pine lands are worth more per acre than the best uplands of the Northwest. In the Seuth an immense area of wild lands of the best quality, belonging to the Government, are open to homestead set- tlers. For improved lands $4 per acre is a high average price. The peculiar advantage of southern products enables the judicious culti- vator to realize a much larger value per acre than at the North. 6. The surface of the country is generally high, but rolling and well watered. Abundance of water-power is found in the streams, The swamp area, contrary to general impression, is very small. 7. Educational facilities are very good in the cities, and becoming more extended in the country. Church privileges are very good. 8. People from the North who come to engage in regular business and to identify themselves with the country will be kindly received. ABANDONMENT OF HOMESTEAD-CLAIMS.—Many homestead-settlers on the public lands in Western Kansas are unwisely leaving their farms and allowing their claims to go by default. The reason is, discourage- ment growing out of poor results of poor and unintelligent farming. Many of them make it a secondary business. ABANDONMENT OF SHEEP-RAISING IN THE SouTH.—At various points in the South our correspondents speak of the destruction of sheep by that chronic nuisance, worthless dogs, as increasing to such an extent that sheep-raising has been measurably abandoned. Our correspondent in Elizabeth City, Va., especially deplores this destruction, as that sec- tion of the country can hardly be excelled either in the weight of fleece or quality of mutton produced. SORGHUM AND MAPLE-SUGAR.—In Monroe County, Ohio, in 1873, 437 acres of sorghum were planted. The product embraced 29,466 gal- lons of sirup and 15 pounds of sugar. The maple-sugar industry yielded 3,495 pounds of sugar and 226 gallons of sirup. IMPROVED FARMING PROSPECTS.—A lbany, Wyoming: The Daily Inde- pendent, of Laramie City, states that the soil of Wyoming is develop- ing greater productive power as the farmers become acquainted with its peculiarities. Timothy and blue-grass can be successfully raised. Many new stock-farms have been started, and thousands of cattle have been brought from Colorado and Montana, The Laramie Plains afford a con- stant supply of grass, but in some other regions graziers have had an- nually to shift their pastures. 392 Robeson, N. C.—For the first time our farmers have felt fully rewarded for their labors. The only fear now is that market-produets will not command remunerative prices. PLUNDERING FROM GOVERNMENT.—Our correspondent in Escambia County, Alabama, represents that in that section agricultural improve- ment is greatly hindered by the fact that Government timber is suffered to be cut and carried off to market without limit or restraint. He thinks that if an agent were appointed to see that the provisions of the home- stead-law were enforced, and no one permitted to cut timber until he had a legal right to, one good result would be that “ the people would go to work, cultivate farms, and improve homesteads.” REFLUX EMIGRATION.—Our correspondent in Elisworth, Kansas, re- ports: ‘‘ Many farmers are disheartened, and leaving for the older States. Potato-beetles, chinch-bugs, grasshoppers, drought, and fire will turn the tide of emigration eastward.” NEW PEACH.—Our correspondent in Jasper County, Missouri, sends us an account of a new peach, which the Horticultural Society in that county has named “Amsden’s June.” It is a seedling, planted in 1858 by Mr. L.C. Amsden. The tree first fruited in 1872, bearing nine peaches, ‘“‘which began to ripen the last of June,” and the last specimen of which was “the perfection of ripeness” on the 7th of July. The original tree, , as well as thirty or forty budded from it, fruited again this season. It is claimed that it is hardy, productive, and entirely free from the “curled leaf,” which has been very destructive to the peach-crop in that locality ; that the fruit is very juicy, melting, and well-flavored, and that it is fully four weeks earlier than Hale’s Early. ® SUCCESSFUL PEAR-CULTURE.—L. & A. B. Rathbone, of Oakfield, Genesee County, New York, have furnished for this Department the fol- lowing facts relative to their experiment in cultivating pears: In the spring of 1864 they set out 4,000 dwarf pear-trees, 3,000 Duchess, 500 L. Bonne de Jersey, 400 Beurre de Anjou, and 100 Vicar of Wakefield. The trees are 10 feet apart, each way, occupying 10 acres. The soil is “a, gravelly loam, mixed with sand, with clay subsoil.” For five years the trees were severely pruned. The orchard has received medium cul- tivation, but no fertilizer, except that in June, 1873, it was dressed with about 80 bushels per acre of slaked lime and unleached wood- ashes. Delivered in barrels at Batavia, and beginning with 1868, the several amounts received for annual sales for six successive years were as follows, and in the order named: $100, $230, $110, $1,338, $2,250, $5,530—total, $9,558. It will be noticed that in the last-named year, 1873, the gross sales reached $553 per acre. BEET-SUGAR IN ENGLAND.—The culture of the sugar-beet is enlarg- ing in England, not only as a forage-plant but also for the production of sugar. The commissioners of the revenue in 1875 report the establish- ment of a distillery for the production of alcoholic liquor from beet-juice, and that it consumes the produce of 730 acres of beets raised in the neighborhood. The sugar-mill at Lavenham absorbs the product of 450 to 570 acres, averaging about 14 tons per acre. The sugar-product of the country for 1872 was 5,890 quintals ; for 1873, 7,560 quintals, of 112 pounds each. These aggregates represent mostly raw sugars, but the refining process is being introduced more extensively. STEAM FARM-MACHINERY IN ScoTLAND.—The labor difficulties of the United Kingdom have compelled farmers to rely to a greater extent 393 than formerly upon machinery. To secare the benefit of the latest im- provements, a large capital is necessary, and to accumulate this farmers are forming associations. An association of this character in Scotland, according to a late official report, during 1873, worked some 16,000 acres with steam and other elaborate machinery, performing all heavy operations at a greatly diminished cost to the farmer, and paying a dividend of 5 per cent. upon the capital invested. The large amount of capital necessary to such improvements is, then, no bar to their use, as farmers can either combine for the common ownership and working of elaborate and high-priced machinery, or they can employ capitalists who make such operations their specialty, and who will plow the ground or gather the crops for a specific remuneration. FRENCH ARMY-HORSES.—JLe Journal d@ Agriculture Pratique states that the French army, of all arms, now requires, annually, 81,000 horses, of which the cavalry alone absorbs 70,000. The projected reorganiza- _ tion of the latter branch of the service will raise its annual demand to 90,000, and that of the whole peace establishment to over 100,000. Ona war-footing this annual consumption of horses would be raised to 250,000. The census of 1866 returned 3,313,000 horses of all ages and grades. During the late Prussian war 419,000 were lost or rendered unser- viceable. With the subsequent increase, the present total can scarcely be equal to 3,000,000, of which not over ten per cent., or 300,000, be- tween the ages of four and fourteen, may be regarded as available for military service. This leaves but a small margin of effective horses for the wants of the community. To guard against the difficulties which threaten the nation in ease of war, the government has, by a late law, reorganized the “ administration of studs,” and re-established the “school of studs” at Pin. Commencing with 1875, the number of stallions maintained at public expense is to be augmented 200 each year until the total number shall have reached 2,500. These stallions are to be chosen from the best blood of the different races. An increasing sched- ule of prizes is to be annually awarded for the production of stallions, mares, colts, and fillies. The ‘“‘jumenterie” of Pompadour is to be re- established, and to be constituted of 60 mares, exclusively devoted to the production of horses of Arab and Anglo-Arab blood. The most scientific and skillful practitioners are to be employed in this effort to enlarge the studs of France, and to guard against the exigencies of a state of war with its extraordinary demand for horses. CHARBON.—Our regular correspondent in East Feliciana, La., states that 500 plow-animals have died of charbon in that parish, not includ- ing oxen. This loss has severely crippled the working of the cotton- crop. A correspondent residing in New Orleans states that the charbon destroyed live-stock by wholesale in Point Coupee and Concordia Par- ishes, Louisiana. In some localities it seriously crippled the working of the crops. In Avoyelles Parish it destroyed 50 per cent. of the mules and 25 per cent. of horses, besides 15 per cent. of cattle. It was quite virulent also in Hardin County, Texas. ENGLISH ALMONDS.—Our chief correspondent in Williamson County, Texas, raised this year 230 pounds of English almonds upon six grafted trees, five years old. J94 MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS. The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the beginning of each month. Articles. August. September. NEW YORK. HIGMUASHPeTHNG .. ~~. s2o- nar eae per barrel..| $4 40 to $5 00 $4 45 to $5 00 Gach), SUBMDsAeecoe aden 379-55 GOR SSEeS 5 20 to 6 10 515 to 5 75 superfine western....-..-.--..-do..-.--| 440 to 5 00 445 to 4 95 extra to choice western......- dOmast<~ 515 to 11 00 505 to 9 00 , common to fair southern extras.do.--.--. 5 50 to 615 5 25 to 6 10 good to choice southern. ...-...do..-... 6 20 to 11 00 615 to 9 00 Wheat, No. 1 spring.-...--...--.. per bushel..| 130 to 1 36 120 to 1 235 Noy 2 SPIinos Seeccsaas esters OOeetece 123 to 1 30 113 to 1 20 winter, red, western .-.-.,-.-- Hossssss 1 27 to 1 30 108 to 1 27 winter, amber, western..-...- OKUERS ae 130 to 1 382 1 22: to, em winter, white, western ....--- COs aac/se 135 to 1 55 125 to 245 LENV®) dagocd EScurpaodoem Jas oaauSsearsee GO oaeose 96 to 1 05 to LDMEN? Beodo nonos seceqes Bases teooean dOsssece to 190 to ——— WORN Ne coatsen Bee soe eine sees aoe oace OMe coer 77° «to 88 82 to 834 DATS eRe see etree ejsci Piclecisie:atcieiate sine wit doze eacr 75 to 1 00 47 to 56 Hay, first quality ...--...--.......-per ton.--| 22 00 to 27 00 19 00 to 21 00 SECOMGIG May. -mniastisesisese =i OOsccnen 18 00 to 19 00 12 00 to 15 00 Beets messes. sleet: ee ees per barrel... to to extra Mess..--.....--. Speage os GOss-ese — to ——— —— to ——— OVC MOSS. esse tt ee et cee eas ote per barrel.-| 22 50 to ———| 2275 to 22 874 OX bIAIPELNO misciseniscecew se sales. COsacecs 20 00 to 22 00 to ——— PLIMO MESS s+ ssn e Pesce eee cnet dois.= 23 19 50 to ——— to ——— WAT R ates ccc secicee ences ceasaces per pound. - 134 to 132 142 to 154 Batters western. 5-3 de/ssce-'- sca -COs— seen 17 to 30 22 to 35 Statexdarry: 5: 6S. 25-e5lsecsoe dossas- 24 to 32 27 to 28 Cheese, State factory ....-...--...--.- Go s2ese2 1034 to 134 112 to 14 Western factory) <--2---.4s-.640.2-=55 9 to 12 10 to 124 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary--..do...-.- 132 to 154 134 to 152 low middling to good middli’g.do...--. 53 to 183 154 to 183 Sugar, fair to good refining ......-.-- dole: = 72 to B35 84 to 83 PLUME MEMMIN Gc oe ease aoe UOee eee @1 to 85. 84 to BROMACCO, MUMS) asa juss sie vei lemeiee dovetees 64 to Qe 4+ to 94 common to medium leaf... -- dot. tf- 9 to 124 9 to 113 Wool, American XXX and picklock.. do...--. 55 to 60 53 to 65 ANMELICAMNONGANG eke. meee Sanne nen. 47 to 56 47 to 55 AMETICAT COMPING ascites «eine CAO mace oe 51 to 65 SL to 65 mulled ess eeiee ane ethereal doy ee: 33 to 53 33 to 53. California, spring-clip -..-----.- dosetnt 23 to 35 23 to 37 California; tall-clipess=ecrise- 2200 .seee Ad Ole | ye) 17 to 7 PHILADELPHIA. Mlourwsupertine,.-<<..s5 sc—00 sees per barrel-.| 350 to 4 25 350 to 3 623 Pennsylvania extra.--...--..--- dossa-% = 450 to 5 75 to Pennsylvania family ......---- dozsese- 600 to 7 75 6 00 to 6 2 WeSLOLMIOXLA = yon e-)ace oon sce Ons sae 450 to 575 to western family and fancy..-.-.-. doeeeea= 600 to 9 2 575 to 7 25 Wheat, winter, red ..........-..- per bushel..| 128 to 1 32 118 to 1 23 Wimber amber o-lese eee Onecme = 134 to 1 38 L 27 towel WAIST, WHC eran eaten eral NO wer= 133) Go els50 135 to 1 38 SPLINE Voce ceeeiscs = sob cree eee ee lO aN @ 2 120 to 1 25 113 to —— IAT) Soo gbdd peeeeo Sew ae esc ota oe aoe dols..22 91 to 93 88 to 92 IB ECV ieee loc aise caste eee om nicl orn eee WOsscce- Nominal. to COTMP Re eieis nic oa ce dieistee mie ve eleielciele sees Mosse ee 82 to 84 85 to 87 OFS 3653 SS RAE Maen espera Bets Gosesses 55 to 80 49, to 53 : 395 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. August. PHILADELPHIA—Continued. Hay fresh, baled... ....240--23. 53, per ton... ete 00 to $22 00 common to fair shipping ..-.-. doveeese 9 00 to 21 00 Beef, western mess -... -L--'2----. - per barrel. . *3 00 to 10 00 @XhEAMOSS —4- fesse eee oats see dorss oct 9 00 to 12 00 Warthman’s city family.....-.. donot 17 00 to Bork, smessto.. «25h tet. 8 ase ae 4- Gor oaa st 23.75 to 24 00 prime: mess. 42-05 eed see soe AOL eenutp) . co. O00). To PRIMO. [Le Se} = tee eee oe eu eee Gore-pe. 22 00 to Ward jit chs 32.4. 03. 32-22) So per pound. 132 to 164 Butter, choice Middle State.......... Gye See 30. to 33 choice western. .---.. .-.. <2... Gon seust 24 to 28 Cheese, New York factory.....-...-..d0....-. 124 to 133 Ohio factory e s—. 2 25c5 o 255 GOne =e 12 to 123 Sugar, fair to good refining -.....-...do...... 7z£ to et Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary ....do poweee 132 to 16 low middling to good middling. 40. . 228 162 to 182 Wool, Ohio X and Ra sg Oe ict. dose con’ 53. to 574 Ohio combine lo. 6-0. =. nce dO. .--=¢ 58 to 63 UN Ys ee ee ee ee dowsscet 45 to 52 unwashed, cloth’g and comb’g -do....-.. 23. to 42 BALTIMOR Blour; superiines.4-2 ----s6/s-... 4-.(.2 35-62 Ae 22. dotei ou 60 to 65 WOSUGRT fos 6 odstce cate onion soon doLeseek 60 to 63 Hay, Pennsylvania- ..-. .--.---..--. per ton...| 20 00 to 21 00 Maryland’... Jose. fon 5G hes dowtaee 22 00 to 23 00 WRSUSEN) Sccsete stele es feces = dO. ow = oh to Beef, Baltimore mess -....-..-.--. per barrel... to ORG Bes 2 aie dombentectakts sete a= < dGrccert —— to BOLK, MESS has coo Sab e ecie des « dab wise doseeast 24 00 to 25 00 CIR Oe | See Sao me St Ae See ae per pound.. 14 to Bubbercwester: - 22.52. 1k w eden wean d0nencet 24 to 25 PAST MSs os Aes tae clas Jane ec One shoe to Cheese, eastern cutting .......--.---- do.te50 14 to ——— western cutting ae St aha oe © oe €0neenzs 124 to 13 Sugar, fair to good refining Aes (ae @Oseecee 72 to 8 Tobacco, Meese see RO a ae ae eee obs weet to common to medium, leaf ....do..-... to Cotton, ordinaxy to good ordinary. --.- dobsence 141 to 15+ low middling to middling- -... doeeescx 152 to 162 Wool, fleece-washed .........-..---.- d0-=-- to sub-washed)... on---atacohh 5 --- (iis tia A to unwashed, =). 5.cecnsdcbtdeses GOs-os5: to ——— pulled -...-. 2425.22 (= BS (eee Chae Bs to ——— CINCINNATI Flour; saperiine -=: -5.)....4...25.- per barrel..| 425 to 450 OXUG. co cod Gass soca doce eae dass. - to family and fancy ............- dopa-4 520 to 6 75 September. $20 00 to $22 00 19 00 to 21 00 PRE OO i) S 396 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. August. September. CINCINNATI—Continued. Wheat, red winter ......-....-..- per bushel..| $1 04 to $1 07 $1 03 to Gy ingerm. ss... scene cece dosssees 108 to 1 12 105 to $1 10 white wanter 52.22. .ice-o- dose-se= 1-18. .to-.1/23 110 sito aes Su) 35920 5255 259 SSA SS St Oprascce 90 10 rae 02. 82 to 83 Barley erseeee = sos. Cena eeeeeeOO.ccce. to 100 to 105 Cnn £55. 5.48 Se ae a sone al Dnagose 66 to 71 70 to 75 OO ock SoS SUAS Se pauaepone os sacosc UO eeeres 48 to 50 46 to 48 mip aled,WNo. 1.2555 22 -sb- sees per ton....| 2000 to 25 00 20 00 to 22 00 LOW OL SUTACES joo ol=- =i eeetenee Ons —e 15 00 to 17 00 16 00 to 19 00 cel, *plabe sc sc-~ 2-2 ee ==-eeea eee per barrel.-| 14 00 to 15 00 13 50 to 15 00 Lomi, HAG §S)6206 399550 55405655 s555555¢ adosc-=-2 23.75 to 24.00 23 00 to —— Lopinth ecg S54 5665 cocseocceace asp sas per pound... 14 to 144 164 to ——— Butter, choice. --..-----.------------d0...... 23. to . 25 25 to 28 MG a 5455552525 chosen Secoec donee s 19. to 20 23° to 25 heese Hachply genes ssee== aces ss eon do-acs-2 12 to 124 124 to 13 DpiNe-applon-eeee sche elena dosssces to ——— t0 ——— Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good..-.-. do.-se=2 to to prime to choice.-do...... 92 to 10 92 to 10 Mobacco, lugs --...----. sedanose sa008e WOsascast 15 to 224 15 to 224 NORE coccmeeeces e- seco keacse dosecses 224 to 374 224 to 374 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .--.do.----. 13 to 142 122 to 142 low middl’g to good middl’g..do.-.--. 154 to 174 15+ to 174 Wool, fleece-washed..-.-. snesoosess< dozeen-s 42 to 45 42 to 45 UB WaSHed fe een ele waleeininis l= dp esesen 45 to 48 45 to 50 unwashed, clothing......-.-.- Oss se ee 30 to 3 30 to 31 unwashed, combing..-.......- dos2.5- 35 to 38 35 «to 38 Bulledsed-2 c-oa—et teehee ees doszcces 32. to 35 32 to 3D CHICAGO. Flour, white winter extras, fair to MOOd Stee eee alooeeieeoee. per barrel.-| 575 to 6 50 5 50 to 650 white winter extras, choice....do..-.-.. 675 to 7 75 650 to 7 50 red winter extras -....-.-..--- dpcsascs 5 50 to 6 50 475 to 6 50 medium to choice spring extras- ee ase 5 00 to 5 75 5 123 to 5 50 Spring, Wsuperiine: | S522. ee- GO - sees 350 to 4 75 350 to 4 50 Wiheat,~NoO.d spring 22sec. osa2 per weabel 108 to 97 to Nowe iISpring aes ase encase ss do ascst ——. to ——- 934 to 932 NOS ISplUno acres messes nee do...--. — to 97 90 to Citi, (Os Bongo se Soosonode5S5 concce do...... 63 to 90 662 to 674 Oats No: 2 ee nae eee eee eee. doeses-2 43 to zal 40 to 414 BaALlavGN O.\e- = sm aclesisiee eterno enciee == do ssa: 1 103.. oo - 105 3 to RVG, PNG@ie coms -o~ 5 $Be056 680586 se5s6c iDasoces 73 to 76 75 to 75k PL AVAMIIMO LAY, .- sees eee aloe eee lene perton..--| 17 50 to 18 00 11 50 to 15 50 TOWLE) BBeea doceica seco scagacde COc-2o-4 5 00 to 10 00 8 00 to 10 00 2eih WOSISE 46555055 Soos56 Ssoose per barrel..| 11 25 to 11 50 11 25 to 11 50 CXiLa MESS «soc = coe seem einen doss=se8 12 25 to 12 50 12 25 to 12 50 POrksMe@ssscv< -22o-+ Shccccles seco ce== dosscest 23.25 to 23.30 23 00 to PHIMERNESS 2 oes sseelee eee een OOns aeae to to CXPLA PLING = Joe ee see eee do---s-= to to ATE Soop eee o as ce en Secu SS oboee per pound.. 124 to 12} 15,40 12% Butter, choice to fancy -.----.-....----d0...-.. 25 to 28 28 to 33 medium 0 )¢00d =-..222-s2-=-= dorset 20 to 23 22 to 25° Cheese, New York factory -......----d0....-- 11 to 12 124 to 13 Ohio and western factory --..do..--.. 10 to ati 113 to 124 Sugar, New Orleans, prime to choice..do..-.--. to to common to fair-.do..---.. to to Ryeol tub-washed 2-25-25 sac. 22258 NO-e. ee AS abo De 45 to 5o fleece-washed.. ....2. ss. sees BO. os2e 38 to 44 40 to 47 mimwashed .ccbes «-ccsseaeee Me-e co.8 27 to 33 27 to oA Pulled’ So. 2. dees = des aoe eee WOresa.8 to te 397 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. SAINT LOUIS. Flour, winter t+... .-....'2-%. ...-- per barrel: Wheat, red winter. ....-..-..---- per bushel.. white winter -.-....---.-.5--- dora SPL Oem <2 seb eeeetee ste ola dozeees: (COOH CUBR epee ees ence Soden baedoe dOpeac=- ING CRS bre Rabo seonies odbicdn Goer sdeSse dOnzasc=- (GE BASE eo HOebee Hee op aaed dope cccae Gomera BUREN spec ee Seana eeb teoced con noroge dopasass 1g aye (OM eae Goce pccmcemoseme per ton-.-. Beek family* $05. c aos ceed einse per barrel... GX UPA Mess eels se eee ete ete l= dOece =o Bards. 2. eosa- on Se eu cegaes saes per pound... Butter, Choic@s..-+s22-. === -='--—™= - doesr ae: INf6LIOL CTAGess = sss scae~e ~~ domeease Cheese, Ohio and N. W. factory ..---. dowente New York factory -.-.--.---- dopeeee Sugar, New Orleans, common to fair..do..-.... prime to choice -do..---. Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...... low middling to good middl’g.do...... Wool, tmb-washed)-\s2scc2)- senso sens 0 02 ese unwashed, combing -......-..- COkmeemers Hecce=washed 22-22. soso Seice -1-1- dossesae NEW ORLEANS. Flour, Superhne\ sa: cs.- cee ssensee '.per barrel... OMtra nestle th. eee ae DOsceisioe Choice) to fancyia..~s0. Jesse sd Occ Corn; wihttels-es-cec. ss 5:-' ec per bushel.- VoulOwjesec cess eetessomescers =m Gl sse556 Opis- ss oeeas ace ee taeeeat cesta ce dois. ese. 16 PA AO NGNGS) ceo cb oedn 92 Bode bercoo per ton.... PRIME see ese sce ete sae dotscese peer \Loxas® Jo45.2 Sas ccesse esses per barrel... Pinladelphiay ccs sscsasecceeer Omens Hulton’ Market) So22)s5-see- 4-2-0 0secnae Western. Jt 5s) c6 2 aenldsiod cael do.sse=- IBGE, MOSS oe luis cia Sie Sala coeliac omete 1 On aa) see ARG O2e fomce = cia= gates soetieecess per pound.. Butter, choice southern...-...------- dorscacs WESUGENM. SiS ome tscielsih cinemas docseose Cheese, choice western factory -..-.--.do...--- New York cream. .-2..2..-.- doscsose Sugar, fair totully fair ..-4.--4- === dO ns prime to strictly prime -..-.--. dOfmemsas clarified, white and yellow....do....-- mobaeco, tagebeee se coc occ cn wedece do. .cses low leaf to medium leaf ..-.do..--... Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary -..-do...... low middling to good middling-do...--. Wool lakes. toc. Section wenesec ccc Gonseee- SAN FRANCISCO. Plour, superfine . 3.15.22. 2cee eens per barrel.. COULD Peet —ralie amie) a cela a to eaten Oa ea a family and fancy .........-.-.d0...... Wheat, California.-.......-...-.. per bushel... Oregome. SoS 1s. Se dOgsss< August. $3 25 to $7 50 97 to 110 100 to 110 to ——— 55 to 78 to 80 42 to 55 —— to 17 00 to 20 00 13 00 to 14 50 to 13 to 14 26 to 28 15 to 25 12, to 12 124 to 13 to to ——— 124 to 144 154 to 174 49 to 53 32 to 39 42 to 2 to 4 50 to . 4:75 @ de LOLS) OO 90 to 924 Wd sto 738 75 to 80 26 50 to 27 00 25 00 to 25 50 12 00 to 12 25 to 11 25 to 11 50 15 00 to 16 00 25 50 to to 15 to ——— 20 to 25 to 14 to 19 92 to 94 ——— to to 74 to 9 94 to 114 112 to 144 152 to 162 to 34 400 to 450 to. 4 75 5 00 to 6 00 150 to~1 65 1 50. to 1 60 1 124 to 1 40 LAOS toy 1-75 September. $3 75 to $7 00 95% to! Lads L-15° to Pas 70 to 90 77+ «to 80 80 to 90 421 to 444 914 to 115 17 50 to 20 00 to 14 00 to 16 00 132 to 164 27 ~«+to 32 20 to 25 124 to 13 13° to 134 to to 123 to 144 154 to 174 49 to 54 32), to 39 42 to 52 —— to 400 495\, tow anen 6 25 to 7 00 90 to 92 to 80 56 to 60 to 26 00 23 00 to 24 00 12 00 to 12 % to 11 25 to 11 50 15 00 to 16 00 to 24 50 to 152 28 to 30 20 to 22 —-— to 13 to 19 Y3 to 94 92 to 9Z 102 to 112 74 to 9 + to 12 112 to 142 16 to aly; —— to 34 4 Shinto 4 50 to 4 75 5 00 to 5 25 #45 to 160 150 to 1 60 105 to 1% 145 to 1 65 ; 398 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. August. September. San Francisco—Continued. Com, white---S.2-pes-- 4...---..per bushel... to $1 80 to $1 85 We lO WereEetee mes = seen. cesm to 180 to 18 Hay {State 32. 22-. b-i.0 2-02. iakb - per ton..| $11 00 to$14 50 8 00 to 13350 Hei WEES) a .4odeSeeeboueUemoeece per barrel..| 850 to 10 00 8 50 to 10 00 family mess........---- per half barrel.-| 650 to 8 00 650 to 8 00 Pork Mess Go. . - 2. = ~~ -5mmoms per barrel..| 19 00 to 20 00 | 22 00 to 24500 EMME MESS <- -22.-.-cen~eee == dO .scses 17 50 to 18 00 | 1750 to 18,50 ibgiil 3208s Ge eeeeeoe eee ee ncicmc- per pound.. 13 to 14 15 to 416 Butter, Overland - ~~ 25. )- scene een @Qsn556- 20 to | 22 20 to {£25 Calitormiayseceosee- eee Qoresa<5 25 to 35 25 to Ong 0iN thaseSaseesoeceses ose UPR aapee 18) stows c0 18 to (Dugas {Se ae sSSeeolce donee olde qacoos GOs Sensis 124 to 16 124 to BOO), DAlVO. <2. aeceers =-memleesmne UGeecaes 1% to. AQ Lf.) typ ee (Chilo ate eodo phoe coco Scan eass dOssecce 25 to 32 25 to CHARON. nossa ndnces o2ed 956555 dOeec=== 25 to 33 25 to {£32 LIVE-STOCK MARKETS. NEW YORK. Cattle, extra beeves ....-..-.--..-per cental..| $13 00, to $13 00 to $13 25 OOM MO IDEM cece seek l-nise doleeees to$12 75 | 1200 to 12 7% COMMMONULO Male. meet tel COS S6ae 10 50 to 10 00 to 11 75 MUUCh=COWSeace\cine seas eee per head..| 40 00 to 80 00 | 45 00 to 85 00 calves .-.2..22-<\------4-per cental..| 4700 to .9.50 400 to 10 00 Sheep, good) i0 extra (-- 2 22 o ee -s- Os 3ee6 to 6 50 400 to 7 50 Swine, common to fair-...-......-.-- donee esa —— to 7 00 to PHILADELPHIA. Cattle, beeves -..---..----- Berek per cental..| 550 to 750 | ——— to —— GOD, See, See ae she nteleiarrmic cele Notes doseeres 450 to 575 | ——— to —— WANE (COLM=fed b- = tocalesie eile = do. seis 10 00 to 1075 | ——— to ——— BALTIMORE. Cattle, best beeves...- sto. 2.652. per cental..| 550 to 662| 525 to 6 87 Hest OMe G6 oa Sp Boneo soGace dozer: A437 bo’ | (51504, 4700 tomo MIC QIU. ib wieeerecs aietacrercteres QOss one Bis, toy aE ayy 82 to 400 OLdiNAary. .-'seetsce eee eee oe GoOeee === 3.25. . to. /3v75.|, Se00 waa verse general average of market....do...-.. to 4 50 to 4 25 most of the sales between ....do....-- 400 to 525) 375 te 5 00 SHE ME eee ores sailors wreitaleiseiemine doses 2 00. to.,.2.50"| 2 00% toy yarae Siwine,cern—ted |. 5 -cwesioe lane eee dogsecse 950 to 1000}1000 to 10 25 SAINT LOU. Cattle, choice native steers, 1,300 to 1,600 pounds ....--.-percental..| 575 to 600/ 550 to 57 prime second class, 1,150 todl-400)pounds)-\sn---elene dozeee= = 475 to 500} 475 to 5 2 good third-grades, 1,050 to 1300 pounds <2 2e\s2.--ceeee 3Oso005e 38 to 400] 38 to 400 fair butchers’, 1,000 to L200) mounds 3 ojo samy GOnee = 3,25, tol 2,3) 75.) «2 2oetommomte inferior native grades ......- doees.-- 2. 00..to.. .250') 2.25) tet 2980 Texans and Cherokees, corn-tattened £. bas. n2200.-.>-/ 3121 to 3,62) 3.00 to Sian Tha C2 EIKO aL sal Sa 2 8 Ores 212: to 237! 190 to 220 he Spree salssisa ass eatin eo toe eee OOn. > nists 250 to 600] 200 to 42 SHUN?) Aes dod oSQa TIAGO Go eee aes soac WDecosee6 5 50: to 725) 4-00) tena 399 Live-stock markets—Continued. Articles. August. September. NEW ORLEANS. Cattle, Texas beeves, choice....---- per head.. — to $40 00 to $40 00 first quality ........---.---.----do....| $30 00 to 35 00 | $30 00 to 35 00 second quality 22 one senin te do...-} 2000 to 2500; 2000 to 25 00 western beeves....-.-.---per cental.. — to to milch-cows ...------.-------per head..| 35 00 to 100 00 | 35 00 to 100 00 Cal vea'2, {22S a eee See set sda’ 800 to 9 00 700 to 9 00 Sheep, first quality... 2. - CAUUC). = 02a tere wae ane re ome aie mes eee eee 417 Tables showing the condition of the crops October 1.......-....---..--. 418 EEXirachs trom COMTESPONGENCEs === 6. omission me se ielel siemens eee elee eee 420 IN (GV FS] OE OE GUD) D5 YE) NOS 6 sooo op ongg soca cos beso Sa5s06 Sena Gece Aascone = 427 DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. liaivorena) Koyearenl Teer Ole Re S586 onan eooo Gadao senses oosS5e ails Cleleioiae eee 428 DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY. @hemical/- memoranda - 2222. 02. 5ec.cccceeaewes cous aoSece cca cseic eee See D1 DIVISION OF BOTANY. IBOlANICAl NObES- c= o-c=, oc a acieie 6 case ee de's aft solemie cote else eIseeioe/ oa eee 438 DIVISION OF MICROSCOPY. IMiCrOSCOPICIODSeLVablONS.--4- = es oe ane ee See eee eae elena eee 439 MISCELLANEOUS. Lime and its uses, by the Commissioner.........-.-----. -----. -+---------- 449 Australia and the Centennial Exposition=---------\ss- 0. cso cee el aae eee 451 American coson and topacco im) Corsica... --------2---- eee eae 451 Acts LONI OMiClalwsOULCesseee seer reece pee ee eee eer eee e nee ete 452 Market-prices of farm-products...-.. ----.-----+0-- 220 -+ eee e ee eee eee eee eee 455 ILibyaEestye ernie ie koa sado cout Ss Soutidooniod Sasc45e505 SoEDoM Ongo GoaboSeoc5 A457 Foreign markets ...... 2.2. 2226 o2ce ane cone cece een e ner e nnn e woe e cece se cnns 458 MONTE Yee BE EORT: REPORT OF CROP-RETURNS. COTTON. Our October returns show a slight improvement in the condition of the cotton-crop during September, but a marked decline since August 1. The averages of the whole country for the past three months were as follows: August 92, September 704, October 72. These reports date from the first of each month. During September North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama showed a decline; Mississippi and Louisiana remained stationary ; Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennes- see raised their averages. September is generally the trying month upon this crop, witnessing its greatest reduction of condition. In 1873 the figures fell from 89 to 784. This year the crisis came in August, the prevailing causes of decline being different from those of the last few years. Insect injuries, usually a prominent complaint among planters, are seldom heard of this year; the conditions of growth so unfavorable to the crop were like- wise destructive of its insect enemies. But any lack of mischievous agency of this kind was more than compensated by the drought, extreme heat, hot withering winds, cool nights, and excessive rains which pre- vailed in different portions of the cotton area. In regard to the ultimate yield of the cotton-crop we may, if we think best, amuse ourselves with a variety of speculations. Thechronicanxiety to discount the future and apprepriate its assets to present profit has become a serious public evil, leading as it does to reckless theorizing. The continuance of a specific class of conditions of growth is assumed without any apparent suspicion that Providence may possibly have some other purpose than the production of a cotton or a corn crop. Notwith- standing the known instability of these conditions, impatient statistics would figure up assured results. A fall favorable for the opening and picking of cotton would add a million of bales to the aggregate yield, even if the condition of the crop was very unsatisfactory. On the other hand, a very promising condition might be counterbalanced by early frosts, or by a bad picking season. Whois to forecast these elements of production ? If the cotton-crop could weather opposing influences, so as to main- tain its average summer vitality during its whole season of growth, its annual yield would be immensely greater than itis. What is actually gathered is the residuum after depletion by various destructive influ- ences, which, as above stated, generally operate most seriously in Sep- tember. The following figures show the condition of the crop as ayer- aged from the October returns of the last four years: Cotton States. E 1871. | 1872. 1873. | 1874. | Norio Carolinas soee 2-5 Meee rene meus « cseecs-ceterc red eeeuamece | 80 90 88 85 South Caroling: ~ cs. decane oaceeeeae mcr as cnc ccccmneceaescacceeacecceene | 75 86 80 82 WOOP TIA ao oninn) = pawn see eee eee eae cciee ene ecscee ocsisec oaeemecaseeas | 72 88 82 80 MONO ooiene oon ee eee teenies saan cts cacscbcssseaceeccss cent cnaeeed wo | 75 76 teas END RI Pocemeécpossencte 18 2000s JES RS OSHS SEDO OUD SDEDODESEESnOMD Tass 75 82 78 75 JM ERIE ENO UU MGS? so95 70 50-2 ce Mae SREB Eee PCOS GHEOSe SneeB arco secen = | 76 | 78 75 74 IGE PENS SSS S688 555556 8 she GaSe see oo POO oS Sener ep Sane Se See Jessen 73 «| 72 72 62 MOABs occu Sones sees cians sasss ae eee s esses BE AC ann ascbadecasnc | 70 85 80 70 Aan Sa Riera ee amen cic cems wiocic cose coe mana sce weciec soccucmobonsenmeee | 82 75 83 55 PR ENNe Sie OM eee ele me cisisisiaiens > ac cnlesicbiswacce ac ccer ac cceRisiceacwesiccel 94 90 90 56 AM OnArenOnt He ten StAtCB nelle ime allem ale = ee ie ee 754 | 78 79 72 For reasons before stated, it would not be safe to deduce from the October condition any positive and dogmatic results in regard to the final yield of a crop ungathered and still liable to vicissitudes. In the monthly reports of the Department occasional conjectures have been hazarded as to the ultimate product from known data, and on the sup- position that the conditions of growth and harvesting undergo no marked change. Sometimes alternative suppositions are made as to probable yield under varied classes of conditions. But in all such cases we have clearly intimated that nothing in the science or art of statistics enables us to forecast future contingencies which affect the final result. The public press has not always been careful to indicate the hypothet- ical character of such conjectures, and has in some cases represented the Department as pronouncing oracularly upon the yield of crops un- gathered. The Department has not yet hazarded a conjecture in regard to the ultimate yield of the crop of 1874. It differs in several important char- acteristies from preceding crops to an extent which suggests extra cau- ticn in theorizing. The annual crisis came earlier than usual, giving to injurious influences a wider scope of operation, while the recuperation of September was scarcely perceptible. Yet the months of October and November may develop important modifications in the final figures. An unfavorable closing season would reduce the aggregate yield to 5,000,000 bales or lower; the season must be remarkably favorable to raise the aggregate yield above 3,500,000 bales. VIRGINIA.— Greenville: Cool weather injurious. Sussex: Five per cent. better than usual; norust or worms. Dinwiddie: Seriously injured by drought; top crop mostly destroyed. Southampton: Below expectations. NorrH CaroLina.—Wilson: Greatly shortened by rust. franklin: Suffered from cold and rust. Anson: Rust general and destructive; top crop lost; some farms will not average 125 pounds of seed-cotton per acre. Cumberland: Drought and rust. Pasquotank : Acreage reduced one-half; condition greatly depressed by cool weather. Mecklenburgh: Twenty per cent. short of August figures ; rust, drought, and heat; an early frost will cut it short 20 per cent. more. Robeson: Sudden and unexpected de- pression since last report; rust or blight cut down the crop one-fourth. Beaufort: Serious decline since September report; weather unusually cool; rust especially destructive ; picking weather unfavorable. Columbus: Very fine; no worms or other disaster. Gaston: Cool nights more injurious than drought. Goldsborough: Fields well manured with composts did well; the fertilizers used by many only stimulated the crop to premature growth, which it could not maintain when the stimulant was exhausted. Bladen: Cold nights have caused a destructive rusting of the crop. Camden : Cool weather has caused forms to shed very badly, reducing the crop fully 33 per cent. Cleveland: Most of the August bolls dropped off; the yield depends on the delay of frost. Granville: Shortened 10 per cent. by drought. Greene: No top crop. Chowan : Heavy rains and cool nights have caused the shedding of leaves and bolls. Edgecombe: Unusual amount of cotton open; early-matured bolls are yielding heavily. Perquimans : Still greater decline than last reported; loss 25 per cent.; rust. Moore: Not so badly rusted as it is farther south. ‘ SourH CaroLina.—Union: Prospect greatly declined since September 1; excessive rain and cool weather, with heavy dews, restrain the opening of the bolls ; early frosts eared. Beaufort: Injured by rust and caterpillars. Newberry: Drought caused the 405 bolls to cease growing on sandy soils; all had opened by September 10. Pamlico: Cut down 20 per cent. by rust. Polk: Not so good as last year. Stanly: Opens slowly, and locks hang but sparely out of the bolls. Marion: Late storms have injured the erop; there will be very little late cotton. Darlington : Never more promising til! the. rains ceased, in August; since then it has shed all the fruit taken on since July; staple injured by late heavy rains beating it on the ground. Georgetown: Greatly injured by storms. Marlborough: Storms and bad picking weather; much open cotton beaten out. Richland: Caterpillars damaged some crops. Orangeburgh: Weed good, but fruitage scanty and nearly all open; no blooms for a month; rust very bad. Lez- ington: Not yet recovered from August droughts; yield light. Laurens: Two weeks of drought caused great shedding of forms and young bolls. Groreia.—Pierce: Drought and rust. Schley: Drought in September caused still further decline ; some worms, but too latetodo any harm. Dooly: Ruined by drought from August 2 to September 22. Douglass : Never recovered from the August drought ; opening very fast; the drying of wild vegetation indicates an early frost. Muscogee : Continued drought, with rust. Catoosa: Squares dropping. De Kalb: Drought. Larly : Unprecedented drought of September; worms injured the top crop. Zlbert: Rust. Marion: Uplands not so good as last year ; bottom crops better. Sumter: Drought and caterpillars; very poor prospect. Henry: Rust and August drought. Banks: Good picking weather; but little middle crop. Montgomery: Poor stand and injured by rust. Spalding: Quality middling, and good middling. Harris: Opening very rapidly ; oc- easional rains during the drought prevented injurious shedding. Terrell: Drought through September broken by a few showers; crop a third less than last year; good picking season. Jackson: Weed small and damaged by late storms; blooms scarce. Laurens: Cut down half by drought; picking season never better. Jincoln: Rust on gray lands. Oglethorpe: No top crop; middle crop short; drought. Walton: Coming in slowly; picking retarded by storms, which have also injured the crop; 66 bales came in during September against 325 bales last year. Brooks: Good gathering season. Macon: Picking forward; drought in August made the crop open prematurely. Morgan: Injured by heat of August; opening fast; bolls small; lint short and light; later plantings did not suffer so much; bolls of better size; some rot among bottom bolls; receipis to date only half of last year’s. Upson: Stillfurther decline. Jefferson: Rust. Baldwn: Coming to market freely; staple of excellent quality ; yield shortened by drought. Madison: Rust; two weeks late. Carroll: All the August cotton shed through drought ; no rain forsix weeks. Twiggs: Will be all gathered by November 1. Wilkes: Opening finely ; very unequal in condition. Pulaski: Acreage decreased 20 per cert. ; nearly all open, and will be picked within thirty days; the prospective yield has deslined 25 per cent., but the staple remaining is of excellent quality on account of theabsence of rain and storms to blow it ont and stain it. FLozDA.— Columbia : Shortened 10 per cent. by rust within thirty days; unusual drought. Wakulla ; Hot dry weather killed the caterpillars, but also injured the crop ; bolls nostly open. Jackson: Forward but short; mostly secured in good order. Leon : Injurious drought in August and September. Jefferson: Weather fine for open- ing and picking. The rapidity with which the crop is marketed may induce people to think the crop is larger than itis. Madison: Some very fine crops, but the general condition is very unsatisfactory. Gadsden: Many fields denuded by the third brood of caterpillars ; crop injured also by drought: many young bolls perished and others are yielding but scantily. Levy: Rust. AtaBaMa.—Dale: No rain for two months; squares and grown bolls falling; half crop. Greene: Drought. Russell: Top crop shedding. Mobile: Drought; squares fall- ing. Coffee: Some worms, but the drought was too much for them. Conecuh : Prospect imptoved. Montgomery: Nearly average in spite of drought. Pike: No rain for eleven weets ; upland cotton all open. Shelby: Drought. Calvert: More than was expected, but staple not so good; will be picked early. Dallas: Shortened a fourth by protracted droight. DeKalb: Bolls opening well, but smaller than last year and lint shorter. Marshall: Will yield not over half average; staple short and inferior; slight frost Sepiember 28, but no damage. Culhown: Poorly fruited ; drought and late stand. Chotaw: Shortened by long drought. Hale: Ruined by drought and caterpillars. Jacison ; Drought and rust. Macon: Drought caused the crop to shed badly and to opei prematurely. Lawrence: Half crop. Autauga: Drought for three months; nop crop. Henry: Drought through August and September. Clarke: Shortened onehalf by drought and caterpillars. Limestone: Very poor; not over a bale for six acrs. Franklin: Poor crop. Monroe: Drought since July 20. Winston: Top bolls fallng ; crop opening freely. Nississipp1.—Lauderdale : Half average ; in some places no rain has fallen since June. Grnada : Drought; bolls opening immaturely ; lint and seed frequently very imper- ted. Yalabusha: Not over two-thirds average. Lee: Drying up; almost the last boll is pen; no rain of any consequence since May 3. JVayne: Smallcrop. > Ass rg ot as) ia ar) ae tg ct _ Lee] _ ct gee | veg | geq | £24 | ee | $22 | Fee | Fs | EES | 52a | FEE ne P eee | Foe a chee | eg | rae a) Cee eo) eng a Poe | sae Msg | Pag | "BQ | ges | g88 | pes | gS | pas | gee | Fas | ges o>) jo) SS = ars ~ Me 2 Kal 58 Seg eemiecee | vas obo | Feel pes| hae [sees | mae aera wh na oR | whe BP | woe BP | wee BP | ee BR (wunsowaqny . “LVOHM eerie) NwWO9 a ona “AQ TUV “SLVO “TA “LVM "pLgt ‘4290100 fo hop ysq ayy uo “of ‘sou ayp fo uoyrypuoo ay7 Busmoys 9.90, ° 419 TOT IMS A so Sell maa etn | 5 aceite a (i ees Pacmag [48] Bagot) Ui 1115 | Sal ACO 0)] = sacem 10 110) i la maa aii at ini 259002 OT ae Osa.) 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AGRICULTURAL , PROSPECTS.—Russell, Ala.—The low price of cotton has caused many farmers to abandon the use of bacon entirely, it being so much higher than usual. They find milk and butter very good sub- stitutes. There is more economy practiced, with less inclination to go in debt than in any year since the war. ¢. Harris, Ga.—Corn is better than last year, yet the people seem to be hard run to live, money being scarcer than at any time before the war. Yell, Ark.—In some parts of the county there will not be enough corn for bread, and should we have a hard winter the stock will starve. In many parts the farmers are moving to sections where there is a good supply of breadstufts. Craighead, Ark.—Sharp times here; but there is this consolation, that it is the same thing everywhere. Hempstead, Ark.—It seems that many of the poorer and more im- provident class of persons must suffer during the coming year. Farmers are concluding that no money can be made by employing them, and they provide nothing except finery to wear to big meetings. Jefferson, Ark.—The lower class of laborers are suffering from scarcity of provisions, with very little cotton for them to pick, and, conse- quently, very little hiring to be done. Stone, Ark.: Taken as a whole, we have had an unusually hard sea- son. Grundy, Tenn.—A fine growing summer-season to make up for late planting on account of heavy floods. Cattle doing remarkably well ; pasture good, and more fodder than usual, laid by. Montgomery, Tenn.—Our people dread the coming winter and spring. Berkshire, Mass.—With all deficiencies, the amount of crops is en- couraging to the farmer, and, as a whole, the products of the year ought to be satisfactory. Northampton, Va.—We can compare with any section in regard to sweet potatoes, in yield, quality, and remuneration. ' Greene, N. C.—With the decreased yield and low prices of cotton I feel safe to say there will be more broken farmers than in 1867. Gadsden, Fla.—The cotton-crop has been made at less expense than any since the war. But little money was expended for commercial fer- tilizers, and economy is now the order of the day, partly forced by the impracticability of obtaining the usual advances from factors and mer- chants, and partly voluntary, from the conviction that a reform in that particular has become an absolute necessity. Henry, Ala.—A tendency is manifest among our people to adopt more judicious rules of economy, and among farmers a determination to raise their own supplies. Lowndes, Miss—The year will be remembered as one of unusual anxiety and solicitude. The low prices of cotton and the high prices of provisions will cause a contraction in cotton-culture. There is a dispo- sition to diversify crops. Fairfax, Va.—Less than usual of any kind of wheat will be sown this fall, on account of a growing disposition to go into something that promises larger and more certain results. King and Queen, Va.—¥or the last five years previous to the preseut, 421 we have had continual drought, but this year has been most favorable: to the farmer. Its effects are felt already in increased prosperity. Clay, Ala.—Taken altogether, this has been a most unfavorable year for the farmer; nothing we planted has realized expectation; heavy rains in the spring filled the growing plants with sap, and a short drought in June nearly ruined us. The fall has been favorable for cotton; what little we made will soon be gathered in fine condition, but the price will not remunerate us for labor and manure. Cotton is ruining us; our people must try mixed husbandry, or all go into bankruptcy. Independence, Ark.—Stock-hogs have died off, leaving 20 per cent. of the people literally without meat for a year to come. Washington, Kaus.—The trees which the grasshoppers denuded of leaves, have put outagain their spring foliage. In some instances peaches. and blossoms are to be found on the same tree. Lettuce, spring radishes, water-cress, and onions are ready for the table, being the growth of only a few weeks. The late potatoes, the vines of which were green, will make a crop if the frost holds off a little, and the same may be said of turnips, which are widely sown. Pastures for stock are better now than at any time all summer, andfarmers are still making hay. Kansas can beat the world in redeeming itself. Merced, Cal.: The wheat-market in the interior is in a deplorable condition. There is no remuneration to farmers at present prices unless conveniently situated for shipping. Many farmers are drawing money on grain in store and holding for better prices—paying i4 per cent. per month, which I think a ruinous policy. Brown, Kans. : We have had very small crops of small grain, but the drought, chinches, and grasshoppers have ruined the corn to such an extent that we shall get only about 15 per cent. of a usual crop. It is generally believed here that the chinches did four times the damage done by both the drought and grasshoppers. Crawford: Dry weather, chinches, and grasshoppers have about ruined the corn and potatoes; beans and buckwheat are failures ; will not return the seed. Osage, Nebr. : Drought, chinches, and grasshoppers were the cause of our failure in crops. Trimble, Ky.: The best season for a long time. Crops are plentiful. Putnam, Mo.: Altogether we have had one of the most favorable seasons for many years, for which we should be thankful to the great Giver of every good and perfect gift. Jasper, Ind.: In my opinion we have more grain of all kinds in this. county than ever before. San Bernardino, Cal.: The cereals have done remarkably well this year. Wheat.is not always a safe crop, owing to rust, supposed to be occasioned by sea-fog. Our great drawback has been the want of a market, being so far inland; but the discovery of rich mines in our neighborhood, which are being rapidly developed, will make a market for all our surplus produce, and for more than we can spare. Cherokee, Kans. : Most of the farmers obtain credit on their growing wheat-crop, generally to be paid from the first of August to the middle of October. The unusually low price of wheat, 65 to 85 cents, has taught them a very necessary lesson—buy less and pay when you buy. Pike, Ind.: If hogs or cattle are not driven here to be wintered or fat- tened, we will have to boat our corn to the lower country. OPIUM POPPY VERSUS TURNIPS.—Stanley, N. C.: The opium poppy did not turn out well tbis year. It stood the winter well, grew tall 422 plants with large capsules, but little opium in them. It is remarkable that turnips, sown where the poppy grew, came up, but would not get be- yond the seed-leaf. Repeated sowings on the same lot had the same result. Turnips sown in spots not far removed from the opium-patch are doing very well, and are less annoyed by bugs than ever before. Can it be that the opium poppy leaves in the ground elements incgm- patible with the life of a turnip ? WHEAT-CULTURE.—Snyder, Pa.: Much “Shoemaker” wheat raised here last year. Millers would not pay as much for it as for other wheat, alleging that it does not make good flour. Madison, Va.: Large quantity of Fultz wheat sown this fall; very popular. Stafford, Va.: Low prices and poor yield ; more discouragement than at any time since the war. Charles City, Va.: No old wheat left, on account of repeated failures of the crop. Mitchell, N. C.: Touzelle, not adapted to this climate; Tappahannock, the best. Nicholas, Ky.: Fultz wheat, from the Department, does finely. I raised about 24 bushels per acre. Boone, Mo.; I raised 55 bushels of Fultz on seven-eighths of an acre; Tappabannock, 21 bushels per acre. San Luis Obispo, Cal.: Touzelle, from the Department, yields remark- ably. One field of 12 acres averaged 58 bushels per acre. It suits this Section ; is free from smut, and sets well against our summer winds. SEED-WHEAT FOR Ecypt.—Sonoma, Cal.: That the excellence of our wheat is attracting the attention of foreign agriculturists is proved by the fact that the government of Egypt has ordered a large quantity of our best wheat for seed in that country. ANTIDOTE FOR SMUT IN WHEAT.—Sonoma, Cal.; We have neither rust nor smut in any of our wheat-fields. I beg leave respectfully to differ from the advice given on page 467 of the monthly report of the Depart- ment for November and December, 1871, wherein farmers are advised to “discard all idea of mixing ingredients with it (seed-wheat) to destroy smut.” This question has been so well and thoroughly tested in our State as to be no longer even a matter of doubt. All our seed- wheat is soaked from eight to twelve hours in a solution of bluestone, (sulphate of copper,) in the proportion of six ounces to every 100 pounds of wheat. Smut being a fungoid growth, resulting from diseased grains, the germ or vitality of these diseased grains is killed by the solution of vitriol, and thus prevented from growing and contaminating the sound grains. A farmer here would be thought crazy were he to sow his wheat without subjecting it to the above process. WHITE WINTER-RYE.—Pettis, Mo.: From 4 quarts of white winter- rye I harvested 24 bushels—twenty-fold—the best in quality I ever saw. Sown on the 5th of November, broadcast, on new white-oak land. It was injured to some extent by chinch-bugs. Stone, Mo.: The white winter-rye sent me from the Department yielded a splendid crop both in quantity and quality. It is decidedly the finest rye Lever saw. Pemiscot, Mo.: The white rye sent me from the Department yielded one bushel from two quarts, notwithstanding the dryest season for many years. Thayer, Nebr.: The white rye received from the Department does splendidly here. 423 CORN-CULTURE.—Mitchell, N. O.; Runners’ white corn takes the lead here; it is large and early enough to mature finely. Des Moines, fowa: The surplus of corn in this county is being fed to stock brought in from the West. The year 1875 will see corn higher than for a number of years past. This county is drained of old corn, and nearly every body is feeding new. TREE-CULTURE.—lberia, La.: I obtained a few seeds of the Hucaly- ptus globulus, and succeeded in raising one of those beautiful trees. It is now 5 feet high and seventeen months old. Other parties have had excellent success in raising these trees. CoTTON-CULTURE.— Beaufort, N. C.: Much disappointment at the yield; the only consolation is, that there are no bills for fertilizers to pay this year. Dooly, Ga.: Drought from August 2 to September 22 ruined the crop. The planters are in a desperate condition; short crops; heavy liens; cotton worth only 13 to 134 cents per pound, and bacon 16 to 17. When, O when, will they learn to plant less cotton and more corn and wheat? Not till starvation stares them in the face. Washington, Miss.: Rained April 27, the cotton coming up, and ceased suddenly. First rain on cotton and corn, July 11; second, Sep- tember 24, of no benefit to the crop. The July rain caused about a third of the crop to come.up, the seed previously failing to germinate for lack of moisture. The crops that came up by reason of the July rain are perhaps better than those that came up in April, and have been made without any rain at all. Nearly all vegetation, except cotton and Bermuda grass, was burned up by drought. GRASS AND PASTURES.—Troup, Ga. : There was a good erop of brush peas, but owing, to the drought of August and September running peas did not make a full crop. We rely upon them for fall pasturage, and curing the vines for hay, which we cousider equal to the best clover hay; it has no equal for milch cows. Wilkes, Ga.: German millet has been grown suecessfully as a forage crop. It requires rich land, but yields immensely of forage and seed. FRUIT-CULTURE.— Burlington, N. J.: Considerable blight in apple and pear trees. In some orchards the ends of limbs have died. Allegany, Md.: For years my pear-trees were blighted with a prev- alent disease. I planted them twenty years ago, but they never matured a pear. In the spring of 1873 I commenced using soap-suds around the roots, and last fall I had some pears. I then mulched the ground around the trees with manure, and this spring scattered a peck of ashes around each tree, again using soap-suds. This summer and fall, all my trees bear full crops of sound fruit. Grant, W. Va.: A good beginning has been made in grape-culture, but of late years the dry-rot has greatly reduced the yield, and has dis- couraged growers. Is there no reliable remedy ? Pulaski, Ill. : The scab or spot is increasing from year to year to such an extent as to make it nearly impossible to have any winter apples. This disease, with a disease known here as ‘ root-rot,” seems to increase with time in spots after it once makes its appearance. If the latter disease kills one tree in a locality, other trees near it die out, and it is almost impossible to get trees set out in the vacancies to grow. WEATHER.— Wyoming, Pa.: Most severe drought ever known in the county. 424 Columbia, Fla.: More hail fell September 10, than for many years together. Wakulla, Fla.: Little rain since August 1. Aransas, Tex.: We have had the heaviest rain-fall and the highest salt-water tide known for years. The heaviest part of the storm was during the night of September 5. It raged still more severely to the west of us. Sagadahoc, Me. ; Three light frosts in September, but not enough to kill pumpkin-vines. Indiana, Pa.: First frost September 22; no damage. Westmoreland, Pa.: Slight frosts in some localities. Elk, Pa.: The crops of Fox Township, except wheat, were almost en- tirely ‘destroyed by suceessive hail-storms. Mecklenburg ‘gh, Va.: Terrific storm September 28; great damage to corn and tobacco. Hempstead, Ark.: No rain from May 12 to September 16, in many parts of the county; heat intense. Ontario, N. Y.: First frost October 2. Hudson, N. J.: No rain from August 9 till September 12; then it came in torrents. Victoria, Tex.: Heavy rains daily up to September 27; all our streams are out of ‘their banks, causing total destruction of bottom crops. Stone, Ark.: Drought of twelve weeks cut off cane and cotton and dried up pastures. Oldham, Ky.: Drought from the latter part of April till the present time; the dryest year since 1854; streams and springs have failed. Williams, Ohio; Weare still suffering from a very severe drought. In many localities there has not been a thorough drenching rain this sum- mer. Decatur, Ind. ; The season has been peculiarly unfavorable to crops; scarcely enough rain to keep life in vegetation. There will bea smaller amount of wheat sown this fall than usual; the ground is too dry and hard for breaking. There has not been much sown up to this date. Ripley, Ind.: A four-weeks’ drought until Saturday, when we had a good rain; but pastures are dried up, and in many localities water has to be hauled two or three miles for family use, and cattle driven to water the same distance. Jennings, Ind.: We are having the severest drought we have ever experienced at this time of the year; wells and cisterns nearly all dry. Butler, Mo. ; Dry weather is the cause of the failure of crops here. Vernon, Mo.: But one light shower, last week, since the middle of July. Grundy, ll. : A severe drought, which has prevailed for three months, still continues. It cuts short all late-growing crops. Stock-water is scarce, and farmers have been feeding their cattle since the 20th of July. Incas, Ohio: Have lived here thirty-six years, and never before saw .- the wells and streams so low. Phelps, Mo.: From the 9th of July to the 24th of September we had no rain. Boone, Mo.: Not since 1854 have we had any drought to compare with the one we are still afflicted with. In the north and interior of this county fey all the stock-water is exhausted. Perry, Mo. : Everything that grows has nearly failed from the severe drought—unprecedented in this county—which has lasted from the 2d of May until September. Pettis, Mo.: Stock-water very searce. The old citizens say the creeks here are lower than ever before. 425 Pemiscot, Mo.: The dryest season for many years; no rain to break ground for wheat until the 25th of September. Pawnee, Kans.: Drought and grasshoppers entirely destroyed our crops, except oats, sorghum, and castor beans. The oats had matured before the grasshoppers came, and the sorghum and castor beans they would not eat. Riley, Kans. : If we except a moderate crop of wheat and oats, this county is nearly cleaned out by drought and grasshoppers. LOCAL PRICES.—Pike, Ind.: We are hauling our wheat to Vincennes and other points at $1 per bushel. Oats are selling at Vincennes at 40 cents. Sweet potatoes are selling here at 65 to 75 cents—less than the price of Irish potatoes. Switzerland, Ind.: Fat hogs are scarce, and prices rule high; stock hogs searce and in demand. Tippecanoe, Ind.: Potatoes, splendid in quantity and quality, are bringing $1 at Lafayette on account of the great failure in parts of Illi- nois. For corn 50 cents is freely offered ; wheat, $1. Moultrie, Ill. : Corn from 35 to 50 cents in the field; hay, $10 per ton at stack, heretofore generally from $5 to $5. Carroll, Ill.: Price of wheat 80 cents; rye, 90; oats, 42; old corn, 70; new, 50. Richland, Wis.: Hops all sold by growers at 30 to 33 cents. Fat cat- tle very low—only 2 cents per pound for cows; fat hogs are selling alive for 5 cents per pound. Mower, Minn. : No. 1 wheat selling at 71 cents along the line of the Southern Minnesota Railroad. Potatoes, 50; oats, 30; timothy seed, (half crop, but good quality,) $2.50. Madison, Iowa : New corn is selling at 334 cents per bushel. Appanoose, Iowa: Feeders of cattle and hogs (from Kansas and Ne- braska) have overrun the State, and corn is selling at $10 to $20 per acre. Platte, Mo. : The wheat crop is now fully in market, selling at from 85 cents to $1, according to quality. Rye, 80 cents; oats scarce, sell- ing at 50 cents ; corn, 50 cents. Jasper, Mo. : Apples, 25 cents per bushel in the orchard. Chase, Kans.: Fall wheat, 85 to 90 cents; spring, 50 to 70; corn, 80 cents to $1; potatoes, $1 to $1.50; hay, $2 to $4 per ton. Butler, Kans. : Corn, about half a crop, is worth $1. Douglas, Kans.: The price of a poor article of corn is 65 cents per bushel, against 20 cents last year. Old corn is shipped from Lowa, and Sells at 85 cents. Thayer, Nebr. ; Corn sells in this county at 75 cents, and wheat, at only 60 cents cash. Adams, Nebr. : Plenty of wheat at 65 cents. io Grande, Col.: Potatoes are scarce, and worth 5 cents per pound. FLAX-CULTURE IN MINNESOTA.—McLeod: The culture of flax for the seed has been introduced during the season. The result has been satis- factory. The flax-crop this year has been 50 per cent. more profitable than that of wheat. Stearns: Flaxseed will undoubtedly supersede the wheat-crop, except for home consumption. It is now ascertained, from two years’ raising, that it pays much better than wheat, the average per acre being nearly the same, while the selling price is more than double. The cost of rais- ing is the same. Another advantage of raising flax is, that on ground sown with it the previous year one-third more wheat per acre can be: 426 _yaised. From the book of the flax agent I learn that fifteen times the amount of last year’s production in the county will be marketed this year—65,000 bushels against 4,000—which, at $1.30 per bushel, will bring to the farmers $84,500. BEET-SUGAR.—Santa Cruz, Cal.: A beet-sugar factory, built in this county the past season, will commence operations this October. There are 1,200 acres of sugar beets now in fine condition for its use. HEMP IN CALIFORNIA.—Alameda: The cultivation of hemp is attract- ing some attention in California. That planted in this county the past season has done extremely well; some small fields have grown to the height of 8 or 10 feet, and the fiber is pronounced equal to the imported. It is conceded by those acquainted with the growing of hemp that there is much land in this county and throughout the State well adapted to its production. BURNING OUT CHINCHES.—Stoddard, Mo.: One of our farmers found after his wheat harvest that the chinch-bugs were swarming into his corn, whereupon he strewed dry strawamong itand burnedit. This, with slight injury to the crop, killed nearly every bug. CASTOR-BEANS.—Pawnee, Kans.: The grasshoppers, which destroyed other crops, would not eat the castor-bean. Even this dry season the plant is thrifty and full of blooms; no insect meddles with it at any stage of its growth. Live Stock.—Madison, Va.: Increased attention to stock of all kinds. Dale, Ala.: Our hogs have. the cholera and our cattle the black tongue. Greene, Ala.: So much land is lying out that the cattle have better pasturage than heretofore. York, Pa.: Very few cattle yet brought into the county for fattening, on account of the malignant disease among the herds of our most ex- tensive buyers. Elizabeth City, Va.: Inthe item of ‘fattening cattle” it is difficult to get a correct estimate. Dwarf, scrawny, lean, is the general rule here, and “fat” is the exception. A good yoke of working oxen is an un- common sight; our farmers prefer mules for heavy work. ‘James City, Va.: Heavy mast of chincapins; will give fattening hogs a fine start. Beaufort, S. C.: The range for stock in the middle and lower portion of the county is equal to any pasturage in the world. Cattle arein good condition the year through, requiring no other feed than grass; they are as fat as Tennessee stall-fed beef from May 1 to January 1. Gibson, Tenn.: Farmers generally are herding their surplus horses, mules, and cattle, and driving them to the Mississippi bottoms to be pastured upon the cane during the winter. Herders are employed at so much per head to watch over them and return themin the spring. The herders salt and feed them to corn twice a week, and charge from $1 to $2 per month per head. By this means large numbers are pro- vided for during the winter and corn saved for fattening pork. Monroe, Ala.: No cattle fattened in this county except those pas- tured on the public domain. Marion, Ind.: A largely increased numberof hogs will be fed this season in consequence of a good crop of corn and the failure of that crop in other States. A large number has been brought from Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky. This applies to the State at large rather than to 427 this county, as the home market for corn is better in this than in adjoin- ing counties, or in others still more remote from large markets. Leavencorth, Kans.: Farmers are selling their hogs to drovers in Towa and Illinois, as corn is 70 cents per bushel, and they cannot teed, ‘to any profit. Scott, Til.; Large numbers of hogs are coming in here from Missouri to be fed. Douglas, Kans.: Fully one-half of our hogs have been sold and shipped away to fatten; the remainder will be butchered earty. Posey, Ind.: Our farmers are introducing improved varietiesof cattle, sheep, and hogs. Pawnee, Kans.: Cattle are looking better than usual at this time of the year. The drought has not been severe enough to damage the grass much, and it seems to have more nutriment in it than in a wet season. This county is peculiarly fitted for the raising of cattle and sheep. The short nutritious grass, called ‘“ buffalo-grass,” upon the high grounds, and the ranker growth of blue straw upon the bottoms for hay, seem to meet all the wants of the stock-raiser. Short, mild winters, with good winter feed, render it possible to bring cattle through without any feed, as has often been done here successfully. Mitchell, Kans.: Sheep are doing exceedingly well, looking robust and healthy no disease prevailing, and everything encouraging to the sheep-raisers, except a near market for wool. This might be had, as we have abundant water-power on the Solomon River, and produce suffi- cient wool to keep a large factory in operation throughout the year. NEWSPAPER CROP-REPORTS. The newspaper crop-report is an individual expression, 6ftener than otherwise, of a villager rather than a farmer, tm form as variable as the individuality of reporters, without reference to any standard of com- parison, one with another, and without any certain means of exact in- terpretation. Thus, if one is indefinite in quantity and proportion, one hundred equally indefinite only make a chaotic aggregate. Forexample, from a long list of such reports, which cost heavily in “enterprise” and money, I try to calculate the acreage of a crop from its details of com- parative area. ‘The number of acres is small,” but the percentage of decrease may be 10, 30, or 50.“ There is a great deal of corn planted,” yet I must have a new “deal” before the winning card of ascertained acreage is secured. There has been “an increase in the number of acres,” but no one can say whether it is large or small. ‘ More than usual has been sown,” however much “ more” may mean. ‘ Farmers have put all in the ground they can possibly manage,” which is the record of each recurring year, though circumstances greatly modify the mathematical import of “ all.” Some make exact comparisons; one returns one-half more than last year, another one-third, another still, a quarter, but rarely is the comparison more closely drawn ; it appears not to be worth while, if 33 per cent. shall seem a unit too low, to split the difference between that and 50; or if the increase is evidently a few acres, it might be undignified to say less than a quarter, or at least 10 per cent. There are others who scorn to accept an increase less than 428 the Dutchman’s 1 per cent.; so if the area is not “thrice” the former figure, it certainly must be “ double.” If the present condition of a crop is sought, the information conveyed by these random reports is equally indefinite. I quote from models: ‘“ Farmers think they will have a good crop;” “splendid prospects for corn ;” ‘‘wheat on dry land will exceed the average, on clays will be short;” ‘rains are bringing corn along very fast.” The reporter fails to indicate the amazing rate of speed at which the rains are leading the maize; and when he tells us that “the corn-crop will be heavy,” we fail to see whether he expects it to weigh 70 pounds to the bushel, or yield 100 bushels to the acre. And if a full average is not expected, of course it is “half a crop,” or if unwonted nicety of comparison is at- tempted, three-fourths of a crop. The exaggerated and slip-shod ex- pressions of conversation are carelessly penciled, and the precious in- formation probably sent by telegraph. And this is enterprise and a model crop-report. This use of language, which has no common measure of value, and may mean one thing to the writer and another to the reader, is not the only difficulty with these unsystematic reports. The ground covered by the report is equally indefinite; usually atownship, often acounty, sometimes a wide district is ambitiously included when any territory whatever is in- dicated. If a township, the increase stated at 50 per cent. may be correct, and yet the whole county have actually no increase, as has been tested in our recent experience. Then a third difficulty occurs in the different pro- duction of different counties, some of which produce a crop by millions of bushels, while others in the same State fail to yield as many hundreds of thousands. Thus, with no definite expression of acreage in the sep- arate reports, and these reports covering unknown areas of territory, or widely different in size, and differing quite as widely in amount of pro- duction, it is simply impossible to calculate or formulate an expression of the average meaning of the sum of such reports. It is the sheerest guess-work to indicate from such data whether there is more or less than usual of a crop, unless the unanimity in one direction is almost absolute. The only thing to be done—the only thing that is done—is to read the whole jumble of conflicting matter, and leap rashly to a conclusion which shall embody the general expression made upon the mind, It is a blind trust in intuition—often so blind as to overbear the result of mathematical demonstration, which fails to establish its conclusions. ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. By TOWNEND GLOVER, ENTOMOLOGIST. EXPERIMENTS WITH PHYLLOXERA.—During the past season an ex- periment has been instituted in order to prove the identity of the Pemphygus vitifolie or leaf-gall-louse, of Fitch, with the Phylloxera vas- tatriz, or root-gall-louse, so injurious at present to the vineyards in France, and in parts of this country also. In March, the Department wrote to Mr. George W. Campbell, of Delaware, Ohio, for specimens of vines infested with the root-gall-louse, Phylloxera vastratriz, which he kindly forwarded to the Department in most excellent condition for the experiment—the roots being literally a series of galls or knobs caused by the root-lice themselves living on the roots. These were carefully put 429 in flower-pots and placed in a large closed case, in a leafless condition, so that no other insects could intrude. Three other perfectly healthy vines from our own greenhouses were then planted, on which there were neither leaves nor root-gall-lice, and placed in juxtaposition with the un- healthy vines. These were tended carefully during the summer, put out foliage, and finally all died, with the exception of one vine, apparently from the Phyllovera. During all the time the experiment was carried on, the foliage was examined day by day to see if any leaf-gall-lice made their appearance on the foliage, but not the least sign of a gall could be found, even with a magnifier, on any of the vines, which grew finely until late in summer or early autumn, and put out abundant foliage. The present month, (October,) the vines having lost their foliage, the whole six were examined, and the roots were found swollen, as if from the effects of the root-lice, but not a single leaf-gall had been produced on any of the leaves. We cannot give the names of the vines, as acci- dentally the labels were thrown away by the laborer when he removed the dead vines in order to have them and the earth in which they were grown thrown into the furnace, as is always done when noxious insects are discovered, for fear of dissemination of new injurious insects. It is also to be remarked that the grape-vines in the immediate neigh- borhood of the infested plants, in the Department grapery, which were mentioned in a previous report, do not show the least symptom of disease, and appear in a perfectly healthy condition. As, although this experiment was carefully conducted, there may have been some climatic or other cause which prevented the leaf-galls from making their appearance, from the root gall-lice known to be there, as it is stated they are identical, we shail repeat the experiment next year on a larger scale and make the results known to the public. THE COTTON-WORM.—A question having arisen as to whether the cotton army-worm, Anomis xyline, (Aletia Argillasea, of Hiibner,) passes the winter in the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or moth state, Prof. A. R. Grote, of Buffalo, at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Hartford, in August last, read a very able essay on the subject, in which he stated that he had observed the cotton-worm during five seasons in Central Alabama, and on many different plantations. Hestates that the earliest period at which he had cbserved the young worms was the last week in June, and that their appearance was always heralded by the perfect fly, the latter coming to lights in houses at least a week before the worm appeared in the fields ; and that the worm is always heard of first to the southward of any given locality. It comes as an army from the south, and the broods arrive consecutively, as long as the season lasts, and that this southern army is killed by the advancing winter and the death of the food-plant—the cotton-plant—on which it feeds exclusively, refusing to eat anything else; and that the specimens of the fly taken in the Northern States have merely followed the water-courses, as the moths are capable of extended flights; and that it originates at the south, and its appearance is due in every instance to a fresh immigration (of the moths) from more southern regions, nay, even farther. Professor Grote concludes that “ the insect is not indigenous with us, but is an annual; not a denizen, but a visitant, unable to contend with the variations of our climate; and he believes that the process of artificial extermination may be simplified by limiting the period of successful attack, and doing away with certain proposed remedies. The agent of destruction must be directed against 430 the first brood in each locality, and concerted action on the part of the planters where the remedy is to be applied will be necessary.” INSECT-INJURIES.—Cotton-caterpillars, (Anomis «ylinw.)\—The influ- ences so injurious to the cotton-crop were likewise destructive of its insect-enemies. More or less annoyance is reported in Beaufort and Richland, South Carolina; in Gadsden, Florida; in Coffee, Hale, and Clarke, Alabama; in Cameron and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In Hancock, Mississippi, they visited sea-shore fields which have hitherto escaped their ravages. In Bandera, Texas, they ate the top crop. Bud-worms.—An insect designated by this popular name injured corn in Greenville, Middlesex, Gloucester, and Matthews, Virginia. Tent-caterpillars, (Clisiocampa.)—This insect was injurious to fruit and forest trees in Jefferson, Mississippi. Tree-caterpillars, (Hyphantria textor. (?)—The insect designated as a tree-caterpillar denuded trees of their foliage in Saint Mary’s, Louisiana. Cut worms, (Agrotis sp.)—Some fields of wheat were ruined by this insect in Washington, Ulinois. A worm which from description appears to be of this genus, injured grass-crops in Grayson, Kentucky. Chinch-bugs, (Micropus | Rhyparochromus| leucopterus.)—These insects injured different crops in Pittsylvania, Gloucester, Albemarle, Louisa, and Orange, Virginia. They made their first appearance in the corn- fields of Washington, Arkansas. They are also reported in Medina, Ohio; in Gibson, Grant, Huntington, Madison, Scott, Decatur, Jennings, Wells, Clay, Fulton, Switzerland, Wabash, and Warren, Indiana; in Marion, Cumberland, Douglas, Macoupin, Madison, Washington, Ed- wards, Piatt, and Shelby, Illinois; in Walworth, Wisconsin; in Gas- conade, Cass, Chariton, Laclede, Linn, Vernon, Phelps, Nodaway, Dent, Newton, Perry, Stoddard, Missouri; in Jefferson, Franklin, Anderson, Coffee, Tennessee; in Shelby, Jasper, and Marion, Iowa; in Mont- gomery, Neosho, Labette, Brown, Crawford, and Woodson, Kansas ; in Osage and Richardson, Nebraska. In some of the above localities they were very destructive. Cabbage-worms (Pieris rape) destroyed the cabbage-crop of Medina and Fairfield, Ohio. A worm not recognizable from description injured the cabbage-crop of Marion, West Virginia. Wheat-midge, (Diplosis tritici. —This pest was confounded with the weevil, in Orleans, Vermont. It was also noted in Anderson, Kentucky. Colorado beetles (Doryphora decem-lineata) are demonstrating still far- ther eastward. They have been heard from in Erie, New York; in Gloucester, New Jersey; in Clearfield, Northampton, Columbia, and Erie, Pennsylvania; in Kent, Delaware; in Baltimore, Dorchester, and Cecil, Maryland; in Greenville, Virginia; in Jefferson, West Virginia ; in Clarke, Kentucky ; in Barry, Michigan ; in Switzerland, Madison, and Decatur, Indiana; in Lincoln, Nebraska. White grubs (Lachnosterna fusca) injured corn in New London, Connec- ticut, and Grayson, Virginia. In the last-named county as many as 110 worms were counted in a single hill; they also injured grass-crops ; they were more numerous than ever before. Grass army worms (Leucania unipuncta) were more or less destructive in Adair, McLean, Livingston, Breckinridge, Taylor, and Ohio, Ken- tucky; in Marion, Jackson, Edmonds, and Montgomery, Ilinois; in Saint Genevieve and Logan, Missouri. In some of these localities their ravages were very severe. Another grass army-worm, probably La- phrygma sp., was very destructive in several counties of Tennessee, being 431 reported in Lincoln, Montgomery, Warren, Wilson, Giles, Dickson, and Cheatham. Grasshoppers (Caloptenus spretus) still continue their ravages west of the Mississippi River. They are reported in Palo Pinto, Cooke, and Gil- lespie, Texas; in Wright, Sibley, Rock, and Watonwan, Minnesota; in Lyon and Plymouth, lowa; in Cass, Lawrence, Platte, Pettis, and Jas- per, Missouri; in Leavenworth, Clay, Pawnee, Neosho, Allen, Bourbon, Brown, Crawford, Douglas, Ellsworth, Jackson, Ottawa, and Woodson, Kansas; in Webster, Thayer, Osage, Lincoln, and Cass, Nebraska ; in San Luis Obispo, California ; in El Paso and Weld, Colorado. The following from Labette County, Kansas, will give some idea of its ravages : The farmers in my county had their land for wheat prepared in good time, and in a better condition thanI eversaw. On the 6th of September the grasshoppers made their appearance all over the county. Farmers became alarmed and did not sow any wheat. About the 18th to the 20th they appeared to go away. Farmers commenced sowing, and got in about two-thirds of their crop. On the 28th and 29th they came the second time, filling the air, reminding one of a snow-storm in December. Some who had sown early had wheat up nice, but you cannot find a spear in any place. Wheat which was sown before the grasshopperscame the first time has been eaten down, until the grain has finally ceased to grow. I am candidly of the opinion that every acre which is sown to-day in this county will have to be sown again. There is no other chance for it, and the great trouble will be that so many of our farmers have sown allt heir seed and are not able to buy again. And what willthey do? Some who have not been two years on their claims are leaving them and going over into Missouri and Arkansas to winter—to find something to live upon. CHEMICAL MEMORANDA. By WM. McMurtTrRI£E, CHEMIST. CURIOUS DEPOSIT OF PHOSPHATIC MATERIAL.—Some months ago Judge W. Schley, of Savannah, Ga., sent to this Department a sample of material with a statement to the effect that it had been discovered in considerable quantity in a cave near the city above mentioned. He gave no further description of its location or surroundings, but the sample sent was nearly white, pulverulent, becoming lumpy upon compression, and appeared to be the result of deposition. Preliminary tests led to the conclusion that it was of considerable agricultural value, and we consequently made a complete analysis, which determined the following composition : Insoluble silica, sand, &c.......--. GrQ0ON EE Chlorine 2.2 Joo ss2c2e cee ae eee Trace. AOMEDLOSUICA. .-2 3 a. -ei seo a 5 ees 05,60) | Natricsacidi22- 2)... weleeto seamen Trace. ILtiG) 5 Aes e BSS Se Oe ee eee 14.32, Carbonic, acid. 2-22 -ssmeanaee == Trace. Maresh 2 ae Se SvAov | Moisture =... 54 osia-oe se ose bees os 16, 10 PATTIE 3 eS 3 OO eee 13. 53 (containing 0,119 Peroxide Of Ones 225, o25s5'sse:-\-- 7.34 | per cent. nitro- Soluble phosphoric acid........--.. 8.40 | Organic matter,{ gen, equivalent Insoluble phosphoric acid. .....-.-. 6.10 | to 0.1445 per IPObASBaEE Saas ee eas se iace 2.50 L cent.ammonia, 16, 25 DONA. 2 sass oe cine e sree raeicisia 0. 375 Sulphuricacids. 53552252 ee sees 3. 87 99, 045 The high percentage of soluble phosphoric acid in this material is somewhat surprising, yet this, together with the fair percentage of nitrogen and potassa it contains, and its very favorable mechanical condition, renders it immediately available for application to the soil for almost any kind of crops. The planters of the section may consider themselves fortunate in having in their midst so valuable a source of fertilizing material, if, indeed, development shows that it exists in large quantity. 432 INFLUENCE OF FORESTS UPON RAIN-FALL.—In a note upon this sub. ject presented to the French Academy of Sciences * by MM. L. Fautrat and A. Sartiaux, they give the results of some interesting observations made in the forest domain of Hallette and upon a neighboring culti- vated section of country. Becquerel declares that forests increase the amount of rain-fall, while Vaillant insists that they diminish it, and Mathieu concludes from his researches that the amount of rain-water received by forests is equal to or even greater than that received by the open country. Dausse states that rain is formed when warm and moist winds encounter cold strata of air; the air of forests being cooler and more humid than that of uncovered soil, a greater quantity of rain should fall in such localities. In order if possible to settle the point thus disputed, the authors have made observations: first, above a wooded sec- tion; and, second, at the same elevation at a distance from this section so slight that the differences observed can be due to the influence of the forest alone. Inorder to carry out these observations they placed, at an elevation of about 6 meters above a collection of oaks and elms which were of about twenty years’ growth and about 8 or 9 meters high, a pluviometer, a psychrometer, an evaporometer, and maximum and minimum thermometers, to determine the quantity of rain-fall, the amountof moisture in the air, and the variations of temperature and evapo- ration. At a distance of 300 meters from the forest, at the same eleva- tion, the same instruments were placed under the same conditions over an open country. The following table shows the results of their observations: Quantity of rain-fall. Above 300 meters Date. wooded sec- from wooded tion. section. : Millimeters.| Millimeters. iéy/P SG URINE Ga5655s Hone nb Snes coe sod bascbeseese GSba05 18.75 18. 00 March 2 Stceciose cs cese tease POSS ORE AAS Sete eee 15. 00 14°75 /Nporly See cngeocd sea onsceesmottas Ba Sce Se sbeccupep se 27.50 25275 IMinviiee cs sepnakice suis pet jae tise ees sicee ee eEee ree ees 39. 25 35. 50 Jina SS ae eae eee ae aso eee oor aaa 7 acemesec 51. 25 48. 25 Jill ec Ba SSD REDS SoS Oe eOA Marines Soseenacesaeocacs 40.75 37.75 To belie ete coy eee ay AS ee es Be hae lactose ee cee 192. 50 177. 00 Difference in favor of forest, 15.50 millimeters. Degree of saturation of the air. Above 300 meters Date. the wooded \from wooded section. section. Centimes. Centimes. TAVIS ii tyke ees ee Bee ea 5 oo | ake eee Gils 70.0 APRIL Scola cas se cle con See een PEUa Ne cme sees ox 64.3 64,2 May ease. 2 2 otas poh = pope eere wba s psien nas ne 64.1 60. 4 SITY Oe oes belo s os oS Seen Soe ieee iwateute aisle} ioeisneeine 60.9 60.1 TDN, 6 cgacdods6goh + cddnas 550655 =secdesetesese s0.5¢ 54. 6 53.8 Total aceires is dee aco eee ee J DSR see 315.0 308.5 ANY OLB EB iim ccie «eg (eS oon re toe eee as 63.0 | 61.7 — Difference in favor of forest, 1.3 centimes. a * Comptes rendus, t. lxxix, 409. 433 _ From the results of these observations the authors conclude that if they were carried out during the entire year, and yielded proportionally ~ similar results, there is proof sufficient that forests possess an advantage over cultivated country in the influence exerted upon rain-fall. PETERSON’S METHOD OF MEADOW-CULTURE. *—In May of last year such a lively discussion was aroused and so many different opinions expressed with regard to the value of the Peterson method of meadow culture, at the congress of meadow culturists, in Wittkiel, (Schleswig,) that Dr. Oemler and HK. Fuchs were induced to under- take an investigation, botanically and by means of analytical chem- istry, to determine the differences in the growth of grasses upon mead- ows treated according to the Peterson system and upon those left in the natural condition. In their work they have noted the character of the soil, the different species and the number growing on a given space, the length of the taller and shorter specimens, the total weight and the general composition of the mixed grasses. They also determine the difference between the actual amount of nutriment produced from a given area when crops almost purely of grasses are grown, and when mixtures of grasses with lucerne or with Swedish clover are grown. The first observations were made upon an area containing nearly pure grass. The soil was a humus loam, with a subsoil of tolerably fatty clay. Eighteen square feet produced 10 pounds, the average num- ber of plants for this space being about 431, per square foot. The follow- ing table represents the number of each variety present, with their greatest and least lengths: Length of plants. Longest. Shortest. Number of plants Centimeters. | Centimeters. MES tUGaspratOnsis! qem= sok lnee ie cide somes s ccclaic aoe 100 98.5 85. Holcuslunatus! ss. ssc Hawi cis sae cele rere cee ce 66 105. 5 40. 0 Oa MLAleNSISPss I=. teenie oc actewecces seamaster wecs 64 98. 0 50.5 PHS WM pratense renga -/2s sais ereiers aca oe eee oe ee 59 81.2 43.5 Arrhenatherum: elahius':.2is-. css wees seco cco 4] 106. 0 98. 0 Dactylus glomerata...... Oia weer et ate ai erat St ete aerate = 32 88. 0 51.0 Holrumipperenne.: {ne seers ce castes seus ee se are 24 91.0 71.0 HCO EKENME ena sass eels aealcc ase esos coe cle et 22 92.5 15.0 ENLGHECUUS! PLabeNse sss ceioes se sao ieete alee wom cee tier PAP bate e| Seve ae SN feet etota een RUNTLORAAGCEDOMCL <2 sate eateries = sites See came ue oak A hate te craven pate as Jee AMUN GUIS MO POMS sy32Pekiala)Sn ha) a sven ote Set eretae el Oale ore Bo | retnicrel vat gong meer = oi senate LEG (ES GIL cay 2h eg ele 2 | ciseisteie ear Net teaia css 431 * Die landwirth. Versuch. Stat. Bd. xvii, 211. 434 One hundred parts of this mixture of grasses contain— In fresh condition. wee Se Oe ee tee a,Sisio a ees celcctea cia bac tatece wha aeee ares Nitrogenous matter : non-nitrogenous matter :: 1 :; 5.0. Raw fiber: entire nutriment :: 1: 23.. In the first test the plot selected was in the lowest portion of the meadow, but in the second test the plot was selected in the highest portion, the grass in this case being mixed with lucerne. The soil of this plot is dry loam, with a subsoil of stiff red loam; 18 square feet produced 114 pounds of material, with an average of 390 plants per square foot. The observations resulted as follows: Longest Shortest plants. plants. Number of plants per square foot Centimeters. | Centimeters. Lolium perenne, (rye prass)...----.---..---.-.---- 167 94.2 16.4 L@iliniren jyeresebive ke) SAAS Soko aoe seco nS sEoo Seon cobs 92 70.5 19.3 Arrhenatherum elatius ...........02--+2-seceee ee. 79 112.5 72.0 IP ESIOD, DEBI S 46 Seq esan Seno bocerD cbacoe buaoee 17 85.7 63.5 oa pratensis; (blue-orass) = ---- 52 ----<<\ssoco- <= oS EEE 5 oS oes Bromuspnollus. (Cheat) - a2 sss eae eae ese ee ol BEEP Ea ees acc Medicago sativa, (lucerne). -.-.--.-..------.----<- D jisices DSS 2n eee Dactylus glomerata, (orchard-grass) Pope ctae eeciee A eccccddceces| seeeeeeeeeee SelariaphOlost@aic secs. cclicceecoceeeoseee eo esceee 1 Peers ee 2. - FANG DECELUSPLALONGC co Goeeoaone ccc cess scmecee oe Ee REPRESS 5 6505 555 Phleum pratense, (timothy) ..----.------.---.---- | i PEPE i a OS a5 GGUS Hen Abs ee see mina cise eee csi e einen A ee eS ao cic Crepeanthemum Lucanthemum, (daisy). ---------- tf oc2 3.22 22ers Taraxacum officinale, (dandelion). ...-...--.-.---- Vy t2 2223.5. 22ec eee One hundred parts of this mixture contain— Fresh Dried condition. | condition. Wisttelte emer ee nino en eae eo ee eeerece craters seer coc hee cet 79. 24 9. 06 PAW DeLee ae cjersinct a 2s che aon oieiecte seen meee mins Sam oct ese 5. 91 25. 88 PAST SEE eee aes bio ne SRS Es we Ee ER mE eee s secioe nainaae enon 1. 26 5. 53 Witrocenonsimatter.-+ 622th ct. cs toseee ess == ce esen eee Tere 28) 13.12 DDD SQ BeNOR Rc OE a a SEES ROR HECO SoSH SERRE Se DACRE UOGOseC 0. 82 3. 60 Won -nitrocenousmMathera-s2-casseeeeeeee eee se hneeeee eres 9,78 42,81 [=P] Nitrogenous matter ; non-nitrogenous mattter 7; 1 $ 3.6. Raw fiber : entire nutriment ::1 ¢$ 2.3 435 In the third test a plot of average élevation was chosen, this being cov- ered with grass with admixture of Swedish clover. The soil was somewhat humous, but otherwise the same as that of the other plots. The product amounted to 124 pounds per 18 square feet, with 320 plants per square foot, the latter being distributed as follows: ore if B.S Length of plants. 228 = =| Longest. | Shortest. xa “4D /Nrailasoeqnacrantnyelenmibc! 555 A852 hoe bo cccd cee eboeeE 103 92.5 40.4 ILolliinbin fyeMeVMIe Sas Sead bese abbe core opacee bdeoeese 42 92.3 17.5 JPNeiiban jorBNe os Bee o ese 4 = cerbioccond poeounBooeEe 40 65. 0 49.3 [Proline paeyReIMUOey HOS) Sap es oo cobb odes pelooee ee 40 65. 6 23.5 IMSSITIRSE NG OPNEORNS Gaon oS one cooeoo coo opEeooreaococ 29 86. 0 52. 0 IPG E) FTHRNHEISIEY eens one bece cone pond eogeme peoobecbes 21 98.5 62. 0 TRG emsulin ne ete teoet es Se ebbccceS pec cEneS ceeree 19 103. 0 36. 0 Machyluselomeraidier s+ +0 sskaccee so- ee cose oo “, 68.5 19. 0 Alopecunus gericulatus.........-..--.----.------- @ 84. 0 52. 0 OME CUMS PRALONSIS 252 steno ane oo ceclanco= = anos Dil iciaca. cio wine aia ol emereeene toretete iineitoliebeoliny oaiG he aeeere ae ee nenOAe ee oooooe Si en re rs aE ie dese One hundred parts of this mixture contain— Fresh. Dried. Watengatosncmccistteseea acess tee nas suctscuce mata tte ae haces 76. 02 10. 00 IME UOP ooAdols sHaolace aded casa Saonueer bode cooeSsranaeeocaceec dae 28. 92 Ag hy eer senice sae tetas as see etens Hae cele ime cise cwinine esldcate nici erase 2.27 8.53 INTROS OWS TOY HEE eA eee SeOS ose aces Goou wenn Onoda sbecedeanace 3. 20 12. 02 atten Seem carina cece cet cette apes asec anes miee mane 0. 97 3. 65 Non-nitrogenous extractive matter .........--.---:..-.-.-.---- 9. 82 36, 88 Nitrogenous matter ; non-nitrogenous matter j: 1 ¢ 3.4. Raw fiber : entire nutriment :: 1 ;: 1.81. The number of plants, in case of grasses, is naturally greater for a given area than in case of fodder-plants, since the Jatter require more space for their growth; but upon comparison of the analyses accom- panying the different tests, it will be found that the percentage of nitro- genous nutriment is not only higher, but that the ratio between the ni- trogenous and non-nitrogenous material is lower and more favorable. From a Prussian acre (0.6 acre) was produced, in test I, about 14,400 pounds of grass, containing 371.5 pounds nitrogenous matter; while in tests II and III were collected 16,200 pounds, containing 484.38 pounds nitrogenous matter, and 18,000 pounds containing 576 pounds nitrogen- ous matter. Theauthors are in favor, also, of cultivation of lucerne and clover, since their exhaustive effects are overbalanced by other effects more favorable. The meadow which had been left in the natural condition was adja- cent to that to which the Peterson method had been applied, and although the grass was overripe, which favored to a certain extent the method in question, yet the differences are quite marked. The soil in the latter case isa heavy loam, with a somewhat loose subsoil. The vegetation con- 436 sisted in part of good grasses, with admixture of carices, juncacez, and dicotyledonous swamp-grasses, especially Caltha palustris. Unfortuately, late mowing prevented as extensive investigations in this as in previous cases. ‘The matter collected in three tests contained, in the fresh and the air- dried condition, the following constituents : One hundred parts of this mixture contain— Fresh. Air-dried. \WWAUBR o> 555 soses0 comsoNesad.enos sc0e seceoE 6an6 Sasdosbo Ssey bese pose 59.73 6. 61 IMENT MEE so $6524 GSS CHOBEIBSES 0502 C5 Sap aeee REED ESeaGSe ospoccbeccec 12. 34 28. 60 AG pc boso 006 sed GAR SB BEEED ane O50 Sone Rene pep Spee acces eesereoscc 2. 46 5. 71 INPCREMVOTIS) MITTIN MigaSeGoCs als oso6s6 BEBE SB eRea Sasa boocno sanocc 3. 84 8. 90 TPE so0c.9300 Bea cee eR NOSE O 0 SE S650 cS Sete aeRO AOS SARE RSE RESO. Sce 1.16 2.70 NOn-Mibrosenous Extractive Mallersan a2 -.-. ssc ec ccns Coes cae seasae 20. 47 47, 48 Nitrogenous matter : non-nitrogenous matter :: 1:563. Raw fiber : entire nutriment :: 1:206. The low percentage of water in this sample was due partly to its being too ripe, and partly to the fact that it had been mowed for some time. The plants collected from the natural meadow were Ranunculus Flam- mula, Senecio aquaticus, Spirea ulmaria, Caltha palustris, Lychnis flos cu- culi, Lysimachia nummularia, Galium palustre, Equisetum palustre, Juncus compressus, Carex glauca, Briza'media, Aira caespitosa, Holcus lanatus. The chemical composition of this mixture was— a 1 It. \WWRHIGE Sse seaeaenenaaceeD eae SN aie aie oe tai arte 78.22— 7.83 79.82— 6.42 81.56— 6.95 Raw fiber ......,.-. s2----eceeee-e------- 6.33—26.80 5.23—24.29 5.49—2iiio IS Meee icin tea ee aioe aininicice eeises tee =e)=eisin.s 1L.71— 7.25 2.05— 9.40 1.32— 6.63 PNitrocenous) nutriment).32. .-2.- 222 --------< 1.21— 5.16 146— 6.81 1.46— 7.37 Mee ees one aat cp c Rede Aeiccee pa Sse © 0.82— 3.48 0.75— 3.50 0.73— 3.62 Non-nitrogenous extractive matter--...----- 11.71—49.48 10.69—49.58 9.44—47.68 Nitrogenous matter: non-nitrogenous matter :: 1: 10.4: 1: 7.83: 1: 6.96. Raw fiber: entire nutriment :: 1: 2.17: 1: 2.46: 1: 2.11. The comparison of these tables with the preceding, by means of the ratios given in the lower portion, is easily made. A fact which seems worthy of notice is that in all of the six analyses the figures represent- ing the entire nourishment in the ratios are included within the limits 1.8 and 2.4, and these limits will be observed in the following analyses. The following tables are the results of analyses of materials collected from a meadow, cultivated according to the Peterson method, and an adjoining one in the natural condition, near Cappeln. In the first lot, collected the following plants— Arrhenatnerum) elatius) sce ceo eo - lone see see eel eo elle ale 105 centimeters high. IL@lliahin jen aeadeoceee Cuseesoe soueeUdonoos cesses oncicea Saco 90 centimeters high. Tlnllewarn y pease ego ooeaes sand Saas; eben soocaI Taos soonRmEE 84 centimeters high. TO CUSMUNAbUSis: soled cmiseee cm hoe oe ence see See ee eeea es eslate c/oe 102 centimeters high. {UE yMbioMA py OEE ao so8 Gobo ese so odcs pats sooo ess qaaneees — Fresh. Air-dried. WSIaLe Sa Ee 2 eR he ee ee oS OS aoe BEER ee or saerise oo Shi 8.91 TR iaega 01] 889 a eae tN NR a A cp By AD LO 2 A ME as Th al ea ey V8 LOFT) 21.40 BARES Faiciey hata Moa Pa RY on SU A) tee So ae cel cys ee ee eee 1.65 7.43 Mrorenous NUtriMent.)322c\2 hy OP ees 22 2)4. Se epee eee 1.58 7.12 TE) aa a a RM CES 2 ea EE RS EIS eos ROE ae 0.89 4.00 Won-nitrogenous extractive matter -222--..---. 2-0. s----«------- ~- 11.40 5.14 Nitrogenous matter: non-nitrogenous matter :: 1 : 7.77 Raw fiber: entire nutriment :: 1: 2.90. 437 COTTON LINT AND SEED.—A recent essay by William J. Land, sent to the Boston Journal of Chemistry, contains analyses representing the composition of cotton-seed and cotton-lint to be as follows: Cotton-lint. Cotton-seed. TENG O eS oe eee metas Wwe ce ee Se Oh ae re 50.371 36.712 SOU ee hope SeemeEee booed sceeersoserercht po Sodb eer cee bor eees 2.672 0.839 WRG ey) AEBS eeppee ee nee Soe e eo leo perches tece doch ee men epee rene 11.191 15.600 LitiG 2S See R BOS AEE Cone AcE e Cater pe bee holy dos eEeEor arp aee 7.912 4.609 Phosphoric! acid £222 sese eae ses a aap leet <== ==) mmm 4.285 31.093 S(T TORTS PXONO eo Sea Sone oeeeAnooco sacs Copmemeeqe yaudce Ceo 4,112 3.307 ‘OnaGle) iho enh en intaney Coe eee aoe eo osociee coeemene eos =cee 1.508 1.113 Obakals) Gh Pane WarePROESGY Bs pc como cobs Codboo Shs soso cH eeeEececrbact 714 (Chol ein) GOO 6s gaea bean beecSS8 Sooo chon oceooeeeseegeebe cess de 2.213 0.507 Sandvand: charcoal sssn ce aos ae ee eee ele tial ocisias SU eee 15.112 6.190 100.000 100.000 The lint contained 0.855 per cent. mineral matter ; and the seed, 3.59 per cent. The same journal also contains the conclusions of a report of experi- ments with different fertilizers on the cotton-plant by Mr. EH. M. Pendle- ton. They are as follows: That no compound which does not contain soluble phosphoric acid will pay upon the worn-out soils. That 200 pounds of a good ammoniated superphosphate is about the quantity to be used on an acre of cotton; but with bad cultivation it will hardly pay at any price. That cotton-seed makes a good fertilizer when used in connection with good superphosphate. QUANTITY OF WATER CONSUMED IN GROWTH OF WHEAT.*—Experi- ments made at the observatory of Montsouris during the year 1873 show that wheat sown in pots filled with soil from the park and watered each day consumes by way of transpiration from germination until maturity 1,796 grains of water to produce 1 gram of grain. Calculations con- sequent upon this result indicate that 30 hectoliters of grain grown upon an area of one hectare requires for its production a quantity of water corresponding to a stratum of 0.432 millimeters in thickness, and if this amount be added to the amount of water removed from the soil by evaporation it forms a total, higher than the average amount of rain- fall for the entire year in the vicinity of Paris. It would therefore seem that the yield of wheat in the neighborhood of Paris must be limited by the volume of water generally available in the fields. Woodward and Lawes’ experiments indicated that the relation be- tween the amount of water consumed and the weight of grain produced may vary with the nature of the soil and with the quality and quantity of fertilizers Which may have been employed. This idea was made the subject of experiment at the same place during the year 1874, and the conclusions arrived at were, that ‘the fertility of a soil can never be absolute. It changes according to the climate, and even from one year to another, according to the sum of the light, heat, and moisture it receives. The quantity of water necessary to produce a crop cannot be considered any more absolute. It depends upon the sum of the useful mineral matters with which the water may be charged. To a certain extent the water may supply the fertilizer, and to a certain extent the fertilizer may supply the water. This, when suited to the soil, produces a decided economy in the mass of water consumed.” “Comptes Rendus, t. lxxix, 208. 438 In the vicinity of Paris a yield of 30 hectoliters per hectare should, under ordinary conditions, cause a consumption of water which, added to that lost from the soil by solar evaporation during the time included between the seed-time and the harvest, should make a total very near the average rain-fall it receives. We have, therefore, good authority for the employment of water for the same purpose as fertilizers. BOTANICAL NOTES. By Dr. Go. VASEY. Pentstemon is a North American genus of herbaceous perennial plants of the order Scrophulariacee, comprising within the limits of the United States over sixty species, a large number of which are showy and well worthy of cultivation. They have, however, received very lit- tle attention in this country, whereas in England our species have been sought after, and quite a number of them brought into successful culti- vation. The genus is mostly confined to the portion of country west of the Mississippi; only two or three species having a somewhat wide range east of that river. The larger number are found on the elevated plains of the Rocky Mountain region, some at high altitudes in the mountains, others in Arizona, New Mexico, and California, whence the genus extends into Mexico. We will enumerate some of the more showy species, which are hardy, and deserving of more attention among horti- culturists and florists. Pentstemon Digitalis, Nutt.—This species grows in the Southern States, and also in the southern portion of the States bordering the Ohio River on the north. It has a mass of large, smooth, radical leaves, with stems rising 3 to 4 feet high, rather leafy, with opposite sessile leaves; the upper ones are large, ovate, and clasping below, becoming oblong or lanc- eolate, and a rather large and showy much-branched panicle of flowers, which are 1 inch or more long, somewhat clammy, and of a pale blue or white color. The specific name is derived from its resemblance to the fox-glove. Pentstemon grandiflorus, Fraser.—This species is more showy than the preceding; the flowers are about 2 inches long, varying in color from purple to white; the panicle is about 1 foot long and rather nar- row; the leaves are remarkably thick, smooth, and of a bluish-green color. This species ranges from Kansas northward, and is found also in the vicinity of the Mississippi, from Oquaka, IIll., to Saint Anthony’s Falls, Minn. Pentstemon Oobea, Nutt.—This is a smaller species than P. grandi- florus, with shorter stems and panicle, but the flowers equally large and more bell-shaped above. It is found from Kansas to Texas. Pentstemon glaber, Pursh.—This species grows commonly about 1 foot high, with large flowers in asomewhat one-sided close panicle, the whole plant very smooth, the leaves thick and entire. The flowers are a bright purple. There are several varieties which extend over a large region of country, from Washington Territory and the Upper Missouri to Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and south to Mexico. Pentstemon cyananthus, Hook., is a closely-related species, with a more slender stem and shorter panicle. Found in Wyoming and Utah. Pentstemon barbatus, Nutt—This species is remarkable for its tall 439 slender stems, its narrow linear cauline leaves, and the long loose panicle of tubular scarlet flowers, which are about 14 inches long. Its range is from Colorado to New Mexico and Arizona. Pentstemon acuminatus, Dougl., grows from 1 to 14 feet high, is very smooth, with thick, glossy, bluish- -green leaves, anda long panicle of blue or purple flowers, ‘which’ are nearly an inch long. Itis quite variable in form and size, and is found from Washington “Territor y to Arizona. Pentstemon centranthifolius, Benth., is a species with tubular crimson flowers, resembling P. barbatus in general appearance. Pentstemon Eatoni, Gr., and P. Palmeri, Gr., are new species discovered within a few years. They have been introduced into England and were. last year figured in the Gardener's Chronicle, (London.) The first-named is near P. centranthifolius, and the last near P. Cobea. There are many others less known and mostly of smaller size, but of considerable beauty, which, itis probable, will eventually find their way into cultiva- tion. The Engineer Department of the United States Army has just issued a catalogue of plants collected in the years 1871, 1872, and 1873, under the explorations and surveys of Lieut. George M. Wheeler. The cata- logue is in two parts; the first is a report by Mr. Sereno Watson upon the collections made in 1871 and 1872, in Nevada, Arizona, and Utah; the second part is the report of Dr. Rothrock upon the plants collected in Central Colorado, in 1873, by Mr. John Wolf and himself. The first report embraces about 500 species, of which about 14, are new. The second report embraces about 1,150 species of Phienogams, of which 7 or 8 are considered to be new species, and about 125 species and varieties of Cryptogams. This catalogue will prove of much interest to botanists, and in connection with the report of Mr. Watson on the ex- ploration of the fortieth parallel, and the synopsis of the flora of Colorado by Profs. Porter and Coulter, will render our knowledge of the region explored very full and satisfactory. MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS. By THOMAS TAYLOR, MICROSCOPIST. CRANBERRY ROT AND SCALD.—During the present year the Depart- ment has received numerous letters from cranberry growers, calling attention to a disease of the cranberry known as rot or scald, which has appeared, especially, in the cranberry plantations of New Jersey, during the last three years. The following letter, placed in the hands of the Commissioner of Agriculture by Hon. 8. A. Dobbins, M. C., shows the importance and necessity of a thorough investigation of the disease, with a view to the discovery of its cause and the means of preventing its recurrence: TRENTON, March 12, 1874. DEAR Sir: You are aware that the cranberry-culture has become a very large busi- ness in most of the sea-board counties of this State. The failure of the crops ; for the last two or three years has been a serious loss to those counties, and threatens to affect injuriously their productive interests, perhaps for many years to come. Various opinions have been entertained with regard to the blight of this important crop. Some 440 have attributed it to animalcules, others to climatic causes, but as yet the true cause has not been determined. Much anxiety is felt by hundreds who have invested in the cultivation of this fruit, and the New Jersey Cranberry Association, composed of a large number of respectable citizens of the counties of Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, and Monmouth, at their late session, desired me to write to you on the subject We are informed that the Department of Agriculture at Washington is in the habit, when requested, of sending some scientific person to make a critical analysis and ex- amination in such cases, with a view to ascertain the real cause of the rot, and devise, if possible, such treatment as will prevent it. You will greatly oblige many of your personal friends and fellow-citizens if you will make inquiry, and procure the services of a proper scientist, to make the examination desired. It is said that the Department is very ready to make such investigations, and will, when occasion requires, send a competent person, free of charge, for the purpose. Yours truly, GEO. F. BROWN. Hon. 8. A. Doppins, MW. C. I think it probable that in Ocean County, New Jersey, the loss on the cranberry-crop. for the last year approximates $100,000 ; that is, the loss by what 1s familiarly called the “scald.” G. F. B On the 10th of July last the president of the New Jersey Cranberry Growers’ Association wrote to the Department as follows: BORDENTOWN, N. J., July 10, 1874. Dear Sir: At the last meeting of the New Jersey Cranberry Growers’ Association, Dr. George Goodale and myself were appointed a committee to procure, if possible, scientist from the Department of Agriculture to investigate the cause of the cranberry rot, which has been so fearfully destructive in some portions of our cranberry region. If consistent with your views, we should be pleased to have a suitable person sent from your Department to meet us at Philadelphia, for the purpose of making arrangements. to visit some of the principal plantations affected with this disease, and to suggest, if possible, a remedy. Respectfully, yours, JOHN Gt Be eee Hon. FREDERICK WATTS, Commissioner of Agriculture. These letters were referred to me by the Commissioner of Agriculture, with instructions to make the desired investigation. Previous to visit- ing the cranberry plantations, I deemed it best to make an examination of the healthy and the unhealthy vines, their roots and fruit, with sam- ples of the soils in which they grew, and now present a preliminary report of the results of my investigations. I accordingly requested A. J. Rider, esq., of Atsion, Burlington County to forward to this Department such specimens as were necessary for my purpose. ‘Two specimens of vines, one healthy the other unhealthy, were in a short time received by the Department, and a specimen of the soil in which each plant grew. An examination of the roots of each vine showed that the one which bore rotting fruit had much larger and darker roots than the other. The peaty muck in which the healthy plants grew had a pleasant odor, and was notin a fermenting condition, while that of the unhealthy plant was in a condition of fermenta- tion, and had the odor of sulphuretted hydrogen. A second set of plants was received, with specimens of the soil in which they grew. It was again observed that the vines on which unhealthy berries grew had darker and larger roots than those which bore healthy fruit, and that the soil of the latter was odorless, while that of the former had a bad odor, and was in a fermenting condition. These facts lel me to believe that the sour condition of the soil was the primary cause of the | rotting of the berries. On the 22d of July last. I visited Cranberry Park Station, Atsion,. 441 Burlington County, New Jersey,in company with the Rev. J. H. Brakeley, President of the New Jersey Cranberry Growers’ Association, Mr. A. J. Rider, secretary and general superintendent of the Cranberry Park Company, and Messrs. E. W. Crane, of Caldwell; C. G. Rockwood, of Newark; N. R. French, of New York; and Japhet Alston, of Pemberton, all directly interested in cranberry-culture, and made a careful examina- tion of the condition of the soil, the mode of cultivation, the roots of the vines, their foliage and fruit, the construction of water-dams, ditches, &e., at that place. The plantations of the company comprise about 130 acres of vines, the greater part of which were set out in the year 1369. In 1871 there was a light crop, partly rotted; in 1872 half a crop, and nearly all rotted ; in 1873 a full crop, and nearly all rotted, only 300 bushels of sound fruit being picked out of a total crop estimated at 10,000 bushels. No fertil- izers were used till the spring of 1873, when sand and plaster were applied to the higher portions of the land, a small area being at the same time treated with a coating of decomposed turf. No rain fell after these fer- tilizers were applied until June 12, when rot began. The seasons of 1872 and 1873 were noted at this particular locality for protracted droughts during June and July. In the fall of 1873, sixty acres were drained, by cutting ditches about two rods apart, and a coating of sand was spread over the vines. The outlets and feeding ditches were opened to give free circulation of water, as well as thorough drainage. Where foliage was destroyed last year by the vine-worm, there was very little fruit; where plaster was applied, with a layer of sand over it, the vines looked healthy and had new rootlets. Several other plantations in the same vicinity were examined, including those of Mr. Miller and Mr. Rockwood. I visited Bricksburgh, Ocean County, July 24, accompanied by Messrs. E. W. Crane, A. J. Rider, Mr. Teller, 1. Foster, F. M. Todd, C. Holman, Dr. Merriman, and the editor of the Times and Journal of Bricksburgh, and made an examination of several cranberry plantations in this neighborhood, com- mencing with that of Dr. Merriman, two miles southwest of the village. We found the berries very thickly set on the vines where the blos- > soms had not all disappeared, but traces of the rot were discernible on this plantation. I made a careful examination of the nature of the soil, the roots of the vines, and the degree of acidity of the fruit from the different portions of the bog. Where guano had been applied a marked improvement of the foliage and roots was visible. In answer to an inquiry made by me whether any of the growers present had given attention to the condition of the soil and of the roots of the vines, a unanimous answer was given in the negative. On the afternoon of this day our company was increased by the arrival of Colonel Goodrich, of Stockbridge, Mass., and the Rev. A. H. Dashiel, of Bricksburgh, both of whom are interested in cranberry culture. We visited the planta- tions of Mr. J. W. Campbell, the Rev. Isaac Todd, and Mr. Ferre, all being connected and forming one continuous plain. This extensive bog was formerly a mill-pond. The soil of such places is generally found to be very favorable for cranberry cultivation, which. proved to be the case inthisinstance. Thesethree plantations have never failed to pro- duce healthy crops. An examination of the soil proved that the peaty matter of which it principally consists, was well decomposed. Our attention was directed to one small portion of the pond where about two years ago the berries rotted. I examined this place, by digging up 442 the ground, and found that the soil was not well decomposed, and that the muck was in a condition of active fermentation, giving off strong odors of sulphuretted hydrogen. The roots of the vines here were un- usually large, matted, and of a dark, unhealthy color. We next visited the plantation of Messrs. C. G. and E. W. Crane, at Long Swamp, consisting of about thirty acres. This plantation had been recently laid out, and was provided with the latest improve- ments. The ground here proved generally good, although in some places there were decided indications of sour, fermenting soil. The Darron plantations were next examined. The soil here is of a mixed charac- ter, some portions of it proving to be well decomposed and without odor, while other portions were in a state of fermentation. It was observed that the rot was confined to the parts indicating fermenting soil, while the sound berries grew on the well-decomposed soil, which has generally a pleasant odor. We next visited Butterfly Bridge plantation. Here, a plantation, laid out some years ago by I. M. Todd, esq., in the best manner, and now belonging to different parties, was next visited. The vines on this plan- tation rotted in spots last season. Au examination of these spots showed undecomposed peat, and unhealthy roots, the latter being very large and closely matted. Having stated to the committee of cranberry-grow- ers accompanying me that fermenting soil and stagnating water were probably the principal causes of the rot, I was informed that, although ‘my theory held good thus far, there was a neglected cranberry planta- tion, known as the Carey Bog, near Bricksburgh, the water of which they believed to be stagnant, as it had no visible outlet, but notwith- standing, the fruit of the bog had not been affected by the disease. An exainination of the bog showed that the water which flooded it was per- fectly fresh, being supplied probably by means of springs, and passed off through the sand. The whole surface was covered with a dense growth of moss and weeds, interspersed with cranberry plants. The cranberry roots were growing in the moss and confined toit. They were short, of a whitish color, and very healthy; sand to the depth of eight inches had at one time been spread over the peat muck. I cut through it, and found it to be very pure and free from any odor. This bog very much resembles a wild bog, being wholly neglected. I have also exam- ined the roots of the cranberry plants as found growing in the wild state, and in all cases have found them to be healthy and similar to these. I have thus far failed to discover any healthy cranberry vines growing in stagnant water. I next proceeded to Tom’s River, in company with General Morris, Dr. Merriman, S. H. Shreve, and A. J. Rider, esqs. We visited the Berke- ley plantation, one and a half miles from Tom’s River. This plantation contains about fifty acres of vines, which appeared very promising. They had been planted about nine years. The berries, at the date of our visit, were slightly affected with rot. On my first examination of the soil I detected imperfect roots, but no sulphuretted hydrogen. On going deeper, the latter was found in abundance at a depth of about two feet six inches. The soil of this plantation is of the variety known in New Jersey as savanna, consisting of sand, with a slight trace of vege- table matter. An analysis made in thelaboratory of this Department, shows that the proportions are, sand, 97 parts; peaty matter, 3 parts. Mr. Shreve informed us that a layer of peat about two inches in thick- ness had been spread over the surface of the bog. From some cause this peaty matter was in a state of fermentation, and its odor very bad. 443 We were informed that gas-lime had been spread over portions of this plantation with but little effect. In my opinion, the use of stone or shell quick-lime would produce more important results. The water in the ditches was highly impregnated with iron—probably as bicarbonate of iron—which is soluble in water. Gas-lime is composed mostly of sul- phide of calcium; that is, a mixture of sulphur and calcium. It also contains caustic lime, but in limited quantity. When gas-lime is exposed for a considerable period to the action of rain and air, a large portion of the sulphide is converted into sulphate of lime, or land plaster. I con- sider that, for the purposes required, caustic shell or rock lime would prove more profitable, for several reasons. We next visited the plantation of General Morris, of Bogville. His vines are of only four years’ growth, and the cranberries have rotted each year. An examination of the peat revealed the presence of sul- phuretted hydrogen, which was also found in the substratum of the savanna bottoms of this plantation. One-half of the plantation was covered with sand taken from an adjoining cultivated field, the particles of which were very fine, and it probably contained clay. The vines cov- ered with this fine sand were stunted in growth, while those sanded with coarse sand, taken from an uncultivated bank near by, were very thrifty and in full bearing. Samples of these two kinds of sand have been procured, and will be analyzed in the laboratory of the Department. I also visited the plantation of A. T. Finn, of New York, consisting of thirteen acres. The vinesappeared healthy and were fruited, although the berries were rotting. An examination of the soil of this bog revealed the presence of fermentation and unhealthy roots. We were informed that the vines last year appeared healthy, and yet the berries rotted so badly that but twenty-five bushels were harvested from thirteen acres. We next visited a very thrifty bog, known as the Shreve plantation, near Tom’s River. This bog has always borne fruit free from rot. An examination proved that all the conditions were favorable, the soil being well decomposed and free from odor, and the roots small and healthy in appearance. From this point I proceeded to West Creek, and visited the extensive and highly cultivated plantations of Col. D. R. Gowdy, and also the Eagle Company plantation. I found here good and bad soil, plenty of water, and a refreshing, cool breeze blowing over the sur- face of the grounds, the latter circumstance being of common occurrence. Mr. Gowdy claims to have a very superior short vine which is known as the “ Gowdy vine.” He is one of the oldest cultivators in the State of New Jersey, and has been very successful. The land under cultivation at this place is generally good, although I found many spots on it ina state of fermentation. A diversity of opinion seemed to prevail at this place between Mr. Gowdy and the Eaglewood Company as to the best form and depth of ditches and the width of the lands between them. The irrigation of cranberry land is of the highest importance at all times, but especially, when the soil is sour. The Eaglewood Company lately ditched their bogs very deep, and on the day of my visit to their plantation I ob- served that the water in the ditches did not come within 18 inches of the roots. There were probably about five inches of sand over the peat- bottoms. I examined the roots of the vines and found them baking in pure, dry sand at a very high temperature. The overseer in charge in- formed me that they had been in that condition for sometime, and that having no instruction to fill up the ditches with water he was powerless to act. This was probably the condition of about eighty acres during the 444 hottest days of August last. The peat of this plantation is several feet in depth, (cedar bottom,) and is capable of still higher cultivation owing to the general mellow condition of the soil and its being well supplied with water. Ido not consider that the extra depths of these ditches will prove injurious to the vines, provided they are supplied with sub- stantial ditch-gates to enable, the person in charge to regulate the height of water in the ditches at will. With the committee I next visited the bog of Mr. Goodell, near the village of Bricksburgh. We stated the object of our visit to the pro- prietor, and with his assistance we commenced an investigation. The vines had been treated with a light sprinkling of lime over their sur face for the last three years, and he believed that the treatment in ques- tion destroyed worms and modified the rot; but on looking over his grounds we found many examples of rotting berries. With his permis- sion we dug up the first clump of vines upon which such berries were found. The roots were very large, and were matted and dark in color. At a few yards’ distance from the first plants removed, we found a very healthy clump of vines, the berries of which were sound and of a good, acid taste. The roots of these vines were found to be very small, and much whiter than the first examined. On seeing this Mr. Goodell exclaimed, ‘Something wrong with the roots,” although he was not aware that I had already reached the same conclusion. He complained that the soil was frequently sour, and had sometimes the odor and taste of acid. I was frequently informed during the early part of my investiga- tion that the cranberry on Cape Cod is not subject to rot. Indeed, per- sons from that section assured me that rot, or scald of the berry, is wholly unknown in that region. As the statements seemed trustworthy, I suggested to the cranberry growers of New Jersey, that an examina- tion of the conditions under which the cranberry-vine was said to be so successfully cultivated there, might lead to practical benefits. With this view I procured proper introductions to the leading cranberry growers of that region, and proceeded to Cape Cod, arriving at Harwich Centre about the. 26th of July. The first plantations visited were those of Captains Robins and Small, both extensive and experienced growers of cranberries. I also visited the plantations of Dr. Pitcher and others, at Hyannis. Contrary to expectations and reports, I found the rot of the cranberry to be well known on Cape Cod, and on just such soil and nu- der the same general conditions as in the vicinity of Bricksburgh, N. J. Fermenting peat-bottom, or fermenting sanded grass-bogs, subject to back water, large matted roots, and berries, either bitter or of the flavor of flat acid—such were the circumstances under which diseased berries were uniformly found. But, as in New Jersey, there are on Cape Cod very fine plantations free from disease. Although nearly all of the plantations of Captains Robins and Small indicated high cultivation, the favorable condition of their soil and surroundings had as much to do with the production of good crops as had the attention bestowed on them. Many patches which had proved a failure were pointed out to me during my investigations on Cape Cod, although in some cases more money had been wasted on them in bringing them under high cultiva- tion than had been spent on the successful bogs. My examination has shown, thus far, that in every instance sour soil, high temperature, and large, dark, matted roots are the invariable attendants of rotting berries, Much diversity of opinion exists on Cape Cod, as well as in New Jersey, as to the best kind of peaty bottoms to be used for cranberries. I have found successful cultivation of this erop on cedar and maple 445 bottoms, the waters of which were charged with bicarbonate of iron in solution. Not unfrequently would the peat be found six feet in thick- ness. Captain Small has a successful plot, consisting of coarse, sharp sand, deeply colored with iron. The bed of sand is 18 inches in thick- ness, and rests on “hard pan,” a solid bed of bog-iron. Such iron basins are formed from the precipitation of iron held in solution in the water which flows over the bog land. Captain Small informed me that, on some parts of Cape Cod beach, cranberries grow successfully on pure sand when provided with an adequate and constant supply of peaty water. Much stress is placed on the quality of sand by all cran- berry growers. It is claimed by all with whom I have conversed on the subject, that coarse, clean, sharp sand is best adapted tothe growth of the vines, and my own experience coincides with this view. In some cases only an inch of sand is placed over a peat bottom, and then it is planted with vines, the roots growing directly in the muck. In other cases as many as 10 inches of sand have been placed over the muck or peat, the growth of roots in such cases being confined wholly to the sand, which, however, conveys the soluble humus of the peat to the roots of the plants. There is always a rankness of root and vine growth when the vines are planted directly in peat, and as the growth of plants is continued longer under such conditions they are longer in bearing their fruit. The same remarks apply to plants which are heavily manured, and constantly supplied with an abundance of water. I have found in every case where the runners have been sanded to the depth of about an inch and properly watered, they readily take root in the fresh sand and produce a fine growth of lateral branches. . It has been found in some cases that sanding the vines in this way has as good an effect on their growth as an application of guano. Several small cranberry plantations were pointed out to me which had, at various times, been flooded with salt water, not only on Cape Cod, but also in New Jersey; but there was no evidence to show that salt sea-water, reduced in strength by heavy rains, affected the growth of the vines for good or evil. It is believed by many successful cranberry growers that the runners of the vines should be sanded at least once in four years when practi- cable, and some growers sand them as often as once in three years. The great advantage derived from the sanding process consists in the stimulating of new roots along all the runners imbedded in the sand; and it seems from my investigation that the original roots decay in con- sequence of the vigor of the new ones; but the sand also protects the runners from extreme heat and premature frost. At the Bricksburgh annual meeting of the Cranberry Growers’ Asso- ciation, I was informed by gentlemen from Pemberton and its vicinity, that the plantations in their neighborhood differ very much from all L had visited. Their soil is savanna and is very dry in most places, and previous to the last three years their berries had not rotted. I was further informed that Mr. Hinchman’s plantation near Medford, pre- sented conditions which apparently could be found on no other, his vines being more copiously watered than any I had yet seen, while his berries were exempt from the rot. At the earnest request of members of the association I visited this plantation, and those in the vicinity of Pem- berton above referred to, as well as that of Mr. N. H. Bishop, near Manahawkin, Ocean County, in order to obtain additional facts in regard to the habits of the cranberry plant under new and exceptional methods of culture. 446 I found the plantations of Mr, Bishop, which embrace about 80 acres, in avery high state of cultivation. This gentleman has probably ex- pended a larger amount per acre, and devoted more attention to the preparation of his bogs, than any other cranberry grower in the United States. He is regarded by all the New Jersey cranberry growers as one of the most zealous, clear-headed, and successful of their number. Practically, rot is unknown on his bogs. In company with Mr. Bishop and others, I made a thorough examination of his vines and berries, and also of the muck underlying his cultivated ridges. The peat is about five feet in thickness, is well decomposed, and quite homogeneous in texture, The bog was formerly a white-cedar swamp. Mr. Bishop is. fortunate in having a fine suppiy of water. Cool and uninterrupted breezes pass over his plantations, a circumstance of considerable im- portance in connection with cranberry culture. It was, doubtless, largely due to these favorable conditions that the extreme heat and drought of last August and September produced no unfavorable effect upon his crops. I examined the muck or peat of an adjacent bog, belonging. to the same gentleman, which had dried up during the summer, but had not been drained or brought under cultivation. A hole was dug about three feet in depth to ascertain the character of the sub-soil. We found it as free from odor as the cultivated bog-land, and as well decomposed. It was evident that nearly all the muck of this cedar swamp had long since passed through its fermenting condition. The cultivated iand is perfectly drained, and the ditches are filled with running water. Mr. Bishop has put an unusually large amount of pure sand, not less than 10 inches, over the muck of his bogs. The roots of the vines conse- quently grow in the sand, which, by capillary attraction, conveys to them the soluble humus of the peat. The true character of peat in relation to cranberry growth is still a matter of doubt; but one thing is evident, namely, that such masses of peat will always absorb and retain a large amount of water, and will thus tend to keep the sand on the top moist. Certainly the humus of the peat is not itself absorbed by the roots of plants, but humie acid is seldom free from ammonia, and the oxidation of peaty matter may also contribute to root and plant growth by supplying them with carbonic acid, which is one of the essentials of plant food. I visited Pemberton, Burlington County, in company with Senator Gaskill and Messrs. Theodore Budd, Joshua Forsyth, Japhet Alston, David D. Coles, Ives Davis, and others, all engaged in cranberry grow- ing. We visited the principal plantations within several miles of Pem- berton, and found that the drought had disastrously affected this region. Pines were on fire in many places and burning with great fury, owing to their extreme dryness. The streams had dried up, with few excep- tions, and no water was found within five feet of the surface on the cranberry lands. There is very little heavy bog land in this district ; it is nearly all of savanna, (black sand,) composed of pure, sharp, white sand, combined with about 3 per cent. of black, vegetable matter. Sometimes cranberry cultivators at this place cover the runners with pure white sand. In times of great and high temperature, it protects, in a measure, the roots of the vines from the scorching rays of the sun. On the occasion of my visit I found the white sand on the vines so hot that it was disagreeable to hold in the hand, but the black sand near the same place was still hotter, and the cranberries on the vines were literally baked. Previous to visiting this district I had not admitted that rot of the berry was ever produced by a scorching sun, but I now have sufficient evidence of that fact. 447 On the 9th of September I visited the cranberry plantations of Charles C. Hinchman, situated at Taunton, Burlington County. They are sub- divided into several plats, which are peculiarly and favorably situated for cranberry-culture. A stream of pure cold water flows through all his plats, most of which are nearly surrounded by high banks. From these ooze unseen currents of water, which moisten the cranberry plats below them. The stream which flows through Mr. Hinchman’s principal bog is about three feet deep and twelve feet wide, and is slightly tinged with soluble humus (peaty matter) and bicarbonate of iron. In several of the bogs belonging to this gentlemen there are sul- phur springs, one of which flows in the middle of a cranberry plat with- out doing any apparent injury to the plants. It may be remarked that Mr. Hinchman’s cranberry vines, although cultivated, are growing in water as if in a wild bog. The condition of his bog-land vines and berries at once demonstrates that the cranberry-vine may be brought to a high state of cultivation, although the roots may be submerged in water the year round. Many valuable experiments have been made by _ Mr. Hinchman to ascertain how much drainage may be profitably em- ployed, and the description of sand, as well as the amount per acre, that should be used on bog-land previous to the planting of vines; also, how much should be laid over the vines when in full growth. I think thatthe Taunton plantations would be very little improved by the use of lime, while on the dryest portions of them a much larger yield of fruit would be obtained by thefree use of fertilizers applied after theremoval of the water of the winter flooding. On the margin of these plantations Mr. Hinchman has erected an extensive building of stone for the assorting, cooling, and storage of berries. Cylinders are supplied with an ice-mixture, through which cooled air is carried by means of suitable machinery over and through the crates of berries awaiting transportation. This is the only place in the United States where machinery is em- ployed to cleanse, cool, and assort the berries previous to shipment. This important fact was established by my visit to Mr. Hinchman’s bogs: that the cranberry-vines are not injuriously affected, even though the roots may be submerged from 1 to 2 inches, provided the water is cool and in motion. Mr. Hinchman’s plantations possess greater natural advantages than those of Mr. Bishop, but he will, notwithstanding, have asmaller crop than that gentleman, and his berries will ripen later. While walking over the Taunton vines my feet were frequently in two inches of water, and the use of rubber, boots was indispensable, while the surface of the plantations at Manahawkin was comparatively dry. Under the wet system the vines have a greater tendency to extend in woody growth. The blossoms are consequently later in forming and the berries later in maturing than under the dryer system of culture; but in a series of years the wet system might prove more profitable than the other, since it affords a better protection against grasshoppers, and also the berry and vine worm. These pests are un- known on Mr. Hinchman’s bogs. An analysis of the berries cultivated under each system would probably show that those from the wet plan- tations contain less earthy and solid matter generally than those from the dry, and, all other conditions being equal, would probably keep better than the former. A recent analysis of Captain Small’s Cape Cod Early Black Bell berries gave one-fifth of 1 per cent. of earthy matter, while the common Cape Cod Bell berries of good quality gave about one-fourth of 1 per cent. All other conditions being equal, the Early Black would prove the better keeper, while the common bell of Cape Cod Bell would prove better for immediate use, being more juicy. 448 The system of sanding cranberry land is greatly varied. On Cape Cod the cultivators take advantage of their extremely cold winters. When their bogs are covered with ice of sufficient thickness to bear a horse and wagon, sand is carted over it and spread to the thickness required. When the ice melts, the sand is deposited evenly over the vines, at a cost of ten to fifteen dollars per acre, for one inch in thickness. In Southern New Jersey this system of sanding can seldom be taken ad- vantage of, owing to the mildness of its winter. Mr. Theodore Budd, of Pemberton, N. J., informed me that in his neighborhood a layer of sand one inch thick can be spread over an acre of vines at a cost of $20, provided labor does not exceed $1.50 per day of ten hours, and when the sand is procured on the edge of the bog to be covered. On large plantations, consisting of one hundred to three hundred acres, a layer of sand one inch thick will cost from $40 to $60 dollars per acre. The ' cost will, of course, vary according to the distance of transportation. The cranberry growers of New Jersey are very much divided in opinion as to the amount of water that should flow in the ditches of their bogs when the berries are coloring under high atmospheric tem- perature. Some believe that excessive moisture and high tempera- ture cause the berries to rot, while others equally intelligent affirm the opposite. Much of this uncertainty arises from the limited quan- tity of water furnished at the fountain-head of many of the bogs under cultivation. A small stream will quickly fill the ditches of a 10-acre lot when stops or gates are used; but, during high temperatures, the water becomes quickly heated, and instead of proving beneficial will prove hurtful to the vines, especially when the sub-soil has not been well decomposed. Under such conditions fermentation will be promoted, producing organic acids and sulphuretted hydrogen in the vicinity of the roots, while a much larger flow of water in the ditches would cool the substratum of the bogs, and remove, at the same time, all soluble noxious substances. At the Taunton plantation Mr. Hinchman introduced a novel system of washing sand over his bog-land by means of a stream of water con- veyed for that purpose along the base of the high sand-bluffs which nearly surround his plats of cranberry vines. I am informed by Mr. Hinchman that by the use of this system sand was washed over his lands at the rate of ten tons per minute. In this way a kind of sand charged with ocherous clay (which is at present deemed worthless for cranberry-culture) may be used, as the water floats and separates the clay from the sand, depositing the latter on the vines, while the clay is washed away in the main stream, which was highly colored in conse- quence at a distance of ten miles below the point of operation. Before investing in cranberry-culture more attention should be paid to the condition of the soil than has heretofore been done; for on that depends the quantity of water necessarily required for the purposes of irrigation. When water is very limited in supply, it should be protect- ed from the sun’s rays in some practicable way. Small ponds or dams used as reservoirs might be protected by shade trees, and in many cases streams might be easily protected in this way. On my last visit to Bricksburgh, September 12, in company with Dr. Merriman of that place, we visited one of his plantations for the purpose of testing the difference of temperature of the waters at different parts of the bog. The stream which supplied several acres with water was so small that it might have been all conveyed at the time of our visit through a 449 10-inch pipe. It entered the bog froma ditch four feet in depth. A thermometer when immersed in it indicated 72° Fahr. The water being somewhat protected from the sun’s rays, the temperature at the exposed edge of the ditch at the same point was 90° Fahr. At a distance of a hundred yards farther on, where the water was fully exposed to the sun’s rays, the temperature indicated 89° Fahr. Shaded water in a ditch a hundred yards still farther removed from the first ditch had the temper- ature of 78° Fahr., while the sand on the exposed edge of the ditch showed a temperature of 92° Fahr. These observations were taken at 4.30 p.m. We annex the following in advance from French & Co.’s valuable An- nual Cranberry Circular: The recent statistical report of N. R. French to the New Jersey Cranberry Growers’ Association shows the entire acreage in New Jersey, under regular cultivation, to be 4,969 acres. Average cost at three years from setting, (the fruit-bearing age,) $334.50 per acre, making total investment $1,662,130. Crops in this State have been, in 1871, 58,839 bushels ; in 1872, 93,322 bushels ; 1873, 116,409 bushels. The average market- prices have been in the years named, $3.42, $3.21, $2.93, respectively. Abating $1 per bushel from market-price for cost of picking and marketing, would make the crop of 1873 worth, on the vines, $224,716, or 13} per cent. on the entire investment. The New Jersey fruitage in 1873 was most bountiful, but 40 to 50 per cent. was de- stroyed by the rot. This season the average fruitage upon old plantations is believed to be 30 to 40 per cent. below last year, but the rot on these has not been so severe. New bogs have suffered most, as usual, the entire crop in many cases being lost. Al- lowing for increase of acreage, we think the entire crop of the State must be 25 per cent. below that of a year ago. The crop on the eastern portion of Cape Cod is very light, and in many districts al- most an entire failure. The western portion and the adjoining islands have good crops. The other cranberry districts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, nearly all of them, have good crops. The few plantations on Long Island and other portions of New York have good crops. The fruit not affected by New Jersey rot seems sound and solid, promising to keep well. LIME AND ITS USE. By THE COMMISSIONER. It is now universally conceded that in every quality of soil the use of lime greatly conduces to its fertility, by converting its component parts into the elements which give strength and brightness to straw, and food to the plant. As to the time, place, and circumstances in which lime may be profit- ably used, the directions are simple and easy. In its use the farmer las this advantage—that it may be spread upon the land at any time or season, provided it is spread, and not suffered to lie in heaps after it shall have been slaked. It loses nothing by exposure, and soon finds its place commingled with the soil. Whether the land be broken up or in sod is of no importance; but the circumstance as to quantity brings into consideration this principle, that the more may be used in propor- tion to the fertility of the soil. While upon a good limestone clay, 250 bushels to the acre might be used with impunity, 100 bushels upon a thin slate or sandy soil, void of vegetable matter, would do more harm than good. Justin proportion to the vegetable substance which is in the land may the quantity of lime be increased. In slate or sandy land, 4A 450° which has been subjected to the ordinary cultivation of a farm, in which there is the usual amount of vegetation, or where the farmer can _ pre- cede the spread of lime with a coat of barn-yard manure, 60 bushels to the acre is a proper quantity, and if this be applied in two successive seasons it will be better. Upon limestone land which has undergone like cultivation, double the quantity may be used. The property of lime is to convert vegetable substances into plant- food, and mineral substances into the component parts of straw; so that, while it prepares food to increase the quantity and quality of the grain, it furnishes a bright and strong straw to conduct that food to the making of grain and supports its weight. A prejudice once existed against the use of lime, under the idea that it heated the land, and thereby subjected the plant the more to the influence of the hot sun. There could be no greater mistake than this, for lime has a magnetic influence which draws to itself all the moisture that abounds in the atmosphere, and thereby makes land less subject to the influence of the hot sun. As to the condition of the land when lime is used one other remark must be made. It should never be put upon land on which water habitually lies until the same be thoroughly drained. And here, in reference to the prevalent idea that lime will dry up wet land, it may be said that it will have no such effect, but, on the contrary, will destroy the character of such land for any purpose. Standing-water, lime, and sand will make a substance adapted to the builder’s purpose, but does not make a fertile soil. There is much difference in the quality of material for making lime. In some stone, magnesia prevails largely and this is less profitable. That which makes the best mortar is the strongest and best for land. The experience of the builder, in his choice for mortar, is a good guide for the farmer. Oyster-shells make the best of lime. How a farmer who has access to limestone or oyster- shells may make his own lime is worthy of his study. I do not propose to treat of the use of a lime-kiln, for if the farmer has one of his own, he, of course, knows how to use it; but to burn lime ina stack, at any place which may be made convenient by the location of the stone-quarry or shells, in its details is worthy of consideration. If stone is to be burned with coal, the size should not exceed two pounds in weight, and built in conical form, the outer walls being so carefully laid as to contain the weight within. I may illustrate it by describing a kiln as 30 feet long, 18 feet wide at the base, and tapering gradually and regularly on all sides to the height of 12 feet. This is made up of alternate layers of the stone and coal, requiring, for a kiln of this size, about 22 tons of coal, and which will produce about 2,603 bushels of unslaked lime. This kiln should be built upon six trenches at least one foot square, which are filled with dry wood, and the whole bottom covered with light dry material, such as old rails, stumps, corn-cobs, &c., which will serve to light the coal which is to do the work of burning the stone or shells into lime. A trench may then be dug around the kiln, which will fur- nish the clay for making the mortar with which the whole outside must be closely covered, and if straw or chaff be mixed with the plaster, it will be less likely to crack and suffer the escape of heat. The size of the kiln may be increased to almost any extent, and perhaps the larger it is the more profitable will be the result, increasing the base and height as well as the length. I may suggest that to build at the base of a rise of ground makes it more convenient to wheel stone upon the kiln in its construction. A ton of coal ina kiln thus properly constructed should produce 120 bushels; and to enable a farmer to estimate the quantity of coal required, and the number of bushels of lime which will 451 be produced from a kiln of any given size, I subjoin a calculation of the one given: eayviduh of ‘the base... 2.5. Ss.ssssseiees oa si oejveues a 18 feet. ene un Ol THe tance se eeieaceenen sewed se ae eee == = pipe 540 Half theiheight of the kiln: .2 2222.2 tise aba 2 - 6 Numiber ofvieubic* feet. a5. a. 22 2 see Senleisesc- 5 = 3240 Number of cubic inches in a foot........-----.-.--- 1728 25920 6480 22680 3240 Cabicanohes! in a) busheloteyeseeee esas ceisstos< ss -'s='5 2150.4)5598720(2603.5 bushels. 43008 129792) ° 129024 76800 64512 A 122880 107520 PLOWS COMO USO Mh, crate o.oo Soa oS a eee eames ete 120)2603.5 bushels. suns OL Coal TEQUIred.2o 22 2+ cckecnsece ace secs as cee 21 AUSTRALIA AND THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. The secretary of the Agricultural Society of New South Wales, ina recent letter to the Department of Agriculture, says: Iam happy to state that the reports of your Department, to which we give all due publicity, have proved of immense benefit to the Australian colonies. Several of the colonies have established departments of agriculture, and the constantly-increasing number of agricultural societies throughout Australia, with which we are in daily communication, will ere long enable us to concentrate a mass of authentic informa- tion which will place us in a position to publish once a year a volume somewhat resembling your annual report. It may be gratifying to you to know that the exam- ple so nobly set by the United States has been followed by Australia. We are now engaged in securing the co-operation of all the colonies of the Austra- lian group in obtaining from the Centennial Commission of the Philadelphia Exposi- tion in 1576 sufficient space to represent at the great centennial gathering the unde- niable proof of the immense natural resources of this territory. AMERICAN, COTTON AND TOBACCO CULTIVATORS WANTED IN THE ISLAND OF CORSICA. : The Department a few years ago embraced an opportunity of sending some Maryland and Virginia tobacco seed to Madame de Angeli, of the Island of Corsica, in the Mediterranean, for experimental culture. From the letter below, from the agent of Madame de Angeli, it will be seen that the experiment bas proved so successful as to lead a prom- inent planter of the island to offer liberal inducements for persons in this country, who may be competent to the undertaking, to go to the 452 island and engage in the cultivation of both cotton and tobacco, for which the climate and soil of the country are believed to be peculiarly adapted. PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 1874. DeEaR Str: I am requested to inform you that the seeds of Virginia and Maryland to- bacco, which your Department sent to Madame Emilia de Angeli, some four years ago, for planting in Corsica, have produced most gratifying results. The seeds were sown upon the estates of M. Jean de Peraldi, Baron de Comnene, and in the district of Vico, lying near the sea. From March to June two crops or cuts were obtained, and the third crop was well up, but did not come to perfection. Potatoes and beans were afterwards planted on the tobacco fields, and produced an excellent crop. The Corsicans, how- ever, do not understand well the art of dressing the tobacco produced. Cotton does not seem to have proved so great a success; probably because the cultivation was not well understood. In order, however, to stimulate the cultivation of both cotton and tobacco, Baron Peraldi authorizes me to inform your Department that he would will- ingly give a small tract of land on his estates in and around Vico to any Americans who, understanding the management of these products, would go out to Corsica and settle, he, of course, being prepared to provide for them until such time as they could, by means of their own industry in raising these staples, provide for themselves. Very respectfully, CHARLES H. A. ESLING, Agent for the De Angeli Estates, 208 South Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. The COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. FACTS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES. BRITISH CROPS.—The London Agricultural Gazette publishes state- ments, founded upon letters received from 273 correspondents in differ- ent localities of England, Scotland, and Ireland, giving the condition of the crops on the 1st of August. Of these, 183 represent the condition of wheat as above average, 83 average, and 7 below average. Last year, of 257 similar reports to the same journal, only 11 were above ay- erage, 89 were average, and 157 below. The spring grains of 1874 were inferior to those of the previous year. In Great Britain the prospect of more than half the acreage in barley, oats, and pease was below average and a third, full average. FRENCH FARMERS.—The British Blue Book for 1869 shows that the total number of French agriculturists was 7,333,259, of whom 5,875,945 were land proprietors, and 1,457,314 were landless. Of the proprietors, 56,639 cultivated their own estates, 1,754,934 (small farmers) cultivate their own lands, 1,987,186 cultivate their own land besides laboring on adjoining estates; 648,836 farmers and proprietors; 293,860 metayers and proprietors; 1,134,490 laborers and proprietors. Of the non-propri- etors, 386,533 were farming rented land, 201,527 were metayers, farming lands for a share of the produce, 869,254 day laborers. The agricultural land proprietors constitute one-seventh of the entire population, and 80 per cent. of the entire agricultural adult male population. AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN CROPS.—Leading statisticians estimate that of 3,329,800 arpents under cultivation in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1,366,000 arpents have yielded crops above average, 1,377,000 arpents full average, and 586,000 arpents below. Hungary has made better crops than the Cis-Leithan provinces. ENGLISH GAME-LAWS.—Statisties laid before a parliamentary com- mission show that during the past four years in England and Wales the convictions for violations of game-laws have averaged, per annum, 453 as follows: For minor offenses, punished with fine, 7,000; for offenses punishable with imprisonment for three months or less, 1,500; for offenses punishable with imprisonment for over three and less than six months, 70; for offenses punishable by penal servitude,10. The severe execu- tion of these laws in many localities has led to the excessive preservation of game destructive of crops. CONSCRIPTION OF HORSES.—Le journal d@ Agriculture pratique pub- lishes the text of a late law of the French national assembly relative to the conscription of horses. An annual census in each commune, under the authority of the mayor, is to enroll the number of horses and mares six years old and upward, and of mules four years old and upward. A mixed military and civil commission is to inspect these animals, and to select such as are fit for the military service. These are subject to authoritative purchase by the government, at its own discretion. Several exemptions of this right of purchase are specified, such as horses belonging to the chief of state and to some other public functionaries, post-horses, approved stallions, mares with foal or specially adapted to gestation, animals absolutely necessary for army-transportation in time of war, &c. The minister of war fixes the quota to be furnished by each region in such manner as to avoid embarrassment in passing from a state of peace to one of war. The owner of a conscripted animal has the privilege of exemption, provided he can secure a sub- stitute of the same category satisfactory to the commission of remount. Horses drawn are classified according to the requirements of different branches of the service, and the prices of each class are fixed by law. Proprietors who refuse or neglect to comply with the requisitions of the law are subject to a variety of penalties for each offense, ranging from 50 franes to 1,000 franes. It is the duty of the owner to deliver con- scripted animals to the designated authorities. THE GRAIN-TRADE OF EUROPE.—The railway-system is producing wonderful changes in the production and distribution of crops in the Old World. K6nigsberg, in Germany, is rapidly becoming a great point for the shipment of Russian and Polish grain and hemp to Western Europe. The extension of the railways is annually adding to the export- trade of that city in spite of the tariff imposed by the Russian govern- ment. The grain and hemp brought to this market come mostly from the neighborhood of Orel. A new article of commerce, buckwheat-groats, has lately appeared in this trade, and is largely exported to Holland and Belgium. Russia is completing its lines of transportation from the in- terior to its own Baltic ports; but Konigsberg is but little affected by this competition, as is shown by her annually increasing trade. COTTON-LANDS IN CALIFORNIA.—It is estimated by intelligent parties on the Pacific coast that California embraces over 20,000,000 acres of land suited to cotton-culture, or double the area actually employed in the cotton States of the Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley. This land, under proper treatment, may be made to produce from ten to eleven millions of bales of cotton per annum, representing a cash-value of about three-quarters of a billion of dollars. Buta small portion of the California cotton-lands have been brought under cultivation. BEET-SUGAR IN CALIFORNIA.—The Sacramento beet-sugar factory is reported as under successful operation ; the working-up of this year’s crop having commenced September 29. The crop of sugar-beets to be worked up amounts to nearly 10,000 tons. The field-gang of 45 men is gathering the crop as rapidly as possible. The factory is worked 454 night and day by gangs of 45 men each, relieving each other. The sugar produced is said to be superior to any other raw sugar in the market. FALSE AGRICULTURAL PHILOSOPHY.—The partial failure of the wheat- crop for three seasons in England has caused some Euglish farmers to suppose that the land has become “ sick ” of small-grain culture, and that it needs the rest of along fallow to recuperate. The Mark Lane Express thinks that the failures of the past three years are largely due to im- provident culture, and especially to the lack of fertilization. The fine yield of 1874 is cited as sufficiently explosive of the old idea of ‘ sick- ness of the land,” an agricultural superstition dating back to the com- mencement of the Christian era. Columella, a Roman writer of the first century, wrote against the croakers of that day, who tormented themselves and the public with this absurd chimera. He charged the failure of crops upon the slothfulness and ignorance of cultivators. It is astonishing how old errors constantly reproduce themselves. In spite of the advance of science and the diffusion of intelligence, men who have opportunities of knowing better surrender themselves to childish delusions, and gravely propound the most fanciful hypotheses to account for facts they do not understand. Inthe present case, however, the truth lies near the surface. Common sense shows sufficient cause for the late crop-failures in the incompetence or listlessness of farmers themselves. These sharp criticisms find a legitimate application on this side of the Atlantic. PRESERVING MANURE.—The Boston Journal of Chemistry states that the sources. of loss in the storage of manure are two: first, the escape of volatile ammonia and otber gases; and, secondly, the loss of valuable salts by leaching. The first difficulty may be obviated by covering the excrement with eight or ten inches of good soil or loam, which will ab- sorb all escaping gases. A bushel or so of plaster may be advanta- geously scattered over the heap before the soil is thrown on. The whole mass should be perfectly covered, leaving no ‘*‘ chimney” for gaseous exudation. The danger of leaching may be avoided by covering the heap with hay or straw sufficiently thick to shed most of the rain. If kept in this way a sufficient time, the manure will undergo spontaneous decomposition, the products of which will be ready for immediate assim- ilation by plants. The usual process of carting manure to the fields in the autumn to waste, by both the above processes, some of their most valuable constituents. PRESERVING GRAPES.—A French viticulturist has lately published a process by which he has preserved the freshness, beauty, and scent of grapes as late as the month of April. The fruitis left upon the vine up to the last moment, but must be cut, before the first frost, at the second or third joint below the cluster. The cut end is then covered with wax to prevent the escape of vegetable fluids, and then thrust into a bottle of water through a perforated cork, A little charcoal in the water pre- serves its purity. The cork is then covered with sealing-wax, air-tight, and the bottles placed in a dry room, where the temperature never falls below the freezing-point, and carefully kept in an erect position, the clusters not being allowed to touch each other. Every imperfect grape must be removed as fast as it shows sigus of failing. ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZATION OF FLOWERS.—It has been discovered that infertile flowers may be fertilized by touching their pistils with camel’s-hair pencils dipped in honey; or, still better, in honey mixed with pollen of a fertile flower. In the botanical garders of Vienna, a 455 Hibiscus Mexicanus under this treatment yielded a large quantity of good seeds. Several fruit-trees yielded fruit from blossoms to which this application had been made, while others, not subjected to this process, entirely failed. It is supposed that the honey merely retains the pollen- erains that fall upon it from the stamens, and secures their communica- tion with the germinal organs. THE HOP-CROP IN EUROPE.—From the Mark Lane Express of Sep- tember 14, the following concerning the hop-crop is taken : The crop of 1874 cannot be so large as merchants and factors would wish the world to believe. Under no circumstances can the amount exceed 272,000 cwt., or 400 per acre, on the excessive acreage of 68,000 acres, equal to an old duty of £136,000. It is simply absurd to think of any higher figures, for there are thousands of acres in Sus- sex, Mid and West Kent, Hereford, and Worcester that will yield nothing; thousands of acres will not yield more than from 1 cwt. to 14 cwt. per acre, and thousands that can- not produce 3 per acre. Let it be assumed that there are 20,000 acres in East and Mid Kent, Surrey, and Hants that will give an average of 7 cwt. per acre, or about an average yield; this would make 140,000 cwt. Then put 28,000 acres in Kent, Hants, and Surrey, at 3 ewt. per acre all round, required to make the total equal to 272,000 cwt. * * ko * * + * The best proof that the crop will be short, not more than half an average, is that prices are hardening daily, and range from £10 10s. to £13, according to sort and quality. * “ - * After careful examination of the continental prospects, it seems to be certain that really good hops cannot be imported here and sold under £13 to £15 per cwt. MARKET PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS. The following quotations represent the state of the market, as nearly as practicable, at the beginning of the month: Articles. Prices. Articles. Prices. | NEW YORK. New York—Continnued. | Flour, superfine......... per bbl.} $4 40 to $4 80 |} Sugar, fair to good, refining per lb} $0 8$to $0 8% extra State ........- do.--| 500 to 5 75 |} prime, refining .-..-- done. 8% to _ superfine western ...do...| 440 to 4 80 || Tobacco, lugs.-........-...- do... 10 to 124 extra to choice western, common to medium per Parcells. <2 --Seecee 490 to 9 00 leat 3.5445 .ss-per lb. 123 to 154 common to fair southern Wool, American XXX and pick- €xtra ...-------per bbl.| 510 to 6 00) lo @ler se ts ese ee per lb. 58 to 68 good to choice south- American X and XX, per BENG Ke ~ aio isn's so per bbl.| 605 to 8 75 POUNMO Sa cela danni eee 47 to 574 Wheat, No.1spring ...per bush.| 1 2i to 1 27 | American,combing.per lb. 55 to 62 No.2 spring ...--.- do..-| 1114to 1 20 | pulled’. <2 5252-0 <<. dose 38 to 50 winter, red, western, California spring clip, per per bushel: .- 555-5. Teh oy alee ath pound) 522-2 525-5 Baers 25 to 36 pee a eben western, California fall clip . per lb. 26 to 28 per bushel tes .1c)s55<10 M21 tow eet winter, white, western, PE Bes Per MuUsWOlL esse. ojo = 130 to 1 42 || Flour, superfine......... per bbl.| 325 to 3 7% Ry@ce. tes -26 : ---per bush. 90 to 95 Pa ORG - -osse mae do...| 425 to — — Barley s2--c-ee senate ences do..-| 125 to — — Pa. family and fancy.do...| 5 75 to — — Gorn foot ee see eee ee do... 96 to 1 00 western, extra -...... do..-| 600 to 6 75 Osts)- 2022255. Bpsrcsc 522° 03. 60 to 65 western family and Hay, first quality -....-- per ton.| 16 00 to 21 00 fancy .--.-- ----per bbl.| 700 to 8 50 « second quality....-...- do...| 12 00 to 13 00 || Wheat, winter, red....per bush.} 118 to 1 25 IBGef mess. ==: -|...2225- per bbl.| 12 50 to 13 50 winter, amber...... do_..|.- 1.23. tewaimes extra Mess .-.....---- do...| 14 00 to 15 00 winter, white .....- do...-|. 1/25. toyedes (POLE QUGRS eee o- ee do...| 22 65 to 22 75 SPL Oe eas aes ese do...| —— to — — extra prime ...--. .-- do...| — — to — — || Rye..-2-..2222.--5-25 ee wice do-.-| 1.00 to 1 05 prime mess .....---.. do...| — — to — — || Barley....-...--..--..-..-- do..-| 130 to — — Dardtsses as. oo fea sees ane per lb. 14 to = KOOL c 3.2.4 sate eee ec iomiei= = dos =: 96 to 1 06 Butter, western ........-.-do... 25 to Sea|Oats.. 4c cee Se eee oe doses 61 to 67 State dairy .. .....-do... 30 to 40 || Hay, fresh baled......... per ton.} 21 00 to 23 00 Cheese, State factory....... do... 13 to 15 common to fair shipping, western factory ... -do.. 3 114 to 14} POLO = SF: ccnp 19 00 to 20 00 Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- Beef, western mess ...... per bbl.| 8 00 to 10 00 HEA 322 555gecoc per lb. 133 to 154 extra mess......----- do...| 9 00 to 12 00 low middling to good Warthman’s city family middling ... ..-per lb. 15§ to 178|| Per Pawel «5c 54 seas ce | 17 00 to — — Articles. Prices. 456 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. Prices. PHILADELPHIA—Continued. POrks Mess 222 522 a ce--= == do.. Beet, plate 25. 5-—--se-=o- per bbl [POL KAMe6ss so s22 eee co == do. 1b iit te eS soc per lb IPM GPE: Choice 2252-22. eee do. DMNA SaaS sso Sons do. Cheese, factory ...... -.-- per lb prime apple......-.- dp... Sugar, N. O., fair to good....do.- pr ime tochoice....... do... Be Ree ee Solid DD wo — bt et OT OT i" yn.| 20 15 14 ¢ -| 26 Ree eee on Ro | th yp ees BERR ROO 324 25 to $24 50 CrxcinnatTi—Continued, Tobacco; Wesse cesses ee per lb. leat crane oe see Os Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- DALY: scse: wees per lb. low middling to good middling ...... per lb. Wool, fleece-washed....--.- do. . tub-washed -.. ..-..-. donee unwashed, clothing .do... unwashed, combing -do. -- pulledUesens=eeeee do... CHICAGO. Flour, white winter, fair to good, per barrelice-.-s2- 5556 choice red winter medium to fancy spring extras, per barrel spring superfine--per bbl. Wheat, No.1 spring ...per bush. No. 2 spring.....-.- don-= No. 3 spring....- eee OOren Corn; Nose ereereneee nesses ROSS ON O12 eee eee eee Barley, No. 2 Ry Os iINO. 2 Dose sis seeisem neste Hay, timothy. .-..-.--... ue Ape PIAL Clee e eee eer IBEGL. RCsS eee seme e eae eee ae boi. extra mess....-----.- do? Pork mosses eee eee do... prime mess--.-..-...- do... extra prime.........- do... Par Seeeece essere pee lb Butter, choice to fancy - do... medium to good . -do. Cheese, N. Y. factory Dajan do.. Obi9 and western fac- ODYic ams tee eieeel= per lb. Sugar, 0, prime to choice - do... N.O., common to fair-do. Wool, tub- washed ......... do.. fleece-washed.-....--. dos unwashed ...-----.-- doy pullede essere eesne do. SAINT LOUIS. AMlour springs sseesee eee per bbl. WROD sea seers doze. Wheat, red winter. .---. per bush. white winter ....... Goze Some A oodoascoss do... Corn) nss2eehoeseeere arene ado: Ii @Qeecndscemaeanaseatos2 See do.. Odite' ede eeecicesereee sce =e do Barley peeeseese secre eee si== = do.. Hay, timothy Der eeie se per ton. Beef, prime mess.......- per bbl. ANG o5se6 -Absodeeree- do.. fairl mentee stata ohale'= iol s1=i5's per Ib. Butter: sChoice |.- --.- 22-1 do.. inferior grades....do..- Cheese, Ohio and N. W. factory, es pound....-------.. WN. Y. factory ----.- per lb. || Sugar, N v. O., common to fair, per ~ pound pene sntanbncgcedee N. O., prime to choice, per pound Boe fos sopddeese= Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- Mary ose oeee= er lb. low middling to good middling. .-.... per lb. || Wool, tub-washed .....-.. -- do..- unwashed combing -..do..- fleece-washed.....-..d0... $0 12 to $0 25 17 14 15 to 374 13% wot Atk S c—) Re Om o S 457, Market-prices of farm products—Continued. e Articles. NEW ORLEANS. Flour, superfine ......... per bb OXUES - eons ene do... choice to fancy .--.-- do... Com; whitest s~.- per bush. yellow: -.---- fodssorac do. -- Renae ce ens do. Hisy, GHOlGGe n= .-c- cn. = per ton (DEe) pacdeoencsesene = do... THiG UN eS ee per bbl. Fulton market ...per 4 bbl. WOShORH =~ <2 42 -ose- per bbl. Pork: MeSss)< 2-225 3s-ses025; do... Ty ee oie See ee er Ib. Butter, choice Goshen ..-.... dorks western. --..-.---=.- dou. Cheese, choice western factory per pound............. N. ¥. cream .....- per lb Sugar, fair to fully fair -.---. do. prime to strictly prime, j per pound..-2-5--4-2--- clarified, white, and yel- lows sooo = Der Ihe Tobacco, lugs ..--.---- ------ do... low leaf to medium leaf, per pound Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- nary, per pound Prices. i} $4 00 to — — 4 25 to $6 50 6 623to 7 00 || 98 to 1 00 | 97 to 98 64 to 65 25 00 to 26 50 24 00 to 25 00 —— to ——) 11 00 to 11 50 — — to — — 24 00 to 24 50 16 to Vid) — to 42 | 25 to 35 | 153 to 16 18 to — — to — | 103 to 103) 102 to 102) 22 to 103) 7] 102 to 13 113to —133|| Articles. New OrLEANS—Continued. middling........ per lb AUG) nd os do. SAN FRANCISCO. Flour, superfine. ...-..-.. per bbl Erqng? Genaeo- clccneee- done: family and fancy.-.-.- do... Wheat, California... -- per cental. Oregon. 22025-2252 do... Barley == == 550+ see seseeee ae do.. Wats = <2 ois Seen eee do Gorm yollowsse--=es-seee do.. Wihlite: Jos 7...n eee do... Hay, State. .3 so-so per ton he beel:. mess: 3° ose sek eee per bbl family mess ....-- per 2 bbl. Pork; Me@ss° os. este ae per bbl. prime mess...-.-.-..-.-- do... Bard: ss 5 coe ees per lb Butter, overland....-----.-.- do. Califormmiags;- 25. --- do. Orepoi saseeene a=: do. 1) CH@O86 ae eases eater te do. Ha Wools mahtvasse -o85s.-2 ence. do @aliformia> .- 22.05 --~-= do. Oregon cesses seccaee= do. LIVE-STOCK MARKETS. NEW YORK. Cattle, extra beeves.-.-.per cental. good to prime. ..-.-.-- do... common to fair...-... dost. milch-cows.- --..- per head. Galves== > -2.=-- per cental. Sheep, good to extra .-...-. do. Swine, common to fair ..... do... PHILADELPHIA. Cattle, beeves....--.-.per cental. DREGW 2. 28S Peas acces Sse dois. SNe Sense. cs cae oe ake do... BALTIMORE. Cattle, best beeves-.-..per cental. first quality .-..-.-. doz ==. modiumM), o> >- = = 24: do. ~ ordinary. <2---2.-=: dos-- general average....do.... most of the sales be- tween......- per cental. DHESNse ee seats. ass Se do... Swine, corn-fed ............ do.<2 CINCINNATI. Cattle, good to prime butchers’ SLCSLSissa ee per cental. common to good, medium. per centale. 275 2eese6- milch-cows...-. per head Sheep, common ....... per cental good to prime. butchers’, good to prime, butchers’, per cental CHICAGO. Cattle, extra-graded steers, 1.400 Sonal pounds, per cen- ta to $13 00 to — — to — — to 8&5 00 to 7 00 to 6 25 to 6 75) to 750 to 6 00 to 11 50 | to 6 25 to 500 to 400 to 3 50 to — — to 500 to 5 25 to 10 50 to 600 to 4 25 to — — to — — to — — to 600 to 655 to 670 | CuHiIcaGco—Continued. Cattle, choice beeves, 3 to 5 years | old, 1,250 to 1,950 pounds, | per centall--2 se eens. good beeves, 1,200 to 1,300 pounds......- per cental medium grades, 1,150 to 1,300 pounds, per cental. lower grade natives, per cental Texans, choice corn-fed, per cental Texans, north - wintered, per certal Texans, through-droves, per cental Sheep, poor to medium, per | cental good to choice. per cental. Swine, good to extra dozs-: inferior to medium. do.... SAINT LOUIS. Cattle, choice native steers, 1,300 to 1,600 pounds, per cental_| prime second-class, 1,150 to 1,400 pounds. - per cental. good third grade, 1,050 to 1,300 pounds -per cental fair butchers’, 1,000 to oot pounds, per cen- ta cental Texans and Cherokees, corn-fattened . per cental. inferiors=4733-55 =. - do... Sheep «===: . cee neeeeeeee == do.. Swine .. = :.iccuesemeseccs= do.s52 Horses,*plug ---.------ per head. street-car horses ...do-.--. good work-animals. .do- - driving-animals ... do..-. heavy draught dose: inferior native grades, per | Prices. $143to $154 342 to — 400 to 435 450 to 4 62% 475 to —— 140 to 150 140 to 150 105 to. 125 1 45 to 1°65 L55 to: 1 60 155 to 1 60 8 00 to 14 00 8 50 to 10 00 650 to 8 06 22 00 to 24 00 17 50 to 18 50 15 to 16 20 to 25 25 to 50 18 to 25 12ito 16 17 to 22 25 to 30 25 to 30 | | $5 75 to $6 00 | 425 to 5 25 | 375 to 425 In 2:50) tot t3n00 425 to 475 | 2 00" to. sia Lo" tO. es ao D253 0) PaO) | 375 to 4 50 | 660 to 750 500 to 6 50 500 to 5 75 | 300 to 500 2.00 to. 3.58 |;}—— to — — — (a) 250 to 4 50 175 to 200 22 te 4°25 450 to 7 25 40 00 to 75 00 | 75 00 to125 00 --| 80 00 to110 00 1100 00 to 150 00 '130 00 to 170 00 458 Live-stock markets—Continued. "ar Articles. Price. | Articles. Price. | a Saint Lovis—Continued. | | New ORLEANS—Continued. Mules, 14 to 15 hands high, per || Cattle, first quality....per head. $30 00 to $35 00 Co, De eae Ra oe Re faa je70 00 to $120 00 | second quality...---. do....| 20 00 to 25 00 15 to 16 hands high, per western beeves-per cental.| — — to — — JOYS WR Pte eee 1120 00 to165 00 || milch-cows....-- per head-.| 35 00 to 100 00 GNI Res aee J See per head.|175 00 to 200 00 || ee calves eee eters do. -.:| 700) to) Sion = . | Sheep, first quality .....-. do....| 400 to 500 HENNY SINGS (SE second quality. .-.. do..-.| 300 to 4 00 Cattle, Texas beeves, choice, per DWI oer an eae nere per cental.| 5 00 to 10 00 LY Wad ae ee — — to 40 00 | | FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEAT.—The latier part of September was very mild in the British Islands, with very serviceable, light rains, facilitating the breaking up of the ground, somewhat parched by previous dry weather. The rain at many points was injurious to potatoes, thus throwing a heavier task of feeding the population upon the cereals, especially the lower descrip- tions of wheat. Nothing is visible in the wheat-trade to bring specula- tors upon the market. Small farmers, being somewhat pinched, are freely giving out their hoards, causing the millers to think that they hold the mastery of the situation. Prices during the third week of Sep- tember fell off 1 shilling per quarter. Foreign wheat is also in full supply. In France prices had given way, but with indications of diminished supplies. The west, center, and north of France are more affected than the south, where an effort seems to have been made to maintain previous high prices. Of 114 French interior markets, 14 ad- vanced and 1 showed a tendency in this direction, 13 were firm, 33 were without variation, 8 were calm, 44 declined, and 1 showed a downward indication. Inferior grains remained generally firm. But little change is noted in Belgium, Holland, and Germany, while at Odessa it was hoped that the fineness of the grain would eventually se- cure better than the ruling prices. At Algiers adead calm prevailed in the wheat-market. The sales of English wheat during the third week of September were 72,254 quarters, at 46s. 8d. per quarter, against 62,693 quarters, averaging 64s. 7d., during the corresponding week of 1873. The London averages were 47s. 6d. on 4,849 quarters. The imports into the United Kingdom during the week ending September 19, were 859,156 ewts. In Mark Lane, Essex, and Kent, new white brought 45s. to 50s. per quarter ; ditto, red, 42s. to 46s. ; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, 42s. to 46s. Of foreign wheats, Dantzie mixed ranged from 52s. to 61s. ; Konigsberg, 48s. to 60s.; Rostock, old, 49s. to 50s.; Silesian, red, 49s. to 53s. ; Pomeranian, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark, red, 48s. to 50s. ; Ghirka, 42s, to 43s. ; Russian, hard, 43s. to 46s.; Saxonska, 47s. to 48s. ; Danish and Holstein, red, 49s. to 51s.; American, red, 46s. to 48s.; Chilian, white, 50s.; Californian, 51s.; Australian, 51s. to 45s. In Liverpool, Canadian white brought 9s. 9d. to 10s. 3d. per cental; American red winter, 8s. 10d. to 9s. 6d.; spring, No. 1, 9s. 4d. to 9s. 8d. ; spring, No. 2, 8s. 6d. to 9s.; Bombay, 8s. 9d. to 10s. 3d.; Kurrachee, 9s. 3d. to 9s. 6d. ; Egyptian, 8s. to 9s. 6d.; Californian, 10s. 1d. to 11s.; Oregon, 10s. to 11s. ; Chilian, 9s. 3d. to 9s. 6d.; Australian, 10s. 10d. to 11s. 459 In Paris wheat averaged 43s. to 50s. per quarter. At Marseilles prices ranged from 42s. 6d. to 47s. 6d. for Egyptian and other Oriental wheats. At Antwerp fine American red winter maintained its position at 49s. At Rotterdam the quotations varied between 48s. 6d. and 53s. FLour.—The imports into the United Kingdom during the week end- ing September 19 were 114,858 ewt. Theinfluxof foreign flour, mostly in barrels, was not large. The latter, though with limited demand, maintained its prices. The Paris trade showed signs of weakness, prices giving way one shilling per quarter. In Mark Lane the best English town households brought 38s. to 47s. per 280 pounds; best country households, 35s. to 36s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 30s. to 33s.; American, per barrel, 24s. to 25s.; extra and double extra, 25s. to 26s. At Liverpool English and Irish superfines brought 35s. to 39s. per 280 pounds; ditto, extra, 40s. to 45s.; French, 37s. to 50s.; Trieste, 55s. to 62s.; Spanish, 41s. 3d. to 43s.; Chilian, 33s. 6d. to 36s. 6d.; Californian, 38s. to 40s. ; American western and extra State, per barrel, 23s. to 25s.; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 22s. 6d. to 26s.; Ohio and extra, 23s. to 26s.; Canadian, 22s. to 27s. In Paris prices for consumption ranged from 35s. 3d. to to 37s. 11d. per 280 pounds. MaAizE.—At the close of the third week in September there was a light supply in London and an upward tendency of prices. White was quoted at 38s. to 48s., yellow at 34s. to 37s., per quarter. In Liverpool Ameri- can ranged from 37s. to 42s. per 480 pounds; Galatz, 39s. 3d. to 39s. 6d. ~) aR cote eat hs \ pase nes Waka, varie Dnt We £ Hemi VP Ge " baw 2 i: fraitys nt Lt y A Gy i “7 bail RESP RNG pies ERMA ON (th ae iy ’ ule ne Y 1 pik | Bie sa an 4 Oa brn Pas 7 7 fh Ne ei AP ‘ ; ir i) thas tft Ki walk, ie OS Se ieaieekey th) 4 i a er 1 an ip Py ty i ") sen BY aohhh] MJ 1 Oa BU ie bi Ok ray | MOSHER 8) Pini 4 mie’ Hb) { Mae)! 6 ha) I oF i 7 ath Cesk Jad ( PP Le oh) En ; Me. tI mare Hy a lar Wty he ie ' wend pee ee ¥ AR oh) ‘ babes wee ; Pou 5 , ay y hh " o Hy 2. ae 7h nd ra ‘ P Wiis" Pian. 4 wet Dy 3s Mis, in A a ty x San e nn ray Vs, j , 7 ‘Wig he . q J ie i lye’ | hy My, bi a ; a 4) ao Gia) i bs ‘ ; \ ~ ) ra 4 ial A ‘ « a ‘ ' f » ey Li ‘4 “ ih i vig bits al RSA eu rt i 5 ~ 2 a j i * s \ , h i ! ih MONTHLY REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1874. ——_———_——————3 - > ee —___ WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1874. CoN TEN ae Page SratTIsTIcs : ; WIP Esh Of (Crop-TebUIMS bo Se eps e 2 abe cccleses sewietis'- oc tap sean. eee 463 SQORN LS cco oa sielene co eae aces eee weenie eRe cos eases + Sas ehh soe eee 463 Coptont 2222-3. See po Po see eae et cisa ss a6 an 5's Jesse cosas Meee eee eee 467 IROLaLOER 22a e eo ao Uae eer Cee sete cs ets cae eee 478 iBockwheat 262. ss22° pose ca see ee ease nne se = sass Sec ot oe -ee 480 ayaa ee eee hese ere eee Pee apna o.oo eon ee 480 POUACEO earl o ee saree eae oe er OeeE eee eee sone ee 482 Conditionof winter-wheab,2--2.5- se~ pee caw seca oe cone tec c co ee ee eee 483 Labulated .TebUCns- == 2 ---. scab = cones oneeee ee eines occ aacb eee ee eee 485, 486 i xXtrachs {rom COMrespOnd enue = —— 92h. wassie tee ee eerie le a> ee eee 487 International statistics of agriculture and forestry: -secsesccees cool ee eee 495 Agriculture of Tuspan, in Mexico... 2.) --2---eeccone eb 498 Co-operation im agriculture <2 2—-- —- com ecm -elooria eos cee peel eee eee 501 acts irom Oficial SONTCES, — 22. == < sc we i erica =.=. <2--.2--2-- = eee 510 Ameliorating culture. ....-< 2.22 ac > -erlUvATAsuue --- AOSIO(* MON occ e ence wate ennese LOX MON tetceeee qnorjoouno:Y BROROQSc S02 Danang purysy spouse SRS OMAN EKA S}josnousse BOCROR dss Cag ab ode quoude A orrysdme yy MO NT Sieie'weiseisise cies OULe AL id WTA pore a TIA pare red qyIa =paie ed "Bak TM i WIA poe “Ie0k 48 -ul0d - JonpoIg ‘rvak 4s "reo k 4 "1v0k 4 [snub ese10ay -ul09 - youpoIg $8BT Its poredyq109 441 -Tenb ose10a Vy “M109: YONpPOIg FSS, ITM peavdun0d Ayr -jenb osvi0aAy “W109 SyOnpoIg qge peae: (umsozoqn, tn “UB[OS) SHOLVLOG 8vjv4eVq) ‘SHOLVLOG AO ee "PLOT ‘uaquaaoyy fo hop pst ay) uo “0.h ‘soso ayy fo uonjrpuos ayj Burmoys 919%, 486 ‘dora eSRIoAe ue -ml09 jonporg WIA pered “suvad a ie} SEBS ° yo rece ome "SH IddV iy epys 6° fa Bees q Me @ fe] ee OBA ‘saavuo Tita 9 jon iva {4sv pezedm0 -poaid poyeorpuy (umyys108 you) ‘aNVO “avons rd “ievak 48 TIM pore -ulod gonpoilg “WOHDYOS ‘an Bas an8 Le tt") L-0O & ea tera ~~ Pop 3 Set mS ot co = () Raa nes SL ote Sue oc stg ons alice ice “NOLLOO “Ivo k ee TIM pare -ul09 yonporg “XV1a ee eee benen pita state ea — ae eae “*** BYSBIGO9 NT BMOT AOI SOGROO De SOS SEs a sGin ese cisieic = *l*l 219] OSOMUCIN siisine'e pe sisisinicicietela cia sieges casein a vores seer COORTAN: eae bret ec te nee scence eee ees eeeeeeeeeeeeee=* SIOUTTT Daecicascnes aesiemeatte sevens Sosiscemewe tosses gueIpuy Apia ste sirinlenis iG Ria bielchs sine ire cas SOSGSOOSI AT dehoh ie (2) hI einer sicisinaininieieleias SOI OSOO AICO) PIE GOS SSDS (ay AU )y3L SaaS =" BIITSITA 989 AA Ln DOOCIDOI AROS oossouua,y, “77 * SBSUBILLW Tdd ssiSsty > BULBQBLY Ee aS Ane 2) OC) Fi snfesisicies BIOLOOx) fe OSS COGOSES ATS SLOGUSIGUMEIS tra i(mirg le (naUNy ed Re be PEGE SIO TOSS SIOSOSOISIOIA Fa (OMG H Ua IC) AL pc me ae t pelea oe ern’ + S55 s'S >> BTC IAY ea Sean wrest sciclsississainsincassossss = Ue AuuiNs Pe ely a yee ato rIOO soceme SOOT IB MBIO(T ieee ey Pe OS TODO COSC ai yu YASUO 3 nd “rea k 49 TIM pair -m09 jonporlg “LVQHM Mond sd “reok 4s WIA pois -uL09 Jonpolg “ASVAd eee ee BIC E IGT ICA OT OOIORCH NT NYT. MONT Fare Le ee a ee aoe ene ees ae ACO, AL pie Pe eae ney ME Sines ee eae aa Sh et ep ULLG) “|S aa AM edie ke ea ee tek ke ee LL GL ee elt BRODOO ORI CORO ra OOS toro t > SIQOSNGOVSSEPAL pspisisiee-ries Dacisinjsicinisicpisiele ss clelssaie aisles sel -n TOULLOAG Se cis Bee e cine pelnenasicie sisi sirivieé > OTT SOULE Ee AON smonaes wae et ener eee eee reer eee ete ees = OUIBTAL *s0qv1g “ponuyUuog—PsgtT Saquaaony fo hinp ys.uf ayn uo “0. ‘sdowo ayy fo pparx A8T EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. FROM NOVEMBER RETURNS. AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.—Greene, Ala.: There seems to be a dis- position toward fall plowing; the negroes seem to be anxious to get to work at it. If we can manage to do ‘the greater part of the heavy work now, instead of waiting till spring, to overtax our mules, it will be a great point gained. Lowndes, Miss.: Short cotton-crops and low prices have produced great stringency. Ordinary brings but 13 cents per pound; it costs 15 cents per pound, with an average of 150 pounds of lint per acre. Jackson, Ark.: Our planters are very much discouraged; many of them have not made enough cotton to run them another year, and not half enough corn. Fortunately we have a good mast to fatten our hogs, or we should be without pork, and no money to buy with. — Montgomery, Tenn.: The coming winter stands a horror before the farmers; corn and hay very short. Dyer, Tenn.: Very short corn-crop, and scarcity of hogs will make meat scarce this winter. Livingston, Ill.: It is a most singular fact that our seasons have be- come more dry for the last five years. We expect much destitution and suffering here this winter from the failure of crops. Grundy, Ill.: The longest and most severe drought ever known here, from June 20; streams all dry. Franklin, Til.: The great question with our farmers now is, how we can destroy the chinch-bugs, for they must be destroyed or we must stop growing corn until they leave. We are agitating the propriety of burn- ing all over our timber and all other land, so far as it can be done. Douglass, Wis.: Farmers only hold their own. Nearness of copper and silver mines causes some neglect of farms. Mille Lacs, Minn.: Stringency in the money-market affects the lumber- men, but the farming community are well prepared for the winter. Pope, Minn.: The farmers do not appear to be discouraged on account of the short crops, but have manfully proceeded to prepare for a crop next year. Van Buren, Iowa: In a residence of thirty-one years I have never known a season of so great abundancein the State. There is no general failure of the ordinary farm-products, except, probably, a small corner of the northwest portion of the State, where the grasshoppers have eaten a portion of the great abundance. Lee, Iowa: Our county has been highly favored this year; splendid corn, potato, and fruit crops find a ready market at good prices; excel- lent fall pasturage. Benton, Mo.: Drought still continues; no rain since May; no such dearth within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant. Taney, Mo.: Drought from July 1 to September 15. Ray, Mo.: Unparalleled drought. falls, Mo.: Our season has been one of unparalleled fruitfulness, and our farming population are in a position to appreciate it, since our neighboring counties have suffered such terrible devastations this year. Last year was a poor season, and not much was raised; the reverse is true this year. 488 Moniteau, Mo.: Our prospects are gloomy indeed ; our splendid wheat- crop is all we have to depend on. Jasper, Mo.: No rain for four months. Crawford, Mo.: Poorest crop-year ever known in the county. Cowley, Kans.: Times hard; money monopolies using all the advan- tage that the grasshopper, chinches, and severe drought will give them. Sedgwick, Kans.: We are not in as destitute a condition as is supposed farther east. There are a few families that must have help; the rest of us are in a poor condition to give this aid. Boone, Nebr. : Grasshoppers destroyed all the corn, nearly all the oats, and garden vegetables, and injured the wheat. Merrick, Nebr.: Grasshoppers numerous. Thayer, Nebr.: Everything, except small grains, taken with drought, grasshoppers, and potato-bugs. San Joaquin, Cal.: Notwithstanding San Joaquin County has raised about 1,600,000 centals of the finest wheat this year, the farmers, as a rule, are comparatively poor, owing to the heavy expense attending the harvesting and sacking of their wheat at the low price it brings. The grangers have loaded about twenty vessels with wheat on their own account, and the warehouses are full all over the State. FRUIT-CULTURE.—Monroe, N. Y.: At Charlotte, the port of Roches- ter, the receipts of winter-apples average 5,000 barrels per day. The market price is about $2 per barrel. Wicomico, Md.: Cranberries have been planted here in considerable quantities during the last four years. Lack of knowledge of their proper treatment has delayed good yields. Hxperience indicates, in the future, a profitable growth. Ashe, N. C.: Cranberries almost a failure; cause unknown. Liberty, Ga.: An enterprising lady, Mrs. R. Screven, planted some young pear-trees three years ago, and from their fruit this year shipped to Savannah fifteen barrels of Pound pears, retailing at 5 cents each. She has also successfully cultivated many thousands of tea-plants. Bandera, Tex.: Peach-trees that bore a good crop this year commenced blooming again about October 12. Should the warm weather continue the trees will soon be in full bloom. Van Buren, Mich.: Cranberries half a crop. Our fruit-crop will ex- ceed in value our wheat-crop at present prices—95 cents to $1 per bushel. Pulaski, Ill.: I can only repeat with earnestness my former statements, that the blights of the roots and trunks of our apple-trees must soon make it impossible to grow apples in this locality unless remedies can be found for these diseases. Jackson, Mo.: Some of our apple-trees have bloomed since the rains. Osage, Kans.: There are some curious phenomena to be mentioned. The fruit-trees (stripped by the grasshoppers) have all releaved, and many of them have bloomed with double flowers. Most of the embryo fruit is double. San Joaquin, Cal.: There will be hundreds of tons of the finest grapes left on the vines, there being no demand for them. Wine-makers are paying $15 per ton, and very few buying at that price. : Sonoma, Cal.: No such a crop of grapes was ever before known in this county, where the grape attains the most perfect development and growth. Your correspondent harvested in his own vineyard eight tons of grapes per acre. Foreign grapes have also done well, though injured by frosts. The wine-product of the county, even at 30 cents per gallon, will be worth more than all the other products; yet there is not more than one acre in grapes of a thousand suited to that culture. 489 Butte, Cal.: I have made about five tons of raisins this season from the grape called Muscat of Alexandria, or White Muscat, which is identical with that from which the Malaga raisins are made in Spain. CoRN-CULTURE.—Orleans, Vt.: During several years it has been the prevailing sentiment that it is cheaper to buy western corn than to raise it here. Plymouth, Mass.: The farmers plant less grain every year ; one may ride several miles without seeing @ single acre of Indian corn; more attention to milk production, vegetables, and fruit. GRASS-CROPS.— Orleans, Vt.: Hay is our principal crop, and is all stored in barns; very few stacks in the county. Caldwell, N. C.: Italian rye-grass wholly worthless here. Tineoln, N. C.: The blue-grass has been taken in hand by one of our most enterprising farmers, but no one seems willing to try the Italian rye-grass for fear it may prove like some other foreign grasses, hard to eradicate. TOBACCO-CULTURE.—Person, N. C.: The counties of Person, Gran- ville, and Caswell are the finest tobacco-growing counties in the State. All other crops are much neglected or laid aside. The crop this year is one of the finest in color and quality. RICE-CULTURE.— Camden, Ga. : This county has on the Saint Illa River 6,200 acres of rice-land under bank, all being under cultivation prior to 1861, and producing 279,000 bushels of rough rice, or 45 bushels per acre. In 1866 about 400 acres were planted, and the acreage has grad- ually increased from that time. The present year about 3,000 acres were planted, producing 120,000 bushels, or 40 bushels per acre. LivE stocK.—Montgomery, Va.: This county is superior for grazing, which is a prominent occupation of the people. We have this year been eminently successful in this branch. Cattle were made very fat and sold at remunerative prices. Sheep-husbandry is on the increase, and the breeds of both cattle and sheep have been improved by importation. Montgomery, Iowa: This county at the recent election adopted a reg- ulation requiring stock of all kinds to be restrained from running at large, unless under the care and attention of some person, during the whole year. Polk, Mo.: Farmers are selling all the stock they can get into selling condition. I expect to see more thin stock next spring than was ever seen in Polk County. Platte, Mo.: Hogs a quick sale at $5 per cental gross. Sedgwick, Kans.: Those that have what farm-stock their homesteads can carry are, in this time of trial, in the best condition. Those that depended on grain alone, and would not be bothered with cattle, are in rather a bad fix. CoTTON-CULTURE.—Edgefield, S. C.: WUast year a friend, with no little persuasion, induced me to plant a small portion of a very produc- tive lot with seed of his raising, a variety known here as the Bancroft Cluster cotton, and the increased yield over the portion planted with common seed was truly wonderful, amounting to 20 per cent. These plants may be crowded very thickly, while the bolls, being in clusters, are easier to gather. It is said also to yield more lint from the same amount of gross cotton. PRODUCTS OF SOUTHERN TEXAS.—Cameron: This section of Texas is uot a farming country. Between the Nueces and Rio Grande—a ter- 490 ritory larger than the State of Pennsylvania—the people are almost ex- clusively engaged in stock-raising. There is a little cultivation aloug the margin of the Rio Grande, but it is very limited. In the whole val- ley there are not one hundred bales of cotton grown. The principal crops consist of corn, beans, melons, and a few vegetables. This is the dry region of Texas, and there will never be any agriculture until the waters of the Rio Grande are used for irrigation. This section consists of widely extended plains or prairies, with scarcity of water, but with good grass, and the plains are covered with cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. One gentleman in Nueces County, Mr. Mifflin Ken- nedy, has under fence 140,000 acres, and brands from 12,000 to 15,000 calves annually. Another, Captain King, has under fence about 60,000 acres and as much outside pasture, and he also brands annually 15,000 calves. Another stock-raiser, Mr. Clark, sold one of his brands and the stock with it, a few days since, for $24,000 specie. These are the largest stock-raisers, but there are hundreds who count their herds by the thousands. FROM DECEMBER RETURNS. AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.— York, Me.: The opportunity for con- tinuous farm labor has seldom been exceeded. Quantity and quality of butter produced are 20 per cent. better than last year, and the growth of young cattle in the same proportion. Farmers have bought as many goods and have paid as promptly as in past years. The middle- men have fallen off one-half. The results of the year show a greater balance in favor of our farmers than any year of the last six. Cumberland, Me.: Crops all above average; no lack of food for man or beast at reasonable prices. Hancock, Me.: One of our hardest seasons. Farmers are going into winter quarters with meagerly supplied larders. Throughout the long winter before us those who best solve the bread problem wiil be ac- counted our best brain farmers. Montgomery, Md.: Good farming pays better during dry weather than any other time. Howard, Md.: People much depressed by small production and low prices. Floyd, Va.: Fall season very favorable; but little stock feeding yet. Orange, Va.: The distressing want of money is a-bar to all enterprise or improvement. Prince William, Va.: A lean year with farmers. Greenville, Va.: Some English and Scotch farmers have settled in the county and have commenced operations in a very different manner from the southern planters. The raising of turnips is a specialty with them, in which they have very good success. Prince George, Va.: Low price of wheat and western competition since the opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, has caused a decline of wheat acreage. We raise about 1,000 bales of cotton per annum. Camden, N. C.: Farmers are in good heart and greatly encouraged ; more manure made and more inquiry in regard to cultivated grasses. Our farmers do good work, but are deficient in farm-machinery. They accomplish too little for the labor employed. Greenville, S. C.: Cotton, guano, and ruin are the three principal articles in this county. The land has been in corn one hundred years. It is difficult to make a crop or areport. The ship is sinking. Harris, Ga.: Labor lower and more easily obtained. A91 Schley, Ga.: This section in far better condition than at any time since the war; more provisions ; people nearer out of debt. Laurens, Ga.: Few farmers are able to sustain themselves. Liberty, Ga.: Agriculture slowly improving. Douglas, Ga.: The repeal of the lien-law will cause some farmers to be pinched next year. This law created extravagance among certain classes. The county is well furnished with breadstuffs, but meat is scarce. Morgan, Ga.: Low prices of cotton and high prices of supplies. Hamilton, Fla.: All crops short. De Kalb, Ala.: Rigid economy necessary. Henry, Ala.: Farms more self-sustaining ; more oats sown and more pork raised. Shelby, Ala.: People more hopeful. De Soto, Miss.: The pressure of the bread question has enlarged our wheat acreage to six times that of last year. Noxubee, Miss.: Unequaled breadth of wheat sown. East Feliciana, La.: Our condition deplorable. Henderson, Texas: Plenty of corn; if our lands had been worked well we would have had abundance to spare. Dallas, Texas: Hard times. Jackson, Ark.: Half of the farmers will have to buy corn. Farmers of the hills to the west of us are bringing their cattle to winter on the cane of the river bottoms, which is abundant. Prairie, Ark.: Immigration heavy, especially from Illinois and Kansas. Giles, Tenn.: Stock in good condition but no demand for it; money scarce. Hardin, Tenn. : Money scarce. Bedford, Tenn.: The most trying year we have yet known, but the farmers have gone to work with a will and have put in more wheat and in better order than ever before. Lewis, Ky.: The county is filling up with small tobacco-growers from Virginia. Tobacco land is selling at $5 per acre. The acreage will be increased 50 per cent. Floyd, Ind.: Money scarce. Whiteside, Ill.: Looking for a good and rather prosperous winter. Tnvingston, Ill.: Farmers in better condition than in any year since the war. Saint Croix, Wis.: The poor yield and low prices of wheat depress our farmers. The flouring mills of Saint Croix keep the price at least 10 cents per bushel above what it would be otherwise. Washington, Wis. : Low prices of wheat are very discouraging, caus- ing farmers to hold back for higher prices. It costs 75 cents per bushel to raise wheat in this county, and the price is but 85. Crawford, Wis.: Provisions plenty, but money scarce. Nicollet, Min.: The prospect for a large crop of grasshoppers is flat- tering; any amount of eggs deposited. Washington, Iowa: High price of pork compensates the low price of wheat. Pocahontas, Iowa: Considering the threatening aspect of the grass- hoppers last spring, farmers have reason to be satisfied with their crops. Appanoose, Iowa: High prices of corn, oats, and hogs are making a. very successful season for our farmers. Stour, Iowa: All our corn and half our wheat destroyed by grass- hoppers. Putnam, Mo.: Farmers are liberally rewarded by ruling prices of produce. 492 Crawford, Mo.: Drought and chinches nearly ruined the crops. Clay, Mo.: Gloomy prospect for the winter; little stock to be fed and but little to feed with. Coffee, Kans.: Pretty fair crops. Nemaha, Kans.: The disastrous failure of many of our crops does not discourage us; we are preparing a still larger crop area. Franklin, Nebr.: People suffering for food and clothing. Crops destroyed by grashoppers and drought. Hall, Nebr.: Grasshoppers destructive; they have left but few eggs. Boone, Nebr. : Grasshoppers. Madison, Nebr.: Many farmers destitute. Fumas, Nebr.: Many settlers left destitute by grasshoppers. Sacramento, Cal. : Hop-growers excited by the good demand for their products; good hop-land in demand at fancy prices; wool flat and dull. Alameda, Cal.: Fall clip of wool the largest ever produced; producers holding up for higher prices; hemp yielded splendidly. San Joaquin, Cal.: About 60,000 tons of wheat in the warehouses of Stockton. Corvallis, Oreg.: Hop-culture attracting attention. Willamette bot- tom-lands produce a fine quality of hops. Flax-culture also increasing, and is the most profitable crop this year, yielding about 15 bushels per acre, with $1.75 per bushel. El Paso, Colo.: Grasshoppers and drought destructive. Fremont, Colo.: Grasshoppers and drought. Box Elder, Utah: Prices about the same as last year, when trains loaded with grain were constantly rolling to the Pacific. The farmer dispenses with superfluous merchandise and pays his laborers in pro- ducts. Many persons in delicate health and crippled find suitable em- ployment in the manufacturing establishments of clothing, shoes, fur- niture, &c. This makes us partly independent of foreign markets. Live stocKk.—Camden, N. J.: Some farmers are losing their hogs. They are first affected with sleepiness and loss of appetite. The ears and belly become dark-purple, and then death ensues. No remedy. ‘The disease attacks young pigs as well as fattened hogs. Frederick, Md. : Sheep-husbandry increasing. King George, Va.: Hogs not so heavy as last year, but their increased number will enlarge the yield of pork. James City, Va.: Drought has left our cattle in poor condition for winter. Hart, Ky.: Some farmers, after feeding nearly all their corn, have lost most of their hogs by cholera. Logan, Ky.: Drought and worm so injured our corn as to impair its fattening qualities; there is a great difficulty in fattening hogs. Boone, Ilt.: A large amount of stock-feed must be imported. Marshall, Ill.: Stock-growing has increased to an extent sufficient to consume nearly all the grain raised; about 23,000 hogs sold, averaging 300 pounds gross per head. Marshall, Ill.: More hogs fattened than ever before. Delaware Iowa: More fattened hogs than at this period of any year since 1861. Washington, Iowa: Hogs 64 cents per pound gross. Caldwell, Mo.: Corn scarce; stock-hogs shipped to Iowa and Illinois for feeding. PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTIS.—MAINE.—Androscoggin: Hay good and 493 prices fair. Cumberland : Sweet corn, our principal crop, has averaged $70 per acre. New YorKk.—Otsego : Our staple crop is hops; yield moderate but of extra quality, and nearly all marketed at 35 to 40 cents per pound. This will probably stimulate the cultivation next year and produce a large acreage. PENNSYLVANIA.—Philadelphia: Rye grown mostly for the straw, which sells at 85 cents per cental. MARYLAND.—Frederick: Pork $9 per cental—a very profitable return. SoutH CAROLINA.—Beaufort: Short staple-cotton, 14 cents per pound ; sea-island, 33 cents; rice $1.50 per bushel. TENNESSEE. — McMinn: Farmers refuse to sell their wheat on account of low prices. Trexas.—Burnet : Very little corn sold as yet; farmers are holding on for higher prices, though the demand is yet small. ARKANSAS.—Franklin : All crops maturing late in the summer were shortened by drought, but the prices range very low, owing to scarcity of money. Kentucky.—Hardin : Hogs, 74 cents per pound; cattle, 34 cents per pound; horses and mules, no market. Jessamine: Hogs, 6$ to 7 cents per pound; nearly all sold. Henry: Hogs all sold at an average of 7 cents per pound, a very remunerative price. INDIANA.—Gibson: Pork 54 to 7 cents per pound. Floyd: Hogs, 7 cents per pound. Marshall: Hogs, 6 to 64 cents per hundred, gross; cattle plenty at 25 to 3 cents. ILLINOIS.— Putnam : Good beef-cattle, 4 to 44 cents per pound; fat hogs, $6.80 to $7.25 per cental; hogs nearly all sold. Sangamon: Very few hogs shipped to Chicago; spring field-packers paying very good prices. Cattle are too cheap to pay for the corn they eat. Washing- ton: Red wheat, weight 60 pounds per bushel, brings 85 cents, with a deduction of 5 cents for every pound short of 60. Wisconsin.—Richland : Hogs have brought 5 cents gross, live weight, which is very remunerative ; beef-cattle mostly sold at very low rates. Crawford : Hog-crop one-half short; prices from 54 to 6 cents per pound, gross ; beef-cattle from 2 to 24 cents, gross. Jowa.— Delaware: Prices of wheat lower than for ten years; corn and oats command fair prices. Missouri.— Putnam : Hogs selling at 6 cents per pound, live weight. Marion: Hogs 7 cents on the hoof. Platte: Hogs 6 cents, gross. Cald- well: Horses and stock-cattle bring very low prices; fat cattle and hogs very good ones. KANSAS.—Douglas : Pork selling from 5 to 7 cents, gross. Cherokee: Wheat is very low—65 to 80 cents per bushel. It is most profitable to keep a car-load for shipment, as it will then bring from 5 to 7 cents more. SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS.—Dona Ana.— Southern New Mexico, including the valley of the Rio Grande in this county, presents advantages greater than any other Territory. Climate and geographical features—The climate is unsurpassed in salubrity for man and domestic animals. The snows of winter never cover the summer-grown grasses from the stock. All the fruits are produced which can be grown where the thermometer averages 80° F. during five months in the year. The ground is not frozen to hinder the plow torty- 3A 494 | : eight hours at a time in winter; and winter-wheat, rye, and such grasses as can be grown in its hot summer, grow the yearround. The elevation, 4,000 feet above the sea-level, and the great distance from the oceans, produce an arid and clear atmosphere, highly charged with electricity, which invigorates and nerves the human system, inflates and heals the lungs, and is free from miasms. The region only needs facilities of access to make it celebrated as a resort for the asthmatic and the con- sumptive. Fruit. Extraordinary crops of apples, peaches, and grapes have been produced. Trees in many instances have been so overloaded that they have been crushed beneath their burdens. Grape-vines have nearly recovered from the frost of April, 1873, which killed the new growth and destroyed some entirely, as it fell on them while in bloom. The yield the past season was 80 per cent. of a full average crop. The eight grape-vines sent me from the Department in February last have all lived and made fine growth, none less than 3 feet and some 6 feet in length. The growth of our El Paso vines has been enormously large this year in all the vineyards which have been cared for, and the grapes have met with no mishap. Mildew, (oidium,) owing probably to our arid atmosphere, never affects the fruit or vines, and the root-louse is un- known; perhaps our alkaline soils will not allow it to live. This valley has been proved to be one of the best in the Union for the production of apples, pears, quinces, and grapes, except that the winter-apples of the Northern States ripen here in the fall, and we have as yet but few of the longest keepers. Insects.—The codling moth, cureulio, and other destructive insects are unknown in this region; the fruit is, consequently, fair and free from insect injuries. A large green beetie eats the ripe apples and peaches on the trees; but as they are not abundant and remain but a few days, they do but little damage. Corn has three enemies: a green worm which enters the ear by the silk, or through the husk, and eats the‘young grain; a worm which enters the stalk near the ground and weakens it till it falls, often before the grains are perfected; and a small black bug, (about the size of the chinch-bug of the Northwestern States, but not fetid, and, if [ mistake not, in the larva state it is a white grub, about three lines in length,) which also feeds on the young grain, entering the ear by way of the silk, if no other opening presents itself. The grasshopper tribe never do any damage here—in tact, few are seen west of the Pecos River and south of the thirty-fourth parallel, though more made their appearance in the latter part of October than had been seen before. The system of irrigation in this valley would meet and prevent their advance if they should attempt to comeamong us, The large brown squash-bug, (Coreus tristes, Harris,) is likely to render precarious the production of tine squashes and pumpkins in this valley. Beans are attacked and greatly injured by what is evidently a dory- phora, the larva of which is yellow, considerably smaller than the decem- lineata. The perfect insect greatly resembles the lady-bird in color, though not so bright.and much larger. They feed on the leaves of the beans. Potato beetles are here, but as potatoes are only raised in limited quantities, they are doing no damage. A slate-colored bug, six lines long, attacked the grape leaves in June, but did no damage be- sides eating them, and thus thinning the foliage. They staid three weeks, and left no eggs or young onthe vines. The plant-lice, (Aphides,) in the spring destroy all the cabbage tribe, so that seed cannot be raised here; but later the lady-birds increase and destroy many of them, allowing cabbage to make fair heads. The wheat midge is injurious to old wheat in the bin, so that little or no old wheat is kept over. 4 495 INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. The Secretary of State has referred to this Department a communi- cation from the Austrian ministry of foreign affairs, received through Baron Lederer, Austrian minister resident at New York, inclosing the ‘*decisions” of the “first international congress of agriculture and forestry,” held during the Vienna Exposition of 1873, upon several leading points. An abstract of these decisions is herewith presented : I. In regard to the measures to be taken for the protection of birds useful to agriculture. The congress determined to petition the imperial and royal govern- ment of Austria to conclude treaties with other governments embracing the following points: 1. To prohibit the taking or destruction of insect- ivorous birds. 2. To designate an international commission of specialists who shall prepare a detailed list of such birds as should be protected. 3. To prohibit the taking or killing of grain-feeding birds between March 1 and September 15. 4. To forbid the use of nets, snares, or bird-lime for the capture of birds. 5. To prohibit the taking of eggs or young of birds, or the derangement of their nests, except in the case of injurious birds specified by the international commission. 6. To prohibit the exposure for sale of any insectivorous bird, dead or alive. This prohibition applies to grain-feeding birds during the time in which it is unlawful to molest them, as well as to the nests and eggs of all birds not officially classed as injurious. 7. Special cases, in the interest of science, may be excepted from the operation of these rules. II. What sections of agricultural and forest statistics, and what methods of abstract presentation of facts, render it desirable that an international agreement take place in order to obtain results susceptible of comparison. The congress expresses the conviction that agricultural and forest exploitation, as now developed, cannot give statistical data sufficiently exact for comparison upon its actual condition and progress in different countries. The efforts of international statistical administration, hitherto, have been insufficient to meet this necessity, which can only be met by researches of specialists in the matter, and upon the basis of common agreement between governments. This agreement should fix the stand-point of investigation, and arrange a uniform programme, expos- ing clearly what should be the aim of the statistical abstracts and the meaning of the nomenclature adopted. The governments should be pledged to each other for the execution, as regularly as possible, of the programme, and for the intercommunication of the results obtained. For this reason the congress prayed the Austrian government to take the initiative steps to secure such an agreement between governments, and to expedite the organization of asystem of agricultural and forest statistics. It is recommended that a census be taken every ten years in -all countries at the same time that the census of population is taken ; that it should comprehend the greatest subdivision of administrative districts, and especially the segregation of the most important agricul- tural regions; the area covered by agricultural and forest culture in general ; the cultivation of the most important crops, and their medium yield calenlated upon the largest possible number of years ; the systems of culture in use; the superficies covered with different kinds of forest, 496 and the mass of woods they contain; the aggregate of live-stock, and the profit derived therefrom; the approximate number of great agri- cultural exploitations; the aggregate of rural population, &c., with a tabular summation of the whole. This movement should result in publications showing clear and pre- cise statements capable of comparison upon— 1. The market prices of agricultural and forest products as well as the exchange to which they give rise. These statements should be as prompt as possible, and as often as once a week in times of special interest. 2. The annual yield of crops in percentages of an average yield, for the earlier crops in September, and for the later ones before the end of November. These should be given in absolute figures by unity of sur- face and in totality as soon as possible after the period of production. 3. The prices of transportation by quantity and distance, by rail or other roads or by water; the wages of laborers; interest on money ; voluntary or involuntary mutations of property; the purchase-price and insurance of goods, &c. These statements should be made as far as possible from official data or other reliable information, and should be made annually. Ili. Question A. What points of agricultural experiment demand the organization of an international system of observations ? Among the many points of this character the following are specially recommended for international observation : a. Examination of the amount of ammonia and nitrous acid precipi- tated in rain, with indications, as precise as possible, of the place and time of such researches. This involves the question of nitrogen. b. Determination of the power of absorption of the soil by chemical and mechanical analyses, as well as the influence of fertilizers upon ab- sorption. c. Researches upon the scientific basis that should be given to agri- cultural hydrotechny, embracing gardens for hydrotechnic studies. d. Analyses of the principal grains and seeds of different countries selected from different localities, showing their nutritive and commer- cial value. e. Definition of the influence of nourishment and breed upon the quantity and quality of milk, and the capacity of animals for fatten- ing. Ff. Management of the feed, seed, cocoons, and eggs of silk-worms. g. Essays upon the variation of plants from the same seed through the medium of different methods and conditions of culture—that is, of acclimation. To accomplish the above-indicated labors the governments are re- quested to complete the number of experimental stations and to furnish them with necessary means. The chiefs of experimental stations should assemble periodically with governmental delegates to deliberate upon the works to be accomplished, the most eligible methods of procedure, and the publication of results. III. Question B. What points of forest experiment demand the organ- ization of an international system of observations ? : The congress decides— 1. Governments should by all means in their power introduce and or- ganize forest experimentation. 2. Chiefs of experimental stations should be specialists in this busi- ness, and, as far as possible, devote all their time and energy to their work, satisfactory results being obtainable only by the accumulation 497 without delay of a large mass of observations to be utilized in a way corresponding to forest exploitation. 3. AS soon as a System of forest experiment is organized in any coun- try it should be placed in communication with similar systems in other countries, in order to act together upon points of international interest, as well as to determine the proper methods of action. 4, Questions demanding international observations are those which investigate the influence of forests upon climates, the amount of rain- fall, the formation of springs, inundations, &c. This class of inquiries should be prosecuted at once, as the solution of the question of forest preservation depends upon the information obtained on this subject. 5. A permanent commission should be constituted for deliberating upon measures suited to the development of forest experimentation, with liberty to call in the aid of specialists. 6. The aid of different countries is invoked. IV. What international measures seem necessary to remedy the ever- increasing devastation of forests. 1. An international effort has become necessary, especially for the preservation of forests at the sources of great water-courses, as their unlimited destruction brings about a fluctuation of water-levels very injurious to commerce and industry, filling the channels with sand, weakening the banks, overflowing the cultivated fields, and occasion- ing injuries affecting not only a single territory, but also other coun- tries. 2. The preservation and management of forests, planted upon shift- ing sands, upon the summit and upon the declivities of mountains, upon the sea-shore, and other exposed places, is a matter of interest to all civilized nations, wherefore general principles should be established and put in force in all countries, binding upon proprietors of forests, the preservation of which is demanded by agriculture. 3. The preservation of forests being dependent upon good and sure management, especially in common forests, an international agreement is essential in order to make the researches and to obtain communica- tions in regard to existing arrangements in different countries. 4, The Austrian minister of agriculture is requested to confer with other governments in regard to the preparation of statistical reports, embracing the localities of the forests to be protected, their extent, character, &c. The congress finally concludes, that an international agricultural and forest congress, composed of delegates of governments and of great agricultural and forest associations, be convoked for the examination of legislative measures, facilitating the international exchange of agricul- tural and forest products, of finely-bred animals, of agricultural machin- ery, of artificial fertilizers, &c. The congress should also deliberate upon such scientific questions as will stimulate the progress of these great industries. The delegates should, at each session of the congress, report upon the international trade in alimentary products. The presi- dent should place himself in communication with governments and great agricultural and forest associations, in order te rally the force of these great interests to the statistical work contemplated. 498 AGRICULTURE OF TUSPAN, IN MEXICO. The Department is indebted to the United States consul at Tampico for the following interesting sketch of the natural resources, methods of husbandry, and agricultural capabilities of the comparatively unknown country in the neighborhood of the city of Tuspan, in Mexico, which has been to some extent settled by emigrants from the United States : UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Tampico, September 30, 1874. The city of Tuspan is in the State of Vera Cruz, about one hundred and twenty-five miles north of the city of Vera Cruz, and about ninety miles south from Tampico. It ° is located on the north side of the river Tuspan, about nine miles from its mouth, by the river, and about six miles in a direct line. There are about five thousand inhab- itants in the city and some twenty thousand in all the canton or district of Tuspan. Of these, about two hundred and fifty are of foreign descent, principally from the United States and Spain. It is quite a picturesque city, as it is built at the foot of several hills, which are constantly covered with verdure. There are many beautiful groves of mangoes, interspersed with the graceful palm and orange, which, with a lit- tle foreign taste, could be made into beautiful gardens. The land surrounding Tuspan, consisting of four hundred thousand acres, belongs to a stock company, and cost almost nothing some twenty years ago, the company having bought it from the original owner, who had his title to it from the viceroys of Spain. The price paid for it was about $15,000, divided into shares of $25 each. Not- withstanding the great desire of the Mexican government to induce immigration, there is really very little or no encouragement given by the people themselves; for, what- ever may be the reasons for it, they will not sell an acre of the land. The planters who have come here, up to this time, bought one share from such person as was willing to sell, which share gives the planter the right to cultivate all the land he can, free of rent. This, at first sight, seems most favorable, but when the planters commenced their work it was with the expectation that in a short time they would get a title to the land and thus feel that they were improving what belonged to them, and not that they held an insecure title under a constitution that could be altered by an ignorant and prejudiced majority, which could at any time put most extortionate charges on their improvements. The probability is that if all these lands thus held by companies and municipalities are not put into the market, the government, either by taxa- tion or purchase, will get possession of them, for nearly, if not all, the land on the Gulf coast is held by one or the other. The planters, therefore, do but little in the way of improvements, only putting up the necessary buildings for their families and their machinery. : The crop of sugar last season would have been over a million of pounds, but owing to adverse circumstances a large part of the cane was left in the field. There would also have been some twenty-five thousand barrels of molasses. The parties who are working these small plantations have but limited capital, and there are no large com- mission-houses in Tuspan from which planters could get such assistance as was needed at the time of sugar-making. Many of them were obliged, therefore, to lose a part of their cane. As there were no coopers in the place, the planters were obliged to get their barrels and boxes from Galveston, that being the only port in immediate and regular connection with Tuspan. Barrels from Galveston cost the planter over $4 each, and as the lumber comes also from Galveston it makes the sugar cost half a cent per pound for only boxing it. Coopers are now establishing themselves in the place, who will soon have their steam-machinery, and as there is plenty of cypress a barrel can be made here as well and as low as in the United States. There are also plenty of trees suitable for box-lumber, and as there are now two steam saw-mills at work the boxes for sugar will cost very little for the future. There are also three steam sugar- mills, which of course reduces the cost of making the sugar. Another difficulty the planters encounter is that in Galveston, which is our principal market, the same sugar pays a half cent per pound more duty than in New York. The planters also sufter from the excessive freight to the ports of the United States. It is now supposed that, with the lines of steamships about to be established for New York, New Orleans, and Galveston, besides the sailing-vessels now running from Texas and other southern ports, boxes for sugar and barrels for molasses at fair prices, increased facilities for money to operate with, the sugar-crop will be doubled next season. _ This part of Mexico is certainly one of the most favored by nature. The sugar-cane, once planted, lasts from fifteen to twenty years, and this with the very little care that is given to it by the Mexicans generally, and it is supposed that the same planting 499 will last for even a longer time when cultivated with the intelligence and experience of the foreign planter. Besides the cane, which grows to the height of 18 and 20 feet, and thick in proportion, some of the most valuable products of the world are produced spontaneously; for instance, vanilla beans, tobacco, gum-elastic, cedar, fustic, mahog- any, sarsaparilla, jalap, anacahuite, and many other articles useful as medicines and dyes. Besides these, which grow naturally, there are in cultivation coffee, the best in the world; cotton, which, if left alone, grows to be quite a tree, bearing cotton for sev- eral years without replanting; tobacco, corn, beans, pease, and other vegetables; ba- nanas, plantains, pine-apples, oranges, lemons, grapes, mangoes, and many other of the tropical fruits. So far does nature lend itself in aiding cultivation that when a native farmer commences work on a piece of land he cuts down the trees, lops off the branches, cuts down the weeds, and when dry burns the latter off, leaving the trees with the larger limbs as they fell in cutting, which lie there rotting for years. As soon as the burning is done, without plowing or harrowing, with a pointed stick, he makes a hole in the ground, into which the cane, corn, or other seed is planted. Should a few weeds spring up in the course of the year, they are cut down with a kind of cutlass called “machete.” When the weeds become troublesome, he cuts down more woods, and abandons the old place. With no more cultivation than this the cane gives from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds of sugar to the acre; corn gives 30 to 35 bushels to the acre, and two crops a year, worth 75 cents to $1 per bushel. There are times when it runs up to $1.50. As corn can be planted every month in the year, one can always have green corn to eat. With nearly every other vegetable it is the same, as there are no frosts, the ther- mometer seldom falling below 40°, and rarely rising over 90° in the shade. From so little attention being given to these things, potatoes and onions generally retail at 124 cents per pound, and other vegetables in proportion, all of them producing about the same quantity to the acre as in the United States. Beans are sold generally from $2 to $3 per bushel. In starting a new plantation, and, of course, before one has time to cultivate a field of grass for his animals, he finds in the woods a tree which gives him all the forage he needs. The tree is called ‘“ Ojite,” the leaves of which give more nourishment than the best clover. It is only necessary to cut down the small branches and twigs with their leaves on,.and all the animals will eat it. As the tree grows wild, it is found every- where, and an acre of woodland may have a hundred trees upon it. In clearing land they are generally left standing. The grass most used here is called “ Sacateparrol.” It is a jointed grass, and grows to be 4 or 5 feet high, and can be cut five or six times each year, and when once planted cannot be killed out. Where planters have many animals they are allowed to run on the grass, which saves the cutting. This, of course, requires a much larger space, and must be divided into five or six acre lots, and by changing the animals from one lot to another it gives time for the grass to grow. Allowing animals to run upon it gives a chance for weeds to grow, which must be cut off every two or three years. I have seen this grass growing among trees, and supported by the branches, attain the height of 15 or 16 feet. The vanilla-bean (properly called vainilla) grows on a vine which, although growing from the root, is a parasite, as it will grow even cut from the root, for it takes its sub- stance from the tree around which it clings by means of its thousands of fine tendrils. Like-all parasites there are trees which are particularly adapted to its support. They are planted about 10 feet apart, in rows, at the foot of small trees which are lefs in clearing the lands. They begin to bear the third year, and in favorable years give from $400 to $1,000 per acre. No cultivation is needed but to cut down the grass and weeds ; no plowing or spading being necessary. The bean is often gathered in Sep- tember and October, but as it is not yet ripe the vanilla is of inferior quality and sells for a low price; but if left till the end of November or December it comes to per- fection. It is then gathered carefully andspread out in the sun on mats, if the weather be favorable, but if otherwise it is placed in ovens, which processes change the color from a pale green to a deep rich brownish or purple and at the same time develop the oil which on pressure exudes from the bean. They are then packed in blankets while warm and put into large tin cases to go through a sweating process, again put in the sun and again in the blankets until they attain the propercolor. They are then placed in a dry room upon shelves made of some open material so that the air can circulate around and under them. This evaporates all the watery part of the bean. When suf- ficiently dried they are put into large cases ready to be assorted into sizes and quali- ties. The person that raises the beans seldom cures them, for that requires a good deal of care and special. attention. There are about fifteen different-classes, but they are sold by the packers at one round price. Four years ago the value here was $60 to $70 per thousand beans; now they are worth from $130 to $180 per thousand, such has been the increase in the consumption without a proportionate increase in the cultiva- tion. The people will work only about one hundred days in the year, which provides them with all they need, and as they will do no more there is very little increase in the production of anything. When the beans are assorted they are tied up neatly in 500 bunches of fifty beans each and packed in cases of tin holding from two to three thousand. These tin cases are lined with tin-foil and a ticket put on the lid giving the quality, size, and quantity. Some five or six of these tin cases are put into a neatly - made cedar chest, which is sometimes lined with zine and hermetically sealed so as to prevent moisture from getting to the vanilla in transporting, which would ruin it. These cedar cases are then sewed in mats, and these are covered with a coarse bagging to avoid the dangers of transportation on mules. In this manner all the Mexican vanilla goes to places of sale in Europe and the United States, where it is worth from $9 to $20 per pound, the thousand beans weighing from nine to ten pounds. Formerly France was the great market for vanilla, but the enterprise of some of our American merchants has diverted the trade to New York, which is now the great depot. of vanilla, and parties from Europe come to New York to buy. Bananas and plantains yield from $100 to $125 per acre, and only require to be plant- ed once, for as fast as the mother stock gives its bunches of fruit and dies, a dozen little ones start, pheenix-like, from its roots. ‘They are planted about 9 feet apart, but after two or three years there are a dozen stalks in each hill, each bearing its buuch of fruit, worth here 12 to 18 cents a bunch. The pine-apple yields even more, for it is planted in rows, about 3 feet apart each way, thus producing about four thousand to the acre, worth here about 64 cents each, or over $200 per acre. Like the banana, it only requires to be planted once in ten or twelve years, grows from the root, and each plant yields but one fruit. After the first year bananas and pine-apples must be thinned out, or the fruit becomes inferior. Tobacco is destined to become one of the most valuable products of this part of Mexico, for the country presents the same advantages of climate, soil, &c., as the island of Cuba. Already has the attention of the planters been extensively devoted to its cultivation, and now there are cigars made here very little inferior to the best Havan- as. There is a great want of experience in curing, and when men of intelligence shall come here, very handsome returns will be made for their labor. Already from $300 to $500 are realized from an acre, and, properly attended to, more maybe. In places where it is now cultivated, it can be had at a very low rate in its green state. A large business has been established in the exportation of honey from this place. Formerly all the honey was thrown away, bees being kept for the wax only, of which enormous quantities are used in all the ceremonies of the church. Now that honey has taken a commercial value, which it did not have three years ago, the number of hives has been quintupled, and is still increasing. The first shipment was of 500 gallons, and last year there were over 30,000 gallons shipped from this place alone. As there is no winter here, and there are Howers all the year round, the bees swarm about four times in the year. Formerly there was no care taken of them and the bees died ; but now each swarm is looked after, and new hives are made, as a valuable addition to the family resources. Some of the Indians in the neighborhood have as many as five hundred hives, from which the comb is taken about every four months. Tuspan was an important place of business in former years, but it was overwhelmed by Tampico and Vera Cruz, and business died out, leaving but a small local trade. From the impulse given by the arrival of foreigners, some of whom have gone into planting and others into commercial affairs, business has again increased wonderfully. Six years ago the customs receipts rarely passed $15,000 a year. Now they exgeed $50,000. Formerly there were occasional coasting-vessels coming in, but rarely a for- eign vessel. The following will show the extent of the commerce for the year from July 1, 1873, to July 1, 1874. The English vessels named on the list are all vessels sailing to and from the United States, and which, added to the American vessels, show the importance of the trade which is growing up between the two countries. porisibomurope 2. cau ethos! test soca emee tek Gen cine cpero emma epee = eae $43,849 00 Exports to the United States .......-...----. ------ ------ ---2 2-25 +2222 ee 89,149 56 132,998 56 Imports stromybUrO pee === a= n= ar eset eee eae De Beams sss te ee kere sees 65,815 45 Imports from the United States .........--...---------------------.- ----- 34,922 31 100,737 76 Number of vessels entered during the year— Natronall“viessels= sa ase.cc ol ee ace neeieee sivels Sacieee ane eile loemlcise ce letenefatetatate 47 PMELI CATV CSSCLSH efeitos rele bine toe Snore ee nie a witch eee ola ORE el serene onions 38: LPinsnvalbl tec eee ee el. ee Oe GSR OMA Eo G2c20> 9 EMMONS MEVESSClS.. Soc Sieeaeels carne es eels @ =e niece oasis ¢ shee bases 3 CETMTANITRVIOSSEIS - 2 ofc eee ok ain cette aio ee bin lo wie Soe eintnote namie ere eee ab ici atere ee tereneraiee 1 TOE) Se ae Nn Seema ne SES Ee Re a ea ee Ee ae Sigs aes 98 Tonnage, 10,851. 501 From the hills of Tuspan can be seen some of the spursof the “ Sierra Madre,” which I suppose are a continuation of the Rocky Mountains of the United States. From the Telegraph Hills can be seen the perpetual snows of the peak of Orizaba, some seventy- five miles distant. In the San Juan Mountains, distant about thirty miles from Tuspan, and running parallel to the coast for some forty miles, are to be found some of the richest deposits of gold, silver, quicksilver, copper, &c., that are to be found in Mexico. Owing to the frequent revolutions there have been but few important explorations made, and these have been by persons of small capital. Let immigration commence, and it will not take long to make a small California in these mountains. Besides the San Juan Mountains there are many others that are said to be very rich in silver and gold. There are hundreds of petroleum-springs within a diameter of fifty miles around Tuspan, but none of them are worked. While kerosene, &c.,can be brought from the United States at such low rates it will not pay to work these springs. Some of the asphaltum has been shipped to the United States, but the result has not been very favorable. One company was formed to work some rich springs near Papantla, and machinery was brought out, but the kerosene was very inferior, and could not com- pete with that brought here. The failure, I think, was attributable to a want of ex- perience, and proper persons to superintend the work. There are no wagon-roads in this part of Mexico. All transportation is on the backs of mules. Trains of these animals are constantly coming and going, bringing in the products and taking back to the in- terior all the goods used. EDMUND JOHNSON, United States Consul. CO-OPERATION IN AGRICULTURE. The question of large or small farms, like most others, has two sides* Neither system of farming can have the preference under all circum- stances; each is best, both for high culture and large profit, under the proper conditions. To attempt large farming with small means and limited executive capacity is unwise and quite sure to be unprofitable. This rule would limit farming practice in this country to small areas in most cases. At the same time it is equally true, in agriculture as in manufacturing, that the largest return for each dollar expended is obtained by systematic operations on a large scale. This has been re- peatedly demonstrated in this country, as in foreign lands, and notably in the West and in California. This has led to association for conduct- ing the business of harvesting, thrashing, cheese-making, as it should lead to steam-plowing and other farm-work, and wherever better results may be secured by combining capital and labor in the manage- ment of large areas in general farm-culture. A brief account of a co-operative-farm enterprise in England is given. below, and also a translation and condensation from a record of long and successful experience in France, being the report of M. Victor Borie to the Societe Centrale @ Agriculture de France, of the co-opera- . tive farm of M. Bignon of Theneuille. The abundant supply of capital in England, and the self-reliance and marked individuality of Englishmen, make the progress of practical as- sociation slower than in the neighboring country across the channel. In England the agricultural laborers are not the owners of the soil, or even renters of the land, though there were formerly “ yeomen,” or peas- ant proprietors, and in Westmoreland and Cumberland a class of small owners known as “‘ statesmen.” Few of the land-owners of England di- rect the cultivation of their lands, a third class, the “ farmers,” leasing lands, paying a money rental, and farming more thoroughly and suc- cessfully than the owners of the soil themselves. They furnish the work- ing capital, which often amounts to $50 per acre, and in some cases nearer $100 per acre. In France there is a large class of small proprie- tors whose condition is in few respects superior to that of the English 602 . laborer; who divide and subdivide, in the course of inheritance, until the plot of each is insufficient for the most meager maintenance. This class was in existence before the great revolution, but was increased greatly in the distribution of the extensive landed property of the chureh. There is another class, perhaps larger than the peasant proprietors, more numerous in southern than in northern districts, who have no ownership of land, but rent holdings, a part by the payment of a speci- fied sum of money, and a part by a return in kind, under various condi- tions, similar to cultivating ‘‘ upou shares” in this country. These share farmers are known as “ metayers.” While the entire metayer system is one of association, and of labor with capital, a co-partnership of land- lord and laborer, it is only occasionally that the union involves a suffi- cient amount of labor under compact and manageable organization to produce the best results. Unlike the case of England, therefore, rented farms in France are not generally the best managed and the most pro- ductive. Yet there are cases in which success of a higher order has been achieved in co-operation on a large and liberal scale, notable among which may be named the Co-OPERATIVE FARM OF M. BicNon.—The intelligent political econo- mist in France has long bewailed the unsatisfactory condition of French agriculture, the difficulties in the way of its rapid advance to an elevated status, among which have been named ignorance of the laborers, increase of wages, and emigration from the country. Many have deemed the me- toyer system a scourge to agriculture. They say *‘ share-farming perpetu- ates ignorance and misery ; ignorance and misery perpetuate share- farming.” It is conceded that the standard of cultivation attained in England, if reached in France, would increase, at least one-half, the pres- ent production of the latter country; and yet it is properly claimed that great and incontestable progress has been made during the last quarter of a century. With a desire to demonstrate the feasibility of ameliorating the con- dition of the farm-laborer, by a system of association in which the pro- duction of the soil and the profits, both of proprietor and laborer, could be increased, M. Bignon, in 1849, gave up to his brother his business in Paris, and purchased lands i in the’ vicinity of his ancestral home, about 520 acres, at a cost of 81,220 frances, or about $16,000, which is very nearly at the rate of $31 per acre. ‘“ The land was argillo-silicious, with an impermeable subsoil; poor, damp, and almost entirely uncultivated ; furze, broomsedge, brushwood, and heather covered the portions which were not gullied or denuded by flowing water.” It produced a little rye and a few cart-loads of hay, scarcely sufficient to feed a meager stock of cattle, consisting of only 27 head, valued at 2,774 francs, or $20 per head. Neither wheat nor artificial forage plants were ever grown. There was no lime or marl to aid recuperation. There were no practicable roads between the different domains, or farms, of which there were three, Lacroix, Bonneau, and Grandfy; and the farm-buildings were mere hoy- els. One of these, a miserable hut, such as still exist by thousands in France for the occupancy of metayers, has been retained in the midst of a fine meadow as a reminder of former days. General opposition was encountered from the metayers, though nearly all were badly lodged, and insufiiciently fed, crushed with toil, and ‘“ over head and ears in debt.” With nothing to lose and everything to gain, they resisted improvement, as ignorance and squalor have alwaysdone. Com- pelled to undertake patiently their conversion by degrees, he resided con- tinually among them, and by his intelligent direction, tact, the justice of his requirements, and his tenacity of purpose, advanced prosperously 503 with the work of disarming their prejudice and overcoming their oppo- sition. As they were not sufficiently intelligent to appreciate an address to their reason, M. Bignon first spoke to their eyes, in the results of a few experiments undertaken at his own expense, so convincingly as to induce them to follow his lead haltingly. The contract entered into between proprietor and laborer, which has remained unchanged for more than twenty years, is substantially as follows: ARTICLE 1. The proprieter renounces a toute espece de redevance—all rents or dues whatever, except the taxes which the estate is required to pay to the state. ART. 2. The cultivator must furnish the number of men necessary to execute the work. ART. 3. The work ta be performed, the cultivation undertaken, the management of the stock department, shall be mutually discussed and agreed upon, and no change can be made without the consent of both parties. ART. 4. The proprietor shall furnish, besides the land, the farm-stock, and shall pay the cost of the lime at the kiln, the cultivator transporting it, with the right to use the animals of the farm in its transportation. The cost of other manures, as guano, animal-charcoal, &ec., shall be divided equally between the parties in the absence of speciai agreement. The proprietor shall pay for ali manures used in the creation of perma- nent meadows upon lands not occupied by cereals or other crops. When these meadows are successfully established, the cultivator is accorded, by way of encouragement, 50 franes per hectore—fully $4 per acre. ART. 5. All products shall be equally divided between the lessor and lessee. ART. 6. Profits of live-stock shall be similarly divided. ART. 7. Extraordinary improvements, such as drainage, shall only be executed upon agreement between the proprietor and cultivator, who shall fix, in each case, the proportion in which each shall contribute to the work. ART. 8. The direction of cultivation belongs to the proprietor. This division of the charges was deemed essentially equitable, throw- ing the larger portion of the expense of improving the soil upon the proprietor, and dividing equally between the parties the cost of manures destined to double the common crop; and dividing equally the profits and losses of cultivation. There was one vital exception to this equality : in management, there was no division of responsibility in the control of labor; a competent director was a necessity, and the direction properly fell upon the owner of the property, whose interest in its income had been placed upon an equality with that of the labor which was to aid in its production. So successful has been this copartnership that none of the metayers have ever withdrawn from the association, and the proprietor has long since declined active’ participation in the management of the estate, leaving farmers to their own direction, under the surveillance of his oldest son. The improvement made has embraced lands, buildings, and the thrift, comfort, and material and mental elevation of the people. First the sedge and brushwood was removed, and the débris spread in yards, stables, sheep-folds, and roads, and, when sufficiently reduced, mixed with lime, and rendered available as a fertilizing compost. The great Dombasle plow, drawn by three or four pairs of oxen, and making fur- rows 10 to 12 inches deep, was used in breaking up; the heather-sur- face, turned under in winter, was harrowed in summer and sown with 504 rye in autumn, the seed being mixed with animal-charcoal. Wheat in the clover, fertilized by compost, followed the rye, and brought fine crops. A drain-pipe factory was established, the flat meadows drained, and a system of irrigation, by ditches and trenches economically run upon levels, gathered the fertilizing waters for distribution wherever their benefits were most needed. A quinquennial rotation of a restora- tive character, with three forage to two grain crops, was adopted, as follows: First year.—Forage crops, roots, and fallowing wherever deemed nec- essary. Second year.— Wheat and fall rye. Third year.—Clover and ray-grass pastures, white clover. Fourth year.—Clover and ray-grass pastures. Fifth year.—W inter and spring oats or winter barley. Not a rod of surface is unoccupied; and the example has been so contagious that heather and broom-sedge have disappeared from the neighborhood. Besides clover, lucerne, aud ray-grass, the forage resources were increased by maize, vetches, the cavalier cabbage, and the forage-roots, rape and turnips. In 1849 forage resources consisted of meager pastures and 40,000 kilograms of natural hay of poor quality; in 1869 it had increased to 240,000 kilograms of natural hay, 460,000 of cultivated forage, and about 400,000 kilograms of roots; in all about 1,100 English tons of feeding- material. In the same period the grain product was increased from 61 hectolitres* of rye and 42 of oats to 1,541 hectolitres, consisting of wheat, barley, rye, oats, and buckwheat. In twenty years the value of live-stock had advanced from 2,774 frances to 69,480 frances, of which half was the property of the farmers. The improvement in buildings was equally marked. The ruins were rebuilt or repaired by the proprietor. ‘ Light, cleanliness, health, and happiness penetrated these residences formerly so miserable.” Education followed; the children were taught to read, write, and cipher, and means taken to initiate the adults, in the long winter evenings, in the lan- guage and methods of progressive agriculture, presented in works from the libraries which M. Bignon had established upon each of the three farms. The stables were airy, spacious, and provided with all conve- niences. Similar improvement had been attained in the animals them- selves. Formerly numerous paths tracked field and heath, the ravines constituted roads, and the roads were lost in the swamps. These were all discarded, and a system of roads, intelligently surveyed and thor- oughly constructed, took their place. What has been the financial result of this enterprise? Certainly the metayers have been greatly benefited in large increase of income and comforts of life, in educational and social progress. The proprietor hadinvested originally 81,220 franes; the expense of improvement, includ- ing the cost of contiguous property purchased, was 71,597 franes. Upon this investment M. Bignon received an average return of 8 per cent., an income claimed to be superior to revenue from government stocks, and almost equal to the highest profits of the most doubtful of mobile values. At the same time the value of the estate had advanced from 384 franes to 1,500 franes per acre. } As early as 1858, M. Bignon received an honorable reward from his own arrondissement, and has received many since from regional and stock- growing associations: from the Exposition Universelle ; in 1868, the *A hectolitre is 2.83782 bushels. 505 decoration of the Legion of Honor; and later, an award of the great gold medal of the Société Centrale d Agriculture de France, which t the same time awarded silver medals to Messieurs Dausset, Guet, and Luchot, metayers of Theneuille, for the part in the improvement taken by the metayers. The triumph of M. Bignon over the prejudices of the laborers, and his ultimate success in achieving as great improvement in the men as in the land, is thus recorded by M. Borie, in his official report of the inception and history of this enterprise: M. Bignon desired that the demonstration should be complete and that the trans- formation which he had conceived should influence men as well as things. Men were also transformed. We have spoken with heads of families, malevolent witnesses of the first essays of the proprietor; they loyally confessed their error, and blessed him who had made them what they were. The misery of the metayers of 1849, which they have not forgotten, has disappeared from the domestic hearths. The debts (they had been able to go in debt) have been paid for many years ; their savings have accumulated ; metayers have become proprietors; they own domains worth from 20,000 to 30,000 francs ; they have metayers under them whom they are educating in turn. The families, by God’s blessing, are augmented, but labor has increased with the number of children. Everybody can find, in the domain, occupation, and occupatiou profitable to the community. Thus at Theneuille, there is no such question as emi- gration, nor lack of hands. Labor does not fail and workmen are not lacking for labor. Here is one of the capital consequences of the work, essentially social, of M. Bignon. By association, intelligent, complete, devoted, on the part of the proprietor and his metayers, misery may be forever banished from our rural districts; the products of our soil may be multiplied; union subsists between capital and labor, a union sincere, com- plete, which becomes profitable to the whole country. Is such association practicable? The testimony of Theneuille, the example of the other group of farms, which M. Bignon is engaged in constituting upon the same basis, proves in an irrefutable manner how easy that association is when the proprietor de- sires to make it so. The example of Theneuille shows that such association is not only practicable, but that it is profitable to the proprietor who knows how to take the initia- tive, and tothe metayer who supports it. This example, finally, shows that an associ- ation upon this equitable basis is durable by the sole will of the contracting, parties for at Theneuille there are neither contracts nor bonds nor eugagement of any sort. A CO-OPERATIVE FARM IN ENGLAND.—In 1830 a large land-propri- etor, named Gurdon, in Assington, Suffolk County, undertook the project of founding an association for co-operative farming. Inviting a few farm-laborers to meet him, he offered them jointly, at moderate rent, a farm of 60 acres and the use of £400, without interest, for ten years, on the condition that each member of the contemplated association pay into its treasury a fee of £3, (this fee was designed principally as a guarantee of good faith,) with the proviso that the farm should be man- aged by one of their number at fixed wages; the remaining members were to be at liberty to continue in the service of their old employers. Though this scheme involved little risk and the advantage of capital without interest, its author found laborers who had been always trained to rely exclusively upon wages for income reluctant to enter upon it. But a beginning was made, and, at the end of ten years, the association had accumulated, beyond what was needed for current expenses, enough to repay Mr. Gurdon the capital he had advanced. Fifteen years later they rented from the same patron 65 acres more, making 133 in all, to which 8 have since been added. The greater part of the addi- tional outlay this involved was met by their surplus earnings, and the remainder by money borrowed at 24 per cent. With this enlargement of land the number of members was increased from 15 to 20, and these limits of land and members continue up to the present day. The largest portion of the members contipvue to work for wages in the service of employers. A manager, with seven or eight hired hands, carries on the co-operative farm. The wife of the manager cares for the dairy prod- 506 ucts, receiving for this service £10 annually. The present manager has been in charge the last twenty-five years. A writer in the Pall-Mall Gazette, who visited this co-operative asso- ciation the past season, reports that, at the age of over forty years, it is in a condition of assured and substantial prosperity. He found the farm stocked with 6 horses and 1 colt, 16 horned cattle, ‘“ milch-cows and fattening bullocks,” 110 sheep, and large numbers of pigs and poul- try, “varying according to the seasons.” All the varieties of farm ani- mals were of good breeds and in excellent condition. Artificial manures are largely used, and the fields of wheat, turnips, and other growing crops afforded proof of clean, good farming. The members and their families, by visible evidences of thrift and contentment, as well as by direct testimony, evinced a high appreciation of the advantages derived from this co-operative investment. ‘It is a rare, good thing for us poor folks,” said one. Another said, “I wish there were such things in every parish, so that the good the rich people do the poor might be handed down from generation to generation ; but poor folks must have a sta:t; they have no money to begin with.” The writer concludes: A co-operative society that has been in existence for forty years; that has never got in debt, and has furnished a satisfactory balance-sheet at the end of the year; that, more- over, has developed thrift, independence, and good feeling to the extent here witnessed, cannot be pronounced a failure, but it must always be remembered that “poor folks must have a start;” nothing could have been done without capital—in this case bor- rowed capital. ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. By TOWNEND GLOVER, ENTOMOLOGIST. GRAPE-ROOT GALL-LOUSE.—As the Phylloxera vastatriz, or grape- vine-root gall-louse, is attracting universal attention in Europe, and especially in France, in consequence of the injury the insect does to the roots of the grape-vine, and is also said to be spreading in the United States, it will be of interest to our vine-growers to learn that a congress. is to be held in the Tuilleries in Paris to discuss the subject in all its. phases. We therefore give the following questions in an extract from the Wine and Fruit Reporter, New York, (copied from the London Wine Trade Review,) November 25, 1874: 1. Isthe Phylloxera the cause of the new disease of the vine or is it the result? 2. How is it to be accounted for that hitherto none of the insecticides applied, nor other means recommended, have beeen able to destroy it? 3. If the Phylloxera is but the consequence of the disease, would it not be advisable to treat the affected vines prophylactically by means of powerful manure easily applied? 4. How is the destruc- tion of the insect by submersion of the vines explained? 5. In what manner does the Phylloxera carry the infection from a plant infected to a healthy plant? 6. Is the Phylloxera that attacks the roots of the vines (the species best known in Europe) identical with the Phylloxera that preys on the leaves, (the species most prevalent in, America?) 7. Are there one or more parasites of the Phylloxera in existence and known to science? &. Are there any species or varieties of the vine-plant that suc- cessfully resist its attacks and defy contagion? 9. Would it be possible and practi- cable to multiply such varieties in France by grafting them on to the descriptions com- monly planted in France? 10. Is it possible to calculate the money-value of the losses occasioned by the Phylloxera in the south of France? 11. What is the economic influence of the insect on the price and consumption of wine, on the traffic of the rail- ways, and the revenue derived by the State from the tax on wine? We expect the action of this congress will result in giving to the world some new facts regarding the natural history and habits of the: 507 insect, which may clear up many hitherto-contested theories as to the identity of the grape-leaf’gall-louse of the United States with the true root-gall louse of France, and which is supposed to be the same insect in a different form, and with different habits; the means by which they can be destroyed to the best advantage, no doubt, will be of the greatest. utility to the grape-growers, both of Europe and this country, especially if the two are satisfactorily proved to be merely varieties of the same insect. CHEMICAL MEMORANDA. By WM. McMuRTRIE, CHEMIST. PARIS GREEN—ITS USE IN AGRICULTURE.—The question of the use of arsenical compounds in agriculture for the destruction of noxious in- sects has elicited considerable discussion, and we have received from our correspondents in different sections, especially those infected with the Colorado potato beetle, very many and various questions, which have led us to the consideration of several points concerning it. Some of the farmers seem to consider that, when applied to the potato crop for the destruction of the beetle, it will have an injurious and poison- ous influence upon the tubers. Others fear the absorption of arsenic by the tubers to a sufficient extent to be injurious to the health of the con- sumer. We have also received applications for information concerning the use of arsenical compounds im solution and their probable effect upon vege- tation. And the question as to whether or not arsenic could be absorbed and assimilated has also raised in our own minds the question whether the arseniates of the alkaline earths can substitute the corresponding phos- phates, all being included in the same chemical classification, in the economy of plant-growth. The results of our experiments in this par- ticular, though not complete, may, to a certain extent, settle the first point. The full description of these experiments must be given here- after, but a partial statement of the results seems pertinent here. A number of boxes of soil were prepared with pure washed sand contain- ing a mixture of Kainit, (crude sulphate of potash,) gypsum, (sulphate of lime,) and each of the boxes containing respectively the arseniates of lime, baryta, strontia, and magnesia. Alongside of these boxes were others prepared in a similar manner, but containing the phosphates instead of the arseniates of the alkaline earths. In all of the boxes | pease were sown, and after ten days a large number of the seeds planted in the boxes containing the arseniates had failed to germinate, and those plants which had sprung up were very weak and sickly. Fresh seeds were sown in those portions of the boxes in which the seeds had pre- viously failed to grow, and this time a tolerably fair proportion of the seeds germinated. But, as in the previous instance, they failed to evince a healthy condition of growth. ‘The seeds were sown early in August, and on account of the frost it was found necessary to collect the plants in the latter part of October, when they were just about blooming. On testing specimens at different stages of growth by means of Marsh’s test, after having boiled the green plant with solution of chlorate of potash and hydrochlorie¢ acid, not a trace of arsenic could be detected. When the plants were taken up it was found that the tap- root was destroyed, and that sufficient small fibrous lateral roots had 508 been thrown out to form a thickly matted mass. The end of the tap root, or what remained of it, was covered with a thick, fleshy knob, not very large, but apparently an extension of the bark of the root. We are not fully satisfied as to whether this condition is due to a deficiency _of nutriment in the soil, or to a distinctly poisonous action of the arsen- ical compounds. It would seem, however, that the latter was the case, since the tap-root of the boxes similarly prepared, but containing no arseniates, were perfectly sound. We shall, nevertheless, vary our ex- periments with a determination of this point in view. Mulder states* that plants may be poisoned by many principles which are poisonous to the animal organism, but holds that they do not attack directly what is called the vital principle, but affect the proximate organic principles of the plants, changing the conditions under which they exist, and thus prevent the transmission of liquids from the roots. In support of this idea he cites the coagulation of the albumen of the plants by the metallic oxides, such as lead, copper, &c. In case of arsen- iates of the alkalies and alkaline earths this would scarcely occur, since the acids of arsenic have no such effect upon albumen, and indeed there is, so far as we know, no fact recorded in which they have been known to form any combination with the other constituents of the plant. In the use of metallic compounds of arsenic, however, this action may pos- sibly take place. We have also conducted some investigations upon the assimilation of arsenic by plants in case of direct application of Paris green itself, but the results of our experiments seem in this instance also to be of a negative character. The investigation has not been as full as we de- sire, but we shall give the results for what they are worth. Upon alot ot “cow-pea,” a leguminous plant used as a foddering material in the South, growing in the Department grounds, was freely dusted Paris green as obtained from the shops without any admixture of foreign substances. The material did not, however, seem perfectly un- adulterated. In the first case the amount applied seems to have been too large, as all the plants were killed. Subsequently, however, a mix- - ture of Paris green and gypsum, in the proportions usually recommend- ed, was applied, and the small terminal buds and leaves were killed. But in a short time lateral buds appeared, healthy branches developed, and the plants grew thriftily without seeming to be otherwise affected. Examinations of the plant at different stages of growth, by means of Marsh’s test, carefully applied, tailed in any case to reveal the presence of arsenic. It is, however, possible that, had the plants had an oppor- tunity to mature, arsenic might have been assimilated. In this connec- tion the results of the experiments of Prof. E. W. Davyt are exceed- ingly interesting. Being aware of the fact that nearly all of the sulphuric acid employed in the manufacture of superphosphates in Dublin was made from pyrites, which almost invariably con- tained arsenic, he considered it of some importance to determine whether the arsenic which thus passed into the superphosphates, and must, therefore, be communicated to the soil in the most favorable condition for assimilation by plants, could enter into the vegetable organism. As a preliminary experiment to determine whether arsenic could be taken up by the plant, he watered pease, which had been transplanted into a pot containing rich garden-soil, with a concentrated aqueous solution of arsenious acid. This treatment was repeated every second or third day for more than a week, and then discontinued. At the end of some *Chemistry of Animal and Vegetable Physiology. English translation, 1849, page 626. tPhil. Mag., vol. xviii, p. 108. 509 months, the plants having grown to full size, flowered, and fruited, it was found by application of both Marsh’s and Reinsch’s. tests that the arsenic had permeated every part of the plants. Being thus satisfied that plants were capable of taking up arsenic during their development, he made some experiments with the use of phosphates containing arsenic. The sulphuric acid employed in their manufacture contained about 2.8 pounds arsenic per ton, and the proportions employed were one ton of acid per two tons of bone. The amount of arsenic in the superphosphate was therefore relatively very small. In his next experiment he prepared a soil consisting of one part super- phosphate and four parts garden-mold, into which he transplanted a small cabbage-plant. At the end of three weeks an examination for arsenic, with a small portion of the plant, (115 grains,) gave the “ most distinct indications of the presence of that substance.” Since, however, he considered the conditions in this case very favorable to the absorp- tion of arsenic, he examined carefully different samples of Swedish turnips which had grown in a soil to which superphosphate had been applied at the rate of six hundred-weight per Irish acre, and found arsenic in each case. It is also stated that sheep refused to feed freely upon the turnips grown upon soil to which the superphosphate had been applied. The results of Professor Davy’s experiments do not, however, seem to have been confirmed by the results of later investigations, and, in fact, so far as we have been able to learn, these have been of a decid- edly contradictory character. Thus Mr. E. H. Ogston,* doubting that a Saturated solution of arsenious acid could be applied to plants with- out injury to them, and that the amount of arsenic communicated to the soil by the application of superphosphates would be large enough to appear in the plant in sufficient quantity to be detected by the ordinary tests of the laboratory, repeated the experiments by watering some strong cabbage-plants of some weeks’ growth with a saturated solution of arsenious acid, and though only two doses were administered in three days, the plants drooped and died in less than a week. Repetition of this experiment with Scotch kale afforded similar results. After a few days all the plants experimented upon were removed from the ground and various portions of the stems and leaves examined for arsenic by means of the Marsh’s test, when the poison was found “ only in the por- tions of the stems close to the roots, which were darkened in color in the interior. In no case was the poison found in the stem at more than five inches from the ground.” Mr. Ogston experimented with other so- lutions of arsenious acid, but found that when the dilution was suffi- ciently great to prevent injury to the plant, no arsenic could be detected in any portion above ground. With regard to the absorption of arsenic in case of the Swedish tur- nips, without any experiments, he reasons that the quantity applied per acre in the superphosphate is not sufficient to render it possible to de- tect its presence in the root. But admitting that the plant will absorb arsenic with the same avidity as phosphoric ‘acid, which, reasoning from the evidences on record, is scarcely possible, close calculation shows that when the quantity which might be introduced to the soil through the medium of the superphosphate i is present, enough could be taken up to be detected by the delicate tests at our command. The conclusions arrived at by Mr. Ogston seem to be corroborated by the results of the investigations of Daubeny.} In his experiments he * Gardner’s Chronicle, 1860, 216. t Jour. Chem. Soc., XLV, zz! 4A 510 watered a plot of ground of 100 square feet, containing young barley, with a solution of arsenious acid in the proportion of two ounces per ten gallons of water, and after six days the crop had a blighted appear- ance. A similar plot was then watered with a solution of half this strength, and after two applications at an interval of twelve days, this crop also appeared to be injured. The treatment was, however, again continued after a short time, so that in all five applications were made, yet the crop matured. A similar plot sown with turnips received applications amounting to 4 ounces arsenious acid per 100 square feet, and were in no wise injured. In case of the barley the indications of arsenic shown by the Marsh test were very slight, and in case of tests made both by the author and by Prefessor Brodie decidedly negative results were given. It will therefore be seen that the general character of the results which have been obtained from investigations upon this subject has in the main been negative. Having thus given the results of our preliminary experiments and the history of the matter, so far as we have been able to obtain it, we shall continue our investigations in this regard and publish the results from time to time as they may be obtained. ALUMINIUM IN PLANTS.—It is well known that alumina is seldom if ever present in the ashes of the phenogams; but since 1853, when the fact was determined by Ritthausen, its presence in the cryptogams has been generally admitted. Prof. A. H. Church has furnished evidences of this fact in the results of his late researches upon plants of this class, as ex- hibited in the following table : elles oD One hundred parts of OG ash contain— 2a. a 4 Se oo ms Silica. Alumina. Ay Layeocibiin, lps So Stoess cose coos Saag sccsce 3. 68 10. 24 33. 50 lon, GlE MDH S Ss oS5 6555 6455 sees ebeSess son Sae Sass 2. 80 6. 40 15, 24 lbp SGIOR COB SS Osseo BS ooseseaboeeousEssoceesec 3. 20 2.53 7.29 Selapinellam artensii .-...--..---+-----+------- 11. 66 41.03 0. 26 selapinella spmulosa..--.----------.---.---- -. 3. 44 6. 67 None ID TPIS GyAN eben 55 oe se Soe eee cosa oes cose 20. 02 62. 95 None Ophiaglossum vulgatum.......-..-.--------.-..- 8. 25 5. 32 None Esilofumttriquetrume. eee ee eres s eeeaee oes ee 5. 06 3.77 Trace (?) SULPHOCYANIC ACID POISONOUS TO PLANTS.—The poisonous and cor- rosive action upon plants, lately attributed by European agriculturists to phosphoric acid, has been found to be due rather to the sulphocyanic acid existing in the crude sulphate of ammonia obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of coal-gas, and employed in the manufacture of superphosphates. This sulphate of ammonia often contains consider- able quantities of sulphocyanide of ammonium, which, according to cer- tain German investigators, exerts a decidedly poisonous influence upon vegetation. Since, therefore, it is advisable that the commercial sul- phate of ammonia used for agricultural purposes should be free from this compound, it should be previously examined by testing with salts of the peroxide of iron, which indicates its presence by the appearance of a red coloration. WHAT IS AN AMELIORATING CULTURE ?—This subject has been ably 511 discussed in a very interesting paper by M. Gaetan Cantoni, Director of the Royal Superior School of Agriculture at Milan, Italy, pub- lished in a late number of Journal d’ Agriculture Pratique. The discus- sion is based upon the opinion that the best system of rotation is not that of a succession of crops according to their different chemical necessities, nor that which takes from the soil the smallest quantity of mineral plant-food, but rather that which, though it takes from the soil more of fertilizing materials, also returns a larger quantity in the residual matter which remains after harvesting the crop. Fields may preserve an undiminished rate of production without manuring for a year or two. Thus,after cropsof cloveror lucerne, either of which make large demands upon the soil, the land with an application of fer- tilizers entirelyi nsufficient to supply the deficiency caused by the de- mand already made upon it, may be devoted to other crops to advan- tage, and the profit of subsequent crops will be proportionate to the time during which the land has been in clover or lucerne. The same experiment after a single crop of wheat or barley would furnish small results, yet the amount of valuable constituents of plant-food removed by these crops is by no means as large as that removed by the two crops of clover or lucerne. In evidence of the latter fact the following table was prepared, showing a comparison of the total quantities of val- uable fertilizing materials removed by a number of crops of clover or luzerne and a single crop of wheat. Clover, Lucerne, Wheat, SEDER two crops. | five crops, | one crop. Pounds per | Pounds per | Pounds per hectare. hectare. hectare. Dry matter in normal condition produced... -..- 44, 095 165, 255 11, 023 IND UY Ba Se Sa ABO ee heHicbon UGH Haba neeesn oase 882 3, 805 97 Phosphoric acid! 35.22 4 PSs tess Bese caste 308 842 46 IPOUHISSa SSS ose eee celal as eset ens 448 ByoLs 57 Mime S24 fests ses tes Boe eed S28 5 545 4,763 22 The amount of fresh manure necessary to restore these elements of plant-food are exhibited below. Clover. | Lucerne.| Wheat. Tons. Tons. Tons. WOMPSLOLS MIGROS ON) ose ois oso ase eins See Sop aise meses 89 383 10 Woy LEsStoOrespOsSPHOLIG ACIG {<6 4 s.s2ee 355s eosin cesses 67 182 10 PRO PECS UOLGEDOLASS Maman te cu sons sctstaa sesh aanoesossectee 34 190 5 UOWESLOLG MIMGS sae see 2 28 2s SAR Ss SUS eek at 43 380 2 This shows that the exhaustion of the soil by crops of clover and lucerne must be much greater than in the case of wheat. The leguminous crops are considered ameliorating, because they seem capable of absorbing and assimilating atmospheric nitrogen, but they cannot obtain from the atmosphere the mineral matter they contain. The favorable action must therefore be sought in some other cause. According to M. Cantoni, this cause may be found in the modifications occasioned by different crops in the soil, among which may be enumer- ated the mechanical treatment necessary for certain crops; abundant fertilizing, with a view to the preduction of surplus leaves; and, finally, 512 the quantity and quality of residues of crops returned to soil after the harvest. The latter is considered by the author the main point in question, and in this connection cites the results of the observations of M. Weiske, as follows: Crops leaving residue upon the soil. Crops. cut aees | Nitrogen. EDeephone | Potassa. Lime. Red clover, lbs., per hectare. 22, 090 | 475 156 | 203 648 Lucerne, lbs., per hectare-- 23, 940 338 97 | 91 487 Wheat, lbs., per hectare - -- 8, 610 58 29 | 46 210 Barley, lbs., per hectare - -- 4, 930 57 30 | 24 93 On comparison of the figures found in the above table, we find that the residue from the trop of clover will furnish enough nitrogen to sat- isfy the demands of a crop of wheat producing about 283 bushels per hectare,* and phosphoric acid sufficient for 227 bushels; the crop of lucerne leaves enough of nitrogen for a crop of 227 bushels, and of phos- phorie acid, for 113.5 bushels. The wheat and barley would, however, leave sufficient for only 28 bushels. The difference in the value of these crops for the purposes mentioned is very evident, since it appears that the leguminous crops leave in a favorable condition for assimilating enough of fertilizing materials to satisfy the demands of several crops of cereals ; while in case of cereal crops nearly all of the elements of plant-food are carried off in the grain. In favor of leguminous plants for green manuring, the author advances the idea that besides carrying into the soil these mineral elements of plant-food, they also supply to the soil an amount of moisture corre- sponding to a rain-fall of about three millimeters, or about 0.12 inch. The moisture received by the soil in this way affords an advantage over that supplied by the rain in that it is not so rapidly dissipated by evap- oration. In conclusion he considers that the explanation of the good effects of the so-called ameliorating crops does not depend upon any special faculty possessed by certain plants to assimilate atmospheric nitrogen; that this ameliorating property cannot be taken in an absolute sense, since all plants diminish rather than increase the quantity of materials for plant-food in the soil; that an ameliorating culture should be defined as one which yields to the soil residues, which, by their quantity and quality, may favor the demands of subsequent crops; that the quantity and quality of the residues of green plants are more favorable than those of dead plants; that it is therefore unadvisable to wait for the death of a crop of clover or lucerne before changing the culture; that the useful- ness of a meadow in rotation and plowing under green vegetation may be explained by the power displayed by each plant to seek, choose, assimilate, and accumulate valuable materials which may be returned to the soil in a readily assimilable form; that plowing under green veg- etation, as well as fertilizers, should be specialized according to the subsequent crops * 2.47 acres. 513 BOTANICAL NOTES. By Dr. Guo. VASEY. m THE PERSIMMON.—UColonel Barr has presented to this Department specimens of a variety of persimmon, grown on the grounds of the Re- form-School near this city, which possesses such qualities as entitle it to attention. The tree is young, nine or ten feet high, and not over 13 inches in diameter. It grows under an oak tree. There is a group of seven or eight trees in the vicinity, but only this one bears the peculiar fruit. This is somewhat acorn-shaped, and larger than the common. persimmon fruit. It does not seem to possess much astringency, and its flavor is excellent. Some of our nurserymen would do well to make a specialty of the improvement of the persimmon, and here is one of nature’s hints in that direction. The fruit referred to matures in No- vember. One tree of the group bears fruit which matures in August. It is of medium size, and very sweet. OxyYTROPIS LAMBERTI, (said to be poisonous to cattle.) Recently some specimens of a plant sent from Colorado by Dr. P. Moffatt, assist- ant surgeon, U.S. A., to the office of the Surgeon-General, were sub- mitted to this Department for name, accompanied by the following extract from the report of Dr. Moffatt: . Cattle-men inform me that a weed grows among the grass, particularly in damp ground, which is poisonous to horned cattle and horses, and destroys many of them. From the manner in which they describe its effects upon the animals it must be of the nature of a narcotic, and they assure me that cattle, after having eaten it, may linger many months or for a year or two, but invariably die at last from the effects of it. The animal does not lose in flesh apparently, but totters on its limbs and becomes crazy. While in this condition a cow will lose her calf and never find it again, and will not recognize it if presented to her. The sight becomes affected so that the ani- mal has no knowledge of distance, but will make an effort to step or jump over a stream or an otstacle while at a distance off, but will plunge into it or walk up against it upon arriving at it. The plant was pointed out to me, and seems to be related to the Lupin. The plant submitted to us as the one in question was the Oxytropis Lamberti, a plant of the pea-family, nearly related to Astragalus, and also to the Lupin. It grows in considerable abundance upon the ele- vated plains near the mountains, and extends up into the mountains to the elevation of 7,000 or 8,000 feet. Itis perennial and grows in small clumps, the leaves being all at the base, and sending up a few erect flower-stalks, seldom over a foot high, which have a spike-like raceme of rather showy flowers, varying in color from cream to purple. These are succeeded by short, stiff, pointed pods, which contain a number of small, clover-like seeds. The effects ascribed to this plant are quite similar to those produced by several species of Astragalus in California, as mentioned in several of the monthly reports of this Department. (See Monthly Report, October, 1873.) Careful observations should be made by residents of the region where this plant grows to ascertain if it produces the effects ascribed to it. A VALUABLE GRASS FOR THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST.—Specimens of a grass have been sent to us from Texas by Mr. Pryor Lee, concern- ing which he makes the following remarks: 1. General experience has not fully tested the qualities of this grass, but some charac- teristics are recognized by many practical observers in Southwestern Texas. 2. In this region this grass, in the condition of well-cured hay, is regarded as more nutritious than any other grass. 514 3. This grass grows only in cultivated land; it best prospers in the warmest fourth of the year; during this time two full crops may be gathered. Its luxuriant growth without much root subdues other grasses and some weeds, with the result of leaving’ the ground in an ameliorated condition. Fi 4. This grass little interferes with cultivation of a corn-crop; and, after the corn is worked enough, this grass matures its heavy crop simultaneously with maturity of the corn ; and, the corn being gathered, both the corn-stalks and the grass together may be turned under the surface in preparation for an autumn, winter, and spring crop of some other kind of grass or small grain. 5. Without a corn-crop this grass may give two cuttings in the summer, and also give full opportunity for using the same ground in one or more other crops during the autumn, winter, and spring. 6. Diligent inquiry has not obtained information that this kind of grass has yet appeared either out of Texas or within it eastward of the Colorado Valley, leaving an impression that such grass cannot be successfully propagated, except in such a cli- mate as obtains in Southwestern Texas. This grass is a species of Panicum, probably P. Jasciculatum, Swartz, which grows in Mexico and South America. It has likewise been sent from Colorado, where it has probably been introduced. We hope that those farmers living in the Southwestern States will give this grass a trial, as it seems to promise well for that section. MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION. By Tuomas TAytor, MICROSCOPIST. BLACK-KNOT OF PLUM AND CHERRY TREES—(Continued.)—Having recently received from a gentleman of New Jersey, Mr. Abram MeMur- trie, scme excellent specimens of black-knot taken from plum and cherry trees of different ages, I resumed my investigations of that disease with very Satisfactory results. A portion of the fungus being removed from a specimen of the black-knot which had grown on a plum-tree about seven years old, and being submitted to an examination by the micro- scope, at a very low power, exhibited forms of fruit (perithecia) as seen at 8. When viewed in section by a higher power, it appears as at 9; and in top view as at 10, showing an indentation in each perithecium. When a perfect specimen, as seen at 9 or 10, is submitted to the action of nitro-muriatic acid for about thirty minutes, a slight decomposition of the acid takes place, indicating that the resinous or oily matter of the perithecium becomes oxidized. These strong mineral acids have no destructive action on the organic structure of the perithecium, although they have the property of bleaching it in some degree, thus rendering it translucent, and making its cellular structure visible. If ammonia is added in drops to the specimens, after having been treated with acids, their albumenoids become pliable. This process is especially valuable when applied to matured and dry specimens; 6 represents a very highly magnified specimen of a perithecium, a part of which is in section and represents the internal arrangement of the asci and sporidia in them. From my recent experiments on black-knot Iam now able to demonstrate its structure. Ifa perfect perithecium which has been treated with acid and ammonia, as previously described, is gently bruised on a microscopic glass slide, by any of the well-known modes, the asci containing the true sporidia will escape, and frequently the sporidia will be seen in profusion on the glass. I have counted as many as ten sporidia in one ascus. When the perithecium is very pliable, and the interior mass of 515 asci well matured, it may be removed entirely by pressure, as repre- rented at A. A power of about 600 diameters is necessary to see it properly. An ascus measures about the one thousandth of an inch in diameter, and is about seven times its diameter in length. If an ascus is treated with an alcoholic solution of iodine, containing a few drops of nitric acid, its nitrogenous matter becomes stained of a dark amber while the sporidia retain their natural color. The asci will frequently exhibit, when treated with acids and alkalies, an expanded membrane of very delicate texture and quite transparent, as exhibited at T. The true cause of this disease is unknown at present. My future in- ‘vestigations will be'principally confined to its mode of propagation. In- 516 vestigations of this character lose much of their value when they are confined to the microscope and laboratory. Districts affected with the dreaded pest should be visited, and the roots of the trees and their branches examined, that the investigator may become acquainted with all the stages of growth of the fungus, and thus ascertain how the dis- ease is propagated. THE FUNGUS ERYSIPHE TUCKERI.—On the 15th of ‘May last, one of the foreign grape-vines of the experimental grapery of the Department was found to be affected with the fungus called Oidiwm Tuckert. It first 51% appeared on the leaves, then on the green branches, and finally on the fruit. I determined to take advantage of its presence to make further inves- tigations in reference to its habits. I secured ona glass slide a few of its oidium spores, placed them in a clean glass jar containing a little water, excluded the atmosphere by a ground-glass stopper, and sub- jected the jar to a temperature of about 75° Fahr. during the inves- tigations. On the second day the spores were examined, when it was found that many of them had germinated. 1, group A, represents the oidium. I think that the spores in this case are thrown out. from the peduncle* in the same manner as soap- bubbles from a pipe. I have never seen a case of an oidium spore hay- ing a small spore attached to it as if in the act of reproducing a fac simile of itself, as is so frequently observed in the spores of the common yeast-plant, (Torula cerevisie.) The oidium spores germinated and threw out branches as shown in the drawings 2, 3,and 4. The protrud- ing branch of spore 2 differs in form from that of 3. The brancbed state of 4 illustrates the changes which take place in 2. I have observed many spores germinating like 3, upon the functions of which I have been unable to decide. After exposure for a few days, more new forms of fungi appeared on the branches of the mycelium of the oidium. (See 5 and its ramifications, group B.) Nos. 6 and 7 next appeared, followed by 8 and 9; 10 represents a highly magnified spore of Penicilliwm glaucum, 9; 11, the spores of 7 germinating, which resemble Penicilliwm Armeniacum, Berk. The flask-shaped spores, 8, (Antennaria tenuis, Ness.,) are generally the last to appear. They belong to a genus of Torulacet, remarkable for their close resemblance to a Florence flask.t My object was to ascertain what changes, if any, would take place during the germination of the spores. I therefore varied my experi- ments in numerous ways, and am satisfied that the forms 6,7,8, and 9 have no relation to the oidium under experiment, but are distinct fermenting plants, living on and consuming the mycelium and spores of the oidium, preventing the further healthy growth of the vine fungus. The facts observed have an important bearing on the cultivation of foreign grape-vines when grown in moist hot-houses, for since it has been shown that parasitic fungi are nourished by the spores and mycelium of the Oidium of the vine and grow profusely on them, the vine itself will be- come affected by the growth of the fungi over its leaves, green branches, and fruit. I have frequently transferred to varnished glass slides the same class of spores direct from a leaf which had been kept unusually moist while growing. These will doubtless hasten the death of the plant on which they grow. The evidence is conclusive that when the flowers of sulphur have been applied early to mildewed vines, they have been saved, and that later applications have been unavailing. This may arise from the fact that the other ferms of fungi, such as I have pointed out, may assist in the destructive work. These experiments have been re- peated often under varied conditions, with an unvarying similarity of results. A slip of glass was varnished, and, when nearly dry, a vine-leaf covered with the Oidiwm was pressed on it, so that many of the spores adhered to the varnish. When the slip was introduced into a moist jar at the temperature mentioned, the spores adhering to the varnish germinated, as shown at B. When placed in an atmosphere containing turpentine, benzine, or carbolic acid, they failed to germinate, and the *The stem or stalk that supports the flower and fruit of a plant. +The microscopic dictionary says of this genus that “no British representatives of this genus appear to have been recorded hitherto,” (p. 29, vol. 1, second edition, 1860.) 518 distorted forms of the Oidiwm were clearly seen, showing the destruc- tive action of these substances on fungus germs. I next placed the dust of roll sulphur on Oidiwm spores, and also the dust of the flowers of sulphur on a second lot, each set being secured on glass slides, an inch and a half wide by six inches long. « ‘These slides were subjected to moisture and heat, as before, in sepa- rate jars. After the usual exposure it was observed that the same fungus forms of group B appeared on the germinating Oidium. These results were not expected, as it has been generally supposed that sulphur is a perfect preventive of fungoid growth. This led me to test the effectiveness of sulphur for that purpose. I placed in an eight-ounce jar four ounces of pure water, one ounce of green peach- leaves, and two ounces of the flowers of sulphur, and subjected the whole toa temperature of 75° to 80° F. In three days fermentation commenced in full force, giving off a strong odor of sulphureted hydrogen. In the course of ten days the leaves were completely destroyed by the fermen- tation, demonstrating that, if the flowers of sulphur are anti-fungoid, the beneficial results of its application have not been due, as has been sup- posed, to its chemical qualities, but, probably, to its absorption of moist- ure. These experiments also go to show that the vine fungus is a true para- site, and that it will not fruit when removed from the plant on which it grows. A peculiar condition of the atmosphere may also be necessary. The Oidium form of the fungus is not supposed by mycologists to be a true mold, but merely a condition of a species of Hrysiphe. Group B represents a theoretical view of its supposed condition; 12,13 and 14, its stages of fruiting. Figs. 14 and 15 are filled with little sacs contain- ing sporidia which germinate. Fig. 16, group D, represents one of them, and 17 a branch of mycelium growing from them on which grows the Oidium. It is stated on good authority that the fruit of this fungus has not been seen on the vine in Europe. In the fall and summer of 1871 and also 1872 I found specimens of its perfect fruit in great profasion on the foreign vine of the grapery of the Department. During the last two years, 1873 and 1874, not a single specimen of fruit could be found. Late in the fall of 1872 Mr. William Saunders, superintendent of the ex- perimental gardens, had all the branches of the foreign vines in the grapery painted with a mixture of clay and carbolie acid, for the pur- pose of destroying the fruit of the vine fungus. Future observations may show that such treatment will prevent, in a measure, the ravages of the vine fungus. It has long been observed that very dry seasons are favorable to the growth of the Hrysiphe fungus. Although a hundred foreign vines were exposed to the Oidiwm in the same grapery, very few were affected by it during the last season; and it is observed that the mildew is confined to certain varieties. The black Hamburgh, for exam- ple, was not affected at all by it, although growing side by side with mildewed vines. The green wood is always more injured by the Oidiwm than the ripe; consequently, as some varieties of vines ripen sooner than others under the same conditions, so the green branches of the later varieties will probably be more affected than those of the early. It was shown by my paper on the fungus of the American grape-vine, in the Annual Report of the Department for 1871, that the early spring leaves of American grape-vines are not affected by the mildew (Perono- spora viticola) during the summer months, under ordinary conditions, although the leaves that sprout in summer, particularly during rainy weather, when sappy and of a very light-green color, are very liable to be affected with the mildew, particularly some varieties. 519 In the fall of 1872 I selected several vine-leaves from the foreign Department grapery, having on their surface patches of mildew inter- mixed with perithscia of the Erysiphe Tuckeri. Having removed portions of them, I placed them on glass slides and secured them in position with gum-water, over which I placed a thin glass disk. While viewing them under a power of about 100 diameters I applied pressure on the disk in order to burst the perithecia. I used great care in my manipulation, but failed to get sporangia out of them. I then laid the leaves aside untib November, 1874. In consideration of recent successful experiments on perithecia ‘ot black-knot fungus, I resumed my experiments on those of the foreign grape-vine mentioned. I removed a small portion of the leaves procured in 1872, containing the perithecia, placed it in a capsule and poured over it concentrated ammonia with the view of softening its albuminoid matter. To another portion I added nitro-muriatic acid and neutralized the acid byammonia. This latter method has the advantage of bleaching the perithecium, which is naturally opaque, but when par- tially bleached is of a translucent Vandyke-brown color. Under either treatment the perithecia become soft and pliable, and the proper degree of pressure may be given during the operation while viewing them under the microscope. In this way I have succeeded in bursting them and forcing out their sporangia in perfect form. I had previously failed in this experiment, probably for the reason that the sporangia had not matured sufficiently, and in consequence of the thinness of their cell- walls they burst with slight pressure, and a grumous mass was all that I obtained. The sporangia of peritheciaof Microspheria are easily removed and seem to bear more pressure without breaking the cell-walls of the sporangia than those of the vine, judging from my experience thus far. ‘During the last four years I have examined many hundreds of speci- mens of the Oidiwm form of the vine fungus, but in no case have I seen connected with them pycnidia, forms of a cell described and illustrated by Professor Amicé and Doctor Plomley, of Europe, and represented by them as connected in some way with the Oidiwm. I am certain, how- ever, that 1 have found in great profusion, during the summer and fall of both 1871 and 1872, on the vines in our foreign grapery, the true fruit or pereithecia of Hrysephe Tuckeri. The Rey. M. J. Berkley says: It is true that the real sporangia of the vine mildew have not yet been observed. ~« * * We do not doubt, therefore, that at some future period the true sporangia may be found, and we trust that the little parasite which has been of such unlooked- for importance may still preserve the specific name originally assigned to it, in honor of the meritorious cultivator who first observed it. * * * It may, therefore, be named Erysiphe Tuckeri, and the name of Oidiwm Tuckeri should be rejected. When Professor Planchon visited this Department last year, I pre- pared for him a microscope-slide containing specimens of the perithecia of Erysiphe Tuckeri, taken from a foreign vine of the Department grapery. Should the climatic condition of the summer and fall of 1875 prove favorable for further investigation in this direction, I may be enabled to define more clearly the habits of Hrysiphe Tuckeri, on a knowledge of which depends the proper remedies to be applied for its destruction and the consequent protection of the vine. FACTS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES. AGRICULTURAL AND POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTES.—Mr. Lowndes, of Maryland, in January, 1874, introduced into the National House of Representatives, “a bill to aid in establishing agricultural and poly- 520 ; technic institutes in the several counties of the States and Territories, and the District of Columbia.” The passage of this bill will be urged at this session. Section 1 appropriates $5,000,000 to aid in the estab- lishment of such institutes in every county or school-district at or near the capital town thereof. Section 2 requires the Commissioner of Edu- cation, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, to apportion one-half of the $5,000,000 upon the basis of the entire population, and ohe-half in proportion to the number above ten years unable to write, as stated by the late decennial census. Section 3 awards a share in the apportionment to each State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, which shall by law provide for the establishment of such institutes, ’ open to all actual residents, under reasonable and just regulations, in which instruction shall be given in such branches as ‘foster agri- culture and manufactures, develop mining resources, and benefit com- merce,” under regulations devised by the Commissioner of Educa- tion, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Chief Signal-Officer. Section 4 makes each apportionment payable upon the warrant of the Commissioner of Education, countersigned by the Secretary of the In- terior, to the State, territorial, or district officer authorized by law to receive it. Such officers are required to report to the Commissioner of Education, on or before the 30th of June next ensuing, a detailed state- ment of the moneys disbursed or still unexpended. The term “ school- districts ” includes cities, towns, parishes, or other subdivisions desig- nated by law as competent to maintain institutions of learning. Section 5 requires the immediate apportionment and disbursement of each State, territorial, or district share; the portion derived from each half of the entire appropriation is to be locally distributed upon its own basis of distribution. Section 6 makes the embezzlement of these funds a fel- ony punishable with a fine of double the amount embezzled, or impris- enment not exceeding three years. Section 7 gives the exclusive juris- diction in such cases to the United States circuit courts, with power to eompel by writ the performance of the duties specified, or to restrain their undue performance. Section 8 appropriates the $5,000,000. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.—At a meeting of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, held in June last, it was resolved to memorialize the government in behalf of agricultural education. Among other reasons for affording the working-classes of the country special instruction in the sciences bearing on agriculture, and their practical application, it was urged: That in times past crops were raised and stock reared by the operation of very sim- ple and primitive processes. In the present age the implements required by farmers depend on ingenious and complicated mechanical contrivances. Not only for the con- struction, but for the management and working of these implements, a knowledge of mechanics is required. The fertility of the soil needs to be stimulated by artificial eompounds, which must be prepared with special reference to the nature both of soils and crops. The stock bred and fed on farms must obtain particular treatment, so as to msure production of good meat in a short time and at small expense. All these processes depend more or less on a knowledge of mechanics, chemistry, and physiol- ogy. The most important recent improvements in agriculture have been made by per- sons versed in these sciences. That with this view, your memorialists ask that the grants of the department shall be declared to cover instruction in chemistry, mechanics, physiology, botany, morphol- ogy, steam, and other scientific subjects, when taught in the abstract, in so far as nec- essary for agriculture ; and also to cover instruction given in the principles of agricul- ture as an applied science, and to place it in the same position as machine construction, applied mechanics, the principles of mining, and navigation, which are already included in the list of scientific arts toward instruction in which aid is given, and in which examinations are carried out by the department. The society have since received a reply to their petition from ‘ the lords of the committee of council on education,” in which it is stated 521 that while their lordships are disposed to accede to the request con- tained therein, it is too late now to include for this year the science of agriculture in the list of subjects toward instruction in which aid is granted by this department. The case is, therefore, reserved for future but early consideration.” In the mean time this committee call atten- tion to the fact that the branches which must be the foundation of any course of instruction in agriculture are already aided, both in element- ary schools and in the department of science and art: . EXPERIMENTS IN AGRICULTURE.—The following is an abbreviated statement of experiments and their results, conducted by Dr. E. M. Pendleton, professor of agriculture in the Georgia State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, as reported by him at the semi- annual meeting of the Georgia State Agricultural Society : Wheat, broadcast and drilled: Sown the 1st of November, plats 1 and 2, side by side, on poor land of equal fertility, without manure ; plat 1, broadcast, at the rate of 2 bushels per acre, through mistake, only 1 bushel being intended. But as about half, before it was well rooted, was killed out by the first cold spell, it only “stood about as thick as from one bushel of seed.” In preparing plat 2 for the drill, the soil was thrown up in sharp ridges by running parallel furrows about 15 inches apart. As the seed at the rate of one-half a bushel to the acre was sown, the most of it fell into the furrows between the ridges. By splitting the latter with a bull-tongue, the remainder was thrown in, and the whole covered “ beautifully.” In March, when the wheat on this plat was in the joint, a single furrow was run between each two rows by a subsoil-plow. ‘The helve of this plow, being a bar of iron, threw up no dirt on the wheat, but answered the double pur- pose of draining the land and opening it that the atmosphere might penetrate, and thus prepare additional food for the plants. The good effect was very perceptible.” The variety sown was Tappahannock. The broadcast yielded at the rate of 414 pounds, or 6.09 bushels, of wheat, and 8364 pounds of straw, per acre; the drilled at the rate of 517.5 pounds, or 8.62 bushels, of wheat, and 812 pounds of straw. The pro- fessor, assuming that the proportion of seed per acre required is, for the broadcast one bushel, and for the drilled one-half bushel, and that it is sown on land equivalent to that on which the experiment was made, reckons as compensation for the additional labor, before harvesting, in the drilling process, as follows: besides a gain, on a field of 10 acres, of 31.5 bushels of wheat, ‘for every bushel of grain made on the broadcast system there is carried off 137 pounds of straw, while for the same amount of grain when drilled there is carried off 99 pounds of straw. This, then, involves considerably more labor in cutting, hauling, and thrashing for the same amount of grain obtained, and takes off about e per cent. more of the valuable substances making up agricultural plants. Plat 3, fertilized with 300 pounds, per acre, of ammoniated super- phosphate in the drill, with one-half bushel of seed, yielded at the rate of 724.5 pounds—12.07 bushels—of wheat, and 979 pounds of straw, per acre. The fertilizer cost $9.75; gain in wheat over that without a fertilizer, 3.45 bushels. Plat 4, with the same treatment, except that the seed was doubled, yielded exactly the same amount of wheat, but 80 pounds more straw, per acre. ; Plat 5, with 300 pounds per acre of superphosphate and 1 bushel of seed in the drill, produced at the rate of 700 pounds—1i.67 bushels—of 522 wheat, and 1,043 pounds of straw. Cost of the fertilizer, $7.50; gain in wheat, 5 bushels. . The professor infers that when the farmer gets back in the first crop the cost of commercial fertilizers, it pays well to use them, ‘ because there is left in the soil insoluble phosphates, lime, sulphur, and organic nitrogen, which will doubtless pay for the fertilizer the second year on most soils.” ’ * Oats.—Sown on the 18th of December, 14 pounds of seed, a yellow Georgia variety, with 500 bushels of home-made manure put in at the time of sowing. Product, 29% bushels of oats and 1,275 pounds of straw; cost of production, $14.25; value of the products, $33.69 ; net profit per acre, $19.44. Cotton.—With a view to test the effects of organic matter on growth, one flower-pot was filled with river-sand, out of which all soluble matter had been washed; another with such sand mixed, half and half, with rotten wood, (though not fully decomposed.) The same fertilizer, in equal quantities, was added to both, and a plant of cotton grown in each.. At the date of report, (in August,) that in pure sand, compared with that in sand mixed with rotten wood, was ‘much smaller and less vigorous, the leaves having a paler and more sickly aspect, with just one-half the number of forms, (6 to 12,) and wilting much sooner from the lack of water.” Again, in the autumn of 1873, 200 pounds of green weeds were put in arow 70 yards long, and covered with a turning- Shovel ; another 200 pounds were burned, thus dissipating the organic matter, and the ashes covered in a row of the same length. Last spring cotton was planted in both; at date of reporting that on the weeds had “the appearance of being treated with 200 pounds of a good fertilizer,” while that on the ashes of weeds appeared to have received scarcely any benefit from them. WHEAT-IMPORTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.—The following is he officialt statement of the quantities and value of wheat and wheat meal and flour imported into Great Britain for the nine months ending September 30, 1874, accompanied by a statement of the total value, and value per hundred-weight, in our curreney. A 1874. Countries. = Val e Cwts. Value. Value. SEroat WHEAT. INTVOMMRUSSIA Ge lac Fee ae oe eee ee a eee cee 3,374,915 | £2, 037,021 | $10,185,105 | $3 02 AGM ATR yo Para oak Ld Wee | 123, 955 81, 109 405, 545 3 27 Germany cect tek oan ce toee eee eee eee See 2, 004, 563 1, 435, 270 7, 176, 350 3°98 ANG e) Clee eS els eas ees woe Eee ee SEP RES 233, 258 133, 233 666, 165 2 85 PATISURIAN ENT LOLIOS oat pepe ne eee eee ne enee 1, 047 810 4, 050 3 87 Turkey, Wallachia, and Moldavia ....-...-.. 453, 863 272, 095, 1, 360, 479 3 00 Mio Leet ce ee Sek SON Pen OEY TA 291, 990 171, 123 855, 615 2 93 United States ............ etre ROU 18, 387, 344} 11, 756,222 | 58, 781, 110 3 20 COLTER Re Se ISI 18 tet A GE ps cag CR 1, 682, 006 1, 052, 742 5, 263, 710 3 13 British North America .....-.-..---------.-. 2, 868, 736 1, 741, 778 8, 708, 890 3 03 Other countries: 222 op cke cee eee 2, 313, 977 1, 495, 551 7, 477, 199 3 23 SEH, eee RN Ca pn wy pe ney te 31, 735,654 | 20,176,954 | 100, 884, 770 31 WHEAT MEAL AND FLOUR. i nO mMG erally. \.n/acisates sict cca woes coer cece 556, 669 546, 575 2, 732, 875 4 91 SURAT CG pis Sooke one. CE 2p ORR 298, 307 309, 526 1, 547, 630 519 Tmibed States co tiroct coc eens cates, SmI 2,720, 173 2,475,181 | 12, 375, 905 4 55 Bripish) North eAmMenca ess ceeeeeee meee e ee SoD) LOOM a 290, 767 1, 453, 835 4 34 Other. countries™ a eres che ee eee eee 957, 125 974, 290 4, 871, 450 5 09 TRGtalitins eee TU Ve NSO AST a 4, 867, 379 4, 596, 339 22, 981, 695 4 72 SOUS ee eee 523 The average value of United States wheat differs little in the last three annual statements. Taking the same periods of nine months, the aver- ages of the past three are respectively $3.14, $3.23, and $3.20. The highest price is for wheat of the Austrian territories. BRITISH IMPORTS OF NEW WHEAT.—NSince the wheat-harvest in Great Britain the imports of flour have been over 5,000,000 quarters, the estimated wants of this kingdom being from 8,000,000 to 9,000,000 quarters. At the same rate of arrivals it is estimated that within five months after harvest much the largest part of the requirement for the year will be imported, leaving only 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 quarters for the remaining seven months. PROGRESS OF THE COTTON-MANUFACTURE.—The following figures, collected under the direction of the late secretary of the Cotton-Manu- facturers’ Association, illustrate the present status of that important interest: * 1 . 2 w Ep 48 a| ¢ S soak ey WES el 2 ao) §..).4. [aes oa & 2 205) zo oo States. ° ° s = g ©°3.8 | Quanuty or cotton usea. mm I mH os Oem o a o 3) 3} op the a & = = = § = Ean q =| 8 3 3) ood 3 5 5 5 Ps PS a Z A Z 4 4 |4 NORTHERN. No. | Weeks. |Pounds.| Pounds. Bales. IMAGING: = I ia . 2 a P A Pal kes ee ra 5 Gi = @ 3 Pi ele|eie"| 2 (28) 8 |) 2 |Elelais a: - i=} _ is) a os i=) BR | Ble) a | ae |& | 4 > Al|e lela * No. | No. | No.| No. | Lbs.| Lbs. | Ots No.| No.| No.| No. March, 1869..-...-.-- 292 96 | 16 404 P| 1, 089 18 $196 02 $196 02 | 49 | 47 1 97 Mian MUSTON ots mcele ce: 294 105 | 5 404 3.3 1, 3274] 19 | 252 224 448 244104 |108 |....| 212 September, tsi eens 412 210 | 4 626 1.8 1, 140 184) 210 90 659 14d oe aceite ee eee May, UST rewtelaafete tele 322 | 133 | 4 459 2.5 1,145 24 | 160 30 819 442 BPA es sas alae WER GS soceeeposae 341 164) 9 514 3.2} 1,653 37%| 623 31 | 1, 442 153 74 | 56 9 | 139 Mayes leioceeseeeclies- 221 e98ui ano 325 Pa, (3) 837 | 18 | 150 66 | 1,593 414) 30 | 30 |.--.| 60 Mia Biase sect cic =e 222 | 72 6 300 2.6 805 | 244) 197 22 i 790 634 75 | 93 2 | 170 SHEEP-HUSBANDRY IN TASMANIA.—The sheep of Tasmania are de- veloping qualities as fancy breeds which are now bringing high prices in the market. A careful selection of breeding-stock, great care of. flocks, and very favorable climatic conditions are claimed as special ad- vantages for this industry. Some pure Leicester ewes sold in Melbourne lately as high as £21 10s. per head. A pure merino ram, “one of the grandest sires in the colonies,” brought the astonishing price of £714. A flock of 26 stud rams, the progeny of the last-named, averaged £53 per head. j EXPERIMENTS WITH FERTILIZERS.—Our correspondent in Windham, Conn., thus states the results of his experiments with different prepara- tions of bone as a fertilizer: No. 1 was a celebrated brand of pulverized bone, which appeared to be rich in ammonia, but it was the least valua- ble kind experimented with. No. 2wasacommoncrushed bone converted into superphosphate by sulphuric acid. This caused a luxuriant growth in the fore part of the season. No. 3 was crushed bone mixed with two parts of ashes; the mixture, after being thoroughly wet, was allowed to stand two weeks before using. It was not so effective in the fore part of the season, but after harvest its effect was as great, if not greater, than any other. It is also the cheapest manure, not costing more than half as much as the others, and fully equaling their efficiency. Our correspondent in Elk, Pa., states that a farmer there raised 500 bushels of corn from two acres of land which had received a good coat of lime. This has “‘ turned the heads of half the farmers in the neighborhood.” Bushels of ears are doubtless meant. GUANO-DEPOSITS OF PERU.—The results of late measurements of guano-deposits upon several Peruvian islands are stated by the South Pacific Times, as follows: Chiapa, 89,000 cubic meters; Huanillos, 700,000; Punta de Lobos, 1,601,000 ; ’Pabellon de Pica, 5,000,000 ; Patache, 125,000; Chavanoja, 150, 000 ; Patillos, 16,000. Each cubic meter will yield from 2,866 to 2,976 pounds. Many other islands, smaller than the above, present a very considerable aggregate. Specimens of several of these deposits have been analyzed by order of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England, upon which Dr. Voelcker remarks, that those of Pabellon de Pica are very dry, of a clear brown color, and ap- proximating the best guanos of the Chincha Islands. Their alkaline salts vary from 9 to 23 per cent., with a greater or less proportion of marine salts. Those of Punta de Lobos contain a large quantity of sand, amounting, at 8 feet fepoly to 28 per cent.; the proportion of nitrogen, however, is very small, 2.6 per cent. The last ingredient, however, varies at different depths, amounting to 64 per cent. at 5 feet, and to 10 525 per cent. at 40 feet, where the guano is fine and still drier than that of Guanape, and contains as small a proportion of sand. The guano of Huanillos is very dry, pulverulent, and of clear brown color; the pro- portion of nitrogen varies from 7 to 10 per cent.; sand, from 2 to 6 per cent. Several specimens were rich in phosphate of lime, but poor in nitrogen. Alkaline salts are present in large proportions, varying from 16 to 20 per cent. in some deposits. The proportion of nitric acid ranges from .01 to 2.9 per cent. Nitrate of soda is probably due to the nitrogen of large organic portions of the large deposits exposed for a long time to the action of atmospheric oxy- gen, and also to the action of sea-water. These researches lead to the expectation that large deposits of nitrate of soda will yet be discovered in the south of Peru. Dr. Voelecker thinks the variable character of these deposits renders it necessary to carefully examine ,each cargo imported. The English Royal Society has petitioned the government to press the Peruvian government to institute a standard analysis guar- anteeing a stated medium of nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and of regu- lating prices accordingly. ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.—The British Board of Trade has returns showing the following areas under culture in 1874: Wheat, 3,632,063 acres ; barley, 287,983 acres; oats, 2,596,367 acres ; potatoes, 520,428 acres ; hops, 65,824 acres; the last-named crop shows a consid- erably increased acreage, but barley and oats have decreased. The live- stock returns embrace 6,125,505 head of horned cattle of all grades in the British Isles; 30,313,949 sheep, and 2,422,834 swine; the first two show an increase, and the third a decrease, compared with 1873. CINCHONA IN CEYLON.—The experiment with cinchona in Ceylon, as in India, is still continued successfully. The original design of the Ceylon government was to grow plants only for free distribution, on the condition that they be planted and cared for. At first it was difficult to get planters to accept of them with this proviso; but the success of the ‘first trials was such that, for the last two years, it has been difficult for the gardens at Hakgalla to keep up with the demand at the price, first, of 5 and, latterly, of 10 rupees per thousand. The latter price has been paid even for unrooted cuttings. The greater demand has been for the succirubra, (red bark,) which large-leaved species thrives well every where, side by side with coffee. This is the favorite, not because it is the best, but because it is the best grower and suited to a lower eleva- tion, 3,000 feet being the minimum for the production of the alkaloid in sufficient quanity, while officinalis, calasaya, and other crown barks re- quire an elevation not lower than 4,000 feet, furnishing an even quantity of alkaloid at all higher elevations than 6,500 feet, below which the quantity is less, and the resin of the bark becomes as troublesome as in the red bark. Though cinchona trees, like most others, flourish best under conditions of abundant sunlight, yet repeated experiments have conclusively proved that the quality of the bark can be greatly improved by shielding it from the direct influence of the sun’s rays. The forma- tion of injurious resinous and coloring matter, most difficult of separa- tion from the valuable qualities, seems to be in proportion to the influ- ence of direct sunlight. Planting the trees very thickly, and then pruning judiciously, goes far toward securing the benefits without the disadvantages of shade, the most favorable condition for the production of quinine being “that the leaves should be well exposed to the light while the stem-bark is shaded from the direct action of the sun.” A Mr. Melvor has adopted a mossing process, which completely secures all 5A 526 the advantages of excluding the bark from the sun’s rays, while it enables the cultivator to obtain several crops of bark from the same growing stem. Mr. McIvor thus describes his process: Two parallel cuts should be made down the stem, at the distance apart of the in- tended width of the strip of bark; this done, the bark is raised from the sides of the cut and drawn off, beginning at the bottom; care being taken not to press or injure the sappy matter (Cambium) left on the stem of the tree. This Cambium, or sappy matter, immediately granulates on the removal of the bark, and, being covered, forms a new bark, which maintains the circulation undisturbed. With a view to show that scientific cultivation may modify the bark so as to increase largely the valuable alkaloids and sulphates, and at the same time decrease the resin and other objectionable matter, Mr. Broughton, chemist, employed by the Madras government, made the following experiment: After taking samples of the bark of two trees, as it grew in the natural state, he covered the bark on one with a shield of tinned plate, and on the other with cloth. Analyses showed the following results: Bark from the tree covered with plate, before cov- ering, quinine, 2.16; cinchonidine and cinchonine, 3.13; total alkaloids, 5.29; covered ten months, quinine, 1.65; cinchonidine and cinchonine, 6.45; total, 8.10. From the tree covered with cloth, before covering, quinine, 2.26; cinchonidine and cinchonine, 2.78; total, 5.04; covered six months, quinine, 2.03; cinchonidine and cinchonine, 4.88; total, 6.91; covered ten months; quinine, 2.34; cinchonidine and cinchonine, 5,58; total, 7.92. Mr. Broughton states: ‘The alkaloid was obtained crystallized with nearly the same readiness as in mossed bark. The amount of quinine, however, has not been increased as in the case of mossing. This is a circumstance which I did not expect, and it is op- posed to deductions from other experiments.” He thinks that the rea- son for non-increase of quinine may be that the black cloth and tinned plate did not shield from the heating effect of the sun’s rays as did the moss. He also gives the result of a new analysis, which makes the amount of quinine in bark (of Suecirubra) sixteen months under moss, 4.02; and the same renewed, under moss for the same time, 3.87. The old bark, however, was sixty-six months old. To show the comparative value of different varieties, analyses of two kinds of bark produced in Ceylon are given. The first, Officinalis, (be- lieved to have been subjected to the mossing process,) gave sulphate of quinine, 3.93; quinine uncrystallized, 2.41; cinchonidine, .51; cinchon- ine, .28; total, 7.13. The second, Succirubra, from trees grown in the open garden at Hakgalla, gave, sulphate of quinine, 2.35; quinine un- crystallized, .95; cinchonidine, .11; cinchonine, .58; total, 4.99. » CINCHONAS IN InDIA.—Dr. Edward Nicholson, of the Anglo-Indian army, informs Le Journal de Thérapeutique that the culture of this pre- cious bark is rapidly increasing in India. In the presidency of Madras alone the produet of cinchona bark, up to July 31, 1873, was: Cinchona suceirubra, 1,215,963 superficial feet ; C. officinalis, 4 varieties, 1,284,748 feet; C. calisaya, 2 varieties, 54,881 feet; other species, 93,346 feet. During the second quarter of 1873 these plantations furnished for the manutacture of alkaloids of Madras 11,164 tbs. of green bark from the trunk; 30,089 lbs. of green bark from the branches; 2,597 Ibs. of re- newed bark. There were exported to England 23,699 Ibs. of dried bark making the product of three months 67,485 feet, giving an estimated product of alkaloids amounting to 3,376 pounds. Dr. Nicholson esti- mates the total product of India at over 200,000 pounds of bark. RAIN ON THE PACIFIC CoAST.—Rain on the Pacific coast has set in earlier than usual. In the month of October it fell at Sacramento to 527 the depth of 2} inches, which was more than in the same month in any ~ year since 1858, when 3,, inches fell. The next highest amount was in 1869, 24 inches. In San Francisco the United States signal-service report that in the twenty-four hours ending at 8 p. m., November 23, 4.7, inches fell. Rain has been general in the interior. At Yreka, it is claimed that 73 inches fell during one storm in November, making a total of 144 inches for the month, and of 20 inches for the season. INFLUENCE OF TREES ON RAIN-FALL AND CLIMATE.—At a recent meeting of the Scottish Arboricultural Society, a report was made by Mr. Buchan, secretary of the Scottish Meteorological Society, of ex- periments on rain-fall at Carnwath. “The forest selected contained about 62 acres, and a little outside, to the northwest, was a green knoll quite clear of trees. In the interior of the wood, and 320 yards distant, was another knoll of precisely similar character. Immediately on the top of the western slope of this knoll was a bare patch about 50 feet in diameter, and this was surrounded on all sides with trees of various sorts, varying from 40 to 50 feet in height. The growth of the green sward and of the plants around showed that the situation was well fitted for the inquiry.” Two sets of meteorological instruments, exactly alike, were placed, one on each knoll, at exactly the same elevation above the ground. Observations were begun on the 16th of September, 1873, and continued to the end of October, 1874. ‘“The precise points to be elucidated were the temperature and the con- dition of the atmosphere as regards moisture outside the wood as com- pared with the interior of the wood.” In the interior, the highest tem- perature was 79°.4; the lowest, 19°; range 60°.4; on the outside, curing the same days as the preceding) the highest, 78°.1; the lowest, 19°.8; range, 58°.53. The mean of all the maximum day-temperatures at the station within the woods was 52°.2; on the outside, 519.7; of all the minimum day-temperatures in the interior, 38°.8; on the outside, 38°.7. The means of night-temperatures were very nearly identical at both stations during the whole period of observation; except in June, the difference was never more than a fifth of a degree, but for the days of maximum temperature, the averages showed an excess of half a degree in favor of the station inside. The remarkable result disclosed during the annual rise of temperature in the spring and summer months was, that in the inside of the wood the temperature was two degrees higher than on the outside, while during the annual fall of temperature in the autumn, the temperature of the day inside of the wood was in the mean half a degree lower than on the outside. In respect to moisture, the results were as follows: The averge dew- point, at 9 o’clock in the morning, was, at the interior station, 429.55 at the exterior, 42°; at 9 in the evening, respectively, 429.2 and 40°. In the month of August the dew-point at the interior was, on the average, 1°.8 higher than at the exterior. FORESTRY AND DEFORESTING IN CEYLON.—A writer in the Ceylon Oberver, from facts in the official report on the forest department of the Madras presidency, concludes that the rainfall would be equally abundant, on the tops of mountains 4,000 to 8,000 feet high, if there were no trees higher than coffee, tea, or cinchona shrubs. He states further that all observation and experience in Ceylon tends to prove that the substitution of coffee-bushes 4 feet, for forest-trees 40 or 60 feet high, on elevated lands, will not be followed by a diminution of rainfail in the slightest degree. Those who clear away every tree from their land inflict great injury on their own interests and those of the country, not because they diminish the rain-fall, butbecause from such 528 land the rains run off more rapidly, the moisture is sooner dissipated from the surface, and there is no vegetable deposit from leaves and decayed wood for enriching lower lands. FOREST PROTECTION IN RusstA.—The Moscow Gazette, in comment- ing upon a correspondence from the provinces of the Vistula, predicts that if the wholesale destruction of timber be not placed under effective limitations within the next quarter century, that finely-wooded region will become an arid plain. Volhynia, in which formerly 42 per cent. of the land was forest, now contains but 25 percent. Riga will soon lose its character as a timber-exporting point. Renza has reduced her forest area from 35 per cent. to 20 per cent. of her surface. Other prov- inces show a similar tendency. These complaints are re-echoed by the other leading journals of the empire. The danger of injurious denudation of forest areas has attracted the attention of the leading agricultural societies, and the impression is gaining ground among all classes of the people that prompt action must be taken by the govern- ment to avert the injurious consequences of a general destruction of forests. EXPORT OF HORSES FROM FRANCE.—Horses were exported from France, in the first nine months of 1874, to the value of $3,000,000. They included 5,217 mares, 536 stallions, and 11,959 geldings. The ex- ports for the corresponding period in the two previous years were: 1873. Mares, 4,957; stallions, 616; geldings, 12,990. 1872. Mares, 4,265; stallions, 992; geldings, 7,126. They are exported principally to England, Belgium, and Germany. BARLEY VERSUS WHEAT.—The Mark Lane Express, in reporting that the best malting barley, for the first time, sells in the British mar- ket at a higher rate than the best red wheat, says that “ a very remark- able change is about to take place in the history of agriculture, conse- quent on the change in the value of English wheat and barley.” Reck- oned by measure, barley is quoted at 48 shillings, and wheat at 46, per quarter; by weight, (barley being 7 pounds per bushel lighter than wheat,) while 456 pounds of barley bring 48 shillings, 456 pounds of wheat bring only 41. PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE IN VICTORIA.—The Department of Agriculture in Victoria, Australia, has published its second annual re- port. The volume is described as “an exact counterpart” of those issued by this Department. It reports-results of investigations with respect to the state of crops, the cultivation of special plants, (includ- ing flax, the grape, and native grasses,) diseases of cattle and sheep, injuries of birds and insects, characteristics of different soils in the colony, &c. The Department is furnished with a chemist and an ento- mologist,who report on their specialties. Agricultural educationis largely discussed, and a sketch of all the principal agricultural schools and col- leges in Europe and America is given. It is also reported that the De- partment is about adding to its own facilities an experimental college and farm. STEAM CULTIVATION.—The following statements are gathered from a letter written by an experienced cultivator, at the request of Sir Will- iam Cunningham, M. P., and read at a recent meeting of the Carrick Farmers’ Society, Scotland. The writer began to cultivate by steam, in 1861, with a “roundabout set of tackle; that is, with rope and anchor at each end of the field, and one engine.” The next year he procured a 14-horse power engine and tackle, and in 1864 another. These two en- 529 gines have worked regularly up to the present, not only on level ground, but on hill-sides, and are now in a more efficient state than when new. Experience has enabled the writer to surmount such difficulties as keeping the water in the boiler while moving on steep hill-sides, signal- ing from one engine to the other over intervening hills, the sinking of engines in miry ground, &ce. He has added to his steam-force “a trac- tion-engine for conveying dung to the fields, and carrying stones and wood and other work on the estate.” He also says: “ I have successfully brought into use on my farms a combined harrow and roller, and ex- pect to be able to turn out a drain-plow, to cut drains 34 to 4 feet deep, at a cost of only a few shillings per acre. The greatest advance, how- ever, that I have made is by the purchase of two 20- (nominal) horse power engines for the purpose of knifing or subsoiling to a depth of from 2 to 3 feet.” Illustrating the economy of steam-cultivation, he states: Taking the present price of horses at £75 per horse, harnesses, plows, and implements at £300, makes a saving in stocking a farm of £1,650, or within a little of the cost of a double set of engines, with tackle complete, costing £1,800, The higher wages of the engine and plow drivers, with the amount paid for coal and oil, will bear no com- parison with the keep of horses; besides, when the engines are idle they do not eat. The wire-rope on clay-land lasts five years. Put the cost of repairs, at the outside, at £70 or £100 per annum, which is much less than blacksmiths’ bills and the tear and wear of horse-flesh and implements, &c. CO-OPERATIVE LAND MOVEMENT.—A law recently passed by the -British Parliament provides that any industrial and provident society, registered under the act, ‘shall have power to purchase, erect, and sell and convey, or to hold land and buildings.” A paper read before the statistical society in June last by Mr. E. W. Brabrook, reports results as follows: Up to November 18, 1873, thirty-three societies had been reg- istered under the act, organized for the sole purpose of buying and selling land. From these recently-formed societies, with a single excep- tion, no returns of results are as yet available; but many of the ordinary co-operative societies have registered for the same purpose, and returns to the registrar of friendly societies for the year 1872 show that under the act above mentioned buildings and lands had been purchased as an investment, or to sell again, to the value of £231,788, or 13 per cent. of £1,792,967, the total assets. ALGERIAN AGRICULTURE.—The French province south of the Medi- terranean embraces a large belt of cultivable land, stretching along the coast and protected from the hot blasts of the desert by the Atlas Mountains, with sides well wooded, and summits capped with snow. Here about 30,000,000 of acres, a surface 20 per cent. greater than that of Ohio, is capable of cereal’culture, but not over a third is actually occupied. The migratory natives, indisposed to assume the care and responsibility of cropping, are still available in sufficient numbers in the heavy labors of harvest. Plowing and sowing take place in October. Heavy April rains insure a good crop even with the imperfect methods of culture in use. The plow is a wooden share, unshod with iron, such as is used in Spain and Provence. The grain is reaped by hand and trodden out by cattle, after which it is winnowed by the winds of heaven. It is mostly the Triticum durum, or hard wheat of the country, which is highly es- teemed for the mavutacture of maccaroni, vermicelli, &c. Its large proportion of gluten makes a flour very profitable to the baker, as it absorbs large quantities of water. Barley is grown in the place of oats, either as a forage-crop or a grain-crop. It supplies the breadstuffs of the poorer classes. It is well adapted to malting. The most productive variety is the Hordewm noxusticum. 530 The Atlas Mountains inclose large plateaus too elevated for crop-cul- ture, but admirably adapted to grazing. This advantage is utilized in sheep-raising. Before the French conquest sheep husbandry was of little value to the Arab breeder, except for mere clothing and subsist- ence. Sheep began to bring from 2s. to 3s. per head until this cheap meat supply found its way to the Paris markets. Now sheep bring as high as 16s. to 20s. More than 20,000 sheep per month are sent from Algeria to France. There are two kinds of sheep in the province; one small with large tails, and a larger breed in the country of the Getulae. The milk of sheep and goats is used by the poorer classes in making but- ter and cheese. The cattle are a black breed of inferior milking quali- ties. The stock of cattle averages annually about 1,500,000 head. The common beasts of burden are camels, dromedaries, asses, and mules. The horses are by no means of the pure Arab type, being lank and round-shouldered, but hardy, docile, and fleet. Those of Oran are the best. They are stabled in the family tent, and are only used for riding. But stock-raising cannot compete with cereal culture, which finds an increasing demand for its surplus products. England alone could absorb the yield of this province, which, it is estimated, might be en- larged to 220,000,000 bushels of all sorts of grain per annum. A great effort is now being made by the French government to attract settlers from Alsace and Lorraine. The native tribes are unsuited to a civilized industry and unable to meet its demands for labor. Their physical and intellectual capacities and their boundless prejudices unfit them for steady and profitable employment. They are exceedingly awkward in handling all kinds of agricultural implements, and have too little de- sire for improvement ever to become valuable laborers. Civilized men find great difficulty in adapting their labor, and serious local results have frequently grown out of this misunderstanding, greatly retarding the progress of this country. Whether this new effort to colonize European civilization upon the African continent will be any better than its predecessors, is yet to be tested by its results. AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY IN ENGLAND.—Mr. Snell, in a paper lately read before the Devon and Cornwall Chamber of Agriculture, stated that the tenant-farmers of England are assessed for income-tax upon a basis of £60,000,000 per annum, which is about half their rental. Small holdings, covering about one-seventh of the soil, were assessed upon £20,000,000, making the rental value of agricultural land about £140,000,000, or $700,000,000. As it requires six years’ rental to repay the tenant for his investment, the capital represented is over £800,000,000, or $4,000,000,000, a sum exceeding the British national debt. Of the tenant-farmers a small proportion are protected by special stipulations in their leases, allowing them compensation for unexhausted improvements at the close. More than half the land of England is let to tenants-at-will, a relation which forbids very high farming. It presents constant temptations to superficial and exhaustive culture. There is no inducement tu this class of tenants to invest any capital in permanent improvements, seeing that it is likely to be taken from them by a sudden eviction. While the landlord enjoys full legal protection for his property, the tenant has but a limited and precarious recourse. Anomalies of the landed system are annually becoming more serious in their operation upon the productive interest, and early legislation, re- forming the system of tenure, the writer thinks, is of prime necessity. Mr. Joseph Arch, the great social reformer, declares that the English chambers of agriculture are worthless as protectors of tenant-rights, being overshadowed by the landlord interest. 531 BRITISH MINERAL-PRODUCTION IN 1873.—From the introduction to the annual returns of mineral-production, lately published by the keeper of mining records, it appears that the United Kingdom, during 1873, produced raw minerals to the value of £59,479,486. The leading items of this production were as follows: 127,016,747 tons of coal, worth £47,631,280 ; 15,577,499 tons of iron-ore, worth £7,573,676 ; 80,1883 tons of copper-ore, worth £342,708 ; 14,8843 tons of tin-ore, worth £1,056,835 ; 73,5003 tons of lead-ore, worth £1,131,907 ; 15,969 tons of zinc-ore, worth £61,166; 58,924 tons of iron pyrites, worth £35,485 ; 5,448? tons of ar- senic, worth £22,854; 8,6714 tons of manganese, worth £57,766 ; 6,3684 of ocher and amber, worth £5,410; 1,785,000 tons of fine and fire clay, worth £656,300; 1,785,000 tons of salt, worth £892,500. The metals obtained from the above ores are valued at £21,409,878, including 6,566,451 tons of pig-ion, worth £18,057,739 ; 9,972 tons of tin, worth £1,329,766 ; 5,240 tons of copper, worth £502,822 ; 54,235 tons of lead, worth £1,263,375 ; 537,707 ounces of silver, worth £131,077; 4,471 tons of zine, worth £120,099,and other metals valued at £3,000. The total pro- duct of coal, metals, and non-metallic minerals is valued at £70,722,992, or over $350,000,000, against £70,193,416 in 1872. The coal-product in- creased about 3,400,000 tons, but the iron-ore exportation declined over a million tons, necessitating a decrease in pig-iron production of 175,478 tons. Copper-ore also fell off 11,695 tons, and the metallic product 500 tons. All the other metals show a decline, except tin. The coal-product is the largest ever realized. The keeper of the mining records estimates that of the total product 12,712,222 tons were exported ; 3,790,000 tons used on railways; 35,119,709 tons used in iron-manufacture ; 763,607 tons in smelting other metals; 9,500,000 tons in mines and collieries ; 3,650,000 tons in steam-navigation; 27,550,000 tons in steam-power manufactures ; 6,560,000 tons in gas-manufacture ; 650,000 tons in water- works; 3,450,000 tons in potteries, glass-works, &e.; 3,217,229 tons in chemical and other works ; 20,050,000 tons in domestic consumption. SEWAGE-FARMING IN ENGLAND.—Upon the sewage-farm of Lord Warwick, near Leamington, in England, twenty acres of mangel-wurzel (of two kinds, orange and intermediate globe) produced 82 tons to the acre, the crop being the greatest ever known in England. The field had been in Italian rye-grass in 1871 and 1872, and wheat in 1873. It received no manure other than sewage during the past four years. The mangel was sowed in rows, 2 feet apart, and the plants were thinned to 1 foot.. The roots were so large that tons and tons were selected which did not exceed one hundred roots to the ton. FARM-ANIMALS IN ENGLAND AND WALES.—The following table gives the totals of the several classes of farm-animals in England and in Wales, as shown by official returns, on the 25th of June, in 1873 and 1874: 1874. 1873. Animals, ays nr a ERA UI ay eal England. Wales. England. Wales. HORSES. Used solely for agricultural purposes ....-..-.-....-. 739, 221 69, 026 736, 530 69, 580 Breeding mares and unbroken horses .-.-...-----.--. 268, 177 54, 497 242, 482 50, 693 TR CAE Soot tos 5 iat See rel ate 5k Re el ERE 1, 007, 398 123, 523 979, 012 | 120, 273 532 13874. 1873. Animals. England. Wales. England. Wales. CATTLE. Cows and heifers in milk or in calf. ...-.-.-- --| 1,614, 477 263,616 | 1,580, 912 259, 612 Other cattle not under two years old 1, 105, 773 125, 289 | 1, 051, 681 107, 064 Other cattle under two years old.........---.----.--- 1, 585, 290 276,200 | 1, 541, 042 276, 151 ERO DA ee eea ose Moen tee te cose ccbamaculs a cie 4, 305, 540 665, 105 4, 173, 635 642, 857 SHEEP. Notimnd erioneryeatOld sens ssc s-a2-- seen eeeeee ame 12, 441,794} 2,111,069 | 11, 908, 391 2, 050, 297 WWmnderoneryeatoller ssc ecc-- secre seek mebeee nme = 7, 417, 964 953, 627 7, 261, 460 916, 565 Sty ia é aS ceseuosoeREACeOcic anasto. oa scsoGsuneS 19, 859, 758 3, 064, 606 | 19, 169, 851 2, 966, 862 “Eg Gh ed ae a ee ee 2, 058, 781 213, 754 | 2, 141, 417 211, 174 Corn IN MAson County, ILLINOIS.—Our correspondent for Mason, Mr. William McDuffey, of San Jose, reported for October, as published, “Corn light and poor in quality.” Mr. J. Cochran, of Havana, wrote to the Department, saying, “‘Thisis a very great error. The corn-crop of Mason County is the best in quality ever grown and the largest in quan- tity, with asingle exception.” This was forwarded to Mr. McDuffey, who replies, ‘‘My report is correct for an average of Mason County, notwith- standing Mr. Cochran’s statement. I think he has more reference to corn produced in Fulton and Menard, on the bottoms of the Illinois and Sangamon rivers, (which corn is marketed at Havana,) than to that in Mason. Extra corn was produced in those counties on such lands this year; but I have nothing to do with thatin my report. In this county, in one and perhaps two towns, where, in a common season, no corn could be raised, it was good; but in the remaining eleven towns it is poor, light, and chaffy. For the first time within my knowledge, our corn inspects in Chicago ‘ rejected.’ Heretofore, so sure as our corn went to Chicago, it has inspected ‘ No. 1’ or ‘ No. 2’ always, but this season it is not so. Several fields in the county produced 12 bushels to the acre, but some not half of that. It was never lighter nor of so inferior a quality.” MIXED HUSBANDRY IN GEORGIA.—A correspondent in Taylor County reports that almost every farmer now plants wheat and oats, and, with proper fertilization and cultivation, finds it profitable. While unma- nured land yields only 3 to 5 bushels of wheat per acre, manured yields 8 to 20. These wide extremes of yield are owing to different grades of fertilization and culture. With 50 pounds of Peruvian guano and 20 bushels of cotton-seed, mixed and drilled in rows 18 inches apart, and the seed-wheat drilled in the same rows, our correspondent raised 20 bushels per acre of good wheat, “on land that would not produce one bale of cotton to three acres.” With the same treatment he raises 30 to 50 bushels per acre of oats. Rust-proof is the only variety he plants, which readily brings in market $1 per bushel. MIXED HUSBANDRY SUPERSEDING COTTON-PLANTING.—A correspond- ent in Lincoln County, Mississippi, reports as follows: I make it a point to converse with every person I meet, whether white or black, to learn what he intends to do next year in the cotton business. The answer invariably is, “Iintend to plant corn, oats, and other grain, if the seed can be had; also plenty of sweet-potatoes, and but little (and many say no) cotton.” Judging from the pres- 533 ent feeling on the subject of cotton, the area in this county, also in Lawrence, Coy- ‘ington, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Copiah, and Franklin, will be very much reduced. Every one here says it is time we should begin to raise the wheat we consume at home. AGRICULTURAL HINDERANCES AND HELPS IN EAST TENNESSEE.—In a communication from the secretary of the agricultural board of Sulli- van County various discouragements and encouragements to agriculture in that section are set forth. Among the former are specified inveterate habits among farmers of skimming over as much as possible of land already exhausted without any attempts at increasing its productive- ness ; of letting the greater part of manure and other available fertiliz- ers, which ought to be carefully saved and applied to the land, run to waste; and of resting contented with primitive and crude inherited modes of farming, without any disposition to learn and profit by modern improvements; a consequent disposition of the more enterprising among the rising generation to quit the farm and emigrate; laziness ; one-horse gentlemen ; speculators and kid-glove gentry ; too many office- seekers ; too many professional men, and other consumers who are not producers; and, lastly, too many dogs. ‘“ We have one of the best sheep- countries on the globe; but our people prefer to raise dogs, and the sheep are decreasing rapidly. On the other hand, a few are taking the necessary steps to increase the productiveness of their farms, and manu- factures, in the train of which agricultural prosperity is sure to follow, are springing up. We have in our county several new factories, one cotton and one woolen factory at Bristol, and one just across the line, on the Virginia side. One cotton-factory at Union, on the railroad, ten miles below Bristol, is doing a fine business; and since the war a woolen- mill has been established in Carter, ten miles south of Union, which is also doing a prosperous business. Still another has gone up in Hawkins County, or on our county-line, which is largely patronized from four counties. Although we have no money, we are beginning to feel the effects of these improvements.” HEDGES IN TEXAS.—Our correspondent in Austin County calls at- tention to the gradual destruction of the timber and the inefficiency of the fence-laws. He thinks the bois dare, a native of Texas, is not remarkably available on account of ignorance of its culture and the depredations to which it has been subjected. A good, reliable hedge- plant is a desideratum. MINERAL WEALTH IN NORTH CAROLINA.—Our correspondent in Stokes County says that the deposits of coal, iron, and lime in that region have attracted the attention of English miners. These minerals are plentiful and of good quality. Railroad communication within twelve miles. F EXCELSIOR OATS IN OREGON.—Mr. H. Shortridge, of Lane County, received from this Department, three years ago, a package of this variety of oats. From the seed of successive sowings he raised, the past season, a fair quantity, reported to be very heavy in yield and to weigh 50 pounds to the bushel. BENEFIT FROM SEED DISTRIBUTION.—Our correspondent in Fulton County, Arkansas, reports that the two best varieties of wheat in that section, in respect to both yield and quality, are the Tappahannock and Fultz, the seed of which was received from this Department. He adds that the usual acreage in wheat was nearly doubled the past fall; that no complaint of the fly has been heard, and that, at the last of Novem- ber, the growing crop never looked more promising. 534 VITALITY OF SEEDS.—TIwo years ago a few peas, in a very dry and hard state, were found in a sarcophagus containing a mummy, in the course of certain excavations going on in Egypt. The idea was con- ceived of testing the vitality of these peas, buried as they had been for thousands of years. Three of them were planted, which vegetated and produced enough to cover, in the year following, a considerable field. Some of the stalks grew to the height of more than six feet, and attained a size which was altogether extraordinary, and a strength which rendered them self-supporting. The flowers were white and rose-colored, and of delicious freshness. The pods were grouped on either side of the stalk, in a sort of circular zone toward the top, and not regularly distributed throughout the plant, as in the common pea. It is believed by those who have examined this ancient pea and tested its edible qualities that it belongs to the family of the ordinary pea of our gardens, but that it is a special variety distinguished by the characteristics above mentioned in regard to the form of the stalk and the disposition of the pods. In corroboration of the fact that seeds will retain their vitality for an indefinite period when embedded deep in the earth, Professor Von Hel- dreich, of Athens, Greece, states that on the removal of the mass of slag accumulated in working the Laurium silver-mines, some fifteen hundred years ago, a quantity of a species of glaucium, or horn-poppy, has made its appearance; and, what is remarkable, it proves to be a new and un- described species to which the name glaucium serpiert has been given. Professor Niven, of the Hull Botanic Garden, England, in further cor- roboration of the same fact, mentions several instances of extraordinary vitality of seeds, from his own observation, and remarks that, “ Doubt- less the absence of air, an equable and unvarying condition as regards moisture and temperature, and above all the complete neutralization of the physical influence of the sunlight, constitute the means by which nature exercises a preservative power in seeds as astounding as it is interesting.” DISEASE-PROOF POTATOES.—A committee of the Royal Society of England reports that six varieties of potatoes entered for experiment as disease-proof, and planted in twenty trial-plots in different parts of the United Kingdom, have all failed to stand the test. The council had reserved a power to enforce a penalty of £20 in each case of failure, but the committee recommended that this penalty be not enforced. Pro- fessor de Bary, in a communication to the committee, claims to have ascertained definitely that this disease is not propagated by infected tubers. He recommends that potatoes be not planted near or after plants known to be suitable to the development of oospores of the Per- onospora infestans. TEST OF SEEDS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.—A correspondent in Waukiakum County reports that seeds received from the Department of Agriculture have proved very successful. ‘The flowers were splendid,” and “the Victoria rhubarb had stalks an inch in diameter early in Sep- tember. One mammoth pumpkin weighed 122 pounds.” THE ROLLER AGAINST DROUGHT.—Our correspondent in Stearns County, Minnesota, reports that while wheat generally averages about 14 bushels per acre the past season, his own averages 20, and is satisfied that the difference in his favor is mainly owing to a prevention of injury from drought by thoroughly rolling the land. THE WORLD’S PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF PAPER.—The fol- lowing statistics of paper-making are given on the authority of Rudel, of Vienna, Austria: It appears that there are 3,960 paper-manufacturers in 535 the world, employing 80,000 men and 180,000 women, besides the 100,000 employed in the rag-trade ; 1,809,000,000 pounds of paper are produced annually. One-half is used in printing, a sixth for writing, and the re- mainder for packing and for other purposes. The United States averages 17 pounds per head; an Englishman consumes 114 pounds ; a German, 8 pounds; a Frenchman,7 pounds; an Italian, 35 pounds; a Spaniard, 14 pounds; and a Russian only 1 pound annually, on an average. CRANBERRY PRODUCTION.—Mr. N. R. French, statistician of the New Jersey Cranberry-Growers’ Association, estimates the cranberry- crops, and their sources, for the past three years as follows: 1872. 1873. 1874. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. Cape Cod and adjacent islands...-.....-...--.-..---- 20, 000 80, 000 35, 000 Massachusetts and Rhode Island...... /....-...----- 20, 000 25, 000 70, 000 IN Wr J CUSG Yes SRE eer seo re owas aac loute dace 100,000 | 110,000 90, 000 Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan ..-...... 135, 000 60, 000 50, 000 Nowa iOEks seer wesesics cic ccaly os cane bata cee asec aso scuebmecesleaseccatae 5, 000 Mota: as 2243 ecg snde fe and sche p aeee bee eee 275,000 | 275, 000 250, 000: The area under regular cultivation in New Jersey in 1874 is estimated at 4,969 acres, and the capital invested at $1,662,130. Though there was an increase in acreage over the previous year, the crop was 25 per cent. less. The rot, with the failure of the crop on new bogs, is the assigned cause. The crop on the eastern part of Cape Cod was in some districts a failure and in others very light; but on the adjacent islands, in the remainder of Massachusetts, in Rhode Island, and Long Island, it was good. The western reports show a great reduction. FORAGE GRASSES IN TEXAS.—A correspondent in Austin County writes : I have been in search of an article of green winter forage for horses and cattle, and have made experiments with several grasses. Orchard-grass grows finely on uplands, both in the shade and open fields, soalso doesred clover. Italianrye-grass makes a fine winter and spring pasture, and is better adapted to the climate than the orchard or perennial rye-grass, but it requires a rich, moist soil. Being a biennial it also requires reseeding, or it will run out. All the above grasses succumb to a severe Texas drought. I have been more successful with a grass which I suppose to be indigenous to this latitude. It was brought from Louisiana to Texas, during the late war, by the confed- erate cavalry, and is now spreadingjover the country from the old camps of those troops. I know it only by the name of “ Louisiana grass.” It is often disseminated by the drop- pings of animals. It takes hold slowly, but vigorously. When the seed is sown it makes but little show till the second year, at which time it forms a complete turf, taking the sway over weeds and other grasses. So faras I have observed, horses, cows, and sheep are very fond of grazing on it, and it makes an excellent hay, being about as rich in seed as timothy. It stands the close grazing of sheep equally with our excellent Bermuda-grass. It is not much affected by summer heat and drought, and bears the tramping of stock ; yet it easily yields to the plow, and may be exterminated by one season’s tillage. Two horses or mules turn it under with ease. It isnot a winter grass, though it is but little affected by frost, putting up green in favorable weather all winter. It makes good grazing early in the spring and goes to seed in August. From the progress it is now making it is destined, at no distant day, to take our Texas prairies, and make a stock range equal to, if not better than, what the country had in a state of nature. For green winter forage in this part of Texas, where there is but little frost, many persons sow wheat, barley, or rye. These are all very good, and keep horses and milch cows in fine plight. But for this purpose the winter oat, or what is here called the “red rust-proof oat,” is gaining the preference. I have seen it, planted in October and November, grazed till the lst of March, when the out-range becomes good, and then 536 yields from 30 to 40 bushels to the acre. Stock appear to relish it better than other small grain. It ripens and is harvested in this latitude the Ist of June. The grain is of a reddish color, weighing, generally, 32 pounds to the measured bushel, has a bright, stiff straw, seldom falling from wind or storm. It withstands rust almost effectually. SUCCESS IN RAISING CORN IN MISSISSIPPI.—Mr. J. L. Blanks, of Lauderdale County, reports that he raised, the past season, on an acre of poor pine-land, 70 bushels of corn, by actual measurement, and thinks that the yield was diminished one-third in consequence of the drought, which began in the middle of July and continued till after the corn was harvested, which was the last week in September. The land was subsoiled to the depth of about one foot, and thoroughly pulver- ized. Harly in April about 575 bushels of compost (from scrapings of a cow-lot, loose soil under and about his gin-house, and a small quantity of cotton-seed) were distributed and covered in rows 4 feet apart. April 30, these rows were opened, and the corn planted 8 to 10 inches apart, which was subsequently thinned about one-half. June 1, about 200 bushels of heated cotton-seed were sown on the acre and mixed with the surface soil. The corn received frequent and thorough culti- vation. AGRICULTURE IN SAINT LANDRY, LA.—A local authority gives the agricultural statistics of this parish, for 1873, as follows: Land culti- vated, 42,595 acres; uncultivated, 548,342. The census of 1870 returns 80,452 acres cultivated, and 232,376 uncultivated, showing in the later statistics a falling off in cultivated area of nearly one-half, and an increase of Jand in the parish of 278,109 acres. The area and yield of the several crops reported are: Corn, 23,433 acres, yield, 162,927 bush- els, equal to 67 bushels per acre; cotton, 17,668 acres, yield, 3,315 bales ; cane, 1,299 acres, yield, 193 hogsheads of sugar and 343 barrels of molasses; rice, 195 acres, yield, 669 barrels. The products of these several crops in the parish, in 1869, as reported for the census, were: Corn, 368,897 bushels; cotton, 14,305 bales; sugar, 1,988 hogsheads; molasses, 118,110 gallons; rice, 33,375 pounds. The figures show that one or both of these reports must be greatly wanting in accuracy. A SUBSTITUTE FOR CREAM IN CHEESE.—The American Dairy and Com- mercial Company—president, Henry D. Gardner—hold a patent for mak- ing cheese from milk, after the cream is taken from it, by substituting therefor oleo-margarine. The following description of the apparatus, process, and results thus far, is condensed from a report made after personal investigation. The company, of which Henry O. Freeman, inventor of the patented process, is agent, have their factory at McLean, Tompkins County, New York. The building is 326 feet by 32, and two stories high, with a pool in one wing. The oleo-margarine used is described as white, opaque, fine-grained, odorless, and presenting to the, taste a pure oily flavor. The milk is skimmed at twenty-four to thirty-six hours. While this is heating in a vat to a temperature of 92°, the oleo- margarine is being melted, and slowly raised in a water bath to a tem- perature slightly above that of the milk. Over the center of the vat, supported by a simple frame, is placed a tin vessel about 18 inches square, with a finely-punctured bottom. After the annotto has been stirred into the milk, and when that and the melted oil are at a proper temperature, the latter is poured through the tin strainer and quickly spreads over the surface “in a bright golden flood.” Sufficientrennet is put in to cause coagulation in eight to ten minutes, and the temperature gradually raised about 2° higher. Between the pouring in of the oil and the coagulation, the mixture is vigorously stirred. The design of thisis 537 to cause the oil (which would otherwise remain on the surface) to mingle with the milk, so that it may be caught and held in the concrete mass by the sudden coagulation. In about twenty minutes after putting in the rennet the cutting of the curd begins. Being cut and worked by hand into pieces about as large as ‘“ good-sized dice,” it sinks beneath the surface, upon which a coating of the oil appears. This is skimmed off, and used, as at first, in the next manufacturing process. The man- ufacture of the curd into cheese does not differ from the ordinary mode. In the particular process witnessed, 2,500 pounds of skimmed milk toate up 28 pounds of the oleo- -margarine. As to the quality of the cheese, Mr. Willard reports that there were about 3,000 on hand which were examined “ very thoroughly,” with the following conclusion: *“*The curing seems to be delayed longer than in full cream cheese; and the greater age given, the more perfect seems to be the incorporation of the oil and the smoother and sweeter the body of the product. The cheese at McLean is above the average of the full cream cheese, which we have inspected this season, in marketable qualities.” The milk is bought according to a plan by which the patrons are credited one pound of cheese for every ten pounds of milk, and are Pete for the cheese thus credited “the highest New York quotation, less 2 cents” per pound. The alleged result is, that the dairymen of McLean, by supplying the factory at this rate, have received more for their milk than ever before. THE SHORT-HORN CONVENTION.—The association so named recently held its annual meeting at Springfield, Ill., and elected the follow- ing officers: President, J. H. Pickrell, Harristown, Ill.; vice-presidents, William Warfield, Lexington, Ky., David Christie, Paris, Canada; sec- retary, S. F. Lackridge, Indiana ; treasurer, Claude Matthews, Indiana; directors, Lucius Desha, Kentucky ; dt BA Jones, Ohio; M. Miles, Mich- igan; J. R. Page, New York; Stephen White, Ontario; M. H. Cochrane, Quebec ; Clinton Babbitt, Wisconsin ; A. Ji Dunlap, Illinois; George Sprague, lowa; J. H. Kissenger, Missouri; Harvey Craver, Indiana; Cyrus Jones, California; D. W. Crane, Kansas; M. 8. Cockrill, Ten- nessee. Committees were raised to collect short-horn statistics, and to urge upon breeders a more general support of the association. It was voted to hold the next meeting, December 2, 1875, at Toronto, Canada. RAPACITY OF MIDDLE-MEN.—A casual correspondent in Lincoln County, Mississippi, reports the following facts: In May, June, and July, good flour could be bought at New Orleans at $7 to $3 per barrel, while in hisown county middle-men were paid $12.50 to $13 cash, or $16 on time, with good mortgage. Bacon, ribbed sides, sold at New Orleans at 8 to 9 cents; at Brookhaven, Lincoln County, 15 cents cash, or 16 to 17$ on time. Corn-meal quoted at the former place $4.50, sold at the latter for $6 cash, and $7.50 on time. ANOTHER RAMIE-MACHINE.—M. Felix Roland, of Paris, has invented a machine for decorticating the ramie plant, which is spoken of by French journals as very satisfactorily answering the much desired end of separating the fiber from the bark and the bark from the stalk. The difficulty of such separation has been a serious drawback to the culture of this unquestionably very valuable plant. The East Indian govern- ment, in view of the great desideratum, offered, several years ago, a prize of $25, 000 for a machine or process that would accomplish the object. The liberal offer has brought out many competitors, and machines of 538 various descriptions and qualities have been invented, both in Europe and in this country; but no one as yet has obtained the prize. The new machine of M. Roland is described by the Paris Journal of Practical Agriculture as being valuable for its simplicity, its moderate price, and the amount of work itis capable of performing. It is designed not only for the treatment of ramie, but of other textile plants of which the fibers are utilized for the fabrication of tissues. The stems can be worked by it either green or dry, and whether rotted or not. Rotting can thus be dispensed with to great advantage, if the time and expense and unhealthiness of the operation are considered. These repeated efforts are at least important steps in the right direction. AMERICAN COTTON IN CHINA.—A quantity of upland cotton was sent from this Department a few years ago to the United States chargé d’affaires at Pekin, China, at his request, for experimental purposes. The following letter communicates the somewhat singular result of the ex- periments that were made. It will be observed that the attempt to intro- duce American cotton into the mountainous district ot Shantung is sub- stantially a failure. It is obvious, however, from the statement which is made in regard to the latitude of the district where the experiments were tried, that the climate is too cold and the season too short for the maturity of cotton. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Pekin, June 5, 1874. Dear Str: In August, 1868, I requested the Commissioner to send me a quantity of upland-cotton seed, which he was obliging enough to do, so that the three packages came during the next summer in excellent condition. J distributed then: to various persons in this city, through whom the seeds were sent to different parts of this province south of Pekin. One of these was an English mis- sionary at Tien-Tsin, of whom I recently inquired as to the success of the cultivators to whom he had given this cotton-seed. He writes me as follows: “T have made inquiries respecting the growth of cotton in Shantung from the seed you gave me a few years ago. I am informed that in each case (for it was given to several farmers) the result was the same. It grew into a fine shrub, much higher and larger than the native plant. One root yielded over a hundred pods, three times the size of native pods, but none of them opened, and consequently no cotton-fiber was obtained. The seeds were preserved and planted by one or another every successive year with the same result, so that they are now planted in gardens as a flowering shrub, and are much admired. The farmers say that the climate is too cold, and hence the cotton will not ripen.” The native cotton in this part of China is not over six inches high, and the fiber (as cultivated without much care) is short, almost like wool; perhaps it would develop if more manure was applied. The cloth made from it, by those who rear it generally, is durable. The latitude of that part of Shantung province where the experiment above referred to was tried, is about 38°, and the seed, I suppose, came from Eastern Tennessee. Perhaps more fiber will be developed as the plant becomes acclimatized. Your obedient servant, S. WELLS WILLIAMS, United States Chargé @ Affaires. FREDERICK WATTS, Esq.. } Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington. 539 MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS. The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the. state of the market at the beginning of each month. Articles. November. December. NEW YORK. Flour, superfine State. .-...-.....- perbarrel..| $4 00 to $4 55 $4 00 to $4 50 GXATAESbAbC). = Soe SS els os ae ee dOsocaee 470 to 45 65 4380 to 5 65 superfine western.-.......----do--....| 400 to 4 55 400 to 4 50 extra to choice western..-..-- - doviscss 460 to 8 00 475 to 8 00 common to fair southern extras.do...-... 4:80 to 575 %| 44980 “to) 51% good to choice southern extras.do...-.. 5 80 to 8 25 5 80 to 8 2% Wheat, No.1 spring. .........--.. per bushel..| 109 to 117 118 to 125 IN Osta SPL Oem em emeeaiate 2 26 Oar sroe 102 to 114 1 114 to 118 winter, red, western..---..--.. (i Co eee 114 to 118 to 1 28} winter, amber, western..---.- dO.ee5 to 1 23 118 to 1 28} winter, white, western -...--. (ee 125 to 1 36 130 to 1 40 FuVGpemeatees secchos coce sult eocee dO sos 90 to 94 to 97} ist ieny S55 eee Ser ORE Ben bescee dOs nese 145 to 155 to RU GLU eee et cw of ttok S, Sciscee ceetiouee Yi 77 to 92 87 to 924 Oats Jovi ss cho cc6 LSS Shon otses +. -dO-Rte 59 to 62 * i67> ito 71 ays arsu Qualityis: -cmo\jsocs ese per ton--.-| 16 00 to 20 00 12 00 to 19 00 Second quality. 2- esses. = oe es) Oem e= 12 00 to to 12 00 Beer, Mess sans -b coe caiste~ eos slsse dosssess 11 00 to 12 00 9 50 to 10 50 OX(TA MOSS: esac em ace cece cse dOsccss5 12 00 to 13 50 11 50 to 12 50 OL, MeSH: Jose. et set dees per barrel.-| 19 80 to 21 00 to EXO Plime woes eases eleoess ae dow ene2 17 00 to 18 00 16 25 to 17 25 Primeimess -\: 52) See eee doe aaa 20 00 to 21 00 18 50 to 19 75 1 Ths AA a Re per pound. . 14 to 14} to Butter; western. ..-22.5..5...0.9..-d0-220: 18 to AO 20 to 40 State dairy 52. oso. Sai 322- i 30 to 42 30 to 42 Cheese, State factory ---.-...-.......- do-sas5% 14 to 162 14 to 16 western factory ...20.. =. - ----dO-7-2- 123 to 152 12 to 152 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary-....do..--.. 124 to 14 124 to 144 low middling to good middli’g.do....-. 14} to 15} 144 to 154 Sugar, fair to good refining --....---.do-.----- 88 to BE 8&4 to Be prime! retinin py 2 =2Ss5.s54- 25 -- dO. ee =e 8? to 84 to Mupaceu; MiPsioo6~s 3 seat tater poe dossrcit 104 to 13 84 to 12 common tomedium leaf... .- dossei38 124 to 17 12 to 16 Wool, American XXX and picklock.. do.-.-... ' 58 to 68 53 to 65 American XXvand Xo 2-202. oF doses. 47 to 574 47 to 56 American combing-..----...... doses: 55 to 62 51 to 65 alled.---.. ee er ot A Pe dowso=52 33. to 50 33. to 45 California, spring-clip --. ..--..- dosasse. 25 to 36 25 to 36 California, fall-clip..-.---....-.do------ 25 to 28 18 to 28 AES PS SL SSE eee eS ee ee dO-tese 18 to 37 18 to 36 PHILADELPHIA. Plour, superiines-sesess esas ccs es per barrel.-| 400 to 4 25 3 874 to 4 00 Pennsylvania extra.....--..--. dossecc= 550 to 5 75 4 374 to 4 75 Pennsylvania family and fancy-do-.----. 6 00 to ——— 5 374 to 6 00 western extras. ss eee sec- s/c dos J 2et 425 .to .4 75 4 374 to 475 western family ..-.-...-....-.. dO e106 500 to 7 75 5 25 to 6 2% Wheat, winter, red) 2-5 22-735 - per bushel..; 110 to 1 20 118 to 1 22 Winter, amber 22 s--20~ s- | dOels see 120 to 125 125 to,1 28 winter, white 2.2. 22. 25-2... dO. 2! to 130 to 1 35 SPUN ee oeloee ee aan see ale et COs eae i.) ——= to VOM choco an decd pate ke create eae do... 107 to 97 to 1 00 PSAULCY ook 22 eee celeste cea setae tame Osea st 120 to 1 50 130 to 1 60 WOT ee aon ac Se -ener eee terieeceee dose: 70 to 88 80 to 95 540 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. November. December. PHILADELPHIA—Continued. Hay. prime; baled ..-- 2c ee s.'.--- per ton...| $20 00 to $22 00 | $20 00 to $22 00 common to fair shipping .-----. dosessee 19 00 to 20 00 19 00 to 20 00 Beef, western mess -.-..-....----- per barrel--| 8 00 to 10 00 8 00 to 10 00 CGH MONT Sods oSoseabuea0oaso0 dozen see 9 00 to 12 00 9 00 to 12 00 Warthman’s city family....--.-. Onegene 17 00 to 17 00 to ROnK sMesS eestor cists << mini-\> eee erel =i CW sa0c0¢ 20 50 to 21 00 21 00 to 22 00 prime mess. ....-.-------------d0...... 19 00 to 19 50 20 00 to WEIS) s4esoc Gosncs0 65 ASoocC650¢ dozeecc 19 00 to 19 50 to (Mardeeeerer jes. <= -ce naceee soe Pol pound . 132 to 144 14 to 184 Butter, choice Middle Sinteln. ao ee dopeeece 38 to 40 30 to 45 choice western. .............. doeeee=s 30 to 32 20 to 32 Cheese, New York factory....-.......d0..-... 16 to 164 16 to 164 OlioMactonyece seer eae alee €Os scree 154 to 16 154 to 16 Sugar, fair to good refining .......--.do...-.. 88 to fers 84 to 88 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...--- 128 to 14 128 to 144 low middling to good middling.do...... 144 to 154 144 to 15 Wool, Ohio fleece Xiand kk hoc dos. <'.~. —— to 534 to 55 Ohiolcombingeecce-= = --)e— = dOfeeere 61 to 66 62 to pulledeecneecsas coc eee oem dozeseae 32 to 46 31 to 464 unwashed, cloth’g and comb’g .do...-.. 254 to 74 to 424 BALTIMORE. PVOUr ISO PONINE saecme|orisecel ee atid = per barrel. 4 ae to 4 374 400 to 4 50 OxXUae see cesceee = cise a cgeee eee GOtee cr 475 to 5 50 475 to 5 50 famaly and taney ee --= sss dozsss=- 5 iB to 7 00 5 50 to 8 50 Wiheatwhitel-sss-sess6—erlnewnee per bushel..| 115 to 1 30 120 to 1 40 PMY! Sooo-SesncHosqe cose dossssse 120 to 1 30 125 to 1 38 MEM sas eocoecteeeseeiers cece es doz. so5- 15 ton 1°23 122 to 1 33 VO meristems ocisic sonics cialecitsecis sie dove as 100 toy 05 100 to 1 05 Corn, white, southern ..............-. doceease 80 to 95 75 to 82 yellow, southern.-......-.....- doOssema- 80 to 83 75 to 82 Oats soubhermse-s- see soe eee eet oe dO. cs ss 58 to 60 62 to 65 WEStOEM Sock 2 sjisocc cece cleo does s-5 55 to 60 62 to 64 Hay weennsylvania™ o- --.--cla~ sia) per ton..-}| 17 00 to 20 00 17 00 to 19 00 Maryland: see ee lcic oo ects oeie's GiMgaauer 17 060 to 21 00 17 00 to 21 00 IPOH, TAGES, Boas SeocHia sabe dose sone per barrel.-| 21 50 to 21 00 to Wands ccresijetoe tee eeteconee eee ae per pound.. 15 to 154 154 to 17 Butterswesterm --2-/-- -- 2-6 ---/aien = Choa seee ° 22 to 36 18 to 36 Gasberm |. -t cons =s ee ewes dozs-2.5 33 to 40 26 to 40 Cheesexeastern: 232 2222.2 Messe s ee dOse254. 16 to 162 154 to 164 pvestern elo. See oe, See eee te doserene 144 to 15% 15 to 16 Sugar, fair to good refining --...----. doreseee 84 to 82 84 to R32 Mobaccowu rs ene eee e eee eee Opec eer 6 to 113 6 to 114 common to medium leaf -.-..do..---. 84 to 144 83 to 13 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. --.-- doen sss to 133 to 14 low middling to middling. .... downs. 134 to 14 144 to 144 CINCINNATI. Hlourysupertinea-25-52+6 ose e se per barrel. 375 to 4 00 375 to 4 00 Oxtrahoes cmclescaiee eo teecteremars doseeses 465 to 4 8 475 to 4 90 family and fancy ...----.-.-.-- dostees- 485 to 6 00 5 00 to 6 00 Wheat, red winter ...-..-.--.-..- per bushel.-} 100 to 1 06 103 to 1 10 Ul wanbereeceenr: see ences doses--i= LOB tone te 107 0 toylent WIHLGE os cyocsivteers cave mceescess dO). 2-2: 105 to 116 1 055) to e20 FRY O meetin cis cretas ocimiciceteeicse secre dOseccss 92 to 95 105 to 1 07 Barleyerress- 22 5< slieecdeeteedose se: 105 to 1 40 120 to 1 55 ComMyseee aha. 25h se eecis sels cciee cers O@oa6eee 60 to 80 70 to 73 541 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. December. Articles. November. CINCINNATI—Continued. Hay, baled; No. di 2.-25- -sactticons per ton..--| $21 00 to $23 00 JOWELTOTARES 2a 25 cee ecient ee Osa 2ee- 15 00 to 19 00 Ee INOS yee oe ene es eee ee per barrel - - to [vic 2 0 ple II Sa Ret per pound... 11 to 12: Butter, Eicibe 6 We el? ais. ea to 30 PEUMNG = - 222226 - = Se =~ domecees 25 to 28 Cheese, prime factory -..-..---------- dosxes... 154 to 16 Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good..-.-- dokess=- to ——— prime to choice. -do...... to Mopaccos lage s 25. hse =.28 S225 sees darecce- 12 to 25 Lede. see Soe s eee QOree sex: 15 to 374 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary..-.do...--- 114 to 3 low middl’g ‘to good middl’g-..do..-.--. 134 to 147 Wool, fleece, common to fine....-..-- dOnos==- 43 to 47 ficb- waslied): weeeeen Soe? do. 2525 50 to 52 unwashed, clothing soose Soraasis COssceus 32. to 34 wnwashed, combing...--...-.- donceess 35 «to 39 PaUlede wee eee Sccae voces ccs doussese 37 «to 38 CHICAGO. Biour; white winter = 42. .2-.4.222% per barrel..| 5 25 to 6 25 Ted: Winter: +.2 22sss-s ose ees donsstet to Spring, 6xtras 25-2 sce eet se es dosssekt 425 to 5 00 spHius, Superines=2o-./5s4s04- Se dors 300 to 4 00 Witeats No spring 95255 eeecss per bushel... 88 to No: 2 aprinG 2.0 2-. see ees se dos etes 83 to 338 INO. SISPIING Jee pe sees dose aaa2 79 to = (Worn NOLOre.: .. 2). ce eee eee eeee ee dossecee 70 to 712 WORIES IN OWS ste 22's Oe A rs Oe doz seee 404 to 472 FUMIO WIN Otro rami. occ e eee are ae doseos-5 82) to 83 BarleyaiNOs2 is. 2c eee eee eee ee dossee Ree iy Th Be iy, aMmObhy 22-4 > eo ee ee oe per ton....| 13 00 to 16 50 Plairievs 2252 ees eeecce eee @Oznes22 8 50 to 13 00 IBEGL PM eRGne see hal eennsee eee ete per barrel..| 8 50 to @xbtra mess 25. 2s5e22 sees sees dois see 9 50 to ROLEINOS A= 225) 22 toate seobees sane doOssesee 18 00 to 19 50 Prime MESS oe sees ee Aa O0ee 4 to Extrayprime sess e te se see dOessace to HATO 2 ine See se at See ae eee per pound.. 123 to 122 Butter, choice to fancy -........-.-.-do....-. 30 to 38 medium to good 3 BOE SOE dossass: 24 to 28 Cheese, New York factory . Ligceeosh. oe «ees. per ton....| 19 00 PLAIN 36 52 OSS ae cee le (: Cae 12 00 OA to 4 to 8 to 1 ‘ioe al to to to to 1 to 24 to 15 $20 00 to $23 00 15 00 to 19 00 to 21 00 to 144 to 33 to 26 to 154 to Se to OL to 115) to 374 to 13 to 142 to Ay to 50 to 33 to 38 to 38 to to to 4 75 to 3 65 to to ——— to to 77 to 5 to to: 125 to 18 00 to 13 50 to to to 20 30 to 18 00 to 15 50 to 154 to 38 to 28 to 154 to 143 to Ot to ——— to 57 to 47 to 34 to to 4 50 to 7 60 to, dp? to 1 03 to» 92 to 82 to 97 to 1 42 to 22 00 to 16 00 542 Market-prices of farm-products—Continued. Articles. November. December. Sarnt Lovuis—Continued. Beef, mess:..2..--.---- ..---.-. 5... per barrel.-| $14 00 to $15.00" | $14 00 te.Sis eo HOG IeSS 86 See ys ee eee mee doleSee | 2150 to 22 00 19°70) -tove0ra0 Pander 2 2S. Ac eee eso Sper pound. 4 2 to 15 12 to 14 Butter, prime to choice--..-.-......- doe-s224 28 to 36 oo) 60 30 loweroradesesaes se.) - sees 00... os 22 to 26 28 to 33 @heese dactory tose pee. 2. ca seee TORE oe 3. to 13} | 13, to 133 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...... 114 to 153 12 to 134 low middling to good middl’g.do-..-.. 14 to 15 132 to 144 Wiel, tub-washedias-- =.= -.-i0225. Ses Gone e 2 50 to 53 50 to 54 fleece-washed ...... ..22-+/-ss24 Cees 32 t0,, 245 32 to 52 unwashed combing: ...:-2.2-2sde..._.. 27 =«to 33 28 to 36 NEW ORLEANS. MIGHT AUPETUNG ...2.--c2-2.j2-5=52 per barrel..| 4 25 to 425 to 4 374 CRULVe eo oe sae eee sehen aoe done ese 450 to 575 450 to 5 25 CHOICOHOMANCY. =a -)t= Jee oo se 2 hOOn ns aoe 5 8 to 7 00 5 374 to 6 50 @orsawiltO sees. 20-6 ceore,s tok ae per bushel... 105 to 1 074 to 1 08 VC LLOW, Bama 2 neice cnc eeeaee doses | 100 to 1 023 1 05 to OSes eee toc oee Wen ore Cee ee doreenes 62 to 63 70 to 72 ity CHOCO more Soak scons cece saes per ton....| 25 00 to 26 50 27 00 to 29 00 DPMMO Geers. se assoc se cee « See see Goan, 27 10 ~=to 28 00 26 50 to DEC MNOCAS Meyer mts 2 seca eee oe per barrel.. to to — Fulton Market .........per half barrel..| 11 00 to 11 50 11 25 to dl 50 WWESICRD ewes oae aes see ae per barrel -- to | 18 00 to ROELAMENS Sees sens secs Rebeates oeedOn seen 22 00 to 22 50 21 00 to 23 00 WATE At. Seo meee = coe ahaha betes per pound... 144 to 154 15% to 16 Butter, choice western......-.-...... donee z | 30 to 32 28 to 30 MOTUNOMM ee ce eee ee eee dopseees 40 to 42 to 3 Cheese, choice western factory .......do...--. 15 to 154 15 to 153 New Work cream. =25 =< -5.--< dosse=ss 17 to 18 16 to 18 Sugar, fair to fully fair .....--.2-.--- Gone ses 8i to 92 64 to 74 prime-to strictly prime -.-.---. rhe ee 82 to 9 74 to &L clarified, white and yellow....do.-.---. 10 to 104 8&2 to 164 Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary -...do.----. 3 to 132 | to 133 low middling to good middling.do...--. 13% to 143 144 to 15 Mimacco Maes 2s 22 oe ee doO=saeee 9 to 113 ¥ to 113 low leaf to medium leaf -.-.do...--. 12 to 14 12 to 14 WG BAKO. Sneos jot nhs ack Ce cie cee doses to 25) sb0 SAN FRANCISCO. Blour eSUpeliinie’ .3 oe ae ee cel dO sesso 325 to 375] 400 to 4 50 lower grade, natives. .-...--- Goss se 1 50" to! 631 25))|) 175 “tore 4725 Texans, choice corn-fed..-.-.-. dozese. 37) to 450) 425 to 4 50 Texans, north-wintered...-.-- dop.tees Lf £004, 5 30008) 22-25) holy AI Texans, through droves.-.---. doremass 50 tO) Peo 25) |) ale do) UO; onne Sheep, poor to mcd mieeeee don---2s AUN bOW 3.50) HerOU! svOmmnonS wood towehoicels eee). douse. = 375 to 450! 375 to 4 50 Swine, inferior to medium .--......-- domes 2! 525 to 600; 650 to — Sood tojextray-saasseeee ee. 6 C6 C0) es 605 to 6 40 | — to 7 50 SAINT LOUIS. Cattle, choice native steers, 1,300 to 1,600 pounds ........percental..| 500 to 550/475 to 5 prime native steers, 1,200 to 1,400 pounds... ...--. eee dO es: 475 to 544 Live-stock markets—Continued, Articies. November. December. Saint Lours—Continned. Cattle, fair butchers’ steers, 1,000 to 1,200 pounds....-.... per cental..| $3 00 to $4 00 | $3 25 to inferior native grades -...-.- doy-cess 100 to 350] 200 to §3 50 Texans and Cherokees, good andiiatien-- .-s-. 556" WOu22 27 200 to 350} 2 75° toy 350 Texans, through droves....-. Moree. 2s to 17 to 250 Sheep, common to good... ..--,.--:.do...... 250 to 4.00] 225 to 3900 choice and extra .----- 2.--2-2 HL Oisee = 2 425 to 500) 300 to 4% Swine, inferior to good ----.. +... ..-. (Ossaaee 3.20 to 5 258) 5) 50 tomeorad POOOMOLERtER aos) cs 55 oo eee ds. == 525 to 625) 650 to 750 POSES SPIES: 2. ~ s\fae er ceee =o oes perhead...| 40 00 to 75 00 | 40 00 to 75 00 (plains otek esse es dowsees: 80 00 to 110 00 | 80 00 to 110 00 Bureet-Car: hte escmivecemicee dozeteee 75 00 to 125 00 | 75 00 to 125 00 #7000 OPIVEIS | pee a= aie ee eee OOne ae oe 100 00 to 150 00 |100 00 to 150 00 Reavy dranght)seesasweccnsee d02--2- .| 180 00 to 170 00 |130 00 to 170 00 ORO awe Saosin eee een dOssien 175 00 to 180 00 |175 00 to 180 00 Mules, 14 to 15 hands high. ..........do-..--. 75 00 to 120 00 | 75 00 to 120 00 15 to 16 hands high -.-..._...do.--.... 120 00 to 180 00 |120 00 to 180 00 Pema s at ee Oe doen: uae 175 00 to 200 00 |175 00 to 206 00 NEW ORLEANS. Cattle, Texas beeves, choice..-...-per head...| ——— to 40 00 | ——— to 40 00 Texas beeves, first quality ....do..---. 30 00 to 35 00) 30 00 to 35 00 Texans, second quality --.-.-.do..--.- 20 00 to 2500) 20 00 to 25 00 western beeves ..-.-...---per cental..| ——— to to = milch-cows -....-.-.-------per head..| 40 00 to 100 00} 35 00 to 100 00 CANES) ee eter seeise lame sees GO-t ease 700 to 900 7 00 to 9 00 Sheep, tirsh qualttiv= sees: cece 5s see eee dow. ee2 400 to 5 00 400 to 5 00 Second: quality; .c.2-)6—--4-eee doen 300 to 400 300 to 4 00 SHOVELS) SAS ae lac per cental..| 500 to 900 5 00 to 9 00 FOREIGN MARKETS. WHEA?T.—The decided winter weather about the middle of Novem- ber, in England, was favorable to the growing wheat, by checking its luxuri iance. Farmers had become uneasy at the unusual growth of the plant, fearing that it would work ultimate injury to the grain. The slight tendency to upward prices had realized no importaut re- sults. The Paris market, however, had shown an improvement of 1 shilling per quarter in wheat and 1 shilling 4 pence per sack in flour, but the French provincial markets did not respond to this upward movement. The advances were but slight and isolated. Odessa wheat was in rapid shipment, both to France and England. Growers have exhibited great disappointment at the prices realized,and have reduced their offerings. Holders are also withdrawing from market in Belgium, Holland, and most parts of Germany. Hungary is exporting very scantily. Odessa, with increased supplies by water, is still shipping largely at full rates, although advices from western Europe do not seem to warrant such buoyancy of prices. The sales of English wheat during the second week of November in England amounted to 54,695 quarters, at 44s. dd. per quarter, against 58,180 quarters, at 60s. 9d., in the corresponding week of 1873. The London averages were 45s. 5d. on 2,073 quarters. The imports into the United Kingdom during the first 545 week in November were 1,106,111 ewts. The second week in Mark Lape opened on moderate supplies of English wheat, with good arri- vals of foreign, two-thirds of which were from Russia. Sales were slow, but holders, by perseverance, obtained full rates. Foreign white wheats held their own, but foreign reds were dull. Essex and Kent ‘brought 45s. to 50s. per quarter; ditto, red, 42s. to 46s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, red, 42s. to 46s.; Dantzig, mixed, 50s. to 59s.; Koénigsberg, 47s. to 58s.; | Rostock, 47s. to 50s.; Silesian, red, 46s. to 51s.; Pomeranian, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark, red, 45s. to 49s.; Ghirka, 41s. to 43s.; Russian, hard, 40s. to 44s.; Saxonska, 45s. to 47s.; Danish and Holstein, red, 40s. to 51s.; American, 42s. to 46s. ; Chilian, white, 51s.; Californian, 52s.; Australian, 52s. to 55s. In Liv- erpool Canadian white brought 9s. 5d. to 10s. per cental; American, white, 9s. 6d. to 10s. 2d.; ditto, red winter, 9s. 2d. to 9s. 6d.; No. 1, spring, 8s. 6d. to 9s. 6d.; No. 2, spring, 8s. 3d. to 9s.; California, 9s. 8d. to 10s. 8d.; Oregon, 10s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.; Chilian, 9s. 2d. to 9s. 4d. ; Saidi, 8s. 3d. to 8s. 6d. In Paris holders demanded 44s. to 48s. for white, and 42s. Gd. to 46s. for red, the market closing very firm on fine qualities. The French country markets showed a buoyant tendency. At Rotter- dam the tendency was somewhat downward. Algerian granaries were full of soft wheat, and holders were disposed to abate their expectations. FLourR.—The imports of flour into the United Kingdom during the first week in November amounted to 99,781 cwts. English flour was in good supply in Mark Lane at the opening of the second week, but for- eign supplies were by no means full. In Mark Lane the best town- households were quoted at 36s. to 43s. per 280 pounds; best country- households, 31s. to 33s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 29s. to 30s.; American, per barrel, 23s. to 25s. In Liverpool English and Irish superfines brought 33s. to 36s. per 280 pounds; extras, 38s. to 42s.; French, 37s. to 47s.; Trieste, 48s. to 60s.; Spanish, 41s. 3d. to 43s.; Chilian, 33s. 6d. to 36s. 6d.; Californian, 38s. to 40s.; American, Western and extra State, 25s. to 25s. per barrel; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 22s. 6d. to 26s.; Ohio and extra, 23s. to 26s.; Canadian and extra, 22s. to 27s. The Paris flour-market tended upward, prices for consumption ranging from das. 4d. to 35s. 11d. per 280 pounds. MaizE.—In Mark Lane small supplies kept prices too high for an active trade. White American brought 38s. to 40s. per quarter; ditto yellow, 34s. to 37s. In Liverpool American, new and old, ranged from 36s. to 38s. 6d. per 480 pounds; Galatz, 37s. 9d. to 38s. 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