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MONTHLY REPORT

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1876.

LIBRARY
NEW YORK
BOTANICAL

: GARDEN

os

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,
1876.

CONTENTS.

STATISTICS:
Digest of monthly returns... ..---. ss -ee0 -- 22 eee ene nee ee cee eee eee ee eens
Comparative numbers and prices of farm-animals SERCH acCn 5+ -
Numbers of farm-animals -- .---.. 2.22 ..02 ---uce EN SE Ee ey
IPTICOS OF fanIn “ANIMAS » ace oes a eiec pas seme ra semee saab = = naa
Yield of farm-crops in 1875..-.--.....-. wis sheave, Seo Sec} at oe Sore
Prices of farm-crops .....-...--.- iid ai a ee eiob een See ence eae ee
Cotton-report for December...-.....----- -----2---+- eine Joe sjawicaieeetoee
NP LS oe De eee a a ake Gaile baer ett goed Glee oe
Tabulated cOulmNs sos -- cas sec eecienicastic= == See = See Soe eee a — é
BEciraAcis irom ‘COLPCspOnOCnises--<chisesalcccccemeclees maseses-cole san aieam
Ghutajorcarhh-almongee. occ ceceuse eee een ses ceca ceciem eon nae te eee ec
ELIGIS ELON GV ALIOUS (ROULCOS= 52-2 =2/Jo eee <= eee enews Sm = aioe oe aaa ese
Market-prices of farm-products... 22. .2cces cone cone cecnee = cen nes ce nnnn once
NiiVe-SLOCK WMATKOth=. oc oc =. 50+ - ou Seeman acsccmcincccpe sec cad aes a enaalseeee
Foreign markets... 222.222 cece cs coc wee nnee cen eee Stee cree coencccsees cesses °
CHEMISTRY:

Chemical memoranda..... S Cashin bod oe hepsi ash ela ae MP. -
MICROSCOPY:

‘Microscopic observations ......-..0.---+scece Seas Susaaboe Se Se =

Page

NS for on) vena
BAO RSLSERESS weowes

39
45

é LIBRARY
MONTHLY REPORT. NEW YORK
BOTANICAL

GARDEN

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Statistical Division, January 31, 1876.
Sir: I herewith submit a digest of January returns of the compara-
tive numbers and home prices of farm- animals in the several States,
with the respective rate of yield and current prices in December of the
principal farm-products of last season. I include, also, material from
the chemist, microscopic observations, and minor facts in statistics and
agriculture.
J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

DIGEST OF MONTHLY RETURNS.

The present report contains digests of the returns made in January
of the present year of comparative numbers and prices of farm-animals; '
- and also of the returns of the yield per acre and prices of farm-products.
These returns, in connection with the previous returns of quantity of
farm-products, form the basis, when carefully combined and analyzed,
of the estimates of the year, which are published in the annual volume.

COMPARATIVE NUMBERS AND PRICES OF FARM-ANIMALS.

NuMBERS.—The numbers of farm-animals, as indicated by the esti-
mates of correspondents, are not keeping pace with the advance of the
country in population. Horses appear to have made the greatest in-
crease, amounting to about 3 per cent.; cows are more numerous by 1
or 2 per cent., while other descriptions of cattle have not increased.
Sheep are found in larger numbers only in the more western States, the
aggregate being little larger than that of last year. Swine appear to
have decreased about 8 per cent. This may be correct, as no stock of
the farm is so subject to rapid fluctuations in numbers, very few being
kept more than two years, and quite a large and increasing proportion

~ of pigs being killed before a year old. The States showing the largest
_increase in cattle are Nebraska, Oregon, Minnesota, Louisiana, Iowa, no
others having more than 3 per cent. advance. Minnesota, California,
® Oregon, and Arkansas have the largest percentages of milch-cows.
“Nebraska shows the largest proportion of horses, in comparison with
=> last year’s record, followed by Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas,
West Virginia, and North Carolina. The largest increase in sheep is
~- in Kansas, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and Oregon.
PRICES.—The prices of horses of all ages appear to have retrograded
very generally during the year. The only exceptions are Texas, Kansas,

138347

10f

He

4

and Nebraska. In Texas there is a tendency to advance in all kinds of
farm-animals, in part from relative decrease in numbers, and also because ©
of increasing facilities for meeting the demand from other States, and
from the improvement of animals by breeding and care. The decrease
is only nominal in Arkansas and Tennessee. It is greatest in the Eastern
States. The following figures may he deemed representative of the
prices in districts indicated by the States named:

1876. 1875.
o of o° Cs oP o° o
os E 7 Bo
States. FH Wack es Mey a Ma $s | P20 ae
A Siioldeie as | «eo Ee aj} ss
RS cs ® m I ro) ia 2 mn ay
eS le ie se =i Bx - | eck | we
Sa | MSS ae o£ $9 a ages oo
A oAa |$sa° pm SEPA St See aS
5 mes | Sarl s Base | sen! &
Massachusetts ..2...2.0-c0i see noe $30 00 | $48 33 | $72 66 $108 33 $66 66 | $95 00 | $135 00
RennsylVanias co o.c ta ss ose enemeneniae 34 58 | 5472) 80 45 | 108 39 63 72 2 25 | 123 20
INerini@aroluns, so c.s 4s. ens slee=e 31 31 428 16 67 92 90 00 52 54 75 96 96 74
MISSISSIPPI. oats ogee aon nine baete sin Q7 41 42 7 62 35 89 00 45 75 65 00 94 20
RANG Oe oe es 2 te ne cee alae aeice 13 04 19 32 28 28 45 50 19 77 28 26 44 81
GEM GMGIGY & scesie stots cae cc n sane 26 25 39 60 55 30 75 00 40 46 57 19 78 00
NG RN ES eee oe eke weeee eo See cletlebles 26 73 40 60 59 52 84 88 41 50 61 58 85 47
Oregon....... pace ee cence eeee eee nee 19 00 | 2750) 39 28 60 43 28 00 39 50 60 30

The value of mules has declined very materially from New York to
Florida. In Alabama the downward tendency is checked by prosperous
cropping, a disposition being manifested to encourage home supplies,
placing the prices for young mules higher than in 1875. There is no
material falling off in Mississippi, and in Texas there is a slight
advance, as in the case of horses. Prices are pretty well sustained in
Arkansas, and in Tennessee. In the Western States the decline is quite
sharp, as shown by the following table:

1876. 1875.
a = Sze. g 8 z ee 2
$ |g] 2s] ¢./2 | #3 | os] g
States. a 52 re 25 Sa ae
oO, Eon BE Pee ©. En Ee ee
es CR +s on aS SR +6 os
c= = «a2 a= c= S a @ c=
° aS a) ao ° ao aA =°9
aS or; [2 ~~ om i?) ~
<°) oo tl co oo
< ES | Fe |e 3 Be) lear eee
Pp. a Qe fo) p aa) as °
Georgia- 22-02. (22526 -2e e-- << eee $31 34 | $50 69 | $79 11 | $99 00 $65 00 | $96 25 | $115 50
MMIBBIBSIDDL oon -cnseabe saber rlaccia=e 32 00 50 50 74 50 | 102 7 50 20 76 50 102 10
SERINE SHOG a. ce ceebee se sees mc ese ack 32 80 49 02 72 50 90 00 51 58 75 00 93 30
ACOUGNOKY, < cnc caste cones sss oust nine== 29 24 46 70 68 50 88 72 47 70 70 10 91 91
GIA cco c/ciacicinasennet cannes = la= 28 81 45 59 68 67 96 15 48 8&8 71 34 97 77
OMIMOTHIG 2 obs cst cls cb ew ose bowen'e 23 00 34 33 55 00 93 50 32 53 52 38 88 39

The rates for milch-cows are not sustained in the Eastern States,
except in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The average is the same as
that of last year in New York, a decline being perceptible in the remain-
ing Middle States. There is an increasing demand in Maryland and
Virginia, States well suited to dairying, and prices have advanced some-
what. In the Carolinas and Georgia the rates sympathize with the pre-
vailing downward tendency. From Florida westward along the Gulf
coast, and in Arkansas and Tennessee, prices are higher, the greatest
proportionate increase being in Texas. In every State of the great
interior valleys there is an increase, except in Nebraska, where prices
ruled very high last year. On the Pacific coast the high California rate

5

of last year is not fullysustained. A comparison with last year is made

in the rates of the following States: :
Year. spab-d Virginia. | Georgia.| Texas. Ohio. Mie Missouri. Oregon.
a Ny { eet a Se eae $37 50 $22 77 $17 02 $15 72 $32 65 $26 75 $20 86 $21 75

37 50 22 94 18 85 13 33 30 42

26 37 19 50 21 65

The class including all cattle except cows exhibits no very sweeping
changes. The abundance or scarcity of supplies for winter use causes
local changes. In the Eastern States, prices are firmer in Vermont and
Massachusetts; in Pennsylvania, in the Middle States; in Maryland,
North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, the more eastern States of the Ohio
Valley, with a positive rise in the district west of the Mississippi. There
is little decline in New York, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, Mis-
sissippi, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There is some decrease in several
of the New England States,in New Jersey, Georgia, and little in
Indiana and Illinois, except that in the latter prices of matured stock
are well sustained. The following comparison is made:

1876. 1875,

She Pe VR a See eae Bie 2

© ao ae g 2 ad as g

e oo ° a] 3 oo eR Pe

States. 2 am Bg a c am EH

re ar Pee te ane ay Me a ese eee

= a9 Sn Meh A AS ees ES

3 aps Oo we) =) om as S

mH Oo ° OS ad nd ° wd oO

S ES a a g EE ae H

i=] pe ena) oO us) ~ eo oO

a or hrc} > =| or op; =

'S) a) 6 } bp Fs) & 3S
1S SENET peed ena $10 89 | $20 43 | $33 19 | $58 22 | $11 56 | $21 12 | $34 09) ¢g63 00
INOW ROLK ccc tsciccwdcemnsascecc as 10 31 19 40 32 08 96 10 45 19 50 32 64 52 08
WNOrih! Caroling ce a/c scene use ese 3 55 €:33 10 21 15 35 3 35 6 00 9 40 14 70
A DO LPR ME Maret sbomes aaiioe siciclalenia 3 97 5 97 9 29 13 47 4 10 7 00 10 75 15 00
PLN 2 Sic 1S) EP Ae SE Te Br BS 3 54 5 87 9 13 14 18 3 18 D 28 8 16 11 82
JETT TTF e 8 SES, Slay: een ean me tes 8 22) 1472] 2432) 3605 8 SSN i LAOS? he Do eter 34 53
LUIS CCT ap RR a See 750] 14 00| 2424) 35 74 9 00 15 48 | 25 60 34 69
MVMISSOWIN. woo ccs = ono adanceeueces as 6 41 11 56} 18 59 28 81 5 58 10 00 16 42 24 25

|

The rates for sheep are not materially changed in the Atlantic States
north of Virginia, or in the Gulf States. In the Southern Atlantic
States and in the Ohio Valley there is a slight tendency to high rates,
and in the Missouri Valley prices are still more advanced. The numbers
of sheep on the Pacific coast are so increased that in dry seasons some
districts are over-stocked, tending to decrease in prices, which is indi-
‘cated to some extent in the present returns from California. The prices
of full-grown sheep are thus reported in the following States:

Year.

Vermont
Pennsylva-
nia
Virginia
Tennessee.
Tinois.
Nebraska.

A slight increase in the prices of hogs is observed in New England,
especially in those of more than one year old. There is an advance in
the Middle States, in Virginia and North Carolina, but in South Caro-
lina and Georgia prices are not fully maintained. In Arkansas and
Tennessee, where supplies were scarce and high last year, with low
prices for alt kinds of stock, there has been a manifest advance the

io

6

present season. The Western States all return higher prices than last
year. The following figures for old hogs will represent the general ten-
dency of prices in the several sections, and for further comparison ref-
erence is made to the table:

By Ba a
nN ro @a
en a =I gS os E-|
Year. = BS = 3 A = S : a
ES E = = Be a 5 2 Zz
o o e = fa Q- ‘S E 3
A A a <q 4 4 4 a 2)
1876.2. 5222 Ph SSS eis ee Bete $27 25 | $20 50 | $10 27 $6 07 $6 10 | $10 19 | $13 33 | $13 75 | $14 92
ETO eee le a eae ais melee 24 00 18 75 9 73 5 81 4 46 8 67 9 30 3 6 67

A few extracts from remarks of correspondents are appended:

Matne.—Cumberland: Milch-cows have increased in numbers on account of increased
interest in dairying. Piscataquis: Great scarcity of money has made a complete stag-
nation in sales of stock of all kinds.

CONNECTICUT.—New London: The number of cattle is less than a year ago, as the
farmers are working all they can into beef, to save hay.

New Yorxk.—E£rie: Thenumber of hogs has not varied much more for two or three
years, but within that time their average weight has increased at least 30 per cent. ;
mostly by the introduction of Chester Whites. Western hogs are so liable to sicken
and die, that they are growing into disfavor. Delaware: The short hay-crop caused
the sale of nearly all the calves, and all animals fit for beef are slaughtered. Sullivan:
The percentage of cattle reduced by scarcity of hay.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Beaver: The decrease in milch-cows is owing to the fact that farm-
ers are quitting the shipping of milk to the cities. Chester: There is an increase in
the number of horses and cows, the latter being usually bought from other sections ;
but fewer cattle are raised and there is a marked decrease in the number of oxen and
other cattle. Washington: Few colts raised the last three or four years, and fewer this
year than ever. Hogs are scarce and high. Bedford: Mules are being brought from
Kentucky to take the place of horses on farms and manufactories. Many of our feed-
ing-cattle are brought from the western markets, and 60 per cent. of the calves dropped
go to the market before they are one month old. Butler: A plenty of good horses for
all purposes for sale at low prices. As the country is becoming more settled, and the
farms becoming better, sheep-raising does not pay so well, and consequently is de-
creasing. Hogs were never so scarce. Elk: Prices for stock are nominal, except for
beef and hogs, which are in good demand. Tioga: Mules for the coal-mines are nearly
all brought from New York State. rie: Milch-cows have increased. Cheese-factories
have sprang up in almost every town.

MARYLAND.—Montgomery: Hogs are scarce. Thrifty pigs, four weeks old, readily
bring $2. Prince Georges: We are raising more sheep than formerly, and there is an
increase of interest in raising hogs. Frederick: Sheep-husbandry not increasing in
respect to numbers rapidly, but improving in stock, principally long wool. Hegs
rather scarce; no surplus. Baltimore: First-class horses in demand. Milch-cows in
good demand and selling briskly.

VIRGINIA.—Prince George: The absence of fences prevents the increase of stock.
The number on each farm is very limited. Dinwiddie; Raising more colts than usual ;
also raising more hogs for pork. The dairy business is growing in favor, and sheep-
raising is on the increase. Fauquier: No calves raised except occasionally one for a
breeder ; all dropped being sent to market as veals. We buy sheep brought from the
‘West, in the fall, winter and shear them ; then sell both the old stock and the lambs and
buy again. Halifax: The stock of hogs is smaller than for years; many have died of
cholera, and some of measles and quinsy. Cumberland: The increase in the number
of oxen is owing to the fact that the colored people, having with their labor purchased
small tracts of land, are raising them for work. Powhatan: Farm-stock has been
gradually increasing for several years. More attention is given to the raising of mules
and horses than in any year since 1860. Many farmers have come to the wise conclu-
sion that it is better to raise their stock of mules and horses than to trust to the
machinations of horse-traders. Nearly every farmer of any note has also raised bacon
enough for next year’s consumption. Sussex: The fences were all destroyed during
the war, and the utter impossibility of yet replacing them is the principal cause of the
falling off in milch-cows. Chesterfield: The number of horses is kept up by new set-
tlers Bont the North and West. Mules are chiefly used by the old residents, being con-
sidered more durable and valuable. Milch-cows are increasing in numbers and im-
portance, as we improve our lands and increase the growth of grass and clover. There
is a decided disposition to improve the quality of sheep. Two of my neighbors, north-
ern settlers, have recently purchased one hundred and fifty and placed them on poor

q

fields, as an experiment. A decrease in the number of hogs, owing to the killing of
many stock-hogs for pork, the price being $9 per hundred-weight. Henrico: A dispo-
sition to increase the pumber of stock-hogs, owing to the low price of corn. Pitisyl-
vania: The hogs are of the inferior stock called “ Virginia pine-rooters.” Orange: The
last five or six years, so fatal to young grass, have checked the increase of stock, and
caused the sale of young cattle at almost any price.

NortH CArROoLInA.—Chowan: Cattle and hogs have decreased. Farmers will have to
plant less cotton and raise more stock and grain, or they will soon play out. Bruns-
wick : The marked decrease in milch-cows is owing to severe weather last winter; feed
gave out, and they had to be turned out into the swamps. Nash: More inclination to
raise cattle and sheep than for some years. Hertford: Stock of every kind are steadily
increasing, save sheep, and they would do well but for the multitude of dogs.

SouTH CaRroLina.—Chester: The freedmen are accumulating more stock, and! take
better care of it than formerly.

GroreGia.—Laurens : Work-oxen are $30 to $60 per pair; beef-steers, at maturity,
$20 to $30 each. Montgomery: Most of the horses and mules are brought here from
Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. Gwinnett: Horses, mules, and other stock are 20
per cent. lower in price than a year ago, owing to the low price of cotton and money-
pressure. Cherokee: For the last few years we have been using commercial fertilizers
to raise cotton, and neglecting out-stock. The consequence is that a large number of
people have no meat-supply and no money to buy with. Covington: The hard winter
of last year and the hog-cholera have reduced the number of our stock. DeKalb:
Though sheep have suffered from dogs, more attention than formerly is being paid to
sheep husbandry. The flocks are more closely watched and cared for. Perry: There
is a decided disposition to raise more horses, cattle, and hogs.

Mississtppi.— Lauderdale : Cattle and sheep have been diminished, owing to the high
price of meat. The increase in provision-crops has caused an increased effort to raise
hogs, and but for the persistent stealing of hogs by the negroes, the farmers of the
county would raise their own pork. As it is, more will be raised here in 1876 than since
the rebellion. Noxubee: Stock-hogs increased in number, and healthy. If the thieves
- will suspend, we will soon be self-sustaining. Wilkinson: More attention to the rais-
ing of hegs than for some years. Full-blooded Berkshires most in demand. Pigs six
to eight weeks old sell for $20 per pair; young sows with pigs, at $20 or more each.
Inferior hogs cheap. Coahama: The raising of hogs has almost ceased in consequence
of depredations by the freedmen. This evil seems to have no remedy. DeSoto: More
meat killed than for years, and we are becoming independent in the way of ‘‘ hog and
hominy.” Lee: Stock-raising is losing ground. Hogs over one year old are now scarce,

from the fact that mast and corn were plenty, and meat is scarce and high. Jefferson :
ae attention is being paid to the raising of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs than ever
efore.

ALABAMA.—Amite: There has been an average decrease of about 10 per cent. in the
value of all stock except sheep. They now sell for as much per head as last January,
and I think there is an advance in the price. is

Lovuistana.—Jackson: Average value of horses and mules, $40 per head; oxen and
other cattle, $5; milch-cows, $10; sheep, $1; hogs, $1.

TEXAS.—Smith: Hogs are seldom slaughtered under eighteen months old, and usually
at two years old and upward. Hog-stealing is now a.penitentiary offense, and more
attention is paid to raising hogs and improvement of breeds. Burnet: Hogs over one

_year old very scarce. Goliad: The greatest change in stock-raising results from the
increasing disposition of the farmer to combine with that branch other agricultural
industries. Titus: Mule-raising is on the increase, and they will soon take the place
of horses on the farm. Beef-cattle killed up very close, owing to a great scarcity of
bacon, caused by cholera among hogs. Hogs healthy now, and a good increase the
past fall; nearly a supply for the county. Pork 10 cents per pound. Williamson: By
a late law hogs are not allowed to run at large; consequently the number is less. Bell:
Neat-cattle have been driven to western and California markets until the number is
getting down below home necessities. The county is gradually introducing short-
horned cattle and Berkshire hogs. Bastrop: Most of the beef-cattle and oxen have
been driven from the county to the northwestern States. While the percentage of
hogs has fallen off better hogs are being grown—Poland, China, Berkshire, and Essex.
Lampasas : The number of horses has increased in consequence of increased immigra-
tion into the county in 1875. Lamar: The increase in horses and mules is owing more
to immigration than any other cause. Grayson: We maintain our percentage in horses
and mules more by immigration than by raising them. Collin: The decrease in cattle
is due to the fact that some large cattle-raisers have moved their herds farther west
for better range. Dallas: What stock is kept on the farms is of better quality than
that formerly raised, and there seems to be a general disposition among the farmers to
improve their stock. Cooke: Referenge to the tax-rolls shows the number of horses to
be 8,406; average price, $35. Cattle, including milch-cows, 41,175; average price, $7.
Sheep, 2,353; average price, $1.50. The estimated number of hog's 3,300, and the value
$3 per head. Hunt: The native stock of horses is decreasing, and better breeds are

8

taking the place. The same is true of mules, stock-hogs, milch-cows, and other cattle.
Austin : Sheep-raising is spreading again where the range is still sufficient. Upshur:
Owing to the driving of cattle west from this portion of the State, they are getti
scarce. Jood: Hogs are on the decrease, owing to the short corn-crop for the last two
years and no mast. Fort Bend: Milch-cows receive but little attention. A citizen may
own 5,000 and not milk one during the year. Nueces: Horses are increasing very
rapidly. Cattle are daily decreasing in numbers; they are being driven off to Mexico
by armed bands, who live by plundering. Sheep are increasing rapidly, and are paying
from 30 to 50 per cent. on the investment.

ARKANSAS.—Dallas: The horses raised are very inferior. About as many horses and
mules are bought from drovers as are raised. Jzard; The great scarcity of fattening-

hogs has caused many to be killed which were too young, and otherwise would have gone.

over to the next season. Crawford: There are in the county at this time 5,384 sheep;
some 2,000 have lately been driven to Kansas for better pasturage and protection.
Independence : Farmers who keep brood-mares find it more profitable to raise mules
than horses. Fulion: Some are awaking to the importance of better stock than our
long-continued “scrub,” and are procuring improved stock of cattle, hogs, and sheep.
Howard: A new impetus has been given to hog-raising in this and the adjoining coun-

ties. A fair crop of mast has caused the country to abound in pigs. I think 200 is not -

an over-statement of the percentage. Prairie: Sheep-raising is rapidly increasing.

TENNESSEE.—Smith: Sheep are higher than last year, because the quality is greatly
improved. No hogsa year old, except breeding-sows; all others have been slaughtered.
Nearly all on hand are sucking-pigs and many are depending on pigs yet to come for
next season. Grainger: Our market for horses and mules is in the cotton States, where
they have ruled very low. Cattle and sheep have sold better than last year, and con-
sequently fewer are on hand. Hogs have sold at $6 to $6.50 gross. Bedford: Hogs
were better fattened than usual, and consequently stock for another year is very
scarce. Coffee: Hogs have been disposed of at 6} cents gross, at the railroad station.
Rutherford: Owing to the failure in the cotton-crop, farmers are disposing of all their
surplus stock. During the last six weeks an average of three car-loads of mules
per week has been shipped from this point, and droves are still shipped. Lincoln:
The very short corn-crop in 1874 lessened the number of hogs; eiforts now to
increase them. Prices of horses and mules lower than for years. Imported breeds
of cattle much higher than the figures given for the average. Loudon: Except sows,
all the hogs here over one year old have been put into market. Average price, 6} cents
per pound, live weight, and average weight 260 pounds. Monroe: Fine stock is being
introduced into the county very fast, such as short-horn and Jersey cattle, Cotswold
and Southdown sheep, Berkshire and Essex hogs, and trotting horses. Davidson: The
crop failures of 1874 caused unusual waste of cattle by the butchering, starvation, and
sales at serious loss. Hog-cholera, added to the above cause, brought hogs down in
number at least 50 per cent.,and perhaps more. Sheep have increased under an excel-
lent dog-law. and will continue to advance in character and number if that law remains
in force. Gibson: Hogs reduced, last winter, by starvation and disease, were in almost
universal demand the present season; a sow and pigs commanded almost fabulous
prices. The Berkshire are preferred to any other stock.

West Vircis1a.—Jefferson : Sheep are increasing very rapidly.

KENtTuUcKY.— Madison: A decrease in the mules raised, owing to a heavy decline in
the price for the two previous years. The raising of horses has been stimulated and
increased by the opposite reason. Fleming: The decrease of hogs is caused by the loss
of pigs by disease, known as cholera, and by the high price, forcing info the mar-
ket all large enough to kill. ;

Ou10.—Clark: Raising more fine horses than formerly; some worth $500 to $1,000;
cattle dull; hogshigh; 74 cents per pound gross. Coshocton: But few horses have been
sold for the eastern market, owing to the low price; fully 5 per cent. of the matured
horses are now for sale. Hogs of the sameage and breed average fully 10 per cent. less in
weight than last year. Lucas: Some good blooded horses were brought into the county
within two or three years, increasing the raising of colts of a higher grade. Monroe:
Fat hogs selling at 5} to6centslive weight. Licking: Hogsvery high. Stock-hogs, that
is, under one year old, sell as high as 8 cents. Washington; Cows are from 530 to $60.
Tuscarawas: All kinds of stock have fallen off in numbers for several years, owing to
short hay-crops and long feeding-winters for the last three years, and to imereasing
shipping facilities which induce stock-men to cull out more closely. Jilliams: The
price of horses is lower than for sixteen or twenty years; so low that farmers do not
think it pays to raise colts. Hogs are scarce, owing to the fact that money is scaree,
and they bring a pretty good price. Moreover, farmers are now beginning to see that it
does not pay to keep a hog over winter, so that few are now kept, except for breeding
purposes. Preble: Moises are 40 per cent. lower than they were eight months ago. A
great many cattle were sold off after harvest for fear they could not be wintered. This
has caused a deficiency. Perry: The reduction of cattle is owing to the fact that the
szarcity of feed last winter caused every one to dispose of all he could. Marion: Very

9

few hogs remain over: some for breeding purposes. The breed has been greatly im-
proved. No difficulty in making spring-pigs weigh 200 to 300 pounds by November, and
those weights bring the best prices. Delaware: The large number of hogs coming on
will make cheap pork within the next twelve months.

MicuiGan.—AHillsdale : The price of fat cattle in the market is $3 to $4 per hundred;
fat hogs, on foot, $6; dressed, $7.50. Calhoun: Sheep have been sold less than usual ;
many of our farmers finding them indispensable and profitable for their farms. Mecosta :
As the county develops, all kinds of farm-animals are increasing.

InpIANA.— Clay: Sheep-husbandry declines, owing to destruction by dogs; mule-
raising declines for want of a certain and remunerative market. Wabash: The high
price for hogs has used up the stock very clean, except afew for breeders. Stark:
Oxen and other cattle have not been sold out so close for ten years. Warren:
Hogs have brought $6 to $8 per hundred. Ohio: As corn is cheap and pork
high, everything that will make pork is being fattened. Hamilton: Hogs very
scarce owing to deaths by cholera. Washington: About all the hogs over six months
old have been fattened and sold at $6 to $7.15 per hundred gross.

Intio1s.— Winnebago: A large proportion of the calves sold to butchers. Mercer:
The decrease in mules is owing to the fact that the epizooty took most of the jacks
out of the county. Piatt: Not many cattle over three years old in the county, ex-
cept milch-cows. Iroquois: The number of hogs fattened will fall short of an avyer-
age 30 per cent., but the quality will raise the quantity. De Kalb: A falling off in
the price of cows, owing to a decline in dairy products, especially cheese. Ford:
The increase in the number of horses is owing to immigration. Carroll: All kinds
of stock are declining in numbers, except horses and milch-cows. The number of
horses is kept up because there has been no demand from abroad, and of cows, because
the farmers are turniug attention to the manufacture of cheese on the co-operative
plan. White: The decrease in farm-stock is owing to scarcity of feed. Hogs have
been shipped to the greatest extent. Boone: Scarcely any hogs over one year old, and
very few cattle over two and a half or three years.

WISCONSIN.—Clark: The increase in stock of all kinds is owing to the fact that the
county is new and rapidly developing. Crawford: Hogs andsheep are the only kinds of
stock which have paid expenses, sheep paying best; dressed hogs $7.50. Green Lake:
The quality of all kinds of farm-stock is gradually improving. Sheep are the favorite
stock, and the finer grades are most numerous, being kept mostly for wool. Columbia:
Great numbers of young hogs shipped, owing to the short corn-crop. Green: Nearly
all the hogs not sent to market are under one year old, aud some of them will be
marketed between this and spring. There is a steady increase in the number of cows,
the dairy business growing constantly.

MINNESOTA.— Waseca: We are beginning to raise cattle and hogs, instead of so much
grain. Cheese-factories are springing up; hence the increase in cows. Faribault:
- Farmers have learned by sad experience that persistent efforts to make a living by
wheat-culture alone only renders them poorer and poorer every year, and, therefore,
are paying more attention to the raising of stock and hogs than ever before.

Iowa—Sioux: The prices of horses, mules, cattle, and hogs are much higher in our
newly-settled county than in the regular market. Polk: While fewer mules have
been raised, a larger proportion has been shipped Southand to Colorado. Both fat and
stock-hogs sell readily at 6 to 64 cents per pound. Howard: Hogs bring a good price
and are selling off rapidly; lowering the percentage of stock hogs, and raising the
price of young pigs. Scolt: Most of the fat hogs sold are from fifteen to twenty-two
months old. Linn: The hog crop is 10 per cent. short. Cherokee: The price of pork
has created quite a demand for stock-hogs.

Missouri.—Jasper : Native breeds of cattle are being greatly improved by the intro-
duction of full-bloods. Howard: Almost impossible to purchase hogs of any age.
Never knew the difference to be so great between the prices of corn and of hogs; corn
20 cents per bushel, and stock-hogs 5 to 6 cents per pound. The hogs fattened next
year will be spring pigs. Jefferson: Milch-cows scarce ; average price, with calf, $30.
Mules are superseding horses here. Marion : Stock-hogs rate at about 5 cents, fat hogs
at 6. Carroll: The increase in the total number, and the large percentage of oxen and
other cattle, is owing to the great number brought into the county to feed. Reynolds:
Cattle, young horses, sheep, and hogs are reduced very much, owing toscarcity of feed
and severe weather last winter. Polk: Hogs sell at 6} cents, live weight. Platte:
Hogs selling at 6} cents, gross. Pork-packing in the county not yet over; 1,500 to
2,000 fat hogs stillon hand. Perry: The reduction in cattle and hogs is owing to the
scarcity of feed last winter. Dent: A great many eattle have been shipped out of the
county. Dallas: Large hogs were thinned out last winter by cold and starvation, and
the number is not yet made up. The increase.in milch-cows results from more and
better feed than last year. Caldwell: Fat hogs and breeding sows are much higher in
price than usual. Many cattle are being fattened. Barton: Last year we sold all our
hogs off, owing to a failure in the corr-crop; now we have to pay $10 per head for
‘pigs. Holi: About 3 per cent. of the hogs have died from disease. Every case is

10

cholera, but this is doubtful, as some cough, then fail in appetite,and die ina
ew days. ’ :
acess! Diniondoa A marked increase of horses, and especially of mules, within
the last three months. Wabaunsee: The percentage of pigs and the price of hogs are
very high, owing to the fact that at the 1st of January, 1875, most of the hogs had
been disposed of on account of the grasshopper-famine. Nemaha: The percentage of
oxen and other cattle is large, on account of many fattening cattle this winter against
very few last. Mitchell: Sheep are in greatdemand. Franklin: The low percentage of
hogs is owing to the destruction of the corn-crop in 1874. Those that could not be sold
were given away to any one who could keep a pig. There is a growing disposition to
keep sheep; the chief difficulty in the way is the distance to travel in order to buy, as
they cannot be purchased near at hand. Leavenworth: Hogs one year ago were nearly
all sold to Iowa and Illinois; so we have only what we have raised since. Montgomery :
The large percentage of calves is owing to the fact that heretofore little attention has
been paid to stock for feeding. Osage: At least 50 per cent. of the cows had no calves
the past season. The county is almost without any hogs; they sell readily at 10 cents
per pound, gross. Lyon: Owing to previous failures in the corn-crop, hogs had been
nearly all sold out of the county; owing to the abundance of the last crop, many have
been shipped in. Butler: Having but little corn last year, we wintered but few hogs,
but a great many pigs were raised last summer. Anderson: Stock is improving in
quality; thorough-bred and grades are taking the place of Indian or Texas stock.
Our stock of hogs is of fine quality, mostly pigs. With our last good corn-crop we will
increase the number of our hogs very rapidly.

NEBRASKA.—Seward: Sheep in good demand, but none tosell. Profits on investment
75 per cent. Webster: Last year, owing to scarcity of feed, the greater part of the
hogs and great number of cattle were killed, but the crop prospects having brightened
this year the farmers greatly increased their stock of farm animals. This accounts for
the high percentage. Wayne: Cattle and horses are increasing, and the attention of
farmers seems to be turning to these branches of agriculture. The falling off in the
number of hogs is owing to grasshopper depredations. Thayer: Hogs are very scarce
and high, owing to the failure of last year’s corn-crop. Knox: Some blooded cattle and
hogs were brought into the county last month. Antelope: Hogs, killed off very close
last year, are now accumulating very fast. Horses, mules, cattle, and sheep are on the
increase. Investment in farm-stock is coming to be considered much better than in
grain-raising. York: We have not entirely recovered from the reduction of our hog
crop by the grasshopper scourge of 1874. The county is well adapted to sheep, but
they are not here. Saunders: The failure of the corn-crop in 1874 accounts for the de-
crease in cattle and hogs. The decrease in sheep is due to the dogs and butchers.

CALIFORNIA.—Sonoma: The increase in the numbers of cows and hogs is owing to
the fact that farmers are turning their attention to the dairy business. Lake: Hogs
over one year old mostly sold off. Placer: Sheep-raising is becoming one of our leading ~
industries. Del Norte: Large working-oxen are only used in logging, and are worth
$150 per yoke at the camps. Plumas: A continual increase in dairy farming for the
last three years. Mendocino: This country, for several years, has been inclining toward
sheep husbandry, and other stock has been gradually giving way. There is a gradual
introduction of a better stock of horses; but few of the full-blooded Spanish mustangs
are now left. San Bernardino: A greatmany sheep have gone from the county to Arizona,
and 20 per cent. have died of starvation. The decrease in other stock is owing to the
“no fence law.”

4 YIELD OF FARM-CROPS IN 1875.

Corn.—The increase in quantity of corn reported in November is cor-
roborated by the reports of yield per acre. The following table shows
the comparative yield per acre of the largest corn-producing States for
the past four years:

States. 1872. 1873. 1874, 1875.

eee EEE EEE

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
23.5 22. 5 yi

PP RMEENED UC cinoe sha Wt cle van me a'de wa tenia Cat ag niemaammats nee a atek 16.8 30.5
Kentucky .......- babe me ccc d seen See eee che ot aalreasicamemon 31,2 29.5 25 33. 3
Ohio 4 39, 5 35 36 33. 2
Indiana.. 38. 7 25. 6 27 34.5
Illinois .. 39. 8 21 18 34.5
Iowa

at

All of the New England and Middle States report increased yields,
except Connecticut; New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, report a very
marked increase. All the Atlantic coast States south of Virginia,
including Florida, show a decreased average, as also do Ohio, Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota, and Oregon; all other States increase their yields.
Complaints of soft corn are of wide currency in the Northern States,
while injuries to farm-animals are noted at several points in the South
from eating musty corn.

WHEAT.—The wheat-crop of 1875 was considerably below its prede-
cessor, notwithstanding its increase in acreage. The estimated yields
per acre of the leading wheat-producing States, given below, will indi-
cate the comparative range of this crop in the past four years:

|
States. 1872. | 1873. | 1874. 1875. | States. 1872. | 1873. 1874. | 1875.
j Tao Sa See 3 TE SE Se Sl ae
Bushels. Bushels. Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.' Bushels.|Bushels.
New York -.-.... 12.5 13.5 15. 6 || Wisconsin ..... 14.3 16.5 HESS [py te
Pennsylvania....| 10.8 14. 2 14. 8 12.8 || Minnesota...-. 16.5 18.3 13.4 17
Th ee oo ee 11.7 12 15 Oo SIN PEGS =o aces wos 12.6 13 11.6 9.7
Michigan ........ 12 12. 2 14,2 13.5 i Missouri.....-. | 8.8 12.8 13.5 9
Indiana.......--- 12.4 11. 2 12.2 Oe) Heamgas: 2s. 5. | 11.6 14 13.7 12.5
PE INGIS* += ee 2 jam tae 13.5 11.5 10.5 || California...... 12.2 13.5 13.2 il

Of these States only Wisconsin and Minnesota report an excess over
1874, which will be more than counterbalanced by the reduction in the
other States. The crop shows a depreciation in quality as well as a
decrease in quantity, and this depreciation is most serious in the great
wheat-growing regions.

OTHER GRAINS.—Rye will present an increased general yield, as the
average yields have been increased in most of the large rye-producing
States. The oats-crop has increased its yield per acre in all the States
except Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Califor- .
nia, and Oregon. The following figures illustrate the comparative yields
in the leading oats-producing States for four years:

States. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. States. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875.
Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels. Bushels.| Bushels.|Bushels.| Bushels.

New York....... 35 31 32.8 34 Indianse<=s.22s 30.5 20 19 29
Pennsylvania .... 31,2 30. 2 24.6 30 WHNGIS's <a0e oe 36.6 30 Lisa 33.3
WARDENS Oooo cos 13 16.3 11.5 15 Wisconsin ..... 35. 5 35 26.2 38. 5
Kentucky..-...-.-- 24.6 24 14.4 21 Minnesota-..-.. 36.5 36.1 30 36.5
RO Ree ows cae as 30 27 20.5 Zia | AOWM scaccuas ne 36. 7 33 30 37.7
Michigan .-....... 30 30. 2 27 35 Missouri. ...--.- 32. 7 | 28 22 31.6

As these States represent about six-sevenths of the oats product of
the Union, their uniform and, in some cases, very large increase of yield
per acre point to an immense product in 1875. Illinois, which produced
one-seventh of the crop reported in the last census, shows the largest
increase of yield—15.8 bushels per acre. Barley shows a general in-
crease of yield in the Northwestern States, but a decline in the Middle
and Southern States. Buckwheat shows an increased yield in most of
the States,

PoTaToOES.—The New England States, New York, and New Jersey
report yields exceeding 100 bushels per acre, Massachusetts reaching
160. Of the other Middle States, the South Atlantic and Gulf States
all are below 100 bushels per acre, except Florida, 110, and Texas, 100,

12

All the other States report yields above that figure, except Arkansas, 70,
and Kentucky, 98. Nebraska presents the maximum average—175. The
comparative yields of the leading potato-producing States for four years
were estimated as follows:

States. 1872. |° 1873. 1874. 1875. States. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875.

2 Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels: Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.
Maines cae ne. <2 75 117 123 107 || Michigan .-..... 66 75 87 125
New Hampshire . 94 150 120 133 || Indiana........ 70 114
Vermont..-...-.. 107 140 145 155 1 Dilinois 225. .2 75 130
New York..--... 88 103 105 128 || Wisconsin ..... 97 105
New Jersey.----- 16) 90 70 LUO | Owe pecans 120 121
Pennsylvania..-.- oy 96 84 96 || Missouri....... 80 110
BIO occ > atae ct 80 85 71 103

The increased averages are due to better conditions of growth and to
the gradual disappearance of the Colorado beetle. The above States
grow about six-sevenths of the potatoes of the country.

A special report will hereafter present the tobacco-crop.

The hay-crop shows a general decline in the New England and Middle
States, with an equally general increase in the Southern and Western
States The comparative product of the last four years may be
gathered from the following figures:

States. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. States. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875.
IMIGING Seicnces === . 92 .93 . 88 .95 || Michigan ...... 1, 25 115 1. 00 1. 20
Vermont.-........ 1.16 1. 10 1.14 Mts) kodiane wee. 1, 24 1, 25 1,13 1.30
New York..--.-. 1, 25 1, 02 1. 30 Peath..||, Tlinoeis) 22 oot 1. 45 | es 1, 20 1. 40
Pennsylvania..--| 1.12 1.15 1.16 1.10 |) Wisconsin..... 1. 26 1.30 1.10 1.35
Ohio 22th so eke ¢ 1.07 1,05 . 90 tO | Lowa See. 2." 2ee * 1735 20 1. 22 1.35

The States in the above table produced about two-thirds of the crop
reported in the last census-tables.,

SorgHuM.—This crop, cultivated almost entirely for the manufacture
of molasses, shows an increasing product in several of the States culti-
vating it.

The average yields of the crops will be found detailed in the general
tables of this report.

PRICES OF FARM-CROPS.

CorN.—Our December returns present a fresh illustration of the
dependence of the price of corn upon the home demand. At no time
within the last twelve years has our foreign export equaled 4 per cent.
of tke crop, while it has ranged below 1 per cent. It will not bear
transportation abroad to an extent sufficient to affect our home markets.
The increased yield of 1875 has had its natural effect in depressing
prices, both on the farm and in the market. A decline is noted in all
the States except South Carolina, where it averages the same as last
year, and Florida, Texas, and California, in which the price has
increased. In Texas, though there has been an increase in yield, the
influx of immigration has created a temporary home market for the sur-
plus. In the other three States the yield has declined, and has in con-
sequence enhanced the localdemand. In all the other States the farmer
gets less for his product, partly on account of the abundant yield and

13

partly on accotint of the continued stringency in the money market.
The greatest decline is found in the trans-Mississippi regions. Iowa
falls from 43 cents per bushel to 27; Missouri from 74 to 28; Kansas
from 91 to 23; Nebraska from 73 to 20. This is easily explained by the
destruction of the crop of 1874 by grasshoppers in this region and by
the abundant crops of 1875. In New England it is noticeable that the
decline is least near the commercial centers and greatest in the agricul-
tural districts. Rhode Island, almost overshadowed by its industrial
metropolis, Providence, falls off but 8 cents per bushel from last year;
Massachusetts, with a greater proportion of farming-land, declines 15
cents; while in Maine, more exclusively agricultural, the fall amounts
to 27 cents. This is observable to a small extent in the Middle States,
but in the South Atlantic States the case is reversed. Maryland, with
its small area around Baltimore, falls off 18 cents, while Georgia declines
but 6 cents, and South Carolina holds her own. In the Gulf States,
Mississippi, which has made the greatest increase of yield, exhibits the
greatest decline, 18 cents. In Arkansas there is a great decline, 45 cents,
as also in Tennessee, 27 cents. Kentucky falls off 14 cents, while West
Virginia loses only 5. North of the Ohio River the fall is greatest in
the southern sections, the average decline in Michigan being but 4 cents,
while in Illinois it was 22 cents. On the Pacific coast, Oregon has fallen
off 3 cents, while California has gained 9 cents.

The comparative prices of corn on the farm, on the 1st of December,
for the last four years, in the leading corn States were as follows:

| 1873. 1874. | 1875. States. 1872. | 1873. | 1874. | 1875.

States. 1872.
>
Pennsylvania .......-... $0 60 |$0 60 |$0 76 |$0 58 || Ohio....... .-.-...-.-.- $0 34 |$0 42 $0 58 | $0
North Carolina .:........ 62 64 72 602|/pIndiana Sel ssisi- oe. 29 40 51
Eerie Aes 2 oS ak 43 80 75 83.4) Tlinois:= sen ete ae sone 24 32
Tennessee. ........-..... 48 58 68 41 W Towalsct eerecnctcoces. 18 31
LG Ea (ee ae Cee ee 37 44 55 41 || Missouri ....--...-----. 32 38

WHEAT.—The South Atlantic and Galf States, from North Carolina
to Texas, with Arkansas and Tennessee, report lower prices for wheat
on the farm, while all the other States indicate an increase. In the
South this crop is grown only for home consumption, and during the
past few years its acreage has considerably increased, and its product
bears a larger proportion to local demand. In other parts of the country,
where this crop is raised for general market, the problem of prices has
_ been affected by influences of broader scope. The prices of 1874 were
greatly reduced from the preceding year by the large crops of Europe,
which limited the demand for American wheat;- but the yields in
Europe during 1875 were not so great, and our own crop was short-
ened by various disasters in different parts of the country. The result
of these varied influences has been a general increase of price for wheat
on the farm. In New England ‘the increase ranged from 8 cents per
bushel in Massachusetts to 12 in Vermont and Connecticut; in the
Middle States, from 5 cents in New York to 9 cents in Delaware; Mary-
land increased 5 cents, and Virginia 4. West of the Alleghanies, West
Virginia shows the greatest increase of all the States—38 cents. Ken-
tucky and the States north of the Ohio River range from 3 cents in In-
diana to 8 cents in Wisconsin; west of the Mississippi the increase
varies from 3 cents in Kansas to 16 cents in Minnesota; on the Pacific
coast the average price has advanced 19 cents in California and Oregon.

The variations of the last few years may be seen from the following

14

figures showing the prices of wheat in the leading wheat-producing
States on the 1st of December:

States. 1872. | 1873. | 1874. | 1872. | 1873. | 1874. | 1875.
Wew York. 422.2202. $1 65 |$1 60 $1 26 $1 31 | Wisconsin ............-. $1 03 |$0 97 |$0 83 | $0 91
Pennsylvania -....-...--: 1 67 | 1 50 | 1 21 | 1 29 || Minnesota .............. 83 80 70 86
QOhi0 243262525 ee'2 ee ee 449) 31:| 1 04) 1/09" Towal eT a: 85
Michigan chozs. - atc eed 1 46 | 1 35:| 1 08 | 1 15 || Missouri.-.......-...-.-- 1 41
DNGIANY ont ss son soem 1 32 22 94 97 fl California: oso. neces Lal
THO Shee ELIS. ae 1 23} 1 10 86 91

COTTON REPORT FOR DECEMBER.

The returns of the growing season, from June to October, or from
the time when the stand is well established to the close of the first
picking, comprise all the systematic reports of condition. The Novem-
ber returns are estimates of the outcome of the crop in direct comparison
with the previous one. They are made during the harvesting of the
“‘middle crop,” usually just prior to the coming of killing-frosts in the
lower latitudes, when the “ top crop” is still subject to all the vicissi-
tudes of the later season. In order to the fullest possible understand-
ing of the crop situation, it is therefore necessary to know the character
of this closing period, as to heat and sunshine, rains and wind, dis-
turbance of harvest-labor, and yield of lint in proportion to weight of
seed-cotton. Especially in relation to the latter item there were hints
in November of unusually low rates of yield, which led to systematic
effort to learn the whole truth in the matter; and the following questions
were asked of each county correspondent :

How many pounds of lint will 100 pounds of seed-cotton make this year?

How many pounds to the hundred last year ?

The estimates, which were usually made by averaging carefully the
results of work of gins in different portions of the county, have been
tabulated, producing the following State averages :

Lint in 100 pounds aS
seed-cotton. Poy
¥ a gz
5 85
1875. 1874, sks

Ay

Perth Cafolindss stoners 26.0. J eseshssenbo wes Senseo 29 322 90
PE AU aOR Bobo sat goon ee cae eee 29.2 33 88
C61 BE iar Mp lie a, ated ek = apa a aA ol aI aaa Bela ot 30 32 94
Words <0 )os0 22 Fe Waeeeul., SERIAL Le Sh, eee 27.5 | 28 98
Alabama a3, eka - it 2 8S LA ee 6 ek TREES 31.4 31.8 99
Mississippicb.. ace tastas,ccbecta.nseses toe steeat setae 30 32.2 93
EES RE aS See RE Se a Sh ares ear ey ts ee 30.5 | 30.7 ~ ae
“LEE FSS AGS EO) ANE Said hey A eee tS Ee Bee See Wig ol A oe | 30.6 101
Arkansas i). .¥. iGiL a eiie st Anes, io ieee 31-7 31.3 *101
Panhessee 21sec ak ise eaten Aves eae a 28.7 | 30,2 95

No one of the Atlantic States appears to exceed 30 pounds to each 100
of seed-cotton this year, and the average of all is very nearly 30.
Lust year this belt of States surpassed in figures of condition every
State of the Mississippi Valley. It is shown that the rate of yield
of lint to seed corresponds closely with the total quantity produced in
each State of these two sections. Texas, Arkansas and Alabama make
the highest averages in 1875: in 1874, South Carolina, North Carolina,

15

Georgia and Alabama took precedence. One pound to three, the old
rule for estimating lint, appears to be substantially correct in a year of
good yield; 32 pounds in 100 may be considered nearer an average
figure for the best lands, and anything under 30 a poor average return.
Last year did not quite reach this average on account of the poor crop
in the Mississippi Valley, and the present year presents a return of 96
per cent., as compared with last year.

As an illustration of the range of county estimates, and to afford an
opportunity to judge of the reliability of the State estimates, the tabu-
lation of yield of lint of a single State, Georgia, is given:

Lint to seed-cotton. Lint to seed-cotton.
: Ze 5 o . ‘ o.
Counties. cad He a BS Counties. . 3 3 a ps
ea t= =i) 5 RTS, Ro
or oe or oe oe os
Tee ehely Bg BIS Pes sly a E10
pa” a,
GS 2 os edocs 294 31 Dna | MEOW disc mei se 30 33 9]
Gwinnett ...... 334 334 100 || Fulton .... 2... 32 334 95
Oglethorp....-. 28 33 85) Glynn’ i. 2.52822 20 20 100
Tan cock. = 25. 28 33h Be) Pwigws 2. 62.52 30 33 91
Dowplas, </f-.<! 33 32 103 | Muscogee...... 314 313 100
Gordonpiao. osc. 31 33 QAO WL Dal bot ser ta, 30 30 100
WiiVion Seas 3 30 334 90 || Chattooga -.... 30 334 90
Jackson: 2222 S22 334 334 HOO!) Harris 262 2b 28 334 334 100
Walton .. 20.2 2| 33 33 100: |WCobbe i a2 5.225- 30 31g 90
Hall’ 25 qesess 33s 30 © 111 || Montgomery --- 334 30 111
@hiigeh as oo 30 25 120 || McDuffie, ...... 30 33 91
Cherokee ...-... 30 334 90) i) "Terrell 222 o'e02. 5 90
Upsen 22 27 34 79 || Coweta......-. 100
Manly 3 caw suis ee 30 33 OF Macon ban ee 93
Clay: meG-s0 22-5 29 30 96 || Catoosa 95
Laurens ....... 30 33 OW @arroll) seas 2 95
Werkalbye feos 30 33 91 || Madison 103
Ieiberty! i242 30 33 OL) Murray Aoki. : i 95
Dougherty. .... 29 33 88 || Mitchell 91
DOM. aap inns 2h 29 334 87 || Columbia f : 79
Dadge---- 2.5 30 33 OL) Forsyth)... 5 323 92
MEEION ecco 33 334 100 || Decatur 75
Wileox"2c23 vs) 29 30 96 || Lineoln.--....- 90
Phordas} iis. s2- 27 334 81 || Elbert......... 91
Wistar: cic 28 334 84 | Lumpkin 111
SGnley ceca ay 30 32 94.-|) Dooly...---' =. = 112
Numer 2. ose0 30 334 90 || Johnson 100
Worth. ee: 25 324 77 || Stewart 95
Taliaferro ...... 334 284 117 || Dawson 94
CETOUD) = 3 ntin gts. 334 32 104 || Colquitt 92
Whitfield ...... 30 33 91 || Pickens
Jefferson....--. 324 33h 97
Warrens2:. 22: 30 33 91 || Average 94

While a decrease in proportion of lint is the rule in the Atlantie Coast
States, there are exceptions, astheGeorgiareturns show. In North Caro-
lina three counties, Chatham, Guilford, and Rutherford, return the same as
last year, and one, Alexander, gives a greater yield; the season having
been unusually favorable, and the lint better in quantity and quality.
In South Carolina the yield of lint was better in Richland, and as good
as in 1874 in Edgefield. Putnam and Gadsden, in Florida, on account
of a dry and favorable season, report the yield as good as in 1874.

In Alabama the yield was equal to or better than that of the previous

16

year in one-third of the counties. Fully five-sixths of the counties of
Mississippi return a smaller yield. Nearly one-half of the returns from
Louisiana indicate a proportion of lint equal to that of 1874; and in Ar-
kansas and Texas returns of like character slightly predominate. A
reduced yield is indicated in Tennessee in more than half the counties.
It may seem unaccountable that there should be local results so opposite
in the same latitudes and vicinity, but the facts are equally diverse with
reference to moisture, sunshine, length and fineness of fiber, and quan-
tity of crop. An examination of extracts from remarks of correspond-
ents, which conclude this report, will afford much light upon these local
differences.

The reduction of lint in proportion to seed is attributed to various
causes. Anything preventing the development of the boll will re-
duce the relative amount of lint, which is last in order of maturation.
Too much moisture after drought may give a sudden impulse to the
growth of wood, and perhaps size and numbers in fruiting, but the bolls
are slow to open and deficient in lint. Drought may so injure the plant
as to prevent proper development of boll. The use of fertilizers, espe-
cially the phosphates, tends to increase the weight of seed, as in the
case of our cereals, and our returns give proof of such result; in one
county unfertilized fields yielding five pounds of lint more per hundred,
or 17 per cent.

Quality.—In nearly three-fourths of the counties of the Carolinas the

quality is represented as inferior to that of 1874. A few reports make the .

staple shorter, with quality equal in other respects ; one indicates short-
ness of fiber, with less yellow cotton.

Georgia has the same proportion of reports of low quality. The
counties in which the staple is better are Hart, Early, Liberty, Telfair,
Dodge, Taliaferro, (decidedly better,) Montgomery, Madison, and
Lumpkin. Other reports indicate an equality with the previous crop.
Similar statements come from Florida, some much worse, a few better,
and some the same as in 1874.

Coming to Alabama, just half the reports indicate worse quality, some
making the depreciation as much as 20 per cent.; and of the remainder
rather more than one-half return better quality, a few of them *“ much
better,” or ‘decidedly better.” Mississippi, which reports as low a yield
of lint as Georgia, also returns as much depreciation in quality. Nearly
all of those returning better quality are upland counties. Injury by
storms is reported in some cases.

A larger proportion of returns of good or superior quality come from
Louisiana, yet they are less than half of the entire number. Very nearly
half from Tennessee indicate good or better quality, but the average
indications point to a slight reduction in the quality of the whole crop.

The only States in which the quality of lint is improved are Arkansas
and Texas. In the former three-fourths of the returns indicate
superiority, and in the latter fully four-fifths. In some counties in Texas
the average quality is a full grade higher than in 1874, and the degree

,

of improvement ranges in other counties from 5 to 50 per cent. The

staple is very generally reported longer and finer.

Progress of gathering—Another point upon which careful estimate
was required was the proportion of the crop gathered on the Ist of
December. The progress of gathering was returned as farthest ad-
vanced in South Carolina and the latest in Mississippi. The percentage
gathered is returned as follows: North Carolina, 89; South Carolina,
95; Florida, 93; Georgia, 92; Alabama, 87; Mississippi,75; Louisiana,
83; Texas, 94; Arkansas, 76; Tennessee, 73. The average for the crop

17

is 90 per cent., leaving one-tenth of the crop ungathered on the 1st of
December.

Weather.—The meteorological conditions have been somewhat un-
usual, and their effect somewhat difficult to calculate. The growing
season has been of almost unexampled length, and yet the weather has
not been quite in a medium degree favorable for gathering, and scarcely
for maturing. Many reports in all the States represent highly favor-
able conditions of maturation and harvesting, but a still larger number
in every considerable section are unfavorable. Not a few in all the
lower belt of States report an absence of killing frosts up to the date of
return, and several report the first destructive frost on the 7th or 8th of
December; and yet so late a season, instead of increasing the crop, is
held at many points to be the cause of diminished yield. This ap-
parently anomalous result is not unreasonable the present season in
those large districts of best production, in which the growth of wood
was late and too vigorous, and moist and growing weather continued
long after the usual time for the decay of the stalk and maturing of the
top-crop. Even in December blossoms and young bolls were present,
and ripening was delayed until heavy frosts appeared, followed by blasting
storms, which not only prevented maturation, but destroyed much of
the open fiber. :

Rains have,been too frequent and rough storms have occurred toa
greater extent than last year, tending to diminish the expected product
and delay the work of the pickers.

The effect of a long season, increasing the yield on uplands and
advanced growths generally, with the drawback of a lack of frostto stop
growth and hasten ripening; and, per contra, the injurious results of
storms and unfavorable weather, may together, if carefully analyzed, be
held to indicate a somewhat less favorable autumn than that of 1874.

Total quantity produced.—lt isalways difficult to combine the records of
the most accurate crop-history, taking into due consideration the germina-
tion, the stand secured, the cleanness of weeding, temperature, drought,
storms, floods, worms, frosts, efficiency of labor, and other causes of success
or failure ; yet upon a careful analysis of all these influences depends our
knowledge of the crop prior to its actual presence at the cotton-marts
of the country. The Department returns made an increase of about 2
per cent. in the area of the present crop. The record of condition for
five months, from June to October, furnishes another important element
in the calculation. It would not do in every season to rely upon an
average of condition for the season, especially if there was a con-
tinual upward progress in the record of one season, and a downward
movement in the other, with which comparison is made; but the past
two seasons have a substantial agreement in that respect, and the aver-
ages of each ought to bear some relation to crop-prospects in October.

We find the average of this period in 1874 to be 83 per cent. of a
standard of unimpaired vitality ; in 1875, 93.5 per cent. As the crop of
1874, with fine autumn weather and late frosts, was 3,833,000 bales, the
expectation in October on this basis would be 4,317,000 on an equal
area, and 4,403,000 on the actual area. Then it is found that the yield
of lint is 4 pounds less than last year on every 100 pounds of seed-cotton,
which causes a reduction of 176,000 bales, leaving the prospect 4,227,000
bales. But it would appear that the present season has been less favora-
ble than last year for perfecting and opening the bolls, and for gathering;
and yet the delay of killing frosts has been remarkable, tending in some
-Situations to increase of yield, and in others to continued growth of the
whole plant rather than the perfecting of its fruit, thus complicating the

2A

' 18

comparisons of ultimate results. In some cases the greenness of the
plant in December is cited as a cause of diminished yield by the sudden
loss of long-delayed fruitage by violent storms. These facts make it
difficult to estimate the extent of the depreciation from unfavorable
weather. Three per cent. ought not to be unreasonable, and this would
leave 4,100,000 bales; if four per cent., 4,055,000 bales; if only two,
4,143,000.

The November returns, as before stated, giving an aggregate of local
estimates, are each year somewhat lower than the teachings of the returns
of condition. They are about twelve per cent. greater in 1874 than in
1875, and if we reduce this increase one-half in view of the difference
in the weather, and the yield of lint not taken into consideration on
the first of November, and add 6 per cent. to the crop of last year, we
have 4,063,000 bales. This is in harmony with the result deduced from
' the returns of condition above. ‘

It is our aim to give as accurately as possible the history of the crop,
and not to make bets on the actual result, or attempt to fix to a bale the
amount to be ginned and sold, as a small portion of the crop is still
liable to various contingencies before marketing. But it is proper to
give an idea of the substantial purport and meaning of our returns; and
we have uo hesitation in interpreting them to mean a crop of about
4,100,000 bales, with small probability that it will either exceed or fall
short of that amount more than fifty thousand bales. If it should vary
by wider figures, we must acknowledge that by so much have our
returns failed to fathom the inscrutable.

We make somewhat copious extracts from the notes accompanying
Ape returns, to give all the light possible upon the later aspects of
the crop:

NORTH CAROLINA.— Pitt: While the acreage this year was 100, the ‘‘ final estimate of
the quantity to be expected will not exceed 663.” Wilson: Owing to a small increase in
acreage the crop is about 2 per cent. larger than last year; yet the yield is not so good, the
staple being a little inferior. Ten thousand bales is the estimate for this year’s crop in this
county. Edgecombe: All lint made since the August rains is; as a rule, inferior. Bruns-
wick : On account of late spring and very early fall, also of the very dry months of July,
August, and September, there are now a great many half-matured, open bolls on the stalks.
Beaufort : The season has been very wet, particularly duriug November. The last picking has
fallen very much short of what was anticipated. These who secured an early stand have
made fair crops, but those who were late—and their number is unusually large—have made
only two-thirds of a fair or average crop. I am now of opinion that the acreage was a little
larger than first reported, and that the crop of this year will be only about 8 per cent. short
of that of 1874. Hertford: The lint is shorter than last year’s; its quality is considered
not so good. Duplin: Cotton on stiff lands has made an average crop; on sandy lands,
searcely half a crop. One-half the lands planted in cotton are fine sand-lands. Nearly all
cotton has been sold, and over one-half the farmers still in debt for making it. Monroe:
The cotton-crop is at least one-third short of last year, and the yield on an average is 1
pound of lint to 34 pounds of seed-cotton. Union: The heavy frost has decreased the
average in this county at least 15 per cent. Mecklenburgh: The frost has injured our crop
about 10 per cent. This year’s crop is about three-fourths of. that of 1874. Over one-half
of the crop in this county has been sold. Nash; The droughts of June and July retarded
the growth of the plant, espegially in the stiff lands ; they were also injured by the frost. The
indications now are that there will be a reduction in the acreage in the coming season of at
least 23 per cent. Pasquotank: The frosts came earlier this season than usual, and a large
part of the cotton was ruined. Greene: There never were so few pounds of lint to 100 pounds
of seed-cotton. The seeds are extra large; three of this year’s crop are equal in size to
four of last. This is the case throughout the county. Cumberland: Owing to floods of
rain in August, crops are short, of inferior quality, but nearly all saved by December ].
Alexander: The fall being very favorable for gathering cotton, the quality and quantity of
the lint is better than last year. Pamlico: It is not an exaggeration to report that this is
decidedly the worst cotton-year ever known, both as to quantity and quality of the crop.
Wayne: I think the quality of this year’s crop equal to that of last. Gaston: The crop is
short of last year’s. October frost caused a backwardness in the crop that few were pre-
pared for. The early picking-season was delightful, insuring a large per cent. of strictly
fine cotton. The quantity of stained or frosted cotton is deuble what it was last year. Ran

19

‘

-dolph: More cotton raised this season than last, owing to increased acreage. The cotton-
factories, five in number, on Deep River, which runs diagonally through this county from
northwest to southeast, furnish a ready market for the most part of the cotton raised; and
while the prices of the staple keep up to the prices they have been for some time, there will
be, from year to year, an increase in its production. But I should observe that these facto-
ries also work up cotton raised in other counties. The quality of the lint is not so good as
last year’s, on account of early frosts and the wet season.

Soutn CaroLina.—Chester : Too much rain in August caused too rank a weed; and our
farmers assign as a cause of short crop, early killing frosts. Newberry: Owing to the
drought during the fall, the cotton suffered very much. The lint is shorter than usual.
There is a great difference in the quality of different varieties. Peeler cotton produces
longer lint, and of a better quality. Union: We have had an unusually favorable fall for
gathering cotton, but the season was not propitious for the development of the lint. Sam-
ples are clean and white, but the lint is not so long or so fine as last year, and much lighter,
as compared with theseed. Farmers differas to the cause of this. Some attribute it toa
long dry spell, others to a long wet spell. Fairfield: Cotton has been nearly all saved in
good order. Some late picking badly stained by frost. Barnwell: The later growth,
which promised an additional amount in September, did not mature. There was not lini-
cotton enough in the bolls toopen them. This was caused by drought, and accounts for the
worse quality and lesser quantity of lint-cotton to seed-cotton, as compared with last year.
From different samples 1 have ascertained, by careful weighing, that the lint will not aver-
age more than 29.4 pounds. Williamsburgh: The cotton-crop here is one-third short of last
year’s. It has been the most unfavorable year of any in an experience of twenty-three
years. Wind, storms, floods, and drought have all combined in the disasters of the year.
Greenville: The first picking gave about 28 pounds to the hundred, the second about 30
pounds. ‘‘ It don’t third itself this year.” Spartanburgh; Farmers complain that the sta-
ple is short, and that the quality is not so good. A large percentage is stained, and some of
it very badly so. Lexington: Some lots of cotton of this year have yielded only 28 pounds
of lint to 100 pounds of seed-cotton; but 30 pounds isa fair average in this county. Two-
thirds of an average crop has been gathered, and this is all that can be expected. -Claren-
don; As the early-picking season was dry and favorable, the quality of the lint is better.
First killing frost appeared on November 17. For nearly a month we have had rain in
abundance, and what remains of the crop is badly injured. Edgefield: Cotton will yield
fully as much lint as usual; the year has been unusually dry. The drought has no doubt
affected the lint; seeds are lighter. Cotton in first-rate order for ginning, (perfectly dry ;)
will make 33 pounds lint from 100 pounds seed-cotton. Not much rain during picking-sea-
son to stain early cotton, and but very little late cotton to be affected. The quality is much
above an average. Marlborough; The cotton-crop is certainly one-fourth short of last year.
In my experience of thirty years, in cotton-planting, I have never knownsuch poor lint as
compared with the seed-cotton. The result is disastrous to all. Short crop and low prices.

GEORGIA.—Pickens: We have been raising cotton in this county for only about three
years. The climate is not suitable; we are compelled to use fertilizers to mature the crop.
This season was not so favorable for cotton as last. Stewart: The quality of cotton is
poorer than it has been for a number of years, and the yield less than was expected. The
top crop has not opened enough to be estimated, owing to the warm, cloudy, and damp
weather we have had for over a month. No frost as yet. Gwinnett: After paying for gin-
ning, the yield of lint from seed is one-third. This yield is better than in former years,
when the ratio was as 1 to4. With improved varieties, and better culture and fertiliza-
tion, we have this result. The season for gathering was better last year than this; less wet
weather, but the yield of lint is equally good this year. Oglethorpe: Prices being so low,
it is extremely difficult to have the cotton picked. We have been paying 40 cents a hun-
dred’ and two meals per day ; but stained cotton,such as the present, is hardly worth the
picking. . Hancock: I have never heard so much talk about cotton yielding short as this
year; 1,500 pounds seed-cotton will not make over 450 pounds of lint; last year gave 500
pounds. Milton: Cotton was injured in quantity and in quality by the scorching sun in
July, causing the lint to be short and light. Jackson: We have poorer cotton this year
than last; ‘‘storm-cotton” is plentiful, Forsyth: Lint is short this year, and there is
more stained and frosted cotton than last. Fulton: The yield is 20 per cent. below the
general expectation of all well-informed planters, and 40 per cent. below the general esti-
mate. Dodge: The winter has been very mild, and has caused our crops to gain at least 15
per cent. Hall: Cotton opened well; a fine fall; farmers industrious. Crop generally

_ gathered ; but little yellow cotton. Laurens: The quality of the crop is very much worse
than last year. About half is stained and dirty from rains. Last year’s crop was gathered
without injury, and was very clean. Telfuir: The lint is better than last year, but does not
yield somuch. All disposed of last year, and generally before it is made. Decatur: Cot-
ton-seeds are large and heavy; lint is shorter and frequently stained. All planters who
hired laborers and boarded them will lose money. Lumpkin: Not much cotton raised in
this county ; only 42 bales last year, though this year’s crop is much better. Dooly: Crop
is gathered early; quality better than last year; no storms. Murray: As the fall was dry
last year, the seed was lighter than usual, and 100 pounds of seed-cotton made about 35

20 .

pounds of lint. This year the quality is at least 5 per cent. better tban last; staple is fine
and longer. Madison: With regard to the crop of this county, I have recently changed my
opinion. I think that the present crop will perhaps equal last year’s. Terrell : The top
crop, which promised so well a few days ago, is now being ruined by the continuous cloudy
and wet weather. No sunshine in ten days. Yield will be very smalland of a poor quality.
Carroll: Cotton was injured by drought and rust ; so much so that it opened prematurely,
thereby shortening the lint and causing it to be light. The crop in this county will not exceed
65 per cent. and is all gathered ; and, considering the shortness of lint and the price, it is a fail-
ure. The price will not warrant the making. To make and gather the crop’ costs 12} cents,
and the ruling price has been only 11 to 11} cents. Jefferson: Ginners inform me that
where fertilizers were used, 100 pounds of seed-cotton barely yielded 30 pounds lint, while
that without fertilizers made 35 pounds or more. They say they have made the test in
many cases. The difference is accounted for by the heavier production of seed when fertili-
zers were used, and I think their theory is correct, having tested it in my own crop. Talia-
ferro: The very favorable weather, for development of lint, during the months of September
and October, has made the average of lint-cotton higher, both in quality and in quan-
tity, than last year; and yet the total crop will only reach 75 per cent. of last year’s.
Troup: The grade of cotton is not so fine this year as usual, on account of drought in the
summer and rain in the fall; staple is short and stained with dirt. Worth : Dry weather,
together with rust, have ruined cotton. Many planters who planted the same land, the same
number of acres, with the same culture, and who made ten bags of cotton last year, are cut
off to four bags this year. Sumter: The late crop is being injured by the continued cloudy
weather, which we have had for the last twelve or thirteen days. To-day, December 2, a fine
rain. Walker : The cotton crop is nearer a. failure this year than any year since the war.
The weed looks well, but, owing to the wet weather in October and September, it opens
poorly. Thomas: It is still warm and wet. There are plenty cotton blooms and _ bolls;
think they will not open, but rot. If it would turn cold, probably some bolls would open
and make tolerable cotton. MWileoz : The quantity of cotton made this year in this county
is as 115 compared with last year ({874.) It does not yield quite so much lint. Up to this
date we have not had a killing frost. Cotton is still blooming in the field ; almost all, how-
ever, has opened and is gathered. Marion: There is but very little cotton in the fields at
this time, not more than one-tenth, if that much. We have had no frosts, except a light
one in October. Although we have had a late fall, cotton is not improved; excellent weather
for gathering. Dougherty : The late crop or second growth, which three weeks ago pro-
mised a good yield, has nearly all been destroyed by rain and cloudy weather, the sun nos
having shone in two weeks. Liberty : We have as yet bad no killing frosts to destroy the
cotton before maturity ; the staple, therefore, is better. More attention also has been paid to
the judicious selection of seed. The Cheatham cotton-seed is very productive. Early:
Since September 1, there isin many places a wonderful crop of new bolls which are opening
slowly, and if most of them open, the yield will be increased to 75. The weather has been and
still is warm, cloudy, and rainy, and cotton is still blooming, which retards the opening of
matured bolls. A sudden frost would close up the cotton-crop. Walton : The product of lint
from 100 pounds seed-cotton varies materially. ‘The average is about 33 pounds, while some
kinds of cotton will give nearly 40 pounds. Other kinds, on account of the large size of
the seed, will yield little over 25 pounds. As a general rule, as the seeds are less in size, the
sample is better, hence all cotton-planters would be benefited by raising small-seeded cot-
ton. The cotton-crop is fully equal tothat of last year in all respects, and in some localities
better. The entire crop is open to the top; very little stain from frost. ;
FLORIDA.—Clay : There is very little short-staple cotton made in this county; nearly all
sea-island cotton. Putnam: So far as I can get information, there is a falling off in the
amount of cotton planted from year to year. Attention is given to other crops; such as
fruit. Levy: There has been no frost in this county this fall. More than usual, the weather
has been damp. Some fields of cotton are still green and in bloom. The weather has been
“warm, but is now cooler, (December 8.) Columbia: Of the cotton planted in this county, 75
_per cent. is sea-island. Upland made 33 pounds of lint per 100 pounds of seed-cotton. The
first killing-frost appeared on the 9th instant, Leon: Our cotton stopped bearing in July,
and looked as if it would die. The rains, beginning August 1st, caused a new growth, and,
the wether being favorable, a.very heavy top-crop was made, which is now opening. Ifthe
weather remains favorable for two weeks longer we will get enough to bring the crop to 80
percent. of last year. No frost yet. Suwannee: The protracted drought of last summer has
greatly injured the cotton-crop in this county; and yet cotton is very cheap, greatly dis-
couraging the cotton-planters. I think that many will plant less hereafter, and some will
abandon it altogether ; as it costs more to raise the cotton than it brings. I am speaking of
short-staple cotton, Gadsden: One hundred pounds of seed-cotton will rarely give over
thirty pounds of lint any year, and the present is no exception. The usual estimate of one
» to three is entirely too high, The quality of lint this year is better than last. Cotton-picking
‘in this county closed on the first of November. The bottom and middie bolls opened freely ;
‘labor was abundant. The promise of a top-crop was very flattering, but has not been real-
ized, as the bolls did not open. On clay-lands the crop of top bolls is the heaviest I have
ever seen, in an experience of over forty years. Could we have had clear weather and a

‘

21

killing-frost the result would have. been a large increase of the yield, but the reverse has
been the case. The entire month of November has been damp and murky, and there has
been no frost sufficient to check vegetation. Jackson: The progress of the crop was unpro-
pitious from the start for a successful yield. At times during its growth appearances indi-
cated a good crop, but disasters have made it poorer than any crop ever before. The full
development of the boll is dependent upon the cultivation and regularity of the seasons.
This year it was defective from irregularity in growth and progress to maturity, consequently
the staple was irregular in length of fiber, and the yield a very poor crop in quality. The
seeds were not full, coming out of the gin with defective lint adhering to them. Product:
33 to 35 pounds lint to 100 pounds seed-cotton ; a little better last year. The crop of 1874
was 80 per cent.; that of 1875, 64 per cent. The top-crop, expected to be made and gathered,
has been destroyed by wet weather and other causes.

ALABAMA.— Dale; Much more cotton gathered than was expected, even on the Ist of
November. No frost yet to kill cotton, December 8. Bullock: The fall has been unu-
sually mild, and favorable for gathering the crop. Hule: The crop is the best since 1870,
but we have had an unfavorable fall for picking ; owing to heavy rains the qualityis in the
main bad; last year very good. Lauderdale: The crop is the shortest since 1866; the
weather has been so wet that the crop could not be gathered in time, hence the quality is
very inferior. Very little of the crop will class above good ordinary. Jefferson: For the
last four weeks, up to December 11, we have had damp weather, but no hard rains. Had
the weather been dry and favorable the cotton would all have been gathered. Shelby: The
crop at first was superior in quality to that of 1874, but the exeessive rains and winds of
September have stained the fiber, and have done other material injury. Colbert: Our cot-
ton-crop this year is not so goodin quality as last year’s ; much of it will not open on ac-
count of injury from frost. When the frost came (no sooner than usual) the cotton was full
of sap, and growing. Montgomery: Drought has cut off the cottou-crop about 25 per cert.
Late winter ; no frost to kill cotton yet. The weed is still blooming and opening. Frank-
lin: Farmers have been unusually slow this year in gathering cotton. It is owing to the
almost incessant rainy weather since August. Cotton is ruining our country; there is no

“money init here. Butler: We have had no killing-frost yet, and cotton is still blooming.

In some places there are many grown bolls on the stalks, but very few will open. It re-
quires warm, dry weather to make cotton open so late. This year 100 pounds of seed-cot-
ton will only make 29 pounds of liut; last year 33 pounds; quality inferior. Henry:
July drought nearly killed our.cotton. The rains of August brought on, in appearance, a
very fine top-crop. It has been very slow to open, and is very light when gathered. Clarke :
The cotton-crop on the uplands is very short this year, on account of along drought. The
low lands, where they have been too weit for years past, have made fine crops; in some in-
stances a bale of 500 pounds to the acre. In many upland fields there is a second growth,
though little can be expected from this. Calhoun: The yield of lint isnot quite so good as
last year. Wet weather during the last month (November) has damaged the quality.
Greene: The weather was unusually bad in November. Wind and rain threw much of the
cotton on the ground. Limestone: This portion of North Alabama has made the lightest
cotton-crop known for years, if ever before. I think this county will not average more
than a bale for every 10 acres. Some of my correspondents say a bale to 15 acres, others a
bale to 6 or 7. The average of lint to 100 pounds seed-cotton is about 30 pounds; last year
32 pounds.

MIssIssipp!.—Smith: The cotton in the fields will be worse than that already gathered.
Continued wet weather (warm rains) has materially injured the cotton still in the fields. The
seeds are sprouting. The yield will be less than last year and the quality inferior. Wilkinson :
Continued cloudy, damp, foggy weather for five weeks, with frequent rains, has destroyed
much cotton, greatly reducing the November estimate and seriously injuring the quality.
Lincoln : There is much damaged cotton, caused by rains during the month of November.
The latter part of November was particularly unfavorable for gathering cotton: that gath-
ered since the 15th is in a very dirty and trashy condition. Kemper: I have remarked a
falling off in the quantity of lint this year, greater than I have ever noticed before, and from
that alone infer that there will be a greater reduction in the crop than was anticipated. Noz-
ubee: For the last four or five weeks the weather has been very wet. Much cotton has been
gathered and housed damp. In the black lands a great amount of cotton is yet in the fields,
and, if the rain continues. half will be lost. ‘The crop, if gathered, will be 5 or 10 per cent.
better than last year. Choctuw: Not more than 80 per cent. gathered, in consequence of
continued wet weather for three weeks. Cotton at present in the fields is injured; in low
lands, almost ruined. Lowndes: Continued wet weather since the 10th of September has
very much retarded the gathering of the cotton-crop, and has injured the quality. Pike:
The cotton-crop is nearly gathered in this county. Owing to heavy rains picking has been
stopped, and what is yet to be gathered will.be very much damaged. Nobody holds back
this cotton from the market. Amite: This season has been unusually wet for gathering.
The crop of 175 wil] fall short of what was expected in July and August. Excessive
rains caused great losses along the streams. Neshoba : The quality is inferior, owing to much
rain-fall during the last six weeks. Rankin: Rainy, damp weather has hindered picking
and caused some rot. Weather growing worse, and threatening to be disastrous to cotton

22

still on the stalk, as also to a great part that has been gathered wet. Lafayette: We'shall
certainly make a third more cotton than we did last year. There is yet one-third of the crop
in the fields. The late rains have injured it in quality as well as in quantity, much of it
having been beaten out and is now on the ground. Killing-frosts did no injury; no stained
cotton this year. De Soto: Hundreds of acres of cotton not picked, and from one-fourth to one-
half of that is lost. I think, at least 25 per cent. more cotton has been made this than last year.
Grenada: The staple is longer and better, but is not saved in so good condition as last year.
This is owing to heavy aud continued rains. Itis estimated that from one-half to two-thirds of
the crop is already gathered ; but for the cause above given the remainder will be lost. Tishe-
mingo: We were much deceived by the extra growth of the plant, expecting an additional
amountoflint. Frost, rains, and winds have injured the crop about 10 percent. Coahoma:
Cotton opened up early this season, but on account of wind, rain, and political excitement
has been gathered slowly ; a larger proportion than usual has failen out and is lost. Chick-
asaw: On account of heavy and constant rains during November, we could not gather ept-
ton more than two days in the week. Much cotton has, therefore, been entirely lost, and the
remainder is greatly injured. Monroe: Owing to the excitement during the recent election,
and to unprecedented wet weather, it is impossible to say how much of the present crop
will actually be saved. If the weather remains bad, but very little of the crop still in the
fields can be made, as much of it has already been blown out and beaten into the ground.
Winston: All the cotton that was gathered during the last month, and that which is yet to
be made, has been badly injured by the rainy season, which set in much earlier than usual.
Some of the cotton in the fields is hardly worth gathering. Madison: Elections and sickness
among the hands during the fall have retarded cotton-picking. Washington: In this
county to day (December 11) a great deal of cotton is in the field still untouched, so scarce
is labor. Lee: Much cotton is yet in the fields. The crop in this county was at one time
twice as large as last year’s; but disasters may bring it down to near the same. One-half is
now in the fields, and nothing but the best weather can save half of that. A great quan-
tity of cotton ison the ground. Picking is worth $1 per hundred; hands hard to get. High,
strong winds uncovered the cotton-pens and let in the constant rains until large quanti-
ties have rotted. Gins are making bad samples, as damp cotton will not gin well. Roads
are almost impassable, requiring four oxen to haul a bale.

LouistaNna.—Rapides : Much cotton has been lost by heavy rains, and the quality of
that which remains is very much injured. Up to date (December 7) there has been no kill-
ing frost; cotton is still green. Claiborne: The late or second crop has not opened as was

‘expected. The first killing frost appeared lastnight, December 9. Concordia: We have had

two weeks of very bad weather; during the last ten days almost incessant rain. Damage to
cotton in the field very great, as allofitis open. No killing frostsas yet. Saint Landry’s: In
consequence of too much rain during October and November, a greai portion of the cotton is
very inferior. Two weeks of fair weather wii] end cotton-gathering. Jackson: The cotton-
crop in this parish is nearly all picked, and while the actual yieldis 10 per cent. greater than
that of last year, the quality is inferior. This is caused by the storm in September, which
threw down the stalk into the sand and dirt, and not only occasioned a loss in the aggregate
quantity, but did much injury to the staple. The weather throughout the picking-season
has been all that could be desired. Union: In this parish the season has been unusually
favorable for cotton-picking. The loss occasioned by the storm on September 17 is about all
the farmer has sustained. We have had no frost as yet (December ! ) to kill the plant.- Ten-
sas: Last year the crop was greatly below an average, owing to a general overflow. This
year the season for growing was fine, and the yield full and abundant; but the gathering-
season has been bad, and picking is hindered. Notwithstanding this, I think the quantity
gathered will be equal to that of any year since the war, except 1870. Washington: The
season for picking has been remarkably fine, and many farmers were agreeably disap-
pointed in increased yield, as the weather had been warm and dry. Cotton continued to
mature till the frost of the 7th of December. Eust Baton Rouge: The almost unprecedented
warm and favorable weather during October and November considerably improved the cot-
ton-crop and prolonged the picking-season. The plant is still blooming. As yet we have
had no killing frost. I think the product will be 10 per cent. better than estimated in
November. Franklin: The estimate (31 pounds lint to 294 last year) is based on actual
experiment. Incessant rains, and damp, cloudy weather, materially affected cotton, both in
quantity and in quality. A considerable percentage sprouted in the pod and changed to a
bluish cast. First killing frost, accompanied with thin ice, appeared on December 3.
Texas.—Lampasas : The season has been very favorable for cotton-picking. Polk: The
great storm did considerable damage, but the estimated loss as to quantity was too high.
The quality, however, is at least 25 per cent. below last year. Burleson: Since the storm
of September 17, the weather has been favorable to the opening of bolls and the gathering
of cotton. The yield is good, and nearly the whole crop saved. Titus: No rain and but
light frosts this fall have been propitious for gathering cotton. Over three-fourths of the
crop gathered and ginned. Lint entirely free from dirt; it is longer, and the fiber finer,
than for many years; caused, I think, by the dry summer and fall. Crop of 1875 is over
an average by 20) percent. Coryell: The season for picking cotton has been remarkably
fine. No rain from July 24 to November 15; in consequence, the crop was picked in fine

23

condition. The crop was full, the average in this county being half a bale (250 pounds)
per acre. But a small per cent. yet in the field, and by the 15th of December the entire crop
will have been picked. Aransas: The entire crop of our county for 1875 has been or wilt
be picked. Fort Bend: For several years the cotton-worm has injured the quality of the
cotton; their not appearing this year, the cotton is cleaner, has less motes, and grades bet-
ter. From some cause, not well defined, the same amount of seed-cotton yields less lint
this year than last. Bosque : The fall has been remarkably favorable for gathering cotton ; the
crop is nearly all out, but not yet ginned. Most of the crop has been gathered pretty free of
trash, and as the staple is of better quality than usual, the proportion of good to inferior
cotton this season is quite large. Very little low grades this year. The yield in lint is 32
pounds to 100 pounds seed-cotton. This low figure is accounted for by the unusually well-
matured, heavy seeds, leaving less lint. Fannin: The crop will be housed by February 1,
should the weather be at all favorable. The prices for gathering have been from $1 to $1.25
per hundred. Red River: The early picking will make 33} pounds lint to 100 pounds seed-
cotton, but the average will be about 30 pounds, the same as last year. The season up to
December 1 has been beautiful, and almost without rain: in consequence, a greater
proportion of the better grade will go to market. The crop is yielding largely; about
80 per cent. is gathered. Bowie: This has been a very propitious season for cotton-
picking. The weather has been a continuation of Indian summer, until within a
few days. Cloudy weather has set in, and uow a norther is blowing. Marion: There
have been 1,500 bales more cotton received at this port than at the same time last
year. Houston: Our cotton was injured by drought and the storm on the 16th and 17th of
September. Since the storm the fall has been, in every particular, favorable to cotton.
No frost as yet. Second crop is opening finely; staple very good. Montgomery : Cotton
gathered before the storm (September 17) is of superior quality: that picked since is not
near co good. Hurrison: It is remarkable that as yet (December 2) we have had no
frost in the higher lands of this county. On my farm the tobacco, cotton, and tomato
leaves are still green. Since the storm (September 17) we have had good weather for
picking. Mood: Owing to the dry fall the seeds are small and light, while the lint is long,
and turns out well. Collin: The present has been the most favorable season for gathering
the cotton-crop in many a year. All will be housed before December 25. Waller : The
storm filled the seed-cotton with dirt, so that the bales were recognized as ‘‘storm-cotton.”’
A sample just taken from the bale is classed ‘‘ ordinary.” A little handling improves it and
makes the sample a grade better. Grayson: This has been the best year for cotton since
the close of the war. Our crop will run from three-fourths to one and a half bales per acre;
last year scarcely half a bale was realized; this year the seed is very heavy, while the
seed was very light, scarcely half matured, last year. Our acreage is about the same; if
anything, less; yet we will double the crop of last year. Washington: Only one or two
frosts yet, and not severe enough to kili growing cotton-bolls. We estimate, on an aver-
age, 1,600 pounds seed-cotton for a 500-pound bale. Dallas: The crop of 1875 is at least
50 per cent. better than that of 1874. First killing frost, 8th of November, ten days later
than usual. Fall and winter unusually dry. Cotton all matured and open; will all be
gathered. We estimate 400 pounds lint per acre; quality unsurpassed. Victoria: But for
the storm in September the crop would have been the best since ’69, the number of acres
planted being the basis of comparison. Smith: These questions (referring to the cot-
ton-circular sent out by the Department in November) are certainly well-timed, and
would bear repetition the first week in January. It would give your correspondents an
opportunity of reviewing and correcting their year’s work. The seed this year is well ma-
tured and heavy, in consequence of the late rains. Staple remarkably good. One cotton-
buyer says he has not seen a bad staple this year. There is some sand in it, however, from
the late storm. Liberty: Weather most favorable for cotton-picking, and, but for the storm,
the staple would be very superior. Cotton was picked off the ground and piled together,
making the whole an inferior sample. McLennan: Seed-cotton varies in weight with the
season. Early in the season the seeds are green and heavy, and it requires more seed-cotton
to make a given amount of lint than later when the seeds are dry and light. Gillespie: To-
day, December 7, we had the first frost. Austin: The September storm having destroyed
the top crop and part of the ungathered cotton, (about 25 per cent. of the whole crop, ) the
difference between the present and last year’s crop is about 25 per cent. ; otherwise the crop
would have been about the same. The quality is much better, doubtless, on account of the
dry weather, which enabled farmers to house the cotton clean. Crop all gathered; many
gins huve been idle for weeks. The smallest crop in proportion to the acre planted for
many years. Bell: The Hurlong variety will give 1 pound lint from 2? pounds seed-cot-
ton, or 3835; pounds lint to 100 pounds seed cotton. Quality about the same as last year.
This county will make about 15,000 bales this year; over half gone to market. Home
prices from 9 to 11 cents for best grades.

ARKANSAS.—Saint Francis : Cotton-crop for 1875 will fall far short of expectation. Tt is
hard to gather, and, when gathered, the sample is very inferior. Owing to blight, bolls are
very small. Boone: Dry weather for the last three months has been favorable for the open-
ing of the crop and for picking. Jzard: The fine season for picking has been counteracted

general sickness, on acount of which two-thirds of the crop is ungathered. Miller: The

24

all has been unprecedentedly good for picking cotton, and the crop on the bottoms is the best

Iever saw. But the hands are slow in picking, and,asthe rains are now set in, about one-
twertieth of the crop will waste on the ground. Jefferson: This fall has been unusually
good for picking cotton, which is nearly all gathered. Lint much stronger and heavier than
last year. Prairie: Until within the last ten days, we have had the best of weather for gath-
ering and putting in our crops. Bradley: Cotton better matured than last year, hence bet-
ter quality; weather remarkably fine; no killing frost yet; cotton still opening. Monroe :
The unusual heavy rains for the last ten days have injured the cotton now in the field at
least 15 per cent.; weather still unsettled. Franklin: Number of pounds of lint to 100
pounds seed-cotton averages 323. About 30 pounds was last year’s average; quality much
better this year; at least 90 per cent. already gathered. I am confident 5,000 bales will be
made in this county. Compared with previous crops, I estimate this year’s at 100 per cent.
full. The season has been favorable for gathering, and labor abundant, hence cottouis
gathered in good condition. Yell: The season for picking has been the best fo r yearsand
still continues good. ‘The crop gathered so far is as good as can be, and the staple fine.
Fulton: We have had remarkably favorable weather for gathering the crop, but sickness
has caused a greater orless hinderance. Crittenden: The price paid per hundred for picking
cotton is from $1 to $1.25, and yet there are thousands of laborers around Memphis, Tenn., that
cannot be induced to work ; hence we will be late in getting in our crop ; loss considerable
from inclement weather. Dallas: Cotton-fiber is stronger than I have seen it for ten years.
An unusually large per cent. has been gathered free from dirt and sand. Crop nearly all
housed. The answer (175 per cent.) to the question, ‘‘ What per cent. of the actual crop of
1874 will be gathered in your county in 1875?” may appear too large, but I believe the
cotton and corn crops are nearly twice last year’s. Montgomery: In comparing this crop
with that of last year we make a very good showing, as last year everything suffered from
drought. The quality this year is better, because the dry fall permitted the fiber to be picked
in a pure white, unstained condition. Cotton matured and opened exceptionally early,
without becoming stained or frost-bitten. Crawford: There is now more unpicked cotton
than there was at this time last year, which is owing to the fact that up to about three weeks
ago very little wheat was sown, but since this time wheat has been put in to the neglect of
cotton. As the weather has been dry and favorable fer picking, the cotton is cleaner, seed
is lighter, and, on the whole, lint is considerably better than last year.

TENNESSEE.— Maury : This county usualiy makes from 18,600 to 20,000 bales of cotton ;
this year the yield will not exceed 5,000 bales. Dyer: In consequence of wet weather and
frost, which damaged the cotton-crop very materially, the yield of this connty will not ex-
ceed last year’s. ‘The crop is about half an average good crop. Weakley: Our cotton-crop
was very badly damaged by frost, and recent rains have beaten out many of the bottom
bolls into the ground, thus soiling aud staining a heavy percentage of the crop. Giles: I
am a native Tennesseean, fifty-five years old, but never have seen such a complete failure
of the cotton-crop. It required eight or ten of the best acres to makea bale. Putnam; The
cotion-crop for this year seems to be unnatural. The bush runs up hard and spindling ;
bolls are small and hard, and until very recently failed to open. The reason I assign
for this is incessant rains and cloudiness for nearly two months, June and July; hence
the quality is inferior. McNairy: I have been running a gin for ten years, during
which time no year produced as little lint to the 100 pounds seed cotton as the
present has. All ginners I have seen say the same. Causes of this are, excessive
yains while the plant was growing and maturing, and heavy, cloudy weather for two-thirds
of the time since the gathering season has set in, One-fourth of the crop lies ungathered
on the ground, beaten down by heavy rains and winds. Fayette: The yield of lint, in pro-
portion to seed, is much better than usual. Drought cut off all late bolls. What cotton we
have opened and matured early. The drying-influence of the atmosphere lessened the
weight of the seed, and made the quality better. November 4 a severe and destructive
wind and rain storm visited us, followed by almost continued unfavorable weather to the
present time, so much so as greatly to reduce the average of the crop. The remaining
portion of our crop will be less in quantity and worse in quality than any former reports
have indicated. Tipton: The cottou-crop in my county this year (acreage 10 per cent.
less) is at least 25 per cent. larger than last year. Allowing 3} pounds of seed-cotton to one
of lint, 100 pounds of seed-cotton will make 203 pounds lint. Last year the yield was 25}
pounds, reckoning 34 pounds of seed-cotton to one of lint. Quality is better. The low
price of cotton makes laborers indifferent. Picking is backward, and recent heavy rains
have done serious damage. Hardeman: In this county, owing to a very dry summer apd
fall, last year’s crcp opened three weeks earlier tnan the present one, and was all gathered
by the lst of December. This year the summer and fali have had regular rains, and more
sickness prevailed among the operatives in August, September, and October than has been
known here for a quarter of a century. After consultation, we conclude that the present
crop is not more than 20 per cent. over that of 1874. If we continue to have rain and such
general unfavorable weather as now, we shall not gather more than last year. Prices low,
and the country will experience continued ‘‘ haré times.”

25
WINTER-WHEAT.

The acreage in winter-wheat is about equal to that of the previous
crop in the New England and Middle States, where the condition is full
average on the whole. A small fly, description not given, injured the
crop somewhat in Warren, New Jersey. Several counties in Pennsyl-
vania report early-sown crops superior in condition to those later sown.
In the South Atlantic coast States a small decrease in area sown, in
Maryland and Virginia, is fully compensated by the increased acreage
of the other States of this region, especially of South Carolina, which
has enlarged her area ll per cent. The condition of the crop on the
first of December was full average, or above, in all the States except
Virginia, which discounts her expectations 2 per cent. Some complaints
of poor seed and of the ravages of the fly are here noted. The benefits
of early sowing are also apparent in several counties. The use of
Fultz wheat has led to a thinner seeding in some localities. The prospect
is fully as good, if not better, further down the coast. The use of Navassa
phosphates in fertilization is noted in Lincoln, North Carolina, In the
Gulf States, the acreage has increased about 12 per cent., Texas having
added 20 per cent. The condition is considerably above average in all
but Texas, where it is estimated at 7 per cent. below. The seeding ap-
pears to have been late, and drought at several points has prevented
the crop from coming up as rapidly as was desired. In Bosque, Texas,
the seeding was delayed by grasshoppers and drought.

In all the inland Southern States there is a reduction of acreage
amounting to about 5 per cent. on the whole. In West Virginia, the
condition is about 4 per cent. above average, but in the other States of
this region it is estimated at about the same rate of decline. Unusual
pains were taken in many counties in preparing the ground, and in
putting in the seed. GrasShoppers injured early-sown crops in Ohio
and Hardin Counties, Kentucky. Complaints of poor seed have been
received from several counties.

Of the great wheat-producing States north of the Ohio River, only
Michigan equals her acreage of last year; Ohio declines 5 per cent.,
Indiana 13 per cent., IHinois 19 per cent., and Wisconsin 3 per cent. ; the
reduction of area in this region is about 10 percent. Ohio alone reports
a full average condition; Michigan and Indiana are 10 per cent., and
Illinois and Wisconsin 5 per cent. below. Late seeding is noted in
several counties where the crop is not very promising.

In the States west of the Mississippi, Minnesota alone has inereased
her very small acreage of winter-wheat. Iowa has reduced hers very
materially, as, also, have Missouri and Kansas. In Minnesota and lowa
the condition is fall average, but in Missouri the outlook is quite dis-
couraging in a large number of counties. The drought and lack of
snow indicate a severe exposure of the grain to ‘winter. freezing.
Lincolu County reports the presence of the fly, while in Jefferson, a small
red grasshopper eats the plants as fast as they come up. Drought
injures the crop in several counties of Kansas and Nebraska, but other
counties report a very fine prospect. On the Pacific coast, California
reduces their acreage, and Oregon quite heavily. In California the
condition is below average, though the rains have fallen very copiously
and earlier than usual. In Oregon the season, up to-December 1, was
very favorable. The following notes, from our December correspond-
ence, will illustrate the prospects of the coming crop:

New JERsEY.— Warren: A small fly has injured the crop.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Sullivan: Looking badly. Indiana: Early sown looks promising,
late not so good; planting delayed. Trion: Wheat looks well. Montour: Looks well.

26

Tioga: Wheat late sown, and not very promising. Lycoming: Looks fine. Clearfield:
Looks poor.

MARYLAND.—Balttimore: Wheat looks well; fine autumnal weather. Howard:
Increased acreage, especially of Fultz. Montgomery: The large tobacco-crop absorbed
so much attention that winter-grain was comparatively neglected.

VIRGINIA.—Spottsylvania: Fall favorable, and growing wheat looks stronger than
usual. Caroline: Weather too cold. Dinwiddie: Since the Fultz wheat came, thin
seeding has become more general; crop seeded late, but in average condition. Glouces-
ter: Increased acreage; season good. Middlesex: Seeded late and looks inferior.
Pulaski: Much poor seed and late sown, but crop improved by late rains. Carroll:
Looking fine. Augusta: Good stand of wheat. Halifax: Sown early and looks well.
Washington: Some signs of fly in early sown.

NortH Caroriina—Lincoln: Sowing late; increased use of Navassa phosphate.
Mecklenburgh: Late sown. Yancey: Does not look so well as usual. Davidson: Finest
seeding season for years. Nash: Largest acreage of wheat—1,500—ever known; 800
acres of rye. Transylvania: Increased wheat-acreage. Hertford: Increased acreage.
Wilson: Increased acreage.

SouTH Caroiina.—Looks well.

GEORGIA.—Forsyth : Wheat sown late. Troup: More wheat and oats sown than
since 1865. Carroll: General disposition to sow largely of small grain. /MWileox: In-
creased acreage in oats. Dawson: Wheat looks well; good sowing season. Hall:
Wheat-acreage increased 10.per cent. Barton: Fine fall for seeding. Madison: Seed-
ing delayed by rains. :

are gpte in Increased acreage in wheat, rye, and oats. Calhoun: Seed-
ing late.

Mississippi.— Winston : Crops not half up.

TEexas.—Coryell: Wheat in larger acreage than ever before. Bowie: Department
seeds doing finely. Dallas: Increased wheat-acreage, but condition injured by drought.
Titus: Drought since September; increased acreage, but ground too dry to sprout it.
Collin: Wheat backward; drought. Williamson: Wheat-acreage more than double;
looks well. McLennan: Wheat-acreage nearly doubled. Lamar: Too dry. Bosque:
Seeding thirty days late; grasshoppers and drought. Gillespie: Increased wheat-
acreage. San Saba: Sowing late on account of drought.

ARKANSAS.— Baxter : Seeding delayed by drought. Independence : Depressed condi-
tion on account of latesowing. Fulton: Injured by long drought. Montgomery: Late
sown. Calhoun: Wheat-acreage tripled. Boone: Late seeding.

TENNESSEE.— Fentress: Unusual pains in preparing ground and seeding wheat; in-
creased use of drills; acreage increased 20 per cent. Blount: Late seeding. Lincoln:
late sown. Putnam: Wheat unusually fine. Bledsoe: Looks very well. Gibson: Rains
have delayed seeding and cut down the acreage.

WEsT VIRGINIA.—Jefferson: Wheat-acreage reduced 10 per cent.; that of rye in-
creased 40 per cent.; wheat-acreage about 25,500 acres. Mercer: Acreage reduced by
drought. Taylor: Looks well. Raleigh: Looks well. Upshur: Late sown but thrifty.

Kentucky.—VNicholas: Wheat late sown’ but looks well for the time. Boyle: Acre-
age gradually decreasing, owing to scarcity and inefficiency of labor. Graves: Late
sown and poor; Hessian fly and grasshoppers complained of. Lincoln: Wheat weil got
in and secured. Logan: Very imperfect seed causes great anxiety as to the next
wheat-crop. Ohio: Acreage small on account of drought and fear of grasshoppers; the
insects damaged early-sown crops so as to require the fields in some cases to be re-
sown. Owsley: Good seed scarce. Butler: Wheat has come up badly; in some fields
not 1 grain in 50 has sprouted. Hardin: Looks badly ; injured by grasshoppers.

Ou10.— Coshocton : Wheat looks remarkably well. Morrow: Looks remarkably well.
Noble: Too wet. Tuscarawas: Looksremarkably well. 4dams: Late sown and reduced
inacreage; thin on the ground. Crawford: Looks well. Montgomery: Fine growing
weather. Morgan: Great reduction of acreage. Hocking: Looks well. Wood; Very
promising.

MIcHIGAN.— Wexford : Remarkably poor. Ottawa: Stands very evenly.

InDIANA.—Clark: Wheat looks well. Grant: Looks well. Carroll: The poorest
growth for years. Steuben: Looks bad. Warren: Looks fine. Harrison: Unfavorable
sowing season ; early-sown fields injured by the Hessian fly.

Inuinois.— Madison: Backward and feeble; poor prospect. Edwards: Small and
puny. Pope: Late sown. Fayette: Poor. Schuyler: Low condition. Pike: Looks
very poor.

WIScoNsIN.—Unnsnally small. Crawford: Late sown, but looks well.

Iowa.— Guthrie: Will have a hard time with the dry winter-freezing ; no snow yet.

MissourRI.—Gasconade: Very poor prospect. Jefferson: Very unpromising; eaten
by asmall red grasshopper as fast as it sprouts. Franklin: Very backward. Craw-

ford: Wheat-acreage small. DeKalb: Wheat looks well, but the ground is too dry to
protect the roots. Carroll: Small acreage and not doing well. Moniteau : Small aere-

27

age. Ballinger: Drought. Daviess: Unpromising. Lincoln: Some damage from the
fly. Shelby: Acreage reduced one-half by drought. Pemiscot: But little sown on
account of floods. Reynolds: Little sown. Cole: Outlook bad.

Kansas.—Pawnee: Drought. Saline: Unfavorable. Franklin: Very low. Doniphan:
Splendid condition. Douglas: Too dry. Labette: Very promising. Lincoln : Never so
poor. Reno: Dry. Leavenworth: Too dry. Miami: Small acreage. Montgomery :
Looks well; 34,000 acres.

NEBRASKA.—Cass : Drought.

CaLIFoRNIA.—San Joaquin: Looks well. ern: Season very favorable. Sonoma:
Oar summer fallow wheat is 3 or 4 inches high; ground saturated and weather warm.
Tuolumne: More rain than ever before known in November. Contra Costa: Copious
rains will render every spot available for seeding grain. San Luis Obispo: Warm and
very wet. Amador: Early-sown grain already up and looking finely. Lake: Grain
but little sown as yet. Placer: Rains have put the ground in fine condition for grain.
Plumas: Unusually dry. Tulare: Best prospect for six years.

OrEGON.—Linn: Unprecedented rain-fall; little seeding done. Benton: Rain-fall
copious. Clackamas: Fine growing season for winter-wheat. Clatsop: Favorable to
winter-grain.

28

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32

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

STYLE OF FARMING IN NEW ENGLAND.— Vermont.—Orleans : Within
one mile of my house are kept, by ten farmers, 150 cows, 20 horses,
1 yoke of oxen, 1 pair of yearling steers, about 25 yearling heifers, 15
calves, 20 sheep, and 20 yearling pigs. In other parts of the county the
stock is largely cows, and butter is the main product. All of the hay
and straw is kept in barns. The stables for cows are made quite warm,
and the cows are tied in stanchions, allowing three feet to each cow.
Water is usually brought under ground, in logs or lead pipes, to a
trough in the yard. We estimate that an average cow requires two
tons of hay to keep her through the winter. Snow came November 1,
and we expect to feed until the 20th of May.

Connecticut.— Windham : Itis the prevailing custom of our best farmers
to turn off two crops of hogs in the year, the one in the spring and the
other in the fall. We fatten them till they weigh 175 to 200 pounds
and then sell. We invariably keep them penned up. If we do not
grow corn and other feed, we buy it. By this means we make manure
and increase the fertility of the land. We formerly did a great deal of
work on farms with oxen, but now horses have taken their place to a
great extent.

DISEASE AMONG CATTLE.—Minnesota.— Martin : Many yearling eattle
have died lately. Some call the disease black-leg; others congestion of
the lungs, or lung-fever. The blood seems to settle around the langs
and through the chest. Upon inquiry I cannot learn that any have
died except where they have fed on wheat and oat chaff and where
they have been poorly salted. They are first noticed as stupid, and die
in a few hours.

Tennessee.— Grundy: Many cattle poisoned by seed of a pear-shaped
fruit, upon a plant about two feet high. ‘The first etfect of the poison is
excessive thirst, causing the animal to drink large quantities of water.
It then puffs up, grows weak, lies down, and never rises again. It
refuses fodder, and ceases to ruminate, dying in from one to four days.
Stomach and entrails visibly “ blighted.”

Missouri.—Holt: About 150 cattle have died from too rapid feeding
with soft corn.

VALUE OF POULTRY PRODUCTS.—Pennsylvania.—Bucks : One of my
assistants wonders at the absence of poultry estimates in these reports.
He justly remarks that if the extent of that interest were thoroughly
examined into, it would be found a leading instead of a subordinate
industry. Farmers through this county sell from $50 to $400 worth of
poultry for each 100 acres of land. It is a source of much of the profit
of farming. Many estimate it as second only to the dairy.

Dogs.—Connecticut.— New London: Dogs have done much mischief in
killing and hurting sheep and lambs.

New York.— Wayne: Weare nearly overrun with worthless dogs. They
multiply rapidly.

New Jersey.—Burlington: For losses of sheep by dogs, $2,362 have been
paid out, and one township has not yet reported. One township has
paid $500, and nearly every township reports less than the actual num-
ber.

Pennsylwania.— Wyoming : This county is one of the best, if not the best,
in the State in advantages for profitable sheep-raising. From any part
droves of sheep or lambs ean start in the evening and be in market the
next morning, with no car-fare or middlemen to pay, and the farmers

D3

realize for them the highest prices paid in the United States. But, owing
to worthless dogs which roam through the fields and woods, killing the
sheep and running them out of the pastures, we cannot make sheep-
raising profitable. Out of the dog-tax, $901.40 have been paid for de-
struction by dogs, the owners of which were not able to pay damages ;
but for chasing and worrying the sheep, and driving them from field to
field, which is the worst part, there is no pay. Besides, our orchards are
becoming worse and worse for the want of sheep to destroy the insects
by devouring the wind-fall apples, and rabbing and stamping around
the trees. Sheep are much better for orchards than hogs. Jontour: |
For some twelve years I have had no sheep killed by dogs, although
exposed day and night in the fields. I think it is owing to my putting
eight or ten bells on a flock of forty or fifty sheep. Neighbors who do
not adopt this plan have sheep killed by dogs, but I have not had one
attacked since I adopted it.

Maryland.— Baltimore : Sheep-husbandry could be made profitable, but
the business will be prostrate as long as we have more worthless dogs
than sheep.

Virginia.—Page : Considering the capital invested, sheep would be our
most profitable stock were it not for the dogs; but unless some law is
passed to protect sheep, we fear they will become extinct. The persons
who are the least able-to feed dogs always have the most of them. Pow-
hatan: We have in the county a dog-law, now in force, which has re-
duced the number of dogs some 20 per cent. Sheep-husbandry has taken
anew impetus. Within the last two months one farmer has introduced
into the county 700 sheep from West Virginia. Highland: Sheep would
be on the increase but for the dogs. The number annually killed would
rather exceed than fall short of 1,200. Sussex: The number of sheep
will continue to grow less until there are none left, unless. some means
ean be devised to rid the community of dogs. It. is thought that there
are now in Sussex ten dogs for every sheep. Our State Legislature
seems to be afraid of the dogs. Cannot Congress do something to help
us? With the abatement of this nuisance sheep-husbandry would soon
become a leading and one of the most profitable branches of industry
- in the county. Wool could be more cheaply raised here than cotton.
Prince William: The dog-tax will not pay more than 10 per cent. on the
loss of sheep by dogs. In Manassas Township seven farmers, on four
square miles, lost, by dogs, during the fall and this winter, 165, or 60
per cent. of their whole number. Augusta: Since the adoption of the
dog-law dogs are becoming scarce, and sheep increasing; think we will
have plenty in a few years. Rockbridge: There has been such a falling
off in sheep that they are scarcely worth reporting. Still, a great many
have been killed by dogs, even among the small flocks. If a law for tax-
ing dogs could be passed.and carried out, ours would soon be a wool-
growing county.

North Carolina.—Hertford: Sheep would do well, but for the mul-
titude of dogs. As a general rule, the poorer the man, the more dogs
around him; consequently, where the sheep once abounded they are
rapidly disappearing. Gaston: Dogs have done very little damage the
past four years, and sheep are fairly on the increase. Haywood: If the
sheep destroyed by the two-legged dogs be counted, the number will go
far above the estimate in the report..

Georgia.— Walker : Our farmers are turning attention to sheep-rais-
ing, which would be profitable if we had a good dog-law. Macon: Sheep
are decidedly on the increase, and we are making strenuous efforts to
effect i enactment of a dog-law for their greater protection. Gwinnett:

A

34

Great complaint of the destruction of sheep by dogs. We hope to geta
dog-law when the Jegislature convenes. Carroll: If there were some law
to protect sheep-raisers from dogs, the business would be increased ; but
so long as every man is allowed to keep from five to ten half-starved
curs, it is useless to begin.

Alabama.—Calhoun: Dogs destroyed sheep so extensively in years back
that the people had almost quit raising them; but within the last two
years many have commenced again on a small scale, keeping the few
they have in pastures near home.

Mississippi—Lauderdale: The dogs have killed sheep to such an ex-
tent that few farmers attempt to raise them. Noxubee: Owing to rot-
ted-down inclosures, many sheep are lost by dogs and thieves. Wayne:
Many sheep are killed by dogs.

Texas.— Titus: There is a great desire among farmers to raise sheep,
but many are deterred on account of the worthless dogs with which the
countyisinfested. Williamson: Sheep are better cared for than formerly,
and the losses by dogs are much less.

Arkansas.—Independence: A law, recently enacted, imposing a tax
on dogs, will encourage sheep-raising and prevent so much dog-raising,
a business in which Arkdnsas excels. Howard: Very few sheep were
killed by dogs in 1875, for the reason that they had killed nearly all in
the county before that. Benton: Our last legislature passed a dog law,
and sheep-raising now hassome encouragement to goahead. Saint Fran- .
cis: There are in the county a great many more dogs than sheep; con-
sequently, those who keep sheep are all the time annoyed by the worth-
less curs. Crawford: I have put the number killed by dogs at 1,500,
and this is low. Properly speaking, there are no sheep-raisers here now,
and those who keep a few cannot gain on their number; they diminish.

Tennessee.—Gibson: Owing to the ravages of dogs, sheep-raising
has been almost entirely abandoned. Roane: A tax on dogs has di-
minished the number very much. Grainger: Sheep are more profitable
than any other stock. We are trying a dog-law with excellent results,
but it is feared that demagogues will take it from us. McMinn: The
sheep killed by dogs were, in 1875, less by two-thirds than in previons
years, owing to the tax, which caused many adogtodie. Bedford: We
have more and better sheep than ever before—the result of a dog-law.
In the county, in 1875, 5,000 dogs were assessed by me, and at least
3,000 were killed to avoid assessment. Coffee: Our last legislature
passed a dog-law, which has done a great deal of good. There is nowa
growing disposition to go into sheep-husbandry. Last spring over 10,000
lambs were shipped from Nashville to Louisville, Kentucky.

West Virginia.—Jefferson: The interests of sheep-owners are now
protected by a dog-law, which is being enforced right well. Sheep are
increasing rapidly.

Kentucky.—Calloway: In my neighborhood a great many sheep
have been killed by dogs, which seem to increase faster than the sheep.
Not less than three or four to a family.

Indiana.—Shelby : The loss of sheep by dogs so discourages many
farmers that they are disposing of entire flocks. Jennings: We have
nearly abandoned sheep-raising, owing to dogs.

Tllinois.—Saline: The falling off in sheep is owing to the fact that
they have suffered badly from dogs. Clay: Sheep-husbandry declines,
because of their destruction by dogs. Pope: Doubtless the dogs de-
stroy, annually, 7 to 10 per cent. ot the whole number of sheep.

Missouri.—Lincoin : In nearly every case the fine flocks have suf-

ad

fered from dogs. The best breeds make the best mutton, judging from
the canine selection and taste. ;

DISEASES AMONG HoGs.—New Jersey.— Burlington : Sickness, called
‘cholera, has made havoc in many yards; some have lost as many as 90;
others, nearly all they had.

Pennsylvania.—Montour : Some fine hogs have died of cholera.

Virginia.—Middlesex : At least one-tenth of the hogs have been de-
stroyed by cholera, and it has not eased up yet. Northampton: The sup-
ply of hogs cut short by cholera. Halifax: Many hogs have died of
cholera, and some of measles and quinsy.

North Carolina.—Cumberland : Different kinds of disease, all known
as cholera, have been very fatal to hogs. Some farmers have lost ail.
Hogs that recover lose their bristles, and are nearly worthless. Wilkes :
Hog-cholera has prevailed in some sections. Camden: Hogs are dying
with something like quinsy. They are taken with a cough and swelling
about the throat, and in a day or two are dead. Wilson: Many of the
hogs died last fall. Pitt: A decided prospect that the county would be
self-sustaining as to pork was blasted by a peculiar febrile disease, kill-
ing, regardless of age or condition, at least one-third in number. It is
still prevailing, and not amenable to any treatment yet suggested. Wa-
tauga: In portions of the county hogs are dying of cholera; some far-
mers have lost nearly all. Brunswick: Many hogs have died of chol-
era, and the small pigs are killed by bears, foxes, and wild cats.

Georgia.—Coffee: Hogs have died rapidly with cholera. Wilcox:
Hogs died to a considerable extent in the fall with cholera. Gilmore:
Cholera among hogs in some sections.

Florida.—Fayette: Hogs in certain localities are dying from an
unknown cause; 50 per cent. of the pigs sicken and die. Gadsden: The
cholera destroyed one-third of the hogs. Commenced about the first
of May and ceased about the first of July.

Alabama.—De Kalb : Cholera has made havoc among the hogs.

Louisiana.—Jackson : About 1,200 hogs died of cholera.

Texas.—Austin : Many hogs have died. Upshur: Last winter, disease
nearly cleaned out the hogs from this county.

Arkansas.—Bradley: A disease has prevailed among the hogs, called
cholera, but much unlike the disease so called in former days. They
are taken with vomiting, and die in from one to four days. <A few get
well, from which the hair generally drops. Jefferson: Hogs under one
year died the past summer and fall to a large extent.

Kentucky.— Edmondson: Cholera has prevailed in a part of the county
since last September. Logan: Owing to a very short corn-crop in 1874,
and no clover in the county in 1875, at least 20 per cent. of the hogs died
of starvation during the year. There are fewer hogs in the county now
than for many years. Owsley: Hogs have died off by disease until the
farmers have become discouraged from raising them, and there are not
enough to half supply the county for consumption. Graves : Hog-chol-
era has prevailed to some extent; about 10 per cent. have died. Ohio:
The falling off in the number of hogs is owing to cholera.

Ohio.— Pickaway: The cholera has taken off quite a number of our hogs.
Licking : Have lost some hogs by cholera.

Indiana.— Gibson : Since the cholera ceased hogs are doing well. De-
catur: Cholera has prevailed to an alarming extent among the*hogs,
and greatly reduced the number of pigs. Shelby: Decrease in the per-
centage of hogs is caused by the ravages of cholera. Warren: Hog-
cholera has prevailed in two townships. Jennings: Probably one-fourth
of all the hogs have died of cholera. Hamilton: Hog-cholera visited our

36

county the past season, and was very fatal. It is now somewhat abated.
Washington: About 10 per cent. of the hogs have died of cholera. Ciay :
The number of hogs has been steadily declining for three or four years,
owing to the prevalence of cholera. Lrown: Many hogs have died of*
cholera in portions of the county.

Tilinois.—Saline: Cholera among the hogs has prevailed throughout
the county to an alarming extent. Tazewell: Hog-cholera has prevailed
to some extent; mostly confined to young hogs; very few fattening
hogs have died. Fulton: The fatality, by cholera, among the pigs of
last spring has been unusually large. Scott: Cholera has killed nearly
all the hogs in the county. Know; Hog-cholera very bad, and also a
new disease in the form of colds, coughs, and lung difficulties.

Iowa.—tolk : Fully 25 per cent. of our hogs have died of the cholera,
so called. Harrison: Many hogs dying of what is called cholera.

Missouri.—Carroll: The hog-cholera has been all the fall, and is
now, very destructive, and there appears to be neither preventive nor
remedy. Nodaway: Cholera, so called, which is nothing more than
. worms, has destroyed 20 per cent. of our hogs. They might have been
saved by feeding, constantly, copperas and sulphur, alternately, at the
rate of a table-spoonful to 8 hogs, every fourth day. This is a prevent-
ive. There is probably no cure. Jlucon; A great many hogs have
died, and a great many are still dying, of some disease.

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.—New Hampshire.—Cheshire : Hundreds
of acres are worked over every year without manure, giving but small
crops. This reduces the average of our highly-cultivated fields. Carroll:
The farmer goes into winter-quarters with contentment, in spite of high
. taxes and scarce money, as the barns are well filled and stock in good
- condition.

Vermont.—Essex ; November, a hard month, requiring liberal feeding.

Maryland.—Harford: Very few cattle fed; pasture still good.

Virginia.—Henrico: Our farmers do a vast deal of labor for nothing ;
they eultivate too much land in cereals and too little in forage-crops.
A ton of hay is a small average here, yet it is worth more than 30 bush-
els of corn, with much less labor to make it. Appomattox: Freedmen
generally imperfect cultivators when left to themselves; they are poorly
furnished with implements, and are growing poorer.

North Carolinia.— Wayne: At the close of the year farmers feel dis-
posed to allot less Jand for cotton, but when planting comes their re-
solves are forgotten. Land prepared with the same care for wheat as
for cotton would yield over twenty bushels, besides a subsequent crop
of turnips or pease, greatly improving the land and reducing the cost
of labor. We need to get out of the ruts. Nash: More than usual of
acres in winter-oats ; more stock-hogs, sheep, and cattle ; more ecouomy
in expense; more thorough manuring and more diversity of crops;
more labor by the farmers and less hiring. Camden: Orops mostly
average, but low prices discourage the farmer. Beaufort: Improved
farms increasing.

South Carolina.—Clarendon: Much suffering must result from want
of provisions. Union: Fine fall for harvesting. Chesterfield: Hard
times the coming year.

Georgia.—Harris: Crops short, cotton low, and people in debt; con-
dition worse than since the war. Troup: Great change for the better
in farming.

Alabama.—Saint Clair: Better farming and better tools. Henry:
People disposed to greater economy.

37

Lowisiana.—Lafayette: Average yield of all crops low on account of
bad cultivation.

Texas.— Washington: Everybody swears to go slow on the cotton
question, but everybody plants largely and neglects other crops.

Tennessee— Monroe: Fine breeds of cattle, sheep, and hogs being
introduced, with better seeds and implements.

Kentueky.— Boyle : Scarcity and unreliability of labor causes a change
from grain to grass. The fault lies in not stirring the ground to
a sufficient depth ; this is chargeable as much to the employer as to the
laborer. Pendleton: Farm-products are not paying farmers much
except hogs, which sell at $6.75 to $7 per cental gross at the pen.

Ohio.— Coshocton: Farmers generally in good spirits, being liberally
rewarded by ruling prices and average yields, and having sustained no
losses of stock during the year. Belmont: The past year has been the
least prosperous for ten years; fruit a failure, wheat and hay half crops,
and wool low.

Indiana.— Gibson: Plenty to eat, but money scarce.

California.—Sonoma: The coming season very promising.

CHUFA, OR EARTH ALMOND.

The Department has of late received many inquiries for seeds of the
chufa, (Cyperus esculenta,) as well as requests for information as to its
character and cultivation in this country. To meet these inquiries, the
Department has ordered from France a supply of the seed for distri-
bution.

The chufa is a perennial, indigenous in the south of Europe, growing
in the form of a rush to the height of about 3 feet, producing small
tubers about the size of an ordinary bean, called by the French sowchet
comestible, (rush-nut.) It was introduced into this country more than
twenty years ago, and proved very prolific when planted in the light
sandy soils of the Middle and Southern States, as also in richer soils.

It belongs to the same genus as the notorious wild “ nut-grass,” (Cype-
rus repens,) but does not spread like that pest of southern fields.

In taste, the tubers resemble a delicious chestnut or cocoanut, and,
like them, may be eaten raw or cooked. After soaking in water twelve
hours, they may be eaten as a sauce. Dr. C. T. Jackson, of Boston,
Mass., analyzed them, and furnished the following result for the Agri-
cultural Report of the Patent Office, 1857, page 166: ’

ME CE Lo tuiel, o hbase tala h pi alee «+ hada wise oped 15.50 per cent.
MOS MNALLET! 6 bik Se SUBD hie, AOA te panied thie be os AB, phbnt
PRO ola ad ab ONE ato ele ar Anlbie a's ood gis wlalg ides ARVOO: (fot
A peculiar sugar, like Manna. ......0.-6.caesee seen VQ 25), $6 0 166
WW aie Fe wis i3"2 CTS a Be a ae ee eee eee Oe BO yh: +6
at ON Sp Laity Sajeia ats 4 Se dD. & Hes « Poa = RAE Dp at OAH ob 46168 1/66 311%
Mucilage, or gum, with a little albumen ...-......-.--- Gy GB} 1.44 1.5%

100. 00

38

Doctor Jackscen further stated: ‘* When these tubers are beaten toa a.
paste and mixed with water a remarkable emulsion is formed, which,
after straining, resembles milk in appearance. The fat at length rises to
the surface and looks like cream, while most of the starch subsides to
the bottom of the vessel; but enough still remains suspended to give
the emulsion the appearance of thin or skim milk. Thus mingled with
water, the most nutritive ingredients of this plant may be taken as a
drink. It is much used in this manner by the Spaniards, and I have no
doubt will be so employed in this country. This emulsion may be
sweetened and fiavored, so as to make it very agreeable to the taste.”

A writer in the Agricultural Report of the Patent-Office for 1855, p.
259, wrote that he had raised a patcb of them at Pittsburgh, Pa., each
plant of which had produced over 100 tubers; and that when pounded
with sugar the mixture is equal in every respect to the emulsion of
almonds. They are chiefly used in Spain and other hot European
climates, for making an orgeat, (orchata de chufas,) a delightful and
refreshing drink.

Mr. A. ” Peabody stated, in the “Southern Plantation,” that, some
twenty years previously, he had received five tubers from the Patent-
Office, and bad raised them ever since, a single nut producing a quart of
tubers in ordinary soil. On land that will produce 20 bushels of corn,
100 bushels of chufas can easily be raised—the chufas being double the
value of corn, as they require neither digging nor storing, and do not rot
in the eround, being uninjured by cold or frost. Hogs will dig them as
they want them, and fowls will soon learn to scratch them out of the
ground, they growing sufficiently near the surface. He also says that
poultry fattened on them excel in delicacy of flavor the celery-fed can-
vas-back duck.

According to Mr. Peabody, the chufa delights in a light sandy soil,
and may be planted at any time (in the South) from December to April.
He planted them in shallow furrows, two feet apart; single tubers one
foot apart in the furrows, and “ covered with a board”—(probably during
winter.) They vegetated the first warm weather, and when weeds
appeared, required only ‘a sweep” to be run between the rows. The
green spikes soon multiplied, and eventually met across the rows, each
spire having a nut at the bottom. He found the roasted chufa superior
to chocolate as a breakfast beverage.

Mr. Peabody concludes his article thus: ‘“* When we take into consid-
eration all its good qualities—its fattening properties, its easy culture,
its hardiness, and the fact that hogs will dig them as they want them
without wasting them—we wonder that they are not more extensively
raised by our farmers. It is the most valuable seed the Patent-Office
ever sent out, and is destined to prove a great boon to the South.”

Another writer recommends that in the Middle States the chufa be
planted in June or July, in hills two feet apart each way, ten or twelve
tubers to each hill, and the tubers placed four to six inches apart. When
the first shoots appear, if there is no rain the ground should be watered.
No cultivation is needed except to keep them clear of weeds. They
blossom in September, and the flowers may be pinched off to increase
the size of the tubers, which mature about October, when they may be
dug and stored.

The chufa is not only a fattening food for swine and fowls, as it is
much relished by them; but an excellent oil may be expressed from it,
after which the cake will still be valuable for feeding animals, and will
increase the quantity and richness of the milk of cows, if fed to them.

oe

CHEMICAL MEMORANDA.

BY WILLIAM MCMURTRIE, CHEMIST.

AMERICAN OPIUM.—The cultivation of poppy in this country for the
production of opium does not seem to have received the attention it
deserves. The efforts of this Department to arouse an interest in this
particular by distribution of seeds of the best varieties to its more pro-
eressive correspondents, have, however, been occasionally rewarded
with reports of experiments of an encouraging character, and we take
pleasure in publishing the following notes of an experiment furnished
by Mr. Charles Patton, Germantown, Tenn.

I take great pleasure in reporting the result of my experiment in making opium
from the seeds of white poppy received early this spring from the Agricultural Depart-
ment; and to substantiate in part my report, I have forwarded to the Department, by
mail, a package containing the principal part of the opium produced, which you will
please dispose of as suits your pleasure. ‘

Having no other guide upon the subject than the communication in the Agricultural

Repert for 1870, one-tenth of an acre was measured off to receive the seeds. The plot
had been cropped with turnips the previous fall, manured with sheep-droppings. On
the 15th of April the ground was plowed, harrowed, and dragged very fine, and the
seed drilled in rows, 13 inches apart. May 3 the hand-enltivator was run between the
rows and the plants thinned to a stand, 6 to 9 inches between plants. The cultivator
was run once more, on the 24th of May, and this was all the cultivation required. On
the 15th of June the plants commenced blooming, and two days thereafter the first
‘opium was gathered. The implement used for scarifying was the blade of my pen-
knife. One or two horizontal incisions around the capsule were in most cases suf-
ficient to extract the opium. I find ‘a greater loss of juice by the up and down in-
cision than from the horizontal. An instrument making two or three cuts horizon-
tally at one operation would prevent all loss, as each would be able to sustain the
weight of the liquid until hardened by exposure. By the present mode of extracting,
I think not less than ten to twelve per cent. of the opium is Jost. The plants ceased
blooming about the first of July, and on the 4th the crop was finished, making eighty-
one days from the time of planting.

The sample sent by Mr. Patton was reserved for exhibition and analy-
sis. It was of fine homogeneous texture when dry, of dark brown
color, was perfectly free from seeds, stems, or other extraneous matters,
and weighed nearly five ounces.

The portion of the sample taken for analysis was found to contain:

Per cent
DEOTSEUEO aio idee, = 2 Wa SUA ARES ahs eC AeNe TL PND BORE aR ih wf, Der Ee a aninens 15.24
TIPLINE ITS eae pate AE ad ots itn rata Liat4 ayaid! wldnonaege embed 7.10

Comparing this result with those obtained from analyses of other va-
rieties of American opiuin, or even of foreign products, proves it to be of
fair quality, and from its appearance it is better than the average opium
found in the markets.

It is about equal to good Egyptian and East Indian products.*

‘* POISONED” SOILS OF TEXAS.—During the summer of 1872 the
Department had occasion toinvestigate the cause of a property peculiar
to certain soils of Texas and some of the neighboring States, and,
without personal examination, from chemical analysis of a sample
sent us, concluded it was due to a deficiency in under-drainage, a con-
clusion since supported by a letter from Mr. A. J.Graves, of that State.

Our attention was again called to this matter by Hon. R. Q. Mills, of
the fourth congressional district, who communicated a letter from Mr.
W. T. M. Dickson, of which the following is an extract :

About two years ago last month I forwarded to the Department of Agriculture,
under instructions from the Commissioner of Agriculture, four packages of black

(*Compare report of this Department for 1873, p. 174.)

40)

soil, carefully labeled, wrapped, and mailed, for analysis. The object ‘of the anal-
ysis, as explained in the accompanying letter, was to ascertain the cause and remedy
of that peculiar property in our soils which is fatal to cotton and most garden-vegeta-
bles, to bois-d’are and all our cultivated trees except the peach and most of the native
trees. The cereals, however, wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, &c., appear to be injured,
but not destroyed by it.

It will be seen that these conditions are precisely similar to those
described in the report referred to in the following communication ad-
dressed to Mr. Mills by the Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, December 14, 1875.

Srr:.Your note of the 13th instant, inclosing letter from Mr. Dickson, is at hand.
. The difficulty existing in the soils of Texas, referred to by your correspondent, was
fully discussed in the Annual Report of this Department for 1872, and the deductions
there made have been fully corroborated by Mr. A. G. Graves, jr., of McKinney, Col-
lins County, Texas. The position taken in the article in question, without personal
examination of the locality, was, that the difficulty was due to a deficiency in under-
drainage; that the water of the subsoil was held in place, thus precluding the admis-
sion of oxygen to the soil, and preventing the decomposition of the organic matter
holding the mineral elements of plant-food in insoluble combinations, not capable of
being absorbed and assimilated by the plants in growth.: This will explain why cereals
and other plants supplied with superficial roots are uninjured, they being able to
derive their nourishment from the surface-soil. But after plants having iong tap-
roots have reached that stage of development in which their roots penetrate the sub-
soil where this unfavorable condition exists, the subsoil, saturated to its fullest extent
with stagnant water, is unable to give up the nutriment it contains, an unhealthy
condition for the plants exists, and they naturally die from starvation and bad treat-
ment.

Mr. Graves found, in preparing to set’a fence through a piece of ground where, from
the cause in question, a hedge of osage-orange, or bois-d’arc, had become diseased and
had died, that when holes were made to enter the subsoil of that portion where the
destruction had been greatest and most marked, water rose in them, filling them to
the same level. The description of his experience as detailed in his letter is as follows :

“Thad occasion to run a line of fence across one of these spots where an osage-orange
hedge had died out, a distance of about 50 yards. In boring post-holes for fence to
close this gap, it was necessary to bore one at each end, just outside of the spot. The
grade of the land was an inclination of about one foot in thirty. It being rather wet,
water rose in the holes very quickly along through the spot, decreasing in depth some-
what near the ends, while in the holes just outside the spot it scarcely ran in at all.”

This proves that where such a condition exists, the line of division between the sur-
face-soil and subsoil is undulating, and the subsoil being of close texture, and
impenetrable to water, underground ponds. if the term be aliowable, aré formed.
When the roots of plants reach the level of the water and pass beneath it, destruction -
takes place.

Application of lime, as recommended in the article referred to, will doubtless have a
good effect as a remedy for this difficulty, but the best way of removing it effectually |
will probably be found in underdrainage. From information we have received, this
may be somewhat difficult in some localities, and may, in some cases, be impracticable.
It has been suggested that, since below this hard stratum of subsoil may be found a
stratum of loose sand or gravel, it will be possible to remove the water from these spots
by piercing holes through the hard subsoil to the loose stratum below, and making
such openings about the center of each spot. Whether this will be practicable, can
be determined only by experiment. It will, however, be worth a trial. Should your
correspondent undertake such experiment, it would afford us great pleasure to be ad-
vised of the result. If successful, it will be of great value to all planters in the vicinity
of the mouth of the Mississippi.

Our failure to examine the samples of soils when received was due to the fact that
they were unaccompanied with a letter of instructions with regard to the lecality from
which they were taken, and the existing conditions. This is always indispensable in
such investigations.

Very respectfully,
FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Tion. R. Q. MILts,
House of Representatives.

FIXATION OF ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN IN THE SOIL.—In some of the
late numbers of ‘‘ Comptes Rendus de Vv Academie des Sciences,’ Mons.

41

P. Truchot has published a series of papers upon the chemical proper-
ties of soils, and in the first paper he seeks to show from the results of
analyses of a number of soils that the amount of nitrogen appropriated
by the soil from the atmosphere bears a direct relation to the amount of
carbon present in the ulmic compounds it contains. That nitrogen is
taken up during the decomposition of organic matters in presence of
alkalies has been proven by different investigators by direct experiment,
but Mons. Truchot endeavors to find proof of this fact by analyses of
the soils themselves. The following table shows the results of his analy-
ses referred to 100 grammes of soil:

A.—Meadow-lands not specially manured, but pastured with cattle.

j
No. Soil of— Nature of soil. Carbon. | Nitrogen. | Remarks.
\Grammes. Granmes.

a ROW RG. Ft st Granttios.3-2. 3: } 6.120 0. 445

2 | Clermont ----..-.- Alluvial sq225. 555 4. 920 0. 452 Pastured.

Se ORS. fc cen e oe GRAN oon tse | 14. 8&0 0. 686 Not pastured.

4 | Romagnat ..-...-.-. Warlyinw. a ae=- <= 3. 500 0. 420 Pastured.

iol (RY SS aa ee eres V olaanie .* 5255252: } 11. 880 0. 940 Do.

sid SAP (ie Cee Se PURO sae ask 2 12. 900 0. 760 Not pastured.

Bhiee dO petites Seats Soe Gis 28 Ao yee See 10. 200 0.743 | Not very fertile.

EY PSA Pi a a eae (Sega) Sea 11. 040 0.708 | Pastured.

9 | Puy de Dome ...-. eee) (i eee Fee Stoke 10. 050 0. 732 Fertile.
10 ie: Cae Cee ee ee does te 2. 340 0. 244 Sterile.

|
B.— Cultivated lands which have received ordinary manures.
No. Soil of— | Nature of soil. Carbon. | Nitrogen. 3 Remarks.
|Grammes.| Grammes.

11 | Aigueperse ....-..- i Granitic -.-..3..--. 5. 400 0. 120
12 | Saint Benuet.....-. ARuvialy 22 ss 5-6 1. 800 0. 194
13 | Bourgnon......... Granitio'.c2 25. <.% 2. 460 0. 184 Strongly manured.
Lis sl ALS 120 ae ae [edo ~6-e cen ee eee Pr oaD 0. 032
15>) Adlapnat, oso... ..% Veleanio®. 2252-23 1. 764 0. 082
Lt) pt eee aoe Granitie 22 2.50- <>: 0. 651 0. 046

Mons. Truchot says that’ many other analyses gave similar results.
He had, therefore, evidently made selections from the results obtained to
support his idea. Let us arrange his chosen results in the order of the
increase of carbon in the soil, giving the figures alone.

For uncultivated soils. For cultivated soils.
Carbon. Nitrogen. Carbon. Nitrogen.
2. 34 0. 244 0. 651 0. 046
a. D 0. 420 0.98 0. 032
4, 92 0. 452 0. 764 0. 082
6,12 0. 445 : 1.8 0.194
10. 05 0. 732 2. 46 0. 184
10. 2 0. 743 5: 4 0. 120
11. 04 0. 708 -
11. 88 0. 940
12, 90 0. 760
14. 88 0. 686

We see that there is in many cases for an increase of carbon an in-
crease of nitrogen, but this is not the case in all the soils cited, nor do
we find any direct ratio of increase. The soils of Besse, he says, merit
particular attention, from the fact that at the very great elevation at
which they are found, over three thousand feet above sea-level, with no

42

possibility of obtaining nitrogen from any external source other than
the atmosphere, they produce sufficient herbage for pasturage of large
herds of cattle throughout six months of the year, and contain a higher
percentage of nitrogen than could by any means be supplied by the
excreta of the cattle pastured there. f

It might be objected that the nitrogen could be supplied by atmos-
pheric ammonia produced at lower altitudes and carried up by the
moisture that goes to form clouds; but this objection will not hold in
view of the fact that the soil of Theix, found at an elevation of only
1,500 feet, contains nearly as much nitrogen as the-soil of Besse. The
other instances cited support this fact, and while we by no means dis-
pute the agency of ulmic compounds in the appropriation of atmospheric
nitrogen by the soil, and must acknowledge the vaiue of Mons. Trachot’s
results, showing in some cases an increase of nitrogen with increase of
carbon, we cannot fully agree with Lim in concluding from these results
that ‘* the amount of nitrogen contained in soils is in direct proportion
to the quantity of carbon in the ulmic compounds they contain.”

PHOSPHORIC ACID AS AN INDICATOR OF THE FERTILITY OF SOILS.—
Mons. P. Truchot, in another paper, has discussed this idea in an exceed-
ingly interesting manner, giving results of a series of analyses of soils
of Auvergne, made with especial reference to it. Basing his estimations
upon the fact that the three mineral ingredients of soils resulting from
the decomposition of rocks which are of most value as fertilizers are
lime, phosphorie acid, and potash, he obtained the results given below.

Granitic soils—The granites of Puy-de-D6me are almost entirely
deficient in lime, and are poor in phosphorie acid, potash alone being
present in notable quantity. The following are the results of estima-
tions made upon the more or less decomposed friable rocks which form
the subsoi] of the cultivated soil, after having formed the soil itself:

F Phospho-
Lime. Potash. Se enrisiis

Per cent. | Per cent.| Per cent.

1. Granite from Bourgnon, (Canton de St. Dier) ............------------ | 0. 040 0. 160 0. 015
2. Granite from Trezioux, (Canton de St. Dier)....-...-....------.----- 0. 099 0. 332 0. 048
SA AST TN Rae pT TUT TN ETT R TTT a alia eo ea Saati yee re Traces .. 0.345 Traces.
4. Granite from Theix, (Canton de Clermont) ............------.------- Traces... 0. 371 0. 037
5. Gneiss from Chéry, (Canton de Sauxillauges) ........-...--...------- Traces .- 0.115 Traces.

The soils resulting from the decomposition of these granites, or simi-
lar granitic rocks, are only slightly fertile, and require lime and phos-
phatic manures. The mean of analyses of twenty-three of these soils
gives: Lime, 0.039; potash, 0.210; phosphoric acid, 0.058.

Volcanic soils—It is quite different with volcanic soils, whether
formed from basaltic rocks or modern lavas. The decomposition of
rocks containing pyroxene and labradorite furnishes lime, so that such
soils, athough classified with the preceding as sandy, do not generally
require an addition of lime. They contain a tolerably large amount of
potash, and especially a large proportion of phosphoric acid.

The foilowing are the quantities of phosphoric acid in several vol-
canic rocks:

1. Dette, irom Pny-fe-Dome. 2. 2... -6 <nnee == or ¥.n 2 es cil Ses es ss
Oe Demitee tron Buy-de-DOmM6 2... ss core ne Lace cates nce Beer cies ce 2:01
SiDtaehyuos from Mont! Doré): 222 2cs bh AR eo ee seo RS Le
4; Rasalinemeosis,; (Pont des:Matix) - 0.2. $2 oo 2.6 ..a2- te obsess 2
5.) Pozzolang: fram, Gravenoil ,.-« 4. -iaiekehs.ec.a ma Bech kien Mewes brs ~lom pape hee
6. luava, from Gravenoitend=:\s 2 ssc caer pees e3- oh cco be hae ote etope => m oo oe
7. Lava, from Gravenoir; parfly decomposed -.:... ~~ / 2. .-sepenens~ toons eeeeee 0.742

43

The following are analyses of two volcanic soils:

Lime, Potash, Phesphorie acid,
per cent. per cent. per cent.
HP ULOM DeatMONt Nea 2 cata S.. on arate te a) = as ate 1.6 0. 226 0. 403
SM BGO) ARTEL OIe eas tee = etc one Sa ame eee ae aes 2.6 O2160) 0, 304

These soils are very fertile in spite of a slight depth of the arable
stratum. Judging from these figures, the author is led to conclude, with
M. P. de Gasparin, that phosphoric acid, rather than potash, is the
measure of fertility of a soil.

Soil of Limogne.—This soil is a rich alluvium, derived from the de-
composition of all the rocks of Auvergne, the mud of ancient lakes, and
even mineral-waters. The following are the results of three analyses of
specimens of this soil taken from different localities:

2 3 a3
S ws
ee 2 os
Maes IAA: Rid =
a D AS
SUEDE Asse OE Sa LA SSE SS giclee SSSR aoe Pe a eee 16
Physical analysis. - } Sand. SS 3s eh oo oes BOE SEER CIO Occ ab seeps aaet 42, 4. 69.7
Cla wianGiene San G22 sao tbs ae eae ial oer ne os oe claete 55. 8 96. 14: 30
100 100. 100. 00
(PEROSPHOTIO RCI 2 2220s dpeee te ene eel aes ee i iieinian 0.296 | 0.329 416
ARID OAS Hee apse te ee lee cla ee a oe aint Pletal r= ae 0.548 | 0.385 280
g TMT Sek SAEs oe eS eS GR ee arom eases 9.970 | 8.893 3. 853
Witio Resta. = ales oe eee gine ie in eens ee ae wenn 1.850} 0.005 0. 762
Chemical analysis. ? Carbonate of lithia ........--------0---eseeeeeeeeeeneees 02085)? 08199). eee
[OS ST Gre Tie ee ee RA Se eS Coe ee AS Sone eee a a a ay Be 15. 320
CINGEIMN GE hose aoe fesedee ak estes sec eme nae eiel= te wel de aan O1069):|* OF06Ge) 25525 -
Wan pO eo. See eee te pee eine Se dome made eeite cs eee sion W145i, W083" sca. eme
ORR OLOE ENE soe orien ee a one ae Oe an Camie a etal See me ewe ae 0.310%)" (0.4534) -2 2s.

The thickness of the arable layer of this soil, often exceeding. several
meters, its looseness, as indicated by the physical analysis, &c., tend to
make it very fertile; but if the proportion of phosphoric acid be con-
sidered, it will be observed that it is three times as great as that which
characterizes the best soils. The black color and exceptional fertility
of this alluvium would lead one to classify it with garden-mold, and to
suppose it very rich in humus. But its amount of carbon derived from
organic matters is small, and many less fertile soils contain much more.

The action of rocks in regard to fertility may be appreciated by ex-
amining the composition of the subterranean waters coming from them,
and which are more or less efficacious when employed in irrigation.
Some waters in the department of Puy-de-Dome have the reputation of
increasing the fertility of the soils upon which they are used, while
others are known to be almost without effect. As might be predicted,
the first come from voleanic. districts, the second from granitic. The
following analyses confirm this supposition:

Quantities in one liter.

Phosphoric
acid

. q
8 FI 3 s
= = o °
nN | Ay nN
FROM GRANITIC ROCKS. Milli- | Milli- | Milli- Milli- | MUilli-

grams. | grams.| grams. | grams.| grams.
40

1 Traces} 2.7 2.0 | Traces.
9 2.4 Rb 3.6 | Traces
29 R5, 1.9 6.4 | Traces
28.5 ph 8.2 13.5 | Traces
33 Traces I area te 0. 873
25 Traces} 1.2 4.9 1. 080
17 Traces 1.5 5.0 0. 850

44

Thus the granitic waters, while quite rich in potash, do not contain
any sensible amount of phosphoric acid. The volcanic waters, on the
other hand, cantain less potash, but about one milligram of phosphoric
acid per liter. The author concludes, from these analyses and compari-
sons, that phosphoric acid is the principal element of the fertility of the
soils mentioned, and that the volcanic soils owe their superiority in that
respect, in a great measure, to the notable amount of that acid which
they contain, which is rendered more easily soluble and assimilable by
the presence of lime.

NITROGEN AND AMMONIA IN BEETS.—Messrs. Champion & Pellet
have published the results of an investigation upon the subject of the
percentage of nitrogen and ammonia contained in beet-roots, from which
they conclude:

1. The soil and the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer employed
being the same, the beets produced contain a larger percentage of
nitrogen, according to the increase of the amount of sugar present.

2. With like quantities of sugar present in the beets, the nitrogen in-
creases with the increase of nitrogen in the fertilizer employed.

3. The percentage of ammonia in the roots decreases with the increase
of sugar.

The authors further state that these conclusions also hold good for
Sugar-cane.

IRRIGATION.—The question of irrigation has lately received some
valuable attention at the hands of Mons. A. Le Play, who has made the
utilization of drainage-waters from springs and the superficial waters
accumulated during heavy rain-storms a subject of special study. His
object was, not only to utilize the water for the purposes of irrigation,
but also to prevent excavation of ravines on inclined surfaces by removal
of large quantities of soil by the immense accumulation of water during
the storms.

For this latter purpose he proposes to construct inexpensive trenches
at regular intervals along the side of the hill, to collect the water at a
given surface, to prevent an accumulation forming heavy streams, and
to carry the water thus collected to the meadows requiring irrigation.
The soil of the hill-sides, being composed principally of disintegrating
and decomposing rocks, generally contains considerable quantities of
lime, potassa, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen, and these matters, by
the drainage and surface waters, may be distributed at will upon parts
most needing them, while, if they be allowed to follow natural channels,
they must be in great part lost in the lands of the immediate vicinity.

Monsieur Le Play claims, asanadvantage of his mode of irrigation, that
it avoids the possibility of close soils, the surfaces of which are consid-
erably inclined, being cut up by large streams of water consequent upon
heavy rains, and that therefore, independently of its importance in irri-
gating meadows, it very materially facilitates the cultivation of moun-
tainous regions.

He conducted a series of analyses, the results of which, though form-
ing a sound basis for his important deductions, have a local importance, ~
and are therefore not suitable for abstraction. They show, however,
that the richness of the waters thus collected varies according to the
season, the inclination of the soil, the conditions of culture, and espe-
cially according to the conditions governing the system of manuring the
fields through which they have to pass. He also found that the propor-
tion of material of value as plant-food annually removed by water col-
lected in these trenches, was far greater than could possibly be removed
by the growth of different varieties of vegetation.

RD ar

Te od ar a ry
vl reaeyy ay

Reva wah A

Bh te +14

!
{

.
isin alps oh Innloies orody tee Abc “og ee
ke] He & Bay ‘ ux ly Re ar iyic
fis wes) ies Ehceet (OAR 1) HP 24th, oil ba asi
biG) bgt oF ig e TF OZ BOTA 7 a ebir and ak a Lt ih ad
Dad Pipi igi DASE Tne 27 y ast “Hes opel tan
Prema oS wOSfaue 4 2 Ay Lent wa "¢

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fouae: Whi ass Wiis Berrios lie BA ; : . od
Gh xeiby . . ' a Wa

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Cooet = al "y TANO® ow a Oris) 4 - » é patch “i oo sa
tf, Bria. to apie ee ‘ ‘rae ly wi, ey

hes 498 : r
(* rraet oY Lae 7 ; “ih
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be y , i ;
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ad i > aM kK # AT f \ , -

fe BESTT i’. ee j Die. cesetria 4 a 4: eels
5 r °

ping ch yy die a HOMOL eis) £ “ ee i ey ait}

Shite clo IT O5¢iA-W O) Re DOS 1 ae } ‘i yu :
Athi y: Sichavidiaetraity ect! Weioge dir! Avey , }
Honeuie oe Yoni will TR j :
BOD HG Heise Tt) Gi th ot =e rie ot
oy SAU Meth ECU HY ae TIA - Whi oe
Oe ETN Ah aes Oba | seca hee aa assy
Che fi lbh et 651), 23085 esa aad BISRE GL V ;

g ae en ae. ON o ;
poh ; yuan iad éor 27 mb ‘Medien > 902 Ye hawe ai

db poof Cv aero Hthets ae eae Wei aetinn outs ;

rORR SF adh Shor tad: ee ut SAD MOS U
, : eatia te tea bepyisi os Ba corte a bt) pik Lahn A a
ass eh 7 ME Alsy Div ilgel (n@atat
. alana Ff mah: cs Me ba bi in ae
ie adh posh

aaa fly » Lites 14, ot wi 15a : ]
*, te a va oT \ Pepe ae.
ia: Bo to Saat bole . Mn. et ee

pa I amnion ies ik gael ek } eit in + ‘| a mt

ei
et at

aie

TP ese) <a h ;
ide ag tee L « é :
ray Da, Sek eae oh
ity) .
aus \ ¥
eee Fak 4 m
dele Nas f i, ,

Plate 3.

q

(New Jersey.)

Cultivated varieties,

45
These facts appear very significant, and if some of our mountain-farm-
ers. will pay some attention to them, they will doubtless find the appli-
cation of this system of great practical value, and will find in it a means
of preventing the more valuable constituents of their soils being car-
ried off by mountain-streams to the valleys below.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS.

By THomas TaYLor, MICROSCOPIST.

[Continued from the October Report for 1875, page 445.]

Several members of the New Jersey Cranberry Association have
expressed, by letters to this Department, a desire to know whether the
color of the water on cranberry-plantations can be safely relied on as a
test of the quality of peat-bottoms. Mr. James Fenwick, of New Lis-

_bon, one of the most noted cranberry-growers of the State, writes to the
Commissioner of Agriculture as follows:

I fear it may be thought by some that the statement which I made at the Cranberry
Growers’ Association, that the water in my bog was highly colored, and yet for twenty
years I had never had any rot, was designed to disparage the opinion of the microscop-
ist of the Department of Agriculture, in regard to that disease; but it was not so
intended. The association appeared to have the impression that the colored water
was the cause of the rot; an old idea started by some one who had white water on his
plantation, to the injury of those who had colored water. I wish to say that the
labors of the microscopist in this investigation have beeu fully appreciated by me, and
that personally I am thankful to the Department for them; but believing that the
cause of the rot in cranberries in our pine region is generally owing to drought and
high temperature, or flooding with heated or dead water, I am not disposed to change
my views in this respect, and am still of opinion that his ideas as to the cause of
the ret in Dr. Merriman’s bog is correct, and that we are indebted to him for it. His
recommendation to keep the water near the surface in irrigation is reasonable, because
in drought poisonous substances, consisting of sulphureted hydrogen and organic
acids, rise from below, and injure the plants. He has advised the use of lime.

Professor Mapes and many others have recommended lime slacked with salt, which sub-
stances produce, in the presence of decaying organic matters, furnishing carbonic acid,
chloride of calcium and carbonate of soda in acheap form. Would not these substances
be better than limealone? And, in case of irrigation, would not a slow passage of water
through the soil be preferable to flooding? Thus, suppose two ditches be made two
rods apart ; let the water be kept in them at a proper height to keep the ground moist,
say one foot from the surface; put another parallel ditch between them for a feeder,
and keep the water up to the surface of the soil; then there will be a motion of water
through the soil toward the ditches on either side. In my judgment, this would be a
great improvement on the present practice. It would supply moisture to the soil and
have a tendency to carry off poisonous gases.

If Mr. Fenwick will review my papers published in the Department
Monthly Reports for October, 1874, and January and October, 1875, he
will find that my views are in accord with his as regards the causes which
operate to produce cranberry-rot. I also consider that his views relat-
ing to drainage and liming are worthy of experiment, and I hope that
he will assist in giving an early trial of them, and report the results to
this Departinent.

The color of water or bog-land cannot be relied on as a test of the
quality of peat-muck, inasmuch as color may be derived from a variety
of causes. Bicarbonate of iron is soluble in water, producing a brown
color. The coloring-matter of peat is also very soluble in solutions of
soda, potash, and ammonia, forming deep, brown-colored solutions, and
the salts of these alkalies have also a slightly soluble effect ; while with
caustic lime the coloring-matter is precipitated, giving colorless solu-

46

.

tions, but the presence of sulphureted hydrogea in the soil will gene-
rally indicate when fermentation is in progress in the soil.

The composition of peat or mold varies with the nature of the plants
which produce it. Plants containing tannin give an acid mold, while
those which have no tannin form a mild mold more favorable to culti-
vation. The organic principles which are found in mold are ulmic acid,
free or combined, in the latter case forming soluble ulmates, which are
absorbed by plants during vegetation, and a black substance soluble in
water, and called extract of mold, to which humus owes its color.

Although extract of mold is soluble in water, it should not be con-
founded with ulmic acid. It acts, during vegetation, by aiding in rap-
idly heating the soil which contains it, by absorbing moisture, by
appropriating the elements of the atmosphere and of manures to form
ammoniacal compounds, the nitrogen of which is easily assimilated by
plants; and finally by giving rise to carbonic acid, which is dissolved
by water.

In this condition, carbonic acid favors the, earliest development of
plants before the growth of the leaves; it dissolves the otherwise insol-
uble phosphates, it converts the insoluble earthy carbonates into solu-
ble bicarbonates, thus enabling them to furnish to plants the lime and
magnesia which they need.

ULMIC COMPOUNDS, OR PEATY MATTER.—Braconnet was the first to
observe that in treating wood with potash a black acid, comparable to
humus, was formed which he called ulmicacid. M. Chevreul also found
that under the influence of the alkali the oxygen of the air is rapidly
absorbed. Certain trees, and especially elms, exude a brown liquid
which, according to the observations of Vauquelin and Klaproth, is an
ulmate of potash and ammonia. The action of potash upon wood has
been examined by M. Péligot. It results from the observations of this
chemist that when a mixture of sawdust and potash is heated to about
300°, water, hydrogen, oily products, and wood-spirit are disengaged,
besides which, carbonate, oxalate, formiate, and ulmate of potash are
formed. Ulmic acid thus obtained will be yellow if the temperature at
which the reaction takes place is not too high; but when the mixture is
heated without precaution the acid is black. The final result of the de-
composition of woody material by potash is carbon, and if the tempera-
ture were sufficiently high, hydrate of potash, acting as an oxidizing
agent, might even cause the combustion of the carbon, in which case
hydrogen would be disengaged. The yellow acid has been called lign-
humic acid; the black acid, called lignulmic acid, forms with bases salts
which have the general formula MO, C** H?8 O8,

Lignulmic acid is brown, almost black; it is insoluble in water, but
dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid. It.is soluble in alcohol; with
alkalies it forms salts of a deep-brown color, which are uncrystallizable.
The other lignulmates are insoluble, and may be obtained by double
decomposition. M. Malogati obtained a black erystallized acid by heat-
ing on the water-bath for several hours a solution of sugar containing _
a small quantity of nitric acid.

M. Mulder has published a work on these black acids, of the principal
results of which the following is a summary:

When a solution of 22 parts of sugar and 1 of sulphuric acid in 40
parts of water is heated to about 80°, a brown deposit is soon formed,
which M. Mulder considers an ulmate of ulmine. This substance, treated
with potash, yields ulmate of potash and leaves a deposit of ulmine, the
composition of which is C* H'® O4, Ulmate of potash treated with

AT

hydrochloric acids gives a brown, flaky precipitate of ulmie acid, which,
being dried at 195°, is found to have the formula C* H" O”, ,

When the mixture of sugar, water, and sulphuric acid is heated in a
vacuum instead of under atmospheric pressure, a new compound is
formed, which M. Mulder calls humate of humine. By acting upon
this substance with a dilute solution of potash he separated the neutral
body humine, which has for its formula C® H® O”, Humine is evidently
derived from ulmine by oxidation, one equivalent of hydrogen having
been taken from ulmine and replaced in humine by one equivalent of
oxygen. Anhydrous humic acid has for its formula C* H” QO},

Under the influence of an excess of acid the preceding substances are
changed into a black compound, insoluble in alkalies, the formula of
which is C* H® O°,

The compounds above described, treated with a current of chlorine in
the presence of water, form a chloridized acid which is represented by
the formula C” H” ClO" HO, which M. Mulder named chlorohumie acid.
Humate of ammonia, treated with chlorine, yields a compound still more
highly chloridized, having the formula C? H” CP O®,

According to M. Mulder, the black acids which are found in peat,
in rotten moss, and in arable soils, are identical with ulmic and humic
acids, which, in those circumstances, are combined with variable quan-
tities of ammonia.

M. Mulder extracted from mold two acids in particular—crenie (C* H®
O**) acid and apocrenic (C*® H” O*) acid—which bad been discovered
by Berzelius in the waters of Porta, in Sweden, and in the ochreous
deposits which furnish ferruginous waters.

Tobacco which has undergone fermentation for eighteen months—that
used for making snuff, for example—contaius a considerable quantity of
a black acid which has not as yet been sufficiently studied, but which
strongly resembles humic and ulmic acids in many of its properties.

We see then, to sum up, that these black substances result from the
decomposition of neutral substances under the influence of acids and
alkalies, or by the action of the air or heat. They may be neutral or acid.
They frequently contain hydrogen and oxygen in the proportion in
which those elements unite to form water. Those of them which com-
bine with bases are to be considered as very feeble acids which always
form, with alkaline bases, colored and unecrystallizable salts. These
acids, in their general properties, present a certain analogy to the resins.

By acting on glucose with ammonia, either at 100° and at the ordi-
nary pressure, or in closed tubes and at different’temperatures, M. P.
Thenard obtained brown substances soluble in water and in alkaline
solutions, and which contain at least 10 per cent. nitrogen.

Dextrine, gum, starch, and cotton, treated with ammonia, gave M.
Schiitzenberger analogous results. Thus gum, heated with ammonia in
a closed tube for forty-eight hours, gave a residue containing from 2.5
per cent. to 3 per cent. nitrogen. Dextrine, heated under the same con-
ditions for one hundred and sixty-eight hours, gave a substance which
contained 11.5 per cent. nitrogen.—Peluze and Frémy.

As the successful cultivation of the cranberry depends much on the
condition of the peaty matters of the bog-land used, it is imperative
on those who desire to become successful growers to make themselves.
thoroughly acquainted with the chemical properties of peat. Many sup-
pose that itis necessary to have the roots of the eranberry-plant im-
bedded in peat, losing sight of the fact that soluble and colorless fertil-
izing compounds are formed from the decomposition of woody or peaty
matters which are easily conveyed through sand to the roots.

48 ea '

From the numerous experiments and observations I have made, I am
convinced that the roots are injured by direct contact with decompos-
ing, or even well-decomposed peat. Fresh, moist peat, pressed on litmus
paper, gives at once the reaction of an acid, even when a solution
of the same will scarcely indicate its presence. Roots growing in peat
have always a blackened color, although well washed, indicating the
presence of an oxidizing agent; but when growing in clear sand over
peat-bottoms or in gray moss, they are of a whitish or pale-yellowish
color, indicating the absence of acid, and also showing a healthy growth.

Some specimens of native peat, analyzed in the laboratory of the
Department, have given a larger per cent. of ammonia than some of
commercial poudrette ; and_it is probable that the ammonia, disengaged
from well-decomposed peat, existed in the form of a salt, and not as
nitrogen in an albumenide. In the form of a soluble salt, it would
come in contact with the roots by the capillary action of the sand. It
isin this way that peat-bottoms have their value under sand. <A mi-
croscopic examination of the dark-coloring matter found on the roots,
after all the mechanical coloring matters had been removed, showed
that their surface was chemically changed, that is, carbonized.

Cranberry illustrations.—Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,5, and 6 represent the lead-
. ing types of cranberries cultivated in New Jersey, which are known by the
following names, viz: 1, the bell; 2, the cherry; 3, the bugle; 4, the
red early bell, from Cape Cod, as found growing in New Jersey; 5, the
cheese berry; 6, a modification of the bugle; 7, roots of the healthy
vine, intermingled with moss.

Insects injurious to cranberry-culture——The following letter relating
to in sectsinjurious to cranberry-culture is written by the secretary of
the New Jersey Cranberry Association, at the request of this Depart-
ment:

TRENTON, N. J., January 25, 1876.

DEAR Sir: I subjoin a few facts, drawn from experience and observation, concerning
the insect-enemies common to the cranberry. Those with which we have had special
experience are the grasshopper, cricket, vine-worm, and berry-worm. We have suc-
ceeded in destroying these worms by thorough plowing. On a portion of the park
cranberry low lands they at one time became very numerous in spite of the ordinary
winter plowing, but by removing the water and exposing the lands for a few weeks to
the rays of the sun in April, and then again submerging them, the worms were com-
pletely destroyed. When water is not at command for flowing we think they may be
controlled by night-fires on the borders of the bogs at the period when the moth is
out. Many moths are destroyed by the flames, and more are attracted away from the
plantation by the light that do not find their way back.

Grasshoppers and crickets have given us the most trouble. Their eggs being imper-
vious to water cannot be destroyed by winter flowing. If they could be submerged at
the period of hatching we have no doubt that they would succumb, but the hatching
oceurring at a period when the vines are in bloom and setting with fruit, flowing can-
not be employed without loss of the crop. Poultry of all kinds we have found very
beneficial in keeping the grasshoppers in subjection; but we have found no animal
sufficiently sharp-eyed to capture the hiding cricket except the Guinea fowl. Both the
grasshopper and the cricket are fearfully destructive, as the former attacks the berry
when very small, and the latter eats only the seeds at the time of ripening.

If you can give us any assistance by way of remedy for these pests we shall be greatly
obliged.

respectfully,
A. J. RIDER.

Hon. FREDK. WaATTs,

Commissioner of Agriculture.

PENICILLIUM GLAUCUM.—Under the head of microscopic investiga-
tions will appear, from time to time, in the monthly reports of the Depart-
ment, a series of illustrations of finely-executed engravings, represent-
ing the most important types of cryptogamic plants and including edible

ined

: sels “i Liga ws eee

Ma, acess —— eal

of ' os ef we
Jt pate sn
hie Bie z ud Mare

Nee ay me) Lees
Pia |) Pabents

~

a,

49

and poisonous mushrooms. About 500 highly-executed colored draw-
ings have been prepared for the International Exhibition, under the su-
pervision of some of the most noted cryptogamists of Europe and Amer-
ca, from which collection specimens will be selected for publication.

We make our first selection, blue-mold, (Penicillium glacum, Greyv.,)

from a class of common molds which are frequently found on moldy

bread and other articles of food, and appear of a greenish or blue color.
This genus is supposed to have intimate relations to fermentation; a,
represents the appearance of the fungus to the naked eye, on a piece of
bread; 6, tuft enlarged; c, threads enlarged 420 diameters; d, apex x 620;
e, chain of spores further magnified ; 7, spores germinating.

The drawing is after an original, by M. C. Cooke.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.—The Wes-
leyan University, of Middletown, Connecticut, has tendered the use of
its grounds, cabinets, and labratories for the use of this new institution, of
which Dr. Atwater, the distinguished professor of chemistry of the
university, acts as director. Dr. W. C. Tilden, late of this Department,
is the acting chemist, with two assistants. The State appropri-
ates annually $2,800, and the American Agrieulturist enough to
pay the balance of salaries and expenses. Dr. Atwater gives his sery-
ices as director without charge. Atalate joint meeting at the station,
of the State Board of Agriculture and the Farmers’ General Committee,
Dr. Atwater presented statistics from seventy European agricultural
stations, showing that not a dozen of them were better equipped for
work than was the Connecticut station. The work of the station has
been commenced, and already some of its valuable features have been
developed. Numerous analyses of fertilizers have been made, one of
which shows that the article in question, though sold with strong recom-
mendations, contained 1,300 pounds of sand, gravel, and other worth-
less material, to the ton. Analyses of general utility are to be made
gratis; those of private interest at moderate charges.

NEW JERSEY CRANBERRY ASSOCIATION.—At a recent meeting of
this association, Mr. N. R. French reported the statistics of cranberry
production as follows:

In round numbers I think the area under cranberry culture in New Jersey at the
present time is 5,000 acres, and the cost thereof at the fruit-bearing age of the vine
(three years) $1,750,000. New England and New York—judging from theiz crops, ag-
gregate about the same acreage, at probably about the same cost. Wisconsin, Minre-
sota, Indiana and Michigan, probably have 5,000 acres in cranberry vines, either par-
tially or wholly cultivated, but the cost at the fruit-bearing age is presumably less
than half that of the same area in the Atlantic States. We may say then that this
country has 15,000 acres in cranberry culture, at a cost valuation of $4,375,000. The
estimate crop of the last four years is as follows: :

1872. 1873. 1874, | 1875.

Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.| Bushels.
Cape Cod and adjacent islands. ............-.- eae = eee 20, 080 80, 009 70, 000 50, 000

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. ..........-.-- 20, 000 25, 000 35, 000 25, 000
Dy Oe Ngse ee ole eee ae 8 ne ee ery eee 100,000 | 110, 000 90, 000 90, 000
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan .............-- 135, 000 60, 000 50, 000 40, 000
Loy ee A See 2 So es FB CIR ND IG | pet RR Ss SERRE TS ) OO 5 POLES | op os Be | 5, 000 5, 000

WS ake eet on 0 2 de A ea hel A 275,000 | 275, 000 250,000 | 210, 000

=

50

TRAINING OF HORSES.—The following letter was received froma regular
and valued correspondent of this Department. It inculcates valuable
lessons in the rearing and training of young horses, the proper mode of
feeding, and systematic gentleness in handling and teaching. The value
of the horse depends so much upon his early training that I give place
to this letter because of the valuable lessons it teaches :—{ Commissioner
of Agriculture. ’ ,

HACIENDA SALUDA,
Greenville County, S. C., December 24, 1875.

Srr: On the 11th December last I purchased two more colts born 4th and 7th May,
1874—both from the same horse—their mothers sound brood-mares of this county. .
The colts were weaned at seven months old, wintered on corn-fodder and clover-hay,
with two quarts per day of corn-meal, moistened with warm water and a little salt.
They ran out all winter in a 20-acre hilly lot of ground, with steep gravelly paths to
water. At night they nestled together on a warm littered-stable wooden floor, coats
cleaned and feet trimmed.

In March, as soon as they began to get a little pasture, they were haltered and tied
up in their stalls. In June they were bridled, surcingled, and ecruppered. In two
days running loose the bit worked in the mouth and crupper at the root of the tail in
such a way as to make them hold up their heads and do all the kicking natural to
youth and inexperience. They were then learned to stand tied in this way for three
hours each day for a week, another week with wagon-harness, collars, breeching, and
chain-traces danglizg about their hind legs sufficient to teach them patience.

In July they were driven double up and down hill; then hitched single to a horse-
rake, pulling hay together; then to a little cart, one ahead of the other, hauling light
loads of hay to the barn, at which work they were prepared for the road as a tandem
team ; then put to a small garden-plow, single and double. Sweating cleansed their
bowels, gave them a fine appetite, and made them grow rapidly in size and strength.

In August they were taught to shake hands before going to supper, by offering one
fore foot. Driven double out on the road to visit a steam-sawmill, heard the noise of
machinery, and became familiar with the whistle of the locomotive. During Septem-
ber they carried sixty-pound boys every day for two hours up and down the road inside
the front gate in a slow walk, then in a fast walk up and down hill, thenin a slow
trot and fast trot on a level; this kept them a little thin in the hot season, but they
were growing at the rate of half an inch per month, having reached the height of 4
feet 94 inches, keeping nearly the same size.

In October they were allowed a vacation of two weeks, in a third crop of clover, a
foot high, with an additional allowance of salt to prevent slobbering; before being
set free in the mornings, they were requested to bow their heads to the ground in sup-
plication, which they soon learned to do with profound understanding. They had not
been in clover long before they filled, and lay down on their mother earth and went
to sleep.

In the last week in October they were hitched to the Baltimore wagon, and driven
eight miles, working well up and down hill, and on a level showed how well they had
been trained to trot by the boys. They were now turned on Kentueky blue-grass a
half a foot high. At eighteen months old they were hitched to the high Greenville
road-wagon, and visited the city, to and fro fourteen miles. On this drive they showed
the result of a home education, crossing streams and bridges and passing strangers
with a grace and beauty equal to colts of their ageof any other country.

Amazon (named after the South American valley) is the favorite.

Tecla (named after the fair maid of Iconium, referred to in Apocryphal New Testa-
ment, who was persecuted without mercy by magistrates of antiquity,) is the pet.
She shows pluck on the road,and traveled the fourteenth mile with much spirit,
though she may not prove so fast as Amazon.

The importation and employment of jacks injures and weakens the race of horses.
A young horse, with elder brothers and sisters mules, is often abused for stupidity, or a
wild vicious character which turns his heels against mankind. The well-trained, pure
blooded horse, is now so valuable, and the mule comparatively so cheap, that the
horse is being destroyed by the jackass.

Very respectfully,
LARDNER GIBBON.

OUR SILK MANUFACTURE.—From returns received by the Silk Asso-
ciation of America from the silk mauufactories of the country, the fol-
lowing statistics have been compiled. The total value of our domestic
manufacture, during 1874, was $20,082,482, viz: tram and organzine,
375,659 pounds, $2,911,055; spun silk, 140,000jjpounds, $800,000 ;

é

ol

fringe-silk, 18,845 pounds, $109,270; floss-silk, 6,300 pounds, $43,000;
sewing-silk, 82,857 pounds, $917,809; machine-twist, 414,285 pounds,
$4,848,839; dress-silks, $1,400,000; millinery and neck-tie silks, $1,163,961;
haiWkerchiefs, $313,315 ; foulards, $500,000; ribbons, $2,776,836 ; braids
and bindings, $308,790; laces, $103,000; veils and veiling, $33,706;
military trimmings, $68,000; upholstery trimmings, $340,000; ladies’
dress trimmings, $3,444,700. In this manufacture were consumed
897,946 pounds of reeled silks, worth $8,829,973; 140,000 pounds of spun
silks, worth $800,000, making 1,037,946 pounds of silk thread, valued at
$9,629,973. Of this amount 497,142 pounds, worth $5,766,648, were con-
. Sumed in sewings and twist, leaving but 540,804 pounds, worth $3,863,325,
for woven fabrics. The total amount paid for wages was $4,497,319,
making an outlay for labor and raw material of $14,127,092, leaving a
balance of $5,955,390 for profits and expenses of administration. The .
total amount of capital invested was $14,708,184, which, divided among
180 establishments, gives an average of $81,716. The average of annual
products was $111,569. The total number of hands employed was 14,479,
averaging 80 to each establishment; of this number 4,086 were males
above sixteen ; 1,048 males under sixteen; 6,858 females above sixteen,
and 2,487 females below that age.

Of the different branches of this industry, thrown and spun silks em-
brace 26 establishments, half being in New Jersey, with machinery of
1,003 horse-power, driving 129,178 throwing-spindles; the number of hands
employed was 4,062; amount paid for wages, $945,710; capital invested,
$4,252,152; total product, $3,863,325, including tram and organzine,
$2,911,055, spun silk, $800,000, fringe-silk,$109,270, and floss-silk, $43,000;
total weight of product, 540,804 pounds. It is noticeable that the two
establishments of Connecticut produce about two-thirds of the aggre-
gate of the 13 establishments in New Jersey, with less than a third of
the spindles and two-thirds of the horse-power; but the capital invested
in the Connecticut factories is $1,767,300, against $1,577,070 in those of
New Jersey; New York has 4 factories, Pennsylvania 6, and California
1; but these are on a smaller scale.

Sewing-silks and machine-twist occupy 42 factories with machinery of
605 horse-power, driving 39,665 spindles; number of hands employed,
3,212; aggregate of wages, $793,391; capital invested, $3,586,996 ;
total value of products, $5,776,648, including sewing-silks, $917,809,
and twist, $4,848,839 ; total weight of goods produced, 497,142 pounds.
Massachusetts, with 7 factories, produces about two-fifths of this aggre-
gate, $2,072,163, and has the largest amount of capital invested,
$1,258,290, as well as the largest number of hands employed, 1,146.
Connecticut, with 19 establishments, employs 1,051 hands, and produces
$1,904,885 from an invested capital of $1,153,433. New Jersey has 6
establishments; New York 5; Pennsylvania 2; California, New Hamp-
shire, and Vermont 1 each.

Broad goods and ribbons employ 42 factories with machinery of 355
horse-power, driving 1,189 power-looms and: 496 ribbon power-looms.
There are also 779 hand-looms, and the average number of shuttles of
each establishment is 7,935; number of hands employed, 4,092; total
of wages, $1,201,579; capital invested, $2,836,696; total production,
$6,154,313, including dress-silks, $1,400,000; millinery and neck-tie silks,
$1,163,961; handkerchiefs, $313,516; foulards, $500,000; ribbons,

32,776,836. New Jersey, with 21 factories, produces nearly half of this
aggregate, $2,987,467, employing 2,255 hands, and $1,492,584 of capital,
and paying for labor $616,588. New York, with 11 establishments, and
Connecticat, with 2, produce each about half as much as New Jersey

52 ;

Pennsylvania has 6 establishments, producing millinery and neck-tie
goods and ribbons. Massachusetts and Kansas havé 1 each, fabricating
only ribbons.

Forty firms are engaged in dyeing either their own products or tffose
of others. They have $386,840 invested in dye-works, employ 360 men,
pay $205,719 for labor, and dyed 1,037,946 pounds of silk during the
year.

In the manufacture of laces and braids, 92 firms are employed, 56 in
New York and 14 in Pennsylvania, with 392 power-looms, 728 hand-
looms, 45,148 braiding-spindles, 180 chenille-spindles, 287 cord-spinning
wheels, and 50 lace-machines ; number of hands employed, 2.753, (two- .
thirds females;) wages paid, $1,350,920; capital invested, $3,645,500 ;
total product, $4,298,196, including laces, $103,000, (all in New York ;)
braids and binding, $308,790, (all in New Jersey and Connecticut ;) veils
and veilings, $33,706, (all in New Jersey ;) military trimmings, $68,000,
(all in Pennsylvania ;) upholstery trimmings, $340,000; ladies’ dress-
trimmings, $3,444,700.

The 180 establishments were scattered through 13 States, of which
New Hampshire, Maryland, Vermont, Missouri, and Kansas, had but 1
each ; Illinois 2; Ohio and California 3 each ; Massachusetts 11; Con-
necticut 21; Pennsylvania 23; New Jersey 42; New York 70. New
Jersey has the largest amount of capital invested—$4,193,942, or over a
third of the whole—and reports the largest product, $6,097,692, nearly
a third of the whole; she employs, also, over a third of the laborers—
5,714. Her 42 establishments average $145,183 of manufactured pro-
ducts, $99,858 of capital invested, and 129 employés. Her enterprise
is mostly directed to thrown and spun silks, broad goods, ribbons, laces,
_ braids, and trimmings.

Connecticut ranks next in the extent of production and capital em-
barked. Her 21 establishments show the largest averages reported,
viz: Capital, $186,381, value of products, $241,710, employés, 126.
Her chief enterprise embraces thrown and spun silks, sewing-silks, twist,
broad goods, and ribbons.

New York, with the largest number of establishments, ranks only
third in capital and production; her 70 factories average $48,168 in cap-
ital invested, $64,238 in annual production, and 48 hands employed ;
56 of her establishments manufacture laces, braids, avd trimmings, in
which branch she takes the lead, and produces more than half of the
whole.

The 23 factories of Pennsylvania, employed mostly in the fabrication
of laces, braids, trimmings, broad goods, and ribbons, average $66,846
of capital, $81,597 of products, and 67 employés. Massachusetts takes
the lead in sewing-silk and machine-twist, producing about two-fifths
of the whole; her 11 establishments average $122,981 of capital, $197,-
151 of products, and 113 employés. Ohio manufactures only ladies’
dress trimmings and upholstery trimmings; her 3 establishments aver-
age $14,000 of capital and $20,000 of products, employing altogether
100 hands. California has 3 factories, producing tram, machine-twist,
and ladies’ dress and upholstery trimmings; they average $54,000 of
capital, and $36,766 of products, employing together 100 hands. Illinois
has 2 establishments engaged in manufacturing ladies’ dress and
upholstery trimmings; together they report $32,500 of capital and
$50,000 of products, and employ 35 hands. New Hampshire has 1 fac-
tory, producing machine-twist and sewing-silk to the amount of $44,000,
employing a capital of $27,000 and 19 hands. Maryland, with 1 fac-
tory, employing $30,000 capital and 25 hands, produces $35,000 worth

53

of ladies’ dress trimmings. Vermont has 1 manufactory of machine-
twist, with $14,200 capital and 8 hands, yielding $15,000. One firm in
Missouri manufactures ladies’ dress trimmings and upholstery trim-
mings to the exteht of $15,000, with $10,500 capital and 13 hands.
Finally, one establishment in Kansas weaves $7,500 worth of ribbons,
with a capital of $10,000 and 6 hands.

The weekly wages of male employés range about as follows: mill men
and boys, from $5.75 @ $8 in New Jersey, to $6 @ $12 in Connecticut;
cleaners, from $1.80 in California to $5 in Connecticut ; weavers, $12 to
18, (the highest rate only in Connecticut;) dyers from $12 @ $15 in New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, to $16 @ $25 in New York, (California $24
in gold;) stringers, from $12 to $18, (highest rate only in California ;)
laborers, from $8 @ $10 in Pennsylvania, to $10 @ $12 in New York;
lace-machine men, (only employed in New York,) $12 to $30. Female
wages range as follows: danters, from $5.50,@ $6.50 in Pennsylvania,
to $9 in California; winders and doublers, $4.50 to $10; cleaners, $1.80
to $5; reelers and quill-fillers, $4 to $7; spoolers, $6.50 to $8; weav-
ers, $7 to $12; tassel-makers, $4 to $7.50. The hours of labor are 60
per week. In many instances operatives of special skill will make much
more than the above, especially soft-silk winders, warpers, and weavers |
who work by the piece or pound; such frequently earn $12 to $15 per
week, while male weavers often reach $20, and passementerie-workers
$30; the best silk-finishers reach $36.

The reports of the Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury show the fol-
lowing imports of raw silk by fiscal years: 1870-71, 1,100,281 pounds,
worth $5,739,592 ; 187172, 1,063,809 pounds, worth $5,625,620; 187273,
1,159,420 pounds, worth $6,460,621 ; 1873~74, 794,837 pounds, worth
$3,854,008 ; 1874~75, 1,101,681 pounds, worth $4,504,306. The imports
of the calendar year of 1874 were 806,774 pounds, valued at $3,826,905,
against 831,728 pounds, worth $4,267,243, imported in 1873. Over 99
per cent. of these goods were entered at New York and San Francisco.
The report of the Silk Association embracesa paper showing that the raw
silk-trade of 1874 was marked by full crops, low prices, and large con-
sumption by manufacturers. In the face of a decreasing import this
can be explained only on the supposition of an increased home-produc-
tion. China, now happily freed from her devastating rebellion, has in-
creased her annual product and export. ‘The report, however, publishes
facts showing that the Chinese article has suffered a continued adultera-
tion and deterioration. In response to the demands of foreign consuls
the Chinese government issued a proclamation calling upon the officials
of the ‘ silk-district” to see that due care be exercised in the selection
of fiber for export, and that energetic measures be taken for its improve-
ment. In Japan, of late years, the raw-silk trade has been nearly
undermined and demoralized by the extraordinary foreign demand for
silk-worms’ eggs. This caused the increase of worms beyond the power
of the rearers to properly care for them. A great degeneracy of the
next generation was the natural consequence, involving a similar degen-
eracy inthe cocoons. But these results have produced a reaction in the

'' business, and now more attention is given to the breeding of sound,

healthy worms. Machinery is also superseding hand-work in reeling,
producing more even and stronger fiber with fewer breaks. The entire
Japanese product of raw silk in 1874 was about 3,000,000 pounds. The
silk produced in spring is stronger and less liable to break, but that of
summer is of brighter color; a little inferior silk is produeed in the fall.
From facts presented by the Japanese vice-consul at New York, it is ex-
pected that the Japanese silk will become as good as that of any other

54

eountry for American manufacture, when the Japanese understand the
requirements of our market. We demand the best and strongest fiber.
In Europe the crop was good notwithstanding the yield of cocoons
from imported Japanese eggs was poor. The Bengal silks were inferior.

The prices of raw silk ruled lower than for twenty years, shrinking
from 30 to 45 per cent. within two years. These low prices have been
maintained in spite of increased consumption and the rapid decrease
of manufacturers’ stocks.

The aggregate annual values of silk manufactures imported at New
York during the last sixteen calendar years were as follows: 1859,
$31,877,863 ; 1860, $34,320,331 ; 1861, $12,298,863 ; 1862, $10,942 tie “
1863, $14, 761 186 ; 1864, S14, 621 ,202 ; 1865, $18, 293, 693 ; 1866, ’g29'9
864 ; 1867, $16, 434, 524’: 1868, $18, 903, 232 1369, $22 064, 312; 136)
$26, 731,2 75; 1871, $33,899,710 1872, $39,677,749; 1873, $24,379, 322 +
1874, $23,292,551. From -92 to 95 per cent. of the manufactured-silk
imports of the whole country are received at New York. These figures
represent the foreign (gold) cost of the fabrics.

ANGORA MANUFACTURES IN CALIFORNIA.—California, in pursuance
of a characteristic fashion of doing what cannot be done elsewhere, has
not only persisted in keeping considerable flocks of Angora goats, but
multiplies their numbers and utilizes the fleece. There have been placed
in the Museum of this Department some specimens of dressed skin
with fleece intact, of divers colors and great beauty, such as are used
for fancy robes, rugs, mats, fur gauntlets, and for other purposes. These
gloves are very strong, durable, warm, and showy. ‘The leather is also
used in strings for belt-lacing, and appears from its great strength to
be very suitable for such use. This is the work of the Angora Robe
and Glove Company, located at San José, and demonstrates the avail-
ability of Angora products for successful manufacture into articles
of comfort and utility. Their gloves, unlike those of buckskin, are
dressed with the grain left on. Mr. Frank Leavis, the secretary of
the company, is a part owner of a flock of six hundred ewes which were
sheared last spring. In one county, Monterey, there are no less than
twenty thousand returned by the assessors, and they constitute a por-
tion of the stock of twenty-eight other counties.

CHEESE IN MINNESOTA.—The statistics of the Bigelow Cheese Fac-
tory, in Noble County, Minnesota, reported to this Department for
1875. are as follows: Number of pounds of cheese manufactured, 15,520;
average value per pound, 124 cents. The factory was in operation "four
months, during which time it received the milk of eighty cows. The
average number of pounds of cheese per cow was 194, amounting in value
to $24. Our correspondent in Stearns County also reports that the farm-
ers are turning their attention to cheese-making, and that a factory for
that purpose has been established in the county the past season.

PEELER COTTON.—A correspondent in Drew County, Arkansas, re-
ports that from a package of seed received from this Department he had
grown enough to sow about an acre of this variety of cotton, last
spring. He sold the product of lint at 144 cents per pound, * while
other cotton, raised by its side, handled with the same care, and sold at
the same time, brought only 12 cents per pound.” He has carefully
saved the seed of this crop, some of which he will distribute among
neighbors, and plant the remainder for further testing its comparative
merits.

Fruit In MicoH1GAN.—The quantities of fruit reported as shipped by

rail and water from Saint Joseph and Benton Harbor, the past season,
were as follows:

Saint Jo-| Bentom *
seph. Harbor.

Maples, DATrola ss aos n- - = iepe hop 2 op ajadpn + 80s e's eee rlameien= cls 0% 18,773 48, 831

ee ete laa ice ae Sea cee s Sami aides a oe anveln aes TULA. | «2 secanieeaee
HOR ENAACOIN Ss aoae os ets o ote Sout O. saat boetae te secs POTS Aree
Fruit—peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, quinces, &c., baskets...; 35,294 47,785
Strawberries, crates, (one-half bushel)...-......-....---..----- 130;092 geo fee
BETTICS eA CCH ee een. See, ee EA LS hee ees kd 2: 38, 248 2, 937
preserved fruits, barrelsiide2sosct eels t Re C Re Gc as28.2 292

‘DESICCATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.”—In the article under
this head in the volume of Monthly Reports for 1875, the statement, on
page 508, that ‘ letters-patent were granted to A. J. Reynolds, of Balti-
more,” should read “ to A. J. Reynolds, of Chicago.”

RENEWED IMMIGRATION INTO KANSAS.—A correspondent in McPher-
son County reports that the abundant crops of this season “ have caused
immigration to start up again.” He states that Russian immigrants are
coming into that vicinity and buying up all the railroad and school
lands in the market. As a consequence, the locality is becoming thickly
settled.

PROGRESSIVE FARMING.—A correspondent in Ingham County, Mich-
igan, reports a growing conviction in that section that good farming, and
only that, is profitable. The breeding of fine sheep, cattle, and farm-
horses is receiving increased attention, and unusual exertions are being
made to introduce the best labor-saving machines and implements.

BLUE-GRASS.—Our correspondent in Prairie County, Arkansas, reports
that Kentucky blue-grass was brought into that county by the Army,
and has since been spreading all through it, though very little has as
yet been sown. “It is rapidly running out the wild grasses, with the
exception, perhaps, of wild clover, of which there are two varieties.” He
is of opinion that, for all purposes, it is superior to every other grass in
the county, though timothy, red-top, orchard-grass, and clover are cul-
tivated, and successfully, by those who have the requisite knowledge
for right treatment.

INCREASING PRODUCTION OF SORGHUM IN GEORGIA.—The State
department of agriculture at Atlanta reports that the yield of sorghum
this year will average in the State 73 gallons per acre, and the product will
be 323 per cent. greater than last year. This is owing toagreatly increased
acreage and to a very favorable season, particularly in Upper Georgia,
where the culture is rapidly extending. The area reported in 1874 was
5,134 acres, and the average yield 67 gallons per acre. This gives a
product of 343,978 gallons. An increase of 323 per cent. on this gives
1,455,027 gallons. The average price per gallon is 66 cents; the esti-
mated cost of production per gallon 28 cents; making the @TOSs returns ©
per acre $48.18, and the net $27, 74. That is a return of very nearly 136
per cent. on the investment in fertilization, seed, labor, &c. But it is
presumed that the estimated cost of production does not take into ac-
count interest on the value of land, and its relative conditions before
and after producing the crop. At the above estimates, the gross returns
for the crop would amount to $960,317, and the net $536,910.

AGRICULTURE IN DOUGLAS, COLORADO.—A correspondent in this
county reports that “the grasshoppers made a clean sweep of every-
thing,” except potatoes, which were an extra crop. During a residence of
fifteen years he has never known such a failure, and he predicts that “a
great many will have hard work to pull through till another crop.” On the
other hand, the loss of crops is in part compensated for by an unusually
good market for cattle. Nearly all beef-cattle had been sold for Chicago
market previous to November 13. At that date, also, grass was un-
usually good, and there was more than an average prospect that stock
would winter well.

_ Broom-corn.—It is but a very few years since the importance of the
extensive cultivation of broom-corn has attracted the attention of either
the farmer or manufacturer; but now in the Northern, Western, and
Middle States it has grown into an important industry; and there is
no reason why the Southern planter should not turn his attention to the
same subject, and thereby awaken another manufacturing occupation
among his people. There is no climate in the United States in which
broom-corn will not grow with more or less success; and the mode of
its cultivation does not materially differ from that of the ordinary corn
or maize. And, like all other grain, its successful production is depend-
ent upon the quality of the soil and the care with which the land is cul-
tivated. ‘
_ For broom-corn the land should be plowed in the fall. This attains
two objects: the frosts of winter ameliorate and make friable the soil;
and the work is then done, and will not be liable to the delay of plant-
ing early in the spring. This is particularly necessary in the Northern
and Middle States, where spring-sowing is often delayed by cold rains.
If the ground be well and deeply plowed in the fall, it will supersede
the necessity of plowing it again in the spring. The ground may be
then well harrowed, rolled, and scored out three feet one way and two
the other. This is assuming that the ground is in good, fertile condition.
If it be not, then it should be made so before plowing in the fall, by
the application of barn-yard manure. Land cannot be made too rich
for corn. Scoring the land out both ways enables the farmer to work it
both ways by cultivators. If the seed be dropped with a drill, then it
need not be scored. About three quarts of seed will plant an acre. As
soon as the corn is seen above the ground, the working to keep down the
weeds should be commenced, and it must be kept clean throughout the
season.

Broom-corn will grow from eight to twelve feet high, and its brush
should be two feet long. This, however, is dependent in a great degree
upon the quality of the soil and the care with which it is cultivated.
After the cornu is grown to fullsize, the top is bent down at a point about
one foot below the brush. This isfor the purposeof preventing too much
spreading; and it should be so bent that it may be as little exposed to
the sun as possible, in order to preserve its color. Whether this opera-
tion of bending down the top be done before or after the ripening of the
seed, must be made to depend upon whether it be most desirable to per-
fectly ripen the seed or secure the best quality of brush. The plant
being ripe and properly dry, the brush is to be cut off and hauled to the
barn, and the seed taken off either by a hackle or other machinery.

The character of broom-corn has, of late years, been much improved
in length and stiffness, and persons desirous of raising it should pay
much attention to the character of the seed. The brush for several years
back has been worth in the market from six to twelve cents a pound,
and the seed is worth about as much as corn for the feed of cattle.

57

There are large manufactories of clothes and sweeping brooms in New
York and Massachusetts, and the product of the broom-corn is always
a marketable article. Some estimate may be made of the protit arising
from the cultivation of broom-corn, from the reports made by the farm-
ers of Massachusetts and New York to their respective agricultural
societies, aS the same are published in their annual transactions.

The value of the crop is reported by the Massachusetts Agricultural
Society as follows:

Teles sien en HOU El CONOR. HSU Sh ML. oe Se deltece wee Po isedeececs Sues $81 13
Ss) bushelsvofiseed: at 45)conts to .2l6)) eden eee eke eek Se OK 39 60
120 72
Expenses:
LUN SGUE ey Ned Se a a, ee Eien Ace PR SCRE ge ae SES St $10 00
Mowing anep latins (52322 pedees eke lakes eles ls seh ack aewisei. 3 00
Cultivating, harvesting, and taking of seed.-.-...- aes secGecisebersseek 18 00
TUTE HESS) cy 0 a el Ae gS gi a caf a ae a A I aa
40 00
NGb PrOlh On ONG ALC.) a5 sexjcuu spacer beu. eames! taeld. Bice sl OTe

PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE.—Dr. Carpenter, in a paper read before
the British ‘‘Association of Medical Officers of Health,” states that infil-
tration of sewage through. soil will eliminate all organic matter, and
perfectly purify it. But the power of the soil is limited. It becomes
saturated, and, instead of purifying the sewage, pollutes it still further
by infusing the organic débris left by previous infiltrations. But if the
filter is changed and the soil allowed to sun-dry and come in contact
with fresh air, the organic débris itself is oxidized and transformed into
harmless salts, which, on subsequently passing the sewage through the
filter, will be carried off, leaving the filter itself free from its previous
contamination. This is the principle on which rests the new process of
downward, intermittent filtration. These salts are carried off into the
sea, and consequently lost to agriculture.

To prevent this waste it is proposed to take up these organic débris in
the filtering soil by vegetation. Instead of the chemical power of the at-
mosphere, the vital power of the plant should be brought into requisition
to remove this refuse matter, and to bring it back by its circuitous process
into the soil. In 1868 the speaker had showed how the rootlets of rye-grass
seized upon the organic elements of the sewage, without reducing them
to chemical salts, and immediately utilized them in plant-growth. He
maintained, contrary to common opinion, that it was not necessary that
the organic refuse should be reduced to inorganic elements prior to re-
absorption in vegetation. He cites, in support of his position, the ex-
periments of Dr. Sanderson, and the declaration of Dr. Hooker, of the
Royal Gardens at Kew, before the British Association, at its late session
in Belfast, that “plants can and do assimilate animal matter without
that animal matter being first resolved into its ultimate elements.”

Dr. Carpenter claims to have established the capacity of the protoplasm
of rye-grass, as‘existing in the minute spongioles of the root, to absorb and
assimilate organic matter without first decomposing it into its inorganic
elements. At the extreme end of the rootlet, the root-cap, as it is called,
consists of cells which attract this organic matter, and which, after hav-
ing passed the nitrogenous elements to the vascular system of the
plant, become saturated with the residuary oxygen or carbonic acid and
separate from the plant, their work being done. Animal manure, espe- /
cially that derived from carnivorous or omnivorous animals, embraces
two classes of matter; first, that in which all vitality has been destroyed

58

and which reverts to the inanimate compounds which the chemist can
reproduce in his laboratory; secondly, that which contains granules or
germs with a dormant or potential vitality of some sort. The latter is
called, by Dr. Beale, “living matter,” and requires a continuous heat of
212° Fah. for its destruction. These are the germs which, if admitted
into the animal organism, reproduce their kind, and by their organic
action disturb the normal relations of the animal system producing
disease. If, now, it can be shown that vegetation arrests these mis-
chievous germs or granules, a sanitary expedient of immense value has
been developed. Dr. Carpenter cites Dr. Sanderson and Charles Dar-
win in proof of the actual absorption of this organic matter by the
Drosera, and claims the same in behalf of the rye-grass. A field of
thin grass deprived of its accustomed sewage for three or four days,
shows a vast mass of tangled rootlets covered with hairs. As a stream
of sewage is turned upon the latter they will exhibit, under the micro-
scope, a marvelous activity. They extend their fibrillz to reach the ad-
vancing tide. Immediately a liquid, which is not sewage, rises in the
parenchyma of the plant.

A serious question has been raised, as to whether the absorption of
injurious matter by the earth as a filter finally disposes of it, or only
holds it in reserve for future injury. Dr. C. thinks that all possible
danger from this source can be removed by this absorptive power of
vegetation, so far as sewageis concerned. Plants will extract the nitro-
genous elements of organic matter, and thus deprive it of all vitality.
Not a single granule can escape this action, provided the soil is not al-
ready saturated with sewage. Rye-grass sown in wet sand, without
contact with water containing nitrogenous matter, will grow to a cer-
tain size, and stop when it has used up all the nourishing matter
contained in the seed. Upon the application of water, charged with
fresh solutions of organic matter, the plant again begins to grow. If
organic solutions be placed in sand in which there is no absorbing veg-
etable, such as rye-grass, it will become putrid. These facts Dr. C.
claims to have established by decisive experiment.

In regard to the healthfulness of plants raised from sewage, for hu-
man consumption, Dr. C. admits thatan excess of sewage injures plants,
but contends that some plants can absorbit in greater proportion than
others. For instance, Italian rye-grass will take up 2.33 times as much
nitrogenized matter as meadow-grass. An unskillful experimenter, on
the discovery of this fact, concluded that this excess was unassimilated
nitrogen, or sewage pure and simple. But as itisimpossible for either
animal or vegetable organism to absorb organic materials without
changes necessary to assimilation, such conclusions are not the re-
sult of competent knowledge of the subject. Albumen and ammonia, for
instance, cannot pass through the vital processes without undergoing a
radical change. The rye-grass, with its greater assimilating power,
can dispose of an increased quantity of nitrogen and render it availa-
ble and safe for animal nutrition. Rye-grass produces more meat and
more milk than any other, because it contains more nitrogen, and leaves
more sugar in the dried plant. Thousands of tons fertilized by sewage
are now consumed by farm-animals in England with great relish and a
marked preference over ordinary meadow-grasses. The ease with which
cattle brought up on sewage-farms withstand epizootic attacks shows
that their nutriment is not of such a character as to impair their vital
energy. Dr. C. cites the Beddington farm of 500 acres, 480 of which
are more or less under irrigation, and 280 acres constantly since 1860.
The sewage of over 50,000 persons has been constantly supplied in all

59

seasons, and its effluent stream is received by the river Wandle, which
bears it through several large estates, the proprietors of which, men of
wealth and intelligence, would be quick to detect and prompt to re-
move any nuisance inflicted upon them, having on four different occa-
sions enjoined the Croydon board of health from creating nuisances.
But in the case of the effluent water of the Beddington farm they have
found no grounds for complaint.

The farm belongs to the Croydon Board of Health, which has but
limited financial means to make it efficient as a sewage-farm. The dis-
trict of Croydon for many years has shown a clean bill of health, the
larger portion of the people living in villages within half a mile of the
farm, yet the death-rate is about 14 per cent, while the birth-rate is
more than double. The death-rate might. be lowered still further by
proper sanitary measures, abating several local nuisances not connected
with sewage, such as foul wells, cesspools, &c. Dr. Carpenter claims
that the utilization of sewage at Beddington has improved the health
of the district. Very little of typhoid fever or other blood-poisoning
disease is noted. He does not consider the effluent water as potable,
but contends that it may be admitted to a water-course without any
injury either to human residents or to the fish in the waters. The com-
missioners in charge of rivers allow any water to go into a run-
ning stream which does not contain more tian two parts by weight of
organic carbon, or thirty parts of organic nitrogen, in each 100.000 parts
of water. The effluent water of Beddington, by careful analysis, falls
within these official limits, and is even more pure than that which is sup-
plied from the Thames for the people of London to drink. Beddington
farm, with very inefficient management, returns a gross product of £20
per,acre, being mostly grass. It has greatly cheapened both milk and
meat in the local markets.

Dr. Voelcker, while questioning some of Dr. Carpenter’s theories, and
insisting that organic matter must be reduced to the mineral condition
before it can be perfectly assimilable by. vegetation, confirms his state-
ments of the Beddington sewage-farm from personal inspection. Sew-
age grass is richer in nitrogen than ordinary grass, but it is also more
watery. It is very useful for milch-cows. Dr. Carpenter rejoined that
the rye-grass on the Beddington farm was mixed with other kinds of
food correcting its watery tendencies, and that this was the reason of
the superior character of the milk produced.

AN ENGLISH SEWAGE-FARM.—Lord Warwick’s farm of 400 acres re-
ceives the whole sewage of the borough of Leamington, with that of the
suburban parishes of Milverton and Lillington, amounting on the whole
to a million gallons per day. The soil isarich loam, overlyinga gravelly
subsoil. The sewage is pumped through an iron main, 2} miles long,
to a height of 132 feet above the farm, which insures its easy distribu-
tion. Eight hydrants regulate the flow and terra-cotta pipes carry the
liquid to different fields, where it is distributed by trenches, which are
dammed at different points by movable sluices. This arrangement has
been in operation for five years, yet no complaint of nuisance has yet
been heard. Lord Warwick pays £450 per annum for the material, and
his contract was to run thirty years from the beginning. The borough
pays the expense of pumping. The sewage is applied to almost all kinds
of crops. The soil is generally well saturated before seeding. Great
care is exercised to prevent the liquid from coming in contact with green
leaves, which, in such case, become blackened and destroyed. The ef-
fluent water after examination at several points was pronounced by the
health authorities remarkably pure, being especially free from fungoid

60

\
growths. The works originally cost £23,057. The annual installment
of nterest is £1,563.15, which is met by the boroughs of Leamington
and the parishes of Milverton and Lillington, in proportion to their
ratable value. The working expenses amounted last year to £1,046,
less the £450 paid by Lord Warwick.

MILK TRANSMITS INFECTION.—The Sanitary Record (English) states
that at Jarrow 34 cases of typhoid fever suddenly broke out in a limited
district, in twenty different families, the cases being mostly confined to
children. The houses, with two exceptions, were clean and well sup-
plied with pure water. It was discovered that all the families received
their milk from the same farm, which was at once visited. Six of the
farmer’s family were down with the fever. The water used in the dairy
was from a wellclose toa cesspit, and evidently contaminated by soakage,
as it became putrid in two days after drawing from the well. The dairy
was also used as a wash-house and the linen of the sick persons of the
family were washed in it. The person who milked the cows was in con-
stant attendance upon the sick. The nuisance was promptly detected
by the health-officer and immediately abated.

BRITISH IMPORTS OF BREADSTUFFS.—The official report of exports
and imports of the United Kingdom during 1874 and 1875, gives the
following figures in regard to the importation of breadstufts:

Quantities. Values.
1874. 1875. 1874. 1875.
Wheat:
EHER ios oa Ao on pan doses cee eeaons ewts...| 5,714,488 | 9,995,295 |£3, 180, 723 | £5, 153, 132
LS ae ee OR seems ee eee a do: 167, 286 493, 599 |. 103, 956 270, 984
Mee eae ee ere ee do....| 3,053,680 | 5,615,984 | 2,017, 623 3, 149, 174
France ..... nL attaieek ane eetpeebepisgs do.=— 300, 299 | 1, 296, 920 163, 835 698, 752
Austrian territories aot: 2,814 18, 564 1, 932 10, 013
Turkey, including Moldavia and Wallachia.do.... 659, 676 | 1,308, 137 364, 082 608, 402
SET ee ia ce aie ee ees ee do: 293, 880 | 2, 093, 853 172, 242 1, 028, 122
WnitediStates so. d:4 2. Ts esses ess do....| 23, 048, 552 | 23, 463,910 | 14,178,791 | 12, 400, 875
CON ee ee ee ee do....| 1,925, 334 900, 880 | 1,180, 455 506, 898
British North America .......- a a Be Se do....| 3, 807, 174 3, 604, 610 2, 238, 167 1, 966, 994
Ophercouninies'.ostppsciscs 05. -cdb -->- 258 do....| 2,506,277] 2,994,641 | 1,599,256 | 1, 625, 624
otal wheat. Wo. 22-22 97.5 266.200 3-8 do....| 41, 479, 460 | 51, 786, 393 | 25, 201,062 | 27, 418, 970
arose eps oe = apes cease eee = ee do....| 11, 379, 736 | 11, 055, 916 5, 266, 096 4, 630, 654
tA e ata cise oo tae ete te cin Ce aed nena otnmp we oats do....| 11, 396,010 | 12, 445, 483 5, 118, 785 5, 407, 928
MBIZO Ss oo Scere ce ances Seb bese an= a e=ppneaeeea do....| 17, 683, 212 | 20, 420, 292 7, 484, 178 8, 112, 158
Total: cereal prains Gs. se 25 - toe =e do....| 81,938, 418 | 95, 708, 084 | 43, 070, 121 45, 569, 710
Wheat-meal and flour:
Gewnvamy,.. ie 326: 252 fs ELE do.... 751, 366 796, 301 706, 039 643, 447
PATIO. ~ oo psae aes hee noe pe Deen ee oe ge: ..: 659, 568 1, 752, 079 €06, 457 1, 381, 394
UnitediStates’. 22.2. 2..5. 22802. sacha Meee do....}| 3, 290, 235 2, 273, 846 2, 915, 752 1, 734, 272
weratiahs Americas. . 3: fobs oe). es gb eee doe. + 389, 355 358, 756 332, 096 267, 864
LICR ORGONNCETON 52 o's ovine sine saan eerie a's do....| 1,139, 084 867,697 | 1,149, 476 801, 190
Total wheat-meal and flour ..........-. .---| 6,229,608 | 6,048,679 | 5, 709, 820 4, 828, 167
WORNTHOGES. ace nce, Santee secpcn vatanateace oe tee 8, 511 7, 494 14, 405 12, 130
Total values of cereal imports. - - Leal Odd. Eas SS eek 48, 794,346 | 50, 410, 007

CROP ACREAGE AND LIVE Stock IN GREAT BritaAin.—The British
official returns show that in the island of Great Britain, in 1875, the
total acreage in crops, bare fallow, and grass was 31,417,212 acres, show-
ing an increase of 150,593 over 1874. England increased her area from
24,008,368 acres to 24,113,171; Wales from 2,678,730 to 2,696,143; Scot-
land from 4,579,821 to 4,607,898. The total under grain-crops was
9,451,650, an increase of 20,160. Of this total 7,528,843 were in Eng-
land, an increase of 23,467; Wales fell off from 516,001 to 512,178; Scot-

61

land reports 1,410,929, an increase of only 516 acres. Wheat lost ground
to the extent of 287,819 acres, the whole island having, in 1875, 3,342,-
481 acres. England had 3,128,547 acres, a loss of 262,893 acres; Wales
111,797, a loss of 6.072; Scotland, 102,137, a loss of 18,854. The acre-
age in barley and bere increased from 2,287,987 to 2,509,701; in Eng-
land from 1,889,722 to 2,090,423; in Wales from 152,425 to 154,444; in
Scotland from 245,840 to 264,834. The oats acreage increased from
2,596,384 to 2,664,009 ; in England from 1,356,739 to 1,421,951; in Wales
from 235,621 to 237,170; in Scotland from 1.004,024 to 1,004,888. The
rye acreage was 54,903, an increase of 12,325; in England 43,544, an
increase of 6,896; in Wales 1,593, an increase of 26; in Scotland 9,766,
an increase of 753. The acreage in beans rose from 559,044 to 564,181 ;
England reporting 533,455, an increase of 7,894; Wales 3,398, a decrease
of 363; Scotland 27,328, a decrease of 1,394. The acreage in pease in-

_ creased 5,828 acres, being 316,375 in 1875, of which England had 310,-
623, Wales 3,776, and Scotland 1,976; Wales decreased and the other
two increased.

The total acreage under green crops was 3,664,104, an increase of 82,834,
England reporting 2,848,470, Wales 131,085, and Scotland 684,549; Eng-
land increased and the others decreased. Of these so-called green crops
522,653 were in potatoes, an increase of 2,223, England having a total
of 320,477, Wales 44,505, and Scotland 157,671; England increased and
the others decreased. Turnips and swedes increased from 2,133,336 to
2,142,698, England having 1,569,049, Wales 70,326, and Scotland 503,-
323. Mangels rose from 322,614 to 361,615, of which 352,196 were in
England, 7,261 in Wales, and 2,158 in Scotland. Carrots increased
1,009, being 14,936 in 1875, of which 13,591 were in England, 361 in
Wales, and 984 in Scotland. Cabbage, kohl-rabi, and rape occupied
189,733, an increase of 20,448 ; 183,402 in England, 1,237 in Wales, and
5,094 in Scotland. Lucern, vetches, and other green crops, not includ-
ing clover or grass, aggregated 432,469 acres, an increase of 10,791;
England 409,755, Wales 7,395, Scotland 15,319.

Of miscellaneous crops, 6,751 acres were in flax, a decline of 2,643—
England 6,547, Wales 54, Scotland 150.. England grew 69,203 acres of
hops, against 65,799 in 1874; neither Wales nor Scotland report any-
thing of this crop in 1875. The bare fallow-lands declined from 660,206
to 557,947—England 515,154, Wales 25,917, Scotland 16,876.

Clover, sainfoin, and grasses under rotation, occupied 4,354,071 acres,
an increase of 13,329, nearly half of which were mown for hay; Eng-
land reports 2,608,106, Wales 360,596, and Scotland 1,385,369. Per-
manent pastures, meadow or grass, not broken up in rotation, not
including heath or mountain land, occupied 13,313,486 acres; an increase
of 245,474, about one-third being mown for hay. England had 10,537,-
148 acres, Wales 1,666,313, and Scotland 1,110,025.

Of farm-animals, the total number of horses on the island was 1,340,-
129, an increase of 28,390, over one-third being unbroken animals and
breeding-mares, and the remainder used. England reports 1,031,776,
Wales 124,711, Scotland 183,642. Horned cattle declined from 6,125,491
to 6,012,824. Of these, 2,253,241 were milch-cows, a decrease of 20,556.
England had 4,218,470 cattle and 1,595,296 milch-cows; Wales 651,274
cattle and 261,082 cows; Scotland 1,143,080 cattle and 398,863 cows.
The total number of sheep was 29,166,139, a decrease of 1,147,802 ; over
a third were less than a year old. England reports 19,113,335, a decrease
of 746,413; Wales 2,951,810, a decrease of 102,486; Scotland 7,100,994,
a decline of 288,493. Of pigs, by which is meant all classes of swine,
the number declined from 2,422,832 to 2,229,918—England 1,875,357,

62

losing 173,424 ; Wales 203,348, losing 10,406; Scotland 151,213, gaining
916.

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have under crops and in
bare fallow and grass 122,721 acres, of which 30,982 were in grain-
crops, of which 10,292 were in wheat, 7,158 in barley, or bere, 12,797 in
oats, 120 in rye, 263 in beans, 358 in pease. The total acreage in green
crops was 22,836, of which 8,949 were in potatoes, 9,775 in turnips and
swedes, and 2,692 in vetches, lucern, &c. Of bare fallow there were
reported 739 ACTeS ; 39,959 acres were in clover, &c., under rotation,
about one-fourth being cut for hay ; 28,205 acres in permanent pasture,
&e. These islands in 1875 contained 9,562 horses, 37,963 cattle, (includ-
ing 16,575 milch-cows,) 76,352 sheep, and 16,014 pigs.

PHOSPHATIC MINERAL FERTILIZERS.—In the Journal of the Royal
Agricultural Society of England, for 1875, Dr. Augustus Voelcker, con-
sulting chemist of the society, publishes a supplement to his article pub-
lished in the volume of 1861, upon the chemical constitution of phosphatic
minerals used as fertilizers. Since his former publication he notes an
extraordinary development of the manufacture of artificial manures, a
branch of production almost unknown thirty years ago, and the numer-
ous discoveries of raw materials resulting from the increased demand
for fertilizers. Coprolitic or phosphatic deposits have been discovered
in various parts of England, France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Portugal,
South Carolina, San Domingo, and several small uninhabited islands of
the Caribbean Sea. A few selected analyses of these materials are
given by Dr. Voelcker, indicating the practical drift of these discoveries
in their influence upon agriculture.

French coprolites, mostly from the neighborhood of Boulogne, are
hardly distinguishable except by actual analysis from the inferior
nodules of Norfolk and Bedfordshire, in England. In the Boulogne
coprolites the phosphate of lime averages between 40 and 46 per
cent., of the whole, and the insoluble siliceous matter about 25
per cent., with considerable proportions of oxide of iron, alumina,
and fluorine. A superior variety is found in the valley of the Khone,
near Bellegarde, and close to the Swiss frontier. One specimen showed
upon analysis 54.79 per cent. and another 60.60 per cent. of tribasic
phosphate of lime. Both samples were lighter colored than the Cam-
bridge coprolites, softer, and more easily pulverized. Perhaps the most
valuable French deposits are those of the Ardennes region, but the cost
of transportation will probably prevent the export of any to England,
- except the Boulogne varieties near the coast.

Phosphatic nodules are in great quantities in the department of
Koursk, RuSsia, and are very similar in external appearance to those of
Bedfordshire. One sample showed nearly 49 per cent. of tribasic phos-
phate, and about 33 per cent. of insoluble siliceous matter, with con-
siderable quantities of oxide of iron, fluoride of calcium, and a little
carbonate of lime; it had a dark- brown color.

Of English phosphates analyses are given of specimens from Cam-
bridgeshire, showing from 56.32 per cent. to 63.60 per cent. of tribasic
phosphate of lime, with insoluble siliceous matter from 7.77 to 10.10 per
cent. A good sample from Bedfordshire shows 51.54 per cent. of the
phosphate, 7.84 per cent. of carbonate of lime, and 20.81 per cent. of
insoluble siliceous matter. Most of the Bedfordshire nodules are brown
colored, and contain a great deal of oxide of iron. A beautiful speci-
men of fossil phosphatic wood, found in the Bedfordshire deposits,
showed nearly 72 per cent. of ‘the: phosphate, with 4.19 per cent. of

63

insoluble siliceous matter; the woody structure was distinctly preserved,
its organic matter having been replaced mainly by phosphate of lime.

At Cwmgynen, in North Wales, phosphatic minerals have been dis-
covered near the lead-bearing clay-slate districts of Llangynag, in the
Liandeilo series of Silurian rocks. A specimen taken from a compact
block weighing one cwt. showed 64.77 per cent. of tribasic phosphate,
with 22.14 per cent. of insoluble siliceous matter. This, however, was
remarkable; the per cent. of phosphate in four other specimens ranging
from 50,08 to 58.68. Two other cargo-samples showed 40.75 per cent.
and 28.68 per cent. The two last named are hardly worth transport-
ing any distance. North Wales has an abundance of phosphatic shale,
but not of a character very available for market.

Canadian phosphates show a high percentage, good cargoes averag-
ing from 70 to 72 per cent., and cargoes of less than 65 per cent. are
rarely shipped. The per centum of siliceous matter is very low, five
analyses varying from less than 1 per cent. to 13.50 per cent. They are
difficult, however, to pulverize, but are of easy manipulation in the
manufacture of concentrated superphosphate. The transportation
across the ocean is a heavy tax on this production.

Spanish and Portuguese phosphorites of a white or yellowish color,
vary in hardness and in the proportion of phosphate. In Spain, they
are often found in solid beds, alternating with limestone and quartz.
The latter is frequently mixed largely with the phosphorites, but the
former in small quantity. They belong to the class of fluoride apatites,
the fluorine often amounting to 14 per cent. Four rich specimens
showed from 76.17 to 86.14 per cent. of phosphate of lime. ‘Phe insolu-
ble siliceous matter varied from 2.75 to 15.41 per cent. The highest
per cent. of phosphate found by Dr. Voelcker was nearly 89, but car-
goes in England seldom yield over 72, and the majority from 60 to 65.
Twelve recent cargo-samples ranged from 56.19 to 75.25; in soluble
siliceots matter from 4.98 to 37.29. The better qualities ground
fine and treated with sulphuric acid produce light-colored concen-
trated superphosphates. They find ready sale and higher prices
for their phosphate than coprolites and mineral phosphates contain-
ing much oxide of iron or alumina. They retain their high propor-
tion of soluble phosphate unaltered by keeping, whereas those made
from materials strongly impregnated with oxide of iron and alumina are
apt to precipitate a portion of this valuable element, and to reduce
another portion to the insoluble state.

Extensive workings of mineral phosphate are formed in the Lahn
Valley, in the duchy of Nassau. The mineral occurs in pockets imbed-
ded in ferruginous clay, but in some places it forms compact masses of
earthy fracture, and of a light-gray or yellow color. Again it appears
as a conglomerate of broken pieces cemented with red or brown clay,
and mixed with greenstone, manganese, and iron. Rarely it occurs in
slates of shaly fracture or in crystalline masses. Its richest varieties
are botryoidal in structure and nearly white or yellow. The latter are
becoming scarce, and the exportation to England has been almost ar-
rested by the depreciated quality of the product. Three rich specimens
from Staffel showed from 79.01 to 88.54 per cent. of phosphate, with but
slight proportions of siliceous matter. Three cargo-samples gave from
66.01 to 77.99 of phosphate, with insoluble siliceous matter ranging from
3.48 to 10.62. Color and other external characters are a very imperfect
test of the excellence of these minerals, which is made apparent only
by chemical analysis. The foregoing, however, are above the average
value of German or Nassau phosphates. Six cargo-samples are noted,

64

giving from 56.80 to 73.11 per cent. of phosphate. The less pure sorts
are washed and sifted, yet a large proportion of the produce is too poor
for profitable exportation, which requires at least 65 per cent.

Phosphates have also been found in the valley of the Lot, a tributary
of the Garonne, and in various localities in the south of France. It is
known as the Bordeaux phosphate, and occurs in pockets, varying
greatly in appearance, texture, and commercial value. Sometimes it
occurs in snow-white compact masses, moderately hard, and with an
earthy fracture, but more frequently it is opal-like, grayish, of a waxy
luster, and conchoidal fracture. Both kinds arerich in phosphoric acid
as well as those occurring in botryoidal masses or stalactic forms. The
more ordinary kinds are yellow or brown, dense and hard, but readily
decomposed by sulphuric acid, and adapted to the manufacture of high-
grade superphosphates. The first specimens brought to England
ranged from 71 to 74 per cent. in phosphate; but poorer qualities, rang-
ing from 58 to 65 per cent., have of late years, been shipped. Dr.
Voelcker concludes that either the best qualities are showing signs of
exhaustion or that the increasing demand prompts the shipment of in-
ferior varieties. The high-quality samples contain from 73.78 to 77.52
per cent. of tribasie phosphate; medium quality, 63.35 to 69.16 ; inferior
quality, 53.40 to 58.20.

The calcareous strata around Charleston, South Carolina, abound in
phosphatic nodules quite similar to the coprolites of the London basin.
These strata underlie the city of Charleston and extend between the
Santee and Ashepoo Rivers, covering an irregular area of fifty-five
to sixty miles. Within this basin are found deposits of fossil-bones and
other animal remains, rich in the phosphate of lime, but the chief sup-
ply is found in nodules constituting from a third to a half of the strata
in which they are embedded. They are generally found in detached
deposits, at irregular intervals, along the streams. They are generally
rough, irregular in form, water-worn, rounded, and light yellow or brown;
they are somewhat cavernous and perforated by boring-shells. Fish-
teeth and fragments of bones are frequently found with them. The
land-deposits are lighter in color and softer than the river phosphates.
Where embedded in and overlaid by sand it is. readily separated by the
action of water; where embedded in clay the tenacity of its surround-
ings renders it hard to disengage them. Later importations into Eng-
land are better cleansed than previous ones. The following analyses
illustrate the characters of land and river phosphates respectively:

Land phosphates.
® No.1. | No.2. | No.3: | No.4. | No.5. | No.6. | No.7.

Me PA oe TREES NILES ANS 2 | f 6.59| 7.69
Water of combination.................-.- 5 7.40 2.29 | 10.30 3.98 8. 01 1.09 1, 34
TPBOSPHOPIG AGG Ai cite noi meneame gaan eel sa 26. 50 24.29 | 22.06} 25.47} 23.93; 24.80 23. 35
NMG aoe eee cee. acne seamabce = ses same 37.20 | 38. 71 37. 24 40. 11 36.75 | 38. 84 36. 41

Oxide of iron and alumina, magnesia, car-
GDI ROM OLE eo siaccccn aw eisasin= nicdaonyis ms 16.27} 17.28] 15.45] 18.82{ 16.88] 17.01 16. 54
Insoluble siliceous matter ....--.-.--..---.- 12,63 | 17.43 | 14.95] 11.62] 14.43] 11.67 14. 67
100. 00 | 100.00 | 100. 00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00
* Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime....... 57.85 | 53.02 | 4816| 55.60] 52.24] 5414] 50.98

It is probable that the low per cent. of phosphate in the above cargo
specimens is due to the excess of water in the cargo, or to failure to
wash it with sufficient care from adherent sand.

65

River phosphates.

No.1. | No.2. | No.3. | No.4. | No.5. | No.6. | No.7.

Moisture, water of combination, and loss

upon ignition: 25. .-..---.-.--25-=4-----=- 4. 07 1.56 2.57 2. 64 1, 86 2. 89 2,58
PHOS HNOTID AGIGs ser Loa ce SL. J. ak en -8 -2 28.44 | 26.89 | 27.11 | 26.97 | 26.89 | 27.44 25, 31
Wet tte fons sa Sete So eS a Tee ct ee 45, 07 42.28 | 42.79 | 43.54 42.43 | 42.45 39. 37
Magnesia, carbonic acid, oxide of iron, alu-

Vn 7 ee ee ee wee tees vate bane 15. 16 18.47 | 17.54 17. 57 17. 39 17. 80 16.19
Insoluble siliceous matter ...........--.---- 7.26] 10.80 9.99 | 10.28) 11.43 9, 42 16. 55

_

100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00

* Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime..-. -..| 62.09 | 58.70| 59.18| 58.87| 58.70| 59.90 59. 25

The rivers belong to the State, and hence their underlying deposits
ean only be worked with consent of the legislature. Two companies
have been incorporated for the working of this class of phosphates,
upon which the State treasury receives a royalty of $l perton. The
production of phosphates has been several years in operation, the first
export of 6 tons being in 1867, and to American ports, from Charleston
and Beaufort. The export rose, in 1868, to 11,862 tons, of which 208
were to foreign ports; in 1869 to 28,271 tons,3,760 tons being shipments
to foreign ports; in 1870 to 53,571 tons, 13,652 tons to foreign ports; 1871,
64,792 tons, of which 42,923 tons were to foreign ports ; 1872, 47,623
tons, of which 29,682 tons were for foreign trade. The total export up
to that time was 206,305 tons, of which 90,225 tons were sent abroad.
The foreign export had greatly surpassed the domestic export. .

From the small uninhabited island of Sombrero, of the Leeward group,
in the Caribbean Sea, a valuable rock-phosphate has for several years
been imported into England, but, as the supply is growing small, it is
feared that the accessible deposits have been mostly exhausted. The
rock is now worked beneath sea-level, and at great expense, while
the number of dangerous coral-reefs forbid the close approach of ships
to land, rendering the shipment of the rock very difficult at.all times,
and impossible during the stormy season, from September to January.
Four cargoes imported into England during 1874 showed from 69.20 to
71.65 per cent. of phosphate, and 12.68 to 16.64 per cent. of carbonate of
lime, with ‘an average of less than 1 per cent. of insoluble siliceous
matier. It is light colored, somewhat porous, and easily pulverized. It
contains but little alumina or oxide of iron, and its increasing propor-
tion of carbonate of lime seems to indicate that it is mined closer to
the underlying coral-rock. It is very likely that the deposits hitherto
worked are approaching exhaustion.

Another uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea, Navassa, seventy-
two miles east of Jamaica, surrounded by coral-reefs, and hence of diffi-
cult approach, supplies a mineral phosphate of reddish-brown color from
the numerous cavities in its coral frame-work. It consists mostly of
globular grains of phosphate of lime cemented into hard masses, and
contaminated largely with oxide of iron and alumina. Its composition
varies considerably. The lime in composition is insufficient to absorb
all the phosphoric and carbonic acids, and hence a portion is united with
oxide of iron or alumina. These elements always lower the commercial
value of the mineral, inasmuch as the superphosphate made from it is
poorer in character. The following detailed analyses of specimens of this
mineral are given:

SA

66

Navassa phosphates.

No.1. | No.2. | No.3. | No.4. | No.5. | No.6. | No.7. | No.8 |No.9.

Moisture, water of compo-

sition, and loss in heating. 11.37.) 12..65°| 312308 | 12.08 10. 90 13.99 | 12.55 9.35 | 10.53
Phosphoric TY Ci A 98h ee 31.18 | 2847} 31.15] 30.21) 31.08) 30.04; 31.90} 31.85 | 29.60
TMB Ha S.Ce ate =o teowae cence 37.70} 34.07 | 38.58 | 35.32] 36.54] 35.99} 36.09 | 37.91 | 31.72
Magnesia, carbonicacid,oxide) 16.83 | 18.53 | 15.57) 19.65 | 17.78 | 17.04) 16.91 | 17.99 | 25.45

of iron, alumina, &c.
Insoluble siliceous matter...! 2. 92 6. 28 2. 62 2.74 3. 70 2. 94 2. 55 2.90 | 2.70

100. 00 100. 00° 100. 00 | 100. 60 | 100 100. 00° “100. 00 | 100 100. 00 100. 00 |100, 00

peeapal toeribasio phosphate | 68.07 ~ 62, 15 | 68.01 | 65.94] 67. "85 65.58 | 69. 64 69.53 | 64. 62
of lime.

The carbonate of lime in the first three specimens amounts to over five
per cent.

Rock-phosphates of quite variable character are also found in St.
Martin, a small island of the Windward group. They are mingled with
inferior materials, requiring care and labor to eliminate. The percent-
age of phosphate of lime in eight analyses ranged from 36.39 to 80.64,
and of carbonate of lime from 6.57 to.46.81. It is remarkable that the
latter element was almost in inverse proportion to the former. Those
specimens of low percentage of phosphate are practically useless and
unsalable.

Aruba, one of the Leeward Caribbean islands, belonging to Holland,
has been occupied for gold-mining since 1824. The mining company
have recently obtained a concession to work the newly-discovered phos-
phatic minerals ofthe island. These are compact; hard, stone-like masses
of rock, of light-brown or yellowish color, streaked with chocolate bands,
and are frequently interlaced with calc-spar. These phosphates will
probably prove a better investment than the gold-mining of the island, —
as they contain from 63 to 76 per cent. of phosphate of lime, with
variable quantities of the carbonate.

Redonda, another Caribbean islet, yields a peculiar phosphate, once
mistaken for phosphate of lime, but now known to consist, principally,
of the hydrated phosphate of alumina with varying proportions of oxide
of iron and insoluble siliceous matter. It is utilized for the production
of alum, and the impure phosphoric acid extracted is incorporated with
salts of ammonia and other fertilizing materials, to make artificial
manures. After treatment with sulphuric acid it is also used to precipi-
tate and clarify town sewage, for which it is a very effective agent. Four
analyses of this material showed from 42.35 to 84.09 per cent. of phos-
phate of lime, though in most samples there is little or no lime in com-
position.

The phosphate of Alta Vela, an islet near Hayti, is harder and lighter
colored than that of Redonda; three analyses gave from 43.81 to 67.37
per cent. of phosphate.

After giving in detail the specific characters of these different phos-
phatic deposits, Dr. Voelcker presents some conclusions of general
interest and value. He says that none of the varieties described are of
any great value unless treated with sulphuric acid. Some German
phosphates of low quality have been usefully applied after simple pul-
verization in the neighborhood of their extraction, like marl, at the rate
of about a ton per acre; but as a rule phosphates are useful only in the
manufacture of superphosphates, in which the aim of the process is to
~ender the phosphate soluble. Soluble phosphate of lime is a specific

67

compound, and is as valuable when derived from mineral deposits as
from bones. Insoluble phosphate has little value, though bone-dust is
available as plant-food.

The commercial value of phosphatic minerals depends almost entirely
upon the percentage of phosphate of lime easily accessible by inexpen-
Sive processes. Some of these minerals contain ingredients which
largely absorb the sulphuric acid with which it is treated. Carbonate
of lime is especially greedy of this element, and when present in large
proportions detracts greatly from its value. A small percentage, how-
ever, is rather beneficial than otherwise, as the carbonic acid set free
in escaping through the mass renders it more porous and bulky, thus
improving its mechanical condition as a manure. Oxide of iron and
alumina detract from the value of the deposit in proportion to their
percentage. Fluoride of calcium affects their commercial value, as
also do the porosity or hardness of the mass and the ease or difficulty
with which it can be pulverized.

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS

FOR DECEMBER, 1875, AND JANUARY, 1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the
beginning of each month.

Articles. December. January.
NEW YORK.
Flour,superfine Stateand western.-perbarrel..| $4 75 to $5 00 $4 25 to $4 50
Oxia Stale .s2csa%et=~ Senn sss soe dorsen2e 5 10 to 5 90 480 to 5 90
extra to choice western-...--.- Gori cece 510 to 9 00 480 to 900
common to fair southern extras.do.-.-.-. 5 20 to 6 60 480 to 6 40
good to choice southern extras--do.-.-.--. 6 65 to 8 75° 650 to 8 75
Wheat, No.1 spring....---...---. per bushel.-| 135 to 1 39 129) to / Lo
GAS SPM coher cates eee ase 124 to 1 28 123 to 1 2
winter, red, western........-. doe eee 115" to’) 1-40 1 16. .te.. 1 45
winter, amber, western..---.- doOssosce 115 to 1 40 116 to 1 45
winter, white, western -..-.--- Qn aera 135 to 1 48 1 32 to 1 50
[OY D eT asp a lt aie a a ed ea Ost eos - 71 to 76 66 to 70
CETUS eat a eR io a ya a ee dows ves- 41 to 51 41 to 50
LE Aye ens ce ee Sn She ee eae dowsese: 87 to 87 to 95
amie Vries tere eee ccs Same eae dorzete: 87 to 118 85 to 1 20
Hay, baled, first ae aE ep renames rie ton.-| 18 00 to 22 00 21 00 to 23 00
baled, Second, quality." 2. ----..d0.--25. 14 00 to 15 00 16 00 to
POIIOORS care oS ac no ed oi atees per barrel..| 1150 to ——— | 11 00 to 11 50
BXTA Messe ace eee eee ee doreeer 12 50 to 12 00 to 12 50
EMP AMOR = eos. 4 >= eco cabs ae = one per barrel..| 21 50 to 22 50 to 20 75
OXPEAL RUNG) Pits alos o omen ad Osa ae 16 00 to 16 50 15 50 to
DUUMONMERS Mees cee eae doris. 20 00 to 21 50 19 50 to
Li ER aati Paes iE Mie dp ee Bed ont per pound. - 12 to 12% 123 to 134
HM pUOE WESTON 2 sacs see tes Lae ee SdObe eee 18 to 34 17 ‘to 34
Simmeneairy of bes ek dae. oss 23. to )' 36 23 to 35
Cheese, State factory .........--..----- doe. 3222 74 to 134 ¢ ny <a
Wesner! LuobOLy. sto a seas. a3 O0s-- ~~ abe 12 6 to 124
Sugar, fair to prime refining. .....-...do.----. 8 to 84 8 to 8y
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...--.. 11 to 122 10i to 113
low middling to good middli’g- be Foot 122 to 132 122 to 14
PRODACEH, IHBeCe Ne ewe. io. ce ee ec AOE oon 7. 'to 9 7 to 9
TS oo Se SE aa Bs use 9% to 13 93 to 154

68

Market-prices of farm products—Continued.

Articles.

New York—Continued.
Wool, American XXX and picklock, per pound

American X and XX ......-----d0......

American combing..----..----- i ea

[Lee tl er a i Sees dOseecs -

California, spring clip... ...--.- dOe=S5-.

California, fall clip.-...-.-..---do..---.
BOSTON.

Flour, western superfine, spring--.-.per barrel..
common spring extras..-....-d0o..--.-.

good to fancy n’hwest’n spring-do.-.-.-.
good to fancy western winter-.do..-...
southern family .:-.----.s--=: doges= =.

WINGAG. sens ah ee nao one ger DNSHEL <-

WOR ss an0 teins aoe eco ees ace aan dowees--

IP Re RR ee Os ee Be sein Seem thes ee

Ee ee ae aoe Be ae ie 8 CO nton.

Barley. oes ese e ten peace wae ae Oceana

Hay, eastern and northern......--..per ton-.-

Best,-mMess: =... {225.122 sa sas POF DATIEL.-

CSU INONS ss oe nate aie Saale mise nies dos222--
family ico. ado ston. ode iscdince donesee.

Parke prime: 5.5 4. 2) 2) 55.4 a nn Se deig-c5.

INOS icine fom oof one a alan as eee dotzn--.
Hardin ones: cee cclsces sein ciee eens Se per pound...
Butter, New York and Vermont -.-..-- dGeaee -

WESLOIN So ote eet n este do222- -

Cheese, New Yorkand Vermontfactory do.-----

western factory..--...--.---- doe.

Sugar, fair to good refining.-.-.--.--.--- docs2=- =

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .--.do.-.----

low middling to good middling.do.---..

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania.--.----.- does.
1 ELLE ee ea ee donee.
OLNer Western 2-52 -)---5--5- - dO zones.
pulledes. Sees eos sees doree..-
combing fleece.- 2... - ewes oe COnsep ==
California 22.2 5 ae sees donee == -

PHILADELPHIA.

Flour, superfine -.....=- .<-.s--25- per barrel..-
Pennsylvania extra to choice. -.do..-.-.
western extra to choice....-.-- doeicn-t

Wheat, white .....--..-..-.------per bushel-.|

BahGe 2-2 fol inc ieee eee
TOO spice (actae meso as Sesh et ee SO On eee

VON pane ain des san afscep Senet dor.

AEN ee so wig a2 aoe eis oe caaweee dete——

COE ee ch was oc wie doe nice avis See dons: =.

DA te a ie fates — a wa opine pawe dale done,

Hay, baled; prime.... =... ....2.=...-per ton--

baled, common to fair shipping--do...--.

Beef, western mess........------- -per barrel. .

GkUta MOSS io -biscscsscpeeeceees do0n-o--..

Warthman’s city family....---. doges=--

ROR IN GRN ee Soo. atc o ned op ales. [OCR -

prime mess. ....-.----.-.------d0.-----.

PHIM. ols seoe Coogee ese cc ie ae
CP Soe eee tt eee eee per pound.
Butter, choice Middle States....-.... dose2e--

choice. western ........--.---- dp22ee.-

December.
$0 oA to $0 57
to 48
to 62
20 to 47
20 to 33
17 to 25
450 to 475
5 25 to Vib wD
5D. sbOrmeneo
650 to 8 75
750 to +900
to
74 to 80
*“"41- “to 5D
95 to 1 00
90 to 1 30
13 00 to 22 00
10 00 to 10 00
11 00 to 12 00
16 50 to 17 00
15 50 to 16 50
22 50 to 23 00
13: to 144
22 to 34
15 to 33
104 to 13
8 to cB
84 to 84
11 to 122
13 to 14
421 to 50
to 45
42 to
15 to 56
40 to 64
15 to 35
425 to 475
475 to 6 50
6 00 to 6 50
41°45. to~ 152
to 1 41
1 20 to 1 40
86 to 89
20), bo) Le
74 to 76
35 «to 50
22 00 to 24 00
20 00 to 22 00
700 to. 9 00
8 00 to 900
16 00 to
22 50 to 23 00
19 75 to 20 00
17 00 to 17 50
13 to 17
29 to 40
28 to 31

January.
$0 48 to $0 57
40 to 48
50 to 62
20 to 47
18 to 33
15 to 25
400 to 450
475 to 550
5 25. to 9 2
600 to 9 007
650 to 9 00
100. to 150
65 to 68
42 to 54
95 to 1 00
90 to 1 30
15 00 to 21 00
12 00 to 12 50
13 00 to 13 50
16 50 to 17 00
15 00 to 15 50
21 50 to 21 75
134 to 14
22 to 32
17 to 33
10 to 13
10 to 124
8 to 8
10 to 12
13 to 144
45 to 53
42 to 45
41 to 45
40 to 55
55 to 65
15 to 36
400 to 4 374
450 to 650
5 50 to 6 374
1 42 to 1 45
to 1 40
1 00 . to; 1.38
88 to 90:
70 to 135
56 to 68
43 to 50
22 00 to 24 00
20 00 to 22 00
8 00 to 9 00
8 00 to 9 00
16 00 to
21 00 to 22 00
19 50 to 20 00
17 00 to 17 50
13. to 16
27 «to 38
27 ~«&to 31

69
Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. December. January.

PHILADELPHIA—Continued.

Cheese, New York factory -.---.--- per pound..; $0 12 to $0 14 $0 64 to $0 133
IGIACOLYi=-~.-- oes boo. Gouas.-6 10 to 134 5 to 13

Sugar, fair to good refining -.........do...-... 84 to 84 8 to 8t

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary-....do...--. 102 to 122 10 to 12%
low middling to good middling.do..-.--- 13. to 144 122 to 142

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania X_ to

RRR. goa svacen ts ss5c- pel POEL = 48 to 48} 45 to 52
other western .......-..----. dawsc ss. 42 to 48 42 to 48
tub-washed ..-..-... 1... +... Go. 228 40 to 56 40 to 54
pulled:s- 2 3-pe wes eos ace do-245- 37 «to 60 26 to 64
POWMDING <5 foeh on anh s- mean n (Toa 46 to 66 46 to 66

BALTIMORE.

Flour, superfine ..--.....--..-.--- per barrel..| 425 to 4 50 400 to 450
OLR See Gos Se scl ee nt as do@.s.2<t 475 to 5 50 475 to 6 25
family and fancy ....-..---... doi ttend 5 25 to 8 75 700 to 8 75

Brneth (eon St S20 Is oak dk per bushel..| 110 to 1 48 115 to 138

BINDER sce sane het es cu dese. & 145 to 1 50 147 to 1 55
fo ee OS SF yd as eset | PR Co 115 to 1 45 115 to 145

Hoyle wale see soe eee see can. dosec<ut 75 to 85 75 to 85

i ae Set ea re eee eee dowsssct 37 «to 50 40 to 48

Gorm 2 2S. S Poe sacs Shue cos sGOs ce 57 «to 714 50 to 6

Hay, Maryland and Pennsylvania-.-.-..per ton..| 2000 to 26 00 18 00 to 25 00

wester 22. 2sllleclt oes sot a Seti (Ree to 19 00 to 21 00
errr nriens Se 32) SL. O55. per barrel-.}| 19 50 to 22 50 21 50 to
re. 1 uk RE ee 9 Oa Se Gans. <b 16 75 to 17 00 16 75 to 17 00

MOMs epee GL eee be 220. per pound .« 13: to 14 122 to 134

Siamer, cweaserms. 240500. eb. gers 22¢ 20. to. .30 18 to 28
oH) 1 a a OS dew 52.4 20 to 35 18 to 35

Cheese, western factory. -..-..-.......d0.-.... 12 to 134 114 to 16

eastern factory.-.-.-... RSs se QGes «<0 12 to 133 12 to 134

Sugar, fair to good refining -......... diy och 83; to 8% 8 to 84
New Orleans grocery grades...do...... = to ’ 7% to 9

Lobacco, les ..-...8c- 2. ee eee Gres. 6 64 to 9 64 to 11

leaf, common to middling-...do..-... 9 to i: S!. Aao). AT

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. ....do...... to 12 | 93 to 114
lowmiddling to good middling.do...... 122 to 124 to 134

CINCINNATI.

Pigur, superiné...-.2: 22... -.5-. per barrel.-| 400 to 4 25 375 to 4 00
ORG Ae ces bt ulases Coes Chao. dowfsce: 450 to 500 425 to 475
family and fancy ........-...- Giese at 5 30 to 6 2% 5 00 to 6 00

Wheat, winter, red...-...--. -----per bushel-.| 115 to 1 45 115 to 1 33

hill, (amber)ie-- 2228. - doses st¢ to to
white sae3. (Nie edocs. 1 Aes 125 to 155 115 to 1 48

cB Eae RS » ae Ses er a Guano nt 55 to 80 55 to 79

eee Yio Was Sie at SEE Ce bede. /de@ess aad HOLS tos e5 50 to 1 50

TERRES SR SR ay a a RS) DOs aasat 47 to 65 45 to 47

Den isa | Vy 25 to 42 35 to 44

Hay, baled, No. 1 -...2252. 220.00 2. per ton..| 18 00 to 15 00 to 16 00

lower grades..-......... dopo: 3h 11 00 to 17 00 8 00 to 14 00

Pork ymipes 205 20 poco 02 per barrel..| 20 75 to 22 00 19 75 to 20 00

Binpeee.0b Meee oI S28 per pound.. 124 to 15 124 to 14%

Huaeer, Gliniebiee. 558. Sok bs degliucl: 27 «to 28 25 to 28
1) IT (2), Se See ee ore an dope 0 25. . bo 26 24 to 25

Cheese, choice to prime factory -.---.. Gre. 2c 124 to 13 12 to 13

Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good..-... dora. 82 to 7 to

prime, to choice. .do...... to. ———— 84 to
POBBCCO, Dita Lacenc as tlh. dovete.t 15 to 20 15 to 20
LE? aS Ds OO ee dened. << 28 to 30 28 to 30

70
Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. December. January.

CINCINNATI—Continued.

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary, per a $0 103 to $0 113 | $0 094 to $0 102
12 to 122 12 to 134

lowaniddling=s-.-. 62-45. 0-do-ee-<

Wool, fleece, common to fine ..---.- ae 35 ° 38 to 43 38 to 43
tub=washed |/202.5 2.62 205-222 Ove. <3 43 to 48 43 to 48
unwashed, clothing..---....-- Gores >= 25 to 30 25 i t0.~ Vao

combing. =< -)-2--=5-G08e=- =: 37. «to 38 34 to 38
pulled: 2 sabe oe eee ee 31 to 37 31 to 37
CHICAGO.

Flour, choice winter extras..----. per barrel..| 650 to 7 50 to
common to good winter extras -do.-.-.--. 475 to 5 50 to
spring extras, common to good.do..-.-. ——— to 400 to 475
choice spring extras -.---.-.-- Ge. <8 5 25 to 5 75 5 00 to 5 2%
patent spring Yes 2=ce: Ek: do.2e-% 6 50 to 7 50 6 50 to 7 25
spring superfines -..--.....-.. Moree. <2 300 to 4 00 300 to 3 50

Wheat, No. l'spring ---..--...--. per bushel..| 1 064 to 105 to

No.2 Spring) Jos ce.) ceoe secs dosseese 103 to 1 04 954 to 952
MO apprinie) 222 oo Grace eben daite. -< 86 to 874 783 to 78%

RVG, ENGNG ere dens ech = eevee ek on donne 68 to ——— 67 to 674

Barley Nove... ccicceee 2 ee Sete) r ons dotes.—s 86 to 79 to 804

GarmiNone seb cn. sect ccec Bee = chccs dowss-2: 47% to 484 45 to

Ounts, Noro. 25. e852 (ee. soete doves sc 304 to 302 30 to 34

Hay, timothy .--... .-...--.--------per ton..| 1200 to 15 50 11 to 13 00

prairie}. 25. 22.tc esse ee eaeke dose 33:2 7 00 to 10 50 850 to 9 50

Beef, mess 322.2). 32-2. sled. bee per barrel..| 975 to 10 00 9 50 to 10 00

extra mess - 2. oh) 22 ee eae domes ss 10 75 to 11 00 10 50 to 11 00

Pork, messeeb sj. 224-582 25- 282-428 e252 doszewee 19 374 to 19 40 19 10 to
prume: mess <2. (e-\2-. eo cey Aone deue..ee 17 50 to 17 75 17 00 to
CxMEAMPUUING ~ 552-2 Be acleece ne GOeee se 14 00 to 14 25 14 25 to

1 GO 0 se Se oR Fa ae per pound.. 124 to 128 to 12,4;

Butter, choice to fancy -.----.--..---d0..-..- 25 to 32 25 to 32
medium to good - ...--..----. Gna e 19 to 23 18 to 238

Cheese, good to prime factory.....--.do..---- 11 to 13 12 to 13

Sugar, New Orleans,common to prime-.do..---. 74 to 8g 74 to 9

Wool, tub-washed | 2552. 202. 202 Jc. dove. 44 to 52 44 to 8&2
fleece-washed ....--.---..----- dowtisze 38 to 44 39 to 43
WU WaASNOO we peewee cre ecaae dova-- <3 25. to 33 25 to 33
pulledias sane oes Se eceese come COrEEe ee to ——— 33 to 36

SAINT LOUIS.

Flour, winter, common to choice...per barrel--| 500 to 6 75 5 00 to 7 00
spring. suc ceteee ee ee Bees G0. s=-5 to to

Wheat, white winter ......-..-.. per bushel.-| 110 to 1 20 100 to 1 30

Ped Wwanter ocrsces) 1.20 arenes dows. <-3 100 to 1 50 100 to 1 50
SPMNG 2 =p peemondoateceen cee doz. ---=. : to to

Doin sab esac Soestie =n Pes ose teos buenos ri pe cae 35 to 47 35 to 44

BOR Phe ewe ce cuelowss Ch volar nes Owe = 55 54 to 68 60 to, 68

AMG yess ae owretine wei eoemceee dozen 2 2c 40 to 1 15 80 to 1 30

DRG se ee Sten one Soe oc OS meena do-2- «26 28 to 39 30 to 39

ay Mimothy 5... scewoce shee Joh See per ton..| 1450 to 16 50 | 14 00 to 16 50

DTRITIOY Fi2\sSons be Dastisae coves deen .<¢ 8 00 to 10 00 8 00 to 10 00

iseprpanees 355.2 be stokes Soe. per barrel..| 14 00 to 14 50 | 14 00 to 14 50

IRDEIC MIME SH See Ses cig obits ane ace cee ae i Koes ee 21 60 to 2175 | 19 50 to 20 50

i vigil See Sieg: SRE ERED 8 ae Ae yo Re a per pound.. 124 to 13 15 to 154

Butter, prime tochoicedairy---.....---do..-.-- 28 to 30 28 to 30

country packed.do....-- 20 to 25 20 to 25

Cheese, Ohio factory ...----.---.---- doce. ce 13 to 14 13 to 14

New York factory. .-----..---d0.-.-.. 13240 -vind4 + 13 to 14

Wool, tup-washed....05.....06,- a6). -- doje... 42 to 50 42 to 50
fleece-washed .--... ....-2....- dois d.e= 38 to 42 38 to 42
lonWAsheOUhe foo saeeaa- neem ue doceei-< 30 to 38 30 to 38

71

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

NEW ORLEANS.

our sAUPErnue) = 2.55 <<5~ sm. 5~ s2 per barrel...
Beha saeco dem sem ce siaae se = dosecs,
GUGICH TO1ANCY, Js - cas ~ ann -)s “O05. o- =.
Corn, white and yellow-.-....-.-.--. per bushel-.
Qi iso cd G See Ee SESE GAB aee GREE vi Gr fe same
EPayOHOICE a2 Ssh sani 5 sesso oem se per ton.
PLO ye ee pee eas ce dope:
Beet, Kansas: jo. )2: gce-25c5-05.c0s2 per barrel.
WENUGEN so Maen noes cere ie GOs 25.
Fulton market ......... per half barrel. -
IRerk Mess 2035.25. son. ss sne-aee- per barrel -.
HARE Sis coca Sess cs oe Se Beale oeeee per pound..
Butter, choice Goshen .......-...-:-- OG 2255
choice western -....<--/..<--- dose =,
Gheese, choice western factory -..----do.-----
New: Yorkicream 222). 54255. -d0---.
Sugar, fair to fully fair ....-......--..- do. 202
prime to strictly prime -.-----. doses

clarified, white and yellow-....do...-..
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .-..do.--.--

low middling to good middling .do...--.
Mobaccovlugs. <2: .secse. daa. Sade doesn.
low leaf to medium leaf....-. €0 4.535

SAN FRANCISCO.

Ricurs sa periine- 382-1282 2. per barrel..
PARE BeOneeieeee O25 = Seba CSAC he eee
family and fancy .-...----.---- don. ===

Wheat, California..........-...-- per cental--

Srevon <2 </. ssise sa eee ee. (itis ee 1

Bamleyigseciiscs 6.22 toe asians ge sae Sere’ Gr ee

ae se tes sie sees et ola ses eae Ose Wc xt

One eed. is oo ea Sa ote GOs sae

LETS] EY es i pa oe Pe ee per ton...

IBUEL SINGERS a5. 2 ccs Pascoe ee per barrel...

family mess.......----- per half-barrel- -

ork mosser fo ccf. Seow oq SE per barrel. .

PLIMES MOSS. seeder cian a yseses. Ons = oma

NEES eae See ee ee ee per pound..

Bubbler. Overland: - 22st case tncee es doe

Caliiorniawwe sen oe see Fe (oy. See
SPO OW ee tease ay gem Sie ae 2 i

CNGERO See Ieee «oS Se align Siar Stats dose S25

Wool, native.........-- oF et bette dO-n os
@aliformmia: 2222 see casjcoes eos dott. =<
ee See ES ee Pees ae

December.
$4 25 to
450 to $5 25
5 @24 to 7 25
54 to 60
37. «to 52
24 to
20 00 to 22 00
to
12 00 to 17 00
11 50 to
22 50 to 23 2%
134 to 142
33. to oD
22. to 25
13 to
14 to 15
64 to 7
7+ to 73
8i to 9
104 to 10%
114 to 134
s4EDO 9
94 to 14
450 to 5 00
5 2 to 5 50
Fy iee, VOL, Ooo
Toga tO. bop
175 to 1 95
2,20): to: 1.50
165 to 2 05
1 224 to 1 35
14 00 to 21 00
9 00 to 10 00
8 00 to 10 00

23 50 to 24 00
17 50 to 18 00

134 to 16
18 to 25
30 to 60
20 to 25
124 to 15
10 to 15
15. to 25
20 to 5

LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.

. NEW YORK.

Cattle, extra beeves ....-........-per cental..

FOU HOIPLIMEG we ce seca dos 5.3
common to fair.-.--...-.----- dos: 2:2.
RORAUA Meee oS coe ec es ae ace doses =*%
WUGHECOWH shen cse hse sc ton per head -.-
veal calves.......---.-.----percental..
Sheep oto <2 -22.- SMUG REE CER eee ee ge 222%
SWING) cot conta see menl ak wee oneialso'a Goss se%

$12 75 to $13 50 61:

LebOes to 112750
850 to 11 25
750 to 10 50

to

750 to 10 00
450 to 6 50

7 50 to

January.
$3 80 to $4 00
450 to 525
5 50 to 7 50
- 54 to 56
45 to 50
25 00 to
18 00 to 22 00
12 00 to 12 25
16 00 to 17 00
11 50 to
20 50 to 21 75
123 to 144
33 to 35
25 to 28
13 to 134
14 to 154
6: to 7
74 to 72
8&4 to 92
93 to 104
114 to 132
6 to 8
9 to 14
400 to 5 00
5 25 to 5 50
575.040) 6 25
175 to 200
1.75, (to 1-95
1410) pho 1435
18 to 2 05
105 to 1 20
15 00 to 19 00
9 00 to 10 00
8 00 to 10 00
22 00 to 23 00
17 50 to 18 00
133 to 16
18 to 25
30 to 35
~ 20 "to 25
124 to 15
10 to iG
15 to 18
18 to 20
€12 25 .to-$12 75
10 75 to 12 00
775 to 10 50
700 to. 8 50
50 00 to 8&5 00
700 to 10 00
500 to 7 50
to

72

Tive-stock markets—Continued.

Articles. December. January.
PHILADELPHIA.

Cattle, prime beeves ..---.. .----. per cental..| $7 00 to $7 62h) $7 123 to $7 50
TT AO NOD 2 a ici ae han seme i. ae 550 to 675| 550 to 7 00
LEE TL LEE py ep do......| 400 to 550| 350 to 525

“SLL 2) Upsr5 SeSp-9 Pad Re Pete I Sp dost===- 450 to 600; 450 to 800

BWwatefecrn-fo8 2.) 8 26 = - = opp ee ee =e 10 50 to 1150/1000 to 11 00

BALTIMORE.

Cattle, best beeves....--..-.-.--. per cental..| 612 to 6 50 550 to 6 25
His QUAL “so ses2s esac ee detec: <p 512 to 612 450 to 5 50
medium or good quality......do..-..--. 42 to 575 350 to 4 50
OTUINBDY = oso ae on mio bee doses. =< 300 to 425 300 to 3 50
general average of the market..do..-.-.. 4 62 to 425 to
most.of the sales. ....-.....-. doms=-—- 400 to 5 375 to 475
milch-Cows!:-5--5---==---- per head... to ——— to

Lg) ER lp ee es Ae a i Fe per cental..| 400 to 5 25 450 to 550

BWINOls oy ea ee pee eee Oreo 875 to 10 00 900 to 10 00

CINCINNATI.
Cattle, good to prime butchers’
Sheers - 222s Slee per cental..|} 475 to 5 25 450 to 5 50
fair'to medium. ...----..--2-. dows ses 350 to 4 50 325 to 42
CONTHION foes opine toe eae Ci eee 250 to 3 25 200 to 3°00
milch-cows ..--------------perhead_.|° 25 00 to 50 00 to
veal Calyes).2°--se.2. = tess per cental..| ——— to to
NEB Hse eee oor se ee eres SdO2e--2 3°25 to 5°50 300 to 6 00
SNEED) GSR AOC ae Ee Sea SBSOSS Se dos. 690 to 750 650 to 7 30
CHICAGO.
Cattle, extra-graded steers.--....-per cental-.- to 6 40 to
RligiCeIDCEVeS Soe ate coon ones 22 6 00 to 525 to 575
POG DEOVESs22 o> oc aee ooo adores: =? 400 to 5 40 450 to 510
THOOIUIN 2c Soe eee a came: = GUEs=."-- 300 to 375 400 to 4 50
inferior natives........-.---- Clea 250 to 300 250 to 400
WeOeANS sceccae se tees eee eS dotee. = 275 to 4 00 250 to 375
TS LU: |r i cs eae Sg Se Realy en dort 2-2 300 to 450 425 to 5 50
DWHHDy see net cece eee does. --- 68 to 715 5 30 to 72
SAINT LOUIS. *

Cattle, good to choice native steers-percental.-| 575 to 6 12 575 to 6 2
common to fair natives--.----- doses 7 350 to 400 350 to 4 50
inferior to common....-..---- ri Cafe 225 to 3 50 225 to 3 50
Texans, fair to choice.-.....-.-do.----. 240 to 425 240 to 450

BHOSD .-stucps olodtena bee eee ees Ome es 275 ,to 4 90 275 to 490

BWIDG. 2222 ods atontoeacia cantons dom, 690 to 700; 600 to 750

Horses, plags.:...42---: sige ee ae perhead..| 2000 to 3000;{ 2000 to 30 00

Plain oA oe eck e owee e doze. 60 00 to 75 00} 6000 to, 75 00
RiTORU-CALL oo ete mieten Hee a0. 75 00 to 125 00 | 75 00 to 125 00
heavy draught ....-..--..--. goes s.* 115 00 to 125 00 | 115 00 to 125 00
POE GTIVOELS: = 5 eo oon eeee dot >: -: 100 00 to 125 00 | 100 00 to 125 00
Oxia). 22h 5 ese. 31 ee eee dos. 5 175 00 to 200 00 | 175 00 to 200 00
auction horses and ponies....do...... to 20 00 to 85 00

Mules, 14 to 15 hands high. -..........do-----. 80 00 to 130 00} 8000 to 130 00
15,60 16 Hands hich”... -.c2sa0-er ane 130 00 to 170 00 | 130 00 to 170 00
CT Re ee es ee eee es d0ss--=- 175 00 to 200 00 | 175 00 to 200 00

NEW ORLEANS.

Cattle, Texas beeves, choice..-..... per head..| 4000 to 4600); 4000 to 46 00
first quality ....do..---. 30 00 to 3500) 3000 to 35 00

second quality..do-.---- 20 00 to 2500); 2000 to 25 00

western beeves...-...---.- per cental. - to 400 to 650
milch-=Cows, as. «sec ene - 25 -- per head..| 4000 to 9000) 4000 to 90 00

MHOOD sean atided s&h White < axn<ndtied dees Sys aa 200 to 6 00 200 to 6 00
SWIG pete elie mnlnamine tq = Sein Sees dO? P~ on 700 to 850 700 to 8 00

13

FOREIGN MARKETS.

WHEAT.—The old year in England closed with very mild, spring-like
weather, but during the first week in January sharp frosts, with a tem-
perature of 18° F., and followed by heavy snow-fall at various points,
indicated the approach of abrupt changes and a class of conditions very
trying to the short crop of winter-wheat already seeded, and gave rise
to apprehensions as to the spring-planting. Yet the abundance of the
supplies of foreign wheat were such as to prevent a rise in prices on
account of the unfavorable indications of the coming crops. Prices with
a poor crop range but 1s. 1d. per quarter higher than at the opening of
1874, with a very good crop. English farmers have but little inclination
to overstock even the country-markets. Only a third of the last year’s
crop has been disposed of, and the trade in domestic wheat is very dull
and intermittent. Frost at various points in France arrested the down-
ward tendency of the Paris market, but the wheat and flour trade man-
ifested no buoyancy. The same indications are reported at different
points in Belgium, Holland, and Germany, but the general discontent of
wheat-growers with current rates still resists the pressure for lower
prices. As Saint Petersburg and Odessa were both closed by frost, ship-
ments from Russia could not be expected for some weeks.” A sudden
advance upon prices at Adelaide, in Australia, with an unexpected dif-
ficulty in obtaining wholesale qualities, indicated that the supply from
that quarter would be below expectations.

The sales of English wheat during the first week in January amounted
to 34,557 quarters at 45s. 3d., against 37,921 quarters at 44s. 3d. the —
same week last year. The London averages were 46s. on 677 quarters.
The imports into the United Kingdom during the last week of Decem-
ber, 1875, were 1,290,368 cwt. Monday, January 3, opened in Mark
Lane upon small supplies of English wheat, with moderate arrivals of
foreign. The fresh samples of Essex and Kent were in short supply,
and mostly in very poor condition ; their value was quite irregular, and
difficult to state. Essex and Kent, white, were quoted at 48s. to 55s.
per quarter; ditto, red, 42s. to 50s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and York-
shire, 41s. to’ 50s.; Dantzig, 52s. to 57s.; Konigsberg, 49s. to 54s.; Ro-
stock, 47s. to 50s.; Silesian, red, 46s. to 48s.; ditto, white, 51s.; Pom-
eranian, Mecklenburg, and Uckermark, red, 46s. to 49s.; Ghirka, 45s. to
47s.; Russian, hard, 42s. to 45s.; Saxonska, 46s. to 50s.; Danish and
Holstein, red, 46s. to 49s.; American, 45s. to 49s.; Chilian white, 518.5
California, 53s.; Australian, 52s. to 56s.

At Liverpool, British white brought 10s. to 10s. 4d. per cental; ditto,
red, 9s. 6d. to 9s. 10d.;: Canadian white, 10s. to 10s. 4d.; American
white, 9s. 11d. to 10s. 6d.; ditto, red winter, 8s. 9d. to 10s. 6d.; No.1,
Minnesota, 9s. 9d. to 10s. 2d.; spring No.1, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; spring No.2,
8s. 10d. to 9s. 6d.; French, 9s. 6d. to 9s. 9d.; Bombay, 9s. to 10s.; Kur-
rachee, 8s. 3d. to 8s. 7d.; Egyptian, 7s. to 9s. 11d.; Californian, 10s. 4d.
to lls. 1d.; Oregon, 10s. 11d. to 11s. 1d.; Chilian, 10s. to 10s. 2d.;
Australian, 11s. 3d.

In Paris, with fewer offers, the price of wheat remained unchanged.
Daring the first week of January, 15 provincial markets Were on the
advance; 58 steady, and 35 on the decline. Prices ranged from 42s. to
47s. 5d. per quarter, choice samples realizing 50s.

FLour.—the imports into the United Kingdom during the last week
in December amounted to 153,343 ewt. The following Monday, January
3, opened in Mark Lane “upon fair arrivals of country flour and small

6 A

74

supplies of foreign, mostly in barrels indicating its American origin.
The trade was dull and tending downward. The best town-households
brought 43s. to 47s. per 280 pounds; best country-households, 37s. te
40s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 30s. to 33s. In Liverpool, English and Irish
superfines were quoted at 37s. to 39s. per 280 pounds; ditto, extra, 40s.
to 42s.; French, 39s. to 46s. 6d.; Trieste, 50s. to 59s.; Chilian, 34s. to
36s.; Californian, 37s, 6d. to 38s. 6d.; American, western and extra State,
26s. to 28s. per barrel; Baltimore and Philadeiphia, 26s. to 31s.; Ohio
and extra, 28s. 6d. to 31s.; Canadian and extra, 27s. to 31s. 6d.

MaizE.—in Mark Lane, with good supplies, prices were barely main-
tained, and the demand slack. White was quoted at 30s. to 32s. per
quarter; yellow at 30s. to 31s. At Liverpool, American white brought
29s. to 32s. 6d. per 480 pounds; Galatz, 32s. 9d. to 53s.; Trieste, 32s. to
32s. Gd.; Dari, 26s. 3d. to 26s. 9d. At Paris the best red maize was
quoted at 33s. per quarter.

°

ee a ose ae
a ~
we

‘a

4

MONTHLY REPORT

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

MARCH AND APRIL, 1876.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1876.

CORE h.N PS:

Page.
STATISTICS :
Dicesti.of smonthly returns. 0. 22522253521. one ov dece see eee 77
Winter-wheat prospects ...-.....-- SE rere ne Sasser ae sae - : 77
WiANtEr-TYE- PIGSPECiS ¢ oe eye sane wie feje ne) dete oe me wee eee elle pees Pe 80
Condition of ‘farm-animals loss seen. = Oss esis teeeeeee dave sce 81
Cate Noe co teis ecineociotes ticee mites eittne oo dese sicie eciaerd Maldce ie als 81
SUITE ee Se oe SAGE a ene Gecogo bos 6. Se ee eS ae ae aoe ane eben ce acs eeeee 83
Diseases of farm-animals......-....--. Eee ee Sa coeletecee soe e eee 84
IDISOARES OL NOTHES:. soe oc ec ic coe c seantence cece cevecun esac cs ier eae +2 38b:
Diseases of cattle.........- Fee Seee een sence cor ads adinac Stee Lnee eee eee 86
Diseahes OL SHOP: <is'oes < ois Ss encecemsepcacieses cose aceacn es 66 COS eee 89
DISGASOS IGE SWING Jeacioss se oscccete cnn bo anwlene Gece cee sidas Sec loose eee 91
WeclelmonlS(puseca- sce. os eee ens seinem se SSeS Sate cae eet esos e+ s+ =} 94
PO MOUSCUO-OPO Ne. 23 sine om ad sae lo cope a cia eae ad serdete ee 95
INORESTRY: <cco ovo soe 1 Seta heelals ee Cae Be bon pedi Gbomea tees ole eee = fs es
FACTS KROM VARIOUS, SOURCES 2... so sepawoncce cc bcuss ao ctecoe es ue wece eee 105
MARKET-PRICES 'OF .WARM-PRODUCTS: 22 ooigecs cock coe sce wae oocewscce Seeeeuee tok 5) a lee
TEVE-STOCK (MARKETS) 2s es cea ecb eee me oon ate hoe cee een ees 127
INGREIGN; MAREETAt.2 2 ccedees le le bode es 5 oaen eo baas, seldcot ee ebes Rect ee eee 128
MICROSCOPY :
Microscopic observations .2..2.Joc25e.01.. 224s .hee ae Oe nas oiecic ae 105

MONTHLY REPORT.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
STATISTICAL DIVISION,
Washington, April 18, 1876.
Sir: I submit herewith, for publication, a report of the condition of
winter grain, and one upon the condition of farm animals at the open-
ing of spring, and the diseases of animals during the past year; together
with a paper on forestry, by the Commissioner, and various statistical
facts and market records.
J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.
Hon. FRED’K WATTS,
Commissioner.

DIGEST OF APRIL RETURNS.

WINTER-WHEAT PROSPECTS.

In the more northern States, the autumn prospects of the crop have
been, to some extent, blighted by freezing out, and otherwise winter-
killing, owing to extraordinary absence of snow, accompanied by fre-
quent alternations of freezing and thawing, in the earlier part of the
winter; but in the latter days of March it was too early to ascertain
the extent of the injury. In New York, Seneca, Livingston, Oneida,
Washington, and Schuyler specify such injuries, while thirteen coun-
ties report a condition ranging from average to very promising, and
others do not indicate the condition beyond the favorable fact that it
was well covered with snow. Among the heavy winter-wheat counties,
in which the condition is promising, are Niagara, Ontario, Erie, Onon-
daga, and Yates.

From Pennsylvania about two-thirds of the returns report more or
less injury from winter-killing. The injury, of course, is greatest on
clayey soils and others not well drained. The drilled grain stood
the exposure better than that sown broadcast. In Indiana County,
while the early sown stands well, the late sown does not promise half a
crop; in Sullivan the condition is good on new ground, but 25 per cent.
below average on old; in Adams, a heavy wheat county, many fields
are almost ruined by alternate freezings and thawings; Washington,
good on dry ground, but badly frozen out on wet; in Lancaster,
producing over 2,000,000 bushels, or more than one-tenth of the
crop of the State, the condition is good; in Fulton, better than for
years. Among other counties producing large crops, which report from

78

average upward, are Lehigh, Delaware, Mercer, Juniata, Bedford,
Northampton, and Dauphin. The winter-wheat States farther west, in
the same range, have suffered in an equal, if not greater, degree, from
the same causes. Among the more important counties in Ohio report-
ing excessive injury are Licking, 77 per cent. below average; Fayette,
50 per cent. below on clay land, and 10 below on black land; Clinton,
50 per cent. below; Crawford, nearly all killed in March; Champaign,
more than 50 per cent. killed; Greene, 40 per cent. below; Clark, ‘‘not
half a crop expected; many fields will be plowed up;” Pickaway, badly
killed. Montgomery reports good condition on well-drained land, but
nearly destroyed on undrained clayey soil; Wayne and Erie, good on up-
land, but badly killed on low clayey land; Huron and Noble, early
sown, good. Hocking reports good condition; Tuscarawas, very good ;
Harrison, much above average; Miami, 20 per cent. above; Belmont,
40 per cent. above last year.

Half the returns from Indiana specify injuries from winter-killing,
varying from an indefinite degree to 50 per cent. destroyed. Among
these, Clinton, Stark, Martin, and Johnson place the condition 25 per
cent. below average; Wabash and Madison, 37; Tipton, 40; Clay and
Union,50. In Huntington, while the drilled grain is 20 below, the broad-
castis60. In Steuben the condition of the early-sown is good, but of the
late-sown bad; in Tippecanoe it is good on highly-cultivated land, but
on other land ‘many fields are entirely killed.” The condition was
never better in Lawrence, is very fine in Floyd, and much above average
in Posey.

In Illinois the reported injury is considerably less, something over
two-thirds of the returns reporting a condition average or above. But
from some of the heaviest counties the returns are quite unfavorable.
Saint Clair reports that the condition is very bad; “it is safe to say
that one-third is already lost;” in Randolph “ winter-wheat looks no
way encouraging ;” in Montgomery “ the crop looks anything but prom-
ising ;” in Clinton 38 per cent. winter-killed, and in Vermillion only half
a crop was sown, and that promises but 50 per cent. in yield. In Pike
“it has not been winter-killed a particle,” but owing to the fact that the
autumn was very dry, and much of it sown very late, the condition is
placed 20 per cent. below average. It is bad in Jackson for the same
reason. On the other hand, in Jersey the condition is better than for
years; fine in Macoupin and Sangamon, and in Monroe much better
than anticipated in the fall and early winter. Among counties produc-
ing less quantities, Hardin, Pulaski, and Tazewell return the condition
as splendid; Saline better than ever before; Menard, 120; Cook, 150.

Wisconsin and Iowa sow but little winter-wheat, and that has been
very generally injured by winter-killing.

Michigan, having had more snow, reports a more favorable condition.
Less than one-third of the returns are below average; over half, average
or above; the others being uncertain, owing fo the covering of snow.
In Washtenaw the crop has done well, considering the open winter, and
is improving; in Saint Joseph it is very bright and healthy ; in Calhoun
good, but in Oakland 10 per cent. below average. :

In the remaining portion of the country the condition is favorable
almost beyond precedent. The effects of extraordinary snow and cold,
in the last half of March, in the South, where grain was unusually for-
ward and tender, and of a severe drought in the Southwest, during the
autumn, are almost the only drawbacks. Out of sixteen counties report-
ing on wiuter-wheat in Maryland, Howard alone returns a condition
below average. Among fifty-six returns of winter-wheat from Virginia,

79

Craig and Caroline report that the condition is bad or below average;
Warwick, that the crop is suffering from insects; Washington and
Westmoreland, that it is backward; ‘all others s, unqualified good condi-
tion, and a large portion of extraordinary promise. Among the forty-
five returns from North Carolina, Randolph reports 10 per cent. below
average; Ashe, thin and weakly; Mitchell, badly killed; Surry, below
average; Polk, yellow and frost- bitten; and Madison, much injured—all
owing to snow and freezing between the 18th and 20th of March. In
Stokes, the unusually forward crop was much injured by the same
cause. All the other returns range between average and never better.
The only exception to returns of good condition in South Carolina is
Spartanburgh, in which the crop is ‘‘sorry.” In Georgia, Decatur reports
that the little planted is a failure; Stewart, Randolph, Wilkes, and
Carroll. that the crop was injured by the snow and freeze in March;
Terrell, that while the condition is good there is some complaint of
insects. The other forty-seven counties report a good condition, with-
out drawback, and many of them the best for years, or never better.
Among the latter are Towns, Jefferson, Heard, Franklin, Cobb, Hall,
Lincoln, Taliaferro, Taylor, Harris, Walker, and Lumpkin. The only
return for winter-wheat in Florida is from Madison, in which the condi-
tion is better than ever before.

A majority of the returns from Alabama report the condition as of
extraordinary promise, while only one (Franklin) reports below, aver-
age. In Shelby, though the condition is the best for years, rust is
reported in spots.

In Mississippi, the crop is unpromising in De Soto, and in Chicka-
saw, was made yellow and sickly by the snow aud cold in March. All
other returns are very favorable; Tishomingo and Newton 25, and
Neshoba 15 per cent. above average ; La Fayette and Lee, very promis-
ing; ali others above average.

In Texas the only exceptions to returns altogether favorable are Gil-
lespie, injured by grasshoppers and late frosts; Anderson, late planted,
first rate, bat early-planted injured by the mild, wet winter ; and Gon-
zales, more or less rust. Bosque and Ellis report the best condition
eyer known, and Dallas, Collin, and Williamson, never better.

From Arkansas, Lawrence and Stone are the only returns below
average.

In Tennessee, while many counties report the best condition for
years, or never better, none are reported below average. The same is
true in West Virginia, except that in three or four counties the pre-
vious good prospect was considerably injured by the severe freeze in
‘March. The crop suffered from the same cause to a somewhat greater
extent in Kentucky, but yet the general condition for the State was
left much above average. Across the Mississippi, in Missouri and
Kansas, a severe drought in autumn conspired with the freeze in
March to materially reduce the condition in several counties; yet, out
of fifty-five returns from Missouri, only seven fall below average;
and only four out of thirty-five from Kansas. Not less than ten or
twelve counties in the latter State report a cou never exceeded ;
in Barton, while, owing to the autumn drought, the general condition
is 30 per cent. below average, the drilled is “50 per cent. better than
Be Benadr -cast. Other returns also note the superior condition of the
drilled.

The returns from California are uniformly favorable, and a majority
report that the condition is first rate. The same is true of Oregon.

80
RYE.

Winter-rye corresponds in condition very nearly with wheat, except
that being more hardy it has suffered less from the open winter. All
reports from New England are favorable, except that the crop has suf-
fered some from winter-killing in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, and is
under average in Windham, Connecticut. In Berkshire, Massachusetts,
a large amount was sown, and it promises a large yield. In Kent,
Rhode Island, the condition is the best for five years.

Washington, badly winter-killed, is the only county in New York
reporting below average. Mercer, New Jersey, is 25 per cent. below;
all other returns, average or above.

From Pennsylvania, which produces nearly one-fourth of the rye
grown in the country, a fuller abstract of returns is given:

RF Westmoreland: Much “heaved out” by freezings and thawings. Bucks: 100. Lehigh:
Good. Lebanon: 75—frozen out. Northumberland: Good on high ground; on low,
frozen out. Sullivan; On new ground, good; on old, 50. Mercer: Above 100. Juni-
ata: 100. Indiana: Early sown stands well, but the late sown does not promise half a
crop; heaved ont.. Hik: Much above 100. Columbia: Much killed out; no snow.
Bradford: 75. Bedford: Very good. Wayne: Much winter-killed. Perry: Injured by
open winter. Cumberland: 100. Clearfield: Much killed ont. Adams: Many fields
almost ruined by alternate freezings and thawings. Tioga: Full 100. Monroe: Good.
Wyoming: Good. Northampton: Above 100. Clinton: Injured by freezing and thaw-
ing. Cambria: Many fields will be plowed up. Lawrence: 100. Lancaster: Good.
Fulton: 100. Forest: Under snow. Dauphin: 100. Armstrong: 100. Pike: Not prom-
ising, owing to want of snow, freezing, thawing, &c.

All returns from Maryland report good condition except Howard, 85.
In Virginia, Caroline alone returns below average, while 36 counties
return conditions ranging from average to the best ever known. There
are but two exceptions to good condition in the returns from North Car-
olina, and one of them ascribed to the recent freeze. In the other South-
ern States, producing small quantities of rye, the condition is very gen-
erally promising.

From Tennessee, Grundy returns the condition as somewhat sickly,
but all others are up to average, and a large portion much above. In
West Virginia also the returns are uniformly favorable, except that con-
siderable injury to the crop in several counties is ascribed to the freeze
in March. Among full returns from Kentucky, the epithets “splen-
did,” ‘best for years,” and ‘“‘never better,” &c., are frequent. , Kenton,
thin on the ground; Pendleton, 25 per cent. below average, and John-
son, injured by the freeze in March. In Ohio, the injury from winter-
killing is extensive, though not as great as in the wheat-crop. About
half the returns report good condition, and many of the others partly
good; the crop escaping injury on high or sandy land, and on well-
drained, well-tilled lowland. Returns from Michigan all report good
condition. The condition in Indiana corresponds with that in Ohio. In
Illinois, as in the case of wheat, the injury from the open winter is much
less, and the general condition is considerably above average.

But few returns of the condition of rye have been received from Wis-
consin. Calumet reports the crop nearly all killed ; Washington, badly
killed ; Adams, injured 30 to 50 per cent.; Rock, never better; others,
average or good. About three-fourths of the returns from Iowa report
good condition, the other fourth being more or less injured by winter-
killing. From Missouri, the returns are still more favorable, more than
four-fifths being average or above. In Kansas and Nebraska the prom-
ise is extraordinary, and from the Pacific slope the returns are favor-
able without exception.

81

CONDITION OF FARM-ANIMALS.

As a general rule cattle and sheep went into winter-quarters in good
condition. Up to the 1st of March, in all sections of the country east
ef the Rocky Mountains, the winter was extraordinary for its mildness, _
diminished area and quantity of snow, and comparative freedom from
hard storms. One consequence was, unusual exemption from diseases
affecting farm-stock ; another, a greatly diminished demand for stored
feed. Owing to this latter, together with generous hay and corn crops,
the localities have been very few and limited in extent in which suffer-
ing and emaciation from hunger could not be prevented by anything
like reasonable precaution and care. In those sections which make no
provisions for sheltering, and little or none for feeding stock in winter,
the mildness of the weather and their consequent success in sufficiently
providing for their own wants and comfort, resulted in conditions of
health and vigor, which enabled them for the most part to withstand,
without great loss or depreciation, the extraordinary cold and storms of
March, which, east of the Pacific slope, was much harder on stock than
either of the previous months. Hence unusually full county returns
approach unanimity in reporting the condition of cattle and sheep
throughout the country on the 1st of April as one of unprecedented
health and thrift.

CATTLE.

The condition ranges from good up to remarkably good, best for years,
&e.,in all returns from New England except Franklin, Vermont, in which,
though some stocks are looking remarkably well, yet the general condi-
tien is thought to be not quite average, owing to the unusually early sea-
son at which cattle came to the barn.

In full returns from the Middle States and Maryland the general range
from good to never better, is but slightly qualified in seven counties.
From New York, Niagara reports that the winter has been too warm to
stimulate a vigorous appetite, and Livingston that poor shelter and
changeable weather have brought the condition somewhat below average.
In Lancaster and Pike, Pennsylvania, and in New Castle, Delaware,
cattle are somewhat poor, owing to scarcity of feed. |

Returns are equally favorable from the South Atlantic and Gulf
States. Out of over sixty from Virginia, the only decidely unfavorable
one is from Scott, which reports that owing to the prevalence of ‘ mur-
rain and hollow-horn,” many cattle have died and the survivors are very
poor. They are reported as poor in Patrick and in Lunenburgh, for want
of care and feed. Healthy but poor in Clarke, owing to scarcity of long
feed, and rough weather in March; very lean in Franklin; very thin in
Northampton, owing to neglect; very poor in Greenville, that being the
usual or average condition. On the other hand, the condition is much
above average in Page, for the reason that farmers are learning the wis-
dom of properly feeding and sheltering stock in inclement weather.
The condition is the best for many years in Craig, Middlesex, South-
ampton, King and Queen, and better than ever before in Spottsyl-
vania and Mecklenburgh. In a large portion of the other returns
the range is between very good and never better. Over four-fifths
of the returns from North Carolina indicate a condition above, and a
large portion much above, average, while three or four refer to cattle as
thin, or looking rough, or bad, without assigning the cause, and only
two report a bad condition from want of food and care. In South Car-

82

olina, Greenville reports cattle thin but healthy, and Clarendon very
poor, owing to scarcity of feed; all other returns are favorable. In
Georgia, out of between seventy and eighty returns, only five indicate
an unfavorable condition, and that chiefly owing to the snowy and
freezing weather in March. Jefferson alone returns a bad condition
owing to a scarcity of feed. Effingham, Hull, Pierce, Montgomery,
Mitchell, Baker, Coffee, Taylor, and McDuffie, report the best condition
for many years. Dooly, Cobb, Dodge, Worth, and Walker, the best
ever known. In Colquitt many of the cattle are fat enough for good
beef. All returns from Florida show a condition much above average,
and all from Alabama, except Perry and Franklin, in which it was much
above until the 1st of March, and Etowah, in which, owing to scarce
feed and the cold spring, cattle are poor. From Mississippi, all returns
are favorable except Tunica, thin; De Soto, very poor; and Lee, bad,
owing to the long winter. The favorable returns range from good,
thrifty, never better, up to good beef. In Louisiana, Cameron alone
returns a bad condition, owing toa too wet winter; while in Morehouse
and Franklin the condition is the best for many years, and in Madison
cattle are very fat.

In Texas, among fifty-seven returns, Cooke reports cattle as notin
very good condition, and Blanco as very thin; all others indicate a good
condition, and most of them one of extraordinary thrift. The winter
was so mild and free from hard storms, that the grass on the range has
continued to grow, leaving stock nothing to do but to eat and grow fat.
In the following counties the condition reported ranges from the best
for many years to better than ever before: Aransas, Bosque, Coryell,
Dallas, Goliad, Matagorda, Falls, Collin, Hunt, Fannin, Hardin, Harri-
son, Kendall, Col6rado, Williamson, Titus. Cattle are described as be-
ing fat enough for good beef in Henderson, Red River, McLennan, Har-
din, Fannin, Williamson, Burleson, Waller, and Hays. Much above
average, fine, excellent, flattering, splendid, &c., are descriptive epithets
which abound in other returns.

In the interior Southern States the general condition is also remark-
ably good. The only exceptions reported are in Dorsey, Arkansas,
“ very bad ;” Izard, below average, and Saint Francis, poor, owing to
neglect; in Sullivan, Tennessee, “thin but healthy ;” Pleasants, West
Virginia, bad, owing to rain, sleet, and mud; and Nicholas, poor, owing
to a short hay-crop; Daviess, Kentucky, rather poor, owing to the in-
jury of crops by the great floods last summer ; Mason, very low in flesh ;
Speneer, 10 per cent. below average; Scott, healthy but poor, owing to
wet weather; Kenton, thin but healthy ; and Lincoln, good but suffered
from the severe weather in March.

In the States bordering the Ohio River on'the north, rains in large
measure took the place of snow in ordinary winters. As a consequence
unsheltered stock suffered more than usual from exposure, and still
worse from the mixing of feed with the cold mud in which they
stood. Greatinjury to the hay-cropin these States by the unprecedented
rains during the hay-season, operated as a further drawback upon the
condition of stock. But notwithstanding, on the 1st of April the general
condition was much above average. In between fifty and sixty returns
from Ohio, not more thansevenimply an average condition below fair or
good, while a large portion range from very good to never better. In Indi-
ana the general average is not quite so favorable, ten returns out of forty-
eight describing the condition as something less than good. In Illinois,
Edwards report a condition below average, “‘and in the flooded districts
many haye died ;” White, 40 per cent. below, and “5 per cent. have

83

died for the want of food, and the end is not yet ;” Richland, very poor,
owing to wet and changeable weather. Two or three other returns im-
ply a condition not quite up to average, while over fifty are favorable,
many ranging between never better and better than ever.

From the Lake States, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, there is
not a single return in which the general good condition is qualified by
a depreciative epithet, while that from Oakland, Michigan, “the best ever
known—thriving all winter,” has many equivalents. Returns are equally
favorable from Missouri, Kansas,and Nebraska, except that in Mis-
souri, Mississippi County reports cattle rather poor owing to the want
of shelter and care; Lincoln, rather poor, owing to wet weather;
and Nuckolls, Nebraska, not good, owing tothe hard spring. In lowa
cattle have suffered from the same causes and in about the same degree
as in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

On the Pacific slope the rainy season was unusually long, but the
wiuter was not otherwise severe. The weather being favorable to pas-
turage and comparatively free from hard storms, the general condition
of cattle in California and Oregon is excellent. In California but three
exceptions are reported. Cattle are reported as poor in San Bernardino ;
below average in San Joaquin, owing to the long wet winter and high
price of feed ; and in Trinity, while most of the cattle were driven down
into the valley counties to be wintered, many among those left there
have died, and the survivors are poor. In that locality the winter,
though mild, was unusually stormy. Lane, Oregon, reports cattle poor,
with some loss; but all other returns are favorable. In Umatilla cattle
from the pastures are good beef.

Returns from Utah report the average condition of stock consider-
ably lower than in any other section, owing to a long winter, deep
snows, and a very severe March. In Beaveritis estimated that not less
than 20 percent. have died. Among seven returns from Colorado, Weld
reports that cattle are 10 per cent. below average, owing to the fact
that late rains kept grass green until killed by frost; and Conejos, that
they are poor; the other five are favorable, El] Paso reporting the con-
dition equal to stall-fed beef.

SHEEP.

_ Throughout the country, sheep have not suffered from any other than
the chronic diseases which are perpetuated in flocks from year to year,
whilethe. general conditions of weather and food-supply have been such
as to contract and assuage, rather than extend and aggravate these. And
since they usually share the lot of cattle in respect to exigencies of cli-
mate, feed, sheiter, and care, in the different sections, they very nearly
correspond with themin condition. Returns indicate an unusually large
percentage of lambs saved. Several returns, particularly from Mis-
souri, concur in ascribing a bad shedding of wool to feeding too freely
with corn.

The only exceptions, of any consequence, to unqualified good condi-
tion, reported throughout the entire country, are the following: Ver-
mont, Caledonia, below average, owing to wet weather. Pennsylvania,
Sullivan, 20 per cent. below average ; Washington, the winter too warm
and wet for sheep ; Dauphin, though healthy, below average. Maryland,
Frederick, 5 per cent. below par, being permitted to run out in old
fields. Virginia, Lancaster, look bad, owing to too much rain in March;
Scott, very poor, with many deaths. North Carolina, Lincoln, looking
bad; Buncombe, Henderson, and Stokes, thin. South Carolina, Clar-

84

endon, very poor, owing to scarce feed; Greenville, thin, but healthy.
Georgia, Franklin, bad; Towns, Carroll, Taylor, and Wilkes, all good
- up to March, but much depreciated by extraordinary snow and cold in
thatmonth. Louisiana,Cameron, bad, owing to too wet weather. Texas,
Palo Pinto,poor. Arkansas, Izard,belowaverage. Tennessee, Johnson,
§ per cent. below. Kentucky, below average in Spencer, Boyd, Harrison,
and Jessamine, owing to wet weather; in Grayson, except the sheltered,
have not done well for the same cause. Ohio, owing to wet weather,
mud, and damaged hay, thin, poor, or below average in Montgomery,
Pickaway, Hudson, Belmont, Putnam, Marion, Washington, Ottawa,
Licking, and Fayette. Clarke reports that the past winter was the
hardest on sheep for many years; “ flocks are thin and many will die; ”
Preble, that sheep are in fine condition where well sheltered and fed,
“but haggard where left to shift for themselves.” Michigan, Oakland,
the housed in fine condition; but those left to roam in fields, very thin.
Indiana, Clay, 10 per cent. below average; Vanderburgh, 5 percent. below;
Lawrence, rather bad, owing to bad condition when they went into
winter-quarters ; Knox, poor, and Orange, Wells, Hamilton, and Marion,
below average, owing to excessive wet weather. Illinois, in Clay, flocks
well cared for are in good condition, while others are poor and unhealthy ;
in Shelby the smaller flocks are above average; the larger below; in
Edwards, ‘the worst condition ever seen, many flocks dying off and
losing all the lambs, from continuous wet weather ;” owing tothe same
cause, the condition is not quite average in Warren. In Des Moines,
Iowa, sheep have not done well, owing to rain, snow, and mud; in
Decatur, poor; in Lincoln, rather poor. In Butler, Kansas, sheep
are fat, ‘‘except scabby flocks, which are poor and dying.” In Furnas,
Nebraska, all are in good condition, except the scabby. In San Joaquin,
California, many sheep have been destroyed by sudden floods, and
many sheep and lambs by severe storms; in Trinity they are poor; in
Merced, the young are in good condition, but the old poor and scabby ;
in Contra Costa, the losses of sheep by starvation, and of lambs by pro-
tracted storms, are considerable; in San Bernardino, they are reported
“terribly starved.” In Utah, Salt Lake and Tooele report sheep poor.
In Colorado, Weld, 10 per cent. below average, owing to late rains.

Thus, with unusually full returns, there is but one slight exception to
reports of condition ranging from average upward to better than ever
before, in New England; one in the Middle States; none in the Lake
States; but one in the Gulf States; one in Arkansas; scarcely one in
Kansas and Nebraska; none in Missouri and West Virginia, and very
few in other States.

eee — a ,

DISEASES OF FARM-ANIMALS.

Our April returns show that horses in all sections of the ceuntry have
been afflicted with a modified form of the epizootic influenza, and that
in the South and West swine have suffered from epizootic maladies
to an extent which doubtless contributed largely to shorten the pork-
crop of 1875, Cattle and sheep have, to a much smaller extent than
usual, shown prevailing tendencies to disease. The mild winter, just
closed, was more favorable to the outdoor wintering of stock, but even _
with this advantage our returns show serious losses in some counties
from exposure and lack of food. In New England, where, from the ne-
cessity of circumstances, all branches of production are pursued with

85

strict reference to profit, no cases are reported of prevailing diseases,
except such as depend upon general or climatic influences which no care
can anticipate, as, for example, the epizootic influenza of horses. As
our correspondent in Piscataquis, Me., judiciously observes, the farmers
of that region have learned that to get the most profit out of stock, the
animals must be kept in a thrifty condition. The natural difficulties in
the way of thestock-raiser in New England, the long winters and the long
and expensive feeding-seasons, are probably greater than in any other
section. Yet here true economy has shown the economic value of care,
shelter, and abundant food. In milder climates and on more productive
soils, to the westward and southward, local diseases have prevailed and
stock-farmers have been subjected to losses simply from lack of attention
te these brute dependents. Our correspondence contains abundant
evidence of the fact that disease has frequently been engendered, and in
other cases fostered, by the foul condition of hog-pens and stables, and
by the imperfect nutrition of animals turned out to face the storms of
winter without shelter and with such scanty supplies of food as they
were able to pick up in the field, forest, or public highway. Yet there
are indications of improvement in this respect in sections of the country
where the cruel aud uneconomical methods of stock-keeping have been
most prevalent.

The protection of farm-animals, especially sheep, from the ravages of
dogs is a policy which has gained ground in those States where the nui-
sance has been most severely felt. Arkansas and Tennessee have both
passed laws imposing taxes upon dogs, and providing for the destruc-
tion of those not registered. <A bill of this character passed the Georgia
house of representatives, but failed in the senate. Another step in the
right direction will secure the stringent enforcement of these laws, and
sheep-raisers in those sections begin to be hopeful of a profitable enter-
prise. Yet this necessary reform is still encountered by strong preju-
dices and by alow class of corruptinterests. One of our correspondents
in a Southern State reports a conversation with a member of the State
senate in which the senator acknowledged both the justice and necessity
of the restrictive policy, but at the same time expressed the opinion
that no politician could stand up before the storm of indignation which
his vote in favor of a dog-law would produce. This shows -that the re-
form must gain headway among the people before statesmen, even with
the most enlightened views, will dare to inaugurate such legislation.
Meanwhile the sheep and wool-producing interest is patiently suffering
grievous losses. Pathetic complaints reach us of the destruction of
valuable flocks in a single night by the onslaught of the curs. In
many counties the nuisance amounts to a positive prohibition of sheep
and wool raising. In the South, since the war, the evil has been greatly
aggravated by the habit of keeping numerous dogs by freedmen. These
animals, not being provided with food by their owners, are expected to
provide for themselves, and unfortunately have recourse to the sheep-
folds of the farmers. It is greatly to be regretted that this new class of
citizens see proper to inaugurate their citizenship by a custom at war
with the best interests of society; but the remedy will be found in
bringing them to feel an intelligent interest in this matter by becoming
sheep-raisers themselves. But the evil is by no means confined to this
class. In the Middle States, and in some of their oldest counties, this
nuisance is bitterly complained of. One correspondent in New York
estimates that in his county there are twenty-five dogs to one sheep,
and consequently sheep raising is practicable only within narrow limits.
In the West, also, losses are very heavy in some counties, and public

$6

sentiment is not yet sufficiently advanced to sustain a stringent and
effective law against dogs. Yet the pressure of necessity must ulti-
mately bring the public mind to recognize the necessity of such legisla- -
tion. There is no doubt thatit would result in a very great advantage
both to agricultural and public interests.

DISEASES OF HORSES.

The epizootic influenza, which prevailed in the fall and winter of
1872-73, re-appeared in the autumn of 1875 in nearly all the States; the
symptoms, however, were mild, and the disease readily yielded to ordi-
nary treatment. The mortality was also much less formidable than
during the former visitation. In parts of the country where farm-horses
are worked hard all winter, as in the lumbering districts, the disease
Jeft some permanent injuries in the form of heaves and other abnormal
conditions. In some cases the symptoms were so like the common dis-
temper as to be mistaken for it. Reports of this disease are so general
and of such a stereotyped character, that it is not necessary to particu-
larize. Of other diseases, New York reports in Suffolk County a paraly-
sis of hind-quarters and inability to stand, followed by death in a few
days. A similar affection is noted in Green, Wisconsin. In Wash-
ington, New York, a few cases of pneumonia occurred: the same report
comes from Lawrence, Pennsylvania. The blind-staggers destroyed 200
horses in Cumberland, New Jersey, and 130 in Kent County, Delaware.
It is reported also in Richland, South Carolina; in Santa Rosa, Florida;
in Greene, Le Flore, and Choctaw, Mississippi; in Claiborne and
Bossier, Louisiana; in Red River, Fannin, Wood, Cook, and Grayson,
Texas ; in Columbia, Lafayette.and Dorsey, Arkansas; in Callaway, Ken-
tucky ; in Cowley, Kansas. The farey was prevalent in some parts of
Colleton, South Carolina; most of the cases were fatal. Louisiana
reports a few cases of charbon in Concordia and Hast Feliciana. Baffalo
gnats were troublesome at two or three points inthe Gulf States. Several
counties report new diseases, but not of marked intensity or extent. In
Lowndes, Mississippi, an affection of this character was somewhat
serious. The symptoms were stupor, labored breathing, excessive
urination, cough, fevered lungs, congestion of brain, and then death.
In a few cases a dose of 60 grains of calomel, in a pint of linseed oil,
was reported a successful cure, but no very reliable remedy was dis-
covered. Our correspondent in Howard, Arkansas, distinguishes be-
tween blind-staggers and sleepy-staggers. In the latter the animal was
taken with a chill, generally while eating, became stupid, scared at
everything around, and died in from thirty-six to forty-eight hours. In
Menominee, Michigan, another strange malady destroyed 4 per cent.;
the marked symptoms were drooping and scouring. In several counties
in the South and West horses died of neglect and starvation, rather than
the forms of disease whose names were commonly reported in order to
cover gross cruelty on the part of farmers. In Kern, California, horses
were poisoned by the “loco” or erazy weed. Local horse-diseases of
mild type are also noted in several counties as slight exceptions to gen-
eral health.

DISEASES OF CATTLE.

Cattle-diseases during 1875 were limited in their range and intensity.
The meteorological conditions were more favorable to the health of this
class of farm-animals than in some previous years, and they enjoyed a
greater degree of care and attention in some sections in which they

87

have hitherto been neglected. In the New England States, with the ex-
ception of a few imported cases of Texas fever in Berkshire, Massa-
chusetts, all the counties reporting show an entire exemption from pre-
vailing maladies. ‘A few counties in the Middle States indicate local
types of disease, but nothing like a general malady. In the South and
West these local types crop out somewhat more numerously, but the
Pacific coast reports but few diseases, and those of a mild type. The
catalogue of maladies is, therefore, less extensive than usual.

TEXAS FEVER.—In Berkshire, Massachusetts, as above noted, in June,
cattle imported into two or three towns from the West showed the
presence of Texas fever, but confined to half a dozen herds. Sanitary
measures, promptly taken, arrested the spread of the disease, while em- .
bargo and quarantine regulations stopped further importations. In
Livingston, New York, 30 or 40 western cattle, all of one herd, died of
this disease, but native stock were entirely unaffected. Some western
cattle died in Washington, Pennsylvania. A disease resembling Texas
fever in some points is noted in Burke, North Carolina, where, like other
diseases, it is designated by the unmeaning term murrain. This disease
annually makes its appearance from the East, traveling westward ; it
has prevailed in this region for fifteen years, but its severity is less marked
than formerly. The disease is also noted in a few cases in Lorain,
Ohio, and Scott, Illinois; in the last-named instance the animals were
all imported.

ABORTION.—Our correspondent in Montgomery, New York, desires.a
scientific investigation into the growing tendency to abortion, especially
among dairy-cows in that county. Investigations of other diseases are
also called for. by correspondents in different parts of the country.
These gentlemen should understand that Congress has given the De-
partment no facilities for such investigations. With our limited means
we can only gather up the general facts, leaving it for scientific author-
ities to deduce from these facts the pathology and treatment of
epizootic diseases. Abortion, to a greater or less extent, is reported
in Wyoming, Rensselaer, Oaondaga, and Orange, and in Burlington, New
Jersey. A strong tendency to this disaster is noted in Lehigh,
Pennsylvania. A few cases occurred in Assumption, Louisiana, in
Cook, Illinois, and in Stanislaus, California; in the last named about 3
per cent. of the pregnant cows slipped their calves. It is noticeable that
this tendency is found almost entirely in localities near great markets ;
very few cases are observed in the rural districts, and most of cases re-
porting were in herds of dairy-cows. These general facts seem to indi-
cate something in the management of this class of animals as the cause
of this abnormal tendency. In Assumption, Louisiana, this malady
was uniformly noted among cows affected with the jaundice, which is
so common in that locality as to excite but little remark. The skin be-
comes very yellow, and the animal loses appetite and spirit. Blood-
letting and a seton on the breast have been found of service in relieving
the symptoms. This affection is probably the resultof poor feeding and
neglect ; it is aggravated by a late and severe winter.

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.—This disease was developed in several herds in
Burlington, New Jersey. In Baltimore County, Maryland, it has pre-
vailed for ten years, and was troublesome the last year, although it had
been partially checked by sanitary measures. Our correspondent here
has given close attention to this disease for several years, and has clearly
indicated the abuses which have greatly aggravated, if they did not
originally cause, this malady. Milk-dairymen still crowd their cows
into filthy and ill-ventilated stables, and deprive them of the conditions

88

of healthy development. As soon as a cow shows signs of indisposi-
tion, as by refusing food, drying up her milk, &c., she is immediately
slaughtered, and her carcass is sold in the shambles. Many animals in
the incipient and some in the advanced stages of pleuro-pneumonia are
surreptitiously butchered and marketed, though this nefarious business
is accompanied by greater risk from exposure than formerly. As in
former years it is observed that dairies using distillery slops are far
more liable to this infection than others.

BLACK-FEVER OR BLACK-LEG.—A few deaths from “black-fever”
among calves and yearlings occurred in Wayne, Pennsylvania. This is
probably the same disease, with modifications, that is elsewhere called
black-leg. The latter was very fatal in Highland, Virginia, where the
first intimation of the disease was the death of the calf or yearling. A
popular impression here is that bleeding would be an efficacious remedy
for the disease if it could be discovered in time for treatment. For lack
of sick animals to practice on, some farmers bleed all their calves every
spring, a proceeding, to say the least, of very doubtful propriety. A
few cases also occurred in Tazewell. It is also reported in Bosque,
Texas; in Marion and Randolph, West Virginia; in Ogle, Illinois; in
Renville, Dodge, Jackson, McLeod, and Taylor, Minnesota; in Hum-
boldt, Clinton, Calhoun, Hancock, Harrison, Kossuth, and Emmett,
Iowa; in Nodaway, Chariton, and Harrison, Missouri; in Jefferson,
Lyon, Montgomery, Nemaha, Saline, Allen, Butler, and Washington,
Kansas; and in Merrick, and Saunders, Nebraska. In most of these
eases the disease was of limited range and showed no great virulence.

LUNG-FEVER.—A valuable herd of Alderney cows in Prince George,
Maryland, was entirely ruined by what our correspondent calls lung-
fever. It results from the sudden exposure to cold of cattle that have
become habituated to close, warm stables. In that county it affects
more or less all cows brought from dairy-stables in and around Balti-
more. The premonitory symptoms are first a peculiar cough observed
in no other disease, then the appetite declines, and as the disease ad-
vances, the cow stands by herself, head drooping, tongue protruding,
saliva dropping from the mouth, bowels constipated, paying no atten-
tion to anything around her. Most cases terminate fatally. As facts
indicate a contagious character of this disease, it is doubtful whether
it should be distinguished from pleuro-pneumonia, which it so much r
sembles. Our correspondent having several sick cows, and not knew-
ing what else to do, applied coal-oil to the skin over the lungs eve y
day for a week. This cansed the hair entirely to drop off, but after a
second applhcation the animals began to eat, and all but one recov ered.
A few cases of lung-fever occurred in Middlesex, Virginia.

DISTEMPER.—Onur correspondent in Halifax, Virginia, defines the dis-
ease commonly known as distemper in that region asa high, inflammatory
fever, of unusual prevalence in dry, hot summers, but of less than usual
virulence during the cool, wet summer of 1875. It involves mainly the
digestive apparatus, the liver, and the kidneys. It is found very diffi-
cult to start a cathartic action of the bowels. Post-mortem examination
invariably shows the contents of the manifolds to be dry and hard. The
disease is more or less contagious. Animals surviving the first attack are
liable to subsequent ones, but mostly ina milderform. The difficulty of
cure has directed attention more to prophylactics. Our correspondent
suggests the following as usually relied on in his neighborhood. A
bushel of purest red clay, a gallon of salt, four ounces of saltpeter, and
two ounces of sulphur are all mixed together with water to the consist-
ence of stiff mortar. This mixture is kept in the cattle troughs all the

summer and fall, and cattle soon learn to relish it. In Lunenbureh the
malady is called ‘also red-water and murrain, and seems to be caused by
indigestible food; losses here about five per cent. of all the animals in the
county. In Pittsylvania the loss was about six per cent. It is reported
also in Randolph, Yadkin, Surrey, and Transylvania, North Carolina.

MURRAIN. —Under this comprehensive but indefinite term is ranged,
in popular nomenclature, a great variety of cattle-diseases, often of the
most widely differing sy mptoms. It is used as the synonym of distem-
per, Texas fever, lung: fever, mad itch, milk-fever, and other maladies ;
but in the absence of a more definite term, it will be necessary to use it.
In Macon, North Carolina, a disease called by this name developed a
few sporadic cases, marked by a slight swelling under the throat,
bruised appearance of the flesh, and secretions of yellow liquid under
the skin after death. It put in a more or less dubious appearance in
Dooly and Forsyth, Georgia; in Jackson and Colbert, Alabama; in
Coahoma, Mississippi ; ; in “Saint Mary’s, Louisiana; in Prairie, Arkan-
sas; in Lincoln, Tennessee; in Johnson and Bath, Kentucky ; in Tip-
ton, Indiana; in Dodge, Minnesota; and in McDonald, Missouri.

Map 1TcH.—In Coffee County, Tennessee, this disease is locally des-
ignated as rub-head. An irritation of the skin causes the animal to
rub its head, neck, and shoulders against the ground or any upright
object until the blood flows. Death’ supervenes in two days, if not
sooner. It is also noted in Hancock, Illinois.

MISCELLANEOUS.—A few deaths in Adams, Pennsylvania, were
attributed to an unknown disease, characterized by dullness, indisposi-
tion to eat, &c. In Patrick, Virginia, some milch-cows died of some
disease not recognized, The hollow-horn, characterized by one of our
correspondents as the synonym of hollow-belly, a disease resulting
from defective nutrition, exposure, and neglect, is reported in several
counties in the South and one or two in the West. In some cases death
by actual starvation is reported. Our correspondent in one of the
counties of North Carolina suggests that a portion of the cotton-seed
thrown into the compost-heaps could be more judiciously used in feed-
ing cattle and giving them a more respectable appearance. Milk-sick-
ness or milk-fever is reported in Lucas, Georgia, and Lorain, Ohio.
Some cattle died of blind-staggers in Perry, Mississippi. Charbon
made its appearance, in a small way, in East Feliciana, Louisiana. In
Woodruff, Arkansas, in Hancock, Illinois, in Henry and Clinton, Iowa,
and in Holt, Missouri, cattle turned into corn-stalk fields without access
to water were seriously ‘affected, in many cases resulting in death. In
a post-mortem examination in Clinton, Iowa, the third stomach was
found “ caked.” The foot-and-mouth disease occasioned slight loss in
Atchison, Missouri, but was more severe in Labette, Kansas. In the
last-named county the symptoms included the swelling of feet, legs, and
Salivary glands. An ox far gone with the disease was restored by free
drenching with Epsom salts, lard, and copperas. Undescribed maladies
are also reported in Putnam and Mercer, [llinois,and in North Missouri.

DISEASES OF SHEEP.

Our April returns give fresh evidence that a little seasonable atten
tion to this class of farm. animals, and an effective legal protection from
the ravages of worthless dogs, would make this branch of agricultural
production of immense profit to the parties engaged, as well as to the
whole country. The diseases noted are mostly the result of neglect,
starvation, and exposure. Yet it is gratifying to note the great im-

’ GO F 4

provement in the treatment of sheep in parts of the country where they
have hitherto been left to shift for themselves. In the older parts of
the country this is becoming better understood, and more careful treat-
ment is producing its normal results.

Foor-rot.—This disease has affected 75 per cent. of the sheep in
Rutland, Vermont, within the last ten years, causing during the last
year a loss of 10 per cent. It was noted, also, in Ontario, New York,
(where it is fast disappearing) Washington and Onondaga, in Salem
and Burlington, New Jersey, where it was less severe than usual on
account of the dry season, and also,in Delaware, Westmoreland, Wash-
ington, and Lawrence, Pennsylvania. Delaware and Maryland are
entirely exempt from this and all other sheep-diseases, having a small
number of sheep. Foot-rot is also reported in Buckingham, Virginia,
in Mitchell, North Carolina, in Lawrence, Alabama, in Summit, Harri-
son, Wayne, Erie, Jackson, Champagne, Crawford, Delaware, Mahon-
ing, Richland, and Wyandot, Ohio. Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin
present a clean bill of health, showing neither this nor any other form
of disease. Illinois reports foot-rot in Cook and De Witt; Lowa, in
Marion; California, in San Luis Obispo.

Ror.—This disease is reported in Scott, Virginia; in Buncombe and
Madison, North Carolina; in Taliaferro, Barlow, Towns, Oglethorpe,
and Whitfield, Georgia; in Bossier, Louisiana; in Monroe, Tennessee ;
in Ritchie, West Virginia; in Jackson, Kentucky; in McDonald and
Ozark, Missouri; Contra Costa, California. Our correspondent in
Oglethorpe, Georgia, attributes the virulence of the disease in that re-
gion in part to the habit of keeping the flocks too long in the same
field.

ScaB.—This malady was troublesome in Caledonia, Vermont; in
Suffolk and Onondaga, New York ; in Coffee and Lawrence, Alabama ;
in Perry, Mississippi; in Kendall, Burleson, Williamson, Bandera, Palo
Pinto, De Witt, Gillespie, Collin, Karnes, Medina, and Austin, Texas;
in Marion, Vermillion, and De Witt, Illinois; in McLeod and Isanti,
Minnesota; in Marion, Iowa; in Atchison, Nodaway, Cass, Grundy,
and Butler, Missouri; in Neosho, Allen, and Butler, Kansas; in Cum-
ing, Platte, and Furnas, Nebraska; Colusa, Lake, Alameda, Napa, San
Joaquin, Contra Costa, Kern, Mendocino, Merced, San Bernardino,
Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne, California; Umatilla, Wasco,
Curry, Douglas, and Grant, Oregon.

GRUB IN THE HEAD.—Reported in Washington, New York ; in Fair-
fax, Virginia; Marion, Mississippi; Williamson, Tennessee; Harrison,
Kentucky; Coshocton, Ohio; Washington, Kansas; San Joaquin, Cali-
fornia.

Rca SkiIn.—Reported in Baxter, Arkansas; Carroll and Harrison,
hio.

MISCELLANEOUS.—Randolph, West Virginia, is the only county re-
porting fluke in the liver. The ‘pale disease” is noted in Beaver,
Pennsylvania; blind-staggers in King William, Virginia, and in lowa,
Wisconsin. Some cutaneous and Jung affections of mild type attracted
passing notice in several counties, but are not of sufficient importance to
classify.

The scab has been exterminated in a large number of counties by the
dipping process. A Georgia correspondent attributes the health ot
sheep in his county to the smallness of the flocks and their free range.
In Texas there is a law for the protection of native sheep from imported
diseases, which sheepmen are very prompt to expose. In Bandera
County an imported scabby flock, through the operation of this law, was

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prevented from spreading the infection. In Muskingum, Ohio, sheep
kept on dry feed did well, while those turned out to early grass suffered
from disease. In Winona, Minnesota, a flock of 1,300 was wintered with
the loss of only three venerable animals. In this case there was ample
provision for food, shelter, and comfort of the flock.

DISEASES OF SWINE.

Statistical inquiry’ is, if possible, more embarrassed in classifying
swine-diseases than those of cattle. Some of our correspondents feeling
this difficulty have taken the trouble to particularize the symptoms of
different forms of epizootic disease. If this were done more generally
it would be much easier for the Department to present a coherent and
intelligible view of these maladies, and of their influence upon the pro-
ductive interests of agriculture. The record of 1875 shows a very
formidable and general visitation of disease in different parts of the
country. The most disastrous inflictions are found to be mostly west
of the Allegheny Mountains, amounting in some cases to half or three-
fourths of the entire stock of hogs ina county. In the New England
States and New York the few losses by epizootic diseases included only
imported animals, native stock being entirely excepted. In this region,
however, as in several sections of the South and West, complaints
of small litters of young pigs and of their premature death were so
numerous as to cause apprehensions of a short crop of pork the coming
year. It is well known that the western pork-packing enterprise of
1875, though operating with high prices and unusually stimulating the
markets, fell short of the previous year’s packing 686,091 hogs, with a
decrease in the aggregate net weight of 105,183,436 pounds, and in the
yield of lard of 17,564,027 pounds. Yet this diminished product trenched
more closely than ever before known in many localities upon the stock-
hogs of the country. The lack of a scientific or even an intelligible
popular nomenclature renders it necessary to use the terms by which
Swine-diseases are generally known, though it is a matter of chronic
complaint that these terms are notoriously inexact and that they include
the most diverse types of disease.

A dubious mention of slight loss from some disease, called cholera,
quinsy, thumps, &c., comes from Monroe County, New York. In New
Jersey, Camden reports a loss of 2 per cent.; Burlington complains of
large losses, and Warren of 100 deaths, or two-thirds of the cases. Cum-
berland, Pennsylvania, lost50 per cent. of her hogs; Dauphin, 10 per cent. ;
Snyder, Lebigh, and Lycoming, 5 per cent. each; Cambria, Clinton,
Adams, Perry, Beaver, Bedford, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and
Washington report minor losses; in some cases the disease was com-
plicated by the presence of kidney-worms. Delaware is exempt from
all kinds of swine disease. In Maryland, Queen Anne reports an alarm-
ing prevalence of destructive symptoms; Baltimore lost 30 per cent.,
sweeping some entire herds, and yielding to no remedy ; Worcester lost
10 per cent., and smaller losses were reported in Frederick, Talbot,
Prince George’s, Washington, Wicomico, and Cecil. <A post mortem ex-
amination in Prince George’s shows lesions of the windpipe, with a
yellow frothy liquid in the stomach. In several localities in the State
the disease was produced or its symptoms were greatly aggravated by
the filthy pens in which the animals were confined. In Virginia, Mid-
dlesex and New Kent lost 20 per cent.; Washington and Chesterfield,
10 per cent. each; the disease was more or less destructive in Pittsyl-
vania, Floyd, Halifax, Russell, Sussex, Patrick, Prince William, South-

2A

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ampton, Mecklenburgh, Campbell, Elizateth City, Franklin, Frederick,
Pulaski, Accomac, Fauquier, Prince George, Grayson, Henry, North-
ampton, Scott, and York. In most of these counties the disease was
but little more than nominal. Our correspondent in Chesterfield recom-
mends the following remedy: Boil the tops of small pines in water,
and mix the decoction with swine-food, or use spirits of turpentine in
the same way. Hogs affected should be kept in a dry place, and with-
eut access to water. In Washington the disease was believed to result
from the presence of lice, which were driven off by applications of tur-
pentine. Disease was generally found to originate from lack of care or
cleanliness. In North Carolina, Gates lost ‘one-half; Moore and Cum-
berland, one-third ; Lenoir and Harnett, one-fourth ; Warren, Clay, and -
Watauga, one-fifth, and Gaston, Randolph, Greene, Lincoln, Tyrrell, Bun-
combe, Haywood, Polk, and Wilkes, from 10 to 15 per cent.; smaller
losses in Chatham, Iredell, Yancey, Bertie, Orange, Davidson, Hertford,
Mitchel], Yadkin, Duplin, Nash, Person, Pitt, Rowan, Surry, Burke,
Pamlico, Madison, Wilson, Alexander, Montgomery, Outlaw, Stokes,
and Camden. Our correspondentin Pitt says that the symptoms were of
a febrile nature—great thirst, surface-heat, distress, loss of appetite, &e. ;
sometimes diarrhea sets in, seeming to be nature’s effort to throw off the
disease. If thecomplaint does not yield at this stage, it generally assumesa
typhoid character, accompanied by pneumonia. Noremedy has been found
effective; disease contagious. In several counties deaths from starvation
were in some cases assigned to cholera. Defective nutrition, with lack
of care and attention, were the causes of disease in many neighbor-
hoods. In South Carolina, Georgetown reports very heavy loss,
ranging from 25 per cent. to 75 per cent., which depleted the stock of
domesticated hogs; those ranging the swamps suffered far less. Horry
lost 45 per cent.; the characteristic symptoms here were stupor, loss of
appetite, discharge from the bowels of watery yellow offensive matter,
hair shedding and replaced by a gray or roan-colored hair. Orange-
burgh lost nearly all; Clarendon, 10 per cent.; Edgefield, 75 per cent. of
young pigs; smaller losses in Greenville, Barnwell, Lexington, Rich-
land, Spartanburgb, and Chesterfield. In Georgia, losses of a fifth to
a half of the stock in the county occurred in Dooly, Lumpkin, Thomas,
Montgomery, Terrell, Worth, Early, Macon, Wilcox, Dodge, Screven,
Hall, Towns, and Newton; smaller losses in Coffee, Liberty, Schley,
Taliaferro, Troup, Union, Baker, Bartow, Carroll, Columbia, Gwinnett,
Mitchell, Randolph, Calhoun, Floyd, Gordon, Hancock, Pierce, Clayton,
Hart, Oglethorpe, Upson, Warren, Marion, Brooks, Decatur, Franklin,
Jefferson, Chattooga, Forsyth, Pike, Sumter, and Wilkes. In Decatur,
the prevailing symptoms were lack of appetite, drooping, emaciation,
hollow flanks, vomiting, constipation, staggering gait, &c. Some attri-
buted the disease to eating cotton-seed. In Florida, Leon lost 50 per
cent.; the disease was also noted in Jackson. In Alabama, losses from
20 to 60 per cent. are reported in Crenshaw, Shelby, De Soto, Cleburne,
Lawrence, and Bullock ; smaller losses occurred in Lowndes, Jackson,
Etowah, Calhoun, Colbert, Monroe, Perry, Butler, Greene, and Russel ;
Walker lost nearly all. In Mississippi, losses from 10 to 50 per cent.
are noted in Greene, Marion, Rankin, Perry, Covington, Choctaw, and
Claiborne; smaller losses in Pike, Chickasaw, Clark, Lowndes, and Lau-
derdale ; Kemper, nearly all. In Lowndes, the symptoms were stupor,
loss of appetite, hair rough and dead, cough, vomit of matter that looks |
like the contents of the bowels. Dry food for a change was found ben-
eficial, and the following remedy was successful in some cases: Dissolve:
in water sufficient to soak a bushel of corn four ounces sulphate of

93

copper, one pound chloride of lime; soak the corn and feed three times
a week; give charcoal, salt, and ashes freely. In Choctaw, cook-house
slop mixed with copperas, sulphur, spirits turpentine, &c., was admin-
istered with good results. In Louisiana, Franklin lost 25 per cent. and
Carroll 60 per cent.; a few sporadic cases in Bossier and Jackson.
Texas reports loss from 10 to 50 per cent. in Bowie, Blanco, Somerville,
Fannin, Hunt, Anderson, Cherokee, Austin, and Grayson, with smaller
losses in Dallas, Harrison, Wood, Cook, Ellis, Lamar, Rusk, and Up-
shur; in Travis every case was fatal; in Red River and Fannin, the
destruction was fearful. In Fannin, the symptoms were stupor, loss of
appetite, spasmodic muscular contraction, hard breathing, fevered skin,
constipation, and just before death a froth oozing from the mouth ;
death in great pain in twelve to thirty-six hours; post mortem exami-
nation showed a watery fluid around the bowels. In Smith, a post
mortem showed diseased lungs. In Arkansas, losses from 10 to 50 per
cent. were noted in Ashley, Lawrence, Prairie, Crittenden, Arkansas,
Dorsey, and Newton; smaller losses in-Saint Francis, Sharp, Woodruff,
Independence, Scott, Howard, and Crawford. In Tennessee, losses from
10 to 30 per cent. occurred in Davidson, Sevier, Bledsoe, Sullivan, Bed-
ford, Warren, Wayne, Johnson, Sumner, Van Buren, Union, Hancock,
and Grainger; smaller losses in Fentress, Monroe, Williamson, Lincoln,
Truesdale, Washington, Loudon, Roane, Cannon, Houston, Obion, Ruth-
erford, Decatur, Robertson, Tipton, Dickson, Giles, Carter, Rhea, Lauder-
dale, and Polk. In West Virginia, no county reports over 10 per cent.
loss; those noting the presence of the disease are, Hampshire, Lincoln,
Putnam, Ritchie, Doddridge, Gilmer, Boone, Jefferson, and Mason; in
Mineral it was probably called pneumonia. Kentucky reports more
severe losses, from 10 to 50 per cent.in Garrard, Oldham, Fayette,
Christian, Marion, Metcalf, Scott, Grayson, Johnson, La Rue, Meade,
Bath, Boyle, Jessamine, Lincoln, Warren, Harrison, Hopkins, Russell,
and Breckenridge; smaller losses in Cumberland, Fleming, Greenup,
Daviess, Lewis, Mason, Spencer, Boone, Carroll, Pendleton, Pulaski,
Shelby, and Butler. In Ohio, Fayette and Pike lost 30 per cent.; smaller
losses in Clark, Huron, Pickaway, Preble, Miami, Montgomery, Greene,
Clinton, Erie, Marion, Champaign, Crawford, Delaware, Licking, Ma-
honing, Wyandot, and Butler. In Greene, a post mortem examination
showed hundreds of white worms in the intestines, the largest three-
quarters of an inch in length, and the smallest visible only under the
mnicroscope. A sick hog in a less advanced stage was killed, and the
same parasites were found, but of smaller size. A weak solution of
copperas saved animalsin the first stages of the disease. In Huron, the
glands of the throat wereswollen, and death supervened within four days.
In Pickaway, hogs following one herd of cattle were affected with nose-
bleeding, of which many died; hogs following other herds of cattle re-
mained unaffected ; post mortem showed lungsfull ofbloody mucus. Some
farms seem unable toraisehealthy hogs. In Prebleit was noted that hogs
badly treated in the winter suffered most. In Michigan, small losses were
reported in Branch, Saint Joseph, Berrien, Ottawa, and Oakland. In
Indiana, losses from 10 to 50 per cent. occurred in Gibson, Posey, Union,
Morgan, Knox, Orange, Warren, Crawford, Decatur, Warwick, Washing-
ton, Brown, Clay, Hamilton, Jennings, Johnson, Martin, Wells, Marion,
and Pike; smaller losses in Fayette, De Kalb, Rush, Lawrence, Putnam,
Clinton, Franklin, Tipton, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Carroll, Dearborn, Madi-
son, Whitley, Cass, Howard, Starke, Hendricks, Jasper, and Laporte.
In Illinois, losses from 10 to 50 per cent. in Alexander, Clay, Edwards,
Logan, Morgan, Tazewell, Macon, Sangamon, Scott, Clark, Jersey,'Macou-

94

pin, Cass, Clinton, Ford, Franklin, Jasper, Menard, Monroe, Montgom ery,
Pike, Putnam, Stark, Shelby, White, De Witt, Grundy, Hancock, McLean,
and Randolph; smaller losses in De Kalb, Hardin, Jackson, Mercer,
Woodford, Lee, Saline, Bureau, Marion, Piatt, Vermillion, Warren, Jef-
ferson, Mason, Pope, and Richland. In Wisconsin small losses reported
in Juneau, Jackson, Iowa, and Crawford. Minnesota reports 10 per
cent. loss in Taylor and 20 per cent. in Carver, with lighter losses in Todd
and Shelby. Iowa reports losses in Adair, Hamilton, Iowa, Lucas,
Union, Story, Appanoose, Clinton, Jackson, Polk, Franklin, Johnson,
Louisa, Allamakee, Calhoun, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Muscatine, Scott,
Adams, Des Moines, Guthrie, Harrison, Lee, Linn, Marion, Mills, Mont-
gomery, Sac, Wayne, Dallas, Henry, Monona, O’Brien, and Tama. In
some cases these losses amounted to half the stock in the county;
they were greatly aggravated by starvation and exposure. In some
cases quinsy was also present. In Missouri hog-maladies, variously
designated as cholera, quinsy, and thumps, are reported in Atchison,
Buchanan, Gasconade, Nodaway, Platte, Worth, Caldwell, Chariton,
Howell, Jefferson, Pike, Putnam, Cass, Franklin, Harrison, La Fayette,
Macon, Phelps, Ripley, Saint Genevieve, Shelby, Bates, Knox, Missis-
sippi, Moniteau, Montgomery, Saint Charles, Saint Francis, Stoddard,
Bollinger, Cole, De Kalb, Holt, Howard, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ralls,
Schuyler, Cape Girardeau, Dade, Livingston, Butler, Carroll, and
Iron. In some cases the losses were more than half the hogs in the
county. In Kansas the visitation was slight, including mostly imported |
hogs. Nebraska notes a small loss in Lancaster and Nemaha. Catarrhal
affections are reported in Stanislaus, California, and blind-staggers in
Clackamas, Oregon. . Some cases of death in the Southern States are
attributed to excessive feeding with cotton-seed. In Hillsdale, Michi-
gan, a herd of sick hogs were cured by washing the fore legs and breast
with soap-suds, thus opening the pores and enabling the skin to dis-
charge the virus of the disease. In Shelby, Kentucky, the following
remedy is recommended: 15 pounds each of copperas, madder, sulphur,
and black antimony, mixed with i5 ounces each of bluestone and
worm-seed, all well pulverized, and administered at the rate of a table-
spoonful once a week in moistened meal or bran. A variety of preserip-
tions, more or less similar to those above given, are reported by corre-
spondents, showing the prevailing ideas of medical treatment in differ-
ent parts of the country. It seems, however, sufficiently evident that
diseases are mostly the result of bad sanitary conditions.

WOOL-CLIP OF 1875.

On the 1st of April only one county in Maine, Lincoln, reports a bal-
ance of the clip of 1875 in the farmer’s hands, estimated at 5 per cent.
In Grafton and Hillsborough, New Hampshire, the remnant is estimated
at 25 per cent.; in Cheshire 10 per cent.; in Sullivan 5 per cent.; in Ver-
mont six counties range from 5 to 25 per cent.; in Connecticut, Litchfield
holds 10 per cent. and New London 33 per cent. ; in New York, thirteen
counties range from 1 per cent. to 125 per cent.; thirteen counties in
Pennsylvania, from 3 to 30 per cent.; in Maryland, Wicomico had on
hand 25 per cent. and Caroline 10 per cent.; in Virginia, ten counties re-
ported from 1 to 25 per cent.; in North Carolina, thirteen counties varied
from 1 to 50 per cent., the last named being Bertie; in South Carolina,

95

Lexington retained 33 per cent.and Spartanburgh 3 per cent. ; in Georgia,
Union, Hart, and Fayette had 50 per cent. over, Taylor 25 per cent., and
six other counties from 3 to 10 per cent.; in Alabama, six counties had
a surplus of 10 to 25 per cent.; in Mississippi, Tishemingo had 50 per
sent., and Winston, Choctaw, and Chickasaw 25 per cent.; in Louisiana,
East Feliciana still holds a third of her clip; Titus, Texas, has still half
her fall clip, and DeWitt 5 per cent.; in Arkansas, Cross had not dis-
posed of any part of her clip;. Perry held half of hers, and five other
counties from 5 to 20 per cent.; in Bedford and Dickson, Tennessee, half
still remained, and eleven other counties held from 2 to 25 per cent. ; in
West Virginia, eleven counties held from 1 per cent. to 124 per cent. ; in
Kentucky, 8 counties retained from'5 to 25 per cent.; in Ohio, twenty-
one counties still held from 2 to 25 per cent.; in Michigan, ten counties
from 5 to 20 per cent.; in Indiana, sixteen counties from 5 to 20 per cent. ;
in Illinois, seven counties from 5 to 30 per cent.; ineleven counties from
2 to 10 per cent.; in Minnesota, Renville still held half her clip, and five
other counties from 5 to 18 per cent.; in Lowa, Jones had still half on hand,
and five other counties from 5 to 25 per cent.; in Missouri, fifteen counties
from 5 to 33 per cent.; in Kansas, four counties from 10 to 33 per cent. ; in
_Nebraska, Dawson still held a third; in California, Yuba and San Luis
Obispo still held a third, and four other counties from 3 to 10 per cent.
These are all the counties reported as retaining balances in the hands
of the farmer, showing a very close marketing of the clip of 1875.

THE TOBACCO-CROP.

Our annual census of tobacco, in counties producing not less than
100,000 pounds, makes a large increase of production over .the crop of
1874, which was a comparative failure, and in some sections a heavy in-
crease of area in cultivation. The returns have not all been received,
and the aggregate produced last year is, therefore, delayed until the pub-
lication of the annual.

An inspection of the tables will afford an indication of the ratio of
increase. The increase is large in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In
Virginia, Pittsylvania County returns 6,000,000 pounds against 4,200,-
000 last year, and Mecklenburgh 4,000,000 instead of 2,000,000. Several
of the best tobacco counties in North Carolina report a large increase.
Tennessee came nearer a total failure in 1874 than any other State,
making the figures for 1875 appear very conspicuous. In Kentucky and
Missouri there is also a large increase.

OUR CENSUS OF THE GREAT TOBACCO COUNTIES.

The Connecticut River crop in New Hampshire matured well, under
the influence of a warm autumn, except from frosts. The Hampden
County (Massaehusetts) yield might be considered average in quality,
with perhaps a smaller percentage than usual of prime wrapper-leaf, the
result of the ravages of the cut-worm at the time of setting. Hartford,
the center of the Connecticut supply, reports only medium quality, re-
sulting from unfavorable weather for growing and curing. The crop of
the Litchfield region was of low quality, from late setting and subse-
quent drought. The New York crop is not very heavy. Onondaga
County reports 600,000 pounds, grown on 750 acres, of the best quality
obtained in the past three years.

i

96

In York, Pennsylvania, the leaf is large in size and of fine texture,
though much of it is subject to a blemish caused by intervals of hot sun-
shine in cloudy weather, causing the leaf to “fox.” The crop is larger
and finer than that of 1874. Except the “foxy” portion, it is equal to
the stock of 1873, the finest ever produced in that region. Some of it
was injured by being stripped in too damp a condition, making it too
tender for wrappers. The price varies from 4 to 20 ceuts, the average
being placed at 8 cents. The estimate for Lancaster County, 13,884,000
pounds, grown on 9,286 acres, shows that the interest is not declining
in the heart of Pennsylvania. The crop is worth about $2,500,000.

The quality of the tobacco of Calvert, Maryland, is decidedly better
than that of the previous crop. Seasonable rains caused luxuriant
growth and a fine texture of leaf. Good weather throughout the curing
process produced a larger proportion of yellow and red qualities. The
same causes, however, gave an unusual proportion of ‘‘ground-leaf,” so
that fully one sixth of the crop went to market in this form, and sold at
very low prices. In Charles the quality is generally good, the leaf fine
and silky, generally bright but very light from excess of rain in August,
being forced up too rapidly to acquire body and weight. In Howard
the season for planting and growth was propitious ; in the later season
growth was too rapid, producing a weaker leaf than usual. The Mont-
gomery yield was of average quality. Our Prince George’s correspond-
ent writes of the vital importance of a revision of the inspection-laws, to
give better satisfaction in sampling both to buyers and producers. The —
quality in this county is above average, the principal defect being the
“firing” of the ground-leaves from excessive rains. In some eases the
ground-leaves were a third of the crop, selling in the fall at 5 to 9 cents
per pound. In Saint Mary’s a good quality was obtained, a little light in
proportion to bulk. The Frederick crop was an average in quality.

A large increase of area was made in Albemarle, Virginia, in conse-
quence of the small crop and high prices of 1874, which was reduced
somewhat by frost in April. The season was subsequently tavorable
to leaf-growth, and a large crop was obtained of light and thin tebaceo,
deficient in the essentials of a “‘good, heavy, rich article.” A large
proportion of the crop of Botetourt is characterized by our corre-
spondent as nondescript, due to several causes: Ist, early summer
drought; 2d, the ripening and housing season too wet; 35d, the colored
people entered more largely into tobacco growing last year than
ever before in this county, many of them not having suitable
land, others without proper facilities to cultivate a crop, and
others too indolent to give it that prompt and careful attention
which is necessary to secure a good article. Our Brunswick corre-
spondent is enthusiastic over the tobacco-lands of his vicinity, claim-
ing the best shipping-tobacco in the United States —light-clay
surface on red-clay subsoil. In Buckingham a wet summer reduced
the average of quality. In Campbell injury was caused by early frost.
In Caroline a fair quality was obtained, yet a large portion of the crop
went to market in toodampa condition. The prevalent cause of injury,
too much rain in the growing-season, rendered the Charlotte crop
rather light. A medium grade was reached in Chesterfield; the best
on good lands, well manured and thoroughly cultivated; the poorest
injured by wet weather and green cutting. Early frosts in Floyd did
not reduce the average of quality below medium. The heavier soils of
Fluvanna, the river-bottoms, and heavy clays yielded a coarse article ;
the light soils produced a better grade. A large increase of product
was realized. The quality of the product of Franklin was reduced in

97

consequence of the planting <nl poor cultivation, in many instances.
It was of light and chafty quality in Goochland, from excess of wet
weather, and light, also, in Hanover. An unusually favorable season for
ripening and curing made an excellent crop in Henry. In Lunenburgh
the weather was unfavorable in August and also in December and Jan-
uary, and there was a lack of suitable barns and curing-houses for pro-
tection from the weather. There is a popular opinion here that the use
of commercial fertilizers reduces the quality. The great number of
small patches without facilities for curing canses a. reduction of the
average. An excellent quality was obtained in Mecklenburgh, especially
on high lands, the lower situations being somewhat too wet in August.
The weather was too wet in Montgomery and too dry in Nottoway. In
Prince Edward the wet weather, at the usual period for cutting, contin-
ued, and made it necessary to cut much of it before full maturity. The
quality of Danville tobacco is not quite up to the standard of last year,
but is medium and the color good. In Powhatan the leaf was light from
the excess of summer rains. Planters generally concede that the crop
of 1875 is from five to ten times as great as in 1874, and that but for
excessive rains it would have been a third larger still.

The effect of excessive moisture is seen very generally in the crop of
North Carolina, which has more light and chaffy material in it than
usual. This is especially noticed in Person, Alamance, Caswell, Gran-
ville, Orange, Stokes, Forsyth, and Surrey. It is about an average in
Guilford. Still there is some rich, waxy stock of good color; a fair pro-
portion of a comparatively bright article, but little that is strictly fine, .
yellow tobacco. In some cases tobacco wanting in wax has a desirable
color. In Caswell there was considerable injury from the “spot” and
‘“‘sore-shin,” (rotting of the stock near the surface of the ground,) and
less than half a crop was produced. Our correspondent in Alamance
County regards the use of flues of brick or stone, covered with sheet-
iron and making a circuit through the shed or barn, as less dangerous
than the method of curing by coal. Wood is supplied from the outside,
and the heat can easily be regulated. Sun-curing is deemed best for
chewing-tobaceo. He sends some remarks upon the cultivation and
curing of fine yellow tobacco by Maj. Robert L. Ragland, of Halifax
County, Virginia, an expert in the production of high-priced samples,
from which the jollowing extracts are made:

‘The “ Yellow Oronoco” and “Silky Pryor” are the kinds best adapted to coal-curing,
while gray soils, (and the fresher the better,) with dry, porous subsoil, are best adapted
to the growth and maturity of yellow tobacco.

Plant in hills, instead of beds, as soon after the 10th of May as the plants and season
will admit. Commence cultivation as soon as the plants begin to spread over the hills,
whether grassy or not, and continue to stir the land with plows and hoes till the
tobacco begins to come in top, using short singletrees, as the plants increase in size, to
prevent breaking and bruising. When the plants are too large to admit the plow, use
only hoes to keep down the grass and weeds.

To prevent depredations by the fly, use ground plaster, in which rags, saturated
with kerosene-oil, have been laid for some hours, and cover the plants, if necessary,
with the plaster thus prepared.

Wait till a considerable number of plants begin to button for seed before you com-
mence to top; then these will ripen about the same time. Topping must be done
according to the appearance and promise of each plant, strength of soil, and time the
work is done. First topping for medium tobacco should be from ten to twelve leaves,
rarely more; priming off lower leaves, neither too high nor too low, but just enough,
so that when the plant ripens the lower leaves may be well off the ground.

Continue topping as the plants are large enough, observing, as the season advances,
to top lower and lower, so as to bring in the late plants before frost.

The plow should not be, used later than the 1st day of August, as plowing late keeps
the tobacco green too long, and may cause it to ripen of a green color. The hoe should
be relied on after that time to clean the crop.

98

After the tobacco begins to grain, that is, to ripen, neither plow nor hoe should be
used, as it has been found best to sacrifice pounds to color.

The plants after being topped should be kept clear of worms; or, better stiil, kill
the tobacco-fly*with cobalt in the flowers of the ‘‘ Jamestown weed,”* and the suckers
should be pulled off before they grow too long. Mind, do not be in a hurry to cut
your tobacco before fully ripe, and enough fully and uniformly ripe to filla barn. Have
your barns close, (log ones are best,) well daubed, and dry. Cut the tobacco of uni-
form size, color, and quality, putting about seven medium plants to an ordinary 44-
foot stick. Let the plants go from the cutter’s hands over the stick in the hands of a
holder, who will serve two cutters. When the stick is filled it should go directly,
without touching the ground, on a wagon, to be carried, when loaded, (not too heavily, )
to the barn. It will take from seven hundred to eight hundred sticks of tobacco to fill
a barn 20 feet square, with five rooms, and four firing-tiers below joists, placing the
sticks about 10 inches apart, the proper distance for medium tobacco. As soon as the
barn is properly filled and the tobacco regulated on sticks and tiers, fires of coal or
hickory wood should be built in the barn, four fires in a row under each room, thus
giving twenty fires to a barn 20 feet square. If hickory wood is used, let it be sapling
wood, cut about 2 feet long, and green, or partially dry. Next to coal, hickory fur-
nishes the best yellowing-heat.

The first step in curing is called the STEAMING or YELLOWING process. Medium
tobacco will require about thirty-six hours steaming, at about ninety degrees Fahr.,
to yellow sufficiently; but tobacco with more or less sap, larger or smaller, may
require longer or shorter time to yellow. Here the judgment of the curer must be his.
guide. Inexperienced planters would do well to procure the services of an experienced
curer, if they have tobacco suitable for coal-curing. The planter saves, in the enhanced
value of his crop, many times the money paid to the curer; and, besides, by close
observation, he may learn in one season to cure well himself. Theory alone, however
good, and directions, however minute, will not do here; but it is practice that must
qualify one to cure well. ;

The next step in curing yellow tobacco is called FIXING THE COLOR. “When the
tobacco is sufficiently yellowed, at ninety degrees Fabr., the best leaves of a uni-
form color, and the greener ones of a light pea-green color, it is time to advance the
heat gradually but cautiously. Keep the heat from ninety to ninety-five degrees Fahr.,
say for about an hour, then run up from ninety-five degrees to one hundred degrees,
keeping the heat between those figures for about two hours, observing to let the mer-
cury descend a little every time after raising, before putting on more coal—coal only
should be used now. ‘This is done to prevent sweating the tobacco, a continuous heat
operating more to do that than a fluctuating one, as described. Should the tobacco
get into a sweat at this or any future stage, which is indicated by the leaf becoming
damp and limber, as though partially scalded, raise the fires a little, and open the door;
this creates a current of heated air that will soon dry out the leaf. The thermometer
may fall even ten degrees here without injury to the color. It is advisable, however,
that the tobacco be kept free from sweating, if possible. Next advance the heat, run-
ning from one hundred to one hundred and five for about two hours. When at one
hundred and five degrees, you have arrived at the most critical point in the difficult
process of curing bright tobacco. The condition and appearance of the tobacco must
be the curer’s guide. No one can successfully cure tobacco till he can distinguish the
effects of too much or too little heat at this important stage. I will try to explain
what is very plain to every experienced curer, but unknown to the beginner.

Too little heat in fixing color operates to stain the face side of the leaf of a dull
Spanish-brown color, and is called sponging, and may be known to the novice by its.
effects being visible only on the face side; too much heat reddens the leaf, first in spots,
visible on the edge of the leaf, redder than the former, and visible on both sides of the
leaf. Now,to prevent sponging on the one hand and spotting on the other, is the aim
of the experienced curer. Therefore, no definite time can be laid down to run from one
hundred and five to one hundred and ten degrees. Sometimes one hour is sufficient ;
sometimes three is fast enough. The same may be said in running from one hundred
and ten degrees to one hundred and twenty degrees, While it is usual to advance in
this stage about five degrees every two hours for medium tobacco, the condition
of the tobacco often indicates to the practiced eye the necessity for slower or faster
movements. Remember not to advance over one hundred and ten degrees till the tails
begin to curl up slighty at the ends.

Arrived at one hundred and twenty degreés, this is the ‘curing process. The heat

* Dissolve an ounce of the cobalt of the shopsin a pint and a half of water, and mix
it with molasses or other sirup, bottle it, and drop it through a quill into the heart of
the blossom. It should be done about sun-down, and the poisoned flowers pulled off
next day; otherwise the plant will be destroyed. It has been found that this weed, so
treated, planted around the edge of the tobacco-lot, and here and there through the
patch, will prevent, to a great extent, the ravages of the tobacco-worm. All the
planters, however, in one neighborhood must act together, and this can be arranged
through the local agricultural club.

99

should remain at or near one hundred and twenty degrees till the leaf is cured,

which takes from four to eight hours, according to circumstances. When the leaf ap-
pears cured, advance five degrees every hour up to one hundred and seventy degrees,
and here remain till stalk and stem arecured. To run aboveone hundred and elzhty
degrees is to endanger scorching the tobacco, and perhaps burning both barn and to-
bacco. To recapitulate:

1st. Steaming or yellowing process....-...--..---.----+ s----. 90 degrees for 36 hours.
ie ke Fe ety ANT BCE La) gE iE PN pi anda 90 to 95 degrees for 1 to 2 hours.
ESO ICOIOL. 222 tan noe a1 = been LS oaelenoe 95 to 100 rt
Re COT io ae do eh a Oe anna meine 100 to 105 fe PD pad
1 IESEAT C2 7H AVE pO Ua eae Sn OG a en SM gS 105 to 110 “ V'to3 2%
BD SEN SRN COLOL sleeps ache A ninmice is Hae 31s = = Seay oe 110 to 115 ve rte
Fixing DESC GLO cr oho clea ee Eo a heeate 115 to 120 « Pee
3d. Curing DGROdi ese ach oblodnd bance ene ane 4 120 re 4to8 *
4th. Curing SisloANG RAM Ene = obec Seas Samiseian cosa 120 to 170 “ 5 deg. per hour.

and continue at one hundred and seventy degrees till stalk and stem are thoroughly
cured.

After curing, as soon as the tobacco is sufficiently soft to move, it should be run up.
in the roof of the barn and crowded close. If warm, rainy, or damp seasons oceur
soon after, dry out the tobacco with coal-fires, remembering to commence with small
fires, as when curing, and gradually raise them till the tobacco is well dried. It is im-
portant to attend strictly to this; for if your tobacco is cured yellow it will not
remain so if, soon after curing, it is suffered to get in too “high order,” that is, absorb.
too much moisture. When ready to strip, it should be assorted well, the several grades
put together, making about three grades of leaf and two of lugs. Tie in neat bundles
five or six leaves of “ leaf” and eight to ten of “ lugs.” Place twenty-five bundles ou the
stick, and strike down as soon as stripped, unless in too high order. But it is not safe
to permit tobacco thus struck down in winter-order to remain down longer than Ist of
June. Watch it closely to preserve from injury. It is better tomarket in winter-order
than to hang up in the barn to dry out and be re-ordered; for tobacco once bulked
down and then hmng up in the barn again loses that sweet, mellow flavor so desirable,
and never regains it when prized.
' Pack neatly i in tierces (half hogsheads making the best and most economical) to-
weigh from four hundred to five hundred pounds net. Takecare that the tobacco be
not pressed so as to stick together or be bruised, and let each tierce be filled with
tobacco uniform in color, length, and quality.

’ “Tf at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again ;

and act out that motto. You will have the satisfaction ere long of earning success and
reaping the reward of your perseverance in doubling and trebling your income from
this crop.

The crop of Cuban tobacco grown in Gadsden County, Florida, is in-
creasing in quantity. In 1870 the census reported 118,729 pounds. Last
spring our reporter returned 200,000, and this spring 350,000 pounds
for the crop of.1875, grown on 450 acres, an enlargement of 50 per cent.
in the area planted. The price is not yet given; 200 boxes of 350
pounds have been sent to New York, but returns of sales have not been
received. The quality is the best of any crop since 1865, attributed to
the fact that experienced planters have resumed its cultivation. Our
correspondent claims that the test of forty years’ experience proves that
deterioration is not produced in that soil and that climate, and ex-
presses the opinion that Florida tobacco should supersede the Cuban
in cigars.

The effect of wet weather is also seen in Tennessee in reducing the
quality of this product; and a further reason adduced is the inexpe-
rience of a multitude of ‘beginners i in the business. Our Smith County
correspondent remarks the increase of care in handling. Our corre-
spondent in Robertson counsels the necessity of stamping or rolling, and
*‘ brushing” heavily the seed-bed after seeding, to secare the retention
of moisture during the period of March and April winds. He forwards
the following statement of Mr. C. C. Bell, a suceessful grower of his
county :

To raise tobacco profitably the best lands should be selected. New lands, when well
prepared and well cultivated, make a very good article; but old lands, well manured,

100

generally make our finest tobaccos. Among the favorite varieties of tobacco pro-
duced in our county are the Yellow and Blue, Little Yellow, Pryor Williams, and Beat
All. All of which, if planted in good lands and well cultivated and properly cured,
will make tobacco suited for wrappers and more especially adapted for the foreign
markets that pay the best prices for American tobacco. Plaut-beds are generally
burned in the richest spots of woodland, with brush or wood, in the months of Janu-
ary, February, and March, and the plants are ready for transplanting by the 20th of May
or lstof June. Before the time arrives for transplanting, the lands intended to be plant-
ed should be plowed deep, well harrowed, and fully pulverized, after which small hills
should be made about 34 feet apart each way, and after the plants have been set they
should be well cultivated, never permitting the lands to get the least foul with weeds
or grass; and another very important pointis to keep off the worms and not allow them
to cut the leaves full of holes. Tobacco should never be topped to more than ten
leaves. Cut when fully ripe and carry it immediately to a tight barn, (never
hang on ascaffold,) and fires should be started under the tobacco soon after it is hung
in the barn, started and kept up slowly for the first day, after which it might be in-
creased and should be kept up steadily until the tobacco is fully cured. After which it
should be assorted, tied in small bands, and neatly bulked. Tobacco thus produced
and cared for will always sell for twice the amount of such as is poorly cultivated,
worm-cut, and badly cured.

The West Virginia crop cannot be considered average in quality.
The injury from the wet and hot season was greater in some counties
than in others.

The complaint of injury to quality is very general in Kentucky, the
plants being submerged in June and July, and subsequently exposed -
to great heat, parching and cracking the earth, and “firing” the leaf,
and resulting in an immature crop, deficient in gum and chaffy in tex-
ture. In some sections there was too much rain in August. There is
not so much loss in the color as in other qualities. There is much
tobacco that is “ frenched.” Bad quality is attributed to bad handling,
in Fulton County. The leaf is short and the color dark in Pendleton.
Medium or good quality is reported in Oldham, Metcalfe, and Livingston.
Cutting and manufacturing is reported bright in Muhlenburgh County.

Wet weather had its influence in Ohio, and early frost caught a por-
tion of it in immature condition. Along the Ohio River considerable
areas were entirely destroyed by floods, and in the interior many fields
were similarly destroyed. The color, as well as the texture of the leaf,
suffered injury quite generally. The Warren County crop is represent-
ed as a total failure. In Noble, new land products are fine. A leaf of
fair quality, though light, is reported in Morgan. In Adams County
that grown on rolling land is fine, but the product of level lands is light
and trashy. In Vinton there was much rain in the early part of the sea-
son; the later months were very favorable, the plant ripened well, the ™
leaf was thick end retained its gum, and the crop is claimed to be the
best ever raised there.

The crop of Indiana suffered from causes affecting tobacco elsewhere.
‘‘ Frenching” was very common, and the cutting was necessarily done
in many instances before maturity, greatly deteriorating the quality.

Quality is also lower in Illinois. In some localities increased atten-
tion has been paid to this crop, and the area greatly enlarged—in part,
by new-comers from the Southern States.

A marked increase in the area planted in Missouri is indicated, as the
tables will show. There is much complaint of injury by wet weather
and subsequent heat, and frequent mention of ‘“frenching,” but less
than in the States of the Ohio River. Inexperience in housing and eur-
ing has affected quality in Saint Charles, and the army-worm wrought
some injury. Late planting, after the disappearance of grasshoppers,
left the crop immature at the season for-cutting in Ray County. In
Franklin, the injury was only from drought and frost. In Chariton,
quality is generally good; also, in Randolph a favorable season was
enjoyed; and the product of Howard was very good.” Our Howard

1 |

101

correspondent states that “the season was favorable for planting; a
large portion of the crop was set early ; it was remarkable throughout
the growing period; no annoyance by worms, no ‘ragged edges;’ but
little was frosted. The autumn was dry, and very favorable for taking
care of the crop. These conditions caused quantity, quality, and color
to be remarkably good. The season was so favorable that some por-
tions of the crop was cured out-doors for want of house-room.”

Tobacco-crop of 1875.

nN s nm =.)
5 zg Fa a
o_; = nee Parc) alle

States and counties. oe oQ © He |Value, 1975.
a5 ae 2a Fahd base

=I ats ap re)

= 2 = aS

i} (=) =] 2

Vi ay A my

PENNSYLVANIA. Cents.
AOS syste Siete Anetra ev arate ate Rete chiar rm 527, 808 1, 275, 000 850 9 $114, 750
MOAR GARGOL «a oi. seh ete esha ee aauda eA aeae« celsd 2, 692, 584 | 13, 884, 000 Osan Ds o 763, 620
Toepal. ct. eke aes wa to Uk Beene Ba a orahae 3, 220, 392 | 15, 159, 000 10, 106) |) 537 878, 370
MARYLAND.
MORIN OMT: | 5 obo c cpa o a RAG Beene wie dG URGE AB oar 3, 158, 200 3, 350, 000 5, 550 to 251, 250
CTV) 15 Sap ae GS Sh 2 ERT i (RD 2, 102, 739 | 2, 100, 000 3,000 | 7.5 157, 500
Bloward. 2.) 032. 42 182, 980 150, 000 250 | 10 , 15, 600
Montgomery 630, 000 800, 000 1,000 | 12 96, 000
Pabranes Gieorce’s gi 1\soenc-adascseee cake se ole ae 3, 665, 054 | 4, 800, 000 7,500 | 9 432, 000
SamUpMAT IS ow ils week ates OPN) a 2, 522,917 | 3, 000, 000 4,000 | 8 240, 000
PEPOOGTIO Kee ot EM <1 ee ne Cac ane ce atons come 274, 369 Boe OOO eects ol tenn eel feces
PUM G'S Se ee Sar hehe eae alas GR cl State able are ade 12, 536, 259 | 14, 532, 000 21, 300 8&3 1, 191, 750
VIRGINIA.
SRPER OMIT Ge ttre Oe cine eeie . Heidd Aaa eee ape oes Hiee 1,781,619 | 3,000, 000 4,500] 7 210, 000
Mapeitend) piet See LC Nie pel NE ate 1, 956,157 | 3, 800, 000 5,066 | 8 304, 000
Woeconrh.s. S asha eae 2. gee eae ele de 196, 459 650, 000 1,200 | 6 39, 000
PRMTI PLO HS 5 octets sul = Sinfuln,cmia'as + © ascleals ofaia ave se st 1, 121, 480 | 2,522, 190 2,500 | 8 201, 775
Muelaionam’ ee. ass Le AE 2 anal 809.937 | 1, 255, 580 2550] 7 87, 890
Campbell 1,761,901 | 1, 813, 800 2,250 | 7 126, 966
@aroline...2..2j.2-4 417, 848 400, 000 500 6 24, 000
‘Charlotte 1,964,736 | 1,600,000 |.........--- 8 128, 000
Chesterfield 194, 510 200, 000 500 9 18, 000
Dinwiddie 844, 504 495, 000 1,320] 8 39, 600
J coxa le Se Ae at UI 157, 467 360, 000 900 | 12 43, 200
ER RIEET RSet Seat ta eee ee Ra pe NG 894, 023 1, 200, 000 1, 200 | 10 120, 000
PES Re Re ee EIR SO RIND 1, 696, 549 | 1, 900, 000 4,000 | 9 171, 000
WEES OOR OS ko se ee Bie geo Fak Seca late 8 2 439, 434 329, 574 450] 6 19, 774
RCE os ene ae tanec a cee me Rinse ak 1, 129, 617 | 30, C00, 000 5, 000 | 11 330, 000
MeUMeR DUP oe seo. eee ab os see dads 8. Se 963, 673 775, 000 2,000 | 6.5 50, 375
SISO MIEN DOOR . oe. mictits occas aS iasisa~sakjse 2,166,628 | 4,000, 060 7,000 | 6 240, 000
Montgomery .-..- Wear alec malaise sea SRA EE OR cine 204, 747 800, 000 1, 250 | 18 144, 000
Matha welyy te: Seve He daar che Tid Guage Wa 653, 296 914, 614 1,400] 6 54, 876
MEAT oe Le see On ay ce Coes ae a) 323, 886 1, 001, 658 1,178 | 10 100, 165
Beowtiatan’. £2 this see i) ood ee abe! i. Tap 541, 430 790, 000 700 | 11 86, 900
Pittsylvania.........-. 4,282,511 | 6,000, 000 14, 000 | 10.5 630, 000
Prince Edward 960, 700 | 1, 200, 000 2,400} 7.5 90, 000
AaNOCANG’ 5 126. Latgea he ook sab aoe ak Sa 405, 215 726, 000 726 6 43, 560
Hlotal . Stok paste ake 2 sae US eR ee 25, 868, 327 | 38, 733, 416 62, 590 8.5 3, 303, O81
NORTH CAROLINA.
sAMbaTianice Nokes oes okey CELE Sele Uy ee 155, 570 640, 000 1,600 | 12 76, 800
Avs well y 2 oc). st ate eis cet bees eee eee 2, 262,053 | 1, 750, 000 3,500 | 10 175, 000
SUN peo ohne ASE Oe So sw. ep pea Meals ots te 238, 262 | 1, 000, 000 2,000 | 10 100, 000
TH 10 Ce ay ae i eM Ti ED 2, 134, 228 | 2, 200, 000 4,400 | 10 220, 000
CENT ETD RAE ee fe AR Oe OD RR UR 530, 442 | 1, 005, 000 2,010 | 9 90, 450
pF p 7) ipa Ge FE Be aie OF a A 1, 227,150 | 1, 500, 000 3, 080 | 10 150, 000
coi ral Sch SS SS Nae RO ME Rae es AEE ete 844, 145 900, 000 1,600} 8 72, 000
CON warts ese ee A Ue AT ue 177, 782 143, 412 370 | 8 ~ 11, 472
SE trey a SS 2 SIRS 2S Oe Pe UN a Se 254, 226 747, 000 2, 450 8.5 63, 495
otal, esac tous es SS AE eee 7, 823, 918 9, 885, 412 21, 010 9.7 959, 217
FLORIDA
Gadsden’. suas ace oe cose eee ot owed 118, 799 350, 000 Z 15/0) an (DE as eee
KENTUCKY.

WAC ar os Reece ey yd SS ere a NT EN Sf 1, 231, 665 | 1,500, 000 3,000 | 4 60, 000
SPOT Ae are teak SC nmi RR Ae hea ANN Ui aia 747, 489 750, 090 1,000 | 6 45, 000

102

Tobacco-crop of 1875—Continued.

States and counties.

KENTUCKY—Continued.

Te ST a a Pe
Callaway
Carroll

Fulton
Gallatin

Muhlenburgh
Owen

Fleming
Metealfe
Oldham

Benton

Montgomery eh ee een ne
Robertson
Smith

ee we ewe ee eee ee eee eee

Brown
Greene

Terre eee ee

MOnrOe tise adres ac nesmendecssdeececa swe

Bi a Ee a a gee osesisae
Morgan
Noble

|

Pounds, census
1870.

2, 863, 455
279, 740
4, 188, 039
3, 338, 471
1, 924, 502
669, 875
117, 238
1, 304, 366.
6, 273, 067
414, 840
383, 636
157, 050
859, 760
1, 375, 091
281, 704
2, 315, 212
1, 375, 364
3, 012, 053
360, 983
1, 086, 578
2, 707, 571
132, 293
1, 416, 282
2, 262, 037
674, 696
1, 821, 988
2, 890, 670
1, 651, 593
240, 435
1, 072, 401
1, 209, 830
2, 096, 260
305, 954
1, 310, 381
301, 285

539, 000

|
|
|

Pounds estimated
for 1875.

2, 343, 600
560, 000
4, 000, 000
3, 250, 000
2, 000, 000
700, 000
225, 000
900, 000
8, 500, 000
150, 000
500, 000
225, 000
1, 300, 000
2, 000, 000
275, 000
1, 120, 000
800, 000
5, 000, 000
500, 000
500, 000
4, 656, 000
40, 000

1, 500, 000

1, 750, 000 |

600, 0.0
4, 000, 000
3, 650, 000

1, 600, 000

145, 000
2, 000, 000
1, 202, 060

4, 000, 000

600, 000
800, 000
400, 000

650, 000 |
55, 192, 854 64, 691, 600

412, 435

419, 265
462, 130
713, 578
959, 768
4, 856, 378
2, 103, 322
2, 250, 202
909, 568
131, 856
332, 901
2, 599, 590

16, 141, 993

135, 410
412, 469
117, 429
123, 221

102, 473
1, 480, 478
2, 687, 743

277, 360

474, 178
2, 845, 525
3, 963, 183

486,125 |

2, 304, 557

800, 000
600, 000
750, 000

1, 500, 000
600, 000

6, 500, 000

2, 700, 000

3, 636, 000
337, 500
165, 500
660, 000

3, 603, 600

21, 792, 600

|
100, 000 |

306, 250
140, 000
160, 000

706, 250

2, 400, 000
1, 050, 000

900, 000
1, 500, 000

|
{

(

in 1875.
Price per pound,

Number of acres

@
So
i)
i)

1, 055 |

1875.

pono

uo

D> OO a} =F oe A OD 2 OF

APENATN TOD AMNION
Oo on

oo oO

$1 BN ON GN OT wD ND

+
qr

oon or

Value, 1875.

s
3
oO

33, 000
270, 270

| 1, 580, 467

103

Tobacco-crop of 1875—Continued.

States and counties.

Ox1o—Continued.

Vinton

OOS EES TEE PGR ROCA oF << CREDA,
Warrick

Boone

See eee ee ee ee ee ee
ee eee et
ee ee ee ee ee

we ee ee tee ee eee ee eee eee eee ene

Ray

Saint Charles
RepeTTO eis SOIR. oes ab eS Ss! eae
Stoddard
Webster

ee ee

ee

2 3 rs s
= ~ mH [=|
m2 3s S Ss
=| £ is S 1s 2
cos Sm ol is
Bh ga © | 55 | Value, 1875.
a 2s 25 al
5 5 g 3
S S = ES
rw a , ay
Cents.
330, 987 290, 000 400 | 44 $12, 325
110, 739 144, 000 144| 5 7 200
15, 063, 348 | 8, 273, 518 13,134] 5.6 470, 198
1,119,356 | 1,000, 000 1,500} 4.5 45, 000
3,019,970 | 3,500, 000 10,000 | 6 210, 000
3,611,775 | 4, 000, 000 8000) 5. 200, 000
7,751, 101 | 8, 500, 000 19,500 | 5.3 455, 000
471, 860 600, 000 1,000] 5.5 33, 000
307. 013 196, 000 980 | 5 9, 800
157, 000 60, 000 120] 8 4, 800
1,155,941 | 2, 000, 000 4,000 | 53 110, 000
135, 045 150, 000 450 | 5 7,500
1, 152,589 | 2, 400, 000 4,800 | 5% 138, 000
133, 150 120; 000 160 [082 | ee)
3, 512,598 | 5, 526, 000 10,810 | 5.6 303, 100
999, 568 (* eA a? ied DO a fa
645,508 | 2,210, 000 2910 | 6 132, 600
t ————— —__—_
875, 076 | 2, 210, 000 4,139 | 6 132, 600
SSS SS a ee en) ee
149,634} 1,500,000| 9145| 5.5 82, 500
2,993, 981 | 12) 000, 000 10,000 | 5.5 660, 000
783, 270 463, 000 590 | 9 41, 670
788,132 | 1,500,000 2,500 | 5 75, 000
891, 727 700, 000 1/200 | 10 70, 000
203, 170 187, 500 202 | 103 19, 218
119, 617 250, 000 275 | 10 25, 000
873,776 | 4, 500, 000 5,600 | 5t 236, 250
190, 355 80, 000 133 | 34 2' 800
146, 754 96, 000 160 | 8 7, 680
215,475 | 2,500, 000 2500 | 53 137, 500
118, 534 210, 000 950 | 5 10, 500
143, 162 500, 000 625 | 10 50, 000
7, 617, 587 | 24, 486, 500 96,186 | 5.7] 1,418, 118

* Almost a failure. -

FORESTRY.

The destruction of forests, as affecting the agricultural as well as the
manufacturing interests of the country, is a subject of much solicitude

just now.

How rain-fall is affected by the presence or absence of grow-

ing timber, if affected at all, and why its destruction causes a diminnu-
tion of fountains and springs, and the volume of running streams, are
the subjects which produced the following correspondence between the
president of the San Diego Society of Natural History and the Commis-

sioner of Agriculture.

Inasmuch as the views of the Commissioner are

asked upon a debatable subject, they are published for the purpose of
eliciting thought and prompting further discussion of the subject.
San Dreco Soctety or NATURAL History,
San Diego, Cal., November 21, 1875.
Sir: Will you oblige me by a reply in brief, or at length, as convenience will allow»
to the following questions upon a subject of much local interest and practical im-

portance here:

104

‘ A is your opinion regarding the influence of forests and tree-culture upon rain-
all?

Are you able, from observed facts, to show that the rain-fa]ll of regions barren of
timber may be increased by the cultivation of trees, or that rain-fall is diminished by
the destruction of forests ?

Will you be kind enough to refer me to any published facts bearing on this subject .
with which you are acquainted ?

Iam, very respectfully,
G. W. BARNES.

To COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, April 11, 1876.

Drar Sr: The subject of your letter is one which has occupied for the last few
years much of the attention of scientific men; and while I have a very decided con-
viction of my own upon which to answer your question, ‘ What is your opinion regarding
the infiuence of forests and tree-culture upon rain-fall?” I should regret that such
opinion should exercise any influence to retard the planting of trees or the preservation
of existing forests, for both so greatly conduce to the interests of agriculture, mechan-
ics, and health. The existence of a forest indubitably keeps the earth covered by it in
a condition to receive and preserve rain-fall, and to administer it gradually to fount-
ains and streams, whereby their supply of water remains undiminished in countries
which are not denuded by settlement and consequent cultivation, while in densely-
populated States, where forests have all been cut down, the earth is exposed to the sun,
the heat, the wind, whereby its surface is made hard, and in a measure impervious to
water, which runs off into the streams and is carried away from serving any useful pur-
pose. My opinion is that forests do not conduce to rain-fall.

There is, perhaps, no country that will give a stronger illustration of this subject, at
some future day, than many of the States of this Union. Pluviometrical observations
have been made for more than sixty years in some of the earliest-settled States, and
within that time rain-fall has not diminished. Although this period may not be long
enough to establish many other meteorological facts. it is but natural to suppose that
an effect upon rain-fall by the existence of a forest, if such an effect were produced at
all, would be more or less immediate, yet such an effect has not yet been perceived
at all.

It should be remarked, too, that while many of these States have been extensively
cleared and cultivated, tree-culture has been largely attended to. And while trees
thus planted might produce their effect upon rain-fall, if any such effect is pro-
duced; yet they do not operate as forests do, to preserve the condition of the surface
of the earth as reservoirs of water, to be distributed gradually to fountains and
streams.

I do not know of any work on this subject that contains a more exhaustive view ot
the question, and of forestry in all its bearings, than that of Prof. George P. Marsh,
our present minister at Rome, entitled “The Earth as Modified by the Action of Man.”
He, after a very thorough statement and analyzation of facts, concludes that ‘We can-
not positively affirm that the total annual quantity of rain is diminished or increased
by the destruction of woods, though both the theoretical considerations and the bal-
ance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more rain falls in wooded than in
open countries.”

The Academy of Sciences in Vienna has issued a circular calling attention to the fact
that for several years a diminution of water in the Danube, and other great rivers, has
been observed, and inviting other countries to investigate and report upon any similar
facts. A commission has been appointed in Austria for the same purpose, and the
unanimous opinion of these scientists is said to be, that the first cause of the injurious
decrease of water is due to the devastation of the forests.

The truth of this opinion cannot be controverted, but it leaves the question an open
one: Do the forests produce the water, or do they only preserve it ?

The Garden, a weekly journal published in England, in its number of November 20,
1&75, contains the following: ‘We have occasionally furnished facts as to the question
ol the inflnence of forests on rain, all of which, when accurately recorded, tend to show
the influence to be very slight at best. Walker’s Statistical Atlas states that the mag-
nificent forests found from Minnesota to Maine have a rain-fall precisely identical with
that of the nearly treeless prairies which extend westward from Chicago.”

While in reply to your letter of inquiry I have expressed my own decided conviction,
that forests do not conduce to increase the amount of rain-fall, I have shown you that.

Pavel amet nd
mete sk

Re Oa PY :
Reg es, PUP A Sather lahes Sante th)
tahoe See, a1, : ‘ :
la Pearls Lhe dnak a! :
ia Ripe We: GP te «+ : fet Meroe shire of

HYPHOMYCETES MUCEDINES.

a Nat. size.

(AspERGILLUS (glaucus L.)
b and c Threads magnified,

d Capitulum in section x 500. e Spores x 500.
On bread, &e.

105

the question is open to further investigation; and I desire to enforce the idea of the
great necessity for the continuous planting of forest-trees as a protection to the farmer,
and his products and material for the mechanic.

Respectfully,

FRED’K WATTS,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
G. W. Barnes, Esq.,
President of the San Diego Society of Natural History.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS.

By THOMAS TAYLOR, MICROSCOPIST.

Aspergillus MicheliimA genus of Mucedines (Hyphomycetous Fungi)
forming common molds, such as the blue of cheese. I have found fre-
quently on moldy cheese in combination with aspergillus, penicillium
glaucum. Aspergillus has been found to produce a secondary form of
fruit, being that forming the subject of the genus eurotium. The accom-
panying illustration is from an original drawing by M. C. Cook.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

COTTON-MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES.—It is gratifying
to observe the steady progress of cotton-manufacturing in this country,
and especially in the South. The location and exclusive conduct of the
business in one corner of the country, and the insane refusal of the cot-
ton section in the past to use its magnificent opportunities to share in
the profits of manufacturing, while growling at those who use their
facilities even at comparative disadvantage, is a thing of the past, ona
par with the practice of importing from other States horses to cultivate
cotton, and oats and hay to feed the horses, while half the labor of early
summer is spent in killing grass in the cotton-fields.

This Department has labored for years to induce the South to make
yarns and coarse cottons to the extent of one-third of the crop, part
with another third for the finer fabrics made in the North, (eventually
this distinction may disappear,) and leave only a third instead of more
than two-thirds for foreign consumption. The largest profits now en-
joyed in cotton-manufacturing are realized in the South, and there is
abundanteapital North and South, skilled artisans obtainable for prompt
initiation of the abundant and needy home-supply of material for effi-
cient and cheap labor. Only the inertia of southern habits and timidity
of northern capital prevent. Let such a result be attained and we shall
hear no grumbling about unremunerative prices for cotton, lack of em-
ployment for labor, or wholesale purchase abroad of the bulky raw pro-
ducts of agriculture; and the time would not be long ere the annual
products of industry in the South would reach the value of five dollars
for every one now produced, and heavy exports of manufactured cot-
ton would be made to every country in the world, including England.

The number of spindles reported in operation in the South in 1869
was 225,063, increased to 262,221 in 1874, and to 481,821 in 1875. The
quantity of cotton used has reached 67,733,140 pounds, about 34 per
cent. of the amount produced. The following is the record ot home

i}

106

manniacturing, aS prepared by the secretary of the Manufacturers’

Association and published in the Financial Chronicle:

Ho eee= | 2 a 2 E g
= tes S : 25 E E
oe Sg al ng te 33 ie
° S = r=] P'S ps 2 o
a a of O-n os >a 2
5 a7 So eee WSS Ya =F
72 = e a a a4 — =)
E A 5 © © 8-3, 2 3
Z Z a 4 ae & 5
A 4 <4 gS
NORTHERN STATES.
Number. Weeks. | Pounds. Pounds. Bales.
Weameee ttc. Re SNe 27 633, 944 23.14 50. 50 53.00 | 33, 603, 236 72, 421
New Hampshire .-..-..--- 36 815, 709 22. 66 50, 22 70. 25 57, 326, 126 123, 535
MeCN so ose. cecaccece 10 46, 344 29. 55 50. 54 51. 51 2, 372, 420 5, ole
Massachnsetts .....-..--- 206 3, 775, 634 28. 69 46.17 55. 33 208, 894, 352 450, 204
Rhode Island............. 129 1, 438, 479 33. 88 48. 00 42. 69 61, 409, 470 132, 348
Connecticut .....--....--- 108 889, 784 30. 66 47, 25 2h 45, 492, 513 98, 044
ING ay AVON <5. -cusic cn caecate 60 615, 205 36. 38 49. 65 46. 30 28, 473, 469 61, 365
New Jersey ........--..-. 22 178, 928 29,13 50. 83 7: 62 10, 114, 300 21, 798
Pennsylvania ......-...-. 60 451, 900 18. 07 43. 62 69. 85 31, 572, 305 68, 044
DEIGWALG.~ aac ns wa cecenee 8 48, 276 23.17 52. 00 69. 96 3, 358, 162 7, 246
Maryland Jt) o.u!5 ke 35... 20 127, 352 11, 05 47. 88 168, 25 21, 368, 020 46, 052
Ob iihed ss eee eae. 4 13, 000 8. 00 43. 50 135. 69 1, 764, 060 3, 802
Bi aH 10 hs pe IR ole 4 22, 088 15. 70 48. 55 141. 70 3, 261, 240 7, 029
Total North ........ 694 9, 057, 543 28. 42 47. 52 56, 25 509, 009, 613 1, 097, 001
| — a ———
SOUTHERN STATES.
PAID ANG sane ecco so 14 58, 480 12. 75 45. 50 114. 51 6, 756, 170 14, 561
Arkansas..... 2 1, 721 10. 38 46. 34 73. 56 132, 400 285
Georgia ...... 47 | 131, 340 12. 87 46. 35 177. 39 23, 299, 303 50, 214
Kentucky 3 9,514 6. 92 50. 45 254. 40 2, 420, 362 5, 216
Louisiana 3 2, 260 8.50 50. 00 315. 50 713, 033 1, 537
WVRISSIRSMND on oot on Se os oats 9 18, 256 11. 07 46.00 110. 60 1, 990, 800 4, 291
MInSaUTI esas Se 3 19, 700 11. 85 46. 05 140. 52 2, 810, 485 5, 057
North Carolina........-.. 31 54, 500 11, 28 43. 97 121.72 6, 694, 641 14, 428
South Carolina ........... 18 70, 282 14. 00 OL 137. 57 9, 671, 028 19, 945
"Pennessee. =... oh. 2.5 40 55, 384 11. 66 43.17 121. 85 6, 701, 718 14, 443
Qlerng 2445 base fees 2 2 5, 700 12. 00 50. 63 172. 34 982, 365 2,117
Waroinine ence otc cater ce 9 54, 624 15. 22 51. 63 115. 85 5, 560, 835 11, 981
Total. South......:. 181 481, 821 12. 67 49. 07 140. 57 67, 733,140 145, 079
RECAPITULATION.
‘Fotal North. +.2....-:)..| 694 9, 057, 543 28. 42 47. 52 56.25 | 509, 009, 613 1, 097, 001
PotahSenth o22s-f 5282-43 181 481, 821 12. 67 49. 07 140. 57 67, 733, 140 145, 079
Grand total ......-. 875 9, 539, 364 27. 60 47. 60 60. 46 576, 742, 753 1, 242, 080

For the sake of

North

Total consumption.
Spindles. aay ai! os E

verage- | spindle Pounds. Bales.
9,057,543 | 98.42| 56.25 | 509,009,613 | 1,097, 001
481,821 | 12.67] 140.57 | 67,733,140 145, 079
9, 539,364} 27.60} 60.46 | 576,742,753 | 1, 242, 080
8,997,754] 28.56] 56.86 | 507,790,099 | 1,094, 387
487,629 | 125 | 192.53] 59,793, 774 128) 526
9,415,383 | 27.73] 60.29 | 567,583,873 | 1, 222, 913

6, 851, 779
262, WIL

7, 114, 000

6, 538, 494
225, 063

6, 763, 557 |

107

,

INSURANCE OF CROPS.—The insurance of farm-buildings is never
omitted by prudent farmers. Protection against losses of farm-animals
by disease or accident has long been practiced abroad and is a usage
introduced into this country. The insurance of crops against losses
by unfavorable meteorological conditions, floods, insects, &c., may be to
some a new idea, but it is an old custom, having been practiced in
China, as is stated, for ages; and it is even beginning to claim attention:
in this country. Insurances are effected on the mutual plan of the fire
fire-insurance companies, securing against heavy losses by the payment
of annual premiums, not full crops, or even average crops, but a moder-
ate return that would save the farmer from disaster.

present interesting the rural mind.

The idea is at

ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION.—At the late annual
meeting of the Illinois Dairymen’s Association, strong ground was taken
against the manufacture of cheese from skimmed or partly-skimmed

/

milk. Mr. Wanzer, of Elgin, a prominent manufacturer, who has here-

tofore to a large extent made butter and cheese from the same milk,
stated his convictions that such a course was not for the best interests
of makers and patrons; the odors consequent on cheese-making affected
the quality of the butter; and, in the end, other things being equal, the
factory would reap the most profit by devoting itself either to butter or
to cheese alone. The association adopted a resolution to the effect that
the making skimmed or partly skimmed cheese is detrimental to the
dairy business, giving facilities to dishonest sellers for imposing inferior
goods on consumers in place of finer qualities, and leading to a general
depreciation in reputation of cheese coming from regions where skim-
ming is prevalent. It was also résolved to petition the legislature to
enact a law requiring manufacturers to brand their cheese according to
its character; that is to say, whether from skimmed, partly skimmed,
or whole milk; the name of the maker to be stamped on the cheese.
We find in the secretary’s report a tabular account of sales on the
Elgin Dairy Board of Trade from March 2 to December 7, 1875, a con-

densation of which we here present :

Cheese.
Dates. Prices.
Pounds.

Lowest. | Highest.
March 2 to March 30 285, 582 $0 14 $0 15
April 20 to April 27 .......---.--- 77, O74 103 13
May 4 to May 25... asi 1 921,734 93 13
June 1 to June 29.... Bes 485, 024 8 10
MaleGito Jil Bit ctt <i 5345 .b saeedovednes 5389, 137 9 19
August 3 to-Ancust 3h)... 56. 92-.c0.55-e | 458, 455 9 10}
September 7 to September 28 ......-..--..-.. 695, 620 9 103
October 6 to October 26.......--..------.--6- 566, 600 11 12
November 2 to November 23...-.....-....--- 514, 950 114 123
IDBCONNOR ioe. swe ke Cae ted. o eee cee 76, 610 11 113

RT etek 22 aS eRe ae A pn DM Mikal deed 3, 970, 786

Butter.

Tr Prices.
Pounds.
Average.
57, 330 $0 37
6, 150 374
9, 000 354
13, 000 2
* 12, 300 31
13, 900 33
23, 335 33
35, 860 35
40, 600 36
13, 700 35

220, 175

REMEDY FOR SMUT IN WHEAT,—Onr correspondent in Mora, New
Mexico, reports that all the wheat in that county is much affected with
smut. In many instances growers state that their crop was half smut.
For two years he has tried, with excellent results, a preventive recom-
mended by Mr. Pendaries, a native of Montauban, France, now residing

in that locality. It is as follows:
3A

‘108

For ten bushels of wheat, put sixteen ounces of blue vitriol in a boiler with ten gal-
Jons of water and heat thoroughly. This mixture is sprinkled, boiling hot, over the
wheat, which is then gathered into a heap and left to absorb the mixture for one day.
It is then spread out again and allowed to dry. 4

HOPEFUL SPRING PROSPECTS.—Under date of February 28, our cor-
respondent in Dooly County, Georgia, reports that, owing to the mild-
ness of the winter, there has been no occasion to shelter stock. Cattle

.and sheep are free from any prevailing disease, and 40 per cent. better
in condition than a year ago. At that date planters were already put-
ting in corn, which was something very unusual. He also states:

There is 30 per cent. more wheat sown than last year, and I never saw it look finer.
I may also say, speaking accurately, that there is 50 per cent. more of oats sown.
The low price of cotton has induced many planters to invest largely in grain, which is
an omen of better times for Dooly County.

A NEW FORAGE-PLANT AND FERTILIZER.—A correspondent of the
Georgia commissioner of agriculture calls his attention to a new for-
age-plant, which first appeared on a farm of forty acres in Liberty
County, Georgia, owned by two freedmen, and was first noticed in
1871. It appeared to be a troublesome weed, springing up very thickly
after the crops were laid by. It began to spread and soon covered
every foot of uncultivated.ground. It has since spread over a large
surface, and has reached points several miles distant from its original
point of development. But, so far from being a nuisance, as was at
first suspected, it has proved a great boon to the worn-out lands of the
South. It is relished by farm-animals, both in the green and the cured
state. As a fertilizer its application in one case indicated qualities
superior to stable-emanure. <A farmer plowed under two acres of this
plant, and on an adjoining two acres a coating of stable-emanure was
spread. The first two acres produced twice as many bushels of corn as
the second two. Itis known as Mexican clover, and is a leguminous
plant. In many localities it has driven out all other grasses. It seeds
heavily, but is not an early grower; and hence it never gets in the way
of young crops. The first light frost in the fall kills it.

SHEEP-HUSBANDRY IN OREGON.—The following is a condensed state-
ment of facts respecting his own experience in growing sheep and wool in
Oregon, communicated by our correspondent in Marion County, Mr. John
Minto. He began to keep sheep in 1849, with good common stock from
Missouri. In 1858 he crossed these with Southdowns. In 1860 he ob-
tained thoroughbred Merinoes, partly from Vermont and partly from
New South Wales. When received they averaged 6 pounds per fleece,
of very fine unwashed wool. The average per fleece of the Vermont
Merino ewes was 83 pounds; of the rams, 112; ranging on grass and

sheltered at night in the winter.
' He says: /

The average number of lambs saved per 100 ewes varies with the breed; with the
common stock, 100 per cent. is a very fair result, though I have often saved more than
that; with Southdowns, 120 per cent.; with Cotswold and Leicester, 100 per cent.
when kept in small flocks; with Merinoes, 85 per cent. In my experience, all these
breeds diminish the ratio of their increase as the floek is increased—the Merino in the
least degree and the long-wools in the greatest. The percentage here given is what
may be realized when sheep are a part of a system of mixed husbandry in Western
Oregon, as I have conducted it. Under such circumstances, the cost of keeping on
land worth $20 per acre does not vary much from $1 per head. Such land, devoted to
sheep exclusively, I think would carry 3 per acre.

_ For the past four years my wool has sold at an average of 32 cents per pound. There
is not much difference made in this market between that from common sheep and that
from improved stock. Usually that of the latter commands 2 or 3 cents more, chiefly
because those keeping up the improvement of their flocks are known generally to

109

have their wool-crop in good condition. The wool of Western Oregon, as a whole,
always commands the highest price in the Pacific coast market.

The following is the account of my flock for 1874: From 262 sheep, 1,883 pounds of
of wool, at 32 cents per pound, $602.64; 69 sheep sold for $1,608; cash income, $2,210.64.
Increase of flock by lambs, 126; decrease by sale, 69; leaving the flock of 262 increased
to 319. About one-half are thoroughbred Merino and the other half grades of common
stock with a few Leicesters; 204 are ewes and ewelambs; 49 wethers of various ages,
such as were not deemed fit to keep for rams; and 66 rams of various ages. My chief
income is from the sale of rams. Good grades as well as thoroughbreds are kept for
that purpose, not because the former in value for use are to be compared with the -
latter, but because many beginners in wool-growing cannot at first see the economy of
buying the latter, though they generally come to see it with ex}«rience. Sheep, asa
rule, are kept on pastures or bush-lands the year round; their clicf enemies being the
dogs, the coyotes, and negligent owners. ;

IMPROVEMENT IN STOCK-GROWING.— Texas, Bexar : The Kansas trade
will about clear the county of stock this spring. The stock interest in
the county is undergoing a rapid change. Stockmen are fencing pas-
tures and introducing the best bulls from Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio
for crossing with native cows.

RELATIVE VALUE OF VARIETIES OF COTTON.—M.S. A. Duke, of Drew
County, Arkansas, reports to this Department the results of an exper-
iment designed to ascertain the relative vaiue of the Peeler, the Boyd,
and the Dickson varieties of cotton. He divided a field of about three
acres into three lots, and on each, accurately measured, planted one
kind. The land was of the same quality except that perhaps the plat
on which the Dickson variety was planted was slightly superior. The
figures below express the rate per acre as deduced from the carefully-
ascertained factsineach item. Theprices per pound are those for which
the products of the several varieties were sold in the New Orleans mar-
ket.

| Cost. of Per cent
nue Seed-cot- : | Per cent. |Value per| Total + we
Variety. Lint. | ¢}:; : produc- |Netprofit.) of profit
y ton. of lint. | pound. value. On: fini BARE
| | | Tivintil
| Pounds. | Pounds. | Cents. | Dollars.
Peeler ....... ee | i, 951 al4,.7 .| 26. 38 144 74 12 $46 27 $28 36 61. 27
BoyG? G7. 308.35 15< he 1, 956 588. 78 | 30.1 124 72 12 46 24 25 8&8 56
TAGRADIL css in » <2 2,497.| 738.37 29. 56 12} 90 45 54 66 30 79 65.5

The seed-cotton was weighed in the field by the pickers each day, and
that weight is given. Mr. Duke says:

Had the first picking been thoroughly dried before weighing, it would have made
some differenee in the percentage of lint. On the first picking the average per cent.
of lint of the three varieties was 27.33, while the last picking was 32.67, or an average
on the whole crop of 30 per cent. of lint. If the weight of bagging and ties were in-
cluded, which is always done in commercial transactions, the average per cent. of com -
mercial cotton is 32.

The greater cost in producing the Dickson cotton arises from the
greater quantity to be picked, the price of picking being $1 for every 100
pounds of seed-cotton.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE CARE OF STOCK.— Georgia, Harris: The great
difficulty here is in carrying stock through the winter and procuring
rough food for them. Unusual attention is now paid to grazing-lots and
shelters for stock, and more grain has been sown than ever before.

BAD FARMING.— Mississippi, Lowndes: This county has been importing
corn, wheat, meat, mules, and horses for the last nine years. Cotton has
been the specialty. No stock of any kind, worth mentioning, has been
raised. The low price of cotton and high price of provisions will force

110

planters to pursue a different course in future. We hope for a great im-
provement in the development of our resources, including a diversity of
crops and an improved system of agriculture.

GoopD FARMING.—Kansas, Dickinson: During the last three years some
first-class stallions have been introduced, and the result is satisfactory.
There has been the greatest improvement among cattle and milch-cows.
Texas cattle are rapidly disappearing and short-horns are rapidly in-
creasing. The few farmers raising sheep are introducing Cotswold,
Shropshire, and Southdown rams, thus producing longer and closer
wool. The finer breeds of hogs, such as Poland China, Magee, and
Chester Whites, are abundant here.

INDUSTRIES OF BUFFALO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.—The following is a
condensed statement of facts reported to the Department by Mr. Will-
iam Myer, secretary of a farmers’ club at Nelson. The farm-products of
the county and the numbers of farm-stock in 1875 were as follows:

5 Bushels ff 2. rr
Kinds. Acres. | per acre. Total. Stock. Numbers.
Oo oe A ee eS ereece Se 8, 125 12 972 500\\| Cattle (ete ee. oss eka eee 15, 218
(Lie is) JAS NCdiee aes SOE errr 41, 334 | 21 S68. O04) | HOTSEB). Sos ale a nie as ee 4, 190
OBESE Fees tas wre ata steel iiok vlad 10, 532 | 50 526, 600 198
Barlow sacs <2e=>- ote erse. 7914 30 23, 745 8, 252
1) a ie aI ale ge, 354. 18 6, 372 6, 389

The corn-crop was greatly reduced by an early frost-—-a rare occur”
rence. There were also,cultivated about 1,000 acres of potatoes, yield-
ing 75 bushels per acre, and 143 acres of hops, yielding 800 pounds per
acre. The average value of farm-lands per acre is $9.20. The county,
lying on the banks of the Mississippi, with Chippewa River on the north-
west, Beef river through the center, and Trempeleau Mountain river
on the southeast, is well watered. Its numerous brooks are filled with
speckled trout. The soil is generally good, and on the hills and bluffs
timber of excellent quality abounds. The manufacture of lumber is ex-
tensively carried on, the Alma Company alone employing 300 hands.
Mr. Myer says:

Buffalo County raises the best wheat for milling produced in the Northwest. Its
markets are good, and its farmers are prosperous and bappy. As the streams afford
or aig water-power, the county offers great inducements to manufacturers of all
K1i0QS, ,

THE OSIER-WILLOW, (Silex viminalis.)—In our Annual Report for 1873,
page 254, is a communication from Mr. E. Ware Sylvester, respecting a
rising industry in the culture of this plant, for economic purposes, in
Onondaga County, New York. The first experiments gave promise of
complete success in the culture, with very profitable results, the net
profit being $80 per acre. But in the summer of 1873 a variety of the~
saw-fly worm (Nematus ventricosus) ruined promising crops on Mr.
Sylvester’s plantation of 15 acres, in Lyons, and ona plantation of 60
acres near Syracuse. White hellebore was found effectual for destroy-
ing the worms to which it was actually applied, but not for exterminat-
ing the ever-multiplying swarms which came to replace them. In a
communication to the Department, dated November 11, 1875, Mr. Syl-
vester writes:

I am happy to inform you that the worms have decreased yearly, until there were so
few last summer that less than a day’s work of one hand, with a bellows loaded with
hellebore, sufficed to destroy them. I have a good crop of willows, which I am now
cutting and delivering, unpeeled at the railroad, one mile distant, on a contract at $18

' 111

per ton. So far as we can judge, the worm has been mainly destroyed by natural
causes, and we have every reason, to hope that its absence will ba permanent. If so,
the energy of our people will be directed to the growth of willows, and in a few years
we shall save to the country the hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold now annually
sent abroad for willows.and willow-ware.

BEEF PRODUCTION IN NEW MExico.—Agricultural industries, which
bring with them homes, cultivation, mechanic arts, schools, and churches,
in place of unpopulated prairies, are gradually banishing cattle-growing
on the former vast scale from Texas. The following are among other
indications that the business, with very remunerative inducements, is
advancing into New Mexico, where it will also become the pioneer of
other agricultural industries. It is reported that, five years ago, Messrs.
Lacy, Coleman, and Allison imported into Colfax County cattle, prin-
cipally from Texas, amounting in value to $14,000. Since then they
have sold off about $40,000 worth, and have remaining about 7,000 cat-
tle, averaging in value $18 per head, aggregating $126,000, or $14,000
converted into $166,000 in five years. It is further reported that in the
Vermejo district of the county alone, there are now 25,000 cattle of pure
and mixed breeds, and the number is constantly increasing.

CONTENTS OF A TIERCE.—In response to a letter from the Commis-
sioner, S. H. Grant, esq., superintendent of the New York Produce Ex-
change, states that the tierce in which salt meat is packed is about the
same as the wine-measure tierce of 42 gallons, being 32 inches long,
with heads 20 or 21 inches in diameter; the standard weight of beef
packed in a tierce is 304 pounds. Charles Reynolds, esq., secretary of
the Chicago Board of Trade, states that under the regulations of that
board a tierce for packing meat is either 32 inches long, with heads 21
inches in diameter, or 33 inches long, with heads 203 inches in diame-
ter. For pork or beef hams the standard contents of the tierce are 300
pounds; of mess or India beef, 304 pounds; of lard, 320 pounds.

SMALL CHEESES.—The immense size of our factory Cheddars, and the
uniformly large cheeses of private dairies, answer well for cutting by
market retailers and in retail groceries of large trade, but are far from
convenient for family use. The purchase of cheese in pound-slices, at
20 to 25 cents for a fair to prime article, is unnecessarily expensive,
almost to the prohibitive point in its effect upon consumption. In this
country the small pine-apple cheese is made to a limited extént, and
sold at high prices. The comparatively small Holdridge cheeses, rect-
angular in shape, and weighing 10 to 15 pounds, though not extensively
made, command a remunerative price. A few imitations of small Ger-
man cheeses sell at higher prices than the regulation factory-pattern of
60 to 70 pounds. It would prove a positive advantage, both to house-
keepers and cheese manufacturers, if the fashion could be set for small
cheeses. ‘The Stilton and other small cheeses, convenient to place upon
the table, are far more common in England; and in some of the conti-
nental countries of Europe small cheeses are the rule rather than the
exception.

At the Concours Agricole, at the Palace of Industry in Paris, in pro-
gress from the 12th to the 16th of February last, the exhibition of
cheese included a large number of forms, ef kinds some of which are
well known to epicures of this country. An engraving of sixteen of
these forms will give an idea of the great diversity and shape, and may
furnish a hint to the cheese-makers of this country who feel inclined
to cater for the supply of a manifest need. Among these are included
the well-known eheese of Neufchatel, Brie, Gruyere, and Roquefort ;
cheese in tile-form, paving-blocks, flat, and various irregular forms;

112

‘ :

cheese of milk of cows and of goats, of all degrees of richness, and of
various modes of manufacture. The following is a list of the cheeses

Wii mM il Ty i ia Hain a in

ee Oi

i ie ni yl
i

rit
~ th, nz

delineated in the cut: 1. Maroilles en tuile de Flandre—2. Maroilles
en pavé.—3. Brie.—4. Fromage de chévre raffiné.—5. Le méme, frais.—
6. Neufchatel raffiné.—7. Mont d’Or.—8. Camembert.—9. Livarot.—
10. Roquefort.—11. Fromage d’Edam.—12. Téte de mort.—13. Chester.
—14, Fromage de Gex.—15. Fourme d’Auvergne.—l6. Fromage de
Gruyére.

ENGLISH EMIGRATION STATISTICS.—The statistical and commercial
department of the British Board of Trade has issued a return, showing
that the total number of emigrants, native and foreign, that left British
ports during 1875 was 173,809, a decrease of 67,205 from the aggregate
of 1874. Of this number 84,540, or 48 per cent., were English, showing
a decline of 31,950 from 1874; 14,686, or about 84 per cent., were Scotch,
a decline of 5,600 from the previous year; 41,449, or 23 per cent., were
Irish, a- decrease of 19,047; 31,347, or 18 per cent., were foreigners in
transit, a loss of 7,118; the number undistinguished was 1,787, aeattat
5,277 the previous ‘year.

Of the grand aggregate of 173,809 persons, 105,046, or 60 per cent.,
were destined to the United States, against 613 per cent.in 1874. This
quota was composed as follows: English, 43,867; Scotch, 5,893; Irish,
31,453; foreigners, 23,028; undistinguished, 825; being 52 per cent. of
the English emigration, 40 per cent. of the Scotch, 75 per cent. of the
Irish, 73 per cent. of the foreign, and 49 per cent. of the undistinguished.

British North America received 17,378, or 10 per cent. of the whole,
against 104 per cent. in 1874, including 9,044 English, 1,871 Scotch, 1,391
Trish, 5,016 foreigners, and 56 undistinguished; being 103 per cent. of
the total English emigration, 15 per cent. of the Scotch, 54 per cent. of
the Irish, and 16 per cent. of the foreign.

The Australian colonies received 35,525, or 20 per cent., against 2
per cent. in 1874, including 20,749 English, 5 ,750 Scotch, 8,251 Trick)
767 foreigners, and 8 not “distin guished ; being 244 per ‘cent. of the
English emigrants, 40 per cent. of the Scotch, 50 per cent. of the Irish,
and 23 per cent. of the foreign. The remainder went to other countries,
and constituted an increased per cent. of the whole.

115

BRITISH AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF 1875.—The area in wheat de-
elined last year hearly 10 per cent., and the proportion of wheat to all
cereals declined from 38.5 to 35.4 per cent. The proportion in barley
increased from 24.3 to 26.5 per cent.; and the increase in oats was from
27.5 to 28.2 per cent. There was an increase in cereal (corn) crops over
the previous year of 20,170 acres, or less than a fourth of 1 per cent.;
and in green crops, of 82,837, or over'2 per cent.

In the following table the figures for Wales are excluded in the total
for Great Britain, as also are those for the Isle of Man and the Channel
Islands. The total corn-crops of Wales, cover 512,178 acres, instead of
516,001, and 13,085 acres of green crops, instead of 13,956, a small de-
cline in both. In the former class the order of prominence is oats, bar-
ley, wheat, pease, beans, rye.

England. Scotland. Treland. Great Britain.
= | a oa
° 2 ° o
a a 3 a
oO o oO [-2)
Crops. 63 ope S53 S :
Acres. ae Acres. ad Acres. pile Acres. as
ad Sd aed aa
3 = SS =
‘Ss e = a7
° ° | 7] ° °
i= i Wigtess i=") [=
iJ f=) | =) oS °
o ~ | - ~ =
H Ay | A , Ay Ay
GALS :
CORN CROPS.
Wheat 1874 | 3,391,440] 45.9} 120,991 86) 188, 711 9.9} 3,630,300} 38.5
SU eee Ie ; 1875 | 3,128,547] 41.5] 102, 137 7.2} 161, 321 8.4) 3,342,481) 35.4
1874 | 1,889,722} 25.2} 245,840) 17.5) 212, 93 11.2} 2,287,987). 24.3
Barley or bere.....} | ig75 | 9 990, 493) 97.8 268834, 18.81 934°509| 1291 21509, 701| 96.5
Ont: ; 1874 | 1,356,793} 18.1] 1,004,024. 71. 2| 1, 480,186] 77.8] 2.596384, 27.5
AU ea fe ec § 1875 | 1,421,951 18.9) 1,004,883! 71.2 1,499,371| 78.31 2. 664,009} 28.2
Rye 1874 36, 424 5 9, 013, .6 8, 979 .5| | 47,228 5
Gee a BREE ; 1875 43, 544 .6 9, 766 7 9, 556 .5| «54, 903 .6
Bea. 1874 | 526, 561 7.0| 28, 722 2.0 9, 646 .5| 559, 044 5.9
HS get er § 1875 | 533, 455 7.1), 27,328) 1.9 9, 970 .5| 564, 181 6.0
Bho 1874 | 303, 966 4.0 1, 823) il 1, 756 1]. 310,547 3.3
Eee por scr cing ; 1875 | 310, 623 4.1 1, 976 2) 1, 677 .1| 316,375 3.3
otal 1874 | 7,505,076} 100.0) 1,410,413, 100.01 1,901,508} 100.0] 9,431, 490| 100.0
UE Ia ; 1875 | 7,522,543} 100.0) 1,410,929/ 100. 0) 1,916,398] 100. 0] 9, 451,650] 100.0
GREEN CROPS.
1874} 314,571) 11.4) 160,480 23.4) 992,421] 65.9) 520,430} 14.5
Potatoes .-......-. s 1875,| 320,477] 11.2) 157,671) 23.0) +900,277/ 65.7] 522,653) 14.3
: 1874 | 1,560,857} 56.5} 501,636] 73.2] 333,487] 24.7 2,133,336) 59.6
Turnipsand swedes § 1875 | 1,569'049| 55.1| 503,323 73.5| 332,783] 24.3) 2149, 698] 58.5
Mancel 1874 | 314,683} 11. 4| 1, 610 -2| 38,161 2.8] 322, 614 9.0
BOS f 1875 | 352,198} 12. 4 2, 158 .3| 43,172 3.2] 361, 617 9.8
Gnaceis 1874 12, 714 .4| 874 Ad 3, 359 .3| 13, 927 4
ERE aS 1875 13, 591 5 984 2 3, 303 .2| 14, 936 4
Cabbage, kale, rabi,5| 1874 | 163, 081 5.9) 5, 227| gl 41, 105 3.0] 169, 285 4.7%
and rape. 1875 | 183, 402 6. 4! 5, 094, §| 41, 896 3.1| 189, 733 5.2
VERO ee |
and any other! | 1974 | 393,976| | 14.4) 15, 305) 2.3; 44,999 3.3] 421,678) 11.8
green crop, ex-$] 4,-- Fe Dead 2 ial cae ai Spats be Bat abin ;
Sept. clover or{| 2879| 409,756) 14.4) 15,319 2.21 48 655 3.5] 432,470) 11.8
grass. J |
Total 1874 | 2,764,182} 100.0) 685,132) 100.0) 1,353,352] 100.0] 3,581,270} 100.0
Seca. ae oe 3 1875 | 2, 848,473/ 100.0 684,549 109, y 1,370, 086] 100.0) 3,664,107| 100.0

STEAM-CULTURE.— According to the reports of the Royal Agricultural
Society of England, 161 pounds of coal will raise into steam 115 gallons
of water, a power sufficient for the cultivation of one acre.
of coal will evaporate 7 pounds of water and move 9.3 tons of earth,
and a ewt. of coal will move 1,000 tons of earth, a power sufficient for

One pound

114

the plowing of 100 acres. The-great practicai question is the utiliza-
tion of this power. A variety of steam-plows have been invented, but
all have yet failed to economize and apply the force generated. In Eng-
land, at the great trial at Wolverhampton, under the auspices of the
Royal Agricultural Society, it was estimated that 30 per cent. of the power
generated was lost, yet even this leaves steam-power cheaper than
horse-power.

FARM-PROFITS.—A correspondent of the Norwich (England) Gazette.
was taken to task by a farmer for having estimated thé average profits
of English farming at 174 per cent. He replied, ‘‘ You farm 120 acres
of land at a cost of £1,000?” “Yes.” ‘+ Your living costs you £150 per
annum, and you save something beside?” ‘ Yes.” ‘ Well, there is 15
per cent. on your outlay.” Another interlocutor confessed to a return
of 18 per cent. on £2,000, his outlay in taking 250 acres.

FATTENING FARM-ANIMALS.—The Agricultural Gazette is of opinion
that in England “all plans for feeding which aim at the economical pro-
duction of meat will be every year more followed and appreciated; and
that a good system for pulping roots in the field for fattening sheep
must be included among such useful plans.” The cost of fattening cat-
tle is variously stated. A few years ago 7 or 8 shillings per week was
thought to be sufficient to cover the cost of fattening a bullock, but the
weight of opinion indicates that such cost has been enhanced in late
years50 or 60 percent. One experiment with 14 calves, fed fifty-six weeks,
is given, Showing an average cost of 10s. per head per week, while the
average return was 12s. 3d., besides their droppings. The Gazette recom-
mends an average weekly ration of 28 pounds of linseed cake and 42
pounds of meal, amounting, at 14d. per pound, to 7s. 34d.; 34 cwt. of
roots, at 3d., 103d.; 3 stone of hay, at 9d., 2s. 3d.; 15 per cent. per annum
for interest and risk on £22, value per bullock, for 13 weeks, 1s.3d.; labor,
allowing each bullock one-fortieth part of a good man’s weekly wages of
16s., 5d.—total, 12s. 1d. If bullocks can be made to lay on 13 stone or
21 pounds of beef per week, at 10s. per stone they are a profit; but if
only increasing one stone per week, there will bealoss. The diet above
recommended it is thought will make the yield somewhere between 14
and 21 pounds per week.

’ FRUIT-CULTURE IN ENGLAND.—At a late meeting of the Institution
of Surveyors, Mr. G. Webb read a paper showing that the returns of
1874 present an area in fruit-culture, in England, of 145,622 acres, not
including gardens. The largest county acreages are: in Devon, 24,312;
in Hereford, 21,534; in Somerset, 19,857; in Worcester, 13,390; in
Gloucester, 11,152; in Kent, 11,186; in Cornwall, 4,180; the other
counties have less than 4,000 acres each.

Mr. Webb prefers an eastern exposure, for the reason that the grad-
ual contact of the sunbeams with the trees is more advantageous to the
fruit-bloom. Shelter on the southwest is desirable, either by a high
quick hedge or a belt of larch, against the gales from that quarter.
Among the finest varieties of fruit is mentioned the Chaumontel pear,
which grows to especial excellence on the island of Jersey, and com-
mands a shilling each. They also do well in Kent, at an altitude of not
over 100 feet above sea-level; at 300 feet it is no better than a turnip.
The Williams, Beurré Base, and Copiamont are favorites; while the
showy Buerré d’Amaulis, Colmar d’Eté, and Gratioli are but little |
regarded. The Keswick Codlin apple formerly sold well, but has
become too plentiful, and hardly pays expenses. The Bigarreau and
Dulce cherries flourish at from 30 to 200 feet above sea-level; Black

115

Heart, Kentish, and Turkey Hearts do fairly up to 400 feet; but beyond
this the crop becomes precarious and the fruit indifferent. Apples have
been grown to the extent of 500 bushels per acre. Small fruit has also
been financially successful, especially the gooseberry and the raspberry.

FRENCH WINE-CROP OF 1875.—The French wine-crop has turned out
greater than even the large statements of it hitherto. The Moniteur
Vinicole gives the aggregate at 83,632,391 hectoliters, (2,209,381,398
gallons.) This is the largest yield ever realized, the next largest, that
of 1874, being 78,124,424 hectoliters, or 2,063,875,408 gallons. In some
parts of the field the dreaded Phyllozera still continues its ravages, and
no specific remedy has yet been discovered. The insect has attacked
the young vines planted to replace the old ones destroyed. The de-
partments of Vaucluse and Gard have especially suffered from this
cause. Vaucluse ten years ago produced nearly 80,000,000 gallons; in
1875 less than 2,000,000. In the department of Gard the yield has fallen
from 105,671,200 gallons to about 25,000,000. The products of the dif-
ferent departments in 1875 are stated as follows: Ain, 20,557,882 gal-
lons; Aisne, 6,071,605 gallons; Allier, 13,519,309; Alpes, (Basses,)
0,207,886; Alpes, (Hautes,) 2,841,403; Alpes Maritimes, 2,218,223;
Ardeéche, 5,823,434; Ardennes, 1,260,129; Ariége, 4,112,935; Aube,
38,829,754; Aude, 98,249,093 ; Aveyron, 16,314,852 ; Bouches-du-Rhone,
7,637,174; Cantal, 475,653; Charente, 143,716,413; Charente-Inféri-
eure, 229,685,177; Cher, 19,432,036; Correze, 10,130,804; Cdéte-d’Or,
65,181,870; Creuse, 6,816; Dordogne, 35,597,932; Doubs, 14,128,952 ;
Dréome, 6,262,286; Eure, 668,370;, Eure-et-Loire, 2,183,062; Gard,
24,937,505 ; Garonne, (Haute,) 28,478,468; Gers, 31,570,143; Gironde,
139,472,775; Hérault, 248,940,028; Hle-et-Vilain, 20,474; Indre,
15,504,078; Indre-et-Loire, 57,355,316; Isere, 23,010,476; Jura,
22,432,041; Landes, 10,233,675; Loir-et-Cher, 52,029,751; Loire,
11,714,366; Loire, (Haute,) 2,649,616; Loire Inférieure, 69,624,085 ;
Loiret, 40,030,205; Lot, 15,632,205; Lot-et-Garonne, 36,820,129; Lo-
zere, 184,291; Maine-et-Loire, 20,723,702; Marne, 26,080,788; Marne,
(Haute,) 31,437,182; Mayenne, 14,794; Meurthe et Moselle, 39,200,791 ;
Meuse, 21,285,349; Morbihan, 556,940; Niévre, 15,621,294; Oise, 229,465;
Puy-de-Dome, 34,369,479; Pyrénées, (Basses,) 4,207,603; Pyrénées, -
(Hautes,)3,928,986 ; Pyrénées Orientales, 38,363,216; Rhone, 34,181,541;
Saone, (Haute,) 25,531,826; Saone-et- Loire, 58,669,552; Sarthe, 5,015,868;
Savoie, 7,388,055; Savoie, (Haute,) 5,199,578; Seine, 1,640,206; Seine-
et-Marne, 17,547,363; Seine-et-Oise, 10,914,646; Sevres, (Deux,)
13,752,578; Tarn, 22,386,180; Tarn-et-Garonne, 12,069,685; - Var,
37,084,093; Vaucluse, 1,802,222; Vendée, 26,840,009; Vienne, 40,607,713;
Vienne, (Haute,) 640,446; Vosges, 8,469,706; Yonne, 75,832,374. ° At
least thirty-seven of these departments exceed the average annual yield
in the United States; some of them amount to sixty times our annual
yield.

FRENCH SUGAR-PRODUCTION.—From statistics published in le Jour-
nal Officiel it appears that during the year ending with October 31, .
1875, the number of beet-sugar factories in operation was 523, against
514 the previous year; the number inactive was 6, against 10 the pre-
vious year. The juice defecated amounted to 26,000,000 hectoliters,
(686,862,800 gallons,) against 21,500,000 hectoliters (567,982,700 gallons)
last year. The density of the juice was 3°.8, against 3°.9, and the yield.
137,000,000 kilograms, (302,048,969 pounds,) against 118,000,000 kilo-
grams, (260,158,966 pounds.) The export of raw sugar declined from
41,000,000 kilograms (90,394,217 pounds) to 20,000,000 kilograms,

116

(44,094,740 pounds,) leaving the stock on hand about the same as last
year, or 22,000,000 kilograms, (48,504,214 pounds.) White pulverized
suzar constitutes 56 per cent. of the entire manufacture, against 53 per
cent. in 1874. The statistics of 1875 show a rapid working of the raw
material, a great abundance of roots, but a depressed yield of the per cent,
of sugar, a greatly decreased export of raw sugar, and an increased ex-
port of the refined article. Later statistics show that for the three
months closing with January the amount defecated was 919,386,147
pounds, against 765,094,496 during the same period of the previous year.
The density of juice was 3.6, against 3.8 the previous year. The export
amounted to 178,119,144 pounds, a falling off of 104,846,080 pounds com-
pared with the same period in the previous year.

FRENCH AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS.—During the first ten months of
1875 the value of French wines exported amounted to 219,253,000 frances,
an increase of 24,224,000 francs over the same period of 1874; cereals,
196,539,000 franes, an increase of 101,000,000 francs; brandy, 67,804,000
frances, an increase of 9,976,000 frances ; eggs, 41,088,000, an increase of
7,611,000 franes; brown sugar, 39,298,000 franes, an increase of 9,398
francs. Butter alone shows a decrease, having declined from 69,969,000
frances in 1874 to 68,206,000 in 1875.

WOLVES IN FRANCE.—M. Buffet, minister of the interior, lately is-
sued acircular to the prefects of several departments of France, recit-
ing that complaints have reached the central government of the destrue-
tion of sheep by wolves in several quarters. In one case a farmer had
lost 100 out of a flock of 397. The attention of the mayors was called
to the laws authorizing the killing of destructive animals. The de-
partmental officers are authorized to concert with forest-agents, and with
lieutenants of wolf-hunting trains, arrangements for general battues.
The object of the present circular is to arouse the zeal of the rural offi-
cials in a crusade against these enemies of the farmer, and to secure
the immunity of sheep-husbandry.

FRENCH WHAT CROPS.—The French minister of agriculture has
authorized the publication of statistics in regard to the wheat-crops
from 1815 to 1874. In 1820 the total production was 125,850,846 bush-
els, and the consumption 153,105,709, including the amount necessary
for seeding at the rate of 2.64 bushels per acre. This left a deficiency
of 27,254,863 bushels. In 1830 the production amounted to 149,786,827
bushels, and the consumption to 162,859,075 bushels, leaving a deficit of
12,072,246 bushels. In 1840 the production was 229,524,104 bushels, and
the ,consumption 190,907,418 bushels, showing a surplus of 28,616,636
bushels. In 1850 the production amounted to 249,691,233 bushels, and
the consumption to 221,711,270, a surplus of 27,979,763 bushels. In
1860 the production was 288,247,664 bushels, the consumption 241,985,-
945 bushels, and the surplus 46,261,719 bushels. In 1869 the produc-
tion was 306,381,698 bushels, the consumption 274,252,639 bushels, and
the surplus 32,066,009 bushels. In 1874 the production was 377,799,-
440 bushels, the consumption 269,235,158 bushels, and the surplus 108,-
564,282 bushels. These figures, however, do not coincide with the ex:
ports and imports of wheat in each of the years. In some cases a large
surplus or a large deficit was left over, and its effect upon the markets
was felt in the aggregates of the following years. The Franco-Prus-
sian war in 1870 prevented the regular tabulation of agricultural sta-
. tistics, and the figures of 1869 are given instead. Of fifty-three years
in the period embraced in these statistics, forty years show an excess
of production, and the following a deficit, viz: 1820, 1822, 1827, 1330,

117

1831, 1839, 1846, 1853, 1855, 1861, 1866, 1867, 1871, 1873. The exports
exceeded the imports in 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1533, 1340, 1841,
1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1864, 1865, and 1866. In
the remaining years the imports exceeded the exports. Similar statis-
ties in regard to other crops will soon be published by authority of the
minister of agriculture.

CIDER FROM APPLES AND SUGAR-BEETS.—S. Paillart, a French farmer,
gives the following details of the method of making cider, in France,
with apples and sugar-beets mixed: To each hectoliter (2.83782 bushels)
of apples, heaping measure, add 3 kilograms (6.614211 pounds) of red
sugar-beets, the edible variety. The sugar-beets are first cut into pieces
and then pressed with the apples. Pour into the vessel enough water
to cover the pulp, and let it stand forty-eight hours; then subject the
pulp to the action of the press. The pulp is then taken out, crumbed
with the hands, replaced in the tub, and again covered with waterfor
thirty-six hours, after which they are again pressed. This process is
repeated two or three times. The cider is then placed in the cellar and
not used till July or August, when the crude.taste of the sugar-beet
will have been eliminated. M. Paillart saved 200 francs in manufactur-
ing 25 liquid hectoliters (each 26.4178 gallons) of cider in 1872, apples
being at the rate of 10 franes per hectoliter, (dry measure.) In 1873 and
1874 the saving was but haif as great.

A PRIZE-FARM IN NORMANDY.—At the late regional agricultural exhi-
bition at Caen a premium was awarded to M. Oyrille Paynel, of the
arrondissement of Lisieux, in the department of Calvados. M. Paynel
works an estate of 196 hectares (4844 acres) in the valleys of the Vie
and the Viette, divided into seven farms, for which he pays an aggre-
gate annual rental of 42,000 franes. The farm-buildings are mostly sit-
uated upon the main farm and disposed in a large and nearly square area.
The dwelling-house is on the east, and one of its large apartments at
the north end has been appropriated to dairying. It is about 46 feet
long and 17 feet wide, and is furnished along the walls and in the cen-
ter with flag-stones laid in Portland cement, upon which, each day, may
be cast 800 cheeses. The surface of these flags being inclined, the whey
is drained through subterranean pipes into brick basins lined with Port-
land cement, outside the building. The water used in cleansing the
flags and the pavement is also promptly drained, and every facility for
perfect cleanliness is secured. A small car, invented by M. Paynel,
gives easy transport to the milk-vessels. In the laundry adjoining the
dairy a portable furnace furnishes hot water through pipes. Cold water
is obtained through pipes from a brick basin containing over 100 gallons,
supplied by a pump. To utilize as much as possible the surplus heat
of the kitchen-fire, a small copper chamber, holding about 25 gallons,
is built into the chimney and connected by pipes with the dairy. The
drying-room, formerly a barn, is divided into four compartments: 1, the
drying-room proper, in which straw, commonly used, is superseded by
hurdles or sieves, of M. Paynel’s invention, in which minute orifices
through wire gauze give passage to air for drying; 2, the drying-cellar;
3, the finishing-cellar; 4, the packing and storing cellar.

On the west side of the area are two cider-presses with a reservoir
of brick for fruit, containing about 14 hectoliters, or over 30 bushels.
Another receptacle has been lately added so as to accommodate later
fruit ripening before the early varieties have been ground into cider.
The first reservoir is emptied in time to accommodate the latest ripen:
ing varieties, and thus the danger of rotting is mostly avoided.

118

On the south isa wagon shed; other buildings are ranged conveniently
round the area. Behind the whole runs the little stream Viette, from
which the farmer, by excavating about 200 cubic meters of earth, has
secured a small pond, the surface of which is kept at a regulated level
by means ofa dam. A movable covered wash-house, by means of chains
and pulleys, is kept at the surface of this pond. The area between the
buildings is perfectly leveled.

About 48 hectares (118.56 acres) have been underdrained, with the
happiest results; the drain-pipes vary from 3 to 6 feet deep, according
to the depth and inclination of the clay substratum; the drains are
from 22 to 100 feet apart, the intervals being mostly from 30 to 40 feet.
The expense has ranged from 215 to 230 franes per hectare, or between
$16 and $20 per acre.

Apple-trees, for cider, cover 23 hectares, or nearly 57 acres. Every
four years the earth tor half a yard around each tree is dug up and a
eart-load of fresh rich earth deposited. During 15 years 1,064 apple-
trees have been planted, each one being placed in a cubic meter of fresh
earth deposited in the trench.

Meadows, properly se called, are not maintained on the estate. All
the grass-lands are pastured up to the first week in May, when about
52 hectares (1284 acres) are reserved for mowing, and produce about
2,700 quintals (2973 tons) of hay.- As the area mown is shifted each
year, it covers the whole estate every three or four years. Rich earth
from the river-bed is every summer scattered over the soil. Fermented
manure is also freely dispensed during autumn, winter, and spring, a
generous allotment being made to the young apple-trees. The manure ~
is used in its fermenting stage in preference to well-rotted manure,
because it is more active in its influence upon the soil, lasts longer, and,
by aid of a slight covering of soil, may be made to cover three times as
large a surface. Furthermore, the grass obtained from it is of good
quality, succulent, better relished by milch-cows, and affords a richer
quality of milk.

The live-stock maintained on the estate embraces 10 horses, 78 milch-
cows, and 17 milch-cows of inferior character; 45 cows fattening for
butchery, 20 calves and heifers equivalent to about 12 head of eattle,
30 beeves, and 12 hogs; total, 204 head. .The milch-cows are of the
Augerone and Cotentine varieties of the Norman breed. They are finely
formed, in good condition, and admirably adapted to the soil upon
which they graze. M. Paynel prefers the first variety, especially those
from the banks of the Toucques and the Dive, two small streams
emptying into the English Channel. Milch-cows are kept to the num-
ber of 40 or 50 from May 1 to September 15, and from 70 to 100
during the remainder of the year. The farmer raises from 18 to 20
choice heifers each year, and two bull calves. The other calves are sold
when over eight days old. In November he purchases 15 or 20 cows,
milks them until June, and sends them to the Villette market. Thirty
beeves of the Cotentine breed, and 50 cows either of Norman or of
Mancelle blood, crossed with the Durham, complete the herd. The
cattle remain in pasture all winter, and are fed hay part of the year.
The average weight of cows fully fattened is 525 kilograms, or 7164
pounds.. The number of cows is inereased in the latter part of the
season on account of the fabrication of Camembert cheese, which lasts
from September to April. The cows are regularly milked three times
per day, at 44 a. mh., noon, and 6 p.m. Each farm overseer is furnished
With a memorandum, upon which he inscribes the day on which each
cow was placed in pasture, as well as the date of her removal, This

119

method secures a perfect record of the number of head of cattle kept,
and the number of days of each head.

The butter and cheese, except the Camembert cheese, is sold at Saint
Pierre on the Dive. The Camembert cheese was originated at Camem-
bert, in the department of Orne, by the great-grandmother of M. Paynel,
and its fabrication has ever been maintained in his family. On three

or four of his farms the milk, as soon as drawn, is brought carefully in
’ a spring-wagon to the principal farm. The morning and noon milk is
immediately subjected to the action of rennet and heated in proportion
to the external temperature. Four or five liters of hot milk are gener-
ally sufficient to give 100 liters the required temperature. The evening
milk is kept during the night and mingled with the milk of the following
day. After about four hours the curd is placed by spoonfuls in the molds,
an operation which is renewed about five times in seven or eight hours
for the same cheese. As the milk drips through the molds, causing
- the surface to sink, the vacuum must be filled up at regular intervals by
fresh supplies of curdled milk. The next day the cheese is turned over
in the mold, and on the following day removed from it and salted. On
the fifth day it is transported to the drying-room and placed on the
hurdles or sieves before mentioned. They are kept here from twelve
to thirty-six days, according to the dryness or humidity of the atmos-
phere, and are then deposited in the cellar for six to twenty days in
addition. The Camembert cheese thus requires from twenty-five to
_ sixty days, according to temperature, for its completion. The cheeses
are then packed in rouleaux of six, in paper marked with the regular
brand, and then surrounded by straw.

GERMAN AGRICULTURE.—In Germany, and especially in Eastern
Prussia, the agricultural interest is suffering from the overproduction
of alcohol and its consequent depreciation in the market. At the close
of 1874 there was a surplus of 13,208,900 gallons, which continually
augmented during 1875. To maintain this branch of production, the
cultivation of potatoes during a few years past has been greatly en-
larged, at the expense of grain-culture. This was followed by an
enhanced import and a diminished export of rye, barley, oats, Sc.
Brandy distillation increased throughout the country, exceeding the
wants of the community, while the foreign export trade afforded but a
narrow margin of profit on account of high freight-charges, custom and
excise duties, and foreign competition. A reaction has taken place in
the minds of the German farmers in favor of grain production. The
import of rye exceeded the export 7,000,000 quintals in 1872, 8,000,000
in 1873, and 12,000,000 in 1874. The excess of barley imports rose in
three years from 1,700,000 quintals to 2,700,000; that of oats, from
670,000 to 2,900,000. A quintal (new measure) is equal to 2204 pounds.

HORSE-BREEDING IN GERMANY.—The late embargo upon the export-
ation of horses by the Prussian government has been rescinded under
the growing pressure of complaints from horse-breeders, especially those
of Hanover, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Silesia. In these provinces the
business has been stimulated to such an extent that the home-market
of Germany is not sufficient to absorb the annual production. Depots
of stallions have been multiplied of later years, and also numerous depots
for the purchase of army-horses have been established, in order to secure
the choice of animals suited to the different arms of the service. These
have generally been purchased at the age of three or four years, thus
enabling the breeders to realize more speedily the returns for their care
and labor in raising. The general demand is for horses of greater age.

120

This system has exercised a powerful influence upon the character of
army-horses. At the close of 1873 the number of horses in the different
provinces of the kingdom of Prussia was as follows: Prussia proper,
531,831; Silesia, 256,467; Brandenburg, 235,987; Posen, 194,000; Pom:
erania, 172 ,181; Saxony, 164,311; Rhine prov ‘inces, 154,256 ; Westphalia,
115,674 ; ; Hanover, 186,715 ; Schleswi ig-Holstein, 134, 144; Hesse- -Nassau,
65,2 995: ‘total, 2,187, 791.

In Prussia proper the number of horses is abont 17 per cent. of. the
number of people; in Silesia, about 74 per cent.; Brandenburg, nearly
9 per cent.; Posen, 121 per cent.; Pomerania, 12 per cent.; Saxony, 8 per
cent.; Rhine provinces, 4 per cent.; Westphalia, 6 per cent.; Hanover, 9
per cent.s ; Schleswig-Holstein, 134 per cent.; Hesse-Nassau, "43 per cent.;
the whole kingdom, 9 per cent.

HUNGARIAN HORSES.—The Hungarians have ever been a nation of
cavaliers, and the horse has enjoyed a grand role in their history. The
brilliant success of the Magyars in beating back the invading hordes of
Turks and Tartars has been especially due to their superiority in cavalry,
and this is attributable to the admirable quality of their horses as well
_ as to the high spirit of the riders. The Hungarian horse was origin-
ally of moderate stature, averaging a little less than fifteen hands high;
head elegant and small, neck strong and not too long, good chest and
back, hind-quarters sloping, legs excellent and terminated by very tough
hoofs; color various. In the bracing climate and among the nutritious
pastures of Hungary, the horse developed a hardy constitution, great
power of endurance, with wonderful swiftness of movement. But sub-
sequently, the original Scythian breed of Hungarian horses gave place
in the great studs to imported animals, and is found to-day only among
the peasantry of Hungary and among the Szekely of the Eastern Car-
pathians. Horses of large stature, Spanish, Roman, and Neapolitan,
were sought, which, in some parts of the country, have resulted in a
valuable breed. Subsequently, Danish horses were imported, and the
large German horse was naturalized. The English horse has also been
introduced, and has been growing in size, strength, and capacity. These
different importations have resulted in great variations of breed and
quality among Hungarian horses.

The total number of horses in Hungary is stated at 2,158,000, and the
population at 15,417,000, making the number of horses 14 for every 100
people. This fact indicates the extent to which horse-breeding has been
carried in Hungary. This branch of production has met with consid-
erable obstruction in different ages; but, since the advent of Maria
Theresa to the imperial throne of Austria, government has by
subsidies and otherwise, assisted horse-breeders. Encouragements
were given to the organization of studs, and prizes for excellence in
horses were given. This governmental assistance has been exterfded
and systematized. Studs have been established by authority and dis-
tributed throughout the country. There are five stations in Alba Regia,
with 570 stallions; six stations in Nagy K6rdés, with 870 stallions; four
stations 1 in Szepsi St. Gyorgy, with 238 stallions ; two stations in Varasd,
with 122 stallions; total, sixteen stations, with on 860 stallions.

A central commission, "constituted of experts of the countr y; to secure
the best and most productive system of horse- raising, meets at set peri-;
ods every year. The statistics of each year’s production are furnished
by the minister of agriculture. This body corresponds with local com-
missions in each county, chosen by the horse-raisers and experts. These
local committees are to communicate the actual condition of the busi-

121

ness to the central commission, and to diffuse among the agriculturists
the latest information in regard to practical principles of horse-raising.
They are also to award the prizes voted by the legislature, and to su-
pervise the annual fairs at which horses are exhibited, and to regulate
the service of the stallions, which during the breeding season are dis-
tributed at 525 local stations, and cover an average annually of 63,000
mares. The charges of service range from 24 to 374 franes for each
mare.

THE EUCALYPTUS IN ALGERIA.—Afier successful plantings of this
tree at Fondouk, Roniba, and Hussein-dey, in Algeria, its culture was
commenced on a large scale in 1867. The first plantings have already
produced wood that can be utilized in carpentry and wheelwrighting.
Planks over 40 feet long have been cut, showing that after eight years
of growth this tree will produce timber of great value and utility. A
proprietor, on his own account and for other parties, has, since 1867,
planted about 200,000 trees of this variety, and has already sold 50,000.
The hygienic qualities of this tree, claimed by writers in other countries,
do not appear to have been realized in Algeria. The plantations have
had a remarkably thrifty growth, yet no diminution im the cases of ma-
larial fever are noted. The wood is harder than that of any other spe-
cies growing in that region, and its production promises great profit to
the growers, meeting, as it does, a specific necessity of the people.

PRODUCTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.—The lands of this colony are
divided into three classes: First, the plains, mostly arable; second, the
hill country, requiring more or less clearing, but of good soil; third,
scrub lands, which will not pay for clearing. In Yorkes Peninsula and
at other points is a class of table-lands, sprinkled with sheaoak and
other small timber, which produces good wheat-crops. English and
semi-tropical fruits here grow in great perfection.

About ninety thousand square miles are occupied by pastoral industry.
The exports of wool during 1874~75 were valued at £1,994,190, an
increase of over 100 per cent. in ten years. These lands are mostly
held under lease from the government at from 2s. 6d. to £1 per square
mile, and an annual assessment of 2d. to 6d. per head for sheep and Is.
to 3s. per head for cattle. The pastoral lessees, called squatters, have
ever been the pioneers of settled industry. Someof the earlier of these
adventurers, who twenty years ago went out into the bush with a few
horses, cattle, and sheep, are now immensely wealthy, while. most of
this class of enterprising settlers are in comfortable circumstances. In
1864 there were in the colony 4,106,230 sheep, which, in consequence of
a severe drought in 1865, were reduced to three and three-quarters mil-
lions. In 1874 they numbered to 6,120,211 sheep. The increase in cat-
tle has not been so great, and considerable numbers of fat stock are
annually imported. The census of 1874 showed 93,122 horses and
185,342 cattle. The sheep and catile are mostly reared on native grasses.
. Of late years the productiveness of the runs has greatly increased by
fencing. About 18,000,000 acres have been inclosed, 2,000,000 during
the last year. Race-horses have been produced to some extent, as the
climate and other conditions are well calculated to produce sound ani-
mals of high nerve and spirit. Blooded stock has been introduced on
a considerable seale.

The farmer follows close upon the heels of the shepherd squatter.
The leases to the latter are subject at any time to revocation in
order to be sold to regular farmers. Personal residence is not
required, but no one is allowed to purchase over 640 acres; the land

122

anust be occupied, if not by the purchaser himself, by a hired hand, who
is to cultivate at least 20 per cent. of the land. After survey, the
land is held for selection at £1 per acre. If there be more than one ap-
plicant for land, it is sold to the highest bidder. Installments of 10 per
cent. of the purchase- -money are required in cash, and at the end of three
years; at the end of six years one-half the remainder of the purchase-
money must be paid, and the remainder may continue on interest at 4
per cent. Improvements to the extent of 5s. per acre must be made
before the close of the second year of occupation, and to the extent of
10s. per acre before the close of the fourth year. These improvements
consist of dwelling and farm buildings, wells, water-tanks, fencing,
draining, clearing, &e.
The method of wheat-growing is generally rude and unscientific. The
ground is scratched to three or fourinches deep, and the seed sown broad-
cast. If the seeding be not too late, the yield will be from 10 to 20 bush-
els per acre. Older lands show signs of exhaustion from continual crop-
ping, without manure, from ten to thirty years. A year or two of fallow
and stock-pasture partly restores the fertility. Red rust, locusts, hot
winds, and a peculiar wheat malady, known as * take all,” from its effect-
ive ‘destruction of large patches of the crop, are the main difficulties
in the way of the wheat-farmer. Cf late years many small farmers
have sold outin order to appropriate new land on the frontiers of the
wilderness. The new line of settlements has reached from five to sev-
enty miles inland from the coast, and as far as one hundred and sixty
miles from Adelaide. The amount of land under cultivation has, in
five years, increased from 959,000 acres to 1,330,484 acres, with large
additions every year. Less than a fourth of these lands are under till-
age, which is mostly directed to wheat-production. The crops gathered
in December, 1874, from 839,638 acres, amounted to 9,862,000 bushels, or
112 bushels per acre. This shows an increase upon the previous year of
-3,633,377, while the acreage increased only 54,000. Hay occupied 160,-
931 acres; barley, 13,724 acres ; potatoes, 4,582 acres; permanent grasses,
27,076 acres; gardens, vineyards, and orchards, 7,334 acres. Flax was
also found to do well in some localities. During the last ten years
~wheat-production has doubled, while population has increased only 30
percent. Labor-saving machinery is used on an increasing scale, espec-
ially harvesters and reapers. South Australian wheat is of high qual-
ity, as is shown not only by prizes at late European expositions, but also
by the fact that Victoria and New Zealand, though producing a surplus
-for export, import South Australian wheat ‘to mix with and give char-
-acter to their own product.
The rich chocolate loam of the hill-sides produces excellent grapes, and
most of the best varieties of France and Spain have been introduced.
The vineyards already cover 5,051 acres, yielding at the last vintage
648,186 gallons of wine, most of which is consumed in the colony.
Some brands secured prizes at the London, Paris, and Vienna expo-
sitions. The Sultana and Muscatel yield several tons of raisins per
annum. Orange-culture has been successfully inaugurated. Fruits and
melons of delicious quality have been grown. The olive thrives on this
-soil, and, for several years, a thriving trade in oil has been prosecuted.
It commands 10s. per gallon, and is regarded as fully equal to the im-
ported article. Mulberry-trees are being extensively planted under
bounties from government to encourage silk-production, for which the
-climate is supposed to be well fitted. Sugar-beet and other roots have
been introduced. Tobacco thrives, though with but little attention
-hitherto.

123

A vast region in the northern part of the colony awaits occupation,
and presents characters of soil and climate very eligible for future set-
tlement. Gold-mining has been prosecuted ona small seale, but not
with very encouraging results. Silver-mining has paid better. Iron-
ores of great richness and purity are found in some parts of the colony,
and lately a few tons of pig-iron have been produced. Several branches
of general manufacture have been started on a large scale. Since 1838
the total imports of the colony amounted to $277,199,170 and the exports
to $262,965,430.

QUEENSLAND AT THE CENTENNIAL.—This Australian colony, which
has had heretofore the enterprise to be represented in intercolonial
exhibitions at Sydney and Melbourne, and in international, at London
and Vienna, has taken measures to participate in our Centennial. The
government has appropriated for this purpose $15,000, and appointed
two commissioners—the one to make known what there is in Queensland
which may benefit the United States, and the other to learn what there
is in the United States which may benefit Queensland. The former is
Mr. Daintree, general agent of the colony in England. In carrying
out the general idea of showing what Queensland has produced, and
what more it is capable of producing, he is expected to take advantage
of a collection of its products now in London, and to direct special effort
toward exhibiting such raw materials as the colony produces for export.
Among these are specified wool, sugar, pure spirit, timber, tin, copper,
coal, and the precious metals. The commissioner for gaining informa-
tion is Mr. Angus Mackay, a leading editor in the colony. His mis-
sion is not limited to the exhibition at Philadelphia, but contemplates
researches in the States and Territories, with a view to learn the most
successful measures for the settlement and development of new terri-
tory, and the most advanced processes and machinery (as seen, not on
exhibition, but in practical operation) in agriculture, mining, manufac-
tures, and the mechanic arts.

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS FOR FEBRU-
ARY, MARCH, AND APRIL, 1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the
opening of each month.

Articles. February. | March. April.
NEW YORK.
Flour, superfine, State and western....per bbl..| $4 25 to $4 60 | $4 25 to $460] $4 50 to $4 75
pxts State seas so-3 Jefe sess S925 do..-.| 485 to 5 90 490 te 5 60 510 to 5 65
extra to choice western....-..----- do....| 485 to 9 00 490 to 900 510 to 900
common to choice southern shipping ex-
ERA hod J oe ete eee Soak eek erbbl..| 480 to 6 30 480 to 625 525 to 6 45
common to choice southern family brands,
pare Harrell’ ee oe8- Gu 5.3... ee es 640 te 8 75 630 to 8 75 650 to 8 75
W heat No.l ispring! 6: 2. Js. c=. 2-2 per bush..}. 131 to 1 38 b 33, 40) +237 1 34 to 139
PRN oR ERADY Sree oe a 2 eho do" 22 119 to 121 124 to. 1:37 122 to 129
winter, red, western....4......... coesck. 118 to 1 47 122" to’ -b47 115 to 147
winter, amber, western..... 118 to 1 47 1 22 to. 1 47 115 to 147
winter, white, western ..-. 1-85) "tom: 155 iso ud oot 1.36 to 150
574 to 654 60 to 70 65 to 68
44 to 514 45hto 53 42 to 50
ae 86 to 89 82 to 88 86 to 97
SIS Sen es a odd Rad SB br 53 = 84 to 118 8 to 125 —— to i 08
21 00 to 23 00 18 00 to 21 00 18 00 to 21 00
17 00 to — — 15 00 to 16 00 15 00 to 16 00

124

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

New YorkK—Continued.

IB@GLAMOeSS “tee ete ces oe ae ee per bbl...
OREVAIMIGHS a haem nL ee. J coe ae do.2e:
OPK (Monseee ee saeoeccs scat Sodas oo Leued dower
CGO THe) USES Ve ee Sere eo bee dow.2%
PUUMOMMNOSS loons oi. en Saat own bebe do.-2.

UES LS 8 0 ED Pa a EE el per lb...

SUHVET pW ESLOMN SLs Siese swe Sele Abele os-ay

ESE RSECS ED 2 ea a do...

Cheese; State factory ......2.-.-..200 Le! dott

western factory: ~-2-..d2 0b see do....

Sugar, fair to prime refining ............. doz=.2

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary.....-.. do..-.

low middling to good middling...do....

PRADHCCO MUP: 5 -(v neato wScceeen gece nce os do....

Ney aR A pee ee ts 2 ey Ge do....

Wool, American XXX and picklock...... do. 5.
American X and XX .............. dorees
American, combing .........-.-.-..d0....
Mule) te ee ats cc pee se do ...
California spring clip........-..... do,.ens
California fall clip... 2.5.20. ..22-. do.3 =.

BOSTON.

Flour, western superfine spring....... per bbl...
common spring extras ..-..-....... do....
good to fancy northwestern spring.do..-.
good to fancy western winter...... do. e:3
southern family ..........--.....-. do...

ANYVLEG ET TERE SIE IRE C/o a Rare telat b per bush...
Sp Sach Ae ACR oe eae P emeen md imei e dole:

apes ease ete eid tS oral dma etter ote do...
Beate Wakes eaters = eminent ee anions do:
Beehe = eee pr aad so mtcccies Keiee bc do: =
per ton..
per bbl...
OXULAMBSSs seo 4 abies Cid eee Base ee do....
PAM yoo odoin ai came SO os dovass

PROVES VIMO: Geaiseie ee bree eee quicken aes oe do....
WOSS vente meio cline! secepla ie ne =) awk oe doze ss

MANO reideinie Sree ane orianere acc ole me per Ib--.

Butter, New York and Vermont ......... do...

NEOSLOUHE ooee mace mem canine inte cee Ooze

Cheese, New York and Vermont factory..do....

WRSTEDD TACHOTY: Sb -en ord Secnserp ee dons er

Sugar, fair to good refining...........-.-- do:...

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary........ dozen:

low middling to good middling ...do...

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania ............ Ore eis
Michioan task s- pens caccenntape a. do.-=.
OGUNGPAWIGSUELM. ccna ans wei oeee alse dos.
WHUSO 2s. Patan ae a ekavs cos steee os do...
combing fleece... 22... 6.c-02. cece =e dose.
Calton tage. os cetng We sbamste: 6.25

PHILADELPHIA.

RMIOTIUSUPELENG ob ac a/s 05 e pape stead clase per bbl..
Peunsylvania, extra to choice ...... GOL.
western, extra to choice..........-.. GOx. oa

MCAT AVNILS 2c capinw ea Sai ctpatisaucte per bush...

SLE Se SI Ree sree es Me es Sore an do. <.
TGs ao atd hohe maeieien emcee see ee do...

BV Qe capiin Sant. a toe iaeeiaeae cee Ee eee taken dow...

PMO Ves auto se aa ete i2 ok ga eles ada oe do...

SO OTM ceca wstet saa’ Saatece ge ag he = i age ie hp Gale.

GRR raat crcisis oi5,2' Saticede cHatcaine ea coher daze.

PED OD ALEG, LIME! 2c n/a. cs oaiciss nesateaeite per ton...

common to fair shipping...--. do....

Beef, wester mess..............-.-00. per bbl..
OMUEANIN ESS: © fats chs aie ain Hatem o'y cto anita ae [oko ee
Warthman’s city family...........- CO 25

POMC TO PAB Sel inlo Fob om o's cho ue ota coiclelnite de 08-2
EID SNOB wars <1ais alain orotele vlew w cle diatete do...:
BRUM GME seins oo scan cee oewaceed oe dos.c.

Ons Moa ietes eevee as cnt tine aubatet acta per lb..

Butter, choice Middle States ..........-. dG a

choice‘ western. «2... ..2..0.255.. dO. a

Cheese, New York factory..............-. dos. ae

WOIMMOMRCTORY sec weiatha cn nccecdeae cen Ca ps a

February.

$10 50 to $11 50
12 00 to 12 50
Ba to sees
00 to) ae
19 75 to 22 00

123to 134

16 to 34
26 to 36
07 to 134
06 to 123
C7Z to 084+
094 to 11}
124to . 138
06 to 09
O8kto 12
50 to 54
. 43 to 48
55. to 65
27 to 44
i8 to 32
15 to 21

400 to 450
475 to 5 50
500 to 9 25
6 00 to 9 00
6 50 to 9 00
100 to 1 50
644 to 664
43 to 57
95 to 1 00
90 to 1 30

13} to 14
20 to 33
18 to 33
10 to 13
— a £0. —— —
& to 123
94 to 113
12% to 14
45 to 50
42 to 45
42 to — —
35 to 55
52 to 60
17 to 34

400 to 425
425 to 6 50
425 to 6%
145 to 1.55
141 to 1 42
120 to 1 40
86 to 88
4S to.* 135
2 to 60
40 to 48

700 to 9 00
8 00 to 9 00
16 00 to — —
21 25 to 21°50
20 00 to —
17 00 to 18 00
12 to 13
28 to 38
25 to 31
114 to 133
— — to 13

March.

$10 50 to $12 00
12 50 to 13 50
22 65 to 22 80

18 50 to ——
“20 50 to 21 50
133 to 133
16 to 36
24 to, 38
07 to 14
06 to 13
073 to 07%
09 to 10}
11% to 133
05 to 094
08 to 12
50 to 54
43 to 48
55 to 65
27 to 44
18 to 32
15 to Q1
400 to 425
4.15 to" 5°25
500 to 9 25
600 to 9 00
6 50 to 9 00
1067 tol. trop
65 to © 68
43 to 55
95 to 1 00
8 to 1 20

134 to 143
20° to 34
18 to 29
10 to 13%
9 to 133
73 to 13
8} to 104
12 to 134
38 to 524
42 to 46
— an EOS =
35 to 47
42 to 65
14 to 33
350 to 400
425 to 6 50
425 to 6 60
145 to 1 5d
141 to 1 43%
#20 to 1 40
83 to 34
75 to 1 30
54 to 61
38 to 48

25 to 31
114 to 14
—— two 13

April.

$12 50 to$13 00
12 50 to 13 50
23°20 to 23 25

— — to 2l 50
14ito. 142
17 to 35
32 to 43
07 to 13£
07 to 13
074 to O7E
93 114
124 to 14¢
044 to 07
07 to 104
45 to 55
38 to 46
45 to 57
25 to 42
17 to 30
13 to 23

400 to 450

5 00 to 5 50

5 50 to 9 50

6 00 to 900

6 50 to 900

105 to, 1 55
72 to 75
44 to 56
90 to 95
85 to 1 20

144 to 15
30. to 38
22. to 30
10 to 14
9 to 134
74 to ve a
92 to 1)
124 to 143
42 to 47
40 to 41
—— £0 —i—
30 to 42
—— to ——
14 to 32
350 to 400
425 to 6 75
5 75 to 8 00
150 to. 1 58
—— to 1353
95 to 152
81 to 82
% to 12
60 to 654
43 to 50

144 to 15
36 to 44
28 to 43
5 to 14
4 to 13%

125

Market-prices of farm-products—Conutinued.

Articles. February. March. | April.
PHILADELPHIA—Continued. |
|

Sugar, fair to good refining ......----.-- per Ilb..| $0 07} to 30 08 | $0 O7Sto $0 073) $0 O7hto $0 07

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary...----.do... 94 to 113 9 to 10% $3 to 11g
low middling-to good middling ...do.-. ito 132 12 to 12% Wto 14

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania, X to XXX.do..- 47 to 50 48 to 524) 45 to 48
OGUVOLWWEStGLN << = <eo eee —u nee oe UOn. 24 to 42 40 to 45 40 to 45
PBN -WaSNed osoc5 acc acsee os euee<s do... 40 to o4 40 to 524 40 to 52
RI CMe = See ae ee er oe do... 42 to 64 38 to 64 | 26 to 64
SPGT Ss Sas a See Se eee do... 44 to 62; —— to 66 42 to 65

BALTIMORE. |

Wlour, superfine .2-....---.--:.------4- per bbl..| 3 75 to 4 50 375 to 450}. 37% to 495
Chore ea eb: AB Sy. - ee ee AE do. .- 475 to 6 75 47 to 700) 475 to -750
Sa eS Lt ee ee eee el do... 5 75 to 8 75 5°25. to: 8-75 575 to 9 00

2 LE 5 | Se eee © per bush.. 118 to 145 115 to 145 145 to 1 50

Soe) PR Bee ee en re = Sr do..-.| —— to 155) —— to 1355 160 to 1 62
PWELO: 522 he Mee fanedse cise aes toe ee do....| —— to 145) —— to 1 45 140 to 1 60

LE ee ae Se ene ee do... & to 80 78 to 82 80 to 83

0 ARE ee ee oe eee ees i> ae do... 43 to 50 40 to 47 40 to 49

MMs Siac aS cde satu cans Sneaacaeke pees do... 55 to 62 53. to 59 59 to 64

Hay, Maryland and Pennsylvania ....per ton..| 18 00 to 24 00} 1800 to 2400; 18 00 to 24 00
WOSEBEIN 1 ci2cbe cacacn Ho Sot eames eens do....| 18 00 to 2000| —— to — —/ 1700 to 19 00

Perk, Mss >. 2-2 t- Ue. 2 22 Zh eae Soe b ae per bbl.-.|. 21 25 to 21 50} 22 75 to 2300} 2300 to 23 50
GXtrapPFiMie |. so5 o<~ es oe o-oo do..-.. —— to ——)/} 1725 to —— | 1800 to — —

Taard ..u5. 5. 5° ee 2 Ee eee es per lb-.. 12} to 133 133 to 14 | 143 to i4

Butter, western ... <<. 2. - 2 5.-o- ao 20 eone = do... 17 to 26 18 to 26 18 to 41£

BSCCIN, «oP settatoe st se hat ere Sh nee do... 18 to 33 17 to 35 | 36 to 43

Cheese, western factory..........----.... do... 11 to 123 11 to 134) 123 to 14

PAStOUn FAGKOTY - 3 sa ea -t aoe ne do... 12 to 133 123 to 143) 114 to 134

Sugar, fair to good refining .....-........ de: 7z to gt 74 to ves 73 to 7
New Orleans grocery grades .-..-.--. do: - 7h to ter 73 to 83 — to —

Mohacces laps 5-32 53.58 -fs-2% ss pagent do... 63 to 9 64 to 9} 64 to 11

leaf, common to medium .-.....-. do... 9 to 11 9 to 11 | 9 to 14

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .-.-..-.-. do... 8} to 103 8h to 103) 93 to 11%

low middling to good middling .-.do.-- 2 to 13 113 to 123] 123 to 133
CINCINNATI.

MlouT, SUPSENNG..£ 625 oe ceca oes <a 350 to 375 | 350 to 390
CE) aa a i ee eee, a ae 425 to 4 60 400 to 4 60
damaly ANG TANCY...-.225----staweas 5 00 to 8&8 00 490 to 750

Meleatawinber, TEd 0. «<<< nseaep -S<- 4s 112 to 1 30 Pistol a oo

hill, (amber) 125 to 135; —— to 138
WUE 6 «anne Sassen ania 140 to 145 138 to 1 48

LUE PSR a ee re 2 tale 70 to 78 73 to oa

BROW 2 oss5 ou coecasseneenmas= ock'n eines os 40 to 115 65 to 1 23

CTS SH RE PPS I ape Re | Se ee 44 to 46 49 to 51

ROIS se See eno anee eect emesis sc ob eee ick 30 to 40 33 to 43

AT PROORN OL Sone Sec acl wen ca oe ch os 15 00 to 18 00} 15 00 to 18 00

lower grades ...-..---- plea as 8 00 to 14 00 6 00 to 10 00

TRB TOIBRN ec 5c ek cae eee Sebo week we 22 25 to 22 45 | 2300 to — —

BIN ee ae retina od athe eee me per lb.. 123 to 133 123 to 133] 133 to 14
PSMUbET OUOICE 22 Fai 22 aise ones as 2 sewn 26 to 30 27 to 30 33 to 35
PLUMNO) 45-5 aoe =o 22 to 25 25 to 27 — to 30
Cheese, prime to choice ..-.-.----.......- 2 to 13 12 to 13 13 to 13$
Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good jato | 8 Tito 83} 7% to 83
Prime). 225-52 - 2 2n~ =. 8} to 9 83 to 9 8} to 9

TRADHCGD) LUGS 5 = ones Santo ao ae Spe’ =~ Sa 15 to 20 — to _ — to —
OSE = 5 o5h)e aa supa ceaens och ahs oe 28 to 30 — to — — to _

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary 83 to 10 8 to 94) 9 to 103
ow middling to good middling....do. .. 113 to 13 11 to 123 113 to 134

Wool, fleece, common to fine 38 to 43 38 to 43 38 to 43
imbawashed 2.5 =< -<-sn5---5.52--- 43 to 48 43 to 48 43 to 48
unwashed, clothing......... 25 to 30 25 to 30 28 to 30

combing . 34 to 38 34 to 38 | 34 to 38
713 1277 RP pele eee See BP ae 31 to 37 31 to 37 | 35 to 37
CHICAGO,

Flour, choice winter extras ...-....... per bbl..| 650 to 7 50 6 50 to 750 650 to 7 50
common to good winter extras....-. do... 475 to 5 50 475 to 5 50 475 to 5 50
spring extras, common to good ...-. do... 400 to 475 400 to 475 400 to 4 90
choice spring extras...---.......--. do... 500 to 525 5 00 to 5 25 500 to 5 25
Patens Spring : ose <ceaclsnececs--- do..-.| 650 to 7 25 650 to 7 25 650 to 725
spring superfines...-....-..--.----- dos...) _ 3.00) ‘to’ 3°50 300 to 3 50 300 to 3 50

Whoeat,.No.d springs +... es- 3. - per bush..| Nomiual .....--. Nominal ........ Nominal.

No? Apres otha. cehcleo soe west do.... 973 to 983 9734 to 98 104 to 104
NOS Sprints Sok eo So Se dos 2 76 to 774 80 to 82 88} to 90
Rye, No. 2..-... Pe. ios: tose eae dos. 2: 67 to 673 61 to 62 64 to 68

126

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles,

Cricaco—Continued.

eh. ae eee eee ee

TE DLS Sh) 5 Se A 5 eee: ee
prime mess.......--------

. extra prime
LD A AE ar eecrar mc
Butter, choice to fancy..-.--------------- d

medium to good.....--..-..-.---.
Cheese, good to choice factory
Sugar, New Orleans, common to prime. ..do..-.

Wool, tub-washed..............-.......-. do-2..
fleece-washed........-...-....----- dovze-
unwashed -....-- oR Sees Mase poses do. --
jibe Tae ol OR Sie pe SS Be do...

SAINT LOUIS.

Flour, winter, common to choice ..-.. per bbl..
BPI 22h 54. tee c scare neta wee meas do...

Wheat, white winter ...--..--.--.--- per bush...

TOWER DGG sete sae nal eee eae d

Sow ie A Pale Se tee ee ese
CU RARE ERE: oraein saat ARPA re
Rye --2--- e-2--- ---- 2 ene ene eee e ene

Barley, fair to choice
CEA ee ee See Ss

Beef, mess

Pork, mess. -..
SEG ATMs See tere en Sei sade = a ae eo

Butter, prime to choice dairy .-.-.....-.. dole

country-packed..do....

Cheese, Ohio factory ..-.-.--------------- do---t

New York factory

Wool, tub-wushed----.. 2.2.2 0025....522.: eee

fleece-washed.....-......-....---.- Be

GT WaAHEG cope oe sae eee ee ee ee

. NEW ORLEANS.

TONG Srp bts a eee Bese see Soc per bbl.
ENGI 2 RBS? 9 see Ss 6 Se ete a Pe doz.
choice to fancy.----..-2..5....- apse ee

Corn, white and yellow... -..--......-.- per bush. -

LEIS Sah I ete d

Hay, choice

prairie .-

Beef, Kansas .-........-

KEGXSO oo 2 hae ee ee eee ee aero
WESPORID +. 20 ssn sen Seles cos dee aed do...
Fulton market.........--.-- per half-bbl..

Ten ey Go eS Sere Sea oeee ee per bbl.-

1 Ns 6 ee FSA E eae is

Butter, choice Goshen ......-........-...-

Guoice western «- ..22..25 2.42.2

Cheese, choice western factory

New York Cream...22. 2.2.25.

Sugar, fair to fully fair ......-............
prime to strictly prime re
clarified, white, and yellow...-.-.-. do...

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .---...-. oss;

low middling to good middling ...do-.-...

AGS 127 0° ye ToT ER BE Ss eae rite se

low leaf to medium leaf......... aos

SAN FRANCISCO.

per cental. .|
dos)

February.

ee OTT
wo-)-)

gS

Sun

eo oT OT
BSooovc
aanoooe

March.

$0 512 to $0

OT

RRR OO
bo a} a) +)

ou
saaans

12
9
9

10

21

53
42
314
00
00
00
00
674

April.
a
$0 60 to — —
46 to $0 47%
33% to 334
11 50 to 13 00
8 00 to 11 50
10 50 to 11 00
11 50 to 12 00
22 35 to — —~-
22 00 to — —
17 00 to — —
14 to — —
35 to 40
25 to 30
12 to 13
7 to 8?
44 to 53
40 to 44
25 to 33
30 to 40
350 to 750
= ia
100 to 1 35
1°03 to 1 52
= 1
41 to 46
50 to 70°
7 to 115
31 to 37
14 50 to 18 50
7 00 to 10 00
14 00 to 14 50
23 00 to 50
1iito 13
30 to 35
25 to 30
1to 13%
13 to 14
47 to, 48%
38 to 42
30 to 34
400 to — —
425 to 5 50
5. Totor 7.50
55 to 60
42 to 45
20 00 to — —
14 50 to 16 00
ae 28! Maphce
12 00 to 12 50
12 00 to 16 00
1175 to 12 00
24 00 to 24 50
l4tto 15%
40 to 42
30 to — —
1%te — —
14 to — —
7t to 1% -
74 to 7g
9 to 10
9 to 10%
113 to 14%
5} to 7
8 to 104
425 to 500
5 25 to 5 50
575 to 600
175 to 200
17% to 200
115 ‘to’ Pe

127

Market-prices of farm products—Continued.

Articles. February. March. April.

San Francisco—Continued.
0 $225] §210 to ¢2

Onta. 5. cie eee SN ee oy Pe he per cental..| $205 to $235] $205 t 2 50
iN Cac na eco nearest aa ce SS ee do... 12 to 1 35 115 to 1 2% 115 to 125
1 AE oe ee eee ee Sea aeeie sacie do....| 13 00 to 1850] 1200 to 18 00/ 1400 to 18 50
Pork, mess --.-- eens oie oe nee per bbl..} 22 00 to 23 00 | 22 00 to 2300} 2200 to 23 00
PLING MGS ss oncca as Oem ee die loses do..-.| 1750 to 18 00| 1750 to 1800] 17.50 to 18 00
DSGOP MGR = eens aot Soe ns pate ssbowe «oman do.... 8 50 to 10 00 8 50 to 10 00 8 50 to 10 00
Hany Mess . 2-85 2i S20. Io. per half-bbl..| 8 00 to 10 00 8 00 to 10 00 8 00 to 10 00

ati ee es ee een teen See Ee per lb... 13 to 15 13 to 15 134 to 15

‘Batier: overland...) se. vis 42. Fee slid do.... 18 to 25 18 to 25 16 to 18
@alitgrnia s-24. sc. se- AL esa do.... 25 to 30 25 to 30 25 to 30
Creponl ss, -t San cones ecco ase do... 20 to 224 20 to 223 20 to 224

Wiliease ie eso es “Scie ene eee St O-5- 124 to 15 124 to 15 123 to 15

DVIDE EL UGN sh. oes Se SS UE WS ee doe. 10 to 15 10 to 15 10 to 15

Galiformiian 39225. sas Ses. ce 285i doste. 15 to 19 15 to 19 15 to 18
SOTONOME See oactne fae Seat sso cme Ce = 18 to 20 18 to 20 16 to 18
LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.
_ NEW YORK.

Cattle, extra beeves .........-...... per cental..; — — to 1150) 1150 to 12 75 11 75 to 12 00
£000 bO Prime’. 22. Sanceste-===5 -no- do.-..| — — to 1100] — — to 11 50 — — to 1150
common to fair ........--.---.--.- do....| 800 to 10 00 900 to — — 9: 00°. to!
TERR GUH ee ace asta we Net dot p=) — | tot == fh. — fo, reat aes
THIGH COWS 2 <a dee anes per head..| 50 00 to 8500} — — to — — ne —

~ veal-calves ---per cental..} 700 to 10 50 700 to 10 50 —— to ——

S12) Se Spe nea ee REPS Es SSS en Jaa eee eee do... 550 to 7 37 5.35 to 737 675 to 7 87

STII SS ee ee Be a ee Reece nos do... 850 to 1050/ 10 12}to 10 50 10 25 to 10 75

PHILADELPHIA.

Cattle, prime beeves ..-...--.-.----- per cental..| 7124to 7 50 712to 725 700 to 775
SHE 60 POOKE Secon - seo ede nas coee doce: 550 to 7 00 5 50 to 7 00 5.75 to 6,75
OTNIN ON. ceawat nn =\eene eta ae eehe se do... 400 to 5 25 400 to 525 450 to 5 50

RUN seeeie ene ee eae a eave tee ae ate do....| 575 to 7 00 450 to 700 500 to 7 75

Swale COPMtOU. 225 292 osc. Jase Foss do... 10 QO to 11 50} 1150 to 12 50 12 50 to 13 75

BALTIMORE.

Cattle, best beeves .......--....---- per cental..| 587 to 6 50 575 to 6 374 612 to 6 50
first qality.----- 28355 ee BAS sek dos. 475 to 575 475 to 5 75 512 to 612
medium or good quality .-......-. do..-.| 37 to 47 425 to 475 450 to 512
SSPUSHEDN = foes onsets ee an ob ete do..-.| 300 to $8 50 300 to 4 00 350 to 400
general average of the market....do....| 450 to — — 4 87ito — — 5 37 to — —
most of the sales.......--. Gah ee Ss do....| 400 to 525 4 374to 5 25 475 to 5 8&7
SUICH-CUWH) +27 -seusoecde dee cee do....| —— to ——| —— to —— —— to ——

SLOG Ca ELSA Se Oe eee do... 450 to 6 50 450 to 750 500 to 7 50

WW UIGe ee Sette ce da nta eee daca ee cakapoee a do... 950 to 10 50; 10 75 to 12 00 10 50 to 12 00

CINCINNATI.

Cattle, good to prime, butchers’ steers, per

anual ee ese esol oe. he othe ao eee yaneoe 5 00 to 5 50 475 to 5 00 4% to 52%
fair to medium.-.:s....-.-.... per cental..| 400 to 4 75 350 to 4 50 375 to 4 50
Gommon sy. 4s Ss iSh Utes oa. cL See do....| 27 to 3.7% 275 to 325 300 to 3 50
MATLOMECOWA S © sua gabe da cas tee ot do..... — — to ——/} —— to — — —— to ——
Weal Cal Vow o4 2202 -cteue sas eua ss dow..| — — to ——-} — —'‘to — — —— to ——
UGE cee see era cok. stehumae sac watwes do... 325 to 6 00 375 to 6 00 400 to 600
SWING eee tease eee candace mae sible do... 740 to 8 35 740 to 8 35 723 to 8 60

CHICAGO.

Cattle, extra graded steers......--.. per cental... — — to 650| —— to ——| —— to ——
choles beeves’s...55-...024..\00504 do....| 500 to 5 50 500 to 5 50 500 to 550
POUR DECVER cacewsaatee sss fen. 5 E33 ado. .2:)) 435 to 4% 400 to 475 440 to 480
Meda. 22 es ee ssc S ES do:s.. 412kto 425 350 to 375 420 to 440
INfEFiOY Mata VES | ca su Soe sac sum lees do... 280 to 400 300 to 3 50 250 to 350
"PORATE Fi. See. Sareea ee SS do....| —— to —-—| —— to ——| —— to ——

SHGEP 2 docsescass ease a shesewod 2 Sea Oe ee dow 400 to 5 50 400 to 600 450 to 775

Swime.2-..2--ss- Se ae ah eS ae ee do....| 725 to 7 80 750 to 8 30 800 to 87

hs 128

Live-stock markets~ Continued.

Articles. February. March. April.
SAINT LOUIS.

Cattle, good to choice native steers..per cental..| $5 25 to $6 00| $5 25 to $550! $5 25 to $5 50
common to fair natives...-.-...--- do....| 3.00 to.4 25 300 to 4 25 300 to 4°25
inferior to common.....--..------- dob.) 2100 | fo} 4325 2.00 to 3 25 200 to 3 25

. Texan, fair toichoice. -- 2-05. 5.42-'3 do.-' 300 to 4 25 300 to 4 50 300 to 4 50

Sheep -2-becoa ows Cees sees 2 MP a Sb da. 275 to 5 50 275 to 5 50 2715 10.4 Seo

SWAG ett cnc am a cae ait tesa ahis bags cae 4 dow = \psae iD t0\c7 25 740 to 810 750 to 8 50

Horses, plags 2.220 l2sl.2 J. estes we! per head.-}| 3000 to 4000] 3000 to 5000} 3000 to 50 00
Plans 5. . ost olgte cess beh a. Ee RS do..-.| 60 06 to 75 00] 60 00 to 75 00 60 00 to 75 00

REPCOECdT o tetanieactan cra vee G do....| 75 00 t0125 00} 75 00 to125 00 | 75 00 to125 00
heavy draught ...-....-----.----- do....| 115 00 to 125 00 | 115 00 to 125 00 | 115 00 to125 00
OOM ATIVENS 4ofy- -5.. 5565 F--ad ony do....| 100 00 to 150 00 |} 100 00 to15Q 00 | 100 00 to 150 00
Seg HT We Spaaied pn Repent Se sl A gi ca do....| 175 00 to 200 00 | 175 00 to 200 00 | 175 00 to 200 00
auction horses and ponies .....--. do..-.| 25.00 to 4500] 2500 to 45 00/ 2500 to 45 00

Mules, 14 to 15 hands high................ do....| 80 00 to130 00 80 00 to130 00 80 00 to 120 00
15 to 16 hands high.. 22222) 22222. do,...| 130 00 to 170 00 | 130 00 to170 00 | 115 00 to 170 00
OXDAlser bb> be. we dceiaciet ot seen do....| 175 00 to 200 00 | 175 00 to200 00 | — — to — —

NEW ORLEANS.
Cattle, Texas beeves, choice..-........ per head..; — — to 40900] — — to 4000! — — to 40 00
first quality ........ do....| 3000 to 3500} —— to 3500] — — to 35 00
second quality..-..- do....}| 2000 to 25 00 | — — to 30 00/| — — to 30 00
western beeves .222-.-- 222 per cental..| — — to — — 400 to 500 400 to 5 50
Milcheows W263. 3.) AGL AS: per head..| 40 00 to 9000] 4000 to 90 00} 70 00 to 90 00

SHED haste ek oe OS cng septate daee <n sta do... < 200 to 6 00 200 to 6 00 200 to 600

Swiie 2s see ee} Se a aa per cental 6 00 to 8 00 6 00 to 8 50 600 to 8 50

Horses, good combined..-...-------.. per head..| 150 00 to200 00 | 150 00 to200 00 | —— to — —

DIGGS yes connie Savsccees +s Seek a do..-.| 100 00 to0150 00 | 100 00 to150 00| — — to — —
COMMON. ois Was etA A Nes bn Date mo do....; 4000 to 8000} 4000 to 8000| —— to — —

Mules, well-broken, first-class -.........-- do....| 225 00 to275 00 | 225 00 to275 00| — — to — —

second-class.....-.--- do....| 175 00 to 225 00 | 175 00 to225 00 | — — to — —

FOREIGN MARKETS,

, WHEAT.—Considerable uneasiness was created in England by the long
continuance of rain at a time when drying winds were most needed and
usually looked for. The conditions of growth at the close of March had
become more favorable, but still there was anxiety lest the long continu-
ance of wet weather in spring should greatly retard the harvest. Spring
sowings are generally completed by the middle of March, and any post-
ponement necessitated by bad weather causes apprehension in regard
to spring-grain, postponing its ripening beyond its normal season.
The approach of warm weather, it was hoped, would enable winter-
wheat to recover from the check which had been given to vegetation in
general. France and Germany complain still more loudly of severe
weather accompanied by destructive inundations. These adverse influ-
ences have caused a rise in prices, inasmuch as they betoken a decreased
European crop. Buyers are operating with greater confidence, while
sellers are becoming less anxious to push their stocks upon the market.
This improvement in prices is general through Europe, especially in the
metropolitan and larger principal markets. In London a considerable
trade in low-priced Indian, American, and Russian wheats for export
had sprung up. Good inquiry was reported at Odessa for continental
shipment. English leading markets, at the close of March, were but
scantily supplied with native wheat, and prices had advanced at
rates varying from 2s, to 4s. per quarter. The sales of English wheat
during the week ending March 25 amounted to 45,047 quarters, at 42s.
9d. per quarter against 67,153 quarters, at 41s. 9d., during the correspond-
ing week of 1875. The London averages were 44s. 4d. on 2,375 quarters.

/

129

The imports into the United Kingdom during the week ending March
18 were 467,681 cwts. In Mark Lane, London, Essex, and Kent, white
brought 40s. to 52s. per quarter; ditto, red, 38s. to 47s.; Norfolk, Lincoln-
shire, and Yorkshire, 41s. to 50s. Of foreign wheats, Dantzig, mixed,
was quoted at50s.@55s.; Konigsberg, 49s.@d4s.; Rostock, 50s.@53s.; Pom-
eranian, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark, red, 46s.@49s.; Ghirka, 42s.@48s. ;
Russian hard, 45s.@47s.; Saxonska, 46s.@50s.; Danish and Holstein, red,
46s.@49s.; American, red, 45s.@54s.; Chilian, white, 51s.; Californian,
51s.; Australian, 52s.@54s.

At Liverpool, British white brought 9s. 9d. to 10s. 2d. per cental ; ditto,
red, 9s. 5d. to 9s. 10d.; Canadian, white, 10s. 2d. to 10s. 6d.; red club
and golden drop, 9s. 9d. to 10s. 2d.; American, white, 10s. 4d. to 10s. 6d.;
ditto, red winter, 8s. 2d. to 10s. 8d.; No. 1, Minnesota, 9s. 9d. to 10s. 2d. ;
spring, No. 1, 9s. 8d. to 10s.; No. 2, 8s. 9d. to 9s. 10d.; French, 9s. 4d. to
9s. Td.; Indian, 8s. to 9s. 9d.; Egyptian, 7s. 6d. to 9s. 6d.; Californian,
10s. 3d. to 11s.; Oregon, 10s. 9d. to 11s.; Australian, 10s. 9d. to 11s. In
France the average of the regional markets, as stated March 23, was
23.53 franes per quintal, a rise of 0.26 franc from the previous week.

FLOouUR.—Flour has sympathized with wheat in buoyancy of prices.
The imports into the United Kingdom during the week ending March
18 were 76,869 cwts., against 120,645 cwts. the week previous. In
Mark Lane the best town-households bring 38s.@47s. per sack of 280
pounds; the best country-households, 33s.@36s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, old,
.28s.@30s. The only foreign wheat quoted by our authority in this mar-
ket is the American, 24s.@27s. per barrel of 196 pounds. In Liverpool,
English and Irish superfines, 36s.@38s. per 280 pounds; extra, 39s.@41s. ;
French, 39s.@46s. 6d.; Trieste, 50s.@56s.; Chilian, 34s.@35s.; Californian,
36s.@38s.; American, western and extra State, 23s.@25s. per barrel;
Baltimore and Philadelphia, 23s.@26s.; Ohio and extra, 24s.@26s.;
Canadian, 24s.@27s.

Ma1ze.—In Mark Lane, London, white maize was quoted at 30s.@32s. ;
yellow, 27s.@28s. per quarter. In Liverpoo!, American, white and mixed,
brought 27s. to 29s. 6d. per 480 pounds; Galatz, 32s.; Dari, 23s. 9d.
to 24s.

NOTE ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.—Our American bushel is the
same as that which in England is known as the Winchester bushel. An
imperial English bushel is equal to 1.03152 Winchester bushels, a dif-
ference of about 3 per cent. In the London markets grain is quoted by
the quarter, equal to 8 imperial or to 8.25216 Winchester bushels. In
Liverpool grain is marketed by weight instead of bulk, using the cental
of 100 pounds. Flour, for some reason, is bought and sold in England
in parcels of 280 pounds. In London maize is quoted in quarters; in
Liverpool, in parcels of 480 pounds; American flour is the only flour
marketed in barrels of 196 pounds each; California barrels contain 200
pounds, or two centals, each. Sometimes flour imported into the United
Kingdom is designated by hundredweights, (cwts.,) each of which is
one-twentieth of the “long” ton of 2,240 pounds. In California the
‘“‘ short” ton, equal to 20 centals, or 2,000 pounds, is universally used.
East of the Rocky Mountains both the long and the short ton are used,
but for different measurements. A shilling in English money is equal
to 25 cents

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MAY AND JUNE, 1876.

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CONTENTS.

Page
CENTENNIAL EXHIBITS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE....-...-...----- 133
EMAIL INAH Se oie one al nanan da sie nen ona es vataldes cor sean) sam aae 134
MRNA ene ees an colcaicn, este iaattan Sade aie nian aes celetn este a olviaciocrals 136
PeerO NIAMS OTOUNUS oo (-0 08s wicleic/ceretn nine eta Nninn os wicle cidelcies SAO BERD EOC SSaC 137
DMS tae Sas onic sei miamien = suaideamna wine sal saciaomes’aes siseleeear 137
REECE VIBIOMN 2 2\57 2 ive ote\a lamin ta: s Suaiscaiat aw gas ceieige Seale aes koe ae 137
SMMC ABest io aera vont de cnc cianm ee minw on eeaisainmts ah de eas acincpmaane meee 143
STArISTICs :
OOD -TBnaIns OT UNO. sone oman «5 a50/<aa--seeanomnatsdece sores 160
BeManOL WG dbc ie tes, sce cine seat icee ceca a acicse aisles oem aie a sere welnene a meeye 160
REE IRICEN Ce. oe aie ea pte wan iaw ewe wo ae Hoan aa w'ichiemaindalenobessace 166
Peasitas itera ee rtane cies sees ei onne ste Sackieclswe sacee See seo Blecog Ubi
OE no ae Sree pS a SS ne ee St 169
Ne PERN Atala cysts od wid am Salama aa naihemd emsons vce ce aclaced)ecmeeniee 71
en ONE ee ae ae ap cine se onsen cae sals coda ke A aceneounecemesione cee 172
Set ee eo naws den cl ae neceveciacsnathet ac cos ane-ctnecnehecteiees 172
ME Eaters te a ts le ie Seis oe cca cass waweaepnu a ceeatecameeee Be ily:
RSE ee oe ct hele doladnino tases opcceciace ved, cnwn!ndaapectnenenemeee 173
oe nee 2 a a ee ert a) ORES Poo 176
MEE SIORAT ORIN TAQIARB ORs, dacnuwwic cet owe dt acccct nwaces sclemdacnmeceieoeet 181
I eee ten Paci a ie ierateiaii rn) eine oso uw aids eye aint achat’ ceteris S08 Be 181
pheep..--- Bearer ivigcmeminte en tevcu nem saas cde scat ce ns colaemete nce naeermeemeee 182
Tables showing condition of crops, &c., June 1, 1876..--.. 2.22. -eee eeee ee 183
ame THON COLTERONGONED «6 roi. bee code sacaseicdn ee saccue succes seceen 185
PPP BRL VATION SOUPCON 50 Jodha chan whadcsee sAcase <c oa steesaneceewee 198
femeeer prices Of farMm-progducis. ..5....- 222 .cssms---%-<necsecces basse eis cai 207
MERIAL THEREON SS core Gc ioah oa wne snwccls aud avetmaar aut ode anaeneluanee a ll
EMER ATEN te toot 8 2 Oil ond oon a Sane ees bE Gok aoa’ id ccalse eats 213

By THE COMMISSIONER:

ERE NSIDEE. ERIE Ss oon. wo aie tiniaicio wale ape ants sina a oid aeia's pee eee 191

CHEMISTRY :

Peper e MRM EIM OFAN aes seas. = eae ee a, Seen e ce rn ee Seas oe ete eos oe ee 192

MICROSCOPY :

PPE TSTE MES OLN NTOS ca ain sas > i wtcaln = Bail nae Sigie oo aula ca owes eee eet 196

LIST OF DIAGRAMS.

Page
eer A Wheat CONSUMpPtON.. .. .2. Jawenn cocnce coon ccceas coccceuccue 145
Umer odneh Of Cor per capita, crop Of 1869... 2 6.26. ccses cose ween coccdes 146
3. Product of wheat per capita, crop of 1869.............---. icisd wine he shore 147
4. Area of wheat—proportions sown and drilled respectively........ emai 148
5. Corn and wheat exports of fifty years—1825 to 1875......-.2--- seee eee 150
6. Cotton-crop of ten years—effect of quantities upon values .........-..- 153
7. Aggregate product of wheat, corn, oats, and potatoes—effect of quantity
FO lala a ee ci one wae sidlattou cise Sane wacaiecnckvncceome 54
Se eR INOM BEV OLE VOATH 0. 4. acccede vaccus soweca cnws cocgep ewe 155
9. Aggregate value of farm-animals—average from 1866 to 1874.......--.- 156

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of eyitoutiani bas gnitzoreial bos dnomdsisqeC odd of oldstinets
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ri
.

MONTHLY REPORT.

STATISTICAL DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, D. C., June 20, 1876.

Sir: I respectfully report for publication a description of the exhibits
made by the Department of Agriculture at the Centennial Exhibition ;
a report of the condition of the crops in June, with estimates of areas
planted; and sundry minor statistics.

J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.

Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.

The participation of the Government in the greatest exhibition of
the age, and the prominence of an interest in which half the people of
this nation are directly engaged, render necessary positive and efficient
effort of the Department of Agriculture to illustrate national resources,
production, and progress in rural arts. With a regard for economy
more in accordance with the demand of the times than with the import-
ance of the subject or occasion, the Department’s proportion of the first
appropriation for the Government building and Department exhibits
was but a tenth of all, and of the second, nothing. The allotment of
space, 6,400 feet, 160 by 40, was ample for the limited means available
for filling it, and it was duly divided into sections to afford opportunity
to the several divisions of participating in the Exhibition. The result,
as seen in the collection at Philadelphia, has secured a favorable pre-
liminary verdict, both of press and people, and is acknowledged to be
highly creditable to the Department and interesting and instructive to
the visitors, native and foreign.

As a current record of Department work, to utilize and perpetuate
which the monthly report was established, a brief description of these
exhibits is presented, which will also serve to direct the inquiries of the
casual visitor to points of personal or general interest, and to systema-
tize the laborsof the press reporter, to guide his pencil orrefresh his mem-
ory, for the benefit of that great class of American farmers who cannot
personally inspect the exhibits.

The location of the Department in the Government building is in the

134

transept which projects southwestwardly from the center of the building,
one side of which is occupied by the Post-Office Department. The vari-
ous branches and specialties of the Department service are represented
more or less fully in the collection.

ENTOMOLOGICAL DIVISION.

The division of entomology, as organized and conducted, involves the
curatorship of the Agricultural Museum, which has been increasing in
its attractions during the past ten years. It occupies in the Depart-
ment a hall 102 by 52 feet, and in the Centennial allotment a space of 60
by 40 feet. The material of the various lines of exhibit is only in part
from this museum, being in some of them almost entirely from new col-
lections ; and the arrangement, with new cases and fixtures and other
accessories of exhibition, is more complete and systematic than in the
old collection. The entomologist and curator, Townend Glover, makes
a valuable exhibit in economic entomology of insects arranged with ref-
erence to the plants or products they infest, and also presents his illus-
trated catalogue of insects, nearly three hundred copper-plates engraved
by his own hands, illustrating by figures insects of all orders in ento-
mology. The exhibits of the museum he assigned to the assistant ento-
mologist, Charles R. Dodge, whose collections of grains, textile fibers,
and paper material, are of great interest and practical value. These
divisions use sixteen cases, four of which illustrate the cereals and
tobacco; three are occupied with fibers, four with fruits, one with insects,
and four with insectivorous birds and domestic poultry.

These classes of objects are an ascending series, beginning with the
products of the earth, as grains, fruits, tobacco, cotton or wool; next,
the insects which prey upon them and blast the hopes of patient labor ;
and, third, the birds which restore the balance, and render successful
production possible by limiting the depredations of the countless hordes
of insect spoilers.

The arrangement of the products of agriculture is based upon a1
equally natural system. First, the raw material, its specific kind and
the geographical range of each; then its manufactures in regular series,
from the slightest manipulation to the most skillful mechanical pro-
cesses and their ultimate results, whether in tissue, texture, or other
form of completed elaboration.

The first case in the collection displays about one hundred and fifty
specimens of tobacco, one hundred samples in the leaf from eighteen
States, including the popular named varieties in different modes of
curing, ranging in quality from the cheap shipping qualities to fancy
cigar-wrappers worth $4 per pound. Samples are also shown illustrat-
ing the manufacture of smoking and chewing tobacco in all its special-
ties. Specimens are labeled to show the State in which they are grown.

There are three cases for the display of about nine hundred samples
of grain, comprising a collection of various cereals, selected expressly
for the exhibition by agents of the Department, arranged in glass jars
a foot in height, and so placed that a comparison of well-known varie-
ties from different States can easily be made; next, one hundred and
twenty-five samples of Indian corn, displayed in the ear upon black
tablets, and arranged for comparison of differences between northern
and southern grown corn, and equal variations and contrasts of varie-
ties grown upon the same line of longitude. To make the grain colec-
tion complete, upward of one hundred samples of manufactured products
of cereals are shown, illustrating processes of manufacture in great

135

variety, including recent remarkable improvements, and the faney
products, once sought only by the epicure, which are rapidly making
their way to all well-supplied tables.

The collection of fibers, poth textile and paper-making, if not exhaust-
ive, is representative, and broadly illustrative of these important
branches of mechanical, extension of the raw material. About five
hundred samples of wool are shown, representing the principal breeds
established in this country, with their crosses of every grade. Though
a majority of the samples havea growth of but ten months, they are
generally fine specimens, making an. exceedingly interesting exhibit.
The system of illustrating processes of manufacture by a series of their
products enables the farmer to see, in any style of piece-goods, shawls,
carpets, or flannels, the particular grade of wool which enters into its
composition and the various processes by which the special result is
accomplished. In the cotton collection there are about one hundred and
twenty samples, showing the principal known varieties cultivated, both
inlint and seed... Here the processes of manufacture are likewise shown,
from the raw material, through all its ten or twelve changes, to the manu-
factured fabric, as well.as.the numerous varieties of fabrics made from
this textile. Flax and jute are shown in the same case. A great variety
of miscellaneous fibers, including silk, ramie, flax, cotton, hemp, ascle-
pias, and many of the fibers from the far West, of little utility in manu-
facture, and yet interesting as showing the resources of the country, are
also presented.

A yaluable collection of paper materials, avout one hundred samples,
exhibits, from the raw material to finished paper, the manufacture: of
bogus, scrap, and rope manila, straw, book and colored paper, flat and
linen. paper, besides a number of kinds of material not in general use,
such as okra, spartina, ramie, yucca, aud others. Wasp-paper is shown
as a sample of the first manufacture of paper—by the present process—
from wood.

The exhibit of models of fruit and vegetables, made of plaster painted
in oil-colors, fills four cases and a part of two others. In all it com-
prises nearly three thousand specimens, illustrating about one thousand
varieties of the apple, six hundred of the pear, fitty of the potato, be-
sides plums, cherries, melons, pumpkins, and roots. The amount of
space allotted was not sufficient for the display of the entire collection.
The apples include several specimens of each of the standard varieties,
like the Baldwin, Noi thern Spy, etc., to show the characters assumed by
the same kind when grown in different parts of the country. There are
also some of the distinctively southern apples, such as the Hilton, Nick-
ajack, Shockley, etc. Among the pears is a small collection of some
varieties new or little known, from original specimens contributed by
Hilwanger & Barry. The miscellaneous models are samples of seed-
ling strawberries grown by the Department; twelve different kinds of
melons, including all that are usually raised for market ; a large pump-
kin, the original of which weighed 122 pounds; and numerous vegetables
from Northwest Minnesota and other remote parts of the country.

The collection of economic entomology, filling twenty-four glass-coy-
ered drawers or boxes, occupies one high case next to the collection of
small birds. Over one thousand specimens are exhibited, and these
are arranged, not according to their classification, into families, genera,
&e., but with regard to the food-plant, or more particularly the farm-
product injured or destroyed by them. Thus, under the head of potato
the various insects known. to injure the plant, in root, stalk, leaf, or
fruit, are shown from, egg to perfect insect, when practicable, accom-

136

panied with samples illustrating the mode of injury. Thus, cotton
tobacco, corn and other cereal products, the cucurbitaceous plants and
plants of the kitchen-garden, fruit-trees, shade and forest trees, are all
represented by the various insect-pests preying upon them. Other
cases illustrate the insect-pests of man and cattle, the foes of the house-
hold and the larder, the silk-producing insects, and the gall-makers,
while others show the principal insects that are beneficial to mankind,
either by destroying noxious species or in the capacity of scaven-
gers. The collection is not, by any means, complete, but forms the
nucleus of a strictly ‘economic collection of entomology,” which to the
farmer is of more practical value than any other method of arrange-
ment that can be adopted.

In addition to the above, a collection of three hundred colored plates
op copper are shown, on which upward of seven thousand figures of
the injurious and beneficial insects of the United States are illustrated.

Having referred to the various lines cf production presented in the
museum, and to the insects that prey upon it, we naturally come, in ac-
cordance with the classification adopted, to the third branch of the
collection, the cases containing birds,-intended to exhibit to the farmer
such as are beneficial, as destroyers of obnoxious insects, as well as
those which feed upon his fruits and grains more or less exclusively.
The character of the birds is indicated in each case by the mark upon the
perch or label, white indicating purely insectivorous birds, black those
of wholly pernicious habits, and both colors the relative proportion of
each element in those possessing more or less marked proclivities for a
mixed diet of insects and fruits in their season. <A little box in close
juxtaposition to each affords the means of judging of these character-
istics by an exhibit of the dried contents of a full stomach—evidence
very strong, if not conclusive, in each case.

The cases containing poultry are intended to show to poultry-fanciers
and farmers true type-specimens of the various breeds, mounted by the
taxidermist so as to exhibit prominently the peculiarity of each breed
as to size, form, and color, so that the farmer, when he buys a new
Joreed, can ascertain whether it is true to name, and judge whether it is
what he wants for his own locality or to improve his old stock, The
collection includes all the principal varieties, both native and foreign.
There is also a collection of pigeons, and about thirty specimens of
ducks, representing the crosses between the common domesticated and
the malard.

BOTANICAL DIVISION.

The collection of the botanist, George Vasey, is confined to forest-pro-
ducts. It presents nearly a complete exhibit of the forest-trees of the
United States. There are about four hundred species and varieties,
each represented by sections of the trunk and corresponding botanical
specimens of the foliage, flowers, and fruit. The sections are two feet
long, in two pieces, one showing the outer surface of bark and the other
sawed longitudinally and dressed to show the character of the grain and
wood. Above each section, inclosed in a frame, is the corresponding
botanical specimen of foliage, flowers, and fruit. This collection was
obtained through twelve collectors in different parts of the Union. The
. greatest care has been taken to have all the specimens authentic and
true to name. It is a remarkable and striking display of the forest-
wealth of our country. There are fifty species of sémi-tropical trees of
Southern Florida, including five species new to our flora. There.are twen-
ty-five species from Texas, and thirty species from Southern California

137

and Ar‘zona, including some of the rarest and most interesting trees ot
that country, particularly the tree Yuccas and a recently-kuown Palm.
There are fifty species from the Pacific slope of California, and ten or
twelve from Oregon, and thirty from the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Cali-
fornia, including large sections of some of the noblest coniferous trees of
the world, such as the Sugar-Piné, the Douglas Spruce, the Silver Fir,
and others. From the mountains of Utah and Colorado there are twenty-
five to thirty species. From Illinois and the Western States, fifty; from
Vermont, twenty; from Virginia, fifty, most of which were obtained
from the old Mount Vernon estate of General Washington. The South-
ern States, exclusive of South Florida, contribute about ninety species.
The Oak family is represented by thirty species, including the famous
live-oak of the South, the various white and black oaks, both ofthe
eastern and western portions of the continent. The Pine family is also
represented by thirty species, of which more than half are peculiar to
the Rocky Mountains and western coast. Of Spruces there are sixteen
species. and of other conifers about twenty.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS.

The superintendent of gardens and grounds, William Saunders, who
is also in charge of the Department collections at the Centennial, ex-
hibits a plan of the grounds of the Department at Washington, with a
catalogue chart of the different orders represented in the Arboretum,
and sundry photographic views of different sections of the grounds,

MICROSCOPY.

The exhibit of the microscopist, Thomas Taylor, consists of about five
hundred water-color drawings, the larger proportion representing the
leading types of the genera of microscopic fungi; another section of the
exhibit presents the results of original investigation upon chemical tests
for flax, cotton, ramie, silk, wool, hair, and both animal and vegetable
cellulose; and still another series, illustrating the principal vegetable
starches to the number of about one hundred varieties. . These draw-
ings present highly magnified views of all these microscopic objects,
including those most important in economic mycology, especially the
fungi commonly known as molds, so destructive to vegetation.. The
edible and poisonous mushrooms are distinguished in one class of these
drawings. The mycologist proposes to make a collection of all the
known edible mushrooms of the United States, of which descriptions
will from time to time appear in the Monthly Report.

CHEMICAL DIVISION.

The chemist of the Department, William McMurtrie, presents the
following description of his exhibits:

Agricultural chemistry may be defined to be the study of the chemical properties and
relations of soils and fertilizers, and of those agricultural and horticultural products
resulting from their manipulation, the value of which depends upon their chemical
composition and the methods for the utilization of which involve chemical processes.
This may on some accounts be considered a somewhat comprehensive definition, but it
embraces only such matters as legitimately fall within its scope, and it covers the
ground laid out by the chemical division of the Department of Agriculture for the col-
lection to be shown in the Government exhibit in the International Exhibition of 1876,
designed to illustrate the objects and ends of the division, viz, the collection and dis-
semination of information of agricultural interest and of a chemical character,

138

Following the general idea thus enunciated, the materials collected and at present on

exhibition in Philadelphia, are divided into two grand divisions, as follows:
1. Soils and fertilizers.

2. Vegetable products, the value of which depends upon their chemical composition,

and the methods for the utilization of which involve chemical processes. ;

In addition to the materials included in these two grand divisions, the collection
contains a series illustrative of the various steps involved in the manufacture of butter
and cheese. wine

The soils and fertilizers are appropriately grouped, as follows:

1. Soils from different geological formations.

2. Known rocks, with samples of the virgin soils formed from them by their disinte-
gration and decomposition.

3. Marls—a group which may be subdivided into caleareous or shell marls, green-
sand marls, and phosphatic marls.

4, Mineral fertilizers, consisting of phosphatic rocks and limestones.

5. Vegetable and animal fertilizers.

6. The combination of the natural fertilizers to produce the manufactured or artifi-
cial fertilizers and a series of specimens of these products found in American markets.

The soils from the geological formations of different ages were collected under the
supervision of Prof. George H. Cook, State geologist of New Jersey, and illustrate
very fairly the character of the soils common to the sections belonging to the several
formations represented.

The second subdivision ‘of soils—those formed directly from disintegration and de-
eomposition of rocks—consists of a series of virgin soils collected by Prof, E. L. Ber-
thoud, of Cation City, Colorado, each of which was taken from a large area of known
rocks with no opportunity of admixture with débris from breaking down of rocks of a
different character, and they give a fair representation of the soils which these rocks
are capable of producing, and their consequent agricultural value. Alongside of the
specimens of soils are fragments of the rocks from which they are formed.

The marls are rather limited in number, and consist of the varieties named above.

The greevsand mar] formations are found most extensively in New Jersey, but are by .

no means confined to that State alone. They may also be found in the recent geologi-
eal formations of very many of the States of the Atlantic coast south of New Jersey.
Their value, as is well known, depends upon the potash and phosphate of lime they
are able to furnish to the soil.

Phe marls, which are the more numerous of the recent geological formations, but
which are by no means as valuable as the greensand marls, are the calcareous or shell
marls, whose value depends almost entirely upon the carbonate of lime in a friable
condition they contain, and of which they are wholly or iu part composed.

The third class, which is far more limited with regard to its geographical distribu-
tion, embraces the phosphatic marls found in vicinity of the phosphatic rock deposits
near Charleston, S.C. They are taken from different depths below the surface, rang-
ing from 3 to 56 feet, and contain a fair percentage of phosphate of lime. Their value
depends upon the percentage of this important constituent, (which varies with the
depth from which they are taken,) and upon their mechanical condition, which is
favorable to their removal and application to the soil. They are by no means as yalu-
able, but are closely allied to the phosphatic rocks spoken of above, which constitute
the next group. These recks are represented by a series of specimens collected under
the supervision of Prof. C..U. Shepard, of Charleston, and embrace the two varieties
known as viver rock and land rock, terms depending upon the immediate locality from
which they are taken. ‘There is little difference in the chemical composition of these
two varieties, but there is a marked difference in the color of the rocks, as well as of
the fossils accompanying them. ‘The color of the river rock is very dark, while that
of the land roek is quite lig! t, and in the collection these two varieties, with the fossils
found in connection with them, are so arranged as to illustrate clearly these differ-
ences.

The vegetable and animal fertilizers which constitute the next group, while they are
not as extensive in point of quantity as those already named, are of no less relative
value. They consist of muck, peat, marsh-weeds, sea-weeds, cancerine, and fish scrap ;
pork cracklin, dried blood, and other refuse matters from the abbatoirs; and finally,
of the excrement of bats, large deposits of which are found quite widely distributed in
caves of many of the inland Southern States, and which bids fair to be a fruitful source
of fertilizing for the plantations of the South. A complete description of some of
these deposits, with the results of analyses of samples taken from them, will be found
in another part of this report.

The artificial fertilizers are made up by the combination, according to formule
adopted by the several manufacturers, of the natural fertilizers enumerated. Many
of those found in American markets, and indeed most of them, are improved by addi-
tion of materials obtained as by-products of manufacturing processes, or imported
from other countries. The method generally employed in this branch of manufacture

139

ig illustrated by a series;of products taken from the different stages of the progess as
carried on by the Pacific Guano Company of Boston and Charleston. The series con-
sists of specimens of raw rock, the crushed and ground rock, sulphur, niter, and sul-
phurie acid, the rock treated with acid, sulphate of ammonia, fish-scrap, Strassfurth
potash salts, and the mixture of the last four in the finished products.

This series is followed by another, consisting of samples of the products put upon
the markets by different manufacturers.

We now come to the second grand division of our collection, which is subdivided
into different groups as follows ;

1. Cereals and the products resulting from their utilization.

2. Materials illustrating the production of sugar.

3. Products illustrating the processes of fermentation and, distillation of amylace-
ous and saccharine substances.

. Products illustrating the preparation of tobacco for consumption.

. Tanning and dyeing materials.

. Materials resulting from the dry distillation of vegetable products.

. Production of vegetable oils.

. Preservation of fruits and vegetables, and vegetable products prepared for, food,
. Products of the American Materia Medica, and the active proximate principles
separated from them.

The utilization of cereals consists in the manufacture of flour, meal, and starch.

The manufacture of flour consists of the production of meal from the grain by
grinding, the separation of the flour (the amylaceous and glutinous constituents) from
the bran (cellulose) by sifting, and the further purification of the flour. by special
methods. These processes are illustrated by means of specimens of materials obtained
in the production of flour and meal from wheat, rye, corn, and buckwheat. The pre-
paration of the cereals for food by other methods is illustrated by specimens of the
finished products obtained by means of them. Among these products may be enumer-
ated hulled corn or samp, hominy, wheaten grits, steam-cooked and desiccated
grains, including wheat, barley, and oats, either in the whole grain, or the crushed
grain and meal. The further utilization of grain in the manufacture of starch consists
of the separation of the amylaceous constituent from the glutinous, and this is effected,
in two ways, by fermentation and by washing with dilute alkaline solutions. The
first method is the one more generally employed for manufacture of starch for laundry
purposes, sizing, and conversion into gums and starch substitutes. | The second method,
while it is also employed for manufacture of laundry starch, is particularly employed
in the purification of starch for the purposes of food.

The fermentation method is represented by a series of samples taken from different
stages of the process as carried on by O. A. Taft, jr., & Co., of Providence, R. 1.3 i e.,
meal, meal in process of fermentation, washed. starch, dried and fully erystallized
starch, and ground starch. Following these specimens are others representing manu-
facture of gums and starch substitutes from starch by various methods.

The washing process is represented by samples of finished products furnished by
Kingsford & Co., of Oswego, N. Y., and by Duryea & Co., of New York City; but speci-
mens from the intermediate stages are not shown, from the fact that the details of the
method employed are not made public. The collection also contains samples of starch
manufactured from potatoes.

The second group of this grand division contains samples of material designed to
illustrate the manufacture of sugar. The sources from which this important product
is obtained are the sugar-cane, the beet-root, and the sap of the sugar-maple.

The process of manufacture of sugar from, the cane, as carried on in this country,
cousists of four stages, viz: separation of the juice ; concentration of the juice; sepa-
ration of raw sugar by crystallization and filtration; purification of the raw sugar.
The samples exhibited in this group consist, therefore, of materials taken from the
different stages here named, and placed alongside the product from each stage of the
process of manufacture is a model of the machinery employed.

The beet-sugar industry is represented by manufactured products alone, on account
of the difficulty experienced in securing samples of the products resulting from the
process employed.

The production of maple-sugar is represented by samples of raw and purified sugar,
and by photographs of maple forest and concentrating-house, showing the methods of
collecting and concentrating the sap.

The third group represents the processes of fermentation and distillation for pro-
duction cf alcoholic liquors, and embraces two subdivisions, viz :

1. Alcoholic liquors produced by fermentation of amylaceous substances, (graivs.)

2. Alcoholic liquors produced by fermentation of saccharine substances, (fruits. )

These subdivisions may be still further divided into—

1. Products resulting from simple fermentation; and,

2. Products resulting from distillation of fermented materials.

Under the head of simple fermentation of amylaceous substances we have the pro-

CO O02 SD OS

140

duction of beer, ale, and porter, which is appropriately illustrated by means of samples ©
taken from different stages in the process of manufacture.

By distillation of fermented amylaceous substances we have the production of
whisky. This important branch of industry is represented by samples of grain gen-
erally employed in the manufacture, both in the raw state and as prepared for fermen-
tation; samples of the yeasts and mashes necessary to the production of different
varieties of whisky, and the fermented mashes or beer. Following these are the plans
of an American distillery and a model still, succeeded by the distillates in different
stages of concentration and rectification.

By fermentation of saccharine substances we have the production of wines; and
from distillation of the fermented products, brandy results. This branch of manufac-
ture is represented by samples of American wines and brandies.

The fourth group contains specimens intended to show the chemical changes involved
in the preparation of tobacco for consumption. These changes in the character of the
leaf for chewing and for snuff, consist in sweetening and fermenting, and the prodncts
necessary to the illustration of these changes are therefore shown.

Group 5 is one of great interest and importance in this country, and contains speci-
mens of the materials used for tanning and dyeing. The tanning materials consist of
samples of barks, herbs, and leaves. Among the herbs and leaves are those lately dis-
covered to be of value in this particular, viz, the Ephedra antisyphillitica and the
Polygonum amphibium. The manufacture of tanning extracts from hemlock and oak
barks, both for home consumption and for exportation, is represented by the barks,
the raw and the concentrated extract. The American dyes are represented by sam-
ples illustrating the manufacture of flavine from oak bark, indigo produced from na-
tive plants, and by barberry root, orchilla weed, cudbear, &c.

In the next group follows a series containing the products resulting from the dry
distillation of vegetable products. This group may be divided into two parts, viz,
distillation of wood for production of crude acetic (pyroligneous) acid and acetates ;
and distillation of pive-tree products for production of turpentine and rosin. The crude
acetates are used largely for mordants in the process of dyeing, and they are therefore
accompanied by specimens showing their application in calico-printing. They are
further used for the production of pure acetic acid. :

The pine-tree products consist of different grades of virgin dip, turpentine, rosin,
tar, and pitch, arranged in the order of their production.

The production of vegetable oils involves two processes—that of expression and that
of fractional distillation—necessary to the separation of fixed oils from seeds, and of the
essential or volatile oils from herbs and leaves. Of the fixed oils manufactured on a
large scale, and the production of which constitutes important branches of industry in
this country, we have three, viz, cotton-seed oil, linseed oil, and castor oil, and these
oils, with the waste material pertaining to their production, constitute Group 8 of the
second grand division.

The method for the production of oil from cotton-seed consists, essentially, of three
parts, viz, removing the hull, crushing the seed, and removal of the oil by pressure.
The production of oils from other seeds requires only the last two processes, the first
being unnecessary. The specimens in this group, therefore, necessarily consist of raw
seeds, decorticated or hulled seed, hulls, crushed seed or meals, raw oil-cake or resi-
due from the press, and refined oil. The cotton-seed series is accompanied by speci-
mens of the varieties of soap manufactured from the oil. Of the essential or volatile
oils, we have eighteen varieties manufactured from indigenous products, and samples
of each of these oils are found in this group.

Group 8 is intended to illustrate the methods employed for the preservation of fruits
and vegetables. Those most extensively in use in this country are hermetically seal-
ing, packing in sugar or sirup, and desiccation, and the specimens, consequently, con-
sist of fruits preserved by these methods. This group also contains a series of vege-
table products prepared for food by special methods, contributed by E. C. Hazard &
Co., New York City.

Group 9 contains a series of American drugs, consisting of specimens of herbs, roots,
and leaves, having medicinal properties, and are accompanied by their active proxi-
mate principles, (alkaloids, resins, or oils, as the case may be,) which have been sepa-
rated. This group was prepared under the direction of Prof. E. 8. Wayne, of Cincin-
nati, and contains some principles never separated before.

The collection illustrating the manufacture of butter and cheese is well described
in the following terms by Prof. G. C. Caldwell, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.,
who has had charge of the preparation and analysis of the samples:

“The collection for the illustration of the manufacture of the products of the dairy,
prepared and analyzed at the laboratory of agricultural chemistry in Cornell University
at the request of the Department of Agriculture, and placed in its exhibit at the Cen-
tennial, consists of samples obtained directly from dealers in dairy supplies, or from
factories or private manufacturers of butter or cheese.

It begins naturally with salt, rennet, and annotto—the first being universally used

141

in the manufacture of both butter and cheese, the s2cond always in the mannfacture
of cheese, and the last-mentioned substance being very commonly used in coloring
both butter and cheese. i

“In regard to the samples of salt, four of which are of English manufacture and one
of American, the chemical analysis serves the useful purpose of showing that the
difference between them is very slight, and in practice would appear to amount to
nothing at all; and it also shows that the best American is fully equal to the best
English product.

Pure salt cale
from the chlorine.
Sulphurié acid.

| Lime.

Bytacusesalieicetere. ostuared-osk dt --ieseka oda bac pe vied epee mate eee = Keroryest een 97.74
Aghton)s Liverpool Salt sw gare = bee ne gebicact aeons cen
NMOnEnIN COMA euVeNDOOU SAG oe =m orc mcily sirens = oS ice ae ee Ae ase cla epciametsice see eas
Marshall's iverpoolisalt >. 2. 22k SHY esl, Ae ee Bh ie AOR 97. 99
‘Deanibres, Liverpool Salt BGI Ke. ROLLS. 20. MEI bees ae -cotge YT. 77

~

a

©

~

a

or
esses
Ore OF Or
WIow
Sesss
OFIOND
RD

“ Of the annotto, the seed itself from which the coloring matter is obtained, is shown ;
this is used by some dairymen directly for the preparation of their coloring matter ;
then comes the so-called basket annotto, the usual form in which the coloring matter,
extracted from the seeds by water, comes to market; there are exhibited also two
preparations of annatto made in this country, the annottoine and the golden extract
of annotto, both of which are quite free from any injurious ingredient; their use is
preferred by many to that of the crude article. As there is no satisfactory method of
determining the proportion of coloring matter in this substance, the results of the
chemical analysis of its various forms, in use among dairymen, have little practical
value; they do show, however, a very great difference between the three grades of
basket annotto, for that which is richest in organic matter is probably richest in color-
ing matter.

Water. Ash. Organic

matter.
ibasketiannottoNos Piece. -wiiteslseice niads of es edetheteoes fier 32. 64 10. 78 56,.58
SES BRUCE OP AUELELO [ahha rere eis ot hee ee eee ela ere ee ehsin stud miota ore ieiens wiGbaicie ere opiate 22, 96 28. 83 48. 21
LE DELES PATER ET Hey DOIG P RE He ee Be YI ee ee ee eer te aes meal ee ao Le eae 44.18 8. 34 47. 48

PAC OVLOING ins coe ces koto nee cae ce eee ee, COTE LI 10, DORN IN 9,13 4. 66 86. 21

“Of rennet two samples are shown, the domestic and the foreign. There being
no known means of estimating with any accuracy the proportion of the coagulating
principle of the rennet, no analysis was made of these samples.

“ While in Europe there is a great number of methods of making cheese, with as great
variety in the character of the products, our American dairymen confine themselves to
a very few methods; in fact three different types will represent the main bulk of the
manufacture at the cheese-factories of this country.

“ Concerning the most common mode of manufacture, that which yields the so-called
whole-milk cheese, made from the whole of the milk without any skimming, the main
details of the process are familiar to all who are interested in the subject. Therefore
we simply give below the results of the chemical analysis of several samples obtained
from different parts of the country, and represented in the collection :

v3

s re Se

oS = +S no

E 4 pene | ee
ING Wy MOURACLOLY ChESRB UNO sucgeo case cperccce cer cemeseceecescie se 31. 41 3.53 | 37. 88 27.18
Noy Work factory, CHOGSO, NU,G a5 cose sens lee eect ee ree ROT, 35.68) 3.60} 35.15 25. 57
New York' factory cheese) No.3. YL 0A IL Soll ee moliswtaul! 35, 24 3.23] 35. 68 25. 85
New York factory cheese; No. 4:22. Los.ec lise cee ee cee eee ace imacien ean! 33. 73 4,05°| 35.57 26, 65
Massachusetts factory. cheese, NO.)1. 1. one sane dereme rnb oder ceeecenee 34, 18 3.02]. 33.92 28. 88
Massachusetts factory cheese, No.2. ... 2.222. -c---- cece ene eee ne nee 38. 5 3.73 | °31.19 26. 58
Maine factory cheese, Jersey milk: 22.22.2220 .b fee eee eee 28.11 2.71 | 41. 03 28.15
Wisconsin factory, cheese... -22. OA TO 10sg id. a Brett 36 35.49 | 3,34] 34.05 26. 12

142

“Of the second method of manufacture, that by which the ordinary skim-cheese is
produced, the usual proportion of cream being taken from the milk for the manufac-
ture of butter, two varieties are presented. By the one method, and that which is in
most common practice, the skimmed milk alone is used for manufacture into cheese ;
by the other method, which has been but recently introduced, the buttermilk is added
to the skim-milk; the fresh milk is heated to 150° Fahr., cooled to 65°, allowed to stand
from twenty-four to forty-eight hours for the cream to rise, and the cream is churned
sweet. The results of the analysis of the two kinds of cheese are given below:

. Case-
isa Ash. Fat. Beef S
CUE Tits SUAIITL 6 1 Ses pies OR I ae pe ees ~ = a D ge 42. 38 3. 63 | 20. 55 33. 44
Besidenwnilk and buttermilk cheese, .---.5.).5- op. essawens eos pornos 44.48 4.50 | 15.22 45. 80
|

“ While these analyses indicate a larger proportion of fat in the ordinary skim-cheese,
there was nevertheless a marked difference in quality in favor of the other; the latter
was softer and more salvy, and probably more digestible. It may be said, further, that
the proportion of fat in skim-cheeses is not so constant as in whole-milk cheese. Another -
sample of scalded skim-milk and buttermilk-cheese analyzed. in this laboratory was
found to contain 20 per cent. of fat.

“The third important method of cheese-making has also been but recently introduced,
and the practice of it is as yet contined to a few factories. As in the manufacture of
skim-cheese, the butter-fat is mostly removed from the milk by skimming; but, while
the milk is coagulating after the addition of the rennet, as much of a clean animal fat,
manufactured from the beef’s caul, is most intimately mixed with the forming curd as
it willtake up; the excess of oil floats on the surface after the coagulation is completed,
and is skimmed off; a cheese is thus obtained which, as the analysis below shows, is
sometimes richer in fat than the ordinary skim-cheese:

}
Case-
Water. Ash. Fat. ine, &e.

Olgontarrarind cheese! 5 CO1I it BLUE A... SII a awees 40.56 3.98, 20.43 | 36. 97
ue

‘For some unexplained reason the curd will not always take up the same amount of
fat, so that its proportion in the cheese is variable; in the case of other analyses 0
the same kind of cheese made in this laboratory the proportion of fat has ranged from
18 to 25.9 per cent. ‘

“This fat that is added to the curd is sometimes called oleomargarine, and the cheese
is hence conveniently distinguished from other kinds by the name given to it above;
in respect to quality it is much superior to the ordinary skim-cheese, although, as in
the case of the comparison between the two varieties of skim-cheese already mentioned,
the better cheese is not always found to contain the larger proportion of fat.

“ We have found but one veritable imitation of the styles of cheese so common on the
continent of Europe. Limburger cheese is made in one place in the State of New York
somewhat in the same manner as it is made in Europe. The analysis shows that it
contains a large proportion of water—43.67 per cent.—and somewhat less than the
usual proportion of fat that is found in whole-milk cheese, or about 30 per cent.

“The collection further embraces all the several materials used and by-products
formed in the three most important methods of cheese-making; the fresh milk, curd,
whey, and ripe cheese in the whole-milk cheese manufacture. In addition to these,
the skim-milk, cream, and buttermilk in the case of the skim-cheese manufacture. The
analysis of these substances being not fully completed at this time of writing, they
will be communicated in the next monthly report.

“In the manufacture of whole- milk cheese a considerable portion of the fat remains in
the whey. In a few cases this fat is collected and made into whey-butter, that brings
a fair price in the market; and the removal of this fat does not, it is asserted, lessen”
the feeding-value of the whey. A sample and an analysis of this butter are presented ;
but if a chemical analysis is no true test of the quality of a sample of cheese, still less
is it so in the ease of butter. Two samples of factory-butter and one of butter made
from the milk of Jersey cows are also contained in the collection, of which the last
mentioned was by far superior to the others in quality; but no such difference is indi-
cated in the results of the analysis given below: ¥

145

tf Water!|) Ash.'| Fat, * Gaqeine
Jersey, buttern.sosssed- aais--bomisherie eho ages-ciid- ieee. Bet 11.29 3.20 | 84:76 0. 75
Factory, hustter...25.- <p> er seq eyerp- we bee tenes ewes cle eee eee ene eles 12. 36 2.98 )) 83.41 1. 25
—— eee”
a eee tae secre Se eeie cpdclce top ac anusenvenunss sc cuauap's 8.82 3. 43 87. 75
Whey butter: ... 2.22.26 - fee seein cee le eee eee ee eee ee eee es 9.97 1. 67 88. 56

“A sample of Borden’s condensed milk illustrates that important branch of dairy
economy. The analysis reveals the large proportion of cane-sugar that is added to the
milk, in order to get a product that will keep well.

“Composition of Borden’s condensed milk,

UIP Sogo: Rc Soe bese caine oo ae bees: Hoss PaooorT ero bososbo. Spee rise 23.6

Aningiic-soide cingih1e ell of SSF IN DONATO IO RTE & SU BOIU ES Poe NOU Pole See 1. 87
Mabesl Silt. = t5siee dt 10 JOFALALYIUERD Pe RSLS See wen aa ee it eee 11.19
Gaseinoes(byidifference 0.11. - OL 20S Peet eee ered one ee ace eancee 14.71
Ma liecsnirancas do. U50 220d 7 Oe a eer oe Oe eee eon e eee Ut ape ces aoe 12, 43
Gane-sweanads! sas. ac bSSsIB OR SAID eae SOR ones see ene sae ence 35. 20

“Finally, we have to mention, as a by-product of some use, whey-oil, which is pre-
pared from the whey, and is used for oiling the cheese in the curing-room, It melts at
a lower temperature than butter made from the same material, and is destitute of the
texture aud flavor of good butter.”

STATISTICAL DIVISION.

The exhibits of the statistican, J. R. Dodge, are designed to present
in compact form and logical arrangement, with such aids to interpreta-
tion as are afforded by color and mathematical delineation, some of the
main facts which illustrate the progress of settlement, production, and
rural improvement in the United States. With a national census giving
only the estimated production of the principal crops once in ten years,
and very few of the States making any attempt in the direction of agri-
cultural statistics, the field of prompt and general agricultural inquiry
is left almost entirely to the statistical division of the Department of
Agriculture. The rapid extension of cultivation in Western States and
Territories and in the Pacific and Southwestern States, which causes
changes in a single year that appear almost incredible, as for instance
the increase of corn production in Kansas from 16,000,000 of bushels in
1874 to 80,000,000 in 1875, renders the work of this division exceedingly
active and difficult. To gather the immense array of fragmentary data,
and present for the Centennial a rounded and complete result in as
many essential points as possible, much special statistical work was
necessary, which has been reduced to a minimum by the extremely lim-
ited appropriation available for the service. The line of effort adopted
includes, first, statistical record, in album form, of the several great
classes of agricultural facts, in plain text and with map, diagram, and
pictorial illustrations, designed to present briefly more succinct sum-
mary than has ever been presented to the public, and more complete in
the classes of facts selected forexposition ; second, a series of large outline
maps illustrating the geographical distribution of crops and various
results of original investigation ; third, a series of charts and diagrams,
showing important facts in production and distribution, industrial edu-
cation, and political economy. The maps and charts were mostly finished
before the opening of the Exposition. The magnitude of the labor re-
quired more time for finishing some of the larger charts. The general
record, in its details, is among the exhibits so far as completed.

144

MaAps.-—The larger charts consist of sixteen sheets, mounted as a
single outline map of the United States, in size 17 by 12 feet, six'in num-
ber, as follows :

1. Showing in five classes, by degrees of tinting, the value of the farm-
lands of the United States by groups of counties, the first class inelud-
ing all below $10 per acre; the second, those not less than $10, and not
exceeding $20; the third, those not less than $20, and not exceeding $30;
the fourth, $30, and not exceeding $40; the fifth, $40 and over.

2. Showing, by five degrees of color, the average monthly wages
through the year of farm-labor (without board) in the several States,
from records of an investigation made by the statistical division in 1875.
The classes are as follows: Under $20: South Carolina, $12.84;
North Carolina, $13.46; Alabama, $13.60; Georgia, $14.40; Virginia,
$14.84; Tennessee, $15.20; Florida, $15.50; Mississippi, $16.40; Ken-
tucky, $18.12 ; Louisiana, $18.40; Missouri, $19.40; Texas, 19.50. Under
$25: Maryland, $20.02; Delaware, $20.33; Arkansas, $20.50; West Vir-
ginia, $20.75; New Mexico, $22.75; Kansas, $23.20; Nebraska, $24; Ohio,
$24.05; Indiana, $24.20; Iowa, $24.35. Under 30: Illinois, $25.20;
Maine, $25.40; Wisconsin, $25.50; Pennsylvania, $25.89; Minnesota,
$26.16; New York, $27.14; Michigan, $28.22; Connecticut, $28.25; New
Hampshire, $28.57; Vermont, $29.67. Under $35: Rhode Island, $30;
New Jersey, $30.71; Massachusetts, $31.87; Dakota, $32.50. $35 and
over: Washington, $35; Utah, $35.50; Oregon, $38.25; Colorado, $38,50;
California, $44.50; Montana, $45; Wyoming, $47.50.

3. Showing by groups of counties, in five shades of color, the propor-
tion of woodlands in the farm-areas reported in the last census. The
first class includes all counties with less than 15 per cent. in forest, the
other classes divided, respectively, by 30, 45, and 60 per cent. .

4, Showing the distribution of the product of the sugar-crops—cane,
sorghum, maple, and beet—and indicating, by three shades of color, the
relative amount of such production in groups of counties.

5d. Showing the distribution of the production of the textile ibers—
cotton, hemp, flax, and wool—and indicating the localities of greatest
production by three shades of color in each. Counties producing less
than 1,000 bales of cotton, 50 tons of hemp, 100,000 pounds of fax fiber,
or 100,000 pounds of wool are not indicated.

6. Showing the area in fruits of all kinds, by tints of States in four
degrees of density, and indicating the prominent fruit sections and
kinds of fruits most grown in each. The first class includes all States
in which the entire fruit-area does not exceed 1 per centum of the im-
proved land in farms; %. ¢., all farm-lands exclusive of forest and waste
areas, viz: Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Territories ; the second,
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Wisconsin; third,
New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia,
Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, California, Oregon ; fourth,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Mary-
land, Florida, Michigan, Missouri.

CHARTS.—The larger charts are as follows:

1. Showing the corn and wheat production of the country, with the
exports, seed used, and homeconsumption for five years, constituting the
first half of the present decade. It is 7 feet 6 inches in height and 4
feet 6 inches wide, with diagrams presenting these details of average
production on a scale of three-fourths of a million bushels to the square
inch. It is a lucid and striking showing, especially to foreigners unfa-

fez Re eth seks od 2oraly a7 i a satwona a
lod 2930009 to quote yd 262636 batie} adi. te abaat
ift ezal tou gzod ileses edi ; 9195 197 01 wolsd Me geeky
jon bas 088 andi geal dom 9aodi , baidé ad? ; 088 guibwnen
Bits 022 dia, silt ; Ore gnibasozs joo bus ,0&# ,dhuse} sae
Jjnom oysters ott nolo. jo aseTgsb o7i ad . ured ae
19704. pds ai (ftsod Inodiiw) todsl-imset Yo tmo7 sd? iano ores
iaivib Ieotteitsie edi zd sbem aolteyit2ovai as to ehtess = osett
eh : djn0B = 0S 19H :awollot 2s 91e sseaals Bs wal
70b2 2 Hrgiosy) ;G0.c1% 6madslA ; Ob.€1% .soilows) dhe 7
OLDIE I qigeiaeill ; 08.612 _sbrofl ; OC Ee sssesanst 728218 9
306.0f apz9T Ob. O1R (disoeail, ; OL.818 ensizinal SP Bre Tiapt 3
dea £06,088 eRausdth ; 765.002 wiswsied 76.08 .busigue ; stg - |
288 cal srdo ; 08. €S8 pseasd + G).£88 osizell wo :E7.0S¢ i573
t -0€ ‘a9baUl . a6. 19 fwol ; 08203 ensibsl = cO.LLe
£% -sitteviqzaned ;06.68¢ ianooei 7 : 0228S amie
e808 ijponno0 ;&LAce aegidoils | LEVS8 iol weak :3f.3c%
natal shodd :68819baU .t8.eS¢ AsourisY + 7Eaes snidaqeos,
; 08.86: SioasG. :jel&s aiissndoszasl 17.063 ,qoewl wall ;
orci banished 06.688 .ds1U ? PEER, gorguidan ‘7370
g 06.742 “gaia 7 ELS saniaolt. 06.128 .sirntiie?
ont, tole to debade svi uf .2sitasos to aquoTs vd gaiwode £
2 c dagl‘od?) ui botioget 2sers-aiet sdt oi abesifiioow to aout’ >
0 Teq Gi ond} ago! dirw esijasos Jie esbolont zeais de
a ins 16q 00 bas. ,0E 1d ,ylovRosqesi ,babrvib aseaals mde
2 qo19-7 na edi to donborg ons to noitud insaib ad? 3 Reming ocd 2.)

Sit to noitouborq sdt 20 Hoi andintaib adit natal Ss 5
Yo thes edi yoiisoibut bas—loow bar .zefi qua 80330: 9
ee iabom @siianoD dese ui toleo Yo asbade 9s: it oA neitsahesg
zsh lo rat 000,001 ,qared to anot 0S ,2ct309 to co. COOL ome

| -bsisoibai doa s12 foow to pam 000, 00%. wee
ot aaini® to init 7d sbaid le Io atinn ai gots odt yairode .# a
Eeaoitese sisit dasnimorg ad? gaitacibui baa .qiizash to seeTgel =
BIC le eohsloui assis jeritediT does oi avorg izom ict to eberd a
iempo 19q I hasez9 ton asoh seie-sieit sites oil dente a ay
sh avienlozs abaa!- mist lie .5 ft ;eame) ci bank barony phy.
divteT 60? Sus ,ptenids4 envol Peotone: Si? 2aSTs

- di08 “pailor dite .siniga? Jac unis 4 SutequsH wee ouel, ae
73s an as Oe oe co) gy
a Prids ; Hienoo2i 7 sosieinol “gg 2aiesilf, ,Rorsdakeé skytost) envorn.
a (sing 32077 | SaeagnngT 2920887 TA 2nzeT . Sins poeest rat rhe af

me aJisol ; coz ne hinistisO easieA viovilll casibal oidO As oo
= al

‘_ 3 arr

| 4 yoetot W9%, psoijssanoy Bnglst Sbodsi i pts
es ; » usoeailt aisgidol six!
*% >—Pawoliot cei eiedo wetel ad? —.e7T eR 2B”
MOE oid Jo ‘geHoGboig Isedw bus og. sdi gniwedd
AeTRST O78 1Ot soiiqmusqes soon Dos Loess base wogas | ge
#9 nat @ 39st \ si al | wbaseb these aft to Ted Joule
Db seat guiitioss rg, ememsib diiw »sbin csdoci 9 539%: aly
ud. smoilfias & 20 edfmot-seiili to sisva & so soitoohes
ligiaaq2s es ee bug biowl « 2531 dow a

ro

:
CORN AND WHEAT PRODUCTION.
; CORN.—Average, 1870-1874, 992,258,900 bushels.
Ay rapegiit
ah 1 — T mT —— T
|
Hl | he Wi} hy
WH
HI
!
WTI
Mae
|
WH
I Hl Hl |
HAI
|
|
|
i]
|
WATT
\ ! Wil
il
A |
cave nA mM WN ul ll ll
' WHEAT —Average, 1870-1874, 261,015,920 bushels
ead ;
' / bed . = >
frase l T
fang
a i y (
Suet wot : tl
| AMDT <pte Teel
trate yen
© guile te! oa
PLA OP nnd | |
ene of | Serriereatane oF b -
i '
{

eet sk

145

miliar with the immensity of our cereal productions and the compara-
tively small proportion of the whole sent abroad.

The accompanying diagram represents it on a reduced seale. This
chart makes the average supply of corn, in excess of export, for each
unit of population, almost exactly 24 bushels for this period ; ‘the aver-
age area in cultivation, 37,699,803 acres; and the yield per acre 26.3
bushels. The statement accompanying the chart represents corn produe-

tion and distribution as follows:

|
|

bushels.

Export.
Years. | Production. | Consumption. Seed. ;
| Corn as meal.| Corn.
| ;
/ |
Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Li (Us See 1, 094, 255, 000 1, 070, 695, 802 12, 882, 325 | 850, 564 9, 826, 309
UU. se 991, 898, 000 944, 807, 278 Li 363, 712 1, 235, 360 34, 491, 650
livid, 4.3.63 See 1, 092, 719, 600 1, 040, 722, 348 11. 842. 278 1, 612, 444 38, 541, 930
LS 2. 8 / 932, 274, 000 883, 222, 450 13, 065, 716 1, 551, 228 34, 434, 606
Llc... +2 425 Be ee : 850, 148, 509 806, 444, 492 13, 678, 972 | 1, 166, 616 28, 858, 420
— ——— Be
2 ae | 4, 961, 294, 500 4, 745, 892, 370 62, 833, 003 6, 416, 212 | 146, 152, 915
Miverase-......=---- | 992, 258, 900 949,178,474 | 12,566,601 | 1, 283, 242 | 29, 230, 583

An importation of corn is a fact scarcely dreamed. A little crosses
our northern boundary from the Dominion, averaging 68,864 bushels.

The average supply of wheat in excess of export is 5 bushels; area
in cultivation (average for five years) 21,386,709; yield per acre, 12.2
The imports of wheat have averaged 1 502,541 bushels, of
which about three-tenths have been exported. The ‘wheat figures are as
follows:

| / Export.
Years. | Production. | Consumption. Seed. 3)
| Wheat as
: ) ) W heat. aoa
Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels. Bushels. Bushels.
235. 884, 700 | 154, 821, 703 28, 488, 886 34, 304, 906 18, 269, 205
230, 722, 400 | 161, 810, 206 29, 915, 839 26, 423, 080 | 12, 572, 675
249, oui, 100 166, 694, 847 31, 287, 538 39, 204, 285 . 12, 810, 430
280, 372, 700 | 155, 735, 041 33, 127, 261 71, 039, 928 | 20, 470, 470
308, 102, 700 | 197, 849, 555 37, 450, 540 53, 047, 175 | 19, 755, 430
US a ee ) PE 305, 079, 600° 836, 911,952 | 160,270,064 | 224,019,374 | 83, 878, 210
Average......--..--. 261,015,920 | 167,382,390 | 32,054,013 | 44, 803, 875 16, 775, 642

i

2. Showing the proportion of improved lands to the farm-area of each
State and Territory. This is given in classes as follows:

Under 30 per cent.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Washing-
ton, Wyoming; 30 and under 40 per cent.: Florida, Alabama, Minne-

.sota, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, Nebraska, Idaho ;

40 and under 50 per cent.: Maine, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Cali-
fornia, Oregon, Nevada; 50 and under 60 per cent.: Rhode Island, In-
diana, Michigan, Wisconsin ; over 60 per cent.: New Hampshire, Ver-
mont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Ilinois, Iowa, Utah, Arizona, Montana.
This chart also indicates the extent of several erop- -belts, by a delinea-

- tion of the line of northern limit respectively of sea-island cotton, upland

cotton, sorghum, and winter-wheat. The line dividing spring wheat
from winter is worthy of careful study, as it separates, tortuous as it ap-
pears, within one or two parts in a hundred, the entire production of

2A

146

fall and spring sown grain. The line runs from near Boston through —
Southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut, curves round the Housa-
tonic Hills, strikes the vicinity of Saratoga, and runs in a northwesterly
direction to Lake Ontario; thence including all our territory east of
Lake Michigan, traverses a small section of Southwestern Indiana, |
strikes nearly west through the northern line of Missouri, crosses the
Missouri at Saint Joseph, and gradually curves southward in Kansas
as higher elevation is reached. The general direction from ocean to
lakes is northwest, from lakes to the Rocky Mountains west-southwest.
The line of northern limit of sorghum, on the contrary, preserves with

a degree of uniformity a northwestern course. The difference is, sor-
ghum is a summer crop, and its cultivation follows the summer isother-
mal line; while winter-wheat depends not only on winter and spring
climates, but to some extent on the nature of the soil and methods of
cultivation.

The sea-isiand-cotton line skirts the coast from Charleston to Galves-
ton; and the upland line rans from Norfolk southwesterly, curving
around the mountain-spurs of upper Georgia, cutting the northeastern
section of Alabama, and thence sharply northward to include the Ten-
nessee Valley and Western Tennessee, and all but the hill region of
Arkansas, and southwestwardly through a corner of the Indian Terri-
tory and Texas to the Rio Grande.

. Accompanying this chart is an estimate of the extent of cultivation
of the principal erops, as follows:

Acres.

Area, in 1875, in cereal-crops..-..-..---- By rele a ca 3 tate elo aha ee reetoes 87, 000, 000

MPaw HICH LO MNAZO | <ascss Seas ee eee eee aes 44, 800, 000

Oriwhteh, in Wheat... 2. ..): :s2.2 seceeeemes saceseeeriaaes 26, 400, C00
Pen ley o- in Nay-GlOPS-2 Ss. ..2- ere ae = aonb se ocean ester 23, 500, 000
Maren (O75, iit COttOl..-.-. 2 a6 co cece wena wueecee ee CEL ee 10, 750, 000
Ares in tor5,in orchards, vines, and fraits-2-- -.--.2---6 22-2 s see soe ones 4, 500, 000
rosin t eyo. Il bODACEOK. sone done so, ccme aetee o oeesie ai cine Ae eens 460, 000

Maidiares 1 cultivation in L875... ..- cocsacoue fh ass cee eee ene ee eeeee 133, 000, 000

The following statement of grand areas, in square miles, is also given:
2 Ss ? 3

Square miles.
Rea ANC CIN WAGCT-SUBACE.-- os 2 ose osaoae oes oe cee eens eee 4, 000, 000
PEC OR SbAbeS ANG hOIrlbOlies <<... o5 sass eee ae beiae casein gears ches eee 3, 611, 889
Area of the thirteen original States ....-...---.------ Bes en een le Se 341, 756
Area of public-land States and Territories .----.------ -.-.-. --s.----ssees 2,867, 185
ELewon public landrunusold mers7z0 . 2. 25s aoe aos sea tena eee 2, 168, 331
xeon Oretarin-langs iil GOO. 222 oa sca ces Somes cece es cebemecc essen see 637, 086
Ares, OL AarM- Leds WNPLOVeO 9255.52 ase cee esaeenesoe sno s ese ees 295, 189
Agena of farnm-lands! in fOrest <2 oe ws a2 cose ocbese ondaoe moses ses sees eee . 248, 922

3. Showing the peculiarities of the agriculture of the Pacific coast
region, and the local distribution and prominence of its principal crops.

DIAGRAMS.—io aid in comparison of different numbers and quanti-
ties, a tangible measure is useful to all, and to the multitude absolutely
necessary. The arts of coloring and mathematical drawing are both
brought into requisition for illustration of these abstract ideas which
represent things so practical and commonplace. Among the diagrams
which form a part of the exhibit are the following:

1. The product of corn per caprta.—Thisis based upon the census year,
1869, to save the necessity of estimating anew both population as well
as production, taking the census data for both. The figures on which
the diagrain is based are, for the several States:

u a nN st
CER ERT ORO cl one eo eG! brn fOY perc
c
ls
. Maine.
New Hampshire.
Vermont.
Massachusetts.

Rhode Island.

Connecticut.
New York.
New Jersey.

| Pennsylvania.

Delaware.

Maryland.

Virginia.

North Carolina,

South Carolina.

Georgia.
Florida.
Alabama.
Mississippi.

Louisiana.

Texas.

Arkansas.
Tennessee,

West Virginia.

| Kentucky.

6981 jo dorg
‘VWLIIdVD Ydd NAYODO AHO LONGOAd

ql

| a

pee ee Te eae
ee |__| Indiana
| — | | —|—}~}_} _1__ ea

2 a er ee ee ee | Uhnois.

————| | | | os

cocneioon Ty Wisconsin.
= aaeeeeeeeee
are el

= Se a |_|

He cb

a7
a hs, tbs eae ae
Pasa ee

PRODUCT OF WHEAT PER CAPITA.

Crop of 1869.

‘Tennessee.
West Virginia
Kentucky.
Minnesota.
issouri.
Nebraska.
California

Georgia.
Florida.
Arkansas,
Ohio.
Mlinois.
Wisconsin.
Towa.
Kansas. +

M

South Carolina.
Texas.

Masvachusetts.
North Carolina.

Alabama.

147

States. Population. Corn. States. Population. Corn.
Bushels. Bushels.

ba paMiae fo. eas cues ee 996, 992 | 16, 977, 948 || Nebraska -.. ‘ ¥ 122, 993 4, 736, 710
WSERPMNSAS Ye = »/-/< 2 a occas <5 484, 471 | 13, 382, 145 || Nevada ........ ae 42, 491 9, 660
BCG PTTOT NIG). s,.- ce uiet ak». 560, 247 | 1, 221,222 || New Hampshire. ...-.-..- 318, 300 1, 277, 768
Connecticut ....-..-.-.--- 537, 454.| 1,570, 364 || New Jersey ..-....------ 906, 096 8, 745, 384
IVGLAW ALG ..scs omnes -.s- 125, 015 30105390) || New Mork. .c..05--2-..2 4, 382, 759 16, 462, 825
PIGS, tre ceialgerciees cia > ic 187,748 | 2, 225,056 || North Carolina.....--.-- 1,071,361 | 18, 454,215
REBOLOTA cote Se tcce be e- L2 dF ee OO) 6464590 Ohio <2. cin o Se coe ccm 2, 665, 260 | 67, 501, 144
MEMOS vests eee 32 -' 2,539, 891 1129, 921, 395 || Oregon .......------.\-.-- 90, 923 72, 138
Ln Se Oe See 1, 680, 637 | 51, 094, 538 || Pennsylvania .......-..-- 3,521,951 | 34, 702, 006
Uwe Gas. =. See eee 1, 194, 020 | 68, 935, 065 || Rhode Island..-........-- 217, 353 311, 957
Oe 364, 399 | 17,025, 525 || South Carolina .........- 705, 606 7, 614, 207
PRENTUCK Y= =\2\-! = onesies 1, 321, 011 | 50,091,006 || Tennessee ...-.- .------- | 1, 258,520 | 41, 343, 614
SET Er (20, Lol SF e006) O28) || -LOKAS screens nescence abe ss 818,579 | 20,554, 538
WMISINO ao leno .5 5-55 sacar elae 626,915 | 1,089,888 || Vermont..-..-.--...-..-. 330, 551 1, 699, 882
Wihrylantl!:: 0-602... ane 780, 894 | 11, 701,817 || Virginia................- 1, 225,163 | 17, 649, 304
Massachusetts......-.-.-- 1, 457,351 | 1,397,807 || West Virginia ........-. 442,014 | 8, 197, 865
MUG CBN cn ccs nes cls 1, 184, 059 | 14, 086, 238 || Wisconsin ...... ..-----. 1, 054, 670 | 15, 033, 998
LAUITICTE GIS) ee 439,706 | 4,743,117 —
Mississippi.....--....-.-- 827, 922 | 15, 637, 316 En tale eee ta: 38, 115, 641 | 759, 826, 214

MASsOurl 2.-- ~~... ah Ae a 1, 721, 295 | 66, 034, 075 |

1

Tt will be remembered that this was a year of very deficient yield of
corn. Illinois, which stands second in proportion to population, had less
than two-thirds of a full crop. A diagram for 1875 would differ some-
what from this. Illinois and most of the States west of the Mississippi
would nearly or quite double the present rate per head, and require
several additional “ stories” in the structure of the diagram.

2. The product of wheat per capita, from the crop of 1869, which was a
large one for that date, bat not so large as the crop of 1874 and of 1875,
the acreage being on the increase. It will be seen that none of the New
England States, with the sole exceptionof Vermont, produces one bushel
per head; that New York and New Jersey grow about half of their
wheat. supply ; ; and the Southern States, with the exception of Virginia,
fail to produce five bushels for each inhabitant, though in ordinary years
Tennessee and Kentucky havea surplus. The following table gives the
crop of each State and the number of bushels to each inhabitant :

== >

a3q || ier

B33 o3s

Qe " QQ - ia

States. Wheat. wee States. Wheat. Save

° ov ors

z od | oo

Fon Sor

Bushels. Bushels.

LP eee ee ee 1,055, 068 | 1.05 PISS U Tsar aaee ec cee nce ems 14, 315, 926 | 8.31
PEK OMAES ew c= safe oo aides (ESE Son ion ae} Nebraska . --| 2,125, 086 | 17. 29
(CLSnG GS See ee 16, 676, 702 | 29.76 || Nevada -..-.....-- Boag staaee 228, 866 | 5.39
ACORNGECHCMY)-—. 2-2-2 + =a 38, 144 .07 || New Hampshire 193, 621 . 60
LST G12) I ee 895,477 | 7.16 IN@W SOLSCVi. = 2 sjtecec'sn eas 2,301,433 | 2.54
LLG Eo, Se SSE en eS [Sa em be ee aNiepr ss WOOTEN aoe cere 12,178,472 | 2.77
ETO Soe Ge eee ee QL tOLG | ad. 79e8 || North Carghinw.. oo. e4s sec ac 2, 859, 879 | 2. 66
Tilinois....--..... Se ane BUR ANd SG (On Onees scene natoedassesa cen 27, 882, 159 | 10. 46
LIDGE Chas 2 ae ee Digit ieooereonot MORENON. steve sa cos seeee ae 2, 340, 746 | 25.75
MWA ee eben ce sees nese aces 29, 435, 692 | 24. 65 Pennsy Lic thee Seer enie Sere 19, 672, 877 | 5.58

Teer SO ee 2,391,198 | 6.56 || Rhode Island..............-. 784| .00.3
IBORTUGK YE acest soe s-i.<cs2--- 5, 728,704 | 4.33 || South Carolina...........-.. 783,610 | 1.11
Gnigigiinre siege ae 5s. 5. 9, 906 JO1-3)|)"Bennessee. =) 2257.05 5c20-- <5. 6,182,916 | 4.91
1 EEG EE a ea 278, 793 Boe Pall iad isn cov yURe So See ee meee 415, 112 . 50
IMR VIDTA GD) tse sorce nis W aes = - Opn An aOti ete done VIBRM ON = ciate wisi oela as oer 454,703 | 1.37
Massachusetts ...-....-/..--- Sa 6400 | 002:31|) Viaeroiniae. sec ece cee eae aoc cas 7, 398, 787 | 6.03
inighT pein se See ot 52s 16) 285/773) 13.73) |i) Wiest) Varpinia .25.-2.5=> =~: 2, 483,543 | 5.61
innesots 62 see se cee. = cia: | 18, 866, 073 | 42.90 || Wisconsin........-......-.-- 25, 606, 344 | 24.28

MPISSISSIP Pic can sees mae bs nel 274, 479 .33
|

5. Area of wheat, with the proportion sowed and drilled, respectively.
This diagram is ‘bas sed on results of investigation by the statistical

148 a

division. It omits the New England States, which produce little wheat,
nearly all of which is sown broadcast. The wheat-area in New York is
divided equally between the two methods. oe 6
® In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland the drill
greatly predominates. In the Southern States the area is small, par-
ticularly in the cotton States, and the drill is comparatively unknown.
North of the Ohio River, in the winter-wheat States, the drill is very
generally used, the proportion rising to 76 per cent. in Ilinois. ;
In the spring-wheat region there are several reasons for prominence of
broadcasting. One comes from a prevalent practice of sowing wheat on
the irregular surface of a corn-field without plowing; another is found
in the use of the combined cultivator and broadcast-seeder, which de-
stroys many of the weeds that would otherwise be left between the drills.
The gist of both of these reasons lies in the saving of labor by a com-
promise process, which is cheap though slovenly. The result of the in- -
vestigation shows that 47 per cent. of the winter-wheat, and 30 of the
Spring, or 37 of both, represent the proportion seeded by the drill. The
improvement by drilling is made to average 10 per cent. The aver-
age quantity of seed used for seeding winter-wheat is 1.35 bushels per
acre ; 1.24 for drilled, 1.44 for the sown. The details are as follows:

3 ee Seed per
= = So acre.
¢ | § | 82
a | a | Se
Ss | & | oo eee
= =] a2 |B =
States. = 5 Sb wo] &
2 | & | 5° | 48] s
Ay | 2a| @
oe? oO
a: hag
Percentage.- 3 Ss
4 a.
OAM DINC ole nis) < a Bcmen deci acce monica cue wawcuewe wage cw eco ameios sae am 50 50 13 | 1.80] 1.60
PR AVERUET NE ieee een eal esa mare = oan Seat ene eee bee eee eee 45 55 6|1.95} 1.60
TEV Ty AS TR WET ae eps eee ee ee ages Ann APB Re Oe 30 70 12|1.74| 1.49
TESTE EPUPD eee et eS Be ale RR Rr ee 9s Meee ee ee 26 74 10 | 1.75 z m
Maryland. <2. <j: REET Sea ORE ESO BENE Aerinaa seco ce 24 76 ye 71) 4
Vireinia BE eine ela eos einen ace ei armies ic) meme Se ke i ee es a ier cate 62 38 12 | 1,44 1-QE
ERAT AL OUITIA) ob os mie canner ewine cele cin ne cannon cee cEer aeeee eennss 97 3) 2 eee 1. 07 . 83
SOUT ONS ps san on ot coca owede tc cer coaweiean arene net eases 99 5 ee se 1.00 . 70
“SOOTT) - BR BS ee ee heed SRR ep er atisenese San condccsremseote 99 dS ence 1. 00 - 90
MISA oie nee oan cask caw ashen seh 0 ansainedene Melman men aw eae ee a Fee rf pa =Jaue
LIS ETSY 72 eS PS ip IE ARE a 99 Bae 525) |i eeee
Mares , = ani Seosaecices (oe snGeen bases ose s ssessdses sso tsesSsecssacsiase a8 PI NReas . aa 90
ANT RST Se ae Ee Se ee er 100 |\-- 2.22) soaaee me Ut) ea
AGiiceece eet cininlalele Hie ee me iotinie De a sce Rice ee Soa meees a sek Seite tes 96 4 10 | 35205) 28
PPR V AT OUIAD aio cic waeinene ents cles cam Gainciate Son a jamie cielo ele ae eerste fps}: 42 12: 1-1. San see
Kentucky 92 8 | 10)) 4.360) saeae
ONT? Se eee : tee 39 61 16 | 1.57 1.33
PICHIA 2 os cS -nc ee 2. aos 49 51 | 9 | 1.62 1. 40
Tlinois . SS eee _.-|. 24| 76] 19| 1.52! 124
Indiana - 49 51 15 | 1.48] 1.28
Missouri 62 | 38 21)1.52}) L2t
WGANBAS oe one oa eons cake aoe ae ae Ania e coma heap ee Een a Sea meee ese eene 5d| 45] 16) 1.49} 1.23
LON Oe eo ee eae ee ee SS ee 51 49 17 | 2056 1.25
APT OENS ad ins sc teis es aera sie soma oe ot nc coeemen caw canna pe bear 98 pt Baa : 1. 33 eee =
OED fo ee Peat fo sinia ccna we Searle es aa menehins Meeeeeinc »<aieemsememee mee 81 19 5 | 1.50 1, 21

= = = ——

4. Corn and wheat exports of fifty years, 1825 to 1875.—The light space
on the right of the diagram represents the volume of wheat, the darker
shade the flour in its equivalent of bushels of wheat. On the left corn
in bushels is shown, and the darker stripe gives the equivalent of the
corn-meal exports. It will be seen that the first half of the period is
credited with less than a fifth of the wheat-exports ; and that the aggre-
gate of the last quarter of the period is equal to the total shipment of
the preceding three-fourths. A striking feature of the diagram is the
remarkable increase in the export of whole wheat. For many years

AREA OF WHEAT.
PROPORTION SOWN AND DRILLED RESPECTIVELY.

Ty

bh eS

“Wer

149

searcely an appreciable quantity, it increases slowly at first, rapidly
after 1860, and at the close of 1875 it nearly equaled the aggregate of
wheat- exports in the form of flour.

Wheat.

Bushels.

195,547
614, 145
739, 692
1, 842; 841
2, 582, 533
2) 946, 861
5,599, 394
10, 184, 645

15, 714, 039
16, 446, 955

32, 160, 994
38, 808, 573
70, 969, 567
138, 306, 907
209, 276, 474
81, 808, 364

~ 291, 084, 838
34, 304, 906
325, 389, 744
26, 423, 080

351, 812, 824

39, 204, 285

391, 017, 109
71, 039, 928

462, 057, 037
53, 047, 175

515, 104, 212

Bushels.

|
15, 714, 039

"291, 084, 838.

|

325, 389, 744

ee ees

462, 057, 037

515, 104, 212

Flour.

Bushels.

Bushels.

Total wheat and flour.

Bushels. |

Bushels.

23, 259, 700
26, 209, 820
49, 469, 520
20, 464, 660
69, 934, 180
31, 373, 485

101, 307, 665
61, 424, 140

| 162, 731, 805

65, 747, 590

228, 479, 395
78, 891, 340
307, 370, 735
98, 788, 665
406, 159, 400
57, 273, 925
463, 433, 325
18, 269, 205
421, 702, 530
12, 572, 675
494, 275, 205
12, 810, 430

507, 085, 635
20, 470, 470

527, 556, 105
19, 755, 430

547, 311, 535

|
eS ee }
ee ee ee |

463, 433, 325

481, 702, 530

23, 385, 247
26, 823, 965

50, 209, 212
22, 307, 501
72, 516, 713
34, 320, 346

106, 837, 059
71, 608, 785

178, 445, 844
82, 194, 545

260, 640, 389 |
117, 699, 913

378, 340, 302
237, 095, 572

615, 435, 874
139, 082, 289
754, 518, 163
52, 574, 111

307, 092, 274
* 38, 995, 755

846, 088, 029
52, 014, U5 |

898, 102, 744 |
91, 510, 398

939, 613, 142
72, 802, 605

1, 062, 415, 747

50, 209, 212
72, 516, 713
106, 837, 059
178, 445, 844
260, 640, 389
378, 340, 302
615, 435, 874
754, 518, 163
807, 092, 274
846, 088, 029
898, 102, 744

989, 613, 142

1, 062, 415, 747

(60 ;

: es
The value of wheat-exports for each half decade is thus given in —
detail :

>

7
heat. Fiour. ,
id oe Total value of
Year. 7 wheat and
Value. Value. Value. Value. flour. y.
|
OSS Ae 5 ee ae eee B12 54 in oS. setae ones $242708°090"|o2-_5 Je eee $24, 820, 844
Pee ees oa ao aces c Oni, S00 |Sacenase—ocese sc 29, 347, 649
als oceee es $850, 119 —| $54, 055, 739 54, 905, 858
850, 119 54, 055, 739
PAA eee sain mH 1 hy | yf | pe 27, 231, 952
Lo ee 2660 166 | 81, 287, 691 83, 954, 877
2, 667,186 | - 81, 287, 691
i 2 2 ODO AIST ie sa cece ee 31, 056, 156
— —_ Ge Oy | Ea EE ET 117, 911, $18
5, 567, 971 112, 343, 847
ie TES |) AL Se) eee ee 69, 375, 741
= 18, 369, 064 |_—— —| 181,719,588 200, 088, 652
18, 369, 064 181,719,588 | .
CSS | PANES iy: Si (72) | eee 75, T75, 220
sera TOs 40) 233:.996"|——— OE) on ag4 S08 297, 728, 634
40, 233, 826 257, 494, 808
iti BR SMa IOIGN hee 2 ee 104, 368, 446 |
ase 93, 577, 744 |__| 361, 863, 254 455, 440, 998
93, 577, 744 361, 863, 254 |
SC ee rbesae (ite | eae aa 133, 356, 875
ene ——| 272, 048, 188 495, 220,129 |. 767, 268, 317
272, 048, 188 495, 220, 129
iy == ee | Ur B57 OC |e ee 92, O71, 717 |
=|) 3608555, 619)|=———= ——| 587, 291, 846 976, 867, 458
389, 575, 612 587, 291, 846
(at Anciapaogy| etd o.oo ieee 24, 093, 184 -
——| 434, 719, 036 | ——_____| __ 611, 385;.030'| 1, 046,40aen
434, 719, 036 611, 385, 030
Ui eee ea | Sf SU Va REE Se ee = 17, 955, 684
—- —J| 473, 634, 096 —| 629,340,714} 1, 102, 974, 810
478, 634, 096 629, 340, 714 |
i Biedboro5dt ins see 19, 381, 664
fuss | 525, 086, 350 | | 648, 722,378 | 1, 163, 808, 728
525, 086, 350 648, 722, 378 |
1674 2225. Spans ecnewe a VO 05 Pe tr 29, 258, 094
|| * 686/507-2809 —! 677,980,472 | 1,304, 488, 281 |
2 626, 507, 809 677, 980, 472 |
Lon SULGUTEBUSI oslo eae ects 23, 710, 074
——— — | 686,115, 672 | 701,690,546 | 1, 387, 806, 218
686, 115, 672 | 701, 690, 546 | E

CORN AND WHEAT EXPORTS OF FIFTY YEARS.

1825 to 1875.

\, SCALE

>"

Ct
‘eonh. a —

\

\
\WHEAT 45 Flour.

a

\

——

=

‘ali

i
tl
An Nje70 | tH Q

HN A Te ey TT 187) Evry Tre eet CU 71

a a ASNT CTT Ba TOROOOTETY FRETS 1ST} STE Wt no A [as 1872
I nc CR HT CORNEAS = HAV TL AT ATT [873
uta 4 AOU AC SEER GP RETYA CSTPRWTVNA EEEEEEEEEA sae 5 VON TAAL A HOT AA EE > — 874
EVOL cre HA IL. °PSEETY CVOVEEEETD FTVUVETTD VOETEVEEDN HEATER PS e785 SCTE TTT Tie pen TON ‘EET EEE EE TH TATRA

OOM 0M 700 00 00 000 i

WOM 200M 300M 400M 500M 690M 700M GCOM BODM 000M 10M (ZOOM 1300M 1400M

151

~The corn and corn-meal exported are equivalent to the following
aggregate of bushels of corn:

Year.

ee ee ee

ee ee eee ee rr,

QUANTITY.
Corn. Corn-meal.
Total.
Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. Bushels.
SMR TIO | i ceamewn 2 eS 5) 4 Ue eee 6, 664, 342
OF S68 G86 |... saa 3, 269, 532
— —_ —. 6, 099, 656 | ——————_|_ 6, 403, 164 12, 502, 820
6, 099, 656 6, 403, 164
fee OTS |" 3, 375, 720
eens ond 1609 —— | 9,778,884 | 17,063,513
7, 284, 629 9, 778, 884
SEAT 109" | uusteceee eee 4, 530, 996
tae wich 10, 758, 738 |_—— 14, 309, 880 | 25, 068, 618
10, 758, 738 14, 309, 880
AE BUrnT SS || i> vee 9, 974, 800
————-—_ — 54, 580, 891 |——— 24, 284, 680 78, 865, S71
54, 580, 891 24, 284, 680
SMT TIS, |. eee 4, 485, 824
| 7B, 486, 087 | ——__——_—| 28, 770, 504 } 107, 256, 591
78, 486, 087 28, 770, 504
FSO TEOB |e nee, 5, 165, 368
——_——_——_|_ 106, 083, 983 33, 935, 872 | 140, 019, 855
106, 083, 983 33, 935, 872 ’
Her 6121008, eto 4,706, 428
pa | 58: 606; O12, |=) 3h 649 S00) | 107, dae
158, 696, 011 38, 642, 300
FC O93 21 \ccntaane cers ac 5, 420, 096
ae ee 906, 689; 287 44, 062, 396 | 250, 751, 683
206, 689, 287 44, 062, 396
OESA0 GUS), Nina niet vatem ete te 850, 564
ee | 916515; 596 44, 912, 960 | 261, 428, 556
216, 515, 596 44, 912, 960
eperagt G50 |) o2<<| Ranh 1, 235, 360
a eS ONY 9G 46, 148, 320 | 297, 155, 566
251, 007, 246 46, 148, 320
369541030. seo anes: 1, 612, 444
—_———} _ 289, 549, 176 47, 760, 764 | 337, 309, 940
289, 549, 176 47, 760, 764
340434. G06) | -aeeeeee ee 1, 551, 228
——_—. 323, 983, 782 | —————_ 49, 311, 992 | 373, 295, 774
323, 983, 782 49, 311, 992
Depts eit: OV PAR alate ee 1, 166, 616
—_— 352, 842, 202 50, 478, 608 | 403, 320, 810
302, 842, 202 50, 478, 608

152

The value of corn and corn-meal, represented in connection 1
wheat in the second figure of the diagram, is as follows for the several |

periods: , : 1
b+
F
Corn. Corn-meal.
Total value of corn and
Year. corn-meal.
Value. Value. Value. Value. .
O32 hare BAe = SeSeees 2) O19 926 || oneneecoeee ee 2/404, 371 |. Ste cok epee $4, 424, 297
ict. A ae TESOAGTDL NS, sae ae CMe T at reg) pees maa 4, 535, 788
ie | Seraigey $5, 135, 448 |__ —| $8,960, 085
3, 824, 637 5, 135, 448 8,960, 085
(2 ee Sse OSs nce See SAL Slo uice ees eee 4,344, 319
—_—_———. 4, 697 7, 741 8, 606, 663 13, 304, 404
4, 697, 741 8, 696, 663 13, 304, 404
Ie 17550602 |ec. 2.2 cee Set ONS DSR ANA She ee ene 4, 792, 623
a Gad530243 11, 643, 684 |__| 18 097,027
6, 453, 343 11, 643, 684 18, 097, 027
eae STP OI |e? cose: aoe BGA I oo tae 40, 262, 172
| 87 731.263 | | 20, 627, 936 ———| 528 359, 199
37, 731, 263 20, 627, 936 58, 359, 199
Lia* 6324 1) ETS OERGSO We SS eee eee AGT SUR Re ceo ne at 21, 860, 017
— 95, 443, 962 =| 24, 775, 254 | —_<—_<—<$__— §0, 219, 216 .
55, 443, 962 24, 775, 254 80, 219, 216
re LO STOGIESTG| Joe ae eee PMO bss | ete 5 ee | 24, 706, 696
— 795, 233, 143 29, 692, 769 | — 104, 925, 912
| 5, 233, 143 20, 692, 769 | 104, 925, $12
LL. ee Ne sasOtieetongl ee oo ooo 2: Woapsay sey (td lieee Be 40, 226, 635
——} 110, 136, 508 | | 35, 016,039 | —| 145, 152,547
110, 136, 508 | 35, 016, 039 145, 152, 547
LSI), aera cela ZrO oY (| Me PSH AAB aes oh eee | 54, 488, 265
——| 157, 280, 325 | | 42, 361, 487 |__—_——--_|__ 199, 641, B12
157, 280, 325 42, 361, 487 199, 641, 812
Livi gear RABesOGT aly we. whee Bae O51 830g sb eseeee cece 8, 410, 827
j 164, 739, 322 | 43, 313, 317 — 208, 052, 639:
164, 739, 322 43, 313, 317 208, 052, 639
Lig PS eet See ee 2 BS Gms ||: crimes <= eee HED} EO ee eee oe | 25,199, 364
: 188, 723, 687 |__| 44, 528, 316 | 233, 252, 003
188, 723. 687 44, 528, 316 | 233, 252, 003
IG ee OS Big Ae OGLE Eel PRAM pe eo Se RZ EDS co Ge fee he ee 8 | 25, 269, 521
: — 212, 518, 381 46, 003, 143 258, 521,524
212, 518, 381 | 46, 003, 143 | 208, 521, 524
LETC. co celia OA VOGnO5Ia|e eee TORS YIN Pea ae eae | 26, 299, 350
237, 288, 332 |——— 7, 582, 542 284, 820, S74
237, 288, 332 | 47, 532, 542 284, 820, 874
eee 2 ae PANASG IST) |. oe ee |) S290%588i |b cone Beate | 25, 747, 470
ae 261, 745, 269 | 48, 823, 075 |———— 310, 568, 344
261, 745, 269 48, 823, 075 |: 310, 568, 344

d. Sugar-supply of twenty-five years, with a comparison of quantities -
of native, and foreign. This diagram represents the annual production
of Louisiana, together with the imports entering annually into consump-
tion, by separate tints of color, on the seale of 200,000,000 pounds per
inch. It shows that in 1850 half the re equisite supplies were pro-
duced in Louisiana; now, from the vast increase in consumption, and
decrease in production, less than one-tenth of our wants are supplied at
home. The figures accompanying this diagram, which is not here pro-
duced, are as follows:

1

| a C10 33
za THOME © hpeadp re opay Fit HT
abt ct 22 -~—--——-—| aa SE
yer +4 BPE CEL
zig rcs |

£30000 6 |---| lat \reo.t
fa a3 8 |

aig ore 03
, }: 888,00 2S

| S60 AMO ce
Batt che T
pf SE
| (Sk Toe ot
| 068 ce ol
Tif Sieh j-—_.____} 6.0

;
Soe MeD.ae We. .cs 4
estat mE ACS DE f
~ 7 80) Sas gee |.
_ | 188 286 28

a a
or) RSS 188 (Bes
- ik, OG OE 6S

Sasop to noairsqaroo 8 -AJiw 2 «nog asitzgine wt Yo elqaws-vepwe Rae
euborg isnaos odt ciaezs1qe1 mergeib eid ..cgistot bas oviea te

Miod Osai Yilénane gairsias etroqesi od? ditw 1sdiogos sonia te
#banog 000,000,008 io sisoe oui go.s0lo9 to 21a slslege 7d soa

7 a

| stew-asilqqne olizinpot of} tied OCA ai
bis Moiquuzn0s oi s2ao10n! Jesy sii mor .wos

bo! qque 916 2inew tno lo djgsi-o00 ted? ezol .
pH Jon. 2i foidw <obigsib cid) gabyasqimiooos

2.
+ en
i
7

-gugizinal oi beost
inttonbhor of seas)

5 : fas :
PVs ois = pts ts? |

. 5
reat alae: °
47703103 ©

Bed

»
"ae

ted3 awods 1 deat»

THE COTTON CROP OF TEN YEARS.

Effect of quantity upon value.

SCALE,
Light lines, 1 inch to ¥%4 million bales.
Dark lines, 1 inch to 50 million dolls QUANTITY.
: ° 2,193,987 bales.

786s. ' x :
a AS EE ESI EP SS EE EE SE RE EP PE SE EE EL SAE SE OEE

1866. i SS — 2,019,774 bales.

1867. 2,593,993 bales.

1868: 2,439,039 bales.

1869. 3,154,946 bales.

1870, 4,352,317 bales.

Spa 2,974,351 bales.

1872. 3:930,508 bales.
a a ee ee

1873 Leen neee rrr eee eeeeeceeeeeeeee eee es 4,170,388 bales.
EEE eee ee

1874. { SB, 3,832,991 bales.
eu ee

VALUE.

$440,728,108 @ 43.2c.

$285.5 15,252 @ 30.4c.

$234,004,108 @ 19 4c.

$285,806,59c @ 25.2¢.

$346,223,774 @ 23.6c.

$301,550,283 @ 14.9¢.

$266,933,130 @ 19 30.

$3450432,095 @ 18.9¢.

$300,580,715 @ 15.5¢.

$269,133,403 @ 15.1¢.

| 158

Years. Louisiana.

Years. Louisiana. Total.
Pounds. Pounds. Pounds. Pounds.
SACS eae net 2 242, 881, 150 443, 908, 572 || 1864......-.....--.- 7, 668, 200 611, 284, 468
v2 3) ee es 272, 029, 050 642, '792, 597 || 1865..........-... 17, 250, 000 594, 330, 143
Te Tae MEINE Be Sa 370, 224, 100 815,663,450 || A86bscense- =~... ~~~ 47, 150, 000 1, 012, 799, 904
ibe (ea eee 505, 222, 600 9448145232 || 1867.25.55. .5.-.. 43, 294, 050 870, 526, 017
ae See eee eee 398, 630, 250 92/6105 363: 1) 186825 cece oa 96, 894, 400 1, 195, 120, 413
i sees See 266, 141, 050 695/021. "736' /| TS692so. o-oo =. 100, 153, 500 1, 309, 847, 125
$ebGS. ose ook coe 85, 072, 400 396,038,260 || L8vO0scc. 6 cccwce ns 166, 613, 150 1, 306, 202, 065
at ae er efemie 321, 651, 550 10784505344 || TRAMs ee. 147, 730, 150 1, 327, 456, 300
PSap eee es noc onan \ac 416, 640, 400 803, 994, 264 || 1872.-..00.5.----- 124, 798, 000 1, 565, 760, 616
SGU). Ss 255, 116, 000 STOSS0L Ooai) eae cnteasm cake sarc 102, 922, 700 1, 525, 794, 971
POGUE owes omc.cce: 263, 071, 700 SUG SSG, Thee! || Lease cee ck gate cs 134, 504, 691 1, 705, 193, 954
UT Loe S Sere 528, 321, 500 1, 251, 620, 551 —— ——_—_.
i252 2s eee ie. See 530, 832, 412 Totals... 4, 913, 980,591 | 23, 960, 395, 437
The] TESS oar Dear amaiaini” ins | 498, 846, 005

6. The cotton-crop of ten years—effect of quantity upon value.—This
brings in juxtaposition the aggregate quantity and value of the crop for
each year since 1865, one inch in length meaning a half million of bales
or $50,000,000. It shows that when the quantity rose from 3,154,946
bales in 1869 to 4,352,317 bales in 1870, the price declined from 23.6 to
14.9 cents, so that the large crop brought $44,673,491 less than the me-
dium crop preceding. The next year the crop declined to 2,974,351
bales, and the price rose to 19.3 cents. The high price of the first year
was, of course, the result of the cotton-famine of the war-period.

7. Average yield per acre, 1866-1875.—The estimates of area and pro-
duction furnish means of making averages for a period which are truer
and more instructive than the fluctuating averages of separate years.
Those averages are not necessarily indices of fertility of soil, as Massa-
chusetts, utterly insignificant in corn-preduction, stands far higher than
Illinois. Fertilizers and special culture give larger results per acre
than the richest soils. Llinois probably stands lower for this period of
nine years than for any former period, having suffered for several seasons
of drought and other unpropitious meteorological conditions. The aver-
age yields of corn and wheat are as follows:

( Nevada. e: { California. rm.
5 | Oregon. is | ew Jersey. Ys
© 3
S Massachusetts. e | Vermont
5 | Gipcuibiont: = | Ohio.

4 Vermont. e New Hampshire.
z | Rhode Island. SF | Pennsylvania. :

{ Minnesota. : ( Massachusetts.
= ( New Hampshire. ‘3 Towa.
=| x oom = | Nebraska
= ae ew Jersey. ¢ foo
5 (New York. Be | Minnesota

( California. tindinia.

4 | Wisconsin. (New York
=| Michigan. £2 | Wisconsin
= Pennsylvania. e | Connecticut
5 pane: s \* Nevada.
( Texas Michigan.
— ~©
» Nebraska 2 | Missouri. Li
=) low = ( Oregon. 5
= ae = Illinois. , Az
= [ui : = Maine.
= { Ohio. a < Kentucky.
A (Indiana. = West Virginia.
S Delaware. Rhode Island.
2 Maryland. ‘ | Arkansas.
S Arkansas. © ( Maryland.
| West Virginia. = . Tennessee.
( Kentucky. B | Texas.
S Mississippi. rt .. { Virginia.
z4 Louisiana. = | Delaware.
ge Florida. = | Louisiana.

| Virginia. = | Mississippi.

( Tennessee. ( North Carolina.
= | Alabama. -E Alabama.

Z4 North Carolina. = ’ Georgia.
Bil Gecraia. = | Florida.

(South Carolina. (South Carolina.

8. Aggregate value of principal crops, being an average from 1866 to
1874, inclusive. This diagram is a line- illustration on the scale of
100, 000, 000 to the square inch, which shows that corn leads all our
crops, hay next, (grass as pasturage not included,) and wheat and cotton
are almost exactly equal. These averages are as follows:

GR enn sam acesccclennsaqex === $549, 238, 907 lMPobstoss occo--) Sates eene ee eens | $76, 356, 914
Ho AL es Re 343, 111, 450 || Tobacco .......-.------------+-===s 34, 439, 809
IT ee = ee ee ee rr Ste 308, 983, 272 | Barley ..---2--------2--0--nes0-sene= 33, 3174, 788
RUE See ene See wane win waewoe= sen 308, 590, 811 || Rye--.-.--------2-----00-- 222 en en ee- 18, 695, 826
De eee eon coco daeeemaceen a 123, 867, 426 || Buckwheat ...----------+----------- 12, 943, 912

|

1a6

A
.

2
“lj

a }
ce
128 at

ite itend 0 af

| 1874.
|e 60 mil. dol.
stoxcteBOOrr % bu. .
ek Pe
~. 600 mil dols acer
18222 ve bu : peeps weal | . : .
wntoseaiM | ~ isk wet i

550 mil dols t emer | a .

3
BY

; “ec t ne
“pincers bu. : sisemnniW } ee
LIS O6t f : pat ~
© 500 mil dols : simari gees 3 *
Toners bo sant ae

450 mil dols. aaacudsi |
goo “ bu. peat a
steeaillt . - "Sa 3
400 mil dols - : eh}
ooo. 7. be: eats Lee
<n aeGcnil. doles —) wewsiotl 1a
sus =a J) ; : ie
70° bu mivn 2
=

300 ait dols. e eS teal
600 * bu.

be "250. me dols. ; =.
BOO. > Da: =
‘ ve dols. we
me i eh —
| 4B mil. dols. : :

oo. ; bw
. ‘oi ‘paar iroil eye
p96 @lare of) oo ¢
é are lis ebsol iioo
ee, fi
“— avrol

Cs

Boe Lea dol. at. ned ; érot ae
-|... 200 4. Rink Brbine ocd wife m

647i 4 ss mbar’

bebuloni jon sysimssed 2 TE
1 iT { <<, ft Le es
Bidders. .

ais

an 8 wees hei

- AGGREGATE PRODUCT OF CORN, WHEAT, OATS, AND POTATOES.
Effect of quantity on value.

1866. 1867. 1868. 1869. 1870. 1871. 1872. 1833. 1874.

650 mil. dol.
t,300 “ bu.

Goo mil cols
1,200.*° bu

550 mil dols
Tylooe. |i.

500 mil. dols
1000 > bu.

SCALE:

450 mil cols
goo * bu.

Quantity of Corn
Value He

goo mil dols °
800 * bu.

Quantity of Wheat
Vahue rs

35° mil dols.
joo * bu

Quantity of Oats

Value q

300 mil. dols.
600 * bu.

Quantity of potatoes -

250 mil, dols.
500 “ bu.

Value if

200 mil. dols.
4oo “ bu.

150 mil. dols.
goo * bu.

soo mil dols.
zoo “ bu.

50 mil. dols.
roo “ bu,

IMMIGRATION OF SEVEN YEARS.

Comparison of its sources,

1 2

GERMANY
| N. AMERICA SWEDEN
i | 69.000
AGarecaTe oF IMMIGRANTS | Great BRITAIN Ms 213. 958 93.055
| 993.105
2.531.569
| 7 6 ,
| , 40
Scace 200,000 ro THE Square IncH

mi

1. Aggregate for all countries .-..-.. 2,531,569 WRN S12 ay otek fests] = echt ita = = 76,690 13. Netherlands

2. Great Britain and Ireland ..-..... 993,105 SOMRYANGCE olore wn ore 2 5) slo (aae 475252 14. Russia

Arno eMmintn a scen -r oe em me eae 869,000 9. -Austro.Fiunpary :<..-5 --- «eee 27,750 t5. Poland

4eNoxth Americas oy59%-a5- aostevcts 213,958 10. Italy, including Sicily and Malta .... 25,935 16. Belgium

5 Sweden pteszaiul wesdel. de. aeede1 93,053 11.) switzerland! <<... ~< =~ «oe = ee 23,469 17. Spain

SIGN OTE. PEON! JOU MOI 3 75,036 p2eaDenmarki 4 -- <\----~s\= +s <a e 21,977 18. Portugal

ott | oat

155.

9. Aggregate product of corn, wheat, and potatoes—effect of quantity upon
value. —This diagram shows the course of production through eight
years. The scale is arranged to illustrate quantities by lines represent-
ing one hundred, two hundred, up to thirteen hundred millions of bush-
els, and when used to illustrate value the same lines mean fifty, one
hundred, up to six hundred and fifty millions of dollars. Tracing the
line representing corn, starting at less than nine hundred million bush-
els, it falls one hundred millions in 1869, and at 1870 and 1872, respect-
ively, it nearly reaches eleven hundred million. Then following the
upper line, showing the value of corn, nearly $600,000,000 in 1866—a
rise in value attends a decline in quantity, and vice versa, the only ex-
ception being in 1871, when the surplus of the preceding year made the
supply a very full one, while the great crop of 1872 struck with panic
the corn-markets, and completely demoralized prices. The prices of
corn are controlled almost exclusively by the quantity produced, as the
market cannot be ‘“ cornered,” and the export of 3 per cent. is scarcely
a disturbing element; in this instance, foreign demand does not fix the
prevailing home-price. With wheat it is different, as the lines show, in
some years prices continuing to rise with a rise in quantity, caused ‘by
poor crops in Europe.

10. Wages of farm-labor—monthly rate without board, 1866 and 1875.~
This diagram shows the monthly rate of each State, in both the
years named, from the exhaustive investigations of the Department.
The scale of line-illustrations is $10 per inch. There is shown a de-

cline in wages, except in some of the Southern States, where labor is

becoming more efficient and valuable, and in Oregon, where a scarcity
exists. The figures are as follows:

States. | 1866. | 1875. || States. | 1866. | 1875.
| | s
LOE ob 2 eS ees | $27 00 | $25 40 || Louisiana.-.............-..-...-. $20 50 | $18 40
Bew EEA PS MILO Se <3 <.210<= sss sese0 | a2 is = os | cee OS ee Ee ge v1 00 Ee _
UVR Jet Pe ce cee ncn nn| oe 64 |. 29°68 ERAN win Ee owen nase ae ee 24 21

MASBSAGHUSOTUS ~~ =... -..522--.5-.- So osuueeod, || AROUNERSCGIe mec... .c..c2>scnoece 19 00 15 20
BRMEEMERLAN cee ne oss <5) «tose | 34 40) - 30) 00))|' West Virginia..2--...------2-24.- 25 35 20 75
Connecticut | 3425 | 28 25 || Kentuck 20 23 | .18 12
repeats Bae oe cs 5) ag 57-|- 97 14 || Ohne. |) el eee
Ppa ee S01O7 | a0a71. || WGhsennkeoes oe nee 3126 | 28 22
Pamayivania............---..-.. Pee ae sre ris 20 ||) Hallet esas. 5c. < <n cee es Q7 71) 24 20
MIGINWANG .. Jocessaceceeeeses eee: eeaaroan a0 Os" ||| MING tee teas soca ocn oc neers 28 54] 25 20
20 02 | Wisconsin 30 84 | 25 50

14 84 | Minnesota 3165 | 26 16

43) 46"||oweae---- ~~. ---| 2834] 2435

12 84 |} Missouri....... ---| 2675] 19 40

aon 52 ees jeabysil 14°40 |) Beansage os. 8s... | 3103] 23 20
ere pees eee See ek oo ga ess 18 00 | 15 50 | INGDMAKR ote. 28. c<a~ debs cateeae 38 37 | 24 00
LOD UD 28 Se SSS cop epee | 13 40} 15 60 || California....................----| 45 71 44 50
LUST a eee ee eee Be PR REGITLE G30) 1) Greens 25. Ss. Soe sek cee 35 751 38 25

11. Immigration of seven years—comparison of its sources.—In fur-
ther illustration of labor interests, this diagram shows the sources of
our Supply from other countries. Great Britain furnishes 39 per cent.
ete ‘aed 34—all other nationalities little more than a fourth of the
whole.

12. Comparative area of the public-land States—This diagram illus-
trates the _Superticial area of each State by square figures drawn to a
seale of 25,000,000 acres per square inch. The proportion sugveyed in
1874 is indicated by shading, as also the area actually appropriated up
to 1870.

The figures are as follows:

States and Territoriés.

156

Areain acres.

WAMAGERIS ere te eeee tees 22h. cosa see cakeue sate ea AS
JE EG Mele sd FTAe e e e eee ee Ces ee secre ro
ESHER PENNY ite a socio enc enns aca nna Coe eae senetaeoeaae

New Mexico Territory
Arizona Territory

DIOL LD. oot ede) Se a ripe ee ee ee A
GRUNER DWE ag) 9) ee a Re See re eee
Ss eIEOMEOLITLONG So 3 ooo aioe = ops tela ee eee oe soe
MOO MUPE Ere Hee aa aea ss fnadacic ce one sweat eeeacanets soon |
Tdaho TUS BET ap qeeeeeeeee= ceeenceree=estee=crs-eoneene ac:
RAH PENNY 5 = oleae ne Dacia anon eee 3 Seen 8
MMNMNIDMG LA Ge. sone mie ee Snail sd eee eer as
Kansas sar cna toee aide voo abe biecbeme ce mas tee aeCe none

Washington PSETibON ys. 2 = st Passa sees see een aees eases os

OE IMUCOPETUOLY 2 = 5s.a.5 no Sia.212 = e's oe nee Mae ae Since te eecioe
UL hod Se tae Serene ao eer Seas sc cee seasons = sacs

ATSGY os() 2) (es Se ee ae

Louisiana

veyed. priated

120, 947, 840 38, 805, 776 |. 20, 877, 662

96, 596, 128 13, 863, 913 5, 835, 604
92, 016, 640 6, 784, 481 5, 179; 8200 ae
77, 568, 640 5, 486, 185 6, 864, 082 —
72, 906, 240 3, 135, 753 4, 050, 350.

71, 737, 600 8, 198, 194 4, 668, 383

66, 880, 000 15, 683, 086 4, 303, 329

62, 645, 068 4, 748, 841 3, 480, 281

60, 975, 360 15, 255, 617 9, 515, 744

55, 228, 160 4, 014, 953 3, 102, 407

54, 065, 042 5, 984, 792 5, 315, ORG

53, 459, 840 35, 897, 912 19, 516, 340

52, 043, 520 45, 770, 685 10, 544, 439

48, .636, 800 32, 372, 410 8, 869, 943

44, 796, 160 10, 190, 046 3, 536, 967

44, 154, 240 22; §32, 725 |../-.5 ose

41, 234, 000
37, 931, 520

of
ov,

35, 462, 400
35, 228, 800
34, 511, 360
34, 462, 020
33, 406, 720
30, 179, 840
26, 461, 440
25, 576, 960

Acres sur- Abreg ap TO-

41, 234, 000 40, 549, 368
29, 345, 870 20, 643, G11
128,640 | 36, 128, 640 32, 468, 110

35, 462, 400 35, 462, 400
35, 228, 800 34, 036, 220
34, 511, 360 26, 118, 729
34, 462, 030 28, 522, 448
33, 406, 720 22) 463, 872
30, 178, 840 25, 531, 387
23, 909, 253 20, 033, 897
25, 576, 960 25, 576, 960

13. Aggregate value of farm-animals—average from 1846 to 1874, inelu-
sive.—This diagram represents these values as follows: Cattle, ’3646,-

214,801; horses, $600,782,233; mules, $

sheep, $94,491,942.

CHARTS. Several charts

follows:

$ 108,033,293; swine, $146, AL GL

embody the numbers and prices of farm-

animals, taken from the statistical estimates of 1876, which are_as

Table showing the estimated value and average price of horses, mules, and cow; and other
cattle, January, 1876.

5) 29) 027, 160) 34. 68

Horses. Mules.
ne : i) oO

States. 3 Ds

» Value. | 5-3 | Value. | 3-2

rs rs

4 — 4 ~

BT eee ee eee $6, 463, 954/$81. 41|...-...--..}------
New Hampshire ...---..-...-.. ihe) lds 0] SU | ee Cee WN
"CET Aa ee Ae, eT 6 QIeseO | Bas etecce ous Losieeeee.s
MIGISHACNTNSELLS . .= os. sb cee occ 9, 416, 18) 89: 94) ec eee al saceme
PetUSESIANG ©. «ee ol -coe TE, 433,689) 097/87). o 2 25. ewe a
RBMMERMOUG = 12020 o-scac Doe eos 4, 197, S171 | iil yf | EAS See (eS e
yew 2 ae eee 61, 119, 000} 90. 00) $1, 819, 475/398. 35
PIE IDEBOY) occa n cates meee 12) 824) 188,110. 84) 1, 924, 800/128. 32
Pennsylvania .......-.-.....--. 49, 557, 970| 84.70] 2,528,745] 96.15
Riera neces. et scan eo eek 1, 635, 620) 83. 45 380, 000) 95. 00
AY OIA. oo coc csecicn calsdeeeee 8, 779, 710) 83. 22) 1, 164, 460/105. 86
Vette a See 13, 551, 397] 69.53} 2, 550, 880) 85. 60
MOrEMNCAFOUND =. .-<-2+ cacawere 10, 473, 309) 74. 97 4, 267, 318 82. 54
Sonth:Carolina..............-0- 5, 040, 202) 88.58) 4, 204, 929) 94. 07
Set te ea 9, 389. 471) 79.37) 8, 3280, 944) 87. 12
RUN 1, 306, 274) 78. 22 879, 840) 91. 65
2S us a ee 7, 449, 984! 71.36) 8, 132, 280) 80. 20
WSSiasIppl #2. c7c--- ces ee 6, 775, 164| 76.04] 9, 328, 427) 97.07
IM eh .----| 4,484, 914)-58. 78) 6, 708, 404) 83. 96
PE GMAN er eee ana a eysc wan ~ enlace 20; 554, 168) 33.17) 5, 932, 413) 53, 59
ENOTES GETS Oe ea ee 8, 594, 901) 54.09} 5, 629, 500) 67. 50
PREIMIOBAEG eee pe anc ome nile dn 19, 919, 520) 62.64] 6, 910, 858) 67. 82
WVIESO WATER oa wow pe oe onic 6, 651, 336) 59. 44! 163, 392) 68. 08)
NEST Rite Ae on ee | 20; 766, 018) 56.94! 5,009, 050! 58. 931

Milch cows.

Value. |

Average
price

$6, 079, 100/$37. 00)
3, 780, 700) 38. 50
7, 060, 150) 33. 70
6, 780, 699) 48. 33

795, 600) 39. 00
4, £05, 297) 43. 33
56, 111, 250) 37. 50
6, 429,213) 44.37

736, 000) 32. 00
3, 052, 217| 30. 31
5, 168, 790] 22. 77)
3, 111, 480} 15. 48]
3, 146, 175| 19. 75
4,512, 002| 17. 02

976, 616) 14. 62)
3, 409, 414) 20. 27
3, 671, 832| 21, 03
1, 855, 616| 20. 71
7, 861, 572) 15. 72)
2, 606, 580) 16. 20
4, 701, 331| 20. 83

3, 234, 135| 25. 77
6, 836, 918) 27. 941

Oxen and other

cattle.

Value.

Average
price.

$7, 155, 336 $35. 44
4, 498, 160| 38, 12
3, 827, 563] 29. 33
5, 710, 800) 47. 59

795, 520) 49. 72
4, 185, 188) 36. 68
21; 122; 920! 31. 85
3, 037, 800! 36, 60
20, 556, 143] 29. 03

783, 624] 24.72
2, 723, 391) 22. 87
6, 701, 850) 16, 86
3, 191, 508) 10. 19
2) 182, 523) 11. 69
3,572,019} 8.91
2958, 076} 8.14
4, 186, 167) 12. 79
3, 639, 135] 11. 85
2) 007, 792} 11. 68
22) 429 209] 9.57 -
2) 775, 006) 10. 62
3, 945, 903] 12. 19
5, 087, 376, 21.63
8236, 144) 21.14

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157

Table showing the estimated value and average price of horses, §-c.—Continued.

= THe i Oxen and other
Horses. Mules. Milch cow 3. cattleay

States. So So Se Ls ’ fp -

a oo) SS ae

Value. | S| Value. | S| Value. | 32 | Value. | 5-2

ma >a aan eB,

<q < 4 <q
A Hy eee a = eed Ses win is ofa == m= $52, 601, 712 $69. 14) $1, 909, 060 $72. 04/326, 433, 440/$32. 65'$21, 510, 063)$24. 87
MMTRNEN 2 Gee eek one's cnn 24, 437, 839| 82.31, 365, 256| 96. 12) 12, 169, 070| 33. 70| 10, 803, 500] 26.35
Tudiana..... ee siete (alah als are 41, 725, 056) 61.76) 4,187, 864) 71. 71) 11, 916, 260} 27. 40) 15, 175, 695) 19. 65
Thins ae eel 65, 229, 075] 59.75! 7, 929, 207| 71.37] 20, 852, 0°0| 29. 05) 27, 721, 980) 21.54
Wisconsin 23, 602, 305) 67. 05 443, 352) 85. 26) 12, 679, 500} 26.75) 9, 153, G71} 20. 39
Minnesota 12, 945, 516) 75. 09 306, 528) 95.79) 5, 881, 865) 25.19) 6, 606, 475) 20.05
Vin pee eesneeoee -codsee Bea an 43, 774, 614) 63.83) 3,041, 770) 82.21) 16, 726, 420) 26.90) 19, 095, 012) 20. 91
IWTSSC UD 3624p 3S aa eee 26, 400, 100) 45.40) 7, 070, 986) 56.03) 9, 140, 852) 20. 86) 14, 143, 844) 17. 38
Leis 6 oe 11, 230, 899) 49.63) 1, 333,080) 64.40) 5, 600, 232) 23.76; 9, 213, 490) 18. 95
LOSES) 5 ee 4, 713, 618} 69. 42 450, 800) 98.00) 1, 676, 973) 28.09) 1, 804, 044) 20. 76
Teint eee 9, 514, 778] 45.46| 1, 497, 680) 77. 20] 11, 445, 148] 31. 46| 21, 586, 000} 20.08
MMGP ON aan. ss 5.5 Js sioae sone see 3, 900, 952) 42. 68 169, 016) 45.68) 1,759,575) 21.75) 1, 754, 400) 12. 75
GEG Sea 588, 600! 54. 00 85, 800) 78. 00 326, 700) 33. 00 $80, 700) 21. 00
AHS (LETritoOries”. .-..=-.--i--65-s 6, 330, 500) 55.00) 1, 859, 000) "71. 50) 7, 988, 750) 27. 50; 14, 761, 080) 18. 78
dof tl es eee ee 32, 446, 985) .--.-. 106, 565, 114)...-.-. 320, 346, 728)...... 319, 623, 509) ....--
. — ——_ —— —-—S§_
Grand average of prices -..|.......---- 62096). 2 = oases (bth) Baa aa

Table showing the estimated number, average price, and value of sheep and swine January,

1876.
Sheep. Swine.
State. A ie
~ : verage +. verage
Number. price, Value. Number. price. Value.

no? 12308 Bs See eee 525, 900 $3 78 | $1, 987, 902 58, 800 $11 66 $685, 608
New Hampshire ....-.-..-. HAcese 242, 400 2 70 654, 480 37, 300 16 20 604, 260
VG hs ee eel 490, 500 3 74 1, #34, 470 51, 800 12 19 631, 442
MASSAORUSOULS Sooo es5 5-4 2nis= 252 76, 300 3 63 276, 969 75, 600 18 03 1, 363, 068
NNUGOENIANG so. 50 2. Se tcc cene 25, 300 3 96 100, 188 16, 300 17 05 277, 915
MSATIBGIEOUED Voce cn =.cm ai anie ee doles 92, 500 418 386, 650 57, 900 16 73 968, 667
Lay) GT ee Se ee 1, 936, 500 395 | 7,649,175 568, 700 11 39 6, 477, 493
MGWrGUSCY...2-22-<.5-ossc0-5-- 125, 800 5 01 630, 258 153, 000 13 83 2, 115, 990
LEGIT Ci PC ee 1, 640, 500 3 58 | 5,872,990 875, 000 11 50 | 10, 062, 500
VDE Sa ee ee 23, 600 3 67 86, 612 46, 700 10 61 495, 487
MGMIANM = Semieicos -ccuen setae 141, 200 3 89 549, 268 233, 500 710 1, 657, 850
Virginia 356, 400 293 | 1,044, 252 529, 800 445| 2, 624, 610
North Carolina 283, 900 1 58 448, 562 758, 300 4 01 3, 040, 783
South Carolina 142, 700 1 @1 258, 287 275, 900 4 i1 1, 133, 949
Georgia 371, 200 1 73 642,176 | 1,360, 700 3 91 5, 320, 337
EEE S.. See Me lc Sacra ccc Ane 37, 800 1 94 13, 332 175, 400 2 26 396, 404
WURDE eT Gah 185, 900 1 93 358, 787 755, 900 3 99 3, 016, 041
WRSISSIDD. 2-05 2e. 6-5 2-2-2 50e 151, 800 1 81 274, 758 792, 900 431] 3,417,399
DLO MRE ee See a ne 68, 860 2 04 140, 352 222, 600 3 98 885, 948
GSS oe eee eee 1, 691, 400 200 | 3,382,800 | 1,090, 000 409} 4,458, 100
JNTLEL ERG eee ge a ee 192, 400 2 01 386, 724 901, 200 391 | 3,523, 692
PRearatesses: = Nos ceas cu coc ck 341, 700 2 11 720,987 | 1,026, 400 D 22 5, 357, 808
DWOShA VIRGINIA. 2220 oo. -c ce csen 544, 500 255] 1,388, 475 248, 400 5 38 1, 336, 392
UST nay Re SR 683, 600 285 | 1,948,260} 1,604, 300 5 51 8, 839, 693
DUO. Se SS ee cs 4, 546, 600 2 72 | 12, 366,752 | 1,596, 100 8 06 | 12, 864, 566
ERIN We = beta ncace ces 3, 450, 600 | 2 65 9, 144, 090 459, 700 7 93 3, 645, 421
HUG To eRe see, oe 1, 250, 000 2 62 | 3,275,000} 2,136, 000 770 | 416, 447, 200
PETE. sete i Tate 1, 311, 000 | 241 | 3,159,510} 2,640,100 8 63 | 22, 784, 063
Rulapensine. se 8 ee: 1, 162, 800 274 | 3,186, 072 540, 700 758} 4,098,506
PTUIORAUAS Seinen Westie, own odie 190, 200 | 2 63 500, 226 213, 400 6 99 1, 491, 666
TONE acto eso oo eee 1, 663, 900 | 266 | 4,425,974] 3,296, 200 § 08 | 26, 633, 296
MATNSGIPIe = ae eo oe Soe 1, 284, 200 1 86 2, 388, 612 1, 874, 300 5 94 11, 133, 342
LEGO ea ye a ea 123, 900 220} 346,920 246, 500 891] 2,196,315
INGDRSM KAGE LE eek esc 2a) 48, 900 277 |. 185,453 80, 900 7 58 613, 222
Galifornige. Sees 2 eb! 2 6, 750, 000 2 02 | 13, 635, 000 363, 300 vip ir 2, 604, 861
MVOZON, Jaa aso Mae se sono scene 710, 500 199} 1,413, 895 181, 500 4 41 800, 415
iMavadae. Seer es Sik” 20, 900 2 60 | 54, 340 5, 200 9 00 46, 800
Phe. Rerritorescs o> to. cess aces 3, 049, 200 260} 8,537, 760 116, 500 8 75 1, 019, 375
ee

OAL, sioce eee towers BODO tl os ear at 93, 666, 318 } 25, 726, 800 }....-..--. 175, 070, 484

158 Ga

The comparative value of horses and cows in the several States is
thus presented : ; . LG YOATS Mga

( New Jersey.
=
a | Massachusetts.
ro : s
2| Connecticut.

S
. | Rhode Island.

z|
=> | Tennessee.
Georgia.

| Alabama.

( Arkansas. _ (Nevada.
S | North Carolina. = | Oregon.
ao =~ J
eat : rape ‘
+2 | Florida. # | California.
=
So =

| Texas. | Texas.

In connection with these char

( New Jersey.
2| Massackusetis.
3 2 Rhode Island. A } esl

S | Connecticat.

( Nevada. { Florida.
ft
California. ( Pennsylvania.
- . .
FS Vermont. + : Georgia.
3 4 New York. & | South Carolina. ty
He, 2g) i,
2 . =
a | Pennsylvania. ae | New York.
>
—)
New Hampshire. | Vermont.
| Maine. | Mississippi.
( Michigan. ( Maryland. .
Ohio. Louisiana.
Delaware. = | Maine.
—)
The Terriiories. = New Hampshire. oe
os Da = :
ze Maryland. = | North Carolina.
J
ASS
= | Nebraska. Delaware. j
S _
Illinois. ww { Alabama. $
Indiana. a ( Michigan. a
2 Eeeaete ms
Kentneky. s Virginia. 2
D 5 a
| West Virginia. ie | Ohio. 2
a
(Oregon. = | Tennessee.
34 é
| Wisconsin. *e | Wisconsin. a
Be = ey
S | Iowa. Minnesota. ’
oe
= heals
= | Minnesota. Arkansas.
ii r
Kansas. | Nebraska.
| Virginia. ( West Virginin.
( Missouri. | Indiana.
oS
Louisiana. 3 2 Kentucky.
Bees
<8 | South Carolina. = | Towa.
S 2 Mississippi. ( Illinois.

& ( Kansas.

ut

S + Missouri.

= | The Territories.

ts are type specimens (in lithograph,

black and tint) of breeds of farm-animals most popular and generally

distributed. These are—

a, Shorthorn bull, (Bates,) Duke of Airdrie, (12,7 30.)
b. Shorthorn cow, (Bates,) Dutchess of Geneva.
e. Shorthorn bull, (Booth,) Breastplate, (11,431.)

d. Shorthorn grade steer.

G3 oa

e. Devon bull, Huron.

j. Jersey bull, King of Prairie.

g. Dutch cow, Infrau.

h. Ayrshire grade, “Old Creamer.”

The second is the famous cow that brought, at auction, $10,600; the
last, the cow that gave 100 pounds of milk, daily, for thirty days.

Another series of charts ijlustrates the statistics of agricultural edu- °
cation, accompanied by the following illustrations (wood engraving
upon lithographic tint) of college-buildings, as follows:

a. College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts at Hanover, N. H.

b. Institute of Technology at Boston, Mass.

e. Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass.

d. College of Agriculture, (Cornell University,) Ithaca, N. Y.

e. Agricultural and Mechanical College, Columbus, Ohio,

J. Industrial University at Urbana, Ill.

g. “ Ashland,” homestead of Henry Clay, regents’ residence, Ken-
tucky University, Lexington, Ky.

h. College of Agriculture at Berkeley, Cal.

- 4, Female College, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis.

k. College of Agriculture, Lincoln, Neb.

l. Industrial University, Fayetteville, Ark.

A portion of these statistics of our industrial system are given in the
following tables:

a ego | 5S | eipeeee
aie = SSB | 28S | 2pe
SH D aA Go AS rape ae
ao D a q | 2 ara Ci
© ty 2 zg oa S50 Eesie
; a 2 | Bags | Bq (S82.
State. Oo om ‘3 BS “8 wees
Sy nes Cnd og J =
52 3 Sasa | SYS | Sage
a2 | = |SEbe| a8: (gees
Bit =} Baas ea BRES
A A A A a
PAULANIAIM Bifein =e eB a\ote cin sio/s Sash Sicinieloenecles ae 240, 000
PAGES SAS| o7< 5 sagan = aaticcs cost se 150, 150, 000
California : 150, 000
Connecticut 180, 000
Delaware 90, 000
Florida...... a 90, 000
Georgia 270, 000
Tilinois -..- 454, 560
Ind@igna ..-.. 390, 000
OW Dect. ses ace sc a= 63, 025
AMIR ASS a ejocedeae = «= Seis 4 57, 495
Kentucky 330, 000
Louisiana } 210, 000
DOTTIE) ere Seidoe: SAB Serer eeeptaog 210, 000
Maryland : 210, 000
Maxsachusetis’ ..--b 5.2.6... oc cee epee eey 360, 000 360, 000
VEER AN eine Stetarsiais i= Se sia l=|sisie w= Pismicnis aisle mais Sis arnt 240, 000 75, 584
WREHIENOUaG Ss Sedat oF occ = oe cniscee Seem se ees 120, 000 64, 997
VOR STSGI ee Seedaet SSog Ob SEOOSeE CECE RtEe ra. 210, 000 210, 000
WVINSROULH IE Ae ceca Pict os or cater inns(SB eat d 330, 000 ial
IVER EAS KA fo = sees eB occa aimaslsscsiccic sate ecces 90;'000) Bee cicse =<
SUV et cise aca win ote Be em oes ce ene coat mc ctey 90; COD m\eee se See es
Gi wiPllamepS ITC) ls. Be ws <.o aes o/ctc ca)esioipivie imac natn b 150, 000 150, 000
IN GNVMIELR OV teenie ait R oe ia/cceciem ce aice stiri ee kia 210, 000 210, 000
RO WROLE: cecscetech cass ancotisna mon ca cecece ed 990, 000 580, 800
INGrUH OC RTOMNG eon oe 2 Bae) sock aces deo nett 270, 000 270, 000 |
One eet cee ees Baste cece apetiec eels daeare\ss = t 630, 000 630, 000
WNGEG Sn eB satis eae SSCA are ects 90, 000 700 |
BENS VLVANI A eee amen wawsle cece avecsits aae'= ae 780, 000 780, 000
Bhoderntslante tbl icpe) sartcaasseugce. sewaas di <6 120, 000 120, 000
OGD WAPOlLNGUEE Se vnca aes oon ene vet c= Scere sc 180, 000 180, 000
Wennesseer-. - LAE SRL LS IEE ke, Let! 300, 000 300, 000
TURES Sa OS des SoP eee Es (og See Beer Ore 130, 000 180, 000
BVERINONU 2 oe) Seem ee Geee sear ne bee coke sae cess » 159, 000 150, 000
ALONG Uo sos sect ma at a tit peak to ONE e ed Sale 300, 000 300, 000
EST AL OLDIE coer ere ee eee Ea Rea: 150, 000 150, 000
WASCONSIN: |. Sot ce Sage case nce Cee toe cee 240, 000 187, 597
EROUALS Spears soos cat a eetanies pect ent e aen 9,510,000 | 7, 996, 329

160

From the above statement it appears that 84 per cent. of the donated
lands have been sold; and the following shows the property already in-

vested in industrial education aggregates seventeen and a half millions:

3 Holacdk Q
ai ; [onl boahest
8 Fe = rs aa ,
$ a 5 Bol) late pg
al & n Sa
States. ei & SS) BD) yé Ie
ahdsilg ai jee of
= a} = ta,
° a Gi ao :
qi"! & Sigil
AJabama.-2.-: Mice. w Sie EES HIS aT. OL ee - VECO 200 $2, 000 | $100,000 | $327, 500
BAERS o's. Fe ce Se a ee mae i leer vee op mein ee aaaeeeer of eel 160 12, 000 5, 000 300, 000
MMPS EESTONU EPR NIU Uta noes a as rele ernicro mica ste (ama afar e eae aware ay settee DBO EES. 2S pO OSE 7 Bae 1, 087, 500
RUBFINGU INOW sou cos since cede oe cae omen ce cee ot ase eho more Mees ame aie a see es ieee 225, 000 614, 000
LE BS eri aS EEE spocic 6, ane deel arene: Sameer or 2 seo I 70 15, 000 50, 000 139, 000
WMorida 2-22 ASIP! RS oon ee oe eRe ELS Co Tene Se rete eRe s | HERE Oe ee OS. Soe flee 100, 134
GO Roan - 2045 - |S EP Ge -a-F 145 3- Sct 4------ - =P -peeae - 4 70. 2; 500 |. 200,000 i
BERT 02) NG Beso Sah on lepine sec aioleln et siake Ua pons sa mnme ee 623 60, 000 | 200, 000 866, 308
amaianears. 21 ASR ABLES AW Oe 184 60, 000 25, 000 510, 000
Wowrge eres ctr fy I. Fsbo, ap Tl ~~ th eb epee TS nee dereepere te 870 10, 584 | 237,000 968, 899
Loo TS Lasseter pessrcer a tade sae esa tice as aaeade 415 3, 000 31, 000 458, 782
Kentucky SEE. ELS OT: I S.SROMt sO ZAG ss. 433 130, 000 | 120, 000 311, 000
1 Ee De RT RIES SEES Es ise gee ae De aoe nee ape IPL | enggnn ens 65, 000 258, 620
SCLET ud a eee ees a ese pester Te eh —= ah eed Hist Sta 270 13, 500 60, 000 210, 000
Decanohusetigye OF 4.- OLR RLAC..---AObISsR-ByFOGR--2 383 37, 500 | 163,500 }, 1, 460, 627
IMICHIP AT 2 ais a. oe aa coda acne ee 676 10,148 | 109, 500 929, 699
Minnesota 4 143 8, 500 1, 20¢ 357, 250
Mississippi - 310 5,100 |. 100, 000 229, 515
MMIINSOULI 2 Je). == heise = 5 600 60, 000 3, 000" eee eee
Bvebraska-< 2-2. 5.2.2. 480 it. Los ei oS. Ee 468,000 —
New Hampshire -.-..-- 163 15, 000 50, 000 240, 000
New Jersey.-..----- 99 30, 000 75, 000 292, 200
WEWI Moni & 20 . SIO inS 200 40, 000 | 560, 000 | 2, 651, 998
MO rs re A a het hen cic 320 | 12,000 ooo. ee 904, 000
1) fy 0 ae die aa eda ek deel area ee ete te Sead Mae pee 36 5, 000 6, 000 239, 000
Perrnpyleabia. cuca Kole paises See ews << bpa3 600 59,136 | 300, 000 897, 589
Khode Island ...-.. Te I ea ee ee am aa Seah (eta el ape aN Bees A - 56, 000
South Carona 4. 2A Ie. VAUD. eA eR, a. 116 9, 000 35, 000 200, 800
Wennessee; - dao cl - echt - beast - cre cmqath - eee oh ---- ores 260 30, 000 53, 000 397, 190
(HERS oS RPA eRBHE ab! Saba oH ESS Se oHeteocEe erste sat: See 260) Pon eone eel = eee 291, 240
Metmouny 0 SFOTR Bis iota Aas. Vi2ZVOrvaiad -&- -O- 2Ttea. -ocisteeiee 416, 972
MATES i Eth re oe msgs ae Ch angie kde Sas? em eae eet ee 369 39, 740 89, 000 491, 448
West pipe uct cite pl Bedok cae I Sate OR feet yt age. ee beats Ba 44. 2b AN 80, 600 155, 000
Whistiedin....ro2eotb bili. bore. .2i 3. aegecd,-acsal 234 hobs TUE - 164, 000 359, 204
Mota. ase. STAYS ELD. eA AN. SEOl2 A. SPSRe Te. AS. Oy bt SUAS TS Ee 535, 475

To conelude the series of exhibits, the smaller diagrams, the charts
in the show-frame illustrating the above-named branches of statistical
exposition, together with further letter-press illustration of the real ex-
tent of our agricultural resources and present production, are gathered
together in the form of a statistical album, for preservation of the sub-
stance of the exhibits, and as a fragmentary record of a century’s prog-
ress-and memorial of the great centennial anniversary.

DIGEST OF CROP - RETURNS FOR. JUNE.
WINTER- WHEAT.

In the Northern States the conditions of weather, in April and May,
were generally favorable for the grain-crop, and, it. has suffered very
little from insect attacks or other injuries; but, though the erop of
winter-wheat on the ground is generally thrifty, yet, owing to extensive
injuries from the open winter, the prospect is not favorable for a large
yield. Among the States in the entire northern section, which grow

161

winter-wheat to any extent, Michigan alone comes up to average. Pre-
vious reports indicated that that State was favored above the others
with a more permanent covering of snow. New York averages about
18 below good ¢ondition.. In several counties the fact is noted that
drilled wheat stood the winter better, and was generally more pros-
perous than that sown broadcast ; also, that while the crop was badly
winter-killed on poor or poorly cultivated soil it came through unharmed
on that well fertilized and cultivated. The only counties reporting
above average are Wayne and Erie, 110, and Ontario and Montgomery,
105; which, except the last-named, are among the heavier counties.
The heaviest winter-wheat county, Monroe, returns 90; Livingston, the
next heaviest, 50, though that sown early on well-drained land is promis-
ing; Genesee is 55.

The average condition in Pennsylvania is 93. Lancaster, the great
wheat county of the State, returns 105. “ The Fultz wheat has the best
appearance wherever it is sown, and the general feeling among farmers
is that it is the wheat for Lancaster County.” The old Mediterranean
wheat, long grown there, ‘‘ does not make a full crop any more, and is
more subject to the fly and also to lodge.” York, the next county in
production, also promises above average. Delaware, Tioga, Bedford,
McKean, and Fulton report 110; Forest, 105; 16 counties, 100; the re-
mainder range from 95. down to 50, Lawrence, Columbia, and Montour
being at the latter figure.

In the South Atlantic States the mild winter has been followed gen-
erally by very favorable weather, resulting in a condition of extraordi-
nary promise. In Delaware, 105, and Maryland, 108, there are no draw-
backs of any kind reported, and no counties below average, the range
being from 100 to 120. In Virginia, 112, only seven returns out of
sixty-eight fall below average. A hard freeze about the last of April
did considerable injury to a previously very promising crop in several
counties. Injuries from the presence of the fly are noted in Fairfax,
King George, Madison, Clarke, James City, and Middlesex. They are
not represented as serious except in Clarke, and even there have not
reduced the promise below average. Rust had appeared in Prince
William, Richland, Lancaster, Middlesex, and Dinwiddie, but was
mostly confined to the blade, and, except some pieces sown late, the
crop was too far advanced before its appearance to be seriously injured.

In North Carolina, 104, while in a large majority of the returns the
condition ranges from 100 up to 125, it has been reduced in Moore by
the fly, in Lincoln by an insect never before seen, resembling the cab-
bage-louse; and in Gaston, Nash, Duplin, Stokes, Wilkes, and Lincoln
by rust. In Person, where the condition is very fine, Fultz wheat is
the favorite.

Farther south the rust has been more general and damaging. In
Georgia it has reduced a very promising condition to 16 per cent. below
average; in Alabama, 12 per cent. below; Mississippi, 25 per cent.
below; and in Texas the grasshopper, to a small extent, and more gen-
erally the fly, have conspired with rust to bring the condition down to
21 below. In Arkansas, owing almost exclusively to rust, the condition
is reduced to 73. Ravages of insects are noted only in Benton, in which
both chinches and the Hessian fly have been at work. In Tennessee,
also, the complaint of rust is almost universal, but, being mainly con-
fined to the blade, it has not reduced the condition below average.

West Virginia appears to have escaped all drawbacks, except slight
injuries from winter-killing 4nd a late freeze, and rises 6 per cent. above
average. The crop in Kentucky suffered extensively from dry weather

3A

162

in May. Owing to this cause chiefly it falls 8 per cent. below average. _.
The presence of rust is noted in three counties, and there were slight.
injuries from, winter-killing and freezes in the spring. od .ylisarg

In. the States bordering the Ohio on the north, as previously réported, i
the open, changeable winter was very disastrous to the crop, reducing —
the condition, with respect to promised yield, to 66 in Ohio and Indiana,
and .78.in Illinois... The thriftiness of that) which .escaped \ winter-
killing. or freezing out. is generally assumed, though *‘ the fly and bug”
are reported in Adams, and injuries from wet and freezing weather in
Vinton and Wood, Ohio; from drought in Warwick and Dubois, Indiana; :
and from “the hard freeze.in . Mareh”in Eifingham and Williamson,
Tilinois.

Beyond the Mississippi, among the winter-wheat States, Missouri falis..
about two per cent. below average condition... The principal causes of
reduction reported, are an unfavorable start, owing to the protracted
drought last. autumn ; more or less injury by the fly in Douglas, Stone, —
Phelps, Dallas, and Wright ; rust in Stone, McDonald, Johnson, Missis-
sippi, and Reynolds ; and chinches in Shelby.

In Kansas, the condition is extraordinarily good ;, out of 42 returns all
except 5 are above 100, and many of them range from 110 up to 200.
In Shawnee, rust has reduced a fine’ promise to half a crop, and its ap-
pearance is noted. in three or four other counties. The average for the
State is 108.. In Nebraska, which grows very little winter-wheat, the
condition is 110.

Only three returns from California fall below average, the others rang-
ing from 100 to 125. But. two of the three, Santa Clara, 83, and Stan-
islaus, 75, being two of. the heaviest wheat counties, the State average
is brought down somewhat below 100. Inthe former county, while early-
sown wheat is in good condition, “ late will not yield more than half a
crop ;” in the latter ‘the fields are very foul, owing to excessive wet
weather, and the heads have not filled well.’

From Oregon, all returns are favorable, making the State average 1 04.

The average condition for the entire country is little above 87.

New HampsHire.—Rockingham : Somewhat winter-killed.

VerMONT.— Grand Isle: Winter-killed.

ConnecricuT.—New London: Somewhat winter-killed.

New York.— Yates: On ground well manured, doing nicely ; ou poor ground, badly
winter-killed. Albany: Very spotted; a great portion very poor. Sown with a drill,
on ground well cultivated and fertilized, it looks well. Schoharie: Badly winter-killed ;
not half acrop. Steuben : Badly injured by the open winter. Washington: N2ver looked
poorer. Livingston: Sown early on dry land, looking very well; on clay and low lands,
very poor. Saratoga: Considerably injured during the winter. Wyoming: Looking
very pooly. Genesee: Badly winter-killed, but that left is doing finely. Orange;
Injured by winter-killing. Seneca: An open winter with severe changes ruined many
pieces. Spring-wheat is being substituted to a considerable extent. Montgomery: In-
proving greatly.

New JERSEY.—/Varren: Largely winter-killed, but improved finely till the middle of
May; when it was attacked by the old-fashioned bug in the straw. Gloucester : Looks
well where there is a stand, but many fields have failed of this, and are full of sorrel.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Delaware : Quite safe to predict an unprecedented yield. Perry:
On low and thin soil, badly hurt by the winter, and now being badly injured by the fly.
Tioga: Favorable weather has advanced the crop far beyond expectation. Wyoming:
Most of that putin with the drill looks well; 33 per cent. of that put in with the har-
row either poor or a total loss. Beaver; The crop will be a loss to a majority of the
farmers, but to those who manured the ground and put in the wheat in good order, it
will yield a profit. Clinton: Many fields which in ordinary seasons would have made
nothing, now bid fair to produce an average crop. Clearjield: Badly winter-killed ; but
owing to the fine weather the loss will be less than was anticipated. Monroe: Looks
fine. Bedford: Fields that seémed very bare recovered so as to indicate a good crop.
Bucks : Improved from 75 to 90. Butler: About half a crop. Lehigh: Hessian fly in some
localities. Lycoming: On sandy land has come on amazingly, but will be ten per cent,

163

below average. Armstrong: Many fields bare and spotted, but some are extra, good.
Columbia: Winter-killed; cannot be more than half a crop, Indiana: Improved
greatly, the latter part of May, The’ season has demonstrated that drilled wheat
stands the winter best. York: Indieations of, a more than average crop.’ Crawford:
Winter-killed to some extent; that left doing well. ..Vashington ; Many spotted fields: :
Northampton : Looks well.

DELAWARE.— Kent : Prospect of a fine crop.

MaRYLanp.—Caroline : Never looked so well before. Baltimore: Prospect of a fine
crop... Montgomery :, Looks unusually well... Howard: Growing weather has brought it
ap to a good average. Talbot: Fine, Dorchester: Looks remarkably well. , Harford :
Looking remarkably well; promise of, the largest crop for years, Queen Anne: The
crop will be heavy, should it escape rust and lodging.

ViRGINIA.— King and Queen: ‘The prospect most favorable. Loudoun > Remarkably
good ; a week earlier than last year, and promises threefold more. Patrick : The best
ever seen ; promise of a larger crop than ever made before. . New Kent :/ Looks remark-
ably well, even on poor land. Culpeper: Finest prospect for many years up to the 25th
of April; since then it has been going back, and the prospect now is that the crop will
be cut short 25 per cent.; attributed to the freeze the last of April.. Gloucester: A little
rust.on the biade in exceptional cases, but a fair promise of a heavyicrop. Orange:
Unusually promising up to May ist, when a frost injured it. Carroll: Exceedingly
thrifty. “Halifax: Luxuriant, and filling well. Charlotte: Looks remarkably. well.
Fairfax: A few backward fiélds somewhat injured by the fly, but the general prospect
above average. King George :)The early promise injured by the fly or some other in-
sect. Prince William: The leaves spotted to some extent with rust. Pulaski: The
stand rather thin, but a promise of a fine yield. Richmond: Has beeu most promising,
but red rust has appeared, Madison : The fine promise injured by the cold spell the
first of May, and by the fly; cannot be more than half a crop. Middlesex: Consider-
ably damaged by the fly, and some appearance of rust. Charles City: Better than for
ten years. Clarke: Seriously damaged by the Hessian fly, but promise of an average
crop. Floyd: Very promising. Wythe: Never looked better... Dinwiddie: Considerable
red rust on the blade, but the heads are filling well and the crop looking better than
for five years. Greenville: Badly rusted in many places. James City: Some crops
injured by the fly ; others magnificent. Elizabeth City: More than an average yield is
considered certain. Lancaster ; Gave promise of a most abundant crop, but rust has
made its appearance on the leaf, and may do material injury.

NortH CAroiina.— Moore: Damaged by a fly. Transylvania : Two or three weeks
of dry weather will insure a liberal harvest. Beaufort: Very promising. Gaston:
Highly promising until within ten days, since which rust has struck it on many farms.
Yancy: Looks remarkably well. Lincoln : Great complaint of rust ; also of ravages by
an insect never before seen; it somewhat resembles the cabbage-louse. Forsyth: Never
looked better. Nash: Rusted badly. Duplin: Very promising up to this week; now
red rust is spreading rapidly. Edgecomb: The increase is 200 per cent. Person: Very
fine; Fultz the great favorite. Haywood: The best promise for years at the first of
May ; considerably lessened by continuous wet throngh the month.. Stokes: Rust has
appeared on some of the most forward wheat. Wilkes: Looks: fine, but red rust is
appearing.

SoutH CAROLINA.—Chester : Stalk and heads short, but well filled... Lexington : Some
rust and mold, but fine crop—the best for years. Clarendon: Looks well, but some
complaint of rust. Laurens: Some rust.

GrorGiA.—Stewart; A Jarger area and good crop, now being rapidly harvested.
Union : Never so fine before ; a large increase of acreage, and a, promised yield greatly
in excess of anything we have eyer experienced, . Walker: Being ruined. by rust.
Walton: Threatened with rust. Carroll: Injured, by blade rust, causing the grain to
shrink ; also, by a fly boring into the joints. Jefferson: Good. Henry: The crop badly
cut off by frost and red mold, Rabun: Very promising. White: Very promising.
Towns: Very promising. Dooly: A fine prospect being injured by rust, | Gordon:
Red rust universal on the blade; none on the stalk. Johnson; Rust to some extent.
Gwinnett: Rust will reduce the crop 33 per cent. McDuffie: Rust on the blade; none
on the stalk; and the yield 10 to 20 per cent. greater than last year. Butts: Has suf-
fered from red mold, Madison: Rust almost universal on stalk and leaf; some com-
plaint of the fly. Gilmer: Looks well, but beginning torust.. Heard: Some red mold,
but will be a fair crop. Laurens: Very good. Troup; A red mold on the blade but
not on thestem; damage uncertain. J hitfield :. Greatly injured by rust. Cobb: Very
promising until two weeks ago, when the rust appeared... DeKalb: Badly rusted on
the blade. Lincoln: Fine.

ALABAMA.—Shelby : Materially damaged by rust and recent storms, reducing it from
120 to 91. Blount: Generally affected with rust.on, the blade, none on the stock.
Crenshaw : Some rust; being harvested. Perry: Injured by rust. Randolph: Rust on
the blade and in some instances on the straw... Jackson: Damaged by rust. Russell:
Rusted badly in some localities; all cut, and some are threshing. Calhoun: Being

164

harvested ; biack rust throughont the conaty, on low undeained land, caused almost.a
failure.,, De Kalb: Badly injured by rust. Jefferson: Promising up to May 1st, when
the blade rust appeared which has injured the crop on low lands... Lauderdales pace
damaged by rust.

MIssissippi.—Grenada: The rast is general, reducing the promise, to half, a crop.
Lowndes: Much injured, by rust.. Wheat planted in elover-sod, is,very little affected
py rust, and will make twice as much as on, similar land, without clover... Neshoba:
Badly damaged by rust. Choctaw: Damaged by, wet weather. Kemper: Now being
harvested ; generally injured by rast...From 1 bushel, of the Tappahannock wheat,
from, the Department, saved in 1574, I supplied a few neighbors 25 bushels of seod, and
seeded 12 acres; I, and all to whom I.sold seed, have made yery good crops... Tais is
the only kind which has made a good. crop in the county. '

Texas.—Boesque:, Damaged to some extent by the Hessian fly and red rust ; but the
area is so. increased that the county will make as much as last year. Llano + Consid-
erably damaged by the grasshopper, and a small fly or gnat... Titus; The outlook dis-
couraging ; 25 per cent. above an average sown, but the red rust strack in some weeks
ago. The Jennings, from the Department, has no appearance of rust, but the Tappa-
hannock rusted badly for the first time since introduced... Bowie: A partial failure,
being full of rust. Gillespie: Lost by a freeze, 4 degrees below zero, April. 12. Wood:
Injured by rust, at least 29 per cent. Palo Pinto; Injured by rust... Williamson ; Cut
short by Hessian fly and rust. Collin: Rust on the blade, but not materially dam-
aged. Some damage by the Hessian fly... Panola: Inju by late cold ‘avd. rust.
Upshur: Rust, since last Febrnary, has done some injury. . Bandera: Materially in-
jured by rust and drought. duderson: A failure; affected by a yellow tinge, since the
ist of February ; cause “unknown, Navarro: Only half crop, but full and “plump, and
will weigh well. Red River: Rust. Bexar: Considerably damaged by rain in harvest.
Cooke: Struck by rust April 15, when it stopped growing; will be half.a crop. Hunt:
Injured by rust. . Tyler: A kind here called Aconauga, or California wheat, has now
made the third crop, with no sign of rust. It is fine this year; will yield 25 bushels
per acre on good land.

ARKANSAS.— Marion : Generally low and short-bladed... Woodruff: Some rust and
smut. Arkansas: Some complaint of rust, but only on the blade. Yell: A little
damaged by rust. Sradley: Badly injured by rust... Craighead: Quite short. Saint
Francis: All late wheat greatly damaged by rust; not more than half a crop of winter
wheat. Saxter: Thin, and heading out low; not over half acrop.. Crawford: Expect
enough for home use, which has not happened before last year since the rebellion.
Independence : Injured by rnst. Jzard: Rust has appeared. Prairie: Injured by rust
and birds. ranklin: Injured by dry weather, in May, and by rust on the blade.
Sebastian: Increase of 10 per cent. in acreage, and never better.. Fulton: A poor erop
generally ; thin, short, and slender stalk, light short head, and tareatened with rust.
Howard: So badly rusted. that many farmers are pasturing it. Benion: Not good,
owing to ravages of chinches and the Hessian fly.

TENNESSEH.— Lewis: Some rast, but only oa the blades; prospect better than
average for five years. McNairy: Badly damaged by rust. Blount: Generally prom-
ising, ‘bat rust.on the blade. Lincoln: Recently. seized by rust. Loudon: All damaged
more or less, and some nearly ruined by rust. Maury: Rust, generally confined to the
blade, but in some fields it has attacked the stalk, Tue fly has also done some damage.
Uniscoi: Promises a good yield. Gibson: Much complaint of rust; late sowing thin.
Polk: The yield considerably reduced by winter-killing, rust, and spot. Rust has nearly
destroyed the blade, but has not affected the stalk. Monroe: Good so far, but badly
rusted on the blade. Rhea: Better than for fifteen years... Sullivan: Very fine pros-
pect for a heavy crop, though rust is appearing ou some late-sown fields on low land.
Van Buren: Drilled from the 1st to the 15th of October, never better; later, or sown
broadcast, nut so good. Bedford: Rust on the blade. Sevier: The finest prospect we
ever had, but the red rust is now appearing on the blade... De Kalb: Rust, confined to
the blade as yet. Fultz is the best, and is improving each year since its introduction.
Granger: Very fine; only slight indications of rust on the blade. . Greene ; Very prom-
ising; some red rust on fhe blade. Knox :.A much larger breadth was sown, with more
care in the selection of seed, and more pains in the preparation of the ground; and
consequently, up to within a few weeks the prospect has been unusually fine ; since
then, too much rain has covered the blades with rust, aud the heads are not filling well.
James: Never promised better, until May 20; since which Lnever saw rust come on so
fast. McMinn: Damaged 10 to 15 per cent. by red rust and spot... Bradley: Promises
an abundant yield. Giles; Never knew so large an acreage, buf it is not up to last
year’s in quality; some rust and, scab. Fayette: Very poor.. Lauderdale: Injured by
rust, smut, chess, and hailstorm. Montgomery: Acreage 67, but condition extra prom-
ising.

WEST ViIRGINIA.—Mi igholag': Very fine.. Putnam: Promising. Berkley: Better than
for five years, Mercer: More promising than last spring. Greenbrier: Unusually fine.
Wetzel; Badly winter-killed on thin and wet land; where:not,coming on finely. -Brax-

165

ton: Promisessabove average.’ Gilmer: Some injured by frost, Apri 30th: Upshur:

Loéking ‘fine’ Cabell 2Very much injured by freeze, May Ist, ‘and since by drought.
Summers s Very promising. high

Kentucky.— Bath: Badly injured by the freezes in March and April.’ Warren? An
early harvest andafine crop.) Andersons! Materially injured by drought. Pendleton :
Suffering from drought.’ Shelby: ‘The fields exceedingly spotted; cannot be over 75
per cent. ofa crop. | Calloway: A good yield’ is expected.’ “Hardin: Thin, with short
heads. 0 Gwsley > Injured by the freeze in March. Simpson : Not more than’ half it
promisedosix weeks ago! Bracken: The Clawson wheat is’a perfect success.’ Russell:
The area increased 20: per centi; and 20 per cent. better stand; rust'is making its ap-
pearance. Speneer> Very short straw and putting out small heads; drought. Ballard:
Badly winter-kiiled, and damaged by rust, smut,-and ‘seab. Galletin: Injured by
drought. | Jessamine: One-third of the crop badly winter-killed.. Nicholas: ‘Thin, low,
and short heads, owing to drought. “Todd: Rust on'the blade. | Carroll: Reduced by
drought. ' Livingston > Louks' well.

» On10.— Miami: About'25 per cent. was frozen ont; that standing was never better.
Frambull: The prospect very poor. Willians : Badly frozen out; that left looks very
well. Adams: Scmefields look well, but’ many have been going back, owing to the
fly-and bug. « Luscarawes » Coming out much better than the spring indicated. Vin-
ion: Never locked better the ‘first of Maech, but, owing to cold and wet, many fields
will not pay fer cutting. Crawford: Almost a failure; frozen out. Delatare ; Cannot
be more thanchalfia crop.) Pickawey: Almost a failure ; thotisands of acres are being
plowed wp for corn. Russ! Fair prospect, though the freeze in March killed a great
deal. Huron: Notoover 25 per cent. of a crop. Wood: Badly frezen out. Geauga:

fany pieces entirely winter-killed.. Licas: Badly killed on clay and undrained soils ;
upon lonmy toils and "tiles drained! lard, premises well.’ Sandusky: Winter-killed.
Seneca: The pocrest'for ten years.

Micuicsn.—Muskegon :' Badly winter-kitled on heavy lands; on hght, above average.
Oaktond: The best for five years. Kalamazoo: Looks exceedingly well. Calhoun:
Stands well. Lake: The Clawson wheat a decided success; the yield large, and the
straw Jong and stout.) Ottawa: Badly frozen, but doing first-rate now. Shiawassee :
Coming forward very rapidly. ‘Van Buren: Somewhat spotted from winter-killing.
Wexford») Nearly ruined by winter-killing, and much of it plowed up. Iason > Looks
very fine. Saint Josephs Shorter at heading than common.

INDIANMHYMosciusko? On prairie’ and hilly land, never looked better; on low clay
land, very poor) Nobles Injured in the winter ; some fields not worth cutting. Put-
nam : Albut ruinedin the wifttter; many fields plowed up. Washington: On ground
well prepared and dressed, fine; on poor ground, very light, not more than 50 per cent.
of the usual acreage sown. | Franklin : Badly frozen out. Howard: Depreciated 50 per
cent. in the winter. ) Dearborn: Almost entirely winter-killed. Hamilion: A very
short crop sown) and much of that not worth eutting ; winter-killed. Huntington:
A poor yield; winter-killed; much ‘plowed up. Johnson: Nearly half sown in the
fall plowed up; that leftowill net average over 7 bushels per acre. Wabash: Suftered
im the winter; much plowed up. Warrick: Suffered from the extremely dry spring.
Carroll > A portion of the land soon plowed up. Dubois : Injured by drought in May ;
heads very short. © Gibson’: Heading very low, and thin on the ground. «Switzerland :
Winter-killed; 35 per'cent. below average. Madison; Half crop.

Inrinors.—Bureaw: Considerable destroyed by freezes. Gallatin : Looks well. Clin-
tow: Badly winter-killed.. Effingham: Not more than 25 per cent. of a crop, owing to
the March freeze. Fayette’: Not more than half a crop. Jersey : Appearances indicate
a large crop. Madison: Good heads, but thin and mixed with chess. Mason: Looks
well. Jefferson: Full heads, but rather thin. Montgomery : Much better than expected
in many localities ;-in others, plowed up. Perry: Badly winter-killed, JWtlliamson :
Injured by the hard freeze in Mareh. McLean : Never better. ‘

Wisconsin.— Barron > Looks well. Pierce: Nearly all killed. WPaupaca: Badly win-
ter-killed. Walworth : Seriously injured by freezing. Towa: Has improved the last
three weeks very much.

MinnEsora.—ZIsanti: The Arnautka wheat from the Department is well suited to
this climate, It is spread all over the county, and is eagerly sought for. Sherburne:
A total failure.

MissourI.— Douglas: Owing to the dry weather last fall, less than half the usual
quantity was sown. ‘That came up indifferently, and the Hessian fly has destroyed
full half of it. Jaspers Never more promising. Laclede: Small acreage, but promises
well. Montgomery: Suffering for rain. Platte: Never better prospect for an abun-
dant crop. Stone: Materially damaged by the fly, and the rust has appeared. McDon-
ald: Injured by rust. Vernon: Prospect of a heavy crop. Christian: Very indifferent.
Lincoln: Ripening early. Perry: Scarcely half of last year’s crop. Pettis: Splendid.
Saint Francis: Only half thé amount intended put in in tbe fall, owing to continued
dry weather. Those’who did sow have a finé prospect. Scme who sowed in January
have as fine prospect/as thake who sowed in ‘the fall. Shelby: The little sown looks

prospect ever known.

_per cent. of an average crop growing, and that looks first rate,

‘but chinch-bugs are in He Maries : Not over 50 per cent. average acreage; sgod.on pill
- dry land. ‘Chariton : Prospect of a good yield. Johnson : Very heavy straw; inclined
to rust. Mississippi: Very promising till within 10 days; the rust has ‘lle the
blade, but not yet touched the stem.. Barton: Never better. Jefferson: Does, not

166 oa
well. Boone: About 25

~ look ‘well. Phelps : Damaged by the Hessian fly. Dallas: Injured by the fly. . Rey-
nolds: At least 67 per, cent. rusted very badly. Wright: Injured by the fly ; not over
25 per cent. of a crop. atdow efalaea
Kawnsas.—feno: Late sown, badly injured by rust. Barbour: Small acreage; looks
promising. Doniphan: Extraordinary promise, Builer: Good beyond. precedent,
Cherokee: Prospect never better. Douglas: Some appearances of rust. Zllis : Owing
to drought,edid not come up till spring; looking well. Jackson: Prospect of the
largest crop ever grown. Labette:’Scarcely ever more promising, though there is
much rust on the blade. Lyon: Rusting. Montgomery: Promises a very large yield ;
, 40,000 acres sown Jast fall. Wyandotte: Looking fine. Chase: Reduced by late sow-
ing, heavy rains, hail-storms, rust, and joint-worms; but; improying greatly the; past
week. Shawnee: A fine promise reduced by rust to half.a crop,. Cherokee: The finest
CALIFURNIA.—Contra Costa: Early sown, excellent ; late, suffering from dry weather.
San Joaquin: The prospect very flattering, except on the heavy black land near Stoek-
ton. Sutter: Never looked better. . Butte: All that could be desired. Placer: The
promise of the crop is superior to any for a number of years, A rays
OREGON.— Clackamas : Never better. Columbia: Looks splendid, but not.over half
as much as last year.
Uran.—San Pete: Looks first rate.
Daxota.— buffalo: Suttering from dry weather.

SPRING WHEAT.

Acreage.—The States reporting a decrease of acreage, compared with
the previous crop, are Vermont, 6 per cent.; New York, 15;, Kentucky,
15; Illinois, 12; Wisconsin, 5; Iowa, 11;. Kansas, 4; and Oregon, 5.
The States reporting an increase are Pennsylvania and Nebraska, 4
per cent.; Texas (which reported an increase of 21 per cent. last year)
and Ohio, 16; Arkansas, 7; Michigan, 5; Indiana and Minnesota, 10;
Missouri, 12; and California, 6, In the latter State, there being no, dis-
tinct dividing-line between winter and spring wheat, the variations in
acreage are affected by a somewhat capricious classification. Tbhereturns
indicate about the same acreage as last year.

Condition—Among the Eastern and Middle States the condition is
lowest in New York, being 94; it is 100 in Maine, Connecticut, and
Pennsylvania. In the Northwest, while it is 1. per cent. aboye in; Wis-
consin and Minnesota, it falls 3 per cent. below in Iowa. .The reduction
is ascribed mainly to drought, though ravages of grasshoppers;are speci- ~
fied in one county, Missouri falls $8 per cent. below; Kansas rises to
98, and Nebraska to 100,

MAInE.—Piscataquis ; Increased acreage. York: Has.come up finely. Androscoggin :
Barely up. Oxford: Fair, though late.

NEW HAMPSsHIRE.—Rockingham: Doing well.

NEw Yorx.—Albany: Very backward.

GEORGIA.—Rabun: Very. promising. Haris) Increased) acreage and) good crop,
though affected with rust in localities.

TEXAS: Burleson: Much injured by drought. Gillespie: Badly injured by drought
and grasshoppers. JWilliamson: Cut short by Hessian fly and rust.

TENNESSEE.—Monroe: Badly rusted on the blade—red rust.

Outo.—Delaware: Increased acreage and fine prospect. Wood: Increased acreage,
promising a good yield. Geauga: Increased acreage, coming forward with rapidity.

MicuHicGan.— Oakland: The best for five years. Mason: Looks very fine,

ILLINOIS.—Mason: Looks well, Ogle: Less acreage, but promising. Mercer: Quite
thin.” McLean: Thin.

. WISCONSIN.—Sheboygan: Backward.

MINNESOTA.—Chippewa: If no calamity occurs, the crop in Western Minnesota will
be enormous. Fillmore: The dry and hot weather, for the last ten days, has given
the crop a bad look,

Iows.—Shelby: Suffering for want of rain, and from young grasshoppers in some

467

localities.’ Hardin: Late sown, but, favorable weather is bringing it, forwardyrapidly-
Cherokee: Looking well. Howard; Early sown, very promising. Madison : Not doing
“well, owing to extreme dry weather following wet. Zama; Very thin, fan
” Kansas.—Doniphan ; Sown too late, and injured by heavy rains, ,
~~ OREGON.—Clackamas: Much, more sown than usual, but, owing to, continual, Jate
rains, does not look well. *
Uran.—Kane > Injured by cold winds and a heavy frost. San Pete: Much injured
by late frosts. :
DakoTa.— Davison: Looking well.
WASHINGTON.— Thurston; Coming on very finely. . Whitman: A large increase in
acreage.

COTTON.

The June returns indicate a slight reduction of area in cotton, com-
paratively late planting, good stands except in cases of too early plant-
ing or inundation, growth not up to the average for the season, healthy
and improving condition, and clean culture, with the exceptions caused
by heavy rains that stimulate growth and prevent working. ‘The
largest local reduction in area has been in Louisiana, caused by the
everflow and wet weather in the planting season. The next largest
is in Tennessee, where the season has been cold and wet. In certain
districts in Texas there has been an effort to substitute corn for cotton,
but in one-fourth of the counties there has been a positive increase,
and in nearly half the remainder no decrease, while the enlargement of
the total area of arable crovs is rapidly increasing. The figures for
acreage are as follows: North Carolina, 98; South Carolina, 99; Geor-
gia, 94; Florida, 89; Alabama, 100; Mississippi, 98; Louisiana, 89 ;
Texas, 100; Arkansas, 100; Tennessee, 95. The reduction in the entire
area is about three per cent. In Virginia and North Carolina there
is some complaint of bad stands and small growth from cold nights,
though the plants are healthy, and the culture generally clean. The
late planting promises well in South Carolina. Harly seeding has been
productive of poor stands. The condition averages very high in Geor-
gia, owing to seasonable rains, fine weather for work; and abundant
labor. Drought at the time of planting has affected the crop unfayora-
bly in Florida. Stands are generally goodin Mississippi and Alabama,
-and the plants healthy though small... In Louisiana overflows have
seriously injured the crop in exposed locations. Droughts in some parts
of Texas have been injurious. The plant is looking well in Arkansas
and ‘Tennessee, except in places where it was injured by incessant rains
or inundations.

The condition of the several States is as follows: North Carolina,
101; South Carolina, 98; Georgia, 103; Florida, 82; Alabama, 94;
Mississippi, 92; Louisiana, 89; Texas, 90; Arkansas, 95, and Tennes-
see, 93.

The average condition of the cotton-erop on the first day of June of
the present year, and six years next preceding, is shown in the follow-
ing table:

States, 1876. | 1875, | 1874,\|1873. | 1872: | 1871) | 1870

| }

| | ; {
Orbe Cero ee ee ne ie on aeeecuctsem :| 101 92 89 |. 85 96 901, 94
South Caroli#ue. V1Idy7_ PROOW .. NOCDID. 2: elbR Coo ee: 98 97 81) 88 92 92 96
Georriaggcnatle...2eiginord. Leth omesine.22.2. 22g 103 91 80 94 94 82 101
TE Vas get ieee 2 Ea oa iets) 94 90 | 98 95./ |. 103 98
Alabang on. ease acne te: i Oa! 01 82 93 | 105) 83 102
Mississippi u 98""100 | ?s }.. 92 | 100.) 84 95
Louisiana . JD LLB EBO RO) II Ags 70°\' 94 | 104 90 101
Rexas nach. saceh sata 90 96 | °98))) 86 | 100 93 97

-I
c=]
wo
ive]
wo
ie a
w
i
o
rh

STL CATES ae Bae LE OI a, RY ees 95| 90 | , 75 |fo92 |
US THT CCR aan Be SEAS Set et “EN em Sey 93} 99 }-..90)> 90,4)..99 | 90,7 85

168

An analysis of these figures shows that the condition of the erop iy,

nearly but not ‘quite so favorable as on the Ist day of June, 137 70; the
June average of 1876 is also less than in LS872,and) 1870, bat: greater
than in 1874, 1875, and 1871. The opening prospect for the growing
crop is, then, ‘at least a full ay erage With late years, butits character and
productiveness depend upon the subsequent developments. of. the sea-
son and the culture bestowed upon it.

The following notes from our statistical correspondence will illustrate
the local aspects of the crop in different parts of the cotton area :

Norte Carouina.—Laurens: Suffering from cold nights.’ Onion: Plant small; stand
very good. Edgefield: Good stand, heaithy- -looking. Orange: Prospect good. “Pam-
lico : ‘Looking remarkably well. Alamance: Came up well, good stand. Duplin:
Diminished acreage ; stand unusually good ; growing finely. ‘Edgecombe: Late’ plant-
ing is not up yet; early planting, fine. Pitt: Stand good, free from grass. Wilson:
Some complaint of cotton dying. Cumberland: Fifteen days bebind average season;
rather inferior stand. Columbus : Owing to cool] nights, stand is bad. Beaufort: Plant
smal), but stand good and healthy. Gaston: Acreage same as last year; good stand.

SouTH Caro.uiwwa.—Fairjield: Looks well, and has a very good stand. /Villiamsburgh :
Very promising. Orangeburgh: Looks well, but is backward. Marlborough ¢ Condition
fine; stand perfect; slight injury from lice. Lexington: Somewhat backward. Ches-
ter: First planting, bad stand and uuhealthy ; later planting, good stand, healthy, and
promising. Newberry: Stand generaliy good. Clarendon: Increased acreage; very
promising. Georgetown: Good stand; plant small, but promising.

GrorGiIA.—JVorth: Plant is small, but looks well. Richmond: Good stand ; seldom
such regularity. Schley: In good condition. Gordon: Inferior stand and feeble weed.
Wileoc : Plant small. Terrell: In good condition. Butts: Stand good; plant never
looked better. Troup: Excellent. Laurens: Never better. Hart: Better than, for
many years. Dodge: Good prospect. Cobb: Fine. Walton: Stand good; season favorable.
Stewart: Average stand; complaint of grass. Montgomery: Good stand; free from
rust. McIntosh: Plant smal, but healthy. Zincoln: Good stand, but rather back-
ward. De Kalb: Stand good ; backward, but average prospect. Carroll : In fine con-
dition. Clayton: Very fine.

FLoagips.—Columbia : Looking well, but bad stand. Gadsden: Bad weather and_

cut-worms have cansed a defective stand. Madison : Late; on account of backward
spring. Jackson: Stand good; plant late.

ALABAMA.—Greene: Stand above average. Dale: Best stand ever known, and looks
very healthy. Russell: Stand remarkably good. Hale: Stand not very good; grassy,
owing to excessive rains. Crop two weeks late. Lee: Heavy raius have caused rank
grow th of grass. Jefferson: Too much rainand grass. Franklin: Acreage very great;

condition: satisfactory. De Kalb: Came up well, but has suffered from bad weather.

and insect injuries. Colbert: Growing well. Autauga: Looking well. Dallas: In-

-ereased acreage; condition not so good, owing to imperfect stands. Conecuk: Stand
never better ; “increased acreage. Calhoun : Doing well; excellent stand. Lauderdale:
Plant remarkably small ; stand inferior. Monroe: Unusually late. Macon : Cotton-
lands too wet this season. Blount: Diminished acreage; later than usual. Morgan:
Some complaint of imperfect stand. Perry: Increased acreage; prospect good, Ran-
dolph: Generally clean, but small.

Mississippei.—Greenville : The overflow has materially injured the cotton-crop in part
of the county. Choctaw: Not more than75 per cent. of last year’s acreage ; on account
of damaged seed, a great many have plowed up and planted corn. Jefferson : A good
stand, but grassy. Perry: Mostly planted late; appearance ,fair.. Coahoma: Au in-
clination to procure improved cotton-seed. Covington: Not doing well. Clark: A
very bad stand of cotton, and an excessive stand of grass. De Soto: Late, but a good
stand, and in good condition. Lincoln: The stand defective on account of eold and
wet. Neshoba: In some instances the stand is bad, and the crop late, and looking un-
healthy. Rankin: Much complaint of poor stand ; late and sickly. Grenada: Did
not start well; but the stand is generally good, and the weather now favorable. Pike:
Looks well, although backward, : on account of rains and cold weather.

Lovuistana.—Carroll: The plant is finer than for years; the stand is perfect, but
generally grassy. Jackson: Backward, butimproving. Concordia: Decrease of 30 per
cent. in acreage on account of the overflow; under the most favorable circumstances,
Jo per cent. of the area planted will not ayer age one-third of acrop. Hast Baton Rouge:
Had to be plowed up and planted over on account of the extreme cold on the 19th and
20th of March. Rapides: About 15 days behind last year; good stand generally. Frank-
lin: Late and very small; large percentage under water. Jichland: Four or five
weeks later than usual ; the stand not good, owing to heavy rains and cold nights.

Texas.— Washington : "Increased acreage; looking very well. San Jacinto’: Prospect

169

good... Titws:, lncreased acreage, but not more than a two-thirds crop planted. Robert-
son: Ten per cent. not up. Burleson: Stand not good; many fields have altogéther
failed to come up. Collin: Very) good.) Panola: Fine stand; srather:late! »Polk):
Late, owing ‘to late, wef spring. Lavaca: Vigorous growth; good stand,,.. Waller:
Crop this year, better, than last... Navarro: Stand good. Nacogdoches >-Good stand ;
looking fine. Matagorda: Stand scattering; 50 per cent. not up yet. Fort Bend:
About half stand, and this dying frpm want of moisture. Cherokee : The teachings )of
the Grange havé been ‘carried out in the reduction of cottom and inerease of cereals.
Austin: Less cotton, more corn planted. Fayeite:.Drought has, injured. the crop.
Bandera; Little planted, and that little has not sprouted; cause, drought. Bell: Good
stand. Colorado: Good, but.late; acreage 15 to 20 per cent. above last year. ‘Gon-
cales: Doing well. Hays: Prospect good. Kendall; Prospect for heavy yield. ‘WVilliam-
son: Late; one-half just, coming up.

ARKANSAS.— Franklin : Small for the time of the year. Scott: Prospect very flatter-
ing. Fulton : Stand, generally, good, clean, and well worked. Crawford: Late, but
looks well. Dallas :,'The weather has been favorable for cleaning, and the stand is
very good,-.Jzard.:, Stand is very good. Ouachita: About two weeks late; the stand
is good, and the plants look well, but very grassy. JVoodruff: Scarcity of labor and
low prices have caused a reduction of 10 per cent. in acreage. Bradley: Good stand,
and looks healthy. . Craighead: Stand and condition generally good, but backward.

TENNESSEE.— Lauderdale: The outlook for the crop is 25 per cent. better than last
year, and more planted. Sutherford: Very promising; the stand good and growing
finely. Gibson: Late planted, but the stand, excellent.

OATS,

Acreage.—The entire. acreage is slightly increased over that of last
year. States indicating the largest absolute increase are Wisconsin,
and California, 102; Minnesota, 109; Iowa, 101; Nebraska, 103... A very
large relative increase is reported in the Southern States: in Texas,
57. per cent.; Georgia, 30; South Carolina, 12; Louisiana, 7... A de-
erease of 5 per cent. is indicated in New York, 4 in Hlinois anid Tennes-
see, 2. in Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri, 1 in Iowa, Kansas, New
Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut.

Condition.—In New England therange isfrom 100to 110. In the Middle
States; Pennsylvania is average; New Yerk, 3 per cent..and New Jer-
sey 1 per cent. below. Michigan is 100.. The States west of the Mis-
sissippi range from 100 to 103, except Arkansas, 89; Missouri, 99, and
Oregon, 92... In, West Virginia and the Ohio Valley the general condi-
tion is about average, except in Kentucky, where an extensive drought
has reduced it 15 per cent. below. On the South Atlantic coast, Dela-
ware and, Maryland report 8 per cent. below ; Virginia, 7; and North
Carolina, 5... In the two latter States late spring frosts and subsequent
dry weather are assigned as the principal causes. South Carolina is 12
and Georgia 10 per cent.above. In these States both winter and spring
oats, with few local exceptions, appear to have matured in good con-
dition. Rust, almost universal on the wheat, affected this crop but
Slightly. It did more injury in Alabama, reducing the condition 2 per
cent. below. In Texas the largely increased acreage is very nearly
average in condition. The harvest was going on at the time of report-
ing, and the indicated average yield was fully 40 bushels per acre.

Marye.—Waldo: Early-sown, are looking fine. York: Have come up finely.

ConNECTICUT.—New London: Very good,

New York.—Albany: Very, backward. Genesee: Doing finely.

New JerRsey.— /Varren.: Look extremely well.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Perry : Short, owing to the cold spring, but enough on the ground.
Beaver: A dry and cold April hurt the oats badly. Bucks: Very promising. Lycoming :
Promising. McKean; Very late. York: Indications of a more than average crop.
Washington: Have made.a.very fine start. Northampton: Look well, and are growing
finely.

DELAWARE.— Kent: Injured by the cold spring.

MaryLAnv.——Baltimore : Recruited much by the late rains, Howard : Will be light.

170

VirGinia.— Fluvanna : Very bad ou high grounds ; doing well on low ; ‘prin
zilucd New Kent ; Spring oats look bad; winter, ve ood. - ‘Orange: V \ wae
ward, and the prevailing “ary weather exceedingly | unfavorable to the Lobe “ = ines :
Unpromisins. Halifax: Barly-sown spring’ oats: Vadly killed ‘bY frost. Ch
Those not killed by late frosts look remarkably well. Aing George: Low, but time
fora good: growth. | Prince William; Stands thin. Pulaski: Backward, Ma
Promising. '‘« Middlesex: Never better. Floyd: Very promising. Augusta: Short bi:

‘backward. Dinwiddie: Spring oats did not come up well, and are looking badly. ; The
winter oat is becoming very popular. Seeded in September or the first of October, it
is almost a sure crop, and the yield much larger than of spring oats. The crop ‘seeded

last’ fallois looking’ very fine. James City: Fall oats are’ No.1; spring, all killed.

Prince ‘George: The poorest crop for years. The’ Schonen oats by far the best.
Northampton: The crop seriously damaged by cold dry weather. The fly also made
its‘appearance in the latter part of May, and so damaged the crop that many fields
will not be harvested. © King and Queen: Very backward, and looking decidedly poor.

NortH Caroriwa.— Beaufort: Will be short, owing to dry weather the last three
weeks, © Caswell: pean oats injured by frosts ; will not yield half a crop; winter
oatsmore ‘promising, “Nash: Suffering for want of rain. Person: Spring oats killed
by a late freeze; winter oats, about half the crop looking fine. Haywood: Looking
very fine. Panlico: Injured by drought.

SouTaH Caroxrina.—Ladgefield : Injured by drought. Clarendon: A largely increased
acreage now ready for the sickle. Richland: Large and very fine crop. Lawrence:
Better than usual, especially the red-rust-proof.

Groroia.— White: The poorest ever seen. Dooly: The finest crop ever known.
Wayne: Very inferior, owing to drought in winter and spring. Most of the crop, is
housed. Gwinnett: Unusually fine, both fall and spring oats. Randolph: Look fine,
but there is much smut. Worth: Finer than known in twenty years. McDuffie: Will
make nearly double made in any year since the war. The fail oats are all ready to
cut, and no sign of rust on the spring oats. Wilcox: Injured by dry weather, but the
acreage 30 per cent. larger than last year. Butis: Never better. Madison : Many
farmers have changed the sowing of oats from spring to fall, which accounts for the
fact that the figures for both acreage and condition are 150. Laurens : Very good.
Spalding; All agree that such a prospect was never before known. Troup: Fall oats
never better; sown early in the spring, very good; late, a total failure from rust.
Cobb: Both winter and spring oats very promising. Lincoln: Fine. Walton : Unusu-
ally promising, and the season favorable. Carroll: Never better, both fall and spring.
Jefferson: Rather dry for oats, but more than in any year since the war.

FLoRIDA.—Madison: Those properly put in and manured, fine; the remainder in-
jured by drought. Gadsden: Very superior.

ATLABAMA.—Dale: Half the crop ruined by rust; the other half very good. Greene:
Look fine. Blount: Fall oats, fine; spring oats rather backward. Crenshaw: Rusted
in some localities. Perry: The best crop in ten years. Randolph: Look fine: Calhoun :
Very fine; now being harvested. Conecuh: Ripening fast, and harvesting going on.
De Kalb: Looking well. Butler: Seriously injured byrust. Barbour: Spring oats almost
invariably rusted ; considerable rust on oats heretofore considered rust- -proof.

Mississirpr.—dmive: The crop is made, and is very good. The red oat is being gen-
erally cultivated. Perry: Blighted by rust; not over half & crop. Covingfon: Late
oats nearly ruined by rust. C ‘hoclaw : Three-fourths of a crop.

Lovistana.—Claiborne : Being injured by rains and rust. Red-rust-proof oats are
doing well.

TEXxAS.— Burleson: Spring oats much injured by drought. Gonzales: The largest
acreage ever sown, and yields forty bushels per acre; about harvested. Williamson:
Very good, will average forty-five bushels per acre. "Upshur : : Better than last year.
The Holstein oats from the Department are superior to any other in this vicinity. Red
River: Very good. Berar: Considerably damaged by rain in harvest. | Cooke: Very
fine. Vietoria: Harvested; average forty bushels peracre. Tyler: The red-rust-proof
are fine; will yield thirty to fifty bushels per acre.

ARKANSAS.— Bradley: Badly injured by rust. Independence: Much improved by
recent rains. Arkansas: Backward, but good. Marion: So short that they will have
to come out considerably before they can be cut. Franklin: Injured by dry weather
in May. Cross: Have suffered from dry weather. Scott: Prospect very flattering.
Howard; Almost ruined by rust.

TENNESSEE.— Lewis: Prospect very flattering. Williamson : Less, sown every year ;
seriously damaged by dry weather in April. Blount: Damaged by late frosts. Unis-
coi; Frozen out badly in March. Monroe: Both winter and spring oats were never
better. Rhea: Better than for fifteen years. Sullivan: Killed out badly by the late
freeze. The winter-oat is gaining favor every year. Sevier: Never so good. Grain-
ger: Some were killed by the freeze, but in the main they look well. “Greene: Fall
sown, splendid; spring sown, not promising. James’: An increase of 20 per cent, in
acreage, and never looked better. Bradley: Very fine!) Fayette: Very goed.

p
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WEST VirGINIA.— Marion: Doing well... Nicholas: Look well..,.Merceri: Late. Ca-
bell: Haye suifered much by drought. Doddridge : Somewhat injured by drought.
Summers; Promising, Randolph : Badly,injured by frost May 1,but recuperating.»

Kentucky.—Anderson ; Materially injured, by. drought. Oldham: Have suffered

. for want of rain. Pendleton +, Will, amount to, but, little, owing to drought. : Owsley :
Badly injured by the freeze in March, Spencer: Not.over 50. per cent. of a crop, owing
to drought. Gallatin: Badly inj pEee by drought. , Nicholas’: Will be almost a failure,
owing to drought. Henry: Almost ruined for want of rains., Carroll: Reduced by
drought. Owen: Lessened 10 per cent. by drought, :
Ou10.—Preble: Have made a very rapid growth. , Williams: Look, well. »-Morrow :
Late in starting, but look promising. Crawford: Prospect, good. Delaware: Large
acreage and good stand. Portage: Very fine. , Wood: The hest ever seen, but acreage
decreased, Meigs: Fine, \

MiIcHIGAN.—Shiawassee: Backward, but promising. Van Buren: The season favor-
able for oats. Mason: Look very fine. Saint Joseph: Have a very fine start.

Inpdiana.— Kosciusko :, Never better. Noble: Neyer much better. Franklin: Short
and unthrifty. Howard: Look well, Crawford: Suttering for want.of rain... Dear-
born: A severe drought through the whole month of May has seriously damaged the -
érop. Warrick: Suffered much from the dry spring. Switzerland: Good.

ILLINOIS.—Macoupin: Will be short. Woodford: Indications of,a fine crop, Galla-
tin: Look well. Clinton: Too much.rain for oats. . Fayette: Look well, but small

acreage, Ogle: Favorableappearance. Jefferson: Splendid, Mercer: Quite thin.

WISCONSIN.—Sheboygan : Backward.

Minnesota.—Fillmore : Suffering from dry and hot, weather for the last ten days.

Iowa.—Warion: Coming forward finely. Howard: Early sown very promising.
Madison: Not doing well, owing to.extreme dry weather, following wet.

Missourt.— Montgomery ;. Suffering for, rain... Platte; The season too wet for oats.
Pettis: Very flattering. Saint Francis: Fine. Maries: Have suffered on wet land.
Oberton; Very fine. Jteynolds: Very fine.

Kansas.—Cowley : Increased acreage; looking well. Reno: Splendid. Barboun: Late,
but doing well, Cherokee: Few sown, but look fine.. Lyon: Rusting., Cherokee : Acreage
decreased 50 per cent. from cold, wet, backward spring,

NEBRASKA.—Furnas :, The reduced condition (90) occasioned by damaged seed,

CALIFORNIA.— Butte: All that could be desired.

Dakota.—Davison : Look well. Buffalo: Suffering, from dry weather,

RYE:

The condition of winter-rye correspouds very nearly with that of win-
ter-wheat, except that it suffered less from winter-killing. The returns
for condition from States producing 250,000 bushels or more, average,
Counecticut, 96; New York,'87; New Jersey, 91; Pennsylvania, 92;
Maryland and Virginia, 102; North Carolina, 101; West Virginia, 103;
’ Kentucky, 95; Ohio, 76; Indiana, 86 ; Tinois, 91; Wisconsin, 93; Lowa,
74; Missouri, 95.

MaiIne.—Androscoggin : Looking well.

NEw YorkK.—Albany: Very spotted ; rye sown with a drill and receiving proper
treatment otherwise, looks well. Schoharie: Badly winter-killed; not half a crop.
Orange: Injured by winter-killing.

New Jerspy.—Warren: Thinish on the ground, but looks well.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Northampton : Looks better than last year.

MARYLAND.—Caroline: Does not look as well as usual. Baltimore: Has a fine ap-
pearance. Howard: Badly winter-killed.. Dorchester: Looks remarkably well.

ViRGINIA.—Patrick : Not so good as wheat, but 120. Dinwiddie: Very luxuriant.

GEORGIA.—Rabun : Never better. .

TEXAS.—Titus :| Will be reduced by rust to half a crop.

ARKANSAS,— Arkansas : Very tall and good all over the county.’ Franklin: Tojared
by dry weather in May.

TENNESSEE.— Williamson : More sown than last year, and) looks well. McNairy:
Badly damaged. by. rust... Uniscot: Promises a gocd yield. Rhea: Better than for
fifteen years.

WEsT VirGINIA—Jicholas: Looks well. Mercer : More promising than last spring.

KENTUCKY,—Pendleion : Sufiering from drought. Spencer: Very short straw and
putting ont small heads; drought... Gallatin : Injured by drought.

Oun10.— Vinton: Never looked better. Cratwford: almost a failure; frozen out.

INDIANA.— Howard ;, Depreciated, 50 per cent. in the winter. | Switzerland » Winter-
killed ; 35 per cent. below average.

£72

Iuaurinois.— Bureaus Injured by the freezes. Ogle: Promising. 1 \| - 10. 92 91997
WIsconsin.—Baron': Looks, well. FKaupara: Badly winter-kilieds, Walworth: Set
viously injured by freezing, bas .stozenni M

lowa.—Cherokee: Killed in the winter so as to make it thin.

Mrssournt.—Platte: Looking well.’ Vernon : ‘Some early-sown winter-rye has been
found covered with chinch-bugs, and plowed under-; but there is less complaint from
this. cause than for many years. Chariton: Prospect of a good yield. 1k 9BROTE

KANnsas,—Jackson; Prospect of the largest crop ever grown. . Labette:.Looks, fine,
with plenty of straw. | Shawnee: Looks splendid.

CALIrorNisA.—San Joaquin: For the first ‘time in many years considerable attention
has peen paid to raising rye, and the prospect is good)

BARLEY.

Acreage—The. entire acreage of spring-barley bas ‘been increased
nearly 3 per cent. over that of last year. The States reporting a de:
crease are, Tennessee, 2 per cent.; Kentucky, 3;, Ohio, Indiana, and

-lowa, 5; Illinois, 3.. The States returning the largest absolute increase
are New York, 4 per cent. ; Michigan, 6; Wisconsin, 9 ; Minnesota and
Kansas, 17; Missouri, 6;, California, 7. Texas, which in 1875 increased
its acreage 5 per cent. over the previous year, has advanced that 13 per
cent. An increase of 7 per cent. is ‘reported in Vermont and of 12 in
Massachusetts.

Condition.—The general condition of spring-barley in New England
is good. Itis average in Michigan, 1 per cent. above in Minnesota, and
7 per cent. above in California. In the other States in which barley is
an important etop it falls below: New York and Towa, 4 per cent. +
Pennsylvania, 2; Kentucky, owing to drought and late’ freezes, 19;
Indiana, 12; Illinois, 3; Wisconsin, 1.

Winter-barley xcept in Missouri, 92, the condition of winter-barley
is above average in all the States producing it west of the Mississippi:
Arkansas, 11 ‘per “cent. ;'° Kansas, 3; Nebraska, 25; California, 4.
Georgia reports 11 per cent. above, Texas 1 per cent. below.

New York.—Albany : Very backward. Genesee: Came up well and is doing finely

TExas.— Colin: Harvested ; some crops thrashed over 100 bushels per acre. Cooke:
Winter-barley very fine.

‘TENNESSEE.— thea ; Better than for fifteen years.

KENTUCKY.—Jasamine: A third of the crop badly winter-killed.

Oun10.—Preble : Has made a very rapid growth. :

InpiAns.— Franklin : Badly frozen out. Switzerland: Almost a failure ; winter-killed.
Dearborn: A severe drought through May seriously damaged the crop.

ILLiIno1s.— Ogle: Fair prospect.

WISCONSIN.—Sheboygan: Backward.

MInneEsota,—Fillmore; The dry and hot weather for the last ten days has given the
crop a bad look.

Iowa.—Marion: Late grown but coming forward finely. Howard ; Mostly sown late,
which was a great mistake, as the drought and heat have thinned the crop.

Missourt.—Chariton : Very fine.

Kansas.—Labette : Growing off rapidly.

CALIFORNIA.—Contra Costa: Early sown, excellent; late, suffering from dry weather.
Santa Clara: Early-sown looks well; late will not yield more than half a crop. San
Joaquin ;* The prospect very flattering, except on the heavy black land near Stockton.
Stanislaus: Has filled better than wheat, Sutter: Never looked better. Butte: All
that could be desired. Placer: Better than for years,

NEw Mexico.—Mora: Doing well.

CLOVER.

Acrea ge—In the Eastern and Middle States, taken as a whole, the area
of clover remains about stationary ; New York and Pennsylvania indi-
cate no change, and the slight variations of decrease and increase in
the other States about counterbalance one another. In Maryland, a

(73

decrease of 1 per cent, is ascribed to a:searcity of seed; in Wisconsin,
12 per cent. to winter-killing. The area is diminished 1 per cent. in
Minnesota, and remains unchanged in Indiana. All the remaining States
indicate an increase varying from 1 to 28 per cent... The rate last named
is reported from Nebraska. Other States returning a high rate of in-
crease are Mississippi and Kentucky, 23 per cent.; California, mainly,
if not exclusively, in alfalfa, 20; Kansas, 13: Texas, 9; Tennessee, 8;
Delaware and Alabama, 7; Michigan, 6; Arkansas, Missouri, and Ohio,
5; Virginia and North Carolina, 4.

Condition.—Among the States north of the Potomac and east of the
Ohio, Maine reports an average condition of 102; Massachusetts, 104;
Rhode Island and Delaware, 105; the remainder range from 99 in Penn-
Sylvania to $8 in New Jersey. The reduction in the latter was caused
mainly by last year’s drought. New York is 4 per cent. below. The
drought in Kentucky has reduced the condition to 98. Wisconsin is 93,
and, Minnesota 95.. The condition is average in Indiana and Oregon,
and above in all the remaining States. The highest is in Tennessee,
112; West Virginia, 109; Missouri, 107; Texas, 106; Nebraska, 104.

PASTURES.

The favorable condition of spring-pastures, throughout the entire
country, has rarely been equaled, and was probably never excelled,
Returns from Vermont make the average 96; but as the reduction is
owing mainly to backwardness, resulting from the very late spring, it
signifies a good condition in reserve rather than a positively defective
one. Owing to the effects of a severe drought last. season it falls 1 per
cent. below in New Jersey; and, owing to 3 drought prevailing in May,
it is 3 per cent. below in Kentucky. Florida and Louisiana also report
an average of 3 per cent. below, the reduction being confined toa few
counties, while a large majority are 100 or above. In all the other
States, in all sections, the condition ‘ranges from 100 upward. Ohio
rises to 119; Tennessee and West Virgina, 111; Massachusetts and
California, 110; Wisconsin and Kansas, 108; Virginia, 107; Connecti-
cut, Illinois, Missouri, and Oregon, 106; Delaware, Alabama, and Michi-
gan, 105; Pennsylvania and Georgia, 104.

THE GRASS-CROP.

Though regular returns for the condition of the grass-crop, aside from
clover, were not made June 1, yet references of our correspondents, in
notes, to its general status in all parts of the country, were sufficiently
numerous to show that the prospects for an abundant hay-crop were, at
that date, very flattering. But limited and slight injuries from winter-
killing were noted; the spring weather was generally very favorable
for the “setting” of thick and vigorous coats of grass; and, except in
Kentucky, injuries from drought had searcely been felt.

The notes below will give local details respecting the condition and
prospects of clover, spring pastures, and grass.

MarIne.— Piscataquis: Pastures and all grasses have started extremely well. Waldo:
Grass is looking very fine—first rate. York: Grass but little winter-killed, and well:
set. Androscoggin: Grass and pastures are looking finely. Aroostook: Grass of all
kinds came through the winter in excellent condition; promise of abundant crop of
hay. Cumberland: About 5 per cent. of the clover winter-killed.

New HampsHire,—Carroll ; Grass is looking well, though winter-killed by ice in the
low lands. Hillsborough: The grass-crop never looked better. Rockingham: Pastures
not badly winter-killed, but late. Cheshire: Mowing-fields and pastures looking finely.

VeRMONT.—Pranklin : Excellent season for the grass-crop. Grand Isle: Clover win-
ter-killed. Caledonia: Clover badly wiuter-killed, and pastures to some extent.

174.

Massacnusetis.Berkshire: Early rains in May were a great benefit to grass; pas-
tures are excellent. R ” a5 a eee aay peas ee
CoNNECTICUT.— New London: Pastures very good. ee a

New YorK.— Westchester : Pastures never looked better. 47bany: Clover and pastures. .
fine. \ Saratoga: Grass looks fine. Wyoming; Some clover winter-killed, but the erop
lookswell: Sullivan: Pastures superior. Seneca: Clover badly winter-killed. Wayne? __
The prospects for grass and clover better than average. nae .

New Jersby.— Mercer: Fine rains have had a wonderful effect on grass, Sussex:
The opea winter was very disastrous to young grass and cloyer. Lurlington: Owing |
to last year’s drought some fields have very little clover; that sown this spring looks __
well. Camden: Clover large, but thin; timothy yet quite small. Warren: Pasturesa.
little short.and backward; clover half a crop. te

PENNSYLVANIA.— Delaware: Clover is well set and of vigorous growth; in grass we
will be more than compensated for the short yield last year; pastures afford abundant
food: for stock. Tioga: Favorable weather has advanced the grass-crop far beyond
expectation. Beaver: A dry and cold April hurt the pastures badly. Clearfield: Clover.
badly winter-killed, but doing better than was anticipated in early spring. Monroe: .
Grass looks fine. Bedford: Sufficient rain to keep grass growing; clover very good,
though the drought last season destroyed most of that sown in the spring of 1875,
Sullivan: Pastures and grass as forward as at the 20th of June last year. Columbia:
Grass is late, but looking well. Indiana: Fine weather for the grass-crop, and grass
and pastures doing finely. Miffiin: Clover-fields were much frozen out. York: Fayor-
able indications of a more’'than average crop of hay. JVashington: Spring pastures the
best for years, and meadows are doing finely.

MARYLAND.—Caroline: Pastures are very good; clover never looked better, Mont-
gomery : Grass promising, but a lack of clover. Prince Georges: Spring pastures never
better; the decrease in acreage of clover is owing to high price of seed; the cloyer
which caught last year looks well. Howard: Hay and pasture will be short. Har-
ford: The hay-crop will be above an average. .

VIRGINIA.— Augusta: Clover is heading very short. Dinwiddie: The farmers are gen-
erally seeding more clover this season. Lancaster: Clover and pastures were neyer
better. Loudoun; Grass and clover look well. Orange: The present dry weather ex-
ceedingly unfavorable to grass. Montgomery: The season is most favorable for all
kinds of grasses. Madison: Pastures good and clover better than last year, but the
acreage less. Floyd: Grass-crop vefy promising. _ Wythe: Pastures and clover are not,
average.

Mori CaRnoLina.— Forsyth: Grass very fine; clover as good as need be; cloyer and
the grasses have done finely. Haywood: Pastures looking very fine; our people are-
increasing their clover-fields every year. +

SourH Caronina.—Chester: More attention to clover, which is very fine. Newberry:
Clover luxuriant and thick. :

GrorGIA.—Troup: Spring pastures good and cattle fat. Carroll: Pastures very fine..

FLoripa.— Gadsden: Backward, owing to the dry winter, but rapidly improving.

ALABAMA.—Jackson: Pastures never better, particularly red clover and orchard grass,
Conecuh: Spring pastures good. De Kalb: Clover never presented a finer appearance.

MississipPr.—Perry: Pastures 10 to 20 per cent. better than ordinary... Jefferson:
Pastares splendid.

Louisiana.— Franklin: Spring pastures very good.

Trexas.— Washington: Very good range or pasturage. Collin; Alfalfa has been
planted in small lots and is doing finely ; other clovers have. proved a partial failure..
Cooke: Prairie-grass very fine. Nueces: Grass is coming out finely, and stock of all
kinds doing well.

ARKANSAS.— Arkansas : 'The range is excellent. Ashley: Fine pasturage; plenty of
a beef off the range. Fulton: Prairie-grass very fine, and cattle, sheep, and horses.
at.

TENNESSER.— Williamson : Pastures extra fine; very large increase of clover all over
the county, and it looks well. Lincoln: Pastures, and especially clover, are unusually
fine. Gibson: Spring pastures fine, and clover was never more luxuriant. Monroe:
Spring pastures more than sufficient for the demands ; cloyer magnificent. Rheas
Grass and clover better than for fifteen years. Sullivan: Grass and clover very fine.,
Bedford: Pastures fine, enough to supply the stock and leave a fine coat for fertiliza-
tion. Clover very fine and now ready to cut. Sevier: Pastures never so good before,
De Kalb: Grass and clover were never better. Granger: Pastures very good; some
early-sown clover killed by the freeze, but otherwise the crop is doing finely. Greene;
Clover very thrifty. ‘James: Clover and all the grasses promise well. Bradley; Pas-
tures so rich that butter is selling at 15 cents per pound. Clover is exceedingly fine.
Giles: Clover is increased 33 per cent. and is very fine.

Wes VirGIniA.—Grant: Grass looks remarkably well. Marion; Meadows and
pastures are having a very fine start; better than for five years. Nicholas: Grass
looks well. Mercer: Grass of all kinds looking well. Greenbrier : Clover and blue
grass are unusually fine. Wetzel: Clover will make a heavy crop. Braxton: Pastures,

r eotusesd + etoe

175

grass, and clover very good. Upshur: Pastures never better. Cabell : Grass has suf-
fered very much by drought. Doddridge: All grasses the best for many years. » Swm=
mers: Pastures very good.

Kentucky.—Bath.: A failure of. the oat-crop. for. a, few years.past, has caused’ an
increased area in Hungarian grass. Shelby: Pastures at least one month late. Callo-
way: Clover excellent, Simpson: Clover, fine as ever known.) Spencer: Pastures:
have suffered from dry weather. White blossom and white clover, have appeared)in
great excess in timothy-meadows and clover-fields, and the, hay-crop will be cut very
short thereby. Gallatin: Clover and spring pastures, have suffered, from drought.
Meade: Grass very short, owing to drought... Nicholas |, Pastures and clover short,
owing to drought. Henry: The. great abundance of the weed, known here.as white:
blossom has entirely destroyed the timothy, and) clover crops, ..Owen:| Clover and
pastures reduced 10 per cent, by drought.

On10.— Trumbull : Grass looks very prosperous, and. pastures. are abundant. 9 Frank-
lin: A fayorable season for the grasses, Morrow: Pastures are first, rate, and meadows
that were not frozen out promise fair. . Vinton: Meadows never, looked better. Craw-
ford: Very flattering prospect for a large hay-crop. , Delaware ;| Pastures never better,
and clover full average. oss: Fine prospect for clover and timothy. Geauga: The
grass-crop promises to be the best for years, Sandusky : Good pastures.

Micuican.— Oakland : Clover willbe too large for proiit... Pastures never better.
Kalamazoo : Grass looks exceedingly well. Calhoun: Clover is most luxuriant. Lena-
wee: The weather has been good for grass-crops. , Shiawassee : Pastures, never: better.
Van Buren: The season favorable for grass and cloyer. Mason: Pastures) look very
fine. Saint Joseph: The grasses have a very fine start.

Inpiana.—Nobdle: Clover never much better. Warren: Pastures) jine.The white
blossom is taking the old meadows. Whitley: Pastures good. Howard : Cloversuftered
from winter-killing ; pastures fair. Crawford: Suftering very much for want of rain.
Dearborn: Seriously damaged by drought. through May.. Hamilion: Pastures are
splendid; old clover badly winter-killed; young, looks well. Lake : The grass-crop:
very fine. Wells: Clover winter-killed. Switzerland: Pastures are excellent.

_ ILtinors.— Macoupin: Meadows and pastures are unusually good. ..Clay: Prospect:
of abundant crops in meadows and pastures. Zazewell: Pastures splendid. \ Gallatin :
All the grasses look well. Boone; Clover in good order. Clinton: Clover was winter-
killed. Fayette: All pasturage good. Mason: Clover good, but, pastures short, owing
to dry weather. Jefferson: Pastures the best for years; clover looks well; all grasses
are fine.’ Mercer: Pastures and clover fine, but timothy scarce.

WIsconsiIn.— Waupacca: Clover badly winter-killed.. Dodge: Clover from which a.
crop of hay was taken last year generally killed; that seeded last year generally good.
Walworth: Winter-killed. [

MINNESOTA.—Séeele:. Grass is unusually good, . Stevens; All wild prairies are) in fine:
condition. ;

lowa.— Woodbury: Our pastures are all of native grasses, which never winter-kill.
Hardin; Pastures yield a big crop, and very nourishing; clover. killed in spots..
Marion: Pastures good, and meadows promise a good yield. Jda: More forward than
common. Appanoose: Pastures very good. Sac; The prairie pasture is very good.

MtssourL—Platte: Pastures never better.. This spring, the farmers sowed many
acres of clover, which promise a rich harvest. Pettis; Splendid pastures, Morris:
Meadows never better. Reynolds: Grass-meadows are fine. 5

Kansas.—Cowley: Grass. looks fine. Osage: Pastures very fine; many cattle now
excellent beef. Uherokee: Pastures excellent,. Douglas: Wild grasses look as well as.
rain and sunshine can make them, :

CALIFORNIA.—Yuba: Spring pasturage grand, owing to a large amount of early
rains. There is an increase of alfalfa, the only clover raised here... Santa Clara: The
hay-crop a little more than average, with a heavy percentage of the old crop on hand.
Sonoma: Better than for twenty years; dairymen are reaping arich harvest. Kern:
Have finished cutting the first crop of alfalfa. Mendocino: A very fine prospect for
hay, which the farmers are now busy in cutting. Stanislaus: About ten times more
hay has been cut in this county than ever before. Amador: There is a constant
increase in the acreage of alfalfa. The several crops cut in a year amount, in some
instances, to nine tons per acre; usually to five or six. It makes very nutritious hay.
Butte: The condition of pastures and alfalfa is all that could. be desired... Napa: The
reported increase of alfalfa, 10 per cent., is probably an underestimate. Our pasture
_ grows during the winter and early spring. It becomes dry by the first of June, but
retains its nutritiousness, and may properly be called “ natural hay.”

OREGON.—Columbia : Pastures never better.

CoLorapo.—El Paso: Pasturage superabundant, and stock of all kinds have done
exceedingly well, except that they have suffered from the hard storm, May 23.

Daxora.—Davison : Pastures are looking well... Buffalo; No vain in three months,
and as a consequence, poor pasturage,

WasHINGTON.— Walla-Walla: The grass and hay crops are very fine. Whitman:
The native pasturage is unusually fine, and all kinds of stock are doing finely.

176
FRUIT.

The apple crop of the New England States is generally above average.
In York, Maine, myriads of caterpillars hatched out about May 20, but
the subsequent cold weather appears to have effectually disposed of
them. In Oxford, last year, they left a record of damages behind them.

In the Middle States the bloom was abundant; the apples are above

average and peaches below, the peach regions of Delaware reporting a
very depressed prospect. Other kinds of fruits are promising.
_ Of the South Atlantic States, Maryland promises a full crop of apples
and at least a half crop of peaches. In Virginia both these fruits are
less prosperous. <A cold spring with hard freezes following a mild win-
ter, in several counties, cut down a previous fine prospect; apples are
less than an average and peaches one-third... South Carolina complains
of extensive injuries by frost. In Pitts a blight injures the ends of the
limbs and the fruit; apples eight-tenths of an average and peaches one-
half. The freeze extended to South Carolina and Georgia, though fair
crops are expected on high lands. Warm winter succeeded by eold in
spring caused great destruction in some localities. These States prom-
ise about three-fourths of a crop of apples, and less than half a crop of
peaches.

The Gulf States are still more chary of promise to these two crops, but
in the tropical and semi-tropical parts of Florida there is fair promise.
In Santa Rosa unusual alternations of warm and cold weather caused
successive bloomings on peach-trees. Autauga, Alabama, complains of
a small insect injuring fruit, boring into the sprig just below the bud.
In several counties, in the Gulf region, severe frosts were felt. In East
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the thermometer falling to 29°, strange to say,
the bananas escaped, while the peaches, plums, and nearly all the
grapes were killed, and apples and pears greatly injured ; whereas, in
previous winters, when the thermometer has fallen as low as 19°, neither
tree nor fruit of these varieties was injured, while bananas were entirely
killed. Severe frosts were noted also in Texas.

The inland Southern States indicate about eight-tenths of an average
erop of apples, but not over a fourth of a crop of peaches. Here un-
timely frosts did their work with greater effect in many sections from
the warmth of the winter.

The States north of the Ohio will, on the whole, probably turn out a
fall crop of apples, the deficiency in [linois and Indiana being more
than made good by the large surplus in Michigan and Wisconsin; Ohio
is above average, Injuries from frost seem to have been more local in
their character in this region, though several counties complain of them
as severe. Michigan will have a fall peach-crop, but the others not
one-half average.

Of the States west of the Mississippi River, the northern portions
promise a surplus crop of apples, while Missouri and Kansas drop
below average. lowa will have an unusual crop of peaches, while Mis-
souri and Kansas will be about half average. Untimely frosts are
noted in the southern sections, together with local hail-storms.

On the Pacific coast, California promises a full crop of apples and a
surplus of peaches; Oregon a full erop of apres, but not quite of
peaches.

MaAInE.—Fiscataquis: Apples but just leaved out. York: The bloom abundant
Myriads of caterpillars hatched about the 20th of May, but the cold weather killed all.
Androscoggin: Just coming out, with a fair prospect. Cumberland: Not yet in full

jig

bloom; will be very full. Oxford: Showing but very little bloom, owing to ravages
of caterpillars last year. Somerset: Have not yet blossomed.

New Hamesuire.—Carroll : Apples will blossom well. Hillsborough : Apples promise
avery large crop, Rockingham: Apples in full bloom, and a promise of an abundant
crop. Cheshire: Apple-trees loaded with blossoms,

Vermont.—Fvanklin: Not yet in bloom. Grand Isle: Just in bloom; poor pros-

pect.
. Massacuuserrs.—Berkshire: In bloom, and make an excellent show.

ConNECTICUT.—Prospect of a very large crop.

New Yor«K.— Westchester: Full of blossoms. Albany: The trees are white with blos-
soms. /JVashington: Abundant bloom. Lewis: Just show the bud. Saratoga; The
trees heavy-laden with bloom. Wyoming: Now in full bloom. Sullivan: Trees have
bloomed exceedingly well. Genesee: Just in bloom, which is very full. Albany: AV
fruit-trees covered with blossoms. Genesee: Apple-5loom very full ; no pear-blossoms ;
small fruits promising. Seneca: Bloom good, but injured by east wind... Wayne: Bet-
ter than average.

New JERSEY.—Sussex: Indications of a large crop. Burlington: A great amount of
bloom, but the young fruit is dropping off badly. Warren: Enough healthy-looking
young apples to make a good crop, Mercer; Wonderful prospect fir all kinds of fruit.
Camden : Small fruits promising. 3

PENNSYLVANIA.— Bucks: Abundant bloom, and the fruit setting satisfactorily. Lycom-
ing: Promise a full crop. Sullivan: Promise an abundant crop; never better. Indiana:
Have set well, and promise of enormous crop. Warren: Good prospect for a full crop.
Elk: Enormous bloom. Northampton: Promise goed. Wyoming: Best prospect for ten
years. Armsirong: Promise good. Indiana: Crop will be enormous, especially apples
and cherries; pears have set well. Mifflin: Prospect good.

MARYLAND.—Caroline: Falling off.| Prince George: Promise of an abundant. crop.
Cecil: Promise far above-average in quantity. Gloucester: Prospect of a very heavy
crop.

VinGInrA.—Fluvanna: A mild winter, followed by killing frosts, will make the crop
very short. Page: Almost entirely cut off by freeze the last of April. Halifax: Fruit
nearly all destroyed by late frosts. King George: There was ice on the morning of May
1.. There are no peaches on the grafted trees, but many on seedlings. A promise of
many cherries, Seckel and. Bartlett. pears and apples.. Berries promise to be plentiful.
Floyd: Almost a failure. Elizabeth City: Cherries are abundant, and unusually good
and eheap. Strawberries have quite glutted the local market, having sold as low as 3
cents per quart. Grapes also promise well ; the vines look thrifty and are loaded with
young fruit. Northampton: The good prospect for a fruit-crop was seriously damaged
by the freeze in the latter partof April. King and Queen: The fruit-crop will be a geod .
one. Craig: Killed by May frost. Roanoke: Fair crop. Ashe: Larger part killed.
Scott: Very promising. Lancaster: Below average. Fairfax: Apples will be abundant.
Pulaski: Largely frost-killed. Patrick: Half crop of apples and still falling off. No
peaches. Carroll: Best prospect yet. Frederick: Peaches generally killed by late
frosts. Halifax: Nearly all killed; only seedlings escaped the frost. Amelia: Frosts
about the Ist of May, killed the few which had escaped the earlier cold. Craig: Killed
by frost in May. Fairfax: May be half acrop. King George: The best grafted varie-
ties killed by the frost, but the old seedlings are full of fruit. Pulaski: Killed by frost.
Madison: Promise of half a crop. Prince Edward: Only afew. Augusta: Generally
killed. Greenville: Cut off by late frosts. Roanoke: Nearly all killed.

Nortu Caroitwa.— Moore: Killed by late frosts. Beaufort: Will be half acrop in
quantity, but of superior size and quality. Gaston: None. Yancey: All killed by a
freeze, March 22. Caswell: Almost a failure. Union: Almost destroyed. Yadkin: Fruit
all killed by the freeze. Edgecombe: Very scarce, but doing well. Person: Nearly all
killed. Ashe: All killed by the freeze. Richland: Entirely destroyed by the freeze.
Orange: Almost a failure. Madison: All killed. Guilford: All killed. \ Union: Badly
injured by frost. Yadkin: All the early apples destroyed in the bud. Alamance: Half
a crop. Buncombe; Ail peaches and early apples killed; prospect of a good crop of
late. Duplin: The borer doing much damage to the trees; many killed outright.
Edgecombe: Very scarce, but doing well. _ Person: Neariy all killed. Pitt; A species
of blight has attacked the apple-trees, appearing in the ends of the smaller branches and
in the fruit-bearing branches generally. It threatens to destroy much of the fruit.
Orange: Promised well, but have dropped off badly. Guilford: But very few; killed
by frost. Lenoir: Fruit-trees loaded. Harriet : Frost killed.

SoutH CAROninia, Chester: A fair crop on high ridges. Clarendon: Almost. all
destroyed by the freeze in March. Insects very destructive to early branches of peach-
trees. . Lexingion: Good, butin some cases young apples and ends of limbs are destroyed
by insects.

GrorGia.—Worth: All killed by the freeze in March. . Macon: The remarkably warm
weather of mid-winter caused the buds of the apple and peach trees to swell and be-
come tender, and then the cold in the latter part of January harmed them. The ends

4A

178

~ of the twigs were killed, the trees seemed to go back into winter-quarters for good, and
they actually remained there five to eight weeks later than usual. They then put forth
considerable bloom, giving the hope of sone fruit; bat most of the blooms were defect-
“ive, and the few fructified have been destroyed by the curculio. Marion: The fruit-
crop will be almost an entire failure. The peaches were so stunned by the cold in the
spring that some have just put forth their leaves. Many were entirely killed. Lau-
rens: All kinds almost an entire failnre. Troup: Injured by frost, but a promise of
half a crop of fine fruit. Montgomery: All kinds very much injured by the cold spring.
Henry: Peaches a failure; half crop of apples. Rabun: Much cut off by spring cold.
White: Peaches, a total failure; apples, promising. Taylor: Extreme cold weather in
March reduced the crop. Towns: All killed by cold. Dooly: Nearly all killed by the
‘freeze. Gordon: Killed by frost. Wayne: A total failure. Gwinnett: Killed: by a
‘snow the last of March. Ttandolph: Almost a failure. Richmond: A few orchards are
‘Jaden with fruit in profusion, while others will not produce a bushel to the acre. El-
bert ; Materially injured by a late frost. Macon: Near a total failure. Cobb: Entire
failure. De Kalb: Nearly all destroyed by the freeze in March. Stewart: Materially
damaged by the freeze. Walton: Very near a failure. Richmond: Apple trees
greatly blighted. Barlow: Many apple-trees blasted and leaves turned. black.
Fayette: Many trees damaged. Cobb: A blight or something else has appeared on the
trees, which is causing the apples to fall off very fast. The small twigs on which the
- apples are die two or three inches back.
~Froripa.— Putnam: The prospect for the orange-crop is good. Watermelons are
coming in freely, of very fine quality. Santa Rosa: Owing to unusual alternating of
warm and cold weather, we have on same trees peaches of three different. bloomings
and of corresponding sizes. Some of the trees which had not bloomed up to the time
of the first freeze, the latter part of February, did not until the 15th to the 20th of May.
Indeed, on some trees blooms are to be seen even up to this time. La Fayette: All fruit
destroyed by freeze,Mareh 19. Columbia: Badly frosted.

ALABAMA.—Macon: Almost an entire failure. Perry: Badly frosted... Calhoun :
Spring frosts. Butler: Injured by cold spring following warm winter. Randolph :
Very fine. Dale: A total failure; apple and peach trees just now leafing out and
blooming ; many are dead; no one can account for it. Covington: Prospect of a failure ;
just as the trees were blooming, in February, the coldest spell of the winter froze the
opening buds. | Blount: In some localities, none; in others a full crop. _ Randolph :
Plenty. Conecuh: In full bloom at this time—later than ever known—and the hot sun
is causing the fruit to drop. Autauga: A large bloom, but a small insect, not larger
than a flea, bored into the sprig just below the bloom and killed the entire sprig.
Lauderdale :: Almost a failure. Butler : Seriously injured. Coffee: Almost am entire
failure. Greene: Short crop.

MISSISSIPPI.—A4 niite : Fine, except peaches. Covington: Nearly a failure owing to

late frosts. Choctaw : Not more than 50 per cent. of Jast year’s crop. Jefferson: Nearly
all frost-killed. Lauderdale: Cold spring. Lee: March cold, destructive. Rankin:
Almost a failure. Wilkinson: Many trees killed by March freeze. Adams: Badly dam-
aged; a failure. Covington: Peaches nearly a failure. Lauderdale: Peaches a failure.
Lincolm: Peaches destroyed by frost. Choctaw: Only 25 per cent. of a crop of peaches,
wing to the freeze. Perry: Late frosts cansed a failure in peaches.
- Louistana.—East Baton lKouge: The freeze, March 19 and 20, destroyed all the
peaches and plums, nearly all the grapes, and greatly injured apples and pears. The
grapes are again putting forth shoots, and there will be about a fourth of a crop. Not
only were the fruit-buds “on the peach-trees killed, but the leaf-buds and the entire
trees were so injured that they are even yet destitute of foliage. ‘The new leaf-buds
are just beginning to appear. The thermometer descended only to 29°. What is
strange, it did not kill the bananas, while in past winters we have had the thermometer
as low as 19°, entirely killing the bananas; but not injuring tree or fruit of apple, pear,
peach, plum, or grape. Richland: The fruit-crop much damaged by frost; peaches
and pears have suffered most. Lafayette: Fruit-crops almost a total failure, owing to
the severe freeze March 21. Jackson: The freezing weather destroyed ina great degree
the fruit, particularly plums and early peaches. Franklin: Full 60 per cent. of apple-
bloom blasted. Moorehowse: Nearly all frost-killed. Jackson: Half erops. Bienville: Harly
peaches destroyed by freezing Franklin: Peaches very late in blooming, and 60 per
cent. blasted. Moorchouse: Nearly all the peaches destroyed.

Texas.—Llano: Materially damaged by late frosts. Upshur: Early peaches all killed.
Bandera: Peaches balf frost-killed. Titus : Badly damaged by frost, and apples and pears
also, by blight. Washington: All grafted and imported frait-trees completely failing ;
supposed to be owing to late cold and freezes; seedlings will generally bear. Zllis :
Peaches almost a failure, through frost. Jacinto : Peaches a failure. Wood : Somewhat
injured bylatefrost. Gonzales: Nearly a failure, owing to late frosts—peaches and grapes.
Burnet; Peaches nostly frost-killed. Austin : Peach-crop nothing. Collin: Cut short by
late frosts. Polk: Badly injured by frost. Anderson : Except apples, nearly average, all
frnit creatly injured by premature blooming and subsequent freezing. Nacogdoches :

179

Fruit is a failure, owing tothe cold weather in March. Wood: Apples fine.. Panola:
Apple-trees late leaving, some still leafless. Navarro ; Will beatull crop of fruit in some
localities, and in others contiguous all was destroyed. by frost. Marion: While the
peach-crop is indifferent, the grape and berry crops are excellent. Burleson: Apple-
blooms half destroyed by frosts... Upshw: Destructive cold. Panola; Peaches a small
crop. A

ARKANSAS.— Baxter: All killed March 20. Dallas; Killed by the freeze and snow
in March, when the thermometer went,12° below the freezing-point. Izard: The cold
storm in March destroyed nearly all the fruit and injured the trees, Prairie: The heavy
snow in March killed nearly all the peaches and plums, and many of the trees... Yell:
Pear-trees are dying all over the county. Cross; All kinds, except a few apples, killed
by snow in March. Craighead: Nearly a failure. Jefferson: Slight prospect. Saint ran-
cis; Cutoit atleast one-half. Jackson: The early apples are killed. Ouachita : What
are on the trees very poor,and not more than 10 per cent. of acrop. Sharp: Greatly
damaged by the freeze... Woodruff: Good. Arkansas: May make a fair crop, but there
8 something unnatural; some trees have on one part apples as large as_ quails’ eggs,
while the other part is in early bloom. Have seen it so in saveral orchards. Franklin :
Peaches nearly all killed. Sebastian: Peaches kiiled. Benton: All peaches killed.
Van Buren: All peaches killed by a big snow in March, Hempstead: Peaches mostly
killed by late frosts... Monroe: Peaches all killed by freeze in March. Jackson: Peaches
nearly all killed. Stone: Peaches killed. Crittenden: Peaches all killed. . Crawford :
Peaches killed. Independence: Peaches injured by the snow-storm in March. Perry:
Entirely destroyed by the freeze. Sharp: Peaches killed. Ashley : Peaches killed. Yell:
Peaches all killed. Marion: Peaches a total failure.

TENNESSEE.— Lewis: All killed in March. Williamson: Nearly all killed... McNairy :
Almost a failure, owing to a heavy snow in April. Loudon: All dropping off. Craig-
head: Peaches a failure. | Saint Francis: Entire failure. Monroe: Total tailure.. Tip-
ton: Entire failure. Bedford: Almost a failure; killed by the late freeze. Greene:
Seattering; April chills caused them, to fall off. Giles: All but5 per cent. killed.
Fayette: Nearly all killed by 8 inches of snow March 18. Lauderdale: Peaches almost
a failure. McNairy: Partly killed by heavy snow in April; those left look rather un-
healthy. Loudon: Will be a light crop... Grundy: The frost mostly killed the winter
and summer apples, but the fall-apples suffered bnt very little. Monroe : Good. Bedford:
Exceedingly abundant. Greene: Athin crop. James: Will bea full crop. Giles: Im-
mense crop now on the trees. Maury: All kinds abundant, except peaches. Sevier:
Small fruits extra good,

Wesr VirGinia.—Nicholas: Very light crop. Putnam: Three-fourths of peaches
destroyed by the cold in March. Preston; Apples bid fair fora good yield. Wetzel:
Apples bid fair to be very abundant; peaches few. Braxton: Peaches.a small, erop.
Taylor: Fine prospect. Brooke : Prospect of an extra crop. Cabell: Early apples a
failure ; late, a fair crop... Summers: The prospect very good on the low land; lght on
the uplands. Pendleton: The crops materially injured by the late cold. Randolph:
Nearly an average bloom, but falling off. Calloway: Nota good crop. Hardin: Very
few. Owsley: Promise of 75 per cent. of a.crop. Spencer: Cut short by frosts... Gal-
latin: Half.acrop. Grant: A fine prospect. Nicholas: Very light crop of apples and
cherries, and no other fruit. Tucker: Will not. be much fruit of any kind... Cabell:
Pears and plums, as well as peaches, a failure. Pendleton: Severe frosts materially in-
jured the apple. crop, and, entirely destroyed peaches, plums, and cherries. Mercer :
Peaches killed.

Kentucky.—<aAnderson;: Very few peaches. Jefferson: Peaches destroyed... Callo-
way: Peaches very scarce. Hardin: None. Owsley; All killed by, the snow and freeze
March 20. Spencer: Nearly destroyed. Gallatin: Prospect of half a crop of apples,
peaches, and other fruits. Nicholas: Peaches almost a failure. Henry: Such fruits as
escaped the frosts are doing well.

Ou10.—Greene : Afreeze in April almost destroyed our prospects for fruit; and besides
this, a web-worm is almost ruining many orchards by stripping the trees of their foli-
age. Trumbull: All kinds except peaches bid fair to be an immense crop. Athens:
Apples, peaches, and small, fruit, except grapes, badly injured by freeze May 1, and
again by a sévere hail-storm May.21.. Morrow: Apples promise fair, but other fruits
will be scarce. Vinton: A frost, May 1, killed all the peach, and on low ground,
most of the other fruit; on high ground, there will be half.a crop of apples, and some
pears and cherries. Delaware; The measuring-worm is going for our fruit. Portage:
Peaches, plums, cherries, and the more tender fruits killed to a great extent by frosts.
Hardin: Pears and peaches a failure ; cherries. promise well. Medina: Other fruits
than peaches promise abundantly... Monroe: Cherries half a crop ; small fruits...Ross:
Peaches a failure. Monroe: Very few peaches... Preble : Never more promising. | IWiil-
iams: Au unprecedented bloom. Ashland: Frosts destroyed some early apples. Craw-
ford: Fair prospect. . Hamilton: Prospect of a good crop, except peaches. Noble: Not
over half a crop. Portage: Never more promising, Hardin: Promise well. Ross:
Half acrop. Huron: Bid fair for a big crop. Wood: Two-thirds the bloom destroyed
by frost, but enough left for a good crop. Geauga: Promise of the heaviest crop for

180

many years. Sandusky : Good outlook. Meigs : Frosts killed many of the early peaches.

Franklin: Peaches killed. : alin
~ MicuiGaNn.—Jonia :' Many of the trees have been killed by recent severe winters,
but those left promise a full crop. Oakland: Fuller blossom than ever before seen
Lenawee. A very full bloom. Shiawassee: Promise better than for some years. Grand
Traverse: A very full bloom all over the county. Muskegon: Three-fourths of the
peaches .killed. Ottaway: All kinds promising. Wayne: Prospeet’ nevér’ better.
Mason: Prospect fine. - . ; ~ HATU

InpIANaA.— Whitley : Never a finer bloom, but the feait has not set well as was hoped.
Franklin: Trees unusually full of bloom, bnt frni¢ not abundant. Howard: Prospect
ofapples above average, peaches mostly killed. Floyd: The crop will belarze. Hamil-
ton: A full bloom of apples but fenit falling off badly; peaches a fair crop. Carroll:
Apples and peaches much damaged by frosts. Washington: Peaches an entire fail-
ure, except on budded trees. Kosciusko: Fruit prospects were never more promising
until within two weeks: since which, have had an east wind almost confinually, and
at least 50 per cent. of the apples have fallen off, and a large per cent. of the cherries.
Noble: The prospect for fruit is good. Floyd: Small fruits very abundant; a few
early peaches and no late ones. Cass: Killing frosts May 22d and 23d, badly injured
the. finest of fruit prospects. Lake: Fruit bas the best showing ever Known. Wells:
Frost. May 7th, killed iruit to a considerable extent. Madison: All fine except the
peach-crop. ’

Ivuinors.— Boone: Biossomed profrsely, but owing to cold and wind will not be
more than average crops of frnit. De halb: Fruits of all kinds promise well; cher-
ries, a good crop, and grapes above average ; ap) les 20 per cent, below average. IW hite:
Fruit killed by the cold weatherin Maich. Logan: Apples not setting well, falling
off. Bureau: Prospect of the jargest crop of apples ever raised, though some com-
plaint of dropping off. YZazewell: Canker-worms have appeared in a few of the large
orchards. The prospects for small fruitssplendid. Clinton: Apples ivjured by frost.
Fayetie: Prospect very good. Mason: Short crop of apples. Sangamon: Apples fall-
ing off badly. Jefferson: Half a crop of apples. Hancock: Half the apples have
dropped off. McLean: Apples have dropped oft badly. Logan: Peach-trees badly
winter-killed. Mercer: Few peach-trees, but well leaded.

Wisconsin.— Green Lake: Promise a large crop,especially ef apples. Richland:
Fullest blossom for years. WWaskingion: Promise of au abundant crop. Greene: Prom-
ise abundant.

Towa.— Woodbury: There ave a great many young orchards not yet in bearing, all
doing well. The few in bearing have done well, and will produce some frnit. Hardin:
Promise a very heavy yield. Clayton: Never a better prospect. Iowa: Our few trees
full: Jefferson: The fruit prospect is the finest for years ; all kinds promise abundantly.
Sac; In this new county the orchards are young, but some apple and cherry orchards
just coming into bearing give great promise.

Missovunr.—De Kalb: Every kind promises a Jarge yield. Clay: Frnit short,owing
to a freeze after the buds were partially opened. Pettis; Half a erop of cherries and a
fair crop of grapes. Johnson: Very little fruit. owing to storm and cold the last week
in March. Barton: Peaches and all small fruits killed by-the freeze in March. Jef-
ferson: The prospect is good for cherries ard grapes. Calloway: Fruit has dropped off
the trees badly. Laclede: Peaches nearly all killed. Pemiscot: Peaches all killed.
Stone: Fourth ofa crop. Christian: Not goed. Stoddard: Killed. Saint Genevieve: All
killed, except a small percentage of very hardy seedlings. Chariton: Peaches killed.
Mississippi; Peaches all killed in some parts. Polk : Peaches killed. Cass; Apples and
peaches nearly all destroyed by three haii-storms. Jefferson: Poor prospect. Dallas:
Peaches a failnre; apples injured by hail. Butler: Apples and peaches half killed by
the frost. Laclede: Apples nearly all killed. Platte: Scarcely 25 per cent. of a bloom.
Now a small worm, 3 of an inch long, called by some the canker-worm, is making sad
bavoc among the apple-orchards, eating all the leaves and destroying the apples.
Stone: Half a crop of apples. Holt: A bug, allied to the chinch, injured the apple-
blossoms. They were very numerous in some orchards. The canker-worm has stripped
a few orchards in the eastern part of the county of their leaves and fruit. The codling-
moth is the principal enemy of the apple in this part of the country. The destruction by
them equals fully 20 per cent. of the crop.. Perry: Halfa crop of apples, and still falling
off. Pettis: Three-fourths of a crop of apples. Stoddard: Most of the apples killed
by a freeze. Saint Genevieve : Late frosts very destructive. Charidon : Apples killed.

Kansas.—Shawnee: Fruit destroyed by hail. Cowley: Peaches killed. Osage : Almost
a total failure. Barbour: Prospect of apples greater than ever before. Doniphan: Ap-
ple-blossoms injured by a small brown bug; peaches killed. Cherokee; About the first
crop of apples raised is doing well; peaches a failure. Brown: Destroyed throngh the
center of the county by a violent storm. Douglas: Some appearance of bight on
the trees. Labette: Rose chafer did much damage to early apples. Ek: Peaches killed.
Brown : Peaches destroyed. Montgomery: Peaches {killed on bottom -lands; a few on
uplands. .

181

NEBRASKA.—Hall; Fruit generally promising. | Iichardson: Fruit-crops generally
failed. Neémaha: Destructive hail-storm. eS

CALIFORNIA.—Sonoma : Fruit promising ; vintage promises a large and excellent
yield. . Yuba: Crops short. . Placer: Better than for many years. Butte; Excellent.
San Joaquin; All good; grape-crop will be enormous, Amada: Injured by terrifie
storm. 5

OREGON.—Clackamés: Injured by cold.

Utan.—Kane: Prospects never better. Utah: Injurious frost, Beaver ; Tnjurious
frost.

AR1zONA.— Maricopa: Better than ever before; figs bearing full,

MAPLE SUGAR AND MOLASSES.

The product of maple-sugar during the past season declined about 10
per cent. from the product of the previous season. The only States that
equaled last year’s aggregate were Massachusetts, Connecticut, Penn-
sylvania, and Michigan. The decline in maple-molasses has been at
about the same rate. Only Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
equaled last year’s product. The gradual decline of this branch of pro-
duction is attested by the late census reports. In 1870. we produced
28,443,645 pounds of maple-sugar and 6,503,323 gallons of molasses ; in
1860 we produced 40,120,205. pounds of sugar and 14,965,996 gallons of
molasses—a decrease of 11,676,560. pounds of sugar and of 8,460,673
gallons of molasses in ten years.

COWS.

Tie condition of cows is above average in every State of the Union
except Oregon, which reports 98 per cent. The highest condition is
found in the States west of the Mississippi River, and the maximum, 113,
in Kansas. Onthe Atlantic slope, Georgia reports 7 per cent. and Maine
6 per cent. above average. In New, England and Middle States the
range is slightly above; the South Atlantic States a little higher. The
winter was generally favorable on the Atlantic slope for cattle. For-
syth, Georgia, reports a disease of unknown character that had been
two weeks raging at the date of the report. In some parts of Florida
the dry winter had dwarfed the grasses, but, generally, the condition
was good. Alabama and Texas report 8 per cent. above average. The
southern inland States indicate an unusually good condition, averaging
somewhat above the States north of the Ohio River. The dairy section of
Michigan seems unusually well satisfied with the condition of cows, while
in many localities in Indiana better care of this class of farm-animals,
including better shelter,is noted. The same improvement is also indicated
in the States west of the Mississippi River, where the merciful policy is
illustrating its superior economic value. An unusually mild winter, how-
ever, greatly assists in bringing about this result. On the Pacific coast,
_ California is 3 per cent. above average and Oregon 2 per cent. below.

MAINE.—Waldo: Looking remarkably well. Androscoggin: More being kept than
usual, and they have come out very finely.

MAssACHUSETTS.— Berkshire : Look well.

New YorxK.— Albany: Fat. Washington: Came out in excellent condition, and are
giving extra quantities of milk.

VirGINIA.—Patrick: Lean, owing to searcity of food in the spring, but improving.

GEORGIA.—Taylor: The cattle on the range are in fine order. Forsyth: Some disease
has made its appearance in the last two weeks ; twelve or more cattle have died, mostly
milch-cows. Worth: Cows have thrived well, owing to the mild winter. Wilcox: The
dry winter and forward spring very favorable for cows, which are doing well—much
better than last year.

FLoripa.— Gadsden : Condition bad, owing to the dry winter which dwarfed the
grasses. e

TENNESSEE.— Bedford: Fat.

182.

Kentucky.— Gallatin»: In better-condition than for seyeral years.

MICHIGAN.—Lenawee: Doing better in the dairy section than ever before:

Inpiana.—Franklin : Better cared for than usual, in the winter, which more~ “than
made amends for the lack of straw and rough feed. "Switzerland : Never looked better.

MissourL—Platle: Came. through the winter in fine condition, and are repaying
richly; imilk-and butter are in oreat abundance.

SHEEP.

The average rate of losses of sheep by disease or other casualties
varies greatly in different sections. The New England States range
from-3 to 6 per ecent., Connecticut showing the minimum rate of the
whole country. The Middle States lost about 5 per cent. The South
Atlantic States range from 4 per cent. in Maryland to 103 per cent. in
Georgia, the latter being the maximum of the whole country. Virginia
reports 7 per cent. ; the cause of this heavy loss is partly indicated by
our correspondent in Patrick, who says that a large number of lambs
were lost by neglect, the farmers relying upon the unusually favorable
winter. The sharp,cold weather recurring in spring also contributed to
this result. The Gulf States range from 54 per cent. in Louisiana to 9
per cent. in Alabama; the southern inland States, from 4 per cent. in
West Virginia to 10 percent. in Arkansas. . Bedtord, Tennessee, reports
stock-sheep in unusually fine condition, with a perceptible decrease of
veious dogs. This nuisance explains the high. rate of destruction in
the South generally. North of the Ohio River the rate of loss ranges
from 4 per cent. in Michigan to 7 per cent. in Illinois. In Calhoun, Mich-
igan, lambs are not developed as well as usnal; losses have been espe-
cially severe among high grades. West of the Mississippi River, Mis-
souri and Nebraska lost at the rate of 8 per cent., while Kansas lost but
4 per cent.; Minnesota and Iowa, 5 per cent. Saunders, Nebraska, lost
22 per cent., 20 of which were through the ravages of dogs. Our Cor:
respondent here had 484 killed in one night; he afterward lost 200
lambs, leaving him almost “ muttonless.”. Pawnee County lost heavily
from floods, one farmer losing 100 sheep and 150 lambs. On the Pacifie
coast, California lost 7 per cent. and Oregon 4 per cent.” El Paso, Col-
orado, reports a loss of 5 per cent. from a storm May 23, when, on what
is called *‘ the divide,” the snow fell to the depth of 15 inches.

VirGinia.—Patrick : Greater loss of Jambs than ever known, ascribed to neglect
induced by the favorable winter.

'TPNNESSER. Bedford: Stock-sheep are in better pondstive than I ever saw, them ;
are burdened with fat. We have more and better sheep and fewer dogs than ever
before.

Micuican.—Calhoun : Complaint that lambs dropped are not usually well developed;
are not strong and healthy. Losses have been much greater than usual, especially
among high grades.

NEBRASKA.—Saunders : Of the 22 per cent. loss among sheep, 20 per cent. is direetly
chargeable to dogs. The reporter had 484 killed in one night, and afterward sustained
a loss of about 200 Jambs, which had been left motherless. Pawnee: The loss of sheep
was caused by their being carried off in high water from excessive raips.. One man
lost over 100 old sheep and 150 lambs.

CoLoRADO.—E£I Paso: A loss of 5 per cent., including lambs, from a storm of unusual
severity, occurring May 23. On what is known here as the divide,snow: fell to the
depth of fifteen inches, and in Summit Park, at the head of Ute Pass, to the depth of
two feet.

New Hampsuire.—Carroll: Quite a number have died from grub in the head. Is
there no remedy that will destroy the worm and save the sheep?

VERMONT.—Caledonia : Karly-sheared sheep suffered severely from sudden changes
from very warm to extreme cold weather. One farmer lost 24 out of 36, and others
lost more or less. Early shearing is a cruel, and, as a rule, a very unprofitable practice.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Wyoming : Never knew sheep to do as well before. Almost every
flock has doubled, and some I know have trebled. Washingfow : Doing splendidly on
the abundant. pasturage. Now being sheared, and are turning off fleeces a shade
heavier than usual.

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185

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE,

FARM PROSPECTS.—New York, Wayne: Better prospects for all crops
never existed.

Maryland, Worcester : Our crops generally very promising, and stock
is in good condition.

Virginia, Sussex: While the average in oats and clover is increased
from 10 to 20 per cent., the area planted in cotton is 25 per cent. less.
In this I think our planters have evinced wisdom, for the balance of their
lot-lands is not left uncultivated, but is planted in tobacco, pea-nuts,
field-peas, beans, and other crops not hitherto planted to any extent.

North Carolina, Moore: Crops are generally well cultivated, and the
season is very favorable. Transylvania: Crops are looking well. Le-
nowy : A fine winter and spring for farm-work. The good farmers have
their crops well forwarded, and our prospect is very promising. Cam-
den : The season has been favorable, the stand of all crops is good, the
farmers are fully up with their work, and the prospect for good crops is
flattering.

South Carolina, Chester : Labor is plentiful, cheaper than usual, and
efficient. Crops will be grown at less expense to the planter than last
year. Jarlborough: The labor is very good and abundant, and the only
complaints now are want of provisions and the low price of cotton.
Williamsburgh : All our crops have done remarkably well, and are in a
very promising condition.

Georgia, Liberty: Money is searce and the times are hard, but the
prospect for crops is good, and labor isabundant. Schley: Labor plen-
tiful and cheap ; $4 to $8 per month, or 10 to 40 cents a day and rations.
The crops of corn and cotton look well. Gwinnett: Our farmers still
have “ cotton on the brain,” although the price has gone down to 10
cents; but they are paying more attention to provision-crops, hogs, etc.
The weather is unusually propitious for the growing crops. Richmond:
Labor is plenty and cheap, and work is done with decidedly more effi-
ciency than formerly. Prospects for farmers are unusually bright; few
could obtain factors’ accommodations; hence the crops, when harvested,.
will,in great measure, remain in the producers’ hands, something which
has not happened the last ten years. Hancock: Less cotton planted
than for years, and a larger area of corn and small grain than since the
war, which are looking very fine. J/cDuffie: The farmers are turning
their attention from cotton, making it only as a surplus crop. The
weather is fine for harvesting wheat and oats, which was commenced a
few days ago. Wilcox: This year farmers have gone less into cotton,
and more into grain and potatoes. Dodge: A very tavorable season
for the crops. Harti: The crops are in a healthier and better condition
than in many previous years. Troup: The land was never better pre-
pared for planting; crops have been well cultivated, and are in good
condition. Lincoln: The season has been as favorable as could be de-
sired; the work is well up, and, on the whole, the prospect is more
cheering than for years past. Farmers are beginning to see and feel the
necessity of self-reliance and home-support, as shown by the slight
abatement of the cotton-crop and the stronger grasp for grain-crops and
live-stock. Jefferson: Crops are clean, and looking well. More wheat,
oats, and corn, and less cotton, planted than in any year since the war.

Florida, Liberty: In the upper half of the county the earth has not

186

been wet to the depth of 4 inches. within seventeen months. n P88 ein
tion is, consequently, suffering seriously from. drought, ain Tae

Alabama, Perry; The season is prowising, the crop prospects are. Yery.
good, and the farmers unusually, hopeful. Randolph :, King. cotton”
has, been king of ruin to farmers... We have no money, but aim to. ave
bread and meat, with which we, can. live without. money. Russell :
hear but little complaint of laborers so far... Less stock has been killed
and stolen than in any year since the war; owing principally, to having
better, laws, and better men to execute them. The low price of cotton
will eventually prove, a blessing... lt bas caused many to. plant more.
corn, potatoes, pease, &c. .LHscambia.:, All the crops are. in very good
condition.

Mississippi, Greene: The, weather is now warm and vegetation is
growing well... The stands are good, there is. no;complaint ‘of insects,
and the crops are looking finely. Tishomingo: Laborers, are working.
well, the weather is seasonable, and. the crop prospects are above aver-
age. De Soto: There is, considerable attention to stock-raising and.
grass-growing, and I believe our agriculture will soon change for the
better.

Texas, Washington: Many farmers. ave baying corn at, 50, cents, per
bushel with money obtained from the. sales of cotton. at 8. cents per
pound. No wonder. that our southern people are, becoming poorer
yearly.

Texas, Austin: All grain-crops are light, in consequence of a drought
of six weeks; no rain from the first week in April until the 21st of May.
Pastures have been considerably injured, but stock of all kinds is in excel-
lent'condition... The young apple-orchards planted of late years are begin-
ning to bear, but the mild winter kept the trees too long in a growing
condition. This has eaused all fruit-trees to be very Jate in. bloom-
ing, and considerabiy diminished the amount of bloom. Fort, Bend:
Continued dry weather for ten weeks has blighted agricultural pros,
pects very much in this portion of the State., Jlatagorda : Crops gen-
erally are very unpromising. Tremendous floods of rain in Febraary
and March—a most unusual occurrence—caused the plowed land to run
together again; and then on the cessation of rain, immediately high, dry-
ing winds baked them so hard that there was an impossibility to. obtain
stands. Nota drop of rain has fallen for seven weeks. Medina: There
was not a drop of rain from the middle of March to the middle of May,
which faet reduced the condition of all crops. Marion: Not. a day’s
suffering for rain this season, and crops are better than for three years
past.

Arkansas, Sebastian : Crop prospects were never better at this season.
We are gradually decreasing our cotton-crops and increasing our cereals.
Stock is in fine condition, and sheep are healthier here than, in any other
place I have Jived in. Scott: The prospects for good crops of corn,
cotton, and oats throughout the county are very flattering.

Tennessee, . Williamson: Stock of all kinds is looking well, The
passage of a dog-law has given a greatimpetus to sheep-raising. Farmers
are getting a better class of sheep and taking better care of them. The
seed of German millet, which makes excellent, hay, has been, quite a
profitable crop.in this county. Last year it bronght as high as $5 per
bushel; but this year only 50 to 75 cents. Rhea: The prospects for

rain, clover, grass, &e., are better than in any season for fifteen years.
Stock is in fine order, dnd in fact everything looks prosperous for the
farmer. Sullivan: Taking all things together, the outlook, for the
farmers is very encouraging. Grainger : All things considered, we haye

187

more than an average prospect for crops. Anox: Complaints of bugs,
worms, &c., are fewer than usual; the spring has been exceedingly
favorable to the farmer, and while he may fail in some of the crops he
ean reasonably hope for a bountiful harvest.

West Virginia, Tucker: A great interest is taken ‘this spring in’ put:
ting in crops; more grain lias been sown than’ for Several years past,
and crops of all kinds look well.

Ohio, Madison: All small grains, except oats, are almost a failure.

Michigan, Delta: For the last two weeks the weather’ has been all
that could be desired, and everything in the line of crops is ‘looking
well. Wayne: The past few weeks have been very favorable, and crops
of all kinds are looking remarkably well.

Minnesota, Douglas: We never had better prospects of a large crop of
grain. Sherburne: All crops except winter grain are in a splendid con-
dition. Wabasha: The very late spring and wet condition of the ground
impeded seeding; after seeding, heavy rains washed badly the Tolling
lands and left many farms in poor condition for crops; never since the
settlement of the county have crops so early in the spring been dam-
aged so badly. McLeod: More than twice as much land as usual will
be broken this spring; the abundant crop and good prices of wheat last
season greatly encourages farmers. Renville: Crops are farther ahead
than ever betore at this season of the year. Stearns: Atno time since
our settlement in this State bas the season been so early for seeding or
the weather so fine for the’ growing grain as at present; crops never
looked more promising. Todd: This is the best growing season for
small grains for ten years.

Towa, Dallas: We lave had a very wet spring. Previous to the 15th
of May we had such frequent rains that it Was almost impossible to get
the ground in suitable condition for any crop. Consequently a dimin-
ished area of wheat, oats, and barley was sown. Woodbury: Farmers
are giving less attention than heretofore to wheat, and an immense
acreage, from new breaking of prairie, is devoted to corn, an increase of
25 per cent. in this county. Marion: Much Jess than usual of spring-
wheat, oats, and barley was’ sown, as it was impossible, owing to wet
weather, to sow at the proper time. Des Moines: The ground is in the
worst condition for making crops ever known. The past winter was
characterized by a succession of very heavy rains, and no frost to dis-
integrate tke soil. The result is a very poor show for small-grain erops.
I have seen no field of small grain that has over half a stand, and the
ground is nearly as solid'as the road. Fremont: We never had so great
an acreage in small grain as this spring, and the prospect was never
better. Pocahontas: The season is very favorable for crops of all kinds.

Nebraska, Franklin: The weather has been very seasonable and there
never was a better prospect for crops in the county since it was settled.
Adams: There are no indications of gras sshoppers, and the condition of
all crops was never better. Richardson: A splendid prospect for good
crops, especially of small grains. The chinch-bug has appeared in a’
few localities. Wayne: The prospect for good crops of small grain was
never better. Dixon: No grasshoppers yet, and crops of all kinds are
in good condition and promise first rate. Dawson: The prospects for
everything were never better since the county was settled. Knox:
Showers have been frequent and all the small grains are in splendid
condition. Cuming: The prospects for small grain, though late, were
never better. Corn has an excellent color'and has a good start. Sew-
ard: The weather has been very seasonable and a more hopeful condi-
tion of crops could not well exist. A marked improvementin husbandry

188

is observed. Nemaha: Everything is as auspicious and encouraging as
could be desired except the fruit, which was badly beaten off by Hail,

California, Sonoma: The high percentage reported on all cereal crops
is owing to the fact that the present season has never been equaled since
the settlement of Oalifornia by the Americans. The yield of wheat and
barley will be unprecedentedly large ; the acreage of corn is very largely
increased, and the yield will be proportionably large. The pastures are
better than for twenty years, and dairymen are reaping a rich harvest
of golden butter. Fruit promises to be very abundant; the vintage
gives promise of being exceedingly large and of excellent quality.. Napa:
The grain-crops are all above average, both in acreage and, yield per
acre.

Utah, Weber: The season was very late and nearly all spring.crops
are backward, but all cereals are very promising and stock is improving
rapidly after the unusually long and tedious wiater.. Zoole:, We never
had.a better. season, and everything looks, splendid; prospect of the
heaviest erops since the county, was settled.

PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE.— North Carolina, Beawfort: This county
has made one good step in the right direction. Formerly large quanti-
ties of northern hay were imported; but for the last two years the sup-
ply of forage from home production has been abundant.

Trdiana, Switzerland : The poliey of hay-cropping without giving the
land anything in return is being gradually but surely abandoned, and
farmers are taking steps to convert their farms into stock-farms. | Rais-
ing and fattening stock will be extensively engaged in hereafter. There
is now an unprecedented and still increasing demand for stock-cattle,
hogs, &e.

Wisconsin, Columbia: Our farmers are turning their attention more
and more every year to cultivated crops, and by feeding their corn to
eattle, sheep, and hogs, make more manure to return to the soil as a
compensation for its favors.

Minnesota, Pope: Although the winters are so long and generally so
severe, the raising of herds of cattle and flocks of sheep is found on
the whole to pay better than the production of wheat, corn, and oats
for the market Dairying prospects begin to look encouraging. The
manufacture of butter and cheese will soon greatly increase, judging
from present indications.

Kansas, Washington: The alfalfa sown last year has proved a grand
suecess. It was three feet high by the middle of May, and farmers
then commenced cutting the first crop. The attention now given
to alfalfa and other grasses will revolutionize farming in Kansas.
Before its introduction we made a specialty of our wheat to our
own detriment. We are now raisiug more rye, corn, and grass, and
selling our products in cattle, hogs, &c., which places us on the high-
road to prosperity.

IMPOVERISHING RESULTS OF SPECIAL FARMING.—Kentucky, Pend e-
ton: Tobaceo is the curse of this county. It is causing the lands to
become quickly worn out and the risiug generation to be a set of igno-
ramuses.

Tennessee, Perry: With a soil and climate exceedingly well adapted to
the growth of cotton, tobacco, all kinds of fruits, the cereals, and all kinds
of stock, thereby guaranteeing the greatest meed of success in diversified
husbandry, and a large, navigable river traversing our western border,
affording the very cheapest transportation to first-class markets, we
have too long made the growing of peanuts a specialty. The growing

189

of this crop, has, driven us to the granaries and, meat-houses of the
Northwest for our subsistence, has destroyed our thrift, is threatening
to destroy the fertility of our soil, and has otherwise damaged us far more
than the calamities of our late civil war; and yetitis plan ied this yearinan
increased acreage of, perhaps, 200 per cent. above an average... A. few
farmers, educated in the precepts of diversified husbandry, would soon
grow opulent here in, furnishing our farmers, with breadstuffs, meats,
fruits, vegetables, wool, and farm-stock.

GRASSHOPPERS.— Texas, Burnet : Cereals have been partly destroyed
by grasshoppers. Gillespie: The grasshoppers hatched here, ‘left’ on
the 8th of May. Llano: Wheat has been considerably damaged by
the grasshopper.

Minnesota, Watonwan : Grasshoppers deposited eggs here last fall,
which have now hatched, and the young hoppers are very plenty in
places, but up to this time they have not done any material damage to
the growing crops. Owing to the fear‘of this pest, less than half the
usual acreage in wheat and oats was planted this, spring. Jackson :
Owing to the deposit of grasshoppers’ eggs last season, but little grain
was sown in the north part of the county this spring. Nobles: In three
towns in the northeast part of the county young grasshoppers have
already done considerable damage where the ground was not plowed in
the fall, and where the grain was sown in ‘corn-stubble the crop. is
wholly destroyed. Kedwood: Crops of ail kinds promised a. bountiful
yield; but the great pest, the grasshoppers, are hatching out in certain
loealities, and threaten total destruction... Blue Harth: In the south-
western towns of the county grasshoppers are hatching out in large
numbers. . They are already doing considerable damage to all kinds of
grain and to timothy meadows.

Towa, Shelby: Wheat is suffering from young grasshoppers; in some
places they have entirely destroy ed it, but as yet not more than 2 per
cent. of the acreage.

Colorado, Rio Grande : Grasshoppers are hatching out in large num-
bers.

Montana, Deer Lodge: The grasshoppers are out by millions, and dam-
aging spring crops, wheat more than any other. Lewis and Clarke:
Grasshoppers are appearing very plentifully.. Jefferson: The grass-
hoppers very thick.

. New Mexico, Taos: The grasshoppers have appeared in this valley in
myriads. “Mora: Grasshoppers have destroyed 40 per cent. of the
spring wheat.

DISEASES AMONG FARM-ANIMALS.—WNorth Carolina, Gates: Nearly all
the hogs are dead or dying of hog-cholera.

Georgia, Decatur: There has been some fatality among the horses. It
seems to be staggers, produced by the kind of food given them. Corn
raised here last year is very light, chaffy, and deficient in the elements
of nutrition. In this county such food is a recognized cause of blind
staggers. A few persons lost every horse. Hogs have continued to die
of the disease known as hog-cholera. It is said that hogs fed mainly
on cabbage, colewort, ruta-bagas, and turnips are not. subject to this
dlisease.

Arkansas, Prairie: Since my last report we have lost fully half the hogs
we had left. I have no doubt that the disease was from worms, aud
that with ordinary care very little loss would have been sustained. Not
enough hogs are left for stock.

Tennessce, Monroe: A few sheep are dying of disease. Cholera pre-
wails among swine, proving fatal in many localities.

190 : | ie.

Illinois, Macoupin: More hog-cholera than for the past three years.

Kansas, Woodson: A disease called the strangles is prevailing in sey-
eral, lovalities, which has. killed,.a number. of fine horses. The first
symptoms are manifested by an itching of the head, which causes the
horse to rub. the head and neck violently against anything within reach.
This is soon followed by a swelling in the muscles of the jaw, which ex-
tends upward until the lower jaw and, throat are tightly swollen... The
horse begins to strangle, as though choking, and, grows, worse for.abont
five days, when he ceases to breathe. No one seems to understand the
disease, and no remedy has yet been discovered.

INSECT-INJURIES TO. APPLE-TREES.—Alabama, Saint, Clair: This
spring, on a number of apple-trees, a short time after. the bloom ap-
peared, a small insect, like a black. flea, in. appearance, bored. into the
limb near the bloom and deposited its eggs. -This caused the bloom to
perish, and the limb died back from 4 to 12 inches. The trees thus in-
jured look as if almost dead, there are so many dead leaves hanging to
them. The borer confined itself principally to certain kinds of fruit.
This is the first thing of the kind we have ever had.

OVERFLOW.—Louisiana, Concordia: From careful inquiry, I think at
least three-fourths of this, parish is under water.,..At date, May 21, it
has fallen 10 inches, but goes down very slowly... In the back part of
the parish there will be a good deal of suffering.

NEW VARIETY OF APPLES.—Austin, Texas: A new variety of apples
has originated on the farm of Dr. Becker, of Frelsburgh, which is prop-
agated by suckers, and succeeds admirably, . The trees perfected a
second crop last winter.

FATALITY AMONG DOGS.— Tennessee, McMinn: Farmers are paying
more attention to sheep since, the law has passed taxing every dog $1
and every slut $5. An affidavit to the death of a dog pays, the tax on
him, and there have been about 150 affidavits filed with the county col-
leetor for 1875.

A STOCK COUNTY.— West Virginia, Greenbrier: This county is better
adapted to stock-growing than to grain. Cattle, sheep, and horses are
extensively raised. We sell annually about, 3,000 fat cattle, averaging
1,100 pounds, at 43 cents. Stock of all kinds are now in good condition,
and promise to get fat early.

RAVAGES ON SHEEP.—Mississippi, Winston: I turned out, my sheep
last spring and lost two-thirds of them; this spring I turned out my
flock, and within one week all my lambs disappeared—killed by wolves
or dogs. The sheep are diminishing every year; the farmers have al-
most given up raising them. One otf my neighbors, who has generally
kept 75 to 100, told me, three days ago, that he had only 2 left—all killed
by dogs, wolves, or freedmen.

Georgia, Hall: Since the war, sheep-raising has proved a failure.
This is a good sheep-growing county, but the freedmen seem determined
that dogs shall monopolize it. Before the war I kept a fine flock of
about 100; now I have none—have been compelled to quit by the dogs,
the poor white man, and the negro.

HAIL-STORMS.—New Jersey, Sussex: On the evening of May 21, we
suffered terribly in several parts of the county from a storm of hail and
rain. Some of the hail-stoues were of the size of a small hen’segg. Glass
in windows of church, conservatories, Xc., suffered very much. The leaves
were stripped off the trees, gardens were ruined, roads washed out, and
bridges destroyed.

TOY

Nebraska, Knox: A very heavy hail‘storm, May 20, passed through
this county from the southwest. The leaves and some of the bark of
the trees were removed ; all the garden vegetables and flowers were
totally destroyed ; all the plants from the tree-seed ‘obtained’ from the
-Department were also destroyed; the grass and small grain’ were cut
short, but I think were not permanently injured. “The ground was
covered about 2 inches on the level with stones of a large size.’ Prairie
chickens and birds after the storm were found dead.

THE EUCALYPTUS—Florida, Orange: I have now 15 varieties of the
eucalyptus growing finely. Our soil and climate seem to suit them
exactly, and no doubt in time they will become most valuable as shade.
and timber trees, ‘to say nothing of their medicinal or anti-febrile
properties. Seeds of the Hucalyptus globulus, received from the Depart-
ment one ‘and a half years ago this month, have made trees 23 feet in
height and six inches in diameter.

IMMIGRATION—WMichigan, Chippewa:, Many farmers are coming into.
our county from Canada, Though generally poor, we hope the resources
of the county will soon be brought up, at least toward the desired.
standard.. There are not yet over fifty farmers in the county.

Minnesota, Chippewa: Thousands of claims are being located this.
spring, and soon Western Minnesota will be one immense wheat-field.

CROSS-BREEDING OF GRAIN.

By THE COMMISSIONER.

In this age of enterprise and thought, when science is casting so
much light upon the operations of men, and wheu the study of the best
and most profitable modes of perforhhing the work of the world is be-
coming more essentially necessary to the production of successful re-
sults, the farmer is especially called upon to bestow industrious thought
as well as laborious labor upon the work which he is daily called upon.
to perform. It is not enough that he should know that seeds cast upon
the earth will germinate, grow, ripen, and produce fruit, but that his
hand, which guides, aids, and stimulates this natural process, should
itself be guided. by the knowledge of the nature of the seed itself, how
it germinates, how it grows, how it. ripens, and how and why it produces
fruit. This knowledge will, enable him to give a right. direction to the-
effort and labor which. he bestows upon it, in order to obtain the most
profitable results. The thought and conviction that frequent plowing
and stirring of the soil is important to its fertility, because the earth
itself is a set of mouths and lungs which feed upon the natural elements
of the air, and imbibe its moisture and light and heat, induces him to.
the performance of the work in the promotion of his own interest: That
seeds are characterized by good and bad is a thought which should
always lead to a careful selection, for as like will, throughout all nature,
produce like, so will the hopes or fears. of the farmer be realized by the
character of the seeds he sows or the tree he plants. A small and shriv-.
eled grain of wheat, when sown, will produce a weak and unhealthy
stock, and a corresponding failure of product, while a plump, bright
grain will exhibit its healthy and vigorous growth and abundant prod-
uct. It is certainly true that many of the maxims of farmers, upon
which they thoughtlessly base their action, have no foundation in sound)

i

reasoning. That to change seed from one kind of soil to another will
produce a profitable result is a maxim of almost universal acceptation,
nor does the farmer stop to reason with himself as to its soundness or
fallacy.

Here is the point at which farmers fail to bring into requisition their
own powers of reflection, or even to use the evidence of their own prac-
tical experience. They do not stop to inquire as to the effect of remov-
ing seed irom a soil and climate to which it bas been naturalized and
adapted, to that, to which it is not natural and to which it has not been
accustomed ; and they fail to remember that when they go abroad for
seed, and pay a higher price for it, it is to obtain a quality better than
their own, and commensurate with the price they pay for it, and that
herein lies its superiority; that it amounts to nothing more than an
imperfect mode of selection.

Another maxim which farmers generally aceept as an axiom is, that
by sowing wheats of different qualities together, that they will so
hybridize as to produce a mixed breed; while even a little observation
would teach» them the error of this couclusion, and that each grain
produces its own like, and that really no hybridization takes place at
all, and that the mixture of seed produces the unmitigated evil of mix-
ing wheats which perhaps ripen at different periods, or perhaps require
different treatment when they come to be reduced to flour.

A little study of the nature of plants would seein to be necessary to
a knowledge of their proper treatment during their growth. Of the
flowers of plants seme are male and some female. In some the
staminate and pistillate flowers occupy different parts of the same
plants, asin Indian corn. In the larger number of plants the male and
female orgaus mature at tle same time in the same flower: and of these
some are subject to self-fertilization, and others to cross-fertilization.
Such plants as pease, beans, wheat, and barley have the male and female
organs within themselves, and are not subject to cross-fertilization, and
therefore it is that wheats do not’ mix their qualities at all by being
planted together; and as it is objectionable for other reasons, it suould
never be done. The leaf or flower which protrudes from the glume of
wheat is neither an anther, a pistil, nor a stamen, and neither emits nor
receives the fertilizing pollen.

CHEMICAL MEMORANDA.

By Witt1am McMurtrit&, CHEMIST.

BAT GUANO.—In a previous report of the Department I had the
honor to submit the results of an analysis of a sample of bat excrement
taken from a deposit near Huntsville, Ala., and the interest mani-
fested in them, and the reports of other deposits received, from time to
time, seemed to render it advisable to issue a cireular-letter to the reg-
ular correspondents of the Department in the South, asking for infor-
mation concerning the existence of such deposits, with complete deserip-
tions of their location and extent. To these letters we have received
replies of a very favorable character, many of them being accompanied
with samples of the deposits described, developing the fact that the
deposits were not confined to any partienlar section of the South, but
that they exist in many of the States from Virginia to Texas, several of

193

them being of considerable extent. It was believed by many persons
before the war, and by officers of the confederate government during
the war, that they would prove to be a valuable source of niter, and
were worked for the extraction of this compound. Some of the attempts
in this direction proved successful, but very many of them resulted dis-
astrously, as might be expected from the low percentage of nitric acid
‘in some of the samples, and its complete absence in others, and, at the
close of the war, all enterprise in this direetion was abandoned. They
will, however, be a profitable source of fertilizing material, since their
mechanical condition is favorable to their ready removal and applica-
tion to the soil. Most of them contain fair percentages of organic
nitrogen, while some of them contain both actual ammonia and nitrates.
Microscopical examination of the material shows it to consist of the
remains of the hard parts of insects in a finely comminuted condition,
which are the source of its nitrogenous constituents. Many of these
remains are in such a fair state of preservation that the species of
insects to which they belong may be determined.

Before proceeding to further descriptions of the samples received by
the Department, and a statement of their analysis, I will detail some of
the information concerning the deposits, as furnished by our corre-
spondents.

Mr. J. Layne, McDowell, Highland Couhty, Virginia, reports caves
containing deposits on the lands of the following gentlemen: John T.
Armstrong, 2; Samuel Armstrong, 2; Jonathan Lirons,1; H.C. Jones’s
property, on Cave Mountain, 2 or more; on property of James Woods,
on Jackson’s River, 1. Mr. Layne states that from all of these caves
large amounts of saltpeter were made during the war, and vast quanti-
ties of fertilizing material could be obtained from them at any time.

Mr. R.E. Talbot, Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas, sent samples
of deposit, with the following statement: ‘‘I inclose a sample of bat
excrement from the cave of William K. Foster, two and a half miles
from Georgetown. The amount of the deposit is large, supposed to be
hundreds of tons. Many apartments of the cave are filled to the
mouth, making it impossible to tell how extensive the cave is, or the
amount of excrement in it. For a space of about 100 yards long by
20 yards wide, near the mouth, it is from 6 to 10 feet deep.”

Mr. S. B. Thornton, Tuscumbia, Ala., reports ‘“‘a deposit in a cave
three miles west of that place, worked by a gentleman, who considers the
deposit worth $20,000. The cave is 80 or 90 feet deep. Material from
it has been tried upon corn with very favorable results.”

Mr. Hugh J. Brady, Spencer, Tenn., sent a-sample taken from an
extensive deposit found in a cave, one division of which ‘*‘ measures one
mile in length and 50 feet in width. This is the main room. The cave
has been surveyed for a distance of three miles. A New York company
manufactured saltpeter from the deposit for a number of years, but
finally failed.”’? The deposit is believed to be of great value.

Mr. H. Weir, San Antonio, Tex., writes:

I sent you by express October 26, one can of “bat guano,” containing about ten
pounds, taken from ny cave, about twenty miles northeast of this city. There is a
large deposit in this cave, say fifteen or twenty thousand tons, and yearly increasing.
J should be pleased to get your analysis of this sample, and will cheerfully give you
in further information you may desire with regard to this cave, or others in this
section,

Mr. William H. Bayne, postmaster at Batesville, Ark., reports one
cave in his vicinity which contains a large deposit of bat excrement,
and is at present the resort of immense numbers of bats.

Mr. P. A. Kendrick, Brierfield, Bibb County, Alabama, reported a

5A

194.

cave on Six Mile Creek, in Bibb County, and, in response to a request
for a sample of the deposit, sent it with the following communication :

In reply to your favor of September 9, I would say I have visited the cave in ques-
tion, and forward by to-day’s mailsamples of excrement of bats and dirt from the floor
of the cave. This material was used by the confederate government during the war,
for manufacture of saltpeter. Both the dirt and the excrement are found in large
quantities.

The entrance to the cave is 104 feet high and 20 feet wide. Thirty feet from the en-
trance the interior is about 15 feet high, and here commences a series of rooms con-
taining the dirt and manure. A tram-road, used by the confederate government, runs
a quarter of a mile into the cave, but beyond this it has never been explored. Its ex-
tent is, therefore, unknown. It is in a limestone formation, and situate seven miles
from the Selma, Rome-and Dalton Railroad, and half a mile from Six Mile Creek.

Mr. J. A. V. Pue writes from Bandera, Tex.:

In reply to circular of May 27, 1875, I have the honor to state that there is a bat cave
situated on West Verde Creek, about 8 miles southwest from Bandera, on a survey
belonging to Joseph Ney. During the war large quantities of saltpeter were manufac-
tured from it for a time, when it was fired accidentally or designedly. It is now a
mass of ashes, from 3 to 5 feet in depth, as far as it has been exploured—a distance of
about 400 yards. The width of the cave is from seven to thirty feet. The deposit has
never been used for agriculttfral purposes.

Subsequent to the time of writing the above, Mr. Pue forwarded, by
request, to the Department a sample of bat excrement of fair quality,
as is evident from the statement of analysis given below.

Besides the sources ‘already mentioned, we have received specimens
from Mr. L. A. Downs, Cave City, Ky., and from Benton County, Arkan-
sas. We have made analyses of seven of the specimens received, and
their composition is detailed in the following table :

Sand, clay, insoluble silicate .........--..
UV Ei yee Pe One ¢ es ee
Organic volatile matter......-.-..--..--- |
Alumina and sesquioxide of iron...-.---..
Soluble phosphoric acid........-..--.-..-
Insoluble phosphoric acid ........-----..|
PAM er sa l256 tb -- - fs - OE & eo-
LT AGT Ae ee ee ee
puMmnuricacid(i:. LIL J FOI Ss
Chlorine As «os cos em- oe oF 5

Nitric acid.

Organic nitropentecats-- 272+ s-3
Amonia (N. H.) corresponding to organic

mtragentss2 22282 23st Pe et INS.
PACGN ANAM MONI oon acca sece= Season om:
mdetermined. << 2.5225 sect Csaee Se 5525

The Roman numerals, at the top of the tables, represent different
samples as follows:

I. Sample from Brierfield, Ala. Part of the deposit from which it was
taken was burned during the war, but this sample represents that por-
tion which remains uninjured.

II. Sample from same deposit representing the remains of the burned
portion. It has the appearance of dry, sandy soil.

Ill. Sample from Bandera, Tex.

IV. Sample from San Antonio, Tex.

V. Sample from Benton County, Arkansas.

VI. Sample from Georgetown, Williamson County, Tex.

VII. Sample from Cave City, Ky.

These are all very similar in appearance, with the exception of those

195

containing the high proportion of insoluble mineral matter, which are
very much like soil. Those containing high proportions of organic mat-
ter vary in color from light brown to dark brown according to the per-
centage of moisture they contain. As stated before, their physical con-
dition, when air-dried, is excellent, both for handling and for application
to the soil, and the analyses given above represent very fairly the aver-
age composition of the material, which may be valued at from $15 to $55
per ton, reckoning upon the basis for determination of the value of fer-
tilizers adopted by Dr. Ch. A. Goessmann, inspector of fertilizers for the
State of Massachusetts, in his report for 1876. These values compare
favorably with those of the fish-products largely manufactured in New
England, and even with Peruvian guano, analyses of both of which may
be found in the report just alluded to. With these facts before us we
may readily recognize the importance of the development of these de-
posits in the South, where fertilizing materials are so much needed and
are so costly, and especially is this true when they may be obtained
from this source for the mere cost of remoyal.

INFLUENCE OF LIME-SALTS IN PLANT-GROWTH.—Joseph Boehm has
lately conducted a series of experiments to determine the value of lime-
salts in the economy of plant-growth, and has found that its principal
function appears to be that of furnishing nourishment for support of the
development of the cell-walls, without: assisting in any way in the direct
production of starch. According to the results obtained by other inves-
tigators, the function of the formation of starch in the chlorophyl-grains
must be delegated to potash. This latter function cannot, however,
according to Boehm, be carried on in the absence of lime-salts, since
plants grown in potassic chloride, carbonate, or phosphate alone grew
no better than those to which only distilled water was supplied. Germi-
nating plants will grow as long as they can obtain nourishment from the
reserve stock of food in the parent seed, but it appears that the mineral
elements become exhausted before the organic elements are all elaborated,
and that, for complete development of the plauts, mineral matters must
be added to the soil or solutions in which they are grown. Experiments
with various alkaline salts, in absence of lime, proved them to be unable
of themselves to supply the deficiency, and in many cases they were
absolutely poisonous. This was found to be true of carbonate of mag-
nesia, confirming the results of an investigation into the physiological
action of magnesia, made in the laboratory of this Department. The
poisonous action of magnesia-salts may, however, be neutralized by car-
bonate of lime.

But when the alkaline salts were applied in presence of lime, the growth
was vigorous and healthy, and he therefore believes that lime-salts are
as essential to the change of starch to sugar, &c., in building up
cell-walls which constitute the skeleton of the plant, as it is in the animal
economy in the metamorphosis of the cartilage of the bones.

With regard to the value of potash, the author quotes from Nobbe
that potash is essential to plant-growth, and that it is a condition of the
formation of starch in the chlorophyl-grains. The chloride is considered
the best form in which to apply it to the soil, and next to this compound
the nitrate, while the sulphate and phosphate are considered positively
injurious. ®

From these statements it would therefore appear that the combination
of lime-salts with potash-salts is the most favorable combination for
the stimulation of the growth of plants.

196

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION.

By Tuomas TAYLOR, MICROSCOPIST.

CELLULOSE AND STARCH IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS. (Continued from
the July Report for 1875.)—As cellulose and starch have very important
relations to man and the lower animals as food-constituents and in other
respects, I have deemed it advisable to continue my investigations on
these substances.

1. Fig. 1 represents a fiber of cotton in its natural condition; 2, a
fiber subjected to the action of strong sulphuric acid; 3, a fiber on which
was first placed a drop of a strong amber-colored solution of tincture of
iedine, followed by a drop of commercial muriatic acid, and immediately
afterward by a drop of concentrated sulphuric acid. In consequence
of the combinations of the sulphuric acid with the water of the muri-
atic, the liquid boils two or three ‘seconds, and by this chemical action
the cellulose or cotton-fibers are quickly changed in their structure and
chemical composition. When viewed under a power of about 100 diame-
ters, the fibers will be found to have been reduced to a starchy condi-
tion, and in many cases will appear in the form of disks or beads of —
a well-defined blue color; 4 represents a fiber of flax in its natural
condition; 5, when treated with concentrated sulphuric-acid; 6 and 7,
when acted on by the tincture of iodine and acids, as described in
the case of cotton-fibers. Membraneous cellulose and also amor-
phous may be stained blue in the same manner, but they retain their
original forms. To illustrate this, saturate a few grains of bleached
Aax in commercial muriatic acid, then add, by degrees, concentrated
sulphuric acid, and stir the mixture with a glass rod until the mass
Becomes pulpy or partially dissolved; then add to it an excess of
water and let it stand for several hours to allow the cellulose to precipi-
tate, after which decant off the clear water. This process of adding
water or washing must be repeated several times, or until the solution
has no acid taste, when the pulp will be ready for future experiment.
If a portion of the pulp be viewed by a power of about 100 diameters,
it will be seen to consist mostly of amylaceous precipitated matter,
(amorphous,) void of organic structure, combined with partially-dissolved
flax fibers. If it be ground with a glass spatula and viewed again it
will be seen that the only change effected is the reduction of the size of
the particles of flax, no starch-like bodies being observable ; but if there
new be added to it one drop of the tincture of iodine, one of muriatic
and one of suphuric acid, blue globular and starch-like bodies will be
formed from the undissolved flax. That portion of the flax-fiber which
was rendered soluble in the acids and precipitated on the addition of pure
water, is amorphous cellulose, and remains structureless. If the pulp
so treated be ground again with a spatula while combined with these
solvent acids, a much. greater variety of these globular bodies will
appear. Rotation and a solvent solution are all that is necessary in
this case to produce these artificial starch-like granules in abundance.
Zt will be observed that these amylaceous granules.are formed from two
distinct causes. The first mentioned results from the expansion of the
disks described, and the second from the action of the soluble acids,
assisted by the rotation of the partially-dissolved flax particles.

The spiral cellulose vessels of the ovaries of the blossoms of fruit
and tender leaves of the beech are stained purple and sometimes pale

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blue; but those of fruit-tubers and matured foliage are stained brown.
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larger proportion of the cellulose structure of the nutritious fruits, foli-
age, and grasses, is easily converted into starch and ultimately into.
sugar, by chemical means, and by animals when used as food, and are
known as carbohydrates. The mycelium of mycroscopic fungi consists,.
for the most part, of cellulose, and although the fungi are very low
forms of plant- life, they are not only the principal formers of some of
the organic acids, as the acetic, but they grow to maturity in them ;:
while the woody cellulose of the higher plants dissolves in the acetic:
ferments and becomes food for the cryptogams. Some varieties of myce-
lium take the blue stain by iodine and sulphuric acid, while other kinds.
are turned of an amber-color by the same tests.

When gun-cotton, a nitro-cellulose body, is treated very frequently
with the iodine and acid tests, as described in the experiments with
cotton and flax, it becomes yellow or amber-colored ; and when the fine
saw-dust of box-wood is similarly treated, it appears, when viewed
under the microscope, of three colors, amber, green, and blue; but the
latter color appears in very small quantities. Chitine, the cellulose of
insects, is stained yellow, and is supposed by some chemists to be
combined with nitrogen. Color cannot be relied on wholly as a test for
cellulose, since it assumes so many colors under treatment with iodine
and acid. The following colors are frequently observed when treating
cellulose and starch with iodine and ‘sulphuric acid: Purple, bluish-
purple, green, yellow, amber, reddish-amber, pale-blue, deep-blue, and a
translucent amylaceous white, When starch is acted on by sulphuric
acid alone it dissolves and is partially carbonized.

In making investigations on animal tissues, viscera and blood, I have
endeavored ‘to ascertain the condition of the cellulose in them, whether
it is tubular, membraneous, or amorphous. If a portion of brain is.
bruised and combined with iodine and the acids mentioned, so as to
produce the boiling heat, amber, purple, and blue colored forms are-
frequently seen, particularly so when the brain of a herring is used in
the experiment. Angular plates are always seen in the brain of the calf,
and are without color. until subjected to the action of iodine and suita-
ble acids, when they become blue. These plates have been by some
writers termed cholesterine, but there is no chemical authority that I can
find which declares that cholesterine is turned blue by the cellulose and
starch tests. In my experiments on the heart, liver, muscles, &c., of
the higher animals, I never fail to detect structural cellulose in them.
8, 9, and 10 represent some of the forms found under chemical action ;
i, Fig. 2 2, is similar; 2 and 3 and the other form of this plate are pro-
duced from 1 by using extra acid, and sometimes by slight friction. In
animal tissues and viscera a great variety of cellulose and tubular forms
may be detected in various stages of color, which are not represented by
the cuts. To be successful in these experiments a great deal of perse-
verance is necessary, aS the animal cellulose is well protected by the
other substances present, which frequently resist the tests applied until
they are repeated several times. Fresh animal tissues, viscera, &c.,
should be used in making preliminary examinations.

Since writing the foregoing, 1 have made some new experiments on
human arterial blood taken directly from. an artery, and also on the
mixed blood of a fowl. In each case well-defined amylaceous matter
has been detected.

The fresh blood of a fowl was whisked with a fork to separate the
fibrine from the liquid portion. The fibrine was next dissolved in dilute

138

caustic potash, to which was added acetic acid until the precipitate
ceased to form; a portion of it will ultimately float on the top; remove a
portion of it by means of a clean glass rod, and place it on a microscopic
slide; add to it one drop of transparent solution of tincture of iodine,
followed immediately by one drop of concentrated muriatic acid; then
examine it carefully under a power of about 150 diameters, for starch,
if it is present, will appear in granules of a blue or purple color. At
this stage of the process these chemicals will not convert amylaceous
cellulose into starch, even if present. To this same mixture add one
drop of concentrated sulphuric acid; place a glass disk over the contents,
and blue amylaceous matters in various forms will probably be found ;
but should there be an entire absence of blue color, and opaque brown
particles appear, remove the disk and apply the chemicals again as be-
fore. Should too much sulphuric acid be employed the whole coloring
mass will be dissolved. The amylaceous matter present at the same time
appears, when superfluous sulphuric acid is used, in white translucent
bodies, dissolving in streaks ; but the proper admixture of iodine solu-
tion with muriatic and sulphuric acid will give the desired results.
Many experiments will need to be made by microscopists before suffi-
cient expertness and satisfactory results can be obtained. That portion
of the blood which remains after the fibrine has been removed from it
has been examined for starch granules, but none were found ; when |
tested for amylaceous cellulose a trace of it appeared. I conclude, as
aresult of hundreds of experiments, that amylaceous cellulose is com-
bined with the fibrine of the blood, arterial and veinous, and may be
detected in even a minute portion of it, in the manner described.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

The Swartz system of butter-making—The Department of Agriculture
is indebted to the Secretary of State for a copy of a recent dispatch from
the minister of the United States at Stockholm, Hon. C. C. Andrews, con-
taining an interesting description of the process known as the Swartz
system of butter-making in Sweden. This system has given to Swedish
butter a high reputation in European markets, but is little understood,
probably, in the United States. The dispatch, which contains also some
additional facts concerning Swedish butter-making, is here given in full,
as furnishing statements and hints which will be of interest and value
to the dairy industry of this country:

Smr: The Swedish ice-water system of setting milk, now in general nse in this
country in butter-making, and known from the name of its inventor as the Swartz
system, was described in 1872 in an article by Mr. C. Juhlin Dannfelt (now Swedish com-
niissioner at the Centennial Exhibition) in the journal of the Royal Agricultural So-
ciety of England, which article was also published and circulated in pamphlet form.
The system has been described more recently by Mr. H. M. Jenkins, Secretary of
the Royal Agricultural Society of England, in his very full report on the agriculture
of Sweden and Norway, which was published last year. From inquiries, however,
which have lately come to me from the dairy region of the State of New York, it would
seem that this system is not popularly understood in the United States, wherefore I
beg in-this dispatch to note its principal features.

The milk is placed, as soon as practicable, in iron or steel pail-shaped cans, which
have been thoroughly tinned, inside and outside, and which have a diameter of eight
or nine inches and a depth of twenty inches. These, having each a close-fitting cover
of gauze, are set about a quarter of a foot apart, in ice-water of a temperature of 35°
Fahrenheit. To obtain and preserve this low temperature the ice needs to be cut into
pieces only two or three inches thick. The surface of the water is abant ona level

19a°

with the surface of the milk. The cream rises in course of ten or twelve hours. It is
churned sweet, and at a temperature, when beginning, of 58° to 62° Fahrenheit. This,
in brief, is the ice- -setting system; and its merits appear to be in the saving of time
and in the maintaining the mastery over the cream in all temperatures.

In this connection, possibly a few additional facts as to Swedish butter-making will
be of interest.

It is usual, at the factories, to add before churning some drops of a coloring-fluid, but
of course , the butter is in reality the worse for it; and I am sure that for ‘family use
here the ‘preference is given to private dairy butter which has no artificial coloring.
The churns in general “use are barrel- -shaped, placed vertically. In the factories the
cburns are of different sizes, say from thirty to one hundred gallons capacity, with a
cylinder dasher, which has two vertical wings, and is moved “by steam at the rate of
about one hundred revolutions per minute. The butter is obtained on an average in
about 45 minutes. It is worked by a machine which is an American invention, with,
as is claimed, some Danish improvement. The mechanical working of butter is the
only new feature which has been introduced into Swedish butter- making since the
publication of Mr. Juhlin Dannfelt’s above-mentioned article, About 5 per cent. of
salt is used for a distant market. The butter is packed in water-tight beech casks
holding about one hundred pounds each. The practice now is not to use brine in pre-
paring “them, but merely to let them stand full of cold water twenty-four hours before
receiving the butter. They are all new when used, and cost here at the rate of forty
cents, gold, each.

Butter can be shipped from Stockholm to London, via Hull, in as short a period as
four days, but actually it takes eight days and sometimes longer, because the steamers
which take it from Gothenburg direct are generally four days at the London dock be-
fore the butter is delivered. The circular of Thomas Nesbett & Co., of London, under
date of the 3d instant, quotes American and Swedish butter at wholesale as follows:
American fine, 26 cents (gold) to 27 cents per pound; Swedish extra, 33 cents to 34
cents per pound; and Swedish fine 30 cents to 32 cents per pound. There were no
. quotations of American extra.

The favorite stock of cows in Sweden is short-horns crossed with Ayreshire. But
short-horns mixed with common stock are more frequently to be met with. There is
also some Holland stock. In the best-managed dairies the yield of milk per cow will
average about 700 gallons a season. It has been fourd that 2.65 gallons of milk yield
46 gallon of cream, which last yields one pound of butter. Also, that in the ice
eee of setting milk eighty-five pounds of ice are required for one hundred pounds
of milk.

In 1874 Sweden exported 71,295 centner (of 94 pounds to a centner) of butter, of the
value of 6,416,550 kronor—one kronor being equal to 26.80 cents in gold. This, taking
the number of cows in Sweden at 1,340,000, was at the rate of five pounds per cow.

As a proof of the increasing interest in the dairy industry in Sweden, I would men-
tion that two original works on that subject in Swedish have been published this pres-
ent year. One, of which four thousand copies of the first edition were printed, is en-
titled, ‘Nagra ord rérande Ladugards-och Mjélk-hushallning,” (Some words on farm-

yard and milk economy.) It is by Mr. P. Von Moller, a wealthy and cultivated land- . ©

holder and member of the first chamber of the Rigsdag, and is considered a very ex-
cellent work. The other is by Professor Alfred Nathorst and entitled, ‘‘ How should
the dairy be managed to be, under our circumstances, the most paying?” This is,
also, a good work.

It has been a saying among the Swedish peasantry that stock-raising and the dairy
are necessary evils. In old times, however, these industries were rather extensively
developed. Olaus* Magnus, a Swedish historian, who wrote in the beginning of the
sixteenth century, mentions in his work that ‘cheeses were made in Sweden and ex-
ported, so large that two strong men could carry one of them only a short distance.
He states, too, that they were made at “village dairies ”—embryo factories—of milk
brought in by. the neighboring farmers’ wives. An old and rare illustrated edition of
his history i in Latin contains a picture of two robust men in the act of carrying one of
those cheeses.

GRAIN-RAISENG IN SPAIN.—Don Perruelas, a member of the Spanish
Cortes, in a late publication, shows that while Spain is the second among
European countries in the proportion of farm-lands devoted to cereal
culture, her actual product ranks only as the sixth. Great Britain
averages 273 bushels per acre, Netherlands 254, Belgium 203, Norway
122, and Spain 113. Spain should at least excel Norway with her in-
hospitable climate and brief season of germination.” The Spanish states-
man attributes this remarkable result to the stolid listlessness of his
countrymen. As long as an exhaustive system of culture will eke out

200

a common subsistence, no efforts will be made to aid the natural pro-
ductiveness of the soil. Since 1851 there has been a gradually inereas-
ing deficit in home production of grain, which, in 1860, required an im-
portation of 4,000,000 bushels of foreign grain, and in 1870 of nearly
20,000,000. Don Perruelas sees no remedy for this destructive drain
upon the Spanish soil, except in a general reform of agricultural methods
in impressing upon the agricultural classes the necessity of economizing
the resources of the soil. To accomplish this, agricultural schools should
be established ; but the impoverished condition of the treasury forbids
anything of the kind at present.

_BEET-SUGAR IN DELAWARE.—An association of gentlemen in the
State of Delaware has been formed with the purpose of developing the
capacities of that State for the culture of the sugar-beet and the manu-
facture of beet-sugar. They have imported seeds from France, England,
and Saxony, and have distributed them among the best farmers of
Delaware, the eastern shore of Maryland, and the southern part of New
Jersey for experimental culture. The superintendent of Delaware Col-
lege farm also devotes special attention to scientific experiments with
these seeds. Circulars are sent to each experimenter with specific
directions in regard to culture, harvesting, and preservation of the erop.
This movement, it is hoped, will inaugurate, during the Centennial year
of our Independence, a new and profitable industry in this section of
our country. Within the last quarter century we have more than
doubled the rate of consumption of sugar in the United States. In
1850 we averaged about 263 pounds per “eapita of the population, and in
1874, 423 pounds. We are paying from $80,000,000 to $90,000,000 per
annum for foreign sugar, a-very considerable proportion of which might
be saved by home production. This can be done only by intelligent
efforts like the above to test the local capacity of different sections for
the sugar-beet and by greater enterprise in the cane-sugar regions bor-
dering on the Gulf of Mexico.

INDUSTRIES OF KENT Country, MIcHIGAN.—In 1875 this county raised
569,353 bushels of wheat on AL, 932 acres, 564,902 bushels of corn on
19,186 acres, 503,435 bushels of other grain, 263,866 bushels of potatoes,
43,552 tons of hay, and 251,072 pounds of wool. Of produce marketed,
there were 1,145,944 pounds of pork, 17 285 pounds of cheese, 961,863
pounds of butter, 18,951 pounds of dried fruit, 2,272 barrels of cider,
and 299,509 pounds of maple-sugar. The county contains 27 flouring-
mills, 3 of which use steam as a motive-power; these employ 85 persons
and $418,800 of invested capital, making, per annum, 159,350 barrels of
flour, worth $1,339,025. The live stock embraces 10, 391 horses over a
year old, 124 mules, 1,609 oxen, 11,587 milch cows, 10, 955 cattle, 15,200
Swine over six months’ old, and 60, ‘71 sheep. In the county are D4 saw-
mills, employing 1,065 persons, with a capital of $905,800, and turning out
per annum 119,528,000 feet of lumber, worth $1,466,500. From 21 shingle-
mills, operated by 168 employés and employing $45,000 of capital, an
annual product of $128,000 is reported. In 17 planing and turning mills,
employing 351 hands and $436,000 capital, $560,000 worth of products
are annually turned out; 9 founderies and machine-shops, employing
209 hands and $212,700 capital, produce annually $309,000; 5 agricul-
tural-implement factories, 88 hands and $162,000 capital, produce an-
nually $220,000. Including the foregoing, the county contains 215
manufactories, empldying 4,230 hands and $4,561,000 ‘of capital, pro-
ducing annually $7,149,519. The prosperous condition of the farmers
of this county shows the influence of a home market for their products.

201

DEPRESSED CONDITION OF ENGLISH FARMING.—The Mark Lane Ex-
press says that farmers are keeping down expenses by every possible
method of economy, and that the number of farm-laborers out of employ
exceeds that of any former season, at least for several years past. ©
Many are preparing to give up their leases, and an unusual number of
farms to let are advertised. The land-owners still contend for rates of -
rental out of all proportion to the profits of cultivation. The general
opinion among British farmers is that land is worth far less for purposes
of cultivation than it was twenty years ago. Judging from the past,
the Express comes to the uncomfortable conclusion that nothing but a
panic will bring down British farm rents. ‘“ They have generally come
down with a run when they have been reduced at all, and the run has
invariably been preceded by a stampede of tenants.” Perhaps a sufficient
appreciation of the situation is still practicable by British land-owners,
leading them to meet the present demand for lower rents with a prudent
if not gracious compliance. If farming enterprise is to be hampered with
this heavy tax of capital in real estate, it will be compelled to yield to
the active competition of other countries, and the agricultural interest
of the United Kingdom will receive a severe check.

DESTRUCTION OF LOCUSTS.—The Spanish government, by the col-
lapse of the Carlist rebellion, founditself with a large army. An inva-
sion’ of locusts suggested the novel employment of the troops in their
destruction. Soldiers were sent by thousands into the infested districts
to dig trenches in the line of march of those pests, and as they fell in to
cover them with earth or turn pigs into the trenches to devour them.
The contest promises to be as tedious as the Carlist war.

FACTS IN BRITISH AGRICULTURE.—Theé following statistics are con-
densed from recently-published official reports in Great Britain for 1875.

Proportion of farms of different sizes.—The holdings, or farms occupied
by individual cultivators, are reported in three classes. The first, in-
cluding those under 50 acres, constituted 71 per cent. of the whole
number in England, and 70 per cent. each in Wales and Scotland. The
second, including those having not less than 50 and not over 300 acres,
in England, 25 per cent.; Wales, 27; Scotland, 27. The third, includ-
ing those haying over 300 acres, in England, 4 per cent.; Wales, 1;
Scotland, 3. ,

Relative extent of cultivation’ and production by the different classes of
farmers.—Of the total acreage under crops, fallow, and grass in Eng-
land, the small farmers, geing 71 per cent. of the whole number, culti-
vated 15 per cent.; the medium farmers, 25 per cent..in number, culti-
vated 56 per cent.; the large farmers, 4 per cent. in number, cultivated
29 per cent. In Wales the 70 per cent. in the first class cultivated 23
per cent.; the 29 per cent. in the second class, 68 per cent.; the 1 per
cent. in the third class, 9 per cent. In Scotland the 70 per cent. in the
first class cultivated 14 per cent.; the 27 per cent. in the second class, 58
per cent.; the 3 per cent. in the third class, 28 per cent.

Of the horses used solely in agriculture, or still unbroken, in England
the first class held 19 per cent.; the second, 57; the third, 24. In Wales
the first class, 27 per cent.; the second, 67; the third, 6. In Scotland
the first class, 26 per cent.; the second, 57; the third, 17.

Horses were on the increase, as they had been for several years. In
Great Britain the chief increase had been “in the class of mares kept
solely for breeding, and of unbroken horses. The number of this class
in 1875 was 388,000-against 367,000 in 1874 and 314,000 in 1871, so that
between 1871 and 1875 there has been an increase, chiefly young horses,

202

of 74,000, or 23 per cent.” The number of horses imported in 1873 was
17,822; in 1874, 12,033; in the first ten months of 1875, 23,390. The
exports were 2,816%in 1873, 3,050 in 1874, and 2,791 in the first ten
months of 1875. The trade-returns for 1875 showed that the average
value of English horses exported was $385 per head, while that of those
imported was only $185 per head. The total number of horses in the
United Kingdom was estimated 2,790,000, of which 526,000 were in
Ireland.

Of the eattle of all descriptions in England the class of small farmers
held 23 per cent.; the middle class, 57; the large farmers, 20. In
Wales, the first class, 30 per cent.; the second, 65; the third, 5. In
Scotland, the first class, 27 per cent.; the second, 57; the third, 16.

In Great Britain there was a slight decrease in the total number,
chiefly of young stock, the reduction being ascribed to the effects of the
dry summer and severe winter of 1874. The number of cows and
heifers in milk was diminished by only 20,000, being 2,253,000 in 1875
and 2,273,000 in 1874. The decrease of cattle under two years of age
amounted to 168,000. ‘In the chief beef-producing class of stock, that
of cattle of two years of age and above, there was an increase, com-
pared with 1874, of 76,000, the number in 1875 being 1,585,000.” The
imports of oxen and cows into the United Kingdom were larger in 1875
than in either of the two years preceding, numbering, for the first
eleven months in 1875, 215,000; in 1874, 148,000; in 1875, 151,000.
The total number of cattle of all ages in the United Kingdom was
10,162,787. Of these, 6,050,797 were on the smaller islands, and 4,111,990
in Ireland.

Of the total number of sheep in England, the class of farmers hold-
ing less than 50 acres each possessed 9 per cent.; the middle class, 51;
the class of large farmers, 40; in Wales, the first class, 28 percent; the
second, 63; the third, 9; in Scotland, the first class, 33 per cent.; the
second, 44; the third, 23. The greater percentage of sheep on the small
holdings in Wales and Scotland than in England, is accounted for by
the fact that in these more hilly countries many of the small farmers
hold tracts of rough pasture not returned in the area of ‘cultivated
land.” It is stated that a season which diminishes the supply of green
food, especially grass, occasions greater proportionate reduction in the
number of sheep than of cattle. Owing to the dry summer and severe
winter of 1874, the total number of sheep and, lambs in Great Britain
was 1,146,000, or about 4 per cent. less in 1875 than in 1874; in Ireland
the number was 189,000 less. The number dmported into the United
Kingdom was, in 1875, 938,000; in 1874, 721,000; in 1875, 812,000.
The total number of sheep and lambs reported for 1875 was 35,491,948,
of which 4,248,158 were in Ireland.

The total number of pigs in the United Kingdom was 3,495,167, of
which 1,249,235 were in Ireland. In Great Britain there had been a
decrease in the number in each of the last three years, which, in 1875,
amounted to 193,000, while in Ireland there was an increase of 150,000.

The tables below give more specific statistics respecting the relative
extent of different classes of crops and farm-animals.

203

Acres in crops.

England. Scotland. Ireland. sd - for United

- ingdom.

= Sod + 2

Pa A 5 é Ste - eI .
o ° ane 2 at S) o= 3) se
5 BH iif < vs < ee ri | 4 | < io
Total area of land }
and water .........|..-0- 32,597, 398 |... 19, 496,132 |... | 20, 819, 886 |... 77, 828, 886 |......
ene ae it: eee ee bs es fee preset Tey?
§| 1874 | 24, 008, 368 |...... 4,579, 821 |..---- 15, 752, 187 | 20... 47, 143, 320 |-...--
Under all crops---- 5 | ya75 | 24° 112, 309 |112._- 4, 607, 898 |...-2- 15,774,718 |). - as 47, 313,789 |. -0 2
Garn-entnk 1874 | 7,505,076 | 31.3 | 1,410, 413 | 30.8 | 1,901,508 | 12.1 | 11,364,834] 24.1
EOREDS 2a 7ei2a¢ 1875 | 7,528,543 | 31.2} 1,410,929 | 30.6 | 1,916,398 | 12.1 | 11,399,030 | 24.1
1874 | 2,764,182) 11.5 685, 132 | 15.0 | 1,353,362} $6] 4,957,683] 10.5
Green crops ....... ; 1875 |. 2, 848, 473 | 11.8 634,549 | 14.8 | 1,370,086 | 8.7 | 5,057,029 | 10.7
guy 1874 607,489 | 2.5 20,687) 4) 12,187} 11 673,376 | 1.4
Bare fallow..---..- ; 1875.|,-. 515,186 | 2.1 16,876} .4} 18287] 5.4 570,005 | 1.2
- 1874 | 2,618,655 | 10.9 | 1,357,009 | 29.6, 1,906,083 | 121 | 6,284,925] 13.3
Grass and clover .. ; 1875 | 2,608,106 | 10.8 1,385,369 | 30.1 1,943,923 | 12.3 | 6,337,953] 13.4
§| 1874 | 10, 438,149 | 43.5 | 1, 106,321 | 24.2 | 10, 472, 161 | 66.5 | 23,680,416 | 50.2
Permanent pasture) | 1375 | 10/536 283 | 43.7 | 1,110,025 | 24.1 | 10,431,776 | 66.1 | 23,772,602} 50.2
In orchards .........) 1875 150, 600 }...-.- 1, 449) 2.22. i 22.2 UU Bal) of Deine
Triowonds —.-- 2... 1875 |. 1,325, 765, |..---- | 734, 490 | Sea ora oe aca (ES BISA BEA
i | | i

Number of farm-animals.

| Total for United

Epgiand. Scotland. Treland.

| ngdom.
= | ot we js

of. w Sez }O2Zan
$96! SSF ) soe
Z Z go eee aM lee Bb oleae
g 5 5 BSF 5 $85 5 6ea

mH < 4 A <4 A < Z
Total number of¢| 1874 | 1,007,398} 4.2| 180, bal 3 525,770 | 3.3 | 1,847,148] 3.9
horses. ; 1875 |° 1,031, 776'| 4.3 183, 642 | 4.0 526,160 | 3.3] 1,875,851] 4.0
Niumbér of eattle 1874 | -4, 305,540 | 17.9}. 1,154,846 | 25.2 | 4,118, 113 | 26.1.| 10, 231, 036.|. 21.8
umber of catule -- 57875 | 4 218,470 | 17.5 |. 1,143, 080-| 24.8 | 4,111, 990 | 26.1 | 10, 162,787 | 21.5
Waeing or at 1874 | 19,859,758 | 82.7)| 7,389,487 /161.3 | 4, 437,613 | 28.2 | 34,837,597 | 73.9
umber of sheep -- 5 | 4975 | 19,114, 634 | 79.3 | 7,100,994 |154.1 | 4,248, 158 | 26.9 | 33, 491, 948 |. 70.8
SLs ead ae 1874 | 2,058,781 | 86 150,297 | 3.3} 1,096,494 | 7.0| 3,537,354) 7.5
ob) LY pigs---- § 1875 | 1,875,357) 7.8 15),213 | 3.3} 1,249,235 7.9 | 3, 495, 167 | 7.4

LAND-OWNERS AND LANDS IN ENGLAND.—Official returns for England
and Wales, exclusive of the metropolis, make the total population
19,458,009 ; the number of land-owners owning less than 1 acre, 703,289;
owning 1 acre or more, 269,547; total, 972,836. Extent of lands,
33,013,510 acres ; estimated gross rental, $£96,761,515; estimated extent
of commons or waste lands, 1,524,648 acres.

FRESH BEEF IN LONDON FROM THE UNITED STATES.—The Agricul-
tural Gazette of February 21, 1876, in noticing the fact that on the
previous Monday 70 tons of beef, in quarters, shipped from this country,
arrived in London, in addition to about 300 tons arriving in January,
states that ‘the possibility of landing dead meat in a sound and sweet
condition, after a three weeks’ voyage, has at length been clearly demon-
strated.” The successful arrangements for safe shipment are thus
described: ‘“‘ Square compartments are formed in the hold of the vessel,
outside of which tanks are placed. By these means the temperature of
the atmosphere in which the meat hangs is kept down to something un-
der 40°. To prevent condensation of vapor in this ice-bound tank, a
constant current is kept up by a fan driven by steam from the boiler of
the vessel.” The newly-slaughtered meat, cut in quarters, each covered
in cheap cotton cloth tightly sewed around it, is hung up in this safe,

204

the quarters not being permitted to touch one another. The writer
states: “It is anticipated that an immense trade of this kind will be
done before many years; and this, not only in the winter, but through
the sammer months. Arrangements are being made for increasing this
traffic at an early date. The margin of prices is so great that efforts
will be made to get the White Star and Cunard lines of steamers to
take in a meat-safe and ice-tanks, by which means consignments may be
made almost every day of the week. What has arrived has been
brought by the Guion steamers. Viewing this matter commercially,
there is ample room for expanding this trade. The average weight of
meat sent to the metropolitan market during the last seven years has.
been 500 tons per day.”

A later paragraph announces the arrival, in good condition, by the
White Star line, of 650 quarters, weighing about 60 tons.

IMPROVED METHOD IN WHEAT CULTURE.—The following commuani-
eation is addressed to the Commissioner of this Department by Mr, John
M. Heiges, of York, York County, Pennsylvania, under date of May 20,
1876.

In reply to yours of the 17th instant, requesting me to give you an article on the
“principle” I have adopted in wheat culture, and its results, I would say: I com-
menced farming about eight years ago. My success in raising wheat was not very
satisfactory, and as I did not believe in seeding with the drill, [scored my ground with
shovel-plow, sowed broadcast, and harrowed in. I thought my wheat looked much
better than adjoining fields sown with the drill; still, net being satisfied, and believ-
ing that I could not raise a crop of corn or potatoes without cultivating, lasked myself
this question, Would it not pay to cultivate wheat the same as corn? In the summer
of 1872 I manured about three acres of ground, plowed it down about the 10th of
August, and let it lie until about the 20th of September, when I plowed it the second
time and harrowed well. I then measured off a sixth of an acre, and used a common
hoe to make scores about five inches wide, and as nearly level on the bottom as they
could be made. I left a space of about six inches wide between the scores... Lsowed on
said plot 8 quarts of Fultz wheat on the 25th of September, and raked it in. In the
spring of 1873, I hoed the spaces between, the wheat once in April and onee the first
week of May. Sowed to clover after the last hgeing, and had a fine crop.of clover:
When the wheat came into heads, I found them much larger than those of the same
variety sowed the same day on adjoining ground of the same kind of soil, and the
whole treated alike as to manuring and plowing. I harvested and thrashed from the
plot a little over 8 bushels, or nearly double the amount per acre produced on the
remainder of the field. LI always plow twice for wheat and very deep.

Ia the fall of 1873 I sowed all my wheat on the same principle, but making my scores
(with a double mold-board cultivator) about 8 inches wide, and the ridges about 10
inches wide, sowed broadcast and harrowed lengthwise once, then dragged to level
the ground. In the spring of 1874 I cultivated a plot of one acre. I hoed part of the
plot onee, part twice, and the remainder three times.. On the part hoed once the
heads were about one-eighth larger than where I did not hoe; on the part’ hoed twice
they were still larger; and on the plot hoed three times they were larger yet, some of
them measuring nearly 6 inches in length, and satisfying me'that it pays to hoe three
times. The yield from the plot cultivated was 55 bushels per acre ; from the remain-
der of the field about 23 bushels per acre. _ Of course I did not sow the plot I hoed to
grass, The remainder of the field was sowed with timothy and clover. :

In the fall of 1874 I again put my crop in on the same principle. Some of it I left
without spring cultivation. I found that the heads of that which I did not cultivate
were larger than the heads of the same variety put in with the drill, but not anything
in comparison with the heads on the ground which FT cultivated. { have a lot of
ground containing 29 square yards—less than the third of an acre—on which I sowed 15
quarts of a new variety of wheat, which I had made by cross-fertilization, using as
the parents Arnold’s hybrid No. 9 and Fultz; the former being a white wheat, stiff
straw, and the latter a red wheat. The yield from that lot was 16} bushels, or about
493 bushels per acre. Gave it only one hoeing in the spring of 1875. In the fall of
1874 I procured 1 pound of seed of a wheat imported from one of the German States,
some person having brought it with him from Germany. I paid for the pound $1, and
sowed it on the fifty-sixth part of an acre. I hoed it once in April, again on the 3d of
June, and cut and thrashed from the product 1 bushel and 94 quarts, or at the rate of
71 bushels per acre. I had the plot measured by two of the managers and in the pres-
ence of the president and secretary of the York County Agricultural Society. I have

205

- now about six acres of wheat growing, put out in the same way, except that last fall
I made the scores 12 inches wide, left the spaces for cultivating 10 inches wide, thereby
utilizing more ground than heretofore, and using the same space for enltivation. My
wheat this summer looks much better than any former year at this time. I am well
satisfied that the advantages are, more space occupied, a freer circulation of air, open-
ing up the soil to air and warmth when the plant seems to need such influences, the
growing of the wheat in larger masses, so that it is more difficult for the frost to uproot
it, and the better setting of the plant if lifted by the frost.. It also seems to me that
it protects itself better than when sowed with the drill. You can form a much more
correct idea of it when you see the wheat growing. As [said before, I sow broadcast,
and harrow lengthwise, and nearly all that falls on the ridges rolls down into the scores
by harrowing.

The extra cost of putting in wheat in this way, and of cultivating it, over the cost
of drilling, I do not think would reach $3 per acre, though I have not kept an accurate
account.

I have now given you, as nearly as I ean, on paper, the principle and results of my
experiments in wheat-culture for the last few years. These experiments have con-
vineed me that the new method is more successful in insuring a crop than any other.

A FATAL worm.—A correspondent in Wilson County, Texas, reports
that 10 per cent. of the colts and lambs have been lost through injuries
from a “screw-worm,” which has infested them throughout the winter.

HARD FROST.—Our correspondent in Powhatan County, Virginia,
reports that on the night of April 30 a severe frost. killed all apples,
peaches, and other fruit, and did much injury to garden-vegetables.

WHEAT FROM THE UNITED STATES IN RusstA.—In 1875, in response
to a request from Mr. Louis Walkoff, a large agriculturist at Kiev, South
Russia, this department sent to him, for trial, samples of Tappahannock,
Jennings, Fultz, and Clawson wheat. Under date of April 29, 1876, he
reports that these wheats, drilled in on the 3d of September, were all
frozen out during the winter. The maximum of cold was 264° Fahren-
heit below zero, under which the Poland wheat grown in that climate
stood the winter very well.

ONIONS IN EPIZOOTIC INFLUENZA.—S. R. Mason, of Purple Cane,
Dodge County, Nebr., under date of May 16, writes:

When the epizootic influenza first made its appearance in the East, some three years
ago, and long before it reached us, as a means of prevention I gave each beast a pint
of small onion sets daily in the feed-boxes with their corn. Almost every horse and
mule in the State had the disease badly, and all that were in a weak condition when
attacked died. My team not only escaped but was in excellent condition all the time,
doing all my own work, besides much hauling for my neighbors, whose teams were
disabled. Since then, I see by the papers that others have tried the onions with
complete success, preventing attack and curing the diseased.

My team never touched the corn till they had eaten the onions. All kinds of stock
require a variety of food; and roots, such as onions, beets, mangels, carrots, parsnips,
turnips, &c., are relished by them, as well as wholesome, the year round. I never had
an animal sick, and I ascribe their uniform good health to a frequent use of green
vegetables. For convenience I keep the root-stock in accessible pits during winter.

IS THE POTATO-BUG LARVA POISONOUS ?—Dr. S. J. Parker, of Ithaca,
N. Y., communicates the following facts as an answer to this question.

Ican respond in the affirmative in a few decided instances. Mrs. B——, residing
five miles northeasterly from me, picked, when they first appeared, the larva off
the vines with her hands. They became sore, especially between the fingers and on
their backs, which skin disease was very intractable and months in healing. Many in
the vicinity, also, state temporary injuries to the skin of the hands, as about the nails,
between the fingers, and that old scratches and scars become inflamed. A gentleman
of leisure, who is farming, has often remarked, “they ought to be good for medicine,
for they blister well.” Yet my impression is that they may be crushed with great
impunity by most people on thé bare skin if soon washed off.

But the most serious cases occurred not quite a year ago. An Irishman, residing a
few miles off, allowed the larva to get into his boots, and hoed most of the day with
crushed larva and bugs next his sweaty flesh. The result was not a blistering, in the

206

usual sense of the word, but a peculiar pns-formation beneath the outer layer of the
skin. If any reader ever saw a post-mortem of a case of sudden, violent headache,
excruciating in its agony, terminating in about two days in death, and on opening the
skull has seen the waved lines of pus just under the covering of the brain, he has seen
the form of the blistering of the potato-bug. It is that beneath a fiery red skin there
appears irregular waved lines, about a sixteenth to an eighth of an inch wide, of pus
or matter, which connect with each other. A marbled surface, congested, and with so
much purulent matter that it seems as if by pricking it with a lancet a large quantity
of pus would escape; but on using the lancet, even by dozens of cuts, but little of
the yellow or greenish pus escapes. This man was six weeks in recovering.

The next case was also an Irishman. He was predisposed to gout and gouty rheu-
matism. WhenI was called to see him he had the pus-mark of the potato-bug, that
is, the moss-like, or plant-like wavy lines of green and yellow pus on both feet and
ankles; one leg up to the knee. I immediately asked for exposure to potato-bug; he
denied any; but his daughter brought a pair of old shoes full of holes, and without
strings, which were covered on their inside with the crushed wings of the Colorado
potato-beetle. Then he said, “I never paid any attention to the bugs; did not know
they could do any harm.” He had worked three days with his feet wet with the juice
of the beetles and larva, and his filthy old stockings stained with them, and not
washed his feet at night. He lingered over two months and died in consequence.

The symptoms of the poisoning are burning, or “blistering heat,” pain, restless
oppression in the part, and the peculiar moss-like lines of slight deposit of pus in a
mottled red, blackish skin. In the severe cases only constant application of ice or
cold water gives ease; and, in the cases of my two Irishmen, even opiates gave but-
imperfect sleep.

The cuticle does not tend to break until a glove-like separation of the cuticle takes.
place quite imperfectly, and this with but little relief to the distress in severe cases.

I have seen but one case of breathing the fumes of hot water in scalding to death
the bugs recently deposited. That had the red, angry appearance as if commencing
scarlet fever, (in the throat,) with a choking sensation. It was intractable to any ordi-
nary remedies either regular or homeopathic.

Hence, I conclude that while thousands work in potatoes infected with Colorado
beetles and their larva and kill these insects, without danger, yet there is danger of a
peculiar, intractable poisoning, attended with a pus formation not unlike that of
certain forms of arachnoidites. And, therefore, those liable to scrofulous and skin
diseases and to throat diseases should use caution.

Probably many are poisoned who do not know it, and, as has been in trichina and
other diseases, die, and the cause of disease is not recognized either by themselves or
their physicians. Had I not seen the first Irishman, I certainly had not found out
that the second died of potato-bug poison.

MOTIVE POWER OF ANIMALS.—In a paper recently read before the
French society for the advancement of science, M. Marey showed that
animals employed as motors ‘exercised their power by jerks, so that
commonly there was a waste of labor. He recommended the use of
elastic material, such as India rubber, in carriage-traces, &c., in order to
equalize and economize the power of the animal. In towing canal-boats
by aid of long ropes, the tightening and slacking of the rope, and its
oscillating movement, contribute to the desired elasticity of draught.

207

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS

MAY AND JUNE, 1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the
opening of each month.

Articles.
NEW YORK.

Flour,superfine State and western. per barrel..
extra Statetie-besigic-cussdoos dosh: -s¢

extra to choice western ....-.-- dort 2524
common to choice southern, shipping
Omtrasansob-lstorla-ae-cems per barrel..
common to choice southern, family
brah: eo - oe) ~0- aesetseese - per barrel--

Wheat, No: 1 spring... 5---.- 25 --- per bushel..
Neo? sprig -ceriengee esilbados. oi

winter, red, western..--...-.- dolpat ss

winter, amber, western...--.- dG-sds 23

winter, white, western -...... doz. ad.

COUN) son2-08 ld etessdatccas jt-- mers das sect
URUS So6560 65600 | SSnbo Sones eeoouseeee do. ici
IRVe@reic o> thbias se hisise- aeons es Aeon dow. aks
Bamleyiesets -i-e tot} dov-srossceh janis do .cise5

Ng
Hay, baled, first quality, for retail. - “per ton..
baled, second quality for shipping-do....

IeGGLE WEES aheeeo eo cees cHeredoseese per barrel..

excita Mess sed. sock oc. bos a. dosslice

Bork, messieds-<d -ta:2tin-Goa.ceoa O72 tao. b225

extra mess... SSSEERD dp mise doz! 224
WULNOMNCSS ese ciaea secs seine. do----28

LERTG! sogedcee ditties ade aba aod acdc per pound. .

Butter, western 22 +. Ce ioso8 22s ado...
Stateidairye 22. 0/25 02k dot £02

Cheese, State factory -.-..-..---+--.-- dosajose
western factory ..------------d0.-.---

Sugar, fair to prime refining. -....-....do..--.-

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary.-..do....-.
low middling to good a doll Jit:

Tobacco, lags ero askh 36 -=estal ee -s dog. ss54

WGSle Senn ape tein ne ba- frat FOO seb act

Wool, American XXX and picklock...do...---

"American XX and X ......-.--.d0....-.

American combing...---..--.-- dascccac

OL EC SEAR ene Cea See GGzeccee

California, spring clip... .----.- dogaces-

California; fall clip2-22---5=-----do--5- =.
BOSTON.

Flour, western superfine, spring--.per barrel...
common spring extras.......-do-..--..
good to fancy n’hwest’n spring-do...--.
good to fancy western winter..do..---.-
southermitanmily 225. o.oo cece d0vecees

DW BOBher eae Senea eee Laaniesinam~ = per bushel...

(Oe eS or inOc- on Oto tee: BOC OO Eee Gopease

SS Bee Sates Se J ae ae |

NUV Oa on dic tesa rene Anes ciaas wise. dors 2s.

BALI GY) 3275). Joa ee aerate one cOOs oe

Hay, eastern and northern... Bese suse per tons «<

KFKOOotf >

May.
10 to $4 50
90 to 5 50
90 to 9 00
00 to 6 25
25 to 8 75
26 to 1 30
18 to 1:22
05 to 1 50
05 to 1 50
32 to 1 45
602 to 614
41 to 53
80 to 95
Nominal
00 to 22 00
00 to 16 00
00 to 12 50
00 to
45. to 21.70
50 to
Nominal
13 to 134
22 to 32
25 to 32
6 to 13
3 to 12
74 to 74
9t to 10%
112 to 124
44 to 7
7 to 104
45 to 55
38 to 46
48 to 57
25 to 42
21 to 30
16 to 23
00 to 4 25
50 to 5 00
00 to 9 50
00 to 9 00
50 to 9 00
05 to 1 60
62 to 65
42 to 52
90 to 92
Sr to 1920
00 to 21 00

June.

49) to 9 00
490 to 615
615 to 9 00
128 to 1 30
1,165 to 1 22
113 to 1.40
113 to 1 40
135 to 1 50
40 to 594
32. to 47
85 to 96
Nominal
17 00 to 20 00
16 00 to ———
11 00 to ———
12 00 to
18 80 to 19 25
to
to
102 to 114
16 to 25
19 to 27
8 to 112
8% to 102
7 to 8
82 to 104
11 to 122
6 to 8
8 to 10
46 to 48
38 to 44
48 to 58
25 to 40
19 to 25
124 to 16
3.50 to 4 00
425 to 5 00
5 00 to 9 2
6 00 to 9 00
700 to 9 00
110 to 1 60
614 to 654
42 to 56
85 to 7
8 to 1 20

16 00 to 23 00

208

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. May
Boston—Continued.

Ev ETDS) och a a eee per barrel..'$12 00 to
OXPlASMOERS. 4-22 Gees sco aes dO badass 13 50 to
families ——--...-2=- So MTAR Hats dscns: 15 50 to

etk WAMNO 5-1. .65--.-- aeobee o6= 10 ee | 19 00 to
MUGNS Gb ee - 4-- BR -aGepe-<isis- bs -- d0sed =e 22 50. to

ards ot- Op =s5-- ul oe Seton sleet per pound..} 14 to

Butter, Yew York and Vermont ..-...- CO paspreet 27 to

WVCSLCED 4 -- ecetioase- hee do... -6£ 18 to

Cheese, New Yorkand Vermont factory do.-.--..-. 9 . to

western factory .--.--+-+.---- GOS spnas 8 to

Sugar, fair to good refining...--.--.-- do. ---5f 74 to

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary..-.do..---. 94 to

low middling to good middling.do...-..! 123 to

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania...-..-- MOLec cas 37 to
Michigan - J 3¢..---<g¢-h9e<=2-- O-.-<65 33. to
other_western .--«<<J-------- (Os so<64 32. to
vagy Ney Pee Seis ess Sa Cer ee do.---6/ 18 to
combing fleeces... -o4--d----- do... 5 47 to
California . <f4-.5- -ags8st-0- = do,..-3/ 14 to

PHILADELPHIA.

POUT SUDCLONG Jol. wen oecinooe = per barrel..| 3 50 to
Pennsylvania extra to choice. -.do...-.. 425 to
western extra to choice...--.-- Ot mesane 5 25° to

Wheat,white 2.....2. -.-/2..25.per bushel--|- -1°50°-to

PENNE occ ose aoe gsc Oana, Tae aim

1 E10 eer Ue LSS wy PO IE eee to

C0 BB a ae ale a a pe A EB 6 et bea etal ee ll
be Gay ape eet eee eee te ce Seaesos- Mreeeee to
UH Bae aR EE SaaS Lae RANTING et cla 60 to
027g) Se Re SEAS ee ‘Dacoker: 42 to

Hay, baled, prime........------..---per ton..| 21 00 to
common to fair shipping---.----- Mere see | 19 00 to

Beef, western mess........-..-----per barrel..| 900 to

GEOL NOSS ote ee cee se cce ae ses dGrecaes | 11 50 to
Warthman’s city family..-...--- @oeress | 16 00 to
ET ene = 5 a ee | eect 22 50 to
MEVMCANORS Loosen ccicen oeepnns OL cont TO OU kU
PLUME (CxXtla) to — os eee oon G0vaeces 18 50 to
rare See so ath Rennes twos Meroe per pound..| 13° to

Butter, choice Middle States..-.-..--. Goreces | 30 to
choice westerm---.--.....---- gosto 26 to

Cheese, New York factory .........- dovere.-) 5
SCC MIACLONYe es ean oie ala G0tee=e' 4. to

Sugar, fair to good refining -....---..d0....-. 72 to

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do.-.--.. 92 to
low middling to good middling-do...--- 124 to

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania X_ to

BON. dooms cules connie pn Puta >. 28 to
other western ...........-..- i veeses)| 3d «to
Pp utcdul ose aaue cranes GOeadecs 2 Se he
COmpING HeECO\s ao. csae-anm == dOso25-- 37—s«tto
sub-washed|.gg-.5.-53--82.-5-. do). aru 40 to

BALTIMORE,

Mesa ASIPETIOIO S. ob nw eager we gee eee per barrel..| 3.50 to
A ices lac nine eens ae nlneae tee a's Ys al | 475 to
PALL tenes inisioia fore ata aio cieeaalesaie Osten | 575 to

ag SE ie cent enomnr a wen am per bushel..| 1 20 to

ME oa ss Sain ass poe > we yee arene | 152 to
WELBOS tee te Ss wats aia aeehem sore Odieasae 140 to

at at et OD
OUST 229 Ot

SOOO ©

June.
11 50 to
13 00 to
15 00 to $16 00
17 50 to 18 00
| 21.00 to 21 50.
134 to 134
22 to 25
17 to 24
*.8 to 12
domade 11}
7% to 7h
82 to 104
102 to 13
36 to 45
32. to 36
32. to 35
15 to 40
45 to 47
14 to 28
3.25. to, 4°00
4°25 “to ° 6 75
5°25. fa oes
1 45 to... 1565
140 to 148
1,15: te jie
80 to 85
Nominal.
BFE 59
34 to 43
19 00 to 20 00
17 00 to 19 00
600 to 800
11050 to i100
|14 50. to .15 00
| 20 50 to
18 00 to
17 00 to
11: to 164
24 to 26
18 to 20
5 to 134
4 to 12
72 to 7
83.to 104
114 to 13
28 to 42
30° «to 36
22 to 36
40 to 55
30 to 45
3.00, tO.) -auou
4.75) ttOe Jee
5.75. to oo
L.10; toon
140 to 1 45
1°20: to Bee

209

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. May.
BALTIMORE—Continued.
Myo-~ . 00.00 S16 sss. 99... UG per bushel..) $0 73° to $075
Oatss. 95. . 00 52. ..0G 0G Qf. NG Gh. dez:2392 39 - to 48
Worn. -oF. Vest.) 26 SL at 00 Se idezs:.9 534 to 62
Hay, Maryland and Pennsylvania. ---per ton.-| 21-00 to 26 00
Wentpen ...) 204 -...20 AL A. dePiiod 20-00. to 23 00
Bork, mess$S - ..4.-0G.....- 8. per barrel..|- - 22-25 ‘to 22 50
MNOS 2 Ss. OR OR. do.=::2% 21. 25-- to
exiraiprime .20.....0t.8. 0... do.=<=2! 18 50 to |
Mard .ot -X......d8f.. ... 07. .8.. per pound?! 134 to 14°}
Butter,owéstern .| {0 .-.-.At4¥.-... dez<==2t to
dagtern ..1. 01... 0d SX. c..< dez2<=2 22° to 30
Cheese;;weéstern factory. ...00 421 ....dozze22! 11 to 13
eastern facto0ry.-.-Of- .\2---- de-=:.9! 124 to 1424
Sugar, fair to good refining t.....--.. de=:==9! 724-to 7°!
New Orleans grocery grades...do..:--. None
Tobacco, lugs...|..€h.....09. 8. ..Hle reos2! 63 to 9--|
leaf, common to medium .-..do.s..-. 9 to il
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. .... G0 <2229! 8% to 10
lowmiddling to good middling-do...... 114 to 128 |
CINCINNATI. |
Pieur, siperhng --|. . nna sce - axe per barrel..| 3.50,;.,to, .3;9
GX Ug ote besa laws on ano igh ato, dossoa0 425 to 4 65
family aiid fancy, -....--an-4- - Og ses 6.50 to 7 75’
Wheat, winter, red .... 5.2... aan per bushel.. 70 to 1 30
ae, antber) a hee dos<-c-s 12 to 1 30
Min qe oops HOSE oS 135 to 1 45
iss Ae ee ieee eres reper | erate 30 to 43
BO OU ante <a sins ho aaa mae OES one COxcnaee 45 to ol
RRVOlse oeelse nino ab Saat oars ete cece oe ds. ue 70 to 75
Barley ---- - Hee sae» aoa Os Fen AO sap eens 30 to 94
Hay, baled, 1 Fics Be RAI iets Tee per ton..} 15 00 to 18 00
lower! grades... .. a7. a - €0 55 ne 7 00 to 10 00
Petes URS = cicte e s ko aang sae See per barrel..| 20 50 to 21 50
| 9 ie SE el BIR tal tee per pound... 12 to.,...134.)
Butter, ChOiws--— -b -- -.- -maene G OG GO we wens 25 to 28
BELG oo a are arp- = aie = fre dO) = a5 20 to 23,
Cheese, prime to choice .-.......-.-<.. d0.- ces 12 to 123 |
Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good...-.. Cr yetate = 8} to 88 |
MPIC as tan a 0. .See 8% to 95]
PRICE UES, foods om 3 oa aaclnag te Dison to
A dos. 55 to
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary ....do..--.. 8+ to 92 |
low middling to good middling, MO-saeee 11 to 123-1
Wool, fleece, common to fine ..-....-do...... 30. to 40. |
tup-washed| 2. seo see-peep ese des. 2c. 38. to 42
unwashed, clothing......--..- dO. -- a5. 20, to... 37
GOMPiNg,....». <6 -- -d0----.- 30 to 35
jc ett bed So OF A a OSE Ty fe Pts dO. cases 28 to 30
CHICAGO. |
Flour, choice winter extras-2.--.- per barrel.:}). 7.30. to. 7-80. |
common to good winter extras -do..-.-. 5 80 to 7 10
spring extras, common to good.do...... 430 to 510
spring extras, choice ......-.- 033.505 510 to 5 60
patent spring ................ dit... =. 600 to 9 00
spring SUperfings -...-...---m» Gilt papas 300° ‘to 3 75
Wheat, No. 1 spring ............. per bushel..| 1 124 to
No. 2 spring ..... Rese EAE Go-crce% 98 to 994
Wo. Seppe So 25 OF choad | pte 90 to 90%

June.

34 to 42
53 to Sf
22 00 to 23 00
15 00° to 19 00
20 00 to ———
19 00 to ———
18 00° to ———
123 to 13
18 to 20
13 to 20
11 to 12
10 to 114
72 to 7%
to
64 to il
to 11
8 ‘to gL
10 to 112
st Wes Pay rds
4.25.40 4 65
6 25. to. 8 50
y Oey SOEs ope GDS:
ep) alesee
1 30. to 1,48
32 to 34
38 to 47
65 to 73
Nominal.
16 00 to 18 00
7 00. to 10 00
18 50 to
102 to 124
18 to 20
16. to 18
9 to 10
84 to 9
9 to gL
to
to
074 to 9
104 to 12
30. to 3D
32. to 37
22 to 23
7 to 32
26.. to 27

7 374 to 7 874
5 874 to 7 25
4-50 to 5 00
550 to 5 874
600 to 900
300 to 4 00
1044 to 1411
102i to 1 032
912 to 924

210

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

Cuicaco—Continued.

Reyes ere aes ee hn ys oe 2-2 oo per bushel. -
BAPlOVINGas 2224 spe <== hole Sake on do-z2=-2
MOLINO. 2 seo c- 0b tac - soe wet === 3 = donccce?
0S 0 ae? eS eee Ste doz=s=2?
Hay, timothy ..-....--.-.0.-5.---- -per ton-2
DEAE o 2 4. Paces co an- anion do-=---2
Boot, Mess*_-. =: ...-22--------t-=- per barrel...
Sate Se See Glade oat do~----4
Pork, mess: .....--2.------=-5-'-- ---- donk
prime mess | -- .----. .--------- GO see aee
OXtCe PLMNO|- ce coer semana non Oiebs

Ler Ae Se asa ae oan per pound.
Butter, choice to fancy ...-----------do----.
medium to good . .---....---- doer
Cheese, good to choice factory....-.-.. do 8
Sugar, New Orleans -.-----.-.--. ---- dos 809s
Wool, tub-washed --..---.---.------- EO res 2:
fleece-washed ....------..----- €Ose758
TWEE epee eae amar ae donee 8
Dullg” .- 4. «sana See ne sa=s dOss22

SAINT LOUIS.
Fiour, winter, common to choice---per barrel.-

Spring 2... -hf)-54-52--e-F<-- ily pee
Wheat, white winter ....---.---- per bushel..
redjivinter -8!--- -53--gi- ---- doO.-=.5

Spring .----2)+----+2---+----- On cae

Gorn 4st - LE -.....£80.-- -a3--99----- dos2c253
Tye ..G2 $GL...----85----5)3-20e- ---- JOsceses
Barley. fair to choice -.---...-.-- dO.= 2.33
Mats et SE ..-..2--Gl-.- es. BF - ---- dopeosen
Hay, timothy..---.-.-.-------+----: per ton..
praivie.... .2.--------.-----5--- GOzccase
INOGEMESSys- = ---s05- seer ese o=~ per barrel..
art NCBA ia oan mo eee ep eae saapes
Lard .......---..----.--s&5 s/s per pound2t
Batter, prime to choice dairy..-.-----d0-..-.--
country packed.do....-.

Cheese, Ohio factory .--.---.---.---- dos aease
New York factory-.----------d0......

Wool, tub-washed . 2.2.22 202. -2.-.)2-doiulic:
fleece-washed ........---.----- do.-~ 08
mnwashed J-92.5.-. 9-200 do...-0i

NEW ORLEANS.

Flour, superfine ....5..-..0.-.-6-- per barrel..
Oxia. 7. ..1-. ee sGUL LOU. do....0!
choice to fancy -.-.--.--.-.-.-d0.....-

Corn, white and yellow.....-.---. per bushel. .

Os. een oat ae oboe NE- Ge ttcns Olattan

Hay, choice .....-5.4-. - 245. su per ton.

PRIMO! 2... 25 Sa eee tL ee seen do..=--of
Beef, Kansas... ..-:...---4.--s--) per barrels’
Wexag'.)'5..) So seh «hhh. A EE. do... 25
DUAR UCR No o4 = <a sw eee se mart cine dota. -n-
Fulton market -...-.-.- per half barrel. .

Pork, mess-......-. pan wcee ane oe per barrel...

strd: Se ein - eso. walls cecbne per pound...

Butter, choice Goshen ...-.. = eb tease dOnn<55

choice western ........ s«cce- EOwcos8

May.

$0 62. te ———

14 00
23 00

Ole Co
io)
Lo) |

June.
0 68 to $068
624 to $0 63 | : 55" to ees
to 46 44} to 45
to 304 | 2381 to 282
to 14 00 10 50 to 13 00
to 11 00 9 00° to
to 10 75 to 11 00
to 11 7 11.75. to>°12:00
to-20 60 | 17:80 ‘to 17 90
to to
to 13 00 to
to tn 102 to 114
to 35 19° ‘to 24
to 28 15°" te 18
to 11 9 ‘to 94
to 82 to ——
to 50 35. to 41
to 42 30. to 33
to 28 18. to 24
to 37 ——— to
to 7 00 3 50 to 6.50
to to ———
to 1 40 110° to’ 1-40
to 1 43 86 to 1 40
to —— to
to 50°} 39 to 444
to 638 | 50 to 63
to 100 | 70 to 1 00
to 38 | 30. to 37
to 17 50 | 15 00 to 19 00
to 9 75 | 8 00 to 8 50
to 15 50 | 14-00 to 14 50
to 23 50 | 23.00 to 23 50
to 132 11} to 132
to 26 18 to 20
to anal 13° to 16
to 134 | 123 to 134
to 14 | 13 to 14
to 45 35, to 37
to 40 36. to 37
to 7 26. to 27
to 37a te
to 5 25 400 to 5 25
to..7.50 | 5 50) tenes
to 68° | €3 to 70
to 44. } 40 to 43
to 23 00 | 23 00. to 25 00
to 21 00 to
to —— to
to 12 50 | 12 00. .to 12 50
to 15 50 | 14 00 to 15 50
to 12 00 | 11 75 to 12 00
to 22 75 | 22.50 to 22 75
to 142 13 to 144
to 44 3 to 35
to 33 28 to 30

211

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles, May.

NEw ORLEANS—Continued.

Cheese, choice western factory ....per Powadas $0 13 to $0 134

June.

$0 123 to $0 13
15

New-York cream <.} {23 ----do..---< 154 to ie” to

Sugar, fair to fully fair ..........-.- ao eee 72 to 82 7% to
prime to strictly prime -..-.--. Gon cose 82 to 9 84 to
clarified, white and yellow.-..do..-...- 94 to 104 94 to

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary ....do.-..-. 8 to O# 72 to
low middling to good middling.do...... 102 to 132 104 to

Tabsecophugsy-fi-. . av Ll of - 08 J. G02 = Se 5 to 7 52 to

low leaf to medium leaf...... (i eee 74 to 103 8i to
SAN FRANCISCO.

Figur, superfine . 1.62... -o3- -0e- per barrel.. 425 to 4 30 400 to
Cmirads.--- Lohse gs 2e).-2-do.-- 5 a 475 to 5;25 450 to
family and fancy ...ct-<2.--... dopeeca 5 50 to 650 6 00 to

Wheat, California....-.-.a.-5.-- per cental.. 150 to 1 90 150 to
Gregan .. 2.06 --o} i «..- da-.- 4 175 to 1 8 1 60 to

lgleyO2- .0c~---)-- Sho. ot- 286... One 110 to 1 2 1 00 to

OSH Of. COE). -e ~ SS 1. Oh OS dO, 3. 200 to 2 50 2,25. to

arabe ew eares ss Noe os gd OS. 222 dO. ay 105 to 1 15 105 to

Hay, SET SE i eas aaa per ton..| 12 00 to 19 00 9 00 to

SPEOLKs MCES. een 2b on orca = a fe uiiaids per barrel..| 22 00 to 24 00 22 00 to
PUIN ETS) PD a Ea aoe ae doses: 17 50 to 18 50 17 50 to

BEER NERS tea ctctrcsisicieencle see eee dioveaet 8 50 to 10°00 9 50. to

family, mess. J.2-—. .--5- per half-barrel.-|. 8 50 to 10.00 8 50 to

LEB cy af soe OF oe Aa ie per pound... 13 to 15 13 to

Biuater, Overland ooo. ceca cen cnecce dunensa- 16 to 18 16 to
SMI GQEN Ta on sae e'a ta guelnc we dorrsss 25- to 30 25. to
Wain el eee eee nea donc-aes 20 to 224 20 to

IG RBERG see eget a Se at me Scie osa5=s5 124 to 15 124 to

WiaOL TARLV Oost. sameacs ae song no on dolssrace 10. to 15 9. to
Ope LWT ay a1 oe ee De aps dosssso 15. to 18 15 to
Onrerune ae oes os cane ae a Om seces 16 to 18 15 to

LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.
NEW YORK.

Cattle, extra beeves ......02......per cental..} $11 25 to $12 00 to
pood)to primés....02. .26..... do....0! 10 00 to 11 00). $9.75. to
Gommon to fair..-.05 ..d8-...- do,....0f 8200L ta. ..9.75 8 00 to
AVES C1 he AR oe ee Be aoe Ojserses 800 to 900 8 00 to
AMMIGH COWS) soos so oe8) se occ per head..} 50 00. to 80 00; —-—— to
veal calves...... Syatiord aiefele per cental.. 450 to 7 00 3.50 to

Sheepys. 42). ses ocees ss Rt Ct SS. .- doles 650 to 8 50 450 to

Sywane 2 2020.0. cS .6 20d. Ge kh. do... None in market. 6 90 to

PHILADELPHIA,

Cattle, prime beeves ...........-. per cental..; 675 to 7 00 6 00 to
fain te eood 22 Js at. A ee. doses ts 600 to 6 50 5 00 to
COUNNODY 2 sere ss OE UL dons 5 00 to 5 2 400 to

Sheen (Os. - ssersa See ees Oe eee: se dojarast 4,00). to.. .7 75 400 to

Swine, corn-fed ......-.-s2-2-0.-+---d0 Lee E 11 00 to 1225] 1000 to

BALTIMORE.

Cattle, best beeves.....--0-.-.--. percental..| 550 to 6 2 475 to
first) qualitye-.—.. Uh dei. ....- dosaceus 500 to 5.50 4 37 to
medium or good quality....-- d02-=Ja0 450 to 5 00 400 to
Ordiwary ~.. Sae0 oe. Soe. se MO. 400 to 4 2 3 50 to

St

QV PSF SION
S SRAM Oley

212

Inve-stock markets—Continued.

Articles.

BALTIMoRE—Continued.

Cattle, general average of the market.pr. cental

most of the sales. ......-.-.-.. COjcna-5

Mine eOWs SA ---r eee per head -.

SHEOROO!. LBOL YY: .. OI ROD per cental..

PWAMe -gelipegyss- save- 20885--GILGO 4-0
CINCINNATI.

Cattle, good to prime butchers’

Biers QS DIG. 30 IWs per cental..
fair tomedium~....25.2-212-2: dositeey.
‘Qinise Viale Pe Se DO pte ce 35
MUICH-COWS .----- =c----¢ -- sDOL Mead --
WEN CHIVES. Vine, (cee a ee per cental.-

Dieapy- SLi “8 WISI. BARN... .t0A @oiso3 3

DWIMC Jaucupaly -oiis--26--aeostie a: do..943

CHICAGO.

Cattle, extra-graded steers.-......per cental..
choice heeves...--.: ft LOA s dot. 10.
good héeves.s - siyesehslels.t doz «ete
MCC sciatein/c ae sees seers dobaesen
inferior Natives ---5-2sq-6'--s- ieee
Pexas'? $s. 2AM OR ee Sane Oper

Sheepioe ous. ob atosadé 1D. BOIS! QOAL &.

SWIRG 422523--- ser isois-tyel co eich dos 2-23 -

SAINT LOUIS.
Cattle, good to choice native steers. per cental. -

common to fair natives....--- dour...
inferior to common natives...do...--.
Texas, fair to choice-¢-- -+..-..d0.. 45-.
SID LG1 0) Sees Sapa 5 a mses airs ee cereteer b (Ole apa eee
pwane J UOMO y Rigs, Qe bak GOs ve.
Howes, place sw. JSc2£a@. 2os. At per head...
pPigitl (ass - ewe --sieheae do>F A. <3
BULOOU-CAL = oan s2c\ cs vale Ses cea Ose see
heavy draught ..--.: -- 2 22. dOsaee a
DOedrUrEvers ys GLI AID doz ty. zs
ext e. 35220. JAILS Be A doLUL.
anction horses and Pou herk Mo sigsss
Mules, 14 to 15 hands high. - GN ae
15, to 16- hands high’. ~~... 2. do...

extra cu. UU. S20 ee JOS 686 ap ae 5

NEW ORLEANS.

Cattle, Texas beeves, choice....-..-. per bead ..
first quality .-..do..--..
second quality ..do...-.-.

western beevesiiiceigi. 2. per cental..
milch<cows jo. ose 265 /2- per head..

SGT 5 32 ee ee ee eee Cio p-Waee

Sina by Ges agents Sater paeeata.t per cental--

Horses, good condition ........-... per lLead..

DIPGRG 20%. 195. MIStBIn Es SJ HOS. S18
COMMON 63; bs!-b -5-o5-h- -odie dO. G4]
Mules, well broken, first-class .-.....do.-..---

second class ....do....-

wows.
es!

oS S|

May.
to ———
to $6 00
to
to 6 00
to 11 00
to 5 25
to § 4°50
107 40050
to
to
to 7 60
tor ad
to
to 5'30
to
to 4.4
ton 3 ¥
to
to 6 35
ton? 65
TO oa na
to) 0405
te 18 2b
Poke oh Gh)
tO. Lee
Lids lar jolh-5 53
to 50 00
to 75 00
to 125 00
to 125 00
to 150 00
to 200 00
to 45 00
to 120 00
to 130 00
to 170 00
to ———
to ——
to
tos 5b
to 90 00
to 6.00
to 8 50
to -——
to ———
to ———
to ———
to ———

June.

$5.00 to, ———
4 37 rt. $de25
to
4°00''to © 5°75-
8950 toes yOI25
4) 25? to! 4b 408
> 50 to 4 25
2; 501 +t oro 2S
to
to
3.50 to 5 00
5)25 11 to DAG 00
to
475 to 500
440 to: 4°65
4 25. to+. 4465
250. to, 4546
to
3 00 to 5 50
5280 | nto 096: 35
AS tO” ese
3 25) Uio0s gigs
2 POi colo B25
3.00. to...4 fe
3. Cor Ommus
3°40" (tO ae
30 00 to 35 00
45,00. to 55 00
75.00. to 125 00
115.00 to 125 00
175 00° to 225 00
125 00 ‘to 250 00
25 00 to 45 00
85 00. to 120 00
115 00 to 150 00
175 00 to 185 00
40 00. to ————
35 00. te ———
30 00 to ——
4°50 to’ = '5 50
40 00 to 90 00
2.00 to . 6 00
6 00, to 6 50
150 00 to 200 00
100 00 to 150 00
40 00 to 80 00
225 00 to 275 00
175 00 to 225 00

=e Se

213
FOREIGN MARKETS.

WHEAT.—In the British isles the spring temperature up to the middle
of May was very unfavorable to vegetation and discouraging to farmers.
Night-frosts have been injurious to the more delicate grains, and have
retarded, if they have not seriously injured, the hardier wheat-crop. The
continued pressure of these abnormal conditions of growth caused gen-
eral apprehension in regard to the outcome of growing crops. The light
lands still promised fair crops, but the cereals on heavy soils by no
means indicated a high or eyen average condition. Wheat looked
sickly and yellow, and the growth in many cases was irregular and
“patchy.” Perhaps the speedy approach of warm spring weather
would entirely change this prospect, but the period within which such
an improvement is possible was rapidly narrowing, and the public mind
was becoming more anxious as the unfavorable weather was protracted.
The country-markets expressed this anxiety by a universal rise in the
value of all unsold stocks of grain. The trade of the metropolis was
firm, with a steady demand for the continent. Wheat during the week
had advanced 1s. per quarter. The steadiness of this demand for
export indicated a new cause for anxiety in a deficiency in regions
which have hitherto constituted a resource for supply. . The inquiry for
export embraced not only stocks on the spot, but also cargoes on the
coast and én transitu from Australia and California, and these at the
highest market-prices.

The same class of unfavorable conditions retarded the grain-crops of
France, and, with the exception of a few favored districts in the south,
the general aspect of grain-farming is anything but cheering. Germany
also looked with apprehension to short crops, and purchases have been
made for direct shipment from America, Russia, and other great grain-
fields to meet an expected searcity. Still later French reports present
a less gloomy aspect of affairs, and give rise to hopes in certain quar-
ters that grain prospects are on the mend. In the grain-growing
regions of Eastern Europe there is a considerable improvement in the
prospects of the growing crops. At Algiers the weather’was all that
the grain-farmer could desire. At Alexandria, Egypt, small supplies
checked business.

The sales of English wheat during the week closing May 20 amounted
to 44,989 quarters, at 45s. 1d. per quarter, against 62,370 quarters, at
42s, 2d., during the corresponding week of 1875. The London averages
were 45s. 3d. on 2,981 quarters. The imports into the United Kingdom
during the week previous, ending May 13, amounted to 660,093 cwt.
The following week opened with considerable firmness, though the
trade was not remarkably brisk. Fresh supplies of English wheat were
small and readily cleared out at previous prices, or with considerable
advance. In Mark Lane, Hssex, and Kent, white brought 43s. and 52s.
per quarter; ditto, red, 40s. and 47s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and York-
shire red, 40s. and 46s.; Dantzig mixed, 52s. and 56s.; Konigsberg, 50s.
and 54s.; Rostock, 50s. and 53s.; Pomeranian, Mecklenburg, and Ucker-
mark red, 48s. and 50s.; Shirka, 43s. and 45s.; Russian hard, 45s. and
46s.; Saxonska, 47s. and 48s.; Danish and Holstein red, 46s. and 49s. ;
American red, 44s. and 54s.; Chilian white, 47s.; Californian, 51s. ;
Australian, 51s. and 53s. ;

In Liverpool British white was quoted at 9s. 8d. to 10s. 2d. per cental ;
ditto, red, 9s. 4d. to 9s. 10d.; Canadian white, 9s. 6d. to 10s.; Red Club
and Golden Drop, 9s. to 9s. 9d.; American red, winter, 9s. 6d. to 10s.
4d.; No. 1, Minnesota, 9s. 4d. to 9s. 9d.; No. 1, spring, 9s. 4d. to 9s. 10d. ;

214

No. 2, spring, 8s. 8d. to 9s. 6d. ; : Thidia; 8s. to 9s. 6d.; Egyptian, 6s. 10d.
to 8s. ‘Od. ; Californian, 9s. 8d. to 9s. lid.; Club, 10s. "to 108. 4d. ; ; Chilian,
9s. to 9s. 6a. ; Australian, 10s, 4d.

In Paris choice native wheat had risen to 53s. 7d. and 55s. 5d. per
quarter, and other sorts rangiug down to 50s. and 51s. for ordinary
grades.

FLouR.—The imports of flour into the United Kingdom during the

" week ending May 15, amounted to 83,992 cwt., against 95,811 the

previous week. The demand had improved, but no change in prices
was noted. In Mark Lane the best town-households were quoted at.
36s, and 43s. per sack of 280 pounds; best country-households, 35s. and
36s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, 28s. and 50s. Of foreign flour, French brought

30s. and 35s. per sack ; American and extra, 22s. and 27s. per barrel of 196.

ee

pounds. At Liverpool, English and Ivish superfines brought 36s. and
38s.; ditto, extra, 39s. and 41s.; Trieste, 50s. and 57s.; Chilian, 34s. and
35s.; Californian, 35s. 6d. and 38s. : ; American Western and extra State,
22s. and 25s. per barrel ; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 22s. and 26s. ; Ohio
and extra, 235s. and 26s. ; Canadian, 23s. and 27s.

At Paris the range from ordinary brands to the Mark D’Arblay was
38s. and 42s. per 280 pounds.

MaizE.—In Mark Lane, London, white maize was quoted at 28s. and
30s. per quarter; yellow, 27s. and 28s. In Liverpool, American white and
mixed brought 26s. 3d. to 26s. 9d. per 480 pounds; Salatz, 30s.; Dan-
ubian, 26s. to 26s. 6d. .

MONTHLY REPORT

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DC Fa, or dh eee

WASHINGTON:
" GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1876.

Facts from various sources

Live-stock markets

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

STATISTICS :
Digest of crop-reports for July

Corn. ieee, cosisrcasy ite ee) oer Stee ae eae Reon ye eee

SEE G ioe aoe nie cm ocala sieee icine SSVI Bee wet SS ee ne ee
PAaStUTes = 250 SSS. ek Se CE ccee arene cone aoe eee nse ae
Grass-crop ------.- wee Saw ars ou selene cai oe is crake Dae ve eneye ee ee

IPOCALOES 2 = 3 .(S SSAA eS cs Moco ciate oe ae Lae, be blanc ee Se a

LUTE HT Rees Se oS ee eee ee eR te aera SE Se Sen acces ee
MOFOHUM. 5 <li cisienteeisosc'- wa Sa aeafas oeihe deen sels octet anise sacs ee

WUCAr-CANG ssc r eu enata = ssn cistesioe Besbeiddes Unckvececiiseeetes tn
Wostonie 2. 525 Seas sec bck oro ac bres a oe eed eelh ness gules o- sae ae

Tables showing the condition of the crops, &c., July 1
Insect injuries
Extracts from correspondence
Market-prices of farm-products

Foreign markets

eee eee eee tee eee eee
i
er
ee ee ee wee eee Cee ewe eee eet ee eee eee ee eee
ee ee
wwe ew ee ee wee ee ee ee ee ee we eee ee ee ee ee

Agriculture at the Centennial Exposition. .-........--..--.----.
Planting of forests and destruction of locusts in Spain
eoltiwation of .cofies in MeOxIGO.)<.'60[53 A inca ie= den awn m4 seb + a bam Son

wee eee ee ee wee wee wee

MONTHLY REPORT.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Statistical Division, July 19, 1876.
Sir: I respectfully present for publication a report on the condition
of the crops in July; a paper descriptive of the agricultural branch of
the Centennial Exposition ; some official documents from the Spanish
Government in regard to tree-planting; a communication from our min-
ister in Mexico in regard to coffee-culture in that country; and the usual
variety of minor statistics.
Very respectfully,
J. R. DODGH,
Statistician.
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

DIGEST OF CROP REPORTS.

CORN.

ACREAGE.—In New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, and Minnesota
the area planted is slightly less than last year. This is doubtless chiefly,
if not exclusively, due to the protracted cold and wet spring in those
States. Tennessee also returns a decrease of 1 per cent. In Vermont,
Delaware, and Maryland the extent of area remains unchanged. In all
the remaining States it has been enlarged. Among the States report-
ing the largest relative increase were, California, 34 per cent.; Massa-
chusetts and Nebraska, 20; Texas, 15; Wisconsin, 10; Georgia and
Florida, 9; Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Indiana, 7; Ohio, 6; Ar-
kansas, 5; Maine, South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia, Llinois,
lowa, and Oregon, 4.

Returns from the Southern States indicate a tendency to increase the
corn and grain crops, from a growing conviction that the production of
home-supplies will be more conducive to agricultural prosperity than
the hitherto prevalent system of overproduction of cotton, which not only
depresses its own price, but also enhances the cost of provisions, clothing,
&c., produced elsewhere by extending the market for their consump-
tion.

The increase of the entire corn-area of the country, over last year,
amounts to 5 per cent.

CoNnDITION.—The crop, in several sections, is ina condition of more than

218

ordinary thrift and promise. In the northern section of the Eastern, Mid-
dle, and Northwestern States, it is more backward than usual, owing to
delay in planting, occasioned by protracted cold and wet weather; but
it is generally in a thrifty growing state. In the States on the Atlantic
coast the condition ranges from 100 to 108, as far as, and including, Vir-
ginia; south of Virginia an extraordinary rain-fall, of six to seven days’
duration, about the third week in June, resulted in extensive overflows,
occasioned extensive injuries to the crop. In many loealities along the
water-courses, where it was extensively washed out or otherwise ruined
by floods, it has been replanted, and the second growth is pushing for-
ward vigorously. With the exception of that protracted rain-storm along
the coast, the weather throughout the Southern States has been gener-
ally favorable to clean cultivation and a healthy growth. In Texas an
extraordinary crop is nearly matured. The returns show a condition
of 121, with an increase in acreage of 15 per cent. Throughout the
Ohio and Northern Mississippi Valleys, and in Michigan, June was a
very wet month; the rain-fall was so excessive as to seriously interfere
with timely cultivation and to foster an extraordinary growth of weeds.
Owing to this cause principally, the condition in that section ranges
from 100 in Indiana down to 88 in Iowa, Illinois being 89 and Missouri
97. Like causes have reduced the condition in Kansas to 96. On the
Pacific coast the crop is unusually promising, the figures being for Cali-
fornia 105, and for Oregon 101.

Insect-injuries have been limited to depredations by worms, and those
not extensive or serious. :

No droughts over extended areas are reported, and local droughts,
for the most part, have not been protracted or severe.

Taking 100 as indicating a condition of unimpaired stands and ordi-
nary thrift, the entire crop averages 97.

Details of local exigencies affecting the crop will be found in the notes
below.

Matne.— Waldo: Never better. York: The best grown for twenty years. Cumber-
land: Promising.

New HaMpsHire.—HAHillsborough: Backward, but doing well.

VERMONT.— Grand Isle: Did not come up well, owing to wet and cold May. Rut-
land: Much had to be replanted, owing to poor seed and dry weather. Caledonia: Late,
but good stand.

ConneEcticut.—New London: Somewhat eaten by gray worms, but growing well.

NEw York.—Albany: Looks very well. Seneca: Good color and growing rapidly.
Otsego: Somewhat backward, but growing well. Genesee: Doing finely. Saratoga:
Much injured by worms. Washington: Late, but growing finely. Orange: The pros-
pect of a large yield seldom better. Allegany : Have never seen corn so large.

New Jersey.—Atlantic: Early corn will be ruined unless we have rain soon. War-
ren: Fine, but now suffering a little from dry weather.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Cameron: Planted late, bus coming forward finely. Perry: Back-
ward, but well set. Clearfield: Large acreage; backward. Indiana: Could not wish
a better prospect. Armstrong: Late, but even stand and growing finely. Beaver: Has
suffered from drought. Butler: Much late, but all looks well. Delaware: Much injured
by worms where the hills were not strewn with salt; now quite vigorous. Clinton:
Late planted. That planted in time very fine. Lycoming: Very fine, except a few
complaints of the white worm injuring the roots. Llk: Very fine. '

MARYLAND.—Caroline: Looks well. Howard: Promising. Worcester: Late, but
promising. Baltimore: A good stand. Washington: Good.

VirGiIniA.—Caroline: Favorable season. Madison: Looking well. Russell: Injured
by the cut-worm. Tazewell: Injured in some neighborhoods by the wire-worm. Ches-
terfield: Large acreage; good stand ; well worked, and very promising. Matthews: Being
seriously injured by worms. Powhatan: Backward. King George: Promises finely.
Middlesex : Thrifty. Orange: Hassnuftered from drought. Spotisylvania: A very large
acreage; well grown. Campbell: Promises well. Dinwiddie: Increased acreage; in
fine condition. James City: The dry June has put our corn in beautiful order ; ready
for rain. King and Queen: Backward. Prince Edward: Checked by dry weather.
Sussex : The crops splendid, but now suffering somewhat on stiff bottoms from drought.

ore

Elizabeth City: Smaller area, but more promising. Halifax: Increased acreage, owing
to failure in tobacco-plants; well worked, and looking healthy. Charles City: In-
jured by a severe drought for the last four weeks. Highland: Never better. Meck-
lenburgh: Looking well where worked in time. Northampton: Promising, notwith-
standing the drought.

Norte CArorina.—Rutherford: Injured by overflow; replanted to a considerable
extent. Wilkes: Badly injured by freshet June 17. Pasquotank: Favorable season for
cultivating ; late, but looks well. Caldwell: Much lost by overflow and other injury
from rain-storms. Cherokee: A small worm has proved so destructive to the crop on
low land that not more than 33 to 50 per cent. of a crop can be raised on such Jand.
Alamance: Late, but good stand and promising. Wilson: Fair prospect for a good
crop. Caswell: Very promising. Duplin: Better thanever known. Person: Increase
in acreage, owing to failure of tobacco-plants. Pitt: Very favorable weather in June,
and a large crop promised. Nash: Early planted, very good; late,a bad stand and
small. Beaufort: Very fine. Hertford: Increased acreage in good condition. Polk:
Much wasted away, and much under water so long that it rotted; more than 33 per
cent. planted over.

SoutH CarRoLina.—Ldgefield: Small, but good stand and vigorous. Laurens: Vast
quantities washed out or killed by devastating storms; munch replanted. Beaufort:
A rain-storm in June, lasting a week, during which upward of 15 inches of water fell,
did great injury to the crop. Clarendon: In a critical state for want of rain. Colleton :
Never better. Chester: On low lands, along water-courses, almost destroyed by over-
dow. Georgetown: A good stand, checked by drought in May,and now too wet to
plow. Lexington: Inferior, having suffered first from drought and then from excessive
rain. Marlborough: Very good. Richland: Much injured and destroyed by a freshet.
That destroyed planted over, with a fair prospect. airfield: Fair prospect for a good
crop. Horry: Badly damaged by heavy rains, June 10 to 20. Spartansburgh: Heavy
rains June 11 to 18, flooded all bottoms, and corn along large streams was completely
_ destroyed. The farmers have planted it over. Orangeburgh: Very much injured by
heavy rain-storms.

GEORGIA—Dooly: Promises a fine yield. Elbert: A freshet in June destroyed corn
and cotton in the bottom-lands, but these Jands are being replanted with corn. Fannin:
Never better. Thomas: Never better, and larger acreage than since the war. For-
ward corn is made, and one er two showers will make the whole crop good as the
ground can bear. Yowns: Very late and much damaged by a recent freshet. Troup:
Prospect very good. Upson: Finest prospect for ten years. Gwinnett: Unusually fine
and forward on upland; too wet on lowland. Clayton: Never more promising on up-
land ; too wet on bottoms. Columbia: Looking well. Hall: Very small; too much
rain. Hancock: More planted than in any year since the war, and the finest ever seen.
Henry: Acreage increased 25 percent. Laurens: Very small, but healthy and vigorous.
Madison: Bad stand and two weeks late; on lowlands 30 per cent. was destroyed by
overflow ; now being replanted. Afitchell: The most promising since 1865; one more
““eood season” and the largest yield for years will be secured. Rabun: Very much
damaged by freshets and bud-worms. Randolph: Very good. Spalding: Promises to
exceed any crop for fifteen years. Union: Good on uplands, but no stand on bottoms,
owing to ravages of bud-worms. Whitfield: Much injured on lowlands by the great
quantities of rain in June. Dodge: Very good prospect. Haralsen: Two weeks late,
but looking well. Jefferson: Good. McDuffie: A dry May and wet June have been the
life of the crop. Cobb: Finest prospect for years. Walton: Very promising. Hart:
Good crop. Jackson: Washed away on bottoms; on upland good where well worked.
Lincoln: The great profusion of rain 11th to 18th of June, overilowing the bottoms,
entirely destroyed whole crop; a large portion has been replanted and is doing finely.
Terrell: Prospect much improved during June. Appling: Rather backward, owing to
dry and extreme hot weather, which caused it to burn badly, and especially that well
manured. Carroll: Though small, looks very fine; well worked.

FLoripa—WMadison: Greater acreage and better condition than last year. Jackson:
Well worked and looks well. Gadsden: The prospect very flattering.

AvABAMA.—Baldwin: First planting nearly all killed. Clarke: Early and Jate
planted doing well. Greene: Poor prospect. Crenshaw: Good prospect on dry land.
Calhoun: Prosperous. Jefferson: Late ten days, but fast recovering. Barbour: Free
from grass, and the season very favorable. Lauderdale: The cut-worm has been very
destructive on all low lands. Blount: Backward. Conecuh: Well worked out, and
aa Colbert: Large and very fine crop. Cherokee: Looks very well where culti-
vated.

MIssIssippPl.—Jefferson : Ruined by long drought. Lincoln: Maiterially injured by a
drought through the whole of June. Lee: Late three to four weeks, and foul, owing
to damages by heavy floods June 1 and 15; some yet to plant. Grenada: Promising
where well cultivated. Amite: Increased acreage, and greater attention to the crop
than for several years. Pike: Doing well. Perry: Looks 10 per cent. better than last
year. Monroe: Will make enough for home consumption. Lowndes: The prospect not

220

so good as last year. Newton: Well worked, clean, and prosperous. Chickasaw: Prom-
ising where well worked; the freedmen laboring well. Choctaw: Increased acreage,
owing to the fact that many plowed up cotton and planted corn. franklin: Materialiy
injured by drought.

LOvISIANA.—Concordia : A lar ge increase in the acreage ; more disposition to go into
farming and quit the ruinous cotton- planting. Hast Baton Rouge: In all the neighbor-
hoods where the labor has not been interfered with, jn splendid condition. Madison:
Backward, but growing well. Carroll: The yield will not come up to last year. West
Felicianau: Splendid up to this time, but beginning to suffer from drought. Jackson:
Backward, but very promising.

Tpxas.—Bastrop: Fine, with much larger acreage than last year. Coryell: Better
than for years; a fall crop sure. Harrison: Raising a heavy crop. De Witt: Sufter-
ing from dry weather. Upshur: Indications of a yield 75 per cent. above last year.
Colorado: A little late, but one of the most promising crops for years. Lavaca: Splen-
did, though now suffering from drought in localities. Williamson: A promise of the
largest crop ever made; of fine quality. Caldwell: Never better. Medina; Injured
by a drought of two and a half months, but now improving. ed River: Now silking,
with a prospect of a very heavy crop. Matagorda: Improved by rains. Waller: The
crop made sure, and will be of full weight. Austin: Secured by the late rains, and suf-
ficient for home consumption. Burleson: Doing well. Collin: Almost made; will be
afine yield. Dallas: Never better. Gillespie: Very good. Smith: Very fine on red
land; too wet on gray land. Titus: Large acreage and better prospect than for many
years. Washington: Heaviest crop ever raised. Bexar: Never better; all made.
Burnet: Early planted, splendid; late, doing weil. Tannin: Good; the most favorabie
season for years. Travers: Never better.

ARKANSAS.— Boone: Suffering from lack of cultivation, owing to excessive rain.
Saint Francis: Late, but looking extremely well. Baxter: The smallest ever known.
Monroe: Crop will be abundant. Arkansas: Looks remarkably well; but a small
black beetle, which seems to feed on the roots, has injured it 10 per cent. Have seen
ten to twenty-five in a hill. Bradley: Irregular, and rather late. Jzard: Is healthy,
clean, and nice, and promises a large yield. J'ulton: Well worked, healthy, and grow-
ing finely. Marion: Small, but looks well. Ouachita: Not doing well.

TENNESSEE.—Anderson: Bad stand; a small worm cut off the roots. Some have
planted two and three times. Lincoln: Well cultivated, and looks unusually well.
Blount: Generally looks well, though injured badly in places by the bud-worm. Gib-
son: Late planted, and damaged by rains in low lands. Loudon: Fine. Rhea: A
good season for corn. Sullivan: Growing finely. Hawkins: Looks well. James: Too
much rain for corn on lowlands. Knox: Much damaged on the river-bottoms by over-
flow. Bedford: Looks fine. Giles: Nevermore promising. Robertson: Backward, but
looks very well. Van Buren: Depredations by the bud-worm. Obion: Damaged by
overflow. Greene: Irregular, but thrifty. Sequatchie: Damaged considerably by the
bud-worm and other insects. Montgomery: Never better. Trousdale: Looking well.

Wesr VirGinia.—Tucker : Acreage two hundred; looks well. Pocahontas: A fine
prospect. Grant: A little backward. Pendleton: A little late, but very promising.
Cabell: Promising. Monroe: First rate. Wetzel: Promises a good crop.

KENTUCKY.— Daviess : Damaged badly by excessive rains. Ohio: Drowned out in a
portion of the county. Spencer : Clean and in fine condition. Bath: Decidedly im-
proved by rains for the last ten days. Gallalin: Materially injured by drought.
Mason: Looks remarkably well; the ground well tilled and clean. Metcalfe: Look-
ing well. Owsley: The prospect, better than for years. Russell : Injured by the wire-
worm, a little black bug, and the corn-louse; but all clean and improving rapidly.
Hardin: Looks well. Calloway: Looks well.

Oxn10.—Adams: Small, but good stands and well worked. Holmes : Growing rap-
idly, but in weeds and grass, owing to wet weather. Perry: Coming forward very
rapidly. Vinton: Good ‘stand, but small. 7 ‘ashington : Much of the crop late, but
growing rapidly. Defiance: Damaged by excessive rains. Miami: Never better.
Jackson: Small, but warm showers are bringing it out fast. Jayne: Good on uplands ;
ale on lowlands by heavy rains. Mercer : “Largely increased acreage, in fine con-
dition.

MicuiGan.—Montcalm: Never so backward; many fields not yet touched with the
plow or hoe. Ottawa: Too much rain. Wayne: Planted late, and wet weather has
prevented proper cultivation. Wexford: Late in coming up, but growing very rapidly.
Lenawee: Very backward. Calhoun: Injured by continuous heavy rains, which have
prevented working. Hillsdale: Set back somewhat by the wet weather. Jonia: Very
backward, owing to heavy and continuous rains ; impossible to work init. Leelenaw :
Never more promising. Allegan: Very weedy, owing to continuous rain. Barry:
Small and backward. Mason: Looks well. Newaygo: A greater fall of rain in June
than ever before, and the indications are that the crop will be the poorest ever seen
here. uscola: Rains have delayed cultivating, and weeds are getting a large start of
the crop. Muskegon: Suffering on heavy land from excessive rains. Mecosta: Mate-
rially damaged by excessive rains.

291

InDIANA.—Brown : A fine growth, in fine cultivation. Jennings: Gone up on wet land;
weedy, but looking well, on dry land. Lake: Remarkably heavy and continuous rains for
three weeks past, and many fields beyond redemption. Stark: Injured by the rainy
weather. Decatur : Promises the largest crop ever produced. Steuben: Much trouble from
failure in seed-corn ; hundreds of acres replanted. Fayette: The stand is extra good.
Hamilton: A very large crop planted; small, but looks exceedingly well. Hendricks:
Good. Jasper: Much in bad condition owing to rains for the last four weeks. osci-
usko: Growing finely, but very weedy owing to continualrains. Martin : Becoming
foul, and too wet for cultivating. Morgan: Never a larger crop or a better prospect.
Noble: Too wet for working the crop. Pike: Injured by the rains on flat lands; other-
wise the prospect good. Spencer: June avery wet month; corn a failure on low land,
and the weeds have the advantage decidedly on the uplands. Wabash: Too wet for
cultivating. Wells: Being injured in places by the wet weather. Whitley: Seldom
better. Johnson: Scalding on the flat lands, owing to continual rain; no work being
done, and the weeds growing.

Iniryors.—Clinton: Large crop, but poorly worked. Effingham: Too wet for culti-

vating. Grundy: Cultivation almost entirely prevented the last three weeks by ex-
cessive rains. Jersey: Growing finely. Lake: Looks well. Menard; Rains constant
but light and the crop unusually clear of weeds. Mercer: Grassy. Putnam: On
the bottoms, mostly ruined by overflow. Sangamon: Some injury from excessive
rains. Schuyler: Small from late planting, but the ground never in better condition
or clearer of weeds. Saint Clair: Splendid; clear of weeds. Shelby: The weeds will
take the late corn before the ground is dry enough to work. Vermillion: In a criti-
cal condition, from excessive rains. White: Considerable already lost on low lands,
from excessive rains. Williamson; The meadows are flooded and corn on low grounds
is seriously injured. De Kalb; Not promising, owing to excessive rain-fall; many fields
untouched since planting and likely to remain so. Jroquois: The wet weather for the
last four weeks has cut off the prospect nearly one-half. Livingston: The outlook bad ;
it has rained for nearly two months. Mason: A little backward, but clean and looking
‘well. Rock Island: Much planted late, but good stand. Carroll: Slow growth and
prolific weeds, owing to the excessive rains. Zee: Too much rain for a healthy con-
dition. Monroe: Backward and weedy, but strong and thrifty. Montgomery: Rather
yellow in places, but a few days of sunshine will make it allright. McLean: On low,
flat lands will make only a little fodder, owing to incessant rains.

Wisconsin.—Clark: Crops backward. Dunn: Late planted, on account of excessive
rains,and in some cases the crops withered by subsequent decline of temperature ;
doing better now. Dodge: Cropslook well. Douglas: Seeding delayed by cold spring.
Green Lake: Backward. Outagamie: Looks well; abundant rains. Richland: Weedy,
yet looks well. Saint Croix: Backward. Walworth: Very uneven ; too much rain after
planting.

Minnesota.— Wright: Good.

lows.—Appanoose: As fine acropasever raised here. Buena Vista: Drought. Cher-
okee: Rescued by late rains. Clinton: Too much rain. Des Moines: Too much rain.
Hardin: Growing finely. Howard: No frosts since May 1; quite unusual; retarded,
however, by cold spell. Johnson: Half the crop good, being well cultivated and early
planted; the other half delayed by bad weather at planting and not good. Madison:
Late. Mahaska: Late, but healthy. Tama: Seasonableforcorn. Jefferson: Rain pre-
vented working. Monona: Injured by drought, but rain has come at last. Washing-
ion : Growing well on flat land, but poor on rolling upland.

Mtssour1.—Phelps: Cannot be properly worked, owing to excessive rains. Barton:
Cannot bé cultivated. Chariton: Stands injured by field-mice; some fields so ravaged
as to require second planting. Nodaway: Backward, but promising. Caldwell: Needs
working, but we cannot get into the field without miring. Dallas: Backward. Daviess;
Very backward, and one-half not plowed at all, owing to continued heavy rains. Dunk-
lin: Favorable. Mississippi: Not well cultivated, owing to the rains. Pettis: Very
flattering. Shelby: Scalding, and suffering for want ofcultivation. Stone: Late fifteen
days, but looks well. Vernon: One month late. Clay: Late. Dent: Late, but thrifty.
Maries: Suffering for want of cultivation. Montgomery : Weedy and grassy. Grundy:
Too wet for corn; much on bottom-lands has not been plowed at all. Perry: Three
weeks late, but looks well. Buchanan: Looks well.

Kansas.—Sourbon : Backward and very weedy; toomuchrain. Chase; Very late,
but clean. Johnson: Weedy; toomuchrain. Franklin: Very weedy; no plowing can
be done as the ground is thoroughly soaked, and it is still raining. Jackson: Rather
backward, but looks well. Labeite: On the prairie, rather short ; too much rain; better
on the bottoms. Linn: On wet land, weedy; ov upland, the best prospect for years.
Lyon: Much rotted in the ground, owing to excessive rains. Miami: Growing beauti-
fully. Cherokee: Fully half has not been cultivated at all, owing to wet weather.
Neosho: Many fields very weedy and not much prospect of getting them clean. Reno:
Extra good.

Nesraska.—-Knox: Hurt by frost when eoming up. Boone: Injured by extreme

me
a " ee
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222

cold previous to June 20. Stanton: Badly damaged by the cut-worm and gopher.
Antelope: Excellent stand and very promising. Dodge: Early planted, doing well;
late planted, very backward. Wayne: Promises better than usual.

CALIFORNIA.—Siskiyou: Materially damaged by the frosts. Yuba: Increased acre-
age and fair crop. Sonoma: Greatly increased acreage and yield.

OREGON.—Clackamas : Very backward.

Urau.— Weber : Backward, but looking well.

Dakora.—Davison: Doing well. Buffalo: Suffering from severe drought. Richland :
Cut short at least one-half ; drought and young erasshoppers.

New Mexico.—Taos : Has escaped the grasshoppers to some extent, but may not
after they have finished the wheat.

WINTER-W HEAT.

The condition of winter-wheat, taking the whole country together,
advanced from 87 per cent. of an average, June 1, to 95 per cent. July
1. In New England, Massachusetts is full average and Maine 2 per
cent. above. Thesmall crop of this section exhibits a decided improve-
ment in all the States except New Hampshire, which shows a slight de-
cline.

Of the Middle States, Delaware maintains her high June condition,
105. New Jersey lost heavily through local drought, but the large
crops of New York and Pennsylvania, by a rapid improvement, have
approximated a full average. In some counties of this section the Hes-
sian fly was destructive, but the fine general conditions of the growth
not only compensate for losses from this source, but also largely repair
the serious damage from winter-killing. Generally, bottom-crops are
heavy, while on clay hill-side the stalks are finely headed, though not
very thick on the ground. The Fultz wheat still maintains its prestige
upon its natal soil. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, it yielded from 30 to

35 bushels per acre, while other varieties alongside returned only half

as much.

Of the South Atlantic States, Maryland alone holds her high June
average, 108. Virginia has slightly declined, but still reports 111. The
other States all show a serious falling off and are below average,
Georgia promising but two-thirds of a crop. In the southern counties
of this section frequent rains at a critical stage in the growth of the
crop induced rust, while local freshets destroyed a considerable amount
of harvested grain. Cherokee, Georgia, reports the Jennings wheat
from the Department as a decided success. The Hessian fly was
troublesome in a few localities.

Of the Gulf States, all are below average. A small improvement is
shown in Mississippi and Texas, but Alabama has fallen to two-thirds
of an average through heavy rains producing rust. Several counties
report the grain light and poor. In Wilkinson, Mississippi, the Clawson
and Jennings wheats rusted badly. The Mediterranean and Walker
wheats made fair crops in Cooke, Texas, while other varieties did not
average over one-fourth. The fly and rust are noted in several portions
of the latter State.

Of the inland Southern States, West Viteinisd raised her high June
condition to 115, and Kentucky raised hers to nearly average, but Ten-
nessee fell below, and Arkansas declined to two-thirds of a crop. The
unfavorable conditions here were mostly the same as in the more south-
ern States, rust being produced by untimely rains. Losses of harvested
grain by floods add to the disappointment of shortened yields.

North of the Ohio River, Michigan and Illinois are nearly average,
and the other States over 80. This region has shown a marked improve-
ment during June, as a whole, only Michigan showing a slight falling

"

os

¥

223

off. The conditions of growth were very favorable in many localities,
but the injuries from winter-killing were too extensive to be easily
repaired. The midge, in some counties, added its annoyance to the
greater injury of the rust. The fly was also injurious in a few places,
and the chinch appeared in one or two counties of [llinois.

West of the Mississippi River the crop prospects improved in all the
States except Nebraska, which held its high June condition of 116.
Missouri and Kansas rose above average, while Minnesota and Iowa
remained below. Osage, Missouri, reports drilled wheat as 50 per cent.,
and Sedgwick, Kansas, 100 per cent., better than broadcast. The Hes-
sian fly and chinch did some local damage, while heavy rains in some
quarters produced rust. In Ellis, Kansas, very early-sown wheat pro-
duced a fine crop; later-sown did poorly.

The Pacific States are both below average, and both fell off in condi-
tion during June. Yet local yields are reported as larger than ever
before. Linn, Oregon, complains of excessive wet weather.

New Yorx.— Westchester: Splendid. Livingston: Better than last year 25 per cent.,
but yet below an average crop. Genesee: Has done well where not winter-killed.

NEw JERSEY.— Warren: Not more than half a crop.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Cameron : Best prospect for years. Perry: Badly injured by the
fly. Snyder: Being cutin the stem by the Hessian fly, Clearfield: Will be light. In-
diana: Better than anticipated; well filled. York: Large crop. Armstrong: Better
than was expected the first of June. Beaver: Nota full crop, but plump berry. Le-
high: Injured by the Hessian fly. Westmoreland: Prospect of a very large crop of
very fine quality, though somewhat rusted. Bedford: Very good in the northern part
of the county. Bucks: Improved wonderfully; deficiency from winter-killing will be
made up by extra yield. Lancaster: Pretty good, though some fields much injured by
the fly. The Fultz proves to be by far the best variety. It will yield 30 to 35 bushels
per acre where other varieties will yield only half of that amount. It is less injured
by the fly. Union: Much of it in the shock, and a good crop throughout the county.
Clinton : Injured by Hessian fly. Lycoming: On bottoms, very heavy and good; on
clay lands, thin but fine heads. lk: Promise of the largest aggregate yield ever
raised.

MaryLanpd.—Caroline: Never such a crop before. Worcester: Very good. Har-
ford: About all cut; heads weil filled and grainyplump, Talbot: Shriveled by prema-
ture ripening. Wicomico: Being harvested; free from rust and idjury from damp
weather. JWashington: All gathered, and will turn out well.

VIRGINIA.— Cumberland: The harvest over, and a bountiful crop. Loudoun: Injured
by the fly. J/adison: Good in quality, but 25 per cent. short, owing to fiy and rust.
Russell: Some damaged by the fly. Warwick: Harvested ; the grain shrunk from rust
on the blade. Chesterfield: Best crop for ten years; all harvested in good condition.
Powhatan: Not so well filled. Fluvanna: Good. Lunenburgh: Harvested, and the
yield good. Middlesex: All harvested, with a yield above average. Page: Have had
fine weather for securing the crop, now all in the shock, and very good in quantity
and quality. Prince William: Some injury by Hessian fly; quality better than an-
ticipated. Spotisylvania: Did not fill as well as anticipated. Campbell: Excellent.
Dinwiddie: All harvested, and the best crop for ten years. James City: In the shock, ©
and growers well pleased with the result. King and Queen: Very fine. Pulaski: On
uplands, thin but excellent in quality; on low lands, aftectedwith rust, and nearly all
fields more or less with scab. Smyth: An extraordinary crop; now in the midst of
harvesting. Llizabeth City: Being harvested; in fine condition. Halifax: Splendid
season for securing the crop, which promises well in yield and quality. Augusta:
Better than usual. Highland: Never better. Mecklenburgh: Good yield of fine
quality.

NortTH CarROLINA.—Pasquotank: Promises well. Wilkes : Cut short by rust and spot.
Caldwell: Much destroyed by overflow and injury from rains. Gaston: A week of
cloudy and rainy weather in harvest has reduced the condition from 100 to 60. Wilson :
The best crop for years. Duplin: Better than ever knewn. Nash: Harvested, and
very good. Pamlico: For the first time in many years a few bushels of winter-wheat
were sown, and the yield was very good. Perquimans: Harvested; the best for years.
Rowan: A freshet in the Yadkin River carried away several thousand bushels of wheat
in the shock. Camden: A good crop housed. Hertford: The best crop since the war;
increased quantity, and the grain perfect. Alexander: Injured by rust. Burke: Re-
duced 25 per cent. by overflows. Polk: Injured by rust, and 25 per cent. lost by rains.

South CAROLINA.—Clarendon : Harvested; much complaint of rust. Chester: Dam-

224 “a

aged 10 per cent. by excessive rain for six days. Newberry: Continuous rain for six °
days has caused wheat to sprout. Lexington: Much of it, cut and left in the field,
sprouted during the wet spell. Spartanburgh: Much injured by rust, and by rains in
harvest. Orangéburgh: Harvested ; 10 per cent. above average. Marion: Superior yield
and quality. One farmer produced 26 bushels per acre.

GrorGia.—Dooly : Housed, and the finest yield since the war. £lbert: Continued
rains for a week in harvest have injured the crop. Gordon: Not over 3 bushels per
acre; injured by fly and rust. Fannin: Early, fine; late, infected by millions of lice.
Towns: Best for years. Troup: Housed; crop short. Upson: Long straw, but dwarfed
grain ; injured by red mold. Gwinnett: Injured by rust 33 per cent. or more. Bald-
win: An acreage of 150 harvested; the berry in some localities smaller than usual.
Butts: Reduced to 60 by fly and rast. Cherokee: Almost a failure, but the Jennings
wheat from the Department did will. Clayton: Reduced to 50 by fly and blade-rust.
Hancock: Very fine. Henry: Half a crop. Randolph: Very good crop harvested.
Richmond: The bulk of the crop damaged by the excessive rains. Union: In the midst
of harvest ; much smutin it; think the yield will be above average. Coweta: Injured
by blade-rust 45 per cent. Jefferson: Unusually large and good crop. McDufie: Bet-
ter than last year. Cobb: Harvested, and almost a failure from rust and fly. Walton:
Generally thrashed; not over haifacrop. Hart: Harvested a good crop. Jackson:
Hardly 25 per cent. of acrop. Lincoln: Large individual losses by the flood sweeping
off the shocks from bottoms, and considerable damage by sprouting in the shock.
Fulton: Badly damaged by rust. Carroll: Cut short by fly and rust.

- ALaBsaMA.—Chambers;: The estimate of 100, June 1, proved by thrashing to be 25
per cent. too high; rust. Crenshaw: Good. Calhoun: Being thrashed, and not nearly
as good as anticipated. Lauderdale: Much damaged by rust and wet weather. Blount:
Reduced by rust more than half in quantity, and the quality poor. De Kalb: Some
has been thrashed, and makes a poor yield of sorry grain. Cherokee: Thrashed; yield .
light and quality poor.

MIssISSIPPI.—Grenada : The white winter-wheat from the Department Las done well;
all other kinds a failure from rust. Wilkinson: Clawson and Jennings wheat both
rusted badly. Covington: All ruined by rust.

Lovuistana.—-Jackson : Cut short by rust.

Trexas.—Bexar; Thrashed; yield 10 bushels per acre; grain plump. Cooke: All
varieties, except Mediterranean and Walker, reduced by rust to 25 per cent. of a crop.
Coryell: The average 25 per cent. above and the yield 25 per cent. below last year.
Upshur : Harvested ; yield 10 per cent. more than last year. Bandera: Being thrashed:
better than anticipated. Touzelle makes over 30 bushels per acre, and for seed is sell-
ing at $3, while other wheat sells at $1.20. Williamson: Cut short by rust. Caldwell:
The acreage 150 but the yield only 50, owing to drought in March and April. Medina:
Curtailed by a drought of two anda half months. Red River: Rusted badly. Burle-
son: Harvested ; yield 18 bushels per acre. Collin: Damaged by rust and Hessian fly.
Dallas: Yield per acre short, but the acreage increased. Gillespie: Injured by late
frost and drought. Titus: Half destroyed by rust. Fannin: About 11 bushels per
acre. Travis: Rusted.

TENNESSEE.—Bedford : Being thrashed in fine condition; quality good. Bradley:
Being damaged in the shock. Giles: Thrasbed; falling oif in yield, but acreage
larger than ever before. Meigs: Considerably damaged by rust. Robertson: Fine;
grain good. Dickson: Thrashing just commenced; will not turn out as well as last
year. The grain is good. Polk: Cut short by rust. Greene: Somewhat injured
with scab or smut. Rutherford: The yield not good as last year, but the quality
never better. Sequatchie: Badly injured by rust, spot, and susut. Trousdale: The
heads light and not well filled.

West VirGinia.— Pocahontas: Good. Berkeley: Best for eight or ten years. Brax-
ton: Very good; well filled. Grant: One.of the largest crops ever gathered, now be-
ing harvested. Greenbrier: Unusually fine. Pendleton: Very good. Putnam: A con-
dition much above average being reduced by excessive rains in harvest. Jackson: In
the midst of harvest; favorable reports. Cabell: The grain fine; some fields injured
by joint-worm and rust. Monroe: Being harvested; grain-crop of excellent quality
Wetzel: Being harvested in good condition. Doddridge: Half harvested; more than
an average crop.

Kentucky.—Pendleton : Thin on the ground, but the grain well matured. Spencer:
Fine quality, but short yield. Webster: Endangered by rains in harvest. Bath: All
harvested, in good condition; quality extra. Mason: Thin and short straw; but the
heads large and well filled. Metcalfe: Never better. Russell: All cut, and splendid.
Warren: Yield and quality much better than usual. Shelby: Thin stands, but good
heads. Lewis: About 67 per cent. harvested, with satisfactory results. Hardin: About
half acrop. Callaway : Damaged by heavy rains in June; much sprouted before being
cut.

Outo.—Adams : Thin, but well filled and of fine quality. Delaware: What was left is
coming out very well. airfield: That which stood the freezes, well filled, and of fine

225

quality. Geauga: Has improved very much. Perry: Thin, but very well filled;
Fultz and Clawson the best varieties. Shelby: Fine condition, but only half crop.

Vinton: Thin and short, but plump berry. Washington: Some very excellent crops.

Wood: The crop will be small, but the berry plump. Coshocton: About all in the

shock in good condition. Lucas: Late wheat badly rusted. Sandusky: Better than -
was expected ; will be half acrop. Muskingum: In the midst of harvest, and heavy

rains almost daily. Mercer: Above average in quality.

ARKANSAS.—Boone: Badly damaged by the fly. Cross: Damaged by rains. Saint
Francis: Considerable rust. Baxter: Harvested; half a crop. Crawford: Suffered
from rain during harvest. Yell: Damaged byrust. Clay: Injured byrust. Franklin:
Harvested; below average in yield, but made up by increased acreage. Prairie: The
Jennings white wheat the best we ever had. Jzard: Now in the shock; will make a
very small yield. Julion: Very indifferent. Johnson: Injured by rain in harvest and
shock. Marion: Rusted badly.

TENNESSEE.— Anderson : Damaged by rust. Decatur: Damaged by rust. Lincoln:
Twenty-five or 30 per cent. was sown unusually late and is much damaged by rust,
yet the entire crop will fall very little below average. Blount: Not more than half a
crop, owing to rust and spot. Gibson: Injured by rust and wet weather. Henry: Har-
vested in fair condition. Johnson: More than half harvested; the best for years.
Loudon: Badly damaged by rust. Monroe: Damaged by rust, and in the shock by
rains. Smith: Not more than 75 per cent. of a crop. Sullivan: Harvested in good
condition ; somesmut. nox: Injured by rust and by rain for the last ten days; many
shocks on the bottoms washed off. Sevier: Early sown, very good ; late, injured with
spot.

Micuican.—Montcalm: Heavy straw, but many fields badly injured byrust. Wayne:
Beginning to rust. Grand Traverse: Some injured by the fly. Hillsdale: All not win-
ter-killed looks well. Jonia: The midge and wet weather doing much damage. Lee-
lenaw : Never more promising. Midland: Never looked better. Allegan: The Clawson
and Fultz wheats look splendid, and do not rust as other varietiesdo. Barry: Rusting.
' Mason: Looks very well. Newaygo: Looks very slim. Mecosta: Retarded by exces-
sive rains.

Inp1ana.— Brown: Thin, but the grain good. Decatur: The crop very light, but the
grain good. Steuben: Has improved wonderfully. Switzerland: Thin stand, but qual-
ity never better. De Kalb: The weevil in smooth wheat will reduce the crop 25 per
cent. Howard: Some fields entirely destroyed by the midge. Bartholomew: The crop,
unpromising April 1, turns out almost a full average in quantity and quality. Carroll: In
the midst of harvest, and the wet weather threatens to ruin the crop. Fayette: A thin
stand in many fields, but the quality is good. Floyd: If not injured by rains in secur-
ing, the finest for fifteen years. Gibson : Endangered in the shock by continual rains.
Hamilton : Not over half a crop; the weevil has destroyed 25 to 33 per cent.; good in
quality. Hendricks: Cannot be cut owing to rains. Kosciusko: Harvesting, and it
will be bad for the crop if the rains continue. Martin: Harvesting under great diffi-
culties, as it rains nearly every day. Morgan: Fultz wheat does remarkably well.
Noble: Not more than half a crop. Orange: All cut and in the shock. Pike: Fear of
injury frem the continual rains. Wabash: The weevil, in all parts of the county, will
destroy 25 per cent. of the crop; the Fultz wheat appears to be weevil-proof. Wash-
ington : Some very thin stands, but all well headed and good grain; all in the shock,
but very unfavorable weather for stacking. Warren: Ready for harvest, but too much
rain. Wells: Light crop but plump berry; the weevil doing some damage, but not
serious. Clarke: Excellent in quality. John8on: Sprouting.

ILLINOIS.—Clinton : Very little stacking done; too much rain. Crawford: Spoiling
in the shock. Effingham: Light crops, but good in quality. Jersey: Good in yield and
quality ; the finest crop since 1864. Marion: Butlittle on the ground, and that badly
injured. Menard: Best crop for many years. Sangamon: Spoiling in theshock. Saint
Clair: Harvested in fine condition ; the kernel very good. White: The quality very
good, but the rains are spoiling it. Williamson: In the shock; the yield better than
last year, but the rains threaten ruin. Mason: Good. Perry: Thin stand, but good,
plump grain; in the shock, and in danger from excessive rains. Madison: Heavy and
of good quality. Pulaski: Great improvement in the ripening season; all in the
shock. Monroe: Sprouting in the shock; considerable destroyed by the overflow of
the eelseigpt. Monigomery : Thin stand, but fine, plump grain; in danger from wet
weather.

Wisconsin. —ftichland : Badly winter-killed. Walworth: Largely winter-killed.
Washington ; Rust.

MissourRI.—Cass : The best crop for many years. Phelps: Light crop; Hessian fly
injured it in localities. Barton: Fine. Osage: That put in with the drill, 50 per cent.
above average; that sown broadcast, 50 per cent. below. Chariton: Injured by con-
tinnous rains. Caldwell: Ready to cut, but we cannot get into the fields with reap-
ing-machines. Daviess: Very fair crop. Douglas: Badly damaged with the bng and
fly ; Fultz wheat the best in the county. JFvanklin: Will sprout unless the rain soon

226

ceases. Jasper: Mostly harvested; extra large fields and extra quality. Jefferson:
Badly rusted. Johnson: The fields wet and miry. McDonald: Thin stand, but good
grain. Pettis: In the shock, and endangered by rains. Platte: The yield above 20
bushels per acre, and the grain fulland plump. Malls: Never better. Ripley : Endan-
gered in the shock. Saint Charles: Damaged by rust on bottom-lands. Stone: Badly
damaged by rust, spot, and blight. Clay: Fine, but endangered by rains. Dent:
Materially damaged by the heavy rains; much washed away. Grundy: Looks well.
Perry: Thin stand, but good, plump berry; in the shock and sprouting badly.
Kansas.—Saline: Damaged by a green worm when heading in June. Sedgwick:
Drilled yields double that sown broadcast. Bourbon: In the shock in good order ; the
Jennings and Minorca wheat from the Department promise well; less affected by rust
than other kinds. Chase: A worm has been eating the heads to some extent ; grain
light, and of inferior quality. Elk: Greatly injured by much rain and high water.
Franklin: Inthe shock. Jackson: Never better; will be more in the county than ever
before, if pot injured in theshock. Labeite: Badly affected with rust and scab; threat-
ened with sprouting in the shock. Lyon: Rusted to some extent. Miami: Cut; very
fine. Montgomery : Not so well filled as expected, owing to wet weather ; some crops ten
feet under water at the time of heading. Cherokee: Injured by rust and the Hessian fly.
Ellis: That sown in August or early in September has made a good crop ; but most of
it was sown later, owing to the difficulty of procuring seed, and did not sprout till
spring. Neosho: Injured by rust and fly, and being damaged in the shock. Reno: All
cut; not as heavy as expected. Wabaunsee: The best crop ever harvested, in yield
and quality.
CALIFORNIA.—Contra Costa: Will be the largest crop harvested in this State. Yuba:
Good, with increase over last year. Santa Clara: Promising a fair harvest.
OrEGON.—Linn : Injured by wet weather. ‘
Daxora.— Davison: Suffered from drought; with deep plowing, and drilled five or |
six inches deep, does well. Buffalo: Suffering from severe drought.
MontTana.—Jefferson : Will be greatly reduced by grasshoppers.
New Mexico.—Taos: Half destroyed already by grasshoppers.

SPRING-WHEAT.

This crop, according to our July returns, shows about 85 per cent. of
an average condition. It has improved or held its own since June
1 in all the New England States except Connecticut. In New York it
improved to full average, while in Pennsylvania it fell below. The cul-
ture of spring-wheat is reported at several points in the South, but it is
of too inconsiderable importance to attract statistical Inquiry. In the
States north of the Ohio River it has fallen off, as also in the States
west of the Mississippi, except Kansas, in which it has considerably
advanced. Highland, Ohio, reports the Odessa as the most promising
spring-wheat ever sown in that county. Several counties complain of
chinch-bugs, others of excessive rains, and still others of drought. The
grasshopper and Hessian fly also did some local injury. On the Pacific
coast late rains have improved the crop, which is above average in
California, and nearly average in Oregon. Reports from the Territories
show the ravages of grasshoppers in several sections.

Matne.— Oxford: Looking well. Cumberland: Promising.

VeERMONT.— Caledonia: Looking well.

Trexas.—Gillespie: Injured by late frost and drought; not more than 3 or 4 bushels
per acre.

TENNESSEE.— Monroe: Almost ruined by rust.

Out1o.— Delaware: Never better. Highland: The Odessa wheat promises better than
any other variety ever introduced here.

MicniGcan.—Emmet: Looks very fine. Tosco: Greatly increased acreage. Leelenaw:
Never more promising. Mason: Looks very well.

ILLriNoIs.— Ogle: Injured by chinches. Putman: Almost ruined by rust. Schuyler:
Good growth, but badly rusted. Winnebago: Very poor. Mason: Poor. Carroll:
Thin stands and sickly appearance. Lee: Thin and light stands.

WISCONSIN.—Dunn: Spring sowing delayed by excessive rains. Dodge: Crops look
well. Douglas: Seeding delayed by cold spring. Grant; Threatened by chinches.
Outagamie: Looks well; abundant rains; bottom crops inundated, but high-land
crops greatly benefited by the abundant rains. Walworth; Injured by chinches. Mon-
roe: Smal! grain, fine.. Washington: Injured by chinches. Green: Chinches bad.

227

Mrinnesora.—Blue Earth: Injured by extreme hot and dry weather; red rust pre-
vailing. Jillmore: More rain of late, but the effects of drought still visible. Lyon:
Drought, but rain at last. McLeod: Thinned and shortened by drought on old land;
on new land, deep plowed, the crop is abundant. Mower: Great improvement in tea
days; crop three-fourths average; good rains of late. Sibley: Crop the best yet raised
here. Steele: Irregular; injured by May freshets and subsequent drought. Wabasha:
Injured by heavy rains following drought; wheat stooled but little, and is now very
thin. Waseca: Shortened by drought; some reports of Hessian fly. Watonwan:
Grasshoppers, Hessian fly, and drought injurious. Winona: Thin, but looks well.
Redwood: Damaged by drought and grasshoppers; half crop. Stearns: Crop, average.
Wright: Good on prairie, but injured on timber-land by drought. Meeker: Greatly in-
jured by drought. Furibault: Injured by heat and drought. Goodhue: Outlook not
flattering, especially old fields.

Towa.—Cherokee: Saved by late rains. Clinton: Many fields very thin; not worth
harvesting. Des Moines: Too much rain. Hancock: Continued drought in May very
injurious; some reports of Hessian flies. Hardin: Some unknown influence for evil.
Howard: Something unknown operating against the crop. Humboldt: Generally poor.
Jackson: Injured by fly, chinch, and rust. Johnson : Thin crop from imperfect seed, and
chinches. Madison: Injured by drought. Mahaska: Looks very badly; poor seed and
other causes. Marion ; Unpromising ; chinches, rust, and blight. Much of it has been
plowed up. Marshall: Puny, but improving; not stalks enough for over half a crop.
Mitchell: Half crop; rust and fly. Yama: Very thin, and some turning yellow; fly
at work at the joints. Iranklin: Injured by drought. Audubon: Drought very de-
structive. Clay: A few fields injured by the fly.. Jefferson: Scarce worth harvesting.
Monona: Serious injury from drought. O’Brien: Extremely dry. Washington : Looks
had. Woodbury: Looks very fine.

Kansas.—Chase: Improved 15 per cent. in June. Lincoln: Drying up, and plenty
of chinches working on it. Republic: Very weedy.

NEBRASKA.—Cuming: Short straw, but healthy, and a prospect of a good yield.
Lancaster: That sowed previous to April 20 isin splendid condition. Stantorn: Injured
by smut. Antelope: Good, but the weather too dry. Dodge: Recent rains will insure
a crop of good quality, though not average in yield. Platte: Short straw, but the
yield may be greater than last year. Douglas: Thin stand and short straw, owing to
early dry weather.

CaLirorniA.— Yuba: Much better than usual, owing to late rains.

OREGON.—Linn: Splendid. Clackamas: Looks well considering the lateness of the
sowing.

Daxora.—Hanson: Suffering from drought. Richland: Cut off 50 per cent. by long
drought and young grasshoppers.

MonTANA.—Jefferson : Will be greatly reduced by grasshoppers.

New Mexico.—Taos: Half destroyed already by grasshoppers. San Miguel: Owing
to ravages of grasshoppers a great deal has beeu plowed up and planted with corn. All
kinds of insects bad, owing to the dry weather.

RYE.

Winter-rye is full average in New England as a whole, and spring-rye
somewhat above. The Middle States cultivate but little spring-rye. The
winter-grain improved during June, though drought in New Jersey still
leaves its impress upon the crop. In the Southern States only winter-
rye is raised, and that in no large quantity. The South Atlantic States
are about average, and the Gulf States considerably below. In the
southern inland States winter-rye ranges from 83 in Arkansas to 109 in
West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, being nearly average. North
of the Ohio River spring-rye re-appears in increasing quantities, and is
above average in Michigan and Wisconsin, but considerably below in
the other States. Winter-rye is above average in Michigan, and below
in all the other States. West of the Mississippi River, in Minnesota
and Iowa winter-rye is below average and in the other States above.
In the southern portions of this section rains are reported as injuring
the standing crops with rust, and as spoiling the harvested crops in the
shock. Spring-rye is about average on the whole. The crop is about
average on the Pacific coast.

New Yorik.— Westchester: Splendid. Saratoga: Very irregular, and heads small.
Washington : Winter-rye never poorer; spring, average.

228

PENNSYLVANIA.—Indiana: Good. York: Large crop. Bedford: Very good in the
northern part.

MarYLAND.—Caroline : Well filled.

VirGinia.— Madison: Very good. Highland: Never better.

SourH CAROLINA.—Orangeburgh : Harvested ; 110.

GEORGIA.—Towns: Best for years.

ALABAMA.—Lauderdale: Almost a failure.

Trxas.—Medina: Curtailed by a drought of two and a half months.

ARKANSAS.—Izard : Now in the shock; will make a small yield.

West Virerinia.—Pendleton: Very good.

Bie SPORE Short yield but fine quality. Afason: Increased acreage and
very fine.

Micnican.—Mason: Looks very well.

Inprana.—WMartin: Endangered by rains in harvest.

ILLINOIS.—Sangamon: Spoiling in the shock. Mason: Looks well.

MissourI.—Cass: The best crop for many years. Caldwell: Ready to cut, but we
cannot get into the fields for wet. Clay: Fine, but endangered by rains.

Kawnsas.—Jackson: Never better.

OATS.

The oats-crop improved during June in most of the States. Rhode
Island reports a large falling off, but this is more than counterbalanced
by the large increase in the other New England States. The drought
injured the crop in some localities during the latter half of June. The.
Middle States have risen above average, except Delaware, in which the
previous low June condition was still further reduced. The South At-
lantic States, except Maryland and Georgia, fell off during June, but
the condition of the whole is considerably above average. The Gulf
States about held their own, and are a little above average. Of the
Southern inland States, all except Arkansas report an improved condi-
tion, yet they are still below the average. The States north of the Ohio
Ktiver all improved during June, and are a full average on the whole.
West of the Mississippi River, Kansas shows a marked improvement,
reaching 108, but all the other States of this section declined in condi-
tion and are below average. The Pacific States are above average,
California having maintained her June condition, and Oregon having im-
proved hers. It will be observed from the following notes that public
opinion in the South is settling down decidedly in favor of winter-crops
of oats. In some parts of the Northwest rust affected the crops of some
counties.

The crop of the whole country, taken together, is about average.

MaArIne.— Oxford: Promise well.

VERMONT.—Caledonia: Looking well.

Massacuuserrs.—Bristol : Somewhat injured by dry weather in the. latter half of
June.

New Yor«.—Albany : Very good. Otsego: Looks finely. Genesee: Somewhat injured
by drought. Saratoga: The early-sown dving finely. Oswego: Better than usual.
Drie: Need rain badly.

New JrersEY.—Warren: Suffering for the want of rain.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Perry: Prospect of fullcrop. Indiana: Doing finely. Armstrong:
Late, and somewhat injured by drought the last of May. Beaver: Have suffered from
drought. Union: Looks well. lk: Splendid.

MarYLAND.—Caroline; Looks well. Howard: Unusually good. Wicomico: A good
crop on high land; on low land, thin, but of good quality. Saltimore: Fine ;+another
rain will make a heavy yield.

VIRGINIA.—Caroline: Favorable season. Madison: Better than usual. Warwick:
A good crop of winter-oats harvested ; spring-oats much injured by rust. Chesterfield:
Spring-oats very poor. Powhatan: Winter-oats exceedingly heavy ; spring-oats scarcely
worth reaping. luvanna: Very poor. King George: Have risen from a most unprom-
ising condition to a full crop. Orange: Have suffered from drought. Prince William:
Thin stands, but the heads large and well filled. Spottsylvuania: Promise well. Camp-
bell: Very inferior. James Cily: Fall-oats first rate; spring came up badly, but have
branched unusually well. ing and Queen: Very fine. Prince Hdward: The erop will

229

be somewhat shortened by the dry weather. Hulifux: Fall-oats poor; spring injured
by frost and rust. Charles City: Fall-oats good ; spring destroyed by frost and drought.
Highland: Never better. Narthampton: Seriously injured by fly and rust.

NORTH CARroLina.—Alamance: Winter-oats good, but spring-oats bring the whole
erop below an average. /Vilson: Winter, ood ; spring, medium. Camden: A good
crop housed. Davie: Thin, owing to cold weather in March, Her tford : Spring-oats
injured by rust. Caldwell: Injured by excessive rains.

SoutH CaroLina.—Clarendon: A heavy yield; all harvested in good condition.
Chester : Damaged 16 per cent. by excessive rain for six days. Newberry: The yield
abundant, and most of the crop has been harvested without damage. Lexington:
Never better ; housed in good condition. Orangeburgh: Harvested ; "130. Laurens:
The best for ten years.

GEORGIA.— Dooly : Large acreage, Ae the best yield ever known. Elbert: Continued
rains for a week in harvest have injured the crop. Gordon: Fall-oats extra good.
Marion: Never better. Thomas: Good, and housed in good condition, Troup: Fall-
oats fine; spring, a total failure from rust. Upson: The finest ever grown. Worth:
A large acreage harvested, and the best crop ever seen. Gwinnett: Fall, above aver-
age; spring, injured by rust 33 per cent. or more. Baldwin: The acreage estimated by
good judges at 400, and the condition 150. Cherokee: The Holstein oats from the De-
partment made a fine yield. Clayton: Both fall and spring very good, thongh some-
what injured by rust. Columbia: Becoming a drug in the market. AMancock: Very
fine. Henry: Good. Randolph: Very good crop harvested. Richmond: Fuliy 125 in
acreage and 125 in condition, but injured by the excessive rains. Coweta: Fall-oats
are good, especially red rust- -proof. One farmer made 115 bushels on one acre; another,
o77 bushels on seven acres; and a yield of 60 to90 bushels per acre is common. Jeffer-
son: Unusually large and good crop. McDuffie: The best crop in quantity and quality
ever raised in Georgia by far. Cobb: Harvested; fall-oats, the best ever raised; spring,
almost a failure from rust. Walton: Both winter and spring oats excellent. Wilcox:
Ali housed and a good yield. Jackson: A good crop. Lincoin: Large individual losses

by the flood sweeping off the stacks from the bottoms, and considerable damage by
sprouting in the shock. fulton: Slightly damaged by rust, but full quantity, owing
to increased acreage.

FLoRIDA.— Madison: More planted than ever before,and never better. Leon: All
housed, and a splendid yield. Gadsden : Increased acre age harvested in good condition,
and the yield considerably above average.

ALABAMA.—Greene: Rusted badly. Crenshaw : All rust-proof oats good. Calhoun:
Very fine. Barbour: Spring oats generally a failure, but owing to the large area of
winter rust-proof, the yield is good. Lauderdale: Heavy and good. De Kalb: Mate-
rially damaged by rust, the rust-proof only escaping.

Mississipp1.— Grenada ; The Holstein oats from the Department suffered a little from
rust, but will make a fine yield. Perry: Not over half a crop,owing to rust anda
cold spring. Clarke: Harvested,and a very good yield. Cherokee: Have done well.
Lincoin : Housed in good condition ; decreased yield made up by increase in acreage.
Winston: The Holstein oats a failure ; the rust took them and they fell down.

Trexas.—Harvested, and a heavy yield. Panola: Spring oats nearly all ruined by
rust. Fall oats, rust-proof, very fine; all harvested. Upshur : Harvested ; 25 per cent.
above last year. Williamson: Large acreage, immense yield, ‘and good quality. Cald-
well: Acreage 200 and yield 150. Medina: Curtailed by a drought of two and a half
months. ed River: Rusted badly. Burleson: Yield good—as high as 75 bushels per
acre; average 40 bushels. Collin: Damaged by rust. Dallas: Harvested ; 40 bushels
per acre. Smith: Rains favorable for the crops. Shelby: Badly damaged by rust ; the
red oats average. Titus: Acreage large, and the yield never better; red rust-proof
sown. Bexar: Will average 40 “bushels per acre. Burnet: Rusted. Cooke: Whole
fields rnined by flood. Fannin : About 60 bushels per acre.

ARKANSAS.— Boone: Badly damaged by rust. Cross: Damaged by rains. Saint Francis:
Rusted to some extent. Baxter; Not quite as good as last year. Crawford : Injured by
early drought. Yell: Damaged by rust. Clay: Injured by rust. Franklin: Injured
by rast. Bradley: Red, rust-proof, a fair yield; all other kinds almost worthless from
rust. Jzard: Better than wheat andrye. Fulton; Early-sown, good; late, injured by
rust. Marion: Rusted badly.

TENNESSEE.— Decatur: Some rust. Blount: Rust threatens a failure. Monroe:
Good. James: A large and good crop raised and cut. Bradley: Injured by rain in
harvest. Giles: Being cut ; unusually good. Meigs: Nearly ruined by rust. obert-
son: Low, and pS by rust. Macon: Injured by rust. Greene: Fall oats splendid ;
spring, not good

WEST VinGINrA.— Tucker : Will be short, owing to So afaeys Pocahontas: Fine pros-
pect. Monroe: Better than for many years. Wetzel: Materially injured by dry
weather. Doddridge: Net more than half a crop.

Kenrucky.—-Ohio: Almost ruined by rust. Pendleton: Not good. Taylor: Taking
rust. Bath: Decidedly impreved by rains. Afason: Have improved wonder fully ul-

230

der showers, and promise a good crop. Owsley: Rusted badly. Russell: Destroyed by
rust. Shelby: Show good heads, but many fields too short to cut, owing to drought.
Lewis: Short in stem but plump. Hardin: Some rust.

Oxn10.—ddams: Very short; many fields will not make half acrop. Lorain: A large
growth, and early. Perry: Quite short; early spring, very dry. Lucas: Being injured
by wet weather. Hancock: Overgrown. ;

MicHIGAN.— Wexford: Early-sown never so good. Calhoun: Very luxuriant. Em-
mett: Look very fine. Josco: Greatly increased acreage. Burry: Rusting. Tuscola:
Looking splendid. Mecosta: Retarded by excessive raius.

InpiAna.—Brown: Rusting badly. Decatur: Tall and heavy. Fayette: Slightly
affected with rust. Hamilton: A large crop, looking finely. Martin: Rusted badly,

and threatened with ruin by rain in harvest. Noble: Gvod. Clark: Short stalk, but—

well headed.

Intiwors.— Crawford: Rusting. Effingham: Damaged by too nuch rain. Saint Clair:
Good. Mason: Look well. Madison: Rather short, and affected by rust.

MinNesora.—Sibley : Finest crop yet raised. Wright: Short, and rusting.

Missourt.—Chariton: Suffered from early drought. Curter: In many places will be
worthless fromrust. Douglas: Badly damaged by rust. Jasper: Badly killed with rust.
McDonald: Injured by rust. Mississippi: Very much damaged by the continued rains.
Pettis: Not nearly so heavy as last year. alls: Short. Saint Charles : Very short,
owing to drought in May. Stone: Nearly destroyed by rust. Clay: Fine, but en-
dangered by rains. Maries: Thin, and symptoms of rust. Perry: Look well, but
threatened with rust.

Kansas.—Bourbon: Look well, except that they are badly rusted. Chase: Extra.
Labette: Thin and short; too much rain. Lyon:. Rusted to some extent. Wabaunsee:
Never any crop like it seen in this section; many fields are estimated to yield 75 bush-
els per acre.

NEBRASKA.— Antelope : Good, but too dry weather.

OrREGON.—Clackamas : Considering the lateness of sowing, look well.

Daxora.—Davison: Suffered from drought. Buffalo: Suffering from severe drought.
Harrison : Suftered from drought,

Montana.—Jefferson: Are taking the place of wheat.

New Mexico.—Taos : The crop has escaped the grasshopper to some extent ; but it
is doubtful if it will, after they bave finished the wheat.

\

BARLEY.

Winter-barley is grown only in the central latitudes to any extent;
but small portions are grown in the South; while in the more northern
States the spring-growing alone is reported. In New England, New
York, Michigan, and Oregon, spring-barley is above average, and in
other States within the same parallels it is below. In the belt next
southward, Ohio and California are above average, and other States
from 1 to 17 per cent. below. Of winter-barley, Texas, Kentucky, Wis-
cousin, Kansas, Nebraska, and California are above average, and all
other States below. Chinches have injured it in some parts of Kansas.
In Dakota it appears to stand drought better than either wheat or
oats.

New Yoru.—Albany: Very good. Oisego: Look finely. Genesee: Somewhat injured
by drought. rie: Needs rain badly.

PENNSYLVANIA.— York: A large crop.

Texas.—Caldwell: Acreage, 200; yield, 150. Dallas: Harvested ; 40 bushels per acre.
Fannin: About 50 bushels per acre.

Kenrucky.—Mason: Very fine, and all harvested in good order.

Oxnto.— Miami: Mostly harvested ia splendid condition.

MicuiGcan.—Calhoun: Very luxuriant. :

IntrNors.— Ogle: Injured by chinches. Winnebago: Very poor. Carroll: Thin stand,
and sickly appearance.

MINNESOTA.—Sibley: Finest crop yet raised.

Kansas.—Lincoln: Drying up, and plenty of chinches working on it.

CALIFORNIA.—Contra Costa: The crop will be the largest harvested in this State.
Yuba: Has turned out well. Santa Clara: A small crop.

Daxora.—Hanson: Stood the dry weather better than wheat and oats.

231
PASTURES.

The superior condition of pastures reported the Ist of June is fully
maintained. Drought has reduced the average in New Jersey to 85,
‘dry weather in Minnesota to 99, and Rhode Island returns an average
of 95; but in all the other States the average ranges from 100 upward—
reaching in Arkansas 114; Michigan, 112; Illinois, Wisconsin, and
Oregon, 110; Maine, 109; Vermont, Texas, Kentucky, and Ohio, 108;
Delaware, North Carolina, and Kansas, 107; West Virginia, Indiana,
and Missouri, 106; New Hampshire, New York, Alabama, Louisiana,
and Iowa, 105.

MaAtne.—Oxford: Good.

MaAssacuuseEtts.—Bristol: Injured by dry weather, except on low lands.

ConnecticuT.—New London: Suffering from dry weather.

New YorxK.—Not as good as last year. Westchester: Suffering from dry weather.
Otsego: Luxuriant. Suffolk: Shortened by dry weather.

New Jersey.—Gloucester: Injured by severe drought. Warren: Very short, from
drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Indiana: Prime. Armstrong: Good. Beaver: Have suffered from
drought.

MARYLAND.— Caroline: Never better. Howard: Very good.

VirGIni.—Chesterfield: Short from dry weather. Orange: Have suffered from
drought. Dinwiddie: Drying up. Charles City: A severe drought for four weeks has
burned up the pastures.

NortH Caroiina.—Haywood: Better than for many years.

GrorGia.— Walton: Excellent. Carroll: Good.

ALABAMA.— Lauderdale: Never better.

Mississipri.—Perry : Better than last year 10 per cent. Jefferson: Poor; too dry.

LovIs1aNa.—Jackson : Very superior.

TEXAs.— Williamson: Never better; cattle fat. Red River: Better than for years.
Bee: A great many pastures being inclosed, and improved stock being imported from
Kentucky and other places. Dallas: Very good. Titus: Acreage large,and the con-
dition never better. Washington: Excellent, and stock of all kinds thrifty and fat.
Travis : Never better ; native grass abundant.

TENNESSEE.—Gibson : Never better. Monroe: Never better. Sevier: Better than
ever before. Bradley: Neverbetter. Giles: Neverbetter. Polk: Excellent. Greene:
Never better.

West ViIRGINIA.—Pocahontas: Thick set and luxuriant. Braxton: Very good. Pen-
dleton : Never better.

KEentTUuCcKY.—Spencer: Heavily covered with white clover. Russell: Splendid.

Ou10.— Ashtabula: Good ; this is a cheese-making county, on the factory system, and
a full average will be manufactured. Lorain: Excellent. Portage: The white clover
whitening thousands of acres. Jackson: Extra good. Hancock: Never better.

MICHIGAN.—Emmett : Very fine. Mason: Look very well. Mecosta: Abundant.

Inp1iana.— Decatur : Good.

ILtirwois.— Hardin: Never better.

Missouri.—Chariton : Good. Stone: Fine. Clay: Good, but not fully restored from
the effects of the grasshoppers last year. Harrison: Fine.

CALIFORNIA.—Sonoma: Better than for twenty-five years.

CoLorapo.—ZI Paso: The prairies never looked more promising.

Uran.— Morgan: More pasturage on the hills than for many years. Mane: Feed on
the ranches drying up for want of rain.

MonTANA.—Jefferson : Very fine, owing to the wet season.

THE GRASS-CROP.

The clover-crop improved during June in nearly all the Atlantic and
‘Gulf coast States, declined in nearly the whole of the Mississippi Val-
ley, and improved on the Pacific slope. Maine, Vermont, Massachu-
setts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa are
from 1 to 10 per cent. below average, the minimum being in Minnesota.
The other States are all above average, the maximum, 111, being in
South Carolina and Tennessee. Timothy makes a still more favorable
showing. The only States below average are Maine, New Hampshire,

2A

232

Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ne-
braska, the minimum, 86, being in the last-named State. All the other
States are above average, the maximum, 109, being in Oregon. The
hay-crops will be ample for the necessities of the year.

MaINE.—Penobscot: Will be heavy. Waldo: Grass first-rate. Piscataquis: Good —

prospect of a bountiful crop. Oxford: Clover winter-killed in many places ; timothy
seems to suffer from too much moisture. Fvanklin: Very promising. Cumberland :
Will be abundant.

New HaMPsHIRE.—AHillsborough: Abundant. Mockingham: The prospect not so good
as last year.

VERMONT.—Ruiland: Light. Caledonia: Clover badly winter-killed; other grass
looking finely. Orleans: Indications of a light crop.

ConneEctTicutT.—New London: Timothy somewhat affected by dry weather.

New Yor«.—Dutchess : Clover and timothy reduced by drought. Otsego: Mead-
ows promise well. Warren: Will not be average; June, too dry. Washing-
ton: Timothy never looked poorer. Suffolk: Shortened on allold mowing grounds
by dry weather. rie: Not as heavy a growth of clover and timothy as last year.
Richland : Short, owing to dry weather. Allegany: A larger crop never seen.

New JERSEY.—Sussex : Will be a good crop ; some already secured in good condition.
Warren: Clover very short and thin; timothy not as heavy and thick as was antici-
pated, owing to drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Cameron: Excellent. Jndiana: Clover and timothy are all that
could be wished. York: The early or first crop a good one and now housed. <Arm-
strong: Meadows good; growing fast as they can. Union: Haymaking nearly over,
and a heavier crop than for several years. Tioga: The heaviest crop in twenty years.
Elk: Will be the largest crop in five years.

MARYLAND.—Caroline: A large crop of clover and timothy. Howard: Clover and
timothy very good. Harford: Promise ofa very good crop. Baltimore: A heavy crop
of rather coarse clover; hay secured.

VirGinis.—Madison: Timothy above average and clover better than for many years.
Russell: Clover, timothy, and other grasses very good. Chesterfield: Timothy injured
by dry weather through June; clover short, but nicely cured, Powhatan: A fine yield
of cloverand timothy. Fluvanna: Clover, timothy, and other grass very good. Orange:
The hay crop has suffered from drought. Spottsylvania: The hay-crop is very large
thoughout the county. Campbell: Anabundanthay-crop. Dinwiddie: Clover has been
seriously affected by the dry weather. Charles City: Clover burned up by a severe
drought for the past four weeks. Highland: The heaviest crop of hay for many
years.

NorTH Carouina.—Alamance: Clover-crop not so good as usual.

SoutH Caroiina.—Laurens : Much German millet has been sown, and looks luxuri-
ant; clover cut and better than usual.

GrorGIA.— Baldwin : Clover and Italian rye-grass barely introduced; both promise
well on asmallscale. JValton: Our farmers are giving grasses some attention and they
promise well. Fulton: Fine yield of clover.

Texas.— Bowie: Small patches of clover sown last year are yielding an abundant
crop. Williamson: Grass never better. Millet and Hungarian grass raised for forage.
Collin: Alfalfa fine. Titus: Acreage of clover, timothy, and blue-grass rapidly in-
creasing and doing finely.

TENNESSEE.—Lincoln: The clover-crop never better. Gibson: Clover and timothy
very luxuriant. Monroe: Clover very fine and timothy good. Rhea: A good season
for grass. Sullivan: Clover and timothy excellent. James: Clover fine; too much
rain for hay-making. Sevier: Clover better than ever before. Lradley: Clover,
timothy, and red-top exceedingly fine. Greene: Clover very extra and timothy above
average.

WEsT VIRGINIA.— Tucker : Grass will be short owing to drought. Pocahontas: Clover
excellent and timothy very good. Braxton: Clover and timothy good. Grant: Mea-
dows very good. Pendleton: Meadowsnever better. Monroe: More grass for hay than
grew last year and year before.

KENTUCKY.—Spencer : Abundant rains have improved the grass very much. Russell:
Meadows splendid. Hardin: Clover looks well and timothy good but for the white-
blossom. Callaway: Clover, timothy, and herd’s-grass never better.

Ou10.—Lorain: Meadows never better. Portage: Have not seen meadows, old and
new, looking so well in twenty years. Wood: About half the clover spoiled on the
ground. Defiance: The crop of clover cannot be saved owing to excessive rains.
Licking: Hindered somewhat by rains in saving the crop. Lucas: A large growth of
clover; some of it rotting, cut and uncut, owing to excessive rains. Miami: Grasses
of all kinds never so good. Jayne: Clover heavy and down. Hancock: Clover and
timothy superabundant. Muskingum: Large quantities of clover mowed and ruined
on the ground by heavy rains.

233

MICHIGAN.— Wayne: Much clover cut, but, owing to continuous rains, but little
secured in good condition. Wexford; Clover and timothy never better. Delia: Grass
extra good. Lenawee: Clover heavy and rotting. Calhoun: Injured by continuous
heavy rains; timothy very luxuriant. Hillsdale: Bad time for haying; very wet.
Tosco: Grass of all kinds trying to overdo itself. Washtenaw: Very heavy crop, but
too wet to secure it. Allegan: Gone past its time for cutting, owing to rain for the
past fifteen days. Barry: Very wet—bad for saving hay. Mecosta: Never better.

Inpiana.—Lake: No haying can be done owing to continual rains for three weeks
past, and clover, which ought to be cut, is being injured. Decatur : Clover is good,
but the rains prevent cutting and curing. Carroll: The wet weather has already
destroyed a considerable portion of the clover-hay. Dearborn: The low estimate of
timothy, 75, is due to the enormous growth of white-weed. The meadows in this part
of the State are white with its blossoms. Hamilton: Timothy extra good. Hendricks:
Clover cannot be cut owing tocontinued rains. Kosciusko: Hundreds of tons of clover
will rot on the fields, and more in the stack. Martin: Clover and grass cannot be cut
for the rains. Wells : Impossible to make clover-hay owing to wet weather. Whitley:
Mauch rain makes it hard for hay-making.

ILLINoIS.— Hardin : Meadows never better. Menard: Clover and the grasses are rot-
ting from the effects of wet weather; timothy as fine as ever grew. Mercer: Grasses
remarkably good. Saint Clair: Prospect for a fine crop of grasses never better. Saint
Clair: Timothy, clover, and other grasses good and plenty; clover never harvested in
better condition. Shelby: Clover being ruined for want of fair weather to make it.

WISCONSIN.— Walworth: Grass-crops largely winter-killed ; old meadows light. Mon-
roe: Grass-crops fine.

Iowa.—Clinton : Grass-crops of all kinds very good. Mahaska: Large quantities of
Hungarian grass sown, owing to failure of wheat.

Missourt.—Chariton: Clover and timothy, which suffered from early dry weather,
improved by recent rains. Adair; Hay-crop will beshort, owing to the May drought.
Johnson: Young clover and timothy look well. Little clover and no timothy escaped
' the grasshopper last year. Saint Charles: Very short, owing to drought in May.
Stone: Clover and timothy fine. Clay: Timothy good, but clover scarce and poor.

Kansas.—Douglas : Grass was never better. Republic: Very little clover sown, but
that is growing finely.

CaLirornia.—Santa Clara: The hay-crop is at least 50 per cent. greater than in any
former year, and it is chiefly of good quality. Sonora: Grass better than for twenty-
five years. A vast increase in the acreage of alfalfa.

OREGON.—Multnomah ; The rainy spring has greatly favored meadows. Linn: The
hay-crop will be of unusual excellence.

WASHINGTON.—Thurston: The hay-crop abundant, but will be injured by rot, being
badly lodged.

POTATOES,

The acreage planted in potatoes in 1876 is about 8 per cent. less than
in 1875. The States equaling or exceeding last year’s acreage are Maine,
100; Delaware, 100; North Carolina, 103; South Carolina, 101; Geor-
gia, 102; Alabama, 101; Texas, 136; Arkansas, 106; Tennessee, 101;
Minnesota, 100; Missouri, 125; Kansas, 112; California, 110; Oregon,
108. The greatest reductions were New Jersey, 31 per cent.; New York,
15 per cent.; Rhode Island, 12 per cent.; and Ohio, 11 per cent. The
general reduction in the northern and central parts of the Atlantic slope
was doubtless due to the visitation of the Colorado beetles. In those
States below the range of that pest there has been an increased acreage.
In the States north of the Ohio River, and in West Virginia and Ken-
tucky, there has been a general falling off. But in the States west of
the Mississippi and on the Pacific slope there has been a marked in-
crease, except in Iowa and Nebraska, which have somewhat reduced
their acreage.

The condition of the crop does not present as marked variations asin
former years. The highest State average, 107, is in Georgia, and the
lowest, 84, is in Louisiana. New Jersey, 87, is especially troubled with
drought and Colorado beetles, and in Connecticut, 85, the conditions of
growth have been unfavorable. The New England and Middle States
as a whole are below average, but all the other sections are full average

234

or slightly above. The following notes from our statistical correspond-
ence illustrate the local variations of condition :

MaiIne.— Piscataquis: Decreased acreage. Cumberland: Promising.

New Yorx.—Albany: Look well; but the beetles are here. JVestchester : Many acres
ruined by the beetle. Dutchess: Injured by the beetle. Olsego: Overrun with beetles.
Genesee: Diminished acreage, owing to low prices. Saratoga: Less acreage through
fear of the beetle; the crop badly injured by it in some localities. Columbia: Being
injured by the beetle to some extent. Orange: The prospect materially affected by
the ravages of the beetle. Suffolk: The beetle ravaging the crop. Yates: Doing
nicely, except where taken by the beetle. ings: Mach injured by the beetle. Rich-
land: The beetle would destroy all if let alone.

New JERSEY.—Gloucestey: Greatly injured by drought. Susser: About half the
acreage of last year; will be a good crop where the beetle has been fought with Paris
green. JWJarren: Look well where the beetle has been kept off.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Cameron: Look well. Clearfield: Small acreage, but look well.
Indiana: Excellent. Bucks: Acreage decreased 25 per cent. on account of the beetle,
and that will shorten the crop planted. Delaware: Show well. Union: Promise of a
good crop.

MaryLanp.—Howard: Small acreage on account of the beetle. Chesterfield: Early
Rose very fine in size and quality. Baltimore: Indications of a fine crop.

ViIRGINIA.—Orange: Early will be very short owing to drought. Llizabeth City:
Early turn out better than last year, and command a better price.

Nort Caroiina.—RHertford : Excellent. Caldwell: Injured by excessive rains.

SoutH CaRroLina.—Colleton: Never better.

GEORGIA.—Hancock: Very fine. Haralson: Two weeks late, but looking well. Jef-
ferson: Unusually large and good crop. JlcDuffie: A dry May and wet June have been
the life of the crop. Walton: Good.

FLoripsa.—Jackson: Short. Gadsden: The acreage was increased fully 300 per cent.,
but the condition is 25 per cent. below average.

ALABAMA.—Lauderdale: A good crop; all made.

Mississrpp1.—Perry: Better than last year 10 per cent.

Texas.— Harrison: Doubling our crop. Upshur: Better than last year. Burleson:
Cut short by drought in April and May.

TENNESSEE.—Gibson: Come up badly ; too much wet weather. Zoudon: Extra fine.
Polk: Excellent. Greene: Very promising.

WEST VIRGINIA.—Grant: The old black-striped potato-beetle has again appeared in
large numbers. Monroe: Fine. Wetzel; Materially injured by dry weather.

Kentucky.— Lewis: Short, owing to dry weather.

Ou10.—dAdams: Look well. Portage: Promise to be plenty as last year. Washing-
ton: A large crop planted; look well. Defiance: Damaged by excessive rains.
Lucas: Bugs and weeds are thriving better than potatoes.

MIcHIGAN.—Ottawa: Too much rain. Muskegon: Suffering on heavy lands from ex-
cessive rains.

Inp1aNnA.—Clarke: Very good. Madison: Look well.

Kansas.—Lyon: Rotting. Montgomery: Acreage, 338. Reno: Extra good.

NEBRASKA.—Antelope: Toodry. Dodge: Doing well.

OREGON.—Clachamas : Considerably injured by late rains, and very backward.

Utau.—Kane: All early potatoes were cut down by the frost of May 17.

‘DaxorTa.—Buffalo: Suttering from drought and ravages of the beetle.

SWEET-POTATOES.

In nearly all the States reporting this crop the acreage has been in
creased, while in the others the decline has been but small. The larg-
est increase, 14 per cent., is noted in Georgia and Kansas, and the great-
est decline, 9 per cent., in Ohio. Pennsylvania has fallen off 1 per cent.
and Indiana 2 per cent. All the other States show a decided increase,
making a net increase on the whole of about 6 percent. The condition
of the crop is above average on the whole, but the range of variation
is very narrow. The maximum, 109, is in Texas, and the minimum, 94,
in Louisiana. The large-producing States are all full average, or a lit-
tle above, while the deficiencies of the few low-average States are very
small. The present indications point to a very fair crop in all States
where this plant is grown.

235

VirGiniA.—Chesterfield: Large acreage, planted in good time, and looking well..
Northampton: Cannot expect more than 75 per cent. of a crop, owing to diseased
plants and fleas. :

NortH CaroLina.— Wake: Rather dry for setting the plants.

SoutH Caronina.—Clarendon : Very promising. Colleton: Never better.

GEORGIA.—Very fine ; acreage 200, and condition 150. Henry: More planted than
last year by 25 per cent.; nearly all the freedmen have a patch. Jefferson: Unusually
large and good crop. McDuffie: A dry May and wet June have been the life of the
crop. Walton: Good.

FLoripa.—Jackson : Will be deficient, owing to drought in May.

ALABAMA.— Covington : Unfavorable season for setting out the vines. Crenshaw:
Fine. Lauderdale: Looking well. Conecuh: Increased acreage and more advanced
than last year.

Texas.— Waller: Fine weather for the crop. Austin: Promise well. Dallas: Never
better. JVashington: Quite promising.

TENNESSEE.—Gibson : Doing well; fine season for setting the plants.

KENTUCKY.—Gallatin: Remarkably fine.

Missourrt.—Cut short by dry weather at the time of setting out the plants.

BEANS.

The acreage in beans is equal to or greater than that of last year in
all sections, except the States north of the Ohio River, in which there
is a reduction of 4 to 8 per cent, but the acreage in all the States is
about equal to that of last year, the deficiency in the section last
named being made up by an increase elsewhere. Our returns indicate
about an average condition of the crop on the Ist of July.

SORGHUM.

No returns of acreage have been received from any Atlantic State’
north of Maryland. In the Southern States generally, there has been
an increased planting over last year, but in the Northwest, a reduction
in all the States except Indiana, which reports an acreage equal to last
year’s. In the South Atlantic and Gulf States the condition of the
crop is about average on the whole, but in the Northwest a considerable
depression is noted. No culture of sorghum is reported on the Pacific
coast.

VirGinia.—Madison: Larger crop than ever before planted, and looking well.

SoutH Caro.insa.—Edgefield : Little patches of sorghum in all directions.

GEORGIA.— Upson: Area increased 20 per cent. Troup: Acreage, 150. Baldwin:
Acreage, 200, and condition 150. Hancock: Acreage, 130; condition, 120.

ALABAMA.—Covingion : Acreage increased, but still small. Crenshaw; Acreage and
condition each 150. Conecuh: Increased acreage and more advanced than last year.

Mississippi.—Amite: Diminished acreage, with increase of Louisiana cane. Lauder-
dale: Not as good as last year. The cultivation diminishing, and Louisiana cane in-
creasing. Coahoma: Our first crop, and old sugar-raisers say it looks splendid.

TExas.— Upshur: Acreage increased 50 per cent., and condition 120. Austin: Fine.
Burleson: Doing well.

ARKANSAS.—Grant : Coming into notice slowly.

Uran.— Weber: Backward, but looking well.

SUGAR-CANE.

Seven States report a greater or less acreage in sugar-cane. Of these
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas indicate an increase
of 5 to 19 per cent. over the acreage of last year. South Carolina plants
15 per cent. less and Louisiana 2 per cent. less than last year. The de-
crease in Louisiana is more than sufficient to counterbalance the increase
in all the other States. Texas and Georgia seem to be enlarging their
cane-culture very considerably.

Fiorrpa.—Jackson: Looks well; fully up to theseason. Gadsden: Acreage increased
20 per cent., and the condition full average.

236

- '

; ALABAMA.—Crenshaw: Good. Conecuh: Increased acreage, and more advanced than
ast year.

MIsSISSIPPI.— Amite: More extensively cultivated than ever before. Lauderdale:
The cultivation increasing. Pike: More planted. Perry : Acreage increased 25 per
cent., and the condition 10 per cent. better than last year. © :

TrExas.—Harrison: Has been grown here successfully for a year or two, and we are
doubling the crop. Cherokee: The mild winter started the cane, and at the planting-
time many of the shoots were broken off. Upshur: Acreage increased 30 per cent.
Burleson: Doing well.

COTTON.

Cotton, in the first week of July, is in a condition of healthy growth—
less favorable than in July of last year—well cultivated and reasonably
clear of grass. During the last half of June its growth was rapid, and
blooms were freely reported in the more southern belt. No complaints
of drought are received; rains have been frequent, and, in a large area,
in excess of the requirements for the highest condition. In rainy dis-
tricts the uplands and sandy lands give better promise at present than
the bottoms. In South Carolina and in Florida storms were especially
severe between June 11 and 18; in some localities, seven days of con-
tinuous rain.

In comparison with last year, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas
report higher condition; all the other States lower figures than in July
of 1875. The general average of 1875 slightly exceeded 100; the pres-
ent average of condition is 97.6; the unit of comparison being normal
growth and unimpaired vitality.

In comparison with the report of June, the States that have made im-
provement are North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Georgia has held the high con-
dition of last month. South Carolina has declined from 98 to 90, in
consequence of excessive moisture.

The figures for condition are as follows: North Carolina, 104; South
Carolina, 90; Georgia, 103; Florida, 98; Alabama, 100; Mississippi,
94; Louisiana, 92: Texas, 99; Arkansas, 97; Tennessee, 103.

VIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie: The most favorable season for cotton for several years.

Nortu Carotina.—Warren: An excellent stand; generally clear of grass; back-
ward, owing to cold nights. Wayne: Has been well cultivated and promises an un-
precedented yield. Cumberland: Fully fifteen days behind. Gaston: Late and small,
but clear of grass and healthy. JVilson: Healthy, free from grass, and in fine condi-
tion. Duplin: Better than ever known. Pitt: The weather in June very seasonable,
anda largecrop promised. Wake: Clean and in good condition, welladvanced. Nash:
On high and sandy lands, welladvanced ; on low and stiff lands, bad stand, small, and
somewhat grassy. Beaufort: Has grown rapidly thelast two weeks. Hartford: Early, and
very promising. Pasquotank: Late seven to ten days, but looks well; favorable season
for cultivating. Caldwell: Injured by excessive rains.

Soutn Garortna.—Beaufort: Much injured by a prolonged rain-storm in June.
Clarendon: Seven days of continuous rain proved very injurious; the leaves turned
from green to red; but the past few days of warm, dry weather have given the plant
astart. Chester: Six days of excessive rain, ending June 19, gave cotton on sandy
lands the red rust, and many of the tields have become grassy, and are not yet cleaned.
Newberry : Promises a good yield. Georgetown: A good stand was checked by drought
in April and May; and owing to recent protracted rains, grass now has the ascendency.
Lexington: Backward. Marlborough: Very good; clear of grass and healthy. Rich-
land: Much injured and destroyed by a freshet. Barnwell: Injured 5 per cent. by
steady rain, from the 11th to the 18th of June. Fairfield: A week of continuous heavy
rains, ending in a disastrous freshet, has done the crop great injury. Horry: Acreage
increased 25 per cent.; eight to ten days late, and damaged badly by heavy rains from
June 10 to the 20th. Spartanburgh: Two weeks behind in size and fruitage. Orange-
burgh: Very much injured by heavy rain-storms. Edgefield: Small, but good stands
and vigorous plants. Marion: Bloomed about eight days later than last year. Ches-
terfield: Too much rain for cotton. Laurens: Poor stands, and backward; much de-
stroyed by devastating rains.

237

GeEOoRGIA.—Dooly: Fine; just beginning to form. Zlbert: Destroyed on the bottoms
by a freshet in June. Marion; Backward, but good stands, well cultivated, and prom-
ising. Fannin: Not a very good stand; killed by the bud-worm. Thomas?! Fine.
Troup: Prospect very good. baldwin: The acreage 85, and the condition 120. Butts:
The stand and condition unusually good. Columbia: Looking well. De Kalb: Well
worked, and fine promise. Hall: Not doing well; too much rain. Hancock: Very
grassy, owing to too much rain, and not fruiting well. Laurens: Never better, and in
good tilth. Madison: Badstand, and two weeks late. Mitchell: Most promising crop since
1865. Dodge: Best prospect in four years. Haralson: Two weeks late, but looking
well. Jefferson: Much above average. McDufie: A wet June has injured the crop to
a large extent on all low lands; it isin the grasson many farms. Walton: Very prom-
ising. Hart: Late two weeks. Lincoln: The profusion of rain June 11-18, over-
flowing the bottoms, totally destroyed 5 per cent. of the crop. Terrell: Prospect im-
proved very much in June. Fulton: Well worked, and looks well; blooms on the 24th
of June. Carroll: Promises a good yield.

FLORIDA.—Jefferson : Greatly damaged by the most destructive rain-storm ever
known. Madison: Fine. Jackson: Prospect good. Taylor: Much damaged in the
lower part of the county byexcessive rains.

ALABAMA.—Clarke : Quite small; much later than last year. Greene: Late twenty
to twenty-five days, but in good growing condition. Crenshaw: Very fine, though the
acreage is decreased 25 per cent. Monroe: Small, but looks well. Lauderdale: More
backward, and smaller than last year. Blount: Very backward. Conecuh: The plant
small, but free from grass and weeds, and well fruited. Perry: Late ten days, but
very promising. Colbert: Growing finely. Cherokee: Has a fine growth, but has suf-
fered from excessive rains and want of clean cultivation.

MISsSIssIpPI.— Grenada: Has come out wonderfully during June. Amite: Reduced
acreage, but better cultivation. Pike: Promising. Perry: Young, but looks well.
Monroe: The plant healthy and in good condition. Yazoo: Backward two weeks.
Lowndes: The prospect not so good as last year. Newton: Far behind last season in
_ size and stands. Chickasaw: Stands not good in places, and ten days late, but
healthy. Clarke: Late two weeks. De Soto: Late, but healthy. Franklin: Two
weeks late; small; free from grass and weeds; too dry. Lincoln: The plant small,
but looks well. ;

ARKANSAS.—Saint Francis : Two weeks late, but looking well. Yell: Fine. Monroe :
Coming forward rapidly. Bradley: A part rather late; chopped out, and looking
healthy and thrifty. Izard: Well cultivated, and promises a full average. Marion:
Injured by cold nights and storms of rain. Ouachita: Very poor prospect.

TENNESSEE.— Gibson: Late, but looks well. Giles: Small and backward, but im-

roving.

Missourt.—Dunklin : Favorable; branched lower on the stock, and the leaves larger
than for years; squares well formed.» Mississippi: Not well cultivated, owing to the
rains.

Lovistana.—Concordia: The water is so slow and subsiding from overflowed lands,
that there will be a large decrease in acreage. Last Baton Rouge: In splendid condi-
tion in all the localities where the labor has not been interfered with. Lafayette:
Slightly improved by the favorable weather Madison: Twenty per cent. lost by
overflow; the remainder growing finely. Carroll: Healthy and fine, but in the grass
in some localities. Jackson: Backward, but doing well.

Trexas.—Bexar : Late three weeks, but growing rapidly. Burnet: Backward. Fan-
nin: The most favorable seen here for years. Bastrop: Flattering prospects. Upshur:
Later than last year. Colorado: A little late, but one of the most promising crops for
years. Lavaca: Later than last year, but the condition splendid, though suffer-
ing from drought in localities. Williamson: Very promising. Red River: Growing
very fast. Matagorda: Early crops very fine, but the greater part very late and small.
Walker : Damaged by rains. Austin: Early-planted on sandy uplands very promising ;
on black uplands and bottoms very backward. Collin: Doing well. Dallas : Never
better. Gillespie: Acreage increased 400 per cent., and in good condition. Smith: Late
two weeks, but very healthy and promising. Titus: Doing finely. Washington: Late
three or four weeks, but looks first rate. Travis: Growing finely.

TOBACCO.

The acreage in tobacco in 1876 appears to be less than in 1875.
Our reports exhibit some very remarkable variations in the areas planted
inthedifferentStates. Nearly all the great tobaccoregions have planteda
smaller breadth than last year. Massachusetts has fallen off 20 per
cent., Connecticut 5 per cent., New York 3 per cent., Maryland 6 per
cent., Virginia 39 per cent., North Carolina 58 per cent., Tennessee 33 per

238

cent., Kentucky 16 per cent., Ohio 3 per cent., Indiana 5 per cent., and
Illinois 9 per cent. On the other hand Pennsylvania has increased her
acreage 22 per cent., Texas and Arkansas each 32 per cent., Missouri
17 per cent., and Kansas 15 per cent.

The condition of the crop in all the States reporting is about 3 per
cent. below average. The highest condition, 105, is found in Connecti-
cut and Texas; and the lowest, 81, in North Carolina and Wisconsin.
The New England and Middle States are full average or above. Vir-
ginia accounts for her diminished area and low condition, 82, by the
searcity of plants, which were, in numerous localities, destroyed by
drought, frost, flies, and grasshoppers. The same difficulty embarrassed
the planting in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky; though in
some counties of the last named excessive rain was as injurious as the
drought. North of the Ohio River heavy rains injured lowland
crops. Missouri and Kansas succeed in getting in large crops, which
are in fine condition. A more extended inquiry will be instituted here-
after, and the results will be given more in detail.

MaRrYLAND.—Howard : Good planting-season and the plants, just set out, looking
well,

Vircrnia.— Caroline: The crop will be later than usual, owing to a scarcity of early
plants. Pittsylvania: Early plants killed by frost, and late by the tobacco-fly. Chester-
field: Less planted than last year. Looking well. Powhatan: Plants nearly all de-
stroyed by fly. A third of the usual crop may be planted, but that late. Fluvanna:
Very short and late. Zunenburgh: Acreage less than last year, owing to a scarcity of
plants, caused by the fly. Orange: Has suffered from drought. Amelia: The small
acreage of tobacco owing to dry weather and scarcity of plants, they having been de-
stroyed by the fly worse than ever before. At present not one-seventh of a crop stands
on the land intended for tobacco. Campbell: Poor prospect. Dinwiddie: Diminished
acreage, owing to scarcity of plants, caused by dry weather; that planted growing
well. Franklin: The grasshoppers are injuring the tobacco more than ever known.
They and the dry weather for the last twenty days have greatly blasted the prospect.
Prince Edward: Planting reduced by scarcity of plants and dry weather. Halifax:
The scarcity of plants, owing to frost, insect injuries, and unpropitious seasons for
planting, make the prospect the gloomiest ever known. Mecklenburgh : Doing badly,
owing to the long-continued drought.

NortH Carotwwa.—WVarren: The first crop of plants killed by cold and the black
fly, the second crop being small and tender; may die after being set out at this late
season. Alamance: Scarcity of plants ; some without any ; not over 60 percent planted ;
poor prospect. Davidson: Growing. Rockingham: Acreage and condition worse than
was ever known. Yadkin: Very little over half a crop planted. The plants were
killed by cold in March. Caswell: Shorter crop than for thirty years. Person: Fail-
ure of plants. Not more than 19 per cent. of a crop planted, and that has been nearly
eaten up by the fly and grasshopper. Orange: The plants destroyed to such extent
that only about 33 per cent. could be set out. Davie: Plants destroyed in the beds by
bugs; not more than half a crop planted, and much of that very late.

Sourn CaroLina.—Edgefield: Tobacco patches dot almost every plantation.

FLoripsa.—Gadsden: Stands somewhat defective, but well cultivated and free from
grass.

ALABAMA.— Crenshaw: The best we ever had.

TExas.— dustin: Fine.

_ARKaNSAS.—Boone: Early plants killed by frost; crop consequently late, and now
suffering from lack of cultivation, owing to excessive rain.

TENNESSEE.— Trousdale: Short crop for the want of plants. The early plants were
devoured by insects. Gibson: Decreased acreage, owing to scarcety of plants; fine
season for setting out the plants. Smith: The plants have failed, so that no one esti-
mates the crop above 75, Giles: Acreage reduced by a failure of plants. fobertson:
Plants were very scarce, and the grasshoppers have been very destructive to them.
Dickson: Bugs destroyed most of the plants in early spring. Macon: The crop 33 per
cent. shorter than anticipated three weeks ago; the plants have not grown well. Mont-
gomery : Being seriously injured by grasshoppers.

West VirGINIA.—Doddridge: Not more than half a crop.

KEeNnTUCKY.—Daviess : Badly damaged by excessive rains. Logan: Not more than 33
per cent, of last year’s acreage for want of plants. Ohio: Drowned out in a portion of
the county. Gallatin: Very late and small. Mason: All set and growing. Warren:
Acreage short, owing toa failure of plants. Hardin: Looks well. Calloway: Damaged
by heavy rains, causing the stock to rot off; grasshoppers and bugs very destructive to

239

the crop. Monroe: Oaly half a crop, set out late, and the grasshoppers have destroyec.
at least one-sixth of that. Todd: About 75 per cent. of a crop planted, but not grow-
ing.

INDIANA.—Spencer: June very wet, and the crop a failure on low land.

Missourt.—Chariton: Grows finely. Stone: Late, but looks well. Vernon: Only a
small per cent. planted, owing to a very wet spring.

Kansas.—Linn: A large crop in place of none last year, owing to the grasshoppers.

FRUIT.

The condition of the fruit crop was less favorable on the 1st of July
than on the 1st of June. Most of the States report lower condition
of the apple and peach crops, as a whole, though in different parts of
the country localities boast of an unusual supply, and a good prospect of
fruits not yet ripened. The following notes from our correspondence
illustrate the local aspects of the fruit-supply for the coming year:

VeRMoNT.—Grand Isle: Light, owing to ravages of forest-worm in 1875. Essex:
Very little of any kind, owing to the hard winter.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Bedford: All kinds will be plenty. York: Promise of an abundant,
crop.

VIRGINIA.—No fruit except apples and wild berries, of which the crop is larger than
usual. Campbell: Scarce, except in a few localities,

Nort Caroiina.—Alamance: Light crop. Perquimans: Except peaches, an abun-
dant crop.

MIssissipp1.—Lowndes : A good crop of grapes and figs, which rarely fail; and small
fruits are abundant.

TEXxAS.—Panola: The pear trees are nearly all dead from blight.

TENNESSEE.—Sullivan: A light crop, but doing well. Bedford: Small fruits very
good. Bradley: Pears and plums plenty.

Ou10.—Ashtabula : Cherries and strawberries better than usual. Clermont: Straw-
berries, raspberries, and other small fruits have done well. Geauga: All small fruits
prosperous. Hardin: Raspberries and blackberries promise well.

Micuigan.— Wayne: All kinds never better. Lenawee: Cherries seem to be blasted,
dropping off all the time. Allegan: All small fruits never better. Mason: Never a
better prospect Newaygo: Fruit-trees of all kinds blossomed unusually full, but the
fruit falling off to such an extent as to indicate a very short crop.

INDIANA.— Decatur: Promise of the largest crop ever grown. Hamilton: A fine crop
of all kinds, including berries.

WISCONSIN.—Green Lake: All kinds doing well.

Iowa.—Tama: Never better.

Missouri.—Cass: The different fruits have been reduced one-half by four or five hail-
storms. falls; All kinds good. Grundy: Has done well generally, and cherries a
perfect success. Buchanan: But halfacrop. Harrison: Fruit-trees were very full of
bloom, but the fruit has fallen off badly.

Kansas.—Douglas ; Light, except a fair crop of grapes and cherries.

OREGON.—Mulinomah: The fruit-crop bids fair to be bountitul. Linn: All kinds
nearly a failure. Clackamas: After along season of cool, cloudy, and rainy weather,
about the 11th of June the sun shone out with scorching heat, and for eight days the
thermometer, in the shade, ranged from 90° to 106°; grape and blackberry leaves were:
scorched to a crisp, and gooseberries and currants were cooked on tbe bushes,

Urau.—Iron; All killed by late frosts, except about 25 per cent. of a crop of berries.
Kane: Fruit promises extra well, what is left.

APPLES.—Vermont and Connecticut report an improvement upon
their high June averages, but the other States of New England have
declined. The general condition is still above average. Franklin,
Maine, complains of caterpillars, but the ravages of fruit-insects seem
to be comparatively trifling this year. The Middle States are all above
average, though all have declined from the high condition reported
for June. Erie, New York, reports the deadening of the ends of small
limbs to the length of six to twelve inches through some agency not
Stated. Of the South Atlantic States, Maryland has fallen to an
average; but all the other States of this section, though still below
average, have partially recovered from the low condition reported in June.
The Gulf States, except Texas, have still further declined, Louisiana
and Mississippi expecting but little over half a crop. Of the inland
Southern States, Tennessee and Kentucky have improved, the latter ris-

240

ing above average, but Arkansas and West Virginia have fallen off, and
are 20 and 30 per cent. below average. North of the Ohio River, all ex-
cept Indiana have declined, the northern localities being still above
average. Prices in some localities are very low. Blight or insects are
injuring the trees in a few counties. Except Nebraska, all the States
west of the Mississippi have declined from their high June condition,
but the general prospect is still for a crop above average. The Pacific
States have declined, and are from 7 to 10 per cent. below average.

Martne.—Franklin : Caterpillars destroyed the crop.

New HampsHire.—Hillsborough: A fair crop.

VERMONT.—Small quantity ; above average in condition.

CoNNECTICUT.—New London : Prospect of a large crop.

New YorkK.—Genesee: Promise abundantly. Saratoga: Doing well; no worms
troubling the trees. Washington: Promise abundantly. rie: Lightcrop. Allegany:
On the trees the ends of small limbs die, 6 to 12 inches in length, leaves, fruit, and
wood.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Indiana: Will make a large crop. Elk: Never before so fine a
promise.

MaryYLAND.—Caroline: Falling off. Worcester: Very many dropped off.

Vireria.—Richmond: A larger crop than usual. Elizabeth City: Plenty, and good.

NortH CaROLINA.—Gaston: Making a better show than was expected. Wilson:
Fine; best crop since 1872. Davie; Not morethan halfacrop. Hertford: A very large
crop on the trees.

SoutH CaRoLriya.—Clarendon: A good crop, but very small. Chesterfield: A disease
is killing many apple-trees, particularly young trees; similar to the pear-blight.

GEORGIA.—De Kalb: Not so badly damaged by the blight as was thought a month
ago. Walton: The trees were full, but the fruit is falling badly. Carroll: A disease
similiar to rust in wheat is killing the apple-trees.

FrLoripa.—Jackson: Partial failure.

ALABAMA.—Greene : Trees dying from blight; those that have escaped are bearing a
fair crop of good fruit.

Trexas.—Panola: Have dropped off badly since the June report. The ends of small
twigs have died. Titus : Some disease, blight, or insect, has badly injured our orchards;
the fruit drops, and twigs and limbs are dying.

ARKANSAS.—Cross: Light crop. Sharp: Falling off. Fulton: Fair crop.

'TENNESSEE.— Monroe : Compare favorably with last year. Sevier: Abundant. Bed-
ford: Exceedingly. abundant. Bradley: Plenty. Greene: Set well, but dropped off
badly. ©

WEsT VIRGINIA.— Pocahontas: Few. Braxton: Small crop in good condition.

t KeENTUCKY.—Shelby: Half a crop in place of none last year. Callaway: Small crop
oing well.

Ou10.—Columbiana: Not more than half a crop. Geauga: Many have fallen off, but
promise above average. Lorain: Falling off badly. Wood: Dropping off badly, but
a fair crop will be left. Hancock: Plenty, but falling off rapidly.

MicuiGan.— Wayne: Never more promising. Mason: Prospect never better.

Inprana.— Decatur: Promised well, but have fallen off badly. Howard: Reduced 30
per cent. since June 1, by falling off. Cass; A blight has appeared in the apple-
trees, which is doing great damage. It seldom goes below the present year’s growth,
and it attacks some varieties more than others. Floyd: The crop will be immense;
now worth only $1.50 per barrel. Hamilton: A fine crop. Kosciusko: A light but fine
crop. Washington: Falling off very much. JVhitley: The trees suffering from some
kind of a twig-blight. The young twigs die when ten inches long or less.

InLino1s.—Hardin: Most orchards are full and of fine quality. Mercer: A good
crop. Mason: Doing well. Madison: Less fruit than was expected from the bloom,
Pulaski: The pear and apple blight is making sad havoc with the trees.

Wisconsin.— lValworth : Medium.

Iowa.—Humboldt: Fine. Jackson: Best prospect for many years. Audubon: In-
jured by drought. Jefferson: Promising.

Missourr.—Cass : A great many have dropped off. Butler: Half a crop. Caldwell:
Have dropped off till scarcely any are left. Platte: Not more than one-eighth of a
crop, but very good. Vernon: Failed all through June through some unknown cause ;
reduced 50 per cent. Perry: Falling off.

Kansas.—Franklin: The wine-sap is almost the only variety which bears a full crop.
Jackson: Dropped off badly while small. Wabaunsee: Large crop in the western patt,
where alone they are cultivated to any extent. i

CaLirorNIA.— Yuba: Short crop. Sonoma: The crop seriously injured by excessive
heat in June.

241

| PEACHES.—Only three States, Massachusetts, lowa, and California,
will have average cropsof peaches. Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North ‘Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, and Mis.
souri find their condition somewhat improved during June, but in the
other States there has been a decline in some cases to figures indicating
a total failure.of the crop. The great peach regions of the Middle
States show a very serious decline, Delaware promising not much over
a fourth of a crop. Inthe South Atlantic and Gulf States the promise
is from a fourth to a half a crop, and in the inland Southern States still
less ; Arkansas will probably realize less than 10 per cent. of an average.
North of the Ohio River the small crop of Michigan is nearly average,
but the great crops of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are at least 40 per cent.
below average on the whole. West of the Mississippi the facts are
about the same; the northern counties of lowa and Nebraska are aver-
_ ageor above, but Missouri and Kansas are but little over half an average.
On the Pacific coast California reports a condition improved during
June and above average; Oregon 10 per cent. below average and con-
siderably below the June report.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Light crop.

MaryLanp.—Caroline: Entire failure. Worcester: Utter failure.

VIRGINIA.—F ew, except old seedlings. Prince William: Trees of the natural fruit
quite full.

NortH CArorina.— Wilson: Fine; Hales’ Early doing very well; not rotting on
the trees as heretofore. Hertford: Not entirely killed by the late frost.

- SoutTH Carorins.—Clarendon : Poor crop.

GEORGIA.— Carroll: The crop much better than expected.

FrLoripa.—Jackson : Partial failure.

Texas.—Dallas : Light crop.

TENNESSEE.— Greene : Quite scattering.

Kentucky.— Shelby : Half a crop in place of none last year.

MIcHIGAN.— Wayne: Never more promising. Mason: Prospect never better.

INDIANA.— Decatur : Promised well, but have fallen off badly. Floyd: Thin on the
trees and badly rotting. Hamilton: A fine crop. Kosciusko: Less than half a crop,
but look well. Madison: Seedlings only show fruit.

Iowa.—Jefferson ; Promising.

Missourt.—Phelps: A great many have dropped off. Caldwell: Have nearly all
alropped off. Saint Clair: Some orchards full while others have none; quality good.
Harrison: Fine crop.

CALIFORNIA.—Sonoma : Promise of an exceedingly large crop.

GRAPES.—The grape-crop of New England would indicate very nearly
an average condition but for winter-killing in some of the northern por-
tions. The Middle and South Atlantic States promise nearly an average
yield. Some local complaints of caterpillars come up from Virginia, but
generally injuries of this kind are conspicuous by their absence. The
condition of the crop in the Gulf States is from 20 to 25 per cent. below
average, but in the inland Southern States, excepting Arkansas, it is
above average. North of the Ohio the condition would be nearly
average but for the tendency to rot and mildew, resulting from recent
heavy rains. Between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers the condi-
tion on the whole is about 10 per cent. below average; west of the last-
named river, nearly 10 per cent. above. The Pacific coast is about
average.

MAINE.— York: The vines badly winter-killed ; the roots sprouting again.

PENNSYLVANIA.—IJndiana: Will be an extensive crop.

MARYLAND.—Caroline: Good. Worcester: Promise of full crop.

VIRGINIA.—King George: Promiseabundant. lizabeth City: The vines eiteatad with
caterpillars, and the fruit dropping off.

NortTH CarROLina.—Gaston: Above the usual fall bearing. Hertford: In abundance.

SouTH CaRoLina.—Clarendon: Abundant. Newberry: ‘Were unusually promising

but the continuous rain has caused them to rot badly. Lexington: On sandy soil and
low land bave rotted some from the wet weather, but on clay soil are sound, and promg

249 7 a

ise an abundant yield. Richland: Most of the bloom destroyed in April by a frost, but
vines bloomed again, and will make 67 per cent. of a crop.

GEORGIA. —Lumpkin : A good crop of wild grapes. Troup: Fine.

FiLoripsa.—Santa Rosa: In some localities the Scuppernong have done worse than
ever before, in others they are very fine. All other grapes are very fine. Jackson:
Good yield expected.

ALABAMA.— Baldwin: Not injured; Scuppernongs the standard., Greene: Fully up-
to average in quantity and quality.

Mississippi1.—Lowndes: A good crop.

Trxas.—Bowie: Thousands of bushels of wild grapes of different varieties, some of
them very large and rich in flavor, could be gathered in the county. Coryell: Very
fine. Nueces; The grape interest is growing in importance. Several vineyards re-
cently started with 1,000 to 3,000 vines, and some of them now bearing very fine fruit.
Dallas : Rotting.

ARKANSAS.—Cross: Light crop. Fulton: Rotting.

TENNESSEE.— Greene: Promise well.

WEST VIRGINIA.—Monroe : Abundant crop.

Out10.—Vinion: Best prospectsever known. Wood: Very fine. Hancock: All right.
Mercer : Never better.

MIcHIGAN.— Vayne : Never more promising.

InDIANA.— Kosciusko : Mildewing badly, owing to incessant rains.

ILLINOIs.— Madison : Beginning to rot.

Wisconsin.— Walworth : Better than last year.

MISSOURI.— Phelps : Quite promising, but some are rotting. Barton: Total failure of
all fruits except grapes. Ripley: Rotting considerably. Vernon: Abundant and fine.
Montgomery : Rotting badly. Perry: Nearly all rotting.

Kansas.—Franklin: The rot is threatening fearful destruction. Montgomery: Badly
damaged by rose-bugs.

CALIFORNIA.— Yuba: Large yield. Sonoma: Promise of an exceedingly large crop.

FLAX.

NortH Carotina.—Camden: A good crop housed.

WISCONSIN.—Stearns : This crop laid aside; the mustard-seed sown with it is over-
whelming the land.

MIssoURI. —Henry: The acreage of corn reduced by the very large acreage of flax
sown for the seed. Bates: The area increased 20 per cent. and is looking ‘splendid,
promising 14 to 18 bushels of seed per acre. Lawrence: Considerable flax is being
raised this year, and it grows very fine. Vernon: Late, but a good prospect for 8, 000
bushels of seed.

_Kansas.—Johnson: Splendid. Franklin: About average.

243

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245 ed

INSECT INJURIES.

The record of insect injuries is less formidable than in former years
at this stage of the growing season. If the remaining part of the sum-
mer and fall should receive the same immunity, this source of annoy-
ance and loss will be of small account in the production of 1876.

Colorado beetles, (Doryphora decem-lineate.)—This pest is diffused in
small proportion over the Eastern and Western States. New Hamp-
shire reports it in large numbers in Cheshire and Rockingham, but not
so numerous in Hillsborough and Sullivan. ‘They are in nearly all
localities of Rutland, Vermont, and have just appeared in Addison. In
Hampden, Massachusetts, they are numerous and voracious, and have
put in an appearance in Berkshire and Plymouth. They have just
hatched in Washington, Rhode Island. Windham, Connecticut, reports
their arrival, while Hartford has been successfully fighting them with
Paris green. Their presence is more generally acknowledged in New
York; being noted in Columbia, Orange, Albany, Westchester, Dela-
ware, Dutchess, Ontario, Otsego, Saratoga, Warren, Suffolk, Yates,
Erie, and Kings. In several counties they are more destructive than in
former years. In Sussex, Warren, and Richland, New Jersey, they are
pumerous, but have been successfully resisted by farmers. They are also
destructive in many counties of Pennsylvania; being reported in Wyo-
ming, Indiana, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lehigh, Bucks, Delaware,
Union, and Luzerne; in some localities they are more numerous than in
any former year. Baltimore and Cecil, Maryland, are troubled with them,
but constantly apply the Paris green. In New Kent, Virginia, they
greatly damaged early potatoes, and are spreading over the whole coun-
ty. They are also exceedingly troublesome in Russell, King George,
and Prince William. They appeared early in Pocahontas, Grant,
and Monroe, West Virginia, but rapidly disappeared. Ohio reports
them in one county, (Perry,) but less numerous than in any year
since their first appearance. Michigan reports them in Lenawee as
*‘ thicker than ever,” and as less troublesome in Livingston, Delta, and
Iosco. They were plenty in Steuben, Indiana; but in Clark they were
not very destructive. They are quite numerous in Lake and Ogle,
Illinois, but not very formidable in Richland, Wisconsin, Grant, Minne-
sota, Dodge, Nebraska, and Buffalo, Dakota. In the last-named county
their ravages increase as the drought becomes more severe. In Grant,
West Virginia, it is noted that as the beetle disappears, the old-fashioned
potato-bug (Epicauta vittata) re-appears.

Hessian fly, (Cecidomyia destructor.)—This insect damages small grain
in Snyder, Perry, Lehigh, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania; in Loudoun,
Madison, Russell, Clarke, Prince William, and Northampton, Virginia ;
in Gordon, Butts, Clayton, Cobb, and Carroll, Georgia; in Coryell and
Collin, Texas; in Boone, Arkansas; in Grand Traverse and Ionia,
Michigan ; in Waseca, Watonwau, and Hancock, Minnesota; in Jack-
son, Mitchell, Tama, and Clay, Iowa; in Phelps, Missouri, and in Cher-
okee and Neosho, Kansas. In some cases the damage was serious.

Weevil or midge, (Diplosis [| Cecidomyia] tritici..—This insect is noted
in Ionia, Michigan, and in Howard, De Kalb, Hamilton, Wabash, and
Wells, Indiana.

Chinches, (Micropus [Rhyparochromus] leucopterus.)— These insects are
troublesome this year only in a few counties of the Northwest, being
more or less destructive in Ogle and Winnebago, Illinois; in Grant,

246

Walworth, Washington, and Green, Wisconsin; in Jackson, Johnson,
and Marion, Iowa; in Atchison, Missouri ; and in Lincoln, Kansas.

Grasshoppers.—Different species of this pest are noted in different
parts of the country, but their destructive sphere is yet quite circum-
scribed. The Caloptenus femur-rubrum is noted in Sullivan, New Hamp-
Shire; in Franklin, Virginia, it was very destructive on tobacco, as also
in Person, North Carolina; in Cherokee, Alabama; in Robertson and
Montgomery, Tennessee. The C. spretus is reported in Lyons, Red-*
wood, and Watonwan, Minnesota ; in Richland, Dakota, and in Jefter-
son, Montana. In Taos and San Miguel, New Mexico, a grasshopper
which cannot be designated by the imperfect description given greatly
injured the crops. It is known by the local name, “ Little giant.”

Miscellaneous.—in Franklin, Maine, fruit-caterpillers (Clisiocampa)
have destyoyed many apples. The canker-worm, (Anisopteryx vernata)
is less numerous in Plymouth, Massachusetts, than in former years.
An insect, supposed to be the boll-worm, (Heliothis armigera,) injured
both cotton and corn in Fannin, Rabun, and Union, Georgia; in Blount,
Sequatchie, and Van Buren, Tennessee. Jackson, Florida, is the only
county, so far, that reports the cotton-caterpillar, (Anomis| A letia] xyline.)
A species of the grub-worm (Lachnosterna sp.) is reported in Lycoming,
Pennsylvania, and in Armstrong, (?) Tennessee. Joint-worms ([sosoma
[BLurytoma] hordei) injured wheat in Cabell, West Virginia. Cut-worms
(Agrotis sp.) destroyed lowland corn in Lauderdale, Alabama, and the
crop generally in Stanton, Nebraska. Wire-worms (later sp.) injured
corn in some localities of Kentucky. The currant-worm (Nematus
ventricosus) is reported in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Lenawee,
Michigan. In Fannin, Georgia, late wheat was infested with lice,
(Aphis sp.) Insects undesignated injured corn in New London, Con-
necticut; Saratoga, New York; Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Cherokee,
North Carolina. In Saline, Kansas, a “ green worm” damaged wheat
while heading in June. In Chase, Kansas, an undesignated insect
attacked winter-wheat.

~ EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

DISEASES AMONG FARM-ANIMALS.—North Carolina, Perquimans :
Hogs are dying of cholera. :

Tennessee, Henry : The hogs and chickens have the cholera, so called.
Monroe: Hogs are scarce, and dying of cholera to an alarming extent.

Missouri, Harrison: Some have lost from 5 to 10 per cent. of their
hogs from a disease called cholera.

HEAVY RAIN-FALL.—South Carolina, Beaufort: A rain-storm in which
15 inches of water fell did great injury to the rice-crop; many planta-
tions on the Savannah were submerged.

Georgia, Richmond: All the lands bordering the Savannah River be-
low Augusta were overflowed June 16 to 19, and crops of all kinds are
a total loss. Some plantations report a loss of 5,000 to 10,000 bushels
of corn, of which an unusually large amount was planted, and the crop
was 10 per cent. above average at the time of the freshet.

Illinois, Woodford : Crops of all kinds looked encouraging thirty days
ago; but now, owing to the extraordinary rains, everything i in the agri-
cultural line looks discouraging. All low lands are flooded, and the
water is destroying whatever is planted thereon. The water- courses are
higher than were ever before known by the oldest settlers.

; 247

Wisconsin, Dunn: From May 2 to June 26, rain fell during 167 hours
ou the bottoms of the Chippewa; during May 16, 64 inches in 12 hours.
Juneau: Rain-fall greater than for sixteen years. Outagamie: Rained
for two-thirds of June.

GRASSHOPPER-EXTERMINATORS.—WNebraska, Hall: The first English
sparrows were imported into this county, from New York, by me this
spring. They are now doing well—parents and children.

INCREASE OF GRAIN-CROPS.—Georgia, Columbia: We are making
more small grain in this section this year than in all the years since the
war aggregated. The cotton mania is subsiding, and the disposition to
terminate dependence on heavily-taxing merchants is becoming general,
Thereby shall we have better times. Randolph: More grain planted by
25 per cent. than in any year since the war. Wilcox: The people have
gone more into provision-crops, and they are doing quite well all over
the county.

Alabama, Henry : Our people are becoming convinced that planting
too much cotton is ruinous, and will soon plant still more largely corn
and small grain. There is among them an evident tendency to practice
more rigid economy, and I think they will raise most of their supplies
of every kind at home.

Michigan, Iosco: This county is rapidly changing from a lumbering to
a wheat and stock-producing county. Merchants and other business
men are turning their attention to farming.

CUBA TOBACCO.—Florida, Gadsden: Last year’s crop of Cuba tobacco,
which was the largest and the best that has been grown since the close
of the war, still lingers on the market at greatly depressed prices. As
a consequence, many of the planters have measurably abandoned its
cultivation the present year.

From my experience and observation in the growing of the Cuba tobacco, I am
astonished that it isso much neglected by the manufacturers of cigars. I have re-
cently had an opportunity to examine the stock in a large factory, and am convinced
that the production of Gadsden County, both as to texture and flavor, is superior to
the average article used by them and may be bought at one-half the cost. Here is a
favorable opportunity for some enterprising party to realize a fortune by establishing
a cigar-factory in the midst of the tobacco region of the State, where he can make his
selections at the barns.

AGRICULTURAL SPECIALTIES.—Maryland, Montgomery: A large and
increasing number of the best farmers in this county are devoting their
attention to the dairy. Wicomico: In recent years watermelons are
raised in our county and exported to northern markets in very large
quantities.

Virginia, Chesterfield: Onions are becoming a very important crop.
The potato-onion yields 75 to 125 bushels per acre, worth $1 to $2 per
bushel. Southampton: The cotton-crop has been greatly curtailed, and
its place taken by pea-nuts.

Indiana, Floyd: The crop of onions is very fine, though decreased in
acreage.

Illinois, Montgomery : The honey-crop is very heavy.

Wisconsin, Clark: More attention to dairying and fine grades of
cattle.

Missouri, Vernon: The crop of castor-beans is late and foul with
weeds. It will be shortened fully half.

UNTIMELY ICE.— Wisconsin, Douglas: An immense ice-field, twenty
to thirty square miles in area, still at the head of Lake Superior, (July 1.)

248

AGRICULTURE AT THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.

At the Centennial International Exposition, now in progress at Phil-
adelphia, agriculture may be studied in two complementary aspects.
In the building erected by the General Government, the National De-
partment of Agriculture has organized a special exhibit, of which an
account was published in our June report. In this exhibit the leading
facts and principles of American agriculture are presented in compact
logical generalizations. The results of production are shown in classi-
fied specimens or fac-simile imitations showing the processes and pro-
ducts of culture. The natural agencies, organic or inorganic, which favor
or impede the work of the farmer, are shown by a great variety of sam-
ples. Statistical charts on a large scale compare the latest results with
those of former years, illustrating the annual progress of production and
the changes which time is continually working in this oldest and most
fundamental of all human industries. This exhibit, while constituting
one of the most attractive features of the Exposition for the general
public, is especially interesting to thoughtful minds seeking reliable
general ideas of our material resources. The statistics which sum up
and compare our annual products are of special value to commercial
men as giving more clear and definite ideas in regard to the trade in
farm-products, while intelligent agriculturists find new facts and prin -
ciples of culture and new relations between the different branches of
their varied industry developed in the statistical investigations of which
the results are on exhibition in the Government building.

At Agricultural Hall, on the contrary, the subject is presented from
an antipodal stand-point. The miscellaneous collections of private ex-
hibitors embrace a vast amount of details arranged under a previously-
devised classification, but it is evident that in a large number of cases
objects are brought within the programme ouly by a very liberal con-
struction of itsrequirements. A complete and systematic exhibit could
scarcely have been anticipated. It is not a comprehensive selection
from the multitudinous facts of agriculture of those general features
which accurately present the true character of the whole system, but
rather a miscellaneous aggregation of such specimens of production as
the private interests, public spirit, and special facilities of exhibitors
have induced and enabled them to present in response to the invitation
of the Centennial Commission. Hence its indications need careful in-
terpretation, having regard not only to its excellencies, but also to its
deficiencies. A greatredundancy of specimens is found in some branches
and a noticeable lack in others. But the full treatment of the subject
requires time, diligent research in gathering facts, and deep study in
drawing conclusions. The history of the Exposition cannot be even
commenced until after its operations shall have been concluded. All
that can be justifiably attempted in a sketch like the present is to trace
the leading features, to indicate something of its scope and extent, and
to give some conception of the wonders of art and nature now pre-
sented at this branch of the Centennial Exposition. A brief notice of
its general organization will give some relative conception of the part
taken in this enterprise by the agricultural interest of our own and of
foreign countries.

The grand exposition occupies an inclosed portion of Fairmount Park,
embracing 236 acres. Five immense structures have been provided by
the Centennial Commission for the exposition of the industry of all

249

nations; but, besides these, several smaller expositions by the General
Government, by separate States, by foreign countries, and by private
corporations and individuals for the exhibition of their particular prod-
ucts, either in whole or in part. Of the Centennial Commission build-
ings, the largest and most striking is the Main Exhibition Hall, 1,880
feet long, 476 feet wide, and covering, with its various annexes, nearly
twenty-five acres. This building is devoted to the first three general
departments of the exhibition, viz: I, Mining and Metallurgy; II, Man-
ufactures ; III, Education and Science. Department IV, Art, occupies
a noble structure of marble, erected by the State of Pennsylvania and
city of Philadelphia, to perpetuate the memory of this illustrious, patri-
otic, and industrial enterprise, and hence fitly named Memorial Hall.
Tt is loaned to the Centennial Commission for exhibition purposes, but
it will remain one of the great centers of art exhibition in ages to come.
It is 365 feet long and 210 feet wide; with an annex in the rear, it covers
nearly three acres, and contains an unexpectedly complete representation
of all the national schools of art in Europe and America. Department V,
Machinery, occupies an immense building 1,402 feet long and 360 feet
wide, covering, with its annexes, nearly fifteen acres. Department VI,
Agriculture, is accommodated in Agricultural Hall, a unique structure
near the northern apex of the exposition inclosure; it is 826 feet long
and 540 feet wide, covering ten anda half acres; but the space devoted
to this class of exhibits is enlarged by several annexes, adding two or
three acres to the covered area. Besides these accommodations within
the inclosure, a tract of twenty-one acres outside has been arranged for
the exhibition of live stock at different times during the exposition.
Trials of agricultural implements and machinery are arranged at points
within easy railway access in the neighboring rural districts. Depart-
ment VII, Horticulture, finds accommodation in a beautiful strueture
383 feet long, 193 feet wide, and covering one and a half acres. About
forty acres outside the building have been devoted to out-door plants,
to garden arrangement and decoration, and to the illustration of differ-
ent systems of landscape gardening.

It will be seen, then, that two of the seven general heads of classifica-
tion pertain to soil production. Several branches of manufacture in
machinery hall and a large number of products, either in the main hall
or in buildings of States, corporations, and individuals, would naturally
come under these heads, especially the extensive exhibit of Kansas and
some other States. The horticultural exhibition embraces classes num-
bered from 700 to 739; of these the first ten include ornamental trees,
shrubs, and flowers; the second ten, hot-houses, conservatories, and
graperies ; the third ten, garden tools and accessories; the fourth ten,
garden designing, instruction, and management. The exhibits in this
department are mostly American. Great Britain contributes two ex-
hibits of ornamental trees and shrubs; Canada, seven exhibits of gar-
dening appliances ; France, seventeen exhibits of ornamental shrubbery,
conservatory and garden appliances, and plans of garden construction
and arrangement ; the Netherlands, six exhibits of fruit and ornamen-
tal trees, &c.; Sweden, one exhibit of garden tools; and the Argentine
Republic, six exhibits of ornamental trees and garden designs. The
total of foreign exhibits is thirty-nine, and of American, one hundred and
thirty-nine. The exhibits of this department are arranged in admirable

. taste, and indicate a great advance in horticulture. The methods of
garden construction and management, especially in the higher elements
of design, are well represented.

The department of agriculture embraces one hundred classes, num-

250

bered from 600 to 699. Of these, the first ten include arboriculture and
forest products; the second ten, pomology; the third ten, agricultural
products; the fourth ten, land animals; the fifth ten, marine animals,
fish-culture, &c.; the sixth ten, animal and vegetable products; the
seventh ten, animal and vegetable fibers; the eighth ten, machines,
implements, and processes of manufacture; the ninth ten, agricultural
engineering and administration; the remaining ten are devoted to till-
age and general management. The total exhibits under these classes
are from the following countries: United States, 696; Great Britain 73;
Canada, 297; France, 224; Germany, 161; Austro-Hungary, 53; Switz-
erland, 24; Belgium, 38; Netherlands, 72; Sweden, 85; Norway, 77;
Italy, 259; Brazil, 260; Argentine Republic, 632; total, 2,951. The
aggregate of the Argentine Republic is especially remarkable, nearly
equaling that of the United States. The great majority of these last-
named exhibits consist in forest and agricultural products and their
preparations, especially textile fibers. There are memorials of a wonder-
ful luxuriance of production, mostly spontaneous. Very few processes
are illustrated by specimens, and no implements or machinery are pre-
sented except a single model of a pump. Grand capabilities of produc-
tion are here indicated, with but little of systematic effort to realize
their results.

Arboriculture and forest products.—Under this head the United States
presents several collective exhibits remarkable for their value and full-
ness. Kansas has a very fine display of timber from her scanty wood-
lands. Indiana presents a collection embracing all kinds of timber
found in the State. Oregon, Iowa, Delaware, West Virginia, and
Michigan show similar exhibits, but not so systematic or complete.
The National Timber Preserving Company, of Philadelphia, exhibit
their chemical method of timber-preservation. The Eastern Burnet-
izing Company illustrate their method of wood-preservation by fore-
ing a solution of chloride of zine into the pores, after having previ-
ously expelled the air and sap. Itis claimed that the chemical enters
into permanent combination with the ligneous fibers, hardening and
improving their texture. Canada has a fine collection of rough and sawn
timber arrangedinabuilding. Several of these are manufactures of wood,
illustrating rather mechanical processes than original growth. Germany
sends a specimen of manufactured resins; Austria, two specimens of
manufactured wood, and some saffron ; Netherlands, some sieve-frames,
cork, and a plant one hundred years old; Sweden, some fir timber, grown
at latitude 67°, and a regular sylvicultural collection; Norway, some
specimens of wood and its manufactures ; Italy, seeds, nuts, leaves, &c;
Brazil, a variety of samples of native woods and of lumber prepared
for market. The Argentine collection is especially full, embracing
numerous systematic collections illustrating the arboretum of large
provinces.

Pomology.—The exhibit of Pomology includes fruits of the tropical,
semi-tropical, and temperate regions. A separate building, called
Pomological Hall, has been erected, and connected with Agricultural
Hall by a covered way. It is 200 feet long and 180 wide, giving facili-
ties for the display of 8,000 dishes of fruit at one time. For the exhibi-
tion of fresh fruits in their season, special occasions were designated by
the Centennial Commission, as follows: For pomological products and
vegetables, May 16 to 24; strawberries, June 7 to 15; raspberries and
blackberries, July 3 to 8; Southern pomological products, July 18 to 22;
melons, August 22 to 26; peaches, September 4 to 9; Northern pomo-
logical products, September 11 to 16; autumn vegetables, September 19

251

to 23; grapes, Oetober 10 to14. Foreign exhibits in this kind of perish-
able articles are necessarily very scanty. Canada shows some cran-
berries and a collection of apples and pears modeled in wax; France, a
few fruits; Austria, a remarkable combination of currants and goose-
berries growing upon the same stem, with some fresh grapes and Turkish
prunes. Italy shows some oranges and olives. The cranberry region of
New Jersey is represented by some fine specimeus. A collection of wax
models of apples and pears of Iowa is presented by the board of agricul-
ture in that State.

Agricultural products.—The next head of the classification embraces
the direct products of soil-culture, except textile fibers. Several States
presented collective exhibits of their capacities for general culture, more
or less full. The most prominent of these special exhibits is that of
Kansas which, with the Territory of Colorado, occupied a separate build-
ing. The specimens are labeled with great care, giving the county, resi-
dence, and name of the party by whom they were grown. The yield per
acre in each county, from therecordsof the State agricultural department,
is furnished on application. A large map of the State, spread out
upon the wall, enables the inquirer to locate each county and to gain
very clear ideas of the agricultural character of the State. Wheat stems
are shown from 5 to 64 feet high, with heads 3 to 6 inches long; corn-
Stalks 13 to 174 feet high, with ears commencing 10 feet from the ground;
oats, 5 to 64 feet high; rye, 5 to 7 feet high; broom-corn, 18 feet high ;
blue-grass, 5 feet 4 inches high. The collection of grasses embraces 14
wild varieties, commencing with buffalo grass 6 inches high, and ending
with blue-stem prairie-grass over 10 feet high—*‘ too big for hay, but not
quite big enough for cord-wood.” Clover from 4 to 5 feet high, and ears
of corn 12 to 15 inches long, have ceased to astonish the natives of this
region. One stalk of corn had 13 ears and another 7. Iowa exhibited
a fine collection of cereals, grasses, vegetables, seeds, &c. A remark-
able feature in this Iowa exhibit is the collection of specimens of soils
from 35 different counties in sections 6 feet deep. Massachusetts, Indiana,
Michigan, Delaware, Ohio, and West Virginia also present collective
exhibits of soil products. Oregon accompanies a similar exhibit with a
printed statement of her resources, in which cereals and grasses are
especially prominent. Wheat crops have not been known to fail during
the thirty years since the settlement of the State. Neither weevil, smut,
nor drought have been known to any extent; the grain is said to attain
the weight of 69 pounds per bushel, and cats 45 to 50 pounds; good
wheat lands, with good cultivation, yield from 26 to 45 bushels per acre ;
barley, 40 to 70; oats, 68 to 80. These statements are guaranteed by
the Oregon State Board of Immigration. Arkansas has a collection of
soil products in a separate building, and distributes publications showing
the extent and value of her agricultural resources. The grain produc-
tion of this State is developing remarkably, while its grass crops are
unexcelled by any other State. Corn 14 feet high, and grass 7 feet high,
are noted in the history of a recent editorial excursion by newspaper
representatives of several Eastern and Northern States. Among large
vegetables seen by these tourists, cucumbers weighing over 60 pounds
each were noted. The Western North Carolina Land-Company has a
collection of cereals, grasses, &c., of the section it represents. Corpora-
tions and individuals exhibit specimens of special production of great
interest and value to the student of our agricultural resources ; some of
these, however, have not been rightly located in the catalogue.

England sends a very small list of products of this class, but among
these is a very promising new variety of white wheat called ‘ Mainstay

252

wheat.” Though hardy and robust, it produces a grain of remarkably
fine quality. It resists the rapid alternations of temperature to which
in later years the British climate has become subject; blight and frost
have but little influence upon it; it stands the roughest weather in har-
vest time, and, if desirable, may be left uncut till after barley harvest.
In view of the late degeneration in the finer qualities of British wheat,
of which complaints have been rife, this variety is looked to with con-
siderable hope, as promising a partial or total restoration of the normal
standard of production. It is adapted to either fall or spring sowings,
but seed should be selected of grain sown at the same time as the seed-
ing proposed; that is, spring crops should be sown with grain raised
from previous spring sowings, &c. Yet the seed rapidly adapts itself
to a change in the time of sowing. The wheat yields 82 per cent. of
flour, which embraces 63.4 per cent. of fat-forming substances, 21.5 per
cent. of flesh-forming substances, 13.2 per cent of water, and 1.9 per
cent. of inorganic matter. Canada exhibits a considerable variety of
seeds, grains, &c. The French exhibit is very scanty, while those of
Germany and Switzerland are confined almost entirely to tobacco and
its preparations; Austro-Hungary shows seed, grain, and hops; Bel-
gium shows cocoa and chicory, with a few cereals; the Agricultural
Association of Netherlands, and the Dutch Agricultural Society, have
collective exhibits, while individuals and corporations present a few
features of agricultural production. A much more extensive exhibit is
shown by Sweden, including cereals, grasses, forage plants, tobacco, &e.
Several distinct societies have collective exhibits of great interest.
Norway has a few specimens of cereals and manufactured tobacco.
Italy shows grain, rice, and seeds. Brazil exhibits a very great variety
of her peculiar tropical and semi-tropical products, together with grains,
vegetables, and grasses from her temperate southern provinces. Teais
grown here, but its ordinary substitute, maté, is represented by numer-
ous specimens. Coffee and tobacco culture are extensively represented.
The Flumineuse Agricultural Institute shows tea made from coffee-
leaves. Several collections of medicinal plants illustrate the therapeu-
tic resources of the Brazilian flora. The Argentine Republic presents
a large number of specimens of cereals, mostly wheat, with grasses,
tobacco, and vegetables. Several of these exhibits are collections illus-
trating the productions of considerable districts. Sugar-cane,mandioca,
tapioca, coffee, and tobacco appear among the catalogued products.

Farm-animals.—The exhibitions of live stock will be in the live-stock
inclosure, outside the exposition-grounds. For horses, the exhibition
will be from September 1 to 14; for dogs, September 1 to 8; for neat-
cattle, September 21 to October 4; sheep, October 10 to 18; swine, Oc-
tober 10 to 18; poultry, October 27 to November 6. Of land-animals
generally quite a number of entomological, ornithological, and other
collections are on exhibition, some of which are of decided merit, espe-
cially those of the Michigan State Agricultural College and of the
Allentown (Pennsylvania) Academy of NaturalSciences. From England,
Lord Walsingham shows Southdown ewes and rams. From Canada
comes a fine museum of Canadian entomology, by the Entomological
Society of London, and several private zoological collections by indi-
viduals in different sections. From Vienna, Austria, comes a treatise
on the history of bees. Norway shows photographs of Thelemark
cattle, with a printed statement of the qualities and economic character
of this (almost the only) national breed of that northern region. The
Argentine Republic has a large list of exhibits of preserved specimens
of zoology, showing some of the peculiarities of her southern fauna.

253

Of water-animals, fisheries, and of fish-culture and apparatus, the ex-
hibit is quite extensive. The most striking exhibition under this head
is by the city of Gloucester, Mass., which claims to stand at the head of
the fishing-ports of the whole world in the extent of her operations, the
admirable model and construction of her clipper-vessels, the elaborate
facilities for preparing her products for consumption and for placing
them upon the market, and, finally, for the enterprise, daring, and
skill of her fishermen. Her exhibit at the Centennial Exposition con-
sists of a tank of water, in Agricultural Hall, twenty-three feet long and
twelve feet wide, upon which float correct models of her fishing-fleet of
both olden and modern times. A miniature wharf of modern construc-
tion and a cob-wharf, representative of past days, very strikingly illus-
trate the progress which has marked this branch of productive enter-
prise. A graving-dock and marine-railway running down into the
water greatly lighten the labor of landing the finny cargoes ; miniature
crews of model fishermen, clad in garments peculiar to their avocation,
present characteristic scenes of the Gloucester fish-trade. Specimens
of the products and machinery of fishing, with minerals, mosses, shells,
corals, &c., from the sea are ranged around the tank. The statistics of
this port for 1875 show a total fish-production of $3,909,500, of which
about half represents the cod-fisheries, and one-sixth mackerel, and
nearly one-sixth halibut; the remainder consists of herring, hake, shell-
fish, &c.

~ In the Agricultural Hall large glass aquaria are provided for the

accommodation of numerous fresh and salt water animals. These
aquaria are themselves exhibits, showing the most scientific methods of
preserving live fish. Casts of fossil-fish and marine animals are numer-
ous. Preserved products of the fisheries come from different parts of
the country, together with fishing-apparatus and prepared bait. <A fish-
hatching apparatus from Northville, Mich., illustrates an important
improvement in economic civilization. From England the official cata-
logue notes only specimens of emasculated salmon. Canada shows a
considerable number of fishery-products, together with some improve-
ments in fish-catching. France shows numerous fish-products, mostly
preserved sardines; one exhibit consists of pearls. Austro-Hungary
has some preserved fish, and Netherlands some fishing boats, hooks, &e.
Sweden and Norway excel all other foreign countries in the extent and
variety of their exhibit under this head. The Swedish Royal Centen-
nial Commission have a collection of fishes living in Swedish waters.
Fish-products and processes of fishing are numerous. The Museum of
Bergen, Norway, presents a collection of zoological memorials especially
rich in the marine and fresh-water animals. Fish-products and fishing-
apparatus are shown in numerous and elaborate forms. Among the
latter is a unique fishing-sled from Christiania. Italy shows a few eels
and sardines in oil. Brazil exhibits isinglass, and the Argentine Re-
public sea-shells and fishing-lines and baskets.

Animal and vegetable products.—This is an extensive list of exhibits,
including preparations of animal flesh, milk, tissue, oils, &c., and
numerous vegetable products. The great pork establishments of the
West make a fine display of their products, while the glue and candle
factories of the East exhibit very creditable specimens. One exhibitor
proposes to obviate *‘ the peculiar and unpalatable piggy flavor so notice-
able in most hams” by a delicate tlavoring in the process of cure in
combination with pure white powdered sugar. Brands of cooked meats,
biscuits of fish-flour, and specimens of mince-meat, illustrate the
economic direction of art in the preparation of animal food. One ex-

254

hibitor showed models of the old cracked Independence bell, ot eagles,
hogs, &c., made of lard, hardened to resist heat and whitened to the
beauty of the purest Parian marble. This head also includes an
immense variety of vegetable preparations, of dried and canned fruit,
farina, flour, meal, canned vegetables, pickles, relishes, sauces, sirups,
starch, maple sugar and molasses, beet-sugar vinegar, wines, spirituous
and malt liquors, confectionery, bread, cakes, yeast, vegetable oils, &e.
The exhibition of English goods under this head is as varied, if not as
extensive, as that of the United States. One English exhibitor has on
exhibition a preparation of starch with which he proposes to render
fabrics and timber uninflammable. He distributes condensed tea.and
coffee, flavored with milk and sugar, in capsules, one of which will
transform a cup of warm water into a cup of either beverage. He has
other equally wonderful combinations, for which space is wanting in
this report. Canada, among animal products, exhibits skins, leather,
preserved meats, &c. Of vegetable products she shows a great variety
of flour, meal, starch, vermicelli, preserved fruits and vegetables,
wines, spirituous and malt liquors, &c. France presents cheese, leather,
(of which a large special exhibit comes from Saint Saems, Seine-Infé-
rieure,) preserved meats; of vegetables her collection includes pre-
served fruits, confectionery, wines, liquors, vegetable oils, &e. Germany
confines her exhibit of animal products mostly to leather; of vegetable
products she reports some preparations of cereals, grape-sugar, choco-
late, &c., but her great specialties are wine and beer. Austria shows
hops, seeds, and cereals; Switzerland, leather, honey, wax, preparations
of coffee, chocolate, sauces, absinthe, and other liquors; Belgium, oils,
leather, beet-sugar and its preparations, vinegar, wine, cordials, bread,
&c.; Netherlands, cheese, horn, glue, medicinal animal oils, feathers,
canned fruits and vegetables, flour, bread, chocolate, sugar from grapes,
potato-meal, wines, liquors, beer, vegetable oils, &c.; Sweden, dairy
products, glue, leather, flour, starch, bread, sugar, confectionery, liquors,
(especially whisky from reindeer moss,) vinegar, punch, &c.; Norway,
condensed milk, crackers of fish-meal, preserved old cheese, leather,
preserved meat, preserved vegetables, spirituous and malt liquors, &c.;
Italy, cheese, sausage, albumen, hides, leather, honey of orange-flowers,
preserved meats, fruits, dried, candied, and inalcohol; vegetables, sauces,
relishes, seeds, bread, flour, pickles, vinegar, wines, liquors, sugar, con-
fectionery, &c; Brazil, hides, horns, furs, leather, giue, oil, tallow, medi-
cinal plants and roots, coloring-matter, manioc-flour, fruits, vegetable
oils, sugar, confectionery, cocoa-oil, vinegar, wine, aguardiente, coftee-
liquors, peach-liquor, chocolate, &c.; Argentine Republic, sponges,
leather, ostrich eggs and feathers, honey, cheese, butter, hides, furs,
animal charcoal, milk extract, dried fruits and nuts, flour, starch,
manioc-flour, wines, liquors, vinegar, sugar, confectionery, &c.

Wines and liquors.—The extent of the wine and liquor exhibit invites
a more extended notice. The number of American exhibitors is large
and representative of a vast capital invested. Several large wine
establishments located in the Eastern and Central States make an im-
posing display of their products. It is noticeable that the wine-making
industry tends to crystallize around certain prominent points, but the
greatest development of this industry is in California. Here are the
most extensive grape culture and wine manufacture. One company in
this State has 6,000 acres of land planted mostly in grapes, though as
yet but 450 acres are in bearing. This company, in order to secure a
perfectly homogeneousa nd even character for their wines, do not pur-
chase grapes of other producers, but confine themselves to their own

4 a
we

255

vineyards. Their cellars contain about hal a million gallons at one
time. Their goods are marketed in California, the States east of the
Rocky Mountains, Central and South America, Australia, and China.
Some of the finer varieties of these wines are shipped to Europe. In
this region European varieties of the grape, such as cannot be grown
in the Eastern States, grow in great abundance; but a leading favorite
is found in the old Mission grapes of Spanish origin, acclimated by the
Roman Catholic missionaries when California was an integral part
of Mexico. In the Eastern States only American varieties of the
grape can be successfully grown. The leading localities of wine-
manufacture here represented are around Egg Harbor, N. J.; Ham-
mondsport, N. Y.; the southern shore of Lake Erie, with adjacent
islands in Ohio and several local points in Missouri. Kelley’s Island,
in Lake Erie, with an area of about 3,000 acres, produces Catawba
grapes in greatest perfection and manufactures a superior quality of
Catawba wine. Alcoholic distillation from molasses is prominent in
New England, and from grain in the central and western grain-pro-
ducing States; but this industry is but imperfectly represented in the
Centennial. Of malt liquors, the exhibit at the restaurants and drink-
ing-stands is far more varied and extensive than in the Exposition Hall.
In fact, the consumption of lager is simply stupendous, illustrating the
wonderful capacity of the human stomach and the great development
of appetite for this Teutonic beverage. Several economic hop-extracts
are noted among American exhibits. One of our American exhibitors
presents a specific cordial, intended to supersede European cordials.
England exhibits only one kind of wine, extracted from freshly-
gathered cowslip-flowers in Leicestershire. It is used mostly for
medicinal purposes as a gentle tonic, its alcoholic strength being
about equal to the mildest claret. Irish and Scotch whiskies are shown.
Koumiss, an extract of cow’s milk, imitated from the preparation
of mare’s milk by the Tartars, is one of the alcoholic preparations on
exhibition. Malt liquors'in great variety, the characteristic bever-
ages of the fast-anchored isle, are represented by numerous samples.
Canada shows a few brands of native wine, some ale, porter, and malt,
and some products of distillation. The wine exhibit of France is such
as might be expected from the enormous production of that country.
Prominent among the regions in which this industry is prosecuted
is the famous champagne district, including about four departments of
France, viz, Ardennes, Marne, Upper Marne, and Aube. This district
extends from Méziéres on the Meuse, across the valleys of the Aisne,
the Marne, the Loire, the Aube, and the Seine, nearly or quite to the
confines of Lower Burgundy. But this extensive region is subdivided
into the “ poor” and “rich” champagne, the former extending north-
ward from Rheims and the latter confined to the valley of the Marne,
embracing about 50,000 acres in vineyards. The vineyardists within
this region very dogmatically assert that no real champagne is found
outside of the department of the Marne, but wine connoisseurs of
accepted authority both in Europe and America declare that much
wine of the neighboring districts if branded “Goutte d’Or,” ** Moque-
Bouteille,” “‘Céte-a-bras,” or “Closet,” would pass the most experi-
enced wine-tasters without challenge. The name Sillery has long
outlived the excellence of which it was once an ample guarantee. The
choicest vineyards of the establishment have fallen into inferiority by
actual mismanagement. Epernay, a few miles west of Chalons, is
the great center of the champagne production. Here from 30,000 to
36,000 acres of vineyard, cultivated with extreme care, furnish the

material from which this famous wine is manufactured. Something
in the character of the soil and modes of culture give especial delicacy
of taste and peculiar bouquet to the juice, which qualities are preserved
and intensified by careful and scientific manipulation. About one-fourth
of the vineyards are planted with the white grape and three-fourths
with the black grape, but both produce white wine, the juice of the
black grapes being drawn from the press before the coloring-matter of
the skins has mingled with it. In an unusually good year, when the
black grapes are especially mature, the wine receives a slight pinkish
or amber tinge, which is regarded as an evidence of extra good
quality. The best growth of black grapes is found at Ay, Mareuil,
Champillon, Hautevillers, Dizy, Epernay, Pierry, Camieres, and Aveney-
on the Marne; and at Bouzy, Verzenay, Sillery, Mailly, and Rilly, on the
mountain of Rheims. The best white grapes are grown at Cramant,
Avize, Le Mesnil, Oger, Grauves, and Cuis, to the south of Epernay.
Other celebrated wine-districts are also represented by numerous sam-
ples—Bourdeaux, Burgundy, Jura, Saumur, &c. The most celebrated
brands of brandy, eau-de-vie, and other preparations of alcoholic drinks,
are also on exhibition. In some cases there are collective exhibits by
municipal or other corporations. The catalogue, however, contains no
mention of malt liquors from France. The Germanic taste for beer
seems to have been eradicated from the Frenchman, whose tastes are
rather those of the Peninsular-European races, with whose blood his
own is so largely mixed. Germany presents a large array of local brands
of wine, alcoholic and malt liquors. The last are especially noted in a
collective exhibit from Bavaria, representing the leading brewers of that
kingdom. The rich wine-production of Austro-Hungary has but few
representatives at the Centennial, and the alcoholic and malt liquors
fewer still. Switzerland concocts the diabolical green and white ab-
sinthe. Belgium sends a few cordials and one or two brands of beer;
Netherlands, gin of the Schiedam brand, and some elaborate alcoholic
preparations; Sweden, whisky from reindeer-moss, ale, and prepared
punch; Norway, alcoholic and malt liquors. Italy has a long list of
wines and spirituous liquors, but none of malt. From Brazil comes
aguardiente, from sugar-cane, and also spirits extracted from maté and
quinces. A few wines are noted, but not of a generally-known charac-
ter. The Argentine Republic sends chacoli wine, aguardiente, cherry-
liquor, &c.

Textile substances, animal or vegetable-—Our great southern staple,
cotton, is presented mostly in collective exhibits, embracing all the local
varieties of this country, with a large representation of the fibers grown
in foreign lands. Hemp, flax, wool, shoddy, curled hair, bristles, horse-
hair, hair-moss are also shown in great variety. England shows wools, In-
dian rhea, and other fibers, including wool made from old rags, called in
this country shoddy; Canada has wool, flax, and hair, and fabrics made
from them; France has raw silk and cocoons; Germany, merino wool
and horse-hair; Belgium, flax, wool, and white bristles; Sweden, flax
rotted by chemicals; Italy, raw and combed hemp; Brazil had a hand-
some display of cotton, which was consumed by accident, threatening a
general conflagration; also hemp-flax, jute, wool; hair, animal and veg-
etable; silk and silk-worms, tow, flax, &c.; Argentine Republic, cotton,
chaguar thread and bark, yuchan-fiber, caraguata-fiber and fabrics made
of it, silk and cocoons, flax, wool, angora fleece, alpaca wool, cow-hair,
hair-ropes, &c.

Machines, implements, and processes of manufacture.—In this depart-
ment, which occupies almost half the building, American inventive genius

257

is almost alone in the field, exhibiting acres on acres of farm implements
and machines, many of which were in motion, being driven by steam.
From the nature of these exhibits and the absence of shelving and stand
inclosures a better general view of this branch of the exposition is prae-
ticable. It is impossible to describe the animation of the scene and the
remarkable beauty of the machinery upon which the resources of deco-
rative art have been lavished. The smaller implements are arranged in
eases, frequently showing fine artistic taste in their arrangement.
Even the large machines are arranged with reference to picturesque
effect upon finely-carpeted stages, in remarkable contrast with the rough
field-work in which they find their legitimate exercise.

In the official catalogue the first class embraces machines and imple-
ments of tillage, such as spades, hoes, rakes, and other tools, plows,
cultivators, rollers, harrows, pulverizers, propelled by animal force, and
the same, on a larger scale, propelled by steam. Hand-tools are exhib-
ited in endless variety of shape and material. It would seem that in-
ventive genius has anticipated the necessities of soil-culture, and has
imagined itself in all possible circumstances, to enable it to detect the
difficulties and to facilitate the execution of labor. Spades, shovels,
forks, axes, hatchets, hoes, hand-rakes, are arranged in almost every
conceivable shape that would overcome or diminish the resistance of
the ground. For the breaking-up and pulverization of the soil, plows,
cultivators, harrows, rollers, pulverizers, &c., exhibit not only exten-

sive adaptations of old principles, but also new inventions and princi-
ples whose validity is yet to be tested in practice. The latter contriv-
ances aim at the accomplishment of the same work with less resistance
and consequent expenditure of power, or an increased efficiency with
the same exertion. Contrivances to lessen or overcome side-draft, and
to utilize the whole motive-power in the direct work of the instrument,
indicate one of the objective points of invention. The adaptation of
plows to hill-side work, by shifting the mold-board in alternate direc-
tions, is an important specialty contemplated in the improvement of
tillage. Mold-boards are made of peculiar combinations of metal, hav-
ing the least practicable affinity for water and mud, in order to meet the
requirement of wet, swampy soils. The sulky-plow invites the plowman
to an elevated seat, from which he can direct the movement of the in-
strument and at the same time enjoy the pleasure of a ride. This sav-
ing of muscular force in the laborer is in the direction of modern civil-
ization, which as far and as fast as possible relieves the tasks of elemen-
tary production. The swivel-plow, leaving no dead furrows, has enlisted
many bright, inventive minds inits perfection. Plows adapted to heavy
excavation, for railroads and other great enterprises, are constructed on
principles differing in some aspects from those of plows for tillage. All
of these necessities appear to have been appreciated, and combinations
of form and material suited to these circumstances are quite numerous.
Experiments with steel and chilled iron have been so far satisfactory as
to cause a large investment in plows of these materials. One manu-
facturing company has invented a new metal for mold-boards, called
carbon, a mixture of refined steel, wrought iron, and other metals, which,
it is claimed, is harder than steel or any surface-chilled iron. A singular
novelty is found in what is called the rotary gang-plow. The mold-
board is in the shape of a truncated cone, the edge of its wider diam-
eter being sharpened and made to revolve around the axis of the cone.
Its plane of movement is parallel to the line of draft and its sharp edge
cuts a furrow whose depth is regulated by a simple mechanism. It may
be either directed by handles, as in old-fashioned plows, or it may be

258

furnished with a seat, like a sulky-plow, and the plowman may ride at
ease. A plowman of very ordinary skill is competent to manage this
implement. It may be set to turn two furrows, by attaching two rotary

ld-boards to the machine. - Such are some of the points set forth in
this novel invention, but it evidently requires a more complete trial and
a more perfect adjustment, in order to meet the requirements of an ex-
panding agricultural enterprise. The enormous extent of plow-man-
ufacture is indicated in the statement of a new firm, making chilled-
iron plows in the West. In 1871 they made 1,506 plows; in 1872,
3,049 plows; in 1873, 7,472 plows; in 1874, 14,976 plows in 1875,
31,077 plows. The orders received during 1875 exceeded the produc-
tion by 10,000. The manufacture for 1876 has been fixed at 75,000
plows asa minimum. Other statements, equally well attested, indicate
a Similar increase in the production of plows by other firms. The culti-
vator has become not less important to the farmer than the plow itself,
and forms no less elaborate, embodying the latest application of econo-
mic principles, are observable in this branch of production. A machine
for pulverizing the soil, constructed like a harrow, with circular, sharp
disks, instead of teeth, revolving upon shifting axes, is one of the nov-
elties in this line of construction. Harrows are also exhibited in
great variety and construction, both solid and jointed. In nearly all
these cases the plow or cultivator is to be driven only by horse-power.
No steam-plows are on exhibition by American exhibitors, as far as
shown by the catalogue.

The next class ef implements have relation to planting. Broadcast
sowing still has its advocates and adherents among farmers, and to meet
this requirement broadcast seeders are still invented, constructed, and
sold. One hand-machine is offered at the Centennial which proposes to
sow from 4 to 8 acres per hour. ‘The same machine mounted on wheels
and drawn by two horses, it isclaimed, will seed from 10 to 15 acres per
hour. It casts wheat from 30 to 36 feet; barley, from 27 to 33 feet;
hemp, from 27 to 30 feet; and generally a heavy seed is thrown further
than alight one. Another combines a cultivator with the sowing ap-
paratus in order to break up corn-stalk ground without plowing. But
broadcast devices are not numerous at the Exposition, while the drill is
found in an immense variety of adaptations. Exhibitors, of course, are
profoundly convinced of the superiority of their own machines, and itis
not proposed in this article to pass any judgment upon their conflicting
claims, but to indicate some leading characteristics of the wares on ex-
hibition. The points of excellence claimed by different machines have
respect, mainly, to the regulation of the depth at which the seed is
deposited, and of the flow of seed through the pipes. The devices for fore-
ing feed are put forward as prominent advantages by several exhibitors.
Arrangements are made by which hoes are deflected by accidental obstruc-
tions, such as stones, &c., without breaking. In some cases the quan-
tity of seed discharged through the pipes is regulated automatically by
an arrangement in the gearing which may be altered if desirable; in
other cases the quantity is regulated by the driver. By a simple con-
trivance, involving a very slight adjustment, the drill may be trans-
formed into a wheel-hoe. A separate box for the distribution of some
concentrated fertilizer with the seed is put forward as an especial excel-
lence of some machines. Specific improvements are claimed in the
method of gearing, in the arrangement of the draft, reducing resistance
to a minimum, in the materials of which different parts of the mechan-
ism are constructed, in securing a perfect equilibrium when in motion,
in perfect ease in operating, in the elimination of straws and other ob-

259

structions from the seed by spiral wheels or otherwise, in automatic ad-
justments to suit grains of different kinds and sizes, in the thorough
covering of the seed and leveling of the ground after sowing, &c. Corn-
planters specially adapted to the seeding of maize are also present in
considerable numbers. In some, the seedsman holds the machine toits
work by means of handles like those of the plow. In others, he rides
upon the machine and regulates its flow of seed by an easy adjustment
with either hand or foot. One machine carries an attachment which traces
the line of the next seeding-furrow exactly 4 feet from the previous one.
For planting in check-rows automatic arrangements are claimed by some
exhibitors, while others place this function in charge of a supernumerary
man or boy riding on the machine. The corn-planter is also combined
with a cultivator-attachment, so as to save plowing in tbe corn-stubble
by thoroughly stirring the surface. No adaptations of seed-machinery
to steam-power are noted among this class of exhibits. A few attempts
to combine the drill and broadcast methods so that the same machine
may answer different and even incongruous purposes, shows the extent
and scope of our daring inventive genius.

The most extensive array of farm-machinery falls under the head of
harvesters. A few of the machines are devoted to the single function
of mowing. In those parts of our country where grain is grown to only
a limited extent, and where grass is the staple crop, au implement
suited only to mowing, as might be expected, can be constructed with
_ less machinery and of less complicated character than where it is pro-
posed to save the expense of two instruments by combining with the
mower an attachment for gathering the grain for bundling. The
mower is presented of every size and combination, from the simple lawn-
mower, which a single man can drive, to the ponderous two-horse
machine. The lawn-mowers are generally combined with a roller-attach-
ment for leveling the ground at the same time the grass is cut. Some-
times these instruments are so large as to require a single horse to supply
the motive power, in which case the operator may drive the machine,
seated upon it, or he may direct it by means of plow-handles, walking
behind it. Of the field-mowers, some employ the direct-draught prin-
ciple, the knives being located between the wheels, the horses being
placed widely apart, entirely outside the swath, by means of a long neck-
yoke and double-tree. It works back and forth on the same side of the
field. Another machine adapts the side-draught principle, with no pur-
pose of transforming it into a reaper. It claims to have secured, by a
new mechanical movement, the easy conversion of the slow rotation of
the wheels into the rapid reciprocating motion of the knife, and a noise-
less action which the side-draught mowers convertible into reapers can-
not attain. .

But when grain and grass farming are combined on a moderate scale
the economic advantage of a machine which, by a simple adjustment,
may be adapted to either kind of harvesting, renders the attractions of
the combined machine irresistible as saving in the outlay of eapital,
which is called for in so many new directions in modern farming. In
the earlier machines of this kind, a raker was seated on the platform,
raking the grain into bundles as it fell under the knife. But few of that
class now hold possession of the market, though one provides a canopied
platform for two binders to gather the cut grain into sheaves. The self-
raking attachment has been generally adopted, saving one hand in the
harvest-field and probably diminishing the draught on the whole. But
a third combination is shown in these machines: a binder-attachment
gathers the cut grain into sheaves, fastens them with a stout wire, and

260

then projects them beyond the next swath to be cut. This arrangement
saves from two to four hands in the harvest-field, or from $5 to $10 per
day in harvesting grain, a consideration of special importance, in view
of the high prices of labor in the grain-raising regions. A gentleman
at the Centennial once saw an old-fashioned harvest-gang of 43 men
accomplishing but little more than what this machine claims to average.
The mechanical constructions by which these results are secured are
various and interesting, but the subject is too extensive for a brief report.
In this branch of constructive enterprise the men of brains, of nerve, of
untiring energy, all over our land, are contending for the prizes and
awards to be distributed in the sight of the whole world, gathered by rep-
resentatives at the Centennial. No more interesting contest is presented
at this memorable Exposition than that between the exhibitors of har-
vest-machines. Hach of these represents an imposing array of intellectual
and physical forces, and a history in which the higher qualities of manhood
are conspicuously pre-eminent. Other classes of machinery likewise
represent a powerful combination of capital, intelligence, and experience,
but the most animated and interesting struggle for supremacy will be
between the rival harvesters.

Among harvesting-machines the official Centennial catalogue includes
hay-rakes, tedders, and loaders. The contrivances represented at the
Exhibition represent a wonderful labor-saving economy. In some rakes
the dropping of the hay is effected by an automatic arrangement ; in
other cases it is regulated by the will of the operator, whose hand or
foot elevates the tines and allows the hay to fall into the winrow. In
some cases both these methods are secured, the automatic arrangement
being capable of re-adjustment at the will of the operator. For the
handling of hay in larger masses, several contrivances, called hay-loaders
or hay-elevators, are presented. One of these is designed to facilitate
the gathering of hay upon the wagon. It is a truck of two wheels, to be
attached to the hinder part of the hay-wagon. Between the wheels,
and revolving with them, is a skeleton cylinder, the bars of which are
armed with metallic bent fingers which, on being driven lengthwise over
a winrow, gather up the hay and carry it along a revolving flexible
frame to the bed of the wagon. It claims to gather up a ton within five
minutes as cleanly as average hay-pitchers could perform the same work.
Other contrivances, representing nearly the same principles of move-
ment and accomplishing substantially the same result, exhibit some
minor modifications and adaptations, the value of which can be tested
only by practical results, but they seem to have relieved the hay-har-
vest of its heaviest remaining labor, that of transferring the hay from
the ground to the wagon. If the efficiency of these machines is but half
as great as claimed; if a ton of hay can be loaded in ten minutes in-
stead of five, it is easy to see that a moderate crop can be disposed of
within the limits of a day and can be readily saved from an approach-
ing storm. A third class of hay-harvesting machinery is that of hay-
elevators. These can be adapted either to stacking the hay in the open
field or to elevating it into the mow. In the former case, derricks of
simple construction give the required fulcrum; in the latter, the barn-
rafters afford a convenient attachment. The grappling apparatus may
consist of merely a large hay-fork, which being thrust into the hay
automatically gathers it in a wide and strong embrace upon being
drawn upward, and when arrived at its proper position is made to drop
its burden by simply pulling a small rope; or it may consist of a har-
poon-fork, which being driven through a mass of hay thrusts out iron
fingers at the bottom on pulling a rope attached {to the top. When the

261 i

lift has arrived over its desired position the slacking of the rope with-
draws the fingers and allows the hay to fall. The elevation is accom-
plished by horse-power, with a pulley combination. Thus every branch
of this laborious hay-harvest has been relieved by mechanical processes.
Some exhibitors claim to be able to unload an average two-horse wagon
within ten minutes.

Another class of agrieultural implements includes all contrivances for.
preparing farm-products for marketing and consumption. In the case
of grain-crops the first process is to separate the grain from the stalk.
Maize is separated by hand, no mechanical process having yet been
discovered whereby the ears can be automatically gathered from the
stalk, but several contrivances have proved an economical success by
which the grain is separated from the cob. Tor the thrashing of small
grain, machines embracing partial applications of principles still regu-
lating the process were long ago constructed. But the modern thrash-
ing-machine, with its fuller embodiment of those principles, and with
its subsidiary processes of separating and cleaning the grain and of ele-
vating the straw for stacking, indicates a great advance in economic
science and art. Farmers still living once knew no better way of sep-
arating the grain from the stalk than by beating it with flails or by
trampling it with horses, Could their fathers, from whom they learned
those primitive methods, now revisit the scenes of their earthly labors
and witness the wonderful performances of a first-class thrasher and
cleaner, they would doubtless feel the most profound astonishment.
But familiarized as we are with the gradual expansion of industrial
enterprise and with the successive achievements of economic art, we
fail to mark the grand eras of progress through which we have already
passed. Yet,even to the present generation, the thrashing-machine is a
wonder. It represents almost the only great agricultural process to
which steam-power in this country has been successfully applied.
Among the results of these machines, not including some doubtful
extreme statements, one two-horse-power separator, it is claimed,
thrashed at the rate of 140 bushels of wheat per hour; a large steam
separator, constructed in Wisconsin for a California farmer, thrashed,
separated, and cleaned barley at the rate of 10 bushels, and wheat over
9 bushels, per minute, or about 550 bushels per hour. Fanning-mills,
without any marked departure from old principies and methods, ex-
hibit a very thorough application of those principles in new arrange-
ments and contrivances for the cleaning of grain. A cockle-separa-
tor presents a marked specialty in this class of machines.

In Machinery Hall are exhibited portable and stationary engines,
easily adapted to farm purposes. Hay and straw cutters display quite
a range of contrivance, from the simple, sharp-toothed hay-knife to an
elaborate mechanism driven by horse or even steam power. SBaling-
presses, for hay, cotton, &c., of great size and strength, are on exhibi-
tion. Among the oddities is a sour-kraut cutter, filling a thirty-gallon
barrel within an hour. Mills for crushing bones, phosphates, plaster,
&c., and machinery for the manufacture of grain into flour, are very
elaborate, especially in processes for cleaning the grain prior to crush-
ing, and for separating the offal from the flour. Cider and wine mills
and presses are also numerous.

In the steam and horse powers adapted to thrashing, and a few other
processes of farm economy, simplicity of construction, maximum force,
and compact mechanism seem to have been objective points in the spe-
cimens presented. If these have not yet been applied extensively to
the heavy rudimentary operations of tillage, it is not for lack of inven-

262

tive or constructive power, but because economic conditions essential
to success do not yet exist on this side of the Atlantic. A water-motor
derived from the mere pressure of a hydrant is shown to be economi-
eally adapted to light machinery, such as churning, grinding fruit pre-
paratory to pressure, &c. The old-fashioned wind-motor is exhibited in
numerous kinds of wind-mills, erected in the rear of Agricultural Hall,
Their power is tested in raising water from wells into elevated tanks.
A machine of moderate cost and dimensions will supply enough water
for a large stock-farm. This motor might also be adapted to a consid-
erable variety of farm machinery, such as fanning-mills, churning, &e.
Several devices for meat-chopping are exhibited under this head. Ma-
chinery for steaming roots, for scalding hogs, for pressing lard, for par-
ing fruit, for sharpening tools, for making vinegar, for weighing prod-
ucts, &c., are numerous and varied.

At the time the observations for this report were made, the dairy
hall had not been opened, and only a small part of the machinery had
arrived; consequently no adequate notice of this branch of the Exposi-
tion can be given.

Foreign exhibits under the head of machinery, tools, &c., may be
briefly sammarized. England shows some large and elaborate steam-
machinery for plowing and other operations of tillage and transporta-
tion, together with elaborate machinery for grinding wheat into flour.
Some of this machinery is adapted to the miscellaneous operations of
the farm, thrashing, cleaning, fanning, pumping, harrowing, chaff and
straw cutting, &c. Canada shows a considerable list of improvements
of tillage, harvesting, thrashing, fanning, separating, cleaning, hay and
reot chopping, cheese-making, cider and wine making, portable and sta-
tionary steam-engines, &c. France presents very little competition with
us in contrivances for saving labor in the elementary toils of agriculture.
She has a few wine and oil presses, corking-apparatus for wine-bottles,
new contrivances in wine-making, mill-stones, shearing-machines, &c.
Germany has a few improvements in winnowing, sorting, and grinding
grain, and in brewing. The Austrian, Dutch, and Swiss catalogues
show no entries under this head. Belgium has some machinery for
grinding grain. Sweden has some harvesting implements and machin-
ery, plows, and dairy utensils and appliances. Norway, with a small
assortinent of hand-implements, exhibits a mask for killing cattle. Italy
has a few plows and some harvesting-machinery, with a butter-machine.
Brazil enters some plows, a machine for preparing coffee, and a filter for
sugar-distillation. The Argentine catalogue under this head is blank.

Agricultural engineering and administration—Under this head the
United States exhibits machines for ditching, road scraping and construc-
tion, stump-extracting, fence-construction, post-hole digging, ground roll-
ing and leveling, farm-transportation, wagons, carts, harness, yokes, sleds,
&e. Many of these contrivances are quite felicitous, dispensing with
much labor in the heavier farm-work. Farm-buildings for residence, for
the storage of implements and products, for special farm-operations,
such as hop-storing, fruit-drying, &c., barns, stables, sheds, abattoirs,
&c., are represented by drawings and models. Fertilizers are shown in
innumerable samples by a large number of patent-fertilizer companies.
The extent of this business, its annually increasing investment of capi-
tal and labor, cannot fail to astonish persons whose attention has not
been continuously directed to the subject. A type of numerous very
large establishments is found in the Pacific Guano Company, of Massa-
chusetts, which has erected a neat building and is testing the economic
value of its wares in the growth of flowers and plants on the grounds

263

This corporation has a million dollars invested ; its object is to prepare
for the farmers’ use native and imported guano, phosphatic minerals,
fish-manure, and other organic matter, &c. England shows some milling-
apparatus, grain-weighers, street-sweepers, bee-hives, disinfecting-fluid,
baking-powder, &c. Canada has model gates, fencing, harrows, fertil-
izers, and a bee-hive model. France has some fertilizers and models of
agricultural sheds. Germany has plans for gardens and models of
works of drainage and irrigation. Sweden has some fertilizers and
farm-drawings ; Norway some fertilizers. Italy shows a plan of Gen-
eral Garibaldi’s system of irrigation in the valley of the Tiber, and a
model bee-hive. Brazil has some specimens of guano. The Argentine
Republic has artificial manures and a model of a pump. The official
catalogue shows no competition in this class from any other nation.

Tillage and general management.— Under this head the United States
exhibits artificial food for live stock and cage-birds, devices for training
horses, shearing-machines, horseshoes and horseshoe-nails, potato-bee-
tle destroyers, &c. The official catalogue shows no entries from foreign
nations.

Itshould here be observed that the agricultural exhibits of Russia, Spain,
and Portugal were not open for inspection at the time the preliminary
observations of this report were made, and hence no reference has been
made to those countries. A few small exhibits of agricultural matter
are located in the main building as parts of small collective exhibits by
nations whose industry is but partially exhibited. Oriental nations are
conspicuous by their absence in this branch of the Exposition. The
wares of China and Japan are almost exclusively in the category of art
and manufacture. Turkey, Tunis, and Morocco fuddle American brains
by the hookah, or challenge competition in the preparation of coffee.

The agricultural part of the Exposition, as a whole, is a grand and im-
posing one, but when we come to specialties we find in it very promi-
nent and glaring deficiencies, even in branches of American production.
This, however, was just what might have been expected, and was doubt-
less true of all the international expositions that have preceded it. The
financial stringency prevailing for the last few years has decreased the
number of exhibitors, and has doubtless prevented that full and com-
plete representation in all branches of agricultural industry, especially
of American production, which a greater experience and a more system-
atic effort would have secured. From the impulse given to industrial
art by this great manifestation we may expect, on future occasions of
this character, a more thorough and systematic presentation of the actual
facts of agricultural as well as other departments of production. These
deficiencies may, at least in part, be supplied by the official exhibit of
this Department in the Government building, in which all the leading
facts of American agriculture are graphically presented.—E. C. M.

PLANTING OF FOREST-TREES IN SPAIN, AND DE-
STRUCTION OF LOCUSTS.

The return of peace in Spain is signalized by the active enlistment of
the government in measures which materially affect the agricultural
interests of the country, and the development of resources so long pros-
trated by devastating war. The ravages of locusts, hardly less than
the desolations of civil war, have brought ruin upon several of the cen-

4A

264 : a

tral provinces of thecountry. In addition to the employment of farmers |
and cultivators in collecting and. destroying the larve of the insects,
the government has resolved to employ bodies of soldiers in destroying
the insects, and to appropriate money in aid of the afflicted localities,
Another subject which at this time engages the attention of the goy-
ernment is the planting of forest-trees, which are wanting in extensive
regions of the country. A law has been proposed in the Cortes of Spain
for the compulsory planting of forests on a large scale in such regions.
The Department of Agriculture is indebted to the Secretary of State
for two communications from Hon.C. Cushing, the American minister at
Madrid; the one embracing the royal orders on the subject of checking
the multiplication of locusts, and the other the project of the law for
enforcing the planting of forest-trees. These documents are subjoined.

Sir: I observe that Congress is taking measures to check the reproduction of locusts
which have been so prejudicial to agriculture in some of our trans-Mississippi States
and Territories. These insects are, and long have béen, one of the plagues of several
of the central provinces of Spain. It may be of interest to you to have information
of some means employed in that country to protect the same from their ravages. In
addition to the measure heretofore in use, of employing the farmers and cultivators at
this season of the year in collecting and destroying the larve of the locusts for stated
compensation at the charge of the various municipalities, it is now proposed to appro-
priate public money in aid of the afflicted localities, and employ bodies of soldiers to
assist the inhabitants.

I annex copy and translation of two royal orders on the subject, just issued by the
minister of Fomento, in the first of which representation is made of the purpose of
the government to give preferent attention now, on the return of peace, to the cultiva-
tion of material interests and to the development of industrial resources, especially
agriculture, which have suffered so much from the revolutions and civil wars which
recent political extravagances of opinion and violences of act have brought on Spain.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your;obedient servant,
C. CUSHING.

ROYAL ORDERS.

[Translation.]

Most ILLustrious Sir: Not in vain had the government, seconding the noble and
elevated purposes of our august monarch, promised that, so soon as peace became a
fact, it would at once dedicate its first cares and its most preferent attention to the
real elements of our national wealth, so much decayed and downfallen in these recent
years of direful perturbation.

Our country, an eminently agricultural one, has the right to demand from the public
powers the first fruits of that happy event which all Spain is now celebrating with
unbounded joy; and certainly it is not for the government to haggle about bestowing
them, disposed as it is to protect and encourage, by all the means within its proper
sphere of action and development, the material interests of the nation, its evil-treated
agriculture, its impoverished industry, and its downcast commerce. .

The necessities of the war, as pressing as they were terrible, have snatched away from
our fields the most vigorous of the arms that labored there, ieaving their working and
cultivation in lamentable abandonment, which very speedily made itself sorrowfully
felt by greatly increasing the price of labor, rendering traffic difficult, and lessening
production in a high degree. To these evils, which increased in gravity day by day,
the government has endeavored, with all solicitude, to supply an immediate and effi-
cient remedy, by restoring to their sad firesides, to the bosom of their afilicted families,
to the parched tields which cried aloud for them, a large number of the proud youth of
Spain, who, in the ranks of our heroic army, were yesterday courageously fighting on
the fields of battle and shedding their generous blood for the legitimate constitutional
monarchy and the liberties of their country. Seventy thousand men already dis-
charged by the government are now spread over Spain, bearing upon their sun-bronzed
brows the laurel of victory and in their hands the beauteous symbol of peace, sweet
messenger of the great benefits which the country may and ought to yet hope for, if
her sons do not forget the recent lessons of their misfortune, and are able to find their
inspiration in the public necessities, with resolute purpose to satisfy them, by en-
couraging and developing all legitimate interests.

And the government has not contented itself with the mere return to their respective
provinces of these thousands of men who, after having watered with their blood the

265

field of destruction in a hundred combats, come now to fertilize, with a more benign
and beneficial means, the soil of their country; but, without leaving unheeded the im-
portant functions still confided to the army at the present time, it has ordered the re-
turn to their homes of the reserves of 1871 and 1872, meditating, moreover, the imme-
diate granting of numerous temporary licenses, to the end that, with the concurrence
under all these measures of some 140,000 men in aid of the productive forces of the
country, the result of peace may be more positive, the first and most perceptible
benefits being distributed among all the provinces.

But thereis still more: the government, seeking its inspiration in the necessities of the
country, as well as in the lively desires and sentiments of His Majesty the King, always
_ heedful of the welfare and prosperity of his people, finds nothing to interfere with fur-
thering, now that the occasion is propitious, a plan, the happy realization of which
would compensate in a certain degree for the want of other means which are not per-
mnitted for the present by the situation of the public treasury and the general state of
the country, in order to furnish capital to the farmer and abundantly diffuse the teach-
ings of modern science, to the end of giving a correct solution to the difficult problem
of obtaining from the soil the largest possible returns.

Trusting that the tranquillity of the nation will admit of it, and that all Spaniards
of willing minds, inspired by the holy love of country, are to merge their spirits and
their activity, their sentiments and their desires in the common aspiration of the hap-
piness of the country, under the institutions which constitute the whole of the existing
legality, guaranteeing public order by means of its attitude and its conduct, the gov-
ernment, which prides itself on being conservative and tolerant, now thinks of realizing
one of its most elevated purposes and most ardent desires, avoiding, for the present,
any further sacrifice of men on the part of the productive portion of the country, and
leaving, for the present year, those who ought to have entered into the conscription, in
the embrace of their families, in the peacefulness of their firesides, in the honest and
reproductive occupation of agriculture.

It is to be hoped that, with the favor of Divine Providence which has so visibly been
‘vouchsafed to our beloved King, the latter may be enabled to attain so marked a glory
in the commencement of his reign, bringing with it so much good fortune to the coun-
try and so much satisfaction for the government.

But to the evils which the war has caused to our agriculture, there are, unfortunately,
in these moments others to be added, which, being likewise extraordinary although
of different character, threaten agricultural production in an extreme degree, if, by all
available means, the revivification of the millions of germs of locusts, lying latent in
immense tracks of territory throughout thirteen provinces of the kingdom, be not pre-
vented.

The government already, with the sanction of the Cortes, is on the point of obtain-
ing, in so far as may be possible, the indispensable resources needed in order to aid the
districts most afflicted by the plague, and which, of themselves, possess the least means
for combating it, and is preparing the proper measures for the just appropriation of
the funds, and to the end that the service may be performed with the efficiency and
rapidity demanded by circumstances; but it is needful to make the result assured in
combating this new enemy, which is one of the most destructive by reason of his vo-
racity, spreading his ravages through the terribleness of his infinite numbers. It is
necessary to destroy him at his birth, to arrest him in his path, to put him to flight
whenever he is able to cause the most damage, to pursue him without quarter, confining
him to certain localities at least, in order that all Spain may not feel his ravages, may
not weep over the terrible losses he is able to cause, and that he may not bring after
him, in the track of his desolating march, misery, famine, and every manner of conflicts.

The districts which are, perhaps, the most invaded are those wherein the least popu-
lation exists, wherein arms are lacking for so resolute and arduous a campaign, where-
in the plow never enters, neither are the civilizing fruits of cultivation obtained.
Immense extents of land turned into pasturage are those always preferred by such in-
sects, in order to the better assure their pernicious reproduction, far from the towns
and centers of population, distant from cultivated lands, and where, safe from the pur-
suits which may be attempted by the husbandman, after their development is suffi-
ciently complete and they have strength to spread themselves in thick black swarms,
they rise, clouding the light of the sun, to fall like an avalanche which destroys and
lays bare everything before it upon the most fertile and verdant places, there, where
vegetation displays itself most luxuriantly and most proudly.

To avoid such terrible extremities, franght with such dire consequences, it is imper-
ative to hasten with efficacious and opportune means, furnishing men and resources
without loss of time.

The public treasury makes, as has been already said, the sacrifice which its situation
allows. The hands which are lacking, our army can supply them, giving up for such
noble labors those who may not be, for the present, indispensable for the fulfillment of
the duties pertaining to that branch of the service.

In this manner, at the same time that the soldier maintains his obligation in the

266

glorious ranks of which he forms a part, he engages, for his own advantage, and for
the good, above all, of the country, in the labors most fitted to his situation and class,
giving, moreover, a worthy example of the virtues which are combined in him as a
citizen, and proclaiming by his acts the benefits of all-blessed peace.

Inspiring himself by these considerations, His Majesty the King (whom may God
guard) has seen fit to order that the governors of the provincesinvaded by the locusts,
in conformity with the various military authorities, shall utilize such forces of the
army as, in the judgment of those authorities, may not be indispensable for the needs
of their branch of the service, recompensing the sergeants, corporals, and privates
with the gratuity previously agreed upon.

By royal order, accorded in council of ministers, I say this to your illustriousness,
or your information and the consequent ends. God guard your illustriousness many
years.

Madrid, March 27, 1876.

C. TORENO.

The DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, AND COMMERCE.

Most ILLusTRIOUS Sir: To the end of guaranteeing the application of the funds des-
tined for the work of extirpating the locust, and in conformity with what has been
proposed by your direction-general, in order to give a uniform organization in all the
invaded provinces to so important a service, upon the results of which depends the
avoidance of great evils for the agriculture of the country, His Majesty the King,
(whom may God guard,) solicitous for the fate of so highly-prized interests, has seen
fit to order the following:

1st. The sums which are conceded by this ministry for the service treated of, will be
understood in the conception of aid given to the provinces invaded by the plague, with-
out, however, for this reason, involving the derogation of the provisions of article 2 of
the royal order of June 3, 185], which declares the cost of the extinction of the locust
to be provincial or municipal, as the case may be.

2d. The sums destined for each province shall remain at the disposal of the respect-
ive governors, who shall designate a depositary therefor from among the voting mem-
bers of the provincial committee of extinction, so that he may issue in his own name
the warrants which may be required. This depositary shall be directly responsible for
the legitimate expenditure of the funds, to which end he shall take care to obtain the
necessary vouchers.

3d. The said depositaries shall render their accounts within the term fixed before-
hand by the royal order of concession, in triplicate, with the countersigned approval
(visto bueno) of the governor of the province, and on the proper paper, accompanied by
the certificate of the accounting secretary of the auxiliary commission of extinction,
in accordance with the result of the entries noted.

4th. The provincial and municipal committees will conform their action to that
which may be determined by the following instruction, formulated by your director-
general, wherein, without changing the existing provisions governing the work of ex-
terminating the locust, the various dispositions now in force are now re-arranged and
amplified in accordance with what is counseled by the experience acquired during the
last campaign.

By royal order, I say this to your illustriousness for your information and the oppor-
tune ends. God guard your illustriousness many years.

Madrid, March 27, 1876.

C. TORENO.

The DirECTOR-GENERAL OF AGRICULTURE.

PLANTING OF FORESTS.

Sm: The spectacle of the mostly puerile and altogether sterile and profitless political
debates, consisting of petty party controversies, destitute even of historical utility,
which have chiefly occupied the Cortes during the first six weeks of the session, has
not been auspicious to the national welfare of Spain.

These debates, which would otherwise have been tediously uninteresting, have had
but one incidental good effect, that of drawing from some of the members, such as
Mr. Canovas del Castillo and the Conde de Casa Valencia, admirable discourses in de-
fense of the true interests of the country, in reply to speeches of opposition members,
who seem to have spoken for no reason whatever, except to hear themselves speak.

Meanwhile, in the presence of these lamentable divagations of party spirit or per-
sonal ambition, so much in disregard of practical legislation, constant exceptions
appear, which tend to afford hope that all is not yet lost for Spain. Of this nature is
the measure proposed by D. Ignacio José Escobar, to enforce the planting of forest-
trees, the want of which is so serious a misfortune in extensive regions of the country,
esrecially in the broad and elevated plains of the Castilles and Estramadura.

't would be a work of supererogation for me to speak in detail here of the evil con-

267

sequences of the comparatively treelessness of this part of Spain, not only in the imme-
diate loss of trees themselves, but in the indirect effects of the absence of proper dis-
tribution of rains, and the consequent aridity and unproductiveness of the soil. Many
persons think the deficiency of moisture in the table-lands, in so far as affected by the
absence of trees, is a modern fact, produced by the progress of population and the im-
prevision of the people in this respect. The evil may have been augmented in this
way, but has a deeper and older origin; for the treelessness of the district of the
country in question, and its aridity, were noted as existing in the time of the Romans.
And the progress of population does not necessarily diminish the forests.

Thus, in the State of Massachusetts, there is at present a larger proportion of acre-
age in forest now than there was fifty years ago, notwithstanding the great increase of
population, if we may trust to the reports of the agricultural associations of that
State. There, however, as in so many other parts of the United States, new forest-
trees spring up spontaneously, unless prevented by tillage, on the site of the old forests
cut down, and even encroach on the neighboring grounds where these are not depas-
tured or tilled. And the problem is why they have not done so in Spain, for which no
solution is presented, except that the lands are left open to pasturage by sheep or neat-
cattle. But this solution is not a very satisfactory one, the question being whether
the pasturage is cause or effect, just as the suggestion of fires to account for the tree-
lessness of our prairies involves doubt whether the susceptibility of waste by fires is
cause or effect.

It would seem that the prairies of Wisconsin and Iowa must have existed in a pre-
vious state to be overrun by fires, and the plains of Castile by domesticated animals,
without which neither could have been so overrun; and, as to the latter, the supposi-
tion is confirmed by all which we certainly know, little as it is, of the primeval condi-
tion of Spain. However that was, the injurious neglect of plantations in Spain is
plainly discernible ; and such is the evil which Mr. Escobar proposes to cure by a law
for the compulsory planting of forest-trees on a large scale wherever they are wanting
in Spain. I observe, in passing, that the plague of locusts is understood to prevail only

‘in regions of country comparatively destitute of forest-trees.

Annexed is a translation of the bill introduced by Mr. Escobar in the congress. It is
a fresh example of the plans of national reparation entered into by the persons now in
power in Spain.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CUSHING.

BILL PRESENTED BY MR. ESCOBAR.

ARTICLE 1.—In all townships of Spain, large and small, in which, in the judgment of
the facultative forestal-inspectors, material possibility for it shall exist, steps shall be
taken on account of the ayuntamientos (municipal authorities) for the raising and
setting out of the species of trees best suited to the locality and appropriate for bound-
aries of the larger estates, and those existing of more than twenty-five areas situated
within the municipal limits.

ARTICLE 2. Where the ayuntamiento does not own land suitable for the formation of
a nursery, it may lease some for that purpose at the usual rates of the locality. The
expenses of the formation, reproduction, and conservation of these public nurseries
shall be divided among groups of ten ayuntamientos each, that those towns shall con-
tribute also where nature does not allow them to be established within their limits,
and which, nevertheless, will be benefited by the distribution of the saplings.

ARTICLE 3. Every cultivator of one or more estates, owned or leased by him, is un-
der obligations to place in January and February the saplings of the annual and gratu-
itous distribution made by the ayuntamientos, in order to set them. out along the
boundaries of estates of more than twenty-five areas, beginning by setting out those
which are to serve as legal boundary-marks of the different estates, and afterward in
the intermediate spaces those which they obtain in subsequent distributions and sub-
stitution of live for dead trees.

ARTICLE 4. The setting-ont of the trees which are to serve as legal boundary-marks
will be done precisely half a meter, within the estate, from the site of the recognized
land or boundary mark. When the boundary-line is in dispute, no tree shall be placed
until it shall be settled by law or agreement of the parties. These trees, when grown,
should be referred to in the description of the estate on making transfers of title.

ARTICLE 5. The vicinal service is obligatory, as set forth by article 74 of the munici-
pal law, for the formation of nurseries, and for aid in the planting of the saplings dis-
tributed, as also the pouring of the quantities of water ordered, that the plants while
young may take root.

ARTICLE 6, The ownership of the trees given by the ayuntamientos and all their
productions belong to the proprietor of the estate, but he shall not pull them up by
trunk or root, even when old and decayed, without replacing them by new ones. Those
which serve as legal boundary-marks shall never be removed while they live, unless it

‘ae
a
a®

268

be that the owner of the estate is also of the adjoining one. A boundary-line shall
only be suppressed and the trees removed when the ownership of two adjoining estates
becomes merged into one. i tea
ARTICLE 7. In setting out trees along the boundary-lines of estates, whatever be
their size above the 25 areas, there shall be left at least a neutral meter of untilled
ground, half on each side, for the transit of laborers and working-cattle, and any tree
which may have been set out wrong, or in its growing shall obstruct this meter of un-

tilled ground, shall be removed and replaced at the next distribution ; so that the

neutral untilled ground should be between two rows of trees of different owners.

ARTICLE 8. Without prejudice to the temporal exemption from taxes conceded by
the law of rural population of June 3, 1868, to those who plant trees, the trees of the
estate boundary-lines given by the ayuntamientos, as also those which individuals
may voluntarily place on boundaries, these not being fruit-trees, shall be exempt from
all taxation.

ARTICLE 9. It remains at the discretion of individuals to place trees, in the method
and of the kinds they think best, within the estates, upon which the present law has
no effect. ,

ARTICLE 10. The provincial deputations shall also establish sufficient nurseries to
line with trees the highways of the province and of the state which may be within
their jurisdictions, holding responsible, under penalty of ioss of their situations, the
public-road laborers who neglect the planting and preservation of the trees. The
ayuntamientos will do the sange as regards vicinal roads already constructed under
authoritative prescriptions, and moreover will set out on the squares and public places
as many as they can for the adornment and health of the town. Railroad companies
are under obligation to set out trees at their own expense on the boundaries of all
their roads and stations. The owners of banks of river-beds, who set out trees along
the limits of their properties, will likewise enjoy the benefits of article 8.

ARTICLE 11. The propagation, care,and police of the general planting of trees on
boundaries, roads, highways, and water-ways belong to the administration, with aid
of the facultative body. All questions between parties regarding right of property in
common, of boundary-lines, or of damage to the trees, belong to the ordinary jurisdic-
tion.

ARTICLE 12. The government will within a term of one month form the proper reg-
ulations for the fulfillment of this law.

Palace of the congress, 28th of March, 1876.

JOSE IGNACIO ESCOBAR.

THE MARQUES DE VIANA.

THE MARQUES DE VILLABOBAR.
ADOLPHO BAYO.

CARLOS DE SEDANO.

R. ALZUGARAY.

CULTIVATION OF COFFEE IN MEXICO.

By Hon. Joun W. FOSTER,
United States Minister to Mexico.

The total product of the eoffee-crop of the world for 1874 is estimated
at about 900,000,000 pounds,* of which amount the United States im-
ported in 1875 one-third, or 317,970,665 pounds ; which fact is sufficient
to indicate the great interest which this country has in its production
and cost.

The chief coffee-producing countries are Brazil, (whose product is
about two-thirds of the entire amount,) the Dutch colonies, the West
Indies, the Central and South American republics, and Ceylon.

Coffee was first introduced into Europe more than two hundred years
ago, but during the last fifty its use has greatly increased, and of recent
years the supply has not kept pace with the growing demand in the
civilized world. In the United States the amount imported twenty
years ago, in 1856, was 235,865,268 pounds, of the value of $21,573,558.

*American Grocer, September 26, 1875.

‘e*

269

In 1875 the amount imported was 317,970,665 pounds, of the value of
$50,591,488. But as the consumption is affected somewhat from year to
year by the production, it is fair to estimate the average importation.
The three years beginning with 1856 show an average annual importation
of 221,800,000 pounds, of the value of $20,700,000 ; and the three years
ending with 1875 an average aunual importation of 298,700,000 pounds,
of the value of $50,800,000. It will thus be seen that in the past twenty
years the increase in quantity of imports of coffee has been only 34 per
cent., which is 21 per cent. less than the increase of population, but that
the increase in value has been 146 per cent.

It will be interesting to make a comparison with the importations of
the other table beverage, tea. The increased amount of importations
in pounds (annual average) of tea from 1856 to 1875, inclusive, has been
136 per cent., or 81 per cent. more than the increase of population, the
latter being in the past twenty years 55 per cent. The import consump-
tion of coffee and tea per inhabitant, estimating the population in 1856 at
27,000,000 and in 1875 at 42,000,000, was as follows:

1856. 1875.

Pounds. Pounds. Per cent.
CORES TO! DEOE aS OT BEY oO DI se SEs 8. 21 Coad Decrease of 13
Pee SUES OLUIOUIOU» 0. DENSOZS WO Liens The .93 1.43 Increase of 54

Comparing the consumption of coffee and tea with the population, it
is thus seen that the increased consumption of coffee has fallen behind
the increase of population, while that of tea has very largely exceeded the
growth of the country, and that there is actually less coffee used per capita
than twenty yearsago. The reason of this is not found in the decreased
popularity of coffee as a beverage, as it holds a place in the taste
of the American people much above tea; but the explanation is justly
to be attributed to the growing demand for coffee throughout the world,
and the failure of the production to keep pace with that demand, which
has greatly enhanced the price. The price in gold of tea at wholesale
is to-day as low as it was in 1860, before the civil war,* while coffee is
nearly double the price of 1856-60.

These statistics are given to show that the United States are deeply
interested in the increased production of coffee, and in finding new and
more accessible sources for its supply of this article, of which it is a
much larger consumer than any other nation in the world.

It may bean unknown fact to many Americans that at our very doors,
in Mexico, our neighboring republic, there exists the agricultural capa-
city to produce all the coffee that can be consumed in the United States,
and of a quality equal to the best grown in any country. Mexico, itis
true, is exporting very little coffee, and scarcely figures in the coffee-
producing countries, but its capacity and adaptability for its produc-
tion have been tested by more than fifty years of successful cultivation.

The topographical and climatic character of the country is admirably
adapted for this purpose. The great Andean mountain range coming
up through South and Central America, greatly depressed in the Isthmus
of Tehuantepec, apparently for the passage of the commerce of the two
oceans, suddenly springs up in Southeastern Mexico into lofty cord il-
leras, one branch of which follows close along the Pacific and the other
along the Gulf coast of the country, holding up on these two arms the
great table-land of the interior, thus affording every variety of produc-
tion of the earth. The coffee-producing regions are found on the entire
line of the sea-slope of the mountains from Guatemala on the south, on
the Pacific side, for more than a thousand miles to the north, until it.

*New York Post, March 29, 1876.

270

reaches a line in the State of Sinaloa where occasional frosts endanger
the crop; and also for more than a thousand miles on the Gulf coast from
Yucatan into Tamaulipas. In addition to these immense stretches of
country it flourishes in the numerous and fertile valleys of the interior,
wherever the great table Jand is sufficiently depressed to reach the level
of tropical and semi-tropical vegetation.

The elevation above the sea at which it is thought coffee is most
favorably grown is from 1,000 to 4,000 feet; but in Mexico it is eultiva-
ted with success at an elevation 4,500 feet, and it is found even still
higher. So also it is grown at lower levels than 1,000 feet, as in various
places in Mexico it is produced at the very sea-side. Off the eastern
coast of Yucatan, on the island of Cozumel, coffee trees of prolific yield
are growing nearly at the sea-level as well as in many other localities.
on both the Pacific and Gulf coasts. So that it will be seen that the
area for the cultivation of coffee in Mexico is immense. The amount of
its production, so far as natural capacity is concerned, need only be
limited by the extent of land brought under cultivation.

As already stated, the adaptability of Mexico as a coffee producing
country has been tested by more than fifty years of experience in its
cultivation, which experience proves that in profit to the producer, as
well as in quality of the article, this country has no superior. That it
has not assumed the first place in exportation is to be attributed to
other causes than the capacity of the soil, profit of the cultivation, or
quality of the article—to the same causes which have retarded all com-
mercial and agricultural development of the country. In 1818 and 1819
the profitableness of the growth of coffee in the West Indies led to the
establishment.of extensive plantations in the vicinity of Cordova and
Orizaba, and in 1825 they were in a flourishing state. In the valleys of
Cuernavaca and Cuautla, in the interior, in 1826 there were estates
where there were growing aS many as five hundred thousand plants.*
And elsewhere in the republic much attention was given to coffee
planting at that period, and great hopes were entertained that the
country would soon be largely engaged in its exportation to foreign
countries. But the civil disorders, which began soon after and which con-
tinued till lately, paralyzed all business enterprises, and disappointed
these hopes; so that the coffee production of Mexico has been mostly
limited to supplying the home demand, which is quite large, as coffee is
in very general use by all classes.

During the past few years, up to the close of 1875, there have been
peace and security in the country, and the cultivation of coffee has
begun to increase, so that a small exportation has commenced. The
statistics of the single port of Vera Cruz will show the growth of this
exportation, which, although insignificant as compared with the total
production of the world, still indicates a very healthy development of
this industry ; it ought in a few years to become very considerable:

Exportation of coffee from Vera Cruz, 1871 to 1875.

Pounds.
Wear Ondine J0N0-30, 118i leap meses sen ce ee-its ene eee eeeee ee eos Apa 672, 588
Mearonnine Une 50, Lote conch es soe cosepe ses scans eee eaten eee 1, 912, 020
Meat ending Juri SU; Tad 22S aces: Sees > | ae tetas ae one Sele ee eaten 3, 909, 446
Vearcnuding June/30, 1874... -cto 82.0. LS AeR TES eh, Shee eee 4, 204, 446
enmendine \Jurie30, 187535: 2 5. set fe pags - si Sane eet es oes weet see 5, 373, 678

The coftee exported from Vera Cruz is all grown in that State, with
the valley of Cordova, on the Mexico and Vera Cruz Railway, as the
chief center of its production. <A brief reference to the methods of its

j *See Ward’s Mexico, book 1&

271

cultivation at Cordova may be a matter of interest to the vast number
of coffee drinkers in the United States, many of whom know nothing of
the article except at the daily breakfast table.*

The seed or grain, which should be selected with care, is usually
planted in well-prepared beds in a nursery, shaded from the sun. The
young plants are transplanted at the age of one year or eighteen months
to the fields or cafetales, which are thoroughly cleaned of all under-
growth and the soil well prepared. As the young plants are very ten-
der, it is necessary to protect them from the sun. Tor this reason open
forests are used, where available, and the mountain sides affording
shade are utilized for coffee plantations. In open fields a growing shade
must be created, which is most quickly obtained by planting banana
trees, also yielding some profit from their fruit. But the best cultiva-
tors at Cordova consider this a poor substitute. One of the most intel-
ligent planters there has set out in his coffee fields a large number of
cinchona trees, (from which quinine is obtained,) which grow well in
that latitude; also valuable timber trees, as the oak, walnut, &c. The
second year after planting there is a very slight yield of coffee; the
third year about a half crop; and the fourth year (or when the plant is
five years old) a full crop is gathered.

A reasonably rich soil is desirable for coffee, and manuring pays well
in the vigor of the tree and increase of yield. The distance at which
plants are set out in the field is usually about three yards (or varas)
- apart each way, although often planted closer. The cultivation consists
in keeping the fields clean from weeds and undergrowth and plowing
the soil; in certain localities irrigation is necessary, but in Cordova, after
the plants are well started in the field, this is not required; and the

better class of planters give careful attention to pruning, keeping the
plant or tree at the height of from 6 to 8 feet, although if unchecked it
will grow to double that height. 5

The trees do not yield their full blossoming at one time. The first
flowering is sometimes as early as December, the second about Febru-
ary, and the third and most abundant the last of March and the month
of April. Early in April last it was my good fortune to spend several
days in Cordova, in the midst of the blossoming season. The suburbs
of the city in all directions are devoted tocoffee cultivation. The lanes,
lined on each side with cafetales, presented a most agreeable sight—the
pure white blossoms, clinging close along the branches half covered with
the bright green leaves, gave the trees the appearance of being sprinkled
with snow; and the perfume of the flowers, almost equal to that of
orange blossoms, loaded the air with its fragrance.

The flower falls, leaving a round green berry, which ripens in seven or
eight months, changing when ripe into a red color. Each fully-formed
berry contains two grains; though sometimes it contains only one grain,
which is rounded or oval shaped, called by the Mexicans caracolillo.
On account of the different times of flowering, the picking or gathering
season lasts for three or four months, each tree having to be carefully
gone over three or four times by hand. This is the most tedious and
difficult process of the whole cultivation; it cannot be postponed, must
be done carefully, and requires an extra number of laborers ; but women
and children can be employed at low wages.

The first process after picking is to dry the berries, which is done by
exposing them to the sun, when they shrivel and change to a black

* Hon. Matias Romero, well known in the United States as the former Mexican min-
ister at Washington, has recently written a valuable work, in Spanish, on coffee culti-
vation entitled, ‘‘ Cultivo del café en la Costa Meridional de Chiapas.”

272

color. They are then put into a mortar, and the grains hulled or beaten
out with a pestle. The grain is then separated from the chaff by the
crude process of fanning it out by hand or winnowing, though some-
times a fan-mill is used. The coffee is afterwards picked over carefully,
grain by grain, by hand, and selected; and it is then ready for sacking
and the market. Up to the present the “ doctoring” process of artificial
coloring or bleaching, as in some countries, has not been resorted to
here. The process of curing, after gathering the crop, is in a most prim-
itive state in Mexico. It presents a fertile field for Yankee ingenuity
to invent instruments and methods to facilitate the process, or for en-
terprise to avail of the inventions in use in other countries. And al-
though it has been grown here for so many years, the coffee cultivation
in Mexico may yet be considered in its infancy, as it is only beginning
to receive the attention of intelligent and scientific cultivators. So that
great improvements may be anticipated both in thecultivation and curing.

Experience has, however, proved that it is a certain and reliable crop.
So far, its cultivation at Cordova has developed no disease of plant or
berry. Insects do not attack it. It is very little affected by the cli-
mate, as in the locality of its production there is no frost; and although
great drought may diminish the crop, it does not destroy it. The flower
when in full bloom is sometimes broken off by severe winds, but this

seldom diminishes the yield. The crop is also clean and comparatively

easy to cultivate. After the cafetal is once in full bloom, the cultivation
iseasy. Only at the picking season is there much urgency required.
Once gathered, the crop can be cured and prepared for market leisurely
and at the planter’s convenience.

The most prominent objection is that so much time is lost before a
profit begins to be realized. If a planter commences with sowing the
seed, he must wait more than five years before he obtains returns upon
his investment; or four years if he plants from the nursery, as the first
year’s crop barely pays more than the cost of cultivation and curing.
But as compensation for this, a plantation once established yields a
never-failing crop, without renewal, anxiety, or uncertainty, for a life-
time. And the profit in Mexico during the past few years has been
about 100 per cent. over the cost of cultivation, and 10 per cent. interest
on the capital invested. The period the trees will continue bearing is
variously estimated, but the usual estimate is from twenty to twenty-
five years. There are, however, trees now growing in Cordova sixty or
seventy years old, remains of neglected and abandoned plantations,
which by pruning and cultivation are yielding a fine crop. An intelli-
gent American planter in that valley claims that with attention and
care plants ought to continue bearing vigorously for fifty years.’ An-
other important feature of coffee-planting in Mexico is that the locality
of its cultivation is usually both healthy and attractive, elevated above
the fatal diseases of the tropics and in the presence of the most beauti-
ful scenery. The valley of Cordova, for instance, is among the foot-
hills of the great mountain of Orizaba, whose peak is covered with eter-
nal snow, in a rich semi-tropical vegetation, and with a remarkably
equable climate, the elevation being 3,000 feet above the sea.

The average yield per tree at Cordova is estimated at about one and
a half pounds, although it is claimed that, with intelligent culture, praun-
ing, and manuring, the average yield in that valley may be increased
to three pounds per tree. It is not uncommon to find trees yielding
from five to seven pounds, and, in very exceptional cases, from twenty-
five to fifty pounds each. With the trees, planted three yards apart
each way, with the above-stated average, it is easy to estimate the yield

273

per acre. Itis unsafe to give a detailed calculation of the outlay re-
quired in establishing a plantation or cafetal up to the time of yielding
the first paying-crop, as much depends both upon the locality and the
intelligence and economy of the planter, so that published estimates are
apt to mislead. It may be stated, however, that, after the plants begin
to bear a full crop, the cost of annual cultivation, up to sale in local
market, is from six to seven cents a pound.

It is very difficult to give any definite idea of the price of land in the
coffee-growing regions. The average price, as per sales which have been
made in the valley of Cordova beyond the vicinity of the city during
the past two years, has been about $10 per acre; and, at points out of
the reach of the railroad in the same State of Vera Cruz, sales have
been made at $5 per acre, or even less. But this has been in a time
of great business depression ; and, with a revival of commerce and a
growing demand for coffee-lands, the price would very soon advance,

possibly 50 or 100 per cent.

In what has preceded I have referred particularly to the coffee region
having the valley of Cordova for its center, for the reason that it is the |
locality at present of the greatest production in the republic, and is
most accessible to the American market. But there are several other
localities in the country where the cultivation is receiving considerable
attention, and is assuming some importance in exportation. One of
these localities is the district of Soconusco, in the State of Chiapas, im-
‘mediately upon the borders of the republic of Guatemala. Hon. Matias
Romero owns a plantation in that district, and the recent revival of
this industry there is almost entirely due to his encouragement. Sev-
eral Americans and other foreigners have located there, and are engaged
in planting, and quite a number of the resident-proprietors have em-
barked extensively in this cultivation. Among the special advantages
presented in this district is the cheapness of land and labor. Public or
government lands, which are subject to entry by foreigners, can be taken —
at from $20 to $25 per caballeria, (a Spanish measure of about 105 acres.)
Private lands have been sold at from $50 to $100 per caballeria; but native
land-owners here, as elsewhere in Mexico, have very little disposition to
part with their estates. Continued success in coffee-culture and a grow-
ing demand will largely increase the price. Wages are reported at 25
cents per hand a day; but, of course, this very low price could not be
continued with a greatly increased demand for labor. The chief imped-
iment to the development of this industry in Soconusco is the fact that
this district is a disputed territory, claimed by both Mexico and Guate-
mala, and until this vexed question is settled the tenure and protection
of property will remain insecure.

The valley of Uruapan, in the State of Michoacan, has great celebrity
for its fertility, and for the superior quality of the coffee grown there.
But the most noted region, especially for the excellence of its coffee,
is the State of Colima, on the Pacific coast; its product being so highly
esteemed that it commands a fabulous price in the city of Mexico and
more distant places of the republic. The planting of coffee began in
Colima in 1858, to a very limited extent, with plants obtained from

osta Rica. The article produced was found so superior to any other
grown in the country, sample lots sent to private parties in Europe
being pronounced equal to Mocha, that in 1873 quite an impetus was
given to the cultivation, and since that year over one million plants
have been set out, which are now beginning to bear; and the planting
continues to increase, coffee promising to become the principal article
of export and a fertile source of wealth to the State. The demand for

274

all thus far produced is so great that it commands in large lots 27 cents
per pound at the plantation, mainly for consumption in the interior, a
small portion only being shipped to Germany, by resident German
merchants, on private orders. The American consul at the city of Co-
lima places the cost of land suitable for coffee-plantations, including
water for irrigation, at from $15 to $30 per acre, depending on location
and climate. He states that a plantation containing 100,000 plants four
years old (when the first crop is realized) costs from $10,000 to $14,000 ;
the proceeds the first year being about 50,000 pounds, and from the
fifth year onward 100,000 pounds or upward; and he estimates the
average net yearly gain at $20,000.

Colima and some other States have passed quite liberal laws for the
encouragement of coffee-cultivation, offering liberal premiums for the
largest crops produced, and exempting coffee-lands from all taxes.

With peace in the country and protection assured, this industry would
offer great attractions for foreign immigration and capital. And for
the Mexican farmer and land-owner there is no more certain or profita-
ble enterprise in which they can engage. ‘To the common people, the
poor, the Indian race, it presents the most desirable source of industry.
It can be planted in small lots, garden plots or patches. It requires no
costly machinery, like sugar, to prepare it for market. Women and
children can attend to the greater part of the work. It is always relia-
ble and commands a ready sale, for cash, at good prices. It will be a
happy augury for the country to see the lower and laboring classes more
generally engaged in its production, as it will give them a permanent
property-interest for peace and against revolutions, and will be for them
and the country a most fertile source of wealth.

Mexico for three centuries past has been famous for its great produc-
tion and exportation of silver. But in coffee alone it possesses a far
greater source of wealth and prosperity. Its natural capacity for its
production is at least equal to that of Brazil, yet the value of the coffee
annually exported from Brazil is more than three times as great as that
of the silver and gold product of Mexico.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

DISTANT TRANSPORTATION OF FRESH MEAT.—A correspondent of
the American Farmer at Paris reports that a company formed for trans-
porting meat by “the Tillier process” would send its first ship fitted up
for that purpose to La Plata for a cargoin April. By means of metallic
ether, aided by ‘‘ingenious generating cold machinery,” maintaining
the temperature at the freezing-point and dry, Tillier “has conserved
meat perfectly fresh and savory, save a loss of 10 per cent. in weight,
for fifty-seven days.” The voyage from La Plata to France is expected
to be made in thirty days at most. He reports that the daily consump-
tion of fresh meat in France is 4,000 tons.

FRUIT-GROWING IN MARYLAND.—The following statements are con-
densed from a recent report by Mr. W. D. Brackenridge to the Amer?
can Pomological Society on the progress and extent of fruit-culture in
Maryland: It is estimated that on the Eastern Shore sixty thousand
acres are planted in peach-trees, and that the yield the present season
for the market will be 5,000,000 bushels. The season of ripening ex-
tends from the middle of July to the 1st of October. Some of these

275

orchards are over twenty years old, and still continue in a healthy. con-
dition. The stimulants used thus to maintain the trees are liberal
applications of barn-yard manure or ground bones to the extent of
1,000 pounds to the acre. Sometimes muriate of potash and other fer-
tilizers are applied, while the surface of the ground is kept open by
frequent plowing and harrowing during each season ; judicious pruning
and shortening-in is considered essential to the healthy condition of
the orchard. The usual remedy for the peach-borer, or worm, is to use
the knife freely, and then apply a shovelful of slacked lime on the sur-
face in close contact with the tree.

The cultivation of pears has increased very considerably within a few
years. Orchards of 4,000 trees in bearing are now to be found. As a
rule, good growers, with proper treatment, are found quite remunera-
tive. The greatest drawback is the blight, for which no remedy has yet
been discovered. Dwarfs are much grown on the Eastern Shore and
bear very heavy crops.

Of apples, “‘ only the very superior early and late kinds are remuner-
ative.” Plums are but little cultivated, owing to pervading and destruc-
tive attacks of the curculio and black knot. Of cherries, the Early
Richmond is the most popular for the market. The only disease to which
cherries are subject in Maryland is the black knot, though a black
aphis, in the early season, frequently attacks the young shoots. Grapes
have heretofore been chiefly cultivated for table-use; but a few vine-

‘yards have been started with a view to wine-making. The principal
varieties selected for this purpose are Ives Seedling, Clinton, Catawba,
Delaware, and Concord.

BRAZILIAN COFFEE.—Dr. J. Moreira, of the Brazilian commission at
the Centennial Exposition, has published a small pamphlet. on the coffee
of Brazil, which traces that branch of production to a few seeds brought
from French Guiana about the middle of the last century. Its culture
began in the Amazon region, and passed thence to Maranhao, subse-
quently to the province of Rio Janeiro, and finally to all the other prov-
inces. Some of these regions are now covered with immense forests of
coffee-trees, where improved processes of culture and new machinery
have greatly perfected the growth and preparation of this berry for
market.

The coffee-tree in other countries is supposed to require an annual
temperature varying between 62° and 66° Fahrenheit; but in Brazil no
such limitations are noticed; it seems to grow almost equally well in all
latitudes of the empire. The virgin soil of the cleared forest is planted
with tress without special regard to its composition, but, in old lands,
soils composed of two-thirds red clay and one-third of deposit are most
desirable; reddish-yellow argillous soils on hill-sides, at a distance
from the sea, are preferred. The taste and aroma of the coffee grown
on bottoms is less agreeable than of that on the uplands. Trees are
now propagated almost exclusively from the seed. The seed-beds are
prepared in August, September, or October, and in a year the bushes
are set out in the orchards, at the rate of over two thousand trees per
acre, the interval of the trees in the rows being about 5 feet. The
trees begin to bear at three years, but their average productive power
is not realized till after five years from planting. The average annual
yield is about twelve hundred pounds per acre. Each tree planted in
rich land may be reasonably expected to average twenty pounds of fruit,
but the general average per tree of coffee ready for market has a wide
range, from one to seven pounds. One laborer can take care of twelve
hundred plants,

276 ia

On the high lands the gathering of the crop begins in April or May,
and continues till September. We should remember that the greater
part of the Brazilian Empire lies south of the equator, and the whole of
it south of the thermal equator, consequently, its seasons are antipodal
to ours. The berries are dried mostly by exposure to the hot sun,
though some farmers employ furnaces. Terraces or sheds, with an ele-
vation in the center, are covered with the fruit and kept exposed until
perfectly dry. This process produces the thick-hull, or sun-dried coffee.
Some farmers take the berries immediately to the press, and after thor-
oughly pressing and washing them, expose them on terraces or sheds
till perfectly dry. Others, again, keep them steeped for several days
in water prior to drying, in order that the hulls may come off more
readily. By the last two methods the washed or pulpless coffee is pro-
duced. The hulling process is performed by machinery, the cylindrical
hullers being preferred to the disk hullers, as the former do not crush the
seed. American machines, especially those of Ledgerwood & Co., are
mostly used in hulling, screening, and polishing the berry. Some of
these machines have been known to clean over eight thousand pounds
of coffee in ten hours. The Albion coffee-huller cleans from twelve
hundred to fifteen hundred pounds in twelve hours.

Coffee is mostly exported from four leading ports: Rio de Janeiro, —

Santos, Bahia, and Ceara. Rio de Janeiro coffee, either upland or bot-
tom land, is graded as superior, good firsts, ordinary firsts, low firsts;
good seconds, and low seconds. Santos coffee, when well prepared, is
considered as first class. That of Ceara is about equal to Laguayra cof-
fee in European markets. Bahia coffee, though inferior, finds access to
some markets, and is graded 8, SS, and SSS,

England and Italy prefer the aromatic washed coffee of Brazil; Rus-
sia, Denmark, and part of Germany, the bitter sun-dried article. Brazil
furnishes more than half the coffee consumed by the world’s population,
and much of it is sold under brands of Mocha and Java coffee. The
popular preference for these Asiatic brands, then, has but a slender
basis of fact upon which to rest, and is very apt to be imposed upon by
the Brazilian product, the qualities of which, by their growing excel-
lence, tend to keep alive this popular prejudice. In 1800 Rio Janeiro
exported only 10 sacks; in 1820, 97,500 sacks; in 1830, 391,785 sacks ;
in 1840, 1,068,418 sacks; in 1850, 1,343,484 sacks; in 1860, 2,127,219
sacks; in 1870, 2,209,456 sacks; in 1874, 2,675,281 sacks. The exports
of the province of Bahia rose from about 100,000 pounds, in 1810,+to

nearly 120,000,000 in 186970. From 1869 to 1872 Santos, in the prov- .

inee of San Paulo, exported over 200,000,000 pounds. In 1870 the proy-
ince of Espirito Santo exported 1,150,000 pounds. The province of Ceara
raised its exports from about 57,000 pounds, in 1839, to 2,703,000 pounds
in 187071. These figures show an immense productive power in this
interest, to which much capital and enterprise have been attracted from
the United states.

LATE ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS.—Professor Wright-
son, of the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, gives the follow-
ing results of experiments on the college farm under his direction in the
culture of swedes:

1. That poor land and in poor condition derives the greatest benefit from artificial
dressings.

2, That land in high condition has been proved, in many cases, to derive little or no
benefit from the use of artificial dressings.

3. That land in this neighborhood appears to be satisfied with moderate dressings,
and the use of heavier dressings is not attended with commensurate results.

277

4. That 3 ewt. of ordinary mineral superphosphate per acre has given the best eco-
nomic results during several year’s experience extending over hundreds of plots.

5. That guano, nitrate of soda, organic matter, and even farm-yard dung diminish
the germinating power of swede seed, and{causefa blankiness in the crop when they
are brought in contact with the seed. i

6. That guano and nitrate of soda applied to the growing swedes increase the crop,
but scarcely to an extent to warrant their general use.

7. That the average increase in swede crops from the use of 3 cwt. of superphos-
phate amounts to 5 tons 6 cwt. per acre.;That in some cases the increase has been nil,
while in others it has been as much as 14 tons per,acre.

Among the deductions from‘his}experiments in grain-growing Profes-
sor Wrightson states the following:,1. Wide drilling and thin seeding
in his neighborhood is more successful with barley than with wheat.
2. That barley may be sown 16 inches apart, and with half the usual
quantity of seed without injuring the growth.

DOES BUCKWHEAT POISON SHEEP ?—A farmer of Kent County, En-
gland, at the close of the dry, hot summer of 1870 had 378 lambs on his
farm which, in consequence of the drought and failure of the grass-crop,
was heavily overstocked. These lambs were, at the close of the season,
in very poor condition, and, to bring them up again, were placed upona
field of buckwheat. They soon began to show signs of giddiness, and even
intoxication, fighting and butting each other in a very unlamblike man-
ner. Soon their faces, heads, and especially their ears, were covered
with ulcers. The eyelids swelled in many cases, causing total blindness,
-and in others the eyes were totally destroyed by ulceration. <A copi-
ous discharge of pulverulent mucus from the nose, swollen lips, and ces-
sation of appetite marked the course, of the disease. The sun and the
flies began to terrify the afflicted animals, and several deaths occurred.
That the disease was not variola was shown by the fact that there was
no eruption inside the thighs or on other hairless spots. Of 57 lambs
not placed in the buckwheat-field not one was affected, all were perfectly
healthy. To test the contagiousness of the disease several affected
rams were turned into the same inclosure with perfectly sound ewes,
and though they copulated and lambs were the result, no trace of dis-
ease was found upon either the mothers or the offspring. The farmer
is fully convinced that the disease was caused by the poisonous quality
of the buckwheat, which had greater power in consequence of the low
vitality of the animals. The ulcerations were dressed with a weak solu-
tion of carbolic acid, and small doses of ferri sulph., gentian, and spirits
of terebinth were administered. The buckwheat was probably nearly
ripe, or at least in full flower, at which period it is known to contain an
element of an intoxicating character. It is said also to produce erysip-
elatous eruptions in different kinds of animals, with symptoms of
cerebral congestion.

HORSE POISONING.—The Newark (England) Advertiser states that in
some English agricultural sections a very odd notion has taken posses-
sion of grooms that a mixture of arsenic, copperas, and vitriol, adminis-
tered internally, will brighten the skins of horses and give them a beau-
tiful glossy surface. The dose is generally given in small doses and
consequently the injurious influence is more insidious in its advances.
But in some cases reckless ignorance has transcended the bounds of
common prudence, and several valuable horses have died from direct
poisoning. One farmer at Besthorpe, after losing five fine cart-horses,
instituted a post-mortem examination conducted by a skillful veterinary
surgeon. The liver was found to be rotten, the kidneys in a state of
advanced decomposition, the lining membrane of the stomach eaten

, 278 |

away and the heart flabby. Traces of poison were easily detected. The
groom, on being interrogated, confessed that for two months he had
been giving to each horse twice a week a dose of powders sufficient to
cover a half-penny, the powder being compound of arsenic and copperas.
The lazy groom doubtless calculated on saving himself labor in curry-
ing the animals by means of drugs which should make the animals’ coats
clean and bright. There is a tendency among grooms of horses kept
for pleasure-carriages and in livery-stables to use nostrums, the effect
of which cannot be otherwise than destructive upon the health and vi-
tality of the animals. Farmers generally are very little disposed to
such destructive quackery.

IRISH CATTLE-TRADE.—Official statistics show that the average ag-
eregate value of the cattle, sheep, and swine furnished by Ireland for
the English markets is over £12,000,000 or $60,000,000. Complaints of
disease among Irish cattle have, upon investigation, resolved themselves
into three categories: 1. Injudiciousand cruel driving ; 2. Filth-saturated
holds, cattle-lairs, and disease-infected railroad-trucks; 3. Exposure,
starvation, and consequent exhaustion. A reform in the methods of
transportation is loudly demanded. A strong movement is on foot to
compel steamer and railway companies to observe some sanitary regula-
tions; to cleanse their trucks; to provide ample room for the comfort-
able shipment of animals, and to apply disinfectant chemicals to remove
the germs of organic disease.

GROWING WOOD FOR FUEL.—A Canadian farmer, about twelve years
ago, planted six American cottonwood-trees, and one silver Abele pop-
lar, on seven square rods. Lately cutting them down and preparing
them for fuel, he realized four cords of nice wood. An acre at the same
rate would have yielded eighty cords.

Crops oF InpIA.—The northwest provinces of India are almost
exclusively agricultural. The staple crop is wheat, which is often
grown year after year on the same land till the average falls to 3 or 4
bushels per acre. The late crop of the Indian Empire was about
average, or 12 bushels per acre. A field of good land, cultivated by a
native, yielded 17 bushels of grain and 14 ewt. of straw per acre; but
this is a very favorable specimen of Hindoo farming. A field of poor
land in the vicinity cultivated by an Englishman, with an English
plow, averaged 19 bushels per acre of grain and 17 ewt. of straw. A
third field, manured with crushed bones, produced 284 bushels per acre
of grain, besides 30 cwt. of straw. A fourth field, fertilized with a little
stable-manure and village-sweepings, averaged 36 bushels of grain and
48 ewt. of straw per acre. The third and fourth fields were broken
deeply with an English plow, and subsequently widened with a Hindoo
plow, which makes a tolerable cultivator.

Industry being but little diversified, home markets are few and unim-
portant, and access to foreign markets somewhat precarious. This
causes low prices and consequently great misery among the cultivators,
whose returns are insufficient for their taxes and living-expenses, small
as the latter are. The large crop of 1875 cut down prices of wheat to an
average of 55 cents per bushel in twelve northwest provinces, against 78
cents in 1874. The Indian government has contemplated the revival of a
former practice of the Hast India Company, viz, to make remittances
for home charges in England in wheat instead of cash. The effect of
government purchases would be to raise the local markets to a scale of
living-prices.

The natives succeed very poorly with root-crops, their turnips being

279

generally dry, stringy, and indigestible. An English farmer on the
same soil raised 11 tons of very superior turnips. The above are but
specimens of the difference between English and Hindoo farming gen-
erally.

FrEenNcH Crops.—From recently-published statistics it appears that
in 1820 land in France sown ip grain averaged about 103 bushels per
acre. In 1874 the average yield is stated at 214 bushels, or a doubling
of production in half a century. As the French population doubles
itself only in one hundred and sixty years, the above fact would indi-
cate that food products are increasing faster than the mouths that are
to consume them. This increase of production is due to the adoption of
more scientific methods than those prevailing a half century ago. In
potatoes, however, the statisties of 1874 show a smaller increase. In
1820, the average product was 79.3 bushels per acre; in 1874, 120.8
bushels. In 1815, 11,341,500 acres were sown with grain, yielding
119,085,750 bushels; in 1874, 17,080,240 acres yielded 386,517,625
bushels. The price of wheat in 1874 was 44s. 6d. per quarter, or about
$1.35 per bushel; in 1874 it was 58s. 5d. per quarter, or about $1.76 per
bushel.

WASTE OF FERTILIZING PRINCIPLES.—From aseries of analyses made
by M. Boussingault, of the French Academy of Sciences, it appears that
a cubic meter of water passing under the Pont d’Austerlitz, in the heart
of Paris, contained one-ninetieth part of an ounce of ammonia, and
one-twenty-fifth of an ounce of nitric acid. This was during the severe
spring-flood of 1876. When the river is at its average stage there is
but a third of this quantity of ammonia and a fourth of the nitric acid
in a cubic meter of water. The increased amount of these elements
during the flood is due to the fact that the swollen waters covering a
wider portion of the soil extract more of its fertility. The water of the
Nile is said to be richer than that of any other river on earth in these
fertilizing matters, containing about one-seventh of an ounce per cubic
meter of nitric acid. At the date of Boussingault’s observation the
Seine was running 143,510,400 cubic meters in twenty-four hours, and
in this mass about 47 tons of ammonia and 182 tons of nitric acid were
swept into the ocean.

FOREST-PLANTING IN FRANCE.—The past spring has been very fav
orable to the large areas in France lately planted in forests. It is stated
that 5,000,000 hectares or 12,350,000 acres—about half the area of
Ohio—have become unproductive as agricultural lands. Pine-trees
without any cultivation and a very inexpensive supervision can be made
to grow upon these barren acres, netting about $2.50 per acre of annual
profit. This would add to the productive capacity of these lands about
$30,000,000 per annum. Other trees have been planted with similar
economic results, and now landed proprietors are looking to tree-plant-
ing as a means of utilizing their unproductive acres.

SPARE THE BIRDS.—M. Waddington, French minister of public in-
struction, at the request of bis colleagues, the ministers of agriculture
and of the interior, has issued a circular to the departmental prefects
detailing the injuries suffered by growing crops from the ravages of
destructive insects, and enforcing the necessity of protecting those
classes of insectiverous birds which prey upon them. The same fact is
noticed and deplored in France which has been recognized by intelli-
gent agriculturists in this country, that there exists in the minds of the
people an unfortunate and inveterate tendency to destroy these birds,

5A

280 | a

rhe

Their kind offices in destroying vermin are in many places stupidly
ignored, and they are pursued with relentless destruction as public
enemies. .

In order to disabuse the minds of the rising generation of these preju-
dices, and secure proper protection for the ‘‘farmer’s friends,” the pre- *
fects are directed to bring this matter to the attention of superinten-
dents of instruction and teachers, and cause them to show their pupils
how to distinguish injurious insects from harmless ones, and to indicate
the classes of birds which prey upon the former. The protection of the
latter is to be impressed upou the minds-of youth as a public duty, and
every effort is to be made to secure a spontaneous aud hearty co-opera-
tion with the authorities in this great work. But in case such methods
should fail, the prefects are reminded of certain statutory enactments,
enforced by severe penalties, which are to be clearly indicated to the
pupils, and to be rigidly enforced by the relentless prosecution of all
infractions of the same. In some communes protective societies have
been formed among the pupils of different schools. Good results have
already flown from this new organization, which promises to extend
itself throughout the republic.

UTILIZATION OF TANNERY REFUSE IN FRANCE.—The tanning in-
dustry is largely developed in Western France, more especially in
Brittany. An attempt bas been made of late to utilize the organic
residuum of the tan-;ard. ‘Two classes of organic refuse, animal and
vegetable, are distinguished in these tanneries, the former being much
the more valuable as fertilizers. The process of their elimination from
the leather embraces, first, subjecting the hides to the prolonged action
of milk of lime. The hair is then removed, and necessarily retains a
large mixture of lime. The patches of fleshy tissue adhering to the
inner side of the hide and its external cuticle are next removed and
mingled in heaps until an opportunity for selling them presents itself.
These heaps contain about 754 per cent. of water, and 243 per cent. of
dry matter. The dry matter, npon separate analysis, yields 844 per
cent. of organic matter and 153 per cent. of mineral matter. The min-
era] matter averages about 34 per cent. of silica, 174 per cent. of phos-
phate of lime, 69 per cent. of lime, and 10 per cent. of various salts.
The whole mass of organic and mineral matter in the heap contains
about 7 per cent. of nitrogen. As the heaps generally remain undis-
turbed for two or three months, they exhale one-fifth of their water, and
three-tenths of their nitrogen. This is due to the rapid decomposition
of their animal matter under the corrosive action of the lime. It is
then sold as manure at 3 to 5 franes (60 cents to $1.00) per cubic meter,
(1.3 cubic yards.) It is beneficial to fruit-trees, and is valuable on
apy non-calcareous land, but it is most speedy on light soils, where its
cowposition is most speedily affected. The School of Irrigation at
Lézardeau have tried it with excellent results, the nitrogen enriching
the soil, and the lime benefiting vegetables. It also gives a superior
quality to hay. If not in an advanced state of decomposition before
application to the meadow the hair will remain to be gathered up with
the hay, with which it will be gathered up and swallowed by the
animal, in which case it cannot fail to injure the digestive apparatus.
It is thought best to mix it with farm-yard manure.

The vegetable residuum of the tanning process is derived mainly from
the bark which furnishes the astringent principles. The tannin com-
bines with the tissues creating a composition which resists decay and fur-
nishes a serviceable fabric for boots, shoes, saddlery, and other branches

281

of manufacture. Great quantities of bark are used, and when once de-
prived of their astringent principles are of no further use in the manu-
facture of leather. It is called tan-bark, avery spongy and fibrous material
absorbing a large amount of water. This property makes it especially
fit for litter of farm-stock, especially in localities where other material is
scarce and dear. The water absorbed in the vat exhales more or less
rapidly in proportion to the dryness of the weather, the season of the
year, and the period of exposure. Its matter fully dried contains 94.9
per cent. of organic and 5.1 per cent. of mineral matter, the latter in
about the following proportions to the whole, viz: Potash, 0.5 per cent.;
soda, 0.2; lime, 3.7; magnesia, 0.2; phosphoric acid, 0.3; sulphuric
acid, 0.1; silica, 0.1. When mixed with wheat or oat straw it will ab-
sorb more than double its weight of water. It is light, of easy trans-
port, and cheap. The straw tends to correct its acidity, which may be
further neutralized with lime or ashes; the last mixture greatly facili-
tates its decomposition. It is most useful when mingled with the ani-
mal refuse of tanning. This combination has been found excellent in
horticulture, as it checks evaporation and prevents the desiccation of
the soil. The use of this material indicates the transfer of a vast mass
of what was generally considered worthless matter, to the class of excel-
lent fertilizers.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN GERMANY.—The reported present:
status of agricultural education in Germany, as fostered and controlled by
the imperial government, embraces the following facts and features. The
system includes agricultural common schools, middle schools, and acad-
emies ; and from these, an agricultural course in the universities. The
course of instruction in the common schools embraces theoretical and
practical lessons in agriculture ; veterinary lessons and demonstrations ;
surveying, and something more of scientific instruction than is imparted
in other elementary schools. The middle schools teach arithmetic,
history, and geography ; the English, French, and German languages ,
chemistry, physiology, botany, and zoology; agricultural manage-
ment in general, with lectures on veterinary treatment, drawing, build-
ing, and agricultural laws. These two classes of agricultural schools
are especially designed to impart the best practical edueation for their
vocation, to those who, without higher advantages, are to become small
farmers or overseers of small farms. Accordingly, in connection with
their studies and under direction of qualified teachers, they are required
to practice all kinds of farm-work, in order that they may acquire praec-
tical judgment and skill for doing the same themselves, or directing
laborers under them to do it, in the most appoved and profitable way.
There are scattered through the empire something over 150 of these
two classes of schools, though some of tbem are limited in the course
of instruction to specialties, as vine and fruit culture, horticulture,
bee-keeping, &c. The pupils receive board and lodging in the estab-
lishment ; each pupil is required to pay only $55a year, the state paying
the remainder.

There are in the empire six agricultural academies ; located at Eldena,
Proskau, Popplesdorf, Munich, Tharand, and Hohenhein. Connected
with these academies are lands on which the students are given
demonstrations and training in experimental processes, in addition to
instruction in all sciences related to agriculture.

In the universities all instruction to agricultural students is theoret-
ical, the prevalent idea in late years being that itis better for such
students, after gaining a good preparatory education, to spend a few
years in practical farming previous to theoretical instruction in the

282

university. There are nine universities which have agricultural depart-
ments; those at Bertin, Halle, G6ttingen, Kénigsberg, Leipsic, Heidel-
berg, Jena, Giesen, and Kiel. Students in the agricultural course, may,
if they choose, hear the lectures in all the other branches. The agri-
cultural course embraces instruction on the following topics: Physiol-
ogy, history of civilization, of agriculture, and of agricultural literature ;
universal arithmetic, geometry, and geodesy ; experimental pbysics,
chemistry, mineralogy, botany, and zoology; national economy, tax-
ation of farms, agricultural management, and book-keeping ; the science
of finance, agricultural statistics, and agricultural and commercial laws ;
general land-tiiling, special plant-raising, cultivation of meadows, hor-
ticulture, wood-culture, the breeding, keeping, feeding, and veterinary
treatment of live-stock, wool-growing, and horse-shoeing; agricultural
machinery and implements; surveying, leveling, draining, and building;
practice in chemical and physiological laboratories, demoustrations and
dissections in veterinary clinicsand anatomy, and in draining and estimat-
ing soils.

In addition to, and disconnected with, the institutions for agricultural
education, are about thirty experimental stations. These are designed,
first, to protect the farmers from imposition in buying chemical or other
artificial fertilizers, by testing them, as offered in the market, and expos-

‘ing and prosecuting all frauds, either in the manufacturer or vender; sec-
ond, to test chemically the properties of different soils, and determine to
what crop they are best adapted, or what ingredients they are most de-
ficient in; third, to determine, by experiments in feeding farm-animals,
how to produce the most meat, fat, milk, butter, wool, &c., with the
least cost or waste; and, fourth, to ascertain the sources and habits of
worms, insects, and diseases injurious to plants, and to promulgate pre-
ventives and antidotes for the same. ,

ForEST AREA OF GERMANY.—The area of Germany comprises
54,102,769 hectares, (or 133,693,352 acres,) of which 13,940,541 are in
woodland, or about 25.7 per cent., making the area per capita .348
hectare.

The distribution and percentage of woodland are as follows:

Hectares. Per cent.

BLMUISSde cis < ole nessa sacle «aid cee, «soe leas setieeeecae nae teats 8, 137, 353 23.4
NMS AN AINANIE £2 oa '. x an cep clewinicie walmeee o ceas a) 2 See MELO tices comets 2, 596, 831 34.4
iartoniy: 2. 5-21 Lena se . das aee hs ea oa) Big eae 472,419 31.6
Lae \QViricg fete cl Ys) ae a eee A Pe esa one teres > ee reso tars. 595,102 30.5
PHB AGEM Pe guic< ina Set lee codiewepee aes eae lae ain ee Soe EEL eae 510, 924 33.4
ENGR BIG fo cotore orele or ercte aes emreleanc tee = a repmed te eee ben ee eine eee eeiecer 240, 083 31.2
imevtecklenbure-Sch wer --- =. -sreeecas ssetae ie nee one see eee 163, 567 2
ama Ony=NWV elmar:.6... uu Decesat veatea tier ere cies ee ens eeeaee 90, 937 25. 0
ineMecklenbure-Strelitz -— osc. scion a sos see wes EAereeitseet emer 57,949 21.3
reo ideniburs 72. 2. ).22 ee 2d mete bakree ces = 9/26 deen Se 44,793 7.0
NMP ETTMO WICK...’ . 2 iad jelcinmatan es bem ee oye \ce A Seas eee 114, 520 31.0
Meson y Memineen 2222 \ce noha oc deen ee <5 oasis ae tees as 93, 426 37.7
In Saxony. Altenburg...........-.------.. ATED) SURES Sah SheT FNS 39, 815 30.1.
Drsaxouy CODUrP-GOtla © osececcs coe tee ane tie else ee eee ae 59, 330 30.2
Mribiahte? Soe sd boeing SB nesta se ee ee ee 55, 851 21.0
Wunsch yarzbure Rudolgtadt. 25.0 sgace —a seer ie oie inns eee 38, 597 39.9
inischwanzbure Sonderhausen <!2o-). (22 se, ee ee 2s Se 25,223 29.3
nme Gedhk. slash. SOLOW Ses eegepei lace eee. eek cree 44, 407 39.6
IMMEeIASS (Old line)... as00ces J.5 hase bnpesete-p te eB eelipee = dees 11, 462 41.7
ness, (DOW, Line) 3.225. ..'Se,-chs See en), 3c one Bee eee eee oe 34, Uz 41.3
Inisenaom bute Lippe: -<2..).-.5-. sscece eos thal Sete SS Alo Phe 8, 682 19.6
InpWipporere cote swen senses. Sh Ree eee ieoees. teas 33; 93647 Seung
Unplunberk be rsheu lke ar). Ze ee eee eee eee eee ye eee 3, 028 10.9
Lrmpiemenias ese SL AAO, 2 UE SER . 5 WE od, dee 167 -6
In Hamburg scl. dog occ 5-2 x4 tet sadaane Shis- aces ee es tee 697 Led.
TAVAISE CO TIDIT RING oe a nie na =o cays ony cicpe tie oie > om aera ees ares aaa 451, 313 31.1

283

In the distribution of the kinds of wood the pine and fir are found in
the south of Germany, oak and beech in the west and southwest, and.
the Scotch fir in the north and northeast, while Central Germany, to a
greater or less degree, contains all these varieties.

Since 1831 the forest area of Prussia has diminished about 5 per cent. ;
in most of the other German States a barely appreciable diminution has
taken place, while there has been a steady increase in Bavaria, Baden,
and Saxony. On the whole, Germany has wood enough to meet do-
mestic demand for many years to come.

PRODUCTION OF SALT IN GERMANY.—By the discovery of new salt-
mines and a more vigorous development of the old, the production of
salt in the Zollverein states of Germany during the decade from 1860
to 1870, increased 110 per cent. The amount of mineral salt obtained
in 1860 was 112,803,429 hundred-weights against 783,495,100 in 1369, or
an increase of 594 per cent. The yield of kitchen-salt for these two
years was, respectively, 555,732,922 hundred- weights against 618,664,221,
or an increase of 11 per cent. Germany, with this increased production,
is now in condition, not only to meet domestic demand, but to export
great quantities. The amount of salt exported in 1869 was 159,267,468
hundred-weights. The home consumption for this year amounted to 35
pounds per capita against 21 in 1860. This is owing to the increasing
demand for salt for industrial and agricultural purposes. The average
amount for table use per capita is about 174 pounds a year.

THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE.—From an official publication of
the Austro-Hungarian commission at the Centennial, it appears that
this nationality is described in the Imperial writ of November 14, 1868,
as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, or Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. It
is a unique political organism, embracing two groups of subordinate
states united on different principles. The Austrian state territory, or
western half of the empire, recognizes Francis Joseph as Emperor of
Austria; the Hungarian state territory, or eastern half of the empire,
knows him as King of Hungary. The respective areas of these two
sections are as follows:

AUSTRIAN STATE TERRITORY. HUNGARIAN STATE TERRITORY.
Square miles. / Square miles.
Archduchy of Austria, Lower ---. 6,533 | Kingdom of Hungary. .----..--- 85, 668
Archduchy of Austria, Upper.... 4,559 | Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia — 8, 972
Duchy of Saizburg ..--.. 2-<2.--- 2728 |- City of Biumes 2-2. 2522S ooeseee 3
SLYLIA. 2 conse eect ----- 8,533 | Grand Principality of Transyl-
Carinthia: 22-2222 tee. 3, 942 WANLANA So 7." bale, Tes 20, 880
CARMIOl’ A. te ce eee . 3,795 Croato-Slavonian border district. 7,716
Principality of Goritz and Gradisca, |
Margrayviate of Istria, and city of Total eastern half. .----.......-- 125, 062
Trieste .----- te thang Sera an PaaS 3,036 | Add western half .......... ...- 113,070
Principality of Tyrol and Vorarl- | —.
Pans Co Salers oi oer). ober etl 11, 144 Total area of monarchy... 236, 132
Kingdom of Bohemia-..-.--...---- 19,741 |
Margraviate of Moravia ....-..-.- 8, 447 |
Duchy of pilesia. oo les 1,956 |
Duchy of Bukowina ....-.-....-- 3, 971 |
Kingdom of Dalmatia ........-.- 4, 861 |
Kingdom of Galicia and Lodome-
1 eS aS ee ae 29, 829 |
Total western half.....--. 1138. 070

The Austrian state territory is governed by a general legislative body,
called the Reichsrath, a local autonomy being exercised by provincial
diets in the subordinate states. The Hungarian state territory is under

284

the jurisdiction of the Reichstag, the kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia
having a diet for local legislation. The legislative body of the whole
monarchy is composed of sixty delegates from the Reichsrath and as
many from the Reichstag, two- thirds of each delegation being elected
by the popular branch of the legislature, and the other third by the
hereditary branch.

The total area of the monarchy is less than that of Texas. Hungary
proper is somewhat larger than Kansas or Minnesota; Upper and Lower
Austria together are less than Maryland ; the kingdom of Galicia is not
quite equal to Maine; Transylvania is considerably less than West Vir-
ginia.

Next to Sivitserland: Austro-Hungary is the most broken country in
Europe, three-fourths of its territory being hilly or mountainous. Its
river system is very extensive, the Danube alone, with its tributaries,
draining over two-thirds of the territory. The Adriatic drains over six
hundred miles of the coast, not including islands. The climate presents
a wide range of variation, corresponding. to latitude, elevation, and local
influences. In the south, rice, figs, olives, and other semi. tropical
plants are grown, while grapes and maize are produced in nearly all
parts of the empire.

The population of the monarchy, exclusive of the regular army, atthe
close of 1869, was 35,634,858, or nearly 151 per square mile; that of the
western half, '20,! 217,531, or not quite 170 per square mile; ‘that of the
eastern half, including the dependencies of the Hungarian Crown,
15,417,327, or over 125 per square mile. The most densely peopled
provinces are those of Lower Austria, Bohemia, and Silesia, averaging
over 260 persons to the square mile. Of tbe whole population, 9,003,700,
or over 25 per cent., are Germans; 6,550,000, or over 18 per cent. +) are
Czechs, means, and Selav onians ; 5, 705, 800, or over 16 per cent., are
Magyars; 2,685,600, or over 73 per cent., are Romanians and Poles, in
about equal. proportions; Croatians and Servians constitute about 84
per cent., and the Rutherians nearly 9 per cent.; Italians number
588,000, Slov enians 1,254,200, and Jews 1,372,300. The popuiatiou re-
sides in 927 towns, 2 39 boroughs, and 73,252 villages. Vienna has
overamillion inhabitants. Nineteen towns in the Austrian territory have
between 20,000 and 50,000, and 43 between 10,000 aud 20,000, with sev-
eral very large cities. In the Hungarian territory, are Buda-Pest with
over 300,000, and several otherlarge cities; 27 towns have between
20,000 and 50,000, and 54 others over 10,000.

The religious statistics show 23,750,776 Roman Catholics, 5,918,000
Greek Catholics, 8,140 Armenian Catholics, 3,037,176 schismatic Greek
Catholics, 1,741 schismatie Armenian Catholics, 1,856,316 Protestants of
the Augsburg persuasion, 2,128,549 of the Helvetic churches, 1,372,333
Jews, and 7,419 Mohammedans and other sects.

Over four. fifths of the soil is occupied either with agriculture or for-
ests. The latter cover 28.34 per cent. of the whole monarchy, the largest
proportion, 44.95 per cent., being in Styria, and the smallest, ! 2). 39 | per
cent., in Dalmatia. The acreage devoted to general crops is 31.50 per
cent. of the whole; vineyards, 0.94 per cent.; meadows and gardens,
12.87 per cent.; pastures, 14.37 per cent.; forests, 28.34 per cent.; barren
land, 12 per cent. The most fertile grain lands are in Hengary, Croato-
Slavonia, Bohemia, Moravia, and Galicia, all of which raise a surplus for

export. In all these provinces, except Galicia and in Upper Austria,
Styria, Carinthia, and Tyrol, fruit culture is very general. Flax, hemp,
and sugar-beets flourish in Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Hungary ;
hops in Bohemia; tobacco and rape-seed in Hungary. Wine is produced

285

in all the provinces except Salzburg, Silesia, and Galicia, and especially in
Dalmatia and Hungary. In Dalmatia the olive constitutes the main sup-
port of theinhabitants. In the Alpine and Carpathian Mountain regions
the growth of forests attracts great attention. Nearly a third of the pop-
ulation is employed in agriculture or forestry.

The average annual productions from 1868 to 1875 were as follows:
Wheat, including spelt, 94,783,188 bushels; rye, 109,539,852 bushels ;
barley, 75,769,794 busheis ; oats, 122,877,606 bushels; maize, 69,810,372
bushels; buckwheat and millet, 21,851,214 bushels; potatoes, 255,403,800
bushels ; beans and peas, 8,513,460 bushels ; rape, 207,160,860 bushels ;
wine, 608,609,400 gallons; timber cut, 7,239,985,000 feet; beet-roots
and turnips, 8,820,000 pounds; flax and hemp, 330,661,500 pounds ; to-
baeco, 110,220,500 pounds; hops, 11,022,050 pounds. The Hungarian
territory produces three-fourths of the wine. Theaverage annual value
of the grain crops during seven. years ending with 1875 was $470,694,000.

Of farm animals the monarchy returned 1,430 horses to each one hun-
dred square miles of area, (the Hungarian territory having 43 per cent.
larger proportion than the Austrian territory ;) asses, 33; cattle, 5,238 ;
sheep, 8,290; goats, 638; swine, 2,882; bee-hives, 628. The Hungarian
territory bad 140 horses for each 1,000 of population ; the Austrian ter-
ritory 70; the whole monarchy, 99. Of asses and mules the monarchy
had but 2 per 1,000 of the population; of cattle, 356; of sheep, 564,
(Hungary baving by far the largest proportion ;) goats, 3; swine, 196;
bee-hives, 43. The annual consumption of meat in the whole country
is estimated at 1,323,000,000 pounds; the annual product of milk, at
2,007,752,800 gallons; of butter, fresh and melted, whey and curds, at
3,962.670,000 gallons; cheese, 220,473,700 pounds; of wool, 66,142,110
pounds; average value of annual product of span silk, $3,360,009 ; prod-
uct of honey, 50,708,951 pounds; bees-wax, 3,307,105 pounds. The
average total value of agricultural products of all kinds is estimated at
$1,152,000,000 per annum.

The mineral resources of the monarchy are rich. Gold is found in
Hungary and Transylvania, and silver in both these countries and in
Bohemia. Jron-ore is mined in all the provinces, especially Styria, Ca-
rinthia, Hungary, Bohemia, and Moravia. Carinthia yields quicksilver
and lead; western Galicia and Carniola, zine; the Erzegebirge range
in Bohemia, tin; Bohemia and Moravia, graphite; Galicia, sulphur.
Coal is mined in large quantities in Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Salzburg,
and Bukowina. Rock-salt or brine-salt, is produced in nearly all parts
of the monarchy. According to the last general census, 154,455 persons
were employed in mining, of which 104,342 were in the Austrian terri-
tory and 50,143 in the Hungarian. The produce of salt-mining alone is
estimated at $50,000,000 per aunum. The largest mining yields were
in 1874, embracing 330,000 tous of iron, 2,800 of zine 6,700 of lead and
litharge, 900 of sulphur, 1,800 of alum, 280,000 of salt, 7,500,000 of all
sorts of coal.

The consumption of coal for manufacturing increased from 500,000
tons in 1839 to 8,000,000 in 1875, and the abundant water-power of the
country has been brought into extensive use. The mannfacturing inter-
est has been most largely developed in Boheinia, Moravia, Silesia, and
Lower Austria.

It is estimated that about 8,000,000 persons gain a livelihood, in
whole or part, by manufacturing. At the date of the last census, De-
cember 31, 1869, there were in the whole empire 298,113 employés in
the building trade and productions of art, of which number 235,510 were
in the Austrian territory, and the remainder in the Hungarian territory ;

2860 < | be

677,740 were workers in metal, stone, and wood, 505,772 being in the
Austrian provinces; 330,285 in the manufacture of chemicals, articles of
food, and tobacco, of which 248,000 were in Austrian provinces; $90,951
in textile manufactures, of which 797,398 were in Austrian territory ;
478,704 were engaged in manufactures of leather, paper, &c., 307,794
being in the Austrian dependencies; 244,487 were engaged in oceupa-
tions outside of industrial production, of which 178,842 were in the
Austrian territory. Of the total of the foregoing classes, 2,920,280,
about 77 per cent., or 2,273,316, were in the Austrian half of the empire,
leaving but 616,964, or 23 per cent., in the Hungarian halt.

The empire is girt around with a line of custom-houses for the taxa-
tion of foreign imports, but no province lays any impost upon the prod-
ucts of other portions of the half of the monarchy to which it belongs.
Either half may levy upon the imported productions of the other a duty
no greater than is imposed upon the same articles produced at home.
Commercial treaties with foreign states impartially distribute their ad-
vantages to both halves of the empire. Standards of money, weights
and measures, laws of navigation, sanitary regulations, railway, post,
and telegraph laws, &c., are uniform throughout the empire. Citizens
of either division are entitled to the immunities of the other. No re-
strictions are imposed upon the trades, except that foreigners must take
out license to work in a few select ones. This license is to secure special
qualifications for those trades. The imports of the empire rose from
158,100,000 florins in 1851 to 588,600,000 florins in 1874, and the exports
from 136,600,000 florins to 408,200,000 florins. A florin is $0.4803,
Chambers of commerce have been organized in all sections of the em-
pire.

The aggregate length of canals and navigable rivers in 1870 was 6,263
miles; of turnpike and other roads, 61,846 miles. The railway lines:
have an aggregate length of about 6,000 miles, carrying over 30,000,000
passengers in 1874, of whom only 11 were injured by accidents. The
postal system embraces 6,253 post-offices, and the number of letters
carried in 1874 was 286,000,000, besides 29,000,000 of postal cards. The
money or its substitutes carried during the year amounted to nearly
$21,000,000. The aggregate length of telegraph-line was over 65,000
miles. All other institutions of civilization have broad development.

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS

287

1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the
beginning of the month:

FOR. JULY

Articles. Prices. Articles. Prices,
NEW YORK. Bosron—Continued.

Flour, superfine, State and west- Beef, mess) 22 Lk! . 18. 8a per bbl.|$i0 50 to — —

ON Oe cg shee per bbl | $3 40 to $4 00 | OXtraMeSs.. -..se3<ees6 do...| 12 009 to — —
extra State ......-.- do...| 450 to 515 | PAM lee et AL FSS do...| 13 00 to $14 00
extra to choice western, ||| Pork, primes. 2.252250. - do ..| 17 00 to i7 50

PEPADAITOR Saki sas fone 450 to 8 75) MESS! 22.5. sepes-cece5 do...| 20 00 to 20 50
southern extra....perbbl.| 4 85 to 6 00 |} Lard ...-...--......-. --. per lb. 12 to 124
southern family..-.. do...| 605 to 8 75 || Butter, New York and Vermont,

Wheat, No. 1spring ...per bush | 120 to 130) per pound ............- 20 to 25
No. 2 spring’. :---.- do.-.| 112) to 117) western .)-..-0/..- er 1b 18 to 22
winter, red, western, || Cheese, New York and Vermont

per bushel ...........- 85 to 1 45) factory .20.27--. per lb 6 to 103
winter, amber, western, western factory - -do. — to —_

moeribushel. 222-6) sae 93 to 1 45 || Sugar, fair to good refining. do... 8 to 83
winter, white, western, Cotton, ordinary to good ordi-

ner Huashel, .. sos 2-4-3 125 to 1 45 Marys cet Le per lb. 8} to 103

OEMs eee per bush 56 to 61 low middling to good

Gatsiiers? Atel et ev tict oe do. 34 to 42 middling...... per Ib. 114 to 13

COSC Se GOR aoe ke eae do. 80 to 95 || Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania,

Barlayestti tie! Sli A224) aoe 90 —— Per POUNG teres <pattncn 30 to 43

Hay, Bae first quality, for re- Michigan .......... per lb 28 to 34

tie ee per ton.| 16 00 to 19 00 | other western..---..do... 28 to 34
bated, second quality, for pulled er ease ee ss WOne: 15 to 40
shipping hee. per ton.} 13 00 to 14 00 combing fleece ..-... do. 43 to 46

Beef, janes a eee eae ele 10 00 to 11 00 | Galifornia....:...--. do... 14 to 27

extra Mess -...-..---. o..-| 12 00 to — —

Pork, mess..........--.---- do...| 19 75 to 19 85 i etemme Cnn

extra mess........-..do...| — — to — — || Flour, superfine. .....--. per bbl.} 325 to 4 00
prime mess ..-....-... do. 19 50 to — — Pennsylvania extra to

UT) 9 ee eee ee per lb 114 to 113) choice....-..--- per bbl.| 425 to 6 50

Butter, western ..........-- do... 16 to 7 western extra to choice,

State dairy...:..--- do... 18 to 28 per barrtels.2o 52342 A L8. 500 to 6 50

Cheese, State factory --....- do... 7 to 11 || Wheat, white..-....-.- per bush.} 135 to 1 47
western factory -..-do... 6 to 9} aM Der Sees ee do...] 130 to 1 47

Sugar, fair to prime refining, BO ee ery. cet ss LP do 80 to 1 38

Per pounds s-.-~.-—- 220 8 to BE Nyoss eee ee a ete heen do 75 to 80

Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- Barley 2s. SAU et acct do 55 to 95

TES ne pee ae er lb 84 to LO} |), (Orn =. So fesse eacs sd accr do. 54 to 38
low ene to good OAtSE se eee esac sinectesesss doz 28 to 40
middling ... ...per lb 11 to 12}|| Hay, baled, prime Be Are per ton.| 14 00 to 15 00

Tobacco, lugs ...........- pet lb. 6 to 8 common to fair shipping,

Renee) oe) ett do... 8 to 10 DEL LON -< sosek eal ee ee 11 00 to 13 50

Wool, American XXX and pick- Beet, western mess --.-.. per bbl.| 6 00 te 8 00
HOG Ss Ss veh ee ss per lb. 46 to 48 extra mess ....-...-.. do...| 10 50 to 11 90

American X and XX, per Warthman’s city family,

POUn 2s oe se ence 38 to At POL DALTON 40h cet ame 14 50 to 15 00
American, combing, per lb 48 to 58 1 Pork, mess...-----..-/-.-per bbl.| 20 50 to — —

pulled <3 2S2 2-5 3 dole: 25 to 40 prime mess....--....- do...| 1750 to — —
California spring clip, per prime, (extra) - - .-do...| 17 00 to — —

ayer ey eee eee 19 to O5ii]) Lard. s se eee eens ela per lb. 114 to 15

California fail clip. “per lb. 13 to 16 || Butter, choice Middle State. do. . 2L to 26
choice western ..--- do... 20 to 22

BOSTON. Cheese, New York factory. per ib. 7 to 104

Ohio factory .--..--. do... 4 to 9

Flour, western superfine, spring, Sugar, fair to good refining. perlb 8 to 8h
[feist e) JES 28 See ee er 300 to 350 || Cotton, ordinary to good ordi-

common spring extra, per MALY, -5 -22.02sesPOr Ly 8§ to 10

Ue ees iee oc. 99 425 to 4 75 low middling to good
good to fancy northwest- middling -..-.-. per lb. 113 to 12%

ern spring...... per bbl.| 4 75 to 9 00 || Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania x
good to fancy western win- RUG ROK Sees per lb 49 to 42

Ui Ue ers baoece per bbl.| 5 75 to 8 50 other western ....... do... 30 to 36
southern family ..per bbl.| 6 50 to 8 75 pulledis. oe. Feu: do... 22 to 36

WHat): sose se eee Ugone 97 to 1 45 combing. ...... poles gone 40 to 55

ao Sau Racecar oe Seeere a : 53 to 63 tub-washed.....--..- do. . 30 to = 4

OS SSee pease (Sane ar Gi 30 to 50

eros aa. k ial ates do. 90 to 95 BALTIMORE

PATIO Os oils co testa eee do...| — — to — —}} Flour, superfine .-...-... per bbl.| 300 to 3 75

Hay, eastern and northern, per GAGS ago pare tae do...| 400 to 650
POD eae ow ah taiclacnee ane 16 00 to 21 00 familivesses sock ewan do 700 to 8 50

288 ;

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. Prices. ) Articles. Prices.
1}
BALTIMORE—Continued. | Cuicaco—Cortinued.
Wheat, red ....-. .....per bush.| $1 20 to $1 30 |! Rye, No.2............. per bush.| $0 67 to $0 674
amber =. 2215.9. 225 do...| 133 to 1 35 || Barley, Bs 0.1 Sh ea hc er do... 56} to 57°
Wits |... 2. do:-:| 1.25 -to.-1-35'|| Corn,-Noo? -02.6......220.... do... 463 to 47
Li ksnses Sjocee se Sep osseses do... 64 to Go") Oats, None) NeTt . 1. Leta + do .. 294 to 30
U2 Sic hin 2 S OSs ane Sets ae ee do... 33 to 45 || Hay, set ee) per ton.| 9 00 to 12 50
CU SoS Sa es do... 504 to 62 PrSWiG.o- «Poets. do....|..7,00. to - S350
Hay, Maryland and Pennsyl- | Beef, mess ....-- ps ee ee per bbl.; 10 75 to 11 00
Vania... ss. per ton | 16 00 to 20 00 extra mess....---.... do...| 11 75 to 12 00
WeBtern = 2/5 DBs. 2. do.--| 14-00) te’15 00 || Pork;mess 2 .-. S22 eee. do...| 19 50 to 19 60
Pork MESS Seo - = (52 per bbl.| 21.00 to — — prime mess.....--..-. do...| 18 00 to — —
prime mess ..-.....--- do...) 21 00 to — — extra prime........-. do...) 14 00 to 14 50
extra prime!_...--...- do...| 18 50 to — Bard: 5. o> eles Le es per Ib. 113 to 113
and ee aot eA per lb. 124 to 123) Butter, choice to fancy ....do-. 18 to 22
Butter, western ..-.-.-..--. do.. 13 to 20 || medium to good .. .do... 14 to 16
eastern, near by receipts, | Cheese, good to choice factory,
per pound = sag gee Sage 12 to 16 || per pound. «2s. ~<- s25s3 8&3 to 93
Cheese, western factory---.per lb. — to — || Sugar, New Orleans....... per lb. — to _
eastern factory .--..do.. — to — || Wool, tub-washed.. ..---...-. doz 30 to 38
Sugar, fair to good refining. do. . 8i to 8¥| fleece-washed.......- do... 25 to 28
New Orleans, grocery unwashed ...-.------ do... 17 to 21
RAOSSe2ses5 per lb. — to —)| pulled... <2 Jo4ceuae- do... — to —_
Tobacco, lugs...........--.- do... 6} to 11 ||
leaf, commontomedium, SAINT LOUIS.
per pound, 222 55.922: 9 to 11
Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- Flour, winter, common to choice,
TET GORE eigen ee per lb. 84 to 98) Por bbls... 79 350 to 6 50
low middling to good Spring: -2--/ ees: per bbl.| — — to — —
middling -...-.. per lb. 103 to 114! Wheat, white winter.. per bush.| 112 to 115
i| red winter ....-.... do... 86 to 130
CINCINNATI. | Spring ss = 1 PRee < do...| —— to — —
HiGorn sc os5see - ecb aes eee do... 39 to 45
Flour, superfine -. ...--.. per Bol 03740 te. 3.75,|| Ryels. 2: 38. 25 bess ated do... 50 to 63
Gish en ehe Bao deoke do...| 425 to 4 65 ener fair to choice.-.-.... daze: 30 to 100
EDU ge ace eee ae do. 5°00-to _ 7°50) || Oats: 2. -2. 222. eR: Ce 31 to 35
Wheat, winter, red .... per bush.| 100 to 1 20 ay, timothy te edge Sek per ton.} 15 00 to 16 00
hill, (amber) oh ee do...| 120 to 1 30 prairies: .22 sheds ies do...| 800 to 9 50
whita 0 «2202002. . do...| 120 to 1 36 Beef, mess ........--..-- per bbl.} 14 00 to 14 50
OS Re Paes toh Soares do... 22 to 42 |) Pork; mess. 2: .2- 2soee ee do...| 19 00 to 20 50
LoD boa So ee do... 48 to Sint os SPE SEE OEeer ID.) NEE Y er lb. 11} to 123
lo so eats a ear do... 60 to 75 || Butter, prime to choice airy,
LEE HERR gee ee ing Rep geld do... 80 to 85 || per pound .2------ ees 14 to 18
Flay, Apalaa, is (pg eee per ton.| 13 00 to 16 00 || country packed... .per lb 13 to 16
lower grades...do..-| 5 00 to 10 00 | Cheese, Ohio factory .-..-.-- do... 123 to 133
PON KS INONG: occa. owe. per bbl.| 19 50 to 20 00 || N. Y. factory... --=<- do... 13 to 14
Lisi bee <4 se seeie BE a bee per lb. 11 to 134}! Wool, tub-washed ..-..-. -- do... 36 to 37k
IBM PerVenOIcd 222. =o. 52 do... 17 to 18 || fleece-washed........do-... 34 to 35
cf hes ef eg Real 2 15 to 17 | unwashed .......-.-- do... 27 to 30
eese, prime to ehoice factory
m per. pound =) 2.224 f u 8 to 9 TE OEREANE
Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good, | Flour, superfine -.-...-.. per bbl.| 400 to — —
Por pounNne=. ==. ass. -2 &t to 9 | extrav!. =... 228s 2: do..-| 425 to 5 50
PIUNIG) 2 Usk ess per lb. 9 to 93) | choice to fancy -...-. do...| 575 to 750
Mobaeco, lugs... 536-6052. do.. — to — || Corn, white and yellow. per bush 62 to 68
UC ee ee do .. — to =) WH OAERG! 224) ea see eeaee do... 35 to 42
Cotton, ordinary to good ordi- | Hay, choice..--.-2=.----- perton | 22 00 to 23 00
NAVY ACh nsec per lb. 8 to 94) prime =. ..--paseeseees do 17 00 to 19 00
low middling to good || Beef, “Texas>. f. .2beee per bbl.| 10 00 to 11 00
middling. ...... per lb. 103 to 12 || WOStern 2. 25 <=51253-- do 13 00 to 14 50
Wool, fleece- washed, common to Fulton market-...per + bbl.| 11 75 to 12 00
iNT spite yey a bo eo per lb 26 to 28 || Pork, mess $22. Gee per bbl.; 21 50 to — —
tub-washed ........ do: 25 to 34°]) Lard" >: 22s ec eee sees per lb. 11} to 13%
unwashed, clothing do.. 20 to 22 || Butter, choice Goshen...... do... 32 to —
unwashed, combing . do.. 25 to 30 |) choice western .-... do... 23 to 25
pulled...o5 See: 223 do... 23 to 25 || Cheese, choice western factory, re “a
er pound .....~.¢=2.s6-
i paid ) NY. ste 2G. .é2 er lb 143 to —
Flour, choice winter extras, || Sugar, fair to fully fair..... do... 8 to 8}
per harrelis: s42s2c225¢5< 72% to 775}! prime to strictly prime,
common to good winter i per pound. s2s22<sasedes 9 to 93
">.< fe. a per bbl.| 5 75 to 7 124! clarified, white, and yel- ~
spring extras, coacen to | LOW: Se 22. 32 Goes per lb. 9} to 103
poods 55354550 per bbl.| 450 to 5 373) Cotton, ordinary to poe ordi-
spring extras, choice.do...| 550 to 5 75 | MARY 25- i leeks per lb. 6 to 83
patent spring .....-.. do...| 600 to 9 00}; low middling to ERT y
spring superfines....do.. | 300 to 4 00 || dling ..--5scni0c. per Ib. 10% to a
Wheat, No.1 spring...per bush.| 111 to — — Tobacte, lugs 3... -/< sgsenes do... 53 to 4
No. 2 spring..-.-.--- do...| 103%to 1 043)| leaf, low to medium,
No. 3 spring.....--- do... .| 88 to 883)| per pound............ | 8 to 114

|

289

Market-prices of farm-products, §:c.—Continued.

i

Articles. Prices. Articles. Prices.
SAN FRANCISCO. San FRANCIScO—Continued.

Flour, superfine ..-....-- per bbl.| 34 00 to $4 75 || Beef, mess....-....-.....- per bbl.| $8 50 to$10 00
OxdTaee 202 t2.ob do...| 5 00 to — — family mess...... per + bbl.| 750 to 10 u
familyiand fancy) ....d0...}. 5.25 to) 15 75) Lard |...5.. 22-2. /---35-.- per lb. 13 to 15

Wheat, California ....per cental.| 1°40 to 1 65 || Butter, overland ............ do.. 16 to 18

QregenG 5 Li iseg Seu - do...| 160 to 1 65 California |... 37. ..-.- do.. 25 to 23

Rawle). sae Oberst Gh... do. 80 to 115 Oregon: -..-- 28.25. do. 20 to 223

OF ee ey avn ens Op do. 175) Goon? 25) (Cheese... /2252-4 saute. do.. 124 to 15

Cay iy Gee St da a as do. 1.05 stool. 15 |) Wooklmativeg.st. hn. snes: do.. 8 to 10

Hay; Stabe 2.2 f..: af. per ton.| 700 to 13 00 Californiat.....5-2... do... 15 to 19

PORK WINOSS sh tb 5.22 per bbl.) 22 00 to 24 00 | Orerzon? -.2-.. 3.6 552.) do... 15 to 19
prime mess ..-..-....- do..| 17 50 to 18 50 |

LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.
NEW YORK. Cuicaco—Continued.

Cattle, extra beeves..per cental.|510 25 to — — || Cattle,medium....... per cental.| $4 00 to $4 25
good to prime..-... do....| 10 00 to $10 25 inferior natives ..-.-. do...) 2.00 to 3%
common to fair. .... do.....— — to 9 00 Texans (22 5) 226 ig. far do...| 250 to 400
dither nt ae eee do....| — — to — — || Sheep..-..........---....-.. do...| 3.25 to 4 65
milch-cows .--.-- per head.| — —. to, — — |} Swine...........-.-........ do...| 600 to 6 40

? veal calves....per cental.. — — to — —
BHeppee-sp-a----- eu) --00-=- jit EtO (Dd 75 || SAINT LOUIS.
ST ee ee do....; —— to ——
Cattle, good to choice native
PHILADELPHIA. steers, per cental ...... 460 to 4 75
common to fair natives,

Cattle, prime beeves..percental., 6 00 to 6 75 pes) cental |. 25 -- 7-2 325 to 4 25
fair to good ....-...- do..-.| 5 25;t0,.°5 Jz} inferior to common na-
commons... -.4.5--- do..-.| 425 to 500} HIVES. X51... < per cental.| 200 to 3 25

ses) SESS | REE BAe es do...-| 150 to 5°54] Texans, fair to choice,

Swine, corn-fed ....-...-.. do....| 8 75 to. 9.254] poe cental 4 242. se ace 300 to 400

| Sheep) 3234s, ---2-- 6 per cental.| 375 to 5 25
BALTIMORE. SWINE: Sh cess sks. hn = do. 550 to 5 75
| Horses, plugs.........- per head.) 30 00 to 35 00

Cattle, best beeves....per cental.| 4 87 to 5 87 PAN 8 dt scat eens do....| 45 00 to 55 00
first quality....... do..-.|. 4.12 to, 4.87 || street-car. .-....- do..-.| 75 00 to 125 00
medium or good quality, | heavy-draught ....do....|115 00 to 125 00

Memcental. .o4-...=<- | .3 7). to, 4 12); good drivers ...-- do..../175 00 to 225 00
ordinary ..--- per ceutal.| 3 50 to 3 75 || (SEAS Re ee 3 Nae do. .../225 00 to 250 00
general average of the auction, and ponies, per

market ... .percental.| 5 12 head... o-. goes eran py 25 00 to 45 00
most of the sales ...do ...; 4 62 to 5 50 || Mules, 14 to 15 hands high.do....| 85 00 to 120 00
milch-cows ..-. per head | — — to —— | 15 to 16 hands high.do....|115 00 to 150 00

Sb ae Se per cental | 200 to 5 00 | (2 ¢ 11 a et do ...|/175 00 to 185 00

LUGS ee ee a a do....|. 8 75 to 9 25 ||

NEW ORLEANS.
CINCINNATI. |}

: | | Cattle, Texas beeves, choice, per

Cattle, good to prime butchers’ | | egies haa ek 2-2 —— to 40 00

steers ..... percental | 425 to 4 75 || first quality....per head | — — to 35 00
fair to medium....do....| 325 to 4 25) second quality.... do....| — — to 30 00
common...--..--- do....| 225 to 300 || western beeves, percental.| 400 to 5 50
milch-cows ....per head.| — — to — — milch-cows .-.. per head | 40 00 to 90 00
veal calves. ..-per cental | — — to — — | veal calves.......--do..-.; 700 to 9 00

SLGS OS65: Soo Se See ee dOseHiilo is O0Rto, -4op0s] Sheep... age 0. ne. do....| 200 to 6 00

SY a: Le dosesehs ® 90;-b0, 62d) || Swine... 35. sa 259. 2 per cental | 6 00 to 8 50

t CHICAGO: || Horses, good condition. per head | }
\| plugs .....--..----- do.../| Horseand mule

Cattle, extra-graded steers, per | i Commonids... sesssc do...) | ae ie atGlosed

cental ...-.-.-. ..-....-| — — to —— | Mules, well-broken, first-class, | fi nthe pads
choice beeves..per cental.| 470 to 4 90 porihead’.../:.:....... q .
good beeves ......... do...| 455 to 4 60) secoud-class ...per head.| J

290 Seat “Ss

wed
f

FOREIGN MARKETS.

WHEAT.—The latter part of May and the first half of June ‘in the
United Kingdom were marked by alternate sunshine and shower, which

told very favorably upon the prospects of growing crops. The cold,

backward spring has not injured the grain erops to anything like the
extent that was anticipated, and vegetation generally appears to be

vigorous and healthy. Warm raius about the close of the first week of
June were quite general throughout the British Isles. Yet, even with

the immense improvement in the conditions of growth, the more san
guine scarcely dare hope that the lost lee-way of the cold, backward

spring will be recovered, though the wheat covers the ground very.

thickly and seems to be growing finely. French crops present the same
favorable auguries, with a still greater probability from the fact that the
continental climate is less subject to extremes than the insular one of
England. The temporary settlement of the difficulties growing out of
the eastern question, and the growing hope of a final pacificatiou in the
Turkish peninsula has dispelled much of the anxiety which gave a
specially painful interest to the crop prospects. These cheering indica-
tions, agricultural and political, have quieted the tone of the markets,
especially as the large supplies arriving daily from America and Russia
gave present and substantial tokens of a sufficient supply of breadstuffs.
The indications of growing conditions up to the very time of harvest
will doubtless more or less affect prices, but there are no indications
that the prices of wheat will be very greatly disturbed during the in-
tervening period. In Germany the improvement has been especially
marked, and the appearance of wheat-fields is very encouraging. Timely
rains have fallen in the low countries, giving a quietus to the specula-
tive uneasiness that had begun to show itself. In Austria, the fine
weather had given a downward tendency to prices. In Algeria, the
harvest had been secured in good order, and cereal crops were reported
as quite satisfactory. In Egypt, the market for wheat was dull and de-
clining for all except the better sorts. Fine rains in Australia had set
the tarmers to plowing, and hence the marketing of wheat was less rapid
than previously.

The sales of English wheat during the week closing June 17 amounted
to 40,330 quarters, at 47s. 4d. per quarter, against 37,634 quarters, at 41s.
11d. during the corresponding week of 1875. The London averages
were 49s, 1d. on 1,992 quarters. The imports during the week ending
June 10 were 1,004,682 ewt.

The market openedin London, Monday, June 12, with considerable firm-
ness, notwithstanding the fine weather and the large arrivals of foreign
wheat, amounting to 40,080 quarters, mostly Russian. Essex and Kent,
white, brought from 45s. to 52s. per quarter; ditto, red, 40s. to 48s.;
Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, 40s. to 46s.; Dantzig, mixed, 52s.
to 55s.; Konigsberg, 50s. to 54s.; Rostock, 50s. to 53s.; Pomeranian,
Mecklenberg, and Uckermark, red, 48s. to 51s.; Ghirka, 44s. to 45s.;
Russian, hard, 45s. to 46s.; Saxonska, 46s. to 47s.; Danish and Holstein,
red, 46s. to 49s.; American, red, 44s. to 54s.; Chilian, white, 49s.; Cali-
fornian, 51s.; Australian, 52s. to 55s.

At Liverpool British white wheat (June 16) was quoted at 9s. 8d. to
10s. 4d. per cental; ditto, red, 9s. 4d. to 10s.; Canadian white, 9s. 8d. to
10s. 1d.; ditto, red club and golden drop, 9s. 4d. to 10s.; American, red
winter, 9s. 10d. to 10s. 8d.; No. 1 Minnesota, 9s. 8d. to 10s.; No. 1 spring,

291

9s. 6d. tg 10s.; No. 2 spring, 8s. 11d. to 9s. 8d.; Indian, 8s. 6d. to 10s. ;
Egyptian, 7s. to 8s. 9d.; ; California, 9s. LOd. to 10s. 2d. ; : ditto, club, 10s.
3d. to 10s. 6d.; Oregon, 10s. 3d. to 10s. 6d.; Chilian, 9s, 6d. to 9s. 9d. ;
Australian, 10s. Td. to 10s. 10d.

Tn France, 11 markets advanced during the week ending June 17
against 6 the previous week; 54 remained stationary against 44 the
previous week ; 37 declined, or 10 less than the previous week. Prices
of wheat, on the whole, ranged from 51s. to 51s. 6d. per quarter, with
increasing rates for future deliveries. At Hamburg millers have
been buying only enough to meet present necessities, and hence, with a
fresh demand setting in, have no stock to fall back upon, but must swell
that demand by extensive purchases. The best yellow Rostcok brought
53s. 6d. to 55s. per quarter.

FLouR.—The imports during the week ending June 10 were 76,070
ewt. against 104,254 cwt. the previous week. The demand had improved
and higher prices had been obtained in some instances. In Mark Lane
the best town households were quoted at 37s. to 43s. per 280 pounds;
best country households, 35s. to 37s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, old, 30s, to 32s. ;
French, 30s. to 35s.; American, per barrel, 24s. to 27s. At Liverpool, Eng-
lish and Irish superfines brought 36s. to 38s. per 280 pounds; extra, ditto,
39s. to 41s.; French, 39s. to 41s. 6d.; Trieste, 50s. to 57s.; Chilian, 34s.
to 35s.; Californian, 36s. to 38s. 6d.; American, western and extra
state, 22s. to 25s. per barrel of 196 pounds ; Baltimore and Philadelphia,
22s. to 26s.; Ohio and extra, 23s. to 26s.; Canadian, 23s. to 27s.; patent,
30s. to 34s. At Paris select marks flour brought 41s. 3d. to 41s. 10d. per
280 pounds,

MAizE.—In Mark Lane white was quoted at 29s. to 30s. per quarter ;
ditto, yellow, 27s. to 28s. At Liver peal, American white, 27s. to 27s. 3d. ;
eerie mixed, 26s. 6d.; Galatz, 27s. 6d. to 28s.; Danubian, 25s. 9d.

26s. 3d. ; ; Dari, 23s. to DAs,

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_ MONTHLY REPORT

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1876.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOE.
1876.

MONTHLY REPORT.

*

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
STATISTICAL DIVISION,
Washington, D. C., September 25, 1876.
Sir: I respectfully present for publication a digest of the crop-returns
of August and September, and other current statistics, domestic and
foreign, relating to production and distribution, markets and prices.
Respecttully,
J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

DIGEST OF THE CROP-RETURNS. |
CORN.

Our August returns indicated that the crop of the country was full
average, the deficiency in the great corn-producing States of the North-
west being compensated by the superior condition of the other sec-
tions. During August, however, great local changes took place, but
the improvement in some sections was more than counterbalanced by
the decline in others, resulting in a net loss in condition of 2 per cent.,
and reducing the general condition of the crop to about 98. All the
New England and Middle States fell off except Rhode [sland and New
Jersey. In these States drought in July greatly reduced tie crop, but
the refreshing rains of August partly repaired the damage. In the
other States of these sections the conditions were reversed. The
fine growth attained in July was considerably cut down by the drought
of August. Insect-injuries and premature frosts also affected the crop
in some of the more northern counties. All of the South Atlantic States
show an advance, and a condition, on the whole, considerably above
average. During July the condition of the crop in this section was
depressed in some counties by drought and in others by abnormally-low
temperature and cool nights, while in a few cases grub-worms and
grasshoppers injured the growing plants. In August, however, im-
proved conditions of growth were very general, though some local
disasters are reported. Chinches and grasshoppers were troublesome
in some counties, and occasional freshets injared bottom-crops in others,
but the improvement on the whole was marked and satisfactory.

296

/ .
’

On the other hand, the Gulf States all declined, except Louisiana,
which shows a very considerable advance upon the low condition of
August. Alabama and Texas are still above average, but do not attain
the high figures previously reported. Florida and Mississippi show a
slight decline. Drought in some counties and excessive rain in others
reduced the*condition of the crop, but there are numerous congratula-
tions from our correspondents in the Gulf States on having raised the
best crop since the war. A larger number of counties than ever before
report a production fully equal to the home demand, with a marked
reduction of local prices. -An increased acreage gives greater effect to
improved conditions, and the people are encouraged with the hope that
this region will soon raise all the corn needed for home consumption.
A few unimportant insect-depredations are noted.

All of the Southern inland States are above average, and all have im-
proved during August. Local droughts or flooding rains are reported
and, in a few counties, injuries from bud-worms, wire-worms, and
chinches. One or two of our correspondents justly criticise the slovenly
Systems of culture followed by many of their neighbors. The general
indications point to an abundant yield and low prices. In Washington,
Arkansas, corn was selling at 74 and 8 cents per bushel on the stalk.

North of the Ohio River all the States report an improved condition at
end of August except Michigan. Ohio and Wisconsin are above aver-
age, while the great corn-regions of Indiana and Illinois show a gratify-
ing improvement, greatly reducing the decline apprehended at the close
of July. During that month drought and excessive rains had prevailed
over alternate zones of the corn-region, the former partially paralyzing
vegetation and the latter preventing cultivation and causing the fields
to be overrun with weeds. -Where drought prevailed, bottom-crops were
the best, but with excessive rains, rolling uplands had the advantage.
Insect depredations were on a smaller scale than usual; those old ene-
mies of the farmer, the chinches, appeared in a few counties, but too late to

do seriousinjury tothe corn-crop. East of Lake Michigan heavy rains were

the common topic of complaint, and it was noticed in several counties
that sandy rolling lands produced the best crops. Frost also injured
some lowland crops, and in one or two cases extreme heat and drought
are alleged as causes of decline. West of Lake Michigan the feeling of
our correspondents is more jubliant over a fine promise of the crop, the
average condition of Wisconsin being 11 percent. above average, an im-
provement of 10 per cent. during August.

Between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, Minnesota maintains her

August average in spite of the ravages of grasshoppers in her western .

counties, while [owa and Missouri report an improved condition. West
of the Missonri, Kansas advanced to 6 per cent. above average. The
grasshoppers came too late to do much injury in this State, but in Ne-
braska they reduced the very superior condition at the close of July to
one below average at the close of August.

On the Pacific coast the condition of the crop improved at least 5
per cent. during August. Frost and low temperatures injured the plants
in some counties.

MAINE.— Piscataquis : Severe drought, but corn is too far advanced to be injured by
it. York: Ripening prematurely on account of the drought. Franklin: Late plant-
ings injured by drought. Waldo: Never better. Cumberland: Injured by drought.

New HampsHire.—Cheshire: Too dry for corn. Carroll: Upland crops injured by

drought.

Vrermont.— Franklin : Injured on sandy soils by drought; prematurely ripened.
Grand Isle : Injured by drought. Rutland; Suffered from drought. Windsor: Drought.
Orleans: Well-ripened and fine.

ao

297

MAssACHUSETTS.—Hampshire: A great deal of smut in corn. Hampden: Shortened
by drought. Plymouth: Looks well, but not quite average. *

Connecticur.— New London: Good, but injured by drought on dry soils.

New York.— Warren: Drought. Greene: Prematurely ripened by drought. Wash-
ington : Injured by drought. Schoharie: Shortened by drought. Montgomery: Ruined
by drought. Saratoga: Very irregular; some fields with fair crops, while fields along-
side are without anear. Chautauqua: Severe August drought; crop seriously injured.
Genesee: Later plantings shortened by drought. Onondaga; Destructive drought,
especially on sandy soils. Steuben: Drought. Wyoming: Matured early; shortened
by drought. Orange: Much injured by drought. Niagara: Destructive drought and
heat. Madison: Half crop; severe drought. Livingston: Fine crops in some locali-
ties and very poor in others. Franklin: Excessive drought. Dutchess: Much injured
by drought. Yates: Well grown and well eared, but much of it is smutted. Sullivan:
Shortened by severe drought. Broome: Affected by drought. rie: Well ripened.

New JerRsty.—Sussex: Shortened by drought. Salem: Best prospect for twenty
years. Mercer: Suffered severely by drought. Burlington: Drought severe. Cum-
berland: Good in some sections favored with seasonable rains. Warren: Improved,
but many fields smutted.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Chester: Very fine. Lancaster: Very large crop. Elk: Crop good
and safe. Bedford: Maturing well; weather dry and warm with occasional rain.
Beaver: Early ripening. Tioga: Shortened by drought. Armstrong : Suffered severely
from drought; ripened pematurely.. York: Promising. Monroe: Suffered from
drought. McKean: Suffered from worms and drought. Cameron: Greatly injured by
drought. Butler: Much soft corn from late planting. Clearfield: Light. Westmore-
land: Large crop in spite of grasshoppers, provided frost holds off. Northampton: No
rain for six weeks; very short. Warren: Greatly injured by drought, and some late
plantings by frost on iowlands, August 20. Washington: Drought caught corn in the
milk and shortened it. Sullivan: Brought on rapidly by warm weather in August.

Lehigh: Suffering from drought. Berks: Shortened by drought. Lycoming : Shortened
by drought in July and August. Wyoming: Dried up.

DELAWARE.—Sussex: Extreme drought parching fodder.

MARYLAND.—Prince George: Above average. Howard: Dry weather at earing, but
good crop. Calvert: Crop unequal; some fields excellent, having had abundant rain;
other§ shortened by drought. Baltimore: Heavy yield; well worked. Queen Anne:
Ground well prepared, but a protracted drought in July greatly reduced the yield;
matured two or three weeks earlier than usual. Wicomico: Greatly improved by August
rains; prospect better than for ten years. Carroll: Never better. Frederick: Best
prospect for years.

VIRGINIA.— Pulaski: Best for several years, though injured by drought on some up-
lands. Smythe: Prospect somewhat less flattering but large yield promised. Orange:
Greatly shortened by drought, lasting to July 28, but greatly improved by subsequent
rains. Zlizabeth City: Holds its own in spite of the heat and drought of August. Car-
roll: Never better. Buchanan: Excellent. Russell; Fair to good condition. Prince
William: Improved by the favorable season. Mecklenburgh: Improved by late rains.
Fluwanna: Early plantings injured by drought. Rockingham: Fine crop, but injured by
drought in lower parts of the county. Madison: Good in upper portions of county;
rains partial. King George: Best crop for many years. James City: Warm copious
rains of July and August have more than compensated the drought of June. Dinwid-
die: Well cultivated and full average. Middlesex: Shortened by drought in June 20
percent. Campbell: Improved by late rains; looks well where well cultivated. Bland:
Injured in some localities by drought at sowing-time. Sussex: Very fine prospect.
Loudoun: Crop made and remarkably fine. Wythe: Best crop for years. Northampton :
Best crop for many years. Princess Anne: Crop saved by August rains; all except late
plantings matured. Highland: Saved by the August rains. Westmoreland: A good
crop.

NortH CArorina.—Wilson : Improved during August; late plantings doing well.
Onslow: Fair. Union: Best sincethe war. Transylvania : Greatly improved, especially
late plantings. Stokes: Late rains partly compensated the previous drought. Orange:
Greatly improved by the copious rains of August. Greene: Shortened 10 per cent. by
drought in July and August. Chowan: Yield light. Alamance: Greatly improved in
August, though early plantings were greatly injured by drought. Jredell: Greatly
improved by August rains. Nash: Doing well in spite of local drought. Davidson:
Bottom-crops destroyed by spring floods. Warren: Brought up to average by fine
rains; chinches abundant in some localities; strong lye of wood-ashes applied to the
stalk effectually destroyed them ; care should be taken not to apply the lye to the bud
of the corn, as it will killit. Mecklenburgh : Good on uplands; too much rain on bot-
toms. Wilkes: Late fine weather has brought the crop to an average condition. Per-
guimans: Generally good. Gaston: Not fully recovered from July freshet. Edgecombe:
Doing well, especially late corn; fine rains lately. Buncombe: Short—bad stand in
spring and drought afterward. Carteret: Fair prospects. Polk: Damaged by spring

298

freshets ; if that replanted matures, there will be two-thirds of a crop. Caldwell: In-
jured by Jun freshets. Hertford: Greatly injured by extensive rains in July ana
August. Madison: Improved beyond expectation by the rains of August.

SouTH Caroiina.— Newberry : Over average and well matured. Clarendon: Several

heavy showers came just in time to make the crop. Spartanburgh: Variable; lowlands

submerged and their crops short and late. Chesterfield: Late plantings need rain
badly. Lexington: Crop average ; late plantings suffering from drought. Union: Up-
land crops above average, while on bottoms they are below average ; freshets.
GEORGIA.— Twiggs : Good., Jefferson: Unusually good. Dade: Abundant home-sup-
ply and some old corn left over. Upson: As good as the land will bring. Whitfield :
Injured by drought. Lumpkin: Late rains have about made the crop. Jackson: Splen-

did crop made. Floyd: Injured by drought and grasshoppers, especially late plantings. ©

Clayton: Best crop since the war, though some bottom-lands do not bring half a crop.
Baldwin: Crop made, and avery fine one. Walton: The favorable report of July
repeated ; seasonable weather throughout August. Richmond: Crop first-rate on the
whole. Oglethorpe: Late corn the best for ten years; much planted late on account of
overflows in the spring. McDuffie: Best crop in ten years. Fulton: Early plantings
very fine; late, injured 25 per cent. by drought. Dooly: Finest crop in ten years.
Marion: Best crop in ten years. Baker: Crop made; ample for home consumption ;
over half the plantings will make a good crop. Thomas: Best crop ever made here.
Fannin: Crop made, and excellent. Troup: Ears large but light. Towns: Too much
rain in the early part of the season. Pulaski: Badly injured by drought in at least a
third of the county. Hlbert: Fine season. Barton: Injured by drought and grass-
hoppers. Lincoln: Good on uplands, but injured by freshets on bottoms. Taylor:
Crop made; the best ever raised here; a surplus to spare. Wilcox: Very fine. Polk =:
Best crop since the war.

FiLoripa.—Suwanee: Did not fill well. Jackson: Increased aggregate yield. Hills-
borough: Housed in good order. Columbia: Injured by drought. Gadsden: Fodder
saved in good condition.

ALABAMA.—Ltowah: Ample for home consumption. Limestone: Rain at planting:
caused a bad stand in corn. De Kalb: Late planting damaged by drought, but the
crop will be ample for home consmmption ; generally fine on upland soils. Crenshaw =:
Above average. Clarke: Good. Calhoun: Fully matured, and about as good as the
land can bring without fertilizers. Conecuh: Good crop. Franklin: Two months’ rain
benefited the crop. © Coffee: Best crop since the war. Clay: Has done well; too little
of it grown to meet the home demand. Russell: Abundant for home consumption.
Monroe: Rotted unusually from excessive rains. Bullock: Fine crop. Saint Clair:
Abundant; old corn sells at 50 cents per bushel. Greene: Very short. Chambers: Fine
growing season. Blount: Better than last year, but much of it is late and not yet
matured. Lauderdale: Damaged by excessive rains. Colbert: Crop large.

Mississipp1.—Rankin: Well matured; good in some parts, but a failure in others.
Lee: Injured by excessive rains; blown down and rotting in some places. Kemper:
Not near so good as last year; probably enough for home consumption. Tishemingo :
Crop abundant; more than sufficient for home demand. Perry: Early planting stunted
by spring droughts, yet the general yield will be 25 per cent. above average. De Soto:
A beautiful crop made. Choctaw: Injured by excessive rains, especially late plan tings
on bottom-lands. Covington: Iujured by drought; rains too late to repair the damage.
Winston: The late rains have been excellent for the crop, except on low bottoms. Jas-
per: Injured by drought; plenty of old corn for 50 cents per bushel; a fact unpre-

cedented at this time of year. Yalabusha: Injured by excessive rains. Wayne: Good.

crop, and safe. ‘Grenada: Injured by storms and wet weather. Greene : Good. Amite:
Acreage increased. Lauderdale: Above average, and equal to the best crop for the last
ten years. Jefferson: Poor; late plantings best.

Lovuisiana.—Franklin: Rains too late; crops three-fourths average, scant. More-
house: Two-thirds of a crop; drought. Washington: Lack of rain in places shortened
the crop. Iberia: Unusually fine. Previous to last year the home product com-
manded $1 to $2 per barrel; it then fell to 50 and: 60 cents; the new crop is now
offered for 40 cents. Richland: Early corn on high lands suffered from drought ; on
bottoms from overflow in the spring, and, after replanting, from insects. Hast Feliciana :
Sh: rtened by drought in June and July; subsequently by the army worm. Hast Baton
Rouge: Recent rains beneficial, especially to late plantings. Jackson : Best crop in
ten years, but much fodder lost by late 1ains.

TExaAs.—Smith: Unusually heavy and well filled out. Marion : Crop excellent. Dal-
las: Best crop in ten years. Cooke: Very fine. Burnet: Late corn badly worm-eaten.
Williamson: Largest crop ever raised. Waller; A vast difference; early plantings
heavy and full; late plantings the reverse. Collin: Very heavy. Washington: Sell-
ing at 30 and 40 cen‘s per bushel. Red River: Fully made, fine and abundant. Kauf-
man: Excellent; offered at 25 cents per bushel in the field. Austin: Damaged to some
extent by spring drought. Upshur: Sound and well matured. Panola: Well ma-
tured ; finest crop weever raised. Kendall: Yield double that of any year of the last

299

ten. Titus: Crop safe, large, and of good quality. Harrison: Best crop in ten years.
Grayson ; Never better; surplus over home consumption. Coryell: Above average.
Bandera: Fine crop fully made. Bee: Largest crop ever made here. Hunt» Largest
crop ever made in the county ; Pennsylvania yellow corn ahead of all others.

ARKANSAS.—Clay: Late corn injured by the prevailing drought. Saint Francis:
Best crop for several years. Prairie: Best crop for years; will not bring over 25
cents per bushel., Jefferson: Heaviest crop since the war. Franklin: Unusually good;
season favorable for tillage. Washington: Selling at 74 and 8 cents in the field; large
stock of old corn on hand; new crop above average. Sevier: Never better; ample for
home demand. Monroe: Crop made; abundant. Arkansas: Looks fine; plenty of
rain in August. Lonoke: Largest crop ever made in the county. Pulaski: Never bet-
ter; much old corn on hand. Benton: Late plantings ruined by drought. Bradley:
Enough made for home use. Fulton: Increased acreage; excellent yield.

TENNESSEE.— Wilson: Unusually fine. Rhea: Filling well. McMinn: Good, in spite
of drought in July and August. Hardeman: Above average; about equal to last year.
Greene: Heavy crop. Gibson: Prospect of a better crop than usual. Blount: Injured
by drought in some localities, but a fair average on the whole. Union: Cut short by
drought. Trousdale: Very fine. Davidson: Reduced to average by severe wind-
storms. Cannon: Too much rain. Tipton: Very good where properly cultivated.
Smith : Weather very favorable; crop matured. Fentress: Unusually fine. Monroe:
Cut short. Maury: Very fine. Perry: Largest yield ever realized is confidently ex-
pected. Shelby: Splendid harvesting season. Sequatchie: Average, but not so good as
last year. Grundy: Below last year in condition. Putnam: Never better.

West VIRGINIA.—Preston; Average greater than for fifteen years. Raleigh: Very
five. Braxton: Best crop for several years Hardy: At least 10 per cent. above aver-
age. Mercer: Recent rains have improved the crop. Monroe: Heavy, except on poor,
slaty land. Wetzel: Greatly benefited by recent fine weather. Jefferson: Ripening
finely.

KentTucky.—Cumberland: Best crop'for many years. Shelby: Heaviest yield in ten

years. Nicholas: About average. Daviess: Crop bids fair to yield 1,200,000 bushels.

Madison: Largest crop ever raised here. Calloway: Very fine. Carroll: Unusually
fine season for corn. Henry: Unusually heavy crop in some sections, but poor in
others. Lincoln: Promises a heavy crop of fine quality. Logan: Fineseason. Mason:
Not so heavy as last year, but good; ma ured early. Spencer; Crop luxuriant but
kept green by rains, and in danger of early frosts. Owsley: Cut down 50 per cent. by
dronght. Metcalfe: Best crop ever raised here.

Ou10.— Ashtabula: Full average, in spite of local injuries. Clark: Full crops.
Washington: Planting retarded by the wet weather in spring; the crop will require a
late fall. Williams: Injured by wet weather succeeded by drought. Preble: August
not favorable to the crop. Franklin: Remarkably favorable season. Wayne: Fine
crop; ripening well. Hamilton: Uplands below average; bottoms above. Perry:
Excelent, except a few pieces injured by drought; less damage from floods rhan for
many years. Athens: Short in some localities; saved poorly; drought. Delaware :
Increased average and good yield. Geauga: Best crop for years. Harrison : Promises
to be one of the best crops ever raised in the county. Sandusky: Injured by wet
weather. Henry: A fourth of a crop; continued rains prevented cultivation ; overrun
with weeds; this failure for the third year has awakened attention to the necessity of
underdraining. Huron; Looks well, but is late. Lucas: Greatest crop of weeds ever
raised ; corn, where it could be cultivated, is doing well; underdraining suggesting
itself. Muskingum: Early plantings above average; late plantings shortened by
drought. Noble: Too wet. Portage: Rains aud hot weather bave made large crops
which promise an early maturity. Wood: Excessive rains have caused the lowland
and prairie crops almost entirely to fail; over 20,000 acres will not yield a bushel of
good corn to theacre. Lorain: Very early.

MicuiGaNn.—Kalamazoo: Corn-fodder parched with drought. Lapeer: Looks re-
markably well. Tuscola; Injured seriously by early frost; upland crops escaped.
Ottawa: Not well filled. Wayne: Never better. Calhoun: Injured by heavy rains.
Mecosta: On sandy land never better; on heavy land it suffered from excessive rains
in the fore part of the season, Muskegon: Excellent on lands dry enough to be eulti-
vated in June, but a great breadth was drowned out or overgrown with weeds. Oak-
land: Shortened by heat and drought in August. Mason: Promising.

INDIANA.—Clarke: Fine crop. Decatur: Injured by excessive rain preventing culti-
vation. De Kalb: Very poor on wet flat land, but good ov sandy soil. Franklin: Do-
ing well; weather very favorable. Lawrence: Fine weather for corn; full crop, in
spite of wire-worms. Pike: Largest crop yet raised in the county. Ripley: Fine crop;
if frost delays till September 20, the yield will be above average. shelby: Greatly im-
proved by recent reins. Warren: Improved 20 per cent. during August. Washington:
Injured in some localities by drought in the earlier part of the season, but is good on
bottoms, though somewhat damaged by recent storms. Wabash: Full crop on bottoms,
but damaged on uplands. Brown: Good; ripening finely. Stark: Shortened by wet

300 bi

weather in the early part of the Season, but greatly improved of late. Jasper: Badly —
drowned out or overrun with water-grass, which is cured for hay ; out of danger from
frost. Marion: Very good where well tended; ripening retarded by excessive rains,
which have interfered with cultivation on all ground not naturally dry or well under-
drained. Marshall: Crop lighter than last year’s; out of the way of frost.

Intinois.— Bureau: Too wet for corn up to August 10; since then too dry; ero
damaged considerably. Hardin: A splendid crop blown down by storms. Ford:
third of a crop if frost holds off. Carroll: Area, 75,000 acres, or 2,000 more than last
year; August all that could be desired for ripening; early plantings already ripe.
Clinton: Uplands very fine; lowlands inferior. De Kalb: Fine weather for ripening ;
approximate average. Effingham: Damaged by wet in June and July; not over half
acrop; kernel good. Fayette: Full average. Franklin: Injured by drought for sey- —
eral weeks. Jefferson: Fine, especially on high lands. Madison: Heavy on dry lands;
poor on low undrained fields. Marshall: Excellent on rolling and well-drained
land, but poorly cultivated on account of excessive rain in June and July. Mercer:
Crops excellent in quality and abundant on well-drained land. Scott: Injured by a
drought of five weeks. Shelby : Some crops totally failed on account of excessive rain.
Winnebago: Safe from frost,and good. Woodford: Thousands of acres will not average
a peck per acre; ruined by extremely wet season. Clark: Excessive rain in June and
July drowned out many crops and caused an immense growth of weeds. Hamilton:
Suffered from wet on level land, but lately by drought; yet it is a better crop than
last year. Lee: Doing finely; will be full average if the season continues favorable.
Ogle: Some good, and some small and weedy. Stephenson: In most places very good.
Johnson: Ordinary cultivation; condition excellent—better than for many years.
Macon: Damaged by rainin June. Mason: Good on highlands, but poor on lowlands
from excessive rain. Pope: Too wetseason for cultivation. White: Crop forward and
ripening finely, but will yield only 40 per cent. of a full crop. Morgan: Still in dan-
ger of frost.

WIsconsIN.—Dunn : High temperature and frequent showers ot August brought out
the crop’finely ; large ears and plenty of them; two weeks of good weather will save
the crop; one slight frost which did no harm. Washington: Chinches took the crop
when the corn was too far advanced to do much injury, but they damaged the fod-
der greatly. Clark: Crop fast maturing under the favorable weather ; promises a full
average. Columbia: Ripening nicely. Crawford: Ripening fast, and will be nearly a
full crop if frost holds off. Fond du Lac: Never better. Richland: Doing well. Wal-
worth : Improved beyond expectation, and will be a good crop. Outagamie: Out of
danger from frost.

MinneEsora.— Yellow Medicine: Nearly ruined by drought and grasshoppers. Red- .
wood: Almost destroyed by grasshoppers. Faribault: Large acreage; well advanced ;
about average in spite of a destruction of 10 per cent. by grasshoppers. Meeker: Full
crop if not ruined by grasshoppers. Nicollet: Injured by grasshoppers. Blue Earth:
Injured somewhat by grasshoppers. Nobles: A small amount of corn escaped the grass-
hoppers.

Te rt tonto : Never better. Poweshiek: Backward. Wayne: Average; fifteen
dayslate. Crawford: Shortened 30 per cent. by grasshoppers. Hancock: Never better;
safe from frost. Hardin: Doing well. Harrison: Crop extra, but grasshoppers reduced
ittoan average. Henry: Fine weather bringing up the discouraging condition of corn.
Howard: Promising, and out of danger from frost. Humboldt: Injured somewhat by
grasshoppers. Jefferson: Brought out some by favorable weather in July and August;
where nothing was expected from teu to fifteen bushels were raised. Johnson: Greatly
improved in August by favorable weather; the late plantings will be average if frost
keeps off. Washington: Nothing on wet, flat lands; average on dry lands. Calhoun:
Looks well, except some “trimmed” by grasshoppers. Cherokee: Would have been
very heavy but for grasshoppers, which cut it down 25 per cent., especially late plant-
ings. Greene: Injured by grasshoppers. dndubon: Injured by grasshoppers. Sae: Cut
down 25 per cent. by grasshoppers.

MissouRI.—Chariton: Ravaged by field-mice when first planted, and subsequently
injured by excessive rain and drought ; athird of acrop. Clay: Shortened by excessive
rain in spring and by drought insummer. Buchanan: Very promising. Cass> Weedy
from excess of rain in spring; yet a goodaverage. Greene: Largest crop ever raised here.
Johnson: Suffering from drought; blades yellow and ears small. Harrison: Maturing
finely. Nodaway: Promising, but late. Saint Charles: Late plantings promise finely.
Crawford: Nearly ruined. Mississippi: Greatly improved within the last month. |
Perry: Good ; season favorable for maturing. alls : Injured by wet weather prevent-
ing cultivation. Cape Girardeau: Good. Pettis: Fair crop in spite of heavy rains. ~
Camden: Severely injured by rains and floods ; old white selling at 50 cents per bushel.
Caldwell : Much corn planted late. Carroll: Worst corn season for years, but the county
is full of old corn. Cole: Very excellent. Dent: Injured by drought in the greater
part of the county. Holt: Rapidly maturing, with a prospect of little or no soft corn.
Mason: Under average. Newton: Continued drought has reduced a bountiful crop to

301

_ 20 per cent. below average. Phelps: Benefited by recent rains, but the quality of this
crop is inferior to that of the last year. Dallas: Shortened by drought. Saint
Francis : Late rains greatly benefited late plantings; late corn will be the best if frosts
hold off.

Kansas.—Douglas: In fine condition; ears large and plump. Marshall: Crop
nearly out of the way if the grasshoppers do come. Republic: Destroyed by grass-
hoppers. Mitchell: Early plantings nearly out of the way of grasshoppers, which are
here by the million; iate plantings will suffer; stalks loaded with them. Franklin:
Benefited by recent rains; will equal the enormous crop of last year; on uplands and
bluffs it is better than last year; lowlands weedy; one farmer has agreed to deliver 1,000
bushels at 20 cents per bushel. Jackson: Crop No. 1; somewhat injured by storms.
Marion: Best crop ever raised here. Nemaha: Better than even the superlative crop
of last year. Pawnee: Looks well in spite of the May and June drought; too far
advanced to be injured by grasshoppers, except a few pieces of late-planted sod-corn.
Smith: Injured by hail and drought about the Ist of August. Washington: Grass-
hoppers present and destroying leaves of corn, but not injuring the kernel. Doniphan :
Very good. £ilis: Injured by drought in June; late corn riddled by grasshoppers.
Reno: Grasshoppers will take late plantings; two-thirds of the crop too far advanced
for them. Norton: Ruined by grasshoppers. Allen: Good. Barton: Late corn
injured by grasshoppers. Chase: Still good; too far advanced for grasshoppers should
they come. Graham: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Miami: Brought out wonderfully
by August rains; unusually heavy crop on the largest acreage ever planted. Rice:
Mostly out of the way of grasshoppers, but they are taking pieces of late-planted sod-
corn. Woodson: Another vast surplus crop. Montgomery: Good crop.

NEBRASKA. —Gage: Grasshoppers present, but bave not yet injured the corn more
than 15 percent. nox: Entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. Otoe: Yielding grandly.
Cuming; Late plantings injured by grasshoppers. Dodge: Half the crops destroyed
by grasshoppers. Webster: Slightly injured by grasshoppers, but full average. Franklin:
‘Half taken by grasshoppers. Adams: Half the crop taken by grasshoppers. Hall:
Clean sweep by grasshoppers. Merrick: Late crops suffered from grasshoppers. Saun-
ders: Greatly damaged by grasshoppers. Seward: Grasshoppers swept the crop. Thayer:
Injured by grasshoppers. Boone: Alllate plantings destroyed by grasshoppers. Lan-
caster: Grasshoppers. Platte: Injured early crops and destroyed late ones. Wayne:
Late corn injured by grasshoppers; three-fourths of acrop will still be gathered. Ante-
mee : Swept by grasshoppers. Pawnee: Never'better. Furnas: Destroyed by grass-

oppers.

CALIFORNIA.—Siskiyou : Damaged by frost August 29.

OREGON.—Clackamas: Summer too cool for corn. Tillamook: Minnesota corn from
the Department the best for early plantings.

CoLorapo.— Fremont: Three-fourths destroyed by grasshoppers. Weld: Nearly
destroyed by grasshoppers.

WHEAT.

In the July report an improvement was noted in the condition ot
winter-wheat, bringing it up to 95. The August returns indicate that
spring-wheat yielded less than three-fourths of a crop; it was still
further reduced during that month by insect-ravages and unfavorable
conditions of growth and ripening, so that the condition of the whole
crop averages but 81. The actual yield will be the subject of further
investigation.

_ In New England only the small crops of Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut were in full condition. Complaints of injury from extreme heat and
from the midge have been received from some of the northern portions
of this region. The grain did not fill well, and hence was short in both
weight and bulk.

In the Middle States the large crops of New York and Pennsylvania
were below 100, the former 12 per cent. and the latter 4 per
cent. In some cases the crop ripened too fast, and consequently the
grain was imperfectly filled. Minorca wheat has had a satisfactory
trial in Schuyler, New York, while the Clawson and Fultz are favorites
in several counties in Pennsylvania. New Jersey and Delaware indicate
high condition, but their surplus is not sufficient to meet the deficiency
_ of the two larger States.

302 :

Maryland and Virginia are each 2 per cent. above 100, but the
other South Atlantic States show a deficiency which decreases with
the latitude to a minimum of 66 in Georgia. In Maryland conflicting
reports in regard to the popularity of the Fultz wheat have been re-
ceived. In Harford millers object to it as a flouring- wheat, and farmers
indicate a purpose to sow less of it hereafter; in Calvert, Carroll, and
Baltimore a different feeling is expressed, and this variety will be more
extensively sown in the future. The Hessian fly was troublesome in
Carroll. The Virginia correspondents on the whole are encouraged by
the results of their wheat harvest; some farmers in Geeenville realized
20 bushels of grain for each bushel of seed sown. The Fultz is well
spoken of in several counties. In Loudoun millers were offering $1 per
bushel, which the farmers found to be far more satisfactory than ship-
ping to outside markets, in which case the various commissions gen-
erally reduce the farmer’s share to 60 or 70 cents per bushel. In North
Carolina insects, rust, and smut reduced the yield and impaired the quality
of the grain. In Davidson County the heads turned grayish white and
became shriveled. In some localities, however, the crop was satisfae-
tory, and bere 1t has to a considerable extent superseded cotton. the
Same influences were felt in different counties in South Carolina and
Georgia. In Towns County, Georgia, Fultz wheat does very well, espe-
cially on low lands; in Gilmer the Jennings wheat was very satisfae-
tory, but in Terrell the Jennings and Clawson are too late in ripening
for the local climate.

The crop was very poor in all the Gulf States, Alabama showing less
than two-thirds of an average condition. The Tappahannock is a favor-
ite in some sections, the Fultz not having its usual success. Missis-
sippi and Texas harvested over three-fourths of a crop. Fultz was not
successtul in those counties that have noted its experimental growth.
In Victoria, Texas, seed imported from California yielded 40 bushels
per acre.

All of the southern inland States were below 100 except West Vir-
ginia, 105. In Independence, Arkansas, the Tappahannock failed en-
tirely through rust, while the Waiker wheat was quite satisfactory.
In Tenuessee scab and smut reduced the crop in some localities. The
Fultz and Jennings seed from the Department yielded well. In Brax-
ton, West Virginia, the Fultz was less affected by chinches than other
varieties. Good reports of the Fultz, Clawson, and Jenuings come from
several counties in Kentucky.

All of the States north of the Ohio River indicate low condition,
ranging from 89 in Obio to 58 in Wisconsin. Winter-wheat was here
considerably reduced by winter-killing. The midge and Hessian fly
were destructive, while in a few cases the chincb had put in an appear-
ance before the grain was harvested. These enemies were still more
destructive to the spring-wheat which was longer subjected to their
ravages. A great falling off in spring-wheat is especially noticeable in
Illinois, which, according to our August returns, did not gather over
a third of a crop. In Coshocton, Ohio, the Fultz wheat, from seed sent
out by the Department three years ago, is pronounced by both farmers -
and millers the best ever raised in the county. Several other counties
in this region express the same preference. Orange, Indiana, reports
an average yield of 32 bushels per acre, while others ranged trom 6 to
20 bushels. Of spring wheats the Arnautka succeeded well at several
poiuts in Michigan, while its failure in different counties of Illinois may
be referred to the extraordinary influences which have injured the

303

spring-wheat crop generally. Clawson and Mediterranean are also pop-
ular in many counties.

West of the Mississippi the crop is also below 100, ranging from
57 in Iowa to 92 in Missouri. Inthe western portions the grasshoppers
were especially destructive to late crops. Drought was also very severe
in some localities. The heaviest losses fell upon the spring-wheat crop
which was longest exposed to the destructive influences of insect and
weather. The crop in Nebraska, where grasshopper ravages were most
Severe, shows the greatest reduction. Howard, Lowa, complains of a
short yield and very low prices, ouly 60 cents per bushel. Cole, Missouri,
reports the White Oliff variety as excellent for hills and uplands ; imill-
ers prefer it to the Tappahannock. Barton, Kansas, found the Arnautka
from the Department to yield double of any other variety, but its hard,
flinty shell injured its reputation with the millers.

. The Pacitic States were also below 100. In several counties wheat
that seemed heavy at harvest thrashed out far short of expecta-
tions, this grain being shrunken by excessive heat. San Joaquin, Cal-
ifornia, complains of low prices, $1.45 per ae about 387 cents per
bushel. In Oregon, excessive rains in spring and extreme heat ii
summer reduced the average weight. Our few reports {rom the Terri-
tories do not indicate a promising crop. In La Plata, Colorado, an ex-
cessive growth of sunflowers cur down the crop, producing smut.

Frost is noticed at several points in Utah. In Tooele the Fultz was
‘a failure from shrinking.

MAINE.— Piscataquis: Fine; late sown the best. York: Did not fill well. Waldo:
But little raised; crop average.

VERMONT.—Orleans : Did not fill well; midge and hot weather.

RHODE IsLAND.— Warren: Thrashed out better than it promised at harvest.

CONNECTICUT. —Litchfield : Good quality, but winter wheat nearly a failure.

New YorK.— Warren: Drought. Montgomery: Poor yield and quality ; winter-killed.
Genesee: Better than was anticipated. Livingston: Less plump than usual. Schuyler:
Minorca wheat the best yet tried here. Hrie: Yield below expectations.

New Jensey.—Sussex: Shortened by drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Chester : Fine crop, but too suddenly ripened. and hence its mill-
ing quality greatly depreciated. Tioga: Shortened by drought 25 per cent. .Lancas-
ter: Ripened too fast; the best Fultz wheat will yield but 35 bushels per acre, with
straw enough for 35 bushels. Clawson wheat from the Department not successful.
Columbia: Muchshrunken. Bedford: Yields well; berries plump. <dArmstrong : Claw-
son whea: from the Department did very well; 4 quarts produced 14 bushels. Blair:
Fultz one of the leading varieties. Clearfield: Light. Westmoreland: A splendid crop.
Potter: Rusted. Sullivan: Rusty and light in weight. Lehigh: Shriveled some in.
ripening.

MARYLAND.—Prince George's: Above average. Howard: Slow starting in spring, but
good. Harford: Fultz wheat the best crop, but as millers object 1o it as a flouring-
wheat there will be less sown hereafter; Clawson rather inferior. Calvert: Fultz the
favorite; yields better than apy other variety. Baltimore: Turns out well; Fultz
good everywhere, and will be exteusiv'ly used. Carroll: Turning out well; Fultz
the best variety, though infested with the fly.

VirGrnta.—Smyth : Did vot thrash out as well as was expected; quality good. Or-
ange: Yield poor; injured by frost of May and extreme heat of June. Russell:
Thrashed out less than was expected; quality good. Prince William: Quality poorer
than last year. Rockingham: Best for several years. Madison; Yielded well in some
localities; others half a crop. King George: Less than was expected ; quality good.
James Cily: Yield good; quality No. 1; barvested and thrashed. at the right time.
Floyd: Fultz ard Clawson from the Department both excellent. Dinwiddie: Fine har-
vest-weather ; Fultz the favorite, yielding about thirteen fold, while other varieties do
not exceed seven fold. Greenville: The crops have done wonder tully; some farmers have
realized twenty fold. Bland: Better saved than last year. Loudoun: Not over 11 bushels
per acre ; county mills give $1 per bushel, which is better than shipping to outside mar-
kets, in which case commissions of various kinds reduce the farmer’s share to 60 and
75 cents per bu-bel. Charles City: Neither Minorea nor Jennings yielded well; infe-
rior tethe Fultz. Grayson: Clawson and Fultz wheats from the Department very fine.
Highland: Good guality, but short. Westmoreland: Short of expectations and of infe-
rior quality. ichmond: Damaged by rain.

"304 a

‘

NortH CAROLINA.—Greene: Injured by rust and smut. Chowan: Very good. | Ire-
dell: Thrashed out only a half crop. Davidson: Injured by late spring frost and bugs;
ripened irregularly and much not at all; head turned grayish-white and became
shriveled. Person: Very good. Wilkes: Thrashed out about halfacrop. Perquimons:
Better than for many years; replacing cotton on some farms. Buncombe: Cut off
half by rust. Polk: Injured by rust.

SouTH CAROoLiIna.—Clarendon: Acreage increased but not the average yield.

GEORGIA.—Gilmore: Fultz proves to be well adapted to our climate; it does well on
low lands. Upson: Half a crop and of poor quality. Terrell: Jennings and Clawson
wheats too late for the climate. Jackson: Almost a failure. Dooly: Best erop since
the war. Towns: Jennings wheat from the Department does very well; suits the
climate. Carroil: Rust and flies injured the crop. Wilkes : Injured by frost, rust, and
bad weather while in the shock. Lincoln: Yield exceeds last year’s.

ALABAMA.—VDe Kalb: Half average and of poor quality. Crenshaw: Above average.
Calhoun: Failed; Fultz poor; Tappahannock, from the Department, the only success ;
the spring-wheat rusted.

Mississippi1.— Winston: Fultz wheat from the Department a failure; white wheat and
white oats stand a poor chance bere.

Trexas.—Dallas: Average 12 bushels per acre; quality inferior. Zllis: Some rust.
Cooke: Almost a failure except the Mediterranean. /iliiamson: Damaged in the shock.
Collin: Jennings and Fultz badly rusted. ed River: Thrashed out light. Kaufman:
More or less damaged throughout the county. Upshur: Damaged by rust. Kendall:
Good harvest weather. Titus: Cut down by rust. Coryell: Free from smut and of
good quality but one-fourth short in quantity. Bandera: Fully made. Victoria:
Wheat from California seed brought 40 bushels per acre. Hunt: Very inferior;
chinches and other destructive causes have been at work.

ARKANSAS.—Johnson : Injured in shock and stack. Sevier: Almost a failure. Arkan-
sas: Full crops. Independence: Tappabannuock a failure; rust; Walker the best variety.

TENNESSEE.— Wilson: About average. Greene: Heavy straw; grain injured some-
what by scab or spot. Blount: Half crop of inferior quality. Trousdale: Dull sale at
75 cents. Loudon: Thrashed ont beyond expectation. Tipton: A failure. Fentress;
Good crop. Shelby: Fine harvest season. Seguatchie:, Damaged by rust, spot, and
smut; harvested in poor condition; Jennings yielded sixteen foid; Clawson has rusted
two seasonsin succession. Grundy: Tolerable. Putnam: Fultz and Jennings from the
Department have done remarkably well.

WEstT ViRGINIA.—Raleigh : Very fine. Braxton: Fultz the best variety for the soil
and climate; stands winter-freezing best. Hardy: Excellent in quality and quantity.
Mercer: Good but not in proportion to the amount of straw. Monroe: Excellent in
quality but yield not very large. Jefferson: Thrashing out beyond expectation.

KENTUCKY.—Garrard: Two quarts of Jennings from the Department produced a
bushel; two quarts of Clawson, three pecks. Shelby: Yield below average but grain
plump and fine. Nicholas: Yield not heavy but the grain is good. Madison: About
all thrashed; quality fine. Carroll: Shortened by drought in May. Jessamine: Jen-
nings wheat from the Department very satisfactory both in yield and quality. Lin-
coln: Superior, both in quantity and quality; Fultz ahead ofother varieties. Mason:
Fine quality but light yield; Fultz and Clawson very satisfactory.

Ont1o.— Wayne: Fine yield for the amount of straw. Coshocton: Fultz wheat from
seed sent out by the Department three years ago, is considered by farmers and millers
the best variety ever cultivated in the county. Delaware: Half crop but of good
quality. Geauga: Excellent quality, but the quantity less than usual; many fields
winter-killed; experiments with Fultz and Jennings very satisfactory. Sandusky:
Halfacrop. Huron: Crop fair and of better quality than last year. Clermont: Good.

MicuiGan.— Marquette: Eight quarts of Arnautka, sown May 18, yielded five bushels
of fine grain August 18. Iosco: Winter-wheat not so good as last year; spring-wheat,
a fair crop. Alpena: Wheat has done well, but has not equaled the extra crop of last
year, when many fields averaged 50 bushels per acre; this year it runs from 30 to 40;
Clawson wheat does well here. Delta: Warm, wet weather prevented a good deal of
the wheat from filling well. Lapeer: Somewhat shrunk in ripening. Barry: Clawson
wheat does finely after two years’ trial; ‘Gold Medal” wheat turned out poorly.
Grand Traverse: Shrunken by extreme heat whiie filling. Leelenaw: Late-sown spring-
wheat shrunken by drought while in its milky stage in July. Lenawee: Grain light in
proportion to the straw; ripening ten days too soon on account of rust and heat. Tus-
cola: Fine harvest weather. Alcona: Winter-wheat badly rusted and shrunken ; spring-
wheat only fair. Calhoun: Injured somewhat by heavy rains at blossoming. Charle-
voix: Spriug-wheat rusted. Mecosta: Winter-wheat the poorest crop we have ever
raised here. Saginaw: Notoverahalf crop. Shiawassee: Much injured by excessively
wet weather and by the midge. Mason: Harvested in fine condition. Oakland; Har-
vested in fine order; good weather; Clawson the most popular variety ; Gold Medal
winning favor.

InpDiANA.—Clark: Good quality; harvest weather good; Fultz did not meet with

305

striking success. Kosciusko: Arnautka a failure. Decatur: Thin on the ground, but
well grained. De Kalb: Injured by weevil and spring-freezes. Saint Joseph: Fultz
yields better than any other variety; will be largely sown hereafter. Franklin: Light
in yield, but of good quality and well harvested. nox: Fultz the most popular vari-
ety; Tappahannock next. Orange: Thin on the ground, but of good quality ; from 5
to 20 bushels per acre; Fultz, 32; Mediterranean, 14. Pike: Largest crop yet raised
in the county; selling at 75 and 80 cents per bushel. Warren: Grain good; better than
for several years. Washington: Grain good and well saved. Wabash: Half the crop
taken by the weevil. ‘

Itiriois.— Bureau: Almost a failure. Carroll: Nearly a total failure; 25,000 acres
as good as lost. De Kalb: Small breadth sown; a failure. Franklin: Injured by rust
in some parts of the county. Jefferson: Grain fine in most localities ; a large breadth
will be sown this fall. Madison: Good in some parts; light in others. Mercer: Spring-
wheat will scarcely pay for harvesting. Piatt: Small breadth, but of good yield and
quality ; Fultz succeeds well ; 2 bushels came from 2 quarts of seed. Shelby: Injured
by excessive rains. Winnebago: Will not pay the cost of harvesting and thrashing ;
many farmers are buying wheat and flour from last year’s crop. Clark: Short one-
fourth, but of good quality and well saved. Hamilton : Sprouted some in the shock ; that
in the granary isin good order. Lee: Very near a failure. Ogle: From a fifth to a
fourth of a crop will be realized; Arnautka wheat from the Department a failure.
Mason: Fall-wheat good; spring-wheat a failure. Pope: A little damaged in the
shock by rain. Mergan: Small breadth; crop better than was expected.

WISCONSIN.—Dunn: Some fields will not pay for harvesting at ruling prices in the
northern parts of the county. Chinch bugs did not attack the Odessa when other
varieties were near. Washington: Ruined by rust on the leaves, rot at the roots, and
chinches. Clark: Injured by excessive rains in July and August. Both winter and
spring wheat below average. Fultz the best adapted to the climate; Tappahannock
does not do, well as it does not mature in time to escape rust. Brown: Greatly dam-
aged by chinches and weevil. Columbia: Light crop ; six or seven bushels per acre on an
average; few kernels in the head and many kernels shrunk; chinches at work. Craw-
ford: Poorest crop for many years, averaging not over seven bushels per acre. Dodge:
Ranges from zero to thirty bushels per acre. That known as Maine wheat and by
several synonyms succeeds the best; the crop will not average over 7 bushels per
acre. Fond du Lac: Reduced by rust, Hessian flies, and chinches to amaverage of not
over 8 bushels per acre. Walworth: A failure; light in weight. Green: Our small
sowing mostly taken by chinches. Adams: Light crop; grain good. Monroe: Good
condition, but light yield and poor quality; riddled by chinches; not over half a crop.
Pierce: Tbrashes out short.

Minnesora.— Yellow Medicine: Injured severely by drought and grasshoppers. Red-
wood: Cut short by grasshoppers; average yield from four to ten bushels per acre.
Faribault: Half crop; shortened by drought in June. Jackson: Average yield from
four to six bushels per acre. Steele: Thrashing out abont three-fourths average. Wi-
nona: Short on thrashing. Blue Earth: Thrasbing out from five to seven bushels per
acre. Isanti: Shortened by drought. Nobles: A small portion escaped the hoppers.
Wabasha: Surplus for export not a third of last year’s surplus.

lowa.—Adams ; Averages 4 bushels per acre; quality good. Benton: Good quality;
yield averages 7 bushels per acre. Poweshiek: Almost an entire failure. Wayne:
Spring-wheat a failure; not one acre in a hundred harvested. Jackson: Spring-
’ wheat will not return the seed sown. Mitchell: Half crop; good quality. Han-
cock: Short crop and good quality; will not average over 8 bushels per acre.
Hardin: Light yield, but full, plump grain. Howard: Two-thirds of av average and
only 60 cents per bushel; poor prospect. Humboldt: Thin on the ground, but grain of
good quality. Taylor: Killed by rust. Washington: Nearly afailure. Calhoun: Very
poor; best crops not over 12 or 14 bushels per acre; many not over 3 to 5 bushels;
grain generally good. Tama: Light in yield and weight; averages about 7 bushels
per acre and 50 pounds per bushel. Cherokee: Slightly damaged by grasshoppers; yield
8 to 10 bushels per acre. Floyd: Much wheat yields but 4 bushels per acre. Marion:
Yield 1 to 10 bushels per acre; average not over 5; medium quality. Audubon: Good
quality, but only 8 bushels per acre. Sac: Light yield.

Missourt.—vhariton-: Injured by rust and rain during harvest. Clay: Harvested
and stored in fine order. Jefferson: Half crop, and more or less damaged in the shock ;
Fultz the most successful. Greene: Harvested two-thirds of an average crop, and
afterward injured in the shock. Johnson; Grain plump and heavy, but badly weather-
beaten. Nodaway: Spring-wheat all killed with rust; winter, an average, well har-
vested. Crawford: Nearly ruined. Mississippi: Good average, and saved in better
order than last year. Perry: Does not redeem its promise at harvest on thrashing out.
Rallis: Injured by wet in the shock, and, on bottom-lands, by floods. Cape Girardeau:
Crop short. Pettis: Nearly average in quantity and above average in quality ; some-
what injured by rain in the shock. Camden: Injured severely by heavy rains and
high waters; the last named has inflicted damage in the county to the farming inter-

306

est of not less than $150,000. Carroll: Harvest wet and wheat more or less damaged.
Cole: “ White Cliff” wheat excellent for hills and uplands; straw stiff and ears long:
millers prefer it to the Tappahannock. Newton: Thin on the ground; berry tolerably
good; housed in good order. Phelps: Poor in yield and quality. Dallas: Badly
rusted.

Kansas.—Jackson : Crop good; berry plump. Marion: Much injured by rust; did
not thrash out according to the promise of harvest; many fields did not pay for har-
vesting. Nemaha: Winter-wheat good; spring-wheat a failure. Pawnee: Shortened
by drought in May; acreage three times thar of last year. Smith: Chinches took some
pieces of spring-wheat; we have just raised our first crop of winter-wheat. Doniphan:
Fall-wheat good, but spring-wheat was a failure. Hllis: Injured by drought in June;
Minorea, from the Department, yielded 8 bushels per acre, and Jennings 25 bushels,
with plump berries and heads averaging 4 inches in length; the last named is consid-
ered a very valuable seed for the climate. Saline: Winter-wheat poor, owing to
drought and rust; spring-wheat yielded well, but the grain was too hard to be mar-
ketable. Allen: Fultz in universal demand for seed. Sarton: Arnautka spring- wheat
from the Department; it doubled the yield of any other variety, but the grain is hard
and flinty, which injures its reputation with the millers. Chase: Will not average
over 7 bushels per acre; poorest crop in ten years. Woodson: Plenty at 90 cents per
bushel; 15,000 bushels to spare. Montgomery: Shortened by excessive rain at bloom-
ing-time; will not average over 12 bushels per acre; good quality.

NEBRASKA.— Lancaster: Grasshoppers. Platte: Grasshoppers too late for the crop.
Antelope: About 13 bushels per acre; quality good. Nemaha: Injured somewhat by
rains in harvest. Richardson: Grasshoppers took a third of the spring-wheat.

CaLirorniA.—Marin: Crop of the State largely in excess of any former year;
acreage and yield in the county about equal to last year. Merced: Thrashes out 30 or
40 per cent. short of what was expected at harvest. San Joaquin: Half crop; low
price, $1.45 per cental ; many shipping on theirown account. Contra Costa : Promise of
extra crops not realized ; shrunken by excessive heat. Stanislaus ;: Short on thrashing.
Del Norte: Fine harvest weather.

OrREGON.— Douglas : Excessively wet winter and spring caused late seeding, and hot
days in July prevented the grain from filling. Linn: Fall-wheat lighter than was ex-
pected ; spring-wheat nearly average and of superior quality.

CoLorapo.—La Plata: Low average of the crop due to the enormous growth of sun-
flowers springing up since the rainy season commenced, about the middle of July ;
crop smutted; some fields half smutted.

Uranu.—Summit: Severe frost. Morgan: Severe frost. Toelle: Best crop ever raised
here; selling at 50 cents per bushel in cash; Fultz wheat a failure; shells too easy
when ripe, and cannot be handled without loss. Utah: Crops on bench-lands do not
meet the farmer’s expectations.

OATS.

The condition of the oats crop, which averaged 86 on the 1st of August,
declined to 81 on the 1st of September. It reached 100 only in Maine,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, and Michigan. Each of tie great leading sections of the Union,
taken together, shows low conditions. New England reports the bigh-
est condition, 98. In some of the northern counties of this region
late sowings were a comparative failure on account of drought. The
Middle States together were about 7 per cent. below average. Here late
plantings suffered from drought and rust, making both yield and weight
very light. Schuyler, New York, pronounces the Waterloo the best
variety for that climate.

The South Atlantic States, as a whole, are 5 per cent. below 100,
South Carolina and Georgia being above. In some of the northern
counties of this region rust and heat, causing premature ripening, made
the crop short and light in weight. Farther southward winter sowings
were the most successful, spring sowings in many cases resulting in total
failure. Carroll, Maryland, prefers the Schonen to all other varieties.
The Gulf States, as a whole, are about 9 per cent. below average;
Florida 105, showing the maximum, and Alabama 88, the minimum.
The causes of decline are mostly those conditions of growth which
produce rust. The red rust-proof and yellow-beard rust-proof are

._

307

fayorites in several counties. The latter was introduced into Henry
County three or four years ago; it is said to be more economical as a
food: for stock than corn, being raised and harvested at a much smaller
expense. Prices in local markets rule low; Harris, Texas, reports 30
cents per bushel as the average price. Winter sowings are more gen-
eral, and of these the earlier sown seem to secure the best results.

The inland Southern States all report low condition, ranging from 98
in West Virginia to 52 in Arkansas; this section, as a whole, is 16 per
cent. below average. Drought and rust are alleged as reasons for the
shortness of the yield and the lightness of the weight. The Red Rust-
Proof is the favorite, especially in the southeru counties. In the north-
ern counties, where spring sowings are more common, these are espe-
cially light, while the winter sowings are generally promising. The
region north of the Ohio River, which produces two-fifths of the crop of
the country, shows the most depressed condition, being 24 per cent. be-
low average on the whole; the States range from 56 in Lilinois, the
greatest oats producing State in the Union, to 100 in Michigan. Sev-
eral localities in the latter State enjoyed a very favorable combination of
meteorological conditions; the copious rains of June being followed at
the right time by the genial heat of July, not too great to prevent
tbe full maturity of the grain. In the more southern counties this
happy combination did not exist to any great extent. Excessive rains
eaused a rank growth, which extreme heat ripened prematurely; rust

‘also formed on the crop, and other causes operated to shorten the

yield and render the grain light and shrunken. The disproportion of
grain to straw is of frequent mention in our reports; in many cases crops
were not worth cutting, and live stock were turned upon them to graze.
Marquette, Michigan, expresses a strong preference tor the Holstein,
which there made a remarkably fine growth this year. The crop shows
a still lower condition in the States west of the Mississippi River, the
whole taken together averaging but 66; the States range from 36 in
Kansas to 78 in Minnesota. Drought, rust, and excessive rains are
alleged in different counties as injuring the crop in different stages of
its growth. The destructive grasshoppers injured this crop seriously in
Western Minnesota and Iowa, aud at several points in Kansas and
Nebraska. Hardin, Iowa, complains at once of a poor crop and of low
prices, farmers not being able to realize over 20 cents per bushel in the
local markets. Instances of fields*‘net worth harvesting are mentioned
in widely-different portions of these States.

The Pacific States average about 92. Marin, California, attributes
her low yield largely to the bad policy of seeding the same land to oats tor
many years without intermission. No drought is ever felt there, while

the rolling ground furnishes a sufficient surface-drainage to prevent

injury from successive rains. In La Plata, Colorado, sunflowers, which
injured wheat, also grew up in the oats field, overshadowing and seri-
ously injuring them. The grasshoppers attacked the crop at several
points in the Territories. At some points in Utah crops were injured
by early frosts.

MAINE.—Penobscot: Good. Waldo: Very good.

VERMONT.—Grand Isle; Injurious drought; late sowings almost worthless.

NEw YorkK.— Warren: Drought. Schoharie: Short and light. Montgomery: Weigh
20 to 24 pounds per bushel. Otsego: Light. Westchester: Very light; drought. Gen-
esee: Light yield. Wyoming: Shrunk by rust. Niagara: Destructive drought and heat.
Schuyler : Waterloo the best yet raised here. Zrie: Yield below expectation.

New JERSEY.— Warren: Straw short.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Elk: Fine promise reduced to half average. Columbia: Poorly
filled and light. Bedford: Suffered from rain. Beaver: Badly rusted. Butler: Light

308 Bik oe

weight; poorly filled. Westmoreland: Crop large but grain light. Potter: Rusted ; late
plantings failed. Berks: Best crop for three years. Forest: Much injured by rust. —

MaryYLANnD.—Prince George's: Below average. Howard: Poor, but better than usual.
pata: : Late sowings ripened too fast. Carroll: Turning out well; Schonen takes

e lead.

VIRGINIA.—Russell: Rusted considerably. King George: Yield excellent. James
City: Fall sown good, partly making up for the deficiency of the spring sown. War-
wick : Spring sowings failed ; fall sowings yield fine crops besides abundant spring
grazing. Prince George: Spring-oats almost a universal failure; winter-oats a fair
crop. Northampton: Crops short; spring-oats weigh not over 24 pounds per bushel.
Richmond: Damaged by rain.

Nort Carouina.— Union: Very light; drought. Alamance: Winter sowings good ;
spring sowings failed. Buncombe: Rusted. Polk: Rusted; rains excessive at matur-
ing season.

GEORGIA.—Jefferson : Much above average. Upson: Finest cropever grown. Jack-
son: Remarkably good crop. Oglethorpe: Best in several years. Dooley: Best crop in
twenty years. Carroll: Rusted. Lincoln: Increased yield.

ALABAMA.—De Kalb: Tolerable yield in spite of rust. Henry: Yellow-beard rust-
proof oats successful.

Trexas.—Dallas: Average 40 bushels per acre. Zilis: Some rust. Williamson: Early
sown superior. Red River: Thrashed out light. Upshur: Heavier than last year.
Titus : Very fair, especially the red rust-proof. Harris: Better thau ever; jobbing at
30 cents per bushel.

ARKANSAS.—Clay: Ruined by rust, especially late sowings. Arkansas: Full crop.
Bradley : Except the red rust-proof variety, oats have entirely failed.

TENNESSEE.— Wilson: Very heavy. Greene: Spring sowings injured by rust and
spring frosts; winter sowings fine, with clean straw and hedvy grain. Blount: Half
crop of inferior quality. Union: Badly damaged by rast. Tipton: Almost average ;
less rust than last year. Fentress: Pretty good. Shelby: Fine harvest season. Grundy:
Almost a failure.

Wesr VirRGINIA.— Damaged by wet. Preston: Acrerage greater than for fifteen years.
Raleigh: Very fine. Hardy: Unusually fine.

KENnTUCKY.—Nicholas : Half acrop. Carroll: Cut short by droughtin May. Lincoln:
Rusted ; straw of no value. ;

Ounto.—Ross: Damaged by rain. Delaware: Large crop, but rather chaffy. Geauga:
Heavy strawed, but badly lodged and poorly filled; the increased average will make
good the diminished yield. Sandusky: Very poor. Huron: Fair crop; grain not very
heavy. Lorain: Grain not in proportion to straw; large white kinds will average 37
pounds per bushel.

MIcHiGAN.—Marquette: Holstein oats remarkably fine. Menomonee: Injured by the
early rains. Lapeer: Very good. Lenawee: Light berry. Charlevoix: Light. Mecosta =
Materially reduced by blight. Saginaw: Not one-half crop. Oakland: A good crop,
well secured.

Inprana.—Clark: Crop short, but grain good; the Surprise-oats from the Department
in 1875 have done very finely. Kosciusko: Holstein did well; will give it farther trial.
Decatur: Ruined by rust; straw heavy, but grain light; not half will be harvested at
all. Franklin: Ruined by rust. Warren: Yielding well. Washington: Greatly in-
jured by rust. Brown: Killed by rust. ;

Intrwois.—Carroll: Light in yield and weight and low in price; 26,000 acres sown.
Clinton: Drowned out. Crawford: Badly rusted; a large portion not worth cutting.
De Kalb: Much rusted and shrunken; not over 21 pounds per bushel. Effing-
ham: Rust from wet weather. Franklin: Shortened by rust resulting from wet
weather in the forepart of the season. Jefferson: Grain light in weight; straw
heavy. Madison: Light and poor; rust. Marshall: Almost ruined by rust. Piatt:
About half the standard weight. Shelby: Injured by excessive rains. Warren:
Promised well, but reduced a third in yield by rust; weigh but 23 pounds per bushel.
Winnebago : Will not pay the cost of harvesting and thrashing. Woodford: But a
small portion of the crop will be thrashed ; excessive wet produced rust. Hamilton:
Light weight. Ogle: Light crop. Stephenson: About two-thirds the average weight
per bushel. Macon: Damaged by rust. Mason: Very light. Pope: Light; injured
’ by rust.

WIsconsin.—Clark: Greatly injured by excessive rains in July and August.
Brown: Thrash out light; yield small. Fond du Lac: Little:over half a crop. Wal-
worth: A failure; lightest crop in thirty years. Green: Badly rusted; from 20 to 25
pounds per bushel.

Minnesora.— Yellow Medicine ; Nearly all taken by grasshoppers. Redwood: Cut oft.
by grasshoppers; from 8 to 20 bushels per acre average yield. Jackson: Ten to 15
bushels per acre. Nicollet: Ravaged by grasshoppers. Steele: Range from very poor
to good; generally good. Jsanti: Shortened by drought.

lowa.—Adams: Mostly destroyed by rust; light and poor. Poweshiek: Light

oe

+

309

Wayne: Very light; rusted. Crawford; Severely injured by blight. Hancock: Badly
rusted; many crops not worth harvesting. Hardin: Light weight; rust. Howard:
Light in weight and poor in quality; bring but 20 cents per bushel. Jefferson:
Very little worth thrashing ; do not weigh over 20 pounds perbushel. Tuylor: Killed
by rust. Washington: Nearly a failure. Jowa: Looked splendid; but were taken by
rust when just filling. Cherokee : Yield 20 to 30 bushels peracre. Floyd: Light weight.
Sac: Light yield.

Missourrt.—Clay: Almost an entire failure from rust and wind. Buchanan: Half
acrop; rust. Greene: Rusted badly. Johnson: Three-fourths ruined by rust. Noda-
way: Nearly destroyed with rust., Crawford: Nearly ruined. Mississippi: Nearly
rained by wet; Holstein oats, from the Department, superior to all others. Perry: Half-
crop; rust. Ralls: Damaged by rains; did not fill out. Camden: Rust very destruc-
tive; many crops not harvested; market-price for old crop, 25 cents per bushel.
Carroll: Did not fill. Newton: Almost ruined by rust; not more than half the fields
were cut. Phelps: Ruined by rust; crops very light. Dallas: Damaged by rust.

Kansas.—Jackson: Almost ruined by rust. Marion: Rusted and light; many fields
not cut. Nemaha: Suffered greatly from rust. Pawnee: Shortened by drought in May.
Doniphan: Nearly ruined by wet weather. Chase: Almost a total failure. Woodson:
Rust; selling at 20 cents per bushel. Montgomery: Failure; killed by rust.

NesrRaSKA.—Knor: Riddled by grasshoppers; many fields not harvested. Otoe:
Blasted. Lancaster: Grasshoppers. Wayne: Escaped grasshoppers; good condition.
Antelope: Good. Pawnee: Almost a failure through rust.

CALIFORNIA.—Marin : Below average ; farmers here are in the bad habit of sowing the
same land to oats, sometimes as often as ten or twelve years successively. Nodrought
ever felt here, while the rolling surface prevents injury from excessive rains. Mum -
boldt: Destructive rust from late sowing and foggy weather in July.

OREGON.—Linn : Good.

CoLorapo.—Fremont : Half destroyed by grasshoppers: La Plata: Injured by the

spontareous and excessive growth of sunflowers in the fields since the rainy season

of July began. Weld: Badly injured by grasshoppers.
Uran.—Summit: Slightly injured by frost.

RYE.

The condition of the crop is below 100 in the great majority of
the States; it makes its best showing on the Atlantic and Pacific slopes.
it was subject to the same extremes of heat and drought as the wheat-
crop, but escaped with a smaller percentage of loss on the whole. The
States full average or above are Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Delaware, Florida, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Nebraska. The mini-
mum, 75, is found in Arkansas, where grain-crops generally met with
unfavorable conditions of growth. i

New Yor«.—VNiagara: Destructive drought and heat.

Pld JERSEY.—Sussex : Shortened 25 per’cent. by drought. Bedford: Extraordinary
yield. :

PENNSYLVANIA.—Clearfield: Light. Lehigh: Fair in quantity, but not so plump as
could be desired.

MARrYLAND.—Prince George's : Below average.

VirGinis.— Madison : Good.

Norra Carotiva.—Injured by rust and smut.

GEORGIA.—Jefferson : A little over average. Dooly: A good crop.

Texas.—Dallas: Averaged 40 bushels per acre. Upshur: About eqnai to last year’s
crop. Titus: Light; cut by rust.

ARKANSAS.—4rkansas : Full crops.

Kentucky.—Shelby : Grain plump, but yield small. Lincoln: Good, sound, and well
cared for.

InpIANA.—Decatur : Thin on the ground, but well grained.

IturyoIs.—Ogle: Winter-rye generally good. Stephenson: Light crop, but of fair
quality. Walworth: Medium crop.

Kansas.—Jackson : Never better. Doniphan: Good crop.

BARLEY.

The barley-crop is in fall condition or above, in only a few States, viz:
Vermont, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, which,
taken together, produce less than 1. per cent. of the crop of the country.

2A

310 7 8

The great barley-producing States return the condition as follows: Cal-
ifornia, 98; New York, 89; Illinois, 57; Iowa, 79; Ohio, 88; Wiscon-
sin, 88; Minnesota, 71. In these States, which raise five-sixths of the
crop, the average condition of the whole is but 87. The crop of the
whole country is at least 10 per cent. below 100. In Wayne, New
York, the straw failed to yield grain; a result attributed to intense
heat. In the East it was injured by drought and in the West by rain.
In several counties of Illinois the crop was too poor to pay for harvest-
ing. In the extreme Northwest it was exposed for a while to the rav-
ages of grasshoppers. In Marquette, Michigan, the Golden Melon turned
out finely, while in Doniphan, Kansas, the Probestier proved quite an
acquisition. Wayne, Nebraska, complains that her crop is too high-col-
ored for brewing.

VERMONT.— Orleans : Good ; more raised than formerly.

NEw YoRK.—Genesee: Good. Wyoming; Very fine. Niagara: Destructive drought
and heat. Livingston: Less plump than usual. Yates: Thrashes out light.

Texas.—-Dallas : Harvested 50 bushels per acre. Red River: Tolerable yield. Titus:
Light crop ; rusted.

Ont10.—ftoss : Damaged by rain.

Micuican.—Marquetlie : Golden Melon barley turus out very fair; shall give it amore
extended trial next season. Delta: Good.

Inprana.—franklin : Injured by heavy rains in harvest; generally musty.

ILLINOIS.— Winnebago : Will not pay the cost of harvesting and thrashing. Ogle:
Very poor. Stephenson: Light crop in quantity and indifferent in quality.

Wisconsin.— brown: Light crop. Walworth : Moderate.

Mrynesora.— Yellow Medicine: Taken by grasshoppers. Steele: Generally good.
Rock: Nearly escaped the grasshoppers.

Iowa.—Poweshiek : Light. Howard: Good yield.

Missourt.—Nodaway: Cut short by wet weather in early spring.

Kansas.—Jackson: About average. Doniphan: Injured by wet weather. DSarion:
Probestier barley quite an acquisition.

NEBRASKA.—Otoe: Light. Wayne: Escaped grasshoppers, but is too high-colored
for the brewers. Antelope: Good.

CaLIFORNIA.—San Joaquin : Three-quarters of a crop.

CoLoRaDoO.— Weld : Badly injured by grasshoppers.

Uran.—Summit : Slightly injured by frost.

BUCKWHEAT.

The acreage in buckwheat was increased in the more northern sections
of the Union, especially in the New England and Pacific States, all of
which report a larger breadth than last year. The midsummer drought
prevailing in portions of the Middle States reduced the area devoted to
this crop, especially in New Jersey, which reports an acreage less than
three-fourths of that of 1875. The South Atlantic States about equal
their previous acreage. None of the Gulf States report any culture of
this cereal except Texas, which returns a decrease of 27 per cent. The
States of the Mississippi Valley, ou the whole, about equaled their acre-
age of 1875, Nebraska increasing about a third, and Kansas and Mis-
souri decreasing about one-ninth. The Pacific States increase about 3
per cent.

The condition of the crop in New England was good on the whole
at the close of July, but from drought and other causes it was re-
duced from 8 to 20 per cent. during August. The Middle States had
their visitation of drought at a critical time for this crop, and conse-
quently, with an unpromising start in July, many counties report it still
poorer in August, while in one or two localities early frosts complicated
the difficulties of the situation. In the South Atlantic States the small
crop improved somewhat during August. In Highland, Virginia, Silver
hull from the Department was the favorite seed. A farmer here, by

“a

311

selection of the best Silver-hull heads, obtained a flowerless variety, a
peck of the seed sown on an acre yielding 25 bushels. The crop of the
Gulf States is inappreciable except in Texas, where the condition is
about a fourth below average. It is somewhat below in the inland
Southern States on the whole, having been reduced during August. In
all the States north of the Ohio River the condition declined, except in
Indiana. Early frosts here injured the crop in several localities. West of
the Mississippi it was reduced in all the States, especially in those coun-
ties visited by grasshoppers. The crop of Nebraska was cut down nearly
one-half during August. The crop suffered considerable reduction in
the Pacific States, where it is 8 or 9 per cent. below average.

VERMONT.— Grand Isie: Shortened by drought. Rutland: Suffered from drought.

Connecricut.— New London: Not seeding as much as usual; too hot and dry.

NEw YorK.—Greene: Without speedy rain the crop will be a failure. Schoharie:
Not half a crop. Delaware: First frost; slight damage to buckwheat. Dutchess: No
rain for six weeks; half crop. Broome: Aftected by drought. Allegany: Spoiled by
drought and heat. Columbia: Injured by drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Tioga: Nearly ruined by heat and drought. Bedford: Very promis-
ing. Beaver: Some farmers think that buckwheat is too exhausting to the soil, and
sow it more sparingly. Armstrong: Suffered from drought in August. York: Promis-
ing. McKean: Greatly shortened by drought. Cameron: Greatly injured by drought.
Wayne: A failure. Northampton: No rain for six weeks; very poor. Cambria: Crop
extra if frost holds; looks well. Warren: Some lowland crops frosted August 20.
Potier : Drought and frost severe on the crop. Lawrence: Looks well. Lycoming: Very
short. Wyoming: Half destroyed by drought.

_ Vireri1a.—Prince William: Seeded late, but will be a fine crop if the frost delays.
Highland: Promises well, but not certain till thrashed. Silver hull the best variety.
A farmer has discovered a new variety, by selecting the best heads of the Silver huil.
A quarter-peck of this seed produced 25 bushels; it has no blossom, and forms grain
from the ground up. The grain is larger than ordinary and somewhat rough.

Trexas.—Titus: Doing finely.

TENNESSEE.—fentress : Crop fine.

West VirGinra.—Preston: Average greater than for fifteen years. Mercer: Looks
fine.

MicniGANn.—Delta: Good. Tuscola: Injured by early frost. Muskegon: Only raised
on light lands, and there it did not fill well; too dry and hot.

Inpiana.— Kosciusko: Golden Melon a failure. Decatur: Promising. Stark: Half
the crop killed by frost August 20.

Intryors.— Hardin: Buckwheat from the Department has done well; well suited to
soil. Lfingham: Too wet. Madison: Not yet in seed.

Minnesora.—Sieele : Generally good.

Iowa.—Harrison ; Destroyed to a great extent by grasshoppers. Humboldt: Nearly
ruined by grasshoppers. Greene: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Sac: Nearly destroyed
by grasshoppers.

Missour!.—Nodaway : Never better.

Kansas.—Graham: Destroyed by grasshoppers.

NEBRASKA.— Osage: Swept by grasshoppers. Merrick: Ruined by grasshoppers.
Seward: Grasshoppers destroyed 80 per cent. of the crop. Boone: Destroyed by grass-
hoppers. Antelope: Swept by grasshoppers. Nemaha: Injured by rains in harvest.

CoLorabo.— Weld: Destroyed by grasshoppers.

COTTON.

e The September ;returns, while averaging a higher condition than is
usual in this month, are lower than those of August. This decline is
usual; it is almost inevitable. After the spring floods and frosts,
which often affect the plant unfavorably in limited areas, there is
usually a sunny season, very favorable to growth, powerful in repair-
ing the losses of the early spring and summer; but when the time of
fruitage approaches and vitality becomes impaired the critical period of
the crop is at hand, the autumn rains appear, winds and floods are liable
to destroy, blight comes with decay, lice abound, the caterpillar becomes
abundant by reproduction. If any or most of these fail to appear by

Be) 8°,

September Ist the planter is more fortunate than usual and the decline
less than the accustomed ratio. It is possible for a crop to improve in
condition in August, but the reverse is oftener the case. ,

In North Carolina the decline has been from 96 to 93, caused by excess-
ive moisture and rust; in South Carolina, from 97 to 91, from blight
caused by great extremes of heat and moisture; in Georgia, from 104
to 90, by drought mainly, and in less degree by rust and caterpillars;
in Florida, from 89 to 83, by worms and rust; in Alabama, from 103 to
83, from causes similar to those operating in Georgia, with greater
prominence of the caterpillar; in Mississippi, from 92 to 87, mainly from
too much rain, with some injury from the boll-worm and caterpillar; in
Texas, from 106 to 87, from various causes operating either together or
separately in the different sections, as drought, rains, rust, boll-worm,
and caterpillar. In Tennessee and Arkansas the decline is scarcely per-
ceptible, amounting to but 1 per cent., and in Louisiana there is a gain
of 1 per cent.

For the last five years, the September averages have been as follows:

| | | | .
States. } 1876.) 1875. 1874. | 1873. | 1872. | 1871.3 1870.

MMMM HEGI Ate ot tee ene te cnt ai Seen ccceen mae | 93! 90 7
eG aElitin £ ASI sted Sis AS SSE. CR ee } 91 86 |
TELNAES SE PR ire = Ga i estes ee ts aera ee SOY 276 77
SPOR SIR pede on nore sonoma stent wepeee eh raeee see ee 83 75 7
USO UST Ea eee Bite Seles Begs Ri Roe Se eet ar SS SE 83 | a7 81 |
INEISAINSI PL ose cee ae sence os eso aises wee teen eaten: ann ene a= | Ot) 8 74 |
Mim assianiyy. fo ses sok ek. Pesan. SEG SC ee | 90] 8&8 62
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PANN RGATIRHS fo oo cect uie co oe eerie dso acine ianen ae eran oe 97; 99 47
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AG ORAPG-penee hon dma t we sa aemne ue etee eae e tea | 92.3 | 88.3 | 70. 4

The following extracts from September returns are given as indices of
local peculiarities of the crop-history:

VIRGINIA.—Sussex: Very fine prospect.

Norra Caroitma.—TVilson: Fine rains to August 10 greatly improved the crop, but
the rust afterward showed itself generally, reducing its promise. Onslow: Too much
weed, and less heavily bolled than last year; will open later. Union : Opening very
fully; best crop since the war. Orange: Rather too much rain. Jones: Excessive
rain caused shedding on light, weak soils; opening fast, and will be speedily gathered.
Greene: Cold weather in July caused general rust in August, shortening the crop 25
per cent. by shedding. Columbus; Season favorable; no worms or rust. Cumberland :
August rains cut down the crop to an average one; some rust. Chowan: Injured by
rust. Beaufort: A very large crop cut down to average by excessive rains. Jredell:
Greatly improved by August rains. Nash: Rusted considerably on light highlands ;
doing well on stiff soils. Wayne: Shortened 25 percent. by rust. Mecklenburgh: August
crop very good; weed not large, but bolls heavy and blooms abundant and full; no
insects. Pamlico: Injured by rains in August. Perquimons: Shortened by excessive
rains; shedding forms and bolls. Gaston: Started late, but doing well. Edgecombe:
From very good to very bad; three or four days earlier than last year. Carteret: Fair
prospect. Camden: Good crop. Hertford: Shortened at least a third in the upper
townships by rains falling for fifteen days. Wake: The great injury inflicted by the
rains of July was aggravated by the drought of August ; opening rapidly.

Sourn Caroiia.—Edgefield: Extreme heat and drought following copious rains cut
cotton from 120 to 80; injury especially apparent on highly-manured crops. Newberry :
Many blooms failed to perfect forms on account of excessive rain, yet the yield is
promising and of good quality. Darlington: Extreme heat and drought following
excessive rains have made the cotton to scald and shed ; crop still large, but not in pro-
portion to the weed. Barnwell: Shortened by drought. Horry: Yield less than last
year. Chester: Seriously injured by drought and rust within the last fifteen days.
Beaufort: Caterpillars have appeared in sea-island cotton on the mainland, but not in
great numbers. Clarendon: Injured by heavy rains. Williamsburgh : Injured by rust
in consequence of excessive rains ; ba§ shed badly in many places; yield still promises

313

20 per cent. more than last year. Marlborough: Extreme drought and heat; prema-
ture opening of bolls; seeds small and light. Chesterfield: Rust comes later than usual,
bunt is very general. Lexington: Average crop; opening splendidly. Marion: Rust
general ; bolls small, and hands gather only three-fourths the average amount per
day. If the weather remains dry most of the crop will be gathered by the end of
September. Union: Injured by recent drought.

GEORGIA.— Twiggs : Injured by heavy rains, followed by drought. Stewart: Unfavor-
able weather, drought and black rust; caterpillars present on the fresh bottom-lands
where the crop is late; considerable shedding. Jefferson: About average. Upson:
Great destruction from drought in all uplands. Whitfield: Injured by drought. Ter-
rell: Took rust much earlier than usual, which has damaged the crop seriously ; crop
will be gathered by October 15; never opened so early before. Macon: Drought has
played havoc; cotton-fields look as they usually do in November ; 40 per cent. already
open ; 90 per cent. will be gathered by October 1. Jackson: Decreased aereage ; looks
well. Floyd: Injured by drought commencing July 20, also by grasshoppers. Some
rust in bottom crops. Dodge: Rust is shorteniug the crop. Clayton: Within two
weeks heat and drought have greatly reduced the crop; forms shedding. Butts: Heat
and drought have reduced the condition of cotton 10 per cent. within fifteen days;
rust already showing itself. Baldwin: Reduced 30 to 40 per cent. since August 1.
Walton: Some complaint of shedding, but, on the whole, cotton appears in fine condi-
tion. Richmond: In lower part of the county fine rains have raised the crop above
average; in the upper part drought has reduced it below. Oglethorpe: Suffering from
heat and drought. McDuffie: Reduced 10 per cent. by drought. Fulton : Shedding
badly from drought. Dooly: Shortened 20 per cent. by rust; no top crop except on
new lands, on which rust is not likely to come. Worth: Drought has cut cotton down
to half a crop. Heard: Shedding badly; some rust. Hancock: Drought has played
havoc with the crop so promising at last report; rust is also destructive ; most of the
cotton has ceased making, and a large portion is leafless and dead. Harris: Cut down
- to an average by drought and worms. Baker: Badly rusted in some places. Thomas:
Rusted badly. Zroup: Drought since August 12; small bolls, shedding as fast as they
come out. Seriven: Badly rusted; middle crop shortened, and top crop cut off, Pu-
laski: Badly rusted; drought over a third of the county. Muscogee: Rust and cater- -
pillars. lbert: Fine season. Carroll: Drought causing plants to shed; nearly half
the August crop has fallen. Barlow: Injured by drought and grasshoppers. Wilkes:
Fertilized upland crops losing nearly all their forms and small bolls ; larger bolls open-
ing prematurely. Coweta: Greatly parched up. Columbia: Drought beginning to tell
on the crop. Cobb: Drought caused shedding of forms. arly: Caterpillars riddled
the crop in spots. Henry: Reduced one-third by drought of twenty days. Lincoln:
Shed profusely from August drought. Yaylor: Seriously injured by rust within two
weeks. Wilcox: Rusted very badly; growth stopped. Polk: Drought damaging 4
very fine crop.

FiLoripsa.—Jackson: Rust and worms destructive. Columbia: Looking well; cater-
pillars have just appeared. Madison: Caterpillars in the western part of the county,
but no great damage yet; rust has appeared, and the crop is opening rapidly ; weather
dry. Jefferson: Carterpillars badly injuring the crop; they threaten to close it out by
the middle of September; rust, also, is very general; weed small, but well fruited;
labor reliable. Gadsden: Deteriorated since last report; rust prevalent every where ;
dry hot weather stimulates the opening of the bolls.

ALABAMA.—Dallas: Since August 20 caterpillars have stripped the plants of their
foliage, inflicting a loss of 40 per cent. on the crop as it previously promised; no
remedies have been found successful. towah: Where good conditions of growth have
been enjoyed the plants are well stalked, but poorly fruited; if frosts delay, the yield
may approximate an average. Morgan: Two weeks’ drought has greatly damaged the
most promising crop we have had for years. Limestone: Shedding badly from drought.
DeKaib: Runs too much to weed. Crenshaw: Rust and worms; crop average on sandy
land. Clarke: Large weed; caterpillars plenty. Conecuh: Caterpillars greatly dam-
aging the top crop. Autauga: Caterpillars by the million; seem to be closing out the
crop. Perry: Two-thirds of the county swept by caterpillars; they have destroyed the
leaves, squares, and small bolls; they are moving northeast, according to their custom ;
the flies preceded them ten days; they fed greedily on figs, rotten apples, cider-pumice,
&ce.; they remained about a week. Franklin: Two months’ rain; crop injured same.
Coffee: Shedding; excessive rains in some parts; rust and worms in others. Clay:
Excessive rains have stimulated the top growth so as to cover and overshadow the bat-
tom fruit, preventing the bolls from a full development. Russell: Considerable rust
and worms ; crop opening fast. Monroe: Weed large, but not well fruited; young
cotton doing well; worms in some places. Bullock: Injured by rust and caterpillars ;
the poor condition of bottom crops reduces the general condition 25 per cent. below
average. Lowndes: Reduced by worms and wet weather. Jackson: Too much rain.
Hale: Caterpillars have reduced the crop to three-fourths of an average. Greene:
Caterpillars at work; there wiil be a fair bottom crop, half a middle crop, and no

a aa Bae

top crop; the whole will be about half an average. Chambers: Fine growing season. —
Blount: Very fine condition ; weed well developed and full of bolls. Marengo: Com-
pletely stripped by caterpillars. Lauderdale; Weed large, but lightly bolled; worms
numerous. Colbert: With a late fall the crop will be large. Pike : Worms all over
the county; cotton-fields filled with specters ; shortened 15 to 20 per cent.

Mississipri.—Rankin: Some injury from floods and rust; worms have appeared.

Lee: Excessive rains produced rust and shedding; boll-worms also destructive. Kem-
per: A failure; not possibly over a half-crop; caterpillars have stripped the stalks
‘clean within ten days. Claiborne: Improved during August. Lincoln: Too muchrain
in August caused the young bolls to fall off; reduced 10 per cent. Adams: Shortened
some by drought, but seasonable weather promises its improvement; caterpillars have
appeared, but their operations do not indicate any serious damage. Tishomingo: Growth
good; season favorable. La Fayette: Injured by drenching rains in the first half of
August. De Soto: Injured 10 per cent. by cool, dry weather for the last ten days.
Choctaw: Looks well to date. Lowndes : Caterpillars stripping the foliage completely ;
crop cut down 33 or 50 per cent. below average. Covington: Injured by excessive rains
producing rust; also by worms tosome extent. Coahoma: Excessiverains have caused
early plantings to shed; both late and early have grown so large that much will be
lost from rot; this will bring the yield down to about what was realized last year.
Winston : Injured by excessive rains. Jasper: Rain for the last twenty days; rust and
worms doing great injury. Yalabusha: Poor, especially on bottoms; losing forms rap-
idly. Wayne: Good; no worms yet. Grenada: Injured by heavy rain-storms and wet
weather. Amite: Acreage diminished. Lauderdale : Equal to the best crop during the
last ten years. Clarke; Top crop destroyed by excessive rains and caterpillars; most
of the crop open. Jefferson: Worms; shortened 25 per cent. compared with last year ;
opening fast.

LoursiaNa.—Caddo : Drought and worms; not over three-fourths of acrop. Frank-
lin: Two or three weeks late; small. Morehouse: Two-thirds of a crop; drought.
Washington: Heavy rains caused shedding. Rapides: Drought and worms; the latter
not very formidable. La Fayette: Improved by late dry weather. Richland: Crops on
high lands have ceased to make, and are opening rapidly ; late plantings on low lands
are making and opening fast, but cannot make a full crop. Concordia: Injured by
recent rains, especially on low lands. ast Baton Rouge: Improved by recent rains.
Claiborne: Reduced by drought of August. Jackson: Opening finely; fields white;
excellent picking-weather; yield will be 20 per cent. greater than last year.

Texas.—Smith : Unverified reports of boll-worm cut down the probable condition to
average; otherwise it would be about 40 or 50 per cent. above. Nacogdoches: Drought and
boll-worms have caused considerable shedding. Medina: Drought caused the bolls to

fall and the aftergrowth to cease. Marion: Best crop in five years. Dallas: Greatly
injured by drought for three weeks. Yravis: Two months of drought haye caused
serious shedding of late formsand blooms. Rusk: Cotton is opening well, but the boll-
worm is injuring small bolls. Polk: Injured by wet weather and worms, but the lat-
ter have not yet done much harm; their third crop is expected to eat up the cotton ;
early cotton out of danger. Burnet: Forms and leaves falling; drought for six weeks.
Williamson: Decreased acreage; drought injurious. Waller: Worms destructive,
taking even the leaves of the grown bolls. Matagorda: Early plantings injured by
rain; later taken by caterpillars; the best cotton cannot make over half a crop.
Lamar : Boll-worms more alarming than destructive. Brazoria: Crop promising. Bell:
Upland cotton 25 per cent. short from drought; sandy bottoms not much better; stiff
soils but slightly injured. Washington: Caterpillars in the southern part of the
county ; too late for most of the crop. Red River: A few boll-worms. Kaufman: In
excellent condition ; opening fast. dustin: Too much weed under the rains of June
and July; subsequent intense heat caused great shedding, especially on sandy uplands;
worms have made a clean sweep. Panola: Some early cotton injured by the drought ;
boll-worms somewhat injurious. Hamilion: Early plantings injured by drought, but
recent rains have brought out later plantings ; older cotton shed its squares to a great
extent. Bosque: Badlyneedsrain. Bastrop: Drought through July and August, with
intense heat, cut down the crop at least one-third; afew worms. Titus; Crop looks
fine, but plants are too large and do not show the damage of the boll-worm; yield 25
per cent. below average. Lavaca: Injured by drought and late plantings by cater-
pillars. Harrison: Looks well; season remarkably favorabie to growth and fruitage.
Coryell: Not possible to make over a half crop. Caldwell: Drought and extreme heat
cut down the crop one half. Bowie: Uplands will yield as good a crop as the low-
lands; crop of better quality than usual. Kerr: Suffering from drought, which will
shorten the crop. Navarro: Drought has cut down the crop from 100 to 50; a great
deal is now dead, and the best of weather cannot start the remainder to any great
action. Somerwell: Drought has greatly shortened the crop; small bolls and squares
have mostly dropped off, and those left will not grow as large as usual. Victoria:
Worms have stripped the stalks an@ leaves, bat have appeared later than last year ;
the plant having a fine growth will yield as largely as last year and a finer staple.

315

Bexar: No rain for two months; cotton shedding its top crop. Hunt: Boll-worms have
injured the crop 25 per cent. Newton: Greatly improved.

ARKANSAS.—Jackson : Greatly injured by excessive rains; shedding fast. Drew:
Some rust. Dallas: Injured by excessive rains. Clay: Too much weed. Saint Fran-
cis: Generally damaged by blight; not over half a crop; light middle crop, and
no top crop, unless the weather should be favorable for the next fifteen days.
Prairie: The extreme heat of the last ten days of August was a great benefit to cot-
ton; opening finely. Johnson: Planted in too close rows for a dry season, whereas it
has been wet; plants too large, especially on bottoms; bolls and squares rotting and

alling. Franklin: Bottom crops too rank; below average ; upland crops over average.
Bell: Boll-worms bad in the bottoms; not seen yet on the uplands. Sevier: Shedding
severely on the uplands; drought. Nevada: Worms have appeared. Monroe:
Dronght and heat succeeding excessive rains have caused the plants to shed consider-
ably: weed large but not well fruited; without further disaster, the yield will still be
above average. Columbia: Greatly shortened by drought. Arkansas: Still growing and
not opening fast. Independence: Has commenced opening and looks well. Lonoke :
Doing finely. Craighead: Opening finely. Pulaski: Continued wet weather has
ruined the bottom crop. Clark: Some damage by boll-worms. Ashley: Some rust.
Bradley : Maturing well; picking began two weeksearlier than usual. Fulton: Weed
rank and healthy but too large, and sparsely fruited.

TEXNESSEE.— Wilson: Looking well. Hardeman: Prospect gloomy; half the mid-
dle cop of fruit has fallen; rain.threatens the top crop. Gibson: Late but thrifty.
Tipton: Very fine; yield will be large if frosts do not come very early. Maury: Im-
mense growth of weed; with continued fine weather and late frosts a full average crop
will bemade. Shelby: Crop will be enormous.

The following notes are from the August returns:

VIRGNIA.—Sussex: Cotton looks as well as I ever saw it, and promises over an ave-
rage crop.

Norra Carouina.—Columbus : Seriously injured by June rains; bad stand and
small,but fruiting finely. Duplin: Very little growth made in July; smail for the
season but may yet make an average crop. Hdgecombe: Unprecedented drought from
July 2to 28, but light rains since. Gaston: Belated by cold and wet in May and June,
and cosequently behindhand ; it seems to be doing well, but a drought is impending.
Greene’ Shortened ten per cent. by drought. Jredell: Late and small in weed ; rain
must eme soon if we are to get much over half a crop. Mecklenburgh: Good stand in a
very god condition. Nash: Retarded, but shows no rust or disease; weed sufficiently
large aid fruiting well. Orange: Very promising. Pitt: Shortened by local drought.
Union: Very good. Wake: Drought; local rains have raised the average prospect to
three-furths of a crop. Wilson: Late rains somewhat repairing the damage of former
drouglt. Stokes: Drought of six weeks. Hertford: Good: heavily loaded with forms
and bols; yield promises to be greater than last year. Perquimons: Season fine for
eultivaion and growth. Junes: The prospect for a large yield of cotton was never bet-
ter up 0 July 15; since then excessive rains have caused a destructive shedding ; pros-
pect bdow average.

Sourt CarnoLina.—Chester : Lost 10 per cent. by drought. Chesterfield: Two weeks
late, btt looks well generally. Clarendon: Early wet spell caused the joints to grow
larger and longer than usual; subsequent dry weather enabled planters to clean the
crop growing rapidly, and may make an average. Georgetown: Small, late, and un-
prouising ; declined within the month. Marlborough: Doing well. Newberry: Season
favoable ; growth good, promising a fair August crop. Union: Decreased area, but
full zerage condition; labor unusually effective, and grass well cleaned out. Horry:
Acreze increased 25 per cent.; crop eight to ten days later than last year; recent heavy
rainshaye injured lowland crops; those of the uplands are running too much to weed;
the blls will blight as soon as the water gets out of the ground. Richland: Season
favorble. Spartanburgh: Promising. Darlington: Season good. Marion: “ Honey
dew ’and lice have appeared, probably caused by cool nights, and give apprehensions
of rus on cotton.

Grecra.—Baker: Very flattering condition, but August is our test month for cotton.
Berria: July drought did some damage causing it to shed fruit, and, in some cases, to
rust. Brooks: Doing as well as usual for the season. Carroll: Looks finely and is
full o bolls, but even a short drought would cause it to shed; some appearance of
rust. Clayton: Very promising; if the season continues favorable the crop will be
large. Cobb: Looks remarkably well, but is liable to attack of grasshoppers which
are iniring other crops. Coffee: Greatly injured by drought in July. Doole: Needs
rain ;ruit beginning to shed. Floyd: Somewhatinjured by grasshoppers. Gwinnett:
A litt) late; plant not very large but well fruited ; with favorable weather in August
and Sotember the crop will be a full one. Richmond: Weed small. Telfair: Full
averae. Thomas: Looks well; continuance of good seasons will secure a full crop.

sierent | se |

be

Walker: Drought. Baldwin: Crop ina critical stage; seasonable showers give a great
development of weed, flowers, and bolls, but there need a continuance of fine weather
to escape injury. Harly: Remarkably flourishing. Jefferson: Season remarkably pro-
pitious so far. Lincoln: Doing well, though two weeks later than last year; some in-
dications of rust. Madison: Ten days late; stands not good on low lands. Stewart:
Season good ; cotton-flies in some localities. Terrell: Rust in some places ; caterpillars
have appeared but as yet have done no damage. Upson: Weed below average buf
well fruited. Walton: Crop full average; season favorable. Henry: Looks fine.
Jackson: Tolerable; reduced acreage. Whitfield: Injured by drought. Wilkes: Late
but doing well. Taliaferro: Never better, except in a few localities injured by hail-
storms; they are above average size at this point of the season and are growing and
py tel rapidly. Forsyth: Weed good and well fruited; rain excessive for the last
ew days.

Fiorips.—Jackson: Doing well, and bearing heavily ; full crop if no disaster befall.
Jefferson ; Well worked, but shortened by drought; some caterpillars reported. Levy:
Prospect remarkably favorable. Madison: Very good; wellfruited. Gadsden: Not
. improved since last report; stands bad, and truitage defective; 25 per cent. below
average; now suffering from dronght.

ALABAMA.—Baldwin: Planted late, but growing fast and quite healthy; generally
very clean. Barbour: Good; some little rust on sandy ground, but condition m ad-
vance of last year. Calhoun: Weed large, but fruitage not entirely satisfactory.
Clarke: Crop good, but two weeks later than last year; some caterpillars, but n¢ harm
done yet, Coffee: Prospect better than since the war; some reports of worms. Col-
bert: Very good. Conecuh: Doing well; clear of grass; some caterpillars reported.
Dallas : Ten or fifteen days behind-hand ; army-worm generally present. Hal): Two
weeks later than last year; weed large, but not well fruited; caterpillats have
appeared, but have webbed up; the third crop will probably be destroying th« cotton
in August. Jefferson: Crop very promising. Macon: Caterpillars have appeared, but
no damage reported yet. Pike: Late, but promising. Bullock: Ten days late,but full
average in condition ; caterpillars in force on black lands ; some are trying Paris green.
Cherokee: Fine growth of weed; fruiting tolerably. Monroe: Better than lat year
on uplands, but injured by excessive wet on bottoms; ten days late; cate’pillars
have appeared. Morgan: Unusually good.

MIssIssIpr1.—Adams: Worms reported in south part of the county. Amité: icreage
reduced ; looks well. Carroll: Never more promising. Clarke: Some caterpillars, but no
great damage yet. Coahoma: Tends to large weed ; toomuch rain. Grenada; Pronising ;
season favorable. Lauderdale: Abundant rains; crop very promising. Neshob: Very
fine. Perry: Late, but more promising than at this time last year. Wilkinson; Dam-
aged by drought. De Soto: Very promising. Holmes: Benefited by late rain. Lin-
com: Improved fast during July, but backward on account of late start in thespring.
Lowndes: Fullaverage. Madison: Doing well. Marion; Army-worms at wok ; will
make their grand attack about August 20; this indicates a crop 20 per cent. Iss than
last year. Rankin: Injured by drought. Claiborne; A month late and small, but
-well formed and bolled. Jefferson: Smaller than at this time last year and sffering
for rain; drought for two months. Monroe: If no disaster occurs, our crop wil be the
largest since the war; labor efficient and abundant.

Lovutstana.—Bienville: Cotton late, but promising. Caddo: Shortened 15 pr cent.
by drought; some worms heard of, but no damage reported. Carroll: Desrictive
drought in July. Concordia: Where not overflowed the crops look well, exce@t on
sandy soil, which has not had enough rain; on overflowed land very poor anid jix to
eight weeks behind time; some worms reported ; no efforts yet made to destroy hem.
Franklin: Smaller than usual; drought. Madison: Muchimproved during July, sea-
sonable rains. Rapides: Small; lack of rain; condition good. West Feliciana : small
but healthy and doing well. Bossier: Crops better than for 10 years ; labor in setter
condition. Claiborne: Small, but healthy and growing.

TEXxas.— Anderson : Twenty per cent. better than the average of past years jlabor
capricious and unreliable. Austin: Has developed weed too fast ; many fields gassy ;
beginning to open; rumors of worms. Bastrop: Promising, but needs rain; areage
reduced. Burleson: Growing fast and beginning to open. Burnet: Still backvard ;
retarded by drought. Caldwell: Best crep since the war. Collin: Good conction ;
promises an extra yield; acreage slightly reduced. Dallas: Never better. Harison:
Remarkably fine; no shedding of squares as in former years. Henderson: Ver large
for August. Kendall: Prospects excellent. Lavaca: Crop late, but the best fomany
years; picking has begun. Matagorda: Oldest cotton poorly bolled; late totton
searcely any fruit yet. Medina: Drought. San Jacinto: Crop late but promisig, ex-
cept where there has been too much rain. Somervell: Very fine; if no rainalls in
ten days it will begin to shed. Titus: Fine prospect, though excessive rain as en-
larged the weed too much. Upshur: Larger than last year, but the blooms re less
numerous. Washington: Weather very propitious. Williamson: Condition fu aver-
age; acreage slightly reduced. Hood: Large, clean and full-fruited ; some gns of

€

317

boll-worm. Angelina: Very fine. Bexar: Looks well, but needs rain. Brazoria:
Greatly improved during July. Colorado: Injured by drought and worms. Hunt:
Prospect very favorable. Marion: Best crop ever raised here, but worms have ap-
peared. Rush: Very good crops; 5 per cent. above average. Smith: Promise extra;
hot days and warmnights. Uvalde: Fullaverage. Bosque: Crop promises to be much
better than last year; stand good and well cultivated ; plants loading heavily with
forms and fruit; rain needed. ZYannin: Too rank weed for a heavy crop; some fields
overflowed. Lampasas: Beginning to suffer from drought.

ARKANSAS.—Clay: Late and growing to weed. Columbia: Promising, though late:
continued seasonable rains. Fulton: Healthy and growing; blooms and bolls abun-
dant. Lonoke: Excellent growing season. Monroe: Too much rain in some places for
cotton, which is beginning to shed squares; in other places the crop is promising.
Nevada: Better than for many years. Perry: Rather too much rain. Prairie: Run-
ning to weed. Stone: Season fine; prospect excellent. Yell: Never more promising.
Arkansas :{Damaged 35 or 40 per cent. by high water. Calhoun : Excessive wet, causing
shedding. €lark: Injured by heavy rains. Jefferson: Locks well but needs rain.
Sevier: Too much rain.

TENNESSEE.— Gibson: Prospect good. Hardeman: Very promising. Lincoln: Doing
well. McNairy: Prospect never better. Maury: Outlook very good. Rutherford:
Greatly superior to the crops of 1874 and 1875. Shelby; Prospect very encouraging.

POTATOES.

Returns for August 1 indicated a condition for the entire crop aver;
aging about $4. The States above 100 were, in the North, Maine, 103 -
in the interior, Delaware, 106; Tennessee, 108; Kentucky, 103; in the
South, South Carolina, 101; Georgia and Texas, 105; west of the Mis-
‘sissippi, Arkansas, 106; Missouri, 103; Kansas, 105; Nebraska, 107;
California, 101. Among States producing heavy crops New York re-
turned 88; Pennsylvania, 93; Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, 95; Michi-
gan, 90.

Drought was the leading cause of reduction. In Rhode Island, where
the condition was reduced to 42, Washington reported no rain for forty-
seven days following June 5. The next lowest, 60, was in New Jersey,
where drought was general and severe. It was quite general, though
less severe, in North Carolina, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Local effects of dry weather, reducing condition in a less degree, were
noted in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Vir-
ginia, and Iowa. Returns generally indicate that the beetle, where
present, had been less ravenous than heretofore. In Vermont and
Massachusetts its presence was noted in a majority of returns, but they
agreed in representing it harmless. In New Hampshire, in Cheshire,
farmers were “ still fighting the beetle,” but in Hillsborough it had done
very little injury. Its ravages were more extensive in New York and
Michigan. Its presence, with slight injury, was also reported in Con-
necticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and Dakota Territory. Indications of rotting were only reported in a
single county each in Louisiana, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington Ter-
ritory. \

The September returns report extensive injuries to the crop in August
by drought throughout the Northern States, and by grasshoppers in
Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska, and to a less extent in lowa and
Colorado. Eight counties in New York and two in Pennsylvania report
more or less injury by the Colorado beetle; a dozen other States specify
the same cause for reduction, each in a single county only. In Hamil-
ton, Illinois, “the old-fashioned potato-bug” damaged the late crop.
Rust or blight is noted only in Chautauqua and Wyoming, New York;
Pulaski, Virginia; Iasco and Montcalm, Michigan; Outagamie, Wis-
consin; aud Humboldt, California. In Utah the crop was considerably
damaged by an unprecedented frost August 9. The condition falls

318 | |

largely below 100 in nearly all the States producing heavy crops: New

York, 57; Pennsylvania, 74; Ohio, 84; Illinois, 92; Michigan, 64;

Maine, 82; Wisconsin, 94; Iowa, 97; Indiana, 83; Vermont, 91; New
Hampshire, 92; New Jersey, 45; Missouri, 95. Among other States in
which the crop is a staple, the following return a low condition: Mas-
sachusetts, 65; Connecticut and California, 63; Maryland, 89; Virginia,
86; Kansas, 93. The States reporting above average are, North Caro-
lina and Kentucky, 101; Alabama, 105; Mississippi, 106; Texas, Ar-
kansas, and Tennessee, 104.
The notes below are from the September returns.

Matwe.— York: Few andsmall. Penobscot; Late potatoes suffering forrain. Frank-
lin: Shortened 50 per cent. by drought. Piscataquis: Suftering from drought.
Oxford: Injured much by a severe drought of six weeks. Waldo: Prospect of a light
crop. Cumberland : Injured by drought.

New HAMpsHIRE.—Carroll: Badly injured by drought. Cheshire: Toodry. ~ .

VERMONT.—Franklin: Shortened by drought. Grand Isle: Apparently ruined by
drought. Rutland: Have suffered from a drought of six weeks, and in some localities
from beetles. Windsor: Late potatoes damaged by severe drought. Orleans: Not
quite average in yield, but good in quality.

MASSACHUSETTS.— Worcester: Very light drought. Hampshire: Reduced by drought
and the beetle to 40. Hampden: Many pieces an entire failure; drought. Plymouth:
Have suffered from dry weather.

CONNECTICUT. —New London: Severely injured by the beetle; small, and the yield
not more than 50 per cent.

New York.—Greene: Late potatoes hardly worth digging; drought. Washington:
The lightest crop ever grown; drought. Schoharie: Not half a crop; the driest for
twenty years. Montgomery: Very fine and dry. Saratoga: Injured by drought.
Chautauqua : Will not be 10 per cent. of an average, owing to beetles and rust. Gene-
see: Shortened by drought. Onondaga: Late potatoes ruined; the beetles and drought
have spoiled the crop. Kings: All harvested and sold. Warren: A failure threatened
from drought. Dutchess: Reduced 50 per cent. by drought. Madison: Injured by
severe drought. Orange: Much injured by the beetle. Wyoming: Struck with blight;
will not be half acrop. Browne: Reduced by drought and beetles. Ontario: A light
crop; drought. Schuyler: The beetles entirely destroyed many fields. Sullivan:
Scarcely half a crop; drought and beetles. Suffolk: Beetles have proved very destruc-
tive. rie: Light.

New JERSEY.—Cumberland : Look well where the beetle has been kept off. Ocean:
Owing more to drought than to the beetle, many farmers will not get their seed back,
and not one in twenty will have enough for home use. Mercer: Have suffered seri-
ously from drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Cambria : The large tops dying off fast, without producing an aver-
age crop. Northumberland: Destroyed by the great drought. Wayne: A failure; no
rain since July. Blair: Have suffered from the intense heat. Butler: Few and small;
drought. Cameron: Injured by the very dry and hot August. McKean: Badly injured
by drought. Monroe: Reduced by the severest drought everknown. York: Rapidly
maturing ; promise well. Armstrong: Have suffered from drought in August; early
potatoes were extra good. Bedford: Less in quantity but better in quality than last
year. Elk: Very light crop. Tioga: Materially shortened by extreme drought.
Chester: A poor crop owing to drought and the beetle. Warren: Greatly reduced by
protracted drought. Indiana: A large crop; in excess of demand. Lehigh: Cut short
by drought and the beetle. Sullivan: Tops all died prematurely ; poor crop. Lycom-
ing: Very poor in quantity and quality.

MARYLAND.—Montgomery : Seriously injured by drought.

VIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie: 'The late crop almost a failure. King and Queen: The late
crop making nothing, owing to the beetle; early potatoes were good. Russell: Very
good. Elizabeth City: Late potatoes injured by drought. Pulaski: Mostly dug, and
found to be badly rotted.

Nortu CaroLina.—Greene: A good crop. ,

GEORGIA.— Dooly: Wery fine. Fulton: The best yield ever made. Brooks: Being
injured by drought. Decatur: Very much damaged for want of rain. Jefferson: Ex-
cellent.

FLoripa.—Gadsden: A large acreage; suffering from drought. Hamilton: Doing
well.

MIssisstpr1.—Greene : Good. Hancock: Short crop, from protracted drought.

Texas.—Caldwell: Cut short one-half by drought. Titus: Never better. Upshur:
The finest ever raised in the county; many 34 inchesin diameter. Hunt: The largest

A

o19

crop ever known here. Newton: Fhe late planting almost a failure; too hot and
dry.

TENNESSEE.— Monroe: Never better. Greene: Heavy yield. Grundy: Very promis-
ing. Bledsoe: Better than ever known.

WEST VIRGINIA.— Braxton: Very good. Weizel: Favorable weather has done wonders
for the crop. ,

Kentucky.—Shelby : But half of last yeav’s acreage.

Outo.—Ashtabula: Much injured by drought in the northern section. Williams:
Short, from drought. Athens: Late, shortened by drought. Delaware: Good. San-
dusky : Only enough for home consumption. Tuscarawas: Injured by the grub-worm.
Muskingum: Late planted far below average, owing to drought.

MicnHican.—Mason: Not turning out as well as expected. Kalamazoo: Small, but
good in quality. Tasco: Small yield, and beginning to rot. Delta: A good crop, and
the quality first-rate. Montcalm : Poor crop, owing to wet weather ; Early Rose affected
with rot. Hayne: Early, light from drought; late, light from the beetle. Calhoun:
Injured by rains. Charlevoix: Poor in yield and quality. Muskegon: Small yield, but
of good quality. ent: Not over half a crop; drought.

InDIANA.— Decatur: Late potatoes will not yield well. Elkhart: A failure, from
beetles and wet weather. Wabash: Never did so well before on our bottoms.

Itiino1s.— Bureau: Early, good; late, comparatively nothing. Hardin: Poor stand,
but looking well. Hamilton: Early, good; late, injured by drought and the old-fash-
ioned potato-bug. Ogle: Light crop. Johnson: Late potatoes nearly destroyed by
the beetle. Pope: Two-thirds of a stand; do not look healthy.

WISCONSIN.— Outagamie: Signs of rot. Clark: Threatened with rot. Brown: Re-
duced by excessive wet and the beetle. Crawford: A big crop. Fond du Lac: Very
light.

‘Miynesora.—Fairbault : Injured by grasshoppers 50 per cent. Nicollet: Much of

_ the crop destroyed by grasshoppers. Rock: Reduced to 25 by grasshoppers.

Iowsa.—Benton: Best crop ever raised. Howard: Beetles cleared some fields and
left others untouched. Sioux: Reduced to 10 by grasshoppers. Greene: Being in-
jured by grasshoppers. Sac; Injured 5) per cent. by grasshoppers.

MissouriI.—Nodaway : Never better. Caldwell: Badly injured by weeds. Newton:
Matured before the drought, and are good.

Kansas.—Jackson: Good. Ellis: Injured by drought.

NEBRASKA.—Otoe: Grand yield. Cuming: Late potatoes injured by grasshoppers.
Saunders: Largely destroyed by grasshoppers. Wayne: Iujured by grasshoppers. An-
telope; The beetle very destructive, and the grasshoppers finished the crop.

CALIFORNIA.—Humboldt : Will be a light crop; all early planted killed with blight.

OREGON.—Clackemas: Late.

CoLorapo.—Weld: Badly injured by grasshoppers.

UranH.—WMorgan: A severe frost August 9 destroyed 33 per cent. A more severe frost |
on the 2ist. Summit: Badly injured by a very severe frost on the morning of August
9 Ice was formed from one-fourth to one-half an inch thick.

SWEET POTATOES.

At the 1st of August the crop as a whole was in a promising condi-
tion. Prevalent dry weather bad reduced it in Virginia to 94; in North
Carolina to 96; and in Louisiana to 91. South Carolina returned an
average of 99; Kentucky, 100; and all the other States in which sweet
potatoes are a crop worthy of notice a higher condition; New Jersey,
Mississippi, and Tennessee, 103; Georgia, 106; Alabama and Arkansas,
108; Texas, 111.

The September returns show a reduction of condition in August of 9
per cent. in New Jersey, 5 in Georgia and Ohio, 4in Florida, Missouri,
and California, 10 in Texas and Nebraska; an advance of 3 per cent.
in Maryland and Virginia, 2 in North Carolina, 4 in Mississippi, and 7
in Kentucky. In the remaining States the variation from the condition
at the Ist of August is slight.

VIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie : Promise of a good crop. King and Queen: Very fine. North-
ampion: Short crop; fleas seriously injured early plants.

SouTH CaroLina.—Lexingion: Suffering from drought.

GEORGIA.—Appling : Dying from drought.

FLorIDA.—Columbia : Too dry for the crop. Putnam: Not rain enough to set sweet
potatoes.

320

ALABAMA.—Bullock : Fine. Monroe: Large increase over any previous year in
acreage. Coffee: More planted by half than since the war. Conecuh: Never better.

Lovistana.—Richland: Cut short by drought. Lafayeite: Injured by the dry
weather. Jackson: An abundant crop of the best quality.

Texas.—Titus: Prospect of a fine yield. Upshur: Large for the season. Austin:
Promise of the largest crop for years. Washington: Never more promising. William-
son: Three weeks early, and the largest crop ever raised. Burnet: Suffering for rain.
Rusk: Promisea large yield. Marion: Splendid. Medina: Reduced by drought. New-
ton: Injured by drought.

TENNESSEE.— Monroe: Never better. Greene: Very promising. Fentress: Will bean
enormous crop.

West VirGINIA.—Bracxton: Very good.

Kansas.— Woodson: Largest and best crop ever raised.

TOBACCO. “

The larger tobacco States report a low condition: Maryland, 72;
Virginia, 65; North Carolina, 69; Tennessee, 80; Kentucky, 77; Ohio,
97; Missouri, 87. This indicates a reduction in August of 8 per cent.
in Maryland and Virginia, 4 in Tennessee, and 9 in Missouri; but a gain
of 5 per cent. in Kentucky, 3 in Ohio, and no change in North Carolina.
The condition averages better in States producing less quantities:
Massachusetts, 103; Connecticut and West Virginia, 102; Pennsylya-
nia, Louisiana, and Texas, 101; Georgia, 100.

In York, Pa., a promising crop is maturing rapidly. In Maryland the
erop was extensively injured by drought in August; in Calvert it is
firing badly from this cause. From Virginia an extraordinary attack of
worms is reported in Fluvanna; much damage by a worm that eats its
way into the pith of the stalk, and by grasshoppers in Franklin, and
destructive work by the horn-worm in Halifax. In Mecklenburgh, the
erop has improved very much since rains set iu. Much of it is too late
to ripen in Franklin, and the late crop is doing almost nothing in
Louisa.

In Kentucky, too much rain is causing some crops to french in Car-
roll, but, otherwise, returns respecting the promise of quality are gener-
ally favorable. In Gallatin, the condition of the crop, on diminished
acreage, is the best ever seen. In Simpson, also, though not more than
25 per cent. of a crop, is good in quality.

MaryYLaNnp.—Charles: Much injured by early rains and grass. Montgomery: Seri-
ously injured by the driest August formany years. Calvert: Smallest crop for severa
years; firing badly from dry weather. Howard: Dry weather has cut off the late
plantings, but the crop will beayerage. Prince George's: Soinjured from drought that
it did not recover after rains set in.

Vircinra.—Caroline: Not more than one-third of the usual crop can be raised. Camp-
bell: The prospect very unpromising. Cumberland: Cannot be more than 33 per cent.
of a crop, and much of that small and light. Dinwiddie: The early planted is looking
well; late planted doing badly—barely half a crop can be made. Madison: Improving ;
some crops very heavy, but not average in quantity or quality. Grunswick: Almost a
failure. Fluvanna: Not a fourth of a crop, and that suffering from an uncommon in-
yasion of worms. Carroll: Excellent prospect. Franklin: The crop 67 per cent. less
than last year, and a large portion so late that it cannot ripen. Louisa: Improved
since last report, but not more than half a stand, and that now suffering for rain.
Orange: Shortened by drought.” Pulaski: Has improved since the last report. Hali-
fax: Late and unpromising ; horn-worms never more destructive ; not halfa crop will
be secured. yh

Nortu Caroirya.—Person : Though not more than 25 per cent. planted, is in good con-
dition. Warren: Too much rain. Iredell: Good in quality, but only half a crop
planted. Orange: The small crop will average fairly. Stokes: Cannot make more
than 20 per cent. of a crop, and that will be late and poor. Buncombe: Looking well,

Trexas.—Titus: Bad stand, but the condition improving. Newton: Injured by
drought in August. f

TENNESSEE.— Weakley : Looks well. Smith: Has suffered from too wet weather. Trows-
dale: About halfa crop. Gibson: Fine. Wilson: The crop will be small, but the qnal-

321 :

ity good. Perry: Almost a failure in product. Dickson: Only 25 per cent. of an aver-
age; failure in plants and wet weather. «,

West VIRGINIA.—WMercer: Above average. Monroe: Rather late. Wetzel; Back-
ward, but with a favorable season will make an average crop. ‘

Kentucky.—/Vebster : Greatly improved in the last twenty days. Cumberland: Late.
Calloway : Will be 67 per cent. of an average crop. Carroll: Too much rain; some
crops injured by frenching. Henry: Something more than half a crop will be pro-
duced. Logan: Only 40 per cent. of a crop set out,and much of that eaten by the
grasshoppers as soon as set.

Oxnt0.—Noble : Too wet for tobacco. Clermont: Now being cut,

Missourt.— Nodaway: Never better. Lawrence: Much larger crop than for years past.
Carroll: Very promising.

NeBRASKA.—Saunders : Wholly ruined by grasshoppers.

SUGAR-CANE.

Sugar-growing in some parishes in Louisiana appears to be extend-
ing. The report from Iberia states: ‘“‘ The area in cultivation has been.
much enlarged ; plantations and machinery have been greatly improved,
and many plantations which have not grown cane since the war will make
crops for the market this year.” In the fourteen counties making re-
turns for cane, the condition averages 95. Returns from Georgia aver-
age 101; Florida, 100; Alabama, 114; Mississippi and Texas, 107;
Arkansas, (four counties,) 110.

GEORGIA.— Dooley : Fine, but suffering for rain in localities. Brooks: Being injured
by drought. Decatur: Very much damaged for want of rain. Upson: Very fine. Jeffer-
son: Excellent.

FLoripa.— Gadsden: The condition still favorable, but rain is now needed. Hamil-
ton: Doing well. Columbia: Half blown down.

ALABAMA.—Bullock: Fine. Conecuh: Doing well. Crenshaw: Never better.

MississipPi.—Perry: Looks well; 125. Lincoln: Favorable as could be desired.

LOUISIANA.—Saint Mary’s: The season remarkably fine and the acreage considerably
increased. Jberia: Have had excellent seasons for cane.

Trexas.—Harrison; African, Creole, and Chinese cane largely planted, and it looks
well; sugar-cane bids fair to become a standard production here. Titus: Very fine.
Upshur: Doing well. Newton: Injured by drought in August.

STOCK-HOGS.

~The numbers of stock-hogs reported on the 1st of September are
greater in the South than at the same period last year, and less in the
central corn-belt of the West. In the Eastern and Middle States, the
numbers are slightly reduced by a decrease in New York, Pennsylvania,
and Massachusetts, which is not fully compensated for by an increase
in Northern New England and in New Jersey. Most of the States
which furnish the animals for the large packing-establishments of the
West are deficient, in comparison with their stock of last autumn, both
in numbers and condition, though there is less falling off in the latter
than in the former. The average decline in numbersis5 percent. The
percentages of numbers and condition are, in detail, as follows:

States.. : Numbers. pedi
ton LA li Leia Shea iow $64 Rule Soae be Whe be 4 ce 5 _|
CATE GUICE Wa Sense een ee ei et ult Mk olla a A Ng a a NS 88 98
MASS hee Goa ean cet Cp Ba a a Ya OR 95 98
LSC Wile Ode a ole Ml Neda aE dee ill I aS AN 0 NAL 89 96
Whmnois: {ssh ry hae CR Elect ee PE SRA ORIG AN CL A 88 97
HOW. ooo c ens rs eee eT eee Ot TA eames be gee 102 97
Missouri ...-..- EE Hee BR cre 3). yO. a cle EATERS ee io cisc 99 | 99
EUELE Sc) ee aren et See GN ye Pd 2 INR a 132 111
LT gage S0 Ry enepeegney a oie tines ale tapes og Bi a RN Sai EO 129 112

an
oe

322

The small numbers in Kansas and Nebraska, in comparison with those
of Iowa and Illinois, prevent their large percentage of increase from
affecting materially the average of depreciation. These eight States
hold about 52 per cent. of the swine of the United States, and, in point
of value, probabiy two-thirds of the whole, and supply to commerce
nearly all of its pork-products for home-distribution and exportation,
the swine of other States being used mainly for family or neighborhood
supplies. Upon the supply of these eight States of the West, in con-
junction with the corn-supply, must, therefore, depend the quantity for
commercial distribution and the ruling prices for the season. The de-
cline in numbers throughout the country averages 2.6 per cent.; in the
pork-packing district, 5 per cent.

In some localities scarcity of stock, occasioned by extraordinary in-
ducements for fattening during the past winter and spring, is assigned
as a cause for decrease in numbers; but the general and chief cause re-
ported for reduction in both numbers and condition is the prevalence
of disease, usually designated as hog-cholera. North of the Potomae
and east of the Ohio the only instance reported is in Snyder, Pennsyl-
vania, where some farmers have lost nearly all. Disastrous effects of the
disease on numbers and condition are reported in North Carolina—
Chowan, Gates, and Pitt; Georgia—Hlbert, Randolph, and Fulton; Flor-
ida—Hamilton, Jackson, and Suwannee; Alabama—Madison, Conecuh,
and Dallas; Mississippi—Greene and Choctaw; Texas—Colorado, Ti-
tus, Kaufman; Tennessee—Monroe and Bedford, (50 per cent. have
died, but the survivors in good condition ;) Kentucky—Garrard, Marion,
and Spencer; Ohio—Warren, Henry, and Greene; Indiana—Decatur,
De Kalb, Shelby, and Marion; Ilinois—Jackson, Mercer, and White;
Jowa—Crawford and Washington; Missouri—Crawford, Henry, Pitts,
Cole, Holt, and Randolph. Returns from other counties in Missouri,
Iowa, and some other States, note the presence of cholera, so called, but
not occasioning serious loss or injury. On the other hand, there is in
some localities an improvement in numbers and condition, because of
freedom from cholera where it had previously prevailed. Its compara-
tive absence gives promise of a large increase over last year in Gadsden,
Florida. In Richland, Louisiana, where, except on large farms, plenty
of pork will be made, hogs are young and small, because of cholera for
several years past; but this year there is no disease among them.

The return from Franklin, Ohio, states that there is a reduction
of 10 per cent., owing to the prevalence of cholera last year, of which
there are still some remains, and adds: “ If all feeders would separate
their hogs into small lots, give plenty of room, and keep the lots clean,
I think hog-cholera would soon cease.”

An abundant mast-crop is reported in various localities in Virginia,
West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, and Arkansas. In Floyd,
Virginia, ‘‘ hogs will get fat in the woods, and millions of bushels of
acorns and chestnuts will go to waste for want of hogs to eat them,”
and in Buchanan all oaks are loaded with mast. In Greenbrier, West
Virginia, “‘a heavy mast-crop will more than make up for the deficiency
in the corn-crop.” In Kentucky, the finest mast-crop ever known is
reported in Marion ; also, in Owsley, “ but no hogs to eat it ;” also, re-
markably fine in Livingston, upon which hogs ‘ will get fat.” In Floyd,
Indiana, the oak, hickory, walnut, and chestnut trees are all loaded with
nuts.

Notes of correspondents in the Southern States confirm the figures by
frequent references, not onky to increased numbers the present season,

323

but increased attention to improvement of hog-stock and to the advan-
tages of growing, over importing, meat for home consumption.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Snyder : The hog-cholera has broken out within a few weeks, and
some farmers have lost nearly all.

VirGinisa.— Northumberland: Good condition, but very few raised—not half enough
to supply the home demand. Very few raised by the colored population, who are the
chief consumers. Dinwiddie: The high price of bacon has caused farmers to give more
attention to hogs, and the stock is improving. Floyd: Hogs will get fat in the woods.
Prince William: The high price of pork last year induced farmers to fatten hogs to such
an extent that not many except brood-sows were left; consequently we shall have
nothing except spring pigs to kill this fall. Halifax: More attention given to raising
hogs, which are healthy and thriving.

Nortu Caroitina.—Nash: Doing well and are largely on the increase. Greene:
More hogs for fattening than for ten years. If no disease prevails this fall, the county
will be self-supporting in respect to hog products, which has not been the case for ten
or twelve years. Buncombe: Very scarce and small; no good hogs in the county.
Chowan: About 50 per cent of our hogs have had the cholera, which continues to rage.
Much of our poultry has died from the same cause. Gates : Hog-cholera has prevailed to
an alarming extent. Pitt: Hogs continue to die of cholera, and no treatment yet re-
sorted to relieves them. Wilson: A disposition to raise more hogs of good quality ; some
sickness.

SourH Caroiina.—Barnwell : The number of hogs to report is becoming less and
less, and without some improvement must soon be left out of the list.

GrorGia.—Elbert : Cholera has reduced the condition of stock-hogs and the number
for fattening. Randolph : Stock-hogs nearly died with cholera. Dooly: Cholera rag-
ing in some localities among hogs, but not so fatal as last year. Fulton ; Over 20 per
cent. lost by cholera.

FLoripa.—Gadsden. The comparative absence of cholera this year gives promise of a
large increase of stock-hogs over last year. Hamilton; Cholera quite prevalent among
hogs during the spring and summer ; has cut off at least 40 per cent. Jackson : Have
increased in number, but the cholera has made sad havoc in some localities. Suwannee:
Have died off badly from cholera, and the condition is bad, owing to disease.

ALABAMA.— Madison : Hog-cholera is prevailing in localities. Should it not abate,
but few will be left to kill. Conecuh ; Have lost at least 25 per cent. from cholera, and
the surviving are in bad condition. Crenshaw: Doing well. Limestone; Our hog
prospect is better than since 1860. Dallas: A violent type of hog-cholera is prevalent
and defies all remedies yet tried. Lauderdale: The hog-crop is the best since the war,
and will be ample for home consumption; price, 5 cents per pound.

Mississipri.—Greene: The business of raising hogs is so much interrupted by chol-
era that we sometimes almost lose stock for seed. Coahoma: There isa growing de-
mand for hogs and a promise of nearly enough for home consumption next year.
Choctaw : The decline is from cholera; the surviving hogs are inferior. La Fayette: The
law which now makes the stealing of hogs a felony seems to have produced a most sal-
utary effect. The hogs are not stolen nearly so much, and there is a probability that
we can make our own meat this year—the first year since the war. Perry: Increased
ia numbers 25 per cent., but small in size.

Lourstana.— Last Baton Rouge : Hog-raising is once more obtaining a footing, as the
freedmen are stealing less and depending for a living more upon the fruits of their
labor. Richland: People are giving more attention to the raising of hogs, and, except
on large farms, plenty of meat will be killed.

TExas.—Colovado: Cholera has diminished the number of stock-hogs 50 per cent.
Titus ; Condition fair, but dying from cholera, measles, and staggers. Panola: Below
average in number and condition, but we have plenty of food wherewith to fatten, and
nothing to fear in the absence of disease. Austin: The number comparatively small,
except in the wooded sections, where they are in good condition. Kaufman: Scarce
owing to heavy losses from cholera. Red River; Some cholera, but increase in stock;
fine mast, and plenty of coin. Washington: Not enough to use up the heavy crop of
corn. Burnet: Stock-hogs very poor. Fannin: The crop will be sufficient for home
ise, with some surplus; the probable price, 4 cents net.

ARKANSAS.— Independence: Look well; abundance of acorns and of old and new
corn. Crittenden: A marked improvement; the high price of bacon and the fine corn-
crop have put the farmers to raising hogs. Franklin: Healthy and doing well. John-
son: Healthy and doing well; a fine prospect for acorns; plenty of hogs will fatten
with but little corn. Saint Francis : Unfortunately but few to which to feed the large
corn-crop. Benton: The increase in the past year has been wonderful, and a good por-
tion is improved stock. Fulton: Plenty and in fine condition.

TENNESSEE.— McNairy: Fair; corn being very plenty. Monroe: Scarce, for both
stock and pork, owing to cholera. Smith: Below average in number, but above in
quality and weight. Tipton: Greater number than for years, and the condition very

O24

fine. Bedford: Diminished 50 per cent. by cholera, but the living are in fine condition. ~
Blount: Rather scarée and sma}l. Gibson : More abundant than for several years; con-°
dition favorable, though some complaint of cholera. Perry: Will bea large increase in
the amount of pork put up this year.

West VirGiniA.—Greenbrier : An increase on last year’s stock. Many of the farm-
ers vow make their pork from spring pigs. A heavy mast-crop will more than make
up for the deficiency in the corn-crop.

KEntTUCKY.—Garrard: Dying rapidly of cholera in localities. Shelby: A falling off
in numbers and weight, owing to the fattening of large numbers last spring, caused
by high prices and a surplus of corn. Marion: Finest crop of oak-mast ever known,
but hogs very scarce, and many dying of cholera. Calloway: Stock-hogs and pork
abundant. Boyle: Much lighter in weight than usual. Many spring pigs will be fed
for market... Mason: Will be light, owing to the.fact that the older and larger were
fattened and killedin the summer. Somecholera. Spencer: Small crop, many having
died of cholera, so called. Those for feeding are young and small, but the heavy corn-
crop will bring them on. Gallatin : Short in numbers but above average in size and
condition. Owsley: Best mast ever known, but no hogs to eat it. Livingston: Will get
fat on the remarkably fine mast.

Ouro.—Ross: Cholera doing some damage. Franklin: Reduced 10 per cent. by the
prevalence of hog-cholera last fall and winter. Have a little of it now; one farmer
has lost 119. Delaware: The number in the county last year, 18,734; this year, 20,248,
and 10 per cent. larger and better. JWarren : Cholera sweeping off shotes and ravaging
fattening hogs. Henry: Many dying of cholera or some fatal disease; many losing
whole herds; others, fearing the disease, have sold off all their stock-hogs. Greene: In
some parts the hog disease has made sad havoc, taking in a few instances the entire
herd, and, in many, 50 per cent. and upward.

MicuicaNn.—Delta: Few raised, but the number rather on the increase. y

InpraANAa.— Decatur : Stock-hogs scarce and dying of cholera. De Kalb: Disease is
sweeping off hogs by the hundred, and no remedy is yet found. Cass: Some are dy-
ing of cholera. Franklin: Numerous; some dying with cholera, so called. Ham-
ilton: Most of the hogs for feeding are spring pigs; some cholera, but not yet half as
bad as last year. Shelby: Short crop, owing to cholera, Marion: Stock-hogs scarce ;
much complaint of cholera.

Ittrwois.— Hardin : In splendid condition. Jackson: Cholera is killing what few we
have left from last fall. It kills about 98 per cent. wherever it goes; turkeys and
chickens are dying with it. Madison: Very scarce. Marshall: Plenty ; cholera in
some localities. Mercer: Dying badly in some parts of the disease known as cholera.
White: Few were kept over, and 66 per cent. of them have died of cholera,

Wisconsin.— Crawford: Not so large a stock of fattening hogs as last year. Rich-
land: Very thin, owing to a short corn-crop last year.

MINNESOTA.—Ledwood : Numerous and in good condition, but no feed with which to
fatten.

Towa.—Crawford: Many have died of a disease similar to cholera. Hardin: A little
short and thin, owing to the late corn-crop last year. Jefferson: Owing to the short
corn-crop, large numbers of stock-hogs have been sold and shipped West. Washing-
ton: Hog-cholera beginning to rage ; some have lost their entire stock. O’Brien: Are
being rapidly sent out of the county since the destruction of our crops by the grass-
hoppers.

en ye Dying from various diseases, but more plentiful than last year.
Cass: The disease among hogs is making havoe wherever it strikes them, but is con-
fined to localities. Harrison: Some cholera. Nodaway; Short crop, owing, in part, to
cholera, but mainly to a short corn-crop last year. Crawford: Dying of cholera.
Henry : Cholera, so called, has destroyed 40 per cent. of the stock-hogs; those that
have recovered are doing well. Pettis: Will lose 20 per cent. by cholera and lung dis-
ease ; hundreds are dying weekly; some farmers have lost as high as 60 in one day
and night. Caldwell: In fine condition. Cole: Still dying. Holt: At least 20 per
cent. more dying this year than last. Randolph: Cholera is raging fearfully in some
parts; hogs are very scarce and high. Ripley: Died of cholera badly last year; hence,
this year they are more in number and Jess in weight than last.

Kansas.—Jackson : Scarce, but very good in size.

NEBRASKA.—Antelope: Three-fourths are pigs three to six months old; have old
corn enough to put all into market in good shape.

FRUIT.

‘The hot and very dry August throughout the North and in some sec-
tions of the South occasioned extensive injury to the fruit-crop by
causing premature cessation of growth and falling off. The disease
described as pear-blight, twig-blight, fire-blight, &c., appears to be ex-

325

tending. It has reduced the pear-crop largely, and to some extent the
apple-crop. In some sections it is destroying not merely the fruit but
the trees. The report from Pulaski, [linois, states: ‘‘ The root-rot and
fire-blight, so-called, continue to destroy our apple and pear trees to
such an extent as to render orcharding a failure in all this south end of
the State.” Pear-trees have suffered much from “ fire-blight” in Onon-
daga, New York; fruit-trees from “twig-blight” in Cumberland, New
Jersey ; and from “ blight” in Randolph and Polk, Georgia, and Saint
Clair, Alabama. In the county last-named many trees have been killed
by the disease. The fruit-crop has been seriously curtailed in Minne-
sota and Nebraska, and somewhat in Lowa, by the ravages of: grasshop-
pers. In Nebraska, Dodge County, they not only stripped fruit-trees of
their leaves, but, in some localities, of their bark; in Boone they killed
the young fruit-trees, and in Adams injured them 50 per cent. With
these exceptions, returns, referring not to specific fruits noticed below,
but to the general crop, including all kinds, are for the most part faver-
able. Among the localities reporting a great abundance of all kinds
are Laneaster, York, and Mifflin, Pennsylvania; Carroll, Virginia ;
Hayne, Michigan; Clark, Wisconsin; and San Joaquin, California.

APPLES.—Condition : The returns from the several States for the con-
dition of apples, September 1, give promise that, on the whole, a plenti-
ful crop, of excellent quality, willbe gathered. A few drawbacks are
reported, but none of them serious, and most of them quite limited in
extent. In the section north of the Potomac and east of Ohio, the large
crop is being quite generally sifted by premature falling off, owing to
the very dry August. Injuries by worms are noted only in Allegany,
New York; Westmoreland, Virginia; and Benton, Arkansas. In Fannin,
Georgia, a large crop is being ruined by a “kind of fungus” on the
twigs, which causes the leaves to die and fall off, and the fruit to be
specked with “bitter-rot” and fall prematurely. ‘ Bitter-rot” is also
reported in Marion, Indiana, and Hamilton, Ulinois. In Box Elder and
Tooele, Utah, the crop has been greatly injured by the coddling-moth.
With these exceptions the figures denoting reduced condition, generally
indicate the percentage below average quantity on the trees, rather than
injuries or defects in quality. The returns frequently, for obvious
reasons, couple diminished numbers and superior size and quality
together. In Dunn, Wisconsin, where the apples grown are of the crab
varieties, the branches of the young trees are so burdened as to require
artificial support to prevent breaking down. In Hall, Nebraska, the
grasshoppers devoured one-third of the crop, yet the State averages 104.
In the section above indicated as affected by drought, owing in part to
causes previously reported, the condition differs widely in contiguous
States. While in New Hampshire it rises to 112, it falls on the one side,
in Maine, to 74, and on the other, in Vermont, to 71. Connecticut
returns an average of 111, but Massachusetts 93, and New York 92. In
New Jersey it rises to 103, and in Pennsylvania and Maryland to 106.
In all the States south of the Potomae and the Ohio the figures fall con-
siderably belowaverage. Notincluding Louisiana, (51,) in which but few
_ apples are grown, the range is between 6% and 91, Virginia and West
Virginia being at the latter figure. Except Illinois, 88, a heavy crop is
reported in the entire section bounded by the Ohio, the Missouri, and the
Lakes; Ohio, 105; Michigan, 111; Wisconsin, 122; Minnesota, 106 ;
Iowa, 121. In the remaining States west of the Mississippi the ran we
is between 70 in Arkansas and 97 in Kansas, Missouri being 74.

Marne.— Waldo: Scarce and small. Cumberland: Injured by drought.
VERMONT.—Orleans : Not enough for home use.

ok

326

MASSACHUSETTS.—Plymouth: Very abundant, but dropping freely, owing to drought.

New York.—Montgomery: Inferior in quality, owing to drought. Saratoga: Very
abundant and of fine flavor. Westchester: Were very plenty, but are dropping off for want
ofrain. Genesee: Will be fine unless prematurely ripened by the prevailing dry weather.
Onondaga: Young apple-trees have suffered much by “fire-blight.” Orange: Dropping
off prematurely; drought. Sullivan: Promise well. Allegany: Have never seen ap-
ples in this county wormy until this year. Columbia: Injured by drought. :

New JERSEY.—Cumberland: Trees have suffered from twig-blight; apples are drop-
ping off badly. Burlington: Falling badly. The market has been overstocked with
summer varieties, causing low prices. Mercer: Very large product, but dropping off
from drought. Wyoming: A fair crop, but dropping off from dry weather. Warren:
Excellent crop in size and quality.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Northumberland: Very fair promise, but the severe drought is
causing all varieties to fall off prematurely. Westmoreland: Much injured by worms.
Blair: A large crop of exceeding fine quality. Butler: Plenty, but small. McKean:
Poor, owing to drought and east winds. Beaver: Very plenty and good. Bedford:
Very abundant. Lancaster: Falling off fast; poor prospect for winter-apples. Warren:
The crop greatly reduced by protracted drought. Berks: Very plenty and cheap.
Lawrence: Dropping prematurely in great quantities. Lehigh; The drought causes
them to drop too early. Washington: A mo:t bountiful crop; large and smooth. Poft-
ter; Late and small.

MaryLann.—Frederick : Very abundant. Baltimore: Abundant, but some varieties
dropping off. Howard: Fine crop.

VIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie : Hang well on the trees, and are maturing well. King George:
A sufficient crop. Madison: Very heavy crop along the base of the Blue Ridge.

NorTH Caro.ina.—Beaufort : Large crop of superior quality. Transylvania: A light
crop. Onslow: Late apples are doing well. Hertford: Abundant.

SouTH Caroutina.—Clarendon: A heavy crop. Lexington: Larger and better crop
than for twenty years.

GrEorGIs.— Fannin: Large crop, but of inferior quality. Owing to a kind of fungus
on the twigs, the leaves are dying and falling from the trees, and the fruit is specked
with bitter rot, and falling prematurely. Jefferson: A light crop.

ALABAMA.—St, Clair: The blight has killed many trees. Morgan: Abundant, but
rotting.

ARKANSAS.—Johnson : Rotting and falling off. Benton: Greatly affected by worms,
causing the fruit to fall off.

TENNESSEE.—Bedford : Superabundant; in many orchards the trees are breaking
under the weight of fruit. Wilson: Below average in quantity, but the fruit unusu-
ally large. Putnam: Very fine.

West Virerinia.—Falling trom the trees more than usual. Wetzel: Never more
abundant or perfect.

Kentucky.—VNicholas: A fine and heavy crop. Lincoln: A little over half a crop—
fair in quality. Owsley : Plenty, but injured by the drought.

Ou10o.—Clark: Plenty. Washington: Light crop, but very plump and fair. Preble:
Never more perfect and free from worms. Hamilton: Very plenty, and remarkably
fair. Delaware: Fair fruit, but only halfacrop. Sandusky: Very poor. Warren: Iu
great abundance. Huron: In the northern part very plenty and nice; in the southern
a failure. Wood: Abundant, and nice in size and quality.

MicuiGan.—Oakland: The heaviest crop ever knowi, and shows the least effects ef
worms of any for ten years. Lapeer: A very large yield of good quality.

INDIANA.— Ohio: Finest crop ever known. Franklin: Abundant and fine; best crop
in fifteen years. Ripley: Enormous crop; half must go for loss for want of demand
oruse. Shelby: A large crop, but falling off badly. Whitley: A fine crop and of good
quality. Floyd: immense crop, selling at the distilleries at 35 cents per barrel. Marion:
A good crop, but some complaint of bitter-rot.

ILLiInois.—Bureau: More than last year, but many are scabby and gnarley. Ham-
ilion: Aftected with bitter-rot and falling off prematurely.

WISCONSIN.—Dunn : Our apples are of the crab variety, and the young trees so loaded
that the branches need propping. Srown: The fruit in good condition, but not more
than 25 per cent. of the trees that bore in 1873 are living. Columbia: A good crop.

MianNESOTA.— Winona ; Trees nearly all blighted, but bearing well this year.

Iows.—Benton: Double crop. Washington: Heavy crop.

MissourRI.—Clay: Very large, owing to the small number on the trees. Lafayette :
The few left falling off badly. Mississippi: Falling off badly. Perry: Half a crop.
Platte: A hurricane, August 19, left scarcely an apple on the trees. Caldwell: Defi-
cient in quantity ; excellent in quality.

Kansas.—Jackson : Good. Nemaha: Very fine, perfect.

NEBRASKA.—Otoe: Good yield. Hail: About one-third eaten by the grasshoppers.

OREGON.—Grant: Largely in excess of anything before known. Linn: Not more
than 33 per cent. of a crop, but good in quality.

327

Uran.—Salt Lake: The crop totally destroyed by the coddling-moth. Box Elder: Cut
very short by the coddling-moth. Tovele: Plentiful but worthless, on account of the
coddling-moth.

PEACHES.—Product : Iowa returns the product at 122; Oregon, 153;
Michigan, 91; California, 90; Nebraska, 72; Maryland, 58; all ot her
states in which the crop is of any account report much below that
figure—ranging down to 6 in Arkansas. The causes of reduction
have been given in previous reports.

New Jersey.— Warren: Abundant, but rather poor in quality owing to drought.

PENNSYLVANIA.—Lehigh: Do not attain full size; drought.

MaArRYLAND.—Frederick: Early varieties a failure, and late rotting on the trees.
Baltimore: Rather inferior.

VirGinia.— King and Queen: On trees raised from the stone, a very luxuriant crop ;
but not a peach on grafts.

Norru Caroiinsa.—Beaufort : Not afull crop but very superior in quality. Hertford:
The crop beyond the most extravagant expectations.

ALABAMA.—Morgan : More abundant and better quality than for years.

Louistana.—Franklin : Rotted or fell off before ripening.

Pexas.—Lavaca: A continous shedding of the fruit. Medina: We had no fruit
whatever from any grafted tree, they being more sensitive to the cold than seedlings.

ILurwots.— Madison : Rotting on the trees.

OREGON.—Grant: Largely in excess of any previous crop.

GRAPES.— Condition : The only States in which full condition is re-
ported are Vermont, 100, and Oregon, 102, in both of which compara-
tively few grapes are growu. Extensive injuries to the vines by untimely .
_ frosts in the spring, and other causes preventing or diminishing young
fruit, have been reported up to July. Since that date, as may be seen
from notes below, by far the most extensive source of reduction has been
rot. In Clarendon, South Carolina, while other varieties have been
affected with rot, the scuppernong is better in quality than last year,
though somewhat diminished in yield. But in Georgia, Bath, the scup-
pernong, for the first time in many years, “failed to be good.” In Fan-
nin, ‘grapes well cared for are unusually large and fine; those left to
chance are nearly all destroyed by rot and insects.” Washington,
Arkansas, reports “a plenty of wild grapes on every hill-side, and as
good in quality as the cultivated.” Redwood, Minnesota, ‘‘a good yield
of wild grapes of excellent quality,” and Nemaha, Kansas, ‘ hundreds
of bushels of wild grapes of good quality.” The crop has been injured
by “fleas” in Grundy, Tennessee, and very “much injured by an insect
supposed to be the Phylloxera” in Grant, West Virginia. In Athens,
Ohio, some vineyards have lost all from the combined attacks of wasps,
grasshoppers, and rot.

Upon the whole, notwithstanding the wide complaints of rotting, and
some other local drawbacks, there is a prospect of a crop not very much
below average. Michigan and Iowa return a condition of 99; Minne-
sota, Kansas, Nebraska, and California, 98; Massachusetts, Wisconsin,
and Connecticut, 97; Pennsylvania, 95; New York, 92.

New YorK.—Onondaga : Have done very well. Wyoming: Coming forward well.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Westmoreland: Abundant, but not ripening well. Lehigh: Do not
attain full size; drought.

MARYLAND.— Frederick : Good.

ViIRGINIA.— Dinwiddie: A favorable season for the crop; no rot nor blight. King
George: Mature badly.

North Caro.tina.—Alamance : Some have rotted. Orange: Some are rotting.

GEORGIA.— Fulton : Vineyards increasing, with good prospects for fine returns. Rich-
mond: Very fine crop. Upson: Good.

FLoripa.—Jackson : A good crop now on hand; wine-making in progress.

LovuisiaNa.—Jackson: A very good crop.

TEexas.—Coryell: A full crop, and very fine in quality. Bandera: Damaged 50 per
cent. by drought.

ARKANSAS.—Johnson: Rotting and falling off.

328

TENNESSEE. —Gibson: Doing well, but some complaint of rotting. Greene: Rotting
badly. Putnam: Rotted badly. i

West VirGINIA.— Wetzel: Three-fourths of a splendid crop have rotted.

Oun10.—Clark: Plenty. Hocking: Rotting and falling off. Washington: Rotting
badly. Ross: Rotting badly. Preble: Reduced some by rot. Wayne: Much injured
by rot. Athens: Have rotted badly; some vineyards have lost all by wasps, grass-
hoppers, and rot. Warren: Rotting somewhat.

SBS) oe all Clusters not well filled out. Calhoun: Suffered from mildew
and rot.

InprAna.— Marion: A large crop, but they have rotted badly.

ILLINoIs.—Madison: Mostly destroyed by rot, especially the Concord. Perry:
Rotting. Shelby: Have suffered from excessive wet and heat. Warren: Rotted badly.
Clark : Rotted badiy.

Missouri.— Buchanan: Rotting. Crawford: Have nearly allrotted. Perry: Nearly
allhave rotted. alls: Damaged by rains. Shelby: About 50 per cent. rotted. But-
ler: Not over half acrop; blasted by the continuous rains of May and June. Cape
Girardeau : Grew in abundance, but nearly all rotted before maturing. Ripley: Rotted.

Kansas.—Jackson: Good. Nemaha: Hundreds of bushels of wild grapes of good
aay are being gathered for wine and preserves. The cultivated grapes are very
good. ”

NEBRASKA.—Otoe: Grand yield.

OREGON.—Clackemas : Heavy in quantity, but late in maturing.

BEANS.

The average condition of the entire crop falls somewhat below 100,
Grasshoppers, in the section visited by them, evinced a special appetite
for this crop, and in localities they completely devoured it. Thereduced
condition for the most part indicates shrinkage in yield, and to some
extent, in mature plumpness of the bean, occasioned by drought, or by
grasshoppers, rather than injuries to the quality by frosts or by rains,
between ripening and curing. The only States reporting an average
condition above 100 are Vermont and Mississippi, 104. The condition
averages 100 in New Jersey, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ore-
gon. It falls in Maine to 91; Massachusetts, 87; Connecticut, 63;
New York, 88; Minnesota, 64; Iowa, 75; Nebraska, 61. In the re-
maining States the range is between 92 and 99.

Maine.—Franklin : Injured by drought. Piscataquis : Not well filled; drought.

VERMONT.— Orleans ; Nicely cured.

New York.— Wyoming : Good condition, but not a large yield.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Warren : Greatly reduced by drought.

GrorGia.— Baldwin : Suffering from drought. Upson; Very fine.

Trxas.—Medina: Injured by protracted drought. Berar: Ruined by drought.

TENNESSEE.— Monroe : Good crop.

Initiors.— Lake : Drowned out. A pi

MInNESOTA.—Fedwood : Badly damaged by grasshoppers. Faribault: Nearly destroyed
by grasshoppers. Meeker: Nearly all destroyed by the grasshoppers. Blue Earth :
Ruined by grasshoppers. Rock: Entire failure from grasshoppers.

lowa.—Humboldt ; Nearly ruined by grasshoppers.

Kansas.— Burton : Destroyed by grasshoppers.

NEBRASKA.—Knox: Destroyed by grasshoppers. Cuming: Injured by grasshoppers.
Saunders ; Kuined by grasshoppers. Antelope: Taken clean by grasshoppers.

HOPS.

Acreage.—There has been, on the whole, a slight increase in acreage.
While a decrease is indicated of 2 per cent. in Wisconsin, 5 in Ohio, and
1 in West Virginia, the increase amounts to about 5 per cent. in New
York and Oregon, 8 in Michigan, and 2 in lowa. The acreage remains
unchanged in California.

Condition—The condition is not up to average in respect to prom-
ised yield ; poor quality is specified in only one return, that from Madi-
son, New York, while that from Franklin specifies small yield but good

329

quality. The only cause of reduction named is drought, except that

~in Dodge County, Nebraska, grasshoppers destroyed the entire crop.
The condition of 16 counties in New York, returning hops, averages 87 ;
23 in Wisconsin, 82; 9 in California, 97; 7 in West Virginia, 10 in Ohio,
10 in Michigan, and 5 in Missouri, 99; 5 in Vermont, 81; 5 in Pennsyl-
vania, 95; 5 in Indiana, 106; 8 in Iowa and 5 in Oregon, 101.

VERMONT.— Orleans : Small but good in quality.

New YorKk.—Schoharie: Increase in acreage, but condition below average. Onon-
daga : Will be fair; prices 25 to 30 cents. Franklin: Entirely a top crop. Madison;
Not over 67 per cent. of a crop; light in weight and weak in strength, owing to
drought.

WISCONSIN.—Juneau : Will not be more than one-third of last year’s crop. Rich-
land; A light crop; being picked. Sauk: Last year 2,500 acres; this year, 2,938; the
average yield about 380 pounds of cured hops to the acre. About half are picked.

CALIFORNIA.—San Joaquin ; Considerable attention is being paid to hops.

OREGON.—Clackemas : Increase in acreage and yield.

THE HAY CROP.

CLOVER.— Condition : The August returns reported that clover was
generally harvested in superior condition in New England, in the entire
section south of the Potomac, the Ohio, and the Missouri, and on the
Pacific Slope. In the remaining section the crop was more or less dam-
aged by wet weather, partly by preventing seasonable cutting, and
partly by injuries between cutting and curing. The damage was greatest
in the States bordering the Ohio on the north. Ohio returned an aver-
age condition of 94; Indiana, 86; Illinois, 92.

Product : The product equaled that of last year in Massachusetts and
Connecticut ; was less in New Hampshire by 11 per cent.; Vermont, 21;
Rhode Island, 4; North Carolina, 5; Mississippi, 5; Wisconsin and Min-
nesota, 10. In the remaining States it exceeded that of last year; in
Maine, New Jersey, and Maryland by 4 per cent.; Missouri and
Nebraska, 6; Delaware and Georgia, 7; Alabama and Arkansas, 9;
West Virginia, 10; Illinois, 11; Ohio and California, 12; Kansas, 15;
Michigan, 16; Texas and Tennessee, 18; Kentucky, 21.

TimoTHY.—Condition: The August returns indicated an average
condition considerably above 100. The only States in which it fell below
were, Massachusetts, 91; Rhode Island, 82; Connecticut, 90 ; New York,
99; New Jersey, 87; Delaware, 98; and Minnesota, 86. In the last
named, grasshoppers, with dry weather, were the main causes assigned
for reduction; in the others dry weather alone. Among those report-
ing the highest condition were Maine, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa,
and Nebraska, 105; Arkansas, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Indiana,
107; Illinois, 108; Texas, 109; California, 111; Michigan, 112. Returns
for September indicate that timothy was generally harvested in excel-
lent condition. The States in which it falls below average are, Massa-
chusetts, 99; New Jersey, North Carolina, and California, 98, and Min-
nesota 93. In Connecticut and Arkansas it is average ; in all the other
States better than that, ranging from 101 to 112.

Product : The product of timothy is reported equal to that of last year
in Maine, Vermont, and Alabama; less than last year in New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut, 98, and Minnesota, 92; greater than last year in
all the remaining States. New York and Texas return an increase of
3 per cent ; New Jersey and West Virginia, 19; Pennsylvania, Kentucky,
Indiana, and Illinois, 15; Maryland, 11; Virginia, Lowa, and Oregon, 10;
South Carolina and Arkansas, 12; Tennessee, 9; Ohio, 13; Michigan,
22; Wisconsin, 8; Missouri, 7; Kansas, 16; Nebraska, 25 ; California, 6.

330

ALL KINDS.— Condition and product: The report by figures for August
1 was limited to clover and timothy, but our correspondents, in abundant
notes respecting the entire crop, as made up of cultivated and indige-
nous grasses and forage products of all kinds, foreshadowed a generous
hay-crop, above average in intrinsic quality and much the larger portion
of it secured in superior condition. The principal exception to a gen-
eral good condition when harvested was in the section north of the Ohio
and Missouri, where excessive rains, especially in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and Iowa during the proper season for harvesting considerably damaged
the heavy crops. A few of the local returns for August are worthy of
special notice. Aroostook, Piscataquis, and York, in Maine, report that
abundant crops had been secured in the best condition. In Pennsylva-
nia, Indiana County produced more hay “ than for the last ten years put
together, housed in fine condition”; Elk the best crop in fifteen, and
Tioga the best in twenty years, also well secured. The report from
Dallas, Arkansas, stated that two crops of alfalfa had been secured and
a third was growing, adding the opinion that that is “the only grass
for this section.” Arkansas County reported that more than two-thirds
of the farmers were raising very promising crops of millet, and several
other returns from Arkansas noticed the success and growing popularity
of this crop. Several returns from Tennessee also indicated that the
growing of millet had proved quite successful and that its culture is
extending.

From West Virginia and Kentucky, and from Missouri, except Saint
Charles and Moniteau, reports were uniformly favorable respecting the
quantity of the crop and the condition in which it was secured. In
California, Fresno reported a very large crop consisting of alfalfa and
‘“wheat and barley hay;” Lake, that the crop of “ grain-hay” was 50
per cent. above average; and Santa Clara, that three times the usual
amount of hay had been secured.

The September returns report the product of all kinds of hay com-
pared with last year. The only States which return less are New Hamp-
shire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Kansas, 98; Florida, 94; Louisiana,
96; Minnesota and Nebraska, 97. In the last two and Kansas, grass-
hoppers were the chief cause of reduction. In all the remaining States
the product is greater than last year, the range of excess being from 3
to 34 per cent. Among the States producing a million tons and upwards
the figures for comparative product are, in Maine and New York, 105;
Pennsylvania and Chio, 116; Ilinois, 118; Michigan, 122; Wisconsin,
131; lowa,112; Indiana, 115. Among other States indicating a large
comparative increase are, New Jersey, 113; Maryland and Georgia,
111; Virginia, 114; Alabama and Texas, 107 ; Arkansas, 117; Missouri,
105; Tennessee, 121; West Virginia, 124; Kentucky, 134; California,
125; Oregon, 115.

The extracts below from the September returns give various local de-
tails respecting quantity, quality, condition when harvested, and the
causes affecting each.

MaIne.— Piscataquis: Harvested in the best condition for years. Waldo; Better than
for many years.

NEw HaMPsHIRE.—Cheshire: A good crop.

VERMONT.— Orleans : Well secured.

New York.—Saratoga ;: Weli secured. Madison: A good crop gathered, in fine con—
dition. Wyoming: Good in quality. Sullivan: Not an average crop, but much superior
to last year. :

New Jersey.—Cumberland : The heaviest erop for several years. Sussex: Though.

not a full crop, better and more plentiful than last year by 25 percent. Warren: Well
secured.

331

PENNSYLYVANIA.— Cambria : Well secured. Beaver: Put up in good order. Elk: An
enormous crop, harvested in good condition. Indiana: An immense crop, all well
secured. Sullivan: Never more abundant.

MaryLanp.—Baliimore : A large crop and all kinds secured in fine condition. How-
ard: One of the best crops for years.

VIRGINIA.— Campbell : Excellent crop in yield and quality. Middlesex: Very fine
crop. Dinwiddie: A good crop, and was harvested in better condition than I ever saw
before. Madison: Very heavy crop; better than for many years. Rockingham: Fine
crop in quantity and quality. Russell : A good crop, in good condition. Carroll: Very
good crop. Orange; Shortened by a protracted drought. Prince George: Diminished
by drought in May and June.

NortH Caroitna.—Orange: The crop of late grass is unprecedented. Buncombe:
First-rate. 2

SoutH Carorina.— Newberry : German millet yields an abundance of excellent hay.
Greenville: Largely damaged by heavy rains. '

GEORGIA.—Catoosa: Quality not so good, owing to showery weather; but the quan-
tity 15 per cent. above, owing to German millet. Elbert: Fine season for hay.
Thomas: Better crop than last year. Upson: Very fine. Jefferson: Very good crop.
Twiggs: The fodder has been saved in better condition than for years.

FLoripsa.— Gadsden: Corn-fodder has been saved in good condition, and the crops of
green pease, ground pease, and chufus promise a good yield.

ALABAMA.—Conecuh:.As good a crop as the land can bring. :

Texas.—Harris: The prairie-grass is fine, and the weather for cutting perfect. Ti-
tus: Never better. Austin: A very heavy crop. Collin: Prairie-hay better than for
years. Medina: Reduced by protracted drought.

ArKANSAS.— Arkansas: A big crop. Jzard: German millet almost tke only kind of
hay raised; was damaged in making. Fulton: Good; German millet extra good.

TENNESSEE.—Blount : Extra crop. Greene: German millet and all other kinds above
average. Wilson: Large crop; more and better clover-hay saved than any previous
year. Fentress: Enormous crop. Millet is rapidly coming into use. Bledsoe: Good
yield of millet; hay of excellent quality.

West VirGINIs.—Grant : Somewhat injured byrains. Braxton: Best crop in quan-
tity and quality for years. Hardy: Extra large crop. Mercer: The quality above av-
erage. Jefferson: Better thanlast year. A fine cropof Hungarian and fox-tail grasses.

KENtTUCKY.—Calloway: The best crop of all kinds ever raised. Boyle: Far above
a general average, with fine harvest-weather. Henry: Unusual fall rains interfere
with the saving of the millet and Hungarian crops. Lincoln: One of the heaviest
crops in ten years. Logan: Saved in fine condition; selling at $6 to $8 per ton. —

Oxn10.—Ross : Timothy too ripe before cutting; too much rain. Preble: The prod-
uct of all kinds fully 15 per cent. above last year. Geauga: The heaviest crop for
twenty years. Sandusky: All kinds never better; worth only $5 per ton. Portage:
Considerably increased by second crop, the cutting of which is unusual here. Wood:
Unusually large crop, but not good in quality.

MicuiGan.—Mason: Fine. Oakland: The heaviest crop ever harvested—the timo-
thy in first-rate condition ; clover injured somewhat. Menominee: Large crop, well
secured. Alpena: Better than ever before; will average more than two tons per acre.
Delta: A heavy crop, well saved; the price the lowest ever known. Lapeer: Good
in quality and well secured. Lenawee :. Clover-hay much injured by wet weather.
Calhoun : Injured by rains. Kent: Unusually heavy crop.

InpDIANA.— Decatur : Good crop secured in excellent condition. De Kalb: Clover-
hay badly injured. Franklin: A large crop well harvested. Washington: All well
saved. Floyd: Sold last year for $16 per ton; selling now for $7.

Intrno1s.— Jefferson : The product beyond all precedent. Hamilton : Clover injured
in harvest but other hay fine. Ogle: Good. Pope: Large amount of clover not saved,
owing to wet.

WIsconsIn.— Waukesha: The best second crop ever known. Columbia: Good. Craw-
ford: The largest yield of all kinds for years, all well saved. Walworth: A first-rate
crop of cultivated grasses, well secured ; wild hay damaged by excessive rains.

MrxyeEsota.—Isanti : A large reduction by the drought in July.

Iowa.— Wayne: Never better. Jones: Timothy and clover extra good; much wild
grass on low Jands spoiled by overflow in July. Yama: Damaged 25 per cent. by the
flood of July Sth.

Missourt.—Chariton : Good crop, well saved. Clay: Good. Nodaway: Very large
crop, well secured. Mississippi: Saved in good condition; yield of German millet esti-
mated at 4 tons to the acre. Ralls: Saved in fine condition. Caldwell: More culti-

vated and less prairie-hay than last year. Macon: Fine. Ripley: More made than
ever before; farmers giving much more attention to grass.

Kansas.—Jackson. Largest yield of timothy ever harvested. Nemaha: Splendid
crop. Woodson: A vast surplus of excellent quality will be put up.

NEBRASKA.—Antelope: Large harvest of excellent prairie-hay.

ORrEGON.—Douglas: Extra yield of timothy.

“eee

332
PASTURES.

Upon the whole the high condition of pastures reported for June was
maintained up to the 1st of August. The condition had been reduced
in Rhode Island to 45, and in New Jersey to 56, by severe drought.
Owing to local droughts chiefly, it was somewhat below 100 in Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut, in the coast States between Pennsylvania and
South Carolina, and in Mississippi and Louisiana. Grasshoppers with
dry weather had reduced it to 93 in Minnesota. But in Vermont the
condition had risen to from 90 to 104; in Florida from 97 to 100; in
Kentucky from 97 to 107; and. in all the remaining States it was above
100, many of them showing a decided advance on the June returns.
Among the highest were [owa and Kansas, 106; Maine, 108; Ohio,
_and California, 109; Missouri, 111; Michigan, 113; Texas, 114; Ar-
kansas and Illinois, 115; Tennessee and Oregon, 116. Several returns
from Texas referred to the thrifty, fat condition of stock, consequent
upon the abundant and excellent pasturage. In California the wet win-
ter and late spring rains had contributed to make pasturage unsur-
passed.

The condition of pastures is not specifically reported iu the Septem-
ber returns; but our reporters, in notes from which brief extracts are
given below, indicate severe reductions in August, from excessively hot
and dry weather throughout the eastern, middle, and lake States, and
Texas, and from grasshoppers in Minnesota, Kansas, and Nebraska. Lit-
tle or no depreciation and in some localities an advance in high condi-
tion is indicated in the interior, and on the Pacific slope.

Matne.— York: Whitening from drought. Penobscot: Short from dry weather. Ox-
ford: Injured by a severe drought for the last six weeks. Cumberland: Much dried
up; cattle being fed from the barn.

Nrw HampsHIrRE.—UCurroll: Very little feed left, and cattle falling away; drought.

VrERMONT.—Franklin: Short; product of milk and butter diminishing; drought.
Lamoille: Feed mostly dried up, and dairy products essentially reduced; stock have
to be fed largely from the barn. .

MASSACHUSETTS.— Worcester : Scorched by drought. Hampden: Dried up.

New York.—Greene: Burned up; farmers are feeding corn-fodder. Olsego : Drying
up. Westchester: Alldried up. Chautauqua: Injured by severe drought. Onondaga:
Crisped by the terrible drought. Stewben : Short, from drought. Franklin : Completely
dried up; farmers feeding their cattle. Fulton: Drying up. rie: Dry and bare.

PENNSYLVANIA.— Wayne: Dried up; cows require daily feed. Armstrong: Suffered
much during August for want of rain. Beaver: Good. Susquehanna: Dried up, and
cattle suffering for food. Washington: In localities almost gone, owing to drought,
ae and grub-worms. Wyoming: None, owing to drought; have to feed
cattle.

DELAWARE.—Sussex : Being parched.

MARYLAND.— Montgomery: Seriously injured by the driest August for many years.

VirGintaA.— Middlesex : Excellent.

Norra Carorina.—Transylvania : Have improved very much during August.

GEORGIA.— Baldwin: Suffering for rain.

ALABAMA.—Jackson: Never better. Shelby: Fine.

Trexas.—Bandera: Have the appearance of ripe grain-fields from drought. Uvalda:
Much dried up. Berar: The grass on the prairies is dried up. Stock have to go from
one to eight miles for water.

ARKANSAS.—Arkansas: Prairie as green as in June, and breast-high. Independence :
Cattle fat. Izard: Range and inside pastures very fine; domestic animals healthy
and fat.

TENNESSEE.— Trousdale: Good. Bledsoe: Very fine.

Kentucky.—Cumberland: Extra fine. Jessamine: Blue-grass pastures better than
usual. Mason: Unusually fine. Owsley: Dried up.

On10.— Wayne: The earth here is carpeted with grass. Harrison: Grass abundant ;
plenty of rain. Richland; Never better. Portage: Abundant.

Micnican.—Aalamazoo: Quite short from drought. ;

InDIANA.—Lawrence: Excellent; stock doing well. Warren: Good. Floyd: Never
better.

333

Iniiwwots.—Jefferson: Keeping green beyond all precedent. Piatt: Very fine. Ogle:
Good. Morgan: Heavy fall feed of grass and weeds.

WISCONSIN.— Waukesha: Good.

Iowa.—Jones : Extra good.

Missourt.—Harrison: Fine. Putnam: Abundant. Cole: Excellent.

CALIFORNIA.—Calusa: Very abundant, and all kinds of stock doing better than in
any previous year.

SORGHUM.

Returns indicate that the extending culture of sorghum in the Gulf
States is being encouraged by promising results. In the entire section
south of the Potomac and the Ohio the only States reporting a condition
not averaging above 100 are North Carolina, 98, and West Virginia, 99.
Among the highest are South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee, 104;
Georgia, 105; Alabama and Kentucky, 106. In the Ohio Valley and
west of the Mississippi the range is from 90 to 99.

VirGiInta.— Madison: The largest crop ever grown. Russell: Very good.

GrorGia.—Troup: Good. Fulton: More planted than ever before, and very fine.
Upson: Very fine. ;

ALABAMA.— Bullock: Fine. Conecuh: Prospect of a No. 1 crop. Crenshaw: Very
good. Lauderdale: Good, and becoming a very important crop in this county.

Mississipp1.—Choctaw: Much better than last year. Perry: Planted for the first
time and successful. Lincoln: Favorable as could be desired.

Trexas.—Titus : Better than for years. Basfrop: The yield has been as great as 120
gallons of sirup per acre; 80 gallons is the average. This promises to be a profitable

_ industry here, and I think many will grow sorghum instead of cotton another year.

Upshur : Doing well; enough to supply the county with sirup. dustin: Turning out
100 to 125 gallons of sirup peracre. Waller: Being tried bymany farmers. Rusk: The
sorghum-mills are all busy. Medina: Reduced by protracted drought.

ARKANSAS.— Fulton: Many crops damaged by black rust.

TENNESSEE.— Monroe: Abundant crop made. Greene: Heavy growth. Wilson: A
full crop and a splendid yield.

Itutinois— Hardin: Good. Carroll: Best of weather for ripening.

Missouri.—Johnson : The prospect for a crop grows less and less.

NEBRAsKA.—Saunders: Largely ruined by grasshoppers.

RICE.

In the’ section where rice is grown occasional references to the crop
by our correspondents indicate a promising condition. In Georgia the
inland crop in Liberty County is promising, and in McIntosh, in which
rice is a Staple product, the promise is reported to be better than for the
last ten or twelve years. Our reporter in Santa Rosa, Florida, also
states that in that section, in which rice is a principal crop, a very fine
and remunerative yield is promised.

SouTH CaRroLina.—Barnwell: Shortened by drought in the western part of the
county.

GEORGIA.—McIniosh : Rice is one of our principal crops; very fine yield; best for ten
or twelve years. Liberty: Prospects of a good crop.

FLoripa.—Santa Rosa: Rice our principal crop; it looks very well. Marion : Silver-
hull from the Department a failure.

INSECT-INJURIES.

With the exception of the grasshopper raid west of the Mississippi
and the cotton caterpillars in the South, the operations of the farmers’
insect enemies have been on a comparatively small scale.

W HEAT-INSECTS.—Of insects especially infecting the wheat-crop,’ the
Hessian tly (Cecidomyia destructor) is reported in Carroll, Maryland; Rus-
sel, Virginia; Carroll, Georgia; Lake Michigan; Fond du Lac and Wine-
bago, Wisconsin; Jackson, Iowa; and Greenwood, Kansas. The midge,

334

(Diplosis [cecidomyia] triticis,) sometimes improperly called the red weevil,
did some damage in the spring-wheat in Grand Isle and Orleans, Ver-
mont. It is also noted in Shiawassee, Michigan; Boone, Wisconsin; and
DeKalb and Wabash, Indiana. In the last-named county half the wheat-
crop was destroyed. Several new wheat-insects are reported. One in
Blair, Pennsylvania, attacked the straw when the wheat was a few
inches above ground. Another in Outagamie, Wisconsin, working at
the root of the plant, caused the straw to fall down. A small white
worm is noted as injurious in Grundy, Iowa, and a green worm in Saline,
Kansas, injured winter-wheat. Unknown insects were also troublesome
to wheat-growers in Waseca, Minnesota, and Hardin, Iowa.

THE COTTON-CATERPILLAR (Anomis [Aletia] xylinae,) during July
made some harmless incipient demonstrations, which unhappily were
followed in August by severe injuries at numerous points in the cotton-
belt. Its operations appear to have been confined mostly to the south-
ern counties, as North Carolina and Tennessee report no injuries, and
South Carolina and Arkansas in but one county each, and that not
very serious. In Beaufort, South Carolina, a few were noted in sea-
island cotton, growing on the mainland. Georgia reports them in four
counties, all lying between the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, viz:
Muscogee, Terrell, Harris,and Stewart; in the last named, the insect was
noticed only in late plantingsin fresh lowlandsoils. They were more or
less injurious in Jackson, Columbus, and Jefferson, Florida, and in Ma-
rengo, Coffee, Clarke, Bullock, Lauderdale, Crenshaw, Monroe, Lowndes,
and Hale, Alabama; in Dallas they destroyed 40 per cent., and in
Greene 50 per cent. of the crop; in Conecuh they threatened to close it
out entirely; in Perry they devoured rotten apples, cider-pumice, &c.
Mississippi reports them in Rankin, Kemper, Adams, Lowndes, Coving-
ton, Jasper, Clarke, and Marion; Louisiana, in Caddo and Concordia ;
Texas, in Polk, Waller, Matagorda, Washington, Austin, Bastrop, La-
vaca, Victoria, Colorado, and Marion; Arkansas in Nevada. The fol-
lowing letter from M. F. Hartman, secretary of the Agricultural Society
of Austin County, Texas, gives a graphic view of these pests in that
county, especially illustrating their enormous power of propagation :

As predicted in my last, the cotton-worm reached us last week, and devoured every
particle that was eatable, leaves, blossoms, and small bolls. Never since my knowl-
edge have these worms appeared in such a multitude. After having laid waste our
fields, they thronged and blackened our lanes, roads, and highways; they penetrated
lawns, yards, and even dwelling-houses, lying in the pathway, requiring the constant
use of the broom to repel our loathsome guests. Hens, turkeys, and geese had a feast
and grew fat. In this portion of our county the loss was not so severe, as the gather-
ing had already begun and most of tbe bolls were fully grown, but the southern part,
bordering on an extensive prairie that reaches to the Gulf of Mexico, two hundred
miles distant, was attacked four weeks earlier, and the loss is a very severe one.

COTTON-LICE, (Aphis, sp.)—Minute bugs or lice, resembling rust clus-
tering round the cotton-stalk and on the under side of the leaves,
caused the plant to shed and turn yellow in Covington, Alabama; Red
River, Panola, Wood, and Titus, Texas; and in Bell and Clarke, Ar-
kansas. This insect does not appear to have wrought a very serious
amount of injury on the whole.

CHINCH-BUGS (Micropus [Rhyparochromus] leucopterus) showed them-
selves during August op the Atlantic slope, having been noted at sev-
eral points in the Mississippi valley during July. Davidson and Warren,
North Carolina, were troubled by them. In the latter strong lye of
wood-ashes applied to the corn-stalk disposed of the pests. It was
found necessary, however, not to allow the lye to come in contact
with the corn-bud, as it would probably destroy it. They were de-

O00

structive to wheat in Hunt, Texas. In Boone and Winnebago, Illinois,
they ruined spring-wheat and barley and threatened the corn. In
Dunn, Wisconsin, it was noticed that they.did not touch the Odessa
wheat when any other variety was gtowing near it. They were de-
structive to spring-wheat also in Washington, Brown, Columbia, Fond
du Lac, Green, Monroe, Calumet, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La
Crosse, Portage, Pierce, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha, and
Winnebago. In some cases, after destroying wheat, they attacked
the corn, and where the grain was too hard for their consumption
they stripped the blades. They are also reported in Jackson, lowa ;
Atchison, Missouri; Nemaha, Neosho, El Dorado, Washington, and
Smith, Kansas; and in Gage, Saunders, and Richardson, Nebraska.

BOLL-WORMS (Heliothis armigera) are reported in Lee, Mississippi, and:
in Nacogdoches, Smith, Hunt, Rusk, and Lamar, Texas.

GRASSHOPPERS.—Insects bearing this popular designation are re-
ported in the Middle, Southern, and Northwestern States. In the latter
ease there is no difficulty in identifying them with the dreaded Calopte-
nus spretus, which, it is believed, confines its visitation to the regions
west of the seventeenth meridian. An examination of the map shows
that all the counties of Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri reporting the
ravages of this insect lie wholly or partly west of that meridian. In
Minnesota they were more or less destructive in McLeod, Yellow Medi-
cine, Faribault, Redwood, Meeker, Nicollet, Blue Earth, Nobles, Stevens,
Stearns, Todd, Rock, Jackson, Pope, Renville, Chippewa, Swift, and
Kandiyohi ; in lowa, in Crawford, Clay, Harrison, Calhoun, Humboldt,
Cherokee, Sioux, Greene, Montgomery, Audubon, Guthrie, Pottawatta-
mie, Pocahontas, and Sac; Missouri reports them only in Atchison.
Kansas had a very severe visitation in some counties, viz: Mitchell,
McPherson, Pawnee, Washington, Ellis, Reno, Norton, Graham, Rice,
and Republic. Nebraska, however, received the brunt of the destruc-
tive invasion, reporting them in Furnas, Knox, Osage, Cuming, Dodge,
Webster, Franklin, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Boone, Lancaster, Platte,
Hall, Wayne, Merrick, Antelope, and Richardson. <A detailed summary
of the injuries inflicted will be found in our “extracts from correspond-
ence.” The farmers of this region, especially those west of the Missouri,
have suffered an incalculable disaster, and great suffering must be the
result. Our correspondent in Osage, Nebraska, after carefully noting
the incubation of these insects in a field of oat-stubble, estimates the
average number of deposits at fifteen per square inch, each deposit av-
eraging thirty eggs. ‘This gives the frightful aggregate of 2,826,688,000:
eggs per acre. This is doubtless a greatly exaggerated estimate, but
after every deduction enough remains for serious alarm. It is not to be
wondered at that some of our correspondents in this region call earn-
estly for the legal protection of insectivorous birds.

The C. femur rubrum did some damage in Westmoreland and Wash-
ington, Pennsylvania, to corn and grass crops. In Franklin, Virginia,.
and in Logan, Kentucky, they imitated one of the vices of civilization
by chewing tobacco; in Callaway they nearly destroyed the turnip-erop.
In Athens, Ohio, they devoured grapes. In Campbell, Tennessee, they
were unusually abundant and destructive to corn.

In the Southern States an insect called the grasshopper, but which
cannot be identified by any specific name from the description, is re-
ported in several counties. Our correspondent in Carroll, Georgia,
says:

Grasshoppers of a very distinctive kind have made their appearance here; some
green, some yellow, some striped. They are of a kind never seen here before, an@®

336

_great fears are felt on their account. Corn in some fields is already stripped of its
piades, and cotton-fields of the leaves; they appear to be moving in a northwest di-
rection.

This may be Oaloptenus differentialis, a specimen of which has been
received from Georgia. Grasshoppers of this or some other species
unidentified destroyed various crops in Bartow, Fayette, Forsyth, and
Floyd, Georgia, and in’ Etowah, Alabama.

COLORADO BEETLES, (Doryphera decemlineata.)—This pest has been far
less injurious to the potato-crop than last year. In the West their visits
were fortunately like angels’ visits—few and far between. Inthe East they
were quite generally diffused, but, except in New York, comparatively
harmless. They are reported in Chautauqua, Delaware, Onandaga,
Orange, Broome, Schuyler, Sullivan, and Suffolk, New York; Cumberland,
New Jersey; Chester and Lehigh, Pennsylvania; Prince George’s, Mary-
land; King and Queen and Richmond, Virginia; Perry, Ohio; Hayne,
Michigan; Elkhart, Indiana; Johnson, Illinois; Brown, Wisconsin ;
Steele, Minnesota; Howard, lowa; Antelope, Nebraska.

ARMY WORM, (Leucania unifructa {?| )—This insect is reported in
Linn, Oregon, as eating potato-vines and then destroying the tubers.
An insect under this name, but not identified, injured corn in East Fe-
liciana, Louisiana.

MISCELLANEOUS.—Grub-worms (Lachnosterna, sp.) injured pastures
in Washington, Pennsylvania. In Spartanburgh, South Carolina, the
cabbage-crop was destroyed by a green worm, (Pieris rape [?]) In
Franklin, Virginia, tobacco was punctured in the stalk by a worm that
devoured the pith, while in Logan, Kentucky, the flea- bugs (Haltica |?)
destroyed the plants. Wire-worms (Hlater, sp.) injured corn in Law-
rence, Indiana. A prolific insect called cut-worm, very different from
the ordinary cut-worm, destroyed root-crops, vegetables, and fruit in
Benton, Oregon. Several counties report new insects injuring corn.
‘The leaf-hopper (Hrythroneura [?] ) injured grapes in Westmoreland,
Pennsylvania, and in Grant, West Virginia, there is a panic about the
dreaded Phylloxera.

337

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341

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

GRASSHOPPERS.—Georgia—Bartow, August 1: Within the past week
grasshoppers have made their appearance in alarming numbers in some
localities, and are doing considerable damage. One corn-field of twelve
acres has not a blade of fodder left on it, and many of the young ears
are destroyed. This has all been done this week. Carroll: A very de-
structive kind, never before seen here, have made their appearance.
Some are green, some yellow, and some striped. Some corn-
fields are already stripped of their blades, and some cotton-fields of
their leaves. All appear to be moving in a northwest direction. Cobb;
It looks as if the grasshoppers would give us a great deal of trouble.
They are very numerous in places, and are devastating all pasturage. On
some plantations they have commenced their ravages on cotton and
corn. They are supposed to be the same species that ravaged the
Western States a year or two ago. The farmers are killing them in
great quantities, but it does little good. Floyd: Have made their ap-
pearance in many localities. They are very numerous, and probably will
do a great deal of mischief. They have thus far confined their depre-
dations principally to the clover and stubble fields, though they have
damaged the crops of cotton and corn in some cases. Fayette: Are do-

ing some damage to crops in places. Fulton: Made their appearance
on the first day of July. They caused great alarm, but are doing little
damage. They are migrating southward. Henry: Have made their
appearance, but as they seem to operate on the stubble-lands, they have
not done much damage as yet. Walton: Are doing damage in some
localities. Welkes: Appearing in quantities in some places. No serious
injury.

Tennessee.—Lincoln: Are numerous. They are now destroying our
elover-fields and injuring other crops.

Minnesota.—Jackson : Are here yet; itis a hard matter to estimate.
the damage done by them. Meeker: Will injure the wheat in a few
places. Nicollet: Are destroying the crops and depositing their eggs.
Nobles : Came upon us just as the earliest grains were ready to harvest.
Wheat, corn, and timothy are very badly damaged, and other crops
totally destroyed. They have laid eggs fora crop next year. Pope:
The prospect of uncommonly good crops was very fine until about two
weeks ago, when the grasshoppers came. Though they did inealeula-
ble injury, yet they did not stay long enough to effect a total destruc-
tion of crops. The air was filled with the pest, clouding the sun. They
did not seem to design utter destruction of vegetation, but rather to
leave their progeny. Eggs were laid all over the region. This work
done, they rose on favoring winds and went southeast. Their stay on
an average was about one week—in some places, only four days; in others,
ten. Redwood: Damaged all the crops. The vines of beans and potatoes
have been almost wholly eaten up, and the foliage of fruit and certain
forest-trees almost wholly stripped off. Sibley: In eight townships the
erops have suffered severely from grasshoppers. Stearns: The advance
guard came on the 22d of July; the main army appeared the next day
about 11 a. m., and by 4 p. m. every bush, flower, tree, shrub, fence, and
field was literally covered with them. They are still with us, and are:
depositing their eggs. Stevens: There would have been a full average
of all crops, and perhaps more, had not the grasshoppers visited this
county. Yodd: The grasshoppers struck us the 19th of July, and have

4A

342

destroyed at least 67 per cent. of the crops of this county. As near as
I can find out, the column is about seventeen miles wide. They came
in from the west by north. One of the finest crops we have had for ten
or twelve years is destroyed. There is barely enough left to pay for
reaping. Yesterday I cut barley that should have yielded fifty-eight
bushels per acre, and I will scarcely get five. The heads are cut off and
lying on the ground. Watonwan: Have destroyed the wheat-crops of
the county. Yellow Medicine: In the counties Renville, Chippewa, and
Swift, and parts of Kandiyohi and Yellow Medicine, oats.and barley are
a complete failure, on account of the grasshoppers. Blue Earth: The
western towns are alive with grasshoppers, but they have come rather
late to seriously injure wheat or oats.

Iowa.—Clay : The total failure of some crops, and the partial failure
of others, is owing to the grasshoppers. Thousands of acres of grain
and vegetables have been destroyed. They will be the cause of driving
out many settlers. O’Brien: Came in immense swarms on the 27th of
July. The destruction has already been very great, and they are still
here. Siouw; The grasshoppers came down last week; corn is half
destroyed, and unless they leave soon will be a total failure. Wood-
bury: The grasshoppers have pretty generally destroyed corn through-
out the Territory of Dakota. They have done some damage to the crop
in the northwestern counties of this State, but have not visited this
county. f

Colorado.— Weld: Made their appearance August 1. One day and
night served to strip corn, gardens, late oats, and buckwheat. To-day
(August 2) they have nearly all gone from.here to the southeast. Corn
being generally backward will be a total loss. Park: The prospect is
that we shall not be troubled with grasshoppers.

Montana.—Choteau : Have destroyed almost the entire grain-crop.
All the wheat is gone. The stock-range has been also eaten to a great
extent ; many spots are entirely bare. Jefferson: The decrease in crops
arises from the ravages of grasshoppers. They have all gone southwest.

Dakota.—Buffalo: The entire corn-crop has been eaten by the grass-
hoppers. Wheat and oats, owing to the drought, ripened early, and
were harvested in time to escape them. Clay: Have destroyed nearly
all the corn, and about half the wheat and oats. They are now depos-
iting eggs. It is the worst grasshopper raid ever known. Hanson; We
are again visited by the everlasting grasshopper. They have been with
us for the last four days, and have left nothing of corn and buckwheat
but the naked stalks. Oats are badly damaged; wheat and barley were
nearly harvested before they came, and potatoes and sorghum were
slighted by them; but they went through the gardens like a whirl-
wind. Minnehaha: Have made their appearance slightly, and have
damaged some fields. Richland: Are now upon us. They came yester-
day, August 1; a few days late. Gardens are all swept clean; not
very much damage done to grain. Stutsman: Did but little damage
except to oats, which they nearly destroyed. There are none here at

resent.
i New Mexico.—San Miguel: In the spring the grasshoppers did a great
deal of damage to small grain in parts of the county. Taos: The
grasshoppers continue their work of destruction in this valley. They
have done great damage to the crops, but corn is doing well, as they
have not touched it in the whole county.

Pennsylvania.— Westmoreland, September 1; Did some injury to corn.
Washington : Have injured pastures.

Virginia.—Franklin ; Still damaging the tobacco.

343

f Georgia.—Bartow; Killing out some clover-fields and doing some dam-
age to corn and cotton. Forsyth: Have appeared on some farms in con-
siderable quantities, and are destroying some fodder, &c. Floyd; Have
been destructive in some localities to both cotton and corn, and are
still devastating entire fields.

Alabama.—Htowah : Have devoured clover-crops in several localities,

Tennessee.—Campbell: More abundant than ever known; hatched out
about the 20th of June; now from 1 to 14 inches long; have begun to -
eat the corn-blades.

Kentucky.—Calloway: The grasshoppers and bugs have nearly de-
stroyed our turnip-crop. Logan: Devoured much of the tobacco as soon
as set out.

Ohio.—Athens: Injured grasses. ;

Minnesota.— McLeod: Came from the northeast about the middle of
July, and spread nearly over the whole county. Have injured oats,
barley, and late corn considerably and wheat to some extent, and have
deposited many eggs. Some are reported as hatching, and others as
being destroyed by a worm or insect; but millions apparently will be
left to hatch next spring. Yellow Medicine: Grasshoppers and dry
weather have nearly ruined the corn-crop and taken nearly all the oats.
Half of the State is covered with grasshoppers. Redwood: Grasshop-
pers and drought have destroyed the crops this year more than ever

before. Swift: Have done a great deal of damage. They commenced
depredations about the 5th of July; there have been three or four swarms.

They are now mostly gone, but have left their eggs in great numbers.

Faribault: Injured corn 10 per cent., potatoes 50 per cent., and nearly
destroyed beans. About the 15th of August they lit down on us from
the northwest in countless numbers. They were about eight days in
passing over the county and seeding it with eggs to such an extent as
to destioy all hopes of crops for the coming year. Meeker: Destroyed
nearly all the beans. Nicollet: Came with the wind from the north and
west and went south and west. Of cereals, they cut the oats most;
destroyed much of the corn and potatoes and garden-stuff. They have
. been depositing their eggs for the last two months. Brown: Reduced
corn, wheat, and ryeto 25; oats, barley, and buckwheat to10. Blue Harth =
Injured thecorn somewhat and ruined beans. The county is literally filled
with their eggs. Some of the eggs are being eaten by a small worm or
maggot, and some by asmallred bug. Nobles: A small amount of corn
and wheat escaped the grasshoppers; other crops are almost a total loss.
Stevens: Have cut down our crops fearfully within the past month.
Todd: Are all over the county; there is scarcely a foot of prairie or
timber land on which eggs cannot be found. Stearns: Overrun the
county and deposited millions of eggs. Rock: Everything was favor-
able for excessive crops when the grasshoppers came. They reduced
wheat 50 per cent.; corn and oats, 67; potatoes, 75, and ruined beans.

Jowa.—Crawford: Injured corn 33 per cent. Clay: Have nearly

ruined our crops. Harrison; Made their appearance on the 17th of
August ; reduced an extra corn-crop to an average; destroyed buck-
wheat and gardens, are injuring fruit, and depositing their eggs over
the whole county. Humboldt: Have injured corn and nearly ruined
buckwheat and beans. Calhoun: Have trimmed around corn-fields and
so injured buckwheat that it will not be cut. Cherokee: Came with a
north wind, on the 6th of August, staid two weeks, and have deposited
eggs to some extent. They damaged wheat slightly and a very heavy
corn-crop at least 25 per cent. Sioux; Reduced corn to 40; wheat and
barley to 70; oats to 80, and potatoes to 10. Greene ; Swarm of grass-

344

hoppers are destroying the county. Montgomery: Came August 25.
Have done no injury as yet, except in afew gardens. They seem un-
easy asif they desired to leave. The wind has only been favorable for
them one day since their arrival. Audubon; Came in clouds on the
24th of August; are doing some damage on the corn and filling the
ground with eggs. Guthrie: Coming on us during the last week by
millions. Looks as if they intended to stay with us, and if they do our
erops will suffer greatly. Pottawattamie : Made their appearance in
strong force on the 23d of August. Have done considerable damage
and are laying eggs in large quantities. Pocahontas: Have come and
gone again without doing much damage except to gardens. Sac: The
red-legged grasshoppers came about the 15th of August in such numbers
as to materially injure our growing crops.

MISsoURI.—Atchison; Are coming down upon us to-day in great
numbers.

Kansas.—Mitchell : Came from the north, the wind being from that
direction, August 23. Began to come down at 9 in the morning, and
by night the ground was literally covered with them. They commence
to go into the crops as the sun goes down, on the south and west sides
of the field. They are eating the blades off the corn, which is
loaded with them, and the leaves off the trees. Early corn is now quite
hard, and will not be seriously injured. Pawnee: Made their appear-
ance August 24, coming from the northwest. Most of them passed over,
but a few alighted, owing to the changing of the wind to the south.
Corn is too far advanced to be injured, and they are not doing much
harm except to gardens. Washington: Visited us August 24, at 11
o’clock in the morning, coming from the northwest. So far they have
alighted on about half of the county. They are stripping the blades
from the corn, but appear to pay more attention to the process of incu-
bation than feeding. The prevalence of a south wind has kept them
here until to-day, (August 31.) The north wind is now blowing, and
they are filling the air by the million, passing rapidly to the northwest.
They have deposited no eggs, and done little damage. Hllis: A visit-
ation from grasshoppers last week ruined the late corn, and injured all
somewhat. Reno: Commenced to alight August 31, at 11 in the morn-
ing, and are eating everything green. At 2 p. m. to-day, September 1,
many of them flew away. They have almost ruined the late crops,
especially corn. Norton: Have ruined the corn-crops. Barton: Ap-
peared August 24 from the north, in vast swarms, and have destroyed
all late corn and potatoes, beans, turnips, &c., and the wheat that was
up. To-day, August 31, with a strong north wind, they are going south.
They have made no deposit of eggs. Graham; Descended in clouds,
and remained five days, destroying our corn, buckwheat, turnips, and
gardens. Rice: Have returned, for the last week, in as great numbers
as two years ago. The corn, except the late sod corn, which they have
riddled, was out of their way. They have mostly left. Republic: Filled
the air, August 24, when corn-fields were ravaged, and gardens disap-
peared in an afternoon. We have the assurance that we shall raise our
own grasshoppers next year, for initiatory steps are being taken to give
usalarge supply. Butler: On the last day of August, I was in Wichita,
Sedgwick County. About 4 o’clock p. m., a very large column of grass-
hoppers passed over. In their flight they made a noise like the rattling
of a train of cars. I do not know how far the column extended west,
but it extended more than twelve miles east of Wichita. Their flight
was toward the south. Although the main part passed over, enough
stragglers were left in the valley of the Arkansas to eat every vestige of

345

green wheat as fast as it came outof the ground. Somefew appeared as far
east as El Dorado, but no damage worthy of mention has yet been done
in Butler County. yt
Nebraska.— York : The grasshoppers have called on us again. They
came down August 10 from the northeast and staid two weeks to a day.
August 24 they left, going southeast. They have eaten almost every-
thing green, destroying all garden vegetables and taking the leaves off
the trees. The fruit-trees, such as apple. cherry, and plum, are leaf-
ing and blossoming again. The plum-trees have ripe fruit and blos-
soms, which is something I never heard of before. Furnas : Came down
in dense clouds from the northeast, so thick as to darken the sun, having
the appearance of vast clouds of smoke. Nothing of the kind has
equaled this raid since the earliest history of the country. Some have
laid eggs. Weare compelled, asin 1874, to note an almost total destruc-
tion of corn and all late vegetables. nox: Entirely destroyed the corn
and garden-products and the oats so badly that many fields were not
reaped. Osage; Caine August 24, and are still here. Have taken pota-
toes, buckwheat, and beans clean; have injured corn about 15 per cent.
and are still at work onit. Have deposited eggs in great quantities.
They incline to travel southeast, but the wind is against them. Cuming:
Came from Dakota August 4; staid about ten days; injured late corn
and potatoes, beans, gardens, &c.; deposited many eggs, and have
nearly all gone southward. Insects will destroy their eggs, and birds,
quails, and prairie-chickens will eat their young when quite small in
untold millions. In their matured state nothing can successfully cope
with them save quails, prairie-chickens, and other insectivorous birds.
Dodge: Swept down upon us from the great Northwest August 10, bring-
ing terror to the hearts of our people. They remained about two weeks
and deposited eggs inimmense numbers. Hops were entirely destroyed ;
fruit-trees are stripped of their leaves and in some sections of the new
growth of bark. But half the cornisleft. Webster: Injured corn slightly.
Franklin: Damaged corn 50 per cent. Have now all gone southwest.
Adams: Have taken about half the corn and injured young trees 50 per
cent. Saunders : Have re-appeared since the last report. Corn, potatoes,
and sorghum have been largely damaged; tobacco, buckwheat, and
beans have been wholly and gardens mainly destroyed; and the earth
is filled with eggs. Seward: Came from the north in immense quanti-
ties. They fed upon the corn and cultivated grapes, and destroyed 80
per cent. of the buckwheat. A few linger still in the south part of the
county, traveling southwest. Thayer: Alighted about a week ago.
Have injured corn very badly and taken all the garden-products. Boone:
Came in large numbers August 3. Have destroyed all buckwheat,
beans, and late corn, stripped the foliage from all young trees, and killed
young fruit-trees. They staid about three weeks; have all gone south.
Lancaster: Are eating everything. Platte: In their flight south visited
our county on the 10th of August, and in consequence of adverse winds
remained two weeks. They entirely ruined late corn, made general
havoe of vegetables, and filled ourland with eggs. Wayne: Alighted
and commenced work August 6 and 10. Injured late corn 25 per cent.,
potatoes slightly, deposited their eggs, and left August 13. Antelope:
Came from the north August 5 in countless numbers, and swept late
corn, buckwheat, potatoes, and beansclean. Richardson: First appeared
yesterday, Angust 30, in small numbers from the northwest. Merrick:
Crops promising up to the 10th of August, when the grasshoppers came
with the wind from the north. The next day the wind changed and
continued rather strong from the south jfor a week. The hoppers had

346

to stay on the ground and could not do much damage. On the 18th, the
wind being from the northeast, they left, but toward evening a lot more
came, On the 24th all left for the south. Buckwheat, late beans, gar-
«alen-vegetables, late potatoes, &c., are a total loss. On the 17th some
‘deposited eggs where the ground was bare. Hall: Large swarms
appeared from the northwest August 10 at noon. Commenced deposit-
‘ing eggs on the 13thand 14th; on the 14th some left; still larger masses
‘came in their stead, mostly from the northeast. Farmers generally tried
to smoke them out, but most abandoned the effort after the third day. I
protected my garden from ten days, but from the 11th to the 13th they piled
‘in on me so fearfully that [ could not keep them from stripping nearly
‘every tree of its foliage. They have eaten about one-third of the apples
cand half the early with all the late corn. On the 23d and 24th they
Jeft in a southern direction, the wind being from the northwest.
Oolorado.—Fremont: Appeared on the 5th of August. Have de-
stroyed 75 per cent. of the corn, all the buckwheat, and a large portion
of garden-vegetables. Millions have left, but many more have come to

take their place. Weld: Destroyed all the buckwheat, nearly all the |

corn, and badly injured potatées.

DISEASES AMONG FARM ANIMALS.—Worth Carolina.—Camden, August
1: Hogs are dying rapidly in some sections of the county, and the pros-
pects of the pork-crop are not flattering. In some neighborhoods the
disease seems to be quinsy ; in others measles.

Florida.—Jefferson: Some complaint of cholera among hogs. Madi-
son: Cholera among hogs reported in some places. Suwannee: Hog
cholera very destructive in some localities, and some complaints of
black-tongue among cattle. Santa Rosa: During the year I frequently
noticed great losses of hogs from disease. When living seven miles
south of Montgomery, Ala., we usually killed about 150 fine hogs
annually, and though the hog-disease was all around us, we never lost
butone hog. We prevented the disease by giving them copperas, mixed
with chops, once or twice a week. We also frequently mopped them
with coal-tar. The object inthis last was to keep the lice off. The only
hope is to prevent the disease, not to cure it.

Alabama.—Conecuh ; At my. last report a few hogs were dying with
cholera. From the 1st to the 20th of July, some farmers lost almost their
entire stock. It is generally estimated that at least 75 per cent. of all
the hogs within 5 miles of Evergreen have died within the last six weeks.
I gave my hogs spirits of turpentine, and all recovered. Dale: Hogs
are dying with cholera; not many in the county. Jefferson: Hogs are
dying with some disease called cholera.

Arkansas.—Prairie: We are having trouble with a disease among our
horses. They are taken as in the epizooty, and after they apparently
recover they break out with immense sores like boils, for which there is
discovered, so far, no remedy.

Tennessee.— Monroe : Hog cholera is still prevailing in some localities;
50 per cent. have died. Some bave lost 40 out of 60. We have now
found out that calomel will cure them.

Indiana.—Huntington: A great many hogs are dying with cholera, some
farmers losing nearly all they have.

Illinois.—Jackson : In the northern partof this county hogs are dying
from some disease like measles.

Missouri.—Clay : A great fatality among hogs from cholera. Cole:
Hog-cholera still raging.

BRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.— Georgia.—Mitchell, August 1: Our crop-

347

/

prospects are better at this date than for ten years past. The corn-crop
ig now safe, and the fodder being pulled ; the yield of this cereal, owing
to the greatly increased area, will be ample for home-supplies, and will
greatly increase the supply of meat, as the hogs will be better fed than
usual. All kinds of stock areremarkably healthy and in fine condition,
especially cattle and sheep, and our people are better supplied with
beef and mutton than at any time since the war. Our farmers will now
be able to live at home, and have their cotton-crop as a money surplus.
The failure of the fruit-crop is seriously felt, and will greatly increase
the bilious disorders of our section. Thomas: The season is fine. Corn
is made, and a better crop than any since 1865. There is no boll-worm or
caterpillar, and cotton looks well. Sugar-cane is good, and the acreage
larger than usual. Farmers are hopeful. We have an abundant supply
of feed, and if we had hogs we would make a full supply of meat and
bread without going West for any. The cholera killed our hogs.
Troup : I never saw such a year in my life. Seasons have been very
favorable for all crops. If no disaster befall us we will have the best
crops made since the war. Corn is outof danger. Heard: The seasons
are fine, and our crop-prospects are the best we have had for years.
Florida.—Levy : This has been the best season for crops since 1866.
Reports from all parts of the State represent that the crop-prospects are
better than usual. There are noreports of insects. The new settlers in
this county are well pleased with the climate, especially its healthiness,

- and there is a prospect of a large immigration from the North this fall.

Alabama.—Russell : Crops are better now than at any time since the
war, and the prospect forethe farmer is very flattering. reedmen have
done more and better work, with less trouble and rations, than in any
year since they have been free. They are beginning to see and act for
themselves. One great cause of this reform is that a large per cent. of
the most worthless ones emigrated to the West last winter.

Texas.—Kendall: The yield of corn will be fully double that of any
year for the last ten. The prospects for cotton are excellent. Potatoes
promise an immense yield; and the yield of wild fruit, such as grapes,
cherries, apples, and plums, is unprecedented. Nacogdoches : The pros-
pect for all kinds of crops is better than for the last six years; for corn
better than for fifteen years. The corn forwarded from the Department
is three to four weeks earlier than any we have had, and suits this cli-
mate. Navarro: The corn-crop is better than for many years. Some
claim to have made, without subsoiling, 60 to 75 bushels per acre. The
average will be about 50 bushels peracre. Robertson: Not only in this
county, but all over this section of country, we are having the most
plentiful crops for years. Jive Oak: Five times as much corn as last
year was planted, and the yield is twice as great,

Arkansas.—Baaxter : Crops of all kinds are looking well. Quite a
number of farmers are buying reapers, mowers, and other improved im-
plements for cultivating the soil. JIzard; The general outlook for the
farmer of this county was probably never better than at present. His
labors last year were richly rewarded. Abundant supplies of food and
forage have enabled him to prosecute his work this season with unusual
vigor, and his efforts have again been greatly blessed. Neither drought,
flood, nor storm has befallen him; no prevailing disease affects his do-
mestic animals, and peace and plenty reign throughout the land.

Indian Territory.—Choctaw Nation : We have had an unusual amount
of rain this season. Corn is splendid. One old white farmer in Paul’s
Valley, in the Chickasaw Nation, has now 35,000 bushels of old corn on
hand, besides several hundred acres in corn now that will average 60

348

bushels to the acre. There isno hay in this Nation, save the wild prai-
rie-grass, but the wet season has kept the prairies green with a most
excellent crop for hay. é;

Dakota.—Davison: The crops of wheat and oats are better than ever
before. They are nearly all harvested, and the berry is plump and of
good color. Corn and potatoes are as good as could be desired, This
year is one of plenty.

HARVEST ASPECTS.—Maine.—Penobscot, September 1: Crops of all
kinds are good, and harvested in good order.

New Jersey.— Ocean : By those in this section who depend upon agri-
culture for a subsistence this season will long be remembered as being
one of the most discouraging ever experienced. The low price of pro-
duce combines with the excessive drought, which has so materially
shortened the crops, to make the season a hard one.

Pennsylvania.— York : Harvest is over; the weather was fair, and all
the crops housed are large in quantity and good in quality. All the
products of the earth in this centennial year are blessed. Everything
is good and fruitful, except work and money.

Virginia.—Loudoun: Farmers all seem satisfied with their crops,
but many are disheartened by the extremely low prices. Our county
mills generally give $1 per bushel for wheat, and this pays better than
shipping. Freight and commission very often reduce the price to 60 and
75 cents per bushel, in the neighboring town of Alexandria. Cattle
have fattened well, but beef is very low. I cannot see that our
farmers will make any money this year. Swusgex: So far as my observa-
tions here and information from other sections of the State extend, I feel
like congratulating the people of this county, and, indeed, of all Vir-
ginia, on the magnificent prospects for corn, cotton, and meat. I have
no doubt that we are rapidly returning to our former happy state of
‘‘ peace and plenty.” Providence has certainly smiled on us this centen-
pial year. Greenville: The farmers are turning attention to the making
of their own meat and hay, and the good crops are producing quite a
cheerful prospect.

Alabama.—fRussell: The indications are that the adverse fortunes
which have so long oppressed our country are to be lifted and prosperity
again greet us. Food-crops are abundant ali over our land. For the
first time in years this county will not have its granaries in the West.
Heavy interest on the bread eaten and hopeless regrets belong to the
bitter memories of past struggles. Cotton will soon become, as it should,
a surplus crop in this section. Economy, hard work, and prudent hus-
bandry have accomplished a wonderful reform in this part of the coun-
try. Limestone: Our people, being convinced that raising cotton alone
is ruining them, are turning much of their time to the raising of pro-
vision-crops.

Arkansas.—Franklin: Bread and meat are now abundant and cheap,
and so island. It is a favorable time for immigration, and we have
plenty of room.

MINoR CRoPs.—Maryland.— Wicomico: It is estimated that over a
million watermelons have been shipped from this county this year.

New York.— Wayne: There is an immense crop of peppermint ; the
greatest yield of peppermint-oil ever known.

Virginia.—Prince George: Peanuts are looking well, though the stand
is not good.

South Carolina.—Spartanburgh : The green worm has completely de-
stroyed the cabbage-crop; no remedy found as yet.

349

Georgia.—Liberty: The pea-crop is promising. Jefferson: The pea-
crop is promising. Twiggs: We have a good crop of pease.

Florida.— Hamilton : Pease are doing well. Putnam : The orange-crop
is good. }
Alabama.—Jefferson: Chufa is being tested extensively and gives gen-
eral satisfaction. My opinion is that it will prove more valuable to the
South, as food for hogs and hay for cattle, than any other crop. Shelby:

The pea-crop is promising.

Texas.—Rusk : Ground-pease are doing well and promise a large yield.

Ohio.—Lucas : The cabbage-worm is doing great injury.

Missouri.—Lawrence: Flax yields 14 bushels of seed per acre. Vernon:
Flax was cut short by wet and weeds ; yield not over 2 bushels per acre.
Castor-beans are 2 per cent. above average.

Tennessee.—Sumner : There is-a growing interest in this county in
cultivating broom-corn. There are instances in which the land at $40
per acre has been purchased with one crop of broom-corn.

Texas.—Shackelford : Had there been a column for broom-corn I shouid
have marked it 100.

SUPERSEDING COTTON WITH CEREALS.—Tevxas.—Austin: Owing to
short crops of cotton for the past two years, and the low price, with no
prospect for improvement in the immediate future, many of our cotton-
farmers are becoming disheartened and directing their attention to other

agricultural pursuits. Cotton has been grown asa specialty so long, and

there being no present market for other products, it is rather difficult to
decide which to choose. Aut Galveston is now just commencing to ship
grain, and the production Cf small grain is recommending itself to our
farmers. As there is generally a lack of working force this will perhaps
be the easiest to cultivate and the most profitable. Itremains to decide
which are the varieties best adapted to our locality. Experience
has shown that the white starchy varieties of wheat and oats will not
succeed as a general thing; but as the red rust-proof oats succeed ad-
mirably, it is safe to infer that the red. hardier, and coarser varieties of
wheat would also do well. It is stated that these varieties succeed in
North Africa, which has a climate much the same as this part of Texas.
Different varieties of barley succeed very well here, but as yet have
been cultivated only on a very limited scale, since there was no market.
A local market is now developing, and several farmers intend to enter
into the production of barley. With proper care, very good tobacco can
be grown here, and it is desirable to give several varieties a trial. We
naturally look to the Department for aid in this effort to extend the
number of our staple products.

GERMAN MILLET.—Georgia—Gwinnett: German millet, lately intro-
duced here, is a wonderful success. It yields more forage than any
other crop.

Arkansas—Arkansas : In this county millet is quite a success. Over
two-thirds of the farmers are raising it, and the crop is looking beauti-
ful. Izard: The only hay-crop worth noticing is German millet, which is
quite promising.

Tennessee—Sullivan: Millet is sown more than ever before, and prom-
ises an enormous crop on the land sown.

HUNGARIAN GRASS.—Pennsylvania—Bedford: Hungarian grass seems
to gain favor with our farmers. Its great yield under fair culture and
season makes it a profitable crop for feed. Montgomery: We are just
introducing Hungarian grass. It matures in a short time, and is well
spoken of by those who have tried it.

350

Georgia—Richmond: Hungarian grass was above average 10 per cent.,
and fully 50 per cent. above last year’s crop.

Mississippi—Jackson: The Hungarian grass succeeded well, and is
looked upon by our stock-men as a godsend to the South. Its true
value is as yet understood but by few.

DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS.—Arkansas—Arkansas : The late floods have
been especially severe on the bottoms, destroying thousands of acres of
corn and cotton, both of which promised extra crops. Twelve inches of
rain fell (July 13) in one day. Floods destroyed 25 per cent. of corn-
erop and 35 to 40 per cent. of cotton-crop.

Montgomery, Tennessee : Floods very destructive ; damage probably equal
to that of the memorable freshet of 1837.

Morgan, Ohio: Rain-fall during July, 7.8 inches.

HARVEST WAGES.—Howard, Iowa: From $2.50 to $3 per day, with
board, is demanded by harvest-hands.

HARD TIMES.—Alabama, Franklin ; The oldest business men in the
country say they bave passed through all kinds of reverses and hard
times, from 1837 down; but that they have never known anything to
equal the present in the utter prostration of all business. There is
absolutely nothing doing, and no money. De Kalb; Times are harder
than ever before ; “trade “ot all kinds is dull, and a general gloom per-
vades this whole ‘section.

BEES IN TExAsS.—The Italian honey-bees, introduced last year, are
doing remarkably well.

«

TAR ON FRUIT-TREES.—North Carolina, Montgomery: According to
the experience of Mr. Henry Reynolds of this county, tar is a perfect
remedy for scarred and sun-cracked apple-trees. He says that by coat-
ing with new tar the trunk of a favorite fruit-bearer that was cracked
and so decayed that the bark was dead and would peel off, he bas
restored it fully. He applies it to all the branches that show signs of
decay. Since practicing this cheap remédy, he has not been troubled
with insects. By applying tar to the trunk, and clearing away the
surface at the roots so as to let it run down on them, peach-trees badly
damaged by borers are fully restored. Replace the dirt, and you will
have no more trouble with the tree for two years or more. If the tar is
applied to young trees, the borers wiil not trouble them at all. He
states that the coating should be applied in the winter, or early i in the
spring, with new tar.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS.

By Tuomas TayLor, MICROSCOPIST.

CRANBERRY-ROT.—In the Third Annual Report of the New Jersey
State Board of Agriculture for 1875, page 66, the following statement
appears :

Thus far the efforts of the New Jersey Cranberry Association to discover a remedy
for the rot have been unsuccessful. Liming bas not appeared to be in any degree
effective. Bothin regard to the malady, and in the cure or preventives suggested

there is a very wide range of opinion, based upon observation of localities having very
great differences of conditions.

It is true, doubtless, that the Cranberry Association has failed to

351

discover a remedy for the rot of the cranberry, and that among its mem-
bers there is some difference of opinion as to its cause and cure; but it
has been publicly acknowledged by the association that peaty fermen-
tation of cranberry-bogs had never been considered a cause of cranberry-
rot until it was demonstrated by the investigations of the microscopist
of this Department ; and the leading cultivators of the cranberry in New
Jersey have acknowledged, by letter, from time to time, to the Commis-
sioner of Agriculture, the great benefit of his labors to the State of New
Jersey ; and, furthermore, at a late annual meeting of the association
the president stated that the investigations made by him (the micro-
scopist) would save hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cranberry-
growers of the State. All this is wholly overlooked by the writer.

But “liming,” he says, ‘‘ has not appeared to be in any degree effect-
ive.” The fact is that liming has never been thoroughly tested. This
statement may be rather startling to some cranberry-growers, as it is
well-known that Dr. Merreman has used 40 bushels of lime to the acre,
and others have probably done asmuch. This leads to the question, for
what purpose was the application of the lime recommended? Lime may
be employed to prevent the decay of wood and other organic substances,
or it may be employed for their decomposition. We have examples of
the first in ships and other wooden structures used in the transporta-
tion of burnt lime. In these cases the lime is in excess of the organic
matter, and the moisture of the wood is absorbed by the lime, and all
the proximate principles of the wood are preserved; but if the condi-
tions are reversed, and water and organic fiber are in excess of the newly-
burnt lime, the woody fibers will decay. Lime may be employed to
reduce vegetable substances, to correct acid in the soil, for the solution
of silica, or for the decomposition of salts of iron. The sulphate of iron
is often found in peaty soils, in which case the lime would combine with
the acid, forming sulphate of lime, and oxide of iron would be precipi-
tated. But the main use of lime, as recommended to the cranberry-
growers, is to correct the acid condition of the peaty matter. Had they,
therefore, after a trial of one or two years, reported that the acidity of
the soil had been corrected, yet without practical results, such a report
would supply a good basis for criticism ; but the cranberry-growers have
made no practical examination of the soil since the lime was applied,
and they are not, therefore, prepared to make an intelligent report on
the subject. All that is asserted is that the berries on the newly laid
out bogs rot as much as ever, while those on the superior old bogs do
not.

The value of lime to wet cranberry-land can never be known without
repeated experiments and carefel observation of results.

The bad condition of the bog-lands was discovered by digging up the
subsoil, by its taste and smell, by chemical analysis, and by its com-
parison with soils known to produce uniformly healthy fruit. Some
soils have been found so bad as to be practically irreclaimable. As has
been stated heretofore, the composition of cranberry-land varies very
much in New Jersey, not only as to its composition, but as to the quan-
tity and quality of its peaty matter. It varies in thickness from 3 inches
to 6 feet. It is obvious, therefore, that if 40 bushels of lime are neces-
sary to bring into proper cultivation 3 inches of bad soil, it would take
160 bushels for a bad soil 12 inches thick. But it has been found that
an uncultivated bog near the plantation of N. H. Bishop, Manahawkin,
N. J., which was 6 feet thick, was nearly devoid of sulphureted-hy-
drogen odor and acid condition, and, with the bountiful supply of water
at command, irrigation and sanding would supply all the elements neces-
sary to successful cultivation.

352 .

The black sand of the cranberry-lands of New Jersey contains about
24 per cent. of vegetable matter. Where this is present no lime should
be used, at least on the high lands, but irrigation is always necessary.
The report of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture for 1875, page
28, gives an analysis of nine varieties of soil of that State, consisting of
gneiss, magnesian, slate, red shale, marl, soil of drift of South Jersey,
soil of alluvium, sea-border, and soil of the tide-marshes. The organic
matter contained in these soils is, respectively, 6.89, 5.52, 5.12, 7.45,
12.56, 1.90, 1.61, 4.14, 7.45 per cent. But the soil of the cranberry-bogs
on which lime has been applied at the rate of 40 bushels to the acre is
composed wholly of vegetable matter. In the same report, page 55,
appears the following statement of an experiment made with lime by
David Petit, esq., Salem, N. J.:

About twenty-five years ago I had a field of the outcropping of the middle green-
sand marl-bed covered with Pennsylvania slaked lime, 100 bushels to the acre, before
seeding with wheat. Iwas advised not to do so, that it would injure the crop, for lime
applied directly to the wheat-crop would prevent its ripening and cause it to rust.
But the land being of a dark color and early, the crop was good, without rust, and I
had a good stand of young grass; but the next year the action of the lime with or
upon the marl (although it was the poor outcropping) was strong on the young clover—

gave it such an impetus in growth that it shot up above the timothy, then fell, anc?
smothered it out long before mowing time.

It is stated by William G. Woodnut, page 54, that he used 900 bushels
on one-third of an acre for a compost for low meadow to great advan-
tage. He says:

Nine hundred bushels on one-third of-an acre will make nearly 17 bushels-to the
rod, which will cover the land an inch deep. If the land was plowed 6 inches deep it

would make the compost one-seventh lime. The result of the compost when applied
to the lower meadow was very satisfactory.

The president of the West Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural
Association, Salem County, page 55, says:

Our farmers are using lime freely. * * * The quantity used per acre is from 40
to 60 bushels of slaked lime. * * * Many use it thus: The strips of land where

the lime lay in rows were plowed, lime and sod, under together. No result here til
after years. In fact its use seemed narrowed down to this—get the lime on.

William Statesir, esq., of Freehold, writes, page 56, that he uses 75
bushels to the acre with advantage.

We have evidence that in the Connecticut River Valley from 200 to
300 bushels to the acre have been used with advantage. In this valley,
doubtless, a large amount of organic matter is deposited yearly, and in
this case a large amount of lime may be profitably used. In the nine
cases of analysis given, the organic matter in the respective soils varies
from 1.90 to 12.56 per cent., the whole giving an average of about 5.84
per cent. The farmers use "from 40 to 100 bushels to the acre with ad-
vantage. Now the cranberry bogs will average, probably, 18 inches of
soil composed almost wholly of organic matter. If, then, 75 bushels
are required to the acre containing 5.74, say 6 per cent., of organic
matter, how much should a cranberry-grower use whose peaty soil con-
tains 75 per cent.? It would require 9374 bushels to the acre to equal
that used by the New Jersey farmer; but as a large portion of the solu-
ble lime would be washed away annually by irrigation, 1,000 bushels
per acre would sdarcely equal the farmer’s application of 40 or 50
bushels.

But, fortunately, these calculations do not apply to ail cranberry
lands, since some require little or no lime, and, as stated in a former re-
port on this subject, the use of lime in some cases would be injurious.

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Irrigation and heavy sanding are all that is required in many cases for
theimprovement of thesoil and ¢Gorrection of acid. Each cultivator must
be the judge as to the quantity of lime and irrigation required, guided
by the condition of the roots of the vines and the state of the soil.

The investigations made by the Department of Agriculture will lead,
in all probability, to better selections of land for this culture in the
future.

Mr. H. A. Green, of Atco, N. J., June 5, 1876, forwards to this De-
partment several sheets of natural paper which grow on his cranberry
bogs. This paper consists wholly of the mycelium (spawn) of a fer-
menting fungus, demonstrating that the peaty matter of his bog needs
liming and irrigation ; and nostronger proof could be advanced in favor
of the expressed views of the Department in relation to cranberry rot,
and the value of its investigation, than the growth of these matted
sheets on the flooded bogs.

BLACK KNOT.—In the bulletin of the Bussey Institution for 1876, p.
449, the following statement is made:

The best and, so far as we know, the only correct statement of the etiology of the
black knot was made by Mr. C. H. Peck, who,as we have already remarked, was the
first to describe the conidaial state of the fungus. He also first showed definitely
when the ascospores ripened, and correctly reasoned that the knot was caused by the
Spheria morbosa, and that the fungus on plums and cherries was the same.

In a letter written by Mr. Peck, dated February 16, 1874, and addressed
to Dr. Vasey, botanist of this Department, the following paragraph
appears:

Mr. Taylor, microscopist of your Department, in his article on black knot, has dem-
onstrated one fact of which I am glad, though I fear he has done it unwittingly. His
Fig. 6 shows conclusively the connection between the Cladosporium and the Spheria—a
connection which I long suspected, and to which I refer in my papers on this subject.

And, in a letter addressed to Mr. Taylor, dated Albany, March 9,
1874, Mr. Peck says:

I am much interested in your investigation of the black knot, and thank you for
your favor of the 6th instant.

The chief part of the excrescence is, without doubt, made up of the tissues of the
hest-plant, as shown by your specimens; and this unusual development of the tissues
must have a cause, which I believe should be sought in the irritating or stimulating
influence of the mycelium of the fungus. This need not necessarily permeate the
whole mass, for it is well known that the egg of an insect deposited in the tissues of
plants sometimes causes an excrescence very many times larger than itself. Dr.Vasey
kindly sent me the Report of the Department of Agriculture for January, and I was
glad to see that your Figs. 5 and 6 show the actual connection between the Clados-
porium and flocci, * * a connection which I had long suspected, but had never
actually detected. These flocci often bear spore-like bodies, as represented by Fig. 6,
which, in such cases of dimorphism, generally disappear by the time the true spores
are perfected. Doubtless the specimen you figure was young, or, for some reason,
sterile. You will find the real spores of the Spheria in sacks, included in the pere-
theria, and appearing as in Figs. T and U.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

THE COTTON MOVEMENT.—The crop of last year is mainly marketed
between September 1 of a given year and the same date of the next.
The National Cotton Exchange has made its statement of the commer-
cial operations of the cotton year. The aggregate amount of cotton in

354 ; "

-sight during the past year, including estimate of southern consumption,
and of such transportation as could not be fully recorded, is 4,632,313
bales, an increase of 804,468 over the movement of the previous year.
This is an increase of 17 percent. The following is the statement of
the net receipts at the ports:

187-76. 1874-75.
NG WRIOUICANIN ioe (02> - aeaceee eek se eee eee eee wees 1, 424, 003 993, 482
LUE EET EE Bg ee ee ee 465, 529 354, 927
aft DL De aS Sea aN ea a SS SIRE eS Re ey ty He ee oh Ho ae eee 8 374, 672 320, 822
Meeamlesp@H? js. > 20 Sle ore toe ek Nel Ct eee 396, 417 412, 931
rmeepeettena fo yoo ks ue ee CE Sey oe he ae ee 524, 720 606, 727
Winrar oo ae Es eee so ok Pee 2 ee eee 84, 042 76, 601
ERP SL eS SS ERRETS LE ips We PES Pe Spree nye ee SEN te 387, 279
APAMENIROLG,-\ 22482. 20 wos US ae $2 eo ao maee Oe eae a oe a aero 18, 724 18, 512
Mpwarerk:=i25 8224). Lo ool te Ses ees nt ATER SR NS i ee 219, 654 179, 163
SHbOn te 9s SCs ok ls eek Si aes ese Se 73, 327 39, 885
Riviadelphia : os. 2 laa se tens es A Ee eee eee eee 53, 823 39, 339
IBEOWIACNOB 925 ont ben 2d 5 Ale een Se an ee Ree oe eo 17, 415 6, 614
PRGVAROINY, IGHINONG oo +phcsoe es asee sabe eee one ae eee 30, 036 32, 385
ervieoy aL. 2225 250282 AEE OS RS ee. feet es 23, 529 27,912
Rridsmeia. © 4! 3 Shh Sh bd leh eaten 2 ee Lee eee ae 17, 924 12, 754
BER RNOEGS 323925 osbecdteb scshh.u< aie ey ee oe a 3, 671 388

Rigi eh oat5 bo step se ao Sawa an Senn ain sare py 3, 509, 691

Adding to this total the estimate of overland shipments to manufac-
turers, 305,327 bales, and estimated southern consumption, 131,315,
the total movement (called erroneously the “ total crop” in commer-
cial parlance) is made 4,632,313 bales. The average weight is made
469.67 pounds, making the aggregated pounds, 2,175,678,045.

The sea-island cotton movement, by States, is reported as follows:

Receipis ab, WAVanNaltes — slo oo woe oo ss ces Venton tae oo eae eee ewe 5, 036
Receipts at Charleston direct ...... .... .----- ~--- s---2 -22--2 += - ee 2, 482
Heespis at New York --¢ <<. 22.2. fac 24. sa- iene wae weenie S 80
Shipped to foreign ports from Florida direct.-....---.-------------- -----
Total sea-island, Florida... 2.222 --s<b.2tneees- esses e eee nee eee 7,598
Ppel visa SaVannNaAbes: 522-3. 6 ooo ee ees eee eae Coen cee aaa ee tee 7,172
Doeduct- Recetrved: trom, Plorida.<.-2i 22235 «te saspe ee ee zeae = 5, 036
Received from Charleston 2222). <2 2. sectic Sas Shek - 522 = ese
Received from Beaufort.--....----------------.----- 15
5, 051
Total sea-island, Georgia... . ------ 22 -s2--+ ccc oon 0 we eens sen ~~ oes 2, 121
Receipis at Charleston 2 oa sous. Jools tte a. See U2 EES BRS
seGcol pis al, Loridsoyales. oe: 2 is/2ees ee - Step ies-e = b B 435
Beaufort shipped to Savannah......-- ---- =... =. -- 2.22 ---25--5 15 aye

Deduct: Received from Florida direct..........-.-.---------- 2,482
Received from Florida via Savannah..............-- 1,434

3, 916
Total sea-island, South Carolina... ..--:....--.-.---.---2-200.0 --2cee- ae
Hevetyed a GalVOston.. - 3.0.5. 4ac2) oc acispiaeae + ohio wa eien ees - eiee 74
DURAN A OROS 6-2 ac.nan antocs - ope terete nena aces o> onl tee ae 74
Total sea-islandicrop\. 2.22 -)ss3ssle See sass aoe b ie dS Sasso eaten 14,515

Averaging 323.5 pounds per bale.

TRIAL OF WHEAT-SEED.—Mr. J. B. Armstrong, of Wicomico County,
Maryland, from an ounce of Fultz wheat, sown in drills, obtained 54
ounces of wheat, and 76 ounces from an ounce of Clawson. The moles
destroyed some of the later, or it would probably have equaled the yield
of the Fultz. The Clawson has a very strong straw and stands up well

355

while growing. Mr. L. M. Wilson, of same county, obtained 2 bushels
of fine white, flinty wheat from 14 pints of Clawson.

Crops IN ASHTABULA CouNtTy, OHI0.—According to the assessors’
reports the farmers of Ashtabula, Ohio, raised 94,784 bushels of wheat
from 8,120 acres; 2,240 bushels of rye from 275 acres; 4,475 of buck-
wheat from 349 acres; 556,988. of oats from 17,159 acres; 809 of barley
from 51 acres; 443,202 of corn from 12,083 acres; 558,891 of potatoes
from 5,286 acres; 58,187 tons of timothy-hay from 55,362 acres; 1,033
tons of clover-hay and 93 bushels of clover-seed from 693 acres; 15,000
pounds of flax and 536 bushels of flax-seed from 43 acres; and 4,450
pounds of tobacco from 2 acres. The number of acres plowed for ma-
nure was 41; acres in vineyard 72, producing 145,100 pounds of grapes
and 1,376 gallons of wine; sweet-potatoes raised, 37 bushels; butter
made, 1,058,072 pounds; cheese, 5,557,172 pounds; sorghum-molasses,
83 gallons; maple-molasses, 8,834 gallons; maple-sugar, 236,740
pounds; acres in orchard 5,359, producing 94,402 bushels of apples,
258 of peaches, and 583 of pears; total number of acres in farms,
319,197, of which 102,814 were under cultivation, 142,408 in pasture,
70,450 in forest and 3,525 waste lands. Wool shorn, 98,869; sheep
killed by dogs, 255, worth $1,046 ; sheep injured, 160; the aggregate in-
jury being estimated at $380, making a total damage of $1,426; a tax
upon the farming interest enforced by the toleration of 1,934 dogs in
the county.

TREE-PLANTING.—A correspondent in Livingston, Illinois, reports
that’ the planting of trees in groves and shelter-belts, and for
ornamental purposes, has become very general in that county. Ten
years ago 95 per cent. of the area of the county was treeless; but now
a farm without a grove is an exception to the general rule. Black-wal-
nut has the preference for profit and ease of cultivation ; but elm, soft
maple, willow, cottonwood, European larch and ash are common, while
evergreens are popular for ornamental purposes, and occasionally are
planted in groves and shelter-belts.

AGRICULTURAL STATUS OF MONROE COUNTY, VIRGINIA.—Mr. B.
B. Gwinn, president of the Indian Creek Farmers’ Club, makes a re-
port to the Department, for this county, from which the following is
condensed: A wheat-crop above average in yield-and of extra quality
has been harvested in good condition. A fair oat-crop has been secured.
Corn has been shortened by drought. An abundant hay-crop of superior
quality has been harvested without injury. The prospect for fall pas-
tures is good, and all kinds of stock are thriving, except sheep, which
have suffered greatly from the excessively hot weather.

A NEW AND LIMITLESS OUTLET FOR AMERICAN BEEF.—In our
Monthly Report for June, page 203, under the head of ‘“ Fresh beef in
London from the United States,” is a paragraph describing the condi-
tions under which fresh beef, in quarters, had been safely transported
across the Atlantic in the winter-months. Subsequent advices report
that the newly-discovered and patented process of preserving without
any chemical appliances, and transporting unimpaired, fresh beef by
simply suspending it in an atmosphere from which moisture is expelled
and kept at a uniformly cool temperature, proves equally successful in
the hottest weather. The Agricultural Gazette, speaking with refer-
ence to the London market, states:

As we are now in receipt of an average weekly supply of some 400 tons of American
beef, which, after being killed and packed about fourteen days in extreme hot weather,

:

356

arrives quite sound, we may reasonably expect in the winter a very much larger sup-
ply. The herd and flock masters of England will perceive that it is always possible
that the impossible may happen. An unexpected revolution in their industry suddenly
bursts uponthem. The English meat market, that appeared a monopoly able to defy all
competition, is in a moment dispersed, and the market thrown open to the productions
ef the wide, interminable pastures of the New World.

A correspondent of the Gazette indorses its frequent commendations of
American beef, and states that in spite of the extreme temperature of the
week ending August 19, meat from the western part of the United States
in the shambles at Newgate was in as perfect condition as that sent up
from Leicester or York. In fact, it was in finer order, having ‘ ripened”
during the fourteen days since it was slaughtered. The development
of this trade astonishes the English people. The first trial cargo arrived
at Liverpool last Christmas, and its reception by the British meat-con-
sumers caused a rapid enlargement of the trade which has failed to
meet the increasing demand on account of the necessary delay in fitting
up the holds of vessels for its transportation. This American meat
compares favorably with that of English production, much of which, ac-
cording to the aforesaid correspondent, is of inferior quality. A great
deal is artificially fed, producing an under-proportion of fat and lean
from the use of oleaginous foods. Such meat will not be able to com-
pete with the American grass-fed bullocks.

KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.—Hon. W. J. Davie, State
commissioner of agriculture of Kentucky, reports that the month of
August was remarkably favorable to vegetation, high temperature being
tempered with abundant rains. Intelligent efforts at fertilization are
prosecuted in different parts of the State, and in the breeding of farm-
animals Kentucky holds the first rank in regard to horses and mules, if
not in cattle, hogs, and sheep. Fruit, vineyard, and garden culture are
rapidly advancing, and dairying is becoming an important industry.
The corn-crop is estimated at 15 per cent. above average, with a large

surplus of last year’s crop still on hand. Wheat is better in quality |

than in any previous year since the war, but is short in quantity from a
heavy deficiency in the blue-grass region and the Ohio River counties
above Salt River. The Fultz stands highest among the new wheats
cultivated, being hardy, stiff-strawed, and midge-proof, and yielding
good flour. Barley is full average, and rye 10 per cent. below. Rust
has cut the oat-crop to 40 per cent. below average. Blue-grass was
short but vigorous, and other grasses were in good supply. Tobacco-
plants were injured in the spring by the plant flea and fly, necessitating
an extensive resowing of the beds about May 1, and greatly delaying
the planting of the crop, and bringing them in an immature state under
the blistering heats of July. Bottom crops were “ drowned out,” and
others badly “frenched.” Other injurious influences co-operated to
reduce the estimate of 75 per cent. of an average the 1st of July to 66
per cent. August 1, and to 55 per cent. September 1. The best stands
and prospects were in the Ohio River counties above Louisville, where
the “ cutting”-leaf is raised. Here the crops will be above two-thirds of
an average. In the interior counties, where the ‘“shipping”-leaf is
grown, they promise but little over a third of a crop. Potatoes are
about 10 per cent. above average.

OUR FOREIGN TRADE.—The Bureau of Statistics of the Treasury
report the following in regard to our foreign trade for two years ending
June 30, 1876:

uh.

> OBB
MERCHANDISE AND THE PRECIOUS METALS.
1876. 1875.

MIOMIESLIC CXPOLEGS estes 322 aot ke ee Lee Solete SS $644,956 406 $643,094 767
Re-exports of foreign imports........-2..- 22.22. seen eeee 21,270 035 22,433 624
ANGqiG WEES Tei ic: GRE eA eS eerie ee Se Sea 666,226 441 665,528 391

buh Bugis setoe HEE aR RE mis Ss sp are Se Be Ae ares 476, 677 871 553,906 153
ISEHSS OF CEPOL 2 <15 225 «Seeks - sles ak eee lies 189,548 570 111,622 238

THE PRECIOUS METALS.

RCE ONS nc) - cain res ee ee on lee ee eae $50,038 691 $83,857 129
Re-exports of foreign imports .... --.. 222. -..--.-2/2-.--- 6, 467 611 8, 275 013

56,506 302 92 132 142

Uatalieaperts).. «44-5 od anaes i oe BJ: aw Bases age
UL Tye Ee A eee Se ee ee ee ae 15, 936 681 20,900 717
PIRGERS OL OX POLes fe eaec sees RSL Se Se Se it 40, 569 621 71, 251 425
MERCHANDISE.
BeNmNORiNG ex iOrta sci 5 i sisi taety bd os oe es iss Hoe $594,917 715 $559,237 638
Re-exports of foreign imports...--..----....--- Bee tae 14, 802 424 14,168 611
PD EAMOXDOLIS Sots nee ae eee ae ae cc Soe ocak 580,114 291 545,069 027
Manparties soe eke 2 UEP RUS. Re OS te Be 460,640 190 533,005 436
IE CESSTOL, GXPOLUS) 056) sea Sek oot Casjccecccic delet ame 119, 474 101 12, 063 581

These figures are the exponents of a healthy progress.

Our ex-

ports of merchandise increased $35,680,077, or 64 per cent., while our
imports fell off $172,365,246, or 32 per cent. That is, our home produc-
tion, after meeting an increased home demand, found an increased foreign
market for its surplus. The balance of our export-trade increased over
$100,000,000. Our net export of precious metals fell off nearly one-half,
and now amounts to about half of cur home production. The latest
estimates, based upon the returns of gold and silver transportation
companies, show that the gold product of 1875 was about the average of
the last ten years, or over $26,000,000, while the silver product has
enlarged, making the product of both metals for 1875 over $80,000,000.
The product of 1876 is expected to reach $90,000,000.

Among the leading articles of agricultural exports, the value of
domestic animals fell from $2,672,555 in 1875 to $2,456,287 in 1876;
breadstuffs rose from $111,458,265 to $131,181,555 ; cotton and its man-
ufactures from $194,710,507 to $200,382,240; bacon and hams rose
from $28,612,613 to $39,664,456; pork rose from $5,671,495 to $5,744,022 ;
cheese fell from $13,659,603 to $12,270,083; lard, from $22,900,522 to
$22,429,485 ; refined sugar rose from $2,585,382 to $5,552,587 ; tobacco-
leaf fell from $25,241,549 to $22,737,383.

DIVIDING UP RANCHOS IN CALIFORNIA.—A San Francisco journal
notes with satisfaction the disposition of large land-owners to part with
their surplus acres. This policy has been especially pursued in the
southern counties, especially in Tulare and Kern. Here farms with
from 80 to 160 acres have combined to secure the best system of irriga-
tion yet adopted on the Pacific slope. Two or three owners of large
Mexican land-grants in Santa Clara and Salinas valleys lately divided
their surplus land into tracts ranging from 40 to 160 acres. This exam-
ple is about to be followed by others, and the actual reduction of farms
is becoming a settled policy.

WHEAT-CULTURE IN TENNESSEE.—Onr statistical correspondent in
Rutherford County, Mr. J. H. Crichlow, last year furnished the Depart-
5A

an
358 ee

ment with an elaborate and valuable tabular statement of wheat-grow-
ing in his county. The same writer has furnished us with a similar
statement, embracing a larger acreage and more numerous cultivators.
Last year his tables embraced 137 wheat-cultures and 2,721 acres, yield-
ing 33,404 bushels, an average of 124 bushels. This year the tables
include 143 cultures and 3,079 acres, producing 28,646, or 94 bushels
per acre, a marked decline from the results of last year. This decline
is attributed almost entirely to the rust. The quality of the crop is
ereatly in advance of last year. A noticeable feature in this year’s crop
is the absence of smut, a fact probably due to the free use of blue-stone.
Of the different varieties of seed, the Walker was preferred in 37
eases; the Mediterranean and the Tappahannock or Boughton, each,
in 30 cases; the Reed wheat, in 14; the amber, in 10; the white-
bearded, in 8; the Fultz, in 6; the Odessa and golden chaff, in 3 each ;
the Missouri and Genesee, in 1 each. The largest tract cultivated con-
tained 136 acres; the smallest, one acre ; the average, 20.83 acres. The
maximum yield was 25 bushels of Mediterranean per acre on 6 acres, on
upland soil, from which a crop of millet had been gathered. The next
best crop, 1 acre of Fultz, yielding 224 bushels, also followed the millet.
In over three-fourths of the cases the wheat-crop followed corn or corn
and cotton. The crops reported were almost exclusively grown on
upland soil, only 6 being on bottom and 1 on second bottom. Smut
appeared in 29 cases, but in some of these it is barely mentionable.

359

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363

BRITISH GRAIN IMPORTS.—From late official returns of the British
Board of Trade, it appears that the total import of wheat into the
United Kingdom during the first six months of 1876 amounted to
21,702,299 cwt. against 18,986,424 cwt. during the corresponding
period of 1875, an increase of 2,715,875 ewt., or 14.3 per cent. All the
great wheat-raising countries from which supplies have hitherto been
drawn have decreased their quota, while all the smaller grain countries
have increased their supplies. The United States, contributing the
largest share of the foreign import, decreased her contribution from
11,099,066 cwt. to 10,748,803 cwt., and from over 58 per cent. of the
total wheat import to less than 50 per cent. Russia fell off from
3,804,880 ewt. to 3,410,241 cwt., and from 20 per cent. of the total
import to 16 per cent. Germany declined from 2,029,830 ewt. to
1,659,830 cwt., and from nearly 11 per cent. to less than 8 per cent.
France decreased her import from 258,771 ewt. to 203,505 ewt.; British
North America from 582,008 cwt. to 560,989 cwt. On the other hand,
the Ottoman Empire, including Roumania, increased from 348,514 to
824,472, and from less than 2 per cent. to nearly 4 per cent. of the total
import; Egypt rose from 183,616 cwt. to 898,288 cwt., and from 1 per
cent. to nearly 5 per cent. of the total import; British India, from
118,746 cwt. to 1,166,358 cwt., and from 0.6 per cent. to over 5 per cent.
of the total import; Denmark from 71,235 cwt. to 248,975 ewt.; Chili
from 311,047 to 442,774 cwt.; other countries from 178,711 cwt. to
1,538,720 cwt., and from less than 1 per cent. to over 7 per cent. of the
entire import. The increase from Oriental countries is especially re-
markable, and is due, at least in part, to increased facilities in trans-
portation.

The aggregate value of the wheat import rose from £9,629,968 to
£11,529,304, or nearly 20 per cent. The rate of increase in the value
being nearly 50 per cent. greater than that of quantity shows that
prices ruled considerably higher in 1876 than in 1875. It is remarkable
that the total value of American wheat rose from £5,680,608 to
£5,826,036, an increase of 2 per cent., in spite of the decrease in quan-
tity; in 1875 the value of the American import was nearly 60 per cent.
of the whole; in 1876 it was a little over 50 per cent. Russia received
in 1876 £1,725,002 for her wheat against £1,850,253 ; Germany fell from
£1,084,245 to £945,337; France from £129,735 to £110,110. On the
other hand, Denmark rose from £35,893 to £139,200; Turkey from
£160,709 to £378,579; Egypt from £87,619 to £400,842; Chili from
£160,254 to £231,401; British India from £56,015 to £584,177, or more
than tenfold; British North America from £292,916 to £301,328; other
countries from £91,741 to £887,292.

In 1875 the average price of the whole import was 10s. 114d. per ewt.
In 1875, American wheat was valued for import at 10s. 7id. per ewt.;
in 1876 at 10s. 10d. per cwt.; Russian wheat rose from 9s. 82d. per cwt.
in 1875 to 10s. 13d. in 1876; Danish wheat from 10s. 1d. per ewt. to 11s.
?d.; German, from 10s. 8d. per cwt. to 11s. 44d.; French, from 10s. to
10s. 10d. ; Chili, from 10s. 33d. to 10s. 53d.; British India, from 9s. 51d.
to 10s. 2d.; miscellaneous countries from 10s. 44d. to 1ls. 54d. On the
other hand, Turkish wheat fell from 9s. 22d. to 9s. 94d.; Egyptian, from
9s. 63d. to 8s. 11ld.; British North America, from 10s. 91d. to 10s. 94d.

Barley imports, in quantity, fell from 5,660,925 ewt. to 3,551,043 cwt.,
and in value, from £2,402,220 to £1,440,960, or from 8s. 53d. per cwt.
to 8s. 13d. per ewt. Oats declined in quantity from 5,540,930 ewt. to
5,012,236 cwt., and in value from £2,501,536 to £2,106,321, or from 9s.
to 8s. 5d. per cwt. Pease declined from 890,546 ewt. to 779,394 cwt.,

364

and from £411,133 to £355,407; beans from 1,606,834 ewt. to 1,931,873
ewt., and from £743,501 to £812,247.

Of wheat meal and flour imported, increased in quantity from 2,820,698.
ewt. to 3,076,345 cwt., and in value from £2,196,086 to £2,434,943 ; the
average per cwt. rising from 15s. 62d. to 15s. 9fd. Germany increased
her import from 327,669 cwt. to 457,622 cwt., and from £265,196 to —
£375,847, raising her average per cwt. from 16s. 21d. to 16s.5d. France
fell off in quantity from 1,041,186 ewt. to 598,521 cwt., and in value from
£797,892 to £484,115 ; but her average per cwt. fose from 15s. 4d. to 16s.
2d. The United States raised her quantity from 1,100,802 ewt. to
1,306,246 ewt.; her total value from £800,323 to £974,775, and her
average per cwt. from 14s. 63d. to 14s. 1lid. Itis evident that the
staple of our export consists of our inferior grades of flour. British
North America increased her quantity from 24,758 ewt. to 60,242 ewt. ;
her total value from £15,812 to £43,880, and her average from 12s. 91d,
to 14s. 62d. per cwt.

Indian-corn meal, including maizena, decreased in quantity from 3,059
ewt. to 4,735 ewt.; but in value it rose from £6,547 to £9,487.

MOVEMENT OF POPULATION IN FRANCE.—M. Leonce de Lavergne
the celebrated French agronomist, in a communication to the Hconomiste
Franeais, finds ominous indications in the French census. The inerease
of French population has always been slow, but in later decades it has
shown signs of ceasing altogether or to be substituted by a positive
decline. The languid movement indicated by the census of 1856 almest
‘took the proportions of a disaster.” The rate of increase was slightly
enhanced up to the Franco-Prussian war, among the fatal resuits of
which was an excess of 550,000 deaths over births, besides the loss of
the populations of Alsace and Lorraine. The year 1872 was more cheer-
ful, its registry showing an unprecedented number of marriages, and an
excess of 172,936 births over deaths, the former being 966,000 and the
latter 793,064. But this upward movement languished. The Annuaire
de V Economie politique for 1873 shows for that year a decrease of 19,636
births and an increase of 51,524 deaths, the former being 946,364 and the
latter 844,588, leaving a surplusof only 101,776, or 71,169 less than in 1872,
as the natural increase of the population. The departments of Alpes-Bas-
ses, Alpes-Hautes, Alpes-Maritimes, Aube, Calvados, Charette, Charente-
Inférieure, Cote d’Or, Doubs, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Gers, Hérault, Indre-
et-Loire, Isére, Jura, Lot-et-Garonne, Maine-et-Loire, Marne, Orne,
Rhéne, Sarthe, Seine-Inférieure, Tarn-et-Garonne, Var, and Yonne re-
port an aggregate excess of deaths of 14,509; the remaining depart-
ments show an excess of births of 116,285. These facts, however, indi-

-eate no decay in the virility of the French race, but the presence of
social conditions unfavorable to marriage, and consequently to the
growth of the population. Economic causes have enforced the practice
of celibacy upon a large portion of the laboring population, the most
prolific portion of the whole.

M. Garnier, an eminent French statistician, takes a more cheerful
view of the situation, and from data extending up to 1875 finds an an-
nual augmentation of the population from the excess of births over
deaths of 137,356, which he thinks is as great as the productive re-
sources of France, at their present rate of development, will support.

FRENCH IMPORTS OF SPANISH AND ITALIAN WINE.—The French su-
perior council of commerce, agriculture, and industry has been gravely
studying some facts ominous to the wine interest of France. Official
statistics show that in 1871 Italy took bat 53,000 to 54,000 hectoliters

365

of French wines (1,426,561 to 1,452,979 gallons) against a previous ag-
gregate of 250,000 hectoliters, (6,604,450 gallons,) while the French im-
port of Italian wines has risen from 12,000 hectoliters (317,013 gallons)
to 429,000 hectoliters, or 3,407,896 gallons. The Spanish wine-trade
presents still more discouraging figures. The French importations from
the Peninsula had risen from Rae hectoliters (4,728,786 gallons) in
1872 to 541,000 hectoliters (14,292,030 gallons) in 1873 and 559,000 hee-
toliters (14, " 767,550 gallons) in 1874, The annual export of French wines
to Spain ranged from 6,000 to 8,000 hectoliters, or from 158,500 to 211,-
300 gallons. In view of this disproportion, the council was unanimous
in demanding that the import-duty upon Italian wines be raised to
5 franes per hectoliter, about 3? cents per gallon, for common wines,
and 20 franes per hectoliter, or 15 cents per gallon. The cheapness of
French wines at home is significantly indicated by the fact that so small
a duty is regarded as sufficient for the protection of the home product
from destructive competition in the home market.

FOREIGN TRADE OF FRANCE.—During the first half of 1876 the ag-
gregate value of articles imported into France was 1,811,057,000 francs,
an increase of 170,573,000 francs, compared with the aggregate of the
same period of 1875; the exports amounted to 1,769,646,000 franes, a
decrease of 108,536,000 francs. The following imports exhibit an in-
crease: Cereals, from 59,780,000 franes in the first half of 1875 to 94,-

338,000 francs in the first half of 1876; dried legumes, from 1,735,000

to 5, 684,000; wines, from 7,585,000 to 14,667,000; cattle. from 38, 900, "000
to 53 545,000 ; butter and cheese, from 14, 475, 000 to 16 ,882,000; horses,
from 7,447, 100 to 11 883,080; silk, from 139, 537,008 to 151,972,000;
hemp, from 4,680,000 to 7 "530, 000; wood for construction, from 26, 396, -
000 to 37 598,000. On the other hand, the importation of foreign sugar
during the same comparative periods fell from 47,684,000 frances to
45,919,000 franes; wool, from 171,609,000 to 159, 835, 000 ; oleaginous
seeds and grains, "from 42 212,000 to 40, 124,000. The following domes.
tic exports show a decided falling off: Grain and flour, from 125, 090,000
franes during the first half of 1875 to 67,724,000 during the same period
of 1876; farinaceous foods, from 19,960, 000 ‘to 18,983,000; table-fruits,
from 11 ,989,000 to 9,281,000; wines, from 133, 350, 000 to 116,537,000 ;
unrefined sugar, from’ 24, 978, 000 to 21, 158,000; wool, from 40 172,000 to
33,850,000; eggs and poultry, from 27, 309, 000° to 24, 141 000.

Re ae an OF FRENCH WINES.—M. Grandeau, director of the
eastern agronomic station of France, has pubiished the results of some
official analyses of matters used in the adulteration of French wines.
Formerly water, alcohol, and vegetable coloring-matters, such as log-
wood, hollyhock, &e., were used. ‘Then extracts of coal-oil were high} iy
successful i in imparting high color to wines, but were very injurious to
the consumer. Lately, chemical analysis has detected a still more sub-
tle and dangerous material in aniline red, or fuchsin, which M. Grandeau
found extensively used in coloring Burgundy wines. This substance is
obtained by a variety of processes, among the most prominent of which
is the reaction of arsenic acid upon aniline in close vessels at a tempera-
ture of 190° Fahrenheit. Even when the fuchsin is obtained pure it has
a very injurious effect upon the animal economy. But in the process of
evolution it absorbs small quantities of arsenious acid commonly called
arsenic. It is prepared for use by mixture in sirups or caramels, and is
associated with other coloring-matters more or less poisonous. A centi-
meter (less than one-sixth of a cubic inch) of such preparations will give
to a liter (1.05 quarts) of water an intense color. Some wine-makers

366

in the south of France expend from 10,000 to 12,000 franes in these
sirups, at an average of about 2 francs per kilogram. The extent to
which these southern houses practice this adulteration was shown by
the numerous analyses at Nancy, conducted by Professor Ritter, of the
faculty of medicine. It is very likely that the same facts would be re-
vealed by an investigation at other centers of population in France.
The proportion of fuchsin, amounting in many of these wines to 0.025
gram per liter, was sufficient to produce organic disturbance in a very
few days.

The experiments of Messrs. Ritter and Feltz demonstrate the poison-
ous character of fuchsin, even when unmixed with arsenic, which of
course gravely complicates the difficulty. A stout, healthy, robust man
of fifty years swallowed 200 centimeters, or less than one-seventh of a

gallon, of wine, containing ‘one-half a gram, or nearly 8 grains, of fuchsin.

A quarter of an hour afterward his ears were deeply colored with
red; his mouth became pruriginous, (affected with a painful itching sen-
sation ;) his alveolar process swelled slightly, with a constant tendency
to spit. Two days after the same dose was administered immediately
after eating. The coloration of the mucous membranes and of the in-
teguments was less pronounced, but still very perceptible. The patient
continued to drink every morning for twelve days a liter of this wine.
The coloration of the ears was not so permanent, but the itching of the
mouth became more severe. About the eighth day a very uncomfort-
able scalding sensation was felt at the sides of the ears. On the elev-
enth day diarrhea supervened, the stools being colored with fuchsin.
On the twelfth day very painful colic-cramps were followed by numer-
ous evacuations. The urine was rose-colored during the whole experi-
ment, and after the twelfth day contained albumen. On the cessation
of the dose the patient recovered health in two days.

Two series of experiments on dogs brought to light the disorganizing
action of fuchsin upon the kidneys. A dose of 0.6 gram (9.25
grains) was daily given to a dog for fifteen days, and the same dose to
another dog for eight days. The animals grew thinner and lost weight
daily; their urine, colored red, contained albumen, and afterward gran-
ulo-fatty cylinders, clearly indicating an alteration in the kidneys. Fi-
nally diarrhea came on, when the coloration of the urine diminished, as
also the albuminous matter. Both the animals showed itching at the
mouth by rubbing their muzzles against the ground; they slavered
freely.

The experiment was varied by injecting the fuchsin directly into the
circulation. One dog was treated with 0.35 gram, (5.4 grains ;) an-
other with 1.71 grams, (16.39 grains,) in three doses; a third with 0.45
gram, (6.84 grains,) in three doses, but all on the same day; a fourth
with 1,80 grams, (16.77 grains,) in two doses; a fifth with 0.48 gram,
(7.4 graizrs,) in four days. The mucous membranes and integuments
were strongly discolored in all cases; they lost appetite, but drank freely,
though without febrile symptoms. The second dog died in ten days
after | the injection; the fifth in twelve days; the third in twenty-one days ;
the other two survived the experiment. A post-mortem examination
showed all the organs, except the nervous system, colored by fuchsin,
which was eliminated through the bile. The surviving animals mani-
fested a degeneracy of the cortical substance of the kidneys, sometimes
visible to the naked eye, and easily discernible at any time with the
microscope. The proportion of albumen in the urine rose as the symp-
toms became more decided, ranging from 7 to 33 grams per 1,000;
this continued long after the injection.

367

The evident conclusion from the above facts is that wine colored with
fuchsin, even when the coloring-matter is perfectly pure, produces that
dangerous disease of the kidneys called albuminuria. M. Grandeau
calls for a stringent execution of the law against parties thus tamper-
ing with the lives and health of the wine-consuming public. He sug-
gests that honest merchants shall refuse to purchase the adulterated
wines ; and that they shall expose all manufacturers convicted, by anal-
ysis of their wares, of this. destructive fraud. The station over which he
presides will receive no specimen for analysis except upon condition of
exposing the malefactors.

INSUFFICIENT CEREAL PRODUCTION IN GERMANY.—The growing in-
sufficiency of grain-crops to meet home consumption in Germany gives
rise to much anxiety in Berlin. According to the Berlin Mercantile
Report, the excess of grain imports over exports during the past year were
as follows: Wheat, 1,500,000 centners; rye, 11,000,000 centners; barley,
2,133,000 centners; oats and corn, from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 cent-
ners; total, 16,000,000 centners, or about 17,636,300 pounds, valued at
$27,370,000.

This insufficiency, by some, is attributed to economic mismanagement.
It is feared that Germany, like other agricultural countries, will soon
find her production below her home consumption, a natural consequence
of the growing preponderance of other industries. The Berlin National
Gazette says:

Of course, the advantages derived herefrom ought to balance the deficiencies men-
tioned; otherwise the country would, by continually paying in cash the excess of
imports of articles of food as well as of manufacture, gradually became impoverished.
Many predict this fate for Germany. It is but too true that since the Franco-Prussian
war the trade-balance has been anything but satisfactory, and an improvement cannot be
looked for in the exports of raw products, notably grain, so much as in that of manu-
factures. Therefore the turning of our neighbors’ attention more particularly to agri-
culture is a decided advantage to our manufacturing interests.

It is claimed that the increase of acreage is not in proportion to popu-
lation, and that even a more extensive culture will not meet the increased
consumption. Cultivable land in Germany is already quite fully utilized,
and agricultural production consequently limited in its increase. The
area gained by clearing and reclaiming land does not exceed what is
appropriated to manufacturing. Within the last few years railways
have taken up several hundred thousand acres.

The raising of grain is becoming less profitable from year to year,
and farmers are turning their attention to sugar-beets, tobacco, ole-
aginous plants, fruits, vegetables, &c. Increase in stock-raising ne-
cessitates a more extensive culture of forage-plants. It is said that the
area of profitable cultivation has actually decreased, while the cost of
labor has advanced.

In a recent work published in Germany on “ Feeding and Food for
Farm Animals,” by Dr. Schmoller, it is asserted that while the produc-
tion of meat and milk has by no means been commensurate with the
increase of population, the wool product has greatly exceeded actual
demand. To illustrate this, Schmoller cites for Prussia—

Se Set py | s aI
on. o§8 | oS. oo
5 a m Fas | 5.5 n Ae
Year = S3o| as e365
SE Bio Miler, years ase
5m SES | Sa SES
4a | A Tisai oy
‘ Vy.
Tt a ee Sates Selb pet oa Lt ek Chee ican eee agama i te 10, 394,428 | 1.83 | 19, 096, 295 2. 07
PRTG mrs 2 ed SOL eee PERE: ARLES Ud aa 8, 260,396 | 1.83 | 15, 175, 723 1.45
ESET Ue Sia Ss Oe SE CE Ge Si ee eee ne ego 16,344,018 | 2.42 | 39, 635, 224 2. 65
iki (Mae ea cf SOR oo Le See CRO aie pk ok ae f 18,806,400 | 2.75 | 51, 830, 146 2. 62

368 . =

A :

A further consideration is the improvement in the quality of the |

wool. In 1804 it sold at 16 to 26 cents per pound; in 1867, 32 to 65
cents.

With these results may be contrasted the following: In Prussia there
were for every 100 of population in—

Goats.

Year. | Horses. | Cattle. | Sheep. Swine.
Reema pts) 8 ig ke dag, Be | 18.0 58.0 | 122.0 29.0 | Not given.
“2 NG RRS leg AE: 1-7, a Heide 38. 6 79.9 14.7 | 1.3
LL SRA me FOR eoiae. Con a 10.8 33.1| 103.9 14.9 24
7 Tre 1 CTR NR Blan ARR ge aR a Pe AEE | 9.5 30.2 95.5 | 19,2 | 5.3

In Saxony, for every 100 of population, there were, in 17638, 197.7
heads of farm animals; in 1834, 83.4; and in 1858, 61.0. Coant Lippe
has estimated that for this country the present annual increase of meat-
consumption is 3,590,000 pounds, which, even if the rate of increase of
population be no greater, will in ten years amount to 330,000 cwt.

Prussia had, in 1867, for the same number of inhabitants, only half
as many heads of farm animals as in 1802, and an aggravating circum-
stance is the fact that the quality of the meat does not make up for the
proportionate decrease of quantity. ;

Schmoller gives the consumption of meat per capita for 1802, 36.8

pounds; 1816, 24.8; 1840, 38.1; and for 1870, 38.5, while from 165 to
220 per annum are required.

A similar retrogression is observable in other countries. Bohemia,
for example, had, in 1870, 1,585,799 head of cattle, which is 13.6 per
cent. less than in 1857. The decrease was, bulls, 3.7; cows, 9.4; oxen,
18.2; and calves, 18.5. , ;

With regard to the yield of milk in Prussia, Schmoller says that
there is not so much produced per capita now as there was in 1802.
For this year the daily production was .80 quart; 1816, .72; 1840, .60;
and in 1867, .57.

Count Lippe estimates the deficiency of milk and dairy products in
Saxony at 62,422,277 gallons, and the yearly increase of demand at
4,238,935 gallons.

THE COLORADO BEETLE IN EUROPE.—M. Adam Miiller, secretary
of the Bavarian Agricultural Association, in his monthly report for
July, 1876, upon the authority of the Weser Gazette, states that a po-
tato-beetle (Doryphora decem-lineata) had been found in a sack of corn
on board a steamer that arrived at Bremen from New York. This an-
nouncement has created great excitement on Continental Europe. M.
Grandeau, director of the eastern agronomic station of France, through
the columns of the Journal Pratique d’Agriculture, calls upon the min-
ister of agriculture to take immediate measures to arouse French far-
mers to a united effort for the destruction of this terrible enemy.

SWEDISH AGRICULTURE.—Hon. C. Lewinhaupt, Swedish and Nor-
wegian minister, in a communication addressed to the Commissioner,
gives the following statistics of Swedish agriculture. This industry oc-
cupies half the population, and is under the department of the interior,
but the special administration of this trust by the government is con-
fided to an agricultural committee, of which the president of the
national agricultural society is chairman. The paid members of this
committee are a secretary and twenty agricultural chemists and engi-
neers. In Norway, the department of the interior exercises direct su-
pervision of agriculture, without any intermediate board.

"|

a

369

The population of Sweden in 1874 was 2,390,000, of which haif were
engaged in agriculture. About $30,000 are annually appropriated to
the committee of agriculture, and $10,000 for forest administration.

AUSTRIAN LIVE-STOCK STATISTICS.—Partial returns from Austrian
provinees of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy s how the following aggre-
gates of farm animals and their milk-product:

|
|

2 a
| | = | 3s
Provinces. Milch-cows. sae a a Sheep. Goats. | BS
. nus. che ao
| 1.4 =
' t = = —_ |
| Gallons. |Gallons. | | Gallons.
Upper Anstria........-..-.----. I 243, 443 53, 971, 413 221 | 125,594 | 19,502 16, 685
SLU ie al ee aE eal | 965,581 | 79, 408, 719 299} 203,820} 338,507) 1,868, 750
“Dua irae Eyed ee Se Bs 33, 773 16, 941, 190 501 17,776 | = 15, 471 | 578, 116
OR TED Tce Soa oe a ea 87, 104 22, 978, 750 264 176,832 | 36, 630 | 747, 500
DPIC ELET got ae ep pee 79, O71 31, 920, 791 403 | $5, 161 | 16, 555 618, 930
PINE Ue yyss JF. te ost teal. 2, 839 1, 258, 790 439 | 330 | 115 2, 242
J) TETAS Ty eee 27, 116 4, 992, 552 184 903,318 | 481,114 | 12,333, 750
Moravia .....-. aed oles eee 321, 277 71, 760, 000 223 | 323,503 | 80, 383 4, 858, 750
SG! eRe Ser ae fee eae ee | 112, 388 26, 019, 578 231 73, 037 16, 012 | 691, 587
nee nenEeenaineeeetmieee —_— SO (————_—_—_—__—_—_ | -—-—_--——-
ih ees | 1,172,602 | 309,251,783 | 263 1,909,391! 704,289 21,716,310
' ! | i

_ The aggregate of cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk in the above proy-
inces was 330,934,033 gallons, of which 174,033,278 gallons are consumed
without conversion, the city of Trieste purchasing 2,149,486 gallons of
the neighboring provinces. The balance, 156,900,815 gallons, is made
into butter and cheese, the product of the former being 40,517,792
pounds, and that of the latter 35,679,907 pounds, (not including Carni,
ola.)

The total number of milch-cows in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy
in 1872, was officially stated at 3,832,238. In 1875, the number is esti
mated at 4,000,000, averaging 280 gailons of milk each, and ageregat-
ing 1,120,000,000 gallons. In 1872, the whole monarchy had 76,379 steers,
1,224,079 oxen, 2,315,340 calves, 4, 255,659 sheep, 1,187,821 goats, and
25,642,301 swine.

ROUMANIAN AGRICULTURE.—Roumania, a nominal dependency of
the Ottoman Empire, embraces the old Turkish provinces of Moldavia
and Wallachia. Itis inhabited by a population of original heterogenous
elements, which have fused into a well-defined type. The ruling ele-
ment dates its existence from the location of Gallo-Romanic military
colonists sent by the Roman emperors to occupy a strong frontier
against the incursions of the restless barbarians hanging on the north-
east borders of the empire. Of this composite race, there are about
9,000,000 in Southeastern Europe, of whom 5,000,000 are united in the
little vassal monarchy of Roumania, with a small admixture of other
nationalities. The other Roumanians are scattered through the neigh-
boring provinces of Turkey and Southern Russia.

The province of Roumania has an area of 30,000,000 acres—about the
size of the State of Mississippi—bounded by the Danube on the south,
by the Pruth on the east, and by the Carpathian Mountains on the north
and west. Wallachia embraces about three-fifths and Moldavia two-
fifths of the united monarchy. The prerogative of the Crown is limited
by parliamentary institutions, after the manner of the limited monarchies
of Western Europe. The whole political and social organization is a
remarkable development of western ideas amid the crystallized old con-
servatism of the East.

Bi
370

About four-fifths of the people are engaged in agriculture. The
climatic conditions involve great extremes of temperature. The sum-
mers are intensely hot and the winters severely cold. The spring is
short, the autumn is longer and more pleasant. .

The country has been afflicted with destructive droughts for several
years past, resulting, as it is believed, from the indiscriminate destruc-
tion of the forests. An exhaustive system of culture has also robbed
the soil of its surface-elements of fertility, which have not been replaced
by manuring. The chief food of the people is mammaliga, or corn-meal,
and consequently corn constitutes the staple crop of the country. About
twice as much land is devoted to its culture as to that of wheat. The
failure of the corn-crop, then, involves suffering and starvation to the
laboring classes.

A gradual improvement has of late years been noted in the methods
of culture. Improved implements and machinery have been introduced,
mostly from England. The simplest and least-complicated machines
are in request. inasmuch as the Roumanians have developed but little
mechanical genius, and find it difficult to make repairs upon a compli-
cated instrument. ‘Till lately grain was almost universally separated
from the stalk by trampling the heads with horses, and this practice is
still prevalent in the less progressive sections of the country, but the
economic value of elaborate implements has shown itself by its superi-
ority of results. As the supply of labor is scanty, this importation of
machinery has added greatly to the efficiency of crop-raising in Rou-
mania. Agriculture has also become diversified to some extent, and
market-gardening is on the increase, occupying nearly 400,000 acres in
1875—the culture of nearly all kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in
Europe. The fruit, through bad management, seldom ripens, and is
plucked in its immature state, to be made into preserves and ‘ dulceas,”
a kind of sweetmeat of which Roumanians are very fond. Viticulture
is still in its infancy, and the wines of the country are very unpalatable
to those accustomed to the finer vintages of Central and Western
Europe. A few brands, however, have acquired some reputation, such
as the Colnar, in Moldavia, and the Dragashani, in Wallachia, names de-
rived from the localities of manufacture.

About 5,000,000 acres, or one-sixth of:the area of the country, is cov-
ered by fine forests, especially occupying the off-shoots and side ranges
of the Carpathians. Imperfect facilities of transportation give to these
forests so low a value, that no general motive operates to secure their
destruction, as in the case of countries nearer to the general markets of
the world. They embrace fine timber of every sort—pine, fir, larch,
oak, beech, ash, elm, lime, birch, maple, wild cherry, &c. The wood,
well seasoned, has a special value in building, being hard and close-
grained. These forests are being rapidly depleted on the hill-sides, but
on the inaccessible mountain-summits they await a more serious attack.
The attention of public men has been called to the effects of the deple-
tion of forest areas, and new efforts are being made to save and enlarge
the remnant.

O71

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS

FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the
opening of each month.

Articles. August.
NEW YORK.

Flour, superfine State and western-per barrel..| $3 60 to $4 35
exthalsbatesccsos acseist fsa ck O05-acu. 440 to 6 50
extra to choice western./...... G07 <aut 440 to 9 00
SOUHHOIM: GXGra\~ sco sees ao ee, <- HOO nance 465 to 5 00
southern family.--.-....-.-.--- dows! 2! ; 505 to 8 50
Wheat, No. 1 spring....-.-..----- per bushel.-; 112 to 125
NoHeisprines2. 6 abs Shen 20055 -2-% 94 to 18
winter, red, western......-.... donc 70" 0.1525
winter, amber, western..--..- dGencces 70 ~=~to 125
winter, white, western ....... dovstee | 115 to 135
ROOPReC HE eee (Oty. ol aese 625 Senn Qos -2! 54 =‘ to 59
RUS ot three oe as tye cece nese sede s doveces 3) = to 38
Ve se ae i eam aia anide sone doesceee 50 ~=— to 73

PATIO Were meen oe cee oe mecates cece os Ati seee Neglected

Nj
Hay, baled, first quality, for retail. .-per ton.-
baled, second quality, for shipping.do-.-..|

OR eee ee per barrel-.
BxXars MOSS 2. oa et soon cose k an AO. see
LET LOTS ee tie ga SN dozoses
OXULMHHENS= aos .(- cu cas isees he OOn ancl
peMMe Messe sos 40 Ris es sei 22 dons ae
Bard Gree o8 ope S835. ctg---o5e per pound. .
SMAIERE OW CAUOIE ce ok cae eh Os nl te |
Nbste! dairy i262! facs<sesock DOves oe
Cheese, State factory ....--...-......- dozfe2st
western factory ...---.-.----.d0...-..
Sugar, fair to prime refining. .........do...-...
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do......
low middling to good ett HO waco
mobaneo, tags UIs Ae US dows ke
[os8 Se Seco oes ee Srvdoce.od
Wool, American XXX and picklock...do......
American X and XX ......--...do..---.
American combing. .----....-.. eee
California, spring clip... ..--.. ri (RA
California, fall clip.......--....do...-..
uNORe Bee Sas She bu eee ete. doteasen
BOSTON.

Flour, western superfine, spring. ..per barrel--

common spring extra -......-do..-.--.
good to fancy n’hwest’n spring.do..---.
good to fancy western winter..do.-.--.
southern family ...........-.. doe aane
Wieden ticceaseneseeeseae. hse Sc=, per bushel.
COPHs ogee onic eas Weaees cae a se an 3 doe ecee
REE ee Ben ki eT | | ae
ERY Once s omlene a coe et aae woe ee oe do:.2ts=
BERRI Y= sec eae one eens te ec ee AOL. 2 Ss
Hay, eastern and northern..........per ton...

WESEGEN ChOIGOseceas cs. ccm se €ddscsaes

14 00 to 18 00
12 00 to 13 00
900 to il 00
10 00 =to 12 00
19 40 to 19 60

Neglected
Neglected
114 to 114
13 to 7
22 to 30
64 to 93
634 to tere
to 94

to 3
8 to 154

38 ‘to 40
30 =—s to 36
45 to 52
124 to 24
10 to 15
20. . to 33

Sor etownl, oo
54 otto 65
30 to 46
90 to

to

14 00 ~=to 20 00
17 00 to 19 00

September.
$3 50 to $4 25
1 AOD 1 DO Gate
430 to 8 50
450 to 5 90
| 610 to 850
i} 105 to 1 20
98 to 110
90 to 127
90 to 1:27
[> 1 24tteCas 28
50 to 57
SOL, oho 45
70 to 85
Nominal
14 00 to 18 00
12 00 to
8 00 to 10 00

16 50 to 16 75

Neglected
Neglected
92 to 104
14 to - 30
22 to 32
5 to 104
7 to 8t
9 to 94
92 to 10,3;
1l to 1273;
6 to 94
94 to 134
35 «to 42
30 to 40
40 to 48
124 to 26
10 to 16
20 to 30
3,00 .to.,.3: 50
400 to 475
475 to 8 25
5 50 to 7 75
600 to 7 75
90 to 1 30
57 to 61
36 to 50
75 to 80
Nominal

12 00 to 21 00
17 00 to 19 00

372

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

f

/

Articles. August. September.
Boston—Continued.
TEAR GSS) S35 Bi ee per barrel..|$10 50 to $10 50 to
Bsa@awiess. 2225. ose ee See dozssie 12 00 to 12 00 to
PIO Y Ls <2 =~ nicks ey EF 4 ee Gee. sss 13 00 to $14 00 | 1250 to $18 00
POrk, PME... 5-6 5 SSk so. Hee eee wee BB raat 19 00 to 1950 | 1700 to 17 50
BESS ee Sse) co seen ee ee as doseet 25 20 50° to 2100 | 17 75 to 18 00
andpisse Hoa ~- bo bigs es else celne per pound... 12 to 12% 11 to 11}
Butter, New York and Vermont -....-- do..2e3% 18 to 24 18 to 28
WESUOER +. J. sacstce sles dow Stee dO. -caa! 14 to 22 14 to 30
Cheese, New Yorkand Vermont factory do..--.. 6 to 10 6 to 10
western factory..---.-------- do cesee 4 to 9 5 to 9
Sugar, fair to good refining..--..--..-. docuSs 83 to 94 94 to 98
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...--. 82 to 92 92 to 104
low middling to good middling. do...... 102 to 123 11; to 134

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania.-.--..-.- DO vsnods 30 to 40 31 to 45
Machiean). joe a. se cekes ss do.sss 28 to 34 30 to 36
other western ..=-.~---.-----. Holeeus | 27 to 32 29 to 34
WUE 2S sat ek tec tee eke mee do..0.8 | 15 to 38 15 to 40
combing fleece=--. -.2.-.-.--.. do.ss228 40 to 45 45 to 50
CO VEG Tee ES UR pe a oe descssi 14 to 27 | 14 to 30

PHILADELPHIA. |

Flour, superfine --...--..--....--.per barrel..| 3 25 to 3.50 3. 25-40. 3°50
Pennsylvania extra to choice...do...... 375 to 6 2 375 to 6 %
western extra to choice........ douls ss 500 to 6 50 550 to 6 50

Wheat, white .................-.per bushel..| 125 to 135 120 to 1 30
BMBOEL coo - oo shes te hee oe se ee--MOLs 2). 0218, .to- « «L-225.4), 1 20 ioe
28 Re Se SR ee) Se ease se 705 10 ok he 80 to 118

eS ee eee.) ere 60 to 65 60 to

Bawley, <cccseicce cin can sectw snes secrens dove. 2. 55 to 105 |

(Orr SS SSeS eR eR EE eas os ae dO@szs8: 54 to 60 | 51 to 57

CT Sees Se OS SS SS aoa cocaine dopicaT 30 to 47 29 to 40

Hay, baled, prime......-....---.----per ton..| 17 00 to 1800 | 1600 to 17 00

common to fair shipping. .-...--.do.-.---.| 14 00 to 1600 | 1200 to 15 00

Beef, western mess.....----..----- per barrel..| 600 to 8 00 600 to 8 00

BxOs MICAS 35% oc2 el eseSee ces Mos 5528. 10 50 to 1100 | 1000 to 11 00
Warthman’s & Alburger’s city fam- |
US SeS54 coop SSR ESS Jace per barrel..| 13 00 to 13 25 | 1250 to 13 00
(POR ICES. to - -( Seneca na ns oats on UO casene 21 00 to 2150 | 19 00 to
prime mess. .......-...-..-----do......| 17 00 to 1750 |17 50 to 18 00
PRUNCK CRIA) poss ceslea== == Goss <5 17 00° to 17 00 to

Vi eS Se eee | per pound..| 103 to 12 10} to 14

Butter, choice Middle States....-...- dOsasse- 28 to 38 26 to 35
choice western... =... ./<----- dO@s-'s20 24 to 26 22 to 24

Cheese, New York factory .-.---..-- doessese 5 to 104 | 54 to 104
Ohio Hactory2: 25.225. o. 2-2... dosssee2 4 to 9 4 to S,

Sugar, fair to good refining .....-..-..do...... 83 to 9 94 to 92

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do..-.-.. 8 to 9f | & to 9f
low middling to good middling-do..-..- 11} to 123 | 113 to 123

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania X _ to

ORK: 0s Ss ssc sae per Pound re 34 to 374 | 36 to 42
other western....-..-.:s--.- OO sands 30 to 35 30 to 35
Ls | SS ee GO s2reiu 22 to 36 22 to 36
COUR G | kat. es. 3b s Ste Soc EOsrast 33 to 45 35 «to 50
aub-washed 2.5. .22..-05 5y. G0 s2032 30 to 40 30 to 42

BALTIMORE.

Flour, superfine ..2....5.2-.)...s2% per barrel..| 275 to 3 75 250 to 375
BSLVA aos ole vanieale ope sua'sae = lOcseeee 400 to 5 50 400 to 675
family oo boos Ves stcis = ae at id 2...) 500 to 8 00 5-50: tOaa ate

WOES, TA coc 4 oe cones a paee be per bushel... 92 to 118 8 to 119

SMPOLE oo. cakes reeees eee ae Oeces 120 ton bee 122 to 1%
VN yeed ake noemtece cain Reel aiee Sele meron 1% to 122 110 to 1%

373-

Market-prices of Sarm-products—Continued.

‘

6A

Pies Tae TET STS oh > a eROMEPIIC TS ayo Vin ©: 1 ..qa§;.) 0.) \ ly anc
Articles. August. | September.
a sales
BaLTIMoRE—Continnued. :

(70 SES YD. ee er rr per bushel.., $0 58 to $0 63 $0 54 to $0 56

Oatsie es. 63.6: SSeS tt 53 Ee COs. ws 35 30 to 41 3? to 37

Corn. ay Ps ey) ae ee 3 | a 44 to 59 | 50 to 56

Ilay, Marviand aud Penn Sy lvania....perton..,; 15 00 to 19 00 12 00 to 16 00

emer ce SLT. seh _--.00..---.| 14 00 to 17 00 to

PUBIC INIGOS 8 oe open can Sh bis Cope per barrel..| 20 50 to 21 00 13 60 to ———
PEO 2 oe Senin. 2 SEE a PE re Dns 20 50 to to
Sripaprume ..o045 225s cee oe dO. sas% | 1850 ‘to 18 00 to

Lard ......-.-+-++-----+----------per pound. .| 12} to 122 114 to 12h

sunven, (Western 22). 25.2.5 J gue cs valas <i fo Saeeaaee = | 13 to 21 15 to 23
Gpanern: 225) Sih Sh ae ee a ee ADs wc | 12 to 16 16 to 20

Cheese, western factory. .------.-.--.do...-.. (eeih) ne ycbO 10 4 to 9s

eastern factory are ae Lee ins oe | 104 to il 5 to 10

Sugar, fair to good refining -.-.-.----. Oe. acts 83 to 4 94 to 92
New Orleans grocery grades...do..--.- | to to

DMACCO GES 0. vce «cin SBR patie =~ - dO sec. 64 to il 64 to 9

leaf, common tomedium ....do......| 9 to il 9 to ll
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary.....do...... to 92 — to 10}
lowmiddling to good middling. Motscss- 10} to 12 11 to 12}
eywiogl, tubswashed. 2 S22... 20. vs aches OD Fac oer| 31 to 33 34 to 37
fleece washed .....-..-...--.-. Mn, 28 to 33 28 40. 3S
pebeipe f. .2 ss ob. cade Ab st2a554] 23 to 35 23 to 35
BIAS, 2 Ee 2. ab eee ri eee 21 to 23 B23 cto Ba
CINCINNATI, |

Mlour, superfine +... -----..----- per barrel... 275 to 3 50. 275 to 3 50
Seth in ch ase a Weetts yamine n dotteen 3 90 to 425 390 to 4 25
family and fancy -.-.........- does. ass 475 to 7 50 475 to 675

Wheat, winter, red.....-.--..-..- per bushel. | 85 to 1 05 100 to 1 05

hills (amber) o- <2- 5.2). Goreece. | to 1 10 105 to 1 10
white Reem em scans Gores = | to 1 10 T2705 (b0 ee

Oats. - £i putes. Eee Bes ceeien soe see] 20 to 38 20 to 38

MEREHG ee wicks om ¢ Soc eee Sek eee sae Uolt es 40 to 46 40 to 45

LCT ee ES Ds elle ee ee doses: 45 to 538 | 45 to 58

Burley 222) 2 x So Rees Pacem nest scase. 40 to 75 60 to 75

Hay, baled, RAR ee ae per ton. 15 00 to 16 00 | 15 00 to 16 00

lower grades... -.--...- diocesan 8 00 to 12 00 8 00 to 12 00

Me RIIGAS 5 cots Sel. oN cin ee aoe per barrel.-| 1875 to 19 ei 18 75 to 19°28

“a UR a per pound.. 102 to | 103 to 13

renbOr CHOICE. Se.) J. 22 od vee ae eee tOOt 2. 25 «to 23 25 to 28
prime ......-.--.-----.------ donee soe 17 to 20 | 17 to 20

Cheese, prime to choice factory. ..---. dors 74 to 74 to Bt

Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good.---.-. dos-2-5 92 to 108 93 to 10%

MOINS). oS.6 woe HOS so 104 to 104 10} to 104

MACCOMUIOR< .:.5 32 thes eceee ue <te WOecs cers to to

ES SRN ti aa ee Sn dort. to ——— to

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary ..-.-do....-. 72 to 9 73 to 9
low middling to good sae era aosccss: 10 to 112 10 to 112

Wool, fleece-washed: =... /......2:..--d0....-- 25 to 33 25 to 33
tab-washed?) 522 -. 1.225% cs ~~ Ci ee 25 to 34 25 to 34
unwashed, clothing......-.... COs 20 to 22 20 to 22

combing... ee ees OO ees 25 to 30 25 to 30
Figtiowet “URE GOR ai a Ue ale orceees 23 to 2% 23 to 25
CHICAGO.

Flour, choice winter extras....... per patrol. 625 to 7 25 6.25. to. 7 2am
common to good winter extras .do....-. 5 50 to 6 00 5650 to 6 00
spring extras, common to good.do...--. | 475 to 5 00 475 to 5 00
spring extras, choice -........ dost | -5 00 to 5 50 500 to 5 50
PAienb SpLINg =e sees stele e donee Saoerto® ‘7.50 575 to - 7 50
AUPELines | e/a Se MD Sie, Cov 250 to 3 00 2.50 to 3 08

ot4

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

.

CHiIcaGo—Continued.

Wheat, No. 1 spring --.....-:----.per cae

iter cus PrlN Once octet e donates st
Je Og, Se] ar Vinge Ee a rE fe dolered

DAMEN GS evn cot Sn clvae mae ee eens per bushel
PeReUSVORN Os on! ont. Pee ae Se etna ces GUEULIA
UIs tS ot ree esate eae doreaoo
BEM PIN Oe cee aio ot een. = ee Se ee do.t.2e:

Eye hMOgly. 2402. 4552 2-2 sees 2a OPC moll
TE PTe nt pee its Sha a Set 2 ee dor ek

“DON Tels Seen eR RE eae per barrel.
Givi) WAGSS) hades be ae oasesee seo do. ut
GUKINORS hems se rie once ee es, oe dossseet
LUN ORNERS Se. Jan 0 ea nin COOL R ets
extn primes. 5.2 cee eos dose
Sed Cee Me pee Basar per pound..
Butter, choice to fancy -..-.-.---.... dose 2h
medium to good So SteteseGwe doeoo
Cheese, good to choice factory....---.do.----.
SHO AENOW) ONOANS.. oo enlace a=\oe pn O0cee se
WOOL, bub-washed 22") 2. 2 2. dora.
Heace-washed - +. 92 ooo s.r. 5-5 do..o
ANWASNOG.. 227 352 eects asa ces dows ae
Puedes seca jase sao eee See doves:

SAINT LOUIS.
Flour, winter, common to choice... per barrel --

BPE oe es Oh ee ences Cone.

Wheat, white winter ....---.--..- per bushel..

TEC WINTERS <6 a one Sie dQs-----

NPEWUO fo) (oe ee oo sea doz----

OS Eas oe a Ee Gs eee ri (sR ee

SOT! 35S S SS Set ee ee Spee eee C0. secs.
PVG) 32513 on aes eee aa een ee doi2s—5- - |
Batley. tair to\cholee _ .-.+--::2-----.-d0s-2j-- |
Bieyaerneitiy 22132 Lae Stel k- eh per ton..|

PIAMIO§- Solncettc ois ote lone piers doz a2 -
Eas USE SESS Se RE Bip ai per barrel..|
IROERPINESS..oso2s 262 2-5 asso -obsa6.- sh Gots----
Rae et se oh sae ARE a a he Sotto mays per pound..|
Butter, prime to choice dairy..-.......d0-....--

country packed-.do..-..-.
eneese, Olio factory; .--2-- =. <>. -,2<<- dass sss! :
New York factony>---+4,-,----=d0-52.5-- |

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary -..-do..----
low middling to good middling, do...--.

Weols bab-washed?<<--sessees an. 6.. Or. 222.
fleece-washed ......-.-.------.- dos:222%
MIGROS DEE (c\n's ssnisestoess cece ss doer ease
NGHACCO MINOR sa ooo s0.-~ - sae boc iyaa he darse2=s }
common to shipping leaf ...do......

NEW ORLEANS.

PIGie (SUPOLUNS soca cans. 5-3 ae per barrel
CEd RR eo sac SSO ea ac oe do.to~-
ehoice to fancy ------: - 2-5-5. sdO sec.

Corn, white and yellow..-...-..-.. per bushel -.|

OT Sn) Sea ey sh Soe ae ae doree..

ETAG CHOU toe 2 che acme = Se oiate per ton-..

PLING Noo. eee pee eee oe taseoe Goss e 3)

a

August. | September.
to | $1 00 to
$0 88 to $0 cF | * 918 to $0 98
79 to | 82 to 85
554. to ——— | 55+ to 56
50. - to es To te 728
45 to 453] 432 to 433
30% to 32. to ~ ———
10 00 to 1250 | 1150 to 12 00
700 to 10 50 to
1075 to 1100 10 75 to 11 00
11 75 to 12 00 11.75 _-to* 12° 00
18 423 to 18 60 16 40 to 16 42
19 00 to 19 25 | 1800 to 18 25
14 25 to 14 50 13 50... to tae
10-4; to 1 He 9t to 103
21s! to 25 28 to 26
15” to 18 | 17 ‘to 20
72 to 9 72 to 83
to to
30. to 37 30 «to 35
D5 ste 28 - | 28 to 29
15: to 2) | 15 to 22
to | ——— to
250 to 650 -| 250 to ©6590
to to
f 32." * eto shaSe 120 to 1 30
63 to 1 30 90 to 1 16
to to
24 «—+to 30 25° «to 33
35° ° Ho 43 | 40 to 43
41 to Be = 4z to 52
to 7 60 to 85
13 00 to 17 00 11 00 to 12 00
7°00" sto" 1950 § 00 to 9 00
14 00 to 14 20 14 00 to 14 50
19 00 to 20 50 | 17 25 to 18 00
91 to 11 94 to i!
18 to 20 || 18 to 20
LShato 16 | 13 to 16
124 to 134 | 1234 to 133
13: to 14 | 13 to 14
72 to de | 72 to 8E
10 to 412 10 to 113
35, to 36 35 to 36
34 ~@to 35 34 to <r:
20 ~to 244 20 to 244
44 to 5} 3 «to 5+
74 to 104 6 to 10}
|
425. to Snot tO
4.50. . to. (5°75) dasidpp tOn ae
6.00. to. 7 50 5.25. LO) si aeteme
60 to 62 50 to 54
0.2 3d. 10 40
2200 to 2300 |——— to, ——
16 00 to 17 00 {| 1600 to 17 00

375

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. August. September.

NEw OrLEANS—Continued.

U2) ped PES ee eee age Sai SP 5 per barrel. .| $10 00 to $11 00 |$10 00 to $11 00
Westernh sce cea ss. SR do. 13 00 to 1450 | 13 00 to 14 50
Fulton market -........ per half barrel..| 1175 to 1200 | 11 00 to 12 00

ork NGSGUe sl. << owe ede eo per barrel..| 20 75 to 2100 | 17 25 to 18 00

[pend seaobedhiedes Secacscst bBnot Ss per pound.. 12 to 13} 11 to 124

Butter, choice Goshen ..--..--...---- G0. 22-2! 30 to 30 to 32

choice western .-. 2/2... '.2---- (ee 17 to 18 22. to. °- 23

Cheese, choice western factory ....per pound..| ——-— to 09 084 to

New York cream. gat 6 238555 - 3doz.. -.48 14} to 15 124 to 15
Sugar, fair to fully fair -.........--.. dolsscset 8% to 9f 10} to 103
prime to strictly prime -..-.-.. doi. ee 92 to 92 10% to itil
clarified, white and yellow-....do..--.. 104 to 114 11 to 113
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary ....do.-..-- 7k to 93 88 to 92
‘low middling to good middling -do...--. 104 to 124 10% to 114
shanaccowlups).- oes. ccere nooo ok douesas- 54 to 8 5} to 8
low leaf to medium leaf....-. GO. 4 st 8 to 12 ei to 12

SAN FRANCISCO.

Pour, Sapertine :\242 2-3 ee. Ga per barrel..| 400 to 4 2 4.00 to 4 25
CREED cater ae e usisis Ong aes 450 to 5 00 450 to 4 75
family and fancy .......-.---. doch | 500 to 550 500 to 550

Wheat, California--.-..-.).... 22. percental.-| 150 to 1 65 150 to 1 55
Orevon’.25 sents 2sein = eos ek docs ae8 150 to 1 65 150 to 1 55

DAOYe sei. sae seeems Hees Hed O.c eset: 95, \ to, , 1.25 90 to 110

OEP oy SNS EE eS) a a See Co 130! tO wy lee 140 to 1 873

ARGU eee ote Se oe aide Senn coe dOerceee Its Sto M1025, 115 to 1 2)

Hay, Statee.-2.- So: 4.52. 45. a... per tone) 8 00'- to: 1300 7 50 to 13 00

PORK; mess. 2-250 426 ele ced Nae per barrel.-| 22 00 to 24 00 23 00 to 24 00
prime mess ..-... Peced aes e od do. 22e 17 50 «to 18 50 17 50 ~to 18 50

eek wmesse.2)) dusk oo ete ace cS doweeeee 8 50 to 10 00 9 00 to 10 00

family mess...-.--..--- per half-barrel.-| 850 to 10 00 850 to 10 00
ISAT ote (Ep ih SS ete apna bao we per pound. 13. to 15 134 to 15
Hutieer,overland ) 2-252. ss.0 05.242 dol oaee ~~16» to 18 16 to 18

Californiaiaa: bot)5 5. 22 552..082 do Eis 25 to 28 25 to 40
Orepon i228: doe aac cde aqen Jobe do. s32s5 20 to 224 20 to 2

| OLS C7) Sa Pte a dost2eee 124 to 15 124 to 15

VOD NathVyes: Jo. aa. ols eae mnnien son's dows saee 8 to 10 10 to 12
Califormia 233222. nace seste eee dots 15 to 19 15 to 22
Mregon al ees cased eesesee do-s2 see 15 to 20 15 to 22

LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.
NEW YORK.

Catile, extra beeves .............-per cental..| $10 50 to $10 75 | $10 00 to $10 56
good to prime ...--+-----2-.-- dows. fe 950 to 1095! 950 to 974
common to fair......---.----- dorrnat3 725 to 925| 800 to 925
Texas and Cherokees.....-.... dojssaee to 275 to 7 50
bulk of the sales .-.--.-.....- dose a2 900 to 950 9 00 to (97%
BVOLALE Pees se ec owe ai. 54 doh 925 to to
MNCh=COWss sot So ty 3 So. per head..| 45 00 te 75 00 | - to
veal calves............-...-percental..| 550 to 8 50 500 to 82

DHGEP eet en sameness. do: aks, 400 to 600 400 to 6 50

725°!" 6-75. "to ae oe

MSV RIEG oye rete ee ae ate et lod (0 =225: 7 00 to

Articles. August.
PHILADELPHIA.

Cattle, choice beeves .-.--...---.. per cental..| $5 874 to $6 50

fair pood 525 2k). eh ie Ue doleiss: 525 to 5 75

Be I ea I ta EE do.._. 450 to 5 123

Mheepitee. sae tars Jet et. ee ee ee doves. 200. to 5 50

mwine, corn-ted/s., Stee es A dole: 950 to 10 00
BALTIMORE.

Cattle, best beeves..-.........--. per cental.. 0:42 0 = Yo 18F
dirstyqualipy Weel. We eee: dozens 412 to 500
medium or good quality......do...--. 387 to 4 87

Be Cee 2 He sam os dover! 350 to 3 87
general average of the market-pr. cental) 5 00 to
most of the sales. ..-.-...-.-. dorecae. 450 to 5 50
SUD TE, SES Se a of per cental..| 2/00 to 5 12%
REMAN EMER onsets oad doh eee ca Oe ete 900 to 9 75
CINCINNATI.
Cattle, good to choice native
A atin lesictactate stpse per cental.. 400 to 475
fair tomedim..-2 - noses = OL ae 300 to 3 75
Bt. See wie eee ie Aare ais dose: 200 to 275
milch-cows --.--.---.------per head.- to
Weal Calves .\. JF. nie. tiie per cental..| -—-— to
SUES SA OY A CE a ae do... 22: 225 to 425
PANO ser, STE PAE TANS do.222- 5 00 to 6 50
CHICAGO.
Cattle, choice beeves, 1,300 to 1,550
pounds’. 2002 0a. et sper cental!:|. -.4-80" to. -.5.00
good beeves, 1200 to 1350 p’ds-_-do..---. 460 to 470
medium grades, 1050 to 1200-..do--..-. 425 to 4 40
InteriormMatil Vessel ads oe = donn553 200 to (3 60
See hehe eee Sere sel om dove 240 to 3 60
RPE p ee. Ses ee Os cee dose sue 250 to 475
PammnOnee Toys SA8d Sek). SOR Be donee. |. 6 20° to 6 80
SAINT LOUIS. |

Cattle, good to choice native steers-percental..; 450 to 4 90
common to fair natives. ...--. CO mer 320 to 42%
inferior to common natives...do.._... 200 to 3 25
Texas, fair to'choicels:.'...... doo. 32. | 3800 to 4 00

EEE ee a BP gear ees mene (HU tee 250 to 4 50]

MANO WE K eo Loe lac ee cas misskmieton Siete it oy 610 to 6 50

Horses pings! Jo. Sle.) 22s 5 20022 perhead..|,. 30/00) to. 65 007)

ARASH Pee ea do...--.; 5000 to 90 00
stmeet=Oan -). 22 = Petre icsue doris at 75 00 to 125 00 |
good to extra draught.......do...... 100 00 to 130 00
MOO UTIVONS '-22.5' os oeree cess dotzeers 175 00 to 225 00
CRPEM Baits wos ee. Caee tees Se Om eats ore 225 00 to 250 00
auction horses and ponies....do...--. 25 00 to 45 00

Mules, 14 to 15 hands high. ..........do.--.--. 85 00 to 120 00
15 to 16 hands high ..........do...... 115 00 to 150 00
OXULA eet opie sya sk so nia= bate Ses SOO oe eee 175 00 to 185 00

NEW ORLEANS.

Cattle, Texas beeves, choice....-... per head..| 40 00 to ———
first quality -...do.-..-. 35 00 to ———
second quality..do...-.. 30 00 to

western beeves.......----- percental..| 450 to 5 50
PALIGN-COWS (st vient ele per head..| 40 00 to 90 00
WEiGQLVEBi. os daeumed = olarslil dousasey bey ZOU toc, 9.00

376

Live-stock markets—Continued.

.

September.

4.8 to. 5
450 to 4
400 to 4
200 to 3
2.50: Vto. a
300 to 4
6°20: t0° NG
TO
450 to 490
00). to Ses
3°00 ‘to 4°00
350) tos "aD

>

-% bile

ie OUST CT SD
Soooono

vs

317

Live-stock markets—Continned.,

Articles. | August. September.
|,

|
New OrRLEANS—Continued. |

BRE tie cy een Rare. ofan win igen GOs aes $2 00 to $6 60 to
| SAWTTIE YS) 1S es fea Se ee a ala RR a per cental. 600 to 850 to
Horses,* good condition ..-.-- -2...per head... to $150 00 to $200 00
POOMMPlUGS 2) soe bo ase ae MOLLE Se —— to ——-—/} 100 00 to 150 00
POMIMOMN| fee. ake 5 se ee ealcins Gor ae —— to —— | 4000 to 80 00
Mules, first-class, broken --..-..---.-do...-.. —— to ——— | 190 00 to 225 00
good, suitable for sugar-work-
nov broken): sees ceca Oe oly —— to ——— | 175 00 to 200 00
good, suitable for city use,
broker, 220. G soe sarah tolats One sess —— to ——/ 175 00 to 225 00
small, suited to rice and cotton
planters, DEGIGIY.* cao ass oe ts em —— to —— | 100 00 to 150 00
green mules generally sell about $10 less

per head than broken ones.

— - - Ae

* Horse-market closed during the summer months.
FOREIGN MARKETS.

WueEAT.—The thrashing-machine has dissipated the hope cherished by
British farmers and traders that the fine growing weather of the later
season had remedied the injuries of the winter and spring upon their
wheat-crops. Dissatisfaction with the actual yield is most strongly and
generally expressed in the eastern counties. The latest general esti-
mates claim not over 24 or 27 bushels per acre as the average yield.
The grain, however, is fine, plump, and very heavy, averaging in many
localities from 65 to 67 pounds per bushel. This development cf the
situation resulted in an advance of 1 or 2 shillings per quarter in nearly
all the English country markets, yet the new harvest has been but
sparingly marketed. The views of the farmers as to the coming de-
mand are in advance of those of the buyers, who are disposed to regard
some of the representations of disaster to the crops as extravagant.
The metropolitan markets have not yet responded to this local advance,
but hold more firmly to previous rates. The English wheat-trade is
more under cosmopolitan influences than formerly. The large supplies
reported in America and Russia render a general and decided advance
a matter of serious risk. The varying requirements of continental
Kurope constitute an element of uncertainty, but statistical inquiry is
bringing it within more manageable limits. . Among the new enterprises
undertaken to facilitate this inquiry is the International Seed and Corn
Market of Vienna, which was opened August 21. Herr Devez, head of
one of the bureaus of the ministry of commerce, appeared in behalf of
the minister, and in an interesting speech cordially gave the indorse-
ment of the imperial government to the movement. A statistical re-
port, read by Herr Leinkoff, estimates the wheat-crop of Hungary at
800,000 hectoliters (2,270,000 bushels) below average, while the Aus-
trian crop was expected to show a surplus of 500,000 hectoliters,
(1,418,910 bushels,) leaving a net deficiency for the Austro-Hungarian
monarchy of 300,000 hectoliters, (851,346 bushels.) Of the other bread-
stuffs the Austro-Hungarian territory will show a decline of 1,900,000
hectoliters (5,391,758 bushels) compared with an average yield in rye,
a surplus of 2,300,000 hectoliters (6,527,006 bushels ) of barley, and a

3718

surplus of 5,600,000 hectoliters (14,159,100 bushels) of oats. The grain
exports from the crops just gathered are expected to aggregate about
4,000,000 hectoliters (11,351,280 bushels) of wheat ; 5,000,000 hectoliters
(14,159,100 bushels) of barley, and 7,000,000 to 8,000,000 hectoliters
(19,864,740 to 22,702,560 bushels) of oats. Tle short crops of rye will
leave but a small quantity available for export.

Herr Wyngart read a report on foreign wheat-crops, estimating a
moderate deficiency in England, France, and Germany, (excepting Ba-
varia and Saxony ;) a full average in Roumania, Switzerland, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark, and Northern Italy; a crop above average in Bavaria,
Saxony, Austria, and Russia. The estimate of the English harvest,
however, was made prior to the late developments, which show the crop
to have been shorter than English agricultural authorities were willing
to believe. Rye was below average in all Europe, except Russia and
France; barley was full average or above in all except Prussia, South-
ern Bavaria, England, and Sweden; oats full average or above in all
except Prussia, England, Sweden, Norway, aud Denmark.

Estimates were presented on this occasion before an assembly of 5,000
farmers and grain dealers, representative statisticians of different coun-
tries. Europe is naturally grouped into two classes of countries—pro-
ducing and consuming, according as they present a surplus or deficiency
in their productions to meet their home demand. Of the former, Russia,
with a fine crop in her southern provinces, was enabled to report a full
average in spite of a deficit of 70 per cent. in the small crop of her north-
ern provinces. Austro-Hungary was rated between a full average
and 2 per cent. below. Roumania was estimated at 25 per cent. below
average, which does not agree with the official estimate of Herr Wyn-
gart, given above. Of the consuming countries, England was estimated
at oO per cent. below average, whereas the deficiency will probably be
not less than 10 per cent., according to later developments. In Germany,
Bavaria and Saxony had a good average harvest, but Mecklenburg is
20 per cent. below, Prussia 18 per cent., Baden 10 per cent., and Wiirtem-
berg 5 percent. The south, southeast, and southwest of France show a
yield about 24 per cent. below average, but the other portions of the
country show a full average. Switzerland is 10 per cent., Sweden, Nor-
way, and Denmark 15 per cent., and the Netherlands 30 per cent.
below average.

The sales of English wheat in the United Kingdom during the week
ending August 26 amounted to 21,298 quarters, at 45s. 5d. per quarter,
against 37,980 quarters, at 53s., during the corresponding week of 1875.
The London averages were 50s. 3d. on 1,112 quarters. The imports into
the United Kingdom during the week ending August 19 amounted to
1,070,424 cwt. The Mark Lane market opened on Monday, August 21,
with a tendency to firmness, caused by the broken and unsettled state
of the weather, though quotations did not advance. English wheat
was in small supply, while foreign wheats, mostly of old crops, were
abundant. Essex and Kent white, old and new, brought from 45s. to
50s. per quarter; ditto red, 43s. to 48s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and —
Yorkshire red, 42s. to 44s.; Dantzig mixed, 50s. to 54s.; Konigsberg,
49s. to 52s.; Rostock, 50s. to 53s.; Pomeranian, Mecklenburg, and Ucher-
mark red, 47s. to 50s.; Ghiska, 40s. to 43s.; Russian hard, 42s. to
43s.; Saxonska, 42s. to 44s.; Danish and Holstein red, 46s. to 49s. ;
American red, 42s. to 47s.; Chilian white, 46s.; Californian, 47s.; Aus-
tralian, 48s. to 49s. In Liverpool British white wheat brought 9s. 6d.
to 10s. 2d. per cental; ditto red, 9s. 2d. to 9s. 10d. ; Canadian white,
Ys. to 9s. Td.; red club and golden drop, 8s. 10d. to 9s. 3d.; American

379

red winter, 9s. to 9s. 6d.; Minnesota No. 1, 8s. 10d. to 9s. 2d.; No. 1
spring, 8s. 9d. to 9s.; No. 2 spring, 7s. 10d. to 8s. 3d.; Bombay, 8s. 6d.
to 9s.; Egyptian, average, 6s. to 8s.; California, 9s. 2d. to 9s. 5d.; club,
9s. 8d. to 9s. 10d.; Oregon, 9s. Td. to 9s. 9d.; Chilian, 8s. 8d. to 9s.; Aus-
tralian, 9s. 10d. to 10s.

At the close of the last week in August the French harvest had been
completed, but the results had not been ascertained, except that the
grain was supposed to average 6 or 7 per cent. greater in weight per
bushel than in 1875. In the north, east, and south, with plentiful
supplies, prices range from 49s. 2d. to 52s, 9d. per quarter; in the cen-
ter, from 46s. 6d. to 47s. 10d. During the week 22 county markets had
advanced or tended to advance, against 34 the week previous; 42 were
reported from calm to firm, against 32 the previous week ; 85 had de-
clined or shown a declining tendency, against 83 the previous week.
The total showing indicated a weakness on the whole, and a prepon-
derance in favor of lower prices. At Paris, wheat on the spot showed
a declining tendency. The week’s arrivals at Marseilles amounted to
84,570 quarters, increasing the already inconvenient presence of extra
supplies upon that market, and causing a decline of prices. At Ant-
werp the prospect of an average crop depressed prices. Amsterdam
notes a dull trade, with a tendency in prices to weaken. In Berlin,
with an active trade in wheat, both on the spot and in transitu, prices
did not advance. At Berlin the receipts were of fine quality, but the
- yield of the dependent wheat-region was reported below average; the
trade was quiet at previous quotations; Holstein and Rostock sold at
50s. 6d. to 52s. per 504 pounds. At Leipsig the trade was dull at old
prices; low water had caused some stagnation in the milling business.
The Odessa wheat-market was very animated, in spite of discouraging
advices from abroad; the sales were considerable, and the stock on
hand remarkably low, as supplies from the interior were slow in coming
in; prices consequently firm. At Alexandria supplies had begun to
come in more freely, without, however, disturbing the status of prices ;
the amount of business was quite limited.

FLouR.—The imports of flour into the United Kingdom during the
week ending August 19 amounted to 67,507 cwt., against 124,132 cwt.
the previous week. The trade was without change, and the amount of
business very limited. The best town households, in Mark Lane, brought
36s. to 43s. per sack of 280 pounds; best country households, old, 34s.
to 36s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, old, 29s. to 31s.; French, 30s. to 35s. ;
American and extras, 21s. to 24s. per barrel of 196 pounds. At Liver-
pool English and Irish superfines were quoted at 36s. to 38s. per 280
pounds; ditto extras, 39s. to 41s.; French, 38s. 6d. to 46s. 6d.; Trieste,
47s. Od. to 52s. 6d. ; Chilian, 25s. to 28s. ; Californian, 34s. to 37s. ; Ameri-
can western and extra State, 22s. to 24s. 6d. per barrel; Baltimore and
Philadelphia, 22s. to 25s. 6d.; Ohio and extra, 22s. to 25s.; Canadian,
22s. to 26s.; patent, 29s. to 33s. The prices of eight marks in the Paris
market, August 26, averaged 37s. per 280 pounds ; superior flour 36s, 2d.

MaizE.—In Mark Lane, at the close of August, white maize was
quoted at 26s. to 27s. per quarter ; yellow ditto, 25s. to 26s. In Liver-
pool American white, per.480 pounds, 26s. 6d.; ditto mixed, 25s. to 25s,
dd.; Galatz, 26s. 9d. to 27s.; Danubian, 25s. 3d. to 25s. 6d.; Dari, 23s.
to 24s.

~
~~

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MONTHLY REPORT

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OCT OB EH Ne bs:T 4.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1876.

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MONTHLY REPORT,

STATISTICAL DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, D. C., October 25, 1876.
Sir: I respectfully present for publication a digest of crop-reports for
October; extracts from correspondence; a communication presenting a
new plan in the preparation and marketing of cotton; paper of Mr. L.
F. Allen upon American live stock, presented to the agricultural con-
gress at Philadelphia; minor statistics; domestic and foreign markets,
| &e.
Respecifully,
J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

DIGEST OF CROP-RETURNS.
WHEAT.

Our October returns indicate a reduction in the yield of the wheat-
crop of nearly one-sixth, while the quality is somewhat superior. More
accurate statistics may possibly be given after the results of threshing
are more fully known. Every section of the Union indicates a reduced
product except the Middle States, which increased about 2 per cent.
The New England States fell off 4 per cent.; the South Atlantic States
2 per cent.; the Gulf States 27 per cent.; the Southern inland States
8 per cent.; the States north of the Ohio River 14 per cent. ; the States
west of the Mississippi River 27 per cent.; the Pacific States nearly 2
percent. These figures point to a yield of about 245,000,000 bushels.
This, however, will be the subject of further examination and inquiry in
our November returns.

The condition of winter-wheat at the date of our last report before
harvest (July 1) was about 5 per cent. below average. It had suffered
severely from winter-killing in all the Northern States; but the con-
ditions of the growth during the spring months were, on the whole,
quite favorable, and still better during June. At the end of May, Mich-
igan was the only Northern State in which winter-wheat was reported as
of a full average condition ; but on the first of July the general improve-
ment of the crop had brought several other States up to the same fig-
ures. In the South Atlantic States a mild winter, followed, generally,
by favorable spring weather, presented a condition of extraordinary

384

promise, with a remarkable absence of the usual drawbacks. Every
county in Maryland reported a full average condition, and some, 20 per
cent. above. Only seven counties in Virginia fell below average, while
most of the counties of North Carolina were above; but farther south
rust and insect-ravages had already left their mark upon the growing
crops. These destructive influences, aggravated by local freshets, af-
fected the crops of the Gulf States and Southern inland States, (except
West Virginia,) so that, at the end of June, the whole wheat-field south
of Virginia and the Ohio River indicated a condition of but three-fourths.
of average. West Virginia continued to improve, and rose to 15 per
cent. above average before harvest. A general improvement was noted
in the States north of the Ohio River, but the injuries from winter-killing
were too severe and extensive to be repaired. All of the States west of
the Mississippi improved during June, except Nebraska; Mississippi
and Kansas rising above average. During this month the condition of
the crop on the Pacific coast fell below average.

Spring-wheat, on the 1st of July, had fallen to 15 per cent. below aver-
age. In the New England States, it had improved; but this improve-
ment was more than counterbalanced by the imperfect conditions of
growth, aggravated by insect ravages,in the great spring-wheat regions.
of the Northwest. The Pacific States also reported improvement; but
our August returns indicated a decline during July, which still further
reduced the general condition, especially from the depredations of
insects in the Northwest. On the 1st of September, the general esti-
mate of condition for both winter and spring wheat was 81 per cent, of
a full average.

Our October returns, as a general thing, indicate an advance in the
wheat yield of those States in which the yield of 1875 had fallen below
that of 1874, and vice versa; but in some States, especially in the
Northwest, there is a falling-off from even the reduced yields of 1875,
viz, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, and Oregon. In the New England States, extreme summer
temperature at a critical stage of the crop is complained of, together
with occasional injuries of the midge. In some parts of Maine, early
sowings yielded lightly, while later sowings were very satisfactory. In
the Middle States, the marked increase in New York and Delaware more
than counterbalanced the slight decline in Pennsylvaniaand New Jersey ;
but the increased yield of this section is not sufficient to repair the
losses of 1875 so far as to bring the crop up to the standard of 1874.
Maryland and Virginia have made up their losses of 1875; but the
decline in the other South Atlantic States, in the Gulf States, and in
the Southern Inland States, more than absorbs their previous gains.
upon the crop of 1874. Frederick, Maryland, reports that fields.
treated with phosphate excelled others in yield, and the crop exhibited
a better color; Calvert made the best crop for many years. Kentucky,
West Virginia, and Ohio have considerably increased the yield of 1875;
but that showed a great reduction from the previous year. The other
States north of the Ohio report a reduced yield, making the crop of this
region about 14 per cent. less than in 1875, and nearly one-fourth less
than in 1874. The western and northwestern counties complain of
destructive insect ravages. West of the Mississippi, the crop of 1875
was a little larger than that of 1874; .but that of 1876 shows a decline
or 27 per cent. from its predecessor. Insect ravages were numerously
reported, and the grasshoppers made their annual incursion in the
northwestern counties in time to injure the spring-wheat. Reports of
their ravages also come from Several points in the Territories. On the:

385

Pacific coast, California birely equaled her reduced crop of 1875, while
that of Oregon experienced a still further reduction of 12 per cent.

RYE.

The rye crop of 1876 is reported 4 per cent. less than that of 1875, but
in quality it averages somewhat above its predecessor. The larger de-
ficiencies are mostly in States that produce small crops, though Lllinois
and Wisconsin, with their large crops, produce 8 per cent. and New
York 7 per cent. less than last year. The larger producing States gen-
erally report yields not greatly varying from those of 1875, while Kan-
sas, in which rye culture has grown rapidly within the last few years, is
13 per cent. in advance of her previous figures. Of the great regions
of the country, New England has made a slight increase; the Middle
States, which produce about one-third of the crop of the country, fell
off about 5 per cent.; the South Atlantic States about equaled their
previous crop; the small crop of the Gulf States fell off about 10 per
cent. ; the Southern Inland States about held their own; the States
north of the Ohio River, producing about 28 per cent. of the whole, fell
off 7 per cent.; the States west of the Mississippi report a large increase,
especially Nebraska, 42 per cent., and Kansas, 13 per cent., counterbal-
ancing the deficiencies in Minnesota and lowa, and bringing the yield
of the whole section up to 9 per cent. above the previous year. On the
Pacific coast, California advanced 3 per cent., while Oregon fell off 7
per cent.; but the crop of the two States is about 2 per cent. greater
than last year.

OATS.

On the basis of the October returns, the oats crop of 1876 shows a
falling-off of 23 per cent., compared with its predecessor. Every sec-
tion of the Union is deficient, viz: New England, 7 per cent.; the Mid-
dle States, 74 per cent.; South Atlantic States, 1 per cent.; the Gulf
States, 5 per cent.; Southern Inland States, 2 per cent.; the States north
of the Ohio River, 25 per cent.; the States west of the Mississippi, 49
per cent.; the Pacific States, 4 per cent. The States reporting a yield
equal to that of last year are: Pennsylvania, 102; Delaware, 109; South
Carolina, 126; Georgia, 115; Florida, 107; Alabama, 100; Louisiana, 104;
West Virginia, 115; Kentucky, 103; Ohio, 102; California, 100. The great-
est deficiencies were found in Kansas, losing 51 percent.; Arkansas, 45
per cent.; Illinois, 59 per cent.; Missouri, 36 percent. Ohiois the only
Northwestern State that did not fall short. In the New England and
Middle States, the crop was largely reduced by droughts prevailing at a
critical period in the development of the grain. Several counties in the
South bear their usual testimony in favor of winter-oats, but spring sow-
ings were liable to rust. In Ohio, where the aggregate product was
enlarged, there are complaints in several counties of light weight. The
crop was affected by rust in many counties north of the Ohio River, and
several report great injury in the shock from rain. In some cases, the
grain was so light and shrunken as to be blown out of the windmill with
the chaff. The same causes operated west of the Mississippi, where the
ravages of grasshoppers added a fresh element of disaster. In very
many localities, fields were not harvested, and where the grain was reaped
it was frequently fed without thrashing. The grasshopper visitation was
especially severe at several points in the Territories. California on the
whole had a good crop, but Oregon was deficient. In Washington Ter-

386

ritory, winter-oats are spoken of at several points as yielding very heavy
crops, the Scotch Potato variety being especially satisfactory.

The crop equaled last year’s crop in quality only in Delaware, 100;
Virginia, 100 ; North Carolina, 100; South Carolina, 104; Georgia, 106 ;
West ‘Virginia, 109; Kentucky, 112; Ohio, 105; California, 100. The
greatest deficiency, 52 per cent., was in Missouri; Kansas was 37 per
cent. short, and Illinois 34.

BARLEY.

The barley crop of the country yields about 6 per cent. less than last
year. In all the States east of the Mississippi River, the yield is deficient,
except in Connecticut and Georgia, each of which reports an increase
of 2 per cent., and Kentucky, which has equaled her previous crop. A
great falling-off is reported in the Middle States, in the States north of
the Ohio River, in the States between the Mississippi and Missouri
Rivers, and in Oregon; but Kansas, Nebraska, and especially California,
the largest barley-raising State in the Union, have realized a large in-
crease of yield, which, to a great extent, counterbalances the short crops
of the other States. New York, the second, and Iowa, the third, in the
list of barley-growing States, are deficient; the former 14 per cent. and
the latter 12 per cent. Kansas and Nebraska, in which this crop is
growing in importance, report increased yields; the former of 5 per cent.,
and the latter 25 per cent. The quality of the crop equals or surpasses
that of its predecessor in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Kentucky, Ohio,
Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska; in all the other
States there is a decline.

BUCKWHEAT.

The buckwheat crop is reported as full average or above in Rhode
Island, Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, and California;
in the other States, it is below average, the minimum, 50, being in Dela-
ware. . From some localities in Maine and Vermont come reports of
serious injuries by blight. From some parts of the Middle States, com-
plaints of excessive heat and drought, while in others, excessive rains
at the ripening season, greatly injured the crop. In Kent, Delaware, it
was prostrated by astorm, September17. The yield was remarkably fine
at several points in Virginia, Carroll County, in that State, and Hay-
wood, North Carolina, reporting the best crop for many years. No re-
turns of the growth of this crop have been received from the Gulf States,
but the small crop of Arkansas was quite satisfactory. In Tennessee

and West Virginia, the grain was injured by drought. North of the
- Ohio River it had a varied fortune, enjoying good conditions of growth
in some of the more southern counties, while from Michigan come reports
of blasting heat drying up the crop. West of the Mississippi it was
greatly depleted by the ravages of the grasshoppers, which were re-
ported as especially voracious in several counties of Dakota; in Yank-
ton “ not a kernel was left.”

CORN. ‘

The condition of the corn crop on the 1st of October, on the whole,
was nearly average. In the New England States it was a little above
average. The Middle States, except Delaware, report a depressed con-
dition. Drought during the growing season shortened. the yield, while

387

in many counties the grain standing in the shock was seriously injured
by heavy rains, especially where the crop was not well ripened. In
New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania heavy storms prevailing about
the middle of September prostrated many fields. Grub worms are
reported in a few cases as somewhat troublesome. This section, as a
whole, is about 8 per cent. below average. The South Atlantic States,
especially in counties near the coast, suffered serious injury to this crop
from the September storms above noted, which prostrated fields left
uncut, while the heavy rains that followed spoiled a large amount of
both grain and fodder. Freshets swept the crops stacked upon the
river bottoms, and frosts damaged late crops in one or two counties of
North Carolina. Some complaint of damage to upland crops from
drought have been received from South Carolina. Maryland and South
Carolina are full average, and Georgia largely above, but the deficien-
cies of Virginia and North Carolina cut down the general condition of
this section to 2 per cent. below average. The crop in the Gulf States,
on the whole, is about average, Texas reporting an especially fine con-
dition. Conecuh, Alabama, reports the crop as selling at 50 cents per
bushel, which is lower than at any time during the past ten years.
Local prices show a considerable reduction in this State. Reports of
injuries from drought and storms have been received from Mississippi
and Louisiana, but the tone of reports from Texas indicates a very
superior yield and quality ; in some counties prices have fallen to 25
-cents per bushel. The southern inland States are all above average,
and the promise of large yields had already depressed local prices,
especially in districts remote from market. Giles, Tennessee, reports corn
selling at 12 or 15 cents per bushel. Kentucky, especially, promises a
large crop and a consequent depression of prices, though some counties
complain of light crops, the result of drought.

North of the Ohio River there is a deficiency on the whole, the low
condition in Illinois and Michigan overbalancing the extra promise in
the other States. Ohio reports a superior crop, generally of good qual-
ity, though drought in some localities, and excessive rains in others,
reduced local averages. Prices in some of the rural districts have fallen
to 25 cents per bushel. In Michigan, crops on low, wet lands are re-
ported very poor, and in some cases not worth gathering, indicating
injuries from excessive rains, but no reports of injurious frost have been
received. Iliinois is 6 per cent. below average, though several counties
report the finest crop for years. September storms were destructive
at a few points. The superiority of upland crops indicates an over-
plus of rain. Several reporters in Wisconsin mention, with satisfac-
tion, that the crop was too far advanced to be much injured by either
frosts or grasshoppers. West of the Mississippi the small deficiency in
Missouri is more than repaired by the fine condition reported in all the
other States. In Iowa crops were poor in low, wet lands, and the con-
dition in several counties reduced greatly by grasshoppers. In Missouri
local damage by storms is reported, but low prices indicate an abundant
yield in the larger portion of the State. Kansas is full average, in spite
of the grasshoppers and chinches, and Nebraska is considerably above.
Insect ravages were quite severe in several counties 6f Colorado and
Dakota, while frosts were destructive in Utah. The later part of the
season, in several trans-Mississippi districts, was quite favorable, repair-
ing to a considerable extent the disasters that had preceded. The crop
on the Pacific coast is somewhat below average, the superior condition
of Oregon not being sufficient to meet the depression in California,

388
COTTON.

The October reports indicate a reduction of the condition of cotton
during the past month in the ten principal cotton States from an average
of 90.5 to 82.7. The October average for these States was 88 in 1875
and 71.7 in 1874. The decline from September is slight in Georgia,
Florida, and Mississippi, greater in Louisiana and Arkansas, and
greatest in Alabama and Tennessee. There is a small advance in Texas.
The figures for the condition of States are as follows: North Carolina,
84; South Carolina, 80; Georgia, 87; Florida, 80; Alabama, 70; Mis-
sissippi, 83 ; Louisiana, 82; Texas, 91; Arkansas, 86; Tennessee, 91.
The impairment of the crop prospect has been caused by the equinoc- |
tial storm in North Carolina, drought and rust in Georgia, the cater-
pillar in Florida and Alabama, the boll-worm in Arkansas, and’ frost in
Tennessee. The caterpillar is confined to the southerly portion of the
Gulf States. Its depredations are most severe in Alabama. In most
of the infested districts its reproduction was too late to destroy more
than the top crops.

The September gale prostrated much of the crop of Dinwiddie
County, Virginia, and the injury from the storm of September 17 was
considerable throughout the tide-water region of the Carolinas. For
two weeks following there was an excess of rain in this region. It is
stated that the ground in Bertie, North Carolina, was whitened with
the staple detached by the violence of the storm. In Warren and
Duplin the damage from the equinoctial storm, 15th to 17th of Sep-
tember, is estimated at 20 per cent.; and the loss is large in Lenoir,
Pitt, Wayne, Bladen, Beaufort, Edgecomb, Greene, Chowan, and
Camden. Rust is prevalent in Wilson and Greene. Picking progressed
slowly in North Carolina in consequence of the continuance of bad
weather. The pickers in Pitt exhibit positive disinclination to work at
the ruling price, 40 cents per hundred. The bolls are opening rapidly
in South Carolina, and the top crop will be light. There is some com-
plaint of rust; there has been injurious drought on these uplands, and
loss from floods in the bottoms. The caterpillar is reported in Richland.
Sea Island cotton in Beaufort is yielding better than last year.

Caterpillars appeared about the middle of July in Liberty County,
Georgia, and stripped the plants of leaves, but not so early as to mate-
rially injure the yield. Some damage by the caterpillar is reported in
Early County and in Muscogee. The principal causes of deterioration
were drought, rust, mud and rain. There is much complaint of defi-
ciency of the top crop. In Carroll it is stated that the loss by shed-
ding bolls will be 50 per cent. In some counties favorable weather
for opening and gathering is reported, as well as superiority in quality
of fiber. It was thought in Oglethorpe that the crop would all be
open by the 15th of October, and in Columbia by the 1st of November.
In other counties there was little to open at the date of the return.

Caterpillars have reduced the yield in Florida, notably in Columbia.
The ripening has been early—*‘ premature,” as the records have it. The
Gadsden reporter represents the harvest as nearly over, with a product
30 per cent. less than a full yield, and says he has never known, in an
experience of 50 years, a crop to be housed so early by a month.

The caterpillar has been somewhat destruetive of the top crop in por-
tions of Alabama. The loss is estimated at 50 per cent. in Conecuh ;
at 40 in Hale, (50 in the southern portion,) where the fields were swept
by the invasion as early as the Ist of September. Among the counties
mentioning especially the ravages of worms, are Autauga, Baldwin,

389

Bullock, Coffee, Chickasaw, Chambers, Monroe, and Macon. Drought
is reported as the cause of reduced yield in several counties.

The causes of injury in Mississippi are worms, drought, wet weather,
and frosts. Late cotton will be seriously injured by worms in Grenada
and Choctaw. In Hancock, Paris green was used successfully against
the caterpillar. A frost, sufficiently severe to do some injury, is reported
in several counties. Injury from wet weather‘is reported in Hinds,-
Choctaw, and in other counties.

The crop is injured in Louisiana very generally by drought—continu-
ing in Jackson for ten weeks, causing rust, shedding, and premature
opening; 75 per cent. of the product was in readiness for harvest at
the first picking. The caterpillar is doing some damage to the top crop.

A favorable season for picking is reported generally in Texas. Pick-
ing is progressing very rapidly, and in some counties drought will
reduce the length of the harvest period. The loss from drought is
placed at 50 per cent. in Bexar. The top crop in Bell is nearly destroyed
by grasshoppers, and in Dallas their injuries are serious. The boll-worm
is reported in Red River and Rusk.

Fine weather for picking, a heavy growth, a tendency to run to weed
in rich lands, more or less injury from drought in light soils, and early
ripening are indices of the state of the crop in Arkansas. The boll-worm
has been destructive in several counties; more so than ever before in
Franklin County. A frost occurred on the 1st of October.

Late cotton has been injured by frost in Tennessee. The season has
been fine for ripening and gathering, picking is one to two weeks early,
and the harvest will be completed at an early date.

Finally, the general harvest is more advanced than usual; the season
is generally favorable for picking; the later pickings will be compara-
tively light; the causes of injury are not unusually excessive, drought
being somewhat prominent in the Gulf States, the September storms on
the Atlantic coast, the caterpillar in Alabama especially, and the boll-
worm in Arkansas. The season promises to be much shorter than last
year; there is less vigor and thrift for future development of fruitage in
case of a prolonged season like the extraordinary one of 1875. Though
the indications of condition-reports of this Department up to October
pointed to four and two-thirds millions of bales last season, there was
proved to be a deficiency of lint to seed in the ginning, and other unfa-
vorable indications, which would have limited the crop inevitably to
four and one-third millions, but for a full month’s delay of killing frost
in the Gulf States, fields being green in a large belt up to December
8th. The future of the present season cannot make the crop a defi-
cient one, but will determine how near to the large one of 1875 the
result shall come.

POTATOES,

Returns from Maine indicate a fair crop in yield and quality, with
the prospect of very remunerative prices. In the other Eastern, and in
the Middle States, the condition was largely reduced by a general
drought, beginning early in August and protracted into September.
The beetle has injured the crop extensively in New York, and occasion-
ally in all the other States of this section, except Maine. In Indiana,
Pennsylvania, the crop is rotting badly in the gronnd; Elk had
almost a failure in yield, with excellent quality; Lycoming, a like
deficiency in yield with very poor quality ; Cambria, a large growth of
. vines, but not more than 75 or 80 bushels per acre; Sullivan, small and

390

immature potatoes, the vines having died prematurely. In Armstrong,
early potatoes were extra good, but late, few and small. In New York
the average condition is reduced to65. New Jersey returns 73; Penn-
sylvania, 68; Vermont and Maryland, 83. In Frederick, Maryland, po-
tatoes sold one year ago as low as 20 cents per bushel; now the price is
70 cents, and advancing. In Virginia the later crop was, to a considerable
extent, killed in the germ by early drought. Dinwiddie reports that not
10 per cent. of the late planted came up; the condition in the State
averages 88. In the remaining section south of the Potomac and the
Ohio, in which the Irish potatoe is a minor crop, the average condition
is not much, if any, below 100. Local extremes of high and low condi-
tion are included in this general average. In Beaufort, N. C., the late
crop is almost a failure from rotting; in Arkansas, Garland reports a
complete failure, but Izard an abundant crop. In Gibson, Tennessee,
the crop is almost a failure; and in Montgomery, “ used up by drought
and the bugs ;” but the State averages 100.

North of the Ohio, returns confirm the indications in the September
reports of a comparatively poor crop in both yield and quality. In
addition to the reductions by unfavorable weather, and by the beetle,
previously reported, damages from blight are noted in Franklin, Ohio,
and Fond du Lac, Wis.; from rotting, in Chippewa, Mich., and Grant,
Brown, and Clark, Wis. In Henry, Obio, the price is 70 cents per
bushel, against 20 cents last year; in Delta, Mich., a first-rate crop sells
at 50 cents per bushel, wholesale ; in Noble, Indiana, a crop less than 25
per cent. of an average, at $1.25 per bushel. The average condition
in Michigan is 55; Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin, 83; Indiana, 89. West
of the Mississippi the condition is higher, but the promise is somewhat
below an averagecrop. In the latter part of the season grasshoppers
have been the most general cause of reduction in the States and Ter-
ritories between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains. The low-
est condition in this section is 81, in Kansas; the highest 96, in
Minnesota. Rot is reported in Alamakee, Marion, and Lee, lowa; and
in Greene, Missouri, “‘ the early potatoes are all rotting at one end.”

On the Pacific slope, California reports a condition 7 per cent. above
average, or higher than that of any other State in the Union. Oregon
falisto94. In Utahthe crop has been extensively damaged by early frosts.

The entire returns, with their various local specifications concerning
actual or prospective yield and quality, point to a short crop, with
great variations in quality, and with high prices. The average of condi-
tion for the entire country is 77.

SWEET POTATOES.

Returns give promise of a full average crop of good quality. On the
Atlantic coast, from New Jersey to South Carolina inclusive, the condi-
tion ranges from 104 to 97.. It has been reduced in Georgia to 91;
Florida, 84; and Alabama, 87, by a general and protracted drought.
In Mississippi the drought was severe and disastrous to the crop in
localities, but being less general in extent, the condition falls only 2
per cent.; in Louisiana, the same cause brings it down to 88. Texas
averages 96; Coryell reports the best crop ever raised, all in fine condi-
tion; Upshur, a yield equal to that of last year, with an increase of 100
per cent. in acreage; Bexar, a failure of the crop from a drought of
three months’ continuance. The condition is 90 in Nebraska, and 94
in Illinois; but in all the remaining States, in which the crop is of

any account, the range is from 98 in Indiana and Kansas, up to 109.

391

in Tennessee and California. There is scarcely an exception to favor-
able returns respecting quality, so far as if is referred to.

SORGHUM.

Nearly all the States which grow sorghum to any considerable extent,
report a condition averaging ubove 100; South Carolina, 101; North
Carolina and West Virginia, 103; Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska,
104; Texas and Ohio, 105; Georgia, 107; Tennessee and Kentucky,
109. Madison, Virginia, reports the largest crop ever raised. In Geor-
gia, the return from Gwinnett states that the crop has become an im-’
portant one in the county, and that growers, with “the improved evap-
orator,” are making sirup equal to the best New Orleans; Stewart,
that a good crop, matured before the drought came on, has been about
all ground up; Jackson, that since the introduction of evaporators,
sirup superior to any other is made, and that the crop will make thou-
sands of gallons; Hart, that the crop is sufficient to make 10,000 gal-
lons of sirup.

In Alabama, Conecuh reports that the er op, well matured, this sea-
son, is more or less grown upon every farm, and is conferring great
benefit on the poorer classes. In De Kalb the quantity is above aver-
age, and the quality far superior to that of any previous crop ; in Clay,
the crop is very good, and is becoming oue of the important industries;
in Covington, is grown in large quantities, and found to be very profit-
able, promising to supersede sugar-cane.

In Texas the condition improved in September ; Coryell returns 130;
in Rusk, about 30,000 gallons of sorghum sirup have been made. The
sirup sells for 50 cents per gallon. ‘ Sorghum will henceforth be a staple
product of the county.” In Arkansas, Fulton reports that the black-
top variety was injured by rust, while other kinds escaped. In Tennes-
see, Monroe reports that ‘*sorghum mills and evaporators are the or-
der of the day ;” also that sirup from the red-top variety is ‘‘ very supe-
rior.” In Blount the abundant crop was never excelled. In Allen, Ky.,
an unprecedented quantity of sorghum molasses will be manufactured.
In Henry County, Ohio, more has been grown than for the last three
years. In Jefferson, Illinois, the crop exceeds all previous ones, and
the cane is very rich in juice.

TOBACCO.

Cheshire and Sullivan in New Hampshire, Berkshire and Hampshire
in Massachusetts, and Hartford and Litchfield in Connecticut, all being
principal tobacco counties, return each a condition of 100. In New
York the largest tobacco county, Onondaga, returns 70; other counties
range from 75 to 100. In Pennsylvania, Lancaster reports that a larger
crop than ever before has all been housed in good condition. In York,
the next in importance, the condition is 110. Cumberland, 90, (produc-
ing but little) is the only county below 100.

In Maryland the condition averages about 82. Prince George, the
heaviest county, is reported at 90. Returns from Calvert and Mont-
gomery state that the quality will be inferior. The crop was considera-
bly damaged by the equinoctial storm.

In Virginia, thé average condition returned September 1 was 65. Dur-
ing the month the progress in some localities was counterbalanced by
damages from storms and depredations by worms in others, so that the
general condition October 1 averaged about the same. Pittsylvania,

392

first in production, returns 50 per cent. of an average condition ; Halifax,
next, 70. In the latter, and in Franklin, 55, and Dinwiddie, 50, the crop
has suffered greatly both from the severe equinoctial storms and the dep-
redations of worms. In Mecklenburg, 66, the crop is so late that much of
it must becut before maturing. Some of the counties producing smaller
quantities, as Montgomery and Carroll, report that the crop has been
housed in superior condition. As a rule the lighter counties are higher
in condition than the heavier, many of them reaching 100.

In North Carolina the average is 73. In Caswell it has been reduced
to 80 by unprecedented ravages of the horn-worm. In Rockingham, 35,
the crop is very late and exposed to damages by frost. Orange returns
39 in yield, but fair in quality. As in Virginia, a higher condition is
generally returned in counties producing small quantities.

Tennessee averages 91, an advance of 11 percent. in September. The
figures in some of the important counties are: Montgomery, 80; Henry,
85; Smith, 95; Weakley and Dickson, 100; Obion, 110; Macon, 125.

In West Virginia a high condition is reported, averaging 106. Among
the returns, only two small counties, Lewis and Pleasants, each 90, fall
below 100. Among the more important returns are: Kanawha, 105;
Putnam and Cabell, 100; others range from 100 to 125.

Kentucky reports an advance in condition during September from 77
to 83. General exemption from insect depredations and very favorable
conditions of weather combined to effect this result. Daviess reports a
promise of the best crop ever made, and the largest except that of 1872.
In Webster, Breckinridge, and Warren the crop has been nearly all
housed in good condition. In Lewis the yield and quality exceed the
capacity of tobacco-houses for successful handling. In Owen this
has been the best year in the last twelve for the crop. In Christian and
Hopkins the condition is 100. In Bracken the yield is 100, but the early
cut was much injured by damp weather, causing it to rot in the barns.
In Graves, the yield is but 40, but the quality good, and nearly all
is housed. Simpson bas not more than 25 per cent. of a crop. Ohiohas
many very trashy crops. In Metcalf a large part is too late to mature.
In Pendleton the stem of a considerable portion has rotted in the barn,
causing the leaves to fall off. Russell is the only county reporting in-
jury from frost.

In Ohio the average condition advanced, in September, from 97 to
104. Montgomery, the leading tobacco county, reports an extra crop of
seed-leaf; Preble, that the crop has been secured “in splendid condi-
tion.” In Monroe, the crop has suffered from wet weather; that county
and Richland (in which the production is small) are the only ones,
among thirteen, returning tobacco below 100.

In Indiana, Warrick reports a condition of 110, and Pike 120. These
counties grow half the crop produced in the State. Among twelve re-
turns, all, except two unimportant ones, are 100 or above.

The month of September was also very favorable to the crop in Mis-
souri. The returns indicate a surprising improvement in condition—
advancing from 87 to 107; Howard and Lincoln return 125; Carroll,
Stoddard, and Macon, 110; Montgomery, 75, is the only important
county reporting below 100.

THE PEA CROP.
Acreage.—The States indicating an increase in acreage, compared

with last year, are Oregon, 2 per cent.; Virginia, Arkansas, and Ken-
tucky, 3; Florida, Texas, and California, 4; Michigan and Minnesota,

393

8; Nebraska, 16; Ohio reports a decrease of 14 per cent.; Mississippi
and Louisiana, 10; Alabama, 9; Wisconsin and Iowa, 7, In the re-
maining States the variations from the acreage of the previous year are
slight.

Condition.—In Connecticut, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Min-
nesota, and Nebraska, the condition averages 100; in California, 101;
the remaining States, below 100. The lowest is in Louisiana, 81; the
next in order of ascent are Mississippi, 84; Alabama, 85; Georgia, 86 ;
Florida, 89; Pennsylvania, 91 ; Illinois and Iowa, 93; New York, Texas,
and Wisconsin, 9b: * A. general and protracted drought was the main
cause of reduction in the Gulf States.

BEANS.

The only States in which the condition does not fall below 100 are,
New Jersey, Delaware, and Oregon, 100; California, 103; Vermont,
104; and South Carolina, 107. Grasshoppers were very destructive
to the crop in the section visited by them. Rust is reported in
Androscoggin, Maine, excessive wet weather in Guthrie and Marion,
Iowa, and drought in some other localities. The States returning the
lowest averages are Nebraska, 65; Alabama, 76; Ilowa,79; Minnesota,
81; Maryland and Illinois, 84; Rhode Island, 87; Connecticut, 90;
New York, 91. The other States range between '92 ,in New Hampshire,
Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and 99 in Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee,
and Wisconsin.

FATTENING CATTLE.

The numbers of fattening cattle are apparently somewhat less than
last year, though the difference is small. Maine and Vermont, most of :
the Southern States, and especially the States of the Missouri Valley,
return increasing numbers; while the returns from the Middle and Cen-
tral Western States are uniformly below 100. Their condition is very
generally higher than the returns of condition last year, the principal
exceptions being in New York, New Jersey, and in New England.

394

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396

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

A GOOD DAIRY REGION.—lIllinois.— Ogle: Prof. J. Wilkinson, of Balti- -
more, Maryland, has been engaged recently at Byron, in this county, con-
structing a dairy-house or butter-factory, on his subearth cooling and

- ventilation system, with a capacity for manipulating the milk of four hun-
dred cows. This dairy is for Messrs. Israel Boeis & Son, late of Marengo,
McHenry County, who are experienced dairymen, and who, after riding
thousands of miles prospecting for the most favorable locality for a
butter-dairy, have given this place the preference. Professor Wilkinson,
in the Germantown Telegraph, also says:

I have now inspected this locality (Ogle County) with great care, and I am con-
strained to give it the preference over any other locality that I have ever seen for
conducting the dairy business; that is, the manufacture of butter and cheese. The
country is rolling, and to the most desirable degree that I ever saw. There is quite a
variety of surface-soil, the dark, deep, naturally-drained fertile loam prevailing. It is
generally rather light for wheat. From one-third to one-half of the area (near Byron)
is wooded, the prévailing trees white, black, and burr oak, white ash, hickory, and
cherry. Blue and green grass and white clover are the chief spontaneous grasses, and
there is scarcely a place.to be found, whether in a natural state or such as has been
cropped, where there is not a fine dense sward of these grasses, except where, by sloy-
enly tillage, rag-weed has overgrown everything else. Such rag-weed I never saw—
four to seven feet high is common. Red clover grows most luxuriantly, and timothy
flourishes in the nearest level portions, as the soil there is more clayey.

This is correct, and in accordance with my own views as to the nat
ural advantages of this locality for the dairy business.

WINTER GRAIN.—New York.—Schoharie : Wheat and rye look fine.
Onondaga ; Wheat looks finely, and has made a fine growth. Montgom-
ery: Abundant rains are giving newly-sown wheat a splendid start.

Pennsylvania.— York : The late, continued heavy rains have delayed
seeding at the usual time. Bedford: Much of the fall sowing is yet to be
done; excessive rains have delayed it very much. Lawrence; Wheat
was sown early and looks well. Blair: Have had continuous rains for
the last three weeks, consequently much of the seeding must be done
late. Lebanon; The fall seeding is all done, and the grain is up; the
stand is very fine. Washington: In some places the grub-worm is work-
ing very badly on the wheat in the ground; much wheat has been seeded
very late, on account of continued rains, and farmers are not done seeding
yet, October 6.

Delaware.—Kent: The heavy rains for the last two weeks have put
the farmers back in sowing wheat.

Maryland.—Princé George's : Seeding of wheat has scarcely yet com-
menced. (ueen Anne: Wheat-seeding has been greatly retarded by the
frequent rains; very little is yet in the ground. Harford: Very little
wheat sown yet; continued wet, following extremely dry, weather is
keeping the farmers back. Howard: Protracted rains have postponed
wheat-seeding two weeks; it will be very late.

Virginia.—Culpeper : Seeding will be late, the farmers very much
behind, owing to excessively wet weather. Loudoun: Farmers will
be backward in putting in wheat. King George: The rains in Septem-
ber have been excessive, and have retarded the sowing of wheat; none
has yet been sown. Mecklenburgh: Spring oats having proved a failure
many years, winter oats have been extensively sown this fall. Roanoke:
A large crop will be put in this fall. Fairfax: A less breadth of wheat
will be sown than last year, owing to low prices; the prevailing belief

397

_ is that there is no profit in raising wheat under $1.50 per bushel; Fultz
wheat is still the favorite, though more Lancaster will be sown than last
year. Richmond: Wheat-seeding has been delayed by constant rains;
little or no grain sown yet.

North Carolina.—Alleghany : The farmers are about done seeding; the
weather has been very favorable, and.the small-grain crop is looking
fine.

Georgia.— Carroll: Large ¢rops of small grain will be sown this fall,
and that is the only way to save this county from utter ruin. Dooly:
Little sown yet, but that looks fine. Harris: People talk of planting
wheat and oats more extensively than ever before.

Florida.—Jefferson : The prospect is that a large area will be sown in
oats this fall to make up for the deficiency in the corn crop.

Texas.—Bowie: Small grain has not been put in yet, the weather be-
ing too warm and dry. Wélliamson: The farmers are very busy in sow-
ing wheat, oats, rye, and barley.

Arkansas.—Baxter: Have just commenced sowing wheat, but the
weather is so dry that slow progress is made, and seed is very scarce;
the crop must fall short again next year. Prairie: During the latter
part of August and all of September no rain fell; this has interfered
with the preparation of the land, and has prevented the sowing of
wheat. Sebastian: More wheat is being sown than usual. Washington:
Very little wheat is yet sown, as the ground is too dry. Jzard: Very
little wheat or rye yet sown, owing to the drought.

Tennessee.— Giles: Cannot prepare stubble-land for wheat until we have
rain. A larger acreage will be sown this fall than ever before.

West Virginia.—The very wet weather has delayed the farmers in sow-
ing their wheat; that sown has come up well. Randolph: September
was too wet to seed.

Kentucky.— Crittenden: The present indications are that more wheat
than usual will be sown this fall, and that greater pains will be taken in
the preparation of the soil. Drills are being introduced.

Ohio.—Tuscarawas : The farmers are favored with a fine fall for put-
ting in their seed. Henry: The acreage of the growing wheat crop is
larger than last year. It is mostly drilled, and looks unusually well.
Montgomery: Seed-wheat was put in the ground in excellent condition—
better than for many years—and the weather is fine for the growing
wheat. Preble: The wheat sown this autumn is in very high condition.
Medina: It has rained nearly every day the past month; much of the
wheat is not yet sown, and many farmers will not sow at all. Fairfield:
The acreage of wheat sown is increased 25 percent. Belmont: A large
portion of the wheat has not yet been sown, owing to the wetness of
the ground. |

Michigan.— Tuscola: A large amount of wheat has been sown, and
nearly all was putin before the 10th of September. The new crop looks
very fine. Barry: Wheat looks well, but the fly is eating the early
sown quite badly. Wayne: The new crop of wheat never looked better.

Indiana.— Dearborn: The prospect for the wheat sown this fall is poor.
The ground is dry, the month of September has been cold, and the grass-
hoppers have eaten a great deal as fast as it came up. Decatur: An
increased acreage of wheat has been sown. Marion: The newly-sown
wheat is getting a very fine start. De Kalb: The growing wheat never
looked better. Warren: Wheat never looked better. Ripley: Septem-
ber has been a favorable month for sowing wheat, and the farmers have’
improved the opportunity to get it in early. That which has come up

‘looks well.

2A

. 398

lllinois—Monroe: The season has been so wet that plowing for winter
wheat is very backward; not much sown yet, but a few fields are
up and looking well. Hancock: An increased area of wheat is being
sown. Jefferson: The breadth sown exceeds that of last year nearly
30 per cent. ,

Missouri.—Camden : The weather is remarkably fine for farm-work ;
three-fourths of the wheat is sown. Early-sown wheat never looked
better. Rye is also A No.1. Cole: The weather was never more favor-
able; we have finished sowing wheat, and have increased the acreage 20
per cent. Moniteaw: The past month has been very favorable for fali
work, and a very large breadth of wheat has been sown, in splendid
order. Holt: The new wheat and rye in the upper part of the county
have been nearly all destroyed by the grasshoppers. Saint Genevieve:
The ground is in remarkably fine condition, and wheat-sowing bas been
progressing rapidly since the 15th of September. Platte: Commenced
seeding about the 10th of September. The growing wheat is looking
well, the weather being favorable to its rapid growth. Boone: The favor-
able weather has enabled the farmers to put in their wheat in fine con-
dition; but having failed for two consecutive years to raise much wheat,
they have not been disposed to sow as much as usual.

Kansas.—Brown: The grasshoppers have destroyed about all the
wheat, rye, aud timothy that have come up, and will doubtless destroy
all that has been sowed. The farmers have stopped sowing, owing to
their presence. Sedgwick: The grasshoppers alighted on the Ist of
September, not in such numbers as two,years ago, but enough to eat
all the young wheat and rye as fast as it appears. Many of the farmers
are still sowing wheat. Bourbon: The grasshoppers appeared on the
28th of September, and are eating the wheat clean as they go. Cowley:
The grasshoppers have taken all the early-sown wheat and rye, and they
are still with us; they keep us from sowing wheat. Douglas: Owing to
the prospect of another grasshopper raid, but little wheat was sown
until within two weeks; the early sewn looks fine. Woodson: Grass-
hoppers came on the 9th of September by the million, and have destroyed
all the early-sown grain. Chase: The grasshoppers came September 9,
and the wheat that had been sown is all destroyed. Lyon: The fall
sowing of wheat and rye has all been devoured by the grasshoppers.
Osage: On the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September, the wind from the
northwest brought billions of grasshoppers, and consequently all the
small grain is a total loss. Reno: The farmers are still busy in sowing
wheat; some ground is being planted for the third time; only about
half the area will be sown that would have been if the grasshoppers
had not come; all the early sown was entirely killed. Shawnee: The
grasshoppers have eaten about half of the wheat and rye sown; the
farmers are sowing these grains over again. Washington: The farmers
are now busy in sowing fall grain; we do not fear the grasshoppers in
the spring, for the farmers will plow all they can this fall and winter,
with the expectation of killing the grasshoppers in the egg. Saline:
All wheat sown before the grasshoppers came has been destroyed by
them ; some farmers have lost 200 acres, and one has lost 1,200.

Nebraska.—Richardson: The grasshoppers are thick here, and have
taken all the fallsowing. Pawnee: Winter wheat and rye are all de-
stroyed by the grasshoppers.

DISEASES AMONG FARM-STOCK.—Maryland.— Worcester: In one small
section, within a few days, a very fatal disease has broken out among

cattle, supposed to be Texas fever, communicated by a drove from the
South, which passed through.

399

Virginia.—Powhatan : Some cattle have died from murrain, but the
number is limited.

North Carolina.—Rowan: The cholera is killing many hogs.

Florida.—Suwannee: Hogs of improved stock have not suffered as
much from disease as others, perhaps owing to the better care.

Louisiana.—Cameron : Cattle and horses continue to die from charbon
and murrain; also from what is here known as blind and sleepy stag-
gers. It is estimated that 10 per cent. of the gentle horses and of the
eattle have died of the above diseases during the season.

Arkansas.—Izard: A small per cent. of the cattle have had the disease
ealled black tongue, and a few have died. it has been more fatal among
the wild deer.

Kentucky.— Graves : Hog-cholera prevails in many localities. Pendle-
ton: A few hogs are dying with cholera.

Ohio.— Henry : A very fatal disease, not properly cholera, is prevailing
among hogs and pigs. The symptoms indicate spinal meningetis, to-
gether with glandular enlargement, especially about the throat. Chorea
or Saint Vitus’s Dance and convulsions are prominent symptoms. All
the small pigs die with it; some of the older ones survive. No remedy is
known. A distiller has lost 450; one farmer, 23 out of 60; another, 42
out of 60; another, 34, being all he had; and the losses are in like pro-
portion through the neighborhood. A marked feature is that it causes
abortion in all pregnant sows attacked with it.

Indiana.—Steuben: Several cases of hog-cholera are reported.

Missouri.—Johnson : The cholera is making sad havoc with the hog-
erop ; from 25 to 32 per cent. of the hogs in the county have died within
amonth. Moniteau: Hog-cholera still prevails alarmingly. Lincoln:
There is a new disease among hogs. They are taken with a sleepy
look, the eyes become inflamed, and they finally become blind; the
skin becomes scabbed over, the scabs hard and dry. If killed in the
last stage, the lungs are black. Some die in a few days and some live
two weeks. One farmer boiled poke-root, mixed with bran, fed freely,
and has had no new cases since trying it.

Nouts.— Virginia.— Floyd : The crop of chestnuts and acorns is more
abundant than ever before known. ‘There is more mast than hogs to
eat it. Highland: We have much mast and the hogs are fattening in
the woods.

West Virginia.—Raleigh: The oak and chestnut mast is fine; hogs
fatten on it. Boone: Oak mast is most abundant, equal to half a crop
of corn for hogs. Greenbrier: We have a good mast; in many places
if will be sufficient to fatten the hogs and to winter the stock-hogs.

Kentucky.— Owsley: We have the finest oak mast for years; but
hogs are very scarce. Lewis: The mast has not been so heavy for
years. Laurel: There is a good mast. It wili be worth one-tenth as
much as the corn crop. Clinton: The oak mast is very abundant,
enough to keep all the stock-hogs in good condition nearly through the
winter. Russell: We have a splendid oak mast. Hogs will fatten on
it, and will keepin good condition all winter. Crittenden : The hickory
and oak mast is abundant, more than sufficient to fatten all the hogs in
the county.

- Lllinois.—Jefferson ; The quantity of all kinds of mast is enormous.

Missouri.—Camden : Mast is abundant and stock-hogs are ‘in clover.”
Perry: The abundance of acorns will make up the deficiency of 25 per
cent. in the corn crop.

GRASSHOPPERS IN TEXAS.—Palo Pinto: The grasshoppers appeared

400

on the 17th of September, and are as thick as they ever were here,
destroying everything as they go. Uvalde: Appeared September 22
in quantities, arriving from the north, and causing some alarm. McLen-
nan: Reached here on the 20th of September, and have materially dam-
aged the cotton crop by cutting off unripe bolis. Bell: Made their
appearance in great numbers about a week since, and are destroying
all gardens and every sward of grain. They have cut off the late corn
and the young bolls on the late cotton. Dallas: Have cut short the
cotton crop. Gillespie: The first grasshoppers arrived on the 18th of
September. Three days later they left, going west, being driven by an
east wind.

LABoR.—South Carolina, Colleton: Labor is plenty and excellent.
There is no trouble in getting it if one is willing to pay for it. A plenty
of good farm-hands can be had at 50 cents per day, without board.

Florida.—Gadsden : The necessities of the freedmen, which have been
extremely stringent this year, brought out the women and half-grown
boys and girls, and consequently there has been no lack of pickers.
Jefferson : Labor is good, and not much diverted by politics from gath-
ering Crops.

Mississippi.—Monroe: Labor is working well, and if the weather con-
tinues favorable we will have no cotton in the fields by the 1st of No-
vember. La Fayette: The labor is not quite so much demoralized by the
electioneering as we had feared.

INJURIES FROM DROUGHT.—Pennsylvania.—Northampton: I am safe
in saying, not only that the great drought has destroyed the potatoes,
grass, and corn, but the great heat ripened our wheat in a few days, so
that fully one-third of the crop was lost in gathering by being shelled
out and left upon the field. In nine-tenths of the county, the young
clover and timothy, which had a good start in the spring, have been
killed outright, making an unpromising prospect for a hay-crop next
year. Many pieces of young clover and timothy look like open fal-
low. Such heat and drought have not been known previously within
the memory of the oldest inhabitant. This has been, upon the whole,
the worst season for farmers in the county since its organization, over
ene hundred years ago.

A NEW PROCESS OF UTILIZING COTTON.

By THE COMMISSIONER.

Any process which will facilitate and cheapen the manufacture of
cotton possesses an interest which must command the attention of the
people of this country, where alone this fiber is most successfully pro-
duced. The invention of the cotton-gin was a prodigious step forward
to promote the increased production and profitable employment of the
cotton-planter; and now the ingenious mechanic proposes another step
forward in aid of this all-important industry, by ‘a new process for con-
verting seed-cotton directly into yarns;” whereby the use of the “gin”
will be entirely superseded, and each step of converting the cotton, as
it comes from the field, greatly cheapened. We take this mode of call-
ing public attention to the subject, and to invite a strict scrutiny into
the merits of the proposed improvement.

401

The following views upon this subject are presented in a letter from
F. E. Whitfield, sen., of Corinth, Mississippi:

By the new process of converting seed-cotton directly into yarns only four machines
are used, viz, the card, drawing-frame, speeder, and spinning-frame, (such as are now
in common use ;) the card only is changed, and that slightly, by substituting an attach-
ment for the lickerin, at a cost of about $300.

The attachment receives the seed-cotton, gently removes the seed, combs out the
dust, trash, motes, &c., and delivers the filaments, untangled, and parallel, to the card ;
thus superseding the gin, press and compress, (which are only used to render cotton
transportable,) the willower, lapper, double lapper, breaker, and four-fifths of the
cards, which are only intended to try to remedy the injury done by the gin, press, and
compress. It also saves or supersedes the railway and railway drawing-head ; also all
jack-frames, slubbers, mules, twisters, eveners, &c., together with all the buildings,
motive-power, and operatives to hold, drive, and attend said discarded machinery. It
saves one-half the usual waste, and produces better and stronger sliver, roving, and
thread than can be made of baled cotton ; thereby enabling operatives to attend more
machinery, and each machine to do more work, especially in the spinning and weaving
rooms. The reason why the card will do four times more by this process, using the
same motive-power, is, the filaments are not permitted to leave the machinery, fly, or
become tangled, but are kept straight, and carding is but the straightening of the cot-
ton filaments. The extra strength of the thread is owing to the working of the cotton
fresh from the seed, the oil of which has kept it alive, light, elastic, and flexible, with
all its attenuating qualities perfect ; and to the fact that it has never been napped, cut,
or tangled by the gin, pressed, compressed, or permitted to become dry, seasoned, and
brittle in this tangled condition, nor has it been injured by the willower, lapper, double-
lapper, breaker, and cards, where the damage done by the gin, press, and compress is
sought to be remedied.

This small attachment (only 36 inches leng by 18 inches wide) supersedes the above
mentioned eight machines, simply because the first three are used to render cotton
transportable, and the last five are intended to remedy the damage done by the first .
three. But these advantages, great as they are, are not half that are claimed for the new
process. The ginning, seed-bagging, and ties are saved.

Take a bale of cotton on a farm near Corinth, and see the expenses, &c., incurred in
sending it, via Memphis, to Boston, Mass.: Hauling to Corinth, sampling, weighing,
deduction of 2 to 4 pounds from weight; profits of purchaser, freights and insurance
to Memphis, drayage to cotton-shed, storage, insurance, deep sampling, commissions for
selling, brokerage for buying, deep boring, second weighing, repairs, drayage to com-
press, compressing, drayage to steamer or depot, freight and insurance to Boston. To
these add waste, drayage, and stealage, all the expenses, speculations, and peculations
ef the guerrillas of the South and the great cotton rings of the North; add also the
expenses in our sea-port towns, (where it is recompressed to be shipped to Europe,) the
expenses and profits of the shipment, and the expenses after its arrival there until it is
sold to the manufacturer, who buys only the net cotton, (not the bagging or ties,) at
his own price. For Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, &c., take the surplus crop of the
world, fix and control the price, not only there, but in every cotton mart.

Europe, China, and India pay gold for cotton and cotton-fabrics shipped from Fall
River, in Massachusetts, and other places. Tbe planter gets receipts from his merchant
for a year’s supply of provisions, farm-tools, &c., and is fortunate if the receipts are in
full to date, (the negro, for his share, over and above his scant food and clothes, gets
jew’s-harps and ginger-cake.) Who gets the difference in exchange between the
nations, the margin of 14 per cent. between gold and national-bank notes? It proba-
bly is one of the perquisites of “ middle-meu,” except in such instances as Fall River
Manufacturing Company.

Now, if to all these you add the expenses, profits, &c., of the manufactured goods
returned south, you will have some idea of what middle-men receive and what the
new process will save to our impoverished but still beloved South land. For instance,
take eight of the above twenty-five enumerated items of expense on cotton in transitu
from the field to New England, viz, ginning,$4; bagging and ties, $2.50; freight to
Memphis, $2; commissions, $1.25 ; brokerage, 75 cents ; storage, 50 ceuts; compressing,
75 cents; freight to Boston, $6.25; total, $18 per bale. which, on 4,200,000 bales,
amounts to $75,600,000. The item of seed is worth $5 per bale as a fertilizer, equal to
$21,000,000, and decorticating more than doubles its value.

There can be no competition away from the cotton-fields, for seed-cotton will not
bear transportation, and none other can be used.

The crop. of 1875 is estimated at 4,400,000 bales, of which the South consumed about
200,000 ; the balance was shipped north and to Europe. The average price was prob-
ably about 10 cents per pound, or $50 per bale. The enhanced value of crude cotton
when converted into yarns is estimated at from 100 to 125 per cent. ; into shirting and
sheeting, 200 per cent.; into prints, still more; and into fine muslins, 300 to 400 per

o

par iil!

402

cent, These are gross profits; but, if the South made her own machinery, furnished
her operatives, and fed them, they would be net to her.

The machine has run for five months steadily, giving entire satisfaction, making first
quality of yarns, which sell readily in market here for 25 cents per pound, paying for
seed-cotton from 4 to 34 cents per pound. The only objection yet seen to it is that on the
ist of January it is necessary to hold eight months’ supply of seed-cotton. This requires
capital, but pays a large interest on it; for the seed-cotton lying in bulk six or twelve
months greatly improves by the absorption of oil from the seed by the filaments, ren-
dering them more attenuating or workable, giving them a rich cream-color, saving
waste from flying in working, and enhancing the value of the staple fully 14 cents per
pound, while baled cotton deteriorates nearly as much in the same time. These are
facts which some have long known and profited by as planters.

The South has many and important natural advantages over the Northeast and Eng-
land in manufacturing cotton, such as short, mild winters; more reliable water-power ;
cheaper land, building-materials, fuel, food, and labor ; exemption from strikes ; and di-
rectreclamation. It would furnish pleasant, remunerative employment to her indigent
women and children, (unwilling to enter the field in competition with the negro,) and,
assembling them in villages around factories, would afford much greater facilities for
physical, mental, and moral training of children, creating a market for edibles, and an
incentive to farmers around to diversify their products.

One attachment, with the necessary machinery to convert seed-cotton into yarns
put up in bales, will require 10 or 12 horse-power to drive and from six to eight oper-
atives (mostly boys and girls) to attend it, and will work up from %to 1 pound of
seed-cotton per minute, or 200 to 220 pounds of yarns per day, and will cost, with roy-
alty, $4,500; two will cost $7,500; and three, abont $10,000. This is exclusive of
shafting, pulleys, hangers, cans, and belts.

| NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS.

The fifth annual session of the National Agricultural Congress was
held in the judges’ pavilion of the International Exhibition, at Phila-
delphia, commencing on Tuesday, September 12, and continuing Wed-
nesday and Thursday. Two sessions were held daily on the Centennial
grounds, and evening sessions at the Belmont Hotel. Mr. W.C. Flagg,
the president, was in the chair, and Professor George E. Morrow, the secre-
tary, was in his place. Anaddress of welcome was made by the chief of
the Centennial bureau of agriculture, Captain Burnet Landreth, followed
by an address of the president on ‘American Agriculture.” In the
evening the secretary spoke of the work of the congress, its opportuni-
ties, and means of usefulness. Mr. Joseph Harris, the New York farmer
who combines so successfully science with practice, followed with an
address on the ‘‘Outlook of American Agriculture.” Wednesday morn-
ing an address on “Agricultural Statistics” was delivered by the statis-
tician of this Department, and one on “Agricultural Reform,” by Dr.
Thomas P. Janes, commissioner of the bureau of agriculture of Georgia.
In the absence of Dr. E. L. Sturtevant, the secretary read extracts from
his address on “American Agricultural Literature.” In the afternoon
addresses were made by Messrs. L. F. Allen and X. A. Willard, respect-
ively, upon “American Live Stock,” and “American Dairying.” Col.
Thomas Claiborne, of Tennessee, delivered an address, on Thursday
morning, upon “Our Southern Agriculture;” and later, addresses upon
industrial education were made by President Welch, of the Iowa Col-
lege, and Professor Townshend, of the Ohio Agricultural College, which
were followed by discussions of the practical aspects of agricultural
education. The subjects presented during the meetings were more or
less thoroughly discussed, and the usual variety of business was con-
ducted, including the election of officers, Mr. Flagg being re-elected
president, and Mr. Horace J. Smith, of Philadelphia, secretary, Professor

403

Morrow having declined further service in that capacity. Among the
resolutions passed was one presented by Professor Riley, the entomol-
ogist, favoring the organization of a commission for investigation of the
grasshopper plague.

At the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture, the address of
Mr. Allen has been forwarded for publicaticn. It is entitled

AMERICAN LIVE STOCK.

The subject on which your executive committee has invited me to address you,
viz, ‘ Our live stock interests, in their history, condition, and prospects,” is far too
broad in its scope to be compressed within the limits of an address on an occasion like
the present. Indeed, it canonly be treated in a manner suggestive, rather than practi-
cal, or even historical.

The history of the live stock of the United States, from the first settlement of our
Atlantic seaboard to its present wonderful expansion to the shores of the Pacific, would
be almost a history of the people themselves, so close has been the association of their
domestic animals with the fortunes of the agricultural population. The limits of this
paper will only allow me to touch on the introduction of our domestic animals, and
follow them briefly for about two hundred and fifty years of progress into their present
condition and prospects for the future.

It is a very broad subject—the entire category of our farm-stock—embracing the
nobility of the horse; the utility of the ass, and the hybrid offspring of both, the mule;
the branches of the bovine race: the cow for milk, the ox for labor, and the bullock for
beef; the sheep for its flesh and wool; the swine for flesh, lard, and oil; not omitting
poultry, and even the “ little busy bee,” which contributes to our household comforts
_ and luxuries. You will therefore excuse the brevity of my remarks in each depart-

ment, as any questions suggested may more fully be studied by reference to the many
able works devoted to different branches of this interest.

First in order may be mentioned

THE HORSE.

.

His domestic history is coeval with that of mankind. He has contributed in no small
degree to man’s civilization. The most ancient of human annals, both sacred and pro-
fane, have eulogized him. His prowess has been extolled in histories of war; in
domestic servitude his indispensable labors have been gratefully acknowledged; in
luxury he is an indispensable agent, and altogether the noblest animal ever under
human control.

The first introduction of the horse to the vast territory now comprising the United
States of America was in all probability made by the Spaniards on the coast of Florida,
some years previous to the settlement of the early English and other European colo-
nists on our Atlantic shores. History gives us little or no account of the breeds and
characters of those early importations. The Florida Spaniards came out chiefly as gold-
hunters, and what horses they brought with them were in all probability of the Anda-
lusian or ordinary Spanish race, which were for many centuries bred by the Moors in
Spain, and subsequently by their Castilian conquerors. Those horses were small in
size, good in draught and under the saddle, hardy in constitution, and capable of under-
going great fatigue with negligent treatment ; in fact, the most useful class of animals
for them and their successors. Without much, if any, improvement, they now plenti-
fully inhabit Texas, California, New Mexico, and Mexico proper. They do not really
belong to the class “American horse,” as we now understand that classification.

The settlers on our Atlantic coast, beginning about the year 1616, brought out the
horses of their own native countries; Holland, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Den-
mark, France, and Germany being thus laid under contribution. Great variety of
character was thus introduced, and as their importers were men of narrow means, the
animals were probably not of the choicest kinds, either in blood or quality, but very
useful in the rude agriculture of the time. As these horses shared the hardships and
privations of their owners, no marked improvement could be effected until the intro-
duction of superior animals by later immigrants.

As the colonies grew in population and strength, attracting increased attention from
the English government, under which they were all ultimately combined, immigrants
of wealth, official dignitaries, and army officers brought out many valuable horses,
some few accounts of which date back to the year 1700. Among them were choice
specimens of the draught variety, as well as saddle-horses ; but the roadster, as we now
know him, was then undeveloped, from the lack of good roads and light vehicles.
Within a few years, however, after 1700, several fine blood horses of both sexes were

404

known to be imported into Virginia, New York, and other States both north and south,
many of the earlier and later immigrants of those States being great admirers of horse
quality. These later importations were closely interbred and widely distributed, and
crossed on the common mares of the country. Thus a rapid improvement was made
in the style and appearance of our horseflesh generally, as well as in their superior
utility and value. So marked was that improvement that at the outbreak of the re-
volutionary war our military officers were usually equipped with horses of superior
blood, quality, and action. Indeed, many of the brilliant achievements of our revolu-
tionary army owed a share of their success to the thorongh mounting of the cavalry,
and the excellence of the horses ridden by the commanding and staff officers of the
foot divisions and corps.

Recovering from the calamities and poverty of the war, as the circumstances of our
people improved, the study and cultivation of their horses rapidly increased, and the
earlier years of the present century produced many animals which, in high breeding,
style, and execution of their work, equaled those of any other country, either on the
race-course, under the saddle, in the harness, or the draught.

A brief notice of the various classes of horses now in approved use and cultivation
among our American people may be germane to the subject; and first in order may be
named the

ENGLISH THOROUGHBRED, OR RACE-HORSE.— As originally introduced into the Amer-
ican colonies, and since continued in our States, he has been the foundation of the
highest excellence yet developed for all ordinary use, aside from the heavy and slower
draught. About two hundred years ago, during the reign of Charles II, the race-course
first began to attract the attention of the nobility and other wealthy aristocracy of
England, and it has been continued down to the present time. As a consequence,
speed, bottom, hardiness, and endurance were the qualities chiefly sought in the devel-
opment of the race-horse. For centuries previous they had fine horses in England, yet
they needed improvement, if possible, and choice selections were made from Egypt,
Arabia, and the Barbary states for stallions, and sometimes mares, to infuse their good
qualities into the English blood. Many crosses of foreign stallions were made on the
native English mares, and no doubt decided improvements were derived from their
use, but, after all, the size and more muscular qualities retained by the descendants of
those crosses were mainly of the original English character, and have been perpetuated
both in England and America to the present day. :

Late in the last century, and occasionally down to recent years, we have received
importations of choice stallions from Asia and Africa, near the Mediterranean coast;
but in justice I must remark that although some of them were of the highest symmetry
in form, action, and appearance, yet when crossed upon our well-bred mares, a superior
impress on their descendants, except in few instances, has not been eminently notice-
able. Did time permit, I might go into particulars within the limits of my own obser-
vation, but the fact must remain with only a general remark of its truth. Whether
the thoroughbred horse in the United States has been kept up to the standard of excel-
lence at which he has arrived in England, or improved beyond him, an instance or two
may determine. I have been unable to learn the best running-time of the race-horse
in England, and therefore a current comparison between the speed of the American and
English horse cannot be made.

In the great national four-mile race of three heats, on Long Island, N. Y., in the year
1823, between the stallions American Eclipse, bred on Long Island, N. Y.,and Henry,
bred in Virginia, the first heat was taken by Henry, by a head only, in 7 minutes 374
seconds. The other two heats were taken by Eclipse in 7 minutes 49 seconds and 8
minutes 14 seconds, yet it was never exactly known what was the very best time
Eclipse could make, only when matched with a nearly equal competitor, as he was
ealled a lazy horse, and bore the whip freely. f

The Kentucky-bred stallion, Lexington, on the New Orleans four-mile course, in the
year 1854, won his race in 7 minutes 192 seconds.

Fellowcraft, also a Kentucky-bred stallion, won a race on the four-mile course at
Saratoga, in the year 1874,in 7 minutes 19} seconds. These are the two shortest races
ever made, so far as records are given, thus leaving the American thoroughbred the
peer of any others in the world.* } } :

We may well suppose that the superiority of the thoroughbred horse in the combi-
nations of speed, action, wind, bottom, and fineness of proportions has been fully
determined, and that an infusion of his blood would be sought and worked into a large
class of our miscellaneously-bred horses for other purposes than the race-course, or
simply the gratifications of taste and pleasure. Among the most notable class of the
thoroughbred crosses upon the better ones of miscellaneous character, is __ Jat

THE AMERICAN TROTTER, which we claim as solely an American production, within
the last forty years, in the highest development of his speed. A detailed history of

* Since the above sentence was written, the horse Tenbroeck made a race at Louisville-Ky., in 7
minutes 15} seconds, beating Fellowcraft 3} seconds.—L. F. A.

‘

405

the trotter would require many pages, for which no time can here be allotted, and the
horse literature of the country only can give it. Suffice it to say, however, that his
descent has been largely drawn from the thoroughbred for many years back in his an-
cestry.

Trotting horses of celebrity have been recorded in the English periodicals of years
ago, particularly Bellfounder, who trotted 19} miles in an hour; but in the trottmg
horse, classed by himself, England, as compared with America, has yet made no dis-
tinguished record; and that the American trotter has been most skillfuly bred and
trained to his recent astonishing achievements is a testimonial to our native enterprise
beyond that of any other country. Thirty years ago, a horse that could trot a mile in
three minutes was considered a remarkable animal. That three minutes has been
gradually reduced from year to year, until, in 1875, the mare Goldsmith Maid, at eighteen
years of age, made her mile in 2 minutes and 14 seconds, and repeated it in the present
year, 1876, in the same time. We now have scores of horses which make their mile in
less than 2} minutes on the trotting-courses of the country, as well as hundreds of
them who easily do their mile in 3 minutes speed. Thus the American trotter stands
at the head of his class over all others in the civilized world, as yet discbvered.

If it be inquired in what remarkable manner the rapid speed and high qualities of
the trotter have benefited the ordinary horse stock of the country, the answer is read-
ily given in the fact that our better class of driving horses has been wonderfully im-
proved in action, as well as in quicker movement, sureness of step, higher pleasure to
all who either drive or ride after them, and in the increased marketable price they ob-
tain for their breeders.

Next in order we may remark, in the absence of a more appropriate name, upon

THE HORSE OF ALL WORK, equally adapted to family use, the labors of the farm, or
ether purposes. I doubtif any part of the world, climate and soil considered, can
show a better class of horses than those bred in the United States and the neighbor-
ing province of Canada. Made up of no particular breed, but an infusion of different

bloods, they answer an admirable purpose for almost all uses, so far as size, endurance,

muscular action, and longevity are concerned. A composite breed they may be called,
if such a miscellaneous admixture can be called a breed at all. They are of all colors
and all sizes, from fourteen and a half to sixteen anda half hands high, and weigh nine
to twelve or thirteen hundred pounds in fair condition of flesh. They are bred and
reared by all good farmers who make horse-rearing a branch of their industry, and are
bought and distributed all over the country, in village, town, and city, where, aside
from mere fancy use, the horse is needed. Good stallions are kept for service in al-
most every neighborhood of the land, and of these the horse-breeder takes his choice
for service to his mares, and succeeds in their production as his skill and care may deter-
mine. There is another example of the value of our horse of all work in Great Britain,
which can boast as good horses, of their kind, as any part of Europe. Since the street
rail-car has been introduced into Great Britain, within the past year or two, it has
been found that they had no class of horses especially fitted for that work. It required
the sinewy, elastic movement, coupled with the medium size and endurance in our
all-work horse. As a consequence, many hundreds of American horses have been pur-
chased in our northern States and Canada for export to Britain, for other purposes as
well as for street railways, and the trade is still continued to the mutual advantage
ef both countries.

Another class demanded for exclusive purposes is

THE DRAUGHT-HORSE, PROPER, needed for heavy farm labors, and drawing the weighty
loads in our commercial and manufacturing cities and towns, for which the ordinary
horse of our farmers is incompetent. Of this class, if we have any which may be called
“ ancient ” among us—say a hundred years or more—first in order stands the Conestoga,
of Pennsylvania. The name is a local one, taken from a river of the central part of
that State. He is supposed to be a native of Flanders, and to have been introduced
by the German immigrants soon after they settled in Pennsylvania some time in
the last century. This horse is still reared in Pennsylvania, but in smaller numbers
than formerly, and in several other States, and is a decided favorite with those
who breed and use them. Nearly or quite a hundred years ago, when the settle-
ments of that State had extended westward over the Alleghany Mountains, when
towns began to spring up, and heavy transportation between them and the seaboard
became necessary, the huge canvas-covered wagons, carrying six tons and upwards of
merchandise, were drawn by spans of four to eight horses, with sometimes a ninth one
in single harness as a leader. Those horses ranged from sixteen and a half to seven-
teen and a half hands high, with bodies solid and bulky in proportion. Long before
canals and railroads were known in our country, caravans of those teams were daily
seen at all seasons of the year traversing the roads over the mountains between Phila-
delphia and Pittsburgh, and with bear-skin housings upon the hames, and an arch of
bells above them, with the driver seated on the near wheel-horse; a more picturesque
spectacle of the kind could rarely be imagined. Their usual rate of travel was about
twelve to fourteen miles a day. But those caravans, since the construction of raif-

406

ways, have mostly passed away, and the descendants of the stately teams are now de-
voted chiefly to agricultural uses, and the drays and wagons in the cities. It is doubt-
ful if a better class of heavy draught-horses than they have ever existed. It isclaimed
by some writers that the Conestoga has been bred to his high degree of excellence by
crosses of the thoroughbred English horse, but without sufficient evidence of the fact,
as for the last seventy years he has developed no trait of the blood-horse in his compo-
sition, and in his characteristics has adhered solely to the type of his original progen-
itors.

Other foreign breeds of the draught-horse of decided excellence have in later years
been introduced among us, and are much approved. Among these may be named, in
the order of introduction, the Clydesdale. This horse is of Scottish descent, of the
largest size, seventeen to eighteen hands high, with a ponderous body, stout limbs,
hairy at the fetlocks, of high and noble carriage, and unsurpassed in weight -and
strength. They occasionally reach a weight of seventeen, even eighteen hundred
pounds. They were first introduced by the Scottish farmers into Upper Canada,
where they have’ been bred in considerable numbers and are still annually imported.
There have been also some direct importations from Scotland to the United States.
Many of the Canadian importations have found their way into several of our States,
where, for heavy agricultural and other draught, they serve a valuable purpose.

The Suffolk Punch, so called, is a draught-horse of English breeding and descent. Heis
of large size, but smaller in bulk and stature than the Clydesdale, somewhat similar in
style of body and limb, but without the hairy fetlock. A few of them have been
imported into Canada and the United States, but have not yet acquired the popn-
larity of the Clydes, although of decided excellence and a model of their kind.

There are two other classes of draught-horse introduced into cur country, somewhat
similar in character and probable descent,and may be classed in nearly a parallel cate-
gory.

The Normans may first be named as earliest in importation. They are natives of
France, not of like style altogether with the draught-horses already named, as they em-
body more speed in action, with great strength of limb and power of locomotion.
They are largely worked in the heavy diligence traveling-carriages of France, which they
move at five to eight miles an hour on the roads, holding a good trotting gait. They are
also usedfor drawing heavy loads in the cities and towns and in agricu!turallabor. Their
usnal size is sixteen to seventeen hands in height, compact in body, symmetrical in
shape, clean in limb, hardy in exercise, and enduring in labor. The stallions have been
of decided service in crossing with our mares of “all work,” as well as in breeding
with mares of their own kind; for the mixed uses to which they may be applied are a
valuable addition to the horse-stock of the country.

Next to and partially associated with the Normans, may be named the Percherons. As
a rule, they are somewhat larger in size. They are alsonatives of France, and applicable
tothe same uses as the Normans, and of equally good shape, style, and appearance. They
have been considerably imported into several of our States, of late years, and received
with approbation among those who need a beast of their kind. They may be pronounced
a decided acquisition, and it is to be hoped that the enterprise of their importers may
be liberally rewarded. From the numbers of both sexes now here, a healthful production
ef their kind, both in general excellence and purity of blood, may be anticipated.

Nor in our horse category should the lesser, and even diminutive Pony be overlooked.
For a century or more past they have been imported into the United States, of ditfer-
ent character and style, from the Welsh and English pony of twelve to thirteen hands,
down to the diminutive little Shetland from the northern isles of Scotland, of three
feet or less in stature. They are usually symmetrical in shape and appearance, of
wonderful strength, docility, hardiness,and endurance. Although of little use as labor-
ing beasts, they minister largely to the pleasure of our families, are the delights of our
children, and worthy of attention and propagation as innocent promoters of luxury and
enjoyment. Under proper care and attention they thrive as well in America as in the
countries from which they came to us.

THE ASS.

This usefal and indispensable aaimal—asefal in male-breeding a3 well as im the
propagation of his own species—is among the most important items of our farm-
stock, and worthy of a discriminating notice. On the eastern continent their utility
is of as ancient date as that of the horse, and among many nations and peoples their
labor is indispensable. They were early brought into our American colonies, and from
their first introduction until some years of the present century were widely used in the
Atlantic, Northern, and Middle States for the propagation of mules for the West Indies
and our southern domestic markets, Since about the year 1820, mule breeding and
rearing in the Eastern States being superseded by the cheaper facilities for producing
them in several of the more western States, the ass has ceased to be either an article
of breeding or commerce where they were first imported, and is now rarely known

>.

407

within their boundaries. Yet in the localities where now most used, he has been im-
proved both in size and quality. Numerous importations have, been made during the
last seventy years, from Spain, Malta, and other adjacent countries, of the best blued of
his race, and their produce, bred on the females of American stock, have so improved
them that we can now exhibit the domestic ass as equal, if not superior, to those of
any other country. Would time permit, we might even go into particulars, to prove
our assertion, but it must now suffice to state the fact in general terms. With us he
is rarely used as a laboring beast, his services being superseded by the mule, as our
country is happily free from that low class of labor in which his drndgery is needed.

THE MULE.

The origin and history of this peculiar animal is almost as ancient as that of his pro-
genitors, the ass and the horse. He has ever been useful in the industries of the people of
many nations, both ancient and modern, and to the development of certain branches of
our American agriculture, traffic, and commerce he is widely appropriated and indis-
pensable. The early mules ofthe Eastern States were small in size, seldom attaining
a height of more than fifteen hands, and usually less, yet of great strength in labor,
endurance, and longevity ; but the western mule has far exceeded him in size, weighs,
and adaptation to the heavier work demanded of him. Itis now not uncommon to find
him sixteen, even seventeen hands bigh, with a body in proportion, and frequently a
comeliness in form exciting the admiration of those who are partial to his employmens.
His uses in the various labors demanded of him are so well known that it isunnecessary
to name them; and in comparing him with the mules of other countries, if may be
truthfully said that the American mule has no superior, and but few equals, and thus con-
stitutes an important staple of our agricultural wealth. A proper history of the prog-
ress and present condition of either the American ass or mule has never yet been writ-
ten for publication other than in detached scraps or pamphlets, yet they are subjects well

‘worthy the employment of an able pen, and it is hoped that such a labor will be under-
taken by some one fully competent to its execution.

AMERICAN CATTLE.

To give a history of the rise, progress, and present condition of this important de-
partment of our industry would be to write an elaborate book, the like of which
was written some four years ago; but it has fallen, I fear, too seldom under the
notice of those whose interests would be promoted by its perusal, even under its short-
comings and imperfections. However that may be, I shall briefly, yet as accurately as
my observation may allow, give some notes and suggestions on their very wide impor-
tanee. Neat-cattle, in the sense usually understood with us, or, more strictly, animals
ef the bovine race, were introduced into all our Atlantic States soon after the first set-
tlers came over from Europe. Those settlers brought with them animals reared in the
vicinities from which they themselves came, of various nationalities. Their cattle were
of no particular breeds or distinctive names, that we have learned, but such as served
the wants of the settlers in the production of milk, the propagation of their kind, their
meat for food, and their labor for agriculture—animals of a common order only, as im-
proved breeds in those days had not received much attention in the countries from
which theimmigrantscame. Anterior, however, to the colonial settlements in what are
now the United States, the Spaniards had introduced many cattle from their own
country into the territories of Mexico and further south, and in the broad, luxuriant
pastures of those regions they muitiplied into numerous herds, with little attention te
their improvement, as they are now found and known; but of late years, since the an-
nexation of Texas, New Mexico, and California, they have become quite an article of
commerce and consumption in other States. £

In nearly all the grass-producing or grazing portions of our older States, as the
people progressed in their modes of agriculture, their cattle, increased and multiplied,
were usually well cared for,and answered all the purposes demanded of them. In
some sections of the country they were better cared for than in others, and possibly
improved in quality over the originals from which they sprung; yet as the settlers,
after some years, began to migrate to different localities, taking portions of their herds
with them, the cattle became intermixed with those derived from other nationalities,
so that in process of time a general intermixture took place, and the name “cgmmon
cattle ” was only known in their application. This name id now continued to distin-
guish them from the improved breeds of later years.

Occasionally, and at different times in the last century, tradition has informed us
that enterprising men of wealth had imported some choice cattle of “improved ” blood
from Europe—the names of the breeds not remembered—bnt they were so few, and so
little attention was paid to their propagation in their own distinct lines, that they soon
became amalgamated with the common stocks. Yet that the infusion of their blood

7 . a
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408

among the others to some extent made their progeny better than the older herds we
have good reason to believe, particularly as the working oxen of the Eastern States,
and their superior dairy cows, for some generations past, have been held in high esti-
mation. This assertion may, however, be qualified by saying that the oxen were
chiefly used in labor on the farms, and the dairy formed a considerable staple of their
agriculture, consequently drawing closer attention to the cultivation of their cattle.
In the more fertile soils of the Middle States, which were chiefly grain-growing, horses
were used for labor and cows in the dairy mainly for domestic consumption, while the
steers and bullocks grown by them were for meat purposes, or, if for labor at
all, only for a few years, until the forests were subdued and the land made clear for
horse cultivation,

BREEDS OF CATTLE.

Of improved cattle we now have several valuable and distinct varieties. A few re-
marks on each of them must suffice; and first in order, as they are by far the most
numerous in attracting the attention of our farmers, breeders, and graziers, I name the

SHORT-HORNS.—Soon after the revolutionary war, and previous to the year 1800, a
few animals of this breed were imported by two different Englishmen into the city
ef New York. The fact of their importation is the chief thing known about them, as
only a few results are now recognized from their breeding. One of the imported cows
was taken back to England—‘ the American Cow,” so called, of the English Herd-
Book—from which, afterward, many noted and valuable animals descended. About
the same years, also, two different importations of cattle, supposed to be Short-horns,
were made from England into Baltimore and taken to the valley of the south branch
of the Potomac River, in Virginia, and from there, within a few years afterward,
some of their descendants were driven to the blue-grass region of Kentucky, where
they were carefully propagated, and in after years, crossed by bulls of still later impor-
tations, became an important item of the cattle-wealth of that State.

We hear of no further Short-horn importations until after the war with England, in
1812~15. Soon afterward, several importations of them were made into New York,
Massachusetts, Kentucky, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. They were industriously bred
by their enterprising owners, and the valuable qualities of their own distinct bleed,
and the improvement through their crosses upon the common cows of the country for
most useful purposes, soon gave them a popularity and dissemination attained by no
ether breed, and since followed by numerous importations into many of our States and
the Canadas. They now stand largely in excess of numbers over all other foreign
breeds put together. The various merits of this breed it is not now necessary to dis-
euss, aS different opinions may be entertained regarding them, but the fact may be
stated that their recorded pedigrees in the Herd-Book now number more than 60,000
well-bred animals, and at the present time they are increasing more rapidly than at
any previous period in their history.

Devons.—This is a strikingly distinet breed in form and quality, medium in size,
uniformly red in color, comely in appearanee, and of decided excellence: the ox for
labor, as his agile form indicates; the cow for milk, when cultivated for that object,
and the uniform excellence of their flesh when properly fed and matured. Nor can
there be any doubt of the original distinctive blood of the Devon. Their advocates
in England claim them to be as ancient in blood and descent as the Roman rule in
shat island, many hundred years ago; but by what evidence, other than in their pecu-

liar style of form and character, is not known. That animals allied to them in bleod ~

were brought to America from England so long ago asin the seventeenth century is al-
together probable, as many of the native New England cattle, for many generations
back, have borne strong resemblances to the Devon in some of their characteristics.

The first authentic knowledge we have of thoroughbred Devons being imported to
eur couutry was in the year 1817, by Messrs. Caton and Patterson, of Baltimore, Md.,
and in the next year by the late distinguished statesman, Rufus King, of Long Island,
N.Y. By those gentlemen they were bred and cultivated, and herds from them consid-
erably disseminated in different sections of the country. Later importations of them
have been made into Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and some other States.
There are now several fine herds of them existing ia different sections of the country,
but, we regret to say, not in the numbers which their good qualities should command,
but of excellence quite equal to the original importations. It is hoped that they will
still farther increase, until they become numerous among the standard breeds of our
eountry.

HEREFORDS.—Next in order of improved cattle this breed may be named. The first
distinct account we have of thoroughbred ones of the kind were an importation by the
great Kentucky statesmen, Henry Clay,in the year 1816. An ardent admirer of fine
stock, he saw them in England in 1815, and purchased two pairs of bulls and cows,
which afterward came out and were placed on his farm at Ashland, near Lexington.

409

Whether any or what number of thoroughbred produce came from them, we are not in-
formed, as no record was kept, and they are not now known in Kentucky. The bulls
were bred to some of the native cows in their vicinity, but the Short-horns, which were
imported there soon afterward, superseded them in propagation, and we hear nothing
further of their produce.

About the year 1824, one or more Hereford bulls, and perhaps a cow or two, were im-
ported into Massachusetts. We here of no thoroughbred produce from them, but the
bulls were bred to a limited extent on common cows, and no marked result followed,
except some grand working oxen, afterward fed into excellent carcasses of beef. In
later years, a few importations of choice animals were made into New York, Ohio,
and Upper Canada. Their descendants have been scattered in small herds into sey-
eral States, but, we regret to say, not with the popularity which such excellent graz-
ing and beef-producing animals merit. As flesh-producers they strongly rival the
Short-horns, and in size nearly equal them. They are mainly red in color, with white
or mottled faces, and occasivnally white legs and bellies, and stripes along the back.
In England they are claimed as an ancient breed, and their distinctive uniform ap-
pearance well bears out the assertion.

The three English breeds already named may be classed as the best flesh-producers.

Next in order may be named the breeds more distinctly used for dairy purposes: the

AYRSHIRE.—This is claimed as a dairy or milking breed, and wherever known, either
at there native homes in Scotland or in their later ones in the United States, are
esteemed and cultivated for that exclusive purpose. They are said, by authentic history,
to have been originated about a century ago in the district of Ayrshire, whence the
name was taken, by a cross of Short-horn bulls from the north of England on the com-
mon or native Kyloe cow of Scotland, and cultivated into their present excellent dairy
qualities by careful and persistent breeding, until their characteristics have become fixed
and enduring. They were first imported in small numbers to America between the
years 1820 and 1830, as nearly as can be ascertained, and within the last thirty years in
such numbers as now to be found in many considerable herds. They are highly esteemed
by those who are partial to them for their large yields of milk, which render them
much more profitable for dairy uses than the common cows of the country. In size
they are about equal to our common cattle; in color, usually red or brown, more or
Jess mixed with white ; in shape, more like the Short-horn than any others, although
lacking their fine contour and comeliness of appearance—a valuable breed of cattle.

HOLSTEINS, OR NorRTH HOLLANDS.—This breed, in its present characteristic of great
milk- producing quality, has been introduced here within the last twelve or fifteen years,
from Holland, and first, we believe, imported by the late Mr. Chenery, of Boston, Massa-
chusetts. They are of large size, nearly equal in weight and bulk to the Short-horn, and
have some of their strong points of character, but coarser, less refined in figure, and
black and white in color. For the few years in which they have been on trial here,
their dairy development has been remarkable in the quantity of their milk. As a flesh-
producing beast they are claimed to be good, but the economical result in their con-
sumption of food to weight of flesh has not been thoroughly solved. They are unques-
tionably good cattle, far superior to our native cows; and when sufficient time has
passed to develop their full qualities, they may stand in the first class of dairy cows.
They are evidently of an ancient stock, originating possibly in Holstein or North Hol-
land, and may in some branches of their ancestry have had an affinity with the far-
back, unimproved Short-horns, although in color and general appearance now much
unlike our Short-horns of the present day.

Last, but not least in importance, may be named the

ALDERNEY, JERSEY, AND GUERNSEY, from the Channel Islands of Britain, near the
coast of France. These breeds or varieties are named together, as they are unques-
tionably of common origin, and owe their present distinctive qualities in appearance
to their manner of breeding, and the tastes and preferences of tbeir long-time propa-
gators. That they are an ancient breed there can be no doubt, probably French in
origin, as the cows of the provinces of Normandy and Brittany bear a considerable re-
semblance to them; but isolated as they have been from the mainland of the continent
during the centuries of their cultivation on the islands, they have assumed the char-
acteristics which so readily distinguish them. In size they are smaller than our native
cows, delicate in form, unique in shape, diversified in color, and bloodlike in appear-
ance. The prime quality claimed for the cow is the exceeding yellow color and rich
quality of her milk, cream, and butter, in all which she stands without a rival,
although her quantity of milk is moderate, compared with the weight of butter which
it yields. For the production of meat, the Channel Island cow, or even bullock, (when-
ever suffered to become a bullock,) is inferior, the anatomy being angular, and not
capable of making much flesh in the choicest parts of the carcass. Within the last
thirty years they have been numerously imported into our States, and are much sought
in the vicinities of our large cities, towns, and villages as family cows. They are
easily kept in small paddocks or close stables, where theirrather delicate natures can
receive the attention, kind treatment, and choice food usually bestowed upon them.

410

For all these improved breeds herd-books containing their genealogy, by way of
pedigree, are kept in the United States, as well as in their native countries, and from
them a full knowledge of their descent and blood is readily obtained by all who choose
to inquire into their breeding. Prices might be quoted of the sale values of several of
these breeds of cattle—some of them seemingly extravagant in amount—but such
statistical reference is not demanded in this limited discourse, rather leaving it te the
tastes, judgments, and fancies of those interested in their breeding. The introduction
of these improved breeds has added enormously to the value of the neat-stock of our
eountry, and their farther dissemination is yet to add untold millions to its productive
agriculture. Slow as farmers, cattle-breeders, graziers, and dairymen have proverb-
jially been in the improvement of their herds, a rapid and more intelligent interest is
every year manifested in their increase. :

In addition to the breeds of cattle already named may be a few others of foreign
origin introduced at different times by way of experiment or personal gratification;
but as they have taken no strong hold on the attention of our stock-breeders, a fur-
ther notice of them may be omitted, while in the grand specimens of the various
breeds which have been mentioned we may assert, without contradiction, that no
eountry in the universe contains better herds than the United States of America can
now exhibit.

The subject of our neat-cattle can hardly be dismissed without an allusion to an im-
portant item of their increasing value in fresh-beef exportation, which has recently been
developed by the demand for fresh carcass meat from abroad, particularly in Great
Britain. Refrigerators have been fitted up in Atlantic steamships, and, by the aid of
ice, many tous of beef, in quarters of the carcass, have already been, and unlimited
tons more may continue to be, transported to Earope with entire safety, and in perfect
freshness. The prices for which it has beensold in the Londen and Liverpool markets
have proved equal to those for the best qualities of their native beef, and profitable
to the shippers. There is, however, a condition attached to our successful exports,
which is, that the meat be of the best quality, and that quality can only be obtained
from animals of improved breeds which have been partially described. We have only
to proceed in the cultivation of those breeds, in order to add a wide, almost illimitable,
field of production to the neat-stock interests of our country.

SHEEP.

‘These were early introduced into our American colonies as companions of the horses
and cattle brought by the settlers. They were of the kinds then common to England,
Scotland, Ireland, and perhaps the western coast of the European continent, of various
breeds, as they then locally prevailed, but without much merit, other than a tolerable
earcass of ordinary flesh and a moderate fleece of coarse wool. They were so kept and
propagated, with possibly an occasional importation of a better kind from England,
but it was not until late in the last century that Bakewell, Ellman, and other enter-
prising breeders made their experiments in different breeds which resulted in any con-
siderable improvement in their condition and appearance. Thus the American sheep
were chiefly of an inferior character.

MERINO.—In the early years of the present century the American embassadors at
the courts of France, Spain, and Portugal, during the intense commotiouns of the Bona-
partean wars, purchased and shipped to the United States many hundreds of Spanish
Merinosheep. They were of the fine-wooled varieties, named as you will find in our books
on sheep-husbandry. Their introduction here was hailed with great satisfaction, and
as our infant woolen manufactories were then just emerging into existence, great im-
portance was given to their propagation, not only in their own purity of blood, but as
valuable crosses on our common flocks in increasing and refining the qualities of their
wool. From those days forward to the present time the cultivation of the better quali-
ties of wool has been the study of numerous flock-masters in various parts of the
United States, suitable to their rearing, and the sheep interest now presents an impor-
tant branch of our agricultural production and wealth. The Spanish Merino has evi-

dently been much improved in its American cultivation, not only through the crosses -

of more recent importation by several of our enterprising Americans from the royal
flocks of France, Saxony, and Silesia, upon the earlier Merino ewes, but by our own
flock-masters at home, so that at this day no fine-wool sheep in the world excel, and
few equal, the American Merinos in the heavy products of their fleeces, or the size and
stamina of their bodies. We might examine the statistics of their annual production
, aggregating millions of dollars in value did time and opportunity permit, but we may
rest content with the general facts which have been stated and the progress we have
made in their cultivation, not only in the fine wool but in the other varieties.

THE COARSER-WOOLED MUTTON-SHEEP, so successfully bred in England during the
last seventy years, we have for the past thirty years adopted by frequent importa-
tions. They have been successfully propagated in their own purity of blood, and by
their crosses on the common flocks raised eur inferior ones to a value hitherto unknown

Alt

in their kind. We have now the Bakewell, or Leicester, the Cotswold, and Lincoln,
all of the most valuable long-wool varieties. We have also the Southdown, the
Shropshire and Oxford Downs of the middle wools, abundant in fleece, massive in the
quantity and delicious in the excellence of their flesh, so that Americans may, within
the next decade or two, become, as they have never yet become, a partially mutton-
consuming people, and ship thousands of dressed carcasses to Britain, as is now done
with our fresh beef.

SWINE.

In the category of other domestic animals brought into our country with the early
immigrants came also this animal indispensable for domestic consumption, constituting
an important item in our exports abroad. From the earliest history, swine have been
connected with farm-husbandry, as well as untamed rangers of the forest, in which
latter condition they even now exist in some of the uncultivated sections of the east-
ern continent. To what degree of perfection, or even improvement, they were cultivated
in ancient times, history gives us little or no account; but we do know that for many
years previous to the present century, and for some years since, the common swine of
the United States were inferior in the quality of their flesh, ungainly in form, slow in
arriving at maturity, and repulsive in almost every phase of their character as com-
panions to our other agricultural stock. Yet in Eastern Asia, and in portions of Eu-
rope, perhaps for a century or more past, considerable advances had been made in the
improvement of their domestic swine, as a few years after the revolutionary war, im-
portations of improved animals of the kind were introduced into our country, and
among them we have accounts that General Washington had some of them which
were sent over as a present to him at Mount Vernon, from England. Early in the
present century, also, the East India merchants of Massachusetts and New York im-
ported some fine specimens from China and India, which were afterward considerably
crossed on the common stocks of our Eastern States, and much improved them both in
the qualities of their flesh and domestic habits. Still, until within the last fifty, or
even forty years, the mass of our farmers throughout the country, and more particu-
larly in the Western States, bred and reared swine of ordinary character, answering, to
be sure, the main requirements of consumable flesh, but inferior in its high condition
to that now found in our markets, either for domestic consumption or exportation.

The various foreign breeds to which we are indebted for our present swine improve-
ment are too numerous to mention, and their history in detail, although quite interest-
ing, is too long to narrate, but the agricultural literature of our several States will fully
inform all inquirers of their various progress and present status. As an evidence of
the present interest in their production and improvement, an association of swine-
breeders has recently been formed, whose headquarters are at Springfield, Ill. They
have issued a swine herd-book for the Berkshire breed, after the style of the various
cattle herd-books, in which their genealogy and high excellences are chronicled. Not
that we would exalt this particular breed above others, perhaps equally meritorious,
but to signalize the enterprise of our farmers,and the magnitude of the pork and
lard-producing interest of our country, amounting to hundreds of millions of dol-
lars annually. The swine of the United States now consume a great share of the
product of the almost illimitable corn fields of our Western and upper Southern
States, thus converting a great portion of that valuable grain into a portable com-
modity, which, without them, would ,be either a drug, or an almost inconvertible
staple of their agriculture. We may, in view of the progress we have made in swine
cultivation and improvement, placé the United States superior to that of any other
country in the world.

POULTRY.

Todescend to asmalier, yet quite indispensable, item of food consumption in our house-
holds, as well as ornamental accompaniments of domestic life, the varieties of our poultry
may welland profitably be mentioned. They, too, (the turkey excepted,) came over with
the early settlers of our American colonies, and have been the intimate associates of
our peopleever since. They constitute an important part of the luxury of our tables, both
in their flesh and eggs, the aggregate commercial value of which, were it accurately
reckoned, amounts to millions of dollars annually. The poultry literature of our
country is voiuminous, both in books and various agricultural periodicals, to which
those in search of information may readily refer. As a general remark, it may suffice
to say that importations from foreign countries, of various breeds of them, have been
frequent and of rare quality, both in the estimation of the economist who propagates
them for profit, as well as the amateur, for the gratification of his taste in their selection
and exhibition. Poultry societies have become numerous throughout the land, and the
annual exhibitions of their various specimens have been marvelous in excellence, beauty,

.

412

and variety. The cultivation of the finer varieties has arrested the attention of men
‘ and women of taste, wealth, and refinement to such extent that the perfection of our
poultry may even be classed among the fine arts of animated nature, and challenge com-
petition with any portion of the universe.

Least and last of the domestic creatures which engage our attention may be named
a small insect, f

THE HONEY-BEE.

Time, long before and ever since the bee made its honey in the carcass of the dead
lion slain by Sampson, has noted this useful insect in its companionship with man,
as well as in its wild habitations in the wilderness, where climate and vegetation
favored its propagation. It furnishes us the most luxuriant of sweets in its honey, and
an important commodity in its wax. The aggregate annual commercial value of our
bee-product is probably hundreds of thousands of dollars, being difficult to determine,
from the want of current statistics; yet all who choose to investigate may be assured
of their importance. Of bee literature, we have public journals devoted to their in-
terest, many volumes of printed books, and divers essays in our agricultural periodicals ;
and were I to relate the annals of my own personal companienship with them for many
years past, I should only tell you that at the present day they are both as untamed and
ancivilized as when the great patriarch, Noah. let them out of his ark to forage among
the renewed plants and flowers at the foot of Mount Ararat. They live, propagate, and
subsist by instinct alone, and not all the invention or ingenuity of man has been able
te improve their qualities, to change their habits, or invite them to a companionable
docility. Even the importation of the superior Italian bee into our country in late
years, and crossing them on our common stock, has not perceptibly improved their
habits. So, lovable as they may be in their sweets and wax, they are barbarians now,
as ever, and equally at home in the hollow trunk of a tree in the wildest forest, as in
their hives amid the flowers of the field, or the refinements of the mosy highly eviti-
vated orchard and garden.

Now, gentlemen, in all this long dissertation I have probably told you nothing new,
and little which will prove instructive, or even worthy of publication. Yet we have
seen that from the rudest material at the beginning of our agricultural settlements we
have made decided progress in the breeding and cultivation of our domestic animals,
and that chiefly within the last century. We find that much has thus far been ac-
complished, and with the aids and lights now at our disposal, we trust a still more
rapid and a more widely disseminated progress can be achieved in the future.

The present value of all our varieties of domestic live stock in the United States and
its territories may be safely estimated at two thousand millions of dollars, and their
annual product of all kinds at one thousand millions more. Full 30 per cent. has
been added to the aggregate per capita value of our graded stock by improvements in
their breeding within the last fifty years, and at no increased cost in their keeping, al-
though those improved animals as yet extend over only a fractional part of our coun-
try. What then may be the increased measure of value when—if such a thing be pos-
sible—that improvement shall embrace the farm-stock of our entire broad nationality ?
Kk must be almost incalculable.

In review of this live-stock history and progress which has been considered, I wish
here to note, and with somewhat of emphasis, that, with the exception of our finer
elasses of horses, the breeding, rearing, and cultivation of our farm-stock has been
hitherto considered, by those not intimately acquainted with it, as an occupation of a
rather vulgar order, and conducted by men of duller intellects than those engaged in
professional, scientific, commercial, or manufacturing pursuits. Such a supposition is
a profound and ignorant mistake, based only on an entire misapprehension of the
study of animal physiology. The cultivation of domestic animals, and their improve-
ment, through generations of their kind, into the admirable specimens which we now
see, is as much a branch of the fine arts, applied to animal physiology, as are the su-
perb specimens of statuary and painting which you to-day witness in these Centen-
ayes rooms, produced by the successors of Phidias, Michael Angelo, Raphael, or Claude

rraine.

Among the improvers of domestic live stock within the last two centuries, both in
Europe and America, will be found men of the highest intellect, learning, retinement,
position, and wealth, whose studies have been drawn to the development and exalta-
tion of the qualities of their animals. I need not recount the names of distinguished
Europeans, past and present, who have lent their influence and labors to that pursuit;
nor to Americans, from George Washington, of Virginia, Chancellor Livingston, of
New York, Henry Clay, the great Kentucky statesman, and a large number of eminent
men of all professions and pursuits, aside from enterprising farmers proper, whose main
business has been that of breeding and rearing improved classes of stock—names, both
dead and living, all too numerous to mention. Nor has the attention of those breed-

CONIOMY CETES—USTILAGINEI.

TELLETIA caries Tul.

a.—Infected grain, nat. size. ’.—Section of grain enlarged. ¢e.—Spores
x500. d—Spore x 1000. e—Germinating Spore. j.—Secondary
Conjugating Spores. g.—Secondary Spores. #.—Secondary pro-
ducing Tertiary Spores. 7.—Tertiary Spores again germinating.

In kernels of Wheat.

CONIOMYCETES—USTILAGINETL

ea

USTILAGO Segetum hh.

@.—Nat. size. b.—Infected grain enlarged. ¢.—Spores x 500.
d.—Spores germinating further magnified.
On Cereals and Grasses.

eae: fer ie: “le

doene yi aa ‘
pis

A ae Aa
hiiy sg:
ee’ 2a

~

413

ers and improvers been limited to the most valuable classes of stock, but equally so to
those of minor commercial value. Women, too, of equal rank and position in society
with men, both in Europe and America, may be classed in the noble array of fine-stock
improvers—all in their labors bensfactors of mankind.

God has appointed our lot in a country of diversified climates, and blessed it with
a wondrous fertility of soils. If a due improvement of our advantages be hereafter
neglected, on those guilty of that neglect will rest the penalty; and yet, when
another Centennial of American Independence shall arrive, we trust that those who
then succeed us may rejoice, as we, their progenitors, now do at the present, in a still
higher advancement to crown their labors with thanksgiving and gratitude to the
benignant Father of Mercies for the successes they shall have achieved and enjoyed.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS.

By THomas TayLor, MICROSCOPIST.

CONIOMYCETES USTILAGINEI.— Ustilaginei is the name given to a
family of Coniomycetes fungi related to the Uredinei, generally dis-
tinguished by their growing in the interior of the organ, (especially the
ovaries and anthers,) of flowering plants, causing deformity, absorption
of the internal tissue, and its replacement by a pulverulent substance
consisting of the spores of the fungi. In the earlier stages, the infected
organ exhibits either a grumous mass, or an interwoven filamentous
mycelium, from which acrogenous spores arise; finally, the mycelium dis-
appears, and a dark-colored (often fetid) powder remains, composed
entirely of the spores, which are simple.’

Ustilago segetum—A genus of Ustilagineit frequently found on cereals
and grasses, forming the blight called smut of corn, commonly infesting
wheat, oats, barley, and other grasses, filling the ears with a black pow-
der of smooth spores about 1.5000” in diameter, in corn sometimes about
twice as large in the varieties attacking species of Bromus. The smut
of maize, U. maidis, has minutely echinate spores 1.2500” in diameter.
Sedges are infested by U. olivacea with olive-colored spores. U. an-
therarum, growing in the anthers of Caryophyllacec, has violet-colored
spores. Many other species are described by Tulasne.* The cuts rep-
resenting Ustilago segetum and Tilletia caries are from original draw-
ings by M. C. Cook, and form part of my series of water-color sketches
and drawings representing microscopic fungi at the Centennial Exhibi-
tion. It is proposed to publish the entire series in the reports of the
Department.

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

BEST TIME TO SOW OATS IN THE SouTH.—Mr. D. J. Sanders, secretary
of the agricultural and mechanical association in Jackson County, Geor-
gia, expresses the opinion that in that section 90 per cent. of the crops
of oats sown in the spring, or in the autumn after Christmas, either rust
or fall down before ripening, and that unseasonable sowing is the main
cause of failure in the oat-crop at the South. He adds: ‘ They should
be sown in August and September, or the first week in October, in order
to insure a crop.”

PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURE.—The secretary of the agricultural asso-
ciation in Jackson County, Georgia, reports that in that county the oat-
_ crop is better than last year by 50 per cent., corn by 100 per cent., and
sorghum by 200 per cent. The sorghum-crop also surpasses that of last
year in quality. Under date of September 22 he reports that tables in

* See micrographic dictionary.
3A

414

the community were being supplied with delicious beans of a second
crop from seed sent out by the Department last spring. ;

VALUE OF AUTHENTIC INFORMATION.—Our correspondent in Will-
iamson, Texas, sent to the Department for examination a specimen of
bat-excrement found in a cave near Georgetown, in that county. The
results of a chemical analysis were published in our monthly report for
June. As one consequence, the cave, which was bought one year ago
for $200, has recently been sold for $1,500.

SHEEP-FARMING IN OREGON.—Mr. 8. G. Reed, of Portland, Oregon, at
the request of the Commissioner, has furnished some very interesting
facts in regard to sheep-husbandry in that State. He has raised a flock of
pure-blood Cotswolds and Leicesters, the former imported from England
in 1871, and the latter from New Zealand. He has found the climatic and
other conditions in Oregon very favorable to sheep-raising. The aggre-
gate weight of five average Cotswold ewes, March 30, 1876, amounted
to 1,091 pounds, or 218.2 per head; five average Leicester ewes, at the
same time, aggregated 991 pounds, or 198.2 each. In 1874, the fleece of
the Cotswolds averaged 14 pounds and of the Leicesters 13 pounds; in
1875, 134 pounds and 114 pounds ; in 1876, 124 pounds and 103 pounds.
In the spring of 1876, the Cotswold ewes produced 220 per cent. of lambs
and the Leicesters 145 per cent. An acre of perennial rye-grass will
carry five large Cotswold sheep through the year. The wool is excel-
lent for combing, and commands the highest price in market.

Mr. Reed incloses an article on sheep-farming in Oregon, written by
Mr. William Watson, in which the adaptation of Eastern Oregon and
Eastern Washington for sheep-raising is claimed to be unsurpassed by
any of the great sheep-raising countries of the world. Pasturage of
native grasses is abundant and nutritious, with ample supplies of
water. The atmosphere is pure and balmy. No malaria lurks in the
air, and atmospheric disturbances are few and not severe. Men of
small capital will find chances of profitable settlement. A section of
land, 640 acres, may be purchased at $750 to $1,000, with some improve-
ments. But outside of this area a vast surface of unappropriated pas-
turage promises abundant food for live stock. Government lands are
regarded as free quarters by settlers. A shepherd should be employed
for every 2,000 head or less.

A flock embracing 2,000 ewes, at $3 per head, would cost about $6,000
for the female breeding-animals. During the first year the loss on stock
will be covered, on an average, by 5 per vent. of the investment, or $300;
the wages of a shepherd, at $40 per month, would amount to $480 per
annum ; extra help at lambing-time, $50; board of hands, $450 per an-
num; extra shearing, at 8 cents per head, $160; wool-bags, $100; haul-
ing wool to market, $100; total, $1,640. Per contra, the first year’s clip,
5 pounds per head, at 25 cents per pound, would amount to $2,500 ;
1,800 lambs, at $2 per head, $3,600; total $6,100, leaving a net profit of
$4,460, or 77 per cent., on the cost of the ewes. This estimate makes no
allowance for scab, which no sheep-raiser should permit to infect his
flock. It can be easily checked by prompt and intelligent treatment in
that climate. Winter-feed will also require some outlay, in addition,
but the hay-crop can be made on the spot, at comparatively little cost.

These figures refer to the class of animals common in Eastern Oregon.
The breeds here are a mingling of Cotswold, Southdown, Merino, ete.
An intelligent method of breeding would soon develop a fixed type,
suited to the economic demands of the country. Mutton-production
should be combined with wool-production. Probably a cross between
the Leicester and the Merino, giving a medium-sized sheep, with a heavy
fleece and good mutton, will meet the requirements

(415

Western Oregon has the advantage over Eastern Oregon in its more
abundant facilities of transportation. The eligible Government lands
are here mostly appropriated by settlers. Many of them came out
to the country under the strong inducements held out by the Govern-
ment from 1845 to 1854, when permanent bona-fide settlers were en-
dowed with 640 acres each. This policy covered Western Oregon with
large farms, but there is an increasing disposition among these land-
owners to dispose of their real estate. Good lands in the Willamette
Valley can be had at prices ranging from $10 to $30 per acre.

Mr. William H. Barnhart, of Pendleton, Umatilla County, in a
letter to Mr. Reed, states that in Eastern Oregon sheep, with few ex-
ceptions, are low grades of Cotswold and Merino, kept in flocks of 1,000
to 2,000. Within two or three years several hundred full-blooded Cots-
wold and Merino rams have been imported, a measure which cannot
fail to raise the grade of sheep in this region. Indeed, a decided im-
provement is already noted in the average weights of fleece and in the
length and fineness of the fiber. The clip of 1876, a favorable year,
will probably average six pounds per head, against less than five pounds
in 1875, when the flocks were in comparatively low condition. The
lambing-season commences about March 25; the average per cent. of
lambs that survive the inclemencies of the weather is about 70. Tie
price of wool has averaged about 25 cents per pound for the last ten
years. Mr. Barnhart’s estimates of cost do not differ greatly from those
of Mr. Watson. The wool-production of Hastern Oregon suffers from a
very awkward and unscientific handling of immense natural resources.
The greatest drawback to sheep-raising here is found in the deep snows
in certain localities. Forty to sixty days’ feeding is esteemed a very hard
winter by farmers, who generally calculate upon an open range during
almost all the year.

ir. Watson says that the wool-product of the Umpqua, Willamette,
and Rogue River Valleys is of a high quality, both of long and short
staple, and commands the highest price in the Pacific and eastern mar-
kets. After many years’ experience, he gives preference to long-wooled
sheep in those valleys, such as the Leicester, Lincoln, and Cotswold.
New Oxfords have been successfully domesticated, yielding very excel-
lent wool. The fleeces of any one of these breeds may easily be made
to average 12 to 15 pounds each, where the sheep are properly cared
for. The increase may be raised to 120 per cent., or even 150 per cent.
In 1874, some Leicester ewes, only one year old, averaged 15 pounds of
wool, and Cotswolds from 17 to 20 pounds. For Eastern Oregon, the
cross of any one of these breeds with high-grade Merino ewes presents
the most desirable qualities. The weight of fleeces in Eastern Oregon
averages from 4 to 7 pounds per head, and the increase of lambs may
be made to reach from 70 to 120 percent. In Eastern Oregon, upon
natural grasses, about two sheep to every three acres of pasturage is the
limit beyond which flocks should not be increased. In Rogue River
Valley, if land were properly laid down to alfalfa, it would probably be
practicable to subsist seven sheep for seven months on the product of a
single acre. They should then be removed for the other five months to
the rich pastures east of the Cascade Mountains. Alfalfa can be made
to yield from 6 to 10 tons of hay per acre. When the crop is raised and
secured, the sheep should be brought back and fed upon it, thoroughly
chopped. Improvements in transportation will soon reduce the cost of
marketing wool in San Francisco from 5 cents per pound to 2 cents.
This will also open up a demand for mutton-sheep, yielding the farmer
8 to 12 cents per pound. The grasses of Oregon, it is claimed, are finer
and more nutritious than those of California, hence at the close of win

416

ter the condition of Oregon she2p is uniformly better than those of
California.

IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTION.—The decline in the production of
iron and steel was greater in the second year of the prevailing financial
depression than in the first. The only general increase in manufacture
was in Bessemer-steel rails, crucible cast steel, open-hearth steel, and
nails and spikes; but individual States have manufactured more
largely than in 1874, viz, Maine, Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois,
and Wisconsin.

The following statement of the net tons manufactured in the years
indicated is made on the authority of the American Iron and Steel
Association:

Kinds manufactured. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875.
GT teat ale osnein Cintas lates mae slefel tee seein ei itats a <= 2, 854,558 | 2, 868,278 |} 2, 689, 413 2, 266, 581
Rolled iron, including nails and rails ....-....-.....--. 1, 941,992 | 1,966,445 | 1, 839, 560 1, 890, 379
RGRSGINCr-SLOGUGAlIS 22 16 f-5 pionle = chiywinge Calne awa cia eee 94, 070 129, 015 144, 944 290, 863
All other rails for railways.--...-.--..--------------- 905, 930 761, 062 584, 469 501, 649
MELODUEAUS Sete ic cercc\tabaabeldon each and dl le ose id dewed 15, 000 9, 430 6, 739 16, 340
LACTIS YTS) ol aR ee eee 203, 261 201, 235 245, 609 236, 343
SGPOCLDIECABURLEE! -steece, co wes suai cbcceeas sonneeee 29, 260 34, 786 36, 328 39, 401
PBEM EOU MHA STOOL. 74s dies a acisle nino nee oct oti- gece 3, 000 3, 500 7, 000 9, 050
ANIMATE Se PRR RE ae i er ee ee ee pepere e 7, 740 13, 714 6, 353 12, 607
Blooms from ore and pig-iron --...--.---.---..------- 58, 000 62, 564 61, 670 49, 243

The decline in rolled iron has been very small, and mainly in 1874, the
product ef the past year being greater than in the preceding. Pennsyl-
vania produces nearly a third of all the rails. The sources of produc-
tion of pig and rolled iron are, in detail, as follows:

a |33
iS i=]
Pig-iron of ali kinds, in net tons. a pet
co aaa
States. aa g 28
a A
1872. 1873. 1874, 1875, 1875.
WENO) aq dee cao PaSdeedecaseoeeaaneo see 4 beeen see += 780 1, 661 8, 100 4, 050
Wey Elampshine to R\~ ok ca dacs cles md nn| en eminaieg else eee mci-i-} emma yee 1000) See aes
RIBETO OME le ec ee dennis canis oam= ab sam one 2, 000 3, 100 3, 450 6, 204 6, 204
IWARRACHUSOUUS . se Secs 7 caasccce=e ce rsnaame 17, 070 21, 136 27, 991 99, 712 | 18,391
i pdepielandercccusan ccakoncecels adeack ese] (wm cep hae Blecmwes mnitellewelv cslawne 9584, | oe Seen
“Ory et Gia aici | ee ee ae eae eS 22, 700 26, 977 14, 518 9 618" aeeee =
De Od Se eS a ae aS 291,155 | 296,318 | 326, 721 181, 606 960
Wine OFSOV- cence pinwaas cmd pee le eee 103, 858 102, 341 90, 150 55, 249 941
OA SV VEG oa ane aee ei see = ee eee 1, 401, 497 1, 389, 573 |1, 213, 133 738, 830 | 255, 136
NGGINRV ANC Poles hoactok de cklee see nae sb habe s| coscmatene bem eee open andes tee 15, 2024-5... gees
WA Ch ie a ea eee eee ae 63, 031 55, 986 54, 556 46,687 | 30,619
SY g ang a SS LR 21,445 | 26,475 | 29, 451 18, 843; 58 ee
ate an ilitin: 5... «i.-idisce ak babe co 1, 073 1, 432 1,,340'|) 800). wisjne ss oles
(Gio tish) 228 SRS SRBR aS ese cap eeern een c sae 2, 945 7, 501 9, 786 10, 325 6, 500
AS AIASE Seer ee ate wae one cncdmcles copuaey 12, 512 22, 283 32, 863 1, 000) |e
SK AS ee ea at Ske a ninia's ie bce hindkin' noe beeiacate 619 280 1,019 | -.0.5--2<.'|naenemeeieeeeeeee
SVGET ST) ABS (See ss eee SBerse ae 20, 796 23, 056 30, 134 54, 299 406
PRONTO Ye: coc stan erate lose nt serecthnedoure 67, 396 69, 889 61, 227 33, 961 5, 851
PPETMNESHOO de weet leak wos asp case cas ne Lats tag) shh hee ae 43, 134 48, 770 13,745 | 12, 250
(Cf Tea anise oa le i a a 399, 743 | 406,029 | 425,001 237,591 | 91,775
LETTE Ts RBS OP © eS es ee 39, 221 32, 486 13, 732 44,073 | 23,309
PEENTIS Se Gc ona as Seat ae cnivic whadewe'ss 78, 627 55, 796 37, 946 200, 676 188, 248
Aoi eek Ra SE eS 2 2 eee 100, 222 | 123,506 | 136, 662 $,450|>.8 3
pRNHETERINE <0'0 ol seeded: Spach eye ee 65, 036 74, 148 50, 792 42,840 | 28, 403
SIVA EA Oe cs aii cos ote wll mip hedhs Sl el 101, 158 85, 552 795, 817 31,540 | 17,396
WAMRAR see powac Gu no ceucmecpaeateccccbes. | sceesn sens [pen as sha =n| se enem enol] toes emi 5, 000 5, 000
Californias bo cos «oboe ct eee obec sl eacatereanleer sbpicice: ase ane xtc +[¢uitamieinm 4 14, 194 8, 073
OTB POIs cee etae be ecla eu cbecaceeeeinaiaceyas «|e betas eaehl ema n bomn 2,500.|' , (1,000 |. 0.. cleo) eee
10 5 RE td 2 a RR fie ee ed SR ears ee os ae a 200°} |. D50\o.. i peace sc Pee
WW YOMIDG oo baie cicieein ncn miele eww casein awe] ebb picewic me|een clon wese|comnencucs|psoannmons 7, 000 7, 000

POG. tee chile aniciuic pnd te gaeheeine’s 2 2, 854, 558 |2, 868, 278 ‘2, 689, 413 |2, 266, 581 |1, 890, 379 | 792, 512

A417

Exclusive of abandoned stacks, the number of completed furnace-
stacks in the country, at the close of 1875, was 713, but only 293 of
these were in blast. In the same year 24 new stacks were completed
and 4 were abandoned; in 1874, 38 new stacks and 2 abandoned; 1873,
50 new stacks and 5 abandoned.

Bessemer-steel rails were first made upon orders in this country in
1867.. In 1869, the net tons manufactured were 9,650; in 1870, 34,000;
1871, 38,250 ; 1872, 94,070; 1873, 129,015; 1874, 144,944; 1875, 290,863;
there are also 61,058 net tons of steel other than Bessemer.

The value of imports of iron and steel in 1875 was $15,273,315, against
$24,600,720 in 1874; $45,764,670, in 1873; and $61,724,227, in 1872.

MATE OR PARAGUAY TEA.—Among the novelties presented at the
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia is the maté, a decoction of the
leaves of the maté tree, (Ilex paraguayensis.) This tree grows wild in
the forests of Brazil and the Argentine Republic, especially upon
the various tributaries of the Parana and Uruguay; it is also found
in the valleys of streams whose waters join the Paraguay to the
northeast. The tree sometimes approaches medium-sized apple-trees in
height, but the leaves are gathered mostly from smaller shrub-like
plants. It is stripped of its leaves and branches almost every other
year. Several varieties of this tree are mentioned, especially two; the
mild or choice, and the strong.

At the exposition a pamphlet, in Portuguese, French, English, and
German, written by Dr. Antonio Joaquin de Macedo Soares, presents
the claims of the province of Parana, which exports mostly through
the ports of Paranagu4é and Antonia. The exports of the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1870, amounted to 31,777,408 pounds, and rose the
following year to 36,073,713 pounds. The home consumption in Parana
is almost 9,000,000 pounds per annum and in Rio Grande do Sul nearly
four times as much, not including large quantities consumed by na-
tives, without having been marketed. An arroba (32.39 pounds) is esti-
mated as sufficient for the consumption of a single individual about six
months, if taken three times per day, and this would cost about $4 per
annum, whereas an equivalent of coffee or of black or green tea would
cost much more.

It is claimed that the maté beverage is very nourishing. It is pre-
pared either from the powder of dried leaves pulverized or from the
leaves themselves by infusion. It needs intelligent experiment and
observation to develop the real qualities of the plant, but it has become
the favorite beverage of a large portion of the people of South America.
It is less exciting than either tea or coffee, as it contains less of essential
oil, while its larger proportion of resin makes it a better diuretic than
coffee, though it is less rich in this element than either green or black
tea. It has a pleasant aroma, and when taken with-milk and sugar it
is a good substitute for tea or coffee. It slightly stimulates the nervous
system, but not to the point of sleeplessness. It contains as much
theine as tea and double the quantity found in the same weight of coffee-
grains. It is sold in Rio Janeiro at about ten cents per pound.

BRITISH LIVE-STOCK PRODUCTION.—The question of meat-supply is
still agitating British economists. The decrease of horses and the rise in
their market value constitute another source of uneasiness. An effort
was recently made by the Royal Society of England to ascertain whether
the problem of production in the United Kingdom did not embrace some
latent conditions the development of which would secure to the British
farmer a wider margin of profit in the production of horses and beef-

418

cattle. In the first article of the society’s report for 1876 are embodied
the results of an investigation, as compiled by W. McDonald, editor of
the North British Agriculturist, from public documents and from orig-
inal statements by intelligent and representative agriculturists in differ-
ent parts of the country. The writer concludes, from the facts brought
out by the investigation, that farmers would be benefited by a closer
attention to live stock, especially cattle.

Live-stock breeding has for some years been more profitable than
erain-raising, and present indications point to a continuance of this state
of things, which is attributed in part to the superior quality of British
beef and mutton, in part to the difficulty of importing foreign products
that can rival them in the market, and in part to the abundant imports
of excellent grain from abroad. British farmers can supply a much
larger proportion of meat than twenty years ago, but the demand has
kept pace with the supply.

The total number of cattle in Great Britain in 1875 was 6,012,824,
against 5,337,759 in 1871 and 4,993,034 in 1867 ; an increase of 1,019,790,
or over 24 per cent., in eight years. The aggregate of 1875 was 112,667
less than in 1874. Ireland reports 4,111,990 in 1875, an increase of
404,187, or nearly 11 per cent., in eight years. The total for the United
Kingdom in 1875 was 10,124,814, against 8,731,473, an increase of nearly
16 per cent. in eight years.

Sheep-raising has not been so expansive, though it is well known that
in some districts sheep have done better than cattle, in some cases
replacing the latter. This is traceable to the rinderpest. In 1867, the
number reported in Great Britain was 28,919,101; in 1868, 30,711,396 ;
in 1871, the number had fallen to 27,119,569; it rose in 1874 to 30,313,941,
but fell to 29,166,139 in 1875. Ireland had 4,826,015 in 1867, 4,225,721
in 1871, 4,437,613 in 1874, and 4,248,158 in 1875. In 1875, the United
Kingdom had 33,414,297.

The number of horses in Great Britain fell from 1,461,061 in 1869 to
1,276,444 in 1873; but the number has since increased, though not yet
equal to that of 1869; in 1875 the number was 1,340,129. In Ireland,
horses rose from 527,248 in 1869 to 540,745 in 1872, but fell to 526,160
in 1875. The total of the United Kingdom for 1875 was 1,866,289.

The quantity of beef and mutton annually produced has greatly
increased within thirty-five years. In 1841, but 4,500 cattle were on
sale in the London Christmas market, the price ranging from 3s. 8d. to
5s. per stone of 8 pounds, averaging about 4s. per stone, or 6d. per pound,
sinking the offal. At the Christmas market of 1875, 7,660 cattle were
exposed to-sale, at prices varying between 4s. 4d. and 6s, 6d. per stone,
and averaging nearly 6s. per stone, or 9d. per pound; an increase of 50
per cent. since 1841. The advance in the lower grades has been still
greater. In 1841, the choice animals were, in quality, further ahead of
the general supply through the year than they arenow. The June prices
of cattle during the last thirty years show a greater advance than the
Christmas prices: they averaged 44d. per pound in June, 1849; 43d. in
1851; 68d. in 1855; 6d. in 1859; 64d. in 1864; 7d. in 1868; 8d.in 1871, and
83d. in 1875. These are the estimated averages of prices paid to the
farmer or breeder for animals on the hoof. The June prices of mutton
averaged as follows: 1849, 5d. per pound; 1851, 5d. ; 1855, 63d.; 1859, 63d.;
1864, 63d.; 1868, 74d.; 1871, 84d.; 1875, 9d. While the cost to the con-
sumer has been thus enhanged, the share of the producer has notincreased
in asimilar proportion. The scope of middle-men’s profits has greatly en-
larged within the past few years. Even country markets now support a
class of intermediate salesmen, who make quite a “ nice thing” of it.

~ 419

The increase in the demand for butchers’ meat has been greater than
the increase of population. The proportion of persons consuming ani-
mal food has increased 50 per cent. The question has been raised
whether this increase has not been excessive and abnormal, greater than
the healthy subsistence of the population demands. But in spite of
such questions, there is more likelihood of an increase than of a falling
off in the rate of consumption.

The United Kingdom, within the last three or four years, has imported
an immense amount of bacon and hams, which imports alone constitute
14 per cent. of the annual meat-consumption of the British people.
Excluding these two items, the live cattle, sheep, and swine, together
with what are technically called “ pork” and “ beef,” add only 64 per
cent. to the home product. Estimating that one-fourth of the cattle of
the British isles are annually slaughtered, and the average weight at 6
ewt. 1 qr., the aggregate would include 2,531,201 animals and 15,820,006
ewt. of beef. Supposing that five-twelfths of the sheep are annually

brought to the knife, the total number of these animals slaughtered would |

_ be 13,922,624, which, at an average of 70 pounds per head, would yield
8,701,640 cwt. of mutton. Estimating the number of swine killed
annually as equal to that of the census, and that these average 10 stone,
the result will be 4,348,941 ewt. of pork. The grand total of beef, mut-
ton, and pork, of home production, is 28,870,587 ewt., or 3,233,505,744
pounds.

Of cattle, including all grades, from calf to bulls and oxen, 263,698
were imported during 1875, almost entirely for direct consumption.
Allowing 44 cwt. per head as their average weight, they would yield

1,186,641 cwt. of beef. Of sheep, 977,863 were imported, averaging,
probably, 13 pounds per quarter, and yielding 454,007 ewt. of mutton.
Finally, 71,928 live swine yielded about 1 cwt. each, making 1,712,576
ewt., or 191,808,512 pounds of fresh meat from imported animals.

The foreign imports of dead meat are given at 2,898,293 cwt. of
bacon, hams, and “pork,” and 216,516 ewt. of beef; total, 3,114,809
ewt., or 348,858,608 pounds. The grand total of meat-consumption,
domestic and foreign, is 3,774,172,864, or 114 pounds per capita of the
population, estimated at 33,000,000. The portion imported is thus a
little less than 15 per cent. Adding the fish, poultry, and wild game
annually marketed, the British people must be considered as large meat
consumers.

TEN YEARS OF FRENCH AGRICULTURE.—A French agricultural jour-
nalist, reviewing the progress of farming in France during the past ten
years, finds considerable progress in co-operative effort among the
farmers, and a gratifying development of individual character and in-
telligence in certain quarters, but too much reliance is still placed upon
the initiative and co-operation of the government in enterprises that
properly belong to individual or associated effort. Too much of what was
graphically ealled “ official agriculture” still subsists. The reform by
which this incubus is to be dispelled is more radical and tedious than
many sanguine Frenchmen are disposed to believe.

Ten years ago the government of Napoleon III prosecuted an inquiry
into the causes of agricultural crises, the fluctuating yields of the dif-
ferent crops, the steady increase of wages, rents, and taxes, and an at-
tempt was made to devise some method of relieving these difficulties.
The facts elicited pointed to the commercial treaties with foreign pow-
ers and to a defective internal administration, involving an ill-distributed
and oppressive taxation, a terrific waste and misdirection of funds in

42()

internal improvements, an excessive accumulation of warlike armament,
an undue tendency of capital and labor to great cities, luxurious habits
of the citizens, and neglect of the means of influencing the action of
government. These clear indications were adroitly evaded by the
imperial commissioners, who admitted the justice of the complaints made
by the agricultural interest, but criticised the proposed methods of relief.
The foreign policy of the country could not be disturbed; great military
and naval armaments, and a large expenditure in internal improvements
were imperatively demanded to maintain the prestige of the empire.
Hence the taxes must be kept up and the farmers must ‘ grin and bear
it.” Yet, in spite of the restrictions and oppressions of misgovernment,
French agriculture has during the past decade made very encouraging
progress.

The industrial system of the north is pivoted upon the sugar-beet.
Here high culture has ever led in the march of*improvement. ‘The
splendid productive power of this region has attracted the attention of
this government as a large tax-paying region. In fact, the policy of some
administrations has emulated the wisdom of the man in the fable who
killed the goose that laid the goldeneggs. It had passed into an official
parable that each hectare of this region would bear an average tax as-
sessment of about 2,000 franes, or at the rate of $160 per acre. Some
sapient political economists in official circles insisted that the government
ment should attack the best resources and get money wherever they could
get it most easily, but a strong protest was heard in quarters more enti-
tled to respect, urging the impolicy of crippling resources in process of
development. It was urged that the most profitable element in the
sugar-beet industry to the country at large is not the manufacture of
sugar and alcohol, which yield so large a basis of taxation, but in the
immense amount of fertilizing matter which the beet yields as stock-
feed, enabling the farmers of this region, with their heavy taxes, high
values of real. estate, and high wages of labor, to compete with the cheap
products of vast unfertilized regions abroad, in which what is called eul-
ture is but a spoliation of surface fertility. The policy of the state in
the treatment of this region has been one of craft. While ostentatiously
distributing a few millions of francs with one hand, in agricultural
prizes, with the other it has been stealthily and noiselessly depleting
the system of its strength by taxes bearing directly upon its most vital
points. French farmers are so accustomed to routine and so unused to
look beyond their own immediate horizon, that these abuses have passed
unchallenged, and the grievances uttered by a few of the more intelli-
gent, not being supported by the general voice, have failed to awaken
official attention to these oppressions. Meanwhile intelligent farmers
appealed to science, and sought those methods of culture which would
enrich the product and give a wider margin of profit with which to meet
the grasping power of taxation. By persistent energy, and in spite of
adverse circumstances, the sugar interest has made great advancement
within the past ten years.

Southward is a region of far different character, in which the inten-
sive culture of the north, after ample experiment, has been abandoned
and what is called extensive culture has been adopted. The maize-plant
is the key of this system, as the sugar-beet is in the north. Fossil super-
phosphate of lime furnishes a stimulating fertilizer, and immense masses
of forage-plants give rise to extensive stock-feeding and large avcumu-
lations of barn-yard manure.

Still further southward is the region of the vine, the olive, and the
mulberry. Here rocky, dry, thin soils, unsusceptible of high culture, have

421

been utilized and an immense production has been realized, though the
dreaded phyllovera has threatened destruction in several departments.
The tax-gatherer has an intimate connection with this region, while the
wine interest has been thé scare-crow of foreign-tariff regulators. .
Other wine-making countries have surplus products to export, and any
unfriendly legislation may be expected to react in the shape of reprisals
upon French exports. The cautious foreign policy of France has meas-
urably avoided the alternate perils of excessive foreign competition at
home and of closed markets abroad. The collision of interest once sup-
posed to exist between the vine and sugar-beet regions has been obvi-
ated. It is found cheaper to re-enforce the weak wines of the south with
alcohol from the beet than to distil it from grapes. Sericulture, an im-
portant interest of this region, has suffered from the malady of silk-
worm eggs, requiring a renewal of the stock from oriental countries.
But, in spite of causes which have threatened the stability of these south-
ern industries, substantial progress is believed to have been secured.
Scientific culture has narrowed the range of disastrous influences, and the
southward extension of some northern crops has diversified the culture
of this region, giving greater stability and more certain returns.

A large number of French farmers command but narrow resources,
realize limited returns, and are under pressure to sell as soon as possible
after harvest. Thisis the farming of the moors, of recent forest-clear-
ings, and of natural pastures. Popular delusions as to the practicability
of redeeming these poor lands from their comparative sterility have been
generated and stimulated by corrupt artifices, and an important function
of agricultural journalism has been to puncture these bubbles and ex-
plode these delusions, which have entailed great losses upon parties but
little able to bear them. But the increased activities of commerce and
other changes of circumstances have largely tended to redeem this class
of lands from the class of unprofitable culture, and to utilize what would
otherwise be a waste. ’

The questions of share-farming and rent-farming have approximated
a settlement, and the profitable circumstances and limits of each are be-
coming much better understood than formerly. Great soil-improve-
ments, with facilities for irrigation, have placed many previously-uncul-
tivated soils in the list of profitable culture. The cultivation of these
soils by their actual proprietors has removed one of the difficulties that
.embarrassed a large class of cases. The extension of the methods of
economic science to lands of inferior fertility has also broadened the area
of cultivation. The relations of supply and demand are better under-
stood than they were ten years ago, and hence agricultural enterprise
has been directed to far more profitable results. The writer of this
résumé sums up the great benetit of the past decade in the close approxi-
mation of men of science, of men of labor, and of men charged with gov-
erning society, and the more complete harmony resulting from a more
thorough interchange of views. The causes of friction are in process of
removal, and the productive resources of France have consequently re-
ceived a higher development,

AGRICULTURAL WAGES IN FRANCE.—M. De Foville, in the Heono-
miste Francais, gives a review of the changes in the wages of farm-labor
in France during the past half century. The facts indicate a great im-
provement in the conditions of rural laboring-life. Fifty years ago great
destitution, and occasional starvation, were the salient features of the
condition of the rural working classes. A great amelioration has been
wrought during the last half century, and those revolting extremes of
suffering are no longer heard of.

422

In 1788, the annual income of a family of farm-laborers, by day’s work,
amounted to about 200 francs, which was about 20 frances greater than
in 1700, under the closing days of the splendid but destructive reign of
Louis XIV. ‘Twenty-five years later, during which the old monarchy,
gangrened with corruption, had been broken up by the cataclysm of the
revolution and replaced by the empire, the wages of farm-labor had
doubled in most of the departments. At the restoration of the Bour-
bons, in the person of Louis X VIII, Chaptal estimates the average re-
compense of a laborer at 1.25 franes per day, or 375 francs for a year
of 300 working days; the income of a female laborer was estimated at
120 frances, or 60 centimes per day, for 200 working days. M. Moreau
de Jonnés thinks that, in 1813, families, as a whole, averaged about 400
working days in the year, counting the engagements of different mem-
bers, which would give an aggregate wage at least double what it was
during the reign of Louis XIV.

M. De Foville attributes these beneficent changes to the social re-
forms of the revolution, which bore fruit in spite of the frantic excesses
of the anarchical régime of the convention and of the bloody wars of
the empire. The last remnant of feudalism was eliminated from social
order. The peasant was emancipated and placed before the law upon
a footing of entire equality with those who were lately his masters and
seigneurs. He could choose his own field of labor and stipulate his own
wages, which were no longer fixed by arbitrary enactment. The public
sale of national and confiscated real estate gave a great impetus to the
development of small proprietorships, a change which had begun under
the old monarchical régime. The peasant was not only liberated, but
enfranchised, and the means placed within his reach of acquiring an
ownership in the soil. Whatever may be thought of the justice of the
wholesale confiscations ordered by the revolutionary government, it is
beyond doubt that these measures resulted in the elevation of the labor-
ing classes, not only those whd became land-owners, but also day-
laborers.

The next twenty-five years, from 1813 to 1838, were a period of com-
parative peace and prosperity. Prices remained comparatively sta-
tionary to its close, but the development of manufacturing enterprise
had lowered the price of its products. Meanwhile the advance of agri-
cultural wages continued, yet about the beginning of the reign of Louis
Philippe the price of day’s work began to oscillate from 0.75 francs to -
1.75 francs. M. Charles Dupin estimates the average income of a labor-
ing family at 475 franes per annum, ranging from 508 franes in 33 depart-
ments of the north and west to 441 franes, the average of all the others.
In 1840, according to M. Moreau de Jonnés, the average had risen to 500
franes per annum. Since the middle of the present century the French
government has prosecuted several enquétes agricoles, prominent among
which are those of 1852 and 1862. These inquiries are accepted by M.
De Foville as embracing a large proportion of truth after their errors
have been eliminated by a critical scrutiny and by comparison with
cantonal statistics. The differences between the results of this scrutiny
and those of the enquétes is trifling, showing a substantial agreement
in two independent lines of inquiry. In 1852 a day’s wages averaged
1.42 frances; in 1854, 1.54 franes; in 1855, 1.61 franes, showing an en-
hancement of 13 per cent. from 1849 to 1853. In 1862 the day’s wage
averaged 1.85 frances, an increase of 30 per cent. in ten or twelve years.

In the twenty departments paying the highest prices for farm-labor the
daily wages in 1849 ranged from 1.47 frances in Lot-et-Garonne to 2.04
francs in Vaucluse. In 1855 the range was from 1.76 francs in Hérault to

423

2.38 franes in the department of the Seine. In 1862 the range was from
2.12 francs in Hérault to 3.10 franes in the Seine. The latter shows the
highest rate of increase from 1849 to 1862, viz, 55 per cent. The. small-
est increase, 7.84 per cent., is found in Vaucluse. But these are the
most progressive agricultural regions of France. From 1849 to 1853
day’s labor in Cétes-du-Nord was paid only 0.8 frances per day, and in
1862 had increased to only 1.14 franes, or at the rate of 425 per cent.
In the remaining departments the increase was between 17 and 44 per
cent., but in all the wages were very low. The average increase was
about 33 per cent. In 1852 women were paid on an average 0.89 francs
per day, without board, or 0.47 frances with board. In 1862 the daily
wage had risen to 1.14 frances without board and 0.62 francs with board,
the former having increased 28 per cent. and the latter 52 per cent.
Children, without board, received 0.61 franes per day in 1852 and 0.82
francs in 1862, an increase of 344 per cent.; with board they received
0.31 franes in 1852 and 0.43 franes in 1862, an increase of 382 per cent.
in ten years. These figures take no account of the exceptional increase
of wages at harvest and vintage. During these special periods of the
year men in 1862 received 2.77 franes per day without board or 1.82
franes with board; women, 1.73 franes without board and 1.13 with
board; children, 1.22 franes without board and 0.77 with board.

The average number of days’ labor per annum in 1862, for men in the
eight departments giving the largest amount of employment, for men
ranged from 265 days in Pas-de-Calais, to 275 in Seine; for women, from
192 in Pas-de-Calais, to 249 in Var; for children, from 140 in Pas-de-
Calais, to 193in Var. In the eight departments in which rural employ-
ment was least active, especially among the mountains, the average
number of days for men varied from 156 in Savoy, to 183 in Meuse; for
women, from 118 in Savoy, to 152 in Haute-Sadne; for children, from 81
in Savoy, to 120 in Ariége. The average for the whole country was 226
days per annum for men, 172 for women, and 129 for children. A family |
in which the father, mother, and one child obtained the average num-
ber of days’ labor received 550 franes per annum in 1852, and 720 franes
in 1862. Besides this, a good number found extra employment in spe-
cial industries. In 1700, a laborer received but 0.5 frane per day, and
his family averaged 180 franes per annum; in 1788, 0.6 franc per day,
and 200 franes per annum; in 1813, 1.05, and 400; in 1840, 1.30, and
500; in 1852, 1.42, and 550; in 1862, 1.85, and 720; in 1872, 2, and 800.
Thus, the daily wage of a man doubled in the 25 years from 1788 to
1813, and quadrupled in the 84 years from 1788 to 1872.

But in order to test the point whether this advance of wages repre-
sents a real improvement in condition, the writer makes a calculation
in regard to the expense of living and the quality of its elements. Aver-
aging families at five persons each, and allowing each person 3 hecto-
liters, or 84 bushels of wheat per annum, the quantity consumed by each
family will average 15 hectoliters, or 423 bushels per annum. In 1700,
when the annual family income was 180 tranes, the hectoliter was worth
18.85 franes, and the quantity above assigned for family consumption
cost 283 francs per annum, or 103 francs more than the family income.
in 1788, the annual family income had risen to 200 frances, and the aver-
age price of wheat had fallen to 16 franes per hectoliter, yet the cost of
the 15 hectoliters was 240 frances, or 40 francs more than the family in-
come. During the next twenty-five years, ending in 1813, the average
family income had doubled, but the price of wheat had also risen to 21
franes per hectoliter, making 315 franes for 15 hectoliters, or 85 franes

less than the family income. In 1840, the income had increased 25 per

A24

cent., being 500 frances per annum, the cost of wheat had fallen a little,
being 20.32 franes per hectoliter and 305 francs for 15 hectoliters, leaving
a surplus of 195 franes of the income. In 1852, the income, 550 franes,
had advanced 10 per cent., and the price of wheat had fallen to 19.45
francs per hectoliter, or 292 franes for 15 hectoliters, leaving a surplus
of 258 frances. In 1862, the income was 720 franes, and the wheat, at
21.08 franes per hectoliter, amounted to 316 franes, leaving a surplus of
404 franes. Finally, in 1872, the income, 800 francs, after deducting 356
franes for 15 hectoliters, at 23.74 franes each, left a surplus of 444 franes.
In 1700, the laboring family could pay only 63 per cent. of the cost of
the amount of wheat necessary to their support, to say nothing of other
and pressing necessities of their being. In 1788, they could pay 83 per
cent. of the bread ration; in 1813, they could pay the whole, with a sur-
plus of 27 per cent.; in 1840, the surplus was 64 per cent.; in 1852, 88
per cent.; in 1862, 127 per cent.; in 1872, 125 per cent.

But bread, the most essential of family provisions, has not enhanced
in price as rapidly as other necessaries of life. The progress of agricult-
ure and the development of international commerce by means of im-
proved methods of transportation, have made the price of grain more uni-
form. Closerrelations subsist between supply and demand. The scarcity
of one section is relieved by the surplus of other sections made available
by easy communication. But the prices of meats, vegetables, drinks,
rents, &c., have followed a higher ratio of progression ; clothing, furni-
ture, &c., however, became considerably cheaper as the century ad-
vanced. M. De Foville calculates the actual expenses of living for a
working family, at three different periods in the time under considera-
tion, as follows:

i )
Articles. 1785 to 1790. | 1810 to 1815. | 1870 to 1875.
Francs Francs Francs.

HO OURS ae ays Ree rete Ome oc cree eS 350 400 630
ent ANG taxes tee see cc omens Cees 25 40 60
HirevandWiPhtij. eka s we Sees 20 25 : 30
UO UNIMOG Foe bo coe he ease eee ooo xeeeee ee 150 140 80:
MVE TC OMS eee ec LIS eee 2 ce ee we 30 46 50
Motaleces . gah silssk ae. eee es 575 | 650 850

To procure the amount of comfortable subsistence which now consti-
tutes the rule among French villages to-day, the family of the working-
man of the first empire needed 650 franes per annum, and received only
400; under Louis XVI, they needed 575 franes per annum, and received
only 200, or a little over a third. The grandfathers of the French peas-
antry of to-day had but two-thirds, and their great grandfathers but
one-third of their allowance.

The above facts indicate an unmistakable and substantial improve-
ment in the condition of French working-men, yet it would be illogical
to conclude that all suffering has been removed. But extreme poverty,
M. De Foville thinks, is mostly the result of individual imprudence, rather
than of necessity or external circumstances. A comparison of English
and American statistics sliows that the margin between wages and
necessary cost of living has widened more rapidly in France than in

either England or the United States. In Asia Minor,.people are to-day .

compelled to live as slenderly as French working families did one hun-
dred and fifty years ago. In Russia, day labor commands wages ap-

—s a

425

proaching to what is usual in France, but intemperance and superstition
there largely detract from the amount essential to a comfortable sub-
sistence. Germany presents a great variety of conditions. In some
parts of Silesia, labor commands but 0.85 frane per day in summer and
0.7 in winter, while in the Rhine provinces it runs up to 5 franes, or $1
per day. In England, farm-laborers have struck for wages above 1 shil-
ling per day. The condition of farm-laborers, M. De Foville contends,
is incontestably superior to that of any other country in Europe. He
thinks the high prices of living in America counterbalance the high
wages of labor in different parts of the country. In the United States,
he thinks, women have far less facilities for gaining a subsistence than
in France. In the latter conclusion, however, the writer seems to have
generalized too hastily and from imperfect data.

DEPRESSION OF FRENCH SUGAR-PRODUCTION.—The general coun-
cils of two departments of France, Aisne and Pas-de-Calais, have for-
mulated very weighty complaints against the present status of legisla-
tion affecting the beet-sugar production. From the unanimous protest
of Pas-de-Calais it appears that this great interest is passing through a
crisis of increasing gravity, in which a variety of agricultural and manu-
facturing industries are more or less compromised. The results already
developing involve the ruin of a large number of sugar-factories, great
losses to agriculturists from the cessation of demand for sugar-beets to
manufacture, the progressive decline in the value of lands devoted to
this branch of culture, a notable stagnation in several minor mechanical
industries, great suffering among the agricultural working classes, and
a general impoverishment of the sugar-producing population. The
causes of these evils are said to be the heavier imposts levied upon this
industry than in foreign countries, and the undefined character of the
legislation by which those imposts have been enacted; within two years
the tariff has been thrice revised, and that these revisions have but
complicated the uncertainty and increased the burden upon production.
The remedy proposed is another revision, more intelligent, directed to
the reduction of the burdens upon this important industry.

PROPOSED PURCHASE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES BY FRENCH
COMMUNES.—M. Teisserene de Bort, French minister of agriculture and
commerce, has issued a circular to the departmental prefects, calling at-
tention to the advantages that may accrue to agriculture from the pur-
chase by the communes or townships of France of the higher and more
expensive agricultural machinery. French farmers in some sections are
too poor and too little impressed with the advantages of superior cult-
ure to conceive or execute the idea of combining their small capital for
the purchase of machinery. The minister calls upon the prefects to study
the question in its various aspects, and to submit to the central govern-
ment the results of their cogitations upon this subject.

ITALIAN AGRICULTURE.—A report of Mr. Miraglia, chief of the divis-
ion of agriculture of the Italian ministry of agriculture, industry, and
commerce, presents a résumé of the elementary schools of agriculture,
of which not fewer than sixty-five were opened during 1875. This edu-
cational movement extends to all parts of the peninsula. There are nor-
mal schools at Palermo, Messina, Caserta, Bari, Arcoli, Picino, Potenza,
acqui, Perouse, Pisa, Reggio d’Emilia, and Pignerol, besides special
schools, the number of which is on the increase. Conferences among
agriculturists have also become frequent, six hundred and one being
held during 1875, in sixty-five communes, with an attendance of 2,500
persons. The subjects of discussion were olive culture, sylviculture, the

426

maladies of garden-plants, fertilizers, rotation of crops, irrigation, cattle
and sheep husbandry, &c. At the Bacologia station of Padua long con-
ferences were held in regard to silk-worms. Farriery was treated at the
station depots of Catana, Crema, Ferrara, Pisa, Ozieri, Reggio d’Emilia,
Milan, and Naples. Crowded conferences in regard to viticulture and
wine-making were held at Monteleone, Cantazaro, Nicastro, Cotrona,
Rogliana, Cosenza, Castrovillari, and Acri. Facts were presented at
these conferences showing that with a proper direction of effort Italian
wines might be made to excel the best Spanish and Portuguese wines.

The entomological station of Florence shows the studies of the Crypto-
gamic Laboratory of Pavia in regard to the maladies engendered in
plants by cryptogams and parasites. The agricultural laboratories of
Bologna and Sienna have given their powerful aid to these and similar
‘investigations—numerous analyses of soils, fertilizers, wines, waters,
potable or irrigating, forage plants, farinaceous products, and alimen-
tary substances generally. Of silk-worms 822 specimens were examined,
besides 193 couples of butterflies. Agricultural expositions have been
numerous and enthusiastic. At Ferrara 600 exhibitors took part; at
Florence 351; at Portici 489; at Palermo 1,529,

Regional conferences have been supplemented by local exhibitions,
under the auspices of communal commissioners, and restricted to special
objects, such as the construction of machinery, agricultural implements,
planting of vine-stocks, stock-raising, oil-making, raising of water from
wells, movable cabins of Alpine pastures, Wc.

The work of replanting forests has not been slackened. The ignorant
vandalism which caused the destruction of the original woods has given
place to a zeal for their preservation and renewal. This new-born senti-
ment, however, is more active in some provinces than in others. Dur-
ing 1875 the administration gave formal consent to the clearing of nearly
50,000 acres of woodland, of which about 28,000 acres were in the south-
ern provinces, on the Adriatic slope of the Apennines, 5,400 on the Med-
iterranean slope of the same, 1,600 in Piedmont, 1,300 in the Marches
and Umbria, 7,600 in Sicily, and 1,350 in Sardinia. Some of these clear-
ings are but temporary, looking to the replacement of worthless woods
by those of greater value, such as the gigantic eucalyptus, the pine, the
the fir, the cedar, &c.

Italy stands in the front rank of wine-producing countries. The In-
ternational Ampelographic Commission, which sat at Colmar, in Septem-
ber, 1875, after a careful examination, gave expression to the liveliest
appreciation of the viticultural resources of the peninsula. An admira-
ble local and national organization of the viticultural interest had brought
the whole subject fairly before the commission. In this great branch of
national enterprise citizens co-operate with exemplary zeal with the gov-
ernment authorities to bring out the most remunerating results. This
is attested by the growing export of Italian wines, which now reach all
foreign markets, whereas formerly they seldom found a demand except
in France. The character of these wines is constantly improving. The
former bad habit of producers, of multiplying their brands, is disappear-
ing, and the time formerly lost in imitating foreign brands is better
employed in perfecting their own products. This is indeed a notable
improvement, and marks the transition from the period in which Italian
agriculture ignored its real forces and that in which it became conscious
of its independent powers.

Oil and grain culture have also advanced in productiveness and value.
The latest acreage and product of these cultures are given as follows:
Wheat, 11,556,062 acres, producing 146,970,713 bushels, or 12.72 bushels

427

per acre; maize, 4,192,253 acres, producing 88,251,466 bushels, or 21.05
bushels per acre; rice, 574,948 acres, producing 27,862,168 bushels, or
48.46 bushels per acre; oats, 985,057 acres, producing 21,123,502 bushels,
or 21.44 bushels per acre; rye and barley, 1,148,517 acres, producing
19,005,698 bushels, or 16.5 bushels per acre; other cereals, 1,516,034 ~
acres, producing 15,871,754 bushels, or 10.47 bushels per acre ; grapes,
4,619,226 acres, producing 77,008,600 bushels, or 16.67 bushels per acre;
olives, 2,224,759 acres, producing 14,189,100 bushels, or 6.3 bushels per
acre. The product of potatoes amounts to 7,049,879 quintals; hemp,
959,177 quintals; flax, 254,057 quintals.

These statistics are gathered according to a regularsystem, embracing
all the leading agricultural facts of the country. This report is the
inauguration of a regular system of reports embracing all the elements
of production, and all the data attainable from the study of the agricul-
tural resources of Italy. Pastoral industry will hold an important place
in these publications.

In spite of apparently favorable conditions pastoral industry has not
been remarkably productive. This fact has been a subject of anxious
consideration, both by the ministry of agriculture and the regional and
other conferences. Efforts are being made, under authority of the
government, for the improvement of horses, cattle, and sheep. In 1875,
the government had at its disposal but 277 stallions, which served 9,711
mares, averaging about 35 each. Asses and mules seem to retrograde,
while cattle present an appreciable and steady amelioration. The
latter result is attributed to greater care in breeding and to more gen-
erous feeding and treatment. Last year the minister of agriculture im-
ported from Holland five horned cattle, of which four were pregnant,
and placed them in theexperimental zootechnic establishment at Reggio
@Emilia, to breed with English cattle. The points of improvement
sought pertain to qualities enhancing the flesh and milk-product.

Sheep and swine have also received very perceptible improvement.
The errors of the previous administration, as well as its successful at-
tempts, have been carefully studied, and practical lessons therefrom
fully appropriated.

Domestic silk-worm production seems to be increasing from the fact
that in 1875 the producers purchased from abroad 199,000 fewer cartons
than in 1874. There are 39 special observatories of silk-worms in the
country, at the head of which is that of Padua. These institutions, by
the results of their investigations, have largeiy contributed to the ad-
vance in sericulture that has taken place within a few years past.
Apiculture has also made perceptible advances.

The division of old feudal properties into modern freeholds marks an
important transition in Italian agriculture. In the southern provinces
alone 1,117,313 acres of feudal lands have passed into the hands of
223,398 peasant proprietors, in tracts averaging less than five acres each.
This social revolution is accompanied by works of irrigation and gen-
eral improvement on the grandest scale. The result of the increased
power of production just called forth will make itself felt in the imme-
diate future.

VITICULTURAL STATISTICS OF HUNGARY.—Mr. Charles Keléti, chief
of the Royal Hungarian Bureau of Statistics, has published a résumé of
the late statistical inquiries into the status of the vine-growing and wine-
making interestsin Hungary. He claims that the statistical method of
Hungary is superior to that of other European states in the extent and
thoroughness of the inquisition and the clearer and less antiquated

428

methods of co-ordinating the facts evolved into general principles. The
statistician verified the results of his inquiries by personally visiting dis-
tricts which showed any remarkable anomalies and opened an extensive
correspondence with land proprietors and viticulturists in all parts of
the kingdom. M. Keléti experienced some of the difficulties which have
embarrassed the operations of the American Department of Agriculture,
with the additional difficulty of having to collect his statistics largely
through regular government officials. The tendency of cultivators to
depreciate as much as possible the extent and value of their industry in
the presence of those who might detail the information to the tax-gath-
erer showed itself in all parts of the country. The lack of statistical
ideas and habits in official inquirers, whocan only move in an established
routine, was another source of embarrassment. Our American system
of selecting boards of volunteer correspondents among the most intel-
ligent agriculturists of the country, and of furnishing them blank forms
and specific instructions, does not appear to have been suggested as a
practical method in Hungary.

M. Keléti was astonished at the wide divergence between the results
of his inquiries and the current estimates of grape and wine production
in Hungary. Some unknown authority had stated the average annual
wine-product of Austro-Hungary at 42,000,000 hectoliters, (1,109,547,600
gallons,) of which 22,000,000 hectoliters (581,191,600 gallons) were as-
signed to Hungary. The approximate average annual product of the
Hungarian monarchy indicated by M. Keléti’s inquiries is not over
5,000,000 hectolitres, (132,089,000 gallons.) This remarkable discrepancy
has led him to discredit the reports of enormous wine production in
other European countries in which no sifting statistical methods similar
to his own had been adopted.

The kingdom of Hungary, including its vassal states of Transylvania,
Fiume, Croatia, Slavonia, and the military frontier, cultivates about
1,050,995 acres in vines, or about 10 per cent. more than was indicated.
by an official census taken some years ago. The increase was in Hun-
gary proper, Croatia, and Slavonia; the other sections indicate a de-
crease. Hungary proper embraces 80 per cent. of the viticultural area of
the monarchy, while its territory is less than 70 per cent.; only 11 of the
47 vine regions indicate a declining acreage. In 5,845 communes of the
whole monarchy there were 912,633 proprietors, averaging 1.20 acres; of
these 4,062 communes, in Hungary proper, embraced 688,336 proprietors,
averaging 1.15 acres.

Jean Hunfalvy, in his valuable “ Topographical and Physical Descrip-
tion of Hungary,” distinguishes four well-defined viniferous regions: (1)
the region of the Alps and Carpathians; (2) isolated hills and mountains ;
(3) the low country, (Alféld;) (4) the shores of the Adriatic and the mount-
alnous parts of Croatia and Dalmatia. The northwestern Carpathian re-
gion, atan altitude varying from 600 to 1,050 feet above sea-level, cultivates
the wine only in the valleysor on southern slopes. The whole Carpathian
region, from east to west, is of minor importance in vine-growing except a
trachytic off-shoot to the south, extending from Eperjes to Tokay, on the
Theiss River. Thecity lastnamed isthe market of acelebrated aristocratic
beverage called by its name and produced in a hilly region to the north-
ward called Hegyallia, embracing about ninety square miles. With this
exception, the production of wines, and especially of generous wines, in
the Carpathian region is confined to isolated hills and mountains. The
low country (Alféld) produces an abundance of common, cheap wines for
local consumption. Vine-growing is prosecuted to a great extent in
Fiume, and a narrow zone of vineyards fronting the Adriatic extends

429

through the “regiments” Ogulini, Ottocsany, and Likka of the military
frontier.

In Hungary proper 25 viticultural regions are enumerated, arranged
along the Danube and Theiss Rivers; 6in Transylvania, and 6 in Croatia,
Slavonia, Fiume, and the military frontier. These regions range from
75 to 1,800 feet above sea-level, presenting a great variety of geograph-
ical conformation and of local character. The prevailing characters of
the surface-soil are classified as follows: vegetable mold, 14.2 per cent. ;
clayey, 41.3 per cent.; sandy, 29 per cent.; gravelly, 13.7 per cent. ; calea-
reous, 0.2 per cent. ;.nitrous, 0.2 per cent.; miscellaneous, 1.4 per cent.
The climate presents wide variations of temperature, with a very une-
qually distributed rain-fall. Early frosts and long droughts are also
complained of.

Varieties of grapes grown are not always such as suit the soil, climate,
and situation in which they are planted. There is now a tendency to
reduce the number of varieties to those which indicate the highest
results. This will simplify the processes of culture and give uniformity
to the products. Both the white and the red wine regions are affected
more or less by a confusion resulting from the intermingling of species
and of vines of different stages of maturity. Early-ripening varieties,
such as the Malvoisies, with a southern exposure, in dry seasons return
but moderate yields, while in more northern regions, with a northern
exposure, the same vines in the same seasons yield more plentifully. The

game has been noted in regard to other aromatic varieties, such as the
Riesling, Greensweet, Bakator, Zéldsylvany, Hermitage, Little White,
&e. The grapes of Smolyé, growing upon the eastern and northern
declivities of the mountains of Smoly6, are more aromatic than those
grown on the southern and western slopes. The Riesling gathers more
aroma in the cooler regions of Transylvania than on the warm southern
slopes of Hungary. High temperature develops sugar .and alcohol at
the expense of bouquet.

In Hungary proper, Croatia, Slavonia and the military frontier the
most common method of culture is by short cuttings, without props. In
Transylvania 60 per cent. of the vines are raised upon circles. Long
cuttings, raised on props, are very common in all parts of the monarchy.
Each vinicultural region has its own peculiarities of treating the crop
under different circumstances. The vicinity of Presburg is mentioned
as practicing a very careful and scientific method.

As a premature vintage is injurious to the quality of grapes, efforts are
made to secure uniformity in the time of gathering. The time is fixed
by vote of the communal council in many vinicultural districts. In
many cases it is deferred as long as possible, from the consideration that
the shrinkage in quantity from full or over ripening is amply compen-
sated by the superior quality of the wine. Thesorting, separating, and
fermentation of the grapes are regulated by reference to the prospective
saccharine strength of the must. It is found that not over 25 per cent. of
the sugar is converted into alcohol. An excess of sugar giving a larger
residuum after conversion, renders the wine unusually sweet. This fact,
it is said, renders it possible to recall good wine years by tasting their
products. In such years, mature grapes are abundant. Hence it is that
intelligent viticulturists will not commence gathering until their must
indicates 25 per cent. or more of sugar, which occurs almost every year
with good vine-stocks well cultivated and in favorable situations, 1m
most of the districts the vintage takes place in October, but earlier or
later in the month for different varieties and different locations. In the
Hegyalja district, north of Tokay, late gathering is the rule, from the

4A

430

last of October even to the middle of November. The leading object
here is to make sweet wines. The mature grapes are either pulled off the
vines singly or they are selected from the bunches spread out on a
table or board. This wine is very sweet and aromatic, but is deficient
in alcohol. The famous Szamorodni, the product of grapes from which
the mature fruit has not been.culled out, is lesssweet, but more heady,
with a delicious bouquet. The vineyards of the agricultural society of
Kolozsvar show the fgllowing results: Transylvavian vine-stocks pro-
duce must ranging from 17 to 22 per cent. of sugar and from 6 to 10 per
cent. of acid; Hungarian, from 18 to 21.4 per cent.-of sugar and from 6
to 10.9 per cent. of acid; German, from 19 to 21.5 per cent. of sugar and
from 5 to 8.6 per cent. of acid; French, from 18.1 to 21.7 per cent. of
sugar and from 5 to 8.5 per cent. of acid. Transylvanian vine-stocks
average 20.20 per cent. of sugar and 7.8 per cent. of acid; Hungarian,
19.91 per cent. of sugar and 7.97 per cent. of acid; German, 20.07 per
cent. of sugar and 6.9 per cent. of acid; French, 20.64 per cent. of sugar
and 6.4 per cent. of acid.

In Hungary there are 173,212 wine-presses; 29,252 on the left bank
of the Danube average 697 gallons ef wine per annum ; 120,057 on the
right bank of the Danube, 247 gallons; 9,709 on the right bank of the
Theiss, 875 gallons; 14,194 on the left bank of the Theiss, 1,466 gallons.
In Transylvania 19,963 presses average 504 gallons. In Fiume but one
press is reported. In Croatia and Slavonia 36,007 presses average 450
gallons, and in the military frontier 2,973 presses average about 1,350
gallons.

According to official statistics, the average annual wine-product of the
Hungarian monarchy, for twelve years ending with 1872, was about
3,996,576 hectoliters, or 105,580,744 gallons, of which 61,679,037 gallons
were white wines, 17,684,815 gallons red wines, and the remainder,
26,216,879 gallons, rosy or light red wines. Of the general aggregate,
Hungary proper produces over three-fourths, Croatia and Slavonia about
16 per,cent., Transylvania about 5 per cent., and nearly all the remainder
in the provinces designated as the military frontier. Nearly half of
the whole product is reported in those comitats of Hungary proper
which lie in the valley of the Danube.

The conditions of wine production in the Hungarian monarchy are so
varied that it is difficult absolutely to designate the best wine year of
the twelve ending with 1872. The year 1868 presents the largest yield,
140,325,682 gallons, and 1866 the Smallest, 52,943,913 gallons. The year
1868 was the best year in the Hungarian comitats on the right bank of
the Danube and on both banks of the Theiss; 1867, in Croatia, Escla-
vonia and Fiume ; 1862, in Transylvania ; 1870, in the military frontier,
‘and 1871, on the right bank of the Danube./ For white wines, through-
out the monarchy the best and worst years were 1868 and 1864; for red
wines, 1868 and 1866; for rosy wines, 1867 and 1866.

The sweet wines demand special notice. Of these the average prod-
uct of twelve years ending in 1872 is stated by official figures at
283,371 gallons, of which 99 per cent. were produced in Hungary
proper. This branch of production, however, is very fluctuating, rang-
ing from 84,600 gallons in 1871 to 681,750 gallons in 1868. That is, the
maximum production is nearly nine times the minimum and nearly three
times the average. Only twenty-one comitats of the fifty-four in Hun-
gary proper, eight of twenty-six in Transylvania, three of eight in Cro-
atia and Slavonia, and one regiment of the military frontier, Petervarad,
produce this class of wine. The comitats producing the greatest quan-
tities are all in Hungary. Zemplén sometimes produces from 260,000

431

to 390,000 ; Borsod and Abatij, from 230,000 to 260,000; Baes, 200,000
to 225,000; Bereg, 78,000, &e.

M. Keléti uses the foregoing figures of product as the closest approxi-
mation attainable, but he expresses in more than one place his lack of
entire confidence in them, especially in regard to the common wines.

The wines of Hungary are classed also aS sweet wines, strong or
generous wines, aromatic wines, (vins a bouquet,) and acidulated
wines. In the first class the half-dried condition of the grapes aug-
ments the quantity of sugar, while the low temperature of the cellars
retards the process of alcoholization to such an extent that the wines
might be aptly designated as grape sirups. This class of wines is
more suited to delicate tasting than to drinking. Hence, they are
the favorites of the ladies, for which reason they are sometimes called
‘‘bonnet wines.” Hungary proper produces by far the best of these, espe-
cially the queenly Tokay. The wines of Rust and St. George have also
excellent reputation, but the conditions of growth, kinds of fruit, and
methods of preparation of the Tokay giveit the pre-eminence. The strong
or alcoholic wines are largely exported to countries of cold or humid
climates; the larger proportion of the white wines of Hungary proper
belong to this class. The dry grapes are used only to a small extent in
these wines. About half the sugar in the must is converted into alcohol.
The aromatic wines take their character from their peculiar bouquet,
alcohol and sugar being secondary elements. The grapes from which
they are extracted do not require high temperature, for excessive sun-
shine dissipates their aromatic qualities. Hence, positions less exposed
to the sun are chosen for these grapes. Of these wines the Riesling,
Green Sweet, Bakator, Szerémi Zold, Green Grape of Syrmie, Hermitage,
White Muscat, Vorés Dinka, &c., are the leading varieties. The acid-
ulated wines are those produced from grapes not well ripened, and are
used either for consumption by the poorer classes, or to adulterate the
other classes of wines. Some of these have very desirable qualities,
but these mostly bear names without synonyms in other languages than
the Hungarian.

The average price of wines paid to producers during the twelve years
ending with 1872, for the whole monarchy, was 20.68 cents per gallon,
being 19.51 cents in Hungary, 22.16 in Croatia and Slavonia, 18.39 cents
in Transylvania, and 22.9 in the military frontier provinces.

During the twelve years aforesaid the average expense of wine pro-
duction was $14.94 per acre, or $12.54 for cultivation and $2.40 for
vintage. But there is a wide range of difference between the different —
provinces. The comitats of the left bank of the Theiss average but
$10.88 per acre; Croatia and Slavonia reach $19 per acre. The aver-
age total value of the product is officially stated at $21,361,000, of which
$15,828,000 represent the product of Hungary proper, $1,095,000 that
of Transylvania, $3,625,000 that of Croatia and Slavonia, $776,000 that
of the military frontier, and $17,000 that of Fiume. M. Keléti con-
siders these figures as entirely too low. Taking the number of acres
and the average prices indicated by the most reliable statistics, he
raises the annual average to $56,951,800, the maximum being $98,623,650
and the minimum $22,822,800.

M. Keléti estimates the number of wine consumers in the monarchy
at 2,815,000, or about 18 per cent. of the population, who are supposed to
absorb 189,388,208 gallons per annum, or 674 gallons per capita. But
this exceeds the maximum annual yield of 140,325,682 gallons in 1868;
still more the average product, 108,580,785 gallons. Hungary, then, _

432

instead of having a surplus, is a large consumer of foreign wines. Both
the imports and the exports of wine have largely increased of late years.

M. Keléti presents some interesting facts in regard to the social con-
dition of the viticultural population, and the energy and intelligence
with which the ravages of insect and fungoid enemies, especially the
oidium tuckeri and the phylloxera vastatrix, are resisted. In a compari-
son of Hungarian statistics with that of other European countries, he
finds a large number of errors in the public estimation of this great
branch of production. The results of this industry are mostly over-
stated. Doubtless a more accurate system of statistics will soon be
inaugurated in this as well as in other branches of agricultural produc-
tion.

THELEMARK CATTLE OF NORWAY.—The Thelemark race is probably
the only national breed found in Norway. Itis a well-defined mountain-
race, and is found in its most characteristic development in the upper
districts of Siljiord, Hivideseid, &c. The Thelemarks have a small car-
cass, full-grown cows rarely exceeding 650 or 750 pounds per head in their
native habitat, but they have been observed to increase in sizeand weight
when placed at an early age upon more luxuriant pastures or when fur-
nished with more nutritious food. At the chief farm at Ladegaardsoen
they have attained a weight of 1,000 pounds. From midsummer till
the middle of September mountain-pastures are quite luxuriant, but
the animals are unprotected from the occasional very low temperature
of the nights. Graziers are tempted by the abundant supply of summer
pasture to graze more animals than they can: provide for during winter.
This causes a small yield of milk during the cold season, and a thin,
impoverished condition in the spring.

The Thelemarks are of slender form, small head, with well-shaped
horns, sprightly movement, and bright skin coloring, varying from white
to dark red, with spots and brindles. The horns are remarkably trans-
parent, regularly curved outward and a little forward, the points rang-
ing from 24 to 30 inches apart. The eyes are large and lively, nostrils
large, ears thin, neck long, back straight, body well rounded, and hind
quarters thin.

This breed has fine milking qualities. On the chief farm at Lade-
gaardsoen it has been for several years superseding other breeds. One
of these cows, weighing less than 800 pounds, averaged about 685 gallons
per annum during the three years 1868-70, or about 9 pounds of milk
per annum for each pound of live weight. It is noticeable that these cows
do not yield so abundantly immediately after calving—seldom over 34
gallons per day—but their yield is more uniform, and their intervening
periods of dryness are comparatively short. The flow of milk increases
with the age of the cow. Like other good milk-breeds, the Thelemarks
are liable to calving-fever, and hence should be kept on low diet for
some time before and after calving.

Great efforts have been made for the improvement of this breed by.
more careful selection of breeding animals and by better keeping. Every
year, in autumn, a cattle-show is held at Siljiord, at which prizes are
distributed and lectures given by men skilled in breeding. This occa-
sion has also been improved for the sale and purchase of animals, by the
establishment of a regular market. The anxiety felt in regard to the
purchase of prize animals by foreigners, and their consequent loss to the
country, has been dissipated by the increasing number of fine animals on
exhibition. It is found that the general interest in the matter of im-
provement and the more general effort of farmers has enlarged the
number of superior cattle far more than sufficient to make good the

433

loss by exportation. Prices, also, have nearly doubled in twenty years,
ranging now from $27 to $34 per head, some rare animals receiving $56.

But the Thelemarks are not profitable as meat-producers. The bulls
are small and insignificant, and on being fattened become sluggish and
unserviceable in covering the cows. Hence, Ayrshire bulls have been
used in crossing, with considerable improvement in beef-product, but
not in milking qualities. But these mixtures of blood are not looked
upon with popular favor, and no prizes are awarded in Thelemark to
half-breeds. The structure of the latter more closely approximates the
Ayrshire than the Thelemark parent. The Ayrshires in Sweden and
Norway have, of late years, fallen into discredit, on account of their lia-
bility to tubercular disease in that climate; but the mixed progeny has
exhibited no such tendency. These take on weight and bring higher
prices than the Thelemarks. A considerable export trade of this breed
to England is one of the noticeable changes of the day.

ALGERIAN AGRICULTURE.—The French people have never been very
successful as colonists, but in their latest enterprise south of the Med-
iterranean they seem to have planted a very permanent state. <A nest
of pirates has been cleared out and the highways of civilization secured
from destructive incursions. This is, however, not the only benefit
which France has conferred upon the civilized world. A large area has
been rescued from a shiftless system of agriculture and subjected to a
higher production. The semi-nomad population is placed under a
régime of impartial justice in all the rights of property, but the occa-
sional outbreaks of barbarian hate are punished by extensive confisca-
tions of land, which is allotted to old French settlers and new immi-
grants in the proportion of one-third to the former and two-thirds to the
latter class. This policy is increasing the proportion of civilized ele-
ments in the population, and promises to make North Africa an im-
portant granary of Europe. About 2,400,000 acres are now occupied for
agricultural purposes by 117,175 French colonists, giving to each an
~ average farm of over 20 acres.

During 1874, 742,000 acres were sown by Europeans with cereals,
producing about 7,900,000 bushels, or 103 bushels per acre; 28,000
acres yielded 5,950,000 gallons of wine, or 212 gallons per acre; 2,000
acres produced 1,320,000 pounds of oil-seed, coloring-matter, &c.; 1,458
acres returned 546,400 pounds of cleaned cotton, or about 375 pounds
per acre, nearly double the average of our American cotton area in 1872;
6,924 acres yielded 5,932,000 pounds of tobacco, or over 856 pounds per
acre; 20,314 acres yielded 8,828,324 pounds of linseed, or nearly 435
pounds per acre. Including European and native farmers, the area in
cereals in 1874 was 4,280,384 acres, producing 35,000,000 bushels, or 81
bushels per acre. Of this product, 7,300,000 bushels, worth $3,000,000,
were exported.

The principal articles of export to Europe are cereals, linseed, vege-
table fiber, wool, cattle, hides, oil, tobacco, canes, minerals, and a small
quantity of silk, cotton, and madder. Algeria is essentially a pastoral
and ecrop-raising country, but even these pursuits, with the imported
capital, labor, and enterprise of the European colonists, are yet in their
infancy. The average yields per acre are small for the European colo-
nists and still smaller for the Arab, who, like an American Indian, finds
it difficult to throw off his nomadic barbarism and settle down to regu-
lar industry. The land is seldoin plowed to any depth, is never manured,
and, through neglect, is becoming choked with noxious weeds and foul
seed. The Arab element, instead of advancing in civilized industry,
seems to be declining. While the value of implements owned by Euro-

434

pean farmers increased, during the five years ending with 1872, from
$1,022,683 to $1,590,136, that of implements belonging to Arabs
decreased from $366, 637 to $303,126. Arab farmers are gradually get-
ting out of the traces and resuming their wild, nomadic life, and their
places are taken by Europeans.

The principal cereals cultivated are hard and soft wheat, rye, barley,
oats, maize, beans, and sorghum. ‘The wheat has a special value in
European markets for the manufacture of vermicelli and other patés.
The favorite barley is the variety called by botanists Hordeum hexarti-
cum, but other varieties have been successfully grown. It is mostly
used as horse-feed, but the poorer classes of people also use it. It is
grown also as a forage crop, and is well adapted to malting.

Sheep husbandry is one of the most profitable branches of farming in
this country, utilizing those high, barren plateaus where cultivation, to
any great extent, is impracticable. Before the conquest the Arabs de-
rived but little benefit from their flocks beyond personal subsistence
and clothing, on account of lack of market facilities. But the establish-
ment of a settled government by France has opened up this industry to
the markets of the civilized world and has given a regular value to its
products. Of all classes of farm-animals, including horses, asses, mules,
camels, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine, the European colonists, in 1872,
owned 392,975, and the Arabs 9,774,852. During the six years previous,
those of the Europeans had increased 46,809, while those of the Arabs
had decreased 3,688,979.

The Alpha fiber, one of the most important productions of the soil,
covers 10,000,000 acres. Its value is beginning to be appreciated as a
paper-making material. It is supposed that the crop raised in Algeria
can be made to equal in economic value at least three-fourths of the
rags gathered in the civilized world. In 1873 it was exported to the
extent of 45 000 tons, which rose in 1874 to 58,000 tons, and promised
by the close ‘of 1875 to reach 60,000 tons for "that year. Increasing
facilities of transportation, through railways, will secure the transit of ‘
this material to the coast in increasing quantities in years to come, and
bring production and consumption into close relations with each other.

The forests are valuable, but are liable to destractive conflagrations.
They produce several species of oak, especially the cork-oak, the Aleppo
pine, the cedar, and other valuable species of timber. The European
colonists are being largely re-enforced by immigration from Alsace and
Lorraine, and their villages are being extended to the forest districts.
This will render the cutting and marketing of timber a more important
interest in years to come.

435

MARKET-PRICES OF paste “kt FOR OCTOBER
1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as possible, the state of the market at the
beginning of the month:

Articles.
NEW YORK.
Flour, papeariine, State and west- |
eee ann mln per bbl.
divs Wiate's = 55. aos:
extra to choice western, |
MERIUALEOL oo. ane eee |
southern extra....per bbl. |
southern family..... do..
Wheat, No. 1 spring ...per bush.
No. 2 spring ......- do...
winter, red, western,
per bushel ............
winter, amber, western, |
per bushel -........---
winter, white, western,
per bushel ...........-
Corn ......... See Seer per pate
Sie es Stanne eke ace oet do...
PENG dee ainisiccmn she oanwse «~ da..
LM Gi 7 ee ee do. ..|
Hay, baled, first quality, for Te-
Bee ee ee ee er ton. |
baled, second quality, for
shipping......... per ton.
BBeL MOSS ms ca. on - 5-5 per bbl
extra mess ........... do. ..|
Porie WQS). pac coscsce 2. . 00. 2s
extra mess...........d0...
prime mess.......... do. ..}
[Pe ee eee per Ib
Butter, western -.........-.. do..
State dairy....-. --do-...

Cheese, State factory.......do...
western factory --.-.do.-.|

Sugar, fair to prime refining,
per pound. ...........-

Cotton, ordinary to good ord |

American, combing, per lb.|
eS spring g clip, per |

ed
BOSTON.

Flour, western superfine, spring,
per barrel |... <4 5.202...
; common spring extra, per
barrel
good to fancy northwest-
ern spring...... per bbl.
good to fancy western win-
ter er bbl.
southern family -.per bbl.
VAC i aR per bush
Corn
Oats ...
Rye....
Barley

it

eles se choice, per ton ....

Prices.
34 20 to $4 75
5 00 to 30 |
00 to 9 50)
510 to 6 25
6 30 to 8 00
118 to 130
ito. Ieee
105 to 1 30
105 to 1 30
Lis ite! 13
56 to 594
30 to 473
70 to 87
97kto 1 25
2000 to — —
1200 to — —
8 00 to 10 00
10 00 to 11 00
16 70 to — — |}
a ee
19 50 to — —
93 to 104
18 to 37
29 to 38
10 to 133
8 to 113
tito gi

93-16 to 101- |
10 9-16 to 117- 16)

ered

to 134
46 to 48
-32 to 45
44 to 50
16 to 28
li to 2
22 to 40
425 to 450
475 to 550
575 to 9 25
6.00 to 8 50
650 to 8 50
105 to 135
55 to. 64
35 to 50
75 to 80
95.to 120)
12 00 to 20 00

17 00

to 19 00

Articles. | Prices.
Boston—Continued. |
|| Beef, mess. -..-.........- per bbl. /$10 00 to — —
extra mess.. ---do...| 1200 to — —
SEATTLE = ae do...) 12 50 to$13 50
Pork; primes .st455.< 41.2 do...| 16 50 to 17 00
MOS§ennws a5 encincese do...| 17 75 to 18 00
Le giberete: oS akan sie teehee er lb. 11 to 114
Butter, New York and Vermont, }
per pound =~ 2-2 18 to 33
Western -/..>.....5- er lb. 16 to 33
| Cheese, New York and Vermont
factory, 2.2.2... er Ib. 10 to 134
western factory....do... 8 to 13
Sugar, fair to good refining do. .. 83 to 94
Cotton, wes or ce good or-
| Pete NMS Easy Rie yee per lb. 93 to 104
ie middling to good
middling--.... per lb. 10§ to 11}
Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania,
per pound ...2....2-.2.- 1) 35 toe MSG
Michigan .......... per lb 32 to 40
other western....... do... 32 to 38
POUeME ooo. cc ccase se do... 20 to 40
combing fleece ...... do.. 48 to 5
California........... do... 14 to 30
PHILADELPHIA.
Flour, superfine........- per bbl.| 350 to 3 75
Pennsylvania extra to |
Ghoiee-- 2. s2ci¢ per bbl.|} 400 to 6 50
western extra to eyroigd,
per barrel: 5.s0s 224s 575 to 700
Wheat, white.......... per bush.| 125 to 1 35
fmibar. «5 seb s3e do...| 123 to 1 28
Tee bec hat oe apes do...| 105 to 1 28
Ry 222 eases sacle eees do.. 70 to 78
Cornt:' eee es eet do... 54 to 59
Oats = sapeeeee nance mcse ere ee do... 30 to 42
Hay, baled, prime ....... per ton.| 14 00 to 18 00
baled, common to fair ship-
ping, per ton.c-. 22.5252 .2 10 00 to 13 00
| Beef, western mess ...... Lag ber 600 te 8 00
extra mess ....-=..... 10 00 to 11 00
Warthman’ i ae pees
ger’s city family, per bar-
Welees.:.- chil évaceen 13 00 to — —
|) Pork, mess--..... ---per bbl.| 17 50 to 18 00
prime me @SS..........d0...| 16 00 to 1700
extra prime.......... do...|— — to — —
Lard) s2seeene ace aeons per lb. 104 to 15
Butter, choice Middle State.do... 28 to 38
choice western ..... do... — to _
Cheese, New York factory. per lb. 34 to 114
Ohio factory ........ do... 3 to 114
Sugar, fairto good refining. perlb. 82 to 9
|| Cotton, ordinary to good ordi-
TEALY = oan ee per lb. 81 to 93
low ae to good
middling ....... per lb. 103 to 113
| Wool, Ohio and eniayivania x
Hoi. O). ae per lb 41 to 45
other western ....... do.. 36 to 38
pullbses eevee. sess do... 22 to 36
pe RS washed and un- 37 to 50
washed, per pound......
tub- aad: Lae Sore do... 30 to 45
BALTIMORE.
| Flour superfine ........-. per bbl.| 350 to 4 50
GRRE an oes soncpaics do...| 475 to 5 50
TANEEY: Soo )s woes cass be do. 5 75 to 8 25

436

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

BALTIMORE—Continued.

Wheat, red)-e-25 4022-3 per bush
Eviiliiie So os a do...
Wilt eee see cee do. .
IES G8 occossecsoesseesoaenese do...
Or ESOS 2 Ce a areas do...
OTe bse gah Soeeaenea- do...
Hay, Maryland and Pennsyl-
Vania..........- per ton.
WOSUELN....s2--—sc— se do...
PankeMOSS 25 oseee ee per bbl
JUHI eae Hep eseiscse sec do...
extra prime ........-- do...
WGBYL. Soe hemes see ae tes per lb
Batter, western .-..-.-.--:: do. .
Cantenly— paseo. do...

Cheese, western factory --- a
eastern factory ..-. -do...

Sugar, fair to good refining. do...
New Orleans, grocery

TAGGSe sem aoen ec per lb.
Tobacco, lugs....-....-.-...- do...
leaf, common tomedium,
per pound )22o ss...
Cotton, ames to good ordi-
BE See ae er lb.
a: middling to good
middling ....... per lb
Wool, tub-washed.......... do...
fleece-washed.....--. do...
PHUCKS oo eecte ese Hee do..
unwashed ....-...--. do..
CINCINNATI.
Flour, superfine .. ...... per bbl
Grants ee eee nee do..

family and fancy .-- “do...
Wheat, winter, red ....per bush.

hill, (amber) gaaraveea do...
white .... d
OES ee See ee
OPT: ARS 6 GSP REESE Se
TR G\4 esc ne ERR ee
Harley. o2-iss-- -24.- 665456
Hay, baled, No.1.....--. per ton.
lower grades..-.do...
en MIOSS \ose6 one ame a per bbl.
arieceae sees oes per lb
Butter, choice............-.. do: ..
PRUMNG #54. ts asen do...
Cheese, Tene to choice factory,
per pounden-+4--4: >.
Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good,
PUL MERI ceees <aen ene
PEMIG. cas cee ees per lb
Tobacco, = = -do.

nary . per

low middling to good
middling. .....- per lb.

Wool, fleece-washed.. eae =
tub-washed . 4
unwashed, clothing - “eS =
anwashed, combing .do...

pulled........ aes ae do...
CHICAGO.
Flour, choice winter extras,
Ter PATIGl |. Savoene-s¢ <<
common to good winter
extras ... ...--- er bbl.
spring extras, common to
good............ per bbl.
spring extras, choice.do...
patent spring ....... do...

spripg superfines....do..

Prices. Articles.
Cuicaco—Continued.
$115 to $1 30 | Wheat, No.1 spring -..per mines
133 to 1 38 No. 2 spring.....-.- Loe
1 20 to 135 | No. 3 spring........ aoa
60 to Gis) }| (Rye, Nore Shae n eee sae. do..
34 to 451) Barley, No: 2ic-->ps-eeee sss -
534 to 59) || (Corn, Nom cece. eeeeeeneee.: 2
|. Oats, Nose: cocuecceues
19 00 to 20 00 | Hay, timothy.
—— to —— | Praiwiels-. 2 sbess-sese.
18 25 to — — || Beef, mess .............-
—— to —— extra mess...-.-..-.. dos.
17 00 to — — || Pork, mess. .-....---. --.- do-.
103 to 12 prime mess...--...-. do...
16 to 30 | extra prime.......-.-. do...
22 to 27) Nl) Dard Soe ee eee: er lb.
10 to 12 || Butter, choice to fancy ....do...
12 to 13$ | medium to good. .do.--
&$ to 9 | Cheese, good to choice factory,
per pound’ .-.2c2aeseees
— to — | Sugar, New Orleans....... per lb.
634 to 9 || Wool, tub-washed..........do...
fleece-washed does
9 to 11 || unwashed ........... do...
palledieccesPcekeeee do..
8 to 93) SAINT LOUIS.
104 to 111| Flour, winter, common to choice,
35 to 40 | oe Darrell ok hess Seo e
28 to San ring..--. Lieooas per bbl.
23 to 35 || Wheat, Ted winter. .... per bush.
24 to 28 white winter ......do...
SPUUG ie. ann cee sees do...
Oats) so cee are eee ce eee eee do...
COT se peces ann cen aeons do..
Bh Te to «4°95; || Unvelss. ios 20 Sh see do...
475 to 5 25 Barley, fair to choice...-... do...
5 40 to 7 00 || Hay, timothy...-........ per ton.
105 to 118 PlaAWIO fens we aaan eee do..
17's toy 1425, ||) Beef, mess * =<. -25252--- per bbl
L177 to 125 Pork, MNGSS sae see oa eae do...
28 to Ayll Toned i. 950 00 sae er lb
47 to 48 || Butter, prime to choice dairy,
60 to 67 Per pound: leone
100 to 115 country packed.. per lb.
11 00 to 12 00 || Cheese, Ohio factory ....... doss.
9 00 to 10 00 N.Y. dactory--.-5.+ GG2c6
17 00 to — — || Cotton, ordinary to vat mere
104 to 114)|_ - MARY ae don wees T lb.
20 to 35 low middling to Seed
20 to 23 middling .......per lb.
Wool, tub-washed ....... .. a's
12} to 13 fleece-washed........ do...
unwashed ...-.....-- do...
— to — || Tobacco, lugs .--..-2ccs0225 do..
Sn — common to shipping,
— to = legtS= se eeeee per
ete =
8 to 95 4
101 to 103 choice to fancy ...... do...
30 to 32 || Corn, white and yellow. per bush.
28 to S644 Opts 2c te yeees ane. ees as do...
22 to 23 || Hay, choice.............- per ton
27 to 31 ph) ae See aie do..
24 to 26)|| Beef, “exasss--.-...-..24 per bbl
WOSHOIDE «2s Gaccaspie se. dose:
Fulton market...per ¢ bbl.
| Pork, mess ..-.-.- saeacee per bbl.
Te SARE oy ceo simi per lb.
650 to — — || Butter, choice Goshen...... ete
choice western ..... do...
5 50 to 6 00 || Cheese, choice western factory,
per pound......... este
500 to 5 25 N. Y. cream...... per lb.
525 to 5 75 || Sugar, fair to fully fair..... do...
575 to 7 50 prime to strictly prime,
300 to 3 50 per pound...... Seca

Prices.
$1-12 to =
110 to $1 104

92 to —

61 to — —

8&5 to 87

46hto 474

334 to 34
10 00 to 11 25
700 to 8 00
10 75 to 11 00
11 75 to 12 00
16 20 to 16 50
— ik a
13 50 to — —

93 to 104

27 to 32

20 to 24

114 to 124

= to —

39 to 40

34 to 37

23 to 24

— to me
325 to 700
= — ff) — —
L03setor 1 we
es
103" to” 1.17

30 to 364

39 to 45

42 to 52

— to 95
11 00 to 13 00
700 to 11 00
13 50 to 14 00
17 50 to 18 00

14 to 16
26 to 30
ae
13 to 14

8§ to 94

10 to 11

33 to 40

aon ai

24 to 31

33 to 4}

5 to 12
375 to 4 00
425 to 5 50
575 to 725

50 to 65

47 to 55
2100 to — —
17 50 to 18 00
10 00 to — —
13 00 to 14 00
975 to 10 00
18 75 to 19 00

11} to 12

35 to —_

25 to —

13 to 14

15 to 16

= te an

— to =

437

Market-prices of farm-products, §c.—Continued.

Articles. Prices. Articles. Prices.
New OrLEANS—Continued. San Francisco—Continued.
Sugar, clarified, white, and yel- } BaLloyieras- ace sss eis'e per cental.| $0 90 to $1 10
loweleteacs-aeee.- perdb.\:H0/11 to $0113) Oats 2-256 Saree ie dow. =| 1:40) fom Waite
Cotton, ontinary to good ordi- Comme ceeee us oes ge aus chin do-.-| 1 15)to0.) 1925
Sh EU eee Te ee er lb. 84 to 93|| Hay, State ..............perton.| 750 to 13 00
lage cadaiete good mid | Bork, messi ies s+. = sae per bbl.| 23 00 to 24 00
GU oe ee per | 93 to 103) prime mess .......... do...| 17 50 to 18 50
Pobaccosues).-- 42 242 -.-. do... 54 to Syl) Beef, mess’. .<\0 5. Scans do..-| 9 00 to 10 00
leaf, low to medium, | family mess...... per+bbl.| 8 50 to 10 00
PEP Pound eso. m min &} to 12 || para wwcige eis dehaa- creat as per lb. im ie 15
4 utter, overland ............ O.. i) 18
age Ue a aaa | California do..| 25 to 45
Flour, superfine ......... per bbl | 400 to 4 25 @regones <A. seco oe a. do.. 20 to 25
OMULA Mee wee ie icakss sss do<:).|4u50%itorag 40%o' || Cheese).2scge5 222.545" vev doe 124 to 15
family and fancy ....do...| 500 to 5 25 || Wool,native ....-. .-do.. 10 to 12
Wheat, California ....percental.| 150 to 1 624 California. ..- do.. 15 to 22
Wireman sco saceoecice do...| 150 to 1 60 | ORGPOnys ena accweuin do. 20 to 25
NEW YORK. | | Cuicaco—Continued
|
Cattle, extra beeves..per cental.|. $9 50 to$10 75 || Sheep -....------...-. per cental | #2 75 to $4 50
"good to prime...... One 32 er OuOU pe bOme OF ODI SWING oo eet aramtstann otelaleamelictere do...| 500 to 6 30
common to fair ..-.. do.--.| 600 to 750 SAINT LOUIS.
Texans and Cherokees, Cattle, good to choice native
b i. AE ao ar oS to aoe | steers, per cental ....... 450 to 4 90
NS GE BERS SST Sr an Ri wen) common to fair natives,
Ce Aiea ore SCOOS GOS te) ce~ ae UO mea per cental 325 to 4 25
milch-cows ....- per head.| 50 00 to 75 00 qigeuiin Meal Garoriane
veal calves...-per cental., 550 to 9 50) rae 2 Gr cental. js. Q.c0keoeesran
Sheep ...-.-..-2--+--2-++-- do... ‘ OO 0a 8 4 Tenia tare, 10 choice, | _ me
Swine...-.------2+-+-++--- do.... Barbs 00%) per centale i. ose -'a< 300 to 4 00
PHILADELPHIA. IhSheepe eesceao so ccciae per cental.| 250 to 4 50
| Swi 5 95
Cattle, choice beeves..per cental., 5 75 to 6 25 | ehudhed areas Bivins tenes Seca 3 a a a 00
fair to good .......- do....| 4 62$to 5 50) pal "igi eer P do....| 50 00 to 90 00
2 Spee ee ote Stace) eA) street-car ..-....-. do....| 75 00 to 125 00
pee patos as a ce oO ee : 50.0 2 Ls | good to extra draught, ;
Se eee aoa eae oe Gon ae RCO wemiea } per head! .20s.20e. 3... 100 00 to 130 00
BALTIMORE. eed drivers. “per head. se 00 to 225 00
Cattle, best beeves....per cental.| 4 87 to 5 25 ee SEO ini fee Oita Ce eaR
first quality........do....| 400 to 4 87 || i eg andi ponies) Ber 25 00 to 45 00
medium or good quality, | Mules, 14 to 15 hands high, per
ar cental.....---0.0.5. 3 = to 4 00 | 85 00 +0120 00
ordinary .....-. pericentaleiai2ro0 tO, (8 )208N) |! wh arama eer es “x
general average of the = fo paren er sy 115 00 to 150 00
market ..-.. per cental. 387 to — — Asay. ewe alibe ees r head. 175 00 to 185 00
most of the sales ...do....| 3.25 to 4 25 || + eae ah fo Pe 7 ge
ISHS 08 Gein cae aeaeee per cental.| 200 to 5 25 | NEW ORLEANS.
SAEs AS ae oe ee do....| 750 to 8 75 | Cattle, ee beeves, choice, per pa
e \| (ott Re MSE a/R ai 4 _-—
Ee | first quality...-per head.| 35 00 to — —
Cattle, good to choice native ; second quality.-.-..- do....| 30 00 to — —
steers .....- per cental.| 400 to 4 65.) western beeves, percental.; — — to — —
fair to medium....do....| 275 to 3 75 || milch-cows ..... per head.} 40 00 to 90 00
common......--.-- do....| 200 to 2 50 || veal calves..........do...| 700 to 9 00
milch-cows ..-.per head.-| — — to — — | Sheep...-... -.-... ----.--- do...| 200 to 6 00
veal calves....per cental.| — — to — — || Swine...................... do...| 600 to 800
PHEOP re aja.s oe 2 os acer do....| 225 to 4 50 || Horses, good combined ..... do.../150 00 to 200 00
DWANG. os. sos obese caceee doe 22/5" 00.toes6) 15))|| good plugs.......-- do.../100 00 to 150 00
CHICAGO COMIMBION MS Sf o-leicin'e « o...| 40 00 to &0 00
| Mules, first-class, broken..do.--.|175 00 to 200 00
Cattle, choice beeves, 1,300 to good, suitable for sugar-
1,500 pounds..percental | 4 60 to 5 00 || making, broken, per
good beeves, 1,200 to | Gainer cena es ale 175 00 to 225 00
1,350pounds.-percental.| 425 to 4 50), Small, suited to rice and
medium grades, 1,050 to i} cotton planters, broken,
1,200pounds. -percental 325 to 4 00 || 1 Xe1 012) 27 UR ees 100 00 to 150 00
inferior natives ..... do...|. 150 to 200 || Green mules generally sell about
Texans, through droves, | $10 less per head than broken
per ebrital J20 4 ee 210 to 300 | ones, |

SA

438
FOREIGN MARKETS.

WueAt.—Autumnal weather in the British Islands has hitherto been,
on the whole, unfavorable to agricultural operations, the rain-fall being ex-
cessive, and the temperature, except in a few brief intervals of sunshine,
being low for the season. North British farmers in most cases suc-
ceeded in getting their grain secured in good order, but others were dis-
appointed, being compelled to clear their fields for fall plowing, and,
consequently, to house their crops in unfavorable weather. In Ireland
farmers enjoyed better opportunities for securing their crops. The same
causes have hindered the thrashing of the grain, and consequently the
amount of the new crop marketed is small, and that of poor quality,
from damp and inferior condition. This kind of wheat can be dis-
posed of only at a decline of 1s. per quarter from the previous rates,
and even at these depressed prices the trade is by no means brisk. The
average imports into the United Kingdom since harvest were but littie
more than half the amounts of the corresponding period of 1875, when
the stocks of old British wheat left over were increasing; they are now
gradually declining. The shipments from the Atlantic ports of the
United States and Canada for the four weeks ending September 25 were
228,000 quarters less than during the same period of 1875. British deal-
ers and consumers are beginning to feel some anxiety at the slowness
with which supplies are arriving from the United States and Rassia, a
fact which indicates a speedy rise in prices. The possibilities growing
out of a war in Scutheastern Europe have had an unsettling effect upon
the market. As Russia is the main source of supply of red wheat, a
rupture between her and the British government would cut off one of
their leading sources of supply, and would gravely affect the prices of
subsistence in the British Islands.

The imports of wheat into the United Kingdom during the last week
of September amounted to 537,622 ewt. The sales of English wheat
during that week amounted to 65,753 quarters, at 47s. per quarter,
against 51,830 quarters, at 47s. 1d. per quarter, during the correspond-
ing week of 1875; the London averages were 49s. Td. on 4,057 quarters.
During the first week of September the sales of English wheat were
67,153 quarters, at 47s. ld., against 59,122 quarters, at 45s. 11d., the
previous year; London averages, 3,961 quarters, at 47s. 1d.

The first week in September opened in London with very little anima-
tion; native wheat received, 7,754 quarters; foreign, 23,015, mostly
from Russia; no supplies from American Atlantic ports. Essex and
Kent white brought, in Mark Lane, from 45s. to 50s. per quarter; ditto,
red, 43s. to 47s.; Dantzic mixed, 50s. to 54s.; Konigsberg, 49s. to 53s. ;
Rostock, new, 50s. to 52s.; Pomeranian, Mecklenburg, and Uchermark,
red, 48s. to 50s.; Ghirka, 42s. to 44s.; Russian, hard, 42s. to 43s.; Sax-
onska, 45s. to 47s.; Danish and Holstein, red, 46s. to 49s.; American,
red, 50s. to 51s.; Chilian, white, 46s.; Californian, 50s.; Australian, 50s.
to dls,

In Liverpool, British white was quoted at 9s. 6d. to 10s. 2d. per cen-
tal; ditto red, 9s. 2d. to 9s. 10d.; Canadian white, 9s. 10d. to 10s. 3d.;
Red Club and Golden Drop, 9s. 8d. to 10s 2d. ; American red winter, 9s.
3d. to 10s. 3d.; No. 1 spring, 9s. 7d. to 9s. 9d.; No. 2 spring, 9s. 1d. to
9s. 6d.; No. 3 spring, 8s. 2d. to 8s. 9d.; Bombay, 9s. to 9s. 6d.; Calcutta,
8s. 2d. to 9s. ; Saidi, 7s. 2d. to 7s. 4d.; Buhi, 7s. 9d. to 8s. 9d. ; California,
10s. 2d. to 10s. 4d.; Club, 10s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.; Oregon, 10s. 5d. to 10 7d. ;
Chilian, 9s. 5d. to 9s. 9d.; Australian, 10s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.

In France October opened with spring-like temperature, and the dis-

439

tricts north of the Loire were enabled to resume their labors in the
field that had been interrupted by bad weather. Wheat-sowing was in
rapid progress. The country markets were dealing mostly in seed-
wheats, and very few lots for grinding had found sale. An advance in
prices was noticed in 16 provincial markets, against 21 at the close of
the previous week ; 78 remained calm to firm, against 58 the previous
week ; 11 showed decline, against 16 the previous week. At Paris the
demand for wheat on the spot was slow; the transactions were few and
at low prices; ordinary qualities ranged from 49s. 2d. to Sls. 5d. per
quarter; the best white sorts reached 52s. 9d.

At Marseilles 50,000 quarters arrived during the last week in Septem-
ber, and the stock on hand was estimated at 150,000 quarters. The
Belgian, Dutch, and German markets exhibited but little animation.
The weather was generally unfavorable for sowing, and in some parts of
Germany crops not housed were injured by excessive rains.

FLourR.—The imports of flour into the United Kingdom during the
first week in October amounted to 140,362 cwt. against 110,636 ewt.
the previous week. Supplies of English flour were good in Lon-
don, and previous prices were with difficulty maintained. In Mark Lane
the best town households was quoted at 36s. to 43s. per 280 pounds; best
country households, 34s. to 36s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, old, 31s. to 52s. ;
French, 30s. to 35s.; American, 22s. to 23s. per barrel of 190 pounds;
‘ditto extra and double extra, 23s. to 24s. At Liverpool, English and
Irish superfines brought 37s. to 39s. per 280 pounds; ditto extra, 40s. to
46s.; French, 38s. 6d. to 46s. 6d.; Trieste, 47s. 6d. to 55s.; Californian,
dvs. to 40s.; American, western, and extra State, 22s. 6d. to 25s. per
barrel; Baltimore and Philadelphia, 22s. 6d. to 26s.; Ohio and extra,
23s. 6d. to 26s. 6d. ; extra Canadian, 25s. to 27s.; Canadian patent barrel,
29s. to 33s. At Paris, superior flour, to be delivered in October, was
quoted at 56s. 8d. to 36s. 10d., the longer futures being increased.

MaAizeE.—The imports of maize into the United Kingdom during the
first week of October amounted to only 17,780 quarters against 42,27
quarters the week immediately previous. The trade ruled quiet and
prices easier. In Mark Lane white maize was quoted at 26s. to 27s. per
quarter; yellow, 25s. to 26s. per quarter. In Liverpool, American white
brought 30s. per 480 pounds; ditto, mixed, 26s. to 26s.3d.; Galatz, 27s.
to 27s. 6d.; Danubian, 25s. 6d. to 25s. 9d.; Dari, 27s. to 27s. 6d.

iy bid

i
Rei

MONTHLY REPORT.

OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1876.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOK.
1876.

MONTHLY REPORT.

STATISTICAL DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
Washington, D. C., December 26, 1876.

Srrz: I present herewith, for publication, a digest of current statistical
returns; a statistical argument showing that production is not declin-
ing; areport upon the work of European experiment-stations; notes
on the work of the Chemist and Microscopist; and miscellaneous sta-
tistics and domestic and foreign market-reports.

Respectfully,
J. KR. DODGE,
Statistician.
Hon. FREDERICK WATTS,
Commissioner.

CORN.

The returns of November make the corn crop only 2 per cent. short
of the great crop of last year, and fully 50 per cent. greater than the
crop of 1874. The aggregate is 1,295,000,000 bushels. Less than 1 per
cent. of the crop is raised in New England, scarcely 6 in the Middle
States, 20 in the Southern, 44 in the Ohio basin, and 29 west of the
Mississippi.

The product of the South is 10,090,000 bushels greater than last year,
that of New England is 300,000 greater, and there is less in the Middle
and Western States. It is 73, 000,000 greater than in 1870, and yet the
percentage of the total crop of these States i is only 20 against 23 in the
census-year, because the increase has been still greater in the West. In
1850, the proportion of these States was 42 per cent. of the aggregate,
and, in 1860, 32. Thus, while the South is increasing its corn product,
there is profitable opportunity for a much larger increase.

The States of the Ohio basin, seven in number, including Michigan
and Wisconsin, increased their proportion from 39 per cent. in 1850 to
41 in 1860, and since that date continue to advance their proportions,
the percentage being 44 in 1870 and at the present time, notwithstand-
ing the more rapid progress of corn-growing in the States of the Mis-
souri Valley.

444

These States, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, pro-

duced only 7 per cent. in 1850, advancing to 15 in 1860, to 21 in 1870,

and 28 in 1876. The increase in Kansas has been most rapid of late,
nearly equaling in amount in this year the crop of the much more
populous State of Missouri. Iowa, as yet, grows more than four-tenths
of the crop of this section.

The States producing less than in 1875 are New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, those of the Atlantic coast from New York to North Caroiina,
Mississippi, Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. MHiinois
is credited with about 250,000,000 bushels, and Iowa with 155,000,000.
Next in rank are Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. These six States
produce six-tenths of the total product. Tennessee, which once held
the highest rank in the country, now stands first in the Southern States,
followed by Texas, Alabama, and Georgia.

By far the heaviest rate of increase, 75 per cent., has been in Wiscon-
sin, where the crop of last year was a very poor one.

The extension of this culture westward continues to be rapid. This
year, the Missouri Valley, together with the western half of the Upper
Mississippi, yields two-thirds as much as the area from that river east-
ward to Pennsylvania, including the States on both sides of the Ohio.

In quality, the crop is superior to its predecessor. New Hampshire is
an exception in New England. In New Jersey, there was injury by
drought. North Carolina and Florida are slightly below the standard ;
and slight inferiority is indicated in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas,
Tennessee, Missouri, and Nebraska. In some portions of the South and
West, there is complaint of rotten and worm-eaten corn. In all the
States, the crop, as a whole, reached full maturity without injury by
frost. : .

There has been an increase of area in all sections, aggregating about
two million acres, the advance very slight in the Gulf States from Ala-
bama to Louisiana, and scarcely perceptible in the Middle States. It is
largest west of the Missouri. Wisconsin shows the heaviest increase in
the Northwest, and Texas and Georgia in the South.

COTTON.

The returns of November indicated an extremely favorable season
for gathering eotton, except in some portions of North Carolina. The
following synopsis was telegraphed last month: “ Frost has injured the
top crop in the northern belt, notably in Arkansas. The fiber is cleaner
than usual and of superior quality in the southern belt. Drought in
the Gulf States, rain-storms in the Carolinas, the boll-worm in the
Southwest, and the caterpillar in certain locations near the Gulf coast
are chief causes of injury to the crop. The harvest will be completed
at a much earlier date than usual. The crop must be smaller than that
of last year, however favorable and long the remaining season for gath-
ering. In comparison with the last crop, the percentages of the Atlantic
coast States are relatively larger by reason of the poor returns of 1875,
and smaller in the Southwest from comparison with the remarkable
yield of that region. They are as follows: North Carolina, 92; South
Carolina, 99; Georgia, 110; Florida, 100; Alabama, 77; Mississippi,
78; Louisiana, 83; Texas, 100; Arkansas, 74; Tennessee, 101. The
average is between 88 and 89.”

To facilitate comparison with returns of former years, the following
tables of condition since 1870, for the last two months in which the
condition of the growing crop is reported, are presented, averages be-

445

ing corrected by due consideration of the difference in production of
the several States :

OCTOBER.
States. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. | 1872. | 1871.
85 85 88 90 80
ae 82 80 86 75
71 80 82 88 72
70 81 76 75 73
94 75 78 82 75
96 74 75 78 76
90 62 a 72 73
88 70 80 85 72
103 55 83 7 82
90 56 90 90 94
Apparent average 225.6. <a cens te sdaeuseeers =< 83. 2 86. 4 72 80. 4 82.1 | 77.2
Corrected Average) ss 2sce-ccas se eearee ease sce =e 82.7 88. 0 71.7 79.3 81.8] 76.7
SEPTEMBER.
States. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. | 1871.
North Canolina:s2s222 228 euch Soi 55. 93 90 87 95 101 82
South Carolina. 91 80 86 86 95 80
Georgia. ... 90 76 7 90 96 78
Florida .. 83 75 77 85 92 15
Alabama. 83 87 8] 85 83 80
Mississippi 87 98 74 82 90 80
Louisiana. ... 90 88 62 80 86 W7
DURE TARR SE AE Ue a eee 87 94 65 92 94 80
PABA SOS eee ale oe haste Se SS Sts be SE ee 97 99 47 93 78 95
PROETEMORADO ite Seite elaine a pats Atle seins aleisinaesleca'ee eas 119 96 52 92 92 96
PAVOTA MONE oN i dad. och dy mapsianeisecace see saaenes 90.5 89.2 71.0 87.9 90.7 | 81.5

We further give the record of condition during each month of the
present year:

States. June. July. | August. Sepie ™- | October.
PNOPEDY CAVOLMN Aas octoe bcloaiiomoa fee eatate a biahlek cela 101 105 96 93 84
BougnCarolinay iis sce a uysae seeds saee eee sebsiare 98 90 97 91 80
RODEP IME Cn te cn ceaciodcc ce See teccen sanraness Seecaie LUS 103 104 90 85
TED SAE case See | EY Ee ee Be Ep a oe ee 82 98 89 83 80
BADER INR tears = oh ats eiain « Slatsaee nei mareieis pale aiajacoiel<' 94 100 103 383 70
LSID SIT 0) 1) BS IS A et a ee 92 94 92 87 83
IBRAHIM ete (2 ee Ht ae ee SE Oe 89 89 89 90 82
LUGE ATE. St Sa ORAS Ss Re Ta eee ee ee SP eae ere 90 99 106 87 91
PA MECN eee a tak ele, os hea sins we ccdees doatedaeete 95 97 98 97 86
PROMMEASORL EE? 2) Manan 5 nih cise ou sobeo shes cakee soe 93 103 120 119 91

PIVOMADH See aac cet eee sence dda sachocdseeccess 94. 4 97.3 99. 4 90.5 82.7

It will be seen that, in 1875, the September average, 89.2, was only
reduced to 88 in October; while the September figures of this year, 90.5,
fell in October to 82.7. The season for gathering has continued very
favorable, and the harvest is more nearly completed than for several
years at this season.

We have collected no systematic reports in December, and therefore
place on record only the condensed results of the previous returns of the
season as factors in the calculations concerning the possible crop.
The appropriation for the support of this division for the present fiscal
year being inadequate even to the office-work of record and compilation,

446

and the printing-fund being already nearly exhausted, there is little
inducement to attempt investigations which cannot be properly made,
or published if made.

POTATOES.

As returns for condition, during the latter part of the season, have
foreshadowed, the potato crop, in production, falls not only far below
the extraordinary crop of 1875, but considerably below an average crop.
Among the causes of diminished yield, drought was the most wide-
spread and effective. During the season for the formation and growth
of the tubers, excessively dry weather prevailed, with a few local excep-
tions, throughout the entire section north of the thirty-sixth parallel
and.east of the Rocky Mountains, the section in which the potato crop
is mainly grown, The drought was the most severe and protracted in
the Middle and. Eastern States, except a northern beit including the
greater part of Maine. Within this designated area also the beetles
east of the Mississippi and the grasshoppers west effected some reduc-
tion in localities, though not to a serious extent. Reduction by pre-
mature decaying of the vines, from blight or rust, is noted in New York,
(Wyoming and Chautauqua,) Pennsylvania, (Sullivan,) Virginia, (Pu-
laski,) Ohio, (Franklin,) Michigan, (losco, Montcalm, and Fond du Lace,)
Wisconsin, (Outagamie,) and California, (Humboldt and Sonoma;) by
rotting, in Virginia, (Highland,) North Carolina, (Beaufort and Hay-
wood,) West Virginia, (Pocahontas, Upshur, and Braxton,) Ohio,
(Lorain and Preble,) Michigan, (Chippewa and Kent,) Illinois, (Saline
and De Kalb,) Wisconsin, (Grant, Brown, Clark, and Jackson,) Lowa,
(Jones and Howard.) Another cause of diminished production is an
unusual decrease in acreage, especially in States which grow this crop
extensively, amounting to 15 per cent. in New York, 31 in New Jersey,
7 in Pennsylvania, 11 in Ohio, and 8 in the entire country. This was
occasioned, in part, by the very low prices realized for last year’s crop.
Among the Northern States east of the Mississippi, Maine alone wisely
planted an undiminished acreage; and her farmers are now being well
rewarded by very remunerative prices for a crop which averages only
3 per cent. below that of last year in production, while it is 6 per cent.
above in quality. Vermont has the next best crop in the eastern sec-
tion, falling 13 per cent. below that of 1875; while Connecticut falls 50
and Rhode Island 85. The great failure in the latter State was owing
to a drought protracted beyond precedent, helped efficiently in its work
of reduction by the beetle. New York, growing one-fifth of the entire
crop, and more than twice the quantity of any other State, falls off from
last year 49 per cent.; other States, (in the order of importance,) fall off,
Pennsylvania, 44 per cent.; Ohio, 32; Hlinois, 36; Michigan, 58; Wis-
consin, 10; Iowa, 34; Indiana, 20; New Jersey, 68.

The small crop grown in the southern section approached nearer to
last year’s production; equaling it in Alabama, and rising 1 per cent.
above it in South Uarolina. These States and Oregon, 114, are the only
ones in which the production is not below that of Jast year. The
entire crop is about 34 per cent. less than the previous one. There is
also a very general decline in quality. Maine, 106; Delaware and South
Carolina, 100; Kentucky and Oregon, 101, are the only States not indi-
cating a decline. The lowest figures are in Rhode Island, 44; followed
by Connecticut, 64; New Jersey, 68; New York, 81; Pennsylvania,
Michigan, and Kansas, 84. Other States range from 88 to 99.

A few items among the local details are worthy of mention. In Kent,
Rhode Island, owing to ravages of the beetle, none except the very

447

earliest came to maturity. Gloucester, New Jersey, did not produce
nearly a sufficiency for home use. In Pennsylvania, Sullivan reports
that early decay of the vines rendered the late-planted not worth dig-
ging, and proved nearly fatal to the whole crop; Beaver, that the yield
does not average over 20 bushels per acre, and they are‘rotting. In
Dorchester, Maryland, the beetle occasioned an inferior crop in both
yield and quality. In Virginia, early frost reduced the crop 20 to 50
per cent. in Elizabeth City; and in Dinwiddie, early drought prevented
most of the crop from vegetating. In Haywood, North Carolina, “a
peculiar rot,” new to that locality, greatly diminished the product. In
Hunt, Texas, the crop was so abundant that growers gave one-half of
the product for harvesting. Williamson, Tennessee, reports a product
so large that immense quantities were being shipped north and south.
The crop has rotted to such an extent in Pocahontas, West Virginia,
that scarcely enough are left for seed. In Ohio, while Hancock, Clark,
Hocking, Warren, Montgomery, and Miami return. fine crops, Medina
reports the poorest for ten years; Seneca, the poorest for many years ;
and Preble, a large portion of the product worthless, though appearing
sound on the exterior. Michigan reports like contrasts; Delta return-
ing a good crop of first-rate quality; but Oakland the poorest ever
grown, in both yield and quality.

Among the agricultural products of Juneau, Wisconsin, the potato
crop was the most profitable, yielding 200 bushels per acre, and selling
at 40 to 45 cents per bushel. In Clackamas, Oregon, on the 1st of Octo-
ber, many fields were still green and growing. LHarly frosts of unpre-
cedented severity greatly damaged the crop in Utah.

Prices have been incidentally stated by our reporters, in different sec-
tions; in New York, Washington, 65 cents against 20, last year; Indi-
ana, Kosciusko, 60 to 80 cents, and advancing; L[llinois, Boone, 60 cents
against 10 last year, and scarcely any sale at that; Missouri, Cole and
Holt, 25 cents; Kansas, Cowley and Woodson, 50 cents, and in the lat-
ter ‘‘ will soon be $1.”

SWEET POTATOES.

The crop of 1875 was a fair one in both yield and quality; that of this
year very nearly equals it in both respects. The greatest falling-off in
yield is in Louisiana, 25 per cent., owing to a general and severe drought
at the critical season. The same cause, operating in a less degree, re-
duced the product below that of last year, 13 per cent. in Florida and
Alabama; 12, in Mississippi; and 7, in Georgia. The average reduc-
tion is not over 3 per cent. in any other State, while in a majority of
those producing the crop the yield equais or exceeds that of 1875. The
excess averages 11 per cent. in Kentucky, 9 in New Jersey, 8 in South
Carolina, 7 in Missouri, 5 in Delaware, 4 in California, and 2 in Ten-
- nessee, West Virginia, Indiana, and Kansas. A majority of the States
growing sweet potatoes and those producing the larger part of the crop
also report an average quality equaling or exceeding that of the pre-
vious crop.

HAY.

The reported. entire product is 8 per cent. above that of last year, and
the average quality about 5 per cent. better. Maine returns a product
2 per cent. greater than that of 1875, which was 10 per cent. above the
previous crop. In the other New England States, there is a decline in
product, averaging 12 per cent., owing to the severity of the drought
before the crop was cut. Jn the remainder of the country, except on

448

the northern border of the Gulf, where but little hay is grown or saved,
the crop was generally in advance of the drought; the dry weather com-
mencing about the time of harvesting, and thus greatly contributing to
good curing. The only States out of New England not returning a
product greater than in 1875 are New York,“Delaware, and Alabama,
100; Mississippi, 93; Louisiana, 88; Kansas, 97; Nebraska, 95. The
falling-off in the latter two States is owing, in part at least, to the fact
that better cereal crops than last year weakened the motives for “ put-
ting up wild hay.” States indicating a large relative increase in prod-
uct are California, 59 per cent.; Virginia, 35; Kentucky, 33; New
Jersey, 30; Illinois, 20; Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ohio, 15; Texas,
14; Michigan, 13; Arkansas, 11.

As a rule, to which the exceptions are few and slight, the quality is
superior to that of last year’s crop, both in respect to intrinsic excel-
lence and the condition in which it was cured and housed or stacked.
The States returning an average quality not superior to that of the
previous crop are Maryland, 100; North Carolina, 99; Mississippi, 95 ;
Louisiana and Arkansas, 97; Minnesota and Oregon, 98. Indiana re-
ports an average superiority of 21 per cent.; Kentucky, 15; Vermont,
Ohio, and Illinois, 11. In the latter two States, the crop was greatly
damaged last year by excessive rains during the entire harvest season.
Our reporters this year oceasionaliy note injuries by wet weather in
harvest, the most important of which are injuries to the clover crop,
while curing, in parts of Indiana and Illinois; but statements that the
crop was cured without injury, or in the best condition, are the rule.
County returns of unprecedented crops are frequent. In Pennsylvania,
Sullivan reports a crop more abundant than ever before; Tioga, the
heaviest product ever gathered, all housed in good condition. The prod-
uct in Henrico, Virginia, was never exceeded ; Bath also produced much
the best crop for years, and secured it in excellent condition. William-
son, Tennessee, reports immense quantities, mostly German millet, put up
in fine condition; Lincoln, Kentucky, an immense crop of excellent
quality ; Sandusky, Ohio, the best crop ever grown. Unprecedented and
well-saved crops are also returned from Howard and Wabash, Indiana;
Fayette, Illinois; Walworth and Outagamie, Wisconsin; Henry, lowa;
Maries, Missouri; and Sonoma and Placer, California.

BEANS.

Returns from all sections indicate that the product is about 7 per cent.
less than last year. Grasshoppers in the Northwest and drought in
other sections are the principal causes of reduction. The States in
which the product is not less than in 1875 are Delaware, 100; Vermont,
101; California, 102; North Carolina, 103; Florida and Arkansas, 105;
Wisconsin, 110; Oregon, 122. Among these States, last year, Wiscon-
sin reported 85 and California 82, as compared with the crop of 1874.
As dry weather prevailed very generally during the season of curing,
the quality (which is not specifically reported) is probably better than
average.

PEAS.

In the Northern States, returns for this crop have exclusive reference
to the product of shelled peas, for table use or for provender; but in
the Southern States, while varieties tor table use are included, the prin-
cipal crop is of the variety known as cow-peas, of which the vines con-
stitute an important forage-product. Texas returns a product 5 per cent.

449

above a fair crop in 1875; but, in all the other Gulf States, the product
was largely reduced by drought. In Clarendon, South Carolina, and
Wilkes, Georgia, the crop was also damaged by early frost. In the
northern tier of Southern States the product fully equals that of last
year. Among the Northern States, Minnesota returns a product 38 per
cent. above last year’s short crop; Vermont and Delaware return 100.
In the remaining States east of the Missouri, the product falls somewhat
below that of 1875. Kansas reported last year 33 per cent. above the
previous crop; this year 21 below, reduced by grasshoppers. Nebraska,
last year, 122; this year, 100. California produced 5 per cent. above a
short crop last year. The entire product is about 5 per cent. short of
that of 1875.

BUCKWHEAT.

Last year the product exceeded that of the previous crop; this year
it falls about 8 per cent. short. Drought at the time of filling was the
principal cause of reduction ; but in parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland,
and ‘Virginia, storms of rain and wind in harvest, or after the crop was
matured, did much injury. In parts of the Ohio Valley, the crop did
not fill well, owing to excessive wet weather. It was damaged by frost
in Saginaw and Oakland, Michigan; Stark, Indiana; and Jefferson,
Missouri; and much reduced by grasshoppers in Iowa, Kansas,
Nebraska, and Colorado. Massachusetts and Connecticut report a prod-
uct equal to last year’s; but in New York it was 34 per cent. less; New
Jersey, 23; Pennsylvania, 26. North of the Ohio, the comparative fig-
ures for 1875 and 1876 are, respectively, in Ohio, 105 and 90; Michigan,
132 and 88; Indiana, 112 and 92; Illinois, 83 and 96; Wisconsin, 45 and
155. In illustration of the relation of these figures to each other, it may
be observed that if the crop in Wisconsin last year had been equal to
the previous one—that is, 100—this year’s product being what it is,
and now represented by 155, would have been a fraction short of 70.
High figures mean a large increase over the previous crop; but if, for
instance, the product for 1875 was but a fourth of an average crop,
200 for 1876 would only indicate half acrop. West of the Mississippi,
the crop, except in Minnesota, 109, was much less than in 1875, the fig-
ures being, in Missouri, 237 and 93; Kansas, 206 and 72; Nebraska,
544 and 78. The product in Kentucky was 2 per cent. greater than last
year, and in Oregon 5 per cent. In all the remaining States it fell

below.
SORGHUM.

Returns show an increase of about 14 per cent. over last year’s com-
paratively large crop. The States indicating the highest relative in-
crease are, Georgia, 38 per cent.; Virginia, 37; Kentucky, 32; Texas,
27; Alabama, 19; Tennessee, 14. The only States reporting a product
less than last year are, Iowa, 11 per cent.; Maryland and Nebraska, 7;
Kansas, 5. Certain counties report a remarkable percentage of increase:
in Virginia, Page, 300 per cent.; Madison, 100: Georgia, Shelby, 300;
Meriwether, 200: Alabama, Clarke, and Crensha, 100: Mississippi,
Lincoln, 100: Texas, Rusk, 400; Titus, 200: Arkansas, Ashley, 100;
Sharp, 80; Williamson in Tennessee, Taylor in Kentucky, Henry in
Ohio, and White in Lllinois, 100 each; Clay in Missouri, 200. Good
quality is generally reported. Great improvement in the quality of the
sirup, resulting from the introduction of improved machinery and meth-
ods of evaporating, is specified in different localities. The return from
Gwinnett, Georgia, states that the sirup of a large and valuable crop

450

“ equals the best New Orleans ;” and from Gibson, Tennessee, that New
Orleans sirup has been almost supplanted by the abundance, excellence,
and cheapness of sorghum sirup—the price being only 25 cents per
gallon. The return from Braxton, West Virginia, also makes special .
reference to the good quality of the sirup. In Fulton, Arkansas, while
other varieties of sorghum were fine, rust injured the “ black-top” 20 per
cent. In Tennessee, McMinn reports the largest yield, and Blount the
largest product ever known; but in the latter the increase is from
increased acreage, ‘as the yield is less per acre than when first intro-
duced.” From Ohio, there are some complaints that, while the juice is
abundant, it is inferior in quality, lacking in sweetness,

TOBACCO.

The tobacco counties reporting the comparative product make returns
not quite so favorable in the aggregate as those of last year. A decrease
of product is indicated in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Mary-
land, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. An increase is indicated
in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Kentucky reports about
the same as last year.

In Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the increase in product is extraordinary.
In Ohio, Montgomery reports the best and finest crop of seed-leaf tobac-
co ever produced ; Monroe, that the quality was depreciated by exces-
sively wet weather. In Illinois, the season was very propitious for ma-
turing and curing in Saline; in Johnson, the crop was eaten by worms,
the ravages of which were worse than for years. Vernon, Missouri, also
had more tobacco-worms than ever before; but other returns from Mis-
souri are favorable in respect to both yield and quality.

The quality of the entire crop averages about the same as that of last
year. The depreciation is not noticeable in Connecticut, Virginia, and
North Carolina. The average quality is superior to that of the previous
crop in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indi-
ana, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. In Maryland, the quality is reported
coarse and dark in Charles; inferior in Calvert, owing to bad weather
for curing. In Virginia, the quality is indifferent in Powhatan and in
Madison, except that the smaller part, cut before the September storms,
is good; very inferior in Mecklenburgh; much damaged by worms and
disfigured by the September gale in Dinwiddie; damaged by early frost
in Henry, and by a bad season for tobacco in Fluvanna; in Prince
Edward, the later plants were green when cut, but the larger portion
matured well, and was harvested in good condition; the season was
unusually favorable for harvesting and curing in Botetourt; a crop of
fine quality was well housed in Carroll, and a full crop well cured in
Montgomery. The reported causes of deterioration in North Carolina
are worms, early frosts, and the cutting of late crops before maturity in
order to avoid frosts. In Tennessee and West Virginia, only slight de-
terioration is reported from early frosts and the cutting of late crops
prematurely to avoid frost. In Kentucky, Daviess returns the largest
crop ever grown, except that of 1872. The estimate for product is
10,000,000 pounds, of which not over 2 per cent. was injured by frost ;
but perhaps. 10 per cent. was not well cured, being cut rather too green ;
in Fleming, a very fine crop, of fair quality, has been housed; in Met-
calfe, not more than half a crop, but of excellent quality; in Harrison,
the crop has been damaged in the barns. '

451
FLAXSEED.

Incomplete returns from Ohio indicate a product equal to that of last
year; Indiana, 1 per cent. less; Illinois, ‘having an extraordinary crop
last year,) 15 per cent. less. These three States represent over three-
fourths of the entire crop. Among other States in which the produc-
tion is of any account, Iowa alone indicates an increase over last year
New York, 1 per cent. less. Scattering returns from the States west of
the Mississippi indicate that the production of flax is extending. In
Missouri, less than half of the counties making returns for this crop
reported any for the census of 1870; in Kansas, only 4 out of 17; and
in Nebraska, only 1 ont of 10.

FRUIT.

APPLES.—Almost the only complaint about the apple crop is that its
superabundance has greatly diminished its market value. Maine re-
turns a yield 20 per cent. below that of the previous crop, the causes
being previous injury to the trees by caterpillars, depredations by them
this season, and, in the southwest part of the State, too dry weather
for the maturing of the crop. Vermont falls 4 per cent. below, ascribed
to the effects of the severe winter. Drought and September storms
reduced the figures in New Jersey to 95, in Delaware to 55, and in Vir-
ginia to 92. Missouri reports a production falling 28 per cent. below
that of 1875. Severe spring-frosts, canker-worms, coddling-moths, an
insect allied to chinch-bugs, hail-storms, and, chiefly, premature falling-
off from causes not explained, are the principal sources of reduction.
With these exceptions, in the entire section north of the 36th parallel,
and east of the Pacific slope, the yield exceeds that of last year; the
average excess for the whole area being not less than 17 percent. The
excess in New York is 22 per cent.; Pennsylvania, 23; Ohio, 41; Michi-
gan, 24; Indiana, 39; Illinois, 16; Wisconsin, 54; Iowa, 43; New
Hampshire, 63. The coddling-moth was destructive to the crop in Utah.
In California and Oregon, the product was slightly less than last year.
In the Southern States, in which the crop is of less account, the general
yield is considerably below that of last year, owing mainly to drought.
South Carolina alone comes up to 100. With rare local exceptions, the
quality is reported as superior; the fruit being comparatively large,
fair, and free from worms.

The following statements, selected and condensed from notes of our
reporters, are given as indicating the general drift in respect to yield,
quality, and prices: In New York, Albany returns a good crop, very
low in price; Otsego, a very abundant crop, lower in price than for
years; Genesee, so abundant that the best winter-apples sell for $1 per
barrel ; Sullivan, so abundant that many will be left ungathered ;, Mon-
roe, the largest crop ever known; Onondaga, very abundant and fine;
in Allegany, the best sell on the trees at 15 cents per bushel, and many
_ Inay be had without money and without price. In Pennsylvania, Clear-
field, Mifflin, Tioga, Westmoreland, and Armstrong report abundant
crops of very fine quality; in Mifflin, winter-apples sell at 15 cents per
bushel; in Bucks, the September gale blew 75 per cent. of the fruit from
the trees. The same gale destroyed two-thirds of the crop in Kent,
Delaware, and did immense damage to it in Cecil, Maryland; Baltimore
County reports a large crop, but, contrary to the general tenor, of in-
ferior quality. In Virginia, the statements respecting quality are uni-
formly favorable, ranging from good to very fine. In portions of Ten-

452

nessee, the crop was extra fine; but in McMinn nearly all fell off before
ripening, from the combined effects of drought and insects.

In Kentucky, Anderson, Fleming, and Henry report the largest
and best crop ever known; in the last named, the yield was so great as
to almost annihilate the market-price. In Ohio, Butler returns a larger
crop than has been known for forty years, and that of fine quality, free
from all the usual defects; Geauga and Meigs, apples a drug in the
market; Hancock, so superabundant that thousands of bushels are left
to rot on the ground; Perry, an enormous crop, of excellent quality ;
Miami and Franklin, the largest crops for 20 years, also of excellent
quality; Preble, the largest crop ever known, making a demand for
cider-barrels which outruns the supply; in Trumbull, cider sells at 5
to 8 cents per gallon. In Michigan, Oakland saved in good condition
the largest crop ever known; Wayne, a crop never exceeded in yield
or quality. In Indiana, Ripley and Howard have the largest and best-
matured crops ever harvested ; in Kosciusko, winter-apples, well handled,
sell in markef at 25 to 40 cents per bushel ; in Noble, the best varieties
of winter-apples sell for 25 cents per bushel; in Floyd, large quantities
are being manufactured into cider, vinegar, and brandy. In Illinois,
Boone and Carroll, the crop was so abundant that apples are worth but
little in market, and are being mostly manufactured into cider; Ham-
ilton reports winter-apples as knotty and imperfect; and Johnson, that
apples rotted on the trees, worse than for many years.

The return from Walworth, Wisconsin, reports that the crop is so
abundant as to be fed to hogs—an unprecedented thing in that State;
La Fayette had much the finest crop ever raised there; Columbia, an
abundant crop, quite free from worms. Decatur and Henry, Iowa, had
the largest crop ever grown. In Placer, California, the product sur-
passes that of any crop for many years. In Frémont, Colorado, the
trees were well loaded; but, long before the fruit was ripe, the grass-
hoppers stripped them entirely of foliage.

PEARS.—The pear-crop falls below the small crop of 1875. The ex-
tensive prevalence of the tree-disease known as pear-blight appears to
be the leading cause of this diminution. Its prevalence and effect in
reducing the crop to a greater or less extent are noted in New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, West Virginia,
Illinois, and Iowa. The only States in which the product does not fall
below that of last year are New Hampshire, 103; Vermont, 100; Wis-
consin, 119; Iowa, 105; Oregon, 101; no one of which produces a large
erop. In the remaining States, the decline is about 20 per cent. Very
few counties report full crops; but in Howard, Indiana, pears are plenty
and fine; Decatur, Iowa, produced the largest crop ever known; and
Placer, California, a crop surpassing any other for many years.

GRAPES.—The returns indicate a product somewhat less than in 1875.
The small crop in New England averaged better than last year. Penn-
sylvania returns 103, but in the other States north of the Potomac the
falling-off averages about 12 per cent. There appears to be a reduction
from last year in the Southern States, averaging about 10 percent. In
the interior east of the Mississippi, the product is less than in 1875; the
greatest reduction, 19 per cent., being in Illinois: West of the Missis-
sippi, Arkansas reports a falling off of 32 per cent., Missouri of 15. In
California, the product is reported two per cent. larger than last year.

Except in localities where the yield was reduced by the effects of the
hard winter or late spring frosts, the almost exclusive cause of reduction
has been a widespread tendency to mildew and rot. But in Bucks,
Pennsylvania, a good crop was largely injured by bees and wasps; in

453

Cecil, Maryland, immensely damaged by the storm of September 17;
and in Clay, Missouri, the yield was diminished by injuries to the vines
by grasshoppers the previous season. Sonoma, California, reports that
the abundance of the crop reduces the price so low as to leave no matr-
gin for profit; native varieties of fine wine-grapes selling at $8 to $10,
and foreign varieties at $12, per ton; choice table-grapes at 14 cents per
pound, and very choice, packed with extra care for the eastern market,
at 2 cents.
WINTER-WHEAT.

ACREAGE.—Our December returns indicate that the acreage in winter-
wheat has been increased about 5 per cent. over that of the previous
year. The small area sown in the New England States is fully main-
tained, and some additions were expected to be made after our returns
were sent in, as in some counties it is customary to delay sowing this
grain till just before freezing. Allof the Middle States return an acreage
equal to that of last year, except New York, which loses 8 per cent.
The South Atlantic coast States report a considerable increase, a small
deficiency in Georgia being overcome by a marked increase in North
Carolina and South Carolina. In the Gulf States, Alabama and Missis-
sippi report an increase which overbalances the decline in Texas. Florida
and Louisiana grow but insignificant crops. The inland Southern States
all report an increased acreage. North of the Ohio River, Michigan and
Wisconsin report a decrease of wheat-acreage, but the other States
report increased breadths, enlarging the acreage of this section about
3 per cent. West of the Mississippi River, Missouri enlarges her acre-
age at least a third, Kansas one-eighth, and Nebraska nearly a half.
The Pacific States also report a large increase.

ConDITION.—The condition of the crop appears from the returns to
be about 10 per cent. above average on the whole. The Atlantic slope,
from Maryland northward, enjoyed very favorable conditions of seeding
and growth, though the Hessian fly has done considerable damage in
several counties of Pennsylvania, especially in early-sown wheat. Later-
sown crops give greater satisfaction. With the exception of South
Carolina, the South Atlantic and the Gulf States are below average.
Drought retarded both the sowing and the growth of the crop in
many counties, while in others the fear of Hessian flies and grass-
hoppers caused the sowing to be delayed as long as possible. Injuries
by grasshoppers are reported in several counties of Texas. A depressed
condition is also noted in Arkansas and Tennessee, the latter being
10 per cent. below average. Grasshoppers are complained of in a few
cases, but drought was a more general cause of disaster. West Vir-
ginia and Kentucky show a superior condition, though seeding was
somewhat late on account of drought. All the States north of the Ohio
River report a superior condition, especially Ohio and Indiana, which
enjoyed remarkably fine conditions for seeding and growth. The Hes-
sian fly appeared in a few very early sowings, but its ravages were com-
paratively harmless. In several localities of Illinois and Wisconsin, the
wheat appears to be better rooted than usual and better prepared to
resist the trying fluctuations of winter in those States. West of the
Mississippi River, Minnesota and Iowa report a condition slightly above
average, while the other States of this region are considerably deficient.
Grasshoppers were very destructive at many points, necessitating a
resowing of the crop. Wheat sown late to avoid this pest has started
very imperfectly. In California, good rains during October facilitated
plowing and wheat-seeding, causing a considerable enlargement of acre-

AB4
age, but in several counties the moisture has not been sufficient to bring
out the crop. Oregon reports a very promising crop. From Dakota come

reports of grasshopper damages. In the Choctaw Nation, Indian Terri-
tory, the crop is reported as very satisfactory.

WINTER-RYE.

ACREAGE.—The acreage in winter-rye in 1876 does not materially
differ from that of 1875. A small increase is shown in New England
and in the States north of the Ohio River, which about counterbalances
the decline in the other sections; the Pacific States reporting no appre-
ciable change.

CoNnDITION.—The condition of the crop, on the whole, is about aver-
age. A superior condition appears in the Middle States, South Atlantic
States, in the States north of the Ohio River, and on the Pacific slope,
while in the other sections there is a deficiency. In some portions of
the country, the crop was seeded late on account of unfavorable weather;
but generally it was placed in the ground in good order, and gained a
good growth before winter setin. In the regions visited by the grasshop-
pers, the sowing of this crop, as in the case of wheat, was delayed, and
early-sown crops more or less damaged by these insects, some being
entirely destroyed. Reports of such injuries come mostly from the
trans-Mississippi region.

455

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457

IS PRODUCTION DECLINING ?

Agricultural speakers and writers often give the impression, without
positive assertion, that we produce less in proportion to population than
formerly. If this is so, we eat less than formerly, for we export more.
But no intelligent person, after due deliberation, will assert that we feed
less to farm-animals or live less generously ourselves than our fathers
fed and fared. A statistical answer in the negative has been made by the
Statistician of this Department, in an address delivered before the
Agricultural Congress at its last session in Philadelphia, as follows:

There are problems presented daily which only agricultural statistics can solve, and
upon which largely depends the future prosperity of the farming interest. We cannot
here enumerate them, but a reference to one or two may suffice. The inqniry has been
often made of late, Is production declining? It has been assumed that we produce in
proportion to population less of the great staples of production than formerly. It is
the province of agricultural statistics to decide the question. The census alone can-
not determine it. Such is the fluctuation in rate of yield, that the supply of a given
staple may be actually increasing, while the product of the census-year may be less
than in its predecessor ten years before. For instance, corn for 1869 was returned
760,944,549 bushels, and in 1859 the figures were 838,792,742. It has often been asserted,
on the strength of these returns, that corn-production was declining, not only per
capita, but in absolute comparison of quantity. Is it so? The year 1869 witnessed
what in country parlance is called “ a failure” of the corn-crop. It is plainly folly to
take such a crop for comparison. And this fact illustrates the absolute necessity of
annual estimates to supplement decennial returns. Since 1869 there have been six
harvests exclusive of the present one. Of these six, the largest and smallest stand in
juxtaposition: the one in 1875, the largest ever made, is 1,321,000,000 bushels; and the
other, another failure, in 1874, 850,000,000 bushels. The increase in a single years
56 percent. In 1870 and 1872 the product was nearly 1,100,090,000; the average of
annual estimates, for the six years since the census, 1,047,000,000 bushels; and this
confirms the opinion, founded on careful study of the history of cropping in 1869, that
if was scarcely more than three-fourths of a full crop. Now, let us examine a period
of twenty-six years. Woe find that the yield per capita iu 1849 was 25.5 bushels; in
1859, 26.6 bushels; and in 1869, the year of a three-fourths crop, 19.7 bushels—the same
result as that deduced from the period since that census. If we take the year 1375,
the result is excessive, 30 bushels per capita, but include it in the period of six years
past, and we have 25.5—precisely the supply of 1849.

As ta wheat, a general deduction from comparison of census exhibits is less erro-
neons. The increase in round numbers was from 100,000,000 to 173,000,000, and again
in 1869 to 287,000,000. Now, the latter was a large crop, yet the average for the six
subsequent crops is 266,000,000, while the estimate for the last year of the six was
292,000,000. Distributed according to population, there were 4.3 bushels per head in
1849, 5.5 in 1859, 7.46 in 1869, and for the period since 6.6 bushels. This shows an in-
crease of more than 50 per cent. in the proportion of supply in twenty-six years, and is
exactly in accordance with the history of the several crop-years, and is a proof of the
substantial correctness of these estimates.

The export tigures illustrate further the fact of the large increase of wheat-produc-
tion. The total export of wheat and flour in fifty years is equivalent to 1,062,000,000
bushels of wheat, of which 91,000,000 were shipped during a single year, 1874. The
exports of one-half of this period up to 1850 were only 178,000,000—less than twice those
of 1874. The heavy increase during recent years is especially noteworthy, nearly half
this semi-centennial aggregate having been shipped in ten years. While our popula-
tion has nearly doubled since 1849, the quantity of all cereals taken together has
more than doubled. The census reported 867,000,000 bushels. Allowing something
for incompleteness of that enumeration, the 2,000,000,000 bushels produced in 1875
allow a distribution of 46 bushels to each inhabitant, in place of 37.4 census-bushels,
or possibly 40, with a complete enumeration. Our average supply since the last cen-
sus exceeds 40 bushels; and thus is demonstrated the remarkable fact that, with our
rapid increase in numbers, perhaps without a parallel, we not only keep up our high
standard of cereal production, but actually advance it. This is owing to our vast
areas in instant readiness for the plow, to our advance in variety and perfection of
agricultural machinery, and to the stimulus of a foreign demand, which has never been
80 pressing as during the last ten years. It is possible to double our present popula-
tion without diminishing this high rate of supply. There is more danger at present
of overproduction and unremnnerative prices than of scarcity. he proportion
ana agriculture in the West is still too large, and far too large in the South;

458

and the withdrawal of workers from rural to other industrial arts would not only
greatly facilitate the creation of wealth, but would stimulate invention, labor-savying
skill, and industry in agriculture. ;

Having reached the conclusion that corn-production is not declining, and that the
supply of wheat has increased 50 per cent., what can we say as to the meat-supply
and the numbers of horses? As to the latter, it is not found, according to the fears
of too conservative farmers of a former generation, that multiplying railroads tends
to diminish the use of horses. More horses are now used in taking people to the train
than were formerly required to perform the whole journey. The census reports only
the horses of the farm, without reference to those of the town or city; but, for com-
parison, taking the numbers in proportion to population, there were nearly twenty to
each one hundred people in 1850, quite twenty in 1860, and, notwithstanding the
waste of the war, eighteen in 1870. The increase since has at least equaled the ad-
vance in population. Coming to cattle, while we know that the numbers in the
census are too low, especially for Texas, California, and the Territories, we may use
them for comparative purposes. From 1850 to 1860, we find the number of all kinds
of cattle slightly increasing from 77 to 81 to each hundred of the population, and then
witness a decline to 62 in 1870. Since that date the numbers have increased, but not
materially faster than the population. The consumption in the war was a prominent
cause of the decline, and a growing preference to horses as a substitute for working-
oxen tended to further reduction. The supply of sheep per capita was somewhat
greater in 1870 than in 1860, the ratio rising from 70 to 73, but less than in 1850, when
there were 93 per hundred of population. But the most marked decline in supply has
been in swine; the figures in these decennial periods being respectively 129, 105, and
65. The tendency is to still further decline in some of the principal swine-districts.

There is another statistical point of especial interest in this connection. While
numbers have declined in proportion to population, the value of all farm-animals
divided among the population would give about $24 per head in 1850, $34 in 1860, and
$44 in 1870. Not only has scarcity increased the value, but improvement in breeds
has added size and weight, so that with smaller relative numbers we are able to feed
our people and ship more beef and pork and lard than ever. Here is food for reflec-
tion. Here is the cause of advancing prices of beef and pork. And it is fortunate
that increase in meat-production is consonant with a higher and more intensive agri-
culture; that it is, in fact, one of the essential conditions of such improvement. And
if we can act upon the suggestion of Mr. Harris, in his address last evening, and
perfect breeds of meat-producers that shall be able to assimilate a larger proportion of
the fat-and-meat producing elements contained in the food supplied, we shall hasten
the adoption of a system of agriculture that shall be restorative and not exhaustive.

We thus learn from statistics that grain-growing exclusively, though remunerative
as a temporary expedient, is a speculation, and not true farming. Land in the prairies
worth $50 per acre is bought for $5, and its true value is discounted in installments ;
i. e., the soil is plundered piecemeal, and converted into wheat and cash to furnish
means for fencing and house-building, and to supply capital to the pioneer farmer. In
this point of view, it has been remunerative as a pioneer expedient; but, with a farm
equipped for the work of a long future, the superior profit of a restorative system, in
which domestic animals fill an important part, cannot be questioned, either in the
deep prairies of Illinois or the rich bottoms of the Missouri Valley.

CHEMICAL MEMORANDA.

By Wit~it1am McMurtTrIi£, CHEMIST.

BAT GUANO.—In addition to the samples of this important product
sent to the Department by J. A. V. Pue, Bandera, Texas, this gentleman
has forwarded another sample from a different cave, which our analysis
has proved to be of greater value than any we have yet analyzed. There
are, doubtless, very many deposits of great extent, of which we have
been unable to obtain any knowledge, that will be as valuable as
that represented by this sample. This one, like others of high grade,
contained broken scales of insects, and is in excellent condition for direct
application to the soil.

459

The results of our analysis are as follows:

WTSI Ree SEES ee So St Cece OCSOCIOOE CoM BESOE COSCO DH Aata OSC On DCO Roce 9, 12
EHD CHALLE AMO NLNIOMN) «oats ainiaies =o <2, ~ Se delguiemnelciocn wen eloajedciateiou'his 38. 00
Mota Phosphorie geld ne ---- (2 sete = oa neecse wc GEE Coe EO eS COO ROD EE deCUSe 6. 09
ESCH N SEN Teo eee ee A inte ale: 2a aim a keiiatel o = Se Saveiaictmnnja) aie siaieiunae Siz aie lebalojeie fosiereetd 0. 47
Organic nitrogen, equivalent to 11. 15 per cent. potential ammonia. ............ 9,18
Reh aC Lela aren ee een oa hela tats aterofs) ovata ia aive aveieiajalateice sa) Halle webs easermete 1, 69
secGl een rains SB eR re ee Ge SOO POSS OCLC CEE IKE CO COO OD ICoCO Gsm — 1,18

These figures undoubtedly place the material on a par with many of
the concentrated fertilizers found in the markets, and should rouse suf-
ficient interest and attention to secure for it an extensive application in
southern agriculture.

AMERICAN TANNING-MATERIALS.—Under this head, I propose to
submit the results of the analyses of the vegetable substances contain-
ing sufficient of tannic acid to make them of value for tanning that were
collected and prepared for exhibition in the late International Exhibition
in Philadelphia. The list may not comprise all the indigenous products
that are of value in this respect, but some of them, at least, have not
yet received extended application.

The method employed in our estimations was devised by F, Jean, and
published in the “ Bulletin de la Société Chimique de Paris,” (xxv, 511,)
and depends upon the absorption of iodine by tannic acid. By this
method, the quantity of tannic acid found in the various samples respect-
ively was as follows:

‘ Per cent,
Greand sumac,| (oixed,)'from/Winchester, Va. 32.264 lee 00 sees. te deel eee 24.18
mums) Cand counis,) Hallsberough, Vali ss15 3502s cae te UE 24. 08
Humace (ens qupra:)Georvetown, D: Clio) 25 cots Pe ee Gs ee 26.1
Leaves of sweet fern, (Comptonia asplenifolia,) from near Boston, Mass. -------- 9, 42
Leaves of Polygonum amphibium, from Nebraska......-.--.----.----+---- See 11.6
Ephedra antisyphilitica, from the table-lands of Arizona and Utah .--..:.--.-.-- Lag
Bark of sweet-gum, (Liquidambar styraciflua,) from District of Columbia....-..-. 8. 36
Bark of red-oak, (Quercus rubra,) from Canton, [ll ...-.....-.....--..--------- 5. 55
Bark of white oak, ( Quercus alba,) from Canton, Il]......---..-.--..--.-.------- 7.85
Crushed quercitron bark, (Quercus nigra,) from Winchester, Va.-.-.-.----------- 6, 47
Dakar Quercus -coccumed, trom Canton, MIT. - Ji.) Sasee es os Oe Ra ae ae 7.78
bark of Quercus macracarpa, trom Canton; Ul! S. 20 ote .e2- oe os Se eee se ose ee ees 7, 85
Bark of hemlock, (Abies canadensis,) Van Ettenville, N. Y......---..----.------ 9.5

AMERICAN WINES.—The collection referred to also contained a series
of specimens of American wines, manufactured and contributed by
Messrs. Bush & Son & Meissner, of Bushberg, Mo.; and, since the
series embraced wines made from nearly all the varieties of grapes em-
ployed in the manufacture of wine in this country, the results of their
analyses are considered of some interest. The wines, being made by the
same parties, are more likely to be subject to similar conditions in the
process, and comparison between them is therefore more reliable.

460
Composition of wine.
Name of brand. Rand or
8°-| Specific |Alcohol, by |Alcohol, by | Acid,* per | Solids, per
gravity. volume. weight. cent. cent.
fr. el
a AMON CAM SUOTCY jo-— 22-4) so0 ce - © io elicd ane eeeeee 17.0 14. 23 0.37 6.55
2. Norton’s Virginia Seedling.|........-. 0. 995 12.2 9. 85 0. 66 2. 31
PELE LONSINE e erie ae em aiesia ell ome wera ace 0. 990 13.9 11. 24 0.48") sc een eee
BAlvey. eet foo. 45 cliec des oe UBS | aes Sees Se 10.4 8,13 0. 78 2. 52
5. Taylor Bullet....-.-.-..--. 1874 0.995 12. 4 10. 01 0. 48 1,73
P, AMOMean POVh po s..-\-~one|octenee ce = 1.03 13, 1 10. 59 0. 48 11. 30
MaMa hay. eons ot ake Some ee 1873 0. 995 11.3 9,11 0. 43 1.22
GE MABSOUEL ClATObi so0.25-c006 1874 0. 9975 11.8 9. 51 0. 72 2. 37
WeEOLDOMONG,-2.- + 2<=schseeee 1874 0. 995 11.8 9. 51 0. 57 2. 42
PONCataw bas... ci. sbeseeccclecee 1874 0. 990 12.0 9. 69 0. 37 1. 66
i CORR FONT 7 Dh a ee ee 1875 0. 995 11.0 BiBT | emontt anes Liao
12. Catawba, sweet’......-..... 1875 1.015 14.4 11. 65 0. 40 7. 86
13. North Carolina Seedling’. -. 1874 0. 990 13.5 10. 92 0. 48 1. 80
PAC yOiniaAns). ose anno mo ae 1874 0. 995 12.8 10. 33 0. 54 3.15
PyVGOuie w= Al sa oe2 eeu els. 1873 0. 990 11.8 9, 51 0. 42 1. 68.
BiG bntontce as 2s. Sea ese stack 1874 0. 998 13. 4 10. 83 0. 45 3. 70
POO Wares seco reese noe 1874 0. 990 13.1 10. 59 0. 40 2.18
18. Ives Seedling’ ..........-... 1874 0. 995 11.2 9. 03 0. 54 2. 29
19. Norton’s Virginia ...-..--. 1873 0.995 12.6 10. 17 0. 47 2. 46
ROMUONE DLE eh Lac some eee cna 1873 1. 000 9.4 7.56 0. 60 yy 2738
Si Concord -.22. kpc cc ces soeees 1875 0. 9975 8.7 6.99 0. 48 2. 36
22. Concord, white....--...-... 1874 0. 995 ipa) 9. 85 0. 47 1.59

Calculated as dry tartaric.

p FIXATION OF NITROGEN BY THE INFLUENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC ELEC-
TRICITY.—It has for a long time been well known that plants contain
more nitrogen than can possibly be supplied by the ordinary constitu-
ents of the soil, together with the amount carried down by rain in the
form of nitric acid and ammonia. This difference is undoubtedly due to
the utilization of atmospheric nitrogen; but the manner in which this is
brought about has not heretofore been satisfactorily explained. John-
son, Armsby, and others have made valuable contributions to our knowl-
edge of this phenomenon in the results of their investigations into the
absorption of nitrogen by non-nitrogenous organic matter. in presence of
alkalies. But amore satisfactory explanation will be found in the results
of the late investigations of M. Berthelot. In papers presented to the
Academy of Sciences of Paris, he has shown that nitrogen is directly
absorbed at ordinary temperatures by organic matters under the influ-
ence of the electric current, and that this absorption may take place
either with pure dry nitrogen and the hydrocarbons, in which case oxy-
gen is completely excluded, or with moist woody principles and dex-
trine. It operates equally well with pure nitrogen and atmospheric
nitrogen. The electric currents were developed by means of enormous
tensions and with a large Rubmkorff coil, that is, under conditions com-
parable to the electrical tension during thunder-storms. The application
of the results to vegetation are therefore legitimate, but only for these
exceptional conditions. The question then arose whether this absorp-
tion of nitrogen will not also take place under the influence of much
more feeble electrical tensions, such as are continually produced in the
atmosphere. Experiments instituted for the examination of this ques-
tion gave affirmative results.

The apparatus employed for this purpose by M. Berthelot consists of
two very light glass tubes, one placed within the other, and both her-
metically sealed. In the inner tube was placed a piece of silver or
platinum foil, rolled in cylindrical form and placed against the sides to
act as an armatitre. To one end of this foil was attached a piece of
platinum wire, which was soldered in both the inner and the onter tube.
This wire communicates with a conductor electrified by the atmosphere,

461

in order to establish between this internal armature and a certain at-
mospheric stratum an electrical equilibrium. On the other hand, a piece
of tin foil rolled about the external tube in contact with the air com-
municates with the soil. An interval of glass separates the tin foil and
the platinum wire, and this interval is carefully coated with a triple
layer of gum lae, in order to prevent any hygrometric loss and all com-
munication between the two armatures. :

In the annular space which separates the two tubes are placed strips of
filter-paper, or two or three drops of a sirupy solution of dextrine, and
pure nitrogen, or even ordinary air, subsequently introduced. The in-
troduction of the gas and the different material is effected by means of
a gas-tube soldered to the extremities of the apparatus, which are after-
ward carefully closed with the lamp. This always precedes placing the
armature of tin and the varnish of gum lac.

Between the two armatures is established an electrical tension equal
to that between the soil and a stratum of air two meters above it, the
amount being deduced from the daily observations of atmospheric elec-
tricity made with a Thompson-Branly electrometer at the meteorological
station at Montsouris. With this electrical tension established, twelve
tubes of fhe kind described containing respectively moist paper and
moist dextrine, some of them being supplied with pure nitrogen, some

of them with atmospheric air, all being hermetically sealed except two,
which were so arranged that a current of air could pass through them
and over their contents; all were ailowed to remain undisturbed for
two months, and at the end of this time the material was found to have
absorbed nitrogen, forming compounds which were decomposed by soda-
lime at 300° to 400° C., with formation of ammonia. The amount of
material employed in each of the tubes was less than one gram, while
the amount of nitrogen taken up was valued at one or more milli-
grams. It will thus appear that the quantity of nitrogen that may
be fixed upon a surface covered with organic matter becomes consider-
able from electrical intluences without taking into account other in-
fluences so well known.

In two of the tubes, Berthelot noticed the formation of green spots,
due to microscopic alg, arising probably from germs introduced with
the material. Im these tubes, more nitrogen was fixed than in any of °
the others. In one of the tubes supplied with pure nitrogen, the gas
acquired a fetid odor. In the conclusion of his paper, Berthelot says:

These experiments explain the influence of a natural cause upon vegetation, which
has been quite considerable, but which has until now been almost unsuspected.
Heretofore the study of atmospheric electricity in its relation to agriculture has
been with reference to luminous and violent manifestations only, such as thunder and

' lightning. In all hypotheses, only the formation of nitric and nitrous acids and nitrate
of ammonia has been considered. Further than this, no doctrine relative to the
influence of atmospheric electricity has yet been presented. Now, in my experi-
ments, it has been a question of a totally new and absolutely unknown action, which
takes place continually under a clear sky, determining a direct fixation of atmospheric
nitrogeu within the proximate principles of vegetable tissues. In the study of the
natural causes capable of affecting the fertility of soils, and of acting upon vegetation,
causes which we endeavor to determine by meteorological observations, we should

hereafter take into account not only differences in the action of light and heat, but
_ also the electrical state of the atmosphere.

NEW FEVER CURE—Croton adenaster.—In a late number of the “ El
Oberrado Médicode Méjico? is descrived a plant of the family of Huphor-
biacee, called picosa or euchiladera, (Croton adenaster,) which, on
account of its febrifagic properties, has become a rival of the cin-
chonas. According to the aualysis of Dr. L. M. Imenez, it contains an
acid,a soft greenish resin having an acid reaction, a yellow olev-resinous

462

coloring matter, a volatile balsamic substance, and certain salts. The
greater part of the valuable constituents are extracted by dilute
alcohol. ,

FORMATION OF CARBO-HYDRATES IN PLANTS.—An important con-
tribution to our knowledge of the formation of the carbo-hydrates in
plants has lately been made by Herr A. Stutzer, of GOttingen, in a
paper presented to the Chemische Gesellschaft zu Berlin.

The views held by leading authorities on the subject vary so materi-
ally that the author was led to make a series of culture-experiments in
order to test them. Liebig and Rochleder hold that the organic acids
(oxalic, tartaric, &c.) form the transition-links between atmospheric
carbonic acid and the carbo-hydrates ; while other authorities, such as
Davy, Sachs, &c., hold totally different views, believing that they are
formed directly without intermediate steps. For testing the views of
Liebig, he experimented with young plants of Brassica rapa, which are
distinguished for their moderate weight and rapid growth. For atmos-
pheric carbonic acid were substituted oxalic and tartaric acids, their
calcium compounds being found more favorable to the purpose. A for-
mation of new leaves and an increase of weight of dry substance showed
that these organic acids may, to a certain extent at least, take the place
of carbonic acid in plant-nutrition. He further observed a decided
exhalation of oxygen from water-plants, in direct sunlight, which had
received very dilute solutions of oxalic or tartaric acid salts instead of
carbonic acid.

He next endeavored to determine in what manner this change of the
two acids into cellulose and carbo-hydrates takes place. He considers
it possible by two ways: by gradual liberation of oxygen, a reduction
taking place, as Liebig believed; or they may be first oxidized to car-
bonic acid, and from this condition further changed in presence of sun-
light in the green leaves. To determine which of these metamorphoses
takes place, the plants are inclosed in an atmosphere completely freed
from earbonic acid. If, under such conditions, a reduction takes place,
the plant can vegetate; but this is impossible if the acids must first
change to carbonic acid by oxidation. Experiments in which the con-
ditions thus described were observed showed that oxalic acid cannot be
assimilated, that the plants rapidly diminish in weight and die. This
proves Liebig’s theory to be incorrect, and that oxalic acid cannot be
the transformation-link between atmospheric carbonic acid and the
carbo-hydrates, and, consequently, it can enter into the process of nutri-
tion only after previous oxidation to carbonic acid. This being estab-
lished for oxalic acid, it will also hold good for the carboxyl group,
oxalic acid Being a CO. OH compound.

With tartaric acid and an atmosphere free from carbonic acid, very
different results are obtained. The plants vegetate, though much more
slowly than with admission of carbonic acid, the increase being only
about one-half as great. This shows that, with tartaric acid, the alcohol
groups may be changed directly into the formative material of the plant.
This being accepted, the same law will hold good for the alcohol groups
which have no analogous acids. This was clearly proven by growing
plants with exclusion of atmospheric carbonic acid, and with glycerine ©
as the source of carbonaceous matter.

It therefore appears that in presence of light the carboxyl group may,
after previous oxidation, indirectly, while the alcohol groups may directly,
enter into the formation of material in green plants.

Experiments made with plants under similar conditions to deter-

463

mine whether the methyl or methylen group may change to the final
produets, showed a formation of new leaves, and an increases of solid
substance; but, since oxygen must first be taken up, these groups are
subject to extensive metamorphoses.

ALCOHOL IN PLANTS.—Herr Gutzeit, as the result of an extended
series of experiments, has determined the presence of ethyl alcohol
{alcohol of wine) in the unfermented juices of the green parts of plants,
especially in Heracleum giganteum, (cow-parsnip,) Pastinica sativa, (com-
mon parsnip,) and Anthriscus cerefolium. He succeeded in separating a
small quantity of volatile fluid, which he found to consist of one-third
methyl alcohol and two-thirds ethyl alcohol. From examination of
fruits in various stages of growth, he concludes that, as the process of
ripening advances, the ethyl alcohol changes to other compounds, while
the methyl! alcohol remains constant.

GERMINATION OF SEEDS IN NITROUS OXIDE.—Notwithstanding the
fact that Borsezow has found that nitrous oxide may replace oxygen in
the respiration, Cassa’s experiments show that wheat and corn cannot
germinate in an atmosphere of the pure gas, and he has instituted
experiments to determine what percentage may exist in atmospheric air
without preventing germination.

INFLUENCE OF PLANT-SECRETIONS UPON PUTREFACTION.—Darwin
in his “‘ Insectivorous Plants,” describes a series of observations showing
that the secretions of the glands peculiar to the leaves of sun-dew (Dosera
rotundifolia) and plants of like character have the power of dissolving
nitrogenous organic matter by an action similar to that of the gastric juice
of animals, changing it to a condition in which it may be completely
assimilated by the plant in its vital economy, and that, like the gastric
juice, it has the power of arresting and preventing putrefaction. This
power of preventing putrefaetion has been found by Dr. Jaennel to be
inherent in the roots of growing plants. To determine this fact, he
macerated a couple of beans in water, and, having allowed the solution
to stand for some time until putrefaction was thoroughly established,
he divided the mass into two portions, when he placed in one part the
roots of a young haricot shoot, the other being left exposed to the air.
In afew days thé bacteria were completely removed from the fluid sub-
jected to the influence of the plant, paramecia, smaller infusoria taking
their place, while a greenish granular sediment settled to the bottom.
Similar results were obtained from the influence of the roots of a bean-
plant and the roots of a blade of oats upon 60 grams of putrifying
fiuid containing 1 gram of flesh. After five days, the solution contained
infusoria but no bacteria, although the flesh was in active putrefaction.
Dr. Jaennel considers that the arrest of putrefaction is due to the liber-
ation of oxygen, which causes the bacteria to be replaced by infusoria,
to the existence of which oxygen is so essential.

INFLUENCE OF BORACIC AGID AND BORATES UPON VEGETATION.—The
late experiments of Dumas upon alcoholic fermentation having shown the
antiseptic properties of boracic acid and its compounds, M. Eug. Péligot
was led to study its influence upon plant-growth. The results of his exper-
iments show that it.has a distinctly poisonous action upon vegetation,
causing death of the plants within a short time after its application. On
account of this action upon plants, he seriously questions the propriety of
its application to the preservation of meats to be used for food, since it
may exert a similar influence in the animal economy. He says that all
meats preserved with borax should be carefully washed before consump-

ity

464

tion, but doubts whether complete removal can be effected in this way
He therefore recommended to the Academy of Sciences of Paris that a
member of the medical section be requested to determine whether this
substance, so poisouous to plants, is perfectly harmless to animals. M.
Cl. Bernard was requested to perform this duty.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS.

By Tuomas Taytor, MICROSCOPIST.

The following communication was addressed to the Commissioner of
Agriculture, the 7th of September last, by the editor of the Cultivator
and Country Gentleman :

Sir: The very general prevalence of grape mildew and rot, this seasen, gives in-
creased importance to the questions which have so long perplexed practical grape-
growers, viz: What is mildew? how many kinds of it are there? is the rot a distinct
disease, or only a form of mildew? how is mildew propagated? what circumstances.

of soil, climate, or culture tend to favor its propagation ? ? and what means, if any, can
be relied on as a preventive of the evil? bs .

Mr. Taylor, the Microscopist of the Department of Agriculture, performed a number
of experiments with the spores of Oidium Tuckeri (the fungus of the foreign grape-
vine) showing the facility with which they germinated when placed under cover of
glass, with the requisite heat and moisture. He has also tested the effects of the flow-
ers of sulphur, the vapors of turpentine, benzine, and carbolic acid, as preventives of
the germination of thespores. In these experiments, the sulphur did not seem to have
the effect usually ascribed to it, but the other articles entirely prevented the germina-
tion, and evidently destroyed the vitality of the spores. This result is a little sur-
prising as regards the sulphur, since this substance has always been relied on as the
surest preventive of mildew in graperies. I shoald be glad if the Microscopist would
have the kindness to state whether these experiments have been repeated, or any.
cause discovered for the seeming anomaly.

In reply to these inquiries, | would say that mildew is now admitted
to be a cryptogawic plant, belonging to a low order of fungi. Some
mycologists affirm that there are as many as eighteen species which are
injurious to the grape-vine. Two very distinet genera are especially
noticeable, the Hrysiphe and Peronospora. The former is principally
confined to the foreign grape-vine, and the latter to the native. These
two genera include most of the species of fungi which injure the grape-
vine. Their modes of fructification, however, are different. In the
Brysiphe, the germ-cells, which are called sporidia, are produced in
cysts. These cysts are known by different names, as sporangia, ascl,
or thece. This genus belongs to the Sporidiifera, the second of the
two grand divisions into which fungi are divided. Sometimes late in
the fall, Lrysiphe appears on the old leaves of the native grape-vine.
Another species, quite similar in form, is found on the willow, and
known as Erysiphe adunca, Schlecht; and still another on the maple,
Erysiphe bicornis, Link, having eight spores. I have never found Hry-
siphe on the young leaves of the native grape-vine. During the sum-
mer of 1871 and of 1872, the foreign vines of the Department grapery
were infested by immense numbers of a species of Hrysiphe. The spo-
rangia had waving appendicles, but their terminal points were not
hooked. Very dry and warm conditions of the atmosphere are favor-
able to the growth of the fungus Hrysiphe, especially when graperies are
imperfectly ventilated.

The second genus mentioned, Peronospora, belongs to the other grand
division of fungi, called Sporifera. The spores, which occupy the same
position and perform functions similar to the seeds of the higher orders

465

of phenogamic plants, are naked, that is, produced on spicules, and are
not inclosed in cysts. By general consent, the term spore is limited to
such germ-cells as are not produced in cysts. Peronospora appears to
be favored in its growth by excessive moisture, followed by high tem-
perature. Drainage, shelter, and a moderately moist and warm atmos-
phere are unfavorable to its growth, and consequently favorable to the
healthy development of the native grape-vine.

As to whether grape-rot is a distinct disease, or only a form of mil-
dew, mycologists generally believe that mildew of the grape-vine is the
direct cause of the leat-disease, and in some cases may lead to rot of
the grape; but grape-rot may also be caused by excessive moisture and
-imperfectly-drained land.

Mildew is propagated by the spores (seeds) of fungi, which are pro-
duced in large numbers, and conveyed in the atmosphere to surround-
ing objects. The spores vegetata with great rapidity on the objects to
which they are attached, and draw their nourishment principally through
their mycelium (a form of roots) from the plants on which they grow,
although a part is derived from the atmosphere.

Sulphur has generally been relied on as an antidote to mildew, and
is commonly stipposed to be an antiferment. Whatever its curative
properties may be in relation to the grape-vine, sulpbur is not an anti-
ferment as chemically considered; and it cannot be classed as either an
antiseptic or as a disinfectant, but it may have the power to foster a
healthy growth of the living plant to which it is applied.

The following experiment will throw some light on this subject: To
a pint of pure water I added half an ounce of the flowers of sulphur, and
immersed in the solution two leaves of a foreign grape-viue. The liquid
was exposed to a temperature of about 70° Fabrenheit. On the third
day, fermentation was in full force. On the sixth, the odor of sulpburet-
ed hydrogen was very strong, bacteria and mycelium of fungi covered
the whole surface of the water, and the vine-leaves were dec: ayed. L
have frequently tried this experiment, using various kinds of foliage,
and have always obtained the same results.

Some of the compounds of sulphur, as sulphurous acid, dilute sulphurie
acid, and combinations of sulphur with the alkalies, are of an antifan-
goid character; but these differ so essentially from the flowers of sulphur
in their chemical characters that they cannot necessarily be classed with
that substance. Sulphurous acid has a great affinity for oxygen at ordi-
nary temperatures, and is easily decomposed, while pure sulphur remains
unchanged when exposed to the air only. When sulpbur is boiled with
caustic potash, soda, or lime, sulphides are formed, and such compounds
are antiferments; but the caustic alkalies mentioned are themselves
antiferments, and the addition of sulphur will not render them more so.
Sulpbur in a soluble condi ion may be absorbed by plants as food; and,
since it is a well-established fact that albumen of both vegetables and
animals is never free from sulphur, if may be that the application of
sulphur in a soluble state may indirectly destroy fungoid growths by
building up the organic structure of the diseased plants, and thus
enabling them to resist decay by fermentation, which is generally, if
not always, the result of cryptogamic plants growing on them.

The specimens of the French Phylloxera vastatrix, alluded to in the
following letter, have been compared microscopically with the Ameri-
can Phylloxera vastatrix, and well-defined photographs made of both
insects. They seem identical. Cuts will be prepared of both for future:
publication, with such observations as may be made by the entomolo-
gists of the countries to whom photographs have been sent.

.

466

MARSEILLES, September 26, 1876.
Lo the Commissioner of Agriculture :

Sir: I have the honor to send you, by post, some specimens of the Phylloxera vasta-
trix and some of the grape-roots which have been attacked by that insect, of the ray-
ages of which, in France particularly, you are well aware. It is alleged, I believe
unjustly, that we are indebted to your country for this destructive evil, the Phylloxera
having been brought to this country in the first importation of American vines. By a
comparison of our insects with yours, you can judge whether they are the same species.
Please send me some specimens of your Phylloxera, and give me the particular habits of
the insect.

The habits of ours are as follows:

1. During the summer, the wingless females remain about four months upon the roots.

2. In October, some of the females, after metamorphosis, taking flight from the
ground, ascend to the stems of the vines, where they deposit their eggs.

3. The eggs, which are called winter-eggs, are hatched in the spring.

Yours, &c.,
C. JAQUEME.

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT-STATIONS IN EUROPE*

By Progr. W. O. ATWATER.
WORK ON THE STATIONS.

The work of the experiment-stations consists chiefly in investigations
and experiments directly or indirectly connected with the nutrition and
growth of animals and plants useful in agriculture. Various branches
of agricultural technology, and the testing of the quality and value
of commercial fertilizers, food-materials, and seeds, are also objects of
their labors. The work of some stations is confined to one, while that
of others includes several of these branches. From data furnished by
Nobbe, in the Landwirthschaftlichen Versuchs-Stationen for 1874, it appears
that in that year, of the 40 German stations, 13 were engaged in re-
searches in animal physiology ; 20 in vegetable physiology ; (these terms
being here understood to include essentially the chemistry of animal
and vegetable nutrition ;) 5 were busied chiefly with studies in the chem-
istry and physics of the soil; 4 made a specialty of grape-culture and
wine-production, and 5 of questions in agricultural technology. Besides
the work above mentioned, a control of the trade in fertilizers by an-
alyses of wares bought and sold, was exercised by 28, of that in seeds by
16, and of that in fodder-materials by 13 stations.

Some idea of the nature and scope of the work of the German sta-
tions may be obtained from the following accounts of the “ scientific
and practical labors” of a number of the Prussian stations ‘ for 1874,
with plans for 1875,” taken from the “Annual report upon agricultural
experiment-stations in Prussia, for the year 1874, to the minister of
agriculture.” The labors, at the stations named, were on the following
topics:

HALLE.—1. On the weathering of phosphorites under the influence of
the organic substances of the soil.

2. Experiments on the porosity of building-materials.

3. Alterations of nitrogen in the soil.

4, Investigations on moor-culture.

5. Investigations on the manufacture of alcoholic spirits.

6. Investigations on the estimation of the content of starch in pota-
toes.

A number of manufactories and stores of artificial fertilizers are

¢

* A continuation of an article in the annual report of 1875,

» 467

under the control of the station, and 1,600 analyses of these articles
and of food-materials were made during the year.

Work planned for 1875.—The experiments 1-5, above, to be continued.

1. Investigations on the periodic increase in dry substance, &c., in
the growth of the maize-plant. (Undertaken at the instance of the
ministry of agriculture.)

2. Investigations on moor-culture in Holland.

3. On the alteration of the organized substance of nitrogenous fertil-
izers by fermentation.

WEENDE.—1. Rotten brood of bees, (analyses of materials collected
in 1873.)

2. Developments of sugar-beets, (analyses of materials collected the
previous year.)

3. Preparation of charts illustrating the more important experiments
made at Weende, on the transformation of nutritive material by neat
cattle and sheep. Besides this, analyses were made for private individ-
uals of 64 samples of commercial fertilizers, 4 marls, 4 moor-soils, 1 cul-
tivated soil, 5 waters, and 7 fodder-materials.

Work planned for 1875.—1. Experiments on the fattening of sheep of
different breeds.

2. Testing the Pettenkofer respiration apparatus.

3. Investigations with sheep on the dependence of the digestion of
food upon the proportion, by weight, of coarse fodder on the one hand,
and of grains and roots on the other.

4, Experiments on the preservation of milk by use of salicylic acid.

Bonn.—A considerable number of analyses were made by fertilizers,
seeds, and fodder-materials.

Work planned for 1875.—1. Investigations on the influence of salicy-
lic acid upon the preservation of animal products.

2. Investigations on the composition and value of various materials
for tanning.

3. Investigations of marls occurring in the Rhine region.

MUtnstTER.—1. On the liberation of free nitrogen in the decay of nitro-
genous organic substances.

2. On the constitution of vegetable fats.

3. On the digestibility of wax.

4. On the chemical composition of human foods.

Analyses were made of 340 samples of fertilizers, 14 marls, 21 fodder-
materials, 21 potable waters, 19 technical materials, and 179 samples of
seeds.

Work planned for 1875.—Besides repetition, in fuller detail, of the
work of 1874:

1. (At the instance of the Prussian ministry of agriculture.) Deter-
mination of the increase of dry weight of potatoes and corn in different
stages of growth.

2. Determination of the amounts of the individual mineral ingredients
which a water used repeatedly for irrigation will yield to the soil.

DAHME.—1. Chemical and microscopical investigations on the con-,
sumption and storage of reserve-materials in the potato-tuber.

2. Comparative experiments, in pots and in the field, on the effect of
potash in natural kainit and in the manufactured potash salts.

3. Field-experiments with artificial waters.

4, Experiments upon the influence of different ways of cutting seed-
potatoes upon the yield.

5. Experiments on the growth of oats and peas in the shade.

468

6. Experiments on the relation between the water-evaporation and
decomposition of carbonic acid by plants.

7. Vegetation experiments, in purified quartz-sand, on the minimum
amounts of nutritive materials required by pea-plants.

8. Daily determinations of atmospheric carbonic acid.

In addition to this were conducted numerous analyses in the interest
of private individuals, investigations of seeds, observations on diseases.
of plants, extensive correspondence with agricultural societies, and
several lectures.

Work planned for 1875.—Besides prosecution or repetition of 4, 5, 6,
7, and 8, above:

1. Cultivation of peas in aqueous solutions.

2. Experiments on the growth of barley when, both in soils which
had and which had not been treated with marl, nitrogen was applied
in the form of ammonia and of nitric acid.

3. Determinations of dry substance and nitrogen in maize and red
clover at different periods of growth, (undertaken at the instance of the
ministry of agriculture.)

4, Experiments with seeds of 20 different cultivated plants to deter-
mine the maximum, minimum, and most favorable temperature for ger-
mination. ;

5. Experiments on the growth of the potato-plant after removal of the
seed- tuber.

6. Experiments on the retention of ammonia in sheep-dung.

More detailed accounts of some of the classes of experiments referred
to above will, perhaps, be in place here. .

EXPERIMENTS ON THE NUTRITION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

In conducting the feeding-trials at the German stations, where nearly
all of the later experimenting in this line has been done, neat-cattle,
sheep, goats, horses, and swiue receive different foods in varying propor-
tions and mixtures, and the effects are accurately noted. Among the
questions whose solution has been sought are, the chemical composition
of different food-materials, and the proportions of food-ingredients in
each, as albuminoids, carbohydrates, and fats, which are digested by
different animals; the parts which they play in the animal economy;
which elements are the “ flesh-formers” and which the “ fat-formers ;”
which make the fat, (butter,) and which the casein (curd) of the milk;
which produce heat and muscular force, &c.; in what proportions
and mixtures the animal will digest most fully and use most economically
the food-ingredients; and, finally, what amounts of each will be needed
and utilized to the best advantage by different aniinals and for different
purposes.

The care and patience and thoroughness with which these experiments
are conducted, the amount of labor and time and money they cost, and
the ways that their results are applied, would be quite astonishing to
most American farmers. Careful weighings aud analyses are made of
the food the animals consume, the milk they produce, the excrement and
urine they void, and even the air they breathe. A single experiment
often requires the hard and unremitting work of several chemists day
and night for several weeks: or months. ‘The accounts of the experi-
mental investigations on the subject of animal nutrition that have been
published during the last tifteen years in the German language alone
would make what most people would call a good-sized library. The ex-
periments thus described are numbered by hundreds and even thou-

ey be

469

sands, each one of which has cost the labor of days, weeks, or months.
They have called in requisition the services of the ablest scientific men
and the most successful farmers. They have involved an incalculable
amount of thought, care, and toil in the laboratory, the stable, and the
study. The labor, much of it of a menial sort, has been performed will-
ingly, even enthusiastically, by those to whom it has brought not wealth,
but only meager support. Nor has the work been in vain. These
investigations have done a vast deal to settle the questions about stock-
feeding, which occupy so much space in the papers, and which are as per-
plexing as they are important to millions of farmers on both sides of the
Atlantic. Combined with the results of daily farm experience, they have
shown for what purposes different kinds of fodder-materials are best
fitted, and how much eachis worth. They have taught the farmers how
to make valuable fodder out of poor hay and straw; how to employ
lucerne, seradelia, clover, and other forage-crops to the best advantage ;
how to utilize waste products suchas flax-seed and cotton-seed and the oil-
cake made from them, also the refuse from the manufacture of sugar
from beets, and of alcoholic spirits and starch from potatoes and grains.
They have shown in what proportions these and scores of other fodder-
materials should be mixed and used, so as to get the greatest benefit at
the least cost.” In brief, this sort of work is supplying German farmers
with just the information they need in order to keep their stock, and
“produce meat, dairy-products, and whatever else comes from the main-
taining of domestic animals, most rationally and with the largest profit.

EXPERIMENTS IN VEGETABLE NUTRITION.

While a very large part of the whole work of the European stations
is devoted to the study of the nutrition of plants, to the ways in which
their food is furnished by atmosphere, soils, and fertilizers, and used in
their development, yet but comparatively few experiments are made on
the growth of crops in the field. Experience has shown that the most
reliable and useful results are obtained in the growing of plants in
water containing various fertilizing materials in solution, or in artificial
soils watered with such solutions. The influences to which the plant
is subjected in its growth are thus under more perfect control, and
the results, in a corresponding degree, more accurate and complete.
‘Some of the substantial advantages that have been gained as the
immediate outcome of the work of the experiment-stations” are summed
up as follows by Professor Johnson:

In respect to the food of plants, it has been settled that potash, lime, magnesia, iron,
phosphoric acid, and sulphuric acid must be furnished to all agricultural plants through
their roots and by the soil, in order to their growth. It has also beén shown that soda,
silica, and chlorine are not needful for the early growth of grain-crops, but that chlorine is
essential for the perfection of the seed, and that silica is probably necessary to uniform
blossoming and ripening. It is further proved that water must enter crops through their
roots ; that carbon, which constitutes more than half their wéight, is superabandantly. fur-
nished by the air; that air and water together yield the materials out of whivh fully 90 to
98 per cent. of crops is built up, and that the soil has to give for their nourishment but the
2 to 8 per cent. of mineral matters which remain as ashes when they are burned, and the $
to 2 per cent. of nitrogen which they also contain. It is likewise definitely settled that
nitrates in the soil are the chief natural source of nitrogen, while the ammonia of manures,
as well as a variety of substances containing nitrogen, and found in urine or focmed in the
decay of dead animals, likewise supply vegetation with nitrogen,

The experiment-stations have further ascertained, by a multitude of trials, what quanti-
ties and proportions of all these elements are needful to produce any given crop, and to
what extent they are removed from the soil. On the other hand it has been determined what
kinds of plant-food, and what quantities, are contained in the long list of manures and
fertilizers, in all kinds of dung, urine, ashes, salts, guanos, phosphates, manufacturing
refuse, &c. The remarkable quality of the soil to sift, as it were, some of the most

470

valuable because most costly fertilizing elements out of manures, retaining them in a form
not easily or not largely removed by rain, and yet accessible to the roots of plants—the so-
called absorbent or fixing power of soils—has also been elaborately studied. We have thus
a pretty complete knowledge of what acrop requires for its growth, what it carries off from
the land, what is returned in straw or tops, and where we may look for the most effectual and
cheapest restoration of the materials thus removed. The well-instructed farmer is thereby
put in possession of the data for keeping accounts between his soil and his crops, so that
he can estimate with accuracy what the soil itself can be relied upon to contribute yearly
toward their production, and what must be supplied yearly or during each rotation, by means
of manures, in order to maintain, to develop, or to increase the fertility of the land.

THE EXPERIMENT-STATIONS AND THE TRADE IN FERTILIZERS.

One very important feature of the work of the stations is the analysis
of commercial fertilizers. ‘It is just about twenty-five years since in
Germany, as here, the trade in superphosphates, guano, and similarcom-
mercial fertilizers began. The same stupendous frauds by adulteration
and dilution of good things were practiced there as they have been, and,
we have great reason to fear, still are carried on here. But the experi-
ment-station has perfectly cured and rooted out these evils in all the
districts where it has been established and appreeiated. The experi-
ment-station there is prepared to furnish the farmers, at small cost, with
an analysis of any fertilizer he proposes to buy. The farmers avail
themselves of this aid. They will buy no fertilizer without an exact
statement of its composition, and they buy with the understanding that
any deficiencies in the stipulated amount of fertilizing matters shall be
made good or deducted from the payment. Under such circumstances
manufacturers can sell nothing that is not substantially what it claims
to be. A further result of this system is that low-grade fertilizers are
little sought, and those makers who can supply the best article, of uni-
form quality and at the lewest rates, have the business. With large
sales the dealers prosper, while the consumers are satisfied with their
purchases, and instead of trying to see how they can get along with
small use of purchased fertilizers, they are studying how to use the
greatest quantities to advantage. The fertilizer market in Saxony and
Prussia, where the experiment-station has the universal sanction and
confidence of the farmers, is just as settled and satisfactory as any
branch of trade, and the farmers there buy superphosphate, guano, pot-
ash salts, &c., with as much security of fair dealing as we can feel in
the purchase of sugar or nails.”

“The German fertilizer-control system” consists essentially in ar-
rangements by which dealers place their wares under the supervision of
the stations, and guarantee them to contain certain percentages of val-
uable fertilizing ingredients; the guarantees being subject to verifica-
tion by analyses made at the stations. Their stocks are also held open
at all times to the inspection of the officers of the station, who, from
time to time, without previous notice, select samples for analyses. A
most important feature of the control consists in the provision very
generally made by which purchasers have the privilege of having sam-
ples of the articles they buy analyzed, at small cost, or for nothing.
Just. here, indeed, is the superiority of the German system over the one
in vogue in this country of having fertilizers examined by State inspect-
ors. Besides an occasional examination of one or at most a very
few samplés of each particular brand, as the inspector may find it, the
German farmers have the still further security which comes from the
testing of samples of the articles they actually buy.

Ilustrations of the benefit of such control-systems are as numerous.
as they are striking. ‘In the province of Saxony, in Prussia, there

471

was, in the year 1866, a considerable excitement about poor fertilizers.
Thereupon a much more vigilant control was exercised; the result was
a great improvement in the general character of the articles sold in the
province during the year 1867. In Peruvian guano, for instance, there
was an increase in the content of nitrogen of one per cent., or twenty
pounds to the ton. Itis calculated by the director of the experiment-
station at Halle, tbat in this single item alone there was a saving to the
farmers of the province of $20,000 gold, and taking into account the
increase in the other valuable constituents, phosphoric acid, potash,
&c., as well as nitrogen, not only in guanos, but also in superphosphates,
bone-dust, and other concentrated fertilizers, the saving must have
amounted to many times this sum.”

Low-grade and spurious fertilizers are detected if put upon the
market in sections where control-systems are in vogue, or, to speak
more accurately, are kept out of the market. Competition between
different dealers comes to be based upon goodness of quality, and thus
the standard is raised, and the wares become actually cheaper. Farmers
buy fertilizers with confidence, and, in the light of the knowledge which
comes to them from the experiments at the stations, coupled with their
own experience, use them economically and profitably. And thus the
agriculture, and with it the other industries and conditions of well-
being in the districts where science is thus applied, are improved, and
the whole community benefited.

INVESTIGATIONS OF SEEDS—THE SEED-CONTROL SYSTEM.

Of the many new ways in which science has, during the past few
years, been applied to agriculture, one of the most interesting and
useful is in the examination of seeds. 1In1869, Dr. Nobbe, director at the
station at Tharand, in Saxony, commenced the study of the seeds in
common use in German agriculture, and founded the first ‘‘ seed-control
station.” How much good has come from this may be inferred from the
fact that during the seven years that have since intervened, over 4,000
samples of seeds have been examined at Tharand; that an astonish-
ing amount of adulteration has been discovered, so much so as to exert
a by no means inconsiderable effect upon the agriculture of the country ;
and that the importance of the work has come to be recognized so fully
as to induce the establishment of a number of seed-control stations in
Germany and other European countries. Various kinds of adultera-
tions have been discovered. Sometimes these consist merely in seeds
of weeds and other extraneous plants, either of inferior value or posi-
tively harmful, which have been gathered with the genuine seeds;
sometimes they consist of inferior seeds purposely added to increase the
bulk and weight of the wares sold. In some cases the seeds used for
adulteration are deprived of vitality by previous steaming, roasting, or
boiling; in others, so base are the practices to which the love of unlaw-
ful gain will stoop, not even this means is used to prevent the injury
which must be brought upon the consumer by raising useless or nox-
ious plants, instead of the useful ones he seeks. Genuine seeds which
have lost their vitality by age are often mixed with fresh seeds. The
most barefaced, though not the most harmful, seed-swindling dis-
‘covered by Professor Nobbe, consists in grinding quartz rock, sifting
out particles of the proper size, dyeing them in proper colors, and mix-
ing them with clover-seeds. Samples of clover-seed containing 25 per
cent. by weight of this admixture of colored grains of quartz can be

472

distinguished only by very close and. careful examination from the
unadulterated seed.

So patient, ingenious, and successful have been Dr. Nobbe’s investiga-
tions, that he is able to distinguish with accuracy the seeds of the com-
mon cultivated plants and weeds, and to determine as well the percent-
ages of pure seeds and adulterations, as what proportion of the genu-
ey seeds are capable of germinating, and thus producing vigorous
plants.

One outgrowth of Dr. Nobbe’s work at Tharand, is his lately com-
pleted Handbuch der Samenkunde, a volume of 642 pages, of which 366
pages are devoted to the physiology of seeds, 138 to the means of deter-
mining their agricultural value, and the rest to the means of prevent-
ing frauds, and other topics.

Dr. Nobbe points with pride to the fact that at the time of the com-
pletion of this work there were already established in Germany some
twenty seed-control stations, whose directors had almost without excep-
tion spent more or less time at the station at Tharand in preparing for
their work, that still more stations were to be established in Germany,
and that similar institutions were founded or proposed in Denmark,
Austria, Hungary, Holland, Belgium, and Italy.

RESULTS OF WORK OF STATIONS—HOW MADE KNOWN AND APPLIED.

Those who are interested in the progress of agricultural science and the
diffusion of agricultural knowledge, will find not only the organization
and work of tie experiment-stations, but also the ways in which their
researches are made known and applied in practice worthy their care-
ful study. An excellent indication of the state of affairs in this respect
is found in the agricultural literature where the stations exist.

During the present year has appeared a work by Dr. Wolff, director
of the station at Hohenheim, in Germany, entitied Die Hr néihrung der
landwirthschaftlichen Nutethiere. It is a royal: octavo volume of some
550 pages, and gives a ‘critical compilation of the results of the later
investigations in animal physiology in their relation to the maintenance
of domestic animals.” it is, in fact, a compilation of the feeding experi-
ments made (almost entirely in the German stations) since the year
1860. How great is the number of experiments whose details in part
and results as a whole are herein described, may be inferred from the
fact that, during the time specified, more than one thousand ,jhave been
performed in which the digestibility of various food-materials by differ-

ent animals has been tested, each one with a thoroughness that has -

never been so much as imitated on this side of the Atlantic. It is in-
teresting, often amusing, but oftener sad to compare the vague discus-
sions of some of even our most noted writers and talkers on cattle-
feeding, with the close, patient, long-continued experimenting and eare-
fully-attested conclusions on the same points which are given in this
work.

But in order that the results of these researches may attain their
greatest usefulness, they must. be presented in a less abstract form—
they must be explained in clear, brief terms, so that ordinary farmers
may be abletoread them understandingly and toapply the results to their
daily practice with a fair hope of profit. Precisely this want has been
met by Dr. Wolff in a little quarto volume of some 200 pages, in. which
the more important elementary principles concerning foods, nutrition,
and feeding are explained in terms that any intelligent German farmer
can readily comprehend. This volume tells just exactly what every man

473

who has stock to keep needs to know in order to feed most rationally
and economically. A most excellent feature of the work is its price,
which is only 24 marks, or about 60 cenis, gold.

Another and equally useful work by the same author bears the title
Praktische Diingerlehre, and contains just such plain, definite, and prac-
tical information about fertilizers and manuring as the one just men-
tioned gives about foods and feeding. It is also a small quarto of
200 pages and is sold at the same price, 24 marks. It speaks of air,
water, and soils as sources of food for plants, and explains the general
principles of vegetable nutrition, and then describes the various import-
ant fertilizing materials, their composition, value, and proper modes of
application. If a farmer wants to know the characteristics of pure
guano or bone, what they are composed of, how much phosphoric acid
and nitrogen they ought to contain, and for what kinds of soils and
crops and in what proportions they should be used, he has only to turn
to the proper place in this book and learn. At the end he will find tables
showing how much of the ingredients of plant-food are removed with dif-
ferent crops and supplied with different fertilizers, and other data which
will enable him to keep account with his soil and see how the supply,
by artificial means, keeps pace with the exhaustion in cropping. How
useful the German farmers find this little book to be for them may be
inferred from the fact that the sixth edition has been published and
that the circulation has reached some 10,000 copies.

The spread and usefulness of this definite knowledge of the principles
that lie at the basis of the right practice of farming is still better illus-
trated in the farmer’s diaries in very common use among German farm-
ers. One of these, bearing the title of ‘“‘ Mentzel and von Lengerke’s
Agricultural Calendar,” is published annually in two parts, the one a
pocket diary, the other for occasional reference, both together costing
about 54 cents, gold. The amount of useful information and help in
systematizing farm management which this little work contains is aston-
ishing.. The pocket volume furnishes a diary blank for every day in the
year; tables for labor accounts; forms for registering yield of milk from .
each of sixty cows for each week of the year; seed and harvest tables ;
hay and forage tables; threshing tables; tables for entering all pur-
chases, sales, and increase of livestock ; tables for noting the destination
of every kind of manure, and others for accounts of grist. Then come
tables giving amounts by weight and measure of seed needed for a
Prussian morgen, (about two-thirds of an acre,) either broadcast or in
drills, for ninety-five different kinds and varieties of crops; amounts
yielded per morgen of various crops, andso on. Then follow tables for
calculating the exhaustion of soils by crops and enrichment by man-
ures. These give the amounts of water, nitrogen, potash, soda, lime,
magnesia, phosphoric acid, and so on, in not far from two hundred kinds
of crops, and half as many kinds of manures, these latter being supple-
iwented by tables for calculating how much stable manure will be
produced per annum by a given number of animals; how to calcu-
late the values of different commercial fertilizers from analyses, and so
on. After these come still more elaborate fodder-tables, giviag the
chemical composition of nearly 250 different kinds of food for stock,
with the amounts of digestible substances in each ; the amounts of the
digestible food-ingredients needed by different animals for dairy rations,
and finally a long series of fodder-rations, or mixtures of the various
tvods in the proportions in which they should be fed to different ani-
mals, and for different purposes, in order to secure the most economical
eee of the nutritive material they contain. This diary is largely

A

474

circulated among the more intelligent German farmers. Another, which
is published at a price of 124 cents, gold, serves to some extent the
place in the house of the smaller German farmers that patent-medicine
almanacs fill with us, save that instead of puffs for all sorts of concoc-
tions, good, bad, and indifferent, they contain tables, simpler indeed
than those in the other diary mentioned, but of the same general char-
acter. The circulation of this latter is stated at 100,000 per annum.

Whoever has had opportunity to observe the methods of farming in
vogue in the countries where the experiment-stations exist, cannot fail
to have been impressed with the intimate and necessary connection
which exists between the thorough system and economy which prevails
in the practice and the care taken to promote the science of agricul-
ture.

The article by Professor Johnson from which I have already quoted,
closes as follows:

To say that the farmers of Connecticut and of our entire country urgently need the aid
and stimulus of the experiment-stations, is to make a most evident assertion. Our agri-
cultural colleges have but few agricultural students. ss
The reason lies mainly in the fact that our intellectual activity has the habit of running in
other than agricultural channels. To bring our farmers in direct and profitable contact with
the results of science, to bring science into active and visible coéperation with the toils and
plans of the farm, would redound to the eminent advantage@of both. The experiment-station,
I cannot doubt, is to be this point of contact, the focus of this codperation.”’

FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

GRASSHOPPERS.—Two correspondents, Messrs. J. B. McCullis and C.
G. Boerner, living in Vevay, Indiana, inform the Department that on the
13th of November, 1876, an immense cloud of grasshoppers alighted in
that place, literally covering the streets of the town. Mr. Boerner

observed, about 5 p. m., dense cumulio-stratus
\ clouds in the southwest, gradually overspreading
the sky. At 6 o'clock the wind had risen to
moderate gusts, and within half an hour a rattling
noise was heard against the windows, like that of
light hail. On opening the doors grasshoppers en-
tered in immense numbers, covering the floors, fur-
niture, clothing, &c. The shower continued till 8
o’clock p. m., when the ground was thickly covered
and the boys began to burn them, shoveling them
into bonfires. Mr. B. supposed that he had
identified both the Caloptenus spretus and the C.
Jemur-rubrum, but the specimen sent shows the in-
sect to have been the Acridiwm (Oyrtacanthacris)
americanum, one of ourlargest American grasshop-
» pers, and more than twice as large as either the
Qs C. spretus or C. femur-rubrum. [See figure.| They
% are not uncommon around Washington, but this is
>the first case on record of their appearance in such
overwhelming numbers. Their habits are similar
to those of other species, and when appearing
during the growing season in such numerous
swarms, great damage to vegetation might be expected from them.
The), were too late in this case to inflict any very serious injury.

475

Grasshoppers, probably some species, of the Caloptenus, have visited
several counties in the Southwest. In Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Cooke,
Gillespie, Lavaca, Mason, Williamson, Kendall, Burleson, DeWitt, Rob-
ertson, Washington, Caldwell, Bexar, Waller, Victoria, and Grayson,
Texas, they were very destructive upon gardens, meadows, and pastures.
What little wheat was sown they destroyed, causing the sowing to be
delayed till after their departure. In Williamson their damage to the
cotton crop is estimated at 15 per cent. of an average yield. In
Washington the grass on the cattle-ranges is destroyed to an extent
that causes apprehensions that the cattle will starve. They appear
to have a special relish for the foliage of peach and other fruit trees.
They have deposited millions of eggs. These counties are scattered
from the northern border to the Gulf of Mexico, but are all west of
the nineteenth meridian of Washington. Two counties in Arkansas,
Washington and Benton, report a similar destruction. Missouri also
had a more or less severe visitation in Taney, Vernon, Nodaway, and
Lawrence. Kansas was again raided by these pests, and many early-
sown wheat and other cereal crops were destroyed, but their ravages
were such as a spring-sowing will measurably repair. They have laid
immense quantities of eggs, but our correspondent in Butler, after a
careful examination, is satisfied that nine-tenths of the deposit are
rotten. Our correspondent in Franklin, after a half-hour’s search,
found but a single healthy egg. The insects were also present in numer-
ous Swarms in Cherokee, Cowley, Neosho, Crawford, Shawnee, Doug-
las, Labette, Jackson, Jefferson, and Woodson. In Labette barley,
peanuts, and hemp were not molested by them. In Richardson, Boone,
and Cass, Nebraska, they were also destructive on newly-sown cereals,
gardens, fruit-trees, &c., as also in Fremont, Rio Grande, and Douglas,
Colorado.

The Hamilton (lowa) Freeman states that a gentleman, on examining
the ground on which the insects had deposited their eggs, found 52
deposits in 4 square inches, or 13 per inch. The eggs in each deposit
varied betweeen 17 and 34, averaging about 25 to the cocoon. If these
all hatched, there would be 325 grasshoppers on each square inch. But
most of the eggs were addled by the warm weather subsequent to
their deposit. It is proposed to destroy them by burning over the
prairies. In Woodbury, Iowa, the insects greatly injured the potato
crop.

Owsley, Kentucky, reports a great destruction of early-sown wheat
by a grasshopper, which is most probably the Caloptenus femur-rubrum.

IRON AND STEEL MANUFACTURES.—The growth of the iron interest
18 in many ways subservient to advance in agriculture. In 1810 the
product of pig-iron was but 54,000 tons; it more than doubled in ten
years, and nearly doubled at each subsequent decennial period up to
1870, when it amounted to 1,865,000 tons, and reached 2,854,558 tons in
1872, since which time it has fallen to 2,266,581 tons in 1875. The de-
cline was 422,832 tons from 1874. Less than one-fifth is charcoal iron,
and of the remainder the bituminous slightly exceeds the anthracite.

The importation of pig-iron has nearly ceased; it was but 66,457 tons
last year, and the exports were 8,738 tons ; and withan increased domestic
product in ten years, from 931,582 tons in 1865 to 2,266,581 in 1875, the
price has declined from 584 cents per pound to 252, which is less than
the price in 1845.

The States reporting more or less increase over 1874 are Maine, Vir-
ginia, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The States producing
the larger proportions were Pennsylvania, 42.4 per cent.; Ohio, 18.3;

476

New York, 11.7; Michigan, 5; New Jersey, 2.8; Wisconsin, 2.7; Mis-
sourl, 2.6; Illinois, 2.2; Kentucky, 2.1; Maryland, 1.7.

The product of rolled iron was 1,890,379 tons, an increase since 1874.
There was also an increase in rails from 727,413 to 792,512 tons.

RUSSIAN APPLES.—Several years ago the Department of Agriculture
imported a collection of apple-trees from St. Petersburg. These were
planted in the grounds of the Department with a view to procure and
disseminate grafts for the purpose of testing their adaptability in vari-
‘ous sections and localities, especially in the Northern and Northwestern
States. F

Many thousands of these grafts have been distributed, and the De-
partment has received returns relative to their hardiness, and other
particulars concerning their adaptability and value, but only from a few
of the many correspondents receiving them.

Full particulars regarding their hardiness, and especially their gen-
eral adaptability to rigorous climates, would be of great value, and the
Department is desirous of being placed in possession of such informa-
tion as may lead to an estimate of their worth.

ADVANTAGE OF HOME-PRODUCTION.—Our correspondent in Logan,
Kentucky, reports that much of the aftermath of an extra fine clover
crop in that county was saved for seed; enough to furnish empJoyment
for two clover-seed hullers. He estimates that a sufficient quantity has
been saved to supply the farmers next spring, and that this will save
within the county $28,000 to $30,000, the amount heretofore annually
paid out for clover-seed. :

PROLIFIC BEANS.—Mr. Silas M. Blanchard, of Hudson, Hillsborough
County, New Hampshire, from 3 pints of pea-beans harvested 3 bushels
.and 18 quarts. One stalk produced 130 pods, containing 615 seed.

ALFALFA IN CALIFORNIA.—General Bidwell, of Chico, will seed 2,000
acres in this forage-plant, and other farmers will seed still larger acre-
ages, It is estimated that the total breadth seeded will be from 35,000
to 40,000 acres.

WINE FROM MISSION GRAPES.—A correspondent of the San Francisco
Morning Call remarks that the Mission grape in California makesa strong
claret, while on the alluvial bottoms of the Rio Grande it yields a strong
rich wiue more resembling port. In the vorthern mountainous regions
of Spain the same vines yield a deep-colored alcoholic wine considerably
resembling that of California. These Spanish wines are shipped largely
to France in order to be manipulated into light French claret. In Cali-
fornia the Mission wine is largely manufactured into claret by the for-
eign population of San Francisco, as its high alcoholic strength willadmit
of free watering. The popularity of the Mission grape is rapidly wan-
ing. Even first-class wine-makers have failed to make a superior wine
or brandy from it, and several have begun to graft the Mission stocks
with better varieties. The writer predicts that if all the Mission vines
were thus treated the character of California wines would rise 500 per
cent. in the public estimation. If the Mission vines were grafted out,
he says that very little poor wine would be made in the State.

CALIFORNIA RAISINS.—In 1876 the raisin-growers of California about
trebled their product of the previous year. The receipts at San Fran-
cisco by the close of this year will probably have reached 60,000 boxes,
against 18,000 or 20,000 last year. It is stated that one vineyard dried
240 tons of grapes, producing 80 tons of raisins. This is a specimen of
the extent of this new prqductive interest. The dry summers of Cali-

/

477

fornia, and the regular and limited period of her annual rain-fall, give
special facilities for drying in the sun. Grapes dried in this way pro-
duce much finer raisins than those dried by artificial heat. The grape-
growers of California also exhibit great ingenuity in shielding their
grapes against occasional and unexpected showers; {rames are provided
for the spreading of the fruit and are arranged for convenient handling
and turning, so that all sides of the bunches may be consecutively ex-
posed to the heat. On the approach of rain the frames may be speedily
‘placed under cover, and when dry weather re-appears may again be
spread out.

EXPORT OF AMERICAN BEEF AND MUTTON.—Six steamers of the
Anchor line have been provided with refrigerating apparatus for the
transport of fresh meat across the Atlantic. Cattle are brought by rail
to the seaboard and killed the night before they are shipped. A current
of cool air, driven by steam-power and kept up all night, sets the beef
and extracts the animal heat. Carcasses are then cut in quarters and
placed in the refrigerating compartments of the vessels. These are her-
metically sealed, and kept cool by masses of ice in the next rooms. Air
circulates between the meat-rooms and the ice-rooms by means of tubes
and a pumping-engine. The temperature is kept down fo 38°. A re-
duction to the freezing-point would greatly injure the flavor of the meat.
The transportation of live cattle cannot be maintained in competition
with the dead-meat trade, which is enlarging rapidly. Arrangements
have been made to ship 200 carcasses per week to Glasgow alone. In
cold weather the number wiil probably be increased. This is but a
specimen of what may be expected of this dead-meat trade, which is yet
but in its infancy.

STATISTICS OF NEw MExico.—A pamphlet issued by the New Mex-
ico Stock and Agricultural Association states the area of the Territory’
at 77,563,640 acres, of which about 9,000,000 are claimed under private
grants. Up to 1876, 6,143,463 acres had been entirely surveyed, besides
189,485 acres of military reserves, 1,752,960 acres Indian reserves,
4,377,750 acres of private grants, and 705 acres of mines and town-sites ;
total, 12,469,363 acres. Of the surveyed lands the amount technically
called “offered land,” is 1,630,735 acres. These are lands that have
remained unsold, after having been been offered at public auction. Of
these, about 65,000 acres have been purchased or entered under the
homestead and pre-emption laws. The residue are now open to appro-
priation by private entry, at $1.25 for ordinary lands and at $2.50 for
lands within the limits of railroad-grants. Two roads have been sub-
sidized—the Texas Pacific and the Atlantic and Pacific. A large area
of confirmed private grants is ready for purchase from the grantees.

The Territory contains from 18,000,000 to 20,000,000 acres of arable
land capable, with irrigation, of high cultivation. The irrigating facil-
ities are ample, water abundant, and located on appropriate levels.
The mountain country presents a large number of natural basins for the
accumulation of winter and spring rains, and of water from melting
mountain-snows in the summer. The soils of the lowlands are gene-
rally a rich sandy loam, composed. of disintegrated rocks and voleanic
ashes. Corn, wheat, oats, and barley grow well in all parts of the Ter-
ritory, especially in the northern region. Corn, in the rich bottoms,
with no careful culture, yields as high as 80 bushels peracre. Near San-
ta Fé are lands that have been in cultivation for two hundred years,
without an ounce of fertilizers, and yet their productive capacity seems
scarcely impaired. The Rio Grande del Norte Valley has a length, in

478

the Territory, of 500 miles, averaging 5 miles in breadth. Its waters,
like those of the Nile, contain a rich sediment, amounting to 20 per
cent., by weight, of the whole. But little engineering enterprise is
necessary to render its waters subservient to irrigation. Such irriga-
tion is equivalent to a heavy deposit of organic manures. El Paso
Valley has been cultivated for two hundred and sixty-five years.

Grape-culture finds very favorable conditions, especially warm, dry
summers for the elaboration of the fruit, while the frosts of winter are
only sufficient to killa number of noxious insects. Alli sorts of vege-
tables grow finely, and the temperate and subtropical fruits are gene-
rally successful in different parts of the Territory. Not one-tenth of
the valleys of Rio Grande and Pecos is yet occupied, although the settle-
ments are chiefly confined to these and a few other valleys. The Me-
silla Valley, 70 miles long, has land enough for 560 farms, of 320 acres
each, of admirable fertility. Farmers who settled there ten years ago
without any capital are worth $50,000 to $60,000 to-day. Its tempera-
ture is genial and its atmosphere salubrious. The Rio San Juan region,
90 miles by 60, embraces a vast area of excellent land, and is now attract-
ing the attention of settlers. This region lies about 100 wiles northwest
of Santa Fé. :

The population, at the close of 1874, was 121,250; it is estimated, in
1876, at 135,000. This population embraces 7,648 Pueblo Indians, a
peaceful, honest, law-abiding people, owning and working farms accord-
ing to civilized laws. Their lands were ceded them in 1546 by the Empe-
ror Charles V.

Vital statistics, especially those of the last two United States Census
Reports, show that New Mexico returns the lowest death-rate from
tubercular disease of any State or Territory in the United States. Bron-
chitis is scarcely known, while many cases of tubercular consumption are
known to have been cured by residence in the Territory even after con-
siderable lung cavities have been produced. Thereisa marked absence
of malarial affections, but for rheumatism and other diseases of the heart
the climate cannot be recommended, as it tends to enhance valvular diffi-
culties. For general debility and nervous prostration it is claimed that
no more perfect sanitarium exists on this continent.

Manufacturing facilities are excellent, though almost totally undevel-
oped. Anthracite and bituminous coals have been found in immense
masses, while deposits of iron-ore are abundant and rich. Materials fof
the manufacture of leather are also abundant. The public-school sys-
tem has been thoroughly organized. ;

Stock-raising seems destined to be the great productive industry of
the Territory. Animmense area of pastoral lands, covered with nutri-
tious and abundant grasses, awaits occupation. The grama and mes-
quite grasses are especially valuable, as a natural process of curing in
the dry season renders them available for winter-feeding. All kinds of
stock thrive upon this diet, and cattle become almost as fat as if stall-
fed. Merino sheep were introduced from Spain three hundred and thirty-
six years ago and have grown with very littleeffort atimprovement. Yet,
though they have degenerated in size and quality of fleeces, their mutton
isexcellent. Judicious crosses have been made with encouraging results.
The increase of lambs amounts to about 100 per cent. of the number
of ewes. A flock of 5,000 ewes and 100 rams may be expected in one year
to amount to 10,100, of which 7,500 will be ewes and 2,600 rams and
wethers, the increase being nearly equally divided between the sexes.
The wool-clip from the 5,000 sheep, at 14 pounds per head, amounts to
7,650 pounds, which at 22 cents a pound brings $1,683 for the wool-

479

clip of the first year alone. The expense of keep is estimated at $765,
leaving $918 for investment in 50 high-grade rams. The second year,
then, will open with 7,500 ewes and 2,650 rams. If the former again
double there are 15,000 sheep at the end of the second year, of which
11,250 will be ewes and 6,400 rams and wethers. Of these 10,150 will
shear about 3 pounds per head, or 30,450 pounds of improved quality,
which at 28 cents per pound bring $8,526. At this point 2,500 yearling
wethers may be sold for enough to purchase 1,600 ewes and 100 rams.
This will give at the commencement of the third year 12,850 ewes and
4,000 rams and wethers, or 16,850 sheep in all. By converting wethers
into valuable rams and ewes the process may be continued, if judicious
regard be had to all the circumstances. Another element of profit is
found in the fact that the fleece improves in price in proportion as it in-
creases in weight. These figures are said to be indications of what has
been successfully achieved in New Mexico. The Angora goat will do as
well here as in any part of the world. The native Mexicans employ the
ass and common goat, the former for transportation and the latter for
milk and cheese. Horses and cattle would do as well as sheep.

The agricultural interest will also find a home market when the im-
mense mining facilities of New Mexico are fully developed. Gold and
silver deposits, both placer and vein mines, are extensive and valuable.
Copper and brown hematite iron are inviting extended and _profit-
able working. Salt oceurs in beds and ia lakes in different parts of the
Territory. Timberis mostly confined to the mountain districts and high
rolling lands. Pitch, yellow and sprace pine, cottonwood, walnut, lo-
cust, box-alder, and sugar-tree fringe the streams and catons of the
mountains. A small species of live-oak and a peculiar kind of cedar,
called juniper, grow well on the southern uplands. The nut-pine or
pifion is abundant and makes excellent fuel.

SHEEP-RAISING, OREGON.—Mr. W. T. Newby, of Yamhill County,
Oregon, in response to a letter of the Commissioner, gives the following
statistics regarding sheep-husbandry in his State. The State census of
1875 gave the number of sheep at 539,600, which evidently included
lambs. The aggregate wool-product was 1,863,002 pounds.

The breeds represented range all the way from the poorest to the very
best of the highly improved varieties. Thorough-bred merinos are of
Spanish, French, American, and Australian origin, but Mr. Newby
thinks that none except the Spanish are thorough-bred, the others being
really but grades of that stock. All varieties of the merino are well
adapted to the climate and circumstances of Oregon. Spanish rams
range from 16 to 30 pounds per head of unwashed wool; but a ram
that does not shear over 20 or 25 pounds is not considered of much
value. Spanish ewes range from 10 to 18 pounds. This breed is suited
to large flocks, and_are supposed to be healthier and more cheaply fed
than any other. They are not so good mutton-sheep as the other varie-
ties, yet they are fair in this respect, aud will average from 45 to 55
pounds per carcase when dressed. But as wool-producers Mr. Newby
thinks the Spanish merinos have no equal. They are short, well
formed, of excellent condition, and longer lived than other varieties.
With fair treatment they also carry their wool longer, seldom losing a
lock of wool from one shearing time to another; they sometimes carry
their fleeces two or three years without shearing.

French merinoes are becoming unpopular and disappearing from the
flocks. They are too flat and “legged,” and of feeble constitution.
Their fleeces are uneven, some parts being fine and others coarse. At
three years of age the wool becomes harsh and dry, the lubricating oil

480

being saturated with yellow gum of the consistency of bee-bread. They

are less desirable for cross-breeding and shorter lived than the Spanish.

The American merino is a good sheep, with moderately fine form,
yielding good medium wool, at the rate of five to ten pounds per fleece.

The Australian merino has decreased in numbers in the last seven or
eight years. It is of good form, though small, and yields from four to
six pounds per fleece of very fine, even wool. It is well adapted to
running in large fiocks; but the lambs are tender, and need care when
dropped. These sheep were introduced in 1857 or 1858, by a Mr.

Thompson, who bought 36 head on an Australian vessel in San Fran-

scisco; crossing them with other merinos, especially with the Spanish,
increased the weight of the fleece; but crosses with common sheep soon
proved unprofitable. A sample of the fleece of a yearling ram, the off-
spring of this flock, is still preserved, the fiber being 11 inches long.
Their carcase is small, but the mutton and wool are both fine.

Cotswolds were imported over twenty years ago, and were very pop-
ular for ten or fifteen years; but when the native grasses became short,
and flocks bad increased from 50 to 1,000 head, these sheep became less
profitable, and are going out of use. They are still of value in small
flocks, where mutton is in good demand at high prices, and where food
is abundant and of good quality.

The Leicesters were imported about 1860, by Mr. A. McKinley, a Scotch
gentleman, who had previously been in the service of the Hudson Bay
Company. Another variety, called the New Oxford, is but little known,
but is spoken of as superior for the production of combing-wool.

Fifteen years ago the Southdowns were very common; but their light
fleeces have rendered them unpopular, and they are falling into neglect.
A slight cross of the Southdown blood on other varieties is beneficial,
improving: the form, action, and hardiness of the resultant breed. They
were imported from England by the Hudson Bay Company about twenty-
five years ago.

In 1845 the Hudson Bay Company had a large flock of Spanish and
Mexican sheep, of very sinall frames, shearing from one-half to one and
a half poands per head, and dressing but twenty-five to thirty-five pounds
per carcase. <A flock of 50 common sheep was brought across the plains
from Missouri, by Mr. E. M. Adams, in 1847, and about the same time a
flock of 75 was brought by a Mr. Shaw. These were the only sheep at
that time in Oregon, including, as it then did, Washington Territory.
The crossing of these flocks constituted what are termed the common
breed of the country, which average from three to six pounds per fleece,
and dress about fifty pounds per carcass. These sheep, if not too deeply
crossed with Leicester or Cotswold, produce wool a little below medinm,
and excellent mutton. They do well in large flocks.

Mr. Newby estimates the average cost per annum of keeping sheep
in Oregon at not over 50 cents per head, though there is a wide range
of difference. East of the Cascade Mountains, where the great mass of
the sheep are kept, many flocks get through the winter on the abun-
dant and nutritious bunch-grass; but this is in localities where the
snow-fall is light. A shepherd is there employed for every 1,000 head,
at a salary of about $300 per annum. Sometimes hay, to the extent of
40 tons per 1,000 head, is provided, at the cost of $5, per ton; but fre-
quently not over half the hay is used.

In the Willamette Valley flocks rauge from twenty-five to three hun-
dred head, some reaching as high as two thousand or three thousand.
The cost here varies from about nothing to seventy-five cents per head.

4

481

Even in the latter case, the fertilizing value of the droppings exceed
the cost of the maintenance.

The wool-product shown by the State census of 1875, divided by the
number of sheep, gives an average product of 3.45 pounds per head;
but as lambs unshorn were largely counted among the animals, the
average is too low. It should probably be 5 pounds per head. The
annual increase from droppings of lambs is about 90 per cent.

Tbe number of acres necessary to pasture 100 sheep varies in differ-
ent localities and with different kinds of sheep, Cotswolds and Lei-
cesters requiring more than merinos. The merinos might be kept on
1 aere per head; the others would require Id acres. For fleeces ranging
from thoroughbred to one-fourth merino, Mr. Newby received, in 1874,
from 25 to 30 cents per pound; in 1875, 25 cents per pound, averaging
the whole. His neighbors got from 21 to 23 cents per pound. These
prices are for unwashed wool. No wool is washed in Oregon.

Sheep here are generally healthy, but some prevalent forms of chronic
distemper are noted. The scab results from bad management. The
malady is easily cured by dipping in a decoction of tobacco mixed with
blue vitriol and lime. No other chronic complaint is of sufficient im-
portance to provoke attention; but Mr. Newby describes a new malady,
which has become quite prevalent in some localities, for which he finds
neither name nor description in works on sheep-husbandry. The pre-
monitory symptoms are a dry cough, with swelling lips. The swelling
continues for 2 or 3 weeks, and, if fatal, enlarges the lips 2 or 3 inches,
turning them perfectly black and producing a very offensive odor,
with a very repulsive appearance. A putrid state of the whole carcase
necessitates great determination to completea post-mortem examina-
tion. A free administration of tar is recommended. The appetite does
. not fail to the last. For lack of a more definitely known cause, Mr.
Newby suggests that the disease may result from extreme short pasture
on fallow lands, the animals absorbing a large amount of dust. it

Mr. Newby concludes that sheep-raising has proved profitable. A
man with 150 acres can raise from 200 to 5090 bushels per onum
more of wheat if he keeps sheep than without them. Add this to
the wool and product, and he thinks there isa very substantial element
of profit in the business. Sheep-raising is a far better policy than the
summer fallowing of partially worn-out lands. The grain farmers are
finding this out, and are importing Cotswolds and other mutton-sheep.
Wool-production is rapidly increasing in Oregon, which promises soon
to take the front rank in the business. ;

CALIFORNIA STATISTICS.—The returns of county assessors show
2,156,149 acres in wheat in California in 1874, producing 30,248,000
bushels; 490,274 acres in barley, producing 9,261,940 bushels ; 69,217
acres in oats and 40,922 acres in maize, producing, together, 3,122,000
bushels ; 586,705 acres in hay, producing 752,214 tons. Smaller areas
were sown in rye, buckwheat, pease, flax, hops, tobacco, cotton, &e.
Los Angeles County raised a third of the corn-crop.

The live-stock embraced 1,385,877 cattle, 5,464,711 sheep, 242,819
hogs, 230,622 horses, 22,257 mules, 837 asses, and 44,426 Angora goats.
The wool-product had doubled within five years, amounting to 43,532,223
pounds, of which 22,746,730 pounds were spring-clip, 19,225,493 fall-
clip, and 1,560,000 pulled wool. The wool shipped during the year
amounted to 48,183,000 pounds, a large portion of which was Oregon
ble 3,612,206 pounds were consumed by the woolen mills of the

tate.

Of wine, 7,000,000 gallons were made in 1875, the quality being re-

482

ported as inferior to that of 1874, especially in red wines. Inferior
brands are in excess of the demand of tbe market, and a large stock of
the three previous years is left over. Mission-grape wines are delivered
on board ship for 50 cents per gallon, while higher-class wines reach 80
cents or $1. A large quantity of grapes is made into raisins by the
Alden process, which has been found very successful.

Sheep-farming by its old methods has about reached its limit. Sheep
ranches are now too valuable for this branch of production, and it is
difficult to secure a large run. Sheep are driven in large flocks into
New Mexico and Colorado. The alfalfa or lucern grass is a new ele-
ment in the problem of sheep-raising, which promises to overcome the
most important difficulties with which this industry has to contend.

The influx of population is steady and an addition of 60,000 is ex-
pected during 1876. This immigration has created a considerable de-
mand for home-produce, and especially has kept the flouring-mills busy
at remunerative prices.

BRAZILIAN STATISTICS.—The first regular census of the Brizilian Em-
pire was completed several months ago, and the tables officially published
July 31, 1876. These show the total population to be 11,441,284, of
whom 9,930,478 are free and 1,510,806 slaves. The free population in-
cludes 243,481 foreigners. As the territory of the empire ineludes
3,856,000 square miles, an equal distribution would not allow three
persons to each square mile. As the population is mostly gathered in
a few localities, immense regions of unoccupied territory are found in
all parts of the empire. A considerable population in these wastes were
too isolated for the census-takers, and hence a small addition may be
made by estimate to the aggregate reported in the tables. The pop-
ulation in 1820 was estimated at 3,500,000, and at the accession of
the present enlightened emperor, in 1831, at 5,000,000. Immigration has
never been very large, and hence the natural increase must have been
extraordinary to triple the population in a little over half a century.
This is one of the most remarkable facts in the history of race develop-
ment, especially in view of the destructive visitations of yellow fever,
small-pox, and other epidemics operating in the leading centers of popu-
lation on the coast. The late war with Paraguay reduced the population
at least 100,000, including lives lost and slaves escaped.

The facts in regard to sex have been very imperfectly ascertained.
Of the free population 4,318,699 are males and 4,100,973 females, leaving
1,510,806 whose sex is not stated—probably children under the age of
puberty, which arrives very early in the southern European races
that peopled South America. These figures show about 105 males
to each 100 females. Of the males 2,975,446, or 69 per cent., are single ;
1,165,866, or 27 per cent., are married; 177,387, or about 4 per cent., are
widowers. Of the females, 2,752,582, or 67 per cent. are unmarried ;
1,121,000, or 274 per cent., are married, and 127,391, or 53 per cent., are
widows. Of the male slaves 711,869 are reported as single, 73,079 as
married, and 20,222 as widowers. Of the female slaves 622,304 are re-
ported as single, 63,010 as married, and 19,816 as widows. This enor-
mous disproportion indicates a very low social morality among the slave
population.

The census-tables embrace 15,848 blind, 11,595 deaf-mute, 40,3869
crippled, and 15,309 idiotic and insane individuals. The Indians inhabit-
ing the unoccupied Brazilian territories exhibit few, if any, cases of these
infirmities. The Brazilian civilized population, however, embraces an
unusual number of individuals over one hundred years of age, a few in

483

the interior being reported as one hundred and forty and one hundred
and fifty years old; only a third of the free males over sixteen, and a
fifth of the free females are able to read. Very few slaves have this
measure of culture. Of the 1,902,454 individuals between six and fifteen
years of age (941,782 boys and 960,672 girls) only 155,651, or 16% per
cent. of the. boys, and 165,098, or 171 per cent., of the girls attend school ;
that is about 84 per cent. of the children of the appropriate school- age,
are not furnished with facilities for education. The publication of these
statistics has produced a profound sensation throughout the empire.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF URUGUAY.—A descriptive work by
General Reyes states the total area of the republic of Uruguay at
46,189,804 acres, or somewhat less than that of Nebraska. Of this area
32,499,693 acres, or nearly three-fourths of the whole, are occupied by
cropping or grazing. The land in crops is but 2.68 per cent. of the area
actually occupied. Pastoral husbandry, then, has over 31,000,000 acres
for the support of 6,327,500 cattle, 554,726 horses, 6,437 mules, 13,005,244
sheep, and 400,000 or 500,000 hogs and goats. The total value of these
animals is about $30,000,000. The total value of pastoral and cultivated
lands, $70,800,000. Adding $128,400,000 on for structures of all kinds
and $6,000,060 for unenumerated property, the total of these items is
$2,352,000,000.

BRITISH AGRICULTURAL RETURNS.—The official returns just issued
show, during 1876, a total acreage in Great Britain under all kinds of
crops, bare, fallow, and grass, of 31,546,949 acres, an increase of 130,599
acres, or 0.4 per cent., over 1876. England returns 24,194,091 acres, an
increase of 81,782; Wales, 2,712,097 acres, an increase of 15,954; Scot-
land, 4,640,761 acres, an increase of 32,863. The total acreage under
cereals was 9,184,769 acres, a decrease of 266,881, or nearly 3 per cent. ;
England, 7,278,286, a decrease of 250,257; Wales, 498,968, a decrease of
13,210; Scotland, 1,407,515, a decrease of 3,414. The total acreage in
wheat, 2,994,957 acres, a decline of 347,524 acres, or nearly 104 per
cent.; barley and bere, 2,533,109 acres, an increase of 23,408; oats,
2,789, 530 acres, an increase of 125,521; rye, 56, on acres, an in-
crease of 1,307; beans, 517,556, a decrease of 46, 625 ; pease, 293,407,
a decrease of 22,968. England has 94 per cent. of the wheat
acreage, losing nearly 10 per cent. from 1875; about 6 per cent. of the
acreage is assigned to Wales and Scotland, the proportion of the
former being a little the greater; both show a considerable decline
from last year. Of the acreage in barley and bere, England has about
83 per cent.; Wales, 6 per cent., and Scotland 11 percent.; it increased
in England ‘and Scotland, but fell off in Wales. England has about
55 per cent. of the acreage in oats; Wales, 9 per cent., “and Scotland 36
per cent., all showing increase. England reports 81 per cent. of the
rye acreage ; Wales 3per cent., aud Scotland 16 per cent. England has
94 per cent. of the acreage in beans; Wales, 1 per cent., and Scotland
5 per cent. England has 98 per cent.of theacreage in pease, and Wales
more than half of the remainder.

Under green crops, 3,577,111 acres are reported, falling short of
1875, 86,996 acres, or about 25 per cent.; England fell from 2,848,473
acres to 2,754,803 ; Wales from 131,085 to 129,466; Scotland rose from
684,549 to 692,842. Potatoes declined from 522,653 acres in 1875 to
505,088 in 1876; England had 60 per cent.; Wales, 8 per cent.; Scot-
land, 32 per cent. Turnips and swedes covered 2,148,441 acres, an in-
crease of 5,743 ; England had 73 per cent. of this acreage; Wales, 3 per
cent.; and Scotland, 24 per cent. The acreage in mangel fell from

484

361,617, in 1875, to 347,889 in 1876, nearly the whole being in England.
Carrots occupied 16,129 acres, an increase of 1,193, seven-eighths of the
acreage being in England. Cabbage, kohl-rabi, and rape were returned
at 179,475 acres, a reduction of 10,258; nearly the whole was in En-
gland. Vetches, lucerne, and other green crops, not including clover or
grass, fell from 432,470 acres in 1875 to 380,089 acres in 1876; England,
359,759 acres; Wales, 5,854; Scotland, 14, 476.

The flax- crop rose from G, 751 acres to 7. ,641, nearly the whole being
in England. Under hops, England had 69, 999 acres against 69,171 in
1875; none reported in either Wales or Scotland. The bare fallow
rose from 557,879 acres to 651,212 acres, England having all but 43,307.
The grass acreage under rotation was 4,540,273 acres, an increase of
186,202, a little less than half being dev oted to hay production ; of this’
area about 61 per cent. is in England, 30 per cent. in Scotland, and 9
per cent. in Wales. In permanent pastures, meadows or erass, not in
rotation, (excluding heath or mountain land,) the reported acreage is
13,515,944 acres, an increase of 203,323; 10, 638, 629 are iu England ;
1,697,946 in Wales, and 1,129,369 in Scotland.

Of farm-animals, horses have increased from 1,340,129, in 1875, to
1,374,576, in 1876, England having 1,057,545; Wales, 128,363, and Scot
land, 188,668 ; about 70 per cent. are used solely for agriculture. The
total number of cattle was 5,847,802, a decrease of 165,022 ; this includes
2,227,867 cows and heifers in milk or with calf; of the cattle, other than
cows, about 57 per cent. are under two years old. The total number of
cows fell off during the year, 25,374; England has 1,573,646; Wales,
259,462 ; Scotland, "394, 749. The total number of sheep was 28 172,951,
a reduction of 994, 487; about two-thirds are over a year old ; Eng-
land reports 18,320,091 ; Wales, 2,863,141 ; Scotland, 6,939,719, all three
showing a reduction in their numbers. Swine increased from 2,229,915
to 2,293,620, all sections showing increase; England reports 1,924,033 ;
Wales, 215 488 ; Scotland, 154,0. 09.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS OF [RELAND.—Official returns show the
total acreage in Ireland under crops of all kinds during 1876 to have
. been 5,206,053 acres, or 126,170 less than in 1875, and 63,519 less than
in 1874. The total area in cereals was 1,848,487 acres, viz: wheat 119, 3015
a decline of 39,398 ; oats 1,487,086, a decline of 14,781; barley 220, 662
a decline of 13, 241: bere and rye, 9,232, a loss of 1, ,098 ; beans and pease
11,910, an increase of 197 ; net decrease, 68,321 acres. The acreage in
flax was 132,878, an increase of 31,704. The areain green crops was
1,363,224 acres, viz: potatoes 880,693, a decline of 19,893; turnips,
344,721, an increase of 12,183; mangel-wurzel aud beet-roots, 48,631,
an increase of 5,407; cabbage, 33,546, falling off, 1,400; carrots, par-
snips, &c., 36, 026, losing 1, 103 ; ; vetches and rape, 19 607, a decline of
2,125 ; net loss of green crops, 6,931 acres. The area in meadow and
clover was 1,861,464 acres, a decline of 83,212.

The decline in general acreage under crops is shown in each of
the four provinces of Ireland. The area in grass, not ineluding
meadow or clover, was 10,507,249, or 97,920 more than in 1875, all the
provinces except Ulster showing an increase. Fallow lands occu-
pied 11,652 acres, or 788 more than in 1875, the increase in Munster and
Ulster more than counterbalancing the decrease in Leinster and Con-
naught. Woods and plantations were returned at 324,028 acres, an in-
crease of 5,363, which was distributed through all the provinces. Bog
and waste lands amounted to 4,278,214 acres, an increase of 22,689;
Leinster and Ulster showing an enlargement and Munster and Connaught
a falling off. The total agricultural area is given at 20,327,196 acres.

485

Of cereals, the wheat acreage shows a steady decline during each of
the last six years, having fallen from 244,541 acres in 1871 to 119,597 in
1876. The oats acreage is about what it was in 1871, having been con-
siderably larger in some of the intermediate years. Barley, bere, rye,
beans, and pease have about held their own. Of green crops, potatoes,
with some fluctuation, have shown a declining tendency, having fallen
from 1,058,431 acres in 1871 to 880,693 in 1876. Turnips, mangel, beet-
root, carrots, parsnips, &e., have steadil y enlarged their acreage, ’ while
vetches and rape have fallen off. The areain flaxis larger than any
year of the last five, having gradually declined, till in 1875 it amounted
to but 101,174 acres. The acreage in meadow and clover is larger than
in 1871, put less than in 1874 and 1875.

Of farm- animals, horses and mules numbered 556,630, an increase of
8,511; the aggregate of 1876 was only exceeded by that of 1872, 560,804,
during the last ten years. Asses numbered 182,614, an increase of
2,259 over 1875, and the largest annual aggregate for ten years. Dur-
ing the last decade the number of cattle increased from 3,707,803
in 1867 to 4,147,162 in 1873, declining in the subsequent years to
4,113,693 in 187 6, ‘a loss of 1 595 compared with 1875. Sheep have stead-
ily declined ; the greatest aggregate of the past ten years was 4,901,496
in 1868, and the smallest 4,007,518 in 1876, a decrease of "O46, 509
from 1875. The aggregates of swine have greatly fluctuated during
ten years, ranging from 869,578 in 1868 to 1,621,423 in 1871; in 1876 the
returns showed 1,424,143, an increase of 172,087. over 1875. The number
of goats regularly increased from 190,429 in 1867 to 270,691 in 1875, and
then fell off to 264,246 in 1876. Poultry shows a uniform annual increase
from 10,334,309 in 1867 to 13,582,782 in 1876, an increase of 1,443,644
compared with 1875. :

THE ENGLISH HOP TRADE.—A correspondent of the Mark Lane
Kixpress estimates the English production as follows: Mid Kent
district, 17,000 acres and 119,000 ewt.; East Kent, 12,000 acres and
78,000 cwt.; West and North Kent, 4,000 acres and 12,000 ecwt.;
Weald of Kent, 10,000 acres and 60,000 ewt.; Sussex, 11,000 acres
aud 55,000 ewt. ; Worcester and Hereford, 9,000 Acres and 13, 500 ewe. ;
Surrey and Hants, 5,500 acres and 33, 000 ewt. The total area is
given at 68,500 acres, and the ageregate product 370,500 ewt., or

5.41 ewt. per acre. The writer quotes a recent circular of a leading firm
of brewers, stating that crops on the continent are everywhere short ; ; in
Bohemia, expecially, there is a general failure. Au average crop on the
whole continent would produce from 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 cwt., whereas
the actual yield is supposed not to exceed from 260 000 to 300, 000 cwt.,
while the actual consumption is between 550,000 and 600,000 owt. Ht and
the stock remaining over is supposed to be between 150, 000 and 180,000
ewt. In England old stocks are remarkably low.

486

BRITISH FLOUR AND GRAIN IMPORTS.—The returns of the board of
trade show the following imports of flour, meal, and grain for the first
ten months, respectively, of 1875 and 1876:

Quantity. Value.

1875. 1876. 1875. 1876.
Wheat from Russia....-.-.--.----.------------ ----| 8,143,034 | 6,611,977 |£4, 174, 025 | £3, 261, 708
Denmark 339, 150 260, 260 184, 020 145, 343
Germany s+---| 4,602,944 | 2,037,874 | 2,563,564 | 1, 163, 902
HMTANCO oa. oman e nema Sac eeeee een 944, 060 236, 200 506, 152 128, 217
ey including Roumania ewes 703,446 | 1,177, 555 336, 069 538, 434
Ye Sera sah abate cee at crave 1, 357, 061 | 1, 932, 683 681, 745 818, 461
Tokea Riateei ce see Ne REPRE E A do.....] 20, 462, 736 | 17, 033,575 | 10,774,772 | 9, 044, 677
OU F. sobs s. FEA ee dos si: 630, 376 939, 364 348, 103 488, 060
125i hE] 1 3 005 | OR lie eee ee ee meee MOe 720, 040 2, 387, 551 363, 018 1, 184, 194
British North America...........--. dors: 2, 870, 458 | 2,029,586 | 1, 554, 609 1, 081, 961
Othenconntries) so. 02 == =24- 65 se does 2: 1,111,631 | 3, 150, 717 637, 360 1, 762, 961
Total wheat.....-. 022. s00002 do... 41, 884, 936 | 37, 797, 342 | 22, 193, 437 | 19, 617, 918
a —S=_=—_—==—S—= | = —_—_—_—_—_—_———_———||)_—=—=—=—=_==
SHUG areata setae ania clcimainiel aw ae lel a ste acer erate dae". 8, 675, 124 6, 755, 628 3, 640, 361 2, 633, 233
Qa cristae SESS 50) Or SO eer cee Stee Ser oes ey: dozsess 10, 646, 459 9, 359, 957 | 4, 649, 052 _ 3, 861, 944
TES TCs et aR VT ae RDG Sree Re aN doz! 1,210,048 | 1, 202, 471 558, 653 530, 193
PFC is eee a ee Ci eT AE SEE SYN dose eet 2, 760, 341 | 3,886,227 | 1,249,176) 1,558, 824
MAIO Peet nts saeecebd tdadatien gestae cesaceseted. dotss 35 17, 658, 700 | 35, 343,867 | 7,075,266 | 11, 322, 369
POHL PTA cocks fads se dees eatesccdoeces dons23. 82, 835, 608 | 94, 345, 492 | 39, 295,945 | 39, 524, 481
Wheat meal and flour from Germany.......--. dos.2-. Tenge 820 736, 703 486, 875 603, 565
Wrancevas-ssseoeae dosJsi. 1, 457, 659 870,719 | 1, 136, 904 705, 275
United States...... ogee 1, 885, 228 | 2,010,156 | 1, 429, 462 1, 462, 687
British N. America, do..-.. 244, 480 712, 999 178, 906 153, 064
Other countries ...do. ...-. 644,391 | 1, 083, 010 607, 689 942, 298
Total flour and meal.| 4,836,578 | 4,918,587 | 3, 839,836 3, 866, 889
Indian meal, including maizena..-..-.--.---..--. do-s.4- 6, 252 6, 361 9, 470 13, 324
Total grain, flour and meal......---..--. do.....| 87, 678, 438 “99, 270, 440 | 43, 145,251 | 43, 404, 694

The above table shows that the total import, including grain, flour
and meal, increased 13.2 per cent. in quantity, and 0.6 per cent. in value.
Unmanufactured grain increased 14 per cent. in quantity, and 0.5 per
cent. in value. The wheat import fell off 92 per cent. in quantity and
114 per. cent. in value. The wheat import trom the United States de-
clined 162 per cent. in quantity and 16 per cent. in value; that of
Russia, 19 per cent. in quantity and 22 per cent. in value; that of Ger-
many, 56 per cent. in quantity and 55 per cent. in value ; that of British
North America, 29 per cent. in quantity and 30 per "cent. in value ;
France, about 75 per cent. in quantity and value; Denmark, 23 per cent.
in quantity and 21 per cent. in value. The other countries increased
their import, viz: Turkey, 67 per cent. in quantity and 60 per cent. in
value; Egypt, 42 per cent. in quantity and 20 per cent. in value ; Chili,
49 per cent. in quantity and 40 per cent. in value; British India, 231
per cent. in quantity and 226 per cent. in value; countries unenumerated,
183 per cent. in quantity and 177 per cent. in value. These facts show
a tendency to purchase cheaper wheats and to enlarge trade with coun-
tries with which the United Kingdom has had but medium relations
hitherto. All the great wheat countries supplying the British market
have curtailed their contributions. The United States, the largest con-
tributor, furnished 45 per cent. in quantity and 46 per cent. in value in
1876, against 50 and 49 per cent. in 1875; Russia fell from 194 to 174
per cent. in quantity and from 19 to 16 per cert. in value: Germany
fell from 11 per cent. in quantity and 114 per cent. in value to 54 per
cent. and 6 per cent.; France declined from about 24 per cent. of the

'

487

total quantity and value to less than 1 per cent.; Denmark’s quota was
less than 1 per cent. in both years. On the other hand, Turkey’s import
rose, in quantity, from less than 2 per cent. to over 3 per cent. of the
whole, and, in value, from 14 per cent. to nearly 3 per cent.; Egypt, in
quantity, from 34 to over 5 per cent., and, in value, from about 3 to over
4 per cent.; Chili, from 14 to nearly 3 per cent. of the total quantity,
and from 14 to nearly 24 per cent. of the value; British India, from 12
per cent. to nearly 7 per cent. of the total quantity, and from 14 to over
6 per cent. of the value; unenumerated countries from 25 to over 8 per
cent. in quantity, and from less than 3 to nearly 9 per cent. of the total
yalue.

Of other raw grains, barley fell off 22 per cent. in quantity, and nearly
28 per cent. in value; oats, 12 per cent. in quantity and 17 per cent. in
value; pease, 0.6 per cent. in quantity and 5 per cent. in value; on the
other hand, beans increased 40 per cent. in quantity and 25 per cent. in
value ; maize increased over 100 per cent. in quantity and 60 per cent. in
value. The last item is especially remarkable, showing a tendency to
import more of the cheaper cereals for stock-food and even for human |
subsistence.

Of flour and wheat-meal, the total quantity increased 13 per cent. in
quantity and 0.7 per cent. in value. The United States slightly in-
creased her proportion, furnishing about 39 per cent. of the quantity in
1875, and 40 per cent. in 1876. France, next in rank, furnished but 17
per cent. of the whole quantity imported in 1876, against 30 per cent.
in 1875; Germany increased her proportion of the total quantity from
124 to 15 per cent.; British North America from 5 per cent. to over 14
per cent. ; other countries from 134 per cent. to 22 per cent.

Indian-meal imports increased slightly in quantity and about 50 per
cent. in value.

The sudden increase in the import of wheat from India has at-
tracted especial attention among European publicists and statisticians.
Some attribute it to temporary causes, especially to the decline in the
value of silver in Europe without any corresponding decline ip India.
_Itis stated that an English wheat importer can now procure by ex-
change 10,000 rupees for £833, whereas the Hindoo money still retains
its old purchasing power of £1,000. This difference pays the cost of
transportation to England, and leaves an additional margin of profit.
It is argued that this state of things can only be temporary, and that
the equilibrium between supply and demand will ultimately absorb this
margin, and place the India wheat-trade upon a par with that of other
countries. Others argue that the great improvement in internal trans-
portation in the Anglo-Indian empire, and the construction of the Suez
Canal, have created a class of economic conditions which will give this
trade a permanent vitality, especially as the cotton production of Hin-
dostan has begun to decline, leaving labor and capital available for
cereal production.

WINE-POISONING IN FRANCE.—The public mind of France is becom-
ing greatly excited in view of the artificial coloration of wines by means
of poisonous ingredients. The feelings of indignation and alarm at this
growing evil have manifested themselves in some very formidable dem-
onstrations. Numerous municipal bodies and commercial associations
have lately addressed the French government in very strong terms, por-
traying the extent of the evil by statisties, and calling for efficient
measures of repression. Among these official utterances is a communi-
cation to the minister of justice, written by M. Paul Massot, president

488

of the council-general of the Eastern Pyrenees, who was deputized by
the council to present their complaint against the evil in question. M.
Massot wishes to enforce the protest of a large number of chambers of
commerce which have already been presented to the government. The
wines of Italy and Spain have long been adulterated by an infusion of
elderberries, and this fraud has gradually become common in the vini-
cultural districts of France, to the serious injury of the legitimate pro-
duction of the country. But this substance, though misleading wine-
consumers and merchants as to the real character of the wines in
market, is of little consequence in comparison with the virulent poisons
which endanger the life and health of the consumer. Arsenical com-
pounds of fachsin and grenat, a secondary product in manufacture of
fuchsin, are now used extensively. The latter had no commercial value
antil this process of wine-poisoning came into such extended use, bat
now it sells at very remunerative prices. These ingredients are mingled
with other matters, and their villainous character is concealed by very
innocent specific names given to the compounds, such as colorine, cara-
mel, &c. Few of these are sold that do not contain aniline, salts of
rosaniline, or the residuary elements left by the production of fuchsin.

M. Massot cites a statement published in the Anales @ Hygiene Publique
for July, 1876, that in the single village of Odeillan a grocer of Nar-
bonne sold ammoniacal cochineal to the extent of 10,000 frances ($2,000)
annually, and that this was but one-third of what was known of the ex-
‘ent of the trade in artificial coloring-matters in that village. A very
large number of these preparations are very destructive of health. Even
in wines colored with elderberries large infusions of alum and other
drugs have been detecied.

M. Massot states that the revenue-officers, judging wines only from
appearance and taste, are incompetent to detect these frauds, and hence
he calls for a legal chemical test for both foreign and native wines which
shall ascertain the character and extent of these adulterations, and thus
place the public on guard against injurious products. Numerous speci-
mens of every brand of wine marketed should be subjected to analysis,
and the vending of wines not conforming to these analytic tests should
be treated as frauds on the public, for which severe penalties should be
meted out to the perpetrators. M. Massot calls upon the municipal au-
thorities of Paris to apply to adulterated wines the same principles of
regulation which visit fine and imprisonment upon venders of tainted
meats and vegetables.

In the departinent of Herault, which is credited with a production of
nearly 250,000,000 gallons of wine in 1875, the agitation of this question
is becoming daily more earnest. The syndicate of wine-traders of the
arrondissement of Beziers, at its reanion September 11, 1876, after citing
the grave injuries inflicted by every process of artificial coloration upon
the quality and reputation of French wines, and especially directing at-
teation to the illicit trade in colorine, caramels, &c., resolved upon the
constitution of asyndical commission specially charged with the analysis
of specimens of wines marketed through the agency of the syndicate.
This commission is to furnish, at the expense of the syndicate, analyses
of every kind of wiue subjected to its inspection, and especially of those
suspected of adulteration. The greatest publicity is to be given to its
transactions, and every practicable measure looking to the suppression of
the evilis to be energetically used.

The syndicate of commerce of Cette, in a memorial to the minister of
agriculture aud commerce, citing the repeated complaints of artificial
coloration of southern wines by different syndicates in the south, as well

489

asin Paris, asks the minister to take such measures as will prevent the sale
of adulterated wines. The Journal Officiel, noticing the repeated and in-
creasing complaints from official bodies and private persons, states that
all commissaries of police have been instructed to give their immedi-
ate and close attention in this matter. When a brand.of wine is sus-
pected of being adulterated, it is to be seized and subjected to analysis
by the chemical commission of arts et métiers ; if it be found to have
been tampered with it is to be poured into some brook or river, and the
perpetrators of the fraud punished according to law.

The syndicate of wine-merchants in Paris charge that the process of
wine-coloration has created growing uneasiness ever since the vintage
of 1845, when it suddenly grew to rather formidable proportions. Its in-
fluence upon the quality, reputation, and prospects of French wine-pro-
duction is declared to be.very injurious. The questions raised affect
both public morals and public health. All tampering with the wine-
product by adding elements abnormally changing its character, mis-
representing its real condition, even when not affecting the health of
the consumer, are clearly fraudulent, creating false impressions in
regard to the value of the product. But some frauds are also destruc-
tive of health. The ingredients used, such as arsenical fuchsine and
rosaniline, are deadly poisons, as has been clearly demonstrated by
scientific experiment. The syndicate do not object to strengthening
weak wines with alcohol or sweetening sour wine with sugar. As this
is but increasing the proportiun of some of the normal elements of the
wine itself, itis not regarded as an objectionable adulteration. The
syndicate ask the government, through the minister of commerce, for a
law imposing penalties upon the adulteration itself and for the confis-
cation and destruction of all artificially colored wines. In a discussion
ef this proposition before the Political Economy Society of Paris, a
member urged that the practice of coloring wines grew out of the
heavy duties imposed upon wine-production since the war. These
duties, he says, have so raised prices that cheaper kinds are used, yet
consumers desire the articles set upon their tables to bear the appear-
ance, at least, of the better brands. It is to meet this factitious demand
that this miserable fraud is perpetrated.

Moved by very numerous and earnest representations of this evil
from different parts of the republic, the French executive government
has taken cognizance of the question, and developed its line of action in
a circular addressed by the minister of justice to the government law-
officers in the different jurisdictions. The only coloration which is
regarded as a falsification of wine, under existing laws, is that in which
substances not legitimate elements of wine are used to modify it. That
should be repressed, outside of any fraud committed by the vender.
Even where the coloring-matter is not injurious to health, it is illegal
and merchants keeping it are to be prosecuted. In case of coloration
by injurious substances, the power of the magistrateis ample, and should
be energetically exerted to repress the evil. Prosecutions had previously
been ordered in some arrondissements as early as June, 1876, and all
officers are exhorted to diligence in the work of repression.

PROTECTION AGAINST THE PHYLLOXERA.—A recent number of the
Comtes-Rendus states that M. Gachez, after long and patient research,
has become convinced that rows of grape-vines with intercalary rows of
red maize are completely shielded. from the ravages of the phylloxera,
the insect abandoning the roots of the vine to prey upon the roots of
the maize. M. Gachez tried this method upon vines, the roots of which,
last spring, were covered with these insects. In September, the most

4A

490

careful examination failed to detect a single one on the vines. The
roots of maize planted in a field alongside the vineyard did not present
any trace of the phylloxera. ;

M. Pignéde found an effective remedy in digging, during March and
April, a trench.4 inches deep around his infested vines, and throwing
in 500 grams (1.1025 pounds) of burnt lime. He then whitewashed
the vine after having removed its bark. This operation, he declares,
destroyed the greater part of the insects and their eggs, and arrested
the hatching of the eggs already deposited upon the vine. The first
year afterward the vines gave out vigorous shoots, and the second year
fine grapes in large quantities. The lime, applied to healthy vines, pre-
serves them from the attacks of the phylloxera.

NATIONAL AGRONOMIC INSTITUTE OF FRANCE.—The republic, which

sprang from the revolution of 1848, signalized its: devotion to the
productive interests of France by organizing at Versailles (October 3,
1848) an agricultural university with the above title, a school of the
highest rank, and embracing the widest range of agricultural and zo-
otechnic studies then known. The full significance and value of the
enterprise was but superficially understood by those who were charged
with its primary organization. Its legitimate university character was
ignored, and its resources were mostly limited to the maintenance of a
museum of living type-apimals. Its large experimental area of 1,525
hectares (3,362.22 acres) was absorbed mainly by horse-farms, cattle-
farms, sheep-farms, &c., leaving but a small portion for investigations
outside of zodtechny. It contained representatives of all the European
types of farm-animals, including 500 cattle, 120 horses, and 2,000 sheep.
It Very imperfectly represented other great branches of agricultural
production.
_ In 1851 its direction was confided to Count Gasparin, one of the most
illustrious agronomists of the nineteenth century, who at once recog-
nized the errors of its previous administration, and projected radical re-
forms intended to realize more thoroughly the legitimate aims of a uni-
versity.. He abandoned the cumbrous and expensive farm organizations
which parceled out the experimental area, discharged a host of super-
numerary Officials, and cut down the expenses of administration. He
retained a sufficient number of choice animals to fully illustrate specific
types of reproduction, and the remainder he sold or distributed among
the regional and farm schools devoted to special cultures. He organ-
ized a system of general experimental culture and instruction, embrae-
ing all branches of agricultural production, just such as was suited to
the wants of all the agricultural regions of France.

But these nobly administrative reforms were rendered nugatory by a
decree dated September 17, 1852, issued byauthority of Louis Napoleon,
President of the French Republic, whereby the Agronomic Institute of
Versailles was suppressed, on the pretext that its curriculum of studies
was too extended and abstract for the necessities of French agriculture.
The corps of instructors was disbanded, and the costly material that
had been gathered was either scattered or wasted. The experimental
grounds grew up in briars, thistles, and wild shrubbery, and became the
hunting-grounds of the imperial myrmidons of the secondempire. This
reactionary measure has been deeply deplored by French agronomists
as retarding, to an incalculable degree, the scientific development of
agriculture in France.

The republican principle, which has finally predominated in the recon-
stitution of the French government, exhibited its true instinct of prog-
ress in re-organizing, by act of August 9, 1876, the National Agronomic

491

institute. Its headquarters will be at the Conservatoire des Arts et des
Metiers, in Paris, with an experimental area of 50 hectares (1263 acres)
at Vincennes, four miles east of the city. The great ideas of Gasparin
will direct its re-organization, and its resources will be devoted to the
highest scientific instruction, leaving minor specialities to the regional
and farm schools, which are better adapted to specific lines of inquiry
and experiment. Three great regional high schools make a special
study of the agricultural needs of the northern, western, and southern
regions of France. The school of Grignon, in the department of Seine-
et-Oise, not far from Paris, devotes chief attention to grande culture,
grasses, cereals, “ industrial” crops, and stock breeding, which have a
characteristic development in the high culture of the northern depart-
ments. An agricultural station attached to this school gives facilities
for extended experimental researches. The school of Grand-Jouan, in
the department of Loire-Inferieure, studies especially the methods of
bringing virgin lands under culture, mixed pastoral husbandry, tenant-
farming, natural meadows, live-stock breeding, ‘ industrial” and fruit
crops, &c., with reference to the less elaborate agricultural system of
the west and center. The school of Montpellier, in the department of
Hérault, represents the agricultural peculiarities of the Mediterranean
region, embracing the replanting of forests, irrigation, and other great
enterprises. Its sericultural and viticultural station gives special facili-
_ ties for the development of two grand leading interests of southern agri-
culture. The farm-schools still further differentiate the methods of ex-
periment and instruction of young farmers, so as to adapt them to the
wants of local communities. With all these facilities for specific lines
of investigation and discipline, it is evidently the true policy to confine
the movements of the great central university to the higher and more
abstract truths which underlie the whole subject of agriculture. Hence
the experimental area will be quite limited compared with its original
dimensions, and its management will be directed only to the investiga-
tion and illustration of general principles.

The law for the re-organization of the institute passed both houses of
the French legislature August 9, 1876. Two days later the minister of
agriculture announced the commission of re-organization, embracing the
leading agriculturists, private and official, of the republic. This com-
mission have established the following among their general regulations:
The pupils will be divided into two general classes, day pupils and free
hearers ; no boarding pupils being admitted, as in the regional and farm
schools in the rural districts. Day pupils must either present diplomas
showing that they have received from some respectable literary institu-
tion the degree of bachelor of science, or they must pass examination in a
course of study equivalent to what is usually required for such a degree.
Free hearers are admitted without apy questions as to literary qualifi-
cations. Day pupils pay a tuition-fee of 300 francs per annum; free
hearers, 25 francs. Four scholarships of 1,000 francs foundation and
two of 500 franes have been established. Ten gratuitous scholarships
are to be divided equally between the regular graduates of the subordi-
nate agricultural schools and other claimants. Diplomas will be given
to those satisfactorily completing the course of study, and the two high-
est in scholastic merit in each graduating class will receive a compli-
mentary mission of extended study either in France or in some foreign
country.

By decree of October 9, 1876, on the nomination of the commission
of organization, the minister of agriculture, M. Teisserenc de Bort, ap-
pointed the following members of the board of instruction and experi-

492

mentation: M. Boussingault, director of labratory researches; M.
Leonce de Lavergne and M. Ed. Leconteux, professors of rural economy;
M. Edmund Becquerel, of physics and meteorology; M. Delesse, of geol-
ogy; M. Carnot, of minerology ; M. Schloesing, of agricultural chemistry ;
M. Peligot, of analytical chemistry ; M. Aimé Girard, of agricultural
technology; M. Ed. Prilleux, of botany; M. Emile Blanchard, of zool-
ogy; M. Tresca, of mechanics; M. Hervé Mangon, of rural engineer-
ing; M. Moll, of general agriculture; M. E. Risler, of comparative agri-
culture; M. Tassey, of sylviculture ; M. du Breuil, of horticulture, arbor-
iculture, and viticulture; M. Victor Lefranc, of legislation and agricult-
ural jurisprudence. .

*%These men are among the foremost scientific agriculturists of France.
M. Lavergne is a senator, quite a number are members of the Institute
of France; the others are nearly all professors of scientific institutions,
of whom several were members of the faculty of the old Agronomic In-
stitute when under the presidency of Count Gasparin.

’ FRENCH INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION.—The exposition will be opened
May 1, 1878, and continue till October 1 following, at Champ de Mars
and Trocadero. The objects exposed will be arranged in nine groups, viz:
J. Works of art; Il. Education and instruction, including the processes
and materials of the liberal arts; LI. Household furniture, &e.; LV.
Cloths, clothing, &c.; V. Extractive industries, crude products; VI.
Tools and processes of mechanical industries; VII. Alimentary prod-
ucts; VIII. Agriculture and pisciculture; IX. Horticulture. The
above groups will be subdivided into ninety classes, of which only the
following pertain to agriculture and horticulture :

++ Group V.—Class 44: Products of forestry exploitations and industries,
viz: Specimens of peculiar forest trees ; timber for construction, work-
ing, and fuel; lumber for ship-building and for construction of build-
ings on land; cork; textile-barks; tanning, coloring, odoriferous and
resinous materials; dried wood and charcoal; crude potash ; cooper-
age, basket-work ; wooden shoes; esparto-grass fabrics, &c.

Class 46.—Agricultural products not alimentary, viz: Textile matters,
raw cottons; flax and hemp, either dressed or undressed ; textile fab-
ries of all sorts; wool, washed and unwashed; silk-cocoons ; agricult-
ural products employed in industry, pharmacy, and domestic economy ;
oleaginous plants, oils, waxes, and resins; tobacco, in leaf and manu-
factured ; tanning and coloring matters; touchwood ; forage-plants pre-
served, and other matter specially prepared for the feeding of farm ani-
mals.

Group VI.—Cass 51: Materials and processes of rural and forest ex-
ploitations, viz: Plans of culture, rotation of crops and agricultural
management; materials and operations of agricultural engineering ;
drainage; irrigation; plans and models of farm buildings; tools, ma-
chines, and engines for working the soil, for sowing, planting, harvest-
ing, and storing crops; machinery moved by animal or steam-power ; ma-
terials for farm transportation; locomotive machinery and methods; or-
ganic and mineral fertilizers ; apparatus for the physical and chemical
study of soils; methods of re-aiforesting denuded areas; management and
culture of forests; materials of forest exploitations and industries ; ma-
terials, instruments, and machines for manufacturing tobacco.

Class 52: Materials and processes of agricultural manufactories and
of alimentary industries, viz: Factories of artificial fertilizers and tile-
drains ; dairies, cheese and butter factories ; fecula, starch, and oil fac-
tories; breweries and distilleries; sugar factories and refineries; ate-

493

liers for the preparation of textile materials; silk-worm nurseries ; bake-
ries and bakers’ ovens; utensils for the manufacture of pastry and
confectionery ; apparatus for manufacturing alimentary paste, sea-bis-
cuit, &c.; for the preparation of chocolate and the roasting of coffee ;
fabrication and preservation of ice and the preparation of ices] and
sherbets. fe

Group VII.—Class 60: Cereals and farinaceous products and their
preparations, viz: Wheat, rye, barley, rice, maize, millet, and other ce-
reals, in grain and in flour or meal; grain, hulled and in grits; fecula
of potatoes, rice, and lentils; gluten; tapioca, sago, arrowroot, cas-
saya, and other feculent matters; mixed farinaceous products; Italian
pastry, vermicelli, macaroni, &c.; substitutes for bread, puddings,
domestic pastry, &c.

Class 71: Fat alimentary bodies, milk-diet and eggs, viz: Edible fats
and oils; milk, fresh and preserved; butter, salt and fresh; cheese;
eggs of all sorts.

Class 72.—Meats and fishes.—Viz: All sorts of salt meats and meats
preserved by different processes; cakes of meat, and soup; hams and
preparations of meat; poultry and game; fish, salt and packed; codfish,
herrings, &c.; fish preserved in oil, sardines; pickled mackerel; lob-
sters, shrimps, oysters, and their preparations, anchovies, &e.

Class 73.— Vegetables and fruits.—Viz: Potatoes; dry farinaceous veg-
etables, such as beans, lentils, &c.; cabbages, &c.; carrots, turnips,
&c.; onions, garlic, &c.; salads; gourds; citrons; melons; vegetables
preserved by different processes ; fruits, fresh, dry, and prepared; prunes,
figs, raisins, &c.; fruits preserved without the agency of sugar.

Class 75.—Fermented drinks.—Wines, common red and white; sweet,
mixed, and sparkling ; cider, perry, and drinks extracted from cereals ;
fermented drinks from vegetable sap, milk, and all sorts of saccharine -
matters; brandy and alcohol; gin, rum, tafia, kirschwasser, &e.

Group VIII.—Class 76.—Specimens of rural exploitations and of agri-
cultural workshops.—Types of rural buildings of different countries; of
stables, sheep-folds and sheep-parks, piggeries, and other establishments
for the breeding and rearing of farm-animals; materials for the con;
struction of the foregoing ; apparatus for preparing food for live-stock ;
steam plows, harvesters, mowers, fanning-mills, thrashing-machines, &e.
types of agricultural manufactories, distilleries, sugar factories and re-
fineries, breweries, distilleries, fecula and starch factories, and silk-worm
nurseries ; presses for wine, cider, and oil, &ec.

Class 77.—Horses, asses and mules.

Class 78.—Cattle, buffaloes, &e.

Class 79.—Sheep and goats.

Class 80.—Swine, rabbits, &e.

Class 81.—Barn-yard fowls.—Types of poultry, pigeons, pheasants,
&e.; apparatus for artificial hatching.

Class 82.—Dogs.—Shepherd’s dogs, watch-dogs, hunting-dogs, faney
dogs; specimens of kennels, &c.

Class 83.—Insects, useful and injurious.—Bees ; silk-worms and other
moths ; cochineal; material for the raising and preservation of bees
and silk-worms; materials and processes for the destruction of injurious
insects. ;

Class 84.—Fishes, crustaceans and mollusks.—Aquatic animals, use-
ful in the living state; aquariums; processes of pisciculture; materials
for the breeding of fish, mollusks, &e.

Group IX.—Class 85.—Greenhouses, and materials of horticulture.—
Tools of gardeners, viticulturists, and horticulturists; apparatus for

494

watering and keeping the turf; large greenhouses with their appurte-
nances; small conservatories for the apartment and for the window;
aquariums for aquatic plants; water-jets and apparatus for ornament-
ing gardens.

Class 86.—Flowers and ornamental plants.—Species of plants and
specimens of culture illustrating the characteristic types of gardens and
residences of each country.

Class 87.—Kitchen-garden plants—Species of plants and methods of
culture characteristic of.each country.

Class 88.—Fruits and fruit-trees.—Species and methods illustrating
the pomology of different countries.

Class 89.—Seeds and plants of forest-trees.—Species of plants and meth-
ods of culture characteristic of different countries.

Class 90.—Greenhouse plants.—Specimens of cultures adapted to differ-
ent countries, either for utility or pleasure.

The juries of admission to these several classes have been appointed,
embracing leading scientific, industrial, and commercial men of France.

VITAL STATISTICS OF SWITZERLAND.—The Swiss Federal Bureau of
Statistics has recently published a general statement of births, deaths,
and marriages in Switzerland during the first quarter of the current
year. The number of marriages is about 1.8 per aece 1,000 inhabitants,
or 5,012 in all, the population being stated at 2,750,135 souls. This
would give an average of 7.2 per 1,000 for the whole year, whereas the
average from 1867 to 71871 was about 7. This figure is lower than that of
other ‘European populations. Italy, from 1868 ‘to 1870, averaged 7.4 per
1,000; France, 8 per 1,000 from 1861 to 1865; England 8, i, and the grand
duchy of Baden 8.4, from 1867 to 1871; Bavaria, 8. 5 from 1864 to
1868; Austria, 9.6 from 1867 to 1871.

The total number of births during the first quarter of 1876 was 23,612,
which would give 35.88 per 1,000 inhabitants for the entire year, if the
proportion was uniform. But the dead-born amounted to 1.55 per 1,000,
or 4.3 per cent. of the total number of births. The proportion of male
births is unusual, 106.8 to 100; this proportion is still greater among the
dead-born, which show 121 males to 100 females. The proportion of
total births for the quarter is greater than the average of past years.

Not counting dead-born infants, the total of deaths was 19,195
during the quarter ; including those, the proportion of deaths was 29.48
per 1,000. Asthe rate of mortality is usually greater during the winter,
this average is too large for the whole year. From 1867 to 1871 this
average in Switzerland was 25.6 per 1,000. The regular average of Ham-
burg, with its urban population, is 26.5 per 1,000 inhabitants.

WOOL PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURE IN GERMANY.—M. Maurice
' Block, a prominent French statistician, gives the following results of a
voluminous analysis of German wool-trade reports, embracing 102
chambers of commerce and about 200 societies, reunions, and great
manufacturing establishments. Wool manufacture in Germany ranks
in importance next to that of England and France. It employs
1,250,000 spindles for carded wool and 530,000 for combed wool, while
Austro-Hungary bas but 600,000 for the former and 80,000 for the
latter; Italy has 250,000 for the former and 28,000 for the latter.
France has 2,898,929 spindles working up unmixed wool and 403,455
mixed wool, without regard to the method of preparation. England
reports 3,165,569 spindles for carded wool and 2,182,792 for combed
wool.

During three years, from 1872 to 1874, Germany imported on an

495

average about 110,236,000 pounds of uncarded wool, 4,400,000 pounds of
combed wool, and 6,600,000 pounds of what is called “artificial” wool—a
synonym for shoddy. Of spun wool she receives from 30,000,000 to
32,000,000 pounds not colored and 4,500,000 pounds colored; of tissues
and felt about 11,000,000 pounds, fulled but not printed, and about half
that quantity not fulled. Her import of upholstery and other manufac-
tures is small. The export of unmanufactured wool shows a wide range
of variation, amounting to about 40,000,000 pounds in 1872, 26,000,000
in 1873, and 48,000,000 in 1874. Combed woo] shows less fluctuation,
averaging about 550,000 pounds per annum, and shoddy 16,500,000
pounds. Unmixed wools average 11,000,000 pounds; tissues, fulled but
not colored, ranged from’11,500,000 pounds to 16,000,000 pounds; tissues,
not fulled, from 14,850,000 pounds to 18,260,000 pounds. The exports
include about 1,760,000 pounds of wool in upholstery, and 1,100,000 to
1,210,000 pounds in other small wares.

Germany in combing-wool fabrics finds her most formidable rival in
France, which has easy access to the original supply markets for raw
material, large accumulations of capital, and an abundance of skilled
labor. Many German weavers have their wool spun in France. This
branch of manufacture has but lately been inaugurated in Belgium, but
it is developing rapidly, and promises soon to invade the German mar-
kets if no further tariff-duties be imposed. Switzerland, with an abun-
_ dance of cheap labor and unused natural motive-power, also sends spun
wool to Germany. Austria and Russia are both dependent upon Ger-
many and Alsace for spun wool. Carpet manufacture was inaugurated
in 1854 under a strong tariff protection, and so long as that policy was
maintained this industry flourished, but since its abrogation English
carpets have measurably driven German carpets from their own home
markets. The tariff question in Germany is beset by the claims of con-
flicting interests both at home and abroad, and the reports cited by M.
Block attest the confusion in which the subject is involved.

496

POPULATION OF GERMANY.—The “ Year-book” of Saxony for 1877
gives the population of the German Empire by States for 1871 and 1875

as follows:
eke
PICS:
ot!
States. 1875. 1871. per
=} am
>)
mH
ennesitriss a/aek ie Posen: ei Bao oaes SER. OG 25, 723, 754 | 24,641,539 + 1.07
ILI jhe SRE SE a ee ee sean Se eee 48, 808 49, 546 — 0.38
OV ADI A esis sa Ny Re tise inc memos See Ee oak a 5, 024, 832 | 4, 863, 450 + 0.82
ARON whe ee ose eet ce cee te ste. cme s So. 2,760,586 | 2,556, 244 + 1.99
Wiirembensee 2 seen Sco CSU See ER oy 1,881,505 | 1,818,539 + 0.85
Badenvese sks eae EN Us ol saspeline nk See oeleg 1,506,531 | 1,461,562 + 0.76
IER Sati tesa ate cis Sap wes aes Se he ens sles 882, 349 852, 3894 + 0.85
MeECEICHDUNC-SCHWOMD o- -2 econ e cnc secins mee 553, 734 597, 707 — 0.18
Savhsen-Welmar essa! 024 2S ok otek Se eee 292, 933 286, 183 + 0.58
Mecklenburg-Strelitz @0.. ules ll. 2 eee 95, 648 96, 982 — 0.35
Oldoubare ce ssss. ss tvepssdees - eee ose te ewes 319,314 314, 591 + 0.37
ISRAIS WACK eee se fe eh eps tse ae Ree eae ee 328, 352 312, 170 + 1.26
Hachsen-Meininwen.~..c<. -socce pines nese see cnt 194, 463 187, 957 + 0.85
Sachsen-Alltenbure’ $f oso Be Ses See 145, 844 142, 122 + 0.65
Sacshen-Koburg-Gotha ....2..J2052.0 320202 22 58. 182, 673 174, 339 + 1.17
Amb ates at ce seb <> osteo sede see eds es sects oe ie 213,689 |, 203, 437 + 1.23
Schwarzburgh-Rudolstadt....-.......------------ 76, 676 75, 523 + 0.38
Schwarzburg-Sondershausen ...-..-..-------.---- 67, 480 | 67, 191 + 0.11
Wreldeckl. eases 27 RLS A A eRe 54, 673 56, 224 — 0.70
Reuss ((oldjline)Aiss (sh 2 es oe Pe Maras 46, 985 45,094 + 1.03
ReUES HN CUGWAING)!, 222s. 2 eesaek sun she ae oe 92, 375 89,032 | + 0.92
Sehagisbnrs-Lippe.-- 5. s2c5enene kines Pcsree ae 32,941 32,059 | + 0,68
Ripppese « shoa wees SE. BE ek SE Ie 114, 254 111, 135 + 0.69
qibeck. p---tyset cs gsade ected arses: eeieeuse! 56, 912 } 52, 158 + 2.18
SV ETE eee ee or A. alee cienaae sa aa eiea ous ee oe 142, 645 111, 402 + 3.82
PATO MUO ee Sere tate cn cis einai. scielsicis say's Ske om ne <a 388, 618 338, 974 + 3.41
AlNace-Mormaine ese 2 Oe tS see eee | 1,529,408 | 1,549,738 — 0.33
GetmanjEmpire.c<63 hace eck ae oes SS. 42,757, 982 | 41, 058, 792 + 1.03.

STATISTICS OF SAxony.—In an address before the Economic Society
of Saxony, Herr von Langsdorff stated that, according to the census of
1871, 16.21 per cent. of the Saxon people are engaged in agriculture,
forestry, gardening, viticulture, hunting, and fishing ; 51.83 per cent. in
mining and manufactures; 10.13 per cent. in commerce; 11.82 per
cent. were day-laborers and servants; 0.96 per cent. in the army and
navy; 4.15 per cent. in other occupations, and ,4.90 per cent. without
regular occupation. Agriculture, though occupying but a small por-
tion of the population, is by no means an unimportant industry. A
dense population, by its greater demand for soil-products, induces a
more effective culture, and renders agriculture a more complete spe-
cialty, in which every improved process is placed under immediate
requisition.

Some years ago Saxony raised enough of agricultural produce to
cover her own consumption, but her imports of grain and meat have grad-
ually increased, showing in 1874 an excess over exports of 424,521,660
pounds of grain, and 17,957,174 pounds of meat, with proportionate
amounts of butter, lard, vegetables, fruits, &c. This surplus is drawn
mostly from Eastern Europe.

497

This state of things is attributed principally to the rapid increase of
population, which rose from 1,595,668 in 1834 to 2,556,244 in 1871, an
increase of 60.19 per cent. in 37 years. Meat consumption increased at
an almost equal rate during that period, rising from 38.4 pounds per
capita in 1839 to 60.8 pounds in 1874, or 58 per cent. in 35 years.
Agricultural production has increased but moderately. Taking two
periods of four years each, 184650 and 1868-72, the average wheat
product of the former period was 2,926,000 centners, and of the latter
3,238,000 centners, an increase of only 10.6 per cent.; rye production
increased from 5,466,000 centners to 5,598,000, or 2.4 per cent.; barley,
from 2,018,000 to 2,359,000, or 16.9 per cent.; oats, from 3,974,000 to
4,901,000, or 23.3 per cent.; the total product of these four crops, from
14,384,000 centners to*16,096,000, or 11.9 per cent. A centner is equal to
- 113.37 pounds.

Reckoning 10 sheep or goats, or 3 hogs as equivalent to one head of ©
cattle, there were in 1839 667,638 head, and in 1869 774,961 head, show-
ing an increase in 30 years of only 16 percent. The average carcass
weight of cattle was 352 pounds in 1840, 406 in 1851, 423 in 1860, and
482 in 1869; the carcass weight of swine averaged 105 in 1840, 128 in
1851, 154 in 1860, and 165 in 1869—that is, in 30 years the average weight
of cattle increased 37 per cent. and of swine 57 per cent. The demand
for meat has grown much more rapidly than the production. !

Within fifteen or twenty years, the wages of skilled labor have ad-
vanced from 40 to 100 percent. This has attracted labor from agricul-
ture to manufactures, and from the country to the city. In some parts
of the country reliable labor is scarce, so that instances are related in
which hay has rotted in the meadow, potatoes have frozen in the
ground, and over-ripe grain has perished in the field, for lack of harvest-
hands to gather and house the crops.

PROGRESS OF ITALIAN AGRICULTURE.—The agricultural interest
in Italy displays increasing vitality, and is making demonstrations upon
the general market of Europe, causing some concern to foreign nations
which have hitherto nearly monopolized several branches of trade.
Wine production especially has made great progress of late years, and
has attained an annual yield of 32,000,000 hectoliters, (845,369,600 gal-
lons.) The wines of Italy approach the excellence of French wines in
color, body, and bouquet. Their good qualities result less from culture
and management than from superb natural conditions of soil and cli-
mate. The wines of Southern France will be especially affected by the
competition of Italian wine. But other branches of peninsular agri-
culture are developing unexpected vitality. The markets of Germany,
Austria, and Russia are becoming familiar with Italian vegetables and
fruits, in their fresh and luscious state. Italian farmers are employing
annually a smaller amount of commercial fertilizers, but they are enlarg-
ing the manufacture of farm-yard manures, and they are learning to
concoct their own artificial fertilizers from original elements.

The Italian stock-raisers’ congress lately held its fifth annual session
at Padua, under the presidency of Professor Keller, who, in his inau-
gural address, insisted that in Italy live-stock production is on an inade-
quate scale. While the Italian farmer is satisfied with 12 head of cattle
per square kilometer, (247.1282 acres,) a Hungarian would count 16; an
Englishman, 23; a Dutchman or Belgian, 42. ;In Italy there are 130 cat-
tle for each one thousand inhabitants, while in many other European
states the proportion is 300 or 400 per thousand people. ‘The professor
urged the improvement of the breeds of Italian cattle and a more intel-

498

ligent application of the laws of animal hygiene as an essential part of
the future agricultural policy of Italy.
Offical statistics show that the kingdom contains nearly 9,000,060

sheep, the larger proportion being in the southern provinces, where ra-

tional cultivation of the soilis hampered by the traditional ideas of fal-
lowing. Moreland is annually brought under cultivation as the govern-
ment is gradually releasing land-owners from the pressure of ancient
customs. Contrary to popular prejudices persistently held, the break-
ing up of fallow brings improved conditions both to cropping and live-
stock interests.

On a vast plain.in the province of Capitanata, known as the Tavoliere
delle Puglie, comprising nearly 750,000 acres, two-thirds of which has
been preserved unbroken and used only for pasturage, the accumulation
of sheep-droppings is wonderful. These deposits have also attracted
the attention‘of agricultural chemists. From October to May, about
600,000 sheep are annually kept on the plain of Puglie, their summer
pastures being on the mountains of Abruzzo. They are divided into
flocks ranging from 500 to 15,000, and averaging about 2,000 head.
They are kept at nights in rectangular enclosures on ground with a suffi-
cient declivity to carry off the water and protect the sheep from the
north winds. Oflate years large sheds have been erected to shelter the
flocks. This has resulted in a difference in the composition of the ma-
nure. That dropped in the open air, dissolved by the rain, baked by the
sun, and trampled by the animals, is reduced by mixture with the soil to
a kind of organic mold which constitutes an excellent manure, and is ob-
tainable at a low price. The droppings accumulated under the sheds,
being protected from the action of the sun and rain, are but little decom-
posed and preserve their fertilizing matters intact. These will bear a
greater transportation, and very large quantities are annually sold to
the neighboring farmers. The latter kind is richer in organic matter
and ammoniacal salts as well as in soda, but not so rich in phosphoric
acid, potash, sulphuric acid, oxide of iron, lime, and magnesia ; they also
contain less water.

MEAT CONSUMPTION IN EUROPE.—M. Zundel, a veterinary surgeon
residing in Strasburg, has published a work on the general aspects of
meat consumption in Europe, in which he attempts to determine from
Statistical and physiological inquiries the proportion of animal to vege-
table diet in different countries. He estimates the average annual con-
sumption per capita of meat by different races, as follows: Spanish, 244

pounds; italian, 33.07; Swedish, 52.91; Prussian, 55.12; Austrian, 574;

Belgian, 661 ; French, "68. 35 5 South German, Ti; Mecklenburger, 833 ;
English, 1803,

These results are very remarkable. Taking the consumption of the
Englishman as a standard of comparison, that of the Spaniard is but
13.4 per cent.; Italian, 18.4; Swede, 29.27; Prussian, 30.49; Austrian,
31.72; Belgian, 36.59; Frenchman, 37.77; South German, 42.69 ; Meck-
lenburger, 46.33. If thesestatistics presenteven arespectable approxima-
tion to the real facts, they show that the Englishman consumes about
twice as much meat as any other European. The first article of the report
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England for 1876 estimates the
average consumption of the United Kingdom at 114 pounds per capita;
the average is known to be much larger in England than in either Ire-
land or Scotland.

A marked difference is also observable in the annual meat con-
sumption of city and rural populations in Europe. In cities of 10,000
inhabitants or over the estimates range from 110 to 165 pounds per
capita, while the great capitals show an immensely greater consump-

x

-

499

tion: Berlin is credited with 176 pounds per capita; Vienna, 209; Paris,
2424; London, 2644. This very large city consumption must greatly
reduce the average of the rural districts, but statistical inquiry has not
yet gathered enough local and elementary facts for generalizations of
even approximate accuracy.

Theconclusionsof M. Zundel have raised several very interesting ques-
tions among European statisticians, some of which seem to unsettle what
have hitherto been received asestablished truths. Comparing the English-
manand the Spaniard, the extremes in the aboveseries of flesh-eaters, the
former consumes seven and a half times as much meat perannum as the
latter. Whatever muscular superiority may be claimed for the English-
man, it is evident that he is not equal to seven and a half Spaniards.
Hence his surplus of meat consumption is not all expended in the produc-
tion of brawn and muscle. The cold, humid climate of the British isles de-
mands a larger amount of the concentrated aliment found*in animal food,
in order to maintain the average normal tone of the system, than the dry,
hot climate of the Spanish peninsula. Butit is a well-known fact that
the flesh-eating races of Northern Europe have always excelled the vege-
tarians of the Mediterranean peninsulas in massive physical strength.

Again, the difference between city and rural consumption requires
an extended range of facts foritsexplanation. It would be exceedingly
rash to assume that city people are better fed, on the average, than coun-

try people, considering the number and necessities of the indigent classes

of each. It is notorious that in physical health and strength the peas-
antry have the advantage. The excess of city consumption does not,
then, operate to enhance the muscular or vital force of the population ; it
is needed to repair the waste of physical energies resulting from quick-
ened nervous activity. The numerous and wearing excitements and
agitations of a multitude crowded into a small space, and in a constant
struggle for subsistence in mechanical or commercial occupations, gen-
erally of a sedentary character and calculated to repress the free develop-
ment of physical manhood, create a constant drain upon the constitu-
tion, which can be met only by the free use of food in which the nitrog-
enous elements are abundant and readily assimilable. Some, who are
not disposed to question the preceding generalization in regard to meat
consumption, suggest that the peasant finds his proportion of azote in
other kinds of food, as, for instance, the oats diet of Scotland. Others
contend that the excess of meat consumption in the larger cities is
greater in appearance than reality; that the facilities for statistical in-
quiry in the rural districts and in smaller towns being more limited,
the results do not approximate so nearly to the truth. It is agreed that
nothing in the later developments of this question invalidates the princi-
ple hitherto accepted, viz, that in two individuals of equal constitution
and organic force, living in the same climate and under other circum-
stances equally influencing vital action, the sum of mechanical effects
will be in proportion to the amount of nitrogen actually assimilated.

M. Zundel’s statistics indicate an inferior quality in the meat con-
sumed by the populations of Central Europe outside the great cities.
Cattle-dealers agree that in rural markets well-fattened animals are not
more profitable than those in moderate conditions—that the fattening
process is in many instances one: of unmingled loss. In Southern
Germany the net meat product of the animal formerly amounted
to 53 or 54 per cent. of the live weight, and of late has fallen
as low as to 45 per cent. Formerly in Paris the proportion was
from 55 to 60 per cent., but of later years has fallen to 52 an
55 per cent. The English have always demanded a high standard, an
hence their marketed animals are expected to net 65 or even

500

per cent. A French statistician, M. Gayot, in the Journal Pratique
d Agriculture, contends that M. Zundel has understated the French
standard, which has not degenerated, but still shows from 55 to 60 per
cent. He claims as acharacteristic of French production that a step of
progress once realized is never lost, and that every improvement there
possesses a permanent character. He further contends that the English
standard has been exaggerated by M. Zundel. The English market-
animals being of essentially adipose tendencies, yield a larger propor-
tion of fat than the more brawny breeds of other countries. French
stock-raisers have fallen into the error of excessive fattening, and some
of their adipose specimens lately exhibited at the Palace of Industry in
Paris have called forth sharp criticisms in the French agricultural press.
A writer in the Journal Pratique @ Agriculture contends that this policy
is diminishing the volume and robust temperament of the choice breeds
of England, and also depreciating their capacities for milk-production,
as is shown by the increasing importation of butter and cheese. The
Durham breed especially exhibits this degeneracy in temperament and.
milking qualities. Fancy prices have stimulated the reproduction of
fashionable forms and a specific embonpoint, while a pampering treat-
ment in warm stables, with blanket-coverings, and a stimulating, fari-
naceous diet have undermined the choice animals of this breed. The
critic had before him an engraving of a type-specimen of the Durham
cattle, executed in 1801, and representing their points at the begin-
ning of this century. The inscription gave them the name of the
Holderness breed, which subsequently was transmuted into the name
Durham. The gigantic proportions of the animals represented contrast
strongly with the delicate type-specimens which attract sentimental
British breeders of to-day. Beauty of form but ill compensates the
massive and brawny development which has disappeared in the modern
Durham. Capacity to produce rapidly and abundantly a superior quality
of marketable meat is not identical with that which brings out symmet-
rical forms, for these may result from the packing of adipose matter
under the skin, and the fat-forming tendency can govern only by de-
pressing the flesh-forming principle. Excessive precocity combined with
adipose tendencies renders the meat of less nutritive value, especially to
the laboring-man, whose ration of consumption must be increased in
order to secure the requisite amount of nitrogenous aliment.

M. Zundel finds, after careful examination, that sanitary regulations
in regard to the sale of flesh of diseased animals have lost force and
efficiency of later years either through the failure to re-enact provisions
of old laws in modern revisions or from the adverse tendencies of con-
struction that have prevailed in judicial tribunals. In 1858 a law jour-
nal in France declared that these repressive regulations had no founda-
tion in the law as.carefully interpreted, and that tribunals enforcing it
had recourse to strained interpretations of the legal text. This is a
question which will probably attract attention both from a scientific and
a legal stand-poiut.

RAILROAD-MILEAGE OF THE WORLD.—The Moniteur Industriel Belge
sums up the railway-mileage of the world as follows:

In Europe, the British isles have 16,354 miles; France, 14,190; Bel-
gium, 1,049; Switzerland, 1,018; Germany, 12,075; Denmark, 538;
Sweden, 2,261; Norway, 275; Russia, 12,075; Austria, 6,104; Hungary,
3,986; Roumania, 515; Turkey, 650; Greece, 7; Italy, 4,675; Spain,
3,243; Portugal, 527—total 81,816.

In Asia, Turkey has 205 miles, Caucasus, 186; British Indies, 6,371 ;
Ceylon, 51; Java, 166, Japan, 17—total for Asia, 6,996.

501

Australia bas 1,396 and New Zealand 151, making, for Oceanica,
1,547.

“In Africa, Egypt has constructed 1,107 ; Algeria, 319; Cape of Good
Hope and Natal, 66; Mauritius, 66—total for Africa, 1,588 miles.

In North America, the United States has 79,988 miles; Canada, 4,002 ;
Mexico, 333; Cuba, 334; Jamaica, 26; Costa Rica, 42; Honduras, 52—
total for North America, 84,817.

In South America, Columbia has 50 miles; Bolivia, 28; Venezuela, 8;
Brazil, 786; Paraguay, 43; Uruguay, 358; Argentine Republic, 1,367 ;
Chili, 753; Peru, 994—total for South America, 4,387.

Grand total for the world, 181,151.

CoTTON MANUFACTURE AND CONSUMPTION IN THE WORLD.—A
writer in the EHconomiste Francais estimates, in round numbers, the
spindles in the cotton-factories of Hurope and America, with their
average annual consumption of cotton, as follows: England, 35,000,000
spindles, consuming 1,264,000,000 pounds of cotton; United States,
9,859,000 spindles and 563,000,000 pounds; France, 5,200,000 spindles
and 197,000,000 pounds; Germany, 5,100,000 spindles and 228,000,000
pounds: Switzerland, 2,500,000 spindles and 56,000,000 pounds; Russia,
2,000,000 spindles and 120,000,000 pounds; Austria, 1,660,000 spindles
and 106,000,000 pounds ; Spain, 1,400,000 spindles and 67,000,000 pounds ;
Belgium, 650,000 and 27,000,000 pounds; Italy, 500,000 spindles and
14,000,000 pounds; Denmark, 300,000 spindles and 18,000,000 pounds;
Holland, 250,000 spindles and 9,000,000 pounds; total, 64,089,000 spin-
dles and 2,669,000,000 pounds.

This estimate assigns to England 54.61 per cent. of the spindles and
47.36 per cent. of the consumption; to the United States, 14.96 per cent.
of the spindles and 21.09 per cent. of the consumption ; to France, 8.11
per cent. of the spindles and 7.38 per cent. of the consumption; to Ger-
many, 7.95 per cent. of the spindles and 8.54 per cent. of the consump-
tion.

The average annual consumption of each spindle throughout the
world is 41.64 pounds; in England, 36.11; the United States, 58.7;
France, 36.32; Germany, 44.71; Switzerland, 22.40 ; Russia, 60; Aus-
tria, 66.25; Spain, 47.85; Belgium, 41.54; Italy, 28; Denmark, 60; Hol-
land, 36.

Ellison & Co., in their annual review of the cotton-trade for the
season of 1875~76, state that the number of spindles in the United
Kingdom, at the close of 1874, was 37,515,000, not including doubling
spindles; from 1,250,000 to 1,500,000 have been added since, raising the
aggregate to about 39,000,000; a large number of the old spindles have
been replaced by new ones. They estimate the amounts of cotton de-
livered to the spinners and actually consumed by them as follows:
1872~73, 1,280,640,000 pounds delivered and 1,227,453,000 pounds actu-
ally consumed, leaving a surplus of 53,187,000 pounds; 1873~74,
1,240,706,000 pounds delivered and 1,259,836,000 pounds consumed,
leaving a surplus of consumption 19,130,000 pounds, to be deducted
from the surplus delivery of the preceding year; 1874~75, 1,198,838,000
pounds delivered and 1,224,377,000 pounds consumed, making a still
further draw upon the surplus of 1872~73 of 25,539,000 pounds;
1875~76, delivery and consumption, each estimated at 1,270,287,000,
leaving a surplus delivery of 8,518,000 pounds yet unconsumed.

- The number of spindles and the consumption of cotton on the conti-
nent are estimated by Ellison & Co. as follows; Russia and Poland,
2,500,000 spindles and 150,000,000 pounds of cotton, averaging 60
pounds per spindle; Sweden and Norway, 305,000 spindles and
19,825,000 pounds, averaging 65 pounds per spindle; Germany, 4,650,000

502

spindles and 255,750,000 pounds, averaging 55 pounds per spindle;
Austria, 1,555,000 spindles and 104,185,000 pounds, averaging 67 pounds
per spindle; Switzerland, 1,850,000 spindles and 46,250,000 pounds,
averaging 25 pounds per spindle; Holland, 230,000 spindles and
13,800,000 pounds, averaging 60 pounds per spindle; Belgium, 800,000
spindles and 40,000,000 pounds, averaging 50 pounds per spindle;
France, 5,000,000 spindles and 210,000,000 pounds, averaging 42 pounds
per spindle; Spain, 1,750,000 spindles and 80,500,000 pounds, averaging
46 pounds per spindle; Italy, 800,000 spindles and 44,800,000 pounds,
averaging 56 pounds per spindle; total for the continental manufacture,
19,440,000 spindles and 965,110,000 pounds, averaging 49.6 pounds per
spindle. Adding for the United Kingdom 39,000,000 spindles and
1,270,287,000 pounds of cotton, averaging 32.57 pounds per spindle, and
we find for the whole of Europe 58,440,000 spindles and 2,235,397,000
pounds, averaging 38.25 pounds per spindle. The United States, with
9,600,000 spindles, consuming the past season 1,356,598 bales, which, at
450 pounds per bale, (rather an understatement,) gives an aggregate
consumption of 610,468,100 pounds, averaging 63.59 pounds per spindle:
adding these aggregates to the preceding, we obtain as the approxi-
mate aggregate of the whole civilized world, 68,040,000 spindles and
2,845,865,100 pounds of annual consumption, averaging 41.81 pounds
per spindle.

Ellison & Co. estimate the deliveries of cotton in Great Britain during
the last season at 1,270,287,00U pounds, of which 64.56 per cent. were
from the United States, 15.87 per cent. from the Hast Indies, 7.88 per
cent. from Brazil, 9.87 per cent. from Egypt, and 1.82 per cent. from
other countries. The total consumption of continental Kurope is esti-
mated at 1,026,374,000 pounds, of which 46.38 per cent. were from the
United States, 35.88 per cent. from the East Indies, 4.27 per cent. from
Brazil, 6.50 per cent. from Egypt, and 6.97 per cent. from other coun-
tries. The aggregate deliveries of all Hurope amounted to 2,296,661,000
pounds, of which 56.23 per cent. were from the United States, 25.05 per
cent. from the East Indies, 6.22 per cent. from Brazil, 8.33 per cent. from
Egypt, and 4.20 per cent. from other countries.

The aggregate deliveries in Europe, the proportions received from the
leading cotton-countries, and the average weights of the bales delivered
during the last six cotton-seasons were as follows:

FOR ALL EUROPE.

baie % = » 1s
Total deliveries. 2 a a “ pate bo
‘5 a a sf ‘S ik a oo
’ | ps | ae |g ee) See eae
Seasons. “3 3 cS) m °s fs.
SA | ier a g ee = 5
Pounds. Bales. 5 | z 5 ° 38 5
fe | = fe fi fe &
'Per cent, Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent,| Per cent,| Pounds,
BVA) erie oe star weaaiea « 2, 161, 724, 000 5,587 000 |} 54.47 | 23.45] 10.76 6. 03 5. 386.9
187172 .0..2-2-222+----| 1,820,870,000 | 5,113 000 | 40.72 | 27.07] 18.89 5. 94 7, 38 356, 1
UC EtG SE Pes! Pee 2, 083, 278, 000 | 5,528 000 | 46.02! 27.62} 13.39 7, 36 5. 61 375.8
UBY toy! digeas oe es ese = oe 2,133, 819,000 | 5,518 000 | 49.33 | 27.80) 10.87 6. 81 5.19 386, 7
thee: SW Te Set icra ane 2, 093, 100,000 | 5,418 000 | 47.75 | 29.80) 11.35 6. 09 5. 01 386, 3
LB TOG ou. on jag oa sevice 2,296, 661,000 | 5,570 000 | 56.23) 25,05 6.23 8. 33 4.16 412.3
FOR GREAT BRITAIN.
RE a iilie mene ates erm altars 1, 263, 024,000 | 3,222,000 | 59.74 | 17.32] 11,76 7. 48 3. 70 392
Bites ete mn em emie sani 1, 127, 520, 000 | 3,132,000 | 45.09 | 2.01 21. 32 7. 63 4.95 360
1872~'73 ..--..-----.---.] 1, 280, 640,000 | 3,335,000 | 49.59 | 22.09 | 15.27 9.17 3. 88 384
DSi e eleab ome names: 1, 240, 706, 000 |} 3,149,000 | 54.01 20.96 | 13,12 9. 05 2. 86 394
LO iiaen dis slep anes tic'= 1, 198, 838, 000 | 3,077,000 | 52.19 | 21.71] 14 98 7.96 3.16 389. 6
LSiGH16) See sc dep miaiaiaa « 1, 270, 287, 000 ; 3,017,000 | 4.56) 15.87 | 7. 8&8 9, 87 1. 82 | 421

503

FOR THE CONTINENT.

Total deliveries. 3 = a 2 " S
=. f S = 2
pz | ag = Be Ly xe Wrens
Seasons, 3 3 3) = q aS
pe. a 3 me
Pounds. Bales. ga | 84 a 8 go | £2
~ int ~ ~ —
= a z 5 &
Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent. Per ical 5% cent.|Pounds,
NS (1 Shy 4 I a ee oa 898, 700, 000 2, 365, 000 47, 28 31.8 8.96 4. 7. 86 380
Wile cocoate ets woo 693, 350, 000 1, 981, 000 33. 87 36. 65 15, 04 3. 28 11.16 350
TRI acest tees aioe 802, 638, 000 | 2, 193, 0U0 40. 58 36. 02 10, 53 4. 60 8. 27 366
LA epi aia = iin 893, 113,000 | 2,369,000 | 43.09 | 36.89 7.89 3. 84 8. 29 377
Liye Vi ees) Ee es 894, 262,000 | 2,341,000} 41.91 | 40.52 6.78 3. 63 7.16 382
BPG dis ener - sj 08 1, 026, 374,000 | 2,553,000 | 46.38 | 35.88 4, 27 6. 50 6. 97 402

The percentages in the previous tables represent not pounds but bales.
which vary in different supply-countries, and, consequently, the figures
given are only approximations. For the season 1876-77, now in preere.
the following estimates of supply are given: United States, 2,950,000
bales, averaging 440 pounds each; East. Indies, 1,350,000 bales, ‘averag-
ing 370 pounds; Egypt, 420,000 bales, averaging 600 pounds ; ; Brazil,
500, 000 bales, averaging 160 pounds; sundry Mediterranean, 90 000
bales, averaging 350 pounds; West Indies, Peru,&e., 110,000 bales, aver-
aging 200 pounds; total, 5,420,000 bales, averaging 402.7 pounds, gnd
amounting to 2,183,000,000 pounds. The probable consumption in Great
Britain is given at 1,297,000,000 pounds, and on the continent at
1,009,000,000 pounds, making a total of 2,306,000,000 pounds, which is.
123,000,000 pounds greater than the supply. Deducting 65,000,000
pounds, the estimated surplus held by continental spinners, and there
remains a net deficit of 58,000,000 pounds. This estimate assigns a
yield of 4,350,000 bales in the United States ; if it should reach 4,500,000
bales the surplus will only raise the stocks in port to what they were at
the beginning of the season 1875~’76, without leaving any surplus in the
hands of spinners.

The drift of the circular, then, is that the demand would be in excess
of the supply, provided the present indications of a revival of business
throughout the civilized world do not prove deceptive. If trade contin-
ues dull, and if European politics continue to be disturbed by the agita-
tions of the Eastern question, even a smaller crop than that esti-
mated above will be sufficient to meet the prospective demand in EKurope.

COTTON IMPORTS INTO THE BRITISH ISLES.—During the first nine
months of 1876 the United Kingdom imported 6,551,066 hundred-weight
of raw cotton from the United States, an increase of 870,095 hundred-
weight, or 15.3 per cent. over the import of the same periodin 1875. The
receipts from Brazil were 359,658 hundred-weight, a decline of 35 per cent. ;
from Egypt, 1,029,142 hundred-weight, a gain of 168,219 hundred-weight,
or 19.5 per cent.; from British India, 1,988, 331 hundred- weight, a
decline of 760, 121 hundred-weight, or 272. per "cent; from other : coun-
tries, 101,970 hundred. weight, a decline of 90,995 hundred- weight, or
47 per cent. The entire import was 10,038,167 hundred- weight, a decline
of 7,598 hundred-weight. The total value of the import was £30,653,466,
a decline of £4,323, 895, or about one-eighth. The import of cotton- man-
- ufactures amounted to 61,441,519 against £945,385 during the first three
quarters of 1875, an increase of 52 per cent.

504

MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1876.

The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of
the market at the beginning of each month.

Articles. November. December.
= 1
NEW YORK.
Flour, superfine State and western... per barrel-.| $4 60 to $4 90 $5 00 to $5 30
PRITAI DIGIC shoes os cee seo aces doe. 2. 5 20 to 5 65 5 60 to 6 90
extra to choice western .....----- donee 5. 5 20 to 8 50 655 to 8 25
Suuubormlextia(s ote oac ethos ae dome... 5 25 to 6 60 5 40 to 5 80
Southern family 2 22s 2222-5 soe dgpec.s- 6 65 to 8 75 6 65 to 8 7
Wheat, No. 1 spring..--....-.-..-.. per bushel... 1 25 ‘to 1 30 1 33, to, 1 3d
LN 2S aD oti Yee 2 eS ese doses. 1 22 to 1 2 1 28 to 1 32
winter, red, western ..----.----- AGM =- 1522) ‘to 130 to 135
winter, amber, western..---...-. doge.ts- 133 Sto 1 34 to 1 45
winter, white, western ..---..--. doees-25 133 y40)) 1uS5 1 34 to 24s
iat S35 S5g Ae CaS eae se 3 doen 56 to 614 534 to 61
Manistee eee scene = chien Bo ues tee doZe=.2- 31i7to, | 49 37 {itor eee
RO Sh4 seo Se Es ee ete ee GOnnrs ate 12400 (2786, 80 to 9
Heirley eeeres Costes cose ee eee domes ~-- 108 to 118 80 to 8
Hay, baled, first quality for retail. ...--- per ton..| 14 00 to 18 00 14 00 to18 00
baled, second quality for shipping..do.----. 12 00 to 12 00 to
Be POPS ine nism nice Diels ines eon per barrel..| 8 00 to 10 00 10 50 toll 50
BER AMNGSS tees cee eee dosresee 10 00 to11 00 j- 12 00 to12 50
BZOLEN MINES CRE os oot eect ee cee sack domsct 16 00 to17 00 17 00 to
exira Messe. 2o-e es en's Beco easoce dota: =e 13 50 to to
PHBIE MESS aoe cose ees as ac ana dosees=s= to to
LIU a0 ae a per pound.. 9% to 10 92to 10%
PSRILEIMWESLOIM ee) tet Shoe Coc as ne done. ote 19 to 28 16 to 26
LACE GAIT Y!s cess eect sk etaleeee chee eed 24 to 38 24 to 38
Cheese, State factory -----.-.---.------ dover: 9ito 14 11 to 14%
WeESLOTINTACEOLY, = So se'- oj oan sce doess-c- AGO ep lies 10 to 13%
Sugar, fair to prime refining ..........-- ates -..- 92 to 94 9ito 104
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. .-.---. Cs ese 98 to 104 10ito 114
low middling to good middling..do..---. 10% to 11% 113 to 122
iabaceo: Wires). ov set anecen came eet dies 8 5 to 8 5 to 8
leaf, common to medium..-.--- iit Ree 8 to 11 8 to 11
Wool, American XXX and picklock....-. (ome 48 to 50 48 to 50
American X and XXX.........-.. doze2- =: 36 to 46 36 to ~ 48
American combing ..---...-..--- do.s---- 48 to 5d 48 to 57
California spring clip.-..---..-.--- 1 eels 16 to 28 16 to 28
Calitarma'fall clips< ss 2-2. se0s dose. oo. 14 to 22 14 to 2
BOSTON.
Flour, western superfine spring. .----- per barrel..| 4 25 to 4 75 425 to 4 75
common spring extras..---.-.---. iliogaee 5 00 to 5 75 5 00 to 5 75
good to fancy northwestern spring.do..---. 5 75 to 9 50 5 75 to 9 2
good to fancy western winter ....do....-. 6 00 to 8 50 6 00 to 8 00
southernfamily--.- 5-8-5. osSee- doses. 2ce 6 50 to 8 50 6 50 to 8 50
ne es ane a eae sole ase per bushel- 110 to 1 38 120 to 1 42
Gorn Se eo aa he ae Men 2 Sind Onesie 58 to 65 58 to 66
RN ee Soci a came cere estes ae cetae le doz2s'. 3 3diit0) loos 45 to 52
Tae ee ahs seis aks Se ee ee sicwea domsece 75 to. 2) SU 85 to 90
ERENCE Et oye he ow =, ps Ie etait ag ae dows. 22 85 to 1 20 95 to 1 20
Hay, eastern and northern............-- per ton..| 12 00 to 20 00 12 00 to 19 00

505

Market-prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. November.
Boston—Continued.
Hay, western choice ...--..-.--.---.---per ton.-| $15 00 to $18 00
eeLcInAss = we eee i oe. on. sauce per barrel..| 15 00 to
(Eo if re 2)3) 2 ah eR SS SS 2 be = 2 12 00 to :
PRIMUS oe sjos eo yas = eee dee. Se 12 50 to 13 50

Gti MeMre a. <)-<- on ne ask Ue ong iy REE 16 00 to 16 50
NNOR SEs = fs Lice areas eee hd ae GO. = <= 18 00 to

TSE) OS a gee eee rater a1 ee. 102 to Ji}

Butter, New York and Vermont .--.--. per pound... 18 to 33

NORTE TN ose sory nie ea nee dite <5 see 16 to 33

Cheese, New York and Vermont factory..do..--.. 104 to 134

western factory: << <--4a}-)- <4 (0 ee 8 to 13
Sugar, fair to good refining. ........---- dO... 94 to 94
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. -.-.---- MO: «035 94 to 103

low middling to good middling -.do..-.--. 103 to 124

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania...--...-- CT eee 37 to 52
SROHIPAD Sd oS tem ninints pointe =< eh Rs inet 34 to 40
Giher WOSteli. icon = sci-emeain=.-= GE aoc 33 to 40
pulled....--.-. riheky che see athe ag bi ob do. -.435- 35 to 42}
Geminne AOACD wos os eis oe w= ok doe. ass 50 to AD
EIA oe dao) = a ep vagis os = = isa es 14 to 30

PHILADELPHIA.

emiae HEDGING 268 A cs cus aes per barrel.-| 350 to 4 00
Pennsylvania extra to choice. --.-- doe 2s. 4 124to 6 50
western extra to choice ..---...-.- Gi (reek ae 4124to 0 00

Wheat, winter, white. -. =~... «sj <- per bushel--| 130 to 1 40

BINDER Gea tas apiieg sce Ci (a 128 to 1.36
TEC Pe aici ae wail ah = sich dos. 555. POE tOy. 1) bo

Ree ce ata dt ee bias hah 'e E eee 68 to 75

EL ee eee Ba a Ao BOs = -22 75 to 85

DTD Ss Sa Bee rees | 2 eS 55 to 58

NS 245 See eee eer sees 0 seer re 28 to 41

ify, Pale, Plime. 202. 2 seen awie- sock per ton-. to 17 00

common to fair shipping .....----- 1 10 00 to 13 00

Beek, westemmess! -.<.)--- .5- <5. ---- per barrel.-| 6 00 to 8 00
Goin aie Shy SA ES ie ee ae eee! dQn. 2.5. 10 00 to 11 00
Warthman’s and Alburger’s city family per

[2 pa eR Si RS eA eae a oR 14 00 to

GH ee PE BEE S Bae 26 Fee ae See per barrel.-| 16 50 to 17 00
SUNG OSS ees ee emo ahi a aia is oe GO os a's 15 50 to 16 00
Gxiid: PRIM GAA so emacs n ao AD sac ses 16 50 to 17 00

[UA REC ER SS TS Beer an Pie ae per pound.. 103 to 15

Butter, choice Middle State -....--.-..- do) .-s4- - 30 to 38

choice western .</ 2.25 een. 635k dG... 40 to

Cheese, New York factory..---.-----.-- GOs = 2 sae to 14

CHMEREECLOY > ~~ eentiae soe ue dopo a3- to 134

Sugar, fair to good refining.......-.-.-. 1 Snes 92 to 98

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .--. ---. dGe- = 2% 92 to 10
low middling to good middling ..do..---. 10§ to 124

Wool, Ohio and Pennsylvania X to XXX-do..---.. 41 ® 45
otherswestem [4.-/--- -.2-...----. dos — =a: 31 to 38
NG hao ao a cela So aspen yess 0 GG 52. a 22 to 36
combing, washed and unwashed... do.----.. 38 to 52
PE WOBMOON Peete ie as anne ain's < « dG. ..-.5 30 to 46

BALTIMORE.

ETON) PIPETORNG a5 2 Sa oS ous pe as per barrel..| 4 25 to 475
GRU he shee seem ae alae cela o's a = = dona. =2 5 25 to 6 2%
roi leg (eet eee ae ee eae don. 2s: 5 7) to 8.50) 5

Whesg ten Sede. oee es. .6s..-. per bustel..|)° 1°10 to 1:35

5A

December.
$15 00 to $18-00
11 00 to
13 00 to
14 00 to 15 00
14 00 to 14 50
17 00 to17 50
102 to 11z
18 to 33
15 to 33
12 to 144
9 to 14
9% to 104
104 to 113
11% to 13
40 to 52
36 to 42
36 to 42
20 to 424
50 to O74
14 to 30
3 50 to 4 00
4 12ito 6 2%
600 to 6 75
1 30 to 1 50
1 42 to 1 45
1,204 ton 137
12.0: 74
60 to 95
52 to 59
28 to Al
16 00 to 17 00
10 09 to 13 00
6 00 to 8 00
10 00 toil OO
14 00 to
Teornto La 50
15 50 to 16 00
16 50 to17 00
10 to 15
26 to 35
25 to 27
& to 144
to 134
92 to 104
104 to 102
gto 12%
41 to 45
31 to 38
22 to 36
38 to 52
30 to 46
425 to 450
5 25 to 675
6 00 to 850
1,25: to. dias

506

Market prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles.

November.

=

BALTIMORE—Continued.

Wheat, amber | -2s- 5 --o-6 > omen a per bushel...
WTO. S As Wok 2 sau cles aa swl,aoela ae dose - 2.

RYO swce yee cess a Pees oe etae ee nse doss- 2-2
Hye eh EP ah es ge dors. 22.
Catenin Ee ay eee Ao tee ces ela cia eee else dos. 222
Hay, Maryland and Pennsylvania. .----. per ton.-
WAS S nS ae i Ses ees eee domes +++

RSS TERR Gf Eg Ce A ae per barrel...
SULLA TOS 1 Sas ines Si ely Pe dere. uA 2

OXIA ADEIMNG Ween nee s aati dowe. £2 =

ILAnGlGhaesAn ae Ease aScecehiaarsese ae per pound...
Butter, near-by receipts.-.----.-..---- idote. <2
WESLORNICHOIGD Sse. soe clenen Sos dope. 22
Cheese, eastern factory..---..----..----- Cia, li
WERLOLTID LACLOLY pe ceaese emia doze: 22:
Sugar, fair to good refining. -.----..----- doses
. New Orleans grocery grades.-.---.- doze~=s:
PEODUCCO, MUCK one m nae oo @ ei = dots:
leaf, common to medium ....-.--- doses2 228
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary .------ dose )2s

low middling to good middling....do...-..

CINCINNATI.

Minne. HUpeEeNe 2.6 pe see ahem per barrel -.
OXUlA ee aon semaeeewcee se agtewaae dons ue:
family and fancy..---..----.---- dove-ees

Wiheat- winter, redis- cn. ccs mean per bushel--

MUNG bOn) ss aman ste ee ees oe doses2e :
Wall een ShRS SS seegeeeoseee doeyc'e

(CHa, SSS SS esA Ooh corP Seo ameSE Se cseere dozssess

(CN EY Saou aR RS onan Hane Sec be peet eee dose oe.

Rey Opeat a con gone bo - open ae awn ee does"

LPG) phe oe eooec SobReEad Gosemea see c depeenss

Hay, baled, No. 1...--..--.------------ per ton...

IGWETVOTHO OS sacra. csi ~/4 aie ieee dors

Pork, mess ..-..-------------------- per barrel --

Hard) oop = sane ees sina ens = ain = == per pound...

pHthen COuice ene seem aoa er era meine idos-= 5

(MND R oaee Seo bonss ae soRera esc dopeen=c
Cheese, prime to choice factory.----..--. dg ike
Sugar, New Orleans, fair to good-...---.. doss-ee

PVN caer eee eel dame ane

obacco, lug. --.-45.. 5626 2-52 o-- =~ => ges son
Neate ss 2 sade eece ame ae late loss = ==

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. .----- dae Sees

low middling to good middling..do-.-----
Wool, fleece-washed, common to fine....do.----.

tub-washed .----..-------------- dos:

unwashed clothing ....-.....---- dors fe

unwashed combing..-%..---..--- dose ieee

pulled ....-,-----.-------------- ae: SES
CHICAGO.

Flour, choice winter extras. ..---..---per barrel...
common to good winter extras ....do.----.
spring extras, common to good...-do-.----
spring extras, choice.....--..--.-d0..-.--
patent springs..----.------------ oss ven.
spring superfine ..---.----------- dozacees

Wheat, No. 1 spring .:---.---------- per bushel...

$1 37 to $1 40

to
IF 25 to
to
17 00 to
104 to
26 to
25 to
124 to
ft tO
92 to
to
64 to
9 to
9 to
104 to

11 00 to

16 50 to

rt et et SPOT

Cs
asOntoQwan

December.

$1 45 to $1 51

SOW

RSSHh
co
g

11 00 to
15 75 to

me CO DD OVOV OUD
oQonnuoow
oounon
or
o

_
On

the
o
°

1 45

et OT OT FE
~
on

507

Market prices of farm-products—Continued.

Articles. November. December.
CuicaGco—Continued.
Wiheat, No.2 apring J... 5+ --»- 2. -per bushel..| $1 114 to $1 12 $113 to $1 134
ING FeSO foec ol. nee eee doe. ..2e DUOMO ae a 1 053 to 1 05%
LENGE - uo Sa BENE SeeBOCIae 2 aneS Gop «Sane 60 to 604 66 to ———
TLS Ve O catia forciolm wtcio.a <a: clause haem cine Goes 4 79% to 80 66 to 664
(Canny ISOS, 2 REAP Sposeere as aece don. 25. 42% to 428 43% to 44
MDAISING ee a aine aoc dines sons dae ole bee dOis =< a-€ 31% to 3228 32% to 324
TRIER ATO DIY ject = 2s! acto a 12 led ome mice per ton 8 50 to 11 50 9°50 to 12150
GIP Boe Bee Ser dea sber eo sbescoe dGr. 5... 750 to 8 00 7 00 to
PAG WIG RS Seerome neers eaee so esecks per barrel-.| 950 to 9 75 950 to 975
emirap Messi. Sos aie’ sacle bias doe =e 10 50 to 10 75 10 50 to 10 75
ANURA IESE) od ate) nisictiee aces «Gaon ele iti ee 15 75 to 16 00 15 75, to’ 15780
ORGAN MOSS! /- ose eee od Re gcc Qe ....25 to 12 50 to 12 75
IDTIMGRIICSS -f al) sec ae no a one ct ae 12 00 to — to
1 716) 4235 See ee Bee ee cee = re per pound.. 94 to 94 92 to
Batter choice to, fancy, .<-s95--2-- 4--% Ch) a 25 to 30 28 to 32
medium to: PO0d 2 arene ae = = == do. 17 to 23 17 to 28
Cheese, good to choice factory....-.----- Goes tite 124 12 to isjees
mucar. New Orleans. 22-2. -/o.-j2\9- =~. d0s2 225 to 92 to 104
WOO) ptab-Washediiris sicisce sos oss s- cs cte dGsee sec 36 to 45 30) ‘to 45
HESCOWIAS DEG) sols sem cme Sayles ses dos.2s5- Sau itO 39 33. to 37
MIMWARNOM/ oS Sclel=t al ans iccig pic eit dos.- se Dieta 26 20 to 27
eG ere te ete wisicia wisiee rt ='= = ane ie oe 0 eee to to
SAINT LOUIS.
Flour, winter, common to choice -.-..per barrel-.| 350 to 7 00 350 to 7 00
RGR loeincia oe satel) ace > erent per bushel... 95 to I1 134 105 to 1 28
(Cini OS5E eee eee: Soren ae es eee doses. 39° to 45 43 to 45
WG IE he Te Re ee ere eee Loe Oi nae 50 to 59 50 to 60
lopHlley? Coos SS ecus cede sess osteo eroee ss does 2255 45° to. 115 30 to 1 15
OF Ae SS ee Se 2 ees doen. 284 to 35 25 to 32
Elana timMounyen = elas Joss = ses oc ee per ton-.| 11 00 to 13 00 11 00 to 13 00
DUA Oa seat welts eM iscsce kere wish. AOS 326. 7 00 to I1 00 7 00 to 11 00
LDH E, HIGEEN Soe eeoheeeces CODES Hee per barrel..| 13 50 to 14 00 13 50 to 14 00
ORK MeSBIsEe Seen. 222 Seates Ae Se MOccases 16 50 to 17 50 16 50 to 17 50
Wap setae 5 2. dae Snes he 5. per pound. 9 to 10 94 to 104
Butter, prime to choice dairy ..----..--. doe ea 26 to 30 22 to 28
country-packed)..2\5 25 .\:2502- 22-5 oe 2 2h. 18 to 22 17 to 20
Cheese, Ohio factory -.----..--------<. Olegeeee 124 to 134 124 to 134
New York factory... --.).0.-.- dopant: 13 to 14 13. to 14
NVGOl. tub-washed = cote ctoenes <= oe fata eee SoMtO 40 33 to 40
feece=w ached! ssa2eesssece sos be.. dos. to to
DMA WABNOG | so see) aaaniseh~ See see = ci AOE 20 24 to 31 24 to 31
NEW ORLEANS.
silour,vsuperne 60. S-5 be ase ae per barrel.-| 5 00 to 4 75 to
Gxtrapeeeescae >= = ashes et ae aah G2 =a \s 600 to 6 75 5 00 to 6 00
choicenonantys=2 2-2) )245-)--/-s56 dpe 700 to 750 625 to 7 374
Spee: in) eee ee ean ade E> os per bushel... 56 to 65 54 to 65
Ohiseact: ese wee obo a A dapeys= 3 41 to 50 45 to 47
May, choice. «2.2446. --:- pn AE se per ton..| 19 00 to 18 00 to
TE etl ANe ene be coe Aeon Bee mere d0s <<; 16 00 to ———]| 1300 to 14 00
Beef, Texas .2.. ...- 12 eS See Eee a per barrel..| 10 00 to to
Western 3... tks etek oid no does 2. 14 00 to 15 00 12 00 to 15 00
Fulton market..........-.. per half barrel--| 975 to 10 00 8 00 to 850
PST Pee Os Ses ens ee he oe per barrel..| 17 50 to 18 25 18 374 to 18 50.
“GG TEE Sea ee te elt Aen ee per pound.. 10% to 112 104 to 114
Butter, choice Goshene jy. 5240.03 .2- = -'. Gopeests 34 to 34 to 30
choice western .........-+------ donc seas 24 to 25 22 to 23
Cheese, choice western factory. FS HERES ee 5 Gen 124 to 13 12 to 124
Néwi Yorks creamy... = 28 . sees 2s.) dog ec 15 to 154 15 to 16

508

Market-prices of farm-products—Oontinued.

a
Articles.

NEw ORLEANS—Continued.

Sugar, fair to fully fair..........-..-per pound...
prime to strictly prime -... ..---. thoes oe
clarified, white and yellow..----. do2ss~-<

Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary. ..-.--. doves...

low middling to good middling..do......

ODRCCO MUMS hae he coca e cia ce amale MOS

leaf, low to medium...-.-...--- dGsen.
’

Wide, BHPCTHNG ko. a. oat soe ame mek -per barrel.
PXMG meen rele ele cise lone e/a na teeiciee desss- -.
familyjand fancy... --..--.--..--\ doeees-

Wheat, California ..\.-..--.2..-..-:. per cental..

RRROR NE pe ae inet ican cee pe sce Gare * =.

LETRA Be ag Rd 2 Se Ee Oene ser

OU) sé 2 698 sub spe secas cage saat sase dose ==6

ASEM pee cheers tak d Sham ne caaes- epee lt dozsee se

LEST SLD SE eS eae Sere per ton-..

Les a ORE See ees agen per barrel...

PLUME MOCKS Jos ce. ee oS ese ee eee domace=-

BeniMess--cee. sats toe clemaace wana eee dosse 22

Satay MAERS 9. pac ak ee one per half barrel-.

TD DEE 2 bate sei oS i eS eee per pound..

Panton OVONandl J. -/acece ess caine sm doztece-
Calteiminseseesssee sae eee ae dosanaae
OO a ae Sa aes fio fro. ue

na ee odo, ORE a Bae ae eer ee SE OSE a.

WMiOOMNAIVEr2 t= 2 es ates ssaseekees Hos dente.
Californians th ere coe sec ce.e ae dozs==es
erOR cp ocr n ncn ens = en eiar ene doten=e=

November.
$0 7ito $0 72
8 to 84
9 to 10
82 to 94
102 to 114
54 to 8
84 to 12
400 to 4 2
450 to 475
5 00 to 5 50
1 50'ttom ans
50+ ito 75
90) Sto” UA
140to Fetes
P10 Sto tS
750 to 13 50
23 60 to 24 00
17 50 to 18 50
9 00 to 10.00
8 50 to 10 00
134 to 15
20 to 22
25 to 45
20 to 25
124 to 15
10 to 12
15° to 22
25 to 25

December.

LIVE-STOCK MARKETS.

NEW YORK.

Cattle, extra beeves....-.---22...--- per cental-.
SHOGHEO PIMC sabe Seeeesecenin SO0l oes
Commonnito tairhas 64st ss es dgee. ue
EXADS ea)... elo S cas oe sae ete be One cee
milch-cows..000-¢)-t 2212-222. perjhead:..|
weal-calyes so: cca! ans Wi ade 2 per cental --

SOC Pes se sen acs sens seals ds ee eech saa doce - 2s

SME ie 2 Va Sh Sep ease cane SSG SESH dogs 2:

PHILADELPHIA.

Cattle, prime beeves......-..--..---per cental..

fait TOP OCH Bosca ses telnee ee oe domi. <ce
COMMON: a shee ost. ae ete dGie 42%
SReepee sees ce meeneacaet sb oe hee dout-eE-
Swine, comm-teds.. sa Roe. scss i beet dos ike
BALTIMORE.
Cattle; best beeves ..3-'-t=. iota: -2 per cental..
distuqnality;. .st.6u. ssa see dos ciet
medium or good quality..-...--. SdOn5 228

OVGIN GY. epee os woe kte ela ee OO Ne HEL

10 00
9 25

6 00
45 00
5 00
4 00
5 60

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

6 124 to

5 00
3 00
1 00
8 25

wow. &
woe SO
owos

to
to
to
to

to
to
to
to

ON mm OD

Co tO me ON
O12 ~
SOO

Ne WOOD
on
So

¥.

509

Dive-stock markets—Continued.

Articles.

BaLTIMORE—Continued.

Cattle, general average of the market .per cental..

MOSsHoOL tHe cules... 655.5. Lee eee de ..\ a2

milch-cows-.-.-.-..----.--. --per head ..

BNIDED 42 see. 4 2s << dys va es ple Sental 5.

SWING SEE EET a. ano oe Scictea mem alceoe dos - So
. CINCINNATI.

Cattle, good to prime butchers’ steers -- per cental - .

FAI LOMMEGIU Mile -/o.2eyaif mo seats dont’
COMMON) 2 see Lose eee ee GO} «\.'255
MUCH COWS 2.255 3 lee aed cae per head..
Weal-Cal ves). j.55) 3 4).-2 pasa per cental

He TELE Ey yk Sa Pea ee Mc Oye taia)

MIC ooo cin lafe So Hate Pama aca isela melee do) < = sa.

CHICAGO.

Cattle, extra graded steers....-.----- per cental--
BHGICMIDOEV OS =i> stato <a sea dos. 32455
Boed Beever! oo 25 eases VeeL ao... Toc.
MeUIAMIp as. (eerie os, Seta te el doe 4552
INFEHOLIMALLVGS< 42h. as. scl oe doztaas
Texans, through droves.----.. .-.- GG. Jone

BEIGE Pema aia oe, gate elie asinia Somes ese doreeese

Simlnioe=na emcee adie: ot Pea SOO lee

SAINT LOUIS.

Cattle, good to choice native steers -. -. per cental - .

common to fair natives........-.- dows ae.
inferior to common.....-..-.---- dos2- 53
Texans, fair to choice....---..-.- dO. ss285
‘SUGTe) is Se Be Be tis ne doce
LS PLC ey at Ue es Se Ee eee er Pe do525-5
EMTS DEM Coro S28 8. nai futw mle o:ciaialahe per head ..
plain to choice southern....----- Ost Sci
SiCCL Cates sete Ue. 2 (a oae a aacisrae dOjs=234:
Neav ycarsae ht. 23 so. ot at's, 00. 72---
aod! drivers) $322 4. - sess sete don co2.8
xtra eis GAC Ee Sele eee es do. .28e
auction horses and ponies...----- do: 3.25
Mules, 14 to 15 hands high.........-.-- doy 4) 2.
fot071G hands ‘high 2. . -20222.:d0..2 52.
GREE oer. cies ael. afoelateme Ae ae ee doassoZe

NEW ORLEANS.

Cattle, Texas beeves, choice. .----.---. per head...

first quality ...--.- AMY 2 Seon

second qality....-- dot 2225.

western beeves....-.)..-.-2-+. per cental-.

milch-cows-— 225 °.-\)4- bento ea ho per head...

VGH ELV OB. Sala ott a ona a} cin mais doin tae

SHEEP eee eras alee eee cate) suas donate
SNE RE SE Sas = Bae) EME a ae per cental

Horses, good combined..-.-.-..-----. per head-.

Dl ee ease i Se oS yt s de dow S25 24.

COTA Ga 0) ees BR ERE ee ee doy 2253

Mules, well broken, first class....-......do .---.

second-class. 5. .U.sdo... 284

November.
$3 62 to
3.12 to $4 25
to
SOO tos 24 of
7.00) tof Sie
SHLD tkOls ga D)
SOU tOne ol)
200 to 2 40
to
to
Ro antOm, ) 4200
490 to 5 60
to
A 60. 40 (45°15
410 to 4 40
3 30 to 4 00
Wey toy eau
Deo tO aero
SHOU tOn. 4a20
425 to 6 00

200 to 3 25
300 to 4 00
250 to 4 50

to
40 00 to 90 00
700 to 9 00
200 to 6 00
5 00 to 7 00
150 00 to 200 00
100 00 to i50 00
40 00 to 80 00
175 00 to 200 00
100 00 to 150 00

December.
— ~1«to ——
— to ——
— to —
——- to ——
— «to ———
$4 25 to $4 40

260 to 3 50
2 00) to, 12750:
to

—— to
225) tow 4eoo
SOO) fovea
—— to
—— to 500
— to
280 to 3 50
2) etOeonol
to
325 to 4 12%
5 50 to 6 00
450 to 4 90
3 25> tom aoe
2 00 to) 73,25
300 to 4 00-
2150! tor 450
BUSOM tO: lores
30 00 to 65 00
50 00 to 90 00
75 00 to 125 00
100 00 to 130 00
175 00 to 225 00
295 00 to 250 <0
25 00 to 45 00
85 00 to 120 00:
115 00 to 150 00
175 00 to 185 00
35 00 to 45 00
to 35 00°
25 00 to 35 00
to
50 00 to 100 00
700 to 9 00
200 to 6 00
550, too 4ra@
to
—— to ——
Se to a
poses to ———
—— ee to ———

510

FOREIGN MARKETS.

WHEAT.—In the United Kingdom the month of November was favor-
able to farm-operations till about the close of the third week, when a
sharp spell of frost set in, but it was again succeeded by a mild temper-
ature with genial rain. The conditions of growth for fall-wheat have on
the whole been quite favorable, and are in striking contrast to the dis-
astrous seed-time of 1875. The fall-sowing was completed in good
order. Suppliesof British wheat at the country markets were small, and
dullness the prevailing feature of the home trade, causing a declineat
several points of 1s. per quarter for English wheat. In the absence of
authorized inquiries by government into the yield of the crops, several
leading statisticians have been estimating the wheat yield. The Agri-
cultural Gazette sets down the aggregate product at between 95,070,000
and 102,179,600 bushels; the Yorkshire Post, from 96,771,000 to 103,365,-
000; Mr. Kains-Jackson, 98,756,000; the Farmer, 90,526,000; the Magnet,
‘98,756,000; the Mark Lane Hapress, 92,584,000; Mr. Scott, 88,960,000,
The average of these estimates is about 96,600,000. The population of
the United Kingdom is estimated at 53,000,000, consuming in the aggre-
gate about 180,000,000 bushels of wheat. This will require a foreign
import of nearly.90,000,000 bushels. Other estimates raise the neces-
sary import to at least 100,000,000 bushels. Changes in the British land
system and in the conditions of cereal production are foreshadowed by
movements already inaugurated, which will in a marked degree affect
the future demand for foreign grain.

Considerable anxiety has been felt in regard to the supply of present
demands, especially in view of the falling off in the American import.
Supplies from Russia and India were unusually large, while American
receipts had largely fallen off, especially from Atlantic ports. But as
the Black Sea ports will soon be closed for the winter, America is looked
to as the main source of supply. The movement of American crops
to the seaboard has been very slow on account of the unwillingness of
the great railway-lines to furnish transportation at existing rates of
tariff. This slowness of transatlantic grain movements, together with
the chronic uneasiness growing out of the unsettled state of the eastern
question and the liability of a general war, had kept the local grain-
trade quite firm and had made holders very unwilling to part with their
stocks.

The French crop of wheat was also short, being estimated by the Bul-
letin des Halles, of Paris, at between 85,000,000 and 90,000,000 hectoliters,
(241,214,700 and 255,403,800 bushels.) Its value was supposed to be en-
hanced 4 or 5 per cent. by the superior quality of the grain. Subse-
quently the Hcho Agricole, from returns by 3,500 correspondents in all
parts of the wheat-growing region, estimated the wheat-area of 1876 at
16,383,540 acres, yielding 256,726,250, an average of 12.6 bushels per
acre. This crop is somewhat larger than that of 1875, as estimated by
M. Banal, and about two-thirds of the large crop of 1874. The domestic
consumption is estimated by the last-named statistician at 204,322,040
bushels, besides 39,729,480 bushels required for seed, making a total con-
sumption of 243,051,000 bushels, which leaves but a small margin for
export.

The sales of English wheat during the week ending November 18
were 48,063 quarters, at 48s. 3d. per quarter, against 48,012 quarters, at
47s. 8d., during the corresponding week of 1875. The London averages

bit:

were 49s. 4d. on 1639 quarters. The imports into the United Kingdom
- for the week closing November 11, were744,753cwt. The tendency of the
market was to close dealing, buyers not readily yielding to the demands
of the sellers. In Mark Lane, Essex and Kent white brought 45s. to 52s.
per quarter; ditto, red, 43s. to49s.; Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire,
red, 44s. to 46s.; Dantzig, mixed, 52s. to 55s.; Kénigsberg, 50s. to 45s. ;
Ghirka, 45s. to 47s.; Russian, hard, 44s. to 46s.; Saxonska, 47s. to 50s. ;
Danish and Holstein, red, 46s. to 49s.; American, 48s. to 53s.; Chilian,
white, 48s. ; Californian, 50s.; Australian, 51s. to 53s.

At Liverpool, British white wheat was quoted at 10s. 1d. to 10s. 7d.
per cental; ditto, red, 9s. 7d. to 10s. 1d.; Australian, 10s. 8d. to 10s.
10d.; Oregon, 10s. 6d. to 10s. 8d.; Californian, 10s. 4d. to 10s. 6d.; club
and choice, 10s. 7d. to 10s. 8d.; Chilian, 9s. 8d. to 10s. 1d.; American
white, 9s. 11d. to 10s. 3d.; ditto, red winter, 9s. 7d. to 10s. 10d. ; choice
spring, 10s. 3d. to 10s. 5d.; No. 1 spring, 9s. 11d. to 10s. 2d.; No. 2 spring,
9s. Td. to 9s. 10d. ; No. 3 spring, 9s. 1d.; Canadian white, 9s. 11d. to 10s.
3d.; red club and golden drop, 10s. 1d. to 10s. 5d.; Bombay, 9s. 6d. to
9s. 10d. ; ; Calcutta, 8s. 8d. to 9s. 4d.; French, 10s. to 10s. 6d. ; ; Egyptian,
7s. 3d. to 9s. 3d.

In Paris the prevailing character of the wheat-trade was firmness, but
purchases for consumption were made sparingly, while holders were not
anxious to sell. The average price of wheat was 47s. 7d. per quarter.
During the week ending November 18, 28 French provincial markets
- had advanced or had shown an advancing tendency, against 12 the pre-
vious week ; 58 stood calm to firm against 61, and 14 showed a declining
tendency against 24, the previous week. At Bordeaux, the millers, find-
ing but slim profits in existing rates, preferred to stop their machinery.
A declining tendency is noted at Berlin, Hamburg, and Dantzig. At
Alexandria, Egypt, a demand in excess of supplies had somewhat
raised prices.

FLouR.—Imports into the United Kingdom for the week ending No-
vember 11, 105,190 cwt. against 146,538 the previous week In Mark
Lane, the best town households brought 38s. to 43s. per 280 pounds; best
country household, 36s. to 38s.; Norfolk and Suffolk, old, 32s. to 33s.;
French, 30s. to 35s.; American and extra, per barrel, 23s. to 26s. At
Liverpool, English and Irish superfines were quoted at 35s. to 38s. ; ditto,
extras, 42s. to 47s.; French, 38s. 6d. to 46s. 6d.; Trieste, 47s. 6d. to 54s.
6d.; California and Nie an 57s. to 42s. 6d. American, western and ex-
tra State, 25s. 6d. to 28s. 6d.; Batimore and Philadelphia, 25s. 6d. to
29s. 6d.; Ohio and extra, 27s. 6d. to 30s. 6d.; extra Canadian, 27s. to
298. 5 patent barrel, 52s. to 37s. In Paris superior flour averaged about
37s. per 280 pounds.

Mar1zE.—In Mark Lane, white maize brought 28s. to 29s. per quarter;
ditto, yellow, 26s. to 27s. At Liverpool, American new white was
quoted at 29s. to 29s. 6d. per 480 pounds ; set Mt 26s. to 26s.'3d.; Galatz,
27s. 9d. to 28s.; Don, 27s. 6d. to 28s.

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