1857.] Carrespondence of the Cindnnatxis. 509 



CORRESPONDENCE OF THE CINCINNATUS. 



Freedoji, 111., Oct. 20th, 1857. 

 Friend Gary : — 



Dear Sir : — As this is the first time I have troubled you with a 

 letter since I visited your Institution and beautiful grounds, Labor- 

 atory, Cabiiiats, etc., and having been so agreeably entertained, and 

 wishing to learn of your success and that of the College and exper- 

 imental farm, I know you will pardon this liberty. We have had a 

 remarkably fine season for business and the maturing of the corn 

 and other fall crops having had but two light frosts as yet, viz, on 

 the nights of the 28th and 29th of Sept., hardly killing the sweet 

 potatoes and other tender vines. Our crops are all remarkably fine, 

 except potatoes, some of which are injured in this locality by a black 

 rot. The yield is great, prices low, and I am at a loss to determine 

 whether the great depression is occasioned by the large crops or the 

 pressure in the money market, perhaps both, although our locality 

 is not affected as seriously by the bank suspension as such as are 

 depending upon the manufacturing interests. And although it 

 is harder to sell two bushels of wheat for a dollar, than one 

 requiring more labor, yet having the wheat, the farmer can raise the 

 dollar, while the manufacturer and the laborer finds himself without 

 the dollar or anything to secure it ; the wheels must cease to move 

 where there is no money. The farmer, if anybody, gets a portion of 

 that which is in circulation, for the people must have his products 

 or starve. And it is fortunate for the country that the hard times 

 commenced before the produce reached the hands of the merchants, 

 at former high prices, for in such cases the merchants being bank- 

 rupt, the farmer woiild be without produce or money. Now the 

 farmer has his produce and though at a greatly reduced price he can 

 stand it. 



The White Pirk Wheat that I brought from your place is growing 

 finely and looks remarkably well ; and I must say that there is more 

 vitality in it than in any kind I ever saw. The Chinese Sugar Cane 

 is proven beyond a doubt to be well adapted to our climate and soil, 

 and further, that there is an abundance of sacharine matter in it. 

 Much of the cane in our locality is full fourteen feet in bight, with 

 ordinary attention ; and on my place, planted on the 20th of May, 



