218 
fields only a half-crop will be raised. Stanislaus: Crop but one-third of an average. 
Mendocino: Late-sown grain still looks well, but will soon show the effects of drought. 
Placer: Wheat-crop threatened by drought. 
COTTON. 
Twelve monthsago an increase over the previcus year in the cotton-area 
was Feported in every State; an increase over that of last year is now 
reported in every State. The percentage of increase in a State, as found 
by dividing the aggregate of increase in counties by the number re- 
ported, is, as a rule, too high, because, almost always, the largest per- 
cent. of inerease will be from counties having a comparatively small 
acreage. But, reckoned in that rough way of estimating, the imerease . 
indicated is, in Virginia, 25 per cent.; North Carolina and Georgia, 14; 
South Carolina, 2; Florida, 3; Alabama, 9; Mississippi and Louisiana, 
4; Texas, 51; Arkansas, 10; Tennessee, 15. This makes the average 
increase in the cotton States, reckoned in the same way, nearly 12 per 
cent. The per cent. of increase reported last years was, in North Caro- 
lina and Arkansas, 16; South Carolina, 9; Georgia and Tennessee,,12 ; 
Florida and Mississippi, 10; Alabama and Louisiana, 11; Texas, 18; 
and the average, throughout the cotton States, approximating 13. 
It will be noticed that,-in both years, Texas makes the largest 
relative increase. Our reports indicate a prevalent increase in the rela- 
tive amount of fertilizers used. The acreage cultivated will fall consid- 
erably below that planted. A cold, backward spring, causing much 
seed to rot inthe ground; avery wet May, preventing work, and in- 
creasing the subsequent demand for it; and the impossibility of obtaining 
sufficient labor to subdue, over the whole breadth sown, the excessive 
weeds and grass consequent upon the extraordinarily wet season, con- 
spire to make this result inevitable. Returns concur in placing the 
crop from two to three weeks later than usual. 
Florida reports a condition 2 per cent. above annual average; 
all the others fall below. Virginia and Alabama, 7 per cent.; North 
Carolina, 15; Sonth Carolina, 12; Georgia and Louisiana, 6; Mississippi 
and Arkansas, 8; Texas, 14; Tennessee, 10. But it will be seen, from 
the extracts below, that very generally the weather, in the last days of 
May, was favorable, and there was a hopeful prospect that the condition 
would rapidly improve. : 
Another part of this report will show that worms and caterpillars 
have made an early appearance at various points, and are causing con- 
siderable apprehension of destructive ravages. 
Virginia, from which four counties reported the culture of cotton last 
year, reports eight this year, and an increase of acreage in all except 
Patrick, Chesterfield, and King William, in which it is unchanged. 
In Sussex and Nansemond the increase is 50 per cent.; in York, 70. 
e 
Nansemond: Many going into cotton; the erop very late. Prince George: The 
acreage has been increased, but the cold, heavy rains have caused the seed to come 
up badly, and the plant does not look thrifty. Southampton: The acreage greatly in- 
creased, from the fact that the pea-nut crop has been almost abandoned, and cotton 
substituted. 
From the thirty-two counties reporting from North Carolina, Catawba, 
Cumberland, and Union report a decrease in acreage; Wake, Tyrrel, | 
Iredell, Yadkin, Anson, and Montgomery, the same as last year; the 
others, an increase; Lincoln and Granville, 100 per cent.; Lincoln, 
Gates, Randolph, Stanly, and Martin return average condition; Polk, 
25 per cent. above; all the others below. : 
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