24 



Franklin.— Cotton is our principal crop and is exceedingly good ; 25 per dent, in ad- 

 vance of the previous year, and the yield at least 110. 



McLennan, Texas. — One-fourth of the bottom-land cotton yet to be gathered ; paying 

 $1.25 in gold per 100 pounds for picking. In consequence of a lai'ge area planted, and 

 an unprecedented yield, together with a scarcity of hands with which to secure the 

 crop, it has been badly done, and the bulk of the crop will class " ordinary" or even 

 lower. Much less cotton will be planted next year. ^ 



Fresno, Cal. — The cotton crop has averaged about 800 pounds of lint-cotton per acre, 

 and about 250 acres matured. Some 60 acres were destroyed by grasshoppers. The 

 area of land planted to cotton will be trebled next season. A few jute-plants, wkich 

 came up from seed obtained from the Department, grew splendidly, and attained the 

 height of 10 feet. The seed did not generally come up. I think this climate suited to 

 its culture. 



Clackamas, Orrrj. — We have as good varieties of wheat in this county as can be found in 

 the world. The following are standard varieties : Old White-Winter ; White Velvet; 

 Canada Club ; Chili Club ; White Australian, Spring and Winter, and Ninety -day wheat. 

 The Old White-Winter was brought to this country by the Hudson Bay Company, not 

 less than 40 years ago ; and for every variety of soil is proljably the best kind we 

 have. Some of the other varieties were obtained through the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. The good that has grown out of its distribution of seeds can scarcely be told. 

 This county is iudebted.to that source for some of its most valuable seeds, which other- 

 wise might have been years in reaching here. 



Lamar, Texas. — Our best farmers i^roduced greatly above the figures giveu, (for the 

 average per acre of grain,) but the slothful and lazy farmers have to be considered, 

 which greatly reduces the average, and this year makes it very low for this county. 

 This being a hard year, grain would not grow, even in Texas, without the necessary 

 culture. 



Assumption, La. — A remarkable decrease in the yieli of sugar-cane has been noticed 

 for sevei'al years past, the largest yield now being 1,500 to 2,000 pounds per acre, whereas 

 formerly the yield often reachtid 3,500 pounds. 



Cheshire, N. H. — The farmers in the valley of the Connecticut are running their farms 

 with tobacco, and in consequence of th6 heavy drain on the land by the crop, and of 

 remunerative prices, are fast putting the farm into the pocket by running the laud 

 out. 



Doufjlas, Minn. — The Agricultural Association of this county is hereafter to be con- 

 trolled by the farmefs. They have elected their officers. It is expected that the next 

 fair will contribute more to the success of agriculture than those heretofore. 



Hancock, Ohio. — The failures in our cereal crops are owing entirely to the season. No 

 devouring insects; losses to farmers fully made up by the shipment of 100,000 barrels 

 of apples from this county. The '• panic" does .not hurt us much, and really we are in a 

 prosperous condition. 



Saint Clair, Lll. — The panic is not felt in this county to any considerable extent. As 

 our farmers are free from- pressing indebtedness they are holding back their crops, and 

 it is supposed (correctly too) that they are advancing on their hand:^ Enough of 

 wheat is disposed of to keep our mills coutiniuiUy ruuuing, and first-rate Hour finds a 

 ready market, with a larger margin than usual. AH oar people are doing well. 



Logan, Ohio. — The frequent droughts and consequent partial failure of the crops of 

 late years is a subject worthy the consideration of all interested in Americau agricul- 

 ture. I believe the principal cause is to be found in the loss of our timber. The his- 

 tory of all inland countries which have been denuded of forests goes to prove this. 

 The wonderful change in the climate of Egypt since the most extensive planting of 

 forests that we have on record speaks volumes on this subject. Were 25 per cent, of 

 our cleared lands replanted with forests, there is little doubt, that the remainder would 

 produce more than the whole does now; and how might the country be enriched by 

 the growth of valuable, selected timUer! 



Seneca, X. Y. — We have a new variety of whit.e winter-wheat, discovered by Mr. G. 

 Clawson, of this town, (Ovid,) four years ago. It is a red-chafi' bald wheat, long open 

 head and stiff straw. It has proved more hardy than any otlier white wheat in this 

 vicinity, and is superseding all others. 



Martin, Minn. — The Cherokee corn deserves particular mention for the size and filling 

 of the ears and the yield per acre. The seed was brought here from Dane County, 

 Wisconsin. 



Prince William, Va. — Mr. Waters, of Brentville, seeded on six acres six bushels of 

 buckwheat, intending to turn the cropuuder as a fertilizer ; but as it prouused a good 

 yield he harvested it, and it gave him 274 bushels, which he sold at ^l per bushel. He 

 applied 10 cwt. of bone-meal. 



Santa Anna, N. Mex. — The farmers have made molasses this season out of the 

 common corn-stalk. 



Granville, N. C. — Stock of all kinds has been decreasing in numbers every year since 

 the war, but more rapidly than previously for the past two years. Very few freed- 



