319 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



Ill-tempered criticism. — Oglethorpe, Ga.: In a late number of the 

 "Xew York Financial and Commercial Chronicle are certain comments 

 upon the June report of the Department, which I think deserve some 

 notice in the July report. The Chronicle is, in my opinion, willfully- 

 misrepresenting the condition of the growing cotton-crop. Its remarks 

 upon the June report of the Department are in bad temper and worse 

 manners. It comes with bad grace from a paper that in the spring 

 stated that " cold, wet weather was favorable to the development of the 

 youDg cotton-plant, causing it to take root." This nonsense appeared 

 in the Chronicle, and is a fair sample of its perversions. As you are 

 aware, cold, wet weather is the worst thing for young cotton, causing it 

 to die faster than anything else. If such a paper is to be taken as 

 authority, then the planters themselves are ignorant of their business. 

 This same paper stated that an increased acreage in the Southwestern 

 States might be expected, and at that very time the Mffesissippi was 

 pouring through half a dozen crevasses. 



Farming in Eichmond, K. Y. — Market- gardening and fruit-growing 

 are the principal features of cultivation in this county; mixed hus- 

 bandry is found to pay better than special crops. 



Agricultural Machines. — Dickenson, Kansas : A hundred reapiug- 

 machiues have been sold in this town (Abilene) this season. 



Irrigated land. — Eern, Col.: This county has been grazed more 

 than farmed, though we have about 500,000 acres of good bottom-lands. 

 The delta of the Kern Eiver can be easily irrigated, and will produce a 

 crop of barley or wheat, and one of corn the same season. It will raise 

 from 30 to 60 bushels of barley per acre, and from 20 to 40 of wheat. 

 On 4 crops of Alfalfa 8 tons may be raised ; this grass is superior to red 

 clover for feed. 



Overestimated crops. — Stanislaus, Cal. : The California wheat-crop, 

 as usual, is overestimated this year by 10,000,000 bushels. A compari- 

 son of the amount shipped, as gathered from the commercial returns for 

 several years, with the present estimates, will show that my view is cor- 

 rect. 



Meteorological extrei^ies. — Crawford, Wis.: The thermometer 

 showed 100° in the shade, June 24 ; ranged from 85° to 94° during 

 the four days just previous. >S'^ Croix, Wis.: Thermometer 100'^ in 

 the shade. Morgan, Ohio : In June the mercury ranged from 90*^ to 

 96° for ten days in the shade ; on tbe 23d it stood for five houi'S at 98'°; 

 on the 25th a terrific wind-storm from the southeast leveled trees, un- 

 roofed houses, blew in the gables of brick dwelliugs, »S:c. It was followed 

 by a rain-fall of 1.2 inches within 40 minutes. Hancock, 111.: During 

 the night of June 4, 5.45 inches of rain tell — more than ever fell at one 

 time before. Madison, N. Y.: A tornado, June 7, blew down build- 

 ings, demolished fences, and destroyed crops; hail-stones as large as 

 hens' eggs. Salt Lake, Utah : The rain-fall has exceeded, by 40 per cent. 

 that of any previous season. 



Labor. — Schenectady, N. Y. : Help is plenty, and can be procured 

 at a lower price than in former years. 



Wayne, ^. C. — This county contains 310,000 acres, or nearly fiy© 

 3 A 



