391 



1. The salubrity of the Gulf Coast, east of Louisiana, is fully equal to 

 that of any section of the Union. Miasmatic diseases prevail during 

 certain seasons on the river-bottoms, but of a less malignant type than 

 is found in similar localities of the I^forth. The yellow fever is expected 

 in the cities about every five years, but it never troubles the rural dis- 

 tricts. The whole region is almost totally exempt from Asiatic cholera. 



2. The climate of the Soutb is destitute of the extremes of both heat 

 and cold found in the ]S"orth. A summer temperature of 90° r. is un- 

 usual, while the Gulf breezes render the air very delightful. 



3. Most of the crops grown in the i^orth can be successfully grown on 

 the coast, with a great variety of tropical and semi-tropical products, 

 giving scope for an exceedingly varied culture. An acre of corn there 

 represents a greater money value than at the ]S"orth. 



4. Markets are fair and constantly improving. An increased produc- 

 tion would call forth increased facilities for transportation. The early 

 spring products are shipped North at a period when they find no com- 

 I)etitioD. 



5. Southern pine lands are worth more per acre than the best uplands 

 of the Northwest. In the South an immense area of wild lands of the 

 best quality, belonging to the Government, are open to homestead set- 

 tlers. For improved lands $4 per acre is a high average price. The 

 j)eculiar advantage of southern products enables the judicious culti- 

 vator to realize a much larger value per acre than at the North. 



G. The surface of the country is generally high, but rolling and well 

 watered. Abundance of water-power is found in the streams. The 

 swamp area, contrary to general impression, is very small. 



7. Educational facilities are very good in the cities, and becoming 

 more extended in the country. Church privileges are very good. 



8. People from the North who come to engage in regular business 

 and to identify themselves with the country will be kindly received. 



Abandon:ment of HOMESTEiVD-CLAois. — Many homestead-settlers 

 on the public lauds in Western Kansas are unwisely leaving their farms 

 and allowing their claims to go by default. The reason is, discourage- 

 ment growing out of poor results of poor and unintelligent farming. 

 Many of them make it a secondary business. 



Abandonment of sheep-raising- in the South. — At various 

 points in the South our correspondents speak of the destruction of sheep 

 by that chronic nuisance, worthless dogs, as increasing to such an extent 

 that sheep-raising has been measurably abandoned. Our correspondent 

 in Elizabeth City, Va., especially deplores this destruction, as that sec- 

 tion of the country can hardly be excelled either in the weight of fleece 

 or quality of mutton i)roduced. 



SoRanuM AND THAPLE-suGAR.— In Monroe County, Ohio, in 1873, 

 437 acres of sorghum were planted. The product embraced 29,466 gal- 

 lons of sirup and 15 i^ounds of sugar. The maple-sugar industry yielded 

 3,495 pounds of sugar and 226 gallons of sirup. 



Improved farming prospects. — Albany, Wyoming : The Daily Inde- 

 pendent, of Laramie City, states that the soil of Wyoming is develop- 

 ing greater productive power as the farmers become acquainted with its 

 X)eculiarities. Timothy and blue-grass can be successfully raised. Many 

 new stock-farms have been started, and thousands of cattle have been 

 brought from Colorado and Montana. The Laramie Plains afford a con- 

 stant supply of grass, but in some other regions graziers have had an- 

 nually to shift their pastures. 



