421 



we have had continual drought, but this year has been most favorable; 

 to the farnier. Its effects are felt already in increased prosperity. 



Clay, Ala. — Taken altogether, this has been a most unfavorable yeai^ 

 for the farmer; nothing we jilanted has realized expectation; heavy 

 rains in the spring filled the growing plants with sap, and a short 

 drought in June nearly ruined us. The fall has been favorable for cotton : 

 what little we made will soon be gathered in fine condition, but the price 

 will not remunerate ns for labor and manure. Cotton is ruining us; our 

 people must try mixed husbandry, or all go into bankruptcy. 



Independence, Arl: — Stock-hogs have died off, leaving 20 per cent, of 

 the people literally without meat for a year to come. 



Was}iingt07i, Kaus. — The trees which the grasshoppers denuded of 

 leaves, have put out again their spring foliage. In some instances peaches 

 and blossoms are to be found on the same tree. Lettuce, spring radishes^ 

 water-cress, and onions are ready for the table, being the growth of only 

 a few weeks. The late potatoes, the vines of which were green, will 

 make a^crop if the frost holds off" a little, and the same may be said of 

 turnips, which are widely sown. Pastures for stock are better now than 

 at any time all summer, and farmers are still making hay. Kansas can 

 beat the world in redeeming itself. 



Merced, Cal. : The wheat-market in the interior is in a deplorable 

 condition. There is no remuneration to farmers at present prices unless 

 conveniently situated for shipping. Many farmers are drawing money 

 on grain in store and holding for better prices — paying 1^ per cent, per 

 month, which I think a ruinous policy. 



Brown, Kans. i We have had very small crops of small grain, but the 

 drought, chinches, and grasshoppers have ruined the corn to such an 

 extent that we shall get only about 15 per cent, of a usual crop. It is 

 generally believed here that the chinches did four times the damage 

 done by both the drought and grasshoppers. 



Crawford : Dry weather, chinches, and grasshoppers have about 

 ruined the corn and potatoes; beans and buckwheat are failures ; will not 

 return the seed. 



Osage, Nehr. : Drought, chinches, and grasshoppers were the cause of 

 our failure in crops. 



Trimble, Kij. : The best season for a long time. Crops are plentiful. 



Futnam, Mo. : Altogether we have had one of the most favorable 

 seasons for many years, for which we should be thankful to the great 

 Giver of every good and perfect gift. 



Jasper, Ind. : In my opinion we have more grain of all kinds in this 

 county than ever before. 



San Bernardino, Cal. : The cereals have done remarkably well this 

 year. Wheat is not always a safe crop, owing to rust, supposed to be 

 occasioned by sea-fog. Our great drawback has been the want of a 

 market, being so far inland ; but the discovery of rich mines in our 

 neighborhood, which are being rapidly developed, will make a market 

 for all our surplus produce, and for more than we can spare. 



Cheroliee, Kans. : Most of the farmers obtain credit on their growing 

 wheat-crop, generally to be paid from the first of August to the middle 

 of October. The unusually low price of wheat, 65 to 85 cents, has 

 taught them a very necessary lesson — buy less and pay when you buy. 



Pike, Ind. : If hogs or cattle are not driven here to be wintered or fat- 

 tened, we will have to boat our corn to the lower country. 



Opium poppy versus turnips. — Stanley, W. C. : The opium poppy 

 did not turn out well this year. It stood the winter well, grew tall 



