471 



The followiug is a careful stateraeut of tlie oscliaiige-reports of tLe 

 season, which are in their tenor strikingly like those of this department, 

 excej^t tliat their indications point to somewhat lower estimates. 



The Galyestox Cotton ExcnAXGE, from statistics gathered early 

 in April, reported an unfavorable planting-season in thirty-eight coun- 

 ties of Texas, and a favorable season in sixteen counties. Of these 

 fifty-four counties, nineteen report an increase of acrenge, averaging 15 

 ]";er cent, upon last year ; in twenty-one counties, the decrease averages 

 10 per cent. ; the remaining fourteen report the same acreage as in 1S73. 



The ME3IPHIS Cotton Exchange, from reports received from ninety- 

 four counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, of date 

 averaging May 20, estimates the acreage in cotton in those counties at 

 S.l per cent, below that of 1873, and 3.1 per cent, below that of 1872. 

 Planting-operations, on an average, were .sixteen days later than in 

 1873. Of the area planted, 55 per cent, had come up ; one-half the 

 stands were bad ; one-fourth, fair ; one-fourth, good. Drought is alleged 

 as the cause of this poor condition. 



The Galveston Exchange, about the 1st of June, from correspond- 

 ence in sixty-six counties of Texas, reported that the early season had 

 been less favorable than in 1873. Of these counties, twenty reported 

 an increase of acreage, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent. ; nineteen an in- 

 crease of 5 to 15 per cent. ; twenty-two the same acreage as in 1873. 

 Only seven hundred acres had been abandoned. Good stands were 

 reported in forty-two counties, and bad or indifferent in nineteen ; crop 

 generally from ten to twenty days later than last year. 



The Mobile Exchange, from correspondence in twenty-seven coun- 

 ties in Alabama, average date about June 1, reports an nnfavorable 

 planting-season in only six counties. It was stated that January and 

 February had been rather favorable ; March and April cold, with exces- 

 sive rains ; May rather dry. The growing-season was less favorable 

 than in 1873. The reduction in acreage averaged 12 per cent., besides 

 about 2 per cent, abandoned after planting ; 33 per cent, had been 

 replanted. Early stands were poor ; such of the replanted crops as had 

 coiue up were rated from fair to good. 



The same authority, from correspondence in seventeen counties in 

 Mississippi, stated the season to have been generally unfavorable — 

 excessivelj' wet up to May 1, and excessively dry afterward ; only two 

 counties reported the weather as favorable as in 1873. The acreage 

 planted had decreased 8 -per cent., besides 5 per cent, abandoned ; 25 

 per cent, had been replanted. The crop was " more backward than 

 poor. " Dry weather had injured late plantings. 



The same authority also reports, for six counties in Tennessee, a season 

 everywhere too dry and less favorable than last year, with a decrease 

 in acreage of 7 per cent. Planting here is generally a mouth later than 

 in the Gulf States. 



The New Orleans Exchange gave the following summary of reports 

 up to July 1 : MississijJiii : Forty-four counties ; acreage decreased 7 per 

 cent; fair average condition; crop two weeks later than last year; clean, 

 though small and backward. Louisiana: Twenty-six parishes; acreage 

 decreased 20 per cent.; weather less favorable than last year; plants in 

 good condition, but backward. Texas : Forty-five counties ; acreage in- 

 creased 15 per cent. ; stand good ; planting two weeks later than last 

 year, but in fine growing condition. ArJcansas: Twenty-five counties; 

 acreage decreased 8 per cent. ; weather less favorable, but stand better 

 than last year, though three weeks backward. Tennessee : Twenty-four 

 counties ; decrease of acreage, 3^ per cent. ; weather favorable ; stands 



