177 



The reports from Iowa and Missouri are mainly favorable. Worms 

 are quite generally injurious, and in several counties drought has been, 

 severe, yet expressions like the following are very frequent : " Corn is 

 in fine condition, and if there is a little more rain there will be a big 

 crop ;" " We never had a better stand, or such clean fields ;" " Corn pros- 

 pect was never better." Like all other vegetation, corn is more advanced 

 than is usual at this date. The returns from Kansas are very favorable^ 

 with less complaint of cut- worm and drought than from more eastern 

 States. 



In Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee an average prospect is 

 revealed, with some tendency to drought in light soils, and the preva- 

 lence of cut-worms in sod-lands. 



Throughout all these States there are counties in Avhich " corn had a 

 bad start," from cold rains early in the season, after the warm spell in 

 April, in which a large amount was planted. Where the surface was 

 level, the soil an impervious clay, and drainage therefore imperfect, this 

 evil was aggravated. Such reports will be inevitable until good culture, 

 in connection with requisite preliminary farm improvements, shall better 

 adapt our soils to the vicissitudes of our changing seasons. 



In the Middle and Eastern States drought and cut-worms have been 

 more injurious than in the West. 



In southern reports reference is frequently made to an increase of 

 acreage. The crop is reported in good condition, except where growth 

 has been retarded by cold rains. The stand is more generally good than 

 in the Northern States. Corn is, in most sections, later than usual, on 

 account of cold, wet weather, and the consequent delay in weeding and 

 cultivation. The following items will show a great variety in condition: 



Lawrence County, Ala. — Upland corn looks well. Planting on low lands delayed six 

 weeks. 



Clay County, Ala. — Small corn crop from bottoms, unless the fall be late. 



Dallas County, Ala. — Very promising where it has been cultivated and not neglected 

 for cotton. 



Yalabusha County, Mis,s. — Acreage larger and stand better than usual, but the crop has 

 suffered from too much rain. 



Raindes Parish, La. — Corn looks sickly, owing to cold weather ; early planted in silk. 



Prairie County, Ark. — A large crop of corn has been planted; at least four weeks 

 later than usual, owing to heavy rains. 



Union County, Ark. — Twice as much corn planted this year as last. 



Refuyio County, Texas. — Corn has suffered much from drought ; some too far advanced 

 to be benefited by the recent rains. 



Bandera County, Texas. — Spring unnsually cold and dry ; about two-thirds of a stand 

 of corn from the first planting ; the replanted is up ; a rain on the 19th of May has re- 

 vived the crops and the hopes of the farmer. 



Austin County, Texas. — Corn looks well ; is more forward than last year. Crops are 

 rather backward in the eastern parts of the county on bottom-lauds. 



COTTON. 



In June, 1870, good middling cotton was quoted in New York at 23^ 

 cents ; in Boston at 2Ii ; and in October the same grade brought only 

 IC.J, and in December only 15^ cents. Thus the penalty for growing 

 four millions of bales instead of three was a reduction of seven cents 

 per pound, equivalent to $loO,000,000 on the crop. In our monthly for 

 June, 1870, the declaration was made that "the cotton-growers seem 

 determined to reduce the price to 15 cents, with every prospect of doing 

 it. The acreage is materially increased in every State, while that of 

 wheat has decreased." In the July report the opinion was expressed 

 that " with an average season the present acreage should give nearly 

 three and a half millions of bales ; with one of the extraordinary length 



