179 



The raius of April aud May have been general, and in some sections 

 abundant in quantity. At Seliiia, Alabama, the rain-fall in April 

 amounted to 12.5 inches ; at Green Springs, in the same State, 13.3 

 inches ; at Philadelphia, Mississippi, 10.8 inches ; and at Fayetteville, 

 Arkansas, 7.5 inches. The State averages of the several meteorological 

 stations of the southern States, as reported to this office for the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, for April and May, are as follo^ys : 



April. May. 



IticJies. Inches. 



North Carolina c 3. 1 5. 04 



South Carolina 3. 51 4. 55 



Georgia 3.87 3. 85 



Alabama 4. 89 



Texas 2. 30 3. 65 



Louisiana i^. 97 5. 11 



Mississippi 7. 07 8. 22 



Arkansas 0. 25 5. 85 



Tennessee 5. 48 4. 21 



In certain districts in Texas the fall of rain was much larger than the 

 average; at Gilmer it amounted to 0. 73 inches. 



The temperature of April and May, especially of the early part of 

 May, was low and extremely unfavorable to the growth of the plant. 



The following extracts, from the notef? accompanying the returns of 

 correspondents, will give an idea of local views and prospects : 



Surry Coiditj/, Va. — More cottou planted tliau last year. The cold uiglits of May 

 checked its growth. 



Greene Countij, N. C. — Cotton fifteen days backward, caused by cold weather in May 



Duplin Counlij, N. C. — Unusually proniiskig. Good stands aud plants two weeks 

 earlier than usual. 



Anson County, N. C. — Has been injured, but will recuperate. 



Biclimond County, K. C. — Heavy raius and unseasonable weather have caused material 

 damage. 



Camden County, N. C. — Cotton killed out when planted early; but when planted late 

 the stand is good, but growth much inferior to last year. 



FranMin County, K. C. — Area greatly diminished, and the stand is a very bad one. 

 The hot, dry weather for a week past has been lavorable to cotton and has saved it 

 from dying. Farmers are turuing attention to corn, oats, and wheat. 



Sampson County, N. C. — The wheat crop will soon disappear from this county at the 

 present rate, and cotton take its place. Almost every one, before cotton was planted, 

 said less cottou this year thau last ; but the fact is tlie acreage has been increased ten 

 per cent. The cold nights in May have damaged the stand materially, but I hear of 

 no one who has jilowed up the cotton and put in corn. 



Currituck County, X. C. — Cotton small. 



Edf/ecomhe County, N. t!. — For ten or twelve days the weather has been hot and 

 favorable. 



Pasquotank County, X. C. — The recent cold weather has nearly ruined the cotton. 

 Probably not over one-fourth of a cro]) can be made this year. 



Stanly County, X. C. — Damp cold nights have caused the cotton to turn yellow and 

 rot. Many fields are an utter fiiilure. 



Gaston County, X. C. — Has sutifered from cold dews, aud loss may ensue. Propitious 

 weather will repair the breach. 



Moore County, X. C. — Is late, but the present warm dry weather will start a vigorous 

 growth. 



Beaufort County, X. C. — Killed to some extent, and there has been considerable late 

 planting. Present condition a fair average. The acreage is much diminished, owing 

 to the low price of the staple, aud there is a very decided tendency to a diversity of 

 crops. 



Perquimons County, X. C. — About two-thirds of the acreage oi last year. The pros- 

 X^ect fair. 



Bertie County, X. C. — Less cotton and more corn planted. 



Bladen County, X. C. — Cottou backward, but improving. 



Xetcburg County, S C. — Stands very i)oor on sandy soil; plants sma'l aul have Sttfifered 

 from the cool weather of spring. 



