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TENNESSEE. 
1, Our returns from Tennessee indicate a general decline of 15 to 20 per cent. 
in the value of farm lands, as compared with the census estiniates of 1860, 
though several counties report no appreciable change, while others report an 
active advance of from 2 to 15 per cent. The heaviest decrease is reported 
from Davidson and Henry counties, being about 50 per cent., though the former 
reports few sales at reduced rates, unless under compulsion, while in the latter 
the decline is attributed to “ the dilapidated condition of houses and fencing, and 
the wild growths consequent upon the war, together with high taxes,’ &c. 
Weakley and Meigs report 40 per cent. decline; Rhea and Lincoln, 33; Hay- 
wood, 30; Hawkins, Monroe, Polk, Coffee, Perry, 20; Hickman, 16; Bledsoe 
and Giles, 10; Greene, 3 to 5; while Williamson, Union, and McNairy remain 
at about the same figures as in 1860; Montgomery reports 2 per cent. increase ; 
Sevier and Campbell, 10 per cent.; and Marion from 10 to 15 per cent. Our 
Rhea correspondent says: “'The great bulk of land in this county for the last 
50 years has been in the hands: of a few owners, and it increases in price when 
there is little tax to be paid, and decreases when the taxes are greater; hence 
the present decline.” The same general causes. however, which have tended 
to depreciate real estate, and particularly farm lands, in the southern States, 
have operated in Tennessee, though not to the same extent, nor is it probable 
that a return to former values will be so long delayed, there being less necessity 
to sacrifice and not so strong a disposition to sell at any price. 
2. Wild or unimproved lands are variously quoted from six cents per acre 
upwards, according to location, quality, and capabilities. Much of this class of 
lands in the eastern counties is mountainous or hilly, with coves of rich lands, 
upon which cattle and sheep grow fat from May until September. On these 
mountain lands there is considerable valuable timber, and when cleared much:of 
the land is very productive of corn and other crops, and suited to grazing pur- 
poses. In Greene county such lands are worth from six cents to $1 per acre; 
in Hawkins the average is given at $3 per acre; Sevier, 50 cents to $1. In 
Union, ridge land, thin-soiled, capable of producing 20 bushels of corn or eight 
bushels of wheat, $2 50 per acre; Campbell, $1 50—mountainous, variety of 
soil, a good portion susceptible of improvement, adapted to the growth of clover, 
timothy, &c. Lands of the same general character in Monroe and Polk, 50 
cents to $1 per acre; Meigs, $2 per acre—broken, gravelly, and generally poor; 
Rhea, $1 to $4—varying much in quality, being second bottom, upland, ridge, 
and mountain lands, generally well timbered, with good water, and healthy, and 
capable of producing corn, wheat, barley, &c., and excellent for fruits and 
tobaceo. Bledsoe, about 50 cents per acre—soil thin, but good for grazing, and 
for raising vegetables when cultivated; Marion, $1 per acre, in great quantity— 
red, sandy loam, rich and strong—will produce grain and fruit. Coffée county, 
$1 to $3, comprising half the county—table lands—will produce corn, wheat, 
rye, oats, potatoes, vegetables, &c.; well managed valley and hill lands, without 
manure, will yield 50 to 60 bushels of corn and 20 to 25 bushels of wheat to the 
acre. Lincoln, $1 per acre, embracing an area of L00 square miles—soil thin, 
needing lime ; fruits, especially the peach, grow to perfection ; these lands lie 
200 to 300 feet above the bed of the Elk river, on which are situated the best 
lands of the county. Giles—large tracts in timber at from $1 to $5 per acre. 
In Montgomery, Stewart, and Dickson there are large tracts of what are called 
“furnace lands,” said by our correspondent to be comparatively valueless, except 
for coaling and sheep raising; they are high and well timbered, however. 
Hickman reports as low as 25 cents per acre—soil generally thin, but timbered 
and capable of improvement. Perry, $1 per acre—bottoms level and exceed- 
ingly fertile, upland rolling and tolerably productive; 75 per cent. of the whole 
susceptible of improvement. McNairy, $5 per acre—one-third .good bottom, 
two-thirds for grazing and timber. Haywood, $3 to $8; the greater portion in 
