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raising, and to leave off planting either cotton or corn—both uncertain crops, at 
least in this county. The high prices paid by our merchants during the past 
season have given a fresh impetus to wool-growing. Nearly the entire clip of 
this spring has already been purchased, and at paying prices. Our flocks are 
gradually being improved, and have done well since October last. The clip is 
about 25 per cent. more than last year. At no time have the wool-growers had 
their pockets so well lined with money as this season. 
The liberal prices paid by our merchants is drawing an immense amount of 
wool and hides from the interior of Mexico, through this port, which, together 
with our home production from all the counties west of us, makes the county 
more prosperous than at any time within my recollection. A great amount of 
beef has been packed at this point by the infiltration process, with fine success. 
Next wintér a great deal more will be packed by the same process. The 
sheep stock suttered from drought in the earlier part of the month, but the 
general rains commencing on the 20th have set all things right, and all are again 
doing well. Up tothe present time lambs have done splendidly, and if we 
have no loss this summer, the wool clip of 1869 will be 50 per cent. more than 
that of 1867. Wool, with careful management, can be grown in this county at 
15 cents per pound, specie, and if it continues to improve in price, and flocks 
do well, our county will be in a most flourishing condition. We have not yet 
tried any mutton sheep, but it is our intention this fall to import a few of Scott’s 
Kentucky, or Cotswolds, to see how they will do in our hot, dry climate. 
FRUITS IN FLORIDA. 
Putnam county, Fla.—Before the war the lands of this county were not 
much cultivated. ‘Che hummock lands were not suited to the growth of cotton,. 
aud the agricultural interests were confined mainly to stock-raising. Since the 
war, however, a new system of agriculture has been introduced, and the atten- 
tion of our people is now directed to the culture of fruits and vegetables, par- 
ticularly upon the lands bordering on the St. John’s river. The other lands 
remain in about the same condition as before the war. The culture of vegetables 
for the early northern markets is a new experiment, initiated by northern men, 
and has so far been attended with very flattering success. 
With proper facilities for transportation, the cities of the north might be 
supplied with early vegetables raised here by open field culture, and which are 
now obtained only at great expense through the agency of forcing pits and hot- 
houses. ; 
But the attention of our people is mainly directed to the culture ‘of fruits, 
especially those of the orange tamily, embracing the orange proper, the lemon, 
lime, and citron; all of which thrive well in this latitude. As yet there are but 
few groves that have begun to bear, but the young groves of one and two years” 
growth promise well, and the number of trees that have been set out during the 
past two years, between this place and Jacksonville, will not fall far short of 
250,000. 
INSECTS. 
La Pointe county, Wis—The potato bugs have made their appearance and 
commenced their ravages cn the vines ;-we do all that can be done to destroy 
them. 
Polk county, Wis.—The potato crop looks well, but would have been entirely 
destroyed if growers had not daily picked the bugs, so that but few eggs were 
hatched. In some gardens, where this was neglected, the tops are entirely eaten 
up. 
Carver county, Minn.—Our crops promise well except potatoes, which, on 
account of the potato bug, I fear will be a partial failure. 
