199 
year, though much less than would have been sown but for the difficulty in pro- 
curing seed in time for early spring sowing. It is considered a precarious crop 
unless sown early in the season. Generally the plant looks well, as the season 
thus far has been most propitious. 
Rice—Although the quantity of rice reported by the census was only 
52,507,652 pounds, and less than one-half of South Carolina, it was not for the 
want of good rice lands. The cultivation of this grain had not been as much 
engaged in, and capital had been turned to other branches of farming. The 
cotton lands of Georgia were more productive, or rather sections of them were, 
than those of the Carolinas ; and while it was found quite as profitable to buy 
and cultivate these lands, there is not a tenth part of the rice plantations under 
cultivation this year, though the price of the grain would make it very profi- 
table. The want of labor and capital will seriously derange the future culti- 
vation of all the rice lands of the South, and that branch of farming will be 
abandoned. The little now planted looks well and promises an abundant yield. 
Cotton —Up to the war Georgia was constantly increasing in the cultivation 
of cotton. New railroads were being continually built through the State, 
which, by giving increased facilities for marketing the staple, gave additional 
inducements for employing their constantly increasing surplus labor in this 
branch of industry, as it was not of a kind that could be safely or profitably 
employed in manufacturing. The census reports 701,840 bales, making her the 
fourth of the cotton States. The scarcity and high price of corn, oats, and hay, 
the want of means to purchase, and the price of labor, have compelled the plant- 
ing of a less surface than last year; but the best land only has been selected, and 
the yield in the aggregate promises to be larger than last year to a moderate 
extent. The plant has a good stand, and as a general rule has been well worked 
out. The cool wet weather has retarded it, andin many localities has injured 
it, but still, if the remainder of the season be good there will be a good crop if 
there be help enough to secure it. 
Tobacco —This could not have been a favorite crop, as the census reports 
only 919,318 pounds. There is nothing in the climate or soil to prevent profit- 
able cultivation. If the price continue as at present the cultivation of tobacco 
will increase, as it is the only commercial crop which can be made with com- 
paratively little labor. 
FLORIDA. 
This State is small in area, and its agriculture can havé but little influence 
upon aggregate productions. 
Its peculiar location and delightful climate will make it sought for as the 
“truck patch” of the northern cities, for which it is most admirably adapted, 
and the fruit garden of the whole country. The cultivation of oranges, lemons, 
bananas, and other tropical or semi-tropical fruits, is largely on the increase, 
and as soon as quiet is restored to the land it will be rapidly peopled by those 
who will make its lands most valuable for these purposes. For eattle and sheep 
raising the interior holds out great inducements, and large herds are already to 
be found there. Ali its crops are especially promising, and the sea-island cot- 
ton, which is principally grown here, looks uncommonly well. A fair crop of 
wheat has been gathered. The high price obtained for their products has 
enabled the planters to pay such prices as have secured a good supply of reliable 
labor, and there will be a much nearer approximation to her former surplus of 
production than in any other State. 
ALABAMA, 
This was the second cotton State of the Union, reporting, according to the 
census of 1860, 989,955 bales of 400 pounds. 
The lands of this State, especially for cotton, are only exceeded by those of 
