282 
THE COTTON CROP. 
We give a few extracts from letters of our correspondents in the several cot- 
ton States, showing the condition of the crop in their respective districts on the 
lst instant : 
Edgecomb county, North Carolina.—Last year the cotton crop of this county 
was something over sixteen thousand bales. I think this year, with fully one- 
fifth more land planted, the crop will not exceed that of last year. 
York county, South Carolina —Cotton was but little injured by the drought, 
and present appearances indicate three times the crop of last year. But the 
weather just now is entirely too hot for cotton; the bottom crop may rot. 
Butler county, Georgia.—On the 1st of August cotton promised a most abun- 
dant yield; but it has rained almost every day during the month, which has 
greatly damaged the crop. This being the principal month for making cotton, 
the crop will not be as large as was anticipated, ‘There is also some complaint 
of the “boll-worm ;” and, in a few instances, rust has damaged the crop. With 
all this, however, the crop will almost certainly be double that of last year, and, 
should the weather be entirely suitable the balance of the cotton making season, 
it will exceed the above amount. 
Jackson county, Florida.—The common caterpiller is now at work on the cotton 
plant in this county. Their work will be complete between the 10th and 20th 
of September; the next crop of worms, if hatched, can do no harm. There will 
be made and gathered an average of bottom and middle crop, as the plant is 
now maturing a very full crop of fruit, and, as I am advised, will yield fully 
fifty per cent. above that of last year. 
Cedar Keys, Florida —The cotton is looking well now and promises a large 
crop; yet the cotton-worm is making its appearance, and may sweep away the 
whole crop. 
Barbour county, Alabama.—The cotton crop of this county is, up to this time, 
very promising ; true, the rust is apparent in some localities, but I hear no loud 
complaints of its being extensive; nor is much said of the caterpillar. With a 
continuance of favorable seasons and a late fall, the yield will be larger than 
perhaps ever known before. As far as my information extends, the crops in 
the contiguous counties are, as a general thing, quite promising. 
Marion county, Mississippi.—Vhe third generation of the army worm is now 
_at hand, and the destruction of the late cotton is almost certain. The early, or 
first planting, it is supposed, will yield about one-half of a crop. Incessant 
rains in the spring prevented the planters from labor; consequently there is a 
large portion of the cotton late. 
Pike county, Mississippi.—Since my last report much discussion has prevailed 
as to the cotton-worm, about which the most anxious fears have filled the public 
mind. The report is now current that the third brood of the worm is making 
its appearance and seriously injuring the cotton. Were it not that the cotton 
is from two to four weeks later than usual, the worm appearing at this time 
would do but little injury ; but the cotton is now in full growth; and the mid- 
dle cotton, from which the main crop is derived, is not sufficiently matured to be 
safe; so, should the worm equal the reports, there will not be more than half a 
crop; but I am somewhat skeptical as to the worm being in as large numbers 
as reported. The crop is unusually promising, and could it have escaped the 
worm and late frost would have doubled that of last year. 
Claiborne county, Mississippi—The third crop of the army worm is now 
appearing in countless numbers, and as this crop is said to be the devouring crop, 
much anxiety exists. ‘There is much cotton in condition, as to maturity, that can 
be almost ruined now by the caterpiller, and all of it must suffer a third should 
the worm pursue its usual course of devastation. 
