THE FKEEDMEN OF THE SOUTH. * 35 



at New- York. A correct history of the origin and daily growth of 

 our city of Hudson might be read with profit by Houston and with 

 comfort by Galveston. They are two smart, young, growing com- 

 mvmities, and not half so much in each other's way as they fancy. 

 If Galveston stood twenty feet higher above the surface of the Gulf, 

 Houston rejoiced in a few hills and ledges, and each of them were 

 blessed with water to drink other than as it falls from heaven, I 

 should like them' even better than I do. As she is, Houston is one 

 of the loveliest cities that ever rose from a level plain, and stands 

 so high above the Bayou that she may cleanse and keep sweet if she 

 only will. 



It remains only to say that, though the early Spring was rather 

 backward and cold, followed by a dry time that stopped vegetable 

 growth, the heavy rains of the last ten days have " made the crops," 

 as they say — Com especially, which is planted more extensively than 

 ever before. The foremost fields are now in tassel ; many are six 

 feet in average Mght ; and the promise of a large yield is almost a 

 certainty. Cotton is generally small as yet, but looks well. Other 

 crops (except Beef ) are of little consequence. The general expec- 

 tation is that Texas will produce far more Food in 1871 than in 

 any former year, with less Cotton only because her planters have 

 learned in the dear school of experience that those who till the 

 earth can rarely afford to buy the bulk of their own food. 



H. G. 



THE CONDITION OF THE BLACKS. 

 [editokial correspondence op the tribune.] 



Near Vicksburg, Miss., June 1. — During the last three weeks, 

 I have made a point of inquiring of all classes as to the condition, 

 conduct, and prospects, of the Freedmen throughout the Gulf States, 

 The substance of the testimony thus elicited I sum up as follows : 



The planters who were formerly slaveholders have uniformly as- 

 sured me that their ex-slaves are working better than they expected, 

 and better this year than ever before. I cannot recollect a single 

 dissent from this averment. Most of the old plantation hands either 

 rent lands, paying so much Ootton per acre, or they work them on 

 shares — say, half the crop when they find their own team and seed, 

 and one-third when these are found by the land-owner. And it 



