The Illinois 



VOL. VI. 



SPRINGFIELD, OCTOBER 1861. 



NO. 10. 



October. 



We are now in the midst of autumn. In 

 some parts of the State the frost has arrested 

 further growth of the great family of farm 

 products, while in others the growth is being 

 continued. In taking a look over the State 

 we can but be thankful for the bountiful 

 products in all parts of the State. The 

 wheat crop, on the whole, has been very 

 good, in some parts bountiful, and nowhere 

 a failure. It is too early at this writing 

 (Sept. 3) to speak with certainty as to the 

 corn crop, but at best it will be much below 

 that of last season, and may be but a mode- 

 rate one should early frosts occur, and which 

 from the character of the season thus far we 

 may be led to expect. 



The potatoe crop will not be over, if up to 

 an average on account of the small breadth 

 planted. The yield is likely to be good. — 

 Sweet potatoes are unusually late, and at this 

 date none in market in this part of the State, 

 though they are very vigorous at this time. 

 Broom corn has not been as largely, though 

 we hope more profitably cultivated than last 

 year. Flax has been more extensively sown 

 and the crop is good. Sorghum has receiv- 

 ed more than usual attention, and promises 

 a good return, and will go far to supply the 

 State with sirup. 



Business is beginning to assume its wont- 

 ed channels, and confidence is measurably 

 restored. The war has done its worst, so far 

 as the derangement of business is concern- 

 ed, and now that we know what is to be done, 

 it will be vigorously prosecuted to its final- 

 ity. 



Orchard planting, we fear, will be neg- 



lected, and we therefore call attention to the 

 subject. We believe there is bo business 

 ofi"ering so good an investment as the culture 

 of the apple and small fruits by the selec- 

 tion of proper varieties and locations to be 

 followed with suitable culture We have 

 forty acres planted to orchard and are pre- 

 paring twenty more which will be pet on the 

 plan of Mr. Coe, at Port Byron. 



Corn culture at the present rates has little 

 encouragement, and we must turn a part of 

 the labor devoted to that into other chan- 

 nels. Should the manufacture of flax be- 

 come extended, the West will be called upon 

 to supply the staple. We have no fears but 

 that the world will want all the products of 

 the prairies, but we must make a judicious 

 selection of that which will pay us the best. 

 To;.acco in some of our southern counties 

 has paid well, and we have been surprised 

 that its culture has not extended north. — 

 We, as a State, are sending out too much 

 money tor things that we can as well grow 

 at home at a better advantage than to pur- 

 chase them, and among these stand promi- 

 nent fruits and among manufacturers cheap 

 woolen goods of our common wools. For 

 this we have an abundance of water power 

 in the north pait of the State, and coal and 

 wood in the south and center. 



Sheep husbandry must soon become more 

 common as the long wools come more and 

 more in demand and the value of mutton for 

 food is better appreciated. 



The active duties of the year will soon be 

 over and we shall have time to count up the 

 results. That they will, on the whole, prove 

 satisfactory, we have no doubt. 



