THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
©fqluljcrt. 
NOTES FROM SOUTH FLORIDA. 
Ant information from this State is interest¬ 
ing to a large number of readers North, as 
many are coming here, and many more are 
thinking about it; bnt the exaggerated and to 
a degree, uutruthfnl reports from here, have 
to a large extent, disgusted the would-be set¬ 
tler and injured the State itself. 
Manatee is in about lat. 26 °. The soil here¬ 
abouts is a light, sandy one, in fact, some por¬ 
tions of it are a pure sand, while other portions 
have a good, stiff, clayey soil, with a large 
percentage of rich, vegetable mold, and the 
settler can find about any kind of land he 
wants, If he is not in too big a hurry, and does 
not get the one fixed notion iuto liis head of 
getting that black, rich-looking soil that might 
properly influence his choice North. In regard 
to wheat. I must say I’ve not seen a grain of 
wheat either growing or in seed since I have 
been here, and the only evidence I have had 
of the existence of such a cereal is, that I’ve 
had to pay $8.50 per barrel for Hour since my 
arrival here. Corn, when there is a favorable 
season, is raised pretty generally throughout 
this and other couuties, but this year and last, 
there was none, all who fed their horses using 
shipped corn costing from 90c. to $1.10 per 
bushel. None was raised last year, because 
the weather was too wet. This year it has 
been too dry. The average yield of corn is 
from five to eight bushels per aerc on unfer¬ 
tilized land. These are not immigration figures; 
if they were, I should have to 6ay trom 20 to 
30 bushels per acre, but I tbiuk the average 
fatmer here will say my statement is the truth, 
although I believe I saw somewhere the state¬ 
ment that our esteemed Governor Drew made, 
I think, 100 bushels to the acre, hut the state¬ 
ment did not say how many hundred bushels 
of cotton seed he used as a fertilizer. But all 
who are acquainted with him know full well 
he is a great advocate of heavy manuring. 
Irish potatoes are raised in small patches, the 
owner having a few for dinner each day during 
the space of a month or six weeks. The 6weet 
potato seems to bo in its native soil here, there 
being some variety of this class suitable to all 
lands, from the richest hummock to the poor¬ 
est pine. They yield well, and form a large 
share of the vegetable portion of our diet. If 
the settler can't cat them, ha is indeed badly 
off, for he will find they are almost his only 
change from the palmetto cabbage. To those 
who have road Chas. Reade’s story of “Foul 
Play," it might seem strange that a dying 
sailor should wish for a palmetto cabbage 
when cast away on one of the islands of the 
Pacific, hut after iudfilging in the dish myself, 
I confess to partially sympathizing with the 
old sailor’s longing. 
Now, I would not be understood that there 
are no vegetables grown here. Cabbages do 
well. If sown in a seed-bed about September 
and then transplanted as in the North, about 
January, February and March we can indulge 
in that vegetable delicacy, and. as most of the 
cooking can be done out-of-doors, we are free 
from that odoriferous emanation from the 
basement, which tells of “corn beef and cab¬ 
bage for dinner” at the North. The capabili¬ 
ties of this part of the State for “truck" are 
not yet known, there being no real market 
gardeners here. Some efforts are very success¬ 
ful ; others, again, are failures. I’ve seen good 
turnips, and 6ome common long radishes—the 
latter as large as a child's leg, quite eound and 
not spongy in the least. Our vegetable crop, 
however—if a few small patches may be called 
a crop—is all made and eaten while folks up 
North are frozen in, and snow lies on thegrouud 
three or fonr feet thick. 
Oats I have seen here, but only about seven 
acres, scattered about in patches of an acre or 
so, but although furnishing fodder, I believe 
they did not mature, but their owners claimed 
they would have done so, had the season been 
favorable. Sugar-cane apparently does well, 
and is a standard crop with those who have, the 
land adapted for its profitable culture. To¬ 
bacco is a crop that is neglected here, and yet 
the country and soil are adapted to the growth 
of the finest, grades, but I suppose its neglect 
as a crop, is due to the fact that so few under¬ 
stand the process of curing the plant, properly. 
If some of our Connecticut tobacco growers 
were here, perhaps they might fiud it profita¬ 
ble, bnt not being quite “ posted" I should not 
like to speak positively on the matter. 
Everybody, I suppose, knows that here the 
orange is the only remunerative fruit crop— 
how remuuerative depends upon the same 
conditions that influence other fruit crops, such 
as the picking, handling, hoxingand shipping, 
etc. Nearly every one will say something dif¬ 
ferent in regard to the profit of this Industry. 
I believe this is just about the right location 
in the State for the purpose of orange growing, 
although every body else has the same opinion 
of hie own particular location. Certain it is 
that nearly every settler has some trees, from 
the man with his grove of three thousand bear- | 
ing trees to the man with his twenty two-year- 
old seedlings. Sometimes I am inclined to 
wonder whether it would not have been best to 
have left the State of Florida as it was, a cattle 
range, for it pnzzles the northern farmer when 
he first arrives here, to know what to do, as 
everything issodifferentfromwhathchasbeen 
U6cd to. but when ho sees the well-cultivated 
1 grove of orange trees, it is apt to settle his mind 
’ on one thing, and that is that alt varieties of the 
citrus family do grow well. To the man of 
means the orange, the lime and the. lemon, with 
the various kinds of citrons, set out in groves 
of 500 or more trees, are nice things to see and 
to own, hut these will scarcely do for the poor 
mau. Yet how much better these groves are 
in appearance to the interminable stretches of 
primitive saw palmetto land which wearies the 
eye day in and day out 1 
The Banana is a fruit that seems to do well 
here and is worthy of more attention and cul¬ 
tivation than it now receives; for it can bo 
Berved on table iu so many ways and w ould to 
such a largo extent take the place of vegeta¬ 
bles ; yet but a small acreage is devoted to its 
cultivation. The Pine-apple has, iu a few 
isolated cases, beeu experimented with, and 
that successfully too; but there ha 9 yet been 
no effort made iu this section to cultivate It for 
profit. The Guava is abundant aud takes the 
place of the Peach here, and to a large extent 
is very similar. It requires a cultivated taste, 
hut the necessity for anything in the fruit or 
vegetable line, soon sets the newcomer nibbling 
at anything of that sort, and he readily learns 
to relish what he only tolerated, or abused, at 
first. 
Florida is a wonderfully “ spotted," land 
with capabilities almost entirely unknown, 
but, these if we judge by the talk of special 
enthusiasts, are absolutely unlimited. I say 
“special enthusiasts," because some come 
down here with the idea of investing in the 
business of raising fibrous crops such as Sisal 
hemp, ramie, jute, and in fact every fibrous 
plant meets here with (lie special approbation of 
some one, and the sight of a few plants assures 
each that this is juBt the place for his special 
business. Another newcomer thinks that the 
production of tiie various high-priced drugs is 
just what will make him rich, aud a few poppy- 
plants and specimens of the Turkey rhubarb 
are all he needs to cause him to talk enthusias¬ 
tically of Die State of Florida in that line. 
Well, so bo it; enthusiasm has done more for 
the world’s progress Uian most of the other 
peculiarties associated with the history of man¬ 
kind. No doubt, it will help to develop the re¬ 
sources of the State of Florida. But in Die 
mean time we’ll set Do down to our " bog and 
hominy" aud quieDy wait for the good time 
that’s coming. “ Kasper,” 
Manatee, Manatee Co., So. Florida. June 24 . 
- 4 — - 
NOTES FROM MINNESOTA. 
Minnesota has long had—and still has iu 
the East—the reputation of having a very cold 
and severe climate. Aftor reading the crop 
reports from the Eastern States, I should feel 
as though I had loft a “duty undone" if I did 
not write to the Rurax aud give its readers 
some particulars in regard to our State and 
climate. 
Minnesota ranks the 19th in the order of ad¬ 
mission to the Union, and the 28th according to 
population. Geographically, it is situated be¬ 
tween latitude 43 deg. 30 min. and 49 deg. 24 
min. north, and longitude 89 deg. 39 min. and 
97 deg. 51 min. west. Its extreme length from 
north to Bouth is 8S0 miles, and its breadth, 
from 18b miles in the middle to 263 miles on 
the south line aud 387 miles near the north 
line—area, 83,531 square mileB. 
The State is divided iuto 76 counties. The 
population was 6,077 iu 1850 ; 172,023 in I860 ; 
250,099 (State census) m 1865 ; 439,706 in 1870, 
including 438,357 whites, 759 colored and 690 
Indians. The estimated population on June 1, 
1873, was 550,959. 
Lying nearly at the center of the continent, 
and occupying the most elevated plateau be¬ 
tween the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson Bay, 
Minnesota forms the watershed of the three 
great river systems of North America-. that 
of the Mississippi, that of the St. Lawrence 
and that of the lied River of the North. Gen¬ 
erally the surface of Minnesota is an undulat¬ 
ing plain, with an average elevation of nearly 
1,000 feet above the sea, aud presents a succes¬ 
sion of small rolling prairies, or table-lands, 
studded with lakes and groves and alternating 
with belts of timber. Minnesota is distin¬ 
guished for the number aud beauty of its 
lakes. They have been estimated as high as 
10,000 iu number and are from one to thirty 
miles in diameter. Their waters are sweet 
and clear aud abound in fish. The soil is fer¬ 
tile, two-thirds of the surface being well adap¬ 
ted to the cultivation of all the cereals aud 
roots of the temperate zone. It is composed 
generally of a dark, calcareous loam, abound¬ 
ing iu organic and saline ingredients, and is 
retentive of moisture. 
The climate of Minnesota is pleasant. The 
winters are cold, hut clear and dry, aud the 
fall of snow is light. Last winter we had only 
three days’ sleighing in this country. The 
snmmers are warm, with breezy nights, dut-mg 
which occur most of our rains ; and the purity 
of the air aDd salubrity of the climate recom¬ 
mend It for the residence of invalids. In 1873 
the number of acres of land under cultivation 
was 2.332,672. Thousands of acres have been 
broken and put under cultivation since that 
time, but I have not the figures at my com¬ 
mand at this moment. 
Riding through the country as I do daily, I 
have the best of opportunities for observing 
the crops. Wheat is heading out, aud stands 
well on the ground. We have rain enough to 
wet, the ground thoroughly, and if w-e have 
none from this time until after harvest, wheat 
w-ill not suffer. Corn stands from eight to 
fourteen inches high in the fields, and farmers 
have cultivated it for the second time. Pota¬ 
toes look W'ell ; are well up, and indicate an 
immense yield. Rye is getting ripe. Barley 
also. Strawberries huvo been iu the market 
since June 10. Gooseberries were iu market on 
June 23. I had new potatoes and green peas 
from my gardon on the same day. My Blunt’s 
com has grown so that by stretching up the 
leaves, it is Bix feet high. a. d. s. 
Le Bauer, Le Bauer Co., Minn. 
RURAL 8PECIAL REPORTS. 
Vermont, Bellows Falls, Windham Co.— 
Of wheat there is but little sown here, but 
that little looks well. Corn is looking fine, 
but it is backward; the acreage is large. 
Early-planted potatoes look good, but there 
are ten bugs to every prospective potato. As 
to fruit, for the “off year” the prospect is fine. 
Hay is beiug cut; a middling crop, but, wi(h 
the foregoing prospects, farmers are grum¬ 
bling- M. W. D. 
Conn., Danbury, Fairfield Co., July 7.—The 
weather has been quite cold, w-illi plenty of 
rains. Grass, oate and potatoes promise abuu- 
daut crops. Potato beetles are very plentiful. 
What little wheat, is sowed in this section is 
looking nice. Corn is unusually small, but 
standing even. Apples will be scarce. Small 
fruits promise to be more abundant. 
o. n. k. 
N. Y., Carlisle, 8chokarie Co., July 4.—We 
have had a fine aud much-needed raiu. Crops 
are growing fast just now. Grass and the 
small graiuswill be fair crops. Corn, however, 
will be backward, owing to the cool spring. 
We have had a few very hot days, but after 
every little rain the weather becomes cool. 
Potatoes look fine, and plenty is planted. 
n. j. s. 
Pa., Poughtown, Chester Co., July 1.—Hay¬ 
making is going on rapidly about here, and 
wheat-cutting has begun, and if the weather 
continues favorable the crop will be gathered 
in ten days. It stands thick, and is a good 
crop. There is a large yield of hay. Corn 
looks good, and is three feet high. d. h. 
Ohio, Tontogany, Wood Co., July 7th.—We 
have a very early harvest and wheat never 
looked more promising ; some wheat was cut 
iu June; and we aro about one-third done. 
Oats arc very rank. Corn is from two to six 
feet in bight. Potatoes are doing well, and 
there are but few bugs. Hay is an average 
crop. There are not many apples, but other 
fruits are in abundance. Live stock was never 
in better condition. Wheat is worth $1, oats, 
25; potatoes, $1 25; live hogs, $3 75 per 100 
pounds and scarce. Improved land is worth 
from $40 to $125 jter acre, according to quality 
aud location. Wages arc from $15 to $18 per 
month. Harvest hands get $1 50 to $2 25 per 
day. Temperature, 50 © to 104 °. s. p. g. 
Michigan, Litchfield, Hillsdale Co., July 9.— 
Our wheat is a fair crop and is ripening up 
fast; 6ome have already begun to cut- Wc 
bad a cold, dry spring, like many other places; 
but since the middle of Juue we have had fine 
growing weather. Our corn was a little be¬ 
hind, but is now making up for lost time, and 
bids fair to be a good average. The hay crop 
is 6hort. Potatoes arc promising a big crop; 
we have becncatiug new ones for the last three 
weeks. I think whoever expects to gel rich 
by selling potatoes this fall, will be disappoint- 
ed; he may got fat, but not wealthy. I have 
twelve different kinds of corn planted—all are 
doing well. On the 21st of April 1 planted 24 
hills of the Blunt corn which I received from 
the Rural office. I put three giuius iu a hill, 
and they now stand from seven to nine feet 
high, with no sign of a tassel. Where the up¬ 
per end will be I cauuot tell now. Some stalks 
measure six and seven aud a half inches around, 
six inches above ground. This may seem a 
big corn story to some, but ’tie true, as 1 have 
measured the corn myself. My Pearl Millet I 
planted or rather drilled a little too early. It 
didnotcomeup well, but what came up is now 
showiug what it can do. I never saw such a 
big thing come from so small a seed—it is now 
two feet high. Qi Ki 
Wts , River Falls, Pierce Co., July 1.—Wheat 
in this section of country is a little below the 
the average. Corn is light, but it is looking 
better than it did a few weeks ago. Potatoes 
are a fair crop. Cherries are ripe. Of apples 
we’ve only a few; but there’s a prospect of an 
average, crop of grapes. Other small fruits 
are very abundant. s. w. n. 
Minn , Frontcnac, Goodhue Co., July 2.— 
Wheat looks well all through this section of 
the country, and if nothing happens to it, there 
will be a heavy crop ; but we are having so 
much rain and hot weather, that I am afraid 
there will be considerable rust. Corn is rather 
backward, owing to wet aud cold weather in 
May; hut it is making good headway now, aud 
if this and the next two months prove favor¬ 
able, we shall have a good crop yet. Potatoes 
have not beeu better for the last ten years. 
Beetles have done no damage so far, and if 
they stay away through harvest, we 6hail be 
sure of a big crop. The fruit crop will not be 
worth mentioning—late frosts cut that 6kort. 
p. j. s. 
Iowa, Marengo, Iowa Co., July 2.—Wheat 
hereabouts is light, owing to dry weather in 
the spring. The prospects for corn are better 
than for several years. Potatoes will be an A 
No. 1 crop. The beetles have put in appear¬ 
ance, but in 6uck small numbers that no dan¬ 
ger is apprehended from them. Apples aro 
almost a failure; but there is an abundance of 
small fruits. Prices of produce arc rising, aud 
the business outlook is encouraging. 
s. B. B. 
Mo., Gallatin, Daviess Co., July 1.—North¬ 
west Missouri is now receiving rain enough to 
make up for the long dry spell. From May 
20th to June 10th it was seasonable. On the 
night of the 10th of June we had here the 
heaviest rain we have had for ten years, with 
a big hail-storm that cut up growing crops 
badly, and it has been raining every two or 
three days since then. The wheat is standing 
dead ripe in the field or rotting iu the shock. 
There is no chance to save it; but the corn 
(our main crop) was all clean when the wet 
weather set in, and it is now growing at a 
wonderful rate. We neper bad such a prospect 
for corn, ut this time of year, iu Daviess 
county. “ Beauty of Hebron " and Early Rose 
potatoes, planted at same time, are about the 
same size, but the Beauty turns out about 50 
per cent, more, uud is 100 per cent, better than 
Early Rose, being fine and mealy while the 
Rose is waxy aud hard. We shall have but 
very few apples, no peaches, about oue-sixth 
of a crop of late cherries, no early ones, plenty 
of Concord grapes, very few gooseberries, half 
a crop of black raspberries, no blackberries, 
aud half a crop of pears. All kinds of garden 
stuff, not cut by the hail, are A No. 1. From 
my garden we have to eat peas, beans, beets, 
cucumbers, cabbage, green corn, etc. Toma¬ 
toes are beginning to ripen. s. t. b. 
Neb., Grand Island, Hall Co., July 5.— The 
weather continues very wet. Wheat is a fair 
crop; rtarley is middling; oats, excellent; 
corn, magnifieeut. My premium corn is about 
four feet high ; the ears arc setting; it was 
planted May 14. I mulched it to-day; it is 
suckering very freely; its color is a dark 
green, and it promises well. e. t. 
Kan., Wichita, Sedgwick Co., July 3.—Since 
my last report, two weeks since, the weather lias 
beeu quite favorable, and corn is looking up fast, 
tasseling out and from six to eight feet high aud 
still growing, and a few showers at the right 
time this month will make the largest corn crop 
ever raised in this Stato. Wheat is pretty much 
all iu stack, and In good condition ; but the 
chiueh hug has helped to roduc.e the yield and 
value quite largely—in a few instances causiug 
the loss of the entire crop, aud doing great 
damage to corn and oats. 16ee no reason for 
changing my former estimate of one-quarter 
to one-half of an average crop for Sedgwick, 
Sumuer, Harper, Kingman and Harvey coun¬ 
ties. Oats will be a light crop. Early potatoes 
are at a standstill and sotting new ones, when 
not half grown, and arc now selling at $1.50<3> 
82.00 per bushel in town. Everything is back¬ 
ward but corn. No fruit of any kind, except 
berries. Wheat, old, 75c.; oats, 30c.; corn, 25 
©30c.; hogs, $2.90©3.25. ,r. c. d. 
Kan., Topeka. Shawnee Co., July 3. —Re¬ 
garding crop prospects, everything is in flour¬ 
ishing condition at present. A great abund¬ 
ance of rain has fallen iu the past few weeks, 
and all crops look well. The wheat crop will 
fall short of that of last year. It is yet too 
early to make any reliable estimate of yields. 
Corn prospects were never better. a. g. 
Cal., Bird’s Landing, Solano Co.—The crops 
of this section are chiefly grain, and they are 
very good this year. Very little fruit, corn or 
potatoes is raiped here. The grain in some 
sections of the State is a failure; in many 
places there is only half a crop, while in some 
other sections there is nouc. In some parts of 
this county thegraiu is injured by rust; but 
take the State through, (he prospects are good. 
t. t. h. 
Cal., Woodland, Yolo Co., July 1. — The 
wheat in some parts of the county, Is injured 
by rust; but the average is very good. Very 
little eoru is raised in the county. The potato 
crop is very good. Fruits of different kinds 
are plentiful and cheap. j. f. 
Oregon, Skedd Station, Linn Co., June 23.— 
There was not as much wheat as usual sowd 
