The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-07-17 00:00:00

THE AMERICAN CROPS.

The Monthly Report of the Department of Agri-
eulture shows the following average conditions of the
crops on July 1: Winter wheat has declined to
91 2.10 from 92 710; spring wheat has declined to
83 from 93; and cotton to 86 from 88 7.10. The
cotton returns represent the crop as being from 10 to
15 days late. The low-lying grounds were saturated
with excessive rains during June, and in such situa-
tions there is a general prevalence of aphis and a
smothering growth of grass and weeds. The drier
uplands show a vigorous plant growth, and in
full handed plantations a clean cultivation.
This description applies to all the States
except Texas, Arkansa?, and Tennessee. In
these States an improvement was observable during
June, but in all others the xnovemant has been
retrograde. Favourable weather in July, with prompt
destruction of the weeds, may advance the condition,
but further rains or long-continued drought will work
serious injury. While a fair product may yet be
possible east of the Mississippi, the condition of that
portion of the crop may be considered somewhat
critical. The state averages are: Virginia, 92 ; North
Carolina, 91; South Carolina, 76; Georgia, 81;
Alabama, 80; Mississippi, 79; Louisiana, 84; Texas,
97; Arkansas, 92; Tennessee, 98; and Florida, 99.
The total increase of the corn acreage is 3 per cent.,
Or about 2,500,000 acres. The general average is 95,
against 94 last year. As regards the condition of
winter wheat for July Ist, it is reported in the Northern
districts as not harvested, and in the Southern States
it is as it appeared at time of harvest. Spring wheat
has declined in consequences of high temperature, dry-
ing winds, and lack of rain. The condition of oats
average 89, being a decline of seven points. The
average of rye is 95 and of barley 90.

Some folks have their worli—laid out beforehand.
A physician's work is often laid out after he has
finished it.

One man is spoken of as a man of the world to dis-
tinguish him from another who is probably not of the
world.

In the first game of faro on record, the inventor
(incorrectly called Pharoah) went in a little too far
On the red and was done up.

THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN NEW
ZEALAND.
NEW Form, Monday.
The steamer Alameda arrived at San Francisco on
the 11th, bringing further particulars of the volcanic
eruption in New Zealand. Numerous small native
villages were totally destroyed. Wairsa was covered
to a depth of 10 feet with dust and ashes. Rahto-
mahana was engulfed, and also other small villages.
Twenty-one persons are known to have lost their
lives, among whom are several English residents.
The loss of cattle starved from the destruction
of the pasture by the dust is very great. Much
distress exists in all the Auckland Lake district. An
old Maori chief at Ratarna was dug out alive. Ho
had been buried in the ashes for 104 hours. At the
date of the departure of the Alameda from Auckland
the volcanoes were still very active. Mr. Johnson,
Government agent in Auckland, reports that Rotona
House, occupied by Mr. Hazard, was borne down by
weight of the debris. Mrs. Hazard was duo'' out alive,
but four of her children were dead. Mr. Hazard is
missing. Detailed reports as to the foreign residents
at other points who were killed have not yet been re-
ceived.