The Sun.
London, England, 1869-09-13 00:00:00

TILID.E AND FLYANCE.

We continue to receive encouraging accounts from the
United States in reference to the cotton crop. Accord-
ing to the information collected by the Bureau
of Statistics there are about eight millions of
acres under cotton cultivation this year, but from this
it is necessary to deduct about 25 per cent, for errors and
failures, much of the planting being very loose and scat-
tered. We have, accordingly six millions of acres, which
may be expected to yield half a bale each, though a re.
turn of 2501 b. to the acre—which would make a total crop
of 3,300,000 bales—is by no means an extravagant esti-
mate. We may, therefore, confidently look to
a crop of at least 3,000,000 bales, and although
it would be imprudent to commit ourselves to any
figures at this early season, the larger estimate given
above is not unlikely to prove nearer the mark. In any
event the cotton crop this season will be the largest raised
since the war. The figures are as follows :-1865.66,
2,151,043 bales ; 1866.67, 1,951,988; 1867-68, 2,498,895,
while for 1868-69 we estimate a return of fully 3,000,00 bales.
The inherent vitality of the Southern States is here shown
in a remarkable manner. When we bear in mind the
difficulties with which the planters have had to contend,
especially as regards the labour market, the progress
made is the more astonishing. Very much has been said
about the capacity of the labour market, and there is no
doubt that, in ordinary seasons, the picking of so large a
quantity as 3,000,000 bales would severely test
it. Cotton requires to be picked rapidly, and
the scarcity of labour is consequently severely felt. This
year, however, the plant has been very well developed,
and this is a great assistance to the planter. It h asserted
by competent authorities that 3,000,000 bales can be as
easily picked if the bolls open properly as 4,000,000 if the
cotton opens "scattering.r The anticipated difficulty on
this point has already been dissipated, and the prospects
generally have seldom been more favourable.

As a natural consequence of this state of things, the
Liverpool market has had a downward tendency, and this
movement has been further influenced by the accounts
from India, which have been generally favourable. It is
not therefore unlikely, now that we are assured of mode-
rately cheap wheat, and of declining prices for cotton,
that some movement may take place in the markets
generally, for it is fair to assume that as two of the prin-
cipal causes of the stagnation of trade are in a fair way of
being removed, a return of activity will take place. Not-
withstanding this, we do not see any great reason to look
for any great change this year. The effects of the
altered state of affairs cannot immediately be made
known in the market, and every stimulus that
may be given to trade will probably not commence to
operate until the spring. It is to be hoped that the South
will be enabled to make further progress in its resusci-
tation ; but we fear that there is little reason to expect
permanently cheap cotton until some readjustment of the
labour market in the Southern States has taken place. There
is no denying the fact that the freedmen are unwilling to
work, and will not be found in the fields unless tempted
there by large wages, or forced into activity by hunger
and distress. Just now they are as a body fairly
off, but the planter will receive a high price for
his produce, and will be enabled to offer
proportionately high wages. The result to the negro
is likely to be demoralising, and we shall probably find,
as was the case in 1866, that his present good fortune will
have the effect of rendering him more ruinously idle.
Should thiri prove the case, the American cotton crop will
be subject to very great variation as to the quantity grown,
as this will only be remedied by some complete revolution
in the labour market, which shall make the planter non-
independent of the negro.

A singular but fatal accident happened on Friday
on Westminster-bridge. The hat of a middle-aged man was
blown from his head over into the Thames, and the unfor-,
tunate mar, in his endeavour to save Lis hat, fell into the
water and was drowned.

The Pall Mall Gazette notices a discovery that
sewage may be utilised by being converted into gas. Ex-
periments have been successfully tried at Darjeeling and
Calcutta, and it is now proposed to apply the process to
somo of the larger cities.

On the Beverley Election Commission evidence
was given on Saturday of a parcel of bank notes having
passed from Norfolk to Wreghitt at tho last election.
Wreghitt has been for years tho election banker of his party,
and tho principal witness against him is a voter who went
over to the other side.

Further details of the colliery accident in Pennsyl-
vania state that 108 bodies have been discovered in the
mine. This, with the two men suffocated in attempting a
rescue, makes the total loss 110, and nol 200, as previously
reported. None of the men in the mine escaped. Some
of those killed have cLildren living in Great Britain.

In consequence of the death of Admiral Baynes,
Vice-Admiral the Hon. S:r Henry Keppo], K.C.8., becomes
Junior Admiral ; Rear-Admiral the lion. George Fowler
Hastings, C. 8., Junior Vice-Admiral ; and Captain James
Newburgh Strange is promoted to Rear-Admiral. A flag
officer's good service pension also, and, by the promotion of
Captain Strange to flag rank, a captain's good service pen-
sion, are at the disposal of the First Lord of the Adwiralty.

Mr. W. Cunliffe Brooks, the Conservative candi-
d4to for East Cheshire, issued his address on Saturday, in
which ho declares himself "a supporter of sound Conserva-

tivo principles and measures," and ho "delights to see pro-
gress in all that concerns the happiness and well-being of
our community." The Liberal candidate, Sir E. W. Watkin,
addressed a crowded meeting last night i❑ the Stockport
Court House, and a resolution was passed in his favour.
Since the heavy thunderstorms of Thursday nigi.t
the town of Luton has been visited with violent squalls,
alternating with brief periods of sunshine and comparative
•;:lm. On Friday evening, about half-past five, as some children
were playing in the common field in High-town, a sudden
gust of extraordinary force carried away the whole of the
framework and scaffolding of the new wooden church erect-
ing there, sweeping to tho ground four workmen employed
upon it, and burying three of the children under the heavy
boat t:Otto 01 thow bats died.