Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-16
THE CRnps-pRICEs. &c.

The Charleston Mercury of late date, referring to
the high prices of breadstuffs and to the fear of
famine says:
"To the South we understand the promise of the
season is unusually good. On the Ashepoo and
Oombahee rivers there has been lack of water,
and the recent rains have supplied to the highlands
all that they needed for the provision crops. We
presume that the Savannah River region is safe. In
our own part of the country there seems therefore,
no good cause to fear deficiency of food.
In regard to the great staple Cotton, it is too
early to speak of the probable result. Still there
must be planting in order that there may be gath
ance OF Cotton in the Low Country has depended
very much on the time when it terminated. lfplan-
ted carly and subjected to the rude change, of April
it looks badly. If it sprouted just in the time to
catch the late genial rains, it is vigorous and prom
Using, and has the first decisive of good stand.
In the Up Country the Cotton had not showed itself
at our latest accounts, which is probably in its
favor.
In the Southwest drought has been more extreme
than with u.s. and serious anxiety has been felt in
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas as to the fate of
the spring planting. A South Carolina gentleman,
settled Red River, writes to that not less than
100000 bales of cotton are locked on that stream
by the low water. The rivers of Texas are in much
the same condition We may hope however, that
recent rains have extended in that direction and
broken the charm of the general drought. If our
Southwestern friends dry with US, why should,
they not drink with US? And so, with present
lights, cannot but hope that the coming season
of the material wherewithal we may be clothed.
Let US be thankful for the promise
The New York Evening Post says:
"The prices of household commodities have again
risen in this city. Flour is $14 "a barrel. At Wash
ington market porter-house beefsteaks of the best
quality quoted at twenty-five cents pound, an
advance of four cents the prices of last week.
Other qualities of beef have advanced from two to
four cents per pound Potatoes are held at twenty
nine cents half peck-four cents higher than our
former quotations. Game at
present, and in consequence Brant ducks worth
from 81 so to SO par-twenty- five to fifty cents
more than last week. Redhead ducks, canvas-back
ducks, widgeon ducks, patridges and prairie hens
have disappeared from market for the season"
Prices of edibles in all portions of the United
States are higher, probably, than they were be-
fore. We observe, for example, that at Little Rock,
Arkansas -four is selling at SIS per barrel, and meal
at 81 per bushel and this in the midst of of the
most fertile regions Of the earth. At this place
(Ralegh) -four is $1l per barrel, meal 81 to 81 10
per bushe butter 80 cents and scarce beef eight
ten and scarce-and every thing else in proportion.
Gu" people are feeling the Inconvenience of hav
ing devoted too much of their time and labor to tur-
pentine and cotton.
The late rain was of great benefit to the crops in
this section. 1t much needed. Still the crops
do not give much promise-the weather for the last
week has been chilly and learn that wheat, OATS
and corn, though not actually suffering from drought
making but little apparent progress. The crop
of peaches cherries, &C., will be abundant.