Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1867-11-30
Agricultural News.

Tho report Of tho Commissioner OF ASli-
culture for October, has appeared. 1t is
more than usually Interesting, as it contains
summing up of the proceeds Of this years
crops, as compared with those of last year
The following is synopsis Of the report, pre-
pared in Washington;
WnEAr.-,Thc returns Indicate an increase
OF 40, 900 900 to $4,000, 600 bushels, over
the crop of last year, the estimate for this year
being 225, ,000, 600 bushels. This represents
the increase in the whole country, and covers
the deficiencies in Texas Kansas and some of
the Eastern States, which fell short OF last
years crop The Southern States show ma
tcrial enlargement in the area Of wheat from
an evident intention to become moro nearly
sclf.supporting and independent than former
ly This is particularly noticeable in Virgin
ia, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkan-
sas. The great decline in Texas results from
several causes ono of which is tho neglected
and ,weedy condition Of the lands which for
mcrly yielded good crops. Tho quality of
wheat is greatly superior to that Of last year;
it is almost universally sound and dry, but in
many localities there may be found from third
to half deficient in weight, lacking in plump
ness, or slightly shrivelcd, md passing as No.
I q, being less than ffty-cight pounds to the
Y bushel. There is also greater tendency TO
s cleanliness aud carol in preparing the grain for
/ the market. High prices and the marked
discrimination Of buyers are doing good ser
vice in this direction.
OATs-Tho aggregate estimate will exceed
28O,0OO,O00 Of bushels, about threo per cent
above that 1865.
RYE.-The estimates for all tho States, OK.
ocpting those on the Pacific coast, is 81 ,000,-
600 bushels. This is au increase Of four per
cent over the product of last year.
BAnLEy.-rho barley crop is sightly de-
fcient; about half million bushels, or four
per cent as compared with last year
BEANS AND PEAs.-There is more than an
average crop.
CoRN.-'rhc quality is uniformly good leav-
ing do doubt that the value of tho entire crop,
after dcducting TIE deficiency in the Ohio
valley, and allowing for an increase in almost
all other States, will be greater, not only in
pork. k.producing power than chat of last year
SoRGHuM.-T Sorghum interest has
greatly declined. Frost has injured tho crop.
In many places the average is much reduced,
and dcspondency is evident in tho feelings Of
many growers.
BUcH wHEAT.-This crop will scarcely bo
equal to that of last year.
PoTAToEs.-Th crop is poor one this
year
ToDAcco-A decline in the Tobacco pro.
duct is indicated in the principal tobacco
growing sections.
SUGAR. Louisiana, the only State producing
cane sugar to any extent, reports an increase
of 20 per cent. over the same yield of last
year.
CoTToN Complete estimates will be made
on the receipt of November returns. Tho ro-
turns of October indicate considerable in.
crease in South Carolina, Georgia Alabama
about the same yield as last year in Missis
~rrrrruoruu III IUXas and Louisiana. All the
estimates below 100000 of bales of five
hundred pounds each decidedly fallacious,
while present Indications favor an approximate
to 2,500,O00 bales.
FATTENINa CATTLE.-Therc appears to bo
small deficiency of fattcning cattle in Ken.
tncky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the center
OF Eastern supplies. Further West and
Northwest, tho supply is generally quite as
good as last year. In all Of the others, tho
reports upon their condition arc quito iavora-
BILE.
OLD WHEAT.-A glance at tho table will
show reduction, as compared with last yoar,
when the old stock was also small The stock
OF old wheat has not been reduced 50 low for
many years, if ever.