The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-07-02
LETTER rpon PETERSBURG.
correspondence Of tho s,ehmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, June %, 1867,

PETERSBURG, June 70, 1857.
ii would be gratifying TO be able to re-
cord some degree Of Improvement In busi-
ness matters, but there Is literally no anil
nation at all. The prospect, indeed, Tor an
carly revival IS not so encouraging as II
was afortnight ago. THEN there was every
evidence Of bountiful harvest, but the
recent heavy rains have beyond doubt
seriously damaged the crop both in regard
to quantity and quality. II the weather
had been propitious we should have had
new wheat in market by now-as 1t IS, IL
may not be before the middle Of July.
The transactions in cotton during tne
week have been very limited, and the mar
ket somewhat easier. The sales have oeeh
on basis of twenty-three cents tor rn'u-
ding. The receipts are very light, ne'ng
only sixtv-seven bales for the week, against
one hundred and three last week.
Tho present hot weather, if 1t snoulo
only be moderately dry, will have good
effect on the cotton plant, which is be-
Ecved 10 be more backward in it's growth
than during any preceding season. Farm
crs would be enabled to put their crops in
good order; for no plant-not even to-
bacco-is more benefited by clean cul-
ture.
With all the disadvantages, however,
npGcr which the planter has labored, it Is
not at all impossible that the product in
the end may be good ono. A great
effort has been made throughout the
South, notwithstanding the disasters OF
last year, to improve upon the later crop ;
ard under tolerably favorable clrcum-
stances an aggregate Of three millions OF
bales would have been secured. Three or
four millions in succession would enable
the South to regain her asccndancy in the
markets Of the world, and to finally Danish
the Inferior staples Of other countries.
Tie only difficulty in the way is the unset
tied state Of labor; and it must be con-
fessed by every obServant man that the
prospcct is BY no means the most flatter-
ing.
The breaks of tobacco during the past
week have been very large, and the mar
ket active, with some improvement in
prices. The receipts during the week
amount to 3SG hogsheads, and the inspcc-
tons TO 4l2. The following comparative
statement Of inspections for corresponding
periods during last year and the present
will not be without interest:
rom April 10 July L, LOW, @,o1o
hogshcads; from April ! to July |, 1867,
4,l-7 hogsLeads.
Tho Supreme Council Of the Friends of
Temperance in Virginia and North Caro-
lima have been in session here several
days during this week, and only adjourned
yesterday. The object has been to estab-
lish uniform rules for the Order, which is a
comparatively new one, having the same
work in view substantially as the Sons of
Temperance, but an entirely distinct body.
The discussions, at times, were exceed
ingly animated, especially on the question
of so modifying the usual pledge as not to
proiib, the use Of cider and light wines.
DR.. L. 3. Anderson. of Hanover county, is
reported to have made powerful argyll
mcnt in favor Of the relaxation. The old
pledge, however, was finally adopted.
But the discussion turned, in part, on the
adnptablity of our climate to the culture
Of the grape and the production OF vino
a most interesting subject, and ono on
which ! should like to speak somewhat at
large when your crowded columns can al
ford me spare corner. ,.