Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-06-04


1t is conceded that the coming wheat crop
of the two varieties of Spring and Winter is
large, and ON the whole in good condi-
tion throughout the whole country, and by
no means excepting California and the in
terror Territories. But regarding corn,
which, in various ways, is the basis of a
vast amount of food, and fully equal in i'm
portance to wheat, the present prospect is
more discouraging than 1t has been tor many
years. From the Atlantic to the western
line of Illinois, where the greater part OF
the corn of the United States is raised, there
have been rain-fals with few intervals
through all this planting season, which is
now rapidly drawing to aclose. Except on
sandy soil, il is safe to say that, at this date,
1t would be difficult to find single consid
crable-sized field of corn planted and grow
ing well, between the ocean and the Mssis
sippi. And yet there has scarcely been u
planting season within this generation OF
which such statement could have been
made. Still, the exceptions in this broad
extent where inactivity rcigns are important.
Through almost all of the Southern States
corn was planted in due season, and the
same is to be said of parts Of Missouri, and
of large portion OF Iowa, while in Mime
sofa and Wisconsin, almost always bringing
up the rear, the young coin is now out Of the
ground, and rapidly growing But regard
ing the great corn belt, the farmer waits day
after day, and week after week, for sunshine
and drying weather-and waits in vain.
Each day is like anothcr-a day of mist and
showers. of course, gardcn-work is in like
backwardness Less than a week now re-
mains TO the month of June, and should fla
vorablc weather come now, this time, nj
least, is required TO fiji the ground for the
plow, while bottom fields, always producing
puny crops, will need longer period.
Thus under the most favorable condition
In the present and Immediately approaching
days the seed to make the bulk Of the great
corn crop of the Northern States for this
year cannot be got in the ground before the
first month Of Summer, which gives ii
scarcely more than ninety days to mature
Within seventy five days from the first Of
June, we have had frosts several times
which killed all the late planted corn. Pre-
cisely the same to be said of the potato, and
of several other products, though of less I'M
portance, but on which much dependence is
placed. Certainly these are dark and gloomy
hours. Trade, manufactures, finance, all
kinds Of business, the expectations of YOUTH
the incomes of the aged, and even National
prosperity, depend on our having sunshine
during this present week-a part of which.
dark with threatening clouds, already has
passed away.
Still, may We not rely on the divine prom
Use, given when the radient bow of hope
was set in the sky, that seed time and hal
vest always should return? When favorahl,
days come-as come, we may say, they Ger
tainly will-great will be the activity in gar
den and field. Through long lines OF lat
tude, crossing farm landscape more than
thousand miles wide, seed-corn will stimuli
tanesusly tall from the tubes of the planter
from mems, boys, women's. and children
hands, in quantity sufficient, in the agglc
gate, to give bread to such nation as u,
Rome for a year and day
The lesson which this wet Spring tcachc
should be carefully considered In othc
ages, such year as this was sure to he ia
lowed by famine and with vast pom
lation impending, neither will we be able t
avoid famine, unless we learn from passn
casualties, and avail ourselves of the eXpc
rience of the wise. The advantages Of de
blowing in connection with eorrespon,lin!
depth OF fertility are great, but when under
draining is added. condition of the >oi !
secured which enables one TO plant and cui
tiyate, almost regardless OF prulIartcd rain
He who has fields So prepared is enabled 4,
proceed with the work OF the season its.r',
rs uninteruptedly as though the ,b,ys lao
been admirably divided hy sunshine ..nd
shower and il is not to much 10 say. tAa'
60 to- H.,