The New York herald., 1869-09-15

Condition of the Cotton Crop-Appenrance of
the Caterpillnrs-Their Dovnstaiions-T0.
baccO and Corn Looking Well and Abund.
ant-POIitics Qaict-Gencraf News Items.
TALLAHASSEE, Sept. s, 1869.
The only subject which interests our people at this
time is the cotton CROP Six weeks ago the planters
OF this tLeon) county had finer prospects for
an almost unprecedented yield Of cotton. The crop
had been well worked the stalks were large vigor-
GUS and healthy and heavily fruited and the planter
looked forward to the future with bright anticipa-
tiOns, believing that his abors would be rewarded
with bountiful harvest. 'Man proposes, but Coo
disposes," and 30 the sequel has proved with us.
Since then the caterpillar" that much dreaded
pest the simple mention OF hose name is sufficient
to make cotton growers trembe with fear and
alarm, has made Its appearance In vast num-
bers in every locality where the staple has
been planted, and swept through the fields
as with the 1esom Of destruction, completely strip.
ping the stalks Of all their foliage and leaving them
bare and naked-an awful mockery Of their former
luxurlance. But the growth OF the cotton was SO
that good judges are of the opinion that ut least hal
OF crop VIII be made. At the prices which the
lieve planters from the embarrassnents which the
almost total failure OF the crop for the past few
years has occasoned The cotton ia opening rapidly
In the fields now, and the colOred labOrers, who
have worked much better this year than ever before
since Freedom" are kept constantly employed
picking, housing, ginning and packing It. Some
1l8 bales have been shipped from this place to sa.
vannah and New YORK during the last few days
Very little sea island cotton is grown In this county,
short staple being principally planted.
In Gadsden county, the one adjoining this on the
west, the caterpillar has done but little damage to
cotton. The yield there will be three fourths per.
haps four-fths, Of an average crop. good deal Of
long cotton is grown in Gadsden.
The product OF tobacco forms no incOnsiderable
Item IN the agriculture OF that county. Before the
war there was raised between six and seven hundred
cases, weighing $50 pounds EACH This year the crop
s very good and the yield Will be an average one
The corn crop throughout the State is generally
good-that OF this county being better than has been
made for many years before. So we will have an
abundance OF The sta OF feD and there is at least
no danger OF starvation
Politics are quescent at the capital Just now. His
Excelency, Governor Reed Is absent irom the State
as also several OF his cabinet officers, and that
.merchine they call the state government seems to
be running itself. 1 believe the only state oflcer
who has not taken an "airin'" this summer is the
negro who occupies the office OF Secretary OF State
known as Jonathan g. Gibbs though there was con.
siderable controversy In the Legislature last year
Mnen ms nomination was up for confirmation as to
whether ns ms name was john or Jonathan"
Ihe proposition 10 annex West Florida TO Ala
Dama ID now being discussed In that portion of the
state The Alabama commissioners are now
stumplng' the counties proposed to be anne x ed,
showing the people the many advantages TO be de.
rived from the contamination OF the scheme The
question Is TO be submitted to vote OF the people of
tne west pretty soon when 1t Ii thought there will
pe srge majority in favor OF It, The people OF the
mlude, however, are very much opposed TO 1t, and
neie are strong reasons against IT, In that the State
WIN lose several OF her seaports and harbors the
pess on Tue Gui coast as also large amount of her
revenue and 1t IL to be hoped that these facts will
induce the Legislature to refuse the ratification of
tne plan when action Ia had upon 1t.
Ihe recent cold snap IN the North produced very
,ani en- Gaange M IN the weather here During the
gnt OF tne 30 the wind veered around to the north
east ana Dlew quite sfy from that point for several
hours. Ihe mercury fell ten degrees and stood at
seven On the morning Of the Attn, rendering the air