National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-12-10
Farm. Garden and Kitchen.
The Crops Of 1869.

crops maze 10 tle utI dTlllleilt VI az
riculture, October 20, contains some
suggestions which all farmers would
do well to heed. 1t says: "The
great agricultural lesson of the sea
son inculcates the necessity of drain
ing and thorough culture. 1t is not
an eXageratiOn to estimate the re-
ductiOn this season, from the altern- |
ate drowning and sc0rchlnS OF farm
crops, at two hundred million Of dol !
lars. Reports from drought parchcd
regions declare the crops in fair
condition on lands well worked, =
and that the effect of the heat was
aggravated by want of cultivation
as dry weather set in;' that on
drained soils properly cultivated,
fine crops were obtained, while on
wet or nndrained lands, and fields
neglected or half cultivated, a fail.
ure was imminent. The crop returns
of Great Britain (wherc the early
season was similar to ours,) enforce
the same lesson, though far small
er proportion of British lands are
undrained or poorly cultivated.
CORN.-At the time of the last
report, it was feared that the corn
crop would be very small, but the
apprehension of serious failure were
relieved by the fine weather of Sep.
TENDER and the delay Of killing
frosts. AS a whole, the crop has
had an unusually favorable matur
ing season. resulting in il very graf
flying amrlioration of the prospect
for this important staple; Yet IA full
crOp-which should not be less than
1,150,OOO bushels can by no means
be expected. West of Missouri the
crop is large. average in California,
and less in the States.
WHEAT.-The crop of wheat has
been large, and in the South the
yield has not only been great, but
the quality excellent. The increase
in Illinois has been principally in the
southern counties; In Indiana and
Ohio the average yield has been bet
ter than usual, though, in general
the spring has been inferior to the
the winter wheat.
OTHER GRAINs.-Thc yield o
oats has been very large, the loves
return showing an increase of ter
per cent, and estimating the yielt
at from thirty to thirty five per cent
in advance of former wears. Til,
quality is very good, and the weigh
heavy. NNr has fallcn uW in AWi
nois, Iowa, and Missouri, but al
vanccd in the Atlantic and Othe
States, both as az respects the Nicl,
and the area cultivated. Barley ha
been cultivated more extensively an,
with a good return, SO that at thi
rate, before long, this grain will nc
be imported from foreign countries
Buckwheat is less than average.
COTTON-Tlc area of cotton Gu
tivation was increased last spring d
least sixteen per cent, Il million an
more of acres having been added t
the cultivated area. A grca: am
of tertilizing material was employe
and a large crop expected i'll cons,
Qucncc. But the drouth was yer
severe in Georgia, and in North an
South Carolina, and this greatly +
duced the yield on the upland soil
In Arkansas, and the Southwc
generally, the plant was injured |
very hot weather in August; Il
caterpillar and worm did not COZ
nit their usual ravagcs thus, tn
from unexpected causes, the or,
was less than it was expected to y
there was reason to believe that {
estimate of 3,7j0,OO0 bales will
reached, and perhaps slightly e
ceChod.
Upon the whole review of t
crops, there is reason for gratitu
to the Giver of seed time aud h;
vest, summer and winter, cold al
heat, and for the expression OF t
hope that the errors of the past We
may lead to that care and ioreSig
in the coming year bN which IN
takes may he avoided and grca,
measure of prosperity be secured
DESTRucr'N OF SHEEP IN sou
AMERlCA.--A correspondent of
New York Times writing fir,
Brazil, mentions that IN incvital