The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-16
Tho Southern Claims Commission.

| WASHINGTON, June 15.-The Southern
Claims Commissioners will, shortly after
| the close OF the present month, take 4 re-
cess till fall. Their time till adjournment
will be fully occupied by cases already as
| signed, and they are now upon applications
| from claimants and attorneys, allotting
| their time from adjournment till their re-
port to Congress in December next.
Secretary Boutwell, leaves here for week.
! The Cabinet meets at noon tomorrow.
! There will he Il full meeting, except Secre-
| tary Alderman and Commissioner Deano.
Comparative Average and Condition of the Cot
ton Crop.
| WASHINGTON, June 15.-The Department
! of Agriculture has received returns from
nearly three hundred counties, represent
| ing the most productive districts of each Of
| the cotton States. and showing the cOmpar-
alive average and the condition of the crop.
| In the first week of June diminution of
| he area planted in cotton appears in every
| state except Florida. The most careful
ANALYSIS Of the returns, with a due regard
! in making averages to the extent of the
cotton production III tho rospo"tiro oo1,n-
| ties, gives the following per centage of re-
| duction in comparison with last year: Viz
ginia, 30 per cent; North Carolina, IA
South Carolina, 10; Georgia, p; Ala
bama, 10; Mississippi, 10; Louisiana,
! II. These State averages reduced to
a general acreage of the respective States,
| il being an element in the calculation, will
place the reduction of the cotton Of 1871,
As compared with that of 1870, between II
and u per cent..-equiyaIent to nearly Il
million and Il third OF acres. This would
leave between seven and half and eight
millions OF acres the present area in cotton.
The average yield has not in former years
exceeded $50 pounds per acre, and that of
1870 was more than 200 pounds. The con-
dltion of the growing plant is below an
average in nearly every State. The spring
has beeu unusually wet and cold; retard-
in the growth, causing many OF the plants
to turn yellow and die, and obstructing
cultivation to a large extent. ReplantinS
has refIled vacant spaces Of imperfect
stands. The weather has recently been
more favorable, and it is not impossible that
an average condition may be obtained by
the commencement of the packing season.
The condition of the cotton in July,
1869, 4 wear favored with an abundant yield,
was only little better than the showing
for June Of the present year. While tile
prospect is slightly unpromising, there is
nothing in it OF decisive character.
The percentage below an average condi-
ton is as follows in the respective States:
\ orth Carolina, 10 per cent; South Caro-
lima, s; Georgia, 10; Alabama, II; Mis-
si>sippi, 16; Louisiana, 10; Texas. l;
Arkansas, II; Tennessee, 10. In Florida
the condition is ) per cent. above an aver
age.
An official estimate Of the ultimate result
50 early in the season would be an absurdlty.
The influence Of future rains, floods, trosts,
and insect enemies, cannot be calculated i'll
advance; but in view Of the extremely
favorable circumstances affecting the crops
of last year, there cannot be, expected Ill
the present year, upon reduced area, =
crop exceeding three and IA half millions Of
bales. An early frost, or the prevalence of
insects, or a very unpropitious season,
might reduce the yield TO three millions
and Il still further reduction is possible i'll
the union, or severity Of several Of these
causes OF failure.
Weather Report.
WASHINGTON, June 15.-ProbabiRties :
Cloudy and threatening weather will prob
ably be experienced on Friday in Missouri
and Arkansas. No important change IS in-