The Ouachita telegraph., 1873-06-28
rHE JUNE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

Planters, do not regard with much |
interest the monthly reports from the
Agricultural Bureau, but, notwith-
standing this unconcern on the part OF
planters, the cotton-buyers watch these
reports closely, and indefinite as they
may be, they are the best published,
because there are none others employ
ing such an extensive correspondence.
Our readers interested in any way in
the condition of the growing crop, its
extent and probable yield, will find
the following statement by the Depart
ment of Agriculture not without points
worthy Of study:
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE follow
ing is an extract from the report of the
Department for June, for II months:
An increase over the previous year in
the cotton area was reported in every
State. An increase over that of last
year is now reported in every State.
The percentage of increase in Il State,
as found by dividing the aggregate of
increase of counties by the number re-
ported, as a rule, is too high, because
almost always the largest per cent. of
increase will be from counties having Il
comparatively small acreage, but reck-
oned in that rough way of estimating
the increase indicated is: In Virginia,
% per cent; North Carolina and Geor-
gia, IA; South Carolina, 2; Florida, 3;
Alabama, 8; Mississippi and Louisiana,
4; Texas, 81 Arkansas, 10; Tennessee,
15. This makes the average increase
in the cotton States reckOned in the
same way, nearly ~ per cent. The
per cent. of increase reported last year
was: In North Carolina and Arkansas,
16; South Carolina, 8; Georgin and
Tennessee, -; Florida and Mississippi,
10; Alabama and Louisiana, II; Texas,
1S and the average Throughout the cot
ton States apprOXimating 13 per cent.
1t will be noted that both years TcXss
makes the largest, relatively increasing.
Our reports indicate as prevalent the
increase in tho relative amount of fer
tilizers used, the acreage cultivated will
fall considerably below that planted.
A cold, back kward spring causing much
seed to rot in the ground; very wet
May preventing work and increasing
the demand for it, and the impossible
ity of obtaining sufficient labor TO sub
due the breadth sown, the excessive
weeds and grass consequent upon the
extraordinary wet season conspire to
make this result inevitable. Returns
concur in placing the crop from two to
three weeks later than usual. Florida
reports an average condition OF per
cent. above the annual average; all the
others fall below. Virginia and Ala
bama per cent, North Carolina is,
South Carolina II, Georgia and Louisi-
ana 6, Mississippi and Arkansas 8,
Texas ii, and Tennessee 10. But it
will be seen from the extracts following
that very generally the weather in the
last days Of May was favorable, and
there was a hopeful prospect that the
condition would rapidly improve.
Another part of this report will show
that worms and caterpillars have made
an early appearance ut various points,
and are causing considerable apprchen-
sions ofdestructive raVages. Virginia,
from which four counties reported the
culture ofcotton last year, reports eight
this year, and increased acreage in all
except Patrick, Chesterfield and King
William, in which it is unchanged.
The statistical returns OF corn, com
pleted to June 1st, docs not include the
area and condition, for the reason that
it is too early, but the footings Of cor
respondents show the planting of corn
inmOst sections has been much retarded
by excessively wet and cold weather,
and that the pests which usually thrive
in such Il season, the cut worm, have
commenced extensive operations, and
threaten great danger to the crop.