The Hickman courier., 1873-07-05
AGRICULTURAL.
THE COTTON CROP.
The Latest Reliable Estimates From the
Cotton States.

The Latest Reliable Estimates From the
Cotton States.
In May last the committee of the New
Orleans cotton exchange sent out letters
to .--.Is.ls1-s ~. saa Saass ssuaAtAass OF
me cotton states requesting information
regarding the condition of the cotton
crop. They now publish, in condensed
form, the results of then. action derived
from letters dating from May %, to
June z. Their report may be accepted
as the safest guide to a proper under
standing of the aspects of the crop.
Thirty-six counties were heard from In
Mississippi, and the letters received
show an increase in the general average
of cotton in the state of eight per cent.
Fertilizers have been used to only a
limited extent, and labor is efficient.
There have been heavy rains and cold
spring, which will retard the crop about
fifteen days. The crop is generally rep
resented as good. In Louisiana, thirty
five parishes having been heard from,
the crop is two weeks late. General
average increase in the acreage over last
year of p per cent. Very little fertil-
izers used. Both favorable and unfa-
vorable weather reports were received,
and the stands of cotton arerepresented
rs full average, although many com
plants of the grass were sent. Forty
counties of Texas responded to the in
quiries of the committee. The average
of the increase in the acreage is placed
at fully % per cent. An increase in the
number and efficiency of labor is re-
ported. The crop, which is represented
as in fair condition, although heavy
rains and cold spring have seriously
retarded it, is about twenty-five days
late. Many complaints of grass come
from this state. No fertilizers have
been used. Intelligence from thirty-five
counties of Arkansas shows an average
stand of cotton has been obtained. La
Dor more plentiful. Owing to rain and.
late spring the crop viii be fifteer
days later than last year. OF the fifty
three reports, twenty-six complain of
grass and weeds. The average increase
of acreage is about 10 per cent. Unfa-
vorable weather reported from all
quarters, and two-thirds of the report
while the other third represent il as
bad. Labor good, and better than last
year. The presence of grass is much
complained of, and only an average
stand of cotton has been obtained.
Fertilizers are very little used in Ten
nessee. The reports from Alabama
come from thirty-three counties. Aver
age increase In acreage, Z per cent.
From nineteen counties the news is that
the stands are good, while twelve coun-
ties report adversely. The crop is ff-
teen days later, and its condition is only
an average one. Excessive rains are re.
ported. Labor is said to be sufficient
and the use of fertilizers has largely
increased. The average increase in
acreage of the fifty-five North Caroline
counties heard from is fully twenty-five
per cent. over the acreage of last year
Labor not so plentiful in this state as
last year, and the use of fertilizers has
largely increased. Cold and wet wealth.
er has produced an unfavorable condi
tion of the crop, which is from ffteer
to twenty days later. Twenty-Five
counties in South Carolina have beer
heard from, and an increase of 10 pei
cent. In the acreage is reported. Al
average stand only of cotton has beSn
obtained, and the condition of the crop
owing to the excessive rains, is very bad
The crop is three weeks late. Th,
planters of this state are much discour
aged. Seventy-nine counties in Geor
gla report, showing an increase in the
acreage of 80 per cent. Labor is salts
factory and the use of fertilizers has in
creased largely. The weather has beer
rather more favorable than last year
and, except in four counties, the stand
Is reported as good, some letters say
very fine. The condition of the crop i.
represented as good, and the average
for the state is about fifteen days later
than last year. Meagre reports from
Florida give a good account of the
weather, of labor, and of the stands
and condition of the crop An increase
is reported in the area of u per cent.