The New York herald., 1874-08-14
WASHINGTON.

The August Returns of the Department.
OF Agriculture Relating to the Cotton
Crop.
The August returns OF the Department Of Agri-
culture show an Improvement IN the prospects OF
the cotton crop in all the large cotton states. ex-
cept Alabama, In which, during July. the average
declined two per cent Virginia also declined
two per cent, Arkansas seven per cent
ana tennessee SIX per cent. The two States last
named complain OF extensive and severe
droughts. North Carolina maintains her July
average, reporting a general prevalence OF nne
conditions OF growth, no insect depredatioDs. ex-
cept lice In q few places In Lincoln county the
crop was twenty days In advance, the
nrst bloom being on July 81. South
Caronna reports considerable Improvement,
while Georgia advances her average one p,r cent,
Mississippi two per cent and Florida six per cent.
From several counties In these states come COM
plants OF local droughts mpoverishing the growth
OF plants. In others heavy rains have caused an
excessive growth OF weeds with q tendency to long
joints and small truitage. Caterpilars are re-
ported IN many localities but they appear to be
even later in their development than the crops
Several correspondents think they are too late to
damage any 0us top crops. In some counties the
bottom crops are poor, while the middle crops
are luxuriant. Where good stand was secured
early the crop Ia generally reported as better than
Tor years Louisiana suffered severely from
reshets in the early part Of the season, reducing
her July average to seventy ythree. The disastrous
consequences were partly remedied by the i'm
proved condition OF the growth in July; but still
the crop is seventeen per cent below the average.
In some parishes as in East Felcana, the work
ing iorce Of farm animals was seriously crippled
by charbon, causing the crops to remain unworked
at the critical period. No serious insect injuries
n6 no tOna nl no cOrrna
dence Is more hopeful
Texas increased her high average, showing gen.
erai and satisfactory Improvement. Insects were
demonstrating in different quarters, but were
cessfuliy met with the remedies. In Gonzales
county large red wasp was making war upon the
farmers enemies, while IN Walker hOcks OF small
birds, never before seen here, were very destruc-
tive upon them. The State averages were as fol-
lOws:-Vlrginla, 98 per cent OF an average crop
North Carolina, l02; South Carolina, 81; Georgia.
"a; Florida 1O2; Alabama 9o Mississippi. 50;
Louisiana, SO; Texas, los; Arkansas, 81; Tennes.
see, SO.
Expenses Of the District Government.
Since July 10, the Commissioners for the District
Of Columbia have drawn $l,0S9,000 to pay the
salaries In arrears and the interest on bonds.
Two hundred and eleven thousand dollars remain
Of the Congressional appropriation.
Vessel Wrecked Or tho Island OF Ma
moah-Supposed to bc tho America n
Bark Scotland.
The United States Consul at Swatow reports to
the State Department, under date OF June 10, that
on Apri! IL he learned that some Chinese fishermen
had stated that the masts or recently sunken
vessel were visible of the Island OF Namoah, and
that 1t was supposed that every one on board was
lost. The American bark Scotland which had lett
Shanghae for SwatOw, was many days overdue; (;
and as 1t seemed probable that this was the wreck
OF that vessel, the Consul applied to the Chinese
Admiral for information. the Admiral replied
that there had been storm on March 20, in which
100 native boats and 800 lives were lost but he
had heard nothing OF u foreign wreck. Inquiry
was made OF the Consul General. MIR.
Seward, who reported that the American
bark Scotland, OF San Francisco, Glidden, Master,
AL tOns built at Richmond IN 1849, owned by
Plummer had cleared at Shanghae for Swat0w
March 13, 1874. On May 20 the Consul received a
letter from the Commissioner OF Customs at
Swatow, stating that on the 18th he found, by
sending an odicer to the wreck, that she Is bark
rugged. Her fOret0pmast seemed to be quite u
new spar. The yards were bright foot OF the
foretopgallantmast is painted white and the spider
band around the foretopmast Is red. The Consul
ADDS that II the parts described corresponded with
the Scotland IL is probable that that vessel was
wrecked on Boat Rock about the Goth OF last
James Murray shipped on the Scotland as second
officer. Oh the rest Of the crew, excepting the
master, the Consul knew nothing.