The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-06-30
TnE COTTON CROP.
Its Condition ga the South ATdnfic States
The Savannah exchange report, dated
June 10, is as annexed:
GEORGIA.

GEORGIA.
There were one hundred and thirty
five replies from sixty-eight counties
average date May 2Sth.
The decrease in land planted in cotton
as compared with last year has been ten
per cent. The weather has been remark
| ably seasonable since the plant CON-
menced to grow, but the spring was late
and the planting was delayed. The
stands of cotton are generally good, bet
ter than last year. Although the crop
was put in the ground much later than
usual, it has been able to catch up in a
great measure from the fine season, so that
| it IS not behind more than five to eight
| days. Owing to the NECESSITIES of the
times, labor is both more aeRndant and
efficient. In sections riIeIc9 eertlllzers
have been generally used the increase
over the previous season has been fully
twenty per cent The condition of the
crop is unprecedentedly fine. The fields
are free from grass, and the plant, though
small, is growing off well. Owing to the
failure of the corn crop last year, the
increase of land put in grain has been in
proportion to the decrease in the acreage
of cotton, and to make the grain crops
more effective it is estimated that nearly
| twenty-five per cent. of the commercial
manures sold this season have been
placed upon these crops.
FLORIDA
There were thirty-one replies from six
teen counties-average date May 9th.
The decrease in the area devoted to
cotton has been from twelve to fifteen
per cent The spring was a backward
one, but for the last month the weather
has been more favorable than last year.
The stands of cotton are generally good,
although the plant is small, and com
plaint of cut worm in some localities.
The crop is put down as being about two
weeks later than last year.
Labor is abundant and efficient, but
the scarcity of corn and the want OF
money is a serious drawback to the en-
ployment of laborers. The present con-
dition of the crop is good, but backward.
But little commercial fertilizers have
ever been used in this state, but planters
are turning their attention more gen
orally to the making of manures at home.
The Augusta exchange has forty-nine
replies from twenty-three counties in its
district, the average date of replies being
June lst, and reports as follows
Gentlemen-We respectfully submit
the following report for the month of
May, as to the prospect and condition of
the cotton crop in the district allotted to
this exchange. Our report is based upon
forty-nine replies from twenty-three
counties Average date of replies, June,
lst.
I. Qucstion-What is the area of land
planted in cotton in your section as com
pared with last year? State per centage
of increase or decrease.
Answer-The acreage under cotton
is generally stated to be below that of
last year, the decrease averaging five and
three-fourth per cent.
.. Question-What proportion of land
planted in cotton last year in your
section has been and is now over
flowed?
Answer-None.
3. Question-What is your estimate
of damage done the ensuing crop by the
overflow in your sections?
Answer-None. Some insignificant
damage in small localities on hill lands
from some late heavy rains.
4. Question-W What has been the char
acter of the weather, and has it been
more or less favorable than last year?
Answer-The character of the weather
was, as rule, more favorable for plant
ing, and decidedly more favorable, i'm
mediately succeeding that for working
the crops.
5. Question-How are the stands of
cotton in your section?
Answer-Some planters have not yet
quite completed chopping out the cotton,
but wherever that has been done the
stands are reported as very good. Many
of our correspondents state that they
could hardly be better, and are far above
the average of several years past.
6. Question-How much earlier or
later is the cotton crop in your section
this than last year
Answer-As a rule, planting was COM
pleted somewhat later than last year.
But the crop has grown remarkably
well. The present general condition
averages about the same as last
year, but ranges from two weeks
later" to two weeks earlier" according
to local influences, and more or less
favorable weather in certain localities.
Z. Question-How is the labor, in
number and efficiency, compared with
last year?
Answer-Labor is reported the same
in quantity as last year, but as rule
more efficient.
s. Question--Has the use of fertilizers
increased or decreased, compared with
last year?
Answer-The use of commercial fertil-
izers on cotton lands has been about the
same as last year, but there has been an
increase in the application of home ma
nures and compost.
9. Question-What is the present con-
dition of the cotton crop in your sec
ton?
Answer-The present condition of the
cotton crop is very good and promises
we'll. The plant as rule is not large
but is healthy and vigorous, and the
fields free from grass. The majority of
our reports point to condition decidedly
above the average at this season.
10. Question-State any material facts
not covered by above questions.
Answer-In two counties there is
some complaint of an impairment of
stands by the cut worm. Two counties
report lice. In all material respects,
however, our reports point to an excel
lent condition of the crop, aud more
than favorable prospect for the future.
THE VALUE OF AN EMPRESS. Most