Connecticut western news., 1879-06-04
CANAAN, CONN. WEDNESDAY, JUN. 4. 1879.
The Crops.

The crops. The reports from different sections of the country, notwithstanding the backward spring. are very encouraging. While there is no such universal promise of overfowing harvests, as was reported year ago, re- sulting from the exceptionally early spring of 1878, there are satisfactory indications of an average product ID most sections and of most crops; while in the case of some staples an increase is expected. The gen eral characteristics of the season have been everywhere the same. A cold and late spring, followed by severe drought, from which crops had begun to suffer seriously, when the recent rains brought the needed relief.
 New England will contribute at least 10 psr cent. more of hay and butter, cheese and stock than last year. Tobacco IS being mere largely cultivated by the farmers of Connecticut and Massachusetts. In Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire the sugar. beet industry is receiving considerable at tentien and sorgham has come into favor in many sections of the South and West. The condition of the fruit crop in New England and the Middle States is one of universal promise, but in many sections of the South and West the trees have been in- iursd by the cold winter or late frosts. The peach crop promises we'll. The crops of eats, Rye and barley will not be above the average. The hay crop will be large, ex- cept m some limited areas. Tho cotton crop will be larger than usual. Farmers everywhere have planted more potatoes than usual, and vigorous measures will be taken to protect them from the ravages of the Colorado beetle, which has already ap- peared in threatening numbers in PenDsyl- vania, New Jersey. Kentucky, Ohio and some other States. In the Middle States. including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Delaware and Maryland, and em- bracing the territory between the Allegha- niss and the Atlantls, and between New England and Virginia, wheat will be more largely raised than last year, corn some what more largely and other crops nearly the same. In the West and Northwest, as to wheat. there is no considerable falling of reported in any State except Kansas Illinois promises an average crop, Ohio an increase to possibly 30. 900 900 bushels, Mich- iaan S1. .O00. .0C0, larger even than the last two years. Minnesota 30, 900 Ca large in- erease) Nebraska an increase of 20 per cent, ; Iowa. Indiana and Wisconsin as large crop as last year and 8 probable consider able increase as to corn. All tho States of ;. the West promise an increase with the ex- eeption of Indiana. where corn has been abandoned to some extent fer wheat. In the Southern States cotton is up to the av- craze and promising an increase in Vir- ginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. In Mississippi loss is anticl- pated. The recent rise in the price ot cot ton came early enough to stimulate plant ing and should prices be sustained the cur rent year will be Q prosperous one for the cotton planters. At tho same time an in- crease of corn IS indicated in all the South
 m States. except Arkansas and Missouri, where there is falling of, and in South Carolina and Georgia. where. however. an average crop is expected. In tobacco there is a+perceptlble though not large increase indicated in the South and large one in the North. Rice promises poorly ln Louis jana and well in South Carolina and Geor- gis. In wool and stock. the staple products of Texas, there will be a decided increase Thousands of acres of land have beer opened up and put under cultivation 1T Texas, Michigsn and Nebraska dullng tht present year. The population of Nebrasks has increased sixty thousand by immigra tiou. Many farmers in the Northwestern States are engaged ln stock raising to { larger extent than in previous years,
 The general conclusions are that our az ricultural products will this year probably
 be larger than eyer before. We shah, nt
 doubt, have heavy surplus of wheat anG corn to export. Whether the fatterinI prospects as to corn and grass shall con
 tinue, it is safe to assume that the surplul of provisions, of pork. beef, lard, and O
 butter and cheese, will be considerable Reports as to the rates of wages and ths condition of general business all agree tha1 while wages are low, employment is more uniform and bunn ess more active than fol long time.