The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-01

less severely, are now encouraged by larger
orders, and the thousands Of those enter
/ prsng drummcrs who arc constantly scour-
ing every part ct tn" Union in brisk compc-
tition Tor the country trade, are wearing
more cheerful faces
Tho low price Of cotton, following an I'M
preccdentcdly great crop, makes the year a
less satisfactory one To the Southern plant
crs than they hoped 1t would prove; but, as
MIR. JEFFERSON DAVIS remarked to a corrc-
spondent OF the Boston Hcrdh, the South is
now producing a greater variety Of crops
than before the war. aud is not so entirely
dependent on the great staple. Real estate
there, which has been low, and frequently
absolutely unstable. according to Mr..
| DAVIS. must soon rise I'm price, because Of
its intrinsic value in the production Of tho
staple articles OF commerce. In the North
ern grain States, an increased area has been
or Is to be seeded with wheat, aud the
farmers generally are prosperous and as
hopeful as farmers allow themselves to be.
The present indications IRE OF buuntiful
wheat crop. In all departments Of industry,
indeed, n revival OF activity is reported. and
the spring therefore opens favornbly for
trade IN comparison with all the years since
the panic
In this city there Is marked improve
mcnt In the business OF building. The first
two months OF 1879. according to the records
Of the Building Department, showed de-
cided Increase In the number OF spcciilca-
lions as compared with 1873. In January
and February Of this year there were filed
plans for 1873 buildings Of an estimated cos:
OF Si.52).Sjs. against lGl buildings OF an es-
timated cost Of Sl,22G.00O In 1873; aud in
comparing these values we must take into
the account the decreased cost of building
materials, though very recently these have
shown an upward tendency. The coming
months will see great activity in this inter-
est. and thousands OF mechanics aud labor
ers will be kept busy by reason Of it.
With this month opens the season FOR out
door athletic sports, the interest in which
steadily grows from year to year. Base ball
will begin to be an absorbing pursuit with
thousands Of men and youth before the
month Is over. though the game will hardly
be at its height until May and June. Tho
number Of base ball mines is perhaps larger
this year than over heretofore. and. unhap-
PLY, there is rather an increase than
diminution in the corps OF paid players, men
who do more TO degrade than to elevate our
national game.
The annual boat race between Harvard
and Yale Will again take place at New Lon
don. this year on the 9th OF June. and the
crews. who have becn In active training
all winter, are now more sedulously en-
gagged in preparing themselves for the con-
test. They are daily on the water under
remarkably good coaching. especially at
Harvard At that college there is now pre-
valling bicycle fever, and the roads will
soon be full Of velocipede5. Bicycle races
now form u new and attractive feature OF
the college outdoor contests. both in the
spring and autumn. Lawn tennis. in which
young women take so much delight, will
begin to be played after Easter. and con-
tinue to be one OF the most fashionable sports
throughout the summer and fall
The rowing clubs In this vicinity and else
where are preparing for very lively sea-
son. The Columbia Freshmen crew are in
training for their race with the Harvard
Freshmen. and oarsmen begin TO DO seen in
! their shells on the Harlem River, which will
soon be filled with boats at morning and
evening. The Harlem Association and the
Association Of Amateur Oarsmen will each
have regattas during the summer, and the
other clubs expect 10 make the present sea-
son the most brilliant In their history.
The spring meeting Of the National Rife
Association, which will take place next
month is expected to be unusually exciting.
the interest in rifle shooting being steadily
on the increase. Subsequently arrange
ments will be made for the fourth interna-
tional match, and there is u hope that the
IL ~ Ilrtt in
will send team to compete, and one is also
expected from Canada. During the summer
the National Guard will make good use Of
the Creedmoor ground, which will soon re-
sound with the cracking OF the rifles,
One OF the most attractive events OF the
month will be the opening OF the third an
nual Dog Show at Gilmore's Garden on the
sth. The entries are more numerous than
at either Of the previous exhibitions, and
the accommodations ut Gilmore's, which are
for perhaps 1000 dogs. are likely to be all
employed. The display will probably be
finer than last year. though that compared
/ favorably with the English dog shows.
/ These exhibitions are exceedingly popular,
and show how great the interest in dogs is,
and how vastly improved our breeds are
from what they were few years ago.
| The Academy OF Design puts before the
| public It's collection Of pictures this even
ing. The walls Of the building are covered
with about six hundred paintings, which
show pretty faithfully the present condition
of American art. This exhibition has grown
to be one of the most popular in the city,
and it is likely that during the months it is
| open this season it will be daily crowded
with visitors, who will have the chance to
cultivate their critical faculty and improve
| their taste in art.
/ Tho beginning Of April, therefore, ushers
US In upon season which is likely to be
favorable one for business and busy one
for the seekers Of sport and pleas ure.