Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-09-10
RESULTS OF THE DROUrH.

convince them that what we have
stated is true-that the farmers must
do something to protect themselves
from the high and disastrous prices
which provisions will command dur
ing the coming year. The prices o.
provisions are higher now than oul
living limits justify:
The Picayune Saturday morning
referred to the widespread and disas-
trous drouth which is affecting the
country from the Carolinas to Texas
and from Nebraska to Pennsylvania
and Virginia. Since then our dis
patches and correspondence, and
also the mass of information brought
to us by oar exchanges, all 60 to
make up chapter of misfortune
which has both dark and q bright
side. 1t has a very dark side in SO
far as it shows that the corn and
other grain in injured very seriously
indeed, the forage burned up and the
hay crop lessened, vegetables de-
creased and cotton hurt; and this as
pect is somewhat relieved, first by
the promise OF rain, which has al
ready fallen in small quantities in
Nebraska, Missouri and other States,
and second, by the rising prices,
which will lessen the losses of farm
ers and planters, and tend to equalize
the burden throughout the land.
The reports of the daily stage OF
water in the rivers are sufficient indi-
cations of the extent of the drouth.
OF course navigation is crippled
under such circumstances. At Louis
vile during the month of August the
rain fall was only fifteen hundredths
Of one inch. At Richmond, Va, the
James river is lower than the oldest
citizens have ever seen it. The falls
reach to within a few yards of the
Richmond and Danville bridge. The
scarcity of water in Richmond and
Manchester, Va, is unprecedented,
and cannot continue longer without
causing much additional suffering
and Inconvenience. From all parts
of Virginia come discouraging re-
ports of the condition of crops. A
drouth has been nearly universal in
that State. On high lands the corn
is a failure, much of it being cut for
fodder, and tobacco will make only
half crop of poor quality. In the
fine yellow tobacco districts the Sc
verify is noted. In North Carolina
Except along the coast. where the
season has been good for corn and
cotton) want of rain has occasioned
great suffering. Cotton is small and
shedding; corn is nothing in high
lands; tobacco is poorer than ever
before. In South Carolina, the re-
gion west of Columbia will produce
no corn, and but 80 per cent. of cot
ton. In East Tennessee and West
Virginia, corn, tobacco and grain are
failures. Copius showers are report
ported in the valley of Virginia,
which may save something there.
Dispatches from all sections of Penn
sylvania show great damage. Rivers
are lower than ever, springs and wells
almost dried up, corn beyond recov-
cry, wheat half crop, no second
crop of hay, no blowing, grist mills
shut down In the lumber region, price
of butter and milk rising, and water
is said to be actually carried in oil
tanks to farmers and others.
Reports from various parts of New
York and neighboring States say that
the drouth is the most severe tor
years. Farmers are digging potatoes
to save what they can. Many fruit
and shade trees are dying. Stock re-
quires feeding, and cisterns are dry
ing up.
In North Louisiana our correspond
ence and exchanges indicate damage
to cotton, sweet potatoes and corn.
We suppose the anticipations regard
ing cotton somewhat exaggerated ;
but corn and potatoes must suffer.
Some of our country exchanges
think that the truth ought to be told
about the cotton crop. SO do we, but
what is the truth ? Pertains the