Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-15
LETTER FROM LIBERTY.
The Ravages of Insectg-COrB, Rice
and Sugar Cane Much Injured
The Crops and the DrOught-A
Fibre Bonanza Valuable Mari
Deposits The AassinatIOn -
Novel Views of COIOred Citizens.

DORCHESTER, GA, July 12.-EditOr Morning
Nears: l promised you in my last letter to
write you again relative to the culture of up.
land rice but as the present condition of the
crops in this section will probably prove OF
more interest to many of your readers than
would an essay upon the mode of culture, i
will offer few lines upon this subject, and
defer my opinions upon the subject of rice cul-
ture until another season.
Most Every one supposed that the severe
frost of last winter would destroy the insects
to a greater extent than had been known for
many years; but contrary to all ex-
peciation, insects have been more nu-
merous and destructive this season
than ever before in the experience of the oldest
inhabitants. Corn was first attacked by the
heart worm, which prevented good STAND
being secured; next an unknown insect in
jured it to some extent when il was about
waist high, and then the Hessian fly attacked
the stalk ar its base, causing a great qaan ity
to be leveled by the wind.
The first attack upon rice was made by the
thread worm, and next, during the stretch
water, bug, an entire stranger to the plan
ters. infested the crop, but by speedy drying it
effected but little damage, and now the grub
worm is doing considerable injury. The
Is thew wholly Goud due b
quickly exterminated by flooding, but
this is impossible at present, since salt water
has encrOached to the very heads of the
streams in this section, in consequence Of the
lack OF the usual flow of fresh water into the
channel, and the back water" upon which
many depend, is entirely dried up. However,
but small percentage of the rice crop is lost
so far. aLd should copiouS rain visit us in the
next day or two, fair crop will be made, but
should the drought continue much longer the
grub will make widespread havoc, and the loss
will be very great.
Woodlice have seriously injured the sugar
cane.
Corn has suffered greatly from the dry spell,
but the loss would not have been half so great
had the crop been properly cultivated. The
latter fact can be easily demonstrated, for in
certain localities where the crop has been pro-
perly plowed and sufficiently often during the
fist OF the season, it presents comparatively
fine appearance.
Cotton has not been injured. but don't
know how much longer iG will hold it's own,
for it is possible for a pine tree to burn up
under much greater influence of this nature.
There are Indications of rain this morning.
but as ''all signs fail, etc, dare not predict.
| send to you by this mail a speci-
men of the lint produced by a plant
that grows wild and in profusion in this
strength of the lint, its staple and silklke gloss
and hnenesS of texture are such as to render
it valuable as an article of manufacture. The
sample which send was gathered from wild
old field growth. think that if the plant were
cultivated it could be improved an hundred
fold. can see no reason why it should not be-
come an arUlcle OF manufacture. It's nbro is
fine as gossamer, and pei haps might be woven
into fs brio as valuable as silk. Will you
please examine the sample sent and give me
your opinion concerning its merits
Many Engaged in agricultural pursuits may
feel interested in learning that there is
located near this point an extensive bed
of mari, the fertilizing properties of which.
especially when burned. are wonderful, and
have proven to be superior in the cultivation
of cotton to some of the standard fertilizers in
the market. The mari was tested some years
the finest he had ever seen. think when its
value as a fertilizer is generally known that it
will be appreciated and extensively used.
Stock are suffering greatly for water, and as
for the poor varmintS in the woods
one cannot walk along the road with
out stumbling over coons, rabbits, etc
who seem to utterly disregard the pres
ence of the natural enemy" in their agonizing
search for water.
There is an expression OF intense gratifica-
tion among cur community concerning Mr..
Garfield's Improvement. There seems to be
some difference in the comprehension Of Ger.
tain parties relative to the terrible affair which
came so near depriving the country Of this
great and good man. / overheard three or
four colored voters conversing on the subject
recently, and they stated that Guiteau called
Mr.. Garfield to the front door and asked him TO
give him an office, and upon Mr.. tvs refusal,
burned next month and that all the colored
people who can get there will be there to see" )"
In course Of conversation the gentlemen also
gave as their opinion that there would be
war resulting from the cremation of Guiteau,
and that while de comics and everything else
was in de sky you couldn't spec muffin else but
wah." w. A. j.