Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-14
TOPICS OF THE DAY.


The census shows that Of the whole
number of farms the largest proportion
occupied by actual ownerss1s In New
England, ninety-One per cent. The next
largest is eighty-two per cent, in the
Pacific States; in the West il is seventy
nine per cent. in the middle West and
the middle group II is seventy-eight per
cent; in the South it is sixty per cent.
1t Is now believed that the total
wheat acreage Of the United States
will be about 37,2SS,3G9 acres, and this
at the average yield per acre for the
last thirteen years Of 1913 bushels would
give 457 7.9OS,939 bushels; or If the
yield should average the largest in the
last thirteen years, or 1879 bushels, the
aggregate crop would be 5l7,47I,329,
and the agricultural department csti-
mates the wheat crop at something
over j00,OOO.ODO bushels. This would
give an immense surplus for export
probably about 2O0OyO.OO0 bushels.
Extraordinary reports have appeared
IN the japanese papers in relation TO
the cremation Of the corpsos Of the
poorer victims Of cholera. The opera
tiycs who attended 70 the cremation
appear 10 have been stricken with
panic and considerable numbcr Of
them forsook their work. The govern
mcnt authorities, finding it impossible
to replace them except by men Of great
ignorance and questionable char
actcr. the work was neglected, and
scores Of bodies dried before they were
burned, and II is asserted persons still
alive were thrown into the flames.
The orders FOR public printing now
at the government printing Office,
Washington, will test all the resources
Of that establishment. in order TO ill
them during the recess Of Congress
The printing Of the census publica-
tions alone is an enormous job. There
will be over thirty volumes. comprising
about 5000 pages Of tile same size -
the Congressional Rccord. This will
bc the largest single work ever turned
out. and this is no small job. The
RsoDTd has grown rapidly in size Of
late. The custom in the House Of Civ
ing leave 10 print spccshcs not de-
livercd swells the R,cprd considerably.
Recently Captain Burton. the tray
elcr. reported that almost illimitahlc
gold can bc obtained on the Gold Coast.
Africa. a district which has been aur!f-
crousl, prolific for centuries. He says
the region is equal TO half dozen Cali
iornias. In this he is supported 10y the
English Commander Cameron. who in
/ ycstigatcd the Gold Coast in his com
psny. Gold is found in the sea sand.
In the dust Of the roads and in the mud
walls Of native huts. \ subject Of
such importance has Of course been
widely discussed by experts in Eng
land. and 10y this time large numbers Of
prospcctors are doubtless verifying mat
ters on the spot Notwithstanding all
the difficulties that would confront
gold miners in Africa-thc insalubrious
climate, the savage inhabitants, the
hostility 81 the native rulers. and other
Z obstacles equally as great-there is no
doubt that when proof positive is Oh
tanned that great gold deposit exists
ulae all these difficulties will he over
cosle, and that white men and the capi-
tai and energy u civilization will flow
father to confront those of nature and
barbarism.
The use Of prepared foods has he