Huntsville gazette., 1882-07-22
Miscellaneous Items.


Statistical returns of the Department
of Agriculture for July, which are very full,
show that cotton has improved since June L,
its average condition being three points bet
ter than on 1st Of July. From Virginia to
Georgia and West of Mississippi every State
shows higher figures. From Florida to
Mississippi and Tennessee the condition has
slightly declined. General average, 80,
which is higher than in July, 1873 and 1874,
and lower than in any other year for the
past ten. 1t was SO in 1877 and in 1879,
and 95 last July. This condition is due to
the late, wet spring, and rapidly and gener-
ally improving under favoring skies. The
figures for the several States are: Virginia
So, North Carolina 90, South Carolina 90,
Georgia 90, Florida 92, Alabama 93, Mis-
sissippi 81, Louisiana 90, Texas 81, Arkan-
sas 80, Tennessee rs. In Texas and South
Carolina the condition is better than in July,
1891, and the same as that date in Louisiana.
The drawbacks reported are those Of the
past, and mainly deficient stands, slow
growth and general backwardness, but there
is a marked absence at present of an un-
healthy condition. Returns are nearly
unanimous in indicating a good degree OF
vigor and rapidity Of growth. Thus far
there is only loss Of time for development
and fruiting. Further favorable conditions
may make good the deficiency, but unfavor-
able weather in July and August would
make full crop impossible.
MIR. Black, who resides in Hillsboro,
Ark exhibits control and influence over
the reptile family astonishingly myster-
ious. In the woods, creeks, or wherever he
finds snake, it matters not Of what type OF
deadly poison and venom it may be, he sue
ceeds in capturing it alive and suffering as
little from the clasp of its fangs as if it
were on ordinary pin scratch. He handles
and fondles them about his person with as
much Indifference as if they were so many
harmless toys. He will allow the largest
rattlesnake to deliberately strike and bury
his fangs into his flesh, and apparently
suffer no inconvenience or serious conse-
quences from the tragic risk. By a certain
weed or growth of vegetation he claims to
destroy the effect Of the bite. When bitten,
he chews and swallows the juice of the
weed, which acts like charm.
A negro recently found on a planta-
ton fifteen miles from Tuscaloosa, Ala, not
far beneath the surface Of the ground, an
entire skeleton over six feet long with a
necklace upon it Of white stone beads. The
bones crumbled as soon as exposed. They
were found close to an Indian mound, and,
as other three skeletons have been unearthed
on the three other sides, it is supposed the
bodies were buried at the four ends Of
cross, the mound being the central point.
Not more than half the usual amount
of tobacco has been planted in Virginia.
Col. Bagley, of Covington, Ga, owns
a mule eighty years of age, and will soon
publish his pedigree in order to convince
people that the age Of the animal is not ex-
aggerated.
It is estimated that the South has this
season paid to the North S55,OOO,000 for
wheat, S50,000,0OO for corn, S72, 900, 900 for
meats, and about SIS, 900, 900 for hay, but
ter, cheese, oats, apples, potatoes, etc.
Georgia has recently been manufac-
turing miraculous stories similar to those
formerly owing their origin to the boundless
West. Within the limits Of single week
mans body disappeared completely after
his clothes had been torn off by revolving
shaft, a boy fell head first into an almost dry
well sixty-five feet deep and was presently
drawn up in the bucket, unscratched, and
man who had been bitten by rattlesnake
was snatched out Of the jaws of death by a
celebrated maidstone, whose owner values it
at $1,000.
More attention is now given to bee
keeping in the South than ever before. The
''bee- gum" has generally
given place to improved hives, aid large
Increase Of honey is the result.
Henderson, n. c., has new tobacco
factory with capacity OF over 200
pounds OF plug year.
For 81 George Graham, Of Rome,
Ca, recently climbed fag-pole one hum
dred feet and adjusted the rope by which
the flag is managed