Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1881 — Cotton, Corn and Tobacco. [ARTICLE]

Cotton, Corn and Tobacco.

Dep.uitment of Agriculture,) Washington, D. C., Sept. 15. ) Thfi cotton, reports of Sept 1 show a very heavy decline in the condition since the last report, owing to the protracted drought which prevailed in all sections of the cotton belt. The condition as reported is 72, a decrease of 16 per cent, during August, and, as compared with the returns of the same date last year, 19 per cent. less. The number of counties and the State averages are as follows : North Carolina, two counties, averago 72. South Carolina, twenty-two counties, average 68. Georgia, fifty-five counties, average 71. Florida, fourteen counties, average 87. Alabama, thirty-three counties, average 80. Mississippi, thirty-seven counties, average 74. Louisiana, fifteen counties, average 76. Texas, sixty counties, average 65. Arkansas, thirty-one counties, average 55. Tennessee, twenty-one counties, average 62. The general average condition of corn Sept. 1 was 60, being 17 per cent, lower tban the mon'h previous, and 31 per cent, lower than last year at tne same date. From Missouri aud Kansas come serious complaints of ravages by the chinch bug, which were added to by the prevailing drought. The injury to the corn prospect is shown by State averages, which are 58, 42 and 55 respectively. Tobacco returns give a very serious decline in the prospect for the crop, being some 20 per cent, less than a month since. With the exception of the States north of the Delaware river, and Wisconsin in the West, the universal complaint is drought. Kentucky and Illinois each report but little over half a crop, while Tennessee aud Missouri report .less than twothirds. The average for the whole country is only 65, against 85 last month, and 84 for the same date last year. The cause of the low condition existing in almost every section of the country is drought. New England has been less affected by it than any other section east of the Mississippi, and reports an average of 90. In Wisconsin, Minnesota and most Territories it has been more seasonable weather, and the condition of the crops is correspondingly better; but in all other sections the reports show the effects of an uu usually dry season.