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itafus. : Jackson County Publishing Company. I>r. .1. 1). l/oso. j X. 11. Pendbßokasr, l , n*i<{<nt. j I ice I'rruiilenf. T. 11. NIIII.AOK. Srrr'i/ Trots. JEFFERSON, G-A.. N JIOR.YCU JI TR lf. IN7S. TO CORRESPONDENTS. While we fespectfullv ask, and confidently hope to receive communications giving items of interest, local or otherwise, we beg to say, that nothing of a personal character calculat ed to give the least ofrence to any one—from tile humblest to the greatest—will be permit ted to appear in the News. We are a ‘‘so journer in a strange land.” and unless the strictest care and vigilance is exercised in this respect, wc might, very unwittingly, be imposed upon. We hope and trust our jiosi tion will be understood and duly appreciated. The Heavy Blow Experienced in Jefferson an 1 vicinity, on "Wednesday afternoon last, turns out to have been an “ off-shoot” of a violent storm that occurred along the lino of the Western and A. R. Restarting somewhere in th.3 neighbor hood of Chattanooga. From our worthy friend, R. T. Pittard. Esq., of Athens, we are glad to learn, however, that according to the latest advices received at that place, the da mage as compared with the preceding •‘Cy clones,” was but small—being confined to the unroofing of houses and some damage to growing crops along the road. What is a little remarkable, the storm was predicted, as Mr. Pittard informs us, by Rev. Mr. Har rison, of Atlanta, from his pulpit on Sunday last. Farmers and Newspapers. We lmve been frequently surprised to see how many farmers, well to do in worldly riches, neglect or refuse to take some good paper for the benefit of himself and family. They seem to think that they have no interest in the affairs of the outside world; that they have to deal with nothing except the land, the plow, or the stock they feed, an 1 the children they are rearing in ignorance. They forget that they are a part of the great human family, placed upon this orb to work out the plans of the good and wise Creator, and as such have no right to hamper the great streams of progress. The laws of progression are as unalterable ns are any others in nature, and that man who impedes those laws with an offspring— children uneducated, and besotted with igno rance—commits a sin which reacts not only on himself, but on his descendants for long years in the future. Newspapers are made to spread intelli gence and improve the morals of mankind. To the farmer, above all men, they should he a necessity from the very fact that they afford him in his isolated condition the only means of mixing in the busy scenes of life. Man in his heart state becomes a personification of selfishness. Development comes alone from associating with our fellow-men, and appro priating to ourselves the advancement which they make. No farmer should do without this social schooling, both for his own good and that of his children ; and in no way can he obtain it so fully and cheaply as through the newspa per and periodical literature of the day: and lie who neglects to receive the advantages deprives himself of light, and lives out his days in worse than heathen darkness. r Me find the above “waif” floating on the “ sea of literature” ; and as its paternity is not known, we “ adopt’’ it as embodving our own views and sentiments. What Manufacturing Does. The little town of Durham, on the North Carolina Railroad, in the county of Orange, says the Raleigh News, is an example of what sagacious application of capital and industry will do for a people. Ten years ago Durham was known only sis a way station on the rail road. and a getting-off place for the Univer sity of Chapel Hill. To-day it is literally in every man's mouth, a familiar name all over the United .States, and not unknown to the ends of the earth. M hat has made this mighty change? Noth ing but the introduction of manufactures. — True, it is mainly confine;! to one staple. But the manufacture of that staple moves the springs of a hundred industries. It stimu lates the farmer in the production of a crop which he sells at good prices at his very door. It gives employment to hundreds in the con version of tiie raw material into the manu factured article. It gives work to the car penter in the manufacture of packages. It gives activity to a thousand needles in the making of bags. It draws population, and to meet their wants, mechanics are called in to construct houses. The increase of popula tion necessitates the increase of mercantile establishments, and the necessities of this in creased population beget other trades, indus tries and manufactures. Everybody is busy. Everybody finds employment. There is no idling, no loitering, no complaint of dull times. An act of the last Congress changing the rates on domestic money orders will go into force about the beginning of next month. The new rates will be as follows : On orders not exceeding sls, 10 cents; over sls and not exceeding $.lO, 15 ; cents; over 30 and not exceeding s4o r 20 cents : over S4O and not exceeding SSO, 25 cents. O ♦♦♦*♦ Sarah, the wife of Abraham, gave birth to Isaac at the ripe jure of ninety. Sarah, of Denver, now steps forward, having achiev ed her three score and ten, and presents her astonished lord with a boy and a girl at one and the same time, this performance being’ commonly called “ having twins.” Jackson's last name is Mastin, and, though he is an old settler. Jackson is now a firm believer in the theory that the climate of Colorado is undergoing cons': Icrable changes. MODERN JOURNALISM. In these days, when nearly every little country village has its newspaper, there is great danger that the quality of the article will depreciate in proportion to tha increase of the quantity. Newspapers are numerous, but are they equal in merit and ability to the standard journals of the preceding age? Dur ing the latter portion of the first half of this present century, James Camack. of the Geor gia Journal, Miller Grieve, of the Southern Recortler, Simri Rose, of the Macon Messenger, James Gardner, of the Augusta Constitution nlist, and Dr. Win. S. Jones, of the Chronicle 4 Sentinel, were the leading editors in Geor gia ; and they were not only able, but also accurate and polished writers. It is doubt ful whether in the whole range of English Literature, better models of style can be found than many of the editorials that flowed from the classic pens of Camack, Grieve. Rose, Gardner and Jones during the second quarter of the present century. But in these latter times, how seldom do we see an able, dignified, well-written and polished editorial? j Why should it be so? The little village jour ' nals, with only five hundred or a thousand I subscribers, are not able to employ and com mand the highest grade of editorial talents : : and, therefore, it need not surprise us at all | that their editorial is small in quantity, and | very inferior oftentimes in quality. But if ! the truth must be told without reservation or ! qualification, the wealthy city papers, with i their three or four editors to each, are but lit j tie superior to the country papers, except in ! the larger quantity of rubbish which they con ! tain. There is certainly much need of an elevation of the standard of modern journal ism. Every body reals the papers in this age. The country is flooded with papers of all sorts. They are doing much good, and some evil. They are educating the men and women and children of this generation. But, alas ! the education thus given is not alto gether such as it should he. Editors and oth er writers for the newspaper press are doing more to destroy the purity and precision of the English tongue, it is to he feared, than all our schools and colleges are doing in an opposite direction. Slang, instead of good English, is becoming the current literature of i the newspaper press of this age. Not only local items and short articles, but even lengthened editorials are marred by slang phrases and violations of the rules of Gram mar and Rhetoric. When and where shall this evil stop? In our humble sphere, and in the beginning of our career of journalism, we raise a warning voice, and plead for the preservation of the purity and dignity of our noble mother tongue, and for an elevation of the standard of modem journalism. Remem ber, O. ye writers for the newspaper press, that many thousands of youthful minds will read what you write, and that those youthful minds will be influenced for good or ill by the sentiments which you pen ; and that their style of speaking and writing will be formed by the models which you give them. There fore, let your words be true, your sentiments pure and noble, and your language chaste and correct. When you sit down, to write, be not in haste. Take your time. Think deeply and clearly, and write slowly and accurately. Follow the example of the renowned ancient painter, who, when chided because he made such slow progress in his work, replied : “ I am painting for eternity.” Brethren of the editorial fraternity, you are writing for eternity. You are moulding the minds, opin ions and characters, as well as the style of speech, of the rising generation ; and the im press which you are now imparting to many youthful minds and hearts will be as lasting as the unending years that measure the dura tion of immortality. This is emphatically a fast age. Every body is in a hurrv. Editors and others write in a hurry ; and therefore a few crude thoughts are hastily thrown togeth er without much consideration, and without much regard to purity of style and precision of language ; and thus are produced the ef fusions of modem journalism. We shall resume this subject again ; and in future issues of this paper descend to par ticulars, and point out many blemishes which mar the style of some]of our cotemporaries. * The “ Political Outlook.” We do not deem it necessary under the present circumstances—while everything seems to be in statu quo politically—-to devote much space to the discussion of poli tics in the Neies. But as a faithful sentinel— though a feeble one we admit—on the Demo cratic “ramparts,” it is our duty perhaps, to give such “ signals” as will keep our readers posted as to the direction in which the “ old ship” is sailing, or rather drffting. At present, our end rill be accomplished, we think, in publishing two short articles—one from a New York paper, the other from a highly respectable journal in our own State : Tim Present Political Outlook. It is not at all difficult to understand. There has rarely been a time when it has been so lit tle complicated and confused, or when the man of average understanding, reasonably good memory, and unbiased judgment, could so easily unravel its tangled ends and grasp not only its salient features but its full sig nificance. The present situation is that of a party dominant throughout the nation for fifteen years retiring from power and giving place to its old opponent. There is no mis taking it. The opposition have already a very large majority in one branch of the Government; it lias regained many of the States it lost between 1854 and 1860, and captured some it did not dream of. It is on the rising tide. The indicatios, as they present themselves to thinking men, are that the political revolution will be consummated in 1876. and the Democratic party will come into power in the nation.— N. Y. Tribune. The Democracy. There is unceasing speculation about, poli tical parties, present and prospective ; but in spite of the cunning devices of ambitious and selfish aspirants for place and power, the people depend upon the sound principles of Democracy for their guide ; principles il lustrated in the administration of Jefferson and by his Democratic colaborers in the establishment of thegovernment. The Boston Post remarks : That it is the Democratic party, aided by candid and liberal men from other parties, that is depended upon to ac complish the reforms called for by the highest interests of the country, and through its organization only can that civil revolution be effected which will secure the economy, honesty and observance of the constitution, the nation demands. It is for patriotic men who would stay the tide of corruption over flowing the land and rebuke grasping ambi tion and bold defiance of popular will by the National Government—it it is for patriotic men, we repeat, united under the present or ! ganization of the Democratic party, to achieve a victory which will bring the relief so much | needed. It is not pretended that this or ganization is perfect, or that it may not be improved ; but it may safely be contended that it is the onty ready and sure medium presented, or likely to be presented, for the use of faithful citizens to gain tranquility, jus tice and integrity in public affairs. A deter ! mination to make this gain, with due exer j tion and the dismissal of personal jealousies, j will result in the realization of blessings un ; successfully prayed for by all honest Ameri cans for a decade of years.— Dalton Citizen. Cotton Crop Returns For June. The Department of Agriculture (says the Nashville Union <s■ American.) is now receiv ing the June returns of cotton, which will I form the basis of the estimates of area of the | present crop. During May preliminary re turns were received from 316 cotton coun ties. In sixty-three counties in Georgia the area averaged the same as last year, as also in the district represented in North Carolina, Florida and Texas. A reduction of one per cent, appears in thirty-nine counties in Ala bama ; of two per cent, in eighteen counties in South Carolina, and of three per cent, in thirty-eight counties in Arkansas. The average reduction is eleven per cent, in Louisiana and seventeen in Tennessee, but there are only twenty counties represented in each that the full returns in June may make a different showing. The season is re ported late in nearly every instance, from ten days to two weeks generally, but in some cases three and even four weeks. More than two-thirds of the returns make the sea son too wet. especially time of plant ing and germinating. In some districts the past two weeks have been too dry. The stand is reported good in a majority of the returns from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas ; rather above the average in Arkansas and Tennessee, and scarcely average in Louisiana. The condition is represented below the average in Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas ; slightly below in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, and average in Ala bama and in the Carolinas. The United States are thirty-seven in num ber ; the Mexican union ,is composed of twenty-seven states. The former contains forty millions of people ; the latter 9,343,470. The armies of the two countries are nearly equal. The Mexican postal service is self sustaining ; ours costs several millions be yond its revenues. The total revenue of the Mexican government is about fifteen mill ions a year. At the same rate ours should be about sixty six millions. In the days of democratic Presidents before the war, the lat ter amount was sufficient to pay all the ex penses of the general government, but repub licanism has contrived to swell the yearly expenses to $322,000,000, and then there is generally a deficiency at the end of the year. In at least two of the the funds are entirely exhausted. So after all we are not so much better off nor are the “greasers ” so much to be pitied, for their government is more economical, less corrupt and less des potic than the one that bears sway in this vainglorious country. Editors in a New Role. It is often the case with those of us gene rally denominated the “ small fry”—that it is next to impossible to grasp the great and comprehensive ideas frequently thrown out in such papers as the Telegraph <$- Mes senger of Macon, or its worthy cotemporary, the Dalton Citizen. But once and a while, however, especially when they treat of beef steak, snap-beans and irish potatoes—they strike a “ chord" which, in our own humble estimation, we can appreciate and under stand. Therefore, we take pleasure in trans ferring to our columns the following very timely extracts on these homely but none the less important subjects ; Improper Use of Bacon—llow to Cook Snap Beans and Irish Potatoes. I n this country fat meat, oft times strong and rancid, is considered the base of almost even' description of cooker}'. Eggs, chick ens and beef steak are made horribly indi gestible by it, plugs of the gross stuff dropp ed into hash, greens, cabbage, beans, peas, turnips, and even asparagus are steeped in bacon grease, tasting more of the hog than the delicious vegetable they represent; and lastly, the simon pure art icle itself is conver ted into salt sole leather by the frying pro process, and then consumed. It may not be too much to say, that this wholesale use of fat bacon is one of the pro lific causes of that almost universal Ameri can complaint, dyspepsia. It would require the stomach of an ostrich to digest all this grease. And the saddestpart of the matter is, that the people don't know any better. This is the season now when tender, crisp snap beans are just appearing upon our tables. Let the reader change the old way of cooking them just for once, and try the following method : Gather the beans in the early morn, and throw them into a vessel of cold water imme diately. String carefully, rejecting the pods that are tough, and as they are thus prepar ed, cover with cold water again. This ab stracts the better taste, and adds greatly to the crispness of the vegetable. When the dinner hour approaches, boil rapidly, with a little salt, until the vegetable is perfectly soft, and tender, and then, after draining off the water, serve hot, with the addition of a little butter. They will eat like marrow, and you get the benefit of the full flavor of the vegetable, j Turnips, cabbage, peas, l>eet squashes, and indeed almost every other vegetable, are also far more wholesome and delicate when cook ed by themselves, and afterwards seasoned. with pepper, butter and other condiments— to the taste, llow many delightful dishes, too, are ruined by the introduction of the odious onion. The preparation of Irish potatoes for the table likewise, though exceedingly simple, is properly understood by but few cooks. They usually appear hard and sodden, and unfit to be eaten. To have them flaky and mealy, wash clean without breaking the skin, and al>out thirty minutes before the dinner hour, drop the tubers into water boiling as rapid ly as posible. and keep up the heat until when tried with a fork they seem perfectly do n*. Then draw off every drop of the water and cover over closely for a few minutes be fore serving, and they will be so mealy as al most to require handling with a spoon. Eaten piping hot in this condition, no article of food is more wholesome or delicious. It is unfortunate that the preparation of their food is so much neglected by the masses. Both press and medical faculty should spare no efforts to promote reform in a matter so vitally essential to health and comfort. In one of Chancellor Tucker’s characteris tic lectures, so replete with good sense and wit, he said : “ The Lord sends us victuals, but the devil sends the cooks.”— Tel. Mess. There is nothing more palatable than a juicy beefsteak ; but very few know how to prepare this delightful dish, and for their in formation we will tell them. The right way to cook a beefsteak is to have ready first the heated platter and the butter, pepper and salt—then place the steak on a gridiron over a bed of hot coals, and turn it with knives as fast as posible, so that the juise may be retained in the meat. As soon as done it should be placed on the platter, seasoned highly and served immediately. Never smear flour over a steak and fry in lard. This takes from it all its rich juiciness. Try our plan once and you will never cook beef steak any other way. A spring chicken is not half so good as beefsteak served up in this manner.— Dalton Citizen. Q ♦ How Sheep-Raising Pays in Sumner. It is said by some that raising sheep in this country doesn’t pay. Let us see. Prac tical experience is better than theory. We will give our readers one example that has occurred in a mile and a half of Gallatin, and it demonstrates that it is and can be made a most profitable branch of agricultural in dustry. Mr. J. K. Miller, living just south of town, some time last year purchased 143 ewes, giving $2 per head. The lot cost him, there fore, $286. This spring he sheared and sold from his lot of ewes 600 pounds of wool, at 34 cents per pound, realizing therefrom $204. They brought him 110 lambs, which altogeth er weighed 8,758 pounds. These he sold at 51 cents per pound, realizing therefrom ! $4503)0.1. One ewe died and nine lambs were killed by the dogs. Twenty-two of his ewes failed to bring lambs. lie has on hand yet. 120 good ewes of the lot bought worth $240. Now figure on this, farmers of Sumner, and see if it isn’t profitable. Leaving out the cost and trouble of feeding, shearing, and at tending to these sheep, is it not clear that he has realized in less than a year, from an in vestment of $286, the sum of $617.79^. — Taking into consideration everything and all expenses, lie has netted, after receiving back | his $286. at least the sum of S4OO, and this, | too, in less than twelve months— Gallatin . Tennesseean. They Started too High I Chuck—the boys called him Chuck for short —was hardly what you would call a hard case, but lie was fond of a joke, and seldom cared at whose expense it was perpetrated. Returning to New Bedford on the steamer, was a large party who had been over to attend the camp meeting at Martha’s Vineyard. It was Sunday evening, and, naturally enough, a number of passengers gathered in the ladies' cabin for divine service. Into this crowd Chuck insinuated himself just as the hymn, “My soul, be on thy guard,” was given out. The crowd joined in with a will, and had sung to the end of the second line, “ Ten thousand foes arise,” when a shrill female voice was heard, “ Hold on ! you've started it too high !” There was a dead pause for a few seconds, broken at length by the good natured sugges tion of Chuck. “ Suppose you start her at live thousand !” Amid the general laughter that followed Chuck retired, and the meeting came to an end. Note. —They should have chucked Chuck out. The Little Rock Gazette says of the cur rency trouble in Arkansas : Money is scarce in Arkansas because we have nothing to induce it come here. What good would inflation of the currency do us now? We have nothing to sell with which we could obtain even a share of the addition al issue. We have nothing to exchange for it. Why we are reduced to this condition is familiar to the people of the State, and to many outside of it. To remedy it we must go to work and make valuable articles, which will sell for money. That is the true inwardness of the currency question, and knocks the breath out of the inflationists. If they will go to work and make something to sell, there will be no dif ficulty about money. — Tel. Mess. Reports from Tennessee, Mississippi, and especially Louisiana, state that the fruit yield this season will be quadruple that of last year, and the largest ever known in the South. — Readies and grapes are especially abundant. —Memphis Ledger. An exchange suggests that if you want to see a man struggling to do severrd things at once, just watch him trying to put on his over coat and rubbers and yet keep his head bow ed while the minister is pronouncing the ben ediction. Hari-Kari. —This is a good one from the Courier-Journal: It is said that “the Ja panese now commit suicide by drinking kero sene oil.” They first tried Cincinnati wliis key, but it proved to be such a powerful emetic that they couldn’t hold themselves on the outside of it long enough for it to kill them. And it kills in next to no time, too. Virginia is even worse off than Georgia in the matter of titles. In that State persons are described altogether by their rank, and we read in a telegraphic dispatch from Pitt sylvania that “Tom Hood, Colonel, has been arrested and lodged in jail for stealing corn.” An exchange says : “A person in Indiana who was caught in the act of illicitly distill ing a run of twenty gallons of “ crooked” whiskey, very promptly explained that lie was only making a little for his sick wife.” A run of but twenty gallons for a poor sick wife ! She couldn't have been sick much. A HEARTRENDING SCENE. LOSS IN A FATIIOMLES* QUAGMIRE —A WOMAN AND A CHILD BURIED ALIVE. Powelton, Ga., May 15, 1875. Editors Atlanta Herald :—A letter just received by the writer from a friend contains the following particulars of a very extraordinary and awfully sad occurrence that took place in his vicinity recently : In Boggs county, on the road leading from Marshalville to Fruwiek, and ten miles from the former town, resides a well to do farmer by the name of Myrup. By hard work and skillful management, his productive little farm, which was the on ily property he found was left him by the j enemy when he returned to his once happy | home at the termination of the late civil war. I Ilis circumstances, so far as the goods and ! comforts of earth are concerned, have be come even better than they were when the labor of the field was performed by his own few indolent and much indulged slaves. And I even now his condition might be pleasant as | it is prosperous but for the calamity that has so recently and in such an unusual and shocking manner, overtaken him. Ilis amiable and loved wife, who was a help-meet indeed, early after brakfast had taken her infant child, about eighteen months old, in her arms, and went olf in search of a fine and favorite milch cow, that for the first time had failed to come the previous evening to add her regular daily contribution to the rich dairy of her kind and grateful mistress, ! On coming home from the field to his j dinner, Mr. M. learned that his wife and i sweet little prattler, the two most precious lof all his earthly treasures, had not made their appearance. Almost frantic with fear and excitement for their safety, knowing i that a very largo bear had been seen in the swamp near by only a few days before, he put out immediately in search of the miss ing ones. All the hired men and women on the place followed, and each taking a diffe rent direction, the whole country was ransack ed for several miles around. The neighbors, also, as the sad news reached them, joined in the search. The sun was just about sinking behind the western Hills, when as the miserable husband was returning up a small branch that had its source at his spring, and as he was still anxiously but almost hopelessly looking in every direction, while passing along he discried in a patch of luxuriant grass, in a marsh a few paces off, something like a piece of gingham. He stood horrified and motionless for a moment or two, and his heart almost stopped pulsating as the thought rushed to his frenzied brain, that the object he saw might be his wife's bonnet, and that both she and his darling boy might be buried in the fathomless quagmire over the centre of which lay this relic. Approaching to within a safe distance of of this miry pit he discovered the grass turn ed downward and the surface of the slough broken and depressed, showing some living body had fallen in and been struggling greatly to get out. Very soon one of the neighbors and two of the freedraen belong ing to the farm came up. Mr. M. had already explored to the depth of his arm in the mire, but found no further traces of the unfortu nate ones. A pole twelve or fifteen feet long was now obtained and sent down its fall length, but neither could anything be felt nor the bottom touched. Another rod longer than the first, was then fastened to it, and the same examination made with a like result. Any further attempt to recover the dead bodies was. therefore, deemed useless. It was accordingly decided to desist; and the party, which had by this time increased to thirty-five or forty persons, all set out for their respective homes, just as the pall of night began to wrap the earth in darkness. At this juncture the state of Mr. M.’s mind, who had to be carried away by force, can bettor be imagined than described. Ilis agonizing cries and groans were piteous in deed and most painful to hear. This quagmire had been known to all the occupants of the farm from its earlies't settle ment.s. but never till then was any concep tion formed of its immense depth. Full thirty feet of it had been sounded, yet its lowest part, if any it has, is still to be ascer tained. The mean diameter of the pit prop er, for some fifteen feet down, is about three and a half feet. While we extend onr sympathies to the be reaved and disconsolate husband for liis irreparable loss and great affliction, we would be pleased to have learned geologists explain the cause of the formation of such quaggy holes in the earth's shell as the one just described. A Philadelphian, named Keeley, claims to have discovered a vapor which is far more powerful than steam as a motor, costs noth ing, occupies but little space, and will move steamers around the world as cheaply as sailing vessels, and will reduce freight to one-half rates. Up to the present writing the papers of the State have suggested no less than fifty men as suitable condidates for Governor, among which we notice the name of General Joseph E. Johnson. We will not now express our preference—we have ample time for that, as the election does not come off for acer a year. —■Dalton Citizen. It may not be generally known that the ground upon which Atlanta is bnilt once sold for an old grey horse. Yet such is un doubtedly the fact, as we are well acquainted with the circumstances of the sale and one of the parties to it. —Dalton Citizen. The Treasury Deparment is in receipt of advices from Europe that silver has declined in Europe over a dollar on the pound, in con sequence of which there is talk again of issu ing the fractional specie provided for by the last Congress. The wheat crop in this section is being harvested, and we are gratified to learn that it is turning out at least a fourth more than it was thought the yield would be. It is be lieved by some of our planters that the crop will be the largest made since the war.— Dalton Citizen. A California Editorial.— The Amador County (Cal.) Independent, says: Now. we will inform the sweet-scented evader of truth i and honesty who runs the little nigger nose : rag across the street, that he cannot ram anv iof his infernal lies down our throat, for we j know him too well to believe anything he j says, even under oath. Go West, young sardine, and grow up with the grasshoppers. THE AGRICULTURIST. THE GEORGIA GROPS. report ok tin: state commissioner of aord CULTURE. Interesting Statistics cf the Actual Condition of the Growing Crops , and the Amount Planted. We are in receipt of the parrtpbleffc of Tl*>s. P. Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia. It contains a seriatim report of our crops from 111 of the 137 coun jties.. Their "acreage, average condition,' j condition of stock compared to last year, in crease, decrease, j>ork prospect, and Corn i home made. The whole pamphlet is intel ligently and completely summed up by Com missioner Janes as follows: State of Georgia, . 5 Department of Agriculture, v Atlanta, June Ist, 1875. \ ******** The above county averages arc taken from the reports of 244 correspondents, represent ing 111 counties. In many instances, im portant crops are omitted in tliese county re turns when there is no increase or decrease, worthy of notice. From a general comparison of the returns of the 111 counties that have reported, the following interesting information is gleaned : Corn.—There are 7 per cent, more acres planted in corn this year than last, or 152,916 acres more than last year. There is also an increase of 6 per cent, in the amount of fer tilizers used on com ; 68 per cent, of these compost. In preparation and time of plant ing, there is a decrease of 3 per cent. A large margin from the middle lower coun ties report the best distance for corn 4x5, 3*7 or 3x6—the upper counties. 3x4, 3x5 and 4x4. Oats. —There is an increase of 12 per cent, in the number of acres sown in oats, or 55,- 215 acres more than last year; 49 per cent, of these were sown in the Fall, and 21 per cent, fertilized. The condition of the crop, May 15th, throughout the State, was 1 per cent, above an average. A large majority who reported “ best variety” give the prefer ence to the “ rust proof' —many prefer the “ Winter grazing ,” while quite a number pre fer what they call the “ yell aw." which may mean either of the above. A large majority sow one bushel of seed per acre—some one half bushel, and others as much as three bushels. Wheat.—The acreage in wheat is 14 per cent., or 50,239 acres more than last year; 5 per cent, more fertilizers used on it, and the condition of the crop. May 15th, 1 per cent, above an average. The varieties principally recommended as successful are the “ Tappa hannock/’ “ Early Red,” or “ Red May,” in the middle and lower counties, and the “Tap | pahannock” and the Spring varieties in the northern counties. A large majority sow one bushel per acre, while many sow only one half or three-fourths that quantity. A few sow more than one bushel. Clover.—The acreage in clover is 7 per cent, greater than last year, while its condi tion May 15th was 1 per cent, below an aver age. Correspondents from the middle coun ties report it best to sow alone , either in Fall or Spring. In the upper counties it is sown either alone, or with small grain, in Spring principally; but some say September, An increase of only 1 per cent, in grasses is re ported. Correspondents almost unanimously recommend the sowing of grass see*ls c done, either in Fall or Spring. Cotton. —There is 5 per cent., or 80,150 acres less cotton plante I this year than last. Preparation of the soil is reported only two thirds of 1 per cent, inferior to last year, while 41 per cent, more fertilizers are used, 52 per cent, of which is compost. The condition of the crop May 15th gener ally two weeks late, and 3 per cent, below an average. Sugar Cane.—Acreage, 4 per cent, de crease; condition May 15th, 6 per cent, be low an average, and the condition of seed cane, when planted, 141 per cent, below last year. Sorghum.—Acreage3sl percent, increase, while the condition May 15th was 41 per cent, below an average. Ground Peas. —Acreage 4 per cent, great er than last year. Condition May 15, 2 per cent, below an average. Melons.—per cent, more planted. Con dition May 15th, 6£ per cent, below an aver age. Varieties generally recommended, “ Rat tlesnake,” “ Mountain Sprout,” and “Moun taim£weet.” Peaches.—li per cent, below an average. Nearly all killed in some parts of North Geor gia ; generally a full crop in the middle and lower counties. Apples.—l3§ per cent, below an average. Pears.—1 3 per cent, below an average. Small Fruit.—7 per cent, below an aver age. Garden Products.—s| per cent, below an average. Rice.—There is an increase of 12 percent, in the acreage in rice, while the condition May 15th, was 3| per cent, below an average. Sheep.—The number of sheep is reported as § of one per cent, less than last year. The number of lambs 1| per cent, less, and the wool crop 4 per cent. less. The Merino is generally reported best for wool, and the Southdown for mutton, except in some parts of upper Georgia, where the Cotswold is re commended for both. The common report, however, is that only the native sheep are raised, the risk from dogs being too great to incur the expense of introducing the improv ed breeds. The condition of work stock is reported per cent, better than last year. The pork prospect 2 per cent, less, in consequence of the ravages of cholera in many sections of the State. The reports show that ten per cent, of all the stock in the State died during the last Winter and Spring. Our planters will do well to give their stock more attention, to protect them from diseases and stealage. It is gratifying to state that 831 per cent, of the com being fed in the State is home raised. The rainfall and temperature for the month of May, at Crawfordville, Ga., as reported by the Hon. Alexander 11. Stephens, June Ist, are as follows: RAIN FALL. May Ist 1.60 in. May 3d... 2"> m- May 10th '. .23 in. May 23d 17 in. May 26th 46 in. May 30th 08 in. Total 2.81 in. TEMPERATURE. Maximum 82 deg. U Minimum 50 deg. K Mean 06 deg. 1* Thomas R. Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture.