Cotton

Cottoii has lmproved since the lst of June, lia average condition beicg three points better on the lst of Jnly. F rom Virginia to Georgia and west of the Mississippi, every ttate shows higher figures. From Florida to Mississippi and Tennessee, condition has. slightly declined. The genera] average ia 92, which is higher than in July of 1878 and 1874 and lower than in any year for the past ten. It was 93 in 1877 and 1879. and 95 last July. This condition is due to a late, wet spring, and is rapidly and generally improving under favoring skies. The figures for the several states are : Virginia, öO ; Nortb Carolina, 90 ; South Carolina, 98 ; Georgia, 92 ; Florida, 92 ; Alabaniu, 96 ; . sissippi, 87 ; Louisiana, 90 ; Texas, 97 ; Arkansas, 90 ; Tennessee, 78. In Texas and Scuth Carolina condition is better than ir. July 1881, and the same as at that date in Louisiana. The drawbacks reported are of the past, rnainly deficiënt stands, slow growth, and general backwardness, but there is a marked absence of present unhealthful conditions. The returns. are nearly unanimous in indicating a good degree of vigor and rapidity of growth. Thus far there ís only a loss of time for development and fruiting. Future favorable conditions may make ■ good the deficiency, but un favorable weather in July and August would