The crops prospect in Florida.
--A few days ago an invitation was sent to the members of the Congress of the Confederate States, from the
President of the
Alabama and Florida Railroad, to take a trip over the road and visit
Pensacola.
The correspondent of the Montgomery Advertiser, who accompanied the excursionists, thus speaks of the prospect for fine crops throughout the
State of Florida:
‘
In passing through the country at this time the observing traveler cannot fail to notice the fine appearance of the crops as seen by the roadside.
On every hand are broad fields of gram, stretching away as far as the eye can reach.
The quantity that has been painted this year is remarkable, and will be noticed with pleasure, corn, especially, is seen field after field, and is now between three and four feet high upon the prairie lands of
Montgomery county.
It looks beautiful enough with its long, dark green leaves waving in the sunlight, and looking so fresh and new that one can almost fancy its growth is perceptible to the sight.
Among all the farmers it seems that a much larger quantity of corn has been put in this year than even before, and nine that I know of have fourteen hundred acres more than has been planted by them for years.
Since the war, I notice that the idea of crossing the cotton fields with corn is being experimented upon to a considerable extent, and in numerous instances we saw this done in the fields along our route.--While speaking of corn I must mention a fact that shows the patriotism of our people in an eminent degree.
A gentleman of
Montgomery county, who will have many thousand bushers this year, says he shall sell none of it, but expects to feed his own family and give the remainder to the
Confederate States for the use of the army.
A Texan, also, and a member of the present Congress, says he wrote home some time ago to have no cotton planted, but use every acre of land for grain, remarking at the time, that he could use but little, but then there was the army to feed, and his Government was welcome to the products of his lands.
I mention those two circumstances not by any means as exceptions, as that is the general feeling among all our planters.
The wheat crop is very large, and is now ready for cutting.
A very large quantity has been sown this year, and as the season has been favorable, there will be an abundant harvest.
’
