In addition to the natural superior advantages of marine inter-communication which here exist, the facilities for railroad construction are rapidly advancing. In 1846 the first railroad was put into operation; in 1860 there were four hundred and two miles completed, and in 1865 there were four hundred and sixteen, while, on the first of January, 1869, there were four hundred and thirty-seven miles in operation, with a considerable extent projected and in process of construction.

Florida, although an old member of the republic, compared with some others, has many of the characteristics of being newly settled. Circumstances have tended to retard the development of this region, possessing so many natural advantages. It is gratifying to observe that under the new order of things the social and political condition of the State is highly encouraging. The new constitution, recently adopted, makes ample provision for the administration of justice to all, and the care and protection of every class of citizens, including the poor, deaf, and blind. Liberal and comprehensive means are provided for the education of the youth by means of free public schools, seminaries, and universities, supported by a general taxation of all real and personal property.

Tallahassee is the seat of State government, the United States surveyor general's office, and district land office. Key West is the largest city in the State. The other principal towns are Jacksonville, St. Mark's, Pensacola, Appalachicola, Quincy, Fernandina, Monticello, Cedar Keys, Gainesville, Lake City, St. Augustine, Pilatka, Marianna, and Osceola. The population of the State in 1830 was 34,370; in 1840, 54,447; in 1850, 87,445; in 1860, 140,424; and in 1867, 153,659, according to the State census. During the last year there were 75,270 acres disposed of under the homestead law. Since the date of the last report the surveying system has been again put into operation and the surveyor general's office reopened, there being 11,300,000 acres yet to be surveyed, including the everglades, swamps, and overflowed lands, and 17,349,167.32 acres of public land to be disposed of.

ARKANSAS was the twelfth State admitted under the federal Constitution, by act of June 15, 1836. It lies north of Louisiana, east of Texas and the Indian country, south of Missouri, and west of the St. Francis and Mississippi rivers, which separate it from Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Arkansas was carved out of the vast region acquired by purchase from France in 1803, and erected into a Territory by act of March 2, 1819. It comprises an area of 52,198 square miles, or 33,406,720 acres, greater than that of New York and Connecticut, or North Carolina and Delaware. It extends through nearly three and a half degrees of latitude, and occupies a most advantageous location in the temperate zone. The chemical characteristics of the soil, the chorography and vegetable products, are similar to those of the northern and southern States. The physical conformation of the country is very advantageous, largely enhancing the value of its geographical position. In the southeast corner of the State the altitude of the surface does not exceed two hundred feet above tide-water. From this point the country rises to the northwest, and in the interior attains an altitude of two thousand feet on the extensive plateau, while the mountains reach an altitude of three thousand feet. Within the space of about two hundred and forty miles from north to south, in the limits of this State are to be found all the climatic and other characteristics of ten degrees of latitade. Thus, in the southern sections of Arkansas many varieties of semi-tropical fruits and plants grow successfully, and the great southern staples are produced in luxuriance. Approaching the northern sections, all these products give place to the great staples and products of the

northern States. So varied and extensive is the soil and its products, that with but few exceptions all the cereals, plants, and fruits known to American husbandmen may be produced within the limits of this State. The eastern part of Arkansas, bordering on the Mississippi, includes a broad alluvial belt from thirty to one hundred miles in width; the lands being low, level, and subject to inundation in many places. The soil is of the highest fertility and the surface is covered with dense forrests of oaks, cypress, cottonwood, pecan, black walnut, and a great variety of other trees, intersected by extensive swamps, large lakes, and lagoons. By a thorough levee and drainage system it is believed that nearly the whole of this vast body of rich alluvial soil may be reclaimed and thereby rendered one of the finest agricultural regions in the great Mississippi valley.

The valley of the Arkansas River extends diagonally across the central portion of the State from northwest to southeast. This stream, the largest in the State, and next to the Missouri in importance as a tributary of the Mississippi, is navigable throughout the State, a distance of five hundred and ninety miles. The rich alluvions bordering this river from Fort Smith, near the western boundary, to Little Rock, two hundred and eighty-three miles, have an average width of about five miles, and from Little Rock to the confluence of the stream they average about twenty miles. Red River waters the extreme southwestern part of the State, which is a rich agricultural and grazing region. This rich valley is part of the great cotton-growing country of the southwest, and is also well adapted to the culture of sugar cane.

The Washita River waters the whole region south of the Arkansas, and between the latter stream and Red River. It rises in the western part of the State, flows first east and thence southwest, and is navigable for three hundred and fifty miles. The principal affluents of the Washita are the Moro, Saline, Little Missouri, Sabine, Bayou Boeuf, and Bayou Bartholomew. White River, which rises in the northwest, makes almost its entire course in Arkansas, and with its numerous tributaries waters the whole northern part of the State and that part of the eastern section between the valleys of the St. Francis and Arkansas rivers. The bottom lands along this stream and its tributaries are subject to overflow in some localities, but the soil is of great fertility. The alluvions on White River, equal in area to those on the Mississippi, in this State, are fully as valuable, and less liable to inundation.

The St. Francis River, which bathes part of the eastern boundary, rises in the highlands in the southeastern part of Missouri, and empties into the Mississippi ten miles north of Helena. It is almost four hundred and fifty miles long, and navigable at certain seasons for one hundred and fifty miles. Owing to recent depressions of the surface, large districts in this valley are covered by swamps and lagoons. The whole surface is abundantly well watered, and the State has nearly three thousand five hundred miles of navigable waters. In passing westward from the eastern border of Arkansas, the surface becomes more elevated, rising gradually. Near the center of the State the country becomes rolling and hilly, while the vast forests are interspersed with undulating prairies. These uplands, in their westward expansion, terminate in the Ozark and Masserne Mountains. The Ozark Range is first distinguished near Little Rock, north of the Arkansas River, extending in a northwesterly direction beyond the limits of the State, and sometimes attaining an altitude of two thousand feet, while the Masserne Mountains lie south of the Arkansas. The other important elevations are the Black Hills in the north, and the Wishita Hills in the west.

The country north of the Ozark Range is a beautiful intermixture of hills, plains, prairie, and woodland. It is well watered, generally very fertile, and is the most thickly settled portion of the State. The lands on either side of the rich alluvions bordering the Arkansas consist of broad plateaus and small valleys scarcely less fertile, but not quite so well watered as the region north of the Ozark. It is a fine stock range, and will yield a great variety of cereals. Cotton also is successfully produced.

The country beween the Arkansas and White rivers, east of the Ozark Mountains, is about fifty miles in width and one hundred in length, extending from northwest to southeast. It consists of prairies and "oak openings," and is of diluvial formation. The region between White and St. Francis rivers is partly alluvial and partly diluvial in its formation, and of great fertility. Some places are subject to overflow, while the residue is occupied by ridges and hills of no great elevation. By systematic drainage the whole area may be reclaimed and rendered valuable. The district south of the Wishita Mountains for a considerable distance is divided into a series of ridges and valleys, interspected by numerous small streams rising in the mountains. These streams afford superior water-power for manufacturing purposes, while the lands are of great value as a stock-growing region. South of these hills is a large tract of country extending to the southern boundary of the State, and nearly across from east to west, varied in surface and soil, but generally undulating and interspersed with pine forests. Large portions of these lands are exceedingly fertile, particularly the black prairie soils. The alluvions on all these streams, which embrace a large area of the State, are of the highest fertility, and although extensive districts principally of this character of land are frequently subject to overflow at all seasons of the year, still there is but a very small area of the State which may not be reclaimed by a system of levees and drainage, and rendered susceptible of cultivation. The disposition of the arable land in Arkansas is eminently favorable to its development. The great variety of soils, the successions of hills and valleys, the prevalence of springs, creeks, and rivers, in every section, are circumstances which tend to produce a diffusion of advantages rendering every district in the State desirable for settlement.

The climate of Arkansas is temperate and generally healthy, but subject to sudden and frequent variations. In the valley of the Mississippi the annual rain-fall is about sixty inches, while in the western part of the State, bordering on the high plains stretching out to the mountains in the west, the rain-fall does not exceed fifty-five inches annually.

The general course of all the streams in the State is south and southwest, while the valleys are separated by mountains or high ranges of hills extending nearly east and west, thereby protecting them from the cold northern winds which sweep down from the great ranges of mountains on the west. The western part of the State also falls under the influence of the Gulf trade winds. All these causes unite in producing a temperature in the western valleys, particularly the valley of the Arkansas, lower in summer and several degrees higher in winter than on the same latitude east of the Mississippi.

From what has been said respecting the character of the country, its soils, surface, and climate, it is apparent that there is in Arkansas but a limited extent of barrens, deserts, or irreclaimable swamp land. And it will further appear, from the slight mention made of the prairies, that this region is properly a timber one. Arkansas abounds in valuable timber in all sections, and the revenues from it are of the first import

ance, constituting the base of great wealth yet to be realized in the improvement of the State and the development of her other sources of wealth. The yellow-pine forests predominate, covering about one fourth of the area of the State and interspersed with a very large variety of other valuable timber. The pine grows principally on the uplands, attains great size, and is abundant and valuable. Several varieties of oak abound, both on the rich alluvions and on the uplands. Some of these species attain large proportions, and are valuable for ship building and other mechanical purposes. In the southern part of the State there are extensive forests of white oak. Bald cypress, of immense size, and nearly as durable as red cedar, is found in great abundance on the rich alluvions and in the swamps and marshes; also, the tupelo gum, a valuable tree for many economical purposes. Cabinet woods occur in abundance, of which the black walnut, wild cherry, and maple, are the most valuable. Among the numerous hard woods growing in the State are the black locust, sassafras, red mulberry, and bois d'arc, or Osage orange. The latter species, used for hedging in the northern States, grows luxuriantly in the valley of the Red River often attaining four feet in diameter. Besides these there are the ash, hickory, maple, gum, beech, pecan, sycamore, elm, cottonwood, cedar, buttonwood, and hackberry. In addition to the foregoing, many species of trees are found here in abundance, valuable for ornament as shade trees or evergreens, among which may be enumerated the holly, willow, catlep, China tree, box-elder, butternut, palmetto, dogwood, plum, hornbeam, ironwood, mockernut, juniper, and laurel. The undergrowth of the forests consists chiefly of oak, arrowwood, gum, sassafras, hazel, sumac, hickory, dogwood, and kinikinnik, while on the alluvions, in places, extensive canebrakes occur. Several varieties of wild fruits and berries grow abundantly, and among these are the pawpaw, persimmon, haw, whortleberry, wild plum, and chinquapin.

Very little has, as yet, been accomplished in the development of the mineral resources of Arkansas. The country north of the Ozark Mountains contains deposits of lead, zinc, manganese, and their associate metals, together with fine marble and other stones. The Ozark Mountains are composed of the "millstone grit formation," and, although not rich in metals, yield many mineral products of economical value. Coal, iron, and lead have, however, been found at intervals throughout its whole extent. South of these mountains, in the valley of the Arkansas, a vein of excellent coal exists; and near Fort Smith another, of good quality, five feet in thickness, has been discovered. Coal may be found in almost every county in the State, but not always of sufficient thickness or quality to be worth mining. The mountains south of the Arkansas River have attracted the most attention on acount of mineral deposits, but, as yet, no mines have been developed to any great extent. Mining operations have been carried on in the western part of State, and near Little Rock. The minerals of the State are chiefly coal, iron, lead, zinc, manganese, gypsum, and salt. Gold is said to exist in White County. The State abounds in mineral springs, the most prominent of which are the Hot Springs, well known for their curative qualities. In the same locality sulphur and magnetic iron, and materials for hones and whetstones, exist in great variety. Crystal Valley abounds in beautiful rock crystals.

The great fertility of the soil is evinced by the luxuriant crops produced throughout the State. Cotton is the great staple, and forms the basis of agricultural wealth in Arkansas. It is cultivated in all sections on the highlands and on the bottoms-and yields abundant and profitable crops. Other crops may be successfully raised and grow as

luxuriantly, but none have been so remunerative as the culture of cotton. Corn is produced in all soils, and in every section of Arkansas, yielding an abundant return, and rarely fails. Wheat is also cultivated in all parts of the State, and fine crops are produced, especially on the alluvions. All sections, except those localities given exclusively to cotton culture, have always produced sufficient wheat for home supply. Large crops have been produced upon lands formerly planted in cotton for a series of years; and at present a wheat crop forms part of the product of every well-regulated farm. The northwestern part of the State has taken the lead in the culture of this cereal. Tobacco is produced throughout the State in small quantities, for home supply. It gives a good yield, and may be made profitable. Oats and barley are cultivated in all sections of the State, yielding abundant crops. These, however, have heretofore been generally produced for domestic use, and not for market. Buckwheat yields abundantly, but is raised only for home demand. All kinds of root crops produced in the temperate zone succeed in this State. The native grasses of Arkansas include thirty-five varieties, which are unrivaled for luxuriance. The hay crop is an important product in the State, and is raised chiefly on the rich alluvions. A great variety of fruits may be successfully cultivated here, including species grown in the northern localities, as well as those which nearly approach the tropics. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, apricots, strawberries, and other small fruits, grow luxuriantly in all parts of the State, while the fig and some other species of semi-tropical fruits may also be found yielding well in favorable seasons, but occasionally requiring sheltered situations.

Congress has made liberal concessions to aid in the construction of railroads in Arkansas, and the extensive railroad system projected throughout the State is being pushed forward to completion. This, with the great system of water communication extending throughout its area, will afford facilities for transportation fully adequate to the wants of commerce.

This State affords to immigrants the inducements of a fine, salubrious climate, a prolific soil adapted to the culture of the most valuable agricultural products, with business and numerous other advantages incident to long-settled communities.

Little Rock, the capital of the State, situated on the right bank of Arkansas River, three hundred and eight miles from its confluence with the Mississippi, has an active trade, and a population of ten thousand. Arkansas Post is two hundred and thirty miles below the capital, on Arkansas River, and was laid out by the French in 1685. The other principal towns are Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Van Buren, Camden, Princeton, Helena, Carrolton, Fulton, Warren, Marion, Bolivar, Piné Bluff, Clarksville, Eldorado, and Washington.

Since the date of last report, 196,486 acres have been disposed of under the homestead law, leaving 11,377,943 acres yet to be disposed of in Arkansas.

District land offices are located at Little Rock, Clarksville, and Washington, which are prepared to entertain applications for the entry of public lands.

SECOND DIVISION-REGION OF CEREALS.

The public land States embraced in this division are Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, on the east of the Mississippi River, and Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota, on the