California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 15, Number 7, 12 April 1861 — Indiana Correspondence [ARTICLE]

Indiana Correspondence

[Wr are pleased (0 receive another letter from our old correspondent from Indiana. It in nwil acceptable, for it touches upon many "f l i e '•»•" rests thai affect ua all. We hope, however, our friend will not allow us to wait so long before we haaf from him again : Mil**, laa., Msreb 5, 1861. loiTOI Faiimkr : Time has Down rapidly since my Iml ; HaMM have come and gOM —Suiumer, Pall, und Winter; most important events, ton, have transpired. The Summer Baft was hot and dry, cutting short Corn and Potatoes ia aotna of tlie Southern counties: tlie F.iil was favorable for towing Wheal, and most prolific of Apples and Cider. The Winter BO Broached upon Kali, and gave us a cold snap about tlie 2Ota ot November ; in this respect similar to the year previous Though they at tlie North have Bad a good deal of • now, we hare had but little—nut to exceed an inch at nny one time, consequently nu sleighing. Indeed, tlie Winter has been one of tlie m ist open in tlie memory of the "oldest inhabitant. Some of the migratory birds have scarce left us at ail. Pur a week past the weather has, indeed, BOM Spring-like, tlie mean temperature of the middle of the days being about TO*, and of the nights about 40°. Tlie extremes of temperature of the seasons here were, lit* in tlie sun at 1 o'clock, p m., on the Uth of August last, an 1 zero at I o'clock, a. M M on lath Deceoibar last. The prospect for Fruit at present is very good, but 1 am very fearful that iv the advanced stale of the buds it will all yet be killed. Tlie growing Wheat does not promise an unusual crop, having been injured to some extent by lbs Hessian Fly, and, on tbe Hat clay lands, badly Winter-killed.

Last season was one of rather unusual prosperity throughout this .State, the crops having heen go.nl, ami prices of -II kinds of produce better than Farmers had antii ipatcd. partly in consequence of drought in the South. But as soon as the political excitement got well up in the South, trade was materially checked, and prices went down. We, here upon the border, depend principally upon the South for a market, ami do, no doubt, feel the rupture more than those more remote. The South needs all we have to spare, and must have it ; and their wants will not be less, the year to come, if the present state of affairs continue. If they do not wish us lo come amongst them with our surplus to sell, they may come here and buy ; iv which case we would have the advantage of being ojt home. We often see individuals spite themselves a great deal for the sake of spiling a neighbor a little. I can t help thinking that is the condition ol the South now. They have Sugar to sell, and must sell it. We favored them by a protection. Xow tbey will have to come into market in competition with others. This will make our Sugar cheap. We have been using too much Sugar, more, I believe, than is for our health ; so that I would not regret to see the production of Sugar curtailed, and the consumption in the Free States confined to what they might be able lo manufacture from the Sorghum. The Soulh produces Cotton, which has become a "cheap luxury" only ; not a necessity, because we can produce Flai and Wool—products of our own soil—consequently now, appropriate for our clothing. I have sometimes wished myself away in California, remote from this great strite; yet this trreat question of Slavery and Freedom has got to be settled, and I would not shrink Irom performing in y duty in declaring for Freedom. Yesterday was a proud day for Free Labor in the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as President of the I'nited States. Had he remained in a Slave State, he might have mauled rails all his days without any possible chance of rising to high office. Here is an example for every poor boy in the land; though they may not ail expect lo be President, yet Ihey may be industrious and good, and deserve the confidence of their fellow-citizens.

Tbe Fanners of Indiana are beginning to look | to their interests in the protection of Sheep against dogs, and are askiug lhe Legislature for a law to this effect. A good round tax upun dogs is just what we need, not only for the protection of j Sheep, but the children of poor parents. The State Hoard of Agriculture is asking the Legislature 10 assume its indebtedness, amounting to $10,000. This the tax-payers object to, probably on account of a general decline of interest in Fairs. J r A