The state is well watered. The Mississippi forms the whole of its w. boundary, and into it flow the Homoehitto, Big Black, Yazoo, and its tributaries, the Sunflower and the Tallahatchie. On the e. side of the central water-shed are the Pearl and its branches and the Pascagoula and Tombigbee, with their affluents, all of which flow at last into the gulf, on which the state has a coast line of about 90 m., with no good harbor except that of Ship island. In the extreme nt.e. corner the boundary for 15 m. is the Tennessee river, into which flow several small streams. The principal ports on the Mississippi are Vicksburg and Natchez.
The mineral deposits are not of much value. In the tertiary formations coal is found in small quantities, with mineral fertilizers of some value, fire-brick and potters' clays. limestone, etc. Iron is found in some places, but nowhere in quantities to be of practi cal worth. The principal fossil found in the prairie region is a marine animal more than 100 ft. long, resembling the alligator. Mineral and medicinal springs are of frequent occurrence, that of Cooper's wells being the most important.
The summers are long and hot, but not unhealthful, save in the low bottoin-lands. The winters, which of course are short, are somewhat damper and colder than on the coast. From October to June the climate is delightful. The highest temperature of the summer is 90°; the lowest of winter 18°. The mean annual temperature at Vicksburg varies from 64° to 67°.
A large portion of the state is covered with primitive forests. The principal deciduous trees are numerous species of oak, hickory (four species). black walnut, butternut, dog wood, black and sweet glum, beech, sycamore, cottonwood, red maple, ironwood, locust, papaw, and black and white mulberry. The principal evergreens are the pine (several species), the cypre4s, and-tho live oak, The fruits most cultivated are apples (in the n.e..
part of the state), grapes, peaches, pears, quinces, apricots, and plums; in the southern c ounties, figs, lemons, oranges, and bananas.
In the wrests wild animals abound; among them wolves, bears, foxes, wildcats, panthers, raccoons, opossums, deer, rabbits, hares, squirrels, gophers, etc. keys, pigeons, quails, rice•birds, mocking-birds, and wild-ducks are found in great num bers. Hawks, vultures, and gulls, and birds of gay plumage are numerous. Alligators haunt t he bayous of the Mississippi, and lizards and water-snakes tire found in the swamps and bottom-lands. Rattlesnakes and moccasin-snakes, as well as a great variety of harm less reptiles, abound. Mississippi sound and the various rivers contain a great variety of edible fish. Oysters and other shell-fish are found in Mississippi sound.
Cotton and corn are the great agricultural staples, though wheat and oats do well in the upland regions. Excellent pasturage, with roots for swine, is found in the low-lands and in the river valleys. According to the census of 1870 there were 13,121,113 acres of land in farms, of which 4,209,146 acres were cultivated, while 8,911,967 acres were unim proved. The cash value of farms was $81,716,576, of farming implements $4,456,633.
The estimated value of all farm products for the year was $73,137,053. The wheat crop was 274,479 bush. ; the corn crop, 15,637,816 bush. ; the oats crop, 414,586 bush. ; the cotton crop (larger than that of any other state), was 564,938 bales; the wool clip, 288.285 lbs. ; the rice crop, 374,627 lbs.; cane-sugar, 49 hogsheads; cane-molasses, 152,164 gals. ; sorghum molasses, 67,509 gals.; Ir ah potatoes, 214,189 bush.; sweet potatoes, 1,743,432 bush.; peas and beans, 176,417 bush.; beeswax, 9,3901bs.; honey, 199.581 lbs.; butter, 2,613, u21 lbs.; cheese, 3,099 lbs.; milk sold, 17,052 gallons. Value of live stock, $29,940,238; number of horses, 90,221; mules and asses, 85,886; mulch cows, 173,889; working oxen. 58,156; other cattle, 269,030; sheep, 232,732; swine, 813.381. The corn crop of 1873 was 18,543,000 bush., valued at $15,761,550; wheat, 189,000 bush., $830,750; oats, 492,000 bush., $423,120; Irish potatoes, 206,000 bush.. $247,200; tobacco, 85.000 lbs., $14,450; the cotton crop about 600,000 bales, $28,500,000. Within the last few years a new industry, that of raising early fruit and vegetables for the Chicago and other north-western markets, has sprung lip. The center of this industry is at Crystal Springs, where the soil and climate are peculiarly favorable for the purpose. Already the trade has become profitable, and it will probably be much extended in future. The agri cultural department at Washington, Jan. 1, 1874, estimated the number of horses in the state at 88,800, valued at $7,682,100; mules and asses. 99,000, $10,703,990; milch cows, 1E0,100, $3,886,558; oxen and other cattle, 829,800, $4,053,242; sheep, 153,600. $296, 448; swine, 819,100, $2,858,659; total value of live stock, $29,000,000. One of the great est impediments to the agricultural prosperity of the state is the frequent. inundation of its alluvial lands by the overflow of the Mississippi. This can be prevented only by the construction of costly levees. Mississippi and Louisiana have expended millions of dol lars for this purpose; but the work is too extensive for their resources, and they propose, in view of the national importance of the Mississippi as a channel of commerce, that con gress shall provide for its accomplishment at the nation's expense. Mississippi is not, to any great extent, a manufacturing state, though its natural facilities therefor are great. In 1870 there were in the state 1731 manufacturing establishments, mostly small, employing 5,941 persons, using $4,501,714 of capita], paying $1.547,428 in wages, and producing goods valued at $8,154,758. There were 156 saw-mills, employing 1643 persons, and producing lumber valued at $2,029,145; 45 flouring-mills, producing flour valued at $468,576: 85 wagon and carriage factories, producing $268,031. In 1873 there were 11 cotton factories, using 2,545 bales.