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nearly all have been relieved from duty.

The Planters are now in the midst of cotton picking; the reason is pronounced by all to have been remarkably unfavorable. Much of the crop has been lost by excessive rains, overflows &c; planting old and poor seed in the Spring in many instances made a second and third planting necessary. In addition to this, many old planters have told me that by reason of the non-cultivation of plantations for the last three or more years fully one third to one half more laborers were required to produce the same results as where the lands were continuously cultivated; this is an important item in estimating labor under the free-labor system and should not be lost sight of.

For information as to receipts and disbursements I respectfully invite attention to the report of Brig. Lt. Col. H. Skinner, A.Q.M. for condition of Schools to the report of Mr. M. Colby Gen'l Supt of Schools, and to the report of Asst Surgeon N. M. Lilly.