The following interesting communication is from Hon. Joshua Hill, one of the United States Senators elect from the State of Georgia to the Congress of the United States:— Madison, Ga., August 6, 1868.

Dear Sir:
I will give you a brief sketch of Madison and vicinity. This pretty town, incorporated as a city, is situated in Morgan County, on the Georgia Railroad, thirteen miles west of the Oconee River, which separates for some miles the counties of Morgan and Greene, below the mouth of the Appalachee, a small river forming the northeastern boundary of Morgan. Madison-son is 104 miles west of Augusta, and 67 miles east of Atlanta There are day and night passenger trains every twenty-four hours over this road. It is a great freight road for this country. Madison-son is the principal cotton depot on the road. It contains about two thousand inhabitants.
The surrounding country was originally a fertile soil, well watered, and abounding in fine freestone springs and wells. The climate is mild, and the atmosphere at this time remarkably free from miasma. Bilious complaints are almost unknown, forty years ago they prevailed generally. It would be difficult to find a healthier region. The country is undulating, and is supplied with small but never-failing streams. There are still some fine forests, containing a variety of timber, and every farm contains a portion, though some have been left too bare. These lands, in the days of slavery, fell into the hands of the large planters, and were cruelly abused by a system of bad culture— continuous crops of cotton, with shallow plowing. Since the close of the war there have settled among us a few Northern farmers, bringing with them improved farming implements, par-ticularly the large turning plows. Gradually the Georgians are adopting deep plowing and manuring, both of which have heretofore been sadly neglected. These farms are still cultivated mainly by colored labor, especially the large tracts.
There are many small proprietors who use white or mixed labor, and some who confine their work to the immediate family. The general crops consist of corn and cotton, wheat, oats, peas, and potatoes (Irish and sweet). These lands grow wheat well when manured and well prepared. Fruits are abundant and good, considering how little care is taken of the trees. We have peaches, apples, plums, cherries, pears, quinces, apricots, grapes, and a great variety of wild fruits. The value of the best field labor is from seven to nine dollars a month. Ditching is done by the day or job, and is worth more than ordinary labor. Most planters contract with their laborers, giving them a part of the crops produced. Lands within fifteen miles of the railroad only vary in price according to productiveness. Too little importance is attached to improvements. Barns, stables, and outbuildings, are generally inferior. The average value of these lands may be set down at from five to ten dollars an acre. Some choice places a little higher. The Northern men who have bought lands in this vicinity appear well satisfied with the community.
There is no apprehension of violence from any source. We enjoy a state of quiet and peace. Though this section has suffered from drought, there will probably be an average yield of cotton, and perhaps enough corn made for its consumption. What I have said of Morgan may be said of much of the state bordering the Georgia Railroad. What is most needed with us is well-skilled labor, with a little capital. Small communities of good agriculturists, men who will properly enrich and prepare land for cultivation, would do well in this great middle belt or Georgia; and their system of cultivation would soon be adopted by the old laborers and proprietors. This is not a mineral region, it is too far from the mountains, in which the metals are deposited. Others of your correspondents will sketch northern, western, and southern Georgia, with greater accuracy and fidelity than I can pretend to. It is a vast and varied field, that invites the atten-tion of the agriculturist, the manufacturer, miner, mechanic, merchant, and the valetudinarian. As a country to live in, to live well, to live comfortably, to enjoy, summer and winter, uninterrupted health, I know of no spot of earth superior to middle Georgia.
I ought not to omit to state, that experiments in growing clover have been made in this county for the past two years, to a considerable extent, with most satisfactory results. Mr. Reuben Miller, a farmer from Columbia County, New York, Mr. Hermance, and the Messrs. True, all New York farmers, and some others residing in this vicinity, are fully satisfied that it is profitable to grow clover here. They have tried it for two years past.
The cattle and sheep are kept fat during the summer and autumn on the pastures of Bermuda grass, and a new variety of the trifolium which has suddenly spread itself all over this country. Up to December, and often later, it is unnecessary to feed dry cattle or sheep. The Bermuda grass is perennial, and forms good grazing in April, and on good lands it makes fine hay. It is without seed, but grows from the bud, and if neglected, becomes troublesome to the farmer and gardener. So much, then, for this particular portion of Georgia. Be assured that the picture is not overdrawn. The French mulberry and the morus-multicaulis are found growing in the hedges and fence corners, as if indigenous; and it is the natural abode of the silk-worm.
I might extend this sketch, but I forbear. Immigrants from any clime will find in Georgia a soil and climate to please them, and an intelligent, hospitable people to welcome them to new homes.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOSHUA HILL

Fred'k B, Goddard, Esq., New York.

[Source: "Where to emigrate and why : homes and fortunes in the boundless West and the sunny South : their climate, scenery, soil, productions, railroads, mining interests, and general resources, the cost of farm lands, how to obtain titles, the Homestead and other land laws, the rates of wages, &c., &c. : with a complete history and description of the Pacific railroad" by Frederick B. Goddard, pub. Philadelphia, Pa. by Peoples Pub. Co., 1869 --- Submitted by K. Torp]

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