The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-06-17
CROPS IN TENNESSEE.
Report of Com missioner Kille.
brew on Their Condition.

L
Half q Crop Of Wheat.-COrn
Full Average--TObaccO, Three
fourths - Cotton Unusually
| ProInising.-The Outlook for
Grasses Encouraging - Oats
ShOrt--Halfa Crop of Peach.
es. But Other Fruits Abund'
amt.
STATE BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE,
STATISTICS, MINES AND IMMIGRATION,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, June 9, 1885,
The reports for the month of May
are from y counties from East Ten.
nessee, q; from Middle Tennessee,
2S, and from West Tennessee, II.
WEATHER.
Until within the last half of the
month the weather was exceedingly
dry, so much that fears became gene
raj that fatal drouth was on hand.
The ground became untillable, and
vegetation began to give signs Of great
suffering, the small grains and grasses
in an especial manner suffering very
greatly, coming as it did. just at a time
when they most required it 10 form
full heads.
Bat fortunately the rains began to
fall about the 2lst and by the 25th
they were universal over the State.
Since then the weather has been as
favorable as could lie asked, there be-
ing plenty Of moisture to keep vegeta-
ton in full growing condition.
In East Tennessee 81 counties re.
port dry and 6 seasonable.
In Middle Tennessee we have %
counties reporting, 19 dry and 8 sea-
sonable.
In West Tennessee II counties re-
port, of which 10 report dry, 4 sen.
sonable and ) favorable.
WHEAT.
At the date of cur last report the
farmers were greatly depressed on ac>
count of the condition of the wheat
crop. 1t had every appearance, just
before our report was issued, of being
almost u total failure, but at the date
of the April report it had begun to
show some signs Of improvement, and
we hoped it would at least turn out
very well. But our hopes were again
doomed to disappointment, though III
some sections it still shows decided
Improvement. The rust, fly, worms
and the weather all seem leagued
against this important cereal. At
this time harvesting is progressing
finely and rapidly, and the accounts
are conflicting. From some counties
We hear of only an average of three
bushels, while Others claim ten and
even more. It is beyond question
that there will not in Middle or West
Tennessee be over half crop. if that;
but East Tennessee claims three
fourths of a crop. The breadth sown
will to some extent compensate for the
loss, but taken altogether it is seri>
ous infiiction on the State.
In East Tennessee, q counties re-
port, and the average extends all the
way from Is per cent. up to 100, Il
large minority at from rs to 100, the
average being 76. which fairly repre-.
sents the crops. One county, Clai-
borne, puts the average at III.
In Middle Tennessee, % counties re.
port an average from 20, this is Ruth
erford, up to 102, overton, the gen.
eral average being 81. The broken
or hilly counties report as rule the
largest average.
In West Tennessee, II counties re-
port and the average is 81 for the
Grand Division, the county averages
extend from 35, McNairy, to 102,
Shelby, the highest.
CORN.
As is almost invariably the case
when we have a bad wheat year the
corn improves in corresponding de-
gree. So it is now. During the dry
weather, the farmers-at least all good
oLes-kept the plow going, stirring
the ground all the more. In conse
quence, the corn roots pushed down
for water and obtained a good hold,-
aud the fields were thoroughly titled;
so when the rains began, it had moth
ing else to do but grow, and grow it
did. At the present time the crop
never appeared more favorable. 1t
is clean, good stands are universal, and
the prospect for fine yield splendid,
which may all 60 over, however. un-
less the rains continue, for corn is sub
ject to injury until it is made.
In East Tennessee, q counties re-
port an average of 80 per cent; in
Middle Tennessee, % counties report
an average OF 96 per cent, and in
West Tennessee, II counties report all
average of 81 per cent.
TOBACCO.
In my last monthly report fears
were expressed that the dry weather
would prevent the setting of plants,
giving in this manner a smaller crop
than usual, but since the publication
of that report good seasons have pre-
vailed throughout the tobacco regions,
and planters have availed themselves
of the opportunity presented and have
set out all the plants they had.
In consequence of the favorable
weather on them, they have escaped
the common accidents from insects,
and. therefore, the prospect is much
more promising than before. The dry