Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-10-29


In presenting estimates of the
condition of the various crops still
outstanding in whole or In part, il
wIll.not be aIniss to briefly review
the history Of the past season, as
affecting the agricultural interests
of our State.
The past winter as all viii re-
member, was one of unusual severi-
ty and Of long continuance. Heavy
rains commencing at period ear
lier than usual in the fall, were
followed by cold weather at an ear
ly date. The heavy rains i'm Octo
Der materially interfered with the
sowing OF wheat, and the continued
lad weather greatly hindered the
gathering of crops and thus re-
suited in very serious loss to the
country.
The intense colo weather, and the
continuance of unfavOrable weather
far into the season of spring, neces-
sarily made heavy drafts upon the
forage supply of the country and
caused the consumption Of much
that had been intended for feeding
teams during the blowing season.
Owing to the excessive cold and
moisture OF the early spring months
a full crop OF oats was not sown,
and the planting of corn and cotton
was delayed.
The genial weather which fol-
lowed in the latter part of April,
and i'm May and June, however,
brought crops forward rapidly.
Wheat matured well, and gave an
average yield. Oats gave better
than average crop for the acreage
sown. Grass and clover grew lux
uriantlyand on an increased acreage
gave heavy crops of hay, which
was saved in good condition. Far
mers felt much encouragement and
worked with more than usual en-
ergy in the cultivation of their crops.
During the month of June the
growing crops of corn and cotton
gave unusual promise. The tObac-
CO and peanut though not promis-
ing equally well, had improved
upon their earlier condition.
The drouth which began to be
felt in the latter part of June, and
continued through July, August,
and far into September, has most
injuriously affected all the growing
crops, not only in Tennessee, but
throughout wide extent ofcountry.
Because of this drOuth the yield of
cotton is much less than was reason
ably anticipated. There will, how
ever, be compensation for this par
tial failure in the yield of cotton,
from the considerations that its
early maturity has admitted of
early gathering, and that good prices
have been maintained.
The September rains have bene-
ficially affected the tobacco crop
which will prove to be better than
was at one time thought to be pos
sible.
The corn crop, being shortened
throughout 80 large an area, we
may reasonably anticipate that this
great staple viii command a higher
price during the year. We need
not, however, anticipate any great
distress from the scarcity of this
grain. Economy in its use will be
the rule. Fewer hogs than usual
will be fattened. Less of the grain
will be consumed by distillers, and
a general saving in its use will be
praeticed.
There is one fact in connection
with the drouth worthy of notice.
l refer to the exceptionally good
condition of cattle which have had
to depend solely upon the dried and
wiehered grass in the fields and pas
lures. The thoughtful farmer may
deduce a lesson of practical utility
from this fact.
The recent rains have revived the
exhausted pastures, and have put
the fields in admirable condition
for sowing wheat. An increased
acreage is being sown. This in
crease would be much larger were
it not that the scarcity and high
price of seed put it out of the power
of many to secure all they wish to
sow. There is also a. largely in
creased acreage of rye sOwn for win
ter pastures.
There is one other point to which
/ wish to call attention before clos
ing this paper. Observation during
the past season has clearly demon
strated the fact, that lands that
were deeply broken and thoroughly
puIverized before planting, resisted
the effects of drOuth much better
than those not so prepared. Every
farmer should appropriate the eXpe-
riences Of the past to his own benefit
i'm the future. Respectfully,
A. w. HAWKINS, Com.
Nashville, October 10, 1881.