Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-05-05
Promises of the Crops.

Floods, frosts and backward spring have
all worked TO the injury of the crops this
year, but the statement of their present con
dition, which the Times now lays before its
readers, will show that, despite these nliu-
ences, the general condition, with few ex-
ceptions, promises an abundant harvest
throughout thecountry. From thirty seven
States and four Territories--nearly all ex-
cept those whose agricultural products are
of no importance-the most trustworthy in
formation has been obtained. From one
hundred and twenty different places, cover
ing over 1900 centres of agricultural work,
persons whose business and interest it has
been to secure accurate knowledge of the
crops have sent the result of their investiga-
tons to the Imos
The small grains, despite the bad spring
weather, promise well. Winter wheat will
give an increased yield in nearly every State
except Indiana, Ohio and New York. The
last-named only will produce much less than
the average Spring wheat is much more
fiattering in its promise. In the great grain
States west of the Mississippi the increase
is especially marked, in some cases as much
as 80 per cent In some Of the old grain
States other grains are replacing wheat
barley, oats and rye especially. In all these
large increase in acreage is reported, and
promises large crop. Insects and rust are
reported in some places, but only in Ten
nessce is much alarm felt. Corn shows
very large increase in nearly every State
where il is cultivated at all. In the North
it shares to some extent in the displacement
of winter wheat, and in the South it is re-
placing cotton TO some extent Emigration
and the pushing of railroad construction are
prominent factors in the increase of the
grain fields.
Cotton is expected to give at least an
average crop. The area devoted to it is
much smaller, floods, a partial abandonment
of the "all.cotton" system, and the inability
OF planters to obtain sufficient supplies work
together to this result. The free use OF fer
tilizers, however, is expected TO keep the
yield up to the average. The planters
throughout the South have been much ham,
pered, also, by the difficulty in obtaining
laborers, The sugar.cane crop is looking
splendidly, exceptin few cases, in some Of
Hooded districts, where it has been killed.
The cultivation of rice is receiving more at
tention, and probably the average crop will
be secured. Tobacco does not show much
change; an increased acreage will be planted
in some Of the Middle and Northern States.
Hay and grass crops have been much in.
Jured throughout the country, and gener-
ally light yield is expected The high
price OF potatoes has led farmers TO devote
an increased acreage TO that vegetable this
year The fruit crops have been the chief
sufferers. Frosts have somewhat damaged
peaches and small fruit in Virginia, Mary
land and Delaware and the Hudson valley.
Other fruits will give an average yield, ex.
cept perhaps cherries. The dairy inter.
ests in the North and East are receiving
more attention, and, with Embarrassing, re-
placing the cultivation of grain. The great
cattle-growing interests Of the West are
most tiourishing, tho mild winter on the
plains having been favorable--Nesc Fork
Times.