Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-13
THE CROP REPORT.
what the Forthcoming Report of Com
missioner Henderson Will Show About
the Crops.

| "ha' the EofthcOmIng Report of Com
missioner Henderson Will Show About
the Crops.
The Constitution has secured advanced
sneets OF the forthcoming August crop re-
port OF the Department OF Agriculture. The
Commissioner, In speaking Of cotton, saws
that august has been emphstically a wet
month, and consequently very unfavorable
\ to the healthy growth and fruitage of the
cotton plant, which delights In a compsra-
lively dry climate and a full share of sun
shine. The moist weather which has pre-
vailed throughout the month OF Au-
| gust over the entire State, with
the exception Of single county, Stewart,
Where drought is reported, has induced an
unusual growth of weed, without cores
ponding fruitage, has facilitated the pro-
| psgstioniof the boil worm, and has caused
rust on all light sandy soils, resulting In an
injury to the crop Of II per cent. Rust is
reported on sandy soils in q large number
OF counties Of Middle Georgia, In some In
North Georgia, and as generally prevailing
| In the other sections OF the State, to the
serious injury Of the crop. Indeed, so gen
eral is the prevalence Of rust in the Southern
half Of the State that the approach of the
caterpillar In force Is neither expected nor
dreaded.
The growth Of the weed is so great in
Middle and North Georgia that the destruc-
| ton OF the leaves by the caterpillar would
| likely prove advantageous In admitting the
sun to the bOlls, and thus fastening matu-
rity.
The condition Of the cotton crop of the
! State September 1st, as compared to an av-
erage condition at the same date, was 9S,
In North Georgia 81, in Middle Georgia "a,
in Southwest Georgia 81, in East Georgia 81
and in Southeast Georgia 90. The low con-
| dition in North Georgia and East Georgia,
compared with that Of Middle and South
west Georgia, the two sections which pro-
duee the bulk OF the crop of the State, re-
duees the general average below the truth.
Making due allowance for the greater area
and production Of these two sections, the
average for the State would not be less than
80.
The crop Is reported in many counties
| from three to four weeks late, and hence It
| is still largely dependent upon the weather
and the date Of the first killing frost.
CORN.
| The corn crop is unusually fine in every
section Of the State. Indeed, where it has
been properly cultivated, it is as good as
the land is capablelof producing. In North
| Georgia 1t IS compared to an average crop,
1I6; in Middle Georgia, 1872; in Southwest
| Georgia, us; IN East Georgia, 125, and in
.
/ 12o. This is 80 per cent. higher than last
| wear. The weather has been exceedingly
unfaVOrable for saving fodder, in cOnse-
| quence Of the continued rains throughout
the month Of August. Farmers should Sc
leet seed for the next crop from the stalk
in the field.
SUGAR CANE AND PEAS.
Sugar cane is being gradually introduced
further north. Many farmers in Middle
Georgia are now cultiVating 1t on creek bot
tom lauds with very satisfactory results. 1t
is reported in two counties in North Geor-
| gta, where 1t Is 100 compared to an average
crop. In Mid lie and Southwest Georgia it is
109; In East Georgia Ill In Southeast
| Georgia, 107, and in the whole State, 1O9.
An unusually large area has been planted
In field peas, both for the purpose of har-
vesting the seed and for improving the soil
The evidence Of better appreciation of thiG
crop by the farmers of the State, as mani
tested by their practice this year, is very
gratifying to all who realize the Importance
of improving the soil. Farmers are earn
estly advised to harvest a sufficient quantity
of seed peas, not only for use during winter
at home to give variety to the food of their
stock, but an abundant supply Of seed for
next years planting. Any surplus which
may be on hand in the spring will fad ready
sale at remunerative prices.
1t is very difficult to cure the vines for
hay If cut before portion OF the peas have
ripened. Even then very careful manage
ment is necessary to prevent the loss of the
leaves in curing. To avoid this the vines
should be exposed as little as possible to
the sun. They may be thrown up in very
small cocks-sO small in diameter to admit
of free circulation Of air through them; and, ,
as early as they will admit Of it, they should
be spread In thin layers In an airy barn. II
the barn is not available, rail pens may be
built in the field and the vines placed upon
rails or poles laid across at intervals OF two
feet, commencing one foot from the ground.
The whole should be covered with straw
stalks or plank to shed the water from the
vines.
Compared to an average the crop is re-
ported in North Georgia, 104; in Middle
Georgia, 1l2; 10 Southwest Georgia, 108; in
East Georgia, Ill; in Southeast Georgia, SO,
and in the whole State, los.
SWEET POTATOES.
The growth Of both vines and tubers is
unusually fine. The area planted is large
and the crop very promising. Ii moist
weather continues the potato Will continue
to grow and cause risk of rotting. por-
ton of the vines may now be cut and
fed to milch COWS and pigs with advantage
to the potatoes as well as the stock.
IL the potato does not mature
before frost those who have evapOrators
are advised to dry portion OF the crop and
pack them away securely in dry room in
boxes OF stout paper bags for use next
spring, or for sale If not needed at home.
After washing thoroughly they may be
sliced and dried in the same way that ap-
pies and peaches are. Nearly every varie-
tY Of vegetables may also be evaporated
and stored for winter use more cheaply and
with less risk of spelling than when canned.
Okra and tomatoes may be thus preserved
for use during the winter in that delicious
and peculiarly southern dish, gumbo.
Sweet potatoes are reported in North
Georgia I09 compared TO an average; In
Middle Georgia, ia; in Southwest Georgia,
no. in East Georgia, III; in Southeast
Georgia, II2, aud in the whole State, 113.
This Is q very certain crop, easily produced,
and ordinarily easily kept in the Southern
States. 1t is exceedingly valuable as food
for both man and stock. 1t is more easily
produced than turnips in our climate, and
far more nutritious.
sOReHU UM, CHUFAs, RICH AND TURNIPs,
though less popular than formerly in this
State, still receives considerable attention,
and proves a profitable crop. The use OF
the early amber variety enables the cotton
planter to manufacture his syrup before
cotton picking demands his undivided at
tention.
1t is reported 1O4 In North Georgia, in
Middle Georgia log, in Southwest Georgia
I0l, in East Georgia 102, in Southeast Geor-
gia 1OS, and in the whole State 1O4. This
crop is confined principally to Southwest
and East Georgia, though cultivated TO
limited extent in Middle and Southeast
Georgia. Eight counties in Middle Georgia
report the crop at 103; three counties In
Southeast Georgia report los. In Southwest
Georgia 1t is LOG, in East Georgia Ill, and in
the whole State los. Only one county in
North Georgia reports them cultivated. 1t is
reported In Middle Georgia 9S; in Southwest
Georgia l04; In East Georgia 107, and IN
Southeast Georgia 101 in the whole State
lO2. Owing to the failure caused by the
Drought OF last year, less upland rice than
usual has been planted this season. The
acreage In this crop has no. been increased
by the favoraD.a seasons as much as was ex
pected. In Nort5 Georgia, compared to
that Of last year, the acreage is 100: in Mid
die Georgia It is 102, in Southwest Georgia
100, in East Georgia 104, in Southeast Geor-
gia lO1. and in the whole State 1Ul.
The stand, compared to an average, is in
North, Middle and Southeast Georgia lO2:
in Sou Invest Georgia and East Georgia 81