Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-09
CROPS IN THE STATE.
What is shown by the Months Return
to the Department of Agriculture.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ATLANTA, GA, Oct. 9th. 1888.
lhe uhlaN0raDle conditions affecting
crop prospects in the State have contjn.
| uc1' win lew exceptions, since the date
oil last report. There has been no general
rain, and only very partial showers. in
most sections. The growing season. now
! drawing to close, has been remarkable
in this, that there has been no general
RAIN, reaching over the entire State, since
April 23d. In different sections of the
State, and at different times, the prevail
ing drought was broken once or twice.
but In some localities there has not been
good season since the date lust mem
TONED. 1t is well said, by one of the cor
respondents, that the year has been one
OF succession of long drOughts and in
tensely hot spells. Even where the rains
have fallen, they have not, as a rule. been
followed up orrepeated at short intervals.
and, consequently, have only saved the
leading crops from total failure.
COTTON.
The prospect of the cotton crop has
steadily diminished since September Ist.
AT that date the estimates Of correspond
ents were affected to some extent and
justly by reasonable auticipatlons Of fa-
Norable weather. The few showers that
| occurred in most places during the first
ten days of August induced 4 second
growth OF the plants that gave promise of
| adding materially to the yield. But the
recurrence and continuance Of dry wealth
er throughout September has DESTROYED
these hopes, in great part.
In southern embracing South
west, East and Southeast Georgia-the
caterpillar has materially damaged the
crop, i'll some localities 30 per cent.
Ihe prospective yield compared to an
average crop, as shown by districts, and
4 rfl fllrTr,
lows North Georgia. 50. Il loss OF IL
points; Middle Georgia, 80. loss of
points; Southeast Georgia, 80, a loss of 4
poiHts; East Georgia, 90, loss of 3
points; Southeast Georgia, "A, a loss Of IA
points; the whole State, g. loss of s
points.
The season has been very favorable for
gathering the crop, and this circumstance
VIII generally favOrably affect the esti-
mates. The crop, however, will be nearly
all harvested by the middle of October.
In the last report the opinion was ey
pressed that the cotton crop of Georgia
cannot, in any event, exceed 70 per cent.
oil an average crop, with the probabilities
very strongly in favor of a lower figllre''
ms statement was intended TO be very
guarded, and after making a liberal al
lOwance for seasonable and otherwise
favorable fall, including the circumstance
OF Il late frost. These conditions have
not occurred with full force, and late
irost cannot now very materially affect
the result.
CORN
While the prospect Of the corn crop va
ries slightly from last report i'm three of
the sections of the State the general re-
suit Is unchanged. the prospect being es-
tlnated at I6 per cent. Of an average.
OATS.
The fall has not been generally favora-
bic for sowing grain, being too dry: but
the indications point to the sowing of a
larger area in oats than ever has occurred
in the history of Georgia.
PORK HOGS.
The incidental reports from nearly every
section of the State Indicate a much larg-
er number of pork hogs on hand for WIN
ter killing than usual. The only difficulty
apprehended is the want of food for fat
teOinV.