The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-09-17
THE GROWING CROPS,
The Monthly Report of the National Dc
partment of Agriculture.

partment OF agriculture.
The September cotton report of the
Department Of Agriculture shows a
prevalence of hot and dry weather
during August, except in Louisiana,
Mississippi and Florida. a shedding
OF bolls and decrease Of vitality have
resulted quite generally. Drought has
been serious in Texas and Arkansas
and quite general in western Tcnncs-
sec, southern Alabama, Georgia and
the Carolinas. The caterpillar has
caused much damage in southern Tex
as, Arkansas and in central and south
crn Alabama. Its prevalence is noted
throughout central and southern Geor-
gla with small effect as yet. The boil
worm is causing much damage in the
black belt of Alabama and in Arkan-
sas and Texas. The condition has
dccllEcd in every State. The average
is 81 against 1G4 in August. Last year
IT was 81 in September and 81 in Au-
gust. The present average is two
points average above the September
average of 10 years. The figures for
the several States arc as follows: Vir-
ginia SO, North Carolina Sc, Soutl,
Carolina SS, Georgia 81, Florida 90,
Alabama So, Mississippi 80, Louisiana
80, Texas 50, Arkansas SO, TENNESSEE
81. Generally the plants are vigorous
and capable, with favorable autumn
weather, Of ample growth and boil
development. In the districts most
infested with cotton worms the loss is
irrcparablc and still threatening.
The condition of spring wheat has
been impaired since the lst of August
in the Northwest, the district of prin.
cipal production. Heavy rains were
followed by extreme heat between the
lst and middle Of August, just before
harvest, ShrivclinG the grain and caus-
ing rust. Heavy wind storms pros-
tratcd and injured large areas. In
Nebraska there is some complaint of
smut and little Dakota. Chinch bugs
have done some damage in Winconsin
and Minnesota. The injury was great
cr III August than in July. The aver
ages are: Wisconsin II, Il loss Of s
points; Minnesota 7S, loss of 5
points; Dakota 96, loss Of i points
Iowa IS, loss Of 7 points. Northern
New England, Colorado and the Ter
ritOrles are nearly or quite up to 100.
The general average for all spring
wheat is SG!, against 9j in August.
The crop Of last was l5G,0 100000 bush
els. Returns of winter wheat are
almost identical in results with those
OF July. There is n slight advance in
Michigan, Texas, Maryland and some
other States and Il point or two of
decrease in several. The general
| average is G5.9, against G5 in July.
| Except as tho result Of thrcshing NAV
change present expectations the winter
wheat area may be placed at 217, ,OOO,-
900 bushels and the remaining area
about l3i 100000. If the injuries re-
ported in the stock should prove TO be
greater than is at present apparent a
few millions OF reduction might still
! accrue.
The condition of corn still continues
high, ranging from 80 to 100 in State
averages. The general average is 95,
against 9G in August. 1t was last vcal
94 in September. Frosts have wrought
very little injury and will be capable
OF little if deferred ten days. Tho
prospect is still favorable for GRO,
slightly above an average.