Savannah morning news., 1885-09-11
A MONTH IN THE FIELDS.
AUGUST EFFECTS A DECLINE IN
COTTON'S AVERAGE.

The Pre0nt Figures Two Points Above
Any September in the Past Ten Years
Georgia Rated at 81, Florida at 90, and
South Carolina at SS.
WASHINGTON, sept. 10.-The Septem-
Der cotton report of the Department OF
Agriculture shows the prevalence of hot
and dry weather during August, except
in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.
Shedding Of bolls and decrease Of vitality
have resulted quite generally. Drought
has been serious in Texas and Arkansas,
and quite general in Western Tennessee,
Southern Alabama, Georgia and the
CarOlinas. CHterpillars have caused much
damage in Southern Texas, Arkansas,
and in Central and Southern Alabama.
Their prevalence is noted throughout
Central and Southern Georgia with
small effect as yet. The boil worm
ls causing much damage in the black belt
OF Alabama and Arkansas and Texas.
The condition has declined in every State.
The average is 81 against 06H in August.
Last year it was 81 In September, and 81
in August. The present average is 2
points above the September average of 10
years. The figures for the several States
are as follows: Virginia, So; North Caro-
lima, S6; South Carolina. SO; Georgia, 81 !;
Florida, 30; Alabama, SS; Mississippi, 80;
Louisiana, 80; Texas, 81; Arkansas. 50 I;
Tennessee, 81. Generally the plants are
vigorous and capable, with favorable au-
tumn weather, Of ample growth and boil
development. In the districts most in
tested with cotton worms the loss is ire
parable and still threatening.
SPRING WHEAT.
The condition of spring wheat has been
ImnQiTAd ho nf A AZ in ~
Northwest, the district Of principal pro-
ducti0n. Heavy rains were followed by
extreme heat between the first and mid
| die of August, Just before the harvest,
shriveling the grain, and causing rust
Heavy wind storms Frustrated and injur b..
ed large areas. In Nebraska there is
some complaint OF smut, and a little in
Dakota. Chinch bugs have done some
damage in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The
injury was greater in August than in
July. The averages are: For Wisconsin,
II, a loss of Spoints; Minnesota 7S, a loss
of 5; Dakota 96, loss of 4; Iowa SS, q
loss of points. Northern New England,
Colorado and the Territories are nearly or
quite up to 100. The general average tor
all spring wheat is S6K against 80 in Au-
gust. The crop of last year was 156,000,-
600 bushels.
WINTER WHEAT.
Inc TNtuTub Ol WluGST W0ehb are almost
identical in results with those Of July.
There is slight advance In Michigan,
Texas, Maryland, andssOme other States,
and a point or two of decrease in several.
The general average is 65.S against 65 in
July.
Except as the result of threshing NAV
change the present expectation, the win
ter wheat area may be placed at l7,0O0,-
600 bushels and the remaining area at
about 134, 100000.
If the injuries reported in stack should
prove TO be greater than at present, APP
parently a few millions ofreduction might
still accrue.
The condition of corn still continues
high, ranging from 80 to 100 in State
averages. The general average is 90,
against So In August. 1t was last year "a
in September. Frosts have wrought very
little injury, and will be capable OF little
IL deferred ten days. The prospects are
still favorable for a crop slightly above an
average.
CROPS DAMAGED BY RAINS.
JACKSON, MISS, Sept. 10.-Heavy rains
to-day have done untold damage to crops,
especially in Yazoo county. The fall OF
water is unprecedented, the overflow
almost washing away fields in some
places. The YaZoO railroad loses several
bridges, and the track is so badly UNDER
mined that no trains can be run TO YazOo
City. The cotton crop will fall far short
of last months estimate, and farmers are
discouraged because OF the gloomy out
look