Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-09-04
COTTON.
Even With an UnexcepiionaIlJ FeEora-
bic Fall the Crop VIII Fall Short
Of Last Years Yield.


NEW York, Sept. S.--From replies L
letter OF inquiry sent BY Richard II. Aller
& Co. to every county In the cotton belt
the following report as to the growing
crop Is made up
There was slight Increase in acreage
west Of the Mississippi, which was subse
uuently more than Offset by the number
OF acres abandoned In Louisiana and the
states east OF the Mississippi. Planting
ia the greater part OF the Mississippi val.
lev was retarded about two weeks by
heavy rains, and in considerable part OF
IL, by 0yerhows, and this lost time has moi
been recovered. Planting was otherwise
generally seasonable.
TEXAS, ARKANSAS AND INDIAN TERRITORY.
In Texas early conditions were very
favorable. II was little dry In some sec
lions In April and May, causing part OF
the seed TO lie In the ground dormant UNI
Gil June, and then coming up, TO form a
late crop Rains were from the begin
ming OF the season deficient In the West
and especially northwest, though there
was sufficient moisture TO keep the plant
healthy and slowly growing. In the
greater part OF the state the weather Of
June and the first half OF July was most
favorable, and cultivation kept pace with
II. The plant was vigorous and healthy,
and was satisfactorily frutIng Rains
ceased about the middle OF July, and
while the plant did not suffer up
10 August l., II was then needing
rain. Dry, hot winds, lasting
from two 10 three weeks, striking
II at this critical juncture, suddenly ar
rested for that length OF time the growth
and development OF the plant. Whilst
there have been partial rains since the
10th OF August In localities, and the tenn
peratnre has slightly declined, conditions
have been little improved. Considerable
shedding and rust are reported. The
p ant having been checked In its growth
and greatly damaged, took on little or no
fruit In August. Where rains have fallen
there will be some late fruit, especially
on the late cotton but the "bottom CROP
made early In the season will constitute
the bulk Of the Texas crop. storm on
the gulf coast on August 20 ruined the
crop in that locality, but ii is small
factor In the aggregate result The
yield OF this staple promises to vary little
from last years.
Ia Arkansas and the Indian Territory
similar conditions have prevailed, with
slight variations, as in Texas. They have
suffered less from drought. In Arkansas
planting was delayed by overnows in por-
lions OF the river bottoms, making crops
in those localities on an average about
two weeks late. The plant on the sandy
lands has been greatly damaged by
drought, and little more Is expected of il /;
whilst the low lands, especially from the
Arkansas river north, under the
influence OF recent rains, Indicate very
heavy crop. Arkansas and the Indian
Territory promise, with late fall, an in.
creased yield Of 10 to 20 per cent over
last year.
Louisiana and the states east of the
Mississippi river Up TO July the rains
were excessive In these states and con.
tlnued over most Of this section TO the
middle OF July, causing much damage
The lowlands were drowned out aud
proper cultivation was generally impos
sible There was much Injury from grass
and weeds and considerable land was
abandoned. The stands were thnned In
the effort, TO extirpate the grass. The
plant was left generally small and sappy,
and the condition was anything but salts.
factory. The season succeeding this
period OF rain, whilst reported by many
AS favorable, was in the main too hot and
dry, extending well into August, and fol-
limited period assuming the proportions
OF drought, causing much shedding OF
the July fruit.
In the Carolinas and Georgia the sandy
soils especially suffered, being generally
remarked on as promising very poor re
suits. The clay lands, when properl,
cultivated, have stood the adverse sea
sons better, and, though greatly re
tarded, show marked Improvement O.
late and are now doing well
taking on fruit heavily In August
and with late favorable season promls
ing a fair yield. Owing TO excessIy,
rams and low temperature there wa,
comparatively little fruit taken on up K
the last OF July, and the subsequent shed
ding OF u large portion Of this through
the influence OF the dry, hot weather
suddenly following the ralny be
Rod, leaves us dependent almos
entirely on the fruit made after August |
aud while there was an unusually heay,
iruitagc In August, II Is hard to accom-
plish two months work in thirty days
The crop is reported from ten DAYS 4
four weeks late, most OF It averaging two
TO three weeks late. Assuming fayora
bic and very late fall, small number no
port the promised yield better than las
year, many expect about as much az las
year, but the greater number, though
feeling greatly encouraged by the rapi(
improvement made In August, despair o
obtaining last years Yield, Much dam
age Is feared from worms In many locali
ties They have appeared in some places
but slight damage is yet reported.
tennessee and adjoining sections o
other states report the best prospects.
Last years crop was about six anC
one.half million bales.
larger proportion OF this crop tina,
usual Is subject TO serious disaster from
an early frost. Win an exceptionall,
iavorably fall six and one-fourth millions
Is possibility with an uniavorable sea
son the crop may fall considerably undel
six million bales.