Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-05-13
THE CROPS IN THE STATE.

The State Department of Agriculture has
received 214 special reports from county and
township correspondents regarding the con-
dition of the crops, &C., of an average date
May l, and furnishes the following summa-
ry OF these reports for publication:
The spring has been cold and generally
unfavorable, retarding farming operations.
During March cold weather and high winds
prevailed. April was more favorable and
farm work progressed rapidly during the
month. Rain was general throughout the
State at the close of the month, greatly ben
eftting all growing crops.
CoTTON.-NCtwithstanding unfavorable
seasons, it is estimated that 81 per cent. of
the cotton crop had been planted by May l.
Early termination of seed has been pre-
vented by cold weather and lack of rain.
Thirty-one per cent. of the crop is "up,"
against 81 per cent. at the same time last
year. The general condition of the crop
is not so good as last year, but an improve
ment is reported since rains in the latter
part of April. The reports indicate a de.
crease of 3 per cent. in the area cultivated
below the acreage of 1885. The use of COM
mercial fertilizers on cotton has been de-
creased II per cent, and 81 per cent. of the
crop has been fertilized with homemade
manures. Cut-worms have partially de-
stroyed stands of early planted cotton in a
few localities, making replanting necessary.
CORN.-Correspondents report that corn
lands have been better prepared and better
fertilized than usual. A large part of the
land originally sown in small grain has
been %repIanted in corn. These lands were
fertilized, and, with ordinarily favorable
seasons, will produce good crops. Some OF
the early planted corn on bottom lands has
been destroyed by Spring freshets. In some
on,.&so {ho wins Stynrn nvRQSCJyn dnrlnp
March, and this followed by dry weather
in April has injured stands. Birds and
worms have been destructive in localities,
but not more so than usual. The acreage will
be increased 3 percent. over'last year. The
general condition of the crop is reported at
95. The stand compared to an average
stand is 81. Fifty-five per cent. of the entire
crop has been fertilized, and 81 per cent. of
this with homemade manures or cotton
seed.
WHEAT.-An improvement is noted in
the condition Of wheat since the April rains,
but it is less promising than last year, when
an usually short crop was harvested. Thu
condition is reported at 40, against Sc on the
1st of May, 1885.
OATs.-A large part of the crop of Fall
sown oats was destroyed by the severe
Winter weather. The condition of Spring
oats is reported at -, against 70 last year,
when the same conditions prevailed as dur
ing the present season, owing to the search
ty of seed of the red rust-proof oats, which
has proved the surest variety in this State:
Other varieties were extensively used and
it is feared that the yield will not be salts
factory even with favorable seasons.
ToBACCO.-While the area in tobacco in
the State is still insignificant, much interest
is shown in the crop, and experiments are
being conducted under the rules Of the
Board of Agriculture by farmers selected to
make the tests and by individuals in every
County. The correspondents estimate that
the entire acreage has been increased 43 per
cent. over last year.
REMARKs.-Less supplies will be pur-
chased this year than last, less commercial
fertilizers have been used, farm stock is in
good condition, fruit crop is promising, and
lands have been we'll prepared for crops.