Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-07-06
Monthly Crop Report.


AGRICULTURE, llORGlNC LIlRE
AND STATISTICS,
FRANKFORT, KY, july |, IS
The reports of so counties have
been received, embracing every sgri-
culture section of State. The reports
date from the 10Th to the 2Sth orJune,
and average about the sd. AT the
time many of them were made up,
sInlc parts Of the State were suffering
from drouth of about six weeks
duration, and embraced very crili-
cal period of the growth OF many OF
our crops. The spring being late,
and remarkably cool, with drouth
added,wa well enough for wheat, but
was well night ruinous TO the grass
cs, clover and garden products. But
in the meantime, farmers were Gull
uvatiug the soil and when the bless
ed rains came the ground stirred, the
crops were clean, and are now rapid
Jy growing out Of their stunted state.
With an average, season from now
on they will approximate good av-
Cragc except as TO grasses and clover
winch had been partially killed by
drOuth last summer and this spring.
Tue wheat, in many sections, was
thin on the ground, caused by the |
lrtezes OF last winter, but the yield is
good one, with full, plump berry,
and very little complaint of cheat, |
lust or smut.
The corn crop is now verp promis-
ing, having good stalk aud a fine
dark green color.
The tobacco crop has been the sub
jccI of much comment and u variety
oi opinions.
The tobacco section lying generally
west of the l.. Il n. Railroad has been
much more scasonable, especially III
the southwestern part of the State,
than the section lying generally cast
of that line of road. In the Western
Division but little complaint was
made as to plants, and the crop
is reported an average, with a good
stand, and in good condition. In the
central aud cas- ern parts of the State
they had great complaint of the scar
CITY of plants, amt were generally
subjected to the drouth, and, at the
time the rain began, had about 30
per cent. of an average ON the hill.
The increase in acreage and condition
since the rain will be considerable.
The increase in acreage will depend
more on the ability to get plants than
anything es3.
The fruit crop is large one.
The condition Olive stock has been
impaired by scarcity Of food.
All things taken together, the far
ncr has cause of congratulations.
The reports in reference to com.
mercial fertilizers are decidedly con,
llcling. In some counties they are
quite popular and thtir use increas.
ing, while in others, just the reverse
is the fact. Their use in the culture
Of wheat seems TO return better re.
suits than in thai of tobacco; but al
agree that the fertilizing materia
should be thoroughly incorporated
witty the soil before seeding or plant
ing.
We call attention TO the results oil
schedule 3, giving comparative acre
age Of tobacco, corn and wheat. Any
discrepancy occurring in the in
creased acreage on tobacco, wheat
and corn, and the size of the crop OF
general average, may be accounted
Tor on the ground of larger number
of reports for schedule 3 being sen
from sections more favored with COCO
seasons. | have sent out letters Of
inquiry to large number of farmers
and the answers received from al
sections to schedule give the com
parative acreage in tobacco, wheat
and corn as follows;
TOBACCO.
Number of acres planted by 81
farmers in 1856, 5.25l in 1887; 1897
in 1883, 1888.
WHEAT.
Number of acres sowed by So.
farmers in 1887, lG,0j9; in 1888, II,
339
Number of acres planted by 81.
farmers in 1856, 1892; in 1883, 81,
532.
Following is the general STATE
average of crops, live stock, etc
Schedule ono will appear in the All.
nual report:
AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LIVE STOCK AMI
AVERAGE SIZE OF CROPS.
Horses, 90; mules, 81; cattle, 9S
hogs, So sheep, so; poultry, 30; bees
80; corn, 90; wheat, IS; rye, 50; bar
icy, 20; oats, 90 sorghum, 100; hemp
IS; flax, So; clover, n; grass, 90; TO-
bacco, 30; potatoes, 80; apples, 100
peaches, 100; pears, 100; grapes, 100
berries, 100; garden products, 100
dairy products, 0S.
PRESENT CONDITION.
Horses, 80; mules, 80; cattle, 90
hpgs, 81: sheep, 100; poultry, l0l
,,ces, l0j corn, 9j wheat, So; rye,
So; barley, Sc oats, Is sorghum, 90
hemp, 90; flax, &c; clover, Gj; grass,
20; tobacco, So potatoes, 50; apples,
30; peaches, l0j; pears, S5; grapes,
%; berries, 100; garden products, % ;
dairy products, Oh.
Respectfully,
CHAs y. WILSON,
Commissioner of Agriculture.