The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-29
A BRACE OF REPORTS.
WEATHER AND CROP OUTLOOK FOR
TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI.
A Mild Winter and Superb Spring Most
Favorable to all the Interests of the
Farmer-Director Fuiton's Mississippi
Weather Bulletin.

riculture OF Tennessee, has issued the fol-
lowing crop report for the month OF April.
THE report now published is based
upon returns from 476 correspondents, in
ninety-two counties OF the State.
The mild winter, followed by spring
weather rarely equaled even in this State,
has been most favorable to all the interests
oil the farmer. In some localities the soil
has been too dry to facilitate planting, and
oats, clover, and the grasses are appar-
emily q little backward. The area thus
affected is small. A deficiency OF rainfall
is reported in all sections of the State, but
there is so iar no complaint OF drouth.
''The acreage Of the growing wheat crop
is per cent. less than that Of 1888, and
corresponds almost exactly with the acre
age seeded last fall. Damages by freezing
or flood have been improbable. Pres
ent conditions OF the fields is better now
than that Of last year, and prospects for
large yield are 6attering. Damage by the
fly 10 a very small exten. is reported from
three counties in East Tennessee, ten coun-
ties in Middle Tennessee, and three coun-
ties in West Tennessee. The Commits
sioner counsels waichfulness on the part
OF farmers, that this pest OF the wheat
fields be not allowed TO increase in num-
bers.
The average Of the corn planted up to
the Goth OF April, the date oil the returns,
| is somewhat larger than nj the same date
last year. Soil has been in excellent order
for the operation Of breaking narrowing
and planting. termination has been some
| what slow, but ut this date fair stands
have been Secured in almost every instance.
Injury by cut worms has been 30 far insig-
| niiicant.
''0ais are deservedly coming more into
favor. The increase OF the acreage means
not only more oats, but more clover, the
seeding OF the latter upon the newly sown
oat land usually resulting in n good catch.
'fhe growth OF clover, the meadow and
pasture grasses has been exceptionally carly
and luxuriant.
Cattle, horses and mules are everywhere
in excellent condition, and except in a very
few sections much hay and other forage is
left over in the barns.
"Ihe continual decrease in tho number
Of sheep is TO be regretted. The commits
sioner does not publish the scores OF com.
plants against dogs The farmers have
this matter In their own hands, and will
probably eventually succeed in their re-
itera,ed demands that sheep husbandry
receive the needed protection o. law.
There is u shortage In stock hogs OF s
per cent. in the east division, s per cent
in the middle division, and per cent in
West Tennessee. Hog cholera, so-called
has prevailed throughout the winter in
Il A. q
three in West, and ten counties in East
Tennessee. Much OF the mortality among
hogs is attributable to the unsound corn
fed TO them In the late fall and during the
winter but il is undoubtedly true that
cholera among hogs has become endemic,
so that only iayoring conditions are re-
quired TO develop IL. Every farmer should
Immediately burn any hog dying OF any
cause whatever, and so put In force the
only effective measure for Kidding the State
OF this terrible drain upon our resources.
Tho law upon this subject, passed by the
present Legislature upon the earnest solic-
itation OF the Commissioner, will. Il Is
hoped, be carefully observed"
The statistical table showing condition
Of crops and live stock, also average wages
OF farm hands, up TO April 20, gives the
following for West Tennessee: Wheat,
acreage 80, condition lOi; oats, acreage
lO6, condition lO2; clover, acreage 100,
condition lO1; grass, acreage lOl. con-
dition lO2; corn, acreage lO2, condition
100; mich cows, number 100, condition
i0i; other caltls, number 20, condition
100, horses and mules. number l0l, con-
dition l0l; sheep, number 30, condition
30; hogs, number l02, condition lO3;
average wages OF farm hands, with board,
sll.O3, without board $3.50. The latter
IL away ahead OF the other two great
divisions OF the State, and. the crop and
live stock average are about the same.