The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-06-05
THE CROP SITUATION.
Monthly Bulletin From the Depart
meat of Agriculture.

The following summary OF the crop
situation, issued by Commissioner
Goodwin, is based upon reports from
ninety-five out of the ninety-siX cOuG-
ties of the State, and of average date
May 20.
The dry weather of this month, fol-
lowing upon the continuous wet sea-
son of the early spring, has injured
all spring planted crops.
Wheat is unusually fine in nearly
all Sections, the condition for the cen-
trail basin being 81, and for the State
49, Several causes, however, have
conspired to lower the cOIuition since
the April report. Rust has appeared
in many fields, but at time Of report
was mostly confined to the blade.
While the damage is uncertain, the
crop is now far advanced, and injury
will probably not be very great.
Wheat has maintained its condition
during the dry weather better, per-
haps, than any other crop. The dry
season, however, broken only by To-
cal rains, still continues at this date
May 80 nd the Probabilities are
that the yield will lie shortened by
the drOuUh. some damage by frost
in extreme Eastern counties. In
sects have also appeared in some
fields. But despite these causes,
which have reduced the condition
per cent. since last report, the condi-
lion is still excellent, and as harvest
time is near good Iyield is almost
assured.
The condition of oats, especially OF
the spring-sown crop, is very low,
and in some localities the crop will
be almost an utter failure. Winter
oats have not suffered so much as
that sown this spring. The present
unpromising condition, together with
| the reduced acreage noted in our last
report, indicates that the total yield
will be very small.
Young clover and grasses have suf-
fered very seriously from drought
| The crop to be harvested has also
| been cut short TO some extent. Pas
| turage has been fine but is beginning
| to fail. ,-.
| The stand of corn is reported me
dunn to good, but cool winds and
lack of moisture have retarded
/ growth. The crop is well worked,
| however, and with favorable condi-
tions, will grow off we'll. Much OF
the crop was, at date of report, still
come too hard to break until rain,
The prevailing scarcity and high
price of corn has led to larger acreage
in the western division, and this will
be still further increased by the
ploughing up of cotton and seeding
land to corn.
The outlook for the cotton crop is
not promising. The stand is almost
universally reported bad, and this is
attributed TO three causes: The
faulty seed planted, the dry and
cloddy condition of the soil, and the
low temperature. Many farmers
have plOwed up and planted again,
while others have plowed up ana
planted to corn, as mentioned above
Irish potatoes have suffered con
siderably from drought, and full
yield can hardly be expected:
Some tobacco set about the 18TH
Plants generally plentiful and
healthy, and with favorable seasoI
for planting acreage will be full oil
increased.
Peaches in western and middle di.
visions are plentiful, aud in gooo
condition, but damaged by frost IL
eastern counties. The prospect fol
the apple crop is not so promising
Damage by insects reported from
some sections, and apples falling of
Strawberries have yielded fairly
well, sales have been satisfactory
and the season has been profitable
one for those engaged in raising thi'
berry for market. Acreage increased