The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-09-23
WEATHER CROP BULLETIN,

Excepting showers early in the
week in the extreme east portion of
the State, the past seven days were
hot, dry and sunsliny, the tempera-
ture averaging some five degrees above
the normal for this season of the year,
and reaching maximums in the COS
and in some eases neal the 1909 mark.
The rains reported for the week end
ing 3 p. m, of 18th were as follows /:
Amite .O6 of III inch ; Lafayette a
sprinkle, New Orleans IS, Baton
Rouge a sprinkle, Covington 1.S5, and
no rain at the remaining stations re-
porting by telegraph.
Under the influence of these wealth
er conditions cotton picking progress
ed quite favorably, the cotton contin-
uing to open rapidly. The same re-
auctions (25oIo or mOre) are again re-
ported from correspondents 10 the
cotton growing sections of the State,
and it is therefore evident that the
yield of cotton for the State at large
will be about three-fOurths of an av-
erage crop, OF slightly above, slnce
the untoward conditions did not affect
the mere central and southern parish
es as greatly as farther north.
The lack of moisture in the north
western parishes (some localities hav-
ing had no rainfall to an appreciate
amount for many weeks) has had a
disastrous effect on vegetation OF all
ki0ds, and even stock water is now
becoming scarce. Peas, potatoes and
fall gardens are suffering markedly
from this drouth, and cotton has fall
en- off in development to some extent.
The picking of the staple is gener-
ally keeping pace with the opening of
the crop, and while in some sections
picking is estimated to be about COM
pleted by October 18th, yet November
1st will prob ably see but little left in
the fields in any section of Louisiana.
The crop is from One-half to three
fourths open at date. Worms have
damaged cotton during the past week
ID some of the southern parishes, some
fields being entirely stripped of
leaves.
Corn is not yielding we'll in the
more northern parishes ; it is better
in the central parishes, and by far the
best in the southern.
Rice cutting is progressing tavora-
bly,, and young rice is heading rapid
ly. The damage from the storm will
hardly be as great as that reported
last week, the reports this morning
having improved in tone.
Cane, as anticipated, shows a mark
ed improvement during the week :;
that blown down by the storm of 9Th
9Th has Strengthened up and at pre-
sent shows but little damage, if any,
therefrom.
Plantation work in the sugar region
is well advanced. Fall ploughing and
planting are being pushed and the
land is in excellent condition.
Rain is needed in the more western
and northwestern parishes of the
State, and showers throughout the
central parishes would be beneficial.
ROBERT E. KERKAM, Director.
New Orleans, September 18th, 1898.
Note : Telegraphic advices received
this date from surrounding states
shows that the drouth in Texas con-
tinues severe ; that c)tton is being
rapidly picked and that there ia little
chance for a top crop in many sections
ct the state as the plant is dying.
The yield In Texas is estimated at
about one-third of q bale per acre.
In Arkansas the crop of cotton will
be much short OF an avnrage the sta
pie is opening rapidly and picking is
becoming general.
In the east portion of the cotton
belt the conditions at date are gener-
ally unfayorable and picking Is pro-
crossing slo WY. r. E, K.