The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-23
COTTON HURT BY The COLD.
Replanting May Be Necessary in
Some Parts Of GEORGIA.

The Mercury as Low as SO Degrees in
North Georgia Saturday Night The
Fact That 1t Was Cloudy and
Windy All That Kept Away De-
struotive Frosts-A Possibility That
RetardinR VIII Be the Only Effect.
Atlanta, Ga, May 22.-It looks as if the
recent blizzard did considerable damage
to crops The official report of the
weather bureau issued to-day gives the
following estimate of the crop condition
Saturday night the mercury ranged from
S67 in the north to 49, in the southern
section of the state Happily it was
cloudy and windy, else destructive frosts
would certainly have occurred over the
northern half Of the state, As it was the
high cold wind caused the leaves of cot
ton and other tender plants to shrivel
and die. 1t is yet too early to
say how much permanent damage has
been done. as time alone can show
whether the plants will again put out.
It seems probable, though, that not a
great amount of cotton has been actually
killed. and that the chief effect will be a
reJardation of its growth.
"Reports received from the northern
section indicate a very discouraging
state ofaffairs The early part of the
week was favorable for the rapid growth
of vegetation and the advancement of
farm work, but on the 18th the weather
turned cold and windy, with heavy rain,
and, in some localities, sleet and hail,
which put stop to cotton chopping and
injured the crop greatly.
The DAMAGE SERIOUS.
''Many planters fear that much cotton
has been killed and will have to be re
planted, while all agree that the damage
is serious. At present the full effects of
the cold and unfavorable weather can
scarcely be accurately estimated.
Corn still appears to be in fair con-
dition and not greatly injured by the cold.
Damage to cotton is reported all
through the northeast section Of the state.
The extent of the damage cannot be esti-
mated as yet. Tt will take warm, sun
shiny weather to tell whether the plant
will revive. Many farmers think replant-
ing will he necessary, but there are
some unfortunate ones who have not the
means at hand to procure more cotton
seed. The leaves have been withered and
killed on much of the early cotton, but
there are hopes that the bud still has life
and that warm weather will start the
growth of cotton anew.
IN WESTERN GEORGIA.
"Many of the farmers of Western Geor-
gia are badly frightened about their cot
ton crop. Cotton was coming along
pretty we'll was nearly chopped out and
the stands were good. The cold weather
during the last few days has
completely reversed the cotton as
the plant looks scorched. Some say that
portion of the cotton crop has been
killed outright and that more of the crop
will die. Farmers are waiting for
warmth and sunshine to determine the
extent of the injury to cotton. 10
Crops were booming in the central
counties until the cold northwest winds
at the end of last week brought the
weather of higher ana colder latitudes
into Georgia. The cotton crop is the one
that has suffered most from the change
Fall oats are ready for the scythe, and in
a few places, have been cut. Corn is small,
but is doing well and has good color
"A great many potato slips have been
set out since the rain
Even in the southern section of the
state the cold weather has retarded crop
growth. NO apparent injury has been
done to cotton and other crops. as a rule,
other than to make the growing season a
late one.
The weather In the southeastern coun-
ties, although unseasOnably cold during
the last half of the week. has on the
whole been rather favorable for crops.
Besides the injury to cotton the recent
cold winds have played havoc with the
growing garden truck
Beans, cucumbers, squash and water
melons have all been damaged. Corn is
thought 10 be in better condition than all
other crops