The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-05-17
CROP REPORT.
Issued by the State Department of
Agriculture.
ANSWERS, SUGGESTIONS.
Showing Areas Planted, Condition 81
Growing Crops and Other Matters
of Interest Relating to
Agriculture.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
ATLANTA, May /, 1894.


age compiled by the first of May is in
many respects incomplete, yet contains
sufficient information to be of benefit in
arriving at more accurate data later in
the season.
1t is the intention of the department,
as provided by law under this branch of
the report, to secure statistics of our
agricultural products for later compila-
ton. With this end in view we request
the reporters who have SO efficiently
served the department, to make their
inquiries as extended as possible with
the purpose of getting statistics that
will be practically correct.
COTTON.
In regard to our staple crop of cotton
it is gratifying to Iote that a small re-
duction in acreage is reported. While
it would have been pleasing to record a
marked decrease in acreage, yet the fact
that the steps taken in the last few
years to make cotton an independent
money crop have not been retraced is
cause for congratulation. 1t will be
seen from the tabulated statement that
the condition and prospect compared to
an average of five years for the state IS
9 per cent below the average, and that
this decrease in prospect is most marked
in Southwest Georgia, while Middle
Georgia shows a condition nearly equal
to the average of the last five years.
Throughout the state the crop is from 10
to 10 days late, and where the plant is
up many imperfect stands are reported.
Several years have marked an increase
in the acreage devoted to the corn crop
and we trust the future will see no ret
repression IN this respect, and that the
self sustaining farmer may be soon
found all over Georgia. The condition
of the crop, owing to the cold weather
the latter part of March and the first of
April, is about 6 per cent below an
average of the last several years. Owing
to the advanced condition of the crop in
Southwestern Georgia the decrease in
condition from the cold weather is
greater in that than in anyother section
of the state.
WHEAT.
AS with corn, an increase in the acre
age devoted to this cereal is shown. In
the corresponding report for last season
we were pleased to note an increase in
acreage in the same crop and to state
that the previous falling off in acreage
promises to be recovered. All North
Georgia and much of Middle Georgia is
or ~ hi
care should be taken in its cultivation. -
present prices are not remunerative, but
in rotation of crop looking to the up
building and preservation of the land, it
can very properly find place. During
the year in the reports of the depart
ment we have on several occasions
called attention to the best methods of
fertilizing and of cultivating this crop,
which we hope has received the atten-
ton of our farmers.
No change in the acreage devoted to
this crop for the entire state is shown.
Southwest, Middle and East Georgia
show a slight gain which is lost in the
other sections of the state. For the en-
tire state the condition and prospect
AAA"J w AOSoANSN 40 pOOAs
FRUIT.
Our rapidly developing horticultural
interest has suffered this spring the
greatest disaster of this character per-
haps that the state has ever passed
through. Certain it is that there has
never been such a wholesale destruction
of the fruit crop since this interest de-
veloped beyond the orchard for home
use. While the destruction has been SO
great and the loss SO heavy, yet those
engaged in the business are not disheart-
ened, as they recognize the fact that SO
severe freeze is indeed a rare occur
renee in Georgia.
In some localities few peaches will
be made, and moderate gathering of
apples may be expected.
GRASSES.
The meadow lands throughout the
state are In fine condition, and interest
in forage crops is developing.
LABOR.
Labor conditions remain about the