The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-09
FAIR PROGRESS IN CROPS.
The Drought Thoroughly Broken and
Some Places Get Too Much Rain.

The reports of correspondents OF the
Weekly Crop Bulletin, issued by the
North Carolina Climate and Crop Ser
vice, for the week ending Saturday
June 9th, 1896, indicate in general far
progress in the growth of crops and
in harvesting. The temperature was
below the normal every day, excepting
Sunday MAY 31st) and Saturday (June
6th). but the deficiency was not eN-
cessive and did little damage, except
to retard growth of cotton and cause
little following. The rainfall was
considerably above normal, ana,
though too much rain occurred ut
many places, yet the thorough break
ing of the drought almost everywhere
throughout the State compensates for
any other disadvantages. There was
less than half the normal amount OF
sunshine.
Eastern District-The past week
has been cool and cloudy, with fire.
quent rains, setting in fair and warmer
on Saturday. 1t is still dry over
limited portions Of the middle coast,
but in general, ample rains have fallen
over the district this week. In the
north from Halifax eastward to
Chowan, and especially over Gates
county, there was too much rain,
causing corn to turn yellow and
drowning some on lowIands, besides
making crops very grassy and prevent
ing farm work. In the south daily
gentle rains were just suited for
growth of crops, which progressed
rapidly here and are clean. Corn gen
H. = I'll l.
tassel, and being laid by Cotton in
south looks well and clean, good
stand. first forms reported June End:
in north it is not SO good on account
of cool weather. Lice reported on
cotton in several places. Transplant
ing tobacco over, crop growing wei,
but worms have appeared in abund-
ance. Farmers almost through setting
sweet potatoes. Shipments of irish
potatoes and beans proceeding. Irish
potato crop generally poor; fine tops
but no tubers. Cutting wheat and
planting field-peas now in order.
Blackberries and huclleberries now in
market.
Central District.-Cool and cloudy
weather prevailed, with plenty OF rain
and deficiency of sunshine until Satur-
day. Over most of the district the
rainfall was gentle and beneficial, but
heavy rains washed lands in a few
counties (chiefiy Guilford and Ran
dolph.) Grass is increasing among
crops and farmers are getting behind
with their work, but a week of fair
weather win remedy this state of af-
fairs. Corn is extra promising, and
is being laid by slowly. Harvesting
wheat is in full blast, with crop short
but heads we'll filed; some fields were
tangled by rain and wind, and some
damage by chinch bugs still reported.
Oats apparently not so bad as eX
pected, and spring oats improved dur
ing past two weeks. The greater part
of the cotton crop continues in good
condition, about all chopping, and
forming squares in south; ON light,
thin lands cool nights caused a little
following. Lice reported at many
places. Tobacco nearly all trans
planted, except where drought hither
TO prevented forsyth county,, where
setting is progressing, crop growing
we'll Irish potatoes poor. Sowing
peas on stubble land.
Western District.-Fine rains occur
red on the 3rd and 4th, breaking the
drought almost everywhere, and great
~ DtHeIUlHS an crops. OdlS WtIc iii
proved by the showers, though much
of the crop has been injured beyond
recovery by the drought. Corn and
cotton are doing finely since the rains.
It was a fine season on tobacco plants
recently set out, and also on potato
slips. Rain assisted greatly in bring
ing up late planted cotton. Peas are
being planted in fields now. Grapes
are generally reDOrte1 as doing nicely
Harvesting of wheat was the chief
work of the week; crop short, but
grain good. Rain stopped work, but
crops not suffering for want of cultiya-
ton.