The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-21
WEEKLY WEATHER CROP Bull
LETIN
For the Week Ending Saturday, July II,
1896.

1896.
CENTRAL OFFICE, Raleigh, N. @.
The reports of correspondents of the
Weekly Crop Bulletin, issued by the
North Carolina Climate and Crop Ser
vice, for the week ending Saturday,
July 4-h, 1896, are very unfavorable.
The chief feature for the week was the
excessive rain fall, which averaged for
the State N IRE than 90 inches above
the normal for the week, and in the
Central district more than 90 above
the normal. The streams overfoWed
their banks from the French Broad to
the Cape Fear and the Roanoke, and
did an amount of damage to loWland
crops, which is difficult to estimate,
though it is hoped the extent of injury
has been exaggerated. The tempera
ture was slightly below the normal; the
amount of sunshine very much so.
EASTERN DISTRICT. past week
has been very unfavorable nearly
throughout the whole district. Rain
occurred on every day of the week,
and on the 8th in conjunction with
high winds. The precipitation was
very excessive; all low ground was
covered with water, and streams over
flowed banks, destroying many low
crops. Grass is gaining again very
rapidly as no work could be done dur
ing the week. So far cotton has not
been greatly damaged, a little shedding
of forms is reported, some turning vel
low and some little damage occurred
by wind. The crop is running up fast
in south portion of district there are
plenty of half grown bolls. Corn suf-
fered more severely. Considerable
corn was reported blown down by high
wind on the 8;h, and many lowland
crops destroyed along streams. Corn
and cotton were in good rows which
helped water to ruu off. Damage is
probably overestimated at present.
Tobacco curing progressing very well.
Sweet potatoes fine. Peanuts being
hilled. In northern counties of the
district where this is third or fourth
week of too much rain, farmers are
much discouraged. Elsewhere general
conditions still very favorable.
CENTRAL DISTRICT. The crop pros,
poets have retrograded considerably.
The area of heaviest rain fall centered
over the counties of Anson, Randolph,
Alamance, Guilford and Stokes. Storms
and fl pods did much damage, particu,
larly on the 8sh;' lands were badly
washed; many bridges swept away and
some crops damaged by winds. Cot
ton is running up very fast and shed,
ding some lower leaves and fruit, but
generally outlook continues fine; pick
ing will probably begin early in August.
Corn in bottom lands flooded to top of
stalk and difficult to estimate damage
much of it may be completely de
stroyed. Outside of slight additional
damage by wind, the rain has benefited
crops. Early corn practically made
and yield will be above average. Sweet
potatoes best for several years. Some
oats and wheat in shock washed away,
and oats uncut beaten down and
tangled in north portion. Tobacco also
damaged to some extent by excessive
rain; running up too tall, looks fine,
however Grapes doing we'll.
WESTERN DISTRICT. Rain occurred
on every day this week except one (95h)
the total amount being very large.
Freshets did great damage to crops in
lowlands and many upland farms were
badly washed. The ground had been
go softened by previous rains that corn
was loose and much was blown down
and uprooted by the gale on the 8Eh,
but some is Strengthening up again.
The chief damage was caused by the
overflow of the streams, and the injury
can hardly as yet be estimated, but
will probably be less than expected.
Cotton is growing up rapidly and con-
tinues to l ok exceptionally fine, but
needs more sunshine. Some oats, wheat
and rye in shock carried away in bot
tom lands, and what was not is sprout
ing badly. Hay considerably dam
aged. Farm work was stopped during
the week. A period Of fair weather
and sunshine is badly needed.