The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
CROPS IN THE COTTON BELT.
Weekly Report OF the Department Of
Agriculture.

Agriculture.
WASHINGTON, August 1.-THE
weekly weather crop bulletin, issued
by the weather bureau this afternoon,
contains the following:
Virginia-Continued dry, hot wea.
ther has done some damage to late
corn and tobacco; fall ploughing de-
layed; pasturage holding on we'll;
thrashing about finished; hay mostly
secured; fodder pulling becoming
general; soaking rains would be Of
great benefit in all sections.
North Carolina-Intense heat and
drought, causing continuous decline
in conditions of all crops; cotton she'd
ding, plants willing and forming very
little top crop; first new bale this week.
the earliest ever known; late corn will
be failure without rain soon strip.
ping fodder now in progress; tobacco
cures light and THU peas, potatoes and
peanuts still good.
South Carolina-Crops materially
injured by excessive heat; rain over
limited areas only, generally dry; ear
ly corn safe, late drying up; cotton
turning yellow, shedding half grown
bolls anu squares, aEd opening prema-
turely, picking not active; rice excel
lent, beginning to ripen; tobacco cur
ing nicely, but quality Inferior; minor
crops in fair condition.
Georgia-Abnormally high tempera,
ture, lack of rain and excess of sun
shine have injured all growing crops; ;
cotton dropping and turning yellow;
picking in progress; late corn, except
on lowlands, needs rain; pastures and
gardens failing rapidly.
Florida-Not so hot as last week
good showers in some sections, but
unevenly distributed; corn suffering
cotton doing we'll and picking has be,
gun IN western section and will soon
begin ia central districts; ploughing
for fall painting has begun by few;
citrus trees doing we'll.
ma-Prolonged hot and gen.
orally dry weather continues TO injure
cotton, which is shedding badly and
| in some places dropping half grown
bolls. Cotton picking progressing
slowly and prospective yield far below
average; late corn scorching badly,
and cane and sorghum showing signs
of drought, but peanuts and sweet po'
tatoes still promising. .
Misssissippi-Cro as rule still
suffering for moisture; local showers
benefit fall gardens in scattered sec
tons; cotton picking general, but
staple short and tending to decrease
by the drought; corn inferior and gar
den truck damaged. Fodder pulling
progressing; favorable reports receiv'
ed from few localities.
Louisiana-Drought remains un'
broken over large area and cotton CON
tinues failing; more generous rains
over portions of sugar belt, and cane
growing fast, but needs more rain in
localities; rice fair, some cutting; corn
being harvested, good south, poor
north; cotton picking general.
Texas-Hot winds and dry weather
during another week have seriously
in iured cotton over Central and North
Texas, and a general rain is much
needed for the crop in all portions OF
the State; picking is general, much
cotton opening prematurely; the plant
is shedding squares and young bolls
in many sections. and at best the yield
will be below the average; corn gath.
ering has commenced; gardens and
forage crops need rain.
Arkansas-Drought and very hot
weather continued throughout the
week, to the seerious detriment OF all
growing crops. Cotton continues to
shed by squares and the plant is sdying
on the plantations Early corn is a
light yield, and late corn almost a
failure.
Tennessee-Drought with intense
heat causes serious failing in crops,
and especially in western portion,
where it assumes disastrous features.
Worms injuring tobacco, ncessitating
early cutting; early corn fine, late
greatly shortened; much millet and
seed clover. Ploughing practically
suspended.