The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-12
Tt E WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
Cool Spell and Dryness Retard Crops
to Some Extent.

Gooi open ana DryneSS Retard Crops
TO Some Extent.
The reports of correspondents of the
| Weekly Crop Bulletin, issued by the
North Carolina Section, for the week
ending Saturday, May 9th, 1896, indi-
gate that less favorable conditions pre-
vailed for the growth of crops on ac-
count of the cool spell on the 18th and
Sth and the continued dryness towards
the end of the week. Favorable rains
fell on the Sd, 18th, 5th and 9th. which
were least in amount in the Western
District; after the 9th cool weather
set in from the northeast, with even
light frost, which damaged cotton to
some extent. Only the 18th and Sth
were below the normal in temperature
and the remainder Of the week was
quite warm. The amount of sunshine
has been in excess of the normal. Ere
quent light rains are needed, especial
~ in the Central and Western District.
Eastern Distriet-First of week
warm, with beneficial rains on Sd and
9th, but decidedly cooler weather set
in on 18th and 8th, with minimum tenn
perature as low as AZ degrees Friday
morning, with light frost in portheast
portion. The latter part of week warm
and dry, and rain is needed again.
Considerable damage to crops was re-
ported by a severe hail-storm in Pam
leo county. The effect of cool wealth
err Thursday and Friday was to retard
growth somewhat, and some cotton
was killed. Planting corn and cotton
practically finished, except what little
replanting may have to be done.
Transplanting tobacco well advanced,
though interrupted by dryness at some
places. Corn looking well and growing
nicely. Shipments of truck and straw
berries continue in large quantities.
Fruit-trees reported to be shedding
considerably.
Central District.-Good rains oc-
Cured Sunday, the 3D., after which
weather remained dry. Many places
are still suffering from drought along
the western border of the district. The
cool weather of the 7th and 9Th stop
ped growth of cotton, but did not in
jnre anything else. Cotton is being
chopped and corn plowed. AS grass
is beginning to make some Roadway,
cultivation is necessary, for which
weather was favorable. Large guam
titles of tobacco have been transplant
ed and are doing well, but dryness lat
ter part of week interrupted this
work; some plants are now oyergrown.
Wheat is heading well, though low.
Sweet potatoes sprouted in beds nice
Is, and transplanting progressing
now. Peach trees are shedding fruit;
Strawberries plentiful, raspberries
ripening. Reports of depredations by
insects were received in large NUM-
bers.
Western District Light local show
ers on 18th and 9Th did great good
where they occurred. Some correspon-
dents report no rain and consequent
suffering of all vegetation 1t seems
that the counties of CabaTrus, Iredell,
Rowan, Surry, Yadl1in and a portion
of Mecklenburg are the worst suffer
ers from drought. Wheat is apparent
III the most seriously injured crop in
the droughty localities. Two CORES
p0ndents report damage bF hail. There
we're two or three cool nights, but the
average temperature for the week was
above normal. Good stands of cotton
and corn are reported from nearly all
places where these crops are mp. Some
are waiting for rain before finishing
planting cotton. 1T was good week
for work and narrowing cotton has
gone on pf1tty generally; also setting
out sweet potato plants, hoeing corn
and blowing. Potato bugs reported
very destructive in several localities.