The Forrest City times., 1897-07-30

Forrest ........................... 036 Fort smith ........... .....-.......... 053 Helena a.......-................. OPS Little Rock ck........................ 0.4 Malvern ...-. ..-- .-+.... OW Newport ............ O.ss Pine Bluff .... ......... 35 Prescott .... ........ None Russell vile 0.aS Warren n.......................... 0.04
 Cotton is generally improved; the plant is small, but it is growing and fruiting we'll and there is but little complaint of shedding.
 Corn has improved wonderfully. and the late planting is now very promis- ing. The early planting was too far gone to recover in some places, while in others it has come out so that fair crop is now indicated.
 Millet, peas, sorghum. sweet potatoes and pastures much improved.
 Fodder pulling has commenced.
 Sharp shooters are reported in Jeffer- son county, they being the only cotton pests reported.
 NORTHEAST SECTION.
 The weekly mean temperature was IT degs. above the normal. while the precipitation was .34 inch less than the normal amount
 Showers have been very local in character and very unevenly distributed but over the greater part of the section sufficient rain has fallen for present needs.
 Cotton has improved generally though a few localities are needing rain. and in parts of Woodruff county excessive rains have caused a very rank growth of the plant, which is going much to weed. The cotton plant generally is small. but fruiting well and very promising at this time. The early corn has been benefited by the showers, but the late corn is much inn proved and is now doing we'll Rains much im- proved millet peas. sweet potatoes and pas lures Fruit damaged by drought Nearly all cotton and corn laid by.
 SOUTHWEST SECTION.
 The mean temperature for the week has averaged 2.S deg. above the normal and the rainfall has been IA less than the average amount.
 While good showers have fallen over the greater part of this section vet there are local- ities, notably in Cleveland county where no rain has fallen. Crops generally much im- proved. Cotton is growing and fruiting well and prospects, are for q fair crop. Late corn is much improved and fine crop is expected: some Of the early planted was too far gone to recover, while in other localities the old corn that was thought to be ruined has recovered and will make fair yield. Stock peas and pastures much improved, and some turnips be- ing sown
 CENTRAL SECTION
 The mean temperature for the week averaged S.5 deg. above the normal. and about the normal amount of rain fell.
 pQiY of It,t .1- have materially improved throughout this sec ton Cotton k growing fine, especially on rfv- CT bottoms: on the uplands rain would be ben ehclaL some shedding reported on uplands and cotton blooming al the top. Sharp shoot CTS reported doing some damage to cotton on the bottom lands in Jefferson county Corn has recovered and will make fair crop MfI- let Is coming out fine, and sorghum is very promising and a large acreage planted Peas and minor crops greatly improved.
 SOUTHWEST SECTION.
 The weather during the past week has been characterized by excessively high temperature, averaging about 6 deg. above the normal. The weekly rainfall has averaged 20 inch below the normal, and has been confined to the northern tier of counties in this section.
 As general thing crops show a very marked Improvement during the past week though shere are limited areas which have not had sain in seven weeks, and therein crops are in a sad way The rain came too late for very tarIy corn The late planting. however. was much benefited, and now promises a fair crop Fodder pulling is in progress Cotton ia doing very well except in a few localities. The plant iS fruiting well and there is no complaint of shedding or just now of damage from in- Sects Gardens were ruined before the rain rame. good crop of all kinds of hay was saved. Second crop Of clover promises we'll Grasses and pastures were greatly revived by the rains. Second crop of Irish potatoes being planted since the rain. Peaches are not rottfng aN badly aS they were. Grapes are rtpening and promise good yield. Sorghum poor
 NORTHWEST SECTION.
 The temperature has averged 2 2 per day below the normal and the rainfall for the week has averaged AS inch be- low the normal
 Abundant rains were general in this section on the l1th, 18th and 18th. and served to revive all growing crops except gardens some timothy and clover Sown last spring. and a few pieces of coru which were too far gone Corn has taken on a better color and shows a general im- provement. Cotton is growing finely since the rain, and there k very little shedding Late potatoes being planted and some millet being sown. Peaches and apples promises a good crop. Grapes are ripening well.
 +. II. CLARKE.
 Section Director Little Rock. Ark.