The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-06
THE TRUCK OUTLOOK
The Recent Frosts Did Slight
Damage About Newbern.
A VISIT TO THE FARMS
CARRIAGES AND PEAS NEAREST
IN SEASON, LOOK WE'LL.
THE LETTUCE CROP PAID
Recent Frost did Considerable DAM
age to the Potato Crop--Straw-
berries Not Hurt.-Beans
Missed the Frost.
THE LETTUCE CROP PAID

passed away, much TO the dellgnt OF the
truck farmers of Eastern Carolina. All
last week, damp, chilly and cloudy
wea Their, with the wind travelling the
compass from northeast to east prevail
ed, and the truckers here wore long faces,
as well as long overcoats and winter
gloves. Saturday the chilly winds shift
ed and have blown from southern points
since, with threatening rains. The truck
ers say the third month marched on
like lamb and marched out like a
lion, and from now on they expect favor
| able truck weather.
VISITING THE FARMS.
While Sunday was not such a lovely
day as was hoped for by bicycle riders
and carria ge-drivers, it did not stop the
numerous vehicles, laden with truck in
vestors. and merry cyclist, from gliding
the roads leading out from the city view
ing and admiring the different characters
of truck.
An eight-mile drive from the city in
eye-view of inspectors are several thou
sand acres Of truck: and looking from the
roadways across the level fields can be
seen a green mass of beauty indescriba-
ble
CABBAGE AND PEAS.
4
The most noticeable crop at present are
the cabbage and pea crops, because they
are nearest in season. Some of the truck
ers complain of the spring cabbage crop.
| They say the latter part of the winter
has been too soft, and consequently, has
| caused a good percentage Of cabbages to
| run-up to seed. Leaving off this small
! complaint the cabbage crop throughout
VIC; p,t 70 10
! Cabbages commencing to head up can he
numerously counted through the fields,
and it will not be long before farm hands
| with knife in hand, will be Staying them,
preparatory to shipment for the northern
markets.
| The pea crop is in fair condition. The
chilly damp weather of the past week has
been a great pull-back to this crop. They
have been slightly hurt by the small
frosts that fell last week. Truckers
were counting on making the first pick
ing about the middle of the present
month, but the unfavorable weather has
caused this crop to be delayed about 10
days. Most of the pea vines are bios
somed, and with warm sun shine for
week there will be decided change of
appearance in this crop for the better.
. NOW tue lEOSlS IHdt nave
prevailed, it is reported here that some
picking near here will take place in ten
or fifteen days if the weather remains
good. The truckers are very well salts
fled with the outlook for good yields
from these two crops, and are now hop
ing for a good market and good price.
A noticeable sight passing through
the large truck farms now is the high
los la1,o {ney
their contents. One not acquainted.
would look at these piles of crates and
wonder, will they ever fill them? Yes,
and several piles more yet to be made.
THE BEAT BEDS.
The lettuce crop lis off, and brought
good results to the planters.
In the lettuce frames now can be seen
the beat crop, growing as pretty as any
one could ask. This is tender plant, and
one. owing to its early planting, has to
be handled carefully These beet frames
are from 70 to 100 feet long by 20 feet
wide and are all provided with covers
! that are pulled over the plant in unfavor-
able weather which protect the valued
vegetable from frost, &C.. and assures
early shipments.
! IRISH POTATOES.
I The recent frosts have hurt the potato
/, crop considerable. Potatoes that were
up during the first of last month were
cut off, and the potato crop, with a few
exceptions, will be late. 1t is feared
! that the Virginia and North Carolina
: potato crops will be thrown into market
+! together, on account Of this setback,
which may lower the price for our pota-
| toes considera BILE, and will be felt by
every shipper. "5~
If the weather continues from date
good, the veteran truckers of North Car
olina, viz: blackburn and Willett, will ship
potatoes a long ways ahead of the rest
of the truckers in this vicinity. This
is due to not being SO hasty in planting.
They planted behind other truckers, and
the result was they missed the recent
frost, their potatoes not being up, conse-
, quently, they are the better off, and will
! make earlier shipments.
STRAWBERRIES NOT HURT.
The strawberry beds are we'll advanc-
ed considering their drawbacks. The
pine straw that protected them from
the bad weather has been raked from
| over the vines, and the beds now present
a favorable scene. The vines are pep
pered with white blossoms, and at the
end Of the month, the negro woman will
be found in the field On her knees gath
ering this delicious berry. The first bask-
ct will bring such a price that only q
few can afford to touch them, but before
the seasons gone. We'll all eat 'em, two
baskets for cents.
BEANS MISSED THE FROST
The beam crop has just put in its ap-
pearance through the ground. The frost
had no effect on this crop as it had not
broke through the ground. Beans had
a little draw back though if they had
not made their appearance, before the
frost came. The unfavorable weather
delayed their appearance comewhat, but
with warm sunshine they will make
rapid growth.
They stand now about 3 inches above
the ground with a good green look, that
indicates the plant is in good condition.
In fact the truck in this vicinity as n