The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-28
FRUIT CROPS A FAILURE
THE HEAVY FROSrS HAVE DONE
GREAT DAMAGE.
The Cold Weather Has Retarded the
Growth Of Crops and Warm Rains
Are Greatly Needed.

The fourth Weekly Weather Crop Bull
letin for North Carolina by the Weather
Bureau yesterday shows that the week
ending a. m. Monday, April Goth, was
favorable for farm work, but the cold
weather up to the 23rd retarded growth
of crops. The heavy frost did much
damage to vegetables and fruit, and the
fruit crop VIII be practically failure.
There was a large excess of sinsh:ne and
no rainfall, Warm gentle rains are
much needed to bring up seeds.
Eastern District-The unfavorable
feature of the week was the cold wealth
er and heavy frosts on the morning Of the
21st and 22nd, and which did very great
damage. The week was very dry with
an excess of sunshine, and the lat part
was quite warm. Rain is needed to
make corn and cotton start off, and to
mOisten the soil which is getting hard
Farm work progressed favorably and
most farmers are up with their work.
The frost did the greatest damage to
truck and garden vegetables, especially
peas, beans, and tomatoes. Irish pota-
toes and some early sprouted sweet pota-
toes were cut down to the ground, but
may grow out again, though shipping of
crop will be retarded. A little young
corn and cotton was killed, and much
corn yellowed. Planting large crop
of cotton is progressing rapidly though
interfered with by dryness. Some tobac-
co plants have been transplanted. Farm
ers are preparing to plant peanuts.
Central District-The past week was
fine for planting and blowing, but til.
I md DC 6,.1y nd bnr
behind to some extent. The weather has
been unfavorable for growth Of crops Oh
account Of the frost early in the week
and the general dryness: warm showers
are much needed. The frosts in this Soc
ton were quite heavy, the temperature
falling below freezing at many points,
with formation of thin ice. VeScta bies
were killed-lrish potatoes much fru..:
especially huckleberr:es and melons
Young cotton was cut down. Even
grape vines suffered considerably. what
rye and oats were not materially dam
aged. Corn planting is nearly done, en-
cept on uplands; the crop is coming poor
". A great deal Of cotton was planted,
and planting is in full swing. Cotton
/ damaged by the frost is being replantee
| prepa rations for transplanting tobacco.
though now too dry; plants generally
| plentiful, Some chinch bugs reported IN
wheat fields.
Western District--A full weeks sun
| shine and no rain made conditions very
favora BILE for farm work, which pro
crossed rapidly; but rain is now needed
| to bring up seeds as the ground is getting
| hard and aked The frOsts did compare
| tiyely less damage in this district except
| to fruit. Early Irish pota toes and some
vegetables damaged and much addition
nj fruit killed. Late orchards in western
elevated counties are still safe and plums
peaches and apples now in bloom. Corr
/ planting well advanced and some corn
coming up; bottom lands now dry enough
to plant. Much cotton has been put in
and some Is up. Dat sowing in north
western counties about over; rye is be
ginning to head. Irish potatoes are ul
and sweet potatoes sprouting. Dry wealth
er is keeping garden crops and newly
seeded grass stationary.