The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-19
THE SEA ISLAND COTTON CROP.
CONDITIONS PREVAILING THROUGH
OUT THE LONG STAPLE BELT.

II. +. DuttOn & Co. Make Public "a
Digest of the Replies Received
From Twenty-Three Hundred Cir
cuInrs to Planters in South Caro-
lima, Georgia and FlOrida-The
Crop About an Average One.
Gainesville, Fla, Aug. 1S.-For fourteen
years past II. F. Dutton & Co. of this
city have sent out circular letters to all
parts of the sea island cotton growing dis
tricts of the south These circulars have
been sent out several weeks previous to
the harvesting of the crop, and with
view OF ascertaining as accurately as pos
sible the prospect for the yield in the va
rious districts.
The circular letters inquire into the past
and present condition Of crops as well as
to the outlook ahead.
This season 300 circulars were mailed,
and replies received to nearly every one
of them.
The replies have been carefully examin-
ed and summary prepared, as follows
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Ninety-fve per cent. of the reports as
to the weather in this state show bet
ter average up to date, than for several
years.
Acreage-The reports go to show that
the acreage has been increased in this
state fully to 1919 per cent
Shedding and RUst-Outside few dis
tricts, there is but little complaint of shed
ding and rust up TO Aug. 5.
terpiliar.-Several Of the correspond
ents report that it is just making its APP
pearance about in places.
Crop Earlier or Later.-Outside of two
or three districts, the reports all go to
show that the crop is at least ten days
later than the average years.
PrOspects.-Up to Aug. 8 the prospects
arc the best for years.
GEORGIA.
The weather in this state up 10 Aug. 8, a s
a whole, has been unusually favorable to
the growing crop.
Ninety per cent. of the reports received
since Aug. IS state that the weather has
been more or less unfavorable since that
time.
Acreage-The reports on acreage claim
25 to IS per cent. less than last season.
Shedding and Rust-Thirty yer cent. of
the reports claim more or less shedding and
rust.
Caterpilar-The reports 80 to show that
but little complaint has been made of the
caterpillar, but the grass worm has made
its appearance in quite number OF local
tiles.
Crop Earlier or Later-Ninety-fye per
cent. Of the reports 80 show that the crop
is fifteen to twenty days later than the
average years.
Seed P.anted-As a whole there was not
over one-fourth as much improved seed
planted this year as formerly.
Prospective CrOp-Up TO Aug. the re
ports show that rs per cent. of the cores
pondents report prospects good, 10 per cent.
fair, 10 per cent. bad.
FLORIDA
Up TO Aug. 1, the weather nearly all the
sea island cotton district of Florida
never was better. Sixty per cent of the
reports answered best for years, % per
cent. good 10 per cent. fair, andsp per cent.
bad.
Acreage-The reports on acreage claim
to 20 per cent. less than last season, in
one or two counties even more. The
country called South Florida practically
abandoned sea island cotton this season
on account of low prices prevailing the
last two years.
Earlier or Later-The reports go to
show in this state a large proportion of
| the crop is ten days earlier than the
| average seasons. The districts. border
ing on the Georgia line are more or less
| later.
Seed Planted-Very little imported seed
| has been planted except in a few dis
| tricts, not even one-fourth as much as
usual, and not over one-tenth what was
imported of the finer grades.
Shedding and Rust-There is much more
! reported shedding and rust in this state
than either South Carolina or Georgia.
| Sixty per cent of the reports show she'd
| ding and rust in this state.
aterpilars-Caterpillar are reported
| in quite a number of districts, as well
as the grass worms. They have already
| done some damage in Alachua, Columbia.
! Marion and Levy counties.
| Condition of the crop-The reports up
to Aug. show that 80 per cent. of the
| correspondents report prospects from fair
| to good
| GENERAL REMARKS.
| In South Carolina and Georgia. al
| though the outlook has been favorable up
| to the first of August, it is not improba bic
| that in consequence of the. season being
| late. especially in Georg a, that contin-
| gencies may arise, such as shedding rust
| ing, blight, caterpillar and unfavorable
weather which may stll cut the crop ma
| terially short. A careful estimate shows
| that about 30 to IS per cent. less acreage
was planted in Georgia, principally on
| account of low prices. Most of the acre
| age was planted in upland cotton
In Florida the outlook is not as favor
! able as IT was on the first of August The
| latest reports show cotton 70 be shedding
and rustng more or less, all over the sea
island district There Is no doubt the
/ acreage has been curtaied at least Is per
/ cent. this season An over the state il is
/ claimed there will be very short bot
| tom crop. kilograms from all over the
! sea island cotton district report the
/ weather more or less unfavorable during
the last week, and that rusting, caterpll-
/ lars and other injuries have effected the
| cotton. Everything being favorable we
! cannot predict more than 5000 bales.