The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1897-07-07
I9REENVTLLE'TIMES,
CROP PROSPECTS.

CkOf PhObfEOIbs
1t cannot be denied that the over
dow was a most calamltous occurrence,
and II was estimated that on account
OF the lateness of planting, the crop
of the inundated region would be cut
of at lesst one hslc. After the water
went down sufficiently to permit the
planting of seeds there followed a
period of encouragement. The wealth
err was propltious, the seed terminated
and grew with wonderful rapiGity,
and within a week after the water re-
coded the whole country was covered
with growing crops, which, though
late, promised well, and with a good
season aud no untoward clrcum-
stances, could be depended on to yield
fair harvest Since that time several
conditions have prevailed TO discOur-
age the hopes of the planters. The
summer threatens to be as disastrous
ly dry as the past. All crops are suf-
fering for want of rain, ana the cot
ton, as late as it is, is making very
slow growth, which will be slower
unless more favorable weather comes
to the rescue. Cotton is essentially
crop for hot dry seasons Heat is
necessary to it, aud it can stand more .
drouth than almost any other crop
but it must be remembered that the .
dry season generally finds the plant /.
strong and well grown-at least q
month in advance of the present crop.
But the rather dismal cotton prospect
Is not the worst of the crop troubles.
The ravages of cut worms have ex-
tended all over the overfowed dis.
trict, aud whole crops of corn have
been destroyed by them-even two
successive paintings being wiped from
the face of the earth in places. They
have not confined their depredations
to corn, but cotton has also suffered
greatly. The corn spared by the 1
worms is just at the stage when II l
needs rain most and is parching up
in this fierce heat and drouth. Other {
food and forage crops have suffered t
equally, aud the outlook for those 7
planters who were depending on the
produce of their own places for stock Il
food and supplies is not encouraging a
1t will be necessary 10 buy much corn u
IN the Delta this winter, and the dam. C
age to the cotton III the overlooked 4
region will have but little effect on Il
,he market price High priced corn, C,
bats aud hay bought with low priced il
cotton is not very successful or salts o
actory farming, but in this case ii is
lard to see how it could have been II
guarded against. There is q great
quantity of stock in the couuty which 81
must be provided for The supply OF -
'orn from the crops of The last two vi
II three years is exhausted, Much of bt
was lost or used during the over. OF
ow, and the successful culture of Re
Their food crops is seriously intsrfered ~ ~
nth by the late season aud protracted Dc
routh. Our planters are the most N
inguine aud hopeful of mankind, III
esdes, being possessed of a dannt. a;
IS courage, but it is of no avail to bo
y to hide tho fact that the overflow It
As been terrible disaster,-one pc
ON which the country will be long
recovering, and a recurrence of -.
hich must be guarded against by W,
cry effort possible. Had our levees in
zen strong enough to withstand the an
rain our crops would have been far Va
lough advanced to bear the droutb. wt
I'd the coming fall and winter instead cal
being period of doubt aud appre. sui
nsion, would have found the Delta i lar
ed on a firmer basis of business and 49, -
ricultursI prosperity than it has ant
own before since the war. fra