The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-12
THE GROWTH OF CROPS HAS
BEENGR RETARDED.
Stands of Corn and Cotton Not Good
and Everything Needs Warmth
and Moisture.

The climate and crop service bulletin
for North Carolina issued yesterday by
| the United States Department of Agrl-
culture. says that the week ending Mon
day, May 10th, was not favorable for
the growth of crops. The weather was
entirely too cool and windy. The tenn
perature was below the normal, notwlth-
standing the bright sunshine which pre-
vailed most of the week. The cool wealth
err has retarded growth of crops and
sprouting of seeds considerably. The
week was quite dry, light showers Oc-
curing at scattered points only on May
9th in the central and western districts.
Farm work has been brought up to date
now about everywhere. The stands of
corn and cotton are not generally good.
Everything needs warmth and moisture.
Eastern District.-After the fine rains
at the end Of the preceding week cooler
weather set in, with brisk nOrtherly
winds, unfavOrable for the growth of
crops. There was plenty of sunshine and
the latter part of the week was warmer.
Light showers occurred at two or three
places Wednesday and Thursday. The
week was fine for work. The weather
has been too cool for cotton, causing it
to come up slowly and look poorly; some
may have to be replanted. Chopping
cotton has commenced. Corn is being
plowed first time; stand not good; cut
worms are doing some damage. COnsid-
cradle tobacco was transplanted first of
week and many peanuts planted. PO-
tato bugs are damaging potatoes in some
places Rice is about all planted and is
coming up finely. Wild berries will ap-
parently be plentiful Shipment of straw
berries has commenced i'm northern por-
ton of this district also.
Central District Notwithstanding a
bundance of sunshine, the weather was
very cool until Thursday, and though
the soil was sufficiently moist at the be-
ginning Of the week, the brisk nOrtherly
winds dried ut rapidly; rain is still need
ed. Showers occurred at some points on
the 9Th. The weather was fine for work,
but the growth Of crops has been very
slow on account Of the cold, light frost,
even, being reported from northern
points Cotton is quite backward and
growing slowly; some being chopped.
Corn is still small comparatively poor
stand, and some being killed by cut
worms. Chinch bugs have done little
ported by very few correspondents.
TRANSPORTING tobacco continues. There
is considerab bic falling off of fruit, but
there will be more peaches, apples and
plums than expected earlier
Western District.-NO rain occurred
since the Sd. The past week was clear,
dry and cool until Thursday, when the
weather became warmer. In the extreme
northwest portion some snow fell ON I'd
or 3D. The brisk winds during the week
caused lands to crust and bake, and warm
rains are much needed. Crops made more
advancement than in other districts,
though seeds are coming up slowly. Con-
siderable progress made in planting and
farm work is about up. Some cotton and
corn still to be planted and stands of
both are not generally very good; cool
wea Their killed some cotton on sandy
lands Wheat and oats doing very well;
early heading; complaints of chinch bugs
few. Insects are bad on potatoes and
beans. There is fair prospect for fruit,
especially west of the Blue Ridge.