The Forrest City times., 1897-07-16


 Inches. Brinkley 70 Forrest City ............................ Opr Fort Smith ......................... O.t3 Helena INSTRUMENTATION. O.r2 Little ROCK. ............... OuS Malvern ............. ...-............'..' Oss Newport. ...,.................... O.ol Plne Bun. ......'.'. -..............-'. VIz Prescott .'...-............ O'- RuSSel Vile. Trace Texarkana. .......................... None warren -.-...-.-.. ..................T Trace The rainfall was in the form of light local showers very unevenly distrib- uted, some localities receiving an ex- cess of rain while in others no rain fell. This deficient rainfall with bright sun shiny days and very high temperature have been detrimental to all crops.
 Cotton has held it's own fairly well, but is now beginning to show the ef- fleets of insufficient moisture and abun dant high temperature. The plant is blooming at the top, and there is some complaint of shedding.
 Corn has suffered greatly from the drought, it is twisting badly during the day, and some report it dying at the top.
 Pastures, gardens, and the range are dried up, and stock water is scarce in localities.
 Fruit is deteriorating, and in fact everything is suffering for rain.
 general soaking rain is much needed within the next seven days.
 NORTHEAST SECTION.
 The mean temperature has averaged 4.7 deg. above the normal, and the av- craze rainfall has been 24 inch more than the normal amount for the week. While some localities received generous rains, others had but very light showers or no rain at all Cotton has grown and is blooming hnely It is not injured as yet by the drought. Corn is damaged somewhat particul arly the early planted, but if general rain falls within hVe or SIX days the crop will not be materially injured. Where showers have fallen every thing is in fine condition, but where rain is lacking gardens are burned up and vegetation wilted Apples continue doing very well but peaches are suffering from the drought in many localities. An exceptionally fine wheat crop has been secured, and oats are very fair Hay crop secured in good shape. Most corn laid by and ready for good rain Range very dry. Cotton not first rate, but crop doing very well.
 SOUTHEAST SECTION.
 The daily mean temperature aver aged 90 degs. above the normal, while the average rainfall was about the normal amount.
 The rainfall was remarkably local in charac- ter, some localities receiving abundant rains while others received none at all. All old corn very badly damaged by drought Young corn injured but will make crop if it rains within the next few days Cotton growing very slow ly md needing rain badly, if it doesn't rain in few days 1t will be badly damaged Cotton has begun to fire in localities. Sweet potato crop will be failure unless it rains soon. Melons pretty good and plentiful. Gardens about burned up. Pastures poor, and stock water be- coming scarce in localities.
 CENTRAL SECTION
 The daily mean temperature aver aged 5.3 deg. above the normal and the average rain fall was .21 inches less than the normal amount.
 Showers were very local in character and the rainfall very unevenlv distributed, some locali- ties receiving an abundance, while others re- ceived none at all. Corn twisting and burning up, and gardens about destroyed. good soak ing rain would do great deal of good and save the large portion of the corn crop. Pastures drying up and water scarce. Cotton clean b IL very small in places, blooms appearing on top Of plant, very slow growth, and some complaint Of cotton shedding. Wheat and oats turned out fair crop. In few localities where generous showers have fallen all crops are reported in fine condition and growing nicely.
 SOUTHWEST SECTION.
 The temperature during the week has averaged 5.7 deg. above the normal, and the weekly precipitation has been .25 inch below the normal.
 Such rain as has fallen has been in the shane Of showers, very lo.al in character and has done little good. Crops of all kinds are badly In need of general soaking rain. Cotton has stood the drought very well thus far. but it's growth is now suspended and it will begin to deteriorate unless rain occurs within . few days. Fruit is commencing to form on the up- per part of the cotton plant. Early-planted corn Is doing fairly we'll, and that planted in February iS doing particularly we'll but young corn k drying out and hurting badly Gardens are completely dried up Field peas are wilt ing Fruit is drying up and falling from the trees.
 NORTHWEST SECTION.
 The high temperature continued dur ing the past week averaging 6 deps. per day above normal. Precipitation averaged 4inch below weekly amount. The sparse-scattered showers the past week have been Of practically no benefit to crops Gardens are already ruined and meadows and pastures are drying up. The apple and peach CT ID will be large, but the drought will cause peaches to be small Corn u ands is burn Ing up. On the lowland> it is doing somewhat better. but can not go long without rain. ChinchbugS are also damaging corn It will take general rain within the next few days to save the corn crop Cotton in the southern tier of counties is holding out fairly well.
 F. II. CLARKE,
 Section Director, Little Rock. Ark.
 
 Decay.