The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-07-07
R. T. NEsB1TT, Commissioner.
CONDITION OF THE CROPS.
Dry Weather Injuries Corn and Cotton
Is Somewhat Retarded.

COTTON.
Throughout the state the session fields
are well worked and free from grass.
The stands are fairly good and the
plants as a rule healthy. On account OF
the dry spring the growth has been
somewhat retarded, and the weed is not
as large as it should be at this date. No
reports of lice or other insect enemies as
yet, and with plenty of rain for the next
six or eight weeks the crop may turn
out well. The cotton plant needs but
little rain in the earlier stages OF its
growth, but as it takes on fruit abun-
dant moisture is required for it's proper
growth and development, and further
continuation of the dry weather of the
past six weeks. would prove almost
ruinOus.
This crop has been injured by the dry
weather, particularly so in the southern
portion of the state. The rains have
been very partial some localities being
favored with an average fall, while 9TH
ers in the same neighborhood have seri-
ously suffered. There has been no gen.
eral, heavy rainfall covering the entire
state, during the year, consequently
rivers have been low. branches and
creeks have dried up, wells have failed,
and in some places it has been difficult
to get water for any purpose. OF course
the crop has suffered more or less under
these circumstances, and will be un-
doubtedly cut off to considerable
extent. The fields, however. have been
well worked and are clean and in good
condition, and with abundant and inn
mediate rains, Middle and North Geor
gla may still make good crops.
OATS.
This crop has been disappointment
to those who planted in the spring, the
want of rain rendering the crop, in
many cases, worthless. Fall planted
oats did very well, as a rule, though
they would have turned out better with
more rain in April. I again advise
farmers to plant at least half of their
oat crops in the early fall. The chances
of their being winter.killed are less
than the chances of the spring oats
being ruined by dry May.
WHEAT.
This crop has been harvested, threshed
and l hope sold. In many years the
! state has not made a better or more
dpuuuduC crop, anu 1 ITuSG VQaC the
farmers of the wheat section of Georgia
will feel encouraged by this years ex-
perience to engage still more largely in
its cultivation. Since harvesting COM
menced the price has steadily dropped,
but / trust that the wheat growers of
| Georgia received not less than 81 O
! bushel for their crops.
MINOR CROPS,
| such as corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes,
rice, etc, have all felt the bad effects of
a hot, dry spring. General and abund-
ant rains are required all over the state
to bring these crops out so that an aver
| age yield may be expected. Gardens
and pastures have been badly injured in
every county in the state. Recent
showers have caused little improve
ment in both, but general and heavy
rains are necessary to bring about any
marked improvement.
FRUIT.
Peaches and watermelons are being
marketed, and the prospect is good for
an abundant crop of each. Watermelons
so far are small, for want of rain.
Peaches will be small also for the same
reason, and because of overbearing
The berry crops have all been injured
by dry weather. Grapes promise to be
abundant. Apple crop poor.-State
Agricultural Department.