The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-18
FROSTS IN THE WEST
Heavy Rain Storms in Cen
trail Counties.
--------
DRY IN SOUTHERN ONES
THE STAPLE CROPS ARE SMALL
FOR THE SEASON.
THE GENERAL OUTLOOK is IMPROVING
Hessian Fly and Rust Damaging Grain in Some
Sections--The Peanut Crop is Poor
Cotton Killed by Cool Nights
.-Grapes Doing Well.
.-Grapes Doing Well.

The u. :. Department of Agriculture,
Climate and Crop Bulletin of the Wealth
er Bureau, North Carolina Section. week
ending Monday, May 18th, 1893, says:
The temperature continued low during
the early part of the week, with light
frosts on the 9th and 10th in the west.
Warmer weather towards the latter part
improved crops generally, though growth
continues slow. The staple crops are
small for the season, but look fairly well.
The rainfall has been poorly distributed.
Rain is needed in southern and western
counties; in some central and northern
counties too much moisture has inter-
fered with farm work. A very heavy
rain of over three inches i'm two hours
occurred Sunday night at Raleigh wash
ing land badly and injuring crops The
general outlook is gradually improving.
Eastern District-The condition Of
crops has become rather diversified, ow-
ing TO the poor distribution of rainfall:
the southern and coast counties having
received too little, the northern continues
too much The week was fairly favor
able; crops are healthy, but somewhat
small and backward for the season.
Much cotton land had to be planted over
to secure a stand; chopping chop
ping is under way; the STAND
is really good in only few
sections. There is still corn to be PLAN
ted in new and low grounds, and some
farmers who failed to secure Il stand
of cotton are putting in corn instead.
Corn is being weeded and is doing fairly
well. Transplanting tobacco is we'll adj
vanced and plants are looking we'll Irish
potatoes are blooming, but matt.ling
considered to be late. Sweet potato
slips are ready to transplant Peanuts
IN wet ground are poor All other
crops are doing fairly Well
Central District.-Cooi nights continue
to retard growth, but warmer weather,
with favorable seasons towards the end
Of the week, has caused Improvement in
crops. Rain is needed in southern coun-
ties but is in excess in central and north
ern counties. The very heavy rainfall
Sunday night doth in Wake county
washed lands badly and injured crops
over a considerable area. Corn, except
ing loWlands, is practically all planted;
stand uneven; plants small; blowing mp
lands is progressing. The continued cool
weather has killed so much cotton that
considerable replanting is necessary;
ehopping has begun in the south portion,
while but little cotton is up yet in the
northern half of the district Trans
planting tobacco made rapid progress,
with favorable season; plants are gener
ally doing well. Reports Of poor condi-
ton of wheat and oats come from only
a few counties. Gardens and all other
crops are moderately good Considerable
fruit is falling from the trees.
Western District--Cool weather con-
tinued the early part OF the week, with
light frosts, with the effect of continuing
the slow growth Of crops. Although
light showers lin few instances thun-
derstorms with haiD occurred after the
18th, rain is needed almost throughout
the whole section. Farm work Is well
np Upland corn is in fair condition and
IS being worked; considerable replanting
was done this week, early planted not
having come up to Il good stand; much
bottom land is still to be planted; depre-
dations by insects are noted in places.
The cotton is irregular in condition; the
early planted came up so unevenly that
much replanting was done. Wheat, rye
and oats are heading nicely, and the con
ditions continue favorable, except that
damage by the Hessian fly and rust seem
to be increasing to some extent. Car
dens have improved Grapes are very
promising, and in some counties an ex-
cellent crop Of all kinds of fruit IS indi-
Gated.