The Forrest City times., 1898-05-20
CROPS AND WEATHER.
Conditions Favorable Except in Overfio wcd
Districts-Hiii Corn and Cotton
Doing Well.

''hs ''shs
The weather during the week ending
Monday, May 10 has been very favora-
Die for the growth of crops and farm
work, and, except in the everhowed
districts, all vegetation has come out
rapidly and shows a decided improve
ment. Thousands of acres of finest
bottom lands overhowed by the Arlxan-
sas river, which has been out of its
banks to higher stage than in 1892,
and growing crops of cotton and corn
ruined, fences destroyed and much
land washed. Farmers will yet have
time to replant and make a crop The
work of dropping seed in the mud will
proceed as fast as water recedes.
Corn and cotton on the higher lands
are growing nicely and the stands of
both are good. Farmers are chopping
out cotton and working over early corn
for the second time. Wheat. oats,
grasses and the range are fine. Wheat
and oates are heading out nicely. Straw
berries are being rushed to market, and
Irish potatoes are about ready. Prac-
tically no rain has fallen during the
week.
Northeast Section.
warm, dry weather of the past week has
been very favorable for all crops and enabled
farmers to catch up with farm work, which
had been thrown behind by wet weather
Planting Is completed in the hills and the
tr ps present very nne prospect.
ally corn / as cen worked over and cotton
Is being chopped out and the stand Is generally
good. On some new lands that are W ater- soak ed
and in the overtiowed bottoms where the water
has not yet run on, replanting is delayed.
Some OF the streams OF this section left their
banks and overfiowed lowlands, destroying
crops and fences.
This section continues to present fine pros.
pect for fruits, with the possible exception of
peaches. Berries are not doing we'll. Irish
potatoes are about ready for market Wheat
and oats are very promising-wheat IL heading
out nicely. Grasses and the range are in good
condition. Sweet potatoes are being trans.
planted.
Southeast Section.
Bottom lands suffering from serious overflow
OF Ark Ansas river. Damage estimated TO be
greater than In 1902. Farmers driven from
the bottoms by the wntsr and their fields in
undated and crops ruined Prairie and hill
lands present an exc ,ptionally nne prospect
In spite OF the retardlng influence on crops OF
previous cold weather. The weather during
the past week has been just what was needed,
both for growth and cultivation OF crops.
Irish potatoes are laid by, the crop Is large
and the potatoes are nne In quality and OF
good size. Pea planting has commenced
Corn being worked over second time. April
corn doing better than the March planting
Coto on growing nicely and the stand is gen.
ersily good Chopping out cotton has com.
menced.
Central Section.
The rich bottom lands of this section have
suffered devastating overflow, the Arkansas
river having left its banks and spread over
thousands OF acres, running growing crops, de-
stroying fences and buildings and washing the
soil badly. Some plantations were complete.
~ covered to q depth of from one to twelve
feet. As fast as the water recedes from these
lands farmers will replant, by simply dropping
the seed In the mud. With a favorable season
there will be plenty OF time for the crops to
mature.
The weather during the past week has been
very favorable for growing crops that were out
OF reach OF the water. The warm weather
caused cotton and corn to take on Q rapid
growth and there was no rain to interfere with
the cultivation Of crops. Farmers in the hills
are rapidly catching up with their WORK.
Except In a few localities where 1t 10 TO
ported as being yellow. corn is up nicely to
good stand and is being worked over The
nights continue somewhat too cool for cotton.
The dry weather has materially improved
Irish potatoes. Wheat and oats he aiding
out and promise good yield. Cut worms are
Utill CTops, oSpcClaily corn anu gar
dsns Insects are tn1uring melons,
Southwest Section.
The weather has been favora bio for all
crops. Farm work we'll advanced Corn grow
ing fine and looking well. except that which
was pl lanted late. Cotton being chopped out
and crop looks clean and promising. Wheat
and oats look fine and indications are for
splendid crop. Hay crop about on for first time,
second crop very promising. Irish potatoes OF
good growth, quality fine, but tie potato bugs
are still doing seme damage. Fruits OF all
kinds more promising.
Northwest Section.
Dry weather during the past week has en-
abled farmers to push forward farm work
rapidly, and they are generally well mp. In
some localities, however, the work is behind
Much OF the past week was utilized In repair
ing the damage done by high water.
Cotton and corn planting except In limited
areas aud In certain places where replan:ing
WAS necessary. about complete. The continued
cool nights have retarded the growth OF both
cotton and corn. Cut worms are still doing
some damage. Much OF the cotton is being
plowed and chopped. Some complaint OF chinch
bug in wheat they having killed 1t out in spots
Oats look we'll Irish potatoes doing better
Grasses Of all kinds fine. Meadows in good
condition. Strawberries being shipped the
quality OF the fruit very fne-will last about
AalrG lAxasx 4 n