The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-11
CROPS GROWING RAPIDLY
DAMAGED BY HIGH WINDS AND
HAIL.
COTTON PLANTING IS COMPLETED
TranspIanting Tobacco Has Become General
and the Crop is ExpectedtO be Large
0ne'-The Hessian Fly Re-
ported in Wheat,
ported in Wheat,

The United States Department of Ag-
riculturc, Climate and Crop Bulletin of
the Weather Bureau, North Carolina
section, week ending Monday, May 8,
1898, says:
The first days of the week ending Mon
day, May 9th, were warm, bright, and
very favorable both for farm work and
the growth of crops The temperature
was above normal until Friday, and the
weather dry enough to permit unintel
rupted work. Crops nearly all improved
materially during this period, and con
siderable progress was made in planting
cotton, corn, peanuts, tobacco, etc, and
in gardening. There was, however, Il
slight setback on the 9th and 18th by
local storms, with some heavy rains and
hail. and high winds throughout the
State. The precipitation was heaviest
in the central section Of the State, aver
aging an ich. The fan. n temperature
after the ram, especially Saturday and
Sunday, checked crop growth, but caused
no damage which few warm days will
not rectify. The high winds again did
minor damage to fruit trees, small dwell
ings. fences, etc Rain is now needed in
both eastern and western sections of the
State
Eastern District here are still some
complaints of a poor stand of corn,
caused by cut-worms and cool weather,
and considerable corn was replanted this
week; but in general the crop has i'm
proved, and is good where n fair stand
was secured; it is being worked out.
Cotton may be said to be nearly all
planted in this district some was plowcd
up and replanted: most correspondents
report fair stand; chopping has begun.
Transplanting tobacco was hindered in
some counties by lack of proper seasons.
Irish potatoes are perhaps Il little back
ward, hut are looking well and promise a
large yield; some are ready for use now
in the south portion CabbageS are not
heading well Glover, grass, wheat tone
report of rustD. and oats continue 10 do
well. Strawberry shipments, which have
been large. have nearly ceased rom
south but continue from north portion.
Central District-In some counties
there is still considerable corn to be
planted, though much progress was made
this week The stand of corn is not per-
feet. but the plants look fairly well;
some farmers have commenced to cult
yate corn for the first time. The com
plants of damage by cut-worms are far
less than during 1897 The conditions
were favorable for planting cotton and
good progress was made in replanting
where necessary. Cotton is generally
sprouting and growing fairly we'll some
chopping has been done in the south.
Transplantng tobacco has become gene
raj, and the crop is expected to be a
large one. Wheat, rye and oats continue
promising. Some damage to wheat by
the Hessian fly is reported in two. cOun-
ties, and rust in one. Gardens have inn
proved and vegetables are beginning to
look well. Some new potatoes have been
dug for family use.
Western District-The absence of rain
is being felt in many counties of this
district The week affordede favorable
conditions for corn planting, which pro-
crossed nicely. In the northwestern
mountainous counties corn planting is
still the main work of the farmer. Corn
has generally come up fairly well on
uplands, but is slow and backward on
low ground. Cotton planting will he
completed possibly within the next ten
days. the crop is coming up rather
slowly on account of insufficient mois-
ture. Both wheat and oats need rain
wheat continues promising, but consider
able damage by the Hessian fly is re-
ported i'm some sections Tobacco plants
are still backward in this district. Irish
potatoes, touched by frost last week,
have come out again; potato bugs arc
doing some damage. Garden work has
fairly well. Blackberries and
grapes are blooming profusely and prom
Use heavy yields. Forests OH the noun
tains arc rapidly becoming clothed in
green.