Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-20
RAIN AND THE CROPS.
SHOWERS OF THE PAST WEEK
BENEFICIAL TO ALL VEGETATION.
SOME WHEAT AND OATS INJURED
Cotton Also Shows Effect OF Too.
Much Rain-TobaccO Advancing
FavorabIy-0utIook for Corn Very
Good-Notes.

The following report OF the condiuo
OF crops throughout Virginia was issue
yesterday afternoon from the local burea
OF the United States Department of Asri
culture:
The report OF the crop correspondent
for the past week indicate the occurrence
Of considerable cloudiness and rain in I'll
southern counties Of the State: elsewher
it has been rather dry. Where shower
prevailed, farm work was interrupted an
the fields became grassy, particularly cot
ton and peanuts. and some wheat an
oats in shock were injured. The rail-
was. however. very beneficial to all grow
ing vegetation. In the central and north
| ern counties conditions are becomin'
droughty, and good general rains ar
needed.
| POOR N QUANTITY AND QUALITY
Winter wheat threshing is quite genera
| in all sections. The crop continues Il
yield poorly in quantity and quality. ex
cept some localities in the Valley section
| where il is average or above.
| Spring oats are about all harvested, ex
| cept in the E,'alley district, where they
| are now ripe. Local showers stopped
| harvesting 10 some extent, and did slight
| damage to grain in shock. Generally
| both winter and spring oats are a light
| crop.
Corn maintains it's previous promising
| condition, and is growing fast. The out
| look for a yield is varlously reported from
very good 10 best in years" and
finest L ever saw" by many correspond
ents. The onl'' exception is in Eastern
Spotsylvania county, where 1t is reported
backward and irregular. The crop is
beginning to "tassel," and would be bene-
fitted by rain over most of the corn
growing counties.
TOBACCO ADVANCING FAVORABLY.
Tobacco is also advancing favorably.
The area over which ii is coming in top
is increasing, and in some localities top
ping" has begun. Out of a large number
Of reports covering this crop. only two
give the conditions as poor.
Potatoes Grish) show some slight i'm
provement. but the yield, thus far, has
been below anticipations. Laying by
of sweet potatoes has progressed well in
Tidewater Virginia, and the outlook is
encouraging.
Cotton shows the effect Of too much
rain, and the fields are grassy and in need
Of cultivation.
Peanuts have also suffered from excess
of rain, and some fields are reported 10
be hopelessy lost in grass. However,
where cultivation has been possible, the
crop is looking well, and preparations for
laying by have set In.
Gardens and pastures are steadily i'm
proving where rain has fallen: otherwise
they are in need of rain. Melons are
reported TO be in fine condition. Apples
are falling
NOTES FROM TIDEWATER VIRGINIA
sunbeam-All crops on sandy lands in
Jured by too much rain; especially cotton.
Prince George Courthouse-A good, gen
eral rain fell on Thursday, materially
benefiting all growing crops and pastures.
The bulk Of the corp crop is Laid by"
Peanuts are fair and generally well
worked. But worms have injured early
corn.
Indika-Copious showers during the week
have forced all vegetation to the front
Many peanut-felds are hopelessly lost in
the grass Corn looking well. Melons fine.
Zuni-The last seven days not so favor
able for work. Corn crop best for two
years.
Brdsnest-The rain and sunshine have
benefited corn and sweet potatoes. Oats
cut and stacked; crop light.
Onancock-Corn growing rapidly. Sweet
potatoes laid by" Gardens improving.
Wallaceton-Too much rain; sunshine
badly needed. Potatoes nearly all ship
ped; yield better than anticipated. Corn
in good condition. Cotton grassy and
poor.
Disputanta-The corp crop is being laid
by" Spring oats being harvested. Wheat
threshing progressing.
MIDDLE VIRGINIA CORRESPOND
ENCE.
McRae's-All crops doing well. Wheat
threshing progressing; yield poor.
Hawk-The weather has been favorable
to all crops except wheat, which has been
somewhat injured by rain. The oat crop
is poor. Tobacco is doing fairly well, but
is small for this time Of year.
Borneo-Wheat is not turning out as
well as was expected; quality generally
very good The prospect for corp crop
is as good as 1 ever saw; the fields are
clean and in good condition.
Observation-Disclosures, corn, tobacco. and
pastures doing well. Wheat threshing be-
gun; crop less than an average; quality
fair.
Rocky Mount-Old farmers say it will
be the largest corn crop for several years.
Plenty of vegetables.
Blackstone-Timely rains have greatly
improved the corn and tobacco crops.
which are very promising. Wheat turning
out poorly. Oats good. Vegetables plenti-
full.
West Appomattox-Wheat being thresh-
ed; yield fair Oats all cut; crop very
good. Tobacco growing nicely.
Crewe-Tobacco and corn growing very
fast Wheat threshing progressing slow
ly; too damp.
Big Island,-Light showers have been
very favorable to all growing crops. Oats
being harvested with satisfactory yield
Tobacco coming "in top"
Flint Hill-Wheat all In stack; not much
yet; the yield is poor. Oats
poor. Hay fair. Not much fruit.
Spoke-Wheat threshing out good. Oats
in shock. Corn and tobacco that
has been well worked doing well.
IN THE GREAT VALLEY.
Staunton-The weather has been unfa- |
vorable for haymaking and securing the |
Dat crop. Corn doing WELL
Wadesyille-Wheat threshing still pro- |
crossing; general complaint Of yield being
poor and quality Indifferent.
Crockett-The promise for corn unusual
y good All crops doing well.
Corinth,-Corn is now tasselling and some
s in silk. Oats are about ripe.
Saumsville-Corn doing we'll Wheat
hreshng in progress; quality good and
Tield above the average. Oats ripe: crop
below the average.
Toms Brook--Some wheat has been
hreshed; yield not what was expected
OATS a failure. Corn going in tassel and
reeds rain badly. Potatoes yielding poor
y.
Salem-All vegetation in fine growing
ant |