The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-13
EARLY VEGETABLES HURT
GROWTH or GRAIN CHECKED,
IT IS NOT KILLED.
THE FIRST WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN
The Weather During April Has been UntavOr-
able for Farm Work Much Germ and
Some Cotton Planted GAR
dens are Doing Well.

The first weekly crop bulletin for week
ending Monday, April IL, 1897, was IS
sued by the Weather Bureau here yes
terday,
The crop season Of 1898 opened quite
fayorably in North Carolina, 1t says.
Winter and spring We're uncommonly hne
for farm work, which made rapid pro-
gress. and the warm, dry weather ad-
yanced vegetation rapidly towards the
end of March. when nearly all fruit
trees were in bloom.
The weather during the week ending
Monday. April 18th, was very unfavora
BILE on account of the freeze "Wednesday
morning and frosts on subsequent dates.
The temperature was more than 10 de-
grees Der day below the normal. The
rainfall on the 9th averaged over an
inch: the amount of sunshine was def
Gent, and the growth of vegetation was
slow. Notwithstanding serious damage
TO fruit large percentage remains UNI
injured i'll many counties. Strawberries
are safe. The injury to truck crops was
not as serious as anticipated
Eastern District.-The entire week
was cool and unfavorable, stopping
growth of vegetation and delaying farm
work, to some extent. The rainfall on
tie 9th averaged over an inch through
out the district and was followed by
freezing weather Wednesday morning
with formation of thin ice as far south
as Southport Frosts occurred suisse
auently every morning to the 9th The
damage to fruit, especially peaches,
pears and plums, is thought to be con-
siderable. but conservative reporters es-
innate much still uninjured over large
sections. Strawberries were generally
protected and escaped almost uninjured.
though ripening has been retarded. The
greatest damage probably occurred to
truck; beans were destroyed, peas and
Irish potatoes hurt, and some early corn
was also cut down. Farm work Dis well
advanced and started up again latter
part of the week. Much progress has
been made i'll planting corn. potatoes and
rice; ground is nearly ready for cottn.
Oats and wheat look well; tobacco plants
are of good size. The strawberry crop
is large and fine and earliest shipments
took place this week.
Central District.-The weather during
the week was. very cold for April, with n
daily deficiency averaging over ten de-
grees. Ice formed ON several nights.
After the general rain ON the 9th the
ground was too wet to plow until the
latter part, but farm work is better adj
vanced than usual. and much land is
ready for cotton and corn. Erosts on
four days injured all early blooming
fruit. especially peaches, but over many
counties, including the Southern Pines
section, the damage has not been serious,
and the general prospects are still fair.
Grapes and strawberries are uninjured.
Til.
toes, where up, were damaged. Cotton
lands are being prepared rapidly and
some planting is being done in extreme
south portion. Planting corn is progress
ing rapidly: young corn was badly nipp-
ed by frost. Wheat, rye and oats are
generally reported as doing WELL but
some reports Indicate checked growth
and following Tobacco plants are
small but plentiful. Planting gardens,
truck patches and bedding sweet potatoes
going on.
Western District Warm. dry wealth
er during March advanced vegetation
considerably in the westerns district and
enable farmers to push work well in adj
vance. The past week was very cold
and unfavorable. with formation Of ice
on 9th to Sth. The rain on the 9TH and
subsequent cold weather stopped farm
work SO that not much blowing or plant
ing was done this week. A little corn
has been put in, but no cotton. The
freeze damaged peaches, cherries and
plums seriously, but much remains unin-
jlred. and applaes 40 pears are still
thought to be safe. u some counties
the freeze damaged wheat, spring oats
and clover. The wheat acreage is large
and the crop generally excellent. Early
vegetables, including okra, beans, gar
den corn and Irish potatoes, were cut
down. Many Irish potatoes have been
planted and sweet potatoes bedded.
Growth Of vegetation slow.