The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-04
SEVERE STORM TWO DAYS
THE SUMMER HAS BEGUN IN
EARNEST.
VEGETABLES WILL NOW GROW RAPIDLY
Wheat Promising and Oats Heading Out--Corn
Flaming About Finished in the Eas'
tern and Central Districts Cotton
Planting in Progress.

W ''OSo'SSS'
The North Carolina Weekly Crop Bull
lctin, for week ending Monday, May ,,
SAYS: The week was, as a whole,
quite unfayorable, chiefly on account of
the severe wind and rain storm of the
9th. accompanied by very cold weather,
sleet and some snow. There were two
light frosts. The temperature in the
central portion Of the State was as
much as 6 degrees below the normal,
the deficiencies occurring chiefly on the
9th. 2Sth and Doth The rainfall aver
aged about one inch. On Saturday, war
mer. more favorable weather set in,
and farm work, previously much delay
ed was resumed with vigOr. The dam
ace by the storm is not thought to have
been very great.
Eastern Distinctly week was de-
cidedly unfavorable on account of the
severe storm of the 9th and 18th. For
two days there was II considerable ba-
rOmetric depression off the North Caro-
lima coast, causing very high north to
northeast gales, accompanied by IL very
cold rain, with sleet and snow; subse-
quently light touches of frost occurred
The rainfall was not excessive, except at
few extreme eastern points, averaging
for the district about 40 inches The
temperature was below the normal.
The last few days were warmer, with
abundant sunshine. and favorable. The
high winds caused the most damage,
chiefly to young plants, truck crops ana
fruit. a good many peaches, plums and
cherries were whipped off the trees, and
at some points trees were blown down.
The cold rain chilled the ground and
checked crop growth. Young corn and
cotton are looking badly and bad stand
of both is feared Little farm work was
done until the end of the week. Tobac-
60 plants are reported to be quite scarce
in some sections. Rice planting is nearly
over. Progress in planting corn, cotton
and peanuts was comparatively slow.
but the coming week will see the most
OF this work accomplished.
Central District.-The Wednesday
gale was not as severe IN the central
portion of the State as in the east, but
still high winds prevailed for 24 hours,
with some heavy rains and sleet. The
cold weather and light frosts two morn
ings nipped young plants and everywhere
checked the growth of vegetation for
two or three days. The weather from
the 9th to the Both was very cold and
unfavOrable and comparatively little
| farm work was done Much corn re-
mains to be planted and practically the
| bulk of the cotton crop. Corn that was
| up looks yellow, with poor stand; cut
worms are doing it some damage. Con-
siderable cotton was blown and chilled
until much of it is dead and the ground
was so sold for some days that it is
feared much will not come up at all,
and will have to be replanted. Wheat,
| oats and rye continue to look promising
and are beginning to head Il few COM
| plants were received of damage by in
sccts. 1t is little early in this section
| for tranSplanting tobacco. but much will
be accomplished in the next ten days
| if the weather is favorable, as much
ground is prepared and plants are coming
to the proper size. Gardens have been
set back. Irish and sweet potatoes are
doing well. Melons and some fruit trees
were injured by the wind. but it is still
probable that there vii be a fair fruit
crop from this district.
Western District-lIany satisfactory
reports were received from this district.
| though the early part of the week was
unfavorablc, with much cloudiness. cold
weather and wind. The rainfall was
| less than in other portions of the State.
averaging about 0.G0 inch, and was need
ed. The mountains were covered with
snow on the 9th, and the weather
cleared, with frosts the mornings of the
2Sth and 10Th, with some minor dam
age. The cool weather has caused slow
growth of vegetation Corn planting
was retarded the early part of the week;
much corn up is weak and yellow: cut
worms are making themselves evident
Cotton planting progressed more slowly
| this week. Tobacco plants were set
back by the cold.
Wheat and rye are growing fairly WELL
but spring oats is at n standstill for
want of warmer weather. The frosts
npped Irish potatoes and beans badly
in some sections. Fruit gives promise of
being battor than ovnnctoJ