Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-01
ToOtVEf FOR CROPS.
rHA 6osrrSUED Ray HURTS
NRAaHER THAN HELPS THEM.
WHEAT ~ HOLDING ITS OWN.
some Damage by showers and
windECorn Nearly All Planted an"
Tobacco Being Set Out-The Out
look for Fruit.

The following is the weekly crop report
of the Virginia section of the climate
and crop service of the United States
department of Agriculture:
summary OF the reports OF the crof
correspondents for the past week shows
that while the weather was. on the
whole. favorable for crop growth, there
was too much moisture. The land In
some portions of the State is very wet,
thus preventing cultivation, and causing
some firing" of wheat and oats. Dryer
weather is needed.
Winter wheat is generally holding its
own, but where the growth is heavy II
shows tendency to fall and tangle, re-
sulting from rains and wind. Some rust
Is reported locally in the middle coun-
ties; also isolated cases of Hessian fly. IL
is in head generally over the State, with
excellent prospects.
Winter oats appear to have improved
some. though a small number Of the
correspondents give negative reports.
The area over which 1t is heading has
increased. No rust is reported in this
crop, and the outlook is promising.
Spring oats are making a good, strong
growth in most localities. The week has
improved the general condition Of this
crop, but reddening of the stalk still OBJ
tains in places where the rainfall has been
excessive.
Corn is now about all planted and
where replanting was necessary 1t has been
done. There remain but very few local.
ties where this work is unfinished. In
condition the crop continues to vary.
some farmers have good stand or both
early and late sown, others poor The
upland corn seems TO have done best thus
far, being more even and forward.
few complaints of cut-worms are noted.
Cultivation has been more general. though
much delayed by rain and wet soil.
Tobacco planting has been pushed, and
its progress has only been limited by the
amount of land prepared. In many
counties the farmers have set out all of
their plants In others 1t Is nearly COM
pleted, and there are not many who are
behind in this work. Next week will
probably see the major portion OF this
crop set out. Generally the plants are
healthy and well grown. Cut and wire
worms have done some local damage in
Cumberland and Nottoway counties
Glover and grasses continue to improve.
The former is heading. Haying has be-
gun in portions of Tidewater and Middle
sections, and a good crop is in sight.
Cotton has not been fully covered by
correspondents, but where mentioned the
fields appear grassy and are in need OF
work.
Peanuts are mostly all planted. The
vines are looking well.
Potatoes Qrish) are luxuriant in growth
and promise a large crop. Sweet potato
slips are about all set out in Tidewater
counties, and are being set out in some
Middle counties.
Gardens have come forward and are
now looking well.
Fruit advances slowly. The condition of
all kinds, except grapes, cherries, and APP
pies, is medium. Apples and grapes at
present indicate an average yield. Cher
ries are coming in the market.
Remarks os Correspondents.
TIDEWATER VIRGINIA.
Ferguson's Wharf-Has been a good
week for farm work. Complaining about
over; very good stand. Farmers busy
planting peanuts; those planted are COM
ing up well. Glover and grass looking
splendid. Oats not so good.
Nmmo-The oat crop has probably
TOO much rain for best results. The
clover crop is flourishing. but lower part
Of it is likely to suffer from excessive
rains.
Zuni-The week generally favorable;
all crops doing well. Participating
still in progress.
Onancock-Irish potatoes still look well.
Too cool for corn. Oats have some leaf
rust. Peas being shipped.
Wallaceton-Corn and cotton getting
grassy Wheat and oats sown last fall
begin to show the effects of too much
rain.
Sunbeam-All crops improving.
Calno-The weather has been unfavor-
able for farm work during the past week,
frequent rains keeping the ground too
wet. Tobacco plants set our where
ground prepared. Wheat, oats, and grass
looking we'll.
MIDDLE VIRGINIA.
Rutherglen-Potato slips being set out
Grass in good condition. Oats and wheat
not promising. Continued rain retarded
Farm work.
Earlysville-The weather has been very
wet during the past week, and wheat
where heavy, has fallen down. Tobacco
plants plentiful in this section.
Moormans River-Warm, wet week, but
crops growing nicely. Oats, grass, and
gardens very much improved A little too
wet for wheat. Farmers replanting and
ploughing corn.
East Leake-Wheat and gardens doing
we'll Tobacco being planted; plants back
ward.
Basses-Farmers nearly done planting
tobacco. Rather wet for wheat, oats, and
corn. Pastures doing well.
Flint Hill-The prospect is good for
wheat crop. Too wet to work corn.
Grass Is very large.
Covesville-Grass improving. Corn and
oats doing we'll Wheat rank and falling
and under way TO rust.
Lenah-The past week has been favor
able to pastures and growth of all crops.
Wheat is now heading, prospects of a
large crop.
Sunny Side-Some tobacco planted. Cut
worm playing havoc with plants. Oats
and clover doing well.
THE GREAT VALLEY.
Centre Mills-Wheat doing splendid.
oats looking well. Weather favorable for
corn.
Mint Sprlng-Wheat heading finely end
thickening. Oats and grass growing
nicely. All vegetables doing we'll
Dwale-Week favorable for growing
crops Some farmers working corn.
Wheat, rye. and grass look well.
Saddle-Weather favorable for all crops.
Frlit cron will be small Corn Is 40 well.