The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-12
HANEN y sTorT,s LETTER.

New York, n. Y, June 11.-(Special.) ~
The deficiency of rainfall in the cot
ton belt still continues to be the sub
ject of most concern in the trade. The
following stations report Il departure
from the normal from March list to
June 9TH as follows: Wilmington, n. c.,
5.3: Charleston, 10: Columbia, $. c.,
%: Augusta, Al; Jacksonville, Al; Sa-
vannah, 50; Atlanta, 80; Mobile, 1872;
Montgomery, 93; Vicksburg, 9.S; New
Orleans, 1876; Shreveport, 76; Little
Rock, 2.1; Palestine Tex, 6.1O; Calves
ton, II; San Antonio, 3.S; Memphis "a;
Chattanooga 7.6 This gives Il clear
idea Of the situation Mt the present and
that fears are entertained both at home
and abroad that damage may result un-
less the drought is speedily relieved is
evidence by increased takings at Liver
pool and more active and higher spot
markets at the South. The CONNER
cial and Financial Chronicle has issued
its annual report on the cotton acreage
and makes the decrease from last year
less than Is per cent. As to the general
conditions they find, first, as to maturity
the crop is a late one. Second, cultiya-
ton has been well attended to. the con
sensus of opinions being that the fields
are well cultivated. Fertilization has
been carried on in an intelligent man
ner. Third, the condition of the plant
in the Atlantic States is spotted, while
in other States it would appear to be
in about an average condition and now
steadily improving.
Among statistics relative to past crops.
the Chronicle gives 24S pounds as the
average yield of lint per acre for the
crop of 1S97'9S. As the average yield
for the six crop years from 1892 '93 fUl
1S97'9S inclusive, was only 204 pounds
per acre, it is readily seen that even ON
the same acreage and with an average
crop season there may still be a very
decided reduction from last year in the
number of bales produced. As some Off
set 10 this statement, it is to be noted
that the decrease i'll acreage is i'll sec
tions where the land is poor and the eX1
pected lint yield per acre the lowest,
but when we turn to the Gulf States
to the rich delta of the Mississippi and
its tributaries, or when we examine the
returns from Texas, STATES of the largest
expected yield per acre, we find not "a de
crease, but rather a small increase in
cotton planting. The government month
ly cotton crop report shows the general
average condition Of cotton June / to
be 80, against $50 per cent on June /,
1897. and the acreage 6.S per cent de-
crease from last year.
AS a factor in the situation we would
not overlook the possible effects of the
yellow fever which was yesterday re.
ported to have made its appearance in
Mississippi. The outbreak of this dread
disease thus early in the summer may
form good reason for apprehension that il
may later Become seriously prevalent and
interfere with both the cultivation and
handling of the crop. The week has Il
tendency towards better markets for all
staple cotton goods, and the fact that
many mills heretofore adding their out
puts to the already congested market in
the line Of staples are now Mt work on
government orders, has materially
helped the situation, though not so far
attracting the attention from the trade
which it would seem to deserve.