Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-08-31
VOL. II.
TEXAS COTTON CROP.
BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE LONE
STAR STATE.
Rain Would be of No BENEFIT to the Crop---
Insects Have Contributed to the Dam
hges---Bottom Crops Arc q Total Failure
---Other Phases of the Situation.

houston, Iex.-The Post presents
ihe last crop report for the current
growing season. The reports from
correspondents show bad state of
etfais in the cotton fields Of Texas,
caused by the heavy rains in the
spring and early summer, followed by
me long drought of July and August
Insects have also dons much damage
toward cutting down the yield.
Most Of the correspondents state that
Fain would now be of no benefit to the
growing crop; Others say that rain
would make top crop, but would hur
the open cotton to an extent more than
oifsetting the probable benefit. THE
second or top crop is always contingent
on late frost, and it is not believed
that frost this season will be so late as
to make the top crop of great conse-
guence ;.sthe average frost date in Texas
is between October Is and 30.
In this connection attention is
called to one fact that will have q
very important bearing ON the top
crop: The heavy rains in the spring
and early summer caused the plant to
send forth lateral roots, as the moisture
was near the surface instead of tap
root, which would have enabled it to
draw moisture from some distance be-
low the surface; thus, if there is to
be any considerable top crop the rain
must fall frequently to keep the plant
supplied with enough moisture. If
this condition prevailed the sunshine
necessary to mature the bolls would be
required on greater number of days
and frost would have to be very late
indeed
In 1897 the conditions were mate
rally different from those now prevail
Ing. The drouth Of that year came in
July, and long tap root was developed
by the growing plant On August 10,
ii, 10, 1S and 10, there were good
pains, extended over greater portion
Of the state and effectually broke the
drought the plant receiving all the
benefit possible from it. frost was late
and the bumper second crop resulted.
Heavy shedding is reported by 95 per
cent. of the correspondents, most of
whom say it has been very extensive.
Not only have forms and squares been
Ihed but young bolls and even leaves,
leaving the fruit without protection
and causing prematurity. This results
In small bolls bursting open and very
little lint is gathered in consequence
As the fruitdge was greatly reduced
by the shedding the prematurity added
immensely to the damage that has been
done. The heavy receipts of new cotton
Is evident to what great extent this
forcing has prevailed.
Insects of several sorts have also con-
tributed to the damage Boil weevil
boil worms. army worms grass worms
and one or two new sorts are reported
from various counties
1.-THE reports from the flood districts
are to the effect that the bottom crops
.--replanted--ar total failurs, and
that the prairie crop has been damaged
as badly as elsewhere, in consequence
of which the crop will be very. short in
these counties, which are among the
heavy producers The loss by flood
has been placed at 277, 900 bales by the
government agent, who recently made
tour of that section with the especial
object of ascertaining the loss.
Other reports placed the loss at 225, :
900 bales. AS mean $50, 900 bales
loss may be taken.
The Texas crop for 1899-99 was
about 8, 400, 600 bales. leaving the In
dian Territory out of the count. The
loss by flood will reduce this by $50,
900 bales or rs per cent, according to
the reports given below, shedding, pre-
maturity and insect, and the reduction
in acreage noted in former reports will
further reduce it probably in round
figures, 2, 700, 900 bales. This is based
on the conditions as they now exist
A top cop is possibility. not a proba-
bility. l might add $50, 600 balse to
the above estimate.