The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-02
Condition Of the
New Cotton Crop.
Latest Report From the Sew
eral Southern States.

The weather conditions last weeE
were generally more favarable to cot
ton than during the previous week
except over the western portion OF
both North and South Carolina, but
general rains have fallen in tha.
region, breaking the drought and
preventing further deterioration In
Texas, also, less favorable reports
perdeminate, claiming damage to the
crop from shedding and various
insects. More or less shedding is
reported from all but two States, but
this ia not an unusual coalition at
this season of che year, and is the
effect of various causes. Cotton is
opening in places but nowhere has
picking become general.
In North Carolina in the aroughty
districts cotton is blooming to the
top before il has formed sufficient
weed. Lowiand crops, however
continue good.
In the remainder of the State the
week was favorable crop conditions
have improved and the outlook is
promising. Where showers occurred
cotton is forming bolls nicely,
through pfsan are email.
In South Carolins cotton failed rap.
isIy, and drought has stopped It's
growth, it is turning yellow as
though maturing, and is shedding
leaves and fruit. The plants are
blooming to the top These are the
prevailing conditions, but in spots
cotton continues TO do well Sea
island cotton, while generally in ex-
celIent condition, is biightiDg to
considerable extent.
In Georgia cotton is generally
small, blooming TO the top, aud in
many sections being injured b; boil
worms and shedding its fruit and
leaves, In q few counties it is open
ing prema.urely.
In California rains were geueFal
during the latter half ef the week,
breaking the drought in northern and
central counties the rainfall was
heavy in nearly all parts OF the State,
and excessive in central and east cen.
trail portions. doing some local dam
age, but, as whole, greatly reviving
ali vegetation Cotton continues
generally clean and healthy, and is
now fruising well, though shedding,
OF forms seems to be increasing,i
while there are fewer reports of rust;
some early plated cotton is open in
few of the southern counties, where
picking will begin soon
In Mississippi the crop reports this
week show no material change IN
current conditions except there is a
demand for more moisture In the
middle and northern counties, while
some localities nave been drenched
with precipitation Cotton is report
ed as growing nicely in about every
part of the State although the
plants are small, they are blooming
to the top and are we'll fluited this
crop has been very generally laid oy.
In Louisiana more Or less rain tell
ia portions of nearly every parish
fom which reports have been re-
ceived. Generally, the cotton crop
is doing but fairly well ; dry weather
and hot sunshine has had tendency
TO retard or stop growth and the
plants ere ffuiting all over while yet
very small No serious trouble from
insects is reported.
In Tennessee the drought which
had become general was broken by
abundant rains Cotton seems to be
fruising well and may be considered
q fairly good crop at this stage
Fruit is generally scarce and the
me!oa crop is not turning out we'll.
The week closed with much more
favorable outlook for crops In gen
eral
10 Texas the general showers over
the nor,heru portion f,he State have
RETARDED some classes Of farm Work,
bu. have favored the growth Of some
crops
G;o,too is no, in as good condition
as ct last report The crop IS doing
we'll over the northern portion OF the
State except that the caterpillar AND
boil worm are damaging the crop
In the southwestern portion OF the
State The crop is shedding in several
localities as a result Of the dry
Sea.her following the heavy rains at
the close Of last month Besides
shedding there are always complaints
of damage by abe boil weevll and the
boil worm 10 southwest Texas Ine
damage from pests has been very
little up to tie present lime, but
much uneesiness Is fel. by farmers in
some localities Cotton is ratar'ng
- ta;,,- doDn, horo