The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-21
c~ovKxNnENr Cnor sErowr

Drought I'm the Guifand south Atlantic
States Intares Crops-Colson IN Eas.
tern section Of the Belt sunertag for
Rain
Washington, July 1S.-The following
is the weather bureaus weekly sum-
mary of crop conditions:
The absence Of rain over a large part
of the gulf and south Atlantic states
has intensified the previously reported
drought conditions in that section,
nor particularly over the interior por-
ton Of the central and east gulf states,
middle Tennessee and the western por-
ton Of the Carolinas, while excessive
and continuous rains over central Wis
consin have proved unfavorable. The
eastern portions Of Oregon and Wash
ington have experienced high tempera-
lures. with drying winds, which have
proved detrimental to the grain crops
Of these states. Over a large part OF
Texas, including the greater part Of
the inundated region of the BraZos ba-
sis, there has been an almost total abb
sence Of rain. The Brazos bottom lands,
however, are no dry enough for culti-
walton. In the central valleys, New
England, middle Atlantic states, gen.
orally throughout the central and
southern plateau regions and Califor-
MIA the weather conditions Of the week
have been favorable for the growth and
development of crops and for general
i2-Ding operations. In the south At
~lantic, central and eastern gulf states,
including central Tennessee, southern
Missouri, and portions Of Kentucky and
Virginia, corn is suffering from drought
states of the central valleys, the week
in Georgia and the Carolinas, upland
corn in North Carolina being damaged
beyond recovery. In Texas a heavy
crop is assured in the northern part
of the state, and the late planted in the
! southern portion is better than was
states, and generally in the great corn
states of the central valleys, the week
has been very favorable to corn, which
is now tasseling as far north as south
ern Michigan. The crop has made ex-
cellent growth under the most favor
able temperature conditions in all
northern districts from the Missouri
| valley eastward to the Atlantic coast.
| The general condition of cotton in
the eastern portions of the cotton belt
is less favorable than in the preced-
, ing week, due principally to the pre-
/ valence of drought conditions, and in
| part to the ravages of insects. The crop
in these districts is, however. well cul-
tivated, a considerable portion having
been laid by. In Missouri, Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Texas except in the re-
Gently flooded region, and portions Of
Mississippi, cotton has done we'll and
it's condition is generally improved.
In Texas the crop IS growing nicely,
and, as a rule, is fruiting heavily. In
southwest Texas early cotton is open
ing and some has been picked.
Owing to continuation of drought in
Tennessee the outlook for the short
acreage of tobacco in that state is very
unpromising. In Kentucky, the crop,
previously reported as in an unfavor-
able condition, has been greatly i'm
proved by recent rains. Cutting and
curing continue in the Carolinas under
very favorable weather conditions. In
Ohio the crop is uneven, but in Indi-
ana and the middle Atlantic and New
England states tobacco is in excellent
condition, a considerable acreage In
Virginia being in "top<'