The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1900-07-19
A VERY WET JUNE.
COMMISSIONERS O. Il. STEVENS
TALKS OF CROPS AND
THE WEATHER.
CORN rs BADLY DAMAGED
July Opened Very Promising For All
Crops-ValuabIe Pointers TO
Planters by Commissioners.

- N-~OOeSD~'O ~"
its rainfall, which averaged something
over ten inches. 1t is true that in June
1884, rain fell in about the same quaint
ty, but not every day. The continuous
downpour of last month caused the far.
mers to lose most of the corn planted in
the bottom lands of the rivers and creeks
This area represents in many counties
from one-fourth to one-third of the corn
crop. In some sections, too, a consider.
able portion of the upland corn has been
damaged by grass and weeds and the
unavoidable lack of cultivation. Hence
the present outlook points to a corn CROP
reduced considerably below our first ex.
pectation.
The cotton reports are far from en-.
couraging. In the first place, the cold
and backward spring retarded the early
growth Of the plant to such degree tina,
in SINE sections the cotton had not been
worked out before the June rains set in
July opened up with promise of con-
tinued rain, but has, fortunately, chang
ed TO clear and warm weather. But
June had left the cotton fields green with
grass and weeds that must be cleared
outwithin the next ten days, if we would
make fair crop. Judgment and energy
must now be brought into play. Both
man and beast have had long rest, en-.
forced though it was. Now every mo-
ment must be utilized to the best advan.
tage. If you cannot clean out all your
crop, work your best lands first. With
ten days of sunshine and judicious work,
from early dawn till late at night, o
mighty change may be wrought, and,
Notwithstanding the gloomy outlook, q
fairly good crop of cotton may be made
in Georgia.
Consider well the plow best suited to
do the most harm to the grass and weeds,
with the least chance of injuring the
roots of the cotton. Consider whether
1t is best to work toward the center of
the middles and cover everything up
there, or work toward the drill Under
present conditions the former is the
better plan. List on the water furrow,
keeping the bar next to the row all the
time Run carefully and as shallow as
possible. You can cover up most Of the
grass, which will then, after few days,
die. Then work back toward the drills.
The grass that is left among the plants
must be pulled out to the middle with
hoe.
Use the above method only when the
necessities of the situation demands ii.
as we prefer the shallow blowing during
this month.
Extra work must be done now to make
up for the time lost in June. Though
the month of July in ordinary years sees
the growing crops laid by, the farmers
must this year work most of their crops
until the middle of August.
Forage can now be planted. Peas and |
millet can be sown. Prepare the land
well. 1t is conceded that the value of |
the pea crop, as an improver of the soil. |
is not lost when the vines are cut off for |
hay, Much plant food may be evolved |
by turning under the stubble. Plant
now second crop of Irish potatoes.
THE FRUIT CROP.
Though the magnificent promise of |
the fruit crop was somewhat discounted |
by the June rains. farmers can do much |
to utilize even the damaged portion of |
the crop. Feed to the hogs all fallen or |
partly rotten and otherwise decayed |
fruit. Market as far as possible the |
fresh, ripe fruit and utilize the surplus |
by drying or evaporating. Remember
that evaporated fruit commands higher
prices than the sun-dried. For sun.
drying the best cheap dryer is made by
using frame of light strips of plank
inch thick by 2 inches wide. Let the
frames be 6 feet by feet, covered with
white cloth. These frames will cost but
q trife and are much better every way
than boards or plank
Sweet potato slips set out by the mid.
die Of the month make good potatoes for
winter and spring use. They also keer
well, and perhaps better than those
planted earlier. Open hole, insert slip,
and place just enough dirt to cover the
roots, pour in teacup of water and fill
hole with loose dirt, but don't press it to
the plant. Then draw the earth mp around
them to retain moisture and keep heat
of sun from the roots.
Rutabagas should be sown this month
in well prepared soil. Plow and harrow
and harrow and pillow and rake until the
land is in fine filth. The turnip needs
nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid.
Plow in liberal quantity of lot manure
and in planting put in. the drills with
the seed a small uuantitv IF co,,,no,.o;oI