The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-07-18
OUTLOOK IN TIE COTTON BELT.
The Cotton Crops Have Suffered from
the June Rains.

AHe OOLLOU OIOpa 0oso SU0oA9@ AA'AN
the June Rains.
Latterly the weather conditions have
been more favorable to cotton, permit
ting cultivation, and cleaning them Of
grass and weeds, but the results have
not been entirely satisfactory and have
disclosed the serious injury that the
crop suffered from the June rains, es-
pecially in Alabama, Mississippi and
| the lowlands of Tennessee where
many fields are so hopelessly foul that
they have been abandoned. Abandoned
fields are also common in portions Of
South Carolina, Georgia and Arkansas.
Throughout large portion Of the belt
cotton is not fruiting satisfactorily,
and there is considerable shedding in
places. The conditions in Texas are
not uniform, but on the whole are as
promising as they usually are at this
season, and the fact that the crop is
late in the southern portions does not
necessarily indicate a short yield, as
the plants have still long season be-
fore them in that region.
The following are the summaries by
States:
In Alabama-Cotton has improved
slightly, but has run too much to stalk,
is fruiting very slowly and poorly, and
continues to shed, though not so freely
as at the close Of last week; there are
fewer complaints Of lice; it is still very
grassy, and the concensus Of reports
indicates that the prospective yield of
this staple has been materially lew
cred.
In Mississippi-As the grass and
weeds are cleared away the extent Of
injury caused by the wet weather is
made manifest, and the reports are not
encouraging. It is apparent, however,
that conditions are decidedly better
and while many fields have been ruined
by lack Of cultivation, opportunity has
been given to either clean them, or
ploW up and replant in corn, which is
being done extensively in all but the
southwestern counties. Many low fields
have been entirely abandoned; more
have been plowed up and will be re-
seededin other crops. Cotton is small
and stalky, and gives little indication
of fruiting satisfactorily.
In North Carolina-Cotton has been
greatly benefited by warm days and
nights, which have caused rapid
! growth, good color, and increasing
abundance Of bloom; fruiting is taking
place. There was very little complaint
Of lice on cotton this week; some fields
in the southwest are still very grassy.
In South Carolina-Cotton fields that
have been cleaned of grass are doing
well, but many remain grassy on which
| cotton is turning yellow. The hot, dry
weather was favorable to cotton, and
in general this crop is decidedly better
than it was last week. There is some
| complaint Of rust and blight, the latter
most severe on the sea.islsnd variety.
| The plants are growing too much to
weed in places, and in many instances
are not fruiting we'll. AfeW localities
report cotton very promising.
In Georgia-Cotton shows slight
improvement, and has received much
needed working. It is, however, fruit
ing slowly, and the forms are small.
Ia Florida-Cotton has improved
over large section by reason Of its
freedom from grass. There are still
complaints, however, that the frequent
rains Of June did very serious damage
to cotton over limited sections.
In Louisiana-The condition of cot
ton has improved, but the outlook for a
largh crop is not as favorable as is that
for sugar and rice. On hill and up
lands where the continued rains did not
prevent cultivation the plant has grown
too rapidly and fruited comparatively
little. In the aggregate, considerable
acreage Of late planted cotton on low
lands has been either drowned out or
abandoned to the grass: the late planted
upland cotton and that in the bottoms
where the stand is good is now being
worked and cleaned, is improving in
color and looks promising.
In Texas-Cotton was improved some
by the showers, but more rain would be
beneficial in localities, especially in
western Texas. Early cotton is bloom.
ing and fruiting well and is being laid
by in some sections. The crop has all
been chopped except some late plant
ing. Some fields are grassy in east
Texas. Cotton is not looking well in
some localities, while in other sections
where the weather has been more IA
| 7orable the crop is promising. The
crop is very late and irregular, ranging
from light to excellent. The Mexican
| weevil is doing damage in some locali-
ties over southern Texas.
In Arkansas-Local showers occurred
during the week and interfered with
farm work in some localities, but as a
rule great headway was made cleaning
the crops. Corn and cotton, which have
| been properly cultivated, are growing
nicely; many fields in the lewlands
have been abandoned. The boil worm
is doing some damage to cotton in a
few localities.
In Tennessee corn and cot
| ton where fairly worked are in fair con-
dition, and with favorable conditions,
following, will make nearly average
| crops; but in lowlands many fields are
absolutely lost; thisis largely the case
in the western division, where, in many
sections, the prospect is indeed gloomy.
IL the middle and eastern divisions, on
| uplands, crops, as rule, are rather
promising.
doing well, and is blooming and frul-
ing, and being laid by.
In Mississippi-Cotton in the south
| eastern counties has improved sone-
what during the week, but is generally
in Moor condition. Some is in bloom.