The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-10-11
General Resume Ct the Cotton Bell
Situation. =
GATHERING OF THE YEARS CROP.
All The Cotton Belt States Show a
Heavy Decrease in the Yield--Gen'
eral Crop Notes.

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extent. The continued abnormally
high temperatures which prevailed
over the whole belt were very favor
able towards maturing the top crop,
while the moisture in the ground
checked the premature opening. The
bulk OF the crop will have been picked
by the middle of October east of the
Mississippi while west OF that river
picking is less advanced. Then, also,
the crop seems to have improved pros
poets Of top crop. The ultimate size
Of the crop depends largely on alb.
senCe OF frcst. 1t is a fair estimate
that. compared with last years produc-
ton, there will be nearly million
more bales grown west OF the MissIS-
sippi this year, and that east of that
division about a half million fewer
bales this year, making the crop from
nine to nine and half million bales.
An early frost in Texas would reduce
these figures, for there the crop is very
late. especially in the southern por-
tions.
In North Carolina the week was
warm and dry. conditions very favor
able for picking cotton. which made
rapid progress. Already over three
fourths OF the crop has been gathered.
In South Carolina cotton picking
made favorable progress. and from
half to seven-eights Of the crop has
been gathered. Yields are estimated
at from half to nearly three-fourths
an average crop. Many correspon-
dents state that picking will be prac-
tically completed by October 18th,
which is unusually early, due to the
continued heat and dryness. There
will be no top crop Of any account.
Sea-island yields are also light, and
half has been gathered.
In Georgia the characteristic fea-
lures Of the past week were almost
continuous sunshine, high tempera-
ture and absence of rain. These con-
ditions have been most favorable TO:
picking and saving cotton, the bulk OF
which has been saved, and picking
will be practically completed during
the first decade of the present month.
In some sections there is complaint OF
cotton shedding its leaves. This pre-.
cludes all possibility OF any new fruit.
In Florida the weather prevailing
during the week enabled farmers to
pick the bulk of the cotton crop and
house it in an excellent condition.
In Alabama warm, dry, clear wealth
er prevailed, the temperature aver
aging several degrees above the nor
nal, with practically no rainfall. These
conditions were very favorable for
gathering cotton and corn. Most OF
the cotton is open, much OF it prema-
turely; the greater portion Of it has
been picked, ani it is being ginned
and marketed very rapidly; while scar
city of labor is retarding picking IN
some sections, the bulk OF the crop
will be saved during the next 10
days: some slight damage by boil
worms, rust, and shedding is reported;
the lint is OF fair to good quality;
there will be no top crop worthy OF
mention, and reports still indicate
light yield.
In Mississippi cotton picking has ad-
vanced rapidly as the staple is opening
very fast. In some localities picking
has been retarded on account of the
extremely warm weather, while in
other sections it has been rushed and
IS now nearing completion. The yield
appears TO grow lighter as picking
progresses.
In Louisiana the week was warm and
dry, conditions favorable for harvest
ing and marketing cotton, which IS
opening fast and picking is being Wig
orously pushed. About two-thirds OF
the crop is open, and it is being mar
keted as fast as picked. Worms ana
caterpillars are reducing the top crop.
In Tennessee the week OF warm,
drv weather following the rains mas
been very beneficial 10 late maturing
c-ops. and favorable for gathering the
ripened fall products. The rams
started a growth in cotton and checked
the rapid opening; picking Is in fuii
progress, and the staple is being rapid
ly marketed in view Of the present
prices: the crop will be short.
In Texas only very light scattered
showers were reported during the
early part OF the weeS. The greatest
local rainfall was .S4 OF an inch at
Reeville. There was no rainfall for
he week at many stations. The heavy
re.as lust at the close of last week re-
ta.Ged cotton picking generally. Much
cotton was damaged by these rains.
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