The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-14

suits of the crops are going to be may pe
made but this year SO far, has been SO
unusual in climatic conditions that IL is
difficult to make any calculations. the
long continued cold, dry spring hindered
the planting of crops so much, and pre-
vented growth so long, that it is stu
doubtful what is going to be the outcome.
Following the cold spring, we nave had
period of heavy rains and disastrous
floods These have worked havoc in all
lowlands, and where usually the finest
stands of corn are to be seen, there is as
yet nothing on the ground Some OF these
lands have already been planted twice
and yet no crop is in prospect, and it is
now getting so late that it is doubtful
whether any can be made. Up to month
or six weeks ago, we had the prospect OF
one of the finest wheat crops ever made
in the South. The average acreage and
condition was higher than for many years,
but in both respects the past month has
been disastrous. Hundreds of ARES OF
wheat on the lowlands have been COM
pletely destroyed, and the highland crops
sadly injured. Rust has made Roadway
and the filling of the ears been prevent
ed. The average yield of the wheat crop
OF the South will, we fear, be now low
one. Throughout the whole country, the
wheat crop, both winter and spring, will
be harvested from an area very little, If
any, larger than that of year ago. and
the Indications are generally that the
yield will not be up to the average. The
price of wheat keeps firm on the market,
and we should not be at all surprised TO
see an advance in price as harvesting
proceeds. Both winter and spring oa,s
are disappointing crop in the South, an.
throughout the country the cat crop Is
smaller in acreage by over per cent.
than that of year ago, with a condition
much lower than at this time last year.
The corn crop is throughout all the
Southern States very uAeven one. Much
of it has had to be leplaDted, an! the
yield will largely depend on the length of
time the frosts hold off. Generally high
land corn is looking very well. The con-
tinued rains have hoped i: along, and
the probabilities are in favor of hett e.
yield than usual, as the ground is now so
well supplied with moisture that, with
good cultivation, there should be an album
dant supply to meet the needs of tho
crop until mace. The cotton crop plant
ed is much larger in area than that of last
year, there being an increase of IL Ter
cent; the condition on June LIST, is, how
ever, the lowest for many year,. Glass;
and lice are working constant injury TO
the crop, and the long continued rains
prevent anything being done to check
these. Tobacco has been set out on good
seasons, and is making a good growth.
The area planted is eStima ted to be about
the same as that of last year. The one
bright feature in the farming prospect is
the wonderful growth of grass. Bctn
meadows and pastures are coVerea with
heavy crops, and much hay has already
been made. With a continuance of the
present fine weather, we expect TO STE
this year the largest hay crop ever saved
in the South. Fruit promises 4 fair yieid,
though not so large as AT ona time seem
ed likely. the rains having caused boz Il
apples and peach IS to drop considerably
in some sections Cabbages aud Irish
potatoes are making a fine yield.
From the foregoing retrospect, it will
be seen that the outlook for Southern
farmers is not of the brightest. There
is, however yet time TO do much towards
improving this. Live stock is in strong
demand at good prices, and the demand
for beef, mutton and pork Is good Let
every effort be made to utilize the album
dant grass crop 10 lifting stock for the
market. To supply the place of the grass
thus consumed instead of being made into
hay, plant forage crops on land from
which spring crops have been taken, or
upon Land where crops have been destroy
ed by the floods. Corn for the eilo or for
forage can yet be planted Sorghum
millet and cow peas will yet n AXE full
crops. German millet makes an excel
lent hay crop, sown on good land, ma
turing in about so days. 1t Should be
sown at the rate of one 5ushel to the
acre, on finely prepared land. Do not al
low to stand until the seed is formed
The hay may be safely fed to stock of all
kinds, If clear OF seed; but if seed has
formed, it should pot be fed continuously
to horses. One OF our friends tells US
that he always soWs Crimson clover with
his millet and thus gets both a fall and
spring hay crop from one seeding. He
sows about Is pounds of Crimson clover
seed, and 80 pounds of German millet per
acre. The millet shades the Crimson clov-
er, and thus saves it from being killed
by the sun, as is SO often the case when
sown alone. After the millet is cut, the
Crimson clover grows righs along in the
col fall months, and makes good winter
and spring grazing and hay.
Cow peas, seeded alone or with sor-
ghum or small growing variety of corn,
should continue to be sewn w to the end
of the month. Crimson clover may be
sown also with cow peas. After the peas
are cut off, the clover will begin to make
growth. From the experience OF num-
bar of our friends which We have care
fully gathered, it would seem to be judi
cious to advise that Crimson clover should
always be sown along with some other
quick growing crop to act as a shade for
it. We know Of no crop more quickly
killed when young than Crimson clover,
1t terminates very quickly if there is
moisture in the ground, but unless the
weather is showery or at least cloudy,
for week or ten days aifer 1t has ger
minated, it is very apt to die as quickly
as it came. This has caused the abandon
ment of the crop by, many, and yet it is
too valuable a crop in the spring to aban-
don, if means can be taken to get over is
liability to kill out. This would seem to
be within reach by seeding with a cover
crop. In addition t9 those named, II may
be sowp ia the corn at the last WORKING,
Mi Il, nnf A ,.r,f 80