The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-02
FEBRUARY CROP CONDITIONS.
Damage to Southern Winter Wheat
by Sudden Cbaures

The regular monthly climate and crop
bulletin issued by the Agricultural De-
partment yesterday shows the follow
ing general conditions:
While the month has been cold in
the principal ar-.o,,-o1 districts. the
precipitation was light. and such farm
work as is usually performed in winter
has been conducted very satisfactorily.
In the Southern States extensive prepara-
tons for spring planting have been made.
In southern Texas and in Florida some
corn has been planted and oat seeding
has begun in portions of the Central
Gulf States.
over the southern portion of the win
ter wheat region, owing to the general
lack of snow protection and alternate
freezing and thawing, the reports respect
ing winter wheat are for the most part,
unfavorable, but over the northern por-
ton there has been generally ample
snow covering, and the reports indicate
that the crop is in very promising conti-
ton. reports of injury by fly continue,
but they are less numerous than in the
proceeding month. On the Pacific Coast
the wheat outlook is reported as excel
lent. although growth has been retard-
ed by low temperatures, some damage
having resulted from heavy rains in CEN
trail and northern California.
THE Southern States experienced very
trying temperature conditions from the
Goth to the 18th, when freezing tempera
ture occurred as far South as central
Florida"
The following conditions in detail are
indicated:
New York. Qthaca)-February was
cold with high west and northwest winds;
ample snow protection during entire
month, except in parts of southeast sec
ton; snow is one to four feet deep in
northern New York and drifts fifteen feet
deep are reported in places; month was
favorable for winter grain, which Is In
good condition.
PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia)-Snow
varying in depth, covered entire State at
beginning of February, little snow since,
but, owing to continued cold weather.
fields remained we'll covered during
greater part of month, and the general
condition of wheat and rye apparently re-
mains good, though some poor fields are
reported in east and southeast sections.
Maryland and Delaware tBaltimore)-
February was dry and windy; snow Gov
ering protected wheat in northern coun-
ties until the middle of the month, but
since then some damage has been done by
freezing and thawing; conditions were
continually unfaVorable in southern coun-
ties where no protection was afforded by
snow; the general prospect is less favor
able. although least damage was sustain
ed in principal wheat growing districts.
Virginia Observation-Disclosures indicate
general falling off in condition of win
ter wheat during February: absence of
snow protection has exposed crop TO cold.
freezing weather. and considerable heav-
ing has resulted; all late seeding poor;
some winter killed; early seeding better;
some fine in south side counties;
North Carolina (Raleigh)-Weathe
rather unfavorab BILE for winter wheat,
which has been injured by alternate
freezing and thawing and by high winds:
deficiency in rainfall prevented spreading
so that present condition appears bacs-
ward; not enough winter Killed to prevent
good stand where growth starts; seeding
truck crops under way in southeast por-
tion."