davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
HAMILTON COrNrY.

Hamilton. There win he an Increase Of
year; sll planted. Most all IN Win a
fnlr stand aud no Insects have appeared.
The oatlook Us favorable for good crop.
Good rains all over the country,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
GoNZALEs cnrNrY

Consoles The cotton crop OF this section
Is fully three weeks later than usual. The
acreage X about : per cent greaier than
chopped out, except where replantmy was
required on account OF hall about the lsf
nnd 10th OF this month. Fortunately tbe
lasi hall extended over very small sec
account " cold nights during April. No
grhsShoppers and hilt few lice have m
peared. Roll weerll are reported every
where aud II Is feared that the cotton cr6n
VIII be almost entirely DESTROYED unless
the weeSil can he destroyed nnnlber
~ farmers are preparing 10 poison wniln
tne plant Is small before II squares. The
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
LANAI o.o,...

Paris The mcre,sa ovsIY.
acreage Is from Z ~ ,o ~ The IN.
Ing hns bce1 neccss ~ Per etat b
= to 81 per ccnt s,rn ,s 10 tie Y
ppo ooa'@o ana 1.-The stand az sop
49, ,ho co, 20 Insects have y Va, MI
pbe COTTON crop, at least y Yea
Ana Ne source has been ~ ~ asists|
TIPS are regarded from ~, repnrs.
inip. Inc plant looks .mo e fa1
barea with last wear an vfy peitS]
large crop. N'ent Is hattrs
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
FISHER COUNTY

Roby Approximately 30 per cent of rho
stand There are great number o} '' e,nss !"
h"ppefs throughout the county but thrv arc
sn Young maj It Is hard 10 determine tn
mas heen none by them There viii bc nm
Increase of nearly 10 per cent over last
achra crop The crop Is nor so PROMISING
younger on account OF Tho dry Nc,+bor
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
HOOD COUNTY

6ranbury, The cotton crop Is looking
very we'll lust now; think there has haa5
sh Increase In acreage Of ahont 3 per, cent.
some not planted. while some has been
proved aud chopped out, There has been
rss replanltng than common, and that not
planted IL where oats have been plowed un
uhd inc land prepared for cotton where
mus Is done. u requires good seasons, as
lnr ahd Is dry and cloddy. SO far, as a
rule. good stand has been Obtained hut
INC cool nights since the recent ral-s do
nor tnyor the growth. The outlook Is fair,
n Sood; the recent hne rains have placed
are wei. up with their work; grass
,nohsh' Is growing rapidly, aud should we
nave rainy season many would lie behind
With their work.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

Shcrwood.-So far prospects are splen-
did for a good cotton crop In this coInty
this ycar. About the same number Of acres
in cotton this year as last. have heard
of no one having TO plant the second time,
and all report COOL stand
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
LAMpAsAs corvr.

Lampasas,-The lncressn' y.
acreage In this county wi,i ID III
,rnt, as the failure in w e seai
D'en the cause of nj as sfall n
l ,.e 10 he planted n '" cn,,s y II
has been necessary on voltoa- Ri
an J fully 20 per com W aeomi d
III planted awaiting VI M ercp {
f irsao . aitaired Is fair and I "ns, q
, Tn,. : o. any kind. Ths s unalnf|
Luz Il cotton crop at this time sd \ Y.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
GnIIAn rC,ltNry

tcllsd, There is no increase In acreage
from last year. Tho crop Is all planted and
worked out and some Of the carly plyntlu,
has squares on II There Is some h"li
MeeNil ana grasshoppers In the late plant-
ing th' grasshopper Is showing his work.
cotton or cora ma last season.
Berciair-rhe Increase 10 the cotton
acreage the present Vear over last T. Dhout
IL per cent, The storm Of sunday pi-ht
viii necessitate much rcplantlfg Ahout
~ per cent of the crop remains 20 hr Ilant-
Ncre reported from all parts NJ the comfy
prior 10 the Storm, Tho boil wccril Is nj
work In every field, bur II is tor early To-
form any estimates Of the drmaae they
may DO. There l. some complaint Of lee
AMI grasshonperS, Acres aud acres of cnf
ton has been buried hv the storm. nnl 80
the telds are yet too wet FOR farmers to get
INTO them, II II impossible 10 approxlmafa
the amount OF damage. BEFORE the storm
ing nicely.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
HUNT COUNTY.

Wolfe City.-The aphis totally dtsiroyed
the oat crop here. but the lana was plhiten
in sorghum and milet; the cotton hcrcnSc
Is about the same rs last year Flowing
was about three weeks later than last sea
son, and owing to the dry weather FOR me
last month about one fourth ol inc cotton
did not come mp until the rain that iei.
on the 10Th. Heavy rains nave been islIsnt
daily since the 10Th and crops vii gett ~
had condition II the rain continues much
longer.
Commerce. n rule, the stand Is very
good Some cotton Is getting very grassy
since the rain set in: there may he some
Of II lost The outlook for crop Is good
There has heen no rcplanting in tins
county.
Cc,rstc.-There ls an increase of 20 per
cent over last years cotton, rcplantinS 70
the amount of > per cent, owing 70 dry
weather but little to be pianteh' ABOUT :
per cent. perfect stand mas n"h ~
talncd by the portion now up; no bon IN
scots have appeared yet. The outlook NJ
present Is splendid. but later than usual.
Cnddo Mills. The cotton crop In THIS see
tlon is very good at this time Of year,
and on an average it Is calculated to be
about IL per cent increase In acreage over
last year. caused by good many or me
farmers putting their grain land in cotton
farmers behind with chopping and there is
n demand for cotton choppers In this sec
tion, and at present there is no talk oil
lice CT bugs in the cotton The genera
crtlonk Is very g Cd ut this time OF year
The corn crop is fine.
Greenvlle,- is m increase in the
acreage of cotton his year over last. hut
not exceeding 10 per cent. Considerable
replanting was necessary on account OF
dry weather in the early spring, and some
crops will yet he planted. owing to the de
struction of the wheat and oat crops ny
bugs. Good stands are very generally re
ported and there are no insects of any
kind since tho green bugs departed. The
general outlook is not as favorable as nj
the corresponding season last year but a.
present the crop is very promising, ana
farmers are happy and hopeful.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

consequence, ane IN. ~
Is rather encourarins outloak Al
unless umiess something happense nal
srop; Recent rains havH as e, . ri
TO planted crops. provls1, eeeh VA
90 not stop the presen uea tohu,}
good. vases 4. N
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

,o Gut ,, cotton III. 4
9ea J, ~ IL, this county viii sscrsase Z
Or - per cent over tt II sscravr Is
i.eplanting done or b nnat 81 hs \
a good stand all over pssssary d n
sec lions. No wevil or y, .ne dlssis-
taeken the Young MANI sshopnr.
era outlook for TIC Ivy, Is ~ 4
years. 40 coMpaied s,.14
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
FANNtN COUNTY.

Bonham -.On account Of Tho groom hnr
that Infested the wheat and oat Acids the
planting Of cotton VAS delayed considtr
ABBY beyond the usual time Of planting fcr
tear that thc same fate would hpfaN Tho
Young cotton as IL came M. therefore liz
cotton crop VIII not compare win mrs..
poet ~ this date laat year. Recent rains
o. Which there has hecn an abundance
are getting 10 he very Foul with weeds ana
grass, The best estimate would place Tia
Increase In acreage over lasI year AZ ab,nt
~ per cent; on account of SO much Of tho
wheat and oats entirely DESTROYED. ma
crops. 49," "'"''
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
KARNBS COUNTY.

henedy.- Some recent rain in this src.
uion or country puts some better feeling
among the farmers in spots. cotton nros,
poets poets We're never aev so discouraging as this
year; about 81 per cent had to be planted
over on account of so much dry weather
ana ~ per cent has never been planted
TOO dry TO break the land The holi weeviI
ere mere by the millions; the writer has
round as many as three on n stalk az cot.
Ton not six inches high The cotton acre.
hgre Is about same as last year. Wonld
pave pave heen more hut all new ground will
nave IN stand idle now on account Of tbr
i ,eteness Snd not enough rains 10 break
a MN, me general outlook is very poor
ana nnout month aud n half behind tha
81 last year on an average, The recent
NM IN TIC northern part Of this countv
I'D n great deal of damage 70 corn ma
cotton that was m " iu "nu
knnge.-Ihe Increase In acreage over ,os,
year Is estimated between ) and m no.
cent comparatively little replnnting bas
feh necessary, There is generally a good
S Snn,S The hol wceyi is present In Are are
tbn ,'.a, put as yet no damage. Wbaf
, .ne weeVll may do OF curse can not ha
the ;, Taking ont Of the account what
large crop is good u'i'oA toF
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

Of so per cent 10 the acreage Of her cotton
crop over any previous year Farmers re-
port having secured good stand ana fine
prospects TOR II good crop. The crop ls
pretty well all planted Good season and
land Ia nice condition. No appearance OF
any kind OF insects SO far. The success VI
last years crop hats added materially TO the
cotton interest In this section. Dickens
mas secured for another year new up-tO-
date gin ontht-nfty horse power engine,
sixty-hve horse power boiler. three seventy
saw gin stands-whlch shows good faith In
Dlekens county AS 4 cotton country.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
FAYETTE corNrY-

Warrenton. The acreage in cotton is
about the same as last year. Owing Ia
bad stands caused by cold nights cuns,d,
cradle cotton has been replanted and some
places haNe been replaufcd three fines.
me crop Is now oil planted The stands
lone by lice or boil weevIl. The outlooh
Tor crop Is good, provided IL II nor do.
stroyed by, weeyll, but the probability Is
that me whole crop may be DESTROYED. IN.
they are now making against the bojl
weeyil pest. The outlook for good croo
80 far compares fayorably with that OF
several years past.
Winchester; Cotton Is looking fairly well
generally. The recent cool wet spep has
caused sandy land cotton to become lousy
don't look upon that with any serious eon
sequences. We have the bull wecvil and
the sharp-shooter IN abundance. which is
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
HOPKINS COUNTY,

sulphur Springs The cotton ncreoys IN
nus comfy VIII average ~ per cent In
crease over last year and the stand n
COOL very attic replantlng has been neccs
this county, all has been planted ami m
niceiy- No insccts ~ any ksna have Vel
appeared thar have damaged the crop M
no damage is anticipated. The outlook "a
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

with for the season. The stend should be
very good.
Village Mlils.-The cotton is all planted
in this section acreage Is fully nS lnnch
as last year; the season Is excellent; NO in
sects here. The outlook for crop here was
never better.
HARRIS COUNTY.
Crosby TIE acreage planted 70 cotton
this year, while larger than In 1000. MI
i.p. lv nore Than 80 per cent OF the lS5o
acreage. the scarcity OF seed. coupled Win
the cool nights Turing the last OF April
and the drodth during Msy, caused many
to cut down their proposed acreage, We
planting has been get eral from one 10 three
is TAINTED end 40 per cent up aud work d
over once The stand Is very ilrfgulJr
and stalks from twelve inches high 10
two Inches can he seen IN the same row
in many fields. rho stand. however. is
fair end still coming mp since the rain OF
a few days since. No damage rom D y
weevil or lnrects No boil weevil 10 this
section. The outlook for the crop Is ,ol
at present. Entirely depending on weah r
conditions from this time forward. Mex.
lean June corn Is the fad here now ana
il per cent The steady decline 10 the
price and the amount of cotton stiil com.
ing into sight from last years crop Is
being carefully noted by the farmers n :.
Aidine.--Cotton acreage here prac icnlly
the same as IN 1000. About all planted anll
buy little rpplanting VIII he ne essafF.
Some growers report the stand better IN -
last year; some not SO good. t4lhk .he
average condition and genera outiooN .ot
the crop is about the same ms In 400. No
inject pests reported so far.
Rose lIill.-Acreage planted IN cotton
this season as compared with last year n"s
been decreased fully 30 per cent: over on :
half of this had to be replantrd, In so ne
nlnccs twice tho cause being dry and cold
wcnther too deep or too shallow plat n.
II Is about completed and most seed Is UP
and above ground to fair stand. fhe
older cotton looks we'll since the rain OF
sunday. The stand IS good. Same par
lies claim that tho bon wccvi Is here. but
very little damage Is done to the pant
There are no grasshopper or lice. Toe cut,
worm Is doing some damage. Vht II raj
outlook for Tue crnp Is better thin inst
year. with the exception Of tho young cot
ton. II is considerable later thnn prtyiols
years All depends on the weather and III
sccts what the prospects will be-
abmif so per cent. Replautlng has heen
ground being cold. There is still some
replanting The stand is good, with ab Ut
half Of the farmers. There are somH noll
weevl The farmers fear they. viii 40
great damage The outlook for the cotton
crop this year Is not good.
Webster. Cotton crcp cooking WI but
is late Acreage increased about 100 pr
cent over LAST year, Planting and re-
No Indications Of hol wcevll or insects re
ported Outlook comparatively good
Cedar Ravou.-The dry weather has n
terfered with cotton planting; Somr hnvc
count. Many have had to resort to r.
planting, faihng 70 get q stand. That mat
Is now up Is doing we'll. No boil weevil
has made It's appearance MS yet, mere
will likely be a decrease Iii acreage owiag
to latencss of season
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

Buffalo. There Is a slight aesl',,'
acreage this year compared WIN ~
More corn has been planted, S~
planting has been necessary ea w
Of heavy rains. Probably one.lv5aS h
the crop remains implanted. go
has been attained by cotton pianu-
look for good crop Is encouraslhs ~
Oakwoods. The present flHp ssl
with the exception of being ten " NJ
days late, Is very good. Farnf~
with WORK and an excellent sess''
ground. ~,uN
Marquee. The cotton acreage NJ w 4, y
least - per cent In excess q ".
1890. hut the seasons have oesn ~ NJ
30 per cent nf that acreage ~ ~ AZ
planted; replantlng is still golas y X
per cent oil the entire acreage sJib
up while Of that up not oitl IN, M
vet chopped to stand. my .,. is,;
weeks late as compared VIE XIX
which was three to four wees Wees nv
the average. No holl weeyii y II ~
pers In this section, Though l ssd IA
reported In several places; ahsmls
wind have done considerable ns' nrt.t
together the outlook is not Ner' Y
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
ELLIS COUNTY.

Ennis.-'rhe increase Of the cotton acre
age Is about - per cent this year over
lust caused mainly by the destruction al
oats and wheat hy the green hugs. This,
Of course caused late planting Of n great
per ccnf OF the increased acreage. However.
he cotton planted earlier Is generally in
fine condition and good. stands are reported
In both paintings, although the drouth of
few days back caused a check In the
growth to a slight extent. The recent rains
have been a great blessing TO this section
and the present prospect Is much more
hnttering than was the case this time last
year. II Is fenred by some of the farmers
that the increased acreage will cause a
decrease In the price. However this Is
not the general opiuon.
Ferris.-lhc Increased acreage Is about
per cent over last year; no replanting Of
any note has occurred In this vicinity
The stands are good and the plant Is well
grown and remarkably healthy. No Insects
have appeared SO far. but we src having
too much rain for desired cultivation. But
little chopping has been done for week
and the weather Is threatening rain now
Lnhot is scarce and If It rains much more
i Is more than likely that some crops will
be lost
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
KENDAItTo..Sl

bocrne The acreage I, vsIi.
be estimated. IS the iul ~ NJ
cotton has all been same a ~
has attained a fall 'ahsed K =
" with Nor FOR the crop. 81 s,a e.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
HASKELL COUNTY.

Haskell-Sinc the recent showers cot.
Mt this date The acreage Is greater hv rs
per cent than that of 1900. That 70 he
planted YET. Including the replnntng, Is
about 90 per cent of the entire crop 1ne
stand Of the first planting is generally bad.
A, this time the outlook for n large cot.
ton crop this season is not very hntterng.
Rains have been partial aud some places
in the country are needing rain badly.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
GRAYsoN cn1,NrY

A. p'ulS"h. owing to the destruction to
the wheat and oai crons wrought ia. tbc
species of nphls known Familiarity rs lhe
,pceh mug. the cotton acreage has been
increased from II 10 20 per cent In ter
III. covered by this report. Much OF
lhis increase is likely to he offset hy scarcI.
" OF labor 70 work tho crop. n recent do
EVl"plHeht caused partly by the demand
LOT lahor by railways The pnst ten DAYS
~ ms "a. started the grass ahead and farm
yIS tnough offering dollar 4 iav ana
poard; are unble To secure sufficient mum
NJ OF choppers Planting about MI done
Nc cotton M, aud generally a good stand
c rmv piaHt is making slow growth on nc
n r,'o,iau or me low temperature that has
EIeNnllet and still prevails, though ready
~ cultlNailoh as soon as the ground IL
~ 'ihheiv i,iN dry Though small the plant
ijcc ,,rassi none OF Us enemies, such as
nee. Erasshoppcrs and boil weevil. having
II, YET made their appearance
Shprmhn,-lhe almost total loss of wheat
m ,%S s CanS s me cotton acreage to he in
Practically the entire crop is nionted md
50 Iur nut little replantng has been neccs
sly S' bu, little complaint is heard OF
tho o.nnus. ana everything considered
thal Of last year The recent heavy and
continued rains have created unensiness
~ some sections of this county,. and in
Nan Wy" S9u'n western part of the county the
tinr"hus or worm that will greatly rc
uuce me prospects there unless lis rayaces
ca" W.t y" stopped or averted in some way.
mis- scction ne cotton crop Is latc in
!, ne Ground when the late rains came and
n ~, up the plants which now promise
! n ,Irno CROWN There is about W per cent
increase over last wear caused nv mo
loss Of the wheat aud ont cron Fsrp,nrs
nhNe q good stand and the plant Is grow
- iSoIousN, No Insect pests have an
w., 'en' ana tue general outlook Is good
.o, ~ anerag" crop with normal climatic
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
KAUFMAN COUNTY.

Forney.-The cotton crop has a small Il,
,p nrase IN acreage over last year. Renlant.
us nas nor been necessary The stand
anr VIZ good No complaint Of Insects Of
s snx hihd The crop is promising. although
somewhat KsNT later than last year "''''"sn
kaufman. The acreage OF cotton IN Ron,
nlan county Is Increased about ~ ner cnnt
and a' ,nnd o. small grain being plowed up
n nesn hlte or no replantlng. All ~ the
hotlon crop Is planted. Most ali :" no,t nv
ms nps a 5000 stand and Ia growing raniaiv
e ane general outlook for a large cntton
s s"P was never better. There il greot
ue,l"nu Tor choppers. but as a rule chon'
nVls want IRON Sl25 TO $50 ner I.v ~
WIZ ana farmers win not give In "' ioi
lttrsil.-Ihere Is about ID nor con, l.,
e',,ss'u acreage this wear over last IN tho
,ptoh crop, Some estimate even mor. n.y. Nm
bssn , vvrsnse some small grain erops have
~ I'm turned into cotton but thls Kin ~,
nsNn hnd 70 replant. ana In a few n,acss
AZ a. saii territory the hall has done rn,nch
d;,uI,aHe, me hclds are In pretty good ,',n'
u v IN the average. The stand has hcn,
wssbs spoa, though recent rains have badly
nsAppeafance Of the green hnss ,hnra
ns's oeen no depredations OF very epays
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
LIMESTONE COUNTY.

Tehuacana.-A very small Zane zane
acreage: very little replanuns 40
ed too early, some when u was %
Is planted; stand very syuc' eepsr
trouble vet from any insee's, rrsplal
look very good; crops growlps "
somewhat late and Dehlnu; IN lkl
Kossc. The cotton acreaEe li'
tlon Will be about the sam, ~
son. The stand Is .gensran Az
little replanting 10 be Iona liris
per cent OF the crop 70 heeIr APP
.;rasshOppers have made InrN aeasf
In small section AMI hass "a 4
cradle damage aud tYsy " ~
and may damage II great q.
general outlook for the q "a
With last season u fave
exception OF wheat and o.
Groesbeeck. From 3 10 TAU
cover the increase In cott.
last year. Excessive rain n.
storms have made II necer 10
crs 10 replant sbont one-hD
that portion OF crop up ~
has been raised The boil -
have moi appeared. but
the Bighill community are
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

DICKENS COUNTY.
Dickens. Dickens county has an Increase
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29


noli weevll works In the bud while the
plnnt ~ small and sucks the substance
ont q ~ A few farmers are gathering
c cru DESTROYING the inject. II the w ea,nal
~ ~ favorable for several days a g0ou
n..any farmers will poison. Rain has fallen
~ over the county lately.
arWood. Including the late planting,
cotton acreage in this vicinity is full II
~ per cent. Heplanting was not so
shr rs first supposed. Cotton farmers
, emunsn' iney would have to repant pni
,"s',nh came NJ after the rains 10 very
good stand. Fully TInc.tenths Of the cot
IN IN V planted, three-fourths chopped out,
81 pol wtevil are numerous, ana great
come s sinng three or four times each
I'M I'M, Inlis on. The crop Will he an entire
aernrd unless they leave Of their own
now to destroy them aud are not attempt
ilnss ~; Prospects, compared with last
year, are % per cent worse, with the boil
weesYil in sight.
Waelder. This enlre section. embracing
,is,4sdrSSh o. 20 snuare miles has just necn
end oy near rains, with high VIM,
bnnu ~ certain sections very damaging
causing the late repianting Of cotton TO
aohle Up to a better stand The hail. how
c cas,, mas almost destroyed many crops 10
certain sections. The acreage In cotton Is
abont the same as last year, but replanting
nTs neen So, general aud late on account
" pad seed and dry weather that the
peodp os ,niong this ne Is not, near as
s go US last year Jtton Is all planted
IN JnSSt about all up. but the stands Of
me 3id cotton Is not good. The boil
1871 Us mere In great numbers on the
t ~, eatlng and waiting for the squares
!" FORM In which to deposit their eggs,
nnu ! Is the opinion Of our best farm
HtS NM unless destroyed no cotton will
ne made. The outlook Is most gloomy
nut since Prof. Mally's lecture explaining
NV 10 get rid Of thcnl many feel en-
s s,.lg and VIII make an effort to de-
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29
IIBERTY COUNTY.

Dayton.-There has been 4 os y1s;',
IS per cent IN acreage from ~ frrs
stand aud not much replanllnst outtdl
ly neglected and the genera years
bad as compared with fofshti
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-05-29

with for the season. The stand shorld be
very good.
Village Mills.--The cotton is all planted
in this section acreage is fully ns mnch
as last year; the season Is excellent; NO in
sects here. The outlook for crop here was
never better.