The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-25
THIS YEARS COTTON CROP.
West of The Mississippi the Crop
is Smaller East of That River
it is Larger.

IL 10 Gei Si'
The reports during the last ten days
reflect a stage in the development OF
growing and maturing cotton that
usually occurs during the last days
of August, and accounts for the vide
spread prevalence of rust and she'd
ding. Of itself it does not mark any
unusual deterioration, but occurring
so late in the season, it does indicate
an unusual backwardness OF the crop,
that makes the yield more problematl-
cal thar generally is the case in the
middle Of September, and more de-
pendent on an early or late frost
whether the crop will be OF record
breaking size or merely full one.
West Of the Mississippi, 1t seems,
the reports indicate loss under last
years yield even with the increased
acreage, while to the eastward there
will be a large excess over last year.
Since the reports we're received upon
which the State summaries are based,
heavy rains have occurred over the
eastern and central portions OF the
belt that lowered the quantity OF open
cotton in the bolls, but did no other
material damage except on ooyIom
lands that were overhowed. Picking
has been retarded by these rains and
cotton which was opening last VIII Ior
awhile mature slowly. tnus keeping pms
back the market supply for awnlle.
The condition of the crop has been
summarized for the different States
as follows:
In North Carolina the condition of
cotton, as reported by the department
of agriculture, is the lowest through
out the cotton belt, except IN Texas
and Arkansas. The weather condition
cannot further benefit the plant in
this State, except that showers would
secure better maturity of the upper
bolls. Cotton is opening very rapidly
and picking has become general; the
results of the first picking indicate a
shorter crop even than anticipated;
cotton gins are in operation and some
new bales have been sold. Damage
by shedding and rust has somewhat
diminished during the past week.
In South Carolina cotton opened
fast, except along the northern border
counties, and some opened premature,
" owing to rust that has increased
rapidly. The hot weather induced
shedding, and stopped growth of young
cotton. The crop is reported IN
less favorable condition than it was
a few weeks ago, and is not as heavily
fuited as it promised to be- Boil
worms have appeared in many sections
and have caused much injury. Sea
island cotton improved during the
week. Picking has made fair progress,
although little has as yet been glnned.
In Georgia with the exception OF
scattered showers dry weather prevail
ed during the great portion of the week
rendering the conditions favorable Ior
picking cotton and saving hay. The
dry weather caused cotton to open very
rapidly and did some damage to late
growing crops, but in most instances
the temporary setbacks seem to have
been overcome by reasonable showers
later in the week.
There is still complaint Of rusting
and shedding of cotton in many coun-
ties and it is the universal opinion
that the bottom crop will be somewhat
below last year while the top is in
many sections almost an entire failure.
In some counties considerable cotton
has been ginned and marketed.
In Alabama: Cotton continued to
open freely. with picking being rapid
ly pushed; many complaints of rust,
rot, and shedding are received, with
a general admission that rust has dam
aged the staple very considerably. SO
that the yield will be very light:
there seems to be but slight prospects
for top crop.
In Mississippi: Cotton is opening
very fast, and at many places over
half of it is open. Picking was pro-
crossing very nicely until about
Wednesday, since then very little has
been gathered on account Of the IN
favorable weather. The excessive rains
and continued damp weather during
last half of the week have damaged
the crop considerably. It is shedding
over the greater portion Of
the State; while in many delta and
northern counties it is rotting and
beginning to sprout from the open
bolls.
In Louisiana: The early part of the
week was generally favorable for cot
ton picking, except in some northern
parishes where the weather was show
cry. General showers throughout the
State at the close Of the week mate
rialy interfered with outdoor work.
Picking was rushed when the weather
was favorable and is we'll advanced in
many localities. There are complaints
from some OF the southern parishes
that bolls are rotting as a result of
continuous wet weather and in some
instances the quality Of the staple has
been reduced. Rust and shedding are
reported from several parishes. Re
ports from Concordia state that late
cotton will be fair crop if frost holds
off sufficiently long. The yield of cot
ton is below the average.
In Tennesse: Since the August rains,
cotton has been making abnormal stalk
growth to the great detriment of fruit
age, besides the yield has been much
lessened by shedding forms and rust.
In Texas: Although considerable
DAMAGE the result of heavy rains. oc-