The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-08-30
THE COTTON CROP.
Nearly Every State Has Marketed
III its First Bale.

The week was characterized by ex-
oossivo rainfall over tho oontral portion
Of the belt that did some physical in.
jury to cotton, aud by continuation
Of tho drought ovor Toxas, but this area
has boon materially reduced in oxtent
by recent heavy rainfall ovor tho south
eastern and central portions Of the
State. Cotton 10 opening over the on
tire bolt, and nearly every State has
marketed "fifst" bale, but ia Texas
only is picking general. Thoro is an in.
oreasod area affeoted by rust, and she'd
ding has been noted throughout tho
bolt, nevertheless thoro has boon moro
than tho seasonal improvement in oon.
dition and the general prospects indi.
cate average yields or bettor, With q
total crop Of ii, 600, 600 bales or moro,
rather than fewor, with fairly favor.
able Weathor conditions during the re
mainder Of tho aesson.
In North Carolina the past week WAS
remarkable for heavy reins from tho
18th to tho 14tb, and oonse quon,ly light
showers until tho oloso. Cottoaiu somo
places improved somewhat, and in
very favorable localities, with good
autumn, nearly full Drop may bc
mado, but throughout tho larger por.
tion of tho State tho crop has not made
much progress; cotton plants are v5ry
weedy and long jointod on ptitf lands,
small on sandy land, and generally arc
not forming bolls woil on either; blooms
arc still reported; shedding OF squares
ana DOiis in inoroaeip0
In South Carolina on sandy lspda.
cotton has taken on rust extensively, is
shedding freely, and is losing color, but
on clay lands further Improvement is
indicated during the wock, especially
for esrly cotton, which is heavily
fruited. Young cotton is growing too
much weed and is not fruiting eatis-
factorily. Early cotton is beginning to
open over practically the whole State.
although picking will not bo genoral
for como time. Tho first bale Of the
season was marketed at Charleston on
the 17th, First baloS were marketed
usually in Auguat, in previous yeers. as
follows: 1900, on tho 9Th; 1899, on tho he
4sb; 1898, on tho 9th; 1897, on tho 2nd;
1895, on July 28sh; 1895, on Auguss
10th; 1894, on 10Th. Sea island cotton
continues to improve and ia fruiting,
but remains nnderaiaed.
In Georgia the excessive rainfall OF
tho latter portion Of the weok, with
high winds, damaged corn and cotton
in nearly oil seotions. Complaints aro
numerous Of injury by russt, shedding
and rotting Of bolls in cotton in middle
and south sections; in the north section
the crop is progressing we'll as a rule.
Picking ia being done in q few ooun,
ties. 2s5 # 483355#s5 54335;.5
In Florida the week was noted for,
heavy rains and high winds over the
iWestern3 diStriot and portions Of tho,
lsioTth thepn distsiok b lotto III and IS aorns
Drops were d ute sefiousl y.a dam sged In
q 4 d. s.s4S
portion of north horn counties. 8 Preoipi.
;tation was heavy over other section Of
tho State, except the lover portion Of
tho extrome southern district, whore
rain was deficient. Cotton picking has
been delayed.
In Alabama tho first few days woro
rathcr favorable for oil otopD, but tho
gulf storm, which moved northward
ovor castern Mississippi during Thurs.
day and Friday, caused heavy to exoos-
sivo rains and high winds over tho
greater portion Of Alabama, the rain.
fall being particularly excessive in
western and norshern counties, where
much low land was overAowed. Cotton,
which, prior to this storm was in very
promising condition, was much beaten
down and the stalks twisted by the
wind, in many folds bolls being shskon
off; it is difficult to estimate tho dam.
age asyet; however, while considerable,
it was much mi,igated by tho backward
stage OF tho crop; despite this damage,
cotton continues Woll fruitod, and,
with favorable conditions from now on,
should give fairly good yield, though
it is shedding freely, and rust is sproad.
Ing; it is beginning to opon rapidly,
and, in o foW fields, pre,naturely; SOW
oral first bales" were marketed in
southern and middle oountios. but
worry littlo picking has been done.
In Mississippi tho amount of damage
to crops caused by tho shifting high
winds and heavy rains during the
week, cannot yot be fully estimated.
Crops on bottom lands have boon badly
damaged by ovoih ow, aside from boing
blown TO the ground. Howover, ss a
rule, cotton continues promising ovor
tho southern portion Of tho State; the
sunshine and winds have dried out the
open cotton aud picking has com.
menoed Complaint of rust and shed.
ding 10 goneral, although not serious.
La many northorn counties the rains
oamo too lato to be Of material bono.
fit to either cotton or corn. j.
In Louisiana heavey rains oyor the
southeastern portion Of the State and
in some looaillios along tho Mississippi
river havo been unfavorablc for tho
cotton crop, eDpeoially in places whore
tho ground was full of moisture from
previous rains. In such places grass
and woods arc making rapid growth.
Dry woather continues over tho west.
ern portion Of tho Stato, except ia aoat-.
tercd localitios; early plantcd cotton in
this part Of tho State is too far ad.
yAnoed to bo benefited, but late .odtton
would be greatly improved by: rain.
Rust and shedding arc reported from
many localities over the oonteral and
northern portions Of the State. Lice
arc dan aging the Drop in afow plaoos.
Early planted cotton 10 opening,tto a
greater or less extent in al; parts Of
tho State, and picking, has commenced
in few ssatterod localities, Some pre-.
mature oponing is reported. ,lBolls arc
rotting In Madison parish. The out
look while favorable in aomo aootionp,-