The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-09
GREAT HEAT DRIES SOIL
Crops in Good Condition But Continued
Drought Will Hurt.
CORN IMPROVES IN THE CENTRAL BELT
In Southern States Very Poor Crop is Indicat-
ed. lntte Central and Eastern Districts
Cotton Deteriorates, Improy-
ing in Ttxas.

The United States Department of Ag-
riculture, Climate and Crop Service,
Weather Bureau, Sissued yesterday the
following weekly crop bulletin for the
week ending Monday, July T. 1902:
The reports of correspondents for the
week ending Monday, July Z, were not
so favorable as for the preceding period
The characteristic features were the al
most complete absence of rainfall, the
intense heat and glaring sunshine during
the latter portion of the week The
weekly mean temperature was about "a
degrees, and the daily means averaged
from degrees to 10 degrees above the
normal; from the 4th to the close of the
week maximum temperatures above 100
degrees were recorded throughout the
central-south portion of the State. Ex-
cept in the extreme northeast where
showers occurred on the 1st and 5th
there was practically no rainfall any
where during the entire week. The sun
shine was intense, and brisk winds dried
out the soil very rapidly. While crops
are still generally in good condition, and
early in the week made excellent growth,
they are now beginning to suffer for lack
of moisture, and another week of drought
would certainly cause serious deteriora-
tion
Corn continued to maintain it's ex-
cellent condition, many correspondents
remarking, chest for many years" but
toward the close began to suffer for lack
of moisture, especially early corn, which
needs rain to fill out the grain early
planted corn is generally in silk and tas-
sci; laying by corn is approaching COM
pletion even in the extreme west; there
is considerable complaint of damage by
chinch bugs. Cotton is not yet suffering
materially from drought. though show
ers would benefit the crop; it has grown
considerably, and, appears to be forming
squares freely; complaints of damage
by lice are unusually numerous, though
some reports indicate that the insects
are beginning to disappear. Cutting and
curing tobacco has Just commenced with
some good results; showers are much
needed for the tobacco crop to secure
full growth of upper leaves. Stacking
winter wheat, oats, and rye is finished:
threshng is fully under way; cutting
spring oats is we'll advanced. Sweet po-
tatoes are not doing well, and the crop
will be short, chiefly on account of the
scarcity of plants. Peanuts are doing
we'll Rice on the lower Cape Fear is
fine. and has received last flow of water.
Home grown watermelons are coming
into market. General prospects for fruit
are disappointing as compared with the
favorable outlook earlier in the season;
the intense heat of the last few days mas
caused some premature ripenlng. PeacneS
and early apples are in market, botn OF
inferior quality, though peaches are
fairly abundant late apples continue to
fall. good crop of hay was secured IN
some places but pastures are now 1all-
ing.
NATIONAL BUREAUS g.. O.. 6..6. sc
(By the Associated Press)
Washington. July S.-The Weather
Bureaus weekly summary of condition
SAYS:
Rain is much needed in the South At
lantic States, where the week has been
unusually warm, with showers over limit
ed areas only.
Under highly favorable temperatures
there has been general Improvement
in the condition of corn throughout the
central valleys and the outlook for TINS
crop in the principal corn States is en-
couraging, although in the states or the
Missouri valley it has suffered consld-
erably from lack of cultivation. due to
excessive moisture.
In the Southern States very poor crop
is indicated and in portions of the Cen
trail Gulf districts the early plant Is
injured beyond recovery
With showers over local areas only
and very high temperatures, the cotton
crop over much the greater portion OF
the central and eastern districts of the
cotton belt has materially deteriorated,
especially over the southern portion of
the districts named, although, consider
ing 10 size of the plant, it is fruiting
well and is generally clean In Ten
nessee, extreme Northern Mississippi,
Arkansas Missouri, Oklahoma and In
dian Territory the crop continues in
promising condition, although it is need