Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-02
CONDITION OF CROPS.

For the past thirty days I have trsy-
eled somewhat extensively over middle,
southeast ard southwest Georgia and
have carefully noted the condition Of field
crops 50 Tar as Il was possible 20 judge
them from the car windows IL has been
many years since cotton has moved on 50
rapidly IN its growth The seasons up 70
the present time have been eminently sat
isfactory for the growth OF both cotton
and corn. South OF Albany rain has not
been abundant as IN other sections OF the
state and corn is suffering.
But cotton Is glistening in the hot sun
shine. rapidly developing and taking on
squares, especially in those nelds where
choppinr was started early and dirt
thrown back to the stalks by the plow.
The crop of cotton now growing in Terrell
county viii average better than the same
acreage in any other county in the state
The fields appear TO be cleaner and the
farmers nearer up with their work than
elsewhere The best fields OF oats that
have seen this year we're from four TO
i've miles out from Dawson on the Dow
erel public road
Nv Investigation into the farm lands.
and the crops generally OF Terrell county
in-icate that il IS the best average agri-
cultural county in the state There seems
but little or no waste land. and each acre
IS a fairly good copy OF the other. Not
only Is this true in all sections OF the
county. but the farmers OF that county
appear 10 be well up with their work and
the character Of preparation and cultiva-
ton shows an intelligent disposition IN
the line Of the most progressive ideas In
practical up-to-date culture.
What OF the Future.
WHITE present outlook so promising
nQss0nly in this state but throughout all
ts-tions OF the cotton belt. and with but
little or no decrease in the cotton acreage
this year as compared with last. the in
dications would naturally point 10 an alb
normal yield. True the critical period in
the growth and development Of the plant
has not yet been reached. and viii not be
until the days Of July and August are
upon Us
The crops OF both corn and cotton.
while making such splendid Roadway
now. may yet be largely reduced during
the fruIting stage OF both crops. June is
the critical month for corn. while July
and August make history for the cotton
crop. Two weeks severe drouth In June
may partially OF wholly destroy the corn
crop. while the same period OF excessive
dr0uth with a willing sun and whitening
Wind may cut OF the cotton crop 50 TO 40
per cent from a fun development.
Not only have we yet TO contend with
nckle seasons over which we can exercise
no control. and which may or may not be
favorable. but we have that greatest OF
all troubles 20 meet, the hckleness OF the
cotton market. II a fun crop Is made, and
the spfnners realize II before the crop is
harvested. how viii the farmers meet the
proposition OF low prices? VIII they, as
was done during the past season. rush
their staple on the market and unload II
at any sort OF price offered by the buyers,
or viii they offer that kind Of resistance
which viii advance prices?
In 1870 the cotton producers OF the south
fought for and won glorious victory. ad-
vancing the price OF spot cotton from
cents in August 70 10 cents in September
and sold the crop for the largest amount
OF money ever paid for any previous crop
IN the history OF the staple. The same
thing can be done again by the right kind
OF cooperation and a determination "a
hold the cotton OF OF the market until
prices adjust themselves on a Legitimate
basis. The present high prices OF cotton
are maintained because supply and de-
nand are legitimate and not speculative
The same prices offered now would have
prevailed last fall II there had not been an
enormous oversupply deluged upon the
market during short period OF time