The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-03
A. s. JOHNSTON WRITES OF
 THIS YEARS COTTONCROP

tremely dry weather during the month of May. We claim the stands are good and the wather has been very dry Touch ing upon the question of the cool nights we know they have retarded the growth Of the plant to some extent but at the same time 1t must not be forgotten, that the roots of the plants are never retard- ed and never stop growing, but continue to gain a strength during such cool periods that enables it to stand dry and hot weather that is likely to prevail dur ing the months of July and August
 The situation up to the present time reminds us very much of the spring of 1894, with the exception. that perhaps we are a week or ten days later than the crop pitched that year. We recall to your mind a very cool spell of wealth. CT about the goth of May, 1894 in fact, a light frost was reported in several of the cotton growing districts: yet we all know the out-turn of the crop of that year, reaching nearly ten million bales While we have had no weather ap- preaching anywhere near the frost line we have had extremely cool nights with such conditions for the balance of the cotton year, similar to those that prevailed after the 1st of June 1894, and allowing the acreage of this crop is only 10 per cent larger than the acreage of 1894 95 (which we think is very con-
 
 above, with like conditions for the bal ance of this season. a crop of eleven million bales would not be beyond the range of possibilities. Do not under stand us please, as making any estimate whatever of what the growing crop will be. as an estimate made by any one at this season of the year. would only place the parties making such estimates, in a very absurd, to say nothing of a ludic- rous position, and our Idea in mentioning the figures above, is only intended to show what might be possible should the weather conditions from the 1st of June until the 1st of November compare fa- vorably with the same months in 1894.
 We have never in our experience noticed crops as clean of grass and weeds, or have we ever in our experierr- before noticed crops that apparently seem to have been better worked. Good copious showers by the 18th of June will doubtless place the present crop in such a condition, and give to the plant an additional vigor and strength. that will enable it to stand the extremely hot weather that we will likely have dur ing the months of July and August.
 In August, 1897.
 Tn our former circulars, in regard to this crop, we estimated the increase in acreage at not less than ten per cent,
  known, and the crop on the whole being ten days late at the start. We are sat isfed that all these estimates have been fully borne out by facts. Also in speaking of the lateness of the crop, we mentioned the wonderful recuperative powers of the plant, provided the proper seasons came. As to this, May and June were dry months; the crop was made as clean as a gaNlen. and 1t also secured that all m- portant element, healthy tap root. These conditoins brought us to the first of July. During July the rains have been just right, and we think the crop has made rapid progress, both in growth and fruitage, with little or no shedding.
 We now enter what we consider the critical month to the cotton crop-August. Should we get showers, or rains, at in- tervals of say ten days durng this month and even an average fall should follow, we think a large crop will be assured; and should the fall be very late and open one we think it will very materially increase the yield.