The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1902-08-01
THE '.I7[. COTTON BEL1,, B
Is ssas.ss-: :.s.as--...-.. Y |5 !.
How the Crop Looks as the Harvest
Season Opens. Asst
NORMAL DEvELopMENTs NOTED.

Much Depends on tho Weather Dur
ing tho Month OF. August.
Tho Crop Opening
Rapidly.
The growing cotton continues to
make normal development over the on
tire belt, except in limited localities,
distrlbuted throughout the different
States, where local droughtS, or poor
soils, insects and improper cultivation
caused slight deterioration. Attention
Is called TO the special and exhaustive
report from Texas which indicates u
condition seldom, If ever, cxcellcd.
Since that report was issued, there
have been heavy rains over western
and southwestern Texas, tho regions
whore drought prevailed, and these
rains may develop the plants in those
sections, as the season Is not too far
advanced to make an average crop.
Open bolls are no longer confined to
Texas, but have been noted in d num-
bcr Of States. and the crop is opening
rapidly In Georgia where q first bale"
has already been marketed. While the
past week, covered by the attached
State reports, was all unusually hot
one the temperature has been much
lower during tho current week, and al
though not low enough to be harmful
IL has generally been below normal.
The earlincss of the crop, evidenced by
tho fact of full grown bOlls being noted
IN nVncV Spntin0 NP film 1,a1 01c Il.
Gates that tho crop is heavily fruited,
and the plants, no doubt, already bear
fair sized crop, with a full month, or
more, Of time during which the plants
can take on fruit without danger from
frost, however early frost may occur.
Whether 1T will be u record breaking
crop depends on the weather during
August. 4
In North Carolina worry warm, dry,
sunny weather prevailed during the
greater portion OF the past weok, and
drought appears again to be causing
some injury to crops, except at places
In the extreme eastern and western
portions OF tho State, where light
showers occurred on the 18th. Cotton
stands the droght we'll; 1T looks green
and healthy; has made good growth in
the south portion, whore the weed is
of good size and plants are fruiting
we'll; In tho north portion and on stifI
lands the plants are small and arc
shedding forms considerably; whore
poorest the crop Is blooming to the top.
In South Carolina showers occurred
In every county, but they were partial
and generally light, and ut few
points, only did thoy supply enough
moisture for tho need of growing crops.
Cotton improved In a number OF locali-
ties, but gSncrally 1t dctcrioratcd dur
Ing the week, depending or the rain
fall distribution. Over by far the
greater portion Of the State there are
reports of blooming to the top, OF
shedding, Of the plants turning yellow,
and few reports OF rust. Generally
the plants are small, but blooming
freely, and in few SECTIONS there arc
nearly full grown bolls. The crop as
a whole is In a condition to be greatly
benefited by rains, should they occur
within the next two weeks.
In Georgia tho weather was eencr-
ally dry during tho week In tho north
western and portions of the middle
counties, aud rain Is badly needed in
those districts. Light to copious show
crs occurred elsewhere, with high
temperature In all sections. Cotton
continues promising on the whole al
though it Is shedding, blooming to
top and being damaged by the boil
wccvil in scattered localities, In the
majority of sections the plants made
vigorous growth during the week and
are heavily fruited In the northern
and middle counties, with nearly full
grown bolls In some fields, The first
open bollS are reported in Burke and
Thomas counties,
In Florida cotton on uplands Is Suf-
fcring for rain and there is much rust
and some shedding. The plant is
doing better Oh lowlands, where fail
growth Is maintained, although copi-
GUS rains at this time would do a
great deal Of good. A few bolls near
the ground are opening.
In Alabama, scattered showers were
received In many central, east cen.
trial. and a few southern counties,
with few heavy local rains, but the
very long drought continues practically
unbrOken inmany western middle, and
northern counties. Cotton continues
clean, and, while small, it is healthy
and holding up remarkably we'll; in
sections whore moisture has been re-
ccivcd, 1t is taking on new growth; as
a whole, it is we'll fruitcd through con.
tinuing to bloom too heavily at the
top; there are several complaints OF
shedding OF leaves and Dolls, and a
few complaints Of rust.
In Mississippi as a rule, the partly
cloudy showcry weather has kept cot
ton in healthy growing condition,
and although the plant is small, it is
we'll formed, blooming freely and
fruitng satisfactorily, except in about
II Of the north-central and northeast
ern courtics where 1T is greatly in need
OF good soaking rain, Blooming to