The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-07
MORE RAIN NEEDED
IN MANY COUNTIES
Past Week Generally Favor
able For Crop Growth.
M0QK COEc OM AHIlMEIX
WORK GOES ON ACTIVELY
East of the Rockies the Rainfall Gen.
orally Ample.
GoODsTANDs ofeARLY PLANTED COTTON
That Planted Later is Coming up lrreguIarly
Outside of North Carolina and Kentucky
Tobacco Plants Are Plentiful
and Healthy.
and Healthy.

The Weekly Crop Bulletin for North
Carolina. issued by the climate and crop
service Of the Weather Bureau Depart
ment. says of the week ending May 5th:
In spite of one drawback, lack of SUI
ficient moisture in many counties, the
past week was reported as generally
very favorable for farm work and the
growth of crops. Many correspondents
say that it was "an ideal week Or
''weather all that could be desired" :"
Work proceeded actively every day and
&. great deal was accomplished. The
temperature during the week averaged
about 5 degrees above normal daily. and
the maXima occurred generally on May
3rd, when above 80 degrees was reported
in central North Carolina. The amount
of sunshine was abundant. The rainfall
was iregularly distributed, and, while
very beneficial showers occurred on two
or three days during the week in many
counties. in others no rain fell and drought
is now beginning to be felt. The coun-
ties needing rain most are, in the east:
Brunswick, Pitt, Greene, Washington,
and Gates; in the central portion: Ala
nance Forsyth. Davidson, Guilford,
Randolph and Stokes; and in the west:
Rutherford, Davie, Ircdell, Rowan and
CasWell over most of the State warm,
gentle rains are needed to bring up cot
ton aud corn and enable the transplant
ing of tobacco. Vegetation however,
made rapid progress, and even in the
extreme west forests are nearly fully
clothed in green.
Planting cotton is now we'll advanced
and will be completed within a week or
so: early planted has come up nicely.
and chopping to stands is underway:
late planted needs moisture for germina-
ton; it is quite apparent that the acre
age in cotton will be diminished, and
that in corn largely increased Planting
corn is now underway in low lands;
good stand of corn has been secured,
anc some is being cultivated the first
time: Young corn is suffering FOR lack
of rain in the southeast portion. Cut or
bud worms have killed some young
corn. Farmers are busy transplantins
tobacco, but cannot make much headway
growing very rapidly, and many tarm
ers prefer to set out and water, which is
slow work: transplanting tobacco must
be considered as somewhat behind on
account Of the drought. Wheat on rich
land has improved. and in south portion
is beading, as arc winter oats and rye:
rain is needed for the cereals. without
it the straw is likely to be very short.
Truck crops are doing very we'll; the
shipment of peas has begun and beans
are in bloom: the strawberry crop is
little shorter than the average, but ship
ments are now going forward in large
quantities. Irish potatoes are being in
jured almost everywhere by potato
bugs. Glover is rady to cut, and pas
lures are fiourishng. Some kinds of ap-
pie trees failed to bloom. especially east
of the mountains and in the northwest
portion of the State, but elsewhere, and
particularly in the extreme western
counties. the outlook for apples as we'll
as most other kinds CT frIuit is very
bright, as the trees are loaded with
fruit. Melons are up. and large crop
of Watermelons is probable
Rainfall for the week Gn inches):
Chapel Hill so, Floral College LIS,
Soapstone Mount SO. Marion 80. Settle
.05, Greensboro, 81, Lumberton "a, New
BEN AS, Weldon 1.32, Raleigh .5S,
Charlotte 10.