The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-05
THE CROP CONDITIONS.
lima Since the Good Rafns-Cotton.
Corn. and Tobacco Prospects Bet
er-NatiOna Crop Report.

The weekly crop bulletin. issued at
Raleigh for the week ending Monday,
June 1st, says:
During the past week local showers
| occurred over a large portion Of the
state, which, though not general, caus-
ed marked improvement in crop condi-
| lions. he showers were irregularly
; distributed, chiefly at the beginning
| and end of the week, the largest
amounts falling in northern counties,
while along the southern border very
little precipitation was received, and in
| that section crops are still suffering for
lack of moisture. However, in a large
number Of n the drought was
thoroughly broken, vegetation was
much refreshed, and crop prospects
though not flattering are more favora-
BILE. While the rainfall was of immense
benefit in bringing up dormant seeds,
in supplying the immediate needs of
growing plants, and in placing soil in
better condition for cultivation, there
was not sufficient rain except in a very
few places to thoroughly soak the
ground or to soften unplowed land.
Hail occurred in several eastern coun-
ties on the oath with some damage to
crops. The temperature was moderate
ly above the normal and favorable dur
ing HI entire week, until Sunday, May
31st. when cooler weather with north
east winds set in. The sky was more
or less cloudy during the week ever
where no precipitation occurred. Though
backward and generally with poor
stands crops are clean Inc are now be-
ing we'll cultivated.
Corn has not all been planted; a good
deal was brought up by the rainfall
this week. and that up grew nicely;
most Of the early corn has received
first plawing: in counties suffering
from drought much r%eplanting will have
to be done. The rains caused cotton
to come UP nicely, though all is not yet
up; planting is practically finished;
cotton plants are very small, but have
improved. stands are better and chop
ping is underway. The weather was
excellent for the work of transplanting
tobacco in the northern counties where
it progressed rapidly, while the crop
shows some Improvement. A number
of crop correspondents state that wheat
is better than expected, though the
yield will be short; harvesting early
wheat and oats has just begun in a few
places: spring oats are not promising.
Planting peanuts is we'll advanced and
good stands have been secured. The
yield Of Irish potatoes in the east was
reduced by the drought: many sweet
potato sprouts were set this week.
Gardens were much benefited by the
rains. The prospect for fruit of al
kinds continues fairly favorable in the
central east portion of the state, and
for apples also in the west: the black
! berry and deWberry crops VIII be large;
grapes are blooming heavily. Meadows
were much damaged by the drought
and are poor.
Rains during the week: Raleigh, 1.69;
! Wilmington, 90: Charlotte, 0.20: Ashe-
vile, go; G~oldsboro, ESQ; Greensboro,
5 1.36; Lumberton, O.O2; New Bern, O.2O;
l Weldon. 2.O6: Marion, lis; Henrietta,
90; MOncure, 0.92.
NATIONAL CROP REPORT.
Washington, JUNE 1.-The weekly crop
bulletin Of the weather bureau says:
The states of the lower Missouri val
: ley and portions of the Mississippi val
} ley have suffered much from heavy
a TdluS, especially Iowa, the eastern poI
tons of Kansas and Nebraska and
Western Missouri. Drought continues
r in New England, the northern portion
OF the middle Atlantic states, and If
Florida and rains are needed in por.
= lions of the central gulf states and il
Southern Texas.
c In the western portion Of Kansas anC
s Nebraska and in Iowa corn fields have
haar h961T washed AT arg y,1IcI 70.
r planting will be necessary. In lowe
:. the acreage will be materially reduced
. In he Southern States corn has expe.
o rienced a very favorable week, and i
largely aid out.
Winter wheat on lowlands in the cas-
tern portions of Kansas and Nebrask;
and Northwestern Missouri has sustain
ed injury from floods, but on the wholt
the crop has made satisfacHHy advance
ment. Harvesting is general in TeXa
and has begun in Arkansas and Nortl
Carolina.
Further Improvement in the condition
of cotton is generally indicated, blu
the crop as a rule is from two to thre
weeks late. Better stands are reportet
from the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabam;
and portions of Mississippi, Louisian;
and Texas. In Arkansas. Okiahom;
y and Missouri. the crop is grassy. Gu
worms are causing damage in Contra
1t and Southern Texas and boil weevil
&c are reported this week from a numbe
d Of additional counties in that state.
n The week has been very favorabl
for tr~ansplanting tobacco. and thi
work has made rapid progress in tn
= Ohio valley and Middle Atlantic state:
where the bulk of the crop will be Sc
d during the present planting season.