The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1903-04-16
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The First Bulletin Gives Conditions
at Opening Of Season.

severe Bdl"s, "N4tI tdI5eI some 8IH-
age al most places even in the interior
Of the State. The rainfall exceeded 10
inches for the month at six western
stations. a severe cold wave occurred
from the 18th 10 10th with the lowest
temperatures for the winter on the
18TH reaching at mountain stations a
lew degrees below zero. On account OF
the frequent rains very little farm
work was done during February, and
the conditions were not favorable for
the cereals. Excessive warmth and
moisture the first half OF the month
caused succulent growth Of wheat
which was much injured by the sub8e-
luent freezing weather AT the close OF
the month. therefore, the appearance
)f wheat, oats and rye was not 50 good.
though the excellent stands were un-
| impaired. During the latter part of the
month which was more favorable farm
work made some ~ogress, especially
tie planting of truck crops in the
| east; many tobacco beds also were
! seeded.
! The conditions during March indi-
! The temperature was above normal the
entire month, the excess averaged ap-
prOXimatcly s degrees for the State;
he temperature did not even reach
| 'reeZing until the 2Gth and 9th When
siliing frOsts occurred west of the Blue
| Ridge, and light frOStS east Of the
| 1lOuntainS as far south as Wilmington
out with very little injury to crops
| Vegetation was much advanced in
growth and before the end Of the
month fruit trees We're generally in
| bloom, and many forest trees were in
| eaf. The disadV&ntageUIS feature for
March was the excessive rainfall which
! delayed plOwing and caused the flood
| ng of low lands with some damage to
wheat in places However, much plOW-
ng was accomplished during the week
! ending March Goth. The weather was
very favorable for the growth of wheat,
pats and rye which advanced rapidly
plants were spreading and jOinting
nicely at the close Of the month. Straw
berries were in full bloom before the
md OF March indicating a crop from
Dne to three weeks earlier than the
average: the plants were strong and
leayy, and conditions favor a large
crop of excellent quality. Truck crops
also are well advanced. especially as
paragus, cabbage, early irish potatoes,
ettuce and radishcS, some large ship
nents OF lettuce and radishes have been
made; an early and successful season
or truckers seems assured. The severe
coast storm en- the 29th and 3Gth did
.ural interests.
Reports Of crop correspondents for
he week ending Monday, April e.
lyJ5, indicate that conditions have not
3een favorable fer the rapid progress
If farm work, on account of the eXces-
;ive rainfall on March 29th and Goth
which caused freshets in the rivers
2 nOoded low lands and generally kept
y the soil too wet to piow. Easterly gales
= caused exceptionally high tides in the
: coast region. Flowing and other pre-
! paratiOns for planting the staple crops
G are still behind but this is largely il
g control with the early advance O
G spring, as pl0Wing can easily be ac
: cOmplished in good time with favor
v able weather. The temperature during
the week remained decidedly abov;
normal until Saturday, April 4
= when q very rapid fall occurred to 4;
8 ,eW degrees below the freezing point i!
) he Western District, with light snow
e The freeze extended into the centra
e portion OF the State Sunday mornin:
y and ice formed in places. Fruit trees
d such as peaches, apples and cherries
It were generally IN bloom. and the in
$. Jury caused by the freeze to the frui
Ie crop must have been very great. Re
ports in regard to the amount of dam
Is age done will appear in the next Bul
" letin. Warning Of the approach o
ic Killing frost was SO widely distribute
Is oy the Weather Bureau to the farmer
l. the trucking section, that truck an
re berry crops probably received adequat
j. protection. A little corn has been plant
,e 90 in the southern and eastern pOI
IL tons of the State and some is up. TC
D. bacco in beds is vel! advanced i
growth and the plants are plentiful
e. wheat, oats and I'VE appear UNUSUAL
of fine, and are large in growth: som
nc fields of wheat were yellow by cole
e. and much OF the crop in very 10,
It. ground has been ruined by high waite
at Less than half the spring oat crop ha
been seeded. Truck crops were genera
f. ly planted early aid are doing vel
", irish potatoes are up. May peas are
tv bloom; few strawberries have bee
1e shipped. Gardens are fairly well a.
O. vanced in the east, but are backwal
elsewhere.