New-York tribune., 1903-05-06
CONDITION OF CROPS.
Much Damage by Frosts. bit Little
Injury to Wheat.

he grra mr.
Of the country. the minimum temperatures en-
April 30 and May and being the lowest recorded
in the last decade Of April and the first decade %
May for the last thirty years at nearly ali Weather
Bureau stations from the central and Gulf
coasts to the upper Missouri Valley and also AT
number OF stations IN the central Mississippi and
Ohio valleys. the lake region and New England
Generally light rainfall absence Of rain has
been favorable for farming operations. the
seasonably low temperatures have checked the
growth Of all vegetation. and heavy frOsts and
freezes have caused much damage Drouth has
been relieved over Southeastern Texas and over
limited areas in the central Gulf States bu. cen
tinues over the greater part Of the mentioned
district and in Northern Texas. and rain IS needed
IN Florida Notwithstanding the decidedly cool
weather in the latter part OF the week the tenn
perature in New-England and portions OF the MD
die Atlantic States and lake region averaged above
the normal Rain is generally needed on the Pa
ctfc Coast
the freeze in the latter part OF the week IN Ms
souri,. Kansas. Oklahoma and Texas and the crop
mas suffered from cold weather throughout the
Southern States Preparations for planting have
made favorable progress IN the Ohio Valley and
Middle Atlantic States but little progress has
been made in the States OF the upper Missouri
Valley and lake region The present season 70
cate has been very unfavorable for corn. planting
being greatly delayed
Winter wheat appears to have escaped material
injury in the recent freeze over the western po--
ton Of the winter wheat belt ard the general out
look for this crop continues very promising al
though slight deterioration is indicated IN por-
tions Of the central Mississippi and Ohio Valleys
On the Pacific Coast the outlook In less .avorat,,
especially in California
very little seeding OF spring wheat could be done
over the northern portion Of the spring wheat
region in the last week The reports Indicate that
no serious damage has been done 10 early so~n
over the southern portion On the north Pacific
Coast the crop IS n need Of rain
Oats sustained more less injury from cold N
the States Of the Missouri Valley. and slow growth
Is generally reported in the central Mississippi
and Ohio valleys Decreased acreage Is reported
from Illinois and Indiana and uneven stands In
onlo- Where unfinished. seeding is going slowly.
Early planted cotton IowIands IN Northern
Iexas and Oklahoma was killed by the freeze OF
April 80 and May I. and throughout the cotton
belt low temperatures have proved seriously detrf-
mental in retarding termination and growth
wniie drouth continues IN Northern Texas and n
the central Gulf States Poor stands are generally
reported In the eastern districts planting has
been vigorously pushed and is nearing completion
-, rams spanning tobacco has begun in Tennessee.
Plants continue plentiful
Nearly all fruits have suffered further darazs
@ a[oln IIoSts and low temperatures, apples having
apparently escaped with the least injury.
me reports Indicate that the grass crop Is very
The Census Oface to-day made public the 1nal
nsuTeS OF cotton production obtained from the
ports OF cotton Sinners- The quantity OF cotton
amounted to 116s $50 running bales. Bales a.
pressed at the ginBeries equal 10 s45 bales
as half bales. 1O5ss1S0 In the four Years covered
by the ginning reports OF the Census Office the
average crop exclusive Of linteTs, has been sSoe ~
bales OF 800 pounds The crop OF 1902 shows an in
crops Of fs9s sn5 fao, osI ms aHerags was S tas 9
ana s2 522 bales respectively For the crop OF 1902
both east and west Of the Mississippi River win
the exception Of Alabama and Texas Drouth IN
Alabama and drouth and the boil weevil In rexas
are responsible for the losses in those States
cerning the variation production IN the differ
ton is called to the degr Of or 5sSsaqGe stf
has been maintained for the last three crops be
the Nissssn5i % U hT eot'on DeIt aS made oy
production decreased in 1870 S1s25s bales This was
sissfppi River Of ss2 bales or 81 per cent n
1872 the territory Of the Mississippi increased
pensates for the material loss Of the river.
in 1872 st snd 0 weef ees eP g SFo &
and nd - So resPecveiy sgains 4T2 and 3 IN 1909
crop in Texas II is stated that whereas in 1890 that
the United states or about one-quaTter of the cot
ton supply Of the world. in 1902 the Texas product
incTeaseg in nro51c}9n IN TeSS aTs Arlsss S;-
gia. Louisiana and Mississippi. The increase in Ar
kansas is remarkable being zs4 81 bales 157221
bales that OF 1900 the largest crop before that
production Of Indian Territory and Oklahoma The
5S 3s2 bales. compared with 2155sl bales 1883
an increase of 329. .791 bales or 153 per cent.
. The hgures on the ginning industry show that
there are 309+S ginneries in the United States The
lishment in Texas was 500. in Indian Territory sS5
and in Oklahoma 993. against 254 in Ala bama. 292 In
Georgia and pos in North Carolina. This great dif-
ference in the average number Of bales OF cotton
handled per establishment Is due TO the extensive
employment in the cotton producing States OF
modern methods Of handling seed cotton and
more general employment Of round bale presses
The value of the crop for 1892 is estimated
s0 s97 1874 making il the second most valuable crop
Of the United States taking first rank and
wheat third. The value OF the cotton exports
for 1892 is stated 500 s51 S9 giving that article
the first place in value in American exports The
export price for 1902 about cent pound less
than that Of 1901 The value OF the cotton crop of
1902 In the States included In the Louisiana Pur-
chase is given .044 over 5000 900
than the original price paid France for that
rftory, with interest at per cent. compounded 70
the present time.
The rapid development OF the COttonssed oil In
dustry Is represented annually increasing the
quantity Of short cotton saved TO the commercial
world by the regfnnng Of cOttonseed for oil x
traction. A OF this industry has developed
the fact that $50 COttonseed oil mills have been
operated in the season OF 1892 o. and that they have
obtained from the reginning OF seed OF the growth
of 1892 Iinters amounting 70 1922 bales OF 500