The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-11
Work For The Month.
(The Southern Planter.)

since Writing our opening article
for the August issue the general con
tinuous rain which we then said to be
necessary for us to secure a good av-
erage crop has fortunately fallen, in
deed we have had practically since
that time a month of broken weather
all through the South. Ram has fall
Ell almost daily, but, as a rule, not in
such heavy showers as to do INJURY,
though in some sections there have
been washing rains. The result is
that the land is now we'll supplied
with moisture, and this condition,
coupled with the warmth of the soil,
and daily temperature more nearly
the average for the season than has
been the case for so long, has caused
crops to make a splendid growth, and
the prospect is for full average yields
of most crops.
The threshing of the winter wheat
crop throughout the country has been
completed, and the result confirms
our forecast of very deficient yield.
The average yield per acre for the
whole country is estimated by the De-
partment of Agriculture at slightly
over II bushels to the acre. For Vir-
ginia the average is given at slightly
over 10 bushels, for Maryland at
slightly over 13 bushels, for North
Carolina at slightly over bushels, for
South Carolina at bushels, for Ten
nesseee at a little over IL bushels,
and for West Virginia at a little over
10 bushels. Whilst these are the av
erage yields, we have received reports
of some excellent yields in some parts
of this State. In this issue will be
found one of 40 bushels to the acre,
and Mr. Bellwood, of fDrewry's Bluff,
Va, tells us that his crop ran to over
30 bushels to the acre, and this over
lnr
yields go to show that the
season was not altogether to
blame for the small average crop.
The man had much to do with it as is
almost always the case. The spring
wheat crop is not yet fully harvested,
but it is going to be very disap-
pointing one. Rust has played great
havoc with it, and the crop Will in
all probability be the smallest raised
for n long time. Taken together, the
whole wheat crop promises to be as
we forecasted, in the Planter two
months ago, 10O,000,000 bushels be-
low that of last year This means
that we have raised but little more
wheat this year than will be required
to feed the people of the country and
for seed. A realization of this fact
has had it's influence on the market
and wheat is now selling for $1.10 pei
bushel in Chicago, as against 90c. two
months ago. We expect to see it sci
for a still higher price, as the wheat
crop Of the whole world is a deficient
ore.
The oat crop gives promise of be-
ing a fine average crop if weather con
ditions are favorable for harvesting
the same. The condition is above the
ten years average.
Corn crop prospects in the South
We're never better, and as the area
planted is above the average, we look
to see large crop cribbed. Through
out the country the prospect is for a
good crop, but in our opinion not for
an excessively large one, possibly not
larger than that cribbed last year. We
expect to see the price of this staple
remain firm, and possibly advance
somewhat.
Tobacco has made a good growth
but there is considerable diversity OF
opinion as to what the quality of the
crop will be. If the rains do not
quickly cease many growers think that
the quality will be coarse and the to-
bacco of an undesirable type, and we
are afraid this will be so.
The cotton crop is in n critical con-
dton. The continued rains have
49,
hlndered the SettlnS ana maturity oi
the bolls. "A continuance OF TIRE wealth
er we are having is gong 10 material
ly reduce the yield OF the crop whist
If it takes up too suddenly ana ory
period follows almost equii oaiiirse
will be done. We are not looking Tor
"uon on N,e';aoi5 80 i, t,,a eeaso5,
as Na@ ~ .,. ,L'o,,s 49,, LII in
M ~, he w.ntad >at q GOOD
-;
q Peanuts are not llkely 10 heaHS
cola, dry weather. anu There ids Isl
TOO much ram Tor theIl recei'iy. nc
price keeps nrln, ana we iooh ~ sec
TINS. continue, ana possibly doNaiiSe
some
Sweet potatoes are promising good
yield, but a cessation of the almost
daily rains we are having would be of
benefit to the crop.
~
The various forage crops have made
q splendid growth since the rains be-
gan. and with fine weather to cure
the same there will be an abundance