The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-04
Richmond. Va, May 8, 1901
GENERAL SITUATION.

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Richmond, Va, May g. 1901
GENERAL SITUATION.
Abundant rains with mder tempera.
lures occurring during the week were
very beneficial to crop growth in all sec
tions of the state. Little field work Of
any description, however, could be done,
! PASTURE lands and grass In moving
meadows improved greatly, especially IN
Tie western portions of the state, and
cattle lave been generally turned OUT
foc glazing. Gardens continue late.
Warm weather with sunshine Is needed
for This work. Corn planting has been
carried on as opportunity allowed. but
the WEATHER has not been favorable, and
much romans TO be done In this line.
Local 3lailstortns occurred in the eastern
aud middle counties early IN the week.
doing considerable damage to esuch Of
the fruit crop as escaped the frost, brllts-
inE vines and stripping foliage from the
trees. ~
winter wheat improved decidedly in
condition during the week y con-
siderable advance III growth took place
and tie crop gained in color. In many
lowlnnd fields however, tho ground ID
still cold and growth has been retarded
III this account. Correspondents general
~ are OF the opinion that the week was
the best OF the season. Very few In
stances of poor stands are reported. but
the crop as a whole Is behind Its aver
ag. seasonal condition.
Winter oats. though they improved
some curing the week. are still in bad
condition. The fields are thin and back
ward and the present outlook for the
crop is not encouraging.
Srrine oats are In a fairly satisfactory
condition. Little, If any, seeding was
done during the week, but in the fields
already sown termination has been even
and good stands are being secured. Ear
Ialy-sown fields are generally making good
growth, and with warm weather the crop
will advance rapidly.
CORN PLANTING LATE.
Corn planting was retarded considera-
bly, oy the weather prevailing In the
week. However, work in this line was
carried on as opportunity permitted, and
in some localities e-half or more of, the
crop IL in tho ground. The early plant-
inss are coming up nicely. and no COM
plant of lack of termination has been
received.
Tobacco plants are generally reported
plentiful and thrifty. Growth during the
week has been satisfactory Some
plants are nearly ready to set out
pected as soon as favorable weather
sets in
Potatoes NrishD are recovering some
shat, in Tidewater counties, from the
severe weather of last week, though con-
siderable rotting has occurred. In Middle
and Valley counties planting Of the crop
is progressing, and where this work Is
finished the crop is sproutlnE and the
vines are appearing above ground. Cul-
tivating of the crop in the Underwater
counties Is under way.
Truck crops are also improving. The
vines which were nipped by frost are
greening up again, and for the most part
are promising. Late blooming varieties
OF Strawberries are now in bloom. and
other varieties of berries are coming for
ward nicely
Fruit of all kinds is much injured in
T;lewater and some portions of the Mid
die division counties. but IN the Valley
division the bulk of the apple crop, to-
ge;hcr with some kinds of peaches and
pears has escaped serious injury SO far.