The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1905-04-27
NORTH STATE CROP BULLETIN
The Outlook az Viewed by the Depart.
n1ent Of Agriculture.

me temperature during the week
ending Monday. April cath, averaged
1early two degrees daily below the
formal, but the larger part OF the de-
1ciency was caused by the very cool
weather during the early part OF the
"eek; killing frosts with formation OF
ce occurred On the 18th, 18th and in
1orthern sections on the 18th. Subse-
Iuently the temperature rose consid-
erably, reaching maxim of over so
per cent. on the 21st, and the 'condi-
}ons became more favorable for the
growth Of vegetation The amount
IF precipitation during the week was
quite small, and was limited to light
showers Friday evening in the central
and eastern portions of the
State; in the west the entire week
was dry, and the need of rain is begin
ming to be felt. The soil, however, Is
n excellent condition for plowing. and
iarm work progressed rapidly. On ac-
count of the check caused by the ear.
iy cold the growth of crops during the
past week has been rather slow.
Planting corn is now being pushed
vigorously and may now be consid-
cred general over the State; in some
southern counties all the upland corn
nas been planted, and the preparation
of lowlands is under way. Some early
corn was cut back by frost, and re-
planting is in progress. The planting
Of cotton is proceeding very slowly,
though fair quantity was put in the
ground during the week; all evidences
point to considerable elimination in
the acreage to be planted. Tobacco
plant beds are in fine condition, and
the plants though still small appear
to be growing nicely and will be plen-
tiful; little tobacco has been set in
extreme southern counties. Wheat,
oats and rye have generally made con-
siderable improvement during the
week; spring oats where up are doing
nicely, but they are slow coming up
in the west. Replanting truck crops
that We're cut down by frost is pro-
ceeding rapidly. Irish potatoes are
being planted in the west and cab
bages set. Melons are coming up
nicely since the frost The shipments
of ST. aaTnberries are increasing.
In regard to the damage caused by
the killing frosts of the 18th and 18th,
large number of the special reports
received indicate that the damage to
fruit is much less than at first thought.
In low ground almost all fruits were
killed, but on all uplands and sloping
surfaces permitting drainage of the
cold air to lower ground, while the
damage especially to peaches is con-
siderable, fair crops of all fruits were
left on the trees. Cherries, plums,
pears and apples were not SO much
injured. These fruits were too we'll
set and large in the east to receive
much injury and the greatest damage
probably occurred along the eastern
slopes of the Blue Ridge. Of the truck
crops Irish potatoes, and beans were
quite generally cut to the ground, as
were unprotected tomato plants; the
injury to peas, cabbage and onions was
insignificant. The injury to strawber-
ries was much less than anticipated
and will only have the effect of delay
ing ripening to some extent. A little
very early corn and cotton were cut
down, and in places slight damage was
done to wheat and clover.