The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-09-15
WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN


The weather has been dry with
warm days and cool nights. The aver
age temperature has been normal over
the state, except in the eastern part
where it has been a few degrees above
normal. The week has been very fav-
orable for saving hay and fodder,and
all outdoor work. There has been
little or no rain in the west and CEN
trail portions, while in the extreme
east the weather has been generally
fair, but some heavy rains have oc-
CURED. The farmers are ready as a
rule TO plow land for wheat and oat
but. this has been impossible in many
cases on account Of hardness of the
ground. Many Of the crops now need
rain, particularly corn and turlips.
Frost was reported in Watauga coun-
ty.
The cotton crop has experienced no
Improvement during the past week as
d whole; in many places the yield is
disappointing, and on a whole h crop
will be fully 80 per cen short. In
the east the cotton is still shedding
and taking rust in many sections, there
are also reports of its being attacked
by the army worm which will reduce
the crop one-third in those places.
C~aterpillars are also doing damage to
some late cotton. The weather be-
ing dry also causes it to open prema-
tureIy in some parts. In some sec
Itions the crop improved a little during
the past week, and the top crop is ma
turing. In the central part the bolls
are few and small. and the lint snort;
it is not ripening on top. In the wesi
cotton is shedding all shapes and small
bolls in some places; picking is gen
eral but the yield is light.
Tobacco is all cut and cured in the
east: while in the central and ives
portions a great deal has been cut anC
cured, but there are some farms where
cutting is only about two-thirds done
In general the leaf is good in quality
and color, but it lacks weight. In tEe
west part it is firing and speaking
badly in places. The crop will only
be light, about so per cent. Corr
has improved a little during the pas
week, but needs rain; upland corn l.
generally good. but bottom corn i:
drowned, it is caring we'll and maCur
ing rapidly, the crop will be short
many reporting only a two-thlrd'
crop: there is some cutting in prog
ress in the west. Most of the fodde
has been saved in the east, and pulling
is we'll under way in the central an
west districts. A large quantity wa
lost due to wet weather. Peas ara Go
ing we'll as a whole, but in some place
in the central and west districts tn
vines are good but have few peas,
great deal of pea vine hay is beir
saved in the east. Peanuts are geHer
ally reported a good crop, but in IN
east the crop will be short in som
sections. Most all of the minor crop
are doing we'll, except white potatoe
which are rotting to a considerable ex
tent in the ground. Sweet potatoes
turnips, rutabagas, buckwheat are 90
ing we'll. Some buckwheat is now ne
ing cut. Land for wheat and rye
being plowed, and some has pee
planted. Pastures are reported gooa
and cattle doing we'll. Apples are
fair crop in the mountainous district
but a failure in the valleys, some ar
now being shipped. Cane crop is loo
ing fine and molasses making is i
progress in places.
The following rains have been re
ported: Raleigh, 0.O1, Goldsboro " .;
Lumberton O.02, New Bern trace, WEI
don 0,24.