The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-12
UNAVOIDABLE MONTHS
January and February Were Cold and Wet and Unfavorable for Prepara- tory Farm Work-ApriI
 Starts We'll.

Sptdks Ht luii ItDpil AOitOWSs
 December was comparatively mild and favorable for farm work. Temperatures averaged very nearly normal; there were several warm periods, and almost sum- me r-like temperatures prevailed during the middle of the last decade; however, there were several light freezes, and a cold wave during the last few days gave te mperatures as low as 15 degrees in some northern counties, with freezing to the gulf coast. The precipitation was almost normal; it was greatest in the northern counties, and was fairly well distributed through the month; general rains from the 18th to 27th improved the soil. More oats were sown, making the acreage in this grain near the average these sown during the latter part of November germinated well and made good stands, though slightly damaged by freeze in some northern counties. Wheat continued satisfactory.
 January Cold and Wet.
 The month of January as a whole, vas cold, quite wet, and generally unfa- vorable for preparatory farm work of all
 
 il ation and growth of previously sown wheat and oats. A severe cold wave covered the entire state during the mid dle of the third decade, giving temper atures as low as 1 degree above zero in northern counties and F degrees to the gulf coast The precipitation was gen erally above normal, except somewhat 1nvu in asfa inc rain period was quite frequent, and on the Eth and 12th heavy to excessive precipi- tation occurred throughout the state, washing land badly in many localities and inundating considerable lowland ad- jacent to the larger rivers Wheat and oats were somewhat damaged by the severe cold of the .Aird decade, the month closing with both these grains Iather unpromising.
 February was quite cold, wet, and un- favorable for preparing ground, sowing oats. and for germination and growth of previously seeded oats and wheat The first two decades were marked by ire quent rain periods, the rainfall being gen erally heavy on Sth and 9th, with some snow in northern counties; the rainfall was also heavy to slightly excessive from the 11th to 18th. the rain turning to snow and sleet and followed by a most severe cold wave on the 18th and 14th, giving temperatures ranging from to IS degrees below zero in northern counties. The sleet, which was quite heavy over nor thern north-central, and some western counties continued unmelted for several days; in many orchards, fruit trees were badly browen, and In some localities large forests trees were prostrated by weight of the sleet. The severe cold killed peach buds over about one-thrd of the state; wheat was seriously damaged and fall oats mostly killed.
 March Favorable.
 The month of March. as a whole was favorable for farm work and crop growth. Killing frost occurred in northern and some middle and eastern counties during early part of the first decade, doing practically no damage. Somewhat more than the average warmth was received, and during the last decade summer-lke temperatures prevailed The precipta- tion was mostly in light to moderat } showers, interfering but little with plow- ing and seeding, except on the 9th, when moderately heavy rains occurred in some northern counties, and on 18th and 20th, when the rainfall was heavy a few nor thern and middle counties and quite ex- eessive in the southwestern portion of the state, Mobile reporting a rainfall of 92l inches in "A hours. Planting of upland corn began during the first decade. with this work well advanced in southern counties at the close of the month. when some was up to fairly good stands, and planting was under way in the northern district
 Considerable cotton land was prepared and a lftt1a r,Io mi f,, I southern counties during the last de- cade, with indications that there would be decrease in the acreage of cotton and an increase in the acreage of corn Wheat though thinned somewhat by the severe cold of February, revived and made good progress. A large acreage of spring oats germinated well and made good stands. Gardening progressed rapidly. Peaches, plums and pears in bloom in all dis tricts by the 25th, when strawberries were generally promising. with the plants in blossom in southern and middle counties
 April Showing.
 The first ten days of April were gen orally favorable for preparation and planting; some beneficial rains fell in northern and middle districts, though snow flurries occurred In few northeast ern counties on the 7th. with a light freeze over some northern counties, and light to heavy frosts general over the remainder of the state; no serious dam age was done by the cold. though young corn, strawberries and tender vegetables were slightly injured in some localities. Planting of upland corn Is nearing com pletion, except in northern counties, where it is well under way. much of the early planted Is up to good stands with some receiving a first proving in south- ern counties Cotton planting Is being pushed in southern and middle counties. where little is up to fair stands. though practically none has been planted in the northern district The cotton acreage will be reduced. but to what extent cannot be determined as yet. Wheat and spring oats continue generally promising. Gar dening Is well advanced. with Irish po- tatoes, beans and English peas doing well; tomatoes have been set out in southern and middle districts, and radishes. lettuce and onions are being shipped from south ern counties. Peaches are shedding and now promise about one-half an average crop: p1ums. pears and apples are well fruited and promising. Strawberries are well frulted. with some being shipped from gulf counties.
 Strawberry Damage Overestimated. Cullman, April u.-(Specia1 )-Recen- developments go to prove that the straw berry crop was not injured by the recent freeze so badly as was at first thought for, and thai April 25 will witness about | the first shipment of berries. The yelc will be ;aily good, and abundent prepa- ratiors arc already being made for the handling Of same.