The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-13
CROP IS REPORTED
AS DETERIORATING
Some Sections Report Set Back
of 5 Per Cent
COTTON PICKING BEGINS
Bumper Crop is Indicated in Reports
from Correspondents in Mem
phs Cotton Belt-Rans
Not Yet Excessive

New Orleans. August 12.-Reports from
the Picayoune's correspondents in Louisi-
ana and Mississippi on weather and cot
ton crop conditions for the week ending
| Saturday August II, indicate a slight
deterioration in a greater part of the
territory, some sections reporting that the
crop has been set back from to per
cent This condition is the result of the
excessive warm weather of the last seven
days, insufficient moisture having the ef-
feet of sunblight and retarded growth
Shedding has also resulted from the tor
rid temperature. Some fields have the
appearance Of being sprlnkled with OIL
the plant being dead and lifeless. 1t APP
pears necessary to have bountiful rains
within the next week. A reverse condl-
tion would probably mean a repetition Of
August in 1902, when the stalk was burn
ed up and ceased to grow until the rains
of the middle of September caused
second growth. In the case of a second
growth experience has shown that an alb
normally late frost is essential to proper
maturity The first bale of the new crop
was marketed August at Columbus,
Miss, two weeks earlier than last sea-
Bull Oll AUGUST summit MlhS.s anu
Areola, La, reported new bales. August
10 Livingston Parish. La, Franklinton.
La, and Osyka, Miss, and on August II
at Clinton, La, and Tylertown. Miss.
Each of these eight bales classed above
mddling. Picking will become general in
two weeks.
In Tennessee.
Memphis, August l2.-The Commercial
Appeals weekly summary of the cotton
crop conditions in the central belts fol-
lows:
A summary of the reports received this
week indicate great progress in the
growth and maturity of the cotton crop.
with just such weather In the greater
part of the territory covered that would
eonduce to the production og a bumper
crop 1t appears. however. that condi-
tions in great section of the cotton re-
gion are just now hanging In the balance
on account of the excessive rainfall of
the past week, which has caused heavy
damage in some sections, and has con-
tinued In others until the ppant has at
tanned heavy growth while still in other
sections the fields are full of weeds and
grass. Some reports state that with
cessation of rain Immediately the biggest
crop of cotton in history will be raised in
the sections reporting, but a continuance
Oh the IdlHS Will De ulsdSLiohS. It iOpuS dit
reported from Indian Territory and North
Texas which have in some Instances
swept away entire crops, while from
South Texas comes the report that boil
weevils are spreading and causing much
damage.
The best reports continue to come in
from Tennessee and the counties report
ing have every promise OF exceptional
crops and conditions are very favorable
for the further development of the plant
In Mississippi the best reports come
from the central portion. while rain ap-
pears to be too abundant in the north
eastern and southern sections of the state.
Generally the reports from this state in
dicate an exceptionally good condition
and a large crop.
A fine crop is indicated In Alabama. as
the rains have not yet been excessive and
the bolls are maturing well.
In Georgia.
Atlanta, August 12,-The Gonstitution's 8
cotton condition reports from South Caro-
lima and Georgia show that with favor
able weather during the past week there
has been a marked improvement In the
condition of the crop, and that with
continuation Of like conditions the outlook
will be much brighter
The crop has suffered too much, how
ever, during It's early growth from the
wet season, and the plant is not as hardy
as 1t should be. In South Carolina the
week OF clear weather has dried out the