The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-08-10

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The corn crop of the country is the
largest ever planted, exceeding that
! an increase OF per cent. The total
acreage planted is 109, 100000. The
condition on July 1st was 80 as
against 30 last year and ten-year
average Of 84. If this can be main
tained to harvest the yield of the crop
Will be the enormous total OF over
1000, 100000 bushels, a larger yield
Of one crop than was ever grown by
any country in the world. Virginia
and all the Southern States partici-
pate in the increased area planted and
the condition is high in all of them
being up to or in excesse of the aver
age Of the country. Virginia has a
North Carolina nearly 100000 acres;
South Carolina, 2,200,0 900 acres and
Tennessee 100000 acres. With ia
VOrable conditions up to harvest the
South will have such a corn crop as
she never before harvested and this
means much for our prosperity. Not
withstanding the indications of such
a large crop the price keeps high,
showing that .the reserves are nearly
exhausted and that the new crop will
come on a market wanting the grain.
The oat crop promises a large in
crease over that Of last year. 1t will
probably exceed ,1O0,00O,OO0 bushels
as against $1,000, 900 bushels year
ago, which was a short crop. 1t is
not likely that even if this yield be
reached, it Will much effect the price,
as the country can well use a 1,OO0,-
100000 buShel crop
The tobacco crop is planted on a
~
last, the increase being over 21 per
cent. Virginia has 100000 acres in
the crop, which is about the average.
North Carolina has 216,OO0 acres
planted, which is an increase Of per
cent. over last year. South Carolina
has increased her area 25 per cent.
but has only $4,000 acres planted.
Maryland has a less acreage than last
year. The great increase in the crop
is in Kentucky. which has 100000
acres planted. an increase Of Is per
cent. over last year. We are afraid
in the face of this increae those Of
our Virginia friends who planted Bur-
proposition even if they make a good
crop. The condition over the whole
crop is above the average and the
indications are for large yield, but
the quality in many sections is not
likely to be Of the best. too much rain
crop.
The condition Of the cotton crop on
the 25th of June was IA as against 81
in May and a tenyear average Of 80.
This with the greatly reduced acreage
planted. 31.O00,0O0 acres as against
33,3OO,0O0 acres last year, would seem
to indicate that the crop will be so
much shorter as to result in an ad-
vancing market Indeed, this is al
ready apparent sales being made now
at Il cents and over.
The apple crop seems likely to be
disappointing one. The only sec
ton of the country holding out a
promise of fair yield is New Eng
land. In this State the condition is
40. which is very low as compared
with the average.
There are yet one or two crops
which may be sown to make good de-
fciencieS in forage for the stock dur
ing the winter. Of these cowDeas and
sorghum will perhaps make as good
feed as anything that can be planted,
and will, if got in during the first half
of the month. mature sufficiently be-
fore frost to make a heavy yield Of
hay if sown on land in good state
of fertility or if helped with some acid
Sow half a bushel of peas
and peck and half Of sorghum per
acre. Have the land finely prepared
and cover the peas which should be
soWn first with a cultivatOr or harrow,
or, better, drill them and then SOW
the sorghum broadcast and harrow
lightly.
German millet seeded now will
make a good hay crop in about sixty
days. <,Khe land should be worked
down fine and the seed sown at the
rate Of one bGShe! to the acre. Miiet