The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-06
COTTON CROP CONDITION,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PLACES FIGURES FOR MAY
25 AT 74.3.
This States Is Given as 72-Only
I'm Two Years. 1908 and 1907. Have
Estimates OF Condition Been Lower
Than Present.

tion Of the cotton crop of the coun-
try Ia the lowest since 1871 with cx-
ception of 1903 and 1907. the depart
ment OF agriculture announced today.
1t issues statistics showing the condi-
ton on May 25 as 74.3 per cent of a
normal, or per cent below the ten
year average.
The low condition Of the crop. ii
was said was due largely to excessive
rains and exceptionally cool nights
In central and northeastern Texas.
eastern and southern Oklahoma
and southwestern Arkansas. which
brought the condition percentage in
those States down to Go, 6s and 70.
respectively. In Texas many farmers
were obliged to replant several times.
No estimate OF the acreage plant
ed to cotton will be made by the de-
partment until July 1. Unofficial es-
Inmates OF the acreage have placed II
from 3.5 per cent decrease to 1 per
cent increase.
In a detailed review OF the con-
ditions In the cotton States the de-
partment makes favorable report on
the progress OF the crop in the heavy
producing sections OF Mississippi and
parts OF Louisiana. Oklahoma. Geor-
gia, Arkansas and Alabama. In
Texas. says the statement, cotton is
making one Of the poorest starts wit
messed in many years"
Tho Mississippi crop is probably ter
or IL days late and there Is some
complaint of weevils. but taking the
~ >ko a. n WHOLE" the department
.'conditions are excellent"
~, parts Of Oklahoma. the depart
D1)6ut sAys. tho crop win average az
much ~ three weeks late. while too
much RAIN In lower sections has pre-
vented cultivation. In seml-arid re-
gions. however. the crop is declared to
he In excellent condition.
While the crop Is declared to be ten
general conditions Of cultivation are
regarded as excellent. Cool weather
has retarded growth somewhat and
weevils are resulting in the south
western portions Of the State.
BY far the most promising condi-
tions to be found in Texas are in the
u
the best asset Of moisture in six OIL
eight years" In the greater part OF
the State. however. excessive rainfall
has retarded planting and COO
weather has caused poor germinat on
Much replanting has been necessary
Rains have ceased in the other parts
OF the State and great activity is re-
ported. Sunshine for a week or ter
days the crop can be we'll cleaned"
The early planted cotton in Geor
gia. consisting of probably 50 pei
cent Of the total acreage" is re-
ported In good condition. "a small
portion OF the crop Is not up and viii
not come up until 1t rains" adds the
report. The Georgia crop is esti'
mated to he about q week late.
In North Carolina the crop Is
about two weeks late. due to dry
cool weather. The early planted cot
ton. however. IN reported as i'm al
most perfect condition"
Dry weather Is held responsible for
tho backwardness Of the crop I'm
South Carolina. whe @ "probably
20 per cent" is reported as not up
To stand. Dry winds have nccessi-
tated much replanting. and rain Is
needed to gcrminatc the late planted
seed. The cotton standing is in al
most perfect condition." says the re-
port.
Louisiana conditions are declared TO
he too wet or too dry. but generally
the crop Is satisfactory" Some late
planted seed is not up and the crop
averages two weeks late.
southwestern Arkansas says the
report. has had entirely too much
rain. The fields I'm that section are
foul with grass and weeds. and por-
tion OF tho crop still Is implanted In
the heavy producing sections Of the
state conditions are favorable"
In Tennessee only about three
fourths Of the crop Is up. and the
plant is perhaps only half as large
as II should be at this time. 1t lacks
vigor. the color being rather poor"
Some sections OF Florida have suf-
fered poor stands on account Of dry
weather but plants are well cultivat-
cd.