The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-07-10
TEXAS COTTON CROP PROMISING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REPORT ON COTTON CROP.
Acreage Planted in United States
Largest on Record, Amounting
to $4,000 Acres,

WashingtOn.--On the second larg
est acreage ever recorded and with
the prospects Of production probably
equal to or better than those Of last
year, the growing cotton crop Of the
United States Wednesday was report
ed by the department Of agriculture
as being 1916 per cent Of normal, with
the area in cultivation as $4,000
acres.
The condition is slightly more than
l per cent below the average cODdi.
ton On June % for the past ten years
Bad weather early in the season
caused low condition in number
of states, but during June conditions
in those localities improved greatly
In Texas, where on May rs the con,
ditiOn was 60 per cent of normal, the
June 20 report showed a condition OF
"a per cent; in Oklahoma it improved
from GS to 70; in North Carolina from
76 to 50 ard in South Carolina from
70 to 81.
This outline Of Cott0ns condition up
to June rs in the various states was
issued in connection with the depart
rent's estimates:
Virginia-There has been improve
ment during the month and the crop
is practically all up, though the fields
are uneven.
North Carolina-There HAS been
pronounced Improvement over a
month ago.
South Carolina--All portions of the
state except the northwest have had
bountiful rains since the middle Of
the month, causing cotton not pre-
viously terminated to come up.
Georgia-Probably u to Is per cent
of the total planted acreage, mainly in
the northwest portion, did not come
up until early in June.
FlOrida-The stands are very good
in the eastern counties, but not so
good in the western part Of the state
Alabama-This state is the best ia,
vored of any in the main cotton belt.
The fields are generally as well cult,
waited as a garden.
Mississippi-The month Of May was
dry and cotton received a very favor.
able start. Hot weather and dust
have been valuable in combating the
weeyil, which is present in at least 20
per cent Of the area.
Louisiana-Local showers during
the month helped conditions in many
places, but the long drouth over much
Of the northern part Of the state has
retarded growth of the plant, which
had late start
Texas-It was not possible to Go
much farm work during May because
of rains. The crop became foul with
weeds. Twenty-Five days of almost
perfect weather conditions to about
the middle Of June, when timely rains
fell over a considerable area, have
made a wonderful Improvement. The
plant now is growing rapidly and
showing remarkable vitality. Stands
are fairly good. but irregular in size,
due to many replantings. The crop
is three or four weeks late, probably
30 per cent having come UP since
June /, and this late cotton will be
more than ordinarily subject to dam
age from the summer heat, insects or
early frosts. But the crop has great
asset in the amount of subsoil mois-
ture. Boil weevils are in evidence in
the central, east and southern dis
tricts, but no damage yet has been
reported.
Arkansas-The state has suffered
great extremes Stands are irregular,
but the plant is green and thrifty.
Tennessee-The western part of
the state has been extremely dry
since early in May. The crop is gen
orally clean and we'll cultivated.
Missouri-The crop is reported as
the best in years.
Oklahoma-Most OF the state was
extremely wet during May and fields
were badly washed. Much replanting
was necessary.
Acreage and condition by states fol-