The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-06
COTTON YIELD REDUCED
OVER TWENTY PER CENT
Predictions Call for Crop of Three Mil.
lion Bales Under That of Inst
Year.

officially estimated from the depart
ment of agriculture's June 20 con-
dition and acreage report issued to-
day. That would be 100000 bales
less than last years crop, or a re-
duction of % per cent.
In all 31,5S5,0o0 acres were planted
this year, showing that the govern
ment's repeated appeals to cotton
growers to reduce their acreage and
devote more land to other crops had
been needed. Reductions for this
ears area amounted to 5,S71,OOO
acres, or 156 per cent,
Condition of the crop was better
ian last year at this time and also
better than the ten-year average on
June 25. Along the Atlantic coast the
crop deteriorated in June but condi-
tons improved in Louisiana, Texas,
Arkansas and Oklahoma.
A total area of 900 acres of
cotton is under cultivation in the
United States according to the es-
innate of the department of agricul-
ture announced today. That compares
with 37,406,00 acres, the revised es-
innate of acreage under cultivation
a year ago; 36,s32,OOO acres picked
last year, 37,089,OO0 in 1913 and S4,-
$4,000 acres in 1912. Abandonment
acreage during the season last year
amounted to 1.5 per cent. Of the
planted area and for the past five
years it has averaged 1.8 per cent. OF
the area planted.
There had been much interest in
cotton and textile circles concerning
the area planted to cotton this year in
yiew of the record crop last year, the
curtailed foreign takings because Of
the European war and the low price
Of lint early this season, which were
believed to have influenced cotton
growers to reduce their acreage and
nut some of their land in grain and
other crops. The extent of this re-
duction had been Eariously estimated
CnofRcially at from 10 to 20 per cent.
The condition of the growing crop
On June 25 was 8O.3 per cent Of a
ormal as compared with 80 per
ent., on May % this year, 1915 per
er cent. the 10-year average on
une 25. Average change in condi-
,ot;on from May 25 to June rs during
the past ten years mas been an in
crease of per cent.
Growing conditions generally were
favorable throughout the month since
The last condition report was can
assed. Precipitation during the first
eek in practically all portions of the
belt furnished sufficient moisture for
Re time being, and the crop made
satisfactory growth. Late planted in
'exas was coming up and good stand
y-as reported. Excepting in portions
Oklahoma, Arkansas and some OF
le more eastern sections of the belt
rhere the soil was too wet, cultiva-
On proceeded satisfactory.
Cultivation and satisfactory growth
in all excepting a few districts was
vored during the second week by
fhe moderately warm weather, with
general absence Of continued rain.
Wet weather delayed cultivation and
raused some damage by flooding in
rorthern Texas, Oklahoma and the
Carolinas, where fields were becoming
:-assy. In most other sections, now
yer, the crop was well cultivated and
ne fields clean.
Continuation of moderately warm
Gather with local showers sufficient
for requirements, greatly favored cot
IN growth during the third week in
II portions of the belt. Delay in cul-
t,ation pevrmitted fields in few Sec
ons to become grassy, but over most
\ stricts cultivation proceeded salts
actorily, the fields were clean and the
-op continued in good condition.
Rapid growth was forced during the
nal week of the month by continued
arm weather, with sufficient mois-
re, and the crop was in good condi-
"a and we'll cultivated in nearly all
ricts. Some retardation of growth
reported from Oklahoma and ad-
hg sections, and grassy fields oc-
locally, with boil weeVil re-
as active IN portions of Ala
mississippi and Texas. The
rs fruiting in southern districts
be bloom was reported as far
Us North Carolina.