The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-30
COTTON CROP CONDITION.
crop Starts With Poorest PrOspect
for Many Years.

New York, May give hand you
herewith the result of our investiga-
tion covering the condition of the
growing cotton crop, and the acreage
planted to cotton, with such informa-
ton as may be pertinent thereto. This
report is made up to and including
May goth.
The average indicated condition for
the United States is III per cent.
The average indicated reduction in
acreage for the season of 1917-1S is
5 per cent.
Summary by States.
Virginia-From 10 to 20 days late.
Cultivation poor stands bad. About
25 per cent. will be replanted. Labor
scare. Cold weather cause for low
condition figures. Warmer on May
18th and 10Th. Prospects very poor.
North Carolina-From 10 to 20
days late. A few counties report
stands fair and cultivation good; the
remainder say stands poor and much
replanting will be done, due to un-
seasonable cold weather. Correspond
ents say there may be a further re-
duction in acreage on account of seed
scarcity Root lice doing some dam
age. labor scarce, mules ample. Frost
killed young cotton in some sections.
Prospects at this time poor.
South Carolina-From 10 days early
to Is days late. Cultivation and
stands poor to fair, mostly fair. Due
to low temperatures. considerable re-
planting will be done Seed scarcity is
acute and may further effect the
acreage. Root lice and cut worms
have destroyed some stands Weather
condition now more favorable. There
is a pronounced shortage of labor,
no scarcity Of mules, but some in poor
shape due to high price of feed. Gen.
eral prospects poor to fair.
Georgia-FrOm 10 to 90 days late.
Cultivation fair to good, stands gener-
ally poor. Growth of all crops re-
tarded by continued cool weather and
bueh replanting necessary. Cut
worms, lice and pea pod weevil do
ing some damage. Boil weevil in south
and southwestern part of State ap-
pearing on young cotton. Hail and
frost killed early cotton in some
| counties. Labor scarce and still mi
grating north Seed is scarce and
while plenty of farm animals their
general condition is poor, due to the
high price of feed. Rain and warm
weather needed. General prospects
poor.
Florida-Crop preparations from
ten days early to ten days late. Gull
tiVation and stands poor to- food.
Weather too cool to allow rapid
growth. Seed scarce. Farmers un-
easy because Of shortage of labor.
Boil weevil and lice in great numbers
of young cotton. Mules sufficient but
in poor condition.
Alabama-From 10 to 90 days late.
cultivation with hut few exceptions is
reported as fair to good, Stands poor
to bad. About 25 per cent will be re-
planted, due to cold weather, which
retarded growth. Young cotton dying.
More corn will be planted which ac-
counts for additional acreage reduc-
ton. Weather more favorable around
the 18th and 10Th Of May, but warm
rams badly needed. No shortage of
mules. Labor and also seed scarce.
Weevil and lice destructive. Nights
entirely too cool. Prospects poor.
Observation-Disclosures about 16 DAYS
late. Cultivation with some few ex-
ceptions fair to good. Stands poor to
bad. Further reduction in cotton
acreage. Approximately Is per cent.
| Will be replanted and some going to
food crops. Weather, too cool; warm
RAIN badly needed. Some parts of
the state report shortage of farm
hands and supply Of mules but ma
]ority of counties say sufficient for
present needs. Many correspondents
say farm animals poorly fed owing to
| high price of feed. No general COM
pants Of insect. damage now, but fear
weeVll and cut worms will destroy
pant later on. Some sections report
scarcity of seed for rcplanting. Pros
poets poor.
| Loulslana-Averages about IA days
late. Cultivation fair to good. Stands
'air 10 poor. Cold. dry weather and
| hail caused damage and approximate