St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1917-12-29

cold weather began early i'll the
month with freezing temperature,
and fall potatoes and garden truck
sustained heavy damage. But ample
warning enabled the saving of suga:
cane for seed, and the remainder Of
the crop was windrowed to await
grinding.
Field hands to handle the croLs
were urgently needed, and particu-
lar!y on the sugar and cotton planla-
tons, and in Southwestern Louis
ana for rice harvesting. Labor was
scarce and high-priced. Not few
colored men had departed for the
northern states, and had been draft
ed for military duty, and often those
who remained behind were enjoying
too much prosperity to regard work
seriously, and would not go into the
fields unless required to do so.
Corn.
The acreage planted to corn is es-
timated at 10 per cent above the
1916 acreage, and the total yield
about 42,246,oOO bushels-the small
est crop since 1914. Yields per acre
averaged Is bushels, as compared
with 81 bushels one year ago, 90
bushels in 1915, and ten-year ay"
erage of 203 bushels. Not since
1912 has there been in Louisiana so
low yield per acre.
Early corn suffered considerable
injudy from drought during June.
and the latter part of May. At har-
vest, the early crop in some localities
was failure. Late corn made fair
growth, however, under favoran'e
conditions, and yields were reported
generally satisfactory.
The general average as to quality
is so per cent, as compared with so
per cent last year, and ten-year
average of S5 per cent.
Cotton.
Unfavorable weather conditions at
time Of planting started cotton off
badly. Cold weather early il May
and drought during the latter part
of that month further retarted the
progress of the crop. termination
was poor in localities and stands dis
appointing Some Of the plants died
and lack Of rain in June interfered
with the growth, and fruiting was
backward. July temperature ard
moisture conditions were favora BILE.
The plants showed rapid growth. but
were not able to regain what they
had lost, and in many Of the fields
presented stunted appearance be-
cause of their size. though the plants
were we'll fruited and bolls opening
in some parts of the state at the
close of that month. Further i'd
vancement was made during Angus.
and September, notwithstanding con-
siderable complaint Of shedding, and
rotting of bolls. The crop was sen
orally five to twenty days late in the
northern portion Of the state, and
about the normal stage in advance
ment in the center and southern por-
tions. Insect pests, including the
boil weevil, were mentioned as active
in some localities, but the damage
reported was not unusual. No top
crop was made.
The acreage harvested is the larg
est since 1908, and the total quantity
Of lint produced this year has not
been exceeded since the crop Of 1897.
Rice.
Rice made a strong finish, aLG the
final results indicate that the pes
simistic opinions professed to be en-
tertained at one time during the
growing period by some parties in
terested in this crop were without
adequate reason. Excepting in those
particular areas of Southwestern
Louisiana afflicted by drought, and
saltwater in the irrigation canals, the
yields were as good as usual, the
total production was only slightly
less than in the preceding year