Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-09-01
l2,499,0O0 BALES FOR 1917 CROP lS
 LATE FORECAST
Department of Agriculture Reports Show Improve
 ment During August.

Washington, Aug. 21.--Cotton pro duction prospects improved to the sx- tent of 550,o00 bales during August and brought the estimate to the final outturn to 12.499, 900 equivalent 50O,- pound bales.
 That quantity was forecast today by the department of agriculture on the condition of the crop August 2b, which showed q decline of 2.5 points, compared with 10-yeAr average of 6.6 points decline. Acre yield was forecast at 174.e pounds. compared with 1869 pounds forecast from July 25 condition.
 Heavy Deterioration.
 The cotton crop specialist sum . marizes the cotton crop situation of August 25 as follows:
 "The most noticeable feature in the cotton crop condition at this time is the heavy deterioration which has oc- cured in Texas. No rain of real benefit fell in central and southern Texas during the past month and the crop went to pieces rapidly. In much of this section one picking got the crop and the stalk is dead or so badly damaged that nothing could now benefit it. Should heavy rains come at this late date 1t is doubtful if it would benefit the crop. Frost would probably get any new fruit that was put on
 ''In portions of northern and east- ern Texas and in almost the entire cotton belt to the east, improvement was made during the month, the chief exceptions being portions of Florida, Alabama and Georgia, where, because Of too much rain, weevils are ravag- ing the crop. In the older weevl-in- Tested states weevils are doing less damage than in former years.
 Army Worms Present.
 Army worms are reported in sev- eral sections. but there has been no material damage to date. Rust. blight and shedding are local complaints in a number of the states.
 "The crop generally is fruiting well and seems to have overcome part of its lcteness in many sections. How over, in the northern part of the belt there ts much young cotton which will require at least normal. frost date to reach full maturity.
 '''The crop has been largely picked and ginne1 in portions of southern Texas and picking is in progress. everywhere in the southern part of the cotton belt. There is some fear that scarcity of pickers will be felt in most of the states
 %x Compares FavorNbly. Tbe, forecast today compares with II .9k9.0 900 bales as estimated from the coalition of the crop June 25, and 11.623.000 bales as estimated from the condition on July 25. Last years crop was 11,499.93O bales; two years ago 1.191,S20; three years ago, 16,1S4,- 9S0. and four years ago, 14,15S,4S6. The condition, 67.8 normal, com parcs with 7c.3 per cent of a normal on July 25 this year. 61.2 on August <, 10.9. the average on August 9 of the 1 last ten years.
 In ferecasting the total production the department of agriculture allow ! ed 1 per cent from the planted area for abandonment. The final outturn will probably be larger or smaller l than the quantity forecast accordine ! as conditions hereafter are better or l worse than average condition.
 Condition by Stntes. The condition by states is: Virginia, 76 per cent of normal; North Carolina, 69; South Carolina A: Georgia, 6S: Florida, 65: Alabama 6; Mississippi 75; Louisiana. 75; l Texae. 55: Arkansas, 79; Tennessee 80: Missouri, S3: Oklahoma. S4: Cali. fornia, 90: Arizona, 89.
 sa MILLION CROWNS SHY.