The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1919-09-09

nm 900 LOSS IN STATE
lis YEAR BY BOIL WEEVIL

half crop, with the condition worse
and worse as one travels south and
more particularly southeast. North
of this line the cotton becomes better
and better till one reaches the hills
on a line with Atlanta. Here one
energies from the weevil-stricken dis
tricts, and finds the plant still good
Further up in the hills, close to the
edge of the cotton belt, it becomes
exceptional. These lines may be clear
ly shown by placing the county condi-
ton figures on the map and tracing
the margin of the devastated regions,
which are then plainly apparent.
In addition to the weevil damage
red spider has quite seriously affect
ed the northwestern section, in con-
junction with a serious dry spell. This
insect is spreading and much more
important than usual.
Details by districts and counties,
based on replies received from crops
or field lads, now numbering over
5000, follow:
Northwestern District.
This portion of the state was do
ing excellently till about the middle
of July. Dry weather then set in. On
July % the change was just becom-
ing noticeable. This became more and
more marked and by this time a Sc
rious decline is shown. In addition
to the weather, which differed from
the rest Of the state, this sections
crop is seriously threatened by the
weevil. 1t has moved forward to a
line which might be drawn from At
lanta to Chattanooga. Late reports
of falling squares seem to show that
he has passed this point. 1t is history
that weevil is present and depositing
eggs from two to three weeks before
the creature itself. Added to the
above weighty handicaps, the red spi-
der is again numerous and destruct-
i've. Those counties along the Ten
nessee line retain good prospect. Con-
dition figure in per cent. of normal
follows the county: Barlow, 60; Ca
toosa, So; Chattago, So; Dade, TO-;
Floyd, 73; Gordon, 10; Murray, 90;
Paulding, 70; Polk, 70; Walker, 80;
Whitfield, sc. District average rs,
against 81 last month.
Northern District.
Very fortunate has been the lot
of the cotton planter here. While
some scalding has occurred and re-
action and shedding following ex-
cess rainfall, the crop is still good,
even fine in the mountain section.
Weevils are now at work in the low
err corners of Fulton and DeKalb
counties. but they are too late to
get much of the crop. Some red spl-
ders are occasionally found.
Northeastern District.
Cotton is early in this section and
above the average. Insect pests have
done no damage, and while the
weather changes have destroyed the
wonderful prospect Indicated ldSI
month there is still hope for a good
crop. Averages follow each county
Banks, rs; Ebert, IT; Franklin, 49,
Habersham, 80; Hart, 81; Lincoln
81; Madison, 78; Oglethorpe, 72;
Stevens, 70; Wilkes, 70. District
average rs, last month 88.
! Western District.
One who saw the cotton crop IN
June could scarcely believe the re-
ports of August rs. The decline here
runs from 10 to 25 per cent. About,
the middle of last month the WeeVll
became numerous and since then has
cut off the counties on line with Mus
cogee and Chattahoochee. From this
northward is some slight improve
ment in condition. Not only was the
weather favorable to the rapid
mona oation of the weevil, but the