The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-17
COTTON PROGRESS SATISF FACTORY IN
 ALL PARTS BELT
Moderately Warm and Gen erally Dry Week Proves Beneficial to Crop in
 All Cotton States
By AssocIated Press

Washington, June l6.-Cotton has made satisfactory progress in practi- cally all portions of the belt and sub stantial improvement has been re- ported from many sections, according to the weekly weather and crop bulle- tin issued today by the department of agriculture. The week was moderately warm and generally dry throughout the cotton growing states, the bulletin sta ted. and pro$ed beneficial to the crop.
 'The warmer nights in the more eastern districts were especially favor able" the department reported. and the crop has improved in South Caro- Lna to nearly an average condition while the most favorable week of the season was experienced in Georgia. Tie plants are still small and late, However, in the latter state, which is also the case in Alabama. The crop made excellent progress in Mississippi but Is about two weeks late there, while the fairly good stands are most ly well cultivated in Tennessee.
 Cotton made very good advance in Arkansas and while late it Is in fairly good condition in that state, but Is still grassy in sections The week was generally favorable for cotton in Louisiana and the crop made mostly excellent progress in Oklahoma. The condition varies from only poor to very good in the latter state.
 Cotton improved in Texas under fla vorable weather conditions. but it's con- dition continues to vary widely. rang ing from poor to very good. The crop is grassy in the northwestern portion but is mostly clean elsewhere. culti- vation made rapid progress in all por- tons of the belt. Weevil continues ac- tiye in southwestern Texas and In many of the southeastern localities"
 WHEAT MATURING
 Commenting on the condition of win- ter wheat. the bulletin reports that the warm dry weather of the week has tered the maturity of the crop in the southern portion of the belt. causing il to ripen rapidly. Harvest is under way in eastern North Carolina and some wheat is ready to cut in Tennes see, according to the bulletin, while farther west harvesting sis progressing rapidly in southern Oklahoma
 TLe agricultural department reports that spring wheat made a good ad- vance in nearly all portions of the belt and that the weather was generally ia avorable for oats, rye and barley ex ccpt In a few localities where 1t was too dry.
 The weather favorably affected rice iii Texas, according othe report, and the crop made excellent advance in the lower Mississippi valley. while it is much improved in Georgia.
 Potatoes generally did well through out the country and shipments were active from parts of the middle and south Atlantic coast regions. Sweet rotate setting continues and the crop Is making good. progress the bulletin stated.
 Truck needs rain in parts of the middle and south Atlantic coast sec tons" the bulletin said. Melons were considerably improved by the weather Of the week in Georgia. but in Florida tie crop Is badly spotted. although In fair to good condition.
 Tobacco harvest has commenced in Flcrida, according 10 the department 5 report and the crop did well in Ten- ressee Sugar cane and peanuts were favorably affected by the weather or tho week, which also proved beneficial t3 pastures and meadows. Hay crops and grasses need rain in some sections O., the southeastern states.
 The bulletin reports that apples and peaches are continuing to make satis- factory advance. Peaches are ripening rspidly and are being shipped from the p.2re southern districts,