The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-07-29
COTTON CROP SHOWING
STEADY IMPROVEMENT

STEADY IMPROVEMENT
Although the highly favorable
character of weather conditions pre-
yailing during the first half Of the
SO-day crop period was somewhat
modified during the past two weeks,
the cotton crop made general inn
provement, says George L. Fossick,
the Commercial Appeals cotton cor
respondent, in the issue Of that paper
Of July 26. Reports indicate that all
States, with the possible exception of
Louisiana, held its own
Boil weevil have done less damage
than could have been expected, consid-
ering the wide area of infection.
Weather conditions have no been fav-
orable to boil weevil activity except in
localities. Lateness Of the crop, due
to the poor start, and the presence Of
boil weevil. are now almost the only
blights upon an otherwise promising
ouJloOk.
This report lis based upon corre-
spondence covering in detail 1872
counties embraced in the 10 principal
cotton producing States, correspon-
dents reporting under dates from
July 19 to July %, inclusive.
There was too much. or too fire.
quent rains, in portions of Tonnes
see and sunshine deficiency, but the
condition Of the crop in this State is
probably ahead Of the 10-year aver
age.
East and Northeast Arkansas re-
port too much rain, and there are re-
ports of slight damage caused by boil
weevil, but the State as a whole, bar
ring lateness,, has seldom had more
promising prospect.
Only a few reports of deteriora-
tion from Mississippi, but that State
and Louisiana experienced less favor
able weather than any other sections
of the cotton belt. Rains were too
frequent over much of the State. Boil
weevil is causing serious damage in
some sections of the State. The gem
eral condition of the Mississippi crop
has improved since June Is.
Boil weevil seem to be more active
in Alabama than elsewhere. Too much
rain over the Tennessee valley and
counties adjacent thereto.
The Carolinas made steady pro-
gress under generally favorable con
ditions. North Carolina seems to be
slightly below and South Carolina
slightly above the 10-year average in
condition.
The crop in Georgia is doing well,
and averages somewhat better than a
month ago. Boil weevil widely prev
alent, has been unable to to make
Roadway because of weather con-
ditions.
Oklahoma is almost entirely free
from insect troubles, weather con-
ditions have been favorable and the
crop is the most promising that
State has experienced in many years,
and has continued to improve.
With the exception Of northern and
eastern divisions of the State and
some local exceptions due to boil
weevil activity. the crop condition in
Texas is above an average, and some
correspondents report for their sec
tions better than normal, Picking
has started in the southwest.
Rainfall Rainfall, mostly of the
character Of moderate showers, but at
times excessive, occurred over North
west North Carolina, North Georgia,
the Tennessee valley in Alabama,
portions of West Tennessee, most of
Northern Mississippi, excepting the
Yazoo delta, and over extensive areas
in Louisiana.
Temperature Temperatures were
most favorable throughout the belt.
Appearance of Plant. Etc. While
there are some complaints that the
plant is too small and others where
there has been much rain that it is
running too much to wed and not
fruiting properly, the plant as rule.
is healthy looking end has a good tap
root. Fields are clean as rule and
well cultivated, although cultivation
was often delayed too long.
Insects South Carolina complains
somewhat of lice, and Texas is having
trouble with worms in central parts |
of the State and grasshoppers in the |
west, but boil weevil is the outstand- |
ing menace, the infestation covering |
nearly the whole of the cotton belt.
Dry hot weather is needed in every
section to hold the boil weevil in |
check, although Tennessee, the Caro-
linas, Arkansas and Oklahoma appear
to be reasonably safe from extern
sive damage from boil weevil.
Taunascea