The log cabin Democrat., 1921-09-12
SLUMP IN COTTON
 CONDITION RAPID
TWICE TEN-YEAR AVERAGE
Arkansas Ranked First in Condition for Cotton States-Slump Now
 Less Rapid.

Memphis, Sept. 12.-Reports to the Commercial Appeal, under the aver age date of Sept. 8, indicate that de- terioration of the cotton crop contin- ues unabated, and has been both general and excessive since August | 25, the date of recent condition esti- mate.
 From reports compiled it is esti- mated that the deterioration amount ed on the average to not far from 10 points after August 25, whereas for the entire period from August 25 to September 25 the 10-year average de- terioration was only 5.4 points. It is further indicated, while deteri- oration is still in progress, it may be expected to be somewhat less rapid from this time forward, because that portion of the crop which has a chance to make is already reasonably safe
 Boil weevil is the chief complaint, although boil worms, army worms, shedding from causes other than wee vii depredations, sharpshooters, red spider, bad stands, late starts and stinted use of fertilizer are frequent ly mentioned.
 Drcuth has been a leading contrib utory cause in reducing the size of the crop of Texas and Oklahoma and factor of some importance in North Carolina. Boil weevil depredations are especially severe in Arkansas and Mississippi and damage during the past two weeks was probably greater than during any other period of equal length since the season started.
 Picking has been started to about the northern limits of the belt, but is not yet general Cotton is opening rapidly. There is much complaint of premature opening. On the average the bottom crop is about all that is expected The middle and top crops have been prevented by boil weevil and shedding from variety of causes. Weather conditions have been such that cotton on the more fertile lands presents handsome weed which con- tinues to flourish without setting new fruit.
 The present outlook is that the frost date will make little difference, and an early frost might be beneficial. On light lands most of the crop is al ready open, while the heavy foliage on the richer lands would be better for the crop if it could be remoced, for which reason some growers rather welcome the appearance of army and leaf worms.
 A few bales have been ginned in almost every locality and the pros poets are that the crop on the whole will be ginned early; ginning has not yet become general.
 Weather conditions have been fla vorable for maturity of the crop, and rather favorable for picking, except that it has been too hot for picking, especially in cotton of rank growth. Few blooms are to be seen anywhere and the amount of new fruit being set is negligible.
 The crop, it is judged from reports is relatively poorest in Georgia, Okla homa, South Carolina and Texas and relatively best in Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee, with Ala bama, Louisiana and Mississippi somewhere in between.
 The condition for the Arkansas crop as reported to the Commercial Appeal is as follows:
 Very little in the way of top or mid dle crop over south half of state, but bottom crop, with some exceptions rather good. Boil weevil damage very great and becoming more apparent as crop approaches maturity; many re- port damage as greatest in history of the state. Boil worms and army worms complained of; late plantings shedding heavily; early plantings opening prematurely. Deterioration during the past two weeks has been rather general. Weather mostly fa- vorable but too hot, too cool, too dry or too wet locally throughout scatter