The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
VI [ EVIL RAVAGES TAKE HEAVY FULL IN SOUTH ALABAMA
General Optimism Regarding Most Southern Crops Is
 Shown In Report

ATLANTA, Ga, August 17.-Gen- eral optimism regarding most crops in the northern part of the belt and heavy weevil damage to cotton in Florida, southern Georgia ald the southern portion of Alabama are the principal points mentioned in the fortnightly crop report of the United States department of agriculture covering the states of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia, made public here today.
 Disaster due to the boil weevil. has overtaken the cotton crop in southern Georgia and the sea island crop in Florida, the report stated, and the southern portion of Alabama and South Carolina report extremely serious damage"
 The middle portion of the belt made good progress uptil a few days ago, when heavy rains caused a marked decline, the report added. The upper part of these three states report an improved condition and heavy fruiting. North Carolina and Tennessee average from good to very good, with comparatively little she'd ding, and not much WeeVll damage to date. However, in this respect the report sounded a warning that 1t was still too early for serious damage in this area.
 Leaf Worm Active.
 Leaf worms are very active in Ala hama and western Georgia, the re- port added, but the damage will prob ably not be very great, because the general infestation will not be reached until too late for serious damage. There is a general com plaint in north Georgia, it was re- ported, of boil worms.
 Corn greatly improved in Tennes- see and North Carolina, the report stated. In some other states the yield promises to be short, particu- larly in northern Georgia, northern South Carolina and Florida. There is considerable complaint of grass.
 The North Carolina wheat crop has been threshed, according to the re- port, and the yield surpassed expec- tation. These remarks apply also to oats.
 The report stated that everything Is reported favorable in the entire tobacco area, but particularly in North Carolina and Tennessee. The crop is harvested in other states, and the outturn was good, although probably not reaching earlier expec- tations in Georgia. Georgia sales, 1t was reported, the first two weeks were in excess of the entire crop last season.
 
 Late hay crops have done we'll in most of the southeast, the report stated. Figures improved with the recent rains in the Piedmont, but there are still some scattering areas needing moisture. The condition of sugar cane is below usual in most of the area. due to too much rain and lack of cultivation. The south Flor ida crop is now improving, it was added.
 All fruits were very disappointing in North Carolina and Tennessee, the report averred. Peaches ran to an unexpected total in Georgia. The shipping season has just been com pieteG, almost two weeks later than avera ged. The Florida citrus cror is about usual. Grange trees are carrying too much fruit, it wa' added.
 TEe ground is being prepared fol full truck crops Tn Florida, it wal reported. Harvesting of water meIons and cantalcupes has beer completed in South Carolina. Lat truck crops ara in good shape il North Carolina and Tennessee.