The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-17
MOISTURE NEEDED
 FOR COTTON CROP
Department Of Agricul- ture Summarizes South
 ern Conditions

WASHINGTON, July 16.-Crop and weather conditions in southern states during the week ending yesterday, were summarized today by the department of agriculture as fallOws:
 Wheat harvesting was practically complete in Missouri but there was comlaint of damage to the crop in shock by wet weather in West Virginia and North Carolina.
 Corn made poor progress in the cen tral and west Gulf areas because of deficient moisture while excessive rain fall was very unafOvarble in the South Atlantic district.
 Condition as to temperature were rather favorable for. cotton in the southern states but unfavorable as to moisture in most sections. It continued much too wet in the eastern portion of the belt where the third week of rainy and cloudy weather was experi- enced while moisture was needed in much of the West Gulf section.
 Conditions were favorable as a rule in the north, central and northwestern portions of the belt.
 The progress and condition of cotton were as rule fair in Texas and the early planted was fruiting fairly well, but the crop was still backward and irregular with rain now generally needed. Progress was fair to very good in Oklahoma, with plants blooming in the southern portion; few weevil were reported but the crop is about two weeks late The moderate temperatures and local showers in Arkansas made good cotton growing weather with the plants fruiting nicely but it was too dry in Louisiana where progress was poor and deterioration noted. Growth was poor in Mississippi where there was very little rainfall but progress was mostly fair to good in Alabama and the plants were blooming to the northern border though stands were ir- regular.
 The temperature and sunshine favored good growth in Tennessee where cotton is we'll cultivated and progress was very good in much of Florida though fields were getting grassy because of the wet weather and there was complaint of shedding in the northern portion. There was generally too much rain for cotton in Georgia, except in the northwestern portion where the plants are making rapid but too rank growth at the expense of fruit with considerable complaint of shedding and grassy fields. There was decidedly too much rain in the Carolinas and Virginia.
 Crop Condition By States
 Tennessee Very beneficial rains over middle division, moisture now generally ample excessive in some eastern c0un- ties where work delayed. Cotton grow ing and fruiting well, good cultivation. Corn suffered from drought in many counties first of week but good pro- gress since rains.
 Georgia: Except in northwest gen. erally too rainy for cotton which is making rapid but rank growth fruit ing slowly with considerable shedding, many fields grassy. WeeVil slowly in creasing with little,: damage as yet. Lowland corn injured by excessive moisture but upland made excellent progress maturing in south, general condition best in many years. All minor crops did well. Dry sunny weather needed.
 Florida progress of cotton very good in peninsula except frequent rains un- favorable and getting grassy condition mostly very good except in west but complaint of shedding in northern coun- ties due to wet weather. Weevil infesta- tion light but increasing. Rains dam aged late corn on lowlands and delay ing work on cane and peanuts. Groves good condition, fruit holding well.
 Alabama Many sections especially in north needing moisture. Growth and condition of corn, truck, pastures, fruits and minor crops mostly fair to good; stands of corn spotted. Progress and condition of cotton mostly fair to good; blooming to northern border, stands irregular. Weevil infestatiOn be- coming quite generally numerous and active locally but slight damage.
 Mississippi: Warm with mostly light rains. Conditions and growth of cot ton poor with very good cultivation. Weevil general with damage probably slight. Growth of corn, poor lacking rain. Progress of cane and fruit, fair; gardens pastures and truck, poor.
 Louisiana Scattered rains in south and central but generally insufficient. Early corn further deteriorated and late suffering in many localities. Growth of cotton, poor, some deteriora- ton reported in extreme north due to drought; condition, poor to very good and fruiting fairly we'll. Weevil, mostly inactive. Truck and pastures .eteriorat- ing. Progress of sugarcane, fair; crops, generally cultivated.
 
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