The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-18
RAINS BENEFIT
 SOUTHERN TRUCK
Past Week Generally Fa- vorable For Most Crops,
 Says Report

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Crop and weather conditions in southern states for the week endede yesterday were sum marized by the department of agricul- ture today as follows:
 Agricultural conditions in the south ern states show considerable improve ment since the rains of last week, al- though more moisture is still needed in Texas, where the growth of winter crops are only fair and blowing made poor progress because of dry soil. Con- ditions have markedly improved, how ever, in central and east gulf districts with further beneficial showers in the immediate gulf coast sections that were not reached by the previous rainfall. The drought was broken in northwest ern Florida, but rain is needed in most portions of the peninsula, though the harder winter crops are making satis- factory advance.
 Winter Crops Progress
 In the South Atlantic area winter truck crops made good progress under the influence of the mild, sunny weath- CT and ample soil moisture.
 Winter cereals did well in the Atlantic Coast area and show improvement in the southern states.
 Conditions were generally favorable for husking corn except from the lake region eastward. The crop Is largely housed in the middle Atlantic area.
 The weather was unusually favor able for picking the remnants of the cotton crop in the northern portion of the belt. Harvest has been nearly com pleted in North Carolina except in the northeastern portion and only small amount remains in the fields in Okla- homa and northwestern Texas.
 Florida cabbage, celery and lettuce are in good condition. The planting of cabbage progressed rapidly in Alabama and all winter truck shows improve ment in that state as well as in other gulf districts. Cane grinding contin- ued slowly in Louisiana, but recent moisture has been very beneficial for fall planted cane. Truck made only fair progress in Texas by reason of in sufficient moisture and it's general condition is rather unsatisfactory except in irrigated sections. Truck did well in 1 Arkansas and in the South Atlantic states while favorable weather prevailed for tobacco stripping in virginia, Ten nessee and Kentucky.
 Pastures show material improvement | in southeastern states but the range continued poor to only fair in Texas and native pastures are poor in Okla | homa.
 | Strawberries improved in Florida l with citrus fruits maturing sat1sfac' torily. Citrus are Tn good to excellent condition in California with the pick l ing of oranges about completed in the north and beginning in the south. Alabama: Temperature somewhat be- low first half, considerably above there after, needed rain occurred in south west portion at beginning of week, oth- erwise generally fair, favorable TOT farm work and some blowing accom- plished. Seeding oats and wheat pro- gressed slowly, planting cabbage pro- gressed rapidly in coast region. Truck vegeta bles and pastures which survived drought and frosts improved since re- cent rains though continue mostly poor to fair.
 Mississippi: Moderate temperature to Thursday; unseasonably warm there after, generally ample sunshine; prac- tically no precepitation except or coast. Pastures reviving; good progress of truck and reasonable farm activities |
 DRY GOODS
 NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-Cotton clotf margets were strengthened today by active buying of print cloths. sales thi! week running to 100000 pieces of wide goods. Other cloths were steady bu less active. New prices named on cot ton flannels were lower than a veal ago. Hosiery was quiet in first hand. but there was a steady call for woo goods and novelties in second hands Underwear for fall sold moderately Raw silk was firm with some small advances reported. Wool goods were firm with an upward trend. Sales oi wool blankets for fall were being made steadily. Burlaps have been bought