Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-22
CROPS IN THE STATE.

The State Department of Agriculture pub
fishes under date of the 14th, 3l1 crop re-
ports covering every county in the State
and more than three fourths of the town.
ships, of an average date of May l. These
reports show that farming operations were
greatly retarded by unfavorable weather
during the month of April. Only 33 reports
of favorable weather were received.
1t is estimated that IS per cent. of spring
ploughing is usually done by May /, but
this year only 10 per cent. has been accom-
plished. The grain prospect is much more
promising than it was earlier in the season.
The condition of wheat is reported at SO,
but the reports are very encouraging and
indicate maximum yield. 1t is heading
finely and a part of the crop will be harvest
ed by the middle of May. A few of the
correspondents state that the stalk is small,
indicating small heads. 1t has also, in some
localities, been slightly injured by late frosts
and by a fly or maggot that attacks the
roots Of the plant, but these reports are ex-
ceptional, and the damage resulting from
these causes will hardly be perceptible in
the total yield of the crop. In the upper
counties the condition is reported at 10l, in
the middle counties SO, in the lower coun-
ties 50.
Oats show wonderful improvement in the
from present indications, give fully an av-
erage yield, but the late soWn were badly
winter killed, and the crop on bottom lands
has been damaged by late floods in the riv-
ers and creeks. This will reduce the yield
OF the crop below an average. The cOndl-
tion is reported, in upper Carolina at 81, the
middle counties 81, in the lower counties So.
1t is estimated that cotton planting is full
ly two weeks behind an average year, and
planting will not be completed before the
middle of May. The crop has been injured
by cold rains, and in many sections replant-
ing will be necessary. In the middle Sec
tion of the State there is complaint of seed
rotting in the ground, and in the lower
and defective stands are the result. The
young plants were injured by frost on the
9th of April. A scarcity of seed is report
ed in several localities caused, principally
it is supposed, by the large consumption OF
seed by the cotton seed oil mills. 1t is esti-
mated that the acreage will be decreased l
per cent, and this estimate holds goods for
the whole State. The reports show that "a
per cent. of the crop has been planted, 2S
per cent. is up, and the condition, as COM
pared with last year, is 70. 1t is estimated
that per cent. less fertilizers have been
used on cotton this year than last, and that
- per CENT. OF Cne crop - 1e1 1lllAeu "Aoi
home made manures.
It is estimated that the acreage in corn has
been increased per cent. This is the in
variable rule a decrease in the cotton area
shows corresponding increase in the area
devoted to corn. A large proportion OF the
bottom lands has not yet been planted, and
the crops on those lands that had been plant
ed was injured by the spring floods. The
development of the plant has been checked
by the cold wet weather, and the young
corn has been injured by birds and worms:
The general condition including stand OF
the crop compared with last year, is oS.
Fifty-fve per cent. of the crop is ferti!ized,
and one-half of this amount is fertillzed
with cotton seed and homemade manures.
On the subject of labor the report says
Owing to the short crops of last year many
negroes who had been running small farms
under lien were unable to meet their obliga,
tions, and therefore could not obtain credit
from the merchants for the present year
Consequently they have been employed as
laborers by the year, month or day, and
there is no scarcity of labor in any section OF
the State. The average wages is eight dol'
lars per month with rations and house 1ur'
niShed.