The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-06-12
SOUTH CAROLINA CROPS.

SOUTH CAROLINA CEOFS.
The Unfavo-able Eject Of the Drought.
Cotton Stands inferior Condition Of
Corn Fair-S1nall Grain Poor.
The State Department of Agriculture
furnishes the following information re-
garding the weather and the crops
for the month of May, derived from the
reports Of the special County and town
ship correspondents of the department
and the reports of the volunteer observ-
crs of the State Weather Service:
THE WEATHER.
There has been i marked deficiency
in rainfall during the month. For the
month of May last year the rainfall was
exceSsive-1. Isl inches while for the
past month, estimated from reports
received to date, the rainfall has
been only 2.1S inches, nearly all of
which fell on the last two days OF the
month. Some sections Of the State
have been without rain for six weeks.
The effect Of this protracted drought has
been unfayorable 10 growing crops.
COTTON.
From the foot of the mountains to the
coast the reports, with but few excep-
tions, show that the stands" OF cotton
are inferior. Some correspondents eStl-
mate that not over 80 per cent. of the
crop is yet above ground. The dry and
cool weather has checked the growth OF
the plants and prevented the germina-
ton OF seed. High winds have pre-
vailed during the month, crusting the
ground and injuring young cotton.
! Insects have been active and have done
some damage to the crop. The bene-
! fetal effects of the rains on the 2Sth,
Goth, Both and 31st We're somewhat
neutralized by the succeeding coo!
weather. The crop is clean and well
worked and in good condition to be
benefited by seaSonahle showers in
June. If these shall come early in the
month there is yet time for a decidedly
Favorable change in crop conditions.
The general condition OF cotton on the
1st of June was for Upper Carolina, So
Middle Carolina, II: Lower Carolina,
rs: average for the State, 7G, against ST
at the same time last year. There has
been very little change in the area. The
average of the reports for the State Is
the same as last year, but the variations
in the different Counties will probably
show slight increase when the final
estimate is made.
CORN.
Corn has suffered less than cotton
from the effects of the long drought. On
uplandS the crop is reported in good
condition The plants are small but
healthy. Recent rains have been very
beneficial to upland corn. On bottom
! lands ram is needed. Bud and cut worms
have damaged the crop to consider
able extent in some sections. The condl'
ton is reported at in Upper Carolina.
%; Middle Carolina, 10; Lower Carolina.
70; average for the State, 81, against ST
last year. 1t is estimated that q pei
cent. of the crop is planted on bottom
lands.
SMALL GRAIN.
Wheat straw is very short, and the
heads smaller than usual, but the berry
is full, sound and plump, and a good
average yield is expected. HarEesfeSe
began about the 1St OF :lSne:
| of fall oats<Ms-S soi1-A.sSt redaced D
the unfayerable weather, but an aver
age yield viii probably be obtained
! Spring oats Will be almost total failure
| The condition of wheat was So on the
1st of June, against so on the 1st Of
June last year. The condition OF
oats was 6S against Sc on the 1st ofJune
last year.
POTATOES.
4 slight decrease is reported IN the
acreage of both sweet and Irish potatoes.
The condition, compared to an average,
is sweet potatoes 50, against SO last
year; Irish potatoes 73, against 80 last
year.
RICE.
The rice crop has apparently not been
hurt by the drought. The correspond
ents generally report that the crop has
been thoroughly worked and put IN
good order. so that it Will receive the
full benefits of June rains. The condition
is reported at 50, against s. last year.
SUGAR CANE 3ND SORGHUM.
The condition of sugar cane Is re-
ported at 81, and sorghum at 50.
FRUIT.
The peach crop will be more abund-
ant than for several years. The trees
in many sections of the State are filled
with fine fruit. Apples and pears are
much less promising. The area IN wa
ter melons has been increased, but the
vines need rain to produce more vig-
orouS growth.
SUPPLIES PURCHASED.
Theamount of farm supplies purchased
will exceed last years purchase by about
( per cent. This increase is due to the
loss OF corn cropsin 1888 on river bottoms
and to the increased use of commercial
fertilizers. The financial condition of land
owners is reported ''better" than last
wear by ~ correspondents, the same"
mo and VIZ" by II. Of tenants
-Z2155As., " ~ 5al=<:sssse. by y and
worse" by 81. OF farm laborefS
ter by 10, ''Same" by 81, worse" by
81.
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS.
The estimated consumption Of com,
mercial fertilizers in the State for the
year is 13O.000 tons. as follows: Com
plcte fertilizers, 53, 800; acid phosplateS,
4G, 500 tons, and kainit, cotton seed meal
and chemicals 80. 900 tons. About 30
per cent. Of all fertilizers purchased was
used in composing. One-fourth less
kainit was used than last year.
TOM wooLFoLK'S FOURTH TRIAL
For the Murder OF His Family OF Nine