The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-06-18
A PROMISING OUTLOOK.

A PROMISING OUTLOOK.
The Department of Agriculture's Reports
Indicate the Best Condition of Crops for
Many Years.
The condition of the growing crops
in South Carolina, as indicated by
the reports made to the Department
of Agriculture, is by far the best
shown at this season for at least ten
years past. The average condition OF
the cotton crop is better by 27 per
cent. than at this time last year, and
the increase of average previously
reported is confirmed.
The following has been compiled
from the reports Of two hundred and
forty special crop correspondents OF
the Department of Agriculture in
every part Of the State:
COTTON.
With but few exceptions perfect
stands Of cotton arc reported through
out the State. The estimate made u
month ago that the acreage would be
four per cent. greater than last year
has been confirmed by the present
report and the figures remain un-
changed. A few correspondents re-
port excessive rains and in the OK
tremc southwestern part Of the State
the rainfall has been insufficient, but
upon the whole the rains have been
general and evidently distributed. The
plant is healthy. vigorous and well
advanced, blossoms having been re-
ported in the lower counties several
days ago The condition as COM
pared t, an average crop is: for upper
Carolina 1O2: for middle Carolina
105, and for lower Carolina 10l. The
average for the entire State is 103
against 76 at the same time last year
The area in cornhas been increased
one per cent. over last year. Excel
lent stands are reported and the crop
is clean and growing finely. Twenty
six per cent. of the crop has been
planted on bottom land. The con
dition is: for upper Carolina, bottom
land 90, upland 100: for middle Caro-
lima, bottom land 80, upland 80, and
for lower Carolina, bottom land 95,
upland 81. The average for the State
is 50 for bottom land and 81 for up
land. The condition ut the Same time
last year was 81.
WHEAT AND OATS.
The wheat harvest, just about com
pletcd, shows the-crop to be very
short one, the yiel.i being reported
at but G5 per cent. OF an average crop.
The weather for the past few weeks
has been very favorable Tor the spring
oat crop, and the oat yields reported
at rs per cent. Of an average crop,
against 6s for the same time last
year.
RICE.
The rice crop, while needing rain
in some sections, is in better condi-
ton than at the same time last year,
the condition being reported at 80
against 80 for 1889.
~----~- 7OTHr0ES.
The acreage in both sweet and
Irish potatoes is about the same as i'll
1889. The condition compared to an
average is: Sweet potatoes 100,
against SO last year; Irish potatoes
81, against 70 last year.
SUGAR CANE AND SORGHUM.
The condition of sugar clne is re-
ported at 9S against 81 last year:
sorghum at 95 against 50 last year.
FRUIT.
The peach crop Will be almost IN
entire failure in many sections Of the
State, and the indications are that
the crop for the entire State will not
be moro than 25 per cent. of an aver
age yield. Apples and pears are
much more promising The berry
crop is abundant. Grapes promise
well and vegetable gardens generally
are in fine condition.
SUPPLIES PURCHASED.
As indicated by last month report.
there is @ large decrease IN the
amount OF farm supplies purchased
this season. The percentages are:
For upper Carolina, SO per cent:
middle Carolina, 81 per cent, and
lower Carolina per cent. Of last year $
purchases. The average decrease for
the State is 10 per cent.
FERTILIZERS.
OF the 10000 tons Of commercial
fertilizers consumed during the season
Of 1SS9-90, As per cent. were ammo
mated, 36 per cent. were acid phos-
pilates and IS per cent. were lainlts
and chemicals. Twenty-eight per
cent. of all fertilizers purchased were
used for composing. One-fourth less
kainit was used than last year.