The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-06-06
INJURED BY THE COLD.
The we ekIy Bulletin OF the Weather and
the Crops,

COLUMBIA, ). w., May 3l.-Ine 1Ol-
lowing is the weekly bulletin of the
condition of the weather and crops
about the State issued yesterday by
Observer J. w. Bauer, of the State
weather service.
The weather was unusually cool dur
ing the past week, the variation below
the normal temperature ranging from
five degrees day on the coast to seven
in the interior and from eight to nine
in the western part of the State. The
nights were very cool. Light frosts
were very general in central and west
ern counties, on low lands, oG the 10th
and 21st and reported from one place
on the 25.h. Ice formed in upper
Greenville county, and Hog Back
mountains were covered with Snow on
the morning of the Goth. The sun
shine was also deficient, averaging
from 55 to 70 per cent. of the possible,
for the whole State. The rainfall was
also less than the usual amount and
that that fell was very poorly distrlbu-
ted. No particular portion of the State
was favored more than any other, but
what heavy rain there was came in
heavy showers that covered limited
areas only, while adjacent townships
had no rain or only sprinkles. In
general the southeastern, extreme
Northeastern, the north central and ex-
treme western counties had the great
est rainfall. In a few places hail dam.
aged young crops seriously. High
winds were prevalent and caused more
or less damage in the early part of the
week. The effect of those unfavorable
weather conditions has been not only
to check all apparent growth but IN
many instances to give crops a set
back or to kill stands sufficiently to
necessitate much replanting, especially
Of cotton.
Before the cold weather set in cotton
was looking far better than usual at
this season Of the year, but that condi-
ton has been materially changed for
the worse, and at the end of the week
there is remarkable unanimity in the
reports regarding the injury which was
caused by the cold weather. The plant
is less injured in some localities than
others, and less on upland soil than in
bottom lands. 1t looks red and sickly
everywhere. In places the frost killed
the tender plant outright; in other
places the leaves only were touched.
Some correspondents report that the
plant is shedding its leaves leaving
only the gree stalk standing. A few
reports estimate the damage at 80 per
cent, which is by far too great for the
whole State, and should their come a
warm general rain within few days
much of the stand now thought to be
destroyed would take on new growth.
1t is generally stated that the crcp was
thrown back from ten to fifteen days.
The week was favorable for plowing
and chopping and the fields are report
ed quite clean. Much planting has al
reaay beer done and much more will
be done the coming week. Corn with
stood the cool weather much better
than almost any other crop and is look
ing well, but has made no apparent
growth during the week. BUD worms
continue to be destructive, also some
cut worms. Melon, pea and sweet po-
tato vines suffered considerably from
the frost and their condition deteria-
ted during the week, except In favored
localities. Gardens and truck farms
were also unfavorably affected. Oats
harvest quite general and reports differ
widely as to the condition of the crop,
ranging from very good to almost to-.
tai failure. The former estimate OF
half crop being a fair average of all
the statements. Wheat ripeningrap-
IDLY and nearly every county reports
varying conditions. The straw Will be
generally short, heads short but we'll
filled and very plump. Grasses, Der
ries and the little fruit left, show a
slightly improved condition. Farmers
will advance with their work. The
need for rain is almost general over
the State. The flowing places report
one inch more of rainfall during the
past week: Looper, 1.26; B 3aufort, lis;
Port Royal, 251; Reid. 100; Heath
Springs, $50; Greenwood, 1.22.