The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-05-09
WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT.
The Bulletin Issued BY the Weather Bu-

COLUMBIA, S. c., May 1.-The fol-
lowing is the weather crop bulletin
Of the Weather Bureau for the week
ending April Goth:
The past week has not been a de.
cisive or decided one for any crop, al.
though the prevailing weather condi-
tlons were on the whole unfaVorable
except in !; few counties notably Barn
well, where the reports were Of uni
form favorable character. These re-
gions were confined principally to the
middle belt Of counties, wherever there
were showers. The sunshine was some.
what in excess over the normal, but this
was more than offset by the cool nights
and cool drying winds of the first OF the
week, although the temperature for the
week, as whole, was about normal.
Rain is needed in every part of the
State. There were a few scattered
showers during the week which were
very beneficial for the limited areas
where they occurred. In the counties
that had the heavy showers of the pre-.
vious week rain is needed to soften the
crust that covers ploWed ground and
which retards cotton and corn from
coming up freely. In the two tiers Of
counties next the coast the need of
rain is most urgent as the drought Is
becoming serious. Throughout this
region the rainfall has beer but from
Is to 1-3 of the usual amount in April
and but from is to 1-2 of the usual
amount since the 1st of March. The
soil for the most part being of a sandy
nature is not as capable of sustaining
prolonged drought as clayey soil do.
Crops are from ten days to two weeks
behind the season; farm work is well
up, and was not interrupted during the
week.
Cotton planting is nearly finished,
the weather haviag been all that could
be desired for the purpose. The same
cannot be said for the seed that is up
or that Of later planting, for with the
exceptions noted, the ground lacks the
moisture to supply the needs of the
growing plant or to germinate the late
planted seed. The stand will depend
on the weather conditions of the next
two weeks largely. Sea Island cotton
is reported complete failure.
In general corn is not making good
stand. Where there were showers it is
looking fairly well, but owing to the
cool nights and drying wind the color
is not good. 1t will also be a very ur-
even stand, for while some Is large
enough to work other lands in the
same vicinity are just being replanted.
Cut worms are doing much damage In
the central and Western counties.
Scattered reports indicate that there
will be but little fruit Of all varieties,
and the berry crop will be short
one. This corroborates the fsst estl-
mates after the March freeZs.
Wheat has improved in appearance
and IS beginning to head, but the heads
are small and the straw very short.
Rust has shown in few places, but is
not general. Tie outlook for oats ls
less encouraging than last week. The
drought has affected it more seriously
than any other crop, and as 1t is far ad-
vanced in heading, will be less quick
to resoond to more favorable weather.
The straw will be short.
Garden truck is as rule doing well
except on the large truck farms in the
low counties where the drought has
caused complete standstlll in growth.
The seeds of late planting lie In the
ground without showing the least ten
dency to germinate. Cut worms doing
some damage. What was said of gar.
dens is particularly true of potatoes.
Irish potatoes have been greatly dam
aged in places by the Colorado beetle.
Melons are doing well and have i'm
proved much during the week. The
rains of Sunday night (29thl were con-
fined to the Northern parts OF the
state and even there was not general.
J. W. BAUER, Director.