The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-10-05
WEATHEB .CROP-BCLLETIN
OF the South Carolina Weather and
Crop Service.

Tie weather, during the past week,
passed from midsummer heat to IN
seasonably cool. The excessive heat
which had prevailed since the nldoEe
of September continued, up &c the
2Sth., with maxima generally above ~
over large portion Of the State, ana
correspondingly high elsewhere. On
Saturday it became considerably cool
er; and on that day and Sunday ;29th)
the temperature was seasonable, with
much cooler weather end light frost in
portions of Oconee county on tie a0th'
being the first frost in the State this
season: Little or no injury resulted
from it.
There was practically nc rain in the
entire State during the week. 4 few
places reported light showers during
The evening OF the 29th Sunday, but
the amount tia. fell was OF no ap-
precisble benefit. !.
The ground is very dry and fall roos
crops and pess sre nearly ruined, II
not entirely so, and tle la*@ness OF the
season makes it doubtful, shotitS ra'p
come soon, if turnips, potatoes a':i
late garden truck would even start to
grow before frosts become general.
With the Exception chat the heat vas
toe great for farm ]nborers; !he past
week was an extremely favorable ore
for harvesting ripe crops, and making
hay, and for picking cotton, which lat
ter work made good progress as the
greater proportion of the bolls SIC
open. In the eastern portion OF the
State some few fields are already picked
clean, and the remainder will be by
the middle Of October. Cotton IS
opening very fast in the western corn-
ties, and much picking has been done.
The reports indicate that, owi'7gto dry
weather, the top crop faile'l ~ de-
velop, rs the young bolls either shed
OF opened prematurely, and the total
Weld will be materially lessened OF
this account. Cotton is being gathered
in excellent condition. there having
been no rain or winds to damage the
lint since the bolls began to open.
1t is reported from various places
that there is much sickness among
pickers. 1t is generally predicted by
correspondents that picking will be
practically finished by the first OF
November.
River rice harvest is nearly finish
ed, and the yield, while in the main
satisfactory, is not as large as the
growing crop indicated. It WIS gath
cred in good condition, and is OF q"ite
uniform grade. Upland rice harvest
continues, and late fields are very poor
owing to the drought.
Corn is being harvested very slowly.
Tt is said the idea prevails that if corn
is too dry whea housed, it becomes IN
tested with s:wear;ls'' in the spring.
Experience, it is said, justities the be-
lief.
Very late corn is 8 complete failure,
owing to the dry weather, although It
was thought at the time that III" Au-
gust rail- were sufficient to mature it.
As the corn is gathered in the eastern
counties, it yerlhes the previous est
mates. and in some instances yields
even better than expected. Although
corn has been cut of some: It's never
theless considered full crop.
Tnrnips are about killed. and 1t is
considered doubtful if they would
amount to anything if ram should
come soon.
Peas arc cut of largely by the dr!
weather and the crop will be very
short. Sweet potatoes and second
crop Irish potatoes are also greatly in
jured by tie dry weather aad will be
short crops.
Making molasses from sugar cane
aud sorghum continues with very sat
isfactory yields.
Too dry for fall oats, wheat and rye
seeding and that planted early in Sep
tember has attained a poor stand.
Large quantities of pea-vine and
other hay was gathered during the
week, being favored by the hot dry
weather.
Gardens and pastures are drying up,
and rain is badly needed over the whole
State.