The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-10-02
was about Is. and the normal for th'
same period is approximately II.

vas about IS, and the normal for the
same period is approximately II.
There was practically 20 rain in the
eotire State during the week. A few
places reported light showers during
the evening of the 29th Sunday, but
the amount that fell was Of 90 appre-
ciable benefit.
The grouad is very dry aud fall root
crops and peas are nearly ruined, if uo'
entirely so, and the latcness of the sea-
sou makes it doubtful. should rain come
soon, if turnips, potatoes aud late gar
den truck would even start to grow be-
fore frosts become general.
Along the immediate coast there
were heavy dsws which helped to keep
growing truck 10 fairly good condi-
tion.
The normal rainfall for the week is
approximately 1o3. being about III
for the coat region and 0 80 in the
interior. Streams and wells are drying
up.
There was almost continuous suu-
shine until the 9th. on which date,
aud for the remainder of the week, it
was partly cloudy over the central and
western counties, but along the coast
there was practically no cloudioess the
whole week.
Daring the fore part of the week the
winds we're ght soutberly and wester-
ly. aud during the latter part high
uortheasterly aud Dortherly.
With the exception that the heat was
too great for farm laborers, the past
week was an extremely favorable one
for harvesting ripe crops, and making
bay, and for picking cotton, which
latter work made good progress as the
greater proportion of the bolls are
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 10 the western counties, and
much picking has been done. The re-
ports indicate that. owing to dry wealth
er, the top crop failed to develop, as the
young bolls either shed or opened pre-
maturely, aud the total yield will be
materially lessened on this account.
Cotton is being gathered in excellent
condition, there having been no rain or
wipds 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 correspon-
dents that picking will be practically
6nished by the first of Move ember.
River rice harvest is nearly 6ui>h' d,
and the yield, while in the main >a'is-
factory is cot as large ss the growing
crop Indicated. It was gathered 10
good condition. and is Of quite un torm
grade. Upland rice harvest continues,
aud late fields are very poor owiut. to
the drought.
Corn is being harvested very slowly.
1t is said the idea prevails that if corn
is too dry when housed. it becomes 10
tested With ''weevils" iD the spring
Experience. it is said, jus,i6es the be-
lief.
Very late corn is complete failure,
owing to the dry weather, although it
was thought at the time that the Aug
ust rains were sufficient to mature 1t.
As the corn is gathered iu the eastern
counties, it veri6es the previous esti-
mates. aud iu some instances yields
even better than expected. Altb ough
coru has been cut off some it is neverthe-
less considered full crop.
Turnips are about killed. and 1t IS
considered doubtful if they would
amount to anything if rain should come
soon.
Pease are cut off largely by the dry
weather and the crop vii! be very short.
Suoot notatnes and second crop Of Irish