The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-08-01
THE WEATHER AND CROPS.
Good Rains Needed Over the State
Hot Weather and Light Showscrs--
Great Improvement in Cotton.

Good Kains Needed Over the State
Hot Weather and Light Showscrs--
Great Improvement in Cotton.
The following is the report of the
weather bureau for the week ending
July 23d instant.
Correspondents, as u rule, report
that the condition of all tho crops con.
tinues satisfactory, but there are many
exceptions from all parts Of the State
Good rain is the indicated need for a
great portion OF the State rs it was the
case last week. only the need for rain
has become moro urgent, for two rcas-
onS, because in some portions Of the
State very little or no rain fell during
the past week, and because it was a
very hot week with less than the usual
amount of c.oudiness to prevent the
ground from drying quickly even
where tho rainfall was hcavic Il. The
reports Indicate that in williamsburg
and Union counties the droughty con
ditions arc most severe and there corn
is firing badly. In portions Of Aiken,
Anderson, Pickcns, Grcenvillc and
Barnwell there has been considerably
less than the usual amount of rain since
the crop season began: in fact, with
the possible exceptions Of Ncwbcrry,
Richland and Fairfield, where there
has been plenty Of rain, itappcars that
in every county there are largo tracts
where the summers rainfall has been
below tho usual amount, and In such
sections the crops are poorest, being
slightly under an average condition,
otherwise they are above an average.
There was u hail storm in the cx-
tremc western portions of the State
and in Chesterfield on the 18th, doing
but little damage; it was accompanied
by Il high wind in places that blew
down trees, stripped the green fruit
from tho trees, levelcd corn and cot
ton, fences, etc. The wind did mate
rial injury over limited areas only.
On the same date there wore hoavy
rains in Newberry, Richland, Fair
field and portions of Lexington cOun-
ties that did more or less injury by
washing lands, o. erilowing creek bot
toms, etc.
The winds were generally from the
south, southwest and wcst--vcry hot
and drying.
There was more than the usual
amount Of sunshine except on the
immediate coast, where it was about
normal.
The temperature was very even dur
ing the entire week, with maxiina
ranging from IS to l02, and minimu
from 68 to IS exception notcd). The
lowest maXima and lowest minimu
occurred along tho coast and the
greatest range in the interior, so that
the daily mean temperature differed
but little in the different portions Of
the State.
The highest temperature reported
was l02 on the 18th at Giilisonvillc
lowest was 62 on the lTth at ButGsburg.
The mean temperature Of the week
for the State was about 81, and the
normal for the same period is approx
imately 81.
The rain of the 18th was the heaviest
and most general for Il week past. On
the Goth Saturday and 3lst Sunday
there we're light local showers in vari-
GUS parts Of the State, but they were
for the most insufficient for the grow
ing crops. OF the 81 stations reporting
rain during tho past week, 81 report
less than the Usual amount and q more.
The average Of the 81 stations, includ-
ing the rain OF the 18TH is l.Ol inches,
and the normal for the same period is
30 inches.
AS Indicated above the general con-
dition Of the crops in this State is no
longer rs uniformly good as heretofore,
except that cotton has made great i'm
provemont everywhere, the weather
having been just right for il. In places
it is turning slightly yellow, and in a
few places growing too much to weed.
In some localities it continues small,
and in others has attained IL scasonable
growth, but everywhere it is fruiting
we'll with very little shedding. Lice
have entirely disappeared. Rust has
formed on sandy land in IL few places,
otherwise the crop is clean and free
from pests. 1t is being, or has been
laid by generally.
In the eastern portions of tho State
and where rains were sufficient the
early corn crop is safe and is 20 fine one
westward and where the rains were
wanting it is in Il critical stage, but us
yet looks promising. Bottom land
corn is looking fine everywhere and is
being laid by generally. The present
prospect is that the entire corn crop
will be an extra large one this year,
only small portion OF which is already
made.
Tho pea crop has improved and a
good stand has been attained in most
places. Some being sown even now.
In places pods are large enough for
picking.
Sweet potato sli ps arc doing well, but
the crop still promises to be less than
an average one owing to the reduced
acreage. Second crop OF Irish potatoes
is being planted.
Cutting and curing tobacco is the
order Of work in williamsburg. Flor
ence, Darlington, and to IL less extcnt
in q few other counties. The entire
crop is said to be Il fine one OF superior
quality.
General preparations arc being made
for planting fall vegetables. Some
turnips being sown and q largo acreage
indicated.
Fruit continues plentiful generally
but in Florence county is said to bt
scarce. Apples appear generally Il
be inferior and unsound. The secont
crop Of figs promises to be a large on,
in the eastern portion Of the State
Large shipments OF water and musk
melons wore made to Northern ant
Western markets, nevertheless the
local markets are gluttcd and prices
worry low.
Gardens arc practically ruined ovcl
u large part of the State, as the wealth
or has been too hot and dry for them,
vet fine okra and tomatoes are in abun-
dance.
German millct is growing we'll, and
so are sorghum cane, rice, peanuts anI
nuStnrps