The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-10
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

| THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
State Observer Bauer's Weekly Bulletin as
to their Condition.
COLUMBIA, June 2.-1n view of the
good rainfall South Carolina has had
for some days the following weekly
bulletin of the condition of the wealth.
er and the crops of the State issued
yesterday by State Observer Bauer,
will be of special interest to the farm
ers:
This bulletin covers the weather and
crop conditions for the week ending
Saturday, May 80, and in its prepara-
ton were used reports from one or
more correspondents in each county
of the State.
WEATHER.
The mean temperature during the
past week was the same as for the two
previous ones, but there was less of
an excess over the normal, as the lat
ter increases at the rate of from one to
two degrees per week during May and
June. Since March 1st the seasonal
excess averages about 2.5 degrees per
day. The average of 80 places report
| ing mean temperatures for the past
week is 79, and the normal for the
same period is approximately "a, hav'
ing increased from 70 since the previ.
Gus week.
The mean temperature ranged from
80 at Poverty Hill, Allendale and Gil
lisonville to "a at Greenviile. The
maximum temperature for the week
was 100 on the 26th, reported from
Gillisonville. The minimum was SO
on the 3Oth at Greenville, and 60 on
the 3Oth at Santuc and Liberty and go
on the Doth at Society Hill.
Showers occurred in some portions
of the State on every day of the week,
but as rule, they were light and local
except at few points where the rain
fall was excessive.
On account of the uneven distribu-
ton of the rainfall a number of places
are represented as needing rain, or
more rain, badly. In the southeast
ern counties where the drought was
most severe, light showers gave some
relief, and a heavy shower in portions
of Beaufort was most beneficial. The
following heavy rains were reported: /:
Columbia, 1876; Beaufort, 1.70; Long
shore, 1.70; Looper's, LIS; McColl,
1.5O; Batesburg, 1.3S; Cheraw, 2.SO.
In addition to these there were II
places that reported amounts between
0.50 and inch, while % places report
ed some rain, but less than half an
inch. The average of AZ reports being
0.5O and the normal for the same
period is approximately 0.99 inch.
There was considerable hail report
ed, but generally, without injury to
crops, except that a severe tornado
storm passed through Newberry coun-
| ty, accompanied by excessive rain.
Crops in that path of the storm were
severely damaged by hail, wind and
rain, some fields of cotton being en-
tirely destroyed. At Longshore, out
side the path of the heaviest rainfall,
1. 70 inches of rain fell in one hour.
The prevailing winds were westerly
for the week, and the sunshine was
but little in excess of the usual, rang
ing from 25 per cent. of the possible
at Beaufort to 80 at Greenville, and
averaging about &c.
Correspondents reports for the week
range from glowing to gloomy, but
the former exceed the latter in about
the proportion of three to one. In
other words, over three .fourths of the
State rainfall has been sufficient for
crops during May, while about one
fourth of the State has been too dry,
and complaints of dryness come from
nearly every county, making it diff
cult to specify the localities where
rain is needed, but generally it is dry
est in the southeastern counties: AK.
en- and Edgefeld; Laurens and Union
and portions of Fairfield, Sumter and
Chester. The most glowing crop ac-
counts come from Anderson, Flor
ence, Darlington and Chesterfield and
Marlboro. The other counties are
spotted.
Corn continues to grow satisfactori-
ly, and laying by is becoming general.
Shows effects of bud worms in Barn
we'll, willis badly during the day in
Sumter, but its general condition is
from fair to excellent. Peas being
extensively planted with corn.
The weather has been altogether ia.
vorable for cotton, which has general
| ly made marked improvement. Lice
have appeared in Barnwel and Or.
angeburg cotton is dying on red lands
in Laurens, Union and York. 1t is
putting on squares everywhere. Chop
ping to stands will soon be finished.
Replanted cotton is terminating and
growing finely. Sea island cotton
continues in bad condition for want of
rain. d
Wheat harvest is gepehl; heads
small. but heavy. Fall 6att are being
cut and housed; yield poor, but quail
ty fair. Spring oats generally fail
ure.
Tobacco growing well generally,
with exceptions. Contemplated area
restricted, owing to scarcity of plants.
Abandoned tobacco lands being plant
ed to corn and cotton.
Rice doing well generally except
upland, which in places has poor
stand.
Cane and melons are reported as
doing well. Gardens very poor, for
the most part complete failures.
Irish potatoes very poor, sweet pota-
Il L. - &n0v