The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-13
A MARKED IMPROVEMENT
IN THE CONDITION OF THE CROPS OF
THE STATE.

-
Observer Issued Yestsrday-The Rsin
Relieves the Situation Somewhat.
The following is the encouraging
weekly bulletin of the condition OF
the weather and the crops of the State
issued yesterday by Slate Weather
lObserver Bauer: M
This bulletin covers the weather
and crop conditions for the week end
ing Saturday, May 2, and in its prep
aration were used reports from one or
more correspondents in each county
of the State. 4
The past week was considerably
cooler than the previous one, with
mean temperature about 2 degrees
above the normal. The mean for the:
week was SO degrees, that being the
average of 40 stations reporting mean
temperature; the normal for the Same.
period is approximately e7 degrees.
The highest mean was 73 degrees, and
occurred at Shaw's Forks, Aiken coun-
ty; the lowest, 66 degrees, occurred at.
Little Mountain, Newberry county. &
The maximum temperature for the
week was 80 degrees on May 1st, re-
ported from Gillsonville, Hampton
county, the minimum was 4S on April
9th, reported from Lynch, Florence
county, and 30 on the 26th, reported
from ElIoree, Orangeburg county.
The excess in temperature over the
normal since March 1 was slightly In
creased, and now averages about Id
degrees per day. q
The late drought was effectually re-
lieved at most places during the week,
but the showers were scattered and
partial, SO that there yet remain many
localities without beneficial rains, but
generally the rains were sufficient for
the present needs of crops. In rich
land, Newberry, York and portions Of
Sumter. Kershaw, Lancaster and Lex
ington but little rain fell, and practi-
cally none along the southeastern
coast. Elsewhere the showers were
we'll distributed and in places heavy.
The following heavy rainfalls were re-
ported: Society Hill, 160; Green
284; Pickens, 1872; Camden 1.27;
Averill 1.53; Spartanburg, 1.04; Pow
erty Hill, 1.20; Santuc, 1.21. Tea
other stations reported measurements
ranging from 0.50 to LOO, and 26 ne
ported from none to 0.50. The average
of 43 rainfall records for the week Is:
O .54, and the normal for the same
period is approximately 0.79. if
Note-Special reports received since
the regular reports were closed state
that rain was general over the State
on Sunday and Monday (May 8 and ~
Liberty, Pickens county, reported
over 4 inches. The special reports
will be recorded regularly in the next
bulletin. At
CROPS. $3g5
i There is a decided better tone to
crop reports as compared with the
previous week, and with but few
limited exceptions all crops made salts.
J factory improvement, due to the rains
of this and the previous weak. The
; full beneficial effects OF the Late rains
are not yet reflected in the reports, ex-
cept where anticipated, so that con-
tinued improvement may be expected.
Corn made satisfactory advance dur
ing the week. 1t has received its first
work generally, and in places its Sec
ond. The later planting has not at
tanned good stands yet, but will be
materially helped in this respect by
the late rains. Corn retains good
color, but cut worms are damaging
the stands in a few counties. But
worms were injuriously active in Lex
ington and Edgefeld counties during
the few cool oights. Much bottom
land corn yet to plant. ALI reports
on corn are favorable.
Cotton planting is practically fin
ished, reports indicating that in few
counties from to 10 per cent. only.
remains to be planted. That that
which is up has vigorouns stand OF
good color, but later planting coming
up to irregular stands, but during the
latter part of the week a great i'm
provement was noted in this respect.
Chopping out has been actively begun.
The hot, dry weather of the past two
weeks affected cotton favorably, ex-
cept that it retarded termination. Sea
Island cotton has a good stand and
color, but needs rain badly. -
The failing tendency of grain was
effectually checked by the rains. Oats
have shown much Improvement dur
ing the latter portion of the week, but
it continues to be the opinion of most
correspondents that oats cannot fully
recover from the damaging effects Of
the late drought. Fall oats look more
promising than spring sowing. Oats
are ripening in the southeastern coun-
ties, and heading generally. Wheat
> also has improved, and in places has
sufficient length of stalk, and is stool
ing and heading satisfactorily. ~
Tobacco has grown well in beds.
Plants are small in beds that were re-
planted in March. Transplanting has
been slow, some farmers watered the
plants by hand previous to the rains.
Transplanting will now be pushed
rapidly, as the weather favors 1t.
Plants continue comparatively scarce.
Rice seeding continues, and what Is
up appears to be doing well generally,
EXCEPT in Florence county: where
poor stands are reported. The wealth
er favors late planted rice.
The different reports continue to ex'
press diversity of opinion as to the
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