The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-04-21
WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN.
A Glimpse OF the Weather and Crop
Condition in the State.

This bulletin covers the weather and
crop conditions for the week ending
with Saturday, April 18th, and in it's
preparation were used reports from
one or 0 correspondents in each
! county Of the State.
The general weather conditions dur
ing the week were not the best for
growing crops, although more favora-
BILE at the close. The week opened
cold and windy and light frosts on the
9th and Sth were recorded as far east
ward as Berkeley County. 1t is gen.
orally reported that these frosts had
10 injurious effect other than to retard
the growth of vegetation. The tenn
perature averaged about four degrees
per day below the seasonal, and ranged
from a mean of 53 to 54 degrees in the
extreme western counties to a mean IF
from SO to 60 in the extreme south
eastern counties. The average tenn
perature for the week for the whole
State was 81 and the normal for the
same period is approximately 60. The
extreme range of temperature, as re-
ported, was from a maximum of S3 on
the 10th at ~Gillisonville, Hampton
County, to a minimum of 30 on the 9th
at Santuc, Union County, on which
morning thin ice was noted at various
points in the hill country.
There were w days with rain. On
the 7th a sprinkle of rain fell at a
lumber of places and on the evening
of the 9th there was q general light
rain over the entire State too light to
be of much benefit. The greatest
amount recorded was 0.20 of an inch at
Statesburg, Sumter County, and the
amounts ranged from that to Trace"
The normal amount for the same
period Is approximately 80 inch. The
deficiency in rainfall since March LIST,
1896, is about three and one-half
inches.
There was more tl.an the usual
amount of sunshine with an average Of
81 per cent for the State. There was
least clondiness in the western por-
tions the State and most in the east
central portion.
Planting made rapid progress dur
ing the week. The only unfavorable
condition.. against the thorough prep
aration OF lands, was q tendancy of
ground to bake, or become too hard
by reason of dryncss, and this condi.
tion was confined to clay lands. 1t
was too dry and cool for the rapid GER
mination of seed and poor stands are,
In consequence, reported at this time.
h progress of the various CROPS is
briefly given below, averaging the re-
ports, where it is possible, SO as to give
the prevailing condition, and nothing
such exceptions Caly that are at wide
varience with the eoneral tenor of the
reports
Upland corr about all planted and
mucn or 1t up or coming up. Perfect
| Stan1S thp nvpnptonnn rnDl -,o,-.
affected its color. Bottom lands being
planted.
Cotton planting progressing rapidly
! and is drawing to a finish in the south
eastern counties while only fairly be-
gun In the extreme western counties.
Some carly planting is up but affected
by cool weather. Sea island cotton is
about all planted.
Reports Indicate that tobacco will
receive considerable attention this
year. Beds do not do well except
where well protected. Some farmers
are about ready to transplant.
The sowing of rice has been in pro.
gress during the past two weeks.
Wheat is reported as looking prom
islng, but making slow growth.
There Is u want of uniformity in the
reports on the condition of oats, some
reporting fair to good and others fair
TO poor stands. In some localities fall
sown oats are doing best In others
spring sown. The prevailing condi.
tion Is no doubt promising, but oats
stand In need Of warm weather and
rain. Rye Is heading.
Pastures do not as yet afford grazing
In the central and northwestern coun,
ties.
1t is the general opinion of cores
pondents that early fruit, especially
La Cont pears ond ST. John and Az
berta varieties Of peaches, are greatly
damaged, but hat late varieties are as
yet safe. Wild plums and berries are
putting on fruit heavily.
Gardens continue back ward, but gar
dens planted In the fall are Welding
vegetables for use now.
Shipments of early vegetables and
fruits from the coast continues. Straw
berries, asparagus and lettuce largely,
peas In small quantities.
Irish potatoes mostly planted and
up. The early planting touched by
riot but scarcely injured. This crop
needs rain badly.
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