The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-31
wEAriiIH-CilOP BULLETIN
Or tho South Carolina Climate and
Crop Service.

Or tho South Carolina Climate and
Crop Service.
This bulletin, as issued by Section
Director Bauer, covers the conditions
for the past week, and in its prepara-
tion were used reports from one or
moro correspondents in each county
of the State.
The weather during the past week
was, on the whole, favorable, and all
crops made satisfactory advance. But
little farm work could be done in
many counties on account of tho wet
ground. In Chesterfield, Darlington,
Sumter, Berkeley and Hampton coun-
ties excessive rainfall was menace to
cotton and corn, and locally in other
portions Of the State. Many farmers
are finishing laying by their cultivated
crops. and many fields will be laid by
in grassy condition, the ground
being too wet to plow, or
the corn and cotton tangled
by the high winds of the
previous week The water in most of
the rivers has about reached normal
stages and correspondents estimate the
damage to crops by overtlows on the
principal rivers to have been heavy,
destroying about three-foUrths of all
crops on "rivcr lands" Along the
Wateree and the Great Pee Dee crops
were about all destroyed; along the
Congaree, Lynch's, Savannah and the
numerous smaller rivers and creeks
subject to overflow the damage was
serious. Corn and meadow are prin-
cipally affected.
Corn in general is doing very well,
and its present condition gives prom
Use of at least an average crop and pos
sibly better. Extra good upland,
fair bottom,' Spartanburg; "Never
better" York; "Full average" Bura
well; "Above average" Orargcburg;
''A good average" Edgctield; and SO
on from all portions of the State. Lo-
cally there are complaints of corn de-
teriorating on bottom lands that are
too wet, but TINT is more than offset by
the better conditions OF upland corn.
Some fields ere being laid by in the
grass. Fodder pulling has begun in
Berkeley, Hampton and Orangeburg.
There was very noticeable improve
ment in cotton over the previous week.
Growth was rapid and the stalk has
attained large size generally but is
nevertheless fruiting we'll and the
average number of healthy bolls is
much greater than is usual at this date.
1t has been too wet for the best dcve
lopment of cotton, and rust is reported
from Pickens, Newberry and Barnwell.
Shedding from Lexington, Orange
burg, Chesterfield. Berkeley, Barn
well, Williamsburg, Sumter, Darling
ton AID Edgefcld. No correspondent
speaks of the crop as poor one,
{ssve one in upper Ncwberry) While
in many localities it is extra fine"
sss-ernpe or ">L~-- ...--n~e" II
sne-we1nner M til tie H6iitffa> H6itAff stage tsks elk.
will make good, or mar, its present
promising condition. Hot generally
dry weather with occasional showers
Ia the indicated weather needed.
Cotton is beginning to open in the
Southeastern portion Of the State.
On account of want of sunshine Sea-
Island cotton is fruiting poorly and
has an unhealthy color.
Rice is generally IN excellent condi-
zion. On the lower Santee there was
danger OF damage to rice iiells 10y over.
flows when the river went | g feet
above the danger line, bat the river is
now falling slowly and little ii acy rice
was damaged 10y high water.
Tobacco curing Is general. There
Sre reports of poor yield and of inie-
Tior quality of leaf, and some that TIE
rains iutcrfcrcd with curing.
Peas doing well generally. Some
being sown. Too wet for peas il
places.
Sweet potatoes are growing too
much to vine apparently, but are look
Ing very promising, witl large area
cultivated.
Tnrnip sowing in season.
lriSh potatoes hcing dug in upper
portion of the state with very poor
yield.
Pastures nsc growing very well, and
the hay crop promises to be large
one. All forage crops are making fine
growth.