The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-05-14
WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN.

and crop conditions for the W eek end
ing Saturday, May 2. and in its prep
aration were used reports from ono OF
more correspondents in each county O
tho State.
The past week WIS considerabl,
cooler than the previous one, with 1
mean, temperature about 2 degrees
above the normal. Tho mean for the
week was G6 degrees, that boing the
average of 40 stations reporting mean
temperature tho normal for tho sumo
period is approximately 81 degrees.
Inc highest mean was 73 degrees, and
occurred at Shaw's Fork, Aiken Coun-
! ty tho lowest, G6 degrees, occurred
at Little Mountain, Newberry County.
The maximum Temperature for tho
week was 10 degrees on May lst, re-
ported from Gillisonviile, HAMPTON
County: the minimum was 4S on NnriI
nth, reported from Lynch, Florence
County, and 80 on the 10Th, reported
from Ellorce, Orangeburg County.
The excess in temperature over the
normal since March lst was slightly
increased, and now averages about IS
degrees per day.
The late drought was etfectually
relieved at most places dnring the
week, but the showers wore scattered
and partial, SO that there yet remain
many localities without beneficial
rains, but generally tho rains wore
sufficient for tho present needs of
crops. In Richland, Ncwberry, York
and portions Of Sumter, Kershaw, Lam
caster and Lexington but little rain
fell, and practically none along the
showers wcrc we'll distributed and in
places heavy. The following heavy
ralnfalls were reported !: Society Hill,
l.60 Grcenville, 2.S4; Pickcns, l.S2
Camden, l.27 : Avcrill, l.53; Spartan
burg, l.0l; Poverty Hill, l.20; Santuc,
LII. Ten other stations reported
measurements ranging from O50 to
LOU, and twcnty-SiX reported from
mono to 0.50. The average of 43 rair-
fall records for the week is 05l, and
the normal for the same period is ap-
pr0ximately 079.
NOTE.-Special reports received
since the regular reports were closed
state that rain was general over the
State on Sunday and Monday inlay Bird
and lth). Liberty, Pickcns County,
reports will DO recorded regularly i'm
the next bulletin.
There is u decided better tone to
crop reports as compared with the
previous week, and with but few
limited exceptions all crops mado
satisfactory Improvement, due to the
rains OF this and the previous week.
Tho full beneficial effects OF tho late
rains arc not yet reelected in the re.
ports, except where anticipated, so
that continued Improvement may DC
expected.
Corn made satisfactory advance
during the week. 1t has received its
| first work generally, and in places it's
second. The later planting has not
attained good stands yet, but will be
materially helped in this respect by
Tho late rains. Corn retains " good
color, but cut worms are damaging
tho stands in few counties. BuC
worms were injuriously active in Lex
ington and Edgctiold counties during
the fcw cool nights. Much bottom
land corn yot to plant. All reports OF
corn arc favorable.
Cotton planting is practically fin
ished, reports indicating that in few
counties from S to 10 per cont only
remains to be planted That that is
up has vigorous stand OF good color,
but later planting coming up to irreg-
ular stands, but during tho latter part
OF the week great improvement was
noted in this respect. Chopping out
has been actively begun. The hot,
dry weather OF the past two weeks
| affected cotton favorably, except that
it retarded germinati0n. Sea-Island
cotton has a good stand and color, but
needs rain badly.
The failing tendency Of grains was
cifcctually checked by the rains. Oats
| have shown much Improvement during
the lattor portion OF the week, but it
continues TO be the opinion of most
correspondents that oats can not fully
recover from the damaging effects OF
the late drought Fall oats look more
promising than spring sowing. Oats
are ripening in the southeastern c0un
ties, and heading generally. Whea,
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 arc small in beds that wore
rcplantcd in March. Transplanting
has been slow. some farmers waterod
tho plants by hand previous to the
rains. Transplanting will now be
pushed rapiply, as The weather favors
it. 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 weather
| favors late planted rice.
The different reports continue to
express diversity OF opinion rs to the
frvit prospects. In some localities
fruit is dropping freely, whilo in Other
localities the prospects continue
promising. Generally in the extreme
eastern and extreme western counties
the trees look most promising
Grapes appear to be putting out
numerous bud clusters and promise
we'll. Small berries are ripening ir
the southern counties. Strawberries
are plentiful everywhere.
Gardens have improved whore
enough rain fc. but in some localitie.
continue to fail, although seasonablt
vegetables are comparatively plentiful
and quantities Of peas, beans, lettuce
radishcs, cucumbers and cabbage.
being shipped out of the State.
Sweet potatoes putting ont plenty O
draws, which appear to be more plenti
ful than for many years; in places
considerable transplanting has beer
done. Irish potatoes generally doing
well with rapid improvement noted
Bugs arc numerous on the coast potato