The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-05-19

36 weekly mean temperature reports
was SO, and the normal for the same
period is approximately SO. The high
est means was 73 at Poverty Hill
Edgefield County. and the lowest 81
at Reid, Greenville County. Th,
mean temperature for the State sine,
March 1st has been about 1.5 degree
per day above normal.
There were quite general showers
over the entire State on the 3rd, 4tf
and 5th, but the rainfall was never
theless partial, and in consequence
there remain large portions of the
State where the drought is not re-
lieved, the ground having received
only surface wetting. Over strip OF
country about six miles wide, In
Pickens County, the rainfall exceeded
four inches on the 3rd, and was accom-
panied by large hail, that in the vici'
nifty OF Looper's destroyed all vegeta-
tion in its path and stripped the trees
of fruit. The path of this destructive
hail was narrow and short. The heavy
rains washed lands badly in Pickens
and Edgefield Counties, and newly
planted lands have since then crusted
over.
Over the greater portion of the area
comprised by Aiken, Lexington, Rich
land, Sumter, Fairfield, York. New
berry, Union, Karshaw, Chester and
Lancaster Counties, the rainfall re-
mains deficient. Over the remainder
of the State enough rain fell for the
immediate needs of the crops.
The following heavy rains were re-
ported: Looper's 4.20; Liberty 400 ;
Augusta, Ga, LIS; Greenville Pa ;
Florence 1853; Yemassee 1.76; Trial
l.60; Reid 1.75 ); Longshore LOG; Glenn
son College 2.87 Elloree 1.25; Gillison-
vile 1926; Poverty Hill 2.10. Thirteen
other places reported amounts from
0.50 to 100, and fifteen places reported
amounts less than half an inch. The
average of al rainfall reports was .03,
and the normal for the same period is
approximately OTIS.
The sunshine was in excess of the
normal; the percentage of possible
ranging from 80 at Trial to 80 at
|, Waterloo, with an average for the
State (26 reports) OF &c per cent. The
normal is approximately 60.
w. and w. They were generally light
and without material influence on
crops.
Crops, as rule, made satisfactory
progress during the week, except that
q few cool nights seemed to put q
decided check on the growth OF corn
and cotton, but fortunately the wealth
er soon turned warmer. With the ex-
ception of the territory already noted,
there seems to be sufficient moisture
Sfor most crops, but grains would be
greatly benefited by moro rain. The
planting season is practically over, ex
m, nf hn mi inn nl
for the bottom land corn, and this is
making satisfactory progress. The
following brief summaries express the
general conditions of the various crops
named, and when q particular crop is
not mentioned it may be assumed that
the reports on it are in the main ia
vorable.
Corn continues to do we'll; is gen
erallly worked clean, has good color,
and stands are satisfactory. Reports
on corn without exception continue
favorable, unless that some report it
small for the season, and that cut and
bud or heart worms are damaging the
stand in a number of the counties.
Cotton received q slight check to
growth during the few cool nights,
but without sustaining any material
injury. Stands are reported the best
ever known in Anderson, Darlington,
aud Chesterfield Counties, aud over
the entire State the stands are good.
Some complaints of grass in Edgefield
and Pickens Counties, where the
ground was too wet to work. Cotton
Is reported as having a good, healthy
color generally. Ssa Island cotton has
a good stand and is thriving. Chop
ping TO stand continues actively.
aud in places cotton has been plowsd
the second time. Planting has finish
ed.
Transplanting tobacco was pushed
during the week. Some farmers are
obliged to water the plants to save
them, 1t being necessary to transplant
regardless of the condition of the
ground, on account of the size of the
plants. The scarcity OF plants will
lessen the contemplated area devoted
to tobacco.
Irish potatoes are generally reported
to be very small, almost a failure over
large portion Of the State, owing to
the dry weather, and are needing
more rain everywhere. Potato bugs
are reported from number OF cOun-
ties, being more destructive in Char
lesion County, whore some fields are
practically ruined by them. Grains
have made great improvement, but
spring oats are generally considered a
failure, although in places the rains
started vigorous growth. Oats are
about ready to harvest in the Eastern
portions OF the State. Fall oats are
short, but heading we'll.
Lowland rice is in excellent condi-
tion, with good stands, but upland
rice is generally poor, being small, and
OF uneven stand.
Peaches continue to drop badly, other
fruit doing fairly we'll. Plums ripen-
ing in Southern portions inferior
| quality. Berries plentiful. Grapes
promising Melons doing well every
| where, and in places are in blossom.
Larger areas than usual being de-.
voted to sweet potates in a number of
counties. Draws plentiful.
| Gardens yielding plenty of vegeta-
bles, although where the rainfall was
lightest they continue to fail
j. w. BAUER, Director.
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HOMICIDE AT CLEMsoN.-Th News
and Courier's correspondent gives the
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