The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-17
wEATHER-CROP BULLETIN
or tho South arolina Innate AMI
CrOD Service

The bulletin as published below by
Observer Bauer, covers the weather
crop conditions for the past week from
one or more correspondents in each
county in the State:
Early in the week the winds were
hot and drying, and injurious to vege-
tntion, but during the latter portion
moro humid conditions prevailed.
The sunshine was about normal, ex-
cept in the eastern counties, notably
Berkely, where the cloudiness was
greatest, with about half the average
percentage of sunshine.
In general all the crops are doing
we'll, look promising, and arc much in
advance of m average season. There
are local exceptions to the above con-
ditions, due to want of rain, or, in
places, an excess of rainfall. Thus
while it is dry in Aiken, Edgefield and
over portions of the western counties
generally, the rains have been more
copious than crops needed in Chester
field, Berkeley and the eastern coun-
ties generally.
Farmers are generally up with their
work, and such fields rs are being laid
by are in we'll cultivated, clean con-
dition.
Old corn is about made and prom
ises good yields, except that locally in
few counties, notably Anderson,
Newberry, Aiken, EdGetield, Union,
Clarendon, York. Spartanburg, Lnu-
rens and Lexington, it has been too
dry, aud in few OF the lower coun-
ties it is firing badly on sandy lands.
Later planting has generally good,
healthy color and is being laid by
free from grass and weeds in fine
growing condition. The corn crop,
rs II whole, is now in better condl-
tion than it was n week ago.
Cotton, as a rule, 90 ltinued the i'm
provcment noted a week ago. There
are few localities where it has not
done well, but generally it is growing
and fruiting satisfactory. In Chester
field, owing to too much rain, the low
er leaves are turning red and dying.
Rain was needed in number OF
counties. Lice have about all left cot
ton, bnt it is apparent that they did
considerable damage, especially in
Darlington and Orangeburg. In Pick.
ems, and the western counties generally,
it looks wonderfully green and healthy.
In portions of Grcenvilie it is begin
ming to bloom on top.
There was too little sunshine in
Berkely, where it has yellow color.
blooming too much, and gives signs of
maturing too early. The plant is large
in York but fruiting proportionately.
There are local reports of poor cotton
but on the whole its condition is very
promising. Sea Island cotton is in
good condition and growing rapidly.
Tobacco has improved and is now
doing well. 1t is in all stages of
growth In kershaw; curing has begun
in small way in Williamsburg, Flor
ence and Darlington and will be quite
general in week or so.
Melons arc generally reported poor
crop; quantities of them, but small
and of inferior taste. The vines are
reported dying in Marlboro, Darling
ton and Hampton. which, in addition
to the places heretofore reported, in
dicates that the fungous disease has
firm hold on almost the entire eastern
portion of the State and is spreading.
Peas are doing well everywhere.
Sweet potatoes growing well and
promise very large crop from pres
ent indications.
FRUIT prospects are worse than ever.
In Oconee there are some apples, no
peaches. In Union apples arc wormy,
rs rule. Grapes promised to be
plentiful but are rotting badly in yari.