The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-15
A HOT WEEKS RECORD.

Tlot WGEN = ncSSNSs 49,
Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin Isssoa
by Observer Bauer.
COLUMBIA, July 8.-The following
is the weekly bulletin Of the condition
of the weather aud the crops of the
State during the past week issued yes
terday by State Observer J. w. Bauer:
This bulletin covers the weather and
crop conditions for the week ending
Saturday, July 4. and in its prepara-
ton were used reports from one or
more correspondents in each county
of the State.
WEATHER.
The week was hot one. The mean
temperature was, however, but one
half degree in excess of the normal.
Highest mean, 81, at Shaw's Forks;
lowest, rs, at Reid. Average of AZ
reports, 81.5, and the normal for the
same period is approximately 81.
Highest temperature reported, 100 on;
June %, % and 3Oth. and it occurred
at 8 places; lowest, 64 on the 30th, at
Clemson College.
Showers prevailed during the latter
part Of the week over the State gener-
ally, but in a few counties left spota
very dry. The following heavy rains
were reported, viz: Pinopolis, 121;
Beaufort, 1.55; Charleston. 3.21; Lib.
erty, LOO; Reid. LOO; Loopers, LIS;
Longshore. LOS; Camden, 1.20; Ches-
terfeld, 2.35; Gillisonville, 1.04; Nc
Coll, LOO; Poverty Hill, 1.25; Allen.
dale, LA; Greenwood, 1.59; Kings
tree, 1.3s; st. Georges, 1.29; 26 other
places reported amounts from 0.10 to /.
0.95, the average of 40 places being
0.64, and the approximate normal for
the same period is 1.29. y. ~.
Note-Since correspondents reports
were closed heavy rains have fallen
over the western portions of the State.
Early in the week the winds were
hot aud drying, and injurious to vege-
tation, but during the latter portion
more humid conditions prevailed.
The sunshine was about normal,
except in the eastern counties, notably
Berkeley, 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 are much in
advance of an average season. There
are local exceptions, due to want OF
rain, or, in places, an excess of rain
fall. Thus while it is dry in Aiken,
Edgefeld and over portions of the
western counties generally, the rains
have been more copious than crops
needed in Chesterfield, Berkeley and
the eastern counties generally.
Farmers are generally up with their
work, and such fields as are being laid
by are in well cultivated, clean con-
dition.
Old corn is about made and promis-
es good yields, except that locally in
a few counties, notably Anderson,
Newberry, Aiken, Edgefeld, Union,
Clarendon, York, Spartanburg, Lam
caster and Lexington. it has been too
dry, and in few of the lower coun-
ties it is firing badly on sandy lands.
Later planting has generally agood,
healthy color and is being laid by free
from grass and weed in fine growing
condition. The corn crop, as a whole,
is now in a better condition than it
was week ago.
Cotton, as a rule, contin ued the i'm.
provement noted q week ago. There
was few localities where it has not
done we'll, but generally it is growing
and fruiting satisfactorily. In Ches-
terfeld, owing to too much rain, the
lower leaves are turning red and dy-
ing.
Rain was needed in number Of
counties. Lice have about all left
cotton, but it is apparent that they dld
considerable damage, especially in
Darlington and Orangeburg. In
Pickens, and the western counties
generally, it looks wonderfully green
and healthy. In portions OF Green
Vile it is beginning to bloom on top.
There was to little sunshine in Berks-
lev where it has yellow color, bloom
ing too early. The plant is large In
York, and 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 we'll. Jtisin all stages OF growth
in Kershaw; curing has begun in q
small way in Williamsburg, Florence
and Darlington and will be quite gen.
eral in week or so.
Melons are generally reported a
Door crop; quantities of them but
small and of inferior taste. The vines
are reported dying in Marlboro, Oar
lington, and Hampton, which, in ad-
dition to the places heretofore report
ed, indicates that the fungus disease
has a 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 to be very large crop from
present indications.
Fruit prospects are worse than ever.
In Oconee there are some apples; no
peaches. In Union apples are wormy
as a rule. Grapes promised to be
plentiful, but are rotting badly in va
rious sections.
Gardens are improving generally,
but are poor in portions of Barn we'll.
Pastures have also improved. Cane
and rice are in most excellent condi-
ton. Garden truck is fourishing in
Charleston county.