The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-29
THE WEATHER AND CROPS
Valuable Inform alton to Those Inter-
estcd In Farming Operations.

IhN "hfAIuEH AND CROPS.
Valuable Inform alton to Those Inter-
estcd In Farming Operations.
The following Is the weekly bulletin
issued by the weather bureau in Co.
lumbia as to the condition Of the crops
in this State
COLUMBIA, S. c., July 20, 1907.
The week was cooler than the usual
with temperature deficiencies ranging
from degrees per day in the eastern,
TO 8 In the western portions OF the
State. The weekly average, Of so moan
temperature reports was rs while the
normal Is approximately 81.
The highest reported was 0S on the
llth at Hodges and the lowest 54 on
the 18Th st Walhalla, The nights
were unusually cool over the extreme
northwestern counties.
Heavy rains, and quite general
showers, fell on the 18th except that
over the northern counties the showers
were light, or no rain fell on the 17th
moro general rain fell except over
the southeastern counties where there
was none, or at best light showers only.
Tho latter rain Is not fully reil:cted in
this Weoks measurements. Sixteen
places reported less than inch for the
week twenty from TO 2 inches:
twelve over inchos with q maximum
fall Of 40 at ST. Georges. The aver.
age OF these 4S measurements is | "A
and the normal for the same period is
about 1872 inches.
Hillside lands were badly washed
and quilted on the 18th in Edgefeld,
Saludu, Orangeburg, and Sumter coun-
ties. There were no damaging hail
storms or destructive winds.
The sunshine averaged about nor
NAL but varied greatly in different
portions OF the State, being most abun-
dant in Marion and Spartanburg with
least over the central counties.
The week was @ favorable ono for
crop d, velopment over the western
portion OF the State generally and over
many sections In the eastern counties
The exceptions were that in places the
need of more rain was indicated, but
since reports closed, quite general and
heavy rains have fallen where most
needed in other places there was an
excess OF moisture and In such sections
the recent rains will prove harmful.
The temperature, while not generally
low enough to retard growth except to
check the previous rapid development
OF cotton, was rather cool during the
nights, but not low enough to prove in
jurious;'and no high winds or damaging
hail storms occurred.
Corn improved very much over the
greater part OF the State, excepting
limited areas where sufficient rain
fell, and other SECTIONS where Oh ay-
count Of TOO much rain corn is firing
badl y on sandy lands notably in portions
OF Clarendon, Lexington and Berkeley.
Corn is being rapidly laid by where
this work has not already been COM
pleted.
The present improved condition
points to a full crop yield, except
whore It was too nearly matured to be
benefited by the recent rain. Corn
planted in May and June is, over the
entire State, in fine growing condition
and looks very promising. Some re.
port ears not we'll fecundated on ac-
count OF the rains washing or the pol
len from the tassels.
The condition of cotton has i'm
proved In many places, but the stalk
generally continues undersized al
though we'll fruited, with fuIl-grown
bolls numerous. Bolls nearly ready to
open.in southeastern counties The pre-
Willing unreasonable cool nights him
dered the growth, and caused the
plant to become lousy, while "honey-
dew" is reported from a number Of
counties. Shedding of leaves, squares,
and small bolls Ia quite common. MANY
helds are becoming grassy, and in
Fairfield some fields have been aban-
doned on account Of grass. Rust has
developed In Barnwell, Bamberg,
Florence and williamsburg counties.
Over quite large areas there has been
loo much rain for cotton. Laying by
is well under way and moro than half
the reports indicate that the folds
" laid by "are clean and in good con-
dition.
Notwithstanding the numerous ad-
verse reports from eastern and central
counties, the majority OF all reports
Indicate that the present condition OF
the crop is promising, but that it Is in
rainy weather will, by hindering culti-
vation OF which many fields stand In
need, tend to cause deterioration In
condition. Sea Island cotton continues
to do we'll.
Tobacco curing making favorable
progress, and recent reports Indicate
u better quality OF leaf than first cut
ting. Some tobacco has been market
ed.
Rice continues In excellent condition
generally, except upland of which
some Is very poor.
Peas are about all sown and thcy
have como up to good stands. In some
fields the lower leaves are shedding ex-
cessively.
Watermelons generally late, under
sized and the crop as q whole small.
Sweet potato slips still being planted
ard this crop has made rapid growth. |
Late peaches ripening but arc rot
ting badly. Apples generally plenti-
full. Grapes ripening and are q large !
crop but many report them rotting.
Cane OF various kinds, and minor |
crops, generally, Is in satisfactory con-
dition and promise abundant yields.
Turnip sowing has begun.