The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
WEATHER AND CROPS.
TIE CONDITION OF THE STATES
FARMING INTERESTS.

FARMING IN EhES >.
Tho General Outlook-Weekly Bulletin OF
tbs Weather Bureau Issued Tuesday ny
Director Bauer.
The following Is the weekly bulletin
Of the condition of the weather and
crops of the State issued last week by
State Observer Bauer:
TEMPERATURE,
The temperature during the past
week kept within comparatively mar.
row range, the maximum generally
ranged between 81 and 81 with an ex,
treme maximum of 102 on the 18th at
Beaufort. The minimum ranged about
70 although the lowest was 50 on the
10th at Liberty. The average for the
week was rs, while the normal for the
same period is approximately 79. II
was decidedly cooler over the extreme
western portion OF the State than in
the central and eastern portions.
RAINFALL.
The rainfall for the week was gen
orally in the form of showers where
any fell, for quite large areas in the
extreme western, the central and the
southern counties were without rain
the entire week, or at least until late
Saturday, the 14th.
A few correspondents stated that
rain was neeGed while generally the
ground had plenty of moisture. In
addition to the showers of Saturday
and Sunday afternoon Oath and 15!b)
q general rain set in early Monday
morning so that the rainfall defcien.
cy, where it existed, has been fully
supplied.
A few reports of excessive rain were
received. twenty-five weekly meas.
uren ents Of less than one inch were
received. 6 from 1 TO 2 inches, and 2
OF over 3 inches. The average of these
80 measurements is 0.79, while the
normal for the past week is ab5ut 1 SO.
A severe hail and wind storm occur.
red in lower Hampton on the evening
of the 14th, accompanied by heavy
rain and iDjuring field crops seriously
over limited area.
The winds of the week were gener.
ally light.
The sunshine varied greatly over
different sections, the estimated per
centage of the possible ranged from 90
to 80 with an siverage of 90, which is
somewhat below a normal amount for
this season. This deficiency in sun
shine was apparently favorable on
field crops.
There is a great diversity In the tone
of the reports for the week, the CORES
pondents being about equally divided
in calling the week favorable or an
unfavorable one. AS a general rule
the best reports come from the western
portions of the State, where in places
1.-The crops are magnificent" Worms
have appeared in many of the eastern
counties in large numbers, and from
meagre descriptions furnished, it is
supposed to be the Army worm. They
have destroyed much grass for hay in
Williamsburg, Kershaw, Berkeley,
Colleton and Beaufort counties, and
in places have attacked corn, rice and
cotton. Their increase in numbers
during the week was alarmingly rap
id. They have also made their ap-
pearance in number of other coun
ties, but as yet in no threatening force.
Corn varies in condition with local
ity and soil and the culture it ceived,
but that portion of the crop already
made is very nearly if not quite up to
an average. Late corn is still very
promising and will be greatly i'm
proved by the recent rains. Fodder
pulling is making rapid progress over
the eastern counties, where it is near
ing completion, and extending grad
ually westward, where the crop is
much later this year than usual.
Chinch bugs continue to damage
corn in Chester. Fodder was saved in
good conoition.
Cotton was not uniformly aft led
by the last weeks weather; many re-
ports indicate a reasonable improve
ment, and fully as many note deterio,
ration, due, chiefly to excessive shed
ding of squares and some bolls, some
rotting of bolls, while on sandy lands
the plant is rapidly dying and conse
quently has quit putting on fruit.
Rust also has developed over large
areas with greatest injury noted in
Sumter, Williamsburg, Clarendon and
Chester, although not confined to
those counties. The crop is best in the
western counties, and Marlboro, Mar
ion and the northeastern counties
generally.
Too much Tweed" with too little
fruit is q common complaint, but cot
ton generally is heavily fruited.
Picking is IS yet confined to the
more easterly counties, although the
early varieties are opening in the can
tral and western couaties. Picking
will not be general for some time to
come. An increase in size of bolls
noted since rains OF previous week.
An insect is puncturing the bolls and
running them in Edgefeld. More OF
less shedding is reported from s ma
jority of the counties.
Sea Island cotton improved and
shedding less than last week.
Tobacco curing making rapid pro-
gress. Some planters have finished.
Worms damaging late plants.
Peas are doing well. Cutting pea
vine hay has begun in Barnwell.
Rice is ripening rapidly, and where
not pjlred by ca.erpillars is in prom
ising condition.
Turnip sowing continues and better
stands have been attained from the
later seedlings. A large acreage will
be planted.
Cn,op,,ro r,;p Il n ~ opI hoilinO y as