The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-17
THE WEATHER AND CROPS
valuable Information to Those Inter-
csted in Farming Operations.

>"''aplc Information to Those Inter.
csted in Farming Operations.
Inc following is the weekly bulletin
issued by the weather bureau in Col.
umbla as to the condition Of the crops
In this State
~, COLUMBIA, S. c., June 5, 1897.
Inc temperature during the past
week averaged about normal, and at
most places the range was not great,
the nights having been scasonabIy
warm and the days comfortably cool.
| The average temperature for the
week, deduccd from - weekly means,
was '6, and the normal for the same
period Is approximately y -. The high
est was 30 ON the lth at GilIisonville
and the lowest 50 on the lst at Liberty.
The week began with showers over
the Northern counties. On Thursday
showcry conditions again set in, and
| continued during the remainder Of the
week, reaching tho coast section "y
Saturday. The rains were fairly we'll
distributed, except that in the South
cent"al counties and Southeastern
counties few places did not receive
enough rain, and in Chester and Dor
tlons OF nearby counties there was in
places excessive rainfall. Lands were
badly washed in portions Of Chester,
Anderson, Fairfield, Laurcns, LeXing-
ton, Union, Sumter aud Krrshuw, with
Injury to fields of corn and cotton. The
smallest amount reported was IL in
from Blackville, the largest 3.ll from
Pinopolis, while the average Of 81 meas
urements was l.l9 in; the normal for
TINS same time being approximately
LIZ. Iwcnty-Onc measurements Of
less than an inch were reported; twcn-
ty-six Of from | to , inches; and seven
with more than two inches.
There was hail on May 3lst at many
places, and again on the 3d and lth
from Lanrens to Horny, but with "a few
local and limited exceptions the dam
age to crops was slight. There were Il
few short but violent wind storms, but
no Injury OF any material Importance
resulted.
The sunshine averaged about - per
cent. Of the possible and was c nsidcr-
ably below the normal for the season
The past week was the most favora-
bic one OF the season and crops made
rapid growth. The ground IS now in
exec llent condition in respect to mos-
turc except in portions OF Oconcc, Pick
ems, Aiken, Edgclinid, Lexington
| l}ambcrg, lSarnwcll, Orangcbnrg, Col
Teton, Dorchc. ter, Hampton and
Charleston counties, but even over
! those counties many places had cnuugh
rain, all the entire country some, witt,
| probably good rains since reports
closed. The temperature has been more
favorable with generally warmer
nights and no excessive heat during
the day. Insect pests too are not ~ ac
tive IN doing damage to crops, and tho
entire crop situation is represented by
correspondents as being extremely ia
vOrahlc now and likely to continue 81
for some time.
The condition OF corn is not satisfac
tory over the entire State although il
has made good progress lately. Stands
are somewhat broken on bottom lands
whero cut worms continue to in lure
that that is just coming up after re-
planting. In the eastern counties corn
IS being laid by" and here and there
| fields are in "sil k and tassc!s." Fields
are generally clean and mostly worked
out. Some bottoms yet to plant.
Cotton has made rapid advance and
is generally III fine growing condition.
although small for the season. Stands
are reported nearly perfect over tho
entire State, and chopping out has
made rapid progress where not pre-
viously completed. The plant looks
healthy and is but little infested by lice
or Othcr harmful insects. Fields arc
gencl ally clear Of grass, with very few
contrary reports. Squares, or forms,
are noted over the Eastern and central
counties. Last year cotton Was bloom
ing at this time.
Sealsland cotton being damaged by
worms and dry weather retarded its
growth.
Some peas have been planted this
| week, but number OF correspondents
| report seed scarce.
Tobacco has improved very much un-
der the more favorable weather con
ditons which have prevailed aud is do
| ing well. Worms prevalent in Kcr
| shaw.
Rice has generally IL good stand al
though Il few complaints as to poor
stand OF late SOwn were received.
Wheat is about ready to harvest and
! promises good average yield, the rust
seemingly has not in urcd il to any
considerable cxtsnt.
Oats harvest is in progress or is com
plcted but the showcry weather has not
| favored this work. Fall oats arc turn
! ing out very WE'LL
Transplanting sweet potato slips is
| in active progress and is favored by tho
moist condition OF the soil.
Peaches are ripcning, but the com
mercial crop is not Of the finest quality
Other pouches arc quite plentiful.
Grapes fruiting well but in some coun-
ties are rovting. Wild berries plcnti-
full. Gardens are greatly improved and
vegeta blcs plentiful.
Squash bugs iniuring melton vines in
Bamberg county. Pastures reviving.
q The entire crop situation is cncour-
aging at this time.
From the national bulletin OF May
| 3lst
"The week has been unfavorablc to
corn throughout the corn producing
States being too cool for gcrmination
and growth, while complaints of poor
stands arc quite general.
"Thc most unfavorablc reports on
cotton came from North Carolina and
| Tennessee, in the latter State q cOnsiG-
crabic area will be planted in com. In
Northern Texas the crop is from two
to three weeks late. over Southern
Tcxas it is Iruiting nicely and is gcncr.
ally we'll cultivated"
II.