The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-04-14
Weekly Crop Bulletin.
COLUMBIA, s. G.. April l3, 1897
TEMPERATURE

aged 8 degrees warmer than normal,
due to very warm weather duriog the
first part Of the week aud cocl weather
on the last two days. The highest
temperature reported was 81 90 the o;b
at GiIlisonville, aud the lowest 80 on
the lob at Liberty and Greeuville.
The lowest OBJ the morning Of the 10Th
ranged between 38 and IS over The
entire western portioo OF the State.
The State average temperature (beIng
the mean of all reports received)
was 81.
RAINFALL.
There we're heavy rains over the
western counties on the 5;h, washing
plowed lands badly and causing fresh
cts, With loss of life, on some Of the
streams. There we're also excessive
rains over the northeastern portion OF
the State on the S:h. Other days with
rain were the 9th. 9th aud 10th, eeo.
eral over the State on the 7th and
9th, local showers. Hail accompanied
the raids of the 5th over the western
counties, aud the heavy rains oo she
9Th, WITH no damage to crops. The
rainfall for the week was very heavy.
amounting to 2 % at Darlington 10
at Society Hill 400 at Mont Clare !;
2 SO at Sellers; 4 IS at Walhalla !;
HI at Loopers !; 225 at Pleasant !;
8 49 at Greenville 2 So at Green wood;
475 at Liberty 2.24 at Saatuc.
The average Of 35 reports from all
sections of the State was I 18 inches
and the normal for the same period is
approximately 0.70 inches.
SUNSHINE
The sunshine was more Dearly nor.
NAL tbao during the previous week
The estimated percentage Of possible
suosbine ragged between % at Society
Hill and IS at Pamela. The average
of 20 reports is 50 per cent. of The
possible. while the normal at this seq
son is yearly 70 per cent
Bat little progress could be made in
farm work during the week on account
of the coptinued wet condition of the
grouud. Over the western group Of
counties and including onetbird or
more Of the entire area Of the State,
| only from one to two days plowiog
could be done. after the ground became
fit and before the work vas again inter-
rupted by rain Over this portion Of
the State farm work is every much CO
layed aad the season fully two weeks or
more later than usual 10 the central
counties and the extreme northeastern
coun,ies the farmers are about up with
their work and planting is progress ng
rapidly towards completion. especially
corn planting in Horny. Marion aod
Marlboro Corn planting is general
over the eastern and central portions Of
the State as far westward as Fairfield,
RicAlaod, Lexington and Aiken coun.
ties To the west and north of these
counties very little coro has been plant-
ed and lands are yet unfit for prepare
ton Scarcely any bottom lands have
beer planted Early planted corn is
coming up very satisfactorily. but in
some localities replanting will be reces-
sary. Cut and bud worms have done
considerable injury to corn. In the
western counties cora planting is from
Is to 20 days late.
Cotton planting is fairly begun. and
will this week become general over the
State. AS yet area planted is quite
limited. The early planted is coming
up to good stands. 10 the western half
Of the State. 10 the preparation of
lards for planting cotton. blowing,
hauling of fertilizers. and listing the
same, scarcely anything has been pos
sible. owing to the wet. sodder condi-
tiou Of the soil. 1t is reported from
many localities that fields will not be as
thoroughly prepared as usual
Tobacco beds are doing we'll. with
| ,lo,to nlont;fuj and large ensuoh to