The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-08-26
THE WEATHER. AND CROPS.
Valuable Information to Those Inter
cstcd in Farming Operations.

| taluQDlc Information TO Those Inter
, cstcd in Farming Operations.
The following is tho weekly bulletin
issued by the weather bureau in Co.
lumbia as to tho condition Of the crops
In this State:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Aug. II, 1897.
Tho temperature during tho past
week, kept within comparatively mar.
row range, the maximum generally
ranged between 81 aud 81 with an OK
tremc maximum OF 102 on the 18th at
beaufort. The minimum ranged about
70 although the lowest was 81 On the
10th at Liberty. The average for the
week was 7S while the normal for the
same period is Approximately 10. 1t
was decidedly cooler over tho extrome
western portion OF the State than in the
central ana eastern portions.
The rainfall for the week was gen
orally in the form Of showers where
any fell, for quite largo areas in the
extreme western, the central and the
southern counties were without rain
the entire week, or ut least until last
Saturday, thea l4th.
A few correspondents stated that
rain was needed while generally the
ground had plenty Of moisture. In
addition to the showers Of Saturday
and Sunday afternoon, (lith and l5th)
a general rain set in early Monday
morning 80 that the rainfall defici-
oncy, where it existed has been fully
supplied.
A few reports OF excessive rain were
received. Twenty-Five weekly meas
urements of loss than one inch were
received, 6 Of from l to . inches, and
2 Of over 2 inches. Tho average of
these 80 measurements is 0.79 whilc
the normal for tho past week is about
I.50.
A severe hail and wind storm oc-
Cured in lower Hampton on the oven
ing OF the 14th, accompanied by heavy
rain, and injuring field crops seriously
over limited area.
The winds of tho week wore goner-
ally light
The sunshine varied greatly over
different sections, the estimated per-
centage of the possible ranged from
20 to 90 with an average of GU which
is somewhat below d normal amount
for this season. This deficiency in sun
shine was apparently favorable on field
crops.
There is q great diversity In the tone
Of the reports for tho week, tho cor
respondents being about equally divided
in calling the week q favorable or an
unfavorable one. AS a general rule
the best reports como from tho west
crn portions Of tho State whore in
places "the crops are magnificent"
Worms have appeared in many Of tho
and from meagre descriptions fur
nished it is supposed to be the arm;
worm. They have destroyed mucl
grass, for hay in williamsburg, Ker
shaw, Berkeley, Colicton and Beau
fort counties and In places have at
tackled corn, rice and cotton. Their in
crease in numbers during the weel
, was alarmingly rapid. They have ais,
made their appearance in number o
other counties but as yet in no threat
Cning force.
Corn varies in condition with locality
and SOIL and the culture it received
but that portion OF tho crop already
made is very nearly if not quito up to
an average. Late corn is still very
promising and will be greatly improved
by tho recent rains. Fodder pulling
is making rapid progress over the
eastern counties, where it Is nearing
completion, and extending gradually
westward where thecrop is much later
this year than usual.
Chinch bugs continue to damage corn
in Chester. Fodder was saved in good
condition.
Cotton was not uniformly affected by
the last weeks weather many reports
Indicate o scasOnablc improvement
and fully as many nOte deterioration
due chiefly to excessive shedding OF
squares and some bolls, some rotting
Of bolls, while on sandy lands the
plant is.rapidlyidying and consequently
has quit putting on fruit. Rust also
has developed over large areas with
greatest injury noted in Sumter, Will
although not confined to those coun-
tics. The crop is best in the west
orn counties, and Marlboro. Marion,
and tho northeastern counties gener-
ally.
TOO much weed" with too little
fruit IS common complaint, but cotton
generally is heavily fruitcd
Picking is as yet confined to tho
moro castcrly counties, although the
early varieties arc opening in tho
central and western counties. Pick
ing will not be general for some time
to come. An increase in sizo of bolls
noted since rains of previous week.
An insect Is puncturing the bolls and
running them in Edgcfield. More or less
shedding Is reported from u majority
Of the counties.
Sca-lsland cotton improved and she'd
ding less than last week.
Tobacco curing making rapid pro-
gress. Some planters have finished.
Worms damaging lato plants.
Peas are doing we'll. Cutting poa-
vine hay has begun in Barnwell.
Rice is ripening rapidly and whore
not injured by caterpillars is in promis-
ing condition.
TurniD sowing continues and better
stands have been attained from the
later seedlings. A large acreage will
be planted
Sorghum grinding and boiling has
begun in some sections.
Sweet potatoes doing well gcncr-
ally, except in portions of Spartan
burg, and will be o large crop.
Scuppernong grapes ripening. Figs
arc plentiful. Melons abundant and o
good quality in the western counties
Lie Contc pear trees full Of fine fruit
in Chesterfield.
Pastures afford excellent grazing
In the garden truck districts ground
is being prepared for fall veg etablcs.
j. w. BAUER. Director.