The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-06-08
THE WEATHER AND CROPS.
Valuable Information to Those Inter
csted i'm Farming Operations.

Valuable Information { Those Inter.
csted i'm Farming Operations.
The following is the weekly bulletin
issued by the weather bureau in Col.
umbia as to the condition of the crops
in this State
COLUMBIA, S. c.. June |, 1897.
There was a wide temperature range
during the week, from minimums of 10
degrees on the 26-2T at Loopers, As at
Clemson College and Spartauburg
on the 10Th, and on the 9th at
Liberty, to Il maximum of 81 on the
18Th at Bamberg and Gillisonvillc.
The week as a whole averaged three
degrees per day coo,er than usual, with
u mean temperature Of Il, while the
normal is approximately n.
In places 10 the up country heavy
rain fell on the 231, washing lands in
~Greenvillc, Spartan5urg, Clarendon,
Kershaw and Union Counties, but the
area of beneficial rainfall was very
limited. Light and insufficient rain
fell on the 18th over the upper por-
tioDs OF the State. Twenty-seven places
reported measurements, Of which n
were less thar go, and three of over
LOO. Oakland reported 2 so. The de-
icicncy for the week is 0.65 iuch, and
the deficiency for the month ranges
from .0O TO 3.OU inches.
There was q sever hail storm on the
23d in Greonville, in the vicinity Of Lick
vile, that, over "a path 5 to & miles
wide and about 10 miles long, destroy
ed much corn, cotton, fruit, gardens,
etc. 1t WAS accompanied by high winds
that blew down many fruit trees. The
hai!-storm extended into Union and
Spartanburg. Hail fell in Clarendon,
Fairfield, kershaw and Chester on the
same day.
There was much more than the aver
age sunshine during the week, the
mean of sixty estimates being 81 per
cent. Of the possible, while the normal
is about 81.
The winds were variable-carly in
the week they were cod ~nOrtherly and
during the latter portion warm wester-
ly to southcrly. They were for the
most part light in force.
About one third Of this weeks re-
ports, and embracing sections Of near
ly every county in the State, indicate
that crops, especially corn and cotton,
are below their usual or average, for
this season Of the year, in size. stand,
and general condition. a few reports
Indicate conditions above the seasonal
average, while the majority Indicate
average conditions, certainly not above.
NiopS LIZ hCtilf ~ ID SItDlSLilI IOl
want Of rain. a few cool nights dur
ing tho middle OF tie week also i'm
peded the growth Of cultivated vcgeta-
ton. Insects OF various kind, are do
ing material injury OvCr pOrtio' $ Of
the State. Farm work made favorable
progress, and hclds are generally we'll
titled, and clear.
Corn did not make much # any i'm
provemont during the week. Cut
worms and heart worms continue
their depredations chinch bugs have
attacked 1T; consequently the reports
OF bad stand ~Ortnumbcr those of good
stands. The continued absence Of ain is
affecting core seriously in the lover
counties where it willis badly during the
day and has fired" in IL few places.
In Lauren1 and surrounding counties
corn Is slckiy and y~eilOwisn. It, is
small Tor the season everywhere.
Fields are generally free from weeds
and grass. Is being Laid by > in
Berkeley.
Cotton is sickly in places due to toe
cool nights, but generally it made sat
lsfactory growth during the week.
me plant has not attained IN average
growth for June LIST. Additional re-
ports Of stands dying out were this
week received from Spartanburg,
Georgetown, Clarendon, Ncwburry,
sumter, and Lexington. Bad stand
In Williamsburg. Lice infest cotton
over portions Of Barnwcll, Abbev,llc,
Hamp on, kcrshaw, ard Orangeburr.
Fields are generally free from grass
and weeds and chopping to stands is
nearing completion except over the
extreme north western counties. Forms
nave been seen on cotton in Etichlaud,
in the Congaree valley.
Wheat is ripcning and its condition
Is somewhat less promising owing TO
rust and damage by insects. Oats
being harvested and generally a very
fair crop. Spring oats a failure except
In Pickens, where, if needed rain
comes soon, a fair yield will be har-
vested.
Irish potatoes doing poorly and in a
number OF places the vines are being
literally destroyed by Colorado beetles.
The weather has boen generally too dry
TO set out sweet potato draws. Draws
are plentiful.
Tobacco has all been planted and as
q rule grew well, but now stands in
urgent need Of rain. The eff CT OF
absence OF rain for any considerable
period from this time would result in
serious injury to the crop.
Rice is growing well, but birds are
reported to have destroyed much late
planted.
Large shipments CT vegetables con-.
tinue from the truck districts, but rain
is badly needed for late varieties.
Peaches very promising in portions
OF Edgeteld, and fair in other sections
for late varieties. Grapes rotting in
Darlington. Berries generally plenti.
full. Melons not doing well generally.
Sugar cane and sorghum started to
grow nicely and up to average con
dition. Grass both for pasture and hay
growing slowly. Hay crop promises
to be light. Some peas were SOW n dur
ing the week but rain is needed before
this work will be pushed. Gardens
are failing very fast owing to want of
rain.
From the national bulletin of Nav
24th:--" Cotton has experienced gen-
eral Improvement in Texas and has
made rapid advancement in the south
ern part OF the State, where "a lareS
and bolls are forming. Decided in.
prOvemcnt is also reported from Ala
bama, with favorable reports from
Georgia and Arkansas. Cool nights
have proved injurious in Tennessee,
and but slight Improvement is report
ed from Louisiana, where the plant is
sickly and is being injured by lice.
While cool nights have unfavorably af-
-