The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-07-22
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The Greater Portion of the Corn Crop
Being Laid BY, Greatly Improved
BY Rains.

The Greater Portion of the Corn Crop
Being Laid BY, Greatly Improved
BY Rains.
Section Director Bauer's Weekly
Crop Bulletin for the week ending July
18th, says:
The rainfall for the week came in the
form of local showers, quite general on
the 4th and 9Th and scattered during
the remainder of the week. Some few
places did not receive enough rain,
while some received too much, with
washing rains in Fairfield, Barnweil
and Edgefeld, but on the whole, there
is sufficient moisture for the present
need of crops. Eighteen places report
ed weekly measurements of less than l
inch; Is from to inches; 13 from 2 to
3 inches; over inches, with a maxi
mum fall of 7.25 at Oakland. The av-
erage of these so measurements ls l. 5O
while the normal is about 1.29.
Hail fell, to the injury of the crops,
in Chester, Anderson, Barnwell and
Clarendon. :
The amount of sunshine varied
greatly. The estimated percentage
of the possible ranged from IA to IS,
with about normal percentage as the
average for the State.
Crops are in good condition and
growing we'll. This is the tenor OF most
of the correspondents reports for the
week. The exceptions relate mainly to
excessive rains in portions of Berkeley,
Chester, Clarendon, Fairfield, Rich
land, Orangeburg, Horny, Hampton
and Barnwell, while in spots over the
central and western counties more rain
would prove beneficial. Laying by OF
crops was hindered by heavy rains, and
grass is threatening many fields,
although no harm has as yet been done.
On the whole, crop prospects are de-
cidedly better than at any time during
the season, except for such as are ma
tured or ripening, including peaches,
which are rotting badly, and melons
which are inferior.
The greater portion of the corn crop
is being laid by, greatly improved by
the recent rains. Some fields that were
badly parched by the previous hot, dry
weather are revived and look promis-
ing. Early corn is about all In silk
and tassel, hut the stalks are low and
generally small. It is firing in Berke-
lev, due to excess OF moisture, and also
in Darlington. Chinch bugs continue
to damage it in Chester and York.
Late corn without exception Is In fine
condition.
Cotton continues to improve in most
sections. The exceptions are portions
of Berkeley, Sumter and Hampton
where it is too wet and the plant has
begun to shed its fruit. It is yellow In
Barnwell. Cotton made rapid growth
and fruited heavily during the week.
Ha,f-grown bolls are numerous In the
eastern counties. Fields are beginning
to show up grassy in places and some
will be laid by in foul condition. Some
cotton has already been laid by. The
condition of the plant is very
promising over the entire State
and in portions of Orangeburg
as fine as ever seen. Sea-Island cotton
is growing vigorously, fruiting heavily
and no adverse conditions whatever
noted.
Tobacco cutting and curing making
favorable progress. The reports on TO.
bacco vary greatly, indicating lack of
uniformity in condition. Many report
it poor, some about an average, and q
few an excellent crop both as to yield
and quality.
Rice continues to maintain its excel
lent condition, but sustained some in
jury from caterpillars in Hampton.
Upland rice not doing wellin Williams
burg.
Sweet potato draws still being trans
planted and are doing we'll everywhere:
Pastures revived and afford good
grazing generally. Grass for hay.
making rapid growth.
Melons are ripening and shipments
are heavy. The size and quality Of
early melons are somewhat inferior,
but later growth are more promising.
Grapes continue to rot badly. They
are ripening lnl being shipped from
the Southeastern counties. Scupper-
nong vines are heavily fruited and the
fruit in healthy condition.