The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-28
WEATHER AND CROPS.
DIRECTOR BAUER'S WEEKLY SUMMA-
RY OF CONDITIONS.

eral.
The week was cooler than usual with
temperature deficiencies ranging from
three degrees per day in the eastern,
to eight in the western portions OF the
State Tie weekly average, of sc
mean temperature reports was 76,
while the normal is approximately 81
The highest reported was 90 on the
4 11th, at Hodges and the lowest "a on
the 18Th, at Walhalla. The nights
were unusually cool over the extreme
northwestern counties.
RAINFALL.
Heavy rains and quite general
showers fell on the 18th, except that
over the northern counties the showers
we're light, or no rain fell; on the lIih
q more general rain fell except over
the southeastern counties where there
was none, or at best. light showers
only. The latter rain is not fully re-
Hected in this weeks measurement.
Sixteen places reported less than Inch
for the week twenty from l to 2inches;
twelve over two inches with a maxi
mum fall cf-4 40 at st. Georges. The
average of these AS measurements IS
/ A and the normal for the same perl
cd is about 1 80 inches.
Hillside lands were badly washed
and quilted on the 18th in Edgeheld,
Saluda, Orangeburg and Sumter coun,
ties. There were no damaging hall
storms or destructive winds.
The sunshine averaged about nor
NAL, but varied in different portions
of the State, being most abundant IN
Marion and ~Spartanburg with least
over the central counties.
CROPS.
The week was a favorable one for
crop development over the western
portion of the State generally and over
many sections in the eastern counties.
The exceptions were that in places the
need of more rain was indicated, but
since reports closed, quite general and
heavy rains have fallen where mos:
needed in other places there was an
excess of moisture and in such sections
the recent rains will prove harmful.
The temperature while not generally
low enough to retard growth except to
check the previous rapid development
of cotton, was rather cool during the
NIGHTS, but not low enough to prove
Injurious; and no high winds or dam
aging hail storms occurred.
Corn improved very much over the
greater portion OF the State. excepting
limited areas where insufficient rain
fell, and other sections where on &C.
count of too much rain, corn is tarlng
badly on sandy lands, notably in por-
tons of Clarendon, Lexington and
Berkeley. Corn is being rapidly laid
by where this work has not already
been completed.
The present improved condition
points to a full crop yield, except
where it was too nearly matured to be
benefited by the recent rains. Corn
planted in May and June is over the
entire State in fine growing condition
and looks very promising. Some re-
port ears not we'll formulated on sc.
count of the rains washing off the pol
len from the tassels.
The condition of cotton has improv-
ed in many places, but the stalk gen
orally continues undersizsd although
we'll fruited, with full-grown bolls
numerous. Bolls nearly ready to open
in southeastern counties. The prevail.
ing u~nseasonably cool nights hindered
the growth, and caused the plant to
become lousy, while honey dew" is
reported from a number of counties.
Shedding of leaves, squares. and small
bolls IS quite common. Many fields
are becoming grassy. and in Fairfield
some fields have been abandoned on
account OF grass. Rust has developed
in Barnwell, Bamberg, Florence and
Williamsburg counties. Over quite
large areas there has been too much
rain for cotton. Laying by is we'll un-
der way and more than half the re-
ports indicate that the fields Laid by"
are clean and in good condition.
Notwithstanding the numerous sd.
verse reports from eastern and central
counties, the majority of all reports
indicate that the present condition Of
the crop is promising, but that it is in
a critical stage. A continuation OF
rainy weather will, by numbering cul-
tivation of which many fields stand in
need, tend TO cause deterioration in
condition. Sea island cotton contin
ues to do we'll.
Tobacco curing making favorable
progress, and recent reports indicate
q better quality OF leaf than first cut
ting. Some tobacco has been market
ed.
Rice continues in excellent condi.
ton generally, except upland, OF which
some is very poor.
Peas are about all sown and they
have come up to good stands. In some
fields the lower leaves are shedding
excessively.
Watermelons generally late, under,
sized and the crop as a who'll small.
Sweet potato slips still being planted
and this crop has made rapid growth.
Late peaches %ripenina but are rot
ting badly. Apples generally plenti-
full. Grapes ripening and are a large
crop but many report them rotting.
Cane OF various kind, and minor
crops, generally, is in satisfactory
condition and promise abundant yields.
Turnip sowing has begun.
J. w. Bauer,
Section Director, Columbia, s. @.
Matters In Cuba.
A dispatch from Cuba says the in
surgents Wednesday morning de
stroyed with dynamite the fine rail