The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-09
Weekly Crop Bulletin.
COLUMBIA, S. c., JUNE 8, 1897.
TEMpERATURE.

The temperature during the past
week averaged about normal, aud at
most places toe range was not g:eat,
the nights having been seasouably
warm and the days comfortably cool.
The average temperature for the
week deduced from 81 weekly means.
was 76, aud the normal for the same
period is approximately IS The high
est was 80 oa the 4,h at Gil':sonville
aud the lowest 50 oa the 1st at Lib
erty.
RAINFALL
The week began with showers over
the northern counties On Thursday
showe.y conditions again set In, aod
continued during the remainder of the
week, reaching the coast section by
Saturday The rains we're fairly we'll
distributed. except that 10 the south
central counties and southeastern coun-
ties few places did not receive enough
rain, aud 10 Chester and portions Of
nearby counties there was in places
excessive rainfall. Lands were badly
washed in PORTIONS OF Chester, Ander-
sou, Fairfield. Laurcns, Lexington,
Uoiou, Sumter and Kershaw. with in-
Jury to fields Of coru and cotton. The
smallest amount reported was OH 10.
from Blackville, the largest 3.l4 fron
Piuopolis, while the average Of 81
measurements was l l9 TO-; the normal
for this sane time being approximately
u. Twenty-oue measure nents Of
less than an inch we're rep, j tweo-
ty six of from to 2 iocbes and
seven With more than two inches.
There vas hail 90 Nay 3lst at many
places. and again on the 81 and 4th
from Laureus to Horny, but with few
local and iiri,ed exceptions the dan-
age to crops was slight. There we're
few short but vioeos WIND storms but
no Injury of aoy material Importance
resulted.
The sunshine averaged about 81 per
cent. of the possible and was consider
ably below the normal for the season.
CROPS.
The past week vas the most savora-
BILE one of the season and crops made
rapid growth. The ground is now in
excellent condition in respect to mois-
ture except in portions of Oconee.
Pickens, Aiken, Eage6eld. Lexington,
Banberg, Barnwell, Oraogeburg, Col
Teton, Dorchester, Hampton, and
Charleston counties, but even over those
counties mauy places had eaougb raic,
all the eatire coun,ry some, with proba-
bly, good rairs since reports closed.
The temperature has been more lav-
orable With generally warmer nigais
add no Excessive heat during the day.
Iosscs pests. too, are not as active 10
doing damage to crops. and the entire
crop situation is represented by cores
pondents as being extremely favorable
DOW aud likely 20 continue so for some
time.
The condition of corn is not satisfac-
tory over the entire State. although it
has made good progress lately. Stands
are somewhat broken on bottom laods
where cut worms continue to iojure
that that is just coming up after re-
planting 10 the eastern counties corn
is being "laid by" aud here and there
fields are in "silk aud tassels !" Fields
are generally clean and mostly worked
out. Some bottoms yet to plaot
Cotton has made rapid advance aud
is generally 10 foe growing condition.
although small for the season Stands
are reported nearly perfect over the
entire State. and cboppiog out has
made rapid progress where not pre-
viously completed The plant looks
healthy aud is but littlesinfested by lice
or other harmful insects Fields are
generally clear Of grass, with very few
contrary reports. Squares, or forms,
are ooted over the eastern and central
counties. Last year cotton was bloom
:u, kb.o