The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-18
WEATHER AND CROPS.
THE CONDITION OF THE STATES
FARMING INTERESTS.

| ne SONOi lON VI i1G a T. =
FARMING INTERESTS.
the Weather Bureau Issued Tuesday by
Director Bauer.
The following is the weekly bulletin
of the condition of the weather and
crops of the State issued Tuesday by
State Observer Bauer:
TEMPERATURE.
The week exhibited temperatures
ranging slightly above the normal
every day, but over the extreme north
west portion the nights were cool for
the season, with a minimum for the
State of 62 at Liberty on July 1929.
The maximum, 102. occurred at
Hodges on July 26. The average for
ae week wss 81 while the normal is
approximately 1875. At most stations
the daily maxims ranged between SO
and 96, which, while it favored active
growth of vegetation, tended to dry
the ground very fast.
RAINFALL.
The entire rain for the week fell on
July 25 26, and in places the rainfall
was excessive, washing lands and
flooding bottoms, especially in Ander-
son, Darlington and Greenwood.
Twenty three places reported weekly
measurements of less than l inch; Is
OF from 1 TO Q inches; from to 8,
and 9 Of over 3 inches with maximum
weekly amount of 4 So at Charleston.
The mean of these 81 measurements is
LIS while the Stale normal for the
same period is approximately 1.54.
The rainfall was fairly we'll distributed
and with limited exceptions was sutfi.
cient for the needs of growing crops.
TIE sunshine was above the normal,
averaging about II per cent. of the
possible duration, and, following a
week of generally cloudy weather.
was highly beneficial.
There occurred soma local high
winds which slightly injured corn in
places.
CROPS.
There appears to have been a quite
general improvement in crop condi.
tions in South Carolina during the
past week. and the staple as well as
The minor crops are exceedingly fine
over :he western, the north central,
AID the northeastern counties, and
over the greater portion of the remain
der of the State. The exceptions are
that over portions of Oconee, Pickens,
Laurens, Union and Spartan burg coun'
Ties more rain is needed, while in por.
ton of Richland, Banberg, Kershaw,
Snmter, Darlington, Orangeburg and
Berkeley there has been an excess OF
rain to the injury of crops, especially
corn and cotton.
| Laying by of the principal field
crops is nearing completion, and was
favored by the hot, dry weather that
prevailed during the greater part OF
the week.
Old corn is maturing rapidly over
the eastern portions of the State, where
fodder pulling IS now quite general.
This portion of the corn crop varies
| in condition with the locality and the
soil and is not likely to be full crop
Late corn continues promising, but
needs several more good seasons" to
keep it up to present conditions and
to insure the heavy yield that now
seems likely. Corn is firing" on
sandy land in Kershaw. Berkeley and
Aiken.
| Some bottom.land corn was injured
early in the week by high winds, and
overhowed streams in the central
counties; however, comparatively
small areas were affected.
Cotton continues to fruit we'll and
to shed comparatively little. A mum.
ber of correspondents report this crop
Unusually fine and mora heavily
fruited than is usual at this season.
There were fewer reports this week
than last of rust, exce ssive shedding.
and honey, dew" although these
damaging conditions are still widely
prevalent, especially in sections where
there has been an excess of rain. Much
grass was killed, and laying by made
rapid advance. There are reports OF
the plant being small but we'll fruited,
! and others of the plant growing too
much to weed" at the expense of tax
ing on fruit.
Bolls ara opening rapidly over the
southeastern counties. Excessive rains
injured cotton in portions of Berkeley
and Darlington, while in Spartanburg
and limited areas else where more rain
is needed. In places the plant has
turned yellow and stopped growing.
Sea Island cotton continues to put on
fruit and was greatly benefited by the
abundant sunshine OF the latter por'
ton of the week.
The first bale of new cotton for this
season was shipped from Allendale
Barnwell county, on Aug. Q. In 1896
five bales were maketed on July % %;
in 1895 the first bale on Aug. 20, and
in 1894 the first on Aug. Is.
! Tobacco curing progressing and
nearing completion; quality good.
Curing up fine in Florence.
Rice heading and with the exception
of limited localities where damaged by
caterpillars, is in extra fine condition.
Early rice will soon ripen.
Peas are growing luxuriantly with
good stand. Large crop of pea vine
hay assured.
Sweet potatoes are doing well gener'
ally and the acreage is larger than
usual.
Turnip sowing continues but in
places is awaiting rain.
Cane is very promising.
Hay heavy crop. Pastures afford
ing good grazing.