The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-08-26
"CROpS Nkk. mAGNlFiCkNT"

In the " estern Portion of the State.
Cotton Picking in Progress.
The following is a brief summary OF
South Carolina crop report for the week
ending August 18th, by Section
DI Ie,tor Bauer:
There is great diversity in the tone
of the reports for the week, the cor
respondents being sbount equally dl-
, vided in calling the week favorable
one AS general rule the best reports
come from the western portions Of the
State where in places "the crops are
magnificent. Worms have appeared
. in many Of the eastern counties in
! large numbers, and from meagre dis
criptions furnished, it is supposed to
be the Army worm. They have de-
stroyed much grass, for hay In VIII
! liamsburg, kershaw, Berkeley, Cole
ton and Beaufort counties. and In places
have attacted, corn, rice and cotton.
Their increase in numbers during the
week was alarmingly rapid. They have
also made their appearance in number
of other counties but rs yet no threaten
ing force.
Corn varies in condition with local
ity and soil and the culture 1t re-
ceived, but that portion of tho crop al
ready made is very nearly If not quite
up tc an average. Late corn is still
very promising and will be greatly i'm
proved, by the recent rains. Fodder
pulling is making rapid progress over
la &c
completion. and extending gradually
westward where the crop Is much later
this year than usual.
Chinch bugs continue to damage corn
in Chester. Fodder was saved in good
condition.
Cotton was not uniformly affected by
last weeks weather; many reports lndl-
cate a seasonable improvement, and
fully as many note deterioration, due
chiefly to excessive shedding of squares
and some bolls, some rotting of bolls,
while on sandy lands the plant is rap
idly dying and consequently has quit
putting on fruit. Rust also has deyel-
oped over large areas with greatest in
jury noted in Sumter, Williamsburg,
Clarendon and Chester, although not
confined to those counties. The crop
is best in the western counties and Marl-
bo.o, Marion, and the northeastern
counties generally.
Too much weed" with too little fruit
is common complaint, but cotton gen.
orally is heavily fruited.
Picking is as yet confined to the more
essterly counties, although the early
varieties are opening in the central and
western counties. Picking will not be
general for some time to come. An in
crease in size of bolls noted since rains
of previous week. An insect is pune
turing the bolls and running them In
Edcefeld. More or less shedding Is
reported from majority of the coun-
f; ties.
: Sea. Island cotton improved and she'd
ding less than last week.
Tobacco curing making rapid pro-
gress. Some planters have finished.
Worms damaging late plants.
Peas are doing we'll. Cutting pea-vine
has begun IN Barnwell.
Rice is ripening rapidly. and, where
not injured by caterpillars, is in prom
; ising condition,
Turnip sowing continues and better
stands have been attained from the
later seedlings. A large acreage will be
planted. -.
Sorghum grinding and boiling has
begun in some sections.
Sweet potatoes doing we'll generally,
except in portions of Spartanburg, and
will be large crop.
Scuppernong grapes ripening. Figs
are plentiful. Melons abundant and of
good quality in the western counties.
LIE Conte pear trees full of fine fruit in
Chesterfield.
; Pastures afford excellent grazing. In
the garden-truck districts ground is be-
ing prepared for fall vegetables.