The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
WEATHER AND CROPS.
fHE CONDITION OF THE STATES
FARMING INTERESTS.

The General OutIook-HeekIy Esulletin OF
the Weather Bureau Issued Tuesday by
Director Bauer.
4 The following is the weekly bulletin
bf the condition of the weather and
krops of the State issued last week by
Director Bauer Of the United States
bureau service;
TEMPERATURE.
The temperature range was very
harrow during the past week, owing
10 the almost continuous overcast
sky, which prevented high day and
low night temperatures. The extremes
reported were maximum OF 80 on
the 18th at Beaufort, and a minimum
|bf 70 on the 18th at Allendale, and on
&he 16. 19-21st at Walhalla. The week
ty means ranged betweed 90 at Wal
|halla and 80 at Charleston, with an
average of rs for the State; the nor
NAL for the same period is approx
|nately 79.
RAINFALL.
Over a large portion Of the State,
beginning with Edge6eld county in
the Savannah valley, and reaching
thence to the coast and including the
central and northeastern counties the
rains were almost continuous during
1.-The week, and in places excessive
|Ovor the northwestern counties, no
rain of any account fell until Satur-
day, when that section had generous
land much needed rain, SO that now
the entire State is we'll watered with
|possibly q limited area in Pickens
needing more rain. Edge6eld county
was the center of heaviest rainfall
with measurements of S37 and 7.S3 st
Poverty Hill and Trenton respective
ly, were measurements of more than
four inches at various other points.
+ Six places reported measurements
of less than one inch, 13 of from one
to two inches, % from two to four
inches and eight over four inches, the
average of these amounting to 2.71;
the normal for the week is about 1.4S.
4 Lands were badly washed in Edge
field and Orangeburg counties, while
in many places poorly drained low
lands were under water, and country
roads were rendered we'll nigh impas,
sible.
Cloudiness prevailed during the
week with intervals of sunshine esti'
mated at 30 per cent. of the possible,
for the State, ranging from 8 to 10 in
eastern portions to go and 70 in the
extreme northwestern portions.
Heavy winds occurred in Berkeley
on the 14th and 18th.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The past week was cool, cloudy and
rainy, in places to the extent of bring
ing all farm work to q standstill.
Correspondents in the eastern coun'
ties, and the middle and lower Ssvan-
nah valley report the weather very
unfavorable. Reports Of injury to
grass by caterpillars were received
from Bamberg, Beaufort, Hampton,
Williamsburg and elsewhere. The
army worm has disappeared from por'
tons of Florence, and has made its
appearance in Clarendon, Hampton,
Sumter and Kershaw. Boil worms in
Edgefeld, Abbeville and Orangeburg.
Grasshoppers numerous and destruct'
i've in Williamsburg and Hampton.
CROPS.
The condition OF crops are less uni.
form than heretofore, especially Of
cotton, which remains unimpaired in
the western and northern sections OF
the State, but deteriorated rapidly
over the central and eastern sections.
owing to an excess of moisture and
absence of sunshine, which caused
open bolls to sprout, cracked bolls to
rot and the plant generally to shed
young bolls and squares. Practically
no picking was possible during the
week, and but few bolls opened ex'
cept in places where it is reported that
cotton is opening rapidly. Rust is
common and reported from nearly
every county. Blooms are still mum.
erous except on light soils where the
plant Is apparently dying.
Sea Island cotton remains in good
condition generally and is heavily
fruited, but is shedding alarmingly in
places.
The condition of corn has steadily
improved and the estimates OF yield
are increased by correspondents, ex'
oept on some lands where it is too wet
and where it is turning yellow.
Fodder pulling made slow progress
and much fodder was spoiled bv the
rains before it could be cured and
housed.
Late corn continues to look very
promising and will soon be made.
Tobacco curing practically finished
except very late fields. This crop is
reported to be of high quality, gener.
ally; the yield was large and sales
satisfactory of that portion of the
crop which has been marketed.
Rice harverst was delayed both on
account of unfavorable weather and
slowly ripering grain but will soon be
general. Late rice shows improve
ment during the week, espe cially over
the northerly sections of the rice belt
Peas were injured in places by the
heavy rains, but generally are very
promising. Peavine hay cutting viii
begin this week.
Sweet potatoes are looking well anC
digging has begun with excellen
yields. This crop promises to bs 6
large one.
Turnip sowing continues and thu
seed is coming up to good stands.
Much grass for hay was destroyed
by worms in the southwestern coun
ties.
Pastures continue in excellent con
dition. Fall vegetables are being