The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-05-05

ported 95 on tue 28th at Gillisonville ;
lowest A on the 28.h at Cheraw. The
Temperature for the week was nearly
normal over the entire State. There
was decided fall 90 Saturday, May
1st.
Scattered showers fell on the 26 b
over the eastern counties, and on April
3)sh and May lst rain was general Owe:
the entire State Twenty.three cores
popdents reported measurements Of lees
than one inch ; twenty-five from one to
two inches, and seven more than two
inches. Heaviest weekly rainfall was
3.35 at Elloree and the least 0 IL at Ha'.
sellville The average Of all reports was
| l6 and the pormal for the sam e
period is approximately 078. The
rainfall was generally we'll distributed
and sufficient for the present needs of
crops. except in portions Of Lexington,
Newberry. Richland. Fairfield and
Chester where the showers were light
and local and where in places more raio
would prove beneficial. 10 Sumter,
Kersbaw. Spartanburg aud Anderson
lands we're, 10 places, badly washed ADD
some bottom lands flooded.
Hail fell over the extreme western
counties on the Both, bnt no damage is
reported.
SUNSHINE AND WINDS.
There was about the average dura-
ton Of bright sunshine, ranging from
43 at Boiling Springs aud Winosboro
to 90 at Beulan and Hillsri!le
Over the greater portion of the State
the winds were generally south aud
southwes,erIy There were high winds
on the 30ih which, however, did no in
jury.
The warm weather and rain had
very beneficial effect on growing crops.
For the greater portion of the week,
however, ii was too dry to 6oish pre-
pairing some lands 70, plartlug, never
tbeless farm work progressed rapidly,
and is generally as much, advanced as
usual at this season, although 10 some
localities the season is considered late
Farmers arc generally we'll up With
their work
Upland corn planting is. nearing
completion over the greater pcrsiou Of
the State, but in the northern counties
there is much yet to be planted. the
dry condition of the .soil having
prevented the preparation of lands
Sands of early planted corn are
generally satisfactory. With ez-
ospsious 10 every county, ow-
ipg to worms in Beaufort. Dor
chester. Hampton. Colletop, Williams
burg, Berkely and Florence aud lack
of moisture elsewhere. however, the
needed moisture has since been sup
piled. Cbinch bugs continae destructive
10 Chester. Over the eastern counties
corn has received its frs: working gen
orally. aed some its second 1t is
somew What "off color" in a few locaIi-
ties, owing to dry weather and cool
nights during the previous week. A
great Improvement is expected during
the prescott week both 10 stands and
color.
TIE percentage of cotton yet to be
plaated ranges from FIVE to twenty-five,
the latter ia Chester aod York aud to
the westward Siaods are greatly i'm
proved and are generally sassfao-
tory. The late rains will bring
up the recently planted TO good
stands. Ia the eastern portions of
the State cotton has received its
FIRST cultivation and soue fields have
bees chopped to stands 1t is esiima-
ted that cotton planting will be finished
10 about ten DAYS
Trausplan,1og Of tobacco sets made
much progress during the week. follow,
ing the rains. aud this work is we'll ad-
vaDced The plants continue plentiful
and of good sizs.
Ill .I.,tn1 bnt