The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-08-11
SOUTH CAROLINA CROP BULLETIN.
Cotton Growing Too Rapidly. Good Corn
Crop.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Aug. ,, 1895

leSt over lcEeuS county, "ueIe HUN ,
to 6 inches fell in places over the south
eastern counties and in the Pee Dee
section the rainfall was less than an
inch, but generally over the entire State
the rainfall amounted TO from one TO
over three inches, the average OF %
measurements is l.95 inches, and the
normal for the same period is approx
mately 1.54 inches. The following
heavy weekly rains we:e reported:
Columbia = 63, Wlnusboro 2.G9, Shiloh
800, Salters !. 90, Camden 3.2l, White
Hall 40, Loopers 4.G5, Longshore
2S5, Spencer G.55, Beaufort $50,
Liberty 10, Trenton 2.S4, Florence
4.05.
There was deficiency in sunshine
over the greater portion of the State,
with estimates as low as - per cent. OF
the possible, and al average estimate
of 53 per cent. of the possible. More
than the usual amount of cloudlness
prevailed during the entire month OF
July. In the vicinity of Batesburg
much corn was blown down by high
winds, but elsewhere no destructive
winds occurred.
Showery weather prevailed during
the week, with even, nearly normal
temperature, conditions favorable for
rapid growth of rege 'atlon, resulting IN
q general Improvement il crop condl-
tions, except where owing to excessive
rains, corn and cotton have deteriorat
ed on bottom lands and on light sandy
soils. Slow progress was made in lay
ing by crops, but this work has been
finished on most of the farms, with,
however, many fields still grassy and
needing cultivation.
Early corn continues to improve and
will be much better crop than previ-
ously anticipated. 1t is practically
made aud fodder stripping has begun
but has not yet become general as the
frequent rains were not favorable for
curing fodder. Upland corn looks very
promising, but much bottom land corn
was injured by water. In Pickens
county corn is firing. Stubble corn is
doing well, except in some of the
southeastern counties where the
ground is too wet for its best develop
ment
4 large majority of this weeks re-
ports, representing sections in every
county of the State, indicate too
rapid growth of cotton, which is ap-
parently making too much tweed" and
not frulting proportionately; rust has
appeared in many places, and there is
more than the usual amount of she'd
ding. The plant is very sappy, and
the ground is too wet to give it much
needed cultivation, and many fields
have become grassy. Laying by is
ton of the soil permits. Cotton is no
longer of a uniform healthy color, but
in places is turning yellow. The crop
as a whole looks very promising, but
needs dry weather and sunshine. Open
bolls are common in the Southern
counties. Sea Island cotton has attain
ed large stalk growth, is we'll fruited,
but needs drypess and sunshine.
The tobacco crop is large one and
Of excellent variety, although less hu.
mid weather would be more favorable
for curing. Cutting and curing con-
tinue. Rice is developing rapidly, and
early rice is heading. Reports continue
favorable except from Florence county,
where IN places rice Is not doing we'll.
Peas are making rapid growth, but ex-
cessive moisture has caused shedding
of lower leaves. In many corr fields,
peas planted between the rows are be.
ing smothered by grass. Peaches and
figs are plentiful over the State, but
apples continue to drop and are gener
ally wormy. Pears continue scarce.
Plenty of grapes, but much rotting IS
reported. Scuppecnolg grapevines are
generally not bearing well.
Considerable hay was damaged by
rain in Charleston county. Stand OF
grass for hay is heavy and, with favor
able weather Tor curing. a large hay
crop will be secured. Sugar cane aud
sorghum cane LOOK fine. Sweet pota-
toes are promising. Pastures are max
ing luXuriant growth. Lands are be-
ing prepared and sown TO turnips and
other fall root crops, but many lands
intended tor turnips are too wet to pre-
pare.
The following extract from the Ma
tional Climate and Crop Bulletin shows
the condition of the corn and cotton
crops, for the week ending July %,
1898: 'In the great corn States of the
central valleys, Nebraska, Kansas,
Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio, which produce considerably more
than half of the entire product of the
United States, corn is generally in need
of rain, and in Iowa and portions OF
Missouri the crop is threatened with
serious injury unless rain occurs soon.
In the Southern States continued favor
able reports concerning corn, which is
maturing rapidly, are received.
reports of rust and shedding,
though probably less numerous than
in the previous week, continue from
the central and eastern portions of the
cotton belt. where excessive rains in
some sections nave caused too rapid
growth of stalk. The crop Is IN need
OF cultivation in portions of South
Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana;
some fields on low lands of Mississippi
have been abandoned. In Texas the
crop i sreral!y promising, but boil
weevil are increasing, and it needs
rain in localities. Picking has COM
menced in southern Texas, and cotton
is beginning to open in southern Ala
bama.