The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-03

vious'y anticipated. 1t ls practically
made and fodder stripping has begun
but has DOT yet become general as the
frequent rains we're 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 we'll, except in some of the
southeastern couoties where the grooDd
is too wet for it's best development
A large majority Of this weeks re-
ports. representing sections in every
county of the State, indicate a too
rapid growth Of cotton, which is apps-
rsntly making too much "weed" and
not fruiting proporsionatsly; rust has
appeared io mauy places, and there rs
more than the usual amount Of she'd
ding. The plant is very ssppy, aod
the ground is too vet to give i. much
needed cultivation, and many fields
have become grassy. Laying by is be-
ing completed as fast IS the condition
of the soil permits. Cotton is 20 long
er of uniform healthy color, but II
places is turning yellow.
The crop as a whole looks very
promising, but needs dry weather and
sunshine. Opening bolls are common
10 the southern counties.
Sea Island cotton has attained
large stalk growth, is we'll fru'ted, but
needs dryness and sunshine
The tobacco crop is large one and
of excellent quality. although less nam-
id weather would be more favorable Tor
curing. Cutting and curing continue.
Rice is developing rapidly, and
earl7 rice is beading. Reports continue
favorable except from Florence county.
where iu places rice is not doing we'll.
Peas are making rapid growth. but
excessive moisture has caused shedding
of lower leaves. In many corn-helds.
peas planted between the rows are be-
ing smotbered by grass.
Peaches and igs are plentiful over
the State, but apples continue to drop
aud are generally wormy. Pears con-
siuue scarce. Plenty of grapes, but
much ros.ing is reported. Scupper-
pong grapevines are geaera'!y no'
bearing we'll.
Considerable bay was damaged by
rain 10 Charleston county, Stand Of
grass for hay is heavy and, With favor
able weather for curing. large hay
crop will be seoored.
Sugar cane and-sorghum cane look
6ne.
Sweet potatoes are promising. Pas
sures are making luxuriaus growth.
Lands are being prepared and sown
10 turnips and other fall root crops,
but mauy lands intended Tor turnips
are too wet to prepare.
The following ex..ac; from the
National Climate and Crop bulletin
shows the condition of the corr and
cotton crops, for the week ending July
25, 1898.
'.ID the great corn states of the cen.
trail valleys, Nebraska. Kansas. Iowa,
Missouri, Illinois, Indiana aud Ohio,
which produce considerably more than
half Of the entire product Of the Uaited
States, corn is generally 10 need ofrain,
and 10 Iowa and portions of Missouri
the crop is threatened with serious 10
Jury unless rain occurs sooD. iO the
Southern states continued favorable
reports concerning corn. which is
maturing rapidly, are received.
Reports of rust ADD shedding.
though probably less numerous than in
the previous week. continue from the
central and eastern portions of the cot
ton belt, where excessive rains 10 some
sec,ious have caused too rapid growth
of STALK The crop is in need of cul-
,ivation 10 portions Of South Carolina,
Mississippi. and Louisiana; some fields
ou the low laods Of Mississippi have
been abandoned. In Texas the crop
is generally promising. but boil wee''ls
are increasing. and it needs rain IN To-
calities. Picking has commenced in