The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1898-05-13
CONDITION OF CROPS.
What the Fourth Weekly Bulletin
Says Young Crops Arc Doing.

of the condition Of the weather and
| crops of the State as issued from tho
United States weather bureau at Col
ahbia by J. w. Bauer, section direc-
;or:
The week opened with seasonable
| ~armth, but by the middle of the
week the temperature fell to almost
freezing over the central counties. Ice
was, indeed, reported, from various
points and as far Southward rs Hamp-
ton and Barnwell counties, with heavy
white frost on the morning & April
2Sth over the State generally, " Yud-
ing the vicinity of Charleston. " Shat
morning the temperature was as DIV,
or lower, than the previous records OF
the weather bureau. extending over
period of IL years, show for the third
decade of April.
The cold weather did not last long
and the week ended with temperatures
| considerably above the normal.
The average of ~ places reporting
mean temperature was 80 for the week.
| while the normal for the same period
| is approximately IS. The temperature
ranged between q minimum of "a on
the 2Sth at Santuc and Little Mountain
and u maximum of 80 on May lst at
Batesburg.
The cold. heavy rain of April 30,
21th was general over the State, and III
places accompanied by high winds,
| sleet and hail. In the southeastern
portions of the State the rain was need
ed, aud in the vicinity of Charleston
more would prove beneficial, but gen
orally this rain fell on an already satu-
| rated soil, causing minor creeks and
branches to overflow. and in Edgetie!d
county damaging lands washing them.
| Considering tho area and Typographical
diversity of the State, the rainfall was
| remarkable for its even distribution.
-Four places only, out of A., reported
| amounts Of less than one inch; IL of
| from one to two inches, 10 of from to
| 3 inches, and - with 3 inches or more.
| The following excessive measurements
were reported: Mont Glare i. 90, Oak
land j.25; Alcolu $50, Shiloh 5.2G
inches. The average for the State was
}. 81 and the normal for the same per
iod approximately q. 13.
The sunshine averaged II per cent.
! of the possible. The prevailing winds
were from noathwest to northeast,
generally cold, and at times high
and We're an important factor i'll max
ing tho weather unfavorable to crops.
All correspondents, without eXccps
ton, characterize tho past week as
growth of crops, by reason OF too
much rain or too low temperatures, or
both, as the bad effects of high winds
III places.
Little progress was made IN planting
corn, and germination of recently
! planted corn Is slow. 1t is coming up
to irregular stands, although some sec
tions report fair stands. Much re,
planting is necessary and worms are
damaging corn badly in places. The
cool weather caused it to look yellow
and checked its growth. Early corn is
receiving its second cultivation. Some
bottom lands have been planted, but
the recent rains made them too wet,
and stopped planting operations on
them. The recent frost did not kill
any corn.
Wet and cold weather have had II had
effect on cotton, which everywhere has
stopped growing. Some cotton was
killed by the frost, although such dam
age was confined 10 limited areas, but
the frost eilectually checked Its growth
everywhere and gave ita setback. Seed
recently planted are slow i'll coming IE
aud much rcplauting necessary. Some
fields where the cutton failed 10 come
up or was killed by frost are being
planted in corn. Little progress WAS
iA"N'S ~ pi'tH'iiir' t.N' o'Si 'iiO "SE'AS.i ~
and northwestern counties much land
already prepared, remains to be planted
to cotton.
Transplanting Of tobacco is nearly
finished In the more SOUtheriy districts
and is we'll under way in Marion and
Marlboro counties. The ground is in
good condition in regard to moisture,
but too cool for the young plants. In
jury from cut worms is also reported.
Melons were killed by the frost oil
the 2sth, i'll places, and badly set back
everywhere. The reports indicate n
very poor stand of melons aud point tC
a late crop.
The frnit outlook is on the whole
very promising, few localities only
report total destruction by the frost Of
early April. while few scattered re-
ports indicate that peaches and plums
are dropping badly. The frost of the
week did no injury to fruit. First crop
of figs evidently destroyed. Heavy
shipments OF strawberries from Flor
ence. Marion, Darlington. and Marl.
boro counties were made this week.
Oats continue to look promising, cX-
ccpt in ,jetiries Creek section, where
they are failure. Wheat is heading
and growing nicely, although some
what vellowcd by the cool weather.
Pastures have improved rapidly. Gar.
dens are later than usual. but are Weld.
in~ early vegetables enough to supply
local demands over the whole State.
Farm work Is well UP to Tic require.
mentS of the various crops
Alaska has its public schools. But
instead Of large. finely equipped school
buildings, which accommodate several
hundred grade scholars. the school
children there study their lessons in
rough frame houses. The missionary