The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1898-04-22
FIRST CROP REPORT.
Vegetation of All Kinds Made Little
Growth During the Week.

Vegetation of All Kinds Made Little
Growth During the Week.
The following is the first of the
weekly bulletins of the weather bureau
for the crop season of 1898:
U. >. Department of Agriculture,
South Carolina Section, Climate and
Crop Service, Weather Bureau,
Weekly Crop Bulletin.
Columbia, $. G., April t2, 1898.
The weather during February was
steadily cool and dry, the rainfall
amounting to only ~ per cent. of the
normal for the State. The actual rain
normal during January and February,
mud the deficiency was further increas-
ed, In places only, during March. but
has been considerably reduced by the
generous rainfall of April up to date,
which has brought the total amount
since March lst about equal to
the normal for this period.
These conditions were favorable for
tho preparation of lands during Febru-
airy and March, which work progressed
rapidly and is now about ten days in
advance of its usual stage for this
date, with fields practically all ready
Tor corn and cotton. Even bottom luuds
that are usually too wet to be plowed
condition for working Planting of the
staple crops was in advance of the sea
son up to the beginning Of April. since
then the cool weather and heavy rains
have retarded this work, especially
over the western portions of the State,
where the ground was frozen hard on
two mornings.
Vegetation of oil kinds made but lit
tie If any growth during the week as
the temperature fell below the active
growing point, each night, over large
portion of the State.
Owing to the favorable weather dur
ing March farm work Is we'll advanced
and corn has been planted in portions
OF the State. being practically finished
for early corn over the more easterly
portions.
Much that was up was injured by
frost, the damage WAS especially severe
III Horny county.
Ihe usual amount of replanting is
necessary on account of crows and cut
worms, the latter giving much trouble
IN places during the cool weather Corn
that had been recently cultivated was
badly hurt by tho frost, while fields
near by that had not been worked were
untouched
Cotton planting has made consider
able progress over the eastern counties,
while little has been planted over the
western portions or III tho extreme
northeast, bat the preparation of lands
Is we'll advanced and indicates that about
the same area will be put in cotton MS
last year. As but little cotton was up,
the damage by frost was slight. Sea
island cotton is up in many places and
looking we'll
klco planting is we'll advanced, un-
usually so in the lower rice districts.
while In the Georgetown fair progress
has been made
Tobacco plants are plentiful and large
Tor the season; very little trauspautinc
has been done yet, owing TO the cool
weather.
Oats are looking very promising. OK.
cept In portions of the south eastern
counties, where it was so drv during
the winter. Frost apparently did not
hurt much, if at all, simply checked its
rapid growth. The same is true of
wheat. although wheat in places
turned slightly yellow. AS neither
wheat nor oats had begun to ..joint"
at the time the most severe frost oc.
Cured, they will not be materially
hurt by the freeze
Melons where up were badly frosted,
and garden truck in general suffered
more or less in oil portions of the State.
even in the coast truck districts. where
frosts in April are very rare. Pastur
age started to grow very well in March.
but latterlv has been rather scant
Gardens very backward generally,
although instances are reported of re-.
markably early maturity. Large ship.
ments are being mado from the Char.
lesion district of strawberries, beans,
peas and potatoes. j. W.BAuEB.
Sec. Dir, Columbis, $. C.