The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-25
CoLUMB1A, S G. May As

ABOUT ~
| Showers occurred on the 17th,
18th and 23rd, being widely scatter.
| ed and generally light on the first
two Oates On the 23rd good rains
fell in Lexington, Greenwood and
Greenville counties and light show
ers near the coast Some rain was
reported from 25 places, but only 8
reported measurements of 025 or
more, with maximum fall of LIS at
Batesburg The average for the
State is 0.17 of an inch and the nor.
NAL for the same period is approx.
mateIy 0 49,
With few and limited exceptions
rain is urgently needed over the en-
tire State. Grain crops are threat.
ened serious injury by continuation
Of the dry weather until they ripen
Minor field crops and gardens all
need rain TO start them growing. and
even corn, and to a less extent cot.
ton. need rain
In the Southeastern and South
Central counties all crops are parch
ed, wells are going dry and streams
are at an extremely low stage The
drought extends along the coast to
Horry. while io Berkeiy. Darlington
and Marlboro counties frequent aud
beneficial showers occurred during
the week
There was about 80 per cent of the
possible bright sunshine. the lowest
percentage reported was SO /; the
highest 100.
The winds were generally light
sonthwes.etly, dry and parcbiug and
together with the bright sunshine and
high temperature caused the surface
Of the ground to become very dry
Hail occurred on the 18th in Aiken
and Greenwood counties, in the lat
ter the hail destroyed cotton along
narrow path. A severe hail storm
occurred in the vicinity of Batesburg
on the 22od. but did little or no
damage
Tie high temperature add bright.
warm sunshine had decidedly favor.
able inauaoce on the stap.s Geld crops
causing general improvement in COO
diiioa
Where showers occurred ,he improve
men. va, particularly marked. -ishoosh
IS has been stated. the oeei Of rain is
general and urgens over sbe eosife state
as the partial showers covered compare
lively small areas.
Cora has made allow growth bat i'm
provemeos is noted 10 It's general sp-
peasance as TO color and stand, although
the latter Was damaged by cas worms
90 bottom laads, bud worms which are
more numerous thao for many years
10 York county, and wire worms par
sicuIarly damaging 10 Chesterfield coon.
ty. Owing to the dry condition of the
soil. late planting is not coming up
veil. and much bottom laod yet to
piaot, awaitiog raiu to put the ground
in condition for planting Core is
eyerywhere small foe the season,
but the 6elds are we'll cultivated R.in
is badly needed for corn.
Cotton has stopped dyiog except 10
few localities aod shows Improvement
duriog the week 10 color, staod ADD
growth. although 10 the Isss respect the
plant i. 90. up to lite usual siss at THE
season S'suds. also. are generally be-
low az average, With, aowe,er, exoep-
tiooaily even and foil stsuds noted 10
macy localities Late planting aad re
planted cotton couiog up slcwly owing
to lack OF moisture aud crusted soil
particularly on red ia"ds aaa stiff.
heavy soils. A few reports received OF
cotton fields having beeo plowed up
aud planted to corn. Chopping to
stands has been completed 10 few To-
caiities only. but uade rapid progress.
and was general in all portio"s Of the
State being generally ffom bali to
| Ay-.. foo..Le Eo;ohe1 Fields are gem