The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-04-19
THE WEATHER. AND CROPS,

The following is the weekly bulletin
issued by the weather bureau in
Columbia as to the condition OF the
crops in this State:
COLUMBIA, s. c., April II, 1898.
The weather during February was
steadily cool and dry, the rainfall
amounting to only "A per cent. of the
normal for the State. The actual rain
iall averaged 5.46 inches less than the
normal during January and February,
ana the defcie ICY was further III
creased in places only, during March
out 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
the preparation Of lands during Feb.
ruary and March, which work pro-
gressed rapidly and is now about ten
Gays IN advance Of its usual stage for
this date, with field practically all
reaoy Tor corn and cotton. Even bot
tom lands that are usually too wet to
be rlowed until about May have been
IN good condition for working. Plant
Ing oil the staple crops was in advance
OF the season up to the beginning Of
april, since then the cool weather
ana heavy rains have retarded this
work, especially over the western por-
tions of the State, where the ground
was frozen hard on two mornings.
The temperature for the week aver
aged . degrees per day below the nor
MAJ, with a mean OF 50 for the State.
The range OF temperature was be-
tween S3 on the 9th at White Hall and
20 on the 7th at Central.
Ice formed on the 7th as far east as
hampton county, while in the more
westerly portions the ground was
lroZen. Thin ice was noted on the Sth in
the western counties.
| Frost occurred on four MORNINGS. hut
that on the 7th was general and damag-
ing over the entire State, severe
enough along the coast to materially
lbJure garden truck, CCrn and cotton
that was up, but not hurting fruit.
Throughout the &C ntral counties fruit
escaped unhurt except over limited
areas where peaches and plums were
badly damaged. Throughout the
northern and extreme western border
couuties, where the temperature fell
to from to I degrees below freezing,
u appears to be the exceptional lo:ali
ties where peaches and plums escaped.
Grapes, apples, pears and the sevaral
varieties OF wild fruits and berries ap-
pear to be unhurt; wheat and oat,
only slightly hurt in a few localities !;
corn, beans tomatoes, aud melons,
where up were considerably injured
he rainfall was copous over the
greater portion Of the State during the
week, and very evenly distributed,
ranging in amounts from So inch to
: S3 inches.
The average of all reports is 1.4l
while the State normal for the same
| IL "a M inn, a, ~
rainfall does not show in the above
average except from two stations.
There Is now plenty OF moisture in
the ground for the present needs ol
growing crops, and in places over the
w.St central portions OF the State farm.
Work is delayed by the wet condition
Of the soil.
| There was less than normal amount
OF sunshine during the week, and the
winds were cold northcrly or north
easter eily
Vegetation of all kinds made but
little if any growth during the week as
the temperature fell below the active
growing point, each night, over q
large portion OF the State.
Owing to the favorable weather
during March farmwork is well ad-
vanced and corn has been planted in
all portions OF the State, being practi-
cally finished for early corn over the
more cas-, s,erly portions.
Much that was up was injured by
lrOst, the damage was especially severe
in Horny county.
The usual amount OF replanting it
necessary on account OF crows and Gus
worms, the latter giving much trouble
in places during the cool weather.
Corn that had been recently cultivated
was baoly hurt by frost, while fields
were untouched.
Cotton planting has made consider
able progress over the eastern cOun-
ties, while little has been planted over
the western portions or in the extreme
northeast, but the preparation Of lands
Is well advanced and indicates that
about the same area will be put to cot
ton as last year. AS but little cotton
was up, the damage by frost WIS slight
Sea-island up in many places and look
ing well.
Rice planting is well ad dyanced un-
usually so in the lower rice districts,
while in the Georgetown dts.rict fair
progress has been made.
Tobacco plants are plentiful and
large for the season very little trans
plantlng mas Ueen done yet owing to
the cool weather.
Oats are looking very promising, ex-
cept in portions Of the southeastern
counties where it was too dry during
the winter. Frost apparently did not
hurt much. if at all, simply checked
its rapid growth. The same l.. true OF
wheat, although wheat in places turn
ed slightly yellow. AS neither wheat
nor oats had begun to "joint,' at the
time the most severe frost occurred,
they will not be materially hurt by the
free re.
Melons, where up, were badly frosted
and garden truck in general suffered
moro or less in all portions, of the
State, even in the coast truck districts
We frOstS in April are very rare
Pastui age started to grow well in
March Dut lattcrly has been rather
scant. Gardens very backward GEN
orally, although instances are repo, ted
OF remarkably early maturity Large
shipments are being made from the
Charleston district OF straw berries,
beans, peas and potatoes.
j. w BAUER, Director.
HILL ARP WRITES ON WAR.
The People DO Not Appear to he Much
| Arc In, al