The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-30
q. S. Department of Agricul-
ture, South Carolina
Section.
COLUMBIA, S. C, Angus! 20, 1899

During the week ending Aug. rs,
the temperature averaged about 5
degrees higher than usual. 90 nearly
every day, up TO Saturday, it rose to OF
above 100 degrees somewhere in the
State, with maximum of 102 at
Greenwood.
There we're scattered showers on the
22d, 24'h, 25th and 2o:h, very partial.
On the 9th general rain fell over the
western portion of the State. which
continued at intervals throughout Mon
day, when it covered the entire State.
Hail and high winds accompanied the
thunder storm in places
The rain will be of great benefit TO
ali late crops, and will revive aud assure
large crop Of sweet potatoes, and peas
for forage, and will help turnips and
add materially to the yield of late corn.
but it came too late for cotton and the
greater portion OF the corn crop
The first, and an almost immediate
effect of the rain was to cause cotton to
re-begin blooming, but the resulting
fruitage will hardly have time to
mature. 1t will, however, cause small
bolls to develop, aud premature open.
ing, which was the prevailing oondi.
ton, to cease. These good effects of
the rain cannot briog the crop up to
much, II aby, more than tvo-thirds of
an average yield, over a large portion
of the State A few counties vii! pro-
duce an average crop. Much cotton
opened during the week, anc picking
was quite active but was not pushed on
account OF the extreme heat. Rust
increased and is now very general.
Boil worms are reported from Barnwell
Comfy. Sea island cotton continues to
blight and shed and is less promising
than heretofore.
Late corn looks green but bears small
ears on slender stalks. The recent
rain will help to ell out the grain on
the ears. Fodder about all pulled from
early corn.
Tobacco cutting and curing is nearly
finished except 10 some of the western
counties where this crop is beisg culti
waited for the first time, and where it
has not quite reached maturity.
Rice is being harvested rapidly, aud
the pTecaut;ou is being taken to stack
it On high ground to avoid possible
flooding. Upland rice has not imprcy-
ed aud continues uppromis;Dg.
Army worms are travelling westward
and have appeared iu two western coun.
ties heretofore free from them this year.
Grass for hay is short crop, but it ia
rot too late for it to improve. Peas,
peanuts, sorghum, sugar cane and
sweet potatoes average a poor condl-
tiop, but have not advanced towards
maturity SO far but that good weather
will cause great improvement.
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS RE-
Oraug geburg-Springfeld The ef-
feots of weather decidedly against
crops cotton Gu! very short; the dry,
bot weather has destroyed the top crop !;
peas, turnips aud potatoes considerably
damaged; cotton one half open.-D.
E Sturkie.
Florence-E5euczer Another ex-
tremely dry week !; all minor crops such
as peas, peanuts, sorghum, sugar cane,
potatoes aud forage crops will be
complete failures unless much rain falls
soon fodder pulling about finished ;
cotton picking we'll under way; too dry
for turuips-J. G. Wilson.
Sumter-Bishopvile The very hot
and dry weather Of this week damaged
all growing crops greatly; cotton is
opening rapidly; late cotton, which
was very promising, is almost ruined
about thirds Of crop is all that
this section will produce rain on the
25sh will benefit late corn. peas, etc.
H. A. Mcleod
Darliugto gton-Darlingtou Weather