The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-04-26
Climate and Crop Con-
ditloD.
q. S. Department of Agricul'
ture, South Carolina
Section.
COLUMBIA, S. G April 18, 1899.

24th, averaged slightly cooler than
usual, bat without any abnormaliy low
temperatures.
The weather was generally cloudy
and threatening during the first part Of
the week, with light but insufficient
showers over the entire State on the
18th and 18th, except in the southeast
ern portion, where, in places, over an
inch of rain fell. Where the rainfall
was heavy enough, it proved very ben
edcial to growing crops of all kinds.
Stiff lands that we're plowed when wet,
or which have not been plowed, have
become baked and hard, and rain is
needed to soften tie ground and would
be beneficial OF recently planted seed
and for wheat and oats, which. in places,
are beginning to head.
Corn planting is practically finished
over the eastern portions OF tie State,
where much replanting is necessary,
owing to poor stands due to defective
seed, cut worms and the ravages Of
birds Over the western portionss corn
planting is we'll advanced and progress.
ing favorably.
Cotton planting was general during
the week, except over the extreme west
ern portions, where but little has been
planted. This work is from half to
thirds finished ever the eastern and
central portions.
Much tobacco vas transplansed and
the work is geueral over the entire
tobacco raising districts, and is being
rushed to completion in Horny and
Marion counties.
Rice planting continues and some is
already up. A large acreage ls being
deroted to melons. Sugar cane aud
sorghum are coming up to COCA stands.
Gardens show great Improvement. Pas.
lures now afford good grazing.
Farm work, in all it's branches, made
rapid progress uuder the prevailing
favorable weather conditions. The pros.
poets for fruit crop continue poor for
peaches and probably pears, with an
average crop of apples and blackbetr!es.
Charleston - Charleston Rainfall
1.35 inches, highly beneficial low
temperature injurious to plant growth !;
sea-island cotton and rice planting still
in progress potato bugs quite destruc.
tive oats fairly good crop.-L N
Jesunofsky.
Clarendon-St. Paul Sunsbise and
showers favorable for planting aad
gernination stands Of corn irregular ;
cotton planting progressing /; oats
good season late, but good for farm.
ihg.-A j Richbourg.
Darliugton-Society Hill !: Trans.
planting tobacco has begun, and will
be pushed to completion should the
weather prove favorable rain is need
ed for field crops and gardens, owing
to high winds drying the soil weather
unfavorable for the termination of
seed /; much work has been accomplish
this week. J Lucas.
Florenoe-Florenee Cotton plant
ing about finished tobacco plants are
being set out; there is large increase
of the tobacco acreage 10 shis county
strawberries being shipped =; more
wheat planted than ever before little
or 10 fruit; 6g trees killed.-E W
Lloyd.
Kershaw-Camden The week has
been too cool and dry for the rapid ger
mination Of seeds ]; some early planted
corn will have to be replauted in
places rain is needed to soften the
ground, which in many places cannot
be plowed. J B Mickle.
Sumser-Aagood All farm work
is progressing satisfactorily past week
was favorable /; rain on the 20th was
very beneficial cotton planting we'll
under way birds have damaged corn
and broken stands wheat very PROM
ising and oats up to the usual average !;
there will be few plums, peaches, and
pears, but most of the fruit was killed
h1 tbo EaLr1or1 froo1, "A K Sandara