The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-26
Climate ahd Crop Condition.
q. S. Department of Agricul.
tnre, South Carolina
Section.
COLUMBIA, S. c., July 25, 1899.

COLUMBIA, S. c., July 20, 1879.
The week ending July 24ih averaged
about 8 degrees per day hotter than
usual, With weekly mean of tempera'
ture os "a degrees. bat the maximum
temperature did not reach the extreme
figure of the previous week. The
nights were uniformly hot.
There were light, scattered showers
ou the 17tb, and the two following
dates, bas at few points only vas the
rainfall heavy enough to break the
drought Charleston had 90 inch ;
Kiogstree l. 05 ard Summer7ille 3.13
inches; elsewhere the amounts were
generally under half an inch, while
over the greater portion of the State
practically 20 rain fell The drought
has reached serious stage Crops of
all kinds have deteriorated, ard some.
such as old corn, etc are 10 places
ruined. The prospects are reported to
be gloomy" aad appalling" in
places. No amount of rainfall, corre-
sponaepts say, would restore the failing
crops to profitable yields Water for
stock is scarce, and in places cattle are
dying. Light showers have
fallen in portions Of the state sioce
most Of the reports we're received.
Cotton failed rapidly and drought
has stopped growth, it is turning yellow
as though natur log, and is shedding
leaves and fruit. The plants are
blooming from bottom to top. These ore
the prevailing conditions, but in spots
cotton continues to do we'll. Sea
island cotton. while generally in excel
lent condition, is olighsipg to consid-
erable extent.
Ola corn is injured beyond recovery
in many ccunsees, and generally It is
bat poor crop. Corn on bottom lands
is very good. Fodder pulling has begun
in the eastern counties.
Tobacco was severely injured in
places by tie drought and extreme heat;
the leaves are suuburned. aod the quail
isy Of the crop is reduced. Where
timely rains fell, the crop is very 6ne.
Curing is general.
Early rice is heading. The crop
stands in need of rain, generally. aud
Of water 70. flooding, where not laid
BY. Upland rice has suffered froo heat
and drought
Comparatively few ewee; potato slips
have been set ont. Stand Of peas on
'tubble is dying in places TIE com
nercial crop of melons about all chip.
ped. Sugar cane, sorghum and mi!let
,os growing we'll. Pastures very
'cans. In the Charleston truck district,
;ae weather conditions we're favorable
'or prepariog fields for autumn plszs-
ng.
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENT RE
PORTS.
Darliogtou-Society Hill Excessive
,ea: accompanied by drought has been
disastrous to corn and tobacco !; cotton
,as suffered less, but needs moisture to
retain its fruit; minor crops need rain
osdly.-Maj j J Lucas.
Florencs-Lynoh: Light rain or the
l7tb, but no: enough to do much good;
al crops and gardens are nearly
ruined ; i. seems that corn will be
failure tobacco is badly sunburned (;
cotton has about stopped growiug.-E
J Smith.
Oraage5urg-BounaD Crops are
suffering for rain generally, more THAI
at aOy time this year; cotton is she'd
ding forms aud leaves badly 10 some
fields; corr is about made WREN planted
early, and this crop will be fairly good
sugar cane backward ; early rice begin.
ping to head pastures failing some =
B o Evans.
Riobland d-Copgares Cool, desic-
eating winds hot sun aud lack Of
moisture have we'll nigh ruined all
growing crops cotton fred sod
oorn ia not filiinp ont we'll