The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-02
Wee ky Crop Bulletin.

Oo'umois. .. " Way =, lvUU-
The week ending Monday April 30,b.
was the wsrmest of the season TO
date, with the average temperature o
about four degrees warmer than
usual Although complaints of cool
nights, with consequent injury to
young COTTON, were common, the
temperature was generally favorable
on growing crops There was suffi.
ciens sunshine. except over the ex
treme western counties, where cloud
mess prevailed.
Light showers were general on the
24th and scattered showers on the
9th, the latter generally confined to
the southeastern portions of the
State. While in places farm work
was further delayed by the weeks
rainfall. Il was % Q rule beneficial in
softeuiDg the crust that bad formed
on plowed lsuds following the heavy
rains of the previous week.
Planted fields are becoming grassy,
and are in need of cultivation, and
clsy lands are becoming baked and
hard - they dry. Over the western
hslf OF the State. preparation of lands
and planting were generally resu med
on the 9th on uplsnds. but lowlands
continue to be two wet to work.
Corn planting is about finished in
the eastern half of the State. where
most of fit 10 up to good stands and is
being cultivated. In places it was
injured BY too much rain. In the
western counties there is s.ill much
uplsnd. aud oil bottom land. corn to
plant, although early corn 10 coming
up TO fair stands. Cut worms, birds
and rats have injured stands. ueces.
sitssing much replanting.
Cotton planting is practically 6n.
ished IN the eastern counties, and it
10 coming up quickly to good stands.
Some cotton 10 large enough to plow
and 10 being chopped Fields are
becoming grassy. In the central and
western counties. lands for cotton
are oil prepared. and from two thirds
10 one half Of the crop remains to be
planted. lo places this work was
barely begun before the rains of the
previous week. bot has been resumed
sud 10 being hurried.
Tobacco transplantiug made rapid
and favorable progress. With plants
ine and plentiful, although scarce
In places This work soon will be
flushed. The fret planting being
cultivated A number of CORES.
poudeuts report . reduction in the
acreage devoted tobacco.
Rice planting continues. but is
making Glow progress owing to high
water sod freshets in the rivers inun.
dating rice lsnds and iDjurying the
banks Of the streams. Upland rice
10 doing we'll
All reports oE wheat continue
favorable. except that rust has ap
psared 10 spots. Oats are improv
ing. aud are beginning to head, but
are heading low 10 places The oats
crop will be larger than before esti
mated. owing to tho recent favorable
weather conditions.
The Indications are that the fruit
crop will be the largest in Q number
ofyesrs Apple and pear trees are
blightiug badly Peaches set . large
crop everywhere. but there are
complaints OF the fruit drop
ping Strawberries are riponipe.
and being shipped Gardens
and truck have improved. and
vegetables are becoming pienti.
fol. except over the western counties.
whore gardens arc late. Melons
aud cane coming up TO good stands.
Pastursge abundant Potato bugs
are numerous and damaging.
Richlsnd -Congaree: Have had
sn exceptionally fine week for farm
work; light rainfall on Tuesday ;
farmers busy planting aud replsntiug;