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

Columbia. S. G, May 2, 1900
The week ending Monday April Both,
was the warmest of the season TO
date, with the average temperature 6
aDoct 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 sufi,
cien: sunshine, except over the e1
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 week 9
rainfall, it was as rule beneficial il
softeniDg the crust that had formed
on plowed lands following the heavy
rains of the previous week.
Planted fields are becoming grassy,
and are in need of cultivation, and
clay lands are becoming baked and
bard as they dry. Over the western
half of the State. preparation Of lands
and planting were generally resu med
on the 9th on uplands, but lowlands
continue to be two we: to work
Corn planting is about finished in
the eastern half cf the State. where
most off IS up to good stands and is
being cultivated In places it was
injured by too much rain. In the
western counties there is still much
upland, and all bottom land. ccrn to
plant, although early corn is coming
up to fair stands. Cut worms, birds
and rats have injured stands, neces-
stating much replanting.
Cotton planting is practically I'm.
ished IN the eastern counties, and it
is comiDg up quickly to good stands.
Some cotton is large enough to plow
and is being chopped Fields are
becoming grassy In the central and.
western counties, lands for cotton
are all prepared, aud from two thirds
TO ope half of the crop remains to be
planted. In places this work was
barely begun before the rains of the
previous week. bet has been resumed
aud is being hurried.
Tobacco transplanting made rapid
and favorable progress, with plants
fine and plentiful, although scarce
in places This work soon will be
finished. The first planting being
cultivated A number of cores
poudeDts report a reduction In the
acreage devoted tobacco.
Rice planting continues, but is
making slow progress owing to high
water and freshets in the rivers inun.
dating rice lands and ipjurying the
banks of the streams. Upland rice
lie doing well
All reports on wheat continue
favorable. except that rust has ap
peared in spots. Oats are improv
ing, aud are beginning to head, but
are heading low in places The oats
crop will be larger than before esti
mated. owing to the recent favorable
weather cOn0ltlons
The indications are that the fruit
crop will be the largest in a number
of years Apple and pear trees are
blightiug badly Peaches set large
crop everywhere, but there are
complaints of the fruit drop
ping Strawberries are ripening,
aud being shipped Gardens
and truck have improved, and
vegetables are becoming p;enti,
ful, except over the western counties,
where gardens are late. Melons
and cane coming up to good stands.
Pas,urage abundant Potato bugs
are numerous and damaging
Richland -Copgaree: Have had
an exceptionally dne week for farm
WORK; ligh: rainfall on Tuesday !: