The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-05-09
THE CROPS.
Weekly Bulletin Of the United States
Weather Crop Service.

The following is the weekly report Of
the condition of the weather and the
crops of the State during the past week,
issued last week by Director Bauer Of
the South Carolina section of the
United States weather bureau:
The week ending Monday, April Both
was the warmest of the season to date,
with tie average temperature about
four degrees warmer than usual. AL
though complaints Of cool nights, with
consequent injury to young cotton,
were common, the temperature was
generally favorable on growing crops.
There was sufficient sunshine, except
over the extreme western counties,
where cloudiness prevailed.
Light showers were general on the
oath, 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, it vas
as rule beneficial in softening the
crust that had formed on ploWed lands
following the heavy rains Of the previ-
Gus week.
Planted fields are becoming grassy,
and are in need Of cultivation. and clay
lands are becoming baked and hard as
they are dry. Over the western half Of
the State, preparation of lands and
planting we're generally resumed on the
9th on uplands, but lowlands continue
to Be two wet to work.
Corn planting is about finished in
the eastern half of the State, where
most of it is up to good stands and is
being cultivated. In places it was in
jured by two much rain. In the west
ern counties there is still much upland,
and all bottom land, corn TO plant,
although early corn is coming up to
fair stands. Cut worms, birds and rats
have injured stands, necessitatlng
much replanting.
Cotton planting is practically fnish-
ed in the eastern counties, and it is
coming up quickly to good stands.
Some cotton is large enough to plow
and is being chopped. Fields are be-
coming grassy. In the central and
western counties, lands for cotton are
not all prepared, and from two-thirds
to one half of the crop remains to be
planted. In places this work was bare
ly begun before the rains Of the previ-
Gus week, but has been resumed and is
being hurried.
Tobacco transplanting made rapid
progress, with plants fine and plenti-
full, although scarce in places. This
work soon will be finished. The first
plants being cultivated. A number Of
correspondents report reduction in
the acreage devoted to tobacco.
Rice planting continues, but is max
ing slow progress owing to high water
and freshets in the rivers inundatiDg
rice lands and iDjuring the banks Of the
streams. Upland rice is doing well.
All reports on wheat continue favor
able, except that rust has appeared in
spots. Oats are improving, and are be-
ginning to head, but are heading low
in places. The oats crop will be larger
than heretofore estimated, owing to
the recent favorable weather condi-
tions.
The Indications are that the fruit
crop will be the largest in number Of
years. Apple and pear trees are blight
ing badly. Peaches set large crop
everywhere, but there are complaints
Of the fruit dropping. Strawberries
are ripening, and being shipped. Gar
dens and truck have improved, and
vegetables are becoming plentiful, ez-
cept over the western counties, where
gardens are late. Melons and cane
coming up to good stands. Pasturage
abundant. Potato bugs are numerous
and damaging.