The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-22
Weekly Crop Bulletin.

Columbia, May 21.-During the week
ending Monday, May Goth, the tempe
rature averaged nearly normal with a
weekly mean of y degrees, and a
maximum of 81 at Yemassee on the
18th, and minimum of SO at Green
vile and Kingstree on the 10Th and
10Th. The sky averaged partly cloudy,
with slight deficiency in sunshine.
Light, scattered showers occurred
on the 18th and 18th, ranging in
amount of rainfall from trace to over
an inch, the latter in upper Darling
ton County, but on the 10Th quite gen.
eral, and in places heavy, rains occur
red probably covering the entire State,
that will materially modify, or entire
ly relieve, the drought that prevailed.
Hail occurred in many localities, but
without doing any serious damage, ex-
cept in three counties where hundreds
of acres of cotton had to be replant-
ed.
Cotton stands range from poor to
very good, the former being the pre-
vailing condition over the western
counties, especially on red lands,
where in localities the stands are the
poorest in many years. Some replant-
ing continues to be done, and first
planting has not been entirely finish
ed in the extreme northwest portion,
having been delayed by drought.
Chopping is general, and cultivation
we'll underway. Sea island cotton has
poor stands and is making slow
growth. There is a slight improve
ment, over the previous weeks condi-
tion of the cotton crop.
Corn has improved in general ap-
pearance, but confines small, and has
irregular stands. Cut worms and birds
are destroying stands in number OF
localities. Second cultivation is under
way in the eastern counties, and first
cultivation Of early corn is general
over the western, where also bottom
lands are being planted to corn.
Tobacco has poor stands, except
where there was copious rainfall, and
in Horny County. some fields have
been plowed up and planted to cotton.
The dry weather affected the young
plants seriously. In some sections
more tobacco will be planted as soon
as the ground receives enough mois-
ture to make it fit.
Wheat continues to DO well. and has
large well filed heads. but in places
stock in urgent need of rain. Chinch
bugs are damaging il in Lancaster and
York connties. Oats have suffered
deterioration in many places for want
of moisture, and in places are head
ing too low to cut This crop is ripen-
ing rapidly and some has been cut.
Its general condition continues promis-
ing.
Rice has not uniformly good stands,
but generally so; planting and pre-
parations for June planting continue.
Sweet potato draws are scarce: some
have been set out. Where dug, white
potato yields are poor and the tubers
are small: Colorado beetles are very
destructive over large areas. Melon
stands are not perfect, and are small.
Peaches are dropping: apples are
scarce on trees; blight has appeared on
many pear and apple trees. Berries
will be abundant a number of cor
respondents report farm labor scarce.
Philadelphia, May 1S.-Thomas B.
Wanamaker's handsome country resi-
dence at Meadow Brook station, one
mile from Bethayres. Pa, was totally
destroyed by FIRE this morning. The
loss is estimated at $500, coo. Mr..
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