The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-06-04
SOUTH CAROLINA CROPS.
The Condition of Crops at the Gloss
of the Past Week.

of the Past Week.
The week ending 8 a.. M, Monday,
May oath, had q mean temperature OF
70 degrees, which is 5 degrees above
normal, making this the hottest week
Of the year, as well as the first, since
the crop season began, that was warmr
or than the normal. There was a grad
ual increase in warmth from the be-
ginning to the end of the week, at
which time temperatures above 80 de-
grees were observed over the entire
State. The sunshin was largely In eI.
cess Of the usual and averaged about
30 degrees Of the possible. The winds
we're light westerly to %southerly. The
warmer weather was favorable to
crops and has given corn and cotton
a healthier LOOK, and started a rapid
growth wherever the ground contains
enough moisture. The conditions were
also favorable for the rapid progress
Of farm work.
The weeks rainfall consisted Of gan
orally light. scattered showers, that
fell on the 21st and 23rd. Portions OF
Hampton county had excessive pre-
c~ipitation, while the north central and
western counties had none. Light hail
fell in Kershaw. The need Of rain is
felt over the whole State, but only in
the north central and western counties
has the drought become serious. In
these sections, the lands have become
too dry and hard to work and gen.
orally they break up cloddy. Com
plant Is widespread that recently
planted corn and cotton cannot come
up until 1t rains, and that all crops are
suffering for want Of moisture, with
a consequent falling off in condition,
and that growth is at q standstill.
The weather conditions were favor
able on cotton, and a rapid improve
ment is indicated. but stands continue
to be irregular and in number Of To-
calities the plants are dying out,
while recently planted seeds are slow
in coming up. The early planted came
up poorly, with much ~replantiny still
being done, whole fields being, in some
instances. plowed up and planted over.
Chopping is general, and in a few To-
calities nearly finished. Fields are
clean, as a rule, except In Beaufort
county. Spaisland cotton has i'm
proved in condition, stand and color,
but all cotton is small for the season.
The condition Of corn is variable,
but with a general improvement dur
ing the past week, due to the more
favorable weather. Worms continue to
destroy stands Of young corn. All corn
Is small for the season. There Is still
much to plant in the north central and
western counties. Fields are well cul-
tivated and clean.
Tobacco improved under the In
fuence of bright sunshine and the hot
weather. 1t is buttoning low In I
ence and the stalks are spindling in
Kershaw. The crop as a whole is quite
promising. Minor crops show marked
improvement, especially melons and
rice, but they stand urgently In need
of rain. The fruit prospects suffered
slight i'm pairment from dropping. al
though an average crop Is still ind
Gated. Wheat continues poor, but the
reports on oats are more favorable and
indicate a larger crop than has here
tofore been expected. They are ripen-
ing and some have been harvested.
Chinch bugs have damaged oats In
York county. Late truck is doing well
and beans are being freely shipped.
Early peaches are being marketed.
Pastures are failing.-J. w. Bauer,
Section Director.