The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
Weekly Crop Bulletin.

Columbia, May l2.-Ihe week emo
ing s a m., Monday, May 18th, had 8
mean temperature of about IS degrees,
which is between degrees and de-
grees below normal. TIE temperature
for the season since April 1st to date
has been below normal. There were a
few comparatively warm days early IN
the week, followed by steady low tenn
peratures and fresh easteriy winds,
that had detrimental effect on crop
growth, and made termination slow.
This condition prevailed over the
whole State. There was an excess OF
cloudiness that had harmful ten
dency.
The rainfall at the close of the pre-
vious week and the beginning of this
one, covered practically the entire
State, but with small localities where
IL was light, or absent, and with hail
over a wide extent of country reach
ing from Anderson county along the
Savannah river to Barnwell, and with
the western limits on line from Lex
ington to Lancaster, thence extending
eastward almost to the coast, and into
the extreme northeastern counties.
The hail was heaviest, and most de-
structive, in portions of Edgefeld,
Florence, Darlington, Lancaster,
Chesterfield and Marlboro counties,
although quite heavy in few other
counties. In the counties named,
whole fields of tobacco and cotton were
destroyed, as well as much fruit,
necessitating extensive replating Of the
two first named crops. Rainy condi-
tions prevailed over the eastern coun-
ties on the 9Th and 9th, with heavy
rainfall along the coast where it was
most needed, but none over the wes-
tern counties on these dates, where the
need of rain is Indicated to soften clay
lands that have become hard and break
up cloddy under the plow.
Corn planting is finished, except on
bottom land, and much is up to fairly
good stands, but is growing slowly,
and looks sickly. Birds and worms
continue damaging especially on bot
tom lands, and great deal Of replant-
ing is being done. Much corn has re-
ceiyed its first, and some its second
cultivation.
There is an improvement in the
stand of cotton, as late paintings are
coming up better than early ones;
much of the latter was replanted and
this is now coming up to fairly good
stands. Planting is nearing compile
tion. Some fields have been chopped.
Cotton is growing slowly and looks
sickly from the effects Of the easterly,
cold winds.
Tobacco has fair stands, but con-
tinues small. Transplanting is finish
ed, and relpanting generally finished.
While oats continue poor, and will not
make even fair crop, there is gener-
al alimprovementiinss Condition, especially
where the rainfall was heaviest. Oats
are in full head, and ripening in the
eastern counties, but the heads are not
filing well. Wheat continues poor,
owing to rust and hessian flies. Some
fields of grain have been plowed under
and planted to other crops. Fruit
continues promising, although there
are numerous reports of dropping. The
commercial crop Of peaches will be
an average one, from present indica-
tions. Rice is doing poorly. Melons
need warmer weather. Upland pas
lures are failing in the western coun-
ties. Gardens are doing well Truck
ers are shipping beans, white potatoes
and large quantities of berries. The
western counties need rain, and the
whole State warmer weather.