The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-07-01
WEATHER AND CROPS.
In Parts OF the State PractioaIIy
Everything Suffering of Drought.

Very low temperatures during first
four days and rising temperature to
nearly normal warmth during the last 4
three. The extremes were mini.
mum OF 81 at Florence, Greenyille
and SpartanburS on the 14th and 1 5th,
and maximum of 90 at Blackyille on
the 18th. The relative humidity was
aonormally low until the 10th, and
the winds were fresh to brisk easterly
until the last two days when they
shifted to southerly. The sunshine
exceeded the normal but with gener-
ally cloudy weather on the 18th and
18th. The week was without rain. or
with only very light, scattered show
ers, until the 18th, when showers set
in over the extreme west, and contin-
ued during the 10th, but confined to
the western aud southwestern coun-
Ties, with a maximum fall of 2.44
inches at Spartanburg. The other
western counties had from one-half
TO one inch. In the other parts of
the State the soil has again become
very dry, and In places the drought ia
very severe, especially in portions of
York county. In most Of the central
| counties wells are failing and all but
the largest streams are dry, so that
water for domestic use and for cattle
| is scarce.
The absence Of rain, and the bright
sunshine, and drying winds were ia
vorable for Kidding fields of grass and
weeds, and most fields are clean and
well cultivated. These conditions
were also favorable for finishing wheat
and oats harvest, and for beginning
threshing, but the cool nights and
dry weather checked the growth Of all
crops, particularly cotton, pastures
and gardens.
The condition OF corn continues
promising, but it needs rain In most
sections as early corn is in the tassel-
ling stage. Much Of it has been laid
by. Worms in the tops are damaging
the crop in one county. Roasting
ears are available in the southernmost
portions
Cool nights materially checked the
growth OF cotton early in the week,
put higher temperatures at it's close
were more favorable. Lice infest
flelds over practically the entire State.
AS a rule the plants are small but
thrltty, and fields are clean and we'll
cultivated. Cotton is fruiting we'll
on sandy lands, and occasional blooms
are reported from the southern coun-
Ties. Sea island cotton Is doing we'll.
Tobacco continues promising, but
needs rain. Rice planting is finished;
early rice has received it's harvest
flooding. Melon vines are vigorous,
but late. 1T has been too dry to con-
tinue TO plant sweet potato slips, and
stands of those set out previously are
generally poor. The commercial peach
crop is good, but in many localities
peaches and apples are dropping ex-
cessively. Pastures ana gardens are
parched, and in need of rain. Sowing
peas on stubble lands progressed slow
iy as The soil has been too dry.
New Engines.
The Augusta Chronicle says the At.
lantic Coast Line has ordered thirty
new Baldwin locomotives. Five OF
Them are to be trailers" for the fast
passenger trains south OF Florence, s.
u; i've ten wheelers" for passenger
north of Florence five 'swtchers" and
ilfteen of the large cooper heads" for
freight service between Charleston,
Augusta and South Rocky Mount. The
Coast Line has also placed an order
with the Pullman Palace Car company
for thirty handsome veStibulted pas
senger coaches, six OF which have al
ready been received and now in SER
vice on the West Indian fast mail be-
tween Jersey City and Tampa.
The Augusta Herald says James J..
Hill, the railroad magnate, asserts
that eX-Attorney General Knox pre-
sented his bill and received fee of
100000 as an attorney OF the Steel
Trust. That method of trust bust
inrrO La nDfnntiun