The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-05-06
CLIMATE AND CROP REPORT
Four Frosts and Ice Twice Rctards
and Injuries Crops OF All Kinds.


Following is Section Director Bauer's
weekly crop and climate bulletin is
sued last week:
The week ending s Il. M, April 25,
had mean temperature Of 81 de-
greeS, which is nearly o degrees be-
low normal, due to extremely low
temperatures at the beginning of the
week with gradually increasing
warmth to about normal at its close.
Frost occurred on the 10Th. 2lSt, 22d
and I'D, generally light, but heavy 20
killing i'll the northern sections. where
Vegetation waS no. sufficiently ad-
vanced to suffer much injury. Tie
frost Of the 22d was quite general and
covered the State nearly TO the coast.
Ice was observed on the 18th and 2Uth.
and on the latter date the ground was
frozen in York county. This temper
aturc was unfavorable for termination
and growth, but did little damage
otherwise.
There was very light precipitation
i'll nearly all parts, but beneficial
amOunts in only Il few The precipi-
tation on the 10th WAS in the form OF
rain, sleet and snow in the western
counties. The ground is very dry
and has insufficient moisture for the
termination Of recently planted seeds
and for the growth Of grain crops, and
for plowing in many places.
Planting operations made rapid pro-
gress, and are nearing completion i'm
the eastern and central portions, but
the preparation of lands is rendered
largely impracticable by the drought,
except on light, sandy soils. Some
bottom lands are being prepared for
corn The season is about 10 days
late in the western counties.
Corn planting is progressing slowly
i'll the west, although uplands are
nearly finished. In the eastern parts,
all but bottom lands have been plant
ed, and considerable replanting has
been done. Stands are from fair to
good, but are being broken by birds
and worms. Tie cool weather is in
incal to the growth Of corn, and has
caused some 10 turn yellow. Cultiva-
tiOn is active i'm many places.
Cotton planting is nearly hnished in
the eastern parts, ard about half lin
iShed in tile western ones. Germna-
tion is SLOW and poor, and only small
part OF the crop is up to poor stands,
some that WAS up was Killed by frost,
and is being replanted Seed for re-
! planting is scarce. In the western
parts only small portion is up. Sea
island cotton is not doing well, owing
to the prevailing low temperature.
Tobacco tranSplanting is we'll adj
vanced towards completion in Marl-
boro and Marion counties. and made
good progress in other sections, with
the plants fine and plentiful.
Most of the early rice crop has been
planted. Much is up to good stands,
but the cool weather has stopped its
growth and made it turn yellow.
Wheat continues to improve slowly,
except in sandy lands where it is not
stoOling well. The condition Of oats
! is variable, but they are very promiS.
ing on moist lands and generally poor
on sandy lands, where rain is needed.
Both grains need rain. Melon seed,
are terminating poorly and some are
rotting in the ground. Peaches ap.
pear to be safe on high grounds, but
are badly damaged by frost in low
places. Other fruits are more prom.
ising. Tie weather WAS too dry anc
cool for truck, although shipment,
continue heavy. Gardens are gener
ally poor.