The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-04-15
LAST WEEKS FRosTs.
Gardens Were Affeoteds Curiously
Plants Being KILLED in spots.

Plants Being Killed In spots.
There was a frost Of freakish varle-
ty last week. Its blight fell in spot
and Mr.. J.. w. Bauer, section director
of the weather bureau, is unable to
say just what damage has been done.
Tuis all depends upon the amount of
moisture. Plants surrounded by dry
soil were not affected as seriously as
where there was dampness.
In gardens which came under Mr..
Bauer.s observation the frost seemed
to attack the young vegetables with
out any regularity. One plant appear
| ed to be killed while those around 1t
were unhurt. No news from the
peach crop in the ridge section could
be learned Tuesday, but as the frost
was not altogether destructive here,
IL Is hoped that the peach crop Is not
hurt-and indeed slight pruning
would not be harmful as there is such
an abundance of blooms that If all
should nature the trees would be un-
able to bear the load.
Mr.. Bauer last week issued the first
OF bis weekly bulletins as to the grow.
ing crop. This one, under date OF
April 5th, says:
The week ending 8 q. M, April
4th, had nearly normal temperature,
having been cooler than usual during
1ne hrSt and warmer than usual dur
Ing the second half. There were light
frosts over the eastern portions on
March 29th, increasing in severity To
killing, with thin ice, in the western
parts, but aside from causing some
corn that was up to yellow slightly,
no injury resulted. The week closed
with abnormally cold weather prevail
ing, and frost threatening the Interior
sections.
There was practically no precipi-
tation during the week. On March 26
9th the rainfall was general over the
State, and was excessive in places,
greatly delaying farm work. Unbroken
lands are becoming hard In the north
ern counties, but generally the soil is
in fine condition for tillage.
The preparation of lands is report
ed to be somewhat backward in few
western counties, but is generally nor
mally advanced, and made rapid pro-
gress during the last week, especially
the preparation 0f lands for cotton,
and the placing Of fertilizers in the
ground.
From One-half to three fourths of
the proposed acreage to be planted to
corn has already been planted in the
eastern sections, the percentage de-
creaSing toward the northwestern
counties, where this work has only
been begun. Corn planted early in
March is, with few exceptions, up to
fair stands, and some has received
first cultivation.
"A little short staple and consider
able sea island cotton has been plant
ed, but this work cannot be said to be
generally under way, although, soil
and weather permitting, will make
rapid progress during the coming week
in all parts Of the State.
Rice planting has progressed fa-
vorably in the Georgetown district and
was impedfd with heavy rains and a
freshet in the rivers IN the Colleton
district, where, previous to March
SoUil' IL area lldu
been Sown.
Tobacco plants are small in the
beds, but look healthy and vigorous;
none have as yet been tran3planted
Wheat and oats continue small,
but have improved, except that oats
have thin stands in places. Spring
sown oats look we'll.
Peach trees have about finished
blooming in the eastern sections, and
are now in full bloom in the western
counties. Apple trees are late in
blooming. The prospects for all kinds
of fruit arc excellent. Cabbage, beets,
peas and strawberries al e being shipped
from the coast truck farms, PaSturage
is scant and does not afford grazing in
the western counties. There is wide
spread complaints of scarcity of farm
| labOrerS."