The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-03-16
WEATHER AND CROPS FOR f
A Review of Conditions of Months
sued by Section Director Bauer.

to all who are affected or at ell con-
cerned about such matters. The re-
view says:
The year was, seemingly, an anom-
olous one in the relation between the
prevailing weather and crop produc-
ton. The spring was cold, especially
during April, and was very dry we'll
into early summer-conditions adverse
to favorable termination and rapid
growth. During June, July and Aug
ust, slightly more than As per cent. OF
the years precipitation was recorded,
and during the same months the tenn
perature was unusually equable, with
no long periods of extremely hot
weather. Both Of these conditions were
very favorable on crops that had their
principal period of growth and devel-
opment in these months, such as corn
and cotton, and the previous long period
Of dry weather had afforded ample op-
portunity for thorough cultivation,
which Is an essential factor in caus-
ing large yields of these crops. How
ever, increased yields, over 1908, were
not confined to those two crops, but in
cluded wheat, oats, tobacco, rice as well
as less important crops commercially,
such as fruits, hay and the many minor
crops that have a large economic inl-
portance though OF small commercial
value. Nearly all Of the latter crops
were not materially affected by the
midsummer rains, having matured
before the rains set in, or having had
their growth prolonged to the less ia
vorable autumn, and yet they produced
more abundantly than in the previous
year, hence the anomoly.
The seeding time for wheat and oats;
late in 1903, was not favorable; the
winter was an unusually cold one; the
spring was cold and dry; the summer
had an equable temperature and CO.
pious rainfall; the autumn was unusu-
ally dry; the killing frosts somewhat
later than the average date Of occur
renee; the closing months were fairly
favorable for seeding wheat and oats.
This is a brief epitome Of the weather
for 1904, to which may be added that
the year as a whole was colder than
usual. and had the smallest average
AMOUNT of precipitation since systematic
records have been kept.
January was unusually cold with less
than the usual precipitation; there
was some snow in parts OF the State,
but not enough to afford protection TO
winter grains. Wheat and oats were,
in places, injured by freezing. Less
than the usuA amount Of plowing
was done. =
February was colder than usual.
with much alternate freezing and
that was injurious to winter
grains. The precipitation was slightly
below normal, but was very evenly
distributed. Flowing made rapid prog
ress in the eastern parts, but the
ground was generally too wet In the
western parts. A large acreage OF
spring oats was sown; tobacco seed
beds were burnt and seeded; garden
ing was begun, but the ground was TOO
cold for favorable termination. Tne
cold weather retarded the budding OF
fruit trees and was to that extent bene-
scjaI. In the extreme southern parts,
both peaches and plums began 70
bloom.
March was slightly warmer than
usual but with considerable freezing
weather over the western parts, and
with frequent light to killing frosts.
The precipitation was below normal,
while the number Of rainy days was
greater than usual. Farm work ad-
yanced rapidly, although planting op-
arations were restricted to the eastern
half of the State. Wheat and oats
did we'll: the weather was favorable
on truck in the coast regions, and early
were marketed. Fruit trees
Of all varieties bloomed throughout the
month. Some corn and cotton were
planted and came up to fair stands.
April had persistent low temperature
with frequent light to killing frosts,
until the 2znd. The soil remained too
cold for quick termination OF seeds
and the rapid growth Of plants that
we're ND. 40 that early cotton came up
10 irregular stands and the piants
looked sickly. Early corn had poor
stands and was ravaged some by cut
worms, 30 that much replanting was
necessary. The April precipitation was
out Nttle more than one-third OF tne
normal amount, and severe drought
jeyeloped in the coast truck regions re-
3ucing Yields materially. Planting op-
,rations progressed rapidly and were
unusually well advanced by the close OF
he month. Wheat and Ga Is developed
into promising crops. Tobacco trans
planting was finished, though the SOIL
vas in places. too dry to secure fuli
stands. Peaches, plums, cherries anu
apples continued promising, the low
being, seemingly, favor
able toward their development.
MAY was cool, owing principally TO
the low night temperatures, a conat-
tion favorable on fruits and on wneat,
but unfavorable for the germinatlon OF
late planted corn and cotton and TOT
the growth of these crops. The greater
mart of the month was very dry, but
sonious rainfall during the closelng
laws partially relieved the drought, anu
caused a material Improvement IN the
condition of all growing crops. Inc
aims came too late to benefit wheat or
,ats both of which began to ripen and
.ome oats were cut. Fruits remained
,romising, Gardens suffered severely.
The absence OF rain made the tnorousn
cultivation of field crOps possible BoIn