Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1905-03-15

ress in the eastern parts, bus the
ground was generally too wet in the
western parts. A large acreage OF
spring oats was sown; tobacco seso
beds were burnt and seeded. garden
ing was begun, but the ground was too
cold for favorable termination. The
cold weather retarded the budding Of
fruit trees and was to that extent bene-
fetal; in the extreme southern parts:
both peaches and plums began TO
bloom.
March was slightly warmer than
usual but with considerable treezlne
weather over the western parts, ana
with frequent light to killing trosts.
The precipitation was below normal:
while the number of rainy days was
greater than usual Farm work ad-
yanced rapidly, although planting op-
erations 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
vegetables 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 freuuent light to killing frosts;
until the 22nd: The soil remained toe
cold for quick termination of seeds
and the rapid growth Of plants that
were up, SO that early cotton came up
to irregular stands and the plants
looked sickly Early corn had poor
stands, and was ravaged some by cul
worms, so that much replanting was
necessary. The April precipitation was
but little more than one-third OF the
normal amount, and a severe drougnt
ieyeloped in the coast truck regions re-
ducing Yields materially. Planting op-
erations progressed rapidly and were
unusually well advanced by the close OF
the month. Wheat and oats developed
into promising crops. Tobacco trans,
planting was finished, though re sol,
was, in places, too dry to secure 1ull
stands. Peaches, plums, cherries and
apples continued promising, the low
temperature being, seemingly, faVor-
able toward their development.
May was cool, owing principally ta
the low night temperatures, a cona!-
tion favorable on fruits and on wheat
hut unfavorable for the germlnatlon OF
late planted corn and cotton and fof
fine growth of these crops. The greater
mart of the month was very dry, but
c3pious rainfall during the closelng
days partially relieved the drought, anu
caused material improvement IN the
condition of all growing crops Ine
rains came too late to benefit Wheat VI
oats both of which began to rlpen and
some oats were cut. Fruits renlalncu
promising. Gardens suffered severely
The absence OF rain made the thorough
cultivation of field crops possible born
corn and cotton attained fairly gooo
stands on all but clay soils. where sons
ri the seed lay dormant owing 10 the
lack of moisture.
J,lne growth and development of al
crops was very satisfactory, due te
generally favorable temperatures ane
we'll distributed rainfall. The sol
was rarely too wet for cultivation o.
field crops, and both corn and cottof
we're easily kept free from grass ant
weeds. During the middle OF tht
month cotton suffered slightly from
cool nights, causing ice to develop
but higher temperatures soon caused
a complete recovery without giving
the plants material setback. Some
blooms appeared on cotton after the
goth. Corn developed favorably
Stands of both corn and cotton were
excellent. Wheat and oats were har
vested. Tobacco improved rapidly
and became very promising; selecting
and curing were begun. Rice suffer
ed from lack of resh water for iiood
ing. The commercial peach crop rip
ened; it was a large crop Of superlol
quality. Melons were somewhat later
than usual in ripening.
July temperatures were moderate
with only two periods of extreme heat
both OF which were too short In dura