92 THE UPPER PINE BELT. 



average four hundred and eighty-nine pounds. Shipments to market 

 arc made during the fall months, from September to .Januar\'. By steam- 

 boat there are no extra charges for extra weight ; the cTiarge is seventy- 

 five cents per bale on the Savannah river to Savannah, and one dollar on 

 the Pee Dee to Charleston. On the Port Royal railroad to Charleston or 

 Savannah the charge is two dollars per bale of four hundred and fifty pounds 

 or less, and twenty cents for each hundred pounds over that weight. On 

 the South Carolina railway the charge from Augusta is one dollar for 

 way stations on this route, one dollar and fifty cents and thirty-five cents 

 per hundred weight over five hundred pounds. From Darlington to 

 Charleston by rail the charge is one dollar and twenty-five cents. From 

 Marlboro and Marion it is three dollars and twenty-five cents to Xew 

 York, and one dollar and fifty cents to Charleston or Wilmington by rail ; 

 in the latter there is an extra charge (amount not stated) for bales weigh- 

 ing over four hundred and fifty pounds. 



DISEASES, ENEMIES, &c. 



There are few crops grown anywhere more certain than the cotton crop 

 in the upper pine belt. A complete failure never occurs, and a reduction 

 of twenty per cent, in the yield is an unusual occurrence. The greatest 

 variations have been in an increase of product under better cultivation, 

 and it is believed that a wide field for development lies in this direction. 

 The principal obstruction to the growth of the plant is the crab grass,* 

 necessitating constant labor and vigilance, or resulting in fatal injury to 

 the crop. Usually the task is one acre in hoeing, which is completed by 

 dinner time ; but most frequently it is far from being thoroughly done. 

 In Marlboro, where the work is well done, and perhaps on this account, 

 two acres is the task and it is completed by 4 P. M., usually. 



Drought is very seldom injurious, except during the fruiting season in 

 July and August. Sore shin, except as resulting from bad hoeing, is not 

 known. 



Lice, a minutt aphid, appears on the underside of the leaves in May 

 and later, and gives them a curled, but at the same time a deeper green 

 appearance. Dry weather is favorable to them, and in good seasons they 

 are not thought to injure the plant. Some say they promote fruitfulness. 

 In bad seasons, /. e., excessive drought, during fruiting, rust appears ear- 

 liest and is most injurious where these aphids have been most numerous. 



Rust and blight affect the crop, especially during the fruiting season ; 

 it is most injurious to the prolific short-limbed cluster cotton. Under fa- 



*Corruption for crop grass, being found only on c-ultivated lands, and often furnished 

 excellent crojjs. 



