The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-11-21
. he Weather nnd Crop. of asss.


In many sections OF the State corn was nor
planted antil the 18th. The month OF July.
this year, gave us the hottest weather of tho
season-Dut generally the cheated term" oc-
ours during August. The average tempera-
ture was little above that for the last TWEEN
tY-nVe years, and the highest elevation of ths
mercury was 1l6 degrees, July 4th, at II
O'Clock A. VI. The rain iall was less than
the average. August was the driest month
OF the year, and the drlest August on record.
about one inch of rain falling for the month.
There was slight frost in some places on
the 18th, and also on the 2Sth. The month
OF September was a cold, wet month, the
temperature being two degrees below the av-
erage of thirty years, and the rain fall five
lnches above the average for the same peri
cd. Ice formed on the 18th.
hay, generally made when the sun shines
was chiefly made this year without the direct
and OF that lumnary. The crop throughout
tne state, is an average one, and considering
the extremely dull season for securing it, was
obtained in very good order. The yield Is
ABOUT one million tons, and the present price
IS rom Sl2 to Sl4 per ton. The high prices OF
hay for several years past have stimulated our
farmers in many sections of the State to an
increased production Of this crop, both by en-
larginS the amount mown over, and by
higher cultivation of the land seeded down TO
grass; and yet it is not a little to be regretted
that so many are contented with light crops
OF hay. There are, we believe, more acres of
grass land moved over in our State that pro-
duce less than ton of hay TO the acre than
there are that yield over that amount.
The yield of corn will be something over
one million of bushels. The grain crops are
FULLY up to the average OF previous years.
wheat was more largely sOwn last spring
tnan Tor several years previous, bnt we can
obtain no reliable statistics OF the amount
harvested, although we have several times
called upon our correspondents and others to
furnish us with the amount grown in each
town in the State. 1t is probably safe to call
the yield two hundred thousand bushels.
We base this estimate upon the figures OF last
years harvest, upon the statements OF our
correspondents as to the increase in the
breadth sown over last year, and from our
own observations Of the crop when growing
as we passed over the different sections OF
the State. We hear no complaint of the
midge.
Apples are not abundant, although they
are in fair supply in our market at reason
able prices. Early in the season the crop
promised heavy, but the severity of the hot
weather in July scorched the twigs and check
ed the growth of the fruit. Grapes are fall
ure, and pears but little better. Every year
we are being more and more forced to the
conclusion that we shall be obliged TO
abandon the open air culture of the grape In
this State, unless earlier ripening varieties are
brought to our notice,
The yield of potatoes has been good, but In
many places they have rotted badly. The
newer varieties are more generally free from
disease, and they are also taking the lead in
the market. The lesson is for every farmers
use.