Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-22
Washington Letter.
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
WASHINGTON. Sep. II, IS

1 De interested IN Lne INSTRUMENTATION OF
the subject. The seasons here, since April
last, have been no less violent than they
have in Vermont, extreme has seemed to
follow extreme, each apparently trying to
Guido the preceding one, until one would
almost think that the weather guage had
lost its balance heel, that the clerk was
on strike, or " BENDER" or that having
made an error in one apportionment he
sought to mitigate its influence by cor
responding apportionment of an opposite
character. In reasoning of cause and
effect whatever different views might
have been entertained of the former, there
could have been but one conclusion as to
the fact that, in this respect, things were
being conducted in a manner terribly out
the track Of uniformity.
THE SPRING.
The season for germinating-th latter
part of March and the beginning of April
was of cold and backward character,
said by farmers to be about ten days .late,
this was followed by the sudden advent of
exceedingly warm weather, which con-
tinued until apprehensions of drouth were
realized, following close upon this ex-
treme, about the middle of May, it seemed
as if the "Windows of Heaven were open
ed" and earth again to be deluged !; Rain
Rain ! ! Rain !! day and night, night
and day, for days and weeks, until the
health of the city began to be seriously
affected by it-for strange as it may APP
pear such a season engenders more sick
ness than protracted drouth does, in
this climate. With the lifting of the
clouds came the excessive hot season, du-
ring which time very little rain has fallen
nature has seemed to put forth few
spasmodic efforts, the frery element
lightning, has been felt in various parts,
but with few exceptions little more has
been accomplished than to merely lay the
dust, and some quite promising displays
have failed to do even that. This has
continued for weeks and of course brings
more or less suffering to all vegetable, as
well as animate life.
Cereal products in Connecticut in gen.
eral may be said to be an average yield,
if not rather above the average. Wheat,
rye and barley were nearly matured be-
fore the effects of drouth were seriously
felt, and were gathered in excellent con-
dition. Corn being later in maturing,
has suffered more than the above articles,
but being by nature more hardy in this
respect would lack but little of a fair
crop if there was nothing more serious
than dry weather to contend with. There
is much complaint of the effects of the
worm upon corn. OF the precise name,
nature or origin of this worm the writer
is not yet informed his effects, however,
are visible. The inference is that the egg
is deposited by an insect upon the silk of
the corn at the time or soon after the silk
appears, and that upon Matching out the
worm commences feeding upon the silk,
cutting its way down to the end of the
ear. This inference is based upon the
following facts, viz: First, the apparent
similarity of the age of the corn and the
worm, as in corn with kernels half grown
the worm is usually found in tho silk just
at the end of the cob, and is about half
an inch long, OF Ightish green color;
second. that the different stages and age
of the corn seems always to be attended
by corresponding appearances of the worm,
as in corn full of milk it is found to be
full an inch in length, of a brownieh coli
or, and to have burrowed down the ear
sometimes half its length. 1t cuts
straight road, usually about the width of
two rows of kernels. It's general appear
ance is the same as the common corn grub
of the North, and doubt not is of nearly
or the same species. OF corn in the green
state brought into market, probably not
ten ears in one hundred can be found free
from his wormship, though much of it is
but slightly affected. This, together with
the effects of drouth, will have the ten
denoy to Tighten the crop.