Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-29
DaiIp Ktansher Journal.
The Spring Of 'SS


Last spring will long be noted as one
of the coldest and dryest that has occurred
for many years. in fact this was the case
to such an extent that the growth of the
most hardy plants was hindered in great
measure, up to the 7th of May, the season
was very late; vegetation had not started
to any considerable degree and the pros
poets OF the farmer for planting was any
thing but encouraging. The second week
brought much rain and Notwithstanding
that the weather was cold the indications
were m're favorable for the grass crop.
At the beginning OF the present month
very critical time for lcrops on account of
the cold snap that is usual at that time ; no
particular injury was done in this section.
in fact the weather was milder this year
at that lime than usual. OF late
we have had frequent rains and
some warm weather, just the thing for
grass but rather damp for corn. Corn in
many sections is not looking well on this
account and many predict small crop.
This will undoubtedly be the case, unless
its growth should be unusually rapid.
Much OF the seed was not planted until
the very last of May or the first Of June
and although little late for this section, it
has done remarkably well within the past
few days which could have been only with
the most favorable weather. The hay
crop, which is the most important on the
farm, has had wonderful growth and
promises one cutting more this season per
acre than for years past.
Pastures are looking finely. The feed
did not get good start at first but
great improvement of late has brought
them up to more than an average, this
simply shows that it is not safe
to borrow trouble by anticipating the
failure of any farm product however dark
the outlook may be at first. 1t is said
that New England farmers as rule
suffer more from an early than late
spring, for if March and April are warm
and vegetation gets good start the May
frosts are about sure TO injure it, and in
some localities IN no small degree; but in
late season there is but little danger
because plants have not started enough to
be thus impaired, and one other thing
which goes to favor a late season is the
fact that you will find almost invariably
sufficient number of unusually warm days
to help or force vegetation forward to it,ln
the usual time and on the other hand when
the season is earlier than usual there is
almost always sufficient number of cool
days to hinder growth. So, as rule, we
think that crops turn out just as well in
the end in late season.
In case of wet and warm June the
farmer should guard against drouth in
the month following, for they often occur.
When the reeds first start and they have
plenty of water near the surface, they
grow without sending their roots into the
soil, end consequently when late in the
season, the stocks have matured,
even brief season OF dry weather will in
iure the plants if the farmer does not take
pains to keep the grounds light SO that it
will dry down to depth of but few
inches. All that is necessary is for agri-
culturists to observe and make themselves
familiar with the conditions and wants of
their soil and there will be but little cause
for fault-finding about the seasons.