Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-24
THE EFFECT OF RAIN
When II Comes Down So Incessantly
Upon Farmer and Florist
AS 1T is DOING THIS SPRING.
The Rainfall for May Far Exceeds 1t fOr
That Month Last Year.
DELAY TO THE CROPS UNAVOIDABLE


old days" This was the rather novel COM
plant made by one man to another yestor-
day afternoon, as they sought shelter from
the storm in the Municipal Hall portico.
The weather has from time immemorial
been fruitful subject for conversation, but
Of late, like baseball, there has been 50
much of it Of an inferior quality, that in
terest in il has died out, and the average
citizen bears the affl fliction with what
patience he can muster up.
The great amount of moisture this spring
has caused many nervous anticipations OF a
disaster similar to the Johnstown flood,
many forgetting that that was caused
primarily by the breaking of dam. Many
persons, like the man who spoke as quoted
above, are convinced that the seasons have
become mixed, while others attribute the
heavy falls of rain 10 the multiplicity OF
electric wires the introduction OF natural
gas, and the natural cussedness of the Sig
nal Service.
AN EXPERT OPINION.
Sipnal Service Observer o. d. Stewart
who views the heavens from the eighth floor
of the Schmidt & Friday building, is sup
posed TO know more about the weather than
any other man In town. This is due both
to his training and to the elevated position
he occupies Mr.. Stewart thinks the
seasons are following each other in proper
succession, and points out that in 1873,
before natural gas had come into use, and
when electric wires were few and tar be-
tween, the rainfall exceeded last years
record of 41.37 inches. The average rain
fall, however, is about 35 inches.
During the month Of May, 1889, which
eliminated in the Johnstown tragedy 6.45
inches of rain fell. The rainfall up to Z.
NJ. yesterday exceeded that of the same num-
Der of DAYS of May, 1889, by 9.25 inches.
The prospects for still more rain are very
good, and il is probable that the regulation
June rise will be here on time, if not a few
days ahead OF the schedule.
Considerable complaint having been made
that farmers hereabouts are unable to make
headway on account of the wet weather,
which is said TO be causing seed to rot in the
ground, inquiry was made yesterday at seed
stores and other places where grangers
frequent, and replies elected were mixed,
some thinking the situation as bad as re-
ported, while others thought there was con-
siderable salvage.
FAVORABLE FOR SOME PLACES.
J. W. Brown, who runs garden farm on
Neville Island, said the weather was very
favorable for setting out plants in ground
that could be worked, but in heavy soils it
was next to impossible to do anything. Mr..
Brown said also that it is impossible to keep
q force of hands necessary. There are too
many allurements in other directions. In
answer to the question to whether garden
farming paid, he replied that it would do SO
were it not for the foreigners who compete.
He says some of them grow fat on what an
American farmer throws away and gives to
his stock, and in consequence he is sooner
or later run out unless he can strike some
snecialty but little cultivated. Mr.. Browns
specially, or one of them, is the Chinese
cucumber
j. w. Scott & Co. reported that while
operations were backward they had not
heard much complaint Grass and some
garden products are growing finely, but
some corn planted is rotting instead of
sprouting.
Scobie & Parker stated that they heard
considerable complaint from farmers.
John W. Scott, Jr., & Co. had heard con-
siderable complaint of seed rotting, and of
operations being generally very backward,
but grass is growing finely.
HOW TO MAKE FARMING PAY.
A gentleman at the commission house of
i. h. Voight s. Co., stated that he didn't
think the farmers were much more ruined
than usual, and that with most of them such
state is chronic. He suggested that if they
were to combine more intelligence and study
with their business, they would thrive bet
fer. He said they didn't study the market,
and that the average business man would
soon 60 to the wall if be did not give his
business close study, and keep in stock what
people wanted. He suggested that mixed
farming in general, with some speciality in
particular that was in good demand. would
make money on almost any farm convenient
to railway. 1t is a fact beyond dispute,
that native farming within 90 miles of Pitts
burg does not, as a rule, pay as it did once;
but it is doubtful whether Mr.. Browns ex-
PLANTATION will account for all failures.
There are vast number of drawbacks and
not the least among them is deficiency of
elbow grease in the farmer and his family,
TO make operations pay as of yore The
aforementioned lubricant is as important as
fertilizer, and there are many other draw
backs.
The farmer who is worker frequently is
q mere money grabber, and forgets that he
onee considered his progenitor hard mas
ter. Accordingly, he routs his sons and
daughters out OF bed in the early grav of the
morning, and works them like slaves until
twilight. Their apparel and pocket money
are scant, and owing to railways, they see
a decided contrast between themselves and
citv lads and lasses, and soon begin to pine
fcr city life, which in their fervid imagina-
tions is, in comparison, bed of roses, with
theatricals, lectures. ice cream, ETC., ad
lbitum.
THEY DESERT THE FARM.
Accordingly, says Mr.. r. W. Jones, the
boys, if not trained for a profession or bust
ness desert the farm to become brakemen
or street car drivers, or engage in some
other occupation not a whit more profitable
than farm work, but less laborious and iol-
lowed by quicker returns, and the old man
is lett to the mercy Of hired help, which, in
Al, e. ie s,Fo L.