The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-14
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The Long Drssght Continues TO the
Detrlment CT Some Portion OF New
England.


BOSTON, Aug. N-Ths New England
weather service issues the following
wsathcr-orop bulletin for the week ending
Aug. Is, 1894:
The week just passed gave warm weather
with plenty of sunshine for the first few
days. and very cool weather with clouds
and light rain for the last part. There
was Light frost on very low lands and
swamps on tho morning of the 1lth, but
no report Of injury 10 vegetation has been
recokved. There has beon less than the
normal amount of rainfall over New Eng
land, and I'm northern, western and south
eastern districts much more is needed to
insure good crop results. Slightly moro
than half an inch of rain fell at Boston,
Block Island and in northern New Hamp-
shire, but in other sections IL was less than
one-fourth inch, with little more than
trace In che southwest.
Potatoes Promise Well.
There Is some complaint Of a want OF
rain in northern and eastern Maine this
week, one correspondent in Aroostook
county saying that on light land potatoes
are ut . standstill. Generally, this crop
promises well, and the warm days and cool
nights of the week are favorable for them,
From reports we Judge that the rust has
affected them very little in any place as
yet, and they are maturing fast. Grain is
maturing and much OF it has been secured
IN very good shape The fruit conditions
continue favorable.
More Rain Needed.
Light showers have fallen during the
week over most Of New Hampshire, but
throughout all central counties much
more moisture Is needed for the proper de-
velopment of field crops of all kinds. The
pastures are reported as feeling the want
of rain as much as anything now. There
As little feed and cows are shrinking badly.
The following from correspondent in
Hillsboro county summarizes the con-
ditions very we'll: "a trip 20 miles south,
30 southeast, 20 north, and meeting many
farmers from other sections, emphasizes
the fact that the drought in southern New
Hampshire Is not yet ended. Corn and
potatoes are suffering; pastures are dry
and bare; hardly any second crop; black
berry crop very small; COWS drying and
milk and butter products decreasing;
early POTATOES partial failure, late planted
now In need Of rain; blight is on many
pieces and ret will follow" Corn on low
land 10 making good growth generally.
Pears, peaches and grapes reported light
crop.
Good Harvesting Weather.
There In some complaint of a lack of rain
IN the northern part Of Vermont, but gen.
orally crops are growing very well. Corn
1s pushing ahead In the south 10 has n
heavy growth and is reported to be gen.
orally well cared. In southern counties
tho potato crops appear greener and more
luxuriant than common, but there arc
few potatoes In the hills; there are some
pieces damaged by blight or rust, but 10 is
not general and only slight as yet There
have been much sunshine and good har-
vesting weather, and farmers are securing
their oats in good condition. This crop is
quite variable; one correspondent In
Windsor county writes: 1.-THE yield and
quantity Of oats both vary greatly In fields
not far apart. 1 am making inquiries to
find out tina cause If possible" There was
q slight trace of frost in southern counties
ON the morning Of the 18th, but no dam
age TO crops has been reported.
second Crop OF Grass Suffers.
Conditions Of drought continuein in south.
eastern and all western-central and west
orn Massachusetts,. Pastures are drying
badly and flow Of milk is shortening. In
HAmpdsn county there is a large growth
of corn, and the ears are generally set well,
but rain is needed In good quantities to in
sure full crops. In the southeast the Gran
bsrry crop ID pronounced very light and
the fruit work worm is working havoc in
Plymouth county. The second crop OF
grass here Is reported a total failure. In
northeastern sections the second growth
r. now startling well, but can hardly be a
@sxll H..
and most crops ara now doing fairly we'll
Apples are looking fine in places. Pears
are light In northern Worcester county.
Onions are In bad shape generally. Beets
for winter use had poor start, and there
Is prospect Of a light crop.
In Southern New England.
Good showers have fallen in Rhode
Island and eastern Connecticut during the
week, and the crops are much improved.
Corn, especially, is pushing ahead fast
Though some pieces are permanently in
tursd and will not ear as well as usual.
The grass on moved fields Is starting, but
present conditions point Co a short second
crop, even IL favorable conditions continue,
as IL Is coming up sparsely. Potato dig
ging has begun with very light yield on
dry land. In central and western Connec-
ticut fields are brown and pastures dry and
bare. Cows have to bc fed almost en-
tirely In most places. One correspondent
in Ltchfield county reports that with the
dry weather and the work OF the Texas fiy
the dairy industry has received a severe
blow. Springs are drying up i'm the pas
tures and not a few are bothered for drink
ing water. Corn Is badly curled but will
fsaprove with rain. Potatoes are reported
60 be fair In New Haven county, but gen.
orally they are far below that. Tobacco
cutting has begun In places and will be
general this week on early pieces. Early
fields look fairly well, but late ones are
rather poor and need rain very much to
complete proper growth and maturing;
green worms arc pronounced plenty in
Fairfield county. Apples pror1ise a fair
crop generally OF good size and smooth,
but dropping badly. There Is quite large
acreage of turnips sown in New Haven
county. Tomatoes are affected with dry
rot In this county and also in Fairfield
county. A few fields Of late sown oniens
could be benefited by n rain, but the main