Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-22
LACK OF MOISTURE
Has Retarded the Growth Of Crops to Great
Extent.

Boston, Aug. 21.-Following II the
weather-crop bulletin for the week ending
Aug. 80, issued by the New England
weather service, in cooperation with the
Massachusetts, and Maine state boards of
agriculture:
On the afternoon Of the Goth thunder
shower passed over eastern Massachusetts,,
which gave heavy downpouf of rain at
Boston. At. the weather bureau office,
there was registered nearly one-half inch
of rain in five minutes; Las inches in 30
minutes; 1.66 inches in one hour, and 2. 10
inches in four hours. This storm was
very local, apparently, as at Concord,
Mass, 20 miles to the northwest, only on
was recorded 1t has been estimated that
10000 damage was done by the rain in
cellars in Boston alone.
Maine.
The weather for the week was generally
favorable in Maine, with moderate tenn
perature and occasional showers of rain.
Except in places where the oat leaves have
been affected by the rust the grain crop is
pronounced heavy; it 6lodged badly on
some fields. The second crop of grass is
starting well and will be good; there is an
excellent catch of grass seed.
There is no report of rot in the potatoes
yet, but rust is being seen. One CORE
spondent in Aroostook county says that
the rust is quite prevalent, but if it gains
no faster than it did last week, most of the
potatoes will have 10 days more to grow in.
Apples are falling badly, but the blossom
was so heavy, it is considered that there
are plenty on most trees.
New Hampshire.
There is still great want of rain in cen
trail and southern New Hampshire. Many
correspondents say they have had no good
soaking rain this summer; showers have
come, but the rainfall has been local and
has furnished temporary relief only, with
out filling up the ground. Consequently,
during short period without rain, every
thing suffers. Wells and springs are
drying, and feed is extremely short
This is particularly true in southern
Grafton and most of Sullivan, Merrimack,
Cheshire and Hillsboro counties. One
correspondent in Hillsboro county says,
Grain or ruin" Spring seeded fields are
being ruined, and the summer seeding is
being delayed. Berries are scarce in this
section, and apples are falling badly and
making slow growth. Grain is mostly a
fair crop, and corn is doing well, except on
the driest land No rot or rust to do in
jury to the potatoes has been reported yet
in this state, except by one correspondent
in Coos county, who states that POTATOES
arc rusting badly, but promise more than
an average yield"
Vermont.
Cool nights and warm days have been the
rule in Vermont and have been favorable
to potatoes, although this crop is ruSting
to considerable extent. The rust is not
evenly spread, and the potatoes are so far
advanced that no great injury is antici-
pated. Frost has appeared on one or two
nights, but not enough to do any damage
Wheat is rusting badly in Orleans
county, and some farmers say the crop
will be an entire failure. Oats arc looking
well in the northern counties Thrcshing
is going on in the south, and the yield is
very variable, ranging from less than 81
to 36 bushels to the acre; 1t is said that the
latest sown oats are proving the best Corn
is doing well, and apples make good
showing. Rain is needed in most sections
Massachusetts.
The conditions remain much the same
in Massachusetts,. Except where the few
local showers have occurred rain is still
badly needed. Pastures are dry, and fall
grain promises exceptionally poor. Apples
hang on pretty well, and fair crop is in
Dictated in most sections where not injured
by the spring frosts; their quality is very
good. Corn stands the dry weather fairly
well, though there is Ysome complaint OF
the leaves curling daily. Tomatoes, GU
cumbers, squashes, etc, would be greatly
benefited by more moisture.
In Bristol county some of the potatoes
where dug are found better than were ex
pected in Middlesex some of the tops are
reported dying and others are blossoming
the second time. One correspondent in
northern Worcester county states that one
piece of early potatoes planted the last OF
April is now quite full of blossoms. He
says that early potatoes on good land are
of good size and extra quality, but with
few in the hill The fruit worm is re
ported still at work on the cranberries in
the vicinity of Marshfeld and South
Dennis; this crop is very light in that
vicinity.
Connecticut.
A good rain occurred on the 18th and
10th in west central sections of Connects
cut and moderate showers are reported in
the southeast counties; all crops have been
much improved, pastures are looking bet
ter, and the grass is starting in the fields
Most of our correspondents in other coun
ties, however, report that drought condi
lions still continue, and that everything
suffers.
Corn in places rolls badly during the
day and does not entirely straighten out
at night. Pastures are bare and fields
dry, while brooks and springs are rapidly
failing; some springs that were mover
before known to fail are now dry Pota
toes are being dug in New Haven county
and the land being sowed to turnips, with
fair prospect that they will be partial
failure.
The rot on tomatoes is increasing
Winter apples are dropping in Fairfield
county and pears are ripening prema
turely; the latter crop is generally pro
nounced fairly good.
At Milford most onion seed has beer
cut, and there is about an average crop;
onions are being pulled, also, with some
fields very good and Others pronounced
not worth pulling One correspondent in
Hartford county states that there are but
few pieces of good tobacco; this crop was
ha.Jy n