Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-10-06

CROP BULLETIN FOR THE PAST
WEEK.--The weather conditions were
generally favorable both for crops
and farming operations. Tempera-
lures were fairly close to normal
with sunshine perhaps slightly below
average. It is generally conceded
that the late disastrous drought has
been broken except in few isolated
districts where streams and wells
are still somewhat low and water
for stock is scarce; with but few ex-
ceptions the conditions considering
the lateness of the season) have ma
terially improved. Several good
showers occurred during the past
week, which had tendency 10 re-
vive grass and put ground in good
| order. Corn cutting nears compile
ton, crop generally good in eastern
counties, variable elsewhere and
generally below average as to quality
and quantity. Buckwheat cuttingis
progressing very satisfactorily as
rule, some being threshed. In Nor
gan county rain has damaged some
of the buckwheat, caused the ripened
grain to sprout, making it unfit to
to be cut; some has been plowed I'M
der. Some fall wheat up, looks
green; sowing is not all completed
owning to dry coil on uplands in
some counties, but work in this con-
nection is progressing as rap
idly as possible. Many meadows
and pastures grcening up again,
grass appears to b. doing nicely.
Indications are at very large acre
age of wheat viii be sown. Pota-
toes light, some rot still reported.
Gardens hold out we'll. Turnips
promise a good yield. Showers
helped garden truck considerably,
especially turnips, cabbage and . few
potatoes where the latter were in
a previously fair condition. Apples
about all gone except few of the
winter varieties. Pears still dropping.
Grapes doing moderately well. AS
crops have mostly matured this will
be the last issue of the bulletin dur
ing the present season.
The season opened very promis-
ing. During the greater portion of
March the weather was extremely
mild and pleasant, indeed, summer
temperatures were experienced up
to including the Goth. Under these
conditions vegetation made splen-
did showing until the hard freeze
and frosts that followed later in the
month and which almost completely
Frustrated plant life for the time
being most of the fruit was killed
and all crops received a serious
check. The winter being rather open
cereals were not as well protected
by snow as usual. During the first
weeks in April farming operations
were confined chiefly TO the re-sow-
ing Of crops injured by the freeze
and frosts on 26th 9th and 2Sth of
March. Some snow 10th and 11tt
April proved beneficial to csreals.
Early out look for berries promising
and owing to the poor prospects
for fruit larger gardens were
made. During the latter part of
April crops began to improve and
fruit trees again came in bloom and
shade trees and shrubbcry began
leafing out, but gardens were some
what late; cattle put on pa lures.
Conditions generally favorable up to
the latter portion of May when cool,
moist weather proved rather unfavor
able and retarded farming operations.
Some ice and heavy frost May 29th
damaged corn and tender plants.
During June some heavy local storms
but conditions were fairly favorable.
Hay and gr'in harvest well along
by first w,k ia July. Weather
warm during this month but mostly
favorable except in western counties
and in portions of northern and
southern were drouth conditions APP
peared. Corn and potatoes showing
up badly. Warm in August. The
worst drouth in years prevailed in
northern, central and western coun-
ties. Threshing about completed
quantity and quality of wheat and
oats fair. September opened dry
and extremely warm. Conditions i'm
proved slightly during 3rd week
when the most distressing drouth in
many years was generally broken,
though some counties complained of
drouth until close of season. The
season cannot be considered an al
together favorable one, precipitation
was rather deficient and then, to-
gether with freeze and frosts early
in season had tendency to shorten
crops. Berries and grapes good
crop. Fruit scarce. Corn some
what less than usual. Melons fine.
Crops in eastern and southern coun-
ties were fairly good, in fact fine in
some places.