The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-24
WEATHER AND CROPS.
Drought Has Played Havoc in Central
New England.
Fields Are Badly Scorchcd-North-
ern Counties Have Been Most
Favored.
Bv The Associated Press.

wv hJs Inc uottcsV OF the eehson, auu
ending with heavy and damaging
thunder showers, tells the story OF the
weather for the past week In central New
England The Goth was the hottest day
Of the season In most central counties. and
fields and crops were badly scorched by
the sun.
The heavy thunder shower Of the 21st
and the rain during the same night and
on the early morning of the I'D were con-
fined mostly to southern New Hampshire
and Vermont, northern Connecticut and
all OF Massachusetts, except In the ex-
treme southeast; il WAS heaviest on the
coast north Of Boston. At Nantucket
the fall was only a trace. At Block
Island, X. l.. not a measurable amount
fell. and at Kingston. X. l., only .07 inch.
In Connecticut the amount varied from
s01 inch In the extreme south to nearly al
Inch in the north. At Ipswich in north
easr Massachusetts, L56 inches came and
ut Boston l.13 inches. At Newton. just
over the line in New Hampshire. only .5S
Inch Of rain fell and at Sanbornton In the
central part of the state it WAS only SO
Inch with rs inch of that on the 22d. AT
Mortified, VT, the fall was 10 inch, and
at E~astport. Me-, .oi inch. The deficiency
1t Eastport since Jan. j is Is inches.
Nothing Is suffering in the northern
counties; the drought has been temporar-
lily relieved in central districts, but in
the south it continues with damaging ef-
fects. In New London. Conn, crops are
still suffering terribly; wells are drying,
and some streams srs lower than ever no
ticsd before. Some damage was done by
hail at South Hsdley, Mass, on the 10th.
Haying Pushed.
Hot and mostly fair weather has pre-
vailed In the northern states during the
week, and the haying has been pushed
rapidly. In northern counties 1t turns
out very well, and In the vicinity of Carl
bou, Aroostook county. Me-, 1t is reported
to be the largest hay crop ever gathered.
In southern counties where a drought has
prevailed, though above the average in
amount, il n better than was expected n
few weeks ago, and IL OF such fine quality
thu some tank IL makes n full money
value; newly cut fields nave suffered
much here in the past week. Clover,
especially, has suffered In windham,
county Xt-Earmers ara emitting their
oats for fodder in Rockingham and Mer-
rimack counties, N. H; In Sullivan county
they are heading well in spite of the
rust
In the southeast counties in New
Hampshire potatoes havs suffered from
drought, and q few fields are past help.
The crop In progressing well in Aroos-
took county, Me-: early ones are in the
market there. Corn Is growing finely
with the warm weather, except in dry
places. In southern New Hampshire and
Vermont. Apples continue to fall from
the trees. Black berries are ripening, and
will be plenty il wet weather prevails
Pastures are holding their feed well.
Heavy Monetary Losses.
The very serious drought in northeast
ern Massachusetts, has been well broken
for the time. The rain was heaviest in
the section where il was evidently most
needed, and great good has been done.
Tbs loss from the dry weather will be
heavy TO market gardeners especially;
thousands of dollars will not cover the
loss 10 them In summer vegetables. One
Farmer near Boston reports that his loss
IN onions alone will be over $40, 600.
Black berries are a total loss In places.
S yeet corn has been greatly damaged
and was rolling badly.
In central and western Massachusetts,
mast fields of potatoes are green, aud with
wet weather now they will improve very
much. Much haying has been lone and
the greater part of the English hay has
been put in the best of condition. The
outleok for the second crop is very poor
indeed. as the fields have been badly dried.
Pastures are very dry. Celery plants are
being set and are looking well. Apples
are dropping badly In the eastern, but
hang on well In western. counties.
More Rain Needed.
Notwithstanding the local showers
over Rhode Island and Connecticut, more
rain 10 badly needed and most crops are
xufferinK, especially In southern aud |
eastern sections. Potatoes have probably
been damaged most Of all crops in these
states, although market gardens have
been very badly injured. Early potatoes.
unless on very wet ground. have been in
1ured past recovery, and in some places
are reported not worth the digging. In
Washington county. X. l., some early po-
tatoes have been dug and are below the
average. In Fairfield county, Conn.
some tops are still holding green, but the
tubers have stopped growing. In a good
many places the hopes that have been en-
tertainsd for the late potatoes have nearly
vanished. and the crop must be light.
Market Gardeners Discouraged.
In Westville. in New Haven county.
part OF the market gardeners have taken
of their wagons and discharged part OF
their workmen, as they have little or
nothing TO sell. Tobacco is reported very
uneven. late set piece failing to start well.
Nest correspondents say that the rain has
saved the corn, though more rain will
help it. Turnips nave been greatly
helped. In Fairfield county onions have
stepped making top and are reported TO
be bottoming down. II has been too dry
for buckwheat. The cat harvest has be
In Hartford county. The crop will
be nearly an average one. but In Wash
ington county, K l.. IL will be below the
average.
Hsying has been pushed and the quail.
fly 10 extra good. Cut fields have suf-
feret terribly; pastures are dry aud brown,
cattle have TO be fed much from the
barns. Berries are drying badly. Apples
are still dropping. but most places re-
port a fair crop in prospect. Pears con-
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