The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-08-03
4 SERIOUS CONDITION,
The Immense Probable Loss Resulting from the Drought,


 The Immense Probable Loss Resultine 2 IT from the Brought.
 | Farmers within .a,lradius of fifteen miles of this city are anxious over the long continued drought. Unless there is speedy, change in weather condi-
 tions. their most important crops will
 prove utter failures.
 Not for many years has there been such an extended and severe dry spell,
 the present condition being much worse than during the drought of 1892. That began later and after the crops had progressed we'll along toward ma turity. The weather was not nearly so hot. sn
 This years drought has come at just the time to cause the worst results and the farmers of nearby agricultural dis tricts will suffer to the extent of thou sands of dollars. Especially does this apply to those who depend principally upon onions and potatoes which are in Westport, Green Farms, Fairfield and Greenfield Hill the leading crops. There are many small farmers who almost wholly depend upon their onion fields. It is difficult crop even under the most favorable conditions.
 The tops of all crops of the tuber va riety mature first, after which the full strength goes toward the development of the bottoms, An arrest in develop ment of the tops correspondingly af- fects the bottoms and this is just the present condition. A farmer says that never before had he seen so poor an outlook for onions and potatoes. In a drive of fifteen milese he had seen hundreds of acres of both crops, the onion tops withered and the potato vines only half matured and. in many instances, they were withered.
 In, Bedding and Easton where pota- toes are raised more extensively than onions, the condition Is almost as bad as in the places mentioned. Bethel farmers. however, have been more for tunate. They have not suffered in the least from lack of rain. Almost every one of the thunder storms have trav- eled from west to east, Bethel almost invariably coming in for a rain fall.
 A competent judge estimates that the loss to the farmers within a radius of fifteen miles from this city. unless there is a material change in weather condi. tions in the near future, will be fully $100, 00,000.-Bridgeport Farmer.
 IN EASTERN CONNECTICUT.
 Stoninston, August 1.-The drought continues with increased force as day after day hot weather adds its influence in extracting what moisture may be re- maining deep down in the ground. Threatening clouds often appear, and the thunder resounds, but not a drop of rain descends to moisten the parched earth. Showers go to the north,' east, south and west of us. but not enough to lay the dust has descended here since early in June. The result is dis astrous to farmers and extremely un> to all, as dust and dried lp lawns are not clements calculated to, inspire feelings of comfort in. those 1 suffering therefrom. Farmers have feeding their stock on hay and grain, as in no other way can they obtain the amount of nourishment nec- .ssary to keep them alive. During Sunday threatening clouds. and boom | ngl thunder gave ns encouragement toI again hope for rain but 1t came not l he clouds drdfted away to, the ,east. | s41d and showered their hlessinsx ins |5hSx a@ more. SnrtnpAte 6oettn .t