The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-11
WEATHER AND CROPS.
LiQht Showers Afforded but Little
Relief 70 Farmers.
Frost Has Done Some Damage-Yield
OF Potatoes is Better Than Antiei-
patsd.


flclnl reports Of the New England weathe
service, United States weather bureau, the
past week has seen a continuation of the |
drought throughout New England.
3 AS rule the correspondents report that /
the drought Is felt more severely now than |
al any time during the season. In many !
Instances streams, springs and wells that |
are known as almost unfailing are dry. |
Ia some sections from one-third % one |
half the pastures are without water. The |
weather during the fore part Of the week |
was warm, tempemture somewhat above |
the average, and the atmosphere generally |
smoky and hazy. The latter part OF the /
period was cool, and killing frosts, ocoa- |
sionally freezing temperatures, occurred ia 1
many sections VI Maine, New Hampshire |
and Vermont
In some localities al vegetation subject !
. 70 injury was killed by the frost, resulting |
in considerable damage 70 late vegetables, |
grass and berries. Farm work of all kinds |
has progressed with the fine weather
Therefore the crops, while light will ba !
safely and completely secured, and In ex-
cellent condition.
Garden Vegetables suffered.
Tn Maine rain IS needed more than ever,
,s,orury relief Tho severe frosts in in
terror sections resulted in great damage to
blueberries and garden vegetables gener-
ally. In nearly all parts of the state pota-
toes are being dug. In some places tho
yield is the average and the quality fine;
Z in others the croP averages well and salts
factory. The rot is doing damage in some
fields but this is far from a general COM
plant.
In Aroostooll county the harvest crops
are nearly all secured in fair To fine
condition. Potatoes are reported as sell
ing at 81 barrel The Caribou CORE
spondent reports fine harvest weather;
warm first part of the week. but later
very cool; temperature on the morning Of
the Sth ranging 50 below freezing. Here
potatoes are being dug, yield light In
tho vicinity OF Houlton the grain is about
all harvested Potato digging is i'm prog
ress, with an average yield. The frost OF
the Sth destroyed all vines, beans, etc,
and killed all potato tops that were green.
No New Grass.
The reports from New Hampshire are
generally favorable. The rain OF the Sth
did much good. Pastures, particularly in
lowlands, will be greatly benefited, which
will be tho means of better fitting stock
Tor fall feeding and w!ntering.
The potatoes are being dug i'm all sec
+ ff0ns, HIId Us a rule the yrUfd Is about tho
average. Little rot is reported. Apples
are fair crop, but falling considerably,
and will require early gathering. Toma-
toes are plentiful, and most excellent
quality. Pastures are very short, in some
sections reported drying up.
AT Grafton pastures are completely
burned up; no water in any of them. The
shower of the week in this part OF the
state was only sufficient to lay the dust.
Corn is very good and being harvested.
Near Newton tho wells and springs are
drying and rain was never more needed
than now No new grass in any fields.
\ In and about Deerfield all crops have suf-
fercd from the dry weather Tho shower
of the Sth was the first for several weeks.
Conditions Are Fair.
From Vermont come reports Of dry
week. Showers occurred I'm most sections
of this state on the 9th. There is probably
less complaint In this state of the drought
than any part of the district. Taken as an
average, the season here compares favor
ably with otheryea Potatoes are rottng
Some, but very good crop viii be secured.
Massachusetts was favored with rains in
about all sections on the Sth, otherwise
the week was dry. At Spencer the rain
continued for two hours, and was followed
by rising temperature, which was favora-
BILE TO grass and roots. Corn, however,
owing TO the lateness of the season, cannot
be improved by rain. Apples and pears
are falling of and maturing too early.
Showers Barely Laid Dust.
Rhode Island reports another dry week,
u the rainfall In no section being more than
sufficient to lay the dust. In some cases
the question OF water supply is growing
serious. Wells and springs that have been
used as last resort have failed. Stock
can be watered in many cases only with
much labor and Inconvenience. Moosup
valley reports corn cutting in progress
The crop on low, moist ground Is fair; on
light and uplands, poor. The Kingston
rrrrf otii--r con-
tinuation OF dry weather. The crop and
other conditions have changed little from
those of previous weeks.
Fruits Ripening Earlier Than Usual.
In some sections of Connecticut the con-
ditions have improved. in the vicinity of
Merlden the rain of the Sth was sufficient
FOR all growing crops, but the fall was not
sufficient 70 renew wells, water courses
and springs Corn is reported ripening
and will be fairly good crop. New
meadows In many cases viii have to be re-
seeded.
Peaches are ripening, except the late
varieties, and the fruit is excellent In
4 quality. Grapes are plentiful, but the
(. punches are small and irregular. Apples
4 promise a fair crop, though falling in
Z; some places. Gardens have improved very
much.
!. The observer nc South Manchester To
: ports that oil fruits arc ripening earlier
than usunl, on account OF the dry weather.
e For the same reason the annlcs arc small
IN size No feed starting here yet. Corn
IS being cut and Will fan below tho aver.
4 age AZ Vernon Centre the corn is mostly
cut. Here tho crop conditions are inn
d proved as compared with last week. The
reports of tobacco are generally favorable.
1 In many places potato digging Is finished.
with a good yield and much better than