Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-03
WEATHER AND CROPS.
A Bio Boom in Vegetation in All the New Eng
land States.

weather service, in cooperation with the
United States agricultural bureau, issue.
She following bulletin for the week end.
ing July /:
The month of July opens with very ia
vorable prospects for all farmers in New
England. The abundant rains and damp,
cloudy weather although delaying farm
work and causing little local damage to
cherries and garden crops Just coming up,
have given boom to all vegetation and
have caused remarkable growth in field
and garden crops. From 4 to y inch Of
rain came in the extreme north, from x tc
IL inches in central and from to OF
more inches in the southern sections. Al
Groton. Mass, ga inches of rain fell or
the 2Sth At Block Island, r. l., there
was recorded the unusual amount of 3.Sf
inches from s p. IN. of the 30th to a. m
of July /. Later reports Of the hailstorms
on the sd give considerable damage in
Bethlehem, n. H., where hailstones So
inches in circumference were found In
Warren. Mass, some corn and potato
fields were ruined, and grass and grain
laid flat. One farmer had 175 panes OF
glass broken. Some of the hail was as
large as hens eggs. Considerable local
damage was done in western counties by
hail on the 25th.
Two Days of Soaking Rain.
Pasturage is excellent in Maine, and in
some counties there is pros.ect of nearly
or quite an average hay crop. Cloudy and
foggy weather prevailed generally until
the 9th; then a steady, soaking
81 Of h.
days. The top of the ground l..
thoroughly soaked, and all crops are grow.
ing very fast. Haying and hoeing have
been delayed, and some hay was caught
out and considerably injured. Potatoe.
and corn are growing fast. Potato bt :
are reported by several to be much mort
numerous than usual. The weather
bureau observer at Eastport reports til I
Notwithstanding the long continued
drought which prevailed up to the begin,
ming of this week, early vegetables FROM
up country were in the markets there
fully week earlier than usual.
Corn Breaks the Record.
Farmers in some parts of New Hamp.
shire are remarking that they never saw
corn grow so fast before as it has in the
past week, and also that it is larger than
they ever remember for the first of July
The heaviest rain came in the southern
counties, and there the greatest good ~i
been done to all crops. The hay crop has
been increased, according to some esti,
mates, from 25 to so per cent, and pastures
are exceptionally good. The strawberry
season was short, and correspondents dc
not report favorably for large blueberry
or raspberry crop. The prospect for apples
in valleys is still less encouraging. Grass
has rusted some in Coos. county, and one
correspondent there reports small grass
hoppefs thicker than ever before known.
Crops Pushed Ahead.
Probably less rain has fallen in Vermont
than in those states farther south during the
week. but enough cloudy, rainy weather
has prevailed to delay haying and to keeI
all crops growing very fast. Corn has
made such rapid growth that it is tender
and fears are expressed that high wind
will break down much of it. One CORE
spondcnt from Addison county states thai
potatoes are two weeks in advance of the
past 10 years. The potato buds have in
creased very fast during the dull westher
Some say that oats never looked better al
this time of year; they are heading out
while in places winter rye is ripe enough
to cut. Grass has thickencd up much.
Young Plants Damaged.
Considerable hay has lain out since the
first of the week in all sections of Massa
chusctts and has been greatly damaged;
the heavy rain, too, has slightly damaged
plants that were just coming up, like Gu
cumbers and squashcs, and has injured
tomatoes and heavy grass and grain in
places. 1t has done great good, however,
and has caused a boom in the growth of all
vegetation and "a material increase in the
hay crop. New seeded pieces and low
lands have been especially benefited, and
upland fields that have not been cut must
undoubtedly thicken up to some extent,
Apples and pears are looking we'll. and the
fruit is hanging on we'll ON the trees.
Currents and cherries are coming on, and
are reported plenty and very fine Straw.
berries are still in good supply on late
land. Cranberrics have not done well
this week. On the Cape, where the sandy
soil is dependent on frequent showers
most crops were backward, but are now
growing fast.
Promising Outlook.
The hcavyrain on the 2Sth destroyed the
last pickings of Strawberries in some
places in Rhode Island, but it was of grea,
benefit to other crops and was glad 4
welcomed. Not much hay has been, cut
this state yet, but moving will bekin al
soon as the weather is favorable. All field
crops appear to be very promising.