The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-07
SNOW BLANKET.
Proved a Winter Protection
to Farmers.
Early Crops Are Doing Well Allowing
for the Backward Season.

DooioN, Mhy ii. warren Smith, Oil
rector Of the New England weather bu.
resu, furnishes the following bulletin:
The weather in New England for the
past winter was generally favorable for
grass and grain roots and for fruits of AL
kinds, although it was continued cold with
more snow than usual in southern sec
tions, and was generally called a hard,
"old-fashioned winter" An abundance of
rain fell In October and there were few
severe frosts until the first week in Novem-
Der. The early snowstorm In November
protected the ground and small fruits from
the extreme cold following, and was on
the whole beneficial, although many late
crops were caught ungatheed.
november was drier than usual over
the greater part Of New England; Decam.
Der and January lacked moisture, except
In tho south, and February and March
were extremely dry, so that many wells
and stroams werp lowest ever known at tho
end OF March, ESPECIALLY in the north. But,
with Tho remarkable equsble temperature,
there were no winter thaws, and, most Of
the precipitation coming in the form Of
snow, IL accumulated ana kept a snow
covering throughout the winter,
The extreme cold spell of Feb 81 did
some slight damage 20 fruit trees, and in
places In Massachusetts, considerable in
jury resulted TO the berry canes that pro-
Jeceed above the snow. April was cold
and backward and very wet. II gave not
only an abundance Of rain in all districts.
put one or the worst and most damaging
hoods on record In north central districts.
Az North Conway, N. H., the rainfall for
the week ending April IL Has O. 80 inches,
while over six inches fell Aom the morn.
ing OF the 18th TO the morning Of the 10th.
Ihe Hoods delayed work on intervales, but
Ihe rain was of great benefit 20 pastures
lnd fields, and it started the frost and
nowbanks rapidly Ia tho northern dis
riots. At the end OF April very little
arm work had boon done in the north,
md 1t was backward in the south, with |
'ome seeding and planting done.
In tho North.
During the past week the weather has /
'een generally fair in the northern states,
Vith warm days, but cold, frosty nights. /
IA Maine, considerable plowing has been
one, and little seeding and planting,
ut this work will not be general for
'eek yet. The frosty nights have injured
rass lands seeded last year. A good,
arm rain is needed
New Hampshire.
The freeze on May killed many buds in
,utheastern New Hampshire but most
lrrespondents report little or no damage
'om it; most fruit buds were not far
1ough advanced to De injured There il
Ill some snow In the woods In the north.
at farm work Is progressing and a little
anting has been done. In the southern
'unties oats and peas are mostly in, and
4 dry fields large acreage Of potatoes
rs been planted. Trees are leaving ont
owly. Grass is reported to DO starting
nely, and sheep and young stock can get
'srly their living.
Vermont
The weather has been extremely favor.
lie for farm work In Vermont. but most
respondents report need Of warm rain.
ne roads are dusty, and all grass and win '
grains need water, although they ara
,rting well Most sowing of oats. bar. ,
: and wheat have been done on the ear. '
r fields in southern counties. and pota-
IS are being put in. There is a fear ex- (
essed that fruit buds are being hurried Il
)ng too fast by the warm sunshine. and /,
AZ later frosts will injure them. One cor g
'pondent states that "dry weather scares {
ople, while wet weather starves them in =
=
Massachusetts,
The soil Is In good shape for work In q
'ssachusetts and all farm work has been
'idiy carried on. The ground is dry in
ces ana more rain Is needed Grass IA
king unusually well, and there arc very
reports of winter-kiled places. Apri.
S are beginning 10 blossom; cherry and
'ch buds are opening, and occasionally
trawberry Is In full bloom. Early peas
1 radishes etc, are coming above "
'und The only damage reported from "a
frost OF the End was To asparagus. 4
that has since grown rapidly and cut
has begun on early fields. The Gran.
ry vines wore badly winter. killed on d
Is not covered with water. The wob "
rm is at work
Rhode Island. \.
20 damage is reported from the fros, in
ode Island, though the rapid changes
emperaturc are not altogether favor. 4
?. Farm work Is progressing favor "
Y and vegetation is coming forward
idly. I
Connecticut.
he spring Is reported rather backward
Connecticut but the recent warm days
anced everything rapidly. Rain Is
ly needed, especially i'm Fairfield
nty, where there IL considerable com.
MT OF slow growing vegetation, with
's coming along thin and grains start.
uneyenly. The weather has been IN.
'ble for farm work, and that has been
he'd ahead. Much seeding has been
?, and although potato planting will go
or some timo In most sections. vat on
earlier holds in southern counties n