Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-19
WEATHER AND CROPS.
General Drought Reported in Southern New
England Sections.

Boston, June IS. = The following
weather-crop bulletin for the week ending
June II is issued by the New England
weather bureau:
An abundance Of rain has fallen in the
extreme northern sections during tho
week, but in central and southern coun-
ties only light local showers have come,
and all crops are beginning to feel the eff
fects Of dry weather to slight extent;
grass is suffering and the present outlook
is for a light hay crop.
Comparatively few ofthe correspondents
make any mention of birds, but of the
number large majority agra that there
is scarcity. One or two, however, say
that birds never were SO plenty around
their farm as this year, but they do not
mention the kind of bird. S. A. Tenney of
Newport, n. H., says that of robbins, bob
olinks and sparrows, not more than one
pair in 10 are to be found this year as com
pared with other years. Foster II. Bracket
of Boston, an eminent ornithOlogist. says
the birds that winter in our southern
states, like the blucbird, phoebe, robin and
thrush are very scarce, probably because
of the extremely cold weather last winter;
while those birds that winter in the West
Indies and farther south are as plenty as
usual. These last comprise the warblers,
fiycatchers, sparrows, etc. The lesson to
be learned from this is, that with less
birds to keep the insect pests under CON
troll, the fruit grower and others must dc
much more work himself.
Grass Crop Promising.
Considerable rain fell in showers over
the central and northern parts of Maine
during the week. and, under the influence
of the warm weather and sunshine follow
ing, all crops are pushing ahead very fast
Grass especially is thickening up and
growing we'll, and if showery conditions
continue for two weeks more good crop
will be assured in most fields. Some dam
age was done by lightning on the 14th and
18th and slight injury by hail on the first
of these dates. In Oxford county the
heavy showers have delayed hoeing. Small
fruits are promising. In Cumberland
county early apples are setting well, but
late ones are practically failure.
More Rain Needed.
In the southern part of New Hampshire
the dry weather has seriously affected
grass, and there is every prospect of light
crop. Some correspondents say so per cent
will cover the crop as compared to the
average. In southern Rockingham county
the field and garden crops are being seri-
ously injured; oats and peas are drying
up; potatoes and corn are turning yellow
some pieces of grain are plowed under and
fodder corn planted, but that fails to come.
In more northern sections, however, field
crops are growing fast and grass is en-
coucaging. In Coos county there will be
full average hay crop out. Grain is do
ing well. Wild Strawberries are very
thick, and other small fruits are promis-
ing well. In Hillsboro county where
there was a very good setting of apples
they have nearly all dropped off, and there
is much less promise of a good yield than
formerly.
General Outlook Good.
The outlook for all crops is very good in
Vermont, rs light showers have fallen in
most districts during the week. One OBJ
server in Addison county says, "a wonder
fully growing time" There is the usual
complaint of light hay crop on old fields,
but the prospect is good for large one on
new fields and low lands. Apples arc
dropping slightly, but the crop appears
very promising, the frost really serving
only to thin them out in places.
Winter rye is headed out and is good.
Corn and oats are looking finely and grow
ing fast. More rain is needed to keep
crops growing.
Dry Weather Felt.
Moderate local showers prevailed in
northern counties on the 18th doing a
great deal of good wherever the rain fell
1t started garden truck and field crops
along and helped grass very much. In
other parts of the state where the showers
did not reach, crops on dry land are begin
ming to feel the drought. Strawberries,
especially, are having their quantity and
length of yield shortened. Corn is doing
well generally, and potatoes though I'M
even are improving. Cranberry boys are
improving in condition. The wood on
grapes has been renewed and is full of
blossoms. Cherries have blasted badly.
One correspondent in Middlesex county
states that blackberries are almost total
failure. Pea picking has begun. The
asparagus season is about over. Haying
has begun to slight extent, and the crop
is not very promising. Old unfertilized
fields especially are short and thin, some
will hardly pay for cutting. The canker
worm have generally ceased operations
and the apple trees are recovering.
Ground Getting Dry.
No rain has fallen during the week in
this state, and the top of the ground is
getting dry, but all crops are growing
,-or,- fact Old folIc will uiye a 1iuht bax-