Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-09
LAST OF THE SEASON.
An Interesting Bulletin from the Weather
Bureau Officials.

occurred in the valleys, Out many NIL
towns in both the north and south arc
still free from damage by cold weather,
and late corn, tomatoes, vines, etc; arc
growing uninJurcd. The clear weather
has been improved, and harvesting VI all
crops is well under way. Apple picking
Is not large task this year in all central
and northern districts, and the quality OF
the apples is very poor. Insect pests have
worked on them badly, and they are re-
ported smA and poor-looking. It is pos
siblc that the result from the lack Of
birds is being felt to greater extent on
fruit this year than wns expected The
fruit trees have generally made q good
growth.
The drought Is getting to be serious in
great part Of New England, though not
50 much In injury to surface crops rs to
the wells and springs. Northern sections
especially are suffering, and wells are dry
that have never failed before, and rivers
are lowest for years. At Belfast Ne, a
large part OF the wells in town are dry.
Mills on the st. Croix and Dannys rivers
in eastern Maine have stopped for want 81
water, and electric power stations in other
towns have had to shut down. In parts
Of Connecticut wells are dry that did not
get dry all last year. Much rain VIII DC
needed to fill up the reservoirs before
the ground freezes.
The effect Of the drought on the top Of
the ground has been to cause apples TO
fall, reduce feed in pastures and shorten
the second crop OF grass, and damage fan
seeding Of grass and grain.
A Glance at the Past.
The winter Of i89i.I895 was termed
"bard old fashioned winter, " especially in
southern New England, giving continued
cold weather and more snow than usual.
The abundant snow served to protect
grass and grain roots, however, and
very little damage was done 10 those or TO
fruit.
Much cool weather prevailed in April,
and in central districts there was M ex-
cessive precipitation, with one of the most
damaging floods on record in north CEN
trail districts The rain delayed farm
work on nteryalcs, but it started the frost
and snowbanks. and Mt the end of the
month some work had been done in the
north but was backward in the south.
The second week in May was unusually
warm, and all vegetation made n rapid
growth The fruit buds came out so fast
that they were considerably injured by the
cold weather following, especially in the
valleys in the northern states. Gran
berries were damaged also.
June was warmer and dricr than normal.
From the 9Th TO the 18th very little rain
fall came, and all crops were affected by
the dry weather. Grass especially sui
fcrcd, and in the south all uplands were
prematurely ripe, and cutting was begun
very early. With the last week Of the
month abundant rains came for surface
saturatou, and the month Of July opened
with very favorable prospects for all
farmers On meadows grass was thiclion-
ing up we'll, pastures were generally good
and newly cut fields were showing very
green Corn was looking especially we'll.
Cooler Than Usual.
July was cooler and dricr than the nor
nal in the north and northwest, but with
more than the usual amount of preclpita-
tian in the southeast. Much cloudiness
prevailed with frequent showers, and hay
making was carried on under rather poor
conditions. Pastures were unusually lux
urnnt, however, except in the northwest;
the second crop of grass promised we'll,
and most hald crops were growing very
fast.
Both the maximum and minimum tenn
pcratures were lower than are usually re-
corded in August The nights were gen
orally cool, and light frosts We're expert
cnced in valleys on the morning of the
22d. The rain was we'll distributed, and
although less than the normal amount
of grass and all field crops did well in
most places, favorable weather prevailed
for harvesting. and most grain was gath
cred in good shape. Tobacco was cut and
housed in splendid condition. and its
quality was reported above tho average.
The showers were not heavy enough how
ever to fill up springs, ard all water
reservoirs were lower than they are often
found ut this time OF year.
Wide Range of Thermometer.
September was month of extremes In
temperature, with light precipitation, and
with several severe local storms. On the
10Th frost was experienced in most val
leys, and considerable damage was done
in the northern states. The 2lst to the 23d
gave unusually warm weather, with
strong drying winds, and newly seeded
ground was dricd-appcs, ungatherea
fruit and tomatoes were badly scalded.
The rain was not sufficient for surface
growth. and pastures We're reported in
poor condition generally. Apples have
dropped badly.
Tho season rs whole has been very
favorable for crop advancement, and it
closes with most crops harvested in extra
fine condition. Corn especially Is very
sound and fine and has cured we'll. AL
though, for the most part, showers have ,oc-
cured with sufficient frequency for crops,
there have been no long rains during the
summer, and the deficiency for the year
amounts to 10 inches and over in many
parts of New England.
Correspondents Aid Appreciated.
In closing the crop bulletin issue for
this season we wish to publicly thank the
correspondents who have sent weekly re-
ports. The issue of bulletins this year
has been the largest ever sent out in New
England as we are mailing weekly nearly
1000 copies, and their value and inn
postancc are due entirely to the careful, ac
curato and Regular reports Of the CORE
spondcntS.
a Pointer For Wheelmen.
The telegraph ana telephone poles are
landmarks which arc often of great aid to
the bieyclist who is on tour. The lines
of wire usually skirt tho main thorough