The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-17
MIXED WEATHER
Heat, Frost, Rain and Drought In Por
tions Of New England
CROPS GENERALLY HARVESTED
So That but Little Damage Has
Been Reported.

weather bureau, J. Warren Smith, di-
rector:
The weather In Now England during
the past week has been one Of extremes,
both in temperature and In the severity 81
local storms. TRe first part Of the week
high temperature prevailed, with severe
local storms, and in the last part un-
usually cold weather, with heavy frosts in
most low lands. Tho heaviest frost was
On the morning Of the 10th. at Northfield.
VT. The weather Bureau observer re-
ported temperature of 26s, and all grow
ing crops killed. At Concord, Mass, the
grass thermometer registered ere. A
good many sections escaped damage, es-
pecially in the south, and crops were so
generally harvested everywhere that no
serious INJURY has been reported. Un-
usually heavy local storms moved across
central New England on the afternoon
and evening Of the llth, and much dam
age resulted by lightning wind and hail
The storm assumed tornado-like severity
across the Connecticut valley and off the
eastern coast Of Massachusetts,. At Am
herst, Mass, a wind velocity of over 90
miles an hour was recorded. Over ~
inches of rain fen there in 20 minutes
AT Concord, Mass, As inch OF rain fell in
five minutes, as recorded by registering
gauge.
Maine.
The showers have been very favorable In
Maine, and have benefited the ground
very much, but wells and streams continue
low. Warm weather prevailed the first Of
the week and cold nights and frosts at the
end. Crops are we'll along, and although
good many forage plants and some corn
were damaged, the majority OF them are
gathered, or out OF the way of damage
Que correspondent In Aroostook county
states that potatoes have rotted very badly
and IL Is supposed the decay was caused by
the long spell Of warm, dry weather. One
generally thinks Of potatoes rotting worse
with wet weather, other conditions being
equal, and It will be interesting TO know
II the experience Of other observers is tho
same.
New Hampshire.
The frost was severe in all valleys In
New Hampshire on the morpipg Of the
10th, and In mahy places It killed every
thing unprotected. 1t Is not thought that
apples have been injured to any extent.
There were heavy showers on the 9th to
18TH, and sufficient rain fell in most sections
W Wtl uR thc tOP vi tiiN kiOuhu Az ~ wv
dry for plowing In northern sections, but
grass seed recently sown has started we'll
with the showers aud warm weather. The
report from the college at Durham states
that potatoes are rotting badly in places,
and especially late ones unless they were
sprayed One correspondent In Belknap
county reports that potatoes are rotting
badly on mapured land, while where phos-
L..
seen.
Vermont.
Hot with heavy showers the first part of
the week, and cold with killing frosts the
last part, tell the story Of the weather in
Vermont. The correspondent at Morris
Vile in Lamoile county, states that 263
inches of water fell on the llth. A corre-
spondent in Orleans county states that
potatoes are rotting very badly; one man
dug 10 bushels and had only seven bushels
of good ones. Generally, however, the OBJ
servers in this state report the potatoes of
fine quality. They are being dug as fast
as possible. Corn is cut In large number
Of fields, so tho FROST of Sunday morning
did no serious damage. The correspondent
at Morrisvllle states that winter apples are
decaying badly, and that he Is unable to
account for 1t. Externally they appear all
right, but when opened are worthless.
Massachusetts,.
Enough raip has fallen In most parts OF
Massachusetts to greatly benefit growing
crops aud newly seeded pieces, but not
enough to all up wells and springs to any
extent, though there Is no extreme
scarcity OF water In any place The
weather has been generally favorable for
and harvesting crops, and the
time has been SO well improved that
comparatively small amount Of damage
resulted from the frosts Of the last of the
week. Cucumbers for pickles and other
tender garden crops were damaged, and
in low places uncut corn was injured and
other unripe crops considerably injured.
Cranberries on bogs that could not be
flowed were injured TO some extent. Gram
berry picking Is going on rapidly under
favorable conditions. The fruit is ripen-
ing slowly. The thunder, wind and hail
storm of the llth did considerable damage
in the west central part Of the state es-
pecially. Much glass was broken and
fruit trees extensively damaged. Much OF
the corn is cut and shocked. Potatoes are
being dug, and, though rotting, only one
remarks that they are rot
ting seriously; hc is in Hampshire
county.
Rhode Island.
Very little rain has fallen In any Sec
tion OF Rhode Island during the week,
and In places none at all. The weather has
been very favorable for harvesting crops,
and the timo has been we'll improved.
Corn Is generally cut and is curing well
Light frosts were general on the 18th and
10th, but no damago has been reported.
Connecticut.
In places In Connecticut the shower OF
the night of the 9th was severe aud some
was done but generally little or
no rain has fallen and the ground IL
greatly in need of at =. In the northwest
ern counties, and Ia che adjoining section
of New York, the drought IL sevore-water
is getting scarce, pastures are very short,
recently sown grass and grain seed sprouts
very slowly aud uncyenly and apples arc
dropping. The crops have ripcncd very
fast, though, and there is generally an
early harvest. Corn is reported out fully
a week earlier than the average, and silos
ara Lcinc ranldly filled No 1reat nfnount