Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-18
WEATHER AVID CROPS.
New England Experienced Great Climatic
Changes fhe Past Week.

the following bulletin for the week ending
Sept. IS:
The weather in New England during
the past week has been one OF extremes,
both in temperature and in the severity OF
local storms. The first part Of the week
high temperature prevailed, with severe
local storms, and in the last part I'M
usually cold weather with heavy frosts in
most low lands. The heaviest frost was
on the morning of the 18th. at Northneld,
VT. The weather bureau observer re-
ported temperature Of 2o9, and all grow
ing crops killed. At Concord, Mass, the
grass thermometer registered 27.7o 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. I'm
usually heavy local storms moved across
central New England on the afternoon
and evening OF the 18th, and much dam
age resulted by lightning, wind and hail
The storm assumed tornadolike severity
across the Connecticut valley and oil tho
eastern coast of Massachusetts, AT Am
horst, Mass, a wind velocity OF over ~
miles an hour was recorded. over IA
inches Of rain fell there in 20 minutes.
At Concord, Mass, .46 inch Of rain fell In
five minutes as recorded by registering
gauge.
Water Still Low.
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 tho
end. Crops are well along, and although
good many forage plants and some corn
were damaged, the minority of them arc
Al. g
One correspondent in Aroostook county
states that potatoes have rottcd very badly
and 1t is supposed the decay was caused by
the long spell Of warm, dry weather Ono
generally thinks of potatoes rottng worse
with wet weather, other conditions being
equal, and it will be interesting to know
il the experience of other observers is the
same.
Phosphates Helped Potatoes.
The frost was severe In all valleys in
New Hampshire on the morning of the
18th, and in many 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
to wet up the top of the ground. 1t is too
dry for blowing in northern sections, but
grass seed recently sown has started well
with the showers and warm weather. Tho
report from the college at Durham states
that potatoes are rotting badly in places,
and especially late ones, unless they were
sprayed Ono correspondent In Belknap
county reports that potatoes are rotting
badly on mapurcd land, while where phos-
pilates only were used not much rot Is
seen.
Hcat, Cold and Frost,
Hot with heavy showers the first part Of
the week, and cold with killing frosts the
last part, tel. the story of the weather In
Vermont. The correspondent at Morris
vile, in Lamoile county, states that 2.6j
inches of water fell on the 18th. A CORE
spondcnt in Orleans county states that
potatoes are rotting very badly; one man
dug 16 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 fas
Us possible, Corn is cut in u large number
Of fields, so the frost of Sunday morning
did no serious damage. The correspondent
ut Morrisville states that winter apples are |
decaying badly, and that no Is unable &c |
account for It, Externally they appear all
right but when opened are worthless.
Good Harvest Weather.
Enough rain has fallen in most parts of
Massachusetts to greatly benefit growing
crops and ncwly seeded pieces, but not
enough to I'LL up wells and springs to any
extent, though there is no extreme
scarcity of water in any place. Tina
weather has been generally favorable for
ripening 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 unripo crops considerably injured
Cranberries on boys that could not bU
flowed were injured to some extent. Gran
berry picking is going on rapidly under
favorable conditions. The fruit Is ripen
ing slowly. The thunder, wind and hail
storm of the 18th did considerable damage
in the west central part of the state es
pccially. 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
correspondent remarks that they are rot
ting seriously; he is in Hampshire
county.
Very little rain has fallen in any sec.
tlOn OF hnOue lSldnu during inc week.
and in places none at all. The weather has
boon very favorable for harvesting crops,
and the time has been well improved.
Corn is generally cut and is curing we'll
Light frosts We're general on the 10Th and
10th, but no damage has been reported
Water Is Scarce.
In places In Connecticut the shower OF
the night of the 9th was severe and some
damage was DONE but generally little or
no rain has fallen, and the ground is
greatly in need of water. In the northwest
crn counties, and in the adjoining section
Of New York, the drought is sevcre--water
is getting scarce, pastures are very short,
recently sown grass and grain seed sprouts
very slowly and unevenly and apples arc
dropping. The crops have ripened very
fast, though, and there is generally an
early harvest. Corn is reported out fully |
aweek earlier than the average, and silos !
are being rapidly filed. No great amount |
Of damage has been reported from the |
frost, although il was general in all low |
lands. Some late corn and buckwheat :
were damaged, and tender garden crops
killed. The peach crop is being gathered, |