Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-17
WEATHER AND CROPS.
Rain Has Doomed Agriculture in All Parts Of
New England.

Boston, July l6-The New England
weather service. in cooperation with the
board of agriculture, issues the following
bulletin for the week ending July 10:
Sufficient rains have fallen in Maine for
the good growth of all field crops during
the week, but for tho most part favorable
weather for curing hay has prevailed, and
has been improved to its fullest extent.
One correspondent in Penobscot country
reports about two-thirds the average hay
crop. but generally the prospect is for
fully an average yield. Pastures are very
good for the season. Small fruits are gen
orally in abundance. Corn Is excellent.
Potatoes are growing well, with no re-
port of blight as yet; this crop was being
damaged by dry weather fully as much as
any other The prospect for all crops is
very encouraging. At Harrison in Cum
berland county LIS inches of rain fell in
20 hours on the 9Th. 1t was not accom-
panied by wind, and did great deal OF
good.
Light Hay Crop.
The grass on New Hampshire lowlands
has been improved by the wet weather. but
having has been delayed in most sections.
and the grass on uplands is getting much
too ripe. 1t is rusting to considerable ex-
tent, and in Hillsboro county there is com
plaint of It's mildewing badly The gem
eral report is for light hay crop, though
some work on lowlands show that it is
better than expected. The feed in pas
lures is reported short in Cheshire county
but generally it is splendid and stock is
doing well. There is great promise of II
second crop. Grain is growing fast and
filing well. Corn is growing luxuriantly,
but was damaged considerably by the
high wind on the 10th, especially in Bel
KNAPP county. Blackberries are reported
in fine condition in southern counties, but
in Coos county a blight is affecting the
bushes; the fruit does not grow, the stems
dry up and the leaves die Blueberries
are reported not to be very plenty Grass
hoppcrs are reported unusually thick.
Slightly too wet for potatoes ON low
ground in central counties.
Grasshoppers IN Vermont.
Excellent weather prevailed over most
of Vermont until Friday, and a great deal
of hay has been put in in splendid condi-
ton. The quality Of the hay this year is
very high, but nearly all the correspond
cnts report less than the average quantity
The weather has been very dry here, and
crops were suffering when the rains of the
last of the week revived them and gave
them new color. Potatoes have suffered,
but are now growing well. Corn has been
growing slowly in Lamoile county, but
other correspondents pronounce 1t In
splendid condition. Pastures are very
short in many places and grasshoppers are
doing considerable damage. Transplanted
crops are making good growth ami
gardens generally look well. The rain in
southern counties lodged oats badly.
Pears are looking well, but apples con
tinue to give prospect Of light crop.
Rain Lodged Grain.
Very unfavorable weather for curing
hay has prevailed in most of Massachu
sctts, and considerable damage has been
done to partly made hay by the frequent
showers. The general prospect is for a
crop below the average, but it is reported
to be better than was expected Pastures
are good, and the promise for second
grass crop is excellent. The heavy rains
have lodged grain and stout grass badly.
AT Fitchburg, in Worcester county, on the
9th, Alb inches Of rain fell in 81 hours,
337 inches falling in ~ hours The CORE
spondent, DR. Fisher, states that this fall
is unprecedented there in his 81 years OF
observation. Hail accompanied thun
derStorm on the afternoon of the 18th, do
ing much damage in Hampshire county
and continuing with less severity cast
ward almost to the coast. In South Am
herst it is reported that thousands OF
dollars damage was done to early vegcta
bles and corn that were nearly ready for
market, peas, vines and onions being cut
to pieces. There are reports of frosts in
lowlands in Hampton county on the
morning of the 18th. Tobacco stands
well, but needs more sunshine. The re
ports on small fruits and berries are quite
variable, but generally there is no grea;
crop of berries in prospect. The CORE
spondent from Winchendon, the great
bluebcrry section, reports the lightest
blueberry crop for some years. Cranberry
boys that escaped the damaging cold OF
the past winter are showing n good set OF
fruit.
Too Wet In Rhody.
There Is some fear that the continued
wet weather will injure potatoes in Rhode
Island, but the moisture is very beneficial
to the rest of the field and garden crops,
and I'll are growing well. Haying is ad-
vancing slowly, and considerable has been
damaged by the frequent showers.
Much Damage by Hail.
A great many sections of Connecticut
have been visited by hailstorms this week,
and one correspondent in Fairfield county
reports great injury to field crops, and
many acres of tobacco destroyed An
other correspondent states that while the
chief damage was to tobacco, it was not
great enough to be serious, as not more
than four to six leaves on stalk are
large enough to be punctured. Corn
leaves Were slitted and torn, but not ser-
ously injured. Grapes. where not covered
by leaves, We're bruised and injured some
Poor hay weather has prevailed, but a
good many of the correspondents say the
crop is thickening up at the bottom, and
is really improving. Corn and potatoes
are generally fine. Tobacco is reported to
be behind the season. Rye is being
harvested. and is giving fair crop The
orrc'pondent at Milford reports a small
amount of celery being set, as the seed
failed to come up well. AT Greenfield
Hill, in Fairfield county, the harvesting
of onion sets has begun, and an excellent
crop is in prospect Peaches are dropping
considerably IL Fairfield county. but gen
orally "a large crop is assured Apples are
promising well, generally. The cloudy