The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-09
SOAKING RAINSTORM.
Has Been of Great Benefit to Crops
In New England.
Grass Fields Thicken!ng Up But Question
of Hay Crop Still In Doubt.

Boston, June 9.-The following climate
and crop bulletin is issued by the United
States department of agriculture. New
England section, j. Warren Smith, di-
rector:
The weather in New England for the
week ending June was generally fair
for the first five days, and rainy the last
two. The days have been warm, but the
nights cool, with light frost in the val
leys in the northern states on the morn
ing of the Sd; no damage. A gentle,
soaking rain began on the morning of
the 7th, and up to u. m. on the sth. just
about three-fourths inch had fallen over
Ill New England. At Eastport. Me-, the
fall was only "A inch. but at Portland il
was .7S inch at Boston, 20: at Nan
tucket, ~, and at Albany, sc inch. In
the south many fields of grass were too
nearly matured to be helped by the
rain of last week, but generally there is
q marked Improvement in grass lands.
pastures and all field crops Apples and
small fruits are generally very promis-
ing.
. Grass is reported to be backward in
Maine, but ii is growing Well now. The
weather has been generally favorable
for farm work. and for the growth of
vegetation, though the bulk of the field
crops are rather backward. Grain has
improved during the week. TIE greater
part Of the crops have been planted, and
hoeing has begun on the early fields.
There is some late grain yet to be sowed.
Correspondents In Kennebec county re-
port that the cut worm is working on
the corn more than usual. Apples have
set well.
New Hampshire.
The last part of the week was trihe
cool for everything but grass, but taken
altogether the past week was a profit
able one for farmers In New Hampshire.
The weather was generally clear till
Sunday, with warm days. but cool
nights. A moderate and soaking rain
fell on the 7th and Sth, which must
prove of benefit to all crops. A light
frost occurred I'm the valleys on the
morning of the Sd, but no damage has
been reported. Grass has Improved
great deal during the week. though on
old fields and light soils IL is short and
thin. Pastures are improving fast.
Corn and potatoes are coming up well.
though a little uneyenly. Fruit has
fallen considerably. Currants and ber-
rles promise well. Little hoeing has
teen DONE and there is some crops yet
to be put in.
Vermont.
The prospect for hay has been much
improved in most of Vermont by the
rains OF the past two weeks, but there is
still considerable complaint that the
crop must be light on many fields. In
Addison county, where there is clay
subsoil, the hay prospect Is very poor.
1t takes a long time to moisten up such
soil after IL Is once dried out. unless IL
has been thoroughly worked with a sub
soil plow. Pastures are greatly i'm
proved, though short I'm places Corn Is
growing well. Oats and other grains are
doing fairly we'll Potatoes have started
enevenly Apples have set very full. a
light frost on the Sd did no damage Of
account.
Massachusetts.
The weather was very drying IN Mas
sachusetts during all the first part OF
the week. and the rain OF the 9Th and
sth was welcome. Grass Is maturing
fast. and on uplands anv I'm orchards
will be ready To cut this week. Old
fields and dry lands have been but little
hclped by the fains and MACH lard In