Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-08
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The Situation in New E England Vastly improved
by Recent Rains.

section of the United States agricultural
A heavy, soaking rain fell over the
most of Maine on the afternoon and
night of the 4th, benefitting grass and
hoed crops very much. The first part
Of the week had been hot and drying.
and field crops were whiting to con-
siderable extent but since the rain they
show a marked Improvement. The cor
respondent at Lewiston states, that
crops never looked better at this season
of the year. He says the hay crop will
not be so bulky as last year. but will
be more solid and hardy. and probably
of equal value. Most correspondents
think the crop will be considerably be-
low the average, though there is no
doubt but the rain viii cause marked
increase in the growth. Haying has
begun to a limited extent. but is not
general yet In this state Potatoes and
Sorn are both reported little backward,
but growing well. Apples and small
fruits are very promising and are grow
Ing we'll
The week has been generally favorable
for work in New Hampshire. and haying
and hoeing have been pushed along to-
gether. All field crops. grass lands and
pastures were feeling the effects of the
hot, drying weather very badly, but the
rain has given present relief. and the
outlook is more promising. The cor
respondent in Carroll county reports
that corn looks discouraging. and that
crops are backward and looking rather
poor on the whole. but the general re-
port is that field and garden crops are
growing we'll, except on very light soil.
Grain is very good. Grass is reported
to be better than was expected before
getting into it, but it promises to be
very light in most fields. A correspond
ent in Merrimack county says small
fruits will be poor on account of the
drought. but generally raspberries are
doing we'll and backberries have set for
large crop. Apples are still promising
and not falling badly, except in a few
instances.
The weather was very dry and windy
in Vermont till the 4th, and crops suf-
fered to a considerable extent. Pastures
and grass on dry fields suffered es-
pecially: the former turned brown very
fast. and the latter dried up and de-
rain of the 4th and 9Th amounted to about
one-half inch in southern districts, but
in Addison county over two inches
came. The ground took most of the rain,
and much good will result to crops.
Haying has begun, and correspondents
report a light crop where cut. Field
crops have grown well generally, and are
promising. Strawberries have been
- Il, ~, Il n
Apples are dropping some, but generally
there are enough left for the best good
of the trees.
The weather has been generally favor
able for haymalling in Massachusetts,
and much hay has been housed in east
ern counties in good condition. Crops
were feeling the effects of the dry
weather seriously. especially in north
central districts. but the rains of the last
of the week have moistened the top of
the ground, and changed the outlook to
a marked extent. Hail fell in a thunder
storm In the Connecticut valley on the
Sd, doing some damage to tobacco fields
in Southampton and vicinity, though not
seriously. Tobacco is growing well, and
reports from Hampden county state that
1t stands on an average about one foot
in height. Corn and potatoes are doing
fairly well. Garden crops are coming
into the market in good quantity, and of
fine quality. Tomatoes are very large.
Wild raspberries are ripening, and a
fa -rop. Blackberry bushes hang very
full Blueberries are coming into the
markets, and a good crop is indicated.
Cranberries are in blossom, and promise
well.
The week has given fine growing
weather in Rhode Island The first part
was warm, with much sunshine, and the
last cool and cloudy, with good shower
on the 4th and 9Th. Haying has been
delayed. but the crop has been improved.
Hoed crops are all growing well.
The week has been very favorable in
Connecticut, and all crops are promis-
ing. One correspondent in Fairfield
county reports that. during a ride over
the county on the 4th, he made the fol-
lowing observations: Rye is ready for
the reaper. is heavy and stands I'D well.
cats are of very rank growth; pota-
toes looking fair; corn small, but good
color; crop of blackberries and raspber.
ries large; few fall pears; hardly nm
average apple crop; hay crop almost an
average. but more daisies than usual"
Other correspondents tell about the same
story about all crops. In New Haven
county new potatoes show some scab.
hut yield we'll Turnip seed cutting has
commenced in this county with a good
crop. Ounce bushes are showing signs
OF blight. Grapes are promising very
plenty in Holland county.