The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-07
FRESH START.
Rain Has Helped New
England Crops.
Arcles and Other Fruit are
Very Promising.
Hay Crop Is Likely TO BE Better
Than Expected.

Boston. July 7. = The following
weather-crop bulletin is issued by the
United States agricultural bureau, New
England section. j. Warren Smith.
director:
The weather In New England for the
week ending July has been generally
favorable for farm work and for tha
growth Of vegetation. Crops were dried
badly in all central and northern Sec
tions during the first OF the week, but
the rains Of the 4th and 9Th have soaked
up the ground and everything is PROM
ising. From one-haif TO three fourths
inch of rain came in southern and CEN
tral districts, and from one to two inches
In southwestern. Haying is we'll under
way In the south, and is being begun in
the north. Practically all correspond
ents report the hay crop very light, but
better than was expected a week or 10
days ago. Pastures were getting short,
but have improved since the rain.
Maine.
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 willing to a 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 will cause marked
increase in the growth. Haying has
begun to limited extent, but is not
general yet in this state Potatoes and
corn are both reported little backward,
but growing we'll. Apples and small
fruits are very promising and are grow
ing well.
New Hampshire.
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 well, except on very light soil.
Grain is very good. Grass Is reported
to be better than was expected before
getting into it. but 1t 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 well and blackberries have set for
a large crop, Apples are still promising
and not falling badly, except in a few
instances.
Vermont.
The weather was very dry and windy
in Vermont till the 4th. and crops suf-
fered to considerable extent. Pastures
and grass on dry fields suffered es-
pecially: the former turned brown very
fast, and the latter dried up and de-
creased in amount where not cut. The
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 70 crops
Haying has begun. and correspondents
report a light crop where cut. Field
crops have grown we'll generally, and are
promising. Strawberries have been
good and of remarkably good flavor
Apples are dropping some. but generally
there are enough left for the best good
OF the trees. A severe electrical storm
did much damage at Burlington and
vicinity on the night OF the 9Th.
massachusetts
The weather has been generally favor.
able for haymakiug 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
marked extent. Hall fell in thunder
storm I'm the Connecticut valley on the
Sd, doing some damage To tobacco fields
In Southampton and vicinity, though na
seriously. Tobacco Is growing well, and
reports from Hampden county state that
II stands on an average about one foot
in height. Corn ana potatoes are doing
fairly well. Garden crops are coming
into the market in good quantity and Of
nne quality Tomatoes are very large.
Wild raspberries are rpening, and a
fair crop. Blackberry bushes hang very
full Blueberries are coming into the
markets. and "a good crop IS indicated.
Cranberries are In blossom, and promise
we'll.
Rhode Island.
The week has given fine growing
weather in Rhode Island. The tirst part
was warm, with much sunshine, and the
last cool and cloudy, with good shower
on the 4th and 5th. Haying has been
delayed. but the crop has been improved.
Heed crops are all growing well.
Connecticut.
The week has been very favorable IN
Cnnnecilcut and all ornna 70 nrnrnIn-