Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-06-10
WEATHER AND cR0Ps.
Conditions oi . Favorable Character During
tho Past Week.

f
Boston. June 9.-The United States as-
ricultural bureau, New England section.
issues the following weather-crop bull
letin for the past week.
The weather In New England Tor the
week ending June was generally fair
for the first flve days. and rainy the last
two. The days have been warm. but the
nights cool. with a light frost In the val
leys in the northern states on the morn
ing of the Sd: no damage. A gentle,
spaklng rain began on the morning Of
the 18th. and up TO p. m. on the Sth. Just
about three-foIrths inch had fallen over
all New England. AtEastport, Nc. the
fall was only "A inch. but at Portland 1t
was rs inch: at Boston, 20; at Nan
tucket, ~, and at Albany, .66 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
4 marked Improvement in grass lands.
pastures and all field crops Apples and
small fruits are generally very proms-
ing.
Grass is reported to be backward In
Maine. but 1t is growing well now. The
weather has been generally favorahls
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. The 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 Kenncbec county re-
port that the cut worm is working on
the corn more than usual. Apples have!
set well.
The last part of the week was trlfle
cool for everything but grass, but taken
altogether the past week was q 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 in the valleys on the
morning OF the Sd. but no damage has
been reported. Grass has improved a
great deal during the week. though on
old fields and light soils 1t ia short and
thin. Pastures are improving fast
Corn and potatoes are coming up well.
though a little unevenly. Fruit has
fallen considerably. Currants and her
rics promise WELL Little hoeing has
teen done, and there Is some crops yet
to be put in.
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 a clay
subsoll. the hay prospect is very poor,
1t takes long time to moisten up such
soil after it Is once dried out. unless II
has been thoroughly worked with a sub
soil plow. Pastures are greatly i'm
proved. though short In 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 o.
account.
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 and in orchards
will be ready to cut this week. Old
fields and dry lands have been but little
helped by the rains. and much land is
being piowed up and put down 20 fodder
corn or Hungarian grass for forage.
Spring seeded grass has not come well
but fall seeded and rich meadows. as well
as pastures. are showing marked i'm
rrovement with the wet weather. Favor
able conditions have prevailed for trans
planting, and most of the tobacco has
been set. Tobacco plants are doing
well. though being somewhat injured by
cut worms and wire worms. Strawber-
ries are ripening very freely. and in fine
condition. Apples are well formed. and
appear promising. Cherries have
blighted to some extent. Tomatoes ara
beginning to blossom, and peas have
been in blossom for several days. Con-
siderable corn has been replanted, but.
generally. corn and potatoes look fairly
well. Dr. Fisher of Fitchburg reports
grape blossoms on the 9Th. II days ahead
of the average. and one day earlier than
any year in the last 40.
Much sunshine has prevailed in Rhode
Island. and. although a little cool for
many crops. the weather has been other
wise favorable, and crops are progress
ing nicely. There is some complaint in
southern Washington county. however.
that potatoes are not doing very we'll
The nights have been quite cool
The thirsty soil took in the rain of the
previous week so thoroughly in Connec-
ticut, that the top of the ground was get
ting dry again when rain of the eth and
Sth came. Newly set tobacco needed
considerable watering. and the grass on
dry fields showed but little improve
nent. Pastures have been much i'm
proved, and great many fields are
thickening up and growing fast. but on
other fields the condition of the grass
is aptly put in the following quotation
from the report of one of our corrcspon-
dents: Pastures excellent. but hay?"
Gardens look well. though insect pests
continue numerous. Corn and oats are
coming on in good shape. and consider
able corn has been hoed. Potatoes are
rather uneven. and are generally re-
ported to be looking rather poorly for
the season. Pears and apples are drop
ping some, but there is good set of the
last named fruit. One correspondent in
Fairfield county says the reports OF
farmers received in grange meetings
Indicate that pears were badly blasted;
that cherries and plums have not done
WE'LL very few peaches, but a good set
of apples. Much land is being planted
20, fnr 100