The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-19
GROUND IS PARCHED.
Most Crops at a Standstill Because
of Lack of Rain.

Boston, May i9-The following bulle-
tin for the week ending May Is is issued
by j. Warren Smith. New England sec
ton director CT the climate and crop
service, United States department OF
agriculture:
The weather in New England for the
past week has been pleasant. with warm
days and cool nights, and with practi-
cally no rainfall.
Maine.
The week has been very favorable for
farm work in Maine and much has been
done throughout the state. A good warm
rain is badly needed to give crops good
growth on uplands. and to warm up the
ground on lowlands in the north, where
they are too cold and wet for seed. Cool
winds and frosty nights are reported
from western and central counties, some
damage being done to early garden
crops by frost on the morning of the
14th. In eastern Maine the week has
been much warmer than usual There
has been practically no rain in the state
during the week, and the grass espe-
cially is suffering. Some stock has been
turned to pasture, but the feed is low.
Sowing and planting is well under way
In the central and southern counties.
Pears, pluIns and cherries are I'm full
bloom, except in the north. Apples are
opening and indicate large blossom.
New Hampshire.
Hardly enough rain has fallen in any
part of New Hampshire during the week
to lay the dust, and in some sections
there has been none of amount for
month. Most correspondents report
pastures IN fairly good condition, and
that grass in fields has set well. But
grass, with most other crops, Is practi-
cally at standstill on all but the wet
test lands. Newly seeded pieces -espe=
cially are showing the want OF rain. The
days have been warm, and the nights
cool. Light frosts are reported from
central counties on the 18th and l4th,
but no damage was done. The cool
nights have lcssened the injurious ef-
fects OF the drought. Apple, plum and
pear bloom is past It's height in south
ern part of the state, and the fruit is set
ting we'll; apples very full, but pears are
not SO promising. Blueberries and
whottleberries show a very full bios
som. The blueberry caterpillars are re-
ported to be doing much damage In
Iirookline, Hillsboro county.
Vermont.
In many places in Vermont, grass is
not looking so well as 1t did week ago,
and all correspondents report that rain
must be had for Its proper growth, and
for the termination and growth OF field
crops. The weather has been very pleas
ant. and farm work has been pushed
along. The large bulk OF the early
planting Is done in most parts of the
state, though there is still much seed
to be put in. The days have not given
an excess of heat, while the nights have
been generally cool. with frosts on the
18th, 14th and 18th. 1t is not thought
that damage has been done. Apple and
plum trees are in blossom. A corre-
spondent IN Chittenden reports an un-
usually full apple bloom.
Massachusetts,.
The days have been generally clear
and warm in Massachusetts, during the
week, while the nights have been cool.
with light frost in eastern counties on
the morning OF the 18th. No damage.
Less that l-l0th inch of rain has fallen
In any portion of the state and in many
places the lack Of rain is getting 70 be
serious matter. On high land, grass in
fields does not look SO well as 1t did "a
week ago. and feed in pastures is getting
barns, In the low valleys.grass, oats,
and rye look well. but on the sandy soils
OF the cape. especially, the lack OF rain
Is badly felt 1t is too dry to plow TO
good advantage, yet much is being done,
and forage crops being put in In expec-
tation or a short hay crop. Streams are
very low for the season, and cisterns are
giving out Very high, drying winds
have prevailed on several days. Ounce
trees and blueberry bushes are showing
fun bloom, Tobacco beds are showing
very well, generally. Apple, cherry,
plum and small fruit setting full crop in
Bristol county. The first named is con-
sidered nearly past injury from frosts,
unless IL is very severe. DR.. Fisher of
Fitchburg reports the full apple bloom
on the 1lth. il days earlier than the
average for 20 years. and has been ex-
eeeded only twice IN that time: Il was
on the 9Th in 1894. and on the 10th in 1889.
The water has been drawn off the era
berry bogs in Barnstable county, an
the vines are in fine condition. Fire
worms are troubling some bogs that
have not been under water.
Rhode Island.
Very light showers came in southern
Rhode Island on the 1fth. 14th and 18th.
and In northern on the 10th. but hardly
more than trace fell in any place. An
correspondents report rain badly needed
tar grass and grain. Pastures are short;
cats start slowly; small streams are get
ting dry. and many arc waiting for rain
before planting to any extent The cor
respondent In southern Washington
county reports the loss Of 10. 600 stra
berry plants by one farmer from the dry
weather. Apple trees have blossomrd
very full.
Connecticut.
The planting OF corn IL occupying The
EttgHttUn or the farmers IN Connect
at present, while potatoes are generally
IN the ground, and occasionally field
- found that has been -hoed. Early
crops are mostly up. but are almost at
standstill for want OF rain. In places
a..