The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-14
Crops Are Reported Below
the Average.
Army Worms Creating Havoc
In Massachusetts.
The General Results Are Better
Than Were Anticipated.

Boston. July H. - The following
weather-erop 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 13 has been very fa-
vorable TO vegetation. Rain came on the
9Th and Sth, and in scattered showers
on the 9Th and 11th, the total amount
being from one-half inch 10 two inches.
The rains haze retarded work at haying.
but have helped vegetation wonder
fully Corn, potatoes and tobacco es-
pecially are benefited. The sunshine
OF the last few days helped 10 nearly
finish haying in southern sections, and
helped the work well on the way in
northern districts. The crop is below
the average but better than was ex-
pected fortnight ago, and is OF good
quality. Pastures have been much i'm
proved by the rain Of the 4th and 5th.
Apples are dropping some, but on the
whole promise an abundantcrop.
Maine.
The past week has been warm, with
frequent showers In Maine. All wrow-
ing crops are doing we'll. Haying is
begun. The yield from old fields Will be
light but fairly good from new ones.
The crop will be below the average.
Grain is In excellent condition. being
helped by the warm weather and rain.
Potatoes are blossoming, and new ones
are being marketed. The vines are
heavy, and the beetle has not yet ap-
peared, although some complaint has
been made OF rot Apples are dropping
some. and the yield. IL is feared, Will not
be up TO expectations.
New Hampshire.
There have been light rains in New
Hampshire during the week, but OF too
small quantity 10 be OF much benefit.
The crop will be short, yet, In some Sec
tions it is reported that the yield will
be better than was expected. Pastures
are suffering, and springs and wells are
getting low. Cabbages and turnips are
poor. and potatoes are reported to want
rain badly. Corn and oats are doing
well. and apples promise an abundant
yield. Blueberries and strawberries have
been very plentiful. Favored by the
drought. grasshoppers have become
very destructive, and the Colorado beetle
Is damaging potatoes.
Vermont.
Rain has come 10 Vermont, 2jk inches
being reported from Ripton. Addison
county. in 10 days past. Although too
late for hay. they will help the growing
crops much. Corn is growing very fast,
the warm weather favoring 1t. The hay
crop IS light. but better than was ex-
pected. and will soon be gathered.
Grasshoppers are very destructive TO
grass and grain, and the potato beetle
is plentiful and doing much damage.
Massach usetts.
Because -ef-rains- in the
week haying In Massachusetts, has been
retarded, but the favorng sunshine Of
the latter part has helped to rush the
work. The CROP. although better than
was expected, is below the average, but
of very good quality. Pastures are good.
| but need more rain. Grain is doing very
well, oats In particular are promising.
| Barley crop will be good. Corn Is grow
| ing wonderfully, and is in tassel. Po-
tatoes are doing very well, and are in
blossom. The beetle has done very little
damage as yet. Strawberries are al their
best. The crop has been good. Blue
berries and raspberries are doing very
well. and the yield will be abundant.
Although apples have dropped some.
the yield promises 20 be good, the first
having just been marketed. Cranberries
are likely TO be plenty, although the
hogs need rain. Caterpillars are re-
ported TO be doing damage In some places,
and fire worms and army worms do
much havoc. Chestnut trees are bloom
ing freely. but later than usual. Pump.
kins are blooming. Cucumbers are large
enough feF picking. Along the Con-
nectcut river there is much complaint,
because Of the army worm. So numeroua
are they In soSle localities that the grass
is literally black with them. Rye. corn,
grass and otnrr vegetation IL In some
places totally destroyed Grub worms
are reported by one correspondent 10 be
doing some damage to squash, potato
and grass roots.
Rhode Island
There has been considerable cloudi-
ness and rain In Rhode Island during
the past week. irterterlpg with hayinG.
but the favorable weather of the past
few days helped to finish Up the greater
part OF that work The weather haa
been favorable for growing crops. es
pecially corn and pototocs, which are re.
ported doing we'll The army worm has
appeared i'm some sections. but as yet
1t is TOO early to predict the amount o.
damage II will do.
Connecticut
Cloudy and rainy weather has re-
tarded the harvesting OF hay and rye in
Connecticut. but has favored corn, po-
tatoes. tobacco and pastures. The hay
crop is about an average one, pastures
ana consequently stock are in good con-
a.
berries and whortlebcrrics promise a
large yield. The potato beetle has ap-
pcared by the thousand In some sections,
and arc doing some damapc Chestnutz