The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-30
RAIN IS NEEDED.
To Push the Crops in
Northern New England.
Good Outlook for Fruit-AppleS
Dropping Badly.
Grass Crop Will Be Light But Better
Than Expected.

England section. j. Warren Smith,
director:
The week ending June 20 has given
cloudy. showery weather In southern
New England, and fair weather, with
only light showers and with cool nights
In northern. In central and northwest
ern districts the ground is getting very
dry again, and although no crops are
seriously suffering, good rain would
advance them all. Crops are all In q
fiourishing condition. The prospect for
most fruits. both large and small, is
very good. Vegetable gardens are
flourishing. and the crops that have
been harvested are OF good quality.
IIoeing has been pushed along. and is
well under way. Some grass has been
rut but the work is not general yet
Grass is growing well on rich lands and
meadows, but not maturing fast. The
crop promises light. but better than
was anticipated a short time ago.
Maine.
There have been marked changes In
temperature In Maine during the week.
and on the whole slightly cooler than
usual. Correspondents in Oxford county
report corn backward, and other crops
growing slowly, but generally every
thing is making good progress-some
say the best growing week Of the sea-
son. Grass is growing on most fields.
Pastures need rain. Potatoes are ir-
regular, but on the whole looking well.
Grain looks very promising. Black
berries have blossomed full. but some
say they were badly winter killed. In
oxford county. farmers are reporting
a serious damage to the apple crop from
the May frosts.
New Hampshire.
The weather In New Hampshire has
been generally favorable. but 1t is get
ting too dry for the best growth of most
crops. Pastures begin TO show the want
Of rain, and many report that grass In
fields VIII grow but little more unless
rain comes right away. Grass and
grain are maturing fast The hay crop
is generally reported light but some
say 1t is better than was expected. a
correspondent in Cheshire county states
that raspberries begin TO ripen, but will
not be very plenty. There are good
many blueberries, and blackberries are
fruiting well. Currants promise good
crop. The apple prospect is growing
poor in Sullivan county, and they are
now dropping badly In Belknap county.
Potatoes are looking finely. Corn and
oats have made good growth.
Vermont.
The past week has been very dry and
dusty in Vermont, with only a light
sprinkle OF rain in any section. All cor
respondents report that rain is much
needed. A very light frost was ex-
perienced in Addison county on the
morning Of the 23d. but no damage has
been reported. Some hay Is being cut,
as II Is practically matured Oh old fields.
On new land and rich meadows IT Is
gaining we'll yet. Corn Is rather back
ward, but is of good color and doing well
now. oats are short, but good color.
One correspondent reports that II il
too dry for apples. and they are drop.
ping badly.
Massachusetts,.
About one-half inch Of rain fell in
southeastern Massachusetts on the 2Sth,
doing much good to crops on mellow
land, and helping fields and pastures to
eome extent. In other sections of the
state the ground is getting too dry, al
though crops have grown well during
the past week. Haying has begun to
limited extent, and the crop, though
light, is better than was expected earlier
In the season. The days have been
warm, but the nights little cool. Corn
Is improving, but is still small for the
season. All spring grains promise well.
Early planted potatoes are In blossom,
and show a good stand of vines. Toma-
toes are growing finely. Tobacco is
holding it's own, and looks well Apphs
are hanging on we'll In western counties.
Blueberries and blackberries are setting
for good crop. Low bush blueberries
are getting ripe. Currants are late, but
are showing up well. Early peas are
quite plenty, and OF extra quality. Fruit
trees are making good growth. Apples
and pears are looking well. and cherries
have begun TO ripen. The general out
look i'm eastern Massachusetts, is very
good.
Rhode Island.
A little grass has been cut In Rhode
Island during the week. but as yet no
great amount Of hayng has been done.
Though a little dry In places in this
state. the top OF the ground has been
moistened by light TO moderate showers,
and all crops are growing well. Hoeing
is we'll along. Potatoes are looking well.
Wild berries are unusually plentiful,
and are rlpening early
Connecticut.
Cloudy. showery weather has pre-
vailed for the most part In Connecticut,
and all crops have made good growth.
One correspondent reports the ground
unusually moist for this season. Thv
nights at the first OF the week were a
little cool for corn. and that plant is
still somewhat bnclxuord vat zroufnr-
we'll Pastures are good. and grass on
lowlands Is improving. Haying has
been hindercd by the cloudy weather,
but the work will be general this week.
lIoeing has been pushed along, and
Strawberries have been picked. one
farmer ID Wins;cd has six acres OF
strawberries. and has marketed from
IL TO II bushels "A day OF fine berries.
Kaspberrles are maturing fast, and
picking viii begin this week The pros
-. 80 Il.