Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-22
WORK OF JACK FROST
COLD-ssAP REPORTS FROM P0rxT9
IN VIRGINIA.
GREAT DAMAGE ON sEABolRD
The Eject In Various other Locali~
ties-Around WiIliamsburg-Char
ton, DanviIIe, and In the Southwest

NORFOLK, VA, April 2.-tspcciaL)--
Reports from the trucking section em-
braced In tho counties of the Virginia
seaboard and Eastern North Carolina in-
dicate that the damage by frost last night
was very heavy. Ii is stated that beans
and peas have been cut down, potatoes
set back twenty days and strawberries
nearly ruined. In many places. even in
North Carolina. ice Of considerable thick
ness formed. Later reports to truck
dealers in this city confirm the stories
as TO the fatal effect OF the frost. A
commission merchant here stated this
afternoon that In many instances farmers
had wired him for seed TO replant tho
land swept bare by the frost. The dam.
age to apples. peaches. pears. and grapes
is considerable, but is not so heavy as
that done to berries and vegetables.
1t Is estimated that the loss TO tho
truckers Of Lower Tldewater Virginia and
Northeastern Carolina will foot up q mill
lion dollars. In some sections a vigorous
effort was made to save the crops. or at
instances fires were burned in the fields,
but the results are thought to be small,
for frost at this time OF the year is a
foe that cannot be successfully COM
bated.
The marketing OF even what crop re.
mains will be retarded and the loss TO
the truckers viii be felt hardly less among
the businessmen here than among the
truckers themselves. for the greater part
of their custom is distributed TO he mer.
chants of Norfolk.
BLIGHTING ON EASTERN SHORE.
ONANCOCK, VA, April 21.-tSpeciaI)--
A blighting frost fell on the Eastern
Shore of Virginia last night doing I'M
mense damage to apples, peaches straw
berries, sweet-potatoe beds. and the
young Irish potatoes that have just como
up. In many localities all the sweet
potato beds are ruined. the plants gying
fiat on the ground and being perfectly
black. 1t Is thought that nearly all tho
strawberry blossoms have been killed ex-
| cept in sheltered places. Wherever the
Irish potatoes had come out Of the ground
they were killed. An unusually large
crop Of Irish potatoes had been planted
in Northampton. and the damage 10 the
crop there is thought to DE very great.
II was the heaviest frost ever known
here at this period of the year. and ice
nearly half an inch thick formed over
standing pools and horse-troughs. 1t
will be several days before the extent
Of damage can be ascertained.
SCOTTSvILLE vICINAGE
SCOTrSVILLE, VA. April 2i.-(spe-
clal.)--A cold wave swooped down upon
us Monday night and the wind tqcw
severely through the night. 1t kept cold
until last night when one OF the heaviest
frosts fell that has visited us since Janu-
ary sweeping fruits and vegetation gene
rally. Most of the reaches pears straw
| berries. and for ward grapes are killed.
| and probably half the apples. I have
no doubt that the forward wheat Is
smartly damaged also. Wherever ex-
posed tomato plants and other tender
vegetables were killed. Our weather
wise people think that this is the cria9
| and that from now on the weather will
settle down to spring in good faith. 1t
is greatly desired that IL should. as the
farmers will have to plant all their corn
over again IL 1t does not turn warm
sOon
INJURY AROUND WILLIAMSBURG.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA, April H.-tSpe-
cal.)-The frost last night was one OF
the heaviest ever known here at this
for several hours after sunrise. Much
damage was done TO early vegetables
and fruit In one case a crop Of pota-
toes. about inches I'm height. was cut
down even with the ground. Due notice
OF this frost was given by the weather
bureau but only IN a few cases was
advantage taken Of IL.
STAUNTON AND VICINITY.
STAUNTON, VA, April 2l.-(speciai.)-
| There was heavy frost and ice in this
section last night. and peaches. straw
berries raspbefries, and other small fruit
are killed Fortunately. apples. the most
valuable fruit raised here escaped injury.
No damage is done the truckers. as few
vegetables are out OF the ground. The
young grass is somewhat injured.
THE SOUTHWEST.
WYTHEVILLE, VA. April H.-(Spe-
claI)-There was very little frost I'm this
immediate locality this morning. but re-
cent freezes and frosts have greatly
damaged peaches, cherries, plums. and
pears. Apples appear TO have escaped.
The truck gardens were not far enough
advanced TO be injured
NOT SERIOUS AROUND CHAR
LOTTESVILLE.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, April IL
Special lit Is not believed the frost last
night did any serious damage to fruit
in this section. Injury OF growers meets
the response that this year the fruit VIII
hit in spite Of frosts.
SOUTH BOSTON SECTION.
SOUTH BOSTON, VA, April H.-Cspe-
ciaI.)-There was heavy frost and some
ice In sbme localities this morning. Early
vegetables are much damaged and fruit
partially damaged.
MANASSAS NEIGHBORIiOOD.
MANASSAS, VA, April 2l-tSpeciai)--
Yesterday morning the thermor1eter
registered q degrees and this morning
30 degrees, but as there was breeze
stirring both nights. the fruit hereabouts
seems 70 be only slightly injured.
SAFE ABOUT DANvILLE.
DANVILLE, VA, April 2.-(Special)-s
Little or no injury 10 fruits from frost Is
| reported in this vicinity. Indeed. most
farmers think this viii DO hne fruit
year.