The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-08-06
WEEKLY CROP REPORT.
Farm Operation, Have Been Hindered
by Almost Daily Rains.

Farm Operations Have Been Hindered
by Almost Daily Rains.
Boston, Aug. 3.-The weather condi-
lions of the past week were of the poor
est. Almost daily rains hindered farm
operations, and crops, as rule, are suf-
fering greatly from excessive moisture
and lack of sunshine. AS to final re-
suits much will depend on the weather of
the next week or 10 days. The week was
unseasonably cool, temperature falling
almost to 10 in the interior on the 9th.
The heavy rainfall on the 29th termin
ated a record for the month which is
nothing short of phenomenal. At
Hyannis, Mass, 1852 inches fell in four
hours; in Connecticut and Rhode ISL
and the falls were from 2 to AS inches
in the more northern sections the rain
fall was lighter
Maine.
In Aroostook county the week was fav-
orable for haying, but in other parts of
the state it was very poor. Large
amounts of hay in all stages of curing
have been Caught" by rains, and more
was housed in a damaged condition
Corn is doing well on light soils; poorly
on heavy soils. Oats are showing rust
and are lodged on heavy lands; looking
finely on warm lands, where nearly a
full crop is indicated. The potato rust
has appeared on some fields. Poor out
look for apples. Native blueberries
fairly plentiful.
New Hampshire.
Another very bad week for haymaking
is the report. Only one day that was
without rain. Large amounts of hay
and fodder crops have been damaged:
standing grass is badly overripe Weeds
and grass making great growth Oats
are nearly ripe and badly lodged Much
corn cannot mature. Barley ripening
slowly. Potatoes are not promising.
Apples will be scarce, and blueberries a
short crop in general. A light frost oc-
cured in the Connecticut valley on the
9th.
Vermont.
Between showers last week an effort
was made to secure that part of the hay
crop not already ruined by the excessive
rains. 1t was discouraging work, and
the crop is heavily damaged. Oats are
rusting badly; much grain will be cut
green; many grain fields cannot be en-
tered with reapers. Potato rust is re-
ported in various localities. Upland
corn is doing well.
Massachusetts.
Haying has continued under discour-
aging conditions, meadows being flooded
for a third time this summer. The crop
as a whole will fall far short of the usual
yield Considerable loss on tobacco is
also predicted. In most towns are re-
ports of potato rot. Corn has made
fair growth. Fruit promises we'll as a
rule The cranberry yield will not be as
large as usual.
Rhode Island.
Grains have been harvested in bad
shape, owing to heavy showers; some
meadows are not yet moved. Potatoes
nearly all dug; good crop. General APP
pearance of other cropsds good, although
corn is somewhat beaten down. There
will be excellent second crop of grass on
many meadows.
Connecticut.
Crops on sandy soils are looking we'll;
on other soils they are poorer than a
week ago. Farm work has been nearly
at a standstill All fields areso wet that
nothing can be done. Corn and pota-
toes need sunshine. Much overripe hay
will be cut. Peach trees were quite
badly broken down by heavy storms.
j. w. Smith,
Section Director.