The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-07-14
WEEKLY CROP BULLETIN.

Bureau, Boston, MaSSu July I1.-- Generally fair, sunny weather has con- tinued through another week in all sections of the district. The little rain that fell was In the form of local showers. In few instances the amounts were copious, but the major ity were light. A shower of several hours duration occurred in the vicinity of Mashpee, Barnstable Co.,, Mass. Rain is now needed throughout the district, but the drought is most se- were in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
 The temperature has varied greatly, ranging from readings so slow that light frosts occurred in low lands of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to midsummer figures in all sections.
 Hail storms occurred in sections of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Con- necticut on the afternoon and evening of the 4th. All conditions have been most favorable to farm work, Crops, notwithstanding the dry weather, have continued to grow rapidly.
 Temperature, This element has ranged from the sos in localities scat tered throughout the district to S4 in sections of Aroostook Co.,, Me. The weekly means at the several stations or the weather bureau for the week are: Passport, GO; Portland, 66 Boston, 70; Nantucket GA; Northheld, Vt, 62,
 Rainfall. The only rainfall of conse- quence during the week, 1.2O inches, was at Nantucket The fall at tho re- maining stations are generally insig- nificant
 CONDITION OF CROPS.
 General situation. From fortnight to three weeks have passed without a general rain, which is now much need ed. Little damage has been done, but the point has been reached where a continuation of the dry weather will entail serious injury to grain, potatoes, vegetables and fruit The soil is too dry for cultivation in many southern sections. Hoeing, however, In many sections is completed. The weather has favored having, which has been pushed with great success. The light frost of the 9th nipped the more tender vegetation in the lowland of the north ern states. The hailstorms of the 4th In the southern states was of sufficient violence in some sections to injure crops, especially in Connecticut In the neighborhood of Greenfield Hill, Connecticut it wrought great damage to onion fields anu peach orchards. The greatest individual loss there is $3OOO. In parts of Rhode Island and Connecticut the drought has ruined pastures, the grass being as "dry as hay and feed is becoming short. The cool weather of the closing days of the week has restrained somewhat the ruining effect of the drought.
 Grains. The prospects for grain con tinue fairly good in most sections. In parts of Maine. notably portions of Cumberland Go. large crops of barley and oats are assured. There is still some complaint of oats. rusting in Con necticut and western Massachusetts. With few exceptions corn ia growing rapidly and is improved in color All agree that this crop is backward from ten days to two weeks. Rye is nearly ready the reaper
 Grass. The ideal weather for this crop has been productive of most bene- ffcial results. Having has progressed with a rush and the grass has been gathered and housed in most excellent condition. The warm, dry weather has fully matured the crop and the quality will be exceptionally fine. Ca- pacity for storage is being taxed to the utmost on account of the genrally large yield little or no loss. More than half of the crop is yet to be cut in Maine. Fruit. The apple crop, as whole will be short. It is very uneven. In some sections of all states the trees are full of ruit while In others there is practically none. The dry, warm weather Is considered favorable though In some orchards the apples continue to drop. Other fruits will be fairly plentiful.
 Vegetables. Potatoes the principal crop, remain highly promising for the entire district. While beetles are plen- | tiful in some sections, there is no com- plaint of serious damage by them. Un- less injured by drought bountiful crop seems certain. Garden vegetables of fine quality continue plentiful. Berries. These continue plentiful. Blackberries and blue berries are now threatened by drought. Cranberries, the chief agricultural industry of east ern Massachusetts, present a discour" aging outlook MT. W. V. Morrison, Silver Hill Bog, Bourne, Mass, reports that correspondents representing 175 acres of bog near the head of Buzzard's $ Bay report that crops in dry bogs are destroyed by fire worms, but that those that can be overflowed give promise of a good yield of berries.
 Tobacco. The high temperature and sunshine have been favorable. The plants are generally in fair condition.