Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-07-15
WEATHER -CROP BULLETIN.


Fears of a Drought Prevail.
Generally fair, sunny weather has
continued through another week in all
sections of the district. The little rain
that fell was in the form of local show
ers. In few instances the amounts
were copious, but the majority were
light. a shower of several hours dura-
ton occurred in the vicinity of Mashpee,
Barnstable Co., Mass. Rain is now
needed throughout the district, but the
drought is most severe In Connecticut
and Rhode Island.
The temperature has varied greatly,
ranging from readings so low that light
frosts occurred in low lands of Maine,
New Hampshire and Vermont to mid
summer figures in all sections.
Hail storms occurred in sections of
Massachusetts,, Rhode Island and Con-
necticut on the afternoon and evening of
the 18th. All conditions have been most
favorable to farm work. Crops, not
withstanding the dry weather, have
continued to grow rapidly.
The temperature has ranged from the
9O's in localities scattered throughout
the district to 81 in sections of Aroostook
Co., Me. The weekly means at the
several stations of the Weather Bureau
for the week are; Eastport, 60: Portland.
&C; Boston, 20; Nantucket, CT; North
field, VT, G2.
The only rainfall of consequence
during the week, l,2O inches, was at
Nantucket. The fall at the remaining
stations are generally insignificant.
The prospects for grain continue fairly
good in most sections. In parts of
Maine, notably portions of Cumberland
Co.. large crops of barely and oats are
assured. There is still some complaint
of oats rustng in Connecticut and
western Massachusetts. With few ex-
ceptions corn is growing rapidly and is
improved in color. All agree that this
crop is backward from ten to two weeks.
Rye is nearly ready for the reaper.
The ideal weather for grass has been
productive of most beneficial results.
laying has progressed with 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. Capacity for storage is being tax
ed to the utmost on account of the gen
orally large yield with little or no loss.
More than half of the crop is yet to be
cut in Maine.
The apple crop, as a whole, VIII be
short. 1t is very uneven. In some
sections of all states the trees are full of
fruit while in others there is practically
none. The dry, warm weather is con-
sidered favorable, though in some
orchards the apples continue to drop.
Other fruits will be fairly plentiful.
Potatoes, the principal crop, remain
highly promising for the entire district.
While beetles are plentiful in some sec
tons, there is no complaint of serious
damage by them. Unless injured by
drought bountifu crop seems certain.
Garden vegetables, of fine quality,
continue plentiful.
Berries continue plentiful. Black
berries and blue berries are now threat
ened by drought. Cranberries, the chief
agricultural industry of eastern Mas
sachusetts, present discouraging out
look. w. V. Morrison, Silver Hill
Bog, Bourne, Mass, reports that cor
respondents representing 175 acres of
bog near the head of Buzzards Bay
report that crops in dry boys are destroy
ed by fire worms, but that those that
can be overlooked gave promise of a
good yield of berries.