Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-09-16
WEATHER-CROP BULLETIN.

l. -
Favorable Conditions for Maturing and
Harvesting During the Week
Thr past week has been marked by
varied weather conditions, sudden
changes and violent local storms. The
first part was unusually oppressive,
while the closing days were bright, cool,
with scattered frosts and dry invigOrating
atmosphere. As whole the weather
has been favorable to the maturing of
crops, to harvesting, and to general fall
work. There still is need of rain in parts
of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
In the first named state the ground in
some localities is too dry for blowing.
Lightning has been unusually destruc-
tive. Two barns were burned and four
cows killed in the vicinity of Belmont,
Me. On Mansfield mountain, VT, one
man was killed, another and two ladies
injured by lightning. At North Crafts
bury, Vt, a barn was set on fire and
when half burned was struck a second
time. Lightning struck no less than five
barns in the vicinity of Rupert, Vt,
causing heavy loss by fire, though no
loss of lite. \ barn at POwlet, Mass.
was also struck.
The temperature ranged high till We'd
nesday afternoon, followed during the
remainder of the week by decidedly cool
er weather. The averages are much
lower than for several weeks. The
lowest reported at the regular stations
was 81 degrees, at Mortified, VT, on the
morning of the llth.
The rainfall for the week averages
light. In a few instances, however, large
amounts fell during local storms, wash
ing fields and roads, and damaging crops.
Crops of all kinds have matured rapid
ly. The showers serve to keep meadows
and pastures green. The warm, clear
weather of the first days of the week
was favorable to growing crops, and the
cooler weather at the close helped to
mature corn, grain, coloring fruit, and
favored farm work generally. Light to
killing frost occurred on the mornings of
10th, 18th, and 18th, though damage re-
suited in but few sections. In the vici-
nifty of Mortified, VT, vines. tender We
getation and corn-fodder were injured to
a considerable extent. A portion of the
corn crop in many sections of the district
is still subject to injury by killing frost
Excepting corn, crops are now generally
secured. Fall feed is still plentiful, and
the winter season at present promises to
begin under most favorable conditions.
Seeding in many Instances is completed
and is nearing the end for the entire dis
trict. 1t has been favored by good
weather. Corn is being secured; with
few exceptions the crop is the largest of
recent years. Canning sweet corn will
be finished in a few days; large guam
tity of good corn was secured. Many
silos have been filled with good crops :;
this work will soon be finished. Buck
wheat is mostly harvested; the crop is
considered excellent.
Grass continues in excellent condition
in most sections. Pastures and meadows
are green. Considerable hay, second
crop, was secured during the week. In
some sections the barns are full to over
flowing and many acres of grass will not
be cut.
Apples are coloring rapidly, earlier
than usual in places. Wind has caused
dropping. Fall berries are in sufficient
supply. Cranberry picking has begun,
though little has yet been done; all re-
port light crop of good fruit. Pears
and plums are in fair supply. Grapes
are ripening.
Tomatoes have ripened rapidly in most
sections, and the supply is now abundant
Potato digging is in progress everywhere;
the crop is uneven, though the yield, it
is believed, will fully equal the average.
While the complaint of rot is widespread,
great loss will result in few sections.
The warm, moist weather has not favored
cabbage, lima beans, and cauliflower.
Tobacco is about secured and is curing
we'll, although the warm days were not
favorable. The crop exceeds the average
! in quantity and is of good quality.