Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-07-06
CROPS LOOKING UP
The Rains Of Last Week Make
the Prospects Better Than
Before,
RAIN NEEDED In SOME PARTS
The Driest Year in Seventeen Years-At
Los Alamos Crops and Fruit Were
Much Damaged By Hail
and Drouth.

United States Department Of Agricul-
ture, Climate and Crop Bulletin of the
Weather Bureau, New Mexico Sec
ton.
(Santa Fe, N. M, July 4, 1897
Warm, cloudy weather with general
showers, characterized the week ending
July 3, but with few exceptions the
rains have not been sufficient for the
best improvement of crops, and many
localities are still suffering extremely
from drouth. The rains were not well
distributed, and while one district has
been well watered, that adjoining may
have received little or no rain. The
south central and southeastern counti' IS
and the northern part Of the territory
generally have had good rains, but in
many central sections the showers were
very light and the drouth remains prac-
tically unbroken.
The later crops, gardens and vege;a-
ton in general show great improve
ment, but the showers have come too
late to make even fair crops of the
wheat, oats and first alfalfa in central
and northern counties, excepting pos.
sibly in the San Juan country. Corn, al
though quite backward, seems to have
stood the drouth remarkably well, and
reports, with few exceptions, indicate
a more or less promising crop. In the
in the districts of the northern Rio
Grande the first crop of alfalfa is being
cut, but as a rule the yield is much be-
low the average. In central sections the
second alfalfa is making a good growth,
and in some localities promises to make
up for the short first cutting. In the
lower Rio Grande country the third al
falfa is practically at a standstill, oW-
ing to the lack of moisture, and as irri-
cation water is scarce in this section,
all the later crops are greatly injured
by the drouth. Wheat harvest is well
begun as far north as Albuquerque; re-
ports indicate that the stand generally
is fair, but with short straw and small
heads. Excepting the dryer sections OF
central counties, pasture lands are
greatly improved, and stock are rapid
ly getting in better condition. AS a
rule irrigation water is sufficient, but
in the vicinity Of Albuquerque, and to
the south, the river is about dry, and
but few Of the bitches have water. In
iess good rains come soon to raise the
river there will be much suffering in
these localities.
The following remarks are extracted
from the reports Of correspondents:
Bernalillo-Brother Gabriel: Moderate
showers caused a marked improvement,
but distribution uneven and many To-
calities of the county still suffering Sc
verely from drOuth. Much more rain is
needed in all directions. Since the show
ers corn and potatoes have made rapid
growth; wheat and oats doing well; in
some places is headed out, and will be
ready for harvest the middle of July.
Second alfalfa growing rapidly, and
promises to make up for the first cut
ting. Vineyards which have nothing
planted between the vines, and especial
ly corn, show vigorous growth. Grapes
on May vines are as large as full-sized
peas, but other vines are stunted for
want of proper cultivation. Orchards
look well, excepting peach and pear
trees, on which the leaves are turning
yellow Of late. Many peach trees set
out this spring have dried up entirely,
probably on account of late frosts and
the lack Of moisture. Gardens are in
fine condition, excepting that cabbages
and tomatoes are much affected with
worms and lice. Ranges show slight i'm
provement. River very low here, and 1t
is difficult to properly irrigate. High
est temperature, So; lowest, SO; rain,
O.42.
observation-disclosures ]. s. Van Doren:
Light rains the past ten days have
broken the drouth and started the
grass, but more is needed. The first cut
ting Of alfalfa has begun, with promise
of a good yield. Stock on outside
ranges looks badly. Irrigation water is
short, but crops doing first rate. High
est temperature, SO; lowest, Al.
Carlsbad-L. o. Fullen: Frequent
showers, with heavy rain on the LIST
very beneficial to crops. Ranges i'm.
proving, although outside water holes
not yet filled. Beets are in good condi.
ton, although some few fields will have
to be replanted. Abundant peaches, ant
fine, large varieties that find a ready
market; shipments are made daily.
Ojo Caliente-Antonio Joseph: Tit
prolonged and very disastrous droutf
broken at last by two showers, on thu
25th and goth. First alfalfa is secured
but falls far short Of the average. Cat
tie, sheep and horses are looking well
as the mountain grazing Is excellent a
this time. Highest temperature, 90
lowest, so; rain, 0.20.
Old Albuquerque-A. Montoya, Jr.
Warm, dry and only a trace Of rain
Wheat Is headed out, and looks fairl,
well. Corn grows slowly; the secont
crop Of alfalfa Is about ready to cut
The river is dry here; our irrigatint
ditch still has a little water, but ma,
stop running in two or three days.
Mesilla Park-Fabfan Garcia: Elk
cepting a very light shower last Sun
day, the week has been dry and hot, ant
vegetation suffering considerably from
the drouth. The third growth Of alfalfs
is at a s%tandstill, as there is no water
Wheat harvest is under way. Larg,
shipments Of peaches being made. High
est temperature. 81; lowest, IS; rain
0.0S.
Redrock-Louis Champie: Warn
weather, and showers on the 25th ant
2Sth; crops growing fast. Rain, OTIS.
Santa Fe-United States Weather Blu
reau: Showery and cooler; crops show
much improvement since the good rain,