Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-08-11
WEATHER-CROP REPORT.
Drouth Bad for Pastures, But Other Crops
Too Far Advanced for Damage.

Drouth Bad for Pastures, But Other Crops
Too Far Advanced for Damage.
Generally fair weather and seasonable
temperatures were the conditions that
prevailed during the week ending Aug. q.
Showers, where any occurred, were
mostly of short duration and the amount
of precipitation light. The weather
was most favorable to haying and har-
vesting and farm work generally also
to growing crops, except in sections
where the soil has become too dry.
Generally speaking, the conditions of
crops is not so good as at the close of the
preceding week. Little rain has fallen
in the past seven days, and in sections
where the ground was already dry, ex-
cept perhaps seasonably moist on the
surface, crops are again feeling the effect
of the dry weather. In numerous Sec
tions, mostly in the eastern counties of
the southern states, and In the highlands
of the northern sections of the district,
the drought is becoming very severe !;
crops are suffering, springs and streams
are very low, and in few instances
cisterns are dry. The scarcity of stock
water is affecting the milk supply, and
the poor quality of the water Is attributed
as cause for stock losing flesh. The
chief damage now is to pasturage and to
fall feed generally, which will be very
light In many sections unless rain is
forthcoming and in generous amounts.
1t is believed that the staple crops,
grass, potatoes corn. and the cereals
generally, are too far advanced toward
maturity to be very materially damaged
by the dry weather.
The weather with abundant sunshine
of the past week was very favorable to
hay harvest. The work, where not
already completed, progressed rapidly.
in the southern half of New England,
and perhaps three-fourths of it in the
northern parts of the district. With
very few exceptions the hay crop, where
harvested, was secured in excellent con-
dition, and the quality is considered of
the best. Owing to the dry weather
prevailing in many sections, pasturage
is poor or Indifferent, and fall feed at
present is not promising.
corn, as rule, continues IN excellent
condition, and gives every promise of an
abundant crop. In some sections
afflicted by the dry weather, fears are
expressed that it will not fill we'll. 1t is,
however, silking and caring even in the
most northern sections, and the crop is
too advanced for the damage from the
drought to be of great proportions or
extensive loss. Oats are being harvested
in all sections, though only beginning in
the more northern portion. The reports
indicate fair yield. Buckwheat is re-
ported in good condition.
Berries of fine quality continue plenti-
full and the supply will be abundant.
Cranberries are in good condition and
reports are favorable to an average
yield of good berries. In vicinity of
Grafton, Mass. grapes are rotting and
the outlook unpromising. In parts of
Washington county, r. L., peaches and
plums are ripening and of which there
Will be good crops. In the vicinity of
South Portsmouth, r. l., the crop of
apples is reported unusually large, and
the fruit of very fine quality. Native
peaches are in market in Fairfield county,
Conn.
Potatoes continue in promising condi-
tion. Rust and blight are reported in
some sections, and in others bugs are
quite plentiful, yet there seems little
apprehension of any serious damage to
the general crop. Garden produce is
abundant and in excellent condition.
Vines, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers
etc., promise good crops.