Evening journal., 1899-07-06
SOAKING RAINS ARE NEEDED
WHEAT BETTER THAN WAS
THOUGHT POSSIBLE A MONTH AGO.

CORN CROP GENERALLY IN A.
PROMISING CONDITION-APPLEsI
PROMISE A LARGE YIELD, BUT
PEARS WILL BE SCARCE
OTHER FARM NOTES.
The United States Department of
Agriculture, Climate and Crop Bulle-
tin of the Weather Bureau, Maryland
and Delaware section, issues the fol-
lowing report for the week just ended
The weather for the past week has
been cooler than is usually expert
enced at this time of year. About nor
NAL heat prevailed on Wednesday and
Sunday, but on the remaining days the
temperatures were two degrees to six
degrees below normal. Light frost
formed at Grantsville on Friday morn
ing, and the temperatures were near
the frost line in the north-central
counties on both Friday and Saturday
mornings.
The rains of Sunday (25) referred to
in last weeks bulletin, were quite
general throughout the section, but
were not uniformly heavy, and some
localities received only temporary
benefit Heavy rains fell in Western
Maryland on Wednesday evening
(2Sth) with lighter showers over most
of the section on the same day, ana a
few light sprinkles later in the week.
The sky was partly overcast during
the early part of the week, but since
Thursday there has been an almost en-
tire absence of cloudiness.
In the extreme western portions of
the section the moisture received has
been ample for all crop requirements;
over the northern-central counties and
most of the eastern counties there is
no immediate need Of rain, although
frequent light showers would be OF
benefit to corn, tobacco and truck. In
portions of the eastern counties, es-
pecially in the extreme northeast and
southeast, the dry weather g. begun
to tell on the crops, and good liking
rains are much needed The weather
has been all that could be desired for
hay cutting and for the completion of
the wheat harvest.
The wheat harvest is over in all ex-
cept the western counties, and it has
begun there in nearly all localities. al
though there are a few limited dis
tricts where the crop is not yet quite
ripe The general condition of the
crop is much better than was thought
possible a month ago. In many sec
tions the yield is expected to be an
average one. although for the entire
section it will doubtless be short. The
grain is generally reported plump and
bright Threshing is making rapid
progress over the north-central coun-
ties and eastward. The corn crop is
generally in promising condition al
though cool nights and scant rainfall
has prevented rapid growth in most
districts The hay harvest is giving
good returns in all of the western and
a few of the northern counties, but
elsewhere throughout the section the
yield has been short. Oats are for the
most part promising, and are begin
ming to ripen. Rye harvest has begun
and a good crop reported. Pastures are
becoming short in some localities
through lack of abundant moisture.
The yield of early potatoes has not
been up to the average in some of thc
eastern counties, but elsewhere the
crop has been good. Late potatoes
have been helped by the rains of the
week, but more moisture is needed. All
| truck growth is doing fairly well, al
though suffering from drought in some
districts. Early tomatoes are doine
well. but the late plants are being in.
! jured by the dry weather in most o
the eastern counties. Cabbages are
growing nicely, although damaged
somewhat by worms. Young melons
are forming on the vines.
A few early peaches have been sen
to market; the yield will be extreme
ly light Apples promise a large crop
and the earlier varieties are beginning
to ripen. Cherries have about finished
their yield in most districts. Pears arr
holding on well, but the yield will b
A.. light. Blackberries are being shipped
: A few strawberries are left in the west
ern counties, but the season is practi
cally over.