The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-02
WEATHER BUREAU CROP BULLETIN.
Season Northumberland Frozen to an
Unusual Depth in Northern States.

Season Northumberland Frozen to an
Unusual Depth in Northern States.
WAsH1NaToN. Anril 1.-The crop and climate
bulletin for March. issued to-day by the
Weather Bureau. says:
Upon tho whole the season Is backward at
the close OF March. tho month having been very
unfavorable for farming operations. In the
Dakotas. Nebraska. Minnesota. 10 va and Wis
consin the ground Is frozen to an unusual
depth. the frost extending to a depth Of from
five to ten feet in North Dakota aud Mime
sofa. While the average tenn prrature OF March
was somewhat above the normal in the South
ern States. the season in that section Is re-
ported from two to three weeks late, except in
Texas. where it is moro nearly normal.
The general condition Of wheat Is less IA
vorable than at the close OF February. and. as
at the close OF that month. the late sown lie
less promising than that seeded early. On
the Pacific coast the outlook Is most promising
In Oregon. and the crop has been greatly ben
Gifted by recent rains in California. but In
Washington it has been injured by severe
weather and lack Of snow protection.
"Preparations for planting in Texas are well
advanced and some : has been done In the
southern part of the State: some has also been
done In portions OF Georgia and South Car
DINA. Some corn has been planted as far
hoith a. uIA hhu u
Their South a large part OF the crop has been
planted. Some spring oats have been sown az
far north as the lower Missouri and Ohio val
leys.'
Reports for the several States follow:
New ~England-Large body oil snow still on
ground in northern sections and fields general
" covered In south ground frozen to a consid-
erable depth; no AGRICULTURAL orerations posi-
bic: cond .tions favorable for grass and winter
grain maple sugar crop partial failure, fruit
buds dormant no unfavorable conditions are
visible season now two or three weeks late.
New York Much wheat appears brown and
lifeless. owing 20 frequent freezing and thaw-
ing, but, roots generally not seriously injured
ground frozen to depth of about fifteen inches
practically no farm work has been done: yield
Of maple sugar about the average: reports
from 300 correspondents Indicate that. while
many peach and some apple buds have been
killed. the fruit trees generally have wiDtered
New ,Jersey-Al farm work very backward
plouRhinK i'm possible; ground full Of water.
many fields submerged wheat.rye and:grasses
Gus: less wlntcr-killed than. expected orchard
fruits all sections in good condition. except
all killed during intense cold OF February. but
the trees are uninJured: in northern section
PENNSYLVANIA March has been unfavorable
Tor winter grain grass and farming oGera-
recent. thawinR and freezing were damaging to
wheat. rye and clover; peach buds in nearly
all sections oil the state are reported az badly
frozen and many trees killed other fruits less
injured apples appear safe conditions favor
able for obtaining maple sugar: the season Is
very late and scarcely any ploughing done.
Maryland-A cold. wet and cloudy March has
made tho season very back ward Timothy and
clover generally sown, but no oats. land very
little soil has been broken: some peas and po-
tatoes planted in southern counties and to-
bacco beds have been prepared and some
seeded: wheat continues poor in lowlands aud
on high knobs. hut louks better Oh moderately
elevated and well. drained fields: considerable
wheat and old clover thrown out BY frosts and
killed: scarcely any peaches expected: pres
ent prospects point to half crcp OF pears and
probably full crop Of apples: good Yields of ma
farm work much behind.
North Carolina Spring very late: excessive
rains dur nR March kent soil soaked and roads
almost inpassable farm work much behind
and practically nothing yet done: plouGhinG
began latter part. Of March and small amounts
gardens not vet. started. tobacco seeds are
sprouting nicely :. re planted truck in east do.
| ing fairly well. especially lettuce: stra wbe rries
safe. bloomin nicely: freeze of February
| killed out some winter wheat and oats, chiefly
In west. where insutilriently protected Ivy snow
| peaches considerably damaged: peach, plum
and pear trees now blooming In east.
1llinois-March cold, cloudy. wet: no farm
ing done. except extreme south where few
oats sown: few potatoes planted: little soil
turned over: soil still frozen four feet deep in
north counties: wheat nor'h half In poor con,
dition. improves southwark. and in southern
district far to good. late sown suffered most
rye less damaged: clover considerably injured
but timothy good reaches killed apples and
strawberries unframed: other fruits more oi
less damaged roaiS very bad. no grain NOV.
lug stock winteIed veil.