Middletown transcript., 1901-06-01
WEATHER AND CROP CONDITIONS

II ~--->>~-~@~ @@~s~S ~~SSS
In an average season the month of
April will furnish to this section alternat-
ing periods of warmth and cold, neifher
very marked, and frequent gentle show
ers; but during the month just past the
more rigorous March type of weather
conditions has prevailed. Stormy periods
have been the rule, rainfall has been
largely in excess, the prevailing temper
atures considerably below normal, the
snowfall in the mountains unusually
heavy, and the skies overcast for DAYS at
time. Fortunately there were no
severe cold waves or damaging frosts to
hurt vegetation in the interior, while in
theextreme west the fruit buds were not
out until the close of the month. Conse-
quently, the crop prospects were quite
encouraging at the end of April, although
all spring growth was backward, and
farm work has made but little progress
compared with what is usually accom-
plished by that time. Freshets in the
small streams and practically a flood
stage in the Potomac followed the heavy
rains of the third decade of the month,
but the excess water was carried off
safely.
The temperature was deficient by
nearly three degrees. In the extreme
yvacf tho mont blx, ,,oao,,o ro,1r,oJ f.o,,, 400
to 450, while east of Washington County
they were quite uniform, ranging hardly
more than degree either side of 500.
The warmest period was at the close of
the month, although at no time did the
temperature rise above normal for two
successive days. The coolest weather
was experienced on the 1st and 18th in
most districts, the extreme nlinima rang
ing from 15o to 10 in the mountains to
freezing in the interior and to $50 and
$50 farther south. Killing frosts we're
reported at number of stations on the
18th, and again on the 28th to Both, but
no marked injury followed During this
final period the night temperatures were
low while the midday heat was higher
tan at any other time during the month.
The precipitation averaged over five
inches for the section, or nearly three
inches above the normal April amount
The heaviest falls occurred in Garrett
County and over the southern districts
of the western shore, although the dis
tribution of moisture was fairly even,
only very limited localities having
total of less than four inches Heavy
rain fell in parts of Southern Maryland
on the I'd, becoming general on the Sd,
and growing lighter next day. Moderate
but general rains fell again on the 9th
and then week of comparatively dry
weather ensued. There was a second
period OF heavy rainfall on the 14th and
10th, followed by brief interval of clear
weather, and then another rainy spell
from the 18th to 25th. The remainder
of the month was generally clear and
dry. During the first wet spell I'D to
4th) snow was general in the west and
along the northern boundaries of the
section, with few fiurries in the interior;
snow fell again in the mountains of Gar
rett on the 18th and 21st. For the time
of year the amounts were unusually
heavy; Deer Park and Sunnyside reported
total depth of more than two feet. Hail
and sleet fell at a number of stations on
the ID, Sd, 14th and 20th, and thunder
storms occurred at several places on the
14th, 18th, 18th, 18th, and 2lst.
As already stated farm work was much
delayed by the wet weather Wheat,
rye and barley grew well during the
month. Last years clover sowing made
poor showing at the beginning of April,
and scarcely any improvement was Wis
ible at the close; many farmers will tmn
the fields for corn. The spring clover
and timothy germinated well and gener
ally gave evidence of good stands, but
grass continued short at the end of April;
still there is good prospect for satisfactory
hay crops unless summer drought
should shorten the yield. Fruit blooms
started in the south early in the month,
and with each brief warm spell the area |
Of hlnssnming extended northWard, until |
at the close of April just tinge had
appeared in the trees of the extreme |
western districts. The outlook is for
excellent fruit crops of all kinds. Tob-
acco plants grew slowly during the month,
but they are reported healthy and plenti-
full. Oats seeding made slow progress,
but most of the crop was in the ground
at the end of the month. Minor crops
were very backward except in the south
ern counties where they had been largely
planted