Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-24
WEATHER GENERAlLYFAVORABlE
Rain. However, Hinders Harvesting and
Retards Crop Growth.

Nethru5 OTOp trOWtn.
Boston, July 23.-The weekly crop bulletin
of the New England eeotion of the climate
and crop service of the weather bureau
says: The weather Of the past week has, In
most respects, been generally favorable.
The first few days wero warm and sun
shiny, but were followed by cooler and
rainy weather that not only hindered har-
vesting but was detrimental to crop
growth. The thunderstorms of the 18th.
which were quite general and accompanied
in some localities by hail and high winds
caused some damage to crops and some
loss OF property, a number Of barns be-
ing struck by lightning and destroyed, with
some cattle and horses killed In pastures
The temperatures with the execution of
the first two days, have been low, Madison,
Conn, reporting a light frost on the morn
OF the nth, but with no damage Showers
were general over the whole district, those
of the 18th being exceptionally severe I'm
some localities. where the weekly amounts
were over two inches.
CONDITION OF CROPS.
All crops were benefited by the warm
weather and sunshine OF the first part of
the week, but their growth was somewhat
checked by the lower temperatures that
prevailed the latter part. There has, how
ever, been general marked and steady
Improvement In the condition Of all. al
though not as rapid as is wished.
The rains in the Southern States
We're very beneficial to hoed crops, as
moisture was much needed at some few
points. Harvesting OF hay and grain was
hindered by the showers, and, In some
parts of the northern PARTON Of the dis
trict where hoeing and cultivation are need
ed, weeds are too much In evidence.
Grain-Rye, oats. and barley nave been
partially harvested the Yield being good
and the quality excellent. oats are turn
ing color toward the north; they, for the
most part. have good length of straw.
but are heading somewhat short in some
fields. Some Were badly lodged by the
showers and winds of the 18th. Although
holding its color and maiutinng its growth
remarkably well when the disadvantages
OF the past season are considered. corn is
still very backward and, as stated in pre-
vious bulletin, many fields will be a total
failures. In some exceptionally favored
localities it is beginning to tassel.
Grass-ln many towns in the extreme
southern portions of the section hayinE is
practically completed and carly mown
lelds are showing good growth of second
crop. Northward, haying is progressing
slowly owing to so much cloudy and rainy
weather The yield is. however, better
than in the south Some heavy fields were
lodged by the storm of the 18TH In the
northern three-fourth of the section, the
crop will be an average one, some points
showing deficiency and others an excess
Fruit-Fruit holds its own although there
are still reports of dropping Some trees
were slightly Injured by wind during the
week, but the damage was small. At pres
ent the outlook for an excellent crop of
apples with the exception of BaldWinsl
and peaches is fattcring The smaller
fruits, both wild ana cultivated. will prob
ably be more plentiful than usual. Growers
of cranberrios report that crop as looking
much better than the average.
cgetablrs-tiardcn truck of nearly all
sorts is now doing well. although more
sunshine is needed, especially in the north.
Potatoes continue to do finely; the early
varieties are yielding well and the quality
is good. Appearances indicate that the
yield from tho later varieties will be above
the average both in quantity ana quality.
Melons and sQuashes taken as a whole do
not promise a very good crop. although
there are few exceptions. Onions are adj
vancing rapidly; late turnips and cabbages
are also making good showing.
TobaCCo-Thc tobacco crop on many
farms received severe setback on Tues
day, the 18th, from the severe thunder and
hailstorm, with high winds, that swept
over the Connecticut river valley. Some
fields escaped damage entirely, but in 9TH
ers the carly set plants We're seriously in
jured to such an extent that they cannot
be used for wrappers. AT Feeding Hills,
Hampton county. Massachusetts. not only
We're the leaves stripped by the hail. but
the plants We're beaten to the ground. The
late set plants were probably not damaged
enough to prevent their recovery. 1t being
fortunate that the storm did not occur
few weeks later when the plants would
have been SO large that but little of the
crop could have been saved. Where it es-
cared the storm, tobacco is in the best of
condition, making rapid growth and in ad-
vance Of the corresponding week Of last
year.