Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-16

The climate and crop bulletin of the
United States Weather Bureau for the
past week contains much useful in
formation OH these important sub
jeCts of so much interest to farmers.
A summary Of the same is as follows:
The weather of the week presents
some anomalous features, in that, while
most correspondents report it as too
cool for the growth of plants already
up, in reality the mean temperatures
were in most instances up to, and, in
some, above the average. The most
marked feature was the frost on the
morning Of the 10th, which caused
widespread damage. The thermometer
fell to 25 degrees, and thin ice was
formed in exposed places. The amount
of sunshine was deficient but the alb
sence Of precipitation allowed general
farm work to be carried on in fairly
good shape.
The past week has been nearly a du
pliCatc Of the preceding, in that, al
though the crops already planted are
doing fairly well where not injured by
the frost, and much general farm work
has been done, complaint is still made
that the ground remains too wet and
cold for Il good growth in the lowlands
Cattle are being turned out to pasture
over the whole district, although some
are also being fed at the barn. Reports
from Worcester county, Massachusetts.
indicate that t-caterpillars are
abundant, and in other portions of the
state there are some appearing.
Grain-On the whole, rye is appar-
emily doing well. oats, with the eX-
ception of few fields where they are
somewhat thin. are also making good
progress.
Grass-Although the growth is re-
ported as slow. the generally expressed
opinion is that the crop is looking re-
markably well, and it is probable that
its slow early growth will be condu-
Give to a good yield if the drought does
rot strike it.
F'ruit-The reports regarding fruit
are discouraging in the localities where
the trees are in blossom, as it is
thought they were severely injured by
the frost of the 10th. In the North,
where the flowers are not out, it is not
possible now to estimate the amount of
damage done, if any. In many cases
the high winds prevented frost, but
the temperature was low enough to
cause n freezing of leaves. Strawber-
ries are still looking we'll in the South,
but not as promising in the North.
Some cranberry boys on the Cape were
badly injured by fire.
Vegetables-A oo-moist soil is still
delaying planting in Maine and the
northern portions of New Hampshire
and Vermont. although the winds of
the week dried the surface so that
blowing and narrowing could be done
on moderately high lands. Where the
frost was severe, early potatoes, and
other garden truck that was up. was
completely killed and will have to be
replanted.
Tobacco-Tobacco, like most other
crops, is not making a very rapid
growth. although correspondents IN
Connecticut say that some plants can
, be transplanted in another week if the
conditions are favorable.
Hon w. w. Stetson, State superin-
tendent of schools, is now considering
plans for holding summer schools for
teachers. These schools have been
growing in popularity ever since they
were established as a part of the ed
iucational system of the State. Each
wear their scope and power for good
increases and the attendance continues
to grow. Five schools were held last
summer at Waterville, Fryeburg, Fox
croft, Presque Isle and Fort Kent
and the aggregate attendance was sVo.