Evening journal., 1902-06-07
GREAT SCARCITY OF RAIN
DOES DAMAGE TO CROPS
Farmers Say Shower Is Needed to
Save Corn and Other
Crops

a hard rain comes to their rescue. and
even now they have been seriously
affected by the long drouth. They
had come up and given promise of a
season, but they are ripen-
ing fast under the warm sun and winds
and the growers fear they will soon
decay.
Everything in the fields is burning
and drying up. The pastures are all
parched and the hay crop will be a
failure. The dry season had no eff
feet on the price of products in the
market today, but an advance will be
made next weeke if the dry season
continues.
William SOuthgate, Of Stanton, who
has q stand in Eighth street market
said: In my vicinity the corn, which
is on high land, is almost at a stand
still. The cut worm is at work and is
doing damage. The heart worm also
lis killing much corn. | think rain
would do much good, but some corn is
too far gone, as things are
The wheat crop also is suffering, but
has nearly gotten its growth. All that
is needed now is a good rain to I'll the
wheat out Should this rain not come,
the wheat will ripen sooner and will
not attain its usual fullness. Much
anxiety is felt as to this crop.
OF timothy hay there will be but lit
tie, the crop being unusually short 1t
is not four inches in height in many
places.
Arnold Naudain. .Jr., who also stands
in Eighth street market, gave interest
! ing information. 'sOats," said he, will
be very poor, and corn, although be-
yOnd help in some places, would pros
per by heavy showers"
Curtis NJ. Talley, a BrandyWine hun
dred farmer, reported that his vege-
tables have been cut short, and he has
not realized what he expected. A light
fruit and vegetable crop is evident,
there being nothing in profusion.
Radishes are in the market, and show
the effects Of the drouth. Currants,
also. were seen, as well as gooseber-
ries. but they were small in size and
few in number.
Cherries sold this morning for 10
cents. and Strawberries at 10 cents a
quart.
Peach trees are full of the young
fruit and a good crop is looked for,
but as the June drop is at hand, moth
ing is certain.
w. A. Crossan. Of Brandywine
Springs, said: 1--WE suffer more than
otner farmers l know of from this
ldry spell. Our strawberries are short
half a crop Our rhubarb is so scarce
that it is bringing 40 cents a dozen,
while in former years il sold for 20
Icents. Wheat is the only thing that
gives us any hope
c. McGargal, of Wooddale, said:
Our farm is not any better off than
those OF other farmers. Hay is short
and we are not likely to bring up this
crop, but have more hope for the sec
ond. Fruit will be plentiful, but 1t has
not matured"
Ellis p. Hicks. of Mifltown. said
THE drought will not affect us very
much. Our hay crop will suffer most
and our pasture grass is burning up
Strawberries are the only thing in thl
truck gardens that suffer"
Joseph CrOssan, of Mill Creek mum
dred, said to a reporter for the Even
ing Journal: I'VE prefer a dry season
now to one later on, for we have ;
chance to get some benefit from a sec
ond crop. Hay is affected most a
present. and our crop will not amour
to much"
J. w. Wilson. Of State Road station
Del, said "The dry weather does not
seem to affect our farm very much as
yet. but we don't know how bad il
may be before the end of the summer
lOur berries are suffering more than
lanything else. and I don't think the
lcnop will pay this year.