Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-04
CONDITION OF CROPS.

The universal unfavorable conditions
nave b""n 1c"ontuatcd IN most parts of
tine section ty the weather of the week
.ard the outlook for the majority of
crops IS very 1iscuuraEing. The northern
PORTIONS that received the smaller
amounts of rainfall We're still afflicted
with the drying winds that have prevail
ed the past few weeks. While the south
"rn portion was more favored by roceiV-
Ing rainfall sufficient to partially revive
Su1orinG vegetation, there must be much
more to bring any permanent benefit As
II now stands some crops arc beyond
help. The late frosts were especially
disastrous in their effects SO that the
combination Of drought and frosts has
made the farmers nearly hopeless of
successful season.
Grain.-In some few fields oats barley
and rye, are doing fairly we'll but such
fields arc the exception and not the rule.
Fall-soWn grain is heading low. while
the spring Sowu is coming up uneven and
making hut liltle growth. a large amount
Of early-plantcd corn that was mp was
cut to the ground by tho frost. Much
has been rcpldnted the past week and,
with favorable weather, may make a
1ne crop. Many farmers have delayed
planting, waiting for better soil cond-
tons and the reports indicate that there
still remains large acreage to be plant
cd
Grass.-Tho condition of the grass crop
remains practically unchanged, and is
in an exceedingly bad way. Some CORES
pondents in the southern states say
however, that the meadows are looking
much better than could be thought pos
sble under SO adverse circumstances. on
old and high lands it will probably hard
ly pay to try to harvest the crop. Pas
lures are burning up, 50 that the feed is
very scant some cattle are being pas
tured on grass land where there was
promise of only small yield. The cat
tie are feeling the conditions seriously,
the milk flow is being lessened and the
quality deteriorating. In some localities
the frost was severe enough to kill the
young clover leaves. but it is possible
that the aftermath may be fairly
good.
Fruit,-It is feared that in the northern
states whore fruit trees are stil in
bloom the damage done by the frost will
be considerable. while in the south the
dry weather is causing a heavier drop
Of young fruit than is usual at this sea-
son. The strawberry crop will probably
he very light The sevcre cold has nn
doubt injured the hlueberries to n great
extent. This is 10 be dcplored as there
was n prospect Of n good crop. In the
cranberry growing districts of the Cape
the damage from frost was widespread
and serious, ii being estimated that fully
nne-half Of the crop was destroyed
Luckily many hogs We're still flooded and
so escaped without injury.
Negetablcs.-Many gardens were ruined
by the freeze and those that escaped
are suffering for moisture 1t is not
too late to repant and secure good
crops.
Tohacco.-Tobacc growers have taken
every advantage of all favoring conditi-
ticns and FASTENED the setting of the
plants, In some towns there was enough
rainfall to put the soil in fairly good con-
dtion. but much more is needed as SO
far only the immediate surface has been
benefited.