Evening journal., 1903-07-29
WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE HIGHLY FAV0RlRLE
Fruit Yield, With the ExV Vep-
ton of Peaches, Rather
Good

Climate and crop service for the
Maryland and Delaware section reports
as follows for the week just closed:
Outside of the limited localities
where winds and hail We're hurtful,
the weather conditions of the week
have been highly favorable for all
agricultural interests, the most suit
able i'm fact for diversified operations
that have been experienced since the
beginning of the growing season. Har-
vest was scarcely interrupted, growth
was unimpeded. barring a slight check
ing tendency caused by the low night
temperatures. and outdoor work in the
line of cultivation and plowing for fan
wheat advanced rapidly.
Grain and Grasses.
The entire wheat crop OF the sec
tion is now harvested, excepting a
small acreage of spring wheat that is
raised in Garrett county, and the lat
ter is heading nicely. Threshing is
practically completed in the south.
well advanced in the interior and up
per counties, and I'm progress i'm the
west. There are local instances of
good yields, but the crop as a whole
80 h'A1 AtbhNf anu Atlt QudllAN Is Etll-
orally inferior. The farmers have
generally begun plowing for fall seed
ing in the interior counties and satis-
factory progress is reported. The
threshing of rye shows "A damp grain
OF inferior grade. Barley is turning
out better, both i'm yield and quality.
The harvesting of oats continues, be-
ing practically over in the south and
l.,
poor yields are the rule in the south.
changing to light to fair in the inter-
ior, and reaching average to good in
portions of the upper and western
countries; the straw is generally more
satisfactory than the head in all dis
tricts. The growth i'm corn was re-
tarded to some extent by the cool
nights, but the warm afternoons and
prevalence of bright sunshine were
helpful. Most of the crop has been
laid by, although many fields were in
sufficiently worked on account of the
delays resulting from long continued
rainy spells. The crop, as a whole, is
more grassy and weedy than known
for many years past. A healthy color
is by no means universally reported,
many yellow blades being observed in
the water-s soaked bottoms strong up
lands, and imperfectly cultivated
fields.
The early corn is coming into silk
and tassel quite generally in the inter-
ior and south. AS already stated, To-
cal loss by high winds has occurred
several times during the month. but
the greater part of the crop stands
erect. Pastures continue excellent in
all parts of the section, and spring.
sown grasses still maintain good ap-
pearance. The weather has been very
favorable for the hay harvest which
has been the principal agricultural fea-
ture of the week. The absence of rains
enabled the farmers to put in nearly
full time; the yields of alfalfa and tim
othy are much better than expected,
fair to good crops being generally re-
ported in the interior and upper coun-
ties; the quality is, for the most part,
of a high standard, owing to the ex-
ceptionally favorable weather for cur
ing. although local damage by showers
is reported. There is very little clover
hay to be made.
Fruit.
Early apples have given good yields,
and late varieties are still promising.
Peaches are very light as a rule, al
though one or two reports speak of
fair yields; much Of the fruit il rotting
as it approaches maturity and the
quality is generally Indifferent. Pears
and plums are quite scarce.
Minor Crops.
Gardens have made good growth, hut
continue badly overgrown with weeds
The yields of early potatoes continue
satisfactory. but they are rotting bad
ly in the western counties. Late po-
tatoes are still being planted, and are
up to good stands in some places
lSweet potatoes are growing nicely
Tomatoes are not doing as we'll as
could be desired; the stalks are heavy
and the vines large, but a light fruitage
is the rule. The fields are generally
grassy, and some vines appear scalded
The early crop is ripening slowly. anC
is considerably affected by rot. Water
melons and cantaloupes are not prom
Using. and will probably give shori
yields Blackberries are plentiful anC
of good quality in the western coun-
ties. Grape vines display healthy and
, well filed clusters in nearly all 10,