Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-06-06
THE WEATHER AND CROPS
DRouTH BROKEN, BUT vEGETA.
TIoN RETARDED BY UNsEA.
SoNABLE COLD.
irrigation Water Plentiful in Most
Sections-Some Loss Of Stock
Conditions improving.

ing the latter part the weather mod
Grated considerably and the winds de-
creased. The drought which has pre-
vailed for some weeks and which had
begun to be very serious in central and
eastern sections, was finally broken
by general showers during the night
Of the 31st and day of June 1. The
storm brought unusually cold wealth
er the afternoon and night of the 1st,
and rain, hail and sleet over the cen
trail plateaus and prairies. AS lamb
ing has not been entirely finished in
these regions it is likely that some
loss has occurred. Before the rain
complains of the drought were gen
eral over central, eastern and north
eastern counties and in Sierra county
and vicinity. In some northeastern
sections wells and springs were the
lowest ever known, ranchmen had al
Nmost given up expectations of raising
any crops, and in many localities cat
tie were obliged to secure the most
of their food from the trees and shrubs.
In parts of Sierra county cattle were
dying from lack of grass and water.
1t seems that in other sections Of the
territory the conditions were not SO
bad, but good rains have been badly
needed in all sections. As a rule, in
all sections excepting the northeast,
irrigation water is still sufficient, but
crops and vegetation in general re-
mains backward on account of the
cold nights and high winds. In Union
county alfalfa ripened prematurely
and the crop being cut represents but
a small per centum of the usual yield.
Reports of early fruits in San Juan
county are somewhat better than was
expected earlier, but the only crop
likely to be anywhere near the aver
age in this section are winter apples.
The following remarks are extract
ed from the reports of correspondents:
Albert. Fl. M. Hanson: Another
week Of dry, windy weather. Grass
is at a standstill altogether; even the
mesquite is leafing out very slowly.
Lack of moisture all through the sea-
son has forced the alfalfa to maturity
in a very dwarfed condition. 1t is
now being cut and will amount to per-
haps Is per cent Of a full crop. The
grass there affords fair picking for
sheep, but is very scant for cattle In
this vicinity lambing reports are still
favorable. Highest temperature, SO;
lowest, A; nc rain.
Andrews: A. S. Warren: High, cold
winds; no rain; everything drying up.
Vegetation suffering and stock found
dead for want of grass and water.
Arabela: A. M. Richardson: High
dry winds all the week and cor and
crops drying up for want of rain. High
est temperature, S4; lowest, So; no
rain.
Dorsey: Will G.. Barnes: Still dry,
windy and waterless. Cattle living on
browse and trees and under the cir
cumstances doing remarkably well.
Farmers on both irrigated and unirri-
gated lands have given up all hope Of
raising any crops this season, and they
are looking for other work. Wells
and springs lower than ever known
before.
Fruitland: Cyril James Collyer;
Windy, with cold nights. The season
is very backward. The fruit loss for
merly reported was somewhat over
stated. Apricots, cherries and early
fruits showing up better now the fruit
is formed. Winter apples, however,
will be the only crop in fruit. Trriga-
ton water abundant. Highest tenn
perature, Sc; lowest, 80; rain twice.
Gallinas Springs: Jas. Z. Whitmore:
Very dry, with high winds. All crops
are out of the ground and ready to
cultivate. but will have to await rain.
Some doubt if we will raise any crops
at all. Highest temperature, IS; low
est, So; no rain.
Glencoe. Wilbur f. Coe: Very
windy weather; crops look green and
well. Cattle have shed and look very
well.
Las Vegas: VIM. c. Bailey: Highest
temperature, 81: lowest, SO: no rain.
Mesilla Park: r.. II. Hart: Warm,
dry week. Cleared alfalfa fields being
irrigated for the second crop. Late
corn being planted; wheat looking
well. Fruit season will be late on
account Of the cool spring. Highest
temperature, 90; lowest, Az; no rain.
Mountainair: John W. Corbett:
Frost did considerable damage and IN
general the growth of vegetation has
been retarded by the cold nights.
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