Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-28
PESSIMISTIC PROPHECIES
Oroughty Conditions Have Brought
Things to a Serious Pass.

Boston. May 27-The weekly crop bule-
tin of the New England section of the
climate and crop service of the weather
bureau says: Exceptionally warm wealth
er, with drying winds, prevailed the first
of the week: the remainder was much
cooler. with temperatures below the
freezing point. The amount of sunshine
has been excessive, and there has been
but little precipitation.
The maximum temperatures of tho week
were generally in the eighties, and, at
some points. ninety and above. The mill
mum readings We're as abnormal, the
mercury falling to a and - degrees at
points III New Hampshire and Vermont
on the morning of the oath. Frosts oc-
CURED ON the mornings of the 23d. 2ith
ard 18th The observer at Northfield VT.
reports that the minimum at that place
on the morning of the oath. "A degrees,
has never been equaled in the third de-
cade of May since the establishment OF
the station.
Although scattered, local showers have
occurred throughout New England. the
fall amounted to practically nothing. The
largest amounts are reported from Maine
Aroostook and Washington counties be-
ing moro favored than the rema nder of
the State.
CONDITION OF CROPS.
The droughty conditions that have pre-
vailed throughout New England for the
past few weeks have been greatly intcn-
sifed by the weather conditions of the
week just past.An abundance of modcr-
atcly high, exceptionally drying winds
labnormally high temperatures. and ar
almost total absence of precipitation have
brought things to pass that seldom eA-
lists at this season Of the year. There is
universal complaint from all sections oi
/ t1n.. .t,ia tl,A =, .1ta l.
farmers are most pcssimstic.
! Grain.-Both fall and spring-sown gra
are feeling the effects Of the drought most
seriously. the former heading low, an(
the latter turning yellow and ceasinE tc
grow where already up. The latter can
not gcrminato properly and the outlook
is very dubious. Corn already plantej
makes no material growth. and it is prob
able that fully one-half Of the crop is
not yet in the ground.
Grass-Thc prospect for the hay cror
continues to grow worse on high land,
and sandy soil the grass is turning
brown, and on low. favored lands alone
| is there promise of even an average weld
Many Of the correspondents estimate tbs
yield to he less than one half the average
Pastures are suffering equally with grass
land and cows must stil he fed at tho
barn: even with that the flow Of milk
/ is shrinking. Oats and peas, Hungarian
and other forage crops will he Sown r
large quantities to make up the expected
deficiency in the hay crop.
F'uit-Tho weeks REPORTS confirm the
statement that there has been an aver
age bloom of apples. and tho fruit i;
setting well, IT. however, the drouGh
continues much longer it will proba bl,
cause considerable damage to the youni
fruit The depredations of cankerworm
and caterpillars continue, and these pest!
are apparently fully as numerous as us
ual The dry weather will cut down tn,
stra wberry crop to a great extent. and /
is thought that the last frosts have in
iured blackberrics and raspbcrries which
heretofore were in excellent shape.
Negeta tables-The growth of all gardei
Vegetables has heen very slow and the,
are greatly in need of rain. especially Il
this true Of onions. The freeze of Sun
day morning was very disastrous to man,
gardens. as the temperature was low
enough in the north to affect meas an,
other hardy vegetables that usually with
stand frost that occurs so late in the sea
son.
robacco-Some tobacco has been set
but the bulk of the plants remain in tn,
beds, as II is nearly impossible to Sc
when the soil is so dry. More favOrabl
weather must occur soon or this year
yield will be much diminished