Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-18
CROPS HAVE IMPROVED.
Rains Almost Wholly Absorbed by
Thirsty Soil,

Boston. June 1.-THE weekly crop bull
letin of the New England section of the
climate and crop service of the weather
bureau says: The weather of the past
weeks, in many respects, presents a much
different aspect from that which pre-
vailed for nearly two months The a
mount of sunshine was very small, the
skies being generally overcast the greater
portion of the time. Together with the
cloudy weather, fog was prevalent, with
generous rains throughout the whole
section. Owing to ioEyy and cloudy
weather, the temperature ranges were
small the major part of the week, there
being neither maximum nor minimum
readings that were abnormal. The means
for the district were probably a little
below the normal The rainfall for the
week has been above the average and
well distributed, all portions of the dis
trict receiving share.
CONDITION OF CROPS.
The crop condition has materially i'm
proved since the last bulletin. The much
needed rains finally came, and in a man
ncr to do much good; for although the
weekly amounts were large, yet in most
localities they came as to be almost
wholly absorbed by the thirsty soil Seed
that had lain in the ground three and.
in many cases, five weeks, sprouted
impetus. The weather being unfavorable
for cultivation, weeds of all kinds took
advantage of the occasion and are grow
ing rank, so that many fields are becom
ing foul.
Gran.-Most winter gram Is, of course,
too far advanced to derive much benefit
from the rains. In some localities it was
badly lodged by the high winds that oc
CURED on the 18th. Spring-sown grain
will doubtless recuperate where not too
badly burned by the drought. Corn is
necessarily improving, but Its condition
is below the average.
Grass.-Grass and pastures are espe-
cially feeling the beneficial effects of the
rain. Even fields that were extremely
dry are freshening up. on far-advanccd
fields about the only benefit that can
accrue will be a thickenng up at the
bottom. Some farmers had decided that
the better plan was to NOV early and
trust to Providence that the remainder
of the season would be sufficiently fav-
orable to insure good second crop. Many
fields. consequently, have been mown,
but the foul weather has hindered the
curing of the grass. Pastures are looking
better but feed is still very short.
Fruit.-Some damage Is reported as re-
sultng to apples from the high winds
of the 18th. Some fruit was blown off,
but the more serious damage probably
lies in the breaking off of SO many young
tWigs. Reports as to the probable ulti-
mate yield vary with localities, but it
seems likely that unless something unfor-
seen occurs there will be an average crop.
Strawberries are a partial failure, but the
outlook for raspberries and backberries
is promising.
Vegetables Potatoes. with the aid of
rain, are making remarka BILE growth,
although their condition is somewhat
uneven. Aroostook county. Maine, re-
ports large acreage in fairly good con-
dition. Garden vegetables are likewise
in much better shape than they were a
weelt ago, and, in most cases, We're not
so severely injured, but what they will
now do we'll
Tobacco.-Much tobacco was fortunate
lY set Immediately previous to the rains
and Is now in excellent shape. Still it is
thought that the season is hardly up to
the average.