Evening journal., 1903-05-06
OPEN WEATHER
GOOD FOR CROPS
Work on the Farm Brought
Nearer to Average Stage
of Advance
WHEAT IN GOOD CONDITION
Reports Made to Agricultural Depart
ment Conflicting in Their Nature Re
sarding the Future Of the Fruit Crop
Advance in Gardening.
Advance in Gardening.

garding the Future or the rruit Orop
Advance in Gardening.
The temperature record for the past
week for Maryland and Delaware presents
some very striking contrasts as shown by
the weekly climate and crop report OF the
Department of Agriculture. The entire
period shows an average daily excess OF
about degrees, owing TO the warm wave
On tho early part when afternoon readings
Of 30 degrees snd above were recorded. A
marked change occurred on the evening OF
Thursday April 30, however. when tenn
peratures went as low as 5 degrees In the
mountains, while a number OF stations re-
ported falls as great az forty degrees with
In the succeeding sixteen hours. Since
then the temperatures have been consid-
erably below the normal though warming
again somewhat at the present time. Wath
the advent OF THE cooler weather. which
was ushered in by strong noruhely Winds
there occurred light precipitation in the
extreme west, with snow squalls In the
mountains. but elsewhere the dry weather
continued until Sunday evening May 3,
when thunder showers gave light to mod
erately heavy falls over the interior and
eastern districts, and possibly IN the
western counties. although the absence OF
latte reports from that section renders thia
uncertain. The sunshine was largely In
excess during the week.
Favorable to Farmers.
The prevailing open weather greatly
favored farming operations and in conse-
quence all work was brought nearer to its
average stage OF advance than at any
flrna fav.1far H.. tNn ~o.ro.. rrt. t.i.~t. s,...
peratures Of the forepart Of the week were
stimulating TO crop growth. but the cold
and frosts of the iattor part OF The week
were checking In their Effects on grain and
grasses, and Injurious to tender plants and
possibly to some fruit blossoms. The dry
ing winds had crusted the surface soil.
thus hindering plowing on the uplands.
but the rains OF Sunday evening win i'm
prove this condition, pnd also revive sprne
sown clover. crosses. and many small
crops that were IN need OF moisture
Grain and Grasses.
Wheat has generally lost the yellowish
cast that was produced by the long con-
tnued wet spell, bu- In some places It
stll shows a sicllly co;or. For the section
as a whole. however, there Is but little
room for complaint. although the growth
has been slight since the period OF low
temperatures began. Some very early
fields are showing heads Rye is fair TO
good in condition, and heads are generally
reported. The early oats show good stands
but the growth has been slow during the
week; sowing Is still IN progress In the
western counties; It Is a conceded fact
that a reduced acreage will be the result
Of delays caused by The long wet spell
Grasses did wei ddring the warm part OF
the week but grew but little afterwards.
Spring sown clover suffered somewhat for
want Of rain, but II is thought that the
showers Of Sunday Will be OF much bene-
1T. Pastures are variously reported as
poor TO good. Corn planting has made
considerable progress during the waek
although This work continues much be-
J hind. Flowing was attended with diff
culties In the uplands on account Of a hard
and crusty soil, and a good rain Is gem
: orally needed for this work.
The reports on fruit continue to be con-
fiidting in their nature. due doubtless 10
the fact that no certain statements can
yet be made as to the extent OF damage BY
the freeze Of April and 6. Some injury
resulted from the cold and frosts OF Nay
/ ana Q but not Of any great consequence
Peaches viii probably be quite light in
yield. Apples are very promising over
practically the entire section. Cherries are
z now coming into bloom in the extreme
: vest the early varieties will probably pro-
e duce very little fruit, but the later blooms
Il are expected to give fair to good returns.
n Plums and pears are OF medium prospect.
a judging from the amount OF blooms on the
4 trees.