Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-06
ALARMS THE FARMERS
PROLONGED DRY SPELL SOURCE
OF MUCH WORRY.

The prolonged dry spell in the District
and adjacent parts of Maryland is re-
sulting seriously to farmers and unless
there Is relief in the next few days heavy
financial loss will follow. In parts Of the
District and In most of Prince George
county and Montgomery county, Mary
land, no rain has fallen in more than five
weeks. Within the last four or five days
light showers have barely allayed the
dust. In portions of the city Saturday
there was a heavy downpour for a few
minutes. but in the northeast and south
east parts the rainfall was comparatively
slight. The ground has become parched,
and what little moisture there is has re-
tired away below the surface Nothing
short Of a heavy rainfall will do any good
at this time.
Farmers report that the yield of truck
high price of tomatoes has been brought
about by shortage in the usual yield,
and the fruit Of the vines is showing a
blight. Squash, cucumbers and many
other vegetables are dying. and only veg
etables on low, heavy soils that have held
moisture are showing life and bearing
qualities. Irish potatoes put in the
ground two or three weeks late will have
their yield greatly decreased by failure
to get moisture at the time the tubers
are maturing, and the loss on this vege
table alone will be considerable.
There has been no such drought here
for many years, 1t is explained, and the
situation is viewed with alarm by farm
ers. The seed store men of Washington
say that their business has been much
reduced by the dry spell. Farmers have
been unable to prepare ground Tor plant
ing the vegetables that should go In at
this time of the year, and are refraining
from purchasing seed and fertilizer sup
plies Unless there is rain In a mighty
short time both sugar and field corn will
suffer greatly. Corn stalks are reported
from many parts as whiting, or firing"
as it is called.
Not Affecting Entire Country.
Assurances that the drought which is
Worrying local farmers is not dangerously
affecting the entire country were given
today by DR.. Beverly T. Galloway. chief
of the bureau of plant industry, Depart
ment of Agriculture. According to him
the drought is local, meaning that the
area affected is east of the Alleghenies
and from northern Pennsylvania to south
ern Virginia. While this area is large,
the enormous country known as the
mississippi valley which provides the
foodstuffs of a great part OF the world. is
we'll watered this season. The valley
takes in a great part OF tn6 wheat cOun-
try in the northwest.
By looking at the reports Of rainfall
the past month it would seem there had
been plenty of moisture. and in some sec
tons, even within the drought area, rain
in abundance. But the storms have been
merely local. and has Travelled over
path only few miles wide.
Good Soaking Needed.
What we need" DIR. Galloway said,
lis good soaking
According to DR.. Galloway. who is a
practical farmer as we'll as d theorist,
the corn of the drought section is good
and will remain good for ten days. but
should have rain before the end of that
time. The pastures are, of course, very
bad. and so is the produce of the truck
farms. The small fruit. such as black
berries. will suffer, but the grapes and
peaches are getting along splendidly. The
wheat is all right, the hot, dry weather
being good for that crop.
AT the bureau of statistics nothing
would be given out about the condition
of the general crop, as the figures for
July l will not be made public Until
Wednesday,