Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-18
CROP ESTIMATE
NEW ENGLAND

bureau Of crop estimates, United
States Department of Agriculture. in
his September report says:
Maine potatoes improved slightly.
despite August drought in the central
of rain and some fertilizer injury in
Aroostook but the county is living up
to its long record Of producing a
good crop. Forecast for Maine is
now 20.614, 600 bu., compared with
IL. 966. 900 last month and %, 400. 900 last
year. Forecast for the United States
is now $40 200. 900. compared with $751;
10000 last month. and 400. 106, 900 last
year. Late in August, blight. with
considerable rot spread over South
ern New England, but too late to do
much damage.
The forecast for New England COM
mercial apples is now 1855, 900 bar
rels. compared with ss1, 900 last year
So per cent increase; for the
United States 2s.o72, 900 compared
with "a, 140. 600 last year. Maine and
Vermont show big gains and only
Massachusetts runs below last year.
In commercial orchards the fruit is
normal in size, quality and color; and
recent rains should benefit the crop.
Farm orchard fruit is mostly below
normal in size and quality: much
Of it is wormy and has considerable
black rot and scab. Most reports
show a heavy crop of Spys, but the
other main varities run light in some
sections though heavier elsewhere. no
one of them being a heavy crop. The
number bearing trees is certainly
less throughout New England than
in 1910, but with some big new Or
chards coming to bearing and more
old orchards receiving better ere,
the productive capacity may be
about the same.
Plenty of cranberries for Thanks
giving, Christmas and other dinners
are promised by the, $4,000 barrels
which Cape Cod offers compared with
1880 last year.
Frequent rains. cloudy. muggy
weather and brown rot seriously az
fected yields and quality Of peaches;
and the sugar shortage has restricted
the market.
Hot weather and the following
heavy showers late in July reduced
the yield Of onions per acre from AS
bushels last year to $40 now, and the
production to 2,4ss cars (of 600
bushels. compared with s.e41 last
year. There are 400 acres now; 1900
in 1918.
With unusual stocks Of. beans car
ried over and good crops this year
there will be plenty Of beans. and
most garden crops are good.
The hail and wind storm Of August
"a did heavy damage to the tobacco
crop in the limited areas in Frank
lin and Hampshire counties. Mass;
Fairfield and Litchfield counties.
Conn, but Massachusetts, will have
1880. 600 pounds. compared with
IL. 00o. coo last year: and Connecticut
42.5oo.0e compared with SI.0eo,oo.
The crop is of fine growth and quail
ity; favorable curing weather thus
far.
Not much old hay was carried over
but a heavy yield Of fine hay has
been harvested in excellent condi-
ton except in sections Of southern
New England. where rain damaged II
Timothy, alfalfa and millet are good
crops; pasture is good in Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
but is short in Maine, New Hamp-
shire and Vermont, Que 10 the
drought.
The season was too dry and hot
early for the best oat growth, the
late sown crops have grown better.
Wheat. barley and buckwheat are
good crops.
The hot days and nights Of July
and early August. with timely rains
make this the best corn year for
some time, and the crop is well above
the average-field. silage and sweet
corn all having done well. Warmer.
dry weather is needed to mature II.