The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-05-05
FRUIT CROP DAMAGE.
DAMAGE SMALL TO LATE CROP
OF APPLES OF EARLY
CROP MAY BE SAVED.

College Park, Md. May 2.-The
bright prospects for a bumper fruit
crop existing in the Maryland terri
tory up to a week or-so ago have gone
glimmering Out of the maze of re-
ports received from all portions of the
afflicted territory, there seems a rea-
sonable ground to believe, says John
S. Dennee, agricultural statistician
for the United States Bureau of Mar
kets and Crop Estimates, cooperating
in statistics with the Extension Ser
vice of the University of Maryland, in
a statement public today, that the fin
al outturn may not be quite so bad as
at first thought; and that after the
June drop a good deal more will be
known about the resultant damage
from the unseasonal frosts and
freezes. Not a few orChardiSts have
since taken stock OF their trees al
discussed among themselves frankly
but not pessimistically the injury
done; and while it is Copceded that
the damage was bad enough and a
hard blow to the fruit men, the dam
age may not be irreparable in those
sections where the trees were heavily
y
remain to assure a fairly good yield
In northern and Western Maryland,
the crops were pushed ahead some
two weeks by the unseasonally warm
weather. at the beginning of April;
and in this area orchardiSts are prac-
tically a unit in the belief that sub
stantial damage was done some of the
ruit, the blossoms of which in many
orchards gave promise of a large
crop. 1t has not been possible up to
this time to ascertain to the fullest
extent the monetary damage to the
fruit. but general opinion appears to
be that it will not be small.
Orchardists' reports appear to indi-
cate that the fruit crop will be spot
ted'-nearly ruined in soppe sections
and but only partially damaged in
others. Serious damage to the early
apples and less damage to the late
crop are indicated. Peaches, pears,
cherries and the like. which were gen.
orally in bloom, were hard hit in the
valleys and low lands. those on the
mountain sides faring somewhat bet
ter. with ."fghting chance" Of sur
viving with little or no damage, ac-
cording to location and severity of the
cold spell.
In southern Maryland there was
damage but nothing serious. Reports
from the Eastern Shore say that early
truck in some quarters came in for
particularly rough deal. and that the
injury to early tomatoes and snap
beans will require considerable re-
only a light toll, it being explained
that the fruit was zoo far advanced to
be materially damaged by the frosts,
and moreover that the thick foliage
served as a protection. Indeed, some
growers speak yet of the possibility
of a good crop of apples and peaches,
particularly apples.
Not a few of our correspondents
mention damage to wheat. alfalfa,
clover and other farm crops.
Summary report OF Carroll County
is as follows:
(Carrollton) Substantial damage
sustained by some varieties of ap-
pies: others damaged only slightly.
No damage to other crops. New
Windsor) Cold spell beginning 21st
c. of blooms frozen, except York
Tmperials and Roman Beauties. which
were harmed only slightly. Peaches
entirely frozen; bloom very heavy;
figure so p. C. of a crop. (Taneytown)
Cherries. apricots. plums all frozen.
About so p. C. of late apples and late
fruits not frozen. (Uniontown) Sweet
cherries. apricots, plums and the like
DESTROYED. Late apples safe: also sour
cherries. (Westminster) Practically
all early fruit blossoms destroyed, in
cluding early apples. Late apples
about so D. C. saved Other tree fruits
and grapes for the most part total
loss. CWoodbine) Small fruits total
loss. Early apples suffered much;
late varieties little damaged.