Evening star., 1941-09-25
Severe Drought Grips
East and Southeast;
Reservoirs Run Low
Maryland and Virginia
Truck Suffers, Though
Staples Are Harvested
BY w. I'll. SHIPPEN

One of the worst fall droughts
since the parched months of 1890
is developing throughout most OF
the East and Southeast, with pas
ture lands turning brown, water
running low in reservoirs, power
dams and rivers, and fall grain fields
baking too hard for the ploW under
bright sun.
j. B. Kincer, chief of the Weather
Bureaus Division of Climate and
Crop Weather, admitted the situa-
ton would be serious unless general
rains come soon, but pointed out
the damage can scarcely be as
heavy as in 1880 because the main
staple crops already have been made
In the affected areas.
However, the levelS of storage
water behind the hydro electric
power dams of the Southeast are
falling toward point which
alarmed induStrialiStS in that Sec
ton last spring before the rains
of June and July saved the situation.
New England Hit.
In New England, the Weather Bu-
reau reports, the drought is Sc
riously reducing industrial and
water supplies and parched forests
are presenting an increasing fire
hazard, except in the extreme
North. On the other hand, har-
vesting was progressing rapidly with
the aid of almost continuous sun
shine.
Farmers in Northern New York
were scanning the skies in hope of
rain before sowing wheat. Pastures
were very poor and getting worse
but apple picking was in full swing
and the good weather aided the
collection of other crops.
Late crops in New Jersey were
being badly damaged by the drought
with pastures and meadows turn
ing brown and moisture along the
stream beds drying up.
Likewise in Pennsylvania growing
crows were slowly burning in the
fields, pastures we're getting worse
wells were running low, while con-
tinued sunshine sped the harvest
Ing of mature crops of all kinds.
Late garden crops were suffering
In Maryland and Delaware ano
Virginia, with springs and well.
running low. Water shortages were
growing quite serious in some Sec
tions of Virginia.
Much the same situation extend.
ed through the Carolinas, Georgis
and Alabama, although cotton pick.
ing in these States was well ad-
vanced. Drought conditions art
getting worse in Ohio, Indiana ano
Tennessee.
Rain Abundant in West.
Curiously enough. the severe East.
ern drought has grown worse while
there is abundant rain in mos
Western areas. Florida also ha,
received sufficient rain.
The rains received in the East ir
June and July prevented recur-
renee of the disastrous drought o1
1880, when some of the dries
weather occurred during the peal
of the growing season, Mr.. Kincel
pointed out. In that year most o.
the East experienced dry weather
throughout the spring, summer anc
fall.
So far this September most East.
ern States have received less thar
30 per cent of their normal rainfall
The drought with varying in
tensity covers practically all State
east of the Mississippi, the Weather
Bureau reported.
The most immediate agriculture
damage generally is to fall pasture,
and the delay in seeding wintel
grain. The hazard of forest fire
has become serious in most wooded
areas and the sun has baked th'
ground so hard that farmers II
Eastern States are far behind with
their plowing.