Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1895 — LONG DROUGHT BROKEN. [ARTICLE]

LONG DROUGHT BROKEN.

A General Rain Conies to the Relief of " the Farmers. —— The drought was broken in the Northwest and a generous faU of rain has coms at the last minute to save the crops. The farmers have been in despair for weeks at the continued absence of moisture, with fields drying up, wells and cisterns empty, and the prospect staring them in the face of a destruction of crops. In many places 4here was a more immediate danger from prairie fires. All these fears have been set at rest by the opportune rain. Prairie fires have,been quenched, farm lands drenched, and wells and "cisterns*filled, giving rise in some sections to meetings of thanksgiving. In some sections of Illinois it is the first rain that has fallen for nearly three months'. In Michigan, while the rain wa< general, it was not copious enough to be of any lasting benefit. It is doubtful if the ground was wet to the depth of one inch, so that the most benefit to be derived will be the keeping of the tops of wheat and grass green for a few days longer. Copious rains have fallen throughout Central and Southwest Missouri, ttnd the prospect for winter wheat is greatly Improved. Wheat out of the ground is looking fine and growing vigorously. A considerable amount planted during the drought has not come up, but this rain is expected to bring most of it out. In Nebraska it is believed to be in time to save ■ll fall seeding, although the grains are not probably as heavy as they would have been but for the extended dry weather. The recent rainp throughout Ohio have had a Wonderful Effect upon the fall pasturage that had been burned out .by the heat and drought of the summer, fields everywhere being as bare of vegetation as if swept by tire. The rains have caused .the grass to sprout and farmers are no longer compelled to give their stock dry feed as was the case the previous two months. The present moisture has alsoi helped the wheat, and it gives promise of taking root sufficiently to stand the' rigors of n hard winter. The snow and rain storm which has prevailed throughout Wisconsin has done a great amount of good. In some sections it has been threat months since there has been any rain.i All of the forest and marsh fires which' have beeU burning for weeks in the central and northern portions of the State have been extinguished. lowa farmer* and stockmen have been complaining much of the lack of water in wells and springs. Thousands of cattle have been the last few weeks been driven to river* and flowing creek's for water, the ordinary supply being exhausted The rainfall must be heavy to relieve this want and the needs of the long winter months. Bvery colliery in the Lehigh (Pa.), region which was forced to shut down on Account of drouth has resumed work, j