Weather Rambling — Strawberries and scorchers

“The first strawberries sold in this vicinity were carried to the market this afternoon,” the French Mountain columnist to The Glens Falls Messenger wrote on June 8, 1890.

Other crops looked promising, despite a late start.

“The prospect of a large crop of hay was never better,” the Messenger reported on June 13, 1890. “Some winter grain is looking finely, but several fields, especially on the lowlands, were badly damaged by the ice. Most of the planting was delayed by the heavy rain storms.”

It was not the June of scorching heat common in the 19th century Glens Falls region.

“Saturday last was declared by unanimous consent the hottest day of the season,” The Glen’s Falls Republican reported on June 20, 1865. “Thermometers undertook to register the heat, but generally wilted in the attempt. Not a breeze stirred.”

“Saturday last was what might with propriety be called a scorcher. The thermometer marked ninety degrees in the shade,” the Republican reported on June 6, 1876.

Scorching June heat continued in the early 20th century.

“Glens Falls used 4,000,000 gallons of water a day during that hot spell last week,” The Post-Star reported on June 28, 1921. “But despite this heavy consumption, and the lack of rain, there is more water in the reservoirs at the present time than a year ago.”

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