18 Eighth Annual Report of the 



date the weather was cold, and snow was still on the ground 

 in the northern counties. At the beginning, the season was con- 

 sidered to be about ten days late, but unusually warm spring- 

 like weather, beginning on the 12th and lasting until the 21st, 

 brought the frost out of the ground, dried the soil and fitted 

 it for working, so that throughout the warmer sections farming 

 operations were under way by the 15th. Plowing and seeding 

 had become general by the 20th; vegetation had started rap- 

 idly, trees were budding, early gardens were being made in the 

 southeast, and hops were uncovered in Madison county. Dry, 

 cool weather followed, with frosts on the 23d and 24th, which 

 formed ice in many plaecs, but did little or no damage to vege- 

 tation. The rainfall for the month had been light, and while 

 crops in the ground were beginning to feel the drouth, the fine 

 weather permitted spring work to be rushed; and at the close 

 of the month the greater part of the oats, spring wheat and bar- 

 ley had been sown and many early potatoes were planted. Gar- 

 dening had progressed satisfactorily, early vegetables being al- 

 ready up in the southeast. Maple-sugaring began early in the 

 month, but progressed slowly until the warm period, making 

 an unusually short season. 



The warm, dry weather which prevailed from the 1st until 

 about the 25th of May, while very favorable for plowing, plant- 

 ing and seeding, resulted in quite a serious drouth, injurious 

 to growing crops; meadows and pastures being the chief suff- 

 erers; while winter wheat and rye were also somewhat affected. 

 Work progressed rapidly, and usually was about ten days ahead 

 of the season. Plowing for corn was general at the beginning 

 of the month, and a limited amount had been planted. Hop- 

 pole setting was completed and peppermint roots were set out. 



