20 Eighth Annual Report of the 



days, after which higher temperature brought vegetation rap- 

 idly forward. In the first week some win^ter wheat and rye 

 were cut, and oats headed. Much of the barley had been cut 

 by the 18th, and on the 30th the oats harvest was commenced. 

 Hops were in blossom by the 10th, and with tobacco and corn, 

 made very satisfactory growth. Grapes and apples continued 

 to thrive. The army worm made its appearance the first week 

 in July, and by the 15th, its ravages were general throughout 

 the state, although many localities escaped them entirely. Great 

 destruction was wrought to green crops, and more especially to 

 oats. The pests began to disappear about the 25th. 



Most unusually hot, muggy weather characterized the first half 

 of August; and while late garden truck, corn, buckwheat, pas- 

 tures and after-feed on meadows made wonderful growth during 

 this period, harvesting was much delayed, especially in the south- 

 west, where light showers occurred almost daily, so that the 

 fine oat crop threatened to become over-ripe before it could be 

 cut, or after cutting became damaged in shock. Some rust also 

 developed in oats, and there began to be much complaint of rot 

 and blight among potatoes. During the first week corn was 

 commonly in tassel and laid by; hops were nearly out of the burr 

 and fruiting finely, and tobacco was very promising. Much fall 

 plowing, also, was done during the first week, the soil being in 

 fine condition. Tn some section of the southeast the oat crop 

 was damaged 20 to 30 per cent, by the army worm, which, how- 

 ever, ceased its ravages entirely before the middle of the month. 



The latter part of August was much cooler than the first half, 

 and was generally favorable for completing the harvests; but 

 drouth in some northern and central counties «rmewhat de- 



