New York Weather Bureau. 359 



All crops in the ground were growing nicely. In central and 

 southern sections early fruit sprang into full bloom during the 

 last two or three days of the month and reports indicated a heavy 

 set, especially of small fruits. Farming operations had hardly 

 begun in the extreme north. 



The month of May was cooler than usual, the average tempera- 

 ture for the first and last decade being low, and about normal 

 during the intermediate period. The rainfall was excessive, but 

 unevenly distributed; numerous and heavy showers occurring 

 over the southeast principally, but in some sections — and notably 

 in the vicinity of Lake Ontario — the precipitation was light. 

 Vegetation advanced rapidly until the 8th, when the temperature 

 fell to five and ten degrees below freezing. The damage sustained 

 was very slight. Cloudy weather with general rains from the 9th 

 to the 13th proved beneficial to grass and grains, but in the north 

 meadows were reported in poor condition. Cool, cloudy and 

 showery weather prevailed during the last ten days. Many re- 

 ported corn, potatoes, peas, etc., in the ground as failing to sprout 

 during this period, and growth of small fruits and garden truck 

 was seriously retarded. Grass and grains, however, grew vigor- 

 ously with this weather, and in the warmer and dryer portions 

 of the southeast ripening strawberries were exceptionally promis- 

 ing. Tent caterpillars were exceptionally numerous, and orchard- 

 ists were obliged to use vigorous methods to protect their fruit 

 trees. Exceptionally cool, cloudy and windy weather prevailed 

 over the northern sections of the State. Corn planting was well 

 under way by the 10th of the month; hops were mostly grubbed; 

 and as pasturage was very good, stock generally was turned out. 

 By the middle of the month early vegetables were in the market 

 in the southeastern counties, but in the north oats seeding had 



