362 Ninth Annual Report of the 



tered. The total mouthly amount at Setauket, Long Island, wa» 

 18.18 inches, which, as far as known, is without precedent in this 

 State. Hail, wind and thunder storms were a noteworthy feature 

 of the month's weather. Flooding rains did much damage to 

 crops, especially in the Hudson Valley. After the cool weather of 

 May and June (excepting the last week of June) the hot weather 

 of July was very beneficial to crops, which were generally much 

 behindhand. The bright, hot weather ripened the grain rapidly, 

 and by the 10th wheat and rye harvest was well begun in more 

 advanced districts. The weather was very favorable for gather- 

 ing, and the greater part of the crop was secured by the middle 

 of the month, or before the showery weather which characterized 

 the last half of the month. The almost daily showers from the 

 12th on caused serious delays in the wheat harvest. A large 

 amount of the wheat became over ripe and could not be cut, while 

 much that was cut and shocked remained in the fields often as 

 long as two weeks, causing sprouting and deterioration of the 

 grain. This period of continued rains, with its ill effects on 

 wheat, barley and rye harvests, may be deemed the catastrophe 

 of the season, as a large proportion of the wheat, especially, was 

 rendered unmarketable. Where dry weather permitted oats har- 

 vest began during the latter part of the month; the flooding rains 

 had caused much damage from lodging, and rust and smut were 

 reported locally, but as a whole the crop had made a very good 

 growth. Corn was still behindhand although growing finely. 

 Earliest potatoes were ready to dig the last part of the month; 

 rot was beginning to be general, and the crop was further im- 

 paired by the wet weather and by insect pests. As it was im- 

 possible to cut hay, much of the crop that remained out became 

 overripe, resulting in considerable loss. The warm, wet weather 



