334 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



THE SEASON OF 1882 . 



has had its peculiarities, and these have been so marked as to 

 be worthy of record. ' 



April, May, and June had a moderate temperature, with fre- 

 quent light rains, and hence were very favorable for the growth 

 of grass and winter grain. Everything that had survived the 

 winter recovered marvelously, and yielded satisfactorily. Corn 

 came on slowly, and rarely was so small in July as this year. 

 Then began a drouth, pinching the pastures, and in many cases 

 destroying all growing crops. Tobacco, corn, potatoes, turnips, 

 and gardens were a general failure in sandy, gravelly land. The 

 late, warm autumn, frosts being delayed till October, gave some 

 compensation, and crops not destroyed by drouth matured well. 

 Yet for the whole State a loss of thirty-three per cent, must be 

 admitted from the drouth, as the crops ranged anywhere from 

 very good to a total failure. 



To sum up: April 1st, winter grain and grass in poor condition; 

 improved rapidly; weather favorable for seeding spring and sum- 

 mer crops. July 1st, small hopes for corn, but same cause that 

 ruined some fields saved others. Early potatoes good; late ones 

 failed. 



Fruit was variously affected. 



Peaches were destroyed by the winter, and rarely bloomed. 

 Plums and cherries were similarly affected in less degree. Pears 

 bloomed sparsely, fruit scarce and indifferent. 



Apples bloomed abundantly, but from drouth or other causes 

 failed in many parts of the State. In some towns in the north- 

 western part of the State the crop was abundant, and of excellent 

 quality. The same was true of portions of Windham County. 

 Elsewhere the Autumn heat, continuing into October, caused pre- 

 maturity and decay even of winter sorts. The West had no 

 surplus and the prices have ruled high in our markets, from two 

 to four dollars per barrel for fair fruit. 



Farmer's produce has generally brought good prices. Corn, .75 

 to $1.00 per bushel; Oats, .55to.G5 ; Rye, .70 to .90; Wheat, $1.20 

 to $1.50; Potatoes, .60 to $1.00; Hay, $10 to $20 per ton; Milk, 

 .02^ to .04 per quart; Butter, .20 to .40; Cheese, .10 to .14; Beef 

 sides, .06 to. 08; Pork, .08 to .10; Eggs, .15 to .40; Poultry, dressed, 

 .18 to .25; Wheat bran, $20 to $22 per ton; Linseed meal, new 

 process, $28 to $30; Cotton seed meal, $26 to $30; Apples, $1.50 to 



