NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



SECRETARY 



OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Common- 

 wealth of Massachusetts. 



The products of the farm, and, of course, the prosperity of 

 the farmer, are dependent very much upon the characteristics 

 of the season, and especially upon the distribution of warmth 

 and moisture throughout the growing months. Neither the 

 aggregate amount of rainfall, nor the average range of the 

 thermometer, will convey an accurate idea as to whether the 

 conditions are favorable or unfavorable for the growth of plants. 

 It is the general distribution of rain and heat from which we are 

 to judge of the season in its relation to the productive industries 

 of the farm. 



Nor is this all. The character of one season has its influence 

 upon the crops of succeeding years. This fact has been quite 

 apparent during the past year, so apparent as to become a 

 subject of common remark among farmers. The severe and 

 almost unprecedented drought of 1870 affected all tillage lands, 

 mowing and pasturage, to an extent rarely observed before. 

 The old fields did not recover, and have not yet recovered, from 

 its effects. But its influence was complicated by another 

 drought, of less severity to be sure, but taken in connection 

 with that of the preceding year, and the open winter interven- 



