574 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Wheat. — The uncommonly frequent variations of temperature through the 

 winter were almost fatally injurious to the young wheat plant, standing unpro- 

 tected from their influence. As soon as it began to recover a little under mode- 

 rate weather from the heaving process of a sudden frost, the recurrence of 

 another would repeat the evil, and the delicate fibres of the roots had to contend 

 against such repetitions of the strain that on the opening of spring the fields 

 presented the most unpromising appearance. A very favorable growing season 

 through the spring months, however, enabled tlie plant to recover its vitality in 

 an unexpected degree and led to the prospect of a good yield until near the stage 

 for ripening, when the intensely hot weather which set in caused a shrinkage of 

 the berry disastrous both to its quality and quantity, resulting in general disap- 

 pointment of the hopes previously entertained. And though in exceptionally 

 favorable situations some good crops were obtained, the general average we can- 

 not estimate higher than twelve bushels to the acre, and that of inferior quality. 



Oats. — Farmers who sowed their oats early found the conditions favorable for 

 doing so, which those who performed that work later in the season did not expe- 

 rience. The good growing weather developed a strong and healthy plant, and 

 the appearance of the straw indicated a heavy crop, until struck at its most 

 critical stage by the extreme heat, from which it suffered in a similar manner 

 as the wheat crop. It was noticeable that where the seeding had been done 

 early, on rich and well prepared ground, large crops reaching sixty and seventy 

 bushels to the acre were harvested, though the general average yield per acre 

 did not exceed about twenty-five bushels of poor and light grain. The differ- 

 ence is attributed to the fact that the early sowing caused the grain to be so 

 far matured when the hot weather set in as to be past the stage at which the 

 heat proved so destructive to the less advanced fields. 



Corn. — Rainy weather interfered with planting corn to the best advantage at 

 the usual season, after which great heat with deficiency of moisture affected 

 injuriously its progress. While the corn was in the milk it had to contend 

 with the effects of about two weeks of the excessively warm weather already 

 spoken of. The result was that though the product was not heavy, the ears 

 were sound and perfect to a remarkable degree — quite superior in quality to the 

 crop of 1875. The average yield was about thirty-five bushels per acre. 



Barley. — The yield of barley was generally light, that crop suffering from the 

 weather in a similar manner to its effect upon oats. 



Hay and grass. — The meadows yielded a large crop, their growth being pro- 

 moted by the same causes which stimulated the straw of the cereals. The 

 product was as heavy, we think, as any ever cut in this county, and it was saved 

 in good condition, averaging one and a half tons to the acre. The extensive 

 shipment from tlie county of pressed hay, referred to in previous reports, is 

 still increasing in magnitude, and forms a profitable source of revenue, the 

 demand from abroad calling for all that can be spared from home consumption. 

 Clover seed was inferior in quality — the yield light, and the seed small. The 

 pastures grew liberally throughout the season, producing plenty of feed. 



Potatoes. — In complete contrast to the experience of last year, except in a few 

 instances the potato crop was a failure. The dry, hot weather stunted the 

 growth of the tubers, and the beetle reappeared in numbers upon the vines. 

 Those who have potatoes to sell are fortunate, and will realize a good price. 



