THE 



THIRTY-FIEST A:N'NUAL KEPORT 



OF THE 



SECRETARY 



OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Gommomvealth of 



Massachusetts. ^ 



The meteorological characteristics of the past year have 

 been similar to those recorded in the thirtieth report, and 

 the results of our husbandry have been very nearly like the 

 experiences of 1882. 



The spring weather was favorable, cool, with abundant 

 rains, and grass made an excellent start, developing into a 

 heavy crop. It was secured with good weather. 



From this time drouth, the constant accompaniment of our 

 agriculture, set in with a severity exceeding that of the pre- 

 vious season. As no rains fell after haying the mowing 

 stubbles felt the full force of the sun ; pastures dried brown ; 

 Indian corn, a tropical plant that best withstands dry weath- 

 er, curled* its leaves and on all uplands made a slow and 

 light growth. Early in September, while the ground was 

 the dryest, we suffered sharp frosts which affected the imma- 

 ture corn in every part of the State. Our perplexities were 

 increased by the failure of springs, wells and water-courses. 

 This continued far into the winter. Fortunately our barns 

 were filled with the first crop of hay, corn-fodder was well 

 made, and potatoes proved a fine crop and kept in perfect 

 condition. Root crops proved better than we had feared. 



The thirty volumes of our reports are, with several ex- 

 ceptions, a record of drouth. It is almost as certain to come 



