37 



of two-tenths, or twenty per cent., in Missouri and Wisconsin. A decrease 

 of this amount must be felt in the markets even where the consumption of 

 beef has been lessened by its advanced price. One of the results must be 

 an increased demand for mutton. 



The condition of stock cattle is much below the usual average at this 

 season of the year; and this, with the lateness of the spring, will delay the 

 appearance of the grass-fatted cattle in the markets. 



4. Sheep. — The high price of wool, and the greater comparative value of 

 this stock, have induced a livelier interest in it on the part of the farmer; 

 and, as the table shows, it is in a good condition — above-an average. This 

 secures the usual number of pounds of wool per head, and the per cent, in- 

 crease of lambs that has obtained since 1861, when the demand for wool 

 gave rise to unusual care. 



5. Hogs. — The condition of these in the eastern States is fair; but in the 

 middle and western States, especially in the largest hog-producing, it is by 

 no means favorable. Want of corn is the cause; but of the inducements to 

 better attention, enough has been already said elsewhere in this report. 



6. Bees. — The introduction of Langstroth's and other improved hives, and 

 a better knowledge of the bee itself, have had a beneficial influence on bee 

 culture. But the wet and cool spring of last year, and the untimely frosts of 

 the autumn, by destroying the buckwheat, sent the bees into winter but 

 little prepared to endure the severity of the cold storms that prevailed 

 through it. 



The first column shows the loss in hives, in tenths, directly stated, 2| mean- 

 ing two and a half tenths, or twenty-five per cent.; the second column their 

 condition indirectly shown, 8 meaning two-tenths, or twenty per cent, below 

 the usual average condition in the spring. These losses and this unfavor- 

 able condition must be discouraging; but the energy and zeal so character- 

 istic of the American farmer will not suffer a neglect of this interesting and 

 useful stock. 



7. Maple sugar and molasses. — Although the season was not closed when 

 the returns were sent in, yet the table sustains the declarations of our cor- 

 respondents that greater preparations had been made for this season's sugar- 

 making than for any jjj-evious one. So important is this product at this time, 

 that we renew the questions in the next circular, that the whole of the 

 season, especially in the most northern States, may be fully reported. 



8. Weather. — The general features of the weather in February and March 

 will be seen from the number of weeks reported in the table. The favorable, 

 cold, and dry predominate largely over the wet and snoiv. Whilst this was 

 advantageous to the ground in mellowing and rendering it fit for early 

 ploughing, yet just when the plough commenced running the rain and snows 

 came, which should have fallen earlier, and have delayed the operations of 

 the farm. This is always unlucky to the farmer, as it piles together the 

 hard labors of the spring; at this time it is unfortunate, because of the 

 scarcity of labor. It is, however, favorable to wheat and other fall-sown 

 crops, which suffered from the general cold and dryness of February and 

 March. 



For the details of the weather during these months, we invite attention to 

 the admirable meteorological report from the Smithsonian Institution. 



