THE THIETY- SEVENTH ANNUAL EEPOET 



SECRETAKY 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of 

 Massachusetts. 



The past year has been a peculiar one in the experience of 

 the agriculturists of the Commonwealth. The winter of 

 1888-89 was unusually mild. The ice harvest was thereby 

 delayed until February, and less than the usual amount wfis 

 secured. Most of the farmers were enabled to obtain the 

 amount necessary for dairy purposes. The co-operative 

 creameries also secured nearly a full supply. 



The mild weather of the winter enabled farmers to winter 

 their stock more cheaply than usual. It is doubtful, how- 

 ever, whether, on the whole, such a season is to be preferred 

 even for stock-feedins;. The bracino; weather of a normal 

 New Eno-land winter is not unhealthful for animals that are 

 well protected, and the small amount saved in feed it is 

 believed is more than balanced by the reduced energy caused 

 by unseasonably mild weather. The lack of snow also 

 prevented farmers from accomplishing much of the work for 

 which the winter is usually most favorable. Less wood was 

 prepared for market, and lumbering and the hauling of rail- 

 road ties was carried on under peculiar difficulties. While 

 this kind of work is not strictly agricultural, it is depended 

 upon by many Massachusetts ftirmers to help out the year's 



