No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xv 



drought and frost. Apple bloom rather light, it being the 

 off year; but the bloom of pears, peaches, etc., was gener- 

 ally large. Great damage was done to the new growth on 

 grapes, to grass, fruits, vegetables, corn and potatoes by the 

 general frosts of the 14th and 17th of May. Moisture gen- 

 erally insufficient for the proper nourishment of crops, and 

 grass suffered in particular. On the whole, the month was 

 favorable for the forwarding of farm work and the outlook 

 for crops was encouraging. Canker-worms quite prevalent ; 

 other insect pests, except cutworms, not particularly trouble- 

 some. Supply of farm help generally equal to demand, but 

 the proportion of really good help was as usual small. 

 Twenty dollars per month and board or $1.50 per day with- 

 out board considered a fair average of wages paid good help. 



July 1 cut worms were reported as causing considerable 

 trouble, particularly in the Connecticut valley. Indian corn 

 was reported as having stood the dry weather better than 

 most crops, and looking well, stand and color both being 

 good, with a general increase in acreage. Haying had be- 

 gun, with the probability of a light crop. The cloudy, wet 

 weather the last week changed the aspect of everything, and 

 even grass, except on the driest knolls, thickened up and 

 began to grow with new energy. Considerable cut grass 

 was injured in the field. Early potatoes looked well in most 

 sections. Early market-garden crops generally slightly be- 

 low average in both yield and price. Quantity of dairy 

 products about average, with slight but general decrease in 

 the prices received. Pastures generally short and dry. 

 Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries light crops, ow- 

 ing to late frosts and drought. 



August 1 little damage from insects was reported. Horn 

 flies and other flies quite troublesome in many localities. 

 Indian corn in excellent condition ; about the usual amount 

 grown for the silo. The rains materially helped the hay 

 crop, which proved to be about three-fourths of an average. 

 Much of that cut early was damaged by rain, otherwise 

 quality as a rule excellent. All fodder crops almost univer- 

 sally reported as in good condition. Market-garden crops 

 generally improved by rains. Early potatoes looked finely. 



