xii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



with scattered light showers. The winds during the month 

 were of moderate velocity and mostly from the south-west. 



The weather conditions of August were extremely dis- 

 agreeable. The temperature ranged considerably above the 

 normal and the humidity was excessively high, the last ten 

 days of the month being particularly disagreeable. The 

 rainfall was also excessive and the local thunderstorms were 

 numerous and severe. The storm of the 17th was particularly 

 severe in Boston and the immediate vicinity. The monthly 

 rainfall was considerably less in western Massachusetts than 

 in the central and eastern portions of the State. The aver- 

 age temperature at Boston for the first twenty-five days was 

 73.2°, — between 3° and 4° above the normal. The winds 

 were of moderate velocity and mostly from the south-west. 

 The amount of cloudiness was above the average. 



One of the longest and most sustained warm- weather periods 

 on record prevailed during the first seven days of September. 

 The temperature was not remarkably high, but, after hot days, 

 the nights were warm and oppressive, and the average daily 

 humidity was considerably above the normal. Fresh north- 

 west winds on the 8th brought cooler, pleasant weather, which 

 lasted until the 17th, when an area of low barometer brought 

 a short spell of moist, warm weather. This was followed 

 with cooler weather, culminating in light frosts on the morn- 

 ings of the 21st and 22d. Gloomy weather and temperatures 

 below the normal were prevalent on the 24th and 25th, but 

 the closing days of the month were warmer and more pro- 

 pitious. Altogether, September was extremely favorable 

 for harvesting. 



October opened with fine, generally clear weather and 

 temperatures considerably above the normal. This condi- 

 tion continued until the 5th, when it was interrupted by a 

 heavy rain-storm and a decided decline in temperature. The 

 second storm occurred on the 8th, and was light in force. 

 Clear weather then prevailed until the 12th, which was 

 showery. Rain again occurred on the 15th, followed by three 

 days of pleasant skies. The latter half of the month wit- 

 nessed several fine days, but heavy rain-storms were also 

 quite frequent. The temperature ranged at nearly normal 

 figures from the 6th to the 9th, inclusive, and the morning of 



