11 



nlarlj Baldwins, wliicli were sometimes noted as having a 

 light bloom. The bloom came at about the usual time and was 

 characterized bj the condition noted above. Small fruits 

 were not generally in bloom at the time of making returns, but 

 generally promised well. There were no frosts to damage 

 after the fruit buds began to open, in any section of the State, 

 and at the time of making returns fruits were generally out 

 of danger from anything except unusually heavy frosts, 

 although ordinary freezing temperatures might still do con- 

 siderable damage to strawberries and other berries. 



Insects. 

 Insects appear to be rather more plentiful than usual. The 

 most marked manifestation is the unusual number of cut 

 worms reported in the eastern sections. A hot, dry spring is 

 always favorable to these insects, and their unusual prevalence 

 this season coincides closely with the districts where the rain- 

 fall has been almost entirely lacking. They are not unusually 

 prevalent in central and western sections. In eastern sections 

 they are very troublesome in gardens, and in some cases are 

 reported as ruining early market-garden crops, like spinach 

 and lettuce, on a large scale. Tent caterpillars also appear to 

 be rather more numerous than usual all over the State. The 

 gypsy and brown-tail moths continue to extend their territory. 

 More correspondents than usual report the San Jose scale and 

 that determined efforts are now being made to combat this 

 pest. Other insects mentioned are currant worms, white 

 grubs, wire worms, canker worms, potato bugs, elm-leef 

 beetles, asparagus beetles, cabbage maggots and black flies. 



Planting. 

 Planting was delayed by the cold and dry weather and in 

 many sections was rather behind the normal, despite the favor- 

 able weather for farm operations ; in others it was entirely 

 completed and in advance of the usual condition. Germina- 

 tion of seeds was retarded by the drought, and there are many 

 complaints that fields are not well stocked as yet. Tobacco 

 setting had begun, or was about to begin, throughout the Con- 

 necticut valley. 



