8 



temperatures were lowest on the 5tli and 6th, at 40° or 

 slightly below. As a whole, the month was slightly warmer 

 than the average. There was a marked deficiency in the 

 amount of sunshine. At the close of the month the season 

 was from a week to ten days in advance of the average. 



In the circular to correspondents, returnable May 25, the 

 following questions were asked : — 



1. How does the present season compare, agriculturally 

 speaking, with a normal season? 



2. What is the promise for pastures and mowings, and did 

 fall seeding winter well ? 



3. How did the bloom of apples, pears, peaches, plums 

 and small fruits compare with the bloom of former years^ 

 and has it suffered from frosts ? 



4. What insects appear to be doing the most damage in 

 your locality? 



5. How is planting progressing ? 



6. Is farm help scarce or plenty, and what proportion 

 can be called good help ? 



7. What are the average wages paid farm help in your 

 vicinity with board ? Without board ? 



8. Will there be any marked change in the acreage of the 

 usual farm crops, particularly corn and potatoes, and do you 

 note any new enterprises in the line of agriculture ? 



Returns were received from 141 correspondents, and from 

 them the following summary has been compiled : — • 



Ti-iE Season. 

 The month opened about two weeks in advance of the 

 normal, but progress has been somewhat delayed by the un- 

 seasonably cold weather of the greater part of the month. 

 At present vegetation and farm work are considerably in 

 advance of the normal, while early crops are not beyond 

 normal. There has been considerable dull, cloudy weather 

 during the month, but the total rainfall has been light and 

 rain is now badly needed in some sections. • There seems to 

 be a wide divergence of opinion among correspondents as to 

 the forwardness of the season, some holding that it is in 



