1801.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 



xv 



June. The hay crop proved to be unusually large in quan- 

 tity, of fair average quality, and the weather for securing it 

 was all that could be desired. Grass lands were somewhat 

 injured by drought in the fore part of July, and rowen did 

 not make a good start. The remainder of the season, and 

 particularly September, being quite wet, rowen grew rapidly, 

 and the crop proved to be nearly an average one. Much of 

 it, however, was damaged by attempting to cure it during 

 unfavorable weather. 



An idea of the importance of the hay crop to our farmers 

 may be gained from the following figures, taken from the 

 annual reports of the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture : — 



* State Census. 



July 1, potatoes, both early and late, promised uncom- 

 monly well. August 1, correspondents reported that rot 

 had not appeared to any extent, and that the crop of early 

 potatoes was an average one. On account of drought, late 

 potatoes on light land ripened off when the tubers were only 

 partly grown. September 1, on the whole, the crop prom- 

 ised»to be nearly a fair average, and blight and rot were not 

 very prevalent. The wet, muggy weather the first half of 

 September, however, was very favorable to the development 

 of this fungus, and, as a consequence, in many localities 

 potatoes rotted badly both in the field and in the cellar. 

 Many farmers, fearful of loss, forced their crop upon the 

 market too early, depressing the price for the time being. 

 The average price for the year has been higher than usual, 

 and the total value of the crop will be fully equal to the 

 average. 



