Stocks of hay on farms May 1 are estimated as 10,828,000 

 tons (14.9 per cent of crop), against 4,744,000 tons (8.6 

 per cent) on May 1, 1912, and 8,673,000 tons (12.6 per cent) 

 on May 1, 1911. 



The average condition of pastures on May 1 was 87.1, 

 compared with 81.7 on May 1, 1912, and a ten-year average 

 on May 1 of 86.1. 



Of spring plowing 67.2 per cent was completed up to 

 May 1, compared with 52.8 per cent on May 1, 1912, and 

 a ten-year average on May 1 of 65.7. 



Of spring planting 57 per cent was completed up to May 1, 

 compared with 48.9 per cent on May 1, 1912, and a seven- 

 year average on May 1 of 54.3. 



WEATHER. 



Summary, Jan. 1 to May 1, 1913. 



January. — The month was the mildest of its name for 

 many years in this section, with very little snow or ice. The 

 average temperatures over the State ranged from 32° in some 

 interior sections to 40° in coast sections, giving excesses in 

 the various sections for the month of 8 to 11°. ISTo zero 

 temperatures were recorded during the month. [N'otwith- 

 standing the high mean temperature of the month there were 

 no unusual daily extremes in temperature. The precipita- 

 tion was below the average in nearly all sections, with the 

 deficiencies ranging from 0.25 of an inch to over 2 inches. 

 The wind movement of the month was somewhat more than 

 the average, although there were no destructive storms. 



February . — The month was somewhat colder than usual, 

 without severe storms, only a moderate snowfall, and less 

 than the average amount of precipitation. At the close of the 

 month there was no snow on the ground. The low tempera- 

 ture of the month made ice of good, though less than the 

 average, thickness for February, and a good crop was har- 

 vested. There were no marked extremes in the temperatures, 

 and the averages for the month were generally below the 

 normal, the deficiencies ranging from 0.5 to 2°. With slight 

 exceptions the precipitation was deficient in all localities, 



