the corresponding date in 1897, and a ten year average of 

 90.8. 



The average condition of meadows is 84.9, against 92.9 

 on May 1 of last year, and 93.4 at the corresponding date 

 in 1897. The averages of the fourteen principal hay-pro- 

 ducing States range from 110 for California down to 68 for 

 Iowa. 



The average condition of spring pasture is 83.5, against 

 91.2 on May 1 of last year, and 93.4 at the corresponding 

 date in 1897. In general, the unfavorable conditions testify 

 merely to a late season. 



The proportion of spring plowing usually done by May 1 

 is about 75 per cent of the whole amount. The proportion 

 done this year was 57.2 per cent of the total expected, as 

 compared with 72.4 per cent last year, and 61.9 per cent in 

 1897. 



The reports on cotton indicate merely the belief of the 

 correspondents as to the contemplated acreage and are there- 

 fore liable to modification. In every cotton-growing State 

 the indications now point to a decreased acreage. 



In Massachusetts the average condition of meadow lands 

 May 1 was 92 ; the average condition of spring pasture, 86 ; 

 and the proportion of spring plowing done, 36. 



Weather Summary, January 1 to May 1, 1899. 



[Furnished by the Weather Bureau, Boston.] 



January was a month without marked departures from 

 normal meteorological conditions, the small amount of snow- 

 fall being the chief abnormal condition. Excepting in the 

 northern portion of the district the ground was bare a great 

 portion of the time. The temperature for the month aver- 

 aged below normal in the northern portion of the district, 

 while a slight excess was recorded in the southern sections. 

 For the district as a whole the average was slightly in excess 

 of the normal temperature. The monthly average of pre- 

 cipitation was only .29 of an inch below the normal. The 

 amount of rainfall was in excess, thereby counterbalancing 

 the loss of moisture from the small amount of snow. The 



