8 



and, except in coast sections where there was more or less 

 cloudiness and fog, there was abundant sunshine. The 

 temperature, especially in interior sections, was reported 

 excessively high. The dry warm weather was favorable to 

 farm operations, but, as a rule, the soil was too dry for culti- 

 vation. Owing to extensive cloudiness and the prevailing 

 north to east winds, the closing week of the month was un- 

 seasonably cool in coast sections. For the interior and 

 western parts of the State, however, seasonal thermal condi- 

 tions, obtained. The drought was again broken, by plente- 

 ous showers, in some sections downpours of rain, on the 

 afternoon and night of the 22nd. The rain was principally 

 in the eastern counties, where the dry weather was the most 

 severe, and it was most timely and of great benefit. A 

 notable feature of the weather of the month was the absence 

 of the usual amount of muggy oppressive conditions, with 

 excessive moisture and stagnant state of the atmosphere. 

 There were fewer thunderstorms and severe or destructive 

 local disturbances than are usual for August. While there 

 was more or less damage from lightning, little or no damage 

 resulted from hail and high winds. Frosts, light, occurred 

 in favorable localities in the third week, but without dam- 

 age to crops. Excepting the deficiency in rainfall, the 

 weather of the month was all that could be desired. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable August 23, 

 the following questions were asked : — 



1. What is the condition of Indian corn ? 



2. What is the prospect for rowen as compared with a 

 normal crop ? 



3. What is the prospect for late potatoes and have you 

 noticed blight or rot ? 



4. How do the acreage and condition of tobacco compare 

 with former years ? 



5. What is the prospect for apples, pears, peaches, grapes 

 and cranberries? 



6. What is the condition of pasturage in your vicinity ? 



7. How have oats and barley compared with former 

 years ? 



