No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xi 



ground was free from snow during the greater part of the 

 month, but the temperature was so equable that little or no 

 damage was done to grass and grain crops. The growth of 

 grass in the fall was quite heavy, affording a })rotection to 

 the grass roots during the winter. 



December was cold and very dry. About two inches of 

 rain fell on the extreme southern coast, but over the rest of 

 the State the fall was but little over one inch. At Boston 

 the daily mean temperature was above the normal from the 

 7th to the 17th, and below from the 20th to 30th. During 

 these last ten days occurred one of the most continuous!}'" 

 cold spells for several years. At New Bedford the monthly 

 mean temperature was nearly 4*^ below the normal for 

 eighty-one years. The temperature was below the normal 

 throughout the entire United States, except along the 

 southern coast. The snowfall was deficient, and not more 

 than a trace lay on the ground on the 15th or 31st. 



Crops of tpie Yeah. 



The general opinion of correspondents the first of June 

 was that the season was cold and backward, l)ut that it 

 promised to be favorable for the farmer. The winter of 

 1890-91 was quite favorable for stock. April was dry and 

 cool. May was wet, and planting was delayed. Most cor- 

 respondents referred to the presence of the tent caterpillar. 

 Nearly all correspondents were agreed that it was very diffi- 

 cult to get first-class farm help. Judging by the returns, it 

 was thought that twenty-two dollars per month and board 

 was the average of wages paid for such help. 



The first of July corn was reported as backward, l)ut of 

 good color and growing well, with acreage increased. Hay- 

 ing had been delayed by wet, cloudy weather since June 22, 

 and considerable cut grass was damaged. It was thought 

 that the crop as a whole would be an unusually large one. 

 A correspondent in Franklin County reported old mowings 

 as badly winter-killed. Considerable complaint was made in 

 Worcester County of damage to grass by spittle insects. 

 The acreage of early potatoes was reported as about the same 

 as the previous year, with condition generally good. There 

 appeared to be little change in the quantity of dairy prod- 



