8 



throughout the central valleys, lake region, Middle Atlantic 

 States, New England and on the north Pacific coast. Win- 

 ter and spring wheat are generally in excellent condition. 

 Cotton shows a general improvement. 



Special Telegraphic Reports. 



[Weather Bureau, Boston.] 



Week ending May 2. — New England. Boston: Cold, 

 wet, backward week, with two hard frosts in interior ; farm 

 work nearly at a standstill ; ground water-soaked and many 

 fields too wet for cultivation ; grass making good growth ; 

 tobacco beds in fair condition. 



Week ending May 9. — New England. Boston: Con- 

 tinued unfavorable weather, excessive cloudiness, frequent 

 rains and low temperature ; week practically lost on many 

 farms ; no planting of consequence, except on sandy soils ; 

 grass continues in tine condition ; good hay crop promised ; 

 heavy fruit bloom. 



Week ending May 16. — New England. Boston: Gen- 

 erally favorable weather ; crop condition slightly improved ; 

 several heavy frosts, but no particular damage ; grass con- 

 tinues excellent ; potatoes being extensively planted ; tobacco 

 plants ready to set. 



Week ending May 23. — New England. Boston : Favor- 

 able week in all sections ; all vegetation advanced rapidly, and 

 all crops in excellent condition ; farm work rushed with good 

 progress ; tobacco plants improved ; rain needed in Maine. 



Weather for May, 1898. 

 May opened with pleasant, mild weather, but by the 3d 

 stormy conditions again prevailed, and frequent light rains, 

 with cold, north-easterly winds, were the rule. From the 

 6th to the 15th the conditions were much more favorable, 

 and no precipitation occurred except a few scattered thunder- 

 storms in the western portion of the State. During this 

 period several mornings were quite cool and frosty, notably 

 the 10th, when the temperature fell to freezing or slightly 

 below in the interior. On the 16th moderate showers fell, 

 and on the 19th similar conditions prevailed, but the weather 

 during the third week of the month was generally favorable, 



