8 



October opened with fine, generally clear weather and 

 temperatures considerably above the normal. This condi- 

 tion continued until the 5th, when it was interrupted by a 

 heavy rain-storm and a decided decline in temperature. The 

 rainfall was heavy along the eastern coast, nearly an inch and 

 a half being recorded at Boston. The second storm occurred 

 on the 8th, and was light in force. Clear weather then pre- 

 vailed until the 12th, which was showery. Rain again oc- 

 curred on the 15th, followed by three days of pleasant skies. 

 The latter half of the month witnessed several fine days, but 

 heavy rain-storms were also quite frequent. The heaviest of 

 these storms occurred on the 19th, 22d and 26th. The rainfall 

 for the month as a whole has been copious, and results in an 

 excess over the normal precipitation of about 3 inches. The 

 temperature ranged at nearly normal figures from the 6th to 

 the 9th, inclusive, and the morning of the 10th was quite cool, 

 with heavy and killing frosts in the interior. From the 13th 

 to the 19th the range of mercury was slightly below the usual 

 figures, the 17th and 18th being the coolest days, when the 

 thermometer fell almost to the freezing point. For the entire 

 month, however, the temperature is some 80 degrees in excess 

 of the normal. The maximum temperatures of the month 

 were registered generally on the 3d and 4th, and averaged 

 about 85 degrees. After those dates the mercury did not 

 rise above 75 during the month. The month has been char- 

 acterized by a general abundance of sunshine. Clear days, 

 averaging 13, have predominated, and the totally cloudy 

 days have been less than 10. No severe wind-storms have 

 occurred, although in the storm of the 26th the wind attained 

 a velocity of about 35 miles. As a whole the month is con- 

 sidered favorable for out-door work and outstanding crops 

 have suflered little damage from frosts or storms. 



Crops of the Year. 

 The spring opened about a week later than the normal, 

 with cold weather and excessive moisture in April, and at 

 the end of May the season was still about a week late. 

 Mowings were everywhere in first-class condition and past- 

 ures secured a remarkably good start. Fall seeding win- 



