114 On the Effects of the Season. 



the canker worms and caterpillars, which for several 

 years infested and proved so pernicious to orchards. 

 Another is, the considerable efforts made by farmers to 

 supply the deficiency of hay, by successful experiments 

 to raise other crops, which would not otherwise have 

 been attempted. Much useful knowledge has been ac- 

 quired from the experiments. A greater benefit will 

 probably result, from the lesson on economy in feeding 

 live stock, during the winter, which has been forcibly 

 inculcated by the scanty crop of hay. Should the exam- 

 ple become lasting, there is no calculating the benefit to 

 the farmers and the country. At the end of the season for 

 in-gathering fodder, there was not, it is believed, more 

 hay in the barns, than there was last year, on the 1st of 

 February. 



The feeding of cattle with dry food has been happily 

 postponed, up to this date, by the fine weather. 



So favourable lias the weather been for vegetation, 

 that during three weeks in the month of November, the 

 grass in pastures has grown as much, if not more, than 

 it did, in any three weeks in the summer. To this time, 

 the pastures have yielded sufficient feed for sheep, and most 

 kinds of cattle ; so that very little forage or provender has 

 been expended. It has been observed that the butter, 

 churned from the milk of cows thus nourished, has been 

 equally sweet and well tasted, with that made in the 

 spring or beginning of summer. 



If any thing further, respecting this anomalous period 

 shall occur, which may be deemed useful, I shall be 

 happy in communicating it. Being 



Very respectfully, dear sir, your most obd't serv't, 



D. Humphreys. 

 The Hon. Richard Peters. 



Preset of the Philad. Soc. for promoting Agriculture. 



