8 



and seventy-five panes of glass broken, and another seventy. 

 Fields of grass and grain were laid flat, and gardens de- 

 stroyed. Some of the hailstones were as large as hen's 

 eggs. At Blandford, in Hampden County, a severe hail 

 storm occurred in a limited strip on the 25th, cutting down 

 and almost destroying all crops. A high wind accompanied 

 the thunderstorm on the 29th, near Leeds, in Hampshire 

 County, and did some damage to heavy grass, potatoes and 

 corn. 



The temperature was slightly above the normal for the 

 month in eastern districts, and considerably so in central. 

 The warmest day at most places was on the 2d. 



Most correspondents report a marked scarcity of the insect- 

 eating birds, such as the bluebird, phoebe, robin and thrush ; 

 while the seed-eating birds, like the warblers, flycatchers, spar- 

 rows, etc., are nearly as plenty as usual. The scarcity of 

 the first-named birds is probably due to the severe cold in 

 the southern part of the United States last winter, as most 

 of those birds winter there. Not only were the birds proba- 

 bly killed, but many insects that they feed on were also 

 destroyed. Their absence from our fields and gardens will 

 probably result in a marked increase in the insect pests here, 

 which will be more noticeable next season than this. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable June 25 the 

 following questions were asked : — 



1. What insects are doing the most damage in your 

 locality ? 



2. How is Indian corn looking, and what is the acreage, 

 as compared with previous years ? 



3. How is haying progressing, and what is the prospect 

 for the crop ? 



4. How does the acreage of early potatoes compare with 

 previous years, and do they })romise a full average crop? 



5. How have early market-garden crops compared in 

 yield and price with former years, and what is the prospect 

 for those not yet harvested ? 



6. How do dairy products compare in yield and price 

 with last year, and what is the condition of dairy stock as 

 regards health ? 



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



