Hi BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



and Franklin counties. Strawberries, beans, tomatoes and 

 vines suffered. 



July was warmer than usual, with precipitation from 40 to 

 50 per cent below normal. The mean temperature of the 

 month ranged from 2° F. to 3° F. above the July normal. 

 The droughty conditions of June continued through July, but 

 with less intensity. The prevalence of fair weather, with an 

 abundance of sunshine, was very favorable for harvesting and 

 housing grain and grasses. The most prevalent insect of the 

 month was the Colorado beetle, while the elm-leaf beetle, 

 squash bug, gypsy moth, cutworm, tent caterpillar, brown-tail 

 moth and others were reported as doing damage in various 

 parts of the State. The condition of corn had dropped off 

 3.6 points since June 27, owing to the drought and to poor 

 germination of late-planted fields. It seemed evident that, 

 especially on sandy soils, the crop would come to maturity 

 before reaching its full growth. The bulk of the hay crop 

 had been harvested in excellent condition, owing to the lack 

 of showers. The potato crop prospect was far from encour- 

 aging, since drought had hindered the even sprouting of the 

 tubers and general development. Market-garden crops were 

 much below normal in condition, and root crops were grow- 

 ing slowly. Prices were normal or higher in all counties save 

 Bristol and Plymouth. Considerable apprehension was felt 

 that the continuance of the drought would seriously affect 

 still further fruits not harvested. Apples offered the poorest 

 prospect. Pasturage condition had slumped 18.2 points dur- 

 ing the previous month, although its condition was probably 

 better than for the past three years, because of the fine start 

 early in the spring. Forage crops and small grains were 

 much below normal. In 61 towns an estimated total of 733 

 acres of apple orchards had been set in 1912 and 1913. 



August was slightly warmer and much drier than the aver- 

 age. The rainfall of the month was from 30 to 40 per cent 

 below normal. Rain fell on an average of nine days. The 

 month as a whole was unusually pleasant. At the close there 

 was much need in all sections of a general rain. ^lany fields 

 of corn, particularly on the lighter soils, showed the effects of 

 the drought in shorter stalks and smaller ears. Furthermore, 



