10 



below normal ; frequent frosts ; precipitation above normal 

 in eastern portion and about normal elsewhere ; 2d decade, 

 temperature above normal, but without excessive heat; pre- 

 cipitation greatly in excess, except on the immediate coast ; 

 3d decade, temperature and precipitation about normal ; 

 heavy thunder showers during night of 24th and 25th. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable May 23, the 

 following questions were asked : — 



1. How does the present season compare, agriculturally 

 speaking, with a normal season ? 



2. What is the promise for pastures and mowings, and 

 did fall seeding winter well ? 



3. How did the fruit bloom compare with the bloom of 

 former years ? 



4. What insects appear to be doing the most damage in 

 your locality ? 



5. To what extent is spraying practised against insects 

 attacking fruit, and is it on the increase in your locality? 



6. Is farm help scarce, or plenty ; and what proportion 

 would you call good help? 



7. What wages, with board and without board, are paid 

 farm help in your vicinity? 



8. Will there be any marked change in the acreage of 

 the usual farm crops, and do you note any new enterprises 

 in the line of agriculture ? 



Eeturns have been received from 191 correspondents, and 

 from them the following summary has been made up : — 



The Season. 



Replies tend to show that the season opened from one to 

 two weeks earlier than usual, but the cold and wet weather 

 of the month, while having an excellent effect on vegetation, 

 still tended to reduce the progress of the season more nearly 

 to the normal. On the whole, the season seems to be rela- 

 tively earlier in western sections than in those nearer to the 

 coast. In other respects the season is rather above the 

 normal for this time of year. All crops are well advanced 

 and makinji a ijood growth. 



