9 



below the normal for August. The most noticeable cool 

 spells were those of the 19th and 20th and the 23d and 24th, 

 during which light frosts occiured in many localities. The 

 precipitation during August was below the average, the de- 

 ficiency ranging from 20 to 30 per cent below the monthly 

 normal. It was, however, quite equably distril)uted, in the 

 form of showers, through the period and over the territory, 

 and the results were that there was little complaint of the 

 dry weather. The sunshine and cloudiness were also well 

 distributed and there was little out of the usual in these ele- 

 ments. Local storms were somxcwhat less fre({uent than 

 usual and with slight exceptions they were less violent than 

 many that have occurred in August of other years. View- 

 ing the weather of the month as a whole it was very pleasant, 

 and it was notable for a marked deficiency in hot, humid 

 days such as are frequently characteristic of August. 



In our circular to correspondents returnable August ^'2 

 the following questions were asked : — 



1. What is the condition of Indian corn? 



2. What is the prospect for rowen, as compared with a 

 normal crop ? 



3. What is the prospect for late potatoes, and have you 

 noticed blight or rot? 



4. How do the acreage and condition of tobacco compare 

 with former years ? 



5. What is the prospect for apples, pears, peaches, grapes 

 and cranberries? 



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



7. How have oats and barley compared with former years ? 

 Returns were received from 164 correspondents, from 



which the following summary has been made : — 



Indian Corn. 

 Indian corn is still reported to be somewhat backward and 

 uneven, but is earing well and unless killing frosts come at 

 an unusually early date it should mature a good cro}). Were 

 it not for the somewhat uneven stand, caused by poor ger- 

 mination of the seed, and in some cases damage by excessive 



