The average condition of spring pasture was 91.3, against 

 83.5 on May 1 of last year, 91.2 in 1898, and 90.9, the mean 

 of the May averages of the last ten years. 



The proportion of spring plowing done by May 1 for the 

 country at large was 68.4 per cent of the total expected, as 

 compared with 57.2 last year, 72.4 in 1898, and 75, the 

 the proportion usually done by May 1. 



In consequence of the backwardness of the season, the 

 statistician is unable to make the usual preliminary estimate 

 of the new acreage of cotton. 



Weather Summary January 1 to May 1, 1900. 



(FUBNISHED BY THE WEATHER BUREAU, BOSTON.) 



January was milder than usual, the temperature ranging 

 from 1° to 4° above the normal at all stations of official 

 observation. The month opened with a general snow-storm 

 which furnished the greater portion of the snowfall for the 

 period and the first amount of consequence of the season. 

 "While the total snowfall for the month was less than the 

 average, the precipitation, snow and rain combined, was in 

 excess of the normal by about a half inch. A cold wave of 

 moderate intensity prevailed for four days at the opening of 

 the month, and the temperature during the closing week 

 was below the average, but with these exceptions this 

 element was in excess. There was an average amount of 

 sunshine. The average number of days with .01 inch or 

 more precipitation was 10. 



February was distinguished by much unpleasant weather 

 and more than the average amount of precipitation. The 

 average number of days with rain or snow, 10, was the same 

 as for the preceding month. The average precipitation, was, 

 however, far in excess of that of January, and about 4 inches 

 above the normal. Excepting rain in southern coast sec- 

 tions the precipitation was chiefly in the form of snow. The 

 monthly mean temperature, 27°, was above the normal for 

 February. The mercury fell below zero at all stations of 

 observation at some time during the month. The coldest 

 weather of the season occurred during the month. 



