8 



storms were attended by high winds, hail and severe electri- 

 cal discharges. The closing w^eek was pleasant, the weather, 

 with the exception of scattered showers, being fair, with 

 an abundance of sunshine. The temperature during the first 

 half of the month was in excess of the normal, while the 

 latter half was correspondingly cool. The final result was 

 a monthly mean temperature very near the normal. The 

 total rainfall of the month was considerably^ below the 

 normal. But on account of the fairly equitable distribution 

 throughout the period the deficiency was hardly noticeable 

 and not sufficient to retard crops or interrupt farm opera- 

 tions. July, as a whole, was a pleasant month, and crops 

 which suffered so much from the unseasonal and unfavor- 

 able weather of the preceding month were greatly improved. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable July 23 the 

 following questions were asked : — ., , , 



1. What insects are proving most troublesome in your 

 locality ? 



2. What is the condition of Indian corn, and what pro- 

 portion of the crop will be put into the silo ? 



3. What is the quantity and quality of the hay crop as 

 compared with former years ? 



4. AVhat forage crops are being raised to supplement the 

 hay crop, for the silo, and to eke out the pastures : what is 

 their condition and are more raised than usual? 



5. What is the condition of market-garden crops, includ- 

 ing potatoes, and how have those already harvested com- 

 pared in yield and price with former years ? 



(5. What is the prospect for apples, pears, peaches, plums, 

 quinces, grapes and cranberries ? 



7. What is the condition of pasturage in j^our locality? 



8. How have vye^ oats and barley compared with former 

 years, both as grain and forage crops ? 



Returns have been received from 149 correspondents, and 

 from them the following summary has been made : — 



Insects. 

 It is seldom that so little damage is reported from insects 

 at this time of year. Potato bugs are those most numerous, 



