10 



tation made little progress. The rains and Avariii weather 

 which followed had a very beneficial effect on vegetation, and 

 the fruit bloom occurred very nearly at the average time. 

 The rainfall Avas not heavy in most sections, but was well 

 distributed, and came at such intervals as to do the maximum 

 amount of good. There were practically no frosts during the 

 month. The month closed fully up to the average, both as to 

 work and vegetation, and with every prospect of excellent 

 results, if a good start is of any efiicacy in securing the same. 



Pastures and Mowistgs. 

 Feed in pastures was short with the coming of cold 

 weather last year, and with the cold spring was slow in start- 

 ing. However, it had begun to be in good condition at the 

 time of making returns, and promised excellently for the 

 future. Grass in mowings was generally in excellent con- 

 dition, the frequent rains and cool weather of early spring 

 giving it an excellent foundation, while the warm weather of 

 the latter part of the month stimulated the growth. For some 

 reason, probably the open winter, there is a good deal of win- 

 ter-killing of grass, particularly fall-seeded grass. Fall seed- 

 ing did not get a very good start in the fall of 1907, and came 

 through the winter in poorer shape than did grass on old 

 seeded fields. 



Fruit Bloom. 



The fruit bloom is generally reported as being extremely 

 henvj for all kinds of fruit. Peaches are the only excej)tion, 

 and with this fruit the bloom seems to be above the average, 

 taking the State as a whole. Small fruits were not generally 

 in bloom at the time of making returns, but so far as reported 

 on thev also bloomed heavilv. This being the bearins; vear 

 for apples, a good crop should be secured. Blackberries and 

 raspberries appear to have wintered well. Strawberries 

 promised well, so far as reported on. There were no frosts 

 to do damage from the time of blooming to the close of the 

 month, and all danger from that source appears to be safely 

 past. 



