9 



month was well suited to the gathering and housing of crops 

 and to outdoor work generally. Considered as a whole, the 

 month will go on record as a very pleasant one. 



Crops of the Yp^au. 



The season was considered in advance of the normal -at 

 the beginning of the month of April, but by the close was 

 about normal in most sections. Pastures and mowings suf- 

 fered from drought, and it looked doubtful whether, even 

 with favorable weather, the hay cro}) could recover from the 

 check. Fall seeding did not winter as well as usual. The 

 fiTiit bloom was very heavy and the frosts of the month did 

 little damas:e to fruit. Insects were doins; but little damage. 

 Spraying appeared to be barely holding its own among 

 farmers. Wages averaged $20 per month with board and 

 $1.50 per day without board. A considerable increase in 

 the acreage of corn was noted, and a slight one in that of 

 other grains and of potatoes. 



Insects did but little damage in June, the cold weather 

 perhaps operating to hold them in check. Indian corn was 

 very small and backward, with, however, little complaint as 

 to stand and color. Haying had hardly begun and a short 

 crop was expected. The acreage of early potatoes showed 

 a slight increase and the vines were looking extra well, 

 though perhaps a little backward. Early market-garden 

 crops had generally done well, with prices a little above the 

 average. Dairy products appeared to l)e normal as to quan- 

 tity, with a general increase in prices ; dairy cows in good 

 demand and at high prices. Pastures were generally looking 

 well, although feed was still short in some cases. Straw- 

 berry picking was well under way, with the prospect of only 

 a fair crop. Apples }n'omised well, with Baldwins below 

 other varieties ; pears light ; i)eaches above average ; plums 

 promised a good crop. 



In July much less than the usual amount of damage from 

 insects was reported. Indian corn was fully two weeks 

 late and badly in need of warm growing weather. Silos con- 

 tinue to gain in favor. The excess of rainy weather made 

 haying progress very slowly, but improved the crop in quan- 



