xii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



eiicli (lay. During this i)eri()(l the nights were altogether too 

 cold for rapid or even steady growth. It was very cool on 

 the morning of the 8th, and in western Massachusetts ice 

 formed and the ground froze in low lands, but a high wind 

 protected fruit. Farm work was nearly at a standstill from 

 the 10th to the 17th, owing to the prevalence of general heavy 

 rains. Copious rains fell on the 12th and 13th, amounting in 

 central sections to about two inches. The temporary delay 

 in planting caused by the wet weather was more than com- 

 pensated for by the immense good done to all vegetation. 

 Grass, especially, pushed forward w^onderfully fast. The 

 week ending the 24th was cool and very dry, with consider- 

 able high wind. In the central and western portions of the 

 State the rainfallwas little more than a trace. There was 

 an abundance of sunshine, but the cool nights checked 

 growth. Frosts on the 2 2d and 23d produced no great dam- 

 age. Heavy thunder-showers during nights of 24th and 25th. 



The month of June opened unfavorably for the farmer. 

 During the week ending on the 7th, the weather was too cool 

 and wet for a good growth of any crop. There was very 

 little sunshine. The temperature ranged about normal 

 throughout the first four days, although on several mornings 

 the mercury registered below 50'^, and there was a narrow 

 escape from frost in low places on the 2d. Frequent rains, 

 accompanied by hail and high winds in some localities, 

 occurred, although, as a rule, the precipitation was not 

 heavy. 



The week ending with the 14th l)rought no improvement 

 in the general conditions, but, on the contrary, the situation 

 was nearly at the worst. Only one clear day occurred during 

 this period, and with the cool temperature and the rain all 

 crops were greatly retarded. An exceptionally heavy rain- 

 fall came on the 9th and 10th. The temperature averaged a 

 daily departure below the normal of 8°, and by the 14th it 

 was more than 100° deficient for the month, while the pre- 

 cipitation was greatly in excess of the usual amount. The 

 week ending; with the 21st w^as the most favorable of the 

 season up to that time ; still, the lack of sunshine was a 

 detrimental factor. Several days were favorable for haying. 

 The temperature averaged about normal, and the rainfall con- 



