Bureau of Ageiculture. 205 



Apbil. 



The unseasonably cold "weather that characterized 

 March, continued during the first four days of April, 

 when unusually low temperatures were registered in all 

 parts of the State, minimum temperatures ranging be- 

 tween 17° and 30°. During this period killing frosts oc- 

 curred generally, the last for the season being reported 

 from most stations in the eastern and northern counties 

 during the period 13-15th. On account of the dormant 

 condition of vegetation, due to the persistent cold wea- 

 ther, practically no damage resulted from these low tem- 

 peratures. 



The latter half of the month was unusually warm, 

 and temperatures in the 90 's occurred at many stations 

 on several days, while the month averaged the warmest 

 on record for the State, except April, 1896. 



The month's precipitation averaged less than one 

 inch, the least for April since the beginning of State 

 averages, and the ground became too dry to plow before 

 the end of the month. Spring plowing had been gener- 

 ally completed, however, before this condition was 

 reached, but planting and germination of seeds were 

 delayed. Wheat, rye, oats, pastures and tobacco beds 

 suffered severely from drought, and there was some 

 complaint of shortage of stock water. 



May. 



The month opened cool. In fact, the nights were 

 unseasonably cool during most of the month, and while 

 there was a number of warm days with maximum tem- 

 peratures of 90° and over at some stations, and the tem- 

 perature averaged near normal, the month as a whole 

 can be classed as a cool May, due in considerable meas- 

 ure to cloudiaess and wetness. Eemarkably cool weath- 

 er, with temperatures ranging between 38° and 48°, pre- 

 vailed from the 5th to the 11th, inclusive, and again in 

 the period 17-19th. The pronounced warm periods were 

 the 2-3d and 13-16th. 



Drougthy conditions which had prevailed over the 

 State practically since February were greatly relieved 

 by showers early in May. Beneficial showers contuiued 



