400 Agricultural Manual 



The county stands first in the production of beans and nursery 

 stock, Groveland and Caledonia excelling in the production of 

 the former. The wide proportions reached by the growing of nur- 

 sery stock is due largely to the fact that climatic and soil condi- 

 tions in the county are very favorable for fruit growing. The 

 freedom of the section from scale and insect pests and fungus dis- 

 eases also has considerable influence. There are about fifty nur- 

 series, largely devoted to the production of fruit trees, centered 

 around Dansville and Geneseo. An excellent jam kitchen, which 

 handles products by the carload, is located in the town of Geneseo. 

 A second kitchen, putting out high-grade products, is operated in 

 the town of Avon. 



In the production of canning factory crops Livingston County 

 stands second to Oneida. The Genesee Flats at Mount Morris 

 are largely devoted to the growing of vegetables. Crops grown 

 for canning include mainly sweet corn, peas, and string beans; 

 tomatoes, asparagus, and spinach are also raised for this purpose. 

 Corn, oats, and potatoes have long been staple crops. Barley is 

 important, and excellent crops of alfalfa are produced. 



Livingston County produces all the rock salt mined in the state, 

 the Retsof mines near Caledonia being among the largest, 



CLIMATE AND RAINFALL 



Climatological records for Livingston County are taken from 

 the Avon station. The present observer is W. G. Markham. 



Average dates for the last killing frost in spring and the first in 

 fall are May 12 and October 6, respectively, giving a growing 

 season of 147 days. 



The following table, which summarizes records taken during 

 the periods 1890-91 and 1895-1915, shows both normal and 

 extreme temperatures and precipitation: 



