190 STORRS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
REVIEW OF THE CROP SEASON. 
Owing to the unusually fine weather which prevailed through March the 
Season opened auspiciously, and, according to general estimates, slightly in 
advance of the average. In the southern portion of the district the ground was 
free of snow by the close of March, and frost was out of the soil by the end of 
the first week of April. Active farming operations began promptly, and plow- 
ing and preparing the soil for seeding and planting progressed rapidly. In the 
northern New England states, however, the ground was not bare until the be- 
ginning of the third week of April, and farm work there was somewhat delayed. 
By the close of April plowing was about completed in the northern portion of 
the section, though little planting had been done; while for the southern states 
both were completed, oat fields were green and stock were grazing on the pastures. 
The weather conditions of May were, generally speaking, unfavorable to 
vegetable growth, and less favorable than usual for farm operations. The tem- 
perature was unseasonably low, and ice formed on ponds and the ground froze 
in parts of each state, resulting in great and general damage to tender vegeta- 
tion and to fruit buds. The supply of precipitation, up to the close of May, 
was sufficient for the needs of the soil. 
June opened with improved weather conditions. The high temperature was 
especially favorable to the germination of planted seeds and to growing crops. 
A moderate drought began about the middle of the month and increased, and 
at the close there was a general need of rain. “ The month closed with crops, as 
a whole, in fairly satisfactory condition; corn a week to ten days late; fruit 
very promising. 
The drought increased during July with a general excess in temperature. 
These conditions were unfavorable to crops, except tobacco, which improved. 
The dry weather caused apples to blight and drop; also an increase in insect 
pests of all kinds. . 
The unfavorable weather conditions continued through August. The dry 
weather seriously affected all vegetation. It was, however, favorable to har- 
vesting and threshing grain, and for housing and cutting tobacco. At the close 
of the month the ground was too dry for plowing and fall seeding. 
The condition of growing crops remained unfavorable until the 15th of Sep- 
tember, owing to a continuance of the almost unprecedented and general 
drought. Copious rains during the latter half of the month relieved the 
drought and prepared the soil for cultivation and for seeding. A high wind 
was felt through the section on the 12th, blew off a large portion of the apples, 
and, in many instances, damaged the trees. 
October, the closing month of the season, was very favorable to all farm 
operations. Abundant rains maintained the soil in excellent condition. These 
rains, combined with the high temperature, were favorable to seeded crops, 
pastures and meadows. Crops generally were secured and housed in excellent 
condition. The season, viewed as a whole, was less favorable to crops than the 
average in New England. Hay was a short crop; early potatoes were inferior, 
and the crop was below the average. Apples were a good crop; probably in 
excess of the average yield. Corn and beans were medium crops, while buck- 
wheat was light. ‘lobacco was an exception to all other crops, being, accord- 
ing to reliable estimates, the best ever grown in. New England. Owing to the » 
early maturing of crops very little, if any, damage resulted from frost. 

