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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

^

Bulletin No. 1.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOB THE

MONTH OF MAY, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,
Sechetary Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

Wright & Potter Printing Company, State Printers,

18 Post Office Square.

1890.

c

■per

I %

CEOP KEPOKT FOK THE MONTH OF MAY; 1890, '

Retukned to the Office of the State Boakd of Agriculture,

June 1, 1890.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., June 3, 1890.

General Remarks.

We herewith present the first bulletin of the series of crop
reports for the season of 1890. The make-up of the circular
sent to our correspondents for this bulletin diflered some-
what from the one used last season. One side was used for
general instructions to correspondents, and on the other
several questions were asked and a blank space was left for
genera-1 remarks. The number of our correspondents has
been increased to about one hundred and twenty-five, and
the State is thoroughly covered thereby. Arrangements have
also been made so that this season we shall be able to give
each month about two pages to material relating to the
weather. The system of distribution adopted by us last
season has also been changed, and this year we shall mail the
bulletins directly to such individuals as request the same.
Our mailing list already contains some sixteen hundred names,
and we shall be glad to add to this list the names of such
parties as make application for the bulletins.

It was our intention to present in this bulletin statistics
relative to the culture of lettuce and cucumbers under glass,
and quite a quantity of material has been collected for this
purpose, but having found these industries more extensive
than we expected, we think we had better take more time,
that what we present may be as comprehensive and as accu-
rate as possible. We shall therefore hold the material for

the July bulletin, and substitute in place thereof statements
relative to the present condition of certain branches of agri-
culture as compared with past years, yield and value of some of
our principal crops the past season, and other facts which we
think will be both interesting and instructive.

One hundred and eleven returns have been received,
samples of which will be found printed in the "Notes of
Correspondents." In our choice of these notes we have
endeavored to illustrate the present condition of farm work,
crops and farming in general.

In order to get an idea as to the forwardness of the present
season as compared with past seasons, the following question
was asked : "Do you consider this season earlier than the
average? If so, how much earlier?" Of the one hundred
and six replies to this question forty-four state the season to
be about an average one, fifty-one that it is about one week
earlier than the average, and eleven that it is from a week to
ten days late. The preponderance of opinion seems to be
that the season is an average one in Franklin, Hampshire,
Hampden, Bristol, Plymouth and Dukes counties, and earlier
in Berkshire, Worcester, Middlesex, I^ssex, Norfolk, Barn-
stable and Nantucket. Without doubt grass is unusually
well advanced, and fruit and potatoes are also a little earlier
than usual. On account of the cold, wet weather, planting
and general farm work is behindhand, and corn, ])eans and
vegetables are backward. It is our opinion, that, taking
everything into consideration, the present season is about an

average one.

In order to ascertain what insects are at present causing
the most trouble, this question was asked: " What insects
are doing the most damage in your locality?" About the
same number of replies were received, and more than
three-fourths refer to the presence of the tent caterpillar
(^Clisocatnjja Americana). From the seemingly universal
prevalence of this pest, it would appear to be full time steps
were taken towards lessening the amount of damage done by
it. As the wild cherry trees along the roadsides are breed-
ing-places, it would seem that the suggestion advanced by
one of the correspondents, that the granges and farmers'
clubs take hold of the matter, is a good one, and that the

effect would be salutary. The Colorado potato beetle does
not seem to be very prevalent yet. Some mention is made
of the currant worm, asparai^us beetle, canker worm, codling
moth, curculio, rose bug, strawberry Hea, cut worm, spit
bug, squash bug and cranberry-vine worm. We would sug-
gest that correspondents or other parties wishing information
as to the names, habits or methods of destruction of insects
in their localities communicate with Dr. C. H. Fernald,
entomologist to the State Board of Agriculture, Amherst,
Mass.

Desiring to make a comparison of the wages paid to farm
help in the several counties, this question was asked : " What
are the average wages paid to mature farm help per month,
including board?" The following table will give the results
obtained : —

COUNTIES.

No. of
Replies.

Average

MontlilyWages
Paid.

COUNTIES.

No. of
Replies.

Average

Monthly Wages

Paid.

Barnstable,

3

fl9 33

HamiDshire, .

9

fl8 88

Berkshix-e,

8

17 63

Middlesex, .

10

21 00

Bristol, .

6

19 66

Nantucket,

1

18 00

Dukes. .

1

18 00

Norfolk, , .

4

20 25

Essex,

8

20 60

Plymouth,

16

19 33

Franklin, .

15

19 26

Suffolk, . ,

-

-

Hampden,

12

19 50

Worcester, .

23

20 35

These 116 replies would give an average for the State of
about twenty dollars per month. This average would hold
good for probably eight months, or from April 1 to Decem-
ber 1. Board is estimated at the rate of twelve dollars per
month, which should be added to the above. The wages
paid to day laborers on farms will probably average
not far from one dollar and a half per day for good mature
help.

Wishing to push our inquiries still further in the line of
farm help, the following question was asked : " About what

6

portion of this help is of foreign parentage?" The follow-
ing tal)le will give the results obtained : —

COUNTIES.

o 2

OS.

32 ""

1

2

1
3

1

i

1

5

2
3

3

1

4

A

Barnstable, . .

3

1

2

Berkshire,

6

—

2

1

—

1

1

1

-

_

Bristol, ....

6

—

—

—

1

—

1

1

1

2

Dukes, ....

1

—

1

—

—

-

-

—

—

—

Essex, ....

6

—

2

—

—

—

—

—

1

3

Franklin,

13

4

2

—

—

1

3

3

—

—

Hampden,
Hampshire, .
Middlesex, .

12

9

10

3

1
1
1

2

1

2

1

1

3
1

4

2

1

2
1

4

Nantucket, .

1

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Norfolk,

3

—

—

—

—

—

—

-

1

2

Plymouth,

Suffolk

7

1

1

1

—

—

2

—

2

AVoreester, .

23

3

6

1

1

-

5

-

7

Totals, .

96

12

18

5

3

4

7

20

6

25

In Dukes County one-half of the farm help was reported
to be of foreign parentage, mostly Portuguese ; in Swanzey,
nine out of every ten were reported to be of the same
nationality. In Ipswich, Littleton, Marshfield, Bolton and
Southborough, nearly all of the farm help came from the
Provinces, chietly from Nova Scotia. In the market gardens
about Boston many French Canadians are employed. In
the Connecticut valley much of the farm help are natives of
Poland.

In order to ascertain the feeling among our farmers con-
cerning the outlook for them, the following question was
asked: ."Is the outlook in your locality as favorable for
farmers as it was ten years ago ? " To this question one hun-
dred and eleven replies were received, of which forty-two
state the outlook to be as favorable, nine that it is more
favorable, and sixty that it is not as favorable. From the
replies received, the outlook for farmers appears to be less
favorable now than ten years ao-o in the counties of Essex,
Franklin, Hampshire, Ham[)den and Worcester, and as
favorable in the counties of Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol,
Dukes, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk and Plymouth.

The Weather.

Meteorological Data for May.

Temperature. Deg. F.

Precipita-
tion.

■a
c

to

c

114

C'LonniNKSs.

No. OF DATS.

STATION.

a
1

a

a

3
.§

a
S

o
C

CO

c

1

d

.o

£.1

1^

•0

3

0

3

s

Oh

en
en
1)

•a

3
0

3

Amherst,

56.1

79

14

32

2,12

5.14

15

S.E.

11

14

6

Boston, .

57.0

80

14

39

2

4.48

15

S.

11

11

9

Brewster,

55.8

76

31

34

2

3.61

11

sw.

8

3

20

*Fitchburg, .

56.7

78

14

40

2

5.54

15

w.

6

13

12

Ipswich,

51.5

82

14

39

2

6.67

11

s.w.

16

10

5

Lawrence,

58.6

81

31

34

3

6.52

14

s.w.

14

11

6

Leicester,

55.6

79

24

33

2

5.57

15

s.w.

11

13

7

*Leouiiuster,

57.0

78

1

34

2

5.43

14

s.w.

8

17

6

*Monroe,

52.6

74

13,24

2,6

2

6.62

13

-

8

13

10

Nantucket, ,

52.2

64

29

36

3

2.37

11

s.w.

16

8

8

ProA'incetown,

54.4

76

31

38

12

2.99

14

s.

-

-

—

Springfield, .

59.0

80

14

38

2

5.36

15

s.

8

20

3

* Temperature data from thermometer not self-registering.

Summary.

Temperature (deg. F.). — Monthly mean, 55.5° (12 sta-
tions). Highest monthly mean, 59.0°, at Springfield;
lowest monthly mean, 51.5°, at Ipswich; maximum, 82°,
at Ipswich, on the 14th; minimum, 26°, at Monroe, on the
2d ; range, 56° ; greatest local monthly range, 47°, at Am-
herst and Lawrence ; least local monthly range, 28°, at
Nantucket ; greatest daily range, 38°, at Lawrence, on the
3d and 31st ; least daily range, 4°, at Ipswich, on the 10th.
Average temperature for May, at Springfield, for twenty-
three years, 59.3°; the average for May, 1890, is 59°;
departure, — 0.3°.

Precipitation. — Average (12 stations), 4.94; greatest,
6.67 inches, at Ipswich; least, 2.37, at Nantucket. Aver-
age precipitation for May, at Springfield, for forty-three
years, 4.17; for May, 1890, 5.36; departure, -f-1.19.

Prevailing direction of wind. — Southwest.

Hail, — General on 28th.

8

Frosts. — Amherst, 17th, 23d; Ipswich, 3d; Monroe,
17th.

Thunder-storms. — Amherst, 14th, 28th ; Fitchburg; 28th ;
Ipswich, 5th, IGth, 28th; Leominster, 4th, 14th, IGth ;
Provincetown, 4th, 5th, 15th, 16th.

Solar Halos. — Leominster, 7th, 23d.

Remarks.
The month of May, 1890, when compared with that month
in other years, has been cool and wet. Though the season
opened comparatively early, it is now about a week late.
The average temperature has been only slightly below the
normal, but the nights have been decidedly cool, and numer-
ous frosts have occurred. The weather of the month was
influenced by the passage of twelve cyclonic areas and seven
anticyclonic ones. Most of them were areas- of little energy,
and produced no severe atmospheric disturbances. There
were exceptions to this rule, such as the heavy rains of the
4th, 6th, and 26th to 28th, and also the short but heavy rain
on the 20th, and the numerous thunder and hail storms.
But these latter must be considered secondaries, accompany-
ing and influenced b}^ the larger or primary areas. The
amount of precipitation has been in excess, and has served
to keep low lands almost too wet to work. The amount of
sunshine has been slightly below the normal, especially in
the northern section.

]N^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Mailed to us May 28.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

East Sandtvich. — The season is very wet, and there are many
cold nights. A frost the 21st did considerable damage to cran-
berr}^ bogs. Very little help is employed, except by the day.

J. R. HOLWAY.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Dalton. — There seems to be a tendency to raise more horses

in this section. The outlook appears more favorable than ever

before. The only thing to draw back is wages paid farm help ;

but, by using the machinery obtainable, many are doing their own

work, and our market is better than ever.

AV. B. Barton.

Egremont. — The indications for farm products are fully as good
now as ten years ago, and farmers are realizing the surrounding
condition of things, and are curtailing their expenses to bring
them within the income of the farm. This makes a great differ-
ence in their favor in the balance sheet at the end of the year.

J. H. Rowley.

Hancock. — The season promised to be an earl}^ one, but we
have had so much rain that farm work is quite backward, and not
more than two-thirds of the planting is done.

C. H. Wells.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Berkley. — The season thus far has been very wet, and, as a
result, grass is looking very well. Early potatoes have come up
badly, having rotted in the ground. Strawberry plants are look-
ing well and promise a good crop.

R. H. Babbitt.

10

Mauftjiekl. — Our grass crop is looking remarkably well, as it
has been quite a wet season so far, and the prospect is good for a
heavy crop of hay if the season continues favorable. It is early
to tell about otlrer crops.

D. E. Harding.

North DartmoxUli. — The weather in this locality has been so
wet that it has retarded planting very much, although the latter
part of April was quite favorable for seeding. Corn is not nearly
all planted, and many potatoes are hardly up, owing to late plant-
ing. The average of rain has been about two rainy days a week
during May.

L. T. Davis.

North Ray iiliam. — Ihere is a steady increase in the attention

given to the cultivation of small fruits and in their preparation for

market. Continued rains, succeeded by only now and then a

bright day, have delayed farm work so that things are backward

at the present time.

N. W. SiiAW.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbiiry. — Season no earlier than usual. No insects have
appeared yet. Outlook as favorable for farmers as it was ten
years ago. About half of the farm help are Portuguese, and
eighteen dollars per month are the average wages paid to mature
farm help.

Wm. .1. ROTCII.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill. — There is an increase here in market gardening and
the milk business. Planting has been delayed somewhat by rain.

Eben AVebster.

Ipswich. — The season so far has been very wet, and the grass

and small grains have made a large growth ; but the cold nights,

and the air temperature being generally below the average, have

kept corn back and retarded the growth of other crops except in

favored localities.

O. C. Smith.

Marblehead. — The abundant moisture is starting grass along
rapidly, and the hay crop promises to be above the average. En-
silage corn is looking well.

Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.

11

North Anclover. — Milk never was more plenty. The difficulty

of obtaining good farm help increases every year, and farmers in

this vicinity have experienced much more trouble this year than ever.

I employ two young men of American parentage, and pay them

good wages and give them such a home that they are willing to

stay with me year after year. I believe this is the only way that

life on a farm is worth living.

Peter Holt.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Conway. — It is generally admitted that farming was never

more depressed than now. Farm property is depreciating in

value every year. Abandoned farms are plenty all over the town,

and it is impossible to sell a farm at any fair price. All kinds of

farm produce are very low, but taxes and good help are higher every

year.

J. C. Newhall.

Deerjield. — There are several acres of cucumbers raised in this
vicinity, which are bought by a man in this town and made into
pickles. Rye is looking well, and oats fair. Corn was planted a
little earlier than usual, has come up well, and some is being hoed.
Tobacco plants are looking Avell and are early. Grass is early and
is looking well, with the prospect of an extra crop. The weather
from April 1 to May 10 was fair most of the time and good for
doing farm work, but it has since been very wet and rather cool.

Charles Jones.

Orange. — Although vegetation is forward, farm work is back-
ward on account of the great amount of wet weather we have had,
and which has rendered much of the land too wet to work.

Ansel Harrington.

Roice. — The season seemed very early May 1, but this month

has been quite wet and cold. We had a hard frost the 16th.

Grass and potatoes are looking finely. Fruit trees are in full

bloom and promise a large crop. I think the outlook for farmers

more favorable than ten years ago. The demand for stock has

increased, and at advanced prices.

J. F. Brown.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blanclford. — Spring opened very early and pastures are for-
ward, so that stock was turned out to pasture fully ten days
earlier than usual and are doing well. Continued wet and cool

12

weather has hindered work. The season is remarkable for sud-
den changes of temperature. If we have one warm day, it is
usually followed the next by a cool one, and in low lands by
frost. Apple trees are blossomed vcr}- full.

E. W. Boise.

Brimfield. — In Wales, four miles south, the woollen mills

which have been idle for some time are starting up under new

management, which is encouraging. Early potatoes are up and

look well. There has been so much cold, wet weather, that seed

has been slow to start when planted, and on wet lands it is not

dry enough to plant yet, and hardly one-fourth of the planting

has been done.

S. ^Y. Browk.

Tolland. — There is little help hired in this section, from the
fact that a good farmer with a good farm well stocked cannot
turn off enough from his farm to pay a hired man and support his
family and pay his taxes. We have but few foreigners, except
families that have been settled *here for years.

F. T. MooRE.

West Si^ringjieUl. — Frequent rains retard planting. The common
farm crops rarely pay a profit, haj' excepted. Garden truck is
the general resort. Onions, celery, parsnips, carrots, tomatoes,
cabbage and tobacco are increasing here. The old-style farmers
are almost discouraged by taxes. They justly feel that the policy
of the government is against them. The speculators and high-
tariff men are having the advantage. Grass, rye and oats are
luxuriant. All crops are looking well. I have orchard grass
three feet high, that will be fit to mow about June 1. Some have
hayed rye and planted corn where it grew. Strawberries are in

full blossom, and promise well.

J. N. Bagg.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Belcliertown. — A cold, wet May, and prospect good for a large
hay crop and a fair fruit crop. Early potatoes are looking
remarkably well. The acreage of potatoes planted in this vicinity
exceeds by far any two previous years. Rye somewhat winter-
killed.

H. C. West.

North Hadley. — Ten years ago I sold hay for sixteen to eighteen
dollars per ton, now ten to twelve dollars. Corn was ten to fifteen

13

cents per bushel higher than now. The market for all vegetables

is much poorer than ten years ago, owing to Southern competition.

Pork sold at that time for eight to ten cents a pound, now for

five to five and one-half cents. An exception might be made

of tobacco, which sells as high as ten years ago. The price of

nearly all farm produce has declined.

H. C. Russell.

Northampton. — Our hay and beef market is not as good as ten
years ago, neither is the market as good for special crops. The
value of farms and farming lands has decreased more than one-
third in ten years. D. A. Horton.

South Hadley Falls. — Farmers who are trying to plant land

that is rather moist and heavy have not finished yet, and will

hardly get through this week. The fruit trees have blossomed

light.

H, W. Gaylord.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Chelmsford. — There has been quite an increase here in the cul-
tivation of small fruits, but not to the extent to require much
more help. There has been some frost two mornings the past
week, but not severe enough to kill early vegetables. The temper-
ature has been down to forty degrees nights much of the time,
which serves to keep back early crops, although potatoes are look-
ing quite as well as the average years.

P. P. Perham.

Hudson. — Our farmers have changed their system of crops and
stock production, to meet the wants of our growing home markets.
The production of fat cattle is next to nothing. Some are kept to
procure manure more than anything else. Making pork is not
profitable for our farmers. Baldwin and Porter apple trees now
make a favorable show for a good crop of fruit, far better than
last year.

Geo. a. Cotting.

Littleton. — The E. T. Cowdry Company have a factory near
the F. R. R. station for packing canned goods. It has been in
operation ten or twelve years ; August, September and October
are the busy months. String and shell beans, peas, apples, toma-
toes and sweet corn are packed. Pickles to a considerable extent
are bought and salted at this factory, giving farmers in this
vicinity an opportunity to add one or more of these crops to their

14

dairy products. While the profits in raising milk, it being the
chief dairy product here, may not be as great as ten years ago, the
ready market close to our door for the sale of the crops above
named makes the outlook as favorable as ten years ago.

Frequent showers during the past two weeks have given the grass
crop a favorable start.

G. "W. Sanderson.

Sherborn. — The canning of corned beef is a new enterprise
here, that bids fair to become something of a business, but the
beef used will be largely a Western product. The outlook with
us is not encouraging. Farmers lack confidence, and are not
planting as largely as in previous years. Continued wet weather
has a tendency to dampen the ardor and retard work. Never
have known our people as a whole to feel as poor as at the
present time. Our usual money crops failed last year.

N. B. Douglas.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket. — Never saw our little island with such a good look
for prosperity in the farming line as at present time ; and for any
young man that means business and wants to farm it, here is a
chance, for the farmers here do not produce half enough to supply
our summer boarders, and farms are cheap now, and the land is as
good as in any county in the State.

C. W. Gardner.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

South Weymouth. — The month of May has been colder than
usual. Fruit trees and grass are fully up to the average ; peas,
corn, beans and other vegetables are not. Caterpillars are
abundant on apple trees, and especially so on wild cherry trees.

J. G. HUTCHINS.

West Dedham. — Caterpillars are very plenty, and if every
grange and farmers' club would appoint a committee in each town
to take a day and go through the town and burn the caterpillars
that are on bushes and trees by the roadside, I think it would be a
great help to the community, for no one takes any interest in
nests on highways.

S. C. French.

15

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Halifax. — We have an excess of moisture here, and farmers
are very much discouraged. It is impossible to work all kinds of
land except sand. Many farmers have not planted their pota-
toes yet, and those that have will have to do it over again.

Geo. W. Hayward.

Kingston. — The weather this month has been cold nights, with
but few warm days and plenty of rain. From the 1st to the 11th
frost most every night. A light frost the 21st, which did no
damage. Farmers here are having a greater demand for home
products, and the outlook is more favorable than it was ten years

ago.

J. H. CUSHMAN.

Marshfield. — A few farms are being taken by people seeking
quiet from the city. Stock is increasing in Plymouth County.
Inland it is often kept for the ultimate purpose of improving the
land and making the farm more productive. This season seems
very much like the two preceding. My men are now (27th)
cutting a heavy crop of orchard grass raised from kelp and sea
plants and seeded four years ago.

Geo. J. Peterson.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Berlin. — The season has been very wet and cold, and a good
deal of land at the present time is too wet to be worked. Yester-
day, May 26, was the first time I ever heard a mowing machine
running in May. May 16 a serious hailstorm occurred, taking a
strip through our town one and a half miles wide, doing much
damage to growing crops and fruit, cleaning the pear and peach
trees mostly of fruit.

P. B. South WICK.

Douglas. — Grass is looking extraordinarily well for the time of
the year. All kinds of fruit ti'ees blossomed very full. Currants
and strawberries have been a mass of bloom. The weather has
been very wet, so planting has been done no earlier than usual.
Most of us are through. All wish the weather might be drier.

Geo. M. Wallis.

16

East BlacJcstone. — There is a gradual change here towards
market gardening, and the farmer who is not a smart, keen peddler
fares ill. AVoonsockct, R. I., is our best market. There is no
first-class farm help, such as could be had previous to 18G1, for no
capable, able-bodied man or woman, unless under peculiar circum-
stances, will do farm work for any wages which a farmer can
afford to pay. A j'oung man can get about as much, or more, pay
as salesman, or apprentice to almost any trade, as he could make
working for himself on a farm, with the advantages of less hours,

easier work, and more agreeable society.

L. R. Daniels.

East Templeton. — The past winter was very mild and open,
not two weeks of sleighing. Fall seeding uneven, and but little
done. This season favorable for grass and grain ; more so than
for other crops. Fruit trees are not up to the average in bloom
for the even year. More corn will be planted than usual, and
potatoes about the same amount. I\Iore attention is being given
to gardening and to the growing of small fruits.

LuciEN Gove.

Fitchhurg. — While the cost of labor has somewhat increased,

the prices of nearly all the products of the farm have fallen.

Production is in advance of consumptive demand, except for

superior quality.

Jabez Fisher.

Leominster. — This season has been rather peculiar in some
respects. Fruit trees blossomed about the average time, and the
prospect is very favorable for a large crop of apples, excepting
Baldwins. Pears, peaches, plums and quinces very favorable for
a good crop. Early planted potatoes are looking well. Corn is
backward. Grass in pastures and mowing lands looks finely, and
the indications point to a large haj' crop. Our rainfall for May
was in excess of the average for the past seven years.

W. B. HOSMER.

Neiu Braintree. — Outlook excellent for all crops, especially

grass. Fruits of all kinds promise well. The unusual amount of

rain delays farm work, but is rapidly pushing all crops that are in.

Dairy products are low and slow of sale.

C. D. Sage.

AGKICULTURE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

In the crop bulletin issued by us for the month of May,
1889, was printed an article upon this subject, prepared by
the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics of Labor. We have
found this article to be quite valuable for reference, and think
it would be very desirable to present other facts relative to
the condition of this important industry.

First, we will show the number of farm animals in the
Commonwealth for several decades. The figures for 1860,
1870 and 1880 are from the reports of the United States
Census, and those for 1890 are from the report of the
Department of Agriculture.

I860.

1870.

1880.

1890.

Talne,

1890.

Horses,. . .

47,786

41,039

59,629

63,838

$6,678,327

Milch cows, .

144,-192

114,771

150,435

* 174,729

5,678,693

Other neat cattle,

135,422

104,281

110,616

98,744

2,492,663

Sheep, ....

114,829

78,560

67,979

56,530

190,789

Swine, ....

73,948

49,178

80,123

68,580

658,997

The following table will give the acreage yield and home
value of some of our leading crops for the past two seasons.
The figures are from the annual reports of the Department of
Agriculture.

Acres.

Quantity.

Value.

Potato crop, 1888, .

35,964

3,632,000 bush.

$1,997,800

Hay crop, 1888, .

642,252

674,365 tons.

10,621,249

Tobacco crop, 1888,

2,464

3,893,000 lbs.

486,640

Corn crop, 1889, .

58,209

1,997,000 bush.

1,078,147

* The afsessors' returns of May, 1889, give the number of cows assessed as 192,307.

18

The following statistics, gleaned from a work issued in
1889 by the Department of Agriculture, entitled " Album of
Agricultural Statistics of the United States," will no doubt
be interesting to the readers of this bulletin, and valuable for
future reference.

The area of Massachusetts is 7,800 square miles. Accord-
ing to the State Census for 1885, there are 3,898,4291 acres
of land. In the "Album" referred to, we find 34 7 per
cent, of this land not in farms : 41.4 per cent, is productive
lands; 19.5 per cent., woodland; and 4.4 per cent., unpro-
ductive farm area, — or a total of 34.7 per cent, lands not
in farms, and 65.3 per cent, in farms. The unproductive
lands include old fields, swamps, ledges, and other tech-
nically "waste" areas, most of which are susceptible of
improvement or reclamation. Relative to woodlands, it
should be noted that only forest lands in farm areas have
ever been reported by the census. The area " not in farms "
has woodlands also. Dividing the farm area, we find 26.4
per cent, is tillage lands; 37 per cent., grass lands; 29.9
per cent., woodland; 6.7 per cent., unproductive lands.

tllustrative of the value of farm lands, we find that the
average value of such lands per acre is $43.52. We also
find that there are 38,406 farms in the State, of which 91.8
per cent, are cultivated by the owner, 6 per cent, by tenants
paying money rental, and 2.2 per cent, are cultivated by ten-
ants on shares.

In 1888 there were 59,397 acres of corn in the State, or
12 acres to each 1,000 acres of total laud surfoce ; and the
average yield per acre was 32.1 bushels. In the same year
there were 25,000 acres of oats, or 5 acres to each 1,000
acres of total land surface ; and the average yield per acre
was 30.4 bushels.

Concerning the value of farm animals, — horses, milch
cows, other cattle, sheep and swine, — we find that the
averaires jriven are those often annual estimates, and not for
a single year, and they represent the values upon the farms
or the price paid to farmers in the primar}^ markets. Value
of horses per head, $93.06 ; of milch cows, §34.96 ; of cattle,
exclusive of milch cows, $34.76; of sheep, $3.29; and of
swine, $12.41. The largest factor in diflerence in value in

19

different localities is stated to be breed ; care and feed are
also important causes of difference in value ; and the distance
from market is another consideration affectinij: value.

In the State Census for 1885 we find the population given
as 1,942,141, and the total number of persons engaged in
agriculture, including farm owners and hired farm laborers,
male and female, was 77,661, these being classified as fol-
lows : farmers, 36,526 ; farjn laborers, 35,545 ; other per-
sons not included in these two classifications, 5,590. In the
" Album" we find that in Massachusetts 9 per cent, of the
population are engaged in agriculture, or about 175,000,
which evidently includes all the members of the family.
The average for the United States is 44 per cent. The only
States and territories whose percentages are below 20 are
Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with 9 ; Nevada, 13 ; Colo-
rado, 13 ; Arizona, 15 ; New Jersey, 15 ; Connecticut, 18 ;
and Wyoming, 18. Speaking of the small percentages in
several of the States, the statistician of the Department of
Agriculture says that it may be fairly assumed that this small
percentage of firm w^orkers produce half the supplies required
in their States, and that 25 to 30 per cent, of all could feed
liberally the entire population of the country.

We will simply add, in closing, that Massachusetts has no
call to be ashamed of the position she holds ; and that while
to her farmers it seems as if there was little inducement to
cultivate their lands, yet, Avhen everything is taken into
account, the Massachusetts farmer is quite as well ofi" on the
average as are those engaged in like pursuits in other States.

Bulletin No. 2.

MASSACHUSET^TS

\ ■'

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

/

^iOTsTH OF JUNE, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WiuGHT & Potter Puinting Company, Spate I'iuntkijs,

18 Post Office Squauk.

1890.

CROP EEPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1890.

Compiled from Returns to the Office of the State Board of
Agriculture, June 30, 1890.

Office State Board of Agriculti'rb,

Boston, Mass., July 2, 1890.

General Remarks.

Bulletin No. 2, Crop Report for the month of June, is
herewith presented. The circular sent to correspondents
about the 20th of the month was similar to that used for
the May report.

One hundred and ten returns have been received, samples
of which will be found printed in the " Notes of Correspond-
ents." These samples are selected to give a more definite
idea of the condition of farming and matters pertaining
thereto than could be given by general statements eman-
atinac from this office.

In the circular sent to correspondents the first question
asked was: "What insects are doing the most damage in
your locality?" From the replies it is learned that the
insects incident to the season are committing their depreda-
tions. The cranberry-vine worm is about as prevalent as
usual, and some small bogs have been destroyed by it.
However, at present the damage from it does not seem to
be unusually great. Nearly all of the correspondents refer
to the presence of the potato beetle, but several express the
opinion that it is not as prevalent this season as usual. The
onion maggot, rose bug, currant worm, squash bug, curculio,
peach borer, canker worm, asparagus beetle, and the other
insects that infest our crops at this season are mentioned as
])eing on hand and doino- the usual amount of damaoe.

Correspondents have frequently referred in their notes to
the " spit bug," which has ])een so prevalent on grass during
the past few seasons. As false ideas as to its nature and
destructive powers are not uncommon, it is thought best to
state the truth in the matter. The "spit bug" is a sap-
eating insect, which bores into the slalks of irrasses and
sucks the juice therefrom in such quantities that it oozes out
of their bodies continually, in the form of little bubbles,
which sioon completely cover up the one or more insects that
may be therein. They there remain entirely ))uried and con-
cealed in masses of foam, until they have completed their
transformation. This foam is simply a collection of bubbles.
Under ordinary circumstances, the destructive power of
these insects is insigniHcant, and it is hardly possible that
enough of them will be found on a held of grass to materially
injure the crop. There is no connection between this insect
and the grasshopper, or the little grul) that causes June
grass to die prematurely.

The following question was asked to get the opinion of the
correspondents as to the outlook for the crop of Indian corn :
" What is the present condition of Indian corn?" It seems
to be the almost unanimous opinion that the stand of corn
is fairly good, and that, though backward on account of
unfavorable weather, it is now, under the influence of the
warm, dry spell, pushing rapidly ahead.

To ascertain whether the hay crop is earlier than usual,
the following question was asked : "What date did haying
commence in your locality ? " From the replies received, it
is learned that some orchard arass was cut the first week
in June, but haying did not become general until after the
advent of the present dry weather, or between the 20th to
the 25th of the month. On account of the cool, wet
weather, followed by a w\arm, dry spell, grass has ripened
somewhat earlier than usual.

The following question was asked, to ascertain the opinion
of the correspondents as to the quantity and quality of the
hay crop : " What is your estimate of the coming hay crop
in quantity and quality ?" Most of the correspondents state
that the hay crop promises to be a full average one in
quantity, and that as a rule the quality appears to be good.

There are some exceptions, however, but a lai'gc ir.ajorify
of the returns state the estimate as al)()ve.

In order to get an estimate of the prol)aI)le i)otato crop,
the following question was asi^ed : " Do potatoes promise
well, early and late ? " Tlie correspondents are almost
unanimous in stating that potatoes, hotli early and late,
promise uncommonly Avell. If, however, the present diy
spell should continue another week, it would tend to clieck
the development of the later varieties, and thereby materially
diminish the yield. But one complaint of rot or blight has
been received.

Believing that it would be of interest to the milk pro-
ducers and consumers to know al)out what compensation the
average producer receives, the following question was
asked : " What was the price per quart received for milk at
the door, in your locality, for May ? Also, if furnished to
milk contractors, what was the price received after sur-
plus was deducted?"' The replies to this question are
not as complete as it was hoped they would bo. The price
received at the door for May, as given, varied from two to
seven cents per quart. It is thought that from four to tivc
cents per quart would be a fair average for that sold at the
door. The following will illustrate the price received when
sent to contractors : —

BevMey. — Retail price at door, 4 cents per quart. Con-
tractor's price, 3 cents for May. Now it is 2.^ cents.

Danvevs. — Twenty-eight cents per 8| quart can.

Bijfif-ld. — Two and two-seventeenths cents per quart.
No surplus deducted for May, but as much sent back as was
alleged to be sour. Surplus to be deducted in June.

Marblehead . — Price paid to our farmers 4 cents per
quart. Retails at 7 cents. Retailer takes what he can dis-
pose of.

Newlon Upper Falls. — Seven cents per quart at retail.
Wholesale, 13 to 14 cents per gallon.

Concord. — The price in this town for June is 23 cents
per can at the door.

Norfolk. — Two and seven-tenths cents per quart at car.
Price at door varies according to distance from station. Xo
surplus.

6

Leominster. — Two and ten-seventeenths cents to peddlers
for home use. To milk contractors, 17 cents at door for 8^
quart can. The surplus for May not yet returned. Proba-
bly 1\ cents off per can, as in April.

Harvard. — Graded price at depot, 20 cents per 8| quart
can for May; surplus taken out by contractors, 2| cents;
cost of getting milk to depot, from 1 to 3 cents per can,
according to distance. That would leave the milk producers
about IB cents per can on a fair average, or a trifle less than
2 cents per quart at the door. Brigham & Co., Boston,
grade our milk for April and July, 22 cents per can ; May
and June, 20 cents per can ; August and September, 24 cents
per can, and then take out what surplus they please.

WestminMer. — Price of milk sold at the door is 5 cents
per quart the year through. Contractors returned 18| cents
per can for May.

Barre. — Sixteen cents per can at railroad station or fac-
tory. Some have to pay 1 cent for cartage, some 2 cents,
according to distance.

Worceiiter. — Price per quart, delivered at door of pui-
chaser, 5 cents for May. Three cents per quart is paid to
the producer by the milk peddlers.

Littleton. — The milk produced in this town is sold prin-
cipally to contractors for the Boston market. The price at
the door for May was 2^^^, cents per quart for three-fourths
of the quantity sold, and for the other one-fourth of the
quantity sold, 1 J^ cents per quart.

Weston. — Milk in this town is sold to peddlers for 25
to 26 cents per 8^ quart can for six months, from April to
October.

Bolton. — Fifteen and seven-eighths cents per 8| quart
can to contractors, and 5 cents per quart if retailed in the
villao'es.

Montarjue. — Seventeen and eight-tenths cents per 8J-
quart can.

North Broolijield. — Milk goes mostly to Boston. "Will
net in June about 16 cents per can at car.

Beldtertoicn. — Five cents per quart to local customers.
To milk contractors, delivered on cars, 20 cents per 8i quart
can.

Ilarchvick. — AH milk delivered at car ; and, allowing one
cent per can for delivery, and takinp; out the surplus from
the 18 cents, the price of a can of milk Avhich holds 8^
quarts, we find that one of these cans brings the producer
the whole amount of a fraction less than 14 cents.

Wilmington. — Twenty-five cents per can of 8| quarts.
No deduction for six months, and 30 cents per can for winter
months.

West Springfield. — Two and one-half cents per quart
Avas paid by Springfield Co-operative Milk Association.
The cans hold just 10 quarts. Peddlers have paid 3 cents to
farmers. Their cans hold lOi to 10| quarts, but are called
10.

Several parties having referred to the prevalence of rust
on oats this season, the following from the pen of Professor
ISIaynard of Amherst, under date of June 28, will prove of
interest : —

"The common grain 'rust' {Piiccinia graminea) is a
very minute plant that grows and feeds upon the tissues of
the leaf under conditions of continued moist, warm weather.
The continued dry weather of the past two wrecks will check
its development, and the crops may not be seriously injured.
I think it is the practice of some growlers to soak the seed in
a solution of sulphate of copper before sowing. We find the
Bordeaux mixture entirely harmless to the most delicate
foliage, while the ' eau celeste' or simple solution of sul-
phate of copper must be used with much care."

Right here w^e desire to take the opportunity to state that
these bulletins are prepared for the farmers, and it is our
endeavor to made them as useful as possible. It is therefore
hoped that farmers, and correspondents in particular, will
feel free to ask questions, or seek to direct our inquiries into
any particular channel. The question relative to the price
received for milk, which is touched upon in this bulletin, is
the outcome of a suggestion from one of our correspondents.

We shall be pleased to mail copies of these bulletins to
those that ask for them ; and if parties expect to receive
them, and do not, they will confer a favor l)y notifying us,
and we will endeavor to see that they receive them monthly
as long as they are published.

The AVeatiier.

Meteorological Data for June.

Tkmperatcre.

Deg. F

Precipita-

Ct,OCI)INK-S.

t (Old 10.)

tion.

•6

i

No.

OF UaVS.

STATION.

3

■a

e

a

1— »

s3

tn

^

ji

a

3

a

1 '^

> ^

>»

'~>

-r

5

v.

OJ

a>

1

>

=

^

A

•^

C3

o

35-^

1m

—

L/

■^

^

r"

-^

^

■"

Amherst,

V64.6

86

30

38

3

1.48

8

'S.E.

8

16

6

Boston, .

(54 2

87

18

50

13

221

8

N \V.

9

13

8

Brewster,

(1-13

85

1

44

15

3 81

6

W.

10

1

19

*FitchI)urg, .

62.4

85

24

46

13

1.96

8

W.

8

6

16

Ipswich,

(U8

88

11

50

13

4 50

8

N.W.

13

11

6

l^eicester.

62 1

86

24

44

13

2 75

8

N.W.

9

14

7

^Leominster,

64.9

84

11,30

46

13

2.16

7

W.

9

11

10

* Monroe,

617

80

25, 30

36

3

294

8

—

9

8

13

Nantucket, .

60.4

75

19

49

16

3 49

12

W.

11

8

11

Provincetown,

62.8

83

25

45

10

3.46

9

X.

8

15

7

Springfield, .

67. C

88

25

47

3

183

9

s.

8

14

8

Tauntou,

63 0

87

25

37

3

3.60

10

1

5

12

13

* Teitipsratiire data fro-n thennomeler not self-registcriog.

t 0 to 'i, cloiull'>8s; 4 to 7 iiiclu.sive, partly cloudy; 8 to 10 cloudy.

Summary.

Temperature {dag. Y .) . — Monthly mean, 63.(5°. High-
est monthly mean, 67.(5°, at Springfield; lowest monthly
mean, 60.4°, at Nantucket; maximum, 88°, at Springfield
on the 25th ; minimum, 36°, at Monroe on the 3d; range,
52° ; greatest local monthly range, 50°, at Taunton ; least
local monthly range, 26°, at Nantucket; greatest daily
range, 39°, at Amherst on the 10th, and at Taunton on the
1st; least daily range, 0.5°, at Ipswich on the 12th.
Average temperature for June, at Springfield, for twenty-
three years, 68.2°; average for June, 1890, 67.6°; depart-
ure, — 0.6°. Average temperature for June, at Boston, for
twenty years, \}(\° ; average for June, 1890, 64.2°; depart-
ure,—1.8°.

I^recij)itation. — Average, 2 85 ; greatest, 4.50 inches, at
Ipswich; least, 1.48, at Amherst. Average precipitation
for June, at Springfield, for forty-three years, 3-87 inches :
for June, 1890, 1.83; departure, — 2.04 inches. Average

9

precipitation for June, at Boston, for twenty years, 3.29 ;
for June, 1890, 2.21; departure, — 1.08.

Prevailing direction of loind. — West.

Thunder-storms. — 4th, oth, Gth, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th,
25th, 2Gth.

Fog. — Leicester, 5th, Gth, 12th, 13th; Monroe, Gth.

Hail. — Monroe, 5th.

Remarks.

The weather for June, 1890, was slightly below the nor-
mal in both temperature and precipitation. During the first
half of the month the weather was generally cold, with little
sunshine and with precipitation above the average ; but the
last half has been much warmer, with more sun and little
rain. The month opened with fair weather, brisk westerly
winds and cool nights but warm days. From the 4th to the
Gth the heavy rain was caused by the passage of a cyclonic
area down the St. Lawrence Valley, together with a second-
ary, which moved directly across New England from west to
east. This was followed hy fair weather till the 11th, when
the hot southerly winds, combined with the almost unob-
structed rays of the sun, carried the temperature to one of
the general maxima of the month, and gave rise to heavy
and in some sections frequent thunder-storms. The wind
changed to north-east on the nioht of the 11th along the
coast, and the temperature fell in some places about 30°
from noon of the 11th to noon of the 12th. It continued
low till the IGth ; the minimum temperature of the month
occurring from the 13th to the IGth. The rain was almost
continuous during that time, and in some localities in the
western part of the State was the last rain during the month.
But in the south-eastern part the showers were frequent,
though comparatively little rain fell. High temperature
occurred on the 18th, 25th and 30th, and the nights during
the last two weeks of the month were much warmer than at
any time of the season. The month ended, as it began,
with clear skies and high temperature, though cool north-
west winds.

NOTES OF COPtRESPO:NDENTS.

(Mailed to us June 30.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Eastham. — Weather fine for all crops. Are about through cut-
ting asparagus, and the crop was a good one, with prices extra.
The asparagus slugs bothered some. Outlook for ha}', corn and

potato crops very good.

.7. A. Clark.

East Sandwich. — The cranberry-vine worms and potato bugs
are doing the most damage. Corn is rather backward, on account
of so much cold wet weather. Haying commenced about June 1;),
and a large crop, of fair quality, is expected. Potatoes promise
well, though many pieces did not come up well. Very little milk
sold, and four cents per quart is about the price.

,1. K. IIOLWAY.

BERKSIITRE COUNTY.

Dalton. — Oats are rusting very badly. Apples have not set as

well as they promised at blossoming time. Cherries are a full

crop. Outlook for Indian corn good. Promise of a large hay

crop of good quality. Early potatoes are good, and late potatoes

look fairly well.

W. B. Barton.

Movterey. — Corn looks fair. Potatoes promise well. Most of
our farmers patronize the co-operative creamery ; others fatten
calves which are not in demand. A few make their own butter,
which, if very good, sells for fifteen cents per pound, if the mer-
chant will take it at any price.

Wm. S. Bidwell.

Sandisfield. — Corn is fully up to the average of years past, but
a little backward because of wet weather. In the Farmingtou and
Clam River valleys a few commenced haying the 18th. On the
hills they will not commence till July. It is estimated that the
hay crop will be extra iu quantity, with quality as good as usual.

11

Potatoes promise well. There has been little complaint as yet of
potato bugs. Cut worms, wire worms and curculios do some
damage, and cabbage worms are a great nuisance.

G. A. Shepard.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

North Dartmouth. — Field crops are rather backward, owing to
cool nights and rather too much rain, although the past week has
been rather warmer and dryer than the three previous ones. Hay
crop a good average. Potatoes promise well. Price of milk at
the door three and one-half cents.

L. T. Davis.

Somerset. — Lettuce is not grown under glass to any extent in
this town. Oats have blasted badly. The hay crop will be more
than an average. Corn is very short, owing to late planting.
Potatoes promise well. Strawberries have brought good prices
but the yield has not been as large as was predicted.

Joseph Gibbs.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury. — Indian corn an average. Haying commenced
about .lune 20. The hay crop will be about fifteen per cent above
the average. Potatoes promise well. Milk six cents per quart
at the door.

Wm. J. ROTCH.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Ipsivich. — Corn is very backward, but is growing well now.
Most farmers have been cutting hay the past week. The hay
crop will be large and good. Potatoes promise well. Most
farmers send their cream to the creamery. The fruit crop has
been injured some by the ravages of insects. Rye and oats are
making large growth, and promise large crops. The last fortnight
has been warmer and free from excess of rain, and corn and
garden vegetables have started into a good growth.

O. C. Smith.

Haverhill. — Corn fair, but late on low land. Hay crop promises
to be of good quantity and quality. Early potatoes promise well,
and are now in full bioom. Late ones are also looking well.

Eben Webster.

12

Marblehead. — The present outlook is quite favorable for all
crops, although growing crops are not (juite up to last year's stand-
ard of corresponding date. Cool weatlier and much rain has not
hastened them nmch. Hay croj) promises to be above the average.

W.M. 8. PiiiLLU'S, Jr.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Deerjield. — Corn stands well, but is small. It has a good color,
and is growing well. Oats are rusting, and it looks as though the
crop would be a very poor one. Rye is forward and looking well.
Tobacco stands well, and is looking as nicely as I ever saw it at
this time of the year. Grass on good land is extra, but some
pieces on light land are poor. All potatoes are looking well, and
early ones extra. Have had good hay weather the last ten days.

Chakles Joxes.

East Charlemont. — Corn not up to the average, though looking
well. The grass crop is more than an average in past years, and
is ripening fast on account of tiie dry weather. Potatoes present
a splendid appearance. The fruit crop cannot be determined by
the amount of blossoms, for some trees were almost white, and at
the present time have but very little fruit on them.

H. S. Giles.

Montague. — Corn is doing well at present, but has been back-
ward all the season. Grass promises a good crop both in quantity
and quality. The prospect for early potatoes was never better,
but late ones I fear will be a short crop, as it is getting to be quite
dry. lu this section all crops would be benelited by rain.

C. S. Raymond.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford. — Corn backward, but growing fast. The season
opened early, but excessive moisture in the soil has at the present
time made it backward. The rainfall has not been in excess, but
on these hills there has been almost continuous foggy weather.
The temperature has hardly averaged the usual warmth, as we
have had many cool days. All crops are growing very fast.
Pastures are especially good, and dairy stock are returning good
yields. Put the question of all is, what to do with the butter.
Many are packing down, but the prospect for sale of this is not
very encouraging, and all here are feeling rather blue, as this is
wholly a butter section.

E. W. Boise.

13

Brimfield. — Corn backward, but with warm weather may have
a good crop. More grass than usual has been cut for the time of
season, but it takes a large amount to weigh a ton, as there is
little substance to it. Early and late potatoes promise well.
Oats are rusting. But little miJk sold, and that is mostly sent to
Boston or to the cheese factory. On account of the loss of ice,
the butter factory has been turned to a cheese factory.

S. W. Bkown.

Ludlow. — Haying is the order of the day. The crop is an
average one both in (jfuantity and quality. Oats will be a failure,
owing to rust. Rye looks well, and will be ready to cut soon.
Cows are beginning to feel the effects of dry weather, and milk is
getting scarce. Corn is of excellent color, but short. Potato

bugs are worse than usual.

C. B. Bennett.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Belcliertoion. — Corn rather below the average, although the late
warm days have made a marked change for the better. The hay
crop promises to be a full average. Potatoes are above the aver-
age, with a large acreage, fine growth and few bugs. The week
of fine weather which has just passed has seemed to give encour-
agement to men and crops alike. Most have finished hoeing, and
are now ready for the hay field. All crops promise well except
apples and oats. The oat crop blighted badly, and does not seem
to recover.

H. C. West.

Chesterfield. — Corn is rather backward, as the weather has not
been quite warm enough for a good growth. Do not think the
crop of hay will be ecjual to last year's in quantity, as the grass
is rather thin in this locality.

HoKATio Bisbee.

North Hadley. — Corn and i)Otatoes have made a good growth
up to the present date, but crops will be injured by the drouth if
we do not have rain soon. Haying commenced about the 'iSth,
with the prospect of a heavier crop than for several years. The
quality is excellent, as we had no storms to lodge or injure it.
Not much milk sold here, as nearly all the farmers furnish cream
to the butter factories.

H. C. Russell.

14

^riDDLESEX COUNTY.

Concord. — Corn has grown but little, on account of cold
weather. The asparagus beetle is doing the most damage in this
locality. Little haying has been done yet, but the hay crop
promises to be above the average. Potatoes promise well.

Wm. H. Hunt.

Netvton Upper Falls. — Corn not as forward as usual. Hay
crop promises to be heavy and of good quality. Potatoes promise
a fair yield. Milk sells for seven cents per (juart retail, and at
wholesale for from thirteen to fourteen cents per gallon. The
asparagus beetle is a new-comer with us, and feeds upon the head
of the spike, and punctures the stalk to deposit its eggs. I hope
other correspondents will note tlieir observations and suggest a
remedy.

Otis Pettee.

Wilmington. — The past week has been very favorable for corn,
though but little is planted in this town. 1 believe this grand old
crop should adorn every hillside and i)lain. Hay crop promises to
be large and of good (juality- Potatoes promise well. Our farm-
ers complain of heavy taxation and high valuation, and they are
much discouraged. The outlook for fruit is very discouraging.

C. W. Swain.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket. — Indian corn fair. Haying commenced the 26th,
and the crop promises to be extra in quantity and fair in quality.
Potatoes promise fairly well.

C. W. Gardner.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Franklin. — Corn ten days late. Potatoes promise well. There
seems to be a blast on oats, and from appearances there will not
be more than half a crop.

C. M. Allen.

Norfolk. — The warm weather of the past few days has helped
corn, although it is still backward. The hay crop promises to be
large in quantity and fair in quality. Both early and late potatoes
are looking well at present.

J. W. HiNKLEV.

15

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Campello. — Corn late. Hay crop promises to be very good,
although little has been cut yet. Potatoes promise well. The
season is fully a week late, owing to cold spring. The straw-
berr}^ crop is vei'y good, and those who grow them are reaping a
harvest.

Davis Copeland.

Halifax. — There is very little lettuce grown in this town for
market. The principal crops are corn, potatoes and hay. The
corn crop is backward. Pearly potatoes look finely, late ones are
backward. The hay crop is above the average in quautit}^ and of
excellent quality.

G. W. Hayward.

Marshfiekl. — This season, like the preceding' ones, is somewhat
abnormal. It is humid and uncertain, and favors the production
of milk and garden vegetables. Corn is a little backward. The
marshes are looking well, and the general outlook is good.

G. J. Peterson.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Barre. — Indian corn has improved very much in the past two
weeks, and is now about an average. The first two weeks of June
were very wet, but the last two weeks there has been no rain, and
it is very dry. Small grains are a failure on account of rust.
Some pieces of grass are better than last year, some not as good ;
on the whole, the quantity of the crop will be about the same as
last year. Potatoes promise well.

J. L. Smith.

Bolton. — Corn very backward. The hay crop will be more than
an average. It is quite dry here, although nothing is suffering,
excepting seeds just put in do not germinate. No squash bugs
yet, and early plants are looking well. Cabbages are looking
badlj% and are troubled b}' the maggot. Ensilage coi-n has started
well. Potatoes are looking nicely, although some pieces have not
come up well.

H. F. Haynes.

East Blackstone. — Condition of Indian corn as good as was ever
known. Hay crop large and good. Potatoes promise well, and so

16

far the season has been almost perfect for light soils. If some of
the correspondents would give the reason why the vines of the finer
varieties of squashes wilt and die about the time they come into
blossom, and also a reliable remedy therefor, thej' would confer a
great favor upon a good many.

L. Iv. Daniels.

Leominster. — Corn backward, but doing find}'. Potatoes
promise well. Although our crops, excepting grass and potatoes,
were at a stand-still last month, June has had some fine, sunshiny
days, wiiich have advanced vegetation rapidly. Oats and barley
are rathoi- inferior. Mowing lands that have been well tilled are
producing very heavy crops. Apples and pears are dropping badly
from the trees. Cherry trees are troubled with the aphis, which
will injure the fruit. Rainfall for the month, 2. CO inches, a trifle
in excess of the average for the past seven years.

W. P>. IToSMER.

Worcester. — Corn, though b.ackward. is now doing well. For
two weeks we have had warm, dry weather, with more than the
average amount of sunshine, and all farm and garden crops are
doing well. The hay crop will be some better than the average.

S. A. BUKGESS.

Lettuce and Cucumber Culture Under Glass.

In presenting statistics relative to the culture of lettuce
and cucumbers under glass, it should be stated that our
facilities for collectino- information of this character are not
of the best, and consequently the work done by us in this
line is not as complete as we Avould wish, but it is believed
that the followino; will oive a fairly accurate idea of the
extent and importance of this branch of agriculture.

Our inquiries were extended to the culture in regular
greenhouses, sash-houses and hot-bed sash, which hitter are
usually six feet by three in size. It was found that the
culture varied with the locality and with different individuals
in the same locality, and that the price received for the
products varied with the quality, season of the year, state
of the market, and the favorableness of the season to out-
door culture.

Lettuce is generally considered a hard crop to grow, and
it requires much care. It does best on new soil and in new
houses. After growing lettuce for several years it is found
advisable to discontinue its culture for two or three sea-
sons. Lettuce is affected l)y mildew, especially in old
houses, in sash-houses and under sash. It is sometimes
overcome by putting sulphur on the heating pi[)es, and
allowing the fumes to prevade the house ; sometimes by
allowing the temperature in the house to fall to 32° F., and
remain so over night; sometimes by steaming the house,
and then thoroughly airing it ; and sometimes the lower
leaves of the plants are picked off, and the rest allowed to
head. Tobacco smoke is generally used to destroy lice on
lettuce, and sometimes the tobacco stems are steamed, and
the vapor used. It is said that tobacco water will spot
lettuce if it comes in contact with the leaves. The lettuce
season under glass is from September to May.

The cucumber season in houses is practically the
whole year round, and under sash from March to July.
Under the best culture, in houses, seventy-two days elapse
between the setting out of the cucumber plants and the
picking of the cucumbers. Wheii cucumbers are grown

18

under hot-bed sasli, the sash and planks upon Avhich they
rest are usually removed about the first week in Jul}-, and
the vines allowed to run. When irroAvu in houses, the
cucumber flowers are fertilized by bees, a hive of which is
kept in or near the house for that purpose. The vines are
affected, sometimes enough to destroy the crop, by plant
lice, thrips, red spiders, black flies, timber rot, stump foot
and foul soil. The best remedy for plant lice and thrips
seems to l)e fumes from burning tobacco stems, and the odor
arising from stems and dust strewn around on the cfround.
Too much tobacco smoke will cause the leaves to curl up.
It is said that lice on cucumbers may also be destroyed by
spraying with tobacco water. The red spiders may be
destroyed by spra^-ing with water, or by the use of steam.
Consideral)le damage is done by timber rot, which frequently
appears, especially in old houses, and may result from the
decay of the flowers which have fallen upon the vines. It
seems to be most common in cold, damp weather, in old
houses. However, the nature of the trouble does not appear
to be very well understood. In South Sudbury and Fitch-
burg some complaint was made of stump foot on cucumber
and tomato vines.

On account of cold, cloudy, wet weather, the past year
has been unusually bad for both lettuce and cucumbers.

In the vicinity of Boston, beets, radishes, dandelions, toma-
toes and parsle}' are quite extensively grown as catch crops.
It may be said that the culture of these several crops under
glass is a paying business Avhen good crops are obtained ;
but, as in other branches of agriculture, there are many fail-
ures and discouragements, and success is not easily attained.

Arlington. — There are twenty-three regular greenhouses
and four sash-houses in this town, owned by twelve parties.
Eighteen of these houses are heated by steam and nine by
hot water. Of the aiowers, six use steam and five use hot
water, and one has both. The greenhouses cover about
92,000 square feet, or over two acres, and the sash-houses
al)out 8,000 square feet, or a total of 100,000 square feet.
In most cases two crops of lettuce are grown, occupying the
houses from September till March. Then follows a crop ot
cucumbers, lastins: until about the first of Ausfust. In some

19

instances cucumbers are grown in the houses the year round.
In the houses the past year it is estimated some 400,000
heads of lettuce were grown, selling for $1.25 per dozen
down, or an average of about GO cents per dozen. It
is laro-elv marketed in Boston and New York. In these
houses it is estimated 350,000 cucumbers will be grown
this year, selling for from 18 cents apiece down, or an
average of about 5 cents. The cucumbers are largely mar-
keted in Boston, but when the market is crowded are shipped
to New York and Chicago. But very little lettuce is grown
in the sash-houses. There are also some 27,000 sash used
in the culture of cucumbers, and it is estimated that the
present season some 1,500,000 cucumbers will be grown in
this way. Probably 20,000 of these sash were used for let-
tuce, under which one, two, three and in some few cases
four crops of lettuce were grown. It is estimated that
1,000,000 heads of lettuce were grown in this way the past
year, and that in this town during the present season, over
1,400,000 heads of lettuce and some 1,850,000 cucumbers
will be grown under glass. It is expected that several more
greenhouses will be erected at an early date.

Aslibjj. — There is one greenhouse in this town devoted
to cucumber culture. It covers 900 square feet, and is
heated by hot water. The vines for the first crop are
planted about September 1, and last until about March 1,
when the vines for the second crop are ready to take their
place, and they last till about July 1. From 10 to 25 cents
apiece, or an average of IG cents, was received for tlie first
crop, and it is estimated the second crop will average 5
cents apiece. The market is Boston. The cloudy weather
the past year was the greatest obstacle to successful culture.
This industry is not increasing in this locality. No lettuce
is grown in greenhouses in this town.

Belmont. — There are nineteen reg^ular greenhouses and
seven sash-houses in this town, owned by eleven parties.
Ten of the greenhouses and three of the sash-houses are
heated by steam, and nine of the greenhouses and three of
the sash-houses are heated by hot water, while one sash-
house is without artificial heating apparatus. Of the growers,
six use steam, four use hot water and one arower has

20

both. The greenhouses cover about 78,000 squsirc feet, or
nearly two acres, and the sash-houses about 20,000 square
feet, or a total of 98,000 square feet. In most cases two
crops of lettuce are grown, occu})ying the houses from Sep-
tember to May. The cucuml)er season is from January to
Ausxust. In these houses it is estimated 320,000 heads
of lettuce and 275,000 cucumbers were grown the past year.
The price received for the lettuce ranged from $1.2o down,
and probably (>() cents a dozen would not be far from an
averafTc. The price received for the cucumbers ranged from
18 cents down, and ])robably 5 cents apiece would l>e a good
averaire price. The market is usually Boston. There are
also about 9,000 sash used in the culture of cucumbers, and
about 3,000 for lettuce. Under these sash it is estimated
80,000 heads of lettuce were produced the past year, and
350,000 cucumbers. It is estimated that 400,000 heads of
lettuce and ()25,000 cucumbers will be irrown under <rlass in
this town the present season. These industries are increas-
ing in this town, and several new houses are contemplated.

Fitchburg. — There are thirteen greenhouses in this cit}',
owned by nine parties, and all are heated by hot water.
Only two crops of lettuce were grown in one house the past
year, the other houses l)eing devoted to cucumbers, 'i'he
lettuce crop began to mature in September, and lasted until
April. Some (5,000 heads of fair quality grown, selling for
from 50 cents to $1.00 per dozen, or an average of about 75
cents. The cucuml)ers begin to mature in November, and
last until July. About 50,000 will be grown this year, sell-
ino; for from 3 to 30 cents ai)iece, or an average of from 10
to 14 cents. The market is largely in Boston, some in Xew
York. No one has had entire success this year, while in
some cases the failure has been nearly complete. Thiips
and aphis have been unusually prevalent, and some not well
understood diseases have stood in the way. All this will
tend to check anv increase in the business, as it has been
done at a loss. Still, some new houses are contemplated.

FnmJdin. — There arc two greenhouses in this town,
covering about 3,000 square feet, and heated b}' hot water.
No winter lettuce is grown yet. The lettuce season is fn)m
April 1 to July 1. The past season some 8,000 hoads of

21

<rood lettuce srown, sellins: in local niiivkct for from 30 to
75 cents per dozen, or an average price of 50 cents. The
cucumber season lasts from May 15 to August 15, and it is
estimated that 10,000 good cucumbers will be grown, selling
for from 1 to 6 cents apiece, or an average of 3 cents.
There are no special obstacles and these industries are
increasing gradually.

Leominster. — There are nine greenhouses in this town,
covering some 26,000 square feet, and heated by hot water.
The cucumbers are started in the open air the middle
of August, and are transplanted to the house about the
middle of September, and picking begins about the middle
of October. The vines are allowed to bear as long as they
will, and then are removed, and another set takes their place.
It is estimated that 100,000 will ])e grown this year. They
sold in the winter for from 20 to 23 cents apiece, or an
average of about 17 cents. The market in winter and early
s[)ring is New York and Chicago, and for spring and early
summer some are also sent to Boston. They are shipped
pressed in bushel boxes The black tly and thrip are the
only obstacles to their culture. These industries are in-
creasing in this locality", and it is expected several new
houses will be erected soon. Cucumbers are also grown
under sash in this town.

Lexington. — There is only one small greenhouse in this
town in which lettuce and cucumbers are grown. It covers
1,800 square feet, and is heated by hot water. Very little
lettuce is grown under glass. There are some 4,000 sash
used in the culture of cucumbers. The plants are set out
aliout April 1 and the sash removed about July 1. Dande-
lions, radishes, etc., are grown under the sash before the
crop of cucumbers. It is estimated that 175,000 cucumbers
will be grown in this town this season. Market, Boston and
local.

MorJborough. — There are four greenhouses in this place,
all of which are heated by hot water and covering some
10,000 square feet. The cucumber season lasts from Octo-
ber to July. When the vines of the first crop are through
bearing, they are pulled up and other vines take their place.
About 22,000 cucumbers of fair quality were grown the past

22

year. One grower with two houses only grows one crop ot
cucumljers in the fall, and then runs tomatoes. The piice
received ranged from 5 to 25 cents apiece, with perhaps an
average of 10 cents apiece. The market is New York,
Boston and home. There has been no increase in the busi-
ness of late. No lettuce is arown in sjreenhouses, but about
15,000 heads are grown in hot-beds.

JVeirfon. — There are twelve greenhouses in which cucum-
])ers and lettuce are grown, covering some 55,000 square
feet, and heated by hot water. Usually three crops of let-
tuce are grown, the first crop being started in September.
After the lettuce crops are over, cucumber vines are started,
and about June 1 the growers begin to pick the cucumbers.
Some 200,000 heads of lettuce Avere grown the past season,
selling for an average price of about 40 cents per dozen. It
is estimated some 150,000 cucumbers will be grown ; but,
owMng to their lateness, the average price received will hardly
be over 2^ cents apiece. The market is Boston and local.

lievere, — There are no regular greenhouses in this town,
but there are three sash-houses, covering about li,000 square
feet, and heated by hot water. In two of these houses
cucumber plants were set about May 20, and the cucumbers
will be picked until September. About 30,000 cucumbers
will be ti'rown in the houses this season. About 4,000 sash
are used for out-door culture, and it is estimated that 170,-
000 will be grown this year in this way. Two thousand sash
■^N^ere used for lettuce last winter. The plants were set Decem-
ber 1, and were all gone February 1. The second crop
came off April 1. About 150,000 heads were grown
in this way, selling for an average price of 50 cents per
dozen. In one sash-house two crops of lettuce were grown,
and then cucumbers. Probably 150,000 heads of lettuce
wei"e grown under glass in town, and about 200,000 cucum-
bers the past year. Market, Boston.

Sudbury. — There are sixteen growers in this town,
largely in South Sudbury, having thirty-one houses, in
Avhich cucumbers are grown a part or all of the year. These
houses cover some 46,000 square feet, and, with two minor
exceptions, are heated b}^ hot water. Usually only one
crop of cucumbers is grown, and the houses are occupied

23

the rest of the year with beets, radishes, tomatoes, ] arsley
and tlower.>5. In a few instances the cucuml)er vines planted
about the first of last October are still in bearing. It is
estimated that some 150,000 cucumbers were grown in these
houses the past year, selling for from 2 to 30 cents apiece.
The market is Boston, sometimes New York. Red spiders,
aphis, thrip, black lice and stump foot have bothered the
past year. Very little lettuce is grown. Quite a large
amount of tomatoes and flowers are produced. There are
also some 600 sash, under which some 25,000 cucumbers
will be grown. The o^rowins^ of cucumbers under o^lass is

(DOS C

not increasing to any extent in this town, and consideral)le
attention is given to flowers and tomatoes,

Templeton. — There are three greenhouses in this town,
covering about 5,000 square feet, and heated by hot water.
Two crops of cucumbers are grown, occupying the houses
nearly the entire year. The past year some 25,000 No. 1
cucumbers were orrown, selling in New York and Boston
markets for from 6 to 33 cents apiece, or an average of 15
cents. Also, some 2,500 No. 2, selling in home market for
from 3 to 10 cents apiece, or an average of (3 cents. This
industry is not increasing to any extent in this town.
Thrip, white flies and green flies trouble. One crop in one
house was destroyed by green flies, and the best remedy
seems to be to pull up the plants, fumigate heavily with
tobacco smoke, and start anew. But little lettuce is orown
under glass in this vicinity, and that is started so as to be
ready about June 5. Perhaps 2,000 heads are grown, sell-
ing for an average of 50 cents per dozen.

Winchester. — There are five regular greenhouses and two
sash-houses in this town, owned by three parties; and, with
the exception of one sash-house which is. without artificial
heating apparatus, all are heated by hot water. The green-
houses cover some 18,000 square feet, and the sash-houses
some 6,000 square feet, or a total of 24,000 square feet.
Last season some 16,000 heads of lettuce were o-rown in these
houses, which sold in Boston markets for from $1.25 per
dozen down. It is estimated that 100,000 cucumbers were
grown in these houses the past year. Also some 14,000
heads of lettuce were grown under some 400 sash, and some

24

2,500 sash were devoted to cucumbers, under Avhich some
125,000 cucumbers will be produced. It is estimated that
during the past year 225,000 cucumbers and 30,000 heads
of lettuce were grown in this town. The price received
for cucumbers has ranged from 18 cents apiece down. The
market is Boston.

These industries are carried on to a small extent in many
other places in the Commonwealth, among which are Allston,
Brookline, Swansea, "Watertown, Waltham, Framingham,
Worcester, Shrewsbur}- , West borough, Concord and others ;
but we have not had time to extend our inquiries to all i)laces
where these industries are carried on. It is estimated that
in the State during the past year some 1,000,000 heads of
lettuce and 1,200,000 cucumbers were grown in houses, and
some 1,300,000 heads of lettuce and 2,500,000 cucumbers
under hot-bed sash, or a total of 2,300,000 heads of lettuce
and 3,700,000 cucumbers as the product under glass for the
past year. Estimating 30 cents per dozen to be the average
price received for the lettuce, would make its value about
$70,000 ; and estimating that the cucumbers averaged 3|
cents apiece, would make their value 8 130,000, or a total
of some $200,000.

Bulletin No. 3.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

rOR THE

MONTH OF JULY, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON:

Wright & Potter Printing Company, State Printers,

18 Post Office Square.

1890.

CROP EEPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, 1890.

Compiled from Returns to the Office of the State Board of
Agriculture, July 29, 1890.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Aug. 4, 1890.

The circular for returns from which to make up this bul-
letin was sent to correspondents about the 20th of the month,
and 107 returns were received in time to be incorporated in
the report. Samples of these returns will be found printed
in the "Notes of Correspondents." These samples are
selected to give a more definite idea of the condition of grow-
ing crops and matters pertaining to agriculture than could
be given by general statements.

In the circular sent to correspondents the first question
asked was: " Has the hay crop met your expectations in
quantity, and was the weather satisfactory for securing the
same?" The correspondents are almost unanimous in stat-
ing that the crop of hay, now almost entirely secured, is
unusually large in quantity, is generally of good quality,
and that the weather for securing the bulk of it was all that
could be desired. However, on account of the injurious
effects of the drought on pastures and fall feed, this crop
will be none too large. Even with favorable weather it is
likely that rowen will be very light.

In order to obtain information relative to the apple crop,
the following question was asked : " What is the prospect
for a crop of apples, fall and winter?" It is the almost
unanimous opinion of the correspondents that the outlook
for a crop of apples, both fall and winter, is very poor. It
is the even year and there was a full bloom ; but, for some
reason, — perhaps the extended dry spell, — the young
apples have nearly all fallen off and the crop will be very
light.

The following question was asked to ascertain the present
condition of potatoes : " Have you observed rot or scab in
potatoes ? " With a very few exceptions correspondents
report that rot has not yet appeared. Quite a number refer
to the prevalence of scab in their neighl)orhood. It is
estimated that the crop of early potatoes is an average one.
On account of the severe drought it is doubtful if late pota-
toes yield even a fair average. On light land in many
sections the crop is reported as very light ; and the tubers,
though only part grown, are ripening off. It is hoped that
the general rain of the 25th and 26th and later showers will
improve the prospects of this crop, but it may be that the
rain has come too late.

The fourth question asked was : " Have small fruits been
satisfactory in yield and price?" The replies to this ques-
tion indicate that, on the whole, the yield of small fruits has
been fair and the prices received good. In most sections the
dry weather shortened the yield very materially of all save
strawberries.

In order to ascertain whether the dry weather — which set
in June 15 and lasted until the general rain of July 25, only
broken at rare intervals in some few sections by light local
showers — was generally injurious to farm crops, the follow-
ing question was asked : "Have crops in your neighborhood
suffered from drought?" The correspondents are quite
unanimous in the opinion that it was injurious to potatoes,
fruit, pastures, vines, garden truck, mowing lands and dairy
products. It was felt most severely on light lands. In all
probability its effects would have been more serious had it not
been for the excessive amount of wet weather of the past two
seasons, which caused the ground to be thoroughly saturated
with moisture, so that, when dry weather came, there was a
considerable supply in the ground ; and also because of the
many cool nights and consequent heavy dews during the dry
period. The dry weather was favorable for corn and tobacco,
except on light land, for checking rust on oats, for securing
the hay crop and for harvesting rye.

It is reported that, in the market garden regions in the
vicinity of Boston, there have been serious losses from the
drought. Vines arc backward and many fields of cucumbers

5

and squashes will be partial failures. Crops here have also
been seriously damaged by black lice, which infest cucumbers,
celery, parsnips, carrots, etc., eating the foliage from the
under side and causing it to shrivel, turn yellow and die.
Celery is late, but has been much improved in condition by
the recent rains.

Desiring to ascertain to what extent farmers are bothered
by trespassers, the following question was asked: "Are
farmers in your vicinity troubled to any extent by parties
trespassing upon their farms or stealing their products?"
One hundred and seven replies were received to this ques-
tion, of which 55 answered "Yes" and 52 " No."

In order to show in what sections of the State this trouble
exists to the greatest extent, as indicated by the replies, the
following table is presented : —

COUNTIES.

No. of
Replies.

Yes.

No.

COUNTIES.

No. of
Replies.

Yes.

No.

Barnstable, ,

4

1

3

Middlesex, .

12

3

9

Berkshire, .

9

2

7

Nantucket, .

-

—

—

Bristol,

6

3

3

Norfolk, .

4

3

1

Dukes, .

1

—

1

Plymouth, .

8

3

5

Essex, .

9

5

4

Suffolk, .

—

—

Franklin,

14

10

4

Worcester, .

20

13

7

Hampden, .
Hampshire, .

12

8

7
5

5
3

Total, .

107

55

52

In view of the general complaint of trespassing made by
our correspondents, and the possible ignorance of some as to
the present provisions of law in regard to trespass, it has
been thought best to print in this bulletin the laws as they
now stand on our statutes. Farmers as well as others must
remember that a law will not enforce itself, and that an obso-
lete or ignored law is of no value. If examples should be
made of some trespassers who transgress the law as it now
stands they might have a salutary influence. If there is not
law enough the proper means should be taken to have addi-
tions made, or to have those now on the statute book amended.

The Weather.

Meteorological Data for July.

Tempeeatcre.

Dec. F.

Precipita-

C'LOUDIKKSS.

t(OtolO.)

tion.

•a

c

No.

OF DATS.

STATION.

.c

1

c

a

a

a

a

a

a5

0

a

3

a

c
S

s

2

0

El

c

1
1

s
_o

0

§
<2

1

■0
s
0

3

Amherst,

68.1

92

8

41

10,21

5.44

9

s.

13

14

4

Boston, .

710

95

31

52

21

1.93

9

s.w.

10

13

8

*Fitchburg, .

69.5

92

8

53

11

3.71

8

w.

. 6

12

13

Tpswicli,

72.1

97

31

53

12

0.87

4

w.

6

21

4

Lawrence,

75.4

100

16

48

2L24

2.62

9

s.w.

5

14

12

Leicester,

67.8

90

8

46

10

4.36

—

w.

6

16

9

*Leoniinster,

71.5

90

16,31

51

10

4.50

7

w.

5

19

7

*l\Ionroe,

641

87

1

37

10

2.62

6

—

5

14

12

ProA'int'otown,

70.4

94

16

54

21

1.76

7

s.

7

14

10

Sprin<iliclcl, .

71.8

95

8

46

21

4.69

9

s.

8

17

6

Taunton,

69.0

94

16

41

12

1.44

8

s.w.

10

12

9

* Temper.iture data from thermoineler not self-registering.

t 0 to 3 cloiuUess; 4 to 7 iuclusive, partly cloudy; 8 to 10 cloudy.

Suimnarf/.

Temperature (deg. F.). — Monthly mean, 70.1°. High-
est monthly mean, 75.4°, at Lawrence ; lowest monthly
mean, 64.1°, at Monroe; maximum, 100°, at Lawrence on
the IGth ; minimum, 37°, at Monroe; range, 63°; greatest
local monthly range, 52°, at Lawrence; least local monthly
range, 40°, at Provincetown ; greatest daily range, 38°, at
Taunton on the 24th ; least daily range, 5°, at Ipswich
on the 26th. Average temperature for July at Springfield,
for twenty-three years, 73.3° ; average for July, 1890, 71.8° ;
departure, — 1.5°. Average temperature for July at
Boston, for twenty years, 70.9° ; average for July, 1890,
71.0°; departure, +0.1°.

Precipitation. — Average, 3.09 inches; greatest, 5.44, at
Amherst ; least, 0.87, at Ipswich. Average precipitation for
July at Springfield, for forty-three years, 4.46 ; for July,
1890, 4.69; departure, -}- 0.23. Average precipitation for
July at Boston, for twenty years, 3.57 ; for July, 1890,
1.93; departure, — 1.54.

Prevailing directio7i ofivind. — West.
Thunder-storms.— Aih, 7th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 25th,
26th, 30th, 31st.

Hail. — Very general on 19th.
Tornado. — South Lawrence, 26th.

Remarks.

The month of July, 1890, was characterized by a severe
drought, extreme range of temperature, numerous thunder-
storms accompanied sometimes by hail and high winds, and
a severe and destructive tornado. The weather during the
month was influenced by the passage of six cyclonic areas,
and the same number of anti-cyclones, most of them well
defined. Nearly all the cyclones have passed to the north of
New England, and all but two of the anti-cyclones have gone
to the south. It has been during the passage of the former
down the St. Lawrence, thus causing a strong inflow of
warm moist air from the south and south-east, that our hot
oppressive days have occurred and the severe tornado and
thunder-storms generated ; while the low temperature and
frosts which have occurred in several localities on the 10th,
19th and 21st have been due to the influence of the anti-
cyclones or areas of high barometric pressure. The mean
temperature and total precipitation for the month have been
slightly below the average, while the amount of sunshine
has been in excess. The tornado at Lawrence on the 26th
was one of the most severe that has ever visited New Eng-
land. Its path of greatest destruction ran through Lawrence
and into the edge of North Andover, a distance of about two
miles, but outside of this area much damage was done to
crops and fruit and shade trees by the heavy wind and rain.
The course of the tornado was nearly parallel with the
Merrimack River, and 1,500 feet south of it. The damage
to buildings was about $40,000 ; to contents and things out-
side about $20,000. Eight persons were killed and sixty-
three injured.

:n^otes op correspondents.

(Returned to us July 29.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Eastham. — Hay crop extra and weather fine for securing it.
Very poor prospect for a crop of apples. Have not observed rot
or scab in potatoes. Strawberries good and good price. Pota-
toes badly injured b}' drought. No rain from the last week in June
until the 17th of July. Farmers in this vicinit}' are not troubled
to any extent by trespassers. From 1,600 to 1,700 boxes of
asparagus were shipped from this place this season, netting the
growers about $4,800.

J. A. Clark.

East Sandwich. — Hay crop met expectations in quantity.
Prospect very poor for a crop of apjiles. The drought ripened
off most of the potatoes about here, and they were not half
grown. Have observed no rot or scab. The yield of small fruits
is small. Corn and other crops have suffered from drought. We
have been troubled considerably by gunners, but nearly all have
their farms posted now.

J. R. HOLWAY.

West Falmouth. — Ha}' crop never was better, and the weather
was very satisfactory for securing it. No apples this year. No
potato rot and not much seal). Small fruits have been fair.
Crops in this neighborhood suffered a very little from the drought.
Not troubled much here by trespassers.

D. R. Wicks.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Becket. — Hay crop a full average and weather fine for securing
it. Prospect for a crop of npples very poor. Have not observed
rot or scab in potatoes yet, and they bid fair to be a good crop.
Small fruits have been satisfactory in 3-ield and price. Crops in
this neighborhood have not suffered from drought. Farmers here
are not troubled much by trespassers.

W. H. Snow.

9

Cheshire. — As far as I have been able to learn the hay crop
has met expectations in quantity, and the weather was satisfactory
for securing the same. The prospect for apples is not very good.
Have not seen rot or scab in potatoes yet. Crops have suffered
from drought. I think farmers are not troubled to any extent by
trespassers ; have not heard of a case this season. Fishermen
seem to take the privilege and no questions asked.

L. J. NORTHUP.

Hancock. — Hay crop extra good and weather fine up to the
25th, then rainy. No fruit to speak of. Corn and potatoes are
looking finely since the rain. Oats are lookiuo- much better than
was expected a mouth ago. Have observed no rot or seal) in
potatoes. Farmers here are not troubled much by trespassers.

C. H. Wells.

Scmdisfield. — The grass crop is seldom better than this year,
the quality being generalh^ good and secured in the best of condi-
tion. Standing grass can be bought very low, and much on the
hills remains to be cut. Apple trees bloomed and set full ; but, for
some reason, the apples dropped off and the 3'ield will be small.
From present appearance the potato crop will be good, and gen-
erally the tubers are smooth and sound. A few patches show
signs of scab. There is little complaint of trespassing. Black-
berries here are considered free plunder. Some give individuals
liberty to pick huckleberries on paying twenty-five cents each for
the day.

G. A. Shepard.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

North Dartmouth. — The past month has been very variable.
Many of the nights have been cold and the days warm. The fore
part of the month was dry ; but now, in this locality, it is wet
enough for vegetable growth. Corn is now doing finely- Pota-
toes suffered some when it was dry, and the crop was shortened.
Very slim prospect for a crop of apples. Have observed no rot
or scab in potatoes. Small fruits have not been satisfactory in
yield and price. Farmers here are troubled by trespassers.

L. T. Davis.

North Westport. — I think the hay crop this year the largest
ever known in this vicinity, of good quality, and excellent weather
for curing. Very poor prospect for a crop of apples and some

10

orchards ai-e uearly barren of fruit. Corn is growing rapidly, and
is of good color. The potato crop promises to be fair, and have
observed no rot or scab. Yield of small fruits rather small,
prices good. On account of the dry weather farmers have been
slow about planting turnip seed ; but, with recent showers, the
young plants are shooting up, reminding us that seed time and
harvest sliall not fail. We are troubled very much by hunters,
who pull down walls and fences and leave them so. Are not
troubled much by parties stealing.

A. S. SlIKUMAN.

Swanzey. — Hay crop extra large and the weather the best for
securing it ever known. The apple crop in this vicinity is a
failure. I have seen no potato scab and no rot worth mention-
ing. The yield of small fruits has been fair and prices good.
Late potatoes and sweet corn suffered from the drought. Farmers
here not troubled much by trespassers.

F. G. Arnold.

Somerset. — The hay crop is the largest ever raised in this town
and was secured in excellent condition. There will be no rowen
this season. Apples are an entire failure. Late potatoes will be
light. Have observed but little rot and scab. Small fruits have
been satisfactory in yield and price. Corn is looking fairly well.
The recent rains will start feed in pastures and save new seeded
meadows. More stringent laws should be passed to prevent
trespassing upon our farms.

Joseph Gibbs.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury. — Hay crop very large and splendid weather for
securing it. The apple crop will be nearly a total failure. Very
slight appearance of rot and scab in potatoes. Small fruits
have been satisfactory in yield and price. Crops on light soils
only have suffered from drought. Farmers not troubled to any
extent by trespassers.

Wm. J. ROTCH.

ESSEX COUNTY.
Danvers. — Hay crop met expectations in quantity and quality.
Some potato rot in this vicinity. Apple trees blossomed full, but
there are no Baldwins of any account although there are some

11

Greenings. Small fruits have been satisfactory in yield and

price. Crops in this neighborhood have suffered from drought.

Farmers are troubled by trespassers, most of whom are emi)loyees

of the State Hospital.

C. H. Preston.

Ipsvnch. — Hay crop ten per cent above the average and

weather never better for securing the whole crop. The drought

was severe in this vicinity ; only one one-hundreth of an inch of rain

from the last week in June until the 25th of July. Seven-tenths

of an inch fell on that day and the day following, and started

garden vegetables and corn ; but, I fear, came too late to start

potatoes growing again, as many vines had turned yellow. The

second crop of hay will be almost nothing. Produce brings good

prices. The apple crop will be about one-fourth the average. A

few parties find rot in potatoes, but it is not prevalent yet. Field

berries have been plenty and prices good. There are always more

or less who trespass on our fields and take what fruits they please

when not seen. If farmers had the right to arrest trespassers

and deliver them to the police I think it would stop most of the

trouble.

O. C. Smith.

Marblehead. — An extra large hay crop and secured in the best
condition for years. No apple crop here. Some scab on potatoes ;
no rot as yet. The recent dry spell had a bad effect on crops
generally. Potatoes and corn on gravelly soil have been injured
considerably. Pastures were running short but the recent rains
will revive them. The public think they own the farms ; use them
for picnic grounds, throw down walls, etc. Small fruits and
apples have to be watched carefull}'. Several cases this year.

Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.

Rowley. — Quantity and quality of hay good and not a drop of
rain on it. There are no apples in this section. Have observed
no rot or scab in potatoes. Small fruits satisfactory in yield and
price. Season started all right ; but the last week in June it
began to get dry and we had no rain for almost four weeks, and
crops on high ground suffered much. Not troubled much by tres-
passers, except in the fall we may lose a few squashes.

T. P. Hale.

South Bi/Jield. — Hay crop exceeded expectations in quantity
and the weather good for securing it. The apple crop will be

12

small. Have observed considerable scab on potatoes. Straw-
berries were extra, but the later small fruits suffered from drought.
Trespassers without end, but little thieving; gunners singly, in
squads and platoons. The worst trespassers of all are dogs,
which in their efforts to get the wood-chucks do more damage
than the wood-chucks can possibly ; and if by any rare chance
they can capture a small chuck, they summon their friends, choose
the best piece of grass and daily gather to eat, fight and break
down grass. The damage done in tearing down stone walls is
quite a serious matter, as the cattle are apt to find the openings

before we do.

G. W. Adams.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Bernardston. — An unusually fine haying season with a large
crop secured. The rowen crop has had a bad set-back by the
drought. Apples are few and inferior. No reports of rot or scab
in potatoes. Small fruits are not plenty and prices are high.
Trespassers are numerous, but not much stealing is reported.
Farmers are troubled by hunters, fishermen and berry-pickers,
in their season, damaging fences and crops. About one-half of
the streams in town are protected by a club composed of the land-
owners.

R. H. CUSHMAN.

Deerfield. — The hay crop is a good average in quantity and the
quality is good. Potatoes have suffered from the dry weather,
but the early ones are yielding fairly well, except on very dry
land. Corn is growing rapidly with a fair prospect of a good
crop. Oats that were sowed early are almost an entire failure.
Tobacco is looking well ; and, if the weather continues good,
there will be a fine crop. Not many apples. To some extent
parties hunting and fishing go through the growing crops and do
some damage.

Charles Jones.

East Charlemont. — A very large hay crop and the weather
favorable for securing it. The apple crop is a i)artial failure ;
more of the winter than of the fall varieties. No rot in potatoes ;
some scab. Small fruits satisfactory in price but not in yield.
The drought which threatened destruction to crops and all vegeta-
tion has come to an end. The gentle rain of the 2oth and 26th
has thoroughly soaked the ground. The temperature has been
below the average. On the morning of the 21st there was a frost

13

in some loctilities that injured vines in gardens. Fishing parties
from larger places and berry-picl<ers intrude very much upon
the farmers' rights.

H. S. GlLKS.

Northfidd. — The hay crop is much better tlian for years in
quality and quantity. No rain from July 3 to the 25th. The
extreme dry weather injured the crop of apples very much, both
fall and winter. Have not observed rot or scab in j)otatoes.
Farmers are very much troubled by trespassers. Many appear
to take it for granted that they have a perfect right to take any
growing crop regardless of ownership.

Charles Pomeroy.

Orange. — Hay crop not quite as heavy as was expected the
middle of June, but the weather for securing it was very favor-
able. Very poor prospect for a crop of apples. Strawberries verj*
light and raspberries an entire failure. Some pieces of potatoes
must be nearly ruined, but have observed no rot or scab yet.
All crops sutTered very much from the drought. Farmers here are
troubled somewhat by parties stealing small fruits and vegetables
in the fall and by fishermen and hunters trespassing.

A. Harrington.

Sunderland. — The hay crop has been good and secured in nice
order. No apples, or but few, and the few very poor. Scab on
potatoes prevails to some extent. The yield of small fruit was
small, but fair prices were obtained. Potatoes and rowen have
suffered from the drought. Trespassing and stealing are not
extensive ; a load or two of melons are occasionally taken.

W. L. Warner.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Blandford. — Hay very extra in quantity and (juality and
weather more than satisfactory. Crops are generally good. Out-
look poor for an apple crop, as the fruit has fallen from the trees.
Stock in pastures are doing extra well. Small fruits scarce and
prices good. The drought hurt pastures the worst. Farmers not
troubled by parties stealing their crops, but are by city hunters
and fishermen, who are a nuisance.

E. W. Boise.

Hoh/oJce. — Hay crop large in quantity, quality fine, and good
weather for securing it. There will not be more than one-fourth

14

the usual crop of apples. On account of dry weather early pota-
toes and corn on high hiud suffered severely, but late potatoes on
low land may be better if suflicient rain is had later on. Have
observed no rot or scab. Small fruits have been satisfactory in
yield and price. All cultivated crops have suffered from the
drought. Farmers in this vicinity are troubled by boys from tea
to seventeeu years of age who steal mostly apples.

J. C. TnoKPE.

West Springfield. — We have never secured a heavier crop of
hay or in better condition. Api)les few in quantity and poor in
quality. Some pieces of [jotatoes on dry land will not be more
than half a crop on account of drought. Scab has appeared to
some extent, but no rot yet. Yield of small fruits very light,
excepting strawberries, and prices good. Farmers not seriously
troubled by trespassers, but an occasional depredation is com-
mitted. The worst trouble is from hunters and fishermen.

T. A. Rogers.

Monson. — Hay crop very good and weather very fine. Very

few ai)i)les. Have not observed scab or rot in potatoes yet.

Plums are scarce. Corn has rolled some on account (jf the

drought, and potato vines have turned yellow. Berry pickers are

plenty.

A. H. White.

Wilbraham. — Quantity and quality of hay satisfactory and the
weather for securing it could not have been better. Very short
crop of ai)i)les. Potato scab is just appearing. Late potatoes
have suffered severely from drought. Early varieties will yield a
fair crop. City and village gamins seem to think that farmers'
fruits and nuts are common property. Some seem possessed to
encroach upon our fields and break down our fences, etc., in pur-
suit of fish and game.

F. E. Clauk.

IIAMrSIIIRE COUNTY.

Chesterfield. — Our season on and among the hills is at least ten
days later than the valley and sea-shore towns. The wet and
warm weather the first of the month added very materially to the
hay crop which was good and was secured mainly in the two good
weeks following. The prospect for ai)ples is poor about here.
Have not observed rot or scab in potatoes yet. Farmers are

15

troubled first by fishermen, then by berry-pickers, hxter by hunt-
ers and gatherers of nuts ; all of whom break down our fences
and frighten our cattle, iionie of which are hard to recover.

Horatio Bisbee.

Enfield. — Hay crop did not meet expectations in quantity, but
the weather was good for securing it. Apple crop will be light.
Have observed scab on potatoes, but no rot. Small fruits have
been satisfactory in yield t\nd price. Crops have suffered very
much from drouglit. Several of our farmers have been troubled
by parties hunting and fishing, and would like to stop them. We
have also been troubled hy parties crossing our land with heavy
teams, and by parties cutting wood and timber on our land.

D. O. Chickering.

Northampton. — The hay crop is hardly an average one, but
the condition in which it has been secured will more than make
up. Apple crop very light. Early potatoes, as well as late ones,
are being injured by the drought, and early ones are showing scab.
Small fruits good and good prices obtained for them. Corn is
looking well, except on very sandy plain land. Tobacco stands
well and some have commenced to top. There has been a good
deal of complaint of parties trespassing and some arrests made in
this county.

D. A. HORTON.

South Hadley Falls. — Hay crop extra heavy with all farmers

who try to get the most possible from their soil, with quality good

and fine weather to harvest it. Rye above the average. Oat

crop very poor, probably none getting over half a crop, while

with others it is nearly a total failure. All other crops have

suffered more or less from drought, but the copious rains of the

25th and 26th haye made farmers rejoice again. Apples will not

be over a fourth of a crop. Have observed no rot or scab in

potatoes. Farmers are troubled to some extent by trespassei's ;

more Sunday than any other day.

H. W. Gaylord.

Southampton. — Hay crop heavy and secured in the best of
condition. Probably both fall and winter apples will be failures.
The dry weather affected the growth of corn and potatoes. The
early crop of potatoes was very good, but some of the late ones
on light land have wilted and turned yellow. The rowen crop

16

looks like a failure, but the recent rains have improved it very
much. Tobacco is looking finely. Farmers here are not troubled
by trespassers.

C. B. Lyman.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Concord. — Quantity and quality of hay first rate and weather

never better. Tliere will be a small crop of apples, as they are

dropping badly. Have not observed rot or scab in potatoes.

Strawberries were satisfactory in yield and price, but raspberries

not. Crops are not suffering now from dry weather. We had

abundant showers the 25tli and 26th.

W. H. Hunt.

Framingham. — The hay crop better than last year and weather
satisfactory. The season has been very favorable as a whole ;
and J think the outlook, except for fruit, is good. Apples are
poor, and have mostly fallen off. Corn rolled up badly on account
of the dionght, but the recent rains brightened up vegetation, and
crops are now looking better. No rot or scab 3'et. Yield of
small fruits fair and prices good. Farmers here not troubled
much by trespassers.

H. IS. WllITTEMORE.

Lexington. — Good crop of hay and fine weather for securing
if. Not any apples in this locality. Have not observed rot or
scab in potatoes. Small fruits, a fair crop and prices good. The
rowen crop in this locality will be very light indeed. Farmers
here not troubled much by trespassers.

A. F. HiTCHINGS.

Littleton. — Hay crop met expectations in quantity. Apple

crop promises to be very poor. Have not observed rot or scab in

potatoes. The dry weather injured the vield of small fruits to a

considerable extent, but prices have been good. Late potatoes

and berries have suffered most from the drought. Farmers here

are troubled but very little by trespassers.

G. W. Sanderson.

Marlborough. — Hay crop more than met expectations, and the
weather was very good for securing it. The apple crop will be
very light. Have not observed rot or scab to any extent in pota-
toes. Yield of small fruits light and prices good. At this season
our pastures are full of berry-pickers, although many have signs
up. There seems to be a tendency towards stealing where there

are desirable fruits, especially near the town.

C. S. Howe.

17

NORFOLK COUNTY.

FranMin. — Quantit}' of hay heavy, quality good and fine
weather for secuving it. Prospect of less than an average crop
of apples. Only a trace of rot and scab in potatoes. Small
fruits have been satisfactory in yield and price. Crops have suf-
fered from the drought. There is always trespassing and steal-
ing, especially fruit ; and I think we need a law making the owner
or occupant of the land an officer so far as to arrest parties on

his own premises.

C. M, Allen.

Medway. — Hay crop heavy, except on very moist land where the
better grasses were drowned the past two wet seasons, and it has
been harvested in excellent condition. The prospect for a crop of
apples is very poor. Yield of strawberries fair. Raspberries
and blackberries need rain. Prices good. At the present time
crops are suffering much from drought. Trespassing is very
troublesome and hard to stay. Notices seem to do no good.
There is some thieving. I do not think farmers should be
required to post notices warning persons from their fields. The
fact that a person is not the owner of a field siiould place him
under legal obligation to keep out of it, except with leave from
the owner. The damage from trespass on my land has been
chiefly from lawless persons passing through and breaking fences.

M. Morse.

Norfolk. — Quantity of hay more than met expectations, and
weather very satisfactory for securing it. Apple crop will be
rather below the average, as they have fallen off badly. Have
not observed rot or scab in potatoes. Rain the 25th and 26th
saved corn and late potatoes from total destruction. Mowings
and pastures were very brown and dry. Farmers not troubled
much by trespassers, except by summer boarders.

J. W. HiNKLET.

South Weymouth. — Hay crop met expectations in quantity,
and weather favorable. Poor prospect for an apple crop. Have
observed no rot or scab in potatoes. Strawberries only were
satisfactory in yield and price. The long drought was bad for fall
crops, though the quite heavy rain that fell the 25th, 26th and
9th may revive some of them.

J. G. HUTCHINS.

18

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
East Wareham. — Ver}^ large crop of hay, excellent in quality
and well secured. No apples. Fair crop of strawberries and
good price. Birds take the raspberries and currants and first
strawberries. Robins are very abundant here and do more injury
than all the other birds put together. Farmers not much troubled
by native residents, but are much troubled by transient sliore
visitors, who seem to think that the}' have a right to go where
they please and take what they want. There seems to be an
impression among many people that they have a right to go to
the shore in any wa}' they please and there do what they please
without any regard to the rights of the adjacent land-owner, which
rights are indefinitely defined in our statutes ; and, unless some
better protection than owners now have is given, shore property

will lose much of its value.

A. Savary.

Halifax. — We have housed one of the largest hay crops ever
grown in this town and in the best order. No rain to do any good
to crops for more than six weeks until the 2(;th. Tliere is no
prospect of an apple crop. No rot or scab in potatoes yet.
Small fruits ver}' satisfactory.

G. W. Hayward.

Hanson. — Hay crop met expectations in quantity', and tlie
weather was satisfactorv for securing it. Poor outlook for a
crop of apples. The potato tops have died, and farmers are
digging potatoes, getting about one-third a crop, and small at
that. Have observed very little rot or scab. Small fruits liave
been fair in yield and price. All crops and grass lauds are suffer-
ing intensely from drought. It is very hard on voung trees. If
it does not rain soon, late crops will be failures. Farmers not

troubled much by trespassers.

F. S. Thomas, M.D.

Kingston. — English haying about finished, and the quality of
the crop is excellent. We are having a long drought, Avith but one
dash of rain for five weeks, and pastures and crops are suffering
a great deal. Prospect for all apples is very poor. Potatoes are
looking sound and smooth. Small fruits badly burned and poor.
Farmers here have very little or no trouble with trespassers.

J. H. Cushman.

Marshjield. — Quantity of hay larger and qualit}' better than
was expected, and fine weather for curing it. Have not seen or
heard of any rot or scab in potatoes. The strawberry crop was

19

large and fine. Crops have suffered exceedingly from drought,

and springs are very low. Prospect for a crop of apples is poor.

Fanners are troubled by trespassers, and along these shores the

trouble is increasing.

G. J. Peterson.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Bolton. — The yield of hay has been large and quality excellent,
with the weather very favorable for securing the crop. Very few
apples in this section. Strawberries were very good. The drouglit
in this locality has been very severe, but was broken by a heavy
rainfall the 25th. A tornado passed through the northerly part
of the town Saturday, the -iGth, at about nine o'clock in the fore-
noon, mowing a swath about forty rods wide. It cut through the
woods like a scythe in the grass. Some chimneys were blown
down, but no one hurt that we have heard of.

H. F. Haynes.

Douglas. ^\l2iy crop more than an average and good weather
all through haying. About half a crop of apples may be expected,
and those that remain on the trees are fair and of good size. No
potato rot but some scab. Yield of small fruits not very good and
prices high. Crops very much injured by drought, as the weatlier
was very hot and dry up to the 25th, when a heavy rain storm set
in. We are troubled very much by trespassers and wish the law
might be more strict.

Geo. M. Wallis.

East Templeton. — Hay crop exceeded expectations in quantity
and was secured in the best possible condition. A light crop of
both fall and winter apples and also pears. Have not observed
rot or scab in potatoes. The crop of early potatoes was light.
Small fruits have not been satisfactory in yield and price. The
month has been dry ; a light rain the 3d and 4th ; no more until
the 19th, when we had a shower with hail ; a heavy rain the 25th
and 26th. The hail did no damage. Hottest the 17th, — 92'';
coldest the 10th, — 44^. A frost on low lands the 21st. Feed
short, fields brown, no rowen, corn normal. Farmers are troubled
by berry-pickers and hunters with dogs. This is the case in
nearly all large towns and is a great annoyance. Why are farm-
ers compelled to post notices in order to protect their property
more than merchants and manufacturers? Dogs are property;
why not restrain them the same as cattle or poultry ?

LuciEN Gove.

20

Fitchhurg. — Quantity of ha}', all that was expected and not a
forkful injured. With the exception of Hubbardstous, should
say one-eighth of an even year's crop of apples. Hubbardstons
look like half a crop. It looks a little like a total change of the
bearing year to the odd figure. Small fruits shortened in yield
by dry weather ; prices fair. Garden vegetables considerably
injured by drought ; trees and grape, vines very little or none.
Farmers in this vicinity are troubled by trespassers. The great
public seems to feel that all uncultivated products are free and
draw the Hue at cultivation rather loosely.

Jabez Fishkr, M.D.

Leominster. — Hay crop met expectations and was probably
secured wMth the least labor and expense for years. Apple crop
almost a failure ; more fall apples than winter. No rot or scab
in potatoes. Yield of small fruits light ; prices very good. On
account of the drought early potatoes will be a light crop. Since
our heavy fall of rain late planted will do better. Corn stands
a good chance of being an average crop. Mowing lands have
changed from their brown appearance to a dark green. Peach
trees in this vicinity look well and there will be a good crop.
Cases occur where unruly persons perplex the farmer. Gardens
near the village suffer most. The shooting on farms is verj'
objectionable to most farmers.

W. B. HOSMER.

North BrooJiJield. — Hay crop extra large, of excellent quality
and well secured. Apples nearly a failure and the crop will
be the smallest for many years. All crops have suffered from
drought, which was broken by a fine rain the '2oth. Farmers
have had much trouble from trespassers and many have posted
trespass notices on their laud, and the nuisance has somewhat
abated since.

C. D. Sage.

Southborough. — Hay crop much above the average and secured
in excellent condition. Apple trees blossomed full but the fruit
has neai'ly all droj)[)ed oft", and the crop in this town will be the
smallest for many years. Have not observed rot or scab in pota-
toes. All crops need rain. Potatoes not planted early suffer
badly on dry ground. Corn is late, but looks well except on light
land. Boarding school boys rob a great many birds' nests and
cut holes in trees to get at them.

E. F. Collins.

21

STATUTE LAWS RP:LATING TO TRESPASS.

The legal definition of trespass, accordiug to chapter 179, sec-
tions 9 and 10, of the Public Statutes, is : "An unlawful act com-
mitted with violence, either actual, or implied by law, to the
person, property, or relative rights, of another."

OF OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY.

[P. S., Chap. 203.] ,

Sect. .5. Whoever wilfully and maliciously burns or otherwise
destroys or injm'es a pile or parcel of wood, boards, timber, or other
lumber, or any fence, bars or gate, or a stack of grain, hay, or other
vegetable product, or any vegetable product severed from the soil and
not stacked, or any standing tree, grain, grass, or other standing product
of the soil, or the soil itself, of another, shall be punished by imprison-
ment in the state prison not exceeding five years, or by fine not exceed-
ing five hundred dollars and imiDrisonment in the jail not exceeding one
year.

Sect. 27. Whoever by a trespass, with intent to steal, takes and
carries away anything which is parcel of the realty or annexed thereto,
the ijroperty of another and of some value, against his will, shall be
guilty of such simple or aggravated larceny as he would be guilty of if
such property were personal property.

Sect. 28. Any person may become an accessory to such larceny
before or after the fact, or a receiver of the pi-ojjerty stolen, in like
manner as if the property stolen were personal, and shall be p; aished
accordingly.

Sect. 53. Whoever wilfully, mischievously, and without ri<;,ht takes
or uses a boat or vehicle, or takes, drives, rides, or uses a ho/se, ass,
mule, ox, or any draught animal, the property of another, without the
consent of the owner or other person having the legal custody, care, or
control of the same, shall be punished by fine not exceeding three
hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the house of correction for a term
not exceeding six months ; but this section shall not apjjly to a case
where the taking of the property of another is with the intent to steal
the same, or where it is taken under a claim of right, or with the
presumed consent of the owner or other person having the legal control,
care, or custody of the same.

Sect. 83. Whoever wilfully or maliciously destroys, injures, defaces,
or mars a dwelling-house or other building, whether upon the inside or
outside, shall be punished by imprisonment in the jail not exceeding
sixty days, or by fine not exceeding fifty dollars.

Sect. 86. Whoever wilfully, maliciously, and without right or license,
cuts, injures, mars, or otherwise damages or destroys ice upon waters
from which ice is or may be taken as an article of merchandise, whereby
the taking thereof is hindered or the value thereof diminished for that
purpose, shall be punished by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

22

Sect. 93. Wlioever wilfully and maliciously kills, maims, ov disfig-
ures any horse, cattle, or other beast of another person, or wilfully and
maliciously administers jjoison to or exposes any poisonous substance
with the intent that the same shall be taken or swallowed by any such
beast or beasts, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison
not exceeding five years, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars
and imprisonment in the jail not exceeding one year.

Sect. 94. Whoever wilfully commits a trespass by cutting down or
destroying timber or wood standing or growing on the land of another,
or by carrying awa}- any kind of timber or wood cut down or lying on
such land, or by digging up or carrying away stone, ore, gravel, clay,
sand, turf, or mould from such land, or roots, fruit, or any plant there
being, or by cutting down or carrying aAvay sedge, grass, hay, or anj^
kind of corn, standing, growing, or being on such land, or by carrying
away from a wharf or landing-place any goods whatever in which he
has no interest or projierty, without the license of the owner thereof,
shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction not
exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.

Sect. 95. Whoever wilfully and maliciously or wantonly- and with-
out cause cuts down or destroys, or by girdling, lojjping, or otherwise
injures a fruit or other tree, not his own, standing or growing for shade,
ornament, or other useful purpose, or maliciously or wantonly breaks
glass in a building not his own, or maliciously breaks down, injures,
mars, or defaces a fence belonging to or enclosing lands not his own, or
maliciously throws down or opens a gate, bars, or fence and leaves the
same down or open, or maliciously and injui'iously severs from the free-
hold of another any produce thereof or anything attached thereto, shall
be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction not exceeding
six months, or by tine not exceeding five hundred dollars.

Sect. 96. Whoever wilfuU}- and maliciouslj^ enters an orchard,
nursery, garden, or cranberry meadow, and takes away, mutilates, or
destroj's a tree, shrub, or vine, or steals, takes, and carries away any
fruit or flower, without the consent of the owner thereof, shall be pun-
ished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in
the house of correction not exceeding six months

Sect. 97. Whoever wilful 1}' commits a trespass by entering upon
the orchard, garden, or other improved land of another, without permis-
sion of the owner, and with intent to cut, take, carry away, destroy, or
injure the trees, grain, grass, hay, fruit, or vegetables there growing or
being, shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction
not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding five hundred dol-
lars ; and if any offence mentioned in this section or section ninet3'-four
is committed on the Lord's day, or in disguise, or secretly in the night
time, the imprisonment shall not be less than five days, nor the fine less
than five dollars.

Sect. 98. Whoever, having the charge or custody of sheep, goats,
cattle, horses, swine, or fowl, wilfully suffers or permits them to enter
on, pass over, or remain on any orchard, garden, mowing land, or other
improved or enclosed land of ano'ther, after being forbidden in Avriting

23

or by notice poslcil tliereon l)y the owner or occujiant thereof, or by the
authorized agent of such owner or occu])ant, shall be i)unishecl by fine
not exceeding ten dollars.

Sect. 99. Whoever between the first day of April and the first day
of December wilfully entei*s on or passes over or remains on any
oi'chard, garden, mowing land, or other improved or enclosed land of
another, after being forbidden by the owner or occupant thereof, or by
the authorized agent of such owner or occupant, either directly or by
notice posted thereon, shall be punished by fine not exceeding twenty
dollars ; and such fine shall not be less than five dollars if the offence
is committed on the Lord's day. (Amended.)

Sect. 100. A j^erson found in the act of committing the trespass
described in the preceding section may be arrested by a sheriff, deputy
sheriff, constable, watchman or police officer, and kejit in custody in a
convenient place, not more than twenty-four hours, Sunday excepted,
until a comiDlaint can be made against him for the offence, and he be
taken upon a warrant issued upon such complaint.

Sect. 104. Whoever is discovered in the act of wilfully injuring a
fruit or forest tree or committing anj' kind of malicious mischief on the
Lord's day may be arrested by a sheriff', deputy sheriff, constable, watch-
man, police officer, or other person, and lawfully detained by imprison-
ment in the jail or otherwise until a complaint can be made against him
for the offence, and he be taken upon a warrant issued upon such com-
plaint ; but such detention without warrant shall not continue more
than twenty-four hours.

Sect. 107. Whoever between the first day of April and the first day
of October sets fire to a coal pit or pile of wood, for the purjjose of
charring the same, on any woodland in either of the cities or towns of
New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fall River, Freetown, Fairhaven, Middle-
borough, or Rochester, shall forfeit one hundred dollars.

Sect. 108. Whoever between the times aforesaid sets fire to any
brushwood or bushes on any part of such woodland or on land adjoin-
ing thereto, so as to cause the burning of such brushwood or bushes,
shall forfeit fifty dollars.

Sect. 109. All forfeitures under the two preceding sections may be
recovered, one-half to the use of the town in which the offence is com-
mitted, and the other half to the use of whoever sues therefor.

ON INLAND FISHERIES AND KELP.

[P. S., Chap. 91.]
Sect. 11. The fishery of any pond, the area of which is more than
twenty acres, shall be public, except as hereinafter provided ; and
all persons shall, for the purpose of fishing, be allowed reasonable
means of access to the same, without rendering themselves liable to
an action for trespass.

24

AN ACT TO PROTF.CT GAME, AND TO PROTECT PRIVATE

LANDS FROM TRESPASS.

[Acts of 1884, Chap. 308.]

Section 1. Whenever the owner of any land shall conspicuously
post on the same, notices that shooting or trapjiing is proliibited thereon,
it shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon such land for the pur-
pose of shooting or trapping without permission of the owner thereof.

Sect. 2. Game artificially propagated and maintained upon lands,
posted as above, shall be the exclusive property of the party propagating
and maintaining the same, but such person shall not sell such game for
food at seasons when its capture is prohibited by law.

Sect. 3. Whoever offends against any of the provisions of this act
shall be punished by fine not exceeding twenty dollars. [Approved
June 2, 1884.

AN ACT FOR THE BJ:TTER PROTECTION OF LAND-OWNERS.

[Acts of 1890, Chap. 403 ]

Section 1. Whoever, without right, enters upon the land of another
with fire-arms and with intent to fire or discharge the same thereon,
and who, after being requested by the owner or occupant of said land,
or by the authorized agent of such owner or occupant, to leave said
land, continues to remain thereon, shall be punished by fine not exceed-
ing two hundred dollars or Ijy imprisonment not exceeding two months,
or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Sect. 2. Whoever shall wilfully tear down, remove or deface any
notice posted on land by the owners, lessee or legal custodian thereof,
warning persons not to trespass on the same, shall be punished by tine
' not exceeding twenty-five dollars. [Apjiroved June 11, 1890.

AN ACT RELATING TO TRESPASS UPON REAL ESTATE.

[Acts of 1890, Chap. 410.]
Section ninety-nine of chapter two hundred and three of the Public
Statutes is hereby amended so as to read as follows : Whoever without
right enters upon or remains on or in the dwelling-house, buildings or
impi'oved or enclosed land of another, after being forbidden so to do by
the person having the lawful control of said premises, either directly or
by notice jiosted thereon, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
twenty dollars. [^Approved June 13, 1890.

Bulletin No. 4.

MASSACHUSETTS

CHOP EEPOKT

FOR THE

MONTH OF AUGUST, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R.. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

Wright & Potter Printing Company, State Printers,

18 Post Office Square.

1890.

CROP REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST, 1890.

Compiled from Returns to the Office of the State Board of
Agriculture, August 28, 1890.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Sept. 3, 1890.

Bulletin No. 4, Crop Report for the month of August, is here-
with presented.

About the usual number of returns were received in time to be
incorporated in the report, samples of which will be found printed
in the " Notes of Correspondents." These samples are selected
to give a more definite idea of the condition of crops and mat-
ters pertaining to agriculture than could be given by general
statements.

In the circular to correspondents the first question asked was
' ' What is the outlook for the rowen crop ? " The replies indicate
that grass lands were seriously injured by the drought, and that,
notwithstanding abundant later rains, the crop of rowen as a
whole will be only fair at best. On low, wet and clover lands
the crop may prove to be an average one. . Pastures and fall feed
have been much improved by recent rains.

In order to obtain information relative to the outlook for the
corn crop the following question was asked : "Do you think the
corn crop will be a full average ? " The majority of the corre-
spondents state that, if frosts hold off, the crop of Indian corn
will be a full average. It is somewhat late, but has been growing
finely during the past month.

For information concerning late potatoes this question was
asked : " What is the outlook for a crop of late potatoes?" The
replies indicate that, although this crop has been injured by the
drought and in some sections will be light, on the whole it promises
to be nearly a fair average. Blight and rot are not reported as
being prevalent.

For information concerning these obstacles to successful potato
culture the question was asked: "If potato rot has appeared in
your vicinity, state date when first noticed ; also state date when
the blight came," Correspondents in Douglas, Leominster, North
Orange, Barre, South By field and Ludlow reported no rot yet, but
that the blight appeared about August 15. Correspondents in
Enfield, Harvard, Sandisfield, Tolland, East Charlemont, North
Westport, Monterey and Pelham reported rot between the 1st and
26th of August and blight between the 6th and loth of August.
From Worcester blight was reported as appearing July 18 and rot
about August la.

Professor Humphrey of the State Experiment Station reports
that several specimens sent to him as blight turned out to be simple
withering caused by drought.

As bearing upon this subject the following is condensed from
the report of the section of vegetable pathology. United States
Department of Agriculture, 1888 : —

The potato rot {Phytophthora infestans) probably originated in
South America, whence it was brought to this country about the
year 1840. Since that time it has been the cause of very serious
losses to farmers, and in years favorable to the disease has swept
away nearly the entire crop. No variety has j^et been discovered
that has remained free from the disease under all circumstances,
although in some localities some varieties are more resistant than
others. The fungus attacks the stems and leaves as well as
the tubers. On the leaves pale j'ellowish spots first indicate
the presence of the disease ; these veiy soon turn brown, and, if the
weather be warm and damp, rapidly blacken. The stems may be
attacked directly or the disease may reach them through the leaves.
If infected tubers are stored the rot will progress in the cellar
and healthy tubers may be infected by those already diseased.
IMoisture and a moderately high temperature are the conditions
which favor rot. It is also generally conceded that stable or
barn-yard manure, especiall}' if used fresh, favors the rotting of
the tubers. Treatment must be preventive. Potatoes used for
seed should be perfectly sound. When possible a light and
thoroughly drained soil should be selected for the crop. If the
weather conditions favor the disease, the vines must be protected
by the application of fungicides. Preference is given to the
Bordeaux mixture. Apply when there is no wind and the plants
are wet with dew. Begin before the blight makes its appearance.
While digging the crop the tubers may become infected, as they
are taken from the ground, by spores from the decaying tops ;
hence care is requisite. Potatoes should be entirely free from

moisture when stored. Dusting the tubers with air-slaked lime (1
bushel of lime to 25 bushels of potatoes) before storing is strongly
recommended ; it will do Uiuch towards preventing the rot.

For the information of parties interested the following formula
is inserted : —

Copper Mixture of Gironde or Bordeaux, Mixture.

A. Dissolve six povmds sulphate of copper (blue stone) in sixteen gal-

lons Avater.

B. Slake four pounds quick-lime with six gallons water.

C. When cool, mix A and B, stirring thoroughly.

Relative to late cabbages this question was asked : ' ' What is
the outlook for late cabbages ? " This crop was generally reported
as promising well though somewhat later than usual.

To ascertain relative to the cranberry crop it was asked : " What
is the outlook for the cranberry crop?" The replies indicate that
on the whole this crop promises to be less than an average, owing
to late frosts, drought and injury by insects. It is expected that
the crop on the Cape will be less than last year, but in Bristol
and Plymouth counties the crop promises to be about as large as
last year.

There are a few apple orchards which promise remunerative
crops, but, generally speaking, apples will be scarce and prices
should rule high.

The tobacco crop in the Connecticut Valley is unusually large,
of excellent quality and mostly harvested in good condition.

The market gardens about Boston have improved greatly in
appearance since the last report. Celery is of good color, and,
though late, is doing well. Vines have greatly improved.

Having decided to make this issue a " grape bulletin," the fol-
lowing questions were asked: " Has grape culture in your town
increased in the past five years?" and " What is the outlook for
this year's crop of grapes ? " With few exceptions the correspond-
ents state that grape culture in their towns has not increased in
the past five years and that this year's crop will be only fair at
best.

In addition a special circular on this subject was prepared and
sent to towns in which this industry is most largely carried on.

The results obtained will be found incorporated in the article
entitled "The Grape Industry in Massachusetts," printed in the
last part of the bulletin.

Copies of this report and those that have preceded it will be
mailed upon application.

6

The Weather.

Meteorological Data for August.

Temperature.

Deg. F.

Preci

PITA-

Clocdiness.
tCOtolO.)

TION.

No.

or Days.

STATION.

(0

■g

s

^

a

g

^

iS

to

o

CO

T- E

O

^

B

a

.

^■5

"5

>.

t3

03
O

X

^^

2

a

>
£

&4

5

5

>-4

o

0

Amherst,

66.9

86

4,6

42

To

, 4.60

14

s.

11

17

3

Boston, .

68 9

89

4

50

25

2.70

12

s.w.

8

16

7

Brewster,

67.4

86

2,6

51

24

i 2.83

6

w.

16

8

7

*Fitehburo;, .

66.0

86

4,5

62

24,25

' 6.07

12

w.

6

16

10

I))swich,

69.9

91

5

52

16,25

2.51

9

N.W

9

17

5

Lawrence,

69,7

94

5

48

25

5.03

12

S.W.

11

9

11

*Leominster,

68.4

84

4,5

50

24,25

6.05

13

w.

5

20

6

* Monroe,

61.7

84

3,4

40

16

6.50

11

—

12

7

12

Nantucket, .

68.1

80

5

55

25

2.81

10

w.

18

9

4

ProA'incetown,

68.8

84

5

54

25

2.81

7 1

w.

6

16

10

Springfield, .

70.2

88

4,5

48

25

5.57

14

s.

11

16

4

* Temperature data from thermometer not self-registering.

t 0 to 3 cloudless; 4 to 7 inclusive, partly cloudy; 8 to 10 cloudy.

Summary.

Temperature (deg. F.). — Monthly mean, 67.8°. Highest
monthlj'^ mean, 70.2°, at Sprinstield ; lowest monthly mean,
61.7°, at Monroe ; maximum, 94°, at Lawrence on the 5th ;
minimmn, 40°, at Monroe on the 16th ; range, 54° ; greatest
local monthly range, 46°, at Lawrence; least local monthly
range, 25°, at Nantucket ; greatest daily range, 32°, at Law-
rence on the 17th and 1 9th ; least daily range, 1°, at Ipswich
on the 23d. Average temperature for August at Springfield
for twenty -three 3'ears, 70.4° ; average for August, 1890,
70.2° ; departure, — 0.2°. Average temperature for August
at Boston for twenty years, 69.0° ; average for August,
1890,68.9°; departure, — 0.1°.

Precipitation. — Average, 4.32 inches; greatest, 6 50, at
Monroe; least, 2.51, at Ipswich. Average for August at
Springfield for fort^'-three years, 4.53 ; for August, 1890,
5.57; departure, -|- 1.04. Average for August at Boston

for twenty years, 4.09 ; for August, 1890, 2.70 ; departure,
— 1.39.

Prevailing Wind. — West.

Thvnder-storms. - 1st, 10th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th.

i^o^.— Nantucket, 2d, 4th, 23d.

Meteor. — Amherst, 6th.

Remarks.

The weather for Massachusetts for August, 1890, has dif-
fered but little from the month in other years. There was a
slight deficiency in temperature, sunshine and precipitation,
though there was no strongly marked departure from the
normal in either element. The precipitation was somewhat
unevenly distributed, and some localities had an amount
above the normal, but the general average was below.

The weather was influenced by the passage of eight
cyclonic areas and eight anti-cyclonic ones. During the
passage of the first cyclone down the St. Lawrence, on the
4th-6th, the warm southerly winds carried the temperature
to the maximum for the month, varying from 80° to 94°.
The high winds and hail on the 10th, which did damage in
Connecticut by beating down corn and tobacco, occurred
with the change of the wind to westerly, after the passage
of the second cyclone. The low temperature and cloudy,
threatening weather along the coast on the 12th was prob-
ably due to the influence of the West India cyclone, which
was far out to sea. Temperature minima occurred in dif-
ferent localities on the 16th, 19th or 25th, under clear anti-
cyclonic skies. The tornado-like disturbance in western
Massachusetts on the 19th was due to the influence of the
fifth cyclone, which moved rapidly across New England from
south-west to north-east. On the 22d a secondary formed on
the southern coast and rnoved down the coast on the 23d and
24th, causing heavy rains. On the 27th a cyclonic area
moved across New England, from west to east, with rapidly
increasing energy, and gave high winds and rain. Some
damage was done to crops and light coast vessels by wind
on that date.

:n^otes of correspondents.

(Returned to us August 28.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Eastham. — Rowen promises to be an average crop and coru a
full average. Outlook fair for a crop of late potatoes. Cranber-
ries are short of an average. Grape culture has not increased in
the past five years and this year's crop will be light. Growing
crops are looking well. Large acreage of turnips planted and as
a general thing are looking well.

J. A. Clark.

East Dennis. — The extreme dry weather has been very unfavor-
able to the rowen crop, and pastures are very short. Corn prom-
ises to be a full average. Potatoes planted early yield a fair crop ;
small crop of late ones. Cranberries are very backward and the
crop in this county promises to be less than last year, which was
below the average. Grape culture has not increased in the past
five years. Outlook for this year's crop not favorable.

Joshua Crowell.

East Sandivich. — Outlook for rowen very poor. On account
of the drought, coru will be below the average. No potato rot
and but little blight. Late potatoes will be below the average.
The cranberry crop has fared hard, as a late frost hurt many of
the late berries when they were in bloom and it has been worms
and dry weather ever since, but on most bogs the crop will be fair.
There is little feed in pastures and most all have to feed in the
barn, which will use up some of the surplus hay.

J. R. HOLWAY.

West Falmouth. — Outlook for rowen crop poor. Think corn
crop will be a full average. We have no potato rot or blight.
Potatoes are all planted early. Very few late cabbages grown.
The outlook is for one-third of a crop of cranberries. No grapes

are grown.

D. R. Wicks.

9

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Alfonl. — The abundant rains have pushed rowen ahead, and it

is unusually good. Corn in the early part of the season was very

backward, but, after the commencement of the very hot weather,

it grew rapidly and is generally a heavy growth and will soon be

secure from frost. No potato rot has appeared and early potatoes

are a fair yield and the outlook for late ones is good. Outlook for

late cabbages good, (rrape culture has increased very little if any.

This year's crop will be a failure.

H. W. Smith.

Cheshire. — The rowen crop will be up to the average. Think
the corn crop will be a full averagethough it is a little late. Have
seen no potato rot thus far, and the vines are quite green and no
blight. The outlook for late varieties is good. Outlook for late
cabliages very good. Think grape culture has not increased in the
past five years. The crop this year is looking finely.

L. J. NORTHUP.

Egreviont. — In this part of the county farm crops, with the
exception of fruits, are better than last year. The outlook for
the rowen crop is good and the corn crop promises to be a full
average. Noticed blight on potato vines about the middle of
August ; very little rot at this date and the crop promises to be
an average one. Outlook for late cabbages good. Gra[)e culture
has increased in the past five years This year's crop not very
good on account of black rot.

J. H. Rowley.

Sandisfield . — Rowen crop will be medium and the corn crop a
full average. Potato rot did not appear until the recent heavy
rains commenced. To all appearances now it is destined to be
quite prevalent and destructive. It was first noticed about August
IC), blight having come eight or ten days previous. We are of
the opinion that the extreme wet weather has much to do with it.
But few cranberries raised and they are a medium crop. But few
grapes raised and grape culture has not increased here during the
last five years.

Geo. a. Shepard.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Berkley. — The rowen crop will be light. Corn promises to be a
full average but is late. Have heard of very little potato rot.
The crop of late potatoes promises to be below the average. The

10

cranberry crop, which promised well while in blossom, hns been

injured by the fire-worm, and the result is about half a crop.

Grape culture has not increased in the past five years. Tiiis year's

crop will be above the average.

R. H. Babuitt.

North Dartmouth. — Rowen is rather poor. Think the corn

crop will be very near an average one. Potato rot appeared about

the lirst of August. The crop of late potatoes will not be as

large as the early. Outlook for late cabbages quite good. Grape

culture has not increased in the past five years. The outlook for

this year's crop is very poor.

L. T. Davis.

Somerset. — Rowen crop very light. Corn bids fair to be good.
Late potatoes were injured by dry weather and the crop will be
liglit. Tliere has been no blight on potatoes as noticed in previous
years. The vines seemed to dry up for lack of moisture. The
rot is confined mostly to moist land and is increasing badly on
such lands. Late cabbages will be light. There has been no
increase in the culture of grapes. This year's crop will be light.

Jos K I'll Gmns.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tishury. — Outlook for rowen crop rather poor. Think
the corn crop will be small in quantity but of very good qualit}'.
No potato rot to speak of has appeared. Outlook fair for cran-
berry crop. Outlook for this year's crop of grapes not very good.

Wm. J. RoTCII.
ESSEX COUNTY.
Haverhill. — Rowen crop will be fair. Think the corn crop
will be a full average. Potato rot has not appeared and the out-
look is good for a full crop of late potatoes. Late cabbages are
fully up to the average. Grape culture has not increased during
the past five years. The outlook is favorable for a full crop this

year.

Eden Webster.

Ipswich. — There will be no rowen except on very low, wet
land. Corn will be about three-fourths of an average yield. Salt
hay was secured bright and dr^^, and many think it worth more to
feed than last year's English. Many are feeding down the mow-
ing land instead of cutting a second crop. No potato rot of any
amount noticed and no blight. Late potatoes are growing yet but

11

the crop will be but half an average. Cabbages and cauliflowers
will be average crops. Cranberries will be less than half an aver-
age. Vegetables generally promise the usual crops.

O. C. Smith.

North Andover.—^ovien crop is light. Corn crop will not be
a full average. There has been no potato blight or rot ; they have
simply dried up, and late potatoes will be a light crop. Outlook
for late cabbages good. The cranberry crop is a complete failure.
Grape culture has not increased in the past five years. The out-
look for this year's crop is poor.

Peter Holt, Jr.

West Neivbunj. — There will not be much rowen. No potato
rot and no blight. Outlook for late potatoes rather poor. Out-
look for late cabbages very good, but cranberries will not be a
tenth part of a crop. Cxrape culture has not increased in the past
five years. This year's crop promises to be very poor.

J. C. Takleton.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

^l.s/t/ie/f/.— Outlook for rowen crop not as good as last year.
Think the corn crop will be a full average. Have heard of but
few cases of potato rot, and the ci-op promises to be very good.
Outlook for late cabbages good. Grape culture has not increased
in the past five years. This year's crop will be about an average.

A. G. Howes.

Co/m/n. — The late rains have helped the rowen crop and the
feed in pastures very much. Corn will hardly be a full average
crop. In this section the potato crop and the outlook for late
cabbages are good. The apple crop is a failure, and there will
hardly be enough apples for home use. Grape culture has not
increased in the past five years. The outlook for this year's crop

is fairly good. , ^ „

-^ ^ A. A. Smith.

Dee rfiehJ.— The rowen crop will not be an average. Potatoes,
early and late, are looking well and are very free from rot and
scab. Corn is looking well and will be a full average crop. Oats
are a very poor crop, and some are not worth harvesting. Wheat

12

and rye very good and yielding fairly well. Some grapes are
looking fairly well but the crop will not be an average one.
There is a good growth of tobacco, and it is free from rust and
worm and is more than half harvested.

CiiAKLKs Jones.

Montague. — The weather the last month has been all that could
be desired for rowen, corn and potatoes, and in fact all crops seem
to be making rapid growth. Tobacco seems to be the best crop for
a number of years, notwithstanding it was late when set and the
ground quite dry. No potato rot to speak of, and the late crop
promises to be fair but not as good as the early one. Outlook for
late cabbages very good. Grape culture has increased but slightly
the past five years. This year's crop promises to be very good.
The wind of the lUth did a good deal of damage by blowing down
barns and trees.

C. S. Raymoni>.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blamlford. — No rowen of any amount. Corn promises to be a

full average. No complaint of potato rot until about August 20.

Potatoes that have been dug are rotting badly, and the prospect is

not good at present time for crop. Oats and barley are being

threshed, and, though blighted, are yielding fair crops. Ap[)les a

total failure.

E. W. Boise.

Brivi/ield. — Rowen crop is a failure. Pastures, under the

influi-nce of the late rains, are improving. Think the corn crop

will l)e a full average though it is ten days late. Blight on early

potatoes came about July 1, and perhaps one-eighth were affected ;

on late potatoes it has been slight and the damage slight. No

rot. Potato crop the best one for some time. Fair outlook for

cranberries. Grape culture has not increased in the last five years.

Outlook for this year's crop about middling.

S. W. BuowN.

Ludloio. — Rowen has nearly doubled in quantity the last two
weeks, and the outlook for a crop is very good. Corn is earing
very well, and, if the frosts hold off for it to ripen, will be above
the average. Pastures are looking well and milk is fairly plenty.
Farm help is very scarce. No potato rot ; blight came about
August 15. Outlook for late potatoes fair and for late cabbages
good. Grape culture has increased a little in the past five years.

C. B. Bennett.

13

West Sprimjjidd. — Rowen will bo late and light. The corn crop
promises to bo about :ui average. No potato rot in this vicinity to
ray knowledge. Potatoes sell at sixty-five cents per bushel in the
field. The supply of whiter cabbage will be short on account of
the drought at time of setting. Grape culture has not increased
iu the past five ye:irs. Outlook for this year's crop is good.

N. T. Smith.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
Chester field. — Rowen crop will be light. Corn is looking well
and will probably be a full average crop. Have seen neither rot
nor blight, and the indications are that potatoes will be a good aver-
age crop. Grape culture has not increased in the past five years.
The outlook for this year's crop is not encouraging.

Horatio Bisbee.

Goshen. — Outlook for rowen crop never worse than now. Do
not think the corn crop will be a full average. No potato rot and
little or no blight has appeared. The late potato crop is very
uneven. Some fields are very good with full yield ; others are
uneven with many small tubers having started since the recent
rains, and in many instances are found clinging to the to[)S of
vines above ground, and in still other cases the tubers seem to be
small with but few in a hill. Grape vines have increased in num-
ber during the last five years but not the fruit. This crop cannot

be depended upon here.

Alvan Barrus.

HwUey. — Since the last report 4.92 inches of rain have fallen.

Rowen will be about half a crop. Corn will be a full average

crop if frost holds off. Neither rot nor blight have appeared in

potatoes and the outlook for the late crop is good. Grape culture

has increased but little iu the past five years. Of this year's crop

some are rotting and dropping off, others are excellent. The

tobacco crop is excellent.

L. W. West.

Pelham. — Rowen below the average and corn promises to be a
full average. Potato rot appeared about August <S. Outlook for
late potatoes not encouraging. The prevailing opinion is that
potatoes should be dug as soon as possible after blight appears.
Outlook for late cabbages and cranberries good. Grape culture
has not increased in the past five years. The outlook for this
year's crop is fair. Those grown are mostly Wilder.

J. L. Brewer.

14

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Chehnsford. — Theie will be Itut little roweu. Corn crop below
the average. . Outlook very good for a heavy crop of late
potatoes. Outlook for cranberry crop far below an average.
Some twelve years ago many farmers in this section went into the
cultivation of grajies of various kinds at quite an outlay. Their
oxi)octations have not been fully realized on account of damage
caused by colil and frost and the very low price when there was a
big crop. The crop this year will hardly be an average one.

P. P. Pkimiam.

Framiiigham,. — Half a cro}) of rowen! Corn promises to be a
full average. Have seen no i)otato blight or rot. Late potatoes
l)romise better than last season. Outlook for late cabbages good.
Cranberries very light. Think the crops are not as large as last
year, but farmers are getting better prices for most of their
products and will be better off financially at the end of the
season.

H. S, WllITTKMOKE.

Grotrni. — Outlook for rowen crop good. Corn crop promises
to be a full average. No blight and the outlook for late potatoes
is good. Outlook for late cabbages good. Grape culture has
increased the past five years, and the outlook for this year's crop
is excellent. Never saw the i)astnres looking better. The rains
have been seasonable, and to-day there are no evidences of the
severe drought which for four weeks threatened desolation and
ruin to our fields and gardens.

Daniel Neediiam.

Wihnincjton. — Outlook for rowen poor. Think the corn crop
will be a full average. The late rains have proved a boon for corn
and fall feed. No complaint of potato rot, and the outlook for
late potatoes is good. Outlook for late cabbages good. Cultivated
cranberries one-half a crop; meadow cranberries jjoor. (irape
culture has increased in the past five years. The outlook for this
year's crop is fair.

C. W. Sw^AIN.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

NanlKckcl. — Outlook poor for roweu. Think crop of corn will
be a full average. No potato rot yet and most of the potatoes are

15

dug. Outlook for crop of late j)ot:xtoes pooV. Tyutlook for late
cnbhiigcs good and for cranberries i)oor. l^ot* cn6ii4h> gra"pc$\
raised here to nuike a report upon. X'-V ■"''/>

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Franklin. — Rowen not up to the average. Corn promises to
be a full average. Late potatoes not an average crof). The cran-
berry crop will be very light. Grape culture has increased but
little in the past five years. Outlook for this year's crop medium.

C. M. Allen.

Mediuay. — Promise of about two-thirds of the usual rowen

crop. At this date corn looks a full average. Have not heard

of any potato rot, and the outlook for late potatoes is very fair.

Late cabbages are looking well. Peaches have dropped, and the

crop will be small but the quality is good. Robins have done

much damage by pecking fruit, especially peaches. Think grape

culture has increased slightly in the past five years. This year's

crop will be light.

Monroe Morse.

Norfolk. — Light crop of rowen. Think corn crop will be a full
average. No potato rot or blight has appeared. Outlook for late
potatoes poor. Outlook for late cabbages good. Grape culture
here has not increased in the past five years.

J. W. HiNKLEY.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Halifax. — Rowen will be very light. Corn looks fair at pres-
ent, and, with good weather until it ripens, we shall have an
average crop. Potatoes are yielding better than we expected,
and more than an average crop will be harvested. Have heard of
no complaint of rot. Outlook for late cabbages fair and for cran-
berries better than an average. Do not think grape culture has
increased in the past five years. Outlook for grapes this year is
very poor.

G. W. Hay WARD.

Hanson. — Outlook very poor for the rowen crop. Corn
promises to be a full average. Have seen or heard of no
potato rot or blight. The outlook for late potatoes is fair. Out-

16

look for late cabbages, grajjcs and cranberries good. We raise
nnicli fodder corn, most of vvbicli is looking first rate. More than
the usual trouble with pumpkin- vine root worm.

F. S. Thomas.

Kincjstov. — Rowen very small and late. Some corn fields were
damaged by drought, but nearly all are very good now. Potatoes
very good with no rot, and late ones look excellent. Late cab-
bages look well. Outlook for cranberry crop very good, and some
have already conunenced picking. Grape culture has increased
rapidly in the last five years. This year's crop will be below the

average.

J. H. CusnMAN.

MarshJ'u'Jd. — There is no outlook for rowen to speak of. The
prospect for corn is fair. No potato rot has appeared in this
vicinity and no blight. Small crop of late potatoes. Late cab-
bages doing fairly well. A gradual increase in grape culture in
the past five years. This year's crop below the average.

Geo. J. Pkterson.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Beiihi. — It looks now as though roweu would be light. Do
not think the corn crop will be a full average. There are no signs
of potato rot or blight and some fields are smooth and handsome ;
othei's very scabb}'. Potatoes planted quite late may be good.
Outlook for late cabbages not very promising. Outlook for cran-
berry crop very good. Grape culture has not increased in the past
five years. This year's crop does not look very promising.

P. B. South WICK.

Bolton. — Rowen promises to be an average crop. Think the

corn crop will be a full average. Do not think potato rot has

appeared in this vicinity. The outlook for a crop of late potatoes

is poor, and late cabbages will not be an average. Cranberry crop

nearly a total failure. Think grape culture has increased in the

past five years. This 3'ear's crop ver}' poor.

H. E. Babcock.

East Blackstone. — Rowen crop but little below the average and
the corn crop promises to be a full average. No potato rot has
appeared, but some scab in heav}' ground. Late potatoes promise
to be au average crop. Outlook for late cabbages very good.

17

About three-fourths of a cranberry crop, as fire worms have done

much damage. Grape culture has increased very little if any in

the past five years. This year there promises to be about half a

crop .

L. R. Daniels.

Harvard. — Rowen good except on very dryland. Think the
corn crop will be below an average. Found potato rot August 21.
Late potatoes promise to be very good unless rot spoils them.
Outlook for late cabbages good, but not many raised. Outlook
for cranberries very fair. Grape culture has not increased in the
past five years ; heavy crop this year, but about a third rotten.

Preston Knight.

Leominster. — Rowen generally one-third of a crop. Corn crop
promises to be about an average. Noticed some potato blight
about the 12th of August; as yet no complaint of rot. Late
potatoes promise to be very fair. Grape culture has not increased
in the past five years. Grapes show indication of rot but not
extensive. If early frosts do not injure them there will be more
than an average crop. Fall apples have matured earlier than
usual and have been gathered.

W. B. HOSMER.

West BrooTcfield. — Outlook for rowen very favorable. Think
the corn crop will be a full average. Neither potato rot nor blight
have appeared, and the crop of late potatoes promises to be a
good one. Perhaps grape culture has increased a little in the past
five years. The outlook for this year's crop is good.

L. H. Chabiberlain.

Worcester. — Outlook for rowen crop very poor. Do not think
corn will be an average crop unless the weather is very favorable.
Corn stover is heavy and the pastures are improving. - Observed
first potato rot about August 15. First blight came July 18.
Outlook for late potatoes good. Late cabbages are very late.
Grape culture has not increased in the past five years. Grapes
look well on young vines but have rotted on older ones.

H. R. Kinney.

THE GRAPE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

The vine is indigenous in this country and was found in
profusion by the Northmen in their discoveries on this con-
tinent more than eight hundred years ago, inducing them to
name the country " Vin-land dat gode " (the good wiue-
hind).

Our native varieties, called "fox grapes," characterized
by their hard pulp, thick skins and pungent aromatic flavor,
are found in every kind of soil and situation. "Here are
grapes," wrote Edward Winslow in 1(!21, "white and red,
and very sweet and strong also."

Plants and seeds of foreign varieties were brought to this
country by colonists during the first fifty years after its set-
tlement, but no considerable attention seems to have been
given to their propagation until after the close of the Rev-
olutionary War, when efforts began to be more especially
directed to the cultivation of various kinds of fruit. Among
these, though not the most prominent, was the grape.

Experience soon showed that these foreign varieties would
not withstand the severit}'' of our New England winters
without protection ; and that our short and variable summers
and early autumnal frosts presented an insurmountable barrier
to their successful cultivation except under glass.

These efforts in relation to grapes of foreign origin having
failed, the attention of the fruit grower was wisely directed
to the examination of our more hardy native varieties. By
a careful selection of the most promising for propagation,
and by reproduction, several new varieties were obtained of
acknowledged excellence and well adapted to our New
Enoland climate. Prominent amon^ thfi varieties obtained
from the native grape were the Isabella and Catawba, excel-
lent grapes where the climate permitted them to ripen, but
too late for our New England climate except in the most
sheltered situations, and uncertain even there.

It was not until these varieties a})[)eared that our people
took much interest in the cultivation of this fruit, and even

19

then but here and there a vine could be found on our northern
farms. Later the Diana was added to the list, and others of
lesser note ; but the honor of giving a grape to the country
that was to be extensively cultivated, and highly prized from
the extreme East to the extreme West, was reserved for one
of our own citizens, and when Mr. Bull sent out his Concord
grape he conferred a great boon upon the country. This
variety was a seedling from a seedling of the wild grape,
Vitis Labrusca.

In 1862, according to John B. Moore, there were five
vineyards in Middlesex County, from one-half to one acre
each; viz., one in Acton, one in Dracut, and three in Con-
cord. Two of these vineyards had been planted only one
year and the other three were bearing fruit.

Said Mr. E. W. Bull in 1865, '''The cultivation of the
grape in the open air is to-day an assured fact. More than
thirty acres are planted in Middlesex County alone, not count-
ino; the small holdins^s ; " and in 1866 the same orentleman
said that more than one hundred acres of grapes were grown
in Massachusetts, and that he assumed that the growing of
the grape in 'the open air was demonstrated and that the
vineyard was established in Massachusetts.

The following table will illustrate the growth of the grape
industry in Massachusetts during the twenty years from
1865 to 1885, inclusive: —

CuRKENCi Values.

Gold Values.

^

1865.*

1875.t

1885.

Ordinary, bushels, .

877

19,836

51,852

Total value.

-

$32,635

$58,650

Value per bushel.

-

1.65

1.13

Best, including hot-house, lbs..

2i,415

267,617

1,420,564

Total value.

-

$34,624

$58,372

Value per lb., .

-

0.13

0.041

Aggregate value.

$40,100

$67,259

$117,022

* Premium, 1.57-

t Premium, 1.12.

20

In 1875 there were 224,352 vines, and in 1885, 35(1,976.
These latter were owned by 18,112 persons, in 337 cities and
towns, and their average value was ninetj^-seven cents per
vine. In the decade from 1875 to 1885 ordinary grapes
decreased 23.13 per cent and best 04.66 per cent in value,
while ordinary grapes increased 161.40 per cent and best
430.82 per cent in quantity.

The following table, compiled from the census of 1885,
will show in which counties this industry is most largely
carried on : —

COUNTIES.

Bushels of
Ordinary
Grapes.

Value.

Pounds of

Best, incliKling

Hot-house.

Value.

Aggregate
Value.

Bai-nstable, .

9G8i

$1,339

3,955

$340

$1,679

Berkshire,

812

1,244

16,368

890

2,134

Bristol, .

3,748|

4,776

41,545

6,118

10,894

Dukes, .

120

172

3,080

159

331

Essex, .

4,402

5,805

61,168

3,744

9,549

Franklin,

2,0571-

2,622

16,677

738

3,360

Hampden,

3,075*

3,258

27,524

966

4,224

Hampshire, .

2,6121

2,609

22,718

950

3,459

Middlesex,

13,036^

13,461-

735,714

25,883

39,344

Nantucket,

15

18

1,400

106

124

Norfolk, .

4,406

5,055

87,896

2,784

7,839

Plymouth,

l,987f

2,880

50,062

2,248

5,128

Suffolk, .

3491

874

13,580

748

1,622

Worcester,

14,261|

14,637

338,877

12,698

27,335

Aggregate,

51,852

$58,650

1,420,564

f58,372

fll7,022

Billerica, in Middlesex County, produced 1,734 bushels
of ordinary and 101,640 pounds of best; Concord, in the
same count}', 312 bushels of ordinary and 150,119 pounds
of best ; Harvard, in Worcester County, 256 bushels of
ordinary and 127,877 pounds of best; Ashby, in Middlesex

21

County, 38 bushels of ordintiry and 87,460 pounds of best ;
and Fitchburg, in Worcester County, 179 bushels of ordinary
and 72,860 pounds of best.

In order to ascertain the condition of the grape industry
at the present time, and the outlook for this year's crop, a
special circular was prepared and sent to parties in some forty
of the towns in which this industry is most largely carried
on, as indicated by the census of 1885.

From the returns received it is estimate 1 that there are
not less than 275 acres at the present time devoted to grape
culture in vineyards, and that the Concord, Moore's Early
and Wordeu are the varieties most generally grown. In
some sections grapes are also grown in houses, but it is
believed not to any great extent for market.

The following reports will indicate the acreage of and
prospect for this year's crop in what might be called the
grape centres of the Commonwealth : —

Amherst. — Six acres in vineyards, one-half young ; Concord,
Moore's Early and Wordeu most largely grown ; crop promises to
be more than an average in quantity and quality ; estimated yield
3^ tons;. crop usually marketed in Worcester; grape culture in
vineyards not increasing very much.

Aslihy. — Forty acres in vineyards; Concord, Moore's Early,
Niagara and Worden most largely grown ; crop, promises to be
an average one in quantity and quality ; estimated yield 75 tons ;
crop usually marketed in Boston, and five cents i)er pound net
the price received last year ; grape culture in vineyards not
increasing ; little trouble from disease or insects so far this
season. Grapes grown in two houses in town ; one containing
2,700 square feet, hot water heater, vai'ieties grown. Black and
Muscat Hamburg, Alicant, Gros Colman ; other house 1,000
square feet, no heat, varieties grown, Hamburg and Alicant.

Berlin. — Five acres in vineyards ; mostly Concord ; crop prom-
ises to be more than an average ; estimated yield 6^ tons ; mar-
keted in Boston, Worcester and neighboring towns ; average price
per pound received last year seven cents ; grape culture in vine-
yards not increasing in this town.

Billerica. — Twenty-six acres in vineyards; varieties, mostly
Concord, Moore's Early and Niagara ; this year's crop does not

22

promise to be an average one ; estimated yield not over 2 tons ;
crop usually marketed in Boston and Lowell. Growers are dis-
couraged by repeated failures, and many acres have been pulled
up and more are about to be. One extensive grower says that
by the liberal use of air-slaked lime his crop is saved and is the
best he ever had ; half the number of boxes but the largest
clusters.

Concord. — Ninety acres in vineyards; Concord and Moore's
Earlvthe chief varieties grown ; this year's crop promises to be below
an average in quantity and quality ; market, Boston ; price
received last year, from one to twelve cents per pound ; grape
culture in vineyards not increasing in this town ; rot is the chief
drawback, and it has increased greatly in the last two 3'ears.

Fitchburg. — Perhaps 10 acres in vineyards ; Concords most
largely grown, some Delaware and Wordeu ; promise of about
three-fourths of a perfect crop, with little rot or other disease,
and the prospect now of a good quality if conditions remain
favorable ; estimated yield 20 to 25 tons ; market mostly Bos-
ton, and average price received per pound last year six cents ;
grape culture in vineyards not increasing.

Harvard. — Between 30 and 50 acres in vineyards ;• Concords
most largely grown ; crop rotting badly, having begun about
August 12. Before that gave promise of more than an average
crop, estimated yield perhaps 30 tons ; market usually Boston ;
grape culture in vine^'ards not increasing.

Littleton. — Four to five acres in viueyards ; Concord and Moore's
Earl}' the principal varieties grown ; this year's crop does not
promise to be an average one ; estimated yield 3 to 4 tons ; mar-
ket, Boston ; grape culture in vineyards not increasing in this
town.

Marlboro\igli. — Between 3 and 4 acres in vineyards ; almost
wholly Concord ; this year's crop promises to be an average
one in quantity and quality ; estimated yield about 7 tons ;
crop usually marketed in Boston, Worcester and local ; culture in
vineyards not increasing to speak of. One man raises such fine
grapes that he receives several cents more per pound than the rest.

Middleborough. — Four acres in vineyards ; Concord ; this year's
crop does not promise to be an average one in quantity and

23

quality' ; marketed mostly at home and in adjoining towns ; chief
drawback low prices. None grown in houses for sale. Last
year's prices are no criterion, as it was an unusually wet season
and grapes did not ripen.

Sherborn. — About 10 acres in vineyards ; Concord ; crop does
not promise to be an average one ; market, Boston ; grape cul-
ture decreasing in this town ; little money made on them the past
ten years.

Shrewsbury. — Ten acres in vineyards ; Moore's Early, Concord,
Wordeu ; crop promises to be an average one in quantity and
quality ; estimated yield 7 tons ; crop marketed in Worcester ;
average price per pound received last year seven cents ; grape
culture in vineyards is increasing in this town.

Westborough. — Possibly 4 or 5 acres in vineyards ; mostly
Concord ; crop will hardly be an average one ; estimated yield 8
to 10 tons ; some of crop goes to Boston, but most is marketed
in town ; grape culture in vineyards not increasing. There are
three or four small houses most of which are heated by hot
water.

A warm, dry soil is best suited to the grape ; and a south
slope, with shelter of wood or belts of trees on the north-
east and west to prevent the winds from blowing away the
hot air created by the heat of the sun, is always desirable.

With careful management grapes can be profitably grown
in favorable localities in Massachusetts and a ripened crop
be depended upon four years out of five. The profit
depends largely upon the care and economy exercised by
growers in all the details of the work. The production is
so abundant that there is little or no profit to the ordinary
grower, but to the painstaking cultivator a superior article
still furnishes a fair remuneration.

At a meetino; of the State Board of Ao;riculture in Fall
River, in 1871, the late J. B. Moore of Concord, the origi-
nator of the Moore's Early, stated that he had seen at the
rate of nearly ten tons to the acre raised, but he considered
from two to five tons per acre a fair crop. He also stated
that grapes can be raised for three cents a pound and that
he could grow them as cheaply as he could grow potatoes.

24

It- is not the purpose of this article to create a boom in
grape culture or to encourage farmers to rush into the busi-
ness, but to show that in favoral)le localities the grape crop
may be made a source of profit.

There is liability to over-production, but it is safe to
assume that a first-class article will always find a market.

All crops are liable to injury from insects, diseases and
unfavorable atmospheric conditions, and the grape crop is no
exception.

The chief drawbacks to the cultivation of this excellent
fruit are low prices, caused by competition from points far-
ther West, rot, mildew, early frosts, and rose bugs. The
destruction by insects and mildews is largely the result of
poor cultivation and lack of care.

The following, condensed from Bulletin XIX., August,
1890, of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment
Station, Ithaca, N. Y., may be of interest and value to
grape growers in this State : —

We warn our readers not to put faith in statements that
certain varieties of grapes are exempt from diseases, for
some of the most serious cases which we have seen this
year were noticed upon a variety which has been said to be
free from attack. The advent of rots and mildews is not a
cause for alarm. They are to be expected, and they will
undoubtedly spread. But the means are at hand to keep
them in check easily and economically. The mildews and
rots can be kept in check by the timely and persistent use
of Bordeaux mixture. Begin before the flowers open and
spray every week or ten days until well into August. For
anthracnose (the fungus which causes the scab of the berry
and on the wood causes black, shallow pits), sulphate of
iron applied before the leaves appear is probably the best
remedy. After treatment should be made with Bordeaux
mixture.

Bulletin No. 5.

MASSACHUSETTS

CHOP EEPOET

FOR THE

MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON:

WuiGHT & Potter Puixting Company, Spate Puixteus,

18 Post Office Square.

1890.

CROP REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1890.

Compiled from Returns to the Office of the State Board of
Agriculture, Sept. 29, 1890.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

BosTox, Mass., Oct. 2, 1890.

Bulletin No. 5, Crop Report for the month of September,
is herewith presented.

In the circular to correspondents the first question asked
was^ " Do you consider the crop of Indian corn a full aver-
age?" In answer to this question 71 of the correspondents
state that they do and 19 that they do not. The season
has not been particularly favorable to the growth and
development of this crop, but frost holding oif until the 25th
of September gave it time to ripen and permitted, in spite of
unfavorable weather, the cutting and stooking of the major
part of it.

Notwithstanding the large use of western corn by our
farmers, the corn crop of this State is of considerable
im[)ortance, for in the annual report of the Department of
Agriculture for 1889 it is found that the crop of last year
was estimated at 58,209 acres, yielding 1,997,000 bushels,
valued at $1,078,147. In 1879 the figures were given as
38,500 acres, yielding 1,386,000 bushels, valued at $1,081,-
080, and in 1869 as 57,017 acres, yielding 1,950,000
bushels, valued at $2,574,000. Here, as also in case of the
estimated potato crops, the figures used are only approxi-
mately correct, and of course there is more or less variation
from year to year from the first date given, 1868, to the
present time, but it is thought that these figures will give an
idea of the extent and importance of two of our leading crops.

To the question, " Has the rowen crop turned out to be an
average one ? " 44 of the correspondents state that it has
and 49 that it has not.

On account of the drought the last of June and the fore
part of July rowen could not grow and the crop promised
to be very short. However, the remainder of the season
being quite wet, particularly the earl}^ part of September,
it grew rapidly and as a result the crop is nearly an
average one. ]VIuch of it was spoiled by attempting to cure
it during unfavorable weather.

To the question, *' Are late potatoes an average crop in
yield and quality?" the replies of the correspondents indi-
cate that tlie crop promised to be nearly a fair average, but
the muggy wet weather the first half of September was very
favorable to the development of rot, and as a consequence,
in most localities, potatoes are reported as rotting badly
both in the field and in the cellar and the yield of sound
marketable potatoes will be small.

Judging by the past two seasons it would seem that •the
best results are obtained by planting potatoes early, in
medium light soil. Not only does this promise greater free-
dom from rot and scab but the crop can be removed in
season to use the land for a crop of turnips or for seeding
down. In some localities this is done with very satisfactory
results. It is not intended to convey the idea that no late
potatoes should be grown, but that the farmer should give
his time and attention to the crop that under ordinary condi-
tions will be most remunerative to him.

As illustrative of the importance of this crop to our
farmers the foUowino^ estimates taken from the annual re-
ports of the Department of Agriculture are given. In 1888
the crop was estimated at 35,964 acres, ^nelding 3,632,000
bushels, valued at $1,997,800; in 1878, 34,100 acres, yield-
ing 2,046,000 bushels, valued at $1,902,780; and in
1868, 34,913 acres, yielding 4,050,000 bushels, valued
at $3,766,500.

To the question, "Has the average amount of fall seed-
ing been done, and what is its present condition?" the
replies indicate that about the usual amount of fall seeding
has been done and that as a rule a good catch was secured,
and that the present condition is very satisfactor3^

To ascertain the condition of the cranberry crop the fol-
lowing question was asked: "Is the cranberry crop an

average in yield and quality? If not, what were the draw-
backs ? " Most of the correspondents report the cranberry
crop in their locality to be less than an average and in some
instances almost a total failure. The drawbacks to the suc-
cessful cultivation of this fruit this season are variously given
as drought, fire worms, worm in the berry, hail and late frosts.

In order to ascertain relative to the onion crop the follow-
ing question was asked : "Is the onion crop an average in
yield and quality? If not, what were the drawbacks?"
This crop is reported as being hardly an average in yield
and quality. Failure of seed to germinate, — owing to ex-
cessive moisture at time of sowing, — hail, the ravages of the
masgot, and unfavorable weather for curino; are given as the
drawbacks.

The tobacco crop was unusually large, of excellent quality
and harvested in good condition, but the wet muggy weather
the first half of the month caused pole sweat to appear in
the sheds and considerable damage was done.

Apples have been gathered and the small surplus sold for
remunerative prices. While the crop has been a total fail-
ure in general, in some localities it has been much better
than was expected and the fortunate growers have profited
thereby.

Cabbages are good, but are reported as bursting open in
the field. Celery is looking well and promises to be a
fair crop.

Believing that good would result from the preparation of
an article setting forth the circumstances under which the
State Board of Agriculture was formed, its composition,
duties, requirements, etc., such an article has been prepared
and will be found printed in the last part of the bulletin.
It is thought it will be welcomed by ofiicers of the various
societies, farmers' clubs, granges, etc., for whose benefit it
has been largely prepared. Want of space prevents the
going into detail, but it is thought that the few facts
presented will be found interesting and useful for future
reference.

Copies of this report and those that have preceded it will
be mailed upon application to this office.

6

The Weather.

Meteorological Data for September.

Temperature.

Deg. F.

Precipita-
tion.

■o

c

c

CL0CDISK.S3.

t(OlolO.)

No. OF DATS.

STATION.

5

a

3

s

c5

s

s

s

1

CO

•g

c
c
"3
1

Days with
rrecipitatlon.

>>

•a

3

o

3
o

5

CO
00

S

o

5

Amherst,

60.0

78

2,7

30

25

5.28

11

N.W.

14

9

7

Boston, .

629

83

5

39

25

5.04

12

s.w.

13

7

10

Bvewstcr,

64.0

83

6

41

29

4.53

9

w.

7

5

18

* Fitch burg, .

59.6

78

5

39

25

5.96

15

w.

14

4

12

Lawi-ence,

61.8

81

5

34

25

4.13

13

N.W.

13

7

10

*Leoniinster,

61.1

77

2,6

35

25

6.34

14

W.

12

10

8

*]\lonroe,

55.8

79

4

26

25

7.62

12

-

12

8

10

Nantucket, .

64,4

77

16

48-

30

8.33

13

S.W.

14

6

10

Provincetown,

63.6

78

2

39

30

7.62

12

s.

14

7

9

SijringfieUl, .

61.9

80

5

34

25

11.12

1

14

w.

11

11

8

* Temperature data from thermometer not self-registering.

t 0 to 3, cloudless ; 4 to 7, inclusive, partly cloudy ; 8 to 10 cloudy.

Summary.

Temperature (deg. F.) . — Monthly mean, 61.0°. Highest
monthly mean, 64.5°, at Brewster; lowest monthly mean,
55.8°, at Monroe ; maximum, 83°, at Boston on the 5th and
at Brewster on the 6th ; minimum, 26°, at Monroe on the
25th ; range, 57° ; greatest local monthly range, 53°, at Mon-
roe ; least local monthly range, 29°, at Nantucket; greatest
daily range, 40°, at Amherst on the 30th ; least daily range,
3°, at Springfield on the 10th. Average temperature for
September at Springfield for twenty-three years, 62.8° ;
average for September, 1890, 61.9°; departure, — 0.9°.
Average temperature for September at Boston for twenty
years, 62.0°; average for September, 1890, 62,9°; depart-
ure, + 0.9°.

Precipitation. — Average, 6.60 inches; greatest, 11.12, at
Springfield ; least, 4.13, at Lawrence. Average for Septem-
ber at Springfield for forty-three years, 3.60 ; for September,
1890, 11.12 ; departure, + 7.52. Average for September at

Boston for twenty years, 3. 16 ; for September, 1890, 5.04 ;
departure, -{- 1.88.

Prevailing Wind. — West.

Thunder-storms. — bih, 6th, 12th, loth, 15th, 16th, 17th,
20th.

Frost. — Monroe, 22d ; Provincetown, 30th; general on
25th.

8olar Halos. — 1st, 2d, 20th, 22d, 28th.

Lunar Halos. — 25th, 28th.

Meteor. — Provincetown, 20th, 8.50 p.m., very bright.

Eemarks.

Seven cyclones and the same number of anti-cyclones
determined the weather for Massachusetts during September.
Of these, the first three cyclones moved down the St, Law-
rence, and the others passed across New England from west
to east, while all the anti-cyclones moved across to the Atlan-
tic, in either a north-easterly or south-easterly direction.

The average temperature was about the normal of the
month in other years, w^hile both the sunshine and precipita-
tion was above the normal. There were no days with an
excessively high temperature, but a lower minimum was
reached on the morning of the 25th over all but the south-
eastern part cff the State than is usually experienced in that
month. Along the Cape the temperature ran lower on the
29th and 30th than on the 25th.

The precipitation was excessive, and nearly all occurred
between the 5th and 18th of the month, during which time
rain fell on every day but the 8th. At Provincetown the
amount of precipitation was the largest ever registered in
any month by the present observer. In that town the
thunder-storm of the 16th was very severe, and two men
were killed by a lightening bolt which entered a store through
a chimney. At Springfield the rainfall for the month was
the heaviest of any September during a period of observa-
tion covering forty-three years, with the exception of the
year 1882, when 11.40 inches fell.

IS^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us September 29.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Eastliam. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. Rowen not
quite an average crop. Very little fall seeding done in this place.
Cranberry crop will be light on account of worms.

J. A. Clajjk.

East Dennis. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. Rowen has

not turned out to be an average crop. Not an average yield of

late potatoes. Cranberry crop not an average in this vicinity

owing to late frost, vine worms and drought. Onion crop an

average in yield and quality.

Joshua Crowell.

West Falmouth. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. Very

little if any rowen worth cutting. Most of our seeding is done in

the spring. About a third of a crop of cranberries of good

quality ; crop injured by vine and berry worms. Onion crop not

an average, owing to maggot and poor seed. Melon crop very

good.

D. R. AVicKS.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Becket. — Corn is a full average crop and was out of the way of

the frost which came September 25th. Rowen is an average crop

but is late. Late potatoes are not an average crop in yield and

quality. Fall seeding looks well. Cranberries are an average in

yield and quality. Onions not an average crop owing to wet

weather.

^Y. H. Snow.

Dalton. — Corn is a good crop and well ripened. Think rowen
has turned out to be an average crop. Late potatoes have rotted
very badly and continue to do so after being dug. Rye is looking
well. Farmers are plowing less and top-dressing instead of re-
seeding.

W. B. Barton.

9

Hancock. — Indian corn .1 full :i,veragc and rowen has tnrned

out to be an average crop. Late |)otato(!s yield well bnt rot

badly. Little seeding is done in the fall. Rye is looking well.

About two-thirds of an onion crop of good quality. The maggot

was the cause of the shortage.

C. IL Weixs.

Monterey. — We have not raised the usual amount of corn, but
what we have is fairly good. Only a very little rowen has been
cut. Potatoes, early and late, still continue to rot. Very little
fall ploughing has been done. The wet weather has kept farmers
behind with their work. We think the frost in June destroyed the
cranberries.

W. S. r>IDWELL.

Windsor. — Think Indian corn a full average crop. About

half a crop of rowen of fine qualit}^ Potatoes are a big yield but

half are rotten. First frost here the morning of the 25th, with

thermometer at o2 degrees. Have had so much rain of late that

fall work is backward.

H, A. FoKD.

BllISTOL COUNTY.

Berkley. — Indian corn and rowen not full average crops. Late

potatoes not an average crop in yield and quality. Less than the

average amount of fall seeding has been done, and that is rather

backward. Cranberry crop below the average, caused in part by

the fire worms in the early part of the season. About an average

crop of onions.

R. H. Babbitt.

North liaynham. — Do not think the crop of Indian corn a full
average. Think rowen not an average. Potatoes are badly rotten.
In many places more fall seeding than usual has been done, and
it is in very fine condition. The warm weather of last winter left
us with a large crop of worms and bugs in embryo that have been
very active all through the season in producing imperfect fruit of
nearly all kinds, and not only the fruit, but also the trees and
plants have been injured. Frost has not yet appeared in sufficient
quantity to check them.

N. W. Shaw.

North Wesfport. — Most of the corn has been stooked and is a
full average crop. Rowen is an average crop. Potatoes are all
dug and but for rot the crop would have been a fine one. Not as

10

much fall seeding as usual, but what has been done is looking
well. Cranberry crop not an average owing to fire worms, which
have stripped many lots. Onion crop an average in quantity and
quality.

A. S. Sherman.

Sivansea. — Crop of Indian corn and rowen average ones. Late
potatoes about an average. The acreage of fail seeding is about
an average and the condition good. Much of the onion seed was
poor, so tliat they came tliin, but are very large, and the crop is
about an average one.

V. G. Arnold.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill. — Crop of Indian coin mm average one. Rowen not

quite MU average, and much dilllciilty experienced in curing it on

account of rain and lack of sunsliine. Yield of late potatoes fair

but considerable rot. About the average amount of fall seeding

and it is looking well. Onion crop somewhat damaged by drought

but about up to the average.

E. Webster.

Tpawieh. — The crop of Indian corn will lie al)out three-fourths
of an average, and rowen not more than one-third of a crop.
During the past fortnight the weather has been very favorable for
grass. Fall feed is good and growing fast, and mowing land which
will have no second crop to cut is getting a good root covering for
the winter. About the average amount of fall seeding has been
done, and its present condition is very favorable. Cranberries not
an average, as the}' did not set as thick as usual. Onions about an
average. First frost of the season occurred on the morning of the
"25tli, and was heavy enough to kill garden vines and corn stalks,
but not to injure late fruit. 0"'"f^''^ '^'"i* scarce, of good quality',
and retailing at fifty cents per peck.

O. C. Smith.

North Andover. — Tlie corn crop is not an average one. The
rowen crop is below the average. Late potatoes have rotted
badly, the rot appearing after all danger was supposed to be over.
Some are rotting that were planted early and the vines all dead by
the middle of Jul}' ; others appear all sound when dug and rot
after being put in the cellar. More fall seeding is done each year,
and this year with the very best results. The cranberry crop is
light. The onion crop is hardly up to the average in yield and

11

quality. The maggot thinned them out badly and they are very

green at present. Market men say tliat late eab})ages are coming

on too early and Hooding the market. All other produce sells

well.

Peter Holt, Jr.

South Bi/field. — Indian corn a full average. Rowen and late

potatoes not average crops. Average amount of fall seeding done

and condition good. Fall feed is good but the rain came too late

to give it growth enough to mow. In this section less salt hay has

been cut tlian usual and much that was cut was damaged in curing,

so there will probably be but little more hay in the barns January

1st than a year ago. Cranberry crop not an average. Tiiere was

a small blossom, and what crop there was did not ripen off well.

Onion crop an average in yield and quality.

G. W. Adams.

Topsp.eld. — ^ Indian corn is not an average, being late and green.

No early rowen ; some late. Yield of late potatoes small and

quality good. Not much fall seeding done, and that is looking

well, though late. Yield of cranberries snuill ; quality average.

Too much watei* in the spring and no cranberries on low meadows.

Onions not a full crop.

B. P. Pike.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Gonwdy. — Tlie corn cro}) made very ra[)id growth the last part

of the season ; has fully matured ; is mostly cut without any frost,

and is a full average crop. The rowen crop seemed almost a

failure until about the 1st of September, since when it has

improved rapidly, and will be an average. Early potatoes were

very good in quantity and quality, but since they were dug many

have rotted. Late potatoes are, however, very much the worst.

Average amount of fall seeding has been done, and it is looking

finely now.

J. C. Newhall.

East Cliarlemont. — There is a good growth of corn, but
unfavorable weather for maturing it has made it late, and has
delayed the cutting for the silos and other purposes till the last of
the month. Rowen crop not up to the average, and many pieces
have been damaged by rains and are worth but little. Late
potatoes are an excellent crop, but not free from scab, and those
that were dug befoi-e the rains arc rotting in the cellar, while those

12

that are not dug are rotting badly. About the usual amount of
fall seeding has been done, and its present condition is very good.

II. S. Giles.

Leverett, — Indian corn a full average crop and well harvested.
Rowen an average crop but secured in bad weather. Late potatoes
are small tind rotting some. Average amount of fall seeding has
been done, and it looks well. Only one cranberry bog in town ;
crop poor. Onions a good crop and selling well. S(puishes are
fine. Late cabbages are well grown and many are bursting in the
field. Tomatoes were struck with blight and are now rotten.
Prices of garden crops are very low, owing to local overproduction.

W. L. BOUTWELL.

Netu Salem. — Indian corn an average croi) and rowen above an
average. Ikit little fall seeding done here. Light yield of cran-
berries. Late potatoes an average in yield, but many have rotted.
The warm wet weather has kept pastures unusually green.

Daniel Lallaud.

Northjield. — Indian corn a full average crop. Koweu an
average crop but much of it spoiled on account of tlic long rainy
spell. Rot has injured the potato crop very much. Full average
amount of fall seeding has been done, and it is looking finely.
Onion croj) not an average, on account of the maggot.

Charles Pomekoy.

HAISIPDEN COUNTY.

Agaivam. — Crop of Indian corn nearly a full average. Rowen
crop more than an average. INIore fall seeding than usual has
been done and it is looking nicely. There are but few late pota-
toes planted. We plant the earlier kinds, thinking it is easier to
handle the bugs in a short season, and then we have the land for
seeding or for turnips. Y>y the 15th of August my potatoes were
all dug aud sold or put into the cellar, where they are keeping
nicely.

R. De AYitt.

Brhnjiehl. — Corn has not been better in ten years. Rowen
would have been fair but so much rain spoiled it after cutting.
Late potatoes are a very large yield but from one-half to two-

13

thirds disensod. On very sandy hind there is bnt little rot, but on
heavy land two-thirds have rotted. Average amount of fall seed-
ing has been done and it looks well.

S. W. Brown.

Chicopee. — Indian corn a full average but not as iniicli [ilMntcd

this year as common. AVhere mowed early the rowen crop was

good. It has been too wet this fall for potatoes and they have

rotted. Not as much fall seeding as usual has been done and

that looks fair.

R. W. Bemis.

Feeding Hills. — Indian corn is a full average crop, while rowen
is short in growth and much of it has been injured by late rains.
Late potatoes are a good crop and of fine quality. Hot has nearly
ruined some fields Avhile others are comparatively free from it.
Early seeding looks finely. Rains prevented September seeding
to quite a large extent and considerable will be done yet.

J. G. Fkieland.

West Spri IK/ field. — Indian corn a full average. Rowen an
average crop but some spoiled by rain. Late potatoes are an
average crop in yield and quality ; a few in heavy land have
rotted but not as much as was feared. The ground is soaiced
and farmers are waiting for it to dry before doing their fall seed-
ing. Farmers are two weeks behindhand in their work. Onions
an average crop in yield iind (quality but too wet to cure well.
The sorghum mill at Underbluff is in running order, and small
lots of cane were grown in Wilbraham, Agawam and by the pro-
prietor of the mill. A choice article of syrup is made and those

who use it cry for more.

J.N. Bagg.

liAMTSIlIRE COUNTY.

Amherst. — The corn and rowen crops have turned out better
than was expected and are full average ones. Late potatoes
are not an average crop in yield and quality. The average amount
of fall seeding has been done and looks well. The onion crop is
reported as but three-fourths of an average, owing to the drought
and poor seed.

C. E. Wilson.

Goshen. — Do not think the crop of Indian corn a full average.
The rowen crop is not au average one. Potatoes would have been

14

an average had not more than half of them rotted. Fall seeding
good so far as done. The heavy nuns have delayed this work
and the necessity of harvesting will defeat it to some extent.
Onions have not grown or ripened well and have in some cases
blasted. Fall feed seems extra but stock do not appear to thrive
upon it as well as in drier seasons.

Alvan Bakuus.

North Iladki/. — Indian corn is above the average in yield and
quality, is all cut and is in good condition. The rowen crop is
below the average in yield and the long storm the first of the
mouth damaged a large quantity of that mowed. The potato crop
is a fair yield but is being damaged by scab and rot. Fall seeding
is looking well and about the usual amount has been done. Onions
yield well and the crop is of good quality, selling at 65 to 80 cents
per bushel.

IT. C. RrssELL.

Soiitlunitptoii. — Corn has turned out well, with the ears plump
and well filled. Since the late rains rowen has come on finely
and much is not yet cut. Late potatoes are yielding fairly well
but rot has spoiled part of the crop. The wet nmggy weather of
the middle of September was the cause of iiiucli injur}' to the
tobacco hanging in the sheds. About the usual amount of fall

seeding done and it is looking well.

C li. LVMAN.

South Hadli'ii Falls. — Indian corn an average crop. Rowen
has finally made a full average growth, l)ut we have iiad so much
rainy and dull weather that but little of it has been secured in
prime condition. Farmers are cutting and feeding it green to
their milch cows. I'robably one-half is still uncut. Potatoes
average in yield but not in quality. Not as much fall seeding as
usual has been done but the condition of that done is line.
Although the apple crop is almost a failure many are gathering
more than they expected.

H. W. Gaylord.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Concord. — Crop of Indian corn a little below the average.
The rowen crop is short on account of the dry weather of the
summer. Late potatoes have rotted. Not quite an average
amount of fall seeding done, but that is looking well. All the
cranberry bogs here are natural ones, and they are a failure.

15

Some think that the natural cranl)erry bogs were in some way
injured by the winter. .1 believe it is a fact tliat tiie artideial
bogs, wliicli were covered with water through the winter, are pro-
ducing a good yield, ^'here are some good fields of onions and

some poor ones.

Wm. II. Hunt.

Framhighntn. — Indian corn a full average but late in ripening.
Rowen is a full average crop, and feed in pastures is good. Do
not think potatoes are an average yield. Cranberry crop very
light in tills section. About four-fifths of an average onion crop.
Many ploughed up tlieir onion beds on account of the small
amount of seed started, owing to wet weather. Onions will aver-
age larger in size tlian usual. About the usual amount of fall
seeding will be done.

'»

II. S. Whittemore.

Marlborough. — Indian corn and rowen were kept back by the
drought, rowen especially, but of late have done very well.
Have had poor weather to secure rowen except as ensilage. Late
potatoes a good yield but have rotted badly lately. Not much
fall seeding has been done ; present condition good. Onions an
average in yield and quality but not many grown.

C. S. Howe.

Sherborn. — Indian corn a full average crop but not as much

planted as in some years. Rowen has not turned out to be an

average crop. Late potatoes yield good but rotting very badly.

More than the average amount of fall seeding has been done and

it looks finely. Cranberries not nearly an average crop but are

of good quality. Am told that on many of the cranberry bogs,

where there promised earlier in the season to be a fair crop, the

berries have disappeared until so few are left that they are

scarcely worth gathering. One man who estimated his crop at

twenty-five bushels gathered them all in a peck basket and the

basket was not full.

N. B. Douglas.

Wilmivgton. — Indian corn a full average crop and rowen
nearly so. The average amount of fall seeding has been done.
Cultivated cranberries are about half a crop ; meadow cranber-
ries nearly a failure. The season in this vicinity has on the

whole been a properous one for the farmer.

C. W. Swain.

16

NORFOLK COUNTY.

FravMin. — The crop of Indian corn is very heavy but rowen

is not over three-fourths of an average crop. Late potatoes are

not an average in quantity or quality. Fall seeding is very

uneven. Where grass was seeded with barley the barley has

lodged and killed the grass to some extent. Where grass was

sowed alone early in tlie fall tlie dry weatlicr hurt it in some

places and in others it looks very fine. The cranberry crop is not

an average in yield and qii:ilit,y.

C. INI. Allen.

Norfolk. — Crop of Indian corn an average one. About half
the corn fodder was secured before frost and the ears were well
hardened. Late potatoes average in yield l)ut are rotting some.
Full average amount of fall seeding has been done and is looking
very well :it present. Average crop of cranberries. All fruit
scarce except grapes.

.1. W. lllNKLKY.

South Weymouth. — Crop of Indian corn not a full average.
The rowen crop is slim on account of the drought after mowing
the first crop. Potatoes are rotting badly. Not many cranberries
in this town.

J. G. HUTCHINS.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Campello. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. Howen and

potatoes not average crops. Average amount of fall seeding has

been done and its condition is good. Cranberry croj) :in tiverage

one in yield and (pinlity. Onion crop not an average as the seed

failed to come up, owing to heavy rains, and the maggot also did

some damage.

Davls Copeland.

Kingfitoyi. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. Rowen is an
average crop. Late potatoes not an average in yield or quality.
There has been but very little fall seeding done to date. The
cranberry ci'op will be about an average. Onion crops are very
small and poor, owing to maggots. Heavy frost September 25,
doing considerable damage to late cranberries and all late vege-
tables.

J. H. CUSHJLAN.

17

MarsJifield. — The planted area of corn is less but a full average
in yield. More fodder corn has been planted. It is thought that
the feeding of ensilage has affected the price and sale of English
hay in this vicinity. Rowen an average crop. More fall seeding
than usual has been done and the catch is good. Cranberries are
an average crop. The onion crop is hardly an average, owing to
the onion maggot.

Geo. J. Peterson.

Halifax. — A very good crop of Indian corn. The rowen crop
is light and no weather to cure it. Late potatoes a good yield
but in some sections are rotting badly. Those dug early seem to
fare the best as they were sold as dug and therefore saved.
Nearly an average amount of fall seeding has been done but some
is very late. Onion crop an average in yield and quality.

G. W. Hay WARD.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Douglas. — Crop of Indian corn nearly a full average. Rowen
has not turned out to be an average crop. Late potatoes not over
three-fourths of a crop and very rotten. The average amount of
fall seeding has been done, and it looks very nicely. Cranberry
crop about three-fourths of an average in yield and quality good.
The onion crop is a fair average and of good quality. Consider-
able damage to grapes and cranberries by the frost on the morning
of the 25th.

Geo. M. "VYallis.

East Blackstone. — Indian corn is not a full average crop.
Rowen has turned out to be a full average. Late potatoes are
almost a failure, especially on moist land, becoming blasted early,
scabby, and rotting badly. Early potatoes on light and usually
dry ground, if planted early, got just the right start and were an
excellent crop. Usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and
its condition is good. Cranberry crop not an average one. In
bogs that cannot be flooded in summer, fire worms, a worm inside
the berry, and drought were the drawbacks. Onion crop a little
shortened by drought.

L. R, Daniels.

East Templeton. — The corn crop is not up to the average
because of slow growth the first of the season and the excessive
cloudiness and rain from August 14 to September 18. Fortwoweeks

18

there was only one day without rain. In some instances early
potatoes were not worth digging. Late ones are generally much
better. An average amount of fall seeding has not been done.
A killing frost and fi'eeze on the morning of the 25th, with
thermometer at 31 degrees. Some farmers lost by it.

LuciEN Gove.

Leominster. — Corn is late but will be nearl}' an average crop.
On account of so much cloudy rainy weather the middle of the
month the rowen crop has been injured. The sudden quick
growth with so much wet at the bottom has reduced its value one-
half. Our late potato crop promised well until the rot commenced,
which will reduce the crop to one-third. The frost on the morning
of the 2oth injured grapes, but on very high ground little injury
was done. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and
on high ground looks well. Our rainfall for the month has been
6.34 inches, or 1.51 inches above the average of the past seven
years.

W. B. IIOSMER.

Spencer. — Crop of Indian corn a full average. All rowen cut

between the 3d and 18th rotted or spoiled. Late potatoes not an

average crop in yield and quality and they have rotted badly.

Probably not an average amount of fall seeding has been done ;

condition fine. Wild cranberry vines produced an average crop.

Apple trees in sheltered places seem to bear the most this season.

There is only about one-fourth as much winter fruit as there is

fall. Fall work has been delayed b}' rainy weather. First general

frost came the 25th.

H. H. Kingsbury.

Worcester. — Corn planted early on light laud has ripened well
but the yield was somewhat affected by the July drought. On wet
land it has not ripened and many pieces were damaged b}' frost.
Late potatoes promised a very heavy yield and are very good, but
on some fields are rotting badly. Not an average crop of onions.
It was so wet that they came up poorly and the fall has been so
wet they have not ripened well. Not an average amount of fall
seeding, but seed has caught well and is making a good growth.

H. R. KlNXEY.

THE STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE.

The State Board of Agriculture was established by an
Act of the Legislature in 1852, and the first meeting was held
at the Council Chamber, Boston, July 22 of the same year,
being presided over by His Excellency George S. Boutwell.

The first movement on the part of Massachusetts in mod-
ern agricultural progress was the appointment of Henry
Colraan as State commissioner, in 1836, for the agricultu-
ral survey of the State, and he prepared three excellent
volumes on the agriculture of Massachusetts, counties of
Essex, Berkshire, Franklin and Middlesex, and one volume
on wheat and silk. However, this work was regarded by
the Legislature of so little importance that it was suspended
in the year 1840.

In 1850 the Legislature created a board of commissioners
to report at the next session upon the expediency of estab-
lishing agricultural schools or colleges. This commission
consisted of Marshall P. Wilder, Edward Hitchcock, Samuel
A. Eliot, Thomas E. Pa3'^son and Eli Warren, and their
report was made to the Legislature at its session in 1851.
In this report it was recommended that a State department
of agriculture be established, to consist of one member
from, and to be elected by, each of the incorporated agricult-
ural societies receiving the bounty of the State.

The preliminary efforts for the establishment of the State
Board of Agriculture emanated from a meeting of the trus-
tees of the Norfolk Agricultural Society, held Jan. 28, 1851.
It was there voted that "the president and secretaries be a
committee to mature and adopt a plan for a convention of
deleo^ates from the various ao-ricultural societies of the Com-
monwealth, to be holden at some convenient time and place,
the object of which shall be to concert measures for their
mutual advantage, and for the promotion of the cause of
agricultural education."

This convention assembled at the State House, in Boston,
March 20, 1851. The attendance was large and the session
lasted for several days.

As a result the joint committee on agriculture of the Leg-

20

islature reported a bill for the creation of a board of agri-
culture, but the further consideration of the subject, after
much debate, was referred to the next Legislature.

This being a new measure, its possible failure was appre-
hended, and it was deemed expedient to establish a Central
Board of Agriculture, whose duties should be substantially
those which were proposed for a State department, and at
the above-mentioned convention this was done.

Its board of ofhcers were Marshall P. Wilder, President ;
Henry W. Cushman and John W. Lincoln, Vice-Presidents ;
Allen W. Dodge, Corresponding Secretary ; Edgar Whita-
ker, Recording Secretary, with three delegates from each
incorporated society receiving the bounty of the Common-
wealth.

At a meeting of this Board, Jan. 14, 1852, it was resolved
to petition the Legislature in the following resolution : —

Resolved, That inasmuch as agriculture is the chief
occupation of her citizens, the Commonwealth, in the organ-
ization of its government, should be provided with a
department of agriculture, with offices commensurate with
the importance of the duties to be discharged and the
labors to be performed.

These various efforts finally culminated in the establish-
ment of the present State Department of Agriculture, which
succeeded the existing voluntary Central Board.

The Act was passed in 1852, and at a meeting of the
newly created Board of Agriculture, Aug. 5, 1852, Rev.
Dr. Edward Hitchcock, President of Amherst College, was
unanimously elected secretary, but his duties in connection
with the college, and declining health, compelled him to
decline the appointment, and Jan. 25, 1853, Charles L.
Flint, a young lawyer just established in business in New
York, was elected and continued to hold the position until
his resignation was accepted Aug. 25, 1880. On that day
John E. Russell of Leicester was elected to succeed Mr.
Flint, and at this meeting it was voted that the secretary of
the Board be elected annually at the meeting in February,
the term of service to be for one year, beginning with the
first of July following the election. Mr. Russell continued
in office until his resignation in 1887. F. H. Appleton of

21

Lynnfield was elected to succeed him, but he withdrew his
acceptance of the ofEce before entering upon its duties, and
on August 23 of the same year the present incumbent,
William R. Sessions of Hampden, was elected.

The Board of Agriculture, at the present time, consists of
the governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of the Common-
wealth, the president of the agricultural college, one person
appointed from and by each agricultural society which
receives an annual bounty from the Commonwealth, and
three other persons appointed by the governor with the
advice and consent of the council.

The first four are ex officio members ; the latter serve for
terms of three years each. At the present time there are
41 members, which number will be increased to 44 at the
annual meeting in February next. The Board is required to
meet at the State House, or at the Agricultural College, at
least once in each year, and as much oftener as may be
deemed expedient, and no member can receive compensation
from the Commonwealth except for personal expenses when
engaged in the duties of the Board, and to meet these
expenses the sum of $1,900 was appropriated this year.

The Board may appoint and prescribe the duties of a sec-
retary, who receives a salary of $i,500 a year; and who,
at such times as the Board shall approve, may employ a
clerk at a salary of $1,200 a year, and may expend for other
clerical services in his office, and for lectures to be given
before the Board at its annual or other meetings, a sum not
exceeding $800. The secretary is also allowed $500 for
travelling and necessary expenses while engaged in the per-
formance of his duties. The Board are also overseers of the
Massachusetts Agricultural College, with powers and duties
defined and fixed by the governor and council ; are impow-
ered to investigate such subjects relating to improvement in
agriculture in this Commonwealth as they may think proper,
and may take, hold in trust, and exercise control over dona-
tions or bequests made to them for promoting agricultural
education or the general interests of husbandry ; may fix
the days on which the different agricultural societies shall
commence their exhil)itions, and may prescribe forms for
and regulate the returns required of said societies, and shall

22

furnish to the secretary of each society such blanks as they
may deem necessary to secure uniform and reliable statistics ;
shall annually, by their chairman or secretary, submit to the
general court a detailed report of their doings, with such
recommendations and suoforestions as the interests of agri-
culture may require.

The Board of Agriculture also acts as a board of forestry ;
has two of its members on the board of control of the State
Experiment Station ; determines the amount of bounty to
which a society is entitled for any year and may prescribe
rules and regulations to societies for uniform modes of
ascertaining the product of crops entered for premium.

It is the duty of the secretary of the Board in each year
to cause to be made and pul)lished for distribution as full an
abstract of the returns of the agricultural societies as he may
deem useful, and he may also appoint one or more suital)le
agents to visit, under the direction of the Board, the towns
of the Commonwealth for the purpose of inquiring into the
methods and wants of practical husbandry ; of ascertaining
the adaptation of agricultural products to soil, climate and
markets ; of encouraging the establishment of farmers' clubs,
agricultural lil)raries and reading-rooms ; and of disseminat-
ing useful information in agriculture by means of lectures or
otherwise, and for this latter purpose the sum of $1,400 was
appropriated this year.

By the regulations of the Board an annual business meeting
is held at the office of the secretary in Boston, commencing
on the Tuesday preceding the first Wednesday in February,
and continuing through the following Wednesday, on which
day the new members may take their seats and the meeting
be prolonged as business may require. At this meeting an
executive committee consisting of five members is chosen,
whose duty it is to act for the Board in cases of emergency ;
also a delegate is appointed to attend the fair of each society
represented on the Board, who is to make report to the
Board at its next annual meetins: of the fair and of the con-
dition and work of such society. The Board also holds an
annual three days' public meeting for lectures and discus-
sions, at such place within the Commonwealth as it may
designate, beginning on the first Tuesday in December. It

23

also requires that each agricultural society receiving the
bounty of the Commonwealth shall arrange and hold not less
than three farmers' institutes each calendar year within their
limits, and the Board renders all the assistance in its power
to make such institutes interesting and profitable. The
secretary attends as many as is compatible with other duties
of his office, and provides lecturers as far as the appropria-
tion for this object will warrant.

There are also many other minor duties and requirements
which want of space will prevent enumerating.

The secretary from the nature of his position early became
the chief officer and organ of the Board, which in turn is the
organ of the farming community. The office is placed near
and connected with the government, so that the whole legis-
lation in reference to bounties, premiums and general agri-
cultural interest of the State is looked after and influenced
by the department.

Since the formation of the Board an entire change has
taken place in public opinion with regard to the importance
of agricultural education. It sustained and cherished the
first general efibrts for the establishment of the Massachu-
setts Agricultural College, now so favorably known and
appreciated ; it has done much for the improvement of the
agricultural literature of the country, and in its office is
gathered a valuable agricultural library of two thousand
volumes ; it originated the law for the protection of sheep
and the law for the inspection of fertilizers, and appointed a
State agricultural chemist ; by its prompt and persistent
action it greatly assisted the cattle commissioners in stamp-
ing out the plague of pleuro-pneumonia in 1860 ; it has
brought together from time to time a band of the leading
practical and scientific agriculturists, whose knowledge has
been given to the public through the medium of its reports ;
it was instrumental in the formation of the State Experiment
Station ; it has published thirty-seven annual volumes, con-
taining 23,000 pages of matter pertaining to agriculture and
kindred pursuits and embracing in all an issue of 375,000
copies, which have gone out not only to the people of our
own Commonwealth, but may be found in almost all of the
civilized countries of the o:lobe.

Bulletin No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CKOP REPOET

FOR THE

MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1890.

COMPILED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS
Secretary State 'Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON:

Wright & Potter Puintixg Company, State Printers,

18 Post Office Squ.uie.

1890.

CROP REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1890.

Compiled kkom Returns to the Office of the State Board ok
Agriculture, Oct. 30, 1890.

Office State Board of Agkicvlture,

BosTox, Mass., Nov. 3, 1890.

Bulletin No. 6, Crop Report for the month of October, is
herewith presented.

As this will be the last issue of the season, it is desired to
extend to correspondents thanks for the interest they have
taken in this work, and for the manner in which they have
made returns from time to time. It is hoped that the bul-
letins issued have been of some help.

Considerable time and care are necessary to make crop
reporting of value, and, while it is believed that the work
this year has been much better than that of the first season,
it is thought there is still room for improvement. It is
hoped that this line of work, which is voluntary on the part
of this office, may be continiied another year.

In the circular to correspondents the first question asked
was, " Considered as a whole, has the season been a profitable
one to the farmers in your neighborhood?" In answer to
this question sixty-eight of the correspondents state that in
their opinion it has, and twenty-four that it has not.

The second question asked was, " What of your leading
crops, if any, have been fairly satisfactory?" Judging by
the replies received, it is considered that hay, corn, tobacco,
onions, early potatoes as a rule, cabbages, strawberries,
turnips, rye and garden truck, have been fairly satisfactory.

In answer to the question, " What of your leading crops,
if an}^ have been practically failures ?" it can be said that
fruit, particularly apples, late potatoes in general, oats and
beans, have been failures ; also a large portion of the rowen
crop was damaged by unfavorable weather.

As bearing on the dairy industry, the following questions
were asked : —

First. " Has the season l)een favorable for the production
of milk and butter?" The correspondents are almost
unanimous in stating that it has. The drouth from the mid-
dle of June to the middle of July materially checked the
flow of milk, but, as the feed on the whole w^as unusually
abundant, the total production of milk has been above the

average.

Second. " How have dairy products averaged in })rice as
compared with former seasons?" Of the ninety-one replies
to this question, forty-eight state the price to have been
about the same as in former seasons, thirtj-three that it has
been lower, and ten that it has been higher. It is thous2fht
that the price of milk has not materially difl'ered from the
average price in years past, but that the price of butter has
averaged lower.

Third. " In your section, what is the chief disposition
made of the dairy products produced ? " It is a little difficult
to condense the replies received to this question. Producers*
living near co-operative creameries generally send their cream
to them, where it is made into butter. Others make butter
on their own farms and sell in local markets, or, if they are
fortunate enough to have a permanent city trade, dispose of
their butter product in that way. The milk used in our cities
is largely obtained from the Massachusetts farmer, and con-
siderable is sent to Boston over the several railroads, where it
is disposed of by milk contractors. Some of this milk comes
to Boston from points more than one hundred miles west-
ward. Other milk is retailed by the producer. Some is made
into cheese, which is largely sold in ^Massachusetts markets.

Fourth. ''Do you consider the business of dairying
profitable to the farmers in your section?" The replies to
this question cover quite a range of ground, but the central
idea seems to be that, if properly managed, dairying in this
State is perhaps as protitable as an}'^ other branch of farming.
It is not safe to say that those who are engaged in it are
making much money. The farmer must have manure in
order to grow crops, and he therefore cannot get along very
well without keeping dairy animals.

Fifth. " What arc the chief drawbacks, at present, to
the carr^Miig on of this industry?" The following are a
portion of the reasons why dairying is not more profitable to
our farmers : high taxes ; unscrupulous middlemen ; over-
production in summer and shortage in winter ; low prices of
milk, butter and beef; cost of feed; competition of oleo-
margarine ; abortion in cows ; lack of good pasturage and
distance from market in some sections. This year the scar-
city of ice has been a drawback.

A special circular was also sent to the treasurer of each of
the twenty-seven co-operative creameries in the State, and
replies were received from eighteen of them. It appears
that since April 1 last there has been a slight increase in the
amount of butter made ; that the quality of the cream furnished
was much the same as last year ; that the prices received
for butter averaged about one cent per pound less than last
year ; that the product sold as readil}' as last year ; that most
of the product was marketed in the State, although certain
creameries sent more or less to New York, Brooklyn,
Bridgeport, New Haven, Albany, Philadelphia and Provi-
dence ; that it took from 6 to 6.53 spaces of cream to make
a pound of butter ; and that the creameries make a practice
of coloring; their butter a little, in order to have it uniform
in appearance throughout the year. Some do not color from
May 1 to November 1 ; others color a little nearly every
month in the year. Most of the creameries report that the
market does not call for a highly colored product. Some of
the creameries sell considerable unsalted and uncolored but-
ter in New York markets.

The followino; are given as some of the drawbacks to the
successful operation of co-operative creameries : Lack of
capital to hold butter in summer ; too much cream in summer
and too little in winter; cost of gathering the cream, on
account of the distance necessary to be travelled ; failure of
patrons and creamery officers to co-operate heartily ; under-
selling by creameries, and want of unity as' to selling-price
of butter each month ; competition of milk car ; low prices
received for butter ; and lack of patronage caused by the
hesitancy of farmers to join creamery associations.

6

The Weather.
Meteorological Data for September.

Tempebatcre.

Deg.

F. .

Precipita-
tion.

Prevailing Wind.

CI.OI1J1NKS.S.

t(OlolO.)
No. OP Uat8.

STATION.

a

3

a

a

s

a

c

i

1

CQ

•g

c
c
a
1

1

>>

9
0

5

•0

s
0

5
>,

I

s

s

Amher.st,

48.0

76

1

26

22

6.89

15

N.W

17

9

5

Boston, .

510

77

2

36

22

5.63

16

N.W.'

16

8

7

*Fitchburg, .

4G.7

72

2

33

23, 30

8.55

15

N.W.

13

8

10

Ipswich,

49 6

77

2

30

22 j

568

13

N.W.

14

10

7

♦Leominster,

48.3

75

2

32

22, 23

7.83

14

W.

15

8

8

* Moil roe.

43 6

74

2

24

22

8.38

11 1

—

10

11

10

Provincetown,

50.7

70

2

37

14,31

6.78

15 ,

N. :

23

2

6

Sprinjrfield, .

50.4

73

1,4

31

22 :

6.70

16

W.

13

13

5

Taunton,

50.6

81

1

30

23

9.23

14

w.

_

^

^

* Temperature data from thermometer not self-registering.

t 0 to 3, cloudless ; 4 to 7 inclusive, partly cloudy ; 8 to 10, cloudy.

Summary,

Temperature (deg. F.) — ^Monthly mean, 48.7° ; highest
monthly mean, 51.0°, at Boston ; lowest monthly mean, 43.6°,
at ^Monroe ; maximum, 81°, at Taunton on the 1st ; minimum,
24°, at Monroe on the 22d ; range, 57° ; greatest local monthly
rano-e, 51°, at Taunton ; least local monthly range, 33°, at
Provincetown ; greatest daily range, 36°, at Taunton on the
1st; least daily range, 2°, at Ipswich on the 2d, 17th, 20th.
Average temperature for October, at Springfield, for twenty-
three years, 50.8° ; average for October, 1890, 50.4° ; depart-
ure,— 0.4°. Average temperature for October, at Boston,
for twenty years, 51.4° ; average for October, 1890, 51.0° ;
departure, — 0.4°.

Precipitation. — Average, 7.30; greatest, 9.23, at Taun-
ton; least, 5.63, at Boston. Average for October, at
Springfield, for forty-three years, 4.22 ; for October, 1890,
6.70 : departure, -f 2.48. Average for October, at Boston,
for twenty years, 4.12 ; for October, 1890, 5.63 ; departure,
+ 1.51.

Prevailing Wind. — North-west.

Thunder-storms. — Uh, 19th, 30th.

Snoiv.— Monroe, 23d, 24th, 29th; Taunton, 24th, 26th.

^a/?. —Taunton, 29th.

8olar IIalos. — 2d, 3d, 6th, 11th, IGth, 23d, 26th.

Lunar Halos. — 2d, 22d, 25th.

Auroras. — Provincetown, 5th; Amherst, 17th.

Eemarks.

The weather for Massachusetts for October was below the
normal in barometric pressure, temperature and sunshine,
and above in precipitation. The departure from the normal
in temperature varied from 0.4° at Boston to 3.7° at Taun-
ton, with a general average of over 1.5° below the normal.
There were no very strongly marked daily temperature
ranges, and the range for the month was very small. The
maximum temperature occurred for the most part near the
first of the month, then decreased very gradually toward the
end, although the lowest temperature for the month occurred
on the morning of the 22d. The excessive rainfall durino-
the last half of the month carried the total average precipi-
tation far above the usual October rainfall. The excess was
from 1.51 to 6.69 inches, with an average of 41 inches above
the normal.

Ten cyclones and five anticylones influenced the weather
during the month. The large excess of the cyclonic areas
occurring, as they did mostly, during the last part of the
month, partially explains the reason for so much rainy and
threatening weather during that time. Of the anticyclonic
areas, the first and third passed from the Lakes across
northern New England, the fourth moved up the west, the
fifth passed across New England from west to east, while
the second only moved down the coast. The cyclones were
generally well defined, and moved with rapidly increasino-
energy. The first and third, on the 3d and Uth respectively,
were poorly defined till they neared the St. Lawrence Gulf;
but the sixth on the 17th, the seventh on the 19th-20th, the
eighth on the 23d-25th, the ninth on the 2()th-27th, and
the tenth on the 29th-30th, all moved up the New England
coast, giving heavy rains and destructive north-east gales.
On the 17th, 19th and 24th they were especially severe, and
much damage was done to trees, buildings and shipping, the
wind on the latter date reaching as high a velocity on the
Massachusetts coast as was ever experienced there.

I^OTES OF COKRESPONDEN^TS.

(Returned to us October 30.)

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Eastham. — Crops, with the exception of cranberries and
apples, liave been satisfactory throughout the season. Prices
have also been satisfactory'. Late turnips, which are an impor-
tant crop with us, will prove better than expected, but hardly up
to an average. The season has been favorable for the production
of milk and butter, and the prices received for dairy products
have been about an average with former seasons. Milk sold here
goes to Provincetown. Think the dairy business profitable to the
farmers who are favorably situated. The chief drawback is a
limited market.

J. A. Clark.

West Falmouth. — Considered as a whole, the season has been
a profitable one. Think all planted crops have been satisfactory,
and also the hay crop. Season has been favorable for the produc-
tion of milk and butter. Dairying not profitable, as carried on
here. Farmers don't seem to take an interest in that line. Think
it could be made profitable, as our pastures are high and dry land,
and that makes the best butter.

D. R. Wicks.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
BecJcet. — Considered as a whole, the season has been a profit-
able one. Corn and grass have been fairly satisfactory, and
potatoes would have been but for blight. Oats and apples have
been practically failures. Season not as favorable for the pro-
duction of milk and butter as last season. Cream sent to Hins-
dale creamery. Dairying about as good as any business on the
farm. Chief drawbacks are high prices of feed and the distance
apart of patrons who furnish cream ; also distance from markets.

W. H. Snow.

Dalton. — Considered as a whole, the season has not been a
profitable one. Early potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages and beans
were fairlv satisfactory, and late potatoes practically a failure.
Season has been favorable for the production of milk and butter.

9

Prices of dairy products fully as good as in former seasons.

Consider dairying profitable if properly carried on. Drawbacks

are lack of. confidence in each other, and failure to work together.

If the farmers would stand by each other and support their

creamery, it would be better for all. Also, failure of farmers to

make use of the silo.

W. B. Barton.

Cheshire. — More rain in July and less since would have pleased
most of the farmers in this section. Considered as a whole, how-
ever, the season has been a profitable one. Hay, corn, potatoes,
turnips and cabbages have been fairly satisfactory. Oats about
half a crop. Season has been favorable for the production of
milk and butter. Considerable cheese made here. Do not think
farmers are paid enough for their produce. Lack of "good help
seems to be uppermost as a drawback in dairying.

L. J. NORTHUP.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Berkley. — Considered as a whole, the season has not been a
profitable one. Strawberries and onions have been fairly satis-
factory, late potatoes and cabbages liave been practically failures.
About an average season for the production of milk and butter.
Prices of dairy products a little below the average of former sea-
sons. Milk all sold. Very little butter made. Do not consider
dairying profitable, at present prices. Chief drawbacks are too
many in the business and poor pastures, which compel the feeding

of much grain.

R. H. Babbitt.

North Dartmouth. — Season fairly profitable. Potatoes and
corn, particularly ensilage corn, and most garden truck, fairly
satisfactory. No crops practically failures. Season favorable for
the production of milk and butter. Dairy products have been
about as usual in price, and are mostly shipped as milk to city
consumers. Consider dairying profitable when managed skil-
fully. Perhaps the rise in feeding material, with the present
prices of dairy products, the greatest drawback.

L. T. Davis.

Somerset. — As a whole, the season has been a profitable one.
Hay, potatoes, small fruits and corn were fairly satisfactory,
while apples, oats and rowen were practically failures. The sea-
son has been favorable for the production of milk and butter.

10

Lower prices for dairy products liave prevailed. Most of our

farmers sell their milk to the milkmen. Do not consider dairvinsf

profitable, at the present price of milk, which is twenty-five cents

per eight-quart can. We want a creamer}' to use up the surplus

milk.

Joseph Gip.us.

DUKES COUNTY.
West Tisbnry. — Considered as a whole, the season has been a
profitable one. Ha}', corn and potatoes have been fairly satisfac-
tory. Fruit has been practically a failure. Season has been
favorable for the production of milk and butter. Dairy products
have averaged in price with former seasons. Milk is sold at
summer resorts, and butter for local consumption. Dairying
barely profitable, owing to lack of a permanent market.

Wm. J. ROTCII.

ESSEX COUNTY.
Iljsivich. — As a whole, the season has not been a profitable
one. Hay, early potatoes (where they did not rot), and corn on
low land, with garden vegetables, were fairly satisfactory. Most
late potatoes have rotted, and corn for grain and silo on diy land ;
apples and pears were practically failures. Season favorable for
the production of milk and butter, except from last of June to
middle of August. Prices of dairy products lower, when com-
pared with former seasons. They should be twenty-five per cent
higher, to give n cash profit. Creamery here. The want of ice
has been a serious drawback to dairying this season. Not as
much o;rain has been fed this vear as last. Many farmers are
thinking it best to get less milk, and have smaller grain bills.

O. C. Smith.

Marhlehead. — Season fairly profitable. Cabbages and potatoes
fairly satisfactory, and squash i>ractically a failure. Season favor-
able for the production of milk and butter. No deviation in prices
of dairy products which are retailed. Consider dairying profit-
able. Chief drawbacks are lack of patronage, high rent and land

taxes.

Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.

South Byfield. — Season hardly a profitable one for our farmers.
All crops fairly satisfactory, except potatoes and apples. Season
favorable for the production of milk and butter. Local causes
have deprived a good many of us of a market for dairy products ;

11

three months no sale at all. Probably fifty [)er cent of the dair\'
products sold at a loss. lu August, one-half of milk sold to con-
tractors netted twelve cents per can of eiglit and one-half quarts.
If oleo continues to be colored, the small farmers in this section
are ruined. Careful investigation of the dairy business, for the
purpose of establishing a creamery in which I have taken stock,
makes the above seem a fair and logical conclusion.

G. W. Adams.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Aslifield. — An average season. Corn and hay fairly satisfac-
tory, and apples, oats and barley practically failures. Season
fairly favorable for the production of milk and butter. Prices of
dairy products somewhat lower than in former seasons. Cream
collected by co-operative creamery. This locality is well adapted
for dairying. Chief drawbacks are low prices of dairy products,
pork and beef, and abortion in cows. We consider the depreci-
ation of farm propert}' the greatest drawback to farming.

A. G. Howes.

Conway. — Considered as a whole, the season has-been a profit-
able one for our farmers, and all crops have been fairly satis-
factor3^ Generally the season has been favorable for the production
of milk and butter. Prices of dairy products rather better than
last year. Generally, dairying is profitable for our farmers, and
we think we have the best co-operative creamery in the State.
The chief drawbacks at present to the carrying on of the dairy
industry are the sale of counterfeit butter, abortion in cows, and
the high cost of meals and feed. The sheep industry is about
ruined in this section, on account of dogs ; whole flocks destroyed
in one night.

J. C. Newhall.

Deerfield. — The season as a whole has been wet, but crops have
done well except oats, which were a very poor crop. Season has
been favorable for the pi'oduction of milk and butter. Dairy prod-
ucts a good average in price. Cream is sold in Boston to some
extent. The butter is sold in the local markets and in Boston.
Consider dairying as profitable as anything for our farmers.

Charles Jones.

Neio Salem.. — Season not very profitable for our farmers.
Hay, corn and pastur ige were fairly satisfactory. Potatoes and
apples were practically failures. Season favorable for the produc-

12

tion of milk and l)uttor. Prices of dairy pnKlucts a fair average
with the past two or three seasons. Dairying as profitaljle as
any branch of farming, unless it be poultry. Chief drawback is
the low price of butter, though prices are better now ; and, as
grains are high, we hope prices ma}' be maintained llrm through-
out the season.

Daniel Jjallard,

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Brimfield. — As a whole, it has been as good a year if not
better than we have had for some time. Wages were so high we
did not attempt to do more than we could do ourselves, and what
has been done we did ourselves and have the profit, if any. Hay,
corn and grass have been fairly satisfactory, and oats, potatoes
and all fruits practically failures. The season lias been favorable
to the production of milk and butter, though the drouth troubled
us for some four weeks. Prices of dairy products as good as for
three or four years back. Make butter at the factory, and also
send milk to Boston. Do not consider dair^'ing profitable, and
still it is as good as most things, if not the best. The chief draw-
backs are cost of production and insullicicnt ])ay for what is

produced.

S. \V. Brown.

Holyolce. — Season fairly profitable. Corn and grass fairly
satisfactory, and potatoes and fruit practically failures. Season
favorable for the production of milk and butter. Milk is sold.
Consider dairying profitable, while the chief drawback is the
credit S3'stem. There has been about one-fourth the usual amount
of apples, and in the districts where there are any, there are more
than at first expected.

J. C. TlIOKPE.

West Springfield. — Considered as a whole, the season has been
a profitable one. Grass, rye, potatoes, corn, strawberries and
cabbages have been fairly satisfactory, and apples practically
a failure. Season has been exceptionally favorable for the produc-
tion of milk and butter, and prices received have been a little
lower than last year. Milk is the most reliable of our farm
products, although the margin of profit is small at present prices.
Abortion in cows and unjust competition by bogus products are.
the chief drawbacks to the carrying on of the dairy industry.
Our milk is sent to Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee markets.
The Springfield Milk Association disposes of the milk of quite a

section about here.

N. T. Smith.

13

Wilhraham. — As a whole, the seiison has been perha|)s an
average oue, but, considered with the profits of other inibistries,
hardly a profitable one. Corn, rye and grass, have been above
the average ; oats a failure ; potatoes rotted badly. Dairy prod-
ucts were fully an average, but an overproduction has caused a
decline in prices fully ten i)er cent. At the present prices of
grain, dairying cannot be carried on with profit.

F. E. Clakk.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
Belchertown. — Season hardly profitable. Hay, corn and rye
fairly satisfactory, and late potatoes, fruit and oats practically
failures. Season fairly favorable for the production of milk and
butter. Prices of dairy products fully up to the average of former
seasons. Butter is sold at our local markets, and to some extent
milk is shipped to Boston. Consider dairying fairly profitable.
Chief drawbacks are want of experience and concurrent action.

H. C. West.

Hadley. — Consider the season a profitable one. Hay, com,

rye, potatoes and tobacco fairly satisfactory, and oats and fruit

practically failures. Season favorable for the production of milk

and butter. Some who patronize the creamery got out of ice.

Prices of dairy products better than for the last two or three

years. Cream goes to the creamery. Do not consider dairying

profitable for our farmers. Chief drawback is low prices caused

by the manufacture of oleo.

L. W. West.

South Hadley Falls. — Season not a profitable one, considered
as a whole. Hay and corn fairly satisfactory. Good yield of
potatoes, but some pieces rotted badly. The cabbage crop prac-
tically a failure, because there is so much of it that it will not sell
for anything. Season not wholly favorable for the protluction of
milk and butter; the latter part of the season too wet, making
the feed too light and flashy. Dairy products have averaged in
price with former seasons. Dairying hardly profitable, as there
are too many in the business, and consequently too much comi)e-
tition.

H. W. Gaylord.

Southampton. — Think the season has been profitable. Hay,
corn, early potatoes and tobacco have been fairly satisfactory,
and oats, late potatoes and apples practically failures. Think

14

the season rather better than the average for the prodnction of
milk and butter. Prices of dairy products, on the whole, fnllv an
average. Consider dairying as pnjiitable or more profitable than
any other branch of farming. We all want higher [irices for our
dairy products.

C. B. Lyman.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Ashland. — Season has been a profitable one. Corn and onions
fairly satisfactory, and ap|)les iMactically a failure. Also potatoes
have rotted badly. Season has been favorable for the production
of milk and bntter. Prices of dairy [iroducts much the same.
The principal product is milk, which is sent to IJoston. Chief
drawbacks in dairying are poor management and perha[)s high
taxes.

A. K. Stevens.

Concord. — On the whole, the season has been a profitable one
for our farmers. Berries, potatoes and tomatoes have been fairl}'
satisfactory. The peach crop was almost a total failure, and the
apple crop was small. Season, except in July and August, has
been favorable for the production of milk and butter. Prices of
dairy products have been about the same as usual. The milk is
sold to contractors. Do not consider dairying profitable. Farmers
make milk to make manure, and i-aise something else to make
money. The chief drawback is the large per cent taken out by
the contractors.

W. H. Hunt.

Groton. — Do not consider the season a profitable one. as a
whole. Grass has been fairly satisfactory, and apples practically
a failure. Season favorable for the production of milk and butter.
Dairy products low in price until middle of September. They are
marketed in Boston. Consider dairying profitable, if anything is
profitable. Chief drawback in dairying at present is low prices.
Up to the present there is no demand for the surplus hay. Have
seldom known the price of hay so low, and even at the low price
no demand. Our a|)ple crop, which generally yields a large
revenue, is an almost total failure.

Daniel Needham.

Wilmington. — Season has been a profitable one. Hay, corn
and vegetables have been fairly satisfactory. Apples, beans and
meadow cranberries have been practically failures. Season has
befen favorable for the production of milk and butter. Dairy

15

products have compared favorably in price with former seasons.

Milk sold at the door. Do not consider dairying profitable, and

I think this is the general feeling. Farmers' wives do not like to

make butter.

C. W. Swain.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket. — Season not a i)rofitable one for our farmers. Hay

and oats fairly satisfactory, and corn and potatoes practically

failures. Season has been favorable for the production of milk

and butter. Prices of dairy products about the same as in former

seasons. Milk sold. Think dairying profitable for our farmers.

Chief drawback is lack of help.

C. W, Gardner.

NORFOLK COUNTY.
Franklin. — Corn, hay and grass have been fairly satisfactory.
Apples and potatoes practically failures. July was a dry month,
and cows went back on milk badly. The rest of the season was
favorable. Butter five per cent higher, and milk the same as
last year. Milk is sent to Boston. Farmers cannot make dairy-
ing pay two per cent on investment. Chief drawback is that

farmers are over-taxed and under-paid.

C. M. Allen.

Medivay. — Very little profit this season. Corn, blackberries,
hay and late cabbage have been fairly satisfactory. Potatoes,
two-thirds of a crop ; squash, one-half a crop ; peaches and
apples, one-fourth of a crop. Season favorable for the produc-
tion of milk and butter. Milk sent to Boston. There is no
profit in dairying for me. The difficulty is in getting a new dollar

for an old one.

Monroe Morse.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Halifax. — Season has been profitable, and there have been no
entire failures. As a whole, think this season has been better
than the average season for the production of milk and butter.
Except in June, prices of dairy products have been higher than
for several 3'ears. Do not consider dairying profitable, but we
have to keep cows to make manure. Chief drawbacks are lack of
pasturage and co-operation. The butter industry is on the gain.
Last year some of the citizens helped Iniild the Plymouth County
Co-operative Creamer}'. Tliis gave the butter-making business
quite a boom in this vicinity.

G. W. Hayward.

16

Hanson. — Considered as a whole, the season has been a profit-
able one. Potatoes and nearly all garden stuff have been fairh'
satisfactory. Beans have not ripened. Season favorable for the
production of milk and butter, exce[)t during time of drouth.
Prices of dairy products about the same as in former seasons.
Dairy products sold to neiglibors and local stores. Consider
dairying profitable for our farmers, but the chief drawback is that
they cannot sell their butter readily. Ten or twenty years ago
the farmer depended mucli upon his wood-lot to make ends meet,
but now hard wood can scarcely be sold at any price.

Dr. F. 8. Thomas.

Middleborough. — Season not a profitable one. Corn, onions
and liay fairly satisfactory, and fruit practically a failure. Season
favorable for the production of milk and butter. Prices of dairy
products about the same as last year. Milk sold. Do not con-
sider dairying profitable, owing to too low prices for milk and too
higli for grain.

A. H. Eaton.

worcp:stkr county .

Barre. — Season fairly profitable for our farmers. Corn and
grass fairly satisfactory. Oats, potatoes and fruit practically
failures. Season favorable for the production of milk and butter,
liutter lower in price, as compared with former seasons. Milk
sold in Boston. Small profit in dairying. Chief drawbacks are
overproduction and not strength in the milk union.

J. L. Smith.

Bolton. — While many crops have been light, on account of the
early drouth or the excessive autumn rains, prices obtained for
the same have been very satisfactor}' ; so that, on the whole, we
sometimes think half a crop is worth about as much as one
of abundance. Potatoes, apples, onions, squashes and turnips are
selling well ; and, taking the season as a whole, we think that the
farmer who has labored diligently through dry and wet in the care
of his crops has no reason to complain of tlie remuneration
received for his labor. Season has been favorable for the produc-
tion of milk and butter. The milk is nearh' all sold to supph'
large villages, or shipped to Boston. Dairying not profitable,
at present prices, although it may pay as well as any branch of
farming. The only trouble is that there is too much milk made

for the demand.

H. F. Haynes.

Harvard. — Hardly a. profitable year for onr farmers. Hay,

corn, peaches and grapes have been fairly satisfactor}'. Apples,

oats, and in many cases potatoes, have been practically failures.

Season has been favorable for the production of milk. Prices of

dairy products about the same as last season. Milk sold in

Boston. Dairying not profitable for the majority of the farmers,

but it depends somewhat on the farm. Drawbacks are low price

of milk, and the farmers will not unite together to obtain what

rightly belongs to them.

Preston Knight.

Leominster. — As a whole, the season is considered a profitable
one. It has been favorable for the production of milk and butter.
Price of butter lower than in former seasons, and price of milk
about the same. Consider dairying profitable, but at present
prices of grain the profit is small. In making butter, the farmer
has to compete with oleo and butter substitutes, and this reduces
the price. A well-managed farm, let the season be what it may,
will produce some crop that a profit can be derived from. One
great failure is cultivating too much land, and the loose manner
of conducting the business part. Too many trust to what the
purchaser says his goods are worth, and this with him must be the
price. Conduct farming on a sound footing, and, with what
benefit we get from the State, farmers can live.

W. B. HOSMER.

North Dana. — Considered as a whole, the season has been a
profitable one for our farmers. Hay and corn have been fairly
satisfactory. Potatoes have been practically a failure. Season
has been favorable for the production of milk and butter. Dairy
products about an average in price. Butter is the chief dairy
product. Do not consider dairying profitable for our farmei's.
The low price of butter, on account of the manufacture of imita-
tion butter, is the chief drawback. We need a law to prevent
the counterfeiting of butter, which will make a better market for

the pure article.

E. A. Albee.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

An idea of the extent and importance of the dairy industry
is gained when it is considered that, according to the census
of 1885, of the $47,756,033 worth of agricultural products,
$13,080,526, or 27.39 per cent, were classed as dairy prod-
ucts ; while hay, straw and fodder came second, with
$11,631,776, or 24.36 per cent; and vegetables third, with
$5,227,194, or 10.95 per cent. Of the dairy products, milk
represented $10,312,762, or 21.60 per cent; butter, $2,531-
071, or 5.30 per cent; cream, $202,706, or 0.42 per cent;
and cheese, $33,987, or 0.07 per cent. Adding the value of
the dairy products classified as food preparations in the
volume of manufactures, and the aggregate swells to a round
$13,250,000.

The following table, compiled from the census of 1885
(agriculture), will illustrate the growth of this industry
during the forty years from 1845 to 1885 inclusive. To this
table are also added statistics from the same source, relative
to beef and veal : —

Gold Values.

184.?.

Butter, pouuds,
Total value,
Value per pound

Cheese, pounds,
Total value,
Value per pound

Cream, gallons.
Total value,
Value per gallon

Milk, gallons.
Total value,
Value per gallon

Beef, pounds,
Total value.
Value per pound

Veal, pounds,
Total value.
Value per pound

1835.

7,68S,556 8,116,009

M, 116,709 00 $1,678,558 00
15 21

7,262,637
$398,174 00
05

2,850,412
$304,917 00
11

$225,918 00

5,762,776
$464,251 00
09

3,300,916
$755,888 00
23

Cdrrenct Values.

1865.*

I875.t

3,745,293

$1,300,248 00

36

3,560,481
$582,353 00
16

10,079,180
$1,956,187 00
19

70,825,396
$S,188,664 00
12

4,977,436
$562,895 00
11

7,922,431
$2,747,878 00
35

1,280,234
§162,826 00
13

35,698,159
$5,934,671 00
17

12,258,542
$1,068,154 00
09

3,598,942
$363,517 00
10

Gold Values.

1885.

9,685,539
$2,531,071 00
26

359,124
$33,987 00
095

263,1 58 Ji
$202,706 00
77

72,528,628
$10,312,762 00
14

10,668,941
$718,932 00
067

4,570,870
$391,169 00
086

* Premium, 1.57.

t Premium, 1.12.

19

In the column for 1885 are included the total quantity and
value of milk at the price of new milk, the total quantity
and value of cream sold or used as cream, and the total
quantity and value of butter and cheese made on farms.

The number and value of the animals associated with the
dairy industry is important in this connection ; and it is
found that the census of 188.i gives the number, of milch
cows on farms as 162,847, valued at $6,156,130; and the
number of other bovine animals as 99,339, valued at $2,331-
852 ; or a total of 262,186 animals, valued at $8,487,982.
. In the aggregates of polls, property, taxes, etc., as assessed
May 1, 1885, the number of cows is given as 167,817, and
the number of neat cattle other than cows as 57,044, or a
total of 224,861 ; while the number as assessed May 1, 1889,
is found to be 192,307 cows and 63,884 neat cattle other
than cows, or a total of 256,191.

According to the census of 1885, the value of the manure
made on fiirms is given as $3,090,189 ; and it is estimated
that not less than $2,000,000 of this amount can be credited
to the dairy industry. Also, the production of pork is given
as 16,546,752 pounds, valued at $1,063,180 ; and the making
of this pork to a large extent depends upon the use of the
so-called wastes of the dairy.

From the table it would appear that from 1875 to 1885 cheese
fell off apparently nearly three-fourths as regards quantity.
This is a fact, no doubt, as regards the farm ; but the statis-
tics of manufactures, under which heading cheese is now
returned as a food preparation, show that this decrease in
quantity is due largely to a change rather from agriculture
to manufactures. In the volume on manufactures we find
credited under food preparations 613,087 pounds of cheese,
valued at $65,491 ; which, added to the amount reported as
made on farms, swells the aggregate to 972,211 pounds,
valued at $99,478.

In Massachusetts the first cheese factory went into opera-
tion in April, 1864. Under a call signed by Dwight Ellis
of Warren and a few others, a meeting was held in West
Brookfield, Feb. 1, 1866, at which the Massachusetts Cheese
Manufacturers' Association was formed. At this meeting four
factories reported having made an aggregate of 364,178

20

pounds of cheese during the season of 1864, the net price of
which was $19. GO per hundred pounds. During 18(55 eleven
factories were in operation, — some of them, however, only
a short time, — and the same number in 18(36.

In the latter year nine of them reported an aggregate
capital invested of $44,866.57 ; that the whole amount of
milk was 10,604,518 pounds, from which was made 1,072,705
pounds of cheese, which brought to the farmers, after paying
all expenses, $175,240.62. Early in 1869 it was reported
that there were not less than twenty factories in successful
oj)eration in Massachusetts. Ten of these reported an
aggregate of 1,095,850 pounds of cheese made in 1868. The
aggregate capital in 1871 of thirteen factories was reported
as about i:^(>0,(^00 ; that 10,233,450 pounds of milk were
used and 948,876 pounds of cured cheese produced. Of
these factories the New Braintrec led, with an invested
capital of $9,000; using 1,679,351 pounds of milk, making
165,552 pounds of cured cheese, yielding a net income of
$10.71 per hundred pounds. It is impossible at the present
time to state the date when this association was dissolv^ed.
" The organization had its inception at the time of the intro-
duction of the factory system of making cheese. The factory
at Brimfield and the South Factor}" at Barre started the same
year, and were the first in the New England States to adopt
the S3'stem. It was a new era in the dairy business. The
meetings of the association lasted two daj's and one evening,
with lectures from the best then known speakers, — very
much such meetino:s as the Board now hold. Probably thev
were a stimulus to the Board, and, indirectly, the mother
of ' farmers' institutes ; ' and they only ceased when the
Board and institutes took up the work, and the selling of
milk became better than cheese-making, with Canada to
compete with."

The exact number of cheese factories now in operation in
the Commonwealth is not known, but it is believed th6re are
but four. Returns from a portion of these only have been
received. It is estimated, however, that these factories in
1889 made about 150,000 pounds of cheese, usifig some
1,750,000 pounds of milk, and netting about 9 cents per
pound. In Boston the last seven months the wholesale price

21

of best cheese has ranged from 9 cents to 12 cents per
pound ; and the retail price of old cheese has ranged from
10 cents to 20 cents, and new cheese from 10 cents to 16
cents per pound.

In the census of 1885 (manufactures) the product of
creamery butter is given as 7,800 pounds, valued at $2,700,
and the amount of butter not specified as 189,545 pounds.
Most of the twenty-seven co-operative creameries (or butter
factories) now making butter were established since this
census was taken, and returns to this office in January last
from the twenty-four then in operation gave the amount of
butter made in 1889 as 2,193,983 pounds, yielding an
average price of about 26 cents per pound, or an aggregate
of some $570,000.

There are also three co-operative milk associations, making
butter from their surplus milk ; and in 1889 it is estimated
that they made some 135,000 pounds. Considerable butter
is also made by milk contractors from surplus milk. Prob-
ably the amount of butter made on farms has been somewhat
lessened by the establishment of co operative creameries,
but it is impossible to state to Avhat extent.

As illustrative of the condition of the butter market in
Boston during the past six months, the following compilation
from the market reports of the " Kew England Farmer" is
given : —

May 1. — Butter market remains in good, healthy condition.
Arrivals of choice fresh creamery taken as fast as they arrive.
It is estimated that last 3'ear's business shows 50,000 tubs as au
actual surplus over consumption, which was the cause of the
great depression in the market which was so marked during Jan-
uary and February. The bulk of this was sold at great loss to
the holders. The market reporter of the "Boston Journal"
states that the money lost by Boston butter men during the last
twelve months must have been not less than $100,000. Prices
quoted : Wholesale. Extra creamery, 20 and 21 cents ; firsts
and extra firsts, 15 and 19 cents; New England dairy, 12 and
16 cents. Retail. Print, 28 and 30 cents ; best tub, 25 and 28
cents ; good tub, 15 and 18 cents.

June 1. — For the first time this spring, butter has begun to
accumulate this week, which makes the market very weak and
shaky. The quality of the butter coming in is improving. Prices
quoted: Wholesale. Extra creamery, 15 and 16 cents; firsts

22

and extra firsts, 11 and 13 cents; New Eni^jland dair}', 10 and
13 cents. Retail. Print, 2o cents ; best tub, 23 cents ; good
tub, 15 and 18 cents.

July 1. — Butter market has ruled firm on fine grades during
the week, with a pretty good trade. Consumption is running
along at a full rate. Bu^'ers for cold storage seem determined to
hold off, if they cannot get what they want at low prices. Prices
quoted: Wliolesale. Extra creamery, 15 and 15i cents; firsts
and extra firsts, 11 and 13 cents; New England dairy, 10 and 12
cents. Retail. Print. 25 cents ; best tub, 23 cents ; good tub,
15 and 18 cents.

August 1. — The condition shows a tendency to improve,
although the general market is as yet dull and trade is flat, much
of the receipts of ordinary grades going into cold storage. But
for the best butter there is an improved demand, and the receipts
are not large enough to supply it. The shrewdest judges claim
that the production of butter so far this year has been less than
it was a year ago, and that there are from 25,000 to 30,000 fewer
packages in cold storage. Prices quoted : Wliolesale. Best New
England creamery, 19 and 20 cents; extra firsts, 15 and 17
cents; choice New England dairy, IG and 17 cents; common
grades as to quality down as low as 6 cents. Retail. Print,
25 cents ; best tub, 23 cents ; good tub, 15 and 18 cents.

September 1. — The advance still continues, but is getting to
such a point that consumers are remonstrating, and, if it goes
much higher, the inevitable reaction will follow. Prices quoted:
Wholesale. Best New P^ngland creamery, 24 and 25 cents ; fine
dairy selections, 21 and 22 cents ; average lots, 17 and 20 cents.
Retail. Print, 30 and 33 cents ; best tub, 28 and 30 cents ; good
tub, 18 and 22 cents.

October 1. — Market in a good, healthy condition. Trade is
inclined to be dull. The books of the chamber of commerce show
that September receipts run ahead of last year ; but the total re-
ceipts for the past five months are smaller than for the same time
a 3'ear ago, — a decrease of about 40,000 tubs, as compared with
last season. Prices quoted : Wholesale. Best New England
creamery, 24 and 25 cents; fine dairy selections, 19 and 21
cents; average lots, 16 and 18 cents. Retail. Print, 30 and 35
cents ; best tub, 30 and 33 cents ; good tub, 20 and 25 cents.

November 1. — Butter market in a firm, healthy condition.
Fine fresh receipts are kept sold up, and, although the i)rod notion
is unusually large for the season, there is no accumulation in any
grade. The prevailing opinion is that prices will go no lower,
and that the next change will be an upward one. Prices quoted :

23

Wholesale. Best New England creamery, 25 and 26 cents ; fine
dairy selections, 20 and 22 cents. Retail. Print, 33 and 35
cents ; best tub, 30 and 33 cents ; good tub, 20 and 25 cents.

In referring to the milk industry, it is necessary to con-
sider it from the Boston stand-point, as most of the surplus
milk produced is bought by contractors and disposed of in
said city. Last spring the contract agreed to by the com-
mittees of the milk contractors and the producers' union was
that the price of milk in Boston for the six months com-
rnencing April 1, 1890, should be 32 cents per can of 8^
quarts. The contractors agreed to pay the regular price for
all milk for use as milk (or cream), and for 5 per cent addi-.
tional as a "margin;" but for the excess beyond this
(known as " surplus milk") they were to pay its value for
butter purposes, the price depending on the jobbing price of
fresh creamery butter and the grading of prices of milk
(owing to the varying conditions at different points), to be
arranged between each route (or car) and its own contrac-
tor. For the six months commencing Oct. 1, 1890, it is
thought the price will be 36 cents per can of 8^ quarts.
The producers want 38 cents, and ofter to compromise on
37 cents ; but the contractors say that they can get all the
milk they need for 36 cents. The average freight on the
milk that comes to Boston is about 10 cents per can. Tak-
ing out one cent per can for surplus, leaves 25 cents per can
the winter average, and 21 cents the summer average at the
car. This gives the producer on the average about 3 cents
per quart in winter, and 2| cents in summer. From this
must be deducted the cost of o-ettins; the milk to the car.*
The retail price of milk in Boston is from 7 to 8 cents per
quart from October 1 to April 1, and from 6 to 7 cents the
rest of the year.

The following, condensed from the thirty-first annual re-
port of the inspector of milk and vinegar of the city of Bos-
ton, 1889, will be of interest in this connection : —

Estimated number of quarts of milk for average daily
consumption in 1889 was 207,493. It can be said that the
quality of the milk of Boston, as a whole, is very good.

* Bulletin No. 2, June, 1890.

2i

For the proper enforcement of a law to prevent the adulter-
ation of milk, it is necessary that a certain fixed standard of
quality shall be prescribed. In this Commonwealth the
statute requires that, to be of good standard quality, milk
must yield on analysis not more than 87 per cent of watery
fluid, nor less than 13 per cent of milk solids, nor less than
9.75 per cent of milk solids exclusive of fat, except during
the months of May and June, when it shall contain not less
than 12 per cent of milk solids.

The only methods of adulteration at all employed are the
very simplest possible, and include skimming, watering and
coloring. Milk, as purchased in Boston, has commonly
passed through several hands : the producer, the contractor,
the dealer who delivers from a wagon, and to a great extent
the shop-keeper. The practice of adulteration is not confined
to any class of dealers, and is carried on by individuals in
any branch of the business, who are tempted to larger profits
than they can justly earn ; for a man is not necessaril}' honest
because he is a producer, nor is he to be considered dishonest
merely because he drives a milk wagon or sells milk over the
counter. In several instances complaints against milkmen
have been withdravvn, on satisfactory evidence that the dairies
supplying them were at fault. Of store-keepei's it may be
said that many of them keep milk for sale merely as an
accommodation to their customers, and not for profit, and
that as a rule they deliver the milk as it is received. Of
those who sell from wagons, the majority never tamper
with their milk ; many do occasionally, especially when the
supply runs short ; and others are habitually dishonest. The
addition of coloring-matter to milk is done almost wholly
■8kfl6er it leaves the hands of the producers. The materials
used for this purpose ar^ caramel (burnt sugar) and aunotto.

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