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AGRICULTURAL

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Series of 1895. Bulletin No. 1.

MASSACHUSETTS

CKOP_Pv.EPOET

AGRi' -Ii

0

Month of May, 1895.

ISSUED 15Y

WM. R. SESSIONS
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Okkick Square.

1895.

A^3 8

I 2 =? S"

Crop Eepoet for the Month of May, 1895.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., June 1, 1895.

Bulletin No. 1, Crop Report for the month of May, is
herewith presented as the opening bulletin of the season.
These crop bulletins will be issued monthly, on or about the
seventh day, during the growing and harvesting seasons.
Arrangements have been made with the New England
Weather Service whereby weekly weather-crop bulletins
will be sent Tuesdays to each person on our mailing list,
and also by special arrangement to the postmasters of the
Commonwealth, for posting in their respective offices. The
first number issued was for date of May 6. Also, as last
year, a short article by a specialist of the Board of Agri-
culture will be included in each issue. The article in this
bulletin is furnished by the veterinarian, and treats of
Tuberculin.

Report on Farm Animals.

[Report No. 123, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Statistics.]

Horses.

The number of horses has fallen off 187,821, or 1.17 per
cent, during the past year. The heaviest losses generally
occurred in the central and western States, and the greatest
increases in numbers in the Southern States and in the Terri-
tories. Prices have declined in all the States and Territories
except Massachusetts and Nevada, the increase in the former
being $1.10. The causes generally assigned by correspond-
ents for the falling away in the number of horses are the
substitution of other motors in the street-car service of towns
and cities, and the failure of food crops and consequent
inability to sustain them. The decline in value is usually
attributed to the widespread depression.

Mules.
There has been a slight general decrease in the number of
mules, and the average price of this animal has fallen from
,17 in January, 1894, to 147.55, same date, 1895.

■ Milch Coivs.
The tendency to an increase of milch cows noted in last
year's report still continues. The estimated number in Jan-
uary, 1895, was 16,504,629, or an increase of 0.1 per cent.
The average farm value per head for the present year (1895)
is 121.97, against $21.77 last year.

Oxen and Other Cattle.
The decrease in number of oxen and other cattle since the
estimate in January, 1894, has been very marked, and
amounts to 6.13 per cent. Accompanying this considerable
decline in numbers there has been a falling oft' in the value
per head of 60 cents.

Sheej^.

The decline in the number of sheep was 2,753,953, and is
attributed to the ravages of farm dogs and wild animals, the
low price of wool, the hard times, and scarcity of feed. The
price per head has also declined from $1.98 to $1.58.

Hogs.
There has been a decrease of 2.3 per cent in estimated
number of swine, and the average price is $4.97 for the year
1895, against $5.98, Jan. 1, 1894. To scarcity of feed and
cholera may be attributed principally the diminution in
number of this animal. The decline in value is ascribed
mainly to hard times.

Summary.

Horses in the United States, Jan. 1, 1895, 15,893,318,
valued at $576,730,580; mules, 2,333,108, valued at
$110,927,834; milch cows, 16,504,629, valued at $362,-
601,729; oxen and other cattle, 34,364,216, valued at
$482,999,129; sheep, 42,294,064, valued at $66,685,767;
swine, 44,165,716, valued at $219,501,267; total value of
farm animals, $1,819,446,306.

Statistics for Massachusetts.

Horses on farms, 65,760; average price, $74.13 ; value,
$4,874,627. Milch cows on farms, 178,135 ; average price,
$32.50 ; value, $5,789,388. Oxen and other cattle on farms,
82,965; average price, $24.46; value, $2,029,361. Sheep
on farms, 49,383; average price, $3.43; value, $169,137,
Swine on farms, 63,256 ; average price, $8.58 ; value,
$542,734.

Condition of Farm Animals.
By Report No. 125 of the Statistician of the United States
Department of Agriculture (April, 1895) it appears from
the notes of correspondents that diseases of a fotal and un-
usually severe nature have not prevailed generally during
the year. Only from New York has mention been made of
the existence of tuberculosis. Most losses have been the
result of exposure, and want of the usual nourishment,
owing to the scarcity of feed. Hog cholera prevails to a
considerable extent in many of the States, and especially in
Iowa, where one county reports a loss of 1,100 hogs in one
month from this cause alone. Taking the country as a
whole, the stock has come out of winter quarters in fair con-
dition. For Massachusetts the condition of horses is jxiven
as 99 ; cattle, 95 ; sheep, 100 ; and swine, 97.

Condition of Winter Grain.
Report No. 125, above referred to, states that the past
winter has been hard on wheat. The fall of 1894 was a dry
one, and in many States not favorable either to germination
or to the maintenance of the vitality of the plant. The
spring has also been droughty over extensive areas. Very
little damage from the Hessian fly is reported.

May Crop Report.
The May returns of the United States Department of
Agriculture (Report No. 126) show an increase in condition
of wheat of 1.5 points from the April average, being 82.9,
against 81.4 last month and 81.4 in May, 1894. In Wis-
consin, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska the prospects are

6

poor. Iowa and Missouri report favorable prospects. Win-
ter rye, like wheat, has advanced nearly 2 points since last
month, its average for May being 88.7. The prospects for
rye throughout the rye belt are fair, except in the State of
New York, where it is too dry, while in the States of Minne-
sota and Kansas the crop was considerably damaged by the
severe winter, and has, not recovered. The average condition
of winter barley is 94, against 62.3 in the month of May,
1894. The lowest conditions are in Texas, Indiana and
Iowa, and the highest in New York, California and Oregon.
The condition of spring pasture is 89.7 ; of mowing lands,
89.4. The proportion of spring ploughing done May 1 is
reported as 82.8 per cent, against 83.5 last year and 73.4
in 1893. For Massachusetts the average condition of mead-
ows and mowing lands May 1 is given as 96 ; of spring
pasture, 93 ; proportion of ploughing work already done, 33
per cent; proportion usually done by May 1 (in an average
year) , 44 per cent.

Weather Summary, January — April, 1895.

Furnished by the New England "Weather Service.

January gave slightly warmer weather than normal in the
eastern part of the State, and slightly colder in central and
western counties. There was no general thaw and no ex-
tremely cold weather. The precipitation was above the nor-
mal in the southern part, but less than the usual amount
came in the centre and north. About the normal amount of
snow fell during the month, and with the steady temperature
most of it remained on the ground, giving a good protection
to all roots and shrubs. The only storm of marked severity
was that of the 26th-27th, when some damage was done
along the coast by the wind, and travel was hindered in the
interior by drifting snow.

February was cold and dry. The temperature averaged
from 2 to 7 degrees a day below the normal throughout the
greater part of the State. The temperature rose several
degrees above freezing in south-eastern Massachusetts on
the early morning of the 8th, then fell rapidly and to a low
point under the influence of north-west winds which pre-
vailed. At Provincetown the daily range on the 8th was

the greatest ever recorded there in fourteen years of observa-
tion, while the minimum on the 6th was the lowest ever
registered there in that time. The precipitation was gener-
ally in the form of snow, except in the extreme south-east,
and most of it came in the storm of the 7th-8th. This
storm was extremely severe, and great damage was done
along the coast by the high tide and terrific winds. The
tide and winds probably did more damage to wharves, ship-
ping, etc., along our coast than in any one storm for years.
Several buildings were blown down or badly damaged in the
vicinity of Amesbury, Mass. The ground was mostly well
covered with snow throughout the month. There was some
injury to peaches by the cold spell, and the very high wind
drove the cold into many cellars that were considered frost-
proof.

The weather for March did not depart far from the normal
in any respect, though it was slightly cooler and drier than
March generally gives in some places. The storms were not
so severe as are many times experienced, and the snow gave a
good covering on the fields and pastures, except along the
immediate coast, until near the end of the month. The
season opened slowly, and was later than usual at the end
of the month.

April departed very little from the normal in temperature,
although it was slightly warmer in central counties ; but an
excess of rain came, except in the extreme south-east. The
storms of the 8th-9th and 13th-15th filled the ground and
reservoirs ; and the intervales on rivers rising in the north
were badly washed by the floods that came from the melting
snow and extremely heavy rainfalls which fell there. In the
Berkshire hills the highways were badly blocked by snow-
drifts till after the 15th of the month. The ground was cold
and the season backward, and no great amount of seed had
been put into the ground in any section at the end of the
month.

New England Weather and Crops.

From United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.

Week ending May 6. — Warmer than usual over greater
portion of country. On north Pacific coast, in central Cali-
fornia, over Utah, Arizona and New Mexico and over limited

8

areas on New England and middle Atlantic coasts the week
was cooler than usual, but the deficiency in temperature was
not marked. Generally the rainfall was above the average,
especially in eastern Texas. Along the immediate Gulf
coast, in Tennessee, the Ohio valley, and from the upper lake
region eastward to the New England coast, but little rain
fell during the week. Generally the week was very favor-
able. Corn planting had progressed rapidly in the Northern
States. Cotton planting was nearing completion. Winter
wheat had been unfavorably affected by warm, dry weather
in Missouri and Ohio. Fruit prospects continued excellent.

Week ending May 13. — Notwithstanding the exception-
ally low temperature for this season that occurred from the
Rocky Mountains eastward to the Atlantic coast from the
11th to the 13th, the week averaged warmer than usual in
all districts, except in the Southern States and over portions
of the north Pacific coast. The maximum and minimum
temperatures of the week were very unusual. The great
feature of the week was the remarkably cool wave which
overspread nearly the whole of the country east of the
Rocky Mountains on the 11th, 12th and 13th, attended by
freezing weather in the Northern States, and frost as far
south as the Ohio valley and western portion of South Car-
olina. Snows occurred alono; the lakes in Michigan and
Wisconsin. Generally the rainfall west of the Mississippi
River was less than usual and to the eastward greater than
usual.

Week ending May 20. — Week cooler than usual every-
where east of the Rocky Mountains, and from the Missouri
valley eastward over the central and northern portions of the
country it was decidedly cool. Week also cooler than usual
on the California coast, but over the eastern portion of that
State and throughout the plateau and north Pacific coast
regions it was warmer than usual. The rainfall during the
week was below the average over the greater portion of the
country. Except light showers in one or two sections there
was no rain during the week on the Pacific coast. The ex-
ceptionally cool weather of the past week was very unfavor-
able for most crops, and widespread injury was done by
frosts, which have been general throughout the northern and

9

central portions of the country and as far south as the
northern portions of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
The damage to the grape crop from frost has been especially
heavy in New York and Pennsylvania, and fruits generally
have suffered in all northern and central districts. Corn has
suffered seriously. Cotton has also suffered.

Week ending May 27. — Throughout the United States
generally the week was cooler than usual. Week decidedly
cool on the Pacific coast and throughout the central and
northern portions of the country east of the Rocky Mountains.
Generally in the Gulf States and on the Atlantic coast south
of New England the rainfall of the week exceeded the aver-
age. From the upper Ohio valley westward over the upper
Mississippi and lower Missouri valleys the rainfall was de-
cidedly below the average, and over a considerable portion
of this area the rainfall was inappreciable. Upon the whole,
the weather conditions of the week were unfavorable. Com-
plaint as to the unfavorable effects of the unseasonably low
temperature upon crops is general throughout the middle,
central and southern portions. Cotton has suffered severely.
Replanting of corn has been general.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

Weather Bureau, Bostox.

Week ending May 6. — New England. Killing frost on
the 2d, but nothing sufficiently advanced for injury; last of
week very favorable, and farm work being hurried ; planting
general in southern and being begun in northern portion ;
grass starting well.

Week-ending May 13. — New England. Hot and dry
till 12th, and all vegetation made wonderful growth ; no
damage from cold weather on 13th, owing to cloudiness ;
general frost on 14th, except on immediate coast, which
probably did considerable damage in interior counties.

Week ending May 20. — New England. Week very
cold, and, except in extreme south-east portion, very dry;
crops growing very slowly ; frosts on 14th and 17th killed
all crops above ground ; all new growth on grapes frozen ;
strawberries badly injured ; apples a little damaged, except
in north-central portions ; peaches injured very little.

10

'Week ending May 27. — New England. Plenty of rain
has fallen in south-east, but elsewhere it is too dry and cold
for crops ; grass feeling want of rain seriously and all crops
coming slowly ; considerable planting yet to be done,
especially in the north.

Weather Summary for May, 1895.

Furnished by the New England Weather Service.

The month of May in Massachusetts was much warmer
than is usual, the temperature range for the month was great
and the daily changes large and rapid. At Westborough
the mean temperature from the 6th to the 12th was 73*^,
-while from the 12th to the 19th it was 49°. At Boston
from the 6th to the 12th the excess in temperature averaged
over 18^ a day. For the month as a whole the mean was
from 1° to 3° a day higher than the normal.

A sharp frost occurred in eastern sections on the morning
of the 2d, the temperature falling several degrees below
freezing. General and heavy frosts occurred on the 14th
and 17th and local frosts on the 19th and 22d. Correspond-
ents report great damage to the new growth on grapes, con-
siderable to cranberry vines on bogs that were not flowed,
and some injury to strawberries and the large fruits. Snow
was seen on the tops of the Berkshire hills on the 15th.

The precipitation was considerably below the normal, ex-
cept in the south-eastern counties, and was generally insuffi-
cient for the proper nourishment of crops. Grass especially
has suffered in the central and western counties, and many
correspondents report fear that the grass crop will be light,
partly because of the drought last year. In the south-east
grass is growing thick and fine and other crops are favorably
affected by the weather. The rainfall was fairly well dis-
tributed throughout the month, and amounted to from one
and one-half to two and one-half inches in all north-
eastern, central and western counties, and from three and
one-half to nearly five inches on the Cape and the Island of
Nantucket. In western towns the springs and streams are
reported to be the lowest for the season for many years.

There was more than the usual amount of sunshine and a
marked absence of heavy rain and wind storms. On the

ir

whole, the month was favorable for the forwarding of farm
work, while the outlook for crops is encouraging. Dr.
Jabez Fisher at Fitchburg reports apple bloom on the 12th,
— three days later than in 1894, but eleven days earlier than
the average for thirty-nine years.

In the circular to correspondents returnable May 31 the
following questions were asked : —

1. How does the present season compare, agriculturally
speaking, with last season ?

2. What is the promise for pastures and mowings, and
did fall seeding winter well ?

3. How did the fruit bloom compare with the bloom of
former years ?

4. Did the frost of May 14 do much damage in your
vicinity ?

5. What insects appear to be doing the most damage in
your neighborhood ?

6. Is farm help scarce, or plenty ; and what proportion
would you call good help?

7. What wages, with board and without board, are paid
farm help in your vicinity ?

8. What percentage of cattle in your locality do you be-
lieve to be affected with tuberculosis? What percentage
badly aflfected ?

Returns have been received from 129 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made : —

The Season.

Correspondents vary so much in their replies to this ques-
tion that it is difficult to make a fair summary. The follow-
ing will help in forming an estimate : —

Williamstoivn, Berkshire County. — "Spring came in
good. Short mud season and up to May 1 things were very
forward. Need of rain soon felt, which did not come till
May 27. The cold and drought, together with frosty nights
for a week, caused vegetation to cease to grow. Rain has
come now and the promise is very good."

Conway^ FranTclin County. — "It has been an unusual
season so fi\r. The first of May was very warm, one day the

12

thermometer being at 90° in the shade ; then it was very
cold, and we had frosts and water froze. Hardly any rain
until the 27th, when we had a fine rain with thunder showers.
The 28th was very cool and windy, with indications of
frost."

Southampton, Hampshire County. — " Season no better
than last. The frost of May 14 and 17, with about two
weeks of cold, dry wind, gave us long faces ; but the rain of
May 27 and the warm weather since caused a smile to come
again."

Templeton, Worcester County. — "The winter was long.
Spring opened late. A hot, dry spell the first week in May
was followed by extreme cold from the 12th to the 23d; a
freeze the 2d and 14th and quite a snow-storm the 15th.
Now the season is quite favorable."

Ipswich, Essex County. — " Season generally much colder
than last, and all vegetation from a week to ten days later."

Dartmouth, Bristol County. — "The season opened very
favorably, but the last ten days having been cold and some-
what stormy have kept vegetable growth back."

Sandwich, Barnstable County. — "Season about as early
as last, with more rain and a better outlook."

Pastures and Mowings.
Some mowings and pastures are in excellent condition,
while many others are very poor. Old meadows and dry
fields will produce but a very light crop of grass. The con-
dition is perhaps less favorable in the western portion of the
State, where drought has been more severe, and where con-
siderable damage has been done by frosts. The correspond-
ent in Monroe, Franklin County, writes, " Many acres are
as brown as though fire ran over them." Fall seeding gen-
erally wintered well, although there are a number of com-
plaints of winter-killing. In the eastern portion of the State
the condition is generally satisfactory.

Fruit Bloom.
It being an ofi" year for apples, the apple bloom was not
generally heavy, particularly that of winter varieties. The
bloom of pears, peaches, etc., was generally large. A num-

13

ber of correspondents speak of the fruit bloom as beinoj
abundant. It is feared the frosts the middle of May will
materially shorten the fruit crop.

Damage from Frost.
The frosts of May 14 and 17 were quite general, and con-
siderable damage was done, especially on low lands. Grapes
were greatly injured, and probably all fruit bloom was
affected unfavorably. Grass was injured in the western
counties. Gardens were injured, also corn, potatoes,
asparagus, strawberries, beans, tomatoes, forest trees, and
cranberries where not flowed. The correspondent in East
Templeton, Worcester County, speaks of "quite a snow-
storm the 15th (May)."

Insects.
The cold weather has not been conducive to the develop-
ment of insect pests, and very little complaint of their
ravages is made. Tent caterpillars do not appear to be par-
ticularly plenty or troublesome. Canker worms are reported
as doing considerable damage in Middlesex and Essex coun-
ties. Other insects mentioned by correspondents are potato
beetles, currant worms, cut worms, green lice, elm-tree
borers, asparagus beetles, onion maggots, cabbage maggots
and cranberry fire worms. Cut worms appear to be quite
plenty.

Farm Help and Wages.
Generally the supply of farm help is equal to the demand,
but, as in many years past, the proportion of really good
help is small. Some of the correspondents say that it is
almost impossible to secure first-class help. Good help in
the house is also very difficult to obtain. In Berkshire
County, the range in wages for farm help is $10 to $20 per
month and board ; by the day, help are paid $1.25 to $1.50,
according to quality. In Franklin County the range is $8
to $25 per month and board ; by the day, $1 to '$1.50. In
Hampshire County the range is $12 to $25 per month and
board; by the day, $1 to $1.50. In Hampden County the
range is $10 to $25 per month and board; by the day, $1
to $2. In Worcester County the range is $8 to $25 per month

14

and board ; by the day, $1 to $2. In Middlesex County the
range is |15 to |25 per month and board ; by the day, $1.50
to $1.75. In Essex County the range is $12 to $25 per
month and board; by the day, $1 to $1.50. In Norfolk
County the range is $15 to $30 per month and board; by
the day, $1.50 to $2. In Bristol County the range is $10 to
to $25 per month and board; by the day, $1 to $1.50. In
Plymouth County the range is $10 to $22 per month and
board ; by the day, $1.50. In Barnstable County the range
is $8 to $25 per month and board ; by the day, $1.50 to $2.
In Dukes and Nantucket counties $1.50 per day is paid.
Twenty dollars per month and board or $1.50 per day with-
out board is probably a fair average of the w^ages paid good
help.

Tuberculosis.

The questions relative to this disease among our domestic
animals were asked in order to learn the views and opinions
of actual owners of cattle. Most of our correspondents are
thoroughly familiar with the care and handling of live stock,
and their rei)lies to the questions asked show a commend-
able spirit of fairness and a desire to state the facts as they
understand them. One hundred and twenty-nine replies
w^ere received. Many stated that they were unable to
give an ojiinion which would be of value, owing to the
impossibility of detecting the disease by physical examina-
tion, excej)t when the cases are very marked. Thirty-eight
correspondents replied that they believed their locality to be
free from the disease. Quite a large number gave the num-
ber aftected as 1 to 2 per cent. Others placed their estimate
of number affected as high as 10, 20 and even 25 per cent.
The majority of estimates of percentage of animals badly
affected are 0, 1 and 2 per cent. None place it over 10 per
cent. The estimates of course are largely in the nature of
guess-work, and no one can predict accurately what would
be shown were each animal to be tested with tuberculin.
The following statements from returns of correspondents are
in every way a fair presentation of the condition as reported
to us in replies to the questions asked : —

Berk^liire County. — 1. With no tuberculin there is no
tuberculosis. 2. Do not think many cattle are affected with

15

tuberculosis, as most of them are bred and raised here.
Those found diseased are brought in. 3. In our immediate
vicinity or town 1 in 500. Where Jerseys are largely kept
by rich people, and delicately kept, perhaps 1 in 25.

Franklin County. — 1. Do not know what per cent are
affected; think there are not many in this section, at any
rate, do not know where they are. 2. Not more than 1 in
50 ; do not know one bad case. 3. I believe there is but
very little about here, not over 5 per cent, and none badly
affected that I know of. 4. I have no reason to believe
there is very much in this vicinity ; none has been found in
cattle slaughtered the past year. 5. I doubt if 1 per cent
in this locality. Have known of only one case badly affected.
6. About one-tenth of 1 per cent, and none badly affected.

Hampshire County . — 1. Affected as indicated by tuber-
culin, should expect at least 20 per cent ; badly affected, as
shown by physical signs, probably not 5 per cent. 2. Do not
know of any badly affected. The authorities have killed
three head, two of which had been lately brought into town.
Do not think you would find much disease in the hill towns.
3. Our town inspector reports very few, and those so slight
as to be even uncertain. 4. Tuberculosis has certainly been
in this town. Two cows quarantined last year; one con-
demned and one released, but later died of tuberculosis. We
are anxious about the future of this disease, and I think the
fear of it has prevented the building of a number of silos in
town this spring. 5. Cattle quite free from disease, only
two or three cases reported in town by local inspector.

Hampden County. — 1. Don't know, but think only a small
percentage, if our inspector can be relied upon. 2. Not
being an expert, do not feel competent to answer intelli-
gently, but do not believe there is any more tuberculosis
now than thirty years ago, where stock is allowed free
pasturage or given good, airy stables. 3. Any attempt at
answering question 8 would be guess-work, and of no value
and very likely misleading. I think very few suspected
cases exist in this vicinity. The tendency in this section
has been to dispose of those the owners were suspicious of.
I have never yet seen the man who can correctly diagnose
cases without the use of tuberculin. 4. I believe the per-

16

centage of tuberculous animals in this vicinity very small."
Very few have been condemned by local inspection.

Worcesfer' County. — 1. With good care and common-
sense treatment, don't think tuberculosis more common or
more to be feared than for the last thirty years. Fancy
farmers and some cow traders may have it, but think it
troubles the common, every-day farmer but very little. The
inspector here has found 8 diseased out of 300 dressed. 2.
Being inspector of cattle for this town, can say that in my
judgment there may be 8 per cent of the cows somewhat
affected, but not more than 2 per cent that ought to be killed.
H. There are very few affected cattle in this town ; in my
judgment, not more than 2 per cent, and those not badly.
4. Our fariners are not willing to admit that any of their
cattle are affected, but frequently speak of cases, so that I
am led to the opinion that there is considerable of it among
the cattle in town. 5. Notwithstandino- the fact that some
cattle have been "sold to the State" in this vicinity, there
is no more evidence of tuberculosis among the herds here
than there has been for ten years past, possibly 1 or 2 per
cent. 6. Very few badly affected, but with the tuberculin
test I think 20 per cent would respond. 7. I think the per-
centage of cattle in this locality quite small that are affected
with tuberculosis. Don't know what the tuberculin test
would reveal, but the badly affected ones are very few. 8.
I think not over 2 per cent. There were three quarantined,
but they were found not to have tuberculosis. Our inspect-
or was a village man and never owned a cow, and don't
think he knows what the disease is. Let us have inspectors
who are familiar with cattle and let them use judgment, and
tHere will not be half the present trouble. 9. I think if
tested with tuberculin 25 per cent would be condemned, but
probably 15 per cent of these would not show it by any phys-
ical examination, or their usefulness be hurt. 10. About
40 head of cattle have been killed here within two years.
These were picked out in the first place by physical exami-
nation. 11. Our local inspector found during the 3'ear 15
tuberculous animals, which is 1.74 per cent of the number
of cows and other neat stock assessed in 1894.

17

Middlesex County. — Nearly 200 cattle have been killed
in this town. Tuberculin has proved efficient here. In
a near-by town the local inspector has in some cases advised
farmers to kill badly diseased cattle and bury them quietly,
but no thorough examination of herds has been made. This
is a curious commentary on the working of the law.

Essex County. — 1. There have been few herds examined
in this vicinity, and there is nothing to judge by. 2. Do
not know of any tuberculosis in town. Never knew of but
two cases that appeared to be it. 3. Not posted, but think
1 per cent would be large. Know of but one condemned.
4. I have no reason to think there are many cattle affected,
and believe ver}^ few are badly affected ; 2 per cent would
more than cover the whole.

JVbrfoIk County. — 1. I know very little about what
tuberculin would show if applied as a test. By external or
physical examination there are no apparently bad cases.
eTudged in the same way (externally), there may be 1 to 5
per cent of suspicious cases, but not such that a man of ordi-
nary prudence would hesitate to use the product of the cow.
2. I do not know of any cattle I believe affected with
tuberculosis, and I think the scare is largely over.

Bristol County. — 1. Very few cattle are kei)t in this
town. I have not heard of a single case of tuberculosis.
2. There are very few in this town that are affected at all,
perhaps 5 per cent, and there are two cows which I think
are badly affected. I hear of but few affected at this time, —
not as many as in the winter mouths. 3. No tuberculosis
in this section. Not a single animal has been condemned
and killed by the commissioners. 4. Think there is but
little, if any, in this neighborhood. Know of only two cases
where cattle were condemned and killed, both proving per-
fectly healthy. 5. In two years but six cows in town
slaughtered for beef have been found affected. I do not
think tuberculosis is any more prevalent than it w^as fifty
years ago. 6. I think very few cattle are affected with
tuberculosis in this locality. I know of no cases at the
present time. 7. Having had quite an experience as in-
spector of cattle, I do not think over 5 per cent are affected,
and not over 1 per cent badly affected.

18

Plymouth County. — 1. As inspector, I found but two
cases in the last two years. 2. The agent for this town says
he does not know of any cattle afl'ected with tuberculosis at
the present time. 3. We do not hear much about tubercu-
losis in this section. 4. I do not know of one. Our in-
spector has only reported one, and that one has been
reported twice. 5. The common farmer has no means of
giving an intelligent answer. There are ver}^ few bad cases.

Barnstable County. — 1. I think the percentage very
small. Can make no estimate. Know of no bad cases.
2. All cattle have been inspected and branded by the com-
missioners. Have heard of none being condemned. 3. I
think the Cattle Commissioners found no diseased cattle in
this vicinity.

Dukes County. — None.

JSFantuchet County. — Do not think there is 1 in 50. The
use of tuberculin has been the worst curse that ever happened
to our dairy farmers. I have had three good cows spoiled,
and my neighbors are all having trouble with cows drying
up. One man's herd of six has been dry four months. My
best milch cow has been dry four and one-half months, and
was never dry more than a month at a time before.

19

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us May 31.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews). — Seasoa about three weeks later
than last. Promise good for pastures and mowings. Fall seeding
did not winter well. Fruit bloom not as full as in former years.
Frost of May 14 did considerable damage, especially to grapes.
Tent caterpillar doing some damage. Farm help scarce and about
one-fourth is good help. Wages $20 per month with board and
from $25 to $28 per month without board.

Cheshire (L, J. Northup). — Season about an average. Past-
ures and mowings are looking fairly well, although it is too dry.
Fruit bloom about an average. Early garden stuff and fruit trees
where not sheltered were damaged by the frost of May 14. Tent
caterpillars are very plenty. Farm help seems to be more plenty
this year than usual. In this vicinity help get on an average
about $20 per month and board.

Williamstoion {^. A. Hickox). — This season compares favor-
ably with last. Outlook for mowings and pastures poor until the
welcome rain of May 27. Fall seeding wintered well. Fruit
bloom was good. Frost of May 14 did not do much damage.
Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Farm help is plenty
and about 10 per cent is good help. Wages $10 to $20 per
month with board and $25 per month without board.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — The high temperature and sun-
shine of the first part of the month sent the season along rapidly,
and all vegetation is ahead of the average. Fall seeding win-
tered well. Pastures are very good. Mowings appear quite well,
but more rain is needed. The fruit bloom was below the average.
Potato bugs are plenty. There is plenty of farm help and about
three-fourths are good help. Wages for average help are $18 per
mouth with board and $1.25 per day without board.

20

Deerjield (Charles Jones). — AVeather has been dry and cold,
with a few warm days. Grass looks well. Pastures are looking
well. Fall seeding about an average. Rye and oats are looking
well. Tobacco plants are a little late, but will be plenty. Farm
help is fairly plenty and about one man in four is fairly good help.
Wages from $12 to $19 per month with board and from $1 to
$1.50 per day without board.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Season about as early as last
year, but it is ver}'^ dry, as we have had but one rain the past
mouth, and that wet down only about three inches in grass land.
Early fall seeding wintered well. Pastures look well now. Fruit
bloom very full, but in some places it was damaged by frost.
About one-fourth of the farm help is good help. Day help re-
ceive $1.25. By the month $18 to $20 and board is paid.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — The frost and cold dry weather
have kept vegetation back, and we are afraid the grass crop has
been injured by frost. Fall seeding wintered well. Many trees
in our forests are brown from the effects of the frost. Do not
think the frost injured fruit trees. Farm help fairly plenty.
Wages $15 to $20 per mouth with board and $1.25 to $1.50 by
the day.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Vegetation about equally advanced
with last season. Pastures and mowings both started uncommonly
well, except in patches where killed by drought last summer. Fall
seeding wintered well, but condition is in many places poor on
account of poor catch owing to dry season last year. Cherries,
pears, peaches and quinces showed abundant fruit bloom. Apples
showed abundant bloom in places, but irregular. Blackberries,
currants and strawberries promise well, but raspberries rather
poorly. The frost of May 14 did a little damage to beans and
tender vegetables where up, and much to grapes in low places.
Clover was hurt to some extent. Farm help plenty, but probably
not more than one in ten is competent to drive and care for a
team and do all kinds of work. Wages with board from $14
per month up to $25 ; without board, $30 to $40.

Belcherlown (H. C. AVest). — Up to a few days the promise of
both pastures and mowings was far from good, but the late rains
have raised the hopes of the farmers. Fruit bloom a full average.
Frost of May 14 badly injured fruits on low ground. No trouble
as yet from insects. Good help is scarce. Wages $15 to $20
per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board.

21

Our greatest drawback thus far has been in the extreme shortage
of pasture. Dry and cold has been the general condition of the
weather. The hay crop of last year was short, and we have had
to buy feed in order to keep up the flow of milk of our cows.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Pastures are good, and grass has
a good color, but is rather thin. Fall seeding wintered well.
Fruit bloom a full average. Grapes and strawberries suffered by
frost of May 14, and early vegetables of course were killed. Have
noticed a few green lice upon cherry and plum trees and but few
tent caterpillars. Good workers are fairly plenty, but intelligent,
workmen are scarce. Wages $12 to $20 per month with board
and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board.

Holyoke (John C. Thorpe). — The season is fully as early as
last. Pastures and mowings were suffering for lack of rain, but
are now looking well. Fall seeding wintered well. The bloom of
apples was about one-half, Baldwins not more than one-third,
other fruits an average bloom. The frost of May 14 did no damage
on the east side of the meadows, but on the west side it killed
vegetation. There is plenty of good farm help, and wages for that
class are $20 to $25 per month and board, with $14 to $16 per
month and board for the poorer help.

Monson (W. M. Tucker). — Season much later than last, but
the weather has been good the past two weeks. Pastures not yet
recovered from last season's drought. Mowings look well where
well cared for. Old fields and mowings are very poor. Fall seed-
ing wintered well. Grapes were badly frozen by the frost of May
14. Currant worms and cut worms are doing some damage.
Farm help is in fair supply and about one-half is good help.
Wages $18 to $22 per month for eight mouths for the best help.

WORCESTER COUNTY.
Petersham (S. R. Cook). — Spring started in early, but the
weather is very dry, as we have had no rain of consequence for
three weeks. The promise for a good crop of hay is not good.
Pastures are very dry. Fall seeding wintered fairly well. Apples,
especially Baldwins, have less bloom than last year, and peaches
and pears more. English grain is making slow growth, and nearly
all the later-planted seeds are germinating slowly. The frost of
May 14 did considerable damage in the valleys. Farm help is
scarce and only one in five is good help. Wages are $30 per
month without board and $16 to $18 with board.

22

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher) . — Season not quite as early
as 1 894, but earlier than the average for thirty-nine years. Pastures
and mowings look well and everything wintered first class. Bloom
of pears very full and that of apples less than one-half of last
year. The frost of May 14 killed 25 to 40 per cent of the grapes
and 10 to 20 per cent of the strawberries, all that had bloomed,
but only little of the tree fruits. Good farm help fairly plenty and
fully plenty of poor that are not earnest for work. Wages $16
to $22 per month with board and $1.50 per day without.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — The weather has been so change-
able that many things are not looking as well as usual. It has not
been favorable for grass. Fall seeding was very late and is small
yet. Tree fruits, with the exception of the apple, bloomed full.
The frost of May 14 cut some early vegetables. Cut worms are
•working some. There seems to be plenty of farm help and no more
complaint than usual. Wages are $18 to $25 per month with
board for fair to good help.

Blackstone {h. R. Daniels). — Season quite favorable, except-
ing the fruit crops. Pastures are good and mowings promise well.
Fall seeding wintered well. The apple bloom was quite profuse,
except on Baldwin trees. The thermometer went down to 27°
May 14, and everything in bloom was injured. Potato beetles are
the only insects noticeable as yet. Farm help receive $1 25 per
day or $15 per month with board and about $1.50 per day and $25
per month without board. Most of the help are French Cana-
dians and live in villages.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — The season is about a week later
than last, otherwise almost exactly the same. Under the most
favorable conditions the grass crop will be light. Fall seeding
wintered very well. Very light apple bloom, but above the average
for peach, pear and cherry. The frost of May 14 was severe here,
and on low land considerable damage was done. Better supply of
farm help than for several years past and perhaps one-fourth is
good help. Wages $20 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 per
day without board.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Season perhaps a trifle earlier
than last. Pastures and mowings are looking well. Fall seeding
looks uncommonly well. All fruit trees except Baldwin apples
blossomed very full. The frost of May 14 did considerable
damage. On some vineyards grapes are all killed. Early straw-
berries are spoiled, and some think late ones are injured. Canker
worms are troubling some. Farm help is plenty and one-half of it

23

can be rated as good. "Wages $18 to $20 per month with board
and $1.50 per day without.

Billerica (J. N. Pardee). — Season about two weeks later than
last for planting, otherwise compares favorably with last season.
Pastures and mowings are very good and fall seeding wintered
admirably. All fruits except winter apples have blossomed full.
Early corn was cut off by the frost of May 14 and fruit was
damaged to some extent. Some orchards are badly infested with
canker worms. Farm help is plenty but good help is scarce.
With board wages are $8 to $20 per month for the season, and
without board $30 to $40 per month.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — The start early in May was
better than last year, but the frost lias set things way back.
Mowings and pastures are good. Fall seeding wintered well.
The bloom was very heavy on all kinds of fruit trees. The frost
of May 14 killed about half the beans and cut the potatoes down.
Canker worms, tent caterpillars and especially cut worms are
doing damage in this vicinity. Farm help is plenty and about 40
per cent is good help. Wages $15 to $20 per month with board
and $8 to $10 per week without.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — We have had great extremes of
heat and cold this season. Mowings are in good condition. The
bloom of peaches, plums and grapes was full, but they are all
killed by frost. Grapes were ruined by the frost of May 14, and
strawberries very much injured. 1 have grown grapes for thirty
years, and never lost a crop before from spring frosts. Canker
worms are troubling some. Farm help is as abundant as usual
and about one-half is good help. Wages are $18 to $25 per
month and board.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Newbury (Geo. W. Adams) . — Season later than last, but,
agriculturally speaking, a better one than last. Pastures and
mowings good and fall seeding wintered well. Fruit bloom below
the average. The frost of May 14 did slight damage to many
crops, but the damage can mostly be repaired. Canker worms and
tent caterpillars are troubling some. Good farm help is scarce ;
5 per cent honest and able-bodied ; 5 per cent honest but old or
infirm. Wages $1.50 per day without board (dinner frequently
added) and $16 to $25 per month with board.

Marblehead (Wm. S. Phillips, Jr ). — Season is at least two
weeks later than last. Pastures are now excellent. Grass is set-
ting very thick. Fall seeding averages very well. Fruit bloom
as heavy as last year. Frost of May 14 did no very serious

24

damage. Tent catei'iDillars and cut worms are doing some damage.
Help is reasonably plenty, although fewer "hire-outs" are about
this spring. Perhaps 60 per cent represents good and 10 per cent
first-class help. Wages $16 to $20 and board for good and first-
class help and $1 50 per day without board.

IpsivicJi (0. C. Ssiith). — Season generally much colder than
last, and all vegetation is from a week to ten days later. Pastures
are in good condition,, and with sufficient rain hay promises an
average crop. Apple bloom smaller than usual. Pear trees
bloomed full and are setting much fruit. Tent caterpillars and
canker worms are doing some damage. The winter killed grape
vines where exposed to the winds. For the last week we have ha,d
fine growing weather. Good help is scarcer than medium and
neither is plenty. Not more than 30 per cent is good help. Wages
$1.25 per day without board and from $18 to $20 per month with
board.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Medjield (Geo. R. Chase). — Season backward. Grass looks
well, but needs rain. Fall seeding wintered well. Apple bloom
very full for the off year. By the frost of May 14 apples, pears
and strawberries were injured and grapes ruined. Farm help very
scarce and about one in ten good help. Wages are $20 per month
with board for ordinary help, $25 to $30 per month with board for
a good teamster and farmer and $1.75 to $2 per day without
board.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Grass roots went into winter
quarters rather weak from last season's dry weather, and the con-
sequence is grass will be thin, although it is now doing well.
Fruit bloom about 90 per cent of an average. Cranberries were
badly damaged and strawberries on low land one-half killed by the
frost of May 14. Cut worms are doing considerable damage.
Farm help is plenty and about 2 per cent is good help. Wages
$20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board.

Norfolk (A. J. Whiting). — Pastures and mowings prom-
ise well and fall seeding wintered well. No Baldwin trees
blossomed ; other varieties about an average in bloom. The frost
of May 14 injured grape vines materially, and killed all garden
truck above ground. Farm help equal to the demand and but a
small proportion is good help. Wages $15 to $18 per month with
board.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Jiaynham (N. AV. Shaw). — Season fully up to last season.
Pastures are not as good as usual, and mowings were injured by
the drought of last fall. Fall seeding did not come up in time.

25

and was injured some by the winter. The fruit bloom was equal
to an average year. The frost of May 14 did damage in some
places, but not as much as was anticipated. Currant and cut
worms are doing some damage. Farm help very plenty and a
greater proportion than usual is good help. Wages vary from
$25 to $35 per month without board and $12 to $20 per month
with board.

Somerset (Joseph Giubs). — May has been the coldest May for
many years, accompanied with unusual rainfall, which has caused
potatoes to come up very uneven and some to rot. Grass prom-
ises a full hay crop. Apples promise a light crop. Strawberries
promise a good crop. Season two weeks later than last. Fruit
bloom 50 per cent less than usual. Very little damage from frost.
Caterpillars and canker worms doing the most damage. Farm
help is not plenty and one-third is good help. Wages from $14 to
$25 per month with board.

Fairhaven (F. C. Lyon). — The present season is more favor-
able for all crops than last. The promise for mowings never was
l)etter. Fall seeding did not winter well. On the whole, the fruit
bloom was a fair average. The frost of May 14 did little damage
except to cut down what potatoes were up. Farm help is plenty
and about one-half we call good help. Wages are $1.50 per day
without board and $15 per month with board.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Middleboroiigli (Elbridge Cushman). — Season very favorable.
Grass is good. Fall seeding did not winter well. Apple bloom
not as full, especially that of Baldwins. The bloom of Greening
apples, pears and cherries was good. Frost of May 14 did very
little damage. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Farm
help plenty. Wages $30 per month and rent or $20 per month
and board.

West Bridgeioater (F. E. Howaud) . — Season compares favor
ably with last, but is several days later. Grass is looking unusu-
ally well, and is forward and well set. The fruit bloom was not
as large as in some years, especially that of apples. Currant
worms are doing some damage. The damage from frost has not
proved as serious as was anticipated. Farm help is plenty, with
about an even chance of getting a good man. It is much more
difficult to get a good girl to do housework. Wages of farm help
about $20 per month with board and $35 to $40 per month without
board. Wages $3 per week and board for girls for housework.

Kingston (J. H. Cushman). — Season about averages with last.
Pastures are looking fine ; mowing never looked better. There

26

was a very fair fruit bloom for the odd year. Frost of May 14
damaged gardens about one-half. The potato beetle is troubling
us some. Farm help is plenty and about one in five is good help.
Wages $25 to $35 per month without board. None are hired with
board.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Dennis (Joshua Croavell) . — Season compares favorably with
last. The outlook for grass is very much ahead of last season.
Newly seeded land is looking well. Fruit bloom not quite up to
the average. The frost of May 14 did not do much damage. Tent
caterpillars and cranberry-vine worms are working in some localities.
Farm help equal to the demand and one-half is good help. Wages
$20 to $25 per month with board and $30 to $35 without board.
Cranberries are not promising well, owing to last season's drought,
winter-killing of vines and frost in some localities.

Barnstable (John Bdrsley) . — Season a few days later than
last. Pastures and old mowings were badly injured by the drought
of last year. Fall seeding wintered well. Fruit bloom a full
average. Frost of May 14 did not do so much damage as the one
on May 1. Tent caterpillars and cranberry fire worms are doing
some damage. Farm help not very plenty and about one in three
is good help. Wages $15 to $20 per month with board and 15 to
17 cents per hour without board.

DUKES COUNTY.
West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Season much more favor-
able than last. Pastures and mowings promise well. Fruit bloom
about the same as last year. The frost of May 14 did no damage.
No insects are troubling us at present. Farm help about equal to
the demand and one person in ten is good help. Wages $1.50
per day without board.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Season more rainy than last,
but is cold. The promise for grass is very good. The frost of
May 14 did scarcely any damage. The potato beetle is troubling
us some. Good help is scarce and one person in ten is of that
character. Wages $10 to $25 per mouth with board and $1.50
per day without board.

27

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

VETEBINABY.

Tuberculin. — What it is ; How it is used ; What it does.

What it is.

Tuberculin is the sterilized and filtered glycerine extract of the
bacillus tuberculosis It contains an active principle, chemically
complex in its composition, which is produced by the functional
activity of the germ.

The first step in its preparation is the cultivation in the labora-
tory upon suitable nutrient material of large numbers of the germs.
These by their growth produce the active principle. The culture
is then treated with glycerine, filtered through porcelain to remove
the living germs, after which it is sterilized by being subjected to
the action of a high temperature. To make it more concentrated,
a part of the fluid is evaporated at a low temperature, and carbolic
acid added as a preservative.

By the process of filtration and sterilization all germs in the
culture are either removed or destroyed, while the product of their
growth remains active in the tuberculin.

As the active principle is not living matter, and can in no way
produce such, the injection of tuberculin into the system of a
healthy animal cannot by any possible means give rise to the dis-
ease tuberculosis.

How it is used.

To be accurate, the temperature of the animal to be tested
should be taken several times, at intervals of two or three hours,
during the- day, by inserting into the rectum an ordinary fever
thermometer. The last reading should be taken late in the after-
noon or during early evening. The several readings are for the
purpose of finding the normal temperature previous to the employ-
ment of the tuberculin. Ordinarily, with animals under normal
conditions, it is hardly necessary to take more than two or three
readings, the last of which should be made just before the tuber-
culin is used. A careful record of all temperatures should be
kept, and should any be found higher than normal, the testing

28

should be postponed until the temperature has returned to its
normal This varies in different animals within comparatively
narrow limits under varying conditions, but should never as a rule
be above 102° or 102.5° F.

Having obtained the normal temperature of the animal, the
tuberculin should be prepared for use. When it is purchased in
the concentrated form it should be diluted, one part of tuberculin
being added to nine paTts of a 1 per cent solution of carbolic acid,
prepared with distilled water. By some manufacturers it is di-
luted before being sold ; in such cases it is to be used in the form
in which it is purchased.

To prepare the animal for the injection of the tuberculin, the
hair should be clipped from a part of the skin as large as a silver
dollar, on the neck, brisket, on the part of the side just back of
the elbow or at a point just back of the scapula, midway between
the backbone and the point of the elbow. This area should then
be thoroughly cleansed with a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid.
A strong hypodermic syringe, with a capacity of about 2^ cubic
centimeters, thoroughly cleaned by being filled and emptied sev-
eral times with a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid or some other
equally good antiseptic, should be filled with the dilute solution of
tuberculin. A whole or a part of the contents of the syringe may
then be injected under the skin of that portion of the body previ-
ously prepared for its introduction.

After removal of the needle, a few light strokes with the fingers
upon the part will serve to spread the fluid evenly about under the
skin. Care should be taken not to inject any air with the solu-
tion. This can be easily avoided by holding the syringe, after it
has been filled, needle end up, when the bubble of air will rise to
the top of the column of fluid and can then be forced out by pres-
sing upon the piston until the solution appears at the point of the
needle.

The quantity of tuberculin to be used depends upon condition,
and varies from 1 to 3 cubic centimeters of the 10 per cent mixt-
ure. The dose for an average-sized cow is about 2.5 cubic centi-
meters, while 1 cubic centimeter would be sufficient for a 3'earling.

If the animal is suspected of being tuberculous on account of
unthriftiness and emaciation, a comparatively large quantity'
should be used, as it has been found in many cases that animals
in the advanced stages of tuberculosis do not respond to the test
as readily as those in the early stages.

It is best to administer the tuberculin during the latter part of
the day, when the temperature is normally highest. After it is
used the animal should be kept as quiet as possible in the stable

29

for at least twenty-four hours. During this time but small quan-
tities of food or water should be allowed, and all treatment that
would tend to cause excitement should be carefully avoided.
After a period of six hours has elapsed, following the injection of
the tuberculin, the temperature should be accurately taken at
intervals of two or two and one-half hours for twenty-four hours,
counting from the time the injection was made.

What it does.

The value of tuberculin as a diagnostic of tuberculosis in cattle
depends upon the fact discovered by Dr. Koch in his employment
of it as a cure for tuberculosis in persons ; that, when injected into
the body of a tuberculous patient, its use is followed by the devel-
opment of febrile symptoms, the most constant and noticeable of
which was a rise of the internal temperature. When employed in
a similar manner upon one not a subject of the disease, no marked
alterations of the normal functions occurred.

As an illustration, the following tables are introduced to show
what might be expected in case of the use of tuberculin upon two
cows, one of which is healthy, the other tuberculous : —

Healthy Coiv.
8 P.M., normal tempei'ature, 101.4° F.

8.30 p M., tested with 2..') cubic centimeters 10 per cent tuberculin solu-
tion.

2.30 A.M., . . . temperature, 101.2°.

4.30 A.M., " 101.1°.

6.30 A.M. " 101°.

8.30 A.M., « 101°.

11.00 A.M., " 101.2°.

1.30 P.M , " 101.2°.

4.00 P.M., " 102°.

7.00 P.M « 101.3°.

Tuberciilo2is Cow.
8 P.M., normal temperature, 100^ F.

8.30 P.M., tested with 2.o cubic centimeters 10 per cent tuberculin solu-
tion . .
2.30 A.M temperature, 100.2°.

4.30 A.M ,
6..S0 A.M ,
8. .30 A.M.,

11.00 A.M.,

1.30 P.M.,
4.00 P.M.,
7.00 P.M.,

101.2°.

103°.

104°.

104.4'\

100.1°.

105.2°.

104.4°.

30

While these two examples show what the action of tuberculin
usually is in case of healthy and tuberculous animals, unfortunately
the difference is not always so well marked, and with but a slight
elevation of the temperature in either healthy or diseased, it some-
times becomes impossible to say from the variations whether an
animal is the subject of the disease or not. In all instances where
there is a decided rise of the temperature after tuberculin has
been used, it becomes necessary, in order to make a diagnosis of
tuberculosis, to exclude all other possible causes of a rise, — such
as acute inflammation in any part of the body, excitement, exces-
sive heat, etc. For this reason tuberculin is most valuable in the
hands of those who are thoroughly conversant with the various
diseases of cattle.

The use of tuberculin does not give any information as to the
extent of the development or the rapidity of the progress of tuber-
culosis in cattle. It has been found that the reaction is fully as
great in those animals in which there are but one or two small
inert tuberculous nodules no larger than a buck shot as it is when
there are extensive and active lesions. Consequently, in order to
prove the accuracy of the tuberculin test, it becomes necessary to
make a thorough examination in all autopsies, to detect the
minutest nodules that may be present. In many cases this re-
quires prolonged search and a knowledge of the gross and micro-
scopical appearances of tuberculous tissue.

Following there appear the conclusions drawn from a series O-
experiments made with tuberculin at the Massachusetts Agricult-
ural College. These are taken from Bulletin No. 27 of the Hatch
Experiment Station, a few copies of which are still in the hands of
the director for distribution.

1. That it is unsafe to purchase animals to add to a healthy
herd from a herd in which tuberculosis has existed.

2. That poor sanitary surroundings, especially imperfect ven-
tilation and insufficient light, are favorable to the rapid spread of
tuberculosis among cattle.

3. That it is much better to dispose of excrement outside of
stables than in cellars underneath them.

4. That mangel's and other stable fixtures which increase the
amount of surface, cracks and corners that cannot be easily
cleaned are objectionable, from the fact that when the germs of
tuberculosis become scattered, under such conditions they are not
easily destroyed by the use of disinfecting fluids.

5. That infected stables bear close relation to the propagation
of the disease.

31

6. That even by the use of strong disinfecting fluids it is very
difficult if not impossible to rid an old stable of the germs of
tuberculosis.

7. That the diagnosis in most cases of this disease by physical
examination is impossible.

8. That in tuberculin we have an exceedingly delicate and re-
liable test for tuberculosis.

9. That tuberculin indicates the existence of tuberculosis in
the lungs and other parts of the body when objective symptoms
are absent, and when no germs can be discovered by microscopical
examination of the mucus from the nostrils.

10. That its use is not followed by any ill effects of a serious
or permanent nature.

11. That in some instances the injection of tuberculin produces
a marked rise of the internal temperature when no tuberculosis
exists.

12. That in some cases when tubercles are present in the body
its injection is not followed by a well-defined reaction.

13. That the reaction following the use of tuberculin bears no
relation to the extent or development of the disease.

14. That it is impossible to formulate a rule by which we can
say that certain variations of the temperature may or may not
indicate the presence of tubercles.

15 That in tuberculin we have the only means by which we
can eradicate tuberculosis from among our cattle.

16. That our old-style and unsanitary stables, thoroughly
infected with the germs of tuberculosis, make the complete eradi-
cation and suppression of this disease well-nigh impossible.

JAS. B. PAIGE,

Veterinarian.

Series of 1895. Bulletin No. 2.

MASSACHUSETTS

CKOP EEPOET

Month of June, 1895.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSION S,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1895.

Ceop Eeport foe the Month of June, 1895.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., July 1, 1895.

Bulletin No. 2, Crop Report for the month of June, is
herewith presented. Particular attention is called to an
article at the end, on drainage, by the engineer of this
Board.

Progress of the Season.

Eeport No. 127 (June, 1895) of the Statistician of the
United States Department of Agriculture makes the aqreage
of winter wheat now growing, after allowing for abandon-
ments, 9<5.1 per cent of the area harvested in 1894. Con-
dition has fallen decidedly since the last report, being 71.1
per cent, against 82.9 on May 1. The falling otf is due to
the marked fluctuations of temperature during May and to
deficiency of rainfall in some States. The condition of
spring wheat shows an average for the whole country of 97.8
per cent.

The preliminary report places the acreage of oats at 103.2
of last year's area, and the condition at 84.3, against 87 last
June. Acreage of barley 104 per cent of last year's breadth,
and condition 90.3 per cent, against 82.2 last year. Acre-
age of rye 96.7 of that of last year; average condition June
1, 85.7 per cent. Acreage of rice 100.2 per cent of that of
last year, and condition 89.2.

The area of clover is considerably reduced, compared with
last year, being only 92.5, while the general average of con-
dition is only 82.8, a lower figure than any for the last
decade. Both the reduction of area and the low average of
condition are chiefly found in the region bordering the great
lakes and the northern half of the Mississippi valley. In
the States which show a largely reduced area the fact is in most
cases attributable to the efiects of the great drought of 1894,

followed by a severe winter, especially where there was a
deficiency of protection from snow. To the same cause is
largely due the lowness of condition, though spring frosts,
protracted cold weather and recent drought have also con-
tributed to the same result.

The general average condition of spring pastures is 88.1,
a reduction of 1.6 points since May 1. It is in fact the low-
est figure recorded in a number of years. In the States
along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts the average is generall}'^
high, the lowest averages being found chiefly in the States
bordering on the great lakes, in those of the Ohio valley, and
in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Drought, frosts, and in some localities ravages of cut worms
and other insects, are among the most prevalent causes of
reduced condition.

The general condition of apples June 1 is higher than on
the same date in 1894, although in many of the Northern
States the percentages are low. The frosts of May have
done much damage, although, as is usually the case, orchards
in favored situations, even in districts suffering most, have
apparently escaped injury.

The first report of the season relative to the condition of
the peach crop is decidedly more favorable than that received
in June, 1894. But two States of primary importance have
a low condition, namely, Ohio, 22 per cent, and Michigan,
50 per cent, while Maryland is the only remaining State with
a percentage less than 70, the condition there being 6.3.

The average acreage of cotton for the United States is
85.2, a reduction of 14.8 per cent upon the revised acreage
for 1894, given out in May. The general average condition
for the country is 81.

Temperature and Eainfall for the Whole Country.

From United States V^^'eather-Crop Bulletins.

Week ending June 3. — Week remarkably warm over the
central and eastern portions of the country, and decidedly
cool over the Rocky Mountain and plateau regions and on
the Pacific coast. Week slightly cooler than usual on the
Texas coast. From the Gulf coast northward over the east-

ern Rocky Mountain slope and from the upper Missouri
valley eastward to Lake Michigan the rainfall exceeded the
average, and over the western portions of the Dakotas,
Nebraska and Kansas the actual fall was exceptionally heavy.
Except in limited sections the rainfall elsewhere was below
the average. Weather favorable for corn and cotton.
Winter wheat not particularly promising, except in Oregon.

Week ending June 10. — Week warmer than usual in the
upper Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys, Lake region and
on the Pacific coast. Week cooler than usual over northern
portion of western half of the cotton region, and over the
central and northern Rocky Mountain and plateau regions,
including the upper Missouri valley. Rainfall of week ex-
cessive over the greater portion of the central Gulf States ;
also over eastern Kansas, central Iowa and from western
Montana eastward over North Dakota and Minnesota, in-
cluding the spring wheat region. Week more favorable to
agriculture than any week of the season since the period
from May 1-7. Corn has made good growth during the
week and is generally in promising condition. Light frosts
occurred in New England on the 8th. Killino; frosts oc-
curred in Minnesota and Idaho, causing injury to gardens.

WeeJc ending June 17. — Week averaged warmer than
usual over central Texas and the 'northern districts from the
upper Mississippi valley eastward to the New England coast.
On the Atlantic coast south of New Jersey and over the
central and eastern portions of the Gulf States the week
averaged slightly cooler than usual ; also over the States of
the eastern Rocky Mountain slope and thence westward to
the Pacific coast. Generally throughout the Gulf States the
rainfall of the week was exceptionally heavy. In New
England, the Lake region, Ohio valley and over the greater
part of the upper Mississippi valley the rainfall was less than
usual, there being an entire absence of rain in the central
Ohio valley and on the southern New England coast, with
but light showers in the lower Lake region. Week generally
favorable to crops, although drought is becoming serious in
some sections. Harvesting of winter wheat has become
general. Outlook for spring wheat generally excellent.
Corn, cotton and tobacco are doing well. Heavy frost in

6

south-eastern Oregon, and frosts also damaged fruit and
vegetables in Idaho, Montana and Utah.

Week ending June 24. — From the upper Mississippi val-
ley eastward to the middle Atlantic and southern New
England coasts the week was warmer than usual. Also
warmer than usual in north-eastern Kansas, California and
western portions of middle and northern plateau region.
Generally from the Mississippi westward to the Rocky
Mountains week averaged cooler than usual. In central and
western portions of the cotton region and portions of the
Carolinas the rainfall was in excess, and over portions of
Texas and Arkansas the fall was very heavy. More than
the usual amount in other limited areas. In New England
and middle Atlantic States, the central Mississippi valley, the
Lake region, portions of the east Gulf States and Tennessee
and the Rocky Mountain regions rainfall was less than usual.
Practically no rain over portions of the middle Atlantic
States and southern New England. Week generally favor-
able for crops, and drought was relieved in many sections.
Harvesting of winter wheat has continued, and is now
general over the wheat belt. Spring wheat is now beginning
to head. Corn has made a good growth. Cotton was in-
jured by heavy rains in central and western portions. Oat
harvest begun in Southern States, and reports generally
favorable. Tobacco planting about completed. A heavy
frost occurred in Utah on the 18th.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

Weather Bureau, Boston.

Week ending June 3. — New England. Too dry in most
places for the best development of field crops, and grass is
suffering ; planting about completed, and hoeing in progress ;
fruit prospects splendid in southern portion, but less encour-
aging in northern portion.

Weelc ending June 10. — New England. Light general
rains first of week helped all crops wonderfully, and they
are now advancing rapidly except where retarded by cool
nights ; light frosts, but no damage ; hoeing in progress ;
tobacco setting Avell under way, with favorable conditions.

Week ending June 17. — New England. Showers and
warm weather in northern portion, and crops are growing fast ;
too dry in southern portion, especially for grass, which is
promising small yield ; haying begun, as upland fields have
ripened prematurely and are very light ; insect pests numer-
ous.

Week ending June 24. — New England. The past week,
on the whole, has been good for all growing crops, but rain
is needed ; haying begun and some hoeing done ; oats, rye
and corn doing well ; potato bugs doing some damage ; some
tobacco had to be set over on account of cut worms ; fruit
promises a fair yield.

Weather Summary tor June.

Furnished by the New England Weather Service.

Notwithstanding the drought which prevailed in Massa-
chusetts during the middle of June, the month of July has
opened very favorably for all agricultural interests, and
most field crops are up with or ahead of the average. In
northern counties occasional showers fell during the month,
and the to[) of the ground was moist enough for most pur-
poses ; but in all central and southern districts not more
than a trace of rain came from the 6th to the 25th, and the
ground got very dry. Grass especially suffered and ripened
prematurely, crowding haying last on to hoeing. On the
Cape most field crops were backward and growing slowly ;
but the cloudy, wet weather of the last week changed the
aspect of everything. Even grass, except on the driest
knolls, has thickened up very much, and is now growing
with new energy. The grass on fields that had been cut is
starting quickly, and shows prospect of a good second crop.
At most places the total rainfall for the month was slightly
below the normal.

A hail storm in the vicinity of Warren, in Worcester
County, on the 23d, did considerable damage. Mr. W. H.
Warren of that place reports that some corn and potato
fields were ruined, and have been planted over. Orchards
were stripped of leaves and fruit, and in some cases the
bark was torn from the trees. One farmer had one hundred

8

and seventy-five panes of glass broken, and another seventy.
Fields of grass and grain were laid flat, and gardens de-
stroyed. Some of the hailstones were as large as hen's
eggs. At Blandford, in Hampden County, a severe hail
storm occurred in a limited strip on the 25th, cutting down
and almost destroying all crops. A high wind accompanied
the thunderstorm on the 29th, near Leeds, in Hampshire
County, and did some damage to heavy grass, potatoes and
corn.

The temperature was slightly above the normal for the
month in eastern districts, and considerably so in central.
The warmest day at most places was on the 2d.

Most correspondents report a marked scarcity of the insect-
eating birds, such as the bluebird, phoebe, robin and thrush ;
while the seed-eating birds, like the warblers, flycatchers, spar-
rows, etc., are nearly as plenty as usual. The scarcity of
the first-named birds is probably due to the severe cold in
the southern part of the United States last winter, as most
of those birds winter there. Not only were the birds proba-
bly killed, but many insects that they feed on were also
destroyed. Their absence from our fields and gardens will
probably result in a marked increase in the insect pests here,
which will be more noticeable next season than this.

In the circular to correspondents returnable June 25 the
following questions were asked : —

1. What insects are doing the most damage in your
locality ?

2. How is Indian corn looking, and what is the acreage,
as compared with previous years ?

3. How is haying progressing, and what is the prospect
for the crop ?

4. How does the acreage of early potatoes compare with
previous years, and do they })romise a full average crop?

5. How have early market-garden crops compared in
yield and price with former years, and what is the prospect
for those not yet harvested ?

6. How do dairy products compare in yield and price
with last year, and what is the condition of dairy stock as
regards health ?

7. What is the condition of pasturage in your vicinity?

9

8. What is the outlook for such fruits and berries as are
grown for market in your locality, naming them?

Returns were received from 108 correspondents, and from
these the following summary has been made :* —

Insects.
Among insects the potato beetle and the cut worms appear
to be causing the most trouble, although the former insect is
not more prevalent than usual. Cut worms appear to be
unusually numerous. In the Connecticut valley they have
committed serious depredations in tobacco and onion fields.
The canker worm has also done considerable damage in some
localities. Other insects mentioned by correspondents are
squash bugs, wire worms, grasshoppers, cabbage maggots,
onion maggots, rose bugs, the pear tree psylla, the codlia
moth, spittle insects, asparagus beetles, currant worms, tent
caterpillars, fire worms and the Hessian fly. Only one cor-
respondent reported the presence of the horn fly.

Indian Corn.
Indian corn has stood the dry weather better than most
crops, and is generally reported as looking well, though
some correspondents qualify this statement by speaking of
it as backward. Stand and color are generally reported
good. There seems to be quite a general increase in acreage
throughout the State, fully one-third of the correspondents
reporting an increase, and all but two of the remainder
speaking of the acreage as average. Some put the increase
as high as one-fourth, while others speak of it as slight.

The Hay Crop.
At the time of making returns haying was generally
begun all over the State, with the exception of Berkshire
County, although some few reported it as not yet com-
menced. Most spoke of it as just beginning and very few
as well advanced. The crop will be light in almost all sec-
tions, only nine correspondents speaking of the crop as
either good or average. Most speak of it as either light or
very light, while some few report only half a crop.

• Since tli?se returns were received rain has been general over the State. Much
hay injured in the field.

10

Eaely Potatoes.
The acreage of early potatoes remains about the same as
for the last few years. On the whole, a slight increase may
be noted, as quite a number of correspondents report an
increase in acreage and only a few report a decrease. The
crop at time of making returns was looking well in most
sections, though badly in need of rain.

Market-garden Crops.
Early market-garden crops seem to have generally been
slightly below the average in both yield and price, though
the decrease in each case has been but slight. Probably the
cold weather of the early spring had much to do with the
smaller yields obtained. Very few returns were received as
to the condition of late crops.

Dairy Products.
The quantit}'' of dairy products appears to be average, but
enough reports of decreased prices have been received to
warrant the statement that there has been a slis^ht but o^en-
eral decrease in the prices received for all dairy products.
The condition and health of stock are spoken of as good,
only one correspondent speaking of cattle as thin in flesh.

Pasturage.
Hardly one-fourth of the correspondents speak of pastur-
age as good, or even fair ; the remainder report that pastures
are either short or dry or are rapidly drying up. A few speak
of cattle being sold already in anticipation of a scarcity of feed.

Fruits and Berries.
The late frosts injured all fruits and berries. Strawberries
were a light crop, owing to injuries from frost and drought.
Blackberries and raspberries will generally be light crops,
currants a fair crop and cherries good. A number of corre-
spondents speak of the peach crop as an entire or partial
failure. Plums and pears will be light, though some report
pears as doing well. Apples will be a very light crop in
most sections. Cranberries promise a fair average crop.
Wild berries are generally looking well.

11

NOTES OF cokkespo:n^dents.

(Returned to us June 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews). — Potato bugs and cut worms
are most prevalent. Corn is looking very good, with an average
acreage. Very little haying done as yet ; prospect of a light
crop. More early potatoes were planted than usual, and they
promise a full average crop. Early market-garden crops about
average in yield and price, and the prospect for later ones very
good. Dairy products about as last year in quantity and price,
and stock is looking good. Pastures are getting dry. Straw-
berries very good, raspberries fair, not many currants, cherries
poor ; on an average, fruit not as good as in former years.

Egremont (J. H. Rowley). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn looking well ; acreage larger than in pre-
vious years. Haying not commenced ; crop will not exceed 75
per cent of average. Acreage of early potatoes about the same
as in former years ; rain needed, or the crop will be below average.
Quantity of dairy products fully up, with prices average ; health
of stock good. Pastures are suffering badly from the drought.
Strawberries injured by drought ; other fruits and berries looking
fairly well.

Lee (A. Bradley). — Corn looking finely, with the usual acre-
age. Haying not commenced ; light crop. Early potatoes a little
below average condition. Quantity and prices of dairy products
fully up to last year ; health of stock good. Pasturage very short,
on account of dry weather. Strawberries a fair crop. Oats and
rye are looking finely.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — No insects except potato bugs.
Corn very fine, with acreage about the same as in previous years.
Haying not yet begun ; crop good. Very few early potatoes
planted, but these promise a full average crop. Not as many
cows kept this year as last ; prices of dairy products average ;
health of stock good. Pasturage in very good condition. Pears
badly hurt by frost ; no cherries ; strawberries a small yield ; rasp-

12

berries looking finely ; blackberries looking well ; currants very
good in some places, though injured by frost in some others.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Most pieces of corn are looking finely ;
acreage about as usual. Haying not yet commenced ; prospect
for a light crop. Potatoes are looking well. Quantity and price
of dairy products about as last year ; no disease among cattle.
Pasturage in very good condition. Strawberries a fair crop, pears
and apples not plenty, a good crop of cherries and currants, very
few plums.

Hinsdale (S. M. Raymond). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is looking well ; acreage increased over the past
few years. Haying not yet commenced ; without rtiin, soon shall
a half crop. Early potatoes compare well with previous years,
and look well. Dairy products about the same in quantity and
price as last year ; butter 2 cents per pound higlier ; stock in good
health. Pasturage looks well, but will soon be dry without rain.
Strawberries are good, price 12 cents ; blackberries and rasp-
berries looking well ; apples and pears a fair crop. Kaiu is very
much needed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — Potato bugs are at work in large
numbers. Corn is looking fairly well ; acreage a full average.
Haying has commenced ; very little hay on dry laud. Early pota-
toes promise a full average crop, with about the usual acreage.
Early market-garden crops compare favorably with last year.
Dairy products about as last year in quantity and price ; health of
stock good. Pasturage is fairly good. There is a good crop of
strawberries ; prices lower than previous years.

Colrain (A. A. Smith). — Potato bugs ax'e doing some damage.
Corn in A No. 1 condition; 10 per cent increase in acreage.
Haying progressing slowly ; about a two- thirds crop. Acreage of
early potatoes about the same as in previous years ; crop prom-
ises well. Milk and butter are a little off in yield and price ;
stock in usual condition. Pastures are getting dry. Strawberries
are a good crop.

Northfield (B. F. Field). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn is looking well for this time of year ; acreage
about the same as last year. Just commenced haying; the crop
will be light. Acreage of early potatoes about one-third larger
than last year, with the promise of a good average crop. Dairy
stock is in good health ; price of butter fully 2 cents lower than

13

last year. Pastures are in poor condition, owing to the dry
weather. Strawberries a light yield, perhaps not half that of
last 3'ear.

Orange (Ansel Harrington). — Cut worms and potato bugs
are very troublesome. Corn looking finely ; acreage about the
same as previous years. Haying just commencing ; prospect that
the crop will be light. Acreage of early potatoes about as in
previous years ; crop looking fairly well. Yield and price of
market-garden crops a little below former years ; prospect not very
good for those not harvested. Quantity and price of dairy prod-
ucts about the same as last year ; health of stock good. Pastures
are a little short for this season of the year. Most kinds of fruit
were badly damaged by frost. Strawberries below the average ;
raspberries and blueberries promise fairly well.

Whately (Frank Dickinson). — Wire worms and cut worms
are doing the most damage. Corn is looking well ; acreage larger
than in previous years. Haying just begun ; very light crop.
More potatoes planted than in former years ; looking finely. Yield
for early market-garden crops light, price medium, prospect for
late crops fair. Quantity of dairy products large, price low ; stock
in average health. Pastures are very dry and short. Apples a
short crop, pears above the average.

Ashfield (Charles Howes). — Grasshoppers are getting thick
on higli land. Corn is looking well, with a larger acreage than
usual ; some farmers are putting in silos. Haying is commencing,
and on most laud the crop is very light. About the usual acreage
of early potatoes, with promise of a light crop. Gardens are look-
ing quite well. About the usual quantity of dairy products ;
cream lower in price and butter about 2 cents per pound lower ;
stock in good health. Pastures are beginning to feel the dry
weather, and feed is getting short. Strawberries a good crop, but
the season has been short ; red raspberries promise a good crop.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Worthington (C. K. Brewster) . — Indian corn fully equal to
former years in acreage, and looking well. The hay crop is not
more than two-thirds of an average. Early potatoes an average
acreage, and looking fairly well. No market-garden crops yet
harvested ; prospect fair. Quantity and price of dairy products
about the same as last year ; condition of stock good. Pastures
are feeling the dry season, and must be short unless there is rain
soon. Strawberries are fine and plenty.

14:

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee) . — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is looking finely, with acreage fully up. Haying
has not yet commenced ; crop very poor. Early potatoes fully up
to previous years. Quantity of dairy products about the same as
usual ; prices a little lower ; cows all right. Pasturage in poor
condition from the drought both of last year and the present
season. More fodder corn is raised than in former years, with
each year a silo or two put in.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — Potato bugs and cut worms are
doing some damage. Corn looking first rate ; acreage rather
larger than usual. Not much haying done ; prospect for a light
crop. About the usual acreage of early potatoes, which are look-
ing well. Early market-garden crops about average ; prospect for
later ones not good, unless we have rain soon. Quality of dairy
products good ; prices low ; stock in good health. Pastures need
rain, and feed does not grow.

Northampton (D. A. Horton). — Corn is looking well ; acreage
increased over last year. Not much haying done yet, and the crop
will be less than average. Acreage of early potatoes fully as
great as last year, and looking well. Market-garden crops have
all been good, and the prospect is good. Dairy products about as
last year in quantity, but prices are lower. Pasturage is in very
good condition. Strawberries have been more than an average
crop, with other berries looking well.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Cutworms have been extraordi-
narily injurious to tobacco and onions and in gardens. Corn rather
backward ; acreage about as last year. Haying hardly begun by
most farmers ; crop very poor on dry fields, elsewhere good.
Acreage of early potatoes rather larger than usual, and appearance
generally good. Market-garden crops generally look well. Quan-
tity of dairy products about as last year ; price of butter low ;
health of stock good. Pasturage getting very short on hill and
dry pastures. Strawberries good, but season short ; prices low ;
blackberries good ; raspberries poor ; currants good ; peaches a
heavy crop ; apples promise well on many trees, but many others
are without fruit ; cherries never better. Have had no rain worth
mentioning siuce June 6.

Greenwich (Wm. S. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking quite well. The hay crop is very
light. Quite as many early potatoes as usual planted. Early
market-garden crops about the same as in former years. Most of
our cream goes to the creamery; stock in good health. The dry
weather has shortened the pastures. Fruits and berries will be a
light crop.

15

HAMPDEN COUNTY,

Blanrlford (E. W. Boise). — Potato beetles very plenty; other
insects not as numerous as usual. Indian corn an average stand ;
more planted than usual. Very little haying done yet ; shortage
of full 25 per cent in the crop. Fully as many early potatoes
planted as usual. Dairy products less in quantity and price than
last year ; stock usually healthy. Pasturage in bad condition,
short from May frosts and dry weather. Already many are offer-
ing stock for sale, in anticipation of having to feed from the barn.
Late-planted crops are making a remarkable growth. Prospect
good for the apple crop, and wild berries promise well.

Tolland (E. M. Moore). — Potato bugs and cut worms are doing
some damage. Corn is looking fairly well ; acreage about as in
previous years. No grass cut yet ; crop will be very light. Acreage
of early potatoes larger than in previous years ; crop will be short
without rain soon. Quantity of dairy products not as large as last
year; prices about the same; stock in healthy condition. Feed
getting very short in pastures. One-fourth crop of apples, and
the berry crop less than average. People are reducing their num-
ber of stock, expecting a very light crop of hay.

Agawam (R. DeWitt). — The potato bug and the cut worm are
doing some damage. Corn is looking well, and has not yet suffered
from drought ; acreage one-fourth larger than last year. Acreage
of early potatoes larger than usual, but not looking well, owing to
drought and bad seed. Strawberries a smaller crop than usual,
and blackberries mostly a failure.

West Springfield (J. N. Bagg) . — Insect damages are light.
Corn looks well, and has a full average acreage. The hay crop is
light, and haying has only just begun. Early potatoes are an
average acreage, and the outlook is promising. Early market-
garden crops are abundant and cheap. Dairy products are abundant
and cheap ; no sickness among cattle. Pasturage is in good con-
dition. Currants, cherries and strawberries are abundant, and
appear well. The dry weather is the only drawback.

Ludlow (C. H. Bennett). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn looking very well ; acreage larger than usual. No hay cut
yet ; crop will be light. Not as many early potatoes planted as
usual, but the crop looks well. Quantity of dairy products about
the same as last year; prices lower; no sick cattle. Pasturage in
fair condition. The frost spoiled nearly all fruit and berries. Rye
is ripening fast, and will have a good berry but short straw.

Monson (W. M. Tucker). — Cut worms and potato bugs are
doing some damage, but not excessive. Corn looking well, but

16

planted late ; acreage in excess of former years, especially in fod-
der corn. Very little haying done as yet. Acreage of early pota-
toes not above that of late years, looking fairly well. Market-
garden crops rather late, and injured by early frosts ; markets
very fair. Excess of dairy products ; prices low ; dairy stock in
good health. Pasturage not excellent, but better than a year ago.
Strawberries a fair crop. Cherries more plenty than usual. Ap-
ples, pears, peaches and plums have set well and promise fair
crops.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

NortJi Brookfield (J. H. Lane) . — The potato beetle is doing
the most damage. Corn is looking finely ; acreage increased one-
sixth. Not much haying done yet; grass all wrong except on
low ground, and not much save where the land is in high condi-
tion. Early potatoes will not be an average crop, unless rain
comes soon. Dairy products the same as usual in quantity and
price ; stock in as good health and condition as possible. Pastur-
age is in very bad condition. Apples and pears will be a three-
fourths crop.

Barre (J. L. Smith). — Potato bugs are doing the most dam-
age. Corn is looking well ; more planted than usual, especially
fodder corn. Not much hay cut yet ; a three-fourths crop ; Hun-
garian, barley and other fodder crops are being planted to help
out Full as many early potatoes planted as usual, and they are
looking well. Prices of dair}' products same as usual ; health of
stock fairly good, quite a good many came out thin in flesh. Past-
ures are beginning to dry up. Apples an average crop. Crops
are looking well, but must suffer if rain does not come soon.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Potato beetles are more plenty
than usual. Corn is not so forward as in some years ; acreage
rather increased. A few have commenced haying ; crop lighter
than for many years. About the usual acreage of early potatoes
planted, but at present they are quite uneven. Early market-
garden crops were rather light, and sold slowly. Dairy products
less in quantity than last year ; the lowest price for butter for many
years ; milk sold at the usual rates. Lack of rain has made
pasture feed short. Currants, strawberries, raspberries and blue-
berries very light crops ; cherries and plums the same ; peaches
promise a good crop.

Wlnchendon (W. II. Sawyer). — Corn looking well, and about
the usual acreage planted. Hay will not be over a two-thirds
crop. More early potatoes than usual were planted, and they are
looking well, considering the dry spell. Early market-garden

17

crops about average in yield and price. Dairy products about tbe
same as last year in quantity and price. Pastures may be described
as poor, poorer, poorest. Dry weather affected the strawberry
crop.

FitcKbnrg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Potato bugs, the pear tree
psyUa and cut worms have been working, but are now about done.
Considerable haying has been done ; yield not over two-thirds of
the average. Acreage of early potatoes increased ; they now look
fiuely, but need rain. Pastures are becoming dried up. The
prospect for apples in general is less than half a crop ; pears, 75
to 80 per cent.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Potato bugs have begun to do some
damage. Corn looks well, with a full average acreage. Old hay
fields are cutting half a crop ; new fields look well. Early pota-
toes are looking very well, but are in need of rain. Early mar-
ket-garden crops were a light yield, with prices average. Milk
brings 1 cent per can less than last year. Pasturage winter-killed,
and is in poor condition. Blackberries and raspberries nearly all
winter-killed ; strawberries were hurt by frost, but were a fair crop.

Berlin (P. B. Southwick). — Potato beetles, cut worms and
squash bugs are doing the most damage. Not the usual amount
of corn planted ; backward, but of good color. Not much hay
cut yet, and the prospect is not very promising. A full acreage
of early potatoes, which are looking well. The yield of early
market-garden crops has been fair, but the price has been below
average. Dairy products compare favorably in quantity and price
with last year ; stock is healthy. Feed is getting short in the past-
ures. Asparagus was a large crop, but prices have been low.

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Squash, rose and potato bugs
and cut worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking
well, with acreage about average. Haying is commencing well ;
crop poor and light. Early potatoes have about the usual acre-
age ; look well, but need rain. The yield of early market-garden
crops have been average, and prices low. Dairy products are
about as last year, and only a few cattle are out of condition.
Pasturage is in poor condition. Apples scarce, pears fair, grapes
and blackberries good.

Westborough (B. W. Hero). — Potato bugs and cut worms are
doing the most damage. Corn looks well ; acreage about average.
But little hay has been cut ; a good average crop. Early potatoes
promise a full crop ; acreage a little smaller than last year. Mar-
ket-garden crops about the same as in previous years. Dairy
products about as last year ; stock healthy. Pastures are greatly
in need of rain. Strawberries not an average crop, other small

18

fruits promise well, peaches a large crop, pears average crop,
apples a very small crop. The canker worm did much damage
in some parts of the town.

Douglas (Wm. Abbott). — Potato bugs aud squash bugs are
doiug the most damage. Cora is looking well, with about the
same acreage as last year. Haying not begun ; less than an aver-
age crop. Acreage of eai'ly potatoes about average ; crop needs
rain badly. Early market-garden crops about as last year ; need
rain for late crops. Quantity and price of dairy products same as
last year ; health of stock good. Pastures are dry. Strawber-
ries a fair crop, outlook poor for all other small berries aud for
apples. Oats will be light.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — No very serious damage by
insects, though the potato beetle is doing some. Corn is looking
very fair; acreage about as usual. Haying just beginning, with
light crop. Acreage of early potatoes average, with the promise
of a full average crop. Prices of early market-garden crops fair ;
yield average. Milk maintains a uniform price. Pastures are in
fair to good condition. Strawberries have been below average
both in quality and quantity ; raspberries promise fair.

Framingham (H. S. Whittemore) . — Cut worms and potato
bugs are doing some damage. Corn is looking well, but is back-
ward ; acreage larger than in former years. Many are haying, and
the prospect is for a light crop. Less early potatoes planted than
in former years ; late, but looking fairly well. Early market-gar-
den crops were a poor yield, with low prices. Quantity of dairy
products fully up ; prices better than last year. Pastures are dry-
ing up. Apples, pears and cherries very light, and very few straw-
berries. Beans looking finely.

Neioton (Otis Pettee) . — Potato bugs are doing the most damage
among insects. Corn is not quite so vigorous as usual. Haying
is progressing rapidly ; crop very light, owing to protracted
drought. Yield of market-garden crops light, and unless we
have early rain prospect not good. Pastures are very dry and
feed poor. Strawberries are small. No rain since June 4.

Westfort^ ( Aktiiuk Wright) . — Potato bugs and rose bugs are
doing some damage. Corn not quite as forward as last year;
acreage about the same. Haying commenced early ; crop light.
Early potatoes looked well until the drought commenced, aud low
lands still look well. Dairy products same as last year ; stock gen-
erally healthy. Pasturage on high lands dry. Strawberries not
half a crop.

19

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — Cut worms and canker worms
are doing the most damage ; potato beetles not as plenty as for-
merly. Sweet corn is looking well, but is late. All busy haying ;
crop very light, sometimes not over half a crop. Early potatoes
are looking very well. Yield of early market-garden crops light,
and prices low ; trade quiet for the season of the year. Condition
and health of stock good. Yield of berries light ; currants a failure.
Peas not over half a crop, and pods short ; rhubarb has hardly paid
for pulling ; asparagus sold well, but crop not a full one ; toma-
toes looking very well.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Ebenezer Webster) . — Canker worms are doing the
most damage of any insect. Corn is looking well ; acreage about
as usual ; a good deal will be used in the silo and for fall feed.
Haying has just begun ; crop light on account of drought. Rather
larger acreage of early potatoes than usual, but there will hardly
be an average crop. Dairy products about as last year ; cattle in
good health. Pastures are good, but feel the dry weather. Cher-
ries and strawberries were a partial failure ; raspberries look well.

Groveland (Abel Stickney) . — Cut worms are more complained
of than other insects. Corn is looking well ; acreage a very little
increased. Many have commenced haying ; prospects not first
class. An average crop of early potatoes cannot be expected ; not
much change in acreage. Yields of early market-garden crops less
and prices higher than in former seasons. Dairy products un-
changed in quantity and price ; stock in good health. Pastures
are looking badly at present. Pears good, peaches fair, plums
fair, apples poor, strawberries a poor crop, cherries good, black-
berries good, currants fair.

Newbury (G. W. Adams). — Potato bugs, canker worms and
currant worms are the most prevalent. Acreage of corn rather
greater than usual; condition bad, from lack of rain. Haying
just commencing ; less than a full crop, perhaps 80 per cent.
Rather less acreage of early potatoes than usual ; crop drying up.
Yield of market-garden crops good, but prices lower than ever
before. Dairy products about as last year in quantity and price.
Pasturage in fair condition, but fast drying up. All kinds of
fruits and berries started well, but have dried up.

Topsjield (B. P. Pike). — The usual number of potato bugs and
horn flies are present. Corn is in excellent condition ; acreage
considerably increased, and a large amount grown for fodder.
Haj'ing just commenced ; about a two-thirds crop. Acreage of
early potatoes about average, and the prospect is good. Early

20

market-garden crops about as usual in yield and price. Quantity
and price of dairy products about as last year ; condition and
health of stock never better. Pasturage never was shorter at this
season. Fruits and berries are all very short crops.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Meflfield (Gr. R. Chase). — Little injury from insects. Corn
needs rain soon, acreage average. Haying just beginning ; small
crop, not exceeding 65 or 70 per cent. About 80 per cent of the
usual acreage of early potatoes, and they do not promise a full
crop on account of drouglit. Prices of market-garden crops low
and prospect poor for later ones. Dairy products less in quantity
than last year ; prices lower for butter than usual ; stock healthy.
Pastures are fast drying up. Strawberries poor owing to frost and
drought. On the whole it is a hard season.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C Winter). — Rose bugs are doing consider-
able damage to rose bushes, grape vines, etc. Corn looking fairly
well ; acreage about as usual. Haying just commenced ; crop
light on high ground, fairly good on low. Early potatoes not
largely grown, but acreage about as usual and crop looking fair.
Early market-garden crops below the average in yield and price.
Dairy products about as last year in quantity and price, health
of stock good. Pasturage needs rain, but is as yet fairly good.
Strawberries a light crop, and prices low ; apples about 40 per
cent of a full crop, pears 60 per cent, peaches 30 per cent, plums
20 per cent, blackberries 100 per cent, raspberries 50 per cent,
currants and gooseberries 80 per cent.

Attleboroiigh (Isaac Alger). — Corn looking well, acreage about
as usual. Not much haying done as yet, with prospect of a small
crop. Acreage of early potatoes about average ; looking fairly,
but need rain. Early market-garden crops yielded fairly and
brought good prices. Dairy products and stock about as usual.
Pasturage in pretty fair condition. Apples do not promise much
of a crop, pears a full crop, strawberries about an average crop ;
cranberries better than last year, but not an extra large crop.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Cut worms, onion maggots and cab-
bage maggots are the most prevalent insects. Indian corn is
looking well ; acreage one-half larger than last year. Haying
has not commenced yet ; prospect of a good crop. The acreage
of early potatoes is larger than usual, and the crop is suffering
now for want of rain. Market- garden crops are less in quantity

21

and price than usual. Dairy products about the same as last year ;
stock in good health. Pasturage in good condition. Apples and
pears good. The strawberry crop has been the poorest in ten
years in quality, quantity and price.

Siva7isea (F. G. Arnold). — Canker worms and potato bugs
are doing some damage. Corn is looking good, and the acreage
is about the same as last year. Haying has not commenced here,
but the prospect for a crop is good. Acreage of early potatoes
larger than usual, but the dry weather of the last week is pinching
them badly. Cattle give a good flow of milk, with prices same as
last year ; health of all stock good. Pasturage has been good, but
needs rain now. Strawberries plenty and prices low ; apples did
not set well ; pears will be a small yield.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — Canker worms and the striped
squash beetle are doing some damage. Not much field corn
grown; ensilage corn rather uneven. Haying just begun; crop
very light on high ground. Acreage of early potatoes about as
last year, and they promise a full average crop. Dry weather has
shortened the yield of many early market-garden crops ; prices
have been fair. Plenty of milk, price same as usual ; stock
healthy. Pastures are short. Strawberries a small crop.

Lakeville (Elbridge Cushman). — Rose bugs, potato beetles
and cut worms are the most prevalent insects. Indian corn is
looking well, and the acreage has been increased 10 per cent. Hay-
ing is rapidly commencing, with the prospect of a fine crop. Early
potatoes promise a full average crop, on an acreage increased 15
per cent over last year. Early market-garden crops compared
favorably in yield and price with former years, and the prospect
is good for later ones. Dairy products are above last year in
quantity and price, and stock is in normal condition. Pasturage
is in good condition as yet. Strawberries are a fair crop.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward) . — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is looking finely, with about the usual acreage.
Some hay is being cut ; from one-half to two-thirds of a full
crop. A full acreage of early potatoes was planted ; some are un-
even, and without rain soon the crop must be light. Prices for
market-garden crops low, with better prospects ahead. Dairy
products about the same as last year in quantity and price ; health
and condition of stock good. Pastures very poor and dry, and in
almost all cases cows are fed at the barn. Prospect for huckle-
berries fair, strawberries a failure, all other berries killed by frost.
There will be some apples and pears. Pearly peas are all drying up.

22

Marshfield (J. H. Bourne). — Tent caterpillars and canker
worms did some damage in the first part of June. Corn is look-
ing splendidly, with a larger area than usual. Haying progress-
ing fairly well, with a two-thirds crop. Acreage of early potatoes
a little larger than usual ; promise for a large crop, with rain.
Peas are a good crop, price as usual ; most market-garden crops
not harvested. Dairy products good in quantity ; prices small ;
stock in healthy condition. Pasturage has been in good condition,
but is beginning to feel the drought. The apple crop must be
small ; some peaches ; berries suffer from the dry weather.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Sandwich (J. R. Holway). — Fire worms on cranberry bogs
and potato bugs are the most troublesome insects. Indian corn is
looking fairly well ; acreage about average. Haying has just
begun ; crop rather light. Early potatoes have an average acreage,
and are looking well. Dairy products about average in quantity ;
prices lower than last year ; stock in good health. Pastures are
drying up. Cranberries are blooming very full ; strawberries a
small crop, apples and pears rather scarce, grapes blooming well.

Mashpee ( W. F. Hammond) . — The fire worm, gray worm, potato
bug and Hessian fly are doing some damage. Corn is looking well ;
acreage about the same as last year. The hay crop will be light,
on account of dry weather. Early potatoes are about the usual
acreage, with prospects for an average crop. Market-garden crops
so far are below the average ; prices about the same as usual ;
prospects for later ones good. Dairy products good ; price same
as last year ; health of dairy stock good. Pasturage is very good.
Apples and pears will be a half crop, peaches a failure, straw-
berries good, raspberries and currants look well.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell) . — Potato beetles are doing some
damage. Corn is looking fair ; acreage about average. Haying
has just commenced ; crop about as last year. The acreage of
early potatoes is increased a little over last year, but without rain
soon the crop will be short. Dairy products about as in other
years ; stock in good health. Pastures are very much in need of
rain. Strawberries were a small crop, and the outlook for cran-
berries is not very encouraging.

23

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGRICULTURE.

ENGINEEBING.

HINTS ON LAND DRAINAGE.

All plants with which agriculturists and horticulturists concern
themselves are air plants, in that their roots are dependent upon
air in the soils in which they grow. Consequently the available
depth of any soil for agricultural purposes is practically limited to
the depth to which air can penetrate it, and cannot exceed, there-
fore, that part of it which is above the water table, or the level at
which water of saturation stands in the ground.

Effects of Land Drainage.

It is the primary object of artificial drainage, then, to increase
the effective depth of soils and to improve their general character
by lowering the water table in or under them. Among its benefits
and advantages are the following : —

First. — It increases (with the aid of the deeper cultivation per-
mitted thereby) the amount of soil space and material for the
root-feeding of plants and for bacterial action and other agencies
in vegetable nutrition.*

Second. — A greater proportion of the rain and snow water
leaches through and surrenders to a well-drained soil the elements
and agents of plant nutrition which such waters transfer from the
atmosphere to the soil, and, as a further consequence, the washing
away of the soil by the flow over its surface is reduced.

* The degree of moisture has a marked influence upon the activity of the micro-organisms
of the soil which aid in the nutrition of plants, especially the root-tubercle bacteria and
bacteroids, through which leguminous plants, such as lupines, beans, clovers, alfalfa, etc.,
assimilate or fix free nitrogen from the air.

Experiments by E. Gain indicate that the development of such tubercles is about twenty
times greater in moist soil than in dry soil, with a corresponding increase in the assimilation
of free nitrogen. They also lead to the conclusion that a medium amount of moisture in the
Boil (fifty per cent of that required for complete saturation) is more favorable to the develop-
ment of root tubercles than higher or lower amounts. (United States Experiment Station
Record : Vol. V., pages 110-113; Vol. VI., page 870.)

24

Third. — It affords also a quicker escape of the water falling
thereon, thus shortening the time during which the soil is saturated
with moisture and increasing the time during which it is aerated
in a condition most favorable to plant growth.

Fourth. — Plants rooted in a deep soil are better able to with-
stand drought, chiefly by reason of the fact that beyond certain
depths the evaporative power of sun and wind does not extend to
an effective degree, whereby a drought that may be ruinous where,
for want of drainage, the soil is shallow, may have little effect
upon a deep, well-drained soil.

Fifth. — The capillarity of clayey soils — that is, the quality by
which they absorb and lift water from below and convey it up-
wards to the roots of plants (as a wick lifts oil from the body of a
lamp to the flame at its upper end) — is increased or quickened by
deeper cultivation and root action therein.

Sixth. — Considerations of color, texture, material and exposure
or direction of slope tend to modify somewhat through evaporation
the physical character of soils as affected by drainage ; yet as a
rule a deeply drained soil is more uniform and constant in its
moisture conditions or humidity than is a shallow one ; and it may
be accepted as an axiom that variation in humidity decreases as
the depth or thickness of the aerated soil increases.*

It has been usually held that a drained soil better withstands
drought, because it absorbs or receives air more freely into its
interstices or pores, and extracts therefrom by chemical and phys-
ical action the water which such air contains. This theory I deem
untenable and inadequate to explain the superior capacity of well-
drained soils to withstand drought. The true explanation is to be
found, I doubt not, in the greater penetration of the roots to depths
less affected by drought and in the increased power of the deeper
soil to obtain moisture by capillary attraction from below.

The insufficiency of aeration alone to supply moisture in amounts
large enough to sustain ordinary vegetation is often shown by
drained peaty soils, which, though of the most porous and absorb-
ent nature, are not only incapable, during seasons of prolonged
drought, of acquiring moisture by aeration (absorption from the
air above) , but are equally incapable of receiving it by capillarity
(absorption from the water table below). The difficulty with such
soils is that the size of the pores is so large and their volume so
great that, while permitting the greatest possible degree of aera-
tion, they are incapable of lifting water to a sufficient height by
capillary attraction, and so remain dry. The same is true of soils

* E. Wollny, Uuited States Experiment Station Record, Vol. VI., page S58,

25

composed of or underlaid by coarse sand or gravel. They too
admit of the highest degree of aeration, but have little capillary
power ; whence it appears that it is the extremely porous soils of
whatever material — that is, those best adapted for aeration —
that suffer most in time of drought.

Well-drained soils, then, are not so effectively benefited in a dry
time through the moisture which they absorb from the air as through
that which they permanently retain below the effective action of
evaporation and above the water table, supplemented by that
absorbed from below through capillary attraction.

Such soils, whether too exclusively of peat or of coarse sand,
may be improved by processes which tend to compact them so as
to reduce the size and volume of their pores, thus diminishing
aeration and increasing the moisture obtained by capillary attrac-
tion. In the case of well-drained peat soil heavy rolling after sow-
ing or planting is often an effective aid to the germination of the
seed. In dry times grass seed sown on such land will often be
found to sprout and grow in the deep foot-prints of men and horses,
while elsewhere no growth may appear until copious rain has fallen.
Another method is by increasing the compactness and weight of
peat by adding to and mixing with it either fine sand, clay or marl,
or a combination of them, which will also improve its general
chemical and physical qualities ; while the excessive porosity of
sandy soils may be improved by the application of clay or marl and
decomposed muck or peat, the fine particles of which, filling the
coarser pores of the sand, tend to retard evaporation and to pro-
mote the absorption of water from below.

How TO DRAIN Land.

Under-drainage works cayi, and if rightly done to ill be, strictly
speaking, j)ermanent improvements. The construction of farm
buildings, roads, walls and fences, though usually classed as such,
are of a transitory and ephemeral character, compared with a well
planned and thoroughly executed system of tile drainage.

That a drain may be permanent in its life and action, it must
be so planned and constructed as to let the tvater in and keei) the silt
or earthy matter out. An open ditch may do the first admirably
for a time, but soon fills up with the undermining and caving-in
of its banks, and by the in-washing of loam and organic matter
by the flow of surface waters into it. A stone or " blind" drain
may admit water freely for a time, and conducts it fairly well
where a considerable inclination or fall to a suitable outlet is
practicable ; but when laid (as such drains usually must be) in

26

earth made up of fine particles it is liable to become clogged by
the infiltration of silt.

Such drains can be made silt-proof, and consequently perma-
nent, by enclosing or surrounding them with silt-excluding mate-
rials, such as boards (for a foundation), green brush, turf, old
hay or straw, coarse gravel, etc., according to availability and
other circumstances, which will readily suggest to the user the
best of such means at his disposal.

Practically, however, where the main object is thorough drain-
age, and not the clearing up of stone or brush (and in most cases,
even where such clearing is collaterally or contingently desirable) ,
tile drains are superior to any other kind, because : —

They cost less in the sum total of labor and material.

They admit of being laid at flatter grades, and therefore of
draining larger areas of level lands to an outfall of limited depth.

They are easily examined (through silt-wells), and imperfec-
tions or stoppages may be thus approximately located for repair
or removal.

They are more durable, and, properly laid and cared for, are
practically permanent in their life and operation.

There is a popular impression that ground water enters a tile
drain through the porous bodies of the tiles themselves. This is
essentially wrong. Indeed, the best tiles are those that are uni-
formly hard-burued to such a degree (just short of vitrification)
that nearly all physical porosity has disappeared. In point of
fact, at all times, excepting when the amount of water seeking to
enter a drain exceeds its maximum capacity when running full, the
water enters at the bottom of the joints and at the sides, as far up
only as the surface of the stream flowing in and through the drain.
One should not be tempted, therefore, to purchase tile for which
is claimed the virtue of admitting water through the porous mate-
rial comprising them, as such porosity serves no practical purpose,
and can result only from insuflicient burning, with consequent want
of durability.

The joints of any laud tile (however accurately moulded, how-
ever well their shape may be retained in the process of burning,
and however closely fitted in laying) afford not only ample but
practically the sole means for the admission of water from the
soil around them. Indeed, the key to success in tile drainage,
after securing a suitable outfall and adequate grades leading down-
ward thereto, lies in making such close-fitting and well-protected
joints at the abutting ends of the tiles that clay and fine sand can-
not be carried into the drain by the water as it enters through the
joints. The subsoils of lands which best repay drainage are

27

usually composed so largely of clay, or of very fine sand with or
without a clay admixture, that not even the closest joints that can
be made are thin or close enough, without special protection, to
prevent some silt being carried into the drain, whence it becomes
necessary to provide further means to prevent the entrance of such
particles. This is usually done by laying a strip of tarred paper, oil
cloth or heavy burlap (about an inch and one-half wide for small
tile and two inches or more for the larger sizes) over the top and
sides of each joint, in close contact with the outer surface of the
tiles. Strong, tough turf, with most of the soil shaken out, may
be used for the same purpose.

In quicksand especial care must be observed to lay and keep the
tile in their proper grade and line, which may best be done by first
placing and securing in the bed of the trench, at the true and
established grade of the drain, a strip of board or plank about
two inches wider than the outside width of the tile itself. At
each joint of the boards a splicing piece about twenty inches long
should be laid aloug the under side of the abutting ends of the
boards, and both boards nailed thereto. Upon this continuous
foundation the tile are to be laid in a true line, and where further
security against lateral movement is required ordinary lath may
be placed on edge along and against each side of the tile, the
joints being first covered with strips of tarred paper or other
material, as above described. In back-filling the trench the
coarsest material that is available should be first used in contact
with the tile, the constant purpose to be kept in view being to
keep the quicksand out of the joints by placing around the tile
such material as will permit the admission of water only.

Where gravel or coarse sand may be easily and cheaply obtained,
one of the best methods of laying tile in quicksand or soft clay is
to excavate the trench three or four inches below grade, and fill
up to the grade with gravel or coarse sand ; then lay the tile upon
the gravel bed in the usual manner, cover them with the same
material to a depth of three or four inches, and complete the back-
filling of the trench as before, with the coarser material toward the
bottom. The result is a tile drain laid in a material not easily dis-
placed by external influences, and surrounded by a continuous
filter which will admit water with the utmost freedom and exclude
silt. Where the cost of obtaining such coarse material is large, its
use may be confined to surrounding the jo iiits only, to a distance of
two or three inches ; but a more thorougli and permanent work will
be insured by bedding and covering the entire tile with it.

Under-drains should be deep enough to encourage the fullest
development of root growth, to avoid any disturbing and dis-

28

integrating effects from freezing and to escape the danger of
being obstructed by roots entering at the joints. Lowering tlie
water table much below the greatest depth of root action dimin-
ishes the moisture raised by capillarity, and is therefore disadvan-
tageous. Subject to these considerations and to such variations
as the necessities of the grade of the drain and the inequalities of
the surface of the ground may involve, from three and one-half to
four and one-half feet is a fair average depth to adopt. Less may
be used where a low or deep outfall cannot be had, as in the case
of flat lands situated at a slight elevation above an adjacent pond
or stream which fixes the level at which the main drain may dis-
charge.

The distance between drains is governed chiefly by the greatest
depth, within the limits already stated, at which they can be laid,
and by the permeability of the soil and subsoil to be drained
thereby. In clayey soils, through which water percolates but
slowly and with the greatest difliculty, the drains should be placed
at a distance of about six to seven feet for every foot of their
depth ; while for loamy soils, underlaid by sand, equally good
drainage may be secured if the drains are laid at nearly double
that distance apart, or ten to fifteen feet for each foot of depth,
depending upon the porosity of the underlying material. Thus in
clay or hard-pan drains three to four feet in depth should be laid
from twenty to thirty feet apart, and for soils underlaid by sand
the distance (for the same depth) may be forty or fifty and some-
times sixty feet, while in material of intermediate character or
porosity a distance of thirty to forty feet would be suitable.

"Without discussing the various considerations affecting the sizes
of tile to be used, it may be said that one thousand feet laid forty-
five feet apart will drain an acre of land underlaid by a permeable
soil, and that the maximum amount of ground water collected and
discharged thereby would rarely exceed the full capacity of a two-
inch tile with round bore, laid at such a grade or fall that the water
flowing through the same will carry along such fine silt as may un-
avoidably enter at the joints, say not flatter than three to four
inches in a hundred feet. With a fall of six inches in a hundred
feet the same size of tile will carry the water collected by about
fifteen hundred feet of drains, and will therefore be sufficient for
an acre and one-half of land ; while with a fall of twelve inches in
a hundred feet two-inch tile will serve about two thousand feet of
drains, or two acres of porous land.

In clayey lands less of the rainfall percolates into the soil, con-
sequently drains therein will receive a smaller quantity of water
per acre, which in ordinary practice may be assumed to be about

29

one-half as great as that in lands underlaid by free water-bearing
sand. Therefore the same size of tile or capacity of main drain
will snffice for about double the area of clayey subsoils that
would be needful for sandy subsoils ; and, inasmuch as the drains
should be placed at about one-half the distance in clayey soil, it
follows that the amount or length of drain that may be discharged
through a two-inch tile for such lands is about four times as great
as in those having a free subsoil. Thus, while a thousand feet of
two-inch tile, laid forty-five feet apart in a free subsoil, will serve
one acre, four thousand feet of the same size, laid twenty-two and
one-half feet apart, will serve two acres of clay land.

The relative capacities of different sizes of tiles are approxi-
mately as follows, that of a two-inch tile being indicated by 1,
to wit : —

Capacity of two-inch tile equals, .
Capacity of two-and-one-half-inch tile equals,
Capacity of three-inch tile equals, .
Capacity of four-inch tile equals, .
Capacity of five-inch tile equals, .
Capacity of six-inch tile equals,
Capacity of eight-inch tile equals, .

1.00

1.50
2.50
5.00
7.60
12.50
25.00

Thus for land requiring two-inch tile to carry the maximum
drainage from one acre, a main drain of four-inch tile will serve
five acres, one of six-inch tile twelve and one-half acres and one
of eight-inch tile twenty-five acres. These sizes may be considered
suitable for the areas stated, where the fall is not less than three,
or better, four inches per hundred feet in main drains or laterals.
Where the fall is twice as much, or not less than six inches per
hundred feet, the same sizes will suffice for fifty per cent larger
areas ; and in general for clayey soils, with the same inclination
as in free soils, tile of a given size will serve double the area.

Larger tile than are absolutely necessary to carry the maximum
amount of water to be discharged through them make an inferior
though more costly system of drainage, — inferior, because the
velocity of flow is slower througli tile of larger bore, consequently
any silt which enters is more certain to be deposited in the tile
and to gradually fill it up.

The flattest grade at which tile drains should be laid should be
sufficient to insure a perfect scour, — that is, the carrying along
by the water flowing therein of all silt which may enter at the
joints. With care in laying at true grade, a fall of three inches
in a hundred feet is as little as may be safely adopted for two-inch
tile, and where the topography or surface contour allows, steeper

30

grades should be used. Where the declivity is very great, as upon
the springy sides of many New England hills of hard-pan, the
lateral drains should as a rule run diagonally with the slope, instead
of in the direction of most rapid descent, so as to more effectually
cut off springs and underground water veins, which otherwise might
appear at the surface between the laterals.

The larger the volume of the flow, and consequently the greater
the size of the drain to carry it, the flatter may be the grade at
which it may safely be laid. Thus, while the fall of two-inch and
three-inch drains should rarely be less than three inches per hun-
dred feet, a four-inch drain may with equal safety have a fall of
two and one-half inches only, and six-inch and eight-inch drains
of two inches per hundred feet. It should be borne in mind, how-
ever, that an obstruction in a large or main drain is a much more
serious matter than in a lateral, and consequently such flat grades
should be permitted only in cases of actual necessity.

Laying out and Construction of Drains.

The laying out of drains, especially at flat grades, can be prop-
erly done only with the aid of accurate levelling instruments,
which work can be done by an engineer or surveyor of ordinary
skill and capacity. The expense of sucli services is trifling, com-
pared with the facility, convenience and certainty of successful
results thereby insured in the work.

The following suggestions may aid in laying out and construct-
ing the work.

Having secured the proper outlet for the main drain, mark tlie
position of all mains and laterals by driving into the ground at
each end of each line, and also at every point where there is a
change either in grade or direction, a grade peg or hub level with
the surface. Beside it drive a reference stake, leaving one foot
exposed, and mark thereon the depth at which the drain is to be
laid below the top of the peg.

Upon opposite sides of each peg, across the line of tlie drain
and far enough to clear the trench, drive two stakes firmly into
the ground, leaving two or three feet out, and at some uniform
height above the established grade of the drain nail across each
pair of stakes a batter board made level from end to end, and
mark thereon the centre line of the trench by a nail or notch in
the upper edge plumb over the peg. Assume, for example, that
all the batter boards are to be set at the uniform height of six feet
above grade. If the cut or the depth of the trench marked on the
reference stake at the lower end of any given drain is 4.25 feet,
then the batter board nmst be placed 1 . 75 feet above the peg ;

31

and in like manner, if the cut at the next peg on the same line is
3.8 feet, the batter board must be set 2.2 feet above it. Thus the
lines and grades of the entire system are established and fixed
safe from disturbance during the execution of the work.

In digging the trenches, begin at the outlet or lower end of the
main drain and work up grade, thus giving the water encountered
in the work a chance to run off without pumping. It is usually
better also to lay the tile in the same order, especially if the
quantity of water is large and the trenches liable to cave. Throw
the surface soil upon one side of the trench and the undersoil upon
the other ; and in refilling restore the different materials to their
proper places, observing that the filling immediately around the
tile should be of the coarser materials best adapted to exclude silt.

Make the trench no wider than is necessary for the convenience
of the workmen, say from twenty to twenty-four inches at the top
and from five inches upward at the bottom, according to the size
of the tile. Excavate to the proper grade, and dress the bottom
of the trench accurately by using a levelling rod or pole having a
target or conspicuous mark thereon at the same distance from the
bottom of the rod as that at which the batter boards are placed
above the grade line. Test the depth of the trench frequently as
the work progresses, by having one man hold the rod vertically in
it while another sights over the top of the two batters nearest
thereto, to determine whether the target or mark thereon is in the
same line with the batters. Where the target stands above the
line of the batters, the trench must be deepened ; while if it stands
below the line the trench is too deep, and must be refilled with
material firmly packed until the target is in the same grade with
the batters, with the rod standing on the bottom of the trench.
Constant care and watchfulness should be exercised to avoid
digging below the proper grade, as a natural bed that has not
been disturbed furnishes a better and more secure foundation
upon which to lay the tile.

Of the various forms of tile in the market, that known as
" Ohio " or " Ohio land " tile is among the best. The bore is cir-
cular in cross-section, while the outside is polygonal (either hex-
agonal or octagonal). They have the advantage, therefore, of six
or more sides or beds upon which they can be laid. All drain tile,
however carefully made, are liable to be warped or curved in dry-
ing and burning, whereby with but one bed upon which to lay them
many of the joints are certain to gape open upon one side or
another, and thus admit silt more readily. A tile, however,
which can be laid upon any one of six or eight different sides can
be turned and tried upon all of them until a close joint is secured.

32

" Sole" tile of the same nominal size has less capacity, because
the bore is elliptical, and its size is designated by its longer
diameter. It has, moreover, only one bed, and hence it is impos-
sible to make so good joints in laying it. " Round " tile have the
same capacity as " Ohio," but, having no flat surface upon which
to lie, they are less stable in the trench before covering, and there-
fore more liable to be thrown out of line in backfilling. In the
Boston market both round and sole tile are somewhat higher in
price than the Ohio tile.

Silt basins should be placed at the intersection of laterals with
main drains and at all points where there is a change in direction,
also where there is a change from a steeper to a flatter grade. A
simple method of making a silt basin is by placing a vitrified sewer
pipe of ten inches or greater diameter vertically, or upon end, in
the line of the drain or drains leading into and from it. The
bottom of the pipe should rest upon a plank or flat stone about a
foot below the drain, and with the bell end upward. Lead the
drains into and out of it through holes of proper size cut in the
sides of the pipe at their proper level. In the bell at the top of
this pipe set another of the sam.e size, and so extend the silt basin
either up to the surface of the ground or to within about a foot of
it, according as it may be more desirable to cultivate over it with-
out obstruction, or to have it always accessible for inspection and
cleaning out without digging. Where it is to be covered, the top
should be closed by a circular cover of plank or stone set in the
upper bell end, and its location marked by a stake driven beside
it, so that it may be occasionally uncovered and cleaned out so
long as there shall continue to be any accumulation of silt in it.
Where the silt basin extends to the surface of the ground, small
animals and foreign matter should be excluded in a similar manner
by a cover of wood, stone or iron, fitted and set into the bell of
the pipe.

It goes without saying that the best time in which to construct a
system of land drainage, other conditions being equal, is during
seasons of long-continued drought, such as have occurred during
the open season of 1894 and up to the present time this year.
Then the level of the ground water, or the water table, is reduced
to its lowest natural limits, and the work can be carried on at less
cost and done in a more thorough manner by reason of the absence
of water. Moreover, as a rule, the drains may be laid at a greater
depth at such times than when the ground is full of water.

WILLIAM WHEELER,

Engineer,

Series oe 1895. Bulletin No. 3.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP REPOET

Month of July, 1895.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1895.

Ceop Eeport foe the Month of July, 1895.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Aug. 1, 1895.

Bulletin No. 3, Crop Report for the month of July, is here-
with presented. Particular attention is called to the article
on " Birds as Protectors of Orchards," by the ornithologist
of the Board, at the end of this bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 128, New Series (July, 1895), of the Statis-
tician of the United States Department of Agriculture gives
the acreage of corn, as compared with that of 1894, as 107.8,
being an increase of 6,000,000 acres, and making the total
area 82,000,000 acres. The average condition is 99.3
against 94 last July.

The condition of winter wheat is 65.8 against 71.1 in June,
and 83.2 last July. The condition of spring wheat is 102.2
against 97.8 in June and 68.4 in July, 1894. The average
condition of all wheat is given as 76.2. Of the 1894 crop,
5.7 per cent yet remains in farmers' hands.

Oats are suffering badly from dry weather, but show a con-
dition of 83.2 against 84.3 June 1, and 77.9 July 1, 1894.
Winter rye has fallen from 85.7 June 1 to 82.2. Spring rye
shows a condition of 77, which is exceeded in the States of
large production. The condition of all rye is 80.7 against
87 last year. Barley rose in condition from 90.3 to 91.9
during the month, against 76.8 last year.

Increase of area of potatoes continuous since 1892 ; now
7.9 per cent greater than last year. Condition averages
91.5. Less than the usual amount of damage from the
potato bug and other insects. Where the condition is low,
the cause is drought and late frosts. Acreage of sweet pota-
toes reduced and condition low in some States.

The low price of tobacco has decreased the acreage to
84.8 per cent that of hist year. Lack of rain and damage
from insects have reduced the condition to 85.9 against 81
last year.

The late season retarded the growth of cotton , and a weak
stand is reported. Average condition 82.3 against 81 in
June and 89. fi, July 1, 1894.

Condition of clover 73.9 against 80.2 in 1894. Some
winter killing and damage from insects are reported. Condi-
tion of timothy 70.8 against 77.3 in 1894. The low condi-
tion is due to extended drought. Local improvement from
recent rains is noted. During June the condition of past-
ures declined from 88.1 to 78.7. There is general com-
plaint of drought except on the Gulf coast and in the Rocky
Mountains.

The average weight of fleeces is given as 5.6 pounds
against 5.3 pounds in 1893 and 1894. Rice has fallen 4.8
points, and now stands at 84.4.

The condition of apples has been materially lowered since
the report of June. Frost at time of bloom, subsequent
droughts and heavy dropping are the main causes of the im-
paired prospects. Returns relative to the peach crop show
a general decline in conditions. The figures from States
range from 106 for Georgia and 90 for Connecticut to 22 for
Ohio. Frosts have done much damage to grapes.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

From United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.

Week ending July 1. — On the northern New England
coast and from the Rocky Mountains eastward to the Missis-
sippi River, week cooler than usual, and in the States of
the Missouri Valley decidedly cool. Elsewhere temperature
varied very little from the normal, though generally warmer
than usual throughout the plateau regions and on the Pacific
coast. Rainfall generally in excess over the Gulf and At-
lantic coast district. Abundant rains generally throughout
the east Gulf, middle Atlantic and southern New England
StatQs. Elsewhere less than the usual amount of rain fell.
Week generally favorable though too cool in some sections.

Cotton has suffered from the excessive rains. Corn gener-
ally looking well though backward. Winter wheat harvest
nearing completion and crop good.

]VeeIc ending July 8. — Week slightly warmer than usual
in regions between the Mississippi River and the Rocky
Mountains. Elsewhere week cooler than usual, the defi-
ciency generally amounting to 3° per day and in some sec-
tions 6°. Rainfall less than usual along immediate Gulf
coast, in the lower Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys,
the Lake region and interior of New England. Practically
no rain in southern Texas and the upper Mississippi Valley.
Elsewhere rainfall generally in excess, in some sections there
being an actual fall of 4 inches. Cotton seriously injured
by rain in some sections. Corn made rapid growth and
general condition excellent. Outlook for spring wheat flat-
tering. Tobacco improving though uneven.

Week ending July 15, — In all districts east of the Rocky
Mountains, except the Gulf coast, week averaged cooler than
usual ; also below normal on south Pacific coast. In cen-
tral and northern California, Oregon, Washington and north-
ern Idaho week warmer than usual. ]More than usual rainfall
over central western sections and over Colorado and northern
New England. Elsewhere, except over limited areas, rain-
fall less than usual. No rain on north Pacific coast. Drought
broken in Iowa, partly relieved in Wisconsin and Minnesota,
but continues in Ohio and Michigan. Cotton injured by ex-
cessive rain but improved over last week. Corn needs rain
in Northern States. Outlook for tobacco generally excellent.

Week ending July 22. — Week cooler than usual in nearly
all districts westward of the Mississippi River and on east
Gulf and extreme south Atlantic coasts. From the lower
Missouri and central Mississippi valleys eastward, week aver-
aged w^armer than usual. Temperature extremes not unusual.
More than usual rainfall in Gulf States and upper Mississippi
Valley. Generally elsewhere less rain than usual fell,
though there were g-enerous showers in some sections.
Drought broken in Wisconsin and partially relievjed in
eastern Ohio and portions of Michigan. Corn made rapid
growth and generally improved. Week uniformly favorable
for cotton. Tobacco doing well except in Ohio.

6

Special Telegraphic Keports.

Weather Bureau, Boston.

Week ending July 1. — New England. Cloudy and wet ;
farm work delayed, but all crops making very rapid growth ;
grass much improved, pastures excellent; field crops gener-
ally ahead of the average.

Week ending July 8. — New England. Showery condi-
tions delayed hay-making, and discolored some that was cut
and not housed ; corn, oats and rye improved ; garden vege-
tables, fruits and berries doing well ; some reports of grass-
hoppers and potato bugs ; pastures in excellent condition.

Week ending July 15. — New England. Hay harvesting
delayed by frequent showers and cloudy weather, but most
grass is still improving, while field and garden crops are
everywhere growing fast ; small fruits generally show light
crop ; some damage by hail in southern counties.

Week ending July 22. — New England. Fine growing
weather, except too dry in northwest, and better for hay and
grain cutting ; tobacco and corn growing fast ; potatoes
slightly diseased in south ; pears, peaches and blackberries
good ; other fruits generally light.

Weather Summary for July.

Furnished by the New England Weather Sera'ice.

The weather for the month of July, in Massachusetts, has
been cool and unusually cloudy and rainy. The actual
amount of rainfall has been less than the normal for the
month at many places, especially in the southeast, but the
total number of rainy days was in excess. At Boston rain
fell to an appreciable amount on twelve days, while a trace
was recorded on two other days. The total fall, however,
was half an inch less than normal, being 3.59 inches. The
fall at Pittsfield, in the extreme western part of the State,
was 4.34 inches. The average cloudiness at Boston was 6.3
on a scale often.

The temperature was generally lower than usual, with few
oppressive days, and no extended spell of hot weather. At
Boston the highest temperature was 85° on the 8th, and the
lowest 54° on the last morning of the month. At this sta-
tion the mean daily temperature averaged about two and
one-half decrees below the normal.

The cyclonic and anti-C3'clonic areas were all of slight
energy and poorly defined, except the last two cyclones.
One of these passed northeasterly across our district on
the night of 27th-28th, giving heavy rain and high winds ;
the other passed easterly to the north of New England on the
30th-31st with heavy rain and severe local storms. Other
sharp local storms have occurred, but they have been of
short duration and confined generally to limited districts.
On the whole the air pressure has been very variable,
although not changing rapidly or to extremes, and conse-
quently the wind has not held long from any one direction,
and the temperature has been favorably affected.

On the 13th much damage was done by hail in Hampshire
and Worcester counties, many garden and field crops being
ruined. On the 9th, 4.13 inches of rain fell at Fitchburg
in three and one-fourth hours. In one and three-fourths
hours 3.37 inches of the amount was recorded. Dr. J.
Fisher, who reported the fall, states that it is unprecedented
in his thirty-one years of observation.

In the circular to correspondents returnable July 25 the
following questions were asked : —

1. What insects are proving most troublesome in your
locality ?

2. What is the condition of Indian corn, and what pro-
portion of the crop will be put into the silo ?

3. What is the quantity and quality of the hay crop as
compared with former years ?

4. What forage crops are being raised to supplement the
hay crop and eke out the pastures, and what is their condi-
tion?

5. What is the condition of market-garden crops, in-
cluding potatoes, and how have those already harvested
compared in yield and price with former years ?

6. What is the prospect for apples, pears, peaches,
quinces, grapes and cranberries?

7. What is the condition of pasturage in your vicinity?

8. How have rye, oats and barley compared with former
years ?

Returns were received from 98 correspondents, and from
these the following summary was made : —

8

Insects.
Little damage from insects is reported. The potato beetle
is most frequently complained of, but is nearly through
working. Grasshoppers are reported as doing damage to
pastures and mowings in some sections. The horn fly is
very troublesome in many localities, and other flies seem
to trouble domestic animals more than usual. Other insects
reported to be doing more or less damage are currant worms,
cutworms, the curculio, the onion maggot, white grubs, cab-
bage worms, the pear-tree psylla, the striped squash bug, the
squash- vine borer, wire worms and the cranberry fire worm.

Indian Corn.
Indian corn is almost universally reported as being in ex-
cellent condition. Many correspondents speak of it as never
better. The present indications are that one of the best
crops for many years will be harvested. About the usual
amount will be put into the silo, probably a little more than
last year, as the silo appears to be gaining slowly in public
favor. The amount varies, some reporting none, while others
say that nearly the whole crop will be so used.

The Hay Crop.
The rains materially helped the hay crop, but did not
come early enough to bring it up to the average. A con-
servative estimate would put it at three-fourths of an average
crop. Much of that cut early was damaged by rain. Other-
wise the quality seems to have been excellent as a rule.

Forage Crops.
The experience of the past two years has led many farmers
to plant some forage crop as a supplement to the hay crop
and the pasture. This year the dryness of the early summer
was such that undoubtedly more than the usual amount of
forage crops has been planted. Among these, fodder corn
easily takes first place, and is most universally grown. Then
oats, barley, Hungarian grass and millet follow in the order
named, being quite extensively grown. Other crops grown,
but not extensively, are rye, oats and peas, oats and barley.

turnips, cow peas, cabbage and wheat. All fodder crops
are almost universally reported as in good condition.

Market- Garden Crops.
Market-garden crops generally have improved with the
rains and are now about average. The tendency of prices
seems to be generally lower throughout the State. Par-
ticularly is this true of the market-garden counties of
Middlesex and Essex. The correspondent for Winchester
says, *'Some crops will not pay for the labor of raising,
throwing in the manure and the use of the land."

Early Potatoes.
Not many early potatoes have been dug as yet, but they
are reported as looking finely and generally promising a good
crop. Prices are fair, though where many have been dug
the large crop operates to cut down the price. But two cor-
respondents speak of blight, and only one of rot.

Fruits.
Apples will be, on the whole, considerably less than half
a crop, many correspondents reporting none or very few.
Pears promise a fair but not large crop. Peaches now
promise a good average crop in most localities. Quinces
generally look well. Grapes bid fair to be an unusually
heavy crop. Cranberries promise an average crop, good
reports coming from the region of commercial production.

Pasturage.
Pastures have improved very much during the month, and
in eastern and central sections are generally in good condi-
tion. Throughout the four western counties, however, they
did not fully recover from the drought of the early summer,
and where not yet short are now again in need of rain.

Grain Crops.
Rye was, on the whole, a good average crop, many speak-
ing of it as excellent. Oats appear to be an excellent crop,
considerably above average ; only one complaint of rust.
Barley, where grown, is a full average crop.

10

NOTES OF COKEESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us July 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Egremont (J. H. Rowley). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn never looked more promising ; about one-fourth
will be put into the silo. The hay crop was less in quantity and
of better quality than in former years. Corn is raised to supple-
ment the hay crop, and is in good condition. Market-garden
crops injured by drought ; prices about as last year. Fruit nearly
a failure. Pastures are short and brown. Rye better than last
year. Oats injured some by black rust. Barley not as good as
last year.

Monterey (Wm. S. Bidwell). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn in good condition ; about one-half will be put into
the silo. The hay crop was larger and better than last year.
Fodder corn is raised to supplement the hay crop, and is in good
condition. All market-garden crops are doing well ; prices low.
There will be some apples and pears. Pasturage in tine condition.
Rye, oats and barley better than usual.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking finely ; one-half will be put into the silo. Quality
of hay good, quantity about one-half short. Hungarian grass and
oats are raised to supplement the hay crop. Potatoes promise a
large crop. The prospect for apples and pears is not very good.
Rye, oats and barley are fully as good as usual.

Windsor (H. A. Foud). — Grasshoppers and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Condition of Indian corn good ; not much
put into the silo. Hay not over a three-fourths crop, of poor qual-
ity. Barley and millet are raised to supplement the hay crop.
Market-garden crops in good condition, but very few harvested as
yet. Apples a small crop. Pastures are getting short, owing to
drought and grasshoppers. Rye, oats and barley look well.

Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn stands well and is in excellent condition ; perhaps
one per cent will be ensiled. Hay a three-fourths crop, of good

11

quality. Oats, barley, sweet corn and Hungarian grass are the
principal forage crops grown. Market-garden crops in very good
condition. Apples 70 per cent of a full crop, and pears half a
crop. Pastures are very short. Oats and barley are fine and will
help fill the gap left by the short hay crop.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Colrain (A. A. Smith) . — Grasshoppers and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn in A No. 1 condition ; fully
one-half will go into the silo. Hay a three- fourths crop, of full
average quality. Corn, barley and Hungarian grass are the prin-
cipal fodder crops, and are all in fine condition. The prospect for
all kinds of fruit is poor. Pasturage is fresh and green. Rye,
oats and barley are above the average.

Buckland (J. D. Avery). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn never looked better ; probably 15 per cent will be put
into the silo. Hay 85 per cent of a full crop, of very good
quality. Oats, barley and Hungarian grass are raised to help out
the hay crop, and are all doing finely. The potato crop is prom-
ising, but more rain is needed. Apples and peaches will be light
crops. Some orchards will give a full yield of apples, while others
are almost bare of fruit. Pasturage is very good.

Conway (J. C. Newhall). — Potato bugs and cutworms have
been very plenty, but grasshoppers are getting very thick now.
Indian corn never looked better ; only a small proportion will go
into the silo. Since the middle of June the hay crop has gained,
and on rich land there will be a fair crop. Barley and fodder
corn are sown for forage. Potatoes are late, but looking well.
Hardly any apples ; pears, peaches, quinces and grapes will be
average crops. Pastures have been good, but need rain. Rye,
oats and barley are hardly up to the average.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Potato bugs are the only
insects doing damage, and they are nearly through. Corn is look-
ing splendidly ; a third will go into the silo. The hay crop was
below the average, and most of it has been injured in harvesting.
Sweet corn is the principal forage crop grown, and is looking well.
Potatoes never looked better. A fair but not heavy crop of apples
and pears is promised. Pastures are now getting a little dry.
Rye and oats have done well. No damage from hail or wind.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard) . — Potato bugs and grasshoppers
are quite numerous. Corn is looking finely ; perhaps two per
cent will be put into the silo. The rains have brought grass
forward to average growth ; quality good. Corn, oats and Hun-
garian grass are raised as fodder crops. Market-garden crops are

12

yielding well. Apples and peaches light ; pears and quinces good ;
grapes heavy. Pastures are holding out finely. Rye, oats and
barley have all made a fair yield.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Greenwich (Wm. S. Douglas). — Cutworms and currant worms
are doing some damage. Indian corn in good condition. Hay a
light crop, but a little better than last year. Fodder corn is the
principal forage crop. Potatoes are looking finely. All kinds of
fruit will be very light. Pastures are in better condition than last
year at this season. Rye, winter-killed ; oats are looking well.

BelcJiertowfi (H. C. West). — Potato bugs are doing much less
damage than usual. Indian corn in very fine condition ; very little
will be put into the silo. Hay crop 25 per cent below average, but
of good quality. Rye, oats, corn, barley and Hungarian grass are
grown to supplement the hay crop. Market-garden crops in fair
condition. Apples light, pears good, peaches fair, quinces fair
and grapes fine. Pasturage is short, but much improved by late
rains. Rye, oats and barley above the average of former years.
All crops growing very fast.

IlacUey (H. C. Russell). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn never looked better ; a small per cent will be put into the
silo. Hay crop 20 per cent less than usual, and too ripe when cut.
Fodder corn is the principal forage crop. Market-garden crops
are in good condition ; potatoes are coming into the market, and
the price is falling. Apples are fair, and peaches a good crop.
Pastures short, not having recovered from the drought. Rye, oats
and barley about average crops.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — The potato bug is doing some
damage. Corn is looking first rate ; a small proportion will be put
into the silo. Hay about a two-thirds crop ; quality fair, though
somewhat injured by wet weather. Early potatoes yielding fairly
well ; price about the same as last year. Hungarian grass and
fodder corn are the principal forage crops, and are in fair condi-
tion. Apples a fair crop ; pears, peaches and grapes good.
Pastures in better condition than last year. Rye and oats full
crops.

Chesterfield (Hokatio Bisbee). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn in fine condition ; not more than one-fifth will go
into the silo. Hay a three-fourths crop of fair quality. Corn,
oats and barley are the principal forage crops ; condition of corn
good, oats fair. The apple crop will be fair, but not large.
Rowen has started well, and pastures are producing plenty of feed.
Rye, oats and barley compare well with former years.

13

HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Blandford (E. W. Boise). — There are some potato bugs and
horn flies are very plenty. Indian corn extra good ; a small amount
will be put into the silo. Hay 80 per cent of an average crop, of
average quality. Fodder corn, oats, peas and Hungarian grass are
the principal forage crops. Market-garden crops about average.
Potatoes of good size, but a small yield. Apples have looked well,
but are now dropping badly. Pastures are in poor condition, not
having recovered from the early drought. Full average stand of
oats, and barley very heavy. The season has been very bad for
haying, and few are through yet.

Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Cutworms have been very plenty
and the potato bug is ever present. Indian corn above the aver-
age in condition. The hay crop is from 15 to 20 per cent short,
and the early cut was injured by rain. Corn, millet and Hunga-
rian grass are the principal forage crops, and are looking well.
Drought injured potatoes, and the yield will be light. Apples a
three- fourths crop ; pears and peaches full crops ; quinces light ;
grapes half a crop. Pasturage is very good since the rains. Rye
not over a three-fourths crop.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — Potato bugs and the horn
fly are doing the most damage. Corn is looking well ; not over two
per cent will be put into the silo. Hay is fully an average crop,
having gained a third during the month. Oats and fodder corn
are raised to supplement the hay crop, and are doing remarkably
well. Garden crops generally good ; potatoes never looked better.
Apples are below the average. Pastures are improved, but still
thin. Rye and oats have done well.

Wilbraham (F. E. Clark) . — Potato bugs have been very plenty.
Indian corn is growing very fast since the late rains. Hay on old
fields very light, elsewhere a full average. Oats and peas, oats
and barley, sweet corn and Southern corn, are the principal forage
crops ; barley will be sown next month for late soiling. Potatoes
promise a good yield. Apples half a crop ; pears a full crop ;
peaches half a crop ; quinces and grapes a good average. Pastur-
age is much improved and is now average. Rye a good crop, and
oats above average.

Hampden (John N. Isham). — Horn flies are numerous. Corn
is in excellent condition and growing fast ; one-fortieth of the crop
will be put into the silo. Hay is a light crop of good quality.
Corn, witli some oats and barley, is the principal forage crop and is
doing well. Potatoes never looked better. Winter apples a light
crop ; other fruits good. Pastures green and in good condition.
Rye below average ; oats in fine condition.

14

WORCESTER COUNTY,
West BrooJcfield (L. H. Chamberlain). — Potato bugs are doing
some damage. Indian corn was never in better condition. Hay
85 per cent of a full crop ; quality 100. Barley, cow peas, millet,
Hungarian grass and corn fodder are the forage crops grown ; all
in first-class condition. Garden crops are very fine. Apples one-
fourth a full crop ; pears full crop ; peaches a total failure ; no
quinces ; grapes good ; no cranberries. Rye, oats and barley first
class. The second growth of grass is starting better than for
years.

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — Corn has made a great growth
during the past week, but some fields have been injured by hail
and wind. Hay 90 per cent of a full crop ; quality excellent where
not damaged by rain. Corn and millet are raised as forage crops,
and are growing very fast. Market-garden crops very thrifty ;
prices about average. Apples one-fourth of a crop ; pears, peaches
and grapes very plenty ; very few cranberries, owing to drought.
Pasturage in excellent condition. Oats and barley above the
average.

Dana (E. A. Albee). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn in good condition ; no silos in town. Hay, as last year, about
a three-fourths crop. Fodder corn and oats are raised to supple-
ment the hay crop, and are looking well. Market-garden crops in
good condition ; prices about as last year. No fruit of any kind.
Pasturage in good condition. Rye, oats and barley average crops.
There has been so much wet weather that the hay crop is not more
than half gathered.

Westminster (I. Dickinson) . — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn in good condition ; a very small amount will
be put into the silo. Hay is about a two-thirds crop, and that first
cut was badly damaged. Corn stover, barley and Hungarian grass
are the principal forage crops. Market-garden crops are in first-
class condition. The prospect for all kinds of fruit is poor.
Pasturage is in very good condition. Rye, oats and barley above
the average. Rowen starting well.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn never better ; perhaps 8 per cent of the crop will go into the
silo. Hay possibly 65 per cent of a full crop, of poorer quality
than usual. Golden millet is the principal crop grown to supple-
ment the hay crop. Early potatoes are looking finely, though few
have been dug yet. All fruit, except peaches, a failure ; peaches a
good crop. Pastures are much improved. Nearly all the rye,
oats and barley are cut green for hay.

15

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Potato bugs, cutworms, cabbage
worms and white grubs are doing some damage. Corn in good
condition ; none will be put into the silo. Hay an average crop
of rather poor quality. Sweet corn, oats, barley, rye, wheat, cab-
bage and turnips are raised to supplement the hay crop, and all
look well. Market-garden crops a fair average in yield and price.
Very few apples ; pears and peaches good ; grapes abundant.
Pasturage quite good. Rye, oats and barley about average.

SoutJiborough (E. F. Collins) . — Horn flies are somewhat
troublesome. Corn was never better ; one-sixth will be put into
the silo. Hay 90 per cent of a full crop, of good quality. Fodder
corn, Hungarian grass, barley and turnips are the principal forage
crops, and are all in good condition. Potatoes and other crops
promise well ; price for potatoes lower than usual. Pears and
peaches a good crop ; apples few. Pasturage looking better than
usual. Rye, oats and barley are all cut for hay.

Sutton (O. P. Johnson). — Potato bugs and horn flies are doing
some damage. Indian corn never looked better. Hay is about
an average crop, but varies greatly on different fields. Fodder
corn is the principal crop used to supplement the hay crop, and
is looking well. Market-garden crops good, prices low. Potatoes
are looking well. Apples few ; pears and peaches good ; quinces,
grapes and cranberries average. Pastui'es are in splendid condi-
tion. Rye, oats and barley about average.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Potato bugs, horn flies and hoi'se
flies are very troublesome. Corn looks extremely well ; 10 per
cent will cover all that will go into the silo. Hay two-thirds of
an average crop ; quality never better. Barley, oats, Hungarian
grass and corn are raised to supplement the hay crop, and all
promise full crops. Potatoes not yet dug. Very light crop of
apples and grapes ; peaches a full crop ; pears a half crop. Past-
ures are above the average at this season. Oats a large crop.

Littleton (G. W. Sanderson) . — Corn in excellent condition ;
about one-fourth will be put into the silo. Late rains have helped
the hay crop so that it will compare favorably with former years.
Hungarian grass, millet, barley and sweet corn have been sown in
large quantities and are looking well. Potatoes are looking well
and prices good. Few apples ; fair crop of pears ; peaches good ;
quinces, grapes and cranberries small crops. Pasturage in good
condition. Rye, oats and barley about average.

Lotvell (C. L. Marshall). — The potato beetle and onion mag-
got are doing some damage. Corn in very good condition ; nearly

16

the whole crop will be put into the silo. Hay crop about two-
thirds of an average and quality good. Hungarian grass is the
principal forage crop and is in fine condition. Market-garden
crops generally low in price ; yield good. Apples a fair crop ;
pears, peaches and grapes promise finely. Pasturage in excellent
condition. Rye, oats and barley are a small yield and not well
filled out.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes) . — Hay a good ci'op though
somewhat injured by wet weather while drying. All market-
garden crops good ; prices very low indeed. Large crop of pears ;
not many apples. Pastures are fresh and green. Rye is a good
crop. Owing to low prices some market-garden crops will not pay
for the labor of raising, throwing in the manure and the use of the
land.

Weston (H. L. Brown). — Very little corn raised, but what there
is is looking finely. Hay an average crop, but not of good quality.
Millet and barley are the principal forage crops ; millet is looking
well, and barley is just being sown. Market-garden crops in good
condition ; no potatoes yet harvested, others sell very low. Fall
apples plenty ; pears plenty ; few peaches ; very few grapes ; cran-
berries in blossom. Pasturage in good condition. Rowen has a
good start and is looking finely.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Ebenezer Webster). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn in good condition ; about one-third of the crop will
go into the silo. Hay about an average crop, of good quality.
Corn, oats and barley are raised to supplement the hay crop, and
are in good condition. Market-garden crops fair in yield and
price. Pears and grapes a medium crop. Pasturage is good
since the late rains. Rye, oats and barley are fully equal to
former years. Much of the corn grown here is fed green to cattle.

West Newbury (J. C. Tarleton). — Potato bugs are very
numerous this year. Corn is very good and forward ; not two
per cent will be put in the silo. Hay a two-thirds crop, of only
fair quality. Barley, Hungarian grass, fodder corn and oats are
the principal forage crops ; condition better than a mouth ago.
Market-garden crops are very good. Potatoes below last year in
yield and price. Apples very poor ; pears good ; no peaches ;
quinces, grapes and cranberries good crops. Pasturage in very
good condition. Rye, oats and barley about average ; mostly
used for fodder.

Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — Horn flies are doing some damage.
Corn never looked better ; five per cent will be put into the silo.

17

Hay crop below average in quantity and badly damaged. Corn,
Hungarian grass and barley are the principal crops raised to sup-
plement the hay crop Condition of market-garden crops excel-
lent ; prices a little lower than usual. Apples very scarce ; other
fruit fair. Pasturage in very good condition. Rye, oats and
barley very good crops.

Marblehead (Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Corn in fair condition;
a large part of the crop will be put into the silo. Hay is about
half the usual crop, and the quality is not extra. Oats and peas,
and fodder corn are the principal forage crops and are in good
condition. Garden truck is looking very well, but little sold as
yet. Fruit crop rather light. Pasturage is at present in very good
condition.

NORFOLK COUNTY.
Medfiehl (Geo. R. Chase). — Indian corn is above the average
in condition ; about two and a half per cent will be put into the
silo. Hay about 70 per cent of a full crop ; quality poor on ac-
count of rain. Oats and peas are the principal forage crops and
are iu good condition. Potatoes are good, and other market-gar-
den crops average. The prospect for all kinds of fruit is poor.
Pasturage is below the average iu condition. Rye, oats and bar-
ley are more than average crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — The curculio has done the most
damage. Corn is looking well ; no silos in town. Hay at least
20 per cent below average crop, and quality poor owing to rain.
Sweet corn is the principal forage crop, and is in good condition.
Market-garden crops in good condition, and prices somewhat
higher than in former years. Apples a one-fourth crop ; pears a
two-thirds crop ; peaches 10 percent; quinces good; grapes a one-
third crop ; cranberries uncertain. Pasturage ,is now in fine condi-
tion. Rye, oats and barley about two-thirds crop.

Swanzey (Joseph Gibbs). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn promises a full crop ; no silos here. Hay a full crop,
but damaged by wet weather. Fodder corn and oats are the prin-
cipal crops raised to supplement the hay crop. Potatoes have
blasted badly and are rotting on low ground, so the crop will be
light, and if the rot is not checked will be a total failure. Market-
garden crops are good, but prices rule low. Peaches a full crop,
and apples 25 per cent of a full crop. Pasturage in good condi-
tion. Rye, oats and barley full average crops.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-

18

age. Indian corn in very good condition ; perhaps one-third will
go into the silo. Quantity of hay crop about as usual, quality not
the best. Oats, barley, millet and corn are the principal forage
crops, and are in good condition. Market-garden crops fair ;
potatoes good, but rotting; price about as usual. Fruit crop not
over one-third the average. Pasturage in very good condition.
Rye well filled out, oats badly lodged, barley fair.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

West Bridgewater (F. E. Howard) . — Indian corn in good con-
dition ; probably much less than half the crop will go into the silo.
Hay crop less in quantity and poorer in quality than usual. Corn,
barley, oats and millet are raised to supplement the hay crop, and
are in good condition. Market-garden crops are lighter and prices
lower than last year. Prospect for apples very poor indeed ; pears,
peaches, quinces and grapes promise well ; cranberries poor. Pas-
turage is now in good condition. Rye, oats and barley good crops.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn never looked better ; no silos in town or near here.
Hay crop light in quantity, but of good quality where it was not
injured in curing. Fodder corn is the stand-by as a forage crop.
Potatoes are looking finely. Some apples ; pears and peaches
good ; grapes late. Pasturage in better condition than usual at
this time of year. Rye, oats and barley not raised except for
fodder.

Wareham (A. B. Savary). — Corn in rather better condition
than usual ; no silos. Hay about 20 per cent larger crop than
common, and of good quality. A little fodder corn is raised to
supplement the hay crop, and is doing well. Market-garden crops
rather above the average, and prices same as usual. Few apples,
pears or peaches ; prospect good for grapes, and fair for cran-
berries. Pasturage is better than common. Rye, oats and barley
are 25 per cent above the average crops.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks) . — Potato bugs are doing a little
damage. Corn is looking well ; nine-tenths of the crop will be put
into the silo or fed green. Hay a full average crop but somewhat
damaged by bad weather. Corn is the principal forage crop.
Market-garden crops fair ; potatoes are good, but are being at-
tacked by blight and by the flea beetle. Apples are about a fail-
ure ; pears good ; peaches, quinces and grapes fair. Pasturage
never was better. Rye, oats and barley are full average crops.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — Fii-e worms are damaging cran-

19

berries, and wire worms attacking corn. Flies of all description
are troublesome to domestic animals. Corn is rather backward ;
none will be put in the silo. Hay crop rather below the average
in quantity, and quality poor. Corn, oats and Hungarian grass
are the principal forage crops and are in good condition. Potatoes
are looking well. Apples, pears, peaches and quinces will be
light; grapes and cranberries look well. Pasturage is very good.
Rye and oats are very good crops.

Brewster (J. H. Clark). — Cranberry worms are doing some
damage. Corn is in very good condition ; perhaps one-eighth will
be put into the silo. Hay rather better than an average in quan-
tity and quality. Market-garden crops are very good indeed, and
prices are better than the average. Very few apples ; prospect
good for other fruit. Pasturage in very good condition. Rye,
oats and barley very good crops.

Eastliam (J. A. Clark). — The horn fly is somewhat trouble-
some. Indian corn looks well ; none will be put into the silo.
Hay light on uplands and fairly good on low land ; salt meadows
look well. Potatoes are an extra good crop. Asparagus is the
only market-garden crop yet harvested ; prices not quite so good
as last year. Apples light ; cranberries looking well. Pastures
are in fair condition.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tishury (Geo. Hunt Luce) . — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is in good condition ; we have no silos.
Hay crop above average in quantity but below in quality. Those
market-garden crops harvested yield well with prices fair. Apples
are poor and grapes good. Pastures are in very good condition.
Oats are larger and of better quality than usual.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (Chas. W. Gardner) . — Potato bugs and cutworms
are doing some damage. Corn is looking very well. Hay was a
two-thirds crop on old land, but very heavy on new land ; it has
been hard to make it in good shape. Corn is the principal forage
crop, and is looking very well. Garden crops never looked better ;
potatoes look finely, but have commenced to blast. Pasturage is
in Qrst-class condition. Oats are a splendid crop.

20

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

By E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist to the Board.

BIRDS AS PROTECTORS OF ORCHARDS.

Having had, during the last twenty years, some opportunity for
observing the food habits of birds, I have become convinced that
they destroy enormous numbers of insects. This conviction gives
rise to the question, to what extent are birds useful to man in this
respect?

The present paper is merely a partial record of the results of an
attempt to foster and protect birds in an old and neglected orchard
with a view to observing the effect of such a policy upon the trees.
The orchard is so situated as to be a favorite haunt for birds. It
forms part of an estate in Medford, Mass., lying near the southern
border of the stretch of wooded rocky hills known as the "Mid-
dlesex Fells," a large part of which is now under the control of the
Metropolitan Park Commission of Massachusetts, and is being ad-
ministered as a forest reservation. The nearest estates on the east
and west of the orchard are cultivated to some extent. There are
other orchards in the immediate vicinity, and many large and fine
shade trees. There are also on the estate in question many varie-
ties of trees and shrubs. There is a small piece of woodland,
covering perhaps an acre and a half, in which yellow pine predom-
inates, the other trees being principally ash, oak and maple, some
hickory and a few white pines. A lane running along the southern
border of the estate is bordered on both sides with elms and poplars.
A line of mulberry-trees along the lane south of the orchard affords
tempting food for such birds as are fond of fruit in its season.
There are also many wild cherries and berries of several varieties,
together with half a dozen trees of cultivated cherries.

Among the trees, shrubs and vines found on the estate and which
furnish food for birds in the shape of berries or seeds at certain
seasons of the year are the Berberis vulgaris (common barberry),
Vitis labrusca (Northern fox grape), Ehus toxicodendron (poison

21

ivy), Prunus americana (wild yellow plum), Prunus pennsylvanica
(wild red cherry) , Primus virginiana (choke-cherry) , Prunus avium
(English cherry), Rubus occidentalis (black raspberry), Bubus
villosus (high blackberry), Bubus idceus (garden raspberry), Bosa
nitida (wild rose), Pyrus malus (common apple), Bibes rubrtim
(common red currant), Fraxinus americana (white &.sh), Morus
rubra (red mulberry), Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus coccinea,
(scarlet oak) , Pinus strobus (white pine) , Pinus rigida (pitch pine) ,
Tsuga canadensis (hemlock), Juniperus virginiayia (red cedar).

The orchard itself is a typical old orchard, such as is often found
on small farms. It has suffered greatly from neglect. Two-thirds
of the original trees have died or are in the last stages of dissolu-
tion. This is largely the result of neglect and improper pruning.
Dead limbs and hollows in the trees have offered nesting places
for such birds as the wren, woodpecker and bluebird.

For three years, from 1891 to 1893, inclusive, the trees were
trimmed and cared for. They were sprayed or banded to pro-
tect them from canker-worms, and the " nests" of the tent cater-
pillar {Clisiocampa americana) were removed. The result was a
scanty yield of apples from most of the trees. One or two bore
quite plentifully.

In order to observe the effect of the feeding of birds in the
orchard, no care was taken in 1894 to protect the trees. During
that year the tent caterpillars were very numerous in the vicinity,
and it became evident also that a great increase in the number of
canker-worms was taking place in the neighborhood. Although
these insects made considerable inroads upon the trees, they did
not seriously injure the foliage anywhere except in one or two
instances. No attempt had been made previous to 1895 to foster
or encourage the birds in the neighborhood, except that a few nest-
ing boxes were put up in 1894, which were occupied in one case by
a family of wrens and in another by the English or house sparrow.
We were careful, however, to destroy the nests of the house
sparrow.

In the fall of 1894 it was noticed that immense numbers of the
wingless females of the fall canker-worm {Anisopteryx pometaria)
were ascending nearly all the trees and depositing their eggs ;
also, that the eggs of the tent caterpillar moths were numerous
upon the twigs, promising a plentiful supply for 1895.

Having allowed the insects one year to increase unmolested by
man, we began in the winter of 1894-95 to encourage the presence
of birds in the orchard.

In 1894 a small tree in the centre of the orchard had been en-
closed by a high board fence. The tree thus enclosed was used as

22

an out-door experiment station for observations on the breeding and
habits of the gypsy moth. During the winter of 1894-95, Mr.
C. E. Bailey made frequent visits to this tree to ascertain whether
or not the birds were destroying the eggs of the gypsy moth. Inci-
dentally, Mr. Bailey observed many interesting things in connec-
tion with the feeding of birds on the eggs, larvae and pupae of
insects which wintei'on the trees, and I am greatly indebted to him
for many interesting notes on the feeding of birds in this orchard.
He is a careful, conscientious observer, and is intimately acquainted
with most of our native land birds.

Hunters and trappers are aware that many species of winter
birds, such as titmice, woodpeckers, crows, jays and nuthatches
are attracted by a skinned carcass suspended from a limb, and will
remain in the vicinity until all the bones are picked clean or until,
with the approach of spring, insect food becomes more accessible.

Believing from my own observations that the chickadees (Parus
atricapillus) were feeding on the eggs of the fall canker-worm, I
asked Mr. Bailey to attract the birds, if possible, to the orchard by
suspending pieces of meat, bone, suet, etc., from the trees. These
food materials are suitable for birds at times when the trees are
covered with snow or ice and, when lacking such nourishment, they
might starve. Although birds will frequently visit bait provided
for them and in time will eat a considerable portion of the meat,
they do not depend entirely on this aliment, but spend the greater
portion of their time in searching for insects and eggs in the imme-
diate vicinity.

Finding a plentiful supply of food, the chickadees remained about
the orchard most of the winter, except for a week or two, when the
meat gave out, but they were lured back again later by a fresh
supply which was placed in the trees. Not only were the chicka-
dees attracted to the orchard in large numbers, but other birds
came also. A pair of downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens)
and two pairs of nuthatches {Sitta carolinensis) were frequent
visitors, and a few brown creepers (Certhia americana) came
occasionally. All these paid frequent visits to the meat and suet,
and also thoroughly inspected the trees in search of insect food.
They made excursions also to the trees in the neighborhood, but
the greater portion of their attention was confined to the orchard
in which the bait was suspended. As they became more accus-
tomed to Mr. Bailey's presence, they grew quite tame and could
be viewed at a distance of a few feet. Indeed, chickadees fre-
quently alighted on his person and occasionally took food from his
hand. He was thus enabled to determine accurately (without kill-
ing them) what they were feeding upon, and was soon convinced
that they were destroying the eggs of the canker-worm moth in

23

large numbers, as well as the hibernating larvae and pupse of other
insects injurious to trees.

To determine how many eggs a single chickadee would eat, a
few birds were killed and their stomach contents examined, with
surprising results. There was no difficulty in identifying the eggs
of the canker-worm moth which were found in the birds' stomachs,
as a great portion of the shells remained intact. The other insect
contents of the stomachs were identified for me through the kind-
ness of Mr. A. H. Kirkland, B. Sc, assistant entomologist to the
State Board of Agriculture, who made the examinations. Although
it was impossible in all cases to learn with certainty the species
to which certain insects belonged, it was evident that they belonged
to genera known to be of injurious habits.

I take the following from Mr. Bailey's notes : —

Number of Eggs of the fall Cankei^-worvi found in Stomachs of Chickadees.

No. 1 273 eg-gs.

"2, 261 "

"3, 216 "

"4, 278 "

Making in all 1,028 eggs found in the stomachs of four birds.
Four birds killed later in the season had eaten the female imagos
of the spring canker-worm (Paleacrita vernata) as follows : —

No. 1, 41 moths.

" 2, 18 "

« 3, 27 "

" 4, 19 »

Making a total of 105. In Nos. 2, 3 and 4 of the last table there
were a large number of eggs also. It is safe to say that there
were 150 eggs in each stomach, in addition to the female moths
eaten.

Mr. Bailey carefully counted the eggs in the ovaries of twenty

of these fei

male

mot

as, Y,

ath the i

allowing resi

Uts : —

No. 1, . . . . 158

No. 11, .... Ill

" 2,

272

" 12,

160

" 3,

127

" 13,

193

" 4,

184

» 14,

131

" 5,

213

" 15,

281

" 6,

135

« 16,

242

" 7,

140

" 17,

116

" 8,

220

" 18,

281

" 9,

200

" 19,

192

" 10,

130

" 20,

217

24

It will be seen from this table that the average number of eggs
found in each moth is 185, Mr. Bailey is very positive, from his
continuous field observations, that each chickadee will devour on
the average 30 female canker-worm moths per day from the 20th
of March until the 15th of April, provided these insects are plen-
tiful. If the average number of eggs laid by each female is 185,
one chickadee would. thus destroy in one day 5,550 eggs ; and in
the twenty-five days in which the canker-worm moths "run" or
crawl up the trees, 138,750. It may be thought that this compu-
tation is excessive, and it is probable that some of the moths were
not captured until they had laid some of their eggs, but the
chickadees are also busy eating these eggs. When we consider
further that 41 of these insects, distended as they were with eggs,
were found at one time in the stomach of one chickadee, and that
the digestion of the bird is so rapid that its stomach was probably
filled several times daily, the estimate made by Mr. Bailey seems
a very conservative one. He now regards the chickadee as the
best friend the farmer has, for the reason that it is with him all
the year, and there is no bird that can compare with it in destroy-
ing the female moths and their eggs. It was noticed that the birds
made no attempt to catch the male moths. This, however, cannot
be considered as a fault, for the birds accomplish far more by
destroying the females than they would by killing males.

The following notes from the preliminary examinations of the
contents of the alimentary canal of chickadees made by Mr. Kirk-
land are of interest in this connection : —

" Bird brought in by Mr. Bailey, March 16, 1895 : Gullet empty.
Gizzard contained 270 canker-worm eggs {Anisopteryx pometaria) ,
46 case-bearers (microlepidoptera) , 6 cocoons of a small tineid
(near Asjyidisca). These three kinds of food in bulk composed
80 per cent of the gizzard contents, the remainder being dark
material which I was unable to determine under a hand lens. I
think it very probable that part of this was bits of bark or parti-
cles of bark-dust taken in with the eggs or cocoons. The intes-
tine contained a large quantity of meat, 75 per cent, and 103
canker-worm eggs, 10 per cent, the remainder, 15 per cent,
being material which I could not identify. It was not meat. This
gives us as totals, 373 canker-worm eggs and 52 microlepidoptera.

" Specimen of so-called ' scales ' on apple twigs brought in by Mr.
Bailey, March 12, 1895. These are not bark lice, but the cocoons
of a microlepidopteron, probably a tineid. Length, jV ^^ h i'^ch ;
width, yig" to \r ^^^^^ ' elliptical, dark brown or reddish brown.
They are closely spun, the upper surface apparently being of leaf
epidermis, while underneath is a small, well-formed cocoon which

25

contains a minute green larva which evidently hibernates as such,
probably pupating in the spring. The larva undoubtedly feeds on
the leaves of the apple-tree, as these cocoons were taken from the
small twigs at the extreme end of a large branch. Some of these
cocoons are empty and have a minute hole at one end, which proba-
bly served for the egress of some small parasite. These cocoons
are eaten by the chickadee, and have been found in the gizzards of
the birds."

The case-bearers and the tineids or leaf miners are injurious to
the foliage of the apple-trees.

It was noticed by Mr, Bailey, who watched the birds closely for
several days, that they were eating quantities of both of these
insects. It would have been impossible for any one to determine
the species of the leaf miners as found in the birds' stomachs, for
little remained but small fragments of the shell of the creature.
Mr. Bailey noticed that the birds were taking objects from the
twigs, some of which they ate ; others they rejected and dropped
upon the snow. Some of those dropped he picked up and exam-
ined, finding them to be parasitized. The birds undoubtedly ate
only those which were alive.

It was evident from a careful examination of the eggs found in
the stomachs of the chickadees that they were either broken by the
bill in such a way that the contents were exposed to the action of
the gastric juice or the gastric fluid destroyed a portion of the shell.
Occasionally a few eggs which appeared to be whole were found in
the intestines.

A great quantity of animal food is required to sustain life and
provide animal heat sufficient to enable these little birds to
resist the inclemency of our severe winters. In proof of this it
may be stated that during favorable weather the birds visited the
meat and ate largely of it three times each hour with fair regularity.
During each interval they were occupied in destroying eggs and
other hibernating insect forms which were always present and
numerous in the stomachs examined. This feeding appeared
to be almost continuous except in severe storms when the
birds sought shelter or when they were laboring under excite-
ment caused by fear, as in the case of a visit from a hawk, cat or
shrike. Whenever a cat appeared they immediately hid behind
the branches and remained quiet until the intruder had passed.
The appearance of other enemies or the firing of a gun would pro-
duce much the same effect.

The woodpeckers and nuthatches which frequented the orchards
were not seen to eat the eggs of the canker-worm moth. As they
were not numerous, none were killed. Mr. Bailey observed, how-

26

ever, that the nuthatches were eating many scales which they found
on the limbs of the apple-trees in a neighboring orchard. In rela-
tion to these scales the following note from Mr. Kirkland is of
interest : —

" March 20, 1895. Mr. Bailey brought in specimens of apple
twigs infested with the bark scale louse, Mytilaspis pomorum.
He reported that the nuthatch was feeding on them. These twigs
were infested in a worse manner than I have ever seen before.
They were literally covered with the scales. On one small twig,
one-half inch in diameter, I counted 367 scales on one inch of the
twig. The eggs contained in a number of scales varied from 62
to 83, with an average of 70."

These scales, when numerous, are very injurious to the apple-tree.
Each scale covered a dead female of the preceding year and the
hibernating eggs, many of which must have been disposed of by
the nuthatches. It was shown, both by observation and dissec-
tion, that birds feeding in the same neighborhood and upon the
same trees showed considerable variance in the character of their
food. Kinglets taken had no canker-worm eggs, but had eaten
largely of bark borers. Woodpeckers seemed to confine them-
selves to the larvae of borers and to wood-ants and other insects
which bore into the wood of the tree. Chickadees and nuthatches
ate the pupae and eggs of insects found upon the bark or in the
crevices of the trunks. No birds were seen to eat the eggs of the
tent caterpillar, nor were any found in the stomachs of any of
the birds examined. It seems probable that these eggs are so pro-
tected by a hard covering that they are not eaten by most birds.

It is impossible, in the limited space at our command, to give
results of all observations and dissections in detail. We can
merely give the apparent results of the presence of the birds in
the orchard.

It was found that these birds were not only destroying the eggs
of the canker-worm in this orchard, but were feeding on the eggs
of the same insect in the woods where bait had been suspended.

As the frost left the ground on the first warm days of spring the
wingless females of the spring canker-worm moth appeared in the
orchard and began ascending the trees in great numbers. The
chickadees commenced catching and eating the females and their
eggs. Mr. Bailey placed twenty-two of the females on one tree,
and in a few minutes twenty of them were captured and eaten by
chickadees.

It was noticed as spring approached and insects became more
numerous that the chickadees came very seldom to the meat.
They were not as assiduous in their attention to the orchard, and a

27

small portion of their food consisted of the early gnats which were
flying on bright sunny days. In early April they had nearly de-
serted the meat, although they still frequented the orchard in
search of the female canker-worm moths. They seemed to prefer
animal food to all other, and even in cold weather would hardly
notice grain or seeds of any kind, though one individual ate a few
oat kernels which were placed near his accustomed feed of meat.

Towards the last of April the English or house sparrow (Passer
domesticus) began to make its appearance in the vicinity and ap-
parently drove the chickadees to the woods, as they disappeared
and did not nest in the orchard, but remained in the woods, where
they paired and nested.

I believe that the English sparrow is largely responsible for the
fact that chickadees are not now found nesting in our orchards.
Though they still nest in the orchards on the remoter farms and in
the villages where the English sparrow is not numerous, they seem
to have disappeared in summer from orchards near cities. At the
time of the advent of the sparrow in this locality, twenty-five years
ago, chickadees were often found nesting in old apple-trees in the
orchards in this region where now scarcely any are to be seen in
orchards during the summer.

In the latter part of April and in early May the tent caterpillars
made their appearance on the apple and cherry trees in the neigh-
borhood. Canker-worms were also numerous on the apples and
elms and appeared in some of the other trees. It was noticed,
however, that while trees in neighboring orchards were seriously
infested with canker-worms and to a less degree with tent cater-
pillars, those in the orchard which had been frequented by the
chickadees during the winter and spring were not seriously in-
fested and that comparatively few of the worms and caterpillars
were to be found there.

With the warm south winds of May, many summer birds came
and settled in the neighborhood, and prepared to build their nests,
among which the following were seen : chickadee (Parus atri-
ccqnllus), tree sparrow (Spizella movticola) , crow (Corvtis ameri-
canus), purple grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), flicker (Colaptes
auratus), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoenicetis) , robin
(Merula migratoria) , chipping sparrow (Sjnzella socialis), oven-
bird (Seiurus aurocapillus), wood thrush {Turdvs mustelinus) ,
catbird {Galeoscoptes carolinerisis) , brown thrasher (HarporhyncJins
rufus), black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthabnus) , yellow-
billed cuckoo {Coccyzus americaims) ^ black and white warbler
{MniotUta varia)., yellow warbler (Dendroica cestiva), chestnut-
sided warbler (Dendroica j^ennsylvanica) , black-throated green war-

28

bier {Dendroica virens) ^ pine warbler (Dendroica vigorsii), house
wren (Troglodytes cedon), American redstart (SetopJiaga ruticilla),
Nashville warbler {Helmintlioijliila rujicajyilla) , golden-winged war-
bler {Helminthophila chrysoptera) , scarlet tanager (Piranga erythro-
onelas), rose-breasted grosbeak {Habia ludoviciana), Baltimore
oriole (Icterus galbida), blue-jay (Cyanocitta cristata), least fly-
catcher (Eni2)idonax miiiimus), wood pewee (Contopus virens),
phcebe (Savornis p/ifK&e), kingbird (Tyrannus tyranmis), and
downy woodpecker (Dryohates puhescens).

It was noticeable that early in the season, when the webs of the
tent caterpillar first appeared on the apple and cherry trees, the
orioles attacked them and devoured a considerable number of the
hairy young larvae. A little later, when the canker-worms became
more numerous, it seemed as if all the birds in the neighborhood
were intent on eating canker-worms, neglecting to a certain extent
the hairy caterpillars. The cuckoos, however, seemed to feed
impartially on both the canker-worm and the tent caterpillar.

Uirds from all quarters in the wood and swamp, orchard and
field, flocked into the trees infested by canker-worms, and there
spent a considerable portion of their time. In a short time the
few canker-worms remaining in the old orchard were apparently
eaten by birds, and the birds then directed their attention to the
neighboring orchards, which were swarming with the worms. It
soon became evident that these orchards would be entirely stripped
of their leaves, while the old orchard retained its full foliage.
Thus it was seen that the trees to which the chickadees had been
lured during the winter had been so well protected that the summer
birds were able to destroy the few remaining larvae, while the trees
at a distance from these contained so many larvae that the birds
were not numerous enough to dispose of them or to make any
effective reduction in their numbers. This apparently demon-
strated the usefulness or the egg-destroying winter birds, and
showed the wisdom of attracting them to the orchard during the
winter months. Not only did nearly all species of birds in the
neighborhood flock to the trees infested by the canker-worms, but
the chickadees living in their retirement in the woods came out to
the orchards, flying some distance to procure canker-worms with
which to feed their young, and making regular trips to the infested,
trees day after day.

On May 18 Mr. Bailey saw a female chickadee carry twenty
larvai to its nest. They were apparently all canker-worms but
two, which were tent caterpillars. Of this he is certain, for he
was within three yards of the nest to which the larvie were taken.
Later, on May 31, he noticed the chickadees feeding their young.

29

It was evident that a large portion of the food consisted of canker-
worms. The birds each made a trip to the nest about once in
twelve minutes. The male and female came at nearly the same
time and went away together. They went in the direction of an
orchard infested by canker-worms. A few of the larvae were
dropped on the ground at the nest and proved, on examination,
to be canker-worms.

The crow was also observed feeding on the canker-worms.

On May 22 the birds had nearly all stopped feeding in the
neighboring woods and were in the orchards feeding on canker-
worms.

Early in June, when the remaining canker-worms had finished
their transformations and retired to the ground, several species of
birds were again noticed feeding their young on the tent and other
hairy caterpillars. Of these, three species (both cuckoos and the
Baltimore oriole) seemed to be the most useful. On May 17 a
cuckoo was seen to take eleven caterpillars out of one nest. Mr,
Bailey writes : "On May 10 a black-billed cuckoo came into a
tree near me at 3 p.m. and sat there until 4.40 p.m., then he went
straight to a tent caterpillars' nest. He looked it over for a short
time and then commenced eating the caterpillars. He picked
twenty-seven caterpillars out of the nest before he stopped. The
bird ate them all and did not drop one. Then he went to the tree
in which I believe he remained during the night, for on Saturday,
the 11th, I found the bird in the same tree and in almost the same
place at 5 a.m."

The orioles, chickadees and vireos often pecked the caterpillars
to pieces and ate portions of them, seemingly feeding to a con-
siderable extent on the internal organs. This being the case, it is
quite evident that the stomach contents cannot be depended upon
entirely to determine the character of the food of these birds, as
no one is expert enough to identify the internal organs of cater-
pillars with such certainty as to determine the species to which
they belong.

The following is a list of the birds seen feeding on the tent
caterpillar : —

Crow (Corvtisamericanus), chickadee (Parus atricajnllus) , oriole
{Icterus yalbula), red-eyed vireo (Vireo oUvaceus), yellow-billed
cuckoo {Coccyzus americanus) , black-billed cuckoo (Ooccyzus
erythrophtJialmus) ., chipping sparrow {Spizella socialis), yellow
warbler (Dendroica cestiva) .

During the month of May an attempt was made to render the
place as attractive to birds as possible. The undergrowth, which
previous to 1894 had been trimmed out, was afterward allowed to

30

grow, and in 1895 several low thickets had been thus formed ; the
mulberry-trees were stimulated by judicious trimming, and bore a
considerable crop of early fruit which ripened in advance of the
cherries, thus drawing the attention of the fruit-eating birds away
from the cherries, and serving to attract them to the vicinity of the
orchard. Ten nesting-boxes were put up for the wrens and blue-
birds ; but as the. bluebirds were very rare this season, none came
to the orchard. Two families of wrens, however, were reared in
the boxes in place of one family last year. Nesting materials —
strings, hair and straw — were hung in the trees and scattered
about. Several marauding cats were killed, and an attempt was
made to keep nest-hunting boys away from the neighborhood as
much as possible. Thirty-six nests of birds were discovered in the
neighborhood, as follows : —

Three red-eyed vireos, ten robins, four Baltimore orioles, three
cuckoos, five chipping sparrows, three least flycatchers, two red-
starts, two yellow warblers, two chickadees, two house wrens.

Of these all but three were destroyed, probably by boys, the
nests being torn down and the eggs missing. The three which
escaped destruction were two wrens' nests which had been built in
boxes upon buildings, and a robin's nest in a maple-tree within ten
feet of a chamber window. This wholesale destruction of nests
discouraged several pairs of birds, and they disappeared from the
neighborhood. Those remaining built new nests, and after a
second or third attempt a few succeeded in rearing young. One
nest of orioles escaped the general destruction, and the birds were
busy for a long time carrying canker-worms to their young. One
of them was noticed to take eleven canker-worms in its beak at
one time, and fly with them to the nest. The vireos, warblers,
chickadees, cuckoos, orioles and chipping sparrows were particu-
larly active in catching canker-worms, and the English sparrow
killed them in considerable numbers.

If the thirty-six pairs of birds whose nests were found had suc-
ceeded in raising their young, it is probable that they would have
disposed of most of the canker-worms in the neighborhood. Five
thousand of these larvae are suflicient to strip a large apple-tree.
One hundred and eight young would have been reared, had each
pair of birds raised three. According to Professor Aughey's ex-
perience, sixty insects per day as food for each bird, both young
and old, would be a very low estimate.* Suppose each of these one
hundred and eight birds had received its sixty insects per day, there
would have been 6,480 caterpillars destroyed daily. The destruc-
tion of this number of caterpillars would be enough to save the
* Ist Rep. U. S. Ent. Com. 1877, p. 342.

31

foliage and fruitage of one apple-tree. In thirty days the foliage
of thirty apple-trees could have been saved, or 194,400 canker-
worms destroyed. This does not include what the old birds them-
selves would have eaten.

In these observations the influence of insect parasites and pre-
daceous insects has not been entirely ignored. Hymenopterous
parasites were not seen to be numerous, and as it was a year
when canker-worms were on the increase, it is not probable that
these parasites would have been a prime force in reducing the
numbers of the canker-worms had the birds not been present.
Even had they been numerous they would have had little effect in
checking the ravages of the canker-worm during the present year,
as their interest is identical with that of the canker-worm, and
they remain in its body until it has finished feeding, allowing it to
defoliate the trees before completing their deadly work upon it.

We do not know to what extent such parasites are devoured by
birds. This we could not ascertain without shooting the birds,
which would have defeated our main object. No parasites of the tent
caterpillar or canker-worm were found in the stomachs of the few
birds which were examined. It is hardly safe to draw conclusions
from observations so limited in their scope, but we may infer from
what was observed that the egg-eating birds are of the greatest
value to the farmer, as they feed almost entirely on injurious
insects and their eggs, and are present all winter when other birds
are absent. The summer birds which attack the larvaa are valuable
also if they can be so protected and fostered as to become sufficiently
numerous to do the work required. It is evident also that a diver-
sity of plants which encourages diversified insect life, and assures
an abundance of fruits and seeds, as an attraction to birds will
insure their presence. In this connection I wish particularly to
note the fact that the mulberry-trees, which ripen their berries in
June, proved to be a protection to the cultivated cherries, as the
fruit-eating birds seemed to prefer them to the cherries, perhaps
because they ripen somewhat earlier.

I believe it would be wise for the farmer to plant rows of these
trees near his orchard, and it is possible that the early June berry
or shad berry {Amelanchier canadensis) might also be useful in
this respect. It is a handsome shrub or tree, flowering early in
the season, and would be attractive at a time when other trees and
shrubs are not in bloom.

At the present time, July 23, 1895, the trees in the orchard
appear to be in good condition. They have not suffered from the
slight pruning of their foliage which was effected by the few cater-
pillars and canker-worms which survived. The fruit is well set,

32

and it now remains to be seen whether the birds will have any con-
siderable effect in preventing the ravages of the codling moth. No
other orchard in the neighborhood will produce any fruit this sea-
son, with one exception. The nearest orchard, situated directly
opposite on the estate across the way, has not been ravaged by
the canker-worms. This exemption is due principally to the efforts
of the owner, who has banded his trees with tarred paper and has
used tree ink faithfully and well upon the paper. He has also
taken pains to clear the nests of the tent caterpillar from the trees.
This orchard, being nearest to the one visited by the chickadees, was
also an object of their attention, and this may account somewhat
for the reduction of the pests in this place.

The record of these observations, incomplete as it is, is given
for what it is worth as a contribution to the literature on this most
interesting and important subject.

Series of 1895. Bulletin No. 4.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOKT

Month of August, 1895.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1895.

Crop Report for the Month of August, 1895.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Sept. 2, 1895.

Bulletin No. 4, Crop Report for the month of August, is
herewith presented. Particular attention is called to the
article on " The San Jose Scale," by the entomologist of the
Board, at the end of this bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 129 (August, 1895) of the Statistician of the
United States Department of Agriculture shows an improve-
ment in the condition of corn of about three points during
the month of July, or from 99.3 to 102.5.

The condition of spring wheat has fallen since the last
report 6.3 points, being 95.9, against 102.2 for the month
of July. Crop excellent, with every indication of a very
large yield in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Colorado.
Dry weather, insects, smut, hail and lodging storms have
done damao:e in some States.

Oats are a better crop than last year by 7.7 points, the
condition August 1 being 84.5. Drought and grasshop-
pers, smut or rust, and heavy or continuous rains with
severe winds, have lowered the general average of condition.
The crop in the eastern States is excellent.

Barley has fallen off 4.7 points in condition since July 1.
Damage from drought and cinch bugs in Wisconsin and
Iowa, and heavy rains, winds and lodging in Minnesota. A
deficient crop in California.

Spring rye has materially improved, and the condition
August 1 is 84. This is the condition in Wisconsin, which
produces half of the crop of the whole country.

Acreage of buckwheat 96.5 per cent of last year's acre-
age. Condition is 85.2, which excels last year's condition
by 2.9 points.

The condition of Irish potatoes has deteriorated from 91.5
to 89.7 since July 1. The product is so abundant in Minne-
sota that a price as low as 18 cents a bushel is reported for
new potatoes.

Sweet potatoes have deteriorated in condition in the Gulf
States since the July report. Along the Atlantic coast the
condition improved in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida and
declined in the other States. The crop is a promising one in
Kansas and Missouri.

The returns of August indicate that the apple crop has
met with no serious obstacles to development during the
month of July. Taking the whole country, the prospective
product is larger than for several years. The general aver-
age of condition is 71.2, against 44 last year. In Massachu-
setts the prospect is for a crop slightly above one-half the
normal.

The average condition of peaches August I is 83.3, against
22.3 in 1894. The prospective yield has declined heavily
in Delaware, where about one-third the normal crop is now
indicated. New Jersey has also suffered, the percentage
falling 12 points, and resting now at 61. Conditions are
high in Connecticut and Georgia, respectively 92 and 104.
Much complaint of dropping and rotting is made, the latter
especially in the South.

Cotton now stands at 77.9, or 21 points lower than the
average for August, 1893, and the lowest average for August
ever reported.

The condition of tobacco is 82.7, having fallen from 85.9
since July 1. The highest conditions are those reported
for Massachusetts and Maryland, 110 and 100 respectively ;
the lowest are 50 for Wisconsin and 61 for Connecticut.

The general average condition of rice has fallen 0.3 per
cent only since July 1, now standing at 84.1.

The average condition of timothy is 69.9, as compared
with 75.6 a year ago. Drought has been the principal cause
of the deficiency in the crop, but in several States, especially
west of the Mississippi River, the quality has been impaired
by excess of rain before and during the haying season.
There has also been complaint of damage from spring frosts
in several States, and in portions of New York and some

other States the grasr^hopper has been troublesome. The fig-
ures as to clover indicate just two-thirds of a full crop. The
crop suffered in many places from the effect of drought last
year or freezing weather during the winter, and in a number
of important States from drought during a portion of the
present season.

The average condition of pastures is 77.8, a slight reduc-
tion from the condition July 1. Drought, frost and grass-
hoppers are the causes given for the low condition in many
of the States.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country..

From United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.

Week ending July 29. — Week cooler than usual over
much the greater portion of the country, the exceptions being
limited areas. There were no marked departures from the
.normal temperature. More than the usual amount of raio
fell in nearly all sections east of the Mississippi valley.
The rainfall was also unusually heavy in portions of Colorado,
Kansas and New Mexico. Over greater portion of the east
Gulf States and Lake region rainfall less than usual.
Drought continues in western Ohio and is affecting crops
unfavorably in portions of Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Georgia, southern Texas, Kansas and Nebraska. General
outlook for corn excellent. Condition of cotton less favor-
able than last week. Tobacco generally doing well.

Week ending August 5. — Temperature conditions of the
week nearly normal in the Gulf States except in southern
Texas, where it was somewhat warmer than usual. Week
also warmer than usual from the upper Missouri valley
westward to the north Pacific coast, and thence southward
to central California. In all other districts the week aver-
aged cooler than usual. More than the usual amount of rain
fell along the south Atlantic and east Gulf coast and from
the central Mississippi valley westward over Missouri, Ar-
kansas, Kansas and eastern Colorado. In other sections less
than the usual amount of rain fell. Outlook for corn excel-
lent. Condition of cotton has improved. Spring-wheat
harvest has begun in North Dakota, and continues elsewhere
in the spring-wheat region. Tobacco generally doing well.

6

Drought continues in Ohio, Pennsylvania, southern Texas and
portions of Maryland and the Carolinas. Light local frosts
occurred in northern Indiana on July 30 and in western
Maryland and the mountains of West Virginia on August 1.

Week ending August 12. — Week generally cooler than
usual west of the Mississippi River and in southern Florida.
Over eastern section of the country week warmer than usual.
More than the usual amount of rain fell during the week in
the Lake region, southern New England and over the
northern portion of the middle Atlantic States, and in lim-
ited areas elsewhere. Corn still continues very promising,
though injured by drought in some sections. Cotton has im-
proved. Tobacco generally in good condition. Frosts
occurred in the central and northern Rocky Mountain regions
on the 8th, 9th and 10th.

Week ending August 19. — Week cooler than usual in the
extreme north-west. Along the central and eastern Gulf
coasts the temperature conditions were nearly normal, but
in all other districts east of the Mississippi and over the
central and southern portions of tlie country to the westward
the week averaged warmer than usual. Heavy rains fell
during the week along the New England coast and in the
South Atlantic and east Gulf States. Throughout the mid-
dle Atlantic States and Ohio valley and over nearly the
whole Lake region, upper Mississippi and upper Missouri
valleys the weekly rainfall was decidedly below the average,
and over a large part of those districts little or no rain has
fallen, and no rain fell in the plateau and Pacific coast
regions during the week. In the principal corn States the
early planted corn has matured rapidly, and some has been
cut in Missouri. Tobacco has suffered much from drought in
Maryland, and continues in poor condition in Ohio. Over
the eastern portion of the cotton belt too much rain has
caused rust and shedding. Spring-wheat harvest is nearly
completed. Frost occurred in Minnesota, Montana and
North Dakota on the 14th. While the week has not been
favorable for fall ploughing, considerable has been done, and
some seeding.

Week ending August 26. — The average daily tempera-
ture differed but slightly from the normal in New England,

the middle Atlantic and west Gulf States, and in the Ohio
and lower Missouri valleys. Slightly cooler than usual in
northern plateau and north Pacific coast region, and along
the immediate coast of California. Slightly warmer than
usual from Lake Michigan westward over the upper Missis-
sippi and upper Missouri valleys. In the upper Mississippi
and lower Missouri valleys and over the greater part of the
upper Lake region the rainfall during the week was very
heavy. Also more than the usual amount in certain limited
areas, but generally the rainfall of the week was less than
usual. Frosts occurred in Montana, North Dakota and
Minnesota on the 20th, in Michigan on the 21st, and in por-
tions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and New England
on the 22d ; but slight damage was done.

Special Telegraphic Keports.

• Week ending July 29. — New England. Weather favor-
able for crop growth and for harvesting ; most of upland
grass cut, crop generally lighter than usual, but large second
crop in prospect ; grain very heavy and ripening fast ; cran-
berries promise fair crop.

Week ending August 5. — New England. Frequent
showers and fine growing weather, except too cool nights ;
wind and heavy rain on 30th broke down some corn, grain
and tobacco ; continued damage by grasshoppers in northern
New Hampshire ; all crops making good growth.

Week ending August 12. — New England. Favorable
weather for growth of crops and harvesting ; some damage
from heavy local storms ; potatoes badly blighted in south,
and some indications of decay; corn heavy; tobacco good,
and cutting beorun.

Week ending August 19. — New England. Warm, with
much sunshine and suflicient rainfall, and crops have
advanced and ripened rapidly ; much grain harvested in
excellent condition ; potato blight and decay increasing in
southern and appearing in northern districts.

Week ending August 26. — New England. Weather
slightly too cool and dry most of the week for the best
advancement of crops ; light general frost in low lands on
22d, but only slight damage ; tobacco cutting well under way.

8

Weather in Massachusetts during August, 1895.

There has been some complaint of dry weather in western
counties, checking crop growth and causing short feed in
pastures, but generally the weather throughout Massachu-
setts during August has been very favorable for vegetation
and for farm work; Unusually low minimum temperatures
have been recorded, and the maximum has not been so high
as is usually experienced in August, but the mean tempera-
ture for the month as a whole has been slightly above the
normal. At Fitchburg this excess amounted to only 0.2° a
day, but at Springfield it was 1.7° and at Boston 1° a day
warmer than usual. At the Weather Bureau Office in Bos-
ton the temperature was below the normal on the 1st to 3d,
12th, 13th, 20th to 22d and on the 30th, and was above on
all the other days. The warmest • spells were from the 4th
to 11th and from the 23d to 28th. The lowest temperature
was on the 22d, when light frosts were general in low lands
all over the State. No damage has been reported from it
except on the Cape, where slight injury was done to cranber-
ries. The temperature went below 40° at most places, while
at Concord a terrestrial radiation thermometer in the grass
registered 32°.

There has been plenty of sunshine, few severe thunder-
storms or heavy damaging rains, and a rainfall slightly be-
low the usual amount for August at most places. At Boston
the deficiency amounts to about one and one- fourth inches,
but at Springfield to only three-fourths inch. At the former
station only three thunder-storms were noted, while the mean
cloudiness was 4.7 on a scale of ten, and there were only
three cloudy days. Crops have ripened well, and the con-
ditions have been very favorable for harvesting and for sum-
mer ploughing and seeding. Pastures have gipnerally kept in
good condition and the second crop of grass has started wxll.
Late forage crops have had excellent conditions for growth.

9

In the circular to correspondents returnable to us August
26 the following questions were asked : —

1. What insects are doing the most damage in your
locality ?

2. What is the prospect for rowen?

3. What is the prospect for winter apples?

4. What is the prospect for potatoes ?

5. What is the prospect for the corn crop?

6. What is the prospect for fodder crops for green feed-
ing.

7. What is the condition of pasturage in your vicinity?

8. How has the oat crop compared with last year's crop?
Returns have been received from 109 correspondents, and

from them the following summary has been made up : —

Insects.
The majority of the correspondents speak of the ravages
of insects as mostly over for the season. Grasshoppers are
reported as doing considerable damage to pastures and
mowings, particularly in the western counties. Potato bugs
are doing damage where the tops are still green, and are also
reported as attacking tomato plants. In Barnstable County
the cranberry fruit worm is generally spoken of as doing
damage. Other insects mentioned are the horn fly, the
cabbage worm, the squash bug, the white grub, the aspar-
agus beetle, the elm tree leaf beetle, the fall tent caterpillar,
the codlin moth and the corn worm.

RowEN.
For the State as a whole rowen will probably be a fair
average crop; in the four western counties it will, how-
ever, fall considerably short of an average crop. Elsewhere
in the State it is generally spoken of as a good crop, though
some localities report poor or at the best only fair crops.

WiNTEE Apples.
Winter apples are generally reported to be a very poor
crop, not a single correspondent speaking of them as good
and only three as average. Frost at time of blooming.

10

drought later in the season, and, in some sections, hail, have
combined to bring about this result. The quality is also
spoken of as poor. Baldwins are reported in many locali-
ties as being even poorer than other varieties. Pears, when
mentioned, reported to be a good crop, as are also grapes.

Potatoes.
Potatoes promise to be considerably above tlie average
yield in nearly all localities. The tubers are of large. size
and generally free from scab. Rot has appeared in many
sections and in some the crop is reported as rotting badly.
This has operated to materially reduce the yield of market-
able potatoes in those sections. It is as yet impossible to
say what the final effect will be on the crop as a whole.
Prices, where reported, are spoken of as low.

Indian Corn.

The prospect is that Indian corn will be one of the largest
crops ever grown. It is almost universally reported to be
in good condition, with large stover and well set with ears.
About two weeks of good weather are needed to perfect the
crop, which will then be out of danger from frost in most
localities. Three correspondents report slight injury from
frost on the morning of August 22, but the damage was only
slight in all cases. Sweet corn is also reported to be an ex-
cellent crop.

Fodder Crops.

All kinds of soiling crops have done unusually well this
season and are reported as being in excellent condition.
Fodder corn, late-sown barley and Hungarian grass seem to
be the principal crops relied on at this time, and all three
have done well.

Pasturage.

Pasturage has hardly recovered from the dry weather of
the early part of the season. This is particularly noticeable
in the western counties, where drought and grasshoppers
have combined to make the condition of the pastures con-
siderably below normal. Elsewhere the condition approxi-
mates more nearly to the average, but cannot be said to be

11

above average in any extended locality. Some report
pastures as being short, but still green.

Oats.
Oats are largely cut green for fodder or hayed in this
State, but where grown for grain they were much better
than last year's crop, and up to or above an average crop.
The same may be said of those cut for other purposes. Very
little rust was reported.

Tobacco.
No question was asked in regard to tobacco, but enough
information has been obtained, from the returns of corre-
spondents and from other sources, to warrant the statement
that the crop is, at present, in the best condition of any crop
for years. It is a large growth, with a large leaf of fine
color, and remarkably free from imperfections. The crop is
now practically all secured in excellent condition. Some
sales are reported at prices advanced over those of the last
few years.

12

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us August 26.]

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. It has been too dry for the rowen crop. Winter apples
do not promise to be up to the average. Potatoes are a good
crop, though there is some complaint of blight and rot. Corn is
better than an average crop. Fodder crops are all looking well.
It has been too dry for pasturage. Oats are a better crop than
last year.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Grasshoppers are doing some
damage. Rowen does not promise to be a very good crop and
will be late. There will be very few winter apples, particularly
Baldwins. Potatoes promise to be a large crop. Corn is looking
well. Fodder crops all look well. Pasturage is getting short and
dry. Oats are more than an average crop.

Lee (A. Bradley). — There will be very little rowen. Winter
apples promise a fair crop, about 70 per cent of a full crop.
Potatoes are a full crop. Corn is better than usual ; 110, as com-
pared with an average crop. All fodder crops are doing well.
Pasturage is in good condition. Oats are much better than last
year. All crops are much above several years past, but our
pastures have not yet fully recovered from the drought of the last
two years.

Richmond (T. B, Salmon). — Rowen promises to be a good
crop. Winter apples will be a very fair crop. The prospect for
potatoes is good. Corn shows a large stalk, but the ears are
small and not very well filled out. Fodder crops for green feed-
ing are doing well. Pastures are very short and dry. Oats are
above an average crop ; grain better filled and acreage larger than
usual.

Hiyisdale (S. M. Raymond). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. There is scarcely any rowen and the crop will be very
poor. Winter apples are a very poor crop and what there are are
very small. Prospect for potatoes very good ; not a large yield,
but quality good. Corn promises to be a very good crop. Fod-
der crops are doing very well. Pasturage is in poor condition.
Oats were a much better crop than last year.

13

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Grasshoppers are doing some
damage. Do not think there will be a ton of rowen cut in town.
Winter apples will probably be 60 per cent below a full crop.
Potatoes will be much above the average unless they rot. Corn is
looking well, but most fields need two weeks of good weather to
fully mature them. Fodder corn looks well and helps out the
pastures amazingly. Pastures are almost as brown as the road.
Oats 15 per cent ahead of last year's crop. It is very dry, many
springs being dry that never failed before, but crops on the whole
look much better than would be expected.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (D. H. Sherman). — Grasshoppers are doing some
damage. Rowen will be light, as it has been too dry. Winter
apples will be less than half a crop, though rather better than early
ones. Potatoes a fair crop ; no rot, quality good, prices low.
Corn looks well, but is late. Pasturage is dry and short. Oats
are all hayed in this section.

• Bernardston (R. H. Cushman). — Grasshoppers are very plenty.
Rowen will be an average crop, some mowings above the usual
quantity. Very few winter apples ; all apples falling badly ;
ripening fast. Potatoes a fine crop of large tubers. Corn seldom,
if ever, any better than this year ; acreage large. More rain is
needed for fodder crops and pastures. Pastures are short from
early drought and grasshoppers. Oats a full average crop.

Deerfield (Chas. Jones). — Rowen will be a fair crop where the
first crop was taken off early, where taken off late will be very
light. Winter apples not one-fourth of a crop. Potatoes healthy
and above the average. Corn is above the average. Fodder
crops are good and pastures are looking fairly well. Rye and oats
are very good crops. Tobacco is three-fourths in the sheds and is
a very fine crop.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — The prospect for rowen is
poor. Winter apples will be below an average crop. About an
average crop of potatoes ; tubers large, but few in a hill. Corn
will be a heavy crop, the best in years. Sweet corn mostly raised
for green feeding and is looking well. Pasturage is getting short.
Oats are looking well. Onions will be a full crop and perhaps
above the average. Tobacco is looking finely and is a heavy, fine
growth, with no damage as yet from wind, hail, green worms or
frost.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Rowen will be a very slim crop.
Winter apples are about average. Potatoes promise a large crop
of very fine tubers. Corn promises to be an extra crop. Fodder

u

crops are in good condition. Pastures are badly dried up. Oats

about as last year.

Northfield (T. R. Callender). — Considerable rowen will be cut

on newly seeded land. The yield of winter apples will be below

the average. Early potatoes are yielding well, though not as

heavily as expected ; considerable scab and blight Corn never

looked better or more heavily eared, but warmer weather is needed

to perfect it. All fodder crops look unusually well. Pastures

have not recovered from last year's drought. Oats a much better

crop than last year. A light frost occurred August 22, but did no

especial damage. Cucumbers, grown here for pickling, have been

injured by rain and cool weather so that the crop is reduced about

50 per cent.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — The codlin moth is doing some dam-
age. Where the first crop was cut early rowen looks finely, but
on other fields it does not grow very much. Winter apples will
be a very light crop. Potatoes are the best crop for years. Corn
promises to be a very good crop if not injured by frost. Fodder
crops all look well. Pastures are becoming very dry. Oats were
an excellent crop. On the morning of August 22 there was a light
frost, but little damage was reported.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Horn flies cause cattle much an-
noyance. Prospect for rowen good ; on the Agricultural College
farm some fields will be cut three times. Prospect for winter
apples fair, limited localities excellent. Potatoes good on the
whole ; size large, but fewer in the hill than usual. Corn an ex-
cellent crop, but smut rather abundant. All fodder crops have
done well, but will perhaps be less needed than usual. Pasturage
in good condition. Oats have been better than usual, being less
rusted.

Hadley (L. W. West). — The prospect for rowen is poor.
Winter apples will be a light, crop, as it is not a bearing year.
Potatoes in many places are few in a hill and there are many small
ones ; blight is universal. Corn is a remarkably good crop every-
where. Fodder crops are good. Pastures are poor because of
dry weather. Oats are a better crop than last year.

Northampton (D. A. Horton) . — Rowen will be an average crop.
Winter apples not a good crop and below that of 1894. Potatoes
were never better. Corn promises to be a good deal more than an
average yield. Fodder crops are good. Pasturage is in \Qvy fair
condition. Oats a better crop than last year ; no rust.

Westhampton (A. D. Montague, Jr.). — Grasshoppers and
squash bugs are doing some damage. The prospect for the rowen

15

crop is good. There are very few winter apples and the quality is
poor. Early potatoes good ; late ones affected by blight. The
prospect for fodder crops is good. Pasturage is in good condi-
tion. Oat crop about as last year, mostly raised for fodder.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The black squash bug and the po-
tato bug are doing some damage. The prospect is not encourag-
ing for a large crop of rowen. Winter apples promise to be a very
short crop. Potatoes will be a good crop unless they rot. Corn
a fair crop except where cut by frost. Fodder crops good except
on low lands. Pastures are too dry for perfection. Oats nearly
all cut for green or dry feed. Quite a sharp frost on low lands on
the morning of August 21, but it did not reach the hills.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Tolland (E. M. Moore). — Rowen promises to be a medium
crop. Winter apples not more than half a crop. Potatoes are
quite a good crop, but some fields are rotting badly. Corn prom-
ises to be a good crop, the heaviest for several years. Fodder
crops promise to be very good. Feed in pastures is very short,
there not having been rain enough to make it grow. Oats a much
better crop than last year.

Blandford (E. W. Boise). — The horn tly is very troublesome
this season. Judging from present appearances, little rowen will
be cut. Winter apples will be three- fourths the average crop for
an off year. Potatoes have looked well, but nearly all fields now
show blight and complaint is made of decay. Corn promises to be
an extra good crop. All fodder crops are extra good. Bad
droughts last season and this make our pastures very short Oats
one-fourth better than last year and no rust. There will be no
shortage in hay, on account of the small amount of stock now on
hand.

West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — Rowen will be a poor crop
except on moist land. Very few good winter apples ; cider apples
are in fair quantity. Potatoes few in a hill, but tubers fair and of
good size ; blight universal and some rot. Corn never looked
better. Fodder crops are in good condition, though it is getting
dry for the late ones. Pasturage is again in need of rain. The
oat crop is one-third better than last year.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss). — Rowen 60 per cent of a full crop.
Winter apples not more than half a crop. Potatoes a full crop.
Corn about 90 per cent of a full crop. Fodder crops are all in
good condition. Pasturage is in fair condition. Oats a better
crop than last year.

Hampden (John N. Ishaji). — The horn fly is very plenty.

16

Rowen will be a medium crop, but much better than last year.
Winter apples uneven and on the whole a small crop. Potatoes
are a large crop, but have ripened too early to reach their full
growth. Corn a large growth and well set with ears. Fodder
crops are very thrifty, with abundant foliage. Pasturage is good
for this time of year. Oats heavier than last year ; straw very
long and lodged badly.

Monson. (A. H. White). — A little rowen will be cut. Winter
apples will be a very light crop. Potatoes are a large crop, but
are beginning to rot some. Corn promises to be a good crop.
The prospect for all fodder crops is good. Pasturage is in rather
poor condition. Oats are a better crop than last year.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Soutlibridge (G. L. Clemence). — The rowen crop is the best
for four 3^ears. Apples are scarce and very poor in quality. Pota-
toes are a very large crop, but are rotting badly in some places.
Corn a large growth and well set with ears. Prospect for fodder
crops good. Pastures are holding out much better than usual.
Oats show a heavy growth of straw, mostly cut for hay.

New Braintree (C. D. Sage). — Grasshoppers are doing some
damage. Very little rowen will be cut, as it has been too dry.
Winter apples not more than 25 per cent of a full crop. The yield
of potatoes will be large if they do not rot ; very little complaint
as yet. Corn is good, though some of it is a little late. Fodder
corn has done well. Pasturage is rather short and needing more
rain. Oats were excellent, the best for years.

Oakham (Jesse Allen) . — The prospect for rowen is good.
There are very few winter apples. Potatoes are rotting some, but
will be a large crop. Corn is generally excellent, but was injured
August 21, on low lands, by frost. Fodder crops for green feed-
ing are good. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats are a much
better crop than last year.

Petersham (S. B. Cook). — Rowen very good; the frequent
rains have kept it growing nicely. There will be only a very small
crop of winter apples. Potatoes good, more than an average yield ;
rot has not yet appeared. Corn very good ; a heavy growth of
stalks and ears set well. A large amount of fodder crops planted
and growth heavy. Pasturage good, better than usual at this sea-
son. Oats much better than last year. There is a fair supply of
fall apples ; pears and grapes plenty.

Fitchhurg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Rowen promises to be a good
crop. Winter apples will be a very poor crop. Vines of the early
potatoes are blasting and the tubers rotting, with a prospect of the

17

same on the late varieties. More rain is wanted for fodder crops.
Pasturage is in fair condition.

Berlin (P. B. Southwick). — Potato beetles are doing some
damage. Prospect for the rowen crop not as good as a few weeks
ago ; more rain needed. No winter apples in this vicinity. Pota-
toes are rotting badly and the prospect is not at all good. Corn
promises to be a very fair ci'op. Fodder crops are now looking
well. Pasturage is not in very good condition. Oats a full aver-
age crop.

Holden (G. S. Graham). — Rowen very good where fields are
in good condition. The prospect for winter apples is very poor
indeed. Potatoes are a very good crop, with some rot. Corn is
very fine and with two weeks more of good weather will be all
right. Fodder crops are generally good. Pasturage is in very good
condition for this time of year. Oats a good crop.

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Rowen looks well. The prospect
is that winter apples will be a very light crop. Potatoes are a very
good yield, but are rotting somewhat. Corn is a good crop and is
earing out heavily. All kinds of fodder crops look well. Pasturage
looks green and nice and feed is good. Quality of oats not as good
as last year, but quantity better.

Oxford (D. M. Howe). — Rowen promises to be a fair crop.
Winter apples are not plenty in this section. Potatoes are a good
crop, but some fields have rotted badly. The prospect for corn is
good, though the nights are rather cold for it. Pasturage is in
good condition. Oats are heavy everywhere.

Blaclcstone (L. R. Daniels). — Potato beetles and the borers
are doing some damage. Rowen promises to be a good crop, bet-
ter than last year. There are very few Baldwin apples ; other
varieties make a better showing. Potatoes are a plentiful crop,
but about 20 per cent have rotted. The prospect for the corn crop
is of the very best. Fodder crops in very good condition, oats
much better than last year. Pasturage is in fair condition, but is
eaten to the turf.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Framingham (H. S. Whittemore) . — Rowen about half of an
average crop. Winter apples very few indeed and poor in quality.
Potatoes a good yield, but rotting badly ; some fields not worth
digging. The outlook for a large yield of corn is promising at the
present time. Fodder crops are looking well ; corn and barley
heavy crops. Pasturage poor and feed short ; stock has to be
fed at the barns. Oats about as last season ; mostly cut for hay.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Asparagus beetles and potato

18

beetles are doing some damage. The prospect for rowen is very
good. There are very few winter apples ; some fall apples.
Potatoes are a good crop, but are rotting badly. Corn promises
to be a very good crop. All fodder crops are doing well. Past-
urage is rather better than the average at this time of year. Oats
only grown for fodder and have done well. The frequent showers
have kept all crops growing.

Chelmsford (P, P. Perham). — Horn flies are annoying cattle
somewhat. Rowen is below an average crop. There will be very
few winter apples. Potatoes are a large yield, but are rotting
badly. Corn promises a full crop. Fodder crops are all good ;
fodder corn, oats and barley are the principal crops grown. Past-
urage is in good condition. Oat crop much better than last year.
Billerica (J. N. Pardee). — Rowen promises to be a good crop.
No winter apples to speak of. Yield of potatoes heavy and qual-
ity excellent ; few complaints of rot. Corn will be an immense
crop. All fodder crops are luxuriant. Pasturage is in very good
condition. Oats much ahead of last year's crop. Since June the
season has been very favorable for the growth of all crops, but
farmers depending upon marketing truck are suffering severely
from the state of the markets, prices being unusually low, and
many of them, with an abundance of produce, cannot pay their
bills.

Wilmington (E. N. Eames). — There will be a heavy crop of
rowen. Winter apples are very few. Potatoes promise to be a
large crop. The prospect for the corn crop is good. Fodder
crops for green feeding are looking well. Pasturage is at present
in fair condition.

Wohurn (W. H. Bartlett). — Cabbage worms and squash
borers are doing some damage. Rowen is a very good crop, far
better than usual. There are very few winter apples indeed in
this vicinity and they are dropping somewhat. Potatoes will be a
good crop ; some rot. Sweet corn is yielding well. All kinds of
forage crops are looking well. Pasturage is in first-rate condition.
All farm and garden crops are looking well, but prices do not leave
much margin for pi'ofit. Tomatoes do not ripen well, owing to cool
nights and heavy rains.

Newton (Otis Pettee) . — Rowen promises to be a very good
crop. There will be very few winter apples. The prospect for
the corn crop is good. Fodder crops are all looking very fair.
Pasturage is generally in good condition.

ESSEX COUNTY.
Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Rowen promises to be a fair
crop. Winter apples will be a very light crop. Potatoes are a

19

good yield, but are rotting. The prospect is favorable for a good
crop of corn. Fodder crops are all looking well. Pasturage is in
fair condition.

Groveland (Abel Stickney). — Rowen will not be as good as
was expected. Prospect for winter apples very poor in most lo-
calities. Potatoes promise a good yield. If frost does not come
too early the corn crop will be good. Fodder crops are all looking
well now. Pasturage is in better condition than usual at this
season of the year. Oats are mainly cut for feed.

West Nexvbury (J. C. Tarleton). — Horn flies are the most
troublesome insects. Rowen is a very good crop in this locality.
Winter apples will be quite a poor crop. Some fields of potatoes
are rotting badly, while others are very good crops. The corn
crop is the greatest for years. The prospect is very good for all
fodder crops. Pasturage was never better at this time of year.
Oats are a heavy crop ; few are threshed, being mostly cut for
fodder.

Ipsivich (O. C. Smith). — Rowen is very good, the best for a
number of years. Winter apples will not be more than 30 per
cent of an average crop. Potatoes have grown well and are of
large size, but many complain of blight or rot. Corn an excellent
crop, never better. All fodder crops will be good. Pasturage in
very good condition, as there has been sufficient rain to keep the
grass growing. Oats fully 10 per cent better than last year.
Pears a full crop of very good quality ; grapes promise abundantly.

Marblehead (War. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Rowen promises to be a
very fair crop. Winter apples will be a small crop. At present
the prospect for potatoes is not very good. Corn is about an
average crop. Fodder crops for green feeding are looking well.
Pasturage is a little above the average in condition for this time of
year. Potatoes have blighted badly, and in some cases farmers
have stopped digging.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Rowen will be an average crop.
Winter apples will be a very light crop. Potatoes will be better
than an average crop, unless attacked by rot. Corn is the best
crop for several years. Fodder crops are excellent. There is not
now much feed in pastures. Oats are a heavier crop than last
year. Since the rains of the last of June all growing crops have
done finely.

Medway (M. Morse). — White grubs are doing some damage.
Rowen promises to be very poor indeed. Winter apples are not
more than one-fifth of a full crop. Some fields of potatoes are light,
but the average crop is large ; there was some blight, but we

20

cannot yet say as to rot. The prospect for corn is very good.
Fodder crops for green feeding are good. Pasturage is as good
as iu average seasons. Oats are grown for green feed or for hay.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — The prospect for rowen is good.
No winter apples. Potatoes are a fair crop. Corn is above an
average crop. Fodder crops for green feeding are in average con-
dition. Pasturage is above the average. Oats were a better crop
than last year. July and August have been unusually good grow-
ing mouths.

Raynham (N. W. Shaw) . — Grub worms and potato bugs are
doing some damage. The prospect for rowen is very good indeed.
Winter apples were never poorer. Potatoes will be a very good
crop. The prospect is for a good crop of corn. There is more
rowen than usual and it is looking well. Pasturage is much better
than usual at this time of year. Few oats sown and those not
very good.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — The prospect for the rowen crop is
good. Winter apples will be a very poor crop. Potatoes promise
to be a full crop. The prospect is that the corn crop will be good.
Fodder crops for green feeding are looking well. Pasturage is in
good condition.

Berkley (R. H. Babbitt). — The white grub of strawberry
worm is doiug some damage. Rowen promises to be a fair crop.
The prospect is that winter apples will be a very light crop. Pota-
toes promise to be about an average crop. Corn will be much be-
low last year's crop. A larger acreage of the various fodder crops
has been sown and they are looking well. Pasturage is getting
short in this vicinity. Oats are a lighter crop than last year.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis) . — Rowen promises to be a fairly
good crop. Winter apples will be a very poor crop in this section.
Potatoes have made quite a good growth, but are rotting badly on
some fields. Corn is looking very well and will soon be past harm
from frost. Fodder crops are in good condition. Pasturage still
holds out quite good. Oats are a somewhat better crop than last
year, though lodged in some places.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Hingham (Aaron Low) . — Rowen very good and growing
finely. Winter apples a very small crop. Potatoes will be a large
crop, although in some sections they are rotting somewhat. Corn
is looking very well; much fed out green. Green fodder crops

21

growing finely. Pasturage is in good condition. Market-garden
crops are good, but prices are extremely low. Tomatoes, squashes
and melons are looking finely, but are late in ripening. All fruit
except grapes is very scarce and of poor quality ; grapes large and
fine.

Marshfield (J. H. Bourne). — White grubs are eating potatoes
and strawberry plants. The prospect is that rowen will be a poor
crop. Winter apples will be an exceedingly poor crop. Potatoes
will be a good crop, but not more than three-fourths as many as
if rain had fallen a month ago. Corn is an excellent crop ; if the
frost keeps off for three weeks it will be the best crop for ten
years. Fodder crops are all looking well and barley is particu-
larly good. Pasturage is very short. The oat crop is fully as
good as last year.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas). — Rowen promises to be a good crop.
Winter apples are very, very poor. Potatoes are good in quality
and quantity. The prospect for the corn crop is fair. Fodder
crops for green feeding promise to be good. Pasturage is in fine
condition.

Kingston (J. H. Cushman). — Rowen bids fair to be about a
two-thirds crop. There are vex'y few winter apples and those are
of poor quality. What potatoes have been dug are very good.
Corn promises to be a heavy crop. Fodder crops are all very
good. Pastures are very short and cows are fed from sown crops.
Oats are up to any other year.

Lakeville (Elbridge Cushman). — Rowen is a remarkably good
crop, especially on low meadows. Winter apples are poor indeed ;
there will be a few Greenings but practically no Baldwins. Pota-
toes are an abundant yield, but are rotting some, especially on low
ground. Corn was probably never better. All fodder crops are
good. Pasturage on high ground is short, as is usual at this time
of the year, but that on low ground is fair. Oats are a better
crop than last year. Pears and grapes are good crops. Prices
generally rule low, but the year promises to be a more than usually
prosperous one.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Cranberry worms are doing some
damage. Rowen promises to be a good crop. Winter apples will
be a very small crop. Potatoes are a large crop, but they have
blasted badly and are beginning to rot. Corn promises to be a
good crop. Fodder crops were never in better condition. Past-
urage is in good condition. Oats are a heavy crop, much better
than last year.

22

Sandwich (J. R. Holway). — Cranberry worms are quite plenty
on some bogs. Rowen promises to be a better crop than usual.
There will be an average crop of all winter apples except Bald-
wins. Potatoes promise to be the best crop for a number of years.
If the nights are not too cool, corn will be a good crop. Fodder
crops are all looking well. Pasturage is rather short, but is above
the average for this time of year.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — The cranberry fruit worm is
doing some damage. Rowen promises to be a very good crop.
Winter apples are very scarce in this vicinity. Potatoes are a very
good crop, but a few fields are struck with the blight. Corn
is a good crop. Fodder crops are doing well. Pasturage is in
very good condition. The oat crop is about the same as last year.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell) . — The fruit worm on cranberries is
our most troublesome insect. Rowen promises to be a good crop.
Winter apples are very scarce. Potatoes promise to be a full
crop. Corn will be more than an average crop. Fodder crops
are about average in condition. Pasturage is in fairly good con-
dition. Very few oats are sown and those are cut for hay.

Brewster (J. H. Clark). — The cranberry worm is doing the
most damage. The prospect for rowen is very good indeed. Win-
ter apples will be a poor crop. Potatoes promise to be a very good
crop. Corn is a very good crop. All fodder crops are doing very
well. Pasturage is in excellent condition. The oat crop is about
the same as that of last year.

DUKES COUNTS.
West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Prospect for the rowen
crop good. Prospect for winter apples poor. Potatoes a large
crop, but inclined to rot. Corn promises to be a fair crop. Fod-
der crops for green feeding are in good condition. Pasturage is
in very good condition. The oat crop is better than last year.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Corn worms, cabbage worms
and potato bugs are doing some damage. Rowen promises to be
an extra crop. No winter apples. Potatoes have rotted badly,
on account of so much bad weather. Corn does not look as well
on heavy land as it does on light. Fodder crops are in extra good
shape. Pasturage is in better condition than for the last ten
years. Oats a very fine crop, but mostly cut for fodder.

23

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

The San Jose Scale. (Aspidiotus pernicio^us Com.)

Bt C. H. Feenald, Entomologist to the Board.

History and Distribution.

The San Jos6 (San Ho-sa ) scale insect first made its appearance
in California not far from 1870, but it is not known from what
country it came, though it is now known to occur in Chili, Aus-
tralia and Hawaii. It increased rapidly till 1873, when it had
become so abundant on the fruit trees at San Jos6 as to seriously
injure them, and received the common name of the San Jose scale.

It was first technically named and described from Santa Clara
County, California, by Prof. J. H. Comstock, in the report of the
Department of Agriculture for the year 1880, page 304, under the
name Aspidiotus perniciosus, " The Pernicious Scale." After
describing it. Professor Comstock says : " From what I have seen
of it, I think that it is the most pernicious scale insect known in
this country ; certainly I never saw another species so abundant as
this one is in certain orchards which I have visited. It is said to
infest all the deciduous fruits grown in California, excepting the
peach, apricot and the black tartarian cherry. It attacks the
bark of the trunk and limbs as well as the leaves and fruit. I
have seen many plum and apple trees upon which all the fruit was
so badly infested that it was unmarketable." Since Professor
Comstock wrote the above, the insect has been found on apricot
and peach as well as other plants.

In 1882 it had extended into all the fruit-growing districts of
California, and has since that time been distributed over the
country more or less widely, and is now known to occur in Oregon,
Washington, British Columbia, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New
Mexico, Missouri, Indiana, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. It does not
appear to be very generally distributed as yet in the Eastern

24

States, but there is great danger that it may soon become so
through the distribution of infested nursery stock, if the most
active measures are not adopted for its destruction.

The dissemination of this insect in the Eastern States has been
traced by the entomologist of the Department of Agriculture in
"Washington to nursery stock received from Missouri and New
Jersey. Prof. J. B. Smith, in " Entomological News," Vol. 6,
page 153, and elsewhere, mentions two large nurseries in New
Jersey that were badly infested with this scale, and from which
infested stock had been sent to various points in the Eastern
States. One of these was owned by Messrs. Parry, at Parry,
Burlington County, N. J., the other by the J. T. Lovett Company,
at Little Silver, Monmouth County, N. J.

Prof. L. O. Howard, entomologist to the Department of Agri-
culture in Washington, in studying the geographical distribution
of this and other insects in connection with the life zones into
which this country has been divided, has expressed the opinion
that the San Jos«^ scale is not likely to thrive on fruit trees in
New England, for a time at least. Professor Smith seemed to
entertain the same opinion, based on his studies of the distribution
of the insect in New Jersey. I had therefore felt quite easy about
the matter, so far as Massachusetts was concerned, till, on the
29th of March of the present year, my attention was called to
some scale insects on several young plum trees on the grounds of
the horticultural department of the Massachusetts Agricultural
College. These trees, according to the record books, came from
the J. T. Lovett Company, Little Silver, N. J., in the spring of
1894. Fearing that we had this dreaded insect to deal with, I
sent infested twigs to Professor Howard for determination, and
received the reply that they were the San Jose scale, but that
none of the examples sent were alive.

Wishing to determine whether any of these insects had survived
the winter, I had two of the trees taken up and set out in the
cold part of the insectary greenhouse, and the remaining infested
trees were burned. Scales appeared on the growth of the previous
year, so that the insects succeeded well at least during the summer
of 1894. On June 10 live scales were observed on the trees
transplanted to the insectary greenhouse, and on the 14th the
young were swarming all over them, and even extended to some
small apple trees growing near in the same part of the greenhouse.
As this seemed to settle the question of their ability to survive
our winters here in Amherst, or at least the winter of 1894-95,
which was an average one, I had all these trees very carefully
burned, to prevent any further spreading of the pest. So far as

25

can cow be seen, no other trees on the grounds have been infested,
but it is a little early to feel absolutely sure on this point.

As soon as it was discovered that the San Jose scale had been
received here on nursery stock from outside of the State, I feared
that other nurseries might have become infested in a similar
manner, and therefore I sent my assistant, Mr. Lounsbury, to
different nurseries to look for them. He reported that on April
19 he found the San Jos^ scale on two plum trees, two pear trees
and a rose bush in Eosliudale, Mass. The plum trees were badly
infested with living scales, while the pear trees and rose bush
were but slightly so. The scales occurred on all parts of the
trees, but were the least numerous on the new growth. The pear
trees had been on the grounds for three years and the plum trees
two years. Mr. Lounsbury was informed that these trees were
obtained from a local agent in West Roxbury, who claimed to
have purchased them from the Shady Hill nursery, Bedford, Mass.
On April 23 Mr. Lounsbury visited the Shady Hill nursery, and
found the San Jos^ scale alive in large numbers on several different
varieties of apple trees. Mr. Kohler, in charge of the nursery,
told him that these trees were bought from the Cambridge nur-
series, where they had been growing three or four j^ears. The
Cambridge nursery was then visited, and pear, peach and apple
trees were found infested with the scale, and many of the worst-
infested trees were dead. As no stock had been added to this
nursery for three years, these trees must have been infested at
least that length of time. I have not been able to learn from
what source the stock in this Cambridge nursery was obtained.

On July 9 I received a twig of an apple tree from Mr. W. W.
Rawson, with the request to inform him what the matter was with
it. An examination showed that it was infested with the San
Jose scale. Further correspondence revealed the fact that the
twig came from an apple tree in the orchard of Mr. E. E. Cole,
in the town of Scituate. Mr. Cole wrote me that the orchard
contained ninety trees that were set out three years ago. It is
situated in a protected spot with trees on three sides, and is within
two miles of the ocean in a direct line. He also wrote me that
the trees were received from Mr. Rawson, who informed me that
he obtained most of his nursery stock of that description from
the Shady Hill Nursery Company.

It is therefore probable that the Shady Hill nurseries received
infested stock from some outside nursery, possibly in New Jersey,
and have unintentional!}' become a centre of infection for orchards
in the eastern part of this .State. To what extent this pest has
become distributed through the State it is impossible to say, but

26

that it is able to live and destroy fruit trees in some, if not in all,
parts of the State seems evident from this history, which is given
here quite at length because of the expressed opinion of Messrs*
Howard and Smith that it would not survive in New England.

V

Description of the Scale and Insect.*

The female scale is shown in Fig. 1, a, of the natural size,
on a moderately infested pear, and at b, greatly enlarged. It is

quite flat, nearly circu-
lar in outline, about one-
sixteenth of an inch in
diameter, and dark mot-
tled with gray in color,
with a small elevated
spot at or near the cen-
tre, which is black or
yellowish.

The male scale is
" black, somewhat
elongated when fully
formed. The larval skin
is covered with secre-
tions ; its position is
marked by a single nip-
p 1 e - 1 i k e prominence,
which is between the
^ centre and the anterior
iif margin of the scale. The
scale of the male is more
abundant than that of
the female. It is often
oval in shape and smaller
in size than the female."
When these scales occur in large numbers on the twigs (Fig. 2)
or leaves they^frequently overlap, and are not easily distinguished
without a magnifying glass. The general appearance which they
give is of a greenish, very slightly roughened scurvy deposit. The
natural color of the limbs of the peach and apple is quite obscured
when these trees are thickly infested, and they then have the ap-
pearance of being coated with lime or ashes. When the scales are
crushed a yellowish liquid appears, resulting from the crushing of

Fig. 1. — rt. San Jose scales on a jjear.
scale enlarged.

b. A female

* The cuts used to illustrate this paper are from the United States Department
of Agriculture, through the kindness of Prof. L. O. Howard.

27

the soft, yellow insect beneath, which indicates the existence of
living scales on the trees.

These scales are often
found on the fruit (Fig. 1),
and when present in large
numbers they prevent the
full development of the fruit,
causing it to crack or fall
from the tree, or render it
unsalable.

The mature male is very
small, and supplied with two
well-developed wings. It is
shown greatly enlarged in
Fig. 3, the natural size being
indicated by the crossed lines
in the small circle below the
right wing.

Early in June, in this
State, the young crawl out
from beneath the scale and

spread over the trees. They appear like moving points of a yel-
lowish color, and it is very difficult to distinguish them with the

Fig. 2. — San Jose scales of natural size on
an apple branch; scales somewhat enlarged
on apple bark to the left above.

Fig. 3. — Male insect of the San Jose scale, greatly enlarged.

unaided eye. Fig. 4 represents the insect at this stage of its
existence very much enlarged, with its three pairs of legs and one

28

pair of antennffi (one of which is still more enlarged at 6) , while
its long, hair-like beak or proboscis, used for feeding, is shown
curled up between its legs.

Fig. 4.— a. Young larva of San Jose scale insect, under side, greatly enlarged, b.
tenna still more enlarged.

An-

FlG. 5. — c. An enlarged view of an adult female of
the San Jose scale insect, containing young, d. A
portion of its anal fringe still more enlarged.

form represented in Fig. 5.

The mature female,
represented greatly en-
larged in Fig. 0, is only
to be seen by removing
her from beneath the
scale at the proper
stage of development.
When the young as
described above has
reached a satisfactory
place of abode in its
wanderings, it forces
its sharp beak or pro-
boscis into the bark
and draws in the sap
of the tree, and begins
to form its scale. It
grows and soon moults
its skin, at which time
it loses its legs and
antennae, and takes the
Several broods of this insect occur in

29

a season, the exact number of which is still iu doubt, but possibly
as many as five.

Food Plants.
The list of food plants of the San Jose scale insect, so far as
known, are as follows : apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, apricot,
quince, flowering quince, almond, spiraea, raspberry, rose, haw-
thorn, cotoneaster, gooseberry, currant, flowering currant, per-
simmon, elm, osage orange, linden, euonymus, acacia, English
walnut, pecan nut, alder, weeping willow and laurel-leaf willow.

Methods of Distribution.

As the mature female is wingless, and fixed to the tree on which
she feeds, she will not be likely to cause other regions to become
infested unless the tree to which she is attached is removed. Her
progeny, however, when they are moving about freely, may be
transported to places more or less distant by other insects, birds,
larger animals or even by man ; but the chances are not favorable
for 'any very wide dispersion in this way. They may, however,
be carried from one tree to another at no great distance. Infested
'fruit may be transported from one part of the country to another,
and by chance be left in some place where it is possible for the
young to crawl to some suitable food plant ; but by far the most
favorable method for the wide distribution of this insect is on
nursery stock, and to this the most careful attention should be
given.

It will be decidedly to the advantage of every dealer in nursery
stock to take measures to clean his trees from this scale and to
keep them free, for, if this be not attended to, purchasers will
find other and more satisfactory parties to deal with.

Remedies.

If only a comparatively few small trees are infested in a nursery
or orchard, the best way is to burn them, taking great care that in
doing so none are scattered. There is no method of destroying
insects equal to cremation.

Professor Howard, after having a long series of experiments
performed for the purpose of ascertaining the best and most
economical method of destroying this insect, says : "The only
perfect results that have been reached have come from the applica-
tion of two pounds or more of commercial fish-oil or whale-oil
soap to a gallon of water soon after the leaves fall in the autumn,
and from the application of a resin wash of six times the nor-
mal summer strength. The effects following the application of

30

these washes leave nothing to be desired. In all cases the most
careful search over the sprayed trees has failed to show a living
scale." These are known as " winter washes," since they can
only be used during the winter without serious injury to the trees.
The winter resin wash mentioned above is composed of resin, one
hundred and twenty pounds ; caustic soda, thirty pounds ; fish oil,
fifteen pints ; water sufficient to make one hundred gallons. The
resin and soda are broken up and placed in a large kettle with the
oil and sufficient water to cover them ; the whole is then boiled
for several hours, or until the compound will properly mix in
water without breaking up into yellowish flakes. Experiments
thus far made with applications during the summer have failed to
give a substance that will destroy all of the insects. As good
results have been obtained from the use of ordinary kerosene
emulsion as from any other substance. It was found advisable,
however, to repeat the spraying at intervals of about a week, as
the young are brought forth in succession during the season.
Kerosene emulsion is composed of kerosene oil, two gallons ; com-
mon soap, one-half pound ; water, one gallon. Cut up the soap
and boil it in the water till it is all dissolved, then add it, boiling,
hot, to the oil, and churn it briskly for five minutes or more with a
spraying or force pump. When required for use mix thoroughly
one part of the above emulsion with nine parts of water and spray
the trees with it. In spraying peach trees, however, it is recom-
mended, because of their liability to injury, to mix one part of the
emulsion with fifteen parts of water. The emulsion will dissolve
more readily if hot water be used.

Legislation.
It is strongly recommended by some entomologists to have laws
passed requiring nurserymen and other dealers to guarantee their
stock free from the San Jose scale ; but I am free to confess that
I feel very doubtful about this matter. It seems to me that the
fear of loss of trade will be a greater incentive to send out only
uninfested stock than the fear of any amount of legislation.

Series of 1895. Bulletin No. 5.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP REPOET

Month of September, 1895.

ISSUED BT

WM. R. SESSIONS
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1895.

Crop Eeport for the Month of September, 1895.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

BosTox, Mass., Oct. 1, 1895.

Bulletin No. 5, Crop Report for the month of September,
is herewith presented. Particular attention is called to the
article on "Insecticides," by the assistant entomologist of
the committee on gypsy moth, insects and birds, at the end
of this bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 130 (September, 1895) of the Statistician
of the United States Department of Agriculture shows a de-
cline in the condition of corn to 9(i.4 from 102.5 in the
month of August. The prospects of the crop have suffered
from drought during the month in the surplus-producing
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. In
the South the indications are that the crop will be the larg-
est ever produced.

The general condition of wheat, considering both spring
and winter varieties, when harvested was 75.4, against 83.7
last year and 74 in 1893.

Condition of oats when harvested : general average, 86,
an improvement of 1.5 over August. In 1894 the final re-
port of condition was 77.8; and in 1893, 74.9. In the
States of largest production the condition is considerably
below the general average.

Condition of rye at time of harvest, 83.7; little change
since August. Last year, 86.9; in 1893, 82. Crop in the
East and South generally good, the average being lowered
by condition in western States.

Five-sixths of the product of barley in 1894 were pro-
duced in six States, which, with the condition at harvest the
present year, are here given, viz. : New York, 90 ; Wis-

consin, 87; Minnesota, 95; Iowa, 92; North Dakota, 93;
California, 83. General average for the country, 87.6,
against 71.5 in 1894.

Condition of buckwheat 87.5, against 69.2 last year.
New York and Pennsylvania, producing more than two-
thirds of the crop in 1894, each have a condition of 88.

Cotton shows a decline in condition since the August
report of 7.1 points, or from 77.9 to 70.8. This makes the
lowest September condition of the plant since 1881. The
crop suffered severely from the drought of August and the
excessive rains which succeeded it. Boll-worms have done
much injury and the crop has also suffered from shedding
and rust.

The general average condition of potatoes is 90.8, against
89.7 a month ago, and 62.4 in 1894. Where the condition
is low, drought is the cause most frequently assigned. There
is some rot in New England, New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. The returns for sweet potatoes indicate con-
siderably less than a full crop, conditions ranging from 101
in Florida down to 70 in Ohio. Drought has been the most
common cause of injury.

Average condition of tobacco 82.6, only one-tenth of a
point below the condition of August. New York lost 25
points, Virginia 11 points and Ohio 9 points, chiefly owing
to drought. The prospect is much brighter than last year,
when the September condition stood at 74.5.

The acreage under clover seed is returned as 68 per cent
of that of 1894. The condition, 64.4, is lower than in any
recent year with the exception of 1894, when it stood at
63.3.

The average condition of apples is now 72.8, and of
peaches 84.1, a gain of 1.6 points for the former and of
nearly 1 point for the latter. Grapes range from one-half
to a full crop in the eastern and middle States. In California
the quality is fully up to the average, but the quantity in
many sections is from 15 to 25 per cent short.

Condition of sorghum generally fine, the lowest figures
being reported from the more southern localities. The crop
gives somewhat better promise than at the same date last
year.

The highest condition reported for sugar cane, 9fi, is found
in Georgia ; the lowest, 80, in Texas. The September
conditions hist year ranged from 89 in Texas to 100 in
Louisiana.

Kice shows a marked improvement in condition, the gen-
eral average having advanced 10 points during August and
now stands at 94.5.

The number of stock hogs for fattening; shows a decrease
of 7.4 per cent as compared with last 3'ear. Principal cause
for decrease, scarcity of feed.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn September
1 is given as 105 ; the average condition of rye when har-
vested as 96 ; the average condition of oats when harvested
as 106 ; the average condition of barley when harvested as
100; the average condition of buckwheat September 1 as
86 ; the average condition of potatoes as 86 ; the average
condition of tobacco as 114 ; the average condition of apples
as 56 ; the average condition of peaches as 90 ; the average
condition of grapes as 86 ; the number of stock hogs fatten-
ing as compared with last year as 97 ; the average condition
of stock hogs as to weight and size as 101.

Temperature and Eainfall for the AYhole Country.

From United States Weather-Crop Btilletins.

Week ending September 2. — Week warmer than usual
throughout the Mississippi and Missouri valleys and thence
eastward to the Atlantic coast, except over northern New
England and limited areas in the upper Lake region. Over
the western portion of the plateau region and on the Pacific
coast week decidedly cooler than usual. Elsewhere the
daily temperature differed but slightly from the normal.
From central and southern Texas northward over Kansas
and southern Nebraska, and thence eastward over limited
areas as far as southern New England, the weekly rainfall
exceeded the average. More than an average also fell
along the south Atlantic coast. Elsewhere the rainfall
was below average, and over a considerable portion of the
Lake region no appreciable amount of rain fell. Week
generally favorable for maturing and securing crops and for
ploughing and seeding. Late corn generally improved and

6

maturing rapidly. Cotton picking quite general over the
southern portion of the cotton belt. Much tobacco cut and
housed under favorable weather conditions. Frosts general
Saturday and Sunday from Montana eastward to Michigan.

]Veek eliding Septemhey^ 9. — In nearly all districts east
of the Rocky Mountains week warmer than usual. On the
Pacific coast and over the central and northern plateau dis-
tricts week cooler than usual. The greater portion of the
country east of the Mississippi has received less than the
usual amount of rain during the week. Abundant rains in
limited sections in the interior of the country. In the
southern States and throughout the Rocky Mountain plateau
and Pacific coast regions the season has been cooler than
usual. Elsewhere the temperature has been greater than
usual, the excess being generally over 1°. The seasonal
rainfall is decidedly deficient in the Lake region and gener-
ally throughout the States of the central valleys. In Mew
England, the middle Atlantic States and other limited
sections the rainfall has been slightly deficient. Elsewhere
it generally exceeded the average. Cutting of corn has
progressed rapidly, and much of the early crop is in shock.
Cotton picking has progressed favorably and is now general
over the southern portion of the cotton region. The weather
during the week has been especially favorable for cutting
and housing tobacco.

Week ending !Sej)temher 16. — Week warmer than usual
in all districts east of the Rocky Mountains except northern
New England. Throughout the central valleys and middle
Rocky Mountain slope the week was exceptionally warm.
On the Pacific coast and over the northern plateau region
week cooler than usual. Over most of the country east of
the Rocky Mountains the week was drier than usual, though
abundant rains ffll in some sections. On the Pacific coast
from central California northward the week has been remark-
able for its unusually heavy rainfall. The warm and dry
weather of the week has forced late corn to rapid maturity
and the weather has been very iavorable for harvesting.
Cotton picking is now general in the northern portion of the
cotton region, and well advanced in the southern portion.

The week has also been favorable for housing and curinir
tobacco.

Week ending September 23. — Week warmer than usual
in all districts east of the liocky Mountains except on the
northern slope of the Rockies and in extreme southern
Florida. The maximum records for one or both of the
second and third decades of September were broken in
nearly all the stations of this region. Week cooler than
usual in the plateau region and on the Pacific coast freezing
temperatures occurring in many places. From Wyoming
and Colorado eastward over the upper Missouri valley,
Minnesota and the upper Lake region more than the usual
amount of rain fell. Less than the usual rainfall on the
Pacific coast. Elsewhere, except over limited areas, no
appreciable amount of rain fell. This is the second suc-
cessive phenomenally warm week over most of the country
east of the Rocky Mountains. Corn is now generally safe
from frost. Cotton picking has made good progress. Fall
ploughing and seeding much delayed, owing to drought.
Freezing temperatures with snow in the central and northern
Rock}^ Mountain regions put an end to the growth of vegeta-
tion and caused much injury.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

Week ending September 2. — Boston: Some damage by
frost on 2d on low lands where not protected by fog ; favor-
able growing and ripening weather for most crops ; potato
decay not increasing ; corn maturing slowly ; apples drop-
ping.

Week ending September 9. — Boston; Warm and dry
with plenty of sunshine ; crops are ripening and being har-
vested very fast ; rain badly needed for pastures, meadows,
late forage crops, fall seeding and water supplies; apples
dropping badly.

Week ending September 16. — Boston: Warm first of
week with heavy frosts in north and light frosts in south
portion, but no serious damage resulted, as crops are mostly
out of way ; heavy rain, wind and hail storms across central
districts on 11th, doing considerable damage in Connecticut
valley.

8

Week ending September 23. — Boston : Very hot and
dry ; fine weather for curing crops, and harvesting is pro-
gressing fast, but fruit is dropping badly, and newly seeded
fields are being damaged ; rain greatly needed ; most water
supplies extremely low.

Massachusetts Weather for September, 1895.
September in Massachusetts has been warmer than usual,
with less precipitation and clouds and with generally pleas-
ant weather, favorable for ripening crops and harvesting.
At Boston the mean temperature for the month was about
3.6° a day warmer than the normal. At Somerset the daily
excess was about the same, and at Fitchburg it averaged 2°
a day. The warmest spell of weather for the month, and at
many places the warmest for the season, was on September
21 to 23. The maximum temperature was generally be-
tween 95° and 100°. The coldest spell was on the 14th to
16th at most places, when the mercury fell below 40° at
many places and light frosts occurred in valleys. No great
amount of damage was done. The precipitation was compar-
atively light in all sections, and at the end of the month water
supplies were unusually low. No crops have suffered seri-
ously for want of water, although newly seeded land has not
done so well as one would wish for and some late garden crops
have ripened prematurely. At Boston the rainfall was 1.64
inches less than the normal amount, and at Somerset the de-
ficiency was 1.55 inches. The weather for harvesting grain,
corn, tobacco, etc., has been excellent, and there have been
few seasons when crops have been gathered in better condi-
tion. There has been hardly moisture enough in the air for
the best curing of tobacco, however, and cranberries, toma-
toes and apples were badly scalded by the hot sun on the
21st to 23d. Apples ripened up fast, but the high wind of
the last week following the hot weather caused them to drop
badly in many orchards. During a thunder-storm at East
Foxborough on the 9th a barn was struck by lightning and
burned, with five horses, two cows and ten tons of hay.

9

In the circular to correspondents returnable September
25 the following questions were asked : —

1. How does the crop of Indian corn compare with an
average crop?

2. Are the rowen crop and fall feed up to the usual
average ?

3. Has the average amount of fall seeding been done,
and what is its present condition ?

4. How does the onion crop compare with an average
crop ?

5. Are potatoes an average crop in yield and quality?

6. What is the prospect for root crops?

7. How have the apple, pear, peach, grape and cran-
berry crops turned out?

Returns have been received from 110 correspondents, and
from these the following summary has been made up : —

Indian Corn.
The promise held out last month seems to have been ful-
filled, and the corn crop for this year is reported to be un-
usually large. The stover is large and in almost every
instance well eared out. The crop is now entirely beyond
danger from frosts and is cut and stooked in most sections.
The weather the past two weeks has been remarkably favor-
able for harvesting. Some damage to fodder corn is reported
from the recent frosts, but nothing particularly serious.
Silos are reported as well filled in all sections.

RowEN AND Fall Feed.
For the State as a whole rowen and fall feed will fall
below the usual average. This is particularly true of the
four western counties, where the condition is reported as
considerably below average. Over the rest of the State the
condition approximates quite closely to average, but nmst
nevertheless be considered as a little off". This fallino; off in
condition is due to the drought of September, and to the
excessively hot weather of the latter part of the month.

Fall Seeding.
Yery nearl}^ if not quite, the usu-il amount of fall seeding
has been done. It is generally reported as looking well,

10

though many complaints are made of the seed starting
slowly on account of lack of rain. Most correspondents
agree that rain is needed at the present time, and unless the
drought is broken soon, fall seeding will show a material
falling off in condition.

Onions.

All reports go to indicate that the present crop of onions
is one of the largest, if not the very largest, ever raised in
the State. This is particularly true of the sections of com-
mercial production, from all of which unusually heavy crops
are reported. The quality is generally excellent, although
there is some little complaint of thick necks in some sections.
Prices rule very low ; sales as low as 25 cents per bushel
being reported.

Potatoes.

For the State as a whole potatoes appear to be more than
an average crop, many correspondents speaking of them as
above average and only a few as below. The quality is
generally reported to be good, tubers being large and free
from scab. Rot has appeared in many localities, and in
some has operated to materially reduce the crop both in
yield and quality. However, rot cannot be said to be gener-
ally prevalent to a dangerous degree.

EooT Crops.

Root crops promise to be good in nearly all sections of the
State. There is some little complaint of turnips suffering
from blight and from the excessively hot weather of the
latter part of the month, but this will not materially affect
the crop as a whole.

Fruits.

Apples are a very light crop in all sections, and many
complaints are made of inferior quality in the fruit. Prob-
ably one-fourth of an average crop would be a sufficiently
high estimate for the State at large. Pears and peaches are
considerably in excess of average crops and generally of good
quality. Grapes are a good average crop of good quality.
Cranberries are not quite an average crop though nearly up,
good crops being reported in many towns.

11

NOTES OF COREESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us September 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Beclet (Wm. H. Snow). — Indian corn is fully an average crop.
Rowen antl fall feed are not up to the usual average. The average
amount of fall seeding has been done and looks very well consid-
ering the dry weather. Onions are about an average crop. Pota-
toes arc an average crop in yield and quality. Root crops are
looking well. Apples are a light crop and pears and grapes nearly
an average.

Lee (A. Bradley). — Corn is 10 per cent above an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are not more than 80 per cent of the
usual average. Less than the average amount of fall seeding has
been done as it is too dry. Potatoes arc from 15 to 25 points above
average in yield and the quality is of the best. Root crops are
nearly up to the average in condition. The apple crop is some-
what better than was anticipated. These reports help us much ;
we have saved dollars by them.

Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer). — Corn is about an average both
for silo and grain. Rowen and fall feed not more than 80 per
cent of the usual condition. The dry weather has kept some farm-
ers from seeding, but all that is done looks well. Onions about
an average crop. Potatoes very fine; more than an average in
yield and quality. Roots promise to be an extra good crop.
Apples a poor crop and fruit imperfect ; pears and grapes good.

Binadale (S. M. Raymond). — There is rather more than an
average crop of corn. Rowen and fall feed are very poor in this
section. More than the average amount of fall seeding has been
done and it is looking finely. Potatoes are an average crop in
yield and quality. There are but few roots raised but those are
good. All kinds of fruit are very small crops and of poor quality.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — The corn crop is the best in five
years. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Very
little fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are a full crop of excel-
lent quality ; very few pieces rotting. Apples are about half a
crop, but pears are a little better.

12

Cheshire (L. J. Nortiiup). — Indian corn will average 10 per
cent more tban usual. No rowen or fall feed to speak of. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is too early to
report on condition. Potatoes are more than an average yield and
of first-class quality. Root crops promise well. Apples are a fair
yield ; pears a large yield ; grapes plenty.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — Indian corn has matured well and
is above the average. Rowen is a very good crop but not so large
as some years ; owing to dry weather fall feed is poor. The aver-
age amount of fall seeding has been done, but the condition is
below average on account of the dry weather. Onions are more
than an average crop. Potatoes are above the average in yield,
but there are some imperfections in the crop. Root crops promise
to be very good. Apples are considerably below an average ; pears,
peaches and grapes about average.

Colrain (A. A. Smith). — Corn is one-fourth better than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average.
Less than the average amount of fall seeding for this season of the
year has been done. Onious are fully an average crop. Potatoes
are an average crop in both quantity and quality. The prospect
for root crops is good. Apples, pears, peaches and grapes have
all turned out better than was expected.

Conway (J. C. Newhall). — Corn is more than an average
crop. Owing to the severe dry weather neither rowen nor fall feed
is up to the average. There has not been much seeding except
where tobacco was harvested, and it is so dry that seed starts very
slowly. Onions are a good crop. Potatoes are more than an
average in yield but there is some complaint of rot. The prospect
for root crops is fair. The apple crop is short and very poor, but
pears, peaches and grapes are more than an average. It is very
dry and many springs and streams have failed that never failed
before.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Corn is a good deal above
the average in both yield and quality. Rowen and fall feed are
much below the usual average. Little seeding done except in
corn ; that is looking well. The onion crop is above the average,
though there are many pieces with thick necks that will never cure
to make good onions. Potatoes are above an average crop and
the quality is generally good though there is some complaint of rot
in the cellar. Root crops are looking well. Apples are a good
crop but dropping badly ; pears, peaches and grapes are good
crops. Prices are generally very low.

13

Northfield (T. R. Callendar) . — Indian corn is more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are both better than for the
past three years. Only a small amount of early seeding has been
done but it is looking well. Potatoes are much more than an aver-
age crop both in yield and quality. The prospect for root crops is
good. Apples are hardly an average crop though better than was
expected after the early frost. A severe frost on September 14
did considerable damage to standing corn fodder.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Corn is above an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are a little below the average. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done and is doing well
though rain is needed. Onions are a good crop so far as raised.
Potatoes are above the average in yield and of good quality. Roots
promise to be a fair average crop. Apples light and of poor quality ;
a good crop of pears, peaches, grapes and cranberries.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Enfield (D. O. Chickerixg). — Indian corn is rather above an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
The average amount of fall seeding has been done and it is look-
ing well. Potatoes are more than an average crop in yield and of
fine quality. Root crops promise to be good. The fruit crop is
uneven, owing to late frosts in the spring and early frosts in the
fall. Pears and peaches good crops.

Belchertown (H. C. West) . — Indian corn is 20 per cent above
average at a low estimate. Grass, either on mowing lauds or past-
ures, has not recovered from last year's drought. Comparatively
little fall seeding has yet been done hereabouts but that little has
started well. Potatoes are above the average both in yield and
quality. Root crops promise to be fair. Apples are very nearly
up to the average in quantity but below in quality ; pears never
were better ; peaches are an average crop of good quality ; and
grapes are a fine crop in quantity and quality.

South Hadley (H. "W. Gaylord). — There is a large growth of
fodder on most corn fields but some complaint that the ears are
not in proportion to the stalk. Rowen is from one-half to two-
thirds of an average crop ; dry weather has injured fall feed.
Fully the average amount of fall seeding has been done and most
of it is looking finely. There are onions enough in number but
they are under size. Potatoes are an average crop but there is
some shrinkage on account of rot and wire worms. Root crops
will be good if we have rain at once. Pears and peaches heavy ;
grapes good ; apples about half a crop and not very fair in quality.

Hatfield (Tiiaddeus Graves). — With favorable weather for

14

harvesting, Indian corn will be fully an average crop. The aver-
age amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in good condi-
tion. Onions are a large crop but prices low. Potatoes are good
in yield and quality ; very little rot. Prospect for root crops good.
Apple crop a little off ; pears, peaches and grapes good.

Sovthampton (C. B. Lyman). — Corn crop never better; ears
well filled and no soft corn. Roweu and fall feed about the usual
average. Not much fall seeding done as yet, but many are pre-
paring to seed. Onions a very good crop. Potatoes are a large
yield of good quality. Roots will be a fair crop. Apple crop
small and fruit wormy ; pears, peaches and grapes abundant.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — The corn crop is fully up to
the average. Rowen and fall feed are far behind the usual avei'-
age. Much more fall seeding than common done, but on account
of the dry weather it is not looking well. Potatoes are an average
crop in yield, but are decaying quite badly. Root crops are look-
ing fairly well. Apples are a light crop, perhaps less than half ;
peacLes, grapes and cranberries are not much raised.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blanrlford (E. W. Boise). — Corn is fully 10 per cent above
an average crop. Hardly any rowen will be cut and fall feed is
below average in condition. Less than the average amount of
fall seeding has been done and the little that is in looks bad.
Potatoes are an average crop in yield and quality. Root crops
will be poor. Apples about a three-fourths crop; pears a full
crop ; cranberries light, owing to spring frosts. AYhile the pres-
ent season may be called about an average one, the outlook is
very poor, owing to the poor condition of mowings and pastures
and the small ness of the hay crop.

Hohjolce (J. C. Thorpe). — Indian corn is about 10 per cent
above an average crop. There is an average crop of rowen and
fall feed is good where not pastured too close. Potatoes are above
an average crop, of good quality. Root crops promise to be good.
Apples not one-fourth crop; pears a full crop; peaches a fair crop
and grapes a full crop.

West Springfield (N. T. S:mitii). — Indian corn is a full aver-
age crop. Rowen is poor except on moist land, and pastures are
suffering from lack of rain. Less than the usual amount of fall
seeding has been done and it needs rain. Onions are more than
an average crop in both yield and quality. Potatoes an average
crop of large sized tubers ; quality excellent ; some rot. Prospect
for root crops good, though some pieces of turnips are suffering
from heat and beginning to decay. Winter apples are a very light
crop ; peaches and pears good.

15

Lndloiv (C. B. Bennett). — Corn 5 per cent above an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed a little below the usual average. About
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking
well. Potatoes are above the average in yield, but not of extra
quality. Root crops are looking very well. Apples and pears are
about half a crop, but grapes are a fine crop.

Wilbraham (F. E. Clark). — Corn is 20 per cent above an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed below average and many
farmers are depending entirely upon soiling. Fully the average
amount of fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are a full aver-
age yield, but many fields are rotting badly. The prospect for
root crops is very fair. Apples half a crop ; pears and grapes
full average crops. Fall seeding that was sowed early has in
many instances failed to germinate and has to be reseeded.

Monson (A. H. AVhite). — Corn is a full average crop. Rowen
and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The usual amount
of fall seeding has been done, but it is growing slowly and is in
need of rain. Potatoes are an average crop in yield and quality.
Root crops promise to average well with former years. Apples
are scarce and dropping badly ; pears, peaches and grapes are
plenty. Weather good for harvesting crops.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Indian corn considerably above
an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are about 90 per cent of
an average in condition. About the usual amount of fall seeding
has been done and it is looking very well. Onions are a good
average crop. Potatoes are 25 per cent above an average crop ;
quality good though there is some complaint of rot. Prospect good
for late growth of root crops ; great growth of turnips. Apples
a failure ; pears, peaches and grapes a very large crop.

North Brookjield (J. H. Lane). — Indian corn more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed not up to the condition of for-
mer years. Fall seeding has made but little growth. Potatoes are
an average crop in yield and quality. The prospect for root crops
is fair. Apples 20 per cent of a full crop ; pears 60 per cent ;
peaches 25 per cent ; grapes 75 per cent. There are hardly any
cranberries, and exposed apples were injured by hail.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Corn is above average in quantity
and of good quality. Rowen is better than last year, but not an
average crop ; fall feed the same. The usual amount of fall seed-
ing has been done and it is in far better condition than last season.
Onions are a full average crop. Potatoes are above an average
in quantity, of good quality and with very little rot. The prospect

16

for root crops is good. Apples are very light, quality poor ; pears
rather below average in quantity ; peaches full average, but rotted
on trees ; grapes fine.

Westminster (I. Dickinson). — Corn is rather more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed not up to the usual average ;
little better than for the last three years. The average amount of
fall seeding has been done and its condition is good. Onions are a
very fair crop. Potatoes more than an average crop and quality
good. Root crops promise to be very good. The fruit crop has
turned out poorly. Vegetation has suffered in the last few days,
and rain is needed for late crops.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and most of it is looking
well. Onions are a full average crop. Potatoes are an average
crop in yield and quality. Root crops are looking well. No
apples ; peaches good ; late frost in the spring damaged grapes.
Corn fodder was heavy and silos will be well filled.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — Indian corn promises to be an
excellent crop. Rowen and fall feed are looking better than for
a year or two past. About the usual amount of fall seeding has
been done and the early sown looks nicely. Onions look well.
Potatoes good in yield and quality, but some pieces have rotted
badly. Root crops look promising. Only a very few apples and
quality poor ; pears a full crop, but much damaged by hail ; peaches
an average crop of good quality ; grapes damaged by frost in many
places and some vineyards nearly ruined by hail.

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — Corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average as temperature
and moisture have been favorable. The weather has been very
favorable for fall seeding and it is in excellent condition. Onions
are an average crop in quantity and quality. The yield of pota-
toes has been shortened by rot, but the quality is good. The pros-
pect for root crops is very good. Apples are a short crop and
much damaged by insects ; pears, peaches and grapes abundant
and very low in price ; cranberries a small crop.

Sutton (O. P. Johnson). — Corn is fully up to the average if
not above it. Rowen and fall feed are fully average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in splendid condi-
tion. The prospect for root crops is fair. Apples a poor crop ;
pears, peaches and grapes good ; cranberries average.

Douglas (Wm. Abbott). — Indian corn more than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed up to the u^ual average. About the
same amount of fall seedins; done as usual and is looking well.

17

Onions a large crop where sown. Potatoes a large yield ; some
pieces rotted badly, others sound and good. Apple crop not worth
much ; other fruit crops good.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

HopTcinton (W. V. Thompson). — Corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are an
average crop in yield and quality. The prospect for root crops is
good. Apples a very light crop ; pears plenty ; peaches good ;
grapes fair.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Indian corn is 10 per cent above
an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
Not much fall seeding has been done this year. Very few onions
raised here. Potatoes would be an average crop but for blight.
Root crops promise to be excellent. Pears abundant ; peaches
abundant; grapes half a crop ; and apples 10 percent of a full
crop.

Littleton (G. W. Sanderson). — Corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. A large amount
of fall seeding has been done and considerable ground is now in
prepax'ation for sowing ; what has been sown is looking well.
Onions a good crop but few raised here. Root crops are very
good ; turnips looking especially well. Apple crop light ; pears
and peaches good ; grapes and cranberries not average.

Westford (Arthur Wright). — Indian corn is a large crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The average
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in good condition.
Onions are about three-fourths of an average crop. Potatoes are
a better crop than for some years and are average in yield and
quality. Roots will be good average crops. The apple crop is
very light ; pears and peaches fair.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — Indian corn is not grown in
this section. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
The usual amount of fall seeding has been done ; it came up first
rate but now needs rain badly. Onions are more than an average
crop. Potatoes are an average crop in yield and quality. Very
few apples ; good pear crop ; no peaches grown ; grapes more than
an average.

Arlington ("VV. W. Rawson). — Rowen and fall feed are up to
the usual average. Fall seeding is at present in good condition.
Onions are a very large crop. Potatoes are a good yield, but the
quality is poor. Root crops promise to be extra good. All kinds
of produce are very large crops, with quality poor and prices low ;
a heavy frost early would be a good thing.

18

Newton (Otis Pettee)'. — Corn is looking well. The yield of
potatoes is fair, but the quality is not quite up to the standard.
There are very few apples ; pears are an average crop ; a prolific
yield of grapes ; cranberries hardly an average.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Ilaverhill (Ebenezer Webster). — Indian corn is more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the average on moist
land. About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but
it has not come up well on account of dry weather. Potatoes a
good jueld and quality good except where they have rotted. Root
crops promise to be fair. Apijles few and poor; pears plenty and
not very good; grapes good, and peaches fair in quantity and
quality. The ground is very dry ; no rain for some time.

Groveland (Abel Stickney). — Corn is much more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are no more than in average
condition and are in need of rain. Less than the average amount
of fall seeding has been done ; moist ground looks well, high ground
is poor. Onions are a very good crop. Apples are a small crop
and quality poor ; pears are a good crop but the sale is poor ;
peaches are very fair ; grapes plenty.

Newbury (G. W. Adams). — Corn a full average crop. Rowen
and fall feed nearly up to the usual average. The average amount
of fall seeding has been done, but the condition is backward.
Onions 10 per cent above an average crop. Potatoes above an
average yield, but rotting badly. Prospect for root crops good.
Few apples except in certain sections of small area.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — There is a very good crop of en-
silage and field corn. Rowen crop good; fall feed fair. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good con-
dition. Onions a medium crop. There is a fair crop of apples
in this immediate vicinity.

Marhlehead (Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.). — While the average field
of rowen has not shown a heavy cut, some lands that have been
laid down within two years have given a phenomenal yield. Little
fall seeding done yet. Onions are fully up to the average. Pota-
toes are below average in yield, but of good quality. Root crops
promise to be very good. The apple crop is not a full one here-
abouts, but while few trees show fruit those that are bearing are
carrying enormous loads.

NORFOLK COUNTY.
Medfield (G. R. Chase). — Indian corn 90 per cent of an aver-
age crop. Rowen a full average crop, but fall feed below the

19

average in condition. The average amount of fall seeding has
been done and is in good condition. Potatoes are not an average
crop. Root crops promise to be average. Almost no apples ;
pears abundant ; peaches above average ; grapes fine ; and cran-
berries a small crop, having been injured by frost in some instances.

MilUs (E. F. Richardson). — Corn is the best crop for many
years. Rowen and fall feed have been up to the average, but the
recent drought has put them back. More than the average amount
of fall seeding has been done and the condition now is below the
average. Potatoes better than an average crop. Prospect for root
crops fair. Hardly any apples ; pears, peaches and grapes abun-
dant ; few cranberries.

Medicay (M. Morse). — Indian corn is more than an average
crop. Fall feed is fair, but there will be no rowen. About the
average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good con-
dition, especially where sown early. Yield of potatoes large, qual-
ity good, but some trouble from rot. The apple crop is very small
and nearly worthless. Pears, peaches and grapes are fair to good,
except where grapes were cut by spring frosts.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Corn is a full average crop. Rowen
and fall feed from 10 to 20 per cent below the average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and the plants are
weak from drought. Onions an average crop. Potatoes average
in yield and quality. Roots promise to be average crops. Apples
a very poor crop ; pears, peaches and grapes very good. The dry
weather of the last month has shortened the growth of many crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Manfifield (W^i. C. Winter). — Indian corn about an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed above the average in condition. About
the usual amount of fall seeding done and looking well. Few onions
grown, but crop up to average. Late potatoes an average crop in
quantity and quality. Root crops will be up to average. Winter
apples and peaches not over 20 per cent of an average crop ; pears
65 to 75 per cent ; grapes possibly 50 per cent ; cranberries con-
siderably under average crop if picked in good condition ; some
bogs have been injured by early frosts.

Altleborough (Isaac Alger) . — Indian corn is above an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good condition.
Potatoes are an average crop in yield and quality. Root crops
promise to be fair. No apples ; pears good ; peaches fair ; grapes
fair and cranberries below the average.

20

Eaynham (N. W. Shaw). — Corn is above an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed have fallen off in condition, owing to tlie dry
weather. Less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been
done, owing to its being so dry ; the farmers are waiting for rain.
Potatoes are above the average both in yield and quality. The
prospect for root crops is very good. No apples ; few peaches ;
grapes a full crop and cranberries not a full yield.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Corn compares well with an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The aver-
ao:e amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good condition.
Onions are more than an average crop. The prospect for root crops
is good. Apples are very poor; pears, peaches, grapes and cran-
berries very good.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Corn is full^^ up to the average.
Rowen is about an average crop ; fall feed has been very good,
but is getting dry now. The average amount of fall seeding has
been done ; some pieces are very fine, while others need rain.
Onions are a very good crop. Potatoes have made an average
yield, but the blight struck the vines too soon to make the quality
first class. Root crops are not so good as in some years. All
kinds of fruit are very poor.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland) . — Ensilage corn is a good crop ;
no field corn grown. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual aver-
age. The average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in
fair condition. Potatoes are an average crop in yield and quality.
Root crops promise to be good. Scarcely any apples; pears,
peaches, grapes and cranberries good.

West Bridgeioater (F. E. Howard). — Indian corn is above an
average crop. Fall feed may be average, but rowen is not quite
up. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in
good condition. Onions are better than an average crop. Pota-
toes are average in yield and quality though they have rotted
slightly in some places. Root crops promise to be first rate.
Apples scarce and of inferior quality; pears, peaches and grapes
plenty and good ; the frost injured cranberries in some localities,
otherwise the crop is good.

Hai^son (F. S. Thomas). — Corn is a full average crop. Rowen
and fall feed are up to the usual average. More than an average
amount of fall seeding has been done and the condition is fine.
Potatoes are excellent in quality and of satisfactory quantity.
Root crops promise to be good. Very few apples ; pears quite
plenty ; good crop of peaches and grapes ; not a great crop of
cranberries.

21

Kingston (J. H. Cushman). — Corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen is about a two-thirds crop and fall feed is poor.
Tliere has been more than the usual amount of fall seeding done
and it is looking well. Onions are more than an average crop and
of good quality. There is good prospect of a large crop of pota-
toes. Apples light ; pears good ; grapes heavy and cranberries
fair.

Middleborovgli (Elbridge Cushman). — Corn is fully 15 per
cent better than an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are better
than usual. The average amount of fall seeding has been done
and it is looking well, although the surface of the ground is getting
dry. Onions are fully an average crop. Potatoes are one of the
largest crops ever known, excellent in quality and with but little
rot. The prospect for root crops is fair. Pears, peaches and
grapes very good ; cranberry crop average ; apples poorest for
years, practically no Baldwins and very few Greenings.

BARNSTABLE COUNTr.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — Indian corn a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are hardly up to the average. A full average
amount of fall seeding has been done ; much of it is late and very
little is looking well. Onions are a good average crop. Potatoes
are an average crop in yield and quality. Root crops promise to
be fair. Apples a light crop ; pears very heavy ; few peaches ;
grapes fair ; cranberry crop above an average. Cranberries were
touched with frost on the morning of September 16 in some
localities.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Acreage of Indian corn small, but
crop good. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
More than an average crop of potatoes. Turnips have blighted
badly. Ai)ples are a poor crop ; cranberries will be an average
crop.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — Corn is a full average crop.
September has been very dry and rowen and fall feed are not up
to the usual average of condition. Not much fall seeding has been
done. Onions are about an average crop. Potatoes are a large
crop, but are rotting somewhat. Root crops have suffered some-
what from lack of moisture. Apples are very scarce ; pears a fair
crop; grapes quite plenty; cranberries about half a crop, some
damage from frost on the 16th, but much more from the excessive
heat of the 21st, 22d and 23d.

Brewster (J. H. Clark) . — Indian corn is better than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are fully up to the average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good condi-

22

tion. Ouions are fully as good as in average years. Potatoes
are more than an average crop in yield and quality. Tlie prospect
for root crops is very good. The apple crop is very light; other
fruit crops are very good.

DUKES COUNTY.
West Tislmry (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Corn is about an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed were looking very much better than
the average until the dry weather set in, but unless it rains soon
fall feed will be a failure. Not much fall seeding is done here.
Potatoes are better than an average crop in both quality and quan-
tity. Unless we get rain soon the prospect for root crops will be
poor. Apples, pears and peaches are very poor crops ; grapes
are a good crop.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Indian corn is about an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are rather better than the usual
average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is
looking well. Onions are a better crop than for the last two years.
Potatoes are nearly an average crop in quantity and quality. Root
crops promise to be very good.

23

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

INSECTICIDES.

Br A. H. KiRKLAKD, Assistant Entomologist.

Insect attacks of various kinds are chief among the causes which
hinder the successful development of crops, and, if neglected, too
often set at naught the labors of the farmer or gardener. Thanks
to the discoveries of modern science we are now able in nearly all
eases to find a means of checking these ravages by simple remedies
if employed at the right time. A brief digest of our present knowl-
edge of insecticides is given herewith in the hope that, while it
presents but little that is new, it may prove in some measure
helpful.

The feeding habits of insects attacking the exterior parts of
plants afford us a ready means of separating them into two general
groups, biting insects (various caterpillars, beetles, etc.) and suck-
ing insects (plant lice, scale insects, etc.). The members of the
first group devour the substance of the plant by means of their
jaws, while those of the second group secure their nourishment
by the aid of a slender beak inserted into the plant tissues. The
substances to be used in the destruction of insects are determined
in great measure by these feeding habits and may in like manner
be separated into two classes : first, internal poisons used against
biting insects ; and second, external irritants or contact insecti-
cides employed in destroying insects of the second group. The
desirable qualities of an insecticide of either class are : —

1. That it should kill quickly.

2. That it should not burn the foliage or otherwise injure the
plant.

3. That it should be cheap enough to be of practical value.

In addition to these requisites an insecticide of the first class
should be capable of remaining upon the foliage in an effective
condition for a considerable period of time.

24

Various arsenical coinpounds have proved to be the most satis-
factory internal poisons, those commonly used being London purple
and Paris green. To these should now be added a third, arsenate
of lead.

London Purple.

This substance ia a waste product in the manufacture of certain
dyes, and contains a more or less soluble form of arsenic. Against
leaf-feeding insects in general it is a very effective insecticide, but
should be used with care, especially on trees with tender leaves
(peach, plum, etc.), since burning of foliage often results from
an application of too great a strength. One pound of the poison
should be mixed with one hundred and fifty to two hundred gallons
of water and applied as a spray. It can be purchased at retail for
about fifteen cents per pound.

Paris Green.

Paris green has been and is the farmers' favorite munition of
war against the common insects of the first group. It retails at
about twenty-five cents per pound, and is too generally known to
need description. Professor Fernald of the Agricultural College
at Amherst estimates that $76,000 worth of this substance is used
annually in this State in combating the potato beetle. This poison
can be applied in a variety of ways, according to the habits of the
pest it is intended to desti'oy. A common and effectual way of
applying it to potato plants to destroy the potato beetle, and one
which I have often used with good success, is to enclose a quantity
of the dry poison in a small bag fastened at the end of a short rod
and with it lightly dust the plants by holding the bag over the potato
hills, at the same time striking the rod with a short stick held in the
other hand. Sometimes burning of the foliage results from this
treatment, and if used on a windy day there is presumably more
or less danger to the operator from poisoning. Another excellent
method for using the poison on low-growing plants consists in mix-
ing one pai't Paris green with thirty to fifty parts plaster, aslies, or,
perhaps best of all, wheat-middlings, applying the mixture to the
plants by means of a sieve early in the morning before the dew
has dried off. This forms a slight paste which causes the poison
to adhere to the foliage for a considerable period. Probably the
oldest and most common method of application to both plants and
trees is the mixture of Paris green suspended in water and applied
as a spray. This method, like the others, does not eliminate the
danger of burning the leaves when the mixture is too strong, but
to do the most effective work it is good policy to use the mixture

25

as strong as possible without causing serious injury to tbe foliage.
Experiments have shown the average burning point to be below
the proportion of one pound of Paris green to one hundred and
fifty gallons of water. The addition of lime to the mixture is
recommended by some entomologists. This is thought to neu-
tralize the small amount of free arsenious acid in the Paris green,
thus preventing in some degree the danger of burning the foliage.
Care must be taken, however, not to add too great a quantity of
lime, since otherwise a more soluble compound and one of greater
burning powers will be formed.

Arsenate op Lead.

This new insecticide, which was discovered by Mr. F. C. Moul-
ton while experimenting under the direction of the State Board of
Agriculture in connection with the work of exterminating the gypsy
moth, has proved so far to be the best of any of the arsenical com-
pounds. It may be prepared by mixing approximately thirty parts
by weight of arsenate of soda dissolved in water and then adding
seventy parts acetate of lead also dissolved in water. As a result
of the chemical reactions which take place arsenate of lead is
thrown down as a finely divided white precipitate which readily
remains suspended in water. This poison may be purchased in
bulk in the market at about fifteen cents per pound. Weight for
weight it does not appear to be quite as effective as either London
purple or Paris green, but since it will not burn the most delicate
foliage when used at a killing strength it is pre-eminently the best
insecticide of the class. Notwithstanding the fact that the poison
has not proved all that was hoped for it when used against the
gypsy moth, — since a large proportion of the caterpillars of this
remarkably hardy insect have been known to feed unharmed on
foliage sprayed with great strengths of the poison, — it has proved
very effective against ordinary insects and its use is to be highly
recommended. It can be safely applied to plants either clear or
mixed with plaster, middlings, etc., as in the case of Paris green,
or used on both plants and trees as a spray when mixed with water
at the rate of two to four pounds to one hundred and fifty gal-
lons. Twenty pounds to one hundred and fifty gallons of water
have been used in many experiments against the gypsy moth with-
out apparent injury to the foliage. Another advantage of this
poison is that it leaves a faint white coating on the foliage, thus
indicating the places sprayed. I have seen trees that were sprayed
in June and yet showed the coating plainly in August.

Tlie chief value of arsenate of lead, however, lies in its insolu-
bility in water, which obviates the danger of burning the foliage.

26

This has always been the principal objection to the use of arseni-
cals, since foliage " burned" soon falls to the ground, and a tree
thus deprived of its leaves in the middle of a season is of course
unable to ripen its fruit or successfully complete the year's growth
of wood, and, in addition, is materially injured by the exhaustion
of the reserve force necessary to produce the second crop of leaves
which most species of deciduous trees bring forth when defoliated
early in the season. Thus the damage to the tree from "burning"
is often as great as that from defoliation by insects. The burning
effect on leaves of arsenical poisons depends on the destruction of
the living contents (protoplasm) of the cells which go to make up
the leaf, as is shown by the illustrations which follow.

Fig. 1 (original). Section through normal
leaf of pig-nut hickory {Cart/a porcina),
showing structural elements. E, epider-
mii* ; PC, palisade cells ; S P, spongy paren-
chyma; S, stoma or breathing pore.

Fig. 2 (original). Section through leaf of
same tree "burned" by excess of Paris
green. Cell contents (protoplasm) of pal-
isade cells and spongy parenchyma dead
and dried up; cell walls shrivelled.

How TO USE THESE PoiSONS AGAINST CoMMON INSECTS.

Spraying with a force pump is the best method of applying these
poisons to trees. It is well to add from two to four quarts of
glucose or cheap molasses for every one hundred and fifty gallons
of the poison mixture used, as this causes the poisons to adhere to
the foliage. To destroy the bud moth (Tmetocera ocellana)^ spray
when the buds begin to swell; against the codling moth {Carpo-
capsa pomonella) , spray just after the petals have fallen from the
blossoms. The tent caterpillar (^Clisiocampa americcma) ^ the
canker-worms {Anisopteryx jiometaria^ Paleacrita vernata), as
well as the tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma) and the elm leaf
beetle {Galeruca xanthomeloina) can be cleared from infested trees
by one or more thorough sprayings soon after the insects make
their appearance.

27

Contact Insecticides.
Against insects of the second group previously mentioned («'. e.,
sucking insects) a different means of attaciv must be employed,
for, as they do not take in solid nourishment, a poison api)lied on
the foliage or stems, as in the case of arsenic compounds, would
be of no value. From the nature of their feeding habits they are
not as active as the biting insects and often remain fixed in one
place for a long time, thus rendering their destruction easy through
those insecticides which kill by contact. The general effect of
contact insecticides is to suffocate the insects by closing the
breathing pores, either by coating them over with a film or induc-
ing an irritation which closes them. The most practical and hence
most prominent insecticide of this class is kerosene emulsion, the
formula for which as given by Professor Fernald is presented
herewith.

Kerosene Emulsion.

"This most useful insecticide is prepared in the following
manner : One-quarter of a pound of common bar soap is dissolved
in two quarts of boiling water, and while still hot four quarts of
kerosene oil are added and the whole mixture churned through a
small hand force-pump with the small nozzle turned into the pail.
This churning must be continued about five minutes, until the
whole forms a creamy white mass which becomes jelly-like when
cool. Care must be taken to have the soap solution hot when the
kerosene is added to it and the churning done, but it must not be
near a fire.

" Before applying the emulsion to plants it should be diluted
"with water in the proportion of one quart of the emulsion to nine
quarts of water, which must be thoroughly mixed. The above
will make sixty quarts of insecticide ready for use, but the emul-
sion will keep for a long time without injury and may be diluted
at the time of using. This insecticide is said to be one of the best
substances for the destruction of vermin on domestic animals and
in hen houses."

The dissolving of the soap requires considerable time, and I find
that the emulsion may be prepared more expeditiously and equally
as effectively by use of the same or a little greater quantity of any
good soap powder in place of the bar soap. The common soap
powders readily dissolve in hot water, thus obviating the necessity
of cooking the mixture over a stove, and so far as I have observed
make an excellent emulsion. Samples prepared four weeks ago
are as permanent as when made, and I see no reason why they

28

■will not keep as well as the emulsion made with hard soap. Their
killing properties are equally as good and they do not damage the
foliage. Kerosene emulsion is an invaluable remedy against
nearly all plant and bark lice and for this purpose it should be
applied as a spray.

Raupenleim, Etc.

Another class of insecticides, or perhaps more properly "insect-
traps," includes the various mixtures for banding trees to prevent
the ascent of injurious insects. Chief among these are coal tar,
printers' ink and the German Raupenleim ("insect lime"), or,
correctly, caterpillar-glue. When gas tar, printers' ink or a
mixture of the two are used a tight-fitting band of tarred sheathing
paper should be first tacked around the tree and the substance
spread on the band, thus avoiding injury to the bark. With
Raupenleim as ordinarily used there is not much danger of injury.
Before applying it the trunks of the trees should be scraped
smooth at the point on which the band is to be placed. The sub-
stance is a German preparation whose composition is a jealously
guarded secret. It has been used by the State Board of Agricul-
ture with fairly good success against the gypsy moth for two
seasons, but as it was not found to meet all the requirements of
the work its use was discontinued. It is apparently the product
of some mineral oil. Prof. John B. Smith, entomologist to the
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, who has kindly
placed at my disposal the notes made on a series of experiments
with Ibis substance, finds that aside from its value in stopping the
passage of insects up and down trees, it has also proved an excel-
lent means of preventing borers from laying their eggs on tree
trunks. Against the sinuate pear borer, which has caused con-
siderable damage to orchards in New Jersey, Professor Smith
found it to be a most successful preventive when properly applied.
For this purpose it was applied in a coat three-sixteenths of an
inch thick over the whole trunk of the tree as far as the lower
branches.

For use against the canker-worms apply the Raupenleim in a
band one-fourth of an inch thick and three to four inches wide
around the tree. The Raupenleim may be put on with a paddle and
spread with a stiff brush. The bands should be put on the trees
about October 1 and freshened the following spring. If left on
during the summer these bands will prevent such trees as have
been properly cleaned of the eggs of the tussock moth from
becoming infested with the caterpillars of this insect. Raupenleim
may be purchased in the market at from ten to fifteen cents per
pound, according to the quantity desired.

29

At the suggestion of Professor Smith, Prof. F. L. Nason of the
New Jersey Agricultural College, New Brunswick, N. J., has
conducted a series of investigations concerning the composition of
Eaupenleira, and has at last succeeded in preparing a substance
almost identical with the foreign product. Professor Nason's
compound is known under the name of " dendrolene," and is
nearly if not quite as effective as the Raupenleim. It may be pur-
chased at about six cents per pound, and is well worth a trial in
protecting trees against canker-worms.

While this paper is intended to treat of insecticides rather than
insects, a few words additional concerning the application of some
of these methods in combating the canker-worm and tussock moth
may not be inappropriate, since these insects have been unusually
abundant in many parts of the State this year.

The apple orchards of eastern Massachusetts were, as a rule,
seriously damaged by the canker-worms, and in some orchards the
fruit crop was almost a failure from this cause. The ravages of
this pest can be obviated by banding the trees with Raupenleim or
tar, as already indicated, to prevent the ascent of the female moths.

The canker-worms being of two kinds, fall and spring, this work
should be done early in the fall and the bands kept fresh up to the
time severe cold weather sets in, and should also be put in work-
ing order with the advent of warm weather in the spring. The
wingless female moths ascend the trees on warm days to lay their
eggs, and the same weather that will bring them out will also soften
the bands — if they have been properly put on — and make them
sufficiently adhesive to catch the moths.

The value of the presence of chickadees in orchards has been
ably demonstrated by the ornithologist of the Board, Mr. E. H.
Forbush, in a recent bulletin. These birds, as has been pointed
out by Mr. Forbush, destroy immense numbers of canker-worm
moths and eggs, and may be made to frequent orchards by placing
meat, bones, etc., in the trees during the winter. Where these
precautionary measures have been neglected and the canker-worm
larvae appear in the trees, spray promptly and thoroughly with
arsenate of lead, as directed.

Against the tussock moth, which has caused so much damage
this year to parks, street trees and even small orchards in Boston
and the suburban district, as well as elsewhere in the State, some-
what different methods should be employed. The present year the
pest devastated many fine elms on Boston Common and stripped

30

and in some cases seriously damaged numerous street trees. Many
horse-cliestuut, elm, pear and cherry trees stripped in midsummer
by this insect in Boston, Chelsea, East Boston and Charlestown
have been unable to throw out a second crop of leaves (like the
linden) and are as bare as in winter. To prevent the ravages of
this pest in the cheapest and most eflicient manner the infested
trees should be thoroughly cleaned of the nests in the winter when
the branches are bare. These nests^ from their white, frothy
appearance, are readily seen and easily removed. Where they
occur in crevices in fences and in other places difficult of access,
they may be destroyed by the use of crude mineral oils. After
the larvae hatch, trees where they are most abundant should be
heavily sprayed witli arsenate of lead wherever it is practical to
do so. In the same way, so far as possible, trees which have been
cleared of nests should be isolated from infested trees by means of
Raupenleim or other suitable bands, those in public places being
put on at a sufficient height from the ground to prevent injury to
the clothing of passers by. These metliods, if thoroughly enforced,
will reduce the numbers of the pest in localities where employed
to a point where it will do no particular damage.

Series of 1895. Bulletin No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP KEPOET

Month oy October, 1895.

ISSUED BT

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1895.

Crop Eeport for the Month of October, 1895.

Office State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1895.

Bulletin No. 6, Crop Report for the month of October, is
presented as the final issue of the season. It is believed
that the work accomplished in this line this season has been
of value to those who have been the recipients of the bulle-
tins. The sincere thanks of this ofiice are extended to cor-
respondents who have helped to this result. It is hoped the
work may be continued another season.

The special articles printed this season have been as fol-
lows : Bulletin No. 1, " Tuberculin, — What it is, how it is
used, what it does;" Bulletin No. 2, "Hints on Land
Drainage;" Bulletin No. 3, "Birds as Protectors of Or-
chards ; " Bulletin No. 4, " The San Jos6 Scale ; " and Bulle-
tin No. 5, "Insecticides." In this issue may be found an
index to the bulletins of 1893, 1894 and 1895, which may
prove of use to those who preserve a file of the bulletins.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 131 (October, 1895) of the Statistician of the
United States Department of Agriculture makes the general
condition of corn 95.5 per cent against 96.4 for the month
of September. In most of the Southern States the condi-
tion has fallen since the last report.

The returns of yield per acre of wheat indicate a produc-
tion of 12.5 bushels, being six-tenths of a bushel less than last
October's estimate. The indicated quality for the country
is 85.7.

Preliminary reports of yield of oats average 29.6 bushels
per acre, a considerable improvement upon 24.5 bushels in
1894, 23.5 in 1893 and 24.3 in 1892. Returns as to quality
show a general average of 91, the range being from 76 in
Texas to 104 in South Dakota.

The average yield of rye, as indicated by the preliminary
returns, is 14.4 bushels per acre, against 13.7 bushels in
1894 ; 13.3 bushels in 1893 and 12.7 bushels in 1892. Qual-
ity of rye is 92.4.

Yield of barley per acre, 26.4 bushels; in 1894, 19.3
bushels; in 1893, 21.7 bushels; in 1892, 23.7 bushels.
General average in quality, 91.5 per cent, or slightly better
than that of last year. Minnesota had one of the best crops
of the year.

Condition of buckwheat, 84.8, a loss of 2.7 points since
September 1. This crop is much better than it was last
year, when it stood at 72.

The general average of condition for potatoes is 87.4, a
reduction of 3.4 points since September 1. A year ago the
average was 64.3, the lowest, with two exceptions, ever
recorded. Drought has been the most widespread cause of
reduced condition and there has been some little injury from
rot. The most serious complaint of the potato grower this
year is the low price of the product, particularly in the
North-west.

Sweet potatoes have suffered quite seriously from lack of
rain during the past month, and their condition has been
materially reduced in many States.

The condition of cotton is reported to be 65.1, a falling
off of 5.7 points from the September condition, which was
70.8. Extensive damage is reported from early rains, re-
cent droughts and from the ravages of bollworms and other
insects.

A decline in the condition of tobacco of over 2 points re-
duced the general average to 80.3, on October 1. Droughts
and frosts of the last of September are the principal causes
of the lowered condition. The general averaoje condition of
tobacco at the same date last year was 84.5.

The general average condition of rice is 90.3 against
94.5 on September 1. This decline is due principally to
drought.

The product of hops is returned at 80.9 per cent of a full
crop. The quality is generally very good, except in Wash-
ington, where the louse and mold have done material damage.

A general falling off in the condition of sugar-cane, due to

drought, is shown in the present report. The prospective
crop is much under that of 1894.

Sorghum seems to have suffered little from dry weather,
and most States report conditions reaching 90 or above.

The continued drought, hot weather and high winds of
September, causing premature ripening and dropping, have
reduced the condition of apples 2 points. It is thought both
the eating and keeping quality of the fruit has been much
impaired, and in many sections a tendency to rot is already
noted. The average condition now stands at 70.6.

In Massachusetts the average yield of rye per acre is
given as 19.9 bushels ; the average yield of oats as 36 ; the
average condition of buckwheat October 1, as 100 ; the aver-
age condition of corn as 103 ; the average condition of pota-
toes as 102; the average condition of tobacco as 100; and
the average condition of apples as 58.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

From United States Weather-Crop Bulletin.

Week ending September' 30. — Week warmer than usual
over the western portions of the plateau region, on the
Pacific coast and throughout the east Gulf and Atlantic
coast States. From the Rocky Mountains eastward to the
Mississippi River and in the Lake region and Ohio valley
week cooler than usual. The seasonal temperature from
March 1 to September 30 (214 days) exceeded the average
over the northern and central portions of the country, from
the Missouri valley eastward to the Atlantic coast, from 1°
to 2° per day. Over the eastern Rocky Mountain slope,
plateau and Pacific coast regions the season was cooler than
usual. Over limited areas in difi*erent parts of the country
the rainfall has exceeded the average, but generally the week
has been very dry. The crop season closes with a marked
deficiency in rainfall in the States northward of the Ohio
River, where the seasonal fall has ranged from 60 to 75 per
cent of the average. Over the north Pacific coast, portions
of the Southern States and a large part of the eastern Rocky
Mountain slope the rainfall has been excessive. Crops gen-
erally harvested. In many sections fall ploughing and seed-
ing are retarded by the dryness of the soil.

6

Special Telegraphic Report.
Week ending September 30. — Boston : cool, but without
damaging frost ; rain sufficient to break surface drought in
most places, but all water supplies exceptionally low ; cran-
berry picking well advanced ; corn mostly cut ; apples being
picked ; potato digging well along.

Massachusetts Weather, 1895.

[Compiled from Data furnished by the New England Weather Service.]

January gave slightly warmer weather than normal in the
eastern part of the State, and slightly colder in central and
western counties. There was no general thaw and no ex-
tremely cold weather. The precipitation was above the nor-
mal in the southern part, but less than the usual amount
came in the centre and north. About the normal amount of
snow fell during the month, and with the steady temperature
most of it remained on the ground, giving a good protection
to all roots and shrubs. The only storm of marked severity
was that of the 26th-27th, when some damage was done
along the coast by the wind, and travel was hindered in the
interior by drifting snow.

February was cold and dry. The temperature averaged
from 2° to 7° a day below the normal throughout the greater
part of the State. The temperature rose several degrees
above freezing in south-eastern Massachusetts on the early
morning of the 8th, then fell rapidly and to a low point
under the influence of north-west winds which prevailed.
At Provincetown the daily range on the 8th was the greatest
ever recorded there in fourteen years of observation, while
the minimum on the 6th was the lowest ever registered there
in that time. The precipitation was generally in the form
of snow, except in the extreme south-east, and most of it
came in the storm of the 7th-8th. This storm was extremely
severe, and great damage was done along the coast by the
high tide and terrific winds. The ground was mostly well
covered with snow throughout the month. There was some
injury to peaches by the cold spell, and the very high wind
drove the cold into many cellars that were considered frost-
proof.

The weather for March did not depart far frora the normal
in any respect, though it was slightly cooler and drier than
March generally gives in some places. The storms were not
so severe as are many times experienced, and the snow gave
a good covering on the fields and pastures, except along the
immediate coast, until near the end of the month.

April departed very little from the normal in temperature,
although it was slightly warmer in central counties ; but an
excess of rain came, except in the extreme south-east. The
storms of the 8th-9th and 13th-15th filled the ground and
reservoirs ; and the intervales on rivers rising in the north
were badly washed by the floods that came from the melting
snow and extremely heavy rainfalls which fell there. In the
Berkshire hills the highways were badly blocked by snow-
drifts till after the 15th of the month.

May was much warmer than is usual, the temperature
range for the month was great and the daily changes large
and rapid. A sharp frost occurred in eastern sections on the
morning of the 2d, the temperature falling several degrees
below freezing. General and heavy frosts occurred on the
14th and 17th and local frosts on the 19th and 22d. Snow
was seen on the tops of the Berkshire hills on the 15th.
The precipitation was considerably below the normal, except
in the south-eastern counties, and was generally insufficient
for the proper nourishment of crops. The rainfall was fairly
well distributed throughout the month, and amounted to
from one and one-half to two and one-half inches in all north-
eastern, central and western counties, and from three and
one-half to nearly five inches on the Cape and the Island of
Nantucket. In western towns the springs and streams were
reported to be the lowest for the season for many years.
There was more than the usual amount of sunshine, and a
marked absence of heavy rain and wind storms. Dr. Jabez
Fisher of Fitchburg reported apple bloom on the 12th, —
three days later than in 1894, but eleven days earlier than
the average for thirty-nine years.

In northern counties occasional showers fell during the
month of June, and the top of the ground was moist enough
for most purposes ; but in all central and southern districts
not mere than a trace of rain came from the 6th to the 25th,

8

and the ground got very dry, but the cloudy, wet weather
of the last week changed the aspect of everything. At
most places the total rainfall for the month was slightly
below the normal. A hail-storm in the vicinity of Warren,
in Worcester County, on the 23d, did considerable damage.
Some of the hailstones were as large as hen's es^gs. At
Blandford a severe hail-storm occurred in a limited strip on
the 25th, cutting down and almost destroying all crops. A
high wind accompanied the thunder-storm on the 29th, near
Leeds, in Hampshire County, and did some damage to heavy
grass, potatoes and corn. The temperature was slightly
above the normal for the month in eastern districts, and
considerably so in central. The warmest day at most places
was on the 2d. Most correspondents reported a marked
scarcity of the insect-eating birds, such as the bluebird,
phcebe, robin and thrush ; while the seed-eating birds, like
the warblers, flycatchers, sparrows, etc., were nearly as
plenty as usual. The scarcity of the first-named birds was
probably due to the severe cold in the southern part of the
United States last winter, as most of those birds winter
there. Not only were the birds probably killed, but many
insects that they feed on were also destroyed.

The weather for July was cool and unusually cloudy and
rainy. The actual amount of rainfall was less than the
normal for the month at many places, especially in the south-
east, but the total number of rainy days was in excess. At
Boston rain fell to an appreciable amount on twelve days,
while a trace was recorded on two other days. The total
fall, however, was half an inch less than normal, being 3.59
inches. The temperature was generally lower than usual,
with few oppressive days, and no extended spell of hot
weather. The cyclonic and anti-cyclonic areas were all of
slight energy and poorly defined, except the last two cy-
clones. One of these passed north-easterly across our dis-
trict on the night of 27th-28th, giving heavy rain and high
winds ; the other passed easterlj"^ to the north of New Eng-
land on the 30th-31st, with heavy rain and severe local
storms. Other sharp local storms occurred, but they were
of short duration and confined generally to limited districts.
On the 13th much damage was done by hail in Hampshire

9

and Worcester counties. On the 9th 4.13 inches of rain fell
at Fitchburg in three and one-fourth hours. In one and
three-fourths hours 3.37 inches of the amount was recorded.
Dr. Jabez Fisher, who reported the fall, stated that it was
unprecedented in his thirty-one years of observation.

Generally the weather during August was very favorable
for vegetation and for farm work. Unusually low minimum
temperatures were recorded, and the maximum was not so
high as is usually experienced. At the Weather Bureau
Office in Boston the temperature was below the normal on
the lst-3d, 12th, 13th, 20th-22d and on the 30th, and was
above on all the other days. The warmest spells were from
the 4th to 11th and from the 23d to 28th. The lowest tem-
perature was on the 22d, when light frosts were general in
low lands all over the State. There was plenty of sunshine,
few severe thunder-storms or heavy damaging rains and a
rainfall slightly below the usual amount at most places. At
Boston the deficiency amounted to about one and one-fourth
inches, but at Springfield to only three-fourths inch. At the
former station only three thunder-storms were noted.

September was warmer than usual, with less precipitation
and clouds and with generally pleasant weather. The
warmest spell of weather for the month, and at many places
the warmest for the season, was on September 21 to 23.
The maximum temperature was generally between 95° and
100°. The coldest spell was on the 14th to 16th at most
places, when the mercury fell below 40° at many places and
light frosts occurred in valleys. The precipitation was com-
paratively light in all sections, and at the end of the month
water supplies were unusually low. Several severe thunder-
storms, some of which were accompanied by hail, occurred
during the month.

Generally fair, cool weather prevailed during October
over the greater part of the State, and harvesting has been
completed and fall ploughing carried on under favorable con-
ditions, except where the ground remained too dry in western
counties. In the eastern part of the State the heavy rain of
the 12th to the 14th filled up the ground and all reservoirs,
and although it delayed work on low land, it put the ground
into first-class shape for ploughing and seeding generally.

10

There was less than the usual amount of rainy weather
and cloudiness, but in the eastern part of the State, owing
to the heavy rainstorm referred to, the total for the month was
considerably above normal. At Boston rain began at 1.55
P.M. on the 12th and continued till 4.30 a.m. of the 14th,
and in that time occurred the heaviest continuous rainfall
ever recorded at the weather bureau station there. The
total amount was 5.64 inches, 4.85 inches falling from 8 p.m.
on the 12th to 8 p.m. on the loth. Immediately surround-
ing Boston the fall was greater than at that station, but in the
south-eastern part of the State very little came, and in west-
ern districts it was not out of the ordinary. At Framing-
ham 8.49 inches was recorded by the Boston water works,
and at other places between that city and Boston the fall was
from 6 to 8 inches.

The mean temperature was about 1.7 degrees per day
below the normal at Boston, and there were few rapid or
extreme changes and no spells of continued warm or cool
weather. The first heavy frost of the season occurred at
many south-eastern districts on the morning of the 11th.
On October 6 an unusually high tide prevailed along the
eastern coast, caused by a cyclonic storm that was moving
northward far out to sea. It was one of the highest ever
noted at Beverly Farms.

Crops of the Year.
The season opened slowly and was later than usual at the
end of March. The ground during April was cold and no
amount of seed had been put into it at the end of the month.
Fall seeding generally wintered well. Promise of a light
crop of grass on old meadows and dry fields, owing to
drought and frost. Apple bloom rather light, it being the
ofi" year ; but the bloom of pears, peaches, etc., was gener-
ally large. Great damage was done to new growth on
grapes, to grass, fruits, vegetables, corn and potatoes by the
general frosts of the 14th and 17th of May. Moisture gen-
erally insufficient for the proper nourishment of crops, and
grass suffered in particular. On the whole, the month was
favorable for the forwarding of farm work and the outlook
for crops was encouraging. Canker worms quite prevalent ;

11

other insect pests, except cutworms, not particularly trouble-
some. Supply of farm help generally equal to demand, but
the proportion of really good help was as usual small.
Twenty dollars per month and board or $1.50 per day with-
out board considered a fair average of wages paid good help.

July 1 cut worms were reported as causing considerable
trouble, particularly in the Connecticut vallej'. Indian corn
was reported as having stood the dry weather better than
most crops and looking well, stand and color both being
good, with a general increase in acreage. Haying had be-
gun, with the probability of a light crop. The cloudy, wet
weather the last week changed the aspect of everything, and
even grass, except on the driest knolls, thickened up and
began to grow with new energy. Considerable cut grass
was injured in the field. Early potatoes looked well in most
sections. Early market-garden crops generally slightly be-
low average in both yield and price. Quantity of dairy
products about average, with slight but general decrease in
the prices received. Pastures generally short and dry.
Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries light crops, ow-
ing: to late frosts and drouojht.

August 1 little damage from insects was reported. Horn
flies and other flies quite troublesome in many localities.
Indian corn in excellent condition ; about the usual amount
grown for the silo. The rains materially helped the hay
crop, which proved to be about three-fourths of an average.
Much of that cut early was damaged by rain, otherwise
quality as a rule excellent. All fodder crops almost univer-
sally reported as in good condition. Market-garden crops
generally improved by rains. Early potatoes looked finely.
Pastures improved very much during the month. Rye a
good average crop, and in many sections excellent. Oats
considerably above average. Barley a full average crop.
Considerable damage done to crops at Warren and Bland-
ford by hail on the 13th.

September 1 grasshoppers were reported as doing consid-
erable damage to pastures and mowings, particularly in the
western counties. Rowen promised to be a fair average
crop. Winter apples generally reported to be a very poor
crop. Potatoes promised to be considerably above the aver-

12

age in nearly all localities ; considerable complaint of rot
and prices low. Indian corn in good condition, with large
stover and well set with ears. Sweet corn an excellent
crop. All kinds of soiling crops reported in excellent con-
dition. Pastures improved, but hardly recovered from the
drought of the early part of the season. Oats better than
last year. Tobacco crop of large growth, with a large leaf
of fine color, remarkably free from imperfections and secured
in excellent condition. During August crops ripened well,
and the conditions were very favorable for harvesting and
summer ploughing.

October 1 weather for September excellent for harvesting.
Hardly enough moisture in the air. Cranberries, tomatoes
and apples scalded by hot sun on the 2lst-23d. Corn crop
unusually large and of generally excellent quality. Pota-
toes more than an average crop, of generally good quality.
Potato rot prevalent, but not to a dangerous degree. Koot
crops promised well. Apples very light in all sections and
of rather poor quality. Pears and peaches large crop of gen-
erally good quality. Grapes a good average crop of good
quality. Cranberries a little below an average crop.

In the circular to correspondents returnable to this office
October 25 the following questions were asked : —

1. Have root crops proved to be average crops?

2. What is the condition of farm stock?

3. What is the condition of fall seeding?

4. How have prices for crops raised for market compared
with former years ?

5. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been most profitable?

6. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been least profitable ?

7. Considered as a whole, has the season been a profita-
ble ,one for your farmers ?

Returns were received from 104 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

Root Crops.
Root crops are full average crops in all sections of the
State, fully three-fourths of the correspondents speaking of

13

them as average and over half the remainder as above aver-
age. Wherever any falling oflf in condition is reported it
is ascribed to the drought. Turnips are almost the only
crop that is spoken of as below average.

Farm Stock.
Farm stock is generally reported to be in good condition,
though some say that it is rather thin in flesh. Pastures,
while not first class, have been generally fair, and where
there has been a deficiency in pasture feed the condition of
stock has usually been kept up by feeding at the barn. The
droughts of previous years had led farmers to pay more at-
tention to soiliog than formerly, hence stock has not suffered
as much from poor pastures as would otherwise have been
the case. The heavy rains of the past month have helped
pasturage materially and improved the condition of all farm
stock.

Fall Seeding.
Fall seeding is not up to the average in condition, and in
fact is at best only fiiir. The drought delayed seeding very
much, and that which was put in did not progress as fast as
was desired, hence many correspondents report it as back-
ward ; others speak of it as thin and short. Still, there is
little doubt that the condition would have been much worse
had it not been for the heavy rains of October. From now
on the condition should improve.

Prices.
Prices are almost universally reported to be lower than
for some years. Only seven correspondents speak of them
as average and only two as above average. Several speak
of prices as lower than ever before in their recollection.
The cause usually assigned for these low prices is the un-
precedented yield of many crops raised for market all over
the country. Potatoes and onions have brought especially
low prices.

Most Profitable Crops.
Some correspondents say that they cannot tell which crops
have been most profitable and others report that there has

14

been no profit in anytliing. Thirty-eight consider hay to
have been among the most profitable crops ; 33, corn ; 16,
potatoes ; 11, tobacco ; 9, dairy products ; 5, oats ; 4, apples ;
4, cabbages ; 4, cranberries ; 3, asparagus ; 2, peas ; 1, poul-
try products ; 1 , root crops ; 1 , turnips ; 1 , carrots ; 1 , beets ;
1, peaches; and 1, blackberries.

Least Profitable Crops.
Forty-eight correspondents give potatoes as among the
least profitable crops ; 17, apples ; 12, onions ; 7, cabbages ;
6, hay ; 4, corn ; 2, beans ; 2, strawberries ; 1, buckwheat;
1, oats ; 1, cucumbers ; 1, squashes ; 1, peas ; 1, root crops ;
1, tomatoes; 1, currants; and 1, turnips.

Profits of the Season.
According to the reports received, the season, in spite of
the good crops in most localities, has proved to be anything
but a profitable one. This condition is chiefly due to the
low prices which prevail and the slow sales which are made.
Some correspondents speak of drought as shortening crops
and thus reducing the profits. Special crops, such as to-
bacco, which are not yet sold, may change the condition in
some localities, but the fact remains that the great majority
of correspondent? speak of the season as either unprofitable
or only fairly profitable. Several correspondents allude
to the scarcity of help as increasing expenses and so cutting
down profits.

15

:n^otes of correspondents.

(Returned to us October 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Egremont (J. H. Rowley). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding not in
very good condition ; growth small on account of the drought.
Taken as a. whole, prices for crops raised for market are fully up
to former years. Corn has been our most profitable crop and
apples our least profitable one, owing to the severe frost in May.
When compared with any one year in the last three the season has
been a profitable one.

Monterey (Wm. S. Bidwell). — Root crops have proved to be
better than the average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall
seeding is in fair condition. Prices for all crops have been less
than in former years. Dairy products have been most profitable
and potatoes least profitable. The season has been less profitable
than usual. Showers have wet the surface of the ground fre-
quently and have kept the fall feed fully equal to the average, and
dairy products yield a fair return.

Alford (L. T. Osborne). — Root crops are above the average.
Farm stock is below the average in condition. Fall seeding is
badly injured by drought. The price of butter, apples, potatoes
and grain is lower than in former years. Dairying and poultry
products have yielded a profit, but there is little profit in the sale
of crops. Hay has been our most unprofitable crop, being very
light, owing to dry weather. Farmers have been troubled for
water and obliged to feed stock much more than common, which
reduces the profits.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is
in good condition. Prices for crops raised for market are below
the average. Hay has been our most profitable crop and potatoes
our least profitable one. Considered as a whole the season has
been a profitable one.

Dalton (W. B. Barton). — Root crops are a good average.
Stock is not up to the average in condition as pasturage has been

16

poor. Fall seeding is in fair condition. Prices for all crops raised
for market are low. Milk has given us the most profit of any farm
product and potatoes the least. I consider the season a fairly
good one for profit.

JVilUamstoicn (S. A. Hickox). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is not up to the average in condition. Fall
seeding is below the average in condition owing to the protracted
drought. Prices for crops raised for market have been lower than
in former years,

FRAXKLIX COUNTY.

Boice (J. F. Browx). — Roots have proved to be average
crops. Farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is in average
condition. Prices are not as high as usual. Hay has been the
least profitable crop. Farmers have no reason to complain in this
section. Potatoes and corn were large crops, No. 1 in quality;
oats very stout ; roots and all garden crops fine ; fruit a small
crop, apples about a one-third crop and of rather poor quality.

AsTifield (Chas. Howes). — Root crops are fully average. Farm
stock is looking well. Fall seeding is not in very good condition
on account of dry weather. Prices for crops raised for market
are not quite up to the average. Ensilage corn has been our most
profitable crop and apples our least profitable one. Considered as
a whole the season has not been a very profitable one.

Whately (Fraxk Dickixsox) . — Roots have proved to be aver-
age crops. On account of dry weather stock is not in usual flesh.
Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for all crops have been
lower than usual. Hay and tobacco have been our most profitable
crops, and potatoes and onions our least profitable ones. For the
working farmer the season has been a profitable one.

Leverett {W. L. Bolt well). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in fairly good condition. Fall seeding is
in good condition. Prices have been at least 40 or 50 per cent
lower than in former years. Corn and tobacco have been our most
profitable crops and onions and potatoes our least profitable ones.
The season has most decidedly not been a profitable one for
farmers.

Montague (C. S. Ratmoxd). — Root crops are somewhat below
average on account of dry weather. Stock that has been fed in
the barn looks well, otherwise it is nothing more than in fair con-
dition. Fall seeding is generally looking well. Prices have been
at least 10 per cent less than usual. Possibly tobacco has been
our most profitable crop, but at present I think hay should be so
rated. Onions have been our least profitable crop. The season

17

has not been a profitable one ; crops have been good but prices
very low.

New Salem (Daxiel Ballard). — Roots are average crops.
Farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is in fair condition ;
some pieces need more rain. Prices for market crops have com-
pared favorably with former years, though potatoes are below the
average in price. Grass and corn have been our most profitable
crops and apples our least profitable one, being few in quantity
and poor in quality. The season has been an average one for
profit.

HAMPSHIRE COUXTY.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Eoot crops are very good. Farm
stock is in good condition and appears healthy. Fall seeding is in
good condition. We have had fine crops, with the exception of
hay, and prices are correspondingly low. Considering the prices
received, none of our crops have been profitable. Dairy products
alone have brought a profit, and the season has not been a profita-
ble one.

Amherst (Wm:. P. Brooks). — Root crops will be a full aver-
age, carrots unusually fine. Farm stock is generally in good con-
dition ; but the stock coming in from hill pastures is rather thin.
Fall seeding is generally in good condition. Prices generally very
low, half to two-thirds the usual prices ; hay, apples and tobacco
are exceptions. Hay, tobacco and corn have been our most profit-
able crops and onions and potatoes our least profitable ones. In
grass and tobacco neighborhoods the season has been profitable ;
in onion neighborhoods it has not.

Hadley (L. "W. West). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is below
the average in condition. Prices for crops raised for market are
lower than in former years. No crops have been profitable, dairy
products have done the best. Everything outside the dairy has
been unprofitable. The season has not been a profitable one con-
sidered as a whole.

Xorthampton (D. A. Hortox). — Roots are average crops.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in fairly good
condition. Prices of crops raised for market are from one-third
to one-half less than in former years. Corn has been our most
profitable crop. All crops are selling so low that I hardly know
which has been the least profitable. The yield of all cultivated
crops has been large.

Southampton (C. B. Ltmax). — Root crops are rather better
than the averag-e. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding

18

is later than usual but is looking well. Market crops have been
lower in price than for many years. Grass and tobacco are the
best money crops this season. Potatoes are our least profitable
crop, for although the crop is large and of good quality the price
is so low that the farmer will hardly realize anything from the sale
of his crop. The profit of the season will be very small.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford (E. "W. Boise) . — Root crops one-third below aver-
age owing to drought. Farm stock is in good condition, many
having fed from the barn. Fall seeding is in poor condition and
but little has been done on account of the drouglit. Prices would
perhaps average about 85 per cent of those of former years. Corn
has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable
one. As far as crops and dairy products are concerned the season
has been a profitable one, but the condition of mowings is such
that many must be reseeded, which will entail a large expense next
year.

Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Root crops are up to the avei'age.
Farm stock is above the average in condition. Fall seeding is in
better condition than for the last two seasons, but late-sown seed
does not look quite right. Prices are much lower than usual with
the exception of the prospect for tobacco, which looks better. Hay
and tobacco have been our most profitable crops and potatoes our
least profitable one. Crops are abundant but the low prices are
very discouraging. Prices are not settled for tobacco, but the
present outlook is favorable for fair though not exorbitant prices.

West Springjield (J. N. Bagg). — Root crops are above the
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is light
and poor. Prices are low ; potatoes and onions are bought in large
quantities for from 30 to 35 cents per bushel. Tobacco and cab-
bages are unsold but are thought to be salable at fair prices. It
is hard to tell what crops have been least profitable ; hay is a light
crop with high prices ; potatoes and onions heavy crops with prices
very low. The season has not been a profitable one. Electric
and State road building monopolizes most of the help so that it is
scarce and high.

Chicopee (R. W. Bemis). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding has been
rather late. Prices for crops raised for market are not quite as
high as in former years. It is impossible to say as yet what crops
will be most profitable and what least profitable. Considered as
a whole the season has been a profitable one.

19

Wilhraham (F. E. Clark). — Roots have proved to be average
crops. Stock has been soiled for some time on account of short
feed and is in good condition. Fall seeding is not up to the aver-
age, especially early seeding, which had to be reseeded. Hay,
corn, oats, cabbages and apples have been our most profitable
crops and onions, potatoes, squashes and pears our least profitable
ones. The season has not been a profitable one for most farmers.

Monson (W. M. Tucker), — Root crops are not up to the aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition and is fully up to the aver-
age. Fall seeding is looking very well. Prices are very much
lower than usual, with the exception of hay. Hay, corn and milk
(if milk can be called a crop) have been our most profitable crops
and potatoes our least profitable one. Very little money this sea-
son for the. average farmer.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles) . — Root crops have proved to be average.
Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is somewhat
backward on account of last month's drought. Prices for ci'ops
raised for market are 20 per cent lower than in former years.
Corn has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least
profitable one. Taken as a whole the season has been a profitable
one.

Oxford (D. M. Howe). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices are about the same as usual. Cabbages and
turnips have been our most profitable crops and potatoes our least
profitable one ; the crop being good but prices low. The season
has been a profitable one on the whole.

Neio Braintree (C. D Sage). — Roots are average crops. Farm
stock is in good, thrifty condition. Very little fall seeding has
been done but it is in good condition. Prices are generally'
lower for market crops than in former years. Oats and corn have
been our most profitable crops and potatoes our least profitable
one. Considered as a whole the season has been a fairly prosper-
ous one, as all crops, with the exception of hay, were rather bet-
ter than the average. It will take a number of years for many
pastures to recover from the drought of the past two seasons.

Dana (E. A. Albee). — Root crops are more than average.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is not in very good
condition. Prices rule about 80 per cent of those of former
years. Grass has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our
least profitable one, no sale to speak of. Not much fruit. The
season has not been a profitable one.

20

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Root crops are a full average;
better than last year. Stock is looking in better condition than
last season. Fall seeding is generally in good condition there
having been sufficient rains to keep the surface moist. Prices are
lower than for a long time except for hay. Corn, potatoes and
hay have been our most profitable crops and apples, small fruits
and vegetables our least profitable ones. I do not think the
farmers have made money from their season's labor.

Fitchbury (Jabez Fisher). — Roots are average crops. Farm
stock is In good condition. The growth of fall seeding is back-
ward but it is otherwise looking well. Prices will average 10 per
cent less than in former years. The crops upon which the most
skill and fertilizer have been expended have been most profitable
and vice versa. Farmers who have held their own this year have
done very well.

Berlin (P. B. Southvtick). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Not a great
amount of fall seeding has been done and it looks fairly well.
Prices have been considerably below the average. Corn has been
above the average ; potatoes a fair average ; hay below average ;
oats and onions above average ; early planted squashes fine, late
planted injured by frost ; berries and small fruits somewhat below
average ; apples a complete failure ; pears below average ; peaches
above. Had prices been up to the average it would have been an
average year for profit.

Grafton (S. E. Stowe). — Roots are average crops. All kinds
of neat stock are in good condition. Fall seeding is in very good
condition. All kinds of garden truck are much below former
years in price. Hay, corn, peaches and apples have been our most
profitable crops and cabbages and potatoes our least profitable
ones. The season has not been as profitable as last year.

Upton (B. A. Jourdan). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is looking very well. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Think prices have been lower than in former years.
Corn has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least
profitable one. Potatoes rot badly and there are many complaints
of not half a crop. No apples near here.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Root crops are fully average.
Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is below the
average in condition. Prices have been much lower than usual.
Early potatoes and hay have been our most profitable crops and
apples our least profitable one. This town is coming to be a large

21

peach-growing town and the growers have done very well this
year. Taken as a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in as good condition as usual. Not much
seeding has been done on account of dry weather ; quite a little
will be done just before freezing. Prices have been very low.
Milk-producing crops have been most profitable and potatoes least
profitable. The season has been only fairly profitable.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in average condition. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and it is in good condition. The prices
of truck crops have been the lowest for many years. Milk has
paid well, as have also asparagus, hay and blackberries. Pota-
toes, beans, cabbages and onions have been our least profitable
crops. For most farmers it has been a very poor season.

Chelmsford (P. P. Perham). — Root crops have been good.
Farm stock is in better condition than it was a year ago. Fall
seeding looks fairly w^ell at present. Prices for all crops have
been very low, but not much lower than usual. Hay and small
fruits have been our most profitable crops and potatoes our least
profitable one. As a whole the season has been a good average
one.

Billerica (J. N. Pardee). — Early root crops good; late sown
probably below average. Farm stock is iu good condition. Fall
seeding caught well but has not made much growth on account of
the drought. Prices have been the lowest for years. No crops
have been profitable. Dairying has been about as usual, but
farmers depending upon market crops have generally failed to pay
expenses out of the proceeds of their sales.

Wohurn (W. H. Bartlett). — Root crops are better than the
average, the fine fall having helped them very much. Stock is in
fair condition. Fall seeding is in good condition. With a few
exceptions prices have been fully up to the average but sales have
been slow. Peas, asparagus, cabbages, beets and carrots have
been our most profitable crops and early beans our least profitable
one. As far as profits are concerned I find it all work and little
money.

Weston (H. L. Brown). — Root crops are average. Farm
stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is not in good condition.
Prices are very much lower than usual. There has been no profit
in any crop and cabbages have been least profitable. On the
whole the season has not been a profitable one.

22

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben "Webster) . — Root crops have been about
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Some seed came up
slowly on account of drought, but is looking better since the rain.
Prices have been somewhat lower than in former years. Corn has
been a good crop this season. Potatoes have been our least profit-
able crop on account of rot and low prices. The season has not
been quite as profitable as usual.

Groveland (Abel SxiCKNEr) . — Root crops are above average.
Farm stock is looking remarkably well. Fall seeding is not first
class and the young grass looks small. Of late the prices for farm
products have been very low. Hay has been our most profitable
crop and fruit our least profitable one. So far as good crops are
concerned the season has been profitable but prices have been quite
small.

Newbury (G. W. Adams). — Root crops are rather above aver-
age. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is back-
wai'd but the average amount has been done. Prices are as a
whole lower than usual. Corn has been our most profitable crop
and strawberries our least profitable one. The season has been
a very fair one for our farmers.

Ijisivicli (O. C. Smith). — All kinds of roots have been full
crops. Stock is generally in the best of condition. The catch of
fall seeding has been good but growth has been somewhat checked
by drought. Prices have been below the average, potatoes selling
at 30 cents per bushel. Hay has been our most profitable crop
and potatoes our least profitable one, owing to rot and low prices.
Profits will figure small this year.

Marblehead (Wm. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Root crops have proved
to be average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seed-
ing is up to the average in condition. Prices have been much
lower than for the last few years. Perhaps as much money has
been received from potatoes as from any crop this season. Up to
date cabbages have brought the least of any crop. The season
has hardly been a profitable one as the rot in potatoes and the
continued low market have made it a hard year for farmers.

NORFOLK COUNTY.
FranMin (C. M. Allen). — Root crops have been nearly aver-
age. Farm stock is not quite up to the usual condition. Fall
seeding is not up to the average in condition. Prices have been
10 per cent less than in fox'mer years. Potatoes have been our

23

most profitable crop and hay our least profitable one. On the
whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is below
average in condition on account of dry weather. Prices have been
less than usual for all crops, especially potatoes. Hay and pota-
toes have been our most profitable crops and apples our least
profitable one. The season has been a fair one for profit.

Gohasset (E. E. Ellms) . — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is looking extra well. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been very
much less than in former years. Potatoes and peas have been
our most profitable crops and cabbages our least profitable one.
The season has been a very profitable one indeed for farmers.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Root crops have been up to the
average. Farm stock is generally in good condition. Fall seeding
is looking well. Except for potatoes prices are a little better than
for the past few years. Hay has been our most profitable crop
and potatoes our least profitable one. The present year has been
an improvement on the past two or three but is hardly a profitable
one.

Taunton (C. H. Wilmarth). — Root crops have turned out to
be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is
well advanced. Prices for farm products are about the same as
usual. Corn and potatoes have been our most profitable crops.
The season has been a profitable one, taken as a whole.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Roots are full average crops. Farm
stock is in good condition. Prices are very mucb lower than usual.
The strawberry crop was the poorest in quantity, quality and price
ever grown ; potatoes were a good crop but sold for very low
prices ; cabbages a good crop but did not pay for marketing ;
onions, asparagus and beans were good crops but sold very low.
No profit in anything this year.

Somerset (.Joseph Gibbs). — Drought has materially reduced
the yield of root crops. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall
seeding is not in good condition and many fields will have to be
reseeded. Prices for farm crops have ruled the lowest for years.
The h^y crop is the only paying crop this season. The season on
the whole has been a very unprofitable one in this section.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — Root crops are a good average.
Farm stock is in very good condition, milch cows are doing well.
Fall seeding is in very good condition. Prices are very low, much

24

lower than in former years. Hay has been our most profitable
crop and potatoes our least profitable one. Hay is a fair crop ;
corn very good ; potatoes rather slim, owing to blight ; onions
good ; turnips fair, have suffered from dry weather ; apples scarce
and poor ; pears plenty ; grapes abundant.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

West Bridgewater (F. E. Howard). — Root crops have proved
to be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is
in fair condition. Prices of crops are rather lower than usual
with the exception of hay. Hay has been our most profitable crop
and corn our least profitable one. The season has been more prof-
itable than some previous ones for the farmer.

Marshfield (J. H. Bourne). — Root crops are fully as good as
usual. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is not as
good as usual on the whole, owing to dry weather. Prices for
crops raised for market have been somewhat lower than usual, es-
pecially potatoes. Milk has yielded us the most profit of any farm
product and apples the least. On the whole the season is nearly
as good as usual.

Lakeville (Elbridge Cushman). — Root crops have proved to
be average crops. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding
is in fair condition. Prices never were so low in my memory. Hay
has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season will not be a profitable one. Most crops have
made abundant yields but as a rule prices are below the cost of
production. Also the large crops have necessitated an extra
amount of labor to handle them.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — It has been too dry for root crops
and they are small. Stock is in good condition as feed has been
good this fall. What fall seeding has been done is very good.
Prices have been low and are low now. Potatoes have been our
most profitable crop and turnips our least profitable one. Taken as
a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Root crops are above the aver-
age. Farm stock is in very good condition. P'all seeding is in
fair condition. Prices have been above the average. Cranberries
have been our most profitable crop and corn our least profitable
one. The season has been, on the whole, a profitable one.

Barnstable (John Bursley) . — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
poor condition. Prices have been 25 per cent lower than in former

25

years. Cranberries have been our most profitable crop and onions
and potatoes our least profitable ones. Crops have been large and
better prices would have made the season a very profitable one.

Brewster (J. H. Clark). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is in
Tery good condition. Prices have been better than the average this
year. Cranberries have been our most profitable crop and pota-
toes our least profitable one, owing to the low prices. The season
has, on the whole, been a profitable one.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Roots are full average crops. Farm
stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good condition.
Prices for crops have ruled low. Asparagus has probably been
our most profitable crop. I think there has been the least profit
in potatoes ; although the crop was good prices have ruled low.
The season has been an average one for profit.

DUKES COUNTY.
West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Root crops have proved to
l)e average. Farm stock is in good condition. But little fall
seeding done here. Prices for crops raised for market have ruled
lower than in former years. Hay has been our most profitable
<;rop and potatoes our least profitable oue. The season has not
been a profitable one.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Root crops are not harvested
yet. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is not looking
first rate. Prices are very much lower than usual on account of
the quantity of all crops. Potatoes have been our most profitable
crop and corn our least profitable one on account of the ravages
of the corn worm. The season has not been quite up to the aver-
age for profit.

INDEX TO CROP REPORTS

Tear, 1893. Bulletins I.-VI , June-Oclober.

Animals, farm, report on, I., 1, 25.

Apples, v., 12.

Barley, IV., 12.

Corn, Indian, II., 10; III., 10; IV., 11;

v., 10.
Correspondents, notes of, I., 13; II., 12;

III., IV., v., 13; VI., 14.
Cows, milch, I., 26.
Cranberries, V., 12.'
Crops, market-garden, II., 10; III., 11;

IV., 12.
Crops, root, V., VI., 12.
Crops, statistics, I.-V., 3; VI., 3, 9, 13.
Crops, weather and. New England, I., 7 ;

II., 6; III.-V.,7; VI., 5.
Dairy products, II., 10.
Fall feed, V., 10.
Fall seeding, V., 11 ; VI., 13.
Farm animals, report on, I., 1, 25.
Farm help and wages, I., 11.
Feed stuffs, VI., 12.
Fruit bloom, I , 11.
Fruits and berries, I. -IV., 11.
Grass and grain, I., 11.
Hay, II., 10; III., 11.

Hogs, I., 27.

Horses, I., 25.

Insect pests, an act to provide for the exter-
mination of, I., 12.

Insects, I., 11; II., 9; III.-IV., 10.

Market-garden crops, II., 10; III., 11;
IV., 12.

Oats, IV., 12.

Onions, V., 11.

Pasturage, II., 11; III., 12; IV., 11.

Potatoes, II., 10; III.-IV., 11; V., 12.

Root crops, v.- VI., 12.

Rowen, IV., 11; V., 10.

Rye, III., 12.

Season, profits of the, VI., 13.

Season, progress of the, I.-VI,, 3.

Sheep, I , 26.

Stock, live, condition of, I., 10; VI., 12.

Temperature and rainfall for the whole
country, I., 6; II.-VI., 5.

Tobacco, IV., 12.

Weather, Massachusetts, I., 4, 8; II., 7;
III.-V.,8; VI., 5.

Weather and crops. New England, I., 7;
II., 6; III.-V., 7; VI., 5.

Year, 1894. Bulletins I.-VI., June-October.

Agriculture, Massachusetts, statistics of (F.

H. Fowler), IV., 29.
Animals, farm, report on, I., 3.
Ants, VI , 32.

Apples, IV., 14; V., 13; VI., 13.
Barley, IV., 11.

Birds, injurious habits of, V., 31.
Birds, regulative influence exerted by, on

increase of insect pests (E H.Forbush),

v., 26.
Buffalo carpet beetle, VI., 28.
Carpet beetle, buffalo, VI., 28.
Carpet beetle, pitchy, VI., 30.
Clothes moths, VI., 30.
Corn, Indian, 1,5; II., 10; III., 12; IV.,

9; v., 11.
Correspondents, notes of, I., 16; II., 13;

III., 15; IV., 17; V., 14; VI., 15.
Cows, milch, I., 4.

Cranberries, V., 13.

Crops, forage, III , 12.

Crops, market-garden, II., 11 ; III., 13.

Crops, root, V.-VI., 12.

Crops, statistics of, I., 5; II.-III., 3; IV.,

3, 30; v., 3; VI., 3, 10, 13.
Crops, weather and. New England, I., 10;

II, 7; III., 8; IV., 6; V., 7; VI., 5.
Dairy products, II., 11.
Drainage, IV., 11.
Eggs, poultry and, IV., 32.
Fall feed, V., 11.
Fall seeding, v., 12; VI., 13.
Farm animals, report on, I., 3.
Farm help and wages, I., 14.
Farm statistics, IV., 29.
Fernald, Prof. C. H., article by, on certain

injurious insects, VI., 28.
Floriculture, IV., 31.

28

Forbush, E. H., article by, on the regulative
influence exerted by birds on the increase
of insect pests, V., 26.

Fowler, F. H., statistics by, of Mass. agri-
culture, IV., 29.

Fruit bloom, I., 13.

Fruit crop of 1894, retrospect and prospect
of the (Prof. S. T. Maynard), IV., 12.

Fruit growers, dealers and consumers, bul-
letin to (Prof. S. T. Maynard), I., 29.

Fruits and berries, II., 12; III., 13; IV., 10.

Grain crops, III., 14.

Grapes, IV., 13.

Hay, II., U; III., 12.

Honey and beeswax, IV., 31.

Horses, I., 3.

Industrial depression, effect of, L, 15.

Insect pests, concerning, I., 13; II., 10;
III., 11; v., 26; VI., 28.

Massachusetts agriculture, statistics of (F.
H. Fowler), IV., 29.

Market-garden crops, II., 11; III., 13.

Maynard, Prof. S. T., article by, on fruit
crop of 1894, retrospect and prospect of
the, IV., 12.

Maynard, Prof. S. T., article by, to fruit
growers, dealers and consumers, I., 29.

Mowings, I., 13.

Nurseries, IV., 31.

Oats, IV , 11.

Onions, V., 12.

Oxen and other cattle, I., 4.

Paige, Prof. Jas. B., article by, on tuber-
culosis and its eradication, II., 25; III.,
28.

Pasturage, I., 13; II., 12; III., 14; IV., 11.

Potatoes, II., 11; III., 13; IV., 10; V., 12.

Poultry and eggs, IV., 32.

Root crops, V.-VI , 12.

Rowen, IV., 9; V., 11.

Season, outlook for the, I., 12.

Season, profits of the, VI., 13.

Season, progress of the, II.-VI., 3.

Sheep, I., 4.

Stock, live, I., 3, 13; IV., 29; VI., 12.

Swine, I., 4.

Temperature and rainfall for the whole
country, I., 8; II.-III., 6; IV.-VI., 5.

Tobacco, IV , 10.

Tuberculosis and its eradication (Prof. Jas.
B. Paige), II., 25; III., 28.

Weather, Massachusetts, I., 6, 10; II., 8;
III., 9; IV., 7; V., 9; VI., 6.

Weather and crops. New England, I., 10;
II., 7; III., 8; IV., 6; V., 7; VI., 6.

Wheat, I., 5.

Year, 1895. Bulletins I.-VL, June- October.

Animals, farm, report on, I., 3, 5; VI., 13.

Apples, IV., 9.

Birds as protectors of orchards (E. H.

Forbush), III., 20.
Corn,Indian, II., 9; III., 8; IV., 10; V.,9.
Correspondents, notes of, I., 19; II., 11;

III., 10; IV., 12; V., 11; VI., 15.
Cows, milch, I., 4.
Crops, forage. III., 8; IV., 10.
Crops, grain, I., 5; III., 9.
Crops, market-garden, II., 10 ; III., 9.
Crops, prices of, VI., 13.
Crops, root, V., 10; VI., 12.
Crops, statistics of, I., 5; II.-V., 3; VI., 3,

12.
Crops, weather and. New England, I., 9;

II., 6; III., 6; IV., 7; V., 7; VI., 6.
Dairy products, II., 10.
Drainage, land, hints on (\Vm. Wheeler),

II., 23.
Drains, laying out and construction of, II.,

30.
Fall feed, V., 9.
Fall seeding, v., 9; VI., 13.
Farm animals, report on, I., 3, 5 ; VI., 13.

Farm help and wages, I., 13.

Fernald, Prof. C. H., article by, on the San
Jos6 scale, IV., 23.

Forbush, E H., article by, on birds as pro-
tectors of orchards, III., 20.

Frost, damage from, I., 13.

Fruit bloom, I., 12.

Fruits and berries, II., 10; III., 9; V., 10.

Grain crops. III., 9.

Hay, ir., 9; III., 8.

Hogs, I., 4.

Horses, I., 3.

Insecticides (A. H. Kirkland), V., 23.

Insecticides, contact, V., 27.

Insects, I , ,13; II., 9; III., 8; IV., 9, 23;
v., 23.

Kerosene emulsion, V., 27.

Kirkland, A. H , article by, on insecticides,
v., 23.

Land drainage, hints on (Wm. Wheeler),
II., 23.

Land drainage, efTects of, II., 23.

Land, how to drain, II., 25.

Lead, arsenate of, V., 25.

London purple, V., 24.

29

Market-garden crops, 11. , 10; III., 9.

Milch cows and mules, I., 3.

Mowings, I., 12.

Oats, IV., 11.

Onions, V., 10.

Orchards, birds as protectors of (E. H.
Forbush),lII., 20.

Oxen and other cattle, I., 4.

Paige, Prof. Jas. B., article by, on tuber-
culin,— what it is, how it is used, what it
does, I., 27.

Paris green, V., 24.

Pastures, I., 12; II , 10; III., 9; IV., 10.

Potatoes, II., 10; III., 9; IV.-V., 10.

Raupenleim, V., 28.

Root crops, v., 10 ; VI., 12.

Rowen, IV.-V., 9.

San Jos€ scale, the (Prof. C. H. Fernald),
IV., 23.

Season, outlook for the, I., 11.

Season, progress of the, II.-VI., 3.

Season, profits of the, VI. , 14.

Sheep, I., 4.

Stock, farm, I., 3, 5; VI., 13.

Temperature and rainfall for the whole

country, I., 7; II., 4; III., 4; IV., 5;

v., 5; VI., 5.
Tobacco, IV., 11.
Tuberculin, what it is, how it is used, what

it does (Prof. Jas. B. Paige), I., 27.
Tuberculosis, I., 14.
Weather, Massachusetts, I., 6, 10; II., 7;

III., 7; IV.-V., 8; VI., 6.
Weather and crops, New England, I., 9;

XL, 6; III., 6; IV., 7; V., 7; VI., 6.
Wheeler, Wm., article by, on hints on land

drainage, II., 23.

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