UMASS/AMHERST •

*.'»-P.

LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

NO.___l_8.Z3_4 __ DATE.lO - (_817

souRCE_^b-_xc.h-aj:\^e

This book may be kept out

TWO WEEKS

only, and is subject to a fine of TWO
CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on
the day indicated below.

-:>

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 1.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

Month of May, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1896.

I?. 7 6

Crop Eepoet por the Month of May, 1896.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., June 1, 1896.

In Bulletin No.. 1, Crop Report for the month of May, we
present the first of our series of monthly crop bulletins foi
the current year. These bulletins will not vary much in
general style and plan from those of preceding seasons, and
we shall endeavor to issue them as near the close of the
month as possible. Although we do not this year assist
financially in the issuance of the weekly crop bulletins of the
Weather Bureau, the section director, Mr. J. Warren Smith,
has kindly arranged for the sending of them to all those on
our mailing list. The first number was issued under date
of April 28. As heretofore, a short article by one of the
specialists of the Board of Agriculture will be included in
each issue. This bulletin contains a report of the meetings
of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, by the
botanist and pomologist of this Board, who is also secretary
of the association.

Report on Farm Animals.

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

There is a decided falling off in the number of horses
throughout the interior, on the Pacific slope, in parts of the
Rocky Mountain and upper Missouri regions, and a slight
decrease in the Atlantic States ; elsewhere there is a pre-
vailinjj increase. The total fallin"; off in number amounts
to 769,261, or 4.8 per cent. The decline in New York,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania is attributed to the intro-
duction of electric and cable cars and to the increased use
of the bicycle. The average price has fallen from $36.29
in 1895 to $33.07, or a decrease of $3.22. The only fairly
acceptable figures anywhere commanded are for good road-

sters and fancy stock. Colts are unsalable in many sections
and breeding has been largely discontinued.

There is a slight gain in the number of mules in the cotton
belt and a considerable loss in the central region, due to dis-
continuance of breeding. Total loss in number, 54,162, or

2.3 per cent, about half that of horses. The average price
has fallen from $47.55 in 1895 to $45.29, or a fall of about
4.8 per cent.

North of the Potomac milch cows generally increased in
number, owing to the city demand. In central and south
central regions there is a decrease, on account of the high
price of feed ; elsewhere in the West there is an increase,
due to the increased interest in dairying and starting of
creameries. The demand continues steady. The average
price has risen from $21.97 in 1895 to $22.55. The de-
crease in number over the whole country amounted to 367,-
043, or 2.2 per cent.

The total decline in the number of oxen and other cattle
amounts to 2,278,807, or Q.6 per cent. The decline is gen-
erally ascribed to drought and food scarcity and the raising
of fewer calves. The increase in value per head is quite
general except in the Atlantic States. The average price in
January, 1895, was $14.06; in 1896, $15.86, or an increase
of 12.8 per cent.

The decline in the number of sheep was 3,995,281, or

9.4 per cent. The cause generally assigned is the low price
of wool. In spite of the decrease in numbers, the wool clip
is slightly larger than that of last year, owing to a more
favorable winter. The average price has risen from $1.58
in 1895 to $1.70, or an increase of 7.6 per cent.

The number of swine in the country declined 1,322,957
during the year, or 3 per cent. Cholera and other diseases
were the leading causes of the decline. The average price
fell from $4.97 in 1895 to $4.35, a decrease of 12.5 per cent.

On Jan. 1, 1896, there were estimated to be 15,124,057
horses on farms and ranches in the United States, valued at
$500,140,186; 2,278,946 mules, valued at $103,204,457;
16,137,586 milch cows, valued at $363,955,545 ; 32,085,409
oxen and other cattle, valued at $508,928,416 ; 38,298,783
sheep, valued at $65,167,735; 42,842,759 swine, valued at

;, 529, 745 ; total value of farm animals, $1,727,926,084,
as against $1,810,44(5,300 in 1895.

The number of horses on farms in Massachusetts was 65,-
102; average price, $72.49; value, $4,719,255. Milch
cows, 174,572; average price, $34.63; value, $6,045,428.
Oxen and other cattle, 80,476 ; average price, $26.36
value, $2,121,662. Sheep, 48,395; average price, $3.30
value, $159,703. Swine, 60,726; average price, $8.44
value, $512,647.

The condition of farm animals, except in a few States
along the Atlantic seaboard, is reported as generally good,
partly because of the unprecedented corn crop and its low
price.

Progress of the Season.

The May returns of the United States Department of
Agriculture (Report No. 137) show an increase in the con-
dition of winter wheat of 5.6 points above the April aver-
age, being 82.7, against 77.1 last month and 82.9 in May,
1895. The principal winter-wheat States nearly all show an
improvement in condition. Special reports show excellent
prospects in Great Britain and France, and other foreign
countries generally good, Spain being the only exception.

The condition of bailey is 89.2, against 94 in May, 1895.
In New York, the greatest barley State, the condition stands
at 90. The condition of winter rye on May 1 was 87.7 per
cent.

The condition of spring pastures on May 1 was 93.6 per
cent, as against 89.7 in 1895, an unusually high condition,
attained on account of the spring rains and favorable tem-
perature, in spite of the lack of snow during the winter in
some States and the eflects of the late feeding last fall.

Though many correspondents report meadows as injured
by last year's drought, the timely April rains and high tem-
perature have induced rapid growth, and the condition on
May 1, 1896, stood at 91.8, against 89.4 last year and 91.7
in 1894.

Fine weather and a moist soil have made the season an
ideal one for spring ploughing, and the amount accomplished
by May 1 was 79.6 per cent, 1.9 points above the average,
and nearly up to the figures of 1895.

Weather Summary, January- April, 1896.

[Furnished by the Ne'w England Weather Service.]

January opened cold, and an unusually sharp cold wave
prevailed from the 4th to the 8th. At Boston fully sixty
people were treated at the Emergency Hospital on the 6th
for frost bites. The temperature ranged very near zero all
day and a high, cutting wind prevailed. Peach buds were
almost entiiely killed by this cold wave and some damnge
was done to raspberries and blackberries. Its passage was
well forewarned by the Weather Bureau. The last part of
the month was milder, but with no pronounced thaw. The
ground was not protected by snow during the cold spell, but
there was a slight covering during the rest of the month.

February was a rough, stormy month, with damaging
floods, heavy snows and an excess of rainy and cloudy
weather. The heaviest rainfall was over the north central
part of the State. The rain of the 4th to 7th gave from two
to three inches -in that section, but no serious damage
resulted. The snow and rain{\dl of February 29 to March 3
was not so heavy in this State as in northern New England,
but the damage done by rivers flowing into Massachusetts
from the north was very great. A severe cold wave pre-
vailed on the 17th and 18th, with a strong wind blowing.
The most marked cyclone of the month originated near
Texas, on the 4th, moved easterly, then northerly, passing
across our State just west of Boston on the night of the 6th-
7th. Hurricane signals were hoisted along our coast for
the first time in the history of the Weather Bureau, and
were fully justified, as the wind reached a velocity of over
60 miles an hour. On the 11th, at about 9 a.m., while a
cyclone centre was passing down the St. Lawrence valley, a
short but very severe snow squall or " snow shower " passed
easterly across our State. The darkness was almost night-
like, and the air Avas filled with fine, driving snow.

March weather was t3'pical of the month, though rougher
and more stormy than usual. The rainfall was considerably
above the normal and the number of stormy days in excess
of the usual amount. The snowf^iU was more than usual and
there was a fair snow covering till near the end of the month.

The wind movement at Boston was far above the average and
at interior stations from 2,000 to 5,000 miles in excess of the
usual March record. The changes in temperature during the
month were rapid, but the daily ranges were not extremely
great.

The first and last parts of April were comparatively cool,
with frequent frosts, but the middle of the month gave al-
most unprecedented heat for the season. The temperature
recorded over 80° in western districts on the 15th, 16th,
17th and 18th. East winds lowered the maximum along the
coast on the 16th and 17th. The rainfall was deficient, and
at the end of the month grass and grain were feeling the
efiects of dry weather. Thunderstorms prevailed on the
17th, 18th, lyth and 2lst, that of the 17th being widespread
and severe. Farm work was carried on under favorable cir-
cumstances and well advanced at the end of the month. The
cool weather of the last week of the month held the fruit
buds in check, wnth favorable results.

Temperature and Rainfall for the "Whole Country.

[From United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending May 4. — Warmer than usual in all districts
east of the Rocky Mountains except on the immediate coast.
In the plateau regions and on the Pacific coast week cooler
than usual, being decidedly cool in portions of California
and throuahout Oreijon and Washington. The usual amount
of rain fell in the upper Mississippi and Missouri valleys
and over portions of the Gulf, Middle and South Atlantic
States. On the Pacific coast the rainfall was exceptionally
heavy; elsewhere it was less than usual, a considerable part
of New England receiving none. East of the Rocky Moun-
tains the week has been very favorable for farm work.

Week eliding May 11. — Fifth successive week of abnor-
mally high temperatures east of the Rocky Mountains, the
excess being very great north of the Ohio and Missouri
rivers. Abnormally cool on the Pacific coast and in the
plateau districts ; elsewhere nearly normal temperatures.
No appreciable rainfall from the Rocky Mountains eastward
except over limited areas. On the Pacific coast and in the

8

Rocky Mountain regions the rainfall was in excess. The
seasonal rainfall is largely deficient throughout Atlantic coast
distrfcts. Week generally favorable for farm work east of
the Rocky Mountains.

Week ending May 18. — Week abnormally warm through-
out the Mississippi valley and eastward. In the upper Mis-
souri valley and throughout the Rocky Mountain and Pacific
coast regions week cooler than usual. There is a seasonal
excess over the eastern half of the country and deficiency
over the western. Rainfall greater than usual in the lower
Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys. Throughout the
Atlantic and east Gulf States less than the average amount
of rain fell. No appreciable rain in New England. The
efiects of drought have been quite seriously felt in the At-
lantic coast States and in the Ohio valley.

Week ending May 25. — Seventh successive week of ex-
cessive temperatures east of the Rocky Mountains, except in
New England, where it was slightly cooler than usual. In
the plateau regions and on the Pacific coast cooler than
usual. In the Missouri, Ohio and central Mississippi valleys
and the greater portion of the middle Atlantic States the
rainfall exceeded the average. In the lake resjion and over
the greater part of the Southern States less than the usual
amount fell. Only light showers fell in northern New
England. Abundant rains have relieved the droughty con-
ditions in the Ohi.o valley and generally in the middle Atlantic
States, but in New England the drought continues.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Weeh ending May 4. — New England. Boston : Cool and
pleasant, with sharp frosts, but no serious damage resulting ;
only a trace of rainfall, and top of ground is too dry except
on lowlands, where conditions are unusually good ; fruit
buds showing well.

Week ending May 11. — New England. Boston : Pleas-
ant weather, with much sunshine and extremes of tempera-
ture ; favorable for farm work, but too dry for seed in
places ; while grass grows slowly, and most garden and field

crops are at a standstill for want of rain ; fruit, except
peaches, giving full blossoms.

Week ending May 18. — New England. Boston: Warm
days, cool nights, plenty of sunshine and extremely dry ;
grass being seriously damaged by drought and crops grow-
ing slowly ; forest fires frequent and severe; corn planting
under way in south and begun in north.

Week ending May 25. — New England. Boston : Cool,
with sharp frosts on several mornings, causing slight damage
to fruit and early vegetables ; heavy sshowers along southern
coast and everything benefited ; only light showers in
interior and crops sufl:ering ; tobacco setting begun ; cran-
berries budding full.

Weather for May, 1896.

Unusually fair, warm and dry weather prevailed over the
greater part of Massachusetts during the month of May.
At Boston two-thirds of the days gave an excess in temper-
ature, while the average daily excess for the month was
about 4°. At Fitchburg the month averaged 2.5° a day
warmer than usual. Light frosts prevailed in eastern dis-
tricts on the 20lh, 21st and 24th, but no damage of amount
was done.

The ground was getting rather dry on all the uplands at
the beginning of the month, and as only an occasional trace
of rain fell during all the first two-thirds of May, it is feared
that much damage has been done to grass lands and some
field crops. On the 19th a moderate shower fell in south-
eastern counties, and again on the 21st the soil was well
moistened in that section ; but in the western part of the
State hardly enough came to lay the dust till the last few
days of the month. On dry lands grass has headed out
while standing only a few inches in height, and it is thought
this crop must be permanently shortened for this season.
Seed put into the ground has come very slowly, and on
some fields it has been too dry to plough. The weather
has been favorable for insect pests, and they have flourished
accordingly. Canker worms have done unusual damage in
orchards in the eastern part of the State. Many report
they have never seen tent caterpillars so thick, and others

10

say that cut worms are attacking every plant that has a
root soft enough to be eaten. The frosts have not been
hard enough to damage fruit buds to any extent, and the
outlook for fruit is very flattering. Apples blossomed from
a week to ten days earlier than the average.

In the circular to correspondents returnal)le May 25 the
following questions were asked : —

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

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

5. To what extent is spraying practised against insects
attacking fruit, and is it on the increase in your locality?

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 proportion does the production of fruits and
small fruits bear to general farming in your locality, and is
it increasing from year to year, or otherwise?

Returns have been received from 157 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made up * : —

The Season.
Correspondents vary very much in their replies to this
question, but the general opinion seems to be that the season
opened from one to two weeks earlier than last year. The
extreme drought which prevailed during the month, together
with cold and variable weather, has, however, operated to
check the growth of all crops, and it is probable that the
season is at the present time but little in advance of last
year. Many correspondents indeed speak of the season as

* The irreat majority of these returns were received before the recent general rains,
and the conditions at present are probably much better than those which they
describe.

11

backward. The rains of May 26 and 28 were general
throughout the State, and should do much to advance the
growth of all crops.

Pastures and Mowings.
The drought has shortened feed in pastures, and some cor-
respondents report that stock is fed in the barns as much as
in winter. Old mowings will be very light, and the crop
will probably be shortened on all except very moist fields.
The drought has been most severe in the western portion of
the State, and the worst reports of condition come from that
section, though only isolated instances of good condition are
anywhere reported. The recent general rains did much to
relieve the drought. Fall seeding cannot be said to have
wintered well, there being many complaints of winter-kill-
ing. The drought has also injured new-seeded fields and
reduced their general averao;e of condition.

Fruit Bloom.
Apples made a very abundant bloom, probably the fullest
ever known in this State. The bloom of pears was very
light, and there will be but few harvested. Plums and
cherries are aUo below the average, though not so light as
pears. There will be practically no peaches. The quince
bloom, where mentioned, is spoken of as full. Small fruits
generally blossomed full. Where the fruit bloom is reported
on as a whole, it is generally spoken of as abundant.

Insects.
Insects, aside from the canker worm, do not appear to
be doing more than the usual amount of damage. Tent
caterpillars are most frequently reported, but are not un-
usually abundant. Canker worms are doing consider-
able damage in the eastern part of the State, and many
orchards will suffer severely. Cut worms and currant worms
appear to be fait ly plenty. Other insects mentioned are the
elm-tree leaf beetle, the borers, grasshoppers, the potato
beetle, the maple louse, the cabbage maggot, the white grub,
the asparagus beetle and the cranberry vine worm and fire
worm.

12

Spraying.

Spraying is practised to only a slight extent, except by
those who make fruit growing a specialty. It is slowly but
steadily increasing, however, and more is done each year.
More attention should be paid to this by all farmers who
rely upon fruit production for any portion of their income,
as the outlay will invariably be repaid by an increase in both
the quantity and quality of the fruit secured. Paris green
is the insecticide most commonly used, and can be applied
in the proportion of one pound to one hundred and fifty
gallons of water. Arsenate of lead, a new insecticide re-
cently discovered by the gypsy moth committee of the State
Board of Agriculture, is, however, to be preferred, as it
can be applied at any desired strength without danger of
burning the foliage. This makes it a much safer insecticide
than Paris green in unskilful hands, and also makes it possi-
ble to use strength sufficient to practically exterminate any
of our common insects. It also adheres very closely to the
foliage, and the addition of one quart of glucose to one
hundred and fifty gallons of the mixture will cause it to
stick to the leaves through practically an entire season, in
spite of heavy rain storms. It has been found to be effective
against the tent caterpillar and potato beetle at the strength
of one pound to one hundred and fifty gallons of water, but
a greater proportion may be required for some insects. This
insecticide can now be obtained through any of the promi-
nent Boston seed stores. The high cost of spraying appa-
ratus has undoubtedly deterred many small growers from
using insecticides. All such are recommended to investi-
gate the '♦ hydrosprayer " or common brass hand syringe,
which is described by Dr. Jabez Fisher on page 16H of
"Agriculture of Massachusetts" for 1891. It is thought
that this little implement will be found efficient in a great
many cases. When the canker worm is present, spray-
ing should be resorted to as soon as the worms appear,
otherwise the first general spraying should be made just
before the opening of the blossoms. If Paris green is the
insecticide used, a good general rule would be to spray three
times after blossoming. If arsenate of lead is used, prob-

13

ably two of these sprayings could be dispensed with, except
possibly when the codling moth is the insect to be especially
combated, in which case the first spraying should be made
immediately after the falling of the blossoms. If it is de-
sired to use fungicides in connection with insecticides, either
Paris green or arsenate of lead may be mixed with Bordeaux
mixture in the same proportions as with water.

Farm Help and Wages.

Farm help seems to be plenty in most cases, though there
is the usual complaint as to the difficulty of securing really
first-class help. If anything, there is perhaps a little more
good help to be had than in former years. Some corre-
spondents speak of foreigners, mostly Poles and Portuguese,
as making good help, with experience. Wages vary widely
in range. Perhaps the average wage is from $16 to $20 per
month and board. Without board wages are about $10
higher, $35 with house rent and garden patch being paid in
some cases. Wages by the day range from $1.25 to $2.
Probably $1.25 is paid in the great majority of cases, the
higher rates being those which prevail in haying and harvest-
ing time.

Fruit Production.

The answers to question 8 varied so widely that it is very
difficult to summarize them satisfactorily. It is safe to say
that the production of fruits and small fruits is generally in-
creasing throughout the State. In the eastern sections the
proportion to general farming seems to be much greater than
in the central and western portions. This is probably due
to their comparative nearness to market, and the increased
interest in the cultivation of small fruits arising from it. In
some sections crops like strawberries and cranberries form
the greater proportion of the farm products. In the western
portions of the State apples are practically the only fruit
grown for market, though some growers make specialties of
other fruits.

14

:n"otes of correspo^^dents.

[Returned to us May 25.]

BERKSHIRE COIJNTY.

Neio Marlborougli (L. P. Keyes). — Pastures and mowings are
suffering from severe drought. Fall seeding did not winter well.
The apple bloom was very foil, but pears, peaches and cherries
showed few blossoms. No insects doing damage this season.
There is no spraying done here. Farm help is equal to the demand
and about half is good help. Wages are from $16 to $18 per
month with board and from 028 to $30 without. The production
of apples is on the increase. The drought is assuming serious
proportions in this vicinity.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow).— -The season is fully as early as last
year and not quite as dry. Pastures and mowings look well. The
fruit bloom was full this year. The tent caterpillar is not as bad
as usual. I do not think spraying is much practised. Help seems
to be plenty at present and probably half of it is good. Wages
are $20 per month with board and $30 to $35 v\ithout. The pro-
duction of fruit bears a very small proportion to general farming.
Grass will be thin in some places, on account of the past two dry
seasons.

West Stockhridge (Wm. C. Spaulding). — The season is ten
days to two weeks earlier than last year. Pastures and mowings
are needing rain, and will be light unless it comes soon. Apples
bloomed well, pears very little. Currant worms are doing some
damage. Spraying is not at all practised. Help is plenty enough,
half of it good. Wages $1.25 per day without board. Production
of fruits small and not increasing.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — The planting season is about the
same as last year, but fruit blossoms were much earlier. Pastures
and meadows are very dry and grass promises a poor crop. Fall
seeding is in poor condition. The apple bloom was abundant, but
that of pears, cherries and plums scattering. Tent caterpillars
and canker worms are doing some damage. Two or three farmers
are spraying and I think more are to follow. Farm help is not
plenty; perhaps one-third is good help. Wages are $15 to $18
per month with board and $22 to $25 without. The production of

15

fruit forms only a small proportion of general farming, but more
attention is paid to small fruit each year.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Season somewhat in advance of
last year. Pastures and mowings are short, owing to the very dry
spell ; fall seeding looks well. Pears and plums did not bloom,
but apple trees never bloomed more fully. Spraying is being done
to some extent and is on the increase. The tent caterpillar is the
most plentiful insect. Farm help is plenty and good. Wages
from Sl8 to $20 per month with board ; without board, $10 addi-
tional. Small fruits are not much raised, but are rather increasing.

WUliamstown (S. A. Hickox). — The season is not nearly
as favorable as last year. Pastures are poor and hay will not be
more than half a crop. The fruit bloom was good. Tent cater-
pillars are doing some damage. Spraying is practised to a very
small extent. Help is plenty and about 25 per cent is good help.
Wages are $10 to $20 per month with board and $25 to $35 with-
out. Fruit production forms a very small proportion to general
farming, but is increasing.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Rowe (J. F. Brown) . — The present season is better than last
year. With rain, pastures and mowings promise well. Fall
seeding is in better condition than usual. The fruit bloom was
never better. The tent caterpillar is doing some damage. Spray-
ing is but little practised and is not increasing. Farm help is
plenty and is all good. Wages are $1 per day with board and
$1.50 without. The production of fruits and small fruits is very
small. Spring opened early and we had a fine sugar season.

Colrcdn (A. A. Smith). — The season is earlier by two weeks
than last year and dryer by four weeks. Fall seeding looks well,
but pastures and mowings need rain. The fruit bloom was much
fuller than last year, apples very full. Tent caterpillars and cur-
rant worms are doing some damage. Spraying is very little prac-
tised ; I don't know of a single instance in town. Farm help is
plenty, if you hire Polanders and such, and they are good, as a
rule. Wages average about $16 per month with board. The pro-
duction of fruits and small fruits is increasing.

Comvay (J. C. Newhall). — The season is far from an average
one. No feed in the pastures, and without rain soon there will
not be half a crop of hay. Fall seeding looked well, but has not
grown much and shows much sorrel. Apple trees bloomed very
full, but other trees showed a light bloom. Tent caterpillars,
currant worms and grasshoppers are doing some damage. Very

16

little spraying is being done. Help plenty and generally good.
Wages from $15 to $25 per mouth with board and from $20 to
$30 without. Otherwise than apples, the production of fruit is
very small. You may think I have a severe attack of the blues,
but I have lived on this farm seventy years, and regard this year
as the most discouraging of any. It is cold and dry, there is
nothing growing, and prices of farm produce are of the lowest.
Farms are depreciating in value every year. Are we ever to have
a change ?

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — The season is not as favor-
able as last year, on account of drought and wind. Pastures are
ver}^ short and the hay crop will be far below the average. Fall
seeding wintered quite well, but the drought has used it up. Apple
trees blossomed very fully, pears but little and peaches not at all.
Few insects doing damage as yet. No spraying is done here.
Help is very plenty and most of it is good. Wages are from $15
to $18 per month with board and $1.25 per day without. But
little attention is paid to the production of fruits for market aud
there is no material increase. The wind storm of the 18th ruined
nearly three-fourths of the onions in town, blowing the soil badly
on light land. Rain must come soon, or crops will be light.

Neio Salem (Daniel Ballard). — The season is ten days
earlier than last year and much dryer. Pastures and mowings
are below the average, on account of drought. Some pieces of
fall seeding winter-killed. Large bloom of apples, not much of
pears and none of peaches ; small fruits bloomed well. Tent
caterpillars and currant worms are plenty. Spraying is but little
practised, but is increasing. Farm help is rather scarce ; one-half
is good help. Wages range from $10 to $18 per month with board
and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without. Fruit production bears
the proportion of one-third to general farming and is on the
increase.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — Drought has injured past-
ures and mowings considerably. Fall seeding winter-killed badly.
Apples had the heaviest bloom for years, pears very light and
peaches none at all. The tent caterpillar is the only insect doing
damage now. No spraying whatever is done. Farm help is rather
scarce, but fairly good. Wages are $20 per month and $1 per day
with board. Apples constitute about one-fourth the money crop
and fruit growing is increasing rapidly. Fully one-half the peach
trees winter-killed aud the rest gave no bloom. Nothing is done
in small fruits.

17

Amherst (W. P. Brooks). — Season about a week earlier than
last year ; work well advanced, but soil very dry. Pastures and
mowings have a poor chance, unless rain comes soon. Fall seed-
ing generally wintered poorly, there being much heaving of the
ground by frost. Apples had an abundant bloom, cherry spare
bloom, pear bloom rather thin, quince average, currants average,
no peaches. Canker worms have nearly defoliated many apple
orchards. Spraying is not much practised, but is on the increase.
Farm help is plenty and fully average in quality. Wages with
board, $17 to $22 per month; without board, S33 to $40. The
production of fruit is probably not more than 8 per cent of general
farming and is not increasing much. Prices are unprecedentedly
low. Tobacco setting just begun by a few. The wind storm of
the 18th did a great deal of damage.

Northampton (D. A. Horton.) — The season came forward very
fast through April, but May has been very dry and windy. No
rain of any amount for six weeks. Pastures, mowings and fall
seeding are all below the average. Apples bloomed very full,
pears not as well. The elm-tree leaf beetle is doing much damage
and the city has purchased spraying apparatus to combat it. Good
help is scarce and not more than one-fourth is good. Wages are
about $16 per month with board, $1.35 to $1.50 per day without.
The production of fruit does not bear the proportion of more than
one-tenth to general farming.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — The season is much earlier
than last year. Pastures are short, upland mowings half a crop,
lowlands in fair condition. The fruit bloom was : pears, 60 per
cent ; no cherries ; no peaches ; Baldwin apples, 90 ; other vari-
eties, 125. Codling moths and canker worms are doing some dam-
age. About one-tenth of fruit growers spray with insecticides,
but it is not increasing. No spraying with fungicides done as yet.
Farm help is very scarce and none of it good help. Wages are
from $10 to $18 per month with board and about $35 without.
Fruit production forms about 35 per cent of general farming and
is rapidly increasing.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The season is dry, dryer, dryest.
Pastures and mowings look as if there were an Egyptian blight upon
them. Apples blossomed finely, peaches not at all, pears and most
other fruits very lightly. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage.
Little spraying has been done in the past, but more will be done
this year. Tramps are plenty, but not one in ten is good help.
Wages are $20 per month with board. There is a growing interest
in the production of all kinds of fruits, apples leading, as the mar-
kets are too far away to make the production of small fruits gen-
erally profitable.

18

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Tolland (E. M. Moore). — The season is earlier than last year,
with weather favorable for planting. Mowings and pastures are
drying up and need rain. Fall seeding wintered fairly well. The
fruit bloom was quite up to the average. There is scarcely any
spraying practised here. Help is scarce and a very small propor-
tion can be called good help. Wages are $20 per month with
board and $1.25 per day without. The production of apples is on
the increase, but not much is done in the production of small fruits.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — The season is not so favorable as last
year, on account of dry weather. The prospect for both mowings
and pastures is very poor. Fall seeding wintered quite well.
Fruit bloom was rather fuller than usual. Tent caterpillars are
quite plenty. But little spraying is done here. Good help is
scarce, but there is plenty of cheap labor. Wages range from 812
to $20 per month with board. Fruit production about one-sixth
of general farming and rather on the increase. Planting is back-
ward, as farmers are waiting for rain.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — Farmers are not over-en-
thusiastic in regard to the season. Both pastures and mowings
are not growing, for want of rain. Some fall seeding winter-
killed. There were few blossoms ou any fruit except apples and
plums. Canker worms, the elm-tree leaf beetle and tree lice are
doing some damage. Some are spraying, but to a limited extent.
Help is mostly good in this immediate vicinity. Wages are from
$18 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 per day without. Per-
haps one-eighth of the gross income of farmers is from fruits.
The ground is so dry that seeds sprout v6ry slowly.

Wilbraham (F. E. Clark). — The season is rather later than
usual and very dry. We must have rain soon, or pastures and
mowings will suffer. Fall seeding winter-killed in many places.
The fruit bloom is more than double the usual bloom and the
promise now is for a good fruit crop. Tent caterpillars are
abundant and the potato beetle has shown himself. Spraying is
not practised as much as it should be. Farm help is scarce and
not one-fourth of those who apply are good help. Wages are from
$15 to $20 per month with board. The proportion of small fruits
is increasing from year to year.

Wales (CiiAs. F. Crawford). — The dry weather has a bad
effect on the prospects for the season. All grass is in poor con-
dition. Fruits of all kinds blossomed full and the prospect is for
a good crop. Tent caterpillars are on the apple trees, but the
damage is not noticeable. Spraying is entirely unknown here.

19

Farm help is scarce ; I tbiuk there is only one man in town who
hires, and he pays $1.25 per day without board. Apples are pro-
duced abundantly and pears are quite plenty. Other fruits are
raised for home use only, but are increasing somewhat. The farms
here are small, poor and stony.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warr€7i (Wm. E. Patrick). — The season started about a week
earlier than last year, but has been retarded by the drought.
Pastures and mowings have started well. Fall seeding wintered
well and is in good condition. The apple bloom was as full as
any ever seen, pears and cherries very light, peaches none. No
insects are doing any damage worth mentioning. Very little
spraying is done, but I think there is an increase each year. Farm
help is scarce ; possibly half is good. There has been no material
change in the wages paid. The proportion of fruit production is
too small to estimate, but I think it is increasing.

North BrooJiJiekl (John H. Lane). — The season is in many
respects similar to last year. Pastures and mowing will be poor,
unless rain comes soon. Our people are feeding at the barn as
much as in January. Apple bloom very full and early, no pears,
other fruits good. Canker worms and tent caterpillars are doing
some damage. Very little spraying is done. Help is scarce and
poor, 10 per cent being good. Wages are from $15 to $20 per
month with board. The production of fruit forms 10 per cent of
the general farming.

Peterifhani (S. B. Cook). — The season is a full week earlier
than last year. Pastures and mowings are suffering much from
drought. Fall seeding wintered well. Apple bloom unusually
abundant ; peaches and pears had a light bloom. Tent caterpil-
lars are abundant and the cut worm is working. Very little is
done in spraying, but it is on the increase. Farm help is not very
scarce, but only about 5 per cent is good help. Wages are $1 per
day with board and $1.50 without. Fruit production does not
form more than 10 per cent of general farming. There have been
a good many peach trees set out this year and the area of straw-
berries has been increased.

Winchendori (W. H. Sav7yer). — Pastures and mowings are
very poor, as it is very dry. The winter was hard on fall seeding.
Fruit trees blossomed very full this year. Tent caterpillars are
doing some damage. But very little spraying is done. There is
help enough and wages range from $15 to $20 per month with
board. The production of fruit is very small, but is on the
increase.

20

FitcJihnrg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — The season is much dryer
and a little earlier than last year. Grass is suffering for want of
rain. Apples had a very full bloom, peaches none, other fruits
moderate. Tent caterpillars are doing damage and there are some
canker worms and potato beetles. Spraying is practised only to a
small extent and is not increasing much. Good help is scarce and
poor help plenty. Wages are $20 per month with board and $1.50
jDer day without. The proportion of fruit raised is not large and
does not increase very much. The apple bloom occurred on
May 11 ; only twice in forty years has it occurred earlier.

Bolton (H. E. Babcock). — The season is earlier than last year
and compares favorably. Grass started well, but has not grown
well, owing to drought. The fruit bloom was very full, except
peaches and pears. Canker worms ai'e doing great damage. A
great many are spraying and I think it is increasing. Help is
plenty, but good help scarce. Wages are $15 to $20 per month
with board and $25 to $30 without. Fruit production forms but a
small proportion of the general farming in this locality and in-
creases but little from year to year.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — Crops that have not suffered from
drought are somewhat ahead of last season. Pastures and mow-
ings need rain badly. Early fall-seeded pieces look well. Apples
promise a full crop, but there will be few pears and no peaches.
Potato bugs are very plenty and currant worms are doing some
damage. Spraying is not at all general and is not increasing as
much as it should. Good help is never plenty, but I think quan-
tity and quality are about average this season. Wages are from
$18 to $25 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day with-
out. Apples are raised more or less and a few raise small fruits
quite extensively. On the whole, however, I think less fruit is
raised in this neighborhood than ten years ago.

Upton (B. A. Jourdan). — Pastures and grass are very back-
ward, on account of dry weather. Fall seeding looks well, if we
could liave rain to bring it forward. Fruit made a full bloom,
except pears, which were very light. Very little spraying is done
here. Help seems to be plenty, but it is very hard to get good
help. From $18 to $20 per month and board is paid good help.
The production of small fruits is very light in this section.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Pepperell (A. N. Blood). — The season compares favorably

with last year. Pastures are drying up for want of rain and old

mowings are light. The fruit bloom was a grand one, as large as

I ever saw. Very few insects as yet. Spraying is not practised

21

to any great extent, but is increasing. Farm help is scarce and
about one-half is first class. Wages are from $16 to $20 per month
with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without. Fruits and
small fruits form 25 per cent of the money crops and the produc-
tion is increasing yearly. We must have rain soon, or we shall
get no crops.

Loivell (C. L. Marshall). — The season is very poor and dryer
than last year. Pastures are looking poorly, but fall seeding is
doing well. The fruit bloom was very heavy and promises a great
crop. Canker worms and grubs are doing some damage. There
is very much more spraying than in former years. Help is plenty
and a small proportion is good help. Wages are $18 to $20 per
month with board and $30 to $35 without. The proportion of
fruit production to general farming is 3 to 2 and small fruits are
increasing.

WiiicJiester (Marshall Symmes). — Planting is well advanced,
but the drought has checked growth. Pastures and mowings are
in bad shape and fall seeding much winter-killed. Apple trees
bloomed full, pears light, peaches and plums almost none at all.
Tent caterpillars and canker worms are very bad in places and cut
worms are bad everywhere. Spraying is on the increase, but is
not general as yet. Help is very plenty and about 50 per cent is
good help. Wages are from $7 to $10 per week without board and
$16 to $25 per month with board. Fruit growing is not on the
increase.

Lincoln (Samuel Hartwell). — The season is about the same
as last year. The continued dry weather makes pastures and
meadows short ; some fall seeding wintered badly. Apples bloomed
abundantly, pears very light and no peaches. Canker worms are
doing some damage. Help is moderately plenty and three-fourths
is good. Wages are $18 to $20 per month with board and $30 to
S40 without. The production of fruit probably equals the general
farming and is increasing. Early crops have not germinated well.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The season compares unfavor-
ably with last year. Pastures and mowings are unusually short.
Fall seeding winter-killed considerably. The fruit bloom was 110
for apples, 10 for pears and 5 for cherries. Canker worms are
doing some damage. Spraying is practised quite considerably and
is rapidly increasing. Help is plenty and about one-tenth is good
help. Wages are $20 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 to
$2 per day without. Fruit production forms about one-tenth of
the general farming and seems to be increasing.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — The outlook this season is very
bad. There has been no rain of any amount since the snow went

22

and pastures and mowings are in a deplorable condition. There
was a full bloom on apple trees, none on peach trees and very lit-
tle on pear trees. Canker worms have turned 25 per cent of the
apple trees brown and cut worms are working. Nearly every one
sprays, but the canker worm keeps right on. Help is plenty; one-
third is good, one-third passable and one-third good for nothing.
Wages are $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day
■without. Fruit production forms 40 per cent of general farming
and there is a slight increase from year to year. Early sowed oats
look fairly well.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben Webster) . — With the exception of the rather
dry weather, the season compares favorably with last year. Past-
ures and mowings are looking well, except on high land. Fall
seeding was somewhat winter-killed. There were no pear blos-
soms, but a good bloom of apples. Tent caterpillars are doing
some damage. Very little spraying is done, but it is on the in-
crease. Farm help is plenty and fully as good as usual. Wages
are $20 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without.
The proportion of fruit production is small, but increasing.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Pastures are very poor and
mowings light on high ground. Fall seeding wintered well.
Apples bloomed more fully than for years, but pears made a light
bloom. Canker worms are doing some damage. Nearly every one
sprays for the canker worm and spraying is on the increase.
Help is plenty and one in three good help. Wages are from $18 to
$25 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. The
production of fruit is increasing, especially apples ; but little is
done in small fruits.

JSfewbv.ry (G. W. Adams). — The season is late and the drought
severe. Pastures and mowings are destroyed. Fall seeding win-
tered well. The fruit bloom was above the average, except for
pears. Canker worms are doing some damage. Fifty per cent of
the fruit is sprayed and the practice is increasing. Farm help is
rather scarce and ten per cent is good. Wages are from $20 to
$28 per month with board and $1.50 per day without. Fruit pro-
duction is perhaps 15 per cent of general farming and is increasing.
There has been practically no rain for six weeks.

Manchester (John Baker) . — The season is more advanced than
last year, but much dryer. Pastures and mowings will be poor,
unless we have rain soon. Much clover winter-killed. The fruit
bloom was much heavier than usual. Tent caterpillars and canker
worms are doing some damage and the cut worm is also working.

23

Spraying is not practised to any great extent, but is increasing.
Wages are 620 to $25 per niontli with board and $1.75 per day
without.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — The apple bloom was the largest
for years. Tent caterpillars and canker worms are doing some
damage. Many do not spray their trees, but the practice is in-
creasing. Farm help is plenty and wages are from 818 to $22 per
month with board. Fruit production forms not more than 5 or 10
per cent of our farming, but is increasing in amount.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Jfedz^ay (Monroe Morse). — Pastui'es and mowings do not
promise well. Fall seeding did not winter very well. Peaches
had no blossoms, pears light, apples abundant, plums and cherries
full. Canker worms are doing some damage. Spraying is prac-
tised some and the practice is growing. I have been fortunate in
getting good help. I pay $20 per month with board and $35 with
garden patch and house rent without board. The growing of
small fruits is increasing. Strawberries will suffer unless rain
comes soon.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — The present season is not as good
as last year. Pastures and mowings are badly dried up. Fall
seeding wintered well. Apples had an excellent bloom, pears light,
no peaches, strawberries good. Canker worms and cut worms are
plenty. Spraying is practised to a small extent and is on the
increase. Help is plenty; about 10 per cent is good help. Wages
are from $15 to $18 per month with board and $30 to $40 without.
Fruits form but a small proportion of the farm produce, but their
growing is on the increase. We have had very little rain for a
long time.

Randolph (R. A. Thayer). — The season is much less favor-
able than last year, mainly on account of drought. Pastures and
mowings are very short, except on moist land. Fall seeding
wintered well. Apples bloomed very full, pears a very small
bloom, small fruits good. Only a few canker worms and tent
caterpillars. Spraying is practised to a very limited extent.
Ordinary help is quite plenty, but first-class men are scarce.
Wages are $15 to $25 per month with board and $30 to $40 with-
out. A little fruit is raised and the production is increasing.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Attleboroitgh (Isaac Alger). — The season is not as good as
last year, being too dry. Pastures and mowings are very short,
especially on high land. The apple bloom was abundant, but

24

there was no bloom on pears. No spraying done. Help is quite
plenty and one-half is good help. Wages are 620 per month with
board and $1.50 per day without. Very little is done in the pro-
duction of fruit in this section.

Haynham (N. W. Shaw). — The prospect is not favorable for
good crops. It is too dry for pastures and mowings, and fall
seeding winter-killed somewhat. Apples had an enormous bloom,
but pears bloomed very light. Canker worms and currant worms
are doing some damage. Very few spray, but the practice is in-
creasing. Farm help is scarce, except tramps who do not want to
work. "Wages paid vary widely, according to the quality of the
help. I think one-tenth would be a fair proportion to set on fruit
production and it is continually increasing.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Crops are not quite so far advanced
as last year. Fall seeding wintered well, but meadows and past-
ures are very light. Apples and strawberries bloomed very full,
no peaches and very few pears. Canker worms are doing some
damage. Spraying is practised quite generally on strawberries
and is on the increase. There is very little farm help, mostly
Portuguese. Wages are $12 to $20 per month with board and
$1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. Fruit production forms
fully one-half of our farming, but has not increased any for three
years. Strawberry vines wintered well, but the crop will be late.

Sivanzey (F. G. Arnold). — Pastures are in fair condition, but
mowings have suffered from dry weather and the hay crop will be
short. The fruit bloom was about the same as usual. Canker
worms are doing some damage. Very little attention is paid to
spraying. Farm help is plenty and the majority is good help.
Wages are $16 to $20 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50
per day without. Strawberries are the principal crop here, but I
do not think their production is increasing.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis) . — The present season is not as favor-
able as last year. Pastures and mowings are below the average
in condition. Fall seeding is in good condition. Apples made a
full bloom, but pears were very light. There are some currant
worms, but insects are not very troublesome. Spraying is prac-
tised very little and there is no special increase. Farm help is as
plenty as usual and possibly one-half are good. Wages are from
$16 to $25 with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without.
Fruit production forms not more than one-tenth of our farming
and there has been no change for a long time.

25

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

West Bridgetoater (F. E. Howard). — The season is earlier than
last year. The promise for pastures and mowings is good now
after the rain. Fall seeding wintered well. Apples had a full
bloom, but pears and peaches were very light. Canker worms and
currant worms are doing some damage. Very little if an}^ spray-
ing is done. There is about the usual supply of help, of which
perhaps half is good help. Wages are $18 to $20 per month with
board and $1.50 to $2 per day without. The production of
fruits and small fruits bears the proportion of 2 to 1 to general
farming and is increasing.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas, M.D.). — Pastures and mowings prom-
ise well and fall seeding wintered well. Apples bloomed fuller
than last year, no peaches and few pears. Tent caterpillars are
more numerous than last year, but are doing little damage. Not
much spraying is done, but our farmers are beginning the practice.
People who have fruit trees are beginning to see that they tnust
spray to have good fruit. Farm help is plenty and good. Wages
are $1.50 per day for ordinary work and $2.50 per day in haying.
Not much small fruit is raised and it is decreasing.

Plympton (Jacob Parker) . — The present season is not as good
as last year. Fall seeding wintered fairly well and pasturing is
coming on finely. The fruit bloom was as large as any ever known
here. There are very few insects. No spraying done here. Help
is plenty and is all very good. Wages are $2 to $3 per week with
board and $1.50 per day without. The production of small fruits
is increasing. Fruit is setting well.

Ldkeville (Elbridge Cushman). — The season is a favorable
one. The late rains have made the outlook for pastures and mow-
ings more encouraging. The apple bloom was the largest for
years and that of pears the smallest. Spraying practised in per-
haps one-fourth the cases and is increasing. Help is plenty and
perhaps one-half is good. Wages are from $15 to $20 per month
with board and from $25 to $30 without. Quite a portion of the
farm income is from small fruit and it is increasing.

Marion (Jas. H. Allen). — The season is about the same as
last year. Pastures and mowings do not promise as well as last
year. Fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom compares
favorably with other years. Tent caterpillars are doing some
damage. There is not much spraying done in town. Farm help is
plenty and about all is good. Most help is hired by the day and
the regular wages are $2. Fruit production averages more than
common farming and is on the increase.

26

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — The present season is fully as good as
last year. Pastures and mowings are more promising than they
have been for several weeks. The apple bloom was very good,
other fruit average. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage.
Spraying is not practised except in two cases in town. Help is
scarce and three-fourths of it good. Wages are $25 to $30 per
month and $2 per day without board. The production of small
fruits is three-fourths that of general farming and is increasing
from year to year.

'Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — The season is about the same as
last year. Pastures and mowings are looking well since the rain
of the 19th. Apples made a very large bloom and pears and
peaches a fair one. Tent caterpillars and potato beetles are doing
some damage. There is no spraying done. Farm help is very
scarce and not over 5 per cent is good help. Wages are from
$1.50 to 62 per day without board. Fruit production forms about
40 per cent of general farming and is on the decrease. Crops gen-
erally look as well as ever at this season of the year.

Barnstable (John Burslet) . — The severe drought and extremes
of heat and cold make the season later than last year. All grass
is very small at the present time. Tent caterpillars are doing
some damage. There is but little spraying, except on cranber-
ries, and flooding is practised on them whenever practicable.
Farm help is scarce and 50 per cent is good. Wages are $20 per
month with board and $1.50 per day without. Fruits, including
cranberries, are fully 50 per cent of our market crops.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — There is not much difference be-
tween this season and last year. Pastures and mowings have
suffered from extremely dry weather. The apple bloom was very
full and other fruit rather less than average. Tent caterpillars
and cranberry-vine worms are doing some damage. But little
spraying is done, except on cranberries ; the practice is increas-
ing. There is a moderate supply of help. Wages are from $20
to $25 per month with board and $30 to $35 without. If cranber-
ries are included, the production of fruit will bear the proportion
to general farming of nearly 2 to 1 , and it is increasing.

Orleans (John Kenrick). — The season ?b very much behind
last year, owing to extreme drought. Grass will be thin, owing
to drought. Fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was a
fair average. -The cranberry-vine worm and the asparagus beetle
are doing some damage. Spraying is extensively practised for
the cranberry worm and is increasing. But little hired help is

27

employed and that mainly by the day. Including cranberries, the
production of fruit is an important factor in our farming and is
increasing. Asparagus is cultivated to a considerable extent.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — The season is somewhat
later than last year and crops are backward. The prospect for
pastures and mowings will be poor, unless it continues wet. The
fruit bloom was about average. Tent caterpillars are doing some
damage. Spraying is not practised to any great extent, and is
but slightly on the increase. Farm help is equal to the demand
and about one in ten is good help. "Wages are from $10 to $20
per month with board and $1.50 per day without. Fruit produc-
tion is very small and not increasing.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — It has been very dry and every-
thing is backward. Pastures and mowings are in very poor con-
dition. Fall seeding is all winter-killed. What we call the turnip
flea is doing damage to beets, onions and early cabbage. There
is no spraying of any kind practised. It is hard work to get good
help that can be trusted to do good work and handle a team.
Wages are from $8 to $20 per month with board. Very little is
done in raising small fruits here, some strawberries and black-
berries.

28

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGEICULTURE.

Report of the Meetings of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers'

Association.

By Prof. S. T. Matnaed, Secretary.

For a great many years the amount of fruit consumed by the
people of this State has been steadily increasing, but this increase
has come not from our own growers but largely from other States
and countries. Of the amount of fruit imported into Massachu-
setts from other States or countries we have no accurate statistics
available at this time, but we learn that the city of Boston alone
consumed in a single season nearly 2,000,000 cans of apple, and in
the city of Worcester a single dealer handled two carloads of the
same product ; and almost every town or city in the State con-
sumes more or less of apples in this convenient form, none of
which are produced by our own fruit growers.

In every city, town or village, evaporated apples, dried plums,
peaches and berries are consumed in more or less large quantities ;
and canned peaches, cherries, raspberries and strawberries are
found on the shelves of almost every grocer and provision dealer
in the State. During the summer and fall our markets are flooded
with fresh fruits from other States : strawberries from Florida,
Georgia, Virginia and New Jersey ; peaches from most of the
Southern States ; grapes from the South and West and almost
every kind of fruit from the Pacific coast.

No State in the Union, probably, consumes so much fruit per
capita as our own ; and our fruit growers should make a great effort
to secure at least a reasonable share of this immense traffic, and sup-
ply more fuMy than is now done our local markets. In many cases
the competition will be between our native and the tropical fruits ;
but there is no section of the country that can produce better

29

apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, blackberries, raspberries,
currauts and strawberries, and a large proportion of these fruits
consumed by our people should be grown by our growers. Of
course we cannot put the fruit into the markets as early in the
season as that shipped from the South, but we can put it into the
hands of the consumer m a tmcch better condidon; and if we can
keep our markets /«% svppUed with extra choice fruit, either fresh,
evaporated or canned, at reasonable prices, we sliall cut off, in a
large degree, the demand for Southern and Western and inferior
fruit.

It is this situation which led to the formation of the Massa-
chusetts Fruit Growers' Association. The first meeting was held
at Worcester, March 20, 1895. At this meeting, a two-days ses-
sion, sixty-seven members were enrolled. Papers were presented
on "The care and cultivation of orchards," by Prof. J. W. Clark
of North Hadley ; " The preparation and packing of fruits for
foreign markets," by Geo. A. Cochrane of Boston ; " Grape grow-
ing in Massachusetts," by H. A. Cook of Shrewsbury; "Insects
and fungous pests and remedies," by Prof. S. T. Maynard of the
Massachusetts Agricultural College; and "The preservation of
fruit by cold storage," by Dr. Jabez Fisher of Fitchburg. Mr.
Cochrane advocated in his lecture the packing of fruit for foreign
markets in half-barrel boxes, divided into two compartments, and
that the fruit should be graded and wrapped as oranges are.

The Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association was organized, a
constitution adopted, and officers elected as follows : president,
James Draper of Worcester ; vice-president, Samuel Hartwell of
Lincoln ; secretary, S. T. Maynard of Amherst; treasurer, E. W.
Wood of West Newton ; auditor, C. L. Hartshorn of Worcester ;
witli a board of twelve directors.

The second meeting was a field meeting, held on the grounds of
the Agricultural College at Amherst, on June 14, 1895, with about
forty members present. Professor Maynard explained the location
of the many points of interest on the grounds The strawberry ex-
periment plots, where over one hundred and fifty named varieties
were in fruit and about the same number of seedlings were fruiting for
the first time, were visited. The varieties were studied and tested,
but, as no one could test all, conclusions as to the best necessarily
varied. The orchards and vineyards were examined ; the latter,
containing two hundred varieties of grapes trained to the one-arm
renewal system, attracted much attention. The greenhouses, the
largest glass structures and containing the most complete and ex-
tensive collection of economic and commercial plants to be found
connected with any agricultural college in the country, were vis-

30

ited, aud the methods of construction, ventilation and heating were
especially inspected. The grounds about these buildings, planted
with a very large and complete collection of the more choice orna-
mental trees and shrubs, were also examined. The farm depart-
ment, including the new and spacious barn, was visited, as was
also the experiment station, with its laboratories and experiment
plots, after which the meeting adjourned, the members expressing
themselves as having passed an unusually pleasant and profitable
day.

The first annual meeting of the association was held at the hall
of the Worcester Horticultural Society, March 12 aud 13, 1896.

Thursday — Morning Session.

The meeting was called to order by President Draper, who
called on O. B. Hadwen to give the address of welcome. The
reports of the secretary, treasurer and auditor were presented and
accepted. It was voted that standing committees on nominations,
legislation, new fruits and membership be formed.

After these preliminary exercises were disposed of, the first
topic for discussion was taken from the question list.

First Question : Apple orcharding, — will it pay to increase plant-
ing of the apple, and, if so, what sorts? — The discussion took a
wide range, all agreeing that there was as much profit in apple
growing as in any crop grown. Mr. E. W. Wood considered the
Baldwin the most profitable variety, but it is losing its vigor, and
we must cast about for something to take its place. Mr. Hartwell
considered the Gravenstein the most profitable apple, his method
of harvesting being to let the apples fall on a mulch of hay, and
market them in bushel boxes, selling for Si to Si. .50 per box.
Mr. Hadwen would not plant Gravensteins on heavy soil ; they
need some sand in the soil. Other varieties of promise mentioned
were Mcintosh Red, Sutton Beauty, Palmer Greening, Ben Davis,
King, AVagner, etc. The Ben Davis was reported as the longest-
keeping red apple, and profitable, but of poor quality ; and the
King as very uncertain on the thin soils of Massachusetts.

Second Question : The European market for apples, green or
evaporated. — No one present had had experience with canned or
evaporated fruit, but all agreed that well-packed good fruit would
sell for paying prices if shipped to Europe. Mr. J. Eames would
have the apples packed as far as possible from the boiler of the
steamer in which they are shipped, in many cases reported the
apples stowed near the boiler having come out in a much decayed
and injured condition. Careful picking, sorting and close packing
are absolutely necessary to success.

31

Third Question : Is it advisable to plant pears or peaches between
apjjles in the orchard, lohen fort ij feet or more apart? — Several
speakers discussed tliis question, the opinion being that peaches
could be planted between the apple, but not pears, as the pear is
as long lived as the apple. Mr, Wood suggested currants as a
good crop to plant under the shade of fruit trees, giving as an
instance tbe Hittinger Brothers of Belmont, who during the past
season grew twenty tons of currants under pear and apple trees.

Fourth Question : Is it desirable to plough orchards late in the
season, say in November? — This question was discussed with a
very wide range, but it was generally conceded that it is best to
cultivate young orchards continually or until they begin to bear,
when many advocated seeding down to grass, and ploughing once
in three to five years.

Fifth Question : Causes of and remedy for scald on apples in
winter storage. — Professor Clark thought the cause too much
moisture and heat, and would prevent it by getting the apples into
a cool, even temperature as quickly as possible after they are
picked.

Sixth Question : Pruning orchards, — is it p)ractised as generally
and as thoroughly as it shoidd be? — This question was passed
over rapidly, but it was generally agreed that trees need some
pruning, that many prune too much and some too little, and that
the time to prune the trees is while they are young.

Ajternoon Session.

Wm. R. Sessions, secretary State Board of Agriculture, in the
chair.

Seventh Question: What is the best winter siveet apple? —
Among the winter sweet apples mentioned were the Honey Sweet,
Tolman's Sweet, Danvers Sweet, Green Sweet, Ladies' Sweet.

Eighth Question : Best treatment for old apple orchards that have
been in sod many years? If ploughed, how deep? — Mr, Hinds
pastures colts in orchards ; he thinks pigs eat off the fibrous feed-
ing roots, Mr. Fames could see no injury from swine in an apple
orchard pastured with them for forty years. Mr. Cruickshanks
explained Dr. Fisher's method, he not having ploughed his
orchard for fifteen years. No grass is carried away, and a liberal
dressing of fertilizer, about eighteen dollars' worth per acre, is
applied every year. Captain Palmer would treat the land as any
other meadow, plough when the sod was run out, manure enough
to get a crop of grass and put it in the barn. His best apples grow
in his pasture. Many others advocated constant cultivation. Prof.

32

L. F. Kinney suggested a compromise of a strip of turf along the
line of the trees, and the central portion ploughed, cultivated and
fertilized. Mr. Hinds, whose peach orchard was awarded the first
prize by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1895, prac-
tises the latter method.

Ninth Question : What is the best way to exterminate the canker
worm? — Paris green applied at the rate of one pound to one hun-
dred gallons of the Bordeaux mixture is thecheapest and best remedy.
Application should be made just as they are beginning to hatch
out, on average seasons about May 10, and then again in from five
to ten days. If tar and ink bands are used, the coating must be
kept soft from the middle of October to the middle of April, when-
ever the frost is out of the ground and the nights are moist and
warm. The ink method is simple, cheap and effectual, if properly
attended to.

Tenth Question : The best make and form of spraying j)umj) to
purchase for general use? — Prof. J. W. Clark uses the Douglas
pump and Vermorel and McGowen nozzle. Prof. S. T. Maynard
suggested that there are many good pumps, but it is best to buy
one made near home, in case of breakage of parts. The Douglas
Pump Company are thoroughly reliable, and have been in the
business of manufacturing pumps for fifty to sixty years.

Mr. J. H. Hale, the speaker of the afternoon, now appeared and
spoke on " Progressive horticulture." He said that growing choice
fruits is one of the fine arts of agriculture. Fine fruit appeals to
the higher natures of the people. Fruit must be of fine quality,
and put up in attractive packages. The best place to grow fruit
is where the market is. In New England we have the soil and
conditions for the growth of all the hardy fruits to the greatest
perfection, and in our markets the demand is ahead of the supply
for fine fruit. To produce fine fruit, one must have a real love for
the work. Let the dollar be the last thing in consideration, and
it will often be the first. At all events, that enthusiasm which
forgets every tiling but the necessary condition for the production
of the finest product possible will be sure of a liberal reward.
Cultivation, fertilization, pruning, thinning, spraying, packing and
the package are the most important points to consider. There is
no profit and can be none in the production of eighty per cent
damaged goods, as is often the result of our fruit growing. The
manufacturers of cloth who produced even ten per cent of dam-
aged goods would soon become bankrupt. Of small fruits in New
England there are now grown one thousand acres where there was
one thirty or forty years ago. Our markets are at our doors, and
we must do what we can to supply them, or others will do it for us.

33

The speaker believed that there is more profit in fniit growing in
New England than in the South, but made the strong point that
thorough work, perfect fruit and business methods are necessary
to success.

Evening Session — Grange Hall.

President Draper announced the standing committees authorized
at the morning session as follows : Nominations : O. B. Hadwen,
Samuel Hartwell, J. W. Clark, James Draper, Geo. Cruickshanks.
New fruits: S. T. Maynard, C. W. Prescott, David L. Fisk,
H. W. Moore. Legislation : M. P. Palmer, C. L. Hartshorn,
C. A. Gleason, Henry L. Parker. Membership : H. A. Cook,
Ethan Brooks, A. G. Sharp, Abel F. Stevens, C. W. Minott, Fred
W. Johnson, S. C. Damon.

It was voted that a committee of three be appointed to draw up
resolutions favoring the State appropriation for the destruction of
the gypsy moth. Geo. Cruickshanks, C. L. Hartshorn and Ethan
Brooks were appointed.

Eleventh Question : What neiv points in regard to spraying have
been learned the past season? — This question led to a general dis-
cussion of the subject, nearly all agreeing that it is becoming more
and more apparent each year that we must protect our crops from
insect and fungous pests by the use of insecticides and fungicides.
Mr. Morse asked if any one had had experience with the use of arse-
nate of lead. He had tried it, with poor success. Mr. Minott said
that one quart of glucose added to one hundred and fifty gallons
of the mixture would cause it to adhere to the foliage.

Twelfth Question : What sorts of fruits have been planted to
excess, if any, in Massachusetts? — No one expressed the thought
that any fruits had been planted to excess in Massachusetts, but
that there was room for more, if properly taken care of.

Thirteenth Question : Considering the steady decline in prices,
what is the outlook for frnit growers in the future? Is it safe to
continue extensive planting? — It was decided by many that prices
for choice fruit had held their own and in some cases advanced in
the past few years, while there had been a decline in prices of
almost all of the necessaries of life. Gluts often occurred, and we
must be prepared with cold-storage houses, evaporators and can-
ning establishments to preserve our crops until the market will
demand them.

The committee on nominations presented the list of officers as
follows : president, James Draper of \Yorcester ; vice-president,
Samuel Hartw^ell of Lincoln ; secretary, S. T. Maynard of Amlierst ;
treasurer, E. W. "Wood of West Newton ; auditor, C. L. Hartshorn
of Worcester ; directors, Essex County, E. A. Emerson of Haver-

34

bill ; Suffolk County, "Wm. Tl. Sessions of Boston ; Plymouth
County, Augustus Pratt of North Middleborough ; Norfolk County,
A. F. Stevens of Wellesley ; Middlesex County, M. P. Palmer
of Groton, Jonathan Eames of Sherborn ; Worcester County,
Geo. Cruickshanks of Fitchburg, Benj. A. Nourse of West-
borough ; Hampden County, Ethan Brooks of Springfield ; Hamp-
shire County, F. C. Richards of Williamsburg, J. W. Clark of
North Hadley ; Berkshire County, A. G. Sharp of Richmond.

It was voted that the secretary cast one vote for the entire list
of officers, as presented, which was done, and all were declared
elected.

Fourteenth Question : Which are the best^ barn-yard or chemical
manures for bearing fruit trees, or a combination of both? — Mr.
Hinds uses chemicals, largely bone and potash, for orchards, and
pastures colts in them, with good results. Other members dis-
cussed the subject, bringing out the points that the kind of land
makes much difference as to what and how much fertilizing mate-
rial should be used ; potash tends to make fine and well-colored
fruit ; nitrogen large size, but not so good quality.

Fifteenth Question: Should new varieties of fruits be tested at
the experiment stations before they are offered to the public? — It
was generally agreed that they should, but it was suggested that
duplicate tests be made in different parts of the State, all agreeing
that some protection is needed to save the fruit grower the great
expense of buying at high prices every new thing that is offered,
when in nine cases in ten they are inferior to the old standard
sorts. The results obtained in tests at Amherst proved generally
correct for other sections of the State, but duplicate tests are
needed, to hasten the work and make it more exact.

As to varieties of fruits, the winter pears best suited to New
England conditions mentioned were Anjou and Dana's Hovey ; of
raspberries, the Cuthbert ; of blackberries, the Snyder, Agawam
and Taylor's Prolific ; of strawberries, the Haviland, Bubach,
Greenville, Marshall and Brandywine.

Of the Japanese plums, it was reported that the fruit buds were
all killed and the ends of some of the canes on young trees.

Training the grape by the one or two arm renewal system was
illustrated by a wire fastened to the side of the hall. The princi-
pal advantages of the one-arm renewal system (Fig. 1) are: first,
simplicity and saving of labor in training and tying up, every part
of the vine being easily seen by the operator; second, the fruit
and leaves are carried up into the sunlight and air, where they are
less subject to the attack of mildew and rot, are out of the reach
of poultry, and safe from the spatter of the soil during heavy

35

showers ; third, only two wires are needed, and the labor of
pruning is much less than where several arms are employed ;
fourth, as large a crop of grapes can be grown as with the many-
arm system. In Fig. 1 a part of three vines is shown. The
upper cane of last season's growth is represented in fruit, while

/iV/,

the new cane is trained on the lower wire. The fruiting spurs are
pinched off as soon as the first leaf is found beyond the last bunch
of blossoms, and whenever new shoots start from these laterals one
leaf is allowed to grow. The laterals on the new canes are treated
in the same wa}", and the end is stopped in gi'owth as soon as it is
a foot past the next vine toward wliich it is growing. At the end
of the season the fruited cane is cut away and the new cane from
the lower wire is brought to the upper wire for the next season's
fruiting.

Girdling grapes to hasten their ripening was explained. Grapes
are thus hastened in time of ripening from one week to ten days.
It has been practised for fifteen years by Mr. Wheeler of Concord,
and is the only way that he can secure his crop from frost in the
fall, as his vineyard is only a few feet above the river that flows
near.

Remedy for apple maggot or railroad worm, so called : destroy
all fallen fruit and pick all marketable fruit before it gets at all
mellow.

Cold-storage houses with ice are used by Messrs. Hunt, Eames
and others. Drip was prevented by having ice on slats and the
water caught on sheet iron underneath. Mr. Hunt used waste
water for cooling milk. Mr. Hartwell believed that there was an
outlet for all the fine fruit we can grow. Captain Palmer would
grow fruit in connection with general farming. The farmer should
have a good deal to sell and considerable variety, that his income
may be distributed through the year. Would advise young men
to plant fruit trees. Use them well and they will use you well.
Intends to continue planting, not a few trees each year, but
several hundred.

36

Friday — Mornivg Session.

The closing day began with President Draper in the chair. The
report of the committee on gypsy moth resolution was called for,
and the following resolutions were presented and adopted : —

Whereas, The committee on a£rrieulture in the Massachusetts Legis-
lature has under consideration the matter of an appropriation for the
extermination of the gypsy moth in this State; therefore,

Bewlved, That we, members of the Massachusetts Fruit Growers'
Association, in annual meeting assembled, earnestly request that a
liberal appropriation be made for carrying on the work, that the ravages
of this dangerous insect pest be checked.

Besolved, That we recommend tliat the proper legislative committee
be requested t~> take such measures as will enlist the co-operation of the
United States government in this work of exterminating this pest, as we
believe it will be a national calamity if allowed to spread over the
country.

The speaker for the morning, Mr. C. H. Perkins of Newark,
N. Y., a man of wide experience in handling the apple crop and
in the evaporating and canning business, was then introduced, and
discussed in an able manner " The preservation, storing and mar-
keting of fruit." A brief report of this address we copy from the
" Worcester Evening Gazette " : —

Mr. Perkins said the subject was an immense one, and more
than he could present in the time allotted for the discussion. He
first considered the question of cold storage, basing his remarks
upon an experience of thirty years in this line of agriculture. He
w^ould not be understood as referring to the large cold-storage
houses, where fifty thousand bushels of pears were kept for can-
ning, but rather the neighborhood cold storage, the co-operative
plan. The advantage to be gained by co-operative cold storage
was to preserve the trade, for the Canadian shippers stood ready
to monopolize that trade if they saw an opportunity.

He spoke of the extensive apple orchards of the country
and of the great demand from European markets. The value
of the evaporation was demonstrated from a financial stand-
point when the speaker said that in one county in New York State
of not more than fifteen towns the value of the product was fully
one million dollars. He told of a frost-proof storage house that
he had built to store ten thousand barrels of apples. When
oranges were sold at a cent apiece, the cry was heard that it
would be no use to raise apples. As a matter of fact, apples still
sell for more than oranges, not only in this country, but in P^irope.

37

Considering evaporated apples, the speaker exhibited a number
of specimens. An evaporating plant varies in expense, as there
are many kinds of evaporators. Those costing from fifty
dollars to one hundred and seventy-five dollars will evaporate
fifty bushels a day ; those costing one hundred and seventy-
five dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars, from one hun-
dred to one hundred and fifty bushels a day ; and those cost-
ing three hundred dollars will evaporate one hundred and
fifty bushels a day. There are machines that cost eight hundred
dollars that operate by steam, with a capacity of two hundred
bushels a day. The cost of evaporating is from one and one-
quarter to one and one-half cents a pound.

He said that for canning a better grade of apples was used
than for evaporating purposes. The profit, however, was great,
and in this line of goods Great Britain takes twenty thou-
sand dozen annually. These canned goods find their way on the
continent also. There was equally as good profit in canned pears.
New England Bartlett pears have the best flavor and are in greater
demand. In canning, the apples are cored and quartered, placed
in the gallon can, and water is put in. The can is sealed and
placed in a tub or vat and boiled. One and one-half bushels of
apples will make twelve gallon cans. For canning, the speaker
preferred the Baldwin.

He said that the wastes from the evaporators were used to make
the cheap jellies, and, strange to say, from apples, strawberry,
raspberry and other jellies were made, simply by using the flavor
of the fruit desired. He said that this was not so bad as it is
in England, where turnips form the basis, instead of apples.

The cold-storage house described by Mr. Perkins (Fig. 2) is a
frame building on a solid foundation, the first posts being four
inches thick and fourteen feet high. This is covered with paper
and sheathing boards. Four-inch studs are again set up on both
sides of this wall, and covered with paper and sheathing, thus
making a wall about sixteen inches thick, with three four-inch air
spaces (as shown at A) . If desired to make this building more
ornamental, clapboards may be put outside, thus adding another
thickness of paper and sheathing. The roof is built in the same
manner, with three four-inch air spaces and a ventilator, and
double glass windows (B) on the ridge for light and ventilation.
One or more double doors may be provided. Any common frame
building could be utilized in this way, by covering both sides of
the frame and putting up studs outside and inside of this covering
and sheathing up. The foundation should be firm, and below the
action of frost outside. This house, after the temperature has

38

been lowered by opening the ventilators in the roof and the doors
near the ground at night and closing in the morning, will scarcely
vary in temperature twelve degrees during the fall and winter
months. In such a house, eider apples, the poorer two grades
used for evaporating and the best two grades used for canning
are kept with little or no loss until they can be converted into
marketable products. Mr. Perkins made the point very clear that
the great advantage of utilizing the seconds and medium grades of
apples for canning and evaporating is that the choice apples only

^V-

are put on the market, and such choice fruit will sell for more than
enough above the ordinary grades to pay the cost of working up
the former into marketable products. This gain in price of choice
fruit should be permanent, on the principle that the more such
fruit the people have the more they want, and both demand and
prices are increased.

Afternoon Session.

Vice-President Hartwell was in the chair. The address was
made by Prof. S. T. Maynard of the Massachusetts Agricultural
College, on the propagation, growth and pruning of fruit trees,
illustrated by samples of seedling stocks used for budding, etc.,
the different methods of grafting, by trees as they come from

39

the nursery, showing No. 1 and No. 2 trees, June-budded and
autumn-budded peach trees, one and two year old grape vines,
currants, etc. The various metliods of propagation and training
from the seed to time for planting in orchards were described in
detail. The young trees were pruned for planting, and the sub-
ject of pruning trees in the orchard up to two or three years of
age was discussed by the speaker ; when he called upon Prof.
J. W. Clark to discuss the best methods of pruning trees, in
which he had become very skilful by the care of the largest apple
orchard in this State.

The principal reason why this subject was presented is that
there is not a single nursery in the State where the fruit trees sold
are largely grown by the nurseryman selling them ; and there
seems to be a field for young and enthusiastic men in supplying
from our own soil more of the immense quantity of trees that are
planted every year. In every village and hamlet the nursery
agent from distant nurseries comes annually without fail, with his
highly colored plates of fruits, wonderfully superior to anything
ever before seen ; and hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs
are sold to our people that might be grown on our own soil, where
they could be delivered to the planter in a condition that would
make their growth and perfection, with a fair amount of care and
skill, a certainty. In almost every large town or city is to be
found the local nurseryman, who supplies such local trade as he
can secure ; but the greater part of his stock, too, is first grown
in some New York or other distant nursery, and these, after a
year or two of growth in the local nursery, are sold as home-
grown stock. Such trees are more valuable than those generally
supplied by the travelling agent, and give good satisfaction, but
they are far less valuable than well-grown trees planted and
budded within an hour's ride of the land on which they are to be
planted. These facts led the writer to present this subject at the
winter meeting, in the hope that many young men — for there is
room for considerable competition in the business — might become
interested in the work which, with its many trials, has a great
fascination for the true lover of horticulture, and might prove a
source of large profit and of great benefit to the fruit growers of
the State.

To further this interest, the Agricultural College now offers an
elective course of study in nursery work to the members of the
senior class, and a short winter course is to be open to young and
old the coming winter, where any one who wishes may take up the
study of any line of horticulture, including special work in nursery
and orcharding. With an equipment of the largest collection of

40

varieties of fruit to be found connected with any agricultural col-
lege in the country ; all of the labor-saving implements for cultiva-
tion, pruning, spraying, etc. ; a nursery in which are found all
kinds of fruits and ornamental trees and shrubs ; and with no
tuition, only the expense of board and incidentals, — no young
man, who has the time and is interested in any line of agriculture
or horticulture, can afford to let another season pass by without
taking advantage of this offer of a free education that shall fit him
for some line of the most interesting .and healthful, and, when
conducted in a business-like way, profitable, calling.

At this, the first annual meeting, forty-seven new names were
added to the membership. The meeting was declared adjourned,
subject to call for a field meeting in June, at some place to be
decided upon in the near future.

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 2.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

Month of June, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WEIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Offick Square.

1896.

Crop Report for the Month of June, 1896.

Office of State Board of Agricultuke,

Boston, Mass., July 1, 1896.

Bulletin No. 2, Crop Report for the month of June, is
herewith presented. Particular attention is called to "The
grass crop," a special article by the chemist to the Board,
Dr. C. A. Goessmann, which is printed at the close of the
bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 138 (June, 1896) of the Statistician of the
United States Department of Agriculture gives the total
area of winter wheat as 22,794,000 acres. There has been
some diminution of area, owing to the total failure of the
crop in some sections, the ground being ploughed up for
spring wheat or oats. The total area of spring wheat' is
given as 11,825,000 acres, as against 11,438,000 last year ;
total acreage 34,619,000 acres, against 34,047,000 last year.
The condition of winter wheat has fallen oft' 4.8 points,
being 77.9, against 82.7 May 1. The average condition of
spring wheat is 99.9, against 97.8 in 1895. The percentage
of the combined spring and winter acreage is 101.7 and the
condition of all wheat is 87.6.

The preliminary report places the acreage of rye at 96.9,
last year's acreage. The condition is given as 85.2, as
against 85.7 last June. Where the condition is low the
reasons given are mostly winter-killing and drought. The
acreage of oats is 98.9 per cent of that of last year.
The greatest oat-producing State, Iowa, has an acreage of
97. The crop has a condition of 98.8, against 84.3 last
year at this time and 87 in 1894. There is some complaint
of chinch bugs and spring drought, but on the whole the
crop is a promising one. The acreage of barley is 89.9 per

cent of last year's area and the condition stands at 98. In
California, which produces one-fourth of the crop, the acre-
age is 98 and the condition is 107.

Returns show a decrease of nearly 5 per cent in the area
of clover. The loss is heaviest in the Middle States, the
Ohio valley and in Michigan and Wisconsin. The principal
cause is drought during 1895, aided by the subsequent and con-
sequent winterkilling. Conditions are high where the acre-
age has been maintained and lower where it has decreased,
this following naturally in the line of the cause of decrease.
The average condition for the country is 88.4, against 82.8
on June 1, 1895.

Spring pastures have improved since May, the percentage
of condition advancing from 93.2 to 94.5. Comparatively
low condition is indicated in the Eastern, Middle and South
Atlantic States, and in Kentucky, Tennessee and California ;
elsewhere the condition is generally very satisfactory.

Apples are generally much below the normal in condition,
the average being 71. In New England and other northern
sections the condition is generally high, as it is also in the
Pacific States. Much complaint is made of damage to fruit
from the heavy winds and rain storms of May. Insect pests,
particularly the canker worm, are especially abundant.
Another cause of low condition is the overcrop of 1895.
In the Ohio and Mississippi valleys apples are dropping
badly. Where conditions are good there was generally a
short crop in 1895.

The principal peach-producing States, Delaware, Mary-
land, Ohio, Michigan and California, have prospects of an
excellent crop. Conditions are very much lower in New
Jersey and still lower in Virginia and Georgia. The general
average for the country at large is 64.7.

The general average of acreage for cotton is given as 116.2,
or 1.4 per cent over the May statement. The general aver-
age condition is 97.2. Considerable improvement has been
made during the month. First plantings seem to be doing
much ])etter than later ones. The present condition, taken
as a whole, is unusually favorable for this season of the year.

In Massachusetts the acreage of rye compared with last
year is given as 96 and the average condition June 1 as 87 ;

the acreage of oats as 100 and the condition as 96 ; the acre-
age of barley as 100 and the condition as 96 ; the acreage
of clover as 103 and the condition as 91 ; the average con-
dition of spring pasture as 93 ; the average condition of
apples as 103 and of peaches as 39.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[Frosi United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending June 1. — Throughout the Southern States
and generally along the Atlantic coast the week was warmer
than usual. Conditions were nearly normal in the central
valleys, with a slight deficiency in the lake region. In the
central plateau and Pacific coast districts the week was the
first week of excessive temperature since April 1. The
extremes of temperature were not generally marked. More
than the usual amount of rain fell in the central Mississippi,
lower Missouri and lower Ohio valleys, over New England
and portions of the lake region, south Atlantic and east gulf
States. From the upper lake region westward to the north
Pacific coast the rainfall was less than average. No rain fell
over Texas and Louisiana. Elsewhere conditions were nearly
normal. The week was generally favorable. Corn plant-
ing is now practically finished and in the central corn belt it
has made a rapid growth. Winter wheat harvest is begin-
ning in central sections. Spring wheat seeding has finished
in North Dakota, but some remains in extreme northern
Minnesota. Cotton has generally made good progress.
Week exceptionally favorable for transplanting tobacco.

Week ending June 8. — Week warmer than usual in all
districts east of the Rocky Mountains except over limited
areas, the excess ranging from 3 to 9 daily. On the Pacific
coast the week was cooler than usual. The minimum tem-
peratures were not unusually low, but the maximum temper-
atures were exceptionally high. The principal agricultural
States received ample rainfall, though less than usual fell
over portions of the Ohio valley, middle Atlantic States and
New England. No appreciable rain fell in Texas. The sea-
sonal rainfall is largely in excess on the Pacific coast, in the
Missouri and Mississippi valleys and the greater part of the

6

lake region. Elsewhere it is generally deficient. The week
was generally favorable except where too much rain fell. In
the great corn States warmer weather, with sunshine, is
much needed. Winter wheat harvest is now in progress.
Owing to excessive rains, cotton is becoming grassy.
Tobacco is doing well. Light frosts occurred on the 2d and
3d, causing practically no damage.

Week eliding June 15. — Week cooler than usual through-
out the central valleys and eastward to the coast. Cooler
than usual on the north Pacific coast, but on the south Pacific
coast and throughout the plateau regions and eastern Rocky
Mountain slope warmer than usual. Generally throughout
the Atlantic coast districts and over a few limited areas in
the lake region and central valleys the rainfall was above the
average. Throughout almost the entire Mississippi and Mis-
souri valleys there was a deficiency, and over extensive areas
only light showers fell. In the plateau regions and in Cali-
fornia no appreciable amount fell. The week has been
favorable for the cultivation of crops, though the nights have
been too cool for some. In the central belt corn is in a very
satisfactory condition, but is backward in the north. Cool
weather has checked the growth of cotton. The oat crop is
generally reported as doing well. Tobacco planting has
progressed favorably and is nearing completion. Stock
ranges in south-western sections are in poor condition, owing
to drought.

Week ending June 22. — Week warmer than usual
throughout the country, except in the south Atlantic and
east Gulf States and over limited areas on the immediate
Pacific coast. Over much the greater part of the country
the week was drier than usual, there being an excess of rain
only in limited areas. The seasonal temperature is above
the average in nearly all districts east of the Rocky Moun-
tains. On the Pacific coast it is decidedly deficient. The
seasonal precipitation is largely deficient over the greater
part of the Ohio valley. South Atlantic and gulf States. In
New England it is less than 75 per cent of the average. In
the upper Mississippi and Missouri valleys and on the Pacific
coast it is largely in excess. Favorable weather conditions
have continued, corn has made good progress and the bar-

vesting of winter wheat is well advanced. Cotton is gen-
erally looking well. Tobacco is in a satisfactory condition.
Week ending June 29. — Week cooler than usual over
the eastern Rocky Mountain slope, on the California coast,
in the Middle Atlantic States, and over portions of the
upper Ohio valley and lake region. On the north Pacific
coast, throughout the plateau districts, over the northern
portion of the upper lake region and throughout the South-
ern States week warmer than usual. The temperature
extremes were not unusual. Rainfall greater than usual in
Arkansas, Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, Missouri and the Ohio
valley ; also over limited areas throughout the country. In
the upper Missouri valley and over portions of the upper
Mississippi valley, lake region, northern New England and
the east Gulf States rainfall less than usual. Week excep-
tionally favorable for the growth of most crops. Corn has
made exceptional progress during the week. Cotton has
improved in eastern districts, but continues to suffer from
drought in the west. Tobacco is in excellent condition.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending June 1. — New England. Boston; Crops
all greatly benefited by abundant rains ; from two to three
inches have fallen over all central New England ; much re-
planting necessary, due to drought and insect pests ; tobacco
setting going on.

Week ending June 8. — New England. Boston : Weather
favorable ; crops much improved ; on some old and dry
fields in south grass has not been greatly helped by rain, but
generally grass and grain are growing fast ; tobacco setting
well along ; fruit prospects continue excellent.

Weekending June 15. — New England. Boston; Cool
and cloudy, with heavy rainfall ; grass greatly improved,
except on some old fields where too fully matured ; too cool
for corn, but most crops growing well ; tobacco nearly set;
hoeing begun, but delayed by wet weather.

Week ending June 22. — New England. Boston: Moist
ground, light showers, high temperature and much sunshine

8

furnished ideal crop conditions ; corn is still backward in
north, but generally all crops in satisfactory condition ; hoe-
ing being rapidly pushed ; small fruits very promising.

Week ending June 29. — New England. Boston : Cloudy,
with showers in south ; little rain and much sunshine in
north ; grass on rich fields and meadows still improving ;
early vegetables very fine ; potatoes doing well ; corn back-
ward, but growing fast ; tobacco in good condition ; blue-
berries ripening and promise a large crop.

Massachusetts Weather for June, 1896.

The month of June has given nearly normal weather con-
ditions over the greater part of the State. At Boston the
accumulative excess in temperature for the month amounts
to only 12 degrees, while the deficiency in precipitation is
about one-fourth inch. Many of the nights have been too
cool for the best growth of corn and like crops, but no dam-
ag-ino; frosts have occurred, and the occasional cool weather
has been a benefit to fruit and potatoes. High temperatures
have prevailed, but there has been no excessive heat.

Moderate showers have been fairly well distributed, and
with the soaking general rain on the 14th, the ground has
been kept in good condition as far as moisture is concerned.
At the end of the month, however, the top of the soil is
getting dry in all central and western counties, and rain will
soon be needed. Grass on rich fields and meadows is fast
recovering from the drought of last month, but on old fields
it was too nearly matured and is very light.

Except the storm along the coast on the 14th, there have
been practically no damaging winds or local storms to injure
the fruit, and the prospect of a full crop is very encourag-
ing. Apples are dropping off some in the east because of
the earlier dry weather, but they are reported to be hanging
on very well in western counties.

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

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

9

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 promise 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 quantity and price
with former years, and what is the condition of dairy stock
as regards health ?

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

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

Returns have been received from 139 correspondents, and
from these the following summary has been made up : —

Insects.
The potato bug is the insect most frequently mentioned as
doing damage, but it does not appear to be any more plenti-
ful than usual nor are its ravages spoken of as particularly
serious. Cut worms are, on the other hand, unusually prev-
alent and have done much damage, particularly on the
tobacco fields of the Connecticut valley. In other sections
of the State they have worked in gardens and among vines,
in some cases necessitating replanting. They seem to be
prevalent in all sections. The small striped squash bug
is also reported as doing considerable damage to vines.
Canker worms have done much damage in some sections but
are now through working for the season. Other insects
mentioned are currant worms, white grubs, wire worms, the
elm tree leaf beetle, onion maggots, grasshoppers, spittle
insects, cabbage worms, rose bugs, the curculio, cranberry
vine and lire worms and the corn worm.

Indian Corn.
The acreage of Indian corn for the State at large is about
that of former years, the reports of increased and decreased
acreage balancing each other. However, it is noticeable that

10

a majority of the reports of increased acreage come from
western sections, while a majority of those of decreased
acreage come from south-eastern sections. There appears
to be an increase in the acreage of fodder and ensilage corn,
due probably to anticipation of a short hay crop. The
drought of May made the crop late in coming up and the
cool nights have retarded growth, so that corn is now back-
ward, but otherwise looking well. Stand and color are gen-
erally reported good, though there are some few cases of
complaint of poor and uneven germination. Warm nights
are now needed to bring the crop forward.

The Hay Crop.
At the time of making returns haying was hardly begun
except in some few localities. Many correspondents reported
that nothing had yet been done, while most of the others
spoke of it as just commenced. That cut thus far has been
secured in good condition. The rains of late May and early
June have greatly benefited grass and the hay crop will be
much better than was anticipated a month ago. It must,
nevertheless, be light, and the great majority of correspond-
ents so report it. Only twelve speak of the crop as good
and fifteen as average.

Early Potatoes.
There is a considerable decrease reported in the acreage
of early potatoes. This is probably due to the low prices
which prevailed last year. The crop is generally reported
as looking well and the prospect is now good for a full aver-
age crop. Practically the only complaint is of unevenness
in coming up, and this is by no means general.

Market-garden Crops.
The yield of early market-garden crops was generally good,
though there is some complaint of injury from drought and
cold. Prices have certainly not advanced even if they have
held their own, which, on the whole, is doubtful. The pros-
pect for late crops is almost unanimously reported as good.
The correspondent for Arlington says, " Crops good, prices
better than last year, good prospect."

11

Dairy Products.
The quantity of dairy products is about the same as usual,
but the decrease in prices noted last year still continues.
This decrease is general and confined to no particular sec-
tion, though felt first and most severely in the dairy districts.
The price of milk thus far remains nearly the same, the fall-
ing off* being principally in the price of butter. Several
correspondents say that butter has never been so low in
their remembrance. The health and condition of dairy stock
is universally reported as good.

Pasturage.
The rains have done much to improve pasturage so that
now a majority of the correspondents speak of it as in good
condition. Very few refer to it as poor. It is probable,
however, that this condition is largely dependent on a con-
tinued plentiful supply of rain, most pastures beinoj in na
condition to sustain a drought.

Fruits and Berries.
Strawberries were generally a large crop, of fine quality,
with prices average. There is considerable complaint of
raspberries winterkilling, but where they wintered well the
crop will be good. Blackberries, currants and gooseberries
promise well. Apples have not dropped to any unusual
degree and at the present time a good average crop at least
is promised. As indicated in the May report few pears set
and fewer still will be harvested. Plums and cherries will
also generally be light crops. The peach crop is almost a
total failure. Cranberries blossomed fully and promise a
good crop. Wild berries, particularly blueberries and
huckleberries, give promise of making an abundant yields

12

IS^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us June 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Egremont (J. H. Rowley) . — Currant worms are doing some
damage. Corn is looking well, stand good but small, acreage
larger than usual. Haying has not commenced ; crop about as in
the two past years. Acreage of early potatoes less than usual but
an average crop indicated. Dairy products are fully up to the
average of recent years in quantity and price ; dairy stock in good
condition. Pastures are in fair condition, being much improved
by the rains. The outlook for fruits and berries is about average.

Alford (L. T. Osborne). — There is no particular trouble from
Insects. Corn is standing well and the acreage is increased one-
fourth. Haying hardly begun ; not more than two-thirds of a
crop, on account of dry weather. Acreage of early potatoes about
as usual and promise of a full average crop. Prices of dairy
products a little lower than last year ; health of stock good. Dry
weather has prevented root growth in pastures and the condition
is not more than two-thirds of the normal. Apples promise to be
about half of a full crop ; hardly any pears and cherries.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — Potato bugs and a small black fly
are doing some damage. Indian corn is in very good condition ;
acreage 90 per cent of former years. Very few have begun hay-
ing ; 75 per cent of a full crop will be cut. No market-garden
crops raised. Dairy products are fully up to the average in
quantity and price, and stock is in good health. Pasturage is in
better condition than last month as rain has made feed and kept
it green. Strawberries are a good crop ; raspberries winterkilled
badly and will not be more than half a crop ; blackberries good.

Hinsdale (S. M. Raymond). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is backward but the acreage is about as usual.
Haying has not commenced but the crop looks better than last
year. The acreage of early potatoes is much less than in former
years but the crop looks well. Dairy products compare well with
former years in quantity, price lower ; health of stock good.

Savoy ( W. W. Burnett) . — Potato beetles and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Com is quite average though a little behind
last year ; acreage greater than usual. Haying has not yet com-
menced ; prospect for a light crop. The acreage of early potatoes
is fully as great as in former years and we hope for an average
crop. Gardens are looking fairly well ; not much done for market.
Dairy products more than average in quantity, with reduced price ;
cows in good condition. Pastures are doing fairly well as the
rains have started them. The outlook for fruits is not good. Wild
berries promise well. Hoeing is progressing well.

Florida (E. D. Rice). — No damage worth mentioning from
insects. Many fields of corn had to be replanted but where it
came up well it is looking well. Haying is progressing finely and
the crop will be an average one. Acreage of early potatoes about
as usual and a full crop promised. Cows are doing well and are
in good health. There is an abundance of feed in the pastures.
Wild strawberries very plenty ; blueberries and huckleberries
loaded full ; blackberries never blossomed fuller.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — Currant worms, cut worms and
potato bugs are all doing damage. Indian corn is looking nicely
but is not as forward as in some years. Haying is progressing
slowly, with quite favorable prospects. Acreage of early potatoes
about as usual and it now appears as though there would be a
good crop. Market gardens are looking well and prices are about
as usual. Quantity of dairy products a full average and prices
about the same ; health of stock good. Late rains have improved
pasture feed.

Gill (F. F. Stoughton) . — Indian corn is later than usual ;
acreage a full average. Haying has just commenced, with the
prospect of a good crop. Fewer early potatoes are raised this
year than usual. Dairy products are average in quantity but
prices have been low. Pasturage is in good condition. Apples
promise a good crop ; few pears ; strawberries winterkilled some,
and very many raspberries winter or spring killed.

Deerfield (Chas. Jones). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Acreage of Indian corn about average and it is looking well though
late. Not much haying has been done and it is not an average
crop. Early potatoes have a good average acreage, and promise a
full crop. Dairy products are about as usual in quantity and price,
and the health of stock is very good. Pasturage is not quite up

14

to average condition. Strawberries are doing well ; apples a short
crop ; not many pears and peaches. Tobacco is all set and some
is early and looking well.

Northjield (T. R. Callendak). — Striped bugs in cucumbers
and squashes have done the most damage of any insect, though
cut worms have been very troublesome in tobacco fields. Corn is
looking well ; acreage fully as large as last year, with more fodder
corn sown. Only a few acres of grass have been cut but the pros-
pect is much better than last year. About the usual amount of
early potatoes were planted and they are looking unusually well.
Market-garden crops are very little grown ; prices about the same
as last year. Quantity of dairy products fully up to the average
but prices lower than for many years ; stock in good health.
Pasturage has hardly recovered from the drought of the past two
years but looks fairly well. Strawberries were a good yield, but
prices were rather low; other small fruits set well.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Cut worms are doing some
damage, particularly in tobacco fields. Corn is looking very well,
with an average acreage. Haying has hardly begun and there
will not be more than half a crop. Not so many early potatoes
have been planted as last year but they are looking well. The
quantity and price of dairy products is about the same as usual,
and the health of stock is good. Pastures are looking well.
Apples are looking well ; no peaches and very few pears. There
has been a heavy crop of strawberries, but prices have been very
low.

Orange (Ansel Harrington). — Cut worms, squash bugs and
potato bugs are quite troublesome. Corn is rather backward but
looking fairly well ; acreage above previous years. Very little
haying has been done as yet but the crop promises to be above
the average. The acreage of early potatoes is below previous
years but they promise fairly well. Early market-garden crops
are below former years in yield and price. Pasturage is in fairly
good condition. Quantity of dairy products above former years,
price lower ; stock in good condition. A good yield of straw-
berries ; raspberries, blueberries and blackberries promise well.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Oreenwich (Wm. S. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking well though small ; acreage about
the same. Not much haying done yet and prospect of a light
crop. Acreage of early potatoes about as usual and they are
looking well. Not much market gardening in this town. Dairy

15

products are quite up to former years in quantity and price. Pas-
turage is in good condition. There was a splendid crop of straw-
berries.

Belchertown (H. C. West) . — Little complaint of insects, though
there are some squash bugs and potato beetles. Acreage of corn
fully up to former years and looking well. Very little hay cut as
yet ; prospect fair and crop good on moist ground. Full average
acreage or more of early potatoes and they are looking well.
Quantity of dairy products fully up ; prices lower than for years ;
cows looking well. Pastures have improved wonderfully since the
rains. Apples, pears and peaches are below the average, but ber-
ries of all kinds bid fair to be a full crop.

North Hadley (H. C. Russell). — Cut worms are hard at work
on all crops. Very few insects attacking fruit trees. Corn is
looking well and the acreage is about the same as usual. No hay-
ing done yet ; grass will be light but has improved in the last
three weeks. Early potatoes look well ; no larger acreage than
usual. Yield of early market-garden crops good ; prices as usual.
Full amount of dairy products but price lower than for several
years. Pastures have not fully recovered from the early drought.
Apples promise an average crop ; large crop of strawberries and
very nice.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — White grubs, cut worms and
potato bugs are all doing damage. Indian corn is looking fairly
well and the acreage is fully up to former years. Haying has just
commenced and the crop will be below the average. Acreage of
early potatoes fully average, but the condition is off at present.
Quantity of dairy products fully average ; price from two to four
cents less ; stock looking well. Pasturage is hardly average in
condition. Apples have not set well and the crop will be hardly
an average for an even year.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — Cut worms in gardens cause
some trouble ; fruit insects are not troublesome. Corn is back-
ward but the acreage is about as formerly. Haying has not fairly
begun and the prospect is for a short crop. Dairy stock is in a
healthy condition. Pasturage is in poor condition but is improv-
ing under the recent rains. Strawberries and raspberries good ;
very few quinces ; very few pears ; no cherries ; no peaches ;
apples good. Grass is thickening up at the bottom but not
enough to insure a guod crop.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Corn is looking well, but I
think there is not so much planted as last year. Haying not com-
menced and prospects for the crop rather poor. Early potatoes
are aboat the same acreage as last year and are looking well.

16

Quantity of dairy products about as usual ; price lower ; cows in
good condition as regards health. Pastures are in fine condition
since the frequent rains. No fruit or berries raised here for
market.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Granville (Joseph Welch) . — Cut worms and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Corn looks well ; acreage about the same as
last year. Haying has not commenced and there will not be more
than half a crop. Early potatoes are not raised here. Butter is
very low ; stock is healthy and looking well. Pastures are now
looking well, but have been very short. There has been quite a
crop of strawberries, and the prospect is that there will be a large
crop of high and low blueberries.

Cliicopee (R. W. Bemis). — The canker worm is the only insect
now doing damage. Corn is looking well ; acreage about as last
year. Not many have commenced haying on account of wet
weather. Early potatoes look well and promise a good crop.
There has been an extra quantity of milk and butter on the mar-
ket and prices are low. Pasturage is in good condition. Straw-
berries have been plenty ; cherries a small crop ; apples dropping
badly, and pears a very small crop.

Monson (A. H. White). — Cut worms are plenty and potato
bugs are too plenty. Indian corn is backward, with a large acre-
age. Very few have commenced haying ; crop looks fairly well
. on moist land. The acreage of early potatoes is less than usual
and they have not come up very well. Dairy products equal to the
average in quantity, but less in price ; cows looking quite well.
Pastures have improved since the rains. Strawberries have done
fairly well ; apples have dropped some but will be a fair crop.

Holland (Wm. S. Wallis). — Squash bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn is looking fairly well though two weeks later than
usual ; some complaint of its not coming up well. No haying done
yet and a light crop expected. Potatoes are looking finely and
the bugs are not as plenty as usual. Dairy products fully average
in quantity and price ; stock looking well and no disease. Pas-
turage is in fair condition though it did not start as early as usual.
Fair prospect for an average crop of apples ; not many pears and
cherries.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Potato bugs are doing the most injury
of any insect. Indian corn is looking very good, with about the
usual acreage. Haying has just commenced, with better prospects,
so that the crop should be two-thirds of the normal. Good acreage
of early potatoes, just blossoming and looking finely. Dairy prod-

17

ucts are about the same as usual in quantity and price, and stock
is unusually healthy. Pastures are in very good condition. Ap-
ples promise very well, and the prospect is fair for blackberries
and blueberries.

AVORCESTER COUNTY.

New Braintree (C. D. Sage). — Very little damage from insects
now. Corn has not come up well in many fields and the acreage
is a little less than last year. Very little haying done yet ; crop
light but improving. Acreage of early potatoes much less than
usual ; the early planted ones look well ; later ones did not come
up well and the crop will be small. Quantity of dairy products
same as usual ; price of butter very low and that of milk lower
than usual. Pasturage is in fair condition, having improved much
since the rains. Apples promise well.

Dana (E. A. Albee). — Cut worms are doing some damage.
The acreage of corn is 25 per cent below the average ; looking
well. Haying has not commenced but there will be a good aver-
age crop. The acreage of early potatoes is less than that of last
year ; they are looking well at present. Early market-garden crops
are about as usual in yield and price, and the prospect is good for
later ones. Milk the same price but butter 5 cents a pound lower
than usual ; no disease here. Pastures are in good condition.
Strawberries were more than an average crop, and currants about
as usual.

Royalston (A. J. Raymond). — The potato bug is the only insect
doing damage. Indian corn is rather backward ; acreage twice as
much as in other years. Haying has not yet begun and the crop
will not be quite an average one. Very few early potatoes planted
but they are looking well. Quantity of dairy products about as
usual ; prices lower ; stock all healthy. Pastures are rather dry
and there are some grasshoppers. Strawberries a good crop ;
blackberries and blueberries promise well.

Templelon (Lucien Gove) . — Cut worms, potato bugs and small
squash bugs are doing damage. Corn is quite backward, having
to be replanted in some instances ; acreage larger than usual. A
few have commenced haying ; crop the lightest for years. Acre-
age of early potatoes rather less than last season but the prospect
is good. Early market-garden crops are a fair average in yield
and price ; later ones not so good. Quantity of dairy products a
fair average ; price of milk good ; butter the lowest for thirty-five
years ; health of stock good. Recent rains have brought pastures
up to the normal condition. Full crop of apples ; pears light ; no

18

peaches, cherries or plums ; strawberries fair ; currants, raspber-
ries, blueberries and blackberries good.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — No insects doing much dam-
age. Indian corn is looking unusually well. Early pieces of grass
are cut, and yielded more than was expected but are still short of
a full crop. Acreage of early potatoes about 80 per cent of the
normal and they promise well with sufficient rain. Pasturage is in
medium condition but needs more rain. Apples promise 90 per
eent of a full crop and pears 40 per cent ; strawberries have done
well both as regards yield and price ; other berries promising ex-
cept raspberries, which winterkilled ; grapes giving good promise.

Clinton (P. B. Southwick). — Canker worms, potato bugs and
white maggots are doing some damage. Corn is good color and is
growing rapidly ; acreage about the same as usual. Very little
haying done ; crop light on old fields but heavy on rich, moist land.
Early potatoes have about the usual acreage and are looking well,
except that they are uneven. Prices of market-garden crops are
lower than previous years. Dairy products are a fair average in
quantity and price, and dairy stock is looking very well. Pastur-
age is looking finely since the rains. Strawberries are plenty and
cheap ; currants fine ; raspberries light and blackberries looking
well.

Leicester (L. D. Thurston). — Corn is looking well and the
acreage is about the same as usual. Very few are cutting grass
yet but a light crop is expected. Early potatoes have about the
usual acreage and are now looking well. Early market-garden
crops have been average. Dairy products about the same as usual
in quantity and price ; stock in better condition. Pastures are in
good condition. Strawberries and blueberries are a full crop, and
other small fruits will be abundant.

Southborongli (E. F. Collins). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is rather backward, and not as much is raised as
in previous years. Considerable hay has been cut and the crop
will not be quite an average one. Acreage of potatoes about two-
thirds that of previous years and crop now in fine condition. Sweet
corn looks well but tomatoes are backward. Quantity and i)rice
of dairy products about the same as usual. Pasturage in fair con-
dition. Apples looking well where the canker worms were killed ;
no peaches and but few pears ; strawberries not an average crop.

Grafton (S. E. Stowe). — Squash and potato bugs are doing
some damage. Corn is a little backward but the warm days are
helping it along; acreage fully 100 percent. But little haying
done, and the crop will not be more than 80 percent of an average.
The acreage of early potatoes is reduced one-fourth but they are

19

looking well. Asparagus and peas made a good yield and sold
well. Stock is in excellent health, but prices for dairy products
are low on account of surplus. Pasturage in good average condi-
tion. Strawberries are not a full crop ; raspberries look well, as
do blackberries.

Douglas (Wm. Abbott). — Striped squash bugs and cut woi'ms
are doing some damage. The acreage of Indian corn is about the
same as last year ; looks well but is rather low for the time of year.
Very little haying done ; crop will be light. Acreage of early
potatoes fully as large as usual ; promise of a full average crop.
Early peas never were better. Dairy products less in quantity and
price low ; stock is looking well. Pastures are in fair condition,
there having been great improvement. The prospect for all kinds
of berries is good.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Dtinstable (A. J. Gilson). — Potato beetles and squash bugs
are numerous. Corn is looking well ; acreage less for ripening
but greater for the silo. Haying has not commenced but the crop
will be lighter than last year. Pearly potatoes only raised for home
use. Dairy products about as for two years past in quantity and
price, and the health of stock is generally good. Pastures are in
better condition than a month ago. Apple trees are well loaded
and the outlook is good. Cultivated berries winterkilled somewhat.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Cut worms are doing some damage.
Acreage of Indian corn about as usual ; crop looking well but not
so large as last year. Only a few have commenced haying, but a
good fair crop is expected. Not as many early potatoes were
planted as last year but they promise well. The yield of early
market-garden crops was hardly average, prices good. Dairy
products about the same as usual in quantity and price ; stock in
better health than formerly. Pasturage is in good condition.
Apples and strawberries are in good condition, and blackberries
are looking well.

Billerica (J. N. Pardee). — Cut worms are complained of as
unusually destructive. Acreage of corn about as usual, and crop
booming, with good color and growing fast. Very little grass cut
as yet ; it has thickened since the rains and is but little below the
average. Acreage of early potatoes less than usual but crop look-
ing well and very promising. Milk has been unusually " flush "
so far, with the usual prices. Pasturage is rather better than
usual, owing to good rains. Strawberries are abundant and fine ;
raspberries winterkilled badly ; blueberries abundant ; pears few ;
apples abundant and not dropping much.

20

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — Cut worms, cabbage maggots
and potato bugs are the most plentiful insects. Corn is late and
poor but improved much the past week. Haying has just begun
and there is not over half a crop in general. About the usual
acreage of early potatoes and they are now looking very well
indeed. Early market-garden crops have been about as usual thus
far this season and late ones are looking well. All stock is look-
ing well. Pastures are as good or better than in average years.
Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries are average, though
raspberries winterkilled some.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes) . — Cut worms have done and
are still doing much damage. Early sweet corn is just showing
tassels ; no Indian corn raised. Hay crop light and haying well
under way. Rather more ground than usual is planted to early
potatoes, but vines are not quite so forward or large as they should
be. Early market-garden crops suffered from drought and cold,
and prices are not high on anything. Milk sells readily, and all
cows appear healthy. Pastures are eaten up clean and cows are
mostly fed in the barn. Strawberries were a very good crop.
Blueberries more plenty than for years past. Early peas were
cleaned up several days earlier than usual, and some fields are
planted with a second crop of beets or turnips.

Newton (Otis Pettke). — Cut worms, canker worms and currant
worms are doing some damage. Haying is progressing very well ;
crop rather lighter than usual but of good quality. Pasturage has
improved since the rains but is not quite up to the average.
Strawberries, currants and blackberries are promising a very fair
yield but apples are dropping considerably.

Hopkinton ( W. V. Thompson) . — The spittle insect is doing the
most damage at present. Corn is looking well with about the
usual acreage. Not much haying has been done yet. Acreage of
early potatoes less than last year but the crop is looking well.
Dairy products are about as in former years in quantity and price.
Pasturage is in poor condition. Strawberries a good crop ; rasp-
berries winterkilled ; blackberries looking well ; wild berries will
be plenty ; apples looking well where the canker worm did not
work ; currants good ; no peaches or pears.

ESSEX COUNTY.

West Newbury (J. C. Tarleton). — Potato bugs are not as
plenty as in years past. More corn planted than usual and looking
as well as last year. Hay will be below the average crop and none
has been cut yet. Not many early potatoes were planted and they

21

did not come up well. The production of milk is increased this
year ; cattle healthy and in fine condition. Pastures are in very
good condition since the rains. Apples promise a full yield ;
strawberries ripening very slowly but a good yield ; raspberries
badly winterkilled ; blackberries looking well.

Groveland (Abel Stickney). — Cut worms are doing some dam-
age and potato bugs need looking after. Corn is looking small,
but the acreage is increased 10 per cent. No hay cut but pros-
pects quite good. Yield of early market-garden crops average,
and prices better than usual ; prospects for late crops fair. Dairy
products same as formerly in quantity and price ; health of stock
good. Pastures are doing well at present. The outlook is good
for nearly all fruit except pears and peaches.

fysioich (O. C. Smith). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are
troublesome. Acreage of Indian corn rather more than average ;
plants small but in healthy condition. Haying just commencing,
with two-thirds of an average crop. Acreage of early potatoes
about as usual ; seed came poorly and the crop will not be average.
Prospect for market-garden crops good, but prices low. Stock is
lookiug well ; quantity of dairy products same as usual, but prices
too low for profit. Pasturage has kept up well and is in fully
average condition. Wild berries promise largely ; strawberries
fair, but ripening slowly ; apples a large crop, but pears small.

Hamilton (Alvin Smith). — Canker worms, squash bugs and
potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn is a little late.
Haying is commencing, with a light crop. Early potatoes are
looking very well. The prospect for market-garden crops is very
good. Dairy products are about the same as usual, and stock is
healthy. Pasturage is still suffering from the drought in May.
Strawberries are looking well, as are other berries.

Wtnham (N. P. Perkins), — Cabbage worms, onion maggots,
squash bugs and cut worms are doing some damage. Corn is back-
ward and did not come up well ; about the usual amount planted.
Haying has commenced on high ground, and the crop will be better
than was expected. About the same acreage of potatoes planted
and the crop promises finely. Peas brought good prices, but the
yield was not large. Pastures are quite poor, but have improved
somewhat. Quantity and price of dairy products about as usual.
Strawberries are a good crop ; currants and gooseberries looking
well, and wild berries promising an average crop.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — Corn looks very well, with an aver-
age acreage. Haying has just begun and the crop is very light
except on wet land. Acreage of early potatoes below the average ;
some pieces did not come up well, but otherwise a full crop is

22

promised. No change in quantity or price of dairy products.
Pasturage is in fair condition. Strawberries were rather less than
an average crop ; raspberries winterkilled ; blackberries were some-
what weakened by the severe winter, but look fairly well ; currants
average.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Potato beetles, cut worms, rose
bugs and spittle insects are all doing damage. Corn is looking
well but with a decreased acreage. Haying commenced early and
the crop is very short on high land. Acreage of early potatoes
about as usual but they were uneven in coming up. Early market-
garden crops were about average in yield and price. Dairy prod-
ucts about average in quantity and price ; health of stock good.
Pasturage in fair condition. Strawberries are a good crop, and
apples promise well.

Medjield (Geo. R. Chase). — Rose bugs are doing some dam-
age. Acreage of Indian corn 90 per cent of former years and
the crop in average condition. Haying has scarcely begun but the
crop is about as good as last year. Early potatoes do not promise
a full average crop. Yield of early market-garden ci'ops below
average and prices low. Quantity of dairy products right ; price
of butter lower than last year. Pastures are in rather poor condi-
tion. Strawberries are a good to large crop.

Canton (B. R. Doody) . — Squash bugs and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Very little corn is grown in this locality.
Haying is fairly begun and an average crop is being harvested.
Potatoes are looking well and the acreage compares favorably with
former years. Cattle are in good health. Pastures are in fair
condition. Strawberries and currants have been quite largely
grown and have been quite successful.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — Cut worms and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Corn is looking well and the acreage is
about the same as usual. Haying has not commenced but will be
about a three-fourths crop. Acreage of early potatoes about as
usual and a full average crop promised. Early market-garden
crops have yielded well and prices are good. Dairy products
about as usual in quantity and price. Currants, strawberries and
raspberries are all good.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Wikter). — Currant worms and curculios
have done much damage. Corn is looking well with about the
usual acreage. Some hay has been cut and gotten in in good con-

dition ; crop average on low ground. Acreage of early potatoes
about as usual ; tbey came very unevenly but are looking well
since the rains. Early market-garden crops were injured by dry
weather in May ; crops liglit ; prices low. Quantity of dairy
products slightly below the average ; price about as last year ;
stock healthy. Pastures have come up since the rains so that they
are now generally good. Currants a full crop ; gooseberries and
apples the same ; pears very light ; raspberries, blackberries and
huckleberries a full crop ; strawberries an average crop, with low
prices.

Easton (H. M. Thompson). — Potato bugs, squash bugs and
cut worms are doing damage. Indian corn is looking well, with
about an average acreage. Haying has begun and the crop will
be an average one, though grass suffered for want of rain in the
early part of the season. The acreage of early potatoes compares
favorably with former years and there is promise of a full average
crop. Early market-garden crops have been about average in
yield and price. Quantity of dairy products same ; prices lower ;
health good. Pastures are in fair condition. Apples promise a
heavy yield.

Norton (Wm. A. Lane). — Squash bugs and potato beetles are
doing some damage. Corn is in fair condition and the acreage is
a little more than average. Haying is just beginning, with a two-
thirds crop. There is an average acreage and average crop of
early potatoes. Dairy products are about average in quantity and
price. Pasturage is in good condition just now. There has been
a good crop of strawberries.

Taunton (C. H. Wilmarth). — Rose bugs and canker worms
are doing some damage. Corn is looking well and the acreage is
about as in previous years. Haying is progressing well and the
prospect for a large crop is good. Acreage of early potatoes
about as usual and they promise a full average crop. Early
market-garden crops are about as usual in yield and price and
later ones promise well. Dairy products about as usual in quan-
tity and price, and stock is in good health. Pasturage is in better
condition than usual. Strawberries a good crop ; apples promise
well, cherries good, and pears poor.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Indian corn is looking well, acreage
about as last year. Haying has not commenced yet but the crop
will be very light. The acreage of early potatoes is much below
the normal ; they came up very unevenly, have grown very poorly
and will not be half a crop. Asparagus yielded better than last
year and sold well ; other market-garden crops about the same as
last year. Making milk for city trade is largely on the increase ;

24

stock looks well. Pasturage is in good condition. Apples promise
to be a good crop ; pears very poor ; grapes good ; raspberries
badly winterkilled. Dighton's strawberry crop is nearly harvested
and it has been the best crop for quantity and quality for five
years. Prices were good for two weeks but the intense heat of
June 20 and 21 softened the berries and since then they have
hardly paid expenses. The crop was ready for market the earliest
for a number of years, the first shipments being made in May.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Melons, cucumbers and squashes
are being destroyed by cut worms and have to be replanted.
Indian corn is looking well, with the acreage smaller than usual.
Haying commenced unusually early and there is no crop on old
meadows. The acreage of early potatoes is small on account of
low prices ; good crop promised those who planted. Yield of
early market-garden crops good, prices lower than formerly ;
prospect for later ones good. Dairy products do not change much
in any respect. Pasturage is in very good condition at present.
Strawberries abundant ; raspberries promise well ; large quan-
tities of wild berries.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — Striped squash bugs and cut
worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is backward for this
time. Haying has not commenced much yet but the crop has been
much improved by the rains. The acreage of early potatoes is
about 75 per cent of the normal but they are generally looking
well. Early market-garden crops fell off one-fourth in yield with
average prices. Dairy products not quite up in quality ; price the
same ; health good. Pasturage is in fair condition, being improved
by rains. The outlook for apples is good but poor for pears and
peaches.

West Bridgeioater (F. E. Howard), — In answering question
8 for May I had in mind vegetables as well as fruit and conse-
quently gave as my answer 2 to 1. Were I to state now what
proportion the production of fruits and small fruits bears to gen-
eral farming I should say 1 to 5.

Marshfidd (J. H. Bourne). — Potato bugs, grubs and cutworms
are doing some damage. Corn is little backward but of good color
and gaining ; acreage not quite so large as last year. Haying is
just commencing but the crop is hardly an average one. Acreage
of early potatoes a little larger than usual and crop never more
promising in appearance. Asparagus made a good yield but prices
went down quickly and are also low for rhubarb. Yield of milk

25

good ; prices same as usual ; butter low and little made. Pastures
are improving. Strawberries are yielding well but prices are low.
"Wild berries will be plenty.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is backward but the acreage is about the same as
formerly. Very little hay cut yet and a fair crop on good meadows.
Not so many early potatoes planted as usual ; with favorable
weather crop will be fair. Peas are being harvested, with prices
better than last year. Dairy products full in quantity ; prices
lower than for many years ; health of stock good. Pasturage is
in very good condition. Strawberries yielded well ; apples will
be a good yield ; grapes look well ; berries will be plenty ; no pears
or peaches.

Kingston (J. H. Cushman). — Potato bugs and striped squash
bugs are doing damage. Corn is small but of good color and about
the usual acreage. There is very little haying done and the crop
will be light. Early potatoes are looking well with about the usual
acreage planted. Garden crops are late and prices about as usual.
Quantity of dairy products large ; prices as usual ; health of stock
good. Pastures are looking well. The outlook for fruits is good.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — Squash bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn is in good condition though not so much was planted
as last year except for fodder. Haying has not begun yet but a
medium crop is expected. Acreage of early potatoes less than
usual but crop looks well. Late potatoes did not come up well.
Early peas are being harvested and are a good crop. More milk
is produced than formerly ; health of stock good. Pasturage is in
good condition. Strawberries have given a large crop of good
fruit ; cranberries are blossoming well and a large crop is prom-
ised.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Potato beetles are worse than ever
before. Early planted corn looks well ; sweet corn tasselling out
strong. Haying not yet commenced but the prospect is for half a
crop. Acreage of early potatees about as usual and a good crop
promised. Early market-garden crops were about the same as
usual in yield and price. Dairy products about the same as usual
in yield and price, and stock doing well. Pasturage was never in
better condition. Strawberries a good crop ; apples good if they
do not drop ; pears not plenty ; peaches a fine crop if they stick.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — The cut worm, wire worm, fire
worm and potato bug are all doing damage. Corn is looking well,
with about the same acreage as usual. Hay will be about an aver-

26

age crop. Early potatoes look quite well and bid fair to be an
average crop. Early market-garden crops have been about as
usual in yield and price, and the later ones promise well. The
quantity and price of dairy products is about as last year, and the
health of dairy stock is good. Pasturage is in good condition.
Blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants and cranberries
are looking well.

Breicster (J. H. Clark). — The cranberry worm is doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking well, with about an average acre-
age. Haying has not begun yet and the crop will be light. Early
potatoes have about the usual acreage and promise well. The
yield of early market-garden crops was less than usual ; prices the
same ; prospect for late ones good. Dairy products compare well
in quantity and price with former years, and stock is healthy.
Pasturage is in very good condition. The outlook for fruits and
berries is very good.

Eastham (J. A, Clark). — There is no particular damage from
insects. Very little Indian corn planted here. Haying has hardly
commenced as yet. The acreage of early potatoes is average and
they promise well. Prices for dairy products are the same as
formerly, and stock is healthy. Apples look well. Asparagus is
the principal crop marketed at this date. Shipments have not
been as large as last season, probably owing to the prevailing east
winds a good part of the cutting season. Prices about one-fourth
off from last year.

Truro (D. E. Paine). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Few have begun to cut hay ; crop fair. Early potatoes are back-
ward and not well enough along to pass judgment upon. Pearly
market-garden crops have been good in both yield and price, and
later ones promise fairly well. Quantity and price of dairy prod-
ucts about the same as usual, and the health of stock is good.
Pastures are now in fair condition. All kinds of fruit will be a
short crop.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato beetles, squash
bugs and cut worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is a
little backward, with an average acreage. No haying done as yet
and the prospect poor for a large crop. Acreage of early potatoes
about average but the promise for a full average crop very doubt-
ful. Dairy products about average in quantity and price ; health
of stock good. Pasturage is in very good condition. Strawber-
ries are yielding well but the market is dull.

27

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGEICULTURE.

THE GRASS CROP.

By Dr. C. A. Goessmann, Amherst, Mass.

Within a few pages I propose to discuss briefly some of ttie
points which deserve a serious consideration when aiming at a
remunerative production of grasses for fodder. A short descrip-
tion of some field experiments with grasses carried on by the
writer during a series of years upon the fields of the Massachusetts
Agricultural College may serve in some measure as an illustration
in the matter.

Adaptation of Soil.

A successful production of our valuable meadow and pasture
grasses depends in a less degree on any particular kind of soil than
on a well-regulated, constant supply of moisture. Light, sandy
soils are known to furnish good meadows and pastures, provided
the necessary amount of moisture and of suitable available plant
food is furnished during the entire growing season. A deep loam
or mellow clayish loam is, however, considered the typical soil for
grass lands. Our best meadows are found as a rule upon lands
which contain either a liberal admixture of a fine clayish silt in
their original make-up or receive periodical addition of that kind
by overflow or otherwise. These materials are usually compara-
tively rich in various kinds of plant food ; they exert in many
instances a beneficial effect on the retentive qualities of the soil, as
far as moisture and available plant food are concerned ; and they
tend to protect the root system against extremes of climate and
season, by rendering the soil more compact and closed up.

28

No class of crops is more seriously affected by a periodical
access of an excess of water or by exposure to a serious period of
dryness than the grasses. A frequent occurrence of these condi-
tions, even for a comparatively short period, during tlie growing
season causes gradually serious changes in the whole character of
the growth upon grass lands. A wet condition of the soil due
to a high local level of the water in the soil favors the appearance
of an inferior class of grasses ; stagnant water is destructive to all
good grasses ; while a continued dryness of the soil favors the
appearance of a class of herbaceous plants characteristic to dry
pastures. The stated results become in the same degree more
marked as these undesirable conditions occur or continue.

Well-devised systems of underdraining or of irrigation are effi-
cient remedies wherever local circumstances admit of an unrestricted
judicious management. The growth upon wet lands not capable
of underdraining is not unfrequeutly materially improved by ditch-
ing, or by raising the surface of the land with a layer of a light,
sandy soil several inches in thickness above the previous level of
the ground water. A choice of either one or the other of these
modes of improvements or a combination of both depend for
obvious reasons on local resources, to accomplish the end in view
at a reasonable outlay.

Dry lands unfavorably located for irrigation, or under the in-
fluence of adverse climatic conditions, as frequent scarcity of rain
during the growing season, offer but little inducement for the culti-
vation of perennial grasses. The bad effect of short spells of dry-
ness may be somewhat modified by adding the seeds of some valuable
broad-leaved fodder plant, for instance, medium red clover or
white clover, for the purpose of shading the ground and thereby
economizing existing local resources of moisture. Some of our
better grasses are less affected by spells of dry weather than
others ; a due consideration of this fact in selecting among these
for cultivation tends to materially improve the chances of success.
Meadows and pastures which are in an exceptional degree inclined
to a spontaneous growth of an inferior class of fodder plants and
weeds, if at all fit for a more thorough system of cultivation, ought
to be ploughed up and subsequently for some years planted with
some hoed crop or subjected to drill culture, for the purpose of
destroying effectually the foul growth and improving the physical
and chemical condition of the" soil. These lands prove in many
instances more profitable when planted with other fodder crops
than grasses.

29

Manuring Grass Lands.

Next in importance to a fair degree of special adaptation of the
soil for a remunerative production of grasses come the require-
ments of an efficient supply of available plant food. Grasses are,
comparatively speaking, large consumers of plant food. A few
numerical statements regarding the grass crop may show in what
direction and in what varying quantities the same weight of the
crop may consume the different articles of plant food when raised
under more or less favorable conditions.

Green grass, at the time of forming seeds (per ton), contains
seventy-five per cent moisture and twenty-five per cent vegetable
matter : —

Moisture,

,

1,500.00 pounds.

Vegetable matter, .

500.00 pounds.

Mineral constituents (in

vegetable

matter),

,

36.00 to 44.00 pounds.

Nitrogen,

8.00 to 14.00 "

(12 cents).

Phosi^horic acid.

2.40 to 4.40 "

(4.5 cents).

Potassium oxide, .

,

9.00 to 16.00 "

(4.5 cents).

Calcium oxide,

,

2.00 to 5.60 "

Magnesium oxide, .

.80 to 2.40 "

Sodium oxide,

.60 to 1.60 "

Suli^huric acid.

1.60 to 2.00 "

Chlorine,

.

2.20 to 4.20 "

Manurial value.

.

.

$1.38 to $2.58

Meadow hay (per ton), containing from fourteen to fifteen per
cent of moisture : —

Moisture,

Vegetable matter,

Mineral constituents (in vegetable matter).

Nitrogen,

Phosphoric acid,

Potassium oxide.

Calcium oxide,

Magnesium oxide, .

Sodium oxide.

Sulphuric acid,

Chlorine,

Manurial value,

. 280.00 to 300.00 pounds.
1,700.00 to 1,720.00 "
100.00 to 160.00

50.00 "

30.00 to
7.00 to

32.00 to
6.00 to
3.00 to
2.60 to
5.50 to
7.. 50 to

14.00
64.00
20.00 "
10.00 "

6.00

9.00 "
16.00 "
$5.36 to $10.50

Experience tells us that a liberal manuring pays better than a
scant one ; yet, if we should try to restore to the soil from outside
sources a corresponding amount of all the fertilizing constituents
which the grass crop abstracts, it would make, in most instances,

30

the remunerative production of the hay crop rather an exception
than the rule.

Good economy advises us to manure our lands with a particular
reference to special wants. To do this intelligently requires a fair
knowledge regarding the following points : —

1. The general character of the soil, the location of the lands,
the history of their former treatment as far as the system of
manuring is concerned, as well as the kinds of crops which have
been previously raised upon them.

2. The quality and relative quantity of the various essential
articles of plant food which a satisfactory yield of the contem-
plated crop requires.

3. The degree of natural fitness of the plant to be raised to
avail itself not only of the atmospheric plant food, but also of the
existing inherent amount of plant food in the soil to be used for
its production. The development of their root and leaf system,
as well as the shorter or longer period of time required for their
growth, deserves a most serious consideration in this connection.

Perennial plants are as a rule better qualified to benefit by ex-
isting and inherent resources of plant food of the air and the soil.
Our best meadow grasses are perennials. Their long period of
growth, supported by a liberal development of leaves and roots,
enables them to benefit in an exceptionally high degree by the in-
herent resources of plant food of the soil engaged in their produc-
tion and of the atmosphere. They are for this reason less exacting,
as far as an additional supply of plant food is concerned ; and
they can be raised upon a naturally good soil, fit for grass produc-
tion, at a less expense for manure than the majority of general
farm crops. This fact, however, ought not to lead to the belief
that manuring grass lands is not profitable in the majority of
cases ; for permanent grass lands, meadows and pastures which
produce to-day remunerative crops without the assistance of manu-
rial matter of some kind or other from outside sources are rather
the exception than the rule. The unsatisfactory condition reported
of the majority of our grass lands has to be largely ascribed to
the prevalence of an indifferent system of manuring them.

The cultivation of one and the same crop or class of crops year
after year upon the same lauds without some rational mode of
manuring cannot fail to change gradually but surely the mechani-
cal as well as chemical character of the soil for the better or the
worse, as far as that crop or class of crops is concerned, — in the
majority of cases for the worse.

A reliable general fertilizer for grass lands has to be compounded
on the same rules which are recognized as rational with reference

31

to other farm crops ; i.e., it ought to provide for the return of
those essential articles of plant food which the grass crop in an
exceptional degree has removed from the soil upon which it has
been raised. It is to be remembered that wherever the grass crop
is still the main source of coarse fodder for farm live stock the
product of the fertility of grass lands is constantly turned to ac-
count for the improvement of the lands used for the cultivation of
other farm crops. This once universal practice of manuring farm
lands has ceased to be advisable or even excusable, since a well-
developed trade in commercial fertilizers provides amply the needed
remed}^ — more manure. Its ruinous influence on the original
productiveness of the farm lands in all civilized countries, ours not
excepted, wherever important farm products, as grains, etc., have
been largely sent to market without any return of the plant
food they contained, is fully recognized.

The grass crop contains on an average one part of phosphoric
acid to four of potash and three of nitrogen. In case of newly
laid down grass lands it is well to adhere to that proportion. In
case of old grass lands with an abundance of vegetable decayed
matter the amount of nitrogen may be safely reduced one-half.
It is not possible to state more definitely the exact amount of
nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash which will secure the best re-
sults, on account of the widely varying condition of grass lands
as far as their state of fertility is concerned. Taking two tons of
hay as an average yield per acre as the basis, from twenty to
twenty-five pounds of available phosphoric acid, one hundred
pounds of available potassium oxide, with thirty pounds of avail-
able nitrogen per acre, would fairly meet the average condition.
This fertilizer can be secured to-day at about from eight to nine
dollars in the best form for immediate action. It is not advisable
to reduce the nitrogen in our grass manures to too small quantities,
for the best grass crops contain the largest amount of valuable
nitrogen compounds.

No single article of plant food acts independently of the rest ;
a liberal amount of nitrogen assists in the liberal assimilation of
phosphoric acid and potash ; these elements have a close relation
to each other in many of our fodder crops. A fair state of fertil-
ity of the soil is an indispensable requirement for a successful
production and propagation of our most valuable grasses.

Quite frequently the entire character of the growth upon grass
lands has been improved by changing from a scant to a liberal
manuring, without any assistance from new seeds. Those grasses
which are best adapted to the altered conditions of the soil take
the lead.

32

The nutritive value of one and the same species or variety of
grasses is liable to differ in a more serious degree, ivhen raised under
more or less advantageous circumstances, than many of our reputed
meadow grasses are represented to differ among themselves, when
raised under conditions tvhich favor their successful growth.

Forage crops, above all other crops, suffer more seriously in re-
gard to quality from a scant supply of plant food than any other
class of farm crops. Large areas of grass lands are still too
frequently treated with all kinds of manurial substances, without
any definite idea of what they can or shall accomplish. A short
discussion of some of the more prominently mentioned substances
frequently used for manurial purposes upon permanent grass lands
may illustrate that statement-
Common salt is known quite frequently to act beneficially on
grass lands ; it acts, however, more decidedly on the physical
qualities of the soil than as a direct plant feeder ; it assists in
the absorption of moisture from the air and economizes inherent
resources of moisture, and is thus apt to act better on dry lands
than on moist ones ; it assists in the diffusion of potash and phos-
phoric acid, but does not materially benefit the supply of the most
essential article of plant food. The beneficial effect usually ceases
after a few applications of from four hundred to five hundred
pounds per acre ; the lands are more exhausted after its exclusive
use as a manure than before.

Gypsum, or plaster, aids in the absorption of the ammonia com-
pounds of the air ; it counteracts the tendency of a clayish soil to
become hard and impervious in dry weather ; it assists, like salt, in
the general diffusion of potash and phosphoric acid present, by
causing favorable transformations of existing compounds, A few
repeated applications of from six hundred to seven hundred pounds
per acre usually terminate its good services, which are frequently
marked rather by a more liberal growth of clover and of leguminous
plants in general than by that of grasses. Aside from lime and
sulphuric acid, nothing is added to the future fitness of the soil, as
far as essential articles of plant food are concerned. Gypsum,
as a sole manurial matter used on grass lands, assists in bringing
nearer the time of their failure as a remunerative fodder source.

Air-slacked lime, lime-kiln ashes and various other kinds of lime
refuse are noted for their good influence on grass lands ; they
assist in producing a favorable decomposition of organic matter
by neutralizing accumulated organic acids and securing thereby
conditions favorable to the action of a beneficial microbic life in
the soil. They aid in the disintegration of potash-containing
silicious soil constituents, and render thereby inherent sources of

33

plant food more available ; they improve the general physical con-
ditions of a compact, clayish soil by rendering it more mellow and
permeable. As a direct addition of plant food they are only in
exceptional cases of real importance ; they are in the majority of
cases worthless upon a calcareous soil.

Marls and clayish marls, free from any perceptible amount of
potash and phosphoric acid, act in the main similarly to the pre-
viously mentioned lime refuse. Earthy composts of various de-
scriptions, if applied in large quantities, frequently act very
beneficially on exposed portions of the upper part of grass roots
by protecting them against an undesirable exposure to light and
atmosphere, thereby favoring the formation of new and more
numerous shoots. They benefit the inherent stock of plant food
only as much as they contain one or more of them in an available
condition, which is usually an unknown quantity.

Other substances, quite frequently of a mere local interest, might
be added to the previous list, if space permitted.

Most of these previously stated manurial substances, it will be
noticed, are only temporary remedies, if any. They assist more
or less in economizing existing local resources of plant food.
They may, however, if used intelligently, quite frequently serve
as valuable helpmates in a more rational and more comprehensive
economical system of manuring grass lands capable of a remuner-
ative improvement. As an economical source of phosphoric acid,
aside from ground bone, which furnishes phosphoric acid and
nitrogen, in many instances finely ground mineral phosphate from
Florida, South Carolina, "West Indies and other localities deserve
recommendation for grass lands as a top-dressing, on account of
low cost. Kainite and muriate of potash are to-day our most effi-
cient and cheapest sources of potash for forage crops.

Wood ashes are a valuable fertilizer for grass lands, if applied
in sufficient quantities ; our average unleached Canada wood ash
contains from 5 to 6 per cent of potassium oxide, 1.5 to 2.5 per
cent of phosphoric acid and 30 to 35 per cent of calcium oxide
(lime), besides small quantities of every other essential mineral
constituent required for a successful growth of plants. The ab-
sence of nitrogen is somewhat compensated for by the presence of
a liberal amount of lime, which favors a rapid decomposition of
the vegetable matter contained in the Soil. The nitrogen of the
vegetable refuse matter becomes thereby in a high degree avail-
able. The good effect of wood ashes is for this reason more strik-
ing upon grass lands, rich in vegetable refuse matter, than upon
dry lands, which as a rule contain less of the latter.

The good services of barn-yard manure for the production of

34

grasses are generally recognized, yet its efficiency may be greatly
increased in this connection by the addition of some suitable potash
compound, to turn its excess of nitrogen to better account. Two
thousand pounds of barn-yard manure contain on an average eight to
ten pounds of nitrogen, four to five pounds of phosphoric acid and
nine to twelve pounds of potassium oxide. One hundred pounds of
muriate of potash to every ton of barn-yard manure needed will
serve a good purpose, and in many cases allow a reduction in the
amount of barn-yard manure otherwise considered necessary. A
top-dressing of grass land with two hundred pounds of muriate of
potash and five hundred pounds of fine-ground bone has given
much satisfaction in our field experiments. Our grass lands are as
a rule deficient in available potash compounds.

On Selection of Seed.

The family of grasses is very numerous, — it includes all our
cereals ; the number of those cultivated by human effort is, how-
ever, comparatively small for limited districts. The majority of
grasses are of a spontaneous growth, and in their general char-
acter, in a controlling degree, depend on the condition of the soil
and climate. In regard to their duration of life they may be clas-
sified into annual, biennial and perennial grasses. The annual
and biennial grasses are propagated by seeds and the perennials
usually by both seeds and sprouts starting from the roots.

In examining the different grasses with reference to their mode
of growth we notice a more or less marked difference among differ-
ent species and varieties. Some show a decided tendency to soon
send out numerous upright shoots, bearing liberally flowers ; while
others show this tendency more sparingly, and spend their vital
energy in the production of numerous low, knotty shoots, clinging
more or less closely to the ground, thereby forming a close sod.
This class of grasses requires frequently from two to three years
after seeding before it contributes liberally to the hay crop ; it
furnishes meanwhile valuable pastures.

To secure upon temporary grass lands a good and early annual
yield of hay, it is necessary to select largely the seeds of those
grasses which send out at once many tall, blooming shoots. The
shorter the period designed for keeping the lands covered with
grasses, the more ought l6w-growing perennial grasses to be ex-
cluded.

The degree of success upon permanent meadows, as far as the
quality and quantity of the annual yield of hay is concerned, de-
pends largely upon the care taken to ascertain the most advan-
tageous relative proportion of both mentioned classes of grasses

35

under existing local circumstances. To secure the highest attain-
able yield requires careful local observations.

Grasses raised upon one and the same land should also be
selected as far as practicable with reference to a corresponding
period of blooming ; they should be cut for hay when the majority
of them are fairly advanced in blooming. The adoption of this
course imparts to the crop the highest attainable nutritive value.
The following statement contains the names of some of the
prominent grasses, classified with reference to their tendency of
growth and their adaptation to dry and moist soils : —

List of Reputed Grasses (Perennials).
/. For Dry or Moderately Moist Soils.
(a) First class (tall-growing grasses) : —

are-

Meadow fox-tail (Alopecttrtis pratensis) ,

Meadow fescue {Festuca pratensis) ,

Red fescue (Fesiuca rubra) , .

Timothy, herd's grass (Phleum. pratense) , .

(b) Second class (low-growing grasses) : —
English bent {Agrostis alba),
Sweet-scented vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odora

turn),

Yellow oat gi'ass (^Avena jiavescens) , .
Sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) , .
Downy oat grass {Avena pubescens) , .
French rye grass, tall oat grass (Arrhenatherum

nacezini),

'English rye grass (Lolium jjerenne), .
Italian rye grass (Lolium italicum), .
Kentucky blue-grass {Poa pratensis) , .

II. For Moist and Wet Soils.

(«) First class (tall-growing grasses) : —
Timothy, herd's grass {Phleum pralense) , .
Fowl meadow (Poa serotina).
Rough-stalked meadow grass {Poa trivialis).
Meadow soft grass (Holcus lanatus), .
Orchard grass (Dadylis glomerata), .
Soft hrome grass (Brojmis mollis) ,
Italian rye grass (Lolium italtcum), .

(6) Second class (low-gi'owing grasses) : —
Red top, Rhode Island bent (Agrostis vulgaris),
'English rye grass (Lolium peren7ie), .
Crested dog-tail {Cynosarus cristatus),
Common manna grass {Olyceria fliiitans) , .

May to June.
June to July.
June to July.
June to July.

June to July.

May to June.
May to June.
June to July.
July.

May to July.

June.

June.

May to June.

June to July.

July to August.

June.

June to August.

May to June.

June.

June.

July.
June.

June to July.
June to July.

The degree of success upon permanent meadows, as far as the
quality and the quantity of the annual yield are concerned, depends

36

largely on the care taken to ascertain the most advantageoiis rela-
tive proportion of both mentioned classes of grasses under existing
local circumstances. To secure the highest attainable yield re-
quires careful local observations. Receipts for mixtures of grass
seeds which have proved advantageous in one locality cannot
always be relied on as best in any other place. For this reason,
instead of discussing the merits of any of the many mixtures rec-
ommended by seed dealers and others, I refer to the mixture used
in my own case at Amherst, which is stated on a subsequent page.

Course adopted in reclaiming an Old Meadow.

The area engaged in the experiment amounted to from nine to
ten acres, running from south to north along the western slope of
a natural grove. The main part of the land is fairly on a level,
slanting slightly towards the north and rising somewhat from the
centre of the field towards the grove ; this part is somewhat springy.
The southern end of the land is exposed to an occasional overflow
of water from adjoining hillsides. The outlet for the water, com-
ing from both sources, had evidently been gradually obstructed
by soil washed down from elevations along the north end of the
field. As a natural consequence, a large part of the ground had
been changed into an unsightly swamp. The entire area was
covered with a worthless growth peculiar to exhausted dry lands
and wet meadows, the latter in particular. The surface soil con-
sisted of a sandy loam, from two to three feet in thickness, which
was here and there underlaid by either a thin layer of hardened
clay or a coarse, gravelly material. The general character of the
surface soil, as well as the apparent chances of regulatiug its state
of moisture, promised to make the field, under proper management,
in an exceptional degree fit for a permanent meadow.

After lowering the outlet for the water through the adjoining
lands at the northern termination of the field, it was decided to
run, from ten to twelve feet apart, two parallel ditches from north
to south, through the lowest part of the land. The ditching began
in the month of August. One ditch from three and one-half to
four feet below the surface of the ground was to serve as a main
ditch for drain tiles six inches in diameter, to prevent an accumula-
tion and subsequent stagnation of water in the upper soil. The
other was an open ditch, on an average from one foot to eighteen
inches deep, to assist in a speedy discharge of surface water, due
to heavy rains or the melting of the snow and ice on adjoining
hillsides in the spring. In both instances the necessary fall was
secured to dispose of the surplus water. One surface ditch sufficed
for the whole area, while branch tile drains were built to all places

37

where local conditions indicated an exceptional state of moisture.
The tiles in the branch ditches varied from two to four inches in
diameter. A stone drain ten by twenty feet wide and four feet
deep served as a filter for the turbid water coming from the adjoin-
ing hillsides in case of heavy rains, before entering the tile drains.
The surface ditch ran up to the stone drain, to prevent a general
overflow of the meadow in case of exceptional rainfalls, etc. The
deep, swampy places were filled up in part with stones and earth,
or earth, as circumstances advised. The entire area was sub-
sequently ploughed deep and left in that state over winter. The
succeeding spring a wheel harrow was used to break up the rotten
sod. The soil was subsequently ploughed and harrowed repeatedly,
until it showed the desirable mechanical condition required for a
successful cultivation of summer grain crops.

Barley and oats were chosen as the first crops. Both were
seeded in drills, with rows two feet apart, to permit a thorough
destruction of an objectionable foul growth by frequent use of the
cultivator and hoe.

As soon as these crops were harvested, one ton of wood ashes
per acre was ploughed in, to assist in the disintegration of the
excess of organic peaty matter, and to serve as a general fertilizer.
After ploughing and smoothing the surface by means of a brush
harrow, the entire area was seeded down, in September, into grass,
to serve as a permanent meadow. The more elevated portions of
the field were seeded down with the following mixture of grass
seeds, at the rate of from two to two and one-half bushels per
acre : —

Two bushels herd's grass {Phleum pratense) .

Two bushels red top (Agrostis vulgaris).

Two bushels Kentucky blue-grass {Poa pratensis).

Two bushels meadow fescue {Festuca pratensis).

Five pounds sweet-scented vernal grass {Anthoxanthum odoratum).

The lower and still more wet portion of the meadow was seeded
down with the following mixture of grass seeds : —

Twenty pounds soft brome grass {Bromus mollis).

Twelve pounds herd's grass (Phleum pralense).

Nine pounds i"ed fescue {Festuca rubra)

Eight pounds fowl meadow grass {Poa serotina).

Seven pounds Rhode Island bent {Agrostis vulgaris).

Six pounds orchard grass (Dactylis glomerala).

Five pounds crested dog-tail {Cynosarus cristatus).

Four pounds meadow soft grass {Holcus lanatics).

Two pounds sweet-scented vernal grass {Anthoxanthum odoratum).

38

From four to five pounds of alsike clover per acre were added
by broadcast seeding early in the succeeding spring (1889). The
seed came up well, and suffered but here and there in wet spots
during the first winter. Barren spots were reseeded. The entire
meadow was cut but once during the first summer season, some-
what later than usual ; the majority of grasses did not, as might
be expected, head out.

As soon as the first crop of hay was secured, a system of ma-
nuring was planned, to show the comparative manurial effect of
top-dressing, as follows : by barn-yard manure ; by ground bone
and muriate of potash ; by unleached wood ashes. From 1889 to
1893 the quantity of barn-yard manure was gradually reduced, to
ascertain how far different quantities used per acre would affect
the final results. Since 1893 each plat has received in succession
annually the same quantity of one of the different kinds of manure,
to try a rotation of manures iqion permanent grass lands. The
annual yield of hay on the different plats is stated below : —

Summary of Yield of Hay (Tons).

Kate per Acre (Tons).

First Cut. Second Cut.

Plat 1, bavn-yard manure, eiglitcen tons to

acre,

riat 2, bani-yavd manure, eight tons to acre,
Plat 3, six hundred pounds steamed bone
and two hunihed pounds uuu-iate of pot-
ash to acre, ......

ISftO.

Plat 1, barn-yard manure, fourteen tons to
acre, ........

Plat 2, barn-yard manure, eleven tons to acre,

Plat 3, as in 1889 (six jiundred i)ounds
steamed bone and two hundred pounds
muriate of potash to acre).

Plat 4, wood ashes, one ton to acre,

18» 1 .

Plat 1, barn-yard manure, eight tons to acre.
Plat 2, barn-yard manure, six tons to acre. .
Phit 3, as in 1«U0 (six hunihed pounds

steamed bone and two hundred pounds

muriate of potasli to acre),
Plat-4, asinl890(woodashes,oue ton to acre),

i8oa.

IMat 1, fertilized the same as in 1891, .

Plat 2, fertilized the same as in 1891, .

Plat 3, fertilized the same as in 1891, .

Plat 4, fertilized the same as in 1891, .

2.73
2.38

2.50

3.80
3.25

3.00
2.23

3.2G
2.99

2.32
2.32

1.14
1.21

1.03

1.00
1.34

.73

.68

.72

.72

.51
.51

2.77

1.04

2.70

.98

2.33

.64

2.18

1.02

3.87
3.59

3.53

4.80
4.59

3.73
2.91

3.98
3.71

2.83
2.83

3.81
3.68
2.97
3.20

39

Summary of Yield of Hay ( Tons) — Concluded.

Rate per Acre (Tons).

1893.

Plat 1, wood ashes, one ton to acre,

Plat 2, barn-yard manure, eight tons to aere,

Plat 3, six hundred pounds ground bone and

two hundred pounds muriate of potash to

acre,

1894.

Plat 1, wood ashes, one ton to acre,

Plat 2, barn-yard manure, eight tons to acre.

Plat 3, six hundred pounds ground bone and

two hundred jjounds muriate of potash to

acre,

1895.

Plat 1, six hundred pounds ground bone and
two hundred pounds muriate of potash to

acre,

Plat 2, wood ashes, one ton to acre.

Plat 3, barn-yard manure, eight tons to acre,

2. 28
2.62

1.94

2.50
2.86

2.54

2.18
2.17
3.02

.77
.86

.64

.37
.51

.18

1.60
1.44
1.04

3.05
3.48

2.58

2.87
3.37

2.72

3.14
3.12
3.13

The season of 1894 was marked by a severe drought, beginning
with the month of July and extending into the fall, which affected
the yield of the crop (second cut) to a serious extent. The season
of 1895 was a fair one for farm work in our section of the country.

The rotation of manures upon permanent grass lands deserves a
recommendation.

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 3.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

Mo:nth of July, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1896.

Ckop Keport for the Month of July, 1896.

Office of State Boahd of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Aug. 1, 1896.

Bulletin No. 3, Crop Eeport for the month of July, is
herewith presented. Attention is called to the article on
" The Army Worm," by the assistant entomologist of the
gypsy moth committee, which is printed at the close of this
bulletin. The information comes too late to be of service
this year, but it is thought that a careful perusal of this
article will do much toward giving information which may
be of value in repelling the outbreaks of this pest which are
likely to occur another year.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 139, New Series (July, 1896), of the Statisti-
cian of the United States Department of Agriculture shows
that the condition of winter wheat is 75.6, against 77.9 in
June and 65.8 last July. The condition of spring wheat is
93.3, against 99.9 in June and 102.2 in July, 1895. If
spring is combined with winter wheat, the average condition
of the whole crop is 83.4 per cent.

The preliminary report on the acreage of corn shows 98.7,
as compared with that of 1895, a decrease of 1.3 points.
This makes in round figures 81,000,000 acres, against
82,000,000 acres last year. The average condition of corn
is 92.4, against 99.3 in July last year.

Winter rye has the average condition of 83.8 per cent, the
average for last year at this time being 82.2 and for June of
this year 85.2, The average for spring rye in 98.6, against
77 last year. Some damage to this grain by rust, insects
and worms is reported from many States.

The average condition of barley is 88.1, as against 91.9 last
year and 98 in June.

The acreage of Irish potatoes is 93.7 of that of last year,
the acreage last year being 107.9 per cent of that of the pre-
ceding year. The condition is reported as 99, as against
91.5 last year. The crop is poor in most of the southern
States, owing to drought, and on the Pacific coast.

The oat crop has a condition of 96.3, as compared with
83.2 last year, and is especially fine in the chief oat-produc-
ing States. The poorer conditions are in the southern States.
The returns relative to the fleeces sheared in the fall of
1895 and the spring of 1896 make the average weight for
the country 5.7 pounds. In 1893 and 1894 the average
stood at 5.3 pounds, and in 1895 at 5.6 pounds. Present
reports sustain the conclusion made in previous years that
sheep are undergoing improvement, due to better selection
and breeding.

The average condition of clover July 1 was 83.7, against
88.4 on June 1 and 73.9 a year ago. In general, newly
sown clover has fared best, but in some cases it has suflered
considerably from grasshoppers. Drought is the most com-
mon ground of complaint and next in order the effect of a
hard winter.

The average condition of timothy is 84.5, against 70.8
one year and 77.3 two years ago. There are complaints of
drought from a considerable number of localities, though
often in the case of old meadows it is the effects of drought
last year. Winter-killing, late frosts, hail and grasshoppers
are other causes of injury.

The general average for the condition of pastures fell dur-
ing June from 94.5 to 91, but it is still 12.3 points higher
than last year. Where the condition is low drought is the
usual cause. There are a few complaints of the army worm.
The condition of apples declined from 71 to 64.6 during
June. Prospects for excellent crops still continue in New
England, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Iowa. In
other parts of the country the condition is far below the
average.

Taking the country at large the peach crop promises to be
one of medium proportions. During the past month a fall
of 12.9 points has taken place, leaving the general average
at 51.8.

The average condition of rice in 82.9, against 84.4 last

year. Prospects are poorest in Louisiana, the leading rice
State, being 25 per cent below the standard.

According to preliminary returns, a less area has been
planted to tobacco this year than last in Kentucky, Ohio,
Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York, the decrease
running from 11 to 15 per cent. Little change in area has
taken place elsewhere. The average percentage makes the
total breadth 6.2 per cent short of 1895. The average con-
dition of tJie crop is 91.5, against 85.9 last year. By States
the percentages range from 82 in Tennessee to 104 in Massa*
chusetts.

The July returns for cotton make the average eonditjon
92.5, against 97.2 in June and against 82.3 last year. Lice
and drought are the principal causes of injury.

In Massachusetts the acreage of corn compared with last
year is 102 and the average condition July 1 is ^i ; the aver-
age condition of spring rye 99 ; the average condition of oats
100; the average condition of barley 100; the acreage of
potatoes 83 and the average condition 101 ; the average
condition of beans 99 ; the acreage of tobacco 100 and the
average condition 104 ; the average weight of wool per
fleece 5.1 pounds; the average condition of clover 89; the
average condition of timothy 88 ; the average condition of
pasturage 95 ; the average condition of apples 93 ; the aver-
age condition of peaches 34 ; and the average condition of
grapes 85.

Tempekatuee and Rainfall for the "Whole Country.

[Fbom United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.]

Week eliding July 6. — Week cooler than usual along the
immediate California coast, over extreme western Texas and
southern New Mexico, and on the south Atlantic and New
England coasts. Week warmer than usual over the northern
portion of the Lake region, on the north Pacific coast and
throughout the central and northern Rocky Mountain regions.
Elsewhere the temperature did not vary much from the nor-
mal. The rainfall was generally ample east of the Rocky
Mountains, except over the western portion of the Gulf
States. More than the usual amount fell over portions of the
central valleys and east Gulf States. The week was, upon
the whole, exceptionally favorable and crops generally made

excellent progress. Winter-wheat harvest is about completed,
except in the more northerly States. Corn has made fine
progress during the week and an exceptionally fine crop is
promised in the principal corn States. The condition of cot-
ton has improved. The outlook for tobacco continues flat-
tering.

Week ending July 13. — The week averaged cooler than
usual in the lower Lake region, the Ohio, central Mississippi
and lower Missouri valleys, and throughout the southern
States. In New England, the upper Lake region, upper
Missouri valley, throughout the central and northern Rocky
Mountain districts and on the Pacific coast the week averaged
warmer than usual. The week was practically without rain
over the greater part of the Mississippi and lower Ohio and
lower Missouri valleys, and only very light showers fell in
the upper Lake region. Good rains fell in Texas. In the
Middle and South Atlantic States the rainfall was exception-
ally heavy, but no appreciable amount of rain fell on the
Pacific coast. On the whole the weather conditions were not
as favorable as those of the two preceding weeks. In the
great corn States the crop continues in the most promising
condition, but it suffered some injury from rain in the South
Atlantic and east Gulf States. Cotton has been injured by
rain in some sections and improved in others. Some spring
wheat has been cut in Iowa. The general condition of this
crop is not satisfactory. Tobacco continues in promising
condition.

Week ending July 20. — Week warmer than usual over
the northern portion of the west Gulf States and in eastern
Maine, but in all other districts east of the Rocky Mountains
cooler than usual. Over the northern plateau region and on
the Pacific coast week generally warmer than the average.
From the lower Missouri and central Mississippi valley's east-
ward over the lower lake region and Ohio valley, and over
portions of the east Gulf States and the Atlantic coast the
rainfall exceeded the average. From the Dakotas eastward
over Minnesota, Wisconsin and the greater part of Michigan,
in the west Gulf States, and over the greater part of the
Atlantic coast the rainfall was below the average. No rain
fell on the Pacific coast. The week was generally favorable
for growing crops in the principal agricultural States. Corn

has made excellent progress and the outlook continues most
promising. There has been too much rain for cotton in
some sections but in others it has materially improved.
The general outlook for tobacco continues promising. Some
ploughing for fall seeding has been done in Michigan.

Week endiiig July 27. — Week generally warmer than
usual over the southern districts east of the Rocky moun-
tains. Along the immediate Pacific coast, in northern New
England and over portions of the Lake region and Middle
Atlantic States, the temperature was nearly normal. Else-
where the week was decidedly cooler than usual. From the
central Mississippi valley eastward over the Ohio valley and
southern portion of the Lake region to the Middle Atlantic
and New Engfland coasts the rainfall exceeded the averao;e.
The rainfall was also very heavy in Iowa, Nebraska and
north-eastern Colorado. Elsewhere the rainfall was gener-
ally decidedly below the average. In the States of the cen-
tral valleys and on the Atlantic and east Gulf coasts the
week has been very favorable for all growing crops.
Although corn has suffered to some extent from heavy rains
the general outlook for an exceptionally fine crop continues
promising. Over the eastern portion of the cotton region
and in Texas cotton has made good growth, but elsewhere it
is not so favorable. Late sown spring wheat did not head
in North Dakota and is being ploughed up. The general
condition of tobacco continues good.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Weeek ending July 6. — New England. Boston: First
of week dry, with much sunshine, latter part cloudy and
wet; crops were suffering, but rain fills present needs and
all crops doing well ; cranberries in blossom, with favorable
outlook.

Weekending July 13. — New England. Boston: Rainy
first of week, clear and hot most part; most crops growing
well ; pastures very good ; hay crop of good quality, but
below average ; turnip seed about harvested in southern Con-
necticut, fair crop ; onion seed is very promising ; other seed
looking well.

8

Week ending July 20. — New England. Boston : Light
showers first part of week beneficial to grain ; dry, with
average sunshine, daring rest of week ; rain needed ; some
barley has matured, a week early; pastures drying.

Week ending July 27. — New England. Boston: The
high temperature and abundant rains have advanced crops
very fast ; some damage to fruit trees and standing crops by
high wind on the 16th ; pastures excellent in south portion
and improving in north ; cloudy weather has delayed hay
and grain harvest in south portion.

Massachusetts Weather for July, 1896.

Along the coast the mean temperature for the month was
at or slightly below the normal, and the temperature range
was small. At Woods Holl, Mass., the highest temperature
was 80° and the lowest 58°, making a monthly range of only
22°, which is very small for even that place of slight changes.
In the interior and western sections the thermometers reached
several deo^rees above 90 on the 12th to 14th. At Fitchburs:
and Springfield the mean temperature was 0.6° warmer than
is usual for the month.

The rainfall was slightly below the normal along the coast,
but was in excess in the interior. At Springfield one and
one-fourth inches came in excess of the usual July fall. At
Fitchburg the excess amounted to but three-fourths inch,
while at Boston and along the southern coast the deficiency
was about one-half inch. There w^as a good deal of cloudy
and foggy weather and the number of rainy days was more
than usual. The consequence has been a poor month to har-
vest hay and grain, but splendid for the growth of corn,
tobacco, and in fact all field crops. Grass grew very fast on
low lands during all the first part of the month ; the amount
on some fields being doubled during that time.

During the passage of a severe thunder-storm on the 5th,
1.30 inches of rain fell in 17 minutes, and 1.69 inches in 60
minutes, at Fall River, Mass. The high wind on the 16th
did some damage to corn, grain and fruit in western counties.
The weather has been favorable for fruit generally, and the
outlook for most varieties is very flattering.

9

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 raised to supplement the hay
crop and eke out the pastures, and what is their condition ?

5. What is the condition of market-garden crops, includ-
ing potatoes, and how have those already harvested com-
pared 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 locality?

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

Returns were received from one hundred and forty-eight
correspondents, from which the following summary has been
made : —

Insects.
The potato beetle is the insect most generally reported as
doing damage, but it is not unusually prevalent. Next comes
the army worm, forty-six correspondents mentioning its
presence. No section of the State seems exempt from it.
In many localities it is reported as present, but not doing
serious damage. In these places it should be carefully
watched next year, as it is most likely to appear in destruc-
tive numbers where it gained a foothold this year and did not
appear in force. All meadows where the worms appeared
this year, even in small numbers, should be burned over early
next spring. Attention is again called to the article on this
pest at the end of this bulletin. Grasshoppers are reported
as doing some damage to pastures and mowings in the western
counties. Other insects mentioned are the horn fly, currant
worms, squash bugs, cabbage worms, white grubs, the elm
tree leaf beetle, cut worms, tobacco worms, maggots, wire
worms, green lice, the curculio, corn worms and fire worms.

10

Indian Corn.
Indian corn, as a whole, has been rather backward, but is
now growing fast and a good crop is promised. Stand and
color are generally spoken of as good. Very few speak of
the crop as poor or below the average, complaint being prin-
cipally confined to lateness. Probably rather more will be
put into the silo than ever before. The poor hay crops of
the last few years have led fjirmers to pay more attention
to the silo than was formerly the case. The wide variation
in the reports makes it impossible to estimate the proportion
of the crop used for ensilage with any degree of accuracy.

The Hay Crop.
The frequent rains of the month delayed haying and in
many sections it was not completed at the time of making
returns. The crop necessarily falls below the average and
probably three-fourths of a full crop is as safe an estimate as
could be made. The quality is generally spoken of as good,
though much was damaged by rain.

Forage Crops.
The drought of the early part of the season, forecasting a
small hay crop, doubtless led many farmers to give unusual
attention to forage crops. The rains during July were very
timely for these crops and they are all reported as in excel-
lent condition. Fodder corn is the crop most extensively
grown and easily leads the rest in point of production.
Oats, Hungarian grass, barley and millet, in the order
named, are also much grown. Other crops grown to a less
extent are rye, oats and peas, oats and vetch, barley and
peas, soja beans, wheat and vetch. Cabbage and turnips,
while not strictly speaking forage crops, are also raised for
stock feeding.

Market-garden Crops.

Market-garden crops are generally in good condition and

the prospect is for a good yield of those not yet harvested.

Prices have held about as usual, certainly not falling otf from

last year. So much attention is now paid to this branch of

11

farming that growers must depend on exceptional earliness
or excellence if they hope to secure high prices.

Early Potatoes.
Contrary to the expectation last month early potatoes do
not now promise to be a full crop. Very few have been dug
as yet. The shortness in yield is probably due to the
drought of the early i)art of the season. There is some
complaint of blight and rot, and in the south-eastern coun-
ties white grubs are reported as attacking the tubers. Prices
are generally spoken of as low and often as lower than ever
before.

Fruits.
Apples generally promise a good crop of good fruit. As
heretofore indicated there will be very few pears and prac-
tically no peaches. Quinces will also generally be a light
crop and there is some complaint of blight. Grapes promise
a full crop, many speaking of them as unusually good. The
cranberry crop will be good, the reports from the region of
commercial production being favorable. There is some com-
plaint of injury to bogs from the army worm.

Pasturage.
The frequent rains during July have kept pastures in good
condition in most sections. In the western counties, where
last month the condition was most precarious, correspond-
ents now almost unanimously report the condition as good.
Most reports of poor condition come from eastern and south-
eastern sections.

Grain Crops.
Rye, oats and barley are all good average crops, many
speaking of them as excellent. Barley is but little grown
except for fodder, and probably more oats are cut for fodder
than are allowed to mature the grain.

12

I^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us July 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Mount Washington (H. M. Weaver). — Potato bugs are doing
some damage. Corn looks well ; no silos in town. Hay is of good
quality but the crop was light on old meadows. Fodder corn is
being raised to supplement the hay crop. There will be plenty of
apples, pears and cranberries. Pasturage is in good condition.
Rye is a short crop but oats are good.

3Ionterey (W31. S. Bidwell). — The army worm and the potato
bug are doing some damage. Indian corn is in fair condition and
one-half the crop will be put into the silo. The hay crop was
lighter than usual but as large as that of last year. Millet and
fodder corn are being planted to help out the hay crop. Potatoes
promise a good crop but prices are low. Apples will be plenty but
there will be no other fruit. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats
were a superior crop except where injured by the army worm and
rye was an average crop.

Tyringham (Geo. F. Kopp). — The army worm has appeared
somewhat but has done no special damage. Corn is in good con-
dition ; no silos. We are cutting a good crop of hay of good qual-
ity. Hungarian grass is being raised as a fodder crop. Apples
will be a fair crop. Pasturage was never in better condition. Rye,
oats and barley were all good crops. Tobacco is doing well, with
the prospect of a good crop.

Lee (A. Bkadley) . — The potato bug and the army worm are
doing some damage. Corn is 5 per cent above the normal in con-
dition ; about 10 per cent will be put into the silo. The hay crop
is 10 per cent above other years in quantity and quality. Fodder
corn is mostly relied on to supplement the hay crop. Apples will
be about three-fourths of an average crop. Pasturage is above the
average in condition. Rye, oats and barley are all full crops.
Probably fifty acres of grain in the southern half of Berkshire

13

County have been destroyed by the army worm, and much grain
was cut unnecessarily in anticipation of the appearance of the
worm.

Windsor (H. A. Ford) . — Grasshoppers are doing some damage.
Indian corn is not as early as common ; perhaps 10 per cent of the
Crop will go into the silo. The hay crop is a little larger than for
the past two years ; quality good but weather very poor for gath-
ering. Oats, corn and millet are the principal forage crops.
Market-garden crops are in fair condition. Not many potatoes
dug as yet but the crop is below last year's. No fruit for market
but enough for home use. Pasturage is in quite good condition.
Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

Neiv Ashford (Elihu Ingraham). — Corn is in fair condition ; no
silos in town. The hay crop has been average with the past two
years and of good quality. Sowed corn is the principal dependence
as a fodder crop. Potatoes are looking well but none have been
harvested. There will be a light crop of apples and few pears.
Pasturage is in fair condition. Rye, oats and barley are good
crops. The frequent rains are causing meadows to look finely
where the grass is cut.

Williamstoivn (S. A. Hickox). — Army worms are doing some
degree of damage. Corn is a small stand but of good color and
growing fast ; about 5 per cent will go into the silo. Hay is a
three-fourths crop of good quality. Sweet corn, Hungarian grass,
oats, barley and millet are raised to supplement the hay crop.
Potatoes are a good crop but a few are harvested as yet. Apples
will be a good crop, pears 10 per cent of a crop and grapes 60 per
cent. Pastures are in fairly good condition. Rye, oats and bar-
ley are about average crops.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Heath (0. D. Canedy). — Grasshoppers are doing much damage.
Corn is looking well and one-half of the crop will be put into the
silo. Hay is a light crop of good quality. A good many acres of
oats and Hungarian grass are raised for fodder. Potatoes look
rather slim. Apples will be a fair crop, pears poor, quinces poor
and grapes good. Pasturage is iu poor condition. Help is scarce
and wages high, and most of our farms are large enough for two.

Bernardston (R. H. Cushman). — Army worms, white grubs,
cabbage worms and grasshoppers are all doing some damage.
Corn is in first-class condition and 60 per cent will go into the
silo. The hay crop is not up to last year in quantity but the
quality is good. Oats are being hayed in large quantities. Early

14:

potatoes will be a light crop. Pastures are short but improving
from recent rains.

Shelburne (Geo. E. Taylor). — Grasshoppers and army worms
are doing some damage. Condition of corn fair and perhaps 5 per
cent will be put into the silo. Hay is less than an average crop in
quantity but the quality is very fine. Corn and oats are raised to
supplement the hay crop and are in good condition. Apples will
be an average crop but all other fruits will be light. Pasturage is
very short but is still green. Oats are very fine and heavy. The
army worm appeared in several places in this vicinity and destroyed
about three acres of grass and millet for me. It has now disap-
peared.

Whately (Frank Dickinson). — The army worm has done dam-
age in some localities. Corn is growing very fast ; only one silo
in this neighborhood. The hay crop was of extra quality but below
the average in quantity. Corn is the crop mostly raised for fodder
and the condition is good. Potatoes are about an average crop,
with prices hardly up. Apples are a full crop, few pears, no
peaches, plenty of grapes. Pastures are improving. Rye and
oats are full crops.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — The army worm is doing some
damage. Indian corn is in average condition and about half the
crop will go into the silo. Hay was about a three-fourths crop of
extra quality. Sweet corn, oats and barley are raised to supple-
ment the hay crop and all are doing well. Market-garden crops
are all average except potatoes, which are suffering from blight
and show a very light yield. The prospect for fruit is better than
usual. Pastures are getting rather dry. Rye, oats and barley are
not more than average crops.

Northfield (T. R. Callendar). — The potato bug is numerous
and the army worm has done some damage Corn is a little late
but is looking finely ; not more than one-tenth of the crop is grown
for the silo. The hay crop has been rather better than last year
on the whole. Barley and oats are much grown for forage and are
in fine condition. The season has been favorable for all market-
garden crops ; yield abundant, prices low. Apples are well fruited,
pears light, no peaches, grapevines loaded with fruit. Pasturage is
in fairly good condition. All small grains are remarkably good
crops. Tobacco is looking well though somewhat uneven.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers
are very plenty. Indian corn is a little backward but growing
finely ; very little put in the silo. The hay crop in nearly average
in quantity and of good quality. Oats, peas and oats, fodder corn
and Hungarian grass are raised to supplement the hay crop and are

15

in good condition. There will be a good crop of apples and some
grapes and cranberries. Pasturage is in good average condition.
Rye and oats have yielded well.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Evjield (D. O. Chickering). — Potato bugs are quite plenty.
Corn is looking very well. The hay crop is above the average in
quantity and fully up in quality. Eye, oats and corn are raised for
forage and all are in fine condition. Potatoes look well. The
prospect is good for apples, grapes and cranberries. Pastures are
holding out well, much better than usual. Rye and oats are better
crops than for several years. Haying is progressing slowly and
but little is secured without getting wet.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Cabbage worms and potato beetles
are doing some damage. Corn looks very well ; none will be put
in the silo. The hay crop will be about a two-thirds crop, as in
the past two years. Sweet corn and oats and peas are the prin-
cipal fodder crops raised to supplement the hay crop. Market-
garden crops all look well. Apples will be half a crop, pears
one-fourth a crop, quinces good, grapes good and cranberries good.
Pastures are looking well for this time of year. Rye and oats com-
pare favorably with former crops. Blueberries are abundant ;
huckleberries are just coming on and promise well.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The army worm, elm tree leaf
beetle and potato beetle are doing damage. Corn rather backward
and stand uneven but color good ; perhaps one-fifth will go into
the silo. Hay is about three-fourths of an average crop with
quality good. Corn, millet and Hungarian grass, oats, oats and
peas and vetch are raised as fodder crops and are in good condi-
tion. Potatoes look well but prices are very low. Apples generally
promise well, pears poor, quinces good, no peaches and grapes
good. Pastures are in excellent condition. Rye is a good crop
and oats look well. The army worms have done much damage in
some late fields of timothy and grain and have injured some fields
of corn. The most serious damage, however, will be in reducing
the yield of rowen in many fields. In a great many places they
have eaten all the new growth and the meadows are browner than
when first cut. All mowings where they have been found should
be burned over early next spring.

Hatfield (Thaddeus Graves). — The army worm is doing some
damage. Corn is in fine condition but none will be put into the
silo. The hay crop is good both in quantity and quality. No
forage crops are raised to supplement the hay crop. Potatoes

16

have been stricken with blight ; yield small and prices low. The
prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pasturage is in good con-
dition. R3'e, oats and barley are about the usual crops.

Westhampton (F. A. Bridgman). — Potato bugs, grasshoppers
and army worms are doing some damage. Indian corn looks fairly
well. The hay crop was about half an average crop owing to dry
weather. Fodder corn is the principal forage crop raised. Apples
are abundant ; scarcely any pears or peaches. Pastures are grow-
ing up to brush. Rye, oats and barley are about the same as in
former years.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is in good condition ; not more than one-fifth of
the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop is rather larger than
last year and of average quality. Corn, oats, Hungarian grass
and barley are raised to supplement the hay crop and all are look-
ing well. Early potatoes are a light crop. Apples are looking
well, other fruit a failure. Pasturage is in fine condition. Rye,
oats and barley are all cut for fodder. The past month has been
cloudy, with frequent showers, and all crops are now looking well.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (P. M. Adzima). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn never looked better and two-thirds of the crop will be
put into the silo. The hay crop was of good quality but was not
average in quantity. Corn is about the only forage crop raised.
Potatoes are looking well but very few have been harvested. The
prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pasturage was never in
better condition. Very little grain is raised in this vicinity.

Blandford (E. W. Boise). — The potato beetle is the only
insect troubling our farmers. Corn is above the average in con-
dition ; three-fourths of the crop will be put in the silo or cured as
fodder. The hay crop is about three-fourths of an average in
quantity and the quality is good though much has been caught in
the rains. Corn, oats and peas, barley and Hungarian grass are
the principal forage crops raised. More attention is paid to for-
age crops than ever before. Potatoes show heavy tops and there
is little complaint of blight. Apple trees are heavily loaded with
extra fruit. All other fruits and berries are very plenty. Past-
ures are in only fair condition. Rye oats and barley are more
than average crops.

IVest Springfield (N. T. Smith). — The black squash bug is
doing some damage at present. Corn is in fine condition but a
little backward ; perhaps 5 per cent will be put into the silo. The

17

bay crop is about 80 per cent of an average in quantity and the
quality is first-class. Oats, corn, millet and barley are the princi-
pal fodder crops raised and all have made a good growth. Market-
garden crops are fully up to the average in condition and yield but
prices are very low. Apples promise a large yield, grapes good,
all other fruits very light. Pasturage has improved from the
recent rains and is as good as usual at this season. Rye, oats
and barley are fully up to average crops.

Agawam (Reuben DeWitt). — Corn is looking very well now.
The silo is gaining in popularity every year. The hay crop is a
little later than last year. Corn, oats and barley are the principal
forage crops and all are looking well. Potatoes are hardly as
good a crop as last year. Apples are a fair crop ; all other fruits,
except perhaps grapes, are very poor. Rye is hardly as good a
crop as usual. Oats are raised mostly for green feed or for hay.
Pasturing is but little practised, the cows being kept in the barn
and fed with green feed.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss). — The potato bug is doing some
damage. Indian corn is in good condition ; not more than oue-
thirtieth of the crop will be put into the silo. Hay is three-
fourths of an average crop in quantity and of good quality.
Barley, fodder corn and turnips are raised to supplement the hay
crop. Potatoes are not more than a three-fourths crop and prices
are low thus far. Fruit will be a light crop with the exception of
grapes. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye, oats and barley
are about average crops. The unfavorable weather has delayed
haying so that nearly one-fourth of the grass is still standing.

3fonson (W. M. Tucker). — Squash bugs and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Corn is in fine condition ; about a week
later than last season but growing very fast ; about 10 per cent
will go into the silo. Hay not quite average in yield but quality
good. Rye, oats and peas, corn, barley and oats are the principal
forage crops raised and they never looked better. Market-garden
crops are good as a whole though prices are rather low. Apples
promise well, pears are very scarce, no peaches, and grapes plenty.
Recent rains have helped pasturage but cows have shrunk never-
theless. Rye is not a large straw but is well filled out. Oats and
barley never looked better. There is quite general complaint of
sorrel in our best grass lands where it was never seen before.

AVORCESTER COUNTY.

Soutlibridge (G. L. Clemence). — Indian corn is a little later
than usual but is in good condition ; half the crop will be put into

18

the silo. The hay crop is from 25 to 33 per cent short in quantity
but the quality is very good. Oats and peas, Hungarian grass and
fodder corn are the principal forage crops raised. Potatoes look
well but none are harvested as yet. Apples will be more than an
average crop but all other fruits are short. Pasturage is in poor
condition.

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — The army worm has appeared on
several farms in town. Corn is very thrifty and of good color and
size ; half a dozen silos will be filled. Hay is an average crop of
excellent quality. Fodder corn and Hungarian grass are the prin-
cipal fodder crops raised and they are growing finely. Market-
garden crops promise favorably ; peas have been high ; potatoes
fair in yield with price low. Apples will be a large crop ; pears,
peaches and quinces a failure, grapes plenty. Pasturage is in
very good condition. Oats and barley are heavy and well filled
out ; oats were mostly cut for fodder while in milk. Frequent
showers have delayed haying so that there is still one-third of the
crop to be cut.

Barre (J. L. Smith). — The army worm has reached most of
the oat fields and is eating them fast. It has eaten nothing else as
yet. Indian corn is a little late but is growing fast. The hay
crop was a good average as to quantity and of good quality.
Corn, oatSj millet and Hungarian grass are raised to supplement
the hay crop and are in good condition. There will be a good
crop of apples of excellent quality. Pasturage is in good con-
dition. Oats and barley are about as usual as to yield.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is more backward than usual but is growing rapidly
now ; about 20 per cent of the crop will go into the silo. The hay
crop has been the lightest for some years but the quality is good.
Oats, barley, Hungarian grass, millet and corn are raised as forage
crops and are in good condition. Market-garden crops are not
quite up to the average. Potatoes are a fair average in yield and
price. Apples are a good crop, pears light, no peaches and grapes
poor. Pastures are now in average condition. Winter rye was a
fair crop and oats and barley are very good. In Gardner, Hub-
bardston and "Westminster the army worm is very destructive on
several farms.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Insects are not very troublesome
though one farm has a small company of the army worm. Indian
corn looks well ; there are eight silos in town. The hay crop is
about 80 per cent of an average, much better than was expected.
Golden millet and corn fodder are used to supplement the hay
crop. Oats are all cut for green fodder. Early potatoes are a light

19

crop with price at 60 cents per bushel. Apples will be a great
crop, pears few, no peaches, few quinces, grapes good. Pasturage
is in good condition. Rye, oats and barley were mostly cut green.

Holden (G, S. Graham). — Cabbage worms, cut worms and
potato bugs are doing some damage. Corn is looking finely and
about 25 per cent of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop
.is greater than last year and I think about an average. Corn, oats,
barley and Hungarian grass are raised to supplement the hay crop
and are in good condition. Apples and grapes never looked bet-
ter, pears not so plenty. Pastures are in as good condition as in
other years. Rye, oats and barley were about the average and all
cut for feed. Considerable hay is not yet cut.

Worcester (S. A. Bukgess). — The army worm is doing some
injury to oats. Other troublesome insects are cut worms, potato
bugs and white grubs. Indian corn is in first-class condition. The
hay crop has been a fair average in quantity and quality. Oats,
wheat, corn, rye, barley and Hungarian grass are raised for forage
crops and are in good condition. Market-garden crops are a fair
average in yield and price. Apples will be a fair crop, pears
scarce, no peaches, no quinces, grapes and cranberries fair. Rye,
oats and barley are average crops. The potato blight is doing con-
siderable damage.

Sutton (0. P. Johnson). — The army worm has just made its
appearance. Corn is looking first-rate but is all of a week back-
ward ; not more than a quarter will go into the silo. The hay
crop is greater than last year and about an average crop. Hun-
garian grass and fodder corn are the principal forage crops.
Potatoes are about an .average crop but not many have been har-
vested. All fruits are good except pears and peaches. Pastures
are in splendid condition. Rye, oats and barley are looking fairly
well.

Blackstone (L. R. Daniels). — The potato bug is doing some
damage. Corn is in very good condition and only a very small
portion of the crop is put into the silo. The hay crop is about the
the same as last year with quality good. Golden millet, barley and
oats are the principal forage crops raised and are generally in good
condition. Condition of market-garden crops good, yield the
same, prices low ; potatoes about two-thirds the usual price.
Apples are a good crop. Pasturage is in very good condition for
this time.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Dunstable (A. J, Gilson). — Indian corn needs more rain at
the present time ; Blunt's Prolific is the principal variety put into

20

the silo. The hay crop was low in quantity but of good quality.
Fodder corn cut and fed green is the principal forage crop and this
is showing the effect of want of rain. Apples promise a large crop,
no pears, peaches or quinces, grapes and cranberries promise an
average crop. Pastures are dry and short of feed. Rye, oats and
barley are rather above average crops.

Westford (Arthur Wright). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn promises to be about half a crop. The hay crop
was a little heavier than last year but hardly an average with
other years. Corn and oats are the principal forage crops raised.
Market-garden crops are generally in good condition. Apples are
looking well, pears, peaches and quinces scarce. Pasturage is in
very fair condition. Rye, oats and barley are about the same as
last year. Army worms are reported in Groton but none have
been seen here.

Lowell (C. L. Marshall) . — Cut worms are doing some damage.
Corn is in prime condition and a large proportion will be put into
the silo, as hay is a short crop. The hay crop is rather under aver-
age in quantity but of good quality. Corn, Hungarian grass and
oats are the principal forage crops raised. Market-garden crops
are in good condition and the yield is fair ; prices below former
years. Apples are very abundant, pears and grapes good, no
peaches and quinces. Pasturage is in very good condition. Early
sown rye and oats did poorly, but those sown later have made fine
and large crops.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Indian corn is growing well. On
good grass land that has been well cared for the hay crop is good,
elsewhere it is light. Oats, peas and oats, millet, Hungarian grass,
barley, turnips and cabbage are all used to supplement the hay
crop. Potatoes are not dug yet but are looking well. Apples will
be a good crop where the canker worm did not work ; pears are a
very light crop, no peaches, quinces blossomed and set well but
have been struck by a blight, grapes a full crop and cranberries
average. Pasturage is now in fair condition. Rye, oats and bar-
ley are about average crops.

Wobitrn (W. H. Bartlett). — Potato bugs, squash bugs and
cut worms are doing some damage. Hay has been about an aver-
age crop in quantity and quality. Hungarian grass, oats and
fodder corn are grown as forage crops and are looking very well.
Full crop of apples, no pears or peaches and few quinces. Past-
ures are short of feed at present. Rye and oats are good crops.
Squashes look well but are a little late. Prices for market -garden
truck have been as good as other years. Prices vary but little
from year to year. Up till the last of July or the first of August

21

we generally have good trade ; then farmers finish haying and have
time to attend to selling their produce, which keeps the market full
until frost kills the vines. Pickle picking will soon begin.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn is good though rather late ; little, if any, will
be put into the silo. Hay is a three-fourths crop of excellent
quality. Oats, Hungarian grass and barley are the principal
forage crops and all promise well. Potatoes look well but have
set poorly. Apples, grapes and cranberries are full crops. Past-
urage is above the average at this season.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Maggots in squashes and
cucumbers are doing some damage. Corn is in good condition
and most of the fodder will be put into the silo. Hay is about a
three-fourths crop. Corn and Hungarian grass are the principal
forage crops raised and are in good condition. Potatoes are look-
ing well. Apples are a heavy crop of very fine fruit. Oats are a
good crop.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben Webster) . — Corn is of good color and up to
the average ; not more than one-fourth of the crop will be put into
the silo. Hay crop of good quality but a little below the average
in quantity. Corn, winter rye, barley and oats are the principal
forage crops and are all looking well. Yield of market-garden
crops good ; prices a little higher than last year ; not many pota-
toes harvested. Apples and grapes good, but pears and peaches
scarce. Pasturage is in very fair condition. Rye, oats and barley
are not much grown for grain.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is looking well but only a small part will be put
into the silo. The hay crop was about the same as last year in
quantity and of good quality. Corn fodder is the principal forage
crop raised. Market-garden crops are looking well ; potatoes on
high land will be light, on low land looking well. Apples promise
a large crop, very few pears, no peaches, grapes look well, cran-
berries need rain. Pastures are in fair condition, having been
kept up by the light rains. Rye, oats and barley compare well
with other years. There is an immense crop of blueberries.

Newbury (G. W. Adams). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn is in good condition and 10 per cent will be put into
the silo. Hay is about a three-fourths crop of good quality.
Fodder corn, oats and barley are raised to supplement the hay
crop and are backward for want of rain. Market-garden crops
are in fair condition but suffered somewhat from drought. Apples

22

promise a very good crop, no pears or peaches, few quinces and a
good crop of grapes. Pastures are badly dried up. Rye, oats
and barley are a little late.

North Andover (Peter Holt, Jr.) . — Corn is looking fairly well
and nearly all the crop will be put into the silo. The hay crop is
far above the average in quality and is three-fourths of a full crop.
Corn, oats, barley and Hungarian grass are raised as forage crops
and are all in good condition. Potatoes are a small yield and the
price is so low that few have been marketed. Apples and grapes
will be a full crop ; no pears or peaches and few quinces. Feed
in pastures is short and rain is needed. Oats and barley have
been good crops. Haying is nearly done. Rain is much needed
for all growing crops.

Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — Horn flies are rather troublesome.
Indian corn is in fair condition and 10 per cent of the crop will go
into the silo. The hay crop was a three-fourths crop of excellent
quality. Hungarian grass is about the only forage crop raised and
its condition is only fair. Early potatoes now promise much less
than an average crop. Apples good, no peaches, ^jears scarce.
Pastures are very dry and have been below the average all the
year. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops. Berries are
very plenty and bring good prices.

Manchester (John Baker). — Corn is in good condition; no
silos. Hay is about a two-thirds crop of good quality. The for-
age crops raised are oats, Hungarian grass, rye and corn, and
they are all in good condition. Market-garden crops are in good
condition but prices are very low. Apples promise a very good
crop, pears few, no peaches. Pasturage is in very poor condition.
Rye, oats and barley are about average crops.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Medway (Monroe Morse). — Army worms are doing some dam-
age. Corn is in good condition. The hay crop was light and the
weather interfered with the best results in curing. Oats and fod-
der corn are the forage crops raised and are in satisfactory condi-
tion. Potatoes promise a good yield ; cannot say as to other
market-garden crops. Apples will be a very good crop, pears
small, no peaches and grapes fair. Pasturage is deficient in con-
dition. Rye is a good crop. Oats and barley are only grown for
fodder.

Medjield (Geo. R. Chase). — Army worms are doing some dam-
age. Corn is in good condition ; proportion for the silo very
small, not more than 5 per cent. The quality of the hay crop was

23

better than last year and the crop was heavier on good soil. Oats
and peas are raised for forage and are in good condition. Market-
garden crops are in poor condition ; potatoes a poorer crop than
usual and lower in price. Apples will be a great crop, pears fair,
no peaches, quinces light, grapes a great crop and also cranberries.
Pasturage is in pretty good condition. Eye and barley are not up
to average crops. Oats are an average crop.

Randolph (R. A. Thayer). — Potato beetles are doing some
damage. Indian corn is very promising ; only a small portion of
the crop is grown for the silo. Hay was a good average crop but
more than usual has been injured by rain. Oats, fodder corn and
millet are the principal forage crops and all are in very promising
condition. Market-garden crops are in fine condition ; yield very
good but prices low. Apples, grapes and cranberries will be good ;
very few pears or peaches. Pasturage is fully up to the average
in condition. Rye, oats and barley have given, or promise, full
average crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Ea»ton (H. M. Thompson). — Corn in good condition; only a
small fractional part will enter the silo. Hay is an average crop
in quantity and quality. Oats and Hungarian grass are the prin-
cipal forage crops and are in good condition. Market-garden
crops are in good condition ; yield average with prices low. The
prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pastures are in pretty
poor condition. Rye, oats and barley are average crops. Haying
commenced the latter part of June and has continued to the pres-
ent time, when it is practically completed.

Maiiffield (Wm. C. Winter). — The curculio is doing some
damage to fruit. Corn has been doing well but is suffering from
drought ; only one silo in this vicinity. Hay is about 70 per cent
of last year's crop in quantity and of excellent quality. Oats and
Indian corn are the principal forage crops and are both doing well.
Vegetables poor crops and prices low ; potatoes a good crop but
prices very low. Apples a fair crop, pears very light, no peaches,
quinces fair, potatoes good ; prices very low. Pastures average
very poor in condition. Rye, oats and barley are more than aver-
age crops.

Attlebororigh (Isaac Alger) . — Corn is in good condition ; no
silos here. Potato bugs have done their usual amount of damage
but other insects are very scarce. Hay was an average crop of
fine quality. Corn, Hungarian grass, millet and barley are the
principal forage crops raised. Potatoes are looJiing finely.
Apples, grapes and cranberries promise good crops. Pasturage is

24

in average condition. Rye and barley are about average crops
and oats are above the average.

Somerset (Joseph Gibbs) . — Cut worms, white grubs and army
worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is rather backward
but looks very promising ; no silos in this vicinity. Hay was an
average crop. The principal forage crops are corn and Hungarian
grass. Market-garden crops are good but prices are low. Pota-
toes are blasting and rotting on some fields, elsewhere the yield is
good but prices are low. There will be an average crop of apples,
no peaches, pears one-third of a full crop. Pastures are in good
condition. Rye and oats are good crops.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — The army worm has done consid-
erable damage in this section ; white grubs are also troublesome.
Corn is looking very fine and is making rapid growth ; perhaps
one-half of the crop will go into the silo. Quantity of hay crop
rather below average but quality very fine. Oats, barley and
fodder corn are the forage crops grown and are looking finely.
Potatoes are being badly eaten by grubs; prices below average.
Pasturage is in fair condition. Rye, oats and barley are about
average crops.

Acushnet (Wm. S. Douglas). — White grubs are eating pota-
toes badly and there are some army worms in oat fields. Corn
is in good condition ; no silos of any account in this section.
Quality of hay crop good but quantity not up to the average.
Fodder corn and millet are the principal forage crops and they
are looking well. Market-garden crops in general are good.
Potatoes are not up to former years in yield and prices are lower
than usual. Apples good, pears limited, no peaches, quinces
blighted and grapes a good crop. Pasturage is in good condition.
Rye, oats and barley are about average crops. Haying has been
delayed by bad weather and some hay damaged. Wild berries
are very plenty.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Hingham (Aaron Low). — Army worms, cut worms and
striped squash bugs are all doing damage. The army worm has
been very destructive on oats and grass in this vicinity but has not
done much damage to vegetables. It has now gone into the pupa
stage and is found very plenty among the grass roots. Corn is
rather late but looking well. Hay was about two-thirds of a crop.
The yield of market-garden crops is fair and prices low. Potatoes
do not promise a full average crop. Apples are plenty but drop-
ping badly, pears and peaches extremely scarce.

25

Brockton (Davis Copeland) . — Army worms and cut worms are
doiug some damage. Corn is in good condition and about one-
fourth of the crop will go into the silo. Hay is about a three-fourths
crop of good quality. Corn and Hungarian grass are the principal
forage crops and are looking well. Market-garden crops are look-
ing fairly well ; quantity and price a little below average. Prospect
good for apples and pears and poor for other fruits. Pasturage is
short, owing to dry weather. Rye, oats and barley are about aver-
age crops.

Pembroke (Nathaniel Morton). — Potato bugs are doing the
usual amount of damage. There is only one silo in this town.
The hay crop was average in quantity and quality. Fodder corn is
the principal crop raised for forage. Market-garden crops are
average in yield and price ; price for potatoes less than in former
years. The prospect is very good for all kinds of fruit. Pastures
are about average in condition but are now getting dry. Rye, oats
and barley are about average crops.

Duxbury (A. M. Goulding). — The army worm has ruined oats
and corn to a considerable extent. Corn is a little later than
usual ; not more than one-third of the crop will be put into the
silo. Hay crop a little short in quantity and of fair quality.
Millet and fodder corn are the principal forage crops ; both are
looking well. Potatoes are a fair crop of good quality, but prices
are lower than for years. Apples fair, no pears or peaches,
quinces fair and cranberries good. Pastures are very short and
dry. Rye, oats and barley are good crops where they have not
been troubled by the army worm.

Lakeville (Elbridge Cushman) . — Army worms are doing some
damage. Indian corn is in very good condition ; none will go into
the silo. The hay crop is a little off both in quantity and quality.
Hungarian grass, fodder corn, oats and peas and barley and peas
are raised as forage crops and are all in good shape. Apples and
quinces good, grapes and cranberries very good, no pears or
peaches. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye was a little off
from the average but oats and barley were fully up.

Wareham (A. B. Savary). — Squash bugs and cabbage worms
are doing some damage. Corn is in good condition ; no silos in
this vicinity. The hay crop was about two-thirds of an average,
but of good quality. A few oats and some fodder corn were put in
to supplement the hay crop and both are doing well. Garden
crops are about as usual both in price and condition. Apples are a
fair crop, pears few, peaches very few. Pastures are in better con-
dition than common. Rye, oats and barley are more than average
crops.

26

BARNSTABLE COUNTY. .

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — White grubs are eating potatoes badly ;
mostly on turf land. Indian corn is in first-rate condition ; no
silos in this vicinity. Hay crop about three-fourths of average and
quality a little off. Corn fodder, oats, millet and Hungarian grass
are raised for forage and are in very good condition. Potatoes are
doing finely except on turf land. Apples half a crop, pears half
a crop, scarcely any peaches, no quinces, very few grapes, cran-
berries looking finely. Pasturage is looking well. Oats and rye
are good average crops.

Barnstable (John Bursley) . — The army worm and the white
grub are doing some damage. Corn looks badly, much of it being
worm eaten ; none will be put into the silo. Salt and fresh grass
is quite well gi'own but good weather is needed to secure it. Oats,
Hungarian grass and millet are the principal forage crops. Market-
garden crops are in fair condition but very few are harvested as
yet. Small crop of apples, pears and peaches, grapes and cran-
berries good. Pasturage is in good condition where grubs have
not worked. Rye is a good crop ; oats heavy but cut for fodder.
Cranberries promise an average crop.

Deyinis (Joshua Crowell). — The army worm has done con-
siderable damage on late-flowed cranberry bogs, in many cases de-
stroying all the new growth. Other bogs are looking well and the
crop promises to be about an average one. Potatoes are being
damaged by the white grub. Corn is in very good condition ; very
little goes into the silo. Hay below the average in quantity but of
good quality. Fodder corn is practically the only forage crop
raised and is in good condition. Condition of market-garden crops
fairly good ; yield and price about as last year. Apples a fair crop
and pears a small crop. Pasturage is in very good condition.

Chatham (E. Z. Ryder). — Army worms are quite plenty in
some localities, but are being handled very well by ploughing
trenches. Corn is backward and very little will be put into the
silo. Haying has progressed slowly and hay cured in poor con-
dition owing to frequent showers ; crop smaller than in previous
years. Very little done in forage crops. Potatoes backward and
prices low. The cranberry crop promises to be large. Pasturage
is in an improved condition. Rye, oats and barley are rather back-
ward but are looking well and no doubt will yield an average crop.

Welljieet (E. S. Jacobs). — Cabbage worms and corn worms are
doing some damage. No corn is raised here and there are no silos.
Salt hay is a small crop and fresh hay is good. The only forage
crop is fodder corn and it is in good condition. Market-garden

27

crops are in good condition and those already harvested have been
better than in former years in yield and price. There will be a
good crop of cranberries, apples and pears. Pasturage is in good
condition.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tishury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato beetles and corn
worms are doing some damage. Corn is looking well where there
are no worms ; no silos here. The hay crop is below average in
quantity but of good quality. A little fodder corn is about the
only thing raised for forage. Potatoes are late and not many are
harvested as yet. The prospect for apples is fair. Pasturage is
in very good condition. Oats are a good crop.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Cut worms and potato bugs
ai'e doing some damage. Corn is looking finely ; no silos here.
Hay is a two-thirds crop of good quality. Corn, Japanese millet
and oats are the principal forage crops. All garden crops are
looking finely but potatoes are not half a crop. Cranberries are
looking very well. Pasturage is in very good condition. Rye did
not do as well as usual but oats are a fine crop.

28

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

THE ARMY WORM (Leucania unipuncta).

By A. n. KiRKLAND, M. 8.,

Assistant Entomologist to the Committee on the Cfypsy Moth, Insects and Birds.

It would seem a matter of simple justice on the part of nature
to eliminate from time to time the old and long-fought insect
pests of the farmer as new and more dangerous ones appear, but
that no such good fortune is in store for the agriculturist is
shown by the reappearance this year of the army worm, accom-
panied by wide-spread damage throughout the State. The farmer
and fruit grower may justly contemplate with anxiety such compar-
atively recent insect importations as the gypsy moth and San Jos6
scale, but when, in addition, it becomes necessary to combat serious
devastations of the old-time insect pests, the romance and profits
of agricultural pursuits are materially lessened, and particular em-
phasis attaches to the thought that eternal vigilance is the price
of good crops. While by the time this paper reaches its readers
the danger from the army worm will probably have passed, the
possibility of outbreaks next year in those sections of the State
where this pest has done but little damage this season indicates
the necessity of disseminating information concerning the habits
of the insect and the means of checking its devastations.

Life History.
The life history of the army worm is in brief as follows : the
eggs (Fig. 1), of a glistening white color, are laid by the parent
moth in rows of about twenty eggs each in the sheaths of grasses
and grains, and on stubble, stacks of straw, etc. Often several
rows of eggs are deposited on a single plant, and each female moth
lays about five hundred eggs.

29

Upon batching, these eggs give rise to small, dark, smooth-
skinned caterpillars (true cut worms), which feed greedily upon
grasses and grains. The full-grown caterpillar (Fig. 2) is about
one and one-half inches in length, and has a dark dorsal stripe
extending the whole length of the body. Following this stripe on
each side of the body there are three narrow, fairly well-defined
stripes, the first being grayish yellow, the
second dark brown and the third, extend-
ing along the body just above the legs, of
a rust-yellow color. The under surface is
light brown. All the body colors are sub-
ject to much variation. In this stage the
insect has the habit, common to other cut
worms, of curling itself up when disturbed.

Fig. 1. — Akmt Worm.
Moth, eggs and pupa. (From Department
of Agiiculture Report, 1879.)

When full grown the caterpillars bury
themselves in the soil to a depth of two or
three inches and there transform into dark
brown pupae (Fig. 1) which, in the course
of two or three weeks, give rise to winged
moths. These moths (Fig. 1) are of a
reddish brown color, expand about one and
one-half inches and have near the centre
of the fore wings a small white spot. The middle of each hind
wing bears on the under surface a small black spot.

The natural breeding place of the army worm is said to be on
the borders of swamps, where the grasses common to such places
furnish suitable food for the insect, and from such localities in
favorable years large numbers emerge to bring devastation upon
surrounding fields.

Fig. 2. — Army Worm.
Caterpillar. (From Depart-
ment of Agriculture Re-
poit, 1879.)

30

There has been considerable controversy among entomologists
concerning the number of annual broods of this insect. In the
southern sections of the United States there are, according
to Prof. L. O. Howard,* possibly as many as six annual
broods, while in New England there are undoubtedly two
broods yearly. This last statement may not hold true for
the cranberry region of Cape Cod, where the army worm
frequently causes much damage. From studies made on the
Cape during 1894 Mr. C. P. Lounsbury f came to the con-
clusion that the insect was there probably single brooded.

The question of the stage in which the army worm passes
the winter has an important bearing upon the number of
annual broods. It is generally conceded that in this. region
the insects pass the winter as partially grown caterpillars
'(from the fall, or second, brood), which attain their full
growth the following spring, transform and give rise to moths
which lay their eggs in grass and grain.

These views concerning the number of annual broods and
the question of hibernation find additional support in a
peculiar feature of the outbx'eak of this season. Many of
the fields worst damaged by the insect were those sown in
the spring of this year. I found during the first week in
July innumerable small larvae not over one-third to one-
half an inch in length scattered throughout these spring grain
fields and at a greater distance from grass lands than these
diminutive insects could possibly have travelled. Clearly
then the eggs from which these insects came must have been
laid in the grain fields by moths emerging from the hiber-
nating brood of the previous season.

Food Plants.
The army worm is a general feeder upon grasses and
grains, but when pressed by hunger will attack many garden
vegetables and other herbage. It has this year been noticed
feeding upon cranberry, oats, rye, barley, corn, herds-grass,
orchard grass, red top, witch grass, peas, beans, beets, let-
tuce, cabbage, pig weed, yellow dock and purslane. Mr.
C. A. Peters, a student of the Massachusetts Agricultural
College, informs me that it also attacks barn-yard grass
{Panicum crus-galli)^ shepherd's-purse and vetches. Figs.
3, 4 and 5 illustrate the army worm's characteristic method
of feeding on rye and herds-grass.

* Circular No. 4, 2d series, U. S. Dept, Agr., Div. of Entomology, 1894.
Fig. 3. f Bulletin 28, Hatch Experiment Station, 1895.

31

The Army Worm in Massachusetts.

The history of the army worm in Massachusetts is of more
than ordinary interest, since it affords an excellent idea of
the periods of time usually elapsing between the outbreaks
of this insect. It is recorded* that in 1632 "the worms
made extensive ravages on the corn," while 1646 and 1649
"were caterpillar years." In 1666 "the Indian corn
was eaten by worms." There is of course much doubt
concerning the species of insect causing the above-men-
tioned damage to crops, but by some it is thought to have
been the army worm. Later records are more authentic :
1743, — " Millions of devouring worms in armies, threat-
ening to cut off every green thing." 1762, — " At last,
when the corn was planted, millions of worms appeared
to eat it up." 1770, — "A very uncommon sort of a
worm .... ate the corn and grass all as they went
above ground, which cut short the crops in many places."
Of this last-mentioned occurrence of the army worm the
Rev. Grant Powers has written f : "In the summer of
1770 this whole section was visited by an extraordinary
calamity, such a one as the country never experienced
before or since, beyond what I shall here specify. It was
an army of worms, which extended from Lancaster, N. H.,
to Northfield, in Massachusetts. They began to appear
the latter part of July, 1770, and continued their ravages
until September. The inhabitants denominated them the
' Northern Army,' as they seemed to advance from the
north or north-west and to pass east and south, although
I do not learn that they ever passed the high lands be-
'tween the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers. They were

altogether too innumerable for multitude There

were fields of corn on the meadows in Haverhill and
Newbury standing so thick, large and tall that in some
instances it was difficult to see a man standing more than
one rod in the field from the outermost row ; but in ten
days from the first appearance of this Northern Army
nothing remained of this corn but the bare stalks ! "

The farmers of Worcester and vicinity suffered severely
from the ravages of this insect in grass lands during the
summer of 1817, when it is recorded that " their progress

* Agriculture of Massachusetts. Clias. L. Flint, 1854.

t Historical sketches of the CoOs County (N. H.), 1841. '^^^- *•

32

is as distinctly marked as the course of a fire -whicli lias overrun
the herbage in a dry pasture. Not a blade of grass is left stand-
. ing in their rear. We are informed that about forty years
ago the same kind of worm made great destruction in
ploughed land, among spring grain, but particularly in fields
of flax."

Of more recent occurrence are the sudden and destructive
vp^^/ outbreaks of this pest in the years 1861, 1875 and 1880,
when whole grass and grain fields were laid waste, and in
some localities farmers suffered a total loss of their hay crop.

^^M. "^^^ appearance of the army worm this year seems general
throughout New England, eastern New York and some parts
of New Jersey. In this State its greatest damage is in
localities bordering on streams, tide-water or marshes, an
evidence that wet lands are the natural home of the insect.

Through the courtesy of Secretary AVra. R. Sessions I was
enabled to visit infested estates at Hingham and Revere
during the early part of July and to make a study of the
conditions there existing. At the Jordan farm, Hingham,
the oat fields suffered the most severely, the greater part
of the leaves and heads being stripped from the grain.
Grass lands and pastures in the vicinity were also infested
but to a less degree. The foreman of the place, Mr. Par-
malee, was advised to promptly cut all infested crops and
later to furrow around these fields in order to prevent the
migration of the pest. Unfortunately there was some delay
in following out the last recommendation and as a result, as
soon as the oats became partly dry, the worms migrated.
Active measures, however, later on resulted in reducing the
numbers of the insect.

The World's End farm, Hingham, suffered nearly as much
from this pest but the devastation was checked by promptly
mowing the crops. At Revere, the large Squire farm was
found to be thoroughl}' infested, and here, as in other places,
newly seeded land suffered the most. I was informed by the
superintendent, Mr. A. Bart Hill, that the army worm first
appeared in both the spring and fall rye fields and that having
stripped the leaves from the grain, they next attacked the
grass lands. As a result over one-third of the grass and
grain crops on this estate were destroyed by the insect.

I am enabled to state, upon the authority of Mr. Frank D.

I Mills, Pittsfield, Mass., that the migrating masses of army
worms seriously interfered with the moving of electric cars
. and, in some cases, of freight trains in the vicinity of Dalton.

83

The cranberry crop on the Cape has suffered this year severely
from the pest, the damage to the crop in the three towns of Dennis,
Harwich and Yarmouth being estimated at $100,000.

Replies from correspondents indicate that a conservative esti-
mate of the damage from the army worm to the cranberry,* grass
and grain crops of the State the present year is at least $200,000.
Of this amount the greater part falls upon the cranberry growers,
but many farmers have lost nearly their whole hay crop as the
result of the work of this insect. The damage the army worm
is capable of causing can be no better illustrated than by refer-
ence to the celebrated " army worm year," 1861, when the loss on
grass and grain crops in western Massachusetts alone amounted to
over $500,000.

Remedies.

The army worm is a pest that never arouses popular attention
until it is too late to prevent damage, and the fact that the insect
only appears at somewhat extended intervals of time explains, in
great measure, the lack of information among the farmers con-
cerning the remedies to combat it. In this case, as in many others,
prevention is better than remedy, and the occasional burning over
of mowings and pastures cannot be too strongly advocated. This
procedure destroys the hibernating insects. Where the army
worm appears in abundance in grass and grain fields the crop
should be cut at once. A furrow should then be ploughed around
the infested field with the straight edge toward the land to be pro-
tected. As soon as the crop begins to dry, the worms commence
to migrate, and crawling into the furrow are unable to climb up
the straight side, unless the projecting grass roots afford a foot-
hold, in which case the furrow should be deepened by spading.
Holes dug in the bottom of the furrow furnish places in which the
worms will collect, when they can be destroyed. Gen. W. W.
Blackmar of Hingham has met with excellent success in destroy-
ing these insects by burning sawdust soaked in kerosene oil in
the holes where the worms collected. A somewhat similar meas-
ure has been employed with good results by Mr. A. I. Hayward
of Agawam.

Rolling infested fields has been recommended by many writers,
and at ray suggestion was thoroughly tried, but without anything
like satisfactory results, although the ground was level and hard.

• I am indebted to Capt. N. B. Burgess of Yarmouth Farms for much inter-
esting data concerning the ravages of the army worm in the cranberry growing
region.

34

Infested corn fields may be sprayed early in Ihe season with
Paris green,* one pound to two hundred gallons of water, and, if
properly done, without danger to stock feeding on the stover.
"Where the army worm is particularly abundant it may be advisable,
in order to prevent migration, to spray grass land or to burn over

the fields at once. For
this latter purpose the
"Cyclone burner"
(Fig. 6), originally
designed for burning
brush laud infested by
the gypsy moth, will
be found of value. It
may be made by mount-
ing a small force pump
on a ten or fifteen gal-
lon tank, and connect-
ing the pump by means
of a short piece of oil hose with a one-half inch iron pipe at the
end of which a cyclone nozzle may be attached. The pipe should
be about ten feet in length and have a wooden casing for con-
venience in handling. The tank should be filled with cheap crude
oil. The oil is forced out at the nozzle, and by igniting the spray
at the nozzle a flame results, which destroys every living thing
with which it comes in contact. The cyclone burner may also be
used to good advantage for destroying the worms collecting in the
furrows.

On cranberry bogs Mr. Lounsbury f recommends wide water-
filled ditches as the best means of checking the spread of the
insect.

Natural Enemies.

Among the natural enemies of the army worm, birds are entitled
to chief recognition. It is a well-known fact that smooth-skinned
larvae form a favorite article of the diet of insectivorous birds, and

Fig. 6.

* Arsenate of Lead or Arsenate of Barium, three pounds to one hundred and fifty
gallons of water, may be substituted for Paris green. Arsenate of Barium is a
promising new insecticide, which has been used experimentally with good results
against the gypsy moth during the past summer. Its use as an insecticide was
first suggested by the writer during the winter of 1895-96 as a result of investigations
upon the different arsenates, and it has so far proved superior to any of the arsenical
compounds now In use. Further experimentation, however, and, more particularly,
the practical use of the poison on a large scale in the field will be necessarj' to accu-
rately determine its value.

t Bulletin 28, Hatch Experiment Station, 1895.

35

a field infested by array worms makes a feeding ground to which
the birds assemble from considerable distances, and there find food
for themselves and young. The following list includes the birds I
have seen feeding on the army worm the present summer : king-
bird, Phoebe, bobolink, cow bird, red-winged blackbird, Baltimore
oriole, crow blackbird, English sparrow, chipping sparrow and
robin. Hens, turkeys and guinea fowls also devour large quanti-
ties of army worms.

Meadow larks, crows and flickers were seen apparently feeding
upon the army worm, but 1 was unable to approach near enough to
verify this observation. There was, however, an abundance of
army worms on the ground in the places where these birds were
feeding. At the Jordan farm several quail were heard in the
swamp land adjacent to the infested field and I am informed by
Gen. W. W. Blackmar that these birds have been seen feeding
upon the army worm at his estate. At Marshfield a flock of quail
was seen to feed for several days upon army worms in an infested
field. The two species of blackbirds are apparently the greatest
destroyers of these insects, but the good work done by the bobolink
and English sparrow deserves mention. It is, however, very doubt-
ful, if the services of the sparrow would equal those of the native
birds it has displaced.

To verify observations an examination was made of the stomachs
of a few birds taken in an infested field. The stomachs were
found to contain army worms as follows : cow bird, remains of
army worms ; red-winged blackbird, three ; crow blackbird, twenty-
seven ; six English sparrows, respectively four, three, five, four,
none, three.

The garden toad ranks high as a destroyer of army worms.
These batrachians were present in all the infested fields and seemed
to feed nearly continuously. Dissections of three toads revealed
nine, eleven, and fifty-five array worms in the respective stomachs.*
Certain parasitic flies and ground beetles usually attack the army
worm and destroy large numbers, but these insects have been con-
spicuous by their absence in all localities visited. A single ground
beetle (Platynus sinuatus) was noticed at Hingham feeding upon
the small larvae. Mr. A. I. Hayward of Agawam, to whom I am
indebted for much valuable information concerning the habits of the
army worm, writes me that the greater part of the pupoe of this
insect found while ploughing the infested fields were parasitized,

* It is to be regretted that there is so little accurate knowledge concerning the food
of the garden toad, a deficiency that I hope in some measure to supply at a later date.
A large number of dissections of toads, made this year, show it to be a prime de-
stroyer of cut worms and of nearly all the injurious insects of the garden.

36

thus showing that in some parts of the State the parasitic flies have
been of material assistance in destroying this pest.

Causes Governing OutbreaJcs of the Army Worm.

In view of the abundance of the army worm during the present
summer it may be profitable to briefly review the causes leading to
such outbreaks and the influences which control the same. The
army worm is an insect which appears as a pest only at extended
intervals or times. This seems chiefly due to the warfare waged
upon it by its natural enemies, mainly parasites, predaceous insects
and birds, and also to some extent to climatic conditions.

Parasites often confine themselves to one host and their abun-
dance is regulated by the numbers of the host, while birds as a
rule seem to prefer the most abundant form of acceptable insect
food. The climate affects insect increase either through the abun-
dance or scarity of the food supply or through conditions favorable
or unfavorable to the multiplication of natural enemies.

The relationship between an insect and its natural enemies is
seldom equally balanced ; that is to say, the one form or the other
is the more abundant in point of numbers or more effective by rea-
son of peculiarities favorable to its increase. Hence, in years
when the army worm is not present in any considerable number
its parasites are limited in their multiplication by the scarcity of
the host, while the birds give their chief attention to other insects
more abundant. Thus the army worm increases slowly in numbers
from year to year. Finally there comes a season especially fav-
orable for its development and the worms appear in numbers sufll-
cient to attract some degree of attention. They are followed the
next year by a more or less wide-spread outbreak,* Then from the
very fact of their great numbers there is an abundance of food
offered their natural enemies, and the latter increase to such an
extent as to destroy the greater part of the army worms, where-
upon the insect apparently disappears. This shifting relation be-
tween the host insect and its natural enemies is best expressed
by the term so frequently used by biologists, " the balance of
nature," and this " balance " is the factor which controls all insect
outbreaks. It would seem probable that the localities suffering
most from the army worm this year will be exempt next season

* I am informed by Secretary Wm. R. Sessions that from careful observations ex-
tending over a considerable period of years he has reached the conclusion that army
worm outbreaks usually follow a warm dry spring. It seems quite probable that, as
pointed out by Mr. Sessions, such conditions of warmth and dryness are favorable
to the emerging of the moths and the hatching of the eggs.

37

although it is possible that a sufficient number of the insects may
have survived in some places to cause some degree of damage. In
the parts of the State where but little damage has resulted from
the army worm this year there is a greater chance that the pest will
be abundant next season, and here particular attention should be
given to the burning over of fields. When the present outbreak
subsides there probably will not be another one for several years.

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 4.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

Month of August, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1896.

Crop Eeport por the Month of August, 1896.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Sept. 1, 1896.

Bulletin No. 4, Crop Report for the month of August, is
herewith presented. Particular attention is called to the
article on " The Crow in Massachusetts," by the ornithologist
of the Board of Agriculture, which is printed at the end of
this bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 140, New Series (August, 1896), of the Statis-
tician of the United States Department of Agriculture, indi-
cates an improvement in the condition of corn over that
reported last month of 3.6 points, or from 92.4 to 96.
A bountiful harvest is expected in Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.

The condition of spring wheat has fallen since July report
from 93.3 to 78.9, a decline of 14.4 points. It has suffered
from the army worm in Wisconsin, so much so that in the
north-eastern part of the State harvesters have been run
night and day to secure the grain before its complete de-
struction. The crop has also been damaged in several States
by rust and heavy rains.

The condition of oats has fallen to 77.3 per cent from 96.3
July 1, and the decline has occurred in all parts of the coun-
try, being due to the army worm, chinch bugs, heavy rains
and rust.

The condition of spring rye also has fallen within the last
month, being 88 August 1, as against 98.6 July 1.

The condition of barley has fallen 5.2 points since July 1,
or from 88.1 to 82.9. In California, the principal barley
State, the condition has improved from 67 to 73.

The acreage of this year's buckwheat crop is about the
same as last year's acreage, and the condition of the crop is

96, which excels last year's condition by 10.8 points. Little
damage to the crop is reported.

The condition of Irish potatoes has fallen from 99 to 94.8
since July 1, or 4.2 points. This decline is general through-
out the country, the chief exceptions being some of the New
Eno-land and northern States and California.

The average condition of tobacco has fallen 5 points since
July 1, and is now 86.5. The chief cause lowering the con-
dition is seen to be the decline in the heavy producing
States, — Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio. In other
important sections conditions are high.

The total area of hay is 97.9, compared with the preceding
year. Except Vermont's increase of 1 per cent there is a
moderate decrease in all the New England States, as there
is also a more heavy one in all the middle and southern ones
except West Virginia and Florida, which are not considerable
producers. Of the new States, Nebraska and South Dakota
are becoming heavy producers of hay.

The condition of timothy is 87.5, against 69.9 a year ago.
Several States of large production report very low condition.

The figures in regard to product of clover show 81 per
cent of a full crop. Nearly all of the large producing States,
however, report percentages higher than those of last year.

The average condition of pastures is 93.9, or 6.1 below the
normal, yet 16.1 points above that of a year ago.

The general condition of apples advanced during July from
64.6 to 65.7, — a gratifying indication of sustained crop pros-
pects. This general average covers all kinds of apples, early
and late, in all sections of the country, commercially impor-
tant or unimportant as producers. The chief supply of winter
apples is the northern region, where conditions, both July 1
and August 1, were in the main high. In other parts of
the country, with a few exceptions, the conditions are low.

Present returns show generally reduced condition of
peaches. In Delaware the early crop was nearly ruined by
curculio and "yellows," and fruit on the trees is badly stung
there and in Maryland. In Michigan and Ohio excellent
crops are indicated. In New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia and
California percentages indicate less than half a crop.

The condition of grapes is generally high.

Temperature and Eainfall for the Whole Country.

[From United States Weather-Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending August 3. — Week warmer than usual in all
districts east of the Rocky Mountains, with the exception of
limited areas in the upper Missouri valley, eastern Maine
and extreme southern Florida, where it was slightly cooler
than the average. Week also warmer than usual in northern
California, but elsewhere on the Pacific coast and generally
throughout the plateau regions the week was cooler than
usual. Over much the greater part of the country the
weekly rainfall was below the average. General condition
of corn in the principal corn States continues excellent.
Spring-wheat harvest well advanced in the southern portion
of the spring-wheat region, and the early sown is being cut in
the northern portion. Tobacco continues in good condition,
except in the Carolinas.

Weeh ending August 10. — Week exceptionally warm in
all districts east of the Rocky Mountains, except along the
immediate Atlantic and Gulf coasts, where, although warmer
than usual, the departures from normal were not especially
marked. Over the interior and eastern portions of Wash-
ington and Oregon and throughout the plateau regions and
almost the whole of California it was cooler than usual.
The maximum temperatures over the greater portion of the
country east of the Rocky Mountains were unusually high
throughout the week. More than the usual amount of rain
fell in the lake region, over portions of the upper Mississippi
and Missouri valleys, northern Montana and over the greater
part of Washington. Throughout the Atlantic coast and
gulf States, the central Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys
less than the usual amount of rain fell. The cotton crop
has deteriorated generally throughout the cotton belt. In
the great corn States of the central valleys and north-west
the crop is maturing rapidly under most favorable conditions.
The general condition of tobacco is promising. The ex-
tremely hot weather has interfered with fall ploughing.
Light frost occurred in eastern Idaho on the mornino- of the
5th, causing little or no damage.

Week ending August 17. — Temperature generally in ex-

6

cess throughout the country. The maximum temperatures
of the 11th and 12th at numerous stations in New England
were higher than any previously recorded during the second
decade of August since their establishment. The northern
portions of the gulf States also experienced maximum tem-
peratures equalling or exceeding former records for the second
decade of August. Throus^hout the southern States and over
the greater portion of the lake region and New England less
than the usual amount of rain fell, and no appreciable amount
fell in the Pacific coast districts. In the southern States the
week was very unfavorable, owing to continued excessive
heat and general lack of rain. The deterioration of cotton
has continued over the greater portion of the cotton belt.
In the southern States corn has suffered further injury and
only a ver}^ light crop in that section is promised. The gen-
eral outlook, however, is for an exceptionally fine crop in
the principal corn-producing States. Light frost occurred in
eastern Idaho and heavy frost in western Montana, where
considerable damage was done to vegetables.

WeeJc ending August 24. — Week warmer than usual in
the south Atlantic and gulf States, and in the middle and
north Pacific coast regions. Over the eastern Rocky Moun-
tain slope, the central valleys, lake region, middle Atlantic
States and southern New England the week Avas cooler than
usual. Generally there was less than the usual amount of
rain over the northern districts eastward of the Missouri val-
ley, in the middle and south Atlantic and gulf States, with
the exception of southern Florida and portions of Texas.
There was more than the usual rainfall in the Ohio valley,
over the central and southern Rocky Mountain districts and
over a few local areas. The corn crop is maturing rapidly
and cutting is progressing as far north as Minnesota, Wis-
consin and Michigan. The weather conditions the past week
have been favorable for cotton picking. Much tobacco has
been cut and housed. Spring-wheat harvest is now nearing
completion over the southern portion of the spring-wheat
region. In the central valleys and in the middle Atlantic
States the condition of the soil has been very favorable for
ploughing for fall seeding and much ploughing has been
done.

Special Telegeaphic Eeports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending Au{/ust 3. — New England. Boston : Plenty
of rain and heat ; all crops growing extra fast ; very slight
damage by frost in north portion on the 1st ; damp weather
favorable for spread of potato blight, which is appearing in
south ; weather unfavorable for completing hay and grain
harvest, and some is getting over-ripe.

Week ending August 10. — New England. Boston : Hot
and sultry, with rain enough to keep crops making unusually
rapid growth ; tobacco very large and forward, cutting
begun ; corn and second grass crops promise to be heavy ;
pastures green and good ; apples large crop and excellent
quality ; potato blight increasing.

Week ending AiH/ust 17. — New England. Boston : First
of week very hot, last part cooler ; plenty of sunshine and
moderate rainfall, but unevenly distributed; crops growing
and maturing fast ; thrashing begun and grain yields well ;
cranberries sunburned badly ; apples very fine and large
crop.

Week ending August 24. — New England. Boston :
Cooler, with light frost, but no damage ; rain generally suffi-
cient for surface needs and crops doing well, but subsoil and
water supplies need heavy rains ; some damage in Vermont
by hail on the 18th ; tobacco cutting being pushed, fine crop
and in excellent condition ; onion seed being cut, fair crop.

Weather in Massachusetts for the Month of August.

August has been a very favorable month, from an agri-
cultural point of view. It opened with plenty of heat, sun-
shine and moisture, and with all crops pushing ahead fast.
It was a little too wet and humid for potato vines, and they
blighted considerably in the south, while mildew appeared
on grapes and peas. Unusually hot and sultry weather con-
tinued over the second week of the mouth, and corn, tobacco
and such crops made a remarkably rapid growth. It was
too hot for cabbage, and cranberries were badly scalded.
Apples made a very rapid growth.

8

The last half of the month has been somewhat cooler and
dryer, with plenty of sunshine for curing grain and late hay
and for ripening crops. Except in Bristol County there has
been enough rain for surface needs till at- the very end of the
month, when it is getting quite dry. There has been a
marked absence of severe local storms and no continuous
rains, so that streams and wells are getting very low and the
subsoil is very dry. It is too dry to plough to best advantage,
and in many places fall seeding is being delayed.

The cooler, dryer weather of the last of the month checked
the potato blight, and yet did not prevent corn from keeping
up its rapid growth. Tobacco has been mostly put in, and
is in splendid condition. It is singularly free from damage
by hail or by unfavorable weather.

The conditions have been favorable for the growth of grass
after the first crop was cut, and fields are getting a good start
for next year's hay crop. Pastures have been very good,
but the feed is short in eastern counties at the end of the
month.

The month has been warmer and drier than the normal.

In the circular t» correspondents returnable August 25 the
following questions were asked : —

1. What is the condition of Indian corn?

2. What is the prospect for rowen as compared with
former years ?

3. What is the prospect for late potatoes and have you
noticed blight or rot?

4. What is the condition of tobacco and how does the
crop compare with a normal crop?

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

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

7. How have oats and barley compared with last year's
crops ?

8. Do your farmers pay much attention to poultry and
what proportion does the income derived from poultry
products bear to that derived from the dairy ?

Eeturns have been received from 147 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made up : —

Indian Corn.
Indian corn now promises to be a very large crop, nearly
if not quite equal to the phenomenal crop of last year. It is
still a little late in some localities, but should mature in good
shape unless a killing frost occurs unusually early in the sea-
son. The stover is reported as luxuriant and the crop is
also well set with ears. Sweet corn is also reported to be a
good crop.

KOWEN.

Taking the State as a whole, rowen promises better than
for several years. In the four western counties the condition
is better than in other portions of the State, there being more
complaint of injury from drought in the east. The crop
appears to be best where the first crop was cut late. On
Cape Cod there is much complaint of injury to grass roots
by the white grub, and the same complaint comes from other
isolated localities. The same insect is also reported as hav-
ing done considerable injury to corn, potatoes and strawberry

plants.

Late Potatoes.

Late potatoes will not be an average crop, owing to the
combined effects of drought in the early part of the season,
blight and the ravages of the white grub. Blight is general,
and no section seems to be free from it. Rot has not appeared
to as great an extent, but there are still quite a number of
complaints of its presence.

Tobacco.

Correspondents are practically unanimous in reporting

tobacco as the best crop for many years. It is a large

growth, with a large leaf of good color. Cutting is now

practically completed, and the weather has been excellent for

curing the crop. That cut early has already cured in good

shape.

Fruits.

Apples still promise an unusually good crop. They have
dropped but little, and about the only fault mentioned is a

10

tendency toward small size, because of the great number on
the trees. As indicated in all previous reports, there will
be very few pears and practically no peaches. Grapes
promise a full crop, though they are probably a little later
than usual. The cranberry crop has fallen oif in condition
during the month, but an average crop is still promised.
The hot weather of the early part of the month did much
damage, scalding the berries on some bogs. Complaint is
also made of the ravages of insects.

Pasturage.
Pastures are generally reported as in good condition, fre-
quent rains having kept them green and growing well. Some
correspondents say, however, that pastures have not yet
recovered from the drought of the past two years. About
the only reports of poor condition come from the south-
eastern portion of the State.

Oats and Barley.
Oats and barley are good average crops where allowed to
mature the grain. The greater portion are cut for fodder,
and both crops were very satisfactory in this respect.

Poultry Keeping.
The answers to the question on poultry keeping were
extremely varied. In most sections but little attention is
paid to poultry, it being regarded as rather a side issue.
Still, the general opinion seems to be that, even with the
desultory care it receives, poultry pays a better return on
the money invested than does the dairy. In the south-eastern
portion of the State much attention is paid to poultry, and
the income derived from it seems to be about equal to that
received from the dair3\ The answers to the latter part of
the question are too varied and meagre to warrant the mak-
ing of an estimate. However, enough has been learned to
justify the statement that, outside the portion of the State
already indicated, the proportion borne by the income de-
rived from poultry products to that derived from the dairy
is generally very small.

11

KOTES OF COREESPOl^DENTS.

[Returned to us August 25.]

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Egremont (J. H. Eowley). — Corn is iu good condition, though
about ten days late. The prospect for rowen is better than for
the last two years. All potatoes are blighted and the yield is light.
Apples will be a good crop. Pasturage is in good condition ; grass
fresh and growing. Oats and barley are average crops, though
insects and rust have injured oats. Poultry raising is on the
increase.

West Stockhridge (Wsi. C. Spaulding). — Corn is first-rate, ex-
cept on very dry or poor land. Rowen is better than an average
crop. Potatoes are blighted and there is some rot, though it is not
bad as yet. Apples are very good ; few pears, peaches or grapes
and no cranberries. Pastures are very good, especially where not
fed too closely. Oats are said to be a better crop than last year.
Not much attention paid to poultry. The hot weather appears to
have affected early apples ; about the 15th they were dropping fast,
but are not dropping so much since it became cooler.

Dalton (J. S. Barton), — Indian corn is in very fair condition.
Eowen promises a full average crop. Potatoes looked well the
first part of the season, but blighted later, and there is now some
complaint of rot. Apples good, not many pears, no peaches, grapes
poor and no cranberries. Pasturage seems very good except on
dry land. Oats are a better crop than last year. A few farmers
pay attention to poultry, but it is not general.

Windsor (H. A. Ford) . — Indian corn is fully as good as usual.
The outlook for rowen is good. Potatoes are rather light, being
not much over 50 per cent of last year's crop ; little rot. Apples
will be quite a good crop. Pastures have not been so good for
several years. Oats and barley are about average crops. Not
much poultry in this town.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — Corn is in excellent condition.
Rowen promises to be better than an average crop. Most potato

12

vines are blighted and the crop is shortened ; some rot. Full crop
of apples, few pears, no peaches, no cranberries and few grapes.
Pasturage is in very good condition. Very little poultry is cared
for in a business-like way, though your correspondent and a neigh-
bor have each built a poultry house this season.

New Ashford (Elihd Ingraham) . — Indian corn is in fine con-
dition. The rowen crop is the best for years. Prospect for late
potatoes fine ; no blight noticed as yet. There is a fair crop of
apples, but few pears. Pastures are in the best condition for a
number of years. Oats and barley are better crops than last year.
Much attention is paid to poultry, the value of poultry products
being one-eighth that of dairy products.

FRANKLTN COUNTY.

Monroe (D. H. Sherman). — Indian corn is looking well ; most
of it glazed. Rowen more than an average crop. Potatoes will be
light ; most pieces are blasted and there is some rot. Light crop
of apples ; no small fruits except berries, which are plenty. Past-
ures are in very fair condition. Most farmers keep from fifteen to
one hundred hens, and I think the income from poultry is more
than one-half that from the dairy.

Buckland (C. E. Ward). — Corn is in excellent condition.
Rowen is a fair average crop when compared with the last three
years. Potatoes are much below last year and there is some
blight. Apples a good crop ; few pears and no peaches. Pasturage
is in full average condition. Oats and barley are better crops than
last year, but are cut for fodder mainly. Farmers are paying more
attention to poultry each year, but the percentage is very small as
compared with dairying.

Ashfield (Charles Howes). — There is a big growth of corn
fodder and the ears are filling out well. The prospect for rowen
is the best for several years. Potatoes are very uneven and gen-
erally poor ; some blight, but no rot. Tobacco is looking finely
and some are harvesting. Apples are plenty and of very fine
quality ; other fruit scarce. Pasturage is very good for this season.
Oats and barley are mostly cut for hay, but the few pieces left to
ripen yield very well. With good care, it is claimed that poultry
pays better than the dairy, and poultry raising is gaining among
our farmers.

Deerjield (Chas. Jones). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen promises to be more than an average crop. There is con-
siderable blight on potatoes, but no rot. The tobacco crop is
above the average and is one of the best for years. Apples are

13

plenty, grapes a fair crop, no peaches. Pasturage is in good con-
dition. Oats and barley are better crops than last year. But little
is done here in poultry raising.

Northfield (T. R. Callendar). — Corn is in good condition,
well eared and fodder heavy, though a few days later than usual.
More rowen will be cut than for many years. Blight is almost
universal on potatoes ; no complaint of rot as yet. Tobacco is of
fine growth, free from imperfections and promises to be much above
normal if cured well. Apples are heavy, pears light, no peaches,
and grapes somewhat injured by mildew. Pasturage is unusually
good for the time of year. Oats and barley are fully up to last
year's crops. Very little is done with poultry, not enough to com-
pare with dairying. The season has been remarkably favorable for
all crops, especially those grown on light land.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Corn promises to be a heavy
crop, though perhaps a little later than last year. Rowen will be
below the average, owing to the spring drought. Potatoes are
more than an average crop. Have heard of no rot, but the blight
is general, though not coming on early enough to materially injure
the crop. Tobacco is the best crop since 1892, being fully as good
as that crop and far above the average. Apples good ; no pears,
peaches or cranberries ; grapes looking well, but late. Pastures
are in good condition. No oats or barley raised. Not much at-
tention is paid to poultry.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott ( W. F. AVendermuth) . — Indian corn promises to be a
full crop. More rowen will be harvested than in the past three
years combined. Late potatoes are a light crop, with a good deal
of blight. There will be full crops of apples and grapes, but no
other fruit. Pasturage is in extra good condition for the time of
year. Oats and barley are 15 per cent better than last year's crops,
but there is some rust. Poultry is growing in favor, and holds the
proportion to dairying of one to four. Late cabbages are looking
well.

Belchertotrn (H. C. West). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Much ground was mowed over too late for a crop of rowen, but
that cut early shows a good crop. Potatoes promise fairly ; some
blight and rot. Apples a large crop of good quality, few pears,
no peaches, grapes good. Pastures are green and growing, but
have not fully recovered from the two past dry years. Oats are
hardly up to last year, but barley is fully up. Very few farmers
pay much attention to poultry.

14:

South Hadley (H. W. Gaylord) . — Corn is one of the best crops
ever grown in this vicinity. Rowen will be an average crop if
given the average time to grow ; first crop late in finishing. Blight
affects some pieces of potatoes but is not general ; prospect for an
average crop. Only one piece of tobacco is grown in this town,
and that is as good as I ever saw. Apples fair, few pears or
peaches, grapes good. Pasturage is in full average condition.
Oats and barley are full average crops, but are all cut green for
hay. Only three men in town make a specialty of hens, and they
report the profit from one hundred fowls to be equal to that from
eight or nine cows.

Northampton (D. A. Horton). — Corn has come forward fast,
and if frost holds off will be a large crop. Rowen was never bet-
ter on good land. The indications now are that late potatoes will
be a light crop. Tobacco is to all appearances a fine crop and
is nearly all harvested. Apples a large crop, no peaches, grapes
fair. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats are a two-thirds crop ;
not much barley raised. The early drought induced many farmers
to put in corn for fodder, which is looking well, and quite a num-
ber are building silos. Most of these are built in circular form.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — Corn is in very good condition.
Rowen is better than for two or three years past and promises to
make up in a measure for the short hay crop. Potatoes are not as
good as last year and a good deal of blight is noticed. Tobacco
never looked better, being fully 10 per cent above the average in
condition. Apples a good crop, no pears or peaches, grapes very
full. Pastures are in very good condition and it is not necessary
to feed at the barn. Oats are more than an average crop. Only
a very few pay special attention to poultry.

Worthington (C. K. Brewster). — Corn is in very good con-
dition. Rowen is better than for the last two years. The pros-
pect for late potatoes is fair, but there are some symptoms of
blight. Apples and pears are good crops ; few grapes and cran-
berries raised. Pastures are in good condition, the frequent rains
having kept feed growing. Oats and barley are fully as good as
last year. The income derived from poultry is probably not more
than 5 per cent of that derived from the dairy. The weather has
been unfavorable for harvesting Hungarian grass.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford (E. W. Boise) . — Indian corn is in very extra con-
dition, fully 110. Rowen is 25 per cent above an average crop.
Potatoes are fair ; tubers few, but of good size ; little blight.
Apple trees are loaded, but there is no other fruit. Pastures are

15

in fair condition, but are not yet recovered from the drought of
the two past yeai's. Oats and barley are fully 10 per cent above
last year's crops. Very little attention is paid to poultry raising.
The season on the whole is much above the average. Forage
crops were much above the average and barns are generally well
filled.

Wesfjield (C. F. Fowler). — Indian corn will be a full average
crop. A good crop of rowen will be cut on good land. Late potato
vines are nearly dead now ; early ones blighted badly. Tobacco
never looked better and that housed is curing down finely. Apples
a full crop ; grapes, pears and peaches light. Timely rains have
kept pastures in good condition. Poultry has taken the place
formerly occupied by the pig upon the farm, and with many is giv-
ing a much better return.

West Springfield (J. N. Bagg). — Indian corn is in remarkably
good condition. The prospect for rowen is good. The prospect
for late potatoes is good and there is neither blight nor rot. The
tobacco crop is the largest and fairest I ever saw. Apples good,
pears scarce, no peaches, grapes and cranberries light. Pastur-
age is in good condition. Little attention is paid to poultry rais-
ing and the value of the products is much less than those of the
dairy.

Ludlow (C. B. Bennett). — Indian corn is an A No. 1 crop.
Rowen promises to be better than usual. Late potatoes are nearly
all blighted and are rotting some. Apples good, pears light, no
peaches, grapes very plenty. Pasturage is in good condition.
Oats and barley are fully up to average crops. There is some
poultry raised, but the value of the products is not more than one-
tenth those of the dairy.

Hampden (J. N. Isham). — Corn is in splendid condition,
growing and maturing fast. The rowen crop will be more than
double that of last year. Most late potatoes promise well, but
blight has injured some varieties. Tobacco is above the average
crop. The prospect for apples and grapes is good, but other fruits
will be light. Pastures are holding out green and are in good con-
dition. Oats are a much larger and heavier crop than last year.
Our farmers generally give special care to their poultry and the
income from this source is more than one-tenth that from the
dairy.

Wales (C. F. Crawford). — Indian corn is nearly ripe now
and will be an excellent crop. Rowen will make a fair crop.
Potatoes are an average crop ; no blight or rot. Apples and
grapes are very large crops, pears average, no peaches. Pastur-
age is getting very short now. Oats are very good and equal to

16

last year's crop. Poultry is of small importance, though the in-
come derived may be 5 per cent of that derived from the dairy.
Wells and brooks are very low, although the surface of the ground
is well watered.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — Indian corn, which was late in the
early part of the season, made unprecedented growth during the
late hot spell, has eared out well and is fully up to the average in
condition. The prospect for rowen is also an average with former
years. Late potatoes are rather small in size, vines blighted, but
no rot as yet. Apples set an immense crop and it is remarkable
how few have dropped off. Pears and peaches are a failure.
Pasturage is in good condition. Oats made a heavy growth, but
nine-tenths of the crop was cut green.

Oakham (Jesse Allen) . — Corn is in good condition and has
a very rank growth. The prospect for rowen is much better than
usual. Blight has killed the potato vines and the crop will be
light. Apples and grapes are good. Pastures are in excellent
condition. Oats and barley are full average crops. Considerable
poultry raised, many finding it more profitable than the dairy ;
the income derived is perhaps one-sixth that derived from the
dairy.

Petersham (S. B. Cook). — Corn is in prime condition, there
being a large growth of stalk and the ears set well. There will be
much more rowen than usual. There is complaint of a small yield
of potatoes ; blight and rot only slight as yet. Apples and grapes
are abundant, but there are very few pears and peaches. Pastur-
age is in prime condition. Oats and barley are fully equal to
former crops. There is considerable interest in poultry ; should
say the income derived from it is one-half that from the dairy.

Princeton (Preston Knight) . — Corn is in very good condition.
Rowen will average well with previous years. Many fields of
potatoes have blighted badly. Apple crop heavy and very fair,
pears scarce, some grapes and cranberries. Pasturage is in very
good condition. Oats and barley are fully 10 per cent better than
last year's crops. Not much attention is paid to poultry. In my
case poultry pays fully 50 per cent better than the dairy.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher) . — Indian corn is in very prom-
ising condition. There will be little or no rowen. Drought will
shorten the potato crop considerably. Apples very fine, pears
meagre, no peaches, grapes very good. Pastures are only in fair
condition. Everyone keeps a limited amount of poultry, mostly
at a fair profit for the amount invested. In this locality the ground

17

was dry at the beginning of April, and, though there has been a
fair amount of rain through the season, yet there has not been
enough at any one time to penetrate to the depth of a foot, and
much vegetation has suffered thereby.

Clinton (P. B. Sodthwick). — Corn is about an average crop,
but not equal to last year. Rowen promises to be considerably
above the average. Late potatoes are below last year ; some
blight and a little rot. Apples a large crop, very few pears, no
peaches and grapes good. Pastures look very well. Oats and
barley compare favorably with last year. Not much done with
poultry ; interest very small as compared with the dairy. Crops
of all kinds grow very rapidly and are ripening up very early com-
pared with former years.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney) . — Corn is rather late, but is doing
well. Rowen will probably be better than the average for the last
few years. Potatoes are setting heavily and are blighting some.
Apples and grapes promise a full crop. Pasturage has been fair,
but begins to puffer for want of rain. Oats and barley were all
cut green and the crop was good, though secured in poor condition
on account of rain. Poultry is not kept extensively here, some
farmers not keeping enough to supply their own tables. Apples
are very smooth and free from worms, but many trees are so full
that they will probably be rather undersized.

Westborouifh (B. W. Hero). — Indian corn is in good average
condition. There will be about an average crop of rowen. Late
potatoes promise a good crop ; have noticed neither blight nor rot.
Large crop of apples of extra quality, pears and peaches a failure,
average crop of grapes and cranberries. Frequent showers have
kept pastures in excellent condition. The acreage of oats and
barley is about one- half that of last year. But little attention is
paid to poultry. The income derived from it is about 10 per cent
of that derived from the dairy.

Blackstone (L. R. Daniels). — Corn is fully an average crop.
Rowen is an average crop, better than that of last year. The tops
of early potatoes blighted August 1 ; late, still green ; no rot.
Crop of apples and pears very large, grapes and cranberries aver-
age, no peaches. Pastures are in good condition for the time of
year. Oats and barley did well as fodder crops ; little or no grain
grown. Most farmers keep as many hens as their situation will
warrant, and it is generally remarked that the profit from twenty-
five hens is about equal to that from one cow. French turnips are
a staple crop with marketmen, bring about 50 cents per bushel and
are looking well.

18

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

^[arlhoro^lgll (E, D. Howe). — Corn is 100 per cent of a full
crop. Rowen promises to be a very good crop. Late potatoes
are nearly a full crop and no blight or rot has appeared. Apples
are 110 in condition, pears 5, peaches 0 and grapes 100. Pasturage
is in better condition than usual. A few have gone into poultry
quite extensively, but the majority still stick to the dairy.

Framwgliam (H. S. Whittemoue). — Corn is in good condition
and fully up to the average. Rowen will not be over 50 per cent
of a crop, owing to hot weather. Potatoes are blighting and some
rot is complained of. Apples are abundant, very few pears, no
peaches, grapes a large crop, cranberries good. Pastures are very
short and dry and farmers are obliged to feed at the barn. Oats
and barley are average crops, but are mostly cut and cured for
hay. More attention is paid to poultry now than formerly, and I
think it the best-paying investment on the farm. We need rain
here, as everything is drying up.

Weston (H. L. Brown). — There will be very little rowen, as it
has been too dry. Potatoes promise well and there is no blight.
Apples a large crop, few pears, no peaches, grapes good, only a
few cranberries. Pasturage is short. Oats and barley are raised
only for fodder, but late barley will be short unless we have rain
soon. There are a few poultry farmers who give their whole at-
tention to it, but the business is small as compared with the dairy.
Apples are now commencing to drop. Squashes are poor and are
dying badly. Sweet corn is looking well and so is late cabbage.
Millet and Hungarian grass have made a good growth and will give
a fair crop.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen promises to be about an average crop. Late potatoes have
looked well, but are now blighting and there is danger of rot.
Apples, grapes and cranberries are looking well ; few pears and no
peaches. Pasturage is good. Oats and barley are above average
crops and much better than last year. Farmers pay much atten-
tion to poultry, and the profits are very much greater than from
the dairy according to the money invested.

BiUerica (J. N. Pardee). — Corn has been growing fast of late,
but some fields show serious effects from drought. Rowen is in
poor condition, owing to dry weather. Early potatoes are rather
free from blight or rot. Apples are a fine crop, but may be under-
sized, owing to the great number on the trees. We have few
good pastures and feed is short. Oats and barley are heavier
crops than usual and are free from rust. Very little poultry is

19

kept, and the products are not worth comparing with those of the
dairy. More rain is sadly needed ; springs are dry and wells very
low.

WincJiester (Marshall Symmes). — There will be a very light
crop of rowen. Potato vines are nearly dry. Apples a large
crop, few pears, no peaches or cranberries. Pastures are very
short, there not having been enough rain to make them good. Not
much attention is paid to poultry, and their products are not more
than 10 per cent in value of those of the dairy. There has been
so little rain and the heat at times has been so great that tomatoes,
cabbages and celery have suffered. There have been frequent
light showers, but all the time the springs have been getting lower,
till some are now entirely dry.

ESSEX COUNTY.

West Neivlmry (John C. Tarleton). — Indian corn never was
better in this vicinity. Rowen promises to be a good crop. A
great many pieces of potatoes are blighted and the prospect is not
as good as last year. Apples are a very large crop, no pears or
peaches to speak of, grapes and cranberries a fair crop. Pastur-
age is in very good condition. Oats and barley are mostly cut for
fodder and were very good crops. The income derived from poul-
try is about one-fourth that derived from the dairy.

Groveland (Abel Stickney). — Corn is looking well and the
prospect is for more than an average crop. Rowen is quite good
and an average crop is expected. Potatoes are in good condition ;
no rot, but some blight. Apples good, pears poor, no peaches and
grapes good. Pasturage is short, but the condition is fair for the
season. Oats and barley were cut green and compared well with
last year. Poultry pays a larger per cent on the investment than
does the dairy.

North AnrJover (A. R. Stevens). — Indian com is in splendid
condition. Rowen will not be more than a three-fourths crop.
There is some blight on potatoes and a little rot. Apples and
grapes are good crops ; not many pears and no peaches. Pastur-
age is in very fair condition. Oats and barley have been average
crops. Very few about here pay much attention to poultry.

Wenliam (Alvin Smith). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen promises to be better than an average crop. Potatoes are
good and there is no rot. Apples and cranberries are good crops.
Pasturage is in very good condition. Oats and barley are about
average crops. Very little attention is paid to poultry, our farm-
ing being mostly dairying and hay raising.

20

MarhUliead (W. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Indian corn is fully up
to the average in condition. Tbe present condition of rowen prom-
ises a heavy cut. Rot on potatoes has not yet shown itself and the
crop bids fair to be a full average. Apples a fair crop, few pears
and grapes, and no peaches. Pastures are in better condition than
at this time for many years. Poultry raising is conducted sepa-
rately from general farming, as they don't mix well. Most farmers'
wives keep a few hens, sufficient for home use.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Medivay (Monroe Morse). — Indian corn is in very good con-
dition. I think rowen will be an average crop. There is some
blight on potatoes and rot may show later, though the crop is now
harvested. Apples are excellent, few pears, no peaches, grapes
fair. Pastures are not often good at this season and this year is
no exception. Oats and barley are grown only for fodder ; oats
made a good growth.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Corn promises to be a good crop.
Rowen is not over 60 per cent of a full crop. Potatoes are a fair
crop and there is but little blight. Apples are 10 per cent above
the average, pears a three-fourths crop, few peaches, grapes good
and cranberries fair. Pastures are dried up. Oats and barley
were better crops than last year. There are no large poultry
keepers here, but if it pays any profit at all it is more than that
from the dairy. The season has been too dry for all crops.
Apples are not filling out as they should and are dropping badly.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — Corn is in good condition. Rowen
promises to be better than in former years. Potatoes are very
good and there is no blight or rot. Apples, grapes and cranberries
are all great crops. Pasturage is in extra fine condition. Oats
and barley are about average crops. Our farmers get more profit
from poultry than from the dairy.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Easton (H. M. Thompson). — Corn has been injured somewhat
by the unusually dry weather. Rowen has also suffered from
drought. Potatoes on low land will average well ; no blight or
rot. The prospect for all kinds of fruit is good. Pasturage is in
poor condition. Oats and barley compare favorably with other
years. Ducks are quite extensively raised here. The income
from poultry keeping in this immediate vicinity equals if not ex-
ceeds that from the dairy.

21

BaynJiam (N. W. Shaw). — Corn is in very good conclition.
Rowen will not be as good a crop as in many years. Potatoes are
araedinm crop ; blight is quite prevalent. Apples a large crop, no
pears or peaches, grapes fair, cranberries good. The dry weather
and the white grub have injured pastures very much. The white
grub has also done much damage to strawberry fields and in some
pieces more than half the plants are destroyed. Oats and barley
are fairly good crops where raised. In many cases the income from
poultry keeping is fully as much as that from the dairy.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen promises to be a good crop. No late potatoes grown here.
Apples good, grapes good, no pears or peaches. Pastures need
rain. Much attention is paid to poultry, and the income from this
source is as large as that derived from the dairy. Straw-
berry vines are looking well, and the acreage is larger than last
year.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — Corn never looked better than
now. Rowen is very good, better than we have had for many
years. Potatoes turn out well; some rot, though not bad. Apples
good, pears rather scarce, no peaches, grapes plenty and cranber-
ries a good crop. Pasturage is in very good condition. Oats were
never better, but the army worm destroyed many fields. There is
not much done here wuth poultry. Milk is the principal product,
paying the farmers better than anything else they can engage
in.

FairJiaven (F. C. Lyon). — Indian corn is in good condition,
though there has been more injury from insects than usual. More
rowen will be cut this year than in any former year. Potatoes
have blighted early, are rotting, and the prospect is poor. Apples
will be a fair crop, pears good, no peaches, grapes good. Past-
urage is in good condition. Oats were a good crop. The propor-
tion of the income derived from poultry to that derived from the
dairy would be one-fourth.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
West Bridgeicater (F. E. Howakd). — Indian corn is in first-
class condition. Rowen is in good condition and promises better
than last year. Potatoes will be a smaller crop than last year ; no
blight or rot. Prospect for grapes and cranberries good ; for
pears and peaches very poor. Pasturage is in good condition.
Oats and barley compare favorably with other years. Considerable
attention is paid to poultry, and I should think the income de-
rived from this source would be a third that derived from
dairying.

22

Marshjield (J. H. Bourne). — ludian corn is in excellent con-
dition. Rowen promises to be more than an average crop. Pota-
toes are rather poor, though I have not noticed either bliglit or rot.
Apples and cranberries both promise an extraordinary yield.
Pasturage is now improving in condition. Oats and barley are
good average crops. Plymouth County is largely engaged in
poultry raising, and here the value of the poultry products far
exceeds that of the dairy products.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward). — Indian corn never looked better.
Rowen is growing finely. Potatoes have blighted somewhat, but
I have heard of no rot as yet. There will be heavy crops of apples,
cranberries and grapes. Pasturage is in very good condition. All
oats and barley are mowed for fodder. Farmers in this vicinity
receive more income from poultry than from the dairy.

Plympton (Jacob Parker). — Indian corn is looking nicely and
a good crop is promised. There is very little rowen raised this
year. There has been some blight on potatoes and a little rot ;
the crop is not a good one this year. A large crop of fruit is
promised, though the wind of last week took off much fruit.
Pastures are looking finely. There are more people really engaged
in the poultry business than in farming in this town, and most of
them get a good income from it.

Kingston (J. H. Cusiiman). — Corn is looking well, with the
prospect of a heavy crop. Rowen is growing very fast and there
will be a heavy crop. There have been but few late potatoes dug ;
no rot as yet. Apples, pears and grapes are plenty ; no peaches ;
cranberries good. Pastures are very short. Oats and barley are
about average crops. All our farmers keep from fifty to one hun-
dred hens, and think they pay as well as the dairy.

Marion (J. B. Blankinship). — Indian corn is an average crop.
Rowen promises to be a good crop. The prospect for potatoes is
good, though I have noticed considerable rot. Apples a good
crop, pears small, grapes and cranberries good. Pasturage is in
good condition. There is considerable poultry kept, and the income
is al)out equal to that derived from the dairy. Market gardening,
poultry keeping and milk raising form the farming of this town.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Barnstable (.John Bursley). — Corn is in good condition, except
on fields injured by the root worm. There is no rowen, because
the white grub has eaten the roots. Potatoes have been badly
eaten by the white grub. Apples, pears and peaches very light ;
grapes and cranberries average. Pastures have also suffered from
the ravages of the white grub. Oats and barley are nearly as good

23

crops as last year. Probably the poultry income is from two-thirds
to three-fourths of the dairy income.

Chatham (E. Z. Ryder). — Corn is very good where there are
no worms, but corn worms are quite plenty. Rowen is not up to
the standard of former years. White grubs are eating potatoes
and there is also some rot, so the crop will be below the average.
Apples and pears are small crops, no peaches, grapes below the
average, cranberries very good. Pasturage is in very fair condi-
tion. Oats promise very well, but barley is not as good as usual.
Some few years back we were quite extensively engaged in poultry
raising, but the business has steadily been on the decline, until now
only small flocks are kept.

Orleans (John Kenrick). — Corn has grown rapidly and is in
first-class condition. Rowen is a full average crop. Potatoes
have blighted considerably, but there is no rot as yet Apples
average, pears and peaches small, cranberries below the average,
owing to Are worms and other causes. Pasturage is in very good
condition. Oats are a very good crop. A great deal of attention is
paid to poultry, and the income is fully equal to that from the dairy.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Indian corn looks well. The pros-
pect for rowen is good. There is some complaint of blight on
potatoes. Apples a good crop, pears light, cranberries fair.
Pasturage is in good condition. Oats and barley are average crops.
A good deal of attention is paid to poultry. Should say the in-
come derived from it was larger than that derived from the dairy.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (C. W. Gardner.) — Corn is looking well. Rowen
does not promise as well as in previous years. Potatoes are about
a two- thirds crop ; some rot. Pasturage is in very good condition.
Oats are better than last year, but they are mostly cut for fodder.
Considerable attention is paid to poultry. Personally, I find that
poultry pays better in proportion to cost than the dairy does.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tishury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Corn is in poor condition,
being badly eaten by worms. Rowen will be a good crop where
the white grub has not worked. Potatoes are a poor crop and
both blight and rot have appeared. Apples promise to be a good
crop. Pasturage is in very good condition. Oats are an average
crop. Our farmers all keep a few fowls and some quite a number,
and the income dei'ived is about equal to that derived from the
dairy.

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGRICULTURE.

THE CROW IN MASSACHUSETTS.

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

Birds of the crow family have had a peculiar interest for the
farmer for many years, both iu the old world and in the new.
Unfortunately for the American crow {Corvus americamis), it has
come to have a bad name among men. Therefore, crows are pro-
scribed by law, every man's hand is against them ; mercilessly
hunted, they are perforce wanderers on the face of the earth.

However much the enemies of the crow may inveigh against it,
they must admit that it is a creature of superior intelligence. Its
grain-loving proclivities, together with its sagacity and cunning,
make it a most annoying bird to tlie farmer. Considerable inge-
nuity is required to circumvent the crow. Yet it is not naturally
a supremely cautious or suspicious bird. Primarily bold and fear-
less, it acquires caution by force of necessity. On the Pacific coast,
especially during the first settlement of the country, crows were
extremely bold and unsuspicious, and this is true to-day in locali-
ties remote from civilization. Mr. H. W. Henshaw, in the " Youths'
Companion," speaks of the boldness of the crows of the Pacific
coast in robbing hogs, the crows alighting on the head of the hog
and plucking clams from its very mouth. The writer has been in-
formed by old settlers of what was then Washington Territory that
they have seen crows so tame and so eager in their search for food
that they have even perched upon the backs of squaws engaged in
digging clams, and attempted to snatch the clams from under the
hands of the diggers. The writer has frequently seen the north-
western crows (Corvus caurinufi) so tame that, while engaged in
searching for food, they would walk about on the sand within a
few feet of the observer. Yet these same crows soon learn the
significance of the sound of a gun, and the shooting of a few of
their number by gunners will render the rest more wary. In the
east crows have learned by association and experience to beware
of the approach of man, and are considered as among the most
difficult of all birds to approach. This wariness is only overcome

25

by the pangs of hunger. In winter, when the snow lies deep on
the ground and food is scarce, crows will become quite fearless in
their approach to carrion. As a rule, however, crows when feed-
ing keep one or more sentinels posted on some high tree or other
point of vantage, to warn all within hearing of the approach of any
possible enemy, and the warning of the sentinel is understood and
heeded by all the crows in the vicinity.

The intelligence of crows, like that of men, varies with individ-
uals. Young birds, who when they first leave the nest are rather
incautious, soon acquire the habits of caution taught them by ex-
perience and the warning cries of their elders.

All farmers know how difficult it is to entrap crows. Indeed,
they are so suspicious of a trap that any contrivance which to their
eyes resembles a trap will sometimes keep them away from corn.

Migration.

The crow as a species is a resident in this Commonwealth
throughout the entire year. It is, however, quite migratory in its
habits. There are times of general migration towards the south
in the fall aud toward the north again in the spring. During the
fall and winter migrations thousands of crows may be seen troop-
ing south or in the direction of the sea-coasts and river valleys.
It is probable that the crows that remain with us in winter are
migrants from lands farther north. The crows appear to desert en-
tirely some of the more northern and western portions of the State
during the season of the greatest cold and snow. Mr. C. E, Bailey
reports that in ordinary seasons crows leave the viciuity of Win-
chendon, Mass., which is near the New Hampshire line, but that
they are often found further south in Hubbardston and Princeton.

Mr. A. H. Kirkland writes tliat, from observations covering five
or six years, and from conversation with hunters, he has learned
that during the coldest weather crows disappear from some of tl;e
high lands in the western part of the State. The cause of crow
migrations appears to be principally a scarcity of food. Crows re-
main even in Winchendon in seasons when the beech nuts are plen-
tiful on the trees or when carrion is to be found. They are also
found along the Connecticut valley throughout the entire winter,
where, according to Mr. Kirkland, they assemble in great flocks in
bare spots on the meadows, and catch field mice. These flocks
appear to range about twelve or fifteen miles from the river, and
in warm spells spread out still farther. At Mr. Kirkland's home,
in Huntington, at an altitude of twelve hundred feet, and in the
adjacent towns of Chester, Blandford and Chesterfield, the crows
are said to remain during mild winters, roosting in hemlock forests.

26

During severe weather they disappear entirely for a month or six
weeks at a time. Near large cities, where offal or carrion may be
found, they usually remain throughout the winter in large numbers.
They are also found during the entire winter along the south-eastern
sea-coast, where the receding tides furnish them an abundance of
food, and where the ground is not so heavily and frequently cov-
ered with snow as in the interior.

Gregauious Habits.

Crows are very clannish in their habits, consorting together in
flocks during the entire season, except while they are nesting, and
assembling during the winter in roosting-places to pass the night.

Professor Barrows has given an excellent account of the roost-
ing habits of crows in the middle and some of the western States.*
Here permanent winter roosts are found, to which the crows come
nightly for many miles around and from which they go out early
each morning. It is estimated that several of these roosts contain
from fifty thousand to three hundred thousand crows each. This
gregarious roosting habit is observed also among the crows of Mas-
sacluisetts, yet the writer has never seen in this Commonwealth
such large permanent roosts as are described as existing in the
middle, southern and western States. This may be explained by
the fact that a large number of crows migrate south from the
northern States and crowd into the middle and southern States,
where, the winter being less severe, food is more plentiful.

The crow roosts visited by the writer in eastern and central Mas-
sachusetts were in evergreen trees, mainly in white pine woods,
and there the crows were known to change their roosting places,
moving from one locality to another and again returning to the
original roost.

Just why the crows congregate in these winter roosts is hard to
determine. It may be that they are in a measure protected, by
their great numbers, from their enemies, yet they are doubtless
sometimes attacked by the great horned owl in the night, as evi-
dences of the destruction of crows by these owls are occasionally
found in the snow about the roosts. Crows sometimes hold what
bears the semblance of a funeral ceremony over their dead. In
such a case, a crow having been shot flew some distance and fell
dead upon the snow. Soon afterwards its body was discovered
by another crow, whose cries immediately assembled others from
all quarters of the compass, until avast concourse was flying over-

* BulletinNo. 6, United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology
and Mammalogy, " Common Crow of the United States," pages 11, 12.

27

head. They gradually settled upon the trees and kept up an in-
termittent outcry for some time. Id another case a single crow
appeared to be the leader, and it was long before the immense
throng dispersed.

Crows have a habit of mobbing and hectoring any animal that
they believe to be an enemy. In the fall or winter months they
often gather in flocks and follow hawks or owls. The appearance
of a great horned owl, hawk, raccoon or fox, either dead or alive,
is the signal for the gathering of a mob of crows from all the
country round, when they will pursue the luckless bird or animal,
if it is alive, and continually annoy it even if they do not actually
attack it. At such times, amid the noise and excitement, they lose
some of their habitual caution and may be more readily approached
than usual. They will sometimes press an owl very closely, keep-
ing the poor bird dodging about from tree to tree in a ludicrous
manner.

Mating anp Nesting Habits.

Very early in the spring, when the snow is melting, the crows
indicate by their actions the approach of the mating season. Their
usually harsh notes are frequently varied by very musical tones,
very different in quality from the harsh "caw" commonly heard.
These notes are sometimes heard well into the nesting season.
Indeed, the crow has a great variety of notes, and quite a language
of its own. Those who have examined its vocal organs, which are
very complicated and perfect, are not surprised that crows have
even been taught to speak and whistle. On warm days, early in
April, males may be seen pursuing females in swift and graceful
aerial evolutions, sometimes rising high above the woods and again
descending into the open spaces among the trees. Nests are soon
begun, and, although they are composed largely of sticks, inter-
mixed with coarse moss or even leaves, they are quite compact
and not unhandsome structures. The lining is made of grape-vine
bark, grass, moss, hair, squash vines, featliers, rootlets or similar
materials. Portions of the skins of animals, such as snakes and
hares, are often found in the lining. Mr. Bailey says he has seen
a crow pull up pieces of squash vines some eight feet in length and
carry them to the nest. The materials used in lining the nest vary
with the locality. For instance, about Winchendon Mr. Bailey
has never seen a nest lined with the bark of the grape, and he says
there are few grape vines in the vicinity. In southern Worcester
County the grape-vine bark is much used, while in eastern Massa-
chusetts cedar bark takes its place.

The eggs are laid from the middle of April to July. In some
cases what appears to be excessive caution is exhibited by the crow

28

in covering the eggs with leaves when away from the nest. The
writer has in two instances found fresh eggs of tlie crow carefully
covered with dead leaves, and in one case the birds appeared soon
after the nest was reached. Mr. F. A. Bates mentions a similar
instance. The eggs vary in number from three or four to seven,
and in color from a light, unspotted green or greenish-blue to a
darker hue, thickly covered with heavy brown and dusky spots.
There is a great variation also in the size of the eggs. Probably
only one brood is usually reared, but if the first nest is destroyed
the crow will buiki another, and where this is repeated, young
fledgling crows are sometimes seen early in August.

The situation of the nest varies according to locality. When
the nests and eggs are destroyed by man the crow soon learns to
nest high. The tree chosen is usually a large conifer, the white
pine being a favorite. Where it is not molested it will sometimes
nest within a few feet of the ground. Mr. Bailey mentions having
found nests at the height of seven or eight feet from the ground,
on hemlocks, close to the trunks of the trees.

The outcry raised by the mother crow when an enemy approaches
the nest is usually answered by two other crows, and the writer has
frequently seen three crows in the vicinity of the nest. So far as
his observation goes, this seems to be the rule. Mr. F. H. Mosher
says tliat in south-eastern Massachusetts, where his observations
were made, he has always found three adult crows about each nest
during both the building of the nest and the rearing of the young.
He has frequently noticed tliis even when they were undisturbed.
During the building of the nest one would carry most of the
sticks and the others would follow back and forth with more
sticks.

Mr. Bailey speaks of an instance where a pair of these birds
which were raising young were shot, and another crow fed the
young. The female was first shot on the edge of the nest ; a few
days later the male was shot at the same place. Seven days later
the young were alive and tiourisliing, and a third crow was observed
to feed them. These young birds were finally reared. There is
usually an excess of male birds, and the presence of bachelor birds
in the vicinity of tlie nests may be offered as an explanation of
these facts, or polygamy may be possible. This is a phase of the
crows' life history which it might be well for some one to investi-
gate who can devote the necessary time to the subject.

The female is said to perform the duties of incubation, but the
male bird is a gallant defender and a good provider, exhibiting
qualities which are alwaj's commendable in the father of a family.
As soon as the young are able to leave the nest, they are sustained,

29

watched, guarded, admonished and taught by both parents, and the
family remains together as long as the young require any attention.

Digestive Capacity of the Crow.

To obtain a definite understanding of the amount of good or
harm the crow is capable of doing, it is essential to know what
amount of food it is obliged to consume in order to maintain its
strength. Mr. E. A. Samuels says that he has kept specimens in
captivity, and has, by actual observation, proved that at least eight
ounces of animal food, such as frogs, fish, etc., are eaten daily by
them.*

To determine how much food the fledged young require, the
writer had two young crows confined in a large pen or cage. These
crows were kept and fed until September 2, when one was acci-
dentally killed. The other was kept until September 14. These
crows were fed animal and vegetable food in about equal propor-
tions, and the amount of each eaten by them was surprising.
Either appeared to be eaten with nearly equal avidity, although at
times a distinct preference was shown for animal food. The ani-
mal food consisted of the larger insects, such as grasshoppers,
crickets, borers and beetles ; also of snakes, frogs, mice and meat.
The vegetable food consisted largely of tomatoes and green corn.
It soon became evident that the crows were not being fed suffi-
ciently, as they did not thrive.

From August 21 until their death the crows were each weighed
dail}', and the food given to them was also weighed. On Septem-
ber 2 they were each weighed, the larger weighing sixteen and one-
half ounces and the smaller fifteen ounces. When fed less than
eight ounces each they either did not increase in weight or fell
off, and it was not until each crow was fed ten or more ounces
that their weight increased. If the amount given the crows was
largely reduced during any one day there was a corresponding fall-
ing off in the weight of the bird. On September 13 the larger
crow weighed eighteen and one-half ounces. On that day it was
given only two ounces of tomato, fifty-six grasshoppers, twelve
crickets and a little grain, in all some three ounces of food. The
next morning it had lost one and one-half ounces in weight.

As a preliminary to the solution of some of the problems which
come up during stomach examinations, a knowledge of the processes
of digestion and their possibilities in the species under considera-
tion is indispensable.

* E. A. Samuels, " Birds of New England," page 359.

30

To determine the length of time required for digestion, two
methods were used : first, feeding substances more or less inde-
structible, such as the eggs of the gypsy moth {Portlititria dispar),
and afterwards examining the excreta, to determine how soon the
eggs were dropped ; second, an examination of the stomachs of
the dead birds. Ten experiments of the first class and two of the
second were made upon the two birds.

From the time of the beginning of the feeding period to the
time wlien the first eggs were dropped in the excreta averaged one
hour, twenty-nine minutes and forty-five seconds, or approximately
one and one-half hours. The minimum time was forty-eight min-
utes and the maximum time was an hour and fifty-four minutes.

When we consider that the indigestible substances are usually
retained in the stomach much longer than those which are more
readily digested, it will be seen that the digestion of the bird is
remarkably rapid. The crow which was accidentally killed had fed
freely upon grasshoppers for twenty minutes, and was killed ten
minutes after the close of the feeding period. An examination of
the alimentary canal showed the stomach to be quite full, but less
than fifty per cent of the contents were in a condition to be recog-
nized. These were more particularly the hard parts of the wings,
thoraces and legs. The strongly chitinized pronota and hind
femora of the grasshoppers offered the most resistance to the
digestive process. The other fifty per cent of the stomach con-
tents was so finely divided that one would hardly care to express
a positive opinion as to its identity.

The second crow was killed thirty minutes after the close of the
feeding period, which lasted four minutes, in which time the bird
ate six crickets and eleven grasshoppers. Twenty-five per cent of
the stomach contents was unrecognizable.

Mr. Kirkland, who made the examinations, says : " I think from
what we have seen that we would expect to find the stomach
emptied in about one to one and one-half hours."

The softer or more liquid food must evidently be digested in a
very few minutes and rapidly assimilated.

The Food of the Crow.
The investigation of the food of the crow, which was begun in
1885 by the direction of the ornithologist of the Department of
Agriculture, is by far the most important examination of this
bird's food ever undertaken. A preliminary statement of the re-
sults of an examination of ninety-eight stomachs (eighty-six of the
common crow and twelve of the fish crow) was published in the
annual report of the Department of Agriculture for 1888.

31

In summing up the evidence obtained from fill sources Professor
Barrows saj-s : "The careful examination of large numbers of
stomachs and the critical stud}' of the insect food of the crow may
change materially the present aspect of the question ; but, so far
as the facts at present known enable a judgment to be formed, the
harm which crows do appears to far outweigh the good." *

A final report on the crow's food is embodied in a pamphlet is-
sued by the department in 1895, entitled "The Common Crow of
the United States." This report is based upon the examinations
of the contents of nine hundred and nine crows' stomachs, and
much information gathered from correspondents.

Most of the material except the insects found in the stomachs
was examined by Prof. F. E. L. Beal, assistant ornithologist, and
important assistance was also i-endered by Dr. A. K. Fisher. The
insect material was examined and reported on by Mr. E. A.
Schwarz. Professor Beal received valuable assistance from Dr.
George Vasey, Mr. F. V. Coville and Mr. F. A. Lucas. The
names of all these eminent specialists form a sufficient guaranty of
the accuracy of the work done.

In summing up the notes for and against the crow, Dr. Merriam,
chief of the Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, says in liis
letter of transmittal : " The most important charges brought against
the crow are : (1) that it pulls sprouted corn ; (2) that it injures
corn in the milk ; (3) that it destroys cultivated fruit ; and (4)
that it feeds on the eggs and young of poultry and wild birds.
All of these charges are sustained by the stomach examinations,
BO far as the simple fact that crows feed upon the substances
named." But Dr. Merriam maintains that the stomach contents
showed plainly that a large proportion of the corn eaten is chiefly
waste corn ; also that the loss in case of cultivated fruits is trivial,
and that the same is true in regard to the eggs and young of poul-
try and wild birds. He also says that, as an offset to the bad
habits of the crow, it should be credited with the good done in
destroying noxious insects and other injurious animals. In sum-
ming up the benefits and losses from the crow. Dr. Merriam says :
*•' It is clear that the good exceeds the bad, and that the crow is a
friend 1-ather than an enemy to the farmer."

In Massachusetts the chief complaints by farmers in regard to
the crow relate to its destruction of corn. It must be admitted
that the crow destroys considerable quantities of corn soon after
it is planted, either by picking or digging up the corn or by pulling
up the young shoots to get at the kernel. We have heard some

• Annual Report United States Department of Agriculture, Report of the Orui-
tbologist and Mammaloglst for the year 1888, page 525.

32

complaint also in regard to the destruction of corn in the ear. It
must npt be inferred, however, that when crows are at work in the
corn field they are always eating corn. On the other hand, crows
have been shot in Massachusetts corn fields apparently engaged in
pulling corn, whose stomachs, when examined, showed no trace of
grain, but were largely filled with the white grub of the May beetle
{Lachnosterna fiisca), and various cut worms.

Crows are undoubtedly somewhat destructive to fruit, as they
have been obsei'ved to eat apples, wild grapes and both wild and
cultivated cherries.

Farmers when engaged in planting have occasionally observed
crows digging up sections of potatoes and carrying them away
from the hill. Mr. Mosher reports having seen crows in the fall
iu the act of carrying off such potatoes as were not entirely cov-
ered by the soil. Several reports have also been received of the
destruction of the eggs and young of poultry by crows, and in
these cases the observers actually saw the crows in the act. It
would appear, from all the evidence obtainable, that in this region
much harm may be done by the crows by the destruction of wild
birds and their eggs. Some crows appear to be inveterate nest
robbers. In Florida, in New England and on the Pacific coast the
writer has observed that, where herons or sea fowl breed in large
numbers, the crows congregate for the purpose of robbing their
nests. In the " rookeries " of several species of Florida herons,
in those of the night herons of New England and in breeding
places of gulls and guillemots on the Pacific coast, crows appear
to be always on the watch, and whenever either herons or sea birds
leave their nests the crows hasten at once to feed on the unpro-
tected eggs. Piercing them with their bills, they quickly eat or
suck out the contents. This trait of the crow is well known to all
observing ornithologists, and it is probable that most species of
birds whose uests the crow can readily find and reach suffer at one
time or another from such depredations. Although the writer has
never seen the crow actually taking young birds from the nest, he
has been told by many trustworthy observers that they have fre-
quently seen the crows in the act. Those of the smaller birds
whose nests are largest and most exposed, such as the robin, the
red-winged blackbird and some of the thrushes, probably suffer
most. Mr. Mosher says that he has seen the nests of smaller
species, such as the chipping sparrow and red-eyed vireo, robbed
by the crow. Those birds whose nests are most conspicuous suffer
most frequently from its attacks. A vireo's nest which was placed
■within thirty yards of a crow's nest but carefully concealed under
the leaves was overlooked by the crows. A nest of the ruffed

33

grouse was left unmolested, although it was within a hundred yards
of a crow's nest. Mr. Bailey speaks of another which was placed
immediately beneath a tree that contained a nest in which a pair
of crows reared their young, the grouse rearing her young unmo-
lested, meanwhile.

In the preliminary report on the food of crows, published in 1888,
and based on the results of dissections of only eighty-six stomachs
and information received from upwards of five hundred persons.
Dr. Barrows writes as follows in regard to the destruction of the
eggs and young of wild birds by the crow : —

" No observant person will deny that the crow does serious dam-
age to the eggs and young of wild birds. The instances of such
depredation which have come within the knowledge of most farmers
or other persons living in the country are far too numerous to leave
a shadow of doubt on this score in any unprejudiced mind.

" Yet, for every instance of such robbery witnessed by man,
thousands must take place without his knowledge. Persecution
by crows is doubtless a very large factor among the influences
which cause so many birds to crowd about human habitations dur-
ing the nesting season ; and yet the relentless crow follows them
even to the eaves and window-sills of houses, taking their eggs and
young in spite of every precaution.

" The evidence on this point, contributed by our observers dur-
ing the past few years, is replete with accounts of such forays, and
the only wonder is that robins, thrushes, blackbirds and many
other species continue to rear any young at all."*

In the later report, published in 1895 and based mainly on the
examinations of a much larger number of stomachs. Professor
Barrows seems inclined to minimize the harm done by crows in
this manner, and Dr. Merriam regards it as trivial.

Professor Barrows states in the later report that it seems prob-
able that not more than one crow in twenty becomes addicted to
this sort of stealing. f While this may be true, the avidity with
which crows so often attack birds' eggs and young and their eager-
ness to be on the scene as soon as possible whenever an opportu-
nity for eating eggs is presented would lead one to believe that it
is more probable that most crows are addicted to such stealing
whenever eggs can be readily found. Numbers of sea birds breed
on a small, treeless island in the San Juan Archipelago, Puget
Sound. Immediately upon their being disturbed or driven off by
white men or by the Indians, crows flock from the islands in the

* Annual Report United States Department of Agriculture, Report of the Ornithol-
ogist and Mammalogist for the year 1888, page 613.
t "The Common Crow of the United States," page 47.

34

vicinity to feed upon the eggs or young of tlie sea fowl. The
writer found on this island a nest of the north-western crow, which
was built in a hollow dug in the earth at the top of the rock and
protected by a few scattered grasses and cacti. This nest con-
tained three young crows and was guarded closely by the parents.
The only reasonable explanation of the breeding of the crows upon
the earth upon the top of this barren, rocky island seemed to be
that their favorite food, the sea birds' eggs, was more accessible
to them here than elsewhere. Being located on the island, they
were enabled to reach the nests of the sea birds far in advance of
other crows, which must come from other islands situated a mile
or more away. On these other islands there was a great forest
growth ; vegetation was far more plentiful, there were bars bare at
low tide, and there was in every way a better opportunity for nest-
ing and for securing animal food, with the exception of the sea
birds' eggs, than on the rock where the crows bred. Stomach ex-
aminations cannot safely be relied upon entirely to determine the
amount of eggs or young birds eaten by the crow. The rapidity
with which such substances as the contents of eggs are digested by
the crow suggests the probability that egg contents cannot often be
recognized in the birds' stomachs. Indeed, Professor Barrows
reports that the remains of eggs found in the stomachs of young
birds consisted only of pieces of shell.* As the crow usually
makes but one hole in the shell and sucks or eats out the contents,
it is not likely to swallow much of the shell, and such small por-
tions of the shells of the eggs of small birds as are swallowed soon
become so finely disintegrated in the stomach as to be unrecog-
nizable. The softer parts of nestling birds would soon disappear
from the stomach, and the bones, being soft, are digested.

According to the stomach examinations made, that portion of
the food consisting of the eggs and young of wild birds forms
hardly one per cent of the food of the crow for the year. Now,
if we assume that the crow eats only five ounces per day, or one-
half the amount required by our young birds, one per cent of the
food of the crow for the year would amount to eighteen and one-
fourth ounces. Assuming that the young birds or eggs eaten by
the crow average one ounce each in weight, which is perhaps a
high average, we have eighteen and one-fourth birds or eggs to
each crow as its record for the season. If we allow only ten fami-
lies of crows of five each for one of our larger western townships,
the fifty crows would destroy over nine hundred young birds or
eggs. Whether such destruction should be regarded as " trivial,"

* " The Common Crow of the United States," page 47.

35

seems, in the present state of our knowledge on the subject, largely
a matter of opinion. When we consider, for reasons previously
given, that in all probability the stomachs examined did not give
a full record of the devastation committed in this manner by the
crow, it seems possible that the bird may deserve the bad name it
has been given as a destroyer of the youog and eggs of other birds.
But it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine, at least by stomach
examinations of the crow, whether the birds that are destroyed or
those resulting from the eggs even would have been of sufficient
economic value, if allowed to live, to more than offset the balance
in favor of the crow for services rendered by destroying insects
and injurious mammals.

It is evident, from the excellent report made by Mr. E. A.
Schwarz on the examination of the insect food contained in the
crows' stomachs obtained by the Department of Agriculture, that
the crow would be a great blessing to the farmer during the spring,
summer and early fall, were its diet confined to insects.* Its ser-
vices in destroying grasshoppers and May beetles and their progeny,
the destructive white grub, are not generally appreciated. Add to
them the destruction of cut worms, click beetles and weevils and
other destructive insects, and the farmer is well able to spare such
of his insect friends as the crow destroys, i. e., the ground beetles
and soldier bugs. We must, therefore, agree with Mr. Schwarz
that "the facts, on the whole, speak overwhelmingly in favor of
the crow, and, taken alone, would be at variance with the preva-
lent opinion hitherto held and yet held regarding the economic
status of the crow as an insectivorous bird." Mr. Schwarz makes
some rather sweeping generalizations, however, based on the re-
sults of the examinations of stomach contents, which do not agree
with recorded observations carefully made in eastern Massachu-
setts. He says : " The insect food of crows is almost exclusively
composed of terrestrial species, i. e., such as are found on the sur-
face of the ground or hide during the daytime at the base of plants
or under the various objects lying on the surface ; or such as live
in the dung of domestic animals, in decaying vegetable and animal
matter or underground." And again: "The almost complete
absence of the numerous arboreal insects of all orders, i. e., such
insects as are to be found on or which live on the trunks, limbs or
leaves of trees and shrubs, indicates that the birds when sitting or
resting on trees do not pick up insects."

To those who have observed crows feeding in summer in orchards
or forest trees for considerable periods on some of the larger cater-

* "The Coraraou Crow of the United States," pages 56, 67.

36

pillars these seem rather remarkable statements. To such observ-
ers the almost complete absence of such food from the stomachs
examined would merely justify the conclusion that most of the
crows were shot while, or soon after, feeding in fields, gardens,
pastures, prairies or other open land. It seems most astonishing
that the examination of so many stomachs should yield the remains
of so few arboreal insects. While all who have closely observed
crows must agree that much of their feeding is done on or near
the ground, yet it must be admitted that in the more wooded dis-
tricts of Massachusetts, at least, in the late spring and during a
part of the summer the crows feed much in and among trees in
which insect food is plentiful, and that, although they may destroy
some fruit in the orchards, such as cherries and apples, the chief
sustenance they obtain in summer from the trees consists of insects.

The past two seasons, 1894 and 1895, have been " canker-worm
years " in eastern Massachusetts, and the two species of canker
worms, Anisopteryx vernata and Anisojjteryx pometaria, have been
very abundant not only in the orchards but among the elms, both
in the parks and woods. Those who have watched the smaller
warblers and sparrows feeding on these caterpillars are aware that
many of them escape the birds by spinning down from the twigs as
they are disturbed by the movements of their pursuers. The crow,
however, takes advantage of this habit of the worms. Its keen
eye marks the brown and almost leafless branches of the orchard,
and, as with slanting flight and sudden swing up wind the sable
bird flaps heavily down upon a bough, the canker worms, startled
by the sudden shock, spin down from the branches and twigs in
dozens, and the crow, moving clumsily, if you will, from branch
to branch, and stretching its neck after the manner of a hen en-
gaged in a similar occupation, quickly gathers the suspended can-
ker worms into its rapacious maw. Gentry refers to Anisopteryx
vernata as one of the species sought by the crows to feed their
young.* Not only does the crow destroy the smooth-skinned larvae,
such as noctuids and geometrids^ but it seeks out such hairy larvae
as those of the tent caterpillar moth CUsiocampa americana. These
the crow can readily secure in large numbers by tearing open their
nests when the caterpillars are gathered within. Crows have been
seen to visit these nests and empty them of their contents. This
habit has been recorded elsewhere. t

In the investigations of the natural enemies of the gypsy moth,
undertaken by the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, the

* " Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania," 1877, vol. II, page 5.

t See Massachusetts Crop Report, July, 189o, "Birds as Protectors of Orclaards."

37

crow has been found one of the most useful birds. It destroys not
only the caterpillars but also the pupae in large numbers.* These
observations, made in 1895, have since been supplemented by more
complete and convincing investigations made during the present
year. Wherever the caterpillars of the gypsy moth appear in such
numbers in the woods as to strip the trees of their foliage to a
noticeable degree, crows seem to be attracted from the neighboring
woods by the abundance of insect food, and they frequently have
been seen to lead their fledged young to such localities. These
families of crows may often be found in the early morning feeding
upon the larvfe and pupae of the gypsy moth. Like the jays,
shrikes and titmice, they destroy many insects which they do not
eat, although they eat greedily. In such cases it will be noted that
stomach examinations would not show the full value of the birds
as caterpillar eaters.

. In view of the well-known difficulty encountered in approaching
crows, some doubt may be expressed as to the accuracy of these
observations. This work has been so carefully done, however,
that there can be no possibility of mistake. The caterpillars and
pupaa of the moth are quite large and conspicuous, and the birds
have been observed at such close range that in some cases the num-
ber of insects they ate might be readily counted. Mr. Bailey
carefully concealed himself early one morning in a swamp in
Maiden, Mass., for the purpose of watching birds that fed on the
caterpillars and other forms of the gypsy moth which swarmed on
the near-by trees. No crows came at first, but soon two adults
and their four young appeared, and most of them remained feed-
ing on the moths for nearly an hour, and until an incautious move-
ment of the observer startled them, when they left and did not
return while he was there. The caterpillars have the habit of
clustering in sheltered situations on the trunks of trees and under
sides of branches during the day. A crow would approach one
of these clusters and eat some of the caterpillars and pupas, peck-
ing and killing many more than it ate, dropping their mutilated
forms on the ground. The crows all seemed to prefer the pupae
to the caterpillars, possibly on account of the disagreeable charac-
ter of the larval hairs. For a poi'tion of the time the crows were
picking up pupffi as rapidly as a domestic fowl picks up corn. One
of the young crows while engaged in feeding came within ten feet
of the observer. Their feeding could be readily seen, as the cater-
pillars had stripped nearly all the leaves from the trees. They
moved through the trees about and above the observer during most

* Report of the State Board of Agriculture on " The Gypsy Moth," 1896, page 217.

38

of the time, although the old birds flew away for a time, returning
later. The young birds appeared to attack the caterpillars and
chrysalids more eagerly than did their parents.

The crows not only search the crevices of the trunks of the trees
but pry about beneath the limbs, showing that they quite readily
adapt themselves to feeding in the trees. Not only do crows fre-
quent the more open places where the caterpillars have stripped
the trees, but they are frequently seen feeding in woods in locali-
ties where larvae are not so plentiful, and undoubtedly pick up
many species during the season when the various caterpillars are
found upon the trees. On one occasion Mr. Mosher saw a crow
search out and eat four forest tent caterpillars {Clisiocampa sylvat-
ica) , after which it moved from tree to tree apparently engaged
in the same occupation.

If the habits of the crow in Massachusetts are not exceptional,
then it must be admitted that the crow obtains much insect food
from trees during a portion of the summer. This habit of cater-
pillar eating must be set down to the credit of the crow in this
region, and is certainly one strong point in its favor.

The Protection op Crops
It would seem that in Massachusetts greater injury is done by
the crow to the corn crop than to any other, and it has been a time-
honored custom to place effigies supposed to represent the human
figure, or dangling strings, dead crows or other " scarecrows " in
corn fields. Though these artifices often keep crows away from
corn, they do not always succeed in accomplishing the object, and
their use is not to be generally recommended, even if successful,
for by driving the crows away from corn fields the farmer loses
their services as a destroyer of noxious insects. Fields of corn
located at a distance from farm buildings and those near woods in
which the crow nests are likely to suffer most if unprotected. If
the crows can be prevented from attacking the corn when first
planted or when it first appears above the surface, there seems
little danger, in Massachusetts, that they will feed on the corn at
all. For many years farmers have been in the habit of soaking
their seed corn, to cause it to germinate quickly, and then smear-
ing it with tar. The taste of tar is known to be repugnant to
crows and blackbirds, and will prevent them from pulling the corn,
for when they have pulled a few stalks they apparently conclude
that all the corn is tainted in the same way, and will take no more
from that field. The receipt commonly used is to place a half
bushel or more of soaked corn in a vessel and enough coal or gas
tar to give each kernel a thin coat, when the mass is stirred with a

39

stick. After this plaster of Paris or wood ashes are stirred in
until the corn is well coated with it. When this is done, however,
the planter cannot be used, and the corn must be planted by hand.
For this reason many prefer to feed the crows with soaked corn
during the time when the newly planted corn is subject to their
attack. When this plan is followed the corn may be planted with
the planter and a little soaked corn scattered daily around the bor-
ders of the field. This plan is said to give good satisfaction. In
this way a few quarts of corn have been found sufficient to prevent
the depredations of the crow in a corn field of eight or ten acres.

If the common king birds {Tyrannus tyrannus) are not driven
away from the farm or field, because of their real or supposed
depredations among the bees, they will keep the crow away from
the vicinity of the farm buildings and fruit orchard, where, if the
smaller birds are encouraged to nest, the services of the crow will
not be usually needed during the nesting season. The king birds
protect not only their own eggs and young but those of wild birds
and poultry.

Crows may be readily poisoned by soaking corn in strychnine,
and after a few have been poisoned in this way the others usually
forsake the field. But such uses of poison are prohibited by law,
and the destruction of the crow or its exile from the field are not
usually to be .desired. Scarecrows of various kinds may be used
when corn is in the milk, to keep crows from the fields.

Is THE Crow a Friend?
The question, Is the crow a friend or an enemy to the Massa-
chusetts farmer? can only be answered by an exact knowledge of
what constitutes its food at all hours of the day, at all seasons of
the year and under changing conditions. This must be supple-
mented by an exact knowledge of the economic value of the plants
and animals on which it feeds. Therefore, to answer this question
by a scientific investigation with even approximate accuracy would
be the work of years. The crow, unlike many other birds, is almost
omnivorous, feeding on anything, living or dead, which it can utilize
as food. A species which can adapt itself to all kinds of food is
likely to remain a stable factor in any fauna, as it is far better able
to maintain its normal numbers without great fluctuations than a
bird which is by nature obliged to depend on a more limited diet.
The omnivorous species, always finding sustenance, either vegeta-
ble or animal, are enabled to maintain their numbers, forming a
standing army always at hand to attack any great outbreak of in-
jurious mammals, reptiles or insects, or even to clear the land of
carrion.

40

If our experiments are conclusive, young crows require more
than half tlieir own weight of mixed animal and vegetable food
daily. If in computing the amount of food eaten by adult crows
we assume that they can live on half this amount, or only five
ounces of food per day, it is plain that one thousand birds would
consume three hundred and twelve pounds daily. If their food
on any one day consisted almost entirely of field mice, injurious
insects, wild berries and seeds, they would be, on that day, very
beneficial to the farmer. If, on the other hand, their food on a
certain day consisted of toads, the young or eggs of poultry and
wild birds, corn or other grains and cultivated fruit, they would be,
on that day, very injurious to the farmer. The question as to
whether the crow is beneficial or injurious depends entirely on how
the account balances at the end of the year.

The crow cannot fail to be very valuable to agriculture if its
food habits are on the average more beneficial than injurious. If,
however, the balance is upon the other side, the bird may become
a serious pest. If in times of plenty its numbers increase beyond
all reasonable bounds it is likely to grow injurious in proportion to
its numbers. When crows become so plentiful in any locality that
they cannot find a sufficiency of animal food for their young they
are likely to turn their attention to poultry and wild birds, and also
to do more injury to farmers' crops.

In summing up the evidence for and against the crow, it must
be admitted : first, that the crows injure the corn crop to some
extent, and some other crops slightly; second, they are somewhat
destructive to the eggs and young of poultry and wild birds ;
third, they distribute the seeds of poisonous plants ; fourth, they
destroy some beneficial insects, probably killing more than they
eat ; fifth, they eat large numbers of frogs and toads. On the
other hand: (1) the services of the crow in destroying noxious
insects can hardly be overestimated ; (2) crows are of great ser-
vice in destroying field mice and other small mammals ; (3) crows
are useful to some extent as scavengers.

While it may be impossible with the data at hand to determine
the exact economic status of the crow in Massachusetts, the ques-
tion asked at the beginning may be answered in a general way.
The wholesale destruction of crows is said to have been followed
by a remarkable increase of injurious insects, and from what is
now known about the crow's food we may conclude that, unless
the birds become unduly numerous, they are likely to be of great
service to the farmer. It will pay the farmer to sacrifice some
portion of his products to the crow, provided he uses care that the
cunning bird does not overreach him in the bargain.

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 5.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

Month of September, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1896.

Crop Report for the Month of September,

1896.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,

Boston, Mass., Oct. 1, 1896.

Bulletin No. 5, Crop Report for the month of September,
is herewith presented. Particular attention is called to the
article on "The Babcock Milk Tester," by Geo. M. Whit-
aker, assistant executive officer of the State Dairy Bureau.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 141, New Series (September, 189(>), of the
Statistician of the United States Department of Agriculture,
shows a decline in the condition of corn of 5 points from the
August statement, or from 96 to 91. In spite of this falling
ofl' in condition the crop promises to be a large one, as nearly
all the great central States report a high condition.

The general condition of wheat, considering both winter
and spring varieties, when harvested, was 74.6, against 75.4
last year. East of the Rocky Mountains complaints of both
quantity and quality of the crop are almost universal, the
causes given being winter-killing, stunted growth, insects'
attacks, rust and heavy rains following harvesting. The
Pacific slope suffered somewhat, but not so generally as the
central and eastern States.

The average condition of barley for the United States is
83.1, substantially the same as in August, when it was 82.9.
In 1895 the September condition was 87.6 and in 1894 it
was 71.5.

The average condition of rye at time of harvest was 82 per
cent, in 1895, 83.7, and in 1894, 86.9. In Michigan the
crop suffered much from rust and insects, and in Kansas a
condition of 60 was made, largely by dry, hot weather.

When harvested oats had the condition of 74 per cent, 12
points below 1895 and 3.8 below 1894. The condition has
fallen 3.3 points since August 1. Reports from most of the
important States are that oats are largely a failure as a money
crop. Rains appear to have been the chief cause of damage,
supplemented by heavy winds, rust and army worms.

The average condition of buckwheat is 93.2, as against
87.5 last year and 69.2 in 1894. Drought, grasshoppers,
rain, winds and heat brought down the condition 2.8 points
during the month.

The average condition of Irish potatoes is 83.2, against
94.8 August 1, a decline of 11.6 points. All but ten States
show a decline. Drought, aflecting chiefly the late crop, is
given as the cause in certain localities, but generally the crop
has suffered from excessive rains, which aggravated a ten-
dency to rot. Blight and rust, with potato bugs and other
insects, have also operated against the crop. The condition
is 7.6 points lower than last year, and, with the decreased
acreage, will tend to keep the crop much below the phenome-
nal one of 1895.

The figures for sweet potatoes show a material decline in
most States, including those where the crop is most largely
grown, but as most of the crop was dug before this decline
commenced the loss will not be as great as might be sup-
posed. Drought is the chief cause of the decline.

The average condition of tobacco is 81.5, a fall of 5 points
since August 1. The greatest fall in condition was in Mary-
land, 41 points, while a number of States show a considera-
ble advance in condition. The average is 1.1 points below
that of last year but is 7 points higher than that of 1894.
Drought and excessive heat are the principal causes of de-
cline, while the tobacco worm has done considerable damage
in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.

The area under clover seed is set at 93.2, that of last year,
which was only 68 per cent of the area of 1894. The aver-
age condition is 78.7, against 64.4 a year ago, which indi-
cates that there will be more marketable seed than last year
in spite of the decreased area. Drought and excessive heat
have worked some injury but more is reported from excessive
moisture and the consequent growth of weeds.

The sorghum crop is generally in fine condition, if excep-
tion be made of certain of the Southern States, Colorado and
California.

Sugar cane suffered a heavy decline in condition during the
month. Louisiana, which produces the bulk of the sugar-
cane crop, has now a condition of 54 only. In Texas the
prospect is even poorer, and in all the Gulf States the con-
dition is low.

The condition of apples has been generally maintained
during the month, and the statements made in August as to
crop prospects still hold good.

The average condition of peaches has declined to 42.8.
The quality of the crop has not been up to the average, ex-
cepting some fruit from the mountain orchards. The curcu-
lio has proved particularly numerous this year. The condi-
tion of the California crop is lower than for many years.

The condition of the grape crop is generally good. In
important districts in the east the figures are about where
they were last year, but on the Pacific coast the crop is very
much below the average, and nearly 20 points below last
year.

Conditions for rice stood at 76.5 September 1, as against
94.5 in 1895 and 89.4 in 1894. The Louisiana crop is
reported to be considerably below the average.

Cotton shows a decline from the August condition of 15.9
points, or from 80.1 to 64.2 per cent, the lowest September
condition reported for twenty-seven years. The staple is
much lighter than usual in consequence of drought and heat,
and the shedding of leaves and bolls will result in material
damage to the yield from the top crop.

There is a decrease of 7 per cent from last year in the
number of stock hogs for fattening. Notwithstanding the
numerous losses from disease and scarcity of feed in some
sections of the country, the average condition as to weight
and size is 0.6 point higher than that of last year, being 94.5,
against 93.9 a year ago. Eight States show a condition
above the normal.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn Septem-
ber 1 is given as 100 ; the average condition of rye when
harvested as 97 ; the average condition of oats when har-

6

vested as 100 ; the average condition of barley when harvested
as TOO ; the average condition of buckwheat September 1 as
96 ; the average condition of potatoes as 81 ; the average
condition of apples as 101 ; the average condition of peaches
as 45 ; the average condition of grapes as 90 ; the number
of stock hogs fottening as compared with last year as 96 ; the
average condition of stock hogs as to weight and size as 100 ;
and the average condition of tobacco as 113.

Temperature and Eainfall for the Whole Country.

From United States Weather-Ckop Bulletins.

Week ending August 31. — Week cooler than usual in the
Lake region, the Ohio, Mississippi and lower Missouri val-
leys, and generally throughout the Atlantic coast States.
Week also slightly cooler than usual in central and portions
of southern California. Along the Gulf coast, over the
southern Rocky Mountains and middle plateau regions and
on the north Pacific coast the temperature was generally
slightly above the normal. It was also warmer than usual
over the central Rocky Mountain slope and over the northern
plateau region. The week was dryer than usual in all dis-
tricts east of the Rocky Mountains, with the exception of
portions of the south Atlantic and east Gulf States, and local
areas of limited extent elsewhere. In the lower Ohio, cen-
tral and upper Mississippi valleys and overmuch of the Lake
region, the Middle Atlantic States and the Missouri valley
there was no appreciable rainfall. On the south Atlantic
coast the rainfall was very heavy, and it was generally heavier
than usual on the Pacific coast. The week has been very
favorable for farm work, especially thrashing, and ploughing
for fall seeding has progressed favorably. Cotton picking
has made rapid progress. Much corn has been cut and the
late crop is generally maturing rapidly. In Tennessee,
Indiana and Pennsylvania the bulk of the tobacco crop has
been housed and cutting is progressing rapidly fiirther north.

Week ending September 7. — The week was cooler than
usual over the northern districts, from the Missouri valley
eastward to the Middle Atlantic and New England coasts.
It was also slightly cooler than usual along the immediate

east Gulf and central California coasts. In the Southern
States, throughout the Rocky Mountain regions and on the
north Pacific coast the week averaged warmer than usual.
While more than the usual amount of rain fell in New Eng-
land, over portions of the Lake region, middle Atlantic
States, limited areas of the central valleys and on the Gulf
coast, the week was dryer than usual over the greater part
of the country. In the central valleys there was a general
deficiency, but good showers, giving a slight excess over
limited areas, were quite general. Eastern Montana, north-
ern Wyoming, western South Dakota and limited areas in
Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado received more than the usual
amount of rain, while no appreciable amount fell on the
Pacific coast. The week has been very favorable for general
farm work and maturing crops. Corn cutting has progressed
favorably and the late crop is mostly safe. In the principal
corn States an excellent corn crop is now practically assured.
Cotton picking has progressed rapidly under favorable con-
ditions, and is now well advanced. Most of the tobacco crop
has been cut and housed. Ploughing for fall seeding and
winter-wheat seeding have both made good progress.

Week ending September 14. — The week was warmer than
usual throughout the Southern States and over the northern
districts from the upper Mississippi valley eastward, with
the exception of a few stations along the Atlantic coast. In
the lower Ohio, lower Missouri and central Mississippi val-
leys the week was decidedly warmer than usual. From the
upper Mississippi westward to the Pacific coast, including
the middle Rocky Mountain and plateau districts and the
greater part of California, the week was cooler than usual.
Over the eastern portions of Oregon and Washington, Mon-
tana and the western portions of the Dakotas the week was
exceptionally cool. More than the usual amount of rain fell
during the week over the States of the northern and middle
Rocky Mountain slopes, and from the central Missouri valley
eastward over Iowa, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin
and south-western Michigan. Very heavy rains also occurred
on the southern New England coast, and over the central
portion of the Florida peninsula. In the lower Lake region,
Ohio valley, middle Atlantic States and generally through-

8

out the Southern States the week was dryer than usual . The
general absence of rain has been very favorable for cotton
picking, which has made rapid progress. Corn cutting has
progressed favorably, and husking and cribbing are in prog-
ress. In the central States the week has been especially
favorable for ploughing and seeding grain. Tobacco is about
all housed, and the past week has been very favorable for
curing.

Week ending September 21. — In the Southern States and
on the middle Atlantic and New England coasts the week
ending September 21 was warmer than usual. It was also
slightly warmer over the southern Plateau region and over
portions of the north Pacific coast. Over the greater por-
tion of California, and throughout all northern districts from
Oregon eastward to the lower Lake region, the week was
cooler than usual. More than the usual amount of rain fell
in the States of the middle and southern Rocky Mountain
slopes, and from the lower Missouri valley eastward over the
northern States to the New England and middle Atlantic
coasts. Generally throughout the Southern States the rain-
fall was below the average. As most crops had been secured
the heavy frosts over the Northern States during the latter
part of the week caused little damage. The heavy rains
lowered the grade of cotton but benefited the top crop.
The general condition of the soil for ploughing and seeding
of winter grain is excellent except in the Southern States.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

"Weather Bureau, Boston.

Week ending August 31. — New England. Boston : Cool,
with light frost on some low lands, but no damage ; heavy
rain in extreme north, elsewhere dry, and rain needed in
central districts ; much sunshine ; favorable ripening and
harvesting weather ; corn heavy ; potatoes variable ; apples
large crop ; fall seeding progressing.

Week ending September 7. — New England. Boston:
Cool, with light frosts, causing some damage to sweet corn
and vines ; heavy rains across central districts thoroughly
filling the ground and doing some damage by washing in

southern Maine ; tobacco practically gathered and curing
well ; corn being cut ; cranberry picking under way, fair
crop.

Week ending September 14. — New England. Boston:
Heavy rains in south-east and local interior sections ; wind
did some damage to corn and fruit in south-east ; cranberries
rotting some ; tobacco curing well, so far ; grass fields,
pastures, late forage crops, newly seeded grass, and winter
grains in excellent condition.

Week ending September 21. — New England. Boston:
Heavy rains and local storms ; some damage by hail and high
wind ; harvesting delayed ; much corn cut and curing well ;
late potatoes rotting ; some fruit continues excellent ; past-
ures good and fine grass bottom for next year's hay crop.

Massachusetts Weather for September, 1896.

At Boston the mean daily temperature was very nearly the
normal, but the precipitation was 3.49 inches above the usual
rainfall for the month. The highest temperature was 90°, on
the 11th, and the lowest 40°, on the 24th. Light frosts have
occurred on several dates in valleys and on level plains
throughout the State, but there has been no o-eneral killiog
frost and most crops have been harvested free from its
damaging efiects.

Eain has been frequent and excessive in all districts. Crops
have ripened pretty well, but the weather has been unfavor-
able for curing corn and grain and for harvesting the second
crop. The ground is well filled with water at the end of
the month, and wells and springs are filling up fast. The
weather has been exceptionally favorable for the growth of
late forage crops, and for pastures and newly seeded fields.
Stock will come to the barns in unusually good condition from
most pastures. Grass on old fields has thickened up and
looks better than it has for some time. The conditions have
been unfavorable for potatoes, and rust and decay have been
increased over most of the State. Fruit has hung on fairly
well.

Local rain and thunder storms have been as frequent and
damaging as during any month this season. They were
especially severe on the 5th-6th, 9th-10th and 19th.

10

Tobacco was secured remarkably free from damage by the
weather and is reported to be curing well.

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 rowen 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, celery and other
late market-garden crops ?

7. How have the apple, pear, peach, grape and cranberry
crops turned out?

Returns have been received from 144 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made up : —

Indian Corn.

Indian corn is now practically all cut and stooked, and
husking has commenced in many localities. The promise of
the earlier part of the season has been more than fulfilled and
the crop will be one of the best ever harvested in the State.
The warm weather during September and the absence of
killing frosts until late in the month assisted in ripening the
crop, and the late fields matured in good shape. The stover
is luxuriant and is generally reported as well filled with ears,
which are also well filled out. Barnstable County is the only
section of the State where the condition is not above average,
and the production of that county is so small as not to mate-
rially afiect the general estimate. Sweet corn and fodder
corn have also done well and silos are well filled in all
sections.

Rowen and Fall Feed.

Rowen was, as a whole, much benefited by the rains during
the month, and is generally a good crop. Much has been
injured by wet weather after cutting, but the increase in the
crop probably balances any loss in this direction. Grass

11

fields and meadows can safely be said to be in better condi-
tion, after cutting the rowen crop, than for several years,
and the promise for next year is now good. The heavy rains
have put fall feed in excellent condition, many correspondents
stating that it never looked better at this time of year.

Fall Seeding.
The ground was not in the best condition for fall seeding:
during August and the heavy rains of the past month have
delayed it in some localities, but, nevertheless, nearly, if not
quite, the usual amount has been done. Wherever it is in a
good catch is reported and the condition is generally spoken
of as excellent. Newly seeded lands should start next spring
in unusually good condition.

Onions.
Onions are, on the whole, considerably below an average
crop, many correspondents speaking of them as one-half or
two-thirds of an average. The sections of commercial pro-
duction show, if anything, the most marked decrease. The
quality of the crop is good as a rule. Prices do not seem
to be fully established as yet, but appear to be rather better
than last year.

Potatoes.

Potatoes cannot be said to be an average crop in either
yield or quality, though quality is more nearly up than quan-
tity. Drought was the principal cause tending to reduce the
yield, very few fields recovering from the drought of the fore
part of the season. Rot is reported in many localities and
tends to reduce both yield and quality. There is also much
complaint of the small size of the tubers, scab and the work
of wire worms and white grubs.

Root Crops, Celery, Etc.
Root crops generally promise well and a full yield may be
expected. Some correspondents speak of turnips as being
particularly good. From Middlesex County comes the re-
port that celery is in excellent condition, and this is borne
out by reports from other sections not so important as cen-
tres of production. In Worcester, however, it has blighted

12

badly. The recent rains seem to have put all late market-
garden crops in good condition, and good yields may be ex-
pected for all crops not yet harvested.

Fruits.
Apples have dropped but little considering the number
originally on the trees, and a very large crop is promised in
most sections. The quality is very good indeed, the fruit
being fair, smooth-skinned and free from worm holes. About
the only fault complained of is small size, caused by the
great number of apples on the trees. There were few pears
and practically no peaches. Grapes apparently did not come
up to expectations and the crop is hardly up to the average.
There is some complaint of dropping. Cranberries, partic-
ularly on Cape Cod, also appear to have gone back in con-
dition, and at time of picking not more than a fair crop was
promised. There are a number of complaints of injury from
hail and heavy rains.

The Army Worm.
A third brood of the army worm has appeared on late Hun-
garian grass, barley and other late forage crops, and to a less
extent on grass lands. They are quite generally distributed
over the State but do not appear to have done as much
damage as where they appeared earlier in the season. How-
ever, there would seem to be good ground for fearing that
they will be more likely to appear next spring in localities
where this brood was the first one noticed than where they
were destructive earlier in the season. All fields where this
brood appeared should be carefully watched next spring and
strict repressive measures adopted on their first appearance.
It would also be well to burn overgrass fields on which they
have appeared this year early in the spring, with a view to
destroying the pup?e and hibernating caterpillars. Those
desirino; fuller information as to the habits of the creature
and the remedies which may be applied are referred to our
Crop Report for July, Bulletin No. 3, Series of 1896, which
contains an interesting article on the army worm by A. H.
Kirkland, M.S., assistant entomologist to the committee on
gypsy moth, birds and insects.

13

]N^OTES OF CORKESPOKDENTS.

[Returned to us September 25.]

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Neio Marlborough (L. P. Ketes). — Indian corn is much above
the average of former years. I never saw rowen and fall feed
looking as well as now. A large amount of fall seeding has been
done and it looks very promising. Onions are far below an aver-
age crop. Potatoes are about half a crop and the quality is not
as good as usual. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops promise well. Apples are an excellent crop and the fruit
was never fairer or more perfect in shape. Grapes are also look-
ing well.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews) . — Indian corn is fully an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking well.
Onions are about three-fourths of an average crop. Potatoes are
not up to the average in yield but are of good quality. Root crops
are looking well and late market-garden crops are a full average.
Apples are a full crop, pears and peaches short, grapes good and
cranberries short.

Alford (L. T. Osborne) . — Indian corn is rather better than
the average and sowed corn has a larger acreage and better yield.
Rowen and fall feed are much above the usual condition. More
than an average amount of fall seeding has been done and the
condition is very fine. Potatoes are a three-fourths crop of medium
quality. Apples are more than a full crop and are selling for sixty
cents per barrel in the pile.

Otis (S. H. Norton). — Corn is a full average crop. Rowen
is above an average crop and fall feed is good. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking finely.
Potatoes are not an average crop, being small, with some rot.
Apples are a large crop of very fine quality.

14

Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer) . — Corn is up to and above an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are both above the average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and the rains have kept
it looking finely. Potatoes are a very light crop here. Celery
looks well. Apples are more than an average crop, grapes fair,
pears light and no peaches. There have been no frosts to injure
crops and everything is growing nicely. Clover and other grasses
are starting well in meadows where the dry seasons had killed them
out.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — Indian corn is a much better crop
than for the last two years. Eoweu and fall feed are in better
condition than for three years past. The usual amount of fall
seeding has been done. Potatoes are a light crop, the tubers being
small and rotting badly. Apples and pears are plenty. A black
bug has been attacking the potato beetle and killing them by thou-
sands. What the ultimate outcome will be we cannot tell, but we
have hopes that they will be of great assistance in holding the
beetle in check.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Corn is a full average crop and is
all cut and most fields ready to husk. Rowen and fall feed are
much better than for years past. More than the usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and is looking well. The potato crop
is nearly one-third off from last year and is rotting. Turnips are a
good average crop. No celery is raised for market but that raised
in gardens promises well. Apples are a good crop in both quantity
and quality. The practice of fall seeding is growing in favor.
Fodder corn is being raised more extensively than formerly on
account of short hay crops and it helps out a full crop as well.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Rowe (J. F. Brown). — Indian corn is about an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding lias been done and it is in good condition.
Potatoes are not an average crop in either yield or quality. Root
crops, celery and late market-garden crops promise well. Apples,
pears, peaches and grapes are light crops, but cranberries are a
good crop. Buckwheat is a good crop.

Charlemojit (H.. S. Giles). — Corn is more than an average
crop but is late in maturing. The rowen crop and fall feed are
not up to the usual average. The usual amount of fall seeding
has been done and is looking well. The onion crop is about the
same as in previous 3'ears. Potatoes range from one-half to seven-
eighths of a full crop and the quality is very good. The prospect

15

for root crops is very good. Apples and pears are good crops,
grapes a large crop and not many peaches.

Conway (J. C. Newiiall). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking finely.
Onions are less than an average crop. Potatoes are far below the
average in both yield and quality. Root crops, celery and late
market-garden crops promise fairly well. Apples are the greatest
crop ever known but other fruits are not average.

Whately (Frank Dickinson). — Indian corn is more than an
average crop. Rowen was less than an average crop but fall feed
is good. A small amount of fall seeding has been done and it is
in fine condition. Onions are a good crop but not up to the aver-
age. Potatoes are below the average in yield but of good quality.
Late market-garden crops look well. Apples and grapes are very
heavy crops.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Indian corn is 90 per cent of a
full crop. Rowen is rather better than an average crop and fall
feed is extra good. The usual amount of fall seeding has been
done and is in good condition. Onions are about 80 per cent of
an average crop. Potatoes are not over half a crop and the quality
is very poor. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops promise fairly well. Apples, pears and grapes are very
good crops.

Montague (C. S. Raymond). — Corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and the condition is very
good. Onions are about 80 per cent of an average crop. Pota-
toes are about a three-fourths crop and the quality is good. There
are few root crops raised and not much celery, but what little there
is are average crops. Apples are an abundant crop and grapes
plenty. We have had a very good season for all crops except the
first crop of hay. I think the failure of potatoes and onions is
more owing to blight than anything else, and that comes in good
seasons as well as bad.

Orange (Ansel Harrington) . — Indian corn is a full average
crop. There was more than the usual amount of rowen and fall
feed is very good. There has not been quite as much fall seeding
done as usual but its present condition is fairly good. Potatoes
are not more than a three-fourths crop but the quality is very good.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are about
the same as usual. Apples are a very large crop, grapes about
average and other fruit scarce.

16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Indian corn is a very good crop.
Rowen and fall feed are well up to the usual average. Fully as
much fall seeding has been done as usual and we are having favor-
able weather for grass growth. But few onions raised and the
crop is a failure. Potatoes are not an average crop though late
ones are good. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops promise better than for a few years past. Apples good, few
pears or grapes, cranberries good. The first killing frost occurred
on September 23.

Amherst (F. S. Coolet). — Corn is not generally stooked but
harvesting is progressing rapidly. Ripening was retarded by cool,
rainy weather, but in the absence of frosts a fine crop is promised.
Rowen and fall feed are better than average crops. About the
usual acreage has been seeded this fall and the catch is uncom-
monly good. Blight has greatly injured the onion crop. Potatoes
are about an average crop though the tubers are small on many
fields. The pi'ospect for root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops is excellent if the autumn is fairly mild. Apples
fine, grapes better than an average, pears scarce and no peaches.
Tobacco was harvested in good condition, and is curing well.

Hadley (L. W. West). — Indian corn is above the average both
in acreage and yield. Rowen and fall feed are far above the aver-
age. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in
good condition. Onions are below an average crop. Potatoes are
about a two-thirds crop of poor quality. The prospect for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is good. Apples
and grapes are good crops, no peaches, pears very light.

Westhampt07i (F. A. Bridgbian). — Indian corn is a fair crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and is looking about average.
Potatoes are not as good a crop as usual. Apples are very abun-
dant, grapes plenty, no pears or peaches, not many cranberries.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — Corn is much more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
But little fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are far below
average both in yield and quality. So far as raised here root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are promising
well. Apples are a heavy crop but the wind and rain of the 19th
took enough from the trees to quite materially lessen the quantity
which will be placed on the market.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee) . — Indian corn is much above an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are better than usual. The

17

usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good condi-
tion. Potatoes are nearly an average crop but are not as good as
last year. Apples are a good crop and the fruit has matured early.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (P. M. Adzima). — Indian corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen is better than an average crop and fall feed is up to
the usual average of condition. About the usual amount of fall
seeding has been done and the condition was never better. Onions
are about an average crop. Potatoes are about a third short in
yield but of average quality. The prospect for late market-garden
crops is very good and root crops are average. Apples half a
crop, and pears, peaches and grapes good. The past month has
been cloudy, with a heavy rainfall.

Westjield (C. F. Fowler). — Corn is a full average crop.
Eowen is more than an average crop and fall feed was never
better. The usual amount of seeding has been done this fall and
it looks unusually well. On most potato fields the tubers turn out
well in number but are small in size, and a few fields are reported
as not worth digging. Beets are hardly up to the average in con-
dition. Celery is doing well. Apples are very plenty and fine,
pears scarce and grapes fairly good.

West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — Indian corn is a full average
crop. Rowen is above the average, with the exception of some
fields, which were injured by the white grubs. The average
amount of fall seeding has been done and it has started well.
Onions are three-fourths of an average crop, being under sized.
Potatoes are about 80 per cent of an average crop, some pieces
being badly grub eaten, while others are scabby. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops promise well both as to
yield and quality. There is a remarkably heavy crop of apples
where the trees did not bear last year. The fruit is coloring well
and is of superior quality but prices are very low. Grapes and
cranberries are generally good yields.

Chicopee (R. W. Bemis). — Indian corn is a good crop. Rowen
and fall feed are both above the average. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and it is now looking finely. Onions
are a good crop. Potatoes are an average crop both in yield and
quality. The prospect for all root crops is good. Apples are a
large crop, pears short, grapes and peaches a fair average.

Wilbraham (F. E. Clark). — Corn stover is heavy but it is not
eared out quite in proportion ; on the whole about an average
crop. There is a remarkably good crop of rowen. Fall feed is

18

fine and the milk supply has kept up well. More than the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking finely.
Potatoes are not more than half a crop in quantity but the quality
is good. All root crops are looking well and turnips are especially
fine. Apples are a full crop on the mountains but there are few
on the plains ; perhaps a two-thirds crop in all. No peaches,
very few pears, grapes a full crop.

Monson (W. M. Tucker). — Indian corn is above an average
crop and is nearly all cut. Rowen is a good crop where the first
crop was cut early, but it is not all cut yet. Not so much fall seed-
ing has been done as in previous years but it is looking well.
Potatoes are not an average crop and are poor in quality. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are good, though
not much is raised for outside markets. Apples are a very good
crop, no peaches, few pears, grapes abundant and fine ; a few
cranberries, which are rotting somewhat.

Holland (Wm. S. Wallis). — Indian corn is fully an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average. Less
than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, it having
been too dry until lately. Potatoes are a very light crop. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are not raised to
any great extent. Apples and cranberries are large crops, few
pears and no peaches.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Sovthbridge (G. L. Clemexce) . — Indian corn is an average crop
but a little late in ripening. Fall feed is good but rowen is a little
short of an average crop. The usual amount of fall seeding has
been done and the condition is good. Potatoes are light in yield
but of good quality. Apples are a very large crop, pears short,
no peaches and grapes average.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Indian corn is probably 10 per cent
above an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual
average. Less fall seeding has been done than usual and it is not
looking well on account of the lateness of seeding. Onions are
not more than half a crop. Potatoes are not quite up to the aver-
age in yield and quality. Celery and other late market-garden
crops are looking well. Apples are an immense crop ; other fruits
very light.

Hardwick (F. A. Ruggles) . — Corn has eared out well and is
fully up to the average of last year. Rowen and fall feed are
more than the usual average. More than an average amount of
fall seeding has been done and is looking finely at the present time.

19

Onions are not more than half the crop of last year. Potatoes are
about half of last year's yield and are rotting badly. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops are looking well. Ap-
ples are an abundant crop ; no pears, peaches or grapes here.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Corn is a full average in quantity
but the quality is rather below the average, owing to wet, cloudy
weather. Rowen and fall feed are better than for the last three
years. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and the
condition is extra. Potatoes are not so large a yield as last year
but are an average crop ; some complaint of scab, grubs and a
little rot. Root crops promise to be good. Apples extra, pears
light, no peaches, grapes fair but dropping badly. Tomatoes
have cracked badly, owing to the wet weather. Squashes are
rather small. Beans rusted, owing to the wet weather. If prices
were satisfactory our farmers would have very good prospects
before them.

Wincliendon (W. H. Sawyer) . — Corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking well.
Potatoes are about average in quantity, though not up to last year,
and of average quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops is very good. Apples are plenty
but other fruit is scarce. More corn has been put into the silo
than ever before and the crop was got in good shape, without in-
jury from frost.

Westminster (I. Dickinson). — Indian corn is more than an
average crop but is late. Rowen and fall feed are better than for
a number of years past. Not much fall seeding has been done yet
on account of the rainy weather. Potatoes are less than an aver-
age in quantity but of good quality. Root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops promise well. Apples are abundant,
pears light, no peaches, grapes light and cranberries good.

Holden (G. S. Graham) . — Indian corn is a good average crop,
if not more. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average.
About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is
looking well. Potatoes are good in quality but the yield is not a
heavy one. All root crops are looking well. There is no end to
the crop of apples and grapes. The white grub is eating potatoes
badly.

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Indian corn is a little above an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are more than average crops.
Not quite as much fall seeding as usual has been done as yet but
it is looking well. Onions are a fair average crop. Potatoes are
not quite up to the average in yield and quality. The prospect

20

for root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is good.
Winter apples are not yet picked but the crop is good. Pears are
a small crop, no peaches, grapes and cranberries fair.

Southborough (E F. Collins) . — Indian corn is about an average
crop. Rowen is a better crop than for several years. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, and though backward it is
now doing well. Potatoes are a large yield of good quality.
Turnips are a good crop. Apple trees were so loaded that the
fruit is small though fair. Army worms have done a great deal of
damage to late Hungarian grass and have also overrun consider-
able grass land.

Upton (B. A. Jourdan). — Indian corn is a good crop and the
ears are well filled out. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual
average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is
looking finely. Onions are a good crop though little raised. Po-
tatoes are an average crop in yield and quality. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops promise well. Apples
are a heavy crop, pears and peaches very light, grapes and cran-
berries good.

Douglas (Wm. Abbott). — Corn is more than an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done but the condition is not as
good as usual. Ouions are fully an average crop. Potatoes are
an average crop in yield but the quality is poor in most cases.
Root crops are good and celery looks well though it is rather late.
Apples are the largest crop on record though they have dropped
badly. Pears and peaches are of no account but cranberries are
fair. There has been plenty of rain during the past month. Har-
vesting is nearly completed with the exception of apple pickmg.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — Indian corn is fully an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are fully up to the average. A good
amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking finely.
Onions are below an average crop though few are raised for mar-
ket. Potatoes are rather below the average in quantity ; quality
very good though the white grub has eaten them badly. Turnips
are looking well. Apples are abundant, no pears or peaches,
grapes and cranberries rather above the average.

Westford (Arthur Wright). — Indian corn is better than last
year. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good con-
dition. Onions are a good average crop. Root crops, celery and

21

other late market-garden crops are all looking well. Apples are an
enormous crop, no peaches and very few pears. The army worm
has made its appearance in two localities but I do not hear of its
spreading very much.

Lincoln (Samuel Hartwell) . — Rowen and fall feed have much
improved during the month and are now average crops. About
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking
well. Potatoes are an average crop in quantity and quality. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops promise to be very
abundant. Apples and grapes are plenty, few pears and no
peaches.

Wilmington (E. N. Eames). — Indian corn is about an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. The
average amount of fall seeding has been done and is looking well.
Potatoes are not an average crop in either yield or quality. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops promise well.
Apples are a large crop of very good quality and cranberries are
an average crop.

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — Only sweet corn is raised here
and that is an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are better crops
than usual. About the usual amount of fall seeding has been
done and it is now looking very well indeed. Potatoes are a small
yield of small tubers but the quality is good. Root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops are all doing finely. Apples
are a heavy crop though the fruit is smaller than usual. There
are few pears and no peaches, and cranberries are a fair crop.
The frost of the 23d and 24th killed all tomato and squash vines,
grapes, etc. Squashes are a light crop. Cabbages fair but wormy.
Stock is in good condition.

Arlington (W. W. Rawson). — Onions are a fair crop. The
prospect for root crops is good. Since the rains have come all
crops are improving and I think all fall and winter crops will be
more than average. Celery never looked finer.

Newton (Otis Pettee). — Indian corn compares favorably with
former years. Rowen was a rather light crop but late rains gave
it new life. Considerable fall seeding is already in. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops are doing very well.
There is an abundance of apples and grapes, and but few pears or
peaches,

Sherborn (N. B, Douglas), — Indian corn is 10 per cent above
the average. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
Fall seeding is late and we cannot yet tell as to its condition.
Potatoes were a small yield but the quality is good. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops look well but are little

22

grown. Apples an immense crop, few pears, no peaches, grapes
and cranberries good. Late sown Hungarian grass and barley are
very poor. Army worms, have appeared in all parts of the town
but no great amount of damage is reported.

Hojikinton {W . V. Thompson). — Indian corn is about an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average.
The average amount of fall seeding has been done and it is looking
well. Potatoes are below the average both in yield and quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops have suffered
from dry weather. Apples are a very large crop, no pears or
peaches and grapes fair. Army worms have made their appear-
ance on Hungarian grass and late barley.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben Webster) . — Indian corn is a full average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are about up to the usual average.
About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is
looking well. Potatoes are an average crop both in yield and
quality. Celery and other late market-garden crops are looking
well. Apples and grapes are abundant.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Indian corn is better than
an average crop. Rowen is hardly up to the average, and fall feed
is in only fair condition. Less than the usual amount of fall seed-
ing has been done, but what has been sown is looking well. Onions
are rather below the average. Potatoes are not an average crop
in either yield or quality. The white grub has been quite trouble-
some and has eaten potatoes badly, especially on sod land. Apples
are a great crop of smooth fruit ; few pears ; no peaches ; grapes
looking well and cranberries fair.

Neiohury (G. W. Adams). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The average
amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is rather backward in
condition. Onions are about half a crop. Potatoes are about GO
per cent of a full crop. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops are very good on high land, but frosts have touched
those on low ground a little. Apples are a large crop, very few
pears and peaches, grapes nearly a full crop.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — Indian corn is an average crop.
Rowen was rather a small crop. Fall seeding was necessarily late
on account of the dry weather, but is looking well. Potatoes are
rather under the average in yield and quality. Root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops promise well. Apples are a
large crop, but other fruits are very light.

23

Manchester (John Baker) . — Corn is a good average crop.
Rowen aud fall feed are up to the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, and it is looking well. But
few onions are raised here. Potatoes are an average crop both in
yield and quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-gar-
den crops promise well. Apples, pears and cranberries are all
good crops.

Marblehead (W. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Indian corn compares
favorably with the crops of former years. Rowen was not a par-
ticularly heavy crop, but fall feed is good. Not much seeding has
yet been done, but the condition of that which is in is excellent.
Onions are much less than an average crop, perhaps 60 per cent
of the average. Potatoes are good in quality, but the yield is not
up to that of last year. The prospect for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops is very good. Baldwin apples are
very abundant, but the fall varieties are rather scarce.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Medway (Monroe Morse). — ludian corn is a full crop. Feed
was short in the early fall, but the rains have started it. Rowen
started well, but hot dry weather cut it short. Fall seeding was
delayed by drought and is very late, and much seed does not yet
show. Potatoes did not fulfil the promise of their tops, aud the
crop is only average. Apples have dropped until the excessive
crop promised is only a full one of good quality. Pears were
light, peaches a total failure and grapes fair.

Mdlis (E. F. Richardson). — There is a very heavy yield of
Indian corn. The rowen crop is good and fall feed is better than
average. About the average amount of fall seeding has been
done and it is looking well. Potatoes are more than an average
crop. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are
good. Apples, grapes and cranberries are more than average
crops, but pears and peaches are less.

Medfidd (G. R. Chase). — Corn is slightly above the average,
say 110 per cent. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual aver-
ao-e. The average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in
fair condition. Potatoes are an average crop in both yield and
quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and other late mar-
ket-garden crops is poor. Apples are an enormous crop, pears
small, peaches a failure, grapes an enormous crop and cranberries
average. The tomato crop is a failure, owing to frost and rotting.
The retail price is high, 5 cents per quart even now.

Randolph (R. A. Thayer) . — Indian corn is a good average

24

crop at the present time. We have a large crop of rowen, and
fall feed is extra good. We have had an unusual amount of rain,
and newly-seeded land looks very nice. Onions are not a full
crop. Late potatoes are from one-half to two-thirds of an average
crop. Most root crops are in good average condition, but celery
is hardly up to the average. Apples are an extra crop, pears and
peaches very few, grapes a good average crop, and cranberries
about half a crop. The stormy weather injured the rowen crop
very much, but has filled wells and springs and put grass lands
and pastures in excellent condition.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — Indian corn is more than an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in excellent
condition. Onions compare well with a good average crop. Po-
tatoes are an average crop in yield and quality. The prospect was
never better for root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops. The apple, pear, grape and cranberry crops are very heavy.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mcmf^field (Wm. C. Winter). — Corn stover is about average,
but owing to drought at earing time the ears are very poorly filled
out and are below the average. No rowen ; pastures coming up
and will be good soon. No seeding was done until within two
weeks and it will be late and poor unless we have fine weather
until late in the fall. Potatoes are of good quality but are below
average in yield, being few in a hill. Root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops are all poor, owing to dry weather.
Apples are generally good, pears light, no peaches, grapes good
and cranberries fair.

Atileborovgh (Isaac Alger). — Indian corn is more than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in good
condition. Potatoes are an average crop both in yield and quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops promise well.
Apples, grapes and cranberries are fair crops.

Raynham (N. W. Shaw). — Indian corn is fully up to an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in very good
condition. Onions are not a full crop. Potatoes are not up to
the average either in yield or quality. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops promise to be very good. Apples
are a full crop, no peaches, few pears, grapes a large crop and
cranberries a good crop.

25

Somerset (Joseph Gibbs). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Roweu and fall feed are more than average crops. About the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good con-
dition. Onions are about 90 per cent of an average crop. Po-
tatoes are an average crop both in yield and quality. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops are all right as far as the
yield is concerned but the prices will not pay the cost of production.
Apples are plenty, pears one-fourth of a full crop, and no peaches.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Corn is not up to an average
crop, worms having worked it badly. Rowen and fall feed are
more than up to the average in condition. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and its present condition is good. Po-
tatoes are not up to the average in yield and quality. Apples,
grapes and cranberries are good crops.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis) . — 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 it is in first-class condition.
Onions are a fair average crop. Potatoes are fully average in
quality but hardly so in quantity. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is very good. Apples
and other fruits have maintained the promise held out earlier in
the season.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Bingham (Aaron Low). — Indian corn is a fair crop. Rowen
is a larger crop than usual and fall feed is also above the usual
average. There has been but little fall seeding done as yet.
Onions are below the average. Potatoes are below the average
in quantity but are of good quality. Root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops are not up to the usual condition. There
is an immense apple crop but few pears or peaches. The past
season has been very unfavorable for most crops on account of
the severe drought continuing so long, causing almost a total
failure in many market-garden crops.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — Indian corn compares well with
an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are not quite up to the
usual average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done
and its present condition is good. Onions are about a three-
fourths crop. Potatoes made a light yield but the quality was
good. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops were
much injured by the dry weather, but those that lived through it
now look well. Apples are a good crop, no pears or peaches, and
cranberries good.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas). — Indian corn compares well with an

26

average crop. Rowen aud fall feed are fully up to the usual aver-
age. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in
good condition. Potatoes were a fair crop but badly eaten by
worms. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops
promise to be good. There are a great many apples, no peaches,
few pears and a great many grapes and cranberries.

Lakevi'Ue (Elbridge Cushman) . — Indian corn is very much
superior to an average crop. It has been ideal corn weather dur-
ing August and September. Rowen and fall feed have had plenty
of rain and are above the usual average. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and it is in good condition. Onions
are a full average crop. Potatoes are hardly up to the average
either in yield or quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops is good. Apples are abundant,
no pears or peaches, grapes and cranberries good.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan) . — Indian corn is a good average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average*. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and it has taken well. Pota-
toes are an average crop both in yield aud quality. The prospect
for root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is good.
Apples were nearly all blown from the trees by the squall of the
19th inst. Cranberries are not all picked yet but the crop about
here is turning out well.

Wareham (A. B. Savary). — Indian corn is rather below an
average crop. Rowen is rather below the average and fall feed is
in good condition. The usual amount of fall seeding has been
done and is ip good condition. Potatoes are below the average in
yield and in some places badly eaten by grubs. Root crops are in
fair condition. Apples are an average crop, few pears or peaches,
grapes good and cranberries average. The wet weather has delayed
harvesting and some cut rowen was ruined ; very little has been
harvested in good shape.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Saiuhvich (J. R. Holway). — Indian corn is from one-half to
two-thirds of 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 in good condition. Onions are about half a crop. Pota-
toes are a very small crop but the quality is good. The prospect
for root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is good.
Apples and pears are fair crops, few peaches, grapes very plenty
and cranberries below average. White grubs are unusually plenty
and mowings and pastures are badly eaten.

Maslipee (W. F. Hammond) . — Indian corn is an average crop.

27

Fall feed is about up to the average but rowen is below. There
Las not been the usual amount of fall seeding done. Onions are
more than an average crop. There will be about half a crop of
potatoes but the quality is good. Root crops are looking well and
will be about average. Apples and grapes are half crops, pears a
full crop, no peaches and cranberries half a crop. The hail storm
of the 19th inst. damaged a number of the bogs, knocking off two-
thirds or more of the berries.

Dermis (Joshua Crowell). — Indian corn is about an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average. Thete
is not much fall seeding done here but the condition is very good.
Onions are below the usual average. Potatoes are an average
crop both in yield and quality. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is very good. Apples
are very plenty and cranberries are an average crop. Cranberry
picking is somewhat delayed by the unfavorable weather and the
late fruit is all on the vines ; prices very low.

Bretvster (J. H. Clark). — Indian corn is fully an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are both up to the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in very good
^condition. Onions are as good a crop as usual. Potatoes are
average in yield but white grubs and scab are quite general. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are in very good
condition. Apples, grapes and cranberries are very good ; pears
and peaches poor.

Welljleet (E. S. Jacobs). — Rowen has been much damaged by
rain. Fall seeding looks well and pastures and fall feed are in
good condition. Onions are more than an average crop. Potatoes
are rather a poor crop and have rotted some. The prospect for
turnips is good. Apples are very scarce. Cranberries are very
plenty and picking has just commenced.

Truro (D. E. Paine). — Rowen and fall feed are not up to the
usual average. The average amount of fall seeding has been done
and is now in fair condition. Onions compare favorably with an
average crop. Potatoes are an average crop both in yield and
quality. There is a fair yield of all kinds of fruit.

DUKES COUNTY,

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Indian corn is less than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are fully up to the average in
condition. Potatoes are below an average crop both in yield and
quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and other late mar-
ket-garden crops is good. Apples and grapes are less than average
crops.

28

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGRICULTURE.

THE BABCOCK MILK TESTER; ITS VALUE AND
IMPORTANCE TO THE PRODUCER OF AND DEALER
IN SALE MILK.

By Geo. M. Whitaker, Assistant Executive Officer of the Dairy Bureau,

The dairy literature which the Babcock milk tester has suggested
has been almost entirely in the interests of the butter maker. Dif-
ferences in the butter product of different cows have been empha-
sized, and many cows have been shown to be unprofitable ; this
has enabled the dairyman to weed out inferior animals and secure
a greater production of butter at less cost and, in some cases, with
fewer animals. This test has also made possible a more careful
study of the by-products of the dairy (skim-milk and buttermilk),
and this has helped the butter producer to prevent waste and to
carry on his work with greater profit.

But this valuable process can be of much service in the sale milk
business, especially where large cities have made the production of
sale milk an industry of great magnitude. Though the farmer who
produces milk for market may not find the Babcock tester of as
much vnlue as does his butter-making brother, yet it can be of more
importance on the milk farm than has been commonly supposed.
These milk testers are now so cheap that they are within the means
of any one who has considerable interests at stake in the producing,
selling or buying of milk. They can be of great service to the milk
seller, and even to the purchaser, as well as to the producer. The
hotel, restaurant, public institution and other users of milk can,
by the use of the Babcock tester, be assured of the quality of
the milk they buy. With the Babcock tester the retail peddler
can keep track of the quality of the milk he sells, and thus ward off
all fears of inspectors ; he can, if he wishes, guarantee a certain
specific quality. If he can secure supplies of extra quality, and

29

can find customers who are willing to pay extra price if the quality
is assured, he can warrant that the customer will receive what he
pays for. With the Babcock tester the farmer can know what he
is selling. If he ships to the Boston contractors, he can, by the
use of the Babcock tester, remove much of the mystery which has
hitherto enveloped the statute standard. He can keep supervision
over the quality of his milk sales and can know whether he is send-
ing standard milk or not. If he receives complaint from the con-
tractors, he has proof from his own tests of the kind of milk that
has left his farm.

In order to understand the use of the Babcock tester in the sale
milk business, a few fundamental principles about milk must be
understood. The milk of individual cows varies from day to day.
If the milk of a cow were to be analyzed every day, and the results
of those analyses represented pictorially by a line which should
go up as the quality of the milk increased, and vice versa., the
line would, speaking in a general way, be something like a row

ofv's: My\j\j\j\jy.

This is a somewhat exaggerated statement, because the irregu-
larities will not be as uniform as is indicated by the above, and
because, as the period of lactation increases, the amount of solids
in the milk will increase ; but in a general way the above is a repre-
sentation of the quality of milk from day to day of individual cows
under normal conditions. Ordinarily this variation is inside of one
per cent, and when a variation occurs in one direction one day, the
pendulum usually swings the other way, and about as far, the next
day. When the milli of several cows is considered we find that
these variations in the different animals do not coincide, but where
the milk of one shows an increase, this increase may be offset by
the decrease in the quality of milk of another. Hence the mixed
milk of a herd is more constant in quality than the milk of single
animals, and does not vary much from day to day. Where the
conditions of barn and feed are such that the cows can have an
adequate amount of food under comparatively uniform conditions,
when they are neither too cold in winter, nor obliged to tramp long
distances in a dry pasture under a burning sun, annoyed by flies,
for summer rations, the quality of the mixed milk of a herd is quite
uniform the year around.

Variations in the quality of milk are largely due to variations in
the amount of fat. The amount of the other solids is compara-
tively constant. While we frequently find a variation of 3 per
cent or over in the fat, the variation of the other solids is usually
less than 1 percent. Ordinarily the amounts of solids not fat and
fat increase together, though not in the same ratio ; and speaking

30

in a very general way, ordinary milks have about the following
general composition : —

Fat.

Solids not Fat.

Total.

Fat.

Solids not Fat.

Total.

2.50
3.00
3.50
3.70

8.75

9.00
9.25
9.30

11.25

12.00
12.75
13.00

4.00

4.50
5.00
5.50

9.40

9.50
9.60
9.75

13.40
14.00
14.60
15.25

We do not claim that this is absolutely accurate, but it is
approximately so, and near enough for the purposes of the use of
the Babcock tester in connection with the sale of milk of the
statute standard. The statute standard of milk seven months in
the year is 13 per cent of total solids, and from the above table
we see that such milk would ordinarily have about the following
composition : —

Fat, .

Solids not fat,.

Total,

3.70
9.30

13.00

Five months in the year the statute standard is 12 per cent, which,
if normal, is made up about as follows : —

Fat 3.00

Solids not fat 9.00

Total,

12.00

These facts are embodied in the statute standard as passed by
the Legislature last winter, which says : —

In all prosecutions under this chapter, if the milk is shown upon
analysis to contain less than thirteen per cent, of milk solids, or to contain
less than nine and three tenths per cent, of milk solids exclusive of fat,
or to contain less than three and seven tenths per cent, of fat, it shall be
deemed for the purposes of this act to be not of good standard quality,
except during the months of April, May, June, July and August, when
milk containing less than twelve per cent of milk solids, or less than nine
per cent of milk solids exclusive of fat, or less than three per cent, of fat,
shall be deemed to be not of good standard quality.

The Babcock tester gives only the amount of fat in milk, but
from the above it will be seen that the fat is the element which
varies the most, and that the amount of fat is practically the key
to the situation. Milk having 3.70 per cent of fat will be up to

31

the statute standard of 13 per cent of total solids. Milk tbat tests
3.50 per cent of fat is on the danger line, but so near all right that
under ordinary circumstances it would probably pass muster and
would not get the seller into trouble, as a certain amount of leniency
is necessarily allowed in all statutes of this kind. If a milk has 3
per cent of fat it will be satisfactory during the five months of the
year in which the standard is 12 per cent of total solids. A man
with a herd of Jerseys or Guernseys whose milk tests from 4.50 to
5 per cent of fat would be safe in guaranteeing milk of 14 per cent
of total solids ; if his milk has over 5 per cent of fat it has 15 per
cent of total solids. If he lives where there are people who are
willing to pay an extra price for an article of extra quality, he will
run no risk in guaranteeing his milk to have 13, 14 or 15 per cent
of total solids, as the case may be, and he can be assured that he
is keeping up to the required quality by using his tester.

In the actual use of the Babcock tester it will not be necessary
to go to the trouble and labor of testing milk every day. Where
the herd remains unchanged and without any variation in condi-
tions, and the milk of the different animals is thoroughly mixed, a
test every three or four weeks will usually be sufficient to keep an
accurate knowledge of the situation. On purchasing a new cow
or on having any considerable number come in fresh, more frequent
tests for a short time would be desirable. In case of trouble a
daily test of each animal might be necessary for a short time, but
this would be an exceptional condition of affairs. An intelligent
and experienced milk producer, having substantially the same cows
month after month will very soon get such an acquaintance with
the quality of the milk of his herd as will enable him to keep close
track of it with only occasional tests.

Farmers shipping milk to Boston occasionally receive notifica-
tions that the milk is below the required quality. When the farmer
is testing the milk at regular intervals, and watching the condi-
tions of his cows and their feed, he will know what quality of milk
he is furnishing as well as the contractors, and when a complaint
is received he will know that it is either a just complaint, or else
that some one has been tampering with the milk or that there has
been improper sampling at the other end of the line.

It is now generally understood by those who have studied the
question of milk production the most exhaustively and the most
accurately, that quality in milk is due more to the animal than the
feed (assuming of course that under all circumstances the animal
has enough to eat). Hence, if milk is deficient in total solids
under ordinary conditions it is because there are poor cows in the
berd. These must be found out and their places filled with better

32

ones, or else enough better ones must be added to the herd to
bring up the average. Here is another use for the Babcock tester.
By testing the different cows in his herd, and by the use of a few
figures, the farmer can tell what to do to improve the quality of
the milli he sells, and, if necessary, to bring it up to the standard.

To illustrate : suppose a farmer who is producing ten cans per
day for the Boston market gets word that his milk is down to 12
per cent. As we have said, there is usually no great variation in
the quality of the mixed milk of the same herd, and if the man
has been using the tester he knew even before the contractors that
he was running some risk in shipping such milk. But having re-
ceived this notice he starts at once to test the different cows of the
herd, and he finds at the outset that one large cow, in the flush of
new milk, is giving two cans per day, which has only 2 per cent
of fat. The approximate composition of her milk is fat, 2, solids
not fat, 8.50, total, 10.50. One hundred pounds of the mixed milk
of this herd giving 12 percent milk has of fat 3 pounds. The cow
whose milk has only 2 per cent of fat contributes one-fifth of the
whole supply, or 20 pounds. Her milk therefore contains of fat
one-fifth of 2 pounds, .40 pounds. The eighty pounds of milk
from the other cows therefore contains 2.60 pounds. Now if he
should replace that poorer milk with 20 pounds that has 4.50 per
cent of fat, this would contain .90 pounds. One hundred pounds
of that mixture would contain 3.50 pounds. This is 3.50 per cent,
and though such milk would not be safely over the danger line, an
improvement of three-fourths of one per cent would be shown (the
milk having gained from 12 to about 12.75 per cent of total solids)
and might be accepted.

To illustrate this principle farther : suppose that a farmer has
100 pounds of milk which tests 3 per cent of fat, and he desires
to bring it up to 13 per cent of total solids. If he takes 50 pounds
of such milk it will have of fat 1.50 pounds. Fifty pounds of 5
per cent milk would have 2.50 pounds. A mixture of half and
half of 3 per cent and 5 per cent milk would contain 4 pounds.
This would test 4 per cent of fat, and have approximately 13.25
per cent of total solids.

Again, suppose he takes one-third of the 5 per cent milk and
two-thirds of the 3 per cent. Sixty-six and two-thirds pounds of
3 per cent milk would have of fat 2 pounds, and 33^ pounds of 5
per cent milk would have 1.66 pounds, and 100 pounds of the
mixture would have 3.66 pounds. In other words the mixture
would have 3.66 per cent fat, and would have approximately 13
per cent of total solids.

In institute work, when this principle is explained, the question

33

often arises as to whether science can detect the watering of rich
milk down so that it will contain an average amount of fat. In
other words, can milk having 5 per cent of fat be watered so that
it will have 3.70 per cent, the legal amount, without violating any
law or without danger of detection ? No. The statute prohibits all
adulterations, and this form of adulteration can be detected.

A milk of rich quality would have, in 100 pounds, fat, 5 pounds,
solids not fat, 9.6 pounds, total, 14.6 pounds. Now suppose we
add to that one-fourth in water, or 25 pounds. We then have a
mixture of 125 pounds containing the same total solids as the 100
pounds of milk, — 5 pounds of fat, 9.6 pounds of solids not fat,
total, 14.60. This being the weight of the solids in 125 pounds, we
find that 100 pounds of this watered mixture would have fat, 4
pounds, solids not fat, 7.68 pounds, total, 11.68 pounds. The
solids not fat have been diluted in the same proportion as the fat.

The following shows in convenient form for comparison the three
conditions in this case : —

Natural
Milk -with 5
Per Cent Fat.

The same
Watered one-
fourth.

Natural
Milk with 4
Per Cent Fat.

Fat,

Solids not fat,

5.00

9.60

4.00
7.68

4.00
9.40

Total,

14.60

11.68

13.40

It will be noticed that while in watering this milk the fat is re-
duced one-fifth, the solids not fat are reduced in the same propor-
tion, down to 7.68. Ordinary milk with 4 per cent of fat should
have over 9 per cent of solids not fat, and the discrepancy between
9.40 and 7.68 tells the watery story.

The chemist whose analysis reached such results as fat, 4, solids
not fat, 7.68, total, 11.68, would have no hesitation in making
oath that the milk was absolutely watered.

The Dairy Bureau recently secured the conviction of a person
for selling two samples of milk which tested as follows : —

No. 1.

No. 2.

Fat

Solids not fat,

1.66
8.66

2.22
8.38

Total,

10.32

10.60

34

These were suspicious samples, and the chemist felt that there
was a strong probability that the milk had been artificially watered.
The producer of the milk, however, testified under oath that the
milk had been under his control and supervision every moment
from the time it was drawn from the cow — a Holstein — until the
detective officer took the sample, and that no water had been added
to what the cow put in it naturally. This did not save him from
being adjudged guilty, because it is against the law to sell milk of
less than average quality even if it is honest (?) milk.

For the purpose of enforcing the law milk that has been artifi-
cially watered from the pump or faucet, and that which has been
naturally watered to an unreasonable extent, are treated alike ;
but there is a possibility that the above producer told the truth, and
that the milk alluded to may have been free from artificial water-
ing, because the solids not fat are considerably over 8 per cent.

In contrast with this was a case which the board of health had
last year. It attracted considerable attention and sympathy in the
town where the case was tried on account of the high standing of
the farmer. The milk which he sold analyzed as follows : —

No. 3.

No. 4.

No. 5.

Fat

Solids not fat,

4.00
7.94

3.30
7.74

3.60
7.68

Total

11.94

11.04

11.28

Although these three samples analyzed higher than the Nos.
1 and 2, alluded to above, the figures tell a more emphatic and
unquestionable story of adulteration, because in each of these three
latter samples the solids not fat are less than 8 per cent, which
indicates very clearly that the milk was watered, especially when
compared with such amounts of fat as 4 and 3.60 per cent.

The Dairy Bureau secured the conviction, a few weeks ago, of a
restaurant keeper at Revere Beach for milk which tested : —

Fat, .

Solids not fat, ,

Total,

2.20
7.20

9.40

35

In this case the fat was substantially the same as in No. 2 above,
but here the amount of solids not fat is as low as 7.20 while those
in No. 2 were 8.38. This low amount of solids not fat establishes
beyond any reasonable doubt the fact that this last sample (No. 6)
was watered with malice aforethought. And though the attorney
plead with the judge to place the case on file in consideration of
the previous good reputation of his client, the evidence of the
chemist was that a moral as well as a statutory offence had been
committed, and this led the judge to impose the usual fine.

The purchaser of milk who has only the Babcock test cannot
detect adulterated milk where the fat is of satisfactory quantity ;
nothing will do that surely but the chemical analysis, which dis-
closes the ratio between the fat and the solids not fat ; but where
the purchaser suspects any trouble of this kind the use of the lac-
tometer, which gives the specific gravity, will be of assistance.
Normal milk should have a specific gravity of about 1 .032 ; watered
milk would be less.

The principles explained above will illustrate the dangerous
competition to which honest farmers have to submit when whole
milk is adulterated with skim-milk. We detect added water by a
reduction in the solids not fat ; but when skim-milk is added to
whole milk the amount of solids not fat remains without much
change. A milk containing 4 per cent or above of fat can receive
a small mixture of skim-milk and the detection would be very diffi-
cult. We allude to this because there is strong suspicion in the
minds of many that some of the large surplus of sale milk in Boston
is due to the extending of whole milk with skim-milk. Every can
of skim-milk which is used in this way creates a surplus of one
can of whole milk, for which farmers get only the butter price.
The milk contractors can hardly refuse to sell skim-milk to those
who apply for it, with the plausible story of having to supply a
baker or something of that kind. Unquestionably there is consid-
erable food value in skim-milk of which the public would be de-
prived were this by-product to be excluded from the market, but
we are sometimes inclined to believe that the injury caused by the
fraudulent use of skim-milk is greater than the benefit which the
public receives from the food value which there is in the skim-milk
that finds its way to market.

Milk is sometimes tampered with by dishonest employees, who
remove the top of a can after it has stood for some time, and then
fill the can with water. Unquestionably some honest farmers have
been prosecuted for such delinquencies of employees, in accordance
with the well-recognized rule to which business men of every kind
are subjected, that the principal is responsible for the acts of his

36

agent. Where a farmer, however, makes a careful study of the
quality of the milk he produces, if it is not satisfactory on reach-
ing the city, he has a clue on which to work in detecting possible
dishonesty of carriers or others. The chemist will often be very
conservative in stating positively that a sample of low-grade milk
owes its poverty to " topping" and watering, because the variation
in the proportions of fat and solids not fat is not as great as where
a larger quantity of water has been added to milk. Still, when we
find milk with an amount of fat less than might be expected from
the solids not fat, particularly if the solids not fat are slightly
below the normal, we have grounds for strong suspicions that the
millv has been tampered with in this way. In tlie case of sample
No 1, above, in which the fat was 1.66 per cent and the solids not
fat 8.66 per cent, while there is a possibility that it might have
been as the producer testified under oath, there are also reasonable
grounds for strong suspicions that part of the fat had been removed
and a small quantity of water added. With natural milk as low as
1.66 per cent of fat, we should hardly look for solids not fat as
large as 8.66 per cent.

In this brief paper we have not attempted to discuss the compo-
sition of milk exhaustively or in a thoroughly scientific manner,
but we have endeavored to present so much of a view of the com-
position of milk, and of some of the ways in which it is adulterated,
as to help farmers who are selling milk to conduct their business
more intelligently, by the help of the Babcock tester. With this
they can always be on the safe side as to the quality of their
product. Understanding the significance of the fat test and how
to use it, they can keep themselves posted as to the quality of the
product they are selling, and not be under the disadvantage of
working in the dark.

Series of 1896. Bulletin No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOKT

Month of October, 1896.

ISSUED BY

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1896.

Crop Eepoet for the Month of October, 1896.

Office State Board of Aghicvltl're,

Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1896.

Bulletin No. 6, Crop Report for the month of October, is
herewith presented as the final issue for this season. It is
hoped that this work has been of value to those who have
received the bulletins, and with this hope and belief we ex-
pect to again take up the work in the spring of 1897. The
sincere thanks of this office are extended to the correspond-
ents who have aided us by their reports, and we confidently
rely on their assistance in the future.

The special articles printed this season have been as
follows: Bulletin No. 1, "Report of the Meetings of the
Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association," by Prof. S. T.
Maynard ; Bulletin No. 2, " The Grass Crop," by Dr. C. A.
Goessmann ; Bulletin No. 3, " The Army Worm (Leucania
unipuncta)" by A. H. Kirkland, M.S.; Bulletin No. 4,
*' The Crow in Massachusetts," by E. H. Forbush ; and Bul-
letin No. 5, " The Babcock Milk Tester: its value and im-
portance to the producer of and dealer in sale milk," by
Geo. M. Whitaker. Attention is called to the article in this
issue on " Concentrated Feed Stuffs," by Dr. J. B. Lindsey,
Department of Foods and Feeding, Hatch Experiment Sta-
tion of the Massachusetts Agricultural College.

Progress of the Season.

Report No. 142 (October, 1896) of the Statistician of the
United States Department of Agriculture gives the general
condition of corn as 90.5 per cent as against 91 for the
month of September.

The returns of yield per acre of all wheat indicate a pro-
duction of 11.9 bushels, which is six-tenths of a bushel less

than the preliminary estimate for 1895. The indicated qual-
ity for the country at large is 84.4 per cent against 85.7 last
year. The crop is generally short in quantity and poor in
quality, and it is worst in the great central region.

Cotton shows a decline of 3.5 points from the September
condition, which was 64.2 per cent against 60.7 this month.
Little or no top crop Avill be gathered in any of the States
east of the Mississippi River. The crop will all be gathered
by November 1.

Preliminary reports show a yield of 24.3 bushels of oats
per acre, against 29.6 a year ago. Returns as to quality
indicate a general average of 74.9. The average yield of
rye indicated by the preliminary returns is 13.3 bushels per
acre, against 14.4 bushels in 1895. The average for quality
is 89.9, a loss of 2.5 points from that of a year ago.

The returns of yield per acre indicate an average yield
of barley of 25.6 bushels, against 26.4 a year ago. The
general average of quality is 79.4, against 91.5 last year.
The crop is badly discolored in many localities, owing to
heavy rains and hot winds.

The condition of buckwheat is 1.2 points above that of
1895 at this date, being 86, against 84.8 a year ago.

The general condition of Irish potatoes declined from 83.2
to 81.7 during September, as against 87.4 last year. The
crop promises to be one of larger volume than usual, not-
withstanding a small reduction in area reported in the pre-
liminary returns made in July. A feature of the present
outlook, encouraging to the producer, is the prospective
shortage of the European crop, which will probably cause
an increased demand for the export trade.

On the whole, sweet potatoes are in much better shape
than in October, 1895.

The general condition of tobacco shows a decided filling
off during September, the percentage,. 76.9, being 4.6 points
below that of the previous month. The crop is practically
all housed at the time of this report and generally escaped
frosting.

A further and general decline of sugar cane is shown by
October returns. In Louisiana, the chief producing State,
only about half a crop is indicated.

Rice fell off in condition from 76.5 to 68.6 per cent.
Drought has been the principal cause of low condition.

The average condition of apples has remained practically
stationary during September. The crop is heavy and of fine
qualit}'^ in the northern tier of States, and prices are ex-
tremely low.

In Massachusetts the average yield of rye per acre is given
as 22 bushels ; the average yield of oats as 33.5 ; the average
yield of barley as 30 ; the average condition of buckwheat,
Octoljer 1, as 100; the average condition of corn as 106;
the average condition of potatoes as 71 ; and the average
condition of apples as 97.

Massachusetts Weather, 1896.

(Compiled from Data furnished by the New England Weather Service.)

January opened cold, and an unusually sharp cold wave
prevailed from the 4th to the 8th. Peach buds were almost
entirely killed and some damnge was done to raspberries and
blackberries. The rest of the month was milder. The
ground was not protected by snow during the cold spell,
but there was a slight covering during the rest of the
month.

February was a rough, stormy month, with damaging
floods, heavy snows and much rainy and cloudy weather.
The heaviest rain and snow fall came on the 4th to 7th and
the 29th to March 3d. A severe cold wave prevailed on the
17th and 18th. On the night of the 6th-7th hurricane sig-
nals were hoisted in Boston for the first time in the history
of the Weather Bureau, and the wind reached a velocity of
over 60 miles an hour.

March was typical of the month, though rougher and
more stormy than usual. The rainfall was above the normal
and the number of stormy days also in excess. The snow-
fall was more than usual and there was a fair snow covering
till near the end of the month. The changes in temperature
were rapid, but the daily ranges were not great.

The first and last parts of April were comparatively cool,
with frequent frosts, but the middle of the month gave
almost unprecedented heat for the season. The rainfall was

6

deficient, and at the end of the month grass and grain were
feeling the effects of dry weather. The cool weather of the
first and last of the month held the fruit buds in check, with
good results.

Unusually fair, warm and dry weather prevailed over the
greater part of Massachusetts during the month of May.
There were light frosts in eastern districts on the 20th, 21st
and 24th, but no damage was done. Only a trace of rain
fell during the first two-thirds of the month, and much grass
land suffered severely. Insect pests were reported as very
plentiful. The frosts were not severe enough to damage
fruit buds to any extent. Apples blossomed from a week to
ten days earlier than the average.

The month of June gave nearly normal weather conditions
over the greater part of the State. Many of the nights were
too cool for the best growth of corn, but no damaging frosts
occurred. High temperatures prevailed, but there was no
excessive heat. Moderate showers were well distributed,
and there was a general soaking rain on the 14th. At the
end of the month, however, the top of the soil was getting
dry. There were practically no damaging winds or local
storms to injure the fruit.

Along the coast the mean temperature for July was below
the normal, and the temperature range was small. The rain-
fall was below the normal along the coast, but was in excess
in the interior. There was a good deal of foggy and cloudy
weather, and the number of rainy days was more than usual.
The high wind on the 16th did some damage to corn, grain
and fruit in western counties. The month was a poor one for
harvesting, but a splendid one for the growth of all field crops.

August opened with plenty of heat, sunshine and moisture.
Unusually hot and sultry weather continued over the second
week of the month, and most crops made a very rapid
growth. The last half of the month was somewhat cooler
and dryer, with plenty of sunshine. There was a marked
absence of severe local storms and no continuous rains.
Streams and wells got very low, and the subsoil was very
dry. The month was warmer and drier than the normal.

Light frosts occurred during September on several dates
in valleys and on level plains, but there was no general kill-

ing frost. Rain was frequent and excessive in all districts,
and the ground was well filled with water at the end of the
month. At Boston the mean daily temperature was very
near the normal. The weather was exceptionally favorable
for the growth of late forage crops, and grass on old fields
also thickened up. Local rain and thunder storms were
frequent and damaging.

October has given an unusual amount of cloudy, stormy
weather, although in eastern districts the total rainfall for
the month is fully an inch below the normal amount.

A number of severe storms have passed near enough to us
to give cloudy, threatening weather and some wind, but not
near enough for us to get the worst part of the disturbance.
The most noteworthy was the West India hurricane of the
12th to 16th. This was first noted over the West Indies on
the 7th, and moved slowly up the coast well out to sea.
Warning signals were ordered and displayed all along our
coast, giving ample warnings of the gale. The wind reached
hurricane force on our extreme eastern coast, while the
centre of the storm was several hundred miles outside.

At Boston the mean temperature for the month averaged
one and one-third degrees a day lower than the normal.
The highest temperature was 76° on the 31st and the lowest
33° on the 26th. Killing frosts were noted over most of
our district on the 19th or 20th, but as most of the crops
were already gathered but little if any damage was done.

The weather has been unfavorable for curing corn and for
getting the late forage crops and rowen, and that work has
been somewhat delayed. The wet weather has been favor-
able for pastures and for fall-sown grain and grass seed, and
the present outlook for pastures and grass fields for next
season is very flattering. The ground is well filled with
water, and wells and reservoirs are generally full and ready
for winter weather.

Crops of the Year.
During April farm work was carried on under favorable
circumstances, and was well advanced at the end of the
month. The season opened from one to two weeks earlier
than last year.

8

Extreme drought prevailed during May, and checked the
growth of crops. Feed in pastures was shortened, and old
mowings showed very light. Fall seeding did not generally
winter well. Apples and small fruits blossomed full, but
other fruits were below the average. Insects, aside from
canker worms, were not more than usually destructive.
Spraying is practised only to a slight extent. Good help
w^as a little more plenty than in former years. Wages aver-
aged from $16 to $20 per month with board, and from $1.25
to $1.50 per day without board.

In June cut worms were reported as unusually prevalent
and doing much damage, particularly on the tobacco fields
of the Connecticut valley. Corn was backward but other-
wise looking well, with about the usual acreage. There was
an increase in the acreao^e of both fodder corn and ensilage
corn. Haying had hardly begun, but the prospect was for a
light crop. Potatoes showed a decreased acreage, but gen-
erally looked well. Early market-garden crops were gen-
erally good, with prices not advanced. Late ones promised
well. Dair}'^ products were about average in quantity, with
a slight decrease in price. Pasturage was generally in good
condition. Berries promised well ; apples good ; pears,
plums and cherries light ; no peaches.

A feature of the month of July was the appearance of the
army worm in destructive numbers generally throughout the
State. Indian corn was growing fast and an excellent crop
was promised ; more than usual used for ensilage. Haying
not quite completed, and the crop three-fourths of an aver-
age. Quality generally good, though much damaged by rain.
Forage crops all in excellent condition. Market-garden
crops were generally in good condition. Early potatoes did
not promise a full crop. Apples, grapes and cranberries
good; other fruit light. Pastures generally in good condi-
tion. Rye, oats and barley all good average crops.

At the end of August Indian corn promised to be a very
large crop. Rowen promised better than for some years.
Late potatoes not average, owing to drought, blight and
grubs. Tobacco was generally reported as the best crop for
many years and secured in good condition. Apples and
grapes promised a full crop ; cranberries fallen off, but aver-

9

age ; other fruit light. Pastures generally in good condi-
tion. Oats and barley, good average crops. In most sec-
tions but little attention is paid to poultry, it being regarded
as rather a side issue.

During September corn was cut and stooked, and by Oc-
tober 1 husking had commenced. Crop one of the best ever
harvested. Rowen generally a good crop, and fall feed in
excellent condition. Fall seeding, wherever in, made a good
catch and showed good condition. Onions considerably less
than an average crop, with prices low. Potatoes were below
average in yield and quality and much rot was reported.
Root crops generally promised well. Late market-garden
crops, including celery, in good condition. Apples a great
crop of fine quality ; grapes not average ; cranberries also
fallen off; other fruit poor. A third brood of army worms
appeared in many localities and did considerable damage
to late grain and Hungarian grass.

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. What proportion of the winter apple crop has been
marketed, what proportion exported or sold for export, and
what prices have been received ?

5. How have prices for crops raised for market com-
pared with former years ?

6. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been most profitable?

7. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been least profitable ?

8. Considered as a whole, has the season been a profit-
able one for your farmers ?

Returns were received from 124 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

Root Crops.
On the whole, root crops are good average crops, most
of the correspondents speaking of them as average. Out

10

of one hundred and twenty replies ninety-one speak of them
as average, twenty-three as below average and six as above.
Potatoes are generally spoken of as a light crop.

Farm Stock.

The heavy rains of the past month have kept the pastures
and fall feed fresh and green and farm stock consequently
closes the season in good condition. There is not a single
complaint of poor condition and the replies range from
"average" to "never better." Pastures promise well for
next year.

Fall Seeding.

The same conditions which have operated to keep fall
feed in good condition have been equally favorable to fall
seeding. There are very few reports of poor condition and
most correspondents say that it is very fine. A good catch
was secured in all sections.

Apples.
There was a very large crop of winter apples of excellent
quality. Sales have been slow and probably the greater
portion of the crop still remains in the hands of the growers.
In many sections the bulk of the crop will be held until into
the winter, with the expectation that prices will then im-
prove. Correspondents vary widely as to price, but all
agree that prices have been low. Perhaps a fair average
of prices given would be seventy-five cents per barrel,
including barrel. Not much information was obtained as to
the export trade, but the statement is warranted that only a
small portion of the crop was disposed of in this way and
that the experiment was hardly a success. While some
obtained good prices for the fruit exported, others received
but a few cents per barrel and some nothing at all.

Prices.
The general trend of prices seems to be lower than in
former years. Out of one hundred and twelve answers
seventy-six correspondents speak of prices as lower, twenty-
four as average and twelve as higher. Potatoes bring higher
prices than last year owing to the short crop.

11

Most Profitable Crops.
Some correspondents say that they cannot tell which crops
have been most profitable and others report that there has
been no profit in anything. Sixty-six consider hay to have
been among the most profitable crops ; 28, corn ; 14, potatoes ;
9, milk ; 9, cabbages ; 6, tobacco ; 6, sweet corn ; 5, straw-
berries ; 5, cranberries; 4, asparagus; 4, apples; 3, oats;
3, tomatoes ; 2, rye ; 2, onions ; 2, small fruits ; 2, lettuce ;
2, peas; 1, barley; 1, root crops; 1, pole beans; 1,
spinach; 1, quinces; and 1, turnips.

Least Profitable Crops.
Fifty-five correspondents give potatoes as among the least
profitable crops; 36, apples; 11, corn; 4, squashes; 4,
onions; 3, turnips; 3, cranberries; 2, cabbages; 2, beans;
2, peas; 2, hay; 1, cucumbers; 1, tobacco; 1, milk; 1,
rye; 1, string beans; and 1, fruit.

Profits of the Season.
The majority of correspondents seem to be of the opinion
that the season has not been a profitable one. Crops have
generally been good, but prices have been low and sales
have not been particularly rapid. Tobacco, apples and other
special crops are not yet sold and may or may not increase
the profits of the season when disposed of, but at the present
time the season does not show an average profit.

12

I^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

[Returned to us October 25.]

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Mount Washington (H. M. Weaver) . — Root crops have proved
to be average. Farm stock is above the average of condition for
this season of the year. P^all seeding is looking well. No apples
have been sold as yet. Prices for farm products have been about
the same as in 1895, but less than in former years. Oats and
potatoes have been our most profitable crops, and corn our least
profitable one. I do not think there has been much profit for
farmers in this town this year, or in fact any year.

Lee (A. Bradley). — Root crops have been fully average.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in much better
condition than for many years. One-fourth of the apple crop has
been sold at about 75 cents per barrel, without barrels. All sold
have been for the home market. Crops have brought as good
prices as in former years. Hay has been our most profitable crop,
and potatoes our least profitable one. All things considered, the
season has been a profitable one.

Hinsdale (S. M. Raymond). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding was
never in better condition. About half the apple crop is marketed
at from $1 to $1.50 per barrel. Prices have not been quite as
high as in former years. 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 have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in excellent condition, as there has been
plenty of fall feed. Fall seeding has started well and is in good
condition. Two-thirds of the apple crop has been sold at an
average price of $1 per barrel ; none sold for export here. Prices
have been lower than in former years. Hay and milk have been
our most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one.

13

The season has been a profitable one, considered as a whole. A
few farmers are holding their apples in cold storage.

Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — Root crops have proved to
be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
fine condition. Apples have been mostly marketed, and none were
sold for export. Prices have ranged lower than in former years.
Hay has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. With high taxes and low prices the farmers find
it hard to see where the profit comes in.

Florida (E. D. Rice). — Root crops are not up to the average,
and potatoes are a failure. Farm stock is in good condition.
Fall seeding is in good condition, owing to the rains. Apples
have sold for about $1.25 per barrel. Prices for crops raised for
market have held their own this year. Grass has been our most
profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole, this season has been an average one for profit.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Aslifield (Chas. Howes). — Root crops are above the average.
Farm stock is looking remarkably well. Fall feed and new seed-
ing never looked better. A good deal of rowen remains uncut,
owing to the wet fall. A very few apples have been sold, mostly
for export, at about SI per barrel. Prices have been lower than
in former years. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and
apples our least profitable one. The profit for the farmer is very^
small, as all crops and everything he has for sale are very low.

Deerfield (Charles Jones). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
extra nice shape. The apple crop is about half sold, and about
one-fourth of those sold have been for export; prices from 75
cents to $1 per barrel. Prices have been lower than in past years.
Tobacco will be our most profitable crop if it can be sold at present
prices. Corn has been our least profitable crop. The season has
not been a profitable one, as prices are low on all crops. Onions
are not quite an average crop, and sell from 35 cents to 40 cents
per bushel. No '96 tobacco has been sold as yet.

Shelburne (Geo. E. Taylor). — Farm stock is in good condi-
tion. Fall seeding is in fine condition. But few winter apples
have been sold and the price ranges from 75 cents to $1 per barrel.
Hay and corn have been our most profitable crops, and apples our
least profitable one. All kinds of produce and meat are so low in
the market that there is no profit in any of them.

Bernarddon (R. H. Cusuman) . — Root crops are an average,

14

except potatoes, which are the lightest crop of the year. Stock is
in average condition and pastures hold out well. Fall seeding is
looking well. Probably less than half the winter apples have been
sold ; the best fruit sells slowly at 75 cents per barrel, and the
barrels cost from 25 to 35 cents apiece. Hay and corn have been
our most profitable crops and potatoes our least profitable one.
This has been a hard-times year for farmers.

Northfidd (T. R. Callendar). — Root crops are fully average.
Stock is in good order and pasturage and fall feed are better than
usual. Fall seeding is above the average in condition. Only a
small proportion of the apples have been marketed, and prices
range from 75 cents to $1 per barrel. Most crops are selling at
low prices. Tobacco promises to be our most profitable crop, and
cucumbers have been least profitable. The season has been the
most unprofitable on record.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Root crops have not proved
to be average crops. Potatoes are very light, and onions not over
a two-thirds crop. Farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is
in splendid shape. V'ery few apples have been marketed, and those
sold have brought 75 cents per barrel and the grower furnishes
the barrel ; very few sold for export. Prices have been a little
higher than usual, but the shortage in yield has more than balanced
the increase in price. Should the election go right, tobacco will
be our most profitable crop. Corn has been our least profitable
crop. Considered as a whole the season has been far from a
profitable one.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — Root crops have hardly
proved to be average. Farm stock is in very good condition.
Fall seeding made a good catch and promises well. Very few
apples have been sold at 75 cents per barrel ; none sold for ex-
port. Prices are about 85 per cent of those of former years. Hay
and corn have been our most profitable crops, and fruit, particu-
larly apples, our least profitable one. Most farmers have made
both ends meet, but little more.

Enfield (D. O. Cuickering). — The potato crop is generally
light; other root crops good. Farm stock is looking well. Fall
seeding is in good shape and is looking very well. A few apples
have been sold on the trees at from 30 to 35 cents per barrel ;
have heard of no sales of picked fruit as yet. Prices have been
considerably lower than formerly. Hay and corn have been our
most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. Crops
as a whole have been above the average, but prices have been so
low that there has been but little profit.

15

BelcJiertoicn (H. C. West). — Eoot crops have not proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition, especially cows
in milk. Fall seediug is in remarkably good condition. Prices
average lower than usual except for potatoes, which bring fair
prices. Hay has been our most profitable crop. The season has
been a profitable one, for, though prices are low and sales slow,
the correspondingly low prices of what we buy evens things up.
Taxes and interest, however, do not fall.

Northampton (D. A. Hokton) . — Root crops with the exception
of potatoes are not average. Farm stock is in good condition.
Fall seeding is in first-class condition. Winter apples are selling
at from 60 to 65 cents per barrel. Prices for crops raised for
market have been about average. Cabbages have been our most
profitable crop, and apples our least profitable one. Considered as
a whole the season has been rather better than last year.

Westhampton (F. A. Bridgman). — Root crops have proved to
be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. Scarcely any winter apples have been marketed,
and the prices are very low, about 50 cents per barrel. The price
for potatoes is much higher than formerly, but the crop is short.
Many people depend upon their dairies for income, but butter
from creameries brings so low a price that it hardly pays to keep
cows. Farmers generally have hard times.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Tolland (E. M. Moore) . — Root crops are fully up to the aver-
age. Farm stock is in fair condition, not extra. Fall seeding is
in good condition, though continued wet weather has prevented
the usual amount being sown. A small proportion of the winter
apples have been marketed at $1 per barrel ; none sold for export
yet. Prices are lower than in former years and are growing less
every year. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes
our least profitable one. The season has not been a very profit-
able one to our farmers.

Granville (Joseph Welch) . — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seediug is
in very good condition. No winter apples have been sold. The
crop is very large, and the fruit is very fair and free from worm
holes. Corn, apples and hay have been our most profitable crops,
and tobacco and potatoes our least profitable ones. I think the
season has been a profitable one.

Agawam (R. DeWitt) . — Root crops have proved to be average,
turnips being especially good. Farm stock is looking well. Prices
for crops raised for market have ruled very low. Perhaps the

16

grass crop leads in profit when the price of hay is considered.
"We can tell better after the tobacco is sold ; we hope good things
for the raisers. Milk would seem to be least profitable when it
brings but 2^ cents per quart. The season has not been very prof-
itable.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss) . — Root crops, with the exception of
potatoes, have proved to be average. Farm stock is in good condi-
tion. Fall seeding is in good condition. Half the winter apples
have been sold, one-eighth going for export. Prices have ranged
one-fourth less than formerly. Grass has been our most profitable
crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole
the season has not been a profitable one. Cloudy and wet weather
have delayed fall work so that it is not as far advanced as usual.

Monson (A. H. White). — Root crops have not proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very fair condition. Fall seeding is
in good condition. Very few winter apples have been sold, and
none have been sold for export ; price about $1 per barrel. Pota-
toes are a little higher than last year. Hay has been our most
profitable crop, and apples our least profitable one. Considered as
a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in fair
condition. I should judge that about 25 per cent of the winter
apples were marketed, 50 per cent of which were intended for
export. Prices have ranged from 10 to 30 per cent below former
years, excepting for cabbages, which bring an average price. Cab-
bages have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. Considered as a whole the season has been a prof-
itable one.

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — The weather has been quite
favorable for all root crops except potatoes. Farm stock is fully
up to the average in health and condition. Fall seeding appears
vigorous and thrifty and has growth enough to stand the winter
weather. Not over one-tenth of the winter apples have been put
in the market and none exported ; price for No. 1 fruit, $1.25 per
barrel. Lower prices than usual have generally prevailed. Hay
has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable
one.

West BrooJcfiekl (L. H. Chamberlain). — Root crops have not
proved to be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall
seeding is in very fine condition. Half the winter apples have

17

been sold and about half of those sold have gone for export ;
price 65 cents, including barrel. Prices have been about the same
as in former years. Corn has been our most profitable and pota-
toes our least profitable crop. Considered as a whole the season
has been a profitable one.

Barre (J. L. Smith). — Farm stock is in good condition. Fall
seeding is in extra good condition. One-half the winter apples
are already marketed and two-thirds of the crop is sold to be
delivered by December 1 ; price 60 cents per barrel F.O.B. in
bulk. Very few are exported, most of them going to Philadelphia.
Milk and apples bring lower prices than usual, but potatoes bring
an average price. There has been no profit in any crop, and the
season has not been a profitable one.

Royalston (A. J. Raymond). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Fall feed has been good, and farm stock is in good con-
dition. The wet weather has kept fall seeding looking well.
About half the winter apples are sold at about ^1 per barrel.
Prices are about as usual except for apples, which are lower. Hay
has been our most profitable and apples our least profitable crop.
I think the season has been an average one for profit.

Lancaster (S. C. Damon). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is in
extra good condition. One-fourth of the winter apples have al-
ready been marketed, with 75 cents per barrel as the highest price.
Prices for farm crops have been no higher than in former years.
Hay and eggs have been our most profitable crops, and potatoes
our least profitable one. Farming has been as profitable as any
business in these times.

Princeton (Preston Knight) . — Root crops have been more
than average. Farm stock is in very good condition indeed. Fall
seeding is in very good condition. Very few winter apples have
been marketed, and there are no buyers in this section ; a few have
exported, returns not yet received ; local prices range from 50
cents to $1.25 per barrel. Prices have not been over 75 per cent
of those of two years ago. Root crops of all kinds have been
most profitable, and apples least profitable. Considered as a
whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Sutton (O. P. Johnson). — Root crops are very near an aver-
age. Farm stock was never in better condition. Fall seeding
is not in very good condition. A small proportion of the winter
apples have been sold at $1 per barrel. Prices have not been
quite so high as in former years. Hay is our most profitable crop,
and apples our least profitable one. I think the season will com-
pare favorably for profit with any average one.

18

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. Not over 10 per cent of the winter apples are
sold, and these were sold early for export at from 75 cents to $1
per barrel. Prices are slightly higher than last year, but lower
than formerly. Corn is perhaps our most profitable crop, and
apples our least profitable one. Considered as a whole the season
has been fairly profitable.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding has
done well. But a small part of the winter apples have been
marketed, at about $1 per barrel ; some have been exported, and
some of the returns have been very low. Prices are better than
last year. Asparagus, strawberries, sweet corn and cabbages have
been among our most profitable crops, and apples and potatoes
among our least profitable ones. This season has been better
than last year for the truck farmers, but milk is less in price.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Root crops are below the average.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good condi-
tion. The early apples and windfall Baldwins have been marketed ;
none exported. Prices are a little higher than in former years.
Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. Considered as a whole the season has been fairly
profitable.

Lowell (C. L. Marshall). — Root crops have been a little
above the average if anything. Fall feed has been good, and
farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is a good catch
and promises well. Over half the winter apples have been sold,
mostly to local parties, at very low prices. Prices for crops raised
for market are above the average in most cases. Lettuce and
asparagus have been our most profitable crops, and apples and
potatoes our least profitable ones. The year has been a poor one
on account of low prices.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — Root crops are rather above the
average. Farm stock is in good and healthy condition. Fall
seeding is growing well and promises well for next year. The
greater part of the winter apples have been or will be exported,
and some farmers have received less than 25 cents per barrel for
winter fruit. Prices have been lower than usual, except for
potatoes. Potatoes and corn have been our most profitable crops,
and apples our least profitable one. The season has not been as
profitable as some former ones, as most farm products have been
very low.

19

WincJiester (Marshall Symmes). — Root crops have been aver-
age, and beets and white turnips are especially good. Farm stock
is in good condition. Fall seeding made a good catch, but has not
a large growth. Windfall apples have been disposed of at about
50 cents per barrel ; picked apples are stored for winter sale.
There have been no high prices for farm crops, as in former years.
Lettuce and tomatoes have been our most profitable crops, and
string beans and potatoes our least profitable ones. Living profits
have generally been made this season.

ESSEX COUNTY.

West Newbury (J, C. Tarleton). — Root crops have proved to
be average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding
does not grow well, as it is too wet and cold. A very small pro-
portion of the winter apples have been marketed and none were
sold for export. Prices for crops raised for market have been low.
Hay has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes and apples our
least profitable ones. Considered as a whole the season has not
been a very profitable one.

Groveland (Abel Sticknet) . — Root crops have not proved to
be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is
looking very well, though perhaps a little late. Very few winter
apples have been sold and a small number shipped for export.
Prices are no better than formerly, if quite as good. Hay and corn
have been our most profitable crops. Crops have been good, but
prices are so low that the profits are small.

Topsjield (B. P. Pike). — Root crops have proved to be average.
Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is in very
good condition. Ten per cent of the winter apples have been sold
at from $1 to $1.25 per barrel. Prices for farm products are as
good as last year. Hay and milk have been our most profitable
crops, and corn our least profitable one. Our farmers all seem to
get a living, and that is all they do any year.

Manchester (John Baker) . — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. Very few winter apples have been sold ; price
for good fruit, $1 per barrel. Prices for crops raised for market
are a little lower than in former years. All our leading crops
averaged low in regard to profit. Considered as a whole the
season has not been at all a profitable one.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Root crops have been very nearly
average. Farm stock is in good average condition. Fall seeding

20

looks better than in September, but its growth is late and tender.
Half the winter apples are sold at $1 per bari'el, mostly for local
use. Prices have been low, but about as in former years. Pota-
toes have been our most profitable crop, and corn our least profit-
able one. Considered as a whole the season has not been a
profitable one.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in excellent condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. About three-fourths of the winter apples are
gathered and one-half sold for export at 50 cents per barrel with-
out barrels. Prices for crops raised for market have been favora-
ble this season. Grass has been our most profitable crop, and
potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole the sea-
son has been a profitable one.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Easton (H. M. Thompson). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is
doing well with good prospects of weathering the winter. Apples
here are as a rule stored over or into the winter, when they bring
better prices than sales would realize now. Prices of crops have
compared unfavorably with former years. Hay has been our most
profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Seekonk (Solon Carpenter). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is
in very good condition. There are not many apples this year and
the crop has been sold at low prices. The prices for farm crops
are better than last year. Strawberries have been our most prof-
itable crop. Considered as a whole the season has been a profit-
able one.

Somerset (Joseph Gibbs) . — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Three-fourths of the winter apples have been sold at
from 30 to 40 cents per barrel. Hay has been our most profitable
crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. All crops have been
fairly good, but prices have ruled so low that few farmers have
made expenses.

Fairhaven (F. C. Lyon). — Root crops, except potatoes, have
proved nearly average crops. Farm stock is in good condition.
The condition of fall seeding is excellent. About one-third of the
apple crop has been sold at from $1 to $1.50 per barrel. Prices
have been about the same as in former years. Hay has been our

21

most profitable crop, aud potatoes our least profitable one. Judg-
ing from the full barns and cribs the year has been a profitable one.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Marslifield (J. H. Bourxe). — -Nearly all root crops, excepting
potatoes, have proved to be average. Farm stock is in a little
better condition than usual. Fall seeding is in extra good condi-
tion. Only a small proportion of the winter apples have been
marketed and prices are low ; none exported. Prices are even
lower than last year at this time. Milk has been our most profit-
able product, and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole the season has been a little less profitable than usual.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward). — Root crops have proved to be
average, except that potatoes are not quite up. Farm stock is in
excellent shape, as feed has been good. Fall seeding made a good
catch. Winter apples are being sold in the local markets at $1
per barrel ; very few sold for export. Last year is the only year
in which prices have been as low as they now are. Hay and corn
have been our most profitable crops, and onions, potatoes and
market-garden crops our least profitable ones. If corn and pota-
toes sell at fair prices the season will be a profitable one.

Kingston (J. H. Cushman) . — Root crops have proved to be a full
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding looks
very good where it was sown early. Apples are all gathered, but
there are no sales as yet. Prices are about average with former
years. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and apples have
been our least profitable one. Considered as a whole the season
has compared well with other years.

Lakeville (Elbridge Cushman) . — Root crops have proved to
be average. Farm stock is in extra good condition. Fall seed-
ing is in very good condition. A very small proportion of the
winter apples have been marketed at an average price of $1 per
barrel ; none exported. Prices for farm crops have ruled below
the average. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and cran-
berries our least profitable one. The season has not been a profit-
able one, as prices have been low and the demand slow even then.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Root crops are below the average.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is looking finely.
Apples sell at from S^l.25 to $1.75 per barrel; none exported.
Prices for farm crops have been about average. Sweet corn has

22

been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season has been a very unsatisfactory one, as we suffered
from drought, insect pests, blasts, blights and hail storms to an
unprecedented degree.

Sandioicli (J. E. Holway). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. Some crops have brought very low prices, and
others have been fully up to the average. Crops through this
section have been almost a failure this year^ with the exception
of cranberries and one or two other minor crops. Considered as
a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

Chatham (E. Z. Ryder). — Root crops have proved to be
average. Farm stock is looking well, having had plenty of good
feed. Fall seeding is in fine condition. Apples are very cheap,
very few having been sold as yet ; most of them will be sold at
home at low prices. Prices for farm crops have been much the
same as in other years. Potatoes, turnips, green corn and straw-
berries have been our most profitable crops, and cranberries our
least profitable one. Our farmers have made a very profitable
season. They sell to the summer trade and therefore get good
prices.

Eastham (.J. A. Clark). — I should say that root crops would
be a fair average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seed-
ing is in good condition. There are not many apples for market,
but plenty for home use. Prices are low as a rule. Asparagus
has probably been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. As to profit, we will all make out to live and pay
our bills.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Ti'sbur>j (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Root crops have proved to
be average. Farm stock is in good condition. Only a small
proportion of the winter apples have been marketed. Prices for
crops raised for market are somewhat lower than in former years.
Hay has been our most profitable crop, and corn our least profitable.
Considered as a whole the season has not been a profitable one.

23

BULLETIN OF
MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGRICULTURE.

CONCENTRATED FEED STUFFS.

By J. B. LiNDSET, Ph.D., Department of Foods and Feeding, ITatch Experiment Station.

The term " concentrated feed," taken in its broadest sense, is
meant to include the grains and other seeds of agricultural plants,
as well as their manifold by-products left behind in the process of
oil extraction and in the preparation of human foods.

All cattle feeds, either concentrated or coarse, are made up of
six groups of substances : Water, ash, cellulose or fiber, fat» pro-
tein and non-nitrogenous extract matter.

Water. — The several grains and by-products contain when
placed upon the market from 8 to 15 per cent of water.

Crude Ash represents the mineral ingredients of the seed. It
will remain behind as ashes should the seed be burned. These
ashes consist of lime, potash, soda, magnesia, iron, phosphoric acid
and sulphuric acid.

Crude Cellulose or Fiber is the coarse or woody part of the plant.
It may be called the plant's framework. It is present as a rule
only to a limited extent in the grains and by-products.

Crude Fat includes not only the various fats and oils found in
different feed stuffs, but also waxes, resins and coloring matters.
It is sometimes termed ether-extract, because it represents that
portion of the plant soluble in ether. Fat found in grains and
seeds is comparatively free from foreign substances (waxes,
resins, etc.).

Crude Protein is the general name for all of the nitrogenous
matters of the seed. It corresponds to the lean meat in the animal,

24

and may be termed " vegetable meat." It has the same elementary
composition as animal flesh, and is considered the most valuable
part of the concentrated feeds.

Non-nitrogenous Extract Matter consists of sugars, starch and
gums. The grains are very rich in starch and similar substances.

Carbohydrates. — The fiber and extract matter have the same
functions in the process of nutrition, and collectively they are
termed carbohydrates.

Nutritive Ratio. — The numerical relation which the protein of
a feed bears to the carbohydrates (and fat reduced to carbohy-
drates) is termed its nutritive ratio. Fat is multiplied by 2i to
convert it into carbohydrates. If a ton of feed should contain 96
pounds of digestible protein, and 928 pounds of digestible carbo-
hydrates, it would have 9.4 times as much carbohydrates as pro-
tein or 1 : 9.4, which is its nutritive ratio.

Digestibility . — Any feed-stuff is valuable as a source of nourish-
ment only so far as its various parts can be digested and assimi-
lated. That the concentrated feeds are much more digestible than
the coarse fodders may be shown from the following table : —

Table I.

100 Pounds Timothy Hat
Contains :

100 Pounds Cotton-
Contains

SEED Meal

Composi-
tion.

Per Cent
Digestible.

Pounds
Digestible.

Composi-
tion.

Per Cent
Digestible.

Pounds
Digestible.

Water, .
Crude ash.
Crude fiber, .
Crude fat.
Crude protein.
Extract matter,

15.0
4.3

28.4
2.4
6.3

43.60

58
61
48
63

16.47
1.46
3.02

27.46

8.0

6.9

6.8

10.7

41.6

26.0

32
93

88
64

2.2
10.0
36.6
16.5

Total,

100.00

-

48.41

100.00

-

65.3

The timothy hay has but 48.4 pounds of digestible matter,
while the cotton-seed has 65.3 pounds.

In addition to their increased digestibility the concentrated feeds
as a rule possess a much higher protein content than the coarse
fodders. The above table shows the extremes, the timothy hav-
ing 3.02 pounds and the cotton-seed 36.6 pounds in 100.

25

I, — CLASSIFICATION OF THE CONCENTRATED FEEDS.
Table II.

Division I.

Division II.

Medium to high in protein. Medium in car-
bohydrates.
75 to 85 per cent digestible.

LoiD in protein. High in carbohydrates.
75 to 85 per cent digestible.

Cotton and linseed meals, gluten meal, pea
and bean meals, peanut meal, gluten feeds,
corn oil cake. Atlas meal, Chicago maize
feed. Hall's dairy feed, dried brewers*
grain, malt eprouts,* bran and middlings,*
Boston and Quincy mixed feeds.*

Wheat, oats, barley, rye, Indian corn, corn
and cob meal, corn-germ feed, hominy feed
or chop, cerealine feed, rice meal, oat

feeds.*

Below 12 per cent may be termed low protein, from 12 to 23
per cent medium protein, and above 23 per cent high protein.
Below 50 per cent may be termed low carbohydrates, between 50
and 60 medium, and from 60 to 75 per cent high carbohydrates.
All of the feeds in Division I. have a narrow nutritive ratio (1:2
to 1:5), and those in Division II. a wide ratio (1 : 8 to 1 : 10).

II. PREPARATION, COMPOSITION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF
CONCENTRATED FEEDS.

Division I.

Cotton-seed 3feal. — The seeds of the cotton plant are black in
color, irregular egg-sliaped in form, and almost hidden by a tuft
of white fiber which covers their surface. The meat of the seed
is covered with a thick, tough hull. Machines have been invented
to remove this hull, and the meat is subjected to warm pressure
which removes the greater part of the oil. The pressed cake is
ground, and results in the decorticated, bright yellow cotton-seed
meal of commerce. Sometimes a considerable portion of the hull
is ground with the meat, making a dark meal of inferior feeding
value.

Linseed Meals. — The seeds of the flax are flattened eliptical
oval, pointed at the lower end, and of a brown color. The seed
in its natural state contains 30 to 35 per cent of oil. Twenty to
28 per cent of the oil of the seed can be removed by warm pres-
sure. The pressed cake, dried and ground, furnishes the old proc-
ess linseed meal. Some factories secure a more thorough removal
of the oil by the use of naphtha or other solvent. The naphtha is
removed by steam, and the dried material furnishes what has been

* From 60 to 70 per cent digestible.

20

known as the new process linseed meal. Flax meal is the particu-
lar name of new process meal put out by a single firm. Linseed
meal is a very valuable and safe feed. The brand or brands highest
in protein and lowest in fat are to be preferred. Linseed meals
are generally known as oil meal. This is an incorrect name, the
oil in many cases being very thoroughly removed.

Pea and bean meals are high in protein and fat. Peanut meal
is very high in protein. They are all valuable feed stuffs, and
quite generally used in European countries.

Table IIL
Average Composition.

[Figures equal percentages or pounds per hundred.]

o

.9

a

.a

o

^

is

^

0

s

u

fu

H

8.00

6.90

6.84

10.74

41.62

25.90

10.60

7.20

24.90

6.60

24.70

26.00

8.30

5.90

8.50

2.90

36.10

37.30

9.85

5.26

7.62

2.47

40.16

34.64

9. 70

6.20

7.80

6.60

33.10

36.60

11.50

4.90

5.20

7.30

47.00

24.10

Prime colton-seed raeal,
Poor quality cotton-seed meal,
New procees linseed meal, .

Flax meal

Old profess linseed meal, .
Peanut meal,

65. a
41.6
71.8
71.3

68. 4
70.4

Gluten Products.

The various products known as gluten meals, gluten feeds, germ
feed and the like, are the residues resulting from the manufacture
of starch and glucose (grape sugar) from maize or Indian corn.

The average of a large number of analyses of water-free Indian
corn shows it to have the following composition : —

Crude ash, 1.7 per cent.

Crude fiber, 2.5 per cent.

Crude fat 5.4 per cent.

Crude protein 11.5 per cent.

Extract matter (chiefly starch), 78.9 per cent.

It is quite evident that the coru is made up chiefly of starchy
matters. The removal of the larger part of the starch naturally
increases the proportion of the other ingredients. The constituent
contained in the corn next in amount to starch is the protein, — a
general name for all albuminoids. In case of the corn it is called
gluten, and after the removal of the starch, this being by far the
most prominent constituent remaining, the feeds have been termed
gluten feeds. Even in the best methods of manufacture, the starch
is not all removed, the residues being often made up of one-half
of starchy matter.

* Number not known.

27

Parts of Indian Corn. — The accompanying enlarged cut * of a
corn or maize kernel will assist in locating the four distinct parts
which are of interest in this study.

a is the husk or skin
covering the whole ker-
nel ; it consists of two
distinct layers, the outer
and inner, which when
removed constitute the
bran and contain prac-
tically all of the crude
fiber of the whole grain.

& is a layer of gluten
cells which lie imme-
diately underneath the
husk; it is, as a rule,
yellow in color and can-
not be readily separated
from the remainder of
the kernel. This part is
the richest of any in
gluten.

c is the germ, which is
readily distinguished by
its position and form ; it also contains gluten, though it is particu-
larly rich in oil and mineral constituents.

The large portion {d) is composed chiefly of starch ; the dark
color indicates the flinty part in which the starch-holding cells are
most closely compacted.

How the Parts are Separated.^ — The corn is first soaked in warm
water for many hours, until swollen and thoroughly softened. It
is then run through stones set quite a distance apart. This rubs off
the husk and the germ, and at the same time beats up the starch
and the gluten. The mass is then sifted through fine sieves, the
starch and gluten passing through, the husk and germ remaining
behind to be separated if desired by gravity, the husks floating,
and the germs sinking in the water. The starch and gluten which
have passed through the sieves are separated by running into large
tanks and settling, or by slowly running through long troughs.
The starch being heavier settles to the bottom, while the lighter
yellow gluten-containing material runs ofi from the top.

* This cut was kindly loaned by Director E. B. Voorhees of the N. J. Station.
The description of the same is taken from Bulletin 105 of the N. J. Station,
t Taken from Bulletin No. 48, Vermont Experiment Station.

28

The by-product in this manufacture may either consist of one
product, being a mixture of hulls, germ and gluten, or of three,
when the hulls, germ and gluten are separated. The various gluten
products are, however, all parts of the Indian corn, though they
differ somewhat in color and general appearance.

Gluten Meal.
This product is generally composed of the gluten of the corn, the
hull and germ having been separated. In some brands of gluten,
the germ is evidently ground with the gluten, giving a product
higher in fat. Here follows a table showing the average composi-
tion of the different brands of gluten meal : —

Table IV.

[Figures equal percentages or pounds per hundred.]

Brands.

0)

.a
<

1

o
"a
o

a

•o'Z

Chicago gluten meal (old process),
Chicago gluten meal (new process), .
Manufactured by Chicago Sugar Re-
fining Co., Chicago, III.

3

4

9.2
9.6

.8
1.3

1.1

2.4

6.2
6.0

30.4
38.4

52.2
42.3

81.3

*

Cream gluten meal, ....
Chas. Pope Glucose Co , Chicago, 111.

1

9.0

.6

1.7

7.6

36.6

44.5

79.4

King gluten meal,

National Starch Manufacturing Co.,
New York.

2

7.2

1.7

1.4

19.1

34.6

35.9

80.1

Iowa golden gluten, ....
Firmenish Manufacturing Co., Mar-
shalltown, la.

2

9.0

1.1

6.6

13.3

25.5

44.0

t

Hammond gluten

Btein, Hirsh & Co., Chicago, III.

1

8.2

1.1

1.5

9.7

29.9

49.6

t

The new process Chicago gluten is superior to that formerly
sold, because it contains a noticeably higher percentage of protein.
This is due to a more thorough removal of the starch, and possi-
bly to a saving in gluten formerly lost in the manufacturing
process. The Cream gluten closely resembles the Chicago. The
King gluten meal contains a high percentage of fat.

The Golden gluten contains considerable hull, and probabl}' the
germ, ground with the gluten, which results in a lower protein
percentage.

Hammond gluten meal resembles the old process Chicago.

Gluten meals containing low percentages of fat are safer to feed

* Probably about tbe same as old process.

t Not determined.

29

than those containing high percentages. Excess of fat tends to
produce inflammation of the milk glands (garget) .

All of the gluten meals, Iowa excepted, are very low in fiber;
these products are classed with the cotton and linseed meals as the
most concentrated feed stuffs. They are heavy and when fed in
any quantity should be mixed with some lighter material, such as
bran.

Gluten Feeds.

The gluten feeds consist of the hull, germ and gluten of the
corn mixed and coarsely ground together. They contain more
fiber and fat and less protein than the gluten meals. They are
more bulky and are safer to feed by themselves than the gluten
meals.

Table V.

Average Composition of Gluten Feeds.

[Figures equal percentages or pounds per hundred.]

Brands.

21

O

i

J5
<

15

8.1

.9

1

10.4

2.6

4

7.2

1.2

1

8.4

1.1

5

8.2

.6

7

7.4

1.7

2

7.5

2.9

4

9.9

4.1

1

.9
"S

o

u

Ph

C3

11.9

23.0

49.3

4.4

27.1

48.8

12.4

20.5

51.1

10.2

22.0

51.0

7.1

24.9

51.7

12.4

30.3

37.2

6.5

31.4

39.4

4.4

21.0

50.4

Buffalo gluten feed (old process), .

Buffalo gluten feed (improved process),

American Glucose Co., Peoria, 111.

Peoria gluten feed, ....

Peoria Grape Sugar Co., Peoria, 111.

Diamond gluten feed, ....
Rockford Sugar Refining Co., Rock-
ford. 111.

Chicago maize feed

Chicago Sugar Refining Co , Chicago,
111.

Atlas gluten,

Atlas Distilling Co., Peoria, 111.

Dried brewers' grain (high protein).
Dried brewers' grain (low protein),

6.7

7.6

7.3

7.5
11.0

12.3
10.2

;-77

The improved Buffalo gluten feed is said to be produced by in-
creasing the percentage of ash, the recovery and addition of some
of the gluten formerly lost, and in the extraction of the fat. The
one analysis of improved feed given above bears out this state-
ment. The Chicago maize feed has less fat and rather more pro-
tein than the ordinary gluten feeds.

Atlas Gluten Meal* so called (better gluten feed), is quite differ-
ent from the regular glutens. It is the by-product resulting from

* Atlas feed and brewers' grain are not corn by-products. They consist of hulls,
germ and gluten of different grains, and the process of preparation is different from
the regular gluten feeds. It is thought best, however, to speak of them at this time.

30

the manufacture of liquor from the various grains. The process
consists practically in the removal of a considerable portion of the
starch by fermentation. The residue is kiln-dried and consists of
the hulls, gluten, germ, and part of the starch. It has a slightly
acid smell and taste. The uncertainty in its composition detracts
from its value. Analyses have shown it to be equal to, and in
some cases superior to gluten feeds.

Dried Brewers' Grain * is the residue from beer manufacture. It
consists of some of the starch, together with the hulls, germ and
gluten of the barley. A small portion of the gluten and the larger
part of the starch have been removed by extraction and fermenta-
tion. It varies considerably in composition and has been desig-
nated as high and low in protein.

Miscellaneous Feeds. {Division I.)

Wheat Bran and Middlings. — Wheat has the same general for-
mation as the corn kernel. The bran is the exterior covering of
the wheat, and is removed by machinery in the process of flour
manufacture. Middlings is the layer below the bran, and contains
more starchy matter and less fiber. These feed stuffs vary more
or less in quality, depending upon the quality of the wheat, process
of flour manufacture, etc. Careful analyses and digestion tests
made at the experiment station have failed to note any material
difference in the feeding value of selected spring and winter wheat
bran.

Boston and Quincy Mixed Feeds. — These have also been termed
heavy brans. They are mixtures of bran and cheap flour. Analy-
ses thus far made indicate that they would prove slightly superior
in feeding value to bran alone. Mixed feeds are of very uncertain
composition, however.

Hall's Dairy Feed. — This is said to be a mixture of cotton-seed
meal, gluten meal, bran, corn meal and ground oats. It resembles
the gluten feeds in composition.

Malt Sprouts. — Malt used in beer manufacture is prepared by
moistening barley and allowing it to sprout. The sprouting pro-
duces a ferment called diastase, which changes starch into sugar.
After the formation of the diastase, which requires a certain num-
ber of days, the barley is dried, and the sprouts removed by ma-
chinery and sold for cattle feed. The barley is now termed malt.

* Atlas feed and brewers' grain are not corn by-products. They consist of hulls,
germ and gluten of different grains, and the process of preparation is different from
the regular gluten feeds. It is thought best, however, to speak of them at this time.

31

Table VI.
Average Composition of Miscellaneous Feeds,

[Figures equal percentage or pounds per hundred.]

' —

pi

<

u

s

1

.s

■53

0

Ul

Oh

-OS

Ph

Wheat bran,

49

10.6

6.8

9.8

4.5

16.1

52.2

60

Wheat middlings,

9

10.3

5.1

6.8

4.8

15.7

57.3

70

Boston mixed feed

2

10.9

4.0

5.7

4.5

17.1

57.8

9

Quincy mixed feed

1

9.7

5.4

7.1

4.6

16.7

56.5

9

Hall's dairy feed,

1

7.0

6.2

10.2

9.4

20.8

46.4

9

Malt sprouts

5

9.6

5.9

11.0

1.7

24.8

47.0

58

Division II.
Wheats Barley, Oats, Bye and Indian Corn. — But very little
need be said relative to the grains. They are concentrated feeds
from which many of the concentrated by-products are derived.
They are all very rich in starchy material and poor in protein and
fiber.* Wheat, oats and barley contain as a rule 1 to 2 per cent
more protein than corn and rye. Different varieties vary more or
less in quality within narrow limits. Climatic conditions and fer-
tility of soil also exert a very noticeable influence on the quality
of the grains.

Table VIZ.

Average Composition of the Grains.

[Figures equal percentages or pounds per hundred.]

5i

C

a

cS

a

3 ?„

^

<

£

5

CU

H

"Wheat

14.00

1.72

1.72

1.98

11.41

69.17

73

Barley

14.00

2.32

2.58

1.72

11.95

67.43

73

Oats

14.00

2.92

9.29

4.82

11.35

57.62

58.5

Rye

14.00

1.81

1.63

1.63

10.33

70.60

9

Corn

14.00

1.40

1.80

3.80

9.50

69.50

73.7

Corn and cob meal

14.00

1.34

6.40

3.50

8.69

66.00

68.5

Corn Germ Feed. — This consists of the hulls and germ of the
corn, coarsely ground. It is a by-product from glucose manu-
facture, but is classified here because of its low protein content.
But very little is sold in Massachusetts at present.

Cerealine Feed. — This feed comprises the hull, bran, germ and
some of the starch of the corn. It is the by-product resulting in

* Except oats, which contain 9 to 10 per cent of fiber.

32

the manufacture of the breakfast preparation known as cerealine.
It is very coarse. In chemical composition it resembles corn meal.
While no feeding tests are on record, it can be assumed to have a
nutritive value similar or slightly inferior to corn meal.

Hominy Feed or Chop. — This is the by-product from the prep-
aration of hominy from corn. It consists essentially of the same
materials as cerealine, which it resembles very closely in composi-
tion. It is quite finely ground. The separation of hull, bran and
germ is said to be brought about solely by the aid of machinery
and steam.

Rice Meal. — In preparing rice for human consumption, various
mechanical processes are employed. After the hull is removed,
the rice is brought into mortars holding from four to six bushels
each, and pounded, to remove the yellow gluey covering of the
grain and give it the creamy color so much desired. This pound-
ing really removes the chaff and some of the flour, and leaves the
grain but little broken. The rice is then polished to give it a
pearly lustre, which is effected by friction of the grains of rice
against tanned moose hide. That portion rubbed off is termed rice
polish. The chaff and flour above referred to, and in some cases
the polish also, are mixed and sold as rice meal for cattle feeding.
It is much used and highly prized in Europe, and small quantities
are sometimes placed on our Massachusetts markets. It resembles
corn meal in composition and feeding value.

Oat Feed, Corn and Oai Chop, etc. — Oat feed is the refuse
from factories engaged in the preparation of oatmeal for human
food. It consists of poor oats, oat hulls and some of the bran
and starch which arc removed in the process of manufacture. In
some cases it is mixed with a poor quality of corn, as corn and oat
chop. While it has the same type of composition as corn meal,
it varies much in the quantity of hulls it contains, and consequently
in feeding value.

Table VIII.
Average Composition.

[Figures equal percentages or pounds per hundred.]

^i

5i

.4
<

a>

1

a
'S

1

1

5^

Corn germ feed, ....

9

7.35

1.08

10.85

10.80

11.27

58.65

5

Hominy feed (all analyses),

12

11.10

2.50

3.80

8.30

9.80

64.50

p

Hominy feed (recent analysis), .

1

7.77

2.88

4.27

9.76

11.75

63.57

?

Cerealine feed, ....

2

9.91

2.63

5.32

8.86

12.11

61.17

V

Rice meal

1

10.00

8.40

5.63

13.17

11.69

51.21

66

Oat feed,

10

7.50

4.90

13.00

4.30

11.80

58.50

?

33

Excepting rice meal, the digestibility of the above feeds has not
been determined, but it is probably slightly below corn meal. Oat
feed would frequently show a decidedly inferior digestibility.

III. HOW BEST TO UTILIZE THE CONCENTRATED FEEDS.

Attention has already been called to the fact that such feeds are
especially valuable because of their digestibility and high protein
content. Home-grown coarse feeds on the contrary are of a
starchy nature, and much less digestible. Now many experiments
have shown that milch cows of 1,000 pounds live weight need the
following quantities of digestible nutrients daily: Protein, 2.5
pounds; fat, .5 pound; carbohydrates, 13.0 pounds; total, 16.0
pounds; nutritive ratio, 1:5.4 pounds. Such a ration contains
16 pounds of total nutrients and about 5i times as much carbohy-
drates as protein, and it is said to be properly balanced. Now, if
a cow should be fed all she would consume of any palatable, dry,
coarse fodder, such as an average quality of hay, she would have
at her disposal the following digestible constituents: Protein, 1.4
pounds; fat, 0.4 pound; carbohydrates, 12.4 pounds; total, 14.2
pounds; nutritive ratio, 1:9.5 pounds. Such a ration lacks in
protein as well as in total digestible matter. It has 9.5 times as
much carbohydrates as protein, and is said to be improperly bal-
anced. It is in order to increase the protein and the total digesti-
ble matter, that recourse is had to the concentrated feeds. By the
proper combination of these feeds, fed in approximately definite
quantities daily, these ends can be attained. Here follows the de-
tailed classification of the concentrated feeds made on the basis of
the protein they contain : —

Table IX.

Division 1,

Division II.

Class I.

Class II.

Class III.

Class IV.

Cotton-seed meal, peanut
meal, linseed meals, Chi-
cago, cream and King
gluten meals, Golden and
Hammond gluten meals.

Atlas meal (feed),
gluten and maize
feeds made from
corn, dried brew-
ers' grain.

Wheat bran and
middlings, malt
sprouts.

Wheat, barley, corn,
rye, oats, corn
germ feed, cere-
aline, hominy and
oat feeds.

The feeds in Class I. furnish the largest amount of protein,
those in Class II. next largest, and so on. Those standing first in
their class are richest in protein, and those last poorest. For prac-
tical purposes, in combining the various concentrated feeds into

34

rations, the feeds in each class may be regarded as having approxi-
mately equal feeding values, the market price governing the selec-
tion. Other things being equal, those standing first in their class
are to be preferred (see comparative analyses of different feeds).
The feeds in Class IV. are valued chiefly because they furnish a
large amount of very digestible, starchy feed, and not because of
their high protein content.

Concentrated grain mixtures for milch cows of 1,000 pounds live
weight, to be fed with coarse feeds such as hays, straws, corn
stover, corn ensilage, etc. : —

II.

III.

IV.

100 poundB, Class I.
100 poutids, Class II.
100 pounds, Class IV.
Mix and feed 5 to 7
quarts daily.*

100 pounds, Class I. | 100 pounds, Class I.
100 pounds, Class II. I 100 pounds, Class IV.

100 pounds, Class III,
Mix and feed 7 to 9
quarts daily.

Mix and feed 5 to 7
quarts daily.*

100 pounds. Class I.
150 pounds, Class HI.
Mix and feed 6 to 8
quarts daily.

By 100 pounds, Class I., etc., is meant the particular feed se-
lected in the class, and not all enumerated under the class.

The mixtures are intended to be fed in connection with any
coarse fodder combination. They are also suitable for growing
neat stock, the quantity fed daily to be governed by the size of the
animal. For fattening cattle, two-thirds of the mixture should
consist of one of the feeds in Class IV., and one-third from Class
II. or III.

In case a grain mixture is composed of three concentrated feeds,
see during the winter that not more than two of the feeds have a
high fat percentage and in summer not more than one. In case
two feeds only are employed in the mixture, but one of them
should have a high fat percentage, especially in summer. Those
feeds especially rich in fat are cotton-seed meal. King gluten meal.
Atlas gluten meal and the gluten feeds. Excess of fat, in summer
especially, is very liable to produce inflammation of the udder.

The lesser amount of grain as specified above, fed together with
the coarse feeds, will furnish about two pounds of digestible protein
daily, and the larger amount two and one-half pounds. When cows
derive part of their feed during the summer from pasture grass,
and part from soiling crops, about one-half the quantity of the
grain mixtures can often be fed to advantage. In case the soiling
crops are made up of one-half leguminous fodder, no grain need
be given. Should corn and soja bean ensilage or millet and bean

* If cerealine, hominy or corn germ feed is selected from Class IV., feed 7 lo 9
quarts daily.

35

ensilage be fed in place of clear corn ensilage, the grain ratio can
be reduced about one-third.

As the cow approaches the time of calving, the grain ration can
be gradually reduced. The cow ought to go dry from 45 to 60
days.

Table X.

Shoiving the Comparative Commercial Values of the Different Feeds.

Per Ton.

Per Ton.

Wheat bran

Corn, wheat and barley meals,
Oat meal, ....
Hominy and cerealine feeds,
Oat feed, ....

Kice meal, ....
Wheat middlings, .
Brewers' grains, .
Malt sprouts, ....
Gluten and maize feeds,
Atlas meal (feed),
O. P linseed meals,
N. P. linseed meals,
Gluten meal (first grade), .
Gluten meal (second grade).
Cotton seed meal, .

$18 00
19 00

17 00

18 00
16 CO
21 00
21 00
21 00
23 00
28 00
28 00

31 00

32 50
35 00
31 00
35 00

$14 00

15 00

13 00

14 00
12 50

16 00
16 00
16 00
18 00
22 00
22 00

24 00

25 00
27 00
24 00
27 00

The comparative dollars and cents values of the feeds as given
in the above table do not express their specific physiological effects
in the process of nutrition. The figures are intended to show com-
parative and not actual commercial values. They are obtained by
figuring the digestible protein, fat and carbohydrates at similar
prices per pound. The table shows that when wheat bran sells for
^18 per ton in the market, corn meal should be worth $19, wheat
middlings $21, brewers' grains $21, etc. Again, should wheat bran
sell for $14, corn meal would be worth $15, middlings $16, etc.
The prices of themselves have nothing to do with suitable concen-
trated feed combinations, but are to be used as economic guides
in purchasing. Thus should corn meal sell at $23 per ton, and
gluten feed at $21 per ton, it would not, for economical reasons,
be advisable to use grain mixtures containing corn meal.

IV. FERTILIZING VALUE OF CONCENTRATED FEEDS.

Aside from their direct feeding effects, all feed stuffs have a
distinct fertilizing value. This value depends chiefly on the
amount of nitrogen (protein =: nitrogen multiplied by 6.25) they
contain, those that are highest in that ingredient being most valu-
able. Some feed stuffs, such as cotton and linseed meals, bran,
and brewers' grain, contain considerable quantities of phosphoric
acid and potash.

36

Table XI.

Showing Approximate Pounds and Value of Nitrogen, Phosphoric
Acid and Potash in One Ton; also Comparative Fertilizing
Value, 1 being poorest.

Division I.

It
O

Cotton-seed meal,

Linseed meals,

Chicago, cream and King gluten meals,
Iowa and Hammond glutens,
Gluten and maize feeds.

Atlas meal,

Dry brewers' grain, ....

Wheat bran

Malt sprouts

<o

s

a

o

a

as

•^2

SI

>,

2

^<

5

c
o

^z;

a,

(S

s

134

50

36

$20.13

115

34

25

16.58

120

8

traces

14.76

88

8

traces

10.92

75

8

traces

9.36

96

5

3

11.89

70-100

20

traces

11.10

50

42

28

9.29

78

32

34

12.50

3.7
3.0
2.7
2.0
1.7
2.2
2.0
1.7
2.3

Division II.

Grains, hominy, cerealine and oat-feeds.

$5.50

The above table shows that cotton, linseed and gluten meals
possess the highest fertilizing value, and that they contain from 2
to 3.7 times as much value in fertility as do the grains and allied
products. Such feeds, therefore, when fed to animals, produce a
rich manure.

The concentrated feeds, being easy to handle, can be applied
directly to the land, and as good results obtained as from various
forms of commercial fertilizing material of a similar nature.
When the concentrated feeds are first fed to farm animals, from
80 to 90 per cent of the fertilizing value of the feeds reappears in
the manure, providing the latter is carefully preserved. The same
amount of plant food as it exists in animal excrement, is by no
means as valuable from a commercial standpoint, as a like amount
in the form of concentrated feed, for the very reason that it costs
so much more to handle it. It is as a rule, nevertheless, consid-
ered better economy in a system of mixed farming, to first secure
the feeding effects of the feeds, and then their fertilizing value in
the manure.

V. IS THERE NEED OF A LAW TO CONTROL THE SALE
OF CONCENTRATED FEED STUFFS?

I think this question can be answered very decidedly in the
aflflrmative, and I desire to state the reasons why.

37

Every purchaser of concentrated feed stuffs realizes the great
variety of such substances that are offered for sale, and the
immense quantities that are being yearly consumed by our Massa-
chusetts farmers. Those enumerated in the preceding pages are the
most important ones now in our markets. Scarcely a year passes
but that several new articles, generally by-products from different
industries, of uncertain composition, find their way into the trade.
Now while these substances contain some of each of the several
groups of feed constituents — protein, fat and carbohydrates —
they are purchased chiefly for the protein they contain. The fod-
der crops grown by the farmer are nearly all rich in starchy mate-
rials, and he has recourse to these by-products to supplement his
home-grown starchy feeds, in order to produce well-balanced fodder
rations for his cattle. These various by-products contain from 10
to 45 per cent of protein, as well as from 3 to 20 per cent of fat.
Now an excess of fat in a concentrated feed is objectionable, be-
cause of its liability to produce inflammation of the udder (garget) .
A feed stuff containing from 7 to 9 per cent can be fed with a
greater degree of safety. An excess of by-products high in fat
and protein, fed to animals, is sure to cause trouble. It is, there-
fore, very important that the farmer should have the privilege of
knowing the amount of the important constituents contained in the
feed he is purchasing, and it is only fair play for the manufacturer
to state the quality of the goods he offers for sale.

Again it is a fact that the larger mimber of these individual brands
of feed stuffs vary, from time to time, very seriously in composition.
This I desire to prove from actual analyses made at the Massachu-
setts Experiment Station within the last two years.

Cotton-seed Meal.

Pkime
Quality.

Average 32
Analyses.

Poor Quality.*

I.

11.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

"Water, .
Crude fat, .
Crude protein,

8.00
10.74
41.62

8.00
t
, 12.81

8.00

t
21.75

t

t

22.88

t

t

23.40

10.00

t

26.56

t

t

30.62

8.00

6.69

32.34

These poor quality meals were quite dark in color and contained
the hulls ground with the meat. They were usually offered at
from one to two dollars less per ton than prime meal, on the ground

All analyses made in 1896.

t Not determined.

38

that they were a little "off color." The larger part of them were
really not worth much over one -half as much as prime meal.

Gluten Meals.
The better class of gluten meals has been fairly even in composi-
tion of late. At least one manufacturer prints the guaranteed
composition on the bags. Such an article is of extra quality, and
the manufacturer is desirous of stating the fact. There have
been many gluten meals tested at the experiment station, however,
varying from 25 to 32 per cent in protein, while a high grade meal
will contain from 35 to 38 per cent. Here follows the extremes of
38 analyses of gluten meals : —

ProteJD.

Fat.

Highest,
Lowest,

39.3 per cent.
25.7 per ceut.

21.44 per cent.
3.92 per cent.

Gluten Feeds.
The tendency of one or two of the well-known brands of gluten
feeds is to remain fairly steady in composition. We find, how-
ever, variations of from 8 to 13 per cent in the fat, and from 15.3
to 23.1 per cent in the protein.

III.

IV.

VII.

Water (per cent).
Crude fat (per cent),
Crude protein (per cent),

9.00
11.55
15.30

8.00

8.10

18.90

9.00
13.50
20.10

8.00
12.50
19.60

7.00
13.. 30
21.10

8.00 8.00
13.56 13.60
22.26 23.10

Atlas Gluten Meal.
The following variations of this feed stuff have been noted since
its appearance in our markets : —

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

Water (per cent),

Crude fat (per cent), ....
Crude protein (per cent).

8.00
10.30
22.60

7.00
11.50
26.50

5.00
13.30
31.00

11.00
13.53
33.20

9.00
11.92
35.30

8.00
14.40
37.26

There is a difference of nearly three hundred pounds of protein
in one ton, in different samples of this feed ; and the farmer is
asked to pay the same amount of money per ton in all cases.

39

Oat Feeds.

I.

1

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

Water (per cent) 10.00

Crude fat (per cent), .... 3.02
Crude protein (per cent), . . .8.19

6.50 8.00
3.25 3.00
8.75 9.20

10.00
4.23
10.18

7.00

4.50

11.10

10.00
3.90
14.00

Attention is called to the great variation in the percentage of
protein present, namely : from 8.2 to 14 per cent. Sample I. would
contain 164 pounds, and sample VI. 280 pounds, per ton, a differ-
ence of 42 per cent.

Mixed Feeds.

Boston
Mixed Feed.

Qtjinct
Mixed Feed.

j Heavy Bban.

I. II.

1

I.

I.

II,

Water (per cent)

Crude fat (per cent), .
Crude protein (per cent), .

10.00

4.46

15.12

11.00

5.23

21.60

10.00
4.58
16.70

1

9.00

5.24

15.20

9.00
3.95
18.20

These mixtures of bran and flour vary from 15.1 to 21.6 per
cent of protein.

Dried Brewers' Grain.

I.

n.

III.

IV.

V.

Water (per cent) 1 8.00

Crude fat (per cent), .... 7.40
Crude protein (per cent), . . . ; 14.80

1

8.00

5.50

17.20

8.00

7.80

26.70

7.00

6.70

29.80

8.00

6.30

33.00

While this article is not sold in our markets to any extent just
at present, samples obtained a year ago showed the above varia-
tions.

The figures given, and many more that could be cited were it
necessary, prove conclusively that the concentrated feeds vary
widely in composition and in consequent feeding value.

Recognizing then, firstly, the large number of concentrated by-
products in our Massachusetts markets with very different feeding
and commercial values, and secondly, that the large majority of
these feeds differ quite widely of themselves in composition, and
thirdly, that these feed stuffs are purchased by the farmer prima-
rily for their protein content, it is but fair that the manufactu-
rers should be obliged to state the amounts of the most costly

40

and valuable ingredients (from a feeding standpoint) which they
contain. The law should further provide that these feed stuffs
be inspected at intervals, to see if they are as represented. The
farmers simply ask that the manufacturer state what he sells, and
sell what he states. The farmer is willing to pay a fair price for
his goods. He objects, hoicever, most decidedly, to be obliged to
part with his hard-earned dollars for materials of variable and con-
sequently uncertain quality. Every advantage is, at present, on the
side of the manufacturer. The farmer takes all the chances.

Prof. C. A. Goessmann, in writing on the same subject, has re-
cently used the following language : —

Names may remain the same, while the composition of the article suf-
fers serious changes, in consequence of changes in the parent indnstry.

Sales without due responsibility regarding the particular quality of
the goods delivered leaves the pecuniary risk involved in the transac-
tion in an objectionable degree on the side of the buyer.

The trade in concentrated feed stuffs is to-day in a similar unsatisfac-
tory condition, as was the trade in commercial fertilizers before the in-
troduction of a system of State inspection.

The best interests of both manufacturers and farmers render such
changes desirable as will impose mutual and equitable responsibility on
all parties interested in the transaction.

The limited margins for profit in every branch of animal industry
necessitate a most careful attention to all details of the business.