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the day indicated below.

Series of 1900. Bulletin No. 1.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of May, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1900.

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Crop Report for the Month of May, 1900.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., June 1, 1900.

We present herewith Bulletin No. 1, Crop Report for the
month of May, the first of our series of monthly crop bulle-
tins for the present season. Much the same general plan
will be followed in their issue as in former years, and we
shall, as usual, endeavor to place the bulletins in the hands
of our readers as near the end of the month as possible.
An article by some scientist of reputation will be included
in each issue. This bulletin contains an article on " Insects
injuring market garden crops," by H. T. Fernald, Ph.D.,
professor of entomology at the Massachusetts Agricultural
College, which we would commend particularly to the
attention of our readers.

Progress of the Season.

The May returns of the United States Department of
Agriculture (Crop Circular for May, 1900) show the acre-
age of winter wheat to be about 26,585,000 acres, —
3,5G3,000 acres, or 11.8 per cent less than the area esti-
mated to have been sown last fall. For the area remaining
under cultivation the average condition is 88.9, as compared
with 70. 2 on May 1 of last year, 86.5 on the corresponding-
date in 1898, and 82.7, the mean of the averages of the last
ten years.

The average condition of winter rye is 88.5, as compared
with 85.2 on May 1 of last year, 94.5 in 1898, and 89.7, the
mean of the May averages for the last ten years.

The average condition of meadow mowing lands is 90.8,
against 84.9 on May 1 of last year, 92.9 in 1898, and 91.3,
the mean of the May averages of the last ten years.

The average condition of spring pasture was 91.3, against
83.5 on May 1 of last year, 91.2 in 1898, and 90.9, the mean
of the May averages of the last ten years.

The proportion of spring plowing done by May 1 for the
country at large was 68.4 per cent of the total expected, as
compared with 57.2 last year, 72.4 in 1898, and 75, the
the proportion usually done by May 1.

In consequence of the backwardness of the season, the
statistician is unable to make the usual preliminary estimate
of the new acreage of cotton.

Weather Summary January 1 to May 1, 1900.

(FUBNISHED BY THE WEATHER BUREAU, BOSTON.)

January was milder than usual, the temperature ranging
from 1° to 4° above the normal at all stations of official
observation. The month opened with a general snow-storm
which furnished the greater portion of the snowfall for the
period and the first amount of consequence of the season.
"While the total snowfall for the month was less than the
average, the precipitation, snow and rain combined, was in
excess of the normal by about a half inch. A cold wave of
moderate intensity prevailed for four days at the opening of
the month, and the temperature during the closing week
was below the average, but with these exceptions this
element was in excess. There was an average amount of
sunshine. The average number of days with .01 inch or
more precipitation was 10.

February was distinguished by much unpleasant weather
and more than the average amount of precipitation. The
average number of days with rain or snow, 10, was the same
as for the preceding month. The average precipitation, was,
however, far in excess of that of January, and about 4 inches
above the normal. Excepting rain in southern coast sec-
tions the precipitation was chiefly in the form of snow. The
monthly mean temperature, 27°, was above the normal for
February. The mercury fell below zero at all stations of
observation at some time during the month. The coldest
weather of the season occurred during the month.

5

March was notable for a preponderance of fine, clear
weather, the average number of clear days, 15, being much
in excess of the pleasant weather usually experienced during
this month. There was an average of only 8 days with a
measurable amount of precipitation, which is a remarkable
occurrence for March weather. Notwithstanding the small
number of foul days, the average precipitation for the month
was fully up to normal, and for the greater portion of the
State it was from 1 to 2 inches in excess. It occurred, how-
ever, principally during two storms, i. e., lst-2d and the
10th. The month was colder than usual, the monthly mean
temperature being about 1.5° below the normal.

April was a pleasant month, with more than the average
amount of fair weather. There were 12 sunny days, 7 with
skies partially obscured and 9 with general cloudiness.
The precipitation was deficient, the average amount for the
month being about 1 inch below the normal. Snow flurries
were of occurrence in parts of the State, but the amounts too
small to measure. The temperature was fairly well dis-
tributed through the month. The monthly mean was 1°
above the normal for April. The temperature fell below
freezing during the month at all stations.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[From United States Climate and Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending May 7. — The week averaged colder than
usual in the Lake region, central and upper portions of the
Ohio valley, northern New England, and from Oklahoma
and western Texas westward over the southern plateau
region. On the Atlantic and east Gulf coasts, and also in
the upper Mississippi valley there was a slight but general
excess in the daily temperature averages. From the Mis-
souri valley westward to the north Pacific coast the week
was decidedly warmer than usual. Over much the greater
part of the country the week was drier than the average,
practically no rain falling over large central areas, and also
over the interior portions of the middle and south Atlantic
States. There were excessive rains in Florida and along the

6

New England coast, and the rainfall in California was very
unusual for the season.

Week ending May 14-. — The week averaged slightly
cooler than usual over portions of the central and east Gulf
States and the northern portion of the middle Atlantic
States, and was decidedly cooler than usual over northern
New England. Nearly normal conditions prevailed over
the interior portions of the middle and south Atlantic States
and central Ohio valley, but from the Lake region westward
to the Pacific coast the week was warmer than usual.
More than the usual amount of rain fell in the upper Ohio
valley, and over portions of the Lake region and the upper
Mississippi valley ; and over the northern plateau region
and the Pacific coast the rains were unusually heavy. In
the Atlantic coast districts and the greater portion of the
central valleys the week was drier than usual, and almost
no rain fell over a large part of the south Atlantic and east
Gulf States.

Week ending May 21. — The week was cooler than usual
in the middle and southern Rocky Mountain districts, over
portions of the Missouri and Mississippi valleys, and from
Kansas southward to the Rio Grande valley. On the Pacific
coast, along the northern border from Washington eastward
to the upper lakes, and eastward of the Mississippi, except in
Maine and southern Florida, the week was warmer than
usual. Very heavy rains have fallen in Texas, over por-
tions of the Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys, and
along the Atlantic coast from Georgia northward. There
was less than the usual amount of rain generally throughout
the central Gulf States, Ohio valley, the greater part of the
Lake region, and over the northern portions of the Missis-
sippi and Missouri valleys.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending May 7. — New England. Boston : Heavy
rain checked farm work in coast sections, elsewhere weather
favorable ; too cool for rapid growth of vegetation ; frosts
occurred in parts of all New England States, and snow in
northern portions without damage ; oats sown in nearly all

sections, and coming up in southern portion ; general out-
look promising.

H'« I: ending May 14- — New England. Boston : Weather
unusually cool, ice half an inch thick formed on the 11th ;
peaches generally destroyed, tender vegetables killed, apples
uninjured ; little growth in vegetation ; farm operations
delayed ; season a week to ten days late.

Week ending May ,JL — New England. Boston: Week
opened hot and closed cool, with heavy rain ; grass made
rapid, other vegetation medium growth ; much planting in
southern, little in northern part of district ; season two
weeks late.

The Weather for May, 1900.

May, as a whole, was a very unpleasant month. There
was much more than the usual amount of cloudiness and
very few days when the sky was wholly unobscured. The
rainfall was also considerably in excess of the normal
amount for the month. This was, however, fairly well dis-
tributed through the period. There was a general storm on
the 3d, during which rain fell in about all sections of the
State. The amounts were very large in coast sections. At
Boston the total rainfall during the storm was 2.46 inches.
General moderate showers occurred on the 8th and 9th. A
"spell" of unsettled conditions prevailed from the 15th to
the 21st, during which there were showers on each day in
parts or the whole of the State. The rainfall during the
19th was generally heavy, especially in coast sections where
the amounts ranged from 1 to 2 inches.

The average temperature for the month was considerably
below the normal, the daily deficiency amounting to about
1° per day. With the exception of an unusually warm
day on the loth, when the mercury. rose to 93° at Boston,
the temperature was uniformly cool. Killing frosts were of
general occurrence on the 10th and 11th, and in many locali-
ties where the conditions were favorable, thin ice formed.
The lowest temperature recorded at Boston was 33° on the
11th. With two exceptions, May 3, 1874, when the temp-
erature was 32°, and again on the 3d in 1881, when it fell

8

to 31°, the 15th of the present month was the coldest in the
past 28 years at Boston. The month was marked by a
prevalence of easterly and northerly winds. These, com-
bined with the excess of cloudiness, have served to make the
month one of the most unpleasant of the name within many
years. At the close of May the tendency was to rising temp-
erature and warmer weather.

In the circular to correspondents, returnable May 22, the
following questions were asked : —

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

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

3. How did the fruit bloom compare with the bloom of
former years, and has it suffered from late frosts ?

4. What insects appear to be doing the most damage in
your locality ?

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
can be called good help ?

7. What are the average wages paid farm help in your
vicinity with board ? Without board ?

8. Will there be any marked change in the acreage of
the usual farm crops, and do you note an}' new enterprises
in the line of agriculture ?

Returns have been received from 62 correspondents and
from them the following summary has been made up : —

The Season.

The season opened late and the continued cold weather
of the greater part of the month has tended to still further
retard vegetation. At the time of making returns the season
was apparently ten days behind the normal in most sections.
The cold weather of the early part of the month held vege-
tation in check and retarded the opening of fruit buds and
the germination of seeds, most fortunately, as it proved, in
view of the severe frosts of the 10th and 11th. These frosts

9

did much harm to early vegetables and field crops, and in
a lesser degree to the fruit crop. Farm work is somewhat
behind for the time of year, though well in hand consider-
ing the lateness of the season.

Pastures -and Mowings.
Pastures. and mowings are generally in excellent condi-
tion, and the rains of the 18th and 19th did much to insure
a good hay crop. There are a few complaints of mowings
winter-killing, but they are decidedly exceptional. Fall
seeding did not winter as well as usual, owing to the lack of
snow-covering during the past season. Over a third of the
correspondents, an unusual proportion, report it to be in
cither "poor" or "fair'' condition, or that it has winter-
killed.

Fruit Bloom.

The fruit bloom was the heaviest in years in all sections
and for all kinds of fruit. The severe frosts of the 10th and
11th did some damage, but not nearly as much as was
feared at the time. Peaches suffered most severely, but the
crop was not entirely ruined. Cherries and plums suffered
considerably, especially in eastern sections, where they were
furthest advanced, but the crop of these fruits still promises
to be a fair one, though somewhat impaired. Apples were
not far enough advanced to suffer injury save in very excep-
tional- circumstances and a good set seems assured. Straw-
berries suffered considerably in eastern sections, but other
small fruits appear to have escaped. The time of the fruit
bloom was probably several days later than the normal, as
was also the setting of fruit,

Insects.
Insects are doing very little damage as yet, the cold
weather having probably held them in check. Many cor-
respondents reported that no insects had appeared at the
time of making returns. The tent caterpillar is the only
one at all generally reported and they have done no appre-
ciable damage thus far. Other insects spoken of as doing

10

damage are canker worms, cut worms, wire worms, bud
moths, asparagus beetles and onion maggots.

Spraying.
As in past seasons we can say that spraying against
insects attacking fruit appears to be constantly increasing,
but that at best the spread of the practice is slow. We
would again urge all farmers, whether fruit is a main crop
with them or merely a side line, to spray, both with insecti-
cides and fungicides, as the cost is small and the returns
immediate and certain.

Farm Help and Wages.
There seems to be a fair supply of good farm help, though
the supply of strictly first-class help is, as always, less than
the demand. The proportion of farm help that may be
classed as good appears to ba increasing from year to year,
and this year is no exception. Wages average about $18
per month with board, and from $30 to $35 per month
without board. Wages for day work average $1.25 per day,
with $1.50 in the busy seasons.

Acreage op Farm Crops.
There will probably be even less change than usual in
the acreage of farm crops. About the only item worthy of
note is a promised slight increase of the acreage of tobacco
in the tobacco-growing district, though there may also be a
slight increase in the acreage of forage crops and of corn for
the silo. No new enterprises in agriculture are reported.

11

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us May 22.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews). — The season is late and cold.
Pastures and mowings look well and fall seeding wintered well.
There was a full average fruit bloom, but it has suffered more or
less from frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Spray-
ing is practised somewhat but not extensively. Farm help is
scarce and one in ten is good help. Wages are from $18 to $20
per month with board and from $1 to Si. 25 without board. There
will be no particular change in the acreage of farm crops.

West Stockbridge (War. C. Spaulding). — The season is appar-
ently ten days late, owing to cold weather. Pastures'^and mowings
look finely ; fall seeding winter-killed in spots where ice formed.
Fruit blooms just appearing ; looking well ; not injured by frost as
yet. Tent caterpillars are very numerous. Farm help is scarce
and not over half of it is good help. Wages are from §1.25 to
$1.50 per day without board. The acreage of farm crops will be
the same as usual and there will be no new enterprises in
agriculture.

Otis (S. H. Norton). — The season has been cold and planting
is later than usual. Pastures and mowings promise well. The
fruit bloom is about an average. At present no damage is being
done by insects. Spraying is not practised in this vicinity. Farm
help is very scarce and about half of it good help. Wages are
from $15 to $20 per month with board and from $1 to $1.25 per
day without board. There will be about the usual acreage of all
farm crops.

Becket (W. H. Snow). — The season is about the same as last
year, only that there has been more rain. The promise for
pastures and mowings is good and fall seeding wintered well.
The fruit bloom is just coming out with no injury from frost as
yet. Farm help is very scarce and but a small proportion of it is
good help. Wages average $20 per month with board and from
$30 to $40 per month without board. There are no marked
changes in the acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises in
agriculture.

12

Washington (E. H. Eames). — The season is about a normal
one, agriculturally speaking. Fall seeding wintered well and past-
ures and mowings are doing well ; a good hay crop seems assured
by the recent rains. Fruit trees are as yet hardly in blossom. No
insects are doing damage at present. Farm help is scarce and not
very good. Wages -are from $15 to $20 per month with board and
$1.50 per day without board. Not many crops have been planted
as yet, with the exception of garden stuff and potatoes.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — The present season is a little
backward. Pastures and mowings promise well and fall seeding
looks fairly well. The fruit bloom promises well but it is a little
early here to report on it. Tent caterpillars are about as plenty
as usual. There is not much spring spraying done about here.
Good farm help is becoming more scarce every year. Wages are
$20 per month with board and $30 to $35 per month without board.
I notice no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — The season is a little later than the
normal. Pastures and meadows look well, but there is some com-
plaint that fall seeding did not winter well. Apples, pears and
cherries have blossomed quite well ; very few plum blossoms ; no
damage from frosts. It is rather early for damage from insects.
Very few practise spraying, but I think it is upon the increase.
Farm help is good as a rule. Wages are $18 per month with
board and from $20 to $25 per month without board. There is no
particular change in the acreage of farm crops.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

JRowe (J. F. Brown) . — The season is above the average, agri-
culturally speaking. Pastures and mowings wintered well and
fall seeding is looking finely. Fruit bloom appears to be first
class and has not suffered from frost. Insects are doing no
damage as yet. Spraying is practised by a few and is perhaps
on the increase. Farm help is scarce and about half of it good
help. Wages average $18 per month with board and $1.25 per
day without board. There will be no appreciable change in the
acreage of farm crops, but I think our farmers are inclined to raise
more Durham and less Jersey stock.

Leyden (U. T. Darling). — The season is nearly two weeks
later than usual. Fall seeding looks well and recent rains have
greatly improved the pastures and mowings. Fruit bloom is not
very far advanced, but so far as I am able to judge the prospect
is favorable for a good crop. Insects have done very little damage,
owing probably to the cold season. Spraying has been practised

13

bat little, but will increase in the future. Farm help is scarce and
not over a quarter of it is good help. Wages are from $18 to $22
per month with board and SI. 50 per day without board. There are
no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops and no new enter-
prises in agriculture.

Gill (F. F. Stougiiton). — The present season is a very good
one. Pastures and mowings are looking finely. Fruit trees blos-
somed full and have not suffered from frost as yet. No insects
have appeared this early in the season. Spraying against insects
attacking fruit is practised only to a small extent. Farm help is
scarce. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Ashfield (Chas. Howes). — The season is backward owing to
continued cold weather. Pastures and mowings are looking ex-
ceedingly well since the recent rains and fall seeding wintered
well. Fruit trees were not injured by the late frosts and apples
promise a full bloom. Very few insects are doing damage,
potato bugs and tent caterpillars not having appeared. Spraying
is practised to some extent and is rather on the increase. Farm
help is very scarce this season, but is mostly fair help. Wages are
$20 per month with board and from Si. 25 to $1.50 per day without
board. Grass is our principal crop ; more corn is being planted
each year, mostly for the silo.

Deerfield (Chas. Jones). — The season is about a week late,
Mowings are looking fairly well ; pastures are very good but a
little late ; fall seeding wintered well. All kinds of fruit trees
have blossomed very full and there has been no damage from frost.
Spraying is not practised here. Farm help was scarce the
the first of April but is now more plenty. Wages average $18 per
month with board and $32 per month without board. The acreage
of tobacco will be slightly increased ; no new enterprises in agri-
culture.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — The season is cold and from
a week to ten days late. Pastures and mowings are looking well,
but are rather late ; fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom
was much heavier than usual ; plums and peaches suffered from
the freeze of the 11th, but apples and pears were not far enough
advanced to be injured. No injurious insects have shown them-
selves as yet. There is very little spraying done here ; people are
just beginning in a small way. There seems to be plenty of help
and most of it is good. Wages average 820 per month with board
and $1.25 per month without board. There will be a slight in-
crease in the acreage of both onions and tobacco.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — The season is very backward. Fall
seeding looks well and pastures and mowings are very promising.

14

Fruit trees are just beginning to bloom ; apples are all right, but
peaches are a failure. No insects are doing damage at present.
Very little spraying is done here. Farm help is scarce and about
one-fourth of it good. Wages are from $18 to $20 per month
with board and $1.50 per day and $30 per month without board.
It is too early in the season to note any changes in the acreage of
farm crops.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — The season is about an aver-
age one. Pastures and mowings were greatly helped by the recent
rains ; fall seeding looks well as a rule. The fruit bloom was
above the average ; frost did some damage on low lands, but little
or none on the hills. Tent caterpillars are in evidence, but are
doing little damage. Quite a number of our farmers are spraying
for the first time. Farm help is quite scarce and probably half
of it is good help. Wages range from $12 to $20 per month with
board and from $1 to $1.50 per day without board. The usual
lines are being followed in the acreage of farm crops.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescolt (W. F. Wendermuth). — The season is from two to
three weeks late. Pastures are good but late ; fall seeding win-
tered well. There was a full fruit bloom and very little injury from
frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. No one sprays
here so far as I know. The supply of farm help is equal to the
demand and it is all good. Wages average $20 per month with
board and $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of farm
crops is about the same as usual and there are no new enterprises
in agriculture.

Belchertown (H. C. West). — The season is fully up to the
average. Pastures and mowings promise fairly well and fall seed-
ing wintered well. The fruit bloom was very full and it has not
suffered from frosts. Spraying is very little practised as yet, but
has got to come and is increasing. Farm help is not plenty and
one in four is good help. Wages are from $15 to $18 per month
with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. The
acreage of potatoes will be increased. The only new enterprise
hereabouts is the plowing of bog meadows, converting worthless
wastes into No. 1 mowing lands at comparatively small expense.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The season is some weeks later
than usual. Pastures and mowings everywhere give good promise,
but new seeded clover wintered poorly. The fruit bloom was late
but very abundant ; damage in this immediate vicinity slight, but
in some localities serious ; strawberries much injured. Tent cat-

15

erpillars are doing some damage. Spraying is very generally
practised by large fruit growers and some small growers hire it
done. Farm help is plenty and good men are easily obtained by
offering good wages. Wages range from $12 to $21 per month
with board and from $29 to $40 per month without board. To-
bacco will be more largely grown than formerly. The rain of
Friday and Saturday practically assures a good hay crop.

Hadley (H. C. Russell). — The season is very late and there
is not much corn planted. The promise for pastures and mowings
is excellent. The fruit bloom was the heaviest for years and the
damage from frost was very slight. No insects have appeared as
yet. Spraying is not much practised but is on the increase. Farm
help is scarce and one-fourth of it is good help. AVages are $20
per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. There
will be a small increase in the acreage of tobacco.

Hatfield (Thaddeus Graves). — The season is cold and back-
ward. Pastures and mowings promise well and fall seeding win-
tered well. The fruit bloom was excellent, but it suffered somewhat
from frost. No insects are doing damage, probably because of
the cold weather. Spraying is not practised here. Farm help is
plenty, but hardly any of it is really good help. Wages average
$20 per month with board and $32 per month without board.
There will be no great changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — The season is about ten days
late. Pastures are coming on w7ell and mowings look well, though
slightly winter-killed. The fruit bloom of all kinds was very full,
but cherries, plums and peaches were destroyed by the late frosts.
Spraying is not much practised and is not increasing. Farm help
is very scarce and not one-fourth of it is good help. Wages are
from SI 5 to $20 per month with board and from $25 to $35 per
month without board. There are uo marked changes in the
acreage of farm crops.

Huntington (H. W. Stickney). — The present season is fully as
promising as usual. I have never seen the prospect for a good
grass crop more promising. No insects have appeared as yet.
Spraying has never been practised here very much. Good help is
scarce but there is plenty of poor help. Wages are from $15 to
$16 per month with board. More of our farmers have gone into
raising vegetables than formerly.

Jfiddlefield (J. T. Bryan). — The season is ten days later than
usual. Grass lands started slowly, but are now looking finely.
Fruit trees are blossoming abundantly with no injury from frost.
No damage from insects is reported as yet. Very little spraying
is done here. Help is very scarce, but most farmers are supplied

16

with good local help. Wages average $20 per month with board
and $1.50 per day without board. There will be a slight increase
in the acreage of corn.

*ov

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Tolland (E. M. Moore). — The present season has been cold
and backward and is about a week later than usual. Pastures are
looking well ; mowings winter-killed in spots by ice. Apples and
pears are in full bloom, and the freeze did not hurt them much.
Spraying is not practised to any extent in this locality. Farm
help is scarce and but a small proportion can be called good help.
Wages are from $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.25 per
day without board. I have noticed no marked changes in the
acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Blandford (E. W. Boise). — The season is very near the nor-
mal, perhaps a few days late. Pastures and grass lands are in
extra good shape. Fruit trees are now in bloom, and with the ex-
ception of peaches the bloom is unusually full and the prospect
excellent. Very little spraying is done, but more will be done
this season than ever before. Farm help is scarce and not one-
f~'n-th of at good help. Wages are from $20 to $25 per month
"\ (&* , *, '-o $1.25 per day with board, and from $1.50 to $1.75
ner day without board. Farm crops will be about as usual except
that more forage crops will be put in.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — The season is rather backward, but
is otherwise up to the average. The promise for pastures and
mowings is good at present, and fall seeding wintered fairly well.
Apples bloomed very full ; frost injured peaches and cherries.
Tent caterpillars have appeared. Spraying is practised to some
extent and is rather on the increase, with good results. Farm
help is scarce, and not more than half of it is good help. Wages
are from $.75 to $1 per day with board and about $1.50 per day
without board. There will be no marked changes in the acreage
of farm crops.

West Springfield (J. N. Bagg). — The season is somewhat
backward. The promise for pastures and mowings is good and
fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was very good and
was not seriously injured by frosts. No insects have appeared as
yet. Spraying is not much practised and there is no increase of
it. Farm help is scarce and the proportion that can be called
good help is small. Wages range from $1 to $1.50 per day with-
out board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm
crops.

17

Chicopee (R. W. I'.kmis). — The season is about a normal one.
Pastures and mowings look well, and fall seeding wintered well.
The fruit bloom was quite heavy, and the frosts have not affected
any fruit excepting the peach, if they have it to any great extent.
Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Very little spraying is
done in this vicinity. Good help is scarce and we have to depend
on Polish or French help. Wages are from Si 5 to $25 per
month with board and from $1 to $1.50 per day without board.
There are no marked changes in acreage of farm crops and no new
enterprises in agriculture.

East Longmeadow (J. L. Davis). — The season is above the
average except for early market garden crops. Pastures and mow-
ings are coming on well ; new seeding washed badly last winter.
There was a full fruit bloom, with no damage from frost. A
few farmers spray, but not many know much about it. Help
is scarce and there is no first-class help. Wages are from $15 to
$22 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board.
There will be quite an increase in the acreage of potatoes.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss). — The season is backward, but is
otherwise fairly good. Pastures and mowings are in good condi-
tion, but fall seeding winter-killed on low lands. There was a
very full fruit bloom and the severe frosts did very little dam;
Bud moths are doing some damage. There is very bv" a
done and it is not increasing. Farm help is scaree, and abouti
half is good help. Wages range from $12 to $18 per month with.
board and are about $1.25 per day without board. There are no
marked changes in the acreage of farm crops, and no new enter-
prises in agriculture.

Holland (Francis Wight). — The season is rather backward.
Pastures and mowings are not over promising ; not much fall seed-
ing was done last year. The fruit bloom is fully up to the aver-
age and has not suffered from frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing
some damage. Spraying has not been practised much, but is on
the increase. Farm help is scarce, but most of it is good. Wages
are 81 per day with board and $1.50 per day without board.
There are no particular changes in the acreage of farm crops.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick) . — The season is backward, but other-
wise favorable. Pastures and mowings promise well and fall
seeding is looking finely. There was a very full bloom of apples,
pears, plums and cherries, and a medium one of peaches, but it
was injured by frost to some extent. No insects have appeared as

18

yet. But few make a practice of spraying, but it is on the increase.
Farm help is scarce and possibly half of it is good help. Wages
average $20 per month and $1.50 per day. There is no marked
change in the acreage of farm crops.

North Brookfteld (J. H. Lane). — The season is backward, but
there is plenty of time. Pastures and mowings promise well and
fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is abundant and safe
from frost, so far, seemingly. It has been too cold for insects.
Spraying is not practised and there is not much increase. Farm
help is scarce and not over 10 per cent of it is good help. Wages
are from $15 to $17 per month with board and from $1.25 to $1.75 '
per day without board. There will be no marked changes in the
acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Rutland (L. S. Dudley). — The season is about a normal one.
Pastures and mowings promise well and fall seeding wintered well.
Fruit trees blossomed well and I think have escaped injury from
frost. Potato bugs are doing some damage. Not much attention
is paid to spraying. Farm help is scarce and one in twelve good
help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $35 per
month without board. There are no marked changes in the acre-
age of farm crops, and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Htibbardston (C. C. Colby). — The season is nearly two weeks
later than usual. Grass has started very slowly ; many mowings
badly winter-killed ; fall seeding looking better than that seeded
last spring. Fruit trees are in full bloom with the prospect of a
full year. Very few of our farmers practise spraying, but they
will have to if they want to grow fruit. Farm help is scarce and
good help is almost impossible to obtain. Wages range from $20
to $30 per month with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day
without board. There will be about the usual acreage of the regu-
lar farm crops.

Petersham (S. B. Cook) . — The season is fully up to the normal.
Grass is looking well in pastures and mowings ; fall seeding
winter-killed badly because of bare ground during the winter.
Apple and pear bloom more abundant than usual ; peaches suf-
fered from late frost. But little spraying is done and it is not on
the increase. A few tent caterpillars are the only insects that have
appeared. Farm help is scarce and one third of it is good help.
Wages range from $12 to $15 per month with board and from $20
to $28 per month without board. The acreage of common crops
is about the same as usual. Market gardening and raising small
fruits is on the increase. There is a marked interest in the dairy-
ing business and the number of cows is increasing.

19

Templeton (LuciBN Gove). — The season so far has been un-
usually cold and backward. Pastures are backward and not up
to the average J mowings the same ; fall seeding wintered well as
a rule though late sown did not. The prospect for fruit is favor-
able ; apple trees not yet in bloom. It has been so cold that
insects have not been troublesome. Spraying is but little practised
and is taken up very slowly. Farm help is more dillicult to get
this year than ever; about 20 per cent can be classed as good.
Wages range from $18 to $25 per month with board and from
$1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. The tendency is towards
raising increased amounts of forage crops as a substitute for the
hay crop.

Ashbumham (Albert Needham). — The season is rather back-
ward. Pastures are looking well, but mowings winter-killed some-
what. Fruit trees are not yet in bloom except pear, plum and
cherry, but the bloom is likely to be a full one. Tent caterpillars
are doing some damage. Spraying is practised but little. Help is
hard to get. Wages are from $20 to $25'per month with board and
$1.50 per day without board.

Fitchbury (Jabez Fisher). — The season is a day or two later
than the average of 44 years, in other repects an average. The
winter has been very favorable for grass and vegetation of all
kinds. Apples made a very full bloom, pears fair, other fruits
good ; frost did some damage to all, but it was in very few instances
extensive. There are a few tent caterpillars and bud moths. A
few practise spraying considerably and the tendency is for a slight
increase. Good help is scarce and poor plenty. Wages average
$20 per month with board and $1 .50 per day without board. There
are no changes of note in the acreage of farm crops.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — The season is a fair one. Pastures
and mowings promise well ; some late seeded fields winter-killed
but fall seeding generally wintered well. There was a full fruit
bloom, but it was badly injured by frost. Canker worms are doing
some damage. There is more spraying this season than ever before.
Farm help is scarce, three-fourths of it is good help in this section.
Wages range from $20 to $25 per month with board and are about
$1.50 per day without board. There are no particular changes in
the acreage of farm crops.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — The season has been rather Later
than the average. Grass does not look as well as usual. There
has been a full bloom on fruit trees, but it was badly damaged by
frost. Tent caterpillars are numerous but have not grown fast on
account of the cold weather. Spraying is not generally practised and
is not given enough attention. Farm help is not plenty and I think

20

there is not as much good help as usual. Wages are from $18 to
$25 per month with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without
board. There seems to be nothing new here, milk is the principal
line of business with a few raising fruit and vegetables.

Oxford (D. M. Howe). — The season is above the average agri-
culturally speaking. Pastures and mowings promise well and fall
seeding wintered well. Apples made a full bloom and I think es-
caped the frosts. Tent caterpillars have made their appearance.
Spraying is not very much practised here. Farm help is scarce and
good hands are very hard to find. Wages are from $18 to $20 per
month with board and from $30 to $35 per month without board.
There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Uxbridge (Augustus Story). — The season is very favorable,
though planting is somewhat late owing to cold weather. Pastures
and mowings are in very good condition and fall seeding wintered
very well. The fruit bloom was very full ; peaches suffered from
the frosts. Canker and currant worms are doing some damage.
Spraying is not much practised and there has been no increase.
Farm help is very scarce, and not one in thirty is good help.
Wages range from $12 to $20* per month with board and from $25
to $40 per month without board. There are no marked changes
in the acreage of farm crops. A private creamery owned by an
enterprising farmer has just started.

Hopedale (Delano Patrick). — The season is favorable but
rather backward. Fall seeding is a partial failure. Apple trees
were never in fuller bloom and were not injured by frost. There
are some tent caterpillars as usual. Spraying is not much prac-
tised and I think is not increasing. Farm help is scarce and only
a small percent of it is good help. Wages are $1.50 per day
without board. There is no particular change in the acreage of
farm crops and nothing new in the line of agriculture.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherbom (N. B. Douglas) . — The season is about ten days late.
Pastures and mowings both winter-killed somewhat ; fall seeding
wintered well. I never saw a heavier fruit bloom and cannot
yet tell the extent of the damage from frost. Insects have not yet
gotten down to business. Considerable spraying is done, but no
more than last year. One-third to one-half of our farm help can
be called good help. Wages range from $18 to $20 per month
with board and are about $1.50 per day without board. Things
jog along in about the usual way with very few changes.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The season is a normal one.

21

Recent rains are making pastures and mowings look finely; fall
seeding washed badly during the winter. Trees of all kinds are
overloaded with blossoms and there has been no damage by frost.
Tent caterpillars are our only insect thus far. About half our
farmers spray more or less and the practice is slowly increasing.
The supply of farm help equals the demand and one-third of it is
fairly good. Wages are from $20 to $25 per month with board
and from $9 to $10.50 per week without board. There is a growing
tendency to plant more forage crops.

Maynard (L. H. Maynako). — The season is about a normal
one. Pastures and mowings look well ; late fall seeding looks
unusually well ; some mowings winter-killed by reason of bare
ground and ice. Asparagus beetles and cut worms are doing
some damage. Spraying is practised by a few and I do not think
it is increasing. Good farm help is scarce. Wages are from 815
to 820 per month with board and from 81 to $1.2.r> per day without
board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops
and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Westford (J. W. Fletcher). — The season is rather backward.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition and fall seeding never
looked better. I do not think I ever saw fruit trees bloom so full.
Tent caterpillars are the only insects doing damage and they are
not very plenty. Spraying is not much practised. Good farm
help is scarce. Wages are 820 per month with board and from
$35 to $40 per month without board. The acreage of farm crops
will be about the same as usual.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — The season is somewhat later than
usual but the outlook is promising. The promise for pastures and
mowings is very good and fall seeding wintered well. The fruit
bloom is above the average and only the earlier varieties suffered
from frost. No insects are doing damage now. Very little spray-
ing is done and it is not on the increase. Farm help is scarce with
a fair proportion good help. Wages are about 820 per month witli
board and from 828 to 832 per month without board. There are
no changes to note in the acreage of farm crops and no new enter-
prises in agriculture.

Bedford (IIenuy Wood). — The season is very cold and seeds
do not germinate well. Fall seeding looks well, but grass winter-
killed somewhat. The fruit bloom never looked better and I think
it did not suffer from the late frosts. A few canker worms have
appeared. There are a few who spray, about the same number as
last year. Farm help seems plenty, but not reliable in many cases.
Wages range from $15 to 822 per month witli board and from $35
to 840 per month without board. The acreage of farm crops will
be about the same as usual.

22

Lincoln (Samuel Hartwell). — The season is about a normal
one. The promise for pastures and mowings is excellent and fall
seeding is in fair condition. The fruit bloom was much heavier
than in most years, but it has suffered from frosts. No insects
are doing damage as yet. Spraying is practised to only a small
extent and does not appear to be on the increase. Farm help is
rather scarce, perhaps one-fourth may be called good. Wages
average $20 per month with board and $35 per month without
board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — The season is two weeks later
than the average. Grass is now looking well but has made slow
growth. There is an extra heavy bloom on all fruit trees; pos-
sibly some damage by frost to peaches and currants. There is
some spraying in this vicinity and it is on the increase. Farm
help is scarce, and good help is almost impossible to get. Wages
are $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of farm crops is
about the same as usual. Small fruits do not pay us and several
have dug up their bushes. The cold of the 10th and 11th injured
some tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, corn and beans. We are
now hoeing peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, etc.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — The season is about two
weeks later than the normal. The promise for pastures and mow-
ings is good, and fall seeding wintered well. There was a great
bloom on all fruit trees and the frost did little damage. Very
little spraying is done here. It is too cold for insects and very
few are in sight. There is plenty of ordinary help, but the best
help is scarce. Wages are about $20 per month with board and
from $8 to $10 per week without board. Ploughed fields suffered
during the winter by being washed and gullied.

Wakefield (Chas. Talbot). — The season is a very favorable
one. Pastures and mowings were never in better condition ; fall
seeding did not take very well. The fruit bloom was . never
equalled in this section, and peaches were the only kind injured
by frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Spraying is
very generally practised, but there has been no increase for the
last few years. Farm help is scarce and most of it of poor qual-
ity. Wages are from $12 to $18 per month with board and from
$35 to $40 per month without board. There will be no marked
changes in the acreage of farm crops.

ESSEX COUNTY.
Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — The season is backward ; spring
work well in hand, but warmer weather and sunshine is needed.

23

Recent rains will start mowings ; sun and warmth lis needed for
pastures; fall seeding wintered poorly. All fruits had a full
bloom. No insects but tent caterpillars are in sight as yet.
Spraying is not extensively practised and is not increasing. Farm
help is in moderate supply and of fair quality; about one-half
can be called good. Wages average $20 per month with board
and $40 per month without board. The acreage of farm crops is
about the same as usual ; nothing new in agriculture.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — The season is a little more back-
ward than usual. Pastures are quite good ; mowings winter-killed
somewhat ; fall seeding in fair condition. Apples, pears, plums
and cherries made a large bloom and the frost did not do much
damage. No insects have appeared as yet. Spraying is practised
to a slight extent, and there is not much increase. Farm help is
plenty, and half of it is fair to good. Wages are from $18 to $20
per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. There
is no marked change in the acreage of farm crops.

North Andover (Peter Holt, Jr.). — The season is cold, late
and wet. Pastures are looking well ; fall seeding is good, espe-
cially that which was put in late. All kinds of fruit made a full
bloom. No insects have appeared as yet. Very few of our farm-
ers spray. Help is scarce, but perhaps half is good help if you
don't set the standard too high. Wages are $20 per month with
board and $1.50 per day without board. There will be about the
usual acreage of the ordinary farm crops ; this is a milk raising
section and mostly fodder crops are raised.

Newbury (G. W. Adams). — The season is very late and cold.
Pastures, mowings and fall seeding wintered fairly well. There
appears to be a very full fruit bloom, which was not greatly
injured by frost. Caterpillars and canker worms are doing some
damage. Perhaps half our farmers spray and the practice is in-
creasing very slightly. Decent help is very scarce ; perhaps 3 per
cent are good help but their price is excessive. Wages range
from $16 to $26 per mouth with board and $1.50 per day without
board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm
crops and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Ipswich (O. C. Smith). — The season is backward because of
the cold nights. Some fall seeding winter-killed ; pastures are
coming on well ; the hay crop will be an average one. The frost
did no damage except to peaches ; pear and apple bloom above
the average. Tent caterpillars have hatched out, but are not as
numerous as usual. Spraying is quite general and is gradually
increasing. Help is rather scarce ; good help most so ; not over
one-third is good help. Wages range from $18 to $22 per month

24

with board and from $1 to $1.50 per day without board. Staple
crops will have about the usual acreage ; more fodder crops are
being sown than usual.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — The season is late at present.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seeding win-
tered well. The fruit bloom was very full, but was injured by late
frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Spraying is
largely practised and is on the increase. Farm help is scarce.
Wages average about $20 per month with board and about $35
per month without board. There will be no marked changes in
the acreage of farm crops. Many crops will have to be replanted
owing to the heavy rains ; potatoes and early corn suffered most.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — The dry weather last season left all
grass roots weak. There was an immense fruit bloom of most
fruits. Very few insects have put in an appearance as yet.
Spraying is but little practised with perhaps a small increase.
Farm help is scarce and not above 15 per cent of it is good help.
Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day with-
out board. The acreage of hay and grain grows less and that of
fruit and garden crops greater.

Norfolk (Geo. E. Holbrook). — The season is very backward
except for fruit trees. Pastures are doing well and mowings look
well, with the exception of some winter-killing. Peach trees suf-
fered badly from frost ; apples show a heavy bloom. No insects
have appeared as yet. Hardly any one is spraying. Good help is
scarce, but there is poor help enough. Wages range from $15 to
$20 per month with board and from $25 to $40 per mouth without
board. There is no change to speak of in the acreage of farm
crops.

Canton (E. V. Kinsley) . — The season is a good average one.
Pastures and mowings look remarkably well ; seeding done very
late in the fall but wintered well. There was a very full fruit
bloom ; cherries, peaches and strawberries suffered in some locali-
ties by the frosts of the 10th and 11th. No insects have appeared
except a few tent caterpillars. Very little spraying is done but
some attention is being given to the subject. Farm help is rather
scarce ; good help very scarce ; one eighth perhaps good help.
Wages are from $15 to $18 per month with board and $1.50 per
day without board. The paramount interest of every farmer in
this section is the production of milk for family use, probably 600
cows being kept in this town to supply retailers.

25

Randolph (R. A. Tiiaykr). — Crops are growing very slowly
and the season is late. Pastures and mowings promise well, but
fall seeding did not winter well. There is a full bloom on all fruit
trees ; cherries and peaches injured by frost. No insects have
appeared as yet. There is a very limited amount of spraying in
this vicinity. There is plenty of help and about a third of it is
good help. Wages are from $18 to $20 per month with board and
from $30 to $35 per month and $1.50 per day without board.
Early peas and potatoes are coming on nicely.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — The season is a good one. The
promise for pastures and mowings is excellent and fall seeding
wintered well. The fruit bloom is very heavy. Tent caterpillars
are doing some damage. Spraying is on the increase. Help is
scarce and about one tenth of it is good help. Wages average
$20 per month with board and $45 per month without board.
There will be no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

jransfield (Wm. C. Winter). — The season is a few days later
than usual with unusually late frosts. Pastures and mowings look
well ; fall seeding injured by spring frosts. The fruit bloom was
a good average, but suffered badly from frosts ; cherries and Japan
plums were ruined, apples and pears badly damaged. Currant
worms and potato bugs are doing some damage. Spraying is
practised to a small extent and will be somewhat increased this
year. There is enough good farm help to meet the demand.
Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day with-
out board. The acreage of farm crops will be about as usual ; no
new enterprises in agriculture.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — The season is an average one.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition and fall seeding
wintered well. Strawberries have been seriously injured by frosts ;
other fruit bloom abundant. There are no insects as yet. Spray-
ing is not practised. Farm help is plenty and half of it good help.
Wages are $20 per month with board and from $30 to $35 per
month without board. There will be little change in the acreage
of farm crops. Oats and winter rye are looking well.

Berkley (R. H. Babbitt). — Crops are late on account of cold
weather. Pastures are coming forward fairly well, but many
meadows both new and old are looking poorly. The fruit bloom
is fully up to the average and the injury from frost is slight. Tent
caterpillars are doing some damage. Farm help is scarce and less
than half of it is good help. Wages are $18 to $20 per month

26

with board and $1.50 per day without. The acreage of farm crops
will be fully up to former years.

Swansea (F. G. Arnold). — The season is very favorable.
Pastures and mowings look well. Fruit trees are blooming well ;
the frosts of the 10th and 11th injured peach buds. Tent cater-
pillars are doing some damage. Very little spraying is being done.
Wages are $20 per month with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per
day without board. Owing to the short hay crop of last j'ear a
larger acreage of millet and fodder corn will be planted.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — The season is about an average
one. Pastures look finely ; mowings promise very well ; fall seed-
ing in good condition. All kinds of fruit trees bloomed abundantly,
but the peach crop suffered from frosts. No insects have appeared
as yet. Very few practise spraying, but those who have done so
speak well of it. Farm help is plenty and one fourth of it good
help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per
day without board. The culture of all kinds of grain is on the
decline. Ha}' and the production of milk is the principal industry.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — The season is a fair one at
present. Pastures are in good condition and mowings excellent;
fall seeding wintered well. Asparagus beetles and tent caterpillars
have made an appearance. Spraying is little practised, but is on
the increase here. Farm help is plenty but not experienced.
Wages are from $18 to $20 per month with board and from $1.25
to $1.50 per day without board. Farmers in this vicinity are
largely interested in market gardening and poultry, together with
small fruits.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — The season is about a week
late. The apple bloom was very full but it was injured somewhat
by frost. The green plant louse is doing considerable damage
to lettuce and tomatoes. Very little spraying is done. Good help
is scarce but there is plenty of poor help. Wages are about $20
per month with board and $1.50 per day without board.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas, M.D.). — The season is cold, back-
ward and wet. Pastures and mowings promise well, and fall seed-
ing wintered well. The fruit bloom was the best in years but
suffered somewhat from frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some
damage, but not much. Very little spraying is done. Farm help
is plenty and most of it is quite good. Wages are from $1.50 to
$2 per day without board. There will be no marked change in the
acreage of the usual farnfcrops.

27

Bridgewater (Rowland Cass). — The season is somewhat later
than usual. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and
early fall seeding is also in good condition. The strawberry bloom
was injured by frost ; apple trees bloomed full ; pears about 05
per cent ; neither appear injured ; peach bloom practically all killed.
Tent caterpillars are the only insect at present. Spraying is not
practised in this locality. There is enough farm help for present
needs, and three-fourths of it is good help. Wages are $18 per
month with board and $1.50 per day without board. More pota-
toes than usual will be grown, but there are no new enterprises.

Lakeville (N. G. Staples). — The season is rather backward.
Pastures and mowings are looking well, and fall seeding wintered
well. There is an abundant bloom of all kinds of fruit; peaches
and strawberries have suffered from frost. Tent caterpillars have
done some damage. Spraying is practised to a limited extent but
is on the increase. Farm help is scarce, but nine-teuths of it is
good. "Wages are $18 per month with board and $1.50 per day
without board. There are no changes in the acreage of farm
crops and no new enterprises in agriculture.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — The season is later than usual.
Pastures and mowings are in fair condition. There was a full
fruit bloom, but nearly all the peach, some pear and many straw-
berry blossoms were killed by frost. No insects have appeared as
yet. Spraying is on the increase and many cranberry bogs will
be sprayed this year. "Wages are $18 per month with board and
$1.50 per day without board. There are no marked changes in
the acreage of farm crops.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. "Wicks). — The season is a week or ten days
later than usual. Pastures and mowings are in fine condition, and
fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is the heaviest for
years ; strawberries somewhat injured by frost. The tent cater-
pillar is the only insect to appear as yet. No spraying done here
as yet. There is no help here except foreigners,. Wages are $25
per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. There
are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Sandwich (J. R. Holway). — The season is very cold and
most crops are backward. Pastures poor, mowings fair and fall
seeding in average condition. The fruit bloom was very heavy on
all varieties. Considerable spraying is done on cranberry bogs
and it is increasing every year on fruit trees. Farm help is rather
scarce, and good help is hard to get. Wages are from $15 to $20

28

per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. There
are no marked changes promised in the acreage of farm crops.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — The season is ten days late.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition, but fall seeding win-
tered poorly. The fruit bloom is average, but strawberries were
injured by frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. One-
fourth of our cranberry bogs are sprayed and 5 per cent of our
orchards. Farm help is scarce, and not over 25 per cent of it is
good help. Wages are $22 per month with board and 17 cents
per hour without board. There will be no marked changes in the
acreage of farm crops.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell) . — The season is perhaps a little
backward. The promise for pastures and mowings is fair, much
better than last year, and fall seeding wintered well. The fruit
bloom was fully up to the average with no damage from frosts.
Not many insects have appeared as yet. Spraying is practised
mostly for the cranberry worm and is increasing. There is a fair
supply of farm help. Wages are $26 per month with board and
$35 per month without board. There will be no marked changes
in the acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises in agri-
culture.

Wellfleet (Everett Jacobs). — The season is very encouraging
at present. Pastures and mowings promise well. Orchards have
just commenced to bloom and are looking finely. Tent caterpillars
are doing some damage. Very little spraying is done in this
section. Good help is scarce. Wages $20 per month with board.
There is no change in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — The season is late in most
respects. The promise for pastures and mowings is above the
average. Some of our fruit trees show a very heavy bloom, but
it is not general ; no damage from frost. No insects are doing
damage at present. Spraying is not practised to a very great
extent but is on the increase. The supply of farm help is about
equal to the demand and perhaps one-fourth of it is good help.
Wages are from $10 to $30 per month with board and $1.50 per
day without board. The acreage of farm crops will be about the
same as usual in all respects.

29

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture

SOME INSECTS INJURING MARKET GARDEN CROPS.

By Prof. II. T. Fernald, Professor of Entomology, Massachusetts Agricultural College.

Market gardening in Massachusetts is an important industry.
Created by the growth of cities it must increase as they do, in
order to supply their inhabitants with the vegetable necessities
of life. The successful market gardener is but a short distance
from his market, and in consequence, one of the first indications
of nearness to the city a traveller sees on approaching it, is a
marked increase in the amount of cultivated land and of green-
houses. In fact the market gardens supplying a city, surround it
in a broad and often almost continuous belt.

The continuous acreage of crops thus produced is directly fav-
orable to the rapid increase of those insects which attack the
different kinds of market garden crops, and as this industry grows
larger, we must expect an increased amount of injury from insect
pests. Some of the more common of these and the most successful
methods for preventing loss by them are here considered.

The Asparagus Beetle.

(Crioceris asparagi Linn.)

This too familiar insect was introduced into New York from
Europe about 1856, and is now generally distributed over the
eastern United States. It passes the winter as the adult beetle,
hiding in any protected place. In the spring, about the time the
asparagus begins to appear above ground, the beetles leave their
hiding places and lay their eggs on the young shoots of the plant.
The eggs are quite large, brown in color, and attached by one end
to the plant. They are laid separately, but often quite close to-
gether in rows, and when abundant are very noticeable on the
asparagus tops. They batch in from three to eight days, produc-
ing little gray " grubs " with black heads. Each grub feeds until

30

full-grown, which takes from ten days to two weeks, after which
it leaves the plant, enters the ground and forms a small, rounded
cocoon within which it remains quiet for about a week, during
which time its structure is changing to that of the adult beetle.
"When this change is completed the beetle escapes to feed, mate
and lay eggs for the next brood. This brood has the same history
as the last, and it is probable that a third brood is produced during
the year, before cold weather drives the beetles into their winter
quarters.

Fig. 1. — The asparagus beetle: a, adult beetle; the line beside it shows the real
length of the beetle. On the right a branch of asparagus, showing eggs, grubs and beetles,
natural size; also an asparagus tip with eggs, and places eaten out. {From Chittenden,
Yearbook, Depi. Agr., 1S96.)

The adult beetle is rather less than a quarter of an inch long,
with a black head, red thorax, and yellow and dark blue wiug
covers, the blue forming a stripe along the middle of the back,
crossed near its middle by another of the same color and by a sim-
ilar one near the hinder end of the body. Along the sides of the
back the color becomes reddish.

31

Injuries and Treatment.

Injury to asparagus is caused both by the grub and the adult
beetle feeding upon the shoots intended for market, and also upon
the full-grown plants.

For beds where cutting is done, a few shoots left here and there
to serve as traps will attract the beetles to them if the other shoots
are kept cut as fast as they grow to market size. The trap shoots
should be cut about once a week and destroyed, others being then
allowed to take their places. If this be continued for four or live
weeks the egg supply of the beetles which winter over will be
about exhausted, and if no young have found a chance to develop
on volunteer asparagus near, the danger of damage from the later
broods of the season will be greatly reduced.

In the case of seed beds, dusting with fresh air-slaked lime
while the dew is on is quite effective, as the lime kills every grub it
touches. That it is only those grubs which are touched by the
lime which are killed, however, should be remembered by those
who use this method. Allowing chickens to run in the asparagus
beds is advantageous, as these feed freely upon the insects. Cut-
ting down and burning the seed stems two or three times a year is
also a good practice and is now considered not to be injurious to
the plant. Finally, several kinds of insects prey upon the aspar-
agus beetle and aid the grower to keep this pest in check.

Tin-: Imported Cabbage Worm.

(Pieris rapai Schr.)

This insect like the asparagus beetle is a native of Europe and
made its appearance in this country near Quebec about 1859, since
which time it has spread over nearly the entire United States.

Fio. 2. — Imported cabbage worm butterfly : male and female.

The insect passes the winter as a brown chrysalis, attached to
some board, fence-rail or other object. In the spring the chrys-
alis bursts open, setting free the white butterfly so common around
cabbage fields in summer, and as soon as the cabbages are set out,

32

the butterflies begin to lay their eggs on the leaves, one in a place.
The eggs are rather smaller than the head of a pin, pale yellow at
first, but darker after a few days. They hatch in about a week,

and the little caterpillars which come from them
at once begin to feed on the leaves. At first
pale yellow, the caterpillar as it grows becomes
velvety green, and when full-grown is more
than an inch long. It now crawls to some
protected place where it changes to the chrys-
alis form — the same as that in which the
winter is passed — and becomes quiet while
the internal organs of the caterpillar are being
built over into those of the adult butterfly.
When these changes have been completed the
cabbage'worm^a.'fuii. chrysalis bursts open and the adult butterfly
grown caterpillar; b, appears, and egg-laying for another brood
c iysais- of caterpillars now begins. During the year

there are three broods of these insects in Massachusetts, the
winter being passed in the chrysalis stage.

Treatment.

Several methods may be used for controlling this insect. Hot
water applied at about 130° will kill the caterpillars usually without
injuring the plants, but the disadvantage of this treatment upon a
large scale is evident.

Probably the best method to use is that of spraying with Paris
green or Arsenate of lead, as these poisons are very destructive
to the caterpillars and without danger to the consumer unless the
spraying be done with extreme carelessness and shortly before the
heads are cut. There are several reasons why this treatment is not
dangerous. The head of the cabbage forms from within, only the
very outermost leaves being at any time exposed to the poison,
and these are removed in trimming the head for market. Then
too, the poison is chiefly needed on the outside leaves of the plant
where most of the caterpillars occur, and these leaves are never
cut with the head. Chemical analysis of heads heavily sprayed one
week before cutting showed that not a trace of arsenic remained.
Finally, if spraying be carefully done when the caterpillars first
appear in spring and followed up until the head appears, the
insect will in all probability be so reduced in numbers that spray-
ing after the head is a quarter grown will be unnecessary, thus
removing the last possibility of danger.

This treatment for the cabbage worm is the usual one among

33

some of the largest market gardeners in the country, and no case
of arsenical poisoning from eating cabbage treated in this way has
ever been reported.

Other substances, such as alum, copperas and saltpetre, have
been recommended for use against this insect but are of no value.

Recently a new treatment has been brought forward by the New
York Agricultural Experiment Station as being better than that
recommended above. The material used is known as the Resin-lime
mixture, and is prepared as follows : —

Stock solution : — Pulverized resin, 5 lbs.

Concentrated lye, ..... 1 lb.

Fish or any cheap animal oil except tallow, 1 pint.

Water, 5 gals.

Flace the oil, resin and one gallon of hot water in an iron kettle ;
heat till the resin is softened, then carefully add the solution of
concentrated lye (prepared by the directions for making hard soap
always given on the can) ; stir the mixture and add the other four
gallons of water, hot; now boil till the mixture will unite with
cold water and make a clear, amber-colored liquid ; now add
water enough to make up five gallons.

With this as a stock solution, to spray take :

Resin lime prepared as above, ...... 1 gal.

Water, 16 gals.

Milk of lime 3 gals.

Paris green, .......... 1-4 lb.

Bring these together in the order in which they are named, add-
ing the Paris green last, stir thoroughly, and spray the plants.
Do not prepare the spraying solution mixture, however, till ready
to use it, as it settles on standing.

This treatment has been used with good success, and with refer-
ence to it the following statements are made : First, that by it
late cabbage and cauliflower can be protected from the attacks of
the cabbage worm and cabbage looper by two sprayings. Second,
that in the case of cabbage the yield can be increased sixty per
cent to one hundred per cent. Third, that the cost per acre will
depend on the number of acres sprayed, the cost of spraying ten
acres twice being §20. Fourth, that the mixture must not be
applied to cabbage after the heads are two-thirds grown, nor to
cauliflower after the " flower" appears. Fifth, that only skilled
workmen should be permitted to spray cauliflower.

In view of the amount of work necessary to prepare this mixture,
and the amount of care necessary, as indicated by these last two
statements, it becomes questionable whether the advantage gained

34

by using it — a more thorough adherence of the spray to the
leaves — is sufficient to pay for the extra expense and trouble.
In any case it is most likely to be of value where the acreage of
cabbage is very large.

The Squash Bug.
(Anasa tristis DeG.)

The squash bug is a familiar insect in this country on squashes,,
melons and other cucurbits. The adult bugs pass the winter in
any protected places they may find, and, in the spring after the
squashes are well up, lay their eggs on the under side of the leaves.
The eggs are light reddish brown in color and very noticeable on
the leaves. They hatch in a little more than a week, producing
small green and black young somewhat resembling the adult, but

without wings. These young keep quite close
together on the under side of the leaves at
first, but before long work toward the stems,
all the time sucking the juices from the plant.
They feed in this way and grow for about a
month, the insects changing in appearance-
Fig?4.— Squash' bug: from time to time as they throw off their out-
adult bug, natural size, grown skins, till finally after the last of these
molts the changes brought about in this way produce the full-
grown adult bugs which proceed to lay eggs for a second brood.
These develop in a similar manner and many of this brood have
become adult by the time cold weather approaches, when they leave
the plants to seek protected places in which to pass the winter.

Treatment.

This insect does not lend itself readily to treatment. No-
stomach poison is of any use, as both the young and adult only
suck the juices of the plant, and contact poisons such as kerosene
fail to kill any except the youngest, unless used so strong as to
destroy the vines. Under these circumstances other methods
must be resorted to.

It is evident that if all the bugs which pass the winter could be
destroyed no spring brood could be possible. As to do this is
impracticable, however, efforts should be made to reduce their
numbers as much as possible. At all times, but particularly when
the nights begin to grow cool in the fall, these insects tend to-
leave the plants towards dark each evening and seek protection
under fallen leaves, sticks, pieces of board, etc., on the ground.
If shingles or pieces of bark be placed near the plants at such

35

times an early visit in the morning will show many thus collected
where it is easy to kill them. Burning the vines as soon as the
crop has been gathered, and clean cultivation, reducing the number
of places where protection during the winter may be found, also
aid in reducing the number of these pests, while a frequent ex-
amination of the under side of the leaves of the plants in June
and the destruction by hand of all eggs and young found, will
prove to be of sufficient value to more than pay for the time
required to do this.

Other methods which are of value are : the protection of young
plants by coverings if the bugs appear while the plants are still
small ; applying land plaster well soaked with turpentine or kero-
sene to the ground near the stems ; planting an excess of seed
and forcing the rapid growth of the plant by fertilizers. All of these
are of value, but unfortunately no one of the methods here suggested
can be relied upon alone to accomplish the destruction desired.

The Squash-vine Borer.
(Meliltia satyriniformis Hbn.)

The presence of this pest to squash growers is easily recognized
by the sudden wilting and dying of the squash leaves during July.
Its work is so rapid that frequently the wilting and death of the
plants is the first indication of its presence when it is not a famil-
iar insect to the market gardener.

The squash- vine borer passes the winter in the ground, inside a
silken cocoon coated on the outside with particles of dirt. The
adult moths which come from these cocoons appear around the
plants during the first two weeks in July, in Massachusetts
(Harris), and proceed to lay their eggs on different parts of the
vines, though the stems are preferred for that purpose.

A female moth may lay over two hundred eggs scattered
about in this way, and from them little caterpillars will hatch in
from one to two weeks and begin to bore through the stems.
Feeding inside the plant, after four weeks or more the caterpillar
becomes full-grown, whereupon it leaves the stem and burrows
down into the ground for two or three inches, where it forms a
cocoon within which to pass the winter. In Massachusetts there
is but one brood each year. Further south, however, a tendency
to produce two broods is evident, and in the Gulf States there are
doubtless two full broods.

Treatment.

This would be an easy insect to destroy if the caterpillar fed on
the outside of the plant where some arsenical poison could be

36

placed. "Working where it does, however, this method of treat-
ment is not available and others must be employed instead, no one
of which should be relied upon alone, but all be used together.

Fall harrowing of the fields where squashes have been grown
during the summer is very effective. This brings the cocoons up
from where the insects had placed themselves, to the surface where
they are exposed to freezing and thawing during the winter. This,
followed by plowing in spring to a depth of more than six inches,
will destroy many of the insects.

Good results are also obtained by planting a few summer squashes,
such as cymblins or crooknecks, as early as possible, before the
main crop, and between the rows which they are to occupy. Such
trap plants attract more of the borers, which leave the later vari-
eties comparatively unmolested. Of course as soon as the crop
from these trap plants has been gathered, or when the ground they
occupy is needed (if later than the last of July) , the vines should
be raked up and burned to destroy any eggs or caterpillars they
may contain.

When the borers have once attacked a vine, nothing better than
cutting them out is available. If the vines be watched during
July the presence of borers is soon shown by the presence of the
yellowish, powdery excrement of the caterpillars which is forced
out from the stem to the ground beneath. When such traces of
the presence of borers are found the stem of the plant should be
split lengthwise and the borers be taken out and killed, after which
the split should be covered with dirt to aid in healing. If the
plants have been induced to throw out roots at different points
along the stems, by covering them with a little earth at intervals
as they grow the injury caused by splitting the stems to get out
the borers is greatly lessened.

Catching and destroying the moths as they fly about the plants
has also been practised in some places with good success.

Besides the squash, the pumpkin, gourd, muskmelon and cucum-
ber are sometimes attacked by this insect.

Striped Cucumber Beetle.

(Diabrotica vittata Fab.)

This insect is a general nuisance over the greater part of the
United States. The black and yellow stripes along its back make
it very noticeable, while the injury it causes is frequently so great
as to almost prevent the raising of cucumbers at all.

About the time the young cucumber plants are just appearing
above ground, and frequently even earlier, the beetles leave the

37

hiding places in which they have passed the winter and gather
about the plants. Not satisfied to wait for these to reach the sur-
face they often burrow into the ground to meet them and begin
feeding, while as soon as the leaves appear they gather upon them
and upon the stem which is often cut completely off by the insects.
Later, older plants are injured by the beetles, while the young are
at work at the roots.

The eggs of the beetle appear to be placed on the stalks of the
plants just below the surface of the ground, and after a time each
hatches, producing a little slender worm-like form which feeds on
the cucumber roots and other parts of the plant which touch the
ground, till full-grown when it is a little more than a quarter of
an inch long. After attaining full size the grub changes in the
ground into a quiet pupa which does no feeding and which remains
in this condition from one to two weeks, according as the weather
is warm or cold. When this period ends, the outside shell of the
pupa bursts, setting free the adult beetle which proceeds to lay
eggs for a second brood.

Just how many broods occur in Massachusetts is not known, but
there are at least two and possibly three each year.

Treatment.

No entirely successful method for holding this insect in check
has as yet been found. In several ways, however, their ravages
may be lessened at small expense. Where practicable, covering
the hills with netting before the plants appear is of value, as by
the time the plants are too large for the nets, they have attained a
size sufficient to enable them to withstand the injuries caused by
insects, better than those just starting. A convenient form of
netting cover is made by taking two pieces of board about six
inches wide and long enough to reach the plants of the hill. To
the middle of each board nail a pointed piece of lath in such a way
that when the lath is driven into the ground the board will stand
on edge and form one side of a box. Two such pieces may be
placed at any desired distance apart, and cheese cloth be tacked
on so as to form the top and the other two sides of the box. The
chief advantage of such boxes is that on putting them away at the
end of their usefulness, very little space is needed in which to
stow them. While in use the earth should be so packed against
the box as to leave no space for the beetles to crawl under and
thus reach the plants.

Another treatment is to dust the plants while the dew is yet on
with a mixture of Paris green, one pound, and plaster or flour
seventy-five pounds, or else with air-slaked lime.

38

As tobacco appears to be disagreeable to these insects, consid-
erable success has been obtained by applying tobacco dust freely
to the ground around the stems of the plants and renewing the
application after every rain.

The cucumber beetle feeds on the squash and melon also, and
if a few squashes be planted early around the edges of the cucum-
ber field the insect will usually devote most of its attention to
them. Spraying cucumber plants with Bordeaux mixture, once
as soon as the seed leaves appear, again when the third true leaf
develops, and lastly when the plants begin to run, not only makes
the plants distasteful to the cucumber beetle but to flea beetles,
and protects them from various diseases to which they are subject.

Root Maggots,

Under this head may be included the onion maggot, cabbage
root maggot, turnip root maggot, etc.

Fig. 5. — Onion maggot: adult fly at left; crossed lines below, showing natural size.
■Onion plant at right, showing eggs of fly and maggot working on stem below level of
ground.

The adults of these maggots are flies, somewhat smaller than
the house fly, which appear in spring and lay their eggs on the
roots of the young plants. These eggs are smooth, white and
large enough to be seen by the eye. Upon hatching, the little

J%

€MIl>

oco

Fig. 6. — Eggs of onion maggot nitural size and enlarged, at left; maggot natural size
and enlarged, in centre; pupa natural size and enlarged, at right.

39

maggots they produce burrow into the stem, root or bulb of tbe
plant, often causing a serious amount of damage. After feeding
until full-grown the maggots leave the plant and become quiet
pupa1 for a time, after which the adult Hies escape from them to
lay eggs for another brood, of which there are two and perhaps
more, each year, of the kinds here considered.

Treatment.

Many methods have been suggested for checking the ravages of
these pests, but only a few are of any value. Protection from the
cabbage root maggot may be obtained by the use of tar paper
cut to encircle the stems of the plants when these are set out, but
the cost of preparing and applying the pieces reduces the value of
this method. Before the appearance of the maggots the use of
carbolic acid emulsion has been strongly recommended. To
prepare this a pound of hard soap or a quart of soft soap should
be dissolved in a gallon of boiling water. Into this pour a pint of
crude carbolic acid and stir until an emulsion is thoroughly formed.
To treat the plants, one quart of this mixed with about thirty
quarts of water will give the required strength. In applying this
emulsion, begin the day after the plauts have been set out, or, if
raised from seed, a day or two before they come up, thoroughly
moistening the ground close to each plant with it, and particularly
the stems just below the level of the ground in the case of plants
which have been set out. The object of this is to kill every egg
and maggot present, by actual contact with the emulsion. This
treatment should be repeated every week or ten days till about the
first of June. " Whoever has tried this emulsion thoroughly,
reports success " (Slingerland) .

Another and apparently equally successful treatment is b}r the
use of carbon disulphide. To apply this properly an apparatus
such as the McGowan injector is necessary. In using this, push
the tip of the injector into the ground three or four inches away
from the plant and run it obliquely down to a point just below the
roots ; then force about a teaspoonful of the carbon disulphide out
of the injector into the ground, remove the injector and close up
the hole with earth pressed down by the foot. This treatment
usually needs to be made but once, when the maggots first appear,
but would probably be more effective with cabbage and cauliflower
than with onions, turnips and radishes, where the carbolic acid
emulsion treatment is preferable.

Looking for and crushing the eggs and maggots by hand is also
highly recommended where labor is cheap.

40

Flea Beetles.
Flea beetles of several kinds are often present in destructive
abundance on various plants early in spring. They feed on the
tissues, making little holes, and when disturbed take sudden leaps
which make it difficult to capture them. The young of these in-
sects are stem and leaf miners, but rarely do sufficient damage to
require treatment. For the beetles themselves, spraying the plants
attacked, with Paris green, Arsenate of lead or any of the stomach
poisons is usually entirely effective, though as various plant
diseases often begin at the holes made by these insects it is gen-
erally better to use Bordeaux mixture with a little of the poison
added, as Bordeaux mixture appears to be successful against flea
beetles as well as being a fungicide.

Cut Worms.

Under the name "'cut worms " are included the caterpillars of a
large number of kinds of moths, which hide in the ground during
the daytime and feed at night.

In cases where these pests are known to be abundant in sodland
which is to be cultivated, it is advisable to plow quite early in
the fall, and apply the potash which is to be used at this time,
Kainit being strongly recommended by some writers as probably
the best form of fertilizer to use for this purpose, as it is objection-
able to the insects.

Cut worms can also be destroyed by the use of traps. To pre-
pare these, spray a small piece of clover or any juicy plant with
one of the stomach poisons (one pound of the poison to fifty gal-
lons of water) and then mow it close and spread this poisoned
food in little heaps here and there over the field which should be
ready for planting. The cut worms finding nothing else to feed
on will eat this poisoned food and a large proportion will be
destroyed.

Later in the season if cut worms appear, after the crop is up,
protection from their ravages may be secured by mixing one pound
of Paris green with fifty pounds of bran. When these are thor-
oughly mixed add water and a little molasses till the whole is
about like dough. A tablespoonful at the base of each plant is
more attractive to the cut worm than the plant itself, and ten
pounds should be sufficient to protect about an acre of potatoes or
other crop planted in that way. Care, however, should be taken,
that fowls and other animals likely to feed on this poisoned food
be kept away from it while it is exposed.

This method should also be successful where cut worms are
troublesome in greenhouses.

Series of 1900. Bulletin No. 2.

MASSACHUSETTS

CROP REPORT

FOR TUE

Month of June, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1900.

Crop Report for the Month of June, 1900.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., July 2, 1900.

Bulletin No. 2, Crop Report for the month of June, is
herewith presented. We desire to call the attention of our
readers to the article at the close of the bulletin, on " Pos-
sibilities for Farm Forestry in Massachusetts," by Allen
Chamberlain, secretary of the Massachusetts Forestry Asso-
ciation. This is a subject which deserves more attention at
the hands of the farmers of the State than they usually give
to it, and we feel sure that a careful perusal of this article
cannot but be beneficial to all our readers.

Progress of the Season.

The June returns of the United States Department of
Agriculture (Crop Circular for June, 1900) indicate a
reduction of 1,676,000 acres in the winter wheat acreage,
in addition to that announced May 10, bringing the area of
winter wheat under cultivation June 1 down to 24,908,000
acres, or a reduction from the area sown in the fall of
5,240,000 acres. The condition of winter wheat also declined
during May 6.2 points, the condition June 1 being 82.7,
against 88.9 on May 1, 67.3 last year, 90.8 at the correspond-
ing date in 1898, and a ten-year average of 80.7. Prelimi-
nary reports on spring wheat acreage indicate a reduction of
about 567,000 acres, or 2.9 per cent. The average condition
of spring wheat June 1 was 87.3, as compared with 91.4 last
year, 100.9 at the corresponding date in 1898, and a ten-
year average of 93.

The total reported acreage in oats exceeds the acreage
harvested last year by 3.9 per cent. The average condition
of oats is 91.7, against 88.7 on June 1 last year, 98 at the
corresponding date in 1898, and a ten-year average of 89.8.

The acreage reported as under barley is six-tenths of 1 per
cent greater than the area harvested last year. The average
condition of barley is 86.2, against 91.4 last year, 78.8 at
the corresponding date in 1898, and a ten-year average of
88.5.

The acreage under rye shows a reduction of 4.1 per cent
from that harvested last year. The average condition of rye
is 87.6, as compared with 84.5 on June 1 last year, 97.1 at
the corresponding date in 1898, and a ten-year average of
89.9.

The average condition of the apple crop is exceptionally
favorable, the whole of the fourteen States having 3,000,000
or upward apple trees in bearing at the last census reporting
a condition above, and most of them considerably above,
their ten-year averages. Of the remaining States and Terri-
tories, all but some half dozen have the promise of more than
an average crop.

The acreage of rice is somewhat less than that of last year.
The condition of rice is 5 points above the ten-year average
in Louisiana, the State of principal production, while in
South Carolina and North Carolina, which are next in rank,
it is 3 and 4 points, respectively, below the average.

The present prospects of the peach crop are nothing less
than phenomenal, almost every important peach-growing
State reporting a condition far above the average, and some
even above 100. Among the latter are Delaware, Georgia
and North Carolina, whose reports of 106, 110, 105 are about
double their respective ten-year averages. California, with
a condition of 77, or 6 points below the average, is the only
noteworthy exception.

The total area estimated as planted to cotton is 25,558,000
acres, an increase of 2,036,000 acres, or 8.7 per cent over
the productive area of last year. The average condition of
the growing crop on June 1 was 82.5, as compared with
85.7 last year, 89 at the corresponding date in 1898, and
87.1 the mean of the June averages of the last ten years.
This is the lowest June condition, with one exception, for
twenty years. A largely increased use of fertilizers is re-
ported from the older States, and unusual care is generally
being exercised in cultivation.

The condition of clover in almost .ill the principal clover
States falls considerably below the ten-year average.

In Massachusetts the acreage of rye as compared with
last year is giveo as 95, and the average condition June 1
as 94 ; the acreage of oats as 101, and the condition as 90 ;
the acreage of barley as 98, and the condition as 84; the
acreage of clover as 101, and the condition as 93 ; the aver-
age condition of spring pasture as 92 ; the average condi-
tion of apples as 102 ; and the average condition of peaches
as 72.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[From United States Climate and Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending May 28. — In the middle and north Pacific
coast regions and generally throughout the Gulf and Atlantic
coast districts the week was cooler than the average. Over
the central and southern Plateau regions, including southern
California, and from the northern Rocky Mountain region
eastward over the central valleys and the Lake region, the
week averaged warmer than usual, the most marked excess
occurring in the upper Missouri valley and the upper Lake
region. More than the usual amount of rain fell on the
north Pacific coast, over portions of central and western
Texas, Florida, the northern portions of the east Gulf and
South Atlantic States, the middle Atlantic coast, central
Kansas and local areas in eastern Nebraska, northern Illinois,
southern portions of Wisconsin and Michigan and central
Indiana. Over much the greater portion of the country,
however, the weekly precipitation was below the average.

Week ending June 4. — The week, as a whole, was
warmer than usual, only comparatively limited areas show-
ing temperatures below the normal. It was decidedly warm
in the central Rocky Mountain region, Missouri valley, and in
northern New England. In the Southern States and generally
to the east of the Mississippi except in northern New Eng-
land, the temperature differed but slightly from the normal
although generally in excess. On the south Atlantic and
central Gulf coasts, in portions of the Ohio valley and upper
Lake region, over western Texas and on the central Pacific
coast, average daily temperatures were slightly below the

6

normal. Exceptionally heavy rains fell during the week
over the greater portion of the central and west Gulf States,
in the lower Ohio valley, and in portions of the Lake region
and the central Mississippi valley. From southern New
England to the east Gulf coast the rainfall was below the
average, and there was also decidedly less than the average
weekly rainfall over much of the lower Missouri and upper
Mississippi valleys.

Week ending June 11. — Nearly normal temperature con-
ditions prevailed in the lower Ohio valley, east Gulf States,
and along the immediate Atlantic coast. Throughout the
greater part of the country the week averaged warmer than
usual, the average daily temperature excess ranging from 3°
to 6° over the interior of Middle and South Atlantic States,
and portions of the Lake region, and amounting to over 3°
over nearly the whole of the country to the west of the Mis-
sissippi River. Heavy rains fell in southern Georgia, north-
ern Florida, over the northern portions of the east Gulf
States, southern Louisiana, western Tennessee, north-east-
ern Arkansas, southern Missouri, southern Illinois, portions
of northern Iowa and southern Wisconsin, central and north-
ern Indiana and northern Ohio, heavy local rains occurring
over limited areas in portions of the Middle and South
Atlantic States. Elsewhere the rainfall was generally be-
low the average, no appreciable amounts falling over south-
ern New England, portions of the Middle Atlantic States,
and nearly the whole of the Plateau and Pacific coast regions.

Week ending June 18. — The week averaged cooler than
usual in the central valleys, Lake region, over the greater
part of the Middle Atlantic and east Gulf States, the interior
of California, and the western portions of the middle and
southern Plateau regions. The week averaged warmer than
usual over the north Pacific coast, northern Plateau region,
eastern Rocky Mountain slope, west Gulf States, over por-
tions of the South Atlantic States and on the New England
coast. Very heavy rains fell during the week over most of
the Middle and South Atlantic and east Gulf districts, in-
cluding the central Mississippi and portions of the lower
Ohio and Missouri valleys. In the Lake region, northern
New England, upper Ohio and Red River of the North val-

leys, Texas, and generally throughout the eastern Rocky
Mountain slope and Plateau regions, the week was drier than
usual, a large part of the Lake region and Texas receiving
no appreciable amount.

Week ending June 25. — The week was warmer than
usual in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific coast regions,
upper Missouri Valley and over the northern part of the
upper Lake region. The week was slightly warmer than
usual in southern Texas and over portions of New England.
Generally throughout the Southern States, lower Missouri,
central Mississippi, and Ohio valleys, including the southern
portion of the upper Lake region and the Middle Atlantic
States, the week was cooler than usual. Very heavy rains
fell during the week in the central and east Gulf, and South
Atlantic States, lower Missouri, central Mississippi, and lower
Ohio valleys. There was less than the usual amount of rain
in New England and the Middle Atlantic States, upper Ohio
Valley, over the greater portion of the Lake region, upper
Missouri and Mississippi valleys, and generally throughout
the eastern Rocky Mountain slope and the Plateau region.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending May 28. — New England. Boston : Weather
continued cool, without extremes ; little precipitation, all of
which fell first part of week ; wet ground at beginning of
week delayed farm operations ; planting in southern New
England about half done ; almost all potatoes seeded ; fruit
promising ; no tobacco planted yet.

Week ending June 4. — New England. Boston: Week
favorable for farm work and growth of crops ; late rains
have been general ; planting about completed in southern
districts ; much com to be planted in northern portion ;
fruit and vegetables excellent.

Week ending June 11. — New England. Boston : Favor-
able week, normal temperature, much sunshine, little rain ;
planting completed in northern and cultivation begun in
southern portions ; rye, heavy crop ; fruit, excepting peaches
and plums, promising ; vegetables excellent ; three-fourths
of tobacco crop transplanted.

8

Week ending June 18. — New England. Boston : Weather
very favorable ; showers near close of week very beneficial,
but rain still needed in many sections of southern portion ;
average hay crop assured ; fruit and vegetables promising ;
tobacco satisfactory.

Week ending June 25. — New England. Boston: Fore
part week dry, abundant sunshine, heavy rains in southern
and eastern portions ; Friday, rain much needed northern
and western portions ; hay crop short ; corn and potatoes in
good condition, hoed once in northern and twice in southern
district ; apples abundant ; peaches plentiful in Connecticut.

The Weather for June, 1900.
The month opened with warm weather, the average
temperature for the first two or three days ranging above
the normal of the season. This was followed during the
latter part of the first week by one or two cool days.
Showers, timely and welj distributed, afforded sufficient
moisture. The second week of the month was continuously
warm. The temperature, however, was not excessive, and
the maximum did not exceed 90 degrees. In addition to the
equitable distribution through the several days, there were
no sharp contrasts in the thermal conditions of the days and
nights. There was much sunshine during this period, with
an average of four clear days. The rainfall was light, in the
form of showers, which fell chiefly on the 8th and 9th.
There was a continuation of fine weather through the third
week, with cloudless skies on an average of three to four
days. The rainfall was light, although it was well dis-
tributed over the State. There was no marked change in
the temperature, which ranged near the average for the
season ; it was, however, slightly lower than for the pre-
ceding week. The closing week of the month was devoid
of unusual features. The temperature did not vary greatly
from the normal, and there were no remarkable extremes
in the maxima and minima. The precipitation was deficient
and irregularly distributed. Excepting in coast sections,
where copious local showers were reported on the 23d,
the rainfall was light. There were fewer thunder storms

than usual during the month, they were of the moderate
type, and little damage resulted therefrom. Considered as
a whole, the weather of the month was generally favorable.

In the circular to correspondents, returnable June 22, the
following questions were asked : —

1. What insects are proving injurious in your locality?

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

3. Has haying begun, and what is the prospect for the
crop ?

4. HowT does the acreage of early potatoes compare with
previous years, and what is the promise for the crop?

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

6. How do the quantity and price of dairy products and
the supply and price of dairy cows compare with former
years?

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

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

Returns have been received from 156 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made up : —

Insects.

Potato bugs appear to be rather more prevalent than for
the last few years, but are so easily controlled that no
serious damage from them is to be expected. Other insects
do not seem to be even usually prevalent, though this may
be due in part to the cool nights and general lateness of the
season. Canker worms, cut worms and squash bugs are the
insects most complained of, 20 to 30 correspondents report-
ing their presence. Other*insects mentioned are tent cater-
pillars, white grubs, spittle insects, currant worms, cabbage
worms, wire worms, asparagus beetles, elm leaf beetles,
grass thrips, horn flies, onion maggots, codlin moths, plant
lice and cranberry fire worms.

10

Indian Corn.

The cool weather of the past month, together with the
lateness of planting, has held corn back until it is now from
one to two weeks behind the normal in development. It is
reported to be otherwise in good condition, the stand and
color generally being first class, and with warm weather and
a normal amount of rainfall the crop should do well. There
appears to be a quite general increase in acreage this season.

The Hay Crop.
Haying was not generally begun at the time of making
returns, but at date of issue it should be well under way in
all sections. The crop will generally be below the average
and in some sections will be very light. The showers of the
22d probably did some good, but we fear came too late to
materially affect the result in most sections. Of 152 corre-
spondents replying to the question in regard to the hay crop,
only 35 speak of it as " average," " good" or " above aver-
age." The quality of the crop generally promises to be good.

Early Potatoes.

The acreage of early potatoes appears to be about the same
as usual, with perhaps a slight increase in eastern sections.
The vines generally look well, though possibly a little back-
ward, taken as a whole, and the prospect is that there will
be a good crop.

Market-garden Crops.

Early market-garden crops are about average as to yield
and price, with the exception of asparagus, though all are
somewhat backward. Asparagus was much injured by frost
and the crop was light in all sections, with prices good.
Later crops look well at present and promise good yields.

Dairy Products.
The supply of dairy products is about normal, and there
seems to be a slight but wide-spread increase in prices re-
ceived for them. Judging from the returns, the reaction
from the falling prices which were reported up to last year

11

has set in. Dairy cows continue scarce in proportion to the
demand, and generally command higher prices even than
ever before.

Pasturage.
Pasturage is on the whole in good condition at present,
though there are numerous complaints that feed is short and
pastures in need of rain. The showers of the 22d must have
helped pastures in most sections, and with normal rainfall in
the future they should do well.

Fruits and Berries.
Strawberries suffered from frost at time of bloom, and have
recently suffered in many sections from the dry weather.
The crop will as a whole be far from a good one ; but, as
prices rule high, it should generally be a profitable one to
the grower. Raspberries and blackberries bloomed very full,
and with rain should yield well. Currants have generally
done well. Apples promise a good bearing-year crop,
although there are a few complaints of injury from frost and
a few that they are dropping badly. Peaches will be a light
crop in most localities, but still fully up to the average for
the State. Pears promise a fair crop. There will be some
plums, but the crop is generally light. Cherries suffered
from frost apparently more than was thought at the time,
and are generally a very poor crop. Wild berries blossomed
well.

12

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us June 22.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (D wight Andrews) . — Potato bugs and squash bugs
are doing some damage. Indian corn is late and backward, with
about the usual acreage planted. Haying has not begun, and the
prospect is for a light crop. Potatoes promise an average crop.
Early market-garden crops are about average in yield and price.
There is about the usual quantity of dairy products, and the price
of dairy cows is high. Pastures are getting dry. There are no
cherries ; strawberries and raspberries fair crops.

Alford (L. T. Osborne). — Indian corn is in normal condition,
though perhaps a little late ; acreage average. Haying has not
begun, and it has been so dry that the crop will not be up to the
average. The acreage of early potatoes is average and the crop
promising. Prices are a little better than usual for dairy products,
with prices for cows about as usual. Pasturage is in fine condition.

Lee (Alonzo Bradley). — Potato bugs are the only insects
doing damage. Corn is in first-class condition, with about the
usual acreage. The hay crop will be rather light on old meadows,
but otherwise will be good. Early potatoes have about the usual
acreage and promise well. The price of dairy products is in-
creased 5 per cent over former years. Pastures are in fine con-
dition. Apples promise to be a very good crop.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is small and backward, with about the usual
acreage. Haying has not begun, and there will not be over a
two-thirds crop. There is the usual acreage of early potatoes, and
a good crop is promised. Early market-garden crops are about
average in yield and price. Dairy products and dairy cows are
about average as to quantity, supply and price. Pastures are in
good condition. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries will
be good crops ; cherries a light crop.

Peru (J. P. Sennett). — Indian corn is very small for the
season, and the acreage is reduced. Haying has not commenced,

13

and the crop is very backward. The acreage of early potatoes is
less than nsnal ; crop looking well, but will be late. The price
of dairy products is a trille higher than last year ; demand for
new milch cows good, prices ranging from $35 to $50. Apples
are the only fruit raised for market, and they are looking well and
promise an abundant yield. Pasturage is in good condition.

Windsor (W. H. Tikrell). — Corn is looking well, with about
the usual acreage. Haying has not yet begun, and there is a
promise of an average crop. Early potatoes promise to be a good
crop, with about the usual acreage. Early market-garden crops
compare well in yield and price with former years, and the pros-
pect for those not yet harvested is good. Dairy products are
about average in quantity and price. Pastures are in good condi-
tion. The outlook for fruits and berries grown for market is good.

Savoy (\V. W. Burnett). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn is looking fairly well, acreage a little increased. Having
has not begun as yet, and the prospect is for a light crop. Early
potatoes show about the usual acreage, and promise an average
crop. Garden crops are backward. Dairy products are fully up
to the average in quantity and price. Pastures are in more than
average condition. The promise for wild berries is good ; very
little done with fruits and berries. Rain is needed for all crops.

Florida (E. D. Rice). — White grubs are doing some damage
in mowings. Corn looks well, with a 20 per cent increase in acre-
age. Haying has not yet begun ; the crop would be fair if we
could have a good rain. The acreage of potatoes is about the
usual average, and the crop is now looking well. The demand for
butter seems good, with prices from 18 to 25 cents per pound.
Pasturage is in very good condition. Strawberries winter-killed
quite badly ; other fruits and berries looking well.

Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — Indian corn is looking well,
with the usual acreage. Haying has begun, with a prospect of a
three-fourths crop, the severe droughts of the two last years having
greatly injured grass roots. Early market-garden crops compare
well in yield and price with former years, and the prospect is good
for those not yet harvested. Dairy products bring better prices
than last year, and dairy cows rule higher, bringing from $85 to
$50. Pasturage is in good condition. Strawberries, raspberries
and blackberries all promise well, and apples have made a fine set.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (D. H. Sherman). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. But very little Indian corn is planted, and what there is is
backward. Haying will not begin until into July ; newly seeded

14

fields will give a fair crop, old mowings light crop. The quantity
and price of dairy products and the supply and price of dairy cows
are about average. Pastures are in fair condition. Apples are
the only fruit raised, and they blossomed very full. Wild berries
never blossomed fuller.

Bernardston (R. H. Cushman). — Colorado potato beetles are
very numerous. Corn is backward, but looking well, with a large
acreage. Haying has begun, and the crop will be light. Potatoes
are doing well. Prices for dairy products are somewhat better
than last season, and dairy cows sell well. Pastures are in good
condition. Apples will be a light crop, but berries promise large
crops.

Shelburne (G. E. Taylor). — Potato bugs are beginning to
appear. Indian corn is a little backward, with a fair stand ; acre-
age slightly increased. Haying has not yet begun, and the crop
will be below the average. The acreage of early potatoes is about
the same as usual, and they promise well. Dairy products bring
higher prices than in former years, and the price of cows is high.
Pasturage is in good condition. Currants, strawberries and black-
berries promise abundant crops. Grass in meadows and pastures
is greatly in need of rain.

Conway (J. C. Newhall). — Squash and cucumber bugs are the
only insects doing damage. Corn is looking fairly well, but is late ;
the acreage is increased this year, many farmers trying to raise
what they feed and more growing it for the silo. Haying has not
yet begun, and the prospect is for a very light crop. Early pota-
toes show about the usual acreage ; the crop promises well, but is
generally late. The quantity and price of dairy products are about
average ; dairy cows in good supply, and not quite as high as last
year. Owing to the cold and drought, spring pasturage is rather
short. The late frost damaged all fruits and berries.

Wlwtely (Frank Dickinson). — Cut worms are doing some
damage. Indian corn is rather backward, but is coming on well
now ; acreage about average. Haying has begun, and the crop
will be very light on old ground. The acreage of early potatoes
is rather less than usual, but they are looking finely. Early
market-garden crops are light, with prices average ; later ones
need rain. Quantity of dairy products not large, but quality of
the best ; dairy cows plenty and prices below the the average.
Pastures are dry, but are lightly stocked. The outlook for fruits
and berries is good.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Cabbage and onion maggots
are plenty, while cut worms are doing damage to tobacco and
wire worms to corn. Corn is backward ; acreage the same as

15

usual, with perhaps a little more ensilage corn planted. Haying
has not yet begun, and with rain the crop will he above the average.
About the usual acreage of potatoes has been put in ; very few
raised for market. Quantity and price of dairy products about
average; cows scarce and high. Pasturage is looking well.
Apples will be a full crop ; few pears and no peaches ; plums
half a crop ; strawberries are late, and need rain.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Cut worms are doing some
damage. Indian corn is backward, with about the usual acreage.
Haying has not begun, and the prospect is for a very short crop.
There is about an average acreage of early potatoes, and the crop
promises well. Early market-garden crops are about average in
both yield and price. Prices and quantity of dairy products about
average ; demand for dairy cows fair and prices good. Pasturage
is in good condition.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — Potato bugs and tent caterpillars
are doing some damage. Corn is rather backward, and there was
not as much planted as in previous years. Haying has not begun,
and the crop is very backward. About the usual acreage of early
potatoes was planted, and the crop is very promising. Dairy prod-
ucts are high, and dairy cows are scarce and bring big prices.
Pastures are in the best condition for years. The outlook for fruits
and berries is very promising.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Greenwich (Wm. S. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking fairly well for such a cold sea-
son. Haying has not yet begun, and the prospect is for a light
crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about average and the
crop promises well. Not many early market-garden crops are
ready for market. Dairy products bring higher prices than of
late years. Pasturage is not in the best condition. Currants are
looking well ; strawberries small and a light crop.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is quite small as yet ; acreage
about the same as in former years. Haying has not yet begun ;
grass wintered well, and the prospect is for a better crop than last
year. Early potatoes look finely, but need rain. Dairy products
are average as regards quantity and price. Pastures are in fair
condition. Native strawberries promise a large crop. The sea-
son is late and crops proportionately backward.

Hadley (L. W. West). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is backward, but the acreage is larger than in recent years.
Haying has not yet begun, and the prospect for the crop is not as

16

good as a month ago. There is about the usual acreage of early
potatoes, and the promise of a good crop. The yield and price of
early market-garden crops are about as in former years, with ap-
parently good prospects for later ones. Quantity of dairy products
about the same as usual, but price a little better ; dairy cows are
cheaper than last year and the supply a little larger. Strawber-
ries were injured somewhat by frost ; blackberries and raspberries
blossomed well ; few pears ; no plums ; peaches more than an
average crop ; apples look well, though not apparently a large
crop.

Granby (G. H. Blish) . — Indian corn is very small and back-
ward, on account of cold weather; there is about the usual acre-
age. Haying has hardly begun, and the crop is not as large as
was expected earlier in the season. There are very few early
potatoes raised. There is little done in market- gardening, and
crops are generally backward. Quantity and price of dairy prod-
ucts about the same as usual, while cows are scarce and higher.
Pasturage is in fair condition. No fruit is grown except apples,
and there is not a large crop in prospect.

Easthampton (Wm. C. Clapp). — Potato bugs, squash bugs,
rose bugs and tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Early
fields of corn are growing fast, and the acreage is fully up to the
average. Haying has not commenced to any extent, and the crop
is suffering for want of rain. Fully as many early potatoes were
planted as usual, but frosts and the late, cold spring make them
backward. Frosts injured early market-garden crops ; supply
short and prices fully up to the average ; late crops in fair condi-
tion, but need rain. The quantity and price of dairy products
and the supply and price of dairy cows do not vary very much.
Strawberries are a short crop, prices high ; other berries bloomed
well, but will not amount to much unless we have rain and plenty
of it ; fruits promise to do well.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — Potato bugs are in evidence,
as usual. Indian corn is backward, but looking well, and with
rain and warm weather will do well. Haying has hardly begun,
and the crop will be light except on good, rich mowings. Not
many early potatoes are raised here. Quantity and price of dairy
products and supply and price of dairy cows about the same as
usual. Pasturage is in good condition, but will need rain soon.
Peaches, pears and cherries will be light crops ; apples will proba-
bly be a medium even-year crop, as the condition has fallen off
fully 25 percent since the bloom, which blighted badly.

Cummington (S. W. Clark). — Indian corn is small, and did
not come up very evenly, but is now growing fairly. Haying has

17

not yet begun, and the crop will probably be rather light. There

is the usual acreage of early potatoes, and the crop looks well.

March prices for butter were 4 cents per pound, and April prices

2 cents per pound, higher than in 1899 ; dairy cows higher than

last year. Pasturage is in better condition than at any time last

year. We hope for a good apple crop; no berries grown for

market.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford (E. W. Boise). — Tent caterpillars and potato beetles
are doing some damage. Indian corn is small, with the acreage
increased 10 per cent. Haying has not yet begun, and the pros-
pect for the crop is poor. The acreage of early potatoes is about
the same as usual. Early market-garden crops are late, and the
prices are about average. Dairy 'products are fully up to the
average in quantity and price; dairy cows from 10 to 15 per cent
higher in price than formerly. Pasturage is short, and the prospect
is that all stock will be low in the fall. The outlook for fruits and
berries is good. Farm work is behind, on account of the scarcity
of farm help. All farm products are bringing good, fair prices.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Indian corn is looking fairly well, with
about the usual acreage. Haying has begun, and the prospect is
for a light crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about the same
as usual, and the crop is looking quite nicely. But little done here
in market-garden crops. Dairy products are up to the average in
quantity and price. Pastures need rain badly. Strawberries are
a rather small crop ; other fruits good. Rain is needed here to
help the growing crops and the grass in pastures.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers) . — Horn flies, squash bugs and
potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn is about ten
days late, with about the usual acreage. HayiDg is just beginning ;
some fields good, others half a crop. There is a full acreage of
early potatoes, and they are looking veiy well, though late. Early
market-garden crops made about an average yield ; prices about
average ; prospect good for later ones. Dairy products are a full
supply as to quantity, and prices are little changed ; dairy cows a
little higher in price. Pastures are rather short for June. Straw-
berries are doing fairly well ; blackberries and raspberries promise
well.

Chicopee (R. W. Bemis). — No insects have done any damage to
speak of. Corn is looking fairly well where the ground was prop-
erly prepared and fertilized. Haying has not yet begun, the crop
not being quite as early as usual, and rather light. The acreage
of early potatoes is normal, and good crops are promised. Early
market-garden crops compare well with former years in yield and

18

price, and later ones promise well. Dairy products increased in
quantity, price about the same as usual ; price of good cows well
up with former years. Pastures are in fair condition, though a
little dry. Strawberries and cherries are not plenty.

Wilbraham (F. E.Clark). — Insects are not as numerous as
usual. Indian corn is from two to three weeks late, but is looking
fairly well. Haying has begun ; newly seeded and well-fertilized
fields are looking well, but old and uncared-for mowings will not
produce half a crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about
average, and they promise a full crop. All early market-garden
crops are late, but promise fair yields and prices. Quantity and
price of dairy products normal ; poOr and ordinary cows plenty ;
A No. 1 cows scarce and high. Pasturage is looking well and
stock are thriving. Apples and peaches will be perhaps half
crops ; cherries few ; strawberries plenty ; raspberries above average
yield.

Monson (A. H. White). — Potato bugs are quite plenty and
horn flies are troubling cows. Corn is pretty small, but the acreage
is rather increased. Haying has not yet begun, but the crop looks
well on all but poor land. The acreage of early potatoes is rather
less than usual, but the crop looks well. Butter is quite low just
now, and the demand for dairy cows seems lighter than usual.
Pastures are in poor shape. Native strawberries are just coming
into the market ; apples, plums and peaches have dropped a good
deal.

Wales (C. F. Crawford). — Potato bugs are more plenty than
common. Indian corn is doing fairly well, with about the usual
acreage. Grass is a light crop, and none has been cut as yet.
Potatoes are looking well, and about the usual amount have been
planted. Early market-garden crops were somewhat injured by
frost. Supply of dairy products good and prices good ; dairy
cows a little more plenty than usual, and cheap. Pastures and all
grass lands are in poor condition. Apples were injured by the
frost, and will be a medium crop ; pears about average ; wild
grapes, berries and nuts blossomed full.

Brimfield (C. S. Tarbell). — Owing to cold weather, corn
does not look as well as it should at this time of year ; acreage
about as usual. The prospect is that the hay crop will not be up
to the average. The acreage of early potatoes is larger than
usual, and they are looking well. The quantity and price of
dairy products and the supply and price of dairy cows are about as
last year. There is much complaint of shortness of feed in pastures.
The outlook for the apple crop is good.

19

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — Insects of all kinds are doing more or
less damage. The acreage and stand of Indian corn are both
average, but the crop is from a week to ten days late. Haying
will begin next week, and the crop will hardly be up to the aver-
age. The acreage of early potatoes is normal ; they are growing
well, but lack stockiness. Peas are extra in yield and price ; other
early vegetables lower. The quantity and price of dairy products
and the supply and price of dairy cows are about normal. Pastur-
age is in good condition. Crop of strawberries one-fourth short,
but prices thus far are enough higher to nearly make up for the
loss in yield ; other fruits give promise of a good yield.

Brookjield (F. E. Prouty). — Corn is looking well, and the
acreage is fully as large as usual. Haying has not yet begun, and
the prospect is for a light crop. The acreage of early potatoes is
fully as large as last year, and the promise for the crop is good.
The price and yield of early market-garden crops is about the same
as usual, and those not yet harvested look well. Quantity of dairy
products about average, price a little higher for butter and milk ;
dairy cows are not selling quite as high as a year ago. Pasturage
is in good condition. There are but few berries grown in this
vicinity for market, but those grown are looking well.

JVeiu Braintree (C. D. Sage) . — Indian corn has about the usual
acreage, and is looking well. Haying has not yet begun, and the
prospect is not very encouraging. The acreage of early potatoes
is about the same as usual, and the crop is looking well. Dairy
products are hardly up to the average in quantity, but sell a little
higher. Pasturage is rather poor for the time of year. The sea-
son is late, and hay and grass are not as promising as usual ; still,
there is time for the hay crop to grow, if we have rain.

Dana (E. A. Albee). — Potato bugs are numerous. Indian
corn is looking well, but is late and small ; acreage about three-
fourths that usually planted. The hay crop will be very light,
and two weeks late. Early potatoes were frozen and are later
than usual, but are looking very well at present. No early mar-
ket-garden crops have been harvested as yet. The quantity and
price of dairy products and the supply and price of dairy cows are
about average. Pasturage is short, on account of dry weather.
Strawberries are a short crop ; currants average ; blackberries
blossomed full ; raspberries look well.

Royalston (C. A. Stimson). — Potato bugs and codlin moths
are doing some damage. Corn is looking well ; acreage about the

20

same as last year. Haying has not begun, and the crop will not
be up to the average. About the usual acreage of early potatoes
has been put in, and the crop looks well. Quantity of dairy prod-
ucts up to the average, prices high ; good cows scarce and high.
Pasturage is in fair condition. Apples, pears, plums, cherries,
strawberries, blackberries and raspberries had a full bloom, and
the outlook for all of them is fine. The season is eight days late.

Gardner (A. F. Johnson). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn is later than usual, with an average acreage.
Haying has not yet begun, and the prospect for the crop is poor.
The acreage of early potatoes is average, but the crop is back-
ward. Early market-garden crops do not vary much from former
years in yield and price. There is no change in the quantity and
price of dairy products or the supply and price of dairy cows.
Pasturage is in poor condition. It is too early to predict as to
fruits and berries^

Westminster (G. A. Stockwell). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking well, with the acreage a little
above the average. Haying has not begun, and the prospect is for
a good crop. More early potatoes have been planted than last
year, and the prospect is for a large crop. Early market-garden
crops are about normal in yield and price. Pastures are in good
condition. There will be a large crop of all kinds of berries and
small fruits this year.

Princeton (A. O. Tylek). — Potato bugs and cut worms are
doing a great deal of damage. Corn is backward, with about the
usual acreage. Haying has not yet begun, and the crop will be
light if dry weather continues. There are very few early potatoes
raised here, but what there are look well. The quantity and price
of dairy products and the supply and price of dairy cows are about
the same as last year. Pasturage has been good, but needs rain
at the present time. Cherries and pears are a failure, from late
frosts ; peaches not very good, for the same reason ; apples and
plums promise to be good crops ; small fruits and berries promise
well.

Harvard (J. S. Preston). — Canker worms have done consider-
able damage. Corn has about the usual acreage, but the cold
nights have retarded its growth. Haying is later than usual, and
the prospect is for less than an average crop. The acreage of
early potatoes is about the same as usual, but the late frosts cut
them down on low land. The quantity of dairy products increases
every year, and the price has been low for years ; the supply of
cows is about average, and the price seems high in comparison

21

with the price of their products. "We have had but little rain, and
pastures are rather short. Strawberries, raspberries, currants,
blackberries, plums, peaches and apples are all looking well.

Holden (G. S. Graham). — Potato bugs and white grubs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is rather backward, with the
acreage somewhat increased. No haying has been done as yet,
and the prospect for the crop is 'very poor. There is about an
average acreage of early potatoes, but it is too early to say what
the prospect for the crop is. Quantity of dairy products about
average and prices a little better ; dairy cows not plenty and prices
high. Pasturage needs rain, and is not in very good condition.
All fruit blossomed well except grapes, which were winter-killed.

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Potato bugs, squash bugs and
grass thrips are doing some damage. Indian corn is backward,
with about the usual acreage. Haying has begun, and the crop is
a light one. There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes.
Early market-garden crops are about average as to yield and price.
There is the usual quantity of dairy products and supply of dairy
cows, and prices remain about the same. Pastures are dry.
Apples and pears look well ; few peaches ; no cherries ; black-
berries and blueberries blossomed well ; strawberries are late, but
with plenty of rain may do well.

Soutliborough (E. F. Collins). — Potato bugs and elm leaf
beetles are doing some damage. Indian corn looks well, but is a
little late ; acreage a half more than the average. Haying has not
yet begun ; the crop will be good on newly seeded fields, but light
on old ones. The acreage of early potatoes is about the same as
usual, and promises about an average crop. The quantity of dairy
products is about average ; milk 2 cents per can higher in price.
Pastures are in fair condition, but have not yet recovered from the
drought of last year. Apples promise an excellent crop and
peaches a fair one.

MiUbury (Herbert McCracken). — Canker worms are doing
some damage. Corn is looking well, though backward, owing to
cool weather, and there is a slight increase in acreage. Haying
has not yet begun ; prospect for the crop good on newly seeded
ground and light on old ground. The acreage of early potatoes
is larger than usual, and the prospect for the crop good. Early
market-garden crops compare favorably in yield and price with
former years, and the prospect is good for later ones. The quan-
tity of dairy products is less than usual and the price higher ; sup-
ply of cows short, price 85 a head. more than formerly. Pasturage
is in good condition. The promise for apples is good ; peaches,

22

pears, plums and cherries poor ; strawberries average crop ; blue-
berries and blackberries in abundance.

Douglas (J. M. Rawson). — Colorado beetles, white grubs and
rose bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking well,
with an increased acreage. Haying has not yet begun ; the crop
looks well, but will not cut what it looks. The acreage of early
potatoes is increased, and the crop looks well at this time. Early
market-garden crops are backward, and none have matured as yet.
The quantity and price of dairy products are fair, and the prices
for cows tend to increase. Pastures are not in good condition,
and there is much feeding at the barns. Strawberries are a fair
crop ; blackberries look finely.

Blackstone (O. F. Fuller). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Corn is a little backward, but the acreage
is about the same as usual. Very little hay has been cut as yet.
The acreage of potatoes is considerably increased. Market-garden
crops are all backward, and prices are about as usual. More
dairy products are produced than a year ago, and the retail price
of milk has advanced. Pastures are as a rule in poor condition.
There will be a short crop of plums, on account of the late frosts ;
some peach orchards will give a full crop, others none at all ;
pears few ; apples promise a good crop ; strawberries very scarce.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson) . — Potato bugs and spittle insects
are doing some damage. Indian corn is in good condition, with
the acreage about the same as usual. Haying has not begun, and
the crop will be only fair. The acreage of early potatoes is about
average, and the crop looks well. Early market-garden crops are
not much raised. Milk is the only dairy product sold, and it is
about as usual as regards both quantity and price. Pasturage is in
fair condition. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are look-
ing well.

Framingham (H. S. Whittemore) . — Potato bugs and squash
bugs are doing some damage. There is a full acreage of Indian
corn, and it is looking finely, through rather late. But little hay-
ing has been done as yet, but the prospect is for a fair crop. The
acreage of early potatoes is fully up to last season. Very few
market-garden crops have been harvested as yet, but all look well.
Prices for dairy products and dairy cows are fully as high as last
season. Pasturage is in good condition, but rain is needed. Straw-
berries are a fair crop ; blackberries promise well ; cherries a light
crop, owing to late frosts.

23

Sudbury (E. W. Goodnow). — Canker worms are doing some
damage. Corn is very backward, and the acreage is about normal.
Haying has not yet begun, but there is prospect of a good crop.
Potatoes look well, and the acreage is about the same as usual.
Early market-garden crops are about normal in yield and price,
and the prospect is good for later ones. Dairy products are in
better demand than usual, and prices are higher. Pastures are
looking well. There promises to be a large crop of fruit and
berries.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Indian corn is rather backward, on
account of cold weather. Very little haying has been done as yet,
and there will not be a full crop. The acreage of early potatoes
is about the same as usual, and the promise for the crop is good.
Asparagus has been a very light crop, having been frozen several
times in May. Prices for dairy products are rather better than in
previous years. Pasturage is in poor condition. Strawberries will
be a fair crop, although injured by frost ; blackberries promise
well ; no cherries ; few peaches ; pears rather light ; early apples
injured by frosts, late varieties hardly a full crop.

Littleton (G. TV. Sanderson) . — Tent caterpillars and canker
worms have done damage where spraying has not been practised.
The average amount of corn was planted, but is backward, on
account of cool weather. Haying has not yet begun ; old fields
will give light crops ; newly seeded land looks well. The average
acreage of early potatoes has been planted, and they are looking
well. Milk is the principal dairy product, with the quantity and
price both greater than last year ; good cows are in quick demand,
at higher prices. Pastures are in good condition. Strawberries and
blackberries are the principal small fruits grown, and promise well.

Ashby (A. Wetherbee) . — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn looks finely and the acreage is increased about 10 per cent
including that for the silo. Haying has not begun, and unless
rain comes very soon the crop will be light. The acreage of early
potatoes is rather above the average, and the crop promises fairly
well. Quantity and price of dairy products average ; dairy cows
a little cheaper than last year. The weather has been too dry for
grass in pastures to grow very fast. Strawberries are a short
crop ; apples dropping a good deal ; too early to predict as to other
fruits.

Pepperell (P. J. Kemp). — Rose bugs are doing some damage,
and potato bugs are just appearing. Indian corn is about two
weeks late, but looks healthy ; acreage about the same as last
year. Haying has not begun, and there is likely to be a very

24

short crop. The acreage of potatoes is rather increased ; rather
late, but looking well. Price and quantity of dairy products and
supply and price of dairy cows about the same as in former years.
Pasturage is very short and dry. Fruits and berries will not make
over half crops, generally speaking.

Chelmsford (P. P. Perham). — Canker worms are doing some
damage. Corn is late, with about the usual acreage, Haying has
commenced, with the prospect of a light crop. Early potatoes
promise well, with rain ; acreage somewhat increased. Early
market-garden crops compare favorably with former years in yield
and price. Prices of dairy products somewhat higher than usual,
and those of cows lower. Pastures never looked better. The out-
look for all small fruits is good, especially strawberries and black-
berries.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Canker worms and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is looking well, with about
the usual acreage. Haying has not begun, and the crop will be
light, having suffered severely from drought. The acreage of
early potatoes is increased, and they are in good condition. As-
paragus is below the average in quantity and above in price ; peas
not up to the average. Full supply of dairy products and price
of milk 2 cents per can higher ; dairy cows scarce and high. Pas-
turage is in poor condition, having suffered from drought. Straw-
berries and blackberries are looking well.

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — Sweet corn is looking rather
poorly. Haying is just commencing, and the crop will be good.
There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes, and they now
look well, though many fields suffered from frost. Early market-
garden crops are about as usual in yield and price except aspara-
gus, which is about half a crop. Pasturage is in fair average con-
dition. Currants were injured by frost, and are not over half a
crop ; blackberries and raspberries bloomed full ; strawberries a
fair crop ; few plums ; no peaches ; no cherries ; apples set poorly,
and are beginning to drop. Beans are coming on well, having
suffered less from frosts than corn and asparagus.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — Canker worms are doing some
damage. Corn is looking fairly well, though backward, because
of cold weather. Haying has not yet begun, and there will be
over a two-thirds crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about
average, but the crop is backward. Early market-garden crops
are about average in yield and price. Pasturage is in fair condi-
tion. Currants are looking well.

Newton (Otis Pettee). — White grubs are doing much damage
to growing crops and in grass fields in some localities. Corn

25

promises a full harvest, and is looking very well ; acreage about
the same as in former years. Haying is commencing a little;
grass generally heavy and of good quality. Milk is more plenty
than last year, probably owing to better pasturage ; prices about
as usual. Pastures are in very good condition. Strawberries are
a good crop and yield well.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Canker worms have done
some damage, but have not been very bad generally. Indian corn
is looking fairly well, with a slightly increased acreage. Haying
has not begun, and the prospect is for a very light crop. The
acreage of early potatoes is about average, and unless we have
rain the crop will be a small one. Milk is about the same as in
former years in price and quantity ; prices of butter a little
higher; cows bring good prices. Pasturage has been good, but
now pastures on high ground begin to feel the dry weather. Straw-
berries started for a good crop, but now need rain badly ; black-
berries, raspberries and blueberries look well; apples promise a
large crop.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Canker worms, squash bugs and
potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn looks fairly
well, but is late ; acreage about the same as usual. Haying has
not begun, and the crop will be less than average. The acreage
of early potatoes is greater than usual, and the prospect for the
crop good. Dairy products and cows are a little higher in price
than usual. Pasturage is a little short, from want of rain. Cher-
ries are a short crop ; currants good ; prospect for blackberries
good .

Andover (M. H. Gould). — Cutworms are doing some damage.
Corn is backward, but the acreage is up to the average. Haying
has not yet begun, and the prospect is for a light crop. The
acreage of early potatoes is about as usual, but the prospect for a
crop is not good, as the frost cut off some and some rotted in the
ground. Very few early market-garden crops have been harvested
as yet. There is no surplus milk, and prices are higher than in
former years; supply of dairy cows not above the demand, and
prices high. Pastures are short and dry. Strawberries were hurt
by frost ; late apples looking well, early apples hurt by frost ;
peaches and pears injured by frost.

Jjiswich (0. C. Smith). — Canker worms, squash bugs, rose
bugs and potato beetles are doing some damage. Corn looks well,
and the acreage is increased about 10 per cent. Haying has com-
menced in earnest; the crop needs rain, and will be 20 per cent

26

off. The acreage of early potatoes is somewhat increased, and
the crop is later than usual, having been put back by frost. Not
much difference in the yield of early market-garden crops, prices
generally better ; later crops promise well. Quantity of dairy
products smaller than usual, prices better ; cows bringing better
prices than usual. Pastures are now in good condition, but will
be short soon, if rain does not come.. Pears, apples, strawberries,
cranberries and wild berries promise large crops.

Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Squash bugs, onion maggots and
carrot lice are doing some damage. Not much corn planted,
except for fodder ; rather backward, but of good color. Haying
has commenced on high lands ; well-manured fields give a good
crop, others light. There is about the usual acreage of early
potatoes, but the prospect does not appear good. Spinach and
lettuce bring very low prices. Good cows are as high as usual,
and hard to get ; milk is in fair supply, with prices unchanged.
Rain is much needed for pastures, and many farmers are feeding
at the barns. Strawberries will be a light crop, unless rain comes
soon ; fall and winter apples have dropped badly.

Manchester (John Baker), — Potato bugs, squash bugs, cur-
rant worms, canker worms and plant lice are doing some damage.
Indian corn looks well, with about the usual acreage. Haying
has begun on high land ; crop will be light on high land, but good
on low with a little rain. The acreage of early potatoes is about
the same as usual, and the crop promises well. Early market-
garden crops bring good prices, and the prospect is good for later
ones. The quantity and price of dairy products are about the
same as in former years. Pastures are rather dry. Strawberries
fair crop ; peaches, plums, apples and pears promise unusually

well.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Avon (S. F. Oliver) . — Canker worms are doing some damage.
Corn is looking fairly well, but with a tendency to be a little back-
ward. Haying has not begun to any extent, but at present the
crop looks to be a good one. More early potatoes than usual were
planted, and they are looking well. There is a good demand for
milk, but cows do not bring the prices they should. Pasturage is
in good condition. Apples and pears give promise of a good crop.

Randolph (R. A. Thayer). — Canker worms and potato bugs
are doing some damage. Indian corn is mostly raised as a fodder
crop, and is looking finely, though backward. Haying has begun,
with the prospect of a short crop. There is about the usual acre-
age of early potatoes, which are looking finely on moist land.
The yield of early market-garden crops will be below the average,

27

owing to lack of rain, but prices are very fair. Quantity and
prices of dairy products about as usual ; good dairy cows scarce
and high. Pastures need rain. Raspberries, gooseberries, cur-
rants, etc., promise a full crop.

Norfolk (G. E. Holbrook). — Canker worms are doing damage
in some localities and potato bugs in all. Acreage of corn about
as usual ; crop very backward and in need of rain. Hay will be a
light crop, and should be cut early. The frost cut all early pota-
toes ; acreage increased about one-third. The prospect is fair for
such market-garden crops as are grown here. There has been a
small surplus of milk ; milch cows scarce and high. Pasturage is
in good condition, but needs rain. Strawberries are doing well ;
no peaches ; apples look well, but will not be a heavy crop.

Millis (E. F. RicnARDsoN). — Cutworms and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is looking finely, though not
quite as forward as usual ; acreage above the average. Haying
has not begun, and tfie crop will be small. The acreage of early
potatoes is about the same as usual, and a good crop is promised.
Early market-garden crops give fair yields and bring fair prices.
Milk is higher, but cows remain about the same as usual. Past-
ures are short.

Medway (Monroe Morse). — Not much corn is planted, except
for fodder ; about the usual quantity for that purpose, and it is
rather backward. Haying has not yet begun, and the crop will be
slightly below the average. There will be a slight increase in the
acreage of early potatoes, and they are now looking well. Pastur-
age is in fair condition. Cherries were largely killed by frost, also
early plums and many early strawberries ; apples, pears, peaches
and grapes promise well.

Bellingham (J. J. O'Sullivan). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking poorly, with about the usual
acreage. Haying has not begun, and the prospect for the crop is
good. The acreage of early potatoes is above the average, and
they are looking well. Dairy products and dairy cows bring fair
prices. Pastures are in good condition. Strawberries will be less
than an average crop.

BRISTOL COUNTY.
Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Rose bugs and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is little grown, and that little is
very backward. Haying has begun in a small way, and a fair crop
is anticipated. Acreage of early potatoes about average, and the
crop looks well, though late. Early market-garden crops are look-
ing well, but there are none ready for market as yet. Prices of

28

dairy products about as usual, and of good dairy cows somewhat
higher. Pasturage looks well at present, but needs rain. Apples
look fairly well ; pears and strawberries light crops.

Norton (Wm. A. Lane). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is backward, but the acreage is increased about a third
over last year. Haying has not begun yet, and the crop will be a
third heavier than last year. Potatoes are backward at present ;
acreage increased over last year. Early market-garden crops are
not looking very well. Butter brings a little better prices than last
year. Pasturage is in very good condition. Berries are looking
well, but prices are low.

Raynham (N. W. Shaw). — Potato bugs, currant worms, rose
bugs and canker worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is
looking well, but is not much grown. Haying has not begun, but
a good crop is in prospect. About the usual acreage of early
potatoes has been put in, but the crop is later than usual. The
early market-garden crops are about average as to yield and price.
Dairy products bring higher prices than in the last few years.
Pasturage is in good condition. Strawberries are a small crop,
but bring good prices.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Potato bugs and striped squash
bugs are doing some damage. Corn looks fairly well, though
rather small ; acreage about the same as usual. Very little haying
has been done, and there will not be over a two-thirds crop. There
is about the usual acreage of early potatoes, and the crop is looking
very well. Market-garden crops are very backward, but are look-
ing fairly well, considering the cold weather we have had. The
quantity and price of dairy products remains about as last year,
but the price of dairy cows is higher. Pastures are rather poor,
on account of cold weather and lack of rain. It has been too dry
for strawberries ; currants, blackberries and plums are good ; apples
set quite well.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Potato bugs are more plenty than
for several years. Indian corn looks poorly ; it did not come up
well, and the nights have been too cold for good growth ; acreage
about as usual. Haying has begun, and the crop is rather light,
on account of dry weather. More early potatoes have been planted
this year than usual, but the crop does not promise well. Early
market-garden crops have been light, but prices good ; prospect
for later ones rather poor, on account of lack of rain. More milk
produced than usual, price same as last year ; price of dairy cows
has risen. Strawberries are being marketed now, and the crop
will be small ; raspberries and currants are looking fairly well, but
everything shows the need of rain.

29

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Hingham (Aakon Low). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn is looking poorly, on account of dry weather.
Haying has begun, and the crop will be heavy on moist laud.
Early potatoes show about the usual acreage ; many fields were
injured by late frosts. Most market-garden crops are backward
and are looking poorly. Pasturage is not in good condition, owing
to dry weather. Apples and plums promise well ; peaches mostly
killed by frost ; strawberries a very small crop.

Marshfield (J. H. Boukne) . — Canker worms, tent caterpil-
lars, potato bugs, elm leaf beetles, cut worms and horn flies are
all troublesome. Corn looks exceedingly well, and the acreage is
a little larger than usual. Haying has begun ; grass rather thin,
but better than last year. Early potatoes are a week late, but are
improving ; acreage less than usual. Early market-garden crops
are very backward, but peas are now coming on. The supply of
milk is good and the price the same as usual ; supply and price of
dairy cows about as usual. Strawberries were injured by late
frosts, but not as badly as appeared at first; cranberries injured
somewhat.

West Bridgewater (C. P. Howard). — Canker worms are doing
some damage. The acreage of corn planted for the grain is small,
much more being fed green or ensiled. There is promise of a bet-
ter crop of hay than last year. There were more potatoes planted
than ever before, but the earliest were cut by frost. There has
been a good demand for early market-garden crops, and prices
have been satisfactory. There has been no change in the prices
of dairy products. Pastures are in very good condition. All
kinds of fruits blossomed full ; strawberries will yield heavily with
rain.

Kingston (G. H. Churchill). — Tent caterpillars are doing
some damage. Indian corn is very backward for the time of year.
Haying has not beguu, and the prospect is for a very fair crop.
Early potatoes promise well. Prices for early market-garden crops
are good, but the crops themselves are backward. If anything,
dairy products bring higher prices than in former years. Pasturage
is in very good condition. Strawberries, blackberries and pears
are not good crops ; peaches there are none of any account ; apples
promise a fair crop.

Wareham (A. B. Savary). — Cabbage worms and maggots are
doing some damage. The cold weather has retarded corn some-
what ; acreage about the same as usual. Haying has not begun,
except on very light land, but the crop will be a fair one. Early

30

potatoes have about the usual acreage, and are looking well ex-
cept where damaged by frost. Early market-garden crops are
looking well, but are late ; asparagus is the only one marketed
thus far. Quantity and price of dairy products about the same as
usual. Pastures are in good condition at present, but rain is
needed. Strawberries were injured somewhat by frost, but have
done fairly well on land not too dry.

Mattapoisett (E. C. Stetson). — Potato bugs, squash bugs and
cut worms are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking quite
well, with about the usual acreage. Haying has not begun but
there will be a fair crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about
the same as usual, and the prospect for the crop is good. Early
market-garden crops are about average in yield and price, and the
prospect for later ones is good. There is not much change in the
price of dairy products, but good cows are higher than formerly.
Pasturage is in good condition. Strawberries, currants and rasp-
berries are looking well.

Halifax (G. W. Hayward). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is very backward, with about the usual acreage.
Haying will begin next week, with a fair crop. There is about
the usual acreage of early potatoes, but they suffered from frost,
so that the prospect for the crop is very poor. The quantity of
dairy products is greater than last year, and prices are high ; dairy
cows are scarce and high. Pasturage is in very good condition,
but needs rain. There will be a small crop of fruit, owing to dam-
age from frost. Strawberries are a short crop, as the early blossoms
were killed by frost.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well, but the acreage is below the average of pre-
vious years. Haying has begun; crop not up to last year in
quality, but about average in quantity. The acreage of early
potatoes is about average, with the promise of a good crop. Early
market-garden crops are very backward, and none sold as yet, but
the prospect is fair. We sell nearly all our milk and make scarcely
any butter. Pasturage is very good in this locality, but is too
closely fed. Strawberries and other small fruits were damaged by
late frosts, and are reported to be very scarce in this locality.
White grubs did much damage to the grass roots last fall, and those
who did not re-seed have a very poor quality of crop for this year.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Fire worms, cut worms, potato
bugs and rose bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn is look-
ing well, with about an average acreage. Haying has not yet

31

begun, and there will not be more than a two-thirds crop. Early
potatoes have about an average acreage, and are very promising.
Early market-garden crops are below the average in yield and
price. Quality, price and supply of dairy products about average ;
price of cows above average. Pasturage is in good condition.
Strawberries are not over a one-third crop ; no peaches ; apples,
pears, gooseberries, currants and quinces promise about average
crops.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — Cut worms and white grubs are
doing some damage. Indian corn looks fairly well, with about
average acreage. Haying began on the 18th, with the prospect
of a light crop. There is a full average acreage of early potatoes,
but unless rain comes soon, the yield will be light. All market-
garden crops are in need of rain. The quantity and price of dairy
products is about the same as usual ; price of dairy cows advanced
20 per cent. Pastures are drying up very fast. Cranberries are
flowering, with a rather light bloom. Blackberries bloomed very
full. Strawberries are a very small yield.

Harwich (A. N. Doane). — Indian corn is backward, with the
acreage about the same as usual. Haying has not begun and the
crop will be light. There is about the usual acreage of early pota-
toes, and they promise a fair crop. Pastures are in fair condition.
Strawberries and grapes will give small crops ; cranberries badly
damaged by frost. We are having cold nights, which are unfavor-
able for all kinds of fruit.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — No insects are especially trouble-
some. Very little Indian corn has been planted. Haying has
not begun, except on very early fields. There is about the usual
acreage of early potatoes, and they are looking well. The aspara-
gus crop is light and prices good. Quantity and prices of dairy
products and supply and prices of dairy cows average. Pastures
are badly dried up, but will improve, owing to the recent rain.
Strawberries are our principal small fruit and the drought has
affected them badly.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato bugs and cut worms
are doing some damage. Indian corn is not very forward ; acreage
about the same as usual. Haying has not yet begun, but the
prospect is for a fair crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about
the same as usual, but they are rather later than usual, though
they came up well and look thrifty. The prices for dairy products
aud dairy cows are somewhat higher than in former years. Past-
urage is in good condition. Strawberries and apples promise
good crops.

32

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

POSSIBILITIES FOR FARM FORESTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

By Allen Chamberlain, Secretary Massachusetts Forestry Association.

Notwithstanding the innumerable articles which have been printed
by the daily and weekly press of the whole country during the past
five years on the subject of forestry in general, there still exists in
the minds of many only a vague idea of the true meaning of the
subject. This misunderstanding cannot be attributed to the fact
that agitation in favor of forestry is new to this country, for it has
been urged in this State of Massachusetts by individuals and
societies for more than one hundred years. The failure to make
the proper impression seems to be due to a too general treatment
of the subject so far as the country at large is concerned, and in
our own State to a too limited propaganda. All this talking has
not been entirely in vain, however, for there have been and still
are farmers in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire who have
applied the science of forestry in part to their woodlands, and with
profit to themselves and to their children. But the day of widely
applied forestry is only just at hand, and our farmers are beginning
to ask how it can affect them and their woodlots. That the farmers
are generally becoming interested is the most hopeful sign of the
century so far as this subject is concerned.

Although the subject has been agitated for so long a time, the
first general public awakening to it was caused by President Cleve-
land's proclamation in February, 1897, by which 21,000,000 acres
of government-owned timber lands were set aside as permanent
national forest. For a time the people in those western States
where these reservations were established struggled madly to secure

33

their annulment. Instead of abolishing these reservations, the
next administration added others. Ry that time public opinion had
changed, on a better understanding of the subject, and those who
had clamored loudest against Mr. Cleveland's act were heard
petitioning that yet other reserves be established. This was the
beginning of a system of national forests, and the whole people
believes in it to-day.

About the same time the State of New York began purchasing
vast tracts of timber land in the Adirondack^ and Catskills, and
Pennsylvania soon after followed suit. This was the beginning of
State forests in this country. Massachusetts has no such vast
forest domains within her borders ; nevertheless, she is doing her
share in the application of the science at home, but in part for a
different purpose.

That we may the better understand what we are doing as a nation
and as a State in this matter of forestry, let us examine briefly into
the reason for our doing it. Forestry is a science. So, too, is the
practice of electricity. The time was when few believed that any-
thing businesslike or commercial would develop from electricity.
It was regarded as a theoretical science pure and simple. To-day
vast capital is employed in promoting the many branches of the
electrical business. Forestry also is capable of being made a
profitable business. This has been sufficiently proven by the
experience of European countries and communities during the last
century.

One of the reasons why we as a nation have not embarked upon
this enterprise earlier is that we have heretofore had an ample
stock of virgin timber to draw upon, and many other more pressing
problems to consider and dispose of. When our scientific men
called attention to the fact that we were using nearly twice as much
timber as our forests could possibly produce, provided even that
they were well stocked and skilfully managed (which they were
not), and that our farming and manufacturing interests would soon
begin to feel the effect of a denudation of the hills which sheltered
the source of their water powers, then we began to think deeply
and to act as well.

Our great national timber tracts in the west are not to be held
as public pleasure grounds pure and simple, as some have sup-
posed. They are to be worked on a business basis, and their
mature growth harvested and marketed for the good of the nation.
Even if they fail for a time to do more than pay their own running
expenses, there will still remain a distinct profit to the nation, in
that the water powers rising in the midst of those forests will be
insured for all time to the use of the irrigated farms and to the

34

mills of a wide section. To furnish timber and to conserve the
water supply is the main purpose of those reserves, and the same
is true of the New York and Pennsylvania reservations also. As
a secondary consideration, they constitute vast public pleasure
and hunting grounds. Of course we have those other reservations,
the great national parks like the Yellowstone and Yosemite, which
are pleasure grounds pure and simple, and whose timber is not to
be considered in a commercial light. These stand in much the
same relation to the nation as do the Blue Hills, Middlesex Fells,
Mt. Greylock and Mt. Wachusett public reservations to the State
of Massachusetts. They protect the water supply of certain areas,
and furnish wild recreation grounds for vast numbers of people.
These are not forests in the forester's sense of the word, and yet
they represent one branch of the science, in that these woodlands
are being cared for with a view to improving the native growth,
that a perpetual wild forest may be maintained.

But Massachusetts has entered upon yet another piece of impor-
tant forestry which has an indirect commercial side. This is the
protection of one of our most important harbors and its neighbor-
ing town from a slow but certain engulfment in shifting sand.
Provincetown, out on the tip of Cape Cod, is the proud possessor
of the only good and available harbor between Boston and Martha's
Vineyard ; but, owing to the improvident cutting of the original
growth of trees and beach sod along the eastern side of the cape,
the storms have driven in the sand of the Atlantic until it stands
to-day in miniature mountains, but moving mountains, over against
the town and steadily creeping upon it. To stop this movement
of the sand was the forester's work, and the State for the past
five or six years has been working at establishing a plantation of
pine and smaller growth along the seaward side, to anchor the
sand and prevent further encroachment upon the town. A similar
work was undertaken some years ago on the coast of France, and
with entire success, and the work at Provincetown has thus far
gone on prosperously. This is forestry of a thoroughly legitimate
order, although it is not a plan to grow timber for market.

Massachusetts has therefore made a good beginning in State
forestry, but it is all purely of a protective nature. Inasmuch as
we have no great timber area like that in New York, there is no
reason for the State to enter upon the cultivation of commercial
timber. The application of this branch of forestry should be left
in this State to private enterprise ; and it is safe to predict that,
if our own citizens do not undertake it, outside capital will event-
ually come in and begin operations. There is at least one such
company established on Massachusetts territory to-day. It con-

35

trols at present some 5,000 acres in one township, and is negotiat-
ing for the purchase of more. It has even been reported on good
authority that they hope to buy the whole township. Primarily
this company was formed for the establishment of a game pre-
serve ; but it is known that they are already planning to start a
forest, which they hope to make commercially valuable.

"Why not encourage such foreign capital to come in and do
such work?" some one may ask. If they will consider the best
interests of Massachusetts, it would surely be wise. But who
wants to see acres of trees growing on land that is more valuable
for agricultural crops? Forestry does not seek to ruin a country
and turn it back from civilization to wilderness ; the science of
forestry is diametrically opposed to any such practice.

Our problem in Massachusetts is to keep what we have, and to
improve it ; hold fast to our tillage, and grow good crops thereon ;
hold on to our wood lots, and improve them ; and, finally, make
those old barren pastures, too poor to keep a sheep alive, and
those low places, too wet for grass, grow marketable wood of
some kind.

Let us see for a moment what our woodland represents to-day.
By the last census, that of 1895, our wooded area is given as nearly
1,500,000 acres, and its value as almost $24,000,000. While this
is a gain in woodland area in ten years of more than 71,000 acres,
its valuation shows a shrinkage of something over $1,300,000 in
the same period of time. In thirty years the value of our wood-
land has increased some $440,000, and the acreage increase shows
almost identically the same figures. Judging by the census re-
turns, the character of our woodlands appears to have improved
on the whole in the ten years from 1885 to 1895, but the deprecia-
tion in value of more than $1,300,000 seems to indicate that fur-
ther improvement is possible.

The same census shows that we have in permanent pastures,
swamps and other waste country, some 250,000 acres less than in
1885. That in itself looks promising ; but when we compare the
values for 1885 with those of 1895, it is seen that there has been
a falling off of almost $4,000,000. This would make this land
worth more than $15 an acre, which is pretty high for waste
country. The loss is not offset by a gain in arable land, for a loss
is shown in that class, and with a gain in valuation, notwithstand-
ing. The gain of 71,000 acres in woodland is not enough to bal-
ance it. Some of it may have gone into residential property, but
still the tremendous loss in valuation remains.

Our farmers have an opportunity to make good this loss by
making these lands, which are no better thana burden to-day,

36

yield a revenue to their owners and to the Commonwealth by
planting trees upon them.

When it is deemed advisable to plant any part of the farm to
trees, there are several points which should be carefully considered
before even the variety of tree to be used is thought of. First, it
should be determiued whether the owner desires to realize from his
labor by an actual harvest during his own lifetime, or merely to
increase the value of his farm that he may sell it thus improved
a few years hence with a promising growth of timber trees upon
it, or to make the plantation in the nature of an investment for the
benefit of his children. Having settled this phase of the problem
in his mind, his next move is to study the character of the soil, to
ascertain what varieties of trees it is best adapted to grow. It
would then be well to write to the forester of the United States
Department of Agriculture, stating the ultimate purpose in making
such a plantation, what the general soil conditions are, and some-
thing about the lay of the land, its area, and to what use adjoining
lands are put. He will thereby secure the best of professional
advice as to his best course, and without charge.

As a rule, it is good policy to make use of native varieties when
planting ; and, on the whole, it is cheapest to use seedlings rather
than seed. There are a few trees other than natives which will do
well here under proper soil conditions ; and among them may be
mentioned the European larch, which is a more rapid grower than
white pine, and which makes a fine, straight-grained and light
building timber. The western hardy catalpa {Catalpa speciosa) is
another tree which it is believed has great possibilities in this
region. This again is a rapid-growing tree, making good railroad
ties, posts, etc , in sixteen years from the seed. It has already
been demonstrated by a western railroad that catalpa ties outlast
all others, their life in mud ballast being over thirty years.
In low, wet places the white willow (salix lucida) is a valuable
tree. A growth of eight years makes charcoal stock, and anything
up to four inches in diameter is available for the powder mills.
White or swamp maple (acer dasycarpum) is another good tree for
low ground, and its wood is in demand for last making. Both the
willow and the maple sprout vigorously.

While it is much to be desired that the waste places on the farm
should be made to yield a wood crop, it is hoped that the existing
wood lot will not be neglected. It is most important that it should
be improved and perpetuated. It would be a needless waste of
space to enter here upon a discussion of the methods of planting
or cutting, since the Federal Department of Agriculture has pre-
pared an excellent little pamphlet of forty-eight pages on these

37

subjects. This pamphlet is known as " Forestry for Farmers,"
and a copy can be secured by any one who will address a postal
card to the Secretary of Agriculture at Washington. Every farmer
in Massachusetts should secure a copy, read its pages carefully,
and keep it on his shelf for reference when he has work to do in
his wood lot. Another government publication of great value, and
which is sold for a nominal sum, is the "Primer of Forestry, Part
I." Neither of these works deals in any language which cannot
be understood by the average man. Both are written by practical
and skilled foresters, and are among the best works on the subject
for the use of farmers. The "Forestry for Farmers" tells how
trees grow, about soil conditions, rate of growth and reproduction,
how to plant a forest, what kinds of trees to use, the best methods
of cutting in the wood lot, and something about the economic
relation of the wood lot to the farm.

The most valuable woodland growths of our State to-day are
doubtless the white pine and the chestnut. There is no trouble in
keeping a chestnut growth perpetual, owing to the strong sprout-
ing proclivities of the tree With pine it is different. Cut a pine
lot clean, and a hardwood growth follows. Forestry proves that
this is needless. A pine lot can be kept continually in pine, if
enough old seed-bearing trees are left in suitable locations, and all
fires and cattle kept out. A pine seedling is a very delicate plant,
and the trampling of cattle or a light leaf fire will kill it at once.

Again, there is a great deal of white pine in this and in neigh-
boring States that is growing under conditions which are most
unsuitable and unprofitable. It is common enough to see an old
pasture, for instance, growing up thickly to white pines. Few
owners of such growth think of going near it to study the condition
of the trees. For the most part they grow up as best they may,
and at the end of forty years, say, they are cut and sold for cheap
box boards. Where they stand thickly, at the end of the forty years
the trunks are small, and covered with dry branches from butt to
crown. Where they stand in comparatively open ground, they are
larger in diameter, shorter, but covered with limbs, though these
are mostly living. Now, every one knows that every limb, whether
alive or dead, means a knot in the lumber which runs clear through
to the heart; it is equally well known that clear lumber is worth
many times more than knotty lumber ; but it is not generally known
that it is an easy matter to grow clear lumber, and thereby to pro-
duce a more valuable crop than is possible if the trees are left to
take care of themselves.

The writer is personally acquainted with two men who have for
years made it a practice to take care of their pine lands. One of

38

these men owns timber in Plymouth County, the other in southern
New Hampshire, just over the Massachusetts line. In general
their methods are alike, but in details of handling they differ.
Both recognize the fact that young pines grow best when close
together, thus shading and sheltering one another, or when coming
up under the protecting wing of a brushy deciduous growth. Both
go through their pines once a year, and thin out the poorest speci-
mens, or the brush and sprouts, and thus give the young pines a
good chance to push ahead. Both know the value of clear lumber,
and take care, as the trees advance, to remove the lower limbs
close up against the trunk, so that there remains no stub outside
the bark, aud consequently insuring clear timber beyond that
point. Here is where they differ. The Plymouth County man
trims his trees with a knife and thin-bladed axe, beginning when
they are, say, five years old. The New Hampshire man waits till
his trees are, say, ten years old, aud then goes over them with a
saw. The Plymouth man secures a greater proportion of clear lum-
ber by beginning when his trees are very young, but the New
Hampshire man contends that his timber sells well enough to suit
him (aud it may be added that he is a keen business man) . The
thinning process goes on from the first to the last. In cases where
seedlings have been planted, it is often worth while to do the
thinning for the first year or two with a spade rather than with an
axe, especially in the case of fine, thrifty specimens that are
crowding equally good ones. Thus many good seedlings can be
secured to take the places of the few that die from natural causes,
or to set out in new ground. As the trees grow toward maturity,
the improvement cuttings can be utilized for firewood, or, if
numerous enough, for lumber.

It has been sufficiently demonstrated in practice that this thin-
ning and trimming is not expensive if done at times when there is
little else demanding attention on the farm. A tree can be pruned
at any season of the year when it is most convenient. In the
case of the white pine, an exception might be made by those who
consider outward appearances somewhat even in the timber lot.
A pine trimmed in the spring or early summer will " bleed," and
the stem will thereby be badly smeared with pitch. Authorities
assert that this " bleeding " does not injure the tree, but it makes
an unsightly forest. From August to March is the best time,
therefore, to trim the piues ; and most farmers will find this con-
venient for them, inasmuch as it is in the fall and winter that
their greatest leisure comes.

A final word should be said concerning one of the most serious
hindrances to timber growing, namely, woodland fires. Until this

39

annual evil is checked, it would be folly to invest much money or
Labor in timber lands. That it can be checked has already been
proved by the States of Minnesota and Pennsylvania Both of
these States have been heavy sufferers in the past from forest fires,
but the people at length awoke to the need of doing something
drastic. Rigid laws were enacted, providing severe penalties for
setting fires or for allowing brush fires to escape, and providing
ollicers who are required under penalty to enforce them. These
laws have been enforced, and with marked success. Pennsylvania,
for instance, suffered an average annual loss for years of over
$1,000,000. Since the passage of their fire law the average has
dropped to a few thousand. Massachusetts has laws enough on
this subject, but they are not enforced. The woodland of the
State is valued at nearly one-third as much as all the farm build-
ings in the Commonwealth, and yet only a few towns think it wise
to enforce the laws which are intended to protect all this property
from needless losses.

The best fire law on the Massachusetts statute books is chapter
254 of the Acts of 1897 ; but before it can become operative in
any town, it must be formally accepted by the voters at a town
meeting. This law was passed at the urgent request of some of
the Cape Cod towns which had been severe sufferers from fires.
Those towns adopted the law at once, enforced compliance with its
provisions, and the benefits have been marked. That this law is
not more widely accepted must be due to one of two reasons, —
either the people do not generally know of its existence, or they
are unwilling to tax themselves for the support of this useful piece
of machinery.

If any one doubts the need of seriously grappling with this fire
problem, let him but consider the losses which the State sustains
yearly from this cause. Our average loss is conservatively esti-
mated at from $100,000 to $150,000. In 1895 nearly $50,000
worth of buildings were destroyed in the path of woodland fires.
In 1899 returns were secured on 136 fires in 45 cities and towns,
and these it was found burned over an area of 6,960 acres. There
were known to have been many other fires throughout the State
during that year, but reliable returns could not be secured regard-
ing them. The immediate loss from the 136 fires on standing and
corded wood amounted to $58,173, and on buildings which stood
in the path of fires to $23,530 ; this makes a total loss of $81,703.
This does not include the cost of labor employed in fighting the
fires, which amounted to not less than $5,000.

These present losses do not, however, begin to cover the actual
damages. Testimony secured from owners of timber and wood-

40

laud in various parts of the State shows that even the lightest of
leaf fires causes damage to growing trees which cannot be esti-
mated in dollars and cents. It is the general opinion that, while
light fires running in the dead and fallen leaves do little injury to
old oaks and other thick-barked trees, such fires do kill quantities
of valuable white piue seedlings, and they also set back for a year
or two young deciduous seedlings. Oak, maple, birch and beech
under fifteen years old are easily killed by a moderately hot fire,
and much older trees are seriously injured and mature pine even
killed by them. A forest will not wholly recover from a severe
fire in thirty years. Not only is the growth damaged, but the soil
is greatly impoverished by a hot fire. One instance may be cited
where a good crop of fifteen-year-old hard wood was destroyed.
It required Ave years for a new growth to become established, and
this succeeding crop was composed of far less valuable varieties
than the one destroyed.

It remains for the farmers themselves to say whether they will
protect themselves against this annual scourge by adopting and
enforcing the laws which have been provided for the purpose.
Without some such insurance against fire loss, little enthusiasm
can be expected on the subject of forestry.

Series of 1900. Bulletin No. 3.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of July, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :
WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,
18 Post Office Square. j?~

1900.

Crop Report for the Month of July, 1900.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mash., Aug. 1, 1900.

Bulletin No. 3, Crop Report for the month of July, is
herewith presented. Attention is called to the special article
at the end of the bulletin, on " Birds as Protectors of Wood-
lands," by E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist to the Board.

Progress of the Season.

The July returns of the United States Department of
Agriculture (Crop Circular for July, 1900) state that the
preliminary returns of the acreage of corn indicate an in-
crease of about 1,200,000 acres, or about 1.5 per cent, over
the acreage harvested last year. The average condition,
89.5, is 3 points above the condition of last year, and 1.2
points below the ten-year average.

The condition of winter wheat shows a further decline
during June, being 80.8 on July 1, as compared with 82.7
on June 1, 65.6 on July 1 of last year, and a ten-year
average of 79.8. The average condition of spring \vheat is
55.2, as compared with 87.3 a month ago, 91.7 on July 1
of last year, and a ten-year average of 89.5. The condition
of spring and winter wheat combined was 69.8, against 76.2
on July 1 of last year, and 89.4 at the corresponding date
in 1898. The amount of wheat remaining in the hands of
the farmers is estimated at about 51,000,000 bushels, or
9.3 per cent of the crop of 1899.

The average condition of the oat crop on July 1 was 85.5,
as compared with 91.7 a month ago, 90 on July 1 of last year,
and a ten-year average of 87.3.

The average condition of barley was 76.3 as against 86.2
a month earlier, 92 on July 1 of last year, and a ten-year
average of 88.3.

The average condition of winter rye was 89.6, as com-
pared with 83.3 on July 1 of last year, and a ten-year aver-
age of 89.5. The average condition of spring rye was 69.7,
as compared with 89.7 on July 1 of last year, and a ten-year
average of 89.8.

There is an indicated increase of some 30,000 acres, or
1.2 per cent, in the acreage of potatoes. The average condi-
tion was 91.3, as compared with 93.8 on July I of last year,
and a ten-year average of 93.2.

The average condition of sweet potatoes was highly favor-
able.

Reports on timothy and clover were exceedingly unfavor-
able, there being few States which did not report a condition
considerably below the ten-year average.

Though the condition of apples declined from that of June
1, there was still the promise of an exceptionally large crop.
The condition of peaches was such as to give promise of a
phenomenally large crop, and the average condition of grapes
was considerably above the ten-year average.

The average condition of cotton was 75.8, as compared
with 82.5 the previous month, 87.8 on July 1 of last year,
and a ten-year average of 87.9.

In Massachusetts the acreage of corn as compared with
last year was 101, and the average condition July 1, 90; the
average condition of oats, 98 ; the average condition of
barley, 90 ; the average condition of spring rye, 96 ; the
acreage of potatoes, 102, and the average condition, 95 ;
the average condition of tobacco, 95 ; the average condition
of clover, 84 ; the average condition of timothy, 84 ; the
average condition of pasture, 84 ; the average condition of
apples, 89 ; and the average condition of grapes, 92.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[Fiiom the United States Climate and Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending July 2. — The week averaged slightly
cooler than usual in the central Gulf States and over the
extreme northern portion of the country, from the Lake
region to the Pacific coast. In California, southern Texas,
the Ohio and central Mississippi valleys and northern New
England nearly normal temperature conditions prevailed.

Along the Atlantic coast from Florida to .southern New Eng-
land the week averaged from 3° to 4° warmer than usual, and
it was also warmer than usual in the central and southern
plateau regions, and throughout the south-eastern Rocky
Mountain slope. Very heavy rains fell over portions of the
central Gulf States, Tennessee, the greater part of the Ohio
valley and portions of Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.
Along the Atlantic coast, over the greater part of the Lake
region, in the upper Mississippi and Missouri valleys the
rainfall was below the average, New England and the Middle
Atlantic States receiving no appreciable amount.

Week ending July 9. — The week averaged warmer than
usual in nearly all districts east of the Rocky Mountains
and on the middle Pacific coast, being decidedly warm in the
central valleys and Middle Atlantic States. The week was
cool throughout the northern plateau region, and during the
first half over the Middle Rocky Mountain slope and upper
Missouri valley. In the lower Missouri, central Mississippi
and Ohio valleys, portions of the central and east Gulf
States and generally throughout the Atlantic coast districts,
the rainfall was below the average, limited areas of these
districts receiving no appreciable amount. From the upper
Missouri valley eastward over the Lake region, in northern
and eastern Texas and over limited areas in the east Gulf
States and on the Middle Atlantic coast there was more than
the usual amount.

Week ending July 16. — The week was not as warm as
usual in the upper Mississippi valley, Lake region, Ohio
valley and southern States, and the temperature was also
slightly below normal in Oregon and eastern Washington.
Throughout the Rocky Mountain and plateau districts, the
lower Missouri valley and along the Atlantic coast north-
ward from Virginia the week averaged warmer than usual.
The first half of the week was warmer and the latter half
cooler than usual in New England. Very heavy rains fell
in central, southern and eastern Texas, in the central Mis-
souri and upper Mississippi valleys, northern portion of the
Lake region and over local areas of the lower Lake region,
Ohio valley and east Gulf States. The week was dry in the
Middle Atlantic States, Tennessee, over much of the Ohio

6

valley and throughout the Rocky Mountain and plateau dis-
tricts.

Week ending July 23. — The week was exceptionally
warm in the Atlantic coast districts, from the Carolinas
northward, especially over the interior. The week was also
warmer than usual on the north Pacific coast. Over the
western half of the Lake region, and generally throughout
the Mississippi and lower Missouri valleys, the week was
not as warm as usual. Unusually high maximum tempera-
tures occurred in New England and the Middle Atlantic
States on the 16th and 17th. Very heavy rains fell in north-
ern Texas and Louisiana, and more than the usual amount
fell over the greater part of the Lake region and Ohio valley
and over portions of the upper Mississippi and central Mis-
souri valleys. There was less than the usual amount of rain
on the Atlantic coast, except over limited areas, a consider-
able portion of the South Atlantic States and New England
receiving no appreciable amount.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending July 2. — New England. Boston: Heavy
rains and violent storms Wednesday and Thursday ; light
crop of hay ; small grain generally promising ; fruit pros-
pects good ; tobacco uneven and late, hoed twice.

Week ending July 9 . — New England. Boston: First
four days cool, last three excessively warm ; very little rain,
many thunder-storms ; rain needed ; rye average yield ;
much of oat crop cut for fodder, below average ; early corn
promising, late, poor; tobacco improving; apples falling;
berries shrivelling ; pastures generally inferior.

Week ending July 16. — New England. Boston : Severe
thunder-storms, with heavy rain ; wet weather interfered
with haying in northern New England, but increased hay
crop; harvesting rye and winter wheat in southern portion,
heavy crops; apples continue to fall, outlook less promis-
ing ; raspberries average ; grapes abundant ; tobacco thrifty.

Week ending July 23. — New England. Boston: Rain
generally needed, drought severe in central and southern
sections, where gardens are drying up, fields and pastures

brown, find potato crop a failure ; hay of good quality, two-
thirds average crop ; tobacco doing well ; apples continue
dropping.

The Weather fob July, 1900.

The month of July was characterized by varied and ex-
treme conditions of weather. The opening days, and until
the Gth, the temperature averaged from two to five degrees
below normal. During this period there was much cloudi-
ness, although the rainfall was light, averaging about four-
tenths of an inch. The rainfall was the result of local
showers fairly well distributed through the week. The
second and third weeks were excessively warm, the mercury
being almost continuously above the normal. The warm
wave was most intense from the 16th to 18th inclusive, dur-
ing which the maxima temperatures ranged in the 90s,
occasionally reaching 100°, in the shade, and the minima
falling but slightly, if any, below 80°. The weather in the
mean time was clear to partly cloudy, with a general defi-
ciency of rain. The only showers of consequence were on
the 12th and 18th. These were very irregular in amounts
and distribution. In some instances there were down-pours
of from one to two inches, while in others the amounts were
inappreciable. A season of cool weather obtained from the
20th to 22d, with the maximum temperatures in the 80s. This
was followed by a few days of moderate summer heat, re-
sulting in a general rain-storm on the 25th and 26th. The
rainfall during this storm was generally copious. It was
most timely and of inestimable value to agricultural interests
throughout the State. The month closed with several days
of fair weather, with the average amount of sunshine aud
temperatures ranging near the seasonal average. Excepting
the unfavorable conditions resulting from the deficiency in
rainfall, the weather of the month was generally favorable
to crops and farming operations.

In the circular to correspondents returnable July 23 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 propor-
tion of the crop will be put into the silo?

8

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

4. What forage crops are being raised to supplement the
hay crop, for the silo, and to eke out the pastures ; what is
their condition and are more raised than usual?

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, plums,
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, both as grain and forage crops?

Returns have been received from 155 correspondents, and
from them the following summary has been made up : —

Insects.

No noticeable damage from insects is reported, if we ex-
cept that from the pea louse, a new insect which has done
great damage to the pea crop in some market-garden sec-
tions. Potato bugs are generally reported, but not as doing
any unusual amount of damage. Other insects spoken of
are currant worms, squash bugs, cabbage worms, tent cater-
pillars, canker worms, elm leaf beetles, horn flies, rose bugs,
codlin moths, asparagus beetles, pear tree psyllas, grasshop-
pers, plant lice, corn worms, white grubs, cut worms, cur-
culios, and squash vine borers.

Indian Corn.
Indian corn is generally in first-class condition in western
and central sections, though perhaps a little late. In the
eastern part of the State it was suffering from drought prior
to the rain of the 25th and 26th, though not as badly as most
other crops. The recent rain should have relieved this con-
dition and it should do fairly well with a proper amount of
moisture from now on. As always, more corn is used for
ensilage in Worcester County than elsewhere, the south-
eastern counties being those where there are the fewest silos.

The Hay Crop.
At the time of making returns haying was practically com-
pleted. From two-thirds to three-fourths of a full crop is
the favorite estimate as to quantity, with perhaps nearer an
average crop in eastern and south-eastern sections, if Barn-
stable County be excepted. The quality of the crop is gen-
erally said to be good and it was mainly secured in first-class
condition.

Forage Crops.

The short hay crop has led to a considerable increase in
the acreage of forage crops all over the State. Fodder corn
is the crop most extensively used for this purpose, closely
followed by oats, Hungarian grass, millet and barley. Other
crops reported as grown for forage are oats and peas, barley
and peas, rye, peas, soy beans, cabbages and roots. In
western and central sections they were generally reported
to be in fair condition, but in eastern counties they were
suffering badly from drought at the time of making returns,
a condition probably relieved by the rain of the 25th and
26th.

Market-garden Crops.
Market-garden crops were general ly suffering from drought,
those now ready for market being short crops in the princi-
pal market-garden sections, and later ones at a stand-still
before the rain. These should now do well with season-
able rains. Prices average about as usual.

Early Potatoes.
At time of making returns early potatoes were being dug
in many places. The crop has apparently suffered much from
drought in nearly all sections, the rain coming too late to
materially aid it, and there are numerous reports that it is
nearly or quite a failure. Prices are reported as lower than
usual, a surprising condition in view of the short crop. The
late crop should do well with rain as no blight is reported.

10

Fruits.
Apples dropped badly during the month and the crop will
hardly come up to earlier expectations. Pears will be a fair
crop ; plums light ; peaches a light crop, but still well up to
the average ; quinces a good crop as far as reported on ;
grapes generally promise well. Not enough returns were
received in regard to cranberries to warrant any remarks
upon them. All fruits suffered somewhat from drought in
eastern sections.

Pasturage.

At the time of making returns pastures were in need of
rain in all sections, and in eastern sections were generally
reported as being dry and brown. The recent rain should
help them in western and central sections, but it is feared
that they have suffered to severely in the eastern counties to
make more than a partial recovery possible this season.

Small Grains.

Rye, oats and barley matured early enough to escape the
greater part of the drought, and were generally good aver-
age crops where cut for grain.

11

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us July 23.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Mount Washington (II. M. Weaver). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is doing well now and about half of it will go into the
silo. The hay crop was good in quality but short in quantity. Southern
corn is the principal forage crop raised. Potatoes are yielding well and
are lower than ever in price. The prospect is good for apples, pears,
peaches, plums and cranberries. Pasturage is short and is growing
slowly. Rye and oats are up to the average both as grain and forage
crops.

Tyringham (E. H. Slater). — Indian corn is an average crop and
about one-eighth of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop was
about the same as last year in quantity and of better quality than usual.
Sowed corn, oats and peas are the principal forage crops raised. Pota-
toes are looking well, but none are harvested as yet. Apples are about
half a crop, and there is a good supply of pears, plums and grapes.
Pasturage is showing the effect of dry weather. Rye, oats and barley
compare favorably with former years. We have had a few heavy
showers which have helped out the pastures and the hay crop wonder-
fully. Tobacco is a little late but is a good crop.

Becket (W. H. Snow). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian
corn is late but is looking well ; three-fourths of the crop will be put
into the silo. Hay was a light crop, of good quality. Oats and Hun-
garian grass are the principal forage crops raised. No potatoes have
been dug as yet. The prospect for fruit is not very good. Rye, oats
and barley are fully as good as usual.

West Slockbridge (Wm. C. Spaulding). — Currant worms and potato
bugs are doing some damage. Corn is an excellent crop ; no silos about
here. The hay crop was fully up to the average both in quantity and
quality. Fodder corn and roots are the principal forage crops and they
are in good condition. Market-garden crops are looking well ; potatoes
not ready to harvest yet, new ones retailed at ?1 per bushel. Apples and
grapes promise well ; few pears; peaches, plums and quinces scarce;
no cranberries. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye, oats and barley
are average crops. Frequent showers have kept crops going in good
shape.

Washington (E. II Eames). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is a good crop and about half of it will go into the silo. Hay
was not half as heavy a crop as last year, but the quality was good. No
forage crops have been put in to supplement the hay crop as yet. There

12

will be a very light crop of all kinds of fruit. Pastures are in very good
condition. Rye and oats are about the same as in former years.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Corn
is a little late but is looking well ; no silos in town. Quality of hay crop
good, but quantity 25 per cent short of a full crop. No forage crops are
raised to supplement the hay crop Potatoes are looking well and prom-
ise a big crop There will be a fair crop of apples, but only a few
pears and plums. Pastures are in fine condition. Very little rye is
raised, but the quality is good ; too early for oat harvest, but they look
first rate and will probably yield well.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn has grown rapidly in the past few days and is nearly up to
the average The hay ci-op will be about 80 per cent of a full crop and
the quality compares favorably with former years. Fodder corn and
millet are the principal forage crops; condition fair and fully as much
raised as usual. Market-garden crops are looking well ; early potatoes
promise wel 1 ; prices low. Apples are dropping but promise a good crop ;
pears and plums are good crops. Pastures are becoming short although
comparing favorably with former years. The grain crop is well up to
former years in quality and quantity, oats being heavy.

New Ash ford (Elihu Ingraham). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is a good crop and none of it will be put into the silo.
The hay crop is better than last year in quantity and the quality is good.
No forage crops are raised here. Market-garden crops are in good con-
dition, with prices about as in former years. The prospect for apples is
fair; no other fruits grown here. Pasturage is in fair condition. Oats
look finely ; no rye or barley raised.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Rowe (J. F. Brown). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Corn
is looking well and about one-tenth of the crop will go into the silo.
Hay was about a three-fourths crop of average quality. Corn, barley
and oats are the principal forage crops raised ; condition good ; more
raised than usual. Apples are looking well and promise a large croj) ;
other fruit not raised for market. Pasturage is injured for the want of
rain and is poor, Oats and barley are looking fully up to former years.

Colrain (A. A. Smith) . — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian
corn is a fair crop and about half of it will be put into the silo. The hay
•crop was not up to the average in quantity but above in quality. Corn
for silage is the principal forage crop. Market-garden crops, including
potatoes, are about as usual, with prices about average. The prospect
is not good for the fruit crop. Pasturage is dry. Rye, oats and barley
are not up to the average

QUI (F F Stoughton). — Indian corn is late but is of good color;
the recent rains will help it greatly. Hay was less than an average crop
in quantity but of good quality. Rye, oats and fodder corn are the prin-
cipal forage crops raised and corn is the principal crop raised for the
silo. There will not be a heavy crop of apples. Pastures are in good
condition Rye and oats are exti'a good crops.

13

Ashficld (Ciias. H0WE8). — Potato baga are the most troublesome
insect at present. Corn is a little backward but is looking finely ; prob-
ably three-fourths of it will be put into the silo. There is rather a
light crop of hay, of excellent quality. Sweet corn, oats and barley are
raised to help <>ut the hay crop and the pastures, and considerably more
than usual have been put in. Garden crops and potatoes are looking
finely, though tew potatoes have been dug. There are plenty of apples,
but pears and other fruits are rather off. Pastures are in good condition
for the time of year. Rye, oats and barley are mostly raised for forage
and are fully up to the average.

Deerjidd (Chas. Jones) . — Potato bugs are doing some damage. In-
dian corn is a fair crop and not over a tenth of it will go into the silo.
Hay is not an average crop but the quality is good. No forage crops
are raised to help out the hay crop and the pastures. Early potatoes are
more than average crops and market-garden crops are a good average.
Apples will not be an average crop and there are few pears and no
peaches. Pasturage is in very poor condition. Rye and oats are look-
ing well but are little raised.

Erving (C. F. Clahk) . — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Indian
corn is a good crop ; only a small portion of it will go into the silo. Hay
is not over a two-thirds crop, of about the usual quality. Fodder corn
is the principal forage crop raised and is in good condition, with about
the usual amount planted. Market-garden crops are good and early
potatoes about average. There will not be a large crop of any kind of
fruit. Pastures are in good condition for the season. Rye, oats and
barley are average crops.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — Tent caterpillars and potato bugs are
doing some damage. Indian corn is in good condition and about half
the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop was of good quality, but
was the smallest for years. Farmers are putting in many acres of
Hungarian grass and it looks very promising. Potatoes look well but
there are not many in the hill. The prospect for fruit of all kinds is the
best for years. Pastures are in good condition. Bye, oats and barley
are about normal crops.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Currant worms have been quite
destructive, and we have plenty of potato bugs. Corn is backward,
but of good color and growing well ; a small proportion will be put into
the silo. We have a light hay crop but the quality is good Corn, oats,
peas and oats, and some Hungarian grass are put in for forage ; they are
looking well, with a somewhat increased acreage. There are but few
potatoes harvested as yet. There will be a medium crop of apples,
pears, and peaches ; grapes more abundant. Pasturage is rather light
and dry ; we have had some showers but hardly enough to keep up its
condition. Rye, oats and barley are apparently fair average crops.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Indian corn is in average condition ; there are but three silos in
town. , Hay was a two-thirds crop, of good quality. Oats and corn are

14

the pi'incipal forage crops raised and are in good condition. Apples will
be'a full crop ; other fruits two-thirds crops, except peaches, which are
a failure. Pastures are very dry and short. Rye, oats and barley are
nearly average crops.

Amherst (W. P. Brooks). — The elm leaf beetle is doing much dam-
age. Corn is in excellent condition ; nearly two-thirds the total acreage
will go into the silo. The hay crop was about average, both as to
quality and quantity. Fodder corn, Japanese barn-yard millet, Hun-
garian grass and oats and peas are the principal forage crops ; no mate-
rial increase in acreage ; condition good. Cabbages and potatoes are
unusually good ; sweet corn nearly ready to pick and good ; tomatoes
good and beginning to ripen ; beets unusually good ; peas below average ;
beans above average ; other market-garden crops good. Apples promise
well ; peaches, plums, quinces and grapes the same ; but few pears ; no
cranberries raised. Pasturage is in average condition. Rye is above
the average.

Eadley (H. C. Russell). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is fully up to the average and 5 per cent of the crop will be
put into the silo. Hay was less than an average crop although better
than last year ; quality good. Oats and Hungarian grass are the prin-
cipal forage croj)s and about the usual amount has been put in. Early
potatoes are a good crop. There is a fair crop of fruit, but not an ex-
cessive one, as the bloom promised. Pasturage is in good condition.
Rye, oats and barley are average crops in quantity and quality.

South Hadley (H. W. G aylord) . — Potato bugs and squash bugs are
more numerous this year than for the last five or six years. Corn looks
finely and has made rapid growth the last two weeks ; probably fully
one-half the crop will go into the silo. Hay was from two-thirds to
three-fourths a normal crop, of good quality. Corn, millet, Hungarian
grass, barley and peas are being sown for forage ; condition good ;
acreage increased one-third. Market-garden crops are generally doing
well, with fair prices ; early potatoes are a failure. Fruit of all kinds,
with the exception of grapes, is dropping badly and does not promise
well. Pastures are very short and dry. Rye and early sown oats and
barley are good crops.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — Potato bugs have been very plenty.
Corn is in good condition but needs rain ; but a small part will be put
into the silo. The quantity of the hay crop is not up to the average but
the quality is of the best. Corn and millet are the principal forage
crops grown. Market-garden crops have suffered from drought ; early
potatoes are almost a failure. Apples, pears, peaches and plums will
be very light crops ; grapes a good crop. Pastures are sear and brown.
Rye, oats and barley are about average crops.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Potato bugs are not as prevalent as
usual. Corn is looking well and not over one-fourth of the crop will go
into the silo. Hay was not over a two-thirds crop, but the quality was
good. Corn is the principal forage crop grown and is in fair condition.
Apples are the only fruit raised for market and are not very promising.
Pasturage is in fairly good condition.

15

Oummington (S. W. Clark). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is backward; half the crop maybe used for silage. Hay
was about two-thirds of an average crop, of first-class quality. Corn,
Hungarian grass and oats and peas are the principal forage crops ; they
look very well and more than usual have been put in. Gardens look
well and potatoes finely. The prospect is good for fruits and black-
berries promise well. Pastures are in very good condition ; much better
than last year. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops. No rain
storm for many weeks, but showers have been frequent and have kept
crops growing fairly. Streams are very low.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (P. M. Adzima). —Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is about a week late but in good condition; half the crop
will be put into the silo. The hay crop is light but of good quality.
Corn, oats, barley and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops
grown ; about the usual amount put in and condition good. Market-
garden crops are fair and potatoes ai*e yielding well. The prospect for
fruits and berries is good. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye, oats
and barley are about average crops.

Granville (Joseph Welch). — Potato bugs are doing some damage
Corn looks very well ; none is used for silage. Hay was from one-half
to two-thirds of a crop. There will be a fair crop of potatoes if we
have rain. In some parts of the town there will be a good crop of
apples, in other parts none. Pastures are drying up and rain is needed.
Rye, oats and barley arc about average crops.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — Potato bugs and horn flies are
doing some damage. Corn is a little late but is looking well ; only a
small part of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop was light in
quantity but good in quality. Corn, oats and Hungarian grass are the
principal forage crops raised. Market-garden crd-ps have been affected
by drought; potatoes blighted, tubers small ; prices low. Apples fair;
pears light ; very few peaches ; some plums ; quinces and grapes full
average crops. Pasturage is very short on dry lands and fair on moist
lands. Rye and oats are extra good crops.

Agawam (Reuben DeWitt). — Potato bugs have not been very
troublesome. Early planted corn looks well ; that planted late on dry
lands looks poorly. Rye is the principal crop i*aised for green feed, and
barley and oats are planted to eke out the hay crop. Potatoes are low
in price and look as if the yield would be slim. Apples are a small crop ;
pears good in some orchards ; peaches scarce ; plums abundant. Past-
ures are suffering from drought. Rye, oats and barley compare favor-
ably with other years as forage crops.

Longmeadow (W. F. Emerson). — Potato bugs, elm tree beetles and
pea lice are doing some damage. Light rains occasionally are keeping
corn looking well ; one-third the crop will go into the silo. The quantity
of the hay crop was less than usual, particularly on old mowings, but the
quality was good. Hungarian grass, corn, oats and a little barley are
the forage crops grown, and rather more than usual have been put in.

16

Potatoes will probably be a light crop. There are no apples to speak
of; other fruits uneven ; good crops in some cases in others not. Past-
urage has been holding out well though perilously near injury from
drought at times. Rye is a good crop ; oats rather light.

Hampden (J. N. Isham). — Corn is in good growing condition ; about
one farmer in forty has a silo. The hay crop was nearly up to last year
in quantity and of excellent quality. Corn and oats are the principal
forage crops raised and are in good condition, with increased acreage.
Garden crops are in good condition ; potatoes are a fair yield with me-
dium prices. Apples and peai*s good ; some peach orchards good, others
poor ; plums poor and natives show some rot. Pasturage is fairly good
but is beginning to show need of rain. Rye a little short from winter
killing ; oats a good average crop.

Holland (Francis Wight). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in good condition ; no silos in this town. Hay was not
over a two-thirds crop but the quality was good. Corn and oats are the
principal forage crops grown, with an increased acreage. Market-
garden crops are in good condition. All fruits except grapes and cran-
berries will be below the average. Feed in pastures is short and not fresh
and green. Rye, oats and barley are rather above the average.

Palmer (O. P. Allen). — Potato bugs are our most troublesome in-
sect. Indian corn is rather backwai-d but is coming on fast now. The
quantity of the hay crop is less than usual but the quality is good. Corn
is the principal forage crop grown and there is the usual amount this
year. Market-garden crops are about as in former years as regards con-
dition and price. Fruit is below the average in condition. Pasturage is
good as a rule. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

North Brookfield (J. H. Lane). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in good condition and about 10 per cent of the crop will
go into the silo. Hay was a little over a three-fom-ths crop, of fine
quality. Corn and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops
grown. Prices for market-garden crops are very low and early potatoes
bring but 50 cents a bushel. Apples and pears are half a crop, plums a
one-third crop, and grapes a full crop. Pastures are now getting dry,
but feed has been good up to within a few days. Rye, oats and barley
are extra good crops.

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
The warm weather has caused a fine and very thrifty growth of corn;
about one-fourth of the crop goes into the silo. Hay was about a three-
fourths crop, of excellent quality. On account of expected shortage of
hay an extra area has been devoted to fodder corn, millet, etc., and they
are making a fine growth. All market-garden crops are very thrifty
and potatoes are especially fine. The prospect is for a very large crop
of apples, with a few pears, peaches and quinces, and an average crop
of grapes. Pasturage has been in good condition but is now getting
short. Oats and barley have made a good growth and were nearly all
hayed.

17

Rutland (L. S. Dudley). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.

Indian corn is in good condition and nearly all the crop will go into the
silo. Hay was about half a crop, of good quality. Corn is the princi-
pal Forage crop raised, with about the usual acreage. Market-garden
crops are in good condition; no potatoes dug as yet. Pasturage is

rather short. Rye, oats and barley arc about average crop-.

Ifubbardslon (C. C. Colby). — Tent caterpillars, potato bugs and pea
lice are doing some damage. Corn is looking well Imt is backward;
about three-fourths the crop goes into the silo. Hay was only about a
two-thirds crop, of good quality. A large amount of Hungarian grass,
oats and barley has been put in and some corn planted as late as .July 9.
Potatoes are looking well, with the prospect of a good yield. The pros-
pect for apples, pears and grapes is good. Oats and rye have made a
heavy growth.

Petersham (S. B. Cook). — Potato bugs and rose bugs have done some
damage. Indian corn is in good condition and one-third of the crop will
go into the silo. Hay was a three-fourths crop, of good quality. Corn
is the principal forage crop raised, with some Hungarian grass, oats and
millet. Market-garden crops are in good condition ; yield and price of
early potatoes about as in former years. Apples and grapes will be
plenty; pears and quinces few ; peaches and plums a failure. Pastures
are in only fair condition, as feed is getting short. Rye, oats and barley
compare favorably with former years.

Templelon (Lucien Gove). — Potato bugs, rose bugs, asparagus
beetles, cabbage worms and codlin moths are doing some damage. Corn
is more than a week late and quite uneven ; more than 75 per cent of
the crop will go into the silo. Hay was not over a half crop but the
quality was good. Oats, barley, Hungarian grass and millet are the
principal forage crops grown, and they are below average in condition
because of drought. The outlook is not favorable for fidl yields of
market-garden crops ; yield of potatoes light, prices somewhat higher.
Apples are fair average crops; pears light; no peaches; plums light.
Pasturage is below the average in condition. Rye, oats and barely are
lighter than usual and are heading out low.

Ashbumham (Albert Neediiam). — Potato bugs and horn flies are
doing some damage. Corn is rather backward and about half the crop
will be used for ensilage. Hay is generally of good quality and about
60 percent of an average crop. More forage crops than usual are being
grown, consisting largely of corn, Hungarian grass, oats and barley.
Potatoes are looking well. The apple crop will be rather small for the
bearing year. Pasturage is drying up and unless rain comes soon stock
will have to be fed at the barn.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Potato bugs and the pear psylla are
doing some damage. Indian corn looks fairly well but needs moisture ;
most of the crop will go into the silo. Hay was not over a two-thirds
crop but was of good quality. Drought cuts all market-garden crops
short and prices are low for potatoes. Apples will be a full crop;
pears 75 per cent; peaches 50 per cent; plums 80 per cent; grapes 85
per cent. Pastures are short for lack of rain.

18

Bolton (H. E. Babcock). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well and fully one-half the crop will be put into the
silo. Hay was hardly an average as to quantity but was of good quality.
Oats and barley are the principal forage crops grown. Market-garden
crops and potatoes are light crops, with average prices. There will be
an average crop of apples, pears and grapes ; but very few peaches,
plums, quinces and cranberries. Pasturage is very short and dry. Rye,
oats and barley are very good crops.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers are doing
some damage. Corn is late and in many places is suffering from
drought; a large portion of the crop goes into the silo. The hay crop
is very light on old fields, fair on new ones ; quality good. Oats are
about the only forage crop raised except corn, though a few sow barley.
Potatoes seem almost a failure ; market-garden crops fair and prices
satisfactory. Fruit promises a good crop in some places. Pastures are
in very poor shape and need rain badly. Rye, oats and barley are all
cut green, and while light, have mostly been secured in good condition.

Milford (J. J. Nutter). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. Corn
is looking very well and only a small proportion of it will go into the
silo. Hay was a light crop. Corn is the principal forage crop raised ;
condition good and about the usual quantity planted. The condition of
market-garden crops is very good and prices are about as last year.
The prospect is good for apples ; other fruit not much grown. Pastur-
age is in poor condition. Itye, oats and barley are average crops.

Hopedale (Delano Patrick). — Potato bugs are doing some damage,
though less than usual. Corn is doing well and perhaps two-thirds of
the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop was somewhat off in quan-
tity but was of good quality. Indian corn is the principal forage crop
grown, with about the usual acreage. Market-garden crops are doing
well ; potatoes yield well ; prices for both a little lower than usual. The
prospect is good for apples. Pasturage is not in very good condition.
Rye, oats and barley are not much sown in this vicinity.

Uxbridge (Augustus Story). — Pea lice, squash bugs and elm leaf
beetles are doing some damage. Corn is small and greatly in need of
rain ; about one-third of the crop will go into the silo. Hay was gener-
ally a good crop, well up to former years in quality. Oats are the
principal forage crop used and more than usual have been planted.
Market-garden crops are looking well, though the heat and drought are
injuring them now ; prices same as last year. Fruit promises well and
peaches are looking better than was expected earlier in the season.
Pastures are drying up badly. Oats have done well.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Ashland (C. F. Adams). — Indian corn is a good crop and one-tenth
of it will go into the silo. Hay was about 85 per cent of an average
crop, of good quality. Hungarian grass, corn and barley are the princi-
pal forage crops raised and are in good condition. Market-garden crops
are in good condition, with average prices prevailing. There will be

19

about half a crop of fruit. Pasturage is in poor condition. Rye, outs
and barley are average crops.

Maynard (L. II Maynard). — Squash bugs are doing some damage.
Dry weather lias shortened the corn crop; probably three-fourths of it
goes into the silo. The hay crop is below the average in quantity and
quality. Hungarian grass is the principal forage crop raised and will
be light, owing to the extreme dry weather. Market-garden crops are
suffering for rain ; no potatoes dug as yet. Apples will be half a crop ;
grapes a full crop ; other fruits about normal. Pastures are all dried
up and there is apparently no feed in them. Rye, oats and barley have
been average crops.

Stow (G. W. Bradley). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers are doing
some damage. Indian corn is very backward and needs rain ; probably
one-fourth of the crop will go into the silo. The quantity of the hay
crop was light and the quality good. Hungarian grass, corn and oats
are the principal forage crops, and they are not looking very well on
account of drought. Apples are dropping badly ; pears and peaches
light ; grapes fair. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops.

Boxborough (J. F. Hay ward). — Potato bugs and the striped squash
bug are doing; some damage. Indian corn is looking well where it is
not injured by dry weather; those who have silos put in about all they
raise. The hay crop was about a two-thirds crop in quantity but was
of good quality. Fodder corn, millet and Hungarian grass are the prin-
cipal forage crops raised and more corn than usual has been put in. The
drought has lessened the yield of market-garden crops but prices are a
little higher than usual. There is a good prospect for late apples and a
fair prospect for pears, peaches, plums and grapes. Dry weather is
making the feed in pastures short. Rye, oats and barley are average
crops.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — Potato bugs and the black squash bugs
are very troublesome this season. Indian corn needs rain, as it is fast
turning yellow, with indications of a light crop ; only a small portion of
it is put into the silo. The hay crop was below the average in quantity
but of very good quality. Corn, Hungarian grass, oats and barley are
the principal forage crops grown ; late sown crops are growing slowly,
with the acreage rather larger than usual. No market-garden crops or
potatoes have been harvested, but the outlook is for light crops. Apples
promise a medium crop ; no pears ; some peaches on high land ; no
plums or quinces; grapes light; cranberries bloomed full. Pastures
are very dry and short of feed. Rye and oats compare favorably with
former years.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Potato bugs and asparagus beetles are doing
some damage. Indian corn has been much injured by dry weather, a
large per cent being past help from rain ; very little if any goes into
the silo. Hay was much below the average in quantity but of the best
quality. A large amount of millet and late corn have been put in but
are in very poor condition, dry weather and heat having ruined most
of it. Market-garden crops have been badly injured by dry weather and

20

make small yields. Apples, peaches and grapes set well ; no cranberries,
pears, quinces or plums. Pasturage is all burnt up by the dry weather.
Rye, oats and barley are much below the average.

Bedford (Henry Wood). — Canker worms and tent caterpillars are
doing very little damage. Corn is drying up very fast ; a considerable
proportion of the crop goes into the silo. Hay was not over half a crop
on most farms. Corn and millet are the principal forage crops grown.
No potatoes have been dug as yet. There will be about half a crop of
apples and pears, with some peaches and a fair crop of grapes. Rye
has done fairly well, oats not as well.

Lincoln (Samuel Hartwell) . — The hay crop was small and poor
on dry land but good on moist land. Oats and corn are the principal
forage crops; condition poor and no more than usual raised. Market-
garden crops have suffered from drought and potatoes will be a light crop.
Apples are plentiful in number but are small ; pears, peaches and plums
in fair quantity; grapes plenty. Pastures are in poor condition, being
all dried up. Winter rye is raised considerably for early feeding and is
in good condition. All growing crops have suffered from drought and
in many cases are past redemption.

Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — Potato and squash bugs are doing
some damage. Sweet corn for market is raised in this vicinity. The
ha}r crop was about a three-fourths crop in quantity ; quality very good
and put in the barn in fine condition. Corn and Hungarian grass are
the principal forage crops and about the usual amount have been put in.
Market-garden crops have yielded poorly, with prices about as in other
years. Potatoes look well ; none dug as yet. Apples will not be over
half a crop, being wormy and dropping badly ; peaches and pears light ;
plums, quinces and grapes average Feed is very short in pastures.
Rye and oats are generally average crops, though oats headed out low.
There will be no rowen, and celery and cabbage cannot be set out until
we have rain. Tomatoes are very late, the vines having made a very
slow growth.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — The hay crop was heavier than
last year and of good quality. Fodder corn is the principal forage crop
grown and it is very badly dried up. Market-garden crops have suffered
badly from drought and potatoes are not over half a crop. Apples and
pears are very good on low lands ; peaches are withering and falling off.
Rye is a good crop and was harvested in fine condition. Early corn is
so badly in need of rain that the ears do not grow at all except where
irrigated.

ESSEX COUNTY.
Oroveland (Abel Stockney). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is a little late but is generally fairly good ; one-half the crop
will go into the silo. The quality of the hay crop was No. 1 but the
quantity was rather off. Oats, barley, corn, Hungarian grass and peas
are the forage crops raised ; acreage more than usual, but it has been
very dry for the late sown. Those market-garden crops harvested have
yielded fairly well, but it has been too dry for those not yet harvested.
Apples, pears, peaches, plums and grapes promise well. Pastures are

21

short and dry. Rye oats and barley are average orops. Rain is much
needed.

Ncivburi/ ((r \V. Adams). — Horn Hies arc doing some damage. ( lorn
is backward but is otherwise in good condition; 15 per cent of the crop
goes into the silo. Hay was a very light crop of good quality. Fodder
corn and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops grown ; acreage
about the same as usual as it has been too dry of late to warrant sowing.
Market-garden crops make very fair yields, with prices fair. The pros-
pect for a good yield of fruit is growing less with every day of drought.
Pasturage is dried up. Rye, oats and barley were good crops, except on
sandy land

North Andover (Petek Holt). — Potato bugs are doing some dam-
age. Corn is looking well and nearly all of it will go into the silo.
The quality of the hay crop was never better, but it was not over two-
thirds of an average crop in quantity. Corn, oats, barley and Hungarian
grass are raised for fodder. Everything in the shape of market-garden
crops has suffered from drought. Apples are dropping and all fruit is
badly affected by the drought.

Topsficld (P. P. Pike). — Indian corn is curling badly; 20 per cent
of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop was little heavier than
last year. Corn, oats and Hungarian grass are the forage crops raised
and they are not in good condition. Peas are a failure and it has been
too dry for market-garden crops of all kinds. Apples will be a medium
crop; pears anil peaches will be a small crop. Pastures are in very
poor condition. Rye, oats and barley are much below the average.

Hamilton (Alvin Smith). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are doing
some damage. Indian corn is looking well and about one-third of the
crop will be put into the silo. There will be a very light hay crop, but
the quality will be good. Rye, oats, corn and barley are the forage
crops raised ; acreage somewhat increased and condition good. Market-
garden crops generally failures ; potatoes a light crop and prices me-
dium. There is prospect of a fair quantity of fruit in this section. The
condition of pastimige is the worst I have ever known. Rye, oats and
barley are about average crops.

Danvers (C. II Pueston). — The pea louse has done much damage.
Indian corn is in fair condition on moist land. The hay crop was very
small but of good quality. Barley, Hungarian grass, oats and corn are
the principal forage crops grown ; condition poor and more raised than
usual. .Market-garden crops are in poor condition on all except moist
land. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes are good crops ; no plums. Past-
urage is in very poor condition.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Cohaaset (E E. Ellms). — The pea louse has ruined the late crop en-
tirely throughout this section. Indian corn is in good condition. Hay
was a good crop, both as to quantity and quality. Corn is the principal
forage crop raised. Market-garden crops are not in good condition,
owing to dry weather. The prospect for fruit of all kinds is very good.
Pastures are very dry. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops.

22

Sloughton (C. F. Cortis). — Pea lice have done considerable damage.
Indian corn must have rain as it is curling badly ; nearly all the crop
goes into the silo, The hay crop was 60 per cent of an average crop.
Japanese millet and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops ;
less sown than usual, owing to inability to get millet seed. Market-
garden crops are suffering badly for want of rain. The prospect for
fruit of all kinds is fair. Pastures on high land are burned up, on low
lands good. Rye, oats and barley are rather less than average crops.

Canton (E. V. Kinsley). — Curculio and squash bugs are doing some
damage. Corn looks well ; few farmers have silos ; perhaps 5 per cent of
the crop is used for ensilage. Hay was below the average in quantity,
quality of the best. Indian corn, sweet corn, Hungarian grass and rye
are the forage crops grown ; there is about the usual acreage and they
are doing well. Potatoes look well ; peas half a crop ; prices high.
Apples and pears full crops ; other fruits good crops. Pastures are
getting very dry. Winter rye very fine ; oats a poor crop ; barley good.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Potato bugs, white grubs and pea lice are
doing some damage. Corn is in good condition and only a small pro-
poi'tion of the crop is used for silage. Hay was not quite an average
ci'op, of good quality. Oats and peas, barley and Hungarian grass are
the principal forage crops grown. Market-garden crops are in good
condition ; peas scarce and high ; potatoes low. There will be a small
crop of fruit and no cranberries. Pasturage is short and all dried up.
Rye, oats and barley are good crops.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Crows and dry weather have injured In-
dian corn; a small per cent will go into the silo. The hay crop was
light but of excellent quality. Millet and late barley are the principal
forage crops grown, but the dry weather has delayed and damaged
them. Early market-garden crops good ; present crops and prospect
poor. Apples good ; pears fair ; peaches light ; plums and quinces
few. Pasturage is all dried up. Rye, oats and barley are average
crops.

Bellingham (J. J. O'Sullivan). — Pea lice and potato bugs are doing
some damage. Indian corn needs rain ; 10 per cent of the crop will go
into the silo. Hay was 90 per cent of an average crop, of fair quality.
Corn and oats are the principal forage crops grown, and are in fair con-
dition, with about the usual acreage. Market-garden crops are in fair
condition, but need rain ; prices average. Apples will be a good crop
and grapes fair. Pastures are drying up. Very little rye raised for
grain ; no oats or barley ; average crops as forage crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Norton (Wm. A. Lane). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are doing
some damage. Indian corn is in fair condition and will be an average
crop with rain ; no silos here. The hay crop was about one-third lai'ger
than last year, and got in in good condition. Fodder corn is the principal
forage crop raised. Potatoes are drying up fast and will have to get
rain soon. There are some apples and a very few peaches ; cranberries
looking well. Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

23

Atlleborough (Isaac Algeb). — Potato bugs are doing some damage,
Corn is now much in need of rain ; no silos. Hay was about two-thirds
of an average crop, of the very best quality. Millet, Hungarian grass
and corn arc the principal forage crops grown ; all need rain; acreage
somewhat increased. Apples have fallen badly, so there is only a small
crop left on the trees. The potato crop will be very small unless rain
comes soon. Pasturage is in fair condition. Rye, oats and barley are
above average crops.

Raynham (N. W. Shaw). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in good condition ; none of the crop will go into the silo.
The hay crop was off in quality, but of average quantity. Fodder corn
is the principal forage crop grown. Yield of market-garden crops
small ; prices good, except for potatoes. The drought has destroyed
pasturage. Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are doing
some damage. Indian corn is very backward and small ; about three-
fourths of the crop will go into the silo. Hay was about seven-eighths
of a full crop, with quality never better. Corn, millet and barley are
the forage crops grown. Market-garden crops are in poor condition ;
potatoes half dead ; prices very low. Apples and pears three-fourths
crops; peaches 25 per cent; quinces 60 per cent. Pasturage has about
all dried up. Rye, oats and barley were not over half crops.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Canker worms and potato bugs are do-
ing some damage. Indian corn is in poor condition and rolling badly
on account of extreme drought ; no silos. Hay was less than an average
crop but of good quality. Millet and barley are the principal forage
crops ; they are growing very slowly, with about the usual acreage.
Market-garden crops are in poor condition ; potatoes half a crop ; prices
fairly good. Apples and pears are dropping badly ; peaches and plums
killed byfi'ost; quinces, grapes and cranberries fairly good. Pastures
are completely burned up. There will be a good crop of rye ; oats fair.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — Canker worms, plant lice and squash
maggots are doing some damage. Corn is looking well ; none for the
silo. Hay was a light crop, of good quality. Corn, rye and oats are
raised quite extensively as forage crops. The drought has injured
market-garden crops very much, potatoes a small crop and prices low.
Apples, pears and grapes will be plenty; peaches, plums and quinces
scarce. There is no feed for cattle except in swamps. Rye and oats
are good crops. Onions are looking well but need rain. Turnips are
small and cannot grow until we have rain.

O

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — Potato bugs and pea lice are doing
some damage. Indian corn looks fairly well and 25 per cent of it will
be put into the silo. Hay was about a three-fourths crop. Corn fodder
is the principal forage crop grown. Market-garden crops are suffering
for rain ; yield and price of potatoes both a little off. Apples set well,
as did grapes also. Pastures are getting very dry and short.

Bridgewaler (R. Cass). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are doing

24

some damage. Corn is growing rapidly and is in good condition ; no
silos. The hay crop was below the average in quantity but of very
good quality. Oats, Hungarian grass and fodder corn are the principal
forage crops grown ; condition very good and acreage increased about
one-third. Potatoes show the effects of drought ; pi'ices of market-gar-
den crops slightly above the average. Apples 60 per cent; pears 40
per cent ; no peaches or plums ; less than half a crop of quinces ; grapes
plentiful. Pastures are in poor condition. Rye, oats and barley are
fair average crops.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas). — Indian corn is feeling the drought badly.
Hay was above the average in both quantity and quality. Corn is the
principal forage crop and is feeling the drought very badly on light
soil ; acreage about the same as usual. Market-garden crops are feel-
ing the drought. The prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pastur-
age is feeling the drought now.

Duxbury (A. M. Goulding). — Corn has been looking finely but
begins to show the effects of dry weather; not over one-third will go
into the silo. The hay crop was 25 per cent heavier than last year and
of No. 1 quality. Oats and peas, millet and corn are the principal for-
age crops grown ; acreage about as usual and crops looking fairly well.
Most of the early potatoes are practically ruined by drought. Apples
fair ; pears good ; no peaches or plums ; quinces medium ; grapes and
cranberries good. Pastures are short and rapidly drying up. Rye, oats
and barley are full average crops.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — Potato bugs are very plenty. Corn
needs rain as the leaves are rolling. An average crop of hay was
secured in prime order. More millet and Hungarian grass have been
sown than usual, but most of it has not yet come up. The yield of peas
has been small, owing to the drought and pea lice ; all crops need l'ain.
There are but few apples, pears or plums and no peaches ; cranberries
promise an average crop. All highland pastures are dried up and cattle
are being fed at the barns. Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

Lakeville (N. G. Staples). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in fair condition and about 5 per cent of the crop will go
into the silo. The hay crop was average in quantity and quality. Fod-
der corn and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops grown.
Market-garden cix>ps are in bad condition, owing to drought ; new pota-
toes sell for $1 per bushel. There will not be an average crop of fruit.
Pasturage is all burned up. Rye, oats and barley look fairly well.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Sandwich (J. R. Holway). — Indian corn is nearly all drying up;
none put into the silo. Quantity of hay about the same as last year and
quality good. Corn is the principal forage crop and less than usual has
been planted, as it is too dry to plant now. Early potatoes and most
garden crops are failures. There will be a fair crop of pears, peaches
and grapes ; not many apples and few cranberries. Pasturage is very
short. Rye, oats and barley are short crops.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are doing

25

some damage. Corn is growing finely and stands the drought belter
than any other crop. Hay was half a crop, of the best quality. Corn
and oats are the principal forage crops. Market-garden crops are very
poor; potatoes a failure; prices average. Apples, peaches and plums
dropping badly. Pastures look as brown as they would in winter. Rye,
uats and barley are not much grown and are very short in stalk.

Mashpee (VY. F. HAMMOND). — Potato bugs and cut worms are doing
some damage. Indian corn is looking quite well, but will be a light
crop on account of dry weather. Hay is half a crop, of fair quality.
Oats and rye are the principal forage crops grown. All market-garden
crops are below the average. Apples, pears, quinces, grapes and cran-
berries promise well. Pasturage is below the average in condition,
Rye, oats and barley are about a failure.

Barnstable (John Burslev). — Marsh flies are annoying cattle. In-
dian corn is in fair condition ; none for the silo. Hay was 75 per cent
of an average crop in quantity and No 1 in quality. No forage crops
sown, or if sown have failed to germinate because of extreme drought.
There will be very light crops of all fruits except cranberries, which
promise an average crop. Market-garden crops are a failure because
of drought. Pastures are dried up and cows are fed at the barn. Rye
was a fair crop and oats light.

Orleans (F. E. Snow). — Corn has been looking well but is curling
badly now. The hay crop was short but of fairly good quality. Oats,
Hungarian grass and millet are the forage crops grown. Potatoes are
much injured by dry weather. Pears are looking well; apples not
plentiful. Pasturage is very short. Rye, oats and barley are shortened
by the dry weather.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Hay was a light crop, of good quality.
Hungarian grass and Indian corn are the principal forage crops grown.
Market-garden crops are all dried up. The fruit crop is affected by
drought and will be small. Pasturage is dried up. We have been two
months without rain of any amount.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is beginning to curl up from drought ; we have no silos.
Hay was more than an average crop, of good quality. Some millet has
been sown for forage, but the dry weather has about ruined it. Potatoes
are small ; market-garden crops much damaged by drought. The pros-
pect for all kinds of fruit is poor. Pasturage is in poor condition. Oats
are about a two-thirds crop.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (C. W. Gardner). — Potato bugs and striped squash bugs
are doing some damage. Drought has affected corn badly; no silos.
Corn and millet are the principal forage crops. Potatoes half a crop ;
market-garden crops good. Pasturage is very dry. Hay was about a
two-thirds crop, of very good quality.

26

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Boaeb of Agriculture.

BIRDS AS PROTECTORS OF WOODLANDS.

By E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist to the Board.
Illustrated by the Author.

The greatest enemy of the forest is man himself, for there is no devas-
tation of the woodlands which even approximates that which comes from
fire or the axe. Against these evils (which are blessings only when well
handled) only education and legislation can protect us. We know the
injury to the woodlands caused by long droughts, or by cold and storms.
From injuries so caused there is no deliverance, neither is there any
remedy provided, but the damage from elemental causes usually falls on
trees which have passed their age of greatest usefulness, or upon young
and sickly specimens. We know that trees are subject to many injuries
by animals. Their foliage is eaten by beetles, flies, grubs and cater-
pillars ; their fruit and seeds destroyed by insects, birds and squirrels ;
their twigs destroyed by borers or cut off by girdlers ; their bark eaten
by mice, hares and other animals ; their trunks and roots attacked by
wood borers ; and even their very life blood, the sap, is sucked out by
aphids. Against such injuries, however, nature provides preventatives
or remedies. Some species of trees have hundreds of species of insects
feeding upon them. When we consider well the fecundity, voracity and
the consequent great possibilities for mischief possessed by the trees'
enemies we wonder that trees survive at all. Still, trees spring up and
grow apace. In a wooded country a few years' neglect of field or past-
ure suffices to clothe it with a growth of bushes and young trees, and
in time a wood lot succeeds the cleared land. That trees are able thus to
spring up and grow to maturity without man's care is sufficient evidence
that they are protected by their natural friends from the too injurious
inroads of their natural enemies.

Among these friends birds hold the chief place. It is generally be-
lieved that there are few birds in deep woods. Travellei-s have often
remarked the scarcity of birds in the forest, and it is true that usually
there are fewer birds, both in numbers of species and individuals, in
most northern forests than in more open or cultivated lands. Those that
live and breed in the deep woods, however, are especially fitted to de-
stroy the trees' enemies, and twice each year, in spring and fall, a great
wave of migratory, insect-eating birds, that summer in the north and
winter near the tropics, passes through the woods of the temperate zone,
gleaning insects from the trees as well as from the plants springing
from forest floor, from the leaf mold or from out the very ground.

Here in Massachusetts, in the chill days of March and early April,
when sunshine and shadow fleck the lingering snow, in silent woods and

27

along the swollen streams the lusty fox sparrow searches for hibernating
insects, which only await the warmer sun of April or May to emerge
from their hiding places and lay their eggs upon or attack the trees,
lie and his companions, the tree sparrow and the junco. soon pass on to
the north, making way for the white-throats and thrushes, winch con-
tinue the good work, to he followed in their turn by other thrushes and
towhees. In early April birds are not plentiful in the woods, but the
chickadees, woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches and kinglets are doing their
part. Later, in the warm days of May, when nature has awakened from
her long winter's sleep, when the little, light green oak leaves are just
opening, when the bright young birch leaves decorate but do not hide
the twigs, when every leatlet vies with the flowers in beauty and every
branch upholds its grateful offering, when insects which were dormant
or sluggish during the earlier days of the year become active in ascend-
ing the trees, and when their swarming offspring appear on bud and
leaf, then the south wind brings the migratory host of birds which
winter near the equator. They sweep through the woods, they encom-
pass the trees, flight after flight passes along on its way to the north, all
gleaning insects as they go. No one who has not watched these birds
hour after hour and day after day, who has not listened to their multi-
tudinous notes as night after night they have passed overhead, can
realize the numbers that sweep through the woods in the spring and fall
migrations. Those who have watched the flights of wood warblers
during the present season cannot but marvel at their vast and constantly
changing procession. On May 11 of the present year at Amesbury,
Mass., Blackburnian warblers were seen all through the woods at day-
break. Having come in the previous night they were not singing but
were busily feeding until seven o'clock. At eight o'clock not one was
to be seen. They had passed on, and other species had taken their
place.

The great body of migratory warblers feeds largely on caterpillars
and plant lice, — two of the worst enemies of trees. They come at a
time when the first broods of these creatures appear, and so do yeoman
service in preventing their enormous increase. One needs only to know
the possibilities in the vrny of reproduction among the plant lice to ap-
preciate the services of birds in destroying these early broods. Lintner
says of one species, — the hop-vine aphis,— that according to Riley
it has thirteen generations a year, and that, giving the average number
of young produced by each female as 100, if every individual should
attain maturity and produce its full complement of young, the twelfth
brood alone would amount to ten sextillions. If this brood, says Lint-
ner, were marshalled in line, ten to the inch, touching one another, the
procession would extend to the sun (a space travelled by light in eight
minutes), and beyond that to the nearest fixed star (a distance travelled
by light in six years), and onward into space beyond the most distant
star that the strongest telescope may bring to our view, to a point so
inconceivably remote that light would only reach us from it in twenty-
five hundred years. It need hardly be said that no such multiplication
as this can ever occur in nature, still the calculation shows the possibili-
ties of great danger to vegetation should any of the forces be withdrawn
which hold these insects in check. Dr. Fitch, by a careful enumeration
and computation, estimated that several young cherry trees about ten
feet in height were each infested by at least twelve millions of aphids.*

The increase of these creatures is largely controlled by birds, but in
greenhouses, where birds cannot go, plant lice are a serious evil, and
florists have to combat them with insecticides and fumigation. The
value of birds as aphis eaters has been shown by confining birds in
greenhouses. E. A. Samuels savs that three full-grown rose bushes in

* American Journal Agricultural Science, 1846, page 282.

28

Fig. 1. — Chickadee hunting
insects.

a greenhouse were infested by some two thousand plant lice, which
were all consumed in a few hours by a single titmouse, liudolphus
Bingham of Camden, N J., states that he kept a winter garden almost
entirely free from plant lice, wasps and flies by confining an indigo bird

there. He also kept a few native sparrows
in a large greenhouse, and as a result the
place suffered very little from insect attacks.
After the birds had been introduced he found
it unnecessary to fumigate. These experi-
ments determine only that birds will eat
aphids when confined with them, but any
one who will watch the warblers and other
small birds in May among the birch or other
woods infested by aphids will be convinced
that they take vast numbers from choice.
My assistant, Mr. F. H. Mosher, watched
a pair of Maryland yellow-throats eating
plant lice from the birches in the Middlesex
Fells reservation in Maiden, May 28, 1898.
One of them ate 89 of these tiny insects in
one minute and they continued eating at that
rate for forty minutes. Mr. Mosher states
that they must have eaten considerably over
7,000 in that time. This seems hardly credible, but Mr. Mosher is a
very careful, painstaking and trustworthy witness. He adds that the
birds made several other visits to the tree during the forenoon and con-
tinued feeding as at first.

The larva? of the Lepidoptera, commonly called caterpillars, are
among the worst enemies of trees, and where they are numerous they
form at least two-thirds of the food of the warblers. Probably all
woodland birds, from hawks, crows and owls down to the tiny titmice,
wrens and kinglets, feed on smooth-skinned caterpillars, while at least
fifty species are now known to feed on the spiny and hairy caterpillars.
It is largely due to a lack of native birds that the shade trees in our
cities are so overrun with caterpillars. While the imported sparrow
keeps down the spanworms it does not check many other pests. When
the imported leopard moth appeared in New York and Brooklyn, caus-
ing great havoc among the trees in the parks, it was feared that as the
insect spread it would become a serious enemy to the trees of the entire
country. But I am informed by Dr. J. B. Smith, State entomologist of
New Jersey, that this moth is doing little damage in the country dis-
tricts, where the native birds seem to keep it in check. At first it looked
as if the large larva? would escape the birds because of their habits.
They are borers, beginning life within the small twigs, and when these
quarters get too narrow for them they eat holes out and crawl down
outside to larger twigs. It is then they are taken by many native birds,
though the imported sparrows do not appear to check them. Dr. Smith
says that the woodpeckers eat the female moths and probably drag the
young larva? out of the smaller twigs. The American silkworm, the
larva? of Telea polyphemus, is one of the largest and most voracious of
our caterpillars, and should it increase as rapidly as the gypsy moth it
would become a fearful pest, but it is noticeable that this and other
allied species of great size never reach a destructive height. The prin-
cipal reason for their scarcity is that they are eagerly eaten by birds.
Hawks, owls, goatsuckers, woodpeckers, jays, robins, tanagers, black-
birds and other species capture these lai-ge caterpillars. When Mr.
Leopold Trouvelot was engaged in raising Amex-ican silkworms at Med-
ford the robins came from all quarters to destroy them, and gave him
more trouble than all other birds combined.
Mr. Trouvelot says that one of these caterpillars will consume in fifty-

29

six (lavs not less than one hundred ami twenty oak leaves, Weighing
three-fourths of a pound, drinking in tin; mean time not less than one-
hall' ounce of water, the weight of the food eaten being cighty-si\ thou-
sand times the weight of the' worm on the first day. During this time
it has increased in weight four thousand one hundred and forty times.
The destructiveness of the species if allowed to increase may be im-
agined. Two thousand of these insects were taken by the birds from a
small oak in front of his door within a few days. Mr. Trouvelot,
speaking of the birds which penetrated into the enclosure in which he
was raising the, silkworms, quaintly says: "The small ones could go
through the meshes and the larger ones through some holes in the old
net. So I was obliged to chase them all the day long, as when pursuing
them on one side they would Hy to the other and quietly feed, until I
again reappeared." He expresses the belief that in a state of nature
ninety-five per cent, of these insects are destroyed by birds alone.

But this is only one indication of the value of birds in this respect.
When settlers first began to plant orchards and establish tree claims on
the western prairies there were few, if any, arboreal birds, except along
the timbered river bottoms. The settlers imported insect pests on young
trees. The enemies of tree insects being absent, because the country
was destitute of well-grown groves and orchards, the insects increased
and over-van the seedling trees, — the larger moths, like the cecropia
and the polyphemus, being the worst pests of all, increasing rapidly,
eating voraciously and making it almost impossible to raise trees. Dr.
Lawrence Brunei', in a paper on insects injurious to tree claims, states
that the absence alone of so great a factor as these birds in keeping
down and ridding a country of its insect pests soon becomes apparent in
the great increase and consequent damage done by these pests. He
asserts, also, that as an enemy to tree culture the cecropia has no equal
in some portions of the prairie country, and that its large caterpillars
often defoliate entire groves, something unheard of here. Mr. W. C.
Colt, who has had experience in raising trees in Dakota, tells me that
the caterpillars of this and other large species were terribly destructive
there. As groves ami orchards became established, however, and ar-
boreal birds spread over the country, these caterpillars were reduced by
them to a state of comparative harmlessness.

During the past two summers, 1898 and 1899, much injury has been
done to the woods in certain sections of New England by the so-called
forest tent caterpillar (Clisiocampa district). Birds destroy great
numbers of these pests, ami were birds more numerous there would
probably be no great outbreaks such as have occurred in recent years.
Dr. E. P. Felt, State entomologist of New York, says that one of the
most fruitful methods of keeping this pest in check through its natural
enemies will probably be found in encouraging and protecting the
native birds known to feed upon it.*

As showing the large numbers of these caterpillars eaten by birds a
few notes trom Mr. Moshcr's observations will be of interest. A black-
billed cuckoo was seen to eat 'Mi forest tent caterpillars within five
minutes Red-eyed yireos (probably a pair) took 92 forest tent cater-
pillars from a tree within an hour. They were also eating span worms
and other larva' and plant lice. A male Baltimore oriole went into a
tree infested by these caterpillars, where he stayed four minutes, killing
IS caterpillars in that time : coming a little later he staved seven minutes
and took 2(\ caterpillars. A pair of blue jays came to the tree twenty-
four times during three hours, taking 2 or 3 caterpillars at each visit.

All through the summer the trees are guarded by the birds. While
the white grubs of the .May beetle are stiil in the ground, ere they can
emerge to irvi\ on the foliage, the robins, crows, thrushes and blackbirds

• Insects injurious to maple trees, 4th annual report, Commissioners Fisheries,
Game and Forest?.

30

search them out and destroy them. The sparrows and towhees also
search among the dead leaves for caterpillars which crawl on the
ground and drop from the trees, and for those which pupate among the
litter of the forest floor. Woodpeckers tapping the trunks bring forth
injurious ants, bark beetles, wood-boring insects. Creepers, kinglets
and nuthatches search the bark and cavities of the trunk and limbs for
scale insects, bark lice, borers, bark beetles and the larvae and pupae of
insects which hide there. Warblers, thrushes, tanagers, wrens, titmice,
vireos, cuckoos and other tree-loving birds pry about among the leaves
and branches in search of caterpillars of all sorts. Even the hidden leaf
rollers are sought out by the grosbeaks and many other birds and the
gall insects are dragged from their hiding places by the jays and gros-
beaks. Titmice get the bud worms and woodpeckers search out the
worm which destroys the fruit. When the span worms, disturbed by
the movements of the caterpillar-hunting warblers, vireos and sparrows
among leaves and twigs, spin down on their gossamer threads, and so
escape one enemy, they are mai'ked by flycatchers sitting on the watch
or hovering in the air ready to dart upon them. When the mature
insects, gaining wings, attempt to escape by flight, they are snapped up
by these same flycatchers, which sit waiting on the outer limbs of the
trees, or, escaping these, they are pursued by the swallows and swifts in
the upper air. Those whose flight is nocturnal must run the gauntlet of
the screech owl, night-hawk and whippoorwill. Thus birds guard the
trees as the summer wanes, until the chill of autumn evenings causes
the remaining insects to seek winter hiding-places and warns the birds
to begin their southward migrations. Then the tide of bird life turns
back, and, passing, leaves the wood in silence, except for the sighing of
the branches and the rustle of the falling leaves. In October a few
thrushes flit here and there, blue jays mournfully call, a crow caws now
and then, but otherwise the woods seem deserted. Still at this season
of the year and all through the winter and early spx4ng months the few
birds which remain are accomplishing the greatest good for the forest;
for now the development and increase of all insects is arrested while their
destruction by birds goes on. Another point, the winter birds must sub-
sist largely on the hibernating eggs of insects, for many insects pass the
winter in that form alone, and the bird that eats these eggs can destroy
a hundred times as many insects in this minute, embryonic form, as it
could in the summer after the caterpillars had hatched and grown toward
maturity. Again, the jays, titmice, nuthatches and woodpeckers, which
remain through the winter in the northern woods, must give at least six
months more of service to the ti'ees in Massachusetts than the majority
of birds that come here as migrants, or as summer residents only.
These birds, with the creepers and kinglets, are especially the guardians
of the wood. Millions upon millions of insects and their eggs are de-
stroyed by them during the long winter months. In this work they are
assisted to some extent by the winter finches and sparrows.

The following notes from the pen of my friend and co-worker, Mr.
A. II. Kirkland, are of especial interest, from their accurate description
of the manner in which eggs of plant lice are destroyed by winter birds.

i ' Bird Notes,

M Birds v. aphid eggs. — Many of our common aphids winter in the egg
stage, these eggs being attached to the buds or stalks of the food plants.
The large aphid common on willows lays oblong black eggs on the sides
of the buds late in the fall. On Jan. 25, 1898, at the Arnold Arboretum,
Jamaica Plain, I saw a flock of about half a dozen chickadees feeding
on the eggs of this aphid. Some of the birds while feeding came within
ten or fifteen feet of the place where I was standing, and 1 could observe
plainly their movements.

31

"The aphid common to the white birch in this region lays great
masse- of eggs on the Inula and twigs. Some trees during the fall of
1897 were so thoroughly covered with these eggs that the natural color
of the bark was obscured. This vast quantity of eggs served as a store-
house of food for many of our winter birds, and (luring the days when
the ground was covered with snow several species of seed-eating birds
were seen to feed upon them. Throughout the winter the chickadees
fed on these ('£[!;>. The fact was one of almost daily observation. On
March 10, L898, while on a tramp through the Middlesex Fells, I noticed
a large flock of these birds feeding in the white birches that covered the
southern exposure of a hill. By entering the brushland in advance
of the birds 1 was soon in the midst of the Hock, and, remaining motion-
less, had an opportunitj- to observe them feeding upon the masses of
the i'^'j:>. A few days before this date I saw a downy woodpecker
feeding upon the eggs on a large white birch that was partly covered
with them. Goldfinches were also common visitors to the infested
bushes, especially after the snowstorms. The stomach of one of these
birds taken at 8 a.m., Feb. 8, 1898, contained 2,210 eggs of the white
birch aphid. When other food was scarce the English sparrow found
these eggs a suitable article of diet, and one of these birds, taken at 4
p.m., Jan. 29, 1898, contained 1,478 aphid eggs.

" A plant louse that is common on larches, often to an injurious ex-
tent, is Chermes larcifolia, Fitch. This insect lays great numbers of
stalked eggs in April and May, and the young lice resulting feed on the
juices of the leaves throughout the summer. At the Bell Rock Ceme-
tery, Maiden, April 20, 1898, I saw a flock of over forty goldfinches
feeding on the eggs and female lice. The birds began feeding at the
top of the trees, worked down to the lower branches, then flew to the
top of the next larch and repeated the performance. A few English
sparrows also ate the eggs.

" During the past winter (1897-98) I have frequently seen chickadees
feeding upon female canker worm moths, picking them to pieces before
eating them. On Nov. 26, 1897,
I examined the stomach of a
white-breasted nuthatch and
found it to contain 1,629 eggs
of the fall canker worm. There
were no moth remains in the
stomach, and it is evident that
the bird gathered these eggs
from the trees."

My friend, Mr. C. E Bailey"
writes that on March 28, 1899,
a single downy woodpecker
made "2Q excavations for food
between 9.40 a.m and 12.15 p.m
During this time it climbed over
and inspected, in a greater or
less degree, 181 trees. Most of
these excavations exposed gal-
leries in the trunks or high
branches in which ants were
hibernating. An examination
of the stomach of this bird
brought to light one spider, 1
beetle (unidentified), 2 larva1 of
bark beetles (Scolylidw) and 22
ants, also partially digested material which could not be identified. At
12.15 the woodpecker was at work thirty-five feet from the ground on
the dead end of a broken branch, in which were the channels or galleries

Fig 2. — Downy woodpecker and his
excavations.

32

d —

Fig. 3. — Oak bark pierced by
downy woodpecker.

of large black ants. The bird had made four openings into these gal-
leries and in each case had uncovered hibernating black ants. By what

sense these motionless insects were discovered
in their hidden burrows will perhaps always
remain a mystery.

On March 30 a brown creeper was seen to
inspect 43 trees in an hour, getting its food
from crevices in the bark.

Another downy woodpecker was seen on
March 31, 1899, taking the larva? of beetles
from beneath the bark of oak trees. The bird
seemed to know the exact spot to drill for each
larva, for it always cut a small hole directly
over the insect, finding the prey unerringly.

The cut, Fig. 3, gives view of the outer sur-
face of a section of bark taken from a small
oak. From this small piece of bark the bird
probably secured at least six of the larvae that
were found in its stomach. The holes a, b, c,
d, e,f indicate those from which the larvae were
taken.

Fig-. 4 gives a view of the inner surface of
the same piece of bark, showing how true was
the stroke of the bird,
for its beak, piercing
from the outside,
went directly to the
centre of the burrow
where the insect lay
entirely hidden from
view. The letters a,
b, c, d, e, f indicate
the holes, showing
size and shape, where
the bird's beak came through to the inner sur-
face. Seventeen larva? of bark beetles and 12
ants were found in the bird's stomach.

During the winter the chickadees and jays
perform priceless service by destroying quan-
tities of the eggs of such insects as those of
the tent caterpillar and canker worm moths.
The owls and some of the hawks are useful,
not alone in the summer, when they destroy
many of the May beetles, larger caterpillars
and moths, and keep down the increase of the
mice and squirrels, but those that stay through
the winter are also useful then by keeping
squirrels, mice and hares in check. Hares and
mice sometimes do great damage by gnawing
the bark or roots of trees. All of these ani-
mals become injurious whenever abnormally
numerous. Witness the great plagues of field
mice in Norway, and the injury caused in our
western plains by the prairie hare or so-called
iack-rabbit.

And so, day by day, throughout the year,
birds work for the good of the forest. In sat-
isfying their own appetites and providing for
their young they guard and protect the trees, which in turn provide them
with food and shelter. In satisfying their appetites on the fruit and seed

Fig. 4. — Inner surface of the
same bark, showiDg the chan-
nels of bark beetles and the
woodpecker's perforations.

33

they distribute and sow the seed which shall provide food for future
generations of birds. It is thus, throughout, nature's great plan that
one organism depends on others, each upon each throughout their num-
berless inter-relations, and he is a wise man who can interfere with
nature's plan, and, by introducing new forces, or destroying some of the
old, change the scheme without producing disastrous results. Yet we
have gone on blindly, destroying our native birds. Gunners shoot them
right and left ; feather hunters slaughter them ; boys with air rifles and
shotguns decimate them; a million worthless cats are turned loose to
prey upon them ; their eggs and young are destroyed at sight by chil-
dren, eats and dogs; if in pay for their valuable services they take a
little fruit or grain the farmer, who should be their best friend, turns
upon them and adds to the slaughter. As a result of all this and more
many species of birds are now rare which wei*e formerly abundant. A
few are nearly extinct, and some of the larger species have disappeared
from the State. Let birds be encouraged and protected from their ene-
mies and they will reoccupy their former haunts, and there will then be
less necessity for the use of Paris green and other insecticides.

Native Birds useful in Woods.

For the information of those interested in the subject lists of birds
known to destroy some of the worst enemies of trees are given below.
The canker worms are reckoned here as among the forest pests, as they
frequently attack elms and other trees in the woods, as well as in fields
and along roadsides. The tent caterpillar is also included, as it is in
some seasons very plentiful in the woods, where it attacks first the wild
cherry and afterward the birch, and occasionally other trees. The gypsy
moth is placed first in order, as it is an imported insect and is considered
the most injurious of all. As the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
which has expended more than a million dollars in an attempt to exter-
minate this insect, has now given up the task as impracticable, and as it
is now probably only a question of time before the insect will spread
over the country, all birds which may assist in holding it in check assume
the utmost importance. The next insect, the brown-tail moth, another
importation from Europe, bids fair also to become here, as in Europe, a
pest of the first class. While this insect does not feed on so many trees
and other plants as the gypsy moth, it has already proved itself a serious
nuisance here, destructive to fruit, shade, orchard and forest trees. The
State legislature having neglected to provide for the extinction of this
insect when it first appeared, it is rapidly spreading, and is now known
to have obtained a foothold in Maine and New Hampshire. Tent cater-
pillars, both the canker worms, the tussock moth, and the white grub or
May beetle, an- all well known and destructive native pests, while plant
lice are probably known among farmers, gardeners and foresters every-
where. The methods pursued in gaining the information given in the
lists below have been described in the crop report for September, 1899.*
This work has been supplemented by stomach examinations.

Birds feeding on the Gypsy Moth (Porthetria dispar, Linn.).

The list of birds given in 1896 in the report on the gypsy moth enu-
merated only 38 species, while 4ti are included in the list given below.
Several of those not included in the earlier list have been found since to
be habitual feeders on this insect. Among these are the scarlet tanager
and the Nashville anil golden-winged warblers. There is little doubt
that this insect as it becomes disseminated will be attacked by other

* Birds as destroyers of hairy caterpillars, annual report, Massachusetts State
Board of Agriculture, 1899, page 316.

34

birds, and it is believed that several species not given in the list are now
attacking it, but, in view of the general belief that birds do not eat hairy
caterpillars, care has been taken to secure the most positive proof before
inserting the name of any bird in the list. The list is larger than that
given of birds attacking any other of the hairy caterpillars, but more
attention has been paid to the enemies of this pest. No doubt as many
species of birds may be found attacking other hairy caterpillars.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Black-billed cuckoo,

Hairy woodpecker,

Downy woodpecker,

Yellow-bellied sapsucker,

Flicker,

Kingbird,

Great-crested flycatcher,

Phoebe,

Wood pewee,

Least flycatcher,

Blue jay,

Crow,

Red-winged blackbird,

Baltimore oriole,

Bronzed grackle or crow blackbird,

Chipping sparrow,

Song sparrow,

Townee,

Red-breasted grosbeak,

Indigo bunting,

English sparrow,

Scai'let tanager,

Red-eyed vireo,

Yellow-throated vireo,

White-eyed vireo,

Black-and-white warbler,

Golden-winged warbler,

Nashville warbler,

Parula warbler,

Yellow warbler,

Chestnut-sided warbler,

Maryland yellow-throat,

Black-throated green warbler,

Oven-bird,

American redstart,

Catbird,

Brown thrasher,

House wren,

White-breasted nuthatch,

Red-breasted nuthatch,

Chickadee,

Wood thi'ush,

Wlson's thrush,

Amirican robin,

Bluebird.

Birds feeding on the Brown-tail Moth Caterpillar (Euproctis Chry-

sorrhoea, Linn.).

So far only 29 species of bh-ds have been observed to attack the brown-
tail moth. All of these it is believed eat the caterpillars, but the fly-
catchers attack mainly the flying moths. Birds appear at times to
reduce the initial colonies of these pests to harmless numbers. The
English sparrow occasionally eats a few caterpillars or imagoes, but
appears to spend more than an equal amount of time in driving more
useful birds away from the infested trees.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Black-billed cuckoo,

Kingbird,

Great-creasted flycatcher,

Least flycatcher,

Blue jay,

Crow,

Red-winged blackbird,

Baltimore oriole,

Bronzed grackle or crow blackbird,

Chipping sparrow,

Field sparrow,

Song sparrow,

Rose-breasted grosbeak,

Indigo bunting,

English sparrow,
Scarlet tanager,
Red-eyed vireo,
Yellow-throated vireo,
Warbling vireo,
Golden-winged warbler,
Nashville warbler,
Yellow warbler,
Chestnut-sided warbler,
American redstart,
Catbird,
Chickadee,
Wood thrush,
American robin.

35

Birds f< eding on the Forest Tent Caterpillar (Clisiocampa disslria, Hubn.).

Twenty-five species of birds are now known to attack this insect. In
connection with a list of birds given by Dr. Felt as feeding on this
caterpillar lie quotes Miss Caroline G. Soule of Brookline to the effect
that nuthatches become so absorbed in feeding on masses of these
caterpillars that they would allow her to approach and touch them. In
our experience, however, the nuthatches seemed not particularly fond
of these larvsa, but this only illustrates how individuals of the same
species acqnire different tastes. Our observations have often shown that
one individual of a species may reject as food that which another of the
same species will devour with avidity. All of the species given except
the English sparrow, feed on the caterpillars. This sparrow, however,
catches some of the flying moths. These are no doubt eaten by many
birds not in this list.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Black-billed cuckoo,

Yellow-bellied sapsucker,

Flicker,

Blue jay,

Crow.

Baltimore oriole,

Bronzed grackle or crow blackbird,

Chipping sparrow,

Townee,

English sparrow,

Scarlet tanager,

Red-eyed vireo,

Warbling vireo,
White-eyed vireo,
Black-and-white warbler,
Golden-winged warbler,
Yellow warbler,
American redstart,
Catbird,

White-breasted nuthatch,
Chickadee,
Wood thrush,
American robin,
Cedar waxwing.

Birds feeding on the Tent Caterpillar (Clisiocampa americana, Harr.).

We have found by observation and stomach examination that at least
32 species eat the tent caterpillar. Others not on the list probably eat
the mature insect and the pupa is taken from its cocoon and eaten by
several. The tent or web seems to be some protection to the caterpillars
within it, as few birds have been observed to break open the web and
take out the caterpillars. Most birds appear to prefer the caterpillars
from the twigs and branches. The crow, blue jay, Baltimore oriole and
red-ej-ed vireo are among those that tear open the web and haul the
caterpillars forth.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Black-billed cuckoo,

Hairy woodpecker,

Downy woodpecker,

Flicker,

Whippoorwill,

Chimney swift,

Wood pewee,

Blue jay,

Crow,

Red-winged blackbird,

Baltimore oriole,

Bronzed grackle or crow blackbird,

White-throated sparrow,

Chipping sparrow,

Field sparrow,

Towhee,

Rose-breasted grosbeak,
Scarlet tanager,
Red-ej-ed vireo,
Yellow-throated vireo,
Black-and-white warbler,
Golden-winged warbler,
Nashville warbler,
Parula warbler,
Black-throated blue warbler,
American redstart,
Catbird,

Brown thrasher,
House wren,
Chickadee,
American robin.

36

Birds which feed on the Canker Worms.

This list of birds which feed on canker worms embraces most of the
families and genera of the smaller land birds which were well repre-
sented in the locality and at the time when the observations were made.
It is probable that whenever small, smooth-skinned caterpillars become
numerous, they are attacked by most species of small land birds in the
vicinity, as such caterpillars are everywhere eaten greedily by most of
the smaller birds and also used as food for their young.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Black-billed cuckoo,

Hairy woodpecker,

Downy woodpecker,

Yellow-bellied sapsucker,

Flicker,

Whippoorwill,

Kingbird,

Crested flycatcher,

Phoebe,

Olive-sided flycatcher,

Wood pewee,

Least flycatcher,

Blue jay,

Crow,

Bobolink,

Red-winged blackbird,

Baltimore oriole,

Bronzed grackle orci'ow blackbird,

American goldfinch,

Chipping sparrow,

Field sparrow,

Song sparrow,

Towhee,

American robin,

Rose-breasted grosbeak,

Indigo bunting,

English sparrow,

Scarlet tanager,

Iled-eyed vireo.

Yellow-throated vireo,

Warbling vireo,

White-eyed vireo,

Black-and-white warbler,

Golden-winged warbler,

Nashville warbler,

Parula warbler,

Yellow warbler,

Magnolia warbler,

Chestnut-sided warbler,

Maryland yellow-throat,

Black-throated green warbler,

American redstart,

Catbird,

Brown thrasher,

House wren.

White-breasted nuthatch,

Chickadee,

Wood thrush,

Bluebird,

Cedar waxwing.

Birds feeding on the White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma).

Probably all the birds which feed upon the other hairy caterpillars
feed also upon this, but as the opportunity for observation on this species
has been limited the list is given for what it is worth. This species
has become very destructive to city shade trees since the introduction
of the English sparrow, which, eating few of these insects itself, has
driven out the native birds which formerly fed upon the caterpillars.
It is interesting to note that of late in some parts of eastern Massachu-
setts at least the sparrow is not so obnoxious as during the years imme-
diately succeeding its introduction and increase, and that a few of the
native birds are returning to their old breeding place. This may result
in checking the ravages of the tussock moth, which does little damage
to orchards, shade trees or woodlands where sparrows are scarce and
native birds plenty.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,
Black-billed cuckoo,
Whippoorwill,
Chimney swift,
Phoebe,

Blue jay,
Baltimore oriole,
Robin,
English sparrow.

37

Birds feeding on the May Beetle or its Larva, the White Qrub (Genus

Lachnosterna) .

As tin' white grubs live in t ho ground they probably are not eaten by
many birds except such as, like the robin and blackbird, follow the
plough. It is this grub that cats the grass roots in lawns and fields,
thereby destroying the turf, sometimes in great patches. Crows, robins
and blackbirds know where to find these larvae and how to unearth them.
The mature insect, or May beetle, feeds on the foliage of the trees and
flies in the night. It is then captured on the wing by owls and whip-
poorwills. Hawks also find them occasionally and the omnivorous
crows and jays destroy many more.

Flicker,
Blue jay,
Crow,
Sparrow hawk,

Kingbird,

Red-winged blackbird,

Bronzed grackle or crow blackbird j

Robin.

Birds feeding on Plant Lice (Aphidaa).

Most of the following birds feed largely on the aphids which infest
the gray birch and other forest trees. Most warblers and the indigo
bird are particularly active in this respect. The chickadee and the red-
start are also among the most useful species. The swifts and smaller
flycatchers catch many of the flying imagoes. No doubt this is also
true of the swallows, although we have not yet observed swallows feed-
ing on these insects. Probably most of the smaller birds feed upon
aphids when they are plentiful, but it is not likely that the larger species
often seek out such minute insects. The woodpeckers, which eat ants,
especially the flicker and downy woodpecker, also eat aphids.

Downy woodpecker,

Flicker,

Chimney swift,

Ruby-throated humming bird,

Wood pewee,

Least flycatcher,

Purple finch,

Red-winged blackbird,

Baltimore oriole,

American goldfinch,

Chipping sparrow,

Field sparrow,

Bobolink,

Towhee,

Rose- breasted grosbeak,

Indigo bunting,

Chickadee,

Scarlet tanager,
Red-eyed vireo,
Yellow-throated vireo,
Black-and-white warbler,
Myrtle warbler,
Parula warbler,
Yellow warbler,
Black-throated blue warbler,
Magnolia warbler,
Chestnut-sided warbler,
Maryland yellow-throat,
Black-throated green warbler,
Oven bird,
American redstart,
Catbird,

White-breasted nuthatch,
American robin.

A glance over the list of birds given above as feeding on the different
species of caterpillars will show that some of the birds which are be-
lieved by many people to be harmful occur in all these lists. The crow
eats many caterpillars and more pupa;. The despised jay, which cer-
tainly may do much harm by destroying the eggs and young of smaller
birds, is one of the most valuable birds we have in some respects, being
a most persistent hunter of the caterpillars, chrysalids and eggs of some
of the most injurious moths. The oriole, which has a taste for fruit, is
a gourmand for caterpillars, and the robin and catbird, much decried by

38

fruit growers, feed on neai'ly all species of injurious caterpillars of the
orchard or woodland. The cuckoos are always and everywhere present
with the caterpillars, and by many are believed to head the list of cater-
pillar destroyers, but in woodlands there are no birds more useful in
this respect than the beautiful scarlet tanagers or the busy chickadees.
Of all the warblers the redstart seems to be the most indefatigable in
pursuit of caterpillars, capturing even the most repugnant species.
The list of birds feeding on the different species are not believed to be
complete by any means. Most of them probably attack with less
avidity the hairy and spiny species, the smaller birds taking them
mainly when the caterpillars are small and the larger birds when they
grow larger.

Injury done by Birds to Woodlands.

There can be no doubt that some slight injury may be done to the
trees by birds. The grosbeaks and the purple finches eat buds and
blossoms ; grouse feed largely on young buds ; crows and jays eat nuts ;
crossbills take the seed and buds from coniferous trees ; and woodpeck-
ers sometimes bore into sound trees, but the injury done is so slight
compared with the benefits conferred by birds in protecting trees from
their enemies, and in distributing and planting seeds, that it need hardly
be considered in making up the account. It is now said in favor of the
much-abused sapsucker that it is the perforations of its beak which pro-
duce much of the appearance called " birdseye " in the maple, which
greatly increases the value of this tree for timber use. Forest birds
appear to have been especially designed to maintain that balance of
forces in the forest which is essential to its preservation, and we may
well fear that without their assistance profitable forestry would be im-
possible. In this matter there is no higher authority than the distin-
guished entomologist, Prof. S. A. Forbes of Illinois, who says that
estimates of the average number of insects per square yard in that State
give ten thousand per acre for the entire area, and that if on this basis
the operations of birds were to be suspended entirely the entire State in
seven years would be carpeted with insects one to the square inch. This
would certainly happen unless the insects were checked by some provi-
dential means. Professor Forbes says that this is intended only as an
illustration and not as a prediction of the consequences of the total de-
struction of birds, which he says would not be so simple, but apparently
fully as grave. He also estimates that should the people of the State
succeed in taking measures which would increase by so much as one
per cent the efficiency of the birds of the State as insect police, the effect
would be to save to the agriculturists of the State seventy-six thousand
dollars per year, but he regards five times this amount as a very modest
estimate, for he says the figures on which his estimates are made
" will be regarded by most naturalists as absurdly low."

HOW TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BlRDS USEFUL IN WOODLANDS.

Some practical lessons have been leai'ned from the study of the food
of the wood birds. As birds go where they find food most abundant
many birds of the swamp, field and orchard go from their usual haunts,
one-half mile or more, to the woods to feed on insects plentiful there.
Thus the bobolink in the meadow goes to the woods for aphids, and the
oriole in the orchard and the blackbird in the marsh go there for cater-
pillars. On the other hand, the chickadee, blue jay, tanager and the
warblers go from the woods to the orchards and gardens for caterpillars.
In an orchard near the woods we noticed that the wood birds came fre-
quently to those trees nearest the woods, and by adding their work to
that of those living in the orchard soon cleared the canker worms from
the trees nearest the woods.

39

All our experience thus far goes to show that a well-watered country,
where the woodland is kept mainly in detached patches, with the rest of
the land more open, much of it well cultivated, with an occasional marsh
or swamp, is the best calculated to encourage the increase of the largest
numbers of species of birds. In such a country vegetation should there-
fore receive better protection from birds than in any other. In view of
these facts it is possible for a man owning from thirty to one hundred
acres of land to so select his land and control the growth of vegetation
upon it as to obtain the conditions requisite to secure an abundance and
variety of birds. The first requisite to attract birds is an abundance of
suitable food. To provide this a variety of vegetation is desirable.
This provides not only a variety of fruit and seeils, but furnishes food
for a large variety of insects, which will attract the birds. It is es-
pecially desirable to have both wild and cultivated cherries and grapes,
and if the birds take too large a proportion of the cultivated species, the
earlier wild berries, like the Russian mulberry, and the shadberry,
should be planted to draw the birds' attention from the cultivated fruit.
Winter food may be furnished birds by planting mountain ash, sumach,
bayberry and other berries which cling to the trees or shrubs bearing
them during the winter months. The winter birds may be induced to
remain in some numbers by hanging bones, suet or portions of any car-
cass in sheltered places on the trees. These will furnish food for them
when the trees are covered with ice, and will keep them in the neighbor-
hood during the coldest wreather. Sunflower seeds, broken nuts and
grain will sometimes attract winter birds.

Having secured food the birds must have shelter from the elements
and their enemies. This may be provided by planting thick evergreen
trees in groups and allowing a deciduous thicket here and there. Nest-
ing boxes should be provided for those birds which will use them and
such boxes will shelter many a bird from winter storms. Nesting
material, such as straw, feathers, waste string, etc., should be hung upon
limbs during the nesting season. It will soon be utilized. Having made
a locality attractive to birds they must be protected and fostex-ed. Birds
soon learn to love a place where they receive a measure of protection
from their enemies. We may protect them : —

1. By doing away with cats, so far as possible.

2. By stopping promiscuous gunning.

3. By suppressing birds-egging boys.

4. By keeping hawks, crows and jays within bounds.

It is well not only to have a variety of trees in your woodland, but
also to have portions of it in difl'erent stages of growth. A small patch
of ground covered with young sprouts furnishes a desirable breeding
place for such birds as the indigo bird, brown thrasher, towhee and
several warblers, all of which may be very useful in adjoining woodland.
If each farm, wooded or otherwise, could be ideally situated and culti-
vated, with the protection and accommodation of birds always in view,
it is doubtful if Paris green and other insecticides would find a ready
market in this Commonwealth, except, perhaps, in such cases as that of
the gypsy moth, where man disturbs the balance of nature by introducing
a new pest from a foreign shore.

Series of 1900. Bulletin No. 4.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP REPOET

FOB THE

Month of August, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & TOTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Tost Office Square.

1900.

Crop Keport for the Month of August, 1900.

Office of State Boahd of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Sept. 1, 1900.

Bulletin No. 4, Crop Report for the month of August, is
herewith presented. Particular attention is called to the
article on "Poultry keeping on the farm," by Arthur A.
Brigham, Ph.D., director Rhode Island Agricultural Ex-
periment Station.

Progress of the Season.

The August report of the Statistician of the United States
Department of Agriculture states that the average condition
of corn is 87.5, being 2.4 poiuts lower than on the corre-
sponding date last year, but .5 poiut higher than on Aug. 1,
1898, and 1.3 points above the mean of the August averages
for the last ten years.

The average condition of spring wheat was 56.4, an im-
provement of 1.2 points during July, but 27.2 points lower
than last year, 40.1 lower than on Aug. 1, 1898, and 27.8
points below the mean of the August averages for the last
ten years.

The average condition of oats was 85, a loss of .5 point
during July, and 5.8 points lower than last year at the same
date, but .8 point higher than on Aug. 1, 1898, and 2.7
points above the mean of the August averages for the last
ten years.

The average condition of barley was 71.6, a decline of
4.7 points during July, 22 points lower than last year, 7.7
points lower than on Aug. 1, 1898, and 13.7 points below
the mean of the August averages for the last ten years.

The average coudition of spring rye improved 6.3 points
during July, to 76, but was 13 points lower than last year.
17.7 points lower than on Aug. 1, 1898, and 10.9 points be-
low the mean of the August averages for the last ten years.

Preliminary returns indicate a decrease of 32,000 acres,
or 4.8 per cent, in the acreage of buckwheat, as compared
with last year. The average condition, 87.9, was 5.3 points
lower than last year and 2.9 points below the mean of the
August averages for the last ten years.

The average condition of potatoes, 88.2, shows a decline
of 3.1 points during July, and was 4.8 points lower than
last year, but 4.3 points higher than on Aug. 1, 1898, and
2.2 points above the mean of the August averages for the
last ten years.

Of the 13 principal sweet-potato-producing States, 5 re-
port an improvement during July and 6 a decline, the con-
dition remaining unchanged in the other two States.

Preliminary returns indicate a reduction of 5.3 per cent
in the hay acreage. The condition of timothy hay, 79.9, is
6.8 points lower than at the corresponding date last year,
19.4 points lower than on Aug. 1, 1898, and 7.5 points be-
low the mean of the August averages for the last nine years.

During July the changes in the condition of the tobacco
crop were almost wholly unfavorable.

The condition of sugar cane in Louisiana is within 3
points of the normal, is 22 points higher than on August 1
last year, and 5 points above the ten-year average. Other
States report like favorable conditions. The condition of
sorghum is in the main favorable.

The condition of rice is very high.

While there has been a slight decline in the condition of
apples, there is not an important apple-producing State in
which the condition on August 1 did not exceed the ten-year
average. The indications still point to a phenomenally large
crop.

There has been a marked improvement in the condition
of pastures, and in not a few States the condition is now
considerably above the ten-year average.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn was 92 ;
average condition of spring rye, 89 ; average condition of
oats, 96 ; average condition of barley, 89 ; acreage of buck-
wheat as compared with last year, 99, and average condition
93 ; average condition of tobacco, 98 ; average condition of
potatoes, 79 ; acreage of hay, as compared with last year,

96 ; average condition of timothy, 77 ; production of clover
as compared with Last year 71, and average condition 78;
average condition of pasture, 75; average condition of
apples, 84.

Temperature and Rainfall for tiik Whole Country.

[From the United States Climate and Chop Bulletins.]

Week ending July 30. — The week averaged slightly
wanner than usual in New England, at a few stations on the
South Atlantic coast and over the northern districts from
Minnesota westward to the North Pacific coast. Through-
out the central and southern portions of the country the
week was not as warm as usual. The week was cool
throughout the central valleys, middle Rocky Mountain
slope and west Gulf States. The rainfall of the week,
though generally in excess of the average, was very un-
evenly distributed. A large part of the Gulf and South
Atlantic States, central valleys, Lake regiou and New
England received heavy rains ; elsewhere the rainfall was
generally less than usual.

Week ending August 6. — The week was exceptionally
warm in the Missouri and central and upper Mississippi
valleys, and was warmer than usual on the immediate Cali-
fornia coast, Lake region, Ohio valley and east Gulf States.
Over the western portion of the plateau region, Texas and
the Middle Atlantic States and New England the temperature
averaged below normal. Generally throughout the central
valleys, Lake region, New England, Middle Atlantic States
and the northern portion of the Gulf States the week was
marked by a lack of rainfall. There wTere very heavy rains
on the west gulf coast and in local areas elsewhere.

Week ending August 13. — The week was excessive^
warm throughout the central valleys, Lake region and the
Atlantic coast districts northward of Florida. The week
was decidedly cool for the season in the Rocky Mountain
regions and over most of the Pacific coast districts. There
was more than the usual amount of rainfall in the west Gulf
States, from the upper Lake region westward to the north
Pacific coast and over portions of the central Missouri and

6

lower Ohio valleys. In southern New England, the Middle,
South Atlantic and east Gulf States the week was drier than
usual.

Week ending August 20. — The week, while not quite so
hot as the one immediately preceding, was intensely warm
in the central and northern portions of the country east of
the Rocky Mountains, excepting New England. In the west
Gulf States nearly normal temperatures prevailed, and on
the northern New England coast it averaged slightly be-
low normal. From eastern Nebraska over Iowa, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and New EDgland abundant
rains fell during the week. Over the greater portion of the
Gulf States and in the Middle Atlantic States, as well as
over a large part of the Lake region, the rainfall was below
the average.

Week ending August 27. — The week was the fourth
week of excessive heat in the districts lying east of the
Rocky Mountains. The maximum temperature records for
the last decade of August were equalled or exceeded at many
stations in the central valleys and on the Atlantic coast. In
New England moderate temperatures prevailed the first half
of the week, but the latter part was very warm. In the
Missouri and Red River of the North valleys, over the greater
part of the upper Mississippi valley, the southern portions
of the Lake region and in the Middle Atlantic States there
were very heavy rains. Elsewhere the rainfall was generally
less than usual.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending July 30. — New England. Boston : Gen-
eral heavy rains greatly benefited crops ; corn promises
average yield ; rye harvested, crop medium ; early potatoes
a failure, late improving ; blackberries and blueberries less
promising ; raspberries poor ; tobacco topping continues,
large crop expected ; heavy growth of rowen.

Week ending August 6. — New England. Boston : Cool
and excessively dry; corn doing well; potatoes making
little growth ; much oats mowed for fodder ; raspberries

and blackberries abundant in northern section ; dairying
interests suffering because of drought.

Week ending August 13. — Now England. Boston :
Heavy rains in northern portion and moderate in southern ;
very warm; wheal and oats ripening in northern portion,
both heavy ; corn continues favorable ; late potatoes promis-
ing ; grapes abundant ; apples continuo to promise average
crop, early varieties pjcntiful.

Week ending August 20. — New England. Boston:
Heavy rains, cool weather; corn making satisfactory
growth ; pastures improved ; some potatoes blighting, other-
wise promising ; tobacco cutting commenced, superior crop ;
apples medium yield, improving, not so many falling ; grapes
plentiful.

Week ending August 27. — New England. Boston :
Little rain ; great extremes in temperature ; good for har-
vesting oats, barley, hungarian grass and tobacco ; corn
still promising ; pastures poor ; apples improving, summer
and fall varieties plentiful, winter average ; late potatoes
still growing ; beans medium ; onions small.

The Weather of August, 1900.
The month opened with a " spell" of clear weather and
cool nights, which continued through the 5th. In favorable
localities the temperature fell dangerously near the frost
point. The cool wave broke the record for August for
many years past, variously estimated from ten to twenty-
five years. This was followed by a period of warm weather
with a high per cent of moisture. The mercury ranged in
the 90's in all sections except those of the immediate coast.
There were frequent showers from the 6th to the 10th, with
the rainfall generally in light to moderate amounts. Three
days of generally fair and cooler weather followed, with
much easterly wind, and fogs were prevalent in coast sec-
tions. The third week of the month was characterized by
much cloudiness and rain. The storm of the loth was
quite general, giving copious rainfalls in nearly all parts of
the State. During no week of the present season has there
been so much precipitation. Comparatively low temper-
ature accompanied the foul weather. The weather for the

8

remainder of the month was generally fair, the exceptions
consisting of local storms, usually attended by thunder and
light rainfall. During this portion of the month great ex-
tremes in temperature were experienced. From the 20th
to the 23d a moderate cool wave prevailed, and this was fol-
lowed by several of the warmest days of the season. The
highest temperatures of the season were recorded from the
25th to the 27th, when the figures ranged from 90° to 110°.
Excepting the high temperature, the fair weather was ideal
for the harvesting of mature crops. The precipitation dur-
ing the month was generally sufficient to maintain growing
conditions, but the moisture was chiefly near the surface,
below which the earth was very dr}' to a considerable depth.
The weather of August, as a whole, did not depart greatly
from the average for this month.

In the circular to correspondents, returnable August 24,
the following questions were asked : —

1. What is the condition of Indian corn?

2. What is the prospect for rowen as compared with a
normal crop?

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

4. How do the acreage and condition of tobacco com-
pare with the normal ?

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 former
years ?

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

Returns were received from 140 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

Indian Corn.
Indian corn is perhaps somewhat late in most sections,
but promises a good crop in all except Middlesex, Essex
and Barnstable counties, where the returns indicate that

there will be less than an average crop, owing to the severe
drought of the earlier pari of the season. Elsewhere a
good growth is generally reported, and also that it is well
set with ears.

RowrEN.

The rowen crop will be light in all sections, and in some
instances nearly or quite a failure. Only 17 correspondents
speak of it as " good," " average" or " fair." The drought
of July injured most mowing fields, and rain is yet needed
to put them in good condition for next year.

Late Potatoes.
Late potatoes suffered from the drought, and the crop as
a whole will be below the average in all sections. There is
some complaint that the tubers are small, also that they are
few in the hill. Blight has appeared, more or less, in all
sections, but cannot be called general, and very little rot is
reported.

Tobacco.
A slight general increase in the acreage of tobacco is re-
ported from nearly all towns in the tobacco region. The
crop is generally in excellent condition, with a large, fine
leaf, which promises to be of good quality. Cutting was
well under way at the time of making returns, and is now
practically completed.

Fruit.
Apples fell off in condition during the month, but a good
crop is generally promised, and in many cases it will be
much above the average. Pears will give a fair crop.
Peaches are much below the normal, but fully up to the
average of years. Grapes generally promise well. Cran-
berries will be a light crop, particularly in the region of
commercial production.

Pasturage.

The rains of the second decade of August helped pastures
materially, but they are still generally far from being in good
condition, and cattle are being fed at the barns in many sec-

10

tions. Frequent rains are needed if they are to carry out
well as to fall feed, and also to put them in good condition
for next year.

Oats and Barley.

Both these crops have been below the average as to both
grain and straw. Barley is but little raised for grain. As
late-planted forage crops they are generally doing well.

Poultry Keeping.

No particularly new facts were elicited by the inquiry as
to poultry keeping, but our conclusions of previous years,
viz., that poultry keeping is generally on the increase ; that
the most attention is paid to it in the south-eastern counties,
where the income derived from it is fully equal to that from
the dairy ; that even without special care poultry keeping is
a profitable branch of farming, and that with proper atten-
tion it must be one of the most profitable — were again con-
firmed. Attention is again called to the article at the end
of this bulletin, on " Poultry keeping on the farm," which
must prove helpful to any one interested in poultry raising,
and particularly to those just starting in the industry.

11

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us August 24.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwigiit Andrews). — Indian corn looks to be a fair
crop. Rowcn is not up to the average. The prospect for late
potatoes is good, though there is some blight. Tobacco promises
to be a full average crop. Apples will give an average yield.
Oats have been a short crop. Pastures are now very dry. Poultry
raising is quite an industry, and the income derived from it aver-
agea fully up to that from the dairy.

Otis (S. H. Norton). — Corn is looking well but is rather late.
Rowen will be a light crop. Potatoes are looking well ; no rot as
yi-t. Apples and pears will give full average crops. Pastures are
in fair condition. Oats are a full average crop. Poultry raising
is on the increase, and some farmers say that it pays better than
dairying.

Alforcl (L. T. Osborne). — Indian corn is much above the aver-
age in condition and promises a large yield. The prospect is for
a very light crop of rowen, about 60 per cent of the normal. Late
potatoes will be nearly an average crop. Apples are above a
normal crop and pears are an average one. Pasturage is below
the average in condition. Oats and barley are a little above the
average. Farmers are paying more attention each year to poultry
keeping. The income derived from it is perhaps one-eighth of
that derived from the dairy, and we think the income from fifty
hens will equal that from one cow.

Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer). — Corn is a little late, but is doing
very nicely. Rowen will not be over 70 per cent of a full crop.
Late potatoes are a light crop, but no blight or rot has appeared
as yet. Apples and pears are good crops ; no peaches. Pasturage
is only in fair condition, having suffered from drought. Oats and
barley are up to par. Very little is done in poultry with us.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — Indian corn is very late, owing
to dry weather. Rowen will be less than an average crop. Late
potatoes will be about a two-thirds crop ; blight has appeared, but
there is no rot as yet. The prospect for apples and pears is good ;
very few peaches and grapes. Pasturage is short. Oats and

12

barley are not up to average crops. Our farmers pay considerable
attention to poultry, and the income derived from it is about one-
sixth that from the dairy. Buckwheat looks well.

Windsor (W. H. Tirrell). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen will be a poor crop. There is prospect of a good crop of
late potatoes, and no blight or rot has appeared as yet. The
prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Oats and barley compare
well with former years. We give poultry but little attention.

Savoy (W. W. Burnett). — Indian corn is a week or ten days
late, but has a good growth and is looking finely. Rowen is much
less than an average crop. A light yield of late potatoes is an-
ticipated, as they have been struck with blight. There will be an
average crop of fruit. Pasturage is in fair condition, the late
rains having brightened pastures finely. Oats and barley are
about average crops, and are mostly cut green for fodder. Nearly
all do something with poultry, and the income derived from it is
perhaps one-fifth or one-fourth that from the dairy.

New Ashford (Elihu Ingraham). — Corn is in good condition.
The prospect for rowen is poor. Late potatoes will not be more
than half a crop, though there is no blight as yet. Apples
promise to give a fair crop. ^ Pastures are in fair condition. Oats
were a fine crop ; no barley raised. The income derived from
poultry keeping is about one-eighth that from the dairy.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Leyden (U. T. Darling). — Indian corn is in very good shape,
but a little backward. Rowen will be very much less than
an average crop. The potato crop, both early and late, will be
exceedingly light. Apples, pears and grapes will give good crops ;
no peaches or cranberries. Pastures are in very good condition,
considering the little rain we have had. Oats and barley are
about average crops. Not much attention is given to poultry rais-
ing, and the income from it is small compared to that from dairy
products.

Gill (F. F. Stoughton). — Corn is in extra good condition.
Rowen will be rather a light crop, but is growing very fast now.
Potatoes have not been dug yet, and there is some blight. The
prospect for apples and grapes is good. Some pastures have been
rather short the last few weeks. Oats have been an extra good
crop. There is considerable poultry kept. Cucumbers and vines
generally have not done well.

Conway (J. C. Newhall) . — Indian corn has made a fine growth
of late, and is looking very well now. The rowen crop- is the
lightest for years, although it is growing some now. Potatoes are

13

a poor crop ; blight and dry weather are the causes. The acreage
of tobacco is increased, and a splendid-looking crop is now being
harvested. Fruits are full average crops. Owing to the severe
drought, pastures are short, although they are looking green now.
Oats and barley are not much raised, but were about average
crops. Not much is done in the poultry line.

Deerfield (Chas. Jones). — Indian corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen is a short crop, but is growing well now. Late po-
tatoes are below the average, with some blight. Tobacco is being
harvested, and is a very good crop. Pasturage is short, but is
improving. Oats are an average crop. Apples are not up to the
average, but grapes are above it. Very little attention is paid to
poultry and much to the dairy.

Wliately (Frank Dickinson). — Corn is in good condition.
Rowen will give a very light crop. Some fields of late potatoes
are good, others poor ; no rot. The acreage of tobacco is in-
creased, and there is a fine crop. Apples are a full crop, as are
also grapes ; there will be some peaches and pears. Oats are a
good crop. Pastures are dry, but are growing some just now.
Very little attention is paid to poultry.

Northfield (T. R. Callendar). — Indian corn is about up to the
average, though on some dry fields it shows the effect of drought.
Very little rowen will be secured. Late potatoes look well, and
there is little blight or rot. Apples promise a large yield. There
is a good crop of tobacco, the leaf being large and free from im-
perfections. Pastures are reviving under the frequent rains, and
are up to the average for the time of year. Oats and barley are
fair crops, though little grown except for hay. Very little atten-
tion is paid to poultry, and the income from it is less than one-
tenth that from the dairy. Cucumbers grown for pickling are a
short crop, the vines dying unusually early.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Corn is a little late, but
promises to be a very heavy crop. Rowen is about an average
crop. The potato crop will be below the average in this vicinity ;
some blight, but no rot as yet. There is a larger acreage of
tobacco than common, and the crop is heavy and of good quality.
Pasturage is in fine condition, owing to the late rains. There will
be a light crop of apples, owing to the drought, but grapes are
looking finely. Very little attention is paid to poultry, and I think
that our farmers as a general thing would be unable to state the
income they receive from this source.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Indian corn is looking well,
and promises more than an average yield. Rowen is somewhat
less than a normal crop in this vicinity. There is apparently a

14

fair average yield of late potatoes, with but little blight or rot as
yet. Apples are a large crop on the hills, not so plenty in the
valleys ; pears and grapes plenty ; but few peaches. Pasturage is
rather short, though recent rains have revived it somewhat. There
has been a good average yield of oats and barley. A good deal
of attention is paid to poultry in this vicinity. When well cared
for they are quite profitable, — more so than the dairy.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Greenwich (Wm. S. Douglas). — Indian corn promises a fair
crop. Rowen promises a fair crop. There is some complaint of
blight on late potatoes. The crop of all kinds of fruits will be
light. Pasturage is in average condition.

Belchertown (H. C. West). — Indian corn is a few days late,
otherwise the best crop in years. The rowen crop is below the
average, yet is more than was expected two weeks ago. Late po-
tatoes promise a fair crop ; no blight or rot as yet. Tobacco is
far above the normal in both acreage and condition, the most
promising crop in years. Apples are from one-half to a two-thirds
crop, as are also pears ; peaches and grapes are above average
crops. Pastures are short, but green; cattle looking fairly well.
Oats and barley are full average crops. There are comparatively
few poultry farmers, but those few claim a much better net income
than from dairying.

Hartley (L. W. West). — Indian corn is ten per cent above the
normal in condition. Rowen is about a three-fourths crop. Late
potatoes are few in the hill ; considerable blight, no rot. The
acreage of tobacco is increased 5 per cent, and it is 10 per cent
above the normal in condition. Apples, pears and peaches good ;
grapes first rate. Pasturage is below normal in condition. Oats
are about a normal crop. Many give attention to poultry, with
the income about one-fourth that from the dairy. I think I never
saw a better crop of tobacco.

Granby (Geo. A. Blish). — Corn is a little late, but is growing
very fast. Rowen is a light crop on most fields. There is a gen-
eral complaint of a light crop of potatoes, with some blight. There
is a fair crop of apples, but not much other fruit. Pastures have
started a little in the past two weeks, but are still short. There is
an average crop of oats and barley, mostly used for green feed.
Not much attention is given to poultry.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — Indian corn promises to be a
good crop. The rowen crop is the lightest for years. Late pota-
toes will be a light crop, with no rot as yet. There is the usual
acreage of tobacco, and it is fully up to the average in condition.

15

Apples are hardly an average crop, though good in some localities.
Pastures are looking brown and bare. Oats were a good crop.
Not much attention is paid to poultry, and the income from it is
small.

Huntington (H. W. Sticknky) . — Indian corn is in very good con-
dition. Kowen is not a very good crop. The prospect is good for
Late potatoes, and no blight has appeared. There is but one piece
of tobacco raised in town. Apples are very good ; very few
peaches ; grapes looking finely. In most of the pastures there is
wry little feed. Oats and barley are about normal crops. Our
farmers do not pay much attention to poultry.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Tolland (E. M. Moore). — Corn is in good condition, and will
be an average crop. Kowen will be about a two-thirds crop, owing
to drought. Late potatoes are looking well, and I have not noticed
any blight or rot. Apples have dropped badly, but the prospect
is for a good crop of grapes and cranberries. Pastures are dried
up and feed is short. Oats and barley are above average crops.
Not much attention is paid to poultry by farmers in this locality.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Corn is looking well, with plenty of
ears, and bids fair to be an average crop. The continued dry
weather has injured rowen very much, and it will be a very light
crop. Potatoes are small, and not over half a crop is expected ;
no rot or blight reported. Apples are a good crop; other fruits
about average. Pastures are very dry. Oats and barley are below
average crops. Considerable attention is paid to poultry raising,
and the income from poultry products is one-fourth that from the
dairy.

Southwick (L. A. Fowler). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Owing to the dry weather after haying, the rowen crop will be
light. The prospect for late potatoes has improved since the late
rains. There is an increased acreage of tobacco, and the condition
is a little above the normal. There is about half a crop of apples,
pears and grapes; few peaches and cranberries. The August
rains have improved pasturage. Oats and barley were good crops.
A few of our farmers pay considerable attention to poultry, but
the income derived is small in comparison with that from the dairy.

West Springfield (J. N. Bagg). — Indian corn is generally in
good condition. Kowen will not be half a crop. Late potatoes
will probably be a light crop ; some pieces show blight. The acre-
age of tobacco is increased, aud it is 100 in condition. Apples
and pears abundant; peaches scarce ; grapes light. Pasturage is
light and thin. Some attention is paid to poultry, and the income

16

from it is perhaps one-fourth that from the dairy. Market garden-
ing is increasing, and so is dairying.

Ghicopee (R. W. Bemis). — Corn is a remarkably good crop
where properly cared for. Rowen is considerably less than a
normal crop. Late potatoes are less than an average crop, but
there is not much blight or rot. Tobacco is considerably above
the normal. There is a fair prospect for a good crop of pears,
peaches and grapes, but it has been too dry for apples. Pastures
have been very dry. Oats and barley have been good crops, taking
the drought into consideration. Some pay considerable attention
to poultry, others do not ; the amount of income depends on the
ability of the farmer and the attention given.

Ludlow (C. B. Bennett). — Indian corn is in very good condi-
tion. Rowen will give about half a crop. Late potatoes look
well, but have commenced to blight. Very few apples and pears
and no peaches, but a large crop of grapes. Pasturage is poor,
but is improving. Oats and barley are average crops. Very little
attention is paid to poultry. Ensilage corn looks uncommonly
well, and some have begun to fill their silos.

East Longmeadow (J. L. Davis). — Corn is in need of rain to
carry out the ears set. Rowen is not over 25 per cent of a full
crop. Late potatoes have blighted on half the fields, and not over
half a crop is expected. Apples and peaches light crops ; pears
plenty. Pasturage is short and our farmers want to sell their
stock. Oats have been a light crop. There is more poultry kept
this year than last ; should say the income from poultry was about
one-tenth that from the dairy.

Wales (C. F. Crawford). — Corn is looking very well. Hay
was cut late, which spoils the rowen crop. Potatoes promise a
light yield, but there is no rot or blight. Apples are an average
crop ; other fruits not plenty. Pastures are good for the time of
year. Oats and barley are good crops. Poultry is of little im-
portance, compared to the dairy, with us.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Indian corn is in fine condition,
but is a little backward. Rowen will be about two-thirds of a
normal crop, and will be cut late. There is a fair prospect for
late potatoes ; very little blight and no rot. There is a large crop
of apples, pears and grapes ; also a good crop of peaches. Pas-
turage has improved with recent rains, and is now about average
for the time of year. Oats are not quite up to the average, and
are mostly hayed. Not much attention is paid to poultry by our
farmers.

17

Brookfield (F. E. Prouty). — Corn is in good condition. In
this immediate vicinity the rowen crop is quite good. Have seen
no blight or rot on late potatoes ; tubers large, but not many in
the hill. Apples a good crop ; pears light ; grapes good ; cran-
berries killed by high water. Pasturage is in excellent condition.
Oats and barley are good crops. There is quite a little attention
given to the raising of poultry, and I think it increases every year,
but could not say just how it would compare with the dairy.

M'est Brookfield (L. H. Chamberlain). — Corn is very prom-
ising. Rowen promises to be a good crop. The prospect is good
for late potatoes, although there is some blight. The prospect is
good for apples, pears and grapes ; no peaches or cranberries.
Pastures are in full average condition. Oats and barley were
good crops, but were all cut for fodder. Very little attention is
paid to poultry by our farmers, but we have a few hen men in town.

Oakham (Jesse Allen). — Indian corn is in excellent con-
dition. Rowen is nearly an entire failure. Late potatoes will be
a light crop, and have blasted slightly. Apples are abundant ;
pears, peaches and grapes light crops. Pastures are very short,
but improved by recent rains. Oats and barley are more than
average crops. Considerable attention is paid to poultry, and the
income derived from it is probably one-tenth that from the dairy.

Dana (E. A. Albee) . — Corn is a fine crop. There will not
be over one-fourth of an average crop of rowen. Late potatoes
still look green, without blight or rot. Apples will be one-fourth
of an average crop ; pears average ; grapes good ; no cranberries.
The dry weather makes the pastures very short. Oats are a good
crop ; no barley raised of any account. Most of our farmers
make more from poultry than from the dairy.

lioyalston (C. A. Stimson). — Indian corn is a good crop.
Rowen is very poor, not over a one-third crop. Late potatoes
will be light ; blight has appeared, but no rot as yet. Apples,
pears, peaches, grapes and cranberries are good crops. Drought
has injured pastures, and stock are fed at barns. Oats and bar-
ley are about three-fourths crops. Not much attention is paid to
poultry, but the income from it is probably one-fourth that from
the dairy.

Gardner (A. F. Johnson). — Indian corn promises to be a fine
crop. Rowen will be a light crop. Late potatoes look well, and
I think will be better than the early ones. There are many apples,
but they are mostly rather small. Pasturage is in poor condition.
Oats and barley have been average crops. Not much attention is
paid to poultry, but it is increasing each year ; the income derived
from it is probably about one per cent that from the dairy.

18

Westminster (G. A. Stockwell). — Corn is not as good a crop
as last year. There will be a fair crop of rowen. Late potatoes
will give a good crop ; have noticed neither blight nor rot. There
will be a large crop of all kinds of fruit except peaches. Pastur-
age is very dry. Oats and barley are about average crops. Much
attention is paid to poultry, and the income derived from it about
equal to that from the dairy.

Harvard (J. S. Preston). — Indian corn is looking very well,
but is not filled out as well as usual. Practically speaking, there
is no rowen. Late potatoes are almost a failure. Apples and
pears are large crops ; peaches, grapes and cranberries fair.
Pastures are looking better than last month, but are still short.
Oats and barley are less than average crops. Some of our farmers
do quite a poultry business.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Dry weather injured Indian corn,
but it is doing well now. Rowen is a poor crop. Late potatoes
are not more than 40 per cent of an average crop ; some blight,
but no rot. Apples are a good crop ; pears half a crop, as are
also peaches and grapes. Pasturage is short, but is gaining since
the rains. Oats and barley are good crops, but were all cut green.
But few do much with poultry, but all who do think that it pays
better than dairying.

Northborough (J. K. Mills). — Corn is looking well, with the
exception of pieces planted on very dry ground. Rowen will be
about 75 per cent of a good crop. Late potatoes promise to be
quite good ; some blight, but no rot. There will be a large crop
of apples ; prospect for peaches, pears and grapes good. Pastures
have improved with the rain, but milch cows have to be fed at the
barn. Oats and barley are about average crops. I should say
that the income derived from poultry was about one-tenth that
from the dairy.

Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen will be a light crop. The prospect for late potatoes is
good, and there is no blight or rot. The prospect is good for all
kinds of fruit. Pasturage is now in pretty good condition. Oats
and barley were fair crops. Some small farmers do quite well
with poultry, and about 5 per cent of the income of our farmers
may come from that source. Late rains have helped all crops.

Oxford (D. M. Howe). — Corn is in good condition. Very
little rowen will be cut. Late potatoes will be very good ; early
ones did not seem to ripen very well, and are small. Apples will
be a large crop ; pears a good crop ; peaches few ; grapes plenty
and cranberries few. Pasturage is very short. Oats and barley
are good crops.

19

\tton (C. P. King). — Indian corn is growing iinely, and
promises a large crop. The rowen crop is about normal. Late
itoes are doing well. Apples and pears are a heavy crop ;
peaches are rotting badly. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats
arc a heavy crop ; barley normal. Nearly all farmers keep large
flocks of poultry, but dairy products greatly exceed poultry prod-
ucts in value.

Black stone (O. F. Fuller). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen will be less than an average crop. I have heard no com-
plaints as to blight or rot on potatoes. Apples good ; few peaches,
pears and grapes. Pastures are very short. Farmers pay a great
deal of attention to poultry here, and there are a number of very
large poultry keepers in town.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Corn is in good condition.
There is practically no rowen. Potatoes, early and late, are a
failure, with scab and blight. Pears and apples fair crops ;
peaches few ; grapes a full crop. Pastures are dry. Oats and
barley are average crops. Considerable attention is paid to poul-
try, and the income from it is nearly equal to that from the dairy.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Indian corn is a normal crop.
Rowen is about a three-fourths crop, and recent rains have helped
it. The prospect for late potatoes is good, though there is quite
a little blight. Apples, 100 ; pears, 75 ; peaches, 60 ; and grapes,
75. Pasturage is improving, but is still quite short. Oats and
barley are about average crops. Out of fifty farmers hereabouts
some five make a specialty of poultry, and this represents very
nearly the proportion of income from dairy and poultry.

Ashby (A. Wetherbee). — Corn is injured somewhat by
drought. Rowen will not amount to much. Late potatoes will
be a fair crop ; some blight and rot. Apples, pears and grapes
are good crops, and there will be a few peaches. Pasturage is very
short. Oats and barley are a little below the average. There is
some poultry kept, but it is not increasing.

Westford (J. W. Fletcher). — Indian corn is in good condi-
tion. Late rains have improved the prospect for the rowen crop,
and a good crop is now looked for. Not many late potatoes are
raised. There will be more apples than we can dispose of ;
peaches plenty. Pasturage is in very good condition. Oats and
barley are about average crops. Not much attention is paid to
poultry.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr) . — Corn is below the average in condi-
tion, and very late. Rowen will be a very small crop. Late po-

20

tatoes will give a small crop, and there is no blight or rot. Full
crop of apples ; small crop of pears and peaches ; plenty of grapes ;
no cranberries. Pasturage is in better condition than a month
ago, but below the average. Oats and barley are about average
crops. Only a few farmers pay much attention to poultry, and
they don't half pay attention. The income is four times as great
for the capital invested as that from the dairy.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Corn suffered from drought on
light land, but is now doing well. There will be a small crop of
rowen. Have seen no rot yet on late potatoes ; crop not over
three-fourths of the normal. A fair crop of apples and pears ;
some grapes and peaches. Pastures are in very poor condition.
Oats and barley are light crops. There is an increase in the poul-
try business in this vicinity, but the income derived from poultry
is very small compared with that from the dairy.

Wakefield (C. P. Talbot). — Indian corn suffered greatly from
drought, and is not more than half the usual crop. Late potatoes
are looking finely, and there is no rot or blight. Apples, pears
and grapes are abundant ; cranberries few ; peaches none. Past-
ures have been in very poor condition, but the rains have helped
them much. Oats and barley were not over 70 per cent of full
crops. On farms where poultry are taken care of they pay better
than cows, and the income from poultry is fully as large as that
from the dairy.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — There is no Indian corn raised in
town. Rowen will be less than half a crop. Late potatoes are a
very poor crop. Apples good, pears fair, grapes good. Pastures
have been very poor, but have improved some since the late rains.
Our farmers do not pay much attention to poultry, and there are
no dairy products to speak of.

Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — There is no Indian corn
raised. Rowen will not be quite an average crop. Potatoes are
all rather small ; no blight as yet. Apples, pears and peaches
will be good crops. Pasturage is just beginning to recover from
the long drought. Very little is done with poultry.

Weston (H. L. Brown). — Corn is looking well. On low, moist
land there will be a good crop of rowen. There is a prospect of
about half a crop of late potatoes ; no blight as yet. All fruits
are good except cranberries. Pasturage is short. Only such
farmers as make it their principal business pay much attention to
poultry.

Newton (Otis Pettee) . — Most fields of Indian corn are looking
well, though a few show the effects of drought. Unless we have
early and copious rains, the rowen crop will be light. I have

21

noticed a little blight on late potatoes, but not much. Apple and
pear trees are well loaded with fruit. Pasturage is rather light,
though recent showers have helped it in a measure.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengiee). — On high ground Indian corn
was injured by the drought; on medium and low ground it is look-
ing well. There is very little rowen worth mowing. There will
be a light yield of late potatoes ; have noticed no rot. Apples a
large crop ; pears fair; peaches fair; grapes good; cranberries
light. Pasturage has been uncommonly poor all summer, but has
improved some since the rains. Oats and barley were about three-
fourths crops. Some farmers keep five or six hundred hens, and
the average income from poultry is nearly one-half that from the
dairy. The farmers along the sea coast will have a large crop of
salt hay this year, which will be a great help in feeding stock.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Corn is a fair crop, but not up
to the average. Rowen will give two-thirds of the usual crop.
Late potatoes promise better than early ones, though there is some
blight. There will be about a normal crop of fruit. Pastures are
in good coudition since the rains. Oats and barley are mostly cut
for fodder.

Andover (M. H. Gould). — Ensilage corn is looking well ; that
for grain is light, on account of drought. Rowen is about half a
normal crop. Late potatoes are not an average crop, but there is
no blight or rot. The prospect for apples is fairly good ; pears
light ; peaches light ; grapes and cranberries good. Pastures are
all dried up. Oats and barley were half crops. Not much atten-
tion is paid to poultry, and our farmers get most of their income
from dairy products.

Ipswich (0. C. Smith). — Indian corn is in very good condition.
The rowen crop will be small, and there is none on uplands. Late
potatoes are a very good crop, but smaller than usual ; some blight
and rot. All fruits promise well except peaches. Pasturage has
about dried up, but is now improving. Oats and barley are aver-
age crops, being cut for fodder mainly. Most farmers have some
poultry, but only those who make a business of it get income to
compare with that from the dairy.

Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Not much corn is planted in this
vicinity, but that on moist land is looking well. What rowen
there is will be quite late. Late potatoes are a light crop, though
rather better than early. Apples are rather small, but a good
crop ; small crop of pears ; some peaches ; but few grapes and
cranberries. Pastures are very poor and dry, and cows are fed

22

twice a clay at the barn. The poultry business has fallen off some-
what, and the income from it is not more than one-sixth that from
the dairy. Tomatoes are ripening slowly, and bring a fair
price. Onions vary a great deal ; some fields are quite small,
while some others promise a good crop. Fall apples are dropping
quite badly, and bring a low price.

Manchester (John Baker). — Indian corn is in good condition.
The prospect is that rowen will be a little below the normal. Late
potatoes are good with no blight. Apples are a very large crop ;
good crop of other fruits. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats
and barley are about normal crops. All farmers keep a few hens,
but there are no extensive henneries.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Stoughton (C. F. Curtis) . — Indian corn varies greatly, and
shows wide results in adjoining fields, but would average about
70 per cent of the normal. There is about a one-third crop of
rowen. Late potatoes have done well, and show no blight or rot.
Apples half a crop ; pears three-fourths ; peaches average ; grapes
a full crop ; cranberries a full crop. Pastures are just beginning
to revive, but are poor except on low land. The income from the
dairy is away ahead of that from poultry ; probably the latter
would be about 20 per cent of the former.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Corn is a good crop. Rowen is
a poor crop. Blight has appeared on late potatoes, and there will
be a short crop. Apples and pears will be big crops ; peaches
and grapes fair ; no cranberries. Pastures are poor and all dried
up. Oats and barley were fair crops. A few farmers pay atten-
tion to poultry, and the income from it exceeds that from the
dairy in some cases.

Medway (Monroe Morse). — Indian corn is 90 per cent of a
full crop. There will not be over a one-fourth crop of rowen.
Late potatoes promise well ; some blight, but no rot. Apples are
25 per cent above an average crop ; pears a full crop ; peaches a
one-third crop ; grapes 90 per cent. Since the rains pasturage
has come up to the average. Poultry raising is on the increase,
but I am not able to state its proportionate importance as com-
pared with dairying.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Indian corn is looking well.
Rowen will be about half a crop. Late potatoes will give about
a three-fourths crop. There is an immense crop of apples ; pears
good; peaches few ; grapes fair and cranberries medium. Past-
urage is in poor condition. Oats and barley are 90 per cent of

23

full crops. Poultry raising is not of much account with our
farmers.

Belli ngham (J. J. O'Sullivan) . — Corn is in good condition.
Rowen will be an average crop. There is very little blight on late
potatoes. The prospect is for a very good crop of all kinds of
fruit. The rains have improved the condition of pastures. Oats
and barley arc very little grown. Considerable attention is paid
to poultry, and the income from it is about 20 per cent of that

from the dairy.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansjidd (Wm. C. Winter). — Indian corn is somewhat late,
but with favorable weather will make an average yield. Rowen
will not exceed 70 per cent of a normal crop. Potatoes are large
and fine, but not many in a hill ; no blight or rot. Apples and
pears are from 70 to 80 per cent of a full crop ; peaches, 10 per
cent; grapes, 50 to 60 per cent; cranberries perhaps a full crop.
Pasturage is in fairly good condition for the season. Oats and
barley are above average crops. I should judge the income from
poultry and the dairy might be about equal.

Norton (W. A. Lane). — Corn is in good condition. On low
ground rowen is a good crop. The prospect for late potatoes is
good, and there is no rot. Apples, cranberries and grapes are
good crops. Pastures are a little dry. Oats are a good crop.
Poultry is in advance of the dairy as a source of income with our
farmers.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — Indian corn is in good condi-
tion. Rowen promises to be about 80 per cent of a full crop.
Potatoes, early or late, are a small crop. Apples are an average
crop, also pears and grapes ; cranberries half a crop. Oats and
barley are full average crops. Farmers do not pay much atten-
tion to poultry, and those who grow poultry do not farm it very
much. August was an ideal month, and all crops are growing
well.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — Indian corn is looking and doing
well. Very little rowen will be cut. There will be a light crop of
potatoes; no rot. Apples, pears and grapes plenty; peaches
scarce ; cranberries very few. Pasturage is in very poor condi-
tion. Oats were a very good crop. Much attention is paid to
poultry, and the value of its products is fully one-half that of those
from the dairy. Squashes are a total failure. Turnips are look-
ing very fine. Onions a medium crop.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Corn is looking finely, but, having
grown slowly, is rather backward. There will be no rowen. The

24

crop of late potatoes is poor, but there are no signs of either blight
or rot. Apples are three-fourths of a crop ; pears one-half ; grapes
a full crop. Pastures are very poor, but the meadows are furnish-
ing some feed. Oats and barley were average crops for grain, but
with lighter straw than usual. Most farmers keep some poultry,
and the income from it is perhaps one-tenth that from the dairy.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland) . — Indian corn is fairly good ex-
cept some pieces on dry land. Rowen is about a three-fourths
crop. Late potatoes are quite good on low land ; have seen very
little blight. Not many peaches ; prospect for other fruits good.
Pastures are short and dry. Not much attention is paid to poultry
in this neighborhood.

Marshfield (J. H. Bourne). — Corn is a fairly good crop ; many
pieces suffered from the drought, but are gaining now. Rowen
will not be over a one-fourth crop. There is no blight or rot on
potatoes, but there will be only half a crop. Apples are very
plenty ; pears less than usual ; peaches good ; grapes and cran-
berries fully up to the average. Pasturage is badly dried up.
The drought shortened oats> and barley somewhat. Every one
keeps poultry, and many in large numbers ; the aggregate income
from this source exceeds that from the dairy.

Kingston (G. L. Churchill). — Indian corn is a very short
crop. Rowen is not half a crop. Late potatoes are a very light
crop, with some blight. There will be an average crop of fruit.
Pastures are very short. Oats and barley are very short crops.
But little poultry is kept in this vicinity.

Plympton (Jacob Parker) . — Corn is looking finely and is not
drying up. Potatoes are a short crop, but there is no blight or
rot. Apples plenty ; cranberries an average crop. Pasturage is
looking finely, on account of late rains. More attention is paid to
poultry than to any other department of farming.

Halifax (Geo. W. Hatward). — Indian corn is looking well,
except where dry weather affected it. Very little rowen will be
cut in this section. Most potatoes are blighted; no rot as yet,
but the crop must be small. Good crop of apples ; grapes and
cranberries fair. There is no pasturage. Farmers pay a great
deal of attention to poultry, and there is much more income de-
rived from it than from the dairy.

Mattapoisett (E. C. Stetson). — Indian corn is in good condi-
tion. There is very little if any rowen in this locality. Potatoes
are not a very good crop, though there is little or no blight or rot.

2:1

Fruits of all kinds promise well. Pasturage is in poor condition.
Oats and barley are about average crops. There is a great deal
of poultry in this section, and I should think the income derived
from it was nearly as great as that from dairy products.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — Indian corn is in fair condition. The
prospect for rowen is very poor. The prospect for late potatoes
is very poor, although there is no rot as yet. Apples, pears,
grapes and cranberries promise very good crops. Pastures are
poor and short, because of drought. Oats are a very good crop,
but are grown for fodder only. Very little is done with poultry
except on a small scale. Nearly all our milk is sold to the sum-
mer people, and those farmers who keep cows all buy their butter.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Corn is looking very well, and
there will be half a crop. Rowen is a failure. There will be
about a two-thirds crop of potatoes ; no rot nor blight. Apples,
pears, grapes and cranberries will each give half a crop. Pastur-
age is quite good. Oats and barley are failures. Not much at-
tention is paid to poultry raising.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell) . — Indian corn is below the average
at this season. No rowen except on low land. The potato crop
is very light ; no rot noticed. Pears and apples fair crops ;
grapes quite plenty ; cranberries a very small crop. Pasturage
is in very poor condition. Oats were rather light. The season
has been one of the driest ever known.

Hanvich (A. N. Doane) . — Indian corn is late, on account of
dry weather. The rowen crop is very short. Late potatoes are
doing fairly well ; no rot. Apples and pears are good crops ; not
many grapes ; cranberries almost a failure. Dry weather has
spoiled upland pastures for this season.

Chatham (E. Z. Ryder). — Corn will be a small crop. Rowen
is half a crop, owing to the drought. Late potatoes are nearly a
failure, with some blight and rot. The prospect for apples and
pears is poor ; peaches few ; grapes average ; cranberries less than
half a crop. Pasturage is in very poor condition. Oats are about
a two-thirds crop. Our farmers don't pay much attention to
poultry, though most of them have a flock of hens.

Welljleet (E. Jacobs). — We have no crop of corn. There will
be about one-third as much rowen as last year. Late potatoes are
a good crop in most sections. Very few apples and of very poor
quality. Pastures are in very poor condition in all sections. About
one-third of the income of our farmers is derived from poultry.

26

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Indian corn is much below
the average in condition. There is no prospect of getting any crop
of rowen. Potatoes are much below the average ; no blight or
rot. Prospect for apples, pears, peaches and grapes poor. Past-
ures are very dry and poor. Oats were about a two-thirds crop.
Nearly all the farmers have some poultry, and the income from it
is about equal to that from the dairy.

27

BULLETIN OF

.Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

POULTRY KEEPING ON THE FARM.

Bt Arthur A. Brigham, Ph.D., Kingston, R. I.

When requested to write " an article that will give hints to be-
ginners and be a help to those who are about starting or thinking
of starting in poultry and egg production," my thoughts imme-
diately went back to some of the experiences of my boyhood
days on the old farm in Massachusetts. M}' memory recalls very
vividly how one of my attempts to combine horticulture and
poultry culture was brought to a sorrowful end, because of rats.
As an ambitious young gardener, I had constructed a hot-bed,
made two sashes to fit it, and had woven of rye straw a thick mat
to cover the whole during cold nights. My early farming under
glass prospered, and the plants had been transplanted to the open
garden, where they were all, with the exception of the cucumbers,
thriving finely. A severe frost one night destroyed the cucumbers
completely, thereby teaching the young gardener a seasonable
lesson, and perhaps saving several members of the family from
the dangers of " summer complaint" later.

The early hatched chickens were doing finely in their regular
quarters. A neighbor had that spring obtained some nice Buff
Cochin fowls, and later in the season kindly furnished me with a
sitting of their eggs. These were given to the care of a motherly
sitting hen, and in due time four little golden puff-balls showed
themselves. Where to place the yellow-feathered treasures was a
puzzle, until the empty hot-bed was thought of as just the place
to keep them safe and happy. Here for several days they flour-
ished, to the great satisfaction of their young owner; but pride
goes before a fall. One day the four pretty creatures were found
stark dead. The youthful poultryman had forgotten that as a
gardener he had sought to poison the rats which invaded his hot-
bed ; and the diminutive chicks proved that the rat poison was
fatal to chicken life, if not to rodents.

28

On another occasion, after faithful attendance at church ser-
vices, one beautiful Sunday morning in spring the same amateur
poultryman returned home to find about forty fine Brown Leghorn
chickens, dead or dying, scattered about the yard. The morning
mash for the chicks had unwittingly been mixed with water in
which some salt meat had been boiled, and they rendered con-
vincing testimony of the deathly danger to chicken life of too
much salt in the food.

The third catastrophe, which also brought its lesson, was the
destruction in one night, by an army of invading rats, of some
forty pigeons, practically cleaning out the loft.

Experience is a dear if not altogether a lovable teacher, and we
all have to learn from her to a greater or less extent. I have no
great or appreciative respect for the poultryman who " knows it
all," and has closed his course in learning ; but my sympathy goes
out to the one who is studying and advancing in poultry knowl-
edge, particularly if he be an ambitious and enthusiastic beginner
in poultry keeping.

On nearly every farm fowls are kept or found. Too often they
are allowed to shift for themselves. Some farmers detest hens.
Usually on every farm there is, however, some one who is inter-
ested in fowls, or at least desirous of the pocket-money which
poultry may supply. I know well a Massachusetts dairy farmer
who combines very successful poultry keeping with his dairy busi-
ness. He is one of many such. Lately a Massachusetts farmer
told me with great satisfaction of the copartnership which his two
boys, one thirteen and the other nine years old, had formed for
conducting the poultry business of the farm. These farmer boys
are chips of the old block, and are making a success of the busi-
ness. Sometimes it is the wife or daughter who takes care of the
biddies, usually very successfully. Among the poultry women of
my acquaintance I will mention one in New Jersey, who took the
special course of instruction, with the pioneer class of 1898, at
the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts.
Although not possessed of the best of health, she has made a
success of poultry keeping, and, willing to share her success, has,
among other helpful things, written a nice booklet for women,
entitled "Pocket-money in poultry culture," which I can heartily
recommend to the wives and daughters on the farms of Massa-
chusetts.

The idea of special poultry farming on a large scale is extending,
and large poultry plants are being quite freely established ; but
the great bulk of poultry products for the market will continue to
come from the numberless small flocks scattered through the coun-

29

try. The large poultry ranches all together can supply but a very
small proportion of the immense quantities of eggs and dressed
poultry demanded by an ever-increasing consumption of these
articles of food.

How SHALL THE BEGINNER BEGlK?

In the first place, do not commence on too large a scale, espe-
cially if you have had no experience with fowls. The necessaries
are the same in kind that are required in almost any productive
business. If we were to discuss the things needful in establish-
ing, maintaining and managing a special poultry farm or a great
poultry plant, the factors to be considered might be grouped under
the terms land, capital and labor. The same means on a small
scale are required for the little poultry plant on the general farm.
There must be a place for the fowls, money must be invested in
buildings, in good birds and in food and other materials; and,
finally, work is unavoidable in the care and management of the
business.

Location.

Even poultrymen of experience often make mistakes in choosing
a location for poultry keeping, hence it is well for the novice to
consider the matter quite fully. If fowls have been previously
kept upon the farm, the adaptability of one or more places for the
purpose may have been tested. In any case, several things need
to be carefully considered. The fowls, to do their best, must live
in shelter and comfort. The land should not be wet, and stag-
nant water in the soil is especially to be avoided. A somewhat
elevated slope, with a southerly or south-easterly aspect, if avail-
able, is usually preferred. A sandy loam soil in such a location
is naturally well drained. If the soil is a strong, heavy clay,
naturally too moist, it may be artificially underdrained by means
of tiles, and thus avoid the surplus moisture which seems to favor
the development of influenza and roup in poultry.

The atmospheric drainage is something equally important, though
not often taken into account. Every one has noticed, in travel-
ling over the roads, up hill and down dale, in the old Bay State,
that the cool and often chilly, moist, heavy air settles to the lower
places, and tends to remain there. Fowls should live where the
air surrounding them is at least fairly dry, even during the wet,
stormy weather of the cooler seasons. The inclemencies of the
weather, especially the extreme and sudden changes in tempera-
ture during the winter and spring, even in the best locations, test
severely the strength of constitution of both feathered and un-
feathered bipeds here in New England. Violent winds add greatly

30

to the discomfort of fowls, if they are exposed to them. Where
the houses and yards are frequently swept by searching winds,
the fowls abandon the runs, neglect healthful, out-door exercise
and huddle stupidly in their houses. It is also undesirable to con-
fine the poultry where in the hot weather the air stagnates, and
the sun beats down into the unprotected yards or close houses.
Both the cold of winter and the heat of summer must be tempered
for the comfort of the birds, if they are to thrive and do well for
their owner. Shade must therefore not be forgotten in locating
the yards or the ranges and the houses. Oftentimes the hen
house can be placed where the apple orchard or some group of
trees will furnish both shade and shelter. Fowls delight in the
conditions found beneath low-growing pines and other evergreens.

Fenced Kuns and Free Range.

One thing had best be definitely settled before attempting to
keep poultry on the farm. The fowls should not be allowed to
run at will within the garden or in and about the farm buildings.
Nothing is more aggravating or disgusting than to have the nice
vegetables or beautiful flowers scratched up, and the doorsteps, the
porch, the paths and the farm machines and vehicles fouled with
poultry droppings. Separate the poultry also from the other live
stock of the farm. This is easily accomplished when undertaken
in a business-like manner. If the fowls are to be kept near the
farm buildings, provide ample yard room, enclosed by wire fencing.
The best material for this purpose that I know of at this date is the
M. M. S. poultry fencing, which is made of any height ordinarily
required, with small meshes below and wider meshes above. It
requires ordinarily but few posts, is easily put up and has a very
neat appearance when in position. Another way of separating the
fowls from the centre of farm operations is to place the houses at
a considerable distance from the farmstead, in a pasture, where
the fowls will have free range. The latter plan may entail some
extra travel by the attendant, and there is the risk in some locali-
ties of depredations by foxes, hawks or other wild animals or
thieves. The young, strong farmer boy may find advantages in
the second or so-called " colony plan," while the housewife will
probably find the fenced enclosure near the farm house preferable.

The Houses and Yards.

In a fickle and somewhat rugged climate like that of New England,
shelter from the extremes of weather, which check the growth of the
fowls and their egg production, is necessary. No doubt some of our
domestic fowls, if turned loose in the woods, could adapt themselves

31

to the natural conditions, and continue to exist ; but the process
would certainly reduce their egg production, and probably their
size. We attempt to provide, by means of proper shelter, a more
equable and comfortable climate, and expect remuneration for this
outlay of capital in the form of plump chickens and numerous eggs
at a season when prices are satisfactory. Whatever the style or
form of poultry building contemplated, it should be so placed that
storm water and surface-tlowage water will flow away from and
not into or under the house. For this reason, a knoll or spot
where the ground slopes away from the site is a good place to
select for the building. If the soil is liable to be soaked with
water at any season, it is well to excavate one or two feet deep,
and fill in with stones where the building is to stand. Tile drains
may also be laid to conduct the soil water away from beneath the
house. Dryness within the house is further secured by raising
the floor six inches to a foot above the level of the ground sur-
rounding the house.

Jo

The Kind of House.

There are many forms of hen houses, some of them desirable,
others despicable. Each poultry keeper ought to make a study
of this matter, as related to the particular conditions of his loca-
tion and the scope of his plans. Too many hen houses are adapted
only for winter conditions. The effect of each season and of all
kinds of weather must be kept in mind, if the house is intended to
provide a comfortable home for the fowls throughout the year.
Winter and summer quarters and a scratching-shed may be com-
bined in one house or in one room, if so desired. Perhaps I
can best explain several essential points in home architecture for
poultry by describing, as well as I can in words, a house suited,
under favorable conditions, for a flock of thirty farm fowls. It is
not forbidden to build of stone or brick or concrete ; but I should
construct the house of wood, and build on runners, so that it
could be readily moved if it ever became desirable to change to a
new location or to fresh ground. I think that in a house fairly
well ventilated at least 30 cubic feet of air space should be allowed
per fowl. For our thirty fowls we must then provide 900 cubic
feet of interior space. This we can do if we make the foundation
of the house in the form of an oblong, 15 by 10 feet, or of a
square, 12| by 12| feet, and give the roof an average height of
6 feet. The floor may be of boards, concrete, or of dry dirt to be
renewed at intervals. Usually the house faces to the south or
south-east. The house is highest at the front, and the roof slant-
ing to the rear should have a sufficient pitch to readily shed

32

rain and snow water. I must allow that this form is not very
artistic or beautiful. It may, however, be improved in appear-
ance by adding a narrow jet in front, pitching toward the south,
and placing a little cupola containing a ventilator at the middle of
the peak thus formed. The front should be constructed in the
form of two large doors, which are to be opened out in bright,
warm weather, allowing the sunshine to reach, during some part
of the day, each and every part of the room. Wire netting may
be used to cover the front when opened. Thus the whole house is
readily turned into a scratching-shed on pleasant winter days.
A door about 3 by 6 feet is placed at the east end, and a window
consisting of a single sash at the west end and both near the front
of the house. A single sash window is also placed in each of the
large doors which form the front of the house. I might add that
windows in poultry houses should be protected on the inside by
hinged or sliding frames of wire netting, neatly fitted in place,
not too close to the glass.

Scantling (2 by 3) will answer for most of the frame work of
the house, which is covered on the outside by common boards, and
these again, both roof and sides, with sheathing paper and shingles.
Our experience in a very windy location indicates that paper as an
exterior covering is very liable to prove unsatisfactory ; between
the boarding and the shingles, however, it acts as a very effective
nonconductor of heat, and helps materially in keeping the house
comfortable. In extremely cold situations the house may be
sheathed inside if necessary.

Furnishing the House.

The interior fittings of the hen house should be as few and as
simple as possible, and all easily removable, so that they can
occasionally be placed out of doors in the sunshine and fresh air.
The roosting platform may be placed 1J or 2 feet above the floor,
in the back part of the house. It should be made of boards, clear
of knots, smoothly planed and closely fitted together. Boosts are
not always needed, but if thought to be necessary may be made
of 2 by 3 scantling, planed smooth, rounded at the upper edges
and placed broadside down about 6 inches above the platform.
To insure protection of the fowls during the coldest nights from
the danger of freezing their combs and becoming chilled, the space
above the platform may be enclosed by a curtain, which in moderate
weather is kept up out of the way. For nests nothing is simpler
or better than small boxes, which may be placed beneath the plat-
form and open towards the rear of the house. A feeding trough
is easily made, in the form of a box 2 or 3 feet long and 6 inches

33

wide, with sides 3 or 4 inches high. For holding the drinking
water an iron or earthenware dish with flaring sides answers
nicely. It may be placed on a little platform raised a few inches
above the floor, and may be protected by a hinged frame with
slatted sides and a slauting board cover. A box for holding a
constant supply of oyster shells and grit may be hung at the side
of the room. 1 hope that this rough sketch of a plan has made
plain the desirability of so constructing a poultry house that the
whole floor space will be available for use by the hens ; that it will
catch the first rays of the sun in the morning, and, unless clouds
interfere, be blessed by sunshine in some part of the house through-
out the day ; that the house may be tightly closed and yet well
lighted in stormy or cold weather ; that it may be opened in front
on warm days in winter and thrown widely open on three sides in
the hot summer weather.

The Yards.

If the fowls are not to be allowed free range, then double yards
should be provided, — that is, two yards for each house or pen of
fowls. This plan allows the poultryman to cultivate the soil and
grow a crop of green grain in one yard while the other is in use
by the fowls. The ground is thus frequently freshened and green
food is supplied to the fowls. The yards may, as already men-
tioned, be neatly and economically enclosed by special poultry
fencing, which, for most satisfactory results, should be 6 feet in
height. For the kind of fencing described, cedar or chestnut
posts, 5 or 6 inches in diameter, should be set at least 2 feet
deep in the ground, about 15 feet apart. Gates wide enough to
admit a horse and cultivator should be made for the yards.
Frames of wood covered with wire netting will answer the pur-
pose, or very neat iron gates may be purchased to match the
fences. They should be placed conveniently near the house, and
be connected by good strong hinges and latches to stout, erect,
firmly set posts.

Can the Hens' Home be made Attractive in Appearance?
Instead of being a blot on the landscape and a disgrace to the
farm, the poultry house and yards should be made attractive to
the eye. The shingles may be left to nature, to be weather tinted
in simple gray, or may with creosote stain be given any color
desired to harmonize with the surroundings. The necessity of
shade in summer gives opportunity for pleasing effects in the
arrangement of trees and vines in the yards and about the houses.
Advantage may be gained by the use of fruit-bearing plants for

34

this purpose, as is delightfully evidenced by a little poultry plant
that I happen to know of in East Greenwich, R. I. Without
large expenditure of capital, a number of neat poultry houses have
been grouped among the large, beautiful trees at the rear of the
dwelling-house. Fruit trees in the yards and grape-vines trained
upon the fences furnish an agreeable shade in summer for the fine
fowls, and an abundance of luscious fruit in the autumn for the
refreshment of the owner and the numerous friends whom he de-
lights to entertain. The effect is very happy in several ways,
but I make mention of this aspect especially because of the pleas-
ing harmonious part which this little poultry plant makes in the
landscape at " Paradise Farm."

Breeding the Birds.
All the preparations for properly housing the flock having been
completed, next comes the momentous question of what breed to
select and where to get the best fowls to start with. It is a prob-
lem for earnest study, and each poultry keeper must work it out
for himself. Consider the market, the local conditions and your
own likes and dislikes in the matter. In New England one will
not usually go far wrong if he selects one of the so-called American
breeds. The Barred and White Plymouth Rocks and the White
Wyanuottes are great favorites. Of more importance, however,
than the breed is the quality of the individual birds selected.
Every breed includes poor specimens, which would prove unprofit-
able under even the best of conditions, and your nice new poultry
houses should shelter only first-class business birds. Here is op-
portunity for the wise use of considerable capital and brains as
well. If you have had some experience in selecting fowls and
know a good bird when you see it, all the better for yourself and
your poultry business. If you have a lot of mongrels or fowls
of mixed blood, work them off as you find opportunity to do so
advantageously, and purchase of some reliable breeder of really
first-class poultry a pen or at least a trio of the best fowls he will
sell you, and pay the price. You may prefer to purchase several
sittings of eggs from such a poultry man, and commence your flock of
thoroughbreds in this way. This is successfully done in some cases,
but there is often the risk to run of disappointment, besides delay in
getting well started. When your valuable fowls begin to lay, keep
a record of their eggs, using trap nests if necessary ; and in hatch-
ing note which eggs produce the most and the best chicks. As
the chicks grow and develop, note which ones are the most thrifty,
which are the earliest to mature, which are plump enough for the
table at any age, which develop into early layers, which resemble

35

most their parents and in what respects, and which come nearest
the type of the breed. Study all the characteristics, with the
idea of learning which birda to select for future breeders. (It is
not best here to enter into a discourse upon the principles of breed-
ing, but any one especially interested will find something bearing
upon this subject in the twelfth and thirteenth annual reports of the
Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station.) In the poultry
business it is rarely best to have but one string to your bow. In
exceptional cases it may be well to depend almost wholly upon
the sale of eggs for the income, in others to raise broilers, young
roasters or mature fowls for the market ; but usually it is well to
combine some or all of these, and to also sell eggs for hatching,
and dispose of surplus high-class birds for breeders. Combine as
many sources of income as are profitable, and push the lines that
are most remunerative. It is witli this idea in mind that I have
strongly advised the purchase of the finest fowls obtainable. The
next step is to improve them, which can be done if the poultry-
man will persist in his study of the individual fowls, watch the
results of his matings, learn to trace cause and effect, and provide
better surroundings and conditions than the fowls have previously
been accustomed to.

Hatching and raising the Chicks.

If only one hundred or two hundred chicks are to be raised
each year, it is certainly a safe and wise plan to depend upon
hens to do the hatching and brooding. Pullets which prove to
be good sitters and mothers may usually be depended upon to
do still better in these respects the next year. If a hen house or
room in some farm building is available, an excellent plan is to
place a large number of nests in it, and devote the same to the
exclusive use of the sitting hens during the hatching season.
Orange crates or soap boxes will answer for nests if the poultry-
man wishes to be very economical. Each nest should be provided
with a lattice door in front. I like the idea of placing in the box
two or three inches of loam beneath the nesting material, which
usually consists of soft hay or cut straw. If convenient, move
the broody hens at night to their new nests, and allow them to sit
for a day on nest eggs, unless you are sure enough of their good
character as sitters to immediately place under them the eggs
which they are to incubate. Remove the hens from their nests
daily at a regular time, supplying them with fresh water, whole
corn or other grain, and provide an abundance of dry, fine soil,
so that the fowls can freely and fully dust themselves. Use plenty
of Pyrethrum powder or other insect destroyer in the nests and on

36

the fowls, working it thoroughly in among their feathers. Spray
the room once a week with a one per cent, solution of carbolic
acid, and remove or cover with dust the droppings of the fowls.
Keep the room well ventilated, — in fact, make the conditions
continuously healthy.

If by using hens the chicks are not hatched sufficiently early in
the season or in large enough numbers, or if you think that the
hens can better employ their time in laying eggs than in hatching
them, you are not forbidden to procure an incubator and brooder,
or, in fact, several of them, provided the business warrants the
expenditure of capital for this purpose. It is easy to learn to run
an incubator. The chief difficulties in chicken culture come before
and after incubation. They are found in the successful breeding
of fowls to lay eggs that possess strong fertile germs, capable of
producing vigorous chicks, and in successfully raising the creatures,
after hatching, to marketable size or to maturity.

Artificial Mothers.

A study of the brooder problem at the Rhode Island Agricult-
ural Experiment Station sheds considerable light upon the sub-
ject of the artificial raising' of chickens. According to Bulletin
No. 61 of this station, the causes of the numerous deaths of
incubator chicks raised in brooders may be grouped under : —

(a) Heredity, or to environment during the period of incubation.

(b) Mechanical causes.

(c) Imperfect sanitation.

(d) Improper feeding.

Under the first heading (a) a hint is given that successive alter-
nate periods of heat and cold during incubation are responsible
for a large proportion of abnormalities in chicks. Experiments
recently undertaken in Germany have strongly emphasized this
matter.

Among mechanical causes (6) are included crowding and hud-
dling, which, though inexcusable, are far too prevalent, because
of the ambitious desire of the poultryman to keep under one hover
as many chicks as possible. The remedy is evidently to be found
in not crowding. Twenty-five chicks are as many as the novice,
at least, should attempt to accommodate under one hover.

Under imperfect sanitation (c) is included lack of pure air, sun-
light and cleanliness. Tuberculosis, for example, is by these
conditions given an excellent opportunity to attack the little
creatures. Prevention is in this case the best plan. The hovers
should be removable, and, if placed out of doors on bright days in
the fresh air where the sunshine can get at them, the germs of

37

this dread disease soon succumb. Careful spraying of the interior
with a one per cent, solution of carbolic acid helps to keep the
conditions sanitary.

Under the head of improper feeding (d) very striking results
were obtained by feeding different lots of chickens rations which
varied in the extreme. The experiment with the chicks kept in
the brooders showed at the end of thirty days, in the lot fed on
egg, liver and green stuff, a mortality of 63.7 per cent, chiefly
from digestive troubles, resulting in diarrhoea. The lot fed on
grain alone showed a loss by death of 32.7 per cent, mainly from
digestive troubles, strongly indicated by abnormal enlargement of
the gall bladder. The lot fed on grain and green stuff suffered a
mortality of 9.5 per cent. The lot fed a complete balanced ration
of egg, meat, grain and green stuff had a death list of only 3.5 per
cent. By using the proper amount of animal food with the grain
food and supplying the necessary green food, a large proportion
of the untimely and unnecessary deaths may evidently be pre-
vented ; provided, of course, that due attention be given to the
other factors of environment, and to the breeding from vigorous,
healthy parents.

Another phase of the brooding problem relates to the degree of
shelter, the maintenance of a proper temperature and ventilation
for the chicks. The sudden variations of the weather during win-
ter and spring in New England make it desirable that there be
provided four degrees of protection or comfort for brooder chick-
ens : —

1. An inviting, properly ventilated hover, kept continuously,
uniformly and sufficiently warm, to which the chicks may at any
time resort, as they would to the mother hen, and warm up.

2. A ventilated, lighted brooder or apartment, warm enough to
protect the checks from chilling on raw days and sufficiently attrac-
tive to tempt them from the hover as much as possible.

3. A run protected from winds and storms by being enclosed
within a brooder house, or, if outside, covered with a hot-bed sash.

4. An outside yard, available in pleasant weather, into which
even the youngest chicks should be tempted by litter, grain, green
food and scraps whenever the sun shines and the winds are not too
severe. In some way the chicks must be provided with a sure
refuge, where they will be comfortable whatever the weather.
They should, however, by every means possible be induced to
keep out in the fresh air and take exercise as they would with the
moiher hen in the pleasant spring weather. These hints will also
apply to a considerable extent to chicks raised by the natural
method.

38

One of the secrets of successful chicken raising is to keep them
constantly growing. To do this, no condition can be tolerated
which gives the animal a check in its development. As soon as
the young pullets can be distinguished from the cockerels, the
birds of different sexes should be separated, and the pullets at any
rate should be given free and abundant pasture range. They will
thus obtain a sure supply of green food, and will usually find con-
siderable animal food in the form of grasshoppers, worms and
various insects, which will help to balance the grain food com-
monly supplied them. The poultryman is fortunate if he is able
to pasture the growing birds where they can easily find running
water to drink.

Selling the Products.

Sell direct to the consumer, if possible. Dispose of the poultry
products at the time when the condition of the same and the state
of the market yield the greatest net profit. In some localities a
chicken will bring more as a broiler (at one or two pounds) or as
a young roaster (three to four pounds) than at maturity, and the
food and care necessary for the added growth and weight may be
saved. In culling out the chicks to be killed and sold as dressed
poultry, do not sacrifice the promising young thoroughbreds.
Save them for breeders, to replenish your stock, and, in case of a
surplus, especially of cockerels, to sell to other poultry men. In dis-
posing of eggs, some poultry keepers find it profitable to sell to
special customers, who are ready to pay more than the market
price for them. Ordinarily, however, the eggs will go into the
regular market. Even in this case it pays to be careful that the
product is fresh laid, clean and uniform in size and color. This
problem of the successful disposal of poultry products after the
labor and care of their production is one which varies greatly, ac-
cording to the conditions in each case. It must be studied out on
the spot. Fortunate will it be for the profits if the poultry keeper
is a shrewd salesman. One thing at least should be insisted upon :
the farmer's wife or son or daughter who undertakes to care for
the poultry should receive the income which comes from all prod-
ucts sold, and full value for all eggs and chickens furnished for
the table.. The laborer in the poultry yard is worthy of his hire.

The Poultry Keeper should be an Account Keeper.

One thing further I desire to emphasize most earnestly ; that is,
the keeping of records and accounts. Here is where most farmers
and poultrymen lack. They do not know actually how their busi-
ness stands financially, and are really often working at a great
disadvantage, because they do not actually realize which part of

39

their farm operations are bringing profit and which are entailing
loss. In the case of the poultry keeper, the matter is not one of
difficulty and need not require much time. A record should at
least be kept of the eggs laid daily by each flock or pen of fowls ;
and after the doing of this has become a habit, it will not require
much urging to induce the interested poultryman to keep individ-
ual records of the egg production of his best breeders.

The financial record is also a simple affair. An inventory is
made at least once a year of all the capital invested in the land,
the buildings, fences, furnishings, tools, fowls, and of the esti-
mated value of the poultry products on hand. The sum total of
all these values is, in commencing the account, charged against the
business ; that is, placed on the debit side of the account. Then,
during the year (or shorter period of time, if desired), everything
that is purchased, including food, tools, lumber, nails or supplies
of any kind, new fowls, etc., and every hour of labor at a fair
price, is charged against the business. On the other hand, the
value of every egg and every fowl sold or used for the house table
and of everything that is disposed of, including the poultry manure
and the feathers if they can be sold, is placed on the credit side
of the account. At the end of the year, or, in fact, whenever the
poultryman wishes to balance his accounts, a new inventory is
made of all the belongings of the poultry plant, including new pur-
chases, fowls, tools, etc., and the estimated value of all the poul-
try and poultry products and food on hand. The sum of these is
placed on the credit side of the account. The difference between
the total amounts of the debit and credit sides of the books should
show the actual profit or loss. We will hope that it is a good
round sum on the right side of the account.

Skries of 1900. Bulletin No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CROP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of September, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,
Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1900.

Crop Report for the Month oe September, 1900.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Oct. 2, 1900.

Bulletin No. 5, Crop Report for the month of September,
is herewith presented. We desire to call the particular
attention of our readers to the article on " The Relation of
Agriculture to the Public Health," by Dr. Samuel W.
Abbott, Secretary Massachusetts State Board of Health.

Progress of the Season.

The September report of the statistician of the United
States Department of Agriculture gives the condition of corn
as 80.6. There was a decline during August amounting to
6.9 points, and the condition on September 1 was 4.6 points
lower than last year, 3.5 points lower than at the corre-
sponding date in 1898, and 1.1 points below the mean of
the September averages for the last ten years.

The condition at harvest of winter and spring wheat com-
bined was 69.6, against 70.9 last year, 86.7 in 1898, and
80.9, the mean of the September averages of the last ten
years.

The average condition of oats when harvested was 82.9,
against 85 on August 1, 87.2 last year, 79 in 1898, and 79.8,
the mean of the September averages of the last ten years.

The average condition of barley when harvested was 70.7,
against 71.6 on August 1, 86.7 last year, 79.2 on the cor-
responding date in 1898, and 83.9, the mean of the Septem-
ber averages of the last ten years.

The condition at harvest of winter and spring rye com-
bined was 84.2, against 82 on September 1 last year, 89.4
in 1898, and 86.5, the mean of the September averages for
the last ten years.

The average condition of buckwheat on September 1 was
80.5, as compared with 87.9 on August 1, 75.2 on Septem-
ber 1 of last year, 88.8 in 1898, and 86.3, the mean of the
September averages for the last ten years.

There has been a general decline in the condition of tobacco
since August 1. Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin
still report 3, 11, 8 and 6 points above their respective ten-
year averages, but in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee and Missouri the condition is 12, 25, 20, 10 and 4
points below such average.

The average condition of potatoes wTas 80, against 88.2
August 1, 86.3 last year, 77.7 in 1898, and 77.4, the mean
of the September averages for the last ten years.

The whole of the 13 States having 10,000 acres or upward
in sweet potatoes at the eleventh census report a decline in
the condition of the crop during August.

The clover-seed acreage shows a considerable shrinkage,
only Michigan and Iowa, of the States of commercial pro-
duction, showing an increase.

There has been an improvement during the month of 4
points in the condition of sugar cane in Louisiana, and it is
now 11 points above the ten-year average.

The whole of the States having 10,000 acres or up-
ward of sorghum at the eleventh census report a more or
less marked decline in condition during August.

A decline in the condition of rice is reported from every
rice-growing State except Louisiana, where there is no ap-
preciable change.

While there was a decline in the condition of apples in
almost every important apple-growing State, the condition
on September 1 was still above the ten-year average in 37
of the 45 States from which reports were received.

The peach crop of 1900 has been one of the largest, if not
absolutely the largest, on record, the production in New
Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, West Virginia and Tennessee being double, or nearly
double, the ten-year average.

The condition of grapes is above the ten-year average in
New York, Ohio, Kansas, North Carolina, Virginia and In-
diana, and below in California, Missouri and Illinois.

The decrease in the number of stock hogs being fattened,
as compared with the number one year ago, was too mani-
fest to l)u a matter of doubt, except as to its exact extent.

The average condition of cotton was (58.2, as compared
with 76 a month previous, 68.5 last year, 79.8 in 1898, and
7(5.6, the mean of the September averages for the last ten
years.

In Massachusetts the condition of corn September 1 was
given as 94; the average condition of rye when harvested
as 92 ; the average condition of oats when harvested as 96 ;
the average condition of barley when harvested as 90 ; the
average condition of buckwheat as 89 ; the average condition
of potatoes as 72 ; the average condition of sorghum as 95 ;
the average condition of apples as 85 ; the product of peaches
compared with a full crop as 69 ; the average condition of
grapes as 89 ; the average condition of tobacco as 103 ; the
number of stock hogs compared with last year as 97, and
their condition as to size and weight as 99 ; the acreage of
clover seed compared with last year as 100, and the condi-
tion of the crop as 75.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[From the United States Climate and Crop Bulletins.]

Week ending September 3. — The week was warmer than
usual throughout the entire country, with the exception of a
belt extending from eastern Washington southward to south-
ern California, where there was a slight delicieucy. There
was a deficiency in precipitation generally throughout New
England, the Middle Atlantic States, the Ohio valley, in the
northwest from Wisconsin westward to the Pacific coast, and
in portions of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. From
the upper Lake region south-westward to Texas and in por-
tions of the South Atlantic and Gulf States there has been
an excess.

Week ending September 10. — The week was much warmer
than usual east of the Rocky Mountains, the Middle States
and the Missouri valley showing the greatest excess of tem-
perature. In California, Nevada and Oregon the week was
cooler than usual. There was more than the usual amount

6

of rain in Florida, the western Gulf States, portions of Okla-
homa, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Illinois, and
throughout the north-west. Throughout the greater portions
of New England, the Atlantic Coast States, the central
valleys and the northern portion of the Gulf States there
was practically no rain.

Week ending September 17. — Over the western portions
of the middle and southern plateau regions and the greater
part of California the week was cooler than usual. Over
the greater part of the country east of the Rocky Mountains,
however, as during the past seven weeks, the temperature
was above the normal. Heavy rains fell over the Atlantic
coast and east gulf districts aud from Kansas northward.
More than the usual amount of rain also occurred on the
north Pacific coast. The week was drier than usual from
the central and west Gulf States northeastward over the
central Mississippi and Ohio valleys, including the Lake
region and the western portions of the Middle Atlantic
States.

Week ending September 24. — The week averaged warmer
than usual in the southern states, in the extreme northern
districts from the upper Lake region to Montana and north-
western Washington. Nearly normal conditions prevailed
along the New England and middle Atlantic coasts. Else-
where the week generally averaged cooler than usual. Very
heavy rains fell over central and northern Louisiana and
thence northward over the Missouri and upper Mississippi
valleys. There was also more than the usual rainfall on the
north Pacific coast and in portions of the Lake region and
northern New England. Along the Gulf and Atlantic
coasts, and over the greater part of the Lake region and
the Ohio valley, the week was drier than usual.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending September 3. — New England. Boston :
Week warm and dry ; corn ripening rapidly, crop aver-
age ; buckwheat promising in northern section but poor in
southern ; beans and cabbages excellent ; onions and pota-

toeB medium ; melons small ; apples favorable ; blackberries,
plums and grapes abundaut ; peaches poor quality.

Week ending September 10. — Now England. Boston:
Temperature seasonable; little rain, drought severe; fodder
light ; pastures failing ; buckwheat improving ; sweet corn
fair; canning in progress; apples falling more than last
week ; cranberries medium ; carrots, beets and onions small ;
tobacco curing well.

Week ending September 17. — New England. Boston:
Cool week; heavy rains on 16th; much damage by high
winds on 12th ; large percentage of apples, pears and peaches
blown off trees ; growing crops suffered severely from drought
first of week ; buckwheat and millet light.

Week ending September 24. — New England. Boston:
Cool ; much rain ; meadows revived ; pastures little bene-
fited ; buckwheat fair in northern part, poor in southern ;
turnips, pumpkins and small celery doing well ; apples below
average ; farmers plowing and seeding fall grain.

The Weather of September, 1900.

The weather of September was characterized by a high
average temperature, more than the usual number of clear
days and rainfall above the normal for the month. While
the temperature was in excess of that usually experienced in
this month, it was so equitably distributed as not to impress
the casual observer as being more than the average. There
were no excessively warm days. The highest temperature
registered at the office of the Weather Bureau, Boston, was
only 91°, and only on two days. The minimum tempera-
ture, however, ranged unusually and continuously high.
With slight exceptions it ranged in the 50s and 60s through-
out the month, at Boston. In the interior and western
portions of the State the mercury ranged much lower than
in coast sections. The coolest period was from the 18th to
the 20th, when frost occurred in many localities, and in a few
instances, where the conditions were especially favorable,
thin ice formed. The closing days of the month were cool.
Notwithstanding the fact that the average precipitation was
considerably in excess of the normal of the month, there

8

were more than the usual number of clear days, and the per
cent of sunshine was also in excess of the average. The
rainfall was chiefly the result of two general storms, during
which the precipitation was very heavy. At Boston 3.70
inches of water fell from the 16th to the 18th inclusive,
which is an inch in excess of the normal rainfall of Septem-
ber at that point. The severe wind storm of the 12th was a
conspicuous feature of the weather of the month. The gale
was general and continued through a large portion of the
day. It attained a velocity at Boston of 60 miles per hour,
reaching its greatest force in the eastern parts of the State.
The preponderance of fair weather during the month was
favorable to outdoor pursuits but resulted in disastrous
forest fires and droughts in many sections of the State.

In the circular to correspondents returnable to us Septem-
ber 22 the following questions were asked : —

1. How does 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 a normal crop ?

5. Are potatoes a normal crop in yield and quality?

6. What is the prospect for root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops ?

7. How has the apple crop turned out? What was the
effect of the gale of the 12th, and what disposition has been
made of the fruit shaken from the trees?

8. How have pears, peaches, plums, grapes and cranber-
ries turned out?

Returns were received from 144 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

Indian Corn.
Indian corn is generally rather more than an average crop
in western and central sections of the State. There are
some complaints of shortage in these sections, but these are
more than balanced by reports of unusually good crops. In
the eastern and south-eastern counties the crop is probably
not quite up to the average, though it approaches more nearly

to it than almost any crop. It is now practically all secured,
without damage from frosts, and the stover is generally
bright and promises to he of good nutritive value.

Rowen and Fall Feed.

The severe drought of the first part of the month, taken
in conjunction with the condition of drought then generally
prevailing, has reduced the rowen crop to far below the
normal in all sections, and in many it is practically a failure.
The rains of the second and third weeks of the month, though
coming too late to save the rowen crop, did much to improve
fall feed, but it is still far below a normal condition. Much
rain is needed to put grass roots in mowings and pastures in
even fair condition.

Fall Seeding.
Much less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been
done, owing to the previous drought, and much of that put
in is only just coming up. It is therefore difficult to form
an estimate as to the condition, but the returns would seem
to indicate that, on the whole, it is somewhat below the
normal.

Onions.

Onions are quite generally less than an average crop.
They are generally reported as small, owing to the drought,
and in many sections their unusual numbers will not make
up for this condition. Blight is not reported and they seem
to be generally curing well.

Potatoes.
The drought cut the potato crop short in all sections, and
for the State as a whole there is probably not over a two-
thirds crop. The tubers are quite generally reported as
being small. There are but few complaints of rot and the
quality appears to be excellent in most cases.

Root Cnors, Celery, etc.
The prospect for root crops is not flattering, though the
recent rains have improved them, and with frequent rains in
the future they may do better than is expected. Celery ap-

10

pears to be a fairly good crop, though there are some com-
plaints that the stalks are short and small. Other late
market-garden crops have suffered much from drought, and
will generally be below the normal.

Apples.
Up to the time of the gale of the 12th inst. apples promised
to give one of the largest crops ever gathered, but it appears
to be a conservative statement to say that the gale shook off
from one-third to one-half of them, except in very sheltered
locations. These windfalls were not ripe at the time and
there has been no sale for them except for cider apples.
Many report that there has been nothing done to utilize
them, but the general plan seems to be to make them into
cider for vinegar making. Those remaining on the trees
should bring a better price thau if all that were on the trees
prior to the gale had come into the market, and so make up
for a portion of the loss. Baldwins appear to have suffered
less than other varieties from the gale. The fruit is gen-
erally fair and free from blemish, though rather small, owing
to the drought and the large amount on the tree.

©

Other Fruits.
Pears were a fair crop, but the later varieties suffered
much from the gale. Plums were a light crop. Peaches
were well up to the average, but suffered in the gale.
Grapes are generally a very good crop. Such returns as we
have in regard to cranberries, which are few, would indicate
that there is not much, if any, over half a crop.

11

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us September 22.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Monterey (War. S. Bidwell). — Indian corn is a full crop.
Rowen and fall feed are about up to the usual average. Hardly
any fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are about a normal crop
in yield and quality. The prospect is good for root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops. The apple crop is short on
account of the gale ; windfalls used for cider. Pears plenty ; no
peaches ; a few plums, grapes and cranberries.

Tyringham (E. H. Slater). — Indian corn is better than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual
average, owing to dry weather. Not much fall seeding and
ploughing have been done. Onions have made a fair yield. Pota-
toes are very small but of good quality. The apple crop is not as
good as last year and was badly injured by the gale of the 12th.
Much of the fallen fruit will be fed to stock. Pears and plums
have turned out well.

Lee (Alonzo Bradley). — Indian corn is a full crop. Rowen
and fall feed are not over 40 per cent, of the usual average.
Potatoes are about GO per cent of a normal crop. Apples are
nearly an average crop ; one-third of them were blown off in the
recent gale and will mostly be made into cider. Pears are a full
crop ; peaches 20 per cent ; plums 90 per cent ; grapes 30 per
cent.

Peru (J. P. Sennett). — Corn is fully up to the average.
Rowen and fall feed are not as good as usual on account of
the dry season. I do not know of any fall seeding having been
done. Potatoes are a very light yield, rotting some ; quality
good. Turnips are of good quality but small for the season. The
apple crop was enormous but a large quantity were blown from the
trees ; no disposition made of them.

Dalian (W. B. Barton). — Corn is about an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not over half crops. The usual amount

12

of fall seeding has been done and it looks fairly well. Potatoes
are not over a two-thirds crop. The prospect is good for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops. There is a large
apple crop, though one-third of them were blown from the trees
and have been mostly used for cider. Pears and plums are good
crops. Silos are mostly filled, without frost. Store cattle low ;
no sale.

Hancock (C. H. Wells). — Corn is nearly an average crop.
Eowen and fall feed are very short. There has been very little
fall seeding done. Potatoes are about half a crop, with many
small ones ; no rot to speak of. Apples are a large crop but from
one-third to one-half of them are on the ground and no use is
being made of them. Pears are a good crop, other small fruits
scarce.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Indian corn compares very favor-
ably with a normal crop. Not very much rowen has been cut
and fall feed is 50 per cent off in condition. Since the rains fall
seeding has commenced in earnest and the amount will be a full
average. Potatoes are about 90 per cent of a normal crop in
quantity, quality good. Root crops are not up to the average ;
celery looks fairly well ; dry weather hurt market-garden crops
somewhat. About one-eighth of the apple crop was shaken off and
cider will be made of them. There are still plenty left. Pears
were quite plenty ; plums very plenty : few grapes raised and no
cranberries.

Florida (E. D. Rice). — Corn matured well and is an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed were very light, owing to dry weather.
Much of the fall seeding did not catch well. Potatoes are about
a three-fourths crop, of good quality. No celery is raised ; turnips
and cabbages give a normal yield. One-fourth of the apples were
blown from the trees ; some were sold and some were fed to stock.
Other fruits were abundant.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (D. H. Sherman). — Indian corn is a very good crop,
what little there was planted. Rowen and fall feed are up to the
usual average. Potatoes are about a three-fourths crop, of good
quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops is fair. Apples were a fair crop before the gale,
which took off from one-third to one-half of them ; there is no
market for the windfalls and they are mostly still on the ground.
Pears are a good crop ; no peaches ; some plums and grapes ;
cranberries good.

13

Heath (O. D. Canedy). — Indian corn is a fairly good crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Not much
fall seeding has been done as it has been too dry. Potatoes are
not a normal crop. There is an abundance of apples ; not much
lias been done with the windfalls. Pears are plenty ; peaches few ;
plums not plenty ; grapes and cranberries few.

Charlemont (S. W. Hawkes). — Indian corn is a better crop
than commonly but is somewhat late. Rowen is a good crop, but
pastures are very dry. Almost all of the fall seeding is done in
corn and is looking well. Potatoes are of good quality, but the
yield is small, owing to dry weather. Root crops and late market-
garden crops are looking fairly well. The apple crop is immense,
but a large proportion of them blew off and are still on the ground.
There is a good yield of pears, peaches, plums and grapes.

Bucklancl (C. E. Ward). — Corn is a good crop, probably above
the average. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual aver-
age. Less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done,
owing to dry weather. Potatoes are below the normal in yield ;
quality good. We have apples to burn ; Greenings were badly
shaken in the gale ; nothing is done with the fallen fruit.

Shelburne (G. E. Taylor). — Corn is above an average crop.
There is but little rowen and pastures are very short. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, but the dry weather has
hurt it some. Potatoes are below the average in quantity and
quality. The gale of the 12th stripped fall apples pretty clean
and shook off from 25 to 50 per cent of the winter fruit, but there
are plenty left. Pears and peaches were a light crop, but plums
were quite plenty.

Montague (C. S. Raymond). — Indian corn is a good average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are not in good condition. About the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is backward
and not looking well. Onions are about a normal crop. Potatoes
are of good quality but somewhat below the normal in yield. Dry
weather has had its influence on root crops, but they are now doing
fairly well. There is a fair supply of apples, though the gale
blew off a good many, which are being made into cider. Pears
are plenty ; peaches very few ; plums practically none ; grapes
about average.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — Indian corn shows the largest acre-
age and yield for twenty years. . Rowen and fall feed are about
half the normal. There has been very little fall seeding to date.
Potatoes are about two-thirds of a normal crop. Root crops,
celery and late market-garden crops were nearly ruined by the
drought. The apple crop was the most promising for years, but

14

the gale took off fully one-half of them, which will be made into
cider.

Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Corn is rather better than an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed have dried up badly. Less
than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and what
there is in does not look promising. Onions are not above an
average crop. Potatoes are not up to the normal ; most fields
have blasted and many are rotting. From one-third to oue-half
the apples on the trees were blown off and will be used for cider.
It has been a good year for all fruits.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Enfield (D. O. Checkering). — Indian corn is above an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. Potatoes
are a normal crop in yield and quality. Root crops are good, but
late market-garden crops are rather slim. The apple crop prom-
ised very well, but they were blown off badly in exposed situa-
tions. Pears very good ; few peaches ; plums good ; grapes plenty
but do not ripen well ; few cranberries.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Indian corn compares favorably
with the usual average. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the
usual average. But little seeding has been done and that put in
is not up yet. There is only now and then a good crop of potatoes.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are in good
condition where there has been enough moisture to keep them grow-
ing. The apple crop promises well, but one-half of it was blown
from the trees by the gale of the 12th, and the windfalls are being
converted into cider. Almost all fruit is fairly abundant.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Corn is slightly above the aver-
age. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. Almost
all seeding is done in corn and the condition is good. Onions are
rather small, having been injured by thrips, but are well ripened.
Potatoes are a little below the average, but are a fair crop. Roots
and celery are in fine condition ; cauliflower and cabbage have been
much injured by dry weather. The apple crop is large, and though
the fruit is a little undersized the quality is good. From one-third
to one-half were blown from the trees, according to exposure ; the
best will be barrelled and sold and the balance will probably mostly
go into cider. Pears are a good crop, but much blown off ; peaches
good and but little damaged by' the wind; plums unusually fine;
grapes good.

Westhampton (H. A. Parsons). — Corn is 90 per cent of a full
crop. Rowen and fall feed are three-fourths crops. Less than

15

the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is not in
very good condition. Potatoes are about a two-thirds crop and
are bringing about 60 cents per bushel. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops will not be up to the average.
About one-third of the apple crop was blown off by the gale of
the 12th and no disposition has been made of them. Pears were
a good crop ; not many peaches or plums ; grapes a good crop.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Indian corn is a full average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are far behind the usual average. On
account of drought but little seeding has been done as yet. Potatoes
are not a normal crop in yield and size but are of fair quality. The
apple crop is good, though nearly half of it was blown from the
trees ; few have been picked up as yet.

Gummington (S. W. Clark). — Corn is a little above a full crop
and is well ripened. Rowen is half a crop at best, on dry lots
none ; fall feed is short, but is now growing. No fall seeding has
been done, as it lias been too dry. Potatoes are perhaps a three-
fourths crop and are rotting. Root crops look well but are not
harvested yet. There was a heavy crop of apples before the gale,
which blew off about half. A few have stored the blown-off fruit,
but many have done nothing with it. Pears and plums are a full
crop and very nice ; grapes not ripe yet.

Worthington (C. K. Brewster). — Corn is about an average
crop. Very little rowen will be cut and fall feed is short. But
little seeding has been done on account of the dry season. Pota-
toes are not more than half a crop. Root crops and late market-
garden crops are nearly up to the average. Nearly half the apples
were blown from the trees, and as they were not fully ripe will
probably go to waste. Pears, peaches, plums and grapes have
done fairly well.

Midcllejield (J. T. Bryan). — Indian corn is a good average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are very short, owing to drought. No
fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are of good quality but not
over a three-fourths crop. Apples were abundant, but about half
were blown off by the gale of the 12th. The windfalls will be used
for cider or feeding. Small fruits have been abundant.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (P. M. Adzima). — Indian corn is about an average
crop. Rowen is about half an average crop. Not much fall seed-
ing has been done on account of the dry weather. Potatoes on
moist soil will yield well and are of good quality. The prospect
is good for root crops, celery and late market-garden crops. The

16

apple crop has not turned out well, as many were shaken off by the
gale and will not keep well. Pears, plums, peaches and grapes
did well.

Blandford (E. W. Boise). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Fall feed is short and there is no rowen to cut. Potatoes are about
60 per cent of an average yield, of medium quality. The pros-
pect for root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is
poor ; turnips are small and woody. About 30 per cent of the
apples were shaken from the trees by the gale, but those left will
probably be of more value than the entire crop would have been
had it ripened. Pears, peaches, plums and grapes were full aver-
age crops. The drought has been very severe ; much stock is fed
at the barn and many mowings have received permanent injury.

Granville (Joseph Welch) . — Corn is a fine crop this year.
There is no fall feed and but very little rowen. There has been
very little fall seeding done as the ground has been too dry. Pota-
toes are about a one-third crop. The apple crop has turned out
very heavy; not much is done with the windfalls. Small fruits
turned out very well.

Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Indian corn is a full average crop
as to ears, but the stover is light. Rowen is a very light crop, but
the late rains have helped fall feed. The usual amount of fall
seeding has been done, but the early sown will have to be reseeded.
Potatoes have made a light yield. Celery is not over half a crop ;
roots suffered from early drought. An average apple crop was
promised, but the gale of the 12th took off from one-half to three-
fourths of them. But few pears ; peaches good and plums good ;
grapes abundant.

Agawam (R. De Witt) . — Corn is a little less than an average
crop. It has been too dry for rowen and fall feed. Less than the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done because of drought.
Onions are a poor crop. Potatoes are less than a normal crop.
The gale of the 12th took a third of the apple crop and perhaps
half. Pears, peaches and plums are good crops.

Longmeadow (W. F. Emerson). — Corn is fully up to an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average on
well-fertilized land. Less than the usual amount of fall seeding
has been done, owing to the ground being so dry. Potatoes are
a light crop, of good quality. The apple crop is light, though not
as many were blown off as might have been expected. There was
a light crop of pears and peaches ; very few plums ; a good crop
of grapes.

Wilbraham (F. E. Clark). — Corn is not well filled out and is
not an average crop. Rowen is not over a one-fourth crop, and

17

fall feed mostly dried up. The usual amount of fall seeding has
been done, though but few pieces have come up as yet. No fields
of potatoes give more than half a crop and many fields are not
worth digging. All late market-garden crops have been shortened
by the drought. Before the gale the apple crop promised about
65 per cent, but more than half of them were blown off and are
being used for feeding stock, making cider and evaporated apples.
Pears, peaches and grapes are plenty, but were badly blown off
by the gale of the 1 2th.

Monson (W. M. Tucker). — Indian corn is rather above an
average crop and the fodder cured early. Rowen was a good crop
on early cut, moist fields ; fall feed short. About the usual amount
of fall seeding has been done, but it has been too dry for it to
catch and start quickly. Potatoes are a fair crop, of good quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-gardeu crops are below the
normal. Apples were a large crop, but were badly shaken off in
some localities ; some were fed to stock ; cider makers will not take
them until ripened. Pears, peaches, plums and grapes are plenty.

Palmer (O. P. Allen). — Corn is rather below an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are far below the usual average, owing to
drought. The usual amount of fall seeding has not been done.
The yield of potatoes is less than usual but the quality is fair.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are not
quite as good as usual. Apples were badly damaged by the gale
and much of the crop shaken off will go into cider. Pears, peaches,
plums and grapes were much lighter crops than usual.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — Indian corn is a full average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are far below the usual average. Scarcely
any fall seeding has been done. Onions are not much grown.
Potatoes are a light yield, of fine quality. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops are considerably below the normal.
Two-thirds of the apples were blown from the trees, but there will
be a fair crop of Baldwins and Russets.

North Brookfield (J. H. Lane). — Indian corn is an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are about 50 per cent of the usual
average. Very little fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are
about a three-fourths crop. The apple crop is big enough, though
the average loss from the gale was 30 per cent ; many are leaving
the windfalls on the ground, though some hope to sell them to
cider makers. Pears 80 per cent ; no peaches ; plums 5 per cent ;
grapes full crop ; cranberries 25 per cent.

18

Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — Indian corn has produced a
large amount of fodder and a heavy yield of grain. Drought has
cut short the rowen and fall feed. The weather has been very
unfavorable for fall seeding and a less amount than usual has
been done. Very few onions are raised, but they have done well.
Potatoes are a light yield, with no blight or rot. The recent rains
have improved the conditions for a good yield of late turnips,
celery and cabbage. The gale shook off about one-fourth of the
apples, which have been fed to stock and made into cider. There
has been a large crop of pears, plums and grapes, and a few peaches.

Oakham (Jesse Allen). — Corn is a full average crop. There
is very little rowen or fall feed. Less than the usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and that in looks poorly. Potatoes are
about a two-thirds crop. The prospect for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops is fair. Apples are a great crop
though many were blown from the trees ; some of the windfalls
have been fed out but many will not be gathered. Pears, plums
and grapes are good crops of excellent quality.

Rutland (L. S. Dudley). — Indian corn is a good average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in rather
poor condition. Onions are about an average crop. Potatoes are
a short crop, of good quality. Root crops, celery and other late
market-garden crops promise to be about average. The gale of
the 12th blew off three-fourths of the apples, and the windfalls
have been shipped to cider mills and fed out. Other fruits are
about average crops.

Barre (J. L. Smith). — Corn is more than an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Very little
fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are of good quality, but not
a very heavy yield. Apples were a very heavy crop, but the wind
blew off a great many of the early winter varieties ; Baldwins not
badly blown off.

FUchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Corn is better than an average
crop. Rowen is very short, and fall feed is also, but the late rains
will improve it. The apple crop is large and of good quality ; from
one-fourth to one-half were blown off the trees by the gale, a large
portion of which went to waste. Pears have yielded a fair crop
of smooth fruit; peaches a little uneven, but a fair crop ; plums
have done very well, as have also grapes. The sunny summer,
together with the heat and drought, has developed an unusual
amount of sugar in fruits, and will probably enhance their keeping
qualities. Fruit buds for another year are prominent and abundant.

Lancaster (S. C. Damon) . — Indian corn is a good crop. Rowen
and fall feed are not half crops. The usual amount of fall seed-

19

ing has been done ; seed sown four weeks ago is just coming up.
Onions are small in size but numerous. Potatoes arc not an aver-
age crop, owing to dry weather. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is good considering the
season. Sixty per cent of the apples were blown off and are still
on the ground under the trees. Pears fair ; peaches plenty ; grapes
very good ; cranberries a small crop.

Bolton (H. E. Babcock). — Corn is a good crop, fully up to the
normal. There is very little rowen and fall feed is short. About
the average amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is late
owing to drought. Onions are a normal crop. Potatoes are a
light yield but of good quality. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is good. Apples were
a good crop ; nearly or quite two-thirds blew off in the gale ; but
few have done anything with them, though some have been sold
for cider. Other fruits are all above the normal.

Shreivsbury (T. F. Marston). — Indian corn is about a three-
fourths crop. Rowen and fall feed are very light crops. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is not looking
very well. Onions are not up in size. Potatoes are not a normal
crop and some fields are not worth digging. Root crops are not
up to the average and considerable celery has been burnt by
drought. Apples are a very heavy crop ; about one-half were
blown off, which are being carried to cider mills. Pears were a
heavy crop, but suffered considerable loss from wind; peaches,
plums and grapes were a fair crop.

Westborough (B. W. Hero). — Corn is not more than two-thirds
of an average crop. But little rowen has been cut and there is
little fall feed. On account of the dry weather but little fall seed-
ing has been done. Onions are a good yield, of excellent quality.
There is about a two-thirds crop of potatoes, of medium quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops will be far
below the average. Apples are of extra quality ; one-half of the
crop blown from the trees by the gale of the 12th ; farmers feed-
ing windfalls to cattle. Other fruits were about average.

Douglas (J. M. Rawson). — Indian corn is up to the average.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. More fall
seeding than usual has been done, but it is not very promising as
the weather has been too dry. Onions are about an average crop.
Potatoes are not an average crop, but few fields giving satisfactory
yields. If we have plenty of rain root crops, celery and other late
tnmket-garden crops will be good. Apples are not being picked
as yet ; the ground is pretty well covered with windfalls from the
gale and they are decaying where they fell. Pears fair ; peaches
few ; plums scarce ; grapes plenty ; not many cranberries.

20

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Indian corn is about 80 per
cent of an average crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the
usual average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done
and it is just coining up. Potatoes are not more than a one-fourth
crop. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are
short crops. Apples were a very heavy crop, but most of them
were shaken from the trees by the gale and are on the ground.
Pears good ; peaches light ; grapes good ; cranberries good.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Corn is about 85 per cent of a
crop on the average farm. Rowen and fall feed are not up to
the usual average. Very little fall seeding has been done yet ex-
cept winter rye, which is just being sown and to fully the average
extent. Potatoes are about 75 per cent in yield and 95 per cent
in quality. Root crops, celery and late market-garden crops are
about 10 per cent off in condition. The gale took from one-half
to two-thirds the apples from the trees ; some are fed to cattle,
but most of them go into vinegar stock at 10 cents per barrel.
Pears and peaches suffered severely in the gale ; plums mostly
gathered ; grapes 90 per cent of a full crop ; no cranberries grown.

Stow (G. W. Bradley). — Indian corn is not quite up to the
average. Rowen and fall feed are almost failures. Not much
seeding has been done as yet. Onions made a good yield. Some
have a good average crop of potatoes, others not much of any-
thing. Apples were a very large crop, but about half of them
were blown off, and most of them are on the ground at the pres-
ent time. Pears and peaches are very good ; plums scarce ; grapes
and cranberries rather light.

Pepperell (P. J. Kemp). — Indian corn is about a two-thirds
crop and did not ear very well. Rowen is about half a crop and
fall feed is very short and thin. More than the usual amount of
fall seeding was done because of the short hay crop, but very little
of it has come up yet. Potatoes are below the normal in yield and
above in quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops will be light. About half the apples were blown off and are
lying on the ground where they fell. Pears a one-third crop ;
peaches a three-fourths crop ; grapes half a crop.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — Corn is a good average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good condition.
But few onions are raised, but they will compare well with a nor-
mal crop. Potatoes are below the normal in yield and quality.
Root crops and late market-garden crops are not much raised, but
are doing well. The apple crop is heavy, though the gale of the

21

12th shook one-half or more from the trees, the principal part of
which will remain where they dropped. No pears ; peaches a good
crop ; plums light ; grapes and cranberries an average crop.

Tewksbury (G. E. Crosby). — Indian corn is a fairly good crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. There has
been less seeding than usual done and it is not in good condition.
Onions are a fairly good crop. Potatoes are a normal crop in
quality, but not in yield. Root crops, celery and other late mar-
ket-garden crops are somewhat under the average in condition.
The gale thinned out the apples on the trees, but those remaining
will be later and larger. The apples shaken off are mostly left on
the ground, though a few have been sent to the cider mill. Other
fruits are very light in this vicinity.

Bedford (Henry Wood). — Indian corn is not an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not within 50 per cent of the usual crop.
It has been too dry for fall seeding and a great deal of the early
sown must be sown again. Onions are a very fair crop. Potatoes
are a rather light crop but of fine quality. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops are looking well since the rains.
About three-fourths of the apples were shaken off by the gale and
are selling for 50 and 75 cents per barrel in the Boston market.
There was a fair crop of pears ; plums not plenty ; grapes plenty.

Wobum (W. H. Bartlett). — Sweet corn is only a medium
crop. Hardly any rowen has been cut. Less than the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, as the ground has been too
dry. Onions are small, not over 75 per cent of an average crop.
Potatoes are small and few, quality poor. Root crops promise
fairly ; celery looking well, less rust than usual ; squash very
light, failed to set any fruit. Apples are coloring ; picking hardly
commenced ; small size ; the gale blew off about two-thirds of
them, which are rotting on the ground, as they are too green for
cider and there is no sale for them at any price. Pears were a
fair crop, but sold very low ; peaches few ; plums a good crop.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — Rowen and fall feed are not up to
the usual average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been
done and it is in good condition. Onions are a three-fourths crop.
Potatoes are about half a crop, of good quality. Root crops,
celery and late market-garden crops are rather backward. The
apple crop was good before the gale, but the wind stripped the
Baldwin trees, though the Hubbardstons did not suffer much.
Pears are a good crop and grapes a fine crop.

Weston (H. L. Brown). — Indian corn is au average crop as
far as I have seen. Little rowen has been cut and fall feed has
been very short but is growing now. Less than the usual amount
of fall seeding has been done as none was done until after the rain.

22

Potatoes are less than half a crop, except on moist land. Roots
are growing well ; celery not grown for market here. Most of the
apples were blown off in the gale ; nothing or next to nothing has
been done with the windfalls. Cranberries are not raised ; the
other small fruits have turned out well.

ESSEX COUNTY.

West Newbury (J. C. Tarleton). — Indian corn is an average
crop and a large amount of it used for the silo. Rowen and fall
feed are not up to the usual average. Very little fall seeding has
been done, but that which is in looks fairly well. Potatoes are
few and small. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops are up to the normal. Apples were abundant, but the wind
blew over half of them from the trees ; some are ground and fed
out, others are used for cider. There was a great quantity of
small fruits of extra fine quality.

Ipswich (0. C. Smith). — Corn has about an average stalk for
fodder and grain is about 80 per cent of a normal crop. Very
little rowen has been cut ; pastures are improving. Not as much
fall seeding as usual has been done, the drought has kept plowing
back so that some are seeding this week, none up. Onions are a
fair crop though little raised. Potatoes run small and give a light
yield, but are of good quality. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is good, as the late rains
have benefited them all and they are still growing. The apple
crop was very large ; almost all the fall fruit and about one-third
the winter fruit was blown off in the gale of the 12th ; winter fruit
left on the ground to ripen for cider. Other fruits were full aver-
age crops except grapes and plums.

Topsfiekl (B. P. Pike). — Indian corn is only a light crop this
year. There was no rowen and there is not much fall feed. Hardly
any fall seeding has been done and it is in poor shape at present.
Onions are a light crop. Early potatoes were a light crop, late
ones fair. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops
are below the average. The gale blew off one-third of a very
heavy crop of apples ; some of the windfalls were made into cider,
others are still on the ground. Pears were a fair crop ; peaches
good ; plums good ; no cranberries grown.

Manchester (John Baker). — Corn has done well. Rowen and
fall feed are poor. The usual amount of fall seeding has been
done and is in good condition. Onions are a good crop. Potatoes
are a fair crop, of good quality. Apples are a good crop in spite
of the gale, which shook off a great many; windfalls are largely

2:5

used for cider for vinegar making. All other fruits have turned
out well.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — Corn is less than an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is backward.
Onions are less than an average crop. Potatoes are a normal crop
in yield and quality. Apples were a large crop, but two-thirds to
three-fourths of them were blown off in the gale of the 12th;
nothing has been done with the windfalls as yet. Pears average ;
peaches good ; grapes good ; plums a small crop.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Stoughton (C. F. Curtis). — Indian corn is about 70 per cent
of an average crop. On low land there is a fair crop of rowen,
but only on low land. The average amount of fall seeding has
been done and the present condition is good. Potatoes are of
good quality, but the yield is not over 60 per cent of the normal.
The apple crop turned out much better than I thought possible,
but the gale blew two-thirds of the fruit from the trees, and the
windfalls will go into cider. All other fruits turned out very fair
crops for this section.

Canton (E. V. Kinsley). — Corn is a full average crop. There
is very little rowen and no fall feed. About the usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and many fields are showing green since
the rains. Potatoes are below the average in yield ; qualit}7 excel-
lent ; no rot reported. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops are light crops, of medium quality. Apples are not
picked, about one-third remaining on the trees since the gale of
the Pith; quality good; windfalls mostly sent to cider mills;
thousands of bushels at the mills in this vicinity, no sale at pres-
ent. Pears a full crop, quality good ; other fruits mentioned good
crops ; cranberries light. Milk supply short and talk of higher
prices than for last winter.

Norwood (Hon. F. A. Fales). — Indian corn is 80 per cent of
a full crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average.
Not more than a quarter of the usual amount of fall seeding has
been done, owing to the dry weather. Ouions are about a three-
fourths crop. Potatoes are about half a normal crop. Root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops are in very good condi-
tion. Apples are a fair crop; windfalls made into cider. Other
fruits have been average crops.

Medfield (Geo. R. Chase). — Indian corn is a three-fourths
crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The

24

usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in fair condi-
tion. Potatoes are less than a normal crop. The apples blown
from the trees by the gale of the 12th cannot be disposed of.
Pears, peaches, plums and grapes have turned out well.

Norfolk (Geo. E. Holbrook). — About an average crop of corn
was raised. Rowen and fall feed are not over 50 per cent of the
average in condition. Very little fall seeding has been done.
Onions are a good crop. Potatoes are not over half a crop and the
tubers are small. Fifty per cent of the apple crop was lost by the
gale, and the windfalls are only used for feeding stock.

Foxborough (E. A. Morse). — Corn is an average crop. Rowen
and fall feed are not over one-fourth of the usual average. Very
little fall seeding has been done, but farmers are seeding since the
rains. Potatoes are not more than half a crop, of fine qualitys
Apples were a large crop ; the gale took half of them, and most
of the windfalls are being made into cider. Pears are a full crop ;
plums the same ; grapes very few ; cranberries about a two-thirds
crop.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter) — Corn is so much damaged by the
gale that it is impossible to give the result, but it would have been
about normal but for that. Pastures are very poor and there is no
rowen worth mentioning. Very little fall seeding has been done
and that looks very poorly. Potatoes are somewhat below the
average in yield but of good quality. Root crops, celery and cab-
bages are very poor. Fall apples have been plenty ; winter apples
about one-third crop, gale shaking off 50 per cent of them ; wind-
falls generally left on the ground, though some are used for cider
for vinegar. Three-fourths of the pears were lost in the gale ;
peaches and plums poor ; grapes fair.

Easton (H. M. Thompson). — Indian corn is not quite an
average crop, owing to the extreme drought. Rowen on low land
is an average crop, but on uplands was not worth cutting. Fall
seeding is late, owing to the disposition of farmers to wait for
more moisture in the ground. Onions are a fair crop. Potatoes
are not quite up to the average in yield. The prospect for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is not very en-
couraging. The apple crop promised well, but during the dry
spell many dropped from the trees and the gale did the rest ; cider
is being made from the windfalls, only a few being gathered for
eating and marketing purposes. Pears, plums and grapes bore
abundantly ; peaches and cranberries were lighter.

SeeJconlc (Fred A. Howe). — Corn is fully an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Not as

25

much fall seeding was done as usual, owing to dry weather, and it
is very backward. Onions are not as good a crop as common.
Potatoes are about half a crop, of very good quality. The pros-
pect for late market-garden crops is very poor, except for celery,
which looks very well. Apples were a very good crop ; the gale
blew off fully two-thirds of them and they are still lying on the
ground. Pears and grapes are very good ; other fruits poor.

Dighton (J. N. Paul). — Indian corn is an average crop and is
about ready to harvest. There was very little rowen and fall feed
is light. Less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been
doue and it is uot in good condition. Onions are less than half a
crop ; quality poor, size small. Potatoes are about half a crop,
of good quality. Root crops poor ; celery very poor ; late market-
garden crops very poor. Apples were blown from the trees very
badly, not over 25 per cent being left on the trees ; those blown
off have been sold as windfalls and made into cider. Pears good ;
peaches good ; plums poor ; grapes good ; cranberries poor.
Strawberry beds have made a poor stand and the prospect for
another year is not good.

Dartmouth (L. T. Davis). — Corn is about 80 per cent of a full
crop in this section. Rowen and fall feed are far below the usual
average. There has been no seeding of any amount, as it has
been too dry up to within a few days. Onions are far below a
normal crop, mostly not over half a crop. Potatoes are not much
over half a crop. Root crops, celery and late market-garden crops
are far below the average. Apple picking is not yet complete ;
the gale in many cases blew off the larger half ; some windfalls
going for cider and some used for feeding. Pears fair ; peaches
light; plums fair ; grapes good.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

West Bridgeicater (C. P. Howard). — Corn is about a three-
fourths crop. Very little rowen has been cut. Less than the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done. The onion crop was
injured by the drought. Potatoes are about half a crop. Root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops started late.
Apple trees were heavily laden, but many orchards were nearly
stripped on the 12th and the windfalls are not worth gathering.
Pears seem to be plenty and grapes are very plenty.

Hanover (H. L. House). — Indian corn is fully up to the aver-
age. There is very little rowen or fall feed, on account of the dry
weather. Very little seediug has been done, owing to the drought.
Potatoes are a small crop, of excellent quality. Root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops were all damaged by <\vy

26

weather. There was a heavy crop of apples, of good quality, but
the gale destroyed it ; people are making cider of the fallen fruit.
Pears good ; peaches fair ; plums good ; grapes poor ; cranberries
about a two-thirds crop.

Hanson (F. S. Thomas). — Indian corn is an average crop.
There is little rowen but fall feed is good. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done and it is in good condition. Onions
are a normal crop. Potatoes are a small crop, of good quality.
Apples are good but small ; many were shaken from the trees by
the gale of the 12th, but in many cases there are plenty left ; some
are making cider of the windfalls, some are drying part of them
and many are doing nothing with them. Other fruits were good
crops.

Pembroke (Nathaniel Morton). — Indian corn is about an
average crop. Rowen and fall feed are far below the usual aver-
age, owing to dry weather. Less than the usual amount of fall
seeding has been done. Onions are not an average crop. Pota-
toes are poor in yield but of good quality. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops are below the average. The apple
crop is abundant; the gale shook off one-half, which will be of
little value because ^mature. Pears are abundant; plums and
grapes average ; cranberries about half a crop.

Lakeville (N. G. Staples) . — Corn is about a three-fourths crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done but it is very late. Onions
are half a crop. Potatoes are not half a crop as to yield but are
of good quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops will be short. There was a good crop of apples, but the gale
blew off three-fourths of them and the windfalls are not worth
picking up. Pears, peaches, plums, grapes and cranberries were
all short crops.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — Indian corn is not an average crop.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done. Scarcely auy
onions are raised in this town. In some localities potatoes have
done well, in others they are a failure. The prospect for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops is very poor.
Apples were a very good crop until the gale of the 12th; the
windfalls are mostly fed to stock, though some of them are dried.
Pears, grapes and cranberries are very fair crops ; peaches and
plums scarce.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Corn is nearer an average crop than
any other. There is very little rowen ; fall feed looks better since

27

the rains. No fall seeding has been done about here. Onions are
about half a crop. Potatoes are half a crop in yield but of good
quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops is very poor. There was a good crop of apples
before the gale blew them off; two-thirds of them are now on the
ground and are being made into cider for vinegar. Pears, plums
and grapes are full crops ; peaches and cranberries half crops.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — Indian corn is not over a three-
fourths crop. Rowen and fall feed are much below the usual
average. Very little fall seeding has been done. Onions are about
half a crop. Potatoes are not more than half a crop, of fair quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops do not prom-
ise to be more than from half to three-fourths crops. Nearly all
the apples were shaken off by the gale of the 12th. There are
fairly good crops of pears aud grapes ; cranberries about 30 per
cent of an average crop.

Orleans (F. E. Snow). — Corn is much injured by dry weather.
Rowen and fall feed are very short. Potatoes are not a normal
crop, being cut short by drought in most cases. The apple crop
here was abuudant before the gale ; since then some have been
sold in neighboring towns. Pears abundant and good ; cranberries
hardly an average crop, except in a few bogs ; other fruits little
raised.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Indian corn is below the
average crop. There is no rowen and fall feed is very poor.
Some fall seeding has been done, but it is very late on account of
drought. Potatoes are below the average in yield but of good
quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops
promise poorly. The apple crop was large, but the gale blew off
a great many ; in some cases cider is made or drying done, but
most of them lie on the ground. Pears, peaches, plums and grapes
are very good crops.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (C. "W. Gakdnek). — Indian corn is about a two-
thirds crop. Rowen and fall feed are all dried up. No fall seed-
ing has been done as yet. Onions are not more than half a crop.
Potatoes are hardly a one-third crop. Root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops promise well. There are no cran-
berries. Much salt hay is cut to help carry the stock through the
winter.

28

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

THE RELATION OF AGRICULTURE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

By Dr. Samuel W. Abbott, Secretary Massachusetts State Board of Health.

In the study of man as a social being nothing is more evident than the
fact that his comfort, his happiness, his health, almost his very existence,
depend largely on his relation to his fellowmen. Robinson Crusoe had
his man Friday ; the hermit and the monk are more or less dependent
on the outer world, notwithstanding any vow they may have made to
lead a separate, isolated life. The philosopher Thoreau said, " I never
found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. ... It
would be better if there were but one inhabitant to a square mile, as
where I live," but even Thoreau, after living for two years as a hermit,
found it best to return to civilized life again.

If this is true individually, it is true collectively. The great industrial
classes— artisans, mechanics, laborers, teachers, professional men, sailors,
fishermen, clerks and farmers — are all interdependent upon each other.

So, in the human body, every member makes every other member
more useful, and each one increases the efficiency of all. The two eyes
make the one pair of hands more useful than a dozen pair without eyes.
Sir Charles Bell, in his " Essay on the Human Hand," shows that the
thumb makes the four fingers more serviceable than a score of fingers
without the thumb. "On the length, strength, free lateral motion and
perfect mobility of the thumb depends the power of the human hand."

In the treatment of the subject, " The relation of agriculture to the
public health ", I shall deal with the question from different stand-points ;
first, in a subjective manner, that is to say, the effect of the occupation
o agriculture upon the farmer himself, and upon his family ; second,
the relation of the occupation of farming or agriculture to the health of
the communit}7 ; and finally, in a more general way, by a comparison of
these two general branches with each other.

What is the effect of the occupation of agriculture upon those who
have chosen this occupation ? And how may their condition be im-
proved ?

20

Of all the occupations, trades and professions in which mankind are
employed, that of tanning is, with one exception, the most healthful,
and the most conducive to long life. I do not need to add that it is also
the oldest of all industries, the most natural and the most important to
the physical welfare of man. Let us imagine, for a moment, that the
work of raising crops, milk products, fruit, cattle and other food animals
were to cease entirely for a period of one year, and contemplate the
effect of such an event. The cessation of any other industry which can
be named could not produce so disastrous an effect upon the human race.

Let us examine this question of the healthfulness of agriculture as a
profession or occupation more closely, with reference to the reasons.

In general it may be said that out-door occupations are more healthful
and conducive to length of life than in-door industries. In order to
successfully till the soil, to raise crops and tend cattle and other animal-.
the farmer must necessarily lead an out-door life, as compared, for ex-
ample, with mill operatives, shoemakers, book-keepers and other in-door
occupations. Those occupations in which large numbers of people are
employed together are unhealthful in proportion to the numbers
crowded together in a given space. They are also unhealthful with
reference to the character of the occupation in which they are employed.
Occupations which produce irritating dust, like stone cutting, knife
grinding, rag sorting, etc., tend to shorten the lives of workmen and
produce consumption, while persons who live largely in the open air,
like farmers and fishermen, escape such noxious influences.

The accompanying table presents some of these facts in a more definite
manner : —

Comparative Mortality of Men i)i Different Occupations in England*

Clergymen, .... 100
Farmers, . . . .114
Paper makers, . . .129

Grocers 139

Fishermen, . . . 143

Carpenters, .... 148
Lawyers, . . . .152
Shoemakers, .... 166
Commercial travellers, . . 171

Bakers 172

Masons and bricklayers, . 174
Blacksmiths, .... 175
Railway laborers, . . . 185
Woollen manufacture, . . 186
Tailors, 189

Printers, . . . .193
Cotton manufacture, . .196
Physicians, .... 202
Stone quarriers, . . . 202
Bookbinders, .... 210
Butchers, . . . .211
Glassworkers, . . .214
Plumbers and painters, . . 216
Cutlers and scissors makers, . 229
Brewers, .... 245
Liquor dealers, . . . 274
File makers, .... 300
Earthenware makers, . . 314
Hotel service, . . . 397

The foregoing table may be read as follows : assuming the mortality
of clergymen as a standaixl, that of farmers is 14 per cent greater, that
of lawyers 52 per cent greater, etc.

• From paper by Dr. Wm. Ogle, at International Congress of Hygiene at London,
in 1891. Section on Demography.

30

Another circumstance conducive to the health and long life of the
farmer is the fact that, generally speaking, his food supply is more
liberal and more varied than that of persons following other occu-
pations, since he is the producer of the sustenance of the people, and
therefore of his own. A good and sufficient food supply is essential to
the well-being of every one. It is not only necessary that the supply
of food should be abundant but also that it should be well selected,
sufficiently variable in character and of good quality. And these con-
ditions are usually found to exist to a greater degree in the house of the
farmer than elsewhei-e.

Again, the inherent character of the occupation makes it a promotor
of health and longevity. The succession of crops, depending as they do
upon the regularly recurring seasons of the year, occurs with harmo-
nious regularity. If there is anything poetic, anything uplifting, any-
thing tranquillizing in nature, who is the first and the most likely to
receive these inspiring impressions if not the agriculturist? The rush,
the hurry, the anxiety, the worry of the business man, the financier, the
politician, the soul and body destroying conditions which surround the
devotee of fashion, do not affect him. Undoubtedly he has his trials
and perplexities, but, all combined, they cannot counterbalance or offset
the o-eneral good influence of his occupation.

The average life of the lawyer, the physician, the mechanic, the
soldier, the laborer, is in either case shorter than that of the farmer.
So far as the medical profession is concerned there is the constant and
wearing influence of the sight of human beings suffering with pain and
sickness, of witnessing death-bed scenes, of broken rest at night and of
direct exposure to infectious diseases. I have often been asked the
question " Why do not doctors take or contract contagious diseases P " I
answer that the assumption is entirely wrong at the outset. Physicians
do take infectious diseases, and die with them in a greater ratio than
the general population, and the same is true of nurses, hospital attend-
ants and all others whose duty it is to wait upon the sick.

Country life in general is more healthful than city life. The death-
rate of the country is almost always less than that of the city. It is the
constant stream of humanity that is always flowing from the country
toward the city that keeps the city alive. The vigorous health of those
who dwell upon the farms is in strong contrast to the weaklings who
are produced by thousands amidst the densely crowded quarters of our
large cities.

It was the Germans, the Goths and the Vandals, fresh from the fields
and farms of northern and middle Europe, that finally prevailed over
the Roman people, who had become enervated by the licentiousness, the
excesses and debasing habits of city life. John Burroughs says, in con-
trasting the farmer and the dweller in cities, " A nation always begins
to rot first in its great cities, is, indeed, always rotting there, and is
saved only by the antiseptic virtues of fresh supplies of country blood,"
and again he says, " The farmer has the most sane and natural occupa-
tion, and ought to find life sweeter, if less highly seasoned, than any
other. He alone, strictly speaking, has a home. How can a man take

31

root and thrive without land. He writes bis history upon the field.
How many ties, how many resources, ho has; his friendships with his
cattle, his team, his dog, his trees, the satisfaction iii his growing crops,
in his improved fields ; his intimacy with nature, willi bird and beast,
and with the quickening elemental forces; his co-operations with the
cloud, the sun, the seasons, heat, wind, rain and frost. Nothing will
take the social distempers, which the city and artificial life breed, out of
a man, like direct and loving contact with the soil, it draws out the
poison, It humbles him, teaches him patience and reverence, and
restores the proper tone to his system."

It is the out-door life, the keen observation of the every-day events of
the farm and the forest, the watchful eye and ear, the minute observa-
tion of birds and their habits, of the squirrel, the rabbit, the weasel, the
ferret, the fox, the muskrat, and the woodchuck, of the multitudes of
different kinds of insects both useful and injurious, that have given us
such books as have been written by Gilbert White and Thoreau and John
Burroughs and Bradford Torrey and Seton Thompson, — books that
every observing farmer ought to have in his library to read in the long
winter evenings.

But there are exceptions to every rule. I have said that the farmer
is, with one exception, the longest-lived man. Were it not for certain
circumstances he would lead the list. How then may his condition be
improved ? I shall now direct your attention to a few of the points
wherein improvement may be made.

And first, since 1 have spoken of the value of fresh out-door air in
promoting health and long life, I will add to this that fresh in-door air
is quite as important to those who live in the house, and especially is
this true of the sleeping-rooms. Too often does it happen in the modern
farm-house that the sleeping-rooms are too small, and are also wanting
in the proper means of ventilation. Ventilation means the change of
the foul air of the in-door apartment, and its renewal by fresh air from
out doors. This cannot be done in a sleeping-room in which the win-
dows and doors are tightly closed, unless special provision is made for
renewing the air by means of an out-door opening, such as may be fur-
nished by an open fire-place or grate ; and even a grate is not a suffi-
cient means of ventilation, so long as there is no fire in it. A man who
lives in this manner year after year, breathing the foul air of a tightly
closed sleeping-room, cannot continue in good health. The actual cost
of maintaining a house with good ventilation is somewhat greater than
that of a house with no ventilation at all, since a greater amount of fuel
is required for a well-ventilated house than is necessary for a house
With no ventilation.

The Water Supply. — If pure air is essential to good health sojs pure
water From my own observation of very many farms which I have
visited and inspected, I should say that the water supply of farms is,
on the whole, better than that of thickly settled villages injwhich the
domestic water supply is drawn entirely from private wells. There
are, however, abundant instances of badly polluted water supplies
among the farms of Massachusetts, and when such farms arc also

32

dairies, producing milk for the supply of large populations, the polluted
water supply becomes a serious danger and a menace to the public
health.

I shall allude to this phase of the subject more at length in another
connection.

The peculiar regard which each householder or house owner has for
his own well is sometimes marvellous when a single glance at its sur-
roundings would convince even a casual observer that the owner's esti-
mate is far from correct. The water looks clear and transparent; it
has a sparkling taste ; very likely the owner prefers it to any other
water in the world. But clear and good tasting water is not necessarily
pure water, and may be exceedingly polluted, as an ordinary chemical
analysis often shows. It is necessary, therefore, in locating a well, to
place it in such a position that no foul drainage from any source can
possibly enter it, either by filtration through the ground or by surface
flow over the ground. The cow yard, the back yard of the house, the
barn cellar, the house cellar, the neighborhood of the hogsty and the
cesspool, neither of these places is suited for the site of the well. As a
general rule it would be preferable to place the well above the house
and barn, in higher rather than in lower ground, unless some neighbor's
house, and consequently his drainage system or want of system, hap-
pens to be on still higher ground above the well. In hilly and moun-
tainous regions it is a common .and an excellent practice to draw the
water for the farm from a spring at an elevation on the mountain side,
above the house and away from all possibility of contamination.

In connecting such springs with the house there is, however, an ele-
ment of danger which deserves a moment's notice. I refer to the use
of lead pipe. Under certain conditions and with certain waters lead
pipe is used continuously and without harm ; but this is not always the
case. It is only quite recently that I have investigated a serious epi-
demic of lead poisoning in a small village furnished with a public water
supply where some thirty or forty people were poisoned with lead and
some of them quite seriously. In all these cases of poisoning I found
that unusually long lines of lead pipe were used to connect the houses
with the street mains. I also found that little care had been taken to
draw off the water which had stood in the pipe over night before using
it in the morning. With this precaution the danger is greatly diminished.
It is much safer, however, to use no lead pipe at all. Iron is entirely
safe and the added cost of occasional i*enewal of the pipes does not im-
pose a serious tax upon the house holder.

Drainage. — Having considered the water which enters the house, let
us now spend a few moments upon another and a similar question, the
water which goes out of the house, that is to say, the drainage or sewage
of the house ; in other words, the water which has entered the house
with the addition of such refuse as the household may add to it. The
location of farm-houses at a distance from densely settled communities
usually prevents their connection with public systems of sewerage.
Hence it becomes necessaiw to take care of the house drainage upon the
farm itself.

33

A repulsive pool of foul-smelling sewage near the back door of the
farm-house or under the windows of sleeping-rooms is not a pleasing
or a heathful ornament to the homestead. If a cess-pool is used to
receive the sewage it should be so constructed tluit no foul odors from

it can escape into tlie Imuse, and this can best be done by a perfect trap
between the cess-pool and the house. The ordinary bell trap at the
sink is not a sufficient safeguard. Another plan is to dispose of the
drainage into small subsoil pipes loosely laid, so that the contents may
pass outward into the soil, to be used by the growing crops.

Food. — Another important element which influences the health of
the farmer is bis food. Several years ago the State Board of Health
made an investigation in regard to the food of the people of Massachu-
setts, very much of which related to the food of farmers I will quote
the most important of the conclusions which they published at that
time.

1. Good bread is scarce, and is too often made with some unwhole-
some substitute for yeast.

2. There is too little variety in food.

3. Meat is too often fried.

4. Pastry and cakes are used to an injurious extent.

5. Too little time is allotted for meals.

The quality of the beverages taken with meals is a matter of no little
importance. Coffee, tea and cocoa form a useful addition to meals when
they are not taken in excess. Intoxicating drinks should be banished
forever from every farmer's table, since no man can tell when he has
passed the danger line in their use, so far as the effect upon his health
is concerned.

There are certain curious fallacies in regard to the use of food, bev-
erages and drugs which are worthy of a moment's consideration. One
of these is the popular belief, which has prevailed for many years, which
attributes to phosphorus and its compounds in food an unusual impor-
tance in promoting the growth of the brain and of the intellectual
powers. Hence much stress is given to the eating of fish, and the use
of acid phosphates as beverages. That this curious theory has little
foundation, however, is pretty well proven by the following facts :

1. There is no evidence to show that the brain requires phosphorus
more than the bones or other organs of the body.

2. Fish contain no more phosphorus than other kinds of animal food,
and the unbolted cereals, wheat, oatmeal, rye and Indian corn.

■ >. People who are most accustomed to a fish diet, i.e., fishermen (the
native- of (ape Cod and of fishing ports generally), do not give evi-
dence of possessing unusual intellectual powers.

A young writer once sent a communication to Mark Twain asking his
opinion as to the use of tish as a food for developing the brain, at the
same time ^mrirestino' that Professor Agassiz had recommended the eat-
ingof fish forthat purpose. He replied," Yes, Agassiz does recommend
authors to eat fish, because the phosphorus in fish makes brains. So
far, you are correct. Put 1 cannot help you to a decision about the
amount you need to eat. If the specimen composition you send is about

34

your fair, usual average, I should judge that perhaps a couple of whales
would be all you would want for the present. Not the largest kind, but
simply good, middling sized whales.1''

Another source of harm exists in the excessive use of patent medi-
cines. Under the false impression that some soi't of drug must be taken
in the spring to " purify the blood," to cure a " tired feeling," to " make
the weak strong," pounds of iodide of potash are taken under the false
name of sarsaparilla, of saltpetre under the name of kidney cures, of
alcohol under the name of celery compound, nervura and so on. All of
these preparations are injurious and are constantly undermining the
health of the victims who are continually dosing themselves with them.

Recreation. — The kind of recreation most needed by any man depends
very much upon the character of his occupation. To the farmer, who
has held the plough all day long in spring time, or swung the scythe in
midsummer, or cut and piled several cords of wood in winter, it would be
superfluous advice to tell him to spend an hour or two a day in rowing or
in kicking foot-ball by way of exercise at the close of the day. Exercise
to his weary limbs would not be restful. These are the kinds of recrea-
tion which are most useful for the clerk and the book-keeper, whose life
is mainly sedentary and confined within closed apartments. On the con-
trary, the farmer needs a milder pastime, that will be at once restful
and an absolute change from his hitherto toilsome labor. Fishing, sail-
ing or some sort of in-door games will divert his mind from the toils of
the farm and give needed rest.

I call to mind a man who, in my boyhood, passed my father's door
every day with a cart or wheelbarrow on his way to his farm, which was
at some distance from his residence. He worked hard, early and late,
and accumulated a handsome property for those days. He worked on,
day after day, doing the work of two men and more without rest or re-
laxation of any sort. So hai'd did he work that fits of sleeplessness and
despondency ensued, and finally one day, on returning from the village
school opposite my father's house, my mother called me to her and said,
" Mr. B. is dead ; he has killed himself." He was then fifty years of age
and died of incessant work.

Good reading constitutes another excellent form of recreation for the
farmer, and no farmer's household should be without at least the means
of access to a good library, and to this should be added a subscription to
some good farm journal, with such other periodicals as his means may
permit. These are forms of mental recreation, to be sure, but the har-
monious development of the mind and body are essential to good health
and contentment.

I come now to the second topic, the influence of agriculture upon the
public health. It may be inferred from what I have already said that,
without agriculture, there would be no such thing as public health, since
man would cease to exist. Hence agriculture is, of all things, one of
the most essential to the public health. It produces the sustenance
wherewith man is supported and his life maintained. The phase of the
subject, therefore, to which I shall now call your attention is the
method by which this influence upon public health can be maintained in

35

its highest perfection ; since there arc certain ways in which the farm
occasionally, and through sonic neglect of due precautions, becomes a
source of danger.

The diseases to which man is subject arc several in number, but those
which are of the greatest interest to us in this connection are very few.
Some of them arc common both to man and to animals, and some arc
not. Those which are of peculiar interest to the farmer, and which
occasionally eause him more or less anxiety, as well as pecuniary loss,
arc tuberculosis or consumption, typhoid fever, trichinosis, glanders,
rabies, and anthrax, or malignant pustule. Of these diseases the cow
is subject to one or more, the horse to another, the hog to another, the
sheep and horse and cow to another, the dog to another, and man to all
of them. But all except the first two which I have named are of such
rare occurrence in man in this State as to be scarcely worthy of mention
as causing any serious harm to our living population. All told they
produced only one-thousandth part of the number of deaths which were
caused by consumption in the last fifty years in Massachusetts.

The question whether tuberculosis in the cow is the cause of the same
disease among men, in consequence of the eating of meat and the drink-
ing of milk from such animals, has been a live issue for several years
past, but definite and decisive evidence as to the exact relation of the
disease in the cow to that in man still appears to be wanting.

So long, however, as there appears to be a doubt in the matter, it is
assuredly the safer course to use only such meat and milk, and especially
milk, as comes from healthy animals.

In the case of typhoid fever a very different question arises. Here we
find a disease which never occurs in the cow, but is peculiar to man only.
Unfortunately it is of too common occurrence in the farming districts,
and is due most commonly to a polluted water supply. When it occurs
upon a dairy farm, it occasionally causes serious disturbance on account
of its liability to infect the milk supply. Hence it should be laid down
as a rule that no person who is ill xoith any disease whatever, and espe-
cially with any infectious disease, should be allowed to have any part in
the work of a dairy. Another important point is the care which should
be taken in disposing of the discharges of persons who are ill with
typhoid fever. Thorough disinfection of such discharges should be
made with chloride of lime. A man who is only slightly ill with typhoid
fever, and able to attend to farm work (and such cases are quite com-
mon), is far more dangerous than one who is sick in bed, since the latter
can have no direct connection with the milk supply.

In order to consider the operation of such cases, let us suppose a case.
An epidemic of typhoid fever is found to exist in a city of twenty-five
thousand people. Twenty cases or more of typhoid fever are reported
to the city board of health. There are fifty milkmen who supply the
city with milk from the neighboring towns. All of these cases of
typhoid fever, or nearly all, are customers of one milkman. This cir-
cumstance directs the attention of the board of health to this milk route,
and, on further investigation, a case of typhoid fever is found to exist at
the dairy where the milk is produced, and a careless method of handling

36

the milk is also found to exist. I need not specify the circumstances
which are often found to exist in actual experience. The existence of
these facts is in most instances sufficient to establish a presumptive con-
nection at least between the typhoid fever at the dairy and that which
exists on the route of the distributer.

Within the past ten years I have been called to investigate several out-
breaks of another disease, — trichinosis, — which is not very common
among the native New England population. It is always and invariably
due to one cause, — the eating of pork, and also of uncooked or insuffi-
ciently cooked pork. Fifty cases and five deaths occurred from this
cause in the town of Colrain in Franklin County a few years since, all
among Germans or other European immigrants, and all were due to eat-
ing raw pork. The disease in the hog is caused by bad methods of feed-
ing, and it usually exists in a very considerable percentage of hogs which
are swill fed. The State Board of Health, during the past few years,
has conducted experiments at two State institutions which show that the
disease may be entirely prevented in the hog by cooking his food, and
by ceasing to feed out the entrails of slaughtered hogs.

I have said enough in this direction to establish two important prin-
ciples in regard to farm and dairy work ; first, the necessity of absolute
cleanliness in every depai'tment of work, and second, the rule which I
have already stated, that no person who is ailing or even slightly ill with
any infectious disease should be-permitted to have any part in dairy work
until such person has entirely recovered and has been pronounced well
by the attending physician. If these rules are followed, the milk pro-
ducer will have less occasion to complain of frequent loss in the sale of
this most useful article of food.

A great stir has been made in Eui'ope in recent years with the object
of preventing the importation of certain fruits, the products of American
farms. The reasons alleged, chiefly by the German government, were
that poisonous insecticides were used for the spraying of fruit trees in
the United States. Another reason alleged was that zinc had been found
in dried fruits. This statement rests upon the fact that apples and
peaches and other fruits are often evaporated or dried upon zinc trays,
and hence small amounts of metallic zinc are occasionally found in the
fruit. The amount, however, is so small and the form in which the zinc
is found is such that no harm need be feared from this source.

The practice of spraying fruit trees in the season of blossoming and
for a few days afterward has become widespread, and demands a
moment's notice. The substances used for this purpose are, some of
them at least, deadly poisons. Arsenic in the form of Paris green and
London purple, with sulphate of copper or blue vitriol, are employed
for this purpose, and these make the most efficient means for desti-oying
the various insect pests which attack our fruit trees, currant bushes,
potato vines and other plants.

In the case of fruit trees like the apple, the principal insect pests are
the American tent caterpillar and the canker worm, each of which
usually hatches and begins and completes its destructive work between
May 10 and June 20. Now, the season of harvest for the great volume

37

of the apple crop is about October first, and probably none which are
raised for export are gathered before September lirst There is, there-
fore, a period of from two to three months in which the average rainfall
is about three inches per month, a quantity amply sufficient to wash
away all traces of the spraying substances from the fruit and the leaves.

In the summer of 1896 I made the following experiment. Having
built a small platform in the crotch of a large old apple tree, about fif-
teen feel from the ground, I took a two-gallon pailful of Paris green
mixture up to the platform about three times a week and sprayed the
whole tree from this platform, alternating occasionally with a solution
of sulphate of copper. At least half of the sprayings were of Paris
green. This mixture was so strong as to destroy some of the smaller
branches near the centre of the tree The sprayings were continued
till at least a dozen doses had been applied between May 15 and June 15
and the canker worms were pretty thoroughly destroyed. A good crop
of unusually fair apples began to appear, and were of three kinds,
Dutch codlings, Gravensteins and Danvers sweets The early apples
were picked about September 5 and the late sweets about October 5 or
later. Several of these were selected, of two kinds, together with some,
of the leaves, and were submitted to the State chemist for analysis, and
he reported that not the slightest trace of either arsenic or copper could
be found in them.

It should, however, be borne in mind that Paris green is a deadly
poison, and when used on the farm, either for destroying the pests of
fruit trees or potatoes or even larger vermin, like rats and mice, the
greatest care should be taken to put the supply of poison out of the
reach of children and of animals.

In what points do these general branches, agriculture and public
health, resemble each other?

In point of usefulness to the community, agriculture and public health
have a great deal in common. Agriculture provides the means where-
with life is sustained, the sustenance essential to the continuance of the
human race. Nine-tenths of all the food used throughout the world is
the product of agriculture. How essential it is, therefore, that this most
useful branch should be developed in the most thorough manner and
maintained in the most perfect degree.

As it is true that agriculture maintains life, it is also true that public
health or hygiene protects life. Although the term preventive medicine
is of comparatively recent origin, the practical application of the science
is by no means new. Moses applied it many centuries ago in the pre-
ventive treatment of leprosy and in the management of camp life. In
the Middle Ages nineteen thousand lazarettos were necessary to provide
shelter in continental Europe for the outcasts from this disease. Dr.
Jenner applied it when he introduced the practice of vaccination for the
prevention of small-pox, a hundred years ago. But it is only within the
past half century that systematic and careful study and attention have.
I icen given to public hygiene, with the view of training young men in
the BCience of preventive medicine or the art of prolonging life. It is
a fact capable of easy demonstration that, since careful attention has

38

been given to the subject of preventing the spread of infectious diseases
by means of notification, isolation, disinfection and vaccination, and still
more recent methods of treatment and prevention by means of the tak-
ing of cultures and the use of antitoxin, the death-rate from infectious
diseases has been sensibly diminished, and the length of human life cor-
respondingly prolonged, and this is notably true of England, the country
where the most careful attention has been given to the subject and the
greatest amount of money expended in its accomplishment.

Public hygiene or preventive medicine again is like agriculture in its
method of dealing with those evils which, on the one hand, destroy
human beings and limit their progress, and on the other, those which
seriously interfere with the abundance and the quality of growing crops,
and the principles of prevention which are applied in either case are
very much alike.

If a sound, healthy infant, born of healthy parents, were to be placed
in a glass case, and fed with pure food which had been freed from all
germs of disease by due process of sterilization, and were constantly sup-
plied with pure air which had also been sterilized ; if the water which
it drank were to be always pure spring water, and if in all other points
it were to be treated on perfectly healthful principles, such an infant
would never die of measles nor small-pox nor scarlet fever nor typhoid
fever nor whooping cough nor consumption.

So, also, in agriculture, if 'an apple tree or a peach tree were to be
enclosed in a glass case, where it would be supplied with abundance
of sunlight, with filtered water and sterilized air and soil deprived
of all pathogenic germs or eggs of noxious insects. No canker worm
nor caterpillar nor gypsy moth nor any other pest could possibly molest
it, and its leaves and flowers and fruit would mature and ripen in fair-
ness and beauty. This is the principle of isolation.

There is also a great similarity in the methods of spread of infectious
diseases and of insect pests, and while there is a similarity in the general
group of infectious diseases to that of insect pests, there are also many
points of specific difference.

Influenza, for example, spreads with amazing rapidity and attacks
great tracts of country in a few hours' time. It appeared in Boston
about Dec. 19, 1889, and in less than a week had also appeared in nearly
every city of the northern States. One class of diseases, cholera and
typhoid fever, spreads through the medium of water supplies, another
class, including small-pox and scarlet fever, by means of the air and by
actual contact. The spread of consumption is favored by the presence
of dust diffused through the air of rooms and carrying with it the germs
of disease.

So, too, in agriculture, the various insect pests differ in the method of
their spread. The female canker worm ascends the trunks of trees in
the warm days of late autumn or early spring and lays her eggs on the
twigs, to be hatched in the months of May or June. Hence the mode
of prevention is to place a barrier upon the trunks of the trees which
shall hinder the insects from gaining access to the branches. So with
the American tent caterpillar. This insect lays its eggs upon the small

39

outer twigs of the trees in bunches of several hundred eggs in each,
carefully varnishing the bunches to protect them from the weather
Destruction of these bunches or belts of eggs, or of the young cater-
pillars as soon as they are hatched, is the only practical mode of dealing
with them.

Again, the same substances which destroy noxious insects are also
used in medicine as disinfectants, and the careful study of their action
will advance the cause of agriculture. The farmer who carefully apj
plies the right form of insecticide to his potato vines during the growing
season will insure the best crop. So, also, with his fruit trees; a care-
ful application of spraying liquid of such strength as not to injure the
trees, but strong enough to destroy the insect pests, will insure the best
crop of fair and handsome fruit.

So the health officer who applies disinfectants judiciously and intelli-
gently will be rewarded in finding that scarlet lever, diphtheria and other
pests of mankind will not recur in the same household unless introduced
from outside sources.

I cannot close this comparison without reference to the labors of one
man who has lately passed away from earth to his great reward, and
who was a common benefactor both of the medical profession and of
those who till the soil. lie was much more, he was a benefactor to the
whole human race. I mean Louis Pasteur. Born in the little town of
Dole, in France, of humble parentage, his father was a veteran French
soldier, afterward a tanner. The son Louis early in life became an
enthusiastic student of nature and of natural laws. More than a half
century ago he had begun the course of experimental research which
destined him to become one of the greatest allies of the medical profes-
sion and of agriculture that the world has ever known.

One of his first triumphs was the discovery of the cause of the silk-
worm disease In 1819 and 1850 the silk-worms were attacked with a
parasitic disease which caused the loss to France, in the silk-worm in-
dustry alone, of 120,000,000 in a single year. The plague spread to
Spain and Italy, and finally no eastern country was exempt from its
ravages except Japan. Pasteur was urged to study the subject with
the view of finding the cause of the disease and its prevention. He
gave his whole attention to this question for nearly three years, and so
zealously did he pursue his experiments that his health broke down,
he became enfeebled, and was stricken with partial paralysis in 1868,
while he was in the midst of this important work. He had, however,
already found the cause and the mode of prevention, which consisted in
separating the healthy moths from those which were sick, carrying out
the true principle of isolation in infectious diseases, and thus he restored
the silk industry to France. He never fully recovered from the partial
paralysis which he suffered, so far as his body was concerned, but for
nearly thirty years his mind remained undimmed, and during these
thirty years he discovered the mode of curing those who are bitten
by mad dogs, until his Institute at Paris became the centre to which
alrlicted people resort from all parts of Europe for treatment. Another
important discovery which he made was the cause of fowl or chicken

40

cholera, to which he also gave earnest attention and found that this, too,
was a parasitic disease. The disease known as splenic fever or malig-
nant pustule next attracted his attention. A young veterinary surgeon
(Dr. Louvrier) had proposed a definite method for treating the disease,
which has always been very fatal to sheep and cows in France and
Russia. Pasteur immediately entered upon the investigation of this dis-
ease, and in less than two years he had solved the question, and a day
was appointed for a public trial or test of its efficiency. I will let his
biographer tell the story in his own words : —

" Pasteur accepted. The experiments were conducted at Melun, May
5, 1881, a few miles above Paris, on the Seine. The Society of Agricult-
ure agreed to place at his disposal sixty sheep. The results of these
experiments were absolutely successful and convincing to the most
sceptical.

"There was a burst of enthusiasm at these truly marvellous results.
The veterinary surgeons especially could not recover from the surprise.
They examined the dead, they felt the living.

" ' Well,' said M. Bouley to one of them, ' are you convinced ? There
remains nothing for you to do but to bow before the master,' he added,
pointing to Pasteur, ' and to exclaim " I see, I know, I am undeceived." '

" Having suddenly become fervent apostles of the new doctrine, the
veterinary surgeons went about proclaiming everywhei'e what they had
seen. One of those who had been most sceptical carried his proselytis-
ing zeal to such a point that he wished to inoculate himself.

" An extraordinary movement was everywhere produced in favor of
this method of preventive treatment. A great number of agricultural
societies wished to repeat the celebrated experiment. The breeders of
cattle overwhelmed Pasteur with applications for vaccine. At the end
of the year 1881 he had already treated 83,946 animals. In 1882 the
number amounted to 399,102."

But Pasteur still lives in his works. He lives also in his pupils. To
one of these we owe the recent discovery of the most potent means
which have yet been found for diminishing the fatality of that terrible
scourge and destroyer of children, diphtheria. From the teaching of
this man there comes help to the agriculturist and to the physician ;
yes, to all mankind.

Let me not close without commending to every farmer as an addition
to his library the biography of such a man as Pasteur, together with the
works of Thoreau, of John Burroughs, of Bolles and Bradford Torrey,
and of good old Gilbert White of Selborne. It is from the study of the
writings of such men that our eyes are opened to see the life that sur-
rounds us in the woods, the fields, the ponds and the streams, and to
learn from every living thing some new and useful lesson.

Series of 1900. Bulletin No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOKT

FOR THE

Month of October, 1900.

ISSUED BY

J. W. STOCKWELL,

Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1900.

Crop Report for the Month of October, 1900.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1900.

Bulletin No. 6, Crop Report for the month of October,
the final issue of the season, is herewith presented. We
wish once more to thank our correspondents for the assist-
ance they have so freely and consistently given us. We
shall look to each and every one for the renewal of their
good offices another spring if this work is continued, as it
doubtless will be.

The special articles printed this season have been : Bulle-
tin No. 1, "Some Insects injuring Market-garden Crops,"
by Prof. H. T. Fernald ; Bulletin No. 2, "Possibilities for
Farm Forestry in Massachusetts," by Allen Chamberlain ;
Bulletin No. 3, " Birds as Protectors of Woodlands," by E.
H. Forbush ; Bulletin No. 4, "Poultry Keeping on the
Farm," by Prof. A. A. Brigham ; and Bulletin No. 5, " The
Relation of Agriculture to the Public Health," by Dr. Samuel
W. Abbott. Particular attention is called to the article on
" Soil Exhaustion," by Prof. Geo. E. Stone, professor of
botany at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, which will
be found printed at the close of this bulletin.

Progress of the Season.

The October report of the statistician of the United States
Department of Agriculture gives the average condition of
corn on October 1 as 78.2, compared with 80.6 last month,
82.7 la>t year and 81, the mean of the October averages of
the last ten years.

The preliminary estimate of the yield per acre of oats was
29.(3, as compared with 30.7 bushels last year, 27.8 bushels
in 1898 and a ten-year average of 26.2 bushels.

The preliminary estimate of the yield per acre of barley
was 20.4 bushels, as compared with a yield of 25.5 bushels
last year, 21.6 bushels in 1898 and a ten-year average of
23.3 bushels.

The preliminary estimate of the yield per acre of rye is

15.1 bushels, as compared with 14.4 bushels last year, 15.6
bushels in 1898 and a ten-year average of 14 bushels.

The average condition of buckwheat on October 1 was
72.8, as compared with 80.5 last month, 70.2 last year and
82.2, the mean of the October averages for the last ten years.

The average condition of potatoes was 74.4, as compared
with 80 last month, 81.7 last year and a ten-year average of
74.1

There had been a general decline in the condition of sweet
potatoes.

The sugar cane crop of Louisiana maintained its high con-
dition of the previous mouth, 101, but in every other State
there was an impairment of condition.

The condition of sorghum improved in Kansas, Texas and
Arkansas and declined in North Carolina, Georgia, Missis-
sippi, Kentucky and Tennessee.

There was a general decline in the condition of apples,
but in many of the principal apple-growing States the con-
dition was still considerably above the average.

Rice declined in condition in the South Atlantic States
from lack of rain.

The average condition of cotton was 67, as compared with

68.2 last month 62.4 last vear and 71.6, the mean of the
October averages of the last ten years.

In Massachusetts the average yield of oats per acre was
given as 37, and the average quality as 90 ; the average
yield per acre of barley as 26, and the average quality as
87 ; the average yield per acre of rye as 17, and the average
quality as 90 ; the average condition of corn October 1 as
92 ; the average condition of buckwheat as 87 ; the average
condition of tobacco as 102 ; the average condition of potatoes
as 69 ; and the average condition of apples as 85.

Massachusetts Weather, lt'OO.

[Compiled from Data itknished ht tub New England Weather Service.]

January was milder than usual. The month opened with
the first general snow-storm of the season, and the precipita-
tion for the month, rain and snow combined, was in excess
of the normal by a half inch. A moderately intense cold
wave prevailed for the first four days, but the temperature
for the month was in excess. There was an average amount
of sunshine.

February was distinguished by much unpleasant weather
and a precipitation of more than 4 inches above the normal.
Excepting rain on the southern coast this was chiefly in the
form of snow. The monthly mean temperature was above
the normal for February, but the coldest weather of the sea-
son occurred during the month.

March was notable for a preponderance of fine, clear
weather, there being much more than is usually experienced
during this month. Nevertheless the precipitation was fully
up to the normal, and for the greater part of the State from
1 to 2 inches in excess. The month was colder than usual,
the monthly mean temperature being 1.5° below the normal.

April was a pleasant month, with more than the average

amount of fair weather. The precipitation was deficient,

the average amount for the month being about one inch be-
es o

low the normal. The temperature was fairly well distributed
throughout the month, and the monthly mean was about 1°
above the normal for April. The temperature fell below
freezing during the month at all stations.

May, as a whole, was a very unpleasant month, and the
rainfall was also considerably in excess of the normal amount
for the month. This was fairly well distributed during the
period. The average temperature for the month was con-
siderably below the normal, the daily deficiency amounting
to about 1° per day. Killing frosts were of general occur-
rence on the 10th and 11th. The prevailing winds were
from the east and north. At the close of the month the
tendency was to rising temperature and warmer weather.

June opened with warm weather, the average temperature
for the first two or three days ranging above the normal.

6

Showers, timely and well distributed, afforded sufficient
moisture. The second week of the month was continuously
warm, but the temperature was not excessive and the rain-
fall was light. There was a continuance of these conditions
through the third week. The temperature of the closing
week did not vary greatly from the normal, but the precipi-
tation was deficient and irregularly distributed. There were
fewer thunder-storms than usual during the month and they
were of moderate type.

The month of July was characterized by varied and ex-
treme conditions of weather. Until the 6th the temperature
averaged from 2° to 5° below the normal. There was much
cloudiness at this time but the rainfall was light. The second
and third weeks were excessively warm. From the 16th to
18th inclusive the maximum temperatures ranged in the
90s, and the minima very little below 80°. There was also
a general deficiency of rain. On the 20th to 22d cool
weather prevailed. This was followed by a few days of
moderate summer heat, resulting in a general rain-storm on
the 25th and 26th. The month closed with several days of
fair weather.

The first five days of August gave clear weather with cool
nights, the cool wave breaking the record for the month for
many years past. This was followed by a period of warm
weather with a high per cent of moisture. There were fre-
quent showers from the 6th to the 10th, with the rainfall
light to moderate. The third week of the month was char-
acterized by much cloudiness and rain. Comparatively low
temperatures accompanied the foul weather. The remainder
of the month was generally fair, with great extremes in
temperature. The rainfall of the month was generally suffi-
cient to maintain growing conditions, but the earth, below
the surface, was dry to a considerable depth.

The weather of September was characterized by a high
average temperature, more than the normal number of clear
days and rainfall above the normal for the month. The
temperature was, however, equitably distributed, and there
were no excessively warm days, the minimum temperatures
ranging unusually and continuously high. The coolest period
was from the 18th to the 20th, and the closing days of the

month were cool. The rainfall was chiefly the result of two
general storms, during which the precipitation was very
heavy. Tho gale of the 12th was general and did much
damage to fruit. The wind attained a velocity at Boston of
60 miles an hour.

The Weather of October, 1900.

The weather of the month was remarkably pleasant. There
were about the average number of days with rain, the amount
of which was fairly well distributed throughout the several
sections of the State. Excepting the heavy fall of the night
of the 8th the storms were moderate, and the rate of fall such
as to be of the greatest benefit to vegetation. There was a
week of overcast skies, from the 6th to the 12th of the month,
but for the remainder of the period the days of sunshine and
cloudiness were about equally divided. The weather was
abnormally warm, viewing from a point of mean temperature
the daily means at Boston being in excess of the normal for
two-thirds of the days. There were also some extremes in
the maxima temperatures. The mercury has ranged higher
in this month in the twenty-eight years covered by the
national meteorological observations but only in the early
days of the month. The current month was remarkable
for a continuous moderate temperature and for the period
in the later part of the month with a maxima of near 80° for
several days. At Boston the maximum rose to 77° on the
22d and to 80° on the 23d and the 24th. This record is not
paralleled in October at this station during the past twenty-
eight years of official records. Killing frosts and occasional
freezing temperatures were of occurrence from the 16th to the
2 2d, but excepting these days there was a general absence of
frost. Fogs were prevalent in coast sections during the
closing week of the month. There were no unusual feat-
ures shown in the records of wind direction and velocity
or those of air pressure. October, 1900, as a whole, will
be remembered and will go on record as a month of most
pleasant weather.

Crops of the Year.

The spring opened late and the cold weather of May
tended to still further retard vegetation. The frosts of the

8

10th and 11th did much damage to early vegetables and in a
lesser degree to the fruit crop. Pastures and mowings were
generally in excellent condition. Fall seeding did not winter
as well as usual, owing to the lack of snow-covering during
the winter. The fruit bloom was the heaviest in years. The
severe frosts of the 10th and 11th injured peaches and straw-
berries severely, plums and cherries to a lesser degree, and
apples practically not at all. Insects did very little damage.
Spraying is increasing, but not rapidly. There was a fair
supply of good farm help. Wages average about $18 per
month with board and about $1.25 per day without board.
There was even less change than usual in the acreage of
farm crops.

In June there was very little injury from insects. Cool
weather held corn back, but it was otherwise in good con-
dition. Haying was not generally begun and the crop did
not promise to be up to the average. Early potatoes showed
a slight increase in acreage in eastern sections, and there was
prospect of a good crop. ' Early market-garden crops, with
the exception of asparagus, were about average as to yield
and price. The supply of dairy products was about normal,
with prices slightly increased. Pasturage was in good con-
dition, though likely soon to need rain. Strawberries were
far from a good crop, but the prices ruled high. Apples
promised a good crop ; peaches a light crop ; pears fair and
plums generally a light crop ; cherries were a very poor
crop, having suffered badly from frost.

No noticeable damage from insects was reported in July.
Indian corn was generally in good condition, though per-
haps a little late. Silos continue to gain in popularity.
Haying was completed with from two-thirds to three-fourths
of a full crop ; quality good and condition first-class. The
acreage of forage crops was considerably increased because
of the short hay crop, and they were generally in fair condi-
tion. Market-garden crops were generally short, owing to
drought ; prices about as usual. Early potatoes were nearly
a failure, owing to drought. Apples promised a good crop ;
pears fair ; plums light ; peaches light ; quinces and grapes
good. Pastures were in need of rain in all sections. Rye,
oats and barley were generally good average crops.

9

At the end of August Indian corn promised a line crop in
all except Essex, Middlesex and Barnstable counties, where
it was somewhat off. Kowen was a light crop in all sections.
Late potatoes were below the average, owing to drought.
Blight was not general and there was little rot. Tobacco
was generally an excellent crop and cutting was practically
completed at the end of the month. Apples promised a
good crop ; pears fair ; peaches light ; grapes good ; crau-
berries light. Pastures were far from being in good condi-
tion and cattle were fed at the barns in many sections. Oats
and barley were below the average as to grain and straw.
Poultry keeping was generally found profitable, but not
enough attention is paid to it in most cases.

Indian corn in September was rather more than an aver-
age crop in western and central sections and rather less in
eastern. The rowen crop was far below the normal, and in
many sections was practically a failure. Fall feed was also
far below the normal. Much less than the usual amount
of- fall seeding had been done, owing to the drought, and
much of it was just coming up. Onions were less than an
average crop. Potatoes were probably not over a two-thirds
crop ; little rot and quality good. The prospects for root
crops were not flattering. Celery was a fairly good crop.
Apples promised to give one of the largest crops on record,
but the gale of 12th took oflf from one-third to one-half of
them. Little was done to utilize the windfalls, except for
cider for vinegar making. Pears were a fair crop; plums
light ; peaches average ; grapes a very good crop ; cran-
berries little, if any,, over half a crop.

In the circular to correspondents returnable to this office
October 23, the following questions wTere asked : —

1. Have root crops proved to be average crops?

2. What is the condition of farm stock?

3. What is the condition of fall seeding:?

4. How have prices for crops raised for market compared
with former years ?

5. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been most profitable?

6. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been least profitable?

10

7. Considered as a whole, has the season been a profitable
one for your farmers?

Returns were received from 150 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made.

Root Crops.

The fall rains, while of great benefit to root crops, did

not suffice to bring them quite up to the usual average of

condition for the State as a whole. Generally speaking they

approximate more nearly to the normal in western and central

sections. In eastern and south-eastern sections the reports

indicate that these crops will fall considerably below the usual

yields. Potatoes would appear to be one of the poorest

crops for a series of years. Prices, however, rule above

the average.

Farm Stock.

The rains have put pastures and mowings in good shape,
and fall feed is now extremely good. The effect of this is
shown in the improvement in the condition of farm stock,
much more of it being in good condition than was the case
a month ago. There are some complaints of stock being
thin in flesh, but these are not numerous. Cows in milk
were fed at the barn in many sections during the drought, or
we would not have such a satisfactory condition to report.

Fall Seeding.

Much less than the usual amount of fall seeding was done,
owing to the drought, and that put in was retarded in germi-
nation by the same cause. Since the rains most of it has
come up, and with the warm weather to aid, has pushed along
finely, so that it is now quite generally in good condition,
though still late and small in some cases.

Prices.
With the exception of apples, prices for which are low on
account of the large crop on hand, prices for farm crops
have ranged rather hi her than usual. This is probably
mainly due to the shortage caused in most crops by the
drought. Of 149 answers to this question 89 correspondents
speak of prices as average, 54 as higher than usual and 6 as
lower.

11

Most Profitable Crops.
There is the usual difference of opinion among corre-
spondents as to which crops have proved most profitable, and
as usual a majority fail to unite on any one crop. Fifty-four
correspondents consider corn to have boon among the most
profitable crops; 46, hay or grass; 31, potatoes; 9, sweet
corn; 7, apples; 7, tobacco; 5, asparagus; 5, tomatoes;
4, cabbages ; 4, onions ; 4, celery ; 4, cranberries ; 3, milk ;
3, fruit; 2, oats; 2, forage crops; 2, peaches; 1, market-
garden crops; 1, buckwheat; 1, barley; 1, millet; 1,
squashes; 1, beans; 1, pears; 1, beets, and 1, peas.

Least Profitable Crops.
Seventy correspondents, an unusually large number to
agree on any one crop, speak of potatoes as among the
least profitable crops; 28, apples; 17, hay or grass; 8,
corn; 7, onions; 4, cabbages; 3, oats; 3, fruit; 3, root
crops; 3, peas; 2, milk; 2, tomatoes; 2, strawberries; 2,
squashes; 2, turnips; 1, pears; 1, celery; 1, melons; 1,
sweet corn ; 1 , cucumbers ; 1 , carrots ; 1 , market-garden
crops, and 1, beans.

Profits of the Season.
The season has not been one that could be called gener-
ally profitable for our farmers. The prolonged drought of
summer and early fall cut many crops short to such an ex-
tent that the increased prices received failed to make up
for the shortage. Starting the summer with empty barns,
the short hay crop and scanty pasturage materially increased
the cost of producing dairy products, and in many cases the
farmers now face the winter with barns so poorly filled with
hay and forage as to necessitate either the purchase of hay
or the sale of stock. Of 144 correspondents answering the
question as to the profits of the season 43 regard the season
as profitable, 17 as an average one for profit and 26 as fairly
profitable, while 58 think that it has not been a profitable
one.

12

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us October 22.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Sheffield (Dwight Andrews). — Root crops are about average.
Farm stock is looking well. Not as much fall seeding has been
done as usual, owing to the dry weather. Prices for crops raised
for market have been about average. Hay has been our most
profitable crop and apples and potatoes our least profitable ones.
Considered as a whole, the season has not been an average one
for profit.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding looks
well. Prices for crops raised for market have been fully up to
former years. Corn and oats have been our most profitable crops
and potatoes our least profitable one. The season has been a
profitable one, considered as a whole.

West Stockbridge (Wm. C. Spaulding). — Root crops are up to
the average on the whole. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall
seeding is in fair condition but needs rain. Prices for farm crops
have ruled a trifle higher than last year. Considered as a whole,
the season has been a profitable one. The apple crop is abundant,
too many for profit or to handle, winter fruit bringing about 50
cents per barrel.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — Root crops are good average
crops. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Potatoes command the largest price for years ; other
crops about as usual, except apples, which are low. Potatoes have
been our most profitable crop and apples our least profitable one.
The season has been, as a whole, about as last year for profit.

Richmond (T. B. Salmon). — Root crops have proved to be
good average crops. Farm stock is in good condition. No fall
seeding has been done. Prices for crops raised for market have
ranged about average. Hay has been our most profitable crop
and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the
season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

13

Dalton (W. B. Barton). — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices for farm crops have been fully as good as
usual. Milk has been our most profitable product. I should con-
sider the season a profitable one. Late rains have put meadows
in fair condition. Pastures as a rule have been fed very close,
but appear to be in fair condition. Many farmers are feeding
large quantities of cider apples, native fruit being very abundant.

Windsor (VV. H. Tirrell). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
poor condition. Prices for farm crops have been about as in
former years. Corn has been our most profitable crop and
potatoes our least profitable one. Considered, as a whole, the
seasou has not been a profitable one for our farmers.

Savoy (W. W. Burnett). — Root crops are full average crops.
Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in good condition.
Most crops are fully up to the average in price. Hay has been
our most profitable crop and potatoes, on the whole, our least
profitable one. The season has been a fairly profitable one.
Apples are so abundant that the crop is not paying very well.

New Ashford (Eliho Ingraham). — Root crops are up to the
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices for farm crops have compared well with other
years. Corn has been our most profitable crop and oats and
potatoes our least profitable ones. The season has not been a
profitable one, considered as a whole. The dry weather caused
the grass crop to be light and ruined the pastures.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (D. H. Sherman). — Root crops are less than the aver-
age, owing to drought, perhaps two-thirds to three-fourths crops.
Farm stock is in very fair condition. But very little fall seeding
has been done in this section. Apples have brought from one-
half to two-thirds the usual prices ; potatoes bring fair prices ;
turnips average. Potatoes have been our most profitable crop and
hay our least profitable one. The season has been about an aver-
age one for profit, taken as a whole.

Heath (0. D. Canedy). —Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is rather thin in flesh as a rule. Fall seeding
has been almost a failure, owing to drought. Prices of crops
raised for market have compared fairly well with former years.
Apples will be our most profitable crop if they bring a fair price,
as there is a large crop of fine fruit. Potatoes have been our least

u

profitable crop. I do not think the season has been a profitable
one, taken as a whole.

Charlemont (S. W. Hawkes). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is generally in good condition. Fall seed-
ing was never in better shape. Prices for farm crops have ranged
somewhat lower than usual. Corn has been our most profitable
crop and apples our least profitable one. Considered as a whole,
the season has been a profitable one.

Leyden (U. T. Darling). — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age crops. Farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been better
than usual. Hay has been our most profitable crop and potatoes
our least profitable one. I think the season has been a profitable
one for our farmers.

Ashfield (Chas. Howes). — Root crops are fair average crops.
Farm stock is coming to the barn in good condition. Fall seeding
is very backward and many pieces will have to be reseeded. With
the exception of apples, prices for farm crops are higher than
usual. Although rather light, the hay crop is our most profitable
crop. The potato crop was very light in some sections and is
perhaps our least profitable crop. I think the season has been
above the average for profit, notwithstanding the drought. The
frequent fall rains have kept the ground in good condition and
mowings and pastures are looking remarkably well for the time
of year.

Conway (J. C. Newhall). — Root crops are hardly average,
owing to the drought. Farm stock is looking much better than
could be expected, considering the short feed in pastures. Fall
seeding has made rapid growth since the rains and is looking very
well now. At present prices tobacco is our most profitable crop.
Potatoes were a very light crop and therefore unprofitable and at
present prices there is no profit in apples. Taking everything into
consideration I think it has been a fairly profitable season with
our farmers.

Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — Root crops are not more than
half crops. Cows are coming in from pasture in fine shape and
farm stock generally looks well. Fall seeding is in normal condi-
tion. Prices for farm crops are somewhat better than for the past
few years. Tobacco has been our most profitable crop and onions
our least profitable one. The season has been a profitable one for
mixed farming, but those depending entirely upon onions cannot
have found it so, as the crop is light and prices are little higher
than last year.

1

r;

Montague (C. S. Raymond). — Root crops of all kinds are about
average. Farm stock is in good average condition. Fall seeding
is backward but is in fairly good condition. Potatoes are a little
higher in [trice than last year ; other crops about the same. Pota-
toes have been our most profitable crop and onions our least profit-
able one. The season has been a profitable one, considered as a
whole. Grass roots are in fair condition on good soil, but are
rather feeble on light, thin soil.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Root crops have been a little
short on dry ground, but on rich, moist soil are above the average.
Farm stock is in fair average condition. Fall seeding is looking
fairly well, though but little was done. Prices for farm crops have
been well sustained. Corn has been our most profitable crop, hav-
ing suffered less from drought than any other, and hay our least
profitable one. The season has been fairly profitable as farming
goes, the profits seldom being large.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermoth). — Root crops are good average
crops. Farm stock is in fair condition. Very little fall seeding
has been done. Potatoes bring higher prices than usual, apples
lower ; on the whole, average prices prevail. Corn and apples
are our most profitable crops and hay and potatoes our least prof-
itable ones. The season has hardly been an average one for profit,
since cream and veal are the principal money products, and the
short hay crop and dry pastures have reduced the total amount
produced.

Enfield (D. O. Chickering). — Root crops suffered from the
drought and are not quite up to the average. Farm stock is look-
ing well for the most part. Fall seeding is in good condition.
Prices for crops raised for market have been fully up to the aver-
age. The corn crop has been unusually good and is perhaps as
profitable as any. Hay has been our least profitable crop. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one.

Belchertown (H. C. West). — Root crops are fully up to the
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding is
in fair condition, although somewhat late. Hay, potatoes and
dairy products bring higher prices than usual ; other crops about
the same. Hay. potatoes and dairy products have been our most
profitable lines and apples our least profitable crop, although good
in both quantity and quality. The farmers have little reason to
complain, crops being bountiful and the fall season the best for
harvesting in many years.

16

Amherst (H. A. Parsons). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair to good condition. Fall seeding
is in good condition. Prices have compared well with other years.
Corn has been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least prof-
itable one. Considered as a whole, the season has been a profit-
able one for our farmers. This has been an uncommonly open
fall, with no killing frost until the 18th.

Hadley (H. C. Russell). — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in very good
condition. Vegetables bring somewhat higher prices than usual;
other crops about the same. Tobacco has been our most profitable
crop and onions our least profitable one. The season has been a
profitable one for our farmers, taken as a whole.

South Hadley (H. W. Gaylord). — Turnips were so late in
coming up that they are not yet half grown. Farm stock looks
well enough, but young stock has not made the growth expected.
Fall seeding looks fairly well now, but is small, owing to late
seeding and reseeding. Prices have not advanced much except
for potatoes, which have gone up 25 cents per bushel. None of
our leading crops were profitable, but corn comes the nearest to
an average crop. Fruit has been our least profitable crop. The
season has not been a profitable one with our farmers. Their
most serious loss is in the hay crop, and stock must be reduced in
view of the present and probable winter prices of hay and grain.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fairly good condition, as a whole.
Fall seeding is in unusually good condition. Fair average prices
have prevailed, except for apples. Hay has been our most profit-
able crop if sold, but is not where kept to feed. The apple crop
has been our least profitable one when picking, barreling and
freighting are paid for. The season has not been a profitable one
for general farmers.

Cummington (S. W. Clark). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Very little fall seed-
ing has been done, owing to the drought. Fruit brings very low
prices ; other crops average. Corn has been our most profitable
crop and potatoes our least profitable one. Our income is mainly
from dairying. Butter has sold for nearly 2 cents per pound
higher than last year, so dairymen have surely had a fairly good
year. Those who raise calves and sell cows, and who sold early,
have had a very good year.

Middlefield (J. T. Bryan). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in excellent condition. No fall seeding
has been done because of the drought. Prices for farm crops are

17

higher than usual, except for apples. Corn and potatoes have
been our most profitable crops and fruit our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (P. M. Aozima). — Root crops are up to the full aver-
age. Farm stock is in a little better condition than farmers ex-
pected. Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for crops
raised for market are fully up to the average. Hay has been our
most profitable crop and apples our least profitable one. The
drought has been very severe, but the season has been about an
average one for profit.

Granville (Joseph Welch) . — Root crops are below the aver-
age. Stock looks thin, owing to poor feed, flies and dry weather.
What fall seeding there was done is coming on very well, owing to
the late rains. Prices for farm crops have ranged higher than
usual. Apples, hay and corn have been our most profitable crops
and potatoes our least profitable ones. The season has not been
a profitable one, as farmers will be obliged to reduce their stock
because of the short hay crop ; there is little market for apples,
and potatoes were not over half a crop.

Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Root crops are below the average
on account of early drought. Farm stock is in fairly good condi-
tion. Fall seeding was late, but is now looking well. Prices for
farm produce have been well maintained, at a little higher rates
than usual. Market-gardening, hay and tobacco have given fairly
good returns. Taken as a whole, the season has been a full
average one for profit.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — Root crops are about aver-
age. Farm stock is generally in good condition, all milch cows
having been fed at the barns. Fall seeding looks well, but has
been sown but a short time on account of the drought. Prices
for farm crops have ranged above the average of the past few
years. Hay, rye and tobacco have been our most profitable crops
and potatoes, onions, apples and pears our least profitable ones.
Feed is too high for us to make milk at a profit. The season has
hardly been a profitable one. Pastures and mowings now look
better than at any time since June.

Ludlow (C. B. Bennett). — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in fair
condition. Hay and straw command higher prices than nana] ;
other crops average. Corn has been our most profitable crop and
potatoes our least profitable one. The season has hardly been a

18

profitable one, as most of our farmers depend on milk and potatoes
for their money, and the short hay and potato crops have cut down
the profits in those directions. The abundance of fall feed has
helped out the hay crop somewhat and farmers are hoping to be
able to winter their stock.

Hampden (J. N. Isham) . — Root crops are considerably below
the average. Farm stock is in fairly good condition. Fall seed-
ing has gained rapidly, owing to the warm weather. Prices for
crops are generally better than last year. Corn, potatoes and
apples have been our most profitable crops and hay and roots our
least profitable ones. The season has been a trying one and there
is but a narrow margin for profit after paying expenses.

Monson (A. H. White). — Root crops are not quite up to the
average. Farm stock is rather thin. Fall seeding is backward.
Prices for crops raised for market have been rather less than usual.
It is difficult to select our most profitable crops, but apples have
undoubtedly been our least profitable one. I do not think the
season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

Wales (C. F. Crawford). — Root crops have yielded well.
Farm stock is in good condition as a rule. Fall seeding looks
well. Apples bring $1 per barrel ; potatoes 70 cents per bushel ;
dairy products are high. Corn has been our most profitable crop
and hay our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, I think
we have had a fairly good season.

Holland (Francis Wight). — Root crops are very nearly up to
the average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Not much seeding
was done and what is done is backward. Prices for farm crops
are about average with other years. Potatoes have been our most
profitable crop and corn our least profitable one. All things con-
sidered, the season will be about an average one for profit.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Very little fall seed-
ing has been done, but what there is is in good condition. Prices
range about the same as for the past two years. Grass and corn
have been our most profitable crops and potatoes our least profit-
able one. Considered as a whole, I think the season has been a
profitable one for our farmers.

New Braintree (C. D. Sage). — The dry weather has reduced
root crops one-third. Farm stock is healthy but is not in as good
flesh as is usual at this season. Fall seeding is looking fairly well.
Prices for farm crops are rather better than usual, but the yields

19

are small. Fodder corn has been our most profitable crop. Ap-
ples are our hardest crop to dispose of, but hay made the poorest
yield. The season lias not been a profitable one, when compared
with former years, as it has been a hard season to make milk,
owing to the short pastures and the poor hay crop.

Dana (E. A. Albee). — Root crops are up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in good average condition. Fall seediug is looking
well but is late because of the early drought. Prices for farm
crops average well, except for apples, which were never so low.
Corn and hay have been our most profitable crops and potatoes
and apples our least profitable ones. The season has not been an
average one for profit on account of the long-continued drought.

Petersham (S. B. Cook). — Root crops are average crops.
Stock is in high condition. Fall seeding was late in getting
started but has done well since the rains. Prices for farm crops
have compared favorably with former years. Hay and corn have
been our most profitable crops and potatoes and apples our least
profitable ones. Considering all crops, the season will compare
favorably with previous ones for profit.

Royalston (C. A. Stimson). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is coming
on well. Prices for crops raised for market have ranged higher
than usual. Potatoes have been our most profitable crop and peas
our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has
been a profitable one for our farmers.

Ashburnham (Albert Needham). — Root crops are up to the
usual average. Farm stock is looking well. The recent rains
have had a good effect on fall seeding and it is looking well.
Prices for farm crops have been lower than usual, but the demand
has been brisk. It is hard to tell which of the leading crops have
been most profitable and which least profitable. Considered as a
whole, the season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — The drought holding on so late
has prevented root crops from making a full growth. Pastures
have been poor all the season and stock is rather thin in flesh.
Fall seeding was late and the growth is rather backward. There
has been no material change in the prices of farm crops. Corn,
cabbages, forage crops and hay have been our most profitable
crops and potatoes, apples and roots our least profitable ones.
The season has been the most unprofitable one with us for a number
of years.

Hubbardston (C. C. Colby). — Root crops have made a good
growth. Stock is looking well. Very little fall seeding has been
done. All crops except apples bring good prices. Corn has been

20

our most profitable crop. The dry weather cut off some crops and
made a short hay crop, but the farmers put in an uncommonly
large amount of forage crops, so that nearly all will be able to
winter the usual amount of stock, although most farmers are sell-
ing all surplus young stock and weeding out the poorer cows.

Princeton (A. O. Tyler). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is in
good condition. Potatoes bring average prices ; apples low ; root
crops about as usual. Corn and grass have been our most profit-
able crops and potatoes our least profitable one. The season has
not been a profitable one ; although milk has sold for a little more
than usual it has cost more to make it than the increased price
would cover.

Harvard (J. S. Preston). — Root crops are fairly good. Farm
stock is looking fairly well. Fall seeding is looking well but needs
rain. Prices for farm crops have been rather higher than usual.
Apples and hay have been our most profitable crops and potatoes
our least profitable ones. On the whole, the season has been a
profitable one. Pastures and mowings have not looked as well
since early summer as they do now.

Northborough (J. K. Mills). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average, owing to dry weather. Farm stock is in good con-
dition where the pastures were not overstocked. Fall seeding is
in good condition, though little has been done. Prices for farm
crops have been about the same as usual. Asparagus, potatoes
and milk have been our most profitable products and onions, cab-
bages and apples our least profitable ones. Our farmers will be
able, at least most of them, to pay their bills and perhaps pay 2
per cent on the money invested.

Holden (G. S.Graham). — Late root crops have grown fast
during the warm autumn weather and look well. Farm stock is
thin in flesh and those coming from pastures have gained but little
since turning out. Fall seeding has done finely of late and is
nearly up to the average. Prices for farm crops have kept up
very well, but are hardly up to the increased cost of production.
Corn and ensilage corn have been our most profitable crops and
hay has been very disappointing. The season has not been a
very profitable one as the high cost of grain and labor have more
than offset any little gain in prices.

Oxford (D. M. Howe). — Farm stock is in very good condition
just at present. Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for
crops raised for market have been about average. Apples have
been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season has been a profitable one, taken as a whole.

21

Since the rains Hungarian grass and late barley have grown very
rapidly.

Jlopedale (Delano Patrick). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average. Farm stock is in good average condition. Fall
seeding is backward. Prices for crops raised for market have
been about the same as in former years. The grass crop is, as
usual, our most profitable crop. Considered as a whole, the sea-
son has been somewhat less profitable than usual.

Blackstone (O. F. Fuller) . — Root crops are up to the usual
average. All farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is in fair
condition. Prices for farm crops have ranged a little higher than
usual. Tomatoes have been our most profitable crop, on the
whole, and celery our least profitable one. Potatoes sell at from
60 to 70 cents per bushel ; onions at 75 to 80 cents per bushel ;
apples at from $1.25 to $1.50 per barrel. Considered as a whole,
the season has been a profitable one.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Farm stock is in average condi-
tion. Fall seeding never looked better. Prices for farm crops
have ranged higher than for the last few years. Peaches have
been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season has been fairly profitable and our farmers are
not complaining of hard times as much as they did a few years
ago. Milk raising is our leading industry, but the high price of
grain more than offsets the advance in the price of milk.

Ashland (C. E. Adams). — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in poor
condition. Prices for farm crops have ranged about average.
Hay has been our most profitable crop and potatoes and milk our
least profitable ones. Considered as a whole, the season has not
been a profitable one. The grass roots in pastures and mowings
are all right now, owing to the late rains. Apples have dropped
badly so that there is not more than an average crop of No. 1
hand-picked fruit.

Framingham (H. S. Wiiittemore) . — Root crops are above the
average in yield and of good quality. Farm stock is in fine con-
dition. Fall seeding now looks finely. Prices of crops raised for
market have been better than in former years. Sweet corn has
been our most profitable crop and potatoes, onions and melons our
least profitable ones. I do not consider the season a profitable
one, and think that where farmers come out even they do well.

Sudbury (E. W. Goodman). — Roots are about normal in con-

22

dition. Farm stock is looking well, considering the dry season.
Early fall seeding did very poorly, but late seeding did well. The
prices for farm products have been about normal. Celery and
squashes have been our most profitable crops and corn and pota-
toes have been our least profitable ones. Considered as a whole,
the season has been a fairly profitable one.

Littleton (G. W. Sanderson) . — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is look-
ing well. We have had quicker markets and better prices this
year than usual. Grass and forage crops have been our most profi-
table crops and root crops our least profitable ones. Considered
as a whole, the season has been fairly profitable.

Asliby (Anson Wetherbee). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average. Farm stock is looking well. Fall seeding is look-
ing well. Prices for farm crops have been a good average. Corn
has been our most profitable crop and hay our least profitable one.
The season has hardly been an average one for profit. Mowings
and pastures are both looking green.

Townsend (G. A. Wilder). — Root crops are not up to the
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in fair
condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been about the
same as usual. Peaches, asparagus and potatoes have been our
most profitable crops. The season has been a fair one for profit,
though not up to the average. Indications pointed to a very large
apple crop with low prices, but the high winds reduced the mar-
ketable quantity and prices are firmer.

Chelmsford (P. P. Perham). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding promises
well. Prices for crops raised for market have been a little better
than the average. The hay crop has been our most profitable one
and potatoes the least profitable. As a whole, the season has been
fairly profitable for our farmers.

Carlisle (E. J. Carr). — Root crops are not up to the average.
Farm stock is below the average in condition. Early fall seeding
is in very poor condition, but the late seeding looks somewhat
better. Prices for farm crops have been above the average. Corn
and beans have been our most profitable crops and potatoes our
least profitable one. The season has been a profitable one, as good
prices have generally prevailed. Both pastures and mowings look
well and promise well for another year.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is looking well. Prices for crops raised for
market have been rather better than for the last few years. Sweet
corn, tomatoes, pears and early apples have been our most profit-

2:5

able crops. Potatoes sold well but the crop was light, and beans
were a light crop. Considered as a whole, the season has been a
profitable one.

Woburn (W. II. Bartlett). — Root crops are not good, though
the rains have helped the late ones. Farm stock is looking well
as cows were mostly fed from the barns where kept for milk,
which kept them in good condition. Fall seeding was put in so
late that its condition cannot be definitely given. Farm crops
have brought fair average prices. None of our leading crops were
profitable this year ; perhaps early sweet corn did as well as any.
The whole season has been very hard with us ; the long drought
injured early sown crops and at the same time hindered the germi-
nation of late ones. Grass is now looking very well and some
rowen might be cut. Apples are about all picked ; most of them
were on the outside branches, the inner branches having but few.

Arlington (W. W. Rawson). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average. Prices for crops raised for market have been very
low. The season has not been a profitable one. The dry weather
has injured many crops and the rains came too late to make a full
crop. The market has been flooded with all kinds of truck from
other sections, so that taking it as a whole, it has been a poor year
for this locality.

Neivton (Otis Pkttee). — Root crops are a full average, taken
as a whole, though late turnips are rather light. Farm stock is in
very fair condition. Most fall seeding is looking well. Prices for
farm crops compare favorably with previous years. Late potatoes,
corn and celery have been our most profitable crops. Pasturage
has been light and rowen scarce and poor. The fall rains have
given new vigor to vegetation generally, but too late to save some
of the crops.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Root crops have not proved
to be average crops, and some of them are not over half crops.
Farm stock is in rather poor condition. Fall seeding is looking
fairly well now. Prices for farm crops have been fully up to the
average, except for apples. Hay has been our most profitable
crop and potatoes our least profitable one. The season has been
about an average one for profit ; our apple crop will be quite a
help, although the prices are low. The rains and warm weather
of the past month have improved pastures and mowings wonder-
fully. The squash crop is light compared with other years.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Roots are rather light crops on
dry land. Farm stock is in fairly good condition. Fall seeding

24

is in excellent condition. Prices for farm crops have been about
up to the average. Potatoes have been our least profitable crop.
The season has been a fairly profitable one as a whole. Drought
hurt early potatoes, cucumbers, melons and other early crops some-
what on high land. Mowings and pastures have improved since
the fall rains and are now in good condition.

Oroveland (Abel Stickney) . — Root crops are nearly up to the
average. Farm stock is generally in good condition. Very little
fall seeding was done this season. Prices for farm crops have
compared favorably with other years. Corn and hay have been
our most profitable crops. It is hard to decide which crops have
been least profitable. The season has not been as profitable as
some, owing to the light potato and hay crops. The late rains
have made a great improvement in grass roots and we hope for
good conditions in pastures and mowings another spring.

Neiobury (G. W. Adams) . — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair to good condition. Fall seeding is
backward, but is in fair condition. With the exception of apples
and pears, prices for farm crops have been about average. Potatoes
have been our most profitable crop and strawberries our least profit-
able one. The season has been nearly an average one for profit.

Andover (M. H. Gould) . — Root crops are up to the usual aver-
age. Farm stock is rather thin in flesh. Fall seeding is in good
condition. Prices for farm crops have been better than the aver-
age this year. Hay has been our most profitable crop and cucum-
bers for pickles our least profitable one. The season has not been
a profitable one, as the late frost in the spring and the drought in
the summer affected all crops. Also the low price of milk and the
high price for grain, with the short pastures, make profits small
on milk raising.

Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Beets and carrots are average
crops, but onions and parsnips are not. Cows are looking well
on account of heavy feeding at the barns. Fall seeding is looking
very well on well-manured land, otherwise on poor land. Prices
for farm crops have ranged about as usual. Sweet corn, onions,
beets and tomatoes have been our most profitable crops and carrots,
potatoes, cabbages, squashes, apples and milk our least profitable
ones. The season has not been a profitable one to date, but winter
vegetables may sell better.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Cohasset (E. E. Ellms) . — Root crops have proved to be aver-
age crops. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in

25

good condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been
better than usual. Sweet corn has been our most profitable crop
and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the
season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

Randolph (R. A. Thayer). — Root crops are rather below the
average. Our stock is mostly milch cows and they are in good
average condition. Fall seeding is looking well. Market-garden
crops have brought good average prices. Hay has been our most
profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable one. The season
has been a profitable one, taken as a whole. The rains of August
and September brought a good after crop of grass on low, well-
cultivated land, and now pastures and mowings seem to be in good
condition for the season.

Canton (E. V. Kinsley). — Root crops are not up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding was
never in better shape. Prices have ruled high for farm crops.
Sweet corn and peas have been our most profitable crop and pota-
toes our least profitable one. Milk has been short in supply about
all summer, but the price has not been advanced. Winter milk
may be a cent or two higher than last winter per can, but this is
uncertain as yet. The season has been a fair average one for
profit. Grass is in unusually fine condition for the coming winter.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is not up
to the average in condition. Prices for crops raised for market
have been fair this season. Hay and fruit have been our most
profitable crops and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole, the season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Root crops are from one-half to
three-fourths crops. The dry season and poor pastures bring
cattle to the barn thin in flesh. Early fall seeding made a poor
catch, but late seeding is looking well. Prices for farm crops
have been 10 per cent better than usual. Corn has been our most
profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole, the season has not been a profitable one, though some
crops grown as a side issue, like strawberries, have been a suc-
cess. The fall rains have strengthened grass roots and they are
going into winter quarters in a strong, healthy condition.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Easton (H. M. Thompson). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average. Farm stock is in good condition, as many milch
cows have been fed on the late rowen in the mowing fields. The

26

late rains and sunny weather have proved very beneficial to fall
seeding. Prices for farm crops have been high, with perhaps the
exception of apples, which have been a drug in the market. Hay
has been our most profitable crop and garden truck the least profit-
able. Considered as a whole, the season has been fairly profitable.

Raynham (N. W. Shaw). — Root crops have been about up to
the average. Farm stock is in fine condition. Fall seeding is
backward. Prices for farm crops have been fully up to the
average. Potatoes have been our most profitable crop and fruit
our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has
been a profitable one for our farmers. I fear that the long drought
of the summer will injure the hay crop of next year, as well as
many crops of this season.

Seekonk (Fred A. Howe). — Root crops are not up to the
usual average. Farm stock is looking very well. Fall seeding is
in very good condition. Prices for farm crops have been about
average. Asparagus, sweet corn and celery have been our most
profitable crops and potatoes and tomatoes our least profitable
ones. The season has been the worst for profit that our farmers
have experienced in years.

Swansea (F. G. Arnold). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. On account of dry
weather, seeding was very late, but is looking well now. Prices
for farm crops have been about average. Potatoes have been the
poorest with us, but prices have been fair. The season has not
been a profitable one ; hay crop short, grain high, potatoes almost
a failure. Many meadows show much damage from white grubs.

Westport (A. S. Sherman). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in very good condition. On account of
dry weather, fall seeding was late, but is now looking fairly well.
Prices for farm crops are rather below the average. Hay has
been our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the past season has been unprofitable. It
has been very dry ; hay a short crop, but brings good prices ;
potatoes small crop and prices low ; fruit plenty but not worth
much. During the dry weather there was little feed for cattle,
and farmers had to feed out the hay and fodder which should
have been kept for winter.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Hingham (Aaron Low). — Root crops are not up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Since the rains fall
seeding has done finely. Prices on most farm products are rather

27

low. Late cabbages have grown finely since the rains and have
come nearer to an average crop than any other. Potatoes are not
more than half a crop, small and scabby, and squashes are not one-
quarter the usual yield. It has been a very hard season for the
farmers, as most crops have been poor and prices have been low.

MarsJifield (J. H. Bourne). — Root crops are about three-
fourths crops. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seed-
ing is in about average condition, the rains and warm weather
having helped it very much. Prices are about 5 per cent higher
than usual. Hay has been our most profitable crop and potatoes
our least profitable one. The season has been a little below the
average for profit, say 80 per cent.

Pembroke (Nathaniel Morton). — Root crops are up to the
usual average. Farm stock is in about average condition. Fall
seeding is in very good condition. Prices for crops raised for
market have been about the same as usual. Grass has been our
most profitable crop and turnips our least profitable one, although
they have improved within a week. Considered as a whole, the
season has not been a profitable one.

Bridgeivater (R. Cass). — Root crops have made a fair growth
but not a full one. Farm stock is in good condition. Owing to
favorable weather, fall seeding is in good condition. Prices have
ranged considerably higher than for the past two years. Cabbages
have been our most profitable crop and peas our least profitable
one, not having paid the expenses of raising. I do not think the
season a profitable one. Grass in pastures and mowings is now in
fine condition.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — Roots are smaller than usual.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in good condi-
tion, owing to the late rains. Prices for farm crops have been
about average this season. Cranberries have been our most profit-
able crop and strawberries our least profitable one. Most crops
suffered from dry weather and returned but little profit.

Mattapoisett (E. C. Stetson). — Root crops are not up to the
average. Farm stock is in about average condition. Fall seed-
ing is late, but the present weather is favorable for it. Prices for
farm crops have ranged a little higher than usual. Corn has been
our most profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has not been a profitable one.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (D. D. Nye). — Root crops are up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in very good condition, considering the summer

28

drought. Fall seeding is in very good condition. Prices for crops
raised for market have compared favorably with former years.
Hay and grass have been our most profitable crops and potatoes
our least profitable one. The season has not been a profitable
one, save in a few exceptional cases. Fall feed is now looking
exceedingly well and the second crop of grass is growing finely.

Barnstable (John Bursley) . — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in
first-class condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been
more than average. Cranberries have been our most profitable
crop and hay our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the
season has been a profitable one for our farmers.

Hanoich (A. N. Doane). — Root crops are up to the usual
average. Very little fall seeding has been done. Prices for farm
crops range much higher than in former years. Corn and pota-
toes have been our most profitable crops. This has been a hard
season for farmers on Cape Cod. Our cranberry crop was almost
a failure.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Root crops have not been up to the
usual average. Farm stock is in fair condition. The season has
been too dry for fall seeding. ' Prices for crops raised for market
have been rather better than usual. Asparagus has been our most
profitable crop and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered
as a whole, the season has not been a profitable one.

Truro (D. E. Paine). — Root crops are not up to the usual
average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in poor
condition. Prices for farm crops compare favorably with former
years. Potatoes have been our most profitable crop and turnips
our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has
not been a profitable one.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce) . — Root crops have not been
harvested but are looking well. Farm stock is in good condition.
Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for farm crops have been
higher than in former years. Corn has been our most profitable
crop and potatoes our least profitable one. It has been a very
unprofitable season for our farmers.

20

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

SOIL EXHAUSTION.

By Gko. E. Stone, Ph.D., Pro/etsvr of Botany, ifassachutetts Agricultural College.

The problem of soil exhaustion is one which the farmers of
Massachusetts have been brought face to face with for many years.
The land in this State having been deforested a number of times,
and having been under cultivation or utilized for agricultural
purposes for many generations, the primitive soil conditions, with
their original storehouse of available plant food, have been to a
large extent modified. The two factors that exert an influence on
the soil are its chemical composition and its physical properties.
These two factors are intimately connected, and, in general, one
cannot be modified without changing the other. The chemical com-
position of the soil is fully as important for plant growth as its
physical properties. The soil, however, may contain tons of plant
food which are not available. On the other hand, the physical
properties of the soil should be such that they are adapted to the
plant in order that normal root respiration can take place.
Unless the physical conditions are adapted to the plant require-
ments the amount and kind of available plant food exert very
little influence in the growth of plants. Many plants, however,
possess a wide range of adaptability and are not restricted to a
definite soil texture. In some cases it is also essential that the
particles of soil be of sufficient size, that their arrangements
should be of a certain order, so that air spaces of a definite size
are formed which are adapted to the particular plant under culti-
vation. It is, therefore, not only the size of the particles but their
arrangement which determine the physical properties of the soil.
The water-retaining capacity of the soil is also dependent upon
its physical properties. A light sandy soil from Cape Cod pos-
sesses a water-containing capacity equal to 35 per cent, while the

30

heavier inland soils will possess 60 to 70 per cent water-retaining
capacity. A soil, for example, that is adapted to onions is not
adapted to lettuce and one which will grow potatoes will not
necessarily grow tobacco. The influence of the physical proper-
ties of the soil can best be seen on our native species of plants.
Every farmer has noticed the fondness of the white birch, pitch
pine and scrub oak to dry, sandy or gravelly soils, and these
plants are seldom seen on the heavier clay soils. There are, in
fact, a considerable number of native plants in our State which
are so particular about the physical condition of the soil that they
can only be found in those localities where soil of a certain texture
abounds. The peculiarities in the distribution of the wild plants
would scarcely be noticeable except to a botanist, who has paid
some attention to the physical conformity of our flora, and a
knowledge of the habitats enables one to form a reliable concep-
tion of the nature of the soil upon which they are found growing.
The rattle-box (Crotalaria sagittalis) and barberry are types of
such plants, and, to a less extent, is the red cedar; the latter
species seem to delight in the presence of numerous cobble stones
as a soil condition.

It is our intention to consider the chemical and physical changes
which have taken place in our Massachusetts soils during the past
two hundred and fifty years, and to ascertain whether the common
methods of cultivation which have been in vogue are well adapted
to produce crops of the same magnitude as those produced for-
merly. During the last decade we have heard much of abandoned
farms and worn-out soils, and it is well known that these farms
were not always in a sterile condition, but that they contained at
one time a considerable amount of plant food. We can again
turn to the consideration of the adaptation of our wild plants, in
order to obtain an idea of the changes which have taken place in
our soils, inasmuch as their predominance and scarcity in certain
localities gives us a clue to the soil conditions under which they are
growing, and to what extent they fail to conform to their natural
habitat. There are also many scattering historical records which
show us that plants which were once common have fallen off im-
mensely in certain localities during the last fifty or one hundred
years.

It is not necessary for us to give a complete list of these plants
which historical records and present distribution indicate have be-
come less common ; we will, therefore, take into consideration only
a few of them. One of the most notable of these is the wild straw-
berry. This crop has deteriorated so in the greater part of Massa-
chusetts that one cannot procure, without diligent search, a pint of

31

berries in a half a day's time. In olden time, however, this crop
was exceedingly large, hence the practice of growing them in
gardens was wholly unnecessary, and as a matter of history the
strawberry was not cultivated to any great extent in this State
previous to one hundred years ago. The former abundance of the
strawberry in Massachusetts is mentioned by William Wood in
1635, and also by Roger Williams, in Rhode Island, in 1643, who
stated that he had " many times seen as many as would fill a good
ship within a few miles compass," and it was possible, as is well
known to men now living, to gather a half bushel of strawberries
in a few hours in certain localities in this State not later than
seventy-five years ago, where a gill cannot be found at the present
time. Many of our native grasses have deteriorated in a like
manner. Among trees we find the beech, canoe birch and hem-
lock less common, the latter having fallen off to an enormous ex-
tent, and such plants as the orchids, ginsing, hobble bush and a
host of others have become much less common in certain localities,
as is evident to any one who has taken pains to study the past and
present distribution of these species, and who has also taken into
consideration their natural environmental adaptations.

The question naturally arises, what is the cause of this change
in our floral conditions? This can be answered in a few words.
It is due to a decrease in the organic matter of the soil and its
associated humus compounds. There are other influences, how-
ever, which are in part responsible for the disappearance of certain
species, notably the hemlock, where the light conditions for the
growth of seedlings are at fault. It is, nevertheless, a lack of
organic matter which is responsible for the decline of these species,
taking them as a whole. In order that we may see the differences
in the amount of organic matter that exists in a soil approaching
the primitive condition and one that is more or less run out we can
examine the following table. These analyses were made in each
case with water-free samples.

Table shoiving the Amount of Organic Mattel' in Some Massa-
chusetts Soils.

Sample.

Organic Matter

at Surface

(PerCent).

Organic Matter

below Surface

(Per Cent).

1. Approaching primitive conditions, .

2. Waste land (heavy soil),
8. Lettuce soil (greenhouse),

31

5
15

20

Practically the same as surface.

32

The percentage of organic matter shows, as might be expected,
remarkable differences. Sample 1, which approaches primitive
soil, was taken from a region where deforestation has not been
common, and the large amount of organic matter represented here
is the result of years of leaf decay. The color of the surface soil
is black ; at eight inches below the surface it is only a trifle lighter.
Sample 2 presents a yellow color below the surface on account of
the organic matter present being slight. This sample, which sup-
ported a growth of inferior grasses, goldenrods, etc., presented a
dark color only at the surface. Sample 3 is a greenhouse soil
adapted to forcing crops. These soils usually contain from 8 to
15 per cent of organic matter to a depth of 12 to 15 inches which
is supplied by manure and by the decay of roots.

Those plants which have shown the greatest tendency to become
rare, and in most instances are only to be found where there is
more or less of an approachment to primitive soil conditions, are
the humus-living plants, or those which depend upon organic mat-
ter. Not only is the number of humus-living plants decreasing,
but their former luxuriance is by no means the same. Certain
wild species of plants when grown in a soil similar to sample 1 are
from one-half to three times as large as those grown in soils which
contain a superficial layer of organic matter of a smaller percent-
age. There are limited areas in this State where the soil condition
approaches a primitive state, and in such places plant development
is much more luxuriant than in soils containing little organic mat-
ter, which is so typical of many of our present day soils. With
the exhaustion of the organic matter in the soil there has taken
place a change in its chemical and physical properties. It no
longer possesses the same water-retaining capacity or the same
amount of available plant food. In this way the floral conditions
have been changed, and instead of finding the characteristic species
of plants which once thrived in these soils we find their places taken
by such species as the white birch, poplar, bush clovers (Lespe-
dezeas), goldenrods, beard's-grass (Andropogons) , Indian grass
{Chrysopogon nutans), etc.

The cause of the decrease in organic matter may be traced to
various operations. During the time of the early settlements of
Massachusetts our ancestors found here woodland containing an
exceptionally fine growth of trees, which constituted a forest diffi-
cult to penetrate. Here and there were open fields containing
native grasses and herbaceous plants growing luxuriantly, and our
large river valleys were especially noted as being free from dense
forest growths. This native growth exhibited a natural adapta-
bility subjected to the laws of natural selection, as its conformity

33

to physical conditions was not disturbed to any great extent through
the agency of man. These natural conditions had probably existed
since the glacial period, possibly ten thousand years more or less,
and a considerable amount of organic matter, due to centuries of
decay, covered the surface of the soil. Some of the clay hills had
already been cleared by the Indians in early times for agricultural
purposes, which were in turn eagerly sought for by the English
migrators. The profuse growth of timber trees constituted a hin-
derance rather than a blessing to the early settlers, as a conse-
quence of which large tracts of primitive growth were cut and
burned on the spot. By this process a large amount of wood ashes
was formed, which gave rise to remarkable crops of white clover,
but at the same time the deposition of years of organic matter of
a priceless value was destroyed by these fires. The cutting and
burning process has been going on ever since, much to the detri-
ment of the organic matter and crop production capacity of the
soil. The open fields and meadows were once rich in organic
matter, but these have become depleted through our methods of
farming, which have cousisted in taking everything from the soil
without always making much attempt to replace that which has
been removed. Had the practice of plowing in green crops been
in vogue from the earliest times our soil would have shown much
more of its primitive virginity, and its productiveness would have
been much different at the present time.

The constant depletion of organic matter which is taking place
in all of our soils is one of its most marked characteristics of the
present time, and with this decrease has come inferior crops, an
additional increase in certain weeds, and, as already pointed out,
quite marked changes in the abundance and habitats of our native
plants. It remains for us to consider how these exhausted soils
can be brought back to a condition resembling their primitive form.
It would take, to be sure, some centuries to restore these soils to
their primitive form, as this would require the deposition and de-
composition of an immense amount of vegetable matter. Inas-
much as nature has often assumed the role of a teacher in other
matters, we can profitably turn to her guidance in considering how
to make our depleted soils more like those formerly existing here,
and which will in consequence be better adapted to support a crop.

The most rational method that we know of at the present time
which appears to accomplish this to a certain extent is the con-
tinual plowing in of green crops. This practice is by no means
resorted to as much as it should be by farmers. The cultivation
of cover crops and subsequently turning them under not only in-
creases the organic matter and food constituents of the soil,

34

thereby giving rise to larger crops, but the physical conditions are
most favorably modified. Cover crops also conserve soil nitrogen
and they prevent to a large extent the soil from washing during
winter. A soil enriched by organic matter will retain more moist-

<=^<?

HORSE BEAN. RED CLOVER.

Pig. I. — Nodules on the Roots of Legumes.

ure, and hence is better able to withstand drought. No small
compensation for the trouble of green manuring consists in keep-
ing the weeds down. A field of corn sowed with any crop during
July is the best guarantee the farmer can have against weeds. A
field not sown down will, as is too often the case, be covered with
Roman wormwood, pigweed and other undesirable growths. The
plowing in of green crops should be practised on all land sub-
ject to cultivation whenever there is a possibility of so doing.
With corn, a crop of red clover, mustard or melilotus (sweet
clover) can be sown after the last cultivation, and this can be cut
and utilized for feeding and the roots plowed under just before

* . > * Vo ¥& " ■' * •

/ii RjNfli !# malm'

FIG. 2. Effects of Turning Under a Crop of Mustard (non-legu-
minous) upon the Growth of Oats.

Both pots were supplied with potash and phosphoric acid equally, but not with
nitrogen. The pot marked "Senf " had mustard turned under; the other one had
none. No immediate effect is shown on the growth of the oats by the previous crop
of mustard.

PIG. 3. Effects of Turning Under a Crop of Vetch (leguminous)
upon the Growth of Oats.

Both pots were supplied with potash and phosphoric equally, as in fig. 2. The
pot marked "Saltpeter" received its nitrogen in the form of saltpeter; the one
marked " Wicken " had vetch turned under, showing that it was equal to saltpeter
as a source of nitrogen.

35

the next year's planting. The common red clover and sweet
clover possess an advantage over mustard, as their roots are pro-
vided with nitrogen-containing nodules, the product of bacterial
activity (see Fig. 1.) In this case a certain amount of nitrogen
is added to the soil, whereas with such crops as rye, mustard, buck-
wheat, etc., no such bacterial adaptation occurs and the soil nitrogen
will not be increased from atmospheric sources. The legumi-
nous plants constitute the best catch crops on account of the
peculiar nutritive adaptation existing between the nodular bacteria
and the atmospheric nitrogen. A crop of these plants can be
sown and just before reaching maturity they can be cut, and, if
necessary, fed to stock. The roots containing organic matter and
a store of nitrogen can be plowed under. We have practised this
system in our greenhouse to good advantage, a practice which, as
far as we know, is not made use of in greenhouses to any extent.
During the summer the greenhouse which is devoted to winter
cucumbers and lettuce generally lies idle, and by sowing a crop
of white lupine (which will develop in about six weeks under these
conditions), or some other legume we succeed in adding to our soil
a needed supply of organic matter and nitrogen. Experiments
have shown that a crop of legumes plowed under is practically
equal to a normal supply of nitrogen to the soil (see Fig. 2).

A certain stage of development in the crop is necessary in order
to obtain the largest supply of nitrogen. This stage probably coin-
cides in most cases with that when the seed are maturing. There
have been a considerable number of leguminous plants grown for
test purposes at the Hatch Experiment Station, in Amherst, during
the past ten years or more, such as the white lupine, horse bean,
serradella, alfalfa, soya beans, melilotus, Canadian pea, and the
various clovers, etc. Unfortunately, however, the majority of
these winter-kill in our climate, and only a few of them can be
used for winter-soil covers. Among those best suited for our
climate is the common red clover and the melilotus or sweet clover.
The latter, when sown in July or at the time of the last cultivation
of the soil, is capable of attaining a height of twelve to fifteen inches
the following May, at which time the crop can be cut and utilized,
and the nitrogen-containing roots can be plowed in. The red clover
is also useful as a soil cover but does not always make sufficient
growth in time for spring planting, it being considered by some
to be less desirable on this accouut than the melilotus or sweet
clover. The crimson clover is used as a soil cover and for green
manuring extensively in the south, where it is hardy, but repeated
trials have shown that it cannot be depended upon in Massachu-
setts, although it is not improbable that it might winter on some

36

of our sea-coast lands. There are some twenty eight species of
wild herbaceous leguminous plants common to Massachusetts which,
so far as they have been examined by us, produce nodules upon
their roots, and much like those named above are capable of utiliz-
ing the free nitrogen of the air and adding it to the soil. None of
these species, so far as I am aware, have received any attention as
to their possibilities of being utilized as nitrogen gatherers. Many
of these species, such as the bush clover (Lespedezas) , wild lupine
(Lupinus perennis) , rattle-box (Crotalaria sagittalis) are peculiar
to worn-out soil, and in all probability the rather sparing growth
of these plants enables them to furnish some supply of nitrogen to
these soils.

Owing to the increased use of commercial fertilizers of late years,
and the limited application of barn-yard manure, our soils cannot
be supplied with sufficient amounts of organic matter without re-
course to green manuring. In early colonial times the farmers had
access to leaf mould and vegetable decay, which were the accumu-
lations of centuries, and the necessity for manures and Commercial
fertilizers was not so urgent. In order to bring our unremunerative
soils back to a condition approaching that of colonial times, and to
put them into a condition in which they will become remunerative
and bear larger crops, we must follow the teachings of nature,
which, as we interpret them, consists in supplying our depleted
soils with more organic matter.

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