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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

SOURCE J^ii>a^..^':trS,.J^jft^...

J

This book may be kept out

TWO WEEKS

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

w

Mi^iSSACITUEETTS
CHOP RKPOHT.

1903

Potato cloving.

Sheep raising.

Drainage .

/iTtlficial hatching o.nd rearing of chicks

Renovating old orchards.

S t r awb erry gr o vd n g .

Series of 190(<. Vol. 21. No. 1.

MASSACHUSETTS

CHOP EEPOET

FOK THE

Month of May, 1908.

POTATO GROWING.

ISSUED MONTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary.

Entered June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON:

WRIGHT & POTTEE PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1908.

rcr

PPROVED BY '

Approved
The State Board of Publication.

Crop Repoet for the Month of May, 1908.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., June 1, 1908.

Herewith we present the first issue of the crop report for
the current year. These bulletins will be issued monthly
until iN^oyember 1, and will be made up in much the same
way as in former years, with information as to crop and
climatic conditions, both in Massachusetts and throughout
the United States, reports of correspondents, and special ar-
ticles on subjects which are, or should be, of interest to our
farmers. The article for the present issue is on " Potato-
growing Suggestions," bv Dr. Chas. D. Woods, director of
the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. The potato
crop is one which is sadly neglected bj most of our farmers,
whereas it is one of the great money crops of Maine. Dr.
Woods is thoroughly posted on their methods of growing the
crop, and has prepared a thorough and yery instructiye ar-
ticle, special emphasis being laid on the importance and yalue
of spraying, and full directions being giyen therefor.

Pkogeess or the Seasox.

The Crop Reporting Board of the Bureau of Statistics of
the United States Department of Agriculture (Croj) Re-
porter for May, 1908) finds the area of winter wheat stand-
ing on May 1 to haye been about 29,751,000 acres, which is
4.2 per cent, or 1,318,000 acres, less than the area reported as
sown last fall, and 5.8 per cent, or 1,619,000 acres, more than
the area haryested last year. The ayerage condition of win-
ter wheat on May 1 was 89 per cent, as compared with 91.3
per cent on April 1, 82.9 on May 1, 1907, and 85.8, the mean
of the ayerages of the past ten years.

The ayerage condition of rye on May 1 was 90.3, as com-
pared with 89.1 on April 1, 88 on May 1, 1907, and 89.5,
the mean of the ayerages of the j)ast ten years.

The average condition of meadow (hay) lands on May 1
was 93.5, as compared with 83.6 in 1907, and 89.5, the mean
of the averages of the past ten years.

The average condition of pastures on May 1 was 92.6, as
compared with 79.6 on May 1, 1907, and 87.8, the mean of
the averages of the past ten years.

Of the total acreage of spring plowing contemplated, 66.6
per cent was actually done up to May 1, as compared with
71.5 last year, and 65.9, the mean of the averages of the past
ten years.

Of spring planting, 54.7 was comj^leted on ]\[ay 1, as com-
pared with 47 on May 1, 1907, and 52.6 on May 1, 1906.

In Massachusetts the average condition of winter rye Avas
given as 93 ; the average condition of meadows for mowing as
95 ; the average condition of spring pasture as 92 ; the per-
centage of spring plowing done as 30 ; and the proportion of
spring planting done as 18.

• Weather Summaey, Jan. 1 to May 1, 1908.

[Furnished by Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Januarv : The weather was warmer than usual, the monthlv
temperature ranging from 1° to 5° higher than the average
January. The daily temperatures were generally in excess
until near the close of the month, zero temperature prevailing
on the 30th and 31st. The monthly precipitation was some-
what below the average, and the monthly amounts were gen-
erally deficient. The snowfall was unevenly distributed
through the month and over the State, the monthly amounts
ranging from 2 to 12 inches. At the close of the month there
was little snow on the ground.

February : The month was somewhat colder than the aver-
age, the monthly temjDeratures ranging from 1° to 5° below
the Februarv normal. The first decade was uniformlv cold,
with below zero temperatures on the 5th. During the re-
mainder of the month there were no extremely low tempera-
tures, except on the 25th, when zero Aveather was general.
The precipitation was generally above the normal for the
month. The snowfall ranged from 5 to 25 inches, and was

greatest in the northwestern portion of the State. The heavy
snow storms were on the 1st and 6th. Generally speaking,
the weather of the month was characteristic of the season.

March: The weather was warmer and more pleasant than
usual, with an absence of severe storms and high winds. The
temperature did not fall below zero in any portion of the
section, and there were no marked extremes in either maxi-
mum or minimum temperatures. The precipitation was of
frequent occurrence, but with slight exceptions the amounts
were not excessive. The monthly amounts were deticient in
nearlv all sections. The snowfall of the month ranged from
3 to 10 inches, and at the close of the month the ground was
bare.

April: The average precipitation and temperature were
generally below normal, though the departures were not great
in any section. The minimum temperatures occurred on the
4th and 5th, and the maximum temperatures on the 26th.
The precipitation was well distributed through the month,
there being few davs without measurable amounts in some
section of the State. The amounts were, however, generally
light to moderate, very few stations having a total amount
of more than 1 inch in twenty-four hours. At the close of
the month the season was considered somewhat later than the
averaa'e.

Temperature and Eaiistfall foe the "Whole Couxtky.

[From United States National Weekly Weather Bulletin.]

TFee/r endinrj Mcnj 11. — The mean tem]:)erature was
slightly above normal in the extreme southern portions of
Florida and Texas, and above the nonnal along the immediate
northern border from Idaho eastward to the upper Michigan
Peninsula. Elsewhere the mean temperature was below the
normal, the weather being decidedly cool throughout the mid-
dle Eocky Mountain slope, central valleys, and interior
portions of the Gulf and Atlantic coast districts. The mini-
mum temperatures were below freezing in the middle Rocky
Mountain and Plateau regions and along the extreme north-
ern border eastward of the upper Missouri valley. The

6

rainfall ranged from 2 to 4 inclies in portions of the central
Gulf States, lower Missouri and central Mississippi valleys,
Ohio valley, Middle Atlantic States and southern IsTew Eng-
land, and from 1 to 2 inches over a large part of the upper
Missouri and Mississippi valleys. Lake region, south Atlan-
tic States and interior of the west Gulf States. The rainfall
was lighter than usual in Louisiana and Texas, throughout
the southern Plateau region and Pacific coast districts, and
over the gi*eater part of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin
and upper Michigan.

Week ending May 18. — The mean temperature was much
below the normal in the Pacific coast and Plateau regions,
and slightly below from the upjjer Missouri valley eastward
to the central portion of the upper Michigan peninsula. In
the central valleys and generally throughout the Atlantic
coast and east Gulf districts the mean temperature was above
the normal. The mean temperature differed but slightly
from the normal over a large part of central and west Gulf
States and over the northern portion of the Lake region.
Verv heavv rains occurred in the central and west Gulf dis-
tricts. In portions of the upper Missouri and upper Missis-
sippi valleys the amounts ranged from 2 to more than 4
inches. The precipitation was light in the Atlantic coast
districts and generally throughout the Ohio valley, ranging
for the most part from inappreciable amounts to % inch. On
the Pacific coast the Aveekly precipitation ranged from 14 to
more than % inch in northern California, and generally from
1 to 3 inches in Oregon and "Washington.

Week ending May 25. — The mean temperature was above
the normal in the Lake region, central valleys and Atlantic
coast and Gulf districts. The excess ranged from 3° to 7°
a day, amounting to more than 6° per day in portions of the
upper Lake region, lower Mississippi valley, lower Lake re-
gion, southern Xew England and northern portion of the
Middle Atlantic States. The mean temperature was below
the normal in the Rockv Mountain and 'Plateau rea:ions and
on the north Pacific coast, averaG'ins: decidedlv cool in the
middle and northern portions of the districts. The precipi-
tation was very heavy over the greater part of Texas and

Oklahoma, ranging from 2 to more than 8 inches. It was
also very heavy in Iowa and Minnesota, on the Atlantic coast
from the Carolinas northward to southern Xew England, and
over a large part of the northern Rocky Mountain region.
The precipitation was light in the central and east Gulf
States, upper Ohio valley and a large part of the Lake region
and northern Xew England, and over a small area on the east
Gulf coast.

Week ending June 1. — The mean temperature was below
the normal in the northern portion of tlie upper Mississippi
valley, the Red River of the jSTorth and upper Missouri val-
leys, throughout the Rocky Mountain, Plateau and Pacific
coast regions, the deficiency amounting to more than 3° a
day. The mean temperature was above the normal in the
west Gulf States, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, and in
all districts eastward of the Mississippi River, with the ex-
ception of eastern Maine and southern Florida. The daily
excess ranged from 3° to 9°, and was most marked in the
Middle Atlantic States and ]^ew England. Heavy rains oc-
curred in the northern Rocky Mountain region, the lower
Missouri and upper Mississippi valleys, upper Lake region,
jSTew England, along the middle and south Atlantic coasts
and over local areas in the Gulf States, the amounts ranging
from 2 to 4 inches. Elsewhere throughout the country the
precipitation for the week was light.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather BuEEAtr, Boston.]

Weeh ending May 11. — J^ew England. Boston: The
weather was cloudy and cold itntil the 11th, when it became
much warmer, the maximum temperature being near 80° in
the central-southern portions. Freezing temperatures oc-
curred on the 5th in the interior of Maine, ]^ew Hampshire,
western Massachusetts and Vermont. Heavy rains were
general on the 7th and 8th over the greater part of Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the amount for the
week being near or somewhat more than 2 inches. The mean
temperature was below the normal, and the precipitation

generally much above. Warmer weather aud sunshine are
needed.

Week ending May IS. — iN'ew England. Boston: The
mean temperature was above the normal, the excess ranging
from 3° to 5°. The minimum on the 15th was near freezing
in the interior of Maine, l^ew Hampshire, Vermont and
parts of Massachusetts. The precipitation was light and
beneficial, the ground being wet from the rains of previous
weeks. The sunshine was above the average.

^Weeh ending May 25. — ]*^ew England. Boston : The
weather was cloudy and showery from, the 20th to the 23d.
The beginning and the end of the week were clear. Heavy
showers occurred on the 23d in Rhode Island, Connecticut
and southwestern Massachusetts. The rainfall was deficient
in Maine, Vermont, northern !N^ew Hampshire and eastern
Massachusetts, where the total for the week was between .1
and .3 inch. Excessive rains occurred in Rhode Island, Con-
necticut and southwestern Massachusetts, where between 1
and 2 inches fell. The mean temperature was somewhat
above the normal, and the sunshine somewhat below.

WeeTc ending June 1. — ISTew England. Boston: The
weather conditions were generally favorable. The mean tem-
perature was above the normal, the nights being warm. The
maximum temperatures were generally near or above 80°
during the beginning and end of the week. There was but
little rain until the 30th, when copious showers fell through-
out the section, except in Plymouth County, Mass. The total
l^recipitation was near the normal in the interior of Maine
and in central Vermont and northern I^ew Hampshire, and
much above the normal in the remainder of the district, ex-
cept in eastern Massachusetts. The sunshine was somewhat
below the normal.

The Weathee of Mat, 1908.

The opening week of the month was generally cloudy, with

frequent light to moderate rains and low and unseasonable

temperatures. In some sections frosts were reported in the

earlv davs of the week. Bv the 10th the weather became

9

warmer and generally seasonable, with sunshine near the
average, and with slight exceptions the conditions continued
through the remainder of the month. General moderate to
heavy showers occurred on the 23d, especially in parts of
Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties.
Scattered local showers occurred on several other days, but
were irregularly distributed. The precipitation for the
month as a whole, over the entire State, was considerably
below the average for the month of Mav. At the close of the
month the season was very near the average.

In the circular to corresjDondents, returnable May 25, the
following questions were asked : —

1. How does the j) resent season compare, agriculturally
sj^eaking, with a normal season?

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

3. How did the bloom of aj^ples, pears, peaches, plums and
small fruits compare with the bloom of former years, and has
it suffered from frosts ?

•4. What insects are doing the most damage in your lo-
calitv ?

5. How is planting progressing?

6. Is farm help scarce, or plenty, and what proportion can
be called good help?

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

8. Will there be any marked change i]i the acreage of the
usual farm crops, particularly corn and potatoes, and do you
note any new enterprises in the line of agriculture ?

Returns were received from 151 correspondents, and from
them the following summary has been compiled : —

The SEASOisr.
April was a cold and unpleasant month, and May opened
behind the average of other years. The same conditions con-
tinued during the first days of the month, and planting and
farm work of all kinds did not progress rapidly, while vege-

10

tation made little progress. The rains and Avariii weather
which followed had a very beneficial effect on vegetation, and
the fruit bloom occurred very nearly at the average time.
The rainfall Avas not heavy in most sections, but was well
distributed, and came at such intervals as to do the maximum
amount of good. There were practically no frosts during the
month. The month closed fully up to the average, both as to
work and vegetation, and with every prospect of excellent
results, if a good start is of any efiicacy in securing the same.

Pastures and Mowistgs.
Feed in pastures was short with the coming of cold
weather last year, and with the cold spring was slow in start-
ing. However, it had begun to be in good condition at the
time of making returns, and promised excellently for the
future. Grass in mowings was generally in excellent con-
dition, the frequent rains and cool weather of early spring
giving it an excellent foundation, while the warm weather of
the latter part of the month stimulated the growth. For some
reason, probably the open winter, there is a good deal of win-
ter-killing of grass, particularly fall-seeded grass. Fall seed-
ing did not get a very good start in the fall of 1907, and came
through the winter in poorer shape than did grass on old
seeded fields.

Fruit Bloom.

The fruit bloom is generally reported as being extremely
henvj for all kinds of fruit. Peaches are the only excej)tion,
and with this fruit the bloom seems to be above the average,
taking the State as a whole. Small fruits were not generally
in bloom at the time of making returns, but so far as reported
on thev also bloomed heavilv. This being the bearins; vear
for apples, a good crop should be secured. Blackberries and
raspberries appear to have wintered well. Strawberries
promised well, so far as reported on. There were no frosts
to do damage from the time of blooming to the close of the
month, and all danger from that source appears to be safely
past.

11

Insects.

As usual at this early season of the year, there is very little
damage reported from insects. Tent caterpillars are the in-
sect most commonly reported as present, but cannot be said
to be numerous, as only 43 correspondents report them. Other
insects mentioned are gypsy and brown-tail moth caterpillars,
currant worms, cut worms, elm leaf beetles, black flies, squash
bugs, asparagus beetles, canker worms, potato beetles and the
San Jose scale. Doubtless there will be the usual reports of
injury later in the season. Several correspondents report
that the gypsy moth appears to be gaining ground.

PlAjSTTIISTG.

Planting progressed slowly, owing to the cold weather and
rains of the early j)art of the month, but with the coming of
warm weather the work was rushed, and was at its height at
the time of making returns. Potatoes were generally planted
at that time, and corn planting was begun. Onions were up
in good shape, and tobacco setting had begun. Probably
planting was practically completed by the close of the month
in all sections.

Faem Help A^'D Wages.
Farm help was considerably easier to secure than for sev-
eral years past, owing to the shutting down of various mills
and factories. Most of the additional supply was inexperi-
enced, but even inexperienced help was very difficult to secure
in former years. There seems to be the usual supply of good
help, with the proportion to that classed as poor help rela-
tively small. Wages are not quite as high as in former years ;
$20 per month with board seems to be a fair average, and $30
per month without board, but with tenement, milk and fuel.
Helj) hired under other conditions is almost all hired by the
week or the day. The minimum wage for day labor is ap-
parently $1.50 per day, with higher wages j^aid in many in-
stances. There seems to be less difficulty in securing day help
than for several years past.

12

Acreage of Faem Ceops.
The acreage of cultivated crops, particularly corn and po-
tatoes, will be considerably increased. This is due partly
to the easier conditions in regard to securing help, and partly
to the high prices which have prevailed for grain during the
winter. Many farmers have been led by these prices to look
into the question of raising more grain for their cattle, and
this would alone account for the general increase in the acre-
age of corn. The increase of acreage of potatoes is not so
easily accounted for, but it seems likely that more help is
being hired, and that this crop is being raised as a money
crop in many cases, rather than simply for home use. The
acreage of tobacco seems to have suffered a slight decrease,
because of poor sale of last year's crop ; and this decrease in
tobacco acreage is balanced bv an increase in that devoted to
onions.

13

]^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us May 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — The season is about a normal
one at this date. Meadows and pastures came through the winter
well, also fall seeding. Fruit trees blossomed well, with the exception
of Baldwin apples; strawberries promise a full crop. No damage
from insects as yet. There is a large acreage of potatoes already
planted, and corn and gardens are well under way. Farm help is
plenty, at old prices. Wages average from |20 to $30 per month
with board and $1.50 per day without board. I think that farmers
realize the necessity of raising more grain.

Monterey (Wm. S. Bidwell). — The season promises well. Pas-
tures and mowings are in good condition, but fall seeding winter-
killed badly. There was a wonderful fruit bloom, and no damage
from frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is
progressing finely. Farm help is scarce, and there is almost no good
help. Wages average $25 per month with board and $1.75 per day
without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm
crops.

Tyrmgham (Edward H. Slater). — The present season com-
pares favorably with a normal season. Pastures and mowings are
looking finely; very little fall seeding has been done in this locality.
Apple orchards are in full bloom, and have not suffered from frosts.
Planting is rather behind the usual development at this season. Farm
help is more plenty than usual, and about half of it can be called good
help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day
without board.

West Stockbridge (J. S. ^Ioore). — The season is at least ten days
earlier than last year. Pastures and mowings are looking finely,
while fall seeding is fairly good. Fruit trees are now in full bloom,
and the bloom is well up to the average; no frost as yet. No insects
have appeared as yet. Planting is progressing well, but is somewhat
interrupted by frequent showers. There is but little or no good farm
help to be had. Wages range from $20 to $30 per month with board
and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. About the usual crops
are being put in. Our farmers are entering into the milk business
more than formerly, notwithstanding the exacting conditions of the
contractors.

14

Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon). — The present season is up to
the average. Pastures are short, but mowings are good; there is no
fall seeding. There is more than an average fruit bloom, with no
damage by frosts. I have not seen any damage by insects. Planting
is up to the average. Farm help is scarce, and 25 per cent of it is
good help. Wages average from $24 to $26 per month with board
and $36 to $42 per month without board. There are no marked
changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — The season is earlier than last year.
Pastures are late, also mowings; fall seeding wintered well. Apples
and pears have made full blooms. There are no insects at present.
Planting is backward for the time of year, owing to rain. Farm help
is not to be found at any price. Wages average $1.50 per day without
board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Hancock (B. H. Goodkich). — The season is later than the normal.
Pastures and mowings are in average condition. Apples and what
small fruits we have show^ a hea^y bloom, with no damage as yet
from frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing a little damage. Planting is
progressing slowly, and practically no corn has been planted as yet.
Farm help is scarce. Wages average $25 or $26 per month with board
and $1.50 per day without board. There will be no marked changes
in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — The present outlook compares very
favorably with a normal season. Pastures and mowings promise
extra well, and fall seeding is in good condition. The bloom of apples,
plums and small fruits is very full. Insects are not doing any damage
in this locality. Planting is rather backward, owing to the rainy and
wet condition of the ground. Farm help is very scarce, and not much
of it is good help. Wages average $25 per month with board and
from $35 to $40 per month without board. There will be no marked
difference from former years in the acreage of the leading crops.

Williamstoivn (S. A. Hickox). — The season is fully up to the nor-
mal. Pastures are in fine condition, with a good outlook for mowings.
All kinds of fruit bloomed full. There are no insects doing damage
here. Planting is progressing well, and the ground is in fine condition.
Farm help is plenty. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with
board and from $35 to $40 per month without board. There will
be no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Rowe (N. E. Adams). — The season has been a very good one up to
the present time. ^Mowings are looking better than I ever saw^ them
at this time of year. Pastures are in very good condition, also fall
seeding. Fruit trees are not yet fully in bloom. No insects have
appeared as yet. Planting is a week further advanced than usual.
Farm help is plentj^ and good. Wages range from $20 to $25 per

15

month with board and average $1.50 per day without board. There
is no marked change in the acreage of the usual farm crops. There
has been plenty of rain and not very cold nights.

Charlemont (J. M. J. Legate). — The season is earlier than usual,
with a great deal more than the average rainfall. Pastures and mow-
ings are in splendid shape, and fall seeding wintered well. There is
an average bloom of all fruits except peaches, and no damage from
frosts. No insects are doing damage as yet. "N'erv little planting has
been done, as the ground has been too wet, rain storms following one
another before the ground dried out. Farm help is scarce, but mostly
good. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with board and $30
per month without board. There will perhaps be a slight increase
in the acreage of potatoes.

Leyden (Frank R. Foster). — The season promises well. The
outlook for mowings is good at present, and fall seeding wintered
fairly well. The fruit bloom is full}' up to the average, and there have
been no frosts. Planting is progressing slowh^ Farm help is plenty,
and there is more good help than in former years. Wages average
from $20 to S25 per month with board and $1.50 to $1.75 per day
without board. Possibl}- there will be an increase in the acreage of
potatoes.

Deerfield (Dwight A. Hawkes). — The season is a normal one.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seeding wintered
well. All fruit trees bloomed well, and there has been no damage
from frost. No insects are doing damage as yet. Planting is pro-
gressing very well. Farm help is plenty, and three-quarters of it is
good help. Wages average about $21 per month with board and
$1.50 per day without board. There is a small increase in the acreage
of potatoes.

Whately (C. L. Crafts). — The season is a normal one. Pastures
and mowings are in excellent condition, and fall seeding wintered
well. Fruits of all kinds blossomed well, and we have had no frosts.
Orchards are more or less affected by different insects. Farmers are
well along with their planting. Farm help is very plenty, but not
over one-third of it is good help. Wages range from $18 to $25 per
month with board and $35 to $42 per month without board. The
acreage of corn will be about as usual, but that of potatoes will be
increased. The acreage of onions will be much increased, many
raising onions instead of tobacco.

Montague (A. j\I. Lyman). — The present season is nearly up to
the normal. Pastures and mowings promise excellently, and . fall
seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is the best in several years.
A few tent caterpillars are the only insects doing damage. Planting
is well along. Farm help is quite plenty, and more of it good help
than usual. Wages average $23 per month with board and $1.50 per
day without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of
the usual farm crops.

16

Wendell (Nelson D. Plumb). — The season is very backward, and
but little planting has been done as yet. Grass is coming on fast,
and fall seeding looks finely. Fruit of all kinds is in full bloom, and
has not suffered from frosts. No insects are doing damage as yet.
Early potatoes are the only crop planted at present. There is plenty
of help of all kinds, about one-half of it good. Wages average from
$25 to $30 per month with board and $45 per month without board.
There will probably be an increased acreage of corn.

Orange (A. C. White). — The season is fully up to the average.
The dry fall last year left the pastures short, but the rains and sun-
shine are bringing it up all right. All fruit has bloomed full. The
tent caterpillar is the only insect doing any damage at present. If
the weather holds good this week, planting will be completed. The
principal change in the acreage of farm crops will be that more corn
will be raised for grain than usual.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — The season is fully up to the
normal. Pastures and mowings are very promising, and fall seeding
wintered well. There is a heaw fruit bloom, and no damage from
frosts. Tent caterpillars are quite i^lenty. Planting is progressing
rather slowly, on account of the wet weather. Farm help is i-ather
scarce, especially good help. Wages average from $1.75 to $2 per
day without board. There will be about the usual acreage of farm
crops.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Ware (J. H. Fletcher). — The season is two weeks in advance of
last year. Pastures are looking well, and mowings which are well
cared for are better than last year at this time. The fruit bloom is
far in advance of last year, with no frosts to date. Insects are not
doing any damage as yet. Planting is progressing very well. There
is more help to be had than last year, but good help is hard to find.
Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with board and about
$1.50 per day without board. There will perhaps be an increase in
the acreage devoted to corn.

Greenwieh, {^ ALT-ER H. Glazier). — The season is a good average
one. Pastures and mowings are in excellent condition; fall seeding
wintered well. Apples bloomed well; no damage from frosts. No
insects have appeared as yet. Planting is rather backward, on account
of cold and wet weather. Farm help is about as for some years as
regards supply. Wages range from $1.50 to $1.75 per day without
board; no help hired by the month. There is about the usual acre-
age of corn and potatoes.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — The season is perhaps a few
days late. Pastures and mowings promise well, and fall seeding
wintered well. There, was a full bloom on fruit trees, and no frost
of consequence. No insects, except tent caterpillars, are doing damage.
Planting is progressing fairly well; potatoes mostly all in, and corn

17

ground in preparation. Farm help is scarce, and mostly poor. Wages
average from 122 to $25 per month with board and SI. 50 to $1.75 per
day without board. There is about the usual acreage of farm crops.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The season is practically normal,
from five to seven days earlier than last 5'ear. Mowings and pastures
are especially promising; fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom
is above the average, except Baldwin apples; no frost injury. No
insects are especially prominent. Planting is about at the usual
point for the time of year, with considerable corn planted; recent
rains have delayed work on low lands. Farm help is plenty, and of
fair quality. Wages range from $18 to $25 per month with board
and average $1.50 per day without board. ]\Iore potatoes and onions
have been planted than usual, because of poor sale of tobacco last
year. There is a very large orchard, 30 to 40 acres, being set in South
Amherst; apples, interspersed with peaches, i3lums, cherries and
some dwarfs.

Hadley (H. C. Russell). — The season is about an average one.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition. The bloom of apples
and pears is about normal; not much bloom on peaches. There are
no insects doing damage. Planting of corn and potatoes is later than
usual. Farm help is more plenty than usual, and half of it is good
help. Wages average from $18 to $22 per month with board and
$30 to $33 per month without board. There is not much change in
the acreage of any of our cultivated crops.

Easthampton (Wm. C. Clapp). — The season compares favorably
with the normal. Pastures and mowings are looking well, and fall
seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was full, with no damage
from frosts. Currant worms and cut worms are doing some damage.
Rains have hindered planting somewhat, but the acreage of cultivated
crops is increased. There is plenty of farm help, and three-quarters
of it is good help. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with
board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of
tobacco will not be any larger than formerly.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — The season has been cold and wet,
but is not far from the normal. Pastures come forward slowly, but
mowings are very forward and fall, seeding wintered well. There is
a good bloom of apples ; p Ars very full ; peaches light ; strawberries
very fine; and there has been no injury from frost. There are very
few insects doing damage. A good deal of planting remains to be
done, owing to the land being wet. Most farmers have help, and
about half is good. Wages average from $15 to $20 per month with
board and $1.50 per day without board. There will be about the
usual acreage of farm crops.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — The season has opened well,
t/hough excess of rain has held planting back. Pastures are good;
mowings winter-killed to some extent; but little fall seeding done.
There has been a full bloom on all fruit trees except Baldwin apples,

18

and no damage from frosts. No insects have appeared as yet. There
is plenty of help, but it is not what it should be. Wages average
from $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without
board. But little planting has been done. There will be an increased
acreage of corn and potatoes, and the increase would be greater
except for the high price of help.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The season is at least two weeks later
than the normal. According to the old adage of a cold, wet May, there
should be a good hay crop, but ice beds have left many winter-killed
sections. The fruit bloom is at its height, and unusually full for all
fruits. No insects have appeared as yet. Very little planting has
been done, most lands being still too cold and wet. There is more
help at hand than usual, and about half of it is good help. Wages
are from $1.50 to $2 per day without board; none to be had by the
month. There will be little change from the usual acreage of farm
crops.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford (Enos W. Boise). — The season is about a normal one.
Grass on all meadows is looking extra good, as are also pastures; no
complaint of grass winter-killing. All fruits will give an extra yield,
if bloom promises anything. Tent caterpillars are the only insects
doing damage. Land has been so wet and cold that planting has been
delayed, but is now being rushed. Farm help is more plenty than
for several years, and about half of it is good help. Wages are about
10 per cent less than last season. The usual amount and kinds of
crops will be raised.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — The season is fully up to the average,
but is rather wet. Pastures and mowings are in very good condition,
and fall seeding wintered well. There is a very good fruit bloom,
with no damage from frost. Planting is rather backward, on account
of wet weather. There is plenty of help, but not much good help.
Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without
board. There will be no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Southwick (L. A. Fow^ler). — The season compares very favorably
with the normal. The promise for pastures and mowings is very
good, and fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was very abun-
dant, with no damage from frost. Plaifting is progressing about as
usual. Farm help is plenty, with but a small percentage of it good
help. Wages range from $12 to $20 per month with board and $1.50
to $1.75 per day without board. "Slore corn and potatoes have been
put in than usual. The acreage of tobacco will be less this year than
usual, and setting will be w^ell commenced this week.

Agaicam (J. G. Burt). — The season is better than a year ago at
this time. Pastures and mowings are looking well, and fall seeding
wintered well. The fruit bloom is better than in former years, with

19

no damage from frosts. Tent caterpillars are the only insects doing
damage, and they are very few. Planting is progressing slowly, the
ground being pretty wet just now. There is plenty of help, but it is
not good help. Wages average from $20 to $22 per month with
board and $30 to $35 per month without board. There will be an
increased acreage of corn and potatoes.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — The season is fully up to the
normal, and about two weeks ahead of last year. Pastures and mow-
ings look Avell, and fall seeding wintered well. There is a full average
bloom of all fruits, with no damage from frosts. There are a few
tent caterpillars and currant worms doing damage. Planting is well
up to the average of former years. Help is plenty, and generally
good. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with board and
$1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. There will be some increase
in the acreage of both corn and potatoes.

East Longmeadow (John L. Davis). — The season is a little late,
but the outlook is better than the normal. Pastures and mowings
are looking well, and fall seeding wintered well. There was a good
fruit bloom, and no damage from frosts. It is too early for insects to
be making trouble. Crops are being planted rapidly now. Farm
help is plenty, but not over one-third is good help. Wages average
$20 per month with board and $1.50 per day of nine hours with dinner.
There will be an increased acreage of potatoes this year.

Monson (F. D. Rogers). — The season is fully up to the average.
Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seeding wintered .
well. The peach bloom is 50 per cent of the normal; other fruits
full. There is no serious damage from any insect. Planting is well
advanced. Help is plenty, but only a small percentage of it can be
called good help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50
per day without board. There will be an increased acreage of corn.

Palmer (O. P. Allen). — - The season compares most favorably
with the normal. Pastures and mowings promise well. Only a part
of the fruit trees came into bloom, but they were very full. But few
insects have appeared as yet. Planting is progressing as well as usual
at this season of the year. Farm help is scarce, and but a small part
of it good help. Wages average $18 per month with board and $1.50
per day without board. No marked changes are being made in the
acreage of the usual farm crops.

Holland (Francis Wight). — The season is fully up to the n6rmal.
Pastures and mowings are looking well. The bloom of apples, pears,
plums and small fruits is more than an average one. Insects have
not done much damage as yet. Not much corn has been planted as
yet, but potatoes are mostly put in. Good farm help is scarce. Wages
average $1 per day with board and $1.50 per day without board.
There is no marked change in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

20

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — The season is, generally speaking, a
normal one. The promise for pastures and mowings is very favorable.
Large fruits bloomed full; small fruits suffered from frosts, in some
cases severely. No insects are doing damage as yet. Planting is pro-
gressing fairly well. There is the usual supply of good and experienced
help, and inexperienced help is plenty enough. Wages average $20
per month with board and from $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board.
There will be no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm
crops.

West Brookfield (]\Iyron A. Richardson). — The season is earlier
than for several years. Pastures and mowings are looking finely,
and fall seeding wintered well. Apple bloom not quite as full as two
years ago; other fruits about normal. No inseets are doing damage
at present. Potatoes are nearly all planted, and considerable corn.
Farm help is more plenty than last year, with 25 per cent of it good
help. Wages range from $22 to $28 per month with board and $35 to
$45 per month without board. There are more potatoes planted this
year than last, and a good deal of small fruit set out.

North Brookfield (John H. Lane). — Vegetation is very forward
this season. Pastures are in poor condition, but mowings look finely.
Bloom of apples and pears full, peaches and plums light. There are
very few insects doing damage. Planting is very backward, owing
to cold weather. Farm help is more plenty than usual, and more of
it good help. Wages range from $15 to $20 per month with board
and $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board. Less corn than usual
has been planted, owing to cold weather.

Oakham (Jesse Allen). — The season compares favorably with the
normal. Pastures and mowings look well, and fall seeding cantered
well. There is ciuite a full fruit bloom, with no damage from frost.
There are a few tent caterpillars doing damage. Planting is nearly
completed. Farm help is plenty, and half of it good help. Wages
average from $20 to $25 per month with board and $30 to $40 per
month without board. There will be no marked change in the acreage
of the usual farm crops.

Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — The season is a promising one
agriculturally. Pastures and mowings look well, and fall seeding
fair. All fruits blossomed full and look finely, with no damage from
frosts. No insects have appeared as yet. Potatoes are all planted,
and corn planting is going on. Help is more plenty than last year,
and about half of it good help. Wages average $20 per month with
board and $1.50 per day without board. There is not much change
in the acreage of farm crops.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — The season promises better than for
the last two or three years. Pastures and mowings are in good con-
dition, and fall seeding wintered fairly well. Apples, pears and i^lums

21

show a normal bloom. There are very few insects in evidence at
present, mostly tent caterpillars. Planting is progressing rapidly.
Farm help is rather more plentiful than last year, but the quality
is no better. Wages range from $15 to $30 per month with board
and $1.50 to $2.50 per day without board. There is some increase
in the acreage of corn and potatoes.

Gardner (W. E. Kxight). — The season is about a normal one.
Grass in pastures and mowings looks well; fall seeding winter-killed
badly. Apples are hardly in bloom as yet; no damage from frost.
Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is progressing
as usual. Good help is scarce, while foreign-speaking help is plenty,
but poor. Wages range from $12 to $30 per month with board and
average $1.50 per day without board. There are no marked changes
in the acreage of farm crops.

Winchendon (Arthur Stockwell). — The season is very back-
ward. Pastures and mowings are looking well. Frost has done some
damage to fruit bloom. Gypsy moths are doing some damage in this
locality. Planting is progressing finely. There is plenty of farm help
at present. Wages are about the same as in former years. There
are no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

Fitchburg (Jabez Fisher). — The season is fully as favorable as
usual. Grass of all kinds has wintered well. The fruit bloom is the
heaviest for many years, with no drawbacks; apple bloom two days
earlier than the average of the past fifty-two years. Insects have
not appeared in any numbers as yet. Planting is progressing well.
Farm help is scarce, especially good help. Wages average $20 per'
month with board and $1.50 per day without board.

Princeton (A. 0. Tyler). — The season is a little backward, but
good for grass. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall
seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom compares favorably with
that of former years, and so far has not suffered from frost. There are
a few tent caterpillars doing damage. Planting is progressing well,
but is not quite as far advanced as some years. Farm help is plenty
this spring, and perhaps two-thirds of it is good help. Wages average
$20 per month with board through the spring and summer, and from
$1.50 to $2 per day without board. There are no marked changes
in the acreage of farm crops.

Sterling (Henry S. Sawyer). — The season is two weeks earlier
than usual. Grass in pastures and mowings is looking well. Apples
bloomed well, also pears, peaches and plums, with no injury from
frost. No insects are doing damage at present. Planting is pro-
gressing as rapidly as the weather will allow, with quite an acreage
of potatoes planted. Farm help is more plent)' than for several
years, and one-half of it is fairly good help. Wages average $20 per
month with board and $1.75 per day without board. There is about
the same acreage as usual of farm crops.

Shrewsbury (Fred J. Reed). — The season is about an average

22

one. Pastures and mowings promise well, but fall seeding did not
winter very well. The fruit bloom was good; no damage from frosts.
No insects have appeared as yet. Planting is nearly completed,
except for corn. Farm help is plenty, and one-third of it good help.
Wages range from S25 to S30 per month with board and average SI. 50
per day without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage
of the usual farm crops.

Southborough (Edw. F. Collins). — The season is about normal
at present. Pastures and mowings are looking well, much better than
last year. About half the apple trees bloomed full; pears, peaches
and plums made a full bloom. Insects are not doing any damage
at present. The weather is favorable for planting, and the land in
good condition. Help is more plenty and more willing than usual.
Wages range from $22 to $28 per month with board. There will be
a larger acreage than usual in corn and potatoes, farmers being dis-
posed to do more than for the last two years.

Leicester (H. H. Kingsbury). — The season is a little backward,
excepting the fruit bloom, which is earlier than usual and very abun-
dant. Pastures and mowings are in fine condition, and promise good
yields. There is no damage from insects, owing to cool, damp weather.
Planting is progressing slowly, being frequently interrupted by rain.
Farm help is more plenty than for some years past. The high price
of grain and the low price of milk are incentives to increase home
production of feed for dairy stock, and many farmers plan to raise
more oats and corn than usual.

Auburn (Wm. Gilbert). — The season is a little late, but early
vegetables are doing well. Pastures and mowings promise a big hay
crop, and fall seeding wintered well. All fruit trees bloomed full,
and there has been no damage from frosts. . Insects are not doing
much damage. Potatoes are all planted, and about half the corn.
There is plenty of help this season, and about one-third of it good help.
Wages average $22 per month with board and $40 per month without
board. There will be a sHght increase in the corn acreage. The
number of milch cows is considerably decreased.

Mendon (J. J. Nutter). — There is no particular difference in the
season from former years. Pastures are looking very well, but mow-
ings need rain; fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is more
extensive than last year, with no damage from frost. There is no
particular damage from insects. Some farmers are nearly through
planting, while others are not. There is plenty of help to be had.
Wages range from $15 to $25 per month with board and average
$1.50 per day without board. There will be no marked change in
the acreage of farm crops.

23

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The season is about a normal one.
Pastures and mowings need warm rains; fall seeding wintered well.
Apples, pears, peaches and plums show a full bloom; small fruits
just commencing, with promise good; no damage from frosts. Brown-
tail moths and tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting
is well advanced, probably up to the normal. There are plenty of
mill hands looking for work on farms, and a fair amount of good
help is obtainable. Wages average $25 per month with board and
$1.75 per day without board. There are more potatoes put in than
usual.

Stoiv (Geo. W. Bradley). — The season is about up to the average.
The promise for pastures and mowings is good, and fall seeding win-
tered well. There is an average fruit bloom, and no signs of injury
from frost. A very few tent caterpillars are doing damage. Plant-
ing is progressing well, much corn ha^^ng been planted and some
potatoes being up. Farm help is scarce, and very poor. Wages
range from $12 to $30 per month with board and $1.50 to $2.25 per
day without board. There will be an increased acreage of corn and
potatoes.

Littleton (Geo. W. Sanderson). — The season compares very
favorably with the normal. Pastures and mowings promise well,
and fall seeding wintered well. There was an excellent fruit bloom,
and no damage from frost. The tent caterpillar is the only insect that
has appeared. Planting is progressing well. There is more farm
help than last year, and it is better help. Wages average from $20
to $25 per month with board and $35 per month without board.
There is no marked change in the acreage of farm crops.

Westford (J. W. Fletcher). — The season is fully up to the normal.
Grass never looked better at this time of year. Early apples bloomed
full, and pears and peaches shoAV full blooms; no damage from frost.
Planting is about two weeks further advanced than last year. Farm
help is plenty. Wages average $20 per month with board and $35
per month without board. There will be no marked changes in the
acreage of the usual farm crops.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — The present season is a little ahead
of a normal season. Pastures and mowings never looked better at
this time of year; some fall seeding wintered well, while in other
locations it winter-killed badly. The bloom of all kinds of fruit has
been abundant, with no damage from frost. Tent caterpillars are
the only insects doing damage at present. Planting is progressing
rapidly, and will be completed in a few days. Farm help is more
plenty than it has been for two or three years past, and about one-
fourth of it is good help. Wages average $1.25 per day with board

2i

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

Tewksbury (G. E. Crosby). — The season compares well with a
normal season. Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are all doing well.
There is a full bloom of apples and peaches; pears not as full as last
year. Tent caterpillars and brown-tail moths are doing some damage.
Planting is jDrogressing rapidly. Wages range from $15 to $25 per
month with board and $1.25 to $1.75 per day without board. More
men are asking for work than formerly, but they do not seem over-
anxious. There will be an increased acreage of cultivated crops.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — The season is ten days earlier than
last year. Pastures and mowings look very well, and fall seeding
has wintered well. Fruit trees have had a full bloom, and there has
been no frost severe enough to do damage. Insects have not done
much damage as yet. Planting is rather ahead of last year. Farm
help is not scarce, more poor help being available than for some years.
Wages average $20 per month with board and $35 per month without
board. There is about the usual acreage of cultivated crops.

Lincoln (C. S. Wheeler). — The season is ten days late. Pastures
and mowings are in good condition, and fall seeding generally wintered
well. There was an extra good bloom on apples and peaches, and no
injury from frost. Gypsy moths and asparagus beetles are doing
some damage. Planting is progressing slowly. Help is in better
supply than last year, and about one-third of it is good help. Wages
average $20 per month with board and $37.50 per month without
board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Winchester (Samuel S. Symmes). — Much more planting has been
done than usual at this date. Pastures and mowings are in fine con-
dition, and fall seeding wintered well. The bloom of all kinds of fruit
was very heavy, and there have been no frosts since blooming. Cut
worms are very plenty, and gypsy moth caterpillars are already at
work. This has been the best spring for planting for many years.
Help is very plenty, but not over one-third of it is good help. Wages
average $25 per month with board and from $9 to $10 per week with-
out board. A good many market gardeners are growing pansies.
The market for all vegetables has ruled low, early greens selling for
less than cost of raising.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — The season is a fair average one, agri-
culturally speaking. Pastures and mowings are in good condition,
and fall seeding wintered well. There was a good bloom on apjDles
and peaches, and a heavy bloom on pears. No insects have appeared
as yet. Planting is progressing well. Farm help is scarce, and one-
fourth of it good help. Wages average $20 per month with board
and $35 per month without board. There are no marked changes
in the acreage of farm crops.

Newton (G. L. Marcy). — The season is a normal one. Pastures
and mowings are in good condition, and fall seeding wintered well.

25

There was a full fruit bloom, and no damage from frosts. No insects
have appeared as yet. Planting is progressing fairly well. There is
plenty of poor, inexperienced help from shops and mills, but good
help is very scarce. Wages range from $15 to $25 per month with
board and $6 to $10 per week without board. Many farmers have
sold their cows or reduced the number kept, and more car milk is
being sold, most people preferring cheap milk to good milk.

ESSEX COUNTY-.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Pastures and mowings are
looking well, and fall seeding wintered well. There was a full bloom
of all kinds of fruits and small fruits, with no injury from frost. There
are a few tent caterpillars doing damage, but not as many as usual.
Planting is late, owing to cold weather. Help is more plenty than
usual, but not more than half can be called good help. Wages range
from $20 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 to $2 per day without
board. There will be more corn planted than usual.

North Andover (Peter Holt). — The season is just about a normal
one. Pastures and mowings look well, but fall seeding was badly
thrown out by freezing of the ground last winter. There is a full
bloom on all fruit trees, and no damage from frost. Brown-tail moths
are doing some damage. Planting is well advanced. There are plenty
of men looking for work, but help is just as scarce as ever. Wages
range from $20 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 to $1.75 per
day without board. There have been more gardens planted in the
villages than for many years, owing to so rnany men being out of
employment.

Andover (MiLO H. Gould). — The season is a little later than
usual. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, but fall seeding
did not winter well. The fruit bloom is abundant, with no damage
from frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is
just beginning. Farm help is more plenty than for the past few
years. Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day
without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm
crops.

Hamilton (G. R. Dodge). — The weather has averaged cool, and
the season is later than usual. Pastures and mowings are looking
well, but fall seeding did not come through the winter well. There
is a full bloom of all tree and bush fruits, and no apparent injury from
frost. The tent caterpillar is doing the usual amount of damage, and
the gypsy moth seems to be gaining ground, but the brown-tail moth
is not much in evidence. Planting is pretty well advanced. Farm
help is not plentiful, and is only fair in quahty. Most farmers hire
by the day, paying $1.75 or $2 without board. Some farmers are
putting in corn for grain, otherwise no marked changes in the acreage
of farm crops.

26

Wenhani (N. Porter Perkins). — Everything has come forward
rapidly the past ten days, and is now as advanced as usual. Only
the best mowing fields are looking well, old fields being very slim;
pieces seeded last fall needed additional seed this spring. Fall apples
bloomed well, but not the Baldwins; peaches, plums and small fruits
made a fair bloom; wild berries large. Insects are as prevalent as
usual, but little damage shows as yet. Planting is about half com-
pleted. Farm help is rather more plenty than usual, but not more
than one-third of it is good help. Wages range from $15 to S25 per
month with board and $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board. More
potatoes than usual are being planted. A number of farmers have
sold their cows, owing to high price of grain and uncertain returns.

Manchester (John Baker). — The season is a week further advanced
than usual. Pastures and mowings promise well. There is a heavy
bloom on all fruits, and no damage from frosts. Gypsy and brown-
tail moths are doing some damage. Planting is progressing well.
Farm help was never so plentiful as now. Wages average $1 per day
with board and $2 per day without board. There will be no marked
changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Cohasset (Ellery C. Bates). — The season started late, but owing
to extra warm weather, with plenty of showers, crops have been
forced so that they are advanced beyond the normal. Pastures and
mowings are in good condition. There was a heavier fruit bloom
than usual, with no damage from frost. No insects are doing damage
at present. Planting progressing well. Farm help is scarce, but what
there is is good help. Wages average $20 per month with board and
$1.75 per day without board. There will be the usual acreage of the
usual crops.

Norwood (Frank A. Fales). — The season is two weeks late.
Pastures and mowings are looking finely, and fall seeding wintered
well. There was a very fight bloom of aU fruits, and many young
apple and pear trees died the past winter. No insects are doing
damage as yet. Planting is about two weeks late. Farm help is rather
more plenty than last year, and 70 per cent of it is good help. Wages
average $24 per month with board and $1.75 per day wdthout board.
The acreage of corn will be increased 30 per cent, on account of high
prices of grain.

Walpole (Edward L. Shepard). — The season compares favorably
with the normal. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and
fall seeding looks fairly well. There was a full fruit bloom, wnth no
damage from frosts. Planting is nearly completed. There is more
help to be had than for the past few years. Wages average $20 per
month with board and $2 per day without board. There is about
the usual acreage of the common farm crops.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — The season is earlier and more for-

27

ward than usual. Pastures and mowings look well, but the winter
was a hard one for fall seeding. The fruit bloom was better than
average, with no damage from frost. No insects are doing damage
as yet. Planting is progressing finely. Farm help is plenty, and
half of it is good help. Wages range from $25 to $30 per month with
board and $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board. More corn will be
planted than usual.

Norfolk (A. D. Towne). — The season is about a normal one. Fall
seeding wintered well, and mowings and pastures are above the
average. Apples, pears, peaches and plums made a full bloom, small
fruits not in full bloom as yet. A few tent caterpillars and elm beetles
have appeared, but have done no damage as yet. Potatoes and
garden truck is planted, but not much has come up yet. Farm help
is more plenty than usual, but there is very little that can be called
good help. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month with board
and $1.75 to $2 per day without board. Rather more market-garden
crops than usual have been put in.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — The season is more favorable than
the average. Pastures and mowings look well, and fall seeding win-
tered fairly well. There was a fine fruit bloom, and no damage from
frost. Insects are not doing any noticeable damage. Planting is
nearly completed. Farm help is plenty, but only about 10 per cent
is good help. Wages average $25 per month with board and $1.50
per day without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage
of farm crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (W^m. C. Winter). — The season is about a normal one
Pastures and mowings are looking well, and what little fall seeding
was done is also looking well. The fruit bloom is up to former years;
Japanese plums suffered severely from frosts, other fruit but little.
Little insect damage is apparent except from currant worms. Planting
is progressing favorably. There is enough farm help to meet require-
ments, and it is generally fairly good. Wages range from $1.50 to
$1.75 per day without board. There will perhaps be a slight increase
in the acreage of corn and potatoes.

Attlehorough (Isaac Alger). — The, season is a full average one. The
grass crop is very promising. Summer and fall apples have blossomed
well, but Baldwins poorly; no damage from frost. No insects are
doing damage as yet. Planting is progressing finely. Farm help is
plenty. Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day
without board. More corn is being planted than usual; acreage of
other crops about as usual. On account of dry weather last year
the crop of strawberries will not be a large one.

Rehoboth (Adin B. Horton). — The season is more favorable than
an average one. Pastures and mowings are not up to the average;
fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is as good as I ever saw;
no frosts. San Jose scale and cut worms are doing some damage.

28

Planting is progressing very well. Farm help is plenty, and two-
thirds of it is good help. Wages average $20 per month with board
and $1.50 per day without board. There is an increased acreage
devoted to market-garden crops.

Sivansea (F. G. Arnold). — We have had a dry spring, but with
heavy showers on May 22; crops growing well. Pastures look well,
and mo-\\angs fair; fall seeding wintered well. All fruit trees bloomed
well, and we have had no frost. A few tent caterpillars are all the
insects that have appeared. Planting is nearly finished. Help is
more plenty than last year, with quality about the same as usual.
Wages average from $18 to $25 per month with board; $30 per month
without board, but with tenement; and $1.50 per day without either.
There will be an increased acreage of corn and potatoes.

Westport (Albert S. Sherman). — The season is not up to the aver-
age, and crops are backward. Pastures and mowings are in good
condition, and fall seeding wintered well. Apples made a good bloom;
other fruits poor bloom; no damage from frosts. No insects have
appeared as yet. Nearly everything is planted except root crops.
Good help is scarce, and poor help is always plenty. Wages average
$22 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. The
acreage of farm crops is about the same as usual.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — The season is more than normal at
present. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seed-
ing wintered well. There was a large fruit bloom, and the largest
fruit crop for years is promised. No insects are doing damage at
present. Almost all planting, is done. There is plenty of help, but
not much of it is experienced. Wages average $20 per month and
$1.25 per day without board. More potatoes than usual have been
put in. Early vegetables are lower than last year, but prices are
higher; asparagus crop unusually heavy.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Norwell (Henry A. Turner). — The season is about a normal
one. Pastures are looking well, and there was very little grass winter-
killed. There has been a good bloom for most fruits, and they have
not been injured by frosts. Planting is progressing fairly well. Good
farm help is scarce. There is not much change in the acreage of farm
crops. Everything looks prosperous for a good season.

Marshfield (John H. Bourne). — The season is a httle late, with
less than the normal rainfall. The promise for pastures and mowings
is very good, with continued rains, — even light rains. The bloom was
very full for most fruits except Baldwin apples. Tent caterpillars
have appeared. The ground and weather have been favorable for
planting. Good help is scarce, but not as much so as last year. Wages
average $20 per month with board and $1.75 per day without board.
More corn will be planted than usual.

29

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — The season is about an average
one. There is a fairly good promise for pastures and mowings, but
fall seeding did not winter well. The fruit bloom is fully up to the
average. Currant worms are doing some damage. Planting is pro-
gressing well. Farm help is very plenty, but only a small proportion
of it is good help. There is not much difference in the acreage of farm
crops. Quite a colony of gypsy moths have been discovered, but
have been taken care of.

East Bridgewater (George E. Walschendorf). — The season is
better than a normal one. Pastures are in good condition; mowings
promise a good crop; but fall seeding is late and in poor condition.
The bloom on fruit trees and huckleberries was good. There are some
tent caterpillars and gypsy moths doing damage. Planting is nearly
completed. Farm help is fairly plenty, mostly from the factories.
Wages range from $20 to $25 per month with board and from $1.75 to
$2 per day without board. The acreage of cultivated crops will be
greater than usual.

Lakeville (Nathaniel G. Staples). — The season compares very
favorably with the normal. Pastures are looking well, and fall seed-
ing fairly well. There is a very full bloom of all kinds of fruit. No
insects are doing serious damage. Planting is progressing very well.
Farm help is rather scarce, and not more than one in ten is good
help. Wages average $20 per month with board and from $1.75 to
$2 per day without board. There will be little change in the acreage
of the usual farm crops.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan)- — The season compares well with the
normal. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seed-
ing wintered well. There is a full bloom of all fruit trees, and no
frost to injure them. Insects are doing no damage as yet. Planting
is progressing well. Help is plenty, but most of it is not accustomed
to farm work. Wages average $1.65 per day without board. There
are no changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Warehatn (A. B. Savary). — The season is about a normal one.
Pastures and mowings look well, but will soon need rain; fall seeding
wintered well. There is a full fruit bloom, with no damage from
frosts. Cut worms are doing much damage, and are on the increase.
Planting is progressing faster than usual. Farm help is scarce, and
about 20 per cent of it is good help. Wages average $25 per month
with board and $1.75 per day without board. There will be no marked
changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (David D. Nye). — The season compares favorably with
the normal. Pastures and mowings look as well if not better than
usual. Fruit of all kinds seems backward, but is coming along quite
well. There are no insects doing damage at present, except now

30

and then a gypsy moth. Planting is getting along quite well. Help
is scarce, but there are plenty of green Portuguese to be had. Wages
average $20 per month with board and $40 per month without board.
There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops. Many
have gone into making small cranberry bogs.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — The season is still behind the normal,
but vegetation is pushing ahead rapidly. Mowings and pastures are
looking finely, but we need rain; fall seeding wintered well. There
is a full bloom of all kinds of large and small fruits, and no frost. Cur-
rant worms are doing some damage. Early planting is entirely com-
pleted. There is no American help to be had, all Portuguese. Wages
range from $1.75 to $2 for eight hours' work. There are no marked
changes in the acreage of farm crops.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — The season is about a normal one.
Pastures and mowings are looking well. There is a full bloom for all
fruits except Baldwin apples. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage.
Planting will be completed this week. There is the usual supply of
help, and half of it is good help. Wages range from $30 to $35 per
month with board and average $2 per day without. There will be
an increase in the acreage of corn. Asparagus culture is having quite
a boom.

Harwich (Ambrose N. Doane). — The season is about a normal
one. Pastures and mowings promise fairly well ; very little fall seeding
here. The fruit bloom is good, with no injury from frost. No insects
of any account have made an appearance as yet. Planting is pro-
gressing about as usual. Farm help is scarce, and there is very little
good help. Wages average $25 per month with board and from $35
to $40 per month without board. The acreage of the usual crops
will not vary much from former years.

Wellfleet (E. S. Jacobs). — The season is a very good one to date.
The outlook is for a much larger hay crop than in recent years. There
is no frost and an abundant fruit bloom, both for apples and small
fruits. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. All fields have
been planted except a few low, wet fields, and planting is ten days in
advance of last year. Farm help is very scarce and very poor. Wages
average $20 per month with board and $30 to $35 per month without
board. There will be no changes of moment in the acreage of farm
crops.

Truro (John B. Dyer). — The season is a fairly good one. Pastures
and mowings promise well, with reasonable rainfall; very little fall
seeding hereabouts. The fruit bloom was good, particularly for
peaches. Insects are about as numerous as usual. Planting is pro-
gressing well. There are few farms here requiring help, and that
mostly employed is young boys, from fifteen to twenty years of age,
fairly good for their kind. Wages range from $15 to $20 per month
with board and 15 to 20 cents per hour without board. There is no
special change in the acreage of farm crops.

31

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — The season is later than the
normal. Pastures and mowings promise well; very little fall seeding
done here. The fruit bloom was later than usual, and has not suffered
from frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is
progressing rapidly. Farm help is rather scarce, and about one in
four good help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $2
per day without board. There is not much change in the acreage of
the usual farm crops.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.
Nantucket (H, G. Worth). — The season is about ten days late.
Mowings and pastures are looking well; not much fall seeding done
here. There is no fruit raised in this county. Tent caterpillars are
the only insects in evidence. Planting is well up with the season.
Help is a little more plenty than usual, but only one-fourth of it is
good help. Wages average $25 per month with board and 20 cents
per hour without board. The Burgess Cranberry Company are put-
ting in a number of acres more of cranberry bog, and they now have
the largest bog in the State.

32

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture .

POTATO-GROWING SUGGESTIONS.

By Chas. D. Woods, Sc.D., Director, Maine Agricultural Experiment Station.

While potato growing is somewhat a matter of soil and climate, it
is even more dependent upon the ability, knowledge and energy of
the man who is trying to grow them. This fact was very clearly
demonstrated in Aroostook County, Maine, in the season of 1907.
Aroostook County is perhaps the richest agricultural county in the
United States, and the potato is the money crop. Upwards of
11,000,000 bushels of potatoes were shipped from the crop of 1906,
besides all that went into starch. The shipments from the crop of
1907 was less than half that of the preceding year. And yet the good
farmers had as large and in some instances larger crops than in 1906.
The season of 1906 was favorable for a large crop, and everybody that
planted potatoes succeeded in growing and harvesting a good crop.
The season of 1907 was unfavorable, and only the good farmers had
good crops. The men who thoroughly prepared the seed bed, on well-
selected soil, planted only what they could properly care for, who
used fertilizer liberally, cultivated all the season, and who sprayed
early and often against insect and fungous enemies and harvested as
soon as the crop was ready, not only had a large yield per acre, but
the high prices that ruled for potatoes after the poorly grown early
ones were marketed brought it about that with many Aroostook
farmers the season of 1907 was the best for years. On the other
hand, the farmer that planted illy adapted and slovenly prepared
land, of larger area than he could well care for, who neglected to spray
because the weather was not favorable for the spray to adhere, who
had so many acres he could not get them harvested before the un-
usually early freezing of the ground (over 11,000 acres of potatoes
were frozen in and remained unharvested in Aroostook County in
1907), found the year a disastrous one. In many instances the crop
harvested was not sufficient to pay the fertilizer bills.

By practising the methods of the good farmers of Aroostook County,
man}' men in other parts of I\Iaine are successful with potatoes as a
money crop. There is no reason why men in Massachusetts may not
grow the potato at fully as good a margin of profit as the farmer in
Maine.

The Potato demands Constant Care.

At the annual meeting of the Massachusetts State Board of Agri-
culture, in 1901, the writer in answer to a question said, in part:
"If he plants a few potatoes, there is not one farmer in twenty but
what something else would crowd in, and he would let the potatoes

33

go. The one great reason we grow better potatoes in Aroostook
County than elsewhere in Maine and Massachusetts is that it is the
farmer's business to grow his potatoes. He does not keep cows, and
he is not obliged to feed his cows or milk them; and there isn't any-
thing he has to do but to take care of his field of potatoes, and that
field will have from 20 to 50 acres in it. He keeps one man and a
pair of horses working on each 20 acres from spring until fall, and
this one man and pair of horses will care for the 20 acres, and he
doesn't attempt to do anything else. That is one of the reasons we
grow jDotatoes better, — because we are growing them for business.
The potato growers are not thinking of the dairy cow or the breed of
sheep; they are thinking about growing potatoes. When I used to
live in Connecticut, up and down this Connecticut Valley there were
men that ate, drank and slept tobacco; and so there are men that
eat, drink and sleep potatoes in Aroostook County."

No One Best Method of Potato Culture.
The potato is so generally and so extensively grown, we are so
familiar with its qualities and the various methods of culture, that
most farmers are very positive as to the best method of growing this
crop. During the past twenty-five years hundreds of experiments
have been made at experiment stations and by practical growers,
and the results from experiments in propagation and culture are so
conflicting that the careful student will be very slow in drawing con-
clusions. While he will be convinced that there are ideal ways of
treatment under certain conditions, he will be equally convinced that
under different conditions very different practice will be necessary
to insure the best crop. In potato growing, as with most farm opera-
tions, the soil and atmosphere are such determining factors that there
is no best way. Each farmer who would grow potatoes to the best
advantage must be sufficiently intelligent to understand the condi-
tions of the soil on his own farm. The methods of preparation of
soil, of planting, cultivating and fertilizing the crop, depend largely
on the character and condition of the soil and the season.

A Few Points to be observed.

The successful growing of the potato crop demands careful and con-
scientious work from start to finish. There are many details which
if neglected mean partial failure, and which must be cared for in
order to insure the fullest success. It is not practicable in a short
article to hint at more than a very few factors which enter into suc-
cessful potato growing.

Among the most important are: the selection and the preparation
of the soil, including application of fertilizer; the seed and the care
of the crop during the growing season.

The Soil.
A soil to grow potatoes well must be in an excellent state of tilth,
sufficiently mellow to make a good seed bed and place for the tubers
to develop. Abundant plant food must be supplied, and the laud
must be so situated that it will not suffer if rain should be excessive,
and must, on the other hand, be well adapted to stand drought. If
not naturally well drained, it must be underdrained. If it is not of
good water-holding capacity, this must be secured by increasing the
humus by green manuring or the use of liberal quantities of stable
manure.

34

Water a Necessity.

There is no farm crop that is more easily, speedily and greatly
affected by the supply of moisture than is the potato. It has been
found by experiment that it takes about 425 tons of water to grow
a ton of dry matter of potatoes. A crop of 200 bushels per acre would
therefore require approximately 650 tons of water, — equivalent to
a rainfall of nearly 6 inches. Because of its need for large water sup-
ply, and its remarkable susceptibilitj^ to climatic conditions, it follows
that the average potato yield is affected more by water supply than
by lack of plant food. The selection of soil and methods of culture
must be with this fact in view, if success is to be had. The liberal
application of fertilizers or the presence of large amounts of readily
available plant food will prove of but little value if the moisture supply
is deficient. It is also true that too much water udll check the growth
as quickly and effectually as too little.

Too much attention to the fitting of the soil for the crop can hardly
be giA'en, for no amount of after-tillage can overcome neglect in prepa-
ration. Deep and thorough plowing and harrowing, so as to make a
perfect seed bed, not only establishes an earth mulch, so as to prevent
the loss of moisture of the spring rains, but it so fines the soil that
the plant food contained in it becomes accessible to the growing plant.
The conservation of moisture by frequent tillage is not understood
or practised as it should be. The old notion that potatoes should be
hilled, and that tillage should cease as soon as the potato is in bloom,
is wTong for most situations. HiUing is frequently practised so as
to keep the tubers from becoming exposed to the sun; this is not
necessary if the soil was properly prepared. On hard, compact soil
the potato will, because of less resistance of the soil, push out of the
ground. This will not happen in deeply worked land.

Preparation of Soil.

The proper preparation of a soil for the potato crop is a matter of
years, and not a single season. A soil in order to do the best must
be in an excellent state of tilth and a high state of fertility. Such
conditions can be obtained only by careful forethought and planning.
In many instances the soil is not plowed deeply enough. It is very
common for people to speak of plowing 7, 8, or even 9 inches; but
most men would be surprised if they were to apply a rule to see how
much short of this depth the plow goes below the actual level of the
field. ]\Iany men that think they are plowdng 7 or 8 inches deep are
only plowing 5 inches. If this shallow plowing has been practised,
it is bad management to suddenly deepen the plowing, as this brings
too much of the sub-soil to the surface in a single plowing.

Good potato land may be handled in a three or four year rotation, —
potatoes, grain, grass one or two 3'ears, and then potatoes again, in
some such way as the following: land which is used for potatoes
should immediately after harvesting of the crop be treated to a liberal
application of farm manure, if it can be obtained, and plowed with
lap furrow. The plow can well run an inch deeper than it did the
preceding year, when the land was prepared for potatoes. In the
spring the soil will have crumbled by the frosts, and should then be
thoroughly and deeply worked by frequent harrowings with some
such tool as a disc or spading harrow. It should then be smoothed
with an Acme harrow or some similar tool, and seeded to grain. If it is
designed to grow only a single crop of grass, it is best at the time of

35

seeding to sow clover with the grain. If, however, it is designed to
remove two crops of grass, it can be seeded with a mixture of clover
and timothy. The grain crop will be harvested the first year; the
second season, the crop will be chiefly timothy; the third, it will be
timothy and clover; and at the end of the two or three years, which-
ever plan is followed, there will be in the field in the fall a good stand
of second-growth clover. Tliis should not be cut or fed, but should
be plowed under, and this is all the niore important if the piece has
not been treated with farm manure. This fall plowing should be
with lap furrow, and the following spring it should be thoroughly
worked with the disc and smoothing harrows, in order to get ready
for planting.

It may in many situations be desirable to follow the grass crop
with corn, and then follow with potatoes. The same thorough prep-
aration will be of advantage to the corn crop. The land for the corn
should be liberally fertilized. Farm manure may be again used to
advantage at this point in the rotation. The corn crop must be over-
fed in every way, so that the land will be in a higher state of fertility
at the end than at the beginning of the season. If corn enters into
the rotation, fall plowing should be again practised, and the following
spring the land should be thoroughly worked. The best possible
seed bed should be prepared, so that the soil will be light and thoroughly
pulverized to a depth of 5 or even 6 inches. In a soil thus prepared
the planter will run easily.

The Potato needs Abundant Plant Food.

It is always profitable to fertilize a money crop liberally, and,
while a crop of 300 bushels of potatoes will remove from the soil
about 55 pounds of nitrogen, 25 pounds of phosphoric acid and 85
pounds of potash, it is probaloly wise to furnish the phosphoric acid
in considerable excess and the potash in fair excess. The plowed-
under clover and the fertility which has been accumulated can be
depended upon for part of the nitrogen. By many experiments it
has been found that the potato plant thrives best in a soil abun-
dantly supplied with all fertilizing elements. In the early stages of
growth nitrogen is particularly demanded, and hence a considerable
part of the nitrogen should be in a readily available water-soluble
form. This is necessary that it may be utilized by the plants early
in the season. Later when the tubers are forming, there is special
demand for phosphoric acid and potash.

Selection of the Fertilizer.

In the selection of a fertilizer, a farmer cannot be guided by the name
alone. There are all kinds of "potato " fertilizers upon the market, —
those carrjdng from 1 to 5 per cent nitrogen, from 5 to 10 per cent
phosphoric acid and from 2 to 12 per cent potash. In selecting the
fertilizer, something more than percentage composition must be
taken into account.

At the present time a 4-6-10 fertilizer, carrying 4 per cent of
ammonia, which is equivalent to 3.3 per cent nitrogen, 6 per cent
available phosphoric acid and 10 per cent potash is a popular potato
fertilizer in Maine. Used at the rate of 1,500 pounds to the acre,
such a fertilizer would supply about 50 pounds of nitrogen, 90 povmds
available phosphoric acid and 150 i:)ounds of potash. Obviously
such a fertilizer when compared with the needs of the crop is out of
balance. As the results of field experiments with potatoes, it is prob-

36

able that the excess of phosphoric acid is valuable to the crop. There
is no evidence, however, to show that the potato crop is benefited
by such a great excess of potash. It would seem that if 1,500 pounds
of a high-grade fertilizer is to be used, one carrying 6 or 7 per cent
of potash in place of the 10 would be better balanced.

The Forvi of Fertilizing Ingredients.
In 1907 a high-grade jDOtato fertilizer was used in large quantities,
in Maine, on potatoes, which did not carry any nitrate nitrogen.
There was quite a general conijjlaint as regards failure with this
particular fertilizer, and much dissatisfaction, leading even to the
threatening of law suits, because of the short crops supposedly due
to this fertihzer. Careful examination of this fertilizer showed that
its constituents were all high grade, and that, while it fell somewhat
below its guaranteed analysis, it still was high-grade goods. The
dissatisfaction and poor results from the use of this fertilizer were
probably due to the absence of nitrate nitrogen. The grower in
a climate where the growing season is so short must see to it that
the fertilizer used, and particularly on the money crop, carries a fair
proportion of its nitrogen in the form of nitrate nitrogen. Fully a
third of the nitrogen in a fertilizer carrying 3.3 per cent nitrogen
could with safety be in the form of nitrate. It would not do to have
much more than that in the form of nitrate, because of the danger
of loss from leaching out by heavy rains. From field experiments
conducted by the Maine Experiment Station, it is not advisable to
have much, particularly of dry mixed, hone tankage in the fertilizer,
as it seems to stimulate the growth of the tops too late in the season.
Where one can know relative to the source of the nitrogen, it is probably
desirable to have about a third as nitrate nitrogen, and the rest in the
form of dried blood or high-grade tankage. Sulphate of ammonia
is a good source of nitrogen, becoming available more quickly than
tankage, but is not as immediately available as nitrate of soda. While
it is water soluble, there is not nearly the danger of loss by leaching
as there is with the nitrate. It matters little whether the phosphoric
acid is from bone or from rock phosphate; but it is necessary that
in any case it be acid-treated, so as to be in the available form. There
seems to be no difficulty as to the form of phosphoric acid and its
availability in any of the high-grade fertilizers offered in New Eng-
land. With certain crops, sulphate of potash gives better results
than does muriate, and there is more or less of a general opinion
that sulphate of potash produces better quality of potatoes. There
is, however, very little evidence to support this conclusion. Practi-
cally all the potash in New England sold fertilizers is in the form of
muriate or sulphate, and it seems to make little difference which
form of these two is used.

Amount oj Plant Food per Acre.

Even on soil of high fertility, it is found profitable to fertilize liberallj''.
For a large crop, the fertilizer should carry not less than TjO or 60
pounds of nitrogen, one-third of which should be in the form of nitrate,
not less than 60 pounds of available phosphoric acid and not less than
100 pounds of potash. About two-thirds of this can best be applied
in the drill at time of planting and the rest at first or second culti-
vation.

To most Massachusetts farmers this amount of plant food for the
potato will appear excessive, but it is found profitable in practice.

37

Planting and Cultivation.

On the whole, medium-sized potatoes cut into foin- pieces seem
to he the best adapted for seed. These are planted at a fair depth
with either of the planters which are in common use. Not more than
1,000 or 1,200 pounds of a fertilizer should be applied in the drill
at the time of planting. The drills should be from 34 to 36 inches
apart, and the pieces planted from 12 to 14 or 16 inches apart in
the drill, according to whether it is a small or vigorous growing
variety. All through the growing season the field should be kept
free from weeds. The exaggerated ridge culture which is so common
in Aroostook County could be better replaced in Massachusetts by a
less pronounced ridge, or as level culture as is practicable. Suitable
potato land is naturally or artificially so well drained that it does
not suffer from excessive moisture, and with the high-ridge culture
there is danger even in a "moderately dry season of the crop suffering
from lack of water. The frequent running of the cultivator not merely
keeps down the weeds, but it lets the air into the soil and prevents
excessive loss of moisture from evaporation, and in every way seems
to be beneficial to the crop. This should be kept up until the \dnes
pretty well cover the ground. If weeds are appearing in the drill,
these should be remoA'ed by hand.

Spraying.

Of everything which has to do with the care of the potato in its
growing stage, there is nothing that is so important as the spraying,
both to prevent blight and to protect from injury against insects.
The following suggestions for fighting the enemies of the potato are
condensed from a circular of the Maine Agricultural Experiment
Station, and can be had on application to the Station at Orono,
Maine.

Insect Enemies.

The small black flea beetle eats minute holes in the leaves, some-
times making them look like the cover of a pepper box. Poisons
have little effect upon it, or upon the mature Colorado beetles.
Bordeaux mixture is very distasteful to both of these insects, and if
thoroughly applied is a most effective agent in holding them in check.

The larva? or slugs of the Colorado beetle (potato bug) can readily
be killed by poisons. These poisons are best applied with water in
the form of a fine spray just before the eggs hatch. The smaller the
slug the easier it is killed.

If applied as a fine spray before the plants are badly iiffested, h
pound of Paris Green, 2 pouiids of Swift's arsenate of lead or 2 pounds
of Bowker's Disparene per acre at each application will prove effective.
Arsenate of soda (see Formula 11, p. 41) is a cheaper poison, but it
must always be applied with Bordeaux mixture, never alone. In
case the slugs are abundant, a second application may be necessary
inside of two or three days. If the poisons are applied just before
the eggs hatch, tliree applications at intervals of seven to ten days
will usually be sufficient during the season. The poisons can be
applied alone (Formula 3 or 4) or with Bordeaux mixture (Formulas
7,8 and 11).

Caution: Paris green poisons should never be used alone on potatoes
except on the addition of from 3 to 5 pounds of unslaked lime to 50 gallons
of spray, dejjending upon the amount of poison used.

38

Potato Scab.

Potato scab, which is too well known to need description, can be
held in check by planting previously treated seed in clean land. As
it is very difficult to get this fungus out of the soil, great care should
be taken not to get it in. Soak the uncut seed potatoes one and one-
half hours in Formula 1, or two hours in Formula 2, and then spread
out to dry. After drying, the potatoes may be cut and planted in
the usual way, care being taken not to allow them to touch any box,
bag or bin where scabby potatoes have been kept. Treatment with
formalin is safer than corrosive sublimate, and on this account is pre-
ferred. All tubers treated with corrosive sublimate should be planted,
to avoid danger from the poison on them. For the larger grower or
seed dealer, disinfection by means of the formaldehyde gas method,
as described under Formula 10, is the most satisfactory procedure.

Earhj Blight.
This cUsease (sometimes improperly called rust) seldom produces
so much damage in any one year as does late blight. Nevertheless,
it is widespread, and very destructive in that it attacks and weakens
the plant at a critical period, thus checking the development of the
tubers. It is confined to the foliage, and is not known to cause rot.
Early blight first appears as small brown spots scattered over the
older leaves. These slowly enlarge and frequently become somewhat
angular in shape, from the fact that they stop on reaching a leaf vein.
To control this disease, early, frequent and most thorough sprayings
with Bordeaux mixture (Formula 6) are necessary.

Late Blight or Rot.

This disease is caused by a fungus which attacks both the foliage
and the tubers. In this latitude it most freqviently becomes epidemic
during the damp, muggy weather of August and September; it does
little damage during hot, dry weather. Late blight may be well dis-
tributed over a field before it is noticed, except by a trained observer.
As a rule, it first appears on the lower and more shaded leaves, which
are hidden from view. Contrasted with early blight, it is more of a
leaf blotch than a spot disease. The diseased portions are brownish
or blackish areas, the leaf green fading out as it approaches the spot,
which rapidly enlarges and becomes moist and ill smelling. The
margins of the under sides of such spots show a delicate frost-like
mildew if examined on a moist, cloudy day or in the early morning.
This is the fruiting portion of the fungus, and on each spot are pro-
duced thousands of little fruiting bodies, each capable of causing
another spot.

The washing of late bhght spores down into the soil is directly or
indirectly the cause of much of the loss from rot of the tubers both
in the field and in storage. The most common dry rot of the tuber
in Maine is caused by this fungus. Thorough spraying with Bordeaux
mixture (Formula 6) , beginning before the blight appears, and keeping
the foliage well coated till killed by frost or the crop is harvested,
will reduce the losses from this disease to a minimum. No tubers
showing dry rot should be planted.

When to Spray and how to Spray.
Begin when the tops are 6 or 8 inches high, and spray every ten
days (every week, if the weather is very cloudy and rainy) until the
last of August or the first of September, or later if necessary. In any

39

event, spraying must be begun some days before the average observer
will detect blight on the leaves, and the foliage should be kept well
coated with Bordeaux mixture up to the time the crop is harvested
or the tops are killed by frost. Do not stop for rainy weather; this
is just the time when late blight spores are formed in profusion, and
when infection most easily takes place. It is possible for a spraying
just before a rain, even though it is largely washed off, to do more
actual good than any other during the season. Moreover, properly
prepared Bordeaux mixture, if thoroughly applied, will withstand
severe washing if it once thoroughly dries on the leaves. The best
results are obtained when the mixture is forcibly applied in the form
of a fine mist, not in coarse drops sprinkled over the foliage.

As is described elsewhere, the nozzles should be so arranged and of
sufficient number and adjustments as to cover the entire row at each
application. Do not limit the amount applied per acre to an arbitrary
number of gallons, but use enough at each application to thoroughly
coat the foliage, whether it requires 50, 100 or 150 gallons per acre.
Use a pump powerful enough to develop a pressure of at least 60
pounds with all the nozzles open.

Formulas for Scab.

Ji'ORMTJLA 1.

Corrosive sublimate, ....... 2 ounces.

Water, . . . . . . . . .15 gallons.

The corrosive sublimate dissolves readily in water. Immerse seed
tubers for one and one-half hours in this solution.

Formula 2.
Formalin (40 per cent solution formaldehyde), . 8 fluid ounces.

Water, . . . . . . .15 gallons.

Immerse seed tubers two hours in this solution.

Formula 10.
For disinfection with formaldehyde gas: —

Potassium permanganate, . . . . . .23 ounces.

Formalin (40 per cent solution formaldehyde), . . 3 pints.

The above is sufficient for each 1,000 cubic feet of space. Place
the seed tubers in bushel crates or shallow slat-work bins in a tight
room; spread the potassium permanganate evenly over the bottom
of a large pail or pan in an open spot in the centre of the room ; pour
the formalin over this, and give the dish one rapid tilt, to ensure
thorough mixing; leave the room at once, and tightly close from
without. The bins or crates should be so arranged that the gas can
circulate on all sides of them and mix with the air of the room before
it comes in contact with the potatoes. To avoid injury from the strong
gas as it is liberated, no potatoes should be placed directly above the
generator.

Formulas for Beetles and Slugs.

Formula 3.
Paris green, ........ ^ pound.

Lime (unslaked), ....... 3 pounds.

Water, .......... .50 gallons.'

The standard remedy for the destruction of insects which eat the
foliage or fruit. The lime is added to prevent the Paris green from
burning the foliage. Slack the lime in a little water, and make a thin

' An ordinary oil barrel holds about 50 gallons.

40

paste and strain; wet up the Paris green with a httle water into a
thin paste; mix the hme and Paris green and add the remainder of
the water.

Formula 4.

Lead arsenate or disparene, ...... 2 pounds.

Water, . . . . . . . . .50 gallons, i

Arsenate of lead acts slower as a poison than Paris green, and for that
reason is not so effective for killing insects on rapidly growing plants
like potatoes. It can be kept suspended in the water better than Paris
green. It does not burn the leaves, and sticks to the foliage better than
Paris green. Make a smooth, thin paste with the poison and a little
water, and add the remainder of the water and stir thoroughly.

Formulas for Blights, — Bordeaux Mixture.

Formula 6.

Copper sulphate, ....... 5 poxmds.

Fresh lime (unslaked), ...... 5 pounds.

Water, ......... 50 gallons. '

Formula 6a.

Copper sulphate, ....... 5 pounds.

Hydrated lime (prepared or ground lime), . . . 6-7 pounds.

Water, ......... 50 gallons.'

Bordeaux mixture according to Formula 6 is prepared as follows : —
the copper sulphate is dissolved and the lime slaked in separate vessels.
A wooden or earthen ^'essel must be used for the copper sulphate, as
it corrodes iron. Each solution should then be diluted with half
the water, and then the cold, dilute sidphaie and milk of lime solution
quickly united and thoroughly mixed. Never pour concentrated solu-
tions together. If impracticable to pour the two dilute solutions into
the sprayer or mixing tank simultaneously, the dilute copper sulphate
solution should be first placed in the tank and the dilute milk of lime
solution quickly added with constant stirring.

Best results are obtained if care is taken to add the water slowly
to the lime while slaking, but it should not be allowed to become
dry. The milk of lime must be strained, and this is best done while
still hot. A brass wire strainer of about 30 meshes to the inch (No. 50),
or a piece of cheese cloth backed by common window screen, may be
used. The best type of strainer can be made by naiUng together
four 1-inch boards about 7 or 8 inches wide and 12 or 15 inches long,
making a jjox open at both ends. One end of the box is then cut oft'
at a considerable angle, leaving one side shorter than the other. No.
50 brass wire strainer is tacked on to this end. Two cleats are nailed
to the other end of the box, long enough to more than reach across
the top of the barrel. When placed on top of a barrel with the wire
bottom down, all the solid particles from the solution are washed to
the lower side of the screen, thus avoiding clogging the whole surface.

The most convenient method of preparing Bordeaux mixture is to
make stock solutions. For this purpose suspend 100 pounds of copper
sulphate in a bag near the top of a 50-gallon barrel and fill with water.
This should dissolve over night. In another 50-gallon barrel slake
100 pounds of .stone lime, dilute and strain and make up to 50 gal-
lons. A gallon of each solution well stirred Avill be equivalent to 2
pounds of copper sulphate or lime, as the case may be. For a 50-

' An ordinary oil barrel holds about 50 gallons.

41

gallon tank of mixture the stock solution should he thorouo;hly stirred,
and then 2^ gallons of each dipped out, dikited and mixed as de-
scribed above. For a 100-gallon tank 5 gallons of each stock solu-
tion is used, and each diluted to 50 gallons before mixing.

Bordeaux mixture according to Formula 6a is ])repared in exactly
the same manner as in Fornuila 6, except that slaking the lime and
straining the resulting solution is dispensed with. The required
amount of lime is weighed out, wet up with water, diluted, and then
thoroughly stirred. Stock solutions of hydrated lime can also be
used.

Formulas for Buys and Blights.

Make a smooth paste of the poiso7is and a little loater; add to the
Bordeaux mixture and sLir thoroughly; apply at onee.

Formula 7.
Paris green, ........ ^ pound.

Bordeaux mixture, ....... 50 gallons.'

Formula 8.
Lead arsenate or disparene, ..... 1 pound.

Bordeaux mixture, ....... 50 gallons.'

Formula 11.

Arsenate of soda stock solution, ..... 1 quart.
Bordeaux mixture, ....... 50 gallons.

Arsenate of soda stock solution is prepared as follows : place 2 pounds
of white arsenic and 8 pounds of sal soda in 2 gallons of water. Store
in well-stoppered bottles or jugs with a poison label on them. This
is a much cheaper poison than Paris green to use with Bordeaux
mixture, and it remains in suspension better, but it is not safe to
use it alone with lime. White arsenic costs less per pound than Paris
green, and will go twice as far, in that 2 gallons of arsenate of soda
stock solution will do as much execution as 4 pounds of Paris green.

Condensed Directions.

A. For Scab. — Immerse the tubers one and one-half hours in a
solution of corrosive sublimate (Formula 1), or two hours in formalin
(Formula 2), or disinfect with formaldehyde gas (Formula 10).

B. For Insects. — Spray with a poison alone (Formulas 3 or 4) .
If flea beetles are numerous, or there is danger from blight, use com-
bined Formulas 7, 8 or 11.

C. For Blights. — Begin to spray when the tops are 6 or 8 inches
high, and spray thoroughly every ten days, — every week, if neces-
sary. If insects are plentiful, use combined Formulas 7, 8 or 11. After
danger of in.sects is passed, use Formula 6.

Usually six and sometimes four sprayings are sufficient to protect
against late blight; but the leaves should show a coating of Bordeaux
from the time spraying begins till the crop is harvested or the tops
are killed by frost. One thorough spraying in rain}^ weather before
late blight has gained a foothold may be the most effective applica-
tion of the season. If early blight is prevalent, five or six very thorough
sprayings, beginning early in the season, are necessary to insure
sufficient protection.

' An ordinary oil barrel liolds about 50 gallon.s.

42

Summary.

To successfully grow potatoes : —

Select highly fertile land, so situated that it will suffer as little as
possible from either excessive rain or from droughts.

Thoroughly prepare the soil, and fertilize liberally.

Spray for insects and blight, early and often.

Keep the crop free from weeds and the surface of the soil loose dur-
ing the whole season.

Do not let anything prevent the potato field from receiving con-
stant care. Vastly more failures in potato growing in Massachusetts
can be traced to neglect of crop than to lack of knowledge.

Series of 190«. Vol. 21. No. 2.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOB THE

Month of June, 1908.

SHEEP RAISING.

ISSUED MONTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOATiD OF
AGlilCULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary.

Entered June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1908.

Approved by
The State Board of Publication.

Crop Eeport for the Month of June, 1908.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., July 1, 1908.

The croj) report for July forms the second issue for the
current year. At the close of this issue is an article on
" Some Sheep Topics for Massachusetts," by Ray L. Grlbbin,
instructor in animal husbandry at the Massachusetts Agri-
cultural College. Professor Gribbin is familiar with the
conditions in the middle west, where sheep raising still forms
an important branch of agriculture, and has many valuable
suggestions to offer as to why and how it might be made
equally important in ISTew England in general and Massa-
chusetts in particular. This valuable farm animal has been
very much neglected in most parts of the State of late years,
but the number of inquiries we have received on the subject
shows a reawakening of interest, to stimulate and direct which
this article has been secured. It is full of practical sugges-
tions, and the advice given is along the line most likely to
prove profitable in this section, that of lamb and mutton
production.

Progress of the Season.

Preliminary returns of the Crop Reporting Board of the
Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Agriculture (Crop
Reporter -for June, 1908) on the acreage of spring wheat
sown indicate an area of 3.7 per cent more than the area
sown last year, indicating a total area of about 17,710,000
acres, or 631,000 acres more than sown last year. The condi-
tion of spring wheat on June 1 was 95 per cent of a normal,
as compared with 88.7 on June 1, 1907, 93.4 on June 1, 1906,
and 93.2, the June 1 average of the past ten years. The con-
dition of winter wheat on June 1 was 86 per cent of a nor-
mal, as compared with 89 on May 1, 77.4 on June 1, 1907,
82.7 on June 1, 1906, and 81, the June 1 average of the
past ten years.

The area sown to oats was estimated to be .6 per cent less
than the area sown last year, indicating a total area of about
31,644,000 acres, or 193,000 acres less than last year. The
condition of the oats crop on June 1 was 92.9 per cent of
a normal, as compared with 81.6 on June 1, 1907, 85.9 on
June 1, 1906, and 88.9, the June 1 average of the past ten
years.

The area sown to barley was estimated to be 3.9 per cent
more than the area sown last year, indicating a total area
of about 6,697,000 acres, or 249,000 acres more than last
year. The condition of the crop June 1 was 89.7 per cent
of a normal, as compared with 84.9 on June 1, 1907, 93.5
on June 1, 1906, and 89.5, the June 1 average of the past
ten years.

The condition of rye on June 1 was 91.3 per cent of a
normal, as compared with 90.3 on May 1, 1908, 88.1 on
June 1, 1907, 89.9 on June 1, 1906, and 90, the June 1
average of the past ten years.

The condition of meadows (hay) on June 1 was 96.8 per
cent of a normal, as compared with 93.5 on May 1.

The condition of pastures on June 1 was 97.7 per cent
of a normal, as compared with 92.6 on May 1, 80.6 on June
1, 1907, and 91.3, the June 1 average of the past ten years.

Tempeeatuee Ais^D Rainfall foe the Whole Countky.

[From National Weekly Weather Bulletin.]

Week ending June 8. — The mean temperature was below
the normal in the Pacific coast. Plateau and Rocky Moun-
tain regions, and generally in the Atlantic coast States
northward of Geol-gia. In the Atlantic coast districts the
deficiency was generally less than 3°. The temperature was
nearly normal in the Missouri, central Mississippi and Ohio
valleys, Tennessee and the greater part of the east Gulf
States. The temperature was above normal in the west Gulf
States and the upper Lake region and upper Mississippi
valley, ranging from 3° to 9° per day in excess. Very heavy
rains occurred in extreme northern Texas, Oklahoma, the
eastern portions of Kansas, ISTebraska and South Dakota, and
in portions of the South Atlantic and east Gulf States,

amounts ranging from 2 to more than 8 inches. The pre-
cipitation was less than the normal from the upper Missis-
sippi valley eastward to the New England and Middle
Atlantic coasts.

Week ending June 15. — The mean temperature was be-
low the normal in the northern Rocky Mountain region, cen-
tral valleys and most of the Lake region, the deficiency
ranging from 6° to 11° per day in the central valleys and
Lake region. The temperature was nearly normal in the
South Atlantic and Gulf States, and above the normal over
the greater part of Washington and Oregon, in tliC Rio
Grande valley, ISTew England and generally throughout the
Middle Atlantic States, the excess ranging from 2 to 6 per
day. Heavy rains occurred in the central Gulf States, Okla-
homa, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and portions of Iowa
and Missouri, the amounts ranging from 2 to 4 inches. There
was more than the normal amount over the Lake region, the
interior portions of the Middle and South Atlantic States,
the lower Lake region and the western portion of the upper
Lake rea-ion. Elsewhere there was less than the normal
amount of rain.

Week ending June 22. — The mean temperature was be-
low the normal in the Pacific coast. Plateau and Rocky
Mountain regions and portions of the lower Missouri valley,
along the South Atlantic coast, and in interior districts north-
ward to northern New York and western New England. In
the eastern districts the temperature deficiency was not
marked, being less than 3° per day. The temperature was
practically normal over the central Gulf States and the
eastern portions of the Dakotas, and slightly above in the
lower Lake region and central valleys. The rainfall was
generally above the normal over the middle- Plateau and
Rocky Mountain regions, in portions of the central valleys,
over most of Ohio and along a narrow strip from the Massa-
chusetts coast to the interior of North Carolina. Elsewhere
it was below the normal, the deficiency being most marked
in the central Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys and central
Gulf States.

Weeh ending June 29. — ■ The mean temperature was be-

6

low normal over the Middle and South Atlantic States, and
throughout the entire region from the upper Mississippi and
lower Missouri valleys southward to Texas and westward to
the Pacific. In northern districts there was a marked excess
of temperature from 2° to 4° per day from the upper Lake
region eastward to southern New England. The rainfall
was heaviest over interior Minnesota, northern and west
Missouri, in interior Connecticut and scattered districts else-
where. In the remaining districts the rainfall was generally
less than the normal.

Special Telegraphic Repoets.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending June S. — New England. Boston : The
weather was clear and pleasant, the sunshine being much
above average. There was very little rain, except in Penob-
scot, Cumberland and Kennebec counties in Maine, where
copious showers occurred on the 1st. The weather was sea-
sonable. The nights were cool. Frost was general in the
interior on the night of the 2d, when the temperature fell
to 30 in some localities.

Week ending June 15. — New England. Boston: The
weather was clear. No rain occurred, except a few scattered
light showers on the 11th. The ground is dry, and drought
is becoming serious. Copious rains are greatly needed, no
rain of any amount having fallen this month over the greater
part of New England. The sunshine and mean temperature
were much above the normal.

Week ending June 22. — New England. Boston : One or
2 inches of rain fell in Vermont, the Connecticut valley and
sections of New Hampshire, somewhat more than 1 inch in
Rhode Island, and .4 to .6 inch in the remainder of New
England on the 16th; the remainder of the week was fair,
with sunshine above the average. Cool nights prevailed dur-
ing the middle of the week. Maximum temperatures were
high during the last three days. Hot sunshine and strong
winds the last half of the week have dried the ground, making
copious rains now needed.

Week ending June 29. — New England. Boston : Showers

and thunderstorms were general on the 24th, but the rainfall
was small; except that more than 1 inch fell in parts of the
central and western portions of Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut. Over the remainder of ISTew England drought continues
with increasing severity. The mean temperature was
slis'htlv above the normal. The sunshine was above the
average.

Weather of June, 1908.

The month as a whole was exceptionally pleasant, there
being an unusual prevalence of sunny weather. The precipi-
tation was deficient in about all sections of the State, while
the temperature of the month was considerably above the
average, the monthly means ranging from 2° to 4° above
the June normal.

The month opened with several days of cool weather, the
temperatures during the night being unseasonably low in
somje sections, with scattered frosts on the 2d and 3d. The
16th, 17th and 18th were also cool, with temperatures from
2° to 5° below the seasonal average. But through the rest
of the month the temperatures were high. Particularly warm
spells prevailed from the 7th to the 10th inclusive, and 19th
to 21st inclusive, with temperatures ranging to 90° or above
in nearly all sections.

There were no general rains during the month, the pre-
cipitation being the result of local showers and storms, irreg-
ularly distributed. By the middle of the month the rain was
much needed, reports from many sections stating that the
ground was very dry, and the drought was becoming serious.
The continuous sunshine, with fresh to strong winds, during
the remainder of the mouth greatly increased the intensity
of the drought, and at the close vegetation and other interests
were suffering from need of copious rains. The rainfall
of the month was from 40 to 60 per cent below the normal
for June.

In the circular to correspondents, returnable June 25, 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 ?

8

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

4. How 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 former 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 were received from 122 correspondents, and from
these the following summary has been compiled : —

Insects.
Insects appear to be rather less injurious than usual this
season, judging from the returns. All the common sorts are
reported as present, but not in more than ordinary numbers,
and there are many correspondents who say that there is
no appreciable insect damage to be noted. The potato bug
is, of course, the one most commonly reported, but they do
not appear to be as prevalent as in many seasons. Rather
more correspondents report the presence of the canker worm
than for some years past, but there are no reports of par-
ticularly serious damage from this insect. The gypsy moth
is reported as increasing in many localities, and is extending
over a wider area.

Indian Cokn.
The acreage of Indian corn is reported as considerably
increased in the aggregate throughout the State, though there
are occasional reports of decreased acreage. The crop was
planted rather late, but germinated well as a rule, and suf-
fered less from the hot, dry weather of the greater part of
June than most other crops. It has consequently come for-
ward rapidly and is now in good condition, the stand and
color generally being excellent. With the recent showers it

9

should progress very favorably, unless weather conditions
are unseasonable in future as to lack of heat and rainfall.
A larger proportion of the crop than usual appears to have
been put in with a view to harvesting as a grain crop, due
in a large measure to the very high prices of grain for the
past year.

The Hay Crop.

The wet, cool weather of May gave the grass crop a splen-
did start and at the opening of the month conditions were
very favorable. The weather of June was unusually hot and
dry, there being practically no rain in many sections from
May 30 to June 24, and the hay crop suffered especially from
these conditions. It will generally be light on old fields,
where favorable conditions as to moisture are always neces-
sary for a good crop, and on new fields it will hardly attain
the weight that it would with suitable conditions. It is
rather difficult to predict just what the outcome will be, but
a conservative estimate would seem to be that the hay crop
in the State will be at least one-fourth below the normal.

Eaely Potatoes.
The acreage of early potatoes shows a slight increase over
former years, though reports are much more mixed and con-
tradictory than in the case of Indian corn. The crop appears
to be in excellent condition, and it is probable that the recent
showers came in time to prevent serious damage. It must
be borne in mind, however, that showers, even when heavy,
have not the permanent beneficial effect of the same amount
of moisture in the form of a steady rain, and it is therefore
necessary that there should be plentiful and seasonable rains
during July if the crop of early potatoes is to fulfill present
expectations.

Eaely Mabket-gaeden Ceops.
Early market-garden crops generally gave good yields, in
many instances unusually heavy ones, but the prices have
been so low that it is doubtful if most market-gardeners can
show Hu average profit for the season to the present date.
Peas are reported as just coming into the market in many

10

instances and as bringing good prices. The asparagus crop
appears to have been light as a whole, and prices were hardly
up to the average. Later market-garden crops are making
a good growth and promise good yields.

Dairy Products axd Dairy Cows.

The flow of milk appears to have been well maintained
in spite of the dry weather and shortened pasturage.- The
price paid for milk in the Boston market is the same as last
season, and judging from reports from other sections it is
as high in local markets as ever before, and in some instances
a slight increase is reported. Butter and butter fat com-
mands about the same prices apparently as in former seasons,
in spite of the lower price in the wholesale market. Dairy
cows are in fair supply, with good cows commanding very
good prices. Some few farmers appear to have sold their
cows and withdrawn from the dairy business, but this has
hardly affected the market price of new milch cows to any
extent.

Pasturage.

The dry weather of June shortened feed in many pastures,,
but only those which are situated on dry uplands show seri-
ous effects as yet. The showers of the closing days of the
month revived feed in most cases, and with seasonable rains
in future there should be no trouble from shortness of pas-
ture feed where the pastures are not overstocked.

Fruits and Berries.
An average crop of strawberries was secured and at time
of makinff returns was over with in most sections. Prices
held well throughout the season, and where the vines did
not winterkill, as they did to more or less extent in some
sections, there appears to have been a profitable season for
the growers. Blackberries and raspberries did not winter-
kill to any extent and promise excellent crops now that the
drought has been broken, provided that it is not renewed
during the next few weeks. Currants generally promise
well. Wild berries bloomed well and have come forward

11

finely. Peaches are reported as promising in a few sections,
but the crop is generally a failure, taking the State as a
whole. Pears and plums are reported in many sections as
not setting well, and will hardly bear out the promise of the
bloom. Apples set well and a good crop is promised in most
sections, though there are no indications of an unusually
heavy one. The " drop " appears to be somewhat increased
by the dry weather of June, but should be checked by the
recent rains. Cranberries bloomed well and promise a good
crop at present, though there are some reports of damage
from late frosts.

12

NOTES OF COKRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us June 25.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — Insects have done but little
damage up to this time. A full acreage of corn was planted, most of
which is in fine shape. Not much haying is done yet, but a good yield
is expected. Many potatoes were planted and are growing finely.
Not much early market-gardening is done here ; early peas plenty and
good. There seems to be more dairy products produced than there is
market for; prices for cows keep up. Strawberries raised for home use
and promise well where well cared for.

Tyringham (Edward H. Slater). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking fairly well, with acreage fully up to
former years. Haying has not begun yet and the recent dry weather
has injured the crop. Early potatoes are looking well. Only a few
market-garden crops are raised here. About the usual quantity of
butter has been made. Pastures are getting very dry. The outlook
for berries of all kinds is good.

Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer). — No insects are doing damage as yet.
Indian corn looks well, with an acreage increased 5 per cent over last
year. The prospect is good for an extra hay crop. Early potatoes are
doing well and promise a good crop. The price and yield of early
market-garden crops is about as usual and all look well. Dairy prod-
ucts are in good supply and at good prices. Pasturage is in extra
condition. Very few berries are grown for market, but such as are,
are looldng well.

Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon). • — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. The acreage of corn is about average and it is looking very
well. Haying has begun, with about a medium crop in quantity and
quality. Very few potatoes are being raised this year. There is an
average yield of early market-garden crops at good prices, and later
ones promise to be good. There is about the average quantity of dairy
products and prices are good ; dairy cows plentiful and prices average.
Pasturage is in good condition. Strawberries and raspberries are
good crops; some cherries and plums.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — There are very few insects doing
damage. Indian corn is looking as well as in previous years, with
about the usual acreage. Haying has not begun and there is prospect

13

of a good crop. Potatoes are about as usual in acreage and look well.
Market-garden crops are not raised for market. Dairy products and
dairy cows are about the same as in former years as to supply and price.
Pastures are in good condition. Fruits and berries are not grown for
market in this locality.

Peru (F. G. Creamer). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well, with about the usual acreage. Haying has not
begun, but there is a good crop in prospect, though rain is badly
needed. The acreage of potatoes is larger than usual and they look
well at present. Butter is higher than a year ago; there is little call
for dairy cows. Pastures look finely. Blueberries are looking well and
promise a large yield.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Potato bugs are the most iiijurious
insect at present. The acreage of Indian corn is about the same as in
previous years and it is looking well. Early potatoes show the usual
acreage and promise a good yield. Haying has not begun and the
prospect for the crop is fairly good. Garden crops do not seem to be
quite ready for the market. Dairy products bring a fair price with the
usual quantity. Pastures are getting somewhat dry, but will improve.
Strawberries are abundant and of fine quality; other fruits not ready
for use as yet.

Savoy (Willis W. Burnett). — Potato beetles are as usual quite
troublesome. Corn is late and the acreage is less than in previous
years. Haying has not yet begun; crop good on well-fertilized fields
and light on old ones. The acreage of early potatoes is above that of
previous years; they are later than usual and looking finely. But'
little market-gardening is done and the gardens are unusually back-
ward. Dairy products are fully average both in quantity and price;
good dairy cows are high in price. Pasturage is in fairly good condi-
tion, but will improve with the recent showers. Not much is done
with fruits and berries in this locality.

Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — No insects are doing damage.
Corn shows a poor stand caused by failure to germinate; acreage
normal. Haying has begun and a fair crop is promised. There is the
usual acreage of early potatoes and they are in fine condition. There
is a normal supply of dairy products with prices up to former years.
Pasturage is in fair condition. Strawberries are a good crop and rasp-
berries promise well.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (David H. Sherman). — A very few potato bugs are doing
damage. But little corn has been planted, but it is of good color and
looks well. Haying has not begun; dry weather affected the crop
severely and old mowings will be light. There is an average acreage
of early potatoes and they are looking well, though many fields are
late. But few market-garden crops raised here. Dairy products bring
lower prices than last year; supply and price of dairy cows average.

14

Fruits and berries are not grown for market ; wild strawberries plenty
and early.

Roive (N. E. Adams). — Cattle flies are very plenty, other insects
scarce. Owing to the dry spell for the past three weeks Indian corn is
very backward. Haying has begun and there is a very light crop,
owing to drought. There is a good acreage of potatoes and they are
in very good condition. Quantity and price of dairy products and
dairy cows about as in former years. Pasturage is in good condition.
There are no berries grown for market; wild strawberries were killed
by frost. We have been having a severe drought, which was broken
by rain on the 24th.

Bernarddon (R. H. Cushman). — Black flies and potato bugs are on
potatoes as usual and large flies are numerous and tormenting stock.
There is an average acreage of corn, but the stand is uneven and condi-
tion is not average. The condition of the hay crop is very uneven and
there will be less than an average crop. More potatoes have been
planted than usual, but conditions have not been favorable for growth.
The price for cream is somewhat higher than last season and the best
butter commands fair prices. Pastures are short. Apples will be a
very light crop. The drought through June has damaged mowings,
pastures and all growing crops, especially on light land; very good
showers the eve of June 24.

Gill (F. F. Stoughton). — There is not much trouble from insects.
Much Indian corn was planted late and the crop is backward. Haying
is just beginning; the crop looked extra good early in the month, but
the dry weather has prevented good growth. Cream sells well and cows
sold high in the spring ; not many sales now. Pasturage is in good con-
dition. Strawberries and blackberries promise good crops. There was
plenty of rain up to May 30, but it has been dry -since then; rain
the 24th.

Ashfteld (Albert Howes). — Not many insects have appeared.
Indian corn is looking well, with a largely increased acreage. The hay
crop is lighter than was expected and haying has commenced. There
is an average acreage of early potatoes with a fair prospect for the
crop. No market-garden crops are raised here. Cows are doing well
and the price of butter and milk is above average; good cows scarce
and high. Pasturage is in better than average condition. The outlook
for small fruits and berries is good, but they are little grown for market.

Whntely (C. L. Crafts). — Wire worms and cut worms are doing
some damage. Corn is looking well, with about the usual acreage. A
few have begun haying and there is prospect of a large crop. Potatoes
show about the usual acreage and are well advanced. The dry weather
has held market-garden crops back, but prices are good, and later crops
look well. Butter and milk is low in price, but cows cost about the
same as usual. Pastures are in good condition. Very few fruits are
grown for market, except apples, and they promise a fair croi).

15

Sunderland (Geo. P. Smith). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
There is the usual acreage of corn and the stand and growth of the crop
is good. Haying has just begun and the crop is about three-fourths
of a full crop. Early potatoes are not much grown for market but
promise well. Prices of early market-garden crops are about as usual
and the prospects favorable. The supply and price of good cows has
not changed, but dairy products are a little lower. Pastures are
becoming short because of drought. Strawberries are plenty, but not
much grown.

Erving (Chas. F. Clark). — Potato bugs are the worst insect at
present. Indian corn is looking well, with about the usual acreage.
Haying has begun, with about an average crop. The acreage of early
potatoes is about the same as usual, and they promise a fair crop.
Pastures are in good condition. There will not be a very large crop of
apples; not many berries are grown for market.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Rose bugs and potato bugs are
plenty. Indian corn is looking well, with about the usual acreage.
Haying has commenced, but the June drought has cut down the crop,
especially on dry uplands. There is the usual acreage of early potatoes,
but they are in need of rain. Not much is done with market-garden
crops. There is no marked change in the quantity and price of dairy
products. The start of feed in pastures was excellent, but they are
failing at the present time. Straw^berries are plenty, though diminished
by dry weather; heavy bloom on blackberries. The drought was
broken by a heavy shower on June 24.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — Potato bugs are our most in-
jurious insect. There is the usual acreage of Indian corn and it is
looking well, but has suffered from dry weather. Haying has not yet
begun and the crop will be light, owing to dry weather. Potatoes are
not grown for the early market. Market-garden crops are not grown
here. Cows and dairy products are about as last year in quantity and
price. Pastures are getting short on account of dry weather. Apples
are the only fruit grown for market to any extent and did not set well,
and have also dropped badly. Showers on the 24th gave some relief,
but more rain is badly needed.

Enfield (D. O. Chickerinc;). — Potato bugs are doing the most
damage of any insect. Indian corn is quite backward but is doing well;
acreage less than usual. A few farmers have commenced haying and
the crop will be Hght. The acreage of early potatoes is about as usual
and the prospect for the crop is poor. The quantity of dairy cows and
dairy products does not vary much from former years. Pasturage is
very short on account of dry weather. Apples promise a heavy yield ;
strawberries a very light crop and are about gone by.

Belchertoivn (H. C. West). — There are no insects which are espe-

16

oially troublesome. Indian corn is looking fairly well, with a larger
acreage than usual. Haying has just begun and a fair average crop is
in prospect. Potatoes are ten per cent above last year in acreage and
are looking well. Very little is done with market-garden crops in this
vicinity. Daily products are well up in price, but cows are low, owing
to milk troubles. Pasturage is short, owing to the long dry time, but
the rains of the last two days will help. The sooner the eight to
fifteen cow farmer drops his milk business, to return to butter, calves
and pigs the sooner his temper, his farm and his finances will take on
improved conditions.

Hadley (L. W. West). — Potato bugs are not as numerous as usual.
Corn is looking well and there is a slight increase in acreage. A little
hay has been cut and this week's rains insure a good crop. There is
about the usual acreage of early potatoes and they are in bloom. There
was a full average yield of early market-garden crops and there is good
prospect for the others. The quantity of dairy products is below the
average and prices are about normal ; price of cows below former years.
Pastures are in good condition. There is a good outlook for berries;
peaches and plums will be scarce.

South Hadley (W. F. Person). — Potato bugs and rose bugs are
doing some damage. Corn looks well and the acreage is about the same
as in former years. Haying has commenced and the crop will be a
good one. The acreage of early potatoes compares favorably with
other years and the crop looks well. Garden crops look well, with good
prices and good prospects for later crops. Dairy products are not up
to the average of former years and a good many farmers have sold
their cows. Pasturage is in good condition. Strawberries are a good
crop and all other berries bid fair to yield well.

Easthampton (William C. Clapp). — Potato bugs, squash bugs,
rose bugs and cut worms are doing damage. Indian corn is looking
well and shows a full acreage. Haying has begun and there will be an
average crop. Fully as many early potatoes as usual were put in and
they are looking well. Early market-garden crops are fully up to the
normal. Dairy products are about the same as last year in quantity
and price. Pastures are looking well, but the rains will help high lands.
If we have plenty of rain there will be a full fruit crop.

Westhampto)i (Levi Burt). — Potato bugs are about ten days
earlier than usual. Corn is looking finely, with about an average
acreage. Haying has begun, with every prospect of a good crop,
above the average of the last five years. Early potatoes are looking
well, with the usual acreage. The quantity and supply of dairy
products is average; price of butter fat a cent more per pound than
last year. Pasturage is very poor when at its best with us. Straw-
berries are a very good crop. The hay crop looks thin on old meadows,
as usual.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — Potato bugs are the principal

17

insect doing damage. The acreage of Indian corn is a little larger than
usual and it is looking well. Haying has begun and there will be a
heaA^y jdeld on well fertilized fields. The acreage of potatoes is about
as usual and the crop is looking well. Dairy products are higher than
usual at this season of the year and the supply is normal; good dairy
cows are scarce and high. Pasturage still is good, but beginning to
feel the drought. Apples are looking well; peaches a heavy crop and
in prime condition; pears about a two-thirds crop of that indicated by
the bloom ; strawberries a fair crop, but suffering badly from drought.

Middlefield (.J. T. Bryan). — There is very little damage from in-
sects. Corn is looking well with the usual acreage. Haying has just
begun, with the prospect of more than an average crop. Potatoes look
well and with a strong growth; acreage about average. Very little
market-gardening is done here. The price of dairy products holds up
well and there is a good demand for cows at strong prices. Pasturag^
is in excellent condition. There promises to be an average yield of
fruits and berries.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandjord (Enos W. Boise). — Tent caterpillars are doing some
damage. There is a full average acreage of corn and it is looking
finely. Very little hay has been cut as yet; grass extra good on rich
fields, but poor on old fields. Potatoes are looking well, with the usual
acreage. Early garden crops promise well. Dairy products command
good prices; cows are scarce and good ones bring high prices. Pastur-
age is generally in good condition. Strawberries are an extra crop;
apples appear to have set well and a full crop is promised; wild berries
promise well.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Potato bugs are the worst insect at present.
There is about the usual acreage of Indian corn and it is looking nicely.
Haying has begun and the prospect is for a good crop, fully up to the
average. There is about the usual acreage of potatoes and they are
looking well. Not much is done here with market-garden crops.
Dairy products are fully up to the average in quantity and price and
good cows are scarce and high. Pastures have been ciuite dry, but
recent showers have improved them.. Berries of all kinds never looked
better.

Southu-kk (L. A. Fowler). — Potato bugs, rose bugs and cut worms
are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking very well and there is
a slight increase in acreage. Haying has scarcely begun and there is
promise of a good crop. Quantity of dairy products about the same as
usual, with a small increase in price; cows nearly average in supply
and price. Pasturage is in extra good condition. The acreage of
tobacco is a little larger than usual and the crop is in excellent con-
dition.

West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — There is no serious injury from
insects. Indian corn is unusually forward and promising, with a slight

18

increase in acreage. Haying has begun to a limited extent and there is
a full average crop in prospect. There is a slight increase in the acreage
of potatoes and the crop is promising and coming forward very rapidly.
Market-garden crops are a full average in yield and price with good
prospects. The quantity and price of dairy products is about average,
also that of dairy cows. Pasturage has suffered from heat and drought
which has been relieved by recent showers. Strawberries are a fair
crop and raspberries and blackberries are promising. The season has
been one of unusually rapid plant growth and freedom from insect
depredations and fungous diseases.

Chicopee (E. L. Shaw). — Potato bugs excepted, insects do not seem
to be doing much damage. Corn is doing very well except on dry
uplands. Haying has begun and the crop seems to be good. The
acreage of early potatoes is smaller than usual, but the crop seems to
•be good. ]\Iilk has been plenty, with the price a little off; cows plenty
and not many sales. Pastures are in good condition. Strawberries are
a fair crop; blackberries and grapes promise good yields.

Hampden (John N. Isham). — There is not much damage from
insects. Indian corn is growing rapidly, with a little larger acreage
than in previous years. Haying has just begun with prospect of a good
average crop. There is the usual acreage of early potatoes, and they
promise fairly well. Garden crops show good yields, with satisfactory
prices; later crops promising. Quantity of dairy products not above
average, but prices higher; supply of dairj' cows ample with full prices.
Pastures are good although the dry weather has checked growth some-
what. AjDples and pears are looking well; strawberries were a short
crop; raspberries and blackberries promising. The recent rains have
helped all crops.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss). — Corn is looking fairly well, with the
acreage ten per cent below the normal. Haying has begun, with about
a three-fourths crop. The acreage of early potatoes is up to the normal
and the crop looks fairly well. Market-garden crops are about up to
the usual average. Dairy products and dairy cows are up to the
normal in supply and price. Pastures are in fairly good condition.
Fruit promises nearly a full yield, though late frosts injui"ed small
fruits. There has been a severe drought with a good shower on the
24th.

Monson (F. D. Rogers). — No insects are doing any appreciable
damage. Indian corn is late, but of good color and growing fast.
Haying has begun, grass being about ten days earlier than usual.
There is about the usual acreage of earl}^ potatoes, but the crop is
rather backward. Dairy products are up to a good average in quantity
and price; new milch cows scarce and high. Dry weather is cutting
pasturage short. Strawberries have been a good crop; currants,
raspberries and blackberries are very promising.

Holland (Francis Wight). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.

19

Indian corn is looking fairly well, with about a normal acreage. Haying
has begun in some instances, and there will not be more than a normal
crop. The acreage of potatoes is about the same as in other years and
they are looking well now. Not much is done in market-gardening
here. Pastures are in fairly good condition. The outlook for fruits
and berries is very good.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Potato bugs, spittle insects and cut
worms are doing damage. Indian corn is making a good growth, with
about the usual acreage. Haying has begun and the prospect is good
for a full average crop. The acreage of potatoes is above the average
and the vines are looking finely. The quantity of dairy products is
somewhat below the average, with prices for milk low; cows must be
first class to bring good prices. Pasturage has been very good but is
feeling the effects of dry weather. Strawberries are a full crop, cur-
rants good, prospect for a large yield of peaches and pears.

Brook-field (Frank E. Prouty). — There are no insects doing
damage except the potato beetle. Indian corn is looking well, with the
acreage one-fourth more than in previous years. Haying has begun
and the prospect is good for a large crop. The acreage of early pota-
toes is about the same as usual and the crop looks well. Yield and
price of early market-garden crops about as in former years and
prospect good for later ones. Quantity and price of dairy products
about average. Pastures are in good condition. The outlook is good
for fruits and berries.

New Braintree (Charles D. Sage). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is doing well and more was planted than usual.
Haying has begun; old fields very light. More early potatoes than
usual were planted and they are looking finely. jSIarket-garden crops
are not grown here. The quantity of dairy products is fair, but prices
are lower ; cows bring fair prices. Pasturage is in very good condition
considering the dry June. Apples are about the only fruit grown, and
they promise only a light crop.

Barre (John L. Smith). — No insects are doing damage. The pros-
pect is very good for the corn crop. Very little hay has been cut as
yet. Potatoes are little raised for market. Early market-garden
crops are not much grown. The quantity and price of dairy products
is about the same as last year, but cows are not as high. Pastures have
been very good, but are beginning to dry up; the fine rain on the 24th
helped them. The outlook is good for fruits and berries.

Dana (Lyman Randall). — Rose bugs and potato bugs are doing
some damage. Corn is looking finely, with a much larger acreage than
usual. Haying has begun with prospects of a fair crop. There is
about the usual acreage of potatoes and the crop promises fairly well.
Not many market-garden crops have been harvestetl, but they are

20

looking promising. The quantity and price of dairy products are about
the same as last year, but dairy cows are lower. Pasturage is good
except on some dry pastures, which have suffered from lack of rain.
Strawberries have been cut short by the drought ; currants are prom-
ising.

Royahton (C. A. Stimson). — No insects are doing any damage.
Corn looks fairly well, but is suffering from drought. There will be
but a light crop of hay. Very few early potatoes were planted, but
they promise well. No early market-garden crops have been harvested
as yet, but prices promise to be high. Quantity of dairy products
above average, price about the same as last year; cows high. Pastures
are drying up. There will be a full crop of all berries; apples 80 per
cent; pears 75 per cent.

Ashhurnham (E. D. Gibson). — There is very little trouble so far
from insects. Indian corn is about normal in condition and the acreage
is increased. Very little haying has been done and the crop will be
good if we have an abundance of rain at once. The acreage of early
potatoes is about as usual, too early to tell anything about the crop.
Prices for dairy products are as good as last year, and the supply of
cows is equal to the demand; prices from forty to sixty dollars. Pas-
turage has been fine, but begins to feel the drought seriously. Fruits
and berries are not grown for market; blueberries promise a wonder-
ful crop.

Gardner (W. E. Kxight). — Potato bugs and cabbage maggots are
doing some damage. Corn shows good color, but is growing slowly.
The dry weather has forced haying before the crop is grown and the
yield will be very short. Potatoes are little grown for market. Early
market-garden crops are not grown for market. The quantity of
dairy products is below normal and prices are low; cows sell slowly
as few are buying. Pastures are all dried up. ApjDles look well;
currants are good, but other small fruits are feehng the dry weather.

Hubbardston (Chas. C. Colby). — There has been very little trouble
from insects of any kind. About the usual amount of corn was planted,
but the crop is backward, owing to drought. Haying begins here
about July 1 and the crop will not be up to the average. About one-
third more potatoes were planted this year than usual and are now
doing well. Very little market-gardening is done here. Prices of
dairy products for the past year have been such as to hardly pay ex-
penses, and a number of our farmers have sold their cows at fair
prices. Pasturage is in good condition. The prospect is for a good
crop of apples, our only market fruit.

Princeton (A. O. Tyler). — Squash bugs and cut worms are doing
some damage. Indian corn is looking finely, with a slightly increased
acreage. Haying has begun and the prospect is that the crop will be
light. There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes and they
promise well. Earh^ market-garden crops are not raised here. Dairy

21

products are a little lower in price than formerly; dairy cows about
the same. Pasturage is in fair condition, but is somewhat affected by
the dr}' weather. Fruits and berries are not grown for market and the
general outlook is light.

Sterling (Henry S. Sawyer). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well for the time of year, with about an average acreage.
Haying has begun, and the want of rain has shortened the crop ma-
terially. There is about the usual acreage of potatoes and the crop
promises well. Asparagus was a light crop; other market-garden crops
looking well. Milk brings 29 cents per can and butter 32 cents per
pound, no over supply of either; cows forty to seventy-five dollars.
The dry weather has begun to shorten the feed in pastures in some
locahties. Strawberries are not very plenty; raspberries and black-
berries promise well; also apples and pears.

Northborough (John K. Mills). — Rose bugs and squash bugs are
doing some damage. Corn is looldng well and the acreage is larger
than last year. But very little haying has been done as yet. The
acreage of early potatoes is larger than last year and the crop is looking
nicely. Early market-garden crops have been good, but prices have
been lower than last year. The price of milk is the same as last year ;
very little change in the price of cows. Pastures are not holding out
well, owing to the dry weather. There is a full crop of strawberries,
and raspberries, currants, grapes, pears, peaches and blackberries all
promise well.

Leicester (H. H. Kingsbury). — Potato bugs are quite numerous. .
The month has been favorable to the growth of corn and it is in fine
condition. Hajdng has begun and the prospect is good for a large crop.
The acreage of potatoes is about the same as usual and they look very
thrifty. Garden crops were checked in growth in ^lay, but are now
growing fast. The price and C[uantity of dairy products does not vary
much from last year. Pasturage is in excellent condition, owing to
the recent copious showers. Fruits and berries of all kinds, both wild
and cultivated, from present appearances will be very abundant.

Blackstone (0. F. Fuller). — Potato bugs, elm beetles and cut worms
did but little damage this year. Indian corn looks well, and the acreage
is three times as great as last year. Haying has begun and a good crop
is promised. The acreage of early potatoes is about as usual. Market-
garden crops have brought about the usual prices. Milk retails for
seven cents per quart ; butter 32 cents per pound, and cows are high.
Pastures are in good condition. The outlook for fruits is good. The
heavy rain and wind storm of June 23 lodged the heavj' standing grass
badly.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherhorn (N. B. Douglas). — No insects are especially troublesome.
Indian corn looks well, with the usual acreage. Considerable hay has
been cut and the prospect for the crop is good. There is a large acreage

99

of potatoes and they are looking well. The dairy business is not satis-
factory from the producers' standpoint. Pasturage is getting short.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Potato bugs are not very plenty,
but spittle bugs are doing a good deal of damage to grass. Corn looks
well and there was a full acreage planted. Haying has just begun, with
the prospect of a little more than an average crop. Early potatoes look
finely now and every one seems to have put in more than usual. There
is not much market-gardening done in this vicinity. There is about the
usual condition as regards dairy products and dairy cows. Pastures
hereabouts are dry, but the recent showers will freshen them. Straw-
berries are a better crop than usual, with prices better than common.
The season is a little more forward than usual for everything.

Framingham (J. S. Williams). — Onion maggots, cut worms and
potato bugs are doing some damage. All corn is looking well, with a
full acreage. A larger percentage of the hay crop will be secured
before the 4th than usual ; old fields light, others heavy. The acreage
of potatoes is up to the average of former years and the vines are
looking well. The early market-garden crops have sold low, later
crops are looking well, but low prices are expected. Milk production
steady, average prices realized; good cows are selling well. As a general
thing pastures are in good condition notwithstanding light rainfall.
Fruits set quite heavy and promise very well.

Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — Gypsy moth caterpillars are doing
some damage a'nd seem to be increasing; potato bugs and cut worms
also doing damage. Indian corn is backward; acreage about as
formerl3\ A little haying has been done and the crop will be very
short on upland. The acreage of potatoes is about as usual; prospect
good on early planted fields, later ones suffering from drought. Market-
garden crops are suffering from dry weather ; prices about as formerly.
Dairy products and dairy cows are about as usual. Pasturage is fairly
good, but is showing effects of dry weather. Strawberries are in full
supply and of good quality; currants, blackberries and raspberries
promise full crops ; apples promise an average crop ; pears and peaches
will be short.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — At the present time the potato bug and
the rose bug are the most injurious insects. Indian corn is in good
condition with about the usual acreage. Haying has begun and the
prospect is that the crop will be much lighter than was expected.
Early potatoes are raised mainly for home use and promise well. Very
little is done in the line of market-gardening in this locality. Dairy
products are short and the price of milk too low for the cost of making;
good dairy cows scarce and high. The dry weather has been pretty
severe on the pasturage. There promises to be a medium crop of small
fruits; too early to predict on apples.

Billerica (Geo. P. Greenwood). — Brown-tail and gypsy moth
caterpillars are doing damage. Corn is looking well, but there is little

23

field corn raised here. Haying has begun and tlie crop promises to be
good, tliough somewhat injm-ed by drought. The acreage of early po-
tatoes is about the same as usual and they are looking fairly well.
The yield of early market-garden crops is normal and the price has
averaged fairly well. There is rather less milk raised than formerly
and prices are not advancing with the cost of production; good cows
high. Pastures are suffering from drought. With the exception of
strawberries, few berries are raised for market; strawberries winter-
killed badly.

Teivksbury (G. E. Crosby). — Tent caterpillars are doing some
damage. No Indian corn is raised here, but sweet corn is doing fairly
well. Haying has begun and the crop will be very light on old land.
Acreage of early potatoes about as in former years and the vines are
looking well. Early market-garden crops are below the average in
yield and price. Dairy products bring slightly higher prices than
formerly; cows possibly a little lower. Pasturage is in poor condition
and rain very much needed. Peaches promise well; also apples, where
the trees have been properly cared for; blackberries and strawberries
light crops for want of rain.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — There is nothing new in the insect hue,
about the same as usual. Corn is looking well and the acreage is about
the same as usual. Very little hay has been cut as yet and the crop
promises to be an average one. Early potatoes look well and there is
promise of a good crop. A fair yield of asparagus with fair prices;
strawberries a large yield with low prices. The price of milk is about-
the same as last year, but it is higher than it was some years ago.
Pasturage has suffered from the dry weather. Apples and pears set
pretty well and promise average crops.

Lincoln (C. S. Wheeler). — Gypsy moth caterpillars are doing
damage. Indian corn looks fairly well, with the acreage about as last
year. Haying has begun and the crop is not as good as last year.
There is an average acreage of early potatoes and a good crop is prom-
ised if we have rain. The yield of early market-garden crops has been
good and prices average. Prices for dairy products are about as last
year; good cows scarce and high. Pastures are in fair condition and
would be good if it were not so dry. Strawberries have looked well,
but dry weather is beginning to affect them; blackberries look well;
other berries average; early apples have not proved as good as the
bloom promised, and much of the fruit that did set is dropping off.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — Currant worms, and gypsy and brown-
tail moth caterpillars are doing some damage. Haying has begun and
the prospect for the crop is good. There is the usual acreage of early
potatoes and a good crop is promised. The yield of early market-
garden crops has been good, but prices have been low. Pasturage is in
good condition. Pears and currants are good crops; strawberries
good, where not too dry.

2i

Arlington (W. W. Rawson). — Haying has begun and the crop will
only be a Hght one. Early market-garden crops have suffered from
drought and prices have been low. Later crops promise well with
seasonable rains. The season is fully a week earlier than last year.

Weston (Henry L. Brown). — Gypsy moths are doing some
damage. I have not seen a field of Indian corn in town. Haying has
begun and new fields are giving a good crop, while old fields are light.
There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes and they are looking
well. Market-garden crops have given average yields, but prices have
been low for most crops. Quantity and price of dairy products the same
as last year. Pasturage has been good, but is getting dry. Not much
is done in growing small fruits and berries,

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Brown-tail moths, elm leaf beetles,
potato bugs and cucumber and squash bugs are doing damage. IncUan
corn has been injured by the dry weather and the acreage is rather less
than usual. Haying has begun and the crop is less than usual owing to
drought. Potatoes are looking well. Yield and price of market-
garden crops higher than usual. Dair}- cows are rather lower in price
than in former years; price of dair}^ products higher. Cherries and
currants are plenty. We have had a severe drought that has hurt
fruits and vegetables considerably.

Groveland (A. S. Longfellow). — There is some damage from
gypsy moths, potato bugs and cut worms. Corn is very forward and
the acreage is about as usual. Haying has begun with a hght crop.
The acreage of potatoes is somewhat increased and they promise well,
but need rain. There have been good yields -of early market-garden
crops but prices have been low. Pastvu'es are sadly in need of rain.
There has been no material change in dairy products from last year,
but prices are better than a few years ago. The outlook for small
fruits is poor, owing to the drought.

North Andover (Peter Holt). — Gypsy and brown-tail moth cater-
pillars are doing some damage. Corn looks well with about the usual
acreage. Haying is fully two weeks earlier than last year and the crop
is light. The acreage of potatoes is increased and the crop looks well,
man}^ fields being in blossom. All market-garden crops look fairly well
and all bring good prices. Dairy products are lower than last year and
cows are lower. Feed in pastures has been good up to the present
time, but rain is now needed. Strawberries are not a large crop, but
bring good prices; raspberries are a failure and blackberries not much
better; apples not as plenty as the bloom promised.

Neiobury (G. W. Adams). — Potato bugs are present as usual.
Indian corn is looking poorly as the drought has prevented germina-
tion in many cases. A little hay has been cut to save it and the crop
will be small. There is about an average acreage of potatoes and they

25

are doing better than most crops. Prices for market-garden crops are
fair; where irrigation is possible conditions are good. The supply of
dairy products is lessening from year to year, but is sufficient; prices
fairly sustained. The condition of pasturage is better than could be
expected. Fruits are suffering badly from drought and apples are
dropping.

Roioley (D. H. O'Brien). — Canker worms, gypsy and brown-tail
moths and striped squash bugs are doing damage. Corn is looking well
and the acreage is above the average. Haying has begun and the
prospect is that there will be less than a normal crop. The acreage of
early potatoes is about the same as in former years and a good crop is
promised. The yield of market-garden crops is about normal, but
prices have been low; prospect for late crops good. Quantity of dairy
products the same as usual and prices are a little higher ; cows average
the same. Pastures are in fair condition. Strawberries are good crop;
apples medium. Gypsy moths are increasing very noticeably.

Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — Canker worms are doing some damage.
Very little Indian corn is raised here, but sweet corn and silo corn is
looking fairly well. Haying has begun and the crop will be very light.
Not as many potatoes will be harvested as in former years, owing to
drought. Prices have been about as usual for early market-garden
crops, but they have suffered from drought. Cows are about the same
as usual in price : milk five cents per can higher. Pastures are drying
up. Strawberries are drying up; other berries look well.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Canton (Edwix Y. Kinsley). — Indian corn is looking very well,
with about the usual acreage planted. Haying has been in progress
for about two weeks and the crop is a little hghter than usual. All
potatoes look extremely well and the acreage is much above the
normal. Early market-garden crops have been injured by late frosts
in some places and prices average fair. Milk is in demand at prices in
advance of recent years, thirty-eight to forty cents per can at the farm ;
good dairy cows high in price. Pastures are growing very dry in con-
sequence of hot and dry weather for the past three weeks. All fruits
and berries promise good crops; strawberries somewhat injured by
drought.

Walpole (Edward L. Shepard). — Potato bugs and rose bugs are
doing damage. Coi'ii looks very well with the same acreage as usual.
Haying has begun, with about 80 per cent of a normal crop. Early
potatoes are looking well, with about the usual acreage. There is an
average yield of early market-garden crops and prices are about as last
year. The price of dairy products is the same as last year ; cows scarce
and higher in price. Pastures are about in normal condition. Straw-
berries are a fair crop and blackberries are looking well.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.

26

Indian corn is in fair condition, but is principally raised for the silo.
Not much haying has been done as yet and there will be a fair crop.
There is the usual acreage of early potatoes and they are looking well.
Prices for early market-garden crops have been low with good yields.
Dairy products are a trifle higher than formerly. Pastures are now
rather dry.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is looking well, and more than usual was planted. Haying
has begun and there will not be more than an average crop. The acre-
age of early potatoes is not more than last year, and the crop will be
light unless we have more than average rains. Early market-garden
crops are normal in yield and price. There is about an average supply
of dairy products, but they cost more to produce than formerly. Pas-
turage is in average condition. Strawberries were a heavy crop;
blackberries promise a good crop; all other fruits more than average.
The season is earlier than usual.

Bellingham (J. J. O'Sullivan). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking well and there is about the usual acre-
age. Haying has begun and there will be a fair crop. More than the
usual acreage of early potatoes has been planted and they promise
fairly well. Early market-garden crops were average in yield and price
and later ones promise well. Quantity of dairy products the same as
usual and prices higher; dairy cows in good supply at high prices.
Pasturage is in fair condition, but needs rain. Strawberries and black-
berries are fair crops.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Potato bug.s, rose bugs, currant
worms and curculios are doing some damage. Corn is generally looking
well, with acreage about the same as usual. The acreage of early
potatoes is about as in previous years and the crop is generally prom-
ising. Early market-garden crops have been about normal in yield and
price. Milk is higher in price than formerly, otherwise little change in
dairy products. Pasturage has been good but is now suffering from
drought. Strawberries are plenty and low in price; pears a heavy
crop; apples fair; raspberries and blackberries look well ; plums light;
peaches fair,

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn never looked better than at present and the acreage is much
larger than usual. Haying has hardly commenced and there is an
average crop. There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes and
the crop is in good condition. All market-garden crops are looking
well. There is not much change in the cjuantity and price of dairy
products. Pasturage is in good condition. Apples and pears will be
small crops. Strawberries are nearly all picked and were a moderate
crop.

27

Sicansea (F. G. Arnold). — Canker worms are doing some damage.
Indian corn looks well, and the acreage is a little above the normal.
Haj^ing has begun, with the prospect of a Ught crop. There is about
the usual acreage of early potatoes and they are looking well. Early
green stuff gave a heavy yield and brought low prices; cabbages just
coming onto the market and prices good. The quantity of milk is
about as last year and prices are the same; cows scarce and high.
Pasturage was never in better condition. Strawberries have been a
good crop; peaches promise well; pears, plums and apples few; no
raspberries. The weather has been very hot and dry, but three heavy
showers within the week have relieved the condition.

Westport (Albert S. Sherman). — Canker worms and potato bugs
are doing some damage. Indian corn is in good condition, with an in-
creased acreage, as farmers have learned that the fodder saves hay
and the grain saves dollars. Haying has begun with the prospect of a
fair crop, but not as good as last year. The acreage of early potatoes
is about as in former years and a good crop is promised. Very little
is done with early market-garden crops. Good cows are always in
demand and bring good prices. Pastures are in fairly good condition,
as we have had rain enough to keep the grass green. Strawberries have
been good; apples and pears promise well; peach trees nearly all dead.
Farmers are planting turnips and late cabbage, and they will germinate
well with the recent rains.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some damage
and a small green worm is damaging raspberries badly. Indian corn is
looking extra well, with a normal acreage. Haying has begun with
two-thirds of a normal crop. Perhaps there has been a fifth increase
in the acreage of potatoes and they never looked better. Early market-
garden crops are below normal in yield, but bring fairly good prices.
Milk is higher than formerly; supply and price of cows about normal.
Pasturage is rather short on high land. Strawberries rather a short
crop; raspberries good where sprayed; big crop of huckleberries and
blackberries ; fair crop of apples and pears, though apples have dropped
badly. Peas matured early and prices are high.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Noncell (Henry A. Turner). — Potato bugs and currant worms
are doing some damage. Indian corn is little raised in this section.
Haying has begun, with about a normal crop. There is about the
usual acreage of early potatoes and the outlook is good for the crop.
Early market-garden crops have been good and the prospect is good
for those not harvested. The quantity and price of dairy products and
dairy cows is about the same as last year. Pasturage is in very good
condition, although rain is needed. Strawberries are a good crop;
currants are looking well ; pears and peaches have set well.

Hanson (Flavel S. Thomas, M.D.). — Cut worms and potato bugs

28

are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking well and there is an
average acreage. Haying is about half completed. Early potatoes are
in good condition and there is the usual acreage. Dry weather has
decreased the yield of early market-garden crops. Dairy products
and cows are average in supply and price. The weather has been too
dr}' for pasturage to do well.

Bridgewater (R. Cass). — Cut worms, black and striped squash
bugs, and rose bugs are doing damage. Corn is small, but of good
color; acreage about as usual. Haying has begun and the prospect
is good for the crop. The acreage of potatoes is about normal with
prospect of a very good crop. Yield and price of early market-garden
crops a good average and prospects good for later ones. Dairy products
are good average, with good cows scarce and prices high. Pasturage
is in fairly good condition. A few strawberries are grown for market ;
also apples and a few pears in a small way.

Halifax (Mrs. G. W. Haytv'ard). — Potatoes suffer from the beetle,
but not as badly as some years. Corn is looking well, more than
usual ha^•ing been planted. Hay is being cut on high land. Potatoes
look well, but the acreage of early ones is small. The quantity and
price of dairy products is about the same as usual. Pastures are in
good condition up to the present time.

Plympton (Winthrop Fillebrown). — Potato bugs, cut worms,
squash bugs, and gypsy and brown-tail moths are doing damage.
The acreage of Indian corn is greatly increased and the crop is looking
very well. Haying is two or three weeks earlier than usual and there
is less than a two-thirds crop. Early potatoes are looking very nicely
and the acreage is about as usual. Early market-garden crops have
suffered from drought; prices about normal.- Dairy products are
about as usual, with prices advanced a little; price of cows increased
20 per cent. Pasturage has been good, but will suffer badly soon
without rain. All fruits and berries had a good bloom; fruit has
set well. Cranberries suffered badly from late frosts.

Kingston (George L. Churchill). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking well, with about the usual acreage.
Haying has commenced and there is prospect of a fair crop. The
acreage of early potatoes is about as in previous years. There is about
the same yield as usual of early market-garden crops with prices
normal. Cows are higher in price than last year; also dairy products.
Pastures are in good condition. Strawberries and currants are good
crops.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well and more than usual has been planted. Haying
has begun on high land and the crop is light. There is the usual
acreage of earh' potatoes and the crop is looking well. Pasturage is
getting dry. Strawberries were not injured by frost when in bloom
and on moist land are a good crop. Cranberries on some bogs were
injured by late frosts, but an average crop may be expected.

29

Rochester (Geo. H. Randall). — Potato bugs and currant worms
are doing some damage. Indian corn is growing rapidly and there is
an average acreage. Haying has begun and is hght on hght land,
but a good average crop will be secm-ed on low lands. The acreage
of early potatoes is about average and they are looking well. All
garden crops are doing well and bringing satisfactory prices. Pasturage
is in fairly good condition at present. There is no material change
in relation to dairy products and dairy cows. Strawberries have been
a smaller crop than early indications promised; blackberries winter-
killed badly; drought has not been as disastrous as was expected.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (David D. Nye). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
IncUan corn is not very forward on account of dry weather, and very
little was planted. Haying has begun and there is about half a crop
on an average. The acreage of potatoes is about three-fourths that
of last year and the crop is very backward. Prices for early market-
garden crops have been favorable, but the yields have been light.
Quantity of dairy products not up to last year, owing to drought;
prices never higher. Pastures are in rather poor condition, owing to
drought. Strawberries in certain sections were almost an entire
failure owing to dry weather; apples looking well; cranberries promise
an average crop.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Flea beetles are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well and the acreage is on the increase. Haying has
not begun, and the crop promises better after the recent showers.
The acreage of early potatoes is about the same as usual, and they
are looking fairly well. Early market-garden crops are about normal
in yield, but prices are a little lower than usual. There is no dairying
here. Pasturage is improved since the showers. Strawberries are
a fair crop; raspberries very promising, also blackberries; currants
a fair crop; gooseberries show a bumper crop.

Barnstable (John Burslev). — Rose bugs, cut worms and wire
worms are doing damage. Indian corn is a fair crop where planted
early, with a full acreage. Haying has begun and the crop is light.
The acreage of early potatoes is an average one and they are looking
well. Early market-garden crops are doing very well, and later ones
promise fairly well. Quantity of dairy products less than usual, price
of milk a trifle higher; cows fewer in number. Pasturage is in fair
condition. The strawberry crop was large and is bringing fair prices;
cranberries are looking well.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is looking well, with perhaps a 10 per cent increase in acreage.
Haying has begun and there is about 75 per cent of a full crop. The
acreage of early potatoes is about the same as usual and they promise
fairly well. The yield of early market-garden crops is rather below
the average and prices are about normal. There is no change in

80

relation to dairy products and dairy cows. Pastures are about in
average condition. Strawberries are a fair crop; cranberries too
early to predict. Showers are much needed, have had but one good
rain for a month.

Harwich (Ambrose N. Doane). — Cranberry worms are doing
some damage. Corn is looking well with about the usual acreage.
There is a fair crop of hay. There is about the usual acreage of early
potatoes, but it is too early to predict as to the crop. Early market-
garden crops make a favorable showing as to yield and price. Dairy
products are much higher than usual. Pasturage is in good condition.
Cranberries are our principal fruit crop.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Cut worms have been troublesome to
asparagus. But little Indian corn has been planted and the crop is
about the same as in previous years. The prospect is for a light crop
of ha}', owing to dry weather. More potatoes have been planted than
usual and they look finely now, prospect good with rain. Asparagus
is the only market-garden crop harvested and is the lightest for some
years, owing to rust and drought. Cows are scarce and command
high prices. Pastures need rain badly. The prospect for early apples
is good; late ones poor, especially Baldwins.

DUKES COUNTY.
West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato bugs and squash bugs
are doing some damage. Indian corn is backward on account of dry
weather; acreage about average. Haying has begun with the prospect
of about half a crop. The acreage of early potatoes is average, but
they promise poorly, owing to drought. The prospect is poor for
market-garden crops. The quantity of dairy products is average
and prices are higher than usual; dairy cows scarce and high. Pastures
are in good condition. Strawberries are standing the dry weather
well, but need more rain to insure a good crop.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (H. G. Worth). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is a little late, with the usual acreage. Haying is well
under way, with about two-thirds of a normal crop. Potatoes are
looking well, and the acreage is about the same as in former years.
Market-garden crops are good with prices fully up to former years.
Milk sells at retail at from seven to twelve cents per c[uart, and good
cows are in dema-nd. Pasturage is in good condition, considering
the dry weather. Strawberries are a fine crop, with good prospects
for the cranberry crop.

31

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

SOME SHEEP TOPICS FOR MASSACHUSETTS.

By Ray L. Gribbin, Instructor in Animal Husbandry, Massachusetts Agricultural College.

Ranked among the other States of the Union Massachusetts does
not find a place among the leaders as a producer of live stock, either
in numbers, value or, in many cases, in equality. Through the de-
velopment of the natural resources of the State in other lines than
animal husbandr}^ live stock has been compelled to find a humbler
jlace. But even with these changes certain kinds of stock should not
lave fallen to so unimportant a place as they now occupy. Particu-
arly is this true of the sheep industry, with which we are to deal

At one time flocks of sheep were cjuite common in Massachusetts,
wool and mutton forming a large item of the commerce of the State.
When the Spanish noblemen, who for so long controlled the fine wool,
production of the world, were obliged, by the Napoleonic wars, to
consent to the breaking up of their flocks, many thousands of them
were exported to America. Vermont was the leading State in this
importation, owing to the efforts of the minister to Spain at that time,
a native of Vermont, but interest in the business speedily spread to
other States. The earlier flocks were kept for their wool alone, a
highly speculative product. When it ceased to be longer profitable
the flocks were disposed of, and since then sheep have not been widely
grown in Massachusetts.

Farm values having been materially increased since that time it is
thought by many that sheep cannot be made profitable on such high-
priced land. However, a study of conditions in England shows that
sheep growing is there found profitable on lands much more valuable
than those of this State, and feed stuffs are also usually higher in price
there than here. The sheep growers of England have the advantage
of skill and knowledge, but are successful because they are better
managers and more careful feeders than we are. This skill can be easily
enough acc{uired, and some other reason must be sought for the scarcity
of sheep.

Many cUsaclvantages must be carefulh' considered before going into
the sheep business, chief among which are the ravages of dogs. The
protection afforded by State laws is only partial, the damages received
not representing the value of the animals lost to the breeder, particu-
larly where pure-bred sheep are kept. ]\Iuch harm may be done in a
single night by a worthless cur, and often the well-bred dogs kept by
sportsmen are equally dangerous and determined in their work. For

protection against this menace the best remedy is a well-trained
Scotch collie, or other sheep dog. Fences, well made and high, form a
fairly satisfactory barrier, but if these cannot keep out the marauder,
a corral, into which the flock is driven every night, is the only pro-
tection.

The lack of fences is another drawback on many farms. Low walls,
even if well made, form little obstacles to sheep, and woven wire is
ordinarily required. This can, if the walls are well laid, be made to go
on top, so as to keep the sheep in, and, to quite an extent, the dogs
out, by setting posts down the side of the wall and fastening the
fencing to these above the top of the wall. On many farms the ex-
pense of this sort of fence would be heavy, because there would be
division fences between the different fields. Movable hurdles may
often be used when desired to pasture the ewes on rye or other green
forage, in the "flushing" season, or when the permanent pasture
becomes short in feed, and such hurdles are less expensive than per-
manent fences around all fields.

More losses in the whole countr}' are annually caused by parasites
than by dogs, wolves and thieves. The pastures become infected from
the droppings of the sheep, and where the surface drainage is poor, or
a low pasture receives the drainage of surrounding upland pastures,
infection is very probable. Sheep are close grazers and so are more
liable to such infection than other kinds of stocks. Drinking water
from standing pools in the pasture is another i^rolific source of in-
fection. The parasites affecting the alimentary canal are those most
dreaded by flock masters, among them being the stomach worm, the
liver fluke, the hook worms, gids, etc. By rotation of pastures, using
upland, well-drained fields, and allowing only running streams to
furnish water supply, serious trouble may be prevented.

Another class of parasite is deposited in the nostrils by flies, in the
larval form, and gradually works up the nasal passages, and some-
times into the brain cavity, where it begins to grow. Lime given the
sheep causes them to sneeze, thus dislodging these larvse. Holes bored
in timbers, with salt deposited in them and the edges smeared with
tar, are always used as preventives, the noses of the sheep becoming
smeared with tar, the odor of which keeps the fly away from the
nostrils.

All these obstacles can be easily overcome if due care is exercised in
watching the flock, changing pastures and keeping up fences, —
things which are, after all, but a small part of the flock master's work.

There is a great demand for pure meats of any description in the
country at present, and New England is situated at a considerable
distance from the sources of supply. The supply of sheep is at present
quite low, and packers have been obliged to kill stock only half fattened,
"just warmed up," as the stock yards' expression is, to fill their orders.
The demand for mutton is enormous, and a fact which should be sig-
nificant to Massachusetts farmers is that the heaviest and most urgent
demands come from New England and the Middle Atlantic States.

It would not be wise to attempt to raise sheep in all sections of
Massachusetts and it is not likely that an immediate and complete
change would be found possible in any case. However, the dairy
business is not as profitable in many sections as formerly, owing to the
high cost of feed stuffs, which is not met by a corresponding increase
in the price received for their products. Li the hilly sections of the
State, where the pastures are rather poor, considered as a range for
other animals, sheep would do best. Here flocks could be established,
which would do away with the farmer's dependence upon dairying.

33

Sheep delight in browsing weeds and undergrowth, and are in their
element where cattle and horses cannot live. In a few years' time
they would bring these old pastures to the point where good pasture
grass could grow, and make them more profitable than ever, particu-
larly if they were given a little grain and clover hay while doing the
cleaning up work.

Every farmer who does any general farming should raise a few
sheep. Their advantages are easily seen, they do much of the cleaning
up work spoken of above, and the wool which an ewe clips will often
pay for her keep during the year. They can well be kept for the sole
purpose of keeping the meat bill down, as they give a carcass which
can be used before it spoils in the summer months, something that no
other farm animal does, and the pelts of those so used may be sold to
the hide man and bring additional income.

On farms where the owner desires to make sheep a chief industry
there are only two principal lines that are profitable, the raising of
lambs for the summer market or the production of winter or "hot-
house lambs." It is not possible to buy lambs for feeding, native
lambs not being available, and the cost on the nearest general market,
Buffalo, being so high as to preclude buying them and shipping them
to New England to fatten. Necessarily the only profitable meat pro-
duction with our conditions is where the product is matured at as
early an age as possible. The cost of grains is considerable, and the
largest gains from a given amount are made when the animal fed is
young. We must therefore get our product to market at as early an
age as possible. It is not practical to keep sheep in Massachusetts for
their wool alone, in fact, it was wool that destroyed the sheep industry
in this State in the first place. Wool can be grown to a profit only on
the western mountain ranges, where land is cheap, and where there is
little competition with other more intensive industries. In choosing
a breed for this State it would, however, be well to choose one which
would shear as heavily as possible and yet not interfere with its
mutton-producing qualities. In other words, a mutton-general-
purpose sheep is most desirable.

This brings up the question of what breed is best suited to the New
England States in general and Massachusetts in particular. The con-
siderations desired are a mutton sheep which carries a good fleece,
both as to staple and quality. The fleece should be made up of wool
which is most often called for in the market, so as to insure an easy
sale at a profitable price. The quality of the mutton is also a point
which merits consideration. If a local market is sought, as is almost
necessary, the quality of the meat must be high, the texture fine, fat
well distributed, to give juiciness to chops and roasts, and the whole
cut tender. Young animals usually give the most tender meat, and
various breeds are noted for the flavor of their flesh. The prolificacy
of the breeds is another point meriting consideration, as intensive
methods must be followed here in all lines. A flock averaging a lamb
and a half to a ewe is evidently more valuable than one averaging
only a lamb to a ewe. Much depends upon the comparative strength
of the lambs in the two cases, but as a rule those breeds which average
as high as a lamb and a half per ewe bring forth quite strong and well-
growing young. A further requirement is that the breed should be
able to pick up a rough living on the hills and be adapted to the climate
of the region. With these points in mind a description of a few of the
more prominent breeds of mutton sheep will be given.

Mutton sheep will be divided, according to the length of their wool,
into two classes, — the long wools and the short, or, as they are more

34

commonly known, the medium-wooled breeds. All of our mutton
breeds came originally from England, noted as the greatest meat-
consuming nation in the world, and where the people have a particular
liking for mutton, even though noted as beef eaters.

Of the long-wooled breeds the three most important are the Leicester,
Lincoln and Cotswold, and of the medium wools the Shropshire, South-
down, Hampshire Down, Oxford and Dorset are the best known and
most valuable. The four first named medium wools are known as the
"down" breeds, as they originated in the down countries of England,
— in Shropshire, Sussex, Oxford and other counties in south-central
England.

As a general thing the long-wooled breeds are the larger, and, as is
true of most large animals when compared with those of the same
species which are smaller in size, are slow in reaching their mature form.
Add to this the fact that the quality of their flesh is not of the best,
there being a tendency to coarseness in grain, the fibers of the red
meat standing out prominently, like the fibers in the shoulder steaks
of a beef, as compared with the fibers of the loin cut of the same
animal. With this coarse texture there is a tendency to a too uneven
distribution of the fat, great soft bunches being likely to appear at the
tail head and down at the fore flank, giving weight to the animal but
detracting markedly from the value of the carcass. Another charac-
teristic of the long-wooled breeds which might be urged as an ob-
jection is that they are not as strongly prolific as the smaller varieties.
Bearing these things in mind it will hardly be necessary to discuss
their characteristics more in detail, and the principal characteristics
of the smaller sheep will follow.

Of these none is so widely known throughout the entire country as
the Shropshire. It is a fairly small breed, mature rams averaging
225 pounds and ewes from 150 to 160 pounds, sometimes reaching 175
pounds. It is about the average in size of the middle-wooled breeds,
and is a very squarely built and low-set animal, having abundant
spread of rib, and carrying a thick covering of flesh on the back, loin
and leg, those parts of most value on the carcass. From the back and
loin come the chops, while roast leg is furnished from the latter part.
A dense, fairly uniform fleece of medium length, averaging from two
and one-half to three and one-half inches in length, covers the sheep.

A typical individual of the breed is blocky, low set, with level top
and bottom lines, wooled well down to the feet, both in front and
behind, with the body well covered. No black wool should show, but
the tips of the nose and ears are black in the best specimens. The
wool should go well over the face, leaving only the tips of the nose and
ears visible, the eyes being scarcely visible in many animals. The
ears should have little tufts of fleece scattered about over their upper
surface.

This breed is very popular as a general-purpose animal on account
of its good size and fine quality of mutton and wool. Its early ma-
turing qualities are first class, and are transmitted in large part to
grade offspring. As grazing sheep other breeds have more adaptability,
but in New England satisfactory results have been obtained in grazing
them. The average percentage of increase among Shropshire flocks is
nearly 150, or an average of a lamb and a half per ewe. Not every
flock master can secure so high an average, but many have had even
better results. It is as common a breed in America as any.

The Southdown is the smallest of the "down" breeds, averaging
for the ram 175 pounds and the ewe 135 pounds, and is the oldest pure
breed of the mutton type. It is even lower set than the Shropshire,

35

and has as nearly a perfect mutton type, though on a small scale, as
any of the so-called mutton breeds. It is so compactly made, and
carries so much weight in such little bulk, that it is often described as
the bullet type. For quality of mutton it is rarely surpassed, having
an exceedingly fine flavor, with a large percentage of edible meat. In
color the breed is of a rather grayish brown on the face, ears and legs,
with a white fleece. There is a difference from the Shropshire both in
length of fleece and distribution. The Southdown has a dense fleece,
meaning one with a maximum number of fibers per square inch of
surface, but it is considerably shorter than the Shropshire, there being
more difference in the average shear of the breeds. The Southdown
has no wool below the eyes, except, perhaps, tufts similar to those on
the Shropshire's ears, nor are the legs wooled so far down. An es-
pecially commendable characteristic of the breed in form is its un-
usually thick and plump leg of mutton. The breed is thick fleshed
throughout and is early in maturity, though not quite so heavy gains
can be averaged as with the Shropshire. The breed does well on hilly
land, is fairly hardy, yet thrives best on farms similar to those of the
corn belt. For wool production, even combined with mutton, one
would not choose the Southdown, their best use being in mutton
raising. Ewes are not up to the Shropshire in prolificacy, averaging
only from 120 to 130 per cent in the best flocks. The breed is too
small for the average farmer, and does not clip a hea\y enough fleece
to satisfy one who wants a general-purpose sheep.

A larger breed than either the Shropshire or Southdown, ranking
next to the Oxford among the "down" breeds, is the Hampshire, — a
breed in which the rams will average close to 240 to 250 pounds, and
the ewes nearly 200 pounds. More upstanding than either of the
smaller sorts previously described, Hampshires are not nearly as com-
pactly built. A large, black face, with black ears held in a peculiar
manner, the whole head set on the neck rather strangely, are dis-
tinguishing characteristics. The fleece extends down on the face,
only a little below the eyes, does not cover the ears, and usually leaves
the fore legs below the knees bare. As a wool producer their rank
is not high, because of a rather open fleece, with short staple. The
breed is particularly noted for large size of lambs at birth and their
early maturity.

The largest of the middle- wool breeds is another "down," the
Oxford, which averages about 275 or more pounds for the ram, with
mature ewes above 200 pounds. This breed has a longer fleece than
any so far mentioned, but it is not so dense. Many flocks of Oxford
sheep average close to 11 pounds of unwashed wool per head. Ewes
are quite prolific, but scarcely lead the Shropshires at this point.
Hea\'y gains can be made with Oxford lambs, but they require a longer
time to fully mature than some other breeds, and do not fatten quite
as evenly as would be desirable. The Oxford is best suited to rich
farms, where plenty of grain can be furnished, and protection from
the elements is more necessary than with other breeds. They resemble
the Shropshire slightly, except for the larger size, larger head, clean
face and longer, more pointed ears. Wool does not cover the legs as
completely as in the Shropshire.

The Dorset horned breed is a white-faced, white-legged sheep,
carrying a rather open but fairly long fleece, has quite good mutton
type, though not quite so compact as the breeds already mentioned,
but has peculiar characteristics which deserve mention. Rams average
about 230 pounds, while ewes in fair flesh should tip the scales at close
to 160 pounds, probabh^ more. In quality of mutton they are some-

36

what inferior, not having so high a proportion of edible meat to whole
carcass as the Southdown or even the Shropshire, ranking about
medium in this regard. They are first class as early maturing stock
and as wool producers. As feeders they do very well, standing pen
feeding well and making rapid gains. In their native country they
have long been famous for their tendency to breed at almost any time
of the year; not only do they produce lambs twice a year if desired,
but twins and triplets are fairly common. Of course in the winter
lamb business one strong lamb is better than a pair of rather mediocre
ones, quick growth being desired. The ewe will raise one lamb faster
than two.

With these brief descriptions of the various breeds, serving as a
partial guide for selection, the next step is establishing a flock. It is
not necessary to build a new set of barns in starting in the sheep
business, as many people imagine, the only shelter and protection
required by sheep being dry quarters and sheds to protect them from
cold, driving rains. A very economical way to start a flock is by the
purchase of a few old ewes. Ewes of four to five years of age, if their
teeth are still in fairly good condition, make a very satisfactory and
yet economical foundation. They can be purchased from some large
sheep breeder at a comparatively low price, because in a large flock it
is best to keep only younger females, selling off the old ones after they
show signs of poor teeth. It is not wise to attempt to save money on
the ram in the same manner. "The sire is half the herd" is an old
saying, as true as ever a proverb could be, but countless numbers of
people fly right in the face of the advice it conveys and buy sires of
a mediocre sort. With a herd of females of any sort the only way
open for quick improvement is to purchase a sire that is better than
the average of the flock. A good ram at a high price is cheaper than a
medium individual at a low figure.

In the production of winter lambs more care should be taken in the
selection of ewes than where the aim is to establish a good farm flock,
as winter lambs must be good individuals to command the best prices,
and should come from young, vigorous mothei's if they are to grow
the best, make the quickest start and finish the strongest. The above
method of securing a foundation flock can therefore hardly be recom-
mended as a beginning for the ''hot-house lamb" business, but for
any other sort of market production it will be very practical.

With a pure-bred sire on average ewes the first lamb crop will
usually be an improvement over their dams. Out of this lot come the
individuals which are to replace the old ewes, which seldom retain
their usefulness much longer. If some of the old ewes show \'igor and
health, and retain a workable set of teeth, they may be used as breeders
for another season, after which they should be discarded, as by that
time a sufficient number of younger females will probably have been
produced to serve as the foundation of the permanent flock. The
ram first purchased can be used on the old ewes, and, if a strong ram,
may be used on his offspring, provided they are exceedingly vigorous,
but such use is rarely advisable. It is preferable to use another ram
of even better breeding on the young ewes, and continue this process,
getting as good a ram whenever needed as can be obtained. In this
manner the quality of the flock will be continuously improved. It is
their devotion to the highest grade of stock that has made the English
breeders so successful, while our indifference to this point has pre-
vented our attaining the same measure of success.

Ewes should be bred so as to drop lambs in INIarch, or earlier if
possible, because it is to the man first in the spring market with good

37

lambs that the greatest profits go. Keep the prospective mothers in
good condition before breeding, and if any appear thinner than is
desirable, "flush" them with grain, as thej^ breed better when in
fairly good flesh, coming in heat more easily and conception being
more certain. After turning the ram with them for a week or so
separate them again and begin pre])aring for the lambs. A clean, dry
shed, where the snow and rain cannot beat in, with openings and pens
for exercise on the south, should be furnished for lambing. If lambs
are due in February or early March a closed room, which can be
artificially heated, will be the means of saving many a lamb that would
otherwise become chilled and die. A breeding register is very con-
venient, and will result in saving a good many lambs that are dropped
weak. If a breeding register is kept there must be some way of mark-
ing ewes as they are served. As convenient a way as any is to smear
the belly of the ram with red paint or lamp black and oil, so that when
the ewes are served some of this will rub off on the rump. Those
served may then be cut out daily, and an accurate record kept of when
the lambs should be dropped. Guess work is done away with at
lambing time, and the ewes are not shut into the lambing pens until
the proper time. A good shepherd w^ill watch every ewe until she
yeans, and will see that the lamb stands and takes nourishment before
he leaves. This trouble is well paid for if only three or four lambs are
saved, especially if intended for winter lambs, selling at from $6 to $8
per head at ninety days from birth.

After the birth of the lambs if the weather is severe and damp, as it
sometimes is in February and March, the artificial heat should be kept
up for two or three days, but after this period it is no longer necessary
if the ewe and her youngster are removed to a clean, dry pen. The
time when harm results, from chilled lambs is immediately following
birth, or when the little ones become wet in cold weather.

In preparing the lamb for market one should begin as soon as it is
born. After parturition feed the ewe well, so as to induce a strong
flow of milk. The more plentiful supply she has the faster the lamb
will grow and the earlier he will reach the market. After two or three
weeks he will begin to nibble at grain and eat small quantities. A
" creep " should then be built, so that he may have access to finely
ground grain, which should be of a somewhat different mixture from
the feed that the mother gets, consisting preferably of corn meal, bran
and a small quantity of oil meal. The "creep" allows only the small
lambs to get at this particular mixture. Corn has been proved by
repeated trials to give the cjuickest results, as its fattening (jualities,
in conjunction with the mother's milk, give very quick growth. It
should not be given alone on account of the heaviness of the feed, its
effect on the digestive system, when so fed, being rather harmful. If
a few roots — turnips or mangels — are available they make an ex-
cellent feed, and cabbages will produce very good results. Lambs do
not eat much roughage, but will eat a little clover hay if allowed access
to it. Being a protein fodder the clover hay will help considerably in
the growth! It is essential in feeding young things of any sort to see
that flesh-forming and bone-producing foods are fed, to supplement
the fattening grains given. Feeds high in protein and containing con-
siderable ash should be given, along with corn. Bran is added to the
above mixture for that reason, containing a fairly high percentage of
protein and being high in ash content. Oil meal contains a large
amount of protein, and has a slightly laxative effect on the bowels,
thus leading to a good condition of the digestive organs.

If good pasture is available little grain is necessary, but it should be

38

given, even then, for stock that is being hurried to maturity. In early-
spring, when pasture is not plentiful, rye sown the previous fall makes
good gi'een fodder. Later on rape may be used to supplement failing
pastures, but sheep should never be turned on rape when very hungry,
because of the danger of bloating.

Docking and castrating may be done at the same or different times,
as suits the convenience of the shepherd. In many instances docking
is done first, and the castration when the lambs become stronger, thus
not setting them back as much. Early lambs, those marketed at
from forty to ninety days, need not be castrated or docked. Those
kept longer should be castrated, as their flesh becomes rather coarse in
texture and has not so desirable a flavor if they are not altered. Un-
docked tails make sheep foul and unattractive, and for that reason
should be removed from all except early lambs.

Docking may be done with a sharp knife, cutting off the tail about
an inch and a half or two inches from the body. The division should
be made at one of the joints for clean work and best results. Both
docking and castration should be done when the ground is dry and the
weather dry and moderately warm. Damp quarters tend to infection
of wounds, and if the weather is good the stock will more easily and
quickly recover than when cold, wet days are the rule. Both opera-
tions should be done when the lambs are but a few weeks old.

When young lambs show the presence of worms in the alimentary
canal, causing severe emaciation, they are probably the stomach or
other variety of the round worm. These may be gotten rid of by
giving small doses of turpentine and linseed oil, being careful that no
portion of it enters the lungs, where it will cause death much more
quickly and surely than can the stomach worms themselves.

Weaning may be done as soon as the ewe shows signs of a very much
decreased flow of milk. It is not necessary to wean winter lambs at
all, but those kept for later markets may be weaned easily and without
much loss at from three to four months. Gradual weaning is best,
instead of taking away the ewes suddenly. Lambs that before weaning
have been fed the mixture of corn, bran and oil meal suggested above
may be rapidly fattened on a mixture of two parts corn and one part
linseed meal. If feeding for fall market, begin early enough to have
the lambs well fattened before the pastures become so scant as to
necessitate a change to dry roughage.

The ram to be used should possess good mutton type and be an im-
pressive appearing individual, showing the leading characteristics of
his breed. For some time previous to the breeding season he should be
weU fed on grain which is not too fattening. A highly fattened ram is
poorer for breeding purposes than one in rather thin condition, and is
not at all sure in such a condition. A standard grain ration is made up
of oats and bran, fed rather lightly. Such feeds seem to improve the
ram's condition, so that he is eager and sure and in full vigor, — a
condition much to be desired. It is also essential in preparing him for
the breecUng season that he should have plenty of exercise. Good
feeding without exercise spoils his usefulness, so that plenty of room
for exercise should be provided under all circumstances. He may be
housed during the day and allowed the run of a good pasture during
the night, if one well protected from clogs is available.

The number of ewes a ram will serve in a single season, and insure
good results, is of course dependent upon his age, vigor and manage-
ment. A vigorous ram, allowed to run loose in a large flock, will no
doubt serve more lambs than is best for his own constitution and for
the lambs to follow. An average mature ram, running at large with

39

the flock during breeding season, should not be expected to serve more
than 30 or 40 ewes. A lamb ram should not be allowed more than 15
or 20 females, a yearling or "shearling" ought to be confined to not
more than 40, and 60 ewes is the outside limit for any vigorous and
mature lamb if best results are desired. Between the ages of two and
six years a buck is in his prime. With the ordinary flock in this State
it is as good a plan as any to turn the ram with the ewes when the
breeding season arrives. If he has been fed grain liberally before the
breeding season a slight grain ration should be continued if possible,
but he will do well on pasture alone. After the ewes have all been bred
the grain ration should be cut down gradually, and the ram eventually
allowed to pick his living from pastures and roughage, taking care not
to starve him, as many do.

Ewes- should be bred to drop lambs as early in the winter as accom-
modations for taking care of them are available. If the farmer has no
sheds which are dry, and is without one or two rooms which may be
artiflcially heated on severely cold days, it is useless to think of pro-
ducing February lambs. Early lambs are desirable, as they may be
marketed before the hottest weather, when infection and loss from
parasites are most likely, and the early market is also the best. A
good fall market may be had also, but in breeding for the fall market
considerable more care and risk will be necessary in carrying the
animals through the summer than if they are sold before the latter
part of June.

Winter Lambs.

The term "hot-house lambs" is misleading, as most people imagine
that their production requires extremely artiflcial conditions, which
is not true in the sense they mean. The conditions required are not
nearly so artificial as are furnished dairy cattle and horses. The "hot-
house lamb " is simply a lamb born in November or December, fattened
and sold during the first ten weeks of the new year, when there is a
strong demand for choice lambs from 45 to 60 pounds in weight.
They will bring very favorable prices, averaging from $8 to $10 per
head, and the demand is always stronger than the supply. The chief
markets are in the larger cities, so the selling must either be done
through commission men or a fancy private butcher trade built up. If
possible, it is desirable to deal directly with some large market, or to
furnish hotels with lambs direct from the farm.

In producing "hot-house lambs" immunity from parasites is ob-
tained, thus avoiding one of the most serious handicaps of the business.
The lambs suffer from parasites more severely than their dams, being
young and comparatively weak, but winter lambs cannot suffer, as it
is when feeding in pasture that the parasites obtain a foothold. The
winter months are, as a rule, a time when work on the farm is some-
what slack, and the production of the Christmas lamb requires con-
siderable work during this slack season, thus gi'V'ing a better distribu-
tion of labor on the farm. Not only are the highest prices for the
lambs obtained at this season, but as they are sold earlier than at other
times they return more pounds of gain per pound of food, and their
cost is therefore at a minimum.

In the production of winter lambs certain peculiar conditions must
be met, and careful attention given to the details, which make the
difference between profit and loss. This puts the "hot-house lamb"
business into the hands of the man who is careful and methodical about
his work. The first requisite is that the lambs shall come at the proper
season, in November or December. October lambs would most likely

40

be all right here, though too early in the. west. They must be marketed
during the Christmas holidays, as they will be too heavy to sell as
fancy lambs if held much later. The heaviest demand is from the
first of January to the middle of March, so it is best to have the ewes
yean in November or December. The period of gestation in sheep
ranges from 150 to 154 days, so they must be bred in June or July.
Ewes of ordinary breeds will not accept the ram at that season, and
the Dorsets and their grades are the only ones that can be depended
upon to produce lambs in November or December. Dorset-^Ierino
grades have been found very satisfactory, also the Dorset-Shropshire,
though the latter is not as certain to breecl at the proper season. Good
grade ewes are preferable as mothers for raising such lambs, as they are
cheaper and are usually stronger and more vigorous mothers. The
rams should be pure bred, as grade sires are not prepotent, conse-
ciuently failing to sire lambs of uniform merit. Bearing in mind that
lambs of good size, possessing first-class ciuality, with high grade of
flesh and good feeders, are the object, some breed possessing these
characteristics should furnish the ram. For the largest lambs and
good cjuality of flesh Hampshire rams are very good. In this State,
as the Shropshire is the most popular and rams of the breed easily
obtainable, it would seem best to select good, vigorous and good-sized
Shropshire sires.

The ewes should be sheared early and kept on light food from March
until the latter part of May, aiming at only medium condition. Pasture
them in May, to keep them gaining until bred. When pasture is not
good they should receive grain in addition. Rams should be in similar
condition. The preferable plan is to keep the ram with the ewes at
night only, but it is usuallj^ more convenient to turn them with the
flock, letting them remain all the time, until every ewe has been bred.
After they have all taken the ram he should be removed from the
same pasture.

The barn or shed in which the ewes and lambs are to be cared for
should be wind proof, reasonably warm, and considerable glass on the
south side is an advantage. The best of ventilation should be arranged.
It is advisable to provide separate cjuarters for the lambs, separated
from the ewes by a "creep." Only sufficient bedding to keep the
sheep clean is necessary, an excess being objectionable. Gypsum will
keep down the ammonia from the fermenting riianure. Supply salt
and water in the barn, so that the ewes and lambs need not go out
doors from the time they are put in until the young animals are
slaughtered and sold.

Feeding should be about the same as for ordinary lambs, except
that more protein must be furnished the winter lamb, and he should
be forced, if possible, to eat more grain all the time. Carrots and Swede
turnips are ver}^ valuable for the ewes and a few may be given the
lambs, although bright, fresh silage, which has never been frozen, is as
well for palatability and more economical. The guide as to the amount
of feed both for ewes and young is their general thrift. Keep enough
food before the ewes at all times to insure a full flow of milk, as it is
from this source that the c^uickest and steadiest gain for the lambs
must come. Corn meal and wheat bran in the proportion of three of
meal to one of bran is a very excellent mixture for the lambs, and if
fed with good clover hay will produce surprising growth. If silage or
chopped roots are available it should be fed once a day, with bran and
meal sprinkled over it. Feeding three times a day all the grain that
will be cleaned up is recommended. Troughs for both mother and
offspring should be cleaned thoroughly at each feed. Silage taken

41

from the bottom of the silo is hkely to prove harmful, because of the
acid in this part.

With proper care in feeding, weights of from 45 to 60 pounds in
from eight to ten weeks shoukl be the rule, and the lambs should be
very fat. They should be in such condition from the start that they
will be ready to sell at any time. They should now be slaughtered and
"hog dressed," to prepare them for the market. This is more or less
of a fancy operation, recjuiring care and skill, since a well-di'essed carcass
will far outsell one that is poorly finished. In this connection no better
advice can be given than that by Dr. H. P. Miller of Ohio, who has had
considerable experience with the winter lamb. He says: —

The preparation for market requires some skill, yet only such as almost any
one can develop after carefully studying directions. Methods of preparation
have been greatly simplified, and the lambs seem apparently to continue to
sell as well as before.

It is important to have them thoroughly bled out. To secure this it has been
found of advantage to suspend the lamb from the hind feet in killing. Sus-
pend a short singletree about six feet from the ground. Loop a small rope or
strong twine about each hind leg and attach to the hooks of the singletree.
With a sharp-pointed knife sever the artery and vein in the neck, close to the
head. Be sure to sever the artery. Bright red blood is the assurance. The
venous blood is dark. Severing the head with a broad axe would perhaps
cause less suffering and insure thorough bleeding. The head is removed with
a knife as soon as the lamb stops bleeding. Clip the wool from the brisket
and a strip four or five inches wide upward to the udder or scrotum, also from
between the hind legs, as in tagging sheep. Slit the skin up the inside of the
hind quarters about four inches, and loosen the skin from the underlying
muscles for about two inches on either side of the openings in the skin for the
attachment of the caul fat. This should be renaoved from the stomachs before
they are detached, and in very cold weather placed in warm water until ready
to use. Next remove the stomach and intestines. In the early part of the
season the liver, heart and lungs are not removed, but when the weather gets
warm they must be. Carefully spread the caul fat over all the exposed flesh.
Good toothpicks should be provided for attaching it and holding it in place. '
Make small slits in it over the kidneys and pull them through. In this part
of the work is where skill is reqiiired to make the .carcass attractive. Now
hang it in a cool place for twelve to twenty-four hours. In extremely cold
weather twelve hours is long enough, but it is better to make twenty-four the
rule. Then neatly sew a square yard of clean muslin about each lainb, so as to
cover up all exposed surface. It was formerly customary to wrap each one in
burlap and attach it to a stretcher, but now three lambs are placed in a light
crate, with burlap tacked o\'er the top. The crate is lined with heavy paper.
Prepare them as .shortly before shipping as possible. In warm weather ice
may be put between the lambs, not in them. Send them as they are readj^
three or six at a time. The market varies greatly, depending upon the weather
and the number arriving. It is not possible to get them all on a high market.
Aim to slaughter regularly each week, keeping your customers advised as to
when, and how many you will be likely to ship.

With the special opportunities that are apparent in a large part of
the State why not grow a home product of widely known quality for
home use? The demand of Boston, Hartford and New York, selecting
these cities at random, could be partially supplied by home-grown
sheep, for which a fancy price would be paid if the consumer were
assured of the value and high quality of the product. Mutton is the
sweetest and most tender of meat, lacking the grossness and coarse
texture of beef, and possessing a cleaner and more wholesome flavor
than pork. It will suit the daintiest palate and satisfy the heartiest
appetite. Who has ever partaken of a nicely turned leg o' mutton,
tastily garnished and attractively served, whose mouth doesn't water
for another such feast? Massachu.setts could and should take up sheep
growing as a much larger part of her activity than it is at present.

Series of 1908. Vol. 21. No. 3.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of July, 1908.

DRAINAGE.

ISSUED MONTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTOX, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary.

Entehed June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON:

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1908.

Approted by
The State Board of Publication.

Crop Eeport for the Month of July, 1908.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Aug. 1, 1908.

In presenting the Crop Eeport for the month of July,
Bulletin No. 3 of the current series, we desire to call atten-
tion to the article on " Drainage/' at the close of the bulletin,
by Prof. Wm. P. Brooks, Director of the Massachusetts Agri-
cultural Experiment Station. There is a great deal of land
in Massachusetts which could be greatly improved by the
establishment of a system of artificial drainage, and this
article gives full instructions as to the installing of such
systems. Professor Brooks has had much practical experi-
ence with the work of farm drainage on the farm of the
Massachusetts Agricultural College, where many acres of
land have been reclaimed and improved by this means, and
is also fully posted on the theoretical side of the question.

Progress of the Season.

The Crop Reporting Board of the Bureau of Statistics of
the Department of Agriculture (Crop Reporter for July,
1907) finds the preliminary estimate of the acreage planted
in corn to be 100,996,000 acres, an increase of 1,065,000
acres, or 1.1 per cent, as compared with the final estimate
of the acreage planted last year. The average condition of
the com crop on July 1 was 82.8 per cent of a normal, as
compared with 80.2 on July 1, 1907, 87.5 on July 1, 1906,
and 85.6, the ten-year average on July 1.

The average condition of spring wheat on July 1 was 89.4
per cent of a normal, as compared with 95 last month, 87.2
on July 1, 1907, and 87.6, the ten-year average on July 1.
The average condition of winter wheat at time of harvest
was 80.6, as compared with 86 on June 1, 78.3 at harvest,
1907, and 80.2, the average at the time of harvest for the

past ten years. The average condition on July 1 of spring
and winter wheat combined was 83.9, as compared with 89.4
a month earlier, 81.6 on July 1, 1907, and 82.9, the ten-
year average. The amount of wheat remaining in the hands
of farmers on July 1 was estimated at 5.3 per cent of last
year's crop, equivalent to 33,797,000 bushels.

The average condition of the oats crop on July 1 was 85.7,
as compared with 92.9 a month earlier, 81 on July 1, 1907,
84 on July 1, 1906, 92.1 on July 1, 1905, and 87.5, the ten-
year average.

The average condition of barley on July 1 was 86.2 per
cent of a normal, as compared with 89.7 a month earlier,
84.4 on July 1, 1907, 92.5 on July 1, 1906, and 88.3, the
ten-year average on that date.

The average condition of rye on July 1 was 91.2 per cent
of a normal, as compared with 91.3 last month, 89.7 on July
1, 1907, 91.3 on July 1, 1906, and 90.1, the ten-year aver-
age on July 1.

The average condition of the hay crop on July 1 was 92.6
per cent of a normal, as compared with 96.8 a month earlier,
and approximately 82 on July 1, 1907. The condition of
timothy on July 1 was 90.2 per cent, as compared with 82.2
on July 1, 1907, and 86, the ten-year average; clover 95.5
on July 1, as compared with 76.4 on July 1, 1907, and 84,
the ten-year average.

The condition of the apple crop on July 1 was 57.6, as
compared with 66 on June 1, 44 on July 1, 1907, and 62.3,
the ten-year average on July 1.

The acreage of Irish potatoes is estimated as 3,198,000
acres; that is, 2.4 per cent, or 74,000 acres, more than last
year. The condition of the crop on July 1 was 89.6 per cent
of a normal, as compared with 90.2 on July 1, 1907, 91.5
on July 1, 1906, and 91.6, the ten-year average on July 1.

The acreage of tobacco is estimated as 763,000 acres ; that
is, 7 per cent, or 58,000 acres, less than last year. The con-
dition of the crop on July 1 was 86.6 per cent of a normal,
as compared with 81.3 on July 1, 1907, 86.7 on July 1,
1906, and 86, the ten-year average.

In Massachusetts the acreage of corn is 45,000 acres, or
102, as compared with last year, and the condition on July
1 was 97 ; the average condition of oats was 98 ; the average
condition of rye, 94; the acreage of tobacco 4,512 acres, or
96, as compared with last year, and the condition 95 ; the
acreage of Irish potatoes was 32,000, or 105, as compared
with last year, and the average condition 92 ; the average
condition of timothy was 90, the average condition of clover,
88, and the average condition of all tame hay, 90 ; the aver-
age condition of pastures, 93 ; the average condition of apples,
77 ; the average condition of peaches, 80 ; the average condi-
tion of pears, 87 ; the average condition of grapes, 85 ; the
average condition of tomatoes, 90 ; the average condition of
cabbages, 92 ; and the average condition of onions, 90,

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[From United States National Weekly Weather Bulletin.]

Weeh ending July 6. — The mean temperature was below
the normal over the entire district between the Mississippi
River and the Rocky Mountains, the average deficiency rang-
ing from 3° to 6° daily. The mean temperature was above
the normal from the lower lakes, Ohio valley and east Gulf
States, northeastward over the Atlantic coast States and ]^ew
England, and also over the districts west of the Rocky Moun-
tains. The precipitation was generally above the normal
from South Dakota and southern Minnesota southward to
Oklahoma and northern Texas, throughout Illinois and much
of Indiana and Ohio. There was a deficiency in the week's
rainfall throughout a gradually widening area from the
upper Ohio valley northeastward, to include practically the
whole of ISTew England, from the headwaters of the Missouri
eastward to the Lakes, and from the Plateau region westward
to the Pacific Ocean.

Weeh ending July IS. — The mean temperature for the
week continued below the normal over the lower Missouri
and middle Mississippi valleys, though somewhat less pro-
nounced than in the previous week. The mean temperature
was also slightly below the normal over most of the Gulf

6

and South Atlantic States. The mean temperature continued
high over ISTew England and the Lake region, ranging from
3° to 8° daily above the normal, also over the Plateau and
Pacific coast districts. The precipitation for the week was
above the normal in South Dakota, jSTebraska, northeastern
Kansas, portions of the southern States, throughout the in-
terior of 'New York and portions of Michigan and Wiscon-
sin. The precipitation was below normal in the remaining
portions of the country, the deficiency amounting to more
than half an inch from the upper Missouri valley eastward
to Lake Superior, in New England, New Jersey and Vir-
ginia.

Week ending July 20. — The mean temperature continued
below normal over the greater part of the region between the
Mississippi valley and the Rocky Mountains, and the cool
area extended eastward over the Ohio valley. Lake region and
northern I^ew England, the deficiency ranging from 3° to 6°.
From the lower Mississippi valley eastward over the Gulf
States and along the Atlantic coast to IsTew England the mean
temperature was above the normal, also over the upper Mis-
souri valley and the Pacific coast States. The rainfall was
in excess of the normal from the central Washington coast
eastward to the upper Missouri valley, throughout the greater
part of the Lake region and ISTew England, the rainfall rang-
ing from 1 to 2 inches. The week was comparatively dry
from the central Plateau region to the eastern portions of
the Dakotas, over Kansas, ^Nebraska and northern Oklahoma,
and along the southern Atlantic coast.

Week ending July 27. — The mean temperature continued
below the normal from Texas northeastward over the middle
Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys to the lower Lake region,
also over most of the Gulf States and locally on the Pacific
coast. The mean temperature was above normal over most
of the Pacific coast districts, and thence northeasterly over
the middle and northern Plateau and mountain districts to
the upper Lakes, and over the Atlantic coast from southern
New England to Florida. The rainfall was above the normal
throughout the greater part of the country from the central

Mississippi and lower Ohio valleys northeastward to southern
New England and eastward to the Virginia coast. The pre-
cipitation was generally below normal over the lower Missouri
and upper Mississippi valleys and upper Lake region, in
northern New England, and throughout the Atlantic coast
States south of Virginia.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

WeeJc ending July 6. — New England. Boston : The mean
temperature was much above the normal ; the maximum tem-
perature was between 83° and 90° nearly every day. Local
showers and thunderstorms occurred in nearly all parts of
New England during the week, but the rainfall was light and
drought continues, except in parts of New Hampshire and
the Connecticut valley sections of Massachusetts and Con-
necticut, where severe local storms gave from .50 of an inch
to 1.70 inches rainfall on the 2d. The sunshine was normal.

Week ending July 13. — New England. Boston: The
weather continued very warm and dry. Maximum tempera-
tures above 95° were general on the 12th. No rain occurred
during the week, except very light showers in a few localities.
Drought continues with increasing severity and is causing
much injury. Clear weather prevailed every day of the
week.

Weeh ending July 20. — New England. Boston : Tem-
peratures were high the first two days and moderate the
remainder of the week, averaging about normal. The severe
drought was broken by frequent showers ; rainfall for the
week generally between 1 and 1.5 inches, except in some
localities in central and eastern Massachusetts, where only
about .5 of an inch fell. Sunshine was a]x)ut the average.

Week ending July 27. — New England. Boston : The
temperatures were about normal, except on the 23d, when
they were decidedly above, with the highest, 93°, in Massa-
chusetts, and on the 25th, when they were decidedly below,
with the lowest maximum, 64°, in New Hampshire. Light
to copious rains fell throughout the district on the 2 2d and

8

25tli, generally heaviest in the northern portion on the
former date and in the southern portion on the latter date,
several stations reporting more than 1 inch on both dates.
Occasional showers on other dates, except in Maine.

Weather of July, 1908.

The drought that prevailed through June continued ahnost
uninterruptedly until the middle of July, the only exceptions
being local showers in a few scattered sections. From the
16th to the 20th, inclusive, showers were quite general, with
the rainfall ranging from light to copious in amounts.
Again, on the 25th, showers occurred in all sections of the
State, with amounts ranging a quarter of an inch to near
two inches. The rainfall for the rest of the month was light
and irregularly distributed. The rains of the latter half of
the month, while they fell greatly short of the general needs,
were of great benefit to parched and stunted vegetation, and
served to at least temporarily break the severe drought that
had prevailed since the close of May. A conspicuous feature
of the weather of the month was the unusual prevalence of
sunshine, and the month will go on record as one of the most
sunny of record. The temperature ranged uniformly high
throughout the month, Avith the monthly. mean ranging from
2° to 5° above the July normal. On an average the maxi-
mum temperatures were 90° or above on from ten to four-
teen days. In a number of instances the maximum tempera-
tures were the highest of record for July. The night tem-
peratures were also unusually high, in numerous instances
the minimum temperatures falling little, if any, below 80°.
The winds of the month were light, and generally from south-
erly to westerly. The month as a whole was one of the
warmest and driest of record.

In the circular to correspondents, returnable July 23, the
following questions were asked : —

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

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

9

3. Wliat 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, and what
is their condition ?

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

6. What is the j^rospect 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 were received from 138 corresj)ondents, and from
them the following summary has been compiled : —

Insects.

Insects are apparently much less numerous and destructive
than usual. The potato beetle is reported by less than half
the correspondents and is not doing any considerable damage
in any section. The elm leaf beetle is more numerous than
usual, and seems to be more widely distributed than ever,
practically a fourth of the correspondents mentioning this
insect. This Board has a ISTature Leaflet on the elm leaf
beetle in process of preparation which we shall be glad to
mail to any applying for it. GyjDsy moths also appear to be
more widely distributed than formerly, and to have done
noticeable damage in more than the usual number of sections.
Other insects reported are currant worms, grasshoppers, cab-
bage worms, wire worms, forest tent caterpillars, white grubs,
cattle flies, brown-tail moth caterpillars, fall web worms,
squash bugs, plant lice, cut worms, cranberry vine worms,
canker worms, the San Jose scale and onion maggots.

Indiak" Coex.

Indian corn has apparently suffered very little from the

continued drought, taking the State as a whole, and the crop

was reported as being in excellent condition, of good stand

and color, and generally forward for the time of year, though

10

some report that it has been checked by the drought. With
favorable conditions as to heat and moisture during August
and the first week of September the crop should mature
nicely and should give a more than average yield. A recur-
rence of the droughty condition would undoubtedly seriously
damage even the corn crop. Silos gain in favor in the dairy
sections, and there the greater part of the crop is used for
ensilage, but elsewhere they are not used to any extent, even
being neglected in many cases by those farmers who are en-
gaged in milk production.

The Hay Crop.

The hay crop had been practically all secured at the time
of making returns, and indeed in most sections much earlier.
It is generally reported as being less than an average crop,
only a few correspondents reporting it as average or above.
Probably a fair averaging of the reports would give the con-
clusion that there was about three-fourths of a normal crop
secured for the State as a whole. It was generally secured
in excellent condition, and was reported as of excellent qual-
ity. Rowen did not promise very well at time of making
returns, owing to the severe dry weather just after the first
crop was removed, but frequent rains would doubtless im-
prove the outlook.

FoKAGE Crops.
There is about the usual area devoted to forage crops in
most sections, though there are numerous reports from the
southeastern counties that none were so^vn, owing to the
ground being too dry for the seed to germinate. Com is the
crop most commonly grown for this purpose, with the millets
and oats following, in second and third places, and Hun-
garian grass and barley coming closely together after them
in the order named. Barley is the favorite crop for late
forage, Oats and peas, sown together, are raised to a con-
siderable extent. Other forage crops are rye, wheat, man-
gels and carrots.

11

Market-garden Crops.

Market-garden crops suffered severely in most sections from
the long-continued drought, and those harvested have given
yields considerably below the normal. Prices have not been
correspondingly high, but as a general thing have ruled below
former years, rather than above. With the coming of rain
those still to be harvested have shown improvement, and,
barring a recurrence of drought, should do well.

Potatoes.

Very few potatoes had been dug at the time of making
returns, but the crop was expected to be a very light one.
Prices were high, so far as reported on. Late potatoes prom-
ise a better yield than the early varieties, but it is a question
if the late crop has not been seriously shortened by the
drought. This crop shows the effects of the lack of rain
more plainly than almost any other.

Fruits.

Apples will be only a light crop for the State as a whole,
winter varieties being much less promising than earlier ones.
They have fallen badly, owing to dry weather, and those
remaining will in all probability be small. Some early va-
rieties are reported as already on the market, an unusually
forward condition for the crop. Pears, peaches and plums
show even more unfavorable conditions than a month ago,
and will generally be very light crops. Quinces are some-
what better, so far as reported on, but not an average crop.
Grapes set very full and promise an excellent crop at the
present time. Cranberries are reported as having suffered
from drought, and the result as to the crop is in doubt at
present. Wild berries are plentiful and apparently unin-
jured by the drought.

Pasturage.

Feed in pastures was very short in almost all sections and
some report them to be as dry and brown as in ISTovember.
Generally, however, they have been kept along by showers.

12

and have responded excellentlj to the general showers that
came jnst before the time for making returns. It is very
seldom that feed remains green and growing in our ISTew
England pastures throughout the season, and save in eastern
sections they have been fully up to the average of other years
in condition.

Small Grains.

Rye, oats and barley, where grown for grain, apparently
came on sufficiently early to escape the worst effects of the
drought, and were fair crops. Oats seem to have done well
where grown for hay, and barley is reported to promise well
xis a late forage crop.

13

:NrOTES OF COKRBSPONDENTS.

(Returned to us July 23.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — ■ Cabbage worms are doing a
great deal of damage. Indian corn continues to look finely and only a
small part of the crop will be put into the silo. There is an average
crop of hay of good quality. A few sow oats to cut for hay; corn for
fall feeding is making a heavy growth. Early potatoes have done well,
but the prices have been rather low. The prospect for the apple crop
is not very good; pears and peaches only fair; grapevines seem to
hang full. Everywhere the pastures are green and good. There is a
big rye crop; oats are looking finely; no barley sown of late years.
Some cabbages are raised to supply the local market.

Tyringham. (Edward H. Slater). — Potato bugs and cabbage worms
are causing some trouble. Corn is in fair condition and one-third of
the crop will be put into the silo. The hay crop is hardly an average
one, but is of good quality. Sowed corn and Japanese millet are raised
to help out the pastures. No potatoes have been harvested, but the
crop is looking well. There will be average yields of apples and pears.
Pastures have held out well, but are now falling short. Rye and oats
compare favorably with former years, both as grain and forage crops.

Alford (Lester T. Osborne). — Insects are much less troublesome
than usual. Conditions for Indian corn have been very favorable;
perhaps one-third the crop is used for ensilage. The hay crop is not
as large as last year, but is up to the average in quantity and quality.
Forage crops are little raised, except corn, which is in fine condition.
Market-garden crops and potatoes are above the average. Apples will
be less than an average crop, but fruit as a whole promises well. Pas-
turage is a little short on account of dry weather. Rye, oats and
barley are about up to the average.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn looks fairly well and probably three-fourths of it will go into the
silo. The hay crop is light, but of good quality. Oats, corn and millet
are raised as forage crops. Prices for market-garden crops are good,
but yields are light. The prospect is good for all fruits; many apples
have fallen, making the chances of those left better. Pastures are in
very good condition. We have had many showers here.

West Stockhridge (J. S. Moore). — Potato bugs and currant worms

u

are doing some damage, but not as much as in some years. Indian corn
is in better than average condition; no silos in town. The hay crop
improved during the last few weeks and is a normal crop. Oats and
corn are raised as forage crops. The prospect is good for the potato
crop. There will be fair yields of apples and pears; few plums; no
peaches, quinces or cranberries grown. Recent rains have improved
pastures and there will be no shortage of feed. Oats are looking well.
Farm products are higher and the question of help is about the only
drawback to successful farming.

Hancock (B. H. Goodrich). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
The acreage of Indian corn is less than usual and it is in average con-
dition. The hay crop was good in both quantity and quality. Corn is
the principal crop grown for forage, with a little millet, and they are in
good condition. Potatoes are looking well ; other market-garden crops
only grown for home use. Apples will be rather less than an average
crop for the bearing year. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye, oats
and barley are looking well. Much hay remains unharvested, owing
to wet weather.

Peru (F. G. Creamer). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn looks well and very little of it is grown for ensilage. There was
about two-thirds of a normal crop of hay, Oats and corn are the prin-
cipal forage crops grown. Gardens look well; no new potatoes have
been dug as yet. Pastures look finely. Oats are looking well.

Windsor (Harry A. Ford). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers are
doing some damage. It is too early to judge as to the yield of Indian
corn. The hay crop was two-thirds of the normal in quantity, but of
good quality. Corn and oats are the principal forage crops grown. Po-
tatoes are not quite ready to dig at present. Fruit of all kinds promises
well, except Baldwin apples. Pasturage is in good condition. Rye is
a good crop. We had a much-needed rain on the morning of the 22d.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Potato bugs are quite numerous and
doing considerable damage. The condition of Indian corn is very
promising; probably half the crop will go into the silo. The quantity
and quality of the hay crop are equal to former years. Fodder corn is
the principal forage crop and is in extra good condition. Market-
garden crops are promising and com^^^re well with other years in
yield and price. The prospect for apples is that there will be about
a three-fourths crop; pears and grapes quite plent}'. Pastures are
more promising than two weeks ago. Oats are looking finelj^; barley
and rye not much raised. On the whole everything is very promising.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (David H. Sherman). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers are
doing some damage. Corn is late and nearly all is raised for use in the
silo. The hay crop is about 80 per cent of a normal yield and of good
quality. Oats and peas, barley, millet and corn are the forage crops

15

grown, and they are in good condition. Potatoes have not been har-
vested as yet, but are looking well. There will be no apples to speak
of; few pears and plums ; some grapes. Pasturage is in fair condition.
Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

Charletnont (J. M. J. Legate). — Potato bugs are the only insects
doing damage and they are not as plenty as usual. Corn is looking
finely and probably half will go into the silo. The quantity of the hay
crop was below the average, but the quality was never better. Corn
and oats are the principal crops grown for forage and are in fine con-
dition. Potatoes are looking well, none having been dug as yet. There
will be light yields of apples and pears. Pasturage is in fair condition,
though the drought injured it somewhat. Rye, oats and barley are
little raised. Onions look well so far as raised.

Leyden (Frank R. Foster). — Grasshoppers are causing some in-
jury. Indian corn is in good condition and half the crop is grown for
the silo. There was three-fourths of an average crop of hay of the best
quality. Oats, barley and millet are raised for forage and are in good
condition. Potatoes are badly affected by dry weather and bugs;
none harvested as yet. There is prospect of a fair apple crop and a
good yield of pears. Pastures are short. Rye, oats and barley are
average crops.

Deerfleld (Dwight A. Hawks). — Indian corn is in good condition
and about 10 per cent of the crop will be used for the silo. The hay
crop was short 20 per cent in yield, but was of good quality. Sweet
corn, millet and peas and oats are raised as forage crops and are in good,
condition. Potatoes are yielding but little more than half a crop.
Apples and pears will give short yields. Pastures are in fair condition
and recent showers have done much to improve them.

Sunderland (Geo. P. Smith). — No insects are proving more trouble-
some than common. Indian corn is better than an average crop and
about one-half is grown for the silo. There was about a three-fourths
crop of hay of good quality and secured with little damage from rain.
Corn is the only forage crop grown. Potatoes are a hght crop, owing
to drought; other market-garden crops good with prices lower than
last year. Apples are about half a crop, some pears and grapes. Pas-
tures have been injured by drought and feed is short. Rye, oats and
barley are little grown except for cover crops. Onions have suffered
somewhat from drought and thrips and promise only a light yield.
Tobacco is doing well and there is promise of a good crop.

Montague (A. M. Lyman). — Indian corn is in good condition, but
is a little backward. The hay crop was about normal in quantity and
quality. Millet and fodder corn are the principal forage crops grown.
Market-garden crops are in fair condition. Apples and pears promise
well; peaches and plums few; grapes promise a heavy yield; no
quinces or cranberries grown. The drought has shortened feed in
pastures very much. Grain crops have turned out well. Tobacco

16

promises unusually well and onions will be a fair crojD. Pease have
done well, also beans.

Northfield (Thomas R. Callender). — There are fewer insect pests
than usual. Corn looks well in spite of dry weather; about half the
crop goes into the silo. There was about two-thirds of a first-class
crop of hay. Oats, peas and oats, millet and fodder corn are raised as
forage crops and are generally good. All garden crops show the effects
of dry weather; potatoes will be a failure without heavy rains soon.
There will be a fair crop of apples. Pastures are badly burned and
need rain. Rye and oats are fully up to the average. Cucumbers are
looking well and promise an abundant yield of pickles.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — Potato bugs and cabbage worms are
doing some damage. Corn is very backward owing to the dry weather;
about one-fourth the crop is used for silage. The hay crop was of good
quality and about three-fourths the normal in yield. Oats, barley and
corn are raised for forage and are in fair condition. Early potatoes are
not half a crop and prices are the highest for years. Apples and pears
promise average yields. Pastures are in poor condition. Oats are an
average crop; no rye raised in town this year.

Orange (A. C. White). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn looks finely. The hay crop is about three-fourths of the
normal in yield and of first-class quality. Apples are dropping from
the trees badly. We had no rain of any amount from May 30 until
last week and everything but corn looked like a failure, but recent
showers seem to have given new life.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Ware (J. H. Fletcher). — No insects are proving especially trouble-
some. Corn is looking well, but is a little late; most of the crop is
grown for grain. Hay is a very good crop on well-cared-for land, and
is of good quality. Millet, corn and barley are the forage crops grown.
Market-garden crops are about average in yield and price. Apples on
some farms promise very well; peaches on high land good. The dry
June cut short the pasturage, but they are looking good just now.
Rye, oats and barley are about the same as last year.

Greenwich (W. H. Glazier). — Potato bugs are not doing as much
damage as usual. Indian corn is looking well and nearly all will be
cured for grain. There was about a three-fourths crop of hay of ex-
cellent quality. But few forage crops are being grown, some oats and
millet. Potatoes are looking well, but none have been dug as yet;
market-garden crops not grown. Fruits are not grown to any amount.
Pasturage has been much injured by dry weather. Some oats are
grown for hay; no rye or barley of account. A few showers of late
have helped corn and potatoes, but a good rain is much needed.

Pelham (John L. Brewer). — Potato bugs and grasshoppers are
doing some damage. Indian corn is looking finely; none will be siloed.

17

The hay crop is deficient in quantity, but of fine quaUty. Sweet corn,
millet and barley are raised as forage crops. Early potatoes are few
and small. The prospect is good for all fruits except pears. Pasturage
is in fine condition. Rye, oats and barley are looking well.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Wire worms, forest tent caterpillars
and white grubs are doing some damage. Indian corn is in fine con-
dition except on the driest soils ; about half the crop goes into the silo.
The hay crop was rather above the average in quantity and of fine
quality. Corn, oats and peas, the millets, Hungarian grass are grown
for forage and are generally in good condition. Potatoes have suffered
more than most crops from drought and are generally suffering from
blight. Apples, pears and peaches indicate fair crops; plums and
quinces about average; grapes excellent. Pasturage is short and rain
is needed. Rye is in excellent condition and oats average. Onions
started well, but have suffered from blight and dry weather. Tobacco
is growing well, but is quite uneven, much resetting being made neces-
sary by the dry weather.

Hatfield (Thaddeus Graves). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn is in good conchtion; few if any silos in use. There is a
good crop of hay as to quality, but the quantity was much curtailed
by the drought. Protracted dry weather has about ruined the potato
crop. The prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pastures are in
normal condition. Rye, oats and barley are little raised. Both to-
bacco and onions now promise well.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — At present we are not troubled by
insects. Corn is looking fairly well; 20 per cent of the crop is grown
for ensilage. Hay is a full average crop in quantity and of excellent
quality. Not a large amount of forage has been raised. Market-garden
crops have given rather light yields; potatoes command good prices.
Pasturage is very short on account of dry weather. Rye is a very
good crop, also oats, which are mainly cut for fodder. Tobacco is
coming forward very well and some have commenced topping; some
damage from hail. Onions are looking finely.

Westhampton (Levi Burt). — Potato bugs are doing some damage
and flies are troubling stock a good deal. Corn is looking finely and
there will be a good crop with rain; fully half the crop is grown for
ensilage. The hay crop was above the average in quantity and of ex-
cellent quality. Oats and peas, millet and corn are grown as forage
crops, and are in fine condition. Market-garden crops are not grown
to any extent and potatoes are not harvested as yet. The apple crop
will not be over half that of last year; very few pears, peaches, plums
and quinces; grapes hang full. Pastures are dry and short. Rye, oats
and barley are normal crops, but are little raised.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Potato bugs are doing some
damage. Corn made a fine growth and was never better; perhaps
half the crop goes into the silo. The hay crop is a little below the

18

average in quantity, but is of good quality. Corn and millet are the
forage crops grown and are in good condition. There will be but a light
crop of apples. Pasturage is only in fair condition. The recent rains
have made the prospect for the rowen crop good.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is coming forward nicely and probably one-third the crop
will be used for ensilage. The hay crop was from one-third to one-half
short in quantity and of normal quality. Oats are largely grown as a
forage crop, sometimes with peas. No potatoes have been harvested;
garden crops are late, but otherwise in good condition. Apples are
falling badly; few jDears and peaches; plums light. Pastures are gen-
erally lightly stocked and therefore are in fair condition. Oats are
somewhat raised, but rye and barley are little grown.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is in very good condition, and but little of the crop goes into the
silo. The hay crop was about average as to both quantity and quality.
Millet, oats and corn are grown as forage crops and are in excellent
condition. There are but few early potatoes, but late potatoes are
looking very well. There will be a fair crop of all fruits, but they will
not be large. Pastures have held up remarkably well. Rye, oats and
barley are average crops.

Agawam (J. G. Burt). — There is no serious damage from insects.
Corn is in good condition and two-thirds of the crop is grown for en-
silage. There was a good crop of hay of good quality. Corn and
barley are the principal forage crops grown and are in good condition.
Market-garden crojDs are good in yield and price, but late i^otatoes
have been attacked by blight. The prospect is good for fruit, except
peaches, which are light. Pasturage is short owing to dry weather.
Rye, oats and barley are fully up to the average.

West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — ■ The elm-leaf beetle has destroyed
the leaves on nearly all the elm trees in town. Corn is unusually prom-
ising and 60 per cent of the crop will be put into the silo. Hay is below
the normal in quantity but of good quality. Corn, oats and millet are
the principal forage crops grown and are in fine condition. Market-
garden crops are about normal in yield and price. Potatoes are blight-
ing and where dug the yield is light. As a whole the prospect is for a
light crop of all fruits, though exceptional trees are heavily loaded.
Pasturage is short on account of drought and heat. But little rye is
grown, but what there is is a normal crop; oats grown for hay, good
growth and no rust. Beans are suffering from anthracnose and the
indications are that tomatoes will suffer from bhght.

Chicopee (E. L. Shaw^. — Elm-leaf beetles and the San .Jose scale
are doing some damage. Indian corn is a good crop and half of it will
be put into the silo. There was above an average crop of hay of good

19

quality. Rye, wheat, peas and oats, millet, barley and corn are raised
for forage and all have done well. Potatoes have blighted and do not
promise well. Early apples are plenty, but late ones are not numerous;
some pears and peaches ; not many plums; no quinces; grapes plenty.
Pasturage is in good condition. Rye, oats and barley are average
crops.

Ludlow (Chas. B. Bennett). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in excellent condition ; about one-fourth of the crop is
grown for the silo. Hay was more than an average crop in quantity
and of first-class quahty. Oats, corn and millet are raised for forage
and all are in excellent condition. Market-garden crops all look better
than usual. Apples and pears promise fair crops; peaches, plums and
quinces light; grapes very heavy. Pastures are in very good condi-
tion. Rye is a very light crop and oats fair. The first part of June was
dry, but since then we have had frequent showers and all crops are in
excellent condition.

JVilbraham (Henry M. Bliss). — Indian corn is in very good con-
dition and about one-fifth of the crop will go into the silo. The hay
crop is nearly all secured with an average yield of 85 per cent. The
severe drought is injuring all crops. Market-garden crops and potatoes
average 90 and 95 per cent of the normal respectively. The apple
crop will be fight ; peaches 90 per cent ; pears 75 per cent ; cranberries
70 per cent. Pasturage has suffered from lack of rain. Rye and oats
are fair crops.

Hampden (John N. Isham). — Fall web worms have appeared and .
grasshoppers are eating cabbage leaves. Indian corn is holding its own
well, but not growing fast, on account of dry weather. The hay crop
is a little below last year in quantity, but of No. 1 quahty. Corn, oats
and peas, millet and Hungarian grass are the forage crops grown and
all are in good condition. Garden crops are in good condition, with
slightly increased prices from last year. Apples promise a fair but not
large crop; other fruits good, especially grapes, which are abundant.
Pasturage is getting short, but is holding out as well as could be ex-
pected. Rye was a short crop, but oats make a very good growth.
The drought has had a serious effect on early and medium early pota-
toes, shortening the crop materially.

Monson (F. D. Rogers). — Potato bugs are the only insect doing
any amount of damage. Indian corn is in good condition. A good
crop of hay was secured, but much of it was too ripe before harvested.
Millet and corn are the principal crops grown for forage. Early po-
tatoes are not very promising. Apples dropped badly, but there are
enough left for a good crop ; pears and grapes a full crop ; peaches light.
Pasturage is in very poor condition. Oats raised for hay have done
well.

Holland (Francis Wight). — The potato beetle is doing some
damage. Corn is doing well and about a third of the crop will go into

20

the silo. Hay on old fields is about a two-thirds crop, while new seeded
fields are fully up to the normal. Corn and oats are in good condition
and are the principal forage crops grown. The prospect is good for
apples, pears, plums, grapes and cranberries. The feed in pastures is
getting poor on account of the dry weather.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Dudley (J. J. Gilles). ^- Insects of all kinds are as troublesome as
usual and cankerworms are more than commonly prevalent. Indian
corn is in good condition and two-thirds of the crop will be put into
the silo. The hay crop is average in quantity and quality. Oats and
peas, millet and corn are the principal forage crops grown; millet has
suffered from the dry weather in some instances. Market-garden crops
are average in yield and price. Apples and pears promise average
crops; peaches half a crop; plums and quinces a failure; grapes and
cranberries extra good. Pasturage is in fair condition. Rye, oats and
barley are average crops.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is doing finely; possibly one-third the crop will be put into
the silo. There is a good average crop of hay of fine quality. ]\lillet,
Hungarian grass and fodder corn are raised for forage. Market-garden
crops are in good condition and potatoes are looking well. There will
be short yields of apples and pears; peaches promise a good crop.
More rain is needed for pastures. Very httle rye is raised; oats are
grown for forage, but are not as good as usual.

North Brookfield (John H. Lane). — Flies trouble cattle and there
are many small grasshoppers. Indian corn was much injured by hail
and is very ragged; half the crop goes into the silo. There was an 85
per cent hay crop in quantity and it was of good quahty. Corn is the
I^rincipal forage crop grown. Hail hurt potatoes seriously. Apples
promise a 25 per cent yield; pears 10 per cent; plums 10 per cent;
grapes 50 per cent; and cranberries 75 per cent. Pasturage is very
short and dry.

Oakham (Jesse Allen). — ■ Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn looks well and perhaps one-fourth of the crop is grown
for ensilage. There was about a two-thirds crop of hay in quantity
and it is of excellent quahty. Oats, corn and ftiillet are the principal
forage crops grown. Market-garden crops look well; no potatoes
harvested as yet. There will be light yields of all fruits. Pastures look
well, owing to frequent showers. Rye and oats made a light growth
of straw, but are heading well.

Dana (Lyman Randall). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Corn is making rapid growth and probably forty per cent will go into
the silo. The hay crop is not up to last year in quantity, but the
quality is better. Corn and millet are raised for forage and are looking
finely. Market-garden crops are looking Avell and are average in

21

yield and price. Apples, pears, peaches and grapes promise full crops;
plums will be a small crop; cranberries were injured by frost. Pas-
turage is in very good condition. Rye and oats are fair crops, but the
drought has cut them short.

Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — There is not much complaint of in-
sects. Corn has made a good growth ; there are only two silos in town.
The hay crop was a fourth off in quantity, but of better quality than
usual. ^Millet and corn are grown as forage crops. Potatoes are almost
a failure ; other garden crops very good. The apple crop will be very
short; pears good; no peaches; plums and quinces few; grapes light.
Pastures are very short and dry and streams are failing. Oats and rye
are little raised.

PhiUipston (A. D. Clifford). — Corn is looking well and three-
fourths of the crop will be put into the silo. The hay crop is very light
compared with other years. Peas and oats are raised for forage and
hay, also barley and Hungarian grass to some extent; peas and oats
have not done very well. Market-garden crops have done well so far,
with prices average; no potatoes dug as yet. There will be less than
one-fourth of a normal apple crop; other fruits little raised. Pastures
are badly dried up. Barley is looking fairly well; oats not as good as
last year; not much rye raised.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Potato bugs, cabbage worms and
squash bugs are present, but are not doing serious damage. Indian
corn is quite good, better than last season; four-fifths of the crop is
grown for ensilage. Oats, barley, Hungarian grass and millet are
raised for forage ; oats and barley rather light ; Hungarian grass and
barley promise well. Market-garden crops have made good yields,
with average prices ; peas light and price high. Apples are a light crop ;
pears fair ; plums light ; grapes good ; apples and plums are dropping
badly. Pasturage is quite poor owing to the severe drought during
June and early July. Rye good; oats and barley light owing to
drought.

Ashburnham (E. D. Gibson). — Potato biigs are doing some damage.
Corn is rather backward, but is coming along rapidly, and with plenty
of rain will make a good crop. There is a three-fourths crop of -hay of
the finest quality. Millet and corn, with a little barley, are grown as
forage crops, and are only in fair condition. Garden crops have suffered
from want of rain. Apples and pears promise fair yields; no peaches,
plums or quinces; grapes and cranberries fair. Pastures are very
dry and short, but rain in abundance will bring good feed. Rye, oats
and barley are average crops. No potatoes are ready for harvest;
early ones must be a light yield and conditions must be exceptionally
favorable to give a good crop of late ones.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — No insects are doing any damage
of note. The hay crop was somewhat shorter than usual, but of good
quality. IMarket-garden crops are below the average in both yield and

22

price. Apples promise a 60 per cent yield; pears 60 per cent; grapes
70 per cent; other fruits unpromising. Pasturage is suffering from
lack of moisture.

Princeton (A. O. Tyler). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in good condition and four-fifths of the crop will be used
for ensilage. The quantity of the hay crop was about a third below the
normal, but it was of good quality. Hungarian grass and millet are
the i^rincipal forage crops, but few have been put in, because of the
dry weather. The yield of early potatoes is very poor and market-
garden crops are lower in price than in former years. Apples, peaches,
plums and quinces will give light yields; pears and grapes abundant.
Pastures are all dried up. The yield of rye, oats and barley is very
light as compared with former years.

Sterling (Henry S. Sawyer). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is half a crop. There was not quite a normal crop of hay
and the dry weather injured its quality. Oats, barley, Japanese millet
and corn are raised for forage. All vegetables have suffered more or
less from drought; no potatoes harvested, price $1.60 per bushel.
All fruits promise well, though apples and pears have dropped con-
siderably. Pastures are very dry and there is but little feed in them.
Rye, oats and barley are about normal crops.

Bolton (H, F. Haynes). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Dry weather has injured the corn crop very much. The hay crop is
about three-fourths of a normal in yield and of good quality. Millet is
the principal crop raised for forage. All market-garden crops are light
but bring good prices. The dry weather is having a bad effect on most
fruits; pears promise best of any. Pasturage is short. Oats are a
good crop, but are all cut for fodder.

Leicester (H. H. Kingsbury). — ■ Potato bugs and cabbage worms are
doing some damage. Corn is of good color and making a thrifty
growth; about one-fourth of the crop will be siloed. The hay crop is
an average one in quantity and of good quality. Oats, barley and
millet are largely raised for forage and all are growing rapidly. No
potatoes have been harvested, some fields in bloom, all promise a good
crop. Apples and pears will not give a large yield. Pasturage is in
fair condition since the recent showers. Grains have made a fine growth,
but are mostly used as forage.

Auburn (Wm. Gilbert). — Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is looking well and about 90 per cent will be put into the
silo. The quantity of the hay crop is fair with about 70 per cent of a
full crop. Hungarian and Japanese millet and corn are the principal
forage crops, and are doing well. Potatoes give a high yield and bring
good prices. Apples are a light crop; peaches good; grapes a large
crop. Pastures are short and dry. Rye and oats have done well;
barley is sown for late feed.

23

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing some
damage. Indian corn is suffering from drought and is mostly raised
for ensilage. The hay crop was two-thirds of an average in quantity
and of good quality. Oats are raised for forage, but are suffering from
drought. Potatoes look like a failure for want of rain. Apples are
dropping off because of drought; pears half a crop; few peaches;
grapes a full crop. Pastures are very dry.

Framingham (J. S. Williams). — Potato bugs, the elm-leaf beetle
and onion maggots are doing damage. The corn crop is generally
looking finely, though some fields are ruined by drought ; three-fourths
of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop is a normal one in quan-
tity and of excellent quality. Corn, oats, rye, barley and millet are
our forage crops and are in good condition since the rains. All market-
garden crops have suffered from dry weather, including early potatoes.
A fair crop of apples and pears is expected ; peaches, plums and quinces
will be light. The pastures are as brown as in November, but should
improve with rain. Rye and oats made splendid growth as forage
crops; barley is grown for late feed.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Elm-leaf beetles and potato bugs are
doing damage. Indian corn looks remarkably well considering the dry
weather; 75 per cent of all corn goes into the silo. The hay crop was
nearly an average one in quantity and of good quality. Oats, millet
and sweet corn are the forage crops grown, and are in fair condition.
All market-garden crops are short, but not seriously scarce ; prices are
well maintained. Apples promise a 50 per cent crop; pears 40 per
cent; peaches 75 per -cent; plums 50 per cent; quinces 40 per cent;
grapes 90 per cent. Pasturage is all dried up, there being practically
no feed, but recent rains may start new growth. Rye, oats and barley
are raised only for forage and are in fair condition.

Stow (Geo. W. Bradley). — The elm-leaf beetle, fall web worms and
a few gypsy moths are doing damage. Corn is looking well, considering
the dry weather; not a large proportion is grown for ensilage. There
is about a two-thirds crop of hay of fair quality. Hungarian grass and
Japanese millet, with some fodder corn, are grown for forage. Apples
are a fair crop ; pears good ; other fruits not so plenty, except grapes,
which are looking well. Most pastures are very dry. There is little
rye or barley grown and oats are not doing as well as usual.

Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — Potato bugs, gypsy and brown-tail
moths and fall web worms are doing damage. Indian corn is in good
condition, but a little late; less than half will go into the silo. Hay
was a short crop in most places, owing to dry weather. Hungarian
grass and corn are grown to a considerable extent as forage crops and
are in good condition. Market-garden crops are looking well at present
and compare favorably with former years. Apples are about half a

24

crop; pears a good crop, also peaches, plums and quinces; grapes a
full crop; cranberries about normal. Pasturage is getting short for
want of rain. Rye, oats and barley are about normal as forage crops.
Onions promise a full crop.

Townsend (G. A. Wilder). — - Potato bugs are doing some damage.
Indian corn is in good condition and there will be the usual proportion
put into the silo. The hay crop was two-thirds of the normal in
quantity and of good quality. Corn is the i^rincipal forage crop grown
and is in good condition. Market-garden crops are about average in
yield and price. There promises to be about an average crop of fruit.
Pasturage is in poor condition. Rye, oats and barley are average
crops.

Pepperell (W. F. Dennen). — The potato bug and brown-tail moth
are causing trouble. Corn is looking very well. The hay crop is not
large in quantity, but was of good quality. Millet and corn are raised
as forage crops. Market-garden crops have suffered from dry weather.
There will be a light crop of fruit in this locality. Pasturage is very
short and dry. There will be about two-thirds crops of rye, oats and
barley.

Billerica (Geo. P. Greenwood). — Gypsy and brown-tail moths,
cut worms and wire worms are doing damage. Indian corn is drying
up badly. There was about a three-fourths crop of hay of good quality.
Corn, Hungarian grass and millet are grown for forage. All market-
garden crops are suffering from drought. There will be but little
fruit of any kind except wild blueberries, which are plenty. Pastures
are suffering seriously from drought. Grain crops are all in good con-
dition.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Brown-tail and gypsy moths and potato
bugs are quite plenty. Corn is well, but suffered from the severe
drought. The hay crop was considerably below the normal, owing to
drought. Millet, oats and barley are grown as forage crops and are in
fair condition. All crops on light land suffered from drought, potatoes
especially. Apples and pears set fairly well, but have dropped some-
what; not many peaches; other fruits fair. Pasturage is about as bad
as it could be. There was a fair crop of rye; oats and barley are not
grown for grain, but look fairly well as forage crops. It is many years
since we have had such a long-continued drought, but it is broken at
last.

Lincoln (C. S. Wheeler). — Elm-tree beetles are doing some damage.
The corn crop is not up to the average, owing to the drought. The
hay crop was generally secured in good condition, but is off in quantitj'.
Oats, Hungarian grass, millet and barley are grown for forage. Po-
tatoes are looking well considering the drought, but none have been
dug and the yield is uncertain. The prospect for all fruit is much poorer
than at the time of blossoming, continued dry weather having caused
much of it to drop prematurely. Pastures are badly dried up. Rye,
oats and barley are average crops.

25

Winchester (S. S. Symmes). — The elm-leaf beetle is doing some
damage. Indian corn is not raised here. Hay was all secured, but was
a light crop. Sweet corn is being cut to feed cows, as it failed to grow
ears, owing to drought. Potatoes have dried up ; prices on all market-
garden crops have been lower than for years. There will be fair yields
of apples and peaches; much rain is needed for fruit. Pasturage is
absolutely dried up. Rye was a fair crop. The drought has been so
severe that nearly all crops are ruined. A shower on the night of the
22d wet the ground about four inches deep.

Newton (G. L. Marcy). — Gypsy moths have a good foothold here.
Indian corn is not raised and the weather has been too dry for sweet
corn and silo corn. The hay crop was below the average in both quan-
tity and quality. Corn and millet are raised for forage and their con-
dition is much improved since the recent showers. Garden crops were
nearly ruined by drought, but will improve with the rains; one man
reports digging one pint of potatoes from twenty-two hills. Apples,
pears, quinces and grapes promise average crops. Pastures are in poor
condition, but are beginning to look green again now. Rye, oats and
barley were good crops where cut before the drought. There was no
rain in this section from ^lay 30 to July 18, except very light showers.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Haverhill (Eben Webster). — Fall tent caterpillars are doing some
damage. Corn is doing well since the drought was broken; most of the
crop goes into the silo. The hay crop was about two-thirds of an
average crop in quantity. Corn is the principal forage crop grown.
Market-garden crops have given less yields than usual, but prices have
been higher. Grapes are plenty; other fruits less than normal. Pas-
turage is in about the usual condition. We have had hot and dry
weather until about two weeks ago.

Andover (Milo H. Gould). — The elm-tree beetle is doing some
damage. Indian corn is looking pretty well, but is rather late; all
will go into the silo. The hay crop was about 80 per cent of a normal
crop and was of good quality. Oats and peas, barley and Hungarian
grass are the forage crops grown and are in good condition. Market-
garden crops have been below the average in yield and prices have been
low; potatoes are a light crop on account of drought. Apples and
cranberries will give light yields; pears and peaches are looking well;
grapes good. Pastures are short. There are average crops of rye, oats
and barley, as they came on early enough to escape the drought.

Hamilton (Geo. R. Dodge). — No insects are proving especially de-
structive. Ninety per cent of the corn crop will be put into the silo;
it is not quite as forward as usual this season. Hay was not over a
two-thirds crop in cjuantity, but was of good quality. Oats, barley
and fodder corn are the crops grown for forage and fields of sowed
grain are uneven and weedy. Market-garden crops give fair promise

26

and potatoes are looking well. Summer and fall apples will be plentiful
but undersized; baldwin apples not half a crop; other tree fruits about
half a normal yield. Upland pastures are pretty well dried up and
lowland pastures are short. Rye, oats and barley are not up to the
normal.

Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Gypsy moths, black squash bugs,
onion lice and potato bugs are doing damage. Not much corn is raised
here for grain. The quality of the hay crop is good, but the yield was
only about two-thirds of the normal. Corn, Hungarian grass, oats,
barley are raised for forage crops. Potatoes are not more than half a
crop; also other market-garden crops; prices fair. There are only
light yields of fruit in prospect. Pastures are suffering very much
from drought, and are now quite short. Rye, oats and barley are very
little grown.

Manchester (John Baker), — Gypsy and brown-tail moths are
doing damage. Indian corn is in good condition; none grown for the
silo. The hay crop was light, but of good quality where cut early.
Corn and barley are the principal forage crops grown and are in good
condition. Market-garden crops are in fair condition and prices are
high. The prospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pasturage has been
very dry, but is getting better now. Rye, oats and barley are good
crops. Crops are looking remarkably well considering the dry weather.

Danvers (C. H. Preston). — Gypsy moths are doing some damage.
Indian corn is a very poor crop on all except very moist land; nearly
all the crop goes into the silo. There was two-thirds of an average
hay crop of good quality. Corn and barley are raised for forage crops
and are in poor condition. Market-garden crops are in poor condition
and potatoes are a failure. There will be few apples; pears fair; few
peaches or plums; grapes fair. Pasturage is very poor. Rye is an
average crop; oats and barley fair crops.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Cohasset (Ellery C. Bates). — No insects are doing damage at
present. Indian corn is not raised here. There was a light crop of hay.
Forage crops are not grown. There is a very light crop of early po-
tatoes and all market-garden crops are below the average. There will
be small yields of all fruits. Pastures are in poor condition. Rye, oats
and barley are Ught crops. No rain fell here from June 1st to July 14th,
and all early crops have been very light, some being entirely ruined.

Westicood (Henry E. Weatherbee). — The elm-leaf beetle is doing
considerable damage and the gypsy moths are scattered in all sections
of the town. Corn is looking well. The hay crop was not quite as
heavy as last year, but was of good quality. Fodder corn, Hungarian
grass and German millet are all raised for forage and are looking well.
Market-garden crops have suffered from the dry weather, but bring

27

better prices than usual. Apples, pears, peaches and grapes are looking
well. Pastures are very short on account of the drought. Rye is a
good crop; oats below average as a forage crop.

Walpole (Edward L. Shepard). — Potato bugs and brown-tail
moths are doing some damage. Indian corn is late but is improving
fast since the rain; about half the crop goes into the silo. Corn, oats
and Hungarian grass are the forage crops grown and they are a little
below normal in condition. Market-garden crops are improving since
the rain, yield normal and prices low. There will be about an average
crop of fruit. Pasturage has passed by for this year. Rye, oats and
barley are about normal crops.

Millis (E. F. Richardson). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing some
damage. Corn has revived since the rains; three-fourths of the crop
goes into the silo. The hay crop was a good one, both in quantity and
quality. Oats and peas, millet and Hungarian grass are the forage
crops grown. Market-garden crops are practically dried upt There
will be a small crop of the various fruits. Pastures are dry and brown.
Rye, oats and barley are normal crops.

Bellingham (John J. O'Sullivan). — The elm-leaf beetle and potato
bugs are doing damage. Indian corn is in good condition; ten i^er cent
of the crop goes into the silo. The hay crop was fair in quantity and
of good quality. Japanese millet, Hungarian grass and corn are the
forage crops grown. Market-garden crops are in poor condition on
account of dry weather; yield of potatoes medium and price as usual.
Apple-., plums, quinces and grapes promise fair crops, while pears,
peacties and cranberries will be poor. Pasturage is all dried up. Rye,
oats and barley are about average crops.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing damage. In-
dian corn looks well and most of it will be fed to stock one way or
another. There is an average crop of hay, but less than last year.
Market-garden crops are light in yield, but bring high prices. Fruits
of all kinds look well. Pasturage is very poor, all dried up. There is
an average crop of rye, oats and barley.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Potato bugs and currant worms are
doing some damage and elm-leaf beetles are reported as beginning to
appear. Indian corn is generally looking well; not much is grown for
ensilage. The hay crop was normal on low ground and somewhat
below on high ground, with the quality good. The ground has been
so dry that no forage crops have been put in ; sweet corn and Hunga-
rian grass are the usual crops grown. Market-garden crops are in good
condition ; potatoes looking fair, none harvested ; prices about normal.
Summer and fall apples plenty, winter apples a light crop; pears a
full crop; peaches, plums and quinces light; grapes good; cranberries

28

doubtful. Pasturage is very poor at the present writing. Rye, oats
and barley are but little grown.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing damage.
Indian corn is in very good condition; about half the crop goes into
the silo. The hay crop is about average in quantity and quality.
Millet and corn are the forage crops grown and are in excellent con-
dition. The outlook for potatoes is good. All kinds of fruit in this
section indicate a small crop. Pastures are very short, but the showers
of the last ten days will improve them. Rye, oats and barley are about
average crops. More than 4 inches of rain has fallen in the last ten
days and the ground is now w^ll soaked.

Seekonk (John W. Peack). — There is no damage from insects in
this locality. Corn is little raised except for silo or forage. The hay
crop is nearly up to the average for ciuantity and ciuality, but the
meadows were burned after the crop was secured. Oats, barley and
Hungarian grass are raised for forage. The yield of market-garden
crops has been good, but prices have been low, except for potatoes.
Pears look w^ell ; apples not as plenty; fruits fair as a w^hole. Abundant
rains within a few days have improved pastures. Rye, oats and barley
suffered from drought.

Dighton (Howard C. Briggs). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing some
damage. Indian corn is a fair crop and 25 per cent will go into the
silo. The hay crop was below the normal in yield but of good quality.
Fodder corn, millet and oats are raised as forage crops and are in poor
condition. Market-garden crops are fair, but not up to the average in
price or yield. The j^rospect is good for all kinds of fruit. Pasturage
is in poor condition. Rye, oats and barley are average crops.

Swansea (F. G. Arnold). — Elm-leaf beetlea are doing a good deal
of damage. Corn is in good condition; there is but one silo in town.
The hay crop was much lighter than usual, but of fine quality. Millet,
fodder corn and barley are grown for forage and are looking well. Dry
weather in June and early July ruined many fields of potatoes, prices
fair; other market-garden crops good and prices low. There are few
apples or pears; peaches plenty; grapes plenty; no cranberries.
Pastures were very dry until the recent rains. Oats are a heavy crop
and rye a good crop.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing some dam-
age. Corn is below normal on account of drought; very little is raised
for ensilage. The hay cvo^p was about three-fourths of the normal and
of good quality. No forage crops have been planted because of lack
of rain. All garden crops are drying up; potatoes half a crop. All
fruit dropped badly and some fall apples are now being marketed,
three w^eeks earlier than ever before. Pasturage is all dried up. Rye
was a good crop and oats a two-thirds crop. It has been many years
since we have had such a drought so early in the season.

29

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Marshfield (John H. Bourne). — Potato bugs, cut worms and
squash bugs are doing damage. The dry weather has hurt the prospect
for the corn crop, but a good yield is promised on low land. The hay
crop was 80 per cent of a normal crop in quantity and of excellent
quality. Oats and peas are grown as forage crops, but corn is the
main reliance. Potatoes are a very small crop, with prices higher than
usual. Apples are a good crop, but small in size, and many are dropping
off. Pasturage is very poor, owing to dry weather. I have seen but
one field of rye and that was in good condition.

Hanover (Harrison L. House). — The elm-leaf beetle is doing the
most noticeable amount of damage. Indian corn is in fair condition;
practically none will be put into the silo. The hay crop was about
normal in quantity and quality. Oats and Hungarian grass are raised
for forage and are in good condition. Market-garden crops are gen-
erally good, but potatoes are a short crop; prices about normal.
Apples, pears, plums and cranberries promise good yields; peaches
fair; grapes extra good. Pasturage is in fair condition, though badly
dried up in some places. Rye, oats and barley are not raised for grain,
but seem to be in good condition as forage crops.

Hanson (Flavel S. Thomas, M. D.). — Indian corn is in poor con-
dition; no silos in town. There was an average crop of hay, two-thirds
as much as last year. Corn is the principal forage crop grown and is
in poor condition. Gardens are late on account of drought and not
much has been obtained from them as yet. Apples, pears, peaches and
grapes promise good crops, though apples are small in size. Pasturage
is poor on account of drought, but will improve with recent rains.
Rye, oats and barley are but little raised.

Plympton (Winthrop Fillebrown). — Potato bugs are doing
some damage. In some localities Indian corn has suffered from
drought, while other fields show good color. The hay crop is about
70 per cent of the normal in quantity. Corn fodder is used almost ex-
clusively for a forage crop, with some Hungarian grass. Potatoes are
far behind former years; prices a little higher than usual. Pasturage
was on the go until the recent showers. The long drought came verj''
near ruining all crops.

Bridgeicater (Rowland Cass). — Potato bugs, squash bugs and
cabbage maggots and worms are doing damage. Corn is in thrifty
condition; none grown for the silo. The hay crop was about normal
in quantity and quality. Corn, millet and barley are raised as forage
crops. Market-garden crops are in fair condition, yield smaller than
usual with prices about normal; early potatoes will be about half a
crop excejjt on low land. Apples are in fair condition; pears good; no
other tree fruits grown for the market. Pasturage is in poor condition.
Rye was about a two-thirds crop as to both grain and straw; oats and
barley not grown for grain.

30

Lakeville (Nathaniel G. Staple.s). — The elm-leaf beetle is quite
plenty. Corn is looking well ; practically none of the crop is grown for
ensilage. The hay crop was from 15 to 20 per cent below the normal,
but of very good quality. Fodder corn, Japanese millet, oats and
barley are the forage crops grown. Garden truck is looking well now
and potatoes never looked better; prices have been good. The season
has been very dry until within a week and pastures are all dried up.
Rye, oats and barley are about average crops. Crops looked well
until the first of the month, when the drought began to tell on them,
but have improved since the recent rains. We had no rain to speak of
since April until the 14th of July.

Mattapoisett (E. C. Stetson). — The elm-leaf beetle is doing some
damage. Corn is looking quite well, especially that planted early;
very few silos in this section. The quantity of the hay crop was a
little below average, but the quality was good. Fodder corn, millet,
beets and carrots are raised as forage, and are in good condition.
Garden crops have suffered much from drought; prices about average.
Almost all fruits and berries are looking well. Rye, oats and barley
are about average crops.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (David D. Nye). — Gypsy moths and potato bugs are doing
damage. Indian corn is looking fairly well; none raised for the silo.
The hay crop was not over half a normal crop in quantity, but was of
fair quality. Oats, rye and corn are grown as forage crops. Market-
garden crops are looking fairly well; early potatoes are of fair size;
late potatoes need rain. The prospect is that the fruit crop will be
small, not much fruit raised; cranberries are suffering from drought.
Pasturage is poor and dried up. Rye, oats and barley are good crops,
but are little raised. Not much farming is done here, the people are
mostly mechanics.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Potato bugs and cranberry worms
are doing damage. Indian corn is about an average crop and none will
be used for ensilage. There was about half a crop of hay of good
quality. Oats and corn are the principal forage crops grown. Market-
garden crops are about an average in yield and price. Apples and
pears promise only half yields; grapes and cranberries two-thirds.
Pasturage is below the average in condition. Rye and oats are about
two-thirds crops for grain and about average as forage crops.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — Green-headed flies are troubling
stock severely. Corn is growing rapidly; none raised for the silo.
There was a three-fourths crop of hay of fine quality. The ground has
been so dry that no forage crops have been sown. The drought has
hurt all garden crops very much. There will be a few apples and
pears; peaches and plums very small; grapes good; cranberries fair,
though injured by dry weather. Pasturage is practically all dried up.

31

Rye was a light crop; oats are an average crop, and are all cut for
forage; very little barley grown.

Brewster (Thos. D. Sears). — Potato bugs and cranberry worms are
doing some damage. Corn is in good condition and fully one-half the
crop will be put into the silo. The hay crop was of good quality, but
not more than half that of last year in quantity. Corn and oats are the
principal forage crops and are in fine condition. Market-garden crops
are in poor condition and prices are somewhat higher than in former
years. The prospect for apples, peaches, cranberries, etc., is poor,
owing to the dry season. Pastures are in very poor condition. Rye,
oats and barley do not compare favorably with former years, either
as grain or forage crops. The season thus far has been a hard one for
farmers, owing to the drought, and their crops will be light.

Orleans (Freeman E. Snow). — The elm-leaf beetle is making havoc
with the shade trees. Indian corn is looking well, but has been kept
back by the dry weather; no silos in this vicinity. The hay crop was
short on account of drought. Corn is raised for fall feeding and oats
are raised to be cut and cured as hay. Potatoes are doing fairly well
in spite of the ravages of potato bugs. Fruit is looking well and cran-
berries seem to promise a fair crop. Pastures have suffered from the
drought, but have been helped by recent rains.

Truro (John B. Dyer). — There are no new insects doing damage.
There are no silos hereabouts; the long period of dry weather has in-
jured all upland vegetation. Fresh hay was a fair crop on low land.
A little corn fodder is grown as a forage crop. On dry land gardens
are nearly a failure because of drj^ weather. The prospect for fruit
is better than last year, and the prospect is encouraging since the rains.
Pastures are very dry. Rye, oats and barley are short crops. The
cranberry crop promised well, but the dry weather injured a good deal
of bog on dry parts. Poultry raisers are suffering from the depreda-
tions of hawks.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Potato bugs and cranberry fire
worms are doing damage. Indian corn looks much better than one
would expect, considering the very dry weather, but needs rain. There
was about half a normal crop of hay of fair quality. Corn is the only
forage crop grown and is in fair condition. Early potatoes gave a
poor yield and late ones are a failure ; prices are high. Fruit is dropping
badly, and unless rain comes soon there will be a very poor crop. Pas-
tures are very dry, and some farmers are feeding from their barns.
Rye, oats and barley are about two-thirds crops.

32

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

DRAINAGE.

By Prof. Wm. P. Brooks, Director of Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment

Station.

There is a great field for the profitable investment of capital in the
drainage of land either at present entirely unproductive, or producing
far lower returns than it is capable of because of faulty conditions as
affecting the supply of water. It is not as generally recognized as it
should be that the returns in agriculture are controlled in a large
degree by the physical conditions in the soil, as affecting especially
the water supply and its temjDerature. Everybody knows that a field
where water stands during any part of the growing season needs
drainage, but it is not so generally understood that the productive
capacity of many other fields would be greatly increased by the es-
tablishment of better drainage conditions. It is essential for the
healthy growth of practically all the cultivated crops of the field,
garden and orchard, as well as for our most valuable grasses and
clovers, that the soil area occu^Died by the roots should contain air as
well as water.

On going downwards in any field we reach a point below which
water occupies all the spaces between the soil particles. In this part
of the soil the water is relatively stagnant, and it is impossible for the
roots of most of our valuable plants to maintain themselves in that
portion of the soil thus filled with water. It is customary to designate
the water which thus stands between the soil particles as hydrostatic
water; and the surface of this body of hydrostatic water, the level of
which would be determined by sinking holes sufficiently deep to reach
it in various parts of the field, is usually designated the water table.

Above the water table the existing condition is quite different. The
soil contains some air between its particles, while the particles them-
selves are surrounded by films of water which are held by capillary
attraction and surface tension. It is customary to designate the
water thus held on and between the particles of soil as capillary water.

The capillary water of the soil may be derived in a considerable

33

measure from the rains and melting snows, a part of which is held as
the water sinks through the soil by the forces which have been re-
ferred to, but especially in seasons of prolonged absence of rain is this
water drawn by capillary attraction from the body of hydrostatic
water below. Just as oil is drawn through the wick to feed the flame,
so water is drawn from the great reservoir of hydrostatic water below
(the soil above the water table serving as the wick) to supply the loss
near the surface, due to exposure to sun and wind and to the demands
of vegetation.

The amount of capillary water in that portion of the soil which lies
above the water table will vary in all cases with the distance above
the water table. . That part of the soil which lies close to the water
table contains relatively large amounts of water, while the proportion,
supposing the character of the soil to remain uniform, gradually de-
creases as the distance above the water table increases, or as the
surface is approached.

The proportion of capillary water in the soil which is desirable
varies to a considerable extent in the case of different plants, but, as
a general rule, it may be stated that in the immediate vicinity of the
water table, in soils of fine texture, at least, the proportion of water
will be too great for the best activity of the roots of most plants. It is
only when a point lying at a distance of from one to two feet above the
water table in most soils is reached that we find the most favorable
proportions of water and air for the root development and activity of
most plants. This fact, as will be pointed out later, has an important
bearing upon the proper depth of drains.

Special Reasons for the Importance of Drainage in Massa-
chusetts.

The owner of land or the capitalist looking for investment must
naturally carefully consider the question of probable returns on money
invested in drainage. It is the belief of the writer that money thus
used will prove not only one of the safest, but also one of the most
profitable, investments in many cases. Space will not allow a full dis-
cussion of the subject, but the following are among the more important
of the points to be taken into consideration.

1. The soils which are in need of drainage are in general of much
greater fertility than the average soils of the State. The low lands
especially come under this class, for from time immemorial they have
received the wash of the higher lands, and they have, moreover, in
many cases been enriched by the gradual accumulation of organic
matter. It follows, therefore, that these low lands, if reUeved of
surplus water, become not only good farm lands, but that their value
for farm and garden purposes will be much greater than that of much
of our upland. The necessity for drainage, however, is not confined
to the low lands. There are many elevated tracks of land, and es-

34

pecially many hillsides, requiring drainage for the establishment of
more profitable agriculture. In a great majority of instances the
soils in such localities are of strong retentive character and if relieved
of surplus water increase in value for agriculture.

2. Massachusetts possesses a very large area of swamp and marsh
land, — in many cases extremely well located as regards facihties for
market and for transportation to market. To drain our most ex-
tensive swamps and marshes in a satisfactory way will require a care-
ful study of the situation and the adoption of comprehensive and
carefully considered plans. It will be necessary, therefore, for the
numerous small holders to work together co-operatively, or that the
small holdings be united, in order that the new improvements can
be economically carried out.

3. Besides these swamp areas, probably there exist almost all over
the State places in many of the fields now under cultivation where the
product is inferior both as regards quality and quantity, on account of
imperfect drainage. In these relatively unproductive portions of
fields already under cultivation, the work of drainage should in many
cases begin.

4. The markets of Massachusetts are probably unsurpassed in any
part of the world; certainly they are unsurpassed in any part of this
country. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the product of the
wide areas at present unproductive will find a profitable market.

The Beneficial Effects of Drainage.

The principal benefits following the drainage of land suffering from
excess of water may be stated as follows : —

1. It deepens the soil. As has been stated, only that portion of the
soil is accessible to the roots of most of our valuable plants which lies
above the water table. If the average depth of the water table below
the surface of the ground during the growing season is two feet, the
total mass of soil through which the roots extend and on which they
can feed is only one-half as great as it would be if the average level of
the water table is four feet below the surface. Reducing the level of
the water table in one sense, therefore, enlarges the farm. True, the
soil at the lower levels may not be equally rich in the elements of
plant food mth that nearer the surface, but its contribution in that
direction is nevertheless important. Some of the readers of this paper
may ask the question whether the roots of our ordinary plants will
penetrate to the lower soil levels rendered available by drainage. Upon
this point the writer has not the slightest doubt. The roots of most of
our common crops jDenetrate far more deeply than is generally sup-
posed, and there are probably few if any among the common cultivated
crops that will not send roots to a depth of at least four feet, provided
the soil conditions are favorable.

2. Drainage promotes more perfect aeration. The air cannot pene-

35

trate a water-logged soil. The action of the oxygen of the air upon the
various soil constituents is favorable in several important directions.
(o) It promotes oxidation, and gradually renders soluble and avail-
able numerous soil compounds which but for this action must remain
inaccessible to the growing crop.

(b) Only in well aerated soil do the organisms whose activity is es-
sential to the formation of nitrates flourish.

(c) Well aerated soils are favorable to the multiplication and ac-
tivity of numerous other beneficial micro-organisms whose activity
increases the productive capacity.

(d) The living root itself can maintain a condition of healthy ac-
tivity only where the soil contains air as well as water.

3. The average temperature of the soil through the growing season
is raised by drainage, and the growing season itself is practically
lengthened, because rapid growth will begin earlier in the spring and
continue later in the autumn.

4. Better tillage becomes possible; a wet soil cannot be brought
into satisfactory tilth.

5. The probability of injury to growing crops in periods of drought
is reduced. This statement may at first thought seem to be a paradox.
The reader may be inclined to say that it seems unreasonable that
damage from drought should be reduced by relieving the soil from
surplus water. The fact, however, is unquestioned. The effect appears
to be due principally to the following causes : —

(a) The water table being reduced, roots penetrate to levels further
removed from the surface and therefore retaining water more effectu-
ally in periods of intense heat and drought.

(&) The physical condition of the soil above the water table is modi-
fied and improved. Its capillary qualities are increased. It conducts
water from the great reservoir below more effectively.

(c) The feeding rootlets range more widely and deeply and are in a
position, therefore, to draw moisture from a much larger soil area than
on undrained fields.

6. Seeds germinate more certainly and perfectly.

7. The probability of surface wash is reduced, for the water of heavy
rains and melting snows is free to settle into the soil instead of running
off over the surface.

8. The sanitary conditions are improved.

Indications of Desirability of Drainage.
It will be apparent to all that in all cases where, under ordinary con-
ditions, water stands on the surface of the ground for any length of
time, except of course when it may be frozen in winter, drainage is
essential. It will, however, prove highly beneficial in many localities
where it seldom or never stands at the surface. The character of the
natural vegetation affords clear indications. In all places where

36

sedges, rushes and water grasses flourish it is certain that drainage
will be beneficial. The writer advises determining the average level
of the water table in all cases where there is doubt. This is easily done
by sinking holes in various parts of the field in question. The height
of the water in these holes indicates the level of the water table, and if
this, during the growing season, is found to be less than three and
one-half to four feet from the surface during considerable periods of
time, it is certain that the agricultural value of the field would be in-
creased by thorough drainage.

Kinds of Drains.
Doubtless the first form of drain constructed by man was the open
ditch. Such ditches are in many cases still in use. The open ditch as
a channel for rapidly carrying off surface water is frequently desirable,
but as a means of thorough drainage is highly unsatisfactory. The
principal reasons are as follows : —

1. The cost of construction is heavy. The sides must be sloped in
order that the ditch be reasonably permanent. The amount of earth
which must be removed is much greater than for under-drains of the
same depth.

2. The cost of maintaining an open ditch is high. In many cases
the banks cave or wash and vegetation gradually obstructs the channel.
The open ditch to be satisfactory requires frequent attention.

3. The open chtch requires too much land and is an obstruction to

farm operations.

Under drains.

All of the different kinds of underdrains are free from many of the
faults which have been named in discussing the open ditch, and all of
them, therefore, have important advantages in operations designed for
the thorough drainage of land over open ditches. They are by no
means all of equal merit. The principal types of underdrains worthy of
consideration are the following: pole, box, stone and tile.

Pole and Box Drains. — Both of these types of drains if properly
put in will do effective work for a time, but both are open to one
serious objection, — the material used in their construction is perish-
able. The principal item of cost in all of the different types of under-
drains is labor. It is therefore, in general, bad policy to employ in the
construction of drains any material which is perishable simply because
it costs less than something which is permanent. The pole or box
drain will last but a relatively short time on account of the decay of
the wood. The methods of constructing these drains, therefore, will
not be given.

St07ie Drains. — The material used in the construction of these
drains is practically imperishable. In this respect, therefore, these
drains equal tile drains. In other important particulars, however,
they are inferior. The following are the principal points : —

37

1. As stones are more bulky in proportion to efficiency than tiles,
the ditches to receive them must be larger.

2. If a regular conduit is built by the use of stones more labor is
required than in laying tiles.

3. It is not possible with such stones as are usually available to
build a conduit which will have sufficiently close joints to effectively
exclude sand and silt. Stone drains are, therefore, more likely to be-
come clogged in most soils than tile drains.

4. Because of the nature of the material used the stone drain in-
evitably presents rougher surfaces to the passage of water, and any
obstructions which enter the drain are therefore more likely to remain
in it.

Because of these reasons it is not believed that it will usually be wise
to put in stone drains. The only saving is the outlay required for the
purchase of the tiles, but this saving will in most cases be much more
than offset by the extra costs of putting in which have been referred to.
Stone drains will prove most durable in soils of heavy and compact
character, because in these soils they will be less likely to fill with silt
and sand. In such soils, where stones of suitable character are avail-
able for drain construction, it may possibly sometimes pay to put in
stone drains, although even this is open to question.

Tile Drains. — Drainage by means of tile made especially for the
purpose is practically the only system of thorough underdrainage that
can in most cases be advised. Tile drains are better than drains of any
other kind for many reasons, most prominent among which are the
following : — .

1. On account of their regular form they offer a smoother and more
uniform conduit for water, and are, therefore, less liable to obstruction
than drains made of any other material.

2. Closer joints can be made than in most other kinds of under-
drains, and the probability of entrance of silt and fine sand is therefore
less.

3. The material is practically imperishable if placed below the reach
of frost.

Kinds of Tiles.

Numerous forms of drain tiles are offered in our market. It is be-
lieved that choice will lie between two of these, viz., the round, and
the six or eight sided. In both of these kinds of tile the bore is round,
and if made of equally good clay and well burned there is jDrobably no
great difference between them in respect to cost, convenience of la3dng
and durability. As found in our markets, however, the six or eight
sided tiles appear to be lighter in proportion to capacity than the
round. This, of course, is an advantage in connection with transpor-
tation. It might be thought that the six and eight sided tiles, having
flat faces, may be more conveniently laid than the round, which when
placed upon a flat surface are more likely to roll. A highly convenient

38

method, however, of preparing the bottom of a ditch for tiles is the
cutting of a half-circle groove. Only this groove, which is to receive
the round tile, needs to be graded with care and absolute exactness,
and if the round tile be laid in such a groove the difficulty referred to
is not experienced. Whatever the kind of tile selected the individual
pieces should be straight, and the ends should be as square and true
as possible. The tile should be hard-burned.

Both glazed and unglazed tile are offered in our markets. The latter,
if well burned and of good workmanship, should make excellent
drains, but glazing is likely to improve the tile in two directions. It
makes the surface over which the water must move smoother, so that
friction is reduced, thus giving greater capacity for carrying water for
a given size, and the tile must prove somewhat more durable.

Special Forms of Tiles for Particular Uses.

There are a number of special forms of tiles for different uses. Among

the more important are curves, enlarging tiles and junction or branch

tiles.

Curves.

In ordinary land-drainage operations these are seldom necessary,

but if for any reason the line of the drain must make relatively sharp

turns, the work is more secure if the turn is made by the use of a curve

of suitable character. It is a matter of some difficulty to make turns

in lines of drains with straight tiles, and at the same time make the

joints between abutting tiles sufficiently close to effectively exclude

sand and silt.

Enlarging Tiles.

The enlarging tile is one that tapers, and such tiles are used when

on any given line of drain a change is made from a smaller to a larger

size.

Junction or Branch Tiles.

Such tiles are useful in making connections between lateral or branch

drains and a main drain. Both Y and T branches are manufactured.

The former are in most cases to be preferred. In order to procure

when ordering the kind of Y needed the figure designating the diameter

of the main drain should be placed first and connected by the sign of

multiplication with the figure indicating the diameter of the lateral or

branch tile which is to be united with the drain. For example, if a

2-inch branch is to be connected with a 4-inch main drain the order

should read " 1 Y, 4 by 2."

Collars.

Manufacturers of round tiles usually offer short sections for use at
the junctions under the name of collars. Collars are usually about
2 or 3 inches long. The collar needed in any case is a short section of
tile just large enough to allow the insertion of the abutting ends of the
tiles which are being laid. Such collars somewhat increase the security

39

of the drain, as they reduce the chances that the tiles will get out of
alignment. Their use, however, greatly increases the cost, and they
are not ordinarily required.

How Water enters Underdrains.

Two misconceptions as to the manner in which water enters under-
drains appear to be not uncommon.

1. There is a general idea that special provision for the entrance of
water must be made, like that, for example, between stones in drains
of that type, or that, in the case of tile drains, the tile should be porous
in order that water may find its way through.

2. It is thought that water runs down from above into the under-
drain.

As a matter of fact the underdrain is brought into action only when
some portion of the channel for water is below the water table in the
soil. However rapidly water is carried into the soil, the underdrain
will not run until the level of the hydrostatic water in the soil rises
above the bottom of the channel which the drain affords. As the
hydrostatic water rises above the drains, the water, by its natural
hydrostatic pressure, is forced into the channel afforded by the drain.
The pressure increases of course as the water rises, and before it has
risen much above the channel it is sufficiently great so that, practically
speaking, however impervious the tile, or however close the joints
(if laid without mortar), it is impossible to keep the water out.

In putting in underdrains we have not to consider in the case of
either tiles or stones the provision of openings through which the
water will enter; on the contrary, we must use every care to make all
joints just as close as possible. The danger is not that the water will
be prevented from entering, but that foreign substances (fine sand and
silt) will gain entrance and thus obstruct the drain.

The Location of Drains.
The location of drains in a field requiring drainage should in all
cases receive special and careful attention and study,. It is not possible
to lay down general rules which will prove of much value. In the case
of large operations there must usually be a principal or main line and
subordinate branch lines of drains. The principal drains are usually
spoken of as mains, and these will naturally run through the lowest
part of the area to be drained, while with both mains and submains,
branch lines, which are usually spoken of as laterals, will be connected.
In planning a system of underdrainage it seems to be wise to provide
for a system with relatively few outlets into open water courses.
Thus, for example, if we have a field with a principal channel running
through it somewhere near the middle, and the land on either side
slopes gradually towards this channel, the system will be most satis-
factory if a main drain is put thi'ough the principal channel, and the

40

laterals connected with it, only one outlet being provided for the
entire system, which, of course, should be at the lower end of the
main. In such a case good drainage might be secured by putting a
deep open ditch through the principal hollow, and making the laterals
discharge directly into this; but while this system will cost less than
the other, because the larger sizes of tiles needed for drains are rela-
tively costly, it is not beheved that it will prove equally satisfactory
in the end, because the open ditch is liable to numerous accidental
injuries (previously referred to) which may lead to the obstruction of
some of the laterals. It will be much easier to watch and maintain in
perfect condition the one outlet into an open water course on the
main than to watch and keep in perfect condition the numerous out-
lets required if the laterals discharge directly into an open ditch.

Direction of Drains.

The proper direction of drains is determined by the slope. In all
cases where the area to be drained is relatively level, it is necessary, in
order to secure a satisfactory grade, to run the drains in the direction
of the line of greatest slope. In the case of springy slopes, or slopes
where water passing through the soil tends to continually crop out at
the surface, running the drains obliquely down the slope is generally
regarded as the best plan. In this direction they effectively cut off
the water which is seeping througii the soil toward the bottom of the
slope, while at the same time they have a sufficient grade to carry the
water away rapidly.

Laterals should as a rule run about at right angles with the main
with which they are connected.

Proper Distances between Drains.

This will vary with the character of the soil. Laterals must be
nearer together in proportion as the soil is compact and relatively
impervious to water. In a field underdrained by parallel lines of
tiles, the usual level of the water table along the lines of tiles will be
the level of the bottom of the conduit which they afford, but as the
distance in the direction of a right angle from the line of tiles increases,
the level of the water table rises above the lavel of the conduit. The
water table will be highest between any two lines of tiles along the line
midway between them. The rate at which the water table rises is
greater in proportion as the soil is compact. In a soil of open character
the rate of rise is slight, and lines of tiles which are relatively far apart
will hold the water table midway between any two lines at a level
sufficiently below the surface of the ground. In a compact soil, on the
other hand, the rate of rise of the water table is so rapid that should
tiles be placed ecjually far apart tlie water would stand much too near
the surface, perhaps at the surface should the lines be placed ecjually
far apart. In soils of the most compact character it is necessary.

41

therefore, for the thorough drainage of soils naturally excessively wet,
to place lines of tiles, which are not less than about 3 feet deep, at dis-
tances not greater than about 20 to 25 feet apart ; 40 to 50 feet between
lines is usually satisfactory.

In the statements which have been made concerning the distance
between different lines of drains reference has been made to the drain-
age of areas where soil and water conditions are uniform in character.
There are, of course, many fields with varying soil and water condi-
tions, in which uniform spacing of the lines of tiles is not advisable.
Under these conditions each field is a special problem in itself.

The distance between drains which will give satisfactory results
will be influenced much by the depth of the drains. The deeper these
are the farther apart the lines may be. In compact clays a fairly safe
rule is to place the lines 6 or 7 feet apart for each foot of depth in the
drain, while in loams the distance may vary at double this rate. That
is, it may be from 12 to 14 feet for each foot of depth.

The Proper Depth of Drains.

The depth to which drains can be placed is in some instances de-
termined by the level of the water in the open channel into which the
tiles must eventually discharge. Where this level is relatively close to
the surface, the question will sometimes arise with how little depth
may fairly satisfactory results in drainage be anticipated. In the
writer's judgment it will not be advisable to put in underdrains unless
the depth possible is equal to at least 2J feet from the surface. Here
and there for short distances the tile may be laid at less depth, but it
will not be safe, from the action of the frosts, at less than the depth
indicated.

In all cases where conditions permit it seems best to place under-
drains at the average depth of from 3J to, 4J feet below the surface.
At this depth drainage in the case of compact clays and hardpans may
be relatively slow at first, but later the soil will gradually become more
open and porous under the influence of root action, the tunneling of
earth worms and the formation of cracks as the soil dries out, so that,
in the course of a relatively short time, the drainage of even clays is
sufficiently rapid with underdrains at the depth indicated.

The Proper Grade.
In the case of fields which are relatively mellow it is necessary to
consider with how small a grade satisfactory drainage can be secured.
Experience indicates that with very careful work satisfactory drainage
is secured with grades not exceeding 3 inches in 100 feet; indeed,
engineers often put iii drains with less grade than this. To put in
drains which will work satisfactorily with so flat a grade requires ex-
tremely careful work, and with the kind of labor usually available on
the farm, even under the careful oversight of the owner, who in most

42

cases will have little experience in this kind of work, a steeper grade
will be much safer. With ordinary skill and care excellent work can
be done with grades ranging from 3 to 5 or 6 inches to each 100 feet.
Whatever the grade, much care should be taken to make it as uniform
as possible.

The Size of Tile to lay.

The amount of water carried by tile of any given size varies with the
grade. The area of the circle which measures the bore varies with the
square of the diameter. It may appear, therefore, that at a uniform
grade the aiDpHcation of this rule will indicate the relative capacity of
different sizes to carry water. Thus, for example, it might be supposed
that the 3-inch tile would carry two and one-quarter times as much
water as the 2-inch tile because the square of 3 is 9, and 9 is two and
one-quarter times 4, which is the square of 2. As a matter of fact, the
3-inch tile will carry more than two and one-quarter times as much
water as the 2-inch, because the amount of friction is relatively greater
in the smaller sizes. Friction being taken into account, tiles of different
sizes, according to Wheeler,' have about the following relative capacity
to carry water, as compared with 2-inch tile taken as a basis of com-
parison : —

2^-inch tile 1.5 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.

3 -inch tile 2.5 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.

4 -inch tile 5.0 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.

5 -inch tile 7 . 5 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.

6 -inch tile 12.5 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.
8 -inch tile 25.0 times the water carried by 2-inch tile.

(a) Size for Laterals. — Throughout the eastern States 2-inch tile
is most commonly used for laterals, but in the middle and western
States larger tiles are usually employed. Chamberlain says : —

The tendency toward larger size, especially in the rather level prairies of the
west, is manifest and wise. The soil is more porous, and hence laterals may be
much farther apart, and wisely laid deeper (even 4 or 4^ feet), than in our more
compact, clayey soils in Ohio. Also, as the grades there are less, the sizes must
be larger. ... In Illinois 3 and 4 inch tiles are now the smallest sizes found
at most tile kilns. The material is not expensive, and the tendency toward
large sizes is wise, except where freights or long hauling make the weight im-
portant.

(6) Size needed for Mains. — Chamberlain has given rules for the
size of mains in tile drainage which appear to be worth stating. Ac-
cording to his rule, to determine the number of acres that can be
drained by tiles of different sizes when the grade is not more than 3
inches in 100 feet: square the diameter of the tile and cUvide the result
by 4. It will be found that the areas drained by different sized mains
according to this rule will be as follows : —

3-inch tile, . . • 2J acres. | 5-inch tile, . . ■ 6^ acres.

4-inch tile, . .4 acres. I 6-inch tile, . . .9 acres.

1 Hints on Land Drainage, Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1895.

43

When the grade exceeds 3 inches in 100 feet the diameter should be
squared and the result divided by 3. This gives the following results : —

3-inch tile,

3 acres.

6-inch tile.

. 12 acres

4-inch tile,

5J acres.

8-inch tile.

. 21J acres

5-inch tile,

. 8^ acres.

Wheeler has given rules which accord closely with the rules given by
Chamberlain.

(c) Method of Determining Area. — Wheeler, however, has pointed
out that owing to the fact that water more slowly finds its way to the
drains in compact soils, the area satisfactorily served by a main of
any given size is greater in such soils than in those of more open char-
acter.

Laying out and Construction of Drains.

In all cases where the grade must be flat it will be wise to employ the
services of an engineer with accurate leveling instruments. Such
services will cost something, but the expense of expert services would
be amply justified in the more accurate and better work which can be
done. At the outset, beginning where the main drain will discharge
into the open water course, stakes should be put in at each end of
each line of drains, and at all intermediate points where the direction
or grade changes. Beside each stake drive a grade peg or hub, level
with the surface of the ground. On each of the reference stakes first
driven mark the depth at which the drain is to be laid below the top ■
of the grade peg. When ready to begin excavation drive a pair of
stakes, one on either side of each peg and a sufficient distance apart
to clear the ditch when it is opened. Across each pair of stakes nail a
batter board, the top of which should be at some uniform distance
above the proper grade at the bottom of the ditch, — 6 feet is a con-
venient distance. For example, if the figure on a given reference stake
indicates that the ditch is to be excavated 3.8 feet at that jDoint, the
top of the batter board should be 6 — 3.8, or 2.2 feet above the toj)
of the hub. If the figure on the reference stake is 4.2 feet, then the
height of the top of the batter board should be 1 . 8 feet above the top
of the hub. When the batter boards along any given line are placed
the excavation may begin. It is best in almost all cases to begin at the
outlet or lower end of the line, and in most cases it is best to begin
laying the tiles also at the lower end. A convenient means of de-
termining whether the ditch is just the proper depth at any point is to
stretch a light and very strong cord over the tops of the batter boards,
immediately above what will be the center of the bottom of the ditch.
The workman who finishes the grading should be provided with a
measuring rod 6 feet in length, and should excavate until the distance
from the cord above his head to the bottom of the ditch is exactly 6
feet at every point. There is one rather serious danger connected with
the use of such a cord. It may sag between supports. It is necessary
to take the utmost care to see that it is perfectly taut and in the true
line of grade.

44

If in excavating the ditch earth of cUfferent grades is found, it will
be best to throw that which is coarsest by itself, as such earth is best
suited to fill immediately around and above the tile. In clay sands or
soils made up very largely of silt and extremely fine sand, it will often
be profitable, if the distance which it must be carted is not too great,
to haul coarse sand or fine gravel in order to fill in immediately about
and above the tiles. If soil made up either of quicksand or fine silt be
placed next the tiles it is almost certain to wash in at the joints. In
all cases where the bottom is quicksand, or soft and treacherous in
character, it will be best to place slabs or boards in the bottom of the
ditch and to lay the tiles on these. In laying the tiles the utmost care
should be taken to make as close joints as possible. Considerable
security against the entrance of silt and fine sand is secured by care-
fully covering the joints between tiles. For this purpose tenacious
sods, placed with the grass side against the tile, are often effective.
Other materials which prove effective are stri|DS of tarred paper, about
two or three inches wide and long enough to reach around the tiles,
or similar strips of burlap, — old fertilizer sacks cut or torn up answer
this purpose admirably.

As soon as possible after the tiles are laid the earth should be filled
in, for until this work is complete there is danger of serious damage
through washing and caving should excessive rains occur. Care should
be taken in filling to compact the earth thoroughly, and to round it up
immediately over the line of the drain.

Many authorities recommend putting in silt basins at the junction
of laterals with main drains and at points where there is a change in
direction. In the writer's experience such basins add considerable to
the expense, and are in many cases somewhat difficult to keep in
repair. He does not, moreover, regard them as essential, and would
advise putting them in only at important points in the system. The
simplest method of making a silt basin is to use vitrified sewer pipe
set with the lower end about one foot below the level of the tile. The
drains are led into and out of it through holes of suitable size, which
may easily be cut through the sides of the pipe. A second length of
pipe may be set over the first if the depth requires, but the author
would advise against carrying such wells to the surface. He would
have the upper end of the well at least a foot below the surface of the
ground. This must be covered to exclude the earth which will be filled
in above it, and for this purpose either a cast-iron cover or a flat stone
will be best.

The location of a well may be marked by a stake driven beside it,
or it may be indicated on a plan, which, indeed, it is always wise to
make and preserve for future reference whenever underdrains are put
in.

Series of 1908. Vol. 21. No. 4.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of August, 1908.

AKTIFICIAL HATCHING AND
REARING OF CHICKS.

ISSUED MOXTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary.

Entered June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter,
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON:

WEIGHT & POTTEE FEINTING CO., STATE PEINTEES,

18 Post Office Square.

1908.

Approved by
The State Board of Publication

Crop Report for the Month of August, 1908.

Office of State Boabd of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Sept. 1, 1908.

Bulletin 'No. 4, Crop Eeport for the month of August,
is herewith presented. We have had a great many inquiries
as to artificial methods of hatching and rearing chicks, and
this month include a special article on the subject, by Henry
D. Smith of Rockland, Mass. Mr. Smith has had a great
deal of experience as a grower of South Shore roasters,
where only artificial methods are used, and is remarkably
successful in artificial incubation and brooding. As he puts
it, he is not a professional writer, but has had some success
in making chickens live, and in this article he tells what
his methods are and how the result may be achieved.

Peogkess of the Seasoist.

The Crop Reporting Board of the Bureau of Statistics of
the Department of Agriculture (Crop Reporter for August,
1908) finds the condition of corn on August 1 to have been
82.5 per cent of normal, as compared with 82.8 per cent
a month earlier, 82.8 in 1907, and 83.1, the ten-year
average.

Preliminary returns indicate a yield of winter wheat of
about 14.3 bushels per acre, or a total of 425,940,000 bushels,
which compares with 14,6 bushels and 409,442,000 bushels,
respectively, the final estimates of last year's crop. The
average quality of the crop is 90.1, against 90.5 last year.
The average condition of spring wheat on August 1 was

80.7 per cent of normal, as compared with 89.4 a month
ago, 79.4 in 1907, 86.9 in 1906, and a ten-year average of
82.7.

The average condition of the oats crop on August 1 was

76.8 per cent, as compared with 85.7 a month earlier, 75.6

in 1907, 82.8 in 1906, and 83.8, the ten-year average on
August 1. It is estimated that 5 per cent, or 38,797,000
bushels, of last year's crop is still in the hands of the farmers.

The average condition of barley on August 1 was 83.1
per cent of normal, as compared with 86.2 last month, 84.5
in 1907, 90.3 in 1906, and 85.7, the ten-year average for
August.

The condition of rye on August 1 or at time of harvest
was 88.3 per cent of normal, as compared with 91.2 on
July 1, 88.9 in 1907, 90.8 in 1906, and 88.4, the ten-year
average at the time of harvest.

The average condition of white potatoes August 1 was
82.9 per cent, as compared with 89.6 a month earlier, 88.5
in 1907, 89 in 1906, and a ten-year average of 86.8.

The average condition of tobacco on August 1 was 85.8,
as compared with 86.6 a month earlier, 82.8 in 1907, 87.2
in 1906, and 82.3, the ten-year average on August 1.

Preliminary estimate of the acreage of hay is 1.2 per
cent more than last year, indicating a total of 44,538,000
acres. The condition of the crop on August 1 was 92.1,
as compared with 92.6 a month earlier, 87 in 1907, and
a ten-year average of approximately 88. The condition of
timothy was 89.8, alfalfa 88.8, millet 86.2, and the produc-
tion of clover hay was about 96.6 per cent of a full crop.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn was 94 ;
the average condition of oats, 95 ; the average condition of
rye, 92 ; the average condition of potatoes, 85 ; the average
condition of tobacco, 95 ; the average condition of pears, 93 ;
the average condition of tomatoes, 90 ; the average condition
of cabbages, 91 ; the average condition of onions, 89 ; the
average condition of hay, 87, the average condition of
timothy, 86 ; the average condition of clover, 85 ; the aver-
age condition of pastures, 80 ; the average condition of
apples, 65 ; and the average condition of peaches, 70. The
per cent of the acreage of the country of the various crops
grown in Massachusetts is as follows: rye, .2; potatoes, 1;
tobacco, .6; pears, .8; tomatoes, .8; cabbages, 2; onions, 3.5;
watermelons, .1 ; cantaloupes, .5 ; hay, 1.7; clover, .1; apples,
.9 ; and peaches, .3.

Temperature and Rainfall for the Whole Country.

[From United States National Weekly Weather Bulletin.]

Week ending August 10. - — The mean temperature con-
tinued warm over the districts from the Rocky Mountains
westward to the Pacific, and was also above normal in the
Lake region, and from Pennsylvania northeastward over
I^ew England, with a slight excess over most of the Atlantic
coast and east Gulf States. Temperatures continued below
normal over central and western Texas and surrounding sec-
tions, and slightly below over all portions of the Ohio,
Mississippi and Missouri valleys. Heavy rains occurred in
portions of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, at various
points in the Southern States and over I^ew England. The
precipitation was slightly below normal in the Pacific coast
States north of California and thence eastward to Lake
Superior.

Week ending August 17. — -The mean temperature con-
tinued above normal over the Lake region, !New England, the
Atlantic coast and east Gulf States, and was above normal
over all districts east of the Mississippi River, except por-
tions of eastern and southern Florida, the daily excess
ranging from 3° to 5°. Over the upper Mississippi and
Missouri valleys and generally over the districts west of the
Rocky Mountains, except extreme southern California, the.
mean temperature for the week was less than normal. Over
the greater portion of the Gulf States, most of the Atlantic
coast States from Florida to southern New England, the
Appalachian Mountain region and portions of the middle
Mississippi valley little or no precipitation occurred during
the week. The rainfall was above normal in the immediate
central and north Pacific coasts, over the eastern Rocky
Mountain region and throughout the entire Plateau country.
There was also a moderate excess in northern New England.

Week ending August 2Jf.. — The mean temperature con-
tinued above normal over the Gulf and South Atlantic States,
and was also above normal in the interior valleys of Cali-
fornia and over most of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Over nearly the entire Rocky Mountain region, the Missouri

6

and upper Mississippi valleys, Lake region and jSTew Eng-
land the weekly temperature was below normal, the de-
partures in the Missouri and Mississij)pi valleys ranging from
6° to 10°. Over the greater portion of the Gulf and Atlan-
tic coast States frequent showers occurred, and amounts from
1 to 6 inches were received over large areas. Over the Lake
region, lower Ohio and upper Mississippi valleys there was
a general lack of precipitation. There was a general excess
from southern ISTebraska to Texas and thence easterly over
the Gulf and South Atlantic coast States, and a considerable
excess in southern New England and eastern 'New York.

Week ending August 31.- — Temperatures above the nor-
mal prevailed over the Mississippi and lower Missouri
valleys and generally over the Great Plains and southern
Rocky Mountain districts, w^hile over the Atlantic and Pa-
cific coasts and the Plateau and northern Rocky Mountain
districts they were generally below the normal. The de-
ficiency was from 6° to 10° per day in districts east of,
and including, the Appalachian Mountains. The heavy rains
that began over portions of the east Gulf and south Atlantic
States on the 24th continued during the 25th and 26th,
extending northward on the latter date over the middle At-
lantic States and into southern i^ew England. Over the
greater portion of the districts between the Appalachian
Mountains and the Mississippi River the precipitation for the
week was very light. Practically no rain occurred over the
western part of the Great Plains region and from the Rocky
Mountains westward to the Pacific.

Special Telegraphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending August 10. — I^Tew England. Boston: The
temperature was slightly above normal, with no marked ex-
tremes. Precipitation was much above normal, all sections
except northwestern Vermont having more than 1.5 inches,
with greatest amounts of nearlv 4 inches in the Merrimac
valley sections of New Hampshire and adjoining parts of
Massachusetts. Thunderstorms, with heavy showers and

considerable damage by lightning, were frequent from the
4th to the 7th. Simshine above normal.

Week ending August 17. — 'New England. Boston: Tem-
peratures were higher than last week, with marked depart-
ures above normal ; maxima of 90 ° reported from several
places on the 13th, continuing on the 14th; seasonable rest
of week, without notable minima, except 44° in New Hamp-
shire on the 16th. Rainfall was very light over the southern
portions, but about or exceeding normal over parts of the
remainder of the district, with a fall of 1.5 inch over central
Maine on the 13th. Sunshine was generally abundant.

Week ending August 2Ji-. — New England. Boston : The
temperature was generally slightly below normal; the mini-
mum on the 21st was below 40° in some localities, with frost,
but no damage. Rainfall was below normal in northeastern
Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire, northwestern
Vermont and greater portion of Maine ; elsewhere normal or
above. Amount for week somewhat more than 1 inch in
Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, except north-
east portion. Sunshine was about average.

Week ending August 31. — New England. Boston: The
temperature was below normal. It was unusually low for the
season during the week, minimum on the 29th being near
freezing, with frosts in many localities in Maine, New Hamp-
shire and Vermont. Heavy rain on the 26th. Amount for
week was above normal in Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut and southern New Hampshire. There was little
or no rain in remainder of New England, where it is much
needed. Sunshine average.

The Weather of August, 1908.
The month began with fair and generally clear weather
which continued through the 3d. From the 4th until the
7th there was much cloudiness, with frequent thunderstorms,
accompanied by lightning of considerable severity, which
caused considerable damage in some localities. The rainfall
during this time was copious throughout the State, with
heavy local showers, and was of much benefit. Over about

8

all parts of the State there was more than 1 inch of rainfall,
and in some localities more than 2^ inches fell during this
time. Thunder showers again occurred on the 11th, 13th
and 17th, that gave a heavy rainfall, between 1 and 2 inches,
in the greater portion of the Connecticut valley section of the
State and in the southern portion of Berkshire County. On
the 26th there was a heavy rainfall in the eastern portion
of the State, from a storm that passed up the coast, but in
the western portion only a small amount of rain fell. After
the 26th fair and generally clear weather prevailed. For the
month as a whole there was generally somewhat more than
the average amount of rain, also somewhat more than the
usual amount of sunshine.

The temperature was generally normal during the first
ten days of the month. From the 11th until the 15th it
was above normal, rising to about 90° on the 13th and the
Idth in nearly all i3arts of the State. This was also the
highest temperature during the month. After the 15th the
temperature was lower than usual, the last week being un-
usually cold for the season, with an average daily tempera-
ture from 4° to 9° below normal.

In our circular to correspondents, returnable August 21,
the following questions were asked : • —

1. A^Tiat is the condition of Indian corn ?

2. ^Miat 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 compare
with former years?

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

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

7. How have oats and barley compared with former years ?

8. Are root crops grown for stock feeding or market in
your locality, and if so, to what extent ?

Returns were received from 151 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

9

Indian Corn.
The promise for the corn crop was exceptional at the time
of making returns, most correspondents reporting a good
stand, of good color, well eared, and sufficiently advanced
to be practically sure of maturing before damage from frosts
could occur. Some few correspondents report that the stover
is excellent, but that the crop has not eared well ; but these
reports are exceptional, and not sufficiently numerous to in-
dicate anything but a tirst-class crop as a whole. Ensilage
corn was in good condition, and tlie crop promised to be
unusually valuable by reason of the large number and well-
matured condition of the ears. Cutting for ensilage had be-
gun in some instances at the time of making returns. The
acreage devoted to corn is materially increased over previous
years, and the grain secured should be of assistance in keep-
ing down the grain bill during the coming winter.

ROWEN.

In most sections the cutting of the hay crop was followed
bv several weeks of hot, drv weather, so that the rowen
crojD will be very light, except on naturally moist land and
that in especially high condition of fertility. On these fields
a good second crop is always to be secured, but on the bulk
of the mowing lands of the State the rowen crop will be
light, except with good rains following the cutting of the
first crop.

Late Potatoes.

The outlook for late potatoes does not appear to be prom-
ising. Blight is reported in many instances, with only a few
reports of rot, but neither apjiears to be severe in most cases.
However, the reports are that the tubers are small and few
in the hill, due to dry weather at the time of setting. In
some instances correspondents report that fields where the
vines are in excellent condition do not promise to pay for
digging. Altogether, the jDrospect is for a very light crop.

10

Tobacco.

The acreage of tobacco appears to be about the same as
last year, with possibly a slight decrease in some towns.
Cutting was well under way at the time of making returns.
In several sections there had been considerable damage from
hail and wind, but otherwise the crop was universally re-
ported as being in first-class condition, one of the finest for
years.

Pasturage.

The rains that fell in most sections with fair regularity
during the last week of July and the first weeks of August
brought pasturage forward very rapidly, and it was reported
as good in most sections. In some localities it was not what
it should be with good conditions throughout the season, but
even there was reported as improving.

Fruits.
Apples continued to deteriorate in condition, and only a
very light crop will be secured. They dropped badly during
the month, and winter varieties will probably be of small
size in most cases, owing to the dry weather of midsummer.
Pears, peaches and plums will generally be very light crops.
Quinces are somewhat better, but hardly an average crop.
Grapes promise an excellent crop, barring damage from
frosts. Cranberries are considerably below the normal, the
reports from the Cape and adjoining sections being generally
that there is from one-half to two-thirds of a normal crop.
Wild berries have generally been plentiful in all sections.

Oats and Barley.

Oats arS a little below an average crop, where raised for
grain, owing to the early drought. Barley is little raised for
grain, but is reported as in excellent condition where sown
as a late forage crop.

11

Root Crops.

t

Root crops are little grown in western sections for any
jDnrpose, the silo having largely driven them out as a stock
food, and the market for them for other purposes being very
limited. In eastern sections they are grown to a considerable
extent for the market by market gardeners and others, and
occasionally for stock feeding. On Cape Cod, turnips, called
flat Cape turnips, have been a specialty. The usual acreage
has been sown there, and they have generally germinated
well and appear to be in good condition.

12

NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us August 24.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

Alford (Lester T. Osborne). — The corn crop is in the best con-
■dition of any crop for some years. There will be about an average
crop of rowen. There is no blight or rot on late potatoes, but the crop
will be below the average. Early apples are a little more than an aver-
age crop; pears and grapes are above average. Pasturage is in good
condition. Oats and barley are average crops. Very few root crops
are grown. The season is very favorable for gardens, early corn, to-
matoes, beans and squashes being the best for years.

Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Indian corn has made a fine growth, and
promises a very good crop. The prospect for rowen is very good.
Blight has appeared on late potatoes, but there is no rot as yet. Apples
will be a light crop; pears and cranberries good crops. Pasturage is
in very good condition. There wall be large yields of oats and barley.
Root crops are not raised to any extent.

Lee (A. Bradley). — Indian corn is in first-class condition. There
will be nearly a full crop of rowen. There is some blight on i^otatoes,
but they promise to yield about 80 per cent of a full crop. Apples in
some localities are a fair crop, say 75 per cent, other orchards almost a
failure. Oats are a light crop. Root crops are not raised to any
great extent.

Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon). — Indian corn is in very good
condition. There will be more than an average crop of rowen. Late
potatoes will give a fair crop, though all have blight; no rot as yet.
Apples are a good crop; pears plenty; very few peaches, grapes. and
quinces. Pastures are in very good condition. Oats and barley are
up to the average. Root crops are cjuite generally grown, from an
eighth of an acre to an acre, for cattle feed.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — Corn is fully up to a normal crop. The
prospect is that there will be about an average crop of rowen. Late
potatoes are not very good, blight and rot having completely destroyed
some fields. Apples are almost half a crop ; other fruits not raised for
market. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats and barley are about
average crops. Root crops are raised only for home use.

Hinsdale (Thos. F. Barker). — The corn crop is in very good condi-
tion. There will be but little rowen. The potato crop is doomed,

13

only a few early ones having escaped the Wight. Apples, pears and
cranberries will give average crops. Pasturage is in very fair condi-
tion. Oats are a good crop; no barley raised. Only a few farmers
raise root crops, from 50 to 100 bushels each for their own use.

Witidsor (Harry A. Ford). — Indian corn is in good condit on.
There will not be much rowen, the weather having been too dry when
the first crop was cut. There is some blight on late potatoes, but no
rot. There will be some apples secured. Pastures are in good condi-
tion. Oats and barley are fully up to the normal. Root crops are
but little grown.

Savoy (W. W. Burnett). — Indian corn is in fine condition, the hot
weather having brought it forward, in spite of a late start. There will!
be a very poor crop of rowen this year. The prospect for late potatoes
is not flattering, and there is some bhght, but no rot as yet. There will
be a very light crop of all fruits in this region. Pastures are short and
dry, but the late rains brightened them up a little. Oats are an es-
pecially heavy crop, and are mostly cut green for feed.

Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — There is a good stand of corn, but
it is about ten days late. Rowen will be about half a normal yield.
Early potatoes were about a three-fourths yield, and late ones will not
be above half, blight and rot having appeared. Apples promise about
80 per cent of an average crop; pears and grapes 30 per cent; no
peaches. Pastures are short, but have improved with the late rains.
Oats and barley are about three-fourths crops. Very few roots are
grown here.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Rowe (N. E. Adams). — Indian corn is in good condition. There
will be a good yield of rowen. The dry weather when potatoes were
setting injured many fields, and there is considerable blight. There
will be a light yield of all cultivated fruits, but there is a big crop of all
wild berries. Pastures are in good condition, but the flies are so thick
that cows do not give much milk. Oats and barley are good crops.
Root crops are not grown in this locality.

Bernardston (Ralph H. Cushman). — Corn is coming forward
nicely, some having been already cut, and conditions are favorable for
the balance of the crop. There will be a fight yield of potatoes, with
much blight. Apples promise a light crop, but there will be full yields,
of pears and grapes. Pasturage is much improved by the rains, and is
in very good condition. Oats are a very good crop, with more than
the usual acreage. Not many roots are grown, and they are used ex-
clusively for stock feeding.

Ashfield (Albert Howes). — Indian corn is looking well. There
will not be quite a normal crop of rowen, and the crop is rather late.
Potatoes promise only a fight crop ; some blight, but no rot reported.
There will be 80 per cent of a full crop of apples; other fruits hardly
up to the average. Pastures are looking well for the time of year.

14

Oats and barley are good crops where sown early. Root crops are not
grown to any extent.

Conway (L. T. Hopkins). — Indian corn will be a good average crop.
Rowen promises a good yield. Potatoes will be a light crop, the
growth of vines being small and the vines mostly dead. The acreage
of tobacco is a httle less than usual ; condition good, but some hail-cut.
Apples are a light crop, of poor quality; pears and grapes full crops;
few peaches. Pasturage is in good condition for the season of the year,
the recent showers having been a great help. Oats are a good crop,
but are little grown. If apples are sorted as they should be, there will
be but very few No. 1 i^dnter apples.

Deer-field (Dwight A. Hawkes). — There will be more than an av-
erage crop of corn. There will not be a full crop of rowen. The pros-
pect for late potatoes is poor; they have blight, but show no rot as
yet. The acreage of tobacco is somewhat reduced, but the concUtion
is excellent. Apples are less than half a crop, and of poor quality.
Pastures are in good condition. The cucumber crop, for pickles, is
much above the average. Root crops are not grown here.

Sunderland (Geo. P. Smith). — Indian corn is a good crop, and well
advanced. There will be a three-fourths yield of rowen, it having
grown since the showers. There is some blight on late potatoes.
There is the usual acreage of tobacco, and it has made a fine growth,
though some fields were damaged by storms. There will be very few
apples; pears and grapes are normal crops. Pasturage has improved
very much during the past month. Root crops are not grown to any
extent. The damage by the storm of the 11th was from one-fourth to
three fourths of the value of the fields affected, and about half the
acreage was affected in this town,

Erving (Chas. F. Clark). — Indian corn is in good condition.
There will be a two-thirds crop of rowen. There will not be a large
crop of pototoes, though neither blight nor rot have appeared. There
will be a small crop of apples, but pears are plenty. Pasturage is in
fair condition for the season. There will be an average crop of oats;
barley is little raised. Root crops are not raised in this section.

North-field (Thomas R. Callender). — Corn is well eared, and there
is promise of more than an average crop. There will be about half a
crop of rowen. Blight is very general on late potatoes and the prospect
is the poorest in years. The acreage of tobacco is about the same as
usual, and the crop is the best for several seasons. All fruit will be
light except pears and grapes. Late rains have brought pastures to
nearly normal condition. Oats have proved a good crop, ■\\dth very
little rust. Root crops are not grown to any extent. Cucumbers for
pickles have given an abimdant yield so far, but blight has appeared,
and the season is now nearly over, having been two weeks earlier than
usual.

Orange (A. C. White). — Corn was badly blown down by the storm

15

of the 13th, but is otherwise looking finely. There will not be more
than half a crop of rowen. Potatoes are generally poor, with a small
yield. Pears and grapes are normal crops. Pasturage has been im-
proved by the late rains. Some few grow root crops for the market,
but none for stock feeding.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth). — Indian corn is a good average
crop. Rowen will be fully up to the average. Late potatoes have
blighted considerably, and promise only a very light yield. Apples are
a fair crop, but not up to the average; pears and grapes good; other
fruits not raised. Pasturage has improved a great deal during the
past month. Oats and barley are not up to the average. Root crops
are not grown here.

Pelham (John L. Brewer). — Indian corn is looking finely. There
will be only a small crop of rowen. Late potatoes have blighted badly.
Apples, peaches, grapes, quinces and cranberries will give fair yields.
Pastures are improving in condition. Oats and barley are full crops.

Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Corn is in the best condition I have
ever seen it. The rowen crop is rather below the normal, but will be
good where the land is rich. The yield of potatoes will be light ; blight
has appeared, but no rot. Apples will give a poor crop; pears good;
peaches fair; grapes promise well. Pasturage is in good condition.
Oats and barley are hardly raised at all. Root crops are Uttle grown,
ensilage having replaced them. There is a normal acreage of tobacco
and a good crop, with some hail damage in a few places; cutting about
half over. Onion harvest has begun, and thrip damage is not so gen-
eral as was feared.

Hadleij (H. C. Russell). — Indian corn is in excellent condition. .
The rowen crop is as good or better than the average. Potatoes will
be very light, bhght having struck the crop early, in spite of spraying.
Tobacco has made a fine growth in the last three weeks, and is being
harvested in splendid condition; acreage about as usual. Pears and
grapes are very plenty; other fruits poor. Pastures are looking well.
Root crops are not raised to any great extent.

South Hadley (W. F. Person). — Corn looks well, considering the
late spring, and is earing well. Rowen will give a good crop. Late
potatoes will be a small crop, nearly all having blighted. Apples are
a small crop; grapes plenty. Pastures are in very good condition,
Oats are not up to an average crop. Roots are not grown for feeding
purposes, but are largely grown for market.

Hatfield (Thaddeus Graves). — Corn is in fine Condition, and about
two weeks earUer than usual. There will be about half a crop of rowen,
though it is improving. Potatoes are about half a crop, dry weather
having ihjured them and blight attacking them. There is the usual

16

acreage of tobacco, which is mostly harvested in good condition.
Apples will be half a crop ; pears good ; other fruits as usual. Frequent
rains of late have kept pastures green. Oats and barley are little
raised. Root crops are little grown. Onions promise a fine crop.

Easthampton (Wm. C. Clapp). — Most fields of corn are fairly well
eared. There will be a fair crop of rowen. AH potatoes have suffered
from blight. Tobacco is looking well, but the acreage is decreased
from last year. There will be few quinces, grapes or peaches, and not
a heavy yield of apples and pears. Pasturage is looking fairly well.
Not much barley is grown. Root crops are not grown to any extent.

Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — Indian corn is in excellent condi-
tion. Rowen will be somewhat under the normal, but a fair crop.
Potatoes are a very light crop, being badly blighted. Apples are 35
per cent of a full crop ; pears 75 per cent ; peaches 90 per cent ; quality
good. Pastures are recovering rapidly under the recent rains. Oats
and barley are good average crops. Root crops are but little grown.

Middlefield (J. T. Bryan). — Indian corn is in excellent condition.
Rowen is a full average crop. There is some complaint of blight on
late potatoes. There will be very few apples, but small fruits are
abundant. Pasturage is in good condition. There are full crops of
oats and barley, they being mostly cut for fodder. Root crops are not
much grown.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (C. Z. Inzell). — Corn is a good crop. There will be about
a normal yield of rowen. There will be a light crop of late potatoes,
there being some blight. Apples are a small crop. Pasturage is in
good condition.

Blandford (Enos W. Boise). — Indian corn promises extra well,
showing a heavy growth of stover, and earing well. Rowen will be a
good crop on early cut fields. The prospect for late potatoes is poor,
blight having appeared on most fields. Apples promise within 10 per
cent of a normal crop, the fruit being fair and of good size. Feed in
pastures is very short, mainly on account of early summer drought.
Oats and barley are full fields, and well headed. Root crops are
very little grown.

Tolland (Eugene M. Moore). — Corn is looking w^ell, and wall be a
good average crop. Rowen will be a light crop, owing to dry weather.
Potatoes are not an average crop, blight having attacked most fields.
Apples are about three-fourths of an average crop ; pears about aver-
age. Feed is short in pastures, though much improved since the re-
cent rains. Oats and barley are good crops, above average. Root
crops are grown somewhat for stock feeding, but not to any great ex-
tent.

Southunck (L. A. Fowler). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen will be above an average crop. There will be a very light crop

17

of late potatoes, they having suffered from blight in many instances.
There will be a very light yield of fruit at best, none in some localities.
Pasturage is in good condition. Root crops are very little raised.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — The warm weather of June and
July made an extra growth of stalk on corn, but the crop is not eared
well, and will be below the normal. Rowen is now doing well, though
late starting, on account of droutli. There will be about half a crop
of potatoes, nearly all fields having blighted. Apples are a poor crop;
pears full ; peaches a little below the normal ; grapes full ; quinces few.
There is about the usual acreage of tobacco, and it is mostly looking
well. Pastures are looking well since the recent rains. Oats are gen-
erally a good crop, though little raised. Some mangels and turnips
are raised, but not to any great extent.

East Longmeadoiv (John L. Davis). — Indian corn is in very good
condition. There will be half a crop of rowen. Late potatoes are
almost all blighted, and the croj) will be very light; no rot as yet.
Fruit will be a heavy yield. Pasturage is very short, but the recent
rains have helped it somewhat. Oats and barley are average crops.
Turnips are raised for stock feeding, but not to the extent which they
should be.

Wilbraham (Henry M. Bliss). — Indian corn is in excellent condi-
tion. Rowen will not be above half a crop, though the recent rains
have helped it, as well as feed in pastures. There will be a very light
crop of late potatoes, blight having appeared. The acreage of tobacco
is 90 per cent, and its condition 95 per cent. Apples half a crop ; pears
a three-fourths crop ; peaches 90 per cent, and cjuite extensively grown ;
grapes 100 per cent; cjuinces 70 per cent; cranberries 85 per cent.
Oats are a good crop. Root crops are little grown.

Ludlow (Chas. B. Bennett). — Indian corn is in first-class condi-
tion. Rowen will give more than an average crop. Late potatoes
will be a very poor crop, with some blight and rot. Apples and pears
are light crops; no peaches; grapes very heavy. Pasturage is in ex-
cellent condition. Oats and barley are about average crops. Turnips
and carrots are grown, and are in good condition. Ensilage corn is
very early, and silos are being filled. Squashes and vines of aU lands
have made an unusually good growth.

Palmer (0. P. Allen). — Indian corn is not as fully eared as usual,
but is otherwise in good condition. Recent rains have brought the
promise of a good crop of rowen. The crop of late potatoes is not as.
good as usual, but I have not noticed any rot. There is the prospect
of a very fair yield of fruit of all kinds. Recent rains have brought
pasturage into good condition. Oats and barley compare very favor-
ably with former years. Root crops are not grown to any large extent.

18

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Brookfleld (Frank E. Prouty). — Indian corn is in extra good con-
dition. The rowen croj) promises to be good. There is some bUght on
potatoes, but there will be about an average crop. Apples are about
two-thirds of a crop. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats and bar-
ley are about average crops. Root crops are not grown to any extent.
Pears are a good yield; peaches little raised; grapes good; c^uinces
few.

West Brookfield (Myron A. Richardson). -^ Corn is looking finely,
and is well eared, except now and then a field where the growth of
stalk is more than normal. There will be some rowen, but less than a
normal crop. Potatoes seem small and few in a hill; some fields have
been struck by blight. There is an abundance of fall and early apples,
but winter ones are dropping off. Most pastures are looking finely.
Both oats and barley are up to the normal. Roots for stock feeding
are not raised to any great extent, but are doing finely.

New Braintree (C. D. Sage). — Both field and ensilage corn promise
a fine crop. Rowen is rather late, but there may be half a crop. Only
a fair crop of potatoes is reported; have seen very little blight or rot.
Apples 25 per cent of a normal crop; pears 60 per cent; peaches 25
per cent; grapes 75 per cent. Pasturage is in fair condition, the heavy
rains having revived it somewhat. Oats were a good crop; little bar-
ley grown. There has been much complaint of cows falling off in milk,
and with the high price of grain there will have to be a sharp advance
in the price of milk, or little will be produced.

Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — Since the drought was broken, corn
has made rapid progress. The rowen crop is not a good one, but the
late rains have helped it. There is no rot on potatoes, but most fields
are dried up; a two-thirds crop is promised. Apples fell off badly;
pears good; peaches and grapes good. Pasturage is much improved
by the recent wet weather. Oats are a good crop, where raised. Very
few roots are raised here. Cows are increasing in milk since the rains.

Royalston (C. A. Stimson). — Indian corn is in fair condition.
Rowen promises half a crop. There will be half a crop of late potatoes,
all being blighted. Apples are half a crop; pears three-fourths;
peaches 10 per cent; grapes 90 per cent; cjuinces 10 per cent. Oats
and barley are three-fourths crops. Root crops are not grown for
feeding, and but little for market.

Ashburnharn (E. D. Gibson). — Indian corn is about a normal crop.
There will be a fair crop of rowen if we continue to have abundant
rains. Potatoes will not be a full crop, blight showing on nearly all
fields. There will be a light crop of winter apjjles ; pears fair ; peaches
good. Pasturage is better than two weeks ago. Oats and barley are
not quite average yields. Root crops are not grown in this section.

Hubbardston (Chas. C. Colby). — Indian corn has made an excellent

19

growth, and the crop will be above the average. Rowen will be the
best crop for several years. Potatoes will be a light crop, owing to
blight. The ajiple crop will not bo up to the average. Pastui-age is
in excellent condition. Oats and barley arc heavy yields, both as
grain and forage crops. Root crops are grown for stock food to a
limited extent.

Sterling (Henry S. Sawyer). — Corn is looking finely, and there is
the prospect of a good crop if warm weather continues. Rowen is
hardly up to a normal crop. Blight has struck some fields of potatoes,
but others are looking well. There will be good yields of ai)ples, pears
and grapes. The frequent rains of late have improved the condition of
feed in pastures. Oats are less than a normal crop. There is a very
small amount of roots raised for feeding, and beets, carrots and turnips
are raised to some extent for market.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Indian corn is a good crop on moist land,
but poor on light soil. Rowen will be about an average crop. There
is some blight on potatoes, and the crop as a whole will not be over 25
per cent of a normal croj). Apples are a very poor crop; pears and
peaches good. Pasturage is now in good condition since the rains.
Oats and barley are all cut for hay. Root crops are not much grown.
A careful examination of eight fields of potatoes shows two where the
tubers are nearly all large, but only from two to five in a hill; two
fields that might give 25 per cent of a normal crop ; and four that will
not yield enough to pay for digging, — one of these is of six acres.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — Corn is in good condition. The rowen
crop is better than usual. Potatoes do not look at all promising, and
there is some blight. Apples are looking finely; pears light; peaches
poor; grapes good. Pasturage is in better condition than is usual at
this time of year. Oats and barley are not raised to any extent. Root
crops are looking better than usual ; mangels and carrots are raised for
feecUng to some extent. Practically speaking, all the corn raised here
is for ensilage or sweet corn for the market, and it has come on fast
since the rains.

Shrewsbury (Fred .1. Reed). — Indian corn is in very good condi-
tion. The rowen crop will be heavier than was expected, but is still a
hght crop. The prospect for late potatoes is not very good; some
blight, but no rot as yet. The fruit crop will be light, but of good qual-
ity. Oats and barley are about normal crops. Root crops are grown
for market to a certain extent.

Southborough (E. F. Collins). — All kinds of corn are in excellent
condition. Rowen will be about half a crop. There will be a very
light crop of late potatoes. Apples are about half a crop. Pasturage
has improved, and is in fine condition. Root crops are not grown in
this section.

Mendon (J. J. Nutter). — Indian corn is in good condition. Rowen
is looking very well. The prospect is that there will be a poor crop of

20

late potatoes, as they have blighted badly. There will be one-third of
a normal crop of apples; few peaches and quinces; plenty of grapes.
Pasturage is in very good condition. Oats and barley are average
crops. Root crops are not much grown.

Blackstone (O. F. Fuller). — Indian corn is in good condition. A
good crop of rowen is promised in this section. Late potatoes have
blighted somewhat. There will be a fair croj) of fruit and about half
a crop of apples. Pasturage is in good condition. Oats and barley
are normal crops. Root crops are somewhat grown for stock feed-
ing. Cranberry worms have ruined the cranberry crop.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Corn is looking very well, though
somewhat stunted by drought on light soil. Rowen is light now, but
with more rain an average crop will be secured later. Late potatoes
have not set well, and blight is quite prevalent. Apples are a fair
crop ; peaches a light crop ; pears a full crop ; also grapes. Pasturage
is in fair condition.

Framingham (J. S. Williams). — Indian corn is looking finely; I
doubt if the crop was ever better. Rowen promises well on moist
land, but as a whole will be far below the normal. The potato crop
appears to be light, being of good quality, but with few in the hill.
Fruit makes a rather poor showing; peaches and pears are poor in
quality; winter ai)ples will be a light crop here. Our pastures have
revived wonderfully, and feed is fairly good, notwithstanding the
drought. Oats and barley are raised only for forage, and each made a
good growth. Roots are not grown as extensively as they should be;
mangels are raised for feeding cows, and are in much favor.

Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — Indian corn is in good condition,
and will be a normal crop. Rowen is in good condition, and early cut
fields will yield well. Potato vines look remarkably well, but the
yield will be short on most fields, many vines not having set a tuber.
Apples will be about 60 per cent of a full crop, and for late fruit the
quality will be poor; other fruits in abundance. Recent rains have
imj^roved the pastures, but in most of them the feed is short. Oats
and barley have been good crops for forage. Root crops are grown
almost wholly for market.

Littleton (Geo. W. Sanderson). — Corn is in good condition. Rowen
will give more than a normal crop. I notice no blight or rot on late
potatoes, and there is the prospect of a fair crop. Apples and pears
are good crops, above the average; other fruits are very little grown.
The recent rains have improved pastures. Oats and barley compare
favorably with a normal crop. Root crops are grown to a very lim-
ited extent.

Westford (J. W. Fletcher). — Indian corn is in good condition.
There will be a fair crop of rowen, but it will be very late. Late

21

potatoes are not worth digging. Winter apples are scarce, but fall
apples are plenty. Pasturage is in very good condition since the
rains. Root crops are not grown in this section.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — Corn is in fine condition, and with
good weather there will be a heavy crop. Rowen will be about an
average crop. The prospect is for a light crop of potatoes, blight
appearing on all fields. Apples promise a light crop, also pears and
peaches; grapes are a medium crop; no quinces; cranberries a fair
crop. Pasturage has improved since the rains, so that it is in very
good condition. Oats and barley are principally raised for forage,
and are good yields. Root crops are grown both for market and stock
feeding, but only to a small extent.

BiUerica (Geo. P. Greenavood). — Indian corn is in fair condition.
The prospect for the rowen crop is good. The yield of potatoes will
be light, but there is little blight or rot. Fruit of all kinds is below
the average. Pasturage is in good condition. Root crops are very
little grown.

Tewksbury (G. E. Crosby). — There will be a fair crop of rowen.
Potatoes have blighted badly on some fields. Ap})les, i)ears and
peaches will give very light yields. Feed in pastures is much improved
since the rains. Roots are grown for market quite extensively on some
farms, but not to any great extent for stock feeding.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Indian corn is looking well. Rowoa
will do better than it promised, but will not be a full crop. Potatoes
will not be a full crop, there being some blight. Apples are about
half a crop; pears a little better; other fruits about average. Pas-
tures suffered severely from the early drought. Oats and barley are
rather below the average. Mangels are grown some for stock feeding,
hut not much; also turnips, but they are not yet matured; all root
crops arc looking fairly well.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — Indian corn is very little raised in this
town. Rowen will be a light crop. Late potatoes promise a fair
croj), and no blight or rot has appeared. Apples and peaches fair
crops; pears and grapes good crops. Pastures have improved since
the rains. Root crops are not grown to any extent.

West07i (Henry L. Brown). — Rowen is making good a growth
now, and will be a fair crop, though late. There will be but a small
crop of late potatoes. Apples, pears and peaches will give fair yields.
Pasturage is in good condition. Oats and barley are grown for forage
only, and are fair crops. Mangels and tmmips are grown to some ex-
tent. Fall apples have been small and have dropped badly.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Corn is looking finely, and there
is prospect of a good crop; more planted than usual. Rowen is a good
normal crop, having grown rapidly since the rains. Potatoes will be

22

but a light crop, and there is some blight, but no rot. Apples and
peaches are light crops; pears and grapes good; cranberries fair.
Pastures are good for the time of year, having improved since the rains.
Oats and barley are mainly grown as forage crops. Root crops are
mostly grown for market. Peach trees have been dying in this section
all summer, many trees that blossomed full having since died.

Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — Corn is making a splendid growth,
and is heavily eared. The prosioect for rowen is good, and frequent
showers keep it growing. The prospect for the potato crop is fair,
with little blight as yet. Apples of good quality will be scarce; pears
too plentiful for the demand. Pasturage is rather poor, though a late
growth is starting. Oats and barley are short yields, because of
drought. Roots are little grown for feeding, and only to a small ex-
tent for the market. Since the rains commenced, vegetation has made
rapid growth and many crops have recovered.

Groveland (A. S. Longfellow). — Indian corn is in very good con-
dition. There will be very little rowen. The prospect is fair for late
potatoes, though there is some blight, but no rot. Apples are half a
crop; pears and peaches are a full crop. Feed in pastures is much im-
proved by the rains. No oats or barley are grown except "for forage.
Root crops are grown only to a very limited extent.

Newbury (George W. Adams). — Indian corn is in fair to good con-
dition. The rowen crop will be light, but is now recovering from the
drought. There is a good prospect for the crop of late potatoes. There
will be enough apples ; pears are an average crop ; also quinces ; peaches
and grapes fair. Pasturage is recovering, and is fairly good now
Oats and barley are full average crops. Root crops are not grown to
any extent. The tent caterpillar has done far more damage with us
than the brown-tail moth.

Rowley (D. H. O'Brien). — Indian corn is in very good condition.
The rowen crop will be below the average. Potatoes are a very light
crop, and have blighted badly. All fruits are about an average crop.
Pastures are in quite good condition. Oats and barley are very little
grown, but are looking well. Root crops are grown both for feed and
market on a small scale.

Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — Corn is in very good condition. Rowen
is looking well, but is very late. The prospect for late potatoes is very
good, and there is not much bhght. Apples are half a crop; pears
average; peaches below the average. Pasturage is in fair condition.
Oats and barley are not raised for grain. Root crops are not much
grown. There are very few peach trees alive, but the crop is good on
those ; grapes, quinces and cranberries promise good yields.

23

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Randolph (Rufus A. Thayer). — Indian corn is very promising.
Rowen is about half an average crop. Late potatoes look well, with
no rot or blight as yet. Apples are half a crop ; pears good ; no peaches ;
grapes good. Pasturage is in excellent condition for the time of year.
Oats and barley are good crops, but are grown for forage. Some tur-
nips are raised for market, and are a good crop. Fall feed on mowings
will be very good, with rowen only on moist, rich soil.

Canton (Edwin V. Kinsley). — Corn was never a better crop, both
for grain and stover. There will be more than an average crop of
rowen. Potatoes are a very light crop; no rot as yet, but some blight.
Apples are a light crop; pears about average; cranberries fair; other
fruits light. Pastures are in fair average condition. Oats and barley
are good crops. Some winter turnips are grown for market, and some
mangels for feeding, but not to a large extent. White pines are very
generally seeding this year.

Norwood (F. A. Fales). — Corn is looking first rate. We shall have
50 per cent more rowen than usual. Potatoes are not looking well, the
dry weather retarding their growth, while with the rains blight appeared
on some fields. Apples and pears were badly injured by the scale, and
the crop will be light; cranberries will be a light crop. Pastures are
dry, and in poor condition. There is a fair crop of oats and barley.
Root crops are not grown to any extent, flat turnips being grown the
most frequently.

Walpole (Edward L. Shepard). — Corn fodder looks fairly well,
but there are not as many ears as in a normal year. There will be about
half a crop of rowen, on account of the drought. Late potatoes are
looking well; some blight, but no rot as yet. Apples are half a crop;
pears, peaches and grapes are good crops. Pasturage is better than a
month ago, but is still rather short. Oats and barley are about nor-
mal crops. Comparatively few roots are raised.

Norfolk (A. D. Towne). — Indian corn promises a crop 25 per cent
heavier than usual. Rowen will be more than an average crop. There
will be a fair crop of late potatoes, with some blight. Apples, pears
and grapes are good crops ; other fruits light. Pasturage is hardly up
to the average in condition. Oats and barley are not quite as heavy
crops as commonly. Root croi)s are not grown to any extent.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Indian corn is looking finely. There
will be a three-fourths crop of rowen. Late potatoes are not a full
crop. There will be more than an average crop of apples; pears fair;
peaches few; grapes good. Pasturage is 25 per cent below the normal
in condition. Oats and barley are 90 per cent of the normal. Root
crops are not grown in this section.

24

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Matisfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Indian corn is looking finely. There
will be a normal crop of rowen. Indications are good for a full crop of
late potatoes; no blight or rot as yet. Winter apples will be a light
crop; pears and grapes full; peaches and quinces fair. Pasturage is
in good condition. Oats and barley are normal crops, but are not much
grown. Carrots, parsnips, turnips and beets are raised for market, but
only in a small way. The weather of the last month has been favorable
to all crops.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — Indian corn is in splendid condition.
There will not be much rowen. There will be a fair crop of late pota-
toes. The yield of fruit will be light. Pasturage is improving in con-
dition. Oats and barley are about average crops. Root crops are
not much grown.

Dighton (Howard C. Briggs). — The corn crop is in good condition.
There is almost no rowen, say 10 per cent of a normal crop. Late
potatoes promise poorly at present, with some blight. Apples dropped
badly; other fruits fair. Pastures are in very poor condition. Oats
and bai-ley are about average crops. Root crops are not grown to any
extent. The drought is only partially broken here, and we need rain
badly for all crops except corn.

Berkley (Rollin H. Babbitt). — Indian corn is in very good condi-
tion. Rowen will give about half an average crop. Very few late
potatoes are grown about here, and there is some blight. Apples are
a poor crop; pears plenty; peaches few; grapes plenty; quinces few;
cranberries half a crop. Pasturage is in excellent condition. Oats
and barley are much below the normal. Root crops are grown only
for market, and not extensively for that purpose.

Swansea (F. G. Arnold). — Corn is in very good condition. The
rowen crop is much below the standard. The prospect for late pota-
toes is good; no blight, but some damage from drought. Pears,
peaches and grapes promise good crops. Pasturage is above the aver-
age for the season of the year. Oats are about an average crop; bar-
ley only grown for forage. A few mangels are grown for stock feeding
and a few turnips for the market.

Westport (Albert S. Sherman). — Indian corn is in good condition,
both fodder and grain promising well. The prospect for the rowen
crop is poor, owing to dry weather. Potatoes promise well, and there
is no blight or rot as yet. Apples are scarce and poor; pears quite
plenty; no peaches; grapes abundant. Pastures are in fair condition,
the rains having started up the grass. Oats are a better crop than
usual; barley not grown here. Root crops, especially turnips, are ex-
tensively grown, both for market and stock feeding.

25

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Norwell (H. A. Turner). — Indian corn is in good condition. There
will be about half a crop of rowen. Blight has not attacked potatoes
much as yet. There will be few apples; peaches, grapes and cranber-
ries are good crops. Feed in pastures is rather short, and needs more
rain. Oats and barley are little raised. Beets are raised to a slight
extent as feed for fowls.

Hanover (Harrison L. House). — The corn crop is in fair condition.
The rowen crop will be short. There is prospect of a fair crop of late
potatoes, with some blight. Apples, pears and grapes are good crops;
peaches fair; quinces little raised; cranberries good. Pasturage is in
good concUtion. Oats are raised for forage, and are a good crop; no
barley raised. Root crops are not raised in this vicinity.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — Indian corn is in good condition.
The prospect is that there will be a normal crop of rowen on moist land.
Not many late potatoes have been planted here. The prospect for
apples is poor, but pears and grapes promise good crops. Pastures
are in good condition since the rains. Oats and barley are not much
raised. Root crops are not raised for stock feeding, but carrots, beets
and parsnips are raised as market-garden crops.

West Bridge-water (Clinton P. Howard). — Indian corn is in very
good condition. An average crop of rowen is expected. There will
be a good crop of late potatoes on low land, and very light yields on
dry fields. There are few apples; pears, grapes and cranberries plenty.
Roots are little raised for stock feeding, but all kinds are raised for
market.

Kingston (George L. Churchill). — The corn crop is in very fair
condition, as good as usual at this time. An average crop of rowen
may be expected. Late potatoes are looking well, and blight or rot
have not appeared. Apples are good; pears plenty; grapes, quinces
and cranberries fair. Since the rains, feed in pastures is very fair.
Oats and barley are good crops, but little raised. Some roots are
grown, and are in good condition. The season now promises to be a
very prosjDerous one, vegetation having grown well since the rains.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — Indian corn is in good condition. Rowen
promises to be a good crop. Potatoes were cut short by dry weather,
but I have noticed no rot. There is a fair crop of apples and pears.
Pastures are dry and short. Root crops are grown to a small extent.
Cranberries on many bogs are a very light crop, while on others a good
crop may be expected; the crop as a whole does not promise to be an
average one.

Rochester (Geo. H. Randall). — Indian corn is generally a poor
crop, about half the normal. Rowen did not start well, and will be a
small crop, though it looks bright and thrifty now. Late potatoes are
half a crop of medium size and smooth, with no blight or rot. Apples

26

and pears are quite good crops; few peaches; grapes good; quinces
few; cranberries half a crop. Pasturage is too late in starting to give
much feed. Oats and barley are below average yields. Root crops
are grown to a very limited extent, both for feeding and market. All
early crops suffered from the drought, but late crops are very 2:»romis-
ing.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Falmouth (D. R. Wicks). — Indian corn is fully up to the normal,
the rains having brought the crop forward. The prospect for rowen is
very poor on high ground, but there will be a two-thirds crop on low,
moist land. There is some blight on potatoes, but no rot, and a two-
thirds crop is promised. Apples are one-third of a normal crop ; pears
one-half; peaches one-third; grapes normal; quinces half; cranber-
ries two-thirds. Since the rains, pastures have started up and are
looking well. Oats and barley are mostly grown as forage crops.
Root crops are not very largely growii.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Indian corn is above the average.
Rowen will yield less than an average crop. Late potatoes promise
about an average crop, with little blight. Apples are half a crop;
pears two-thirds; grapes a full crop; cranberries half a crop. Pas-
tures are above the average in condition. Oats are about an average
crop. Root crops are grown for stock feeding and for market, one-
third for the former purpose and two-thirds for the latter.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — Indian corn is in good condition.
Rowen promises half a crop. The yield of potatoes will be below the
average, but no blight or rot has appeared. Fall apples are a fair crop,
and winter apples are scarce; cranberries less than half a crop. Pas-
turage is in fair condition. Root crops are grown to a small extent for
stock feeding. Many cranberry bogs are suffering from the ravages of
the berry worm.

Harwich (Ambrose N. Doane). — Corn is in very good condition.
There will be a fair crop of rowen. Potatoes are a very small crop,
with no rot as yet. All fruit crops are very i^oor. Pasturage is not in
good condition. Oats and barley are about average crops. Root
crops are little grown except for home use.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — Corn is looking finely, and only needs a
warm September to carry it out. The recent rains have improved the
rowen crop very much. Blight has appeared on potatoes, but no rot.
There are plenty of early apples, but winter varieties are short. Pas-
tures are in good conditien. Turnips are grown largely for market.
Potatoes are mostly early, and, though somewhat damaged by drought,
will prove a fair crop. Late turnips are looking finely at present. Old
beds of asparagus are somewhat rusted, but young beds are looking
well. The cranberry crop will be a medium one.

Ti'uro (John B. Dyer). — Indian corn is not much raised, and the
crop is not too good. The prospect for rowen is very poor, owdng to

27

dry weather. On low laud potatoes are a fair crop, but are poor on
uplands. Apples are a fair crop; pears are rotting on the trees, as
never before; grapes fair; cranberries a rather light crop. Pasturage
is dry and short. Oats and barley are not raised hereabouts. There
are some beets and turnips and a few carrots grown for market.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Indian corn is in fair condition.
The prospect for rowen is poor. There will be a very poor crop of late
potatoes. The prospect is below the average for fruit of all kinds.
Pastures are in average condition. Oats and barley are average crops.
Some roots are grown for market, but not to any great extent.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (H. G. Worth). — Corn is in very good condition, con-
sidering the drought. Rowen is looking well. Potatoes are giving
only a hght yield, but do not show much blight or rot. Cranberries
suffered from the dry weather. Pasturage is in very good condition
since the rains. Oats and barley are below the normal. Most of our
farmers grow a few roots for stock feeding.

28

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Ageicultuke.

ARTIFICIAL HATCHING AND REARING OF CHICKENS, AS
APPLIED TO "SOUTH SHORE ROASTERS."

By Henrv D. Smith, Rockland, Mass.

The hatching and raising of chickens artificially has been practised
for ages, but the last decade has been marked with the greatest
strides, as is shown by the vast number of incubators and brooders
that are being made daily by the various manufacturers, all of which
are being sold and used, which means that the poultry industry is
still growing.

The question is often asked, "With all of this increase in the pro-
duction of poultry products, is not the time near at hand when the
poultry business will be overdone?" The reply is, "No, not as long
as the demand increases as fast as the supply." And to-day Mas-
sachusetts is only producing about one-half of the poultry products
that she is consuming, and again, while the price for spring roasters
has not been any higher for the last two years than formerly, it has
remained high for a longer time, which is just as good if not better
for the poultry man.

To illustrate the importance of artificial methods in the hatching
and rearing of chickens, just imagine our going back to the old hen
for an incubator and a brooder! We might as well go back to the ox
team for our transportation, and discard the steam and electric cars as
well as the automobile and the flying machine, which is almost here.

With all of the incubators mentioned above going broadcast all over
the country, into the hands of the no\'ice as well as the expert, the
question very naturally comes up, "Just what is the proper method
for operating an incubator to get the best possible results?" In con-
sidering this question we must assume that the eggs are from good,
strong, vigorous stock, which means not only stock from good parents,
but those that are fed properly and comfortably housed. Almost any
good variety of grains thrown in the litter of from four to six inches
deep every morning (three parts of corn, one part each of wheat, oats
and barley, makes a very good mixture), with a so-called dry mash,
composed of equal parts of ground oats, middlings, Indian meal and
beef scraps, until the hens get to laying well, then reduce the scraps to
one-half of a part, makes a very good feed. The dry mash is practically
before them all of the time in troughs or hoppers, and of course
plenty of good water, shells, charcoal and plenty of green stuff in some
form, — clover, alfalfa, rowen hay, cabbages, mangels, beets, or any

29

of the many things that are the most available about the farm. Then
the eggs should be gathered at least once a day, and in cold weather
often enough so that they do not get chilled, every egg being marked
with the number of the pen in which it was laid, so that when there
are sufficient eggs to set a machine, a record can be made of how many
eggs came from each pen.

In starting the incubator, the manufacturers' directions are suffi-
cient, and their instructions for operating are as good as can be given
in a general way for all parties and all conditions; but right here is
where the difficulty, the mystery, and all of the varied opinions and
controversies begin. If it were possible to have the very same condi-
tions in every one's incubator room, the same instructions would
apply to all; but until then, no rigid, fixed, arbitrary rule can produce
the best results. To illustrate the different conditions that it is possible
to obtain, divide the humidity into the following classes, — very wet,
wet, damp, normal, dry, and very dry; then divide the ventilation
into very poor, poor, fair, good, and very good; then make as many
divisions of the temperature, from freezing to 85° or 90° above; now
figure up the number of combinations that there are in all of the
above features, and see what the little, insignificant embryo chick
must contend with before the operator begins to manipulate the ma-
chine at all.

In starting an incubator, the best thing to do — • and it is not diffi-
cult — is to follow the manufacturers' directions, and then by careful
experiments, and records of them correctly kept, ascertain just how
the best results can be obtained under one's own conditions. Now
this seems to leave the party seeking information right where he began,
but it does not if he thoroughly "digests" it, or grasps the writer's
idea. Suppose a party buys his first incubator, and before starting it
he goes to half a dozen different poultrymen, all equally successful,
and finds out just how each one is running his machines; the chances
are more than even that there will not be two of them that are doing
exactly alike, and the party finds himself more bewildered than ever,
when as a matter of fact they have all been honest with him, and are
doing the very best that can be done under their conditions. For in-
stance, one may, run his as high as 104°, and perhaps is "airing" or
" cooling " the eggs a great deal; where another may run his from 102^°
to 103°, and is not airing his eggs at all; again, one may not supply
any moisture at all, where another will be sprinkling them twice a
day; and another has a wet sponge or some water pans in the in-
cubator, or a wet blotting paper around the heater, and another will
wet the floor down tvet; then there are all kinds of ways of ventilating
both the incubator and the room, so that I will have to reiterate, as
above, that there is no one rule that will apply to us all.

With all of the above explanations, so that no one will be misled, I
will now try to explain what my conditions are, and how I handle my
incubators. The cellar is 12 by 26 feet, and 5 feet deep to the top of
the stoning, and the roof sets right on the stone work. The floor is
not cemented, as the tendency would be to make it too dry, and we
intend to keep the floor good and damp all of the time. The roof is
sheathed up on each side about 4^ feet on the rafters, then level across
the top, thus forming an air chamber, which helps to maintain an even
temperature in the room. For ventilation there is an imitation fire-
place in the stone work at one end, which leads up to a wooden chim-
ney, and there is on this same end a window 30 by 30 inches, which is
always open excepting in a driving storm, or when it is so cold that
the incubators cannot be kept up to the proper temperature readily;

30

the entrance is at the other end, with a door at the top and bottom
of the stairs, each door ha\ang a sUde 8 by 12 inches, which is used for
more ventilation, and there is a small ventilator out through the roof.
There is no heat supplied other than the incubator lamps.

In this room there are eight No. 3 Standard Cyphers Incubators,
holding from 380 to 400 eggs each, according to the size of the eggs,
of the 1906 and 1907 patterns, having the drawers for the chicks to
drop into after they are hatched, and the drop bottom; and they also
have an electric light placed close to the thermometer, so that the
temperature can be read easily and correctly. The temperature is
then brought up to 102J° and the eggs put in, which will bring the
temperature down again, but when it gets up to 102^°, which it should
do in less than half a day, the ventilating holes in the bottom of the
machine are opened. The lamp is filled and the char rubbed off (not
trimmed) of the wick, and any black incrustation that may have ac-
cumulated on the burner scraped off every day; and if the porous
brass plate around the wick tube gets fouled up, that must be taken
out and thoroughly brushed off.

The eggs are not turned the first two days, but after that they are
turned night and morning every day until they begin to pick the shell,
excepting the days Avhen they are tested. The heat is not allowed to
get above 103° during the first week, but during the second week it
will naturally rise a little, owing to the animal heat that will begin to
develop in the eggs; but if it goes much above 103°, take the eggs out,
or leave the door open and cool them down again. About the time
they begin to pick out, if the heat goes up to 104^° or 105° of its own
accord let it remain; but if it goes any higher, bring it back with the
regulator, but do 7iot open the door.

The chicks are not allowed to drop down into the drawers until they
are nearly all hatched, as there is Cjuite a difference in the temperature
in the two places, and by keeping them up on the tray until a good
part of them are thoroughly dried off and smart, then the smartest
ones will come to the front, and so many of them drop down in so short
a time that none of them get injured by the change of the temperature,
as they keep each other warm. The door is not opened until the morn-
ing of the twenty-third day, when they are taken to the brooder, and
the machine cleaned up thoroughly and set again.

Before putting the eggs in the incubator, they are all sorted out
according to the number on each egg showing the breeding pen that
they came from, and a record is kept of how many eggs are set from
each pen, so that when they are tested, those that are thrown out can
be sorted and set down in another column. The first column has the
number of the pens; the second, the number of eggs from each pen;
the third, the number of unfertile eggs; the fourth, the number of
germs that started, but are dead or "addled" eggs on the first test;
the fifth, those that are dead on the second test; the sixth, the eggs
that do not hatch ; then, by adding all of the eggs that are thrown out
from each pen and subtracting them from the number of eggs set in
column 2, we have the seventh column, which shows just what each
pen of breeders is doing.

If a certain pen's eggs are not fertile, change the male bird at once,
giving the first one a rest, when he may be used later on to take the
place of another who is becoming exhausted. In changing the male
bird, which is one-half of the flock, as far as fertility is concerned, we
have done about all we can for this feature, unless it is to change
again; for, although it is sometimes argued that the hen may be to
blame, or her condition, it is safe to assume that a hen that is in good

31

enough condition to la}' is pretty likely to be in good enough condition
to give you fertile eggs; but if the fourth, fifth and sixth columns sho\y
that too many of the fertile eggs fail to hatch from any particular p(>ns
investigate at once, and see if the flock is healthy, are properly fed and
cared for in every way; but if this trouble happens with all of the pens,
buy some eggs from some one who is getting good hatches, and then
one can easily determine whether it is the fault of the eggs or in the
process of incubation. If it is found to be in the incubating, "go for
it," and find out, by a systematic plan of experiments, just which of
your conditions or what you are doing is wrong. Stick to it, — that
very " stick-to-it-iveness " is what has been ascribed as the secret of
the writer's success.

]\Iake the first test on the fifth or sixth day, and the unfertile eggs
will be in good condition for all cooking purposes, and are worth from
one-half to two-thii'ds the price of market eggs; there is also more
room and the eggs can be tunied more easily. The second test can be
made about the fourteenth day, and if all the dead ones are thrown out,
there will be very few if any that will be rotten and smell bad ; and by
carefull}' studying the records of both tests, one can keep in touch with
just how the process is progressing.

To make a good tester, have a window that faces the sun fitted with
a board having a hole in it, the same as any tester, with a piece of felt
or leather around this hole, and then darken the rest of the room so that
all of the light must come through the egg when placed against this
hole. With this arrangement, and a bright sun, no explanation of how
to test is necessary, for after one has tested a dozen eggs he can tell as
well as any one what is the condition of the eggs.

Under the above conditions the airing or cooling of the eggs is not
practised, except when they get too warm, the theory — and it is well
borne out by experiments — being that if the room is well ventilated,
so that the air is kept good and the proper temperature maintained,
the embryo gets all that is needed through the natural circulation that
is taking place in this kind of an incubator all the time. On the other
hand, if the air is so vitiated that it feels close or "stuffy," and smells
strong of the fumes of the lamps, and so that one is glad to get out
after staying in there a few minutes (and many of the incubator rooms
are in just this condition), and the air in the incubator cannot possibly
be any better, in fact, not as good as the air in the room, it is quite
likely that a reasonable amount of airing is beneficial, but not the
cooling, unless the temperature is too hot. There is no question but
that the embryo chick needs oxj^gen, and that being an accepted fact,
it must be far better to give it good oxygen all of the time than to give
it inferior oxvgen, and in spasmodic doses, at that. It makes quite a
difference, too, in what temperature they are aired, as well as at what
stage of the process; for to air them considerably where it is not too
cold, during the last week, will do no harm, and under some of the
above conditions will be of benefit, but to air them during the first
week is a great mistake, especially if the temperature is anything but
warm.

The writer has been called many times to help poultrymen out of
different kinds of trouble, such as. Why do we not get better hatches?
Why do so many die in the shell? Why do they die so after we get
.them in to the brooder? One of the most pronounced cases of the ill
effects of airing and cooling was where a party began to air the eggs
on the third da}-, where the temperature of the room was just 50° F.,
for fifteen minutes, and I think twice per day at that, and this in a
room where the ventilation was very good and they did not need

82

airing at all, and certainly did not need and could not stand the cool-
ing, for out of 8 fertile eggs tested on the seventh day there was but
one live germ, and out of several hatches of 30 dozen eggs each he got
less than 1 dozen chicks per hatch. Through my ad\'ice he stopped
the airing scheme, and out of the next hatch he got 108 chicks from
180 eggs, and 43 from the other 180 eggs, and from this experiment he
also learned that there was trouble in the flocks that the 43 chicks came
from. Now, there is another who has derived more or less benefit
since he began to air the eggs, and a comparison of the conditions
will easily show why. In the first place, the ventilation is not near as
good as that of the first party, and then if the room is too cold he has
a little stove to warm it up. This is all now on the cooling practice,
but when we come to the brooding and rearing of the chicks I will
refer to it again.

To illustrate the difference in conditions, I will quote from one more
of my visits, where the party was not satisfied with his hatches. He
had an incubator cellar, stoned up to the roof, with three small win-
dows, about 10 by 20 inches on each side, but those on the lee side were
the only ones that were ever opened, and those only a little at the top,
and this was all the ventilation there was; there was also a cement
floor, which made it very dry. In this room there were some 18 in-
cubators, and, while everything was kept nice and clean, one was very
glad to get out and get a good breath of fresh air. The same party had
6 incubators in a very damp cellar, with not much provision for venti-
lation, but it was very large and roomy, and he had not taken off any
hatches from these machines; but the writer told him at once that
this was the place to hatch chickens, the other place was too close,
too chockey and too dry, and it proved just so. So it is very plain that
one must learn just what is best to do under his own conditions. This
is not to be construed that one is not to get other people's ideas,
either verbally or through the papers, — do so by all means; but
also learn what their cotiditions are, then take them home and apply
them if necessary.

In the artificial rearing of chickens by the amateur there are many
obstacles if he undertakes to work them all out himself; but if he so
elects, he has many advantages over the beginner of fifteen or twenty
years ago, because where he has a chance to imitate, the other had to
feel his way in the dark and make many costly experiments; and
even now, while there are plent}^ of parties that are successful in this
business, making a good thing out of it, it is very doubtful if there is
one single party that is all tlirough experimenting and trying to do
better, which simply shows that there is still chance for improvement.

The first requisite in the artificial raising of chickens is the brooder;
and when one considers that the most important factor that brought
the chicken into this world as a living being was heat, and that that
heat had to be about right in order to produce a strong, healthy chick,
it will be eas}^ to understand that the temperature in the brooder
must be about right to have the chicks live and do well, because that
important factor does not cease as soon as the chick gets out of the
shell but remains in full force for several weeks. No one would think
of taking a little chick out of an incubator, where the temperature is
above 100°, and turning it loose to shirk for itself with no old hen to
cuddle up to, to warm itself; so it was necessary that some way be
devised to supply the proper heat. But the next question is, What is
the proper temperature, and how shall we provide it? The writer
works on the plan that, if there is a suitable place provided that is a
little too warm, and if the temperature is gradually and continuously

33

decreased to a place that is too cool, the chick will instinctively find
the place that is just right, providing it is healthy.

Plate 1 shows the interior of a GO-foot brooding house. It is 14 feet
wide, 6 feet 3 inches high between a cement floor and plastered ceiling,
has a walk on the north side 33 inches wide, and is divided into 10 pens,
with a window of 9 by 13 glass to each pen on the south side. There
is a- ventilator 7 inches square over either dividing fence, making 5 in
all, which just reaches through the ceiling, then the space above the
ceiling has two ventilators 16 inches square out through the roof. The
board partition between the walk and the pens is 30 inches high^ and
just in front of this are the hot-water pipes and in front of these are
the return pipes. These pipes run the whole length of the house
through the pens, and are 6 inches above the cement floor; they are
supplied from a heater that is at one end, down in a pit that is 4^ feet
deep and about 7 feet square. An even temperature is maintained by
an electric regulator that will open and close the drafts automatically,
within 1° of a given point ; and if for any reason the temperature gets
too hot or too cold, it rings a bell in the attendant's room. For in-
stance, the fire may get low, or a door blow open, or a window drop
down, or the attendant may neglect to wind up the machine, etc., but
with this arrangement he is notified before any damage is done.

Coarse sand or fine gravel is put all over the floor and up to within
2 to 3 inches of the pipes, and the temperature in this space under the
open pipes is kept at 90° F. ; but for the first ten days there is a cloth
frame 30 inches square laid over one end of the pipes in each pen, for
the little chicks to have a place where there is no draft, and the tem-
perature will run up to from 95° to 97° under this cloth, with the tem-
perature at 90° under the open pipes as above. This makes a place
that is a little too warm, ancl as the chicks grow older, so that they do
not need so hot a place, they will work out under the open pipes, where
it is 90° ; and when this is too warm they work out under the returns
and from here just out in front of all the pipes, and so on by their own
instinct finding the heat that just suits them, and there is no incline
or stairs for them to learn to climb, or stay out and get chilled, but the
whole width of the pen is heated, and is wide open for them to go where
they please. During the first four days there is a board put clear across
the pen about 1 foot in front of the pipes, and wide enough to reach
from the sand up to 3 to 4 inches higher than the pipes; this prevents
an undercurrent of cold air from drawing in under the pipes, right
onto the young chicks, which is more than they can stand. As the
heat is generated in the pipes, and rises at once, the cold air rushes
in to take its place, hence this undercurrent. After the fii-st four days
this board is moved away a little every day until about the seventh
day, when it is taken away entirely. In one of these pens, 6 by 11-i
feet, are put from 100 to 125 chicks right from the incubator, and they
are kept there until they are feathered out enough to go out to the
colony houses, where there is no heat.

The little chickens are fed sparingly, yet enough, five times per day
at first, with any good mixture of fine grains and seeds that has a good
variety, such as the Cyphers Chick Feed, scattered all about, and a
dry mash composed of two parts of bran and one part of Indian meal,
and a few beef scraps. The dry mash and beef scraps are fed on a
board 12 by 24 inches, with a lath tacked around the edge. Then of
course they must have plenty of good water, and if the sand is right
they will get what grit they want out of that, and they must have
some sort of green stuff, it does not matter much what, so long as they
eat it. Under the above arrangement they have the whole run of

35

o

o

3

o

63

36

the pen after they are a week old, and then the first fair day they are
allowed to go out doors a little while each day, and in a few days more,
according to the weather, all day.

Plate 2 shows the outside of the brooder house in the winter time,
with the windows dropped a little at the top, opposite the pens that
have the oldest chicks. Plate 3 shows the colony houses, with snow on
the ground also, and they have 6 by 8 foot sills, with a front of 5 feet
and the back 3 feet high. There is a self-feeder inside that holds a bag
of cracked corn, a box for scraps, another for shells and grit, and a
one-half size bucket for water. Fifty chicks are put into each, right
from the brooder, and kept there until they are sold as roasters, ha^'ing
a run large enough so that they do not kill the grass.

One of the greatest obstacles in the rearing of chickens artificially
is what is known as the "white diarrhoea," and the writer had it here
for years, but not for the last three seasons. If the temperature during
the whole process is kept where it should be, from the time the eggs
are put into the incubator until the chicks are three to four weeks old,
there will be no "white diarrhoea." If one will notice how the chicks
are taken down, it will be found that they do not eat as much as they
should, but drink a great deal of water, which shows that they are
feverish, and this is either caused by a lack of sufficient warmth or
because they have been chilled.

Then comes the question of what is the proper heat in all of the
different stages of the process; and about this time there is another
element that enters in, and that is, if a chick comes into the world in a
good, strong, vigorous condition, it can stand considerable ill treat-
ment; but if it is not ver}' strong, perhaps has not had just the right
heat in the incubator, or the old stock was not just right, and yet it
is possible to raise it, icith the right kind of treatment, it must have a
chance to get where it is warmer, if it wants to. The cooling process
referred to under the head of incubation can be carried to such an ex-
treme that will produce just this trouble, and then there are several
ways by which it can be brought on in the brooder. One way is to
run the heat too low all of the time, and in this last case it need not
be much too low, either; then it may be run warm enough practically,
but the fire goes out, and the longer it remains out and the lower the
temperature goes the more likely they are to receive the chill necessary
to bring on this trouble ; and again, the younger the chick the greater
the danger. Then there are brooders that are so constructed that the
little chicks do not know enough to find the place where the proper
heat may be, after they are once let out; and one will often see them
in various numbers, huddled up in some corner trying to keep each
other warm, which means white diarrhoea in a few days. In this last
instance it may happen that only a few get chilled, and they may be
the only ones to have it; then, if the party has used some concoction
as a remedy, he may think that the remedy was what cured the rest of
the lot, when as a matter of fact they never had it at all. So the best
remedy is to give them a chance to go to any temperature they want,
and so arranged that the little chicks right out of the incubator can-
not help finding it, — in other words "fool proof."

The question is often asked, " Is there a chance for me to get a living
in this artificial chicken business?" The reply is, "There certainly is,"
for the right party ; and there are very few if any other kinds of busi-
ness that offer as large returns for the amount of capital invested.
But when the question is asked, "Can / make a living at it? " it is quite
another thing, for no one can tell another whether he can make a
success if he goes into any kind of business, — chickens, dairying,

37

38

sheep raising, manufacturing shoes, stockings or watches, because so
much depends on the person himself. If one has but httle capital, he
must work, and work hard, until he gets everything to do with, then
it will go along very easily; but if one has money enough to hire all the
hard work done, of course it is just so much easier.

There is one thing that would be of inestimable value and help to
the poultrymen of this State, and that is, to have a Massachusetts
Poultry Association, one such as every one who is interested in any
branch of the business, and even their friends, would be glad to join,
that we might work together for the common good of the whole
poultry fraternity. For an idea of the many things that might be ac-
complished, the reader is referred to the Connecticut Poultry Associa-
tion, which has done and is doing a great deal for this important
industry in that State. With a good, strong organization of this kind,
we could go before the Legislature and expect to accomplish any
reasonable object that we might desire; in fact, we could force the
recognition that an industry of such proportions as this rightlj' de-
serves.

Series of 1908. Vol. 21. No. 5.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month or September, 1908.

RENOVATING OLD ORCHARDS.

ISSUED MONTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary

Entered June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter,
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON :

WEIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 Post Office Square.

1908.

Approved by
The State Board of Publication.

Ceop Eepoet for the Month of September, 1908.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Oct. 1, 1908.

Bulletin ISTo. 5, Crop Report for September, is herewith
presented. The article in this month's issue is on a subject
which has been in our minds for some time. The great
number of neglected apple orchards and apple trees in the
State is a source of great loss to our farmers each year, when
we compare the returns received from them with what could
be obtained with careful and reasonable treatment. Believ-
ing that there are many farmers who would be glad to bring
these trees and orchards to good bearing condition if the way
were pointed out, we include an article on " Renovating Old
Orchards," by Prof. F. C. Sears, professor of pomology
at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Though the
subject is treated from the standpoint of the orchard, every-
thing included in it is equally applicable to the neglected
single tree in the fence corner or beside the road.

Progress of the Season.

The monthly report of the Crop Reporting Board of the
Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Agriculture
(Crop Reporter for September, 1908) shows the condition
of corn on September 1 to have been 79.4, as compared with
82.5 a month earlier, 80.2 on Sept. 1, 1907, 90.2 in 1906,
and a ten-year average of 81.

The average condition of spring wheat as harvested was
77.6, as compared with 80.7 on August 1, 77.1 in 1907, 83.4
in 1906, and a ten -year average of 77.9.

The condition of the oat crop when harvested was 69.7,
as compared with 76.8 on August 1, 65.5 in 1907, 81.9 in
1906, and a ten-year average of 80.7.

The average condition of barley when harvested was 81.2,
as compared with 83.1 on August 1, 78.5 in 1907, 89.4 in
1906, and a ten-year average of 83.5.

The preliminary estimate of the acreage of rye harvested
is 1.9 per cent less than last year; the preliminary estimate
of yield per acre is 16.4 bushels, as compared with 16.4
bushels per acre harvested last year, 16.7 in 1906, and a
ten-year average yield of 15.8 bushels. The indicated total
production is 30,921,000 bushels, as compared with 31,566,-
000 bushels last year. The quality of the crop is 92.7,
as compared with 91.6 last year.

The average condition of buckwheat on September 1 was
87.8, as compared with 89.4 a month earlier, 77.4 in 1907,
91.2 in 1906, and a ten-year average of 86.5.

The average condition of potatoes September 1 was 73.7,
as compared with 82.9 a month earlier, 80.2 in 1907, 85.3
in 1906, and a ten-year average of 80.8.

The average condition of tobacco on September 1 was 84.3,
as compared with 85.8 a month earlier, 82.5 in 1907, 86.2
in 1906, and a ten-year average of 83.7.

The condition of the apple crop on September 1 was 52.1,
as compared with 52.2 a month earlier, 34.7 in 1907, 70.6
in 1906, and a ten-year average of 54.7.

The preliminary estimate of the yield of hay is 1.52 tons
per acre, as compared with 1.45 tons last year, 1.35 tons in
1906, and a ten-year average yield of 1.44 tons. The indi-
cated total production is 67,743,000 tons, as compared with
63,677,000 tons last year. The quality of the crop is 94.5,
as compared with 90.5 last year.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn on Sep-
tember 1 was given as 95 ; the average condition of oats
when harvested as 95 ; the average condition of potatoes on
September 1 as 69 ; the average condition of tobacco Sep-
tember 1 as 94 ; the average condition of buckwheat Septem-
ber 1 as 85 ; the yield per acre of rye as 16.5 bushels, the
production of rye as 59,000 bushels, and its quality as 94;
the yield per acre of hay as 1.20 tons, the production of
hay as 702,000 tons, and its quality as 97.

Temperatuke and Rainfall foe the Whole Country.

[From the National Weekly Weatheb Bulletin.]

WeeJc ending September 7. — The mean temperature was
slightly above the normal over the entire region between the
Mississippi valley and the Rocky Mountains. Over the-
entire Rocky Mountain, Plateau and Pacific coast districts
the temperature was above the normal. The temperature
was below normal along the Atlantic coast from southern
"New England to the Carolinas, and over the Appalachian
region from Maryland to northern Georgia and in southern
Florida. The week was generally one of very light precipi-
tation, except along the immediate Atlantic coast from l^orth
Carolina to southern jS'ew England, where good rains oc-
curred during the early and latter parts of the week. Over
the west Gulf States, the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. Lake
region, western Pennsylvania and ISTew York, and the greater
part of ISTew England, the precipitation was markedly de-
ficient. Practically no rain occurred over the upper Mis-
souri valley, the Rocky Mountain, Plateau and Pacific coast
districts.

Week ending September IJf.. — The mean temperature con-
tinued above the normal over the districts between the Mis-
sissippi River and the Rocky Mountains, and the area of
excess extended westward to the Pacific and eastward to the
Appalachian Mountains and ITew England, embracing all of
the United States except a narrow strip along the Atlantic
coast from southern ISTew Jersey to Florida, and a few
points on the Gulf coast. The week was practically rainless
over the entire region from the Rocky Mountains eastward
to the Atlantic, except for local showers along the Atlantic
coast from Virginia to Florida, over the southern portion
of the Gulf States, central and northern Texas, portions of
western Arkansas, and at a few points in western South
Dakota, central Minnesota and southern Wisconsin.

Week ending September 21. — The mean temperature for
the week was abnormally high over all the interior districts
of the United States, making the fourth consecutive week of
this condition. Over the central valleys and the Lake region

6

the excess ranged from 3° to 15°. The mean temperature
continued below the normal, as in the three preceding weeks,
over the middle and south Atlantic coasts, and was slightly
below normal over the northern portions of 'New England
and New York. Practically no rain occurred over the greater
•part of the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio valleys. Lake
region. New England, the Atlantic coast districts and the
northern portion of the Gulf States, also over the Kocky
Mountain, Plateau and Pacific coast districts. Showers
occurred over the southern portions of the Gulf States, por-
tions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and southern
ISTebraska.

Week ending September 28. — The mean temperature con-
tinued abnormally high over the Lake region, making the
fourth consecutive week of such conditions. Temperature
was above normal over all districts from the lower Missouri
and Mississippi valleys eastward to the Atlantic, with daily
departures from 9° to 15°. Cold weather from the 26th
to the end of the week lowered the mean temperature of all
districts from the Great Plains westward to the Pacific, de-
partures in these districts ranging from 3 ° to 9 ° below. The
week continued practically without rain over the lower Lake
region, the upper Ohio valley, and thence eastward and
northeastward over the northern portion of the Middle At-
lantic States and JSTew England. Local showers began in
the western districts early in the week and extended eastward,
so that all other districts had come within the rain area,
with rain still falling at the close of the week in the Middle
Atlantic States.

Special Telegkaphic Reports.

[Weather Bureau, Boston.]

Week ending September 7. — N^ew England. Boston :
Fair, pleasant weather prevailed through the week, except
light showers on the 3d and 6th; more rain needed. Pre-
cipitation for the week was generally below normal. The
temperature for the week was generally seasonable, except
on the morning of the 4th, when frosts occurred in many
localities. Sunshine abundant.

Week ending September IJf.. — New England. Boston:
"No rain occurred during the week; ground very dry and
dusty ; springs and streams low ; rain greatly needed through-
out the section ; drought in Vermont is stated to be the most
severe for years. Temperature was above the normal, with
unseasonably warm days. No cloudiness during the week,
although it was very smoky on the 10th, 11th and 12th.

Week ending September 21. — New England. Boston:
No rain, occurred during the week; the drought continues
with increasing severity; the wells and streams are drying
up, and in some localities much inconvenience is being ex-
perienced from the lack of water. The average temperature
was slightly below the normal. The days were generally
warm and the nights cool. The minimum temperatures of
the 15th and 16th were near the freezing point, with frosts,
in a large part of the section. Sunshine was above the
average. The 17 th and 18th were very smoky.

Week ending September 28. — New England. Boston :
The temperature was much above the normal. No rain oc-
curred during the week; very dry; drought continues with
increasing severity throughout the section ; least rainfall this
month of any month for years in the greater part of New
England. Sunshine was above the average.

The Weather of September, 1908.

The weather of the month was very dry, with temperatures
normal to somewhat above. The conspicuous feature of the
weather conditions was the prevalent and very severe drought,
that began with the closing week of August and continued,
with slight local interruptions, till the 28th of September.
Showers fell in coast sections on the 2d and the 6th, after
which there was no rain till the night of the 28th, when
general showers, that gave moderate to heavy amounts, oc-
curred. Owing to the long-continued absence of rain the at-
mosphere became heavily laden with smoke from forest fires
and with dust. At times the sun was wholly or partially
obscured by the accumulated smoke and dust. The wind
movement was considerably less than usual, and the per cent
of humidity generally excessive, which resulted in much

8

oppressive and unseasonable weather. The temperatures
were without marked extremes. The days, generally speak-
ing, were warm, while the nights were correspondingly cool.
The highest temperature of the month occurred generally
on the 10th or the 11th, when the mercury ranged near 90°
or above. The temperatures were lowest on the 15th and the
16th, when frosts occurred in some localities. The month
closed with cool weather on the night of the 29th and during
the 30th. The warm sunny weather of the month was very
favorable to the maturing, harvesting and housing of crops,
and to outdoor pursuits generally. It was, however, injuri-
ous to gi'ass lands, and to pasturage for fall feed.

In the circular to correspondents returnable to us Septem-
ber 26 the following questions were asked: —

1. How does the crop of Indian corn compare with a nor-
mal crop ?

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

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

4. How does the onion crop compare with a normal crop ?

5. How do potatoes compare with the normal in yield and
quality ?

6. Wliat is the prospect for root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops?

1. How have apples, pears, peaches, grapes and cran-
berries turned out ?

Eeturns were received from 138 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been compiled : —

* Indian Cokn.
The corn crop was a remarkably good one in almost all
sections, one of the best ever secured, both for grain and
stover. Practically matured early in the month, it escaped
the consequences of the severe drought of September, the only
effect of the hot, dry weather of this month being to cure
the stover rapidly in the stooks, and to still further mature
the ears on that portion of the crop grown for ensilage.

9

There was a little damage from frost during the first few-
days of the month, but this was not sufficient to affect the crop
as a whole. Some few correspondents report that the crop
did not ear well, or that the ears are not well filled out, but
here again the reports are so few as to indicate that these
shortcomings are confined to very limited areas.

EowEN AND Fall Feed.

Rowen was generally a light crop on all but the heaviest
and moistest fields. As this happens in about four years out
of five, it would be a mistake to say that the crop was less
than an average one, but it was certainly considerably under
the normal. The drought did not particularly affect it, ex-
cept to do away with the possibility of late growth to make
up for the earlier deficiency. Feed in pastures was reported
as very short, the long-continued dry, hot weather having
operated to dry it up in many cases, and cows were generally
being fed at the barn considerably earlier than usual.

Fall Seeding.

The drought has prevented anything like the usual amount
of fall seeding having been done. That which was put in
in August seems to have germinated well, and is reported as
in good condition, though it is doubtful if it can have made
any appreciable growth during the past three weeks, and
will probably show the effects of the drought in the crop
next year. That sown in September has, of course, failed
to germinate as yet, the seed lying dormant, awaiting the
rains. What the germination would be in the event of
abundant rains is uncertain, but it must have been injured
materially. It is not probable that anything like the usual
amount of seeding will be done this fall, even when the rains
come.

Onions.

Onions are generally reported to be a good crop, particu-
larly in the Connecticut valley. There was some damage
from thrips in that section, but this was not as serious as the
growers anticipated earlier in the season. One correspond-

10

ent, in a principal onion growing town, reports that yields
of from five to six hundred bushels per acre are not un-
common, while some fields show eight hundred bushels per
acre. There are some complaints of small size, particularly
in eastern sections, but this complaint is not general.

Potatoes.
Potatoes are estimated at from one-third to one-half of
a normal crop. Only occasionally does a correspondent re-
port more than the latter figure. Blight and the early
drought seem to be the principal causes of the shortage, there
being little complaint of rot. Many correspondents report
that the tubers are large and fair, but very few in the hill.
The quality of the crop is generally good, and the continued
fair weather has allowed it to be harvested earlier and more
advantageously than usual.

Root Ckops, Celery, etc. •

Root crops are hardly up to the normal, owing to the con-
tinued drought, which has checked their growth. Cape
turnips have perhaps done, fully as well as root crops in other
sections, and promise a fair crop. Celery is hardly up to
the normal, so far as reported on, though it may improve
with plentiful rains. Late market-garden crops are growing
slowly, because of the drought, and do not promise well as
a whole. Squashes are generally reported as an excellent
crop, and, indeed, vines of all kinds appear to have done
well this season. Late cabbage will be a light yield in most
sections.

Fruit.

Apples are a light crop, and ripened prematurely in many
cases because of the dry and hot weather. They are small
in many instances, particularly the winter varieties, but are
generally reported as fair and free from insect damage.
Pears are a rather better yield than was expected, and are
reported as being of very fine quality. Peaches are a light
crop, except in a few localities, many sections showing none

11

at all. Grapes are generally a heavy crop and have matured
with almost no damage from frost. Cranberries are a light
crop, particularly on the Cape and adjoining districts, where
the bulk of the crop is produced. The berries appear to be
smaller than usual, the vines did not set as well as they
should, and there is more or less damage from insects.

12

NOTES OF correspon^de:n'ts.

(Returned to us September 26.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — There is more than an
average crop of corn. Rowen and fall feed are more or less short.
Fall seeding is delayed on account of drought, and probably but little
will be done this fall. There are only a few onions raised, but the
crop is good. Potatoes are below the normal in yield and quality,
with the exception of a few fields. Root crops look well, as do also
late garden crops. The apple crop is uneven; pears and grapes are
abundant.

Alford (L. T. Osborne). — Indian corn is the best crop for some
years. Rowen is much below the average and fall feed has suffered
from the dry weather. About the usual amount of fall seeding has
been done, but much of it has not come up as yet. There will not be
over a three-fourths crop of potatoes. Apples are 25 per cent below
the average in yield; pears, peaches and grapes are fine crops.

West Stockbridge (J. S. Moore). — The corn crop is much better
than usual, the season having been very favorable for it. Rowen is
not up to the usual average; we have had no rain since August 26,
and fall feed has suffered. The usual amount of fall seeding has been
done, but the continued dry spell has kept it at a standstill. No
onions are raised to speak of. Potatoes are not up to the normal,
being of small size, but bring fair prices. Root crops and late market-
garden crops are only grown for home use. Apples are not as plenty
as usual; pears very plenty; other fruits not grown. The continued
dry weather has cut off fall feed and in some cases the entire water
supply,

Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer). — Indian corn is above a normal crop.
Rowen and fall feed were up to the average, but have suffered from
drought. Less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done.
Potatoes are far below the normal, owing to blight. Apples are 60
per cent of a normal crop; pears 80 per cent; grapes 90 per cent. A
little rain would change the looks of all vegetation for the better.
i[\Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — Indian corn is a full average crop and
has ripened well. Rowen and fall feed have been up to the usual
average, but the dry weather begins to tell on fall feed. Less than

13

the usual amount of fall seeding has been done. Onions are little
raised. Potatoes are a light yield, and the quaUty is not as good as
usual. The prospect is good for root crops, celery and late market-
garden crops. Pears, peaches, grapes and berries turned out well,
but apples are a light crop, not over half a crop.

Washington (E. H. Eames). — Indian corn is about the same as in
former years. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average.
Less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done. Onions are
raised only for home use. Potatoes are a good yield, but there is
some rot. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are
not raised for market. Apples and pears are half crops; other fruits
not raised.

Windsor (Haery A. Ford). — The corn crop is equal or better than
the normal. There is very httle rowen or fall feed. Not much fall
seeding has been done and that put in has not germinated as yet,
owing to dry weather. Potatoes are a good crop, though not quite up
to the normal. Apples are very scarce.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — Indian corn compares very favorably
with a normal crop. On account of the long-continued dry spell the
rowen crop is not up to the average. The amount of fall seeding done
is much less than usual, but it will no doubt be done as soon as rain
comes. The onion crop is said to be a normal one. Some fields of
potatoes are very good, but on the whole the crop will be light. The
prospect for root crops is not at all promising. Apples are half a
crop ; pears, peaches and grapes are turning out well.

New Ashford (Walter F. Smith). — Indian corn is about an
average crop; ears rather small but sound. Owing to the drought
there is neither rowen nor fall feed. No fall seeding has been done as
yet, because of dry weather. Onions are about an average crop.
Potatoes are of very good quaUty, but are about half a crop in yield.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are not raised.
There are very few apples; pears and grapes are above the average.
Squashes and other vines have done well, as have also tomatoes.
This has been a hard year for our farmers, as we have had to feed our
cows at the barn most of the time, owing to dry weather.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Charlemont (J. M. J. Legate). — The corn crop is much above the
average. Perhaps the rowen crop was up to the average, but fall feed
is much below. Very little fall seeding has been done, and any that
has been put in must have failed to germinate. Onions are a good
crop, above the average. Potatoes are of good size and quahty, but
much below the average in yield. Root crops and late market-garden
crops are httle raised. Apples and pears are fair crops. We have had
no rain since the 27th of August and all late crops have suffered terribly.

14

Leyden (Frank R. Foster). — Indian corn is fully up to the average.
Rowen was not more than a two-thirds crop, owing to dry weather.
The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it had a good start,
but is now somewhat affected by dry weather. The yield of potatoes
is light. There is an abundance of pears, some peaches, and fall
apples are plenty, but winter apples are scarce. The season is the
driest ever known. Grasshoppers have eaten nearly all pasture feed.

Gill (F. F. Stoughton). — The corn crop is an average one. Rowen
was an average crop, but fall feed is poor, owing to drought. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, in corn mostly; potatoes
are a poor crop. Early apples are a good crop, but late apples will
give a Hght yield.

Ashfield (Albert Howes). — Ensilage corn is above average, but
there is some complaint of ears not filhng out well where raised for
grain. Rowen and fall feed are a Uttle above the average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, because of lack of
rain, and it is in poor condition. There are few onions raised here and
the crop seems to be light. Potatoes are below the normal both in
yield and quaUty. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops are not much raised, but promise well. Apples are hardly up to
the average; other fruits turned out well. There are a few sales of
winter apples at SI. 75 per barrel.

Conway (L. T. Hopkins). — Indian corn is fully an average crop.
Rowen was better than usual, but fall feed is drying up. About the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is too dry for it to
germinate, except slowly. Onions are not raised in this section.
Potatoes are a Ught yield, small in size and of good quality. Apples
are of poor quality and a light yield; pears good; peaches a light
yield but of good quaUty; grapes good, with more than an average
3deld; cranberries not growm.

Whately (C. L. Crafts) . — Indian corn is a better crop than usual.
Dry weather has checked rowen and fall feed somewhat, but they are
in fair condition. Very little fall seeding has been done. Onions are
an excellent crop, the yield being heavier than usual. Potatoes are a
very poor crop, both in yield and quality. The prospect is very good
for root crops and late market-garden crops. The fruit crop is fine,
with the exception of apples, the apple yield being light, owing to dry
weather. The continuous dry weather has affected all crops. The
past few days we have had a heavy fog at night, which is good for
cm-ing tobacco.

Sunderland (Geo. P. Smith). — Indian corn is a normal crop or
better. Rowen and faU feed are up to the usual average. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and looks well on moist land, but
is killed out by dry weather somewhat on dry land. Onions are a very
good crop, from five to six hundred bushels to the acre, with an occa-
sional yield of eight hundred bushels. Potatoes are much below a

15

normal crop. Root crops are not much grown; celery and cabbage
good crops. There are not many apples; pears and grapes plenty.
Onions are selling at from 40 to 45 cents per bushel. There has been
a fine curing season for tobacco, and there is no pole sweat.

Erving (Charles F. Clark) . — Indian corn compares favorably with
the normal. Rowen and fall feed are a little below the usual average.
About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and is greatly in
need of rain. Onions are not raised here. Potatoes are below the
normal in yield. The prospect is fair for root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops.

New Salem (Daniel Ballard) . — The corn crop is fully up to the
normal. Rowen and fall feed are less than the usual average. There
has been but little fall seeding as yet, and what has been done needs
rain. Potatoes are below the normal in yield, but of fair quality. But
little is done here with root crops, onions, celery and late market-
garden crops. There is a fair yield all round of fruit. This has been
an extremely dry September, the roads are beds of dust, brooks are
low and many wells have failed.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Prescott (W. F. Wendermuth), — Corn is a good average crop,
perhaps above the average. Rowen was a fair crop, but fall feed is
very poor and short. Scarcely any fall seeding has been done. Onions
are not grown here. Potatoes are not more than half a normal crop,
but are of fair quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops are not grown to any extent. Apples are from 70 to 80
per cent of a normal crop; pears fair; grapes good; other fruits little
grown. Apples have ripened early, and, owing to continued drought,
have fallen badly. Many smaller streams are dry, and the same is
true of wells and springs.

Enfield (D. O. Chickering). — Indian corn is a good crop, above the
average. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Very
little has been done in fall seeding. Onions are not raised to any
extent. Potatoes are about half an average crop, except on low land,
where they are good. There will be about half a crop of apples; j^ears
good; peaches and grapes about average.

Belchertown (H. C. West). — The crop of Indian corn is one of the
best for years. Rowen was a fair crop, but fall feed is feeling the dry
weather. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and is look-
ing fairly well. No onions are raised hereabouts, but plenty are offered
for sale. Potatoes are a two-thirds crop in yield and of good quality.
The prospect is fairly good for root crops and late market-garden crops
if we have rain soon. Fruits are from one-half to two-thirds crops,
except pears, which were nearly an average yield. All late crops will
be short unless we have rain soon.

16

Amherst (Wu. P. Brooks). — The corn crop is exceptionally good
and unusually well ripened. Rowen and fall feed are much below the
normal in most cases on account of drought. Less than the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, because of drought ; that seeded
early in corn is in good condition on soils of fine texture. The total
crop of onions is probably above the average, but on some fields is poor
on account of thrips. The yield of potatoes is light in most cases on
account of blight and dry weather. The prospect for root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops is generally fairly good. Apples
have fallen badly, and the yield will be small and quality poor ; pears
average; peaches a moderate crop; grapes unusually good. Tobacco
is curing well, with no pole sweat. Rain is very much needed.

South Hadley (W. F. Person). — Indian corn is better than was
expected. Rowen is up to the average. Fall seeding is backward, on
account of the dry weather. Onions have yielded fairly well. Pota-
toes are about half a crop, of good quality. Late garden crops are
suffering from lack of rain. Apples are about half a crop; pears are
a good crop in yield and quality. All kinds of farm produce give light
yields and good prices.

Southampton (C. B. Lyman) . — Indian corn is about a normal crop.
Rowen was about an average crop, but the dry weather has made fall
feed short. The full amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is not
starting very fast, because of want of rain. Onions are rather more
than a normal crop. Potatoes are about half a crop, but the quality
was never better. The prospect is fairly good for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops. Apples are light; pears few and
grapes plenty.

Westhampton (Levi Burt). — Indian corn is fully up to the normal.
Rowen was about two-thirds of a normal crop, but fall feed is all dried
up. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done and is in excellent
condition. Potatoes are half a crop and small, but of good quaUty.
Root crops, onions, celery and other late market-garden crops are not
raised to any extent. Apples are large and fair, not over half a crop
in yield ; some varieties of pears full crops and of good quality ; peaches
and grapes but little raised.

Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — Corn is a fine crop and well
ripened. Rowen is light and there is but Uttle feed in pastures. On
account of continued dry weather there has been but little fall seeding
done. The potato crop is very uneven, some fields yielding well, while
others are light; quahty good; late-planted fields generally show the
best results this year. Apples are a light crop, of fine quality.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The continued drought has reduced the
corn crop somewhat. Rowen and fall feed are far below the average.
Very little fall seeding has been done, owing to dry weather. Onions
are not raised to any extent. Potatoes are very uneven, a few fields

17

good, others hardly worth harvesting. Root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops are making a fair showing. Apples are
ripening prematurely ; pears normal ; other fruits a little below normal. •

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Chester (C. Z. Inzell). — Indian corn is about a normal crop.
Rowen is better than last year, but has suffered from drought. Pota-
toes are less than a normal crop, but are of good quality. Apples are
a light crop.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — Indian corn is fully up to the average.
The rowen crop was good, but fall feed has dried up. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is not doing well, owing
to drought. Onions are little raised. Potatoes are of good quality,
but rather below the normal in yield; very little rot reported. Pears
are very good; few apples; other small fruits about average.

Agawam (J. G. Burt). — The crop of Indian corn is a good one.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The usual amount
of fall seeding has been done, but is in need of rain. There is a light
crop of onions. Potatoes are a good crop in quantity and are of good
quality. The prospect is for light yields of root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops. Fruit of all kinds gives good yields, with
the exception of apples.

West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — The corn crop is about 80 per
cent of the normal; stalks large, but ears fewer than usual. Rowen
and fall feed have suffered from drought, except on moist land. There
has been very little fall seeding done on account of dry weather.
Onions are about a fair average crop, with little blight. Potatoes are
about a two-thirds crop, very few in the hill, but of good size and
fair quality. Root crops, celery and late market-garden crops are
looking well at present, but need rain to mature. Apples are nearly
a total failure; other fruits good. Late cabbages are not more than
half a normal crop, but we have some unusually fine fields of Hubbard
squashes.

East Longmeadow (John L. Davis). — Indian corn is a full average
crop and perhaps 10 per cent above. Fall feed is very poor, and there
is very little rowen. Not much fall seeding has been done. Onions
are a good crop in most cases. Potatoes are about a three-fourths
normal crop, but are of poor quality. There is not a good yield of
root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops in prospect.
Apples dropped badly; peaches average; grapes very plenty; no
cranberries raised.

Chicopee (E. L. Shaw). — Indian corn is a little above a normal
crop. Rowen is a good crop, but fall feed is growing short. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, as the weather has
been too dry. Onions are not raised here. Potatoes are a light yield,

18

of only fair quality. The prospect is fair for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops. AjDples few; pears a fair crop;
peaches a good crop ; grapes plenty.

Wilbraham (H. M. Bliss). — Indian corn is 85 per cent of a normal
crop. Rowen and fall feed are in very poor condition, owing to the
severe drought. Very little fall seeding has been done, and is in poor
condition. Onions are a three-fourths crop. Potatoes are half a
crop, of fair quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops is not as good as last year. Apples are half
a crop; pears 75 per cent; peaches 85 per cent; grapes 95 per cent;
and cranberries 75 per cent. The drought is the most severe since
1881, 1882 and 1883, when the streams were lower than at the present
time.

Hampden (John N. Isham). — Corn is about the only crop that is
a full average yield this season. Both rowen and fall feed are fair,
but below average. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done,
but is starting very slowly on account of dry weather. The onion
crop is variable; some fields good, others only fair. Potatoes are a
light crop, but of good quality. The prospect for late market-garden
crops is very good, but they are growing very slowly. Apples are less
than half a crop; pears, peaches and grapes have all borne well.
Potatoes had a good growth of vines, but are disappointing in the
yield ; quality good, but many are eaten by grubs and wire worms.

Holland (Francis Wight). — Indian corn is fully up to the normal.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the average. There has not been
much fall seeding done about here. The onion crop is hardly up to
the normal. Potatoes are a very light yield, but of fair quality. Apples,
pears, grapes and cranberries have turned out well.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Warren (W. E. Patrick). — Indian corn is a normal crop this
year. Dry weather has affected both rowen and fall feed; rowen
about two-thirds of an average croj). The season has been too dry for
fall seeding, and it is at present in very poor condition. Potatoes are
about half a crop, of good quality. Apples are of very poor quality
and a light crop ; splendid crop of peaches, grapes and pears.

North Brookfield (John H. Lane). — Indian corn is a good average
crop. The rowen crop and fall feed are 25 per cent of the normal,
owing to dry weather. Fully as much fall seeding has been done as
usual, but it is now dormant, waiting for rain. Potatoes are a three-
fourths crop, of good quality. Apples are 15 per cent of a fuU yield;
pears 25 per cent; peaches 100 per cent; grapes 50 per cent; and
cranberries 10 per cent. Grapes are drying up on the vines.

Oakham (Jesse Allen). — The corn crop is a full average. Rowen
and fall feed are very hght. The usual amount of fall seeding has been

19

done and is greatly in need of rain. Onions are not raised here. Pota-
toes are about half a crop. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops are little raised. There will be a small crop of all kinds
of fruit. Rain is greatly needed.

Dana (Lyman Randall). — Indian corn is fully up to the normal.
Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average, there not being more
than half a crop of rowen. There has not been much fall seeding
done, on account of the continued dry weather. Onions are fairly
good, though perhaps not an average crop. Potatoes are poor, both
in yield and quality, not over 50 per cent of a crop. Root crops and
late market-garden crops are fair. Apples are a light crop; pears,
peaches and grapes good; cranberries a small crop.

Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — Corn is a little short of a normal
crop, but is of better quality than usual. A good crop of rowen has
been harvested. No fall seeding has been done, as the ground has
been too dry. Onions are raised only for family use. Potatoes are
not over one-third of a normal crop, but are of good quality. The
season has been too dry for late market-garden crops. What few
apples there are are of good quality; pears a normal crop; grapes
plenty. If this drought continues there will be a shortage of milk.

Templeton (Lucien Gove). — Indian corn is better than an average
crop; a few fields injured by frost August 29. Rowen was not an
average crop, and the drought has cut fall feed short. Less than the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is in poor condition.
Onions are not raised here. The yield of potatoes is below the average,
but they are of good size and quality. The prospect for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops is fair, though they have
suffered from drought. Apples are a very, light crop; pears good;
peaches not raised; grapes good; cranberries not raised. We had
copious rains in August, since then the drought has been very severe.

Royalston (C. A. Stimson). — Indian corn is about 10 per cent below
the normal. Rowen was not over one-fourth of an average crop. The
severe drought has prevented any fall seeding being done. Potatoes
are a two-thirds crop, of fair quality. The prospect is fair for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops. There will be half
a crop of apples; pears and grapes full crops; no peaches.

Gardner (W. E. Knight). — The corn crop is above the average.
Rowen started well, but the dry weather spoiled it, and also fall feed.
Very little fall seeding has been done, owing to the dry weather. Onions
are not raised hereabouts. Potatoes are half a crop, of good quality.
Root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops are not raised
here. Apples are 60 per cent of a full crop.

Ashburnham (E. D. Gibson). — Indian corn is fully up to the normal.
Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average, owing to dry
weather. Little fall seeding has been done and none has germinated.
Onions are not grown here. Potatoes are much below the normal in

20

both yield and quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops will all be much shortened, owing to the drought. There
will be few winter apples; pears are a fair crop; also peaches and
grapes; cranberries few.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Rowen and fall feed are not more
than two-thirds of the normal. Potatoes are a very poor yield, but of
fair quality. Root crops, celery and late market-garden crops are
pretty small miless rain comes immediately. Apples are 75 per cent of
a full crop and unusually fair; pears a two-thirds crop, but small and
inferior; grapes a full crop and unusually fine. There has been but
.03 of an inch of rain in more than four weeks. Apples and other
fruits are ripening prematurely.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — Indian corn is a full average crop. Rowen
and fall feed have been very good, but the dry weather is hurting fall
feed now. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is
too dry for it to do well. Potatoes have gained since last report and
are about half a crop. The prospect is poor for root crops, celery and
other late market-garden crops. The prospect is poor for all kinds of
fruit.

Shrewsbury (Fred J. Reed). — There will be a very good crop of
corn. Rowen was a very fair crop, but fall feed is drying up badly.
The drought has been so severe that -very little fall seeding has been
done, and it has not started yet. Onions are a fair crop. Potatoes
are light in yield, but of fair quality. Root crops, celery and late
market-garden crops are fairly good, considering the dry weather.
Apples are a light crop, and other fruits are not very good yields.

Leicester (H. H. Kingsbury). — The fodder on the corn crop is
abundant, but the grain has not filled out. Rowen was up to the usual
average, but pasturage is now scant. More than the usual amount of
fall seeding has been done, and is now doing well. Onions are not
raised. The crop of potatoes is below the normal in yield, but is of
good quality. Late crops which do not need rain are doing well. The
apple crop is about 60 per cent of an average ; pears are a normal crop ;
no peaches nor cranberries; grapes abundant.

Auburn (Wm. Gilbert). — Corn is a big crop, above normal,
although the frost hurt it on low ground in August. The rowen crop
is good and fall feed is above normal. There has been the usual amount
of fall seeding done and it is looking finely. The onion crop is below
the average. Potatoes are a small crop, owing to blight and rot.
Celery and other root crops are below normal. Apples are a light crop
and grapes a heavy crop.

Blackstone (0. F. Fuller). — All report a good crop of Indian corn.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. Farmers are just at
present putting in fall seeding. Very few onions are raised here. The
yield of potatoes is not quite as large as usual, and they are rotting
somewhat. The prospect for late root crops is good. There will not

21

be a large crop of apples, not as large as was expected ; peaches quite
a good crop ; cranberry worms damaged the crop a good deal ; grapes,
both wild and cultivated, a good crop.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Indian corn is better than an aver-
age crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Less
than the usual amount of fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are a
very small yield, but are of good quality. The prospect is poor for
root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops. Apples are
a small yield; peaches few; grapes a large yield; cranberries injured
by frost.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Indian corn is 95 per cent of a normal
crop. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. Less than
the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, owing to dry weather.
Onions are 90 per cent of a full crop. Potatoes are not over one-fourth
of a normal crop in yield, but are of good quality. Root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops are not much raised. Apples are
half a crop; pears 60 per cent; peaches 75 per cent; grapes a full crop.

Stow (Geo, W. Bradley). — Corn is about an average crop. Rowen
started well, but is feeling the drought. No fall seeding has been done
as yet. Onions are about half a crop. Potatoes are of fair quality,
with about half a normal yield. Apples are a fair crop; pears good;
peaches scarce; grapes plenty; cranberries scarce.

Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — Indian corn is above the average in
yield and quality. Rowen and fall feed are good on low lands, but
are in need of rain. Some fall seeding has been done, but owing to dry
weather is uneven in growth. Onions are normal in yield, but smaller
in size than usual. Potatoes are of good quality, but the yield is
unusually short. Celery and root crops are good on low lands and
will be average crops. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes and cranberries
have all been average crops; many apple trees give fruit of poor quality,
while on others it is unusually smooth and fair.

Westford (J. W. Fletcher). — The corn crop is a very good one.
Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average, as the weather has
been too dry for them. About the usual amount of fall seeding has
been done, but the drought has prevented much progress. Potatoes
are half a crop. Apples are a fair crop.

Tewkshury (G. E. Crosby). — Indian corn is not raised here. Rowen
and fall feed are below the usual average, owing to drought. Not as
much fall seeding as usual has been done, and that on dry land makes
a poor showing. Onions are httle grown, but are a fair crop. Potatoes
are perhaps one-third of an average crop in yield and the quality is
little better. Celery is looking very well. Grapes seem abundant;
other fruits light.

22

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — Indian corn is below the average.
Rowen and fall feed have suffered from dry weather. There is about
the usual amount of fall seeding put in, but it has not germinated as
well as usual. Few onions are raised and they are below the average
in jdeld. The potato crop is about half of a normal crop in yield, but
is of good quality. Root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops show the effects of the extreme drought. Early apples are
abundant, winter apples about half a crop; pears are a fair crop;
other fruits medium,

Lincoln (C. S. Wheeler). — What Indian corn is raised here looks
well and is fully an average crop. Rowen is not over half a crop and
fall feed is hght. About the usual amount of fall seeding has been
done, and is 20 per cent off in condition. Not many onions have been
raised here. Potatoes are average in yield, but of excellent quality.
The prospect is fair for root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops. Apples are half a crop; pears average; peaches half a crop;
grapes below average; very few cranberries.

Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — Corn is not much raised. Rowen and
fall feed are not up to the usual average. The usual amount of fall
seeding has been done and is looking well. Potatoes are a poor crop,
both in yield and quality. The prospect is good for root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops, if we have rain. Pears are a good
crop and apples are a fine crop.

Winchester (S. S. Symmes). — Indian corn is not raised here. Rowen
and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The usual amount of
fall seeding was done, but it has dried up in spots. Onions are very
small in size and there is about half a crop. Potatoes are also of very
small size and not over half a normal crop. The prosj^ect is very poor
for all late crops. Apples are ripening early; pears nearly all picked;
peaches all gone; all other fruits of small size. Cauliflower and late
cabbage are at a standstill and celery in many places is very small.
All crops have been covered with dust for weeks, and the growth has
been very slow.

Weston (Henry L. Brown). — There is a small crop of rowen and
feed is getting short. Early seeding came up well and is looking fairly
well, but the weather has been too dry for seeding in September.
Onions are not raised in this locality. Potatoes are of good quality
and about one-fourth a crop. Root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops are much in need of rain. Apples are small; pears are
a fair crop, but are dropping badly; peaches and grapes not grown to
any extent; cranberries not grown at all. Cabbages and turnips are
almost at a standstill.

Newton (G. L. Marcy). — Rowen and fall feed are not up to the
usual average, except on low land. The drought has been too severe
to allow of fall seeding. Onions are not grown to any extent. The

23

potato crop is a poor one. The prospect is poor for root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes
and cranberries are below the average.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Indian corn is a good normal
crop, rather better than the average. On good land, where the first
crop was cut early, rowen was unusually good. There has been con-
siderable fall seeding done, but it looks poorly, owing to dry weather.
The quality of the potato crops is good, but the yield is light. The
prospect for late crops is rather poor, on account of the drought.
Apples are a light crop ; pears good; peaches fair; grapes good; cran-
berries rather light. Squashes are an uncommonly good crop this
year, but the late cabbage crop bids fair to be light.

Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — The corn crop is better than a normal
one; is an extraordinary crop. Rowen was not up to the usual average
and fall feed is exceedingly short, except on moist land. Much more
fall seeding would have been done with timely rains, and there is much
land prepared but not seeded. Onions are three-fourths of a normal
crop, of good quality. Early potatoes were half a crop and late varie-
ties give a three-fourths yield. The prospect is fair for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops, owing to drought. Apples
are one-third of an average crop, of good quality, but are dropping
because of drought. Harvesting is being done earUer than usual, the
hot dry weather having matured all crops, and the work progressing
without interruption.

Rowley (D. H. O'Brien). — Indian corn is better than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are hardly up to the usual average. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but the dry weather has
prevented germination. Very few onions are grown in this section,
but there is a fair crop so far as they are grown. Potatoes are 50 per
cent of a normal crop and the quality is below the average. The
prospect is rather poor for root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops. Apples are a medium crop; pears fair; peaches and
grapes extra good; cranberries spoiled by the early frost. We have
remarkably heavy yields of squashes and tomatoes.

Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — Corn is 80 per cent of a normal crop.
There is very little rowen and fall feed is very short. More than the
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but the seed has not ger-
minated as yet. Onions are little raised. Potatoes are of good quality,
but not more than half a crop in yield. Squashes are a heavy crop;
other late market-garden crops fair. Apples are very uneven, some
having a fair crop and others very few; pears half a crop; peaches
half a crop ; grapes a full crop ; cranberries badly damaged by frost.

24

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Cohasset (Ellery C. Bates). — Indian corn is about a normal crop.
Rowen and fall feed are up to the normal. The usual amount of fall
seeding has been done and is in fair condition. Onions are a small
crop. Potatoes are about half a crop. The prospect is good for root
crops, celery and other late market-garden crops. The fruit crop is
about normal.

Randolph (Rufus A. Thayer). — There is a good yield of corn, both
for grain and ensilage. The rowen crop was good, but fall feed is short.
Fall seeding is not in good condition, owing to drought, and not as
much as usual has been done. Onions are a very good crop. Pota-
toes are of good quaUty, but are not up to the average in yield. Turnips
and celery are good crops. Apples are a fair crop, but have ripened
earlier than usual, on account of drought; pears and grapes are good
crops; cranberries are small and a short ci'op. Wells and springs are
very low.

Canton (Edwin V. Kinsley). — Indian corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen was a full average crop, but fall feed is very light. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but has made no growth,
because of drought. Onions are a light crop, below average. Potatoes
are of good quality and about half a crop in yield. The prospect is bad
for root crops, celery and other late crops, but plentiful and immediate
rains will save the situation. Apples, pears and peaches are light
crops; grapes and cranberries better than was expected. There is
general seeding of white pine, nearly all trees bearing cones.

Stoughton (Chas. F. Curtis). — Corn is fully up to the average for
grain; silo corn is a full crop on low land, but only a three-fourths yield
on uplands. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but is
waiting for rain. There are no onions raised here. Potatoes are a
normal crop. Apples are one-sixth of a crop; pears one-eighth;
peaches one-tenth; grapes are a very full crop, both wild and culti-
vated ; cranberries half a crop.

Norfolk (A. D. Towne). — Indian corn is more than an average crop.
Rowen was about a normal crop and feed in pastures is short. About
two-thirds the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and it is
in poor condition, owing to dry weather. Potatoes are of good quality,
with perhaps a three-fourths crop. Pears, peaches and grapes are good
crops; cranberries light; apples have dropped badly, and are smaller
and poorer in quality than usual for the bearing year, about 80 per
cent of an average crop.

Millis (E. F. Ricpiardson). — The corn crop is much better than the
average, in fact the best I have ever known. Rowen and fall feed are
not quite up to the usual average. The usual amount of fall seeding
has been done and is looking well, but needs rain right away. Onions
are a good crop. Potatoes are less than an average yield, but are of

25

good quality. The prospect for root crops, celery and late market-
garden crops is very fair. There are very fair yields of apples, pears,
peaches, grapes and cranberries.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — Indian corn is a normal crop. Rowen
and fall feed are about up to the usual average. About the usual
amount of fall seeding has been done, and is in fair condition, but
needs rain. Onions are little grown. A light crop of potatoes is
expected; some rot, but quality generally good. Root crops, celery
and late market-garden crops are little grown, but look well. Winter
apples are a very light crop; pears heavy; peaches light, also cran-
berries; grapes good.

Attleborough (Isaac Alger). — The corn crop is above the average.
Rowen is not much grown, and fall feed is in average condition. The
usual amount of fall seeding has been done. Potatoes are not an
average crop. The prospect is fair for root crops, celery and other
late market-garden crops. There will be a small crop of fruit.

Seekonk (John W. Peck). — Corn is little raised except for the silo,
and is good for that purpose. Drought has prevented growth of rowen
and fall feed on all high lands; very low lands fairly good. Early fall
seeding looks well, later is up onlj^ on moist lands. The drought
checked the growth of onions and they are not above the normal.
There is three-fourths of a crop of potatoes, of good quahty. Drought
has checked growth of root crops and all late crops. Pears plenty;
apples and peaches scarce ; grapes fair. Wells and springs are very low.

Dighton (Howard C. Briggs). — Indian corn is more than an average
crop. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the usual average. Not as
much fall seeding as usual has been done, and it is in poor condition.
Very few onions are raised, and they are a light crop. Potatoes are
about half a crop, of good quality. Root crops, celery and other late
market-garden crops are not up to the average. Apples are a light
yield; cranberries half a crop; grapes a full crop; peaches and pears
average. No rain for nearly a month ; vegetation suffers and streams
are low.

Sivansea (F. G. Arnold). — Corn is more than an average crop.
But httle rowen has been secured; fall feed is up to the average.
About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but it is not very
forward, owing to dry weatiiei. There is about an average yield of
onions. Early varieties of potatoes gave a light yield ; later varieties
a fair yield. C'elery, turnips and carrots are backward and need rain.
Apples are a poor crop ; pears, peaches and grapes plenty ; cranberries
not grown.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — Indian corn is about a normal crop,
with more planted than usual. Rowen and fall feed are not up to the
usual average. Less than the usual amount of fall seeaing has been

26

done, and it is not growing well, on account of drought. Onions are
small in size and less than a normal crop. Potatoes are from one-half
to two-thirds of a crop and are of good quality. With rain there will
be large crops of roots, celery and late market-garden crops. There
are very few apples and peaches; pears and grapes good; cranberries
a fair crop. The season has not been a profitable one for our farmers,
because of partial failure of market-garden crops.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Brockton (Davis Copeland). — The corn crop is very good. Rowen
and fall feed are up to the usual average on good land. The usual
amount of fall seeding has been done and looks well on moist land, but
has dried up badly and been badly injured by grasshoppers on high
land. Root crops, celery and late market-garden crops promise good
yields. Apples are a poor crop and pears a good crop. The heavy
fogs we have almost every night are helping to keep things green and
growing.

Marshfield (J. H. Bourne). — Indian corn is a large crop in quantity
and fully normal in quality. Rowen is a light crop, except on low,
rich ground. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and
much has just been put in. Onions are little raised here. The yield
of potatoes is decidedly less than usual and the quality poor. Root
crojDS, celery and late market-garden crops all need rain. Cranberries
are a three-fourths crop, but ripened well, and are mostly gathered;
apples a full crop; also grapes; pears and peaches fairly good.

Hanson (Flavel S. Thomas, M.D.). — Indian corn is more than a
normal crop. Rowen and fall feed are above the usual average.
About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done, and is in good
condition on low land, and in poor on high land, because of drought.
Potatoes are a small crop, of good quality, and show no rot. The
prospect is fair for root crops, celery and other late market-garden
crops. All fruits are good yields except cranberries, drought and
worms having cut them short.

Kingston (George L. Churchill). — The corn crop is a very fair
yield. Rowen and fall feed are up to the usual average. Not much
fall seeding has been done as yet. Onions are a fair crop. Potatoes
are a light crop, of fair quality. The jDrospect for root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops is very fair. Apples are looking
fairly well; peaches, pears, grapes and cranberries are fair crops.

Bridgewater (R. Cass). — Indian corn is a good average crop. The
rowen crop is below the normal, and fall feed above. Very little fall
seeding has been done at this time. Potatoes are not more than half
a crop and are of poor quality. The prospect for late garden crops is
good. Pears and grapes are good crops; other fruits poor.

Lakeville (Nathaniel G. Staples). — The corn crop is a little above
the normal. Rowen and fall feed are about up to the usual average.

27

About the usual amount of fall seeding has been done and it is at
present in good condition. Onions are not quite an average crop.
The yield of potatoes is small, but the quaUty is good. The prospect
is good for root crops, celery and other late market-garden crops.
Apples are not average crop; peaches fair; pears good; grapes good;
cranberries below average.

Wareham (A. B. Savary). — Indian corn is about a normal crop.
Rowen and fall feed are below the usual average, owing to dry weather.
Very little fall seeding has been done, as it is too dry. Onions are not
raised here. Potatoes are below the normal in both yield and quality.
The prospect is poor for root crops, celery and other late market-
garden crops, owing to dry weather. Apples and cranberries are a
light crop; other fruits about normal.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (David D. Nye). — The crop of Indian corn compares
favorably with the normal. Rowen and fall feed are up to the aver-
age, and in many places exceed last year. A small amount of fall
seeding has been done and is at present in very satisfactory condition.
Onions are very small and not much raised. Potatoes compare well
with the normal in both yield and quality. Market-garden crops are
little raised. Apples, peaches and cranberries are all below normal
crops.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — Indian corn is above the average.
Rowen and fall feed are above the average. Onions are less than an
average crop. The potato crop is almost a failure. Late root crops
will give about normal yields. Apples, pears and grapes are two-
thirds crops; cranberries half a crop.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — Corn is an average crop. Rowen
and fall feed are not up to the usual average. The usual amount of
fall seeding has been done; that sown early looks well, but late sown
is suffering for rain. Onions are not grown. Potatoes are 65 per
cent of the normal in yield and of good quality. Cape turnips must
be very small unless rain comes soon. Apples are a light crop; pears,
peaches and grapes full crops; cranberries not over 70 per cent in
quantity, but of good quality.

Brewster (Thos. D. Sears). — Indian corn compares favorably with
a normal crop. There is a very good crop of rowen and fall feed is in
good condition. The usual amount of fall seeding has been done, but
owing to dry weather the present condition is rather poor. Onions
compare well with a normal crop. The potato crop is far below normal
in yield and quality. The prospect is favorable for root crops. There
has been a fair crop of apples, pears, peaches, grapes and cranberries.

Eastham (J. A. Clark). — More corn has been planted than usual
and it has done well. Pastures have been good since the rains in
August. Onions are little raised. The potato crop is about two-

28

thirds of the normal in yield and of good quality. Root crops, celery
and other late market-garden crops are badly in need of rain. Fall
apples are plenty, but winter apples are scarce ; cranberries a fair crop.
More turnips were planted than last season. Asparagus on old fields
rusted badly.

Wellfleet (E. S. Jacobs). — Indian corn is about an average crop.
The rowen crop is above the average. There has been no fall seeding
done as yet. Very few onions have been planted in this vicinity.
Potatoes are a very good yield and of good quality. The prospect for
root crops, celery and late market-garden crops is rather poor, dry
weather having checked them. Apples, pears, peaches, and especially
cranberries, have been far above the average.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luce). — Indian corn is below the aver-
age. The rowen crop is nearly a failure, and fall feed is below the
average. It has been too dry to do fall seeding. Potatoes are a poor
yield, but are of good quality. The prospect is poor for root crops,
celery and other late market-garden crops, owing to dry weather.
Apples and pears are average crop; grapes above the average; cran-
berries below average.

NANTUCKET COUNTY.

Nantucket (H. G. Worth). — The corn crop will be very near the
normal. Rowen and fall feed are in good condition. Very little
fall seecUng has been done. There is a normal yield of onions. Pota-
toes are not over 60 per cent in either yield or quality. Root crops
are looking well. No fruit raised; cranberries are a good crop.

29

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

RENOVATING OLD ORCHARDS.

By Prof. F. C. Sears, Professor of Pomology, Massachusetts Agricultural College.

There are undoubtedly thousands of old apple trees in ]\Iassachu-
setts, some in orchards and others scattered about fields, which would
pay good returns if they could be thoroughly "renovated" and there-
after be given proper treatment. On the other hand, there are just
as many, and probably far more, which would be more profitable on
the woodpile than anj^where else. The first question, then, for one
to decide, if he owns such trees or orchards, is "Will it pay to make
the attempt to get them into a thrifty condition again ? " In the
writer's opinion this depends on four questions: 1, the age and vigor
of the trees; 2, the stand of trees in the orchard; 3, the varieties;
and 4, whether the San Jose scale is in the orchard or the immediate
vicinity of it. To discuss each of these briefly : — •

1. The Age and Vigor of the Trees. — If the trees are vigorous, with
good trunks and main branches, unaffected with canker or other injuries
to the bark, it has been my experience that they can be brought into
a profitable condition even though the tops are full of dead branches
and they have been systematically neglected for years. This, of course,
is supposing that the other factors mentioned above are favorable. It
is truly surprising what can be done with an old orchard when it is
taken in hand and given modern, up-to-date treatment. On the other
hand, if the trunks or main branches are damaged with canker, or
have been injured with cold so that the bark has fallen away in patches
of any size, as very often happens, then it is very doubtful if the
orchard would ])ay for renovating. It must be remembered that the
trunk is the highway by which the results of our improved care are
transported back and forth from the roots to the top, and if this high-
way is in a demoralized condition we are not going to get the best
results.

2. The Stand of Trees. — This, of course, is supposing that the trees
to be treated are in an orchard, and it will be easily seen that if half

30

of the trees are out it is not going to pay to cultivate and fertilize the
whole of the land for trees which could be put on half of it. And it is
never satisfactory to attempt to grow anything else in such vacant
spaces in an old orchard, nor to plant young trees in the vacancies.
If the trees are along fences or odd corners, so that cultivation of the
soil will not be attempted, then the question of stand is less important,
and may, perhaps, be ignored altogether. But in an orchard there
ought to be a three-quarters stand at least to make it worth while to
take the matter up, except under the most favorable circumstances.

3. The Varieties in the Orchard. — This is of less importance than
the two points already mentioned, yet it is a factor that is decidedly
worth considering and that has an important bearing on the cost of
the renovating process. It is, of course, possible to graft over the
trees, but this is both an expensive and a lengthy operation, and I
should condemn an orchard to the brush heap which needed to be
grafted far more quickly than one which already had the right varieties
in it. Of course the question of varieties is very largely a personal one,
and need not be discussed here, but I should mean by "right" such
varieties as suited the grower and the markets for which he was pro-
ducing, preferably standard sorts, like Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening
and Roxbury Russet.

4. The San Jose Scale. — I should certainly feel much less like
attempting to recover an old orchard which was infested with the
scale, or even which was near an infested orchard, than one which was
free from it and in a locality where it did not exist. I do not mean by
this that I should despair of recovering an orchard where the scale
was fairly plentiful, for I have known of a number of cases where such
orchards have been made thrifty and profitable. But it certainly does
add a very serious element to the situation, and it is going to require
both time and money to eradicate it.

The above, as I have said, are the main factors in deciding for or
against the renovation of an old orchard, yet perhaps I have omitted
the chief factor after all, and that is the man himself. If he has just
come into possession of the orchard, and is making an attempt to clean
up all along the line, I should have far more faith in the ultimate good
results of the matter than if he were author and finisher of the neglect
from which the orchard has suffered, even though he might have firmly
determined to "do the right thing by the orchard" from henceforth.

Having finally decided that the orchard is worth while, the work of
renovating will fall naturally under the following heads: 1, cultivation;
2, pruning; 3, spraying; 4, fertihzing; 5, cover-crops; 6, grafting, —
arranged somewhat in the order of their importance, though of course
this will vary greatly with different orchards, and though all will be
needed to secure the best results.

I have placed cultivation first because, though trees will often do
well in sod, if otherwise well cared for,. and though it may sometimes

31

be necessary, even in attempting to revive an old orchard, to let the
trees stand in sod, yet, as a rule, to get them into satisfactory condition
cultivation is the prime requisite, and will do more than any other one
thing to start the orchard on the right road. It is usually difficult

Fig. 1. — Type of tree which should be cut back severely in renovating,
10 or 12 feet at least could be removed to advantage. Except for poor trunk
(see Fig. 2) this tree could be very successfully remodelled.

in an old orchard, such as we are considering, to do anything like a
thorough job of ploughing. If one can secure an ox team they will
do the work better than a team of horses, as they will be able to get

32

under the trees better, and the slow, s-teady gait of the oxen is better
than that of most horses. Do not be alarmed over cutting some tree
roots with the plough, even some large roots. A little root pruning
will not hurt the trees, and the fresh, new, feeding-roots, sent out from
the broken and cut ends of the old roots, will very soon equal in ab-
sorbing abihty the parts of the old roots which are cut away. Another
point in ploughing is the question of throwing the furrow towards or
away from the trees. One frequently finds an old orchard in which
the ploughing has been for years always in the direction of the trees,
until each row stands along a ridge, with deep hollows between. Such
an orchard should be ploughed away from the trees, until the land gets
back reasonably level again. After that it is well to plough the orchard
alternately towards and away from the trees, — one year north and
south and the next east and west. In this way the land can be kept
in the best condition for the trees.

Occasionally it is impossible to do even a makeshift job of ploughing,
and then one can sometimes begin operations by running a heavy disc
harrow through the orchard, to cut up the sod and start things in the
right direction, and perhaps plough it the following year.

After the ploughing has been done it is always advisable to use the
disc harrow and follow it with the spring-tooth harrow, going both
ways with each one of them, and going over the land several times, so
as to get the land in good tilth. After this, through the balance of the
season, it is best to cultivate the land once every week or ten days,
up to perhaps the middle of July. And let this weekly cultivation
be thorough! If the two harrows suggested, disc and spring-tooth,
are available, it is well to run the disc over first, the long way of the
orchard, and then finish with the spring-tooth, the opposite way. This
insures all the land being worked over, and leaves it more level than
if one finishes with the disc, which of course is desirable on account of
reducing evaporation. It is difficult to overdo cultivation at this season
of the year, and with an old, neglected orchard I should feel inclined to
let this be the principal feature of the programme, so far as the soil is
concerned.

Now for our second point in the programme, pruning. This is apt
to vary more in the extent to which it is needed and in the character
of it which is best to apply than any one of the other factors. If the
trees are very high, with little or no bearing wood near the center, as
is very apt to be the case, then they should be given verj' drastic
pruning, so as to grow an entirely new top, a good many feet nearer
the ground than the old one. It will practically amount to the removal
of all the top in perhaps two years, and the branches should be cut
down at least six or eight feet, and sometimes much more. This seems
like heroic treatment and it is, but in the great majority of cases, if
the trees are otherwise healthy, they will send out a bushy top, which,
with judicious thinning, will make practically a new tree out of the

33

old one. And one great reason why such old trees as we are now
considering (tall, overgrown ones) are not profitable is that they are
so tall that every operation — pruning, spraying, picking, etc. — is

Fig. 2. — Trunk injured by cold. Such trees are not worth renovating.

four or five times as costly as with lower trees. So it is absolutely
essential to get thenn down nearer the ground if they are ever to be
made profitable. On the other hand, if the trees are reasonably low
the pruning may consist largely in thinning the top throughout, begin-
ning, of course, with the dead branches, and then taking enough live

34

ones to leave the head fairly open to light and air, and to the sprayer
when that comes on the scene. Even in this class of trees (those
which are not unreasonably tall), it is often possible to reduce their
height to advantage, without materially altering their form, by simply
cutting back each of the main, upright branches to one of its strong,
main offshoots. The effect may not be just what we would like at the
start, and the top may be somewhat thrown out of balance, but with a
year's growth it will largely recover its symmetry, and even if it should
not altogether the advantages of the lower top will offset any disad-
vantages.

Another point in this pruning, and one often neglected, is not to
remove too large brajiches in the thinning. Of course it is much
easier to remove what one considers the required amount of wood by
taking out a few large branches, but the results are much better if one
will take comparatively small branches (not above an inch and a half
in diameter) and take more of them. This thins the top uniformly,
letting in light, air and spraying materials to all parts equally; while
the removal of a few large branches leaves the top too open in some
places and as thick as ever in others. Still another point which one
should bear in mind in his pruning is to keep a sharp watch for dis-
eased branches, and take these out in preference to healthy ones. The
European and blight cankers are, in particular, liable to be found in
such an orchard, and may be largely held in check by such pruning.
And lastly, after the pruning has been done, and the wounds made
have had time to dry up and "check" somewhat, all wounds of an
inch and a half or over should be thoroughly painted with thick lead
paint, to keep out moisture and prevent decay. White lead and boiled
linseed oil make the best kind of covering for such wounds, but it is
well to add a little brown color, merely to take off the glaring whiteness
of the painted wounds. One frequently sees the advice to take a paint
pot into the tree when pruning, and attend to the painting at once,
when the limb is removed, but in the writer's experience the pruning
tools are all that one wants to be bothered with at one time, and the
paint will certainly adhere better to the cut surface when this has-
dried somewhat.

Our thirdly is the spraying problem. This is going to vary some-
what, according to the insect and fungous diseases which may be
present in the orchard or locality. If the San Jose scale is there a
thorough spraying with the hme-sulphur wash, just before the buds
swell in the spring, will be found to be the most efficacious treatment.
Some of the other ways of fighting this pest come highly recommended,
particularly the soluble oils, but in the writer's observation the best
thing at present is the lime-sulphur, and one has the satisfaction of
knowing that while he is driving this pest out of his plantation he is
also most effectively reducing the vigor of a niunber of fungous dis-
eases, which might have caused trouble later in the season. In this

35

connection (fighting insects and fungi) one is frequently asked as to
the desirability of scraping the trees to remove the rough, scaly bark.
While this ought not to be necessary as a regular practice in orchards

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which are cared for, and especially in those which are sprayed, yet in
the beginning I believe it is an excellent treatment for such orchards
as we are considering. Certainly it will add materially to the effec-
tiveness of any washes which may be applied to the trunks of the trees.
Next to the lime-sulphur wash, Bordeaux mixture stands out pre-
eminently as the spraying material. And if the San Jose scale is not

36

in the orchard it will probably be the only material necessary to use
if we add to it, as of course we will, some arsenical poison, preferably
arsenate of lead, for chewing insects. It is a little difficult to outline
just what the season's campaign should be in spraying, without know-
ing what foes we have to combat, but in general the following will be
found satisfactory. Begin before the buds swell, at least to any extent,
and make a thorough appHcation of Bordeaux mixture. Use the Bor-
deaux type of nozzle, which throws a coarse stream with more force
than other types. Spray trunk and main branches, as well as the top,
and with these parts particularly, trunk and large branches, do not
be afraid to use i^lenty of material. This is contrary to the rules of
good spraying when the trees are in leaf, but when they are bare the
advantage of reaching thoroughly all the cracks and crevices in the
bark will offset any disadvantages. Let this spraying be followed by
another, just before the blossom buds open, when they are large
enough to be separated from each other in the cluster and to show
some pink or white, but before they have opened enough to show the
stamens or pistils. For this spraying I should use the same materials,
Bordeaux mixture and arsenate of lead, but I should use an entirely
different nozzle, selecting one of the Vermorel or the Friend type,
which, instead of tlirowing a coarse stream with some force, delivers
the spray in fog-like mist, which will float about among the leaves and
buds, and thus reach all parts of them. I should be much more care-
ful about drenching the trees. Spray so as to wet them thoroughly
with as little drip as possible, and again spray trunk and main branches
as well as the other parts. If this spraying is followed by a third one
within a week or ten days after the petals have fallen from the blossoms,
using the same materials and the same nozzle, and the same precau-
tions, as in the second spraying, I should have a great deal of confidence
that the result would be a crop of clean fruit. Of course one may be
confronted by special problems, like an acute attack of canker worms
or a scourge of apple aphis, in which case a specialist should be con-
sulted. But for all ordinary cases the foregoing programme ought
to be entirely adequate, and it would certainly surprise most old
orchards to receive half of this attention.

The fourth factor in our operations is the fertilizer question, which
is naturally very closely related to our cultivation problems and some-
times has to be varied to suit the cultural methods adopted. At the
beginning I do not believe it is desirable to apply any nitrogenous
fertilizers, or if they are applied it should be in very hmited quantities,
and early in the season. A moment's reflection will show the philosophy
of this. Trees which have been allowed to grow in sod, as the old
orchards which we are considering will undoubtedly have been, and
in soil which has been impoverished by constant removal of the grass
as hay, and of the fruit, without any return of fertilizer, will have long,
straggling roots sent out to forage at a distance for all the plant food

37

possible. And these long roots will have comparatively few branches
or small feeding roots, as it is notorious that roots branch freely in
a fertile soil and sparsely in a poor soil. Now when the land in

Fig. 4. — A poor type of tree for renovating. Trunk is too long and main
branches have no bearing wood except at tops. If renovation i.s attempted
this tree should be severely cut back to renew the top.

the orchard is ploughed and cultivated, and fertilizers are apjilied, the
conditions become very much more favorable in the soil, and the
roots begin to branch freely in response to these improved conditions.
If the fertilizer has been applied in the form of barn manure, as is

38

often the case, this requires some time to decay and get into soluble
condition so that the roots can take it up, but when this has taken
place it furnishes a large amount of highly nitrogenous food which
tends to stimulate a very strong wood growth late in the season. The
trees having the root systems such as we have described, long and
spreading, and having sent out an abundance of feeding roots all
along these- original main roots in response to improved conditions,
are sure to take up an unusual amount of this plant food, much more
than trees which have had regular care from the beginning, and which
therefore have more compact root systems. The result is that the
growth is continued very late in the season, that the new layer of
tissue between the old bark and wood does not ripen up in the autumn
as it should, and that when cold weather comes on it is no better
fitted to withstand freezing than a potato or a cabbage, and is destroyed
during the winter. Soon after this the bark separates from the wood,
and the tree dies if the bark has been killed all round, or is seriously
weakened if only part way. For these reasons, as I said in the begin-
ning, I should advise withholding nitrogenous fertilizers almost
entirely the first season. If the soil has any fertility to it at all the
cultivation and consequent improved physical condition will liberate
all the nitrogen that the trees need to make an entirely satisfactory
growth.

But of course these arguments do not apply to other fertilizers, and
I should use them freely. I should begin with a half ton per acre of
lime. It has been my observation that very few old orchards indeed
will not respond wonderfully to such an application. We need not
discuss the usual methods of determining whether lime is needed,
but I am satisfied that even when such tests as litmus paper, for
example, fail to indicate a sourness in the soil, an application of a half
ton of hme per acre will still be very beneficial to the trees. With
apples particularly, but with all fruits more or less, an abundance of
lime gives a shorter, stockier growth of wood, and fruit which, though
perhaps a little smaller, is more firm, better keeping and more highly
colored. This lime application need not be made every year, of course ,
but I should begin with it and should repeat it once in four or five
years.

In addition to this I should give a yearly application of potash and
phosphoric acid. For the former, experiments at the Massachusetts
Agricultural College seem to indicate that the low-grade sulphate is
the best form. If this is used 400 or 500 pounds ought to be applied
per acre per year, and it is better applied as early in the season as
possible and ploughed under. I should favor ploughing under all
fertilizers, as it gets them down where the feeding roots are, and where
they will be under such conditions as to make them most quickly
available. Of course this is less important with the readily soluble
fertilizers, but even with these I should favor turning them under.

39

The other two forms of potash used are the high-grade sulphate and
the muriate, both of which are used very largely in orchards, and both
of which are 50 per cent actual potash, and consequently one gets
the required amount of potash with the least amount of material,
and so with the least expense. Application of either should be 200 to
300 pounds per acre yearly.

In phosphoric acid one has the choice of several different forms, but
probably the best two for the orchardist are Thomas phosphate or
basic slag, and one of the superphosphates or acid phosphates. Where
one is ploughing the land I should favor the use of the basic slag, as,
in addition to the phosphoric acid, it contains a large percentage of
lime, which will assist in putting the soil in good shape. It will run
usually about 15 per cent to 17 per cent of phosphoric acid, and from,
experience in many orchards it seems to be an admirable form. On
the other hand, where one is not able to plough the land, or for any
reason has decided not to, the superphosphate is the best form of
phosphoric acid, as it is readily soluble, and will therefore get down
to the roots of the trees more quickly and more certainly than the
basic slag. As to quantities per acre or per tree, a good yearly applica-
tion of the slag would be from 300 to 400 pounds per acre, or on scat-
tering trees from 8 to 10 pounds per tree. Where the superphosphates
are used the quantity applied would vary with the source of the material
from which they were manufactured, but probably should be from
one-third to one-half less than of the basic slag. These quantities are
merely suggested as the usual ones applied, and it should be borne in
mind that there is httle danger in applying an over-dose of either
potash or jDhosphoric acid, as neither one leaches out of the soil to any
extent, nor does either one, when present in moderate excess in the
soil, produce the injurious effect on the orchard that an over-supply
of nitrogen does. They should be apphed as early in the spring as
possible, and worked into the soil as much as is possible with the
method of culture adopted.

We come now to the question of cover-crops for the orchard, by
which is meant some crop grown in the orchard, usually late in the
season, and exclusively, or at least mainly, with the object of improv-
ing the soil of the orchard. That it can be made to play a very im-
portant part in the upbuilding of an old orchard has been shown time
and again. Some of the best ones for Massachusetts orchards are
buckwheat, rye, soy beans, cow peas and the vetches. The chief
advantages derived from their use would be that they take plant food
away from the trees in the autumn and thus help to ripen them up;
that they catch and hold nitrates in the soil after the growth of the
trees has stopped, and when these substances would otherwise be
washed out of the soil ; that they help to pulverize and rot down the
sod, which is especially important at the beginning; that when they
are ploughed under they furnish humus, which in turn furnishes plant

40

food to the trees; and that in the case of soy beans, cow peas and the
vetches they help to keep up the store of nitrogen in the soil by what
they take up from the air and store in their roots. This is by no means
all that these cover-crops do, but it covers the main points, and serves
to show how important they are. The general plan of their use
would be this: that the orchard would be ploughed as early in the
spring as the soil would permit and thoroughly fitted as outlined
earlier. Then thorough cultivation would continue up to the middle
of July, when the cover-crop would be sown. The only important
deviation from this course would be in the case of some of the legimii-
nous cover-crops mentioned, particularly soy beans and cow peas,
which often give better results if sown in drills earlier in the season,
the last of June or the first of July, and cultivated several times before
the orchard is laid by. Of course, the objection to this is that the
cultivation by this method is much more costly, since it must be done
with a one-horse cultivator, a row at a time, instead of with a disc or
spring-tooth harrow, covering three or four times the space. But
even this objection is often, if not usually, overbalanced by the much
better growth of the cover-crop.

After cultivation ceases and the cover-crop is sown nothing further
is done to the Soil until the following spring, when the cover-crop is
ploughed under, and the programme begins again. Where a good
growth of one of the nitrogenous cover-crops can be secured it is often
possible to obtain all the nitrogen needed for the orchard in this wa^^

I should feel inclined to begin with buckwheat as a cover-crop in
starting an old orchard because it is peculiarly effective in rotting
down sod and putting the soil in fine physical condition. This might
be followed in a year or two with either soy, beans, summer vetch or
cow peas.

As to amounts of seed per acre of the different crops suggested the
following will be found right for ordinary conditions : —

Buckwheat,
Rye, .
Soy beans, .
Cow peas, .
Summer vetch,
Winter vetch,

1 bushel.
1^ bushels.

2 bushels broadcast;
2 bushels broadcast;
1+ bushels broadcast:

1^ bushels in drills.

1^ bushels in drills.

1 bushel in drills.

1 bushel broadcast; f bushel in drills.

And lastly there is the question of top-grafting the trees. I have
already said that I should consider the necessity of this a strong factor
against the orchard, for it requires considerable time, two to foiu"
years, and not a little expense, to work over the trees into other
varieties. But it frequently happens that odd trees in an orchard
are of unsatisfactory varieties, and it is sometimes worth while to
graft over an entire orchard where the trees are relatively young and
otherwise in good condition. Where this is to be done I beheve it is

41

generally advisable to employ an expert grafter or grafters to do the
work. There is often a local artist who will undertake the operation,
or, if the orchard is of sufficient size to warrant it, a professional
grafter can be secured from a distance. In either case it is better
business, and more satisfactory generally, to pay by the stub, and to
have the grafter guarantee the scions to live. Of course in such a
case one must have confidence enough in the man to insure that he
will not put in grafts needlessly, but after all it is better to have too
many grafts than not enough, and with a little knowledge and super-
vision on the part of the owner there is usually little difficulty on this
score. If the owner is situated so that he can do so I should strongly
advise his furnishing the scions himself, and too great care cannot be
exercised in selecting them. They ought to be taken from bearing
trees, and if possible from those of known productiveness, and they
should be thoroughly well matured and not too long jointed. Let
them be selected while the trees are still dormant, and stored in moist
soil or sawdust in the coolest possible place ; if an ice house is available
so much the better.

A great many problems will undoubtedly come up in renovating
an old orchard besides those which have been discussed, and modifica-
tions will have to be made to suit special fruits, such as peaches and
plums, but if a campaign along the general lines indicated could be
made among the old, and at present profitless, orchards of the State,
either cleaning them up or cutting them down, it would certainly do a
great deal toward putting ^Massachusetts fruit on a better footing with
both dealers and consumers, and it would make an addition to the
income of the farmers of the State by no means to be despised.

Series of 1908. Vol. 21. No. 6.

MASSACHUSETTS

CEOP EEPOET

FOR THE

Month of October, 1908.

STRAWBERRY GROWING.

ISSUED MONTHLY, MAY TO OCTOBER, BY STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.

J. Lewis Ellsworth, Secretary,

Entered June 3, 1904, at Boston, Mass., as Second-class Matter,
UNDER Act of Congress of June 6, 1900.

BOSTON:

WEIGHT & POTTEE FEINTING CO., STATE PEINTEES,

18 Post Office Squaee.

1908.

Approved by
The State Board of Publication.

Crop Eeport for the Month of October, 1908.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1908.

Bulletin 'No. 6, Crop Report for the montH of October,
is presented as the iinal issue of the season. We wish to
thanlv our correspondents for their faithful assistance, with-
out which this publication could not be issued, and to assure
them of our hearty aj)preciation. They have in no small
measure been of assistance to the Board and to the agri-
culture of the State. We look forward confidently to their
cheerful co-operation when another spring shall bring a
resumption of the work.

The special articles printed this year have been: Bulletin
No. 1, " Potato-growing suggestions," by Dr. Chas. D.
Woods ; Bulletin ISTo. 2, " Some sheep topics for Massachu-
setts," by Ray L. Gribbin ; Bulletin No. 3, " Drainage," by
Prof. Wm. P. Brooks ; Bulletin ISTo. 4, " Artificial hatching
and rearing of chickens as applied to ' South Shore roasters',"
by Henry D. Smith ; and Bulletin IsTo. 5, " Renovating old
orchards," by Prof. F. C. Sears. We have a limited number
of Bulletins ISTos. 2, 3 and 5 on hand, which we shall be glad
to send to any one desiring them. The supply of Bulletins
ISTos. 1 and 4 is exhausted, but we shall reprint the articles on
potato growing and hatching and rearing chicks some time
next summer, and any requests for the same. will be placed
on file and filled as soon as possible.

We wish to call special attention to the article at the close
of this bulletin, on " Strawberry culture," by Prof. F. A.
Waugh, professor of horticulture at the Massachusetts Agri-
cultural College. We have received a good many calls for
information on this subject during the past year, sho wing-
that there is a good interest in it, which should be catered
to; and, in addition, the article is such as to stimulate an
interest in quarters where it has perhaps not previously
existed.

Progress of the Season.

The Crop Reporting Board of the Bureau of Statistics
of the Department of Agriculture (Crop Reporter for Octo-
ber, 1908) finds that the condition of the corn crop on
October 1 was 77.8, as compared with 79.4 a month earlier,
78 on Oct. 1, 1907, and 79.7, the ten-year average on Octo-
ber 1. The decline in condition during September was thus
about 2 per cent, compared with a decline of 2.7 per cent
last year, and an average decline for the past ten years of 1.6
per cent.

The preliminary estimate of the average yield per acre
of spring wheat is 13.2 bushels, compared with 13.2, the
final estimate in 1907, and 13.8, the average of the past six
years. The indicated total production of spring wheat is
about 23,080,000 bushels, as compared with 224,645,000
bushels, the final estimate in 1907. The quality is 88.2, as
compared with 88.8 in 1907, and 85.9, the average of the
past six years. The production of spring and winter wheat
combined is about 660,020,000 bushels, as compared with
634,087,000, finally estimated last year. The quality of all
wheat is 89.4, as compared with 89.9 last year.

The average yield per acre of oats is about 24.9 bushels,
as compared with 23.7 bushels, finally estimated in 1907,
and 29.8, the average of the past ten years. A total yield of
789,161,000 bushels is thus indicated, as compared with
754,443,000, finally estimated in 1907. The quality of the
crop is 81.3, against 77 last year, and 86.1, the average of
the past ten years.

The yield per acre of barley is about 25 bushels, which
compares with 23.8 bushels, the final estimate for 1907, and

25.5, the average of the past ten years. A total production
of 167,482,000 bushels is thus indicated, as compared with
153,597,000 in 1907. The average quality is 89.3, against
88.2 last year, and 87.6, the average of the past ten years.

The average condition of buckwheat at time of harvest was

81.6, as compared with 87.8 on September 1, 80.1 at har-
vest in 1907, and 81.8, the average condition at harvest for
the past ten years.

The average condition of potatoes on October 1 was 68. Y,
as compared with 73.7 on September 1, 77 on Oct. 1, 1907,
and 76.3, the average of the past ten years on October 1.
The condition on October 1 in important potato States was :
Maine, 94 ; 'New York, 61 ; Michigan, 60 ; Wisconsin, 65.

The average condition of tobacco at time of harvest was
84.1, as compared with 84.3 on September 1, 84.8 at har-
vest in 1907, and 83.5, the average condition at harvest for
the past ten years.

In Massachusetts the average condition of corn October 1
was 98 ; the average yield of oats 33 bushels, and the quality
91 ; the average condition of buckwheat 90 ; the average
condition of potatoes 70 ; the average condition of tobacco
when harvested 95 ; the average condition of apples 54 ; the
average condition of cranberries 70 ; the average condition
of tomatoes 95 ; the average condition of cabbages 88 ; the
average condition of onions 89 ; and the average condition of
beans 80.

Massachusetts Weathee, 1908.

[Furnished by Weather Bureau, Boston.]

The weather of January was warmer than usual, the
monthly temperature ranging from 1° to 5° above the aver-
age. The daily temperatures were generally in excess until
near the close of the month, zero temperature prevailing on
the 30th and 31st. The monthly precipitation was gen-
erally below the average. The snowfall was unevenly dis-
tributed through the month and over the State, in amounts
ranging from 2 to 12 inches. At the close of the month
there was little snow on the ground.

February was somewhat colder than the average, the tem-
peratures ranging from 1° to 5° below the normal. The
first decade was uniformly cold, but during the remainder of
the month the only extremely low temperatures were on the
25th, The precipitation was generally above the normal,
the snowfall ranging from 5 to 25 inches, the heavy storms
being on the 5th and 6th.

The weather of March was warmer and more pleasant
than usual. The temperature did not fall below zero at
any time, and there were no marked extremes in either direc-

6

tion. The precipitation was of frequent occurrence, but the
amounts were not excessive, the snowfall ranging from 3
to 10 inches, and at the close of the month the ground was
bare.

The precipitation and temperature of April were below
the normal, though the departures were not great in any
section. The minimum temperatures occurred on the 4th
and 5th. The precipitation was well distributed through the
month, there being few days without measurable amounts in
some section of the State. At the close of the month the
season was considered somewhat later than the average.

The opening week of May was cold and unpleasant, but
by the 10th the weather became warmer and generally sea-
sonable, with sunshine near the average, and continued
throughout the month, with slight exceptions. General mod-
erate to heavy showers occurred on the 23d, and scattered
local showers on several other days. The precipitation for
the month as a whole was considerably below the average
for the month of May.

June was exceptionally pleasant, with much sunny
weather. The precipitation was deficient in about all sec-
tions of the State, while the temperature of the month was
considerably above the average, the monthly means ranging
from 2° to 4° above the June normal. There were no general
rains during the month, the precipitation being the result
of local showers and storms. At the close of the month vege-
tation was suffering from drought.

The drought continued uninterruptedly until the middle
of July. From the 16th to the 20th, inclusive, showers were
quite general, with rainfall ranging from light to copious.
The rains of the latter half of the month were of great ben-
efit to vegetation, and temporarily broke the drought. There
was an unusual prevalence of sunshine during the month.
The temperature was uniformly high, ranging from 2° to 5°
above the normal, with temperatures above 90° on from ten
to fourteen days.

From the 4th to the Tth of August there were frequent
thunderstorms, with copious rainfall, which was of much
benefit. Thundershowers again occurred on the 11th, 13th

and I7th, with rainfall from 1 to 2 inches, in western sec-
tions. On the 26th there was a heavy rainfall in the eastern
part of the State. After the 26th fair and generally clear
weather prevailed. The temperature was generally normal
for the first ten days, above from the 11th to the 15th, and
lower after that date, the average daily temperature for the
last week being from 4° to 9° below normal.

The weather of September was very dry, with temperature
normal to somewhat above. There was a severe drought,
beginning the last week in August and continuing until the
28th of September, when there were general showers, with
moderate to heavy amounts. The atmosphere became laden
with smoke and dust, and the sun was at times wholly or
partially obscured. The wind movement was less than usual,
and the humidity excessive. The temperatures were without
marked extremes, the days being warm and the nights cool.

Weathek of Octobee.

The conspicuous features of the weather of the month
were the unusual prevalence of sunshine, and the almost
entire absence of rain from the 3d to the 25th inclusive.
The month was considerably warmer than usual, with the
monthly mean temperature from 2° to 3° above the average
for October. General showers that gave substantial amounts
of rainfall occurred on the night of the 1st and on the 2d.
These were followed by a renewal of the drought that had pre-
vailed through September, there being no more rain, except-
ing scattered light showers and sprinkles on the 10th or the
11th, till the 26th, when light to moderate amounts fell in
all sections. General rains of still larger amounts fell on the
29th and 30th, and these, following so soon those of the
26th, served to quite effectually end the drought. There is,
however, much need of copious rains before the setting in
of winter, to make up the several inches of deficiency. The
average rainfall of the month was generally considerably
below the normal for October. The month opened with
several days of cool weather, followed by temperatures gen-
erally above the seasonal average from the 7th to the 19th.
A cool spell prevailed from the 20th to the 23d, during which

the lowest temperatures of the month occurred, with frosts
in all sections and moderate freezes in some localities. The
closing week was warmer than the average October weather.
The highest temperatures were generally on the 17th and the
18th, when they ranged near 80° in about all sections. The
month as a whole was exceptionally pleasant.

Crops of the Year.

May closed fully up to the average, both as to work and
vegetation. Feed in pastures was slow in starting. Grass
in mowings was generally in excellent condition, though
there was a good deal of winter-killing, particularly of fall
seeding. The fruit bloom was reported as extremely heavy
for all fruits, except peaches, with no frosts doing damage.
Very little damage was reported from insects. Planting
progressed slowly, but was at its height at time of making
returns. Farm help was considerably easier to secure than
for several years past, with wages not quite as high as for-
merly. The acreage of cultivated crops, particularly corn
and potatoes, was considerably increased. The acreage of
tobacco suifered a slight decrease, but that of onions was
slightly increased.

Insects were rather less injurious than usual in June.
The acreage of Indian corn was considerably increased, and
the crop, though planted late, germinated well, and was of
good stand and color. Grass got a good start in May, but
suffered during June from drought. Early potatoes were in
excellent condition, apparently, but in need of rain. Early
market-garden crops generally gave good yields, but prices
were very low. The flow of milk was well maintained, and
prices of dairy products were higher than usual. Eeed was
shortened by the dry weather, but was revived by showers in
the closing days. An average crop of strawberries was
secured, and other berries promised well. Peaches and plums
did not set well, but there was a good set of apples for a non-
bearing year.

Insects were again less numerous and destructive than
usual in July. Indian corn was in excellent condition, not
suffering to any extent from drought. The hay crop was

9

practically all secured at time of making returns, and was
generally less than an average crop, probably about three-
fourths. In most sections there was the usual amount of
forage crops, but in the southeastern counties they were
little sown, owing to the ground being too dry. Market-
garden crops suffered severely from drought, with low prices.
Very few potatoes had been dug, but the crop was expected
to be very light. Apples promised only a light crop; pears,
j)eaches and plums were even more unfavorable. Quinces
were somewhat better ; grapes set full ; cranberries suffered
from drought. Feed in pastures was very short in all sec-
tions. Eye, oats and barley escaped the worst effects of the
drought, and were fair crops.

The promise for the corn crop was exceptional in the
latter part of August. Ensilage corn was in good condition,
and promised to be unusually well eared. The rowen crop
promised to be very light, except on naturally moist land.
Late potatoes did not promise well, blight and rot being
reported, and the tubers being small and few in the hill.
Tobacco was damaged by hail and wind in some sections, but
otherwise a first-class crop was secured. The rains of the
early part of the month brought pasturage forward rapidly,
and it was generally in good condition. Apples continued to
deteriorate in condition, and dropped badly. Pears, peaches
and plums were light crops; quinces somewhat better, but
hardly average; grapes excellent; cranberries considerably
below the normal. Oats were below the normal ; barley excel-
lent as a late forage crop. Root crops are grown extensively
in eastern sections, and appeared to be in good condition.

September showed the corn crop to be a remarkably good
one, both for grain and stover. Rowen was a light crop in
all sections, and feed in pastures was very short. The
drought prevented anything like the usual amount of fall
seeding being done ; that sown early germinated well and was
in good condition. Onions were a good crop, particularly in
the Connecticut valley, the only drawback being small size
in some cases. Potatoes are estimated at from one-third to
one-half a normal crop, blight and early drought being the
principal causes of the decline. Root crops were hardly nor-

10

mal, also celerv, both suffering from drought; vines of all
kinds did well. Apples are a light crop, small in size and
prematurely ripened. Pears rather better than expected;
peaches generallv light ; grapes a heavy crop, with no damage
from frost; cranberries a light crop, with small berries and
more or less damas:e from insects.

In the circular to correspondents returnable October 27
the following questions were asked : —

1. What is the value of the corn crop, compared with a
normal crop ?

2. Have root crops proved to be average crops ?

3. What is the condition of farm stock ?

4. What is the condition of fall seeding?

5. How have prices for crops raised for market compared
with former vears ?

6. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been most profitable ?

7. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you
think have been least profitable ?

8. Considered as a whole, has the season been a profitable
one for your farmers ?

9. What is the effect of the drought on vegetation, streams,
springs and wells ?

Returns were received from 128 correspondents, from
which the following summary has been made : —

Value of the Coex Ceop.
The com crop was as valuable as that of any year within
the recollection of the correspondents. It seemed to thrive
on the hot, dry weather of the summer, the showers of late
July and August bringing it through the summer in good
condition, and the hot, dry weather of September maturing
both the grain and stover in excellent shape. The high price
of grain also tends to make the crop more valuable than
usual. As a silo crop it is also peculiarly valuable, as it is
well eared out, and was secured practically without any
damage from frost. More was planted than usual, and an
unusually large and valuable crop secured.

11

Root Ceops.

Root crops -u'ere rather below the average, taking the State
as a whole, as comparatively few correspondents report them
as above average, while 55 consider them to have been below.
They developed wonderf ullv well when the prolonged drought
is considered, and were very far from being a failure, as
would perhaps have been expected, but were nevertheless
considerably reduced in yield. Potatoes, sometimes classed
as a root crop, though not properly included in that class,
were a light crop in all sections, but brought good prices.

Faem Stock.
Pastures were very dry and short during September and
October, and young stock generally came to the bams in
rather poor flesh. Milch cows have been fed at the bams
ever since the middle of September in most sections, and
therefore remained in good condition and kept up a good
flow of milk. What the effect of the shortage in fall feed
will be in the future remains to be seen. Certainlv the
supply of hay has been reduced on many farms, and, as the
crop was not a heavy one, this would naturally lead to a
cutting down of the number of cattle to be carried through
the winter.

Fall Seedlng.

Much less than the usual amount of fall seeding has been
done, owing to the excessive drought, which made ploughing
unwise on many fields, and also reduced the chances of ger-
mination so such an extent that few ventured upon the opera-
tion. That which was put in early and germinated during
August and early September seems to have done well in
spite of the drought, and to be in fairly good condition. That
put in later failed to germinate fully in most cases, and has
made little progress.

Prices.

Prices for crof)s raised for market, as indicated by the
returns, average about the same as in former years, though
if there has been any movement it has been in the downward
direction, and there would certainly seem to be a recession

12

from the high prices of last year. Of the 113 correspondents
answering this question, 21 speak of prices as higher than
usual, 66 as average or about average, and 26 as lower than
usual.

Most Pkofitable Ceops.
Sixty-one correspondents, a bare majority, consider corn
to have been among the most profitable crops; 53, hay; 14,
potatoes; 7, onions; 5, tobacco; 5, cranberries; 4, straw-
berries; 4, cabbages; 4, tomatoes; 3, oats; 3, fruit; 3, aspar-
agus; 3, sweet corn; 2, apples; 2, forage crops; 2, celery;
2, berries; 2, cauliflower; 2, peaches; 1, garden crops;

1, peas; 1, milk; 1, squashes; 1, beets; and 1, turnips.

Least Peofitable Ceops.
Seventy-six correspondents, considerably over a majority,
consider potatoes to have been among the least profitable
crof»s; 19, apples; 8, hay; 5, tomatoes; 4, beans; 3, cabbages;

2, fruit ; 2, squashes ; 2, carrots ; 2, sweet corn ; 2, root crops ;
2, milk; 2, turnips; 1, barley; 1, late vegetables; 1, late
cabbages ; 1, grapes ; 1, cauliflower ; 1, cucumbers ; and
1, strawberries.

Peofits of the Season.

There appears to be a wide variation of opinion as to
whether the season has been a profitable one. The general
determination would appear to be against its having been
profitable. Some of the reasons given are the prolonged
drought, short crops, low prices, and especially the high price
of grain and other supplies. Of the 120 correspondents
answering this question, only 1 considers the season to have
been unusually profitable; 14 call it an average season for
profit ; 18 say that it was fairly profitable ; 35, that it was a
profitable season ; while 11 say that it was below the average
for profit ; and 41 flatly state that it was not a profitable
season.

Effects of Deought.

The prolonged drought seems to have had very little effect
upon vegetation, crops generally having progressed so far as
to be beyond its worst influences. It undoubtedly shortened

13

the growth and reduced the size of late vegetables, but other-
wise had little effect on crops. The streams, springs and
wells were very low at the time of making returns, many
having failed altogether. A large number of farmers were
forced to draw water long distances, for both stock and
domestic uses. The rains of the last week of the month had
a beneficial effect, but much more precipitation is needed to
replenish the underground water supply and again fill the
springs and wells which have failed. The condition still
continues to be serious, from the farm standpoint.

14

l!^OTES OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(Returned to us October 27.)

BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — There was an extra heavy-
corn crop, which is nearly housed. Root crops have turned out well.
Stock is in fair condition. On account of dry weather, fall seeding
makes little show. There is much call for potatoes, at good prices.
People here consider corn the most profitable crop this year. Farmers
in this vicinity have had a profitable year. Streams and springs have
gone dry in many instances.

Lee (A. Bradley). — The corn crop is 100 in value, when compared
with the normal. Farm stock is in bang-up condition. Prices for
.crops raised for market have ranged about 5 per cent below former
years. Hay has been our most profitable crop and apples our least
profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has been a profitable
one. Vegetation has suffered somewhat from drought, and springs and
streams considerably.

West Stockbridge (J. S. Moore). — The quahty and price received
for the corn crop is much above the normal. Root crops have been
below the average, especially potatoes. Farm stock is in good condi-
tion. Fall seeding is not as forward as it should be, owing to drought.
Prices for crops raised for market have been higher than usual. Hay,
now selling from $16 to $20 per ton, has been our most profitable
crop, and corn next. Potatoes have been our least profitable crop.
The season has been a profitable one for our farmers. The drought
has kept seeding back and cut off fall feed. In many cases farmers
have been obliged to haul water one or two miles, or drive stock to
streams once or twice daily.

Tyringham (Edward H. Slater). — The corn crop has been better
than the average. Root crops have done well the past season. Farm
stock is not in as good condition as usual, owing to dry weather. Fall
seeding is looking well. Prices for crops raised for market have been
a little below those of previous years. The hay crop has been the
most profitable one for our farmers, and potatoes the least profitable.
Considered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one. The
drought has had some effect on vegetation, and springs and streams
are very low. •

15

Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon). — The corn crop is above the
average in value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock
is in very good condition. Very little fall seeding has been done, and
dry weather has prevented growth. Prices for crops raised for market
are up to the average. Hay and corn have been our most profitable
crops, and potatoes and barley our least profitable ones. Considered
as a whole, the season has been a profitable one for our farmers. Vege-
tation looks brown and dead; streams and springs are very low and
half of them dry.

Hancock (B. H. Goodrich). — The corn crop is more valuable than
usual, especially the stover. Farm stock is in normal condition. Fall
seeding has been injured by drought. The prices for crops raised for
market have been above normal. Corn has been oiu* most profitable
crop, and apples our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the
season has been about an average one for profit. Springs and wells
are very low, but have not failed to any extent.

Hinsdale (Thos. F. Barker). — The corn crop is not over half the
normal in value. Root crops are not up to the average, and are little
raised. Farm stock is not in good condition, the drought having been
too severe. No fall seeding has been done. Prices for crops raised for
market are about average. Oats and potatoes have been our most
profitable crops, and apples our least profitable one. Considered as
a whole, the season has not been an average one for profit. Vegetation
has suffered a great deal from drought, and many farmers have to draw
water for their stock.

Windsor (Harry A. Ford). — The corn crop was never better. Root
crops are up to the average. Farm stock is looking well, but has to be
watered in some cases. Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for
market crops have been up to the average. Potatoes have been our
most profitable crop. Considered as a whole, the season has been
a profitable one. Some springs and wells are dry that have never
failed before.

Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — The corn crop is above the normal.
Root crops are normal crops. Farm stock is looking well, considering
the fall drought. Fall seeding is not up to the average. Prices for
crops raised for market have been well sustained. The hay crop is
our leading and most profitable crop, and the potato crop seems to
have been the least profitable. The season as a whole has been all
that our farmers could ^sk for. The effect of the drought on streams
is very marked; vegetation had so matured that no effects were per-
ceivable.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Monroe (David H. Sherman). — Corn is httle raised here, but is a
very good crop. All root crops yield well, and are of fine quality.
Farm stock is looking well, though drought has pinched pastures.
Prices for crops raised for market have ranged above the average. Hay

16

and potatoes have been our most profitable crops, and apples our least
profitable one. The season has been a profitable one, considered as a
whole. Vegetation has stood the drought very well, but streams,
springs and wells are very low.

Charlemont (J. M. J. Legate). — Yield and price taken into account,
the corn crop is double the normal in value. Root crops are little
raised. Stock will come into the barns thin in flesh, owing to the
drought. Fall seeding is in very poor condition, owing to drought.
Prices for crops raised for market are fully up to the average. Hay
has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
Owing to the drought and the high prices of grain, the season has not
been a profitable one. Streams are very low, and springs and wells
are drying up; fields are brown, and a week's steady rain is needed.

Gill (F. F. Stoughton). — The corn crop is above the normal in
value. Root crops are not much raised. Fall seeding is good on moist
land, and poor elsewhere. Farm stock is in good condition. Corn is
our most profitable crop, and potatoes and winter apples our least
profitable one. Streams and springs are low, although we have not
suffered as much as in some localities.

Ashfield (Albert Howes). — Corn is ten per cent above the normal
in value. But few root crops are raised, and they are hardly up to the
average. Farm stock is not in as good condition as usual. Fall seed-
ing does not look well, owing to dry weather. Prices for crops raised
for market are about average, and some a httle better. Apples have
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the season has been about normal for profit,
although the high prices of grain have cut profits on dairy products.
The drought has been severely felt, though not as much as in surround-
ing towns.

Deer field (D wight A. Hawkes). — The value of the corn crop is
above the normal. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding
is in good condition. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and
potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season
has been a profitable one. The drought has not hurt vegetation, and
while water is low, we still have plenty.

Montague (A. M. Lyman). — The corn crop is much above the aver-
age in value. Root crops are fairly profitable. Farm stock is in good
condition where it has been fed from the barn. Fall seeding looks
well, and it has been a good time to re-seed low lands. Prices for
crops raised for market have not been as good as usual. Corn has
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the season has hardly been an average one for
profit. The drought shortened rowen and fall feed, and many streams,
springs and wells are very low.

Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — The corn crop is fully one-fourth above
the normal in value. There was a very large yield of roots, but the

17

drought has kept them small. Farm stock is looking well. Fall seed-
ing is very backward, owing to the drought. Prices for crops raised
for market are above the normal. Corn and potatoes have been our
most profitable crops, and hay and oats our least profitable ones.
Considered as a whole, the season has been profitable; our staple
product, potatoes, brought very high prices. The drought is the worst
for twenty-five years.

Erving (Charles F. Clark). — The value of the corn crop is greater
than the normal. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock
is in good condition. Fall seeding is rather poor. Prices for crops
raised for market are rather poor. Hay and corn have been our most
profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as
a whole, the season has been a fairly profitable one. Vegetation, wells,
springs and streams have been badly affected by drought.

Orange (A. C. White). — The corn crop is good, and prices high.
Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is not up to the
standard in condition, and shows the effect of short pastures. But
little fall seeding has been done, on accoimt of lack of rain. The
weather has been ideal for secm-ing crops, but does not balance the
effect of the drought. Wells and springs that never before failed have
given out, and streams are very low.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Ware (J. H. Fletcher). — The corn crop is above the normal in
value, as it is high in price. Farm stock is in very good condition.
Not as much fall seeding has been done as in former years, because
of drought, but some are seeding now. Prices for crops raised for
market have been up to the normal. Hay and corn have been our
most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one. Streams,
springs and wells are very low.

Greenwich (W. H. Glazier). — The corn crop is fully 100 in value.
Root crops are not grown to any amount. Farm stock is looking well,
many having been fed at the barn for some time. But little seeding
has been done this fall; what there is is looking well. Potatoes are
selling for 90 cents a bushel, being our chief money crop. Hay, corn
and potatoes have been our most profitable crops. The season has
been a fairly profitable one. Streams are very low, springs dry in
some cases and wells giving out.

Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — The corn crop is 10 per cent above the
normal in value. Root crops are good average crops. Farm stock is
generally in fair condition. Fall seeding shows a good stand. Prices
have been fair for crops grown for market. Corn and grass have been
our most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has not been a profitable one. Streams
are low, and some springs and many wells are dry.

18

A7nherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The corn crop is much above the
normal in value, the acreage being large, the yield heavy and price
high. Root crops are unimportant here, but show average yields.
Fall seeding is poor as a rule, having either not started at all or made
but httle growth. Potatoes bring high prices ; other crops rather low,
especially squashes. Onions, tobacco (if it sells as anticipated), corn
and hay have been our most profitable crops; potatoes have generally
been our least profitable crop. Considered as a whole, the season has
been a profitable one for our farmers. The drought has made pastures
short and rowen light ; streams and springs are low.

HadJey (H. C. Russell). — The corn crop is 10 per cent above the
average in value. Root crops are average crops. Stock is coming in
from pasture in poor condition. Fall seeding is below the average,
owing to dry weather. Prices for market crops have averaged about
as usual ; potatoes are higher, owing to short crop. Onions have been
our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one. Streams were
never so low, and wells and springs have given out in some cases.

Easthampton (Wm. C. Clapp). — The corn crop is about normal in
value. Root crops are good on moist land. Farm stock is looking well.
Fall seeding is looking well on low lands, but has dried up on uplands.
Hay, corn and onions have been our most profitable crops, and potatoes
and late cabbages our least profitable ones. Considered as a whole,
the season is hardly up to the average for profit. Vegetation in pas-
tures is dried up, and streams, springs and wells are low.

Westhampton (Levi Burt). — Corn is fully average in value. Root
crops are not raised to any extent. Farm stock is looking well. Fall
seeding is in excellent condition. Prices for market crops are fully up
to the average. Corn has been our most profitable crop. It is hard
to selecf the least profitable one ; there is no great profit in any. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one. Streams,
wells and springs are very low, and many have to draw water from a
distance.

Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The corn crop is very near the normal
in value. Root crops are good average crops. Farm stock is in good
condition. Fall seeding looks well on moist land. Prices for crops
raised for market have averaged about as usual. Hay is our most
profitable crop, though light. Considering the scarcity and high price
of help, the season has not been a profitable one. Vegetation, streams,
springs and wells are all below par, and many are carting water for
home and barn use.

Middlefield (J. T. Bryan). — The corn crop is above the average in
value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
excellent condition. No fall seeding has been done, owing to dry
weather. All crops have brought good prices. Hay has been our most
profitable crop. Considered as a whole, the season has been a profit-

19

able one. Vegetation has suffered from drought, but not enough to
seriously affect crops. Streams, springs and wells are low, but there
has been little hardship from this as yet.

HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Blandford (Ends W. Boise). — Corn has seldom been a better or
more valuable crop. Root crops are not up to the average. What
little fall seeding has been done is in poor condition. Farm stock is
in fair condition. Prices on all farm crops have been fairly satisfactory.
Grass and corn have been our most profitable crops, and apples and
potatoes the least profitable. As a rule, farmers should not complain
of the season. Drought has stunted vegetation, streams are very low
and many springs and wells dry.

Russell (E. D. Parks). — The corn crop is fully up to the average in
value. Root crops are below the average. Farm stock is not in very
good condition. Fall seeding is not starting well, on account of dry
weather. Prices for crops grown for market have been up to the
average. Hay and corn have been our most profitable crops, and
potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season
has been a profitable one. The drought has been very severe, and
cows are not producing milk and butter up to the average.

Agawam (J. G. Burt). — The corn crop is the best we have had for
some time. Root crops are not quite up to the average. Farm stock
is in good condition. Some fall seeding is good, and some has suffered
from drought. Prices for crops raised for market are about the same
as usual. Hay, corn and potatoes have been our most profitable crops,
and root crops the least profitable. The season has been a profitable
one. Streams and wells are very low, and some have dried up. To-
bacco is a good crop, but is not yet sold.

West Springfield (T. A. Rogers). — Corn is high in price, and the
crop fully up to the normal in value. Root crops are about average
crops. Farm stock is generally looking well. Fall seeding is growing
slowly, on account of drought. All crops have sold above the average.
Hay has been our most profitable crop, and fruit, especially apples, our
least profitable one. The season is hardly up to the average for profits.
Late vegetables suffered somewhat from drought, but streams and
springs are not as low as would be expected.

Chicupee (E. L. Shaav). — Corn is well eared and ripened, and is a
Uttle above normal in value. All roots are fair crops. Farm stock is
looking well. Fall seeding is slow in starting and uneven. Prices for
market crops have ranged about as usual. Hay and corn have been
our most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. The
market has been slow, and the season not a profitable one. Vegetation
has not suffered much from drought; streams and springs are low, but
every one has water enough,

20

Ludlow (Chas. B. Bennett), — The corn crop is above the average
in value. Root crops have proved to be up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in very good condition. Hardly any fall seeding has
been done, and little of it has come up. Hay has been our most
profitable crop. Potatoes are but haK a crop, and of poor quality.
The season has been about an average one for profit. Streams are
very low, but the drought came too late to harm vegetation.

East Longmeadow (John L. Davis). — The corn crop must be a third
above the normal in value. Root crops are not over 50 per cent of the
normal. Farm stock is in good condition, except young stock. Fall
seeding is in worse condition than ever in my experience. Corn has
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
The season has not been a profitable one. Vegetation is burned from
drought, streams are low and springs dry.

Wilbraham (Henry M. Bliss). — The corn crop is fully up to the
normal in value. Potatoes are 60 per cent of an average; other root
crops 80. Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in very
poor condition. Corn and garden crops have been our most profitable
crops, and apples and potatoes our least profitable ones. The season
has not been a profitable one. The drought has checked the growth
of all vegetation.

Palmer (0. P. Allen). — The corn crop is about 10 per cent below
the normal in value. Root crops are rather below the average. Farm
stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in poor condition. Prices
for crops raised for market are somewhat higher than usual. Corn has
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the season has not been quite as profitable as
usual. The drought has had a bad effect upon late vegetation, and
streams, springs and wells are badly affected.

WORCESTER COUNTY.

Brookfield (Frank E. Prouty). — The corn crop is excellent in this
vicinity. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
good condition. Fall seeding is in fair condition, but the dry weather
has checked it. Prices for market crops are about average. Hay has
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one.
Considered as a whole, the season has been about an average one for
profit. Drought has checked vegetation, and streams and springs are
low.

West Brookfield (Myron A. Richardson). — The corn crop is the
best for years. Root crops, except field turnips, have been more than
normal crops. Farm stock has done well, and is in good condition.
Fall seeding started well, but has been at a standstill, for want of rain.
Prices for crops raised for market are about as usual. The corn crop
has been our most profitable crop, and field turnips our least profitable

21

one. The season has been an unusually profitable one. Drought has
affected pastures, and streams are low, but no great injury has been
done by it.

New Braintree (Charles D. Sages). — Corn is better than usual.
Root crops are little grown. Farm stock is not in quite as good con-
dition as usual, owing to the drought. Very little fall seeding has been
done. Prices for market crops are about average. Hay, corn and oats
have been our most profitable crops, and apples our least profitable
one. Considered as a whole, the season is fairly profitable. Streams
have held out very well, and the dry weather affected pastures and
mowings very little.

Barre (John L. Smith), — The corn crop is 10 per cent above the
normal in value. Farm stock is thin in flesh. Little fall seeding has
been done, on account of dry weather. Hay and corn have been our
most profitable crops, and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been an average one for profit.
Vegetation has made little growth; streams and springs very low, but
few failures.

Royalston (C. A. Stimson). — The corn crop is 95 per cent of the
normal in value. Root crops are not up to the usual average. Farm
stock is in poor condition. Fall seeding is in very poor condition.
Crops raised for market have brought good prices. Corn has been
our most profitable crop, and beans and potatoes our least profitable
ones. Everything is dried up from the prolonged drought.

Princeton (A. O. Tyler). — The corn crop is about normal in value.
Root crops are up to the usual average. Farrn stock is not quite as
good as usual, owing to the unfavorable season. Fall seeding is about
in average condition. Prices for crops raised for market have been
very low, except for potatoes. Potatoes and corn have been our most
profitable crops, and squashes and cabbages our least profitable ones.
Considered as a whole, the season has not been a profitable one. Wells
and streams are drying up, but vegetation has not suffered very much,

Hubbardston (Chas. C. Colby). — The corn crop is the best for sev-
eral years. Root crops are very good. Stock will come to the barns
in good condition. Early fall seeding is looking finely. Prices for
market crops have been about the average for the past few years. Hay
and corn have been our most profitable crops, and potatoes our least
profitable one. In the dairy section the season has not been satis-
factory. Our farmers are complaining of shortage of water supply.

Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — Root crops are average yields.
Drought has held fall seeding back. Prices for crops raised for market
have been average. Fruits have been our most profitable crops, and
potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season
has been fairly profitable. The usual growth of vegetation is some-
what lacking; fruit buds are not abundant upon apples and pears;
streams, springs and wells are imusually low.

22

Sterling (Henry F. Sawyer). — The corn crop is 90 per cent of the
normal in value. Root crops are 25 per cent below the normal. Stock
is generally looking well. On account of the dry weather, fall seeding
will generally prove a failure. Prices for crops are about average, with
potatoes a little higher. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and
potatoes our least profitable one. The season has been below the
average for profit. Crops suffered for want of rain, and streams are
low and wells dry.

Bolton (H. F. Haynes). — The corn crop is fully up to the normal
in value. Farm stock is in very good condition. Fall seeding looks
well, considering the dry weather. Prices for crops raised for market
have been full average. Hay has been our most profitable crop. The
season has been a profitable one. Small brooks are dry, many wells
have given out, and many farmers have trouble to get water for their
stock.

Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — Sweet corn sold very low, and there
was less ensilage raised than usual. Root crops have given good yields,
but low prices. Farm stock is in fair to good condition. Fall seeding
is looking well on moist land. As a whole, prices have ruled lower
than for a number of years. Fruit has given the best return, especially
strawberries, and potatoes were our least profitable crop. The season
has not been a profitable one, owing to slow sales and low prices.
Water is rather low, but we have not had much trouble, and vegetation
has not suffered as much as would be expected.

Northborough (J. K. Mills). — The corn crop is above normal in
value. All roots have grown well. Stock is in very good condition,
with few exceptions. Fall seeding has not done as well as usual, owing
to drought. Prices for crops raised for market have been lower than
for the past two years. Corn, potatoes, asparagus, cabbage, onions,
peaches, tomatoes and peas have been our most profitable crops.
Apples, squashes, beets, carrots, turnips, sweet corn, shell beans and
grapes have been our least profitable crops. The season has been
profitable, in the sense that our farmers have made both ends meet.
Streams and wells are very low; pastures and mowings are very dry.

Mendon (J. J. Nutter). — The corn crop is fully up to the average.
Root crops are not quite up to the average. Farm stock is in very
good condition. Fall seeding is not very good, owing to the drought.
Prices for crops raised for market are fully up to the average. Hay
has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season has been about the same as usual for profit, but not
what it should be.

Blackstone (O. F. Fuller). — The corn crop is worth considerably
more than last year. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm
stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding is in good condition. The
prices of some crops have been a little higher than usual. There is a
difference of opinion as to the most and least profitable crops. The

23

season has not been profitable, owing to the high price of grain and
feed stuffs. On the farms there is a good supply of water, but in the
village it is short.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — The corn crop is above the normal
in value. Root crops are not up to the average. Stock kept in the
barn looks well, but those coming in from pastures are thin in flesh.
Fall seeding has not made much growth, owing to drought. Prices
of crops raised for market are rather higher than usual. Corn has
been our most profitable crop, and potatoes and root crops oiir least
profitable ones. The season has not been remarkably profitable, the
corn crop being the bright feature. Everything is dry, with a big D.

Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The corn crop is fully up to the normal
in value. Root crops are average crops. Farm stock is in good con-
dition. Fall seeding needs rain to start. Potatoes are somewhat
higher in price than usual ; squashes cheaper ; other crops about aver-
age. Peaches have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our
least profitable one. The drought has been unusually severe.

Sudbury (Edgae W. Goodnow). — The corn crop is about up to the
average. Root crops are below the average. Farm stock is looking
well. Fall seeding is in need of rain. Crops for market have sold low,
compared with former years. Celery and onions have been our most
profitable crops, and tomatoes and sweet corn our least profitable ones.
Wells and springs are running dry.

Stow (Geo. W. Bradley). — The corn crop is a little above the aver-
age in value. Root crops are not as good as in some years. Farm
stock is not quite up to the average. Very little fall seeding has been
done, and it does not look very well. Crops have sold well, about as
in former years. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and hay and
potatoes our least profitable ones. Considered as a whole, the season
has been a profitable one. Vegetation is very dry, and the water supply
is getting quite low in most places.

Westford (J. Willard Thatcher). — Corn is a very good crop here.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in poor condition.
Prices for crops raised for market are below the average. Berries
have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable
one. The season has not been a profitable one. Wells are all dry and
streams are very low.

Townsend (G. A. Wilder). — The corn crop is about normal in value.
Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in good condi-
tion. Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices for crops raised for
market are little higher than usual. Fruit has been our most profit-
able crop. Considered as a whole, the season has been a profitable
one. Springs and wells are very low. Fruit, etc., ripened too early
and is not keeping well.

Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — The corn crop is above the normal in

24

value. Root crops have generally proved about average crops. Farm
stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is very backward, because of
drought. Crops raised for market have sold lower than in former
years. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. Not much profit, beyond a hving, is expected from
farming in this section. Vegetation has ripened prematurely, and
streams and springs are unusually low; some wells are dry, and others
nearly so.

Concord (Wm. H. Hunt). — The corn crop is a httle below the aver-
age in value. Root crops are rather below the average. Farm stock
is in good condition, having been fed at the barn. Prices for crops
raised for market are not quite up to the average. Asparagus and
strawberries have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes, apples
and cabbages our least profitable ones. The season has not been a
profitable one, as a whole. Springs and wells were never so low.
Fall seeding has suffered severely. Cabbages and cauliflowers have
not filled out as they should.

Winchester (S. S. Symmes). — No Indian corn is raised here. Root
crops are not quite up to the average. All stock has been fed in the
barn for weeks. Fall seeding has not made much growth. Prices are
very much lower than ever before. Sweet corn has been our most
profitable crop, and cauliflower our least profitable one. Hardly a
farmer in this section has paid expenses. Savoy cabbage are nearly
a total failure. Brooks and springs dry for weeks past. The drought
has been favorable to insect pests.

Newton (G. L. Marcy). — Root crops are not up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is late. Prices for crops
raised for market are lower than usual. The season has not been a
profitable one for our farmers. The Charles River is very low. The
season has been a very trying one, with two severe droughts, and low
prices, while grain and labor remain high.

ESSEX COUNTY.

Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — The corn crop is 25 per cent
above the normal in value. Root crops are not up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in good condition, considering the dry season. Fall
seeding is in poor condition, owing to dry weather. Prices average
about as in former years; No. 1 Baldwin apples bring $1 . 75 per barrel,
squashes $5 to $7 a ton. Hay and corn are our most profitable crops,
and potatoes our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the
season is an average one for profit. Vegetation has suffered from
drought on some land; streams have mostly dried up, springs are very
low and many wells are dry.

Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — Corn is at least 25 per cent above the
normal in value. Root crops are below the usual average. Farm
stock is generally thin in flesh, and in low milking condition. Fall

25

seeding is uneven, because of drought. Prices for market crops have
been satisfactory. Our farmers carry on a mixed business, — dairy-
ings fruits and vegetables; and it is hard to tell which have paid the
most profit, if profit has been realized. The season has not been a
profitable one, as the cost of production and small yield have made the
margin small.

Groveland (A. S. Longfellow). — There is an unusually good crop
of corn. Root crops are below the average, on account of drought.
Farm stock is in good condition. Prices for crops raised for market
are rather lower than in previous years. Fall seeding is in very poor
condition, much seed failing to germinate. Corn, hay and apples have
been our most profitable crops, and potatoes and tomatoes our least
profitable ones. The season has been profitable for dairymen, and
not so good for market gardeners. All streams, springs and wells
are very low.

Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Corn is little raised, except for the silo,
but is in good condition. Root crops are below the average. Farm
stock is rather thin in flesh, as a rule. Fall seeding germinated slowly
and is backward, but is looking well. Prices for crops raised for market
have been low, though yields are small. Sweet corn, squashes, beets
and hay have been our most profitable crops, and cabbages, carrots,
tomatoes and milk our least profitable ones. The season has not been
a profitable one, up to date. I do not remember any time when the
streams and ponds were lower, but we have managed to squeeze
through.

Danvers (Chas. H. Preston). — There is nearly an average crop of
corn. Root crops are not up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
good condition. Fall seeding is in good condition. Prices as a whole
have been lower than the average. Considered as a whole, the season
has not been a profitable one. Nearly all crops were affected by
drought; streams, springs and wells are either very low or dry.

NORFOLK COUNTY.

Stoughton (Charles F. Curtis). — The value of the corn crop is
about 20 per cent higher than the normal. Root crops are fully up to
the average. Farm stock is in fair condition. Fall seeding has come
up and is growing exceedingly well, in spite of the drought. Crops
raised for market brought the usual prices. Hay has been our most
profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. The season has
been a fairly profitable one. The town has not suffered much from
drought, though a few wells have gone dry.

Canton (Edwin V. Kinsley). — Corn is above the average, both as
grain and fodder. Root crops are not quite up to the average. Farm
stock is in fair to excellent condition. Fall seeding is late and back-
ward in growth. Prices for crops raised for market are fully up to the
average. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our

26

least profitable one. The season has hardly been an average one for
profit. Wells are low, streams have dried up and springs are low.
Milk is a little short.

Westwood (Henry E. Weatherbee). — The corn crop is above the
normal. Root crops are not up to the average. Farm stock is in very
good condition. Fall seeding is not in very good condition, owing to
the drought. Prices for crops raised for market have been a fair aver-
age. Tomatoes have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our
least profitable one. The season has not been a profitable one. Sj^rings,
streams and wells are very low and vegetation very dry.

Walpole (Edward L. Shepard). • — The corn crop is about 85 per
cent of the normal in value. Root crops are not good average crops.
Farm stock is in fairly good condition. Fall seeding is about normal.
Prices are about as usual. No one has made more than a living at
farming this season. Crops have done fairly well, in spite of the
drought, but springs and wells are dry for the first time in twenty-five
years.

Franklin (C. M. Allen). — Corn is very high and above the normal
in value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
fine condition. Owing to the drought, fall seeding has made a poor
showing. Crops raised for market are above the average in price.
Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profit-
able one. Help has been so high that there has been no profit in
farming. The drought has done less damage than in many other years.

Bellingham (John J. O' Sullivan). — The corn crop is above the
average in value. Root crops are up to the usual avei'age. Farm
stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in fair condition, but needs
rain badly. Prices for market crops have been about the same as
usual. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has been an average
one for profit. Everything is badly dried up.

BRISTOL COUNTY.

Mansfield (Wm. C. Winter). — The corn crop is presumably above
the normal in value. Root crops are good average crops. Farm stock
is generally in good condition. Fall seeding is coming along well, what
little has been done. Potatoes and corn bring higher prices than
usual, other crops about as usual. Hay has been our most profitable
crop, and apples our least profitable one. The season is about an aver-
age one for profit. Streams and wells are now quite low, but the
drought is doing httle damage to vegetation.

Dighton (Howard C. Briggs). — The corn crop is 25 per cent above
the normal in value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm
stock is in average condition. Fall seeding is poor except on very low
ground. Prices for crops raised for market are lower than usual.
Strawberries are our most profitable crop, and tomatoes our least

27

profitable one. The severe drought has made the season unprofitable.
Vegetation is dead, and wells and streams dry.

Stcansea (F. G. Arnold). — The corn crop is much above the average
as grain and forage. Turnips are small on account of dry weather.
Farm stock is in good condition. Early sown fields show good fall
seeding, but it is backward on late sown fields. Potatoes bring about
the same prices as last year, while all other crops are lower. Late
potatoes, early cabbages and early tomatoes were our most profitable
crops, and early potatoes and late cabbages our least profitable ones.
The season has not been a profitable one. Pastures are very dry, and
springs, streams and wells are low.

Westport (Albert S. Sherman). — The corn crop is our most profit-
able one. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
fine condition. Fall seeding is in fine condition. Prices for crops
raised for market are about average. Hay has been our most profitable
crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. The season has been fairly
profitable to our farmers. The drought is not severe, though a few
springs and wells are dry and all are low.

Acushnet (M. S. Douglas). — The corn crop is up to the normal in
value. Root crops are average crops. Farm stock is in good con-
dition, though some have been obliged to feed at the barn. Fall seed-
ing is backward, on account of dry weather. Prices for crops raised
for market are below the average, owing, no doubt, to the depression
in business. Hay has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our
least profitable one. As a general thing, the season has not been a
profitable one. High land is completely dried up, and some wells and
springs are dry.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Norwell (Henry A. Turner). — The corn crop is about normal in
value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in-
fairly good condition. Fall seeding is in fairly good condition. Prices
for crops raised for market are about the same as usual. Strawberries
and cauliflowers have been our most profitable crops, and potatoes
and apples our least profitable ones. Considered as a whole, the season
has been fairly profitable. Streams, springs and wells are very low,
and farmers are carting water.

Hanover (Harrison L. House). — The corn crop is of normal value.
Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in good con-
dition. Fall seeding is in fair condition. Prices for crops raised for
market have been the same as usual. Corn and cabbages have been
our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. Con-
sidered as a whole, the season has been fairly profitable. Vegetation
has not suffered much from drought; streams, springs and wells are
very low.

Bridgewater (R. Cass). — The corn crop is one-fourth greater in value
than the normal. Root crops are fair average crops. Farm stock is

28

in good condition. "What little fall seeding has been done is above the
average. Prices for market crops have ruled lower than usual. Corn
is our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable one. The
season is not a profitable one for our farmers. Streams, springs and
wells that were never known to fail before are dry, making necessary
the carting of water for household uses and for cattle.

Halifax (Mrs. G. W. Haywaed). — Corn is a good crop, well ripened,
and brings a high price. Root crops are not up to the usual average.
Farm stock is in quite good condition. FaU seeding is in poor con-
dition, because of drought. Potatoes bring high prices. Potatoes
and hay have been our most profitable crops. The season has not
been as profitable as some, but is fairly profitable. Everything is dry.

Plympton (Winthrop Fillebrown). — The corn crop is not quite
up to the normal. Root crops on low ground have done very well.
Farm stock is in good condition. Fall seeding is in excellent condition.
Prices of market crops have advanced very slightly above former years.
Hay has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profit-
able one. If it were not for the high price of grain, this would be a
very profitable year. Vegetation has withstood the drought wonder-
fully; streams and springs are very low.

Carver (J. A. Vaughan). — The corn crop is a valuable one. Root
crops are not up to the average. Farm stock is in good condition.
FaU seeding is in fair condition. Cranberries are our most profitable
crop, and this crop, together with cutting, sawing and marketing pine
lumber, makes employment for nearly all our inhabitants. Considered
as a whole, the season has been a profitable one.

Rochester (Geo. H. Randall). — The corn crop is about an average
crop in value. Root crops are nearly average. Farm stock is generally
in good condition. Early seeding very good; late seeding poor, on
account of drought. Prices of crops raised for market are a full aver-
age. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least
profitable one. The balance for the season seems to be on the wrong
side. Vegetation has suffered from drought, streams are nearly dry,
and springs and wells very low.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Bourne (David D. Nye). — The corn crop is a little above the normal
in value. Root crops are up to the usual average. Farm stock is in
very good condition. Very little fall seeding has been done, but that
put in looks well. The prices for crops raised for market are better
than usual. Potatoes and corn have been our most profitable crops,
and hay our least profitable one. The season has been fairly profitable.
There has been a shortage of vegetation, caused by the drought.

Mashpee (W. F. Hammond). — The corn crop is an average one.
Root crops are about average. Farm stock is in good condition to begin
the winter. Fall seeding looks well. Prices for market crops have been

29

above the average. The cranberry crop has been our most profitable
one, and potatoes our least profitable crop. Our farmers have just
about held their own. The drought has been a great detriment to the
crops; ponds, streams and springs are the lowest they have been for
fifty years.

Barnstable (John Bursley). — The corn crop is 20 per cent above
the normal in value. Root crops are good average crops. Farm stock
is in good condition. Early fall seeding is looking well, but late sown
looks poorly. Crops are fully up to the average in price. Cranberries
have been our most profitable crop, and potatoes our least profitable
one. Considered as a whole, the season has been profitable. All
mowings have suffered greatly from the drought; springs and wells
are low. We expect to harvest a fair crop of Cape turnips.

Dennis (Joshua Crowell). — The corn crop is above the normal in
value. Root crops are below the average. Farm stock is in fair
condition. Very little fall seeding has been done; condition below
the average. Prices for crops raised for market are about as last year.
Potatoes have been our least profitable crop. The season has not been
a profitable one. Wells, ponds and springs are very low, and all crops,
with the exception of corn, have suffered from drought. The cran-
berry crop is not more than one-third of a normal crop. Prices have
been fair, but not quite so good as last year.

Harwich (Ambrose N. Doane). — The corn crop is much better than
usual. Root crops are average crops. Farm stock is in fair condition.
Prices for crops raised for market are higher than usual. Cranberries
have been our most profitable crop, and grass our least profitable one.
The season has not been profitable. The drought has done a great deal
of damage ; springs and ponds never were as low as at present.

Truro (John B. Dyer). — Not enough corn is raised to be men-
tioned. Turnips and beets are average crops. Farm stock is fully up
to the average in condition. Fall seeding is in poor condition, on
accoimt of having no rain. Prices for market crops are about the
same as usual. Garden truck has been most profitable for us, and
potatoes our least profitable crop. The season is hardly up to the
average for profit. Fall pasturage and vegetation in general have
suffered from drought. The price of cranberries has ruled higher than
last year, but the crop has been light.

DUKES COUNTY.

West Tisbury (Geo. Hunt Luge). — The corn crop is below the
normal in value. Root crops are below the average. Farm stock is
in good condition. Prices for crops raised for market are much higher
than formerly. Corn has been our most profitable crop, and potatoes
our least profitable one. Considered as a whole, the season has been
xmprofitable. Springs are very low and vegetation below average,
owing to drought.

30

BULLETIN OF

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE.

By Prof. F. A. Waugh, Professor of Horticulture, AIassachu.setts Agricultural

College.

Hem-y "Ward Beecher is generally credited with the saj-ing that
doubtless God might have made a better fruit than the strawberry,
but doubtless God never did. This curious remark would never have
kept in circulation so long had it not met viiih popular approval. In
reahty this seems to express the settled judgment of a large section
of the .American people. The strawberry is indeed one of our most
popular fruits. It is abundantly used by every one, from the honest
laborer to the malefactor of great wealth.

Probably statistics would show that the consumption of straw-
berries per capita is larger in Massachusetts than in any other State
in the Union. This State has an unusually large population of well-
paid laborers, artisans, clerks and other good, homely, honest people,
generally comprised under the term "the great middle class." These
are precisely the people who are the best customers for all classes of
fruits. They constitute the great strawberry market.

With such a market at our ver}' doors, it is strange that strawberry
growing has not developed into a larger industry in Massachusetts.
As a matter of fact, many carloads of berries are shipped here every
year. These shipments are not confined to the early spring months,
before the local crop is read}', but they continue throughout the sea-
son, when Massachusetts berries are being harvested. All through
our own berry season car-lot shipments are coming forward from the
Hudson River section and from Oswego, N. Y. This indicates clearly
that our own growers have not yet occupied the home market.

The reason for this is not altogether clear. If there were a large
margin of profit in the growing of strawberries doubtless it would not
take long to develop sufficiently extensive plantations within the
State to supply the home demand. It is certainly true that a good
many growers have not found the strawberry business profitable.
Nevertheless, on the face of the returns, it would seem that farmers,

31

fruit growers and market gardeners favorably located with respect to
soil and shipping faciUties would find a paying opportunity in the
growing of strawberries.

There is another side of the question also to be considered, namely,
the growing of berries for home use. More than almost any other
fruit, the strawberry suffers by being shipped and roughly handled
in markets. The fresh berries out of one's own garden, thorouglily-
ripened on the vines, picked in the cool of the morning, and eaten
at noon with plenty of Jersey cream, — these are what make hfe worth
hving and a national inquiry into the status of the farmers' appetite
unnecessary. It certainly is a fact that more attention should be given
in Massachusetts to the growing of strawberries for home use.

Soils and Localities.

Strawberries can be successfully grown in every to^ni in ^lassa-
chusetts, so far as climate and locahty are concerned, — that is,
wherever a reasonably good soil is available. The strawberry plant
is not extremely fastidious in the matter of soil. Any land which will
produce good garden crops, especially good potatoes, will answer for
strawberries. A rich, friable, warm loam is best ; but even hea\'y clay
or sandy soil ivill grow strawberries if sufficient care is taken.

The soil should be in a reasonably good state of cultivation before
the plants are set out. It is considered bad practice to plant on newly
broken sod land. If strawberries can follow corn, celery, tomatoes
or other well-cultivated garden crops good results may be expected.
If the plants are to be put out in spring, as is the usual practice, the
land should be deeply plowed in fall and left to weather through the
winter.

How TO GET THE PlANTS,

Doubtless the simplest way to get strawberry plants is to buy them
of a good nurseryman. This is a perfectly safe proposition and noth-
ing need be said against it. At the. same time, many persons prefer to
grow their own plants, and where this practice can be followed it is
certainly to be recommended. In our experience, we have found a
certain danger in bu}-ing plants, even from the very best of nursery-
men. In the first place, it is not always possible to get the varieties
wanted nor to get the plants when wanted; and, what is more serious,
plants frequently suffer more or less damage in shipment. Even when
packed in the very best manner they dry out more or less ; or, if they
do not dry out, they may mold or heat. These difficulties may be
entirel}' avoided by growing one's own plants.

The importance of beginning with strong, vigorous, one-year-old
plants cannot be too much emphasized. The weak, diseased plants,
some minus roots, some ininus crowns, and some two years old,
sent out by bogus nurser}Tnen, are not worth planting. A two-}'ear-
old plant wliich has once borne fruit is not fit to transplant; yet

32

a considerable percentage of cheap plants offered every year on the
market and taken from old fruiting beds are these two-year-old, worth-
less stock.

The simplest and surest way of getting plants is to take them from
the sides of the fruiting rows. Each plant sends out runners doi'ing
the year which form new plants at each joint. If these new plants
become estabhshed in deep, rich soil, they will make strong roots and
crowns. The strawberry grower, thus carefully selecting along his
own strawberry rows, can secure such plants as he desires. These
plants may be taken out in spring just at the time of transplanting.

Fig. 1. — A New Strawberry Field in a Clearing in the Woods.

We have found it rather better, however, to take them up during the
fall and heel them in. Small beds are especially prepared for this pur-
pose in deep, well-drained soil. These are covered with loose, dry
mulch during the winter, and the plants are taken out in prime condi-
tion at transplanting time in the spring.

A word should be said also about the use of potted plants. These
are largely advertised every fall and are very interesting to amateurs.
Any one who has a few small flowerpots (2i or 2^ inches) at his dis-
posal may grow these plants for himself. The pots are buried in the
soil beside the fruiting rows in the latter part of June or the first of
July. Each pot is filled with soil, and a young strawberry plant,
still attached to the mother plant, is set into the buried pot. Plants
so treated should form large, strong crowns by the last of August.
They may then be severed from the mother plants and transplanted

3B

from the pots with very little shock. Such plants mil bear a small

crop the next year, — under favorable conditions, a moderately good

crop. This method is advertised every autumn as a means of sa^'ing

one year on the strawberry plantation. In reaUty, it is not a conmier-

cial method at all and not to be recommended for use on a large scale.

Still, it is very interesting to the amateur and always worth his (or

her) while.

Setting out Plants.

Spring setting of strawberry plants is the regular practice. On
light, well-drained soils which do not heave fall setting may be prac-
ticed, it being always necessary to mulch the beds well in autumn.

Fig. 2. — Strawberry Field grown by Hedgerow System.

However, fall setting, aside from the use of potted plants, as described
above, is not to be generally recommended. On the other hand, it is
good practice to set the plants just as early as possible in the spring.
In some localities and with some growers there is a prejudice in favor
of late spring setting, but this does not apply to most parts of Massa-
chusetts.

Where large areas are to be set with strawberry plants, a business-
hke organization of the work is essential. The ground should be
thoroughly prepared, well harrowed and in prime condition. The
rows should be carefully marked out where they are to go. Usualh-
these vnU. be 3 feet apart. Some growers prefer 3^ feet, but a larger
number prefer less, — some 2 feet, some 2^ feet. The plants will be
set at varjdng distances in these rows, depending upon the sj'stem of
culture to be followed; about 16 inches apart is the distance usually
prescribed. The plants should be set with a dibble. The man who

34

does the setting takes this in his right hand while he takes up the
plant with his left. The dibble is thrust into the loose soil at the point
where the plant is to stand, is pushed forward, and the plant is in-
serted with the left hand into the opening thus made. The dibble is
then raised out of the ground and the soil firmed heavily about the
roots with both hands. This firming is important. The man then
moves forward on his knees to the position for the next plant.

It is highly important to observe in setting plants that they be not
placed too deeply in the soil, nor yet too shallow. If they are placed
so deeply that the crown is covered with soil, the plant will not grow.
If they are placed so high that the crown is well above the soil, they

Fig. 3. — Mulching Strawberry Bed.

will dry out and die. The correct position is to have the bud or crown
exactly at the sui'face. Planters require constant watcliing on this
point.

General Culture.

After planting, the strawberry beds require the best sort of tillage.
This is a crop which can never be profitably neglected. The culti-
vator should be kept going between the rows, especially in dry weather.
Such cultivations should follow one another every week or ten days,
some soils, of course, requiring more tillage than others. On large
plantations a double two-horse cultivator can be used to advantage;
on ordinary plantations the single one-horse cultivator will usually
be employed. The light frame with harrow teeth will be most useful
in soil which is in proper condition.

Tillage should become less frequent towards fall and may cease

35

altogether after September 10. Before heavy freezing occurs the beds
should be mulched. At least, mulching is generally considered to be
necessary and on the whole seems to be worth while, though we have
seen excellent crops of berries grown on unmulched beds. Here again
a great deal would depend on the character of the soil, drainage, ex-
posure, etc.

It should be distinctly understood that rapid rotations are essential
to the successful culture of the strawberry. The crude, old-fashioned
plan of setting strawberry beds and leaving them to themselves for
eight or ten years at a stretch is merely a waste of land. It is still
unfortunately customary in many parts of New England to leave

Fig. 4. — Strawberry Field at Picking Time

Strawberry beds for three or four years, with the idea of taking two
or three crops from one planting. The most successful growers, how-
ever, undertake to secure only one crop from any one plantation.
The plants are grown one year, are fruited the next, and the beds are
plowed up immediately after the berry harvest. This method not
only gives the best fruit, but proves to be the most profitable.

Mulching.

It is customary to protect strawberry plants through the winter
by covering them with mulch. This mulch is raked off the rows in
spring, as soon as the snow is off, allowing the plants to grow freely.
Some very conscientious growers rake the mulch entu'ely out of the
field. This is done so as to permit the running of cultivators between
the rows. Such spring tillage is unquestionably a good thing, though

36

it is troublesome and expensive. Some men even go so far as to put
back the mulch after cultivating the ground. Usually the mulch is
left between the rows, as close to the plants as possible. It thus serves
to protect the fruit from becoming soiled during rain storms. Without
such protection the dirt spatters up onto the berries, and leaves them
in very bad condition for market.

Various kinds of material are used for this mulching process. Any-
thing which is clean, not too full of weed seeds, and will lie closely on
the ground will answer the purpose. Marsh hay, poor straw and
other bedding material may be used. Cornstalks make an excellent
mulch, except that they are rather coarse. Shavings and sawdust are
sometimes used, but are objectionable; they are apt to injure the soil.
Buckwheat straw, pea straw and waste of that character are especially
satisfactory.

This mulch should be put on late in the fall, after moderate freezing
of the ground.

In good, well-drained soil in most towns in Massachusetts straw-
berries will often go through the winter in very good condition with-
out mulching. Nevertheless, mulching is safer, and the mulch is
needed during fruiting time, even though it may not be required for
winter protection.

Methods of Management.

There are four general methods of managing strawberry beds for
common use. These may be called (a) sohd beds, (6) matted rows, (c)
hedge-row system, (d) hill system.

The old-fashioned, lazy and shiftless method of growing strawberries
is to keep them in solid beds. Plants are set out in rows at any ordi-
nary distance, and runners are allowed to form ad libitum. Within a
year or two the ground is entirely covered with strawberry plants.
These take care of themselves as well as they can, and the grower
accepts what fruit he gets as a gratuity. Such a bed on good soil will
last for five or six years and give some fruit. The best method of
treating such beds is to burn them over early every spring. This
burning kills some fungous diseases and a good many insects. This
method, of course, is not recommended.

The matted-row system is the one most commonly practiced. Ac-
cording to this method the plants are set in double rows. There will
be two rows of plants about 8 inches or a foot apart, then a space of
3 feet for cultivation, then two more rows, then a space, etc. The
plants will be set 14 to 18 inches apart in the rows, usually alternating
in the adjoining rows. As these form runners, they are allowed to set
new plants along the middle of the double row and for a small space
on each side. The bed soon comes to consist of matted rows about 18
inches wide, with space for running a cultivator between. If good
fertiUzation is given, and good culture on good soil, such a bed will
give very fair results. For ordinary market purposes it answers well.

37

The hedge-row system is an improvement on the matted-row sys-
tem now considerably practiced by advanced growers. Any one who
wishes to grow a specially fine grade of berries for home use, or for a
fancy market, can well afford to adopt this improved plan. According
to this system rows are placed about 2^ feet apart, with plants 14
inches apart in the row. A very limited number of new plants are
allowed to set from the runners, these being kept quite closely in the
hne of the original row. Each plant, therefore, receives the benefit
of much more thorough cultivation than it does in the matted-row
system. It also has the benefit of a larger proportion of fertihzer, it
has more space to develop, and it is otherwise more favorably situated.
Larger fruit of somewhat better grade can be grown than by the
matted-row method.

The hill system is used only by enthusiastic amateurs, or those who
wish to grow fruit for exhibition purposes. In this case the plants
are set in suitable rows, the individual plants being 18 inches or even
2 feet apart, and each plant is kept down to a single liiU by cutting
off all runners as fast as they form. Thus each plant can be given the
very best of care, and has the benefit of all the surrounding soil and
hght.

Fertilizers.

Liberal feeding is desirable for strawberry beds. This liberality
must begin as soon as the plants are set out, or even before, for the
soil should be in first-class condition before planting. Professor Voor-
hees suggests 500 to 800 pounds of fertilizer, made up as follows:
raw ground bone, 1 part ; acid phosphate, 1 part ; muriate of potash, 1
part, — to be applied before setting out the plants. Plants should
then have an appUcation of some quick-acting nitrogenous fertihzer,
preferably nitrate of soda, as soon as they start to grow. This would
mean 50 to 60 pounds of nitrate of soda, or 50 to 60 pounds sulphate
of ammonia, or 100 pounds of dried blood. The necessary point is to
give the plants a vigorous growth from the very first. The second
spring, when a crop of fruit is expected, an additional dressing of
nitrogenous fertilizer should be given. This would consist of 100
pounds of nitrate of soda or 150 pounds of dried blood per acre.

Prof. William P. Brooks, fertilizer expert of the Massachusetts Ex-
periment Station, makes the following recommendations regarding
the fertilization of strawberry plantations : —

Pounds.
Tankage or Peruvian guano, ...... 600

Fine ground bone, ........ 1,000

Low-grade sulphate of potash, ...... 600

Nitrate of soda, . . . . . . . .100

All of these materials may be mixed, applied after plowing and before setting
the plants, and thoroughly incorporated into the soil by liarrowing.

38

Pounds

Dried blood, . . . . ' .

200

Tankage or Peruvian guano,

. 800

Low-grade sulpliate of potash,

600

Basic slag meal, . . . ...

. 1,000

Nitrate of soda, ......

. . .100

The slag in this selection of materials miust not be mixed with the blood,
tankage or guano, as it will cause a loss of ammonia. It will be better, there-
fore, to apply the slag by itself, but all the other materials may be mixed before
appUcation.

Diseases and Insects.

Strawberry plants are not subject to any very serious diseases.
The leaf spot may be a partial exception to this statement, but on
well-managed fields it is not usually serious. Thorough spraying with
Bordeaux mixture is usually recommended for this disease, but good
cultivation and liberal feeding will do a great deal more by way of
prevention than can be done by any spray solutions.

WinterkilUng of the plants, especially the roots, is sometimes re-
ported from different parts of the State, but this can usually be pre-
vented by proper mulching, as explained above.

The insects most commonly noticed in strawberry fields are the
white grub, the crown borer and the leaf roller. The white grub is
found the most commonly in raw land not in a good state of cultiva-
tion, or such as has been heavily treated with quantities of unrotted
barnyard manure. Good soil and thorough cultivation are the best
preventives.

The leaf roller is sometimes quite troublesome, and after it becomes
thoroughly established in a plantation there, is no practical remedy
for it. If thoroughly sprayed with Paris green or other arsenical
poisoning as soon as it appears, its work may be checked.

The crown borer may be largely circumvented by proper rotations.
If new beds are placed beside old infested beds the crown borer is
pretty sure to do serious damage. The obvious preventive, therefore,
is to plant strawberries on fresh soil, away from old infested beds.

Varieties.
There are hundreds of varieties of strawberries on the market.
Every nurseryman has his favorites, and every year sees a number of
novelties exploited. An unusually large proportion of these varieties
are meritorious. In fact, almost any variety will give good results if
well cultivated. It would be impossible within the limits of this paper
to give a long list of varieties with descriptions or notes ; it may suffice
to say that Glen Mary, Clyde, Dunlap, Bubach, Warfield and Marshall
are the kinds most commonly and successfully grown in Massachusetts.

39

Marketing the Crop.

Most localities in Massachusetts have an additional advantage in
strawberry growing in the fact that pickers can be easily secured for
a moderate price. In all factory towns it is possible to get a number
of energetic boys and girls for this work. The almost universal pay-
ment for picking is 2 cents a quart.

Berries are always picked early in the morning and placed in quart
baskets. These baskets are sent to market in crates holding 24, 32,
36 or 48 quarts.

It is good practice, especially where a good grade of fruit is grown,
to sort all the berries, facing up each quart box as apples are faced in
barrels. This does not mean that small berries are to be put in the
bottom of the box, but simply that the fruit is to be made to look as
attractive as possible.

Usually berries shipped in crates to city markets, like Springfield,
Worcester and Boston, bring reasonably good prices. When they do
not, it is owing to some local difficulty, or to a temporary glut. The
most satisfactory way to sell berries, of course, is in the home market,
direct to one's own customers. There are so many localities in which
this can be done that this sort of trade may be considered character-
istic of Massachusetts. It is a line of business which will bear very
much larger development.

^