No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 7 



the hope of keeping crop production up to the usual amount. 

 Early in June the corner in the farmer's difficulties had been 

 turned and conditions gradually improved, with the result that 

 in most cases only nominal changes were made in acreages of 

 crops planted. 



There was enough rain in most sections the first half of the 

 season, but the last half brought a long, severe drought to the 

 eastern end of the State, especially north of Boston. But little 

 frost damage occurred and damage by hail was not large. Late 

 blight and rot injured potatoes considerably, and the season 

 was not favorable to a large cranberry crop. With these and 

 perhaps a few other exceptions the final yields of crops as a 

 whole were fairly good. The unusually long, warm fall, with 

 abundant moisture, allowed crops, especially corn and tobacco, 

 to yield better than was expected earlier. 



The big drop in prices of many farm products, together with 

 uncertainty as to the future, has caused farmers to go slow with 

 plans for 1921. How^ever, the open fall weather and the 

 healthy undertone of Massachusetts agriculture, together with 

 the feeling that agriculture is obtaining better organization and 

 more effective leadership, have overcome much of the dis- 

 couragement which otherwise must have prevailed. 



It is in the interest of farmers and the entire public that 

 prices of supplies which farmers must buy be reduced as 

 promptly as possible in proportion to reductions in prices of 

 farm products. 



The agricultural crop of apples, i.e., the entire crop, is esti- 

 mated at 3,680,000 bushels against 3,240,000 in 1919. The 

 crop of commercial apples is put at 375,000 barrels against 

 335,000 in 1919. Early varieties were a big crop in the eastern 

 part, while Baldwins were a good crop farther west. Quality 

 was fair to good, with considerable scab on Mcintosh. Peaches 

 were nearly all winter-killed, except in a few cases in south- 

 eastern counties where a small crop was obtained. 



Cranberries are estimated at 275,000 barrels against 366,000 

 in 1919. Prices for the early crop were somewhat disappoint- 

 ing, but rose as the supply decreased. Pears are estimated at 

 109,000 bushels against 115,000 in 1919. 



Figures upon the acreage and production of the field crops 



