1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. xiii 



the same length of time. In the circular sent to correspondents 

 about the 20th of the month, the following questions were asked : 

 "1. What is the outlook for a corn crop? 2. Have small fruits 

 been satisfactory in yield and price ? 3. Have you observed any 

 rot or scab in potatoes? 4. Has the hay crop met your expecta- 

 tions in quantity and quality? 5. What is the prospect for a crop 

 of early max'ket apples ? " About ninety-five returns were received, 

 from which we learned that the outlook for a corn crop was gen- 

 erally good. Owing to so much rain, it was late ; but warm, 

 pleasant weather would insure a good crop. Small fruits were 

 generally satisfactory in price, but not in yield. The hay crop 

 met expectations in quantity, but not in quality. During the 

 month there were very few good hay days, and much hay was 

 damaged. At the close of the month considerable grass remained 

 to be cut. Where grass was cut early, a large crop of roweu was 

 promised. Continuous rains caused streams to swell, and low 

 lands were so flooded in many sections as to render the gathering 

 of hay from them almost an impossibility. Potato vines blasted 

 badly in many sections ; rot and scab followed the blast ; and it 

 was predicted that in all probability the potato crop would be much 

 below an average in quantity and quality. Many fields were 

 already badly injured. The prospect for a crop of early market 

 apples was only fair at best, and in many sections the yield prom- 

 ised to be slight. The excess of rain caused weeds to make a 

 heavy growth, and made the cultivation of crops difficult and costly. 

 Oats rusted badly. 



In this report was included a paper upon "The Law of Trespass, 

 and how it affects the Farmer," by B. W. Potter, Esq., of 

 Worcester. 



Synopsis of Bulletin iVb. 4. — Croj) Report for August. 

 The first half of the month was marked by cloudy, muggy 

 weather, with occasional light rains. The last half was warm and 

 dry. This warm, dry weather, following so long a period of wet 

 weather, caused vegetation of all kinds to mature rapidly, and 

 everything to put on a fall-like appearance. The rainfall for the 

 month was rather below the average. There was a slight frost at 

 Chester on the 29th, and at Templeton, on low land not protected 

 by fog, on the 28th and 29th. In the circular sent to correspond- 

 ents about the 20th of the month, the following questions were 

 asked : "1. What is the prospect for winter apples in quantity 

 and quality? 2. Is the acreage of meadow land reseeded in the 

 fall increasing in your locality? 3. What is the prospect for late 

 potatoes, and have you observed rot or scab? 4. Is the amount 



