No. I.] MASSACHUSETTS CROPS. xxv 



Summam of Crop Conditions, 1901. 



The excessive rains and cool weather of May made the 

 season from one to two weeks late at the close of the month, 

 with farm work still further behind the normal. Pastures 

 and mowings were generally in good condition, and prom- 

 ised well for the future. Fall seeding generally wintered 

 well. The fruit bloom occurred at about the usual time in 

 western sections and a few days later in eastern, and was 

 good for all kinds of fruits except apples, which were light. 

 Insects were doing practically no damage. Spraying was 

 reported as increasing, but not as rapidly as it should. 

 There was, generally speaking, a fair supply of fairly good 

 farm help. AVages averaged about $18 per month with 

 board and $1.25 per day without board. Indications were 

 that the acreage of corn and tobacco would bo slightly in- 

 creased, with perhaps a slight decrease in that of potatoes. 



Not for many years has there been as little complaint of 

 injury from insects as in June. Corn was very small and 

 backward, but with a good stand and average acreage. 

 Having was generally beginning, and a good crop was gen- 

 erally expected. The acreage of earlj r potatoes showed a 

 slight decrease, and they were backward because of late 

 planting but looking well. Early market garden crops were 

 about average as to yield and price, though somewhat back- 

 ward. The quantity and price of dairy products were about 

 as in the previous year, with the supply of dairy cows less 

 than the demand. Pasturage was much benefited by the early 

 rains, and w r as generally in first-class condition. Strawberry 

 picking had begun, with the prospect of an average crop 

 with good prices. Apples gave indications of a light crop, 

 especially of winter varieties; peaches light; plums and 

 cherries good ; pears average. 



