xxxiv BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



f)ractically all secured at time of making returns, and was 

 generally less than an average crop, jDrobably 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 croj)S 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, 

 peaches 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. Rye, 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 jiromised to be unusually well eared. The rowen crop 

 promised to be very light, except on naturally moist land. 

 Late i^otatoes 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. Aj^ples continued to 

 deteriorate in condition, and dropped badly. Pears, peaches 

 and plums were light crops; quinces somewhat better, but 

 hardly average ; grajDes 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 were 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- 



