21 



about the same as usual and dairy cows are high. Pastures are in 

 good condition. Strawberries will be alight crop; outlook for rasp- 

 berries and blackberries good; apples and pears good. 



West Springfield (N. T. Smith). — Cut worms have been unusually- 

 plenty but are now nearly through work. Corn is backward as a rule, 

 with a less acreage than last year. The acreage of early potatoes is 

 below the average, with the prospect for the crop less promising than 

 usual at this season. Early market-garden crops are about average, 

 with good prospect for later ones. There is a demand for all milk 

 produced, at former prices, and good cows are high and scarce. Pas- 

 turage is below average and in need of rain. Raspberries and black- 

 berries are doing well, with the promise of full crops; strawberries 

 nearly a failure, apparently owing to imperfect pollination; apples 

 coming on well; cherries fine; grapes set xveW; peaches promising; 

 good outlook for pears. 



Chicopee (E. L. Shaw). — Elm leaf beetles and rose bugs are doing 

 damage. There is about the usual acreage of Indian corn, which is a 

 little backward. The hay crop has been improving since the rains, 

 but where not manured the crop will be light. No haying has been 

 done as j^et. There are few potatoes grown, but the crop looks fairly 

 well. Early market-garden crops were a little late, but are growing 

 w^ell now; not many sold as yet. There seems to have been little 

 surplus of milk here, with prices about as usual; good cows are high. 

 Pasturage is improving. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and 

 apples promise good yields. 



Hampden (John N. Isham). — Spittle insects are working on grass 

 and potato bugs are just appearing. Indian corn is looking well, 

 except that there are many missing hills; acreage increased about 

 one-tenth over previous years. Hajdng will commence the last week 

 in June, with a light crop on dry land. There is the usual acreage of 

 early potatoes and they promise a good crop. Most market-garden 

 crops compare well with former years in yield and price. The quantity 

 and price of dairy products is holding up well, cows in good demand and 

 prices high. Pasturage is fairly good, but needs rain. Apples and 

 peaches are very promising; pears and plums fair; grapes and berries 

 a little under average. 



Wilbraham (Henry M. Bliss). — Not many insects are doing dam- 

 age. Corn is looking fairly well, considering the drought, and the 

 acreage is fully as large as usual. Haying has not begun and there will 

 not be more than half a crop. The acreage of early potatoes is about 

 90 per cent of the normal and the crop is backward, owing to drought. 

 Early market-garden crops are about 85 per cent of the normal. Dairy 

 products have fallen off slightly, both in yield and price; cows bring 

 from $45 to $70. Pastures are in poor condition, ow^ng to drought. 

 The outlook for fruits and berries is not very good. 



Monson (F. D. Rogers). — Cut worms have been worse than usual. 



