10 



ure. In some cases correspondents report that less than the 

 usual acreage has been sown, owing to the dry and baked 

 condition of the ground. Forage crops were generally in poor 

 condition, and greatly in need of rain. 



Maeket-gaeden Ceops. 



Market-garden crops have suffered severely from drought, 

 and have been short in almost all cases and in almost all 

 localities. Prices have been correspondingly high, and the 

 market-garden business has therefore been more satisfactory 

 tha]i many lines of farming. Later crops look well, though 

 needing rain, and should do v^eU. now that the drought is 

 broken. Early potatoes were a very light crop, though few 

 had been dug at time of making returns. Some instances 

 of almost total failure were reported. Later potatoes looked 

 well and promised a good crop, though the effect of the 

 drought may be more far-reaching than present indications 

 would lead one to believe. 



Feuits. 

 The drought showed its worst efl'ects in the unusually heavy 

 drop of all kinds of fruit, apples suffering especially. The 

 apple crop does not now promise to be more than half a normal 

 yield for the State as a whole. It is possible that with more 

 normal conditions as to rainfall the crop will improve beyond 

 present expectations. Often a midsummer shortage leads to 

 better prices in the autumn. Pears promise fairly well, as do 

 also plums. Peaches seem to be a better crop than usual. 

 Quinces are relatively unimportant and there are few reports 

 in regard to them. Grapes promise a good yield, many re- 

 porting that the vines are loaded. Cranberries are reported 

 to have felt the effects of the hot, dry weather severely and to 

 IDromise considerably less than an average crop. Wild berries 

 generally promise well. 



Pastueage. 

 Pastures Mere in fairly good condition in the western 

 counties, where showers have kept them green and growing in 

 many localities. In Worcester County the condition is not 



