16 



structive; acreage about the same as in previous years. Haying will 

 begin next week ; prospect better than last year. Acreage of potatoes 

 about as last year, and they are looking finely. Dairy cows are in 

 good supply, and bring high prices. Pasturage is in good condition. 

 Strawberries are a good crop, and blueberries and blackberries look 

 well. 



Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — There is considerable complaint of 

 damage from cut worms. The protracted, cool, wet weather held 

 back corn, making replanting necessary in some cases; acreage about 

 average. A very little haying has been done, and the crop will be 

 average. There is the usual acreage of potatoes; a kind of stem rot 

 is very injurious, killing out many hills, but they otherwise promise 

 well. Early market garden crops are not important here, but are 

 about average in yield and price. Quantity of dairy products about 

 as usual ; prices a little higher. Pastures are in good condition. Straw- 

 berries are nearly through, an average crop, but with much rot from 

 wet weather; currants, raspberries and gooseberries promise finely; 

 peaches and plums promise well; apples uneven, but there are many 

 good trees where well cared for. Conditions have been fine for 

 tobacco setting. 



Hadley (L. W. West). — Wire worms and cut worms are doing 

 damage. The stand of corn is good, but some fields are late. Haying 

 has begun, with a little better than an average crop. The acreage of 

 early potatoes is about average, and they promise well. Early market- 

 garden crops are average in yield and price. The price of dairy products 

 is above, and the supply below the normal ; dairy cows higher than in 

 former years. Pastures are in good condition. Strawberries, currants 

 and blackberries are good crops. 



South Hadley (W. F. Person) . — Rose bugs are the only insects 

 doing any damage. Indian corn is looking well considering the wet 

 and cold weather, but will be late ; acreage about normal. The prospect 

 is for a good hay crop. Early potatoes are looking well, and a good 

 crop is expected. Early market-garden crops are a little backward 

 but bring good prices. Dairy products are bringing better prices 

 than last year; cows about the same as usual. Pasturage is in good 

 condition. Strawberries are a good crop, and the prospect is good for 

 other berries. 



Southampton (C. B. Lyaian). — Corn is backward and has been 

 yellow, but is now turning a better color; acreage increased. A few 

 have begun haying, and a fair crop is promised. Potatoes show a 

 normal acreage, but have made a slow growth. Quantity of dairy 

 products normal, and prices better than ever, the creamery paying 

 40 cents for butter fat. Supply of dairy cows small and prices high. 

 The feed in pastures is above the average. Strawberries are a very 

 good crop; blackberries bloomed very full; currants are looking 

 very well. 



