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insects thus far this season. Corn is looking well, with a larger acreage 

 than in previous years. Haying has not begun in earnest, but a good 

 crop is in prospect. There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes 

 and they are promising. Early market-garden crops made fair yields, 

 with good prices. Dairy products are slightly below average in quan- 

 tity, but prices are higher ; dairy cows are in good demand. Pastures 

 are mostly in good condition. Strawberries are a short crop, but all 

 other berries promise well; apples, pears, cherries and quinces are all 

 looking well; apples did not set well, and some trees that made a 

 good bloom show little fruit. 



Palmer (0. P. Allen). — Very few insects are in evidence as yet. 

 Indian corn is very backward, owing to cold, wet weather. Haying 

 has not begun, but a good crojj is in prospect. The acreage of early 

 potatoes is about the same as usual and they promise well. Early 

 market-garden crops are late, but promise well. There is very little 

 change in the quantity or price of dairy products. Pasturage is in 

 very good condition indeed. The outlook for fruits and berries is 

 better than usual. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



Southbridge (E. T. Torrey) . — Indian corn is looking well, with 

 about the usual acreage. Haying has not begun, but the crop will be 

 much larger than last year. Early potatoes promise a fair crop. 

 Frost did considerable damage to early market-garden crops and 

 prices are somewhat higher than usual; later crops look finely. The 

 quantity of dairy products is about the same as usual, and prices are 

 higher; cows are not as plenty as usual and bring higher prices. Pas- 

 turage is in extra good condition. Apples are dropping from the trees; 

 strawberries are doing well; raspberries and blackberries promise 

 well. 



Charlton (Loren E. Stevens) . — A small black bug is doing a great 

 deal of damage in gardens. There is more corn planted than in pre- 

 vious years, and it is doing well. Haying has not begun, but there 

 will be an average crop. Potatoes look well, with about the usual 

 acreage. Dairy products compare favorably with other years in 

 quantity and price. Pastures have never been in better condition. 

 Strawberries are plenty; Baldwin apples will be a short crop. Garden 

 stuff has grown very rapidly since the coming of warm weather ; young 

 trees and shrubs set this spring have also made rapid growth. 



Brookfield (Frank E. Prouty). — Indian corn is about ten days 

 late; acreage rather more than in former years. Some clover has 

 been cut and the prospect for the hay crop is good. There is an average 

 acreage of early potatoes and the}^ promise well. Early market-garden 

 crops are about average in yield and price. Dairy products are about 

 average in quantity and price, and dairy cows are about the same as 

 formerly in price and supply. Pastures are in good condition. Straw- 



