25 



Lincoln (C. S. Wheeler). — Gypsy and brown-tail moth cater- 

 pillars have been doing damage and the elm-leaf beetle is still at 

 work. Corn is suffering from drought; three-fourths of the crop is 

 grown for ensilage. The hay crop is about average in quality and 90 

 per cent of the normal in quantity. Japanese millet is our principal 

 forage crop, and is backward, because of drought. All market-garden 

 crops are in need of rain ; few potatoes ready for digging ; other crops 

 doing well; early sweet corn looking the best. Apples and pears 60 

 per cent of a full crop; few peaches, plums or quinces; grapes fair. 

 Pasturage is very dry and cows need stall feeding. Rye, oats and 

 barley are average crops for forage; none raised for grain. Ten 

 acres of new apple orchard have been set out. 



Winchester (S. S. Symmes). — The elm-leaf beetle is doing damage. 

 Indian corn is not raised here. The hay crop was very heavy in yield 

 and of fine quality. Market-garden crops are nearly dried up ; prices 

 fair, but yield very light. Apples are dropping fast on account of 

 drought; peaches and other fruits light. Pasturage is badly dried up. 

 Only a few scattering lots of apple trees have been set in this town. 

 Continued dry weather has been fine for haying, but has nearly ruined 

 market-gardens, especially tomatoes and celery. 



Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — We have sprayed so much that there is 

 not much trouble from insects. The hay crop was light. No potatoes 

 have been dug as yet. Apples and pears are fair crops; no peaches; 

 grapes heavy. Pasturage is dry. Rye is looking finely. I do not 

 know of any new apple orchards set in the last two years. 



Weston (Henry L. Brown) . — Corn is not much grown except for 

 ensilage. The hay crop was about average in quantity and of good 

 quality. With the exception of asparagus, which only gave about 

 half a crop, both yield and prices of market-garden crops have been 

 average. There will be a good crop of fall apples and pears ; no peaches ; 

 plums, quinces, grapes and cranberries not grown to any extent. Feed 

 in pastures is very short and dry. Rye, oats and barley are not grown 

 for grain, and have done well for forage. One apple orchard, of per- 

 haps 500 trees, has been set out. Rain is very much needed; no 

 prospect of rowen. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — Potato bugs and onion maggots are 

 doing some damage. Indian corn is in good condition and about one- 

 third the crop is grown for ensilage. There was a full hay crop of prime 

 quality. Corn, Hungarian grass, millet and oats are grown for forage 

 and are in good condition. Market-garden crops were late in starting, 

 but finally did well; potatoes need rain. There is a fair prospect for 

 all fruit crops. Pastures were in good condition early in the season, 

 but are dry now. Rye, oats and barley are average crops. I know of 

 no large apple orchards being set out, usual number of new trees set. 



