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Merrimac (S. Bixby Sargent). — Gypsy moth caterpillars and 

 black squash bugs are doing damage. Indian corn is late; three fourths 

 or more of the crop is grown for ensilage. The hay crop was very 

 good, except on old, runout fields. All market-garden crops need 

 rain, yield and price average well with former years. There is a fair 

 prospect for apples. Pasturage is dried up. Rye, oats and barley are 

 very good crops. No orchards have been set in this town in the past 

 two years. 



Methuen (Frederick A. Russell). — Gypsy and brown-tail moths 

 and tent caterpillars are doing damage. Corn is rather small, but is 

 helped somewhat by recent hot weather; the larger i^art of the crop 

 is grown for the silo. Quality of the hay crop good and quantity 

 about 50 per cent above last year. Corn is the principal forage crop 

 grown and is in fair condition. Market-garden crops are fair; few 

 potatoes harvested as yet; prices low. Apples and pears promise 

 well; very few other fruits raised. Pasturage is in need of rain. Good 

 crops of rye, oats and barley are reported. Very few apple trees have 

 been set out. 



Newbury (George W. Adams). — Tent caterpillars, gypsy moths 

 and brown-tail moths are doing damage. Indian corn is in fair con- 

 dition; perhaps half the crop will go into the silo, but the proportion 

 is growing less. The hay crop was light, but of good quality. There 

 is a little fodder corn and some oats raised for forage and they are in 

 good condition. The extreme dry weather has injured potatoes 

 seriously; other market-garden crops fair. As a whole the prospect 

 for fruit is a little below the average ; pears and peaches much below. 

 Pasturage is in very fair condition, but shows lack of rain. Rye, oats 

 and barley are fair average crops. I have heard of no new apple 

 orchards being set out. Farmers are badly handicapped by lack of 

 farm labor. Owing to lack of profit, milk production is constantly 

 decreasing, and there is now a scarcity. 



Rowley (D. H. O'Brien). — Gypsy moth caterpillars and potato 

 bugs are doing damage. Indian corn is in fair condition; very little 

 is raised for the silo. The quantity of the hay crop is normal and the 

 quality first class. Peas and oats are our principal forage crop and 

 are in fair condition. Garden crops are in poor condition; no pota- 

 toes harvested. Apples, pears and peaches promise poor crops; 

 grapes and cranberries medium. Pasturage is in very poor condition. 

 Rye, oats and barley compare favorably Avith former years. About 

 four acres of new apple orchard have been set out this year. Extreme 

 dry weather has spoiled many crops. 



Wenham (N. P. Perkins). — Black squash bugs, the onion louse 

 and the gyps)'' moth are all doing damage. Corn is in about normal 

 condition; four-fifths of the crop goes into the silo. Hay was about 

 an average crop, of good quality. Hungarian grass, corn, millet, oats 

 and barley are grown for forage and are looking well, but need rain. 



