XVI 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



[Jan. 



As illustrative of the importance of the potato crop in this 

 State, the following figures, taken from the annual reports 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture, are given : — 



* State Census. 



The first of July the outlook for a crop of apples, both 

 fall and winter, was very poor. There was a full bloom, 

 but for some reason the apples had nearly all fallen off. The 

 orchards that promised remunerative crops were the excep- 

 tion. On the whole, the yield of small fruits was fair, and 

 the prices received were good. In most sections, however, 

 dry weather shortened the yield very materially of all save 

 strawberries. 



The tobacco crop in the Connecticut valley was unusually 

 large, of excellent quality, and mostly harvested in good 

 condition ; but the wet, muggy weather in September caused 

 pole-sweat to make its appearance in the sheds, and consid- 

 erable damage resulted. The growers are receiving fairly 

 remunerative prices for the crop. 



Celery, cabbages, onions, turnips, rye and garden truck 

 were generally satisfactory. Oats and beans were greatly 

 injured by unfavorable weather. 



Grape culture in this State has not increased to any extent 

 in the past five years. This year's crop was a fair one. An 

 article on " The Grape Industry in Massachusetts" will be 

 found printed in this volume. An article will also be found 

 upon " Lettuce and Cucumber Culture under Glass." 



The cranberry crop was somewhat less than an average, 

 owing to drought, fire worms, worm in the berry, hail and 

 late frosts. 



About the usual amount of fall seeding was done, and, as 

 a rule, a good catch was secured. In reply to the question, 



