378 BOARD OF AGRICUI TURE. [Jan. 



were grown, and the market Avas practically the same as 

 for Arlington. There were also about 9,000 sash used 

 in the culture of cucumbers, and about 3,000 for lettuce. 

 Under these sash it is estimated 80,000 heads of lettuce and 

 350,000 cucumbers were produced. It is estimated that 

 400,000 heads of lettuce and 625,000 cucumbers were grown 

 under glass in this town. 



Fitchburg. — There were found to be thirteen greenhouses 

 in this city, owned by nine parties, and all heated by hot 

 water. Only two crops of lettuce were grown in one house, 

 the other houses being devoted to cucumbers. The lettuce 

 crop began to mature in September, and lasted until April. 

 Some 6,000 heads of fair quality were grown, selling for 

 from 50 cents to $1.00 per dozen, or an average of about 

 75 cents. The cucumbers began to mature in November, 

 and lasted until July. About 50,000 were grown, selling 

 for from 3 to 30 cents apiece, or an average of from 10 to 

 14 cents. The market was largely in Boston, some in New 

 York. No one had entire success this year, while in some 

 cases the failure was nearly complete. Thrip and aphis 

 were unusually prevalent, and some not well-understood dis- 

 eases stood in the way. 



Leominster. — There were found to be nine greenhouses 

 in this town, covering some 26,000 square feet, and heated 

 by hot water. The cucumbers were started in the open air 

 the middle of August, and transplanted to the house about 

 the middle of September, and picking began about the mid- 

 dle of October. The vines were allowed to bear as long as 

 they would, were then removed, and another set put in their 

 place. It is estimated that 100,000 cucumbers were grown, 

 which sold in the winter for from 10 to 23 cents apiece, or an 

 average of about 17 cents. The market in winter and early 

 spring was New York and Chicago, and in spring and early 

 summer some were also sent to Boston. They were shipped 

 pressed in bushel boxes. The black fly and thrip were the 

 only obstacles to their culture. 



Marlborough. — There were found to be four greenhouses 

 in this place, all of which were heated by hot water, and 

 covered some 10,000 square feet. The cucumber season 

 lasted from October to July. When the vines of the first 



