16 



Pasturage. 

 Kain, reported in June as so badly needed for upland 

 pastures, did not arrive. Consequently, the pasturage con- 

 dition estimate for the State has slumped 18.2 points during 

 the past month. Pastures are generally short in midsummer, 

 but are probably better this year than for the past three years 

 because of the fine start in the early spring. There is a great 

 opportunity for improvement in our pasturage management, 

 for many pastures could be made to produce more feed than 

 at the present time.^ The percentage condition is: Plym- 

 outh, 88; Dukes, 85; Hampshire, 67.3; Pranklin, 66.5; 

 Bristol, 66.1; Essex and jSTorfolk, 65; Berkshire, 64.5; 

 Worcester, 63.3; Hampden, 60; Barnstable, 52; Middlesex, 

 50.5 ; the State, 71.4. 



Forage Crops. 



Crops grown for forage in order of their condition are : 

 soy beans, 100, Middlesex;^ rye, 90; mangels, 90, Berk- 

 shire;^ oats and peas, 88.3; sweet corn, 86.7; turnips, 85, 

 Berkshire ; ^ millet and corn, 85, Bristol ; ^ Hungarian 

 grass, 80.5 ; wheat, 80, Bristol; - corn, 79.5 ; oats, 76 ; barley, 

 75.2; carrots, 75, Berkshire;- millet, 74.2; alfalfa, fair on 

 old fields, Barnstable ; - and vetch, Hampden.- 



The recent annual shortage of pastures makes it impera- 

 tive that farmers grow these crops more and more. Alfalfa 

 culture is proving profitable wherever soil requirements are 

 met, and firmly established fields provide a most nutritious 

 feed both as forage and as hay. 



Smat.l, Grains. 

 With the exception T)f corn, the raising of grain is confined 

 principally to Worcester and counties westward, although 

 very little is raised in Franklin. Only 6 correspondents 

 report barley as a grain crop, while 34 report oats and 45 

 mention rye. The condition of rye is : Franklin, 100 ; Hamp- 



1 See separate No. 8, on " New England Pastures," by Mr. J. S. Cotton, 1910, published 

 by this Board. 

 'One report. 



