17 



shire, 93.3; Worcester, 87.9; Hampden, 85; Berkshire, 

 78.1; the State, 72.4. The condition of oats is : .Worcester, 

 84; Berkshire, 76.5; Hampden, 75.7; Hampshire, 72.1; 

 Franklin, 50; the State, 78.5. The condition of barley as 

 averaged from the 6 reports is 77.8. More attention might 

 well he given to the growing of corn for gTain, as it can cer- 

 tainly be raised more cheaply than it can be purchased at the 

 present prices. 



Appi-e OKCitAED Planting. 

 In 61 towns of the state an estimated total of 733 acres 

 of apple orchards were set, in 1912 and 1913, to date. The 

 number of acres planted, and the number of towns in each 

 county reporting definitely are: Worcester, 215 acres in 16 

 towns; Hampden, 122 in 6; Berkshire, 91 in 5 ; Plampshire, 

 88 in 9; Middlesex, 85 in 6 ; Plymouth, 50 in 4; Franklin, 

 34 in 6 ; Bristol, 29 in 5 ; ]^orfolk, 10 in 2 ; Barnstable, 5 in 

 1 ; Essex, 4 in 1. Others report in numbers of trees planted, 

 and the filling in of old orchards. As high as 50 acres in a 

 single town are reported from Berkshire, Hampden, Worces- 

 ter and Middlesex. The above figures, incomplete though 

 they be, are fairly indicative of the progress made in this 

 industry. Let the good work go on ! 



NOTES OF GENERAL CROP CORRESPONDENTS. 

 [Returned to us July 24.] 

 Berkshire County. 

 WiUiamstown (S. A. Hickox). — Potato beetles are doing the 

 only injury. Condition of Indian corn, 90; proportion gi-own for 

 ensilage, 75. As compared with normal the hay crop is an SO 

 per cent crop; iu quality it is 100. Condition of potatoes, 60; of 

 other market-garden crops, 60. As compared with former j-ears 

 those harvested were 75 per cent of a normal in yield and 100 per 

 cent in price. FiTiit prospect: apples, 25; pears, 20; plums, 20; 

 gxapes, 50. Condition of pasturage, 70. Forage crop condition : 

 corn, 75 ; rye, 85 ; oats, 90 ; barley, 90. Grain crop condition : rye, 

 oats and barley, each 90. The cold nights hold back the corn crop 

 as well as all other crops, and there is much need of rain. Oats not 

 ripe yet. No new orchards have been set, but old ones have been 

 filled in. 



