50 



plants, filling with water, and turning back again, and fur- 

 ther says he prefers this to the Skinner system for celery. 



Open ditches are used for drainage of meadows and as 

 trunk lines in tile-drain systems. Another form in use is 

 the ditch filled with field stone and covered with earth. 



NOTES OF MARKET-GARDEN CROP CORRESPONDENTS.^ 



[Returned to us July 28.] 



W. D. Forbes, Buckland {Franklin County). — The late aspara- 

 gus beetle has not made its appearance. String bean crop, 75 ; shell 

 bean crop, not yet ready. Late beet acreage, 100 ; per cent germina- 

 tion, 60, becavise of no rain. Late cabbage acreage, 75, as com- 

 pared with both normal and with the acreage of 1912; condition, 

 60. Cauliflower crop condition, 40. Dry weather is affecting sweet 

 corn; condition, 70. Onions have not made a normal growth; thrips 

 are present; maggots have done more damag-e than usual; onion 

 crop condition, 65. Green pea crop yield, 80; price per bushel, 

 $1.60; 1912, $1.50. Tomato crop prospect, 90; fruiting as well as 

 usual; no fruit gathered. Farmers are planning to put in a small 

 amount of tile drains; the depth depends on the soil. The drains 

 are usually laid so that the top of the tile is a little below the sub- 

 soil; drainage is in ]>ractice to a limited extent. Total rainfall in 

 town for months of June and July to date, % inches. Frost, July 

 11, damaged corn and garden crops badly in valleys. Cold nights, 

 hot days, no rain and an unusual amount of wind from northwest, 

 west and southwest. Maximum temperature in shade, 102^2° F.. 

 July 5. Minimum temperature, 78° F. July 12. 



John- Dalrymple, Ploinfield (Hampshire Coimiy). — No late 

 asi^aragus beetle apparent. Sti'ing bean crojD, 75; shell beans, 50. 

 Late beet acreage, 50; per cent germination, 50, shortage being 

 caused by lack of rain; no beets sold yet. Late cabbage acreage 

 25 as compared with normal and with 1912. Unless we have rain 

 immediately the late cabbage crop will be a total failure. Late 

 caiTot acreage, 25. Cauliflower crop not likely to be 10. Very 

 little late celery grown. Dry weather is affecting sweet corn ; con- 

 dition is 50. Green pea crop, 50 ; price per bushel, $3 ; 1912, $2.50. 

 Tomatoes grown only for jDrivate consumption. All market-garden 

 crops are suffering from want of rain. 



W. H. Closson, Easthampton {Hampshire County). — Late 

 asparagus beetle has not appeared. String bean crop about 75; 

 sliell bean, 80. Percentage germination of beets is 50, because of dry 

 weathei'. Late cabbage acreage, 80 as compared with normal; 75 



' Crop acreage estimates given represent percentage of normal acreage. 



