58 



7. (a) Was there mucli " false blossom " on the bogs in 

 your section during May and June? (&) If so, what varie- 

 ties were most affected by it ? 



8. (a) Has there been an increase over last year in the 

 amount of spraying for fungous diseases in your locality? 

 (&) Has there been an increase in the number of growers 

 who fertilize their bogs? (c) What kinds of fertilizers have 

 been used ? 



9. Have wild bees (bumblebees, etc.) been plentiful this 

 season ? 



10. (a) Has labor been scarce or plenty this year? (&) 

 Has this factor influenced bog operations to any considerable 

 degree ? 



Returns were received from 36 correspondents, and from 

 these returns the following summary has been compiled : — 



Pkospect. 

 The first definite crop prospect estimate of the season 

 places the crop at 86 per cent of a normal. The dry weather 

 seems to have reduced the crop somewhat, more especiall}'' 

 in Barnstable county. The late varieties have been the worst 

 sufferers, according to 54.2 per cent of those reporting; 20.8 

 per cent state that the drought damage is about equally di- 

 vided. The strictly dry bogs appear, as a rule, to be more 

 affected by the lack of rain, but even so, these have the larger 

 crop of berries. Damage to the highest and driest portions 

 of one bog is put at 50 per cent. Plants on bogs where water 

 was held late in the season are still partly in bloom, and the 

 crop offers the poorest prospect. 



IrPvIGATION'. 



The general practice where water is available is to keep 

 the ditches partially filled. In the case of peat bogs a con- 

 tinuous water supply is necessary and ditches are kept half 

 full. Sixteen correspondents report the use of water; 12, 

 very little irrigation or that the bogs are kept dry, or fairly 

 dry ; and 2 state that half the growers are irrigating and half 



