63 



been no increase in the number of growers who spray and fertilize. 

 Wild bees are quite plentiful. 



Edwin A. Stevens, Duxbury {Plymouth County). — Crop pros- 

 pect at present is 85, the dry weather having had quite noticeable 

 effect; all varieties equally affected; very few dry bogs in this sec- 

 tion. Growers are holding the water in the ditches quite high. 

 Bloom was 110, with very little blasting; the set was 105, and both 

 early and late berries promise ^.bout equal. The growth of new 

 uprights is excellent, away ahead of last year. The wet-bog fire- 

 worm is not abundant, and a very small percentage of the acreage 

 in this vicinity is affected. It is too early for fruit worm damage, 

 and other insects have done very little injury. Insects in general 

 have been combated with excellent success by flowing; no gypsy 

 moths on the bog as yet. Very little " false blossom." No increase 

 in spraying or fertilizing. Wild bees have been quite plentiful. 

 Labor has been plentiful. At present there are many small berries, 

 which wiU demand frequent rains and warm nights to develop. 



Henry J. Thayer, Plymouth {Plymouth County). — Crop pros- 

 pect is somewhat under normal, say about 90; dry weather has 

 not been disastrous as yet; the strictly dry bogs, although getting 

 quite diy, have not yet suffered greatly. Ditches are kept full 

 where the supply permits. The bloom was fully 100, with con- 

 siderable blasting; the set was about 75 per cent of the bloom. 

 Early Blacks promise better than Howes. Growth of uprights 

 has been excellent, better than last year. Wet-bog fireworm quite 

 plentiful; first brood did little injury, spraying and fiooding holding 

 them in check; 50 per cent of the acreage affected to some extent. 

 Fruit worms are ten days late this year; more insects on bogs than 

 for several years; several varieties present and all have done some 

 damage, but not usually gTcat. Insects controlled successfully by 

 flowing and spraying; no gypsy moths. There was considerable 

 " false blossom " which affected all varieties equally. Very little 

 increase in the amount of spraying or fertilizing; nitrates and phos- 

 phates used. Wild bees more plentiful than for three years. Help 

 has been rather scarce, but this has not affected operations. A 

 prominent factor at the present time is the large amount of very 

 small fruit ; at present it is uncertain whether it will ripen or die. 



Henry S. Griffith, South Carver {Plymouth County). — The 

 crop prospect is 110, the dry weather probably having had some 

 effect. Howes and Early Blacks have been most affected ; strictly 

 dry bogs not affected more than others. Tendency is to keep the 

 water fairly high. The bloom was 125, with very little blasting; 

 the set was 80 per cent of the bloom. The new uprights have gTOwn 

 fairly well, about the same as last year. The wet-bog fireworm 

 has been quite abundant, about 10 per cent of the acreage being 



