14 



Early market-garden crops made a poor yield. Dairy products 

 are lower in price and smaller in quantity than usual. Pasturage 

 is in very poor condition. Fruits and berries were injured by the 

 drought. 



Ashfield (Chas. Howes). — But little damage is being done by 

 insects. Corn is backward, owing to the dry weather ; acreage 

 somewhat increased. But little hay is cut as yet, and the crop 

 will be light. The usual acreage of early potatoes was put in, but 

 unless rain comes soon they must be light. Cows are beginning 

 to shrink in milk earlier than usual ; prices for cream and butter a 

 little higher than last year. Feed is short in many pastures. 

 Fruits and berries of all kinds will be light, and in some localities 

 they are a failure. 



Deerfield (Chas. Jones). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. 

 Indian corn is looking well. Haying has not yet begun, but the 

 crop will be light. The acreage of early potatoes is about the 

 same as usual, and a fair crop is promised. Early market- garden 

 crops are hardly up to the average. Quantity and price of dairy 

 products about the same as last year ; cows higher than in former 

 years. Pasturage is in poor condition. The prospect for straw.- 

 berries and raspberries is not very good. 



Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate) . — Cut worms and potato bugs 

 are doing some damage. Corn is looking very well, with a slightly 

 increased acreage. Haying has not begun, and there will not be 

 half a crop. There is a large increase in the acreage of early 

 potatoes, and the vines are looking well. There is a light yield 

 of early market-garden crops, with a slight increase in price ; rain 

 is needed for those not yet harvested. Pasturage is very short. 

 Apples blossomed full, but are dropping badly ; no peaches or 

 plums ; strawberries not half a crop ; raspberries blossomed well. 



Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — Potato bugs are doing much damage. 

 Corn is looking well, and the acreage is increased fully one-fourth. 

 No haying has been done as yet, and there will not be over one- 

 third of a crop. Late potatoes are looking well. Early market- 

 garden crops are very backward, on account of lack of rain. Dairy 

 products are normal in yield and price ; good cows are very high. 

 Pastures are the poorest for years ; feed short and springs drying 

 up. There will be very little fruit this year. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



JBelchertown (H. C. West). — No insects are doing damage. 

 Corn is a little late and very uneven, but is growing fast ; acreage 

 25 per cent above the average. Very little haying has been done, 



