No. 4.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. xiii 



seed. Correspondents about evenly divided in reporting 

 potatoes as either below an average, three-fourths, two-thirds 

 or one-half a crop. A large number referred to the quality 

 as good or fair. Some complained of rot, especially in 

 western sections. Most correspondents referred to the pros- 

 pect for root crops as ])eing either average, good or fair. 

 Quite a number referred to the crop of apples as better than 

 was expected earlier in the season. A majority, however, 

 referred to it as two-thirds or less ; quality a full average. 

 Correspondents in the four western counties where tobacco 

 is grown reported the crop as satisfactory in yield and 

 quality, and that it Avas curing well. Cranl)erries averaged 

 small in size, but of generally good quality. The chief 

 drawbacks to the culture were from fire, span and fruit 

 worms, drought, rot in the berry and frost. The peach, 

 quince and grape crops were quite good. 



November 1, seventy-three correspondents reported root 

 crops to have ])een an average, and twenty-three below an 

 average. Fall seeding looking well, especially the early. 

 Potatoes rotting some. Fifty-eight correspondents reported 

 corn to have been among the most profital)le crops ; forty- 

 one, hay ; twenty-one, tobacco ; seventeen, potatoes ; eleven, 

 apples ; eleven, onions ; six, cranberries. The good prices 

 received for several crops compensated largely for the 

 small yield. Seventy-five correspondents placed potatoes 

 among the least profitable crops ; eight, apples ; eight, corn ; 

 four, onions. One hundred and three correspondents ex- 

 pressed the opinion that the season had been an average one 

 for profit, and fifteen that it had not. One hundred and six 

 correspondents reported farm stock to be in good or average 

 condition, and six in below average condition. 



Massachusetts Crop Reports. 



The publication of crop reports was continued as in past 

 seasons, and six monthly bulletins were issued (May- 

 October), aggregating 156 pages of printed matter. Two 

 thousand copies of each issue were distributed. The bulletins 

 were made up as in the season of 1891. The special sub- 

 jects treated were : Bulletin No. 1, " Farm Help and Wages," 

 and " Weather Forecasts ; " Bulletin No. 2, " Frost Warn- 



