12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



during the middle of the summer was practically impossible, and 

 in consequence much fruit was affected with what is known as the 

 "Brooks spot," — a small black fungous growth spotting the 

 apples, particularly at the calyx end. This condition, while not 

 seriously affecting the quality of the fruit, reduces the value of 

 the apples considerably, and there were few fortunate places in 

 the State which escaped the trouble. This condition also pre- 

 vailed throughout New England. " Baldwin spot" has also been 

 abundant, and all of these troubles have seriously reduced the 

 number of apples suitable for storage. 



Cold-storage apple holdings throughout the Nation are very 

 much smaller than in 1915. In fact, only about 56 per cent of 

 the quantity stored last year has been stored in 1916. In the 

 New England States the proportion was even lower, the 1916 

 figures being 40 per cent of the 1915. It is evident from these 

 figures that good apples will be exceptionally high in the spring 

 of 1917. 



The demand for apples abroad has continued strong, and in 

 spite of heavy ocean freights large quantities have been shipped 

 and good prices realized. 



There seems to be a continued planting of apples in the State, 

 but not on as large a scale as in the past few years. The 

 feeling that over planting is likely to cause low prices in the. 

 near future is prevalent in many places, and has had much to 

 do with curtailing planting. 



Orchard fruits, other than apples, were particularly light; 

 some peach sections had no crop at all, while others, particularly 

 in Worcester County, were fair. Prices were good. Pears in the 

 eastern part of the State were a fair crop and prices ruled high. 



Small fruits were abundant in most cases, especially so with 

 strawberries, but as rain set in badly during the picking season, 

 and as the fruit of many other sections ripened at the same 

 time as Massachusetts berries, prices were very low toward the 

 end of the season. 



Cranberries were a little less than last year, the crop being 

 injured on some bogs by excessive rain, and on others by 

 insects. Prices are good, fancies being quoted now at $8 to $10, 

 and other grades at $6 to $8. 



The tobacco crop this year was planted and harvested under 



