xxvi BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



^nd 51 as higher than usual. Prices for dairy and poultry 

 products ranged slightly above even the high levels reached 

 in 1904. 



Concerning the questions as to "most profitable crops" 

 and " least profitable crops," 72 correspondents, less than a 

 majority, considered hay to have been among the most profit- 

 able crops ; 54, corn ; 20, apples ; 15, potatoes ; 9, sweet 

 corn; 8, oats; 8, tomatoes; 7, cabbages; (3, onions; (>, 

 tobacco ; and 5, milk; while 115 correspondents, an unusu- 

 ally large number to unite on any one crop, reported potatoes 

 as among the least profitable crops ; 17, apples ; 7, onions ; 

 4, hay ; 4, cal)bages ; and 4, cranberries. 



The general trend of prices indicated that farmers were 

 generally well satisfied with the season. In the main, good 

 crops were secured, and where shortages occurred prices 

 ruled unusually high. Market gardeners generally had a 

 profitable season, with good crops and average prices. 

 Dairymen received prices averaging a little better than 

 formerly ; milk and butter fat were economically produced, 

 by reason of good pasturage ; and barns and silos were well 

 filled in anticipation of winter. Poultry raisers received 

 good prices for their products. Apples were as good a crop 

 as could be expected in an " off year," and lirought high 

 prices. Peaches were a very heavy crop, with correspond- 

 ingly low prices. Other fruits and berries gave fair to good 

 yields, and brought average prices. On the whole, horti- 

 culturists should not complain of the season. Of the 149 

 correspondents answering the question as to profits, 80 con- 

 sidered the season to have been a profita])le one, 20 an average 

 season for profit, 13 fairly profitabh', while (> thought that it 

 was above the average for profit and 30 that it was not a 

 profitable season. 



Massachusetts Weather, 1905. 



[Compiled from Data furnishkd in tiik Nkw England Wkather Service.] 

 The weather of flan nary was of the midwinter type, some- 

 what intensified, particularly with regard to temi)erature, the 

 monthly mean ranging several degrees below the January 

 normal in all sections, and the cold weather being conliimous, 



