No. 4.] MASSACHUSETTS CROPS. li 



distributed and, generally speaking, below the average for 

 June. In some sections there was a scarcity of rain, and 

 droughty conditions prevailed during half of the month, 

 while in others heavy rains attending local storms gave pre- 

 cipitation near or above the seasonal average. Conditions 

 were very favorable for planting, for growing crops and cul- 

 tivation. At the close of the month it was generally con- 

 sidered that the season was behind the average. Twenty-five 

 different kinds of insects were reported as doing damage. 

 The damage done by the tent caterpillar in May showed more 

 plainly, while the potato beetle, brown-tail and gypsy moths, 

 squash bugs, striped cucumber beetles, cabbage worms, cran- 

 berry fireworms and others were plentiful. Indian corn was 

 reported as from one to two weeks late, owing to cool, dry 

 weather, which not only restrained farmers from planting 

 but retarded germination. Grasslands did not get enough 

 rain in June to offset, in spite of the warm sunshine, the 

 effects of the cool, cloudy weather of May. The early potato 

 crop was said to be just showing above the ground in a good 

 many places. The vines were growing well, however. The 

 yield of early market-garden crops was below normal, but 

 prices ruled high. The supply of dairy cows had shown a 

 decrease of 6.8 per cent, over that of one year ago. Milk, 

 cream and butter production had not decreased in proportion 

 to the cow supply decline. Cream production had, in fact, 

 increased in a few counties. Wholesale milk prices were re- 

 ported as ranging from 20 to 51 cents per can of 8I/2 quarts. 

 Retail prices for milk had shown an advance of 1 to 2 cents 

 per quart in a number of places within the past year. Pas- 

 tures were in much better condition than for the last three 

 or four years, but still far from normal. Rain was badly 

 needed for such upland pastures as are not supplied with 

 springs. The berry crop prospect exceeded that for tree 

 fruits. Blackberries in particular offered promise of a full 

 crop. The apple outlook was discouraging, owing to tent 

 caterpillar and frost damage. Frosts occurred June 7 to 10 

 in all counties excepting Essex, Norfolk, Dukes and ISFan- 

 tucket, temperatures ranging from 22° E. to 38° F. Grass, 

 corn and nearly all vegetables were damaged in Berkshire 



