No. 4.] MASSACHUSETTS CROPS. liii 



the ears were not tipping well and the kernels were not filling- 

 out normally. Grass on water-retentive soils in a state of 

 high fertility was reported as producing a fair second crop, 

 but it looked as though rowcn, in general, would fall far below 

 normal. The drought prevailing in most sections throughout 

 the month, while most unfavorable to the growth of blight and 

 rot, did not allow normal development of potatoes. The crop 

 prospect estimate for apples, peaches, quinces and grapes 

 continued to decline, while that for pears and plums had in- 

 creased several points each since July 26. Pastures in most 

 sections had practically ceased to furnish feed for stock, and 

 feeding at the barn was reported by several correspondents. 

 Late celery w-as planted in a dry soil, and, except where irri- 

 gated, had a dry soil in which to grow. Drought cut all 

 garden truck and made germination of late-sown crops diffi- 

 cult. The tobacco acreage was reported as larger than usual. 

 The acreage of shade-grown tobacco, however, had decreased 

 on account of the light demand for last year's crop. Harvest- 

 ing had commenced at the time of making returns, but only 

 a small percentage was being primed. 



The weather of September was near the seasonal average, 

 the temperature and rainfall departing but little from Sep- 

 tember normals. There was a rainy spell with moderate rain- 

 fall from the 18th to the 22d, inclusive, but during the rest 

 of the month the precipitation was the result of local showers. 

 The month as a whole was slightly cooler. The monthly 

 temperatures over the State ranged from 14° F. to 1° F. 

 below the normal. There was the average amount of sun- 

 shine. The corn crop was much benefited by rains occurring 

 late in August and early in September, and, in spite of heavy 

 frost, the yield estimate of the entire crop showed an advance 

 of a point over the condition estimate of August 25. Grass 

 responded more than any other crop to September rains, but 

 the injury done the roots by the recent and preceding sum- 

 mers' droughts was too great to admit of any great progress 

 of the rowen crop to a normal. Pastures were helped by the 

 rains more than was rowen. The weather was favorable to 

 the germination of fall-sown forage crops. The onion crop 

 was reported as far below that of last year, which was normal 



