13 



crop, and probably in the regions of commercial production 

 did not exceed half a crop. Prices appeared to be better 

 than for the past few years. Potatoes were the poorest 

 crop for man}^ years, rot being general, and in many cases 

 destroying almost the entire crop. Root crops were gener- 

 ally in good condition and promised good yields. Only a 

 very light crop of winter apples was promised. Pears very 

 abundant ; peaches a better yield than usual ; grapes a good 

 yield, but late ; plums good, but rotting ; cranberries slightly 

 improved, but only a fair crop. 



In the circular to correspondents returnable to this office 

 October 23 the following questions were asked ; — 



1. Have root crops proved to be average crops? 



2. What is the condition of farm stock? 



3. What is the condition of fall seeding? 



4. How have prices for crops raised for market compared 

 with former years ? 



5. Which of the leading crops in your locality do you 

 think have been most profitable? 



6. W^hich of the leading crops in your locality do you 

 think have been least profitable? 



7. Considered as a whole, has the season been a profit- 

 able one for your farmers ? 



Returns were received from 162 correspondents, from 

 which the following summary has been made : — 



Root Crops. 



On the whole, root crops are hardly up to the usual 

 average. While many speak of them as average, only a 

 few speak of them as above and a majority of the corres- 

 pondents report that they are somewhat below. Causes for 

 this falling off from the condition of last month are not gen- 

 erally assigned, but it is probably due mainly to the recent 

 dry weather. Potatoes are as near a failure as any crop of 

 recent years. Celery, where reported on, is generally said 

 to have done well. 



Farm Stock. 



Farm stock is everywhere in fine condition. There are 

 no reports of poor condition, and most correspondents speak 



