63 



age, however, was slightly above normal, being estimated at 

 108; compared with last year it was 111. The majority of 

 replies indicate that the crop was about average or a trifle 

 above. Prices in general ranged higher than last year, one 

 man reporting 10 per cent higher; another reported for 1912 

 from 75 cents down to 25; for 1913, from $1 down to 40 

 cents. 



In acreage the tomato crop is 109.9 per cent, almost 10 per 

 cent above normal ; as compared with last year it shows a 

 still greater increase, being 112.1. The varieties most in use, 

 in order, are : Stone, Earliana, Bonny Best, Chalk's Early 

 Jewel, Champion and Livingston. The present condition 

 of the crop is 90 per cent of normal, the growth of the plants 

 having been checked by the cold weather earlier. 



Cutworms have done a large amount of damage this season, 

 although they are not as active now as they have been. Mag- 

 gots seem to be especially injurious, necessitating the plow- 

 ing under of the early cabbage crop in some instances ; onions 

 also have been heavy sufferers from the maggot. The Col- 

 orado potato beetle has been much in evidence and squash 

 bugs are quite plenty. The asparagus beetle also has caused 

 a good deal of trouble. The striped cucumber beetle, plant 

 lice, rose bugs, cabbage worms and gypsy and brown-tail 

 moths are also mentioned. 



Frost damage since May 26 has been very light in most 

 sections. Berkshire County and western Hampshire County 

 experienced quite severe frosts on June 9, 10 and 16 ; toma- 

 toes, beans, peppers and lettuce were badly injured, and 

 potatoes cut back, but they recovered later. These frosts 

 were largely confined to the valleys. In ISTorth Dana frosts 

 on the 10th, 11th and 12th of June did considerable damage. 

 In Marlborough, beans and tomatoes were injured during the 

 first week of June. In the town of Bedford some damage to 

 tomatoes and corn has been done. 



With a larger number of returns some interesting and 

 valuable figures in regard to the practice of irrigation might 

 be secured. The practice already has many adherents and 

 is rapidly being extended in many localities. The Skinner 

 system is most in use, although water is applied by hose and 



