11 



on accoimt of the drought. The abaudoaiiient of farm property 

 in this locality was greatest twenty 3'ears ago and more. I think 

 that values of and inquiries for farm property are increasing. 

 There are a great many causes for the abandonment of farms. 

 The (irst and greatest was I think the loss of our young men by 

 the civil war. Another reason is that there were a great many 

 farms taken up that were never tit for anything but pasture and 

 woodland. Still another is the high price and poor quality of 

 farm help. 



hampshirp: county. 



Pelham (J. L. Brewer). — Indian corn is a full average crop. 

 Late potatoes are an average both in yield and quality. Fall 

 seeding is not all completed yet, and needs rain badly. Cran- 

 berries are a short crop, being much injured by insects. The 

 abandonment of farm property was greatest in this section from 

 1870 to 1880, on account of the sterility of the soil and antiquated 

 methods of cultivation. There are no inquiries for farm property, 

 and values are at a dead level. 



^orth Iladley (H. C. Russell). — Indian corn is a full average 

 crop. Late potatoes yield well and are of good quality. The 

 average amount of fall seeding has been done and is in good 

 condition, although rain is needed now to insure a good stand for 

 the approaching cold weather. There are no abandoned farms in 

 town, and those that are for sale are held with more confidence 

 in a higher market value than for a few years past. Inquiries for 

 and values of farm property are increasing. 



South Iladley (H. W. Gaylokd) . — Indian corn is a full average 

 crop. The average amount of fall seeding has been done and is 

 looking fairly well, though some pieces are suffering for want of 

 rain. More seeding has been done on wet, heavy soils than usual. 

 Very fqw cranberries grown about hero. No abandoned farms 

 here in the general meaning of the term. If an owner leaves his 

 farm, it is bought and occupied by one or more of the surrounding- 

 owners. There are no calls for or sales of farm property. 



Northamptoyi (D. A. Horton). — Indian corn is a full average 

 crop. Late potatoes are an average crop both in yield and (piality. 

 The average amount of fall seeding has been done, but unless we 

 have rain soon it will suffer. The adandonment of farm property 

 was greatest in this locality from 1880 to 1888, Inquiries for and 

 values of farm property are increasing. Farms began to be 

 abandoned when we commenced to get cheap or dressed meats 

 from the far West. 



WesfJiamplon (W. II. Lyman). — Indian corn is a full average 

 crop. Late potatoes are an average crop both in quality and 



