12 



quantity. The average amount of fall seeding has been done, and 

 it is at present in fair condition. The abandonment of farm prop- 

 erty in this section was greatest from thirty to fifty years ago, 

 because of emigration to the West. Farmers are more enterpris- 

 ing at the present time, and are greatly improving their farms. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Blandford (E. W. Boise). — Indian corn is fully ten per cent 

 above an average crop. Late potatoes are above the average in 

 yield, and of good quality. Very little fall seeding has been 

 done, on account of the dry weather, and what has is in bad con- 

 dition. The abandonment of farm property in this vicinity was 

 greatest soon after the war, because of low prices for farm prod- 

 uce, high taxes and scarcity of reliable farm help. Inquiries for 

 and values of farm property are increasing. Two farms have 

 been sold this season, but at low prices compared with what they 

 would have brought thirty years ago. 



West Springfield (N. T. Smith) . — Indian corn is a full average 

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

 About the average amount of fall seeding has been done, but the 

 continued dry weather causes slow growth. The only abandonment 

 of farm property in this section is of outlying lands formerly used 

 for pasturing or raising of rye and buckwheat. These lands have 

 been allowed to grow up to brush on account of scarcity and high 

 price of labor obliging the owners to concentrate their efforts on 

 fewer acres. Most of this land is practically worthless, on 

 account of frequent fires in the spring season, which prevent the 

 growth of wood. A sale of these lands at their annual valuation 

 for assessment of taxes would be impossible. Inquiries for and 

 values of farm property are increasing. 



Wilhraliam (F. E. Clark). — Indian corn is a full average 

 crop. Late potatoes are not an average in yield, there being 

 many small ones. The average amount of fall seeding has been 

 done. Early seeded fields are looking finely, but late seeding is 

 not, on account of the dry weather. The abandonment of farm 

 property in this vicinity was greatest from 1880 to 1890. There 

 are more calls at present for farm property than for several years 

 previous. 



Monson (A. H. White) , — Indian corn is a full average crop, 

 both grain and stover. Some are husking, and find a very good 

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

 quality. I do not think the average amount of fall seeding has 

 been done, but what has is looking very well. There is not much 

 call for farms. We find on many farms fields that were formerly 



