17 



well. The cranberry crop is up to the average in yield and qual- 

 ity. The abandonment of farm property in this vicinity has been 

 the greatest during the past twenty years. I think one reason is 

 the concentration of manufactures, and another the low prices of 

 grain compared with labor. Inquiries for and values of farm 

 property are about at a standstill. There are no sales of farms to 

 actual farmers. 



Marhlehead (W. S. Phillips, Jr.). — Indian corn is a full 

 average crop. Late potatoes are fully up to the average both in 

 yield and quality. Not much fall seeding has been done as yet, 

 but what has is in prime condition. The abandonment of farm 

 property in this vicinity was greatest about fifteen years ago, 

 when a large area was put on the market for building purposes. 

 Inquiries for and values of property for farm purposes are decreas- 

 ing. Bountiful crops of most excellent quality have been secured, 

 but prices are very low. Ensilage cutting is now going on, 

 quality good, quantity above the average. 



NORFOLK COUNTY. 



Medjield (G. R; Chase). — Indian corn is twenty-five percent 

 above a full average crop. Late potatoes are an average crop in 

 yield and quality. The average amount of fall seeding has been 

 done, and it is in excellent condition. The cranberry crop is 

 more than an average in yield and quality. There are no aban- 

 doned farms in Medfield. Demand for farms light, but no change 

 within a year. About the only farms for sale are offered because 

 of death of male owner and survival of females or minors. 



Franldin (C. M. Allen). — Indian corn is very nearly an aver- 

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

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

 is in average condition. The abandonment of farm property in 

 this locality has been the greatest during the past five years, 

 because it did not pay cost of crops. Inquiries for and values of 

 farm property are decreasing. There are but few abandoned 

 farms in this vicinity, but there "are many that do not pay the cost 

 of working and one per cent on the investment. Where there is 

 no profit in a business, men abandon it and young men do not 

 enter it. 



Medway (Monroe Morse). — Indian corn is somewhat less than 

 an average. Late potatoes are more than an average in yield. 

 Think that the cranberry crop is an average one. The abandon- 

 ment of farms has been and is still going on to some extent, caused 

 largely by changed methods of work, conso(|uent upon the use of 

 machinery, and also to some extent by the higher standard of 



