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most profitable. Considered as a whole, the season has been the 

 most profitable we have had for ten years. Our farmers have 

 great hopes for increased prosperity in the future. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Belchertoimi (H. C. AVest). — Root crops have done as well as 

 usual this year. It is hard to say which of the leading crops has 

 been the most profitable in this vicinity, all being remarkably 

 good both in quantity and quality. This season has been a profit- 

 able one for our farmers. They have had good crops, a good 

 season for harvesting, and fair prices. For years the farmers 

 have not been so hopeful as they are to-day. There never was a 

 time, in my opinion, when the prospects of the farmer were 

 brighter or the old farm more of a prize. 



Amherst (C. E. Wilson) . — Root crops have done as well as 

 usual this year. Potatoes have been the least profitable and 

 tobacco the most so of any of our leading crops. Considered as 

 a whole, the season has been a profitable one for farmers. I think 

 that farmers anticipate an increase of prosperity in their business 

 in the near future. 



Hadley (L. W. West.) — Root crops have done as well as usual 

 this year. Tobacco has been the most profitable of our leading 

 crops. The yield of all crops except hay has been good. The 

 yield of potatoes has been large, but the price is low. Corn has 

 been remarkably good, and there appears to be no soft coru. 

 Considered as a whole, the season has been a profitable one for 

 our farmers. Most of them hope for an increase of prosperity in 

 the near future. 



Northampton (D. A. Horton). — Root crops have done very 

 well this year. Potatoes have been the least profitable of our 

 leading crops, at an average price of fifty cents per bushel. 

 Tobacco has been the most profitable crop this year. The season 

 has been a profitable one for our farmers, and everything points 

 to an increase of prosperity in the near future. 



Chesterfield (Horatio Bishee). — I think root crops have done 

 as well as usual this year. The potato crop is the only crop that 

 has not paid very well. The hay crop, although a light one, pays 

 as well as any crop here. I think this season has been as profit- 

 able as any in the last few years. Farmers think they have 

 touched bottom, and are looking for something better in the near 

 future. Apples are more plenty than was anticipated, and are of 

 very good quality. 



