CEOP REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1889. 



Returned to the Office of the State Board of Agriculture, 



Nov. 1, 1889. 



Office State Board of Agriculture, 



Boston, Mass., Nov. 5, 1889. 



General Remarks. 

 In presenting our last crop report of the season of 1889, 

 we would take occasion to thank our correspondents for the 

 interest they have taken in this line of work and for the 

 manner in which they have made their returns to us from 

 time to time. It is hoped that this work may be taken up 

 next season in a way that will produce even better results 

 than have been secured this season. In the circular sent to 

 our correspondents about the 20th of the month, the follow- 

 ing questions were asked : 1 . Is this year's crop of Indian 

 corn an average one? 2. Are root crops up to the average 

 in quantity and quality? 3. On the whole, has this season 

 been a profitable one for your farmers? 4. In your opinion, 

 what per cent of farms in your town are mortgaged? 5. In 

 your opinion, is the number of deserted farms in your vicinity 

 greater than it was ten years ago ? About 80 returns have 

 been received, samples of which will be found printed in the 

 "Notes of Correspondents." From these returns we learn 

 that the crop of Indian corn is fully an average one. Root 

 crops are just about an average in quantity and quality. As 

 to whether the season has been a profitable one or not, 77 

 replies have been received, of which 44 say it has, and 33 

 say it has not. The answers to the fourth question were to 

 be considered confidential. The following table will give a 

 partial idea of the extent to which farms are mortgaged. 



