19 



New Braintree. — There were some very good fields of Indian 

 corn, but so many fields were blighted that the average yield was 

 reduced nearly one-half. Our farmers have made a large amount 

 of milk this season, and received a good price for it. Number of 

 deserted farms in this vicinity not greater than it was ten years 

 ago, only that the buildings destroyed by fire have not been 

 rebuilt. Much more stock than usual will be wintered. 



C. D. Sage. 



Spencer. — Crop of Indian corn an average one in quality. 



Corn fodder secured before the 26th was in fine condition. The 



last five days of the month were cloudy, with considerable rain. 



Quantity of root crops an average ; but not quality. This season 



has not been a profitable one for our farmers, because of rot in 



potatoes, short crop of apples, and loss of profitable labor by 



reason of stormy weather. Number of deserted farms in this 



vicinity greater than it was ten years ago. The ground froze and 



ice formed ou the 11th, 22d and 23d. 



H. H. Kingsbury. 



Sxttton. — Corn crop not quite an average one. Root crops not 

 up to an average in quantity or quality. Season perhaps fairly 

 profitable for our farmers. I think one great reason for the small 

 profits this year was the great amount of wet we have had, and 

 which caused most of the products to be very watery, hence 

 reducing their value very much. The number of deserted farms 

 in this vicinity is greater than it was ten years ago. 



A. W. Putnam. 



Worcester. — Crop of Indian corn an average one. Root crops 

 up to an average in quantity and quality. I think the season has 

 been rather better than an average. Number of deserted farms in 

 this vicinity not greater than it was ten years ago. Farmers, as a 

 rule, do their work and business in a hap-hazard kind of way ; 

 hence the reason there are so many who are constantly complain- 

 ing of their hard lot, and that many of them have cause for com- 

 plaint. 



F. J. Kinney. 



