22 



pears, plums and cherries poor ; strawberries average crop ; blue- 

 berries and blackberries in abundance. 



Douglas (J. M. Rawson). — Colorado beetles, white grubs and 

 rose bugs are doing some damage. Indian corn is looking well, 

 with an increased acreage. Haying has not yet begun ; the crop 

 looks well, but will not cut what it looks. The acreage of early 

 potatoes is increased, and the crop looks well at this time. Early 

 market-garden crops are backward, and none have matured as yet. 

 The quantity and price of dairy products are fair, and the prices 

 for cows tend to increase. Pastures are not in good condition, 

 and there is much feeding at the barns. Strawberries are a fair 

 crop ; blackberries look finely. 



Blackstone (O. F. Fuller). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are 

 doing some damage. Corn is a little backward, but the acreage 

 is about the same as usual. Very little hay has been cut as yet. 

 The acreage of potatoes is considerably increased. Market-garden 

 crops are all backward, and prices are about as usual. More 

 dairy products are produced than a year ago, and the retail price 

 of milk has advanced. Pastures are as a rule in poor condition. 

 There will be a short crop of plums, on account of the late frosts ; 

 some peach orchards will give a full crop, others none at all ; 

 pears few ; apples promise a good crop ; strawberries very scarce. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson) . — Potato bugs and spittle insects 

 are doing some damage. Indian corn is in good condition, with 

 the acreage about the same as usual. Haying has not begun, and 

 the crop will be only fair. The acreage of early potatoes is about 

 average, and the crop looks well. Early market-garden crops are 

 not much raised. Milk is the only dairy product sold, and it is 

 about as usual as regards both quantity and price. Pasturage is in 

 fair condition. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are look- 

 ing well. 



Framingham (H. S. Whittemore) . — Potato bugs and squash 

 bugs are doing some damage. There is a full acreage of Indian 

 corn, and it is looking finely, through rather late. But little hay- 

 ing has been done as yet, but the prospect is for a fair crop. The 

 acreage of early potatoes is fully up to last season. Very few 

 market-garden crops have been harvested as yet, but all look well. 

 Prices for dairy products and dairy cows are fully as high as last 

 season. Pasturage is in good condition, but rain is needed. Straw- 

 berries are a fair crop ; blackberries promise well ; cherries a light 

 crop, owing to late frosts. 



