16 



Potatoes will probably be a light crop. There are no apples to speak 

 of; other fruits uneven ; good crops in some cases in others not. Past- 

 urage has been holding out well though perilously near injury from 

 drought at times. Rye is a good crop ; oats rather light. 



Hampden (J. N. Isham). — Corn is in good growing condition ; about 

 one farmer in forty has a silo. The hay crop was nearly up to last year 

 in quantity and of excellent quality. Corn and oats are the principal 

 forage crops raised and are in good condition, with increased acreage. 

 Garden crops are in good condition ; potatoes are a fair yield with me- 

 dium prices. Apples and peai*s good ; some peach orchards good, others 

 poor ; plums poor and natives show some rot. Pasturage is fairly good 

 but is beginning to show need of rain. Rye a little short from winter 

 killing ; oats a good average crop. 



Holland (Francis Wight). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. 

 Indian corn is in good condition ; no silos in this town. Hay was not 

 over a two-thirds crop but the quality was good. Corn and oats are the 

 principal forage crops grown, with an increased acreage. Market- 

 garden crops are in good condition. All fruits except grapes and cran- 

 berries will be below the average. Feed in pastures is short and not fresh 

 and green. Rye, oats and barley are rather above the average. 



Palmer (O. P. Allen). — Potato bugs are our most troublesome in- 

 sect. Indian corn is rather backwai - d but is coming on fast now. The 

 quantity of the hay crop is less than usual but the quality is good. Corn 

 is the principal forage crop grown and there is the usual amount this 

 year. Market-garden crops are about as in former years as regards con- 

 dition and price. Fruit is below the average in condition. Pasturage is 

 good as a rule. Rye, oats and barley are about average crops. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



North Brookfield (J. H. Lane). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. 

 Indian corn is in good condition and about 10 per cent of the crop will 

 go into the silo. Hay was a little over a three-fom-ths crop, of fine 

 quality. Corn and Hungarian grass are the principal forage crops 

 grown. Prices for market-garden crops are very low and early potatoes 

 bring but 50 cents a bushel. Apples and pears are half a crop, plums a 

 one-third crop, and grapes a full crop. Pastures are now getting dry, 

 but feed has been good up to within a few days. Rye, oats and barley 

 are extra good crops. 



Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — Potato bugs are doing some damage. 

 The warm weather has caused a fine and very thrifty growth of corn; 

 about one-fourth of the crop goes into the silo. Hay was about a three- 

 fourths crop, of excellent quality. On account of expected shortage of 

 hay an extra area has been devoted to fodder corn, millet, etc., and they 

 are making a fine growth. All market-garden crops are very thrifty 

 and potatoes are especially fine. The prospect is for a very large crop 

 of apples, with a few pears, peaches and quinces, and an average crop 

 of grapes. Pasturage has been in good condition but is now getting 

 short. Oats and barley have made a good growth and were nearly all 

 hayed. 



