26 



Price of milk is lower than it costs to produce. Pasturage is very 

 fail", although it will take i-everal years for pastures to recover from 

 last year's drought. No berries and but little fruit, save apples, 

 grown for market ; these promise a fair crop. Little damage done 

 by frost, except in a few low places. All crops are very late, and 

 reliable help almost impossible to obtain. 



North Brookfield (John H. Lane). — Insects are not proving- as 

 injurious as usual. Indian corn is quite small, as it was planted 

 late, but is now growing well. Very little haying begun; prospect 

 is for a crop 50 to 65 per cent of normal. The acreage of early 

 potatoes is the same as in previous years. Vines are small but 

 growing well. Little early market-garden stuff on the market. 

 Quantity of dairy products is 80 per cent of the average; price as 

 usual. The supply of cows equals the demand, as hay is $30 to $35 

 per ton. Condition of pasturage is 80 per cent of normal. Straw- 

 berries in fine condition. There have been two quite sharp frosts in 

 lower localities, but none on the highlands. 



West Brookfield (Myron A. Richardson). — Cutworms are mak- 

 ing havoc in some places. Indian corn is backward and smaU on 

 account of cold weather, but is a good color; the acreage is normal. 

 Haying has not begun; old fields will be light. The usual acreage of 

 potatoes has been planted, but it is too early to tell what the outcome 

 will be. Market-garden crops not raised here. Good dairy cows are 

 scarce and high. Pasturage looks well at present, but needs some 

 rain. Strawberries will be a light crop this year; currants normal. 

 We have had two heavy frosts, cutting down beans so as to neces- 

 sitate planting over; corn and potatoes were damaged some. 



Warren (W, E. Patrick). — Elm-leaf beetles, striped bugs, spit 

 bug's and potato bugs are proving injui-ious. Indian com is very 

 backward, but the acreage is fully as great as in former years. 

 Haying has not begun; the prospect is for a very light crop. The 

 acreage of early potatoes is about the same : cannot tell yet what 

 the prospect will be for the crop. There is a scarcity of good dairy 

 cows. Dairy products are in good demand ; prices are low. Pastur- 

 age shows the effect of the past dry season. We had three frosts in 

 June; one quite severe, killing tomato plants and injuring some fields 

 of potatoes. 



Charlton (Loren E. Steven.s). — Cutwoims are doing some dam- 

 age. Indian corn looks well, and there is about the usual acreage. 

 Haying has not begun; the grass is looking well. About the usual 

 amount of early potatoes have been planted. Quantity and price of 

 dairy products are as usual, with the excei3tion of butter, which is 

 higher in price. Pasturage is in excellent condition. Strawberries 

 are plenty; grapes blossomed full, as well as peai-s; peaches are not 

 so plenty. Slight frosts injured beans and tomato plants. 



Shrewsbury (Fred J. Reed). — Cutworms, brown-tail moths, 



