17 



NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS. 



[Returned to us July 24.] 



BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 



New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades). — Corn is very uneven and 

 poor; perhaps one-fourth will be put in the silo. There is hardly 

 a normal crop of hay in quantity, but the quality is good. Sweet 

 corn and millet started late, but are now growing weU. Garden 

 crops have suffered from drought. Apples promise a 75 per cent 

 crop; there will be but few peaches; grapes and plums now carry 

 a full crop. Pasture is dry and brown. Rye is a good crop and 

 oats promise weU. Setting new apple orchards has been discon- 

 tinued. About one farmer in four has a silo, but the number is on 

 the increase. Only the large growing varieties of corn are used 

 for ensilage. 



Alford (L. T, Osborne). — Tent caterpillars are the worst in 

 years. Corn is very backward; some will hardly ripen unless con- 

 ditions are very favorable. About an average crop of hay of good 

 quality. But little attention is given to forage crops. Prospect is 

 a very poor crop of potatoes, as the drought has been very severe. 

 Less apples than for some years. Pastures mostly dried up. Grain 

 and forage croj^s are very poor. Comparatively few trees have been 

 set here, but large numbers in surrounding towns. But few farmers 

 have silos, objections being scarcity and high price of labor and low 

 price for milk. Only corn is used. We have had the worst drought 

 in years, oats, rye, potatoes and corn suffering heavily. 



Tyringham (Edward H. Slater). — Indian corn is very back- 

 ward, but has impi'oved since the recent rains ; about one-third of the 

 crop is gTown for ensilage. The hay crop will be about the same 

 as last year and of good quality. Sowed corn and Japanese millet 

 are grown as forage crops, but wUl be quite late. Potatoes are very 

 backward, but seem to be doing well. None have been harvested as 

 yet. There will be a light crop of apples, plums, and grapes. Pas- 

 turage has been badly injured by drought. Oats are looking fairly 

 well. No apple orchards have been set in town during the past year. 

 About one-third of the dairy farmers are using the silo. The num- 

 ber has greatly increased during the past five or sis years. Corn 

 is the only ensilage crop used here. 



