21 



About two-thirds of the dairy farmers have silos. There seems to 

 be less interest in dairying than formerly. Rain on the 21st has 

 improved the prospect for all crops. Onions and tobacco are making 

 good growth and promise Avell. Tobacco growers have begun to 

 prime the crop, which is a little late. 



New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — Potato bugs are very plenty. 

 Indian corn is very backward; less than 10 per cent grown for en- 

 silage. Quality of hay crop is excellent, but quantity is less than 

 normal. Corn and millet very backward on account of drought. 

 Not much done in the market-garden line. Apples promise well. 

 About the average crop of rye, oats and barley. About five acres 

 of new orchard have been set out. About one-tenth of the dairy 

 farmers have silos, which is not much of an increase over ten years 

 ago, A fine rain on the 21st did much good. 



Cummington (W. A, Harlow). — Borers are doing the most 

 damage at present. Corn is very late, but looks good; one-half is 

 used for ensilage. Hay about an average crop. Millet, rye, oats 

 and peas are raised as forage crops. Market-garden crops are late, 

 but looking well; none harvested yet. Prospect is for a light fruit 

 crop. Pastures are very dr3\ Oat crop is short. No new apple 

 orchards have been established recentlj^. About one-half of the 

 dairy farmers use the silo, and this is considerably more than ten 

 years ago. We have had no rain except two or three light showers 

 since June 1. 



Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — -Potato bugs are most in evi- 

 dence. Corn is somewhat backward, but is looking well; about one- 

 half will go into the silo. Fully an average crop of good quality 

 hay is the rule. Millet, Hungarian and corn are raised as forage 

 crops and are ia good condition. Fruit prospect is not very good. 

 Pastures are in poor condition. Rye, oats and barley show a fair 

 crop as forage; they are not raised for grain. Perhaps one-fourth 

 of the dairy farmers use the silo, which is no more than ten years 

 ago. Corn is the only crop raised for ensilage. 



Westhampton (Levi Burt). — More damage is being done by the 

 potato beetle than any other insect. Corn is very backward, but is 

 now growing fast; about two-fifths is used in the silo. There is an 

 average crop of hay and the quality of the same is very good. Oats 

 and millet are raised chiefly as forage crops. The dry weather has 

 damaged all forage crops. Market-garden crops not raised here. 

 Potatoes not large enough to dig at this date. Apples promise 

 well ; pears, peaches and plums very light ; quinces about half crop. 

 Pasturage is very short. Very little rye, oats or barley raised here. 

 About half the dairy farmers in this vicinity made use of the silo 

 ten years ago; the same is true to-day. 



Easthampton (W. C. Clark). — Potato bugs and squash bugs are 



