13 



It has been proved that proper spraying for blight, above 

 its total extra cost, will add $40 an acre to the value of the 

 crop. 



Tobacco. 

 The tobacco crop in the Connecticut valley is reported as 

 fully up to the average in quality and quantity, while there is 

 a slight increase in the acreage of the regular crop and also 

 of the shade-grown. Tobacco has also been affected by the 

 severe drought, but has pulled through in fairly good shape. 

 Cutting was in progi'ess at time of reports, and many are 

 " priming " the crop, or picking the leaves as they ripen, 

 beginning at the bottom. 



Fruit Prospects. 



The apple crop has been severely curtailed as a result of 

 the severe drop, which was caused by the long drought of 

 June and July. Prospects at the present time are for about 

 60 to 70 per cent of a normal crop. Pears will be a rather 

 light crop. Peaches were badly winterkilled, and in many 

 localities there will be none whatever, while a light crop is 

 expected in other sections, the Cape Cod districts showing 

 up best. Grapes, as a rule, will be a good crop. Quinces 

 will be only a fair crop. Cranberries promise a rather small 

 crop, owing to late frosts and worm damage. A rough esti- 

 mate for the State, as a whole, gives the crop, as compared 

 with normal, about as follows: apples, 61 per cent; pears, 51 

 per cent; peaches, 35 per cent; grapes, 85 per cent; quinces, 

 65 per cent; cranberries, 65 per cent. 



Pasturage. 

 Pastures, which, in the severe droughts of the last two 

 years, have been badly burned, partially responded to the 

 spring rains, ony to be unmercifully scorched again in the 

 drought of June and July. The recent rains, however, have 

 come to their relief, and they are now reported in some 

 localities, especially in eastern Massachusetts, in better con- 

 dition than for some years past at this time. While feed is 

 still short, the recent rains have helped wonderfully in all 

 sections. 



