15 



precautions which are advocated for best results, and which, 

 when more universally practiced, can only result in bigger 

 crops of better potatoes. 



Root Crops, Celery, etc. 

 The prospect for root crops is very good in all sections of 

 the State. The late-sown crops have made steady and satis- 

 factory growth, and reports are fairly uniform, indicating a 

 good yield in all parts of the State. While celery is not re- 

 ported upon as generally, owing to the fact that it is grown 

 less generally, the indications point to a very good crop, 

 which has been greatly benefited by the rains during the 

 latter part of the summer. Other late market-garden crops 

 also promise good returns in all sections. The conditions 

 prevailing during the month of September have been ideal for 

 all market-garden crops, and, although some are a trifle late, 

 the prospect for a prolonged growing season is excellent, and 

 this will insure good results from all. 



Fruits. 

 The apple crop is considerably below the average for the 

 State as a whole, — a conservative estimate, from the figures 

 at hand, being from 68 to 70 per cent of an average crop, 

 showing a marked gain over returns of last month. Franklin, 

 ISTorfolk and Plymouth counties show the highest percentages, 

 and Essex County figures indicate the smallest crop, compared 

 with the average in these counties. In quality, the crop will 

 be excellent, nearly all returns attesting to this fact. Doubt- 

 less the drop which was caused by the drought of early sum- 

 mer acted as a thinning, resulting in better development of 

 the remaining fruit. In this result is found a forcible argu- 

 ment for judicious and timely thinning, soon after the fruit 

 is set. Pears are about a 55 per cent crop for the State as 

 a whole, and the quality of the crop is, in general, very good. 

 Peaches in the State were a very poor crop this year, owing 

 to the fact that they were badly injured and many were 

 winterkilled by the severe weather last winter. In many 

 sections the crop was almost an entire failure, and in no 



