38 



weather since that time has been ideal. The di'ought in the spring 

 also affected a germination of root crops; carrots are below normal 

 in yield, and other vegetables are about normal. Farm stock is in 

 excellent condition. Fall seeding is about up to the average. Ex- 

 cept for a short time of over-supply, prices in Boston for market 

 crops have been good. The most profitable crops, in order, have 

 been apples, strawbemes, hay, sweet corn and root vegetables. The 

 least profitable crops, in order, have been milk, cabbages, peaches, 

 potatoes and Indian corn; the latter is never profitable here, al- 

 though a good yield was secured this year. We have had a very 

 satisfactory season, generally, for farmers hereabouts. Vegetation 

 and water supplies are in normal condition. We are gatheiing the 

 finest apples ever picked here. The possibilities for fruit growing 

 on the higher levels of land in eastern Massachusetts are greater 

 than general realization. We have received this year, for a one- 

 horse load of apples, over $60. Good soil and climate, and the 

 Boston market, make this possible. 



Concord (William H. Hunt). — The corn crop is about 95 per 

 cent of normal in quantity, and is fully up to normal in quality. 

 Early drought delayed the growth, but later rains were favorable 

 and the late fall favored maturity. Root crops have done very 

 well. The condition of farm stock is about the average. Fall seed- 

 ing, although a little late, is now doing well. Prices of crops have 

 been about the average. The most profitable crops, in order, have 

 been asparagus, strawberries, hay and SAveet com. It has been 

 a fairly profitable season. I should say that streams and springs 

 had recovered from the spring drought. 



Winchester (S. Symmes). — Root crops are not up to the aver- 

 age, as it has been too dry through the late fall to make turnips 

 and caiTots gTow well. Farm stock is in good condition, the mild 

 fall weather being favorable where they had good feed. Fall 

 seeding is rather short, but shows a good catch. Cauliflowers have 

 been lowest in price for many years. The most profitable crops, 

 in order, have been pears, apples, celery, sweet corn and tomatoes. 

 The least profitable crops, in order, have been cauliflowers, lettuce, 

 early cabbage, potatoes and carrots. Considered as a whole, the 

 season has not been a very profitable one; help has been hard to 

 get; cost of gi-ain and hay very high; cost of repairs to wagons 

 and farming tools excessive ; cost of repairs to buildings prohibitive. 

 Many brooks and springs are entirely dry. Up to the afternoon of 

 October 23 the ground was exceedingly dry; a good rain setting 

 in about 5 p.m. continued through the night and did a lot of good 

 to celery and fall seeding. Very few farmers are really getting any 

 pay at all for their hard work and long houi^s. 



Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — I should say the com crop was 



