40 



not germinated well, as the weather has been rather dry. Prices 

 have been, for the most part, satisfactory. The most profitable 

 crops, in order, have been sweet corn, apples, cauliflower and 

 squashes. The season can be considered as a profitable one. Vege- 

 tation, streams, si-rings and wells have not recovered from the 

 drought. The greatest drawback during the season has been the 

 drought. It is now three or four years since the land has been 

 thoroughly saturated, and springs that no drought for twenty-five 

 years has affected are now very low. 



Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — In quantity the corn crop has 

 been fully normal and the quality is extra good. The spring was 

 late and dry, but rains coming in July, together with the late fall 

 and good care, resulted in a splendid crop. Where no care was 

 taken, feeds were a full crop. The dry fall weather prevented the 

 best development of roots. Farm stock is in good condition, where 

 kept up and fed; pasture stock is thin and poor. Fall seeding is 

 about 50 per cent of normal, owing to late drought. Potatoes have 

 been a little lower in price, but squashes about the same. The most 

 profitable crops, in order, have been silage corn, first-crop grass, 

 potatoes and squashes. The least profitable crops, in order, have 

 been root crops, apples, pears, peaches and plums. I should say 

 that the season had been a profitable one for farmers, but this de- 

 pends upon what they raise. The drought still shows its bad effects. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



Salisbury (Wesley Pettingill). — There is rather more than a 

 normal corn crop; the quality is good, with no frost damage. Corn 

 was a little late, but the frost, holding off a little better than usual, 

 gave it a chance to ripen in good condition. Root crops have been 

 a good average. Farm stock is only in fair condition, as feed has 

 been a little short the last three weeks. Not much fall seeding has 

 been done, but what has been done is looking well. Early crops 

 brought a good price; late crops not as much as some years. The 

 most profitable crops, in order, have been hay, apples, corn, early 

 sweet corn. The least profitable crops, in order, have been squashes, 

 potatoes (although a good crop, the price was very low), beans 

 (dry). I think the season has been about an average one for the 

 farmer. Vegetation has recovered wonderfully since the drought; 

 springs are now getting a little low. 



Merrimac (S. Bixby Sargent). — Early planted corn is about the 

 avez'age; late planted, not over 66% per cent of normal, owing to 

 the fact that it did not germinate well because of the dry weather. 

 Root crops have turned out very good. Farm stock is in good con- 

 dition. Fall seeding never was in better condition. Prices for 



