xlii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



was still quite short, late market-garden crops at this time 

 promised very good results. 



The month of September was very favorable to agriculture, 

 the absence of frosts allowing the crops, which w^re late, 

 owing to the drought early in the season, to mature in fairly 

 good shape. The rainfall, however, was slightly below the 

 average for the month. The corn crop proved to be a very 

 satisfactory one, probably about 88 per cent of normal for the 

 State. Rowen came along in good shape, and a better crop 

 was harvested than was indicated earlier in the season, although 

 in some sections the crop was very light. Fall feed was reported 

 in better condition, even, than rowen. But for the generous 

 rains and warm weather during this month, grasslands would 

 have been in a sad condition. Very little fall seeding had been 

 done at the time of report, but this little was in good condi- 

 tion. The onion crop was about an average one, or slightly 

 above, while prices ranged rather low. The potato crop turned 

 out fairly well and was nearly up to normal and of very good 

 quality, imusually free from scab. Late market-garden crops 

 and root crops were very good, conditions during the month 

 of September having been ideal for these crops. The apple 

 crop was estimated at this time at about GS to 70 per cent of 

 an average crop, of excellent quality; pears were about a 55 

 per cent crop, of good quality. The southeastern counties of 

 the State reported about a one-half crop of peaches; the rest 

 of the State reported practically none; grapes proved to be a 

 very good crop; cranberries were from 65 to 70 per cent of 

 average, with more or less damage from insects. Only slight 

 damage was done by frosts during the month of September, and 

 this was only local. While neither early nor late frosts have 

 done serious damage, it is a noteworthy fact that not a month 

 passed during 1912 which was not accompanied by more or 

 less general frosts in different parts of the State. The replies 

 to the question upon "Apple growing" were of great interest, in 

 that they plainly indicated the increased amount of interest 

 and activity which have resulted in larger yields of better fruit. 



The absence of killing frosts through September and early 

 October, proved to be the salvation of the corn crop, the 

 returns in the October Crop Report showing a decided im- 



