10 



Crops of the Year. 



The season opened from ten days to two weeks earlier 

 than usual ; but the dry weather of April and the first half 

 of May, and the cold storms and frosts following, made con- 

 ditions about average on June 1. Stock wintered well. 

 Promise of good crop of hay on newly seeded and moist 

 lands, and for a light to fair crop on old and dr}' fields. 

 Fall seeding wintered well. The apple bloom was unusually 

 heavy, the peach bloom light, and the bloom of other fruit 

 trees and small fruits a good average. Canker and cut 

 worms unusually numerous ; tent caterpillars not plenty. 

 Farm help more plenty than of late years. Wages ranged 

 from $8 to $28 per month and board, according to locality 

 and character of help ; per day the range was $1 to $2, with 

 $1.50 as the average. The general industrial depression as 

 yet had had no material influence on the acreage of crops. 



July 1 the potato beetle appeared to be the only insect 

 generally prevalent. Indian corn was looking well, though 

 backward, and a slight increase in acreage was reported. 

 Haying was just commencing. Early potatoes reported as 

 looking w^ell, with promise of a good crop ; a considerable 

 increase in acreage was noted. Early market-garden crops 

 were generally a fair yield, with prices somewhat lower than 

 usual. Dairy products were average in quantity, with slight 

 but general decrease in prices received. Pastures reported 

 as " dry," " short" or " badly in need of rain." The out- 

 look for fruits and berries was fair. Strawberries were a 

 fair crop, currants a good crop and cherries abundant ; 

 blackberries and raspberries promised well. 



August 1 the potato beetle and the horn fly were most 

 frequently mentioned as prevalent and troublesome. A good 

 crop of Indian corn promised. Hay crop harvested gener- 

 ally in excellent condition, and quality as a rule very good. 

 Yield estimated as three-fourths of an average crop. Fodder 

 corn reported as the forage crop most universally grown. 

 Market-garden crops below average in quantity, with prices 

 low. Early potatoes light yield and quite small, but of 

 good quality ; prices low. Apples and pears generally prom- 

 ised well ; grapes fair to good ; few peaches promised ; cran- 



