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MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — Elm-leaf beetles are doing some 

 damage. Indian corn is suffering from drought and is mostly raised 

 for ensilage. The hay crop was two-thirds of an average in quantity 

 and of good quality. Oats are raised for forage, but are suffering from 

 drought. Potatoes look like a failure for want of rain. Apples are 

 dropping off because of drought; pears half a crop; few peaches; 

 grapes a full crop. Pastures are very dry. 



Framingham (J. S. Williams). — Potato bugs, the elm-leaf beetle 

 and onion maggots are doing damage. The corn crop is generally 

 looking finely, though some fields are ruined by drought ; three-fourths 

 of the crop will go into the silo. The hay crop is a normal one in quan- 

 tity and of excellent quality. Corn, oats, rye, barley and millet are 

 our forage crops and are in good condition since the rains. All market- 

 garden crops have suffered from dry weather, including early potatoes. 

 A fair crop of apples and pears is expected ; peaches, plums and quinces 

 will be light. The pastures are as brown as in November, but should 

 improve with rain. Rye and oats made splendid growth as forage 

 crops; barley is grown for late feed. 



Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Elm-leaf beetles and potato bugs are 

 doing damage. Indian corn looks remarkably well considering the dry 

 weather; 75 per cent of all corn goes into the silo. The hay crop was 

 nearly an average one in quantity and of good quality. Oats, millet 

 and sweet corn are the forage crops grown, and are in fair condition. 

 All market-garden crops are short, but not seriously scarce ; prices are 

 well maintained. Apples promise a 50 per cent crop; pears 40 per 

 cent; peaches 75 per -cent; plums 50 per cent; quinces 40 per cent; 

 grapes 90 per cent. Pasturage is all dried up, there being practically 

 no feed, but recent rains may start new growth. Rye, oats and barley 

 are raised only for forage and are in fair condition. 



Stow (Geo. W. Bradley). — The elm-leaf beetle, fall web worms and 

 a few gypsy moths are doing damage. Corn is looking well, considering 

 the dry weather; not a large proportion is grown for ensilage. There 

 is about a two-thirds crop of hay of fair quality. Hungarian grass and 

 Japanese millet, with some fodder corn, are grown for forage. Apples 

 are a fair crop ; pears good ; other fruits not so plenty, except grapes, 

 which are looking well. Most pastures are very dry. There is little 

 rye or barley grown and oats are not doing as well as usual. 



Maynard (L. H. Maynard). — Potato bugs, gypsy and brown-tail 

 moths and fall web worms are doing damage. Indian corn is in good 

 condition, but a little late; less than half will go into the silo. Hay 

 was a short crop in most places, owing to dry weather. Hungarian 

 grass and corn are grown to a considerable extent as forage crops and 

 are in good condition. Market-garden crops are looking well at present 

 and compare favorably with former years. Apples are about half a 



