12 



tion of milk and l)uttor. Prices of dairy pnKlucts a fair average 

 with the past two or three seasons. Dairying as profitaljle as 

 any branch of farming, unless it be poultry. Chief drawback is 

 the low price of butter, though prices are better now ; and, as 

 grains are high, we hope prices ma}' be maintained llrm through- 

 out the season. 



Daniel Jjallard, 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Brimfield. — As a whole, it has been as good a year if not 

 better than we have had for some time. Wages were so high we 

 did not attempt to do more than we could do ourselves, and what 

 has been done we did ourselves and have the profit, if any. Hay, 

 corn and grass have been fairly satisfactory, and oats, potatoes 

 and all fruits practically failures. The season lias been favorable 

 to the production of milk and butter, though the drouth troubled 

 us for some four weeks. Prices of dairy products as good as for 

 three or four years back. Make butter at the factory, and also 

 send milk to Boston. Do not consider dair^'ing profitable, and 

 still it is as good as most things, if not the best. The chief draw- 

 backs are cost of production and insullicicnt ])ay for what is 



produced. 



S. \V. Brown. 



Holyolce. — Season fairly profitable. Corn and grass fairly 

 satisfactory, and potatoes and fruit practically failures. Season 

 favorable for the production of milk and butter. Milk is sold. 

 Consider dairying profitable, while the chief drawback is the 

 credit S3'stem. There has been about one-fourth the usual amount 

 of apples, and in the districts where there are any, there are more 

 than at first expected. 



J. C. TlIOKPE. 



West Springfield. — Considered as a whole, the season has been 

 a profitable one. Grass, rye, potatoes, corn, strawberries and 

 cabbages have been fairly satisfactory, and apples practically 

 a failure. Season has been exceptionally favorable for the produc- 

 tion of milk and butter, and prices received have been a little 

 lower than last year. Milk is the most reliable of our farm 

 products, although the margin of profit is small at present prices. 

 Abortion in cows and unjust competition by bogus products are. 

 the chief drawbacks to the carrying on of the dairy industry. 

 Our milk is sent to Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee markets. 

 The Springfield Milk Association disposes of the milk of quite a 



section about here. 



N. T. Smith. 



