21 



the usual acreage. Haying has not begun, but there is the pros- 

 pect of a good crop. Early potatoes are looking well, with about 

 an average acreage. P'arly market-garden crops are doing well. 

 The quantity and price of dairy products is about the same as 

 usual. Strawberries are just coming into the market. 



Blackstone (O. F. Fuller). — Potato bugs and elm-leaf beetles 

 are doing some damage. Corn is looking well, with an increased 

 acreage. Haying has just commenced, and there will be a fair 

 crop. There is about the usual acreage of early potatoes, and the 

 vines are looking well. Market-garden crops are about as in former 

 years in yield and price. Dairy cows are a little higher than in 

 former years ; milk has been short ever since last fall. Pasturage 

 is in good condition. There will not be a large crop of fruit, as 

 the late frosts damaged the bloom ; few strawberries are raised in 

 town. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Sherhorn (N. B. Douglas). — Potato bugs are doing some dam- 

 age. There is a poor stand of Indian corn, but the acreage is con- 

 siderably increased. Very little hay has been cut, but there will be 

 almost two-thirds of a full crop. There seems to be an increase 

 in acreage of early potatoes, and they never promised better. Cows 

 are doing fairly well, and are scarce and very high. Pastures are 

 short, though recent rains have helped them. Apples, except Bald- 

 wins, promise a full crop ; peaches look well ; very few pears ; out- 

 look for grapes good ; strawberries a fair crop, and good in some 

 cases. The increased price of dairy products does not nearly equal 

 the increased cost of grain. 



Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — Potato bugs and striped squash 

 bugs are the most prevalent insects. Indian corn is backward, 

 and much silage corn is yet to be planted ; acreage increased. 

 Orchard grass and June grass are being cut between showers. 

 There is an increase of perhaps 10 per cent in the acreage of pota- 

 toes, due to numerous small garden patches; crop prospects good. 

 No marked changes in the yield and price of early market-garden 

 crops. Milk flush, retail price fixed, cows very dear. Pasturage 

 is in normal condition. Strawberries fair supply, prices higher 

 than usual ; cherries not abundant. 



Mayitard (L. H. Maynard). — Asparagus beetles, cut worms 

 and the usual numbers of potato bugs are doing some damage. 

 Indian corn looks well, but is late, owing to cold weathcM- and 

 heavy rains ; acreage about average. Some are haying in or- 

 chards, etc. ; prospect good for an average crop. The acreage 

 of early potatoes is about the same as in former years, and the 



