viii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



bridge. Spraying was reported as not practised to any 

 extent, except by those who make fruit growing a specialty. 

 Farm help was reported as plenty in most localities, though 

 considerable complaint was made of the difficulty of securing 

 really good help. Wages averaged about $18 per month, with 

 board. For day help the range reported was from $1 to $2 

 per day. The usual price paid in most localities, except in 

 haying and harvesting time, was $1.25. Most correspond- 

 ents reported that there were no marked changes in the 

 acreage of farm crops. Rather more corn than usual was 

 planted, the increase being mostly for the silo. 



In June, considerable complaint was made of the failure 

 of corn to germinate, necessitating replanting or abandon- 

 ment of fields. Acreage of early potatoes about as in pre- 

 vious years, and the crop generally promised well, though 

 somewhat backward. Early market-garden crops late and 

 growing slowly, but where harvested the yield was usually 

 spoken of as satisfactory. Prices ruled about as usual, with 

 perhaps a slight upward tendency for some crops. There 

 appeared to be a slight increase in the sum total of dairy 

 products, probably due to the excellent feed in pastures. 

 There was a surplus of milk in many sections. Supply of 

 dairy stock, on the whole, none too great for the demand. 

 Strawberries were generally said to be a good crop, with 

 prices average, but the quality of the early berries suffered 

 somewhat from the wet weather and lack of sun, and the 

 crop was generally delayed in ripening. 



In July, squash bugs, both the black and the striped 

 varieties, appeared to be rather more numerous than usual. 

 Indian corn was very backward, with color oft' and stand un- 

 even. Reports from all quarters agreed that the hay crop 

 was one of the largest ever known in the State ; the qual- 

 ity was also said to be excellent, as a rule, though trouble 

 was reported in some sections from the presence of weeds, 

 which throve unduly during the wet weather. Market- 

 garden crops suffered more or less from the severe rains. 

 Con8ideral)le complaint was made of potato blight. Prices 

 for early potatoes generally spoken of as much better than 

 for several seasons past. Rye was a good crop, if anything, 

 a little above the average. 



