xxviii BOARD OF AGKICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



SUMMAKY OF CROP CONDITIONS, 1906. 



The weather of May was cold but pleasant, with frosts on 

 the mornings of the 20th and 21st, which did considerable 

 damage to early vegetables. Pastures and mowings wintered 

 very well, but owing to cold weather grass started slowly, 

 and later its growth was checked by drought. There was a 

 good bloom of apples, but pears, plums, cherries and peaches 

 showed a rather liajht bloom. Small fruits and berries sren- 

 erally bloomed full. Little damage from frost was reported. 

 Few insects appeared, and did little damage. Planting was 

 somewhat backward, due largely to the late opening of the 

 season and cold weather. Farm help was unusually scarce ; 

 average wages, $20 per month with board, and $1.50 per 

 day without board. There was a slight increase in the 

 acreage of corn, potatoes, tobacco and onions, and a new 

 cranberry bog was reported as being made. 



Insects were unusually prevalent in June, but not doing 

 excessive damage. Indian corn was late, but of good stand 

 and color. Haying had hardly begun at the close of the 

 month, and a good crop was generally expected. The acre- 

 age of forage crops showed no special increase. Early 

 potatoes were somewhat later than usual, but looking well. 

 Early market-garden crops were later than usual, with prices 

 higher than for some years. The flow of milk was well 

 maintained, but prices for butter and butter fat were lower 

 than the year previous. Dairy cows were in fairly good 

 supply, with easier prices. Pastures were in first class con- 

 dition. Strawberries were a good crop ; cherries light ; 

 plums and pears promised to be light ; peaches fairly good ; 

 apples promised well. 



Potato bugs were reported as more numerous than usual 

 in July, and harder to keep in sul)jection. Indian corn was 



