THE FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 



SECRETARY 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of 



Massachusetts . 



The year 1896 was not one of marked prosperity to the 

 farmers of Massachusetts, although the crops were generally 

 good and the season in the main favorable. Prices were low 

 and the markets were overloaded. A large majority of 112 

 crop correspondents reporting in November stated that prices 

 had ruled lower than for several years. The season showed 

 the diversities of weather. April was favorable for farm 

 work and the season opened earlier than usual. May brought 

 a drought that checked the growth of early crops, shortened 

 the feed in pastures and injured the prospect for the hay 

 crop. Fall seedings did not winter well and the drought 

 delayed recovery from the damage thus received. The apple 

 bloom was unprecedented, and small fruits also blossomed 

 full. Other fruits did not promise well. There were no 

 peach blossoms. Canker worms were unusually plenty in 

 some sections, but other insects were not more than usually 

 prevalent during the spring months. Good help was re- 

 ported slightly more plenty than usual, and wages were in 

 some cases reported to be a little lower than last year, the 

 average being $16 to $20 per month with board and $1.25 to 

 $1.50 per day without board. 



June gave good weather for the season. About as much 

 corn as usual had been planted, but it was somewhat back- 



