10 



grain and help. Butter has been uniisiially high during the 

 winter, and prices have not yet dropped to the usual summer 

 level. Dairy cows are in fair supply, with good ones bring- 

 ing higher prices than in the immediate past. Good cows 

 sell themselves at remunerative prices to the breeder. 



Pasturage. 



Pastures were generally reported as in good condition, with 

 good feed ; but indications were numerous that there would 

 be a shortage in the immediate future, if rain did not come 

 soon in considerable quantity. Our New England pastures 

 are always dependent on a constant and well-distributed rain- 

 fall. 



Fruits and Berries. 



The strawberry crop is very late, but few native berries 

 being on the market at the time of making returns. The 

 indications were that there would be a fair crop, though not 

 an unusually heavy one, with prices correspondingly good. 

 Something depends in some sections on rain falling to help 

 mature the crop. The early blossoms appear to have been 

 in the main destroyed by frost. Blackberries and raspberries 

 winter-killed in many sections, but where the canes are alive 

 a heavy bloom is reported. Currants generally promise well. 

 Wild berries bloomed full. Berries of all kinds are later 

 than usual in blooming and ripening. There will be, prac- 

 tically speaking, no peaches, the bloom on those trees which 

 escaped the severe winter having been destroyed by late 

 spring frosts. Pears and plums also appear likely to be much 

 lighter crops than usual. Apples set well for an off year, 

 and the season is so backward that there had been no appre- 

 ciable " drop " at the time of making returns. We must 

 await later advices before forming any estimate as to the 

 probable final result. Cranberries had not bloomed at the- 

 time of making returns, but the vines were reported as look- 

 ing well. 



