14 



Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon) — The season is about ten days 

 late. Pastures and mowings are small and backward and fall seeding 

 did not winter well. There was about an average fruit bloom. Plant- 

 ing is progressing slowly. Farm help is scarce and about one-fourth 

 of it good help. Wages average $30 per month, with board, and $1.75 

 per day, without board. There are no marked changes in the acreage 

 of farm crops. We are having a very dry May and all crops are suffer- 

 ing from want of rain. 



Hancock (B. H. Goodkich). — The season started late, but is now 

 normal, owing to the warm weather of May. Pastures and mowings 

 are in average condition, though winterkilled slightly; no fall seeding. 

 Apples show a fair bloom, with Greenings heavj^; pears light; plums 

 good. Tent caterpillars are more numerous than for a number of 

 years. Planting is progressing well. Farm help is scarce and half 

 of it is good help. Wages average $25 per month, with board; and 

 $1.50 per day, without board. No marked changes in the acreage 

 of farm crops. 



Windsor (Harry A. Ford). — The season is a week in advance of 

 the normal. Grass looks finely and winterkilled but very little. All 

 fruit trees are now in full bloom, with no damage from frost. Plant- 

 ing is not progressing very rapidly. Farm help is scarce, but that 

 available is good help. Wages range from $20 to $30 per month, with 

 board; and from $1.50 to $2 per day, without board. Some quite 

 large fields of potatoes have been planted and some apple trees are 

 being set out. 



Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — The season compares favorably with 

 the normal. The promise for pastures and mowings is good, but fall 

 seeding did not winter well. Apple trees bloomed full, also plums, and 

 they have not suffered from frost. Tent caterpillars are quite plentj'. 

 Planting is progressing finely, some having finished. Farm help is 

 rather scarce, and good help more so. Wages average $25 per month, 

 with board, and $35 to $40, without board. There are no marked 

 changes in the acreage of farm crops. The mercury stood at 100° F. 

 in the shade on May 22. 



WilUamstoion (S. A. Hickox). — The season is full up to the normal. 

 Pastures and mowings promise well, but fall seeding did not winter 

 well. There was a full bloom of all fruits and no frost. Planting is 

 progressing well. Farm help is scarce and one-third of it is good help. 

 Wages average $30 per month, with board, and $40 per month, without 

 board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm 

 crops, but more attention than formerly is being paid to apple culture. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Charlemont (.J. M. J. Legate). — The season is two weeks late. 

 Pastures are doing well, but mowings winterkilled, and fall seeding is 

 thin, owing to the open winter. There is^about an average fruit bloom 



