15 



and we have had no frosts. Planting not half completed. Farm 

 help is scarce and mostly good help. Wages average $25 per month, 

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

 in the acreage of farm crops. 



Colrain (W. H. Davenpokt) . — The season is a little late, but so 

 far promises well. Mowings winterkilled somewhat, but the general 

 outlook for grass is good. The fruit bloom was about average, with 

 no damage from frosts. Tent caterpillars are exceptionally plentiful 

 and destructive. Planting is progressing rather slowly. Help is very 

 scarce and wages high, but the quality is fairh^ good. One man is 

 paying $39 per month, with board, and $1.75 per day and dinner is a 

 common rate. The acreage of farm crops will be curtailed for lack 

 of help. There is much orchard setting here. 



Beniardston (R. H. Cushman). — The season is about normal, 

 although the fruit bloom is a week to ten days early. Pastures and 

 mo^angs are improving, though there are many spots that are winter- 

 killed; fall seeding is in good condition. There was a good average 

 fruit bloom, with no frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. 

 Planting is well along, but there is more to be done. There seem to 

 be more Americans willing to work on farms than usual. Wages 

 range from $20 to $30 per month, with board, and from $1.50 to $1.75 

 per day without board. There is notliing new in agriculture here. 



Ashfield (Albert Howes). — The season is very late and dry. 

 Pastures and mowings need rain badly and fall seeding is in very poor 

 condition. Insects are not doing much damage. Planting is a little 

 backward, but progressing well now. Farm help is very scarce, but 

 two-thirds of it is good help. Wages range from $18 to $25 per month, 

 with board, and from $1.75 to $2 per day, without board. There will 

 be a slightly increased acreage of corn; other crops about as usual. 



Whately (C. L. Crafts). — The season is more backward than usual. 

 Pastures and fall seeding are in poor condition, from lack of rain. 

 Fruit blossomed well and we have had no frosts. Wire worms are 

 doing some damage. Planting is about completed and tobacco setting 

 has commenced. There is enough farm help, mostly Poles, but it is 

 not extra good. Wages range from $20,to $28 per month, with board 

 and from $30 to $45, without board. Corn and potatoes have about 

 the usual acreage, but there is a heavy increase in the acreage of 

 onions. Water is scarce and the ground very dry. 



Montague (A. M. Lyman). — The season started late, but has caught 

 up fairly well. The promise for pastures and mowings is good if we 

 have rain soon; fall seeding wintered well. There was a good average 

 fruit bloom, with no frost as yet. Cut worms are very plenty and po- 

 tato bugs. Planting is now in full swing. Farm help is plenty, good 

 help scarce. Wages average from $20 to $25 per month, with board, 

 and from $35 to $40, without board. There is an increased interest in 

 corn. 



Northfield (T. R. Callender). — This is the dryest spring ever 



