22 



higher than formerly, certainly they are no lower. There is no change 

 noted in the acreage of any of the leading farm crops. 



Atiburn (Wm. Gilbert). — The ground is unusually dry, too dry 

 to plow. Pastures and mowings promise a light crop; fall seeding 

 wintered well. All kinds of fruit trees blossomed full, and there has 

 been no frost. Tent caterpillars and cut worms are unusually plenti- 

 ful. Planting has been delayed on account of the dry weather. Farm 

 help is very scarce, and not more than 25 per cent of it is good help. 

 Wages average $25 per month, with board, and $2 per day, without 

 board. There will be an increased acreage of field corn and a decreased 

 acreage of potatoes; a few are trying alfalfa. 



Mendon (James J. Nutter) . — There is no particular difference 

 noticeable from other seasons. Pastures and mowings are not looking 

 promising. The fruit bloom was not as good as last year, especially 

 apples. Elm leaf beetles are doing some damage. Farm help is scarce 

 and only a small proportion of it is good help. Wages average $18 

 to $20 per month, with board. There are no special changes in the 

 acreage of farm crops. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson) . — The season is dry, but seeds are 

 coming up well. Pastures and mowings are poor and dry; fall seeding 

 wintered well, but needs rain. There was a half bloom on apples, 

 and a full bloom of pears, peaches and plums; no frost to do damage. 

 Tent caterpillars, brown-tail moths and white grubs are doing damage. 

 Planting is a little backward. Farm help is about as usual. Wages 

 average 20 cents per hour, without board. Acreage of farm crops 

 about as usual; petsai and alfalfa are being experimented with. 



Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The season compares very unfavor- 

 ably with the normal. Pastures and mowings need rain sadly; fall seed- 

 ing wintered well, but is making no growth. Apple bloom, 50 per cent; 

 pears, 75; peaches, 90; plums, 90; small fruits, 95; San Jos^ scale 

 and tent caterpillars are doing damage. Planting is well along, but not 

 half the seed is sprouting. Farm help is fairly plenty, and about 

 one-third of it can be called good. Wages average $27 per month, 

 with board, and $45 per month, without board. There will be an 

 increased acreage of corn. 



Stoiv (Geo. W. Bradley). — The season is a little more forward 

 than usual in some respects, but is needing rain at present. Pastures 

 and mowings do not promise well, owing to drought. The fruit bloom 

 was a little above the average, with no damage from frost. Brown- 

 tail moths, tent caterpillars and cut worms are doing damage. Plant- 

 ing is nearly finished, except for some field corn and late garden stuff. 

 Farm help is very scarce and poor. Wages range from $15 to $30 

 per month, with board, and from $1.50 to $2.50 per day, without 

 board. More potatoes are being planted than last year, and perhaps 

 a little more corn. 



