12 



:n^otes of corkespondents. 



(Returned to us May 25.) 



BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 



New Marlborough (E. W. Rhoades) . — The season is perhaps a 

 week earlier than usual. Fall seeding came through the winter in fine 

 shape and pastures and mowings promise well. All fruits blossomed 

 very fully, with the exception of apples; no damage from frosts. Cur- 

 rant worms are very jDlentiful and apple tree borers cause much trouble. 

 Planting is nearly completed. Farm help is none too plenty. Wages 

 average S25 per month with board and $40 per month without board. 

 More corn for the silo will be planted than usual and mangels will be 

 planted to some extent. 



Becket (Wm. H. Snow). — The season is fully as advanced as usual, 

 though late frosts have delayed planting. Pastures and mowings 

 still suffer from last year's drought, but are otherwise in very good 

 condition. The fruit bloom is very full and has not suffered from frosts. 

 Tent caterpillars have appeared. Planting is progressing slowly on 

 account of unfavorable weather. Farm help is scarce and only one- 

 fourth of it is good help. Wages average $25 per month with board 

 and 11.50 per day without board. The acreage of potatoes will be 

 somewhat decreased this year and that of corn increased. There are 

 many potatoes still on hand this spring and prices are low. 



Washington (E.H. 'Eames). — The season is two or three weeks 

 later than the normal. Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are in 

 very good condition. There is an average fruit bloom, with no damage 

 from frost. No insects have appeared as yet. Planting is progressing 

 slowly owing to rainy weather. There is hardly any farm help to be 

 had. Wages average $1.50 per day Avith board. There is little change 

 in the acreage of farm crops. 



West Stockbridge (J. S. Moore) . — The season is two weeks earlier 

 than last j'car. Pastures and mowings are in good condition and fall 

 seeding is looking well. There is about the usual fruit bloom and 

 there does not seem to have been any injury from frosts, although 

 there have been several hard ones. Planting is progressing well. 

 Farm help is scarce and but little good help is to be had. Wages 

 range from $20 to $25 per month with board and average $1.50 per 

 day without board. There will be about the usual acreage of the vari- 

 ous farm crops. Milk is bringing better prices than ever before and 

 farmers are increasing their herds. 



