16 



berries. Potatoes are mostly planted and corn planting is going on. 

 Farm help is more plenty than in years past and of better quality. 

 Wages average $25 per month with board and S2 per day without 

 board. More corn than usual is being put in. 



Amherst (Prof. Wm. P. Brooks) . — The season is perhaps ten days 

 ahead of the normal. Pastures and mowings promise well, though 

 doubtless injm-ed by the num.erous frosts; fall seeding wintered welL 

 Apples had a fair bloom; peaches, pears and plums abundant; straw- 

 berries considerably injured by frost, other fruits uninjured. Cur- 

 rant worms are the only insect at all prominent; but many elm 

 beetles are coming out from hibernation. Planting is nearly finished 

 except corn and tobacco setting is beginning. Farm help is in fair 

 supply and quality. Wages range from $18 to $30 with board and 

 from $1.50 to $1.60 per day without board. The acreage of onions 

 will be increased. Conditions for farm work have been favorable and 

 it is well in hand. 



Hadley (H. C. Russell). — The season is about ten days earher 

 than usual. Grass will be an excellent crop and pastures are looking 

 well. Apples and pears bloomed very full, small fruits fair. Potatoes 

 are planted and corn is being planted. There will be quite an increase 

 in the acreage of onions. Farm help is not very plenty, but three- 

 fourths of it is good help. Wages average from $20 to $22 per month 

 with board and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. 



Easthampton (William C. Clapp) . — The season is fully up to the 

 normal. Mowings and pastures are looking well and fall seeding 

 wintered well. There was a good fruit bloom with no damage from 

 frosts. Currant worms are plenty, also cut worms and tent caterpillars. 

 Planting is progressing well, potatoes being mostly planted. There is 

 about the usual supply of help. Wages range from $18 to $25 per 

 month with board and from $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board. 

 Most farmers are planting all the corn they can take care of. 



Westhampton (Levi Burt). — The season is a normal one. Pastm'es 

 are in good condition and grass never looked better; fall seeding 

 wintered well. Apples are in full bloom ; other small , fruits about 

 average; no frost to do damage to fruit. Insects are doing no damage 

 as yet. Planting has been delayed by rainy and cold weather. Farm 

 help is not very plenty and is generally good. Wages range from $18 

 to $25 per month with board and average $1.50 per daj'- without 

 board. 



Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — The season is about two weeks 

 in advance of the normal. Pastures and mowings promise well and 

 fall seeding wintered finely. There was a full bloom of all kinds of 

 fruit and no injury from frosts. Tent caterpillars are the only insect 

 in evidence and they are not abundant. Planting is nearl}'' completed. 

 Help is scarce and good help would be a surprise. Wages range from 

 $20 to $25 per month with board and from $35 to $40 without board. 



