17 



There will be an increase in thie acreage of corn. All fruits are setting 

 well. 



Gos/ien (Geo. L. Barrus). — The season is two or three weeks 

 ahead of the normal. Pastures and mowings seldom look better at 

 this time of year. The fruit bloom is somewhat better than normal, 

 with no damage from frost. Tent caterpillars have appeared. Planting 

 is fully up to the normal, though somewhat hindered by wet weather. 

 Good help is scarce and help in general is not plenty. Wages are $1 

 per day or $25 per month with board and $1.50 to $1.75 per day with- 

 out board. No marked difference in the acreage of the usual farm 

 crops is noted. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Russell (E. I). F auks). — The season is up to the average. All 

 grass, including new seeded fields, is looking very well. The fruit 

 bloom was quite full, especially apples; the frost did no harm in this 

 section. Tent caterpillars and currant worms are doing some damage. 

 Planting is nearly finished. Farm help is very scarce and there is but 

 little good help. Wages average $25 per month with board and $45 

 without board. There is quite an interest in fruit hereabouts and 

 some good orchards are being started. 



Granville (Joseph Welch) . — The season is more forward than 

 usual. Pastures and mowings are looking finely and fall seeding win- 

 tered well. The fruit bloom was heavier than usual and has not suf- 

 fered from frost. The season being wet there are no troublesome 

 insects as yet. Planting is progressing rather slowly. There is a fair 

 amount of good help. Wages average $1.75 per day without board. 

 The acreage of corn will be increased. 



Agawam {J. G. Bvwt). — The season is fully up to the average. 

 Pastures and mowings are looking well and fall seeding wintered well. 

 There is a full bloom of fruit trees; strawberries may have suffered 

 from frosts. Planting is progressing well. Farm help is scarce and 

 there is very little good help. Wages average from $22 to $28 per 

 month with .board and from $35 to $40 without board. There will be 

 an increase in the acreage of corn and a decrease in that of potatoes. 



West Springfield (T. A. Rogers) . — Grass and grain are in advance 

 of the normal and the season is otherwise about normal. Pastures and 

 mowings look well and fall seeding is in fine condition. Apples had 

 hardly a full bloom; pears, peaches and plums full; berries full; no 

 injury from frost. No insects are doing serious damage at present. 

 Potatoes are mostly planted, also garden truck; not much corn 

 planted as yet. Farm help is plenty and mostly very good. Wages 

 range from $25 to $30 per month with board and from $1.50 to $1.75 

 per day without board. There will be an increased acreage of both 

 corn and potatoes. 



East Longvieadow (John L. Davis) . — The season is backward but 

 favorable. There was some injury to grass by winterkilling, but it is 



