16 



accorded him in the case of deer. Of insectivorous birds 

 there is a marked decrease, which is regrettable. It behooves 

 every farjuer, in his combat with insect foes, to seek and put 

 into practice the best methods of preserving and increasing 

 the supply of these invaluable aids. 



NOTES OF GENERAL CROP CORRESPONDENTS. 

 [Returned to us May 24.] 



Berkshire County. 



North Adams (C. M, OTTarAx). — The season was very early at 

 tlie start but rather baekwai'd for the last two weeks. Pastures and 

 mowings are in normal condition; fall seeding wintered well and its 

 condition is 90. The bloom of fruits was: apples, 85; pears, 100; 

 peaches, 80; plums, 85; small fruits, 90. Chemes and raspberries 

 have suffered from frost, and apples have somewhat. Tent caterpil- 

 lars appear to be doing the most damage. Of planting, 85 per cent 

 was completed on May 24, which compares well with the average. 

 Farm help is scarce; 50 per cent can be called good help. Wages 

 average $30 per month with board and $1.75 per day without board. 

 There will be no change in the acreage of farm crops. The hay crop 

 started very well but has suffered for a week for lack of rain. 



Cheshire (L. J. Northup). — The season as a whole is much bet- 

 ter than normal. Condition of pastures and mowings is 75. Fall 

 seeding wintered well and its condition is 100. The bloom of fruits 

 was: apples, pears and plums, 100. All late fruits suffered from 

 frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing the most damage. Of planting, 

 50 per cent was done May 24, which does not compare very favor- 

 ably with an average. Sixty per cent of farm help is good help. 

 The average wages paid fai*m help are $30 per month with board, 

 and $1.75 per day without board. 



Hancock (D. L. Whitman). — The season was early, but is now 

 cold and dry. Pastures and mowing-s are in 30 per cent condition; 

 some fall seeding wintered well, and its condition is 80. The bloom 

 of fruits was : apples, 80 ; pears, 100 ; plums, 80. All fruits suffered 

 very seriously from frost. Tent caterpillars are very plentiful. 

 Fifty per cent of the planting is already done; this year is ahead 

 of the average in tliis respect. Farm help is scarce; 75 per cent 

 can be called good help. Wages are $25 per month with board; 

 without board, $1.75 per day. 



Richmond (Timothy B. Salmon). — On account of dry weather 

 the season is below normal. The condition of pastures and mowings 

 is 75; of fall seeding, 100. Fall seeding wintered well. The bloom 

 of fruits was: apjjles and pears, 100; plums, 25; small fruits, 50. 



