17 



Cherries and plums suffered from frosts. Most damage is being 

 done by tent caterpillars. Of planting, 75 per cent is already done, 

 which is up to normal. Help is scarce; 25 per cent can be called 

 good help. Farm help is paid $28 to $36 per month with board 

 and $2 to $2.25 per day without board. 



West Stockhridge (J. S. Moore). — Spring opened up in fine 

 shape with prospects good for an early season, and much fami work 

 was done in April. A little later, cold weather set in and the frosts 

 of May 11 and 12 did very much damage to fruit of all kinds, 

 especially apples and berries. Ice formed nearly one-half inch thick 

 each morning. Fall seeding did not winter well, but pastures and 

 mowings are in normal condition. The tent caterpillar, currant 

 worm and wireworm are doing the most damage. Planting is later 

 than usual, only 50 per cent having been done on May 24. Of farm 

 help 25 per cent can be called good help. The wages paid are: 

 with board, per month, $20 to $25 ; without board, per day, $1.50 to 

 $1.60. 



Washington (E. H. Fames). — The present season is all of one 

 month late. The condition of pastures and mowings is 50; of fall 

 seeding, about 50. The latter did not winter well. The bloom of 

 fruits was: apples, pears and small fruits, 100; peaches, none. All 

 fruits suffered from frosts. No insect damage is apparent. Three- 

 fourths of the planting is done; this is not up to the average. 

 There is not any farm help; it cannot be found at any price; would 

 pay 22 cents per hour. The acreage of corn and jootatoes will be 

 increased one-half. I have never seen the season so late. Apple 

 blossoms were all frozen, and farmers say that there will be no 

 apples. 



lyringham (Edward H. Slater). — The season up to May 11 

 was very forward. Pastures and mowings are 75 per cent of 

 normal in condition. Fall seeding wintered well; its condition is 

 80. The bloom of fruits was: apples and pears, 100; plums, 25; 

 small fruits, 50. The frosts from the 11th to the 15th did a gTeat 

 amount of damage to fruits and grass. Apples, pears, plums and 

 nearly all kinds of small fruits suffered. Tent caterpillars are 

 more numerous than usual. Of planting, 25 per cent is already 

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

 help is paid $25 per month with board and $1.50 per day without 

 board. 



Otis (W. L. Strickland). — The season is about the same as in 

 former years. Pastures and mowings are in normal condition. Fall 

 seeding wintered well, and its condition is 95. The bloom of fruits 

 was: apples, pears and small fruits, 100; plums, none. No fruits 

 have been ruined by frosts. The tent eateri^illars are the only insects 

 doing damage. Fifty per cent of the planting is done and this is 



