31 



Essex County, 



Methuen (Frederick A. Russell). — At first the present season 

 compared favorably with a normal, but has lately been cold and 

 dry. The condition of pastures, grasslands and fall seeding is 80. 

 Fall seeding wintered well. The bloom of fruits was: apples, 50; 

 pears and peaches, 100; plums, 50; small fruits, 80. Frosts dam- 

 aged strawberries and apples. Tent caterpillars seem to be doing the 

 greatest injury. Seventy per cent of all planting has been done; 

 this is more than the average. Farm help is scarce; one-half is good, 

 help. Wages paid average with board, per month, $30; without 

 board, per day, $1.50 to $2. 



Merrimac (S. Bixby Sargent). — The season opened early, but is 

 now somewhat backward. Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are 

 in good condition. The bloom of apples was 60. No damage from 

 frost. Possibly brown-tail moths are doing the most injury. Fifty 

 per cent of planting is already done, which is less than usual. Fifty 

 per cent of farm help is reliable. Wages average $1.75 per day 

 without board. Expect trouble from pheasants and crows when 

 corn begins to come up. 



Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — The season has been cold 

 and backward. Pastures and mowings are in 80 per cent condition. 

 Fall seeding came through the winter in good shape and its con- 

 dition is 100. The bloom of fruits was: apples, 60; all other 

 fruits, 100. The bloom of russet and fall apples Avas full, but the 

 Baldwin bloom is light. Strawberries were touched a little by frost, 

 but other fruit is all right. Caterpillars and brown-tail moths are 

 proving most injurious. Planting is way behind the average year, 

 only 40 per cent having been done. Farm help is scarce; about 25 

 per cent can be called good kelp. Wages paid range from $25 to 

 $35 per month, with board, and from $1.75 to $2 per day, without 

 board. Several new silos were built last summer. Very little 

 damage is done by birds. Chicken hawks are the most troublesome. 



Rowley (D. H. O'Brien). — The season is backward. Pastures 

 and mowings are in 75 per cent condition. The condition of fall 

 seeding is 100. The bloom of fruits was : apples, 50 ; pears and small 

 fruits, 100 ; peaches, 90 ; plums, 40. Frost damaged all small fruits. 

 Tent caterpillars are doing the greatest amount of damage. Of 

 planting, 75 per cent is already done; this is the normal amoimt. 

 Help is scarce, and only one-half can be called reliable. Farm help is 

 paid $28 per month, with board, and $1.75 per day, without board. 

 The corn acreage will be increased by 10 per cent. Farmers are 

 experimenting in alfalfa growing. 



Tops field (B. P. Pike). — This is an average season. The condi- 

 tion of pastures and mowings is 80; of fall seeding, 100. The 



