34 



$1.50 to $2. No appreciable damage is being done by birds with 

 the exception of that done by crows. 



North Attleborough (H. P. Caldwell). — The present season is 

 somewhat backward and very cold. The condition of pastures and 

 mowings is 90; of fall seeding, 100. The bloom of fruits was: 

 apples and small fruits, 100; pears, 80; peaches, 90; plums, 70. 

 No frost damage noticeable as yet. Tent caterpillars are very nu- 

 merous and are now beginning to strip the foliage. Planting is 40 

 per cent done, which compares favorably with an average year. 

 Farm help is scarce, and only 40 per cent may be considered good. 

 Help is paid $30 per month, with board, and $1.75 per day, without 

 board. Fruit raising is being increased. 



Seekonk (John W. Peck). — The heavy spring rains held the 

 farmers back about ten days, and when the sun finally shone we 

 had very heavy westerly winds that dried the ground quickly, blow- 

 ing the covering from some small seeds. Market gardeners are 

 rushing in tomatoes, peppers, etc., while the weather is favorable. 

 Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are in 90 per cent condition. The 

 bloom of fruits was: apples, 75; pears, jolums and small fruits, 90. 

 No frost injury heard of. The most injury from insects is being 

 done by cutworms and tent caterpillars. Of planting, 60 per cent 

 is already completed; this operation is a little backward. Farm help 

 is plentiful; 70 per cent is good. Wages average $28 per month 

 with board and $1.75 per day without board. More corn and po- 

 tatoes than usual will have been put in. Some farmers are thinking 

 of plowing under green crops to lighten the soil. 



Dighton (Howard C. Briggs). — The season is an average one, 

 but there has been a lack of rain for the past month. The condition 

 of pastures, gi-asslands and fall seeding is 75. The last-named win- 

 tered well. All fruit bloomed heavily. Peaches and strawberries 

 suffered slightly from frosts. Cutworms and tent caterpillars appear 

 to be doing the greatest damage. Of planting, 75 per cent is 

 already done, and this amount is about the average. Help is scarce, 

 with only 50 per cent good help. Wages average $35 per month 

 with board and $1.75 per day of nine hours without board. The 

 acreage of corn will be increased. 



Freetown (G. M. Nichols). — The present season is a little be- 

 low the average because of lack of rain. The condition of pastures 

 and mowings is 85; of fall seeding, 100. The bloom of fruits was: 

 apples, 105; pears and small fruits, 100; peaches, 125. Frost dam- 

 aged peaches and strawberries. Most injurious insects are tent 

 caterpillars and San Jose scale. Sixty-five per cent of planting is 

 completed; this falls below the average. Farm help is plentiful, 

 but only 50 per cent can be considered reliable. The average wages 

 paid help are : with board, per month, $30 ; without board, per day, 



