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frost in some parts of the town. Tent caterpillars are very plenti- 

 ful, as are cutworms iii some places. Planting is 50 per cent done, 

 which is 75 per cent of the normal. Farm help is not plentiful; 40 

 per cent can be called reliable. Monthly wages with board range 

 from $35 to $40, and 25 cents per hour is paid for day labor. A 

 little more of both corn and ijotatoes will have been planted. We 

 have a mushroom plant run by a company. Corn is hardly up 

 enough for birds to pull. Most farmers have tarred their corn this 

 year. 



Barnstable (John Burslet). — The season is a little late and 

 very dry. Pastures and mowings are in 65 per cent condition. FaU 

 seeding is in 70 per cent condition; this did not winter well. The 

 bloom of all fruits was normal. Most insect injury is being done by 

 tent caterpillars. Of planting, 40 per cent has been done, which 

 is 10 or 15 per cent less than the average at this time of season. 

 Farm help is scarce and 25 per cent is reliable. Wages average $30 

 per month with board and $2 per day of nine hours without board. 

 Some small areas of swamp are being cleared and set to cranberries. 



Harwich (David Elder). — The season is about three weeks later 

 than usual and cold and di-y. The condition of pastures and mow- 

 ings is 100; of fall seeding, 125. The bloom of fruits was: apples, 

 175; pears, 150; peaches, 125; plums, 150; strawberries, 125. Cut- 

 worms, San Jose scale, tent caterpillars, bud moths and white grubs 

 are all doing damage. Of planting, 60 per cent is already done, 

 which is less than average, on account of backward season. Help 

 is plentiful, but none is good help; all are inexperienced and in- 

 efficient, — mostly Portuguese. None are hired by the month. 

 Daily wages run from $2 to $2,50. A few more potatoes will be 

 planted ; also several plots by boys in the eighth-acre contests. Cran- 

 berry growers are beginning this year to do considerable spraying. 

 A few blackbirds occasionally get into gardens. There is little up- 

 land farming here. Cranberries are almost the only cash crop. The 

 annual shipment from Harwich runs from 5,000 to 10,000 barrels, 

 and there are three other shipping points in town. 



Truro (John B. Dyer). ^- This is an average season, only cooler 

 than usual. Pastures, mowings and fall seeding are in normal con- 

 dition. All fruits bloomed full. Tent caterpillars, brown-tail moths 

 and cutworms seem to be the most injurious insects. Planting is 25 

 per cent finished ; this is less than the average, owing to cool weather. 

 Gardeners hesitate to plant when nights are cold and frosts liable 

 to occur. Farm help is scarce ; 75 per cent is good. Pay determines 

 quality somewhat. Wages average $20 per month and perhaps $2 

 per day. A more general interest in spraying trees is noticed. 



