12 



NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS. 



[Returned to us May 23.] 



BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 



Mount Washington (H. M, Weaver). — Although the season 

 has been very wet, the present outlook, agriculturally speaking, is 

 very favorable. Pastures and mowings promise well, and fall 

 seeding wintered well. There was a full average fruit bloom. 

 No insects are doing damage at present. Spraying is not practised 

 by our farmers. Farm help is plenty, and one-tenth of it is good 

 help. Wages average $20 per month with board and $30 per 

 month without board. I think the acreage of corn has been in- 

 creased a third ; ever5'thing else about as usual. 



Otis (S. H. Norton). — The season is backward, owing to wet 

 weather. Pastures and mowings are looking very well. The fruit 

 bloom is about an average one. Tent caterpillars are quite numer- 

 ous. Spraying is not practised here. Farm help is very scarce. 

 Wages are from $18 to $20 per month with board and from $1.25 

 to $1.50 per day without board. There will be no change in the 

 acreage of farm crops. 



Alford (L. T. Osborne). — On the whole, the season promises 

 rather better than the average. Temperature and moisture have 

 afforded perfect conditions for pastures and mowings, and they 

 are above the normal. The fruit bloom has been about 50 for 

 apples and 110 for pears and cherries. Tent caterpillars are doing 

 some damage at present. Spraying is far from universal, but is 

 on the increase. Farm help is very scarce, and there is but little 

 first-class help. The best help is engaged by wealthy people, at 

 prices much beyond the means of ordinary farmers. Wages, $30 

 per month with board for the best help and $15 per month and 

 board for boys from sixteen to eighteen years old. There is but 

 little change in the acreage of farm crops, milk being about the 

 only thing farmers can live by in this section. 



Stockbridge (F. A. Palmer). — The present season compares 

 well with the average, agriculturally speaking. Pastures and mow- 

 ings are in fine condition, and fall seeding wintered well. Pears 



