21 



and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day of ten hours without board. The 

 apple bloom occurred one day later than the average of forty-five 

 years. 



Bolton (H. F. Hatnes). — The season has been so wet that little 

 progress has been made with farm operations. Mowing and past- 

 ures never looked better, and fall seeding wintered well. The 

 fruit bloom was a good one for the off year. Tent caterpillars are 

 our most troublesome insect. Spraying is increasing, but only a 

 small part of the trees are sprayed as yet. There is no farm help 

 to be had ; I have never known it to be so scarce. Good help re- 

 ceive $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. 

 There will not be nearly as great an acreage of farm crops as usual, 

 as the ground is still too wet to plant. 



Harvard (J. S. Preston). — The season is very late, owing to 

 wet weather, and very little planting has been done as yet. Past- 

 ures and mowings are better than usual, and fall seeding wintered 

 well. The bloom is light for most fruit. Tent caterpillars are 

 very plenty and we have the elm beetle with us. Not very much 

 , spraying is done, but the practice is on the increase. Native help 

 is scarce, and about half the supply is very good. Wages are 

 about $20 per month with board and from $1.50 to $1.75 per day 

 without board. There is about the usual acreage of farm crops, 

 and no new enterprises in agriculture. 



Nortliborough (J. K. Mills). — The season is the most back- 

 ward for some years. Pastures and mowings are looking extra 

 well. There is a full bloom on all small fruits ; apples half a full 

 bloom. No insects have appeared as yet. Nearly all our farmers 

 spray their fruit trees, and the practice is increasing. Farm help 

 is scarce, and it is almost impossible to get good help. Wages 

 are from $15 to $25 per month with board and from $1.25 to $1.75 

 per day without board. There will be an increased acreage of 

 corn, other crops about as usual. 



Worcester (S. A. Burgess). — The season is a favorable one, 

 although excessive rains have caused delay in planting on low 

 lands. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall seed- 

 ing wintered well. The fruit bloom was a full one, with excep- 

 tion of winter apples, which made a light bloom. Insects are not 

 doing much damage. Spraying is practised to a limited extent, 

 and is increasing. Farm help is scarce, and half of it good. 

 Wages are $25 per month with board and $1.50 per day without 

 board. Wealthy manufacturers are purchasing extensive tracts of 

 land for cultivation and improvement. 



Spencer (H. H. Kingsbury). — The season is decidedly back- 

 ward at present. Cool weather, with an abundance of rain, has 



