17 



great extent. There is about the usual supply of farm help. 

 Wages average about Si -50 per day without board. There are no 

 marked changes in the acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises. 

 Wales (C. F. Crawford). — I think the season promises well. 

 Pastures and mowing are in good condition and fall seeding loolss 

 fairly well. Fruit has made an average bloom, but some apple 

 trees are not full. No insects have appeared as yet. Spraying is 

 very little practised, but is increasing somewhat. Hired help is 

 ver}' scarce and perhaps half of it is good. Wages are about $18 

 per month and $1 per day with board and $1.50 per day without 

 board. There are no changes of any account in the acreage of 

 farm crops and no new enterprises. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



Southbridge (G. L. Clemence). — The season is a little back- 

 ward. Pastures and mowings are in good condition and fall seed- 

 ing wintered well. Apples made a very full bloom, pears medium. 

 But little spraying is done about here. Good help is very scarce. 

 Wages are $22 to $25 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 

 per day without board. 



North Brookjleld (J. H. Lane). — The season is two weeks late 

 as to sowing and planting corn. Pastures are late, stock being 

 kept in the barn two weeks later than usual. The fruit bloom is 

 fuller than usual all around. No insects as yet. Very little spray- 

 ing is done. Farm help is plenty and 10 per cent is good help. 

 Wages are from $12 to $20 per month with board. There is a 

 shortage in stock, and pasturage is consequently offered much 

 lower than usual. 



Rutland (L. S. Dudley). — The present season compares well 

 with the normal. Pasturage, mowings and new seeding all look 

 finely. The fruit bloom is way ahead of most years. Tent catei'- 

 pillars are doing some damage. Spraying is not practised. Help 

 is plenty, but only about one in ten is any good. Wages are from 

 $15 to $18 per month with board and $30 without. There are no 

 marked changes in acreage of farm crops and no new enterprises. 



Dana (H A. Albee). — The season is fully up to the normal. 

 Grass has started well and is now looking well. The fruit bloom 

 is about the average of bearing years. Tent caterpillars are doing 

 some damage. There is no spraying done in this locality. Help 

 is scarce and not over one-fourth of it is good help. Wages with 

 board range from $15 to $20 per month ; without board, $1.50 per 

 day. There will be a larger acreage of potatoes than usual and 

 more strawberries are set than ever before. 



