21 



and mowings are in splendid condition and fall seeding wintered 

 well. Apples made a full bloom, pears moderate. Tent cater[)il- 

 lars and asparagus beetles are doing some damage. A majority 

 of farmers spray some, but few do it thoroughly. Help is plenty 

 and one man in ten is good. Wages are from $15 to $22 per 

 month with board and from $1 to 1.50 per day without board. 

 There is a slightly increased acreage of potatoes. 



Newbury (G. W. Adams). — The season compares well with a 

 normal one. The promise for pastures and mowings is good and 

 fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is above the average. 

 Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. About half of our far- 

 mers spray and the practice is increasing. Help is fairly plenty 

 and 5 per cent of it is good. Wages are from $15 to $25 per 

 month with board and $1.50 per day without. There is an in- 

 crease in the acreage of potatoes. 



Ips'vich (O, C. Smith). — The season is about normal. There 

 will be good feed in the pastures and a large crop of hay, if rain 

 is plenty. The fruit bloom is somewhat above the average. No 

 insects except tent caterpillars have appeared as yet. All do not 

 spray, but the practice is increasing. We have all the help wanted 

 and 80 per cent are fairly good. Wages are $20 to $25 per month 

 with board and $1.50 to $2 per day without board. 



Topxjield (B. P. Pike). — The season is as good as the average. 

 Pastures and mowings are now very promising. Apples made a 

 very full bloom, pears fair, peaches medium. No insects are 

 doing much damage as yet. No spraying has been done as yet, 

 but considerable will be done later. Farm help is not plenty and 

 not over 10 per cent of it is good. Wages are from $15 to $20 per 

 month with board and $1.50 per day without board. The acreage 

 devoted to potatoes is somewhat increased. 



Danvers (C. H. Preston). — The season is a little backward. 

 Pastures and mowings show good promise and fall seeding win- 

 tered well. There is a large bloom on apple trees, especially 

 greenings and russets. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. 

 Spraying is not nearly general enough but is increasing. Farm 

 help is plenty. Wages are from $18 to $21 per month with board. 

 There is no marked change in the acreage of farm crops and no 

 new enterprises. 



NORFOLK COUNTY. 



Norwood (F. A. Fales). — The season is about two weeks late. 

 Pastures and mowings are both below the average in condition, 

 but fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is 50 per cent 

 above that of 1897. No insects are doing damage as yet. Spray- 



