11 



Grass and Grain. 

 The returns are practically unanimous in regard to the 

 condition of grass. One speaks of it as poor, one as badly 

 winter-killed, two as fair and four as average. All others speak 

 of it as being in good condition. A few report that pastures 

 are thin, but that mowings are in fine shape. Many corre- 

 spondents state that no fall seeded grain was sown in their 

 sections. Returns, when made, generally report it to have 

 wintered well, though some consider it to be in only fair 

 condition, and a few state that rye winter-killed badly. 



The Fruit Bloom. 



The answers to the fourth question vary so much that 

 it is hard to make a summary, but the general conclusion 

 reached is that the bloom of apple trees was below the 

 average, and that other fruit trees and early berries gen- 

 erally had a very full bloom. In some of the western towns 

 the apple trees were not in bloom at the time of making 

 returns. Many correspondents state that Baldwin apples 

 failed to bloom, though other varieties had either a fair or 

 good bloom. 



Insects. 



Most of the correspondents report that very few tent 

 caterpillars have been observed as yet, some going so far 

 as to say that there are practically none. Of the methods 

 for keeping them in check, hand-gathering and burning with 

 a torch seem the most common, though many of the more 

 advanced farmers have begun to spray their orchards with 

 Paris green. Other insects mentioned are the potato beetle, 

 the asparagus beetle, currant worms, wire worms, cut worms 

 and cranberry fire worms, but none of these appear to be as 

 prevalent as usual. It is thought that the cold, wet spring 

 has done much toward keeping all kinds of insects in check. 



Farm Help and Wages. 



The prices paid farm help, with board, range from $10 

 per month for green immigrant help to $35 and even $40 for 

 experienced American help. The general average would 

 appear to be about $20 per month. These figures are lower 



