14 



where ice formed. Fruit trees blossomed fully up to the average. 

 No insects have as yet appeared. Farm help is paid $25 per 

 month with board, and from $12 to $15 in addition without board. 

 Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — The present season compares 

 favorably with last season, although it is about ten days late. 

 Planting is now 7 nearly done. Grass is looking finely, and fall 

 seeded grain is in fair condition. Fruit trees have blossomed 

 exceedingly full. Tent caterpillars are doing the most damage of 

 any insects, and nothing is being done to check them. Farm help 

 is paid from $15 to $26 per month with board, and $1.25 per day 

 without board. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — The season is as good or better 

 than last year. Live stock is looking nicely. Grass in mowing 

 and pastures is in good condition, and fall seeded grain wintered 

 well. Fruit trees had from one-half to two-thirds of an average 

 bloom. Tent caterpillars promise to become quite numerous if no 

 measures are taken to destroy them. Foreign farm help is paid 

 4'rom $11 to $15 and American $20 per month with board; the 

 price without board is $1.50 per day. 



Colrain (A. A. Smith). — The s'eason is two weeks later than 

 last year. Live stock wintered very well, considering the severity 

 of the winter and the lack of water. More than the usual amount 

 of grass winter-killed. The fruit bloom is a full average. Tent 

 caterpillars are the only insects as yet, and they are being burned 

 as fast as they appear. Farm help is very hard to obtain. 



Conway (J. C. Newhall). — The season is nearly two weeks 

 later than last year, and very cool and wet. Stock has wintered 

 fairly well, though many have been short of hay. Grass is in good 

 condition, and grain and fall seeding are looking very well. 

 Apples have hardly bloomed as yet ; other fruits are above the 

 average. Very few tent caterpillar nests are to be seen. Good, 

 reliable help is hard to get, and commands from $15 to $30 per 

 month with board. 



Sunderland (J. M. J. Legate). — The season is perhaps a little 

 later than last year, but is otherwise more favorable. Tobacco 

 beds not under glass are a few days late. Live stock wintered 

 very well. Grass is in first-class condition, and fall seeded grain 

 wintered well. Fruit trees blossomed very heavily. Few insects 

 have made their appearance, and nothing is being done against 

 them. Farm help is paid from $18 to $25 with board. 



Northfield (Charles Pomekoy) . — The season is some ten days 

 later than last year. Live stock is not rmite in average condition, 



