15 



owing to the long winter. Gross is late but looking well, and 

 grain wintered fairly well. Pear trees blossomed very full, but 

 grafted apple trees had few blossoms. Foreign farm help is paid 

 $10 and American $25 per month with board ; without board, 

 $1.50 per day is paid. 



New Salem (Daniel Ballard). — The general outlook is quite 

 as favorable as last year, though the season is backward. Live 

 stock wintered well. Grass is generally in good condition, and 

 grain wintered well. Fruit trees bloomed quite fully. Tent 

 caterpillars are the only insects to appear, and are being fought 

 by individuals. Farm help is paid from $18 to $25 per month, 

 and $1.25 to $1.50 per day, without board. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Greenwich ("War. S. Douglas). — The season is much later 

 than last year. Stock has wintered fairly well. Grass looks 

 quite well, and grain has wintered fairly well. The fruit bloom 

 is much less than that of former years. The maximum price 

 paid farm help is $25 per month with board. 



Belchertoam (H. C. West). — The season is a few days later 

 than last year, but is more moist and growing. Live stock win- 

 tered extremely well. Grass has rarely looked better ; very little 

 grass or grain winter-killed. Fruit blooms far above the average. 

 Few insects have appeared, and nothing is being done. Farm help 

 receives from $12 to $22 per month with board. 



Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The season is ten days late. 

 Live stock wintered well. Pastures and mowings in good condi- 

 tion, but rye winter-killed somewhat. Bloom of all kinds of fruit 

 trees very abundant. No insects are especially noticeable. Farm 

 help is rather scarce, and receives from $20 to $22 with board, 

 and from $39 to $45 without board. 



South Hadley (H. W. Gaylokd). — Season about two weeks 

 later than last year. Live stock wintered finely. Fall seeding 

 and manured mowings are looking finely, but old mowings and 

 pastures are looking rather poorly, the grass not starting as well 

 as usual. Fruit trees blossomed fully. The tent caterpillar is our 

 most injurious insect, but much is being done towards its extermi- 

 nation. Farm help is paid $18 to $22 per month with board, and 

 $1.50 per day without board. 



Northampton (D. A. Horton). — The season is ten days later 

 than last year. Live stock wintered fairly well. Grass and win- 

 ter grain look well. The fruit bloom is a third greater than last 

 year, especially for apples. Few insects have been seen. Good 

 farm help is scarce, and poor foreign help asks from $18 to $23 

 per month and board. 



