18 



plenty, and two-thirds of the supply good help. Wages range from 

 $15 to $25 per month with board and from $35 to $45 without board. 

 There will be a slight increase in the acreage of corn, but nothing of 

 moment on other crops. 



North Brookfield (John H. Lane). — The season is two weeks late, 

 and cold, but with no freezing temperatures. Pasturage is late, and 

 there is still more or less feeding at the barn. There is a good fruit 

 bloom, and it is very fortunately uneven, leaving better chances for 

 next year. There are only a few small caterpillars and some black 

 beetles in the insect line, and they have done no damage as yet. Plant- 

 ing is progressing very slowly, — must, while fur coats are still worn. 

 Ten per cent of the available farm help is good help. Wages range 

 from $20 to $30 per month with board and from 15 to 17J cents per 

 hour without board. There is a large acreage under the plow, and 

 there is likely to be a large acreage of potatoes; the weather is so 

 cold that farmers are not enthusiastic about planting corn. 



Oakham (Jesse Allen). — The season is good, but backward. 

 Pastures and mowings look well, and fall seeding wintered well. There 

 is a light apple bloom; other fruits full; no frost as yet. No insects 

 have appeared except a few tent caterpillars. Planting is nearly 

 completed. Farm help is rather scarce and unreliable. More corn 

 will be planted than usual. 



Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — The season is late, there being no 

 corn planted at this date. Pasturage is looking well, and cows are 

 little fed at the barns. Peaches showed a full bloom; apple bloom 

 not fully out, but promises fairly; no frost as yet. No insects are doing 

 damage. Planting is progressing very slowly, but potatoes are mostly 

 in. Farmers are better supplied with help this year than usual. 

 Wages average about $25 per month with board and from $1.50 to 

 $1.75 per day without board. Farmers are planning to plant more 

 corn this year than usual; acreage of potatoes about average. 



Hubbardston (Chas. C. Colby). — The season to date has been cold 

 and backward. Pastures and mowings are looking well, with the 

 outlook for a heavy crop of hay. The fruit bloom is very full, and 

 without injury from frost to date. I have not noted any damage from 

 insects. Planting is progressing slowly, owing to the> cold, wet weather. 

 Farm help is fairly plenty, but good help is difficult to get. Wages 

 average $20 per month with board and $1.75 per day without board. 

 There will be an increased acreage of corn and potatoes, especially 

 corn. 



Winchendon (Arthur Stockwell). — The season is very backward. 

 The promise for pastures, mowings and fall seeding is very good. The 

 fruit bloom is not as good as that of last year. Very little planting 

 has been done. There is plenty of help to be had at present. The 

 wages paid average about the same as in former years. There will be 

 no i narked change in the acreage of any of our staple crops. 



