23 



average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. 

 More corn than usual will be planted, there having been a slight 

 increase each year for the past few years. The weather has been 

 backward, cold and cloudy, but land has been in workable condition 

 for more time than usual. 



Andover (Milo H. Gould). — The season is very backward. Pas- 

 tures and mowings look well, but fall seeding is not in as good con- 

 dition. We have had no frost to hurt the fruit bloom so far; winter 

 apples are not blooming well ; other fruits about as usual. Brown-tail 

 moths and tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is 

 progressing slowly, as the season has been too cold and wet. Farm 

 help is scarce. Wages average $20 per month with board and $40 per 

 month without board. More corn than usual will be planted, and 

 about the usual acreage of potatoes. 



Topsfield (B. P. Pike). — The season started early, but is now 

 about average. Pastures and mowings are in very good condition, 

 and fall seeding wintered well. There is a very good bloom of all kinds 

 of fruit. There are plenty of brown-tail moth caterpillars. Planting 

 is progressing very well. Good help is very scarce. Wages average 

 $25 per month with board and $40 per month without board. There 

 will not be any marked change in the acreage of farm crops, a slight 

 increase in corn, but not much. 



Rowley (D. H. O'Brien). — The season is very backward. The 

 promise for pastures and mowings is good, and fall seeding wintered 

 well. Apples show a fair bloom; other fruits above the average, with 

 no damage from frosts. Gypsy and brown-tail moth caterpillars are 

 doing damage. Farm help is in fair supply, with 50 per cent of it good 

 help. Wages average $25 per month with board and $1.50 per day 

 without board. Planting is progressing slowly, on account of cold, 

 wet weather. There will be an increase in the acreage of corn; other 

 crops normal. 



Danvers (Charles H. Preston). — The season is backward. Pas- 

 tures and mowings promise well, and fall seeding wintered well. The 

 fruit bloom is better than average on those trees that have bloomed. 

 Gypsy moth caterpillars are very abundant, but any damage done by 

 them does not show as yet; brown-tail moth caterpillars are also 

 plenty, with some tent caterpillars. Planting is well along. Farm 

 help is scarce. Wages average $23 per month with board. There is 

 no marked change in the acreage of farm crops. 



NORFOLK COUNTY. 

 Cohasset (Ellery C. Bates). — The season is about a normal one. 

 Pastures promise well, and there is the prospect of a heavy crop of hay; 

 fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is about normal, with no 

 damage from frosts. No insects are doing damage at present. Farm 

 help is scarce, and only a small proportion of it is good help. Wages 



