20 



Deerjield (Charles Jones). — AVeather has been dry and cold, 

 with a few warm days. Grass looks well. Pastures are looking 

 well. Fall seeding about an average. Rye and oats are looking 

 well. Tobacco plants are a little late, but will be plenty. Farm 

 help is fairly plenty and about one man in four is fairly good help. 

 Wages from $12 to $19 per month with board and from $1 to 

 $1.50 per day without board. 



Leverett (W. L. Boutwell). — Season about as early as last 

 year, but it is ver}'^ dry, as we have had but one rain the past 

 mouth, and that wet down only about three inches in grass land. 

 Early fall seeding wintered well. Pastures look well now. Fruit 

 bloom very full, but in some places it was damaged by frost. 

 About one-fourth of the farm help is good help. Day help re- 

 ceive $1.25. By the month $18 to $20 and board is paid. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Chesterfield (Horatio Bisbee). — The frost and cold dry weather 

 have kept vegetation back, and we are afraid the grass crop has 

 been injured by frost. Fall seeding wintered well. Many trees 

 in our forests are brown from the effects of the frost. Do not 

 think the frost injured fruit trees. Farm help fairly plenty. 

 Wages $15 to $20 per mouth with board and $1.25 to $1.50 by 

 the day. 



Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — Vegetation about equally advanced 

 with last season. Pastures and mowings both started uncommonly 

 well, except in patches where killed by drought last summer. Fall 

 seeding wintered well, but condition is in many places poor on 

 account of poor catch owing to dry season last year. Cherries, 

 pears, peaches and quinces showed abundant fruit bloom. Apples 

 showed abundant bloom in places, but irregular. Blackberries, 

 currants and strawberries promise well, but raspberries rather 

 poorly. The frost of May 14 did a little damage to beans and 

 tender vegetables where up, and much to grapes in low places. 

 Clover was hurt to some extent. Farm help plenty, but probably 

 not more than one in ten is competent to drive and care for a 

 team and do all kinds of work. Wages with board from $14 

 per month up to $25 ; without board, $30 to $40. 



Belcherlown (H. C. AVest). — Up to a few days the promise of 

 both pastures and mowings was far from good, but the late rains 

 have raised the hopes of the farmers. Fruit bloom a full average. 

 Frost of May 14 badly injured fruits on low ground. No trouble 

 as yet from insects. Good help is scarce. Wages $15 to $20 

 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. 



