21 



Our greatest drawback thus far has been in the extreme shortage 

 of pasture. Dry and cold has been the general condition of the 

 weather. The hay crop of last year was short, and we have had 

 to buy feed in order to keep up the flow of milk of our cows. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Westfield (C. F. Fowler). — Pastures are good, and grass has 

 a good color, but is rather thin. Fall seeding wintered well. 

 Fruit bloom a full average. Grapes and strawberries suffered by 

 frost of May 14, and early vegetables of course were killed. Have 

 noticed a few green lice upon cherry and plum trees and but few 

 tent caterpillars. Good workers are fairly plenty, but intelligent, 

 workmen are scarce. Wages $12 to $20 per month with board 

 and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. 



Holyoke (John C. Thorpe). — The season is fully as early as 

 last. Pastures and mowings were suffering for lack of rain, but 

 are now looking well. Fall seeding wintered well. The bloom of 

 apples was about one-half, Baldwins not more than one-third, 

 other fruits an average bloom. The frost of May 14 did no damage 

 on the east side of the meadows, but on the west side it killed 

 vegetation. There is plenty of good farm help, and wages for that 

 class are $20 to $25 per month and board, with $14 to $16 per 

 month and board for the poorer help. 



Monson (W. M. Tucker). — Season much later than last, but 

 the weather has been good the past two weeks. Pastures not yet 

 recovered from last season's drought. Mowings look well where 

 well cared for. Old fields and mowings are very poor. Fall seed- 

 ing wintered well. Grapes were badly frozen by the frost of May 

 14. Currant worms and cut worms are doing some damage. 

 Farm help is in fair supply and about one-half is good help. 

 Wages $18 to $22 per month for eight mouths for the best help. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 

 Petersham (S. R. Cook). — Spring started in early, but the 

 weather is very dry, as we have had no rain of consequence for 

 three weeks. The promise for a good crop of hay is not good. 

 Pastures are very dry. Fall seeding wintered fairly well. Apples, 

 especially Baldwins, have less bloom than last year, and peaches 

 and pears more. English grain is making slow growth, and nearly 

 all the later-planted seeds are germinating slowly. The frost of 

 May 14 did considerable damage in the valleys. Farm help is 

 scarce and only one in five is good help. Wages are $30 per 

 month without board and $16 to $18 with board. 



