22 



Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher) . — Season not quite as early 

 as 1 894, but earlier than the average for thirty-nine years. Pastures 

 and mowings look well and everything wintered first class. Bloom 

 of pears very full and that of apples less than one-half of last 

 year. The frost of May 14 killed 25 to 40 per cent of the grapes 

 and 10 to 20 per cent of the strawberries, all that had bloomed, 

 but only little of the tree fruits. Good farm help fairly plenty and 

 fully plenty of poor that are not earnest for work. Wages $16 

 to $22 per month with board and $1.50 per day without. 



Worcester (H. R. Kinney). — The weather has been so change- 

 able that many things are not looking as well as usual. It has not 

 been favorable for grass. Fall seeding was very late and is small 

 yet. Tree fruits, with the exception of the apple, bloomed full. 

 The frost of May 14 cut some early vegetables. Cut worms are 

 •working some. There seems to be plenty of farm help and no more 

 complaint than usual. Wages are $18 to $25 per month with 

 board for fair to good help. 



Blackstone {h. R. Daniels). — Season quite favorable, except- 

 ing the fruit crops. Pastures are good and mowings promise well. 

 Fall seeding wintered well. The apple bloom was quite profuse, 

 except on Baldwin trees. The thermometer went down to 27° 

 May 14, and everything in bloom was injured. Potato beetles are 

 the only insects noticeable as yet. Farm help receive $1 25 per 

 day or $15 per month with board and about $1.50 per day and $25 

 per month without board. Most of the help are French Cana- 

 dians and live in villages. 



Warren (W. E. Patrick). — The season is about a week later 

 than last, otherwise almost exactly the same. Under the most 

 favorable conditions the grass crop will be light. Fall seeding 

 wintered very well. Very light apple bloom, but above the average 

 for peach, pear and cherry. The frost of May 14 was severe here, 

 and on low land considerable damage was done. Better supply of 

 farm help than for several years past and perhaps one-fourth is 

 good help. Wages $20 to $25 per month with board and $1.50 per 

 day without board. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Sherborn (N. B. Douglas). — Season perhaps a trifle earlier 

 than last. Pastures and mowings are looking well. Fall seeding 

 looks uncommonly well. All fruit trees except Baldwin apples 

 blossomed very full. The frost of May 14 did considerable 

 damage. On some vineyards grapes are all killed. Early straw- 

 berries are spoiled, and some think late ones are injured. Canker 

 worms are troubling some. Farm help is plenty and one-half of it 



