19 



Farm help is scarce ; I tbiuk there is only one man in town who 

 hires, and he pays $1.25 per day without board. Apples are pro- 

 duced abundantly and pears are quite plenty. Other fruits are 

 raised for home use only, but are increasing somewhat. The farms 

 here are small, poor and stony. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



Warr€7i (Wm. E. Patrick). — The season started about a week 

 earlier than last year, but has been retarded by the drought. 

 Pastures and mowings have started well. Fall seeding wintered 

 well and is in good condition. The apple bloom was as full as 

 any ever seen, pears and cherries very light, peaches none. No 

 insects are doing any damage worth mentioning. Very little 

 spraying is done, but I think there is an increase each year. Farm 

 help is scarce ; possibly half is good. There has been no material 

 change in the wages paid. The proportion of fruit production is 

 too small to estimate, but I think it is increasing. 



North BrooJiJiekl (John H. Lane). — The season is in many 

 respects similar to last year. Pastures and mowing will be poor, 

 unless rain comes soon. Our people are feeding at the barn as 

 much as in January. Apple bloom very full and early, no pears, 

 other fruits good. Canker worms and tent caterpillars are doing 

 some damage. Very little spraying is done. Help is scarce and 

 poor, 10 per cent being good. Wages are from $15 to $20 per 

 month with board. The production of fruit forms 10 per cent of 

 the general farming. 



Peterifhani (S. B. Cook). — The season is a full week earlier 

 than last year. Pastures and mowings are suffering much from 

 drought. Fall seeding wintered well. Apple bloom unusually 

 abundant ; peaches and pears had a light bloom. Tent caterpil- 

 lars are abundant and the cut worm is working. Very little is 

 done in spraying, but it is on the increase. Farm help is not very 

 scarce, but only about 5 per cent is good help. Wages are $1 per 

 day with board and $1.50 without. Fruit production does not 

 form more than 10 per cent of general farming. There have been 

 a good many peach trees set out this year and the area of straw- 

 berries has been increased. 



Winchendori (W. H. Sav7yer). — Pastures and mowings are 

 very poor, as it is very dry. The winter was hard on fall seeding. 

 Fruit trees blossomed very full this year. Tent caterpillars are 

 doing some damage. But very little spraying is done. There is 

 help enough and wages range from $15 to $20 per month with 

 board. The production of fruit is very small, but is on the 

 increase. 



