22 



and pastures and mowings are in a deplorable condition. There 

 was a full bloom on apple trees, none on peach trees and very lit- 

 tle on pear trees. Canker worms have turned 25 per cent of the 

 apple trees brown and cut worms are working. Nearly every one 

 sprays, but the canker worm keeps right on. Help is plenty; one- 

 third is good, one-third passable and one-third good for nothing. 

 Wages are $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day 

 ■without. Fruit production forms 40 per cent of general farming 

 and there is a slight increase from year to year. Early sowed oats 

 look fairly well. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



Haverhill (Eben Webster) . — With the exception of the rather 

 dry weather, the season compares favorably with last year. Past- 

 ures and mowings are looking well, except on high land. Fall 

 seeding was somewhat winter-killed. There were no pear blos- 

 soms, but a good bloom of apples. Tent caterpillars are doing 

 some damage. Very little spraying is done, but it is on the in- 

 crease. Farm help is plenty and fully as good as usual. Wages 

 are $20 per month with board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without. 

 The proportion of fruit production is small, but increasing. 



Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — Pastures are very poor and 

 mowings light on high ground. Fall seeding wintered well. 

 Apples bloomed more fully than for years, but pears made a light 

 bloom. Canker worms are doing some damage. Nearly every one 

 sprays for the canker worm and spraying is on the increase. 

 Help is plenty and one in three good help. Wages are from $18 to 

 $25 per month with board and $1.50 per day without board. The 

 production of fruit is increasing, especially apples ; but little is 

 done in small fruits. 



JSfewbv.ry (G. W. Adams). — The season is late and the drought 

 severe. Pastures and mowings are destroyed. Fall seeding win- 

 tered well. The fruit bloom was above the average, except for 

 pears. Canker worms are doing some damage. Fifty per cent of 

 the fruit is sprayed and the practice is increasing. Farm help is 

 rather scarce and ten per cent is good. Wages are from $20 to 

 $28 per month with board and $1.50 per day without. Fruit pro- 

 duction is perhaps 15 per cent of general farming and is increasing. 

 There has been practically no rain for six weeks. 



Manchester (John Baker) . — The season is more advanced than 

 last year, but much dryer. Pastures and mowings will be poor, 

 unless we have rain soon. Much clover winter-killed. The fruit 

 bloom was much heavier than usual. Tent caterpillars and canker 

 worms are doing some damage and the cut worm is also working. 



