12 



taken idea as to the cost of the work. If proper care is 

 exercised, even a small uuraber of trees may be sprayed at a 

 trifling cost per tree, and the benefits will be found to more 

 than compensate for the trouble and expense. Readers are 

 referred to our Crop Report for May, 1896, page 12, for a few 

 practical hints on the practice of spraying. More spraying 

 is done each year, and the increase, while slow, is never- 

 theless constant from year to year. 



Farm Help and Wages. 



Farm help is plenty in most localities, though considerable 

 complaint is made that really good help is difficult to secure. 

 There seems to be more good help to be had than formerly, 

 due doubtless to the number of foreigners who have come 

 into the State during past years, and who may now be rated 

 as experienced and competent farm hands. Wages average 

 about $17 or $18 per month with board and from $12 to $15 

 more per month without board. For day help the range 

 reported is from $1.00 to $2.00 per day. The usual price 

 paid in most localities, except in haying and harvesting 

 time, is $1.25. 



Acreage of Farm Crops. 



Most correspondents report that there are no marked 

 changes in the acreage of farm crops. Rather more corn 

 than usual is being planted, the increase being mostly for 

 the silo. In the Connecticut valley the acreage of tobacco 

 and onions will probably be slightly increased. A slight 

 increase in the culture of asparagus is noted. Very few 

 new enterprises in agriculture are mentioned, and these re- 

 late mostly to increased attention to poultry and also to 

 small fruits, especially strawberries. 



