21 



Pastures and mowings promise well, and fall seeding wintered 

 well. There is a full bloom of fall apples, Baldwins not over half 

 a full bloom ; peaches light. The San Jose scale is doing some 

 damage to orchards ; other insects not in evidence thus far this 

 season. Perhaps a tenth of our farmers spray, and the practice is 

 increasing. Farm help is scarce, and perhaps half of it is good 

 help. Wages average $22 per month with board and from S35 to 

 $40 per month without board. There are no marked changes in 

 the acreage of farm crops. 



Stoneham (J. E. Wiley). — The season is backward. The 

 promise for pastures and mowings is good, and fall seeding 

 wintered well. Apples made a good bloom and pears a fair one, 

 with no damage as yet from frosts. Currant worms are doing 

 some damage. One-half of our farmers spray, and the practice is 

 increasing. Farm help is scarce, and half of it is good help. 

 Wages average $23 per month with board and $1.75 per day with- 

 out board. There will be no especial changes in the acreage of 

 farm crops. 



Weston (H. L. Brown). — Wet weather has delayed planting, 

 but vegetation is up to the normal. Pastures and mowings are 

 in good condition, and fall seeding wintered well. Apples, pears 

 and plums show a good bloom, also some peach orchards, but trees 

 winter-killed in others. A few tent caterpillars have appeared. 

 But little spraying is done, and the practice is not increasing. 

 Good help is scarce, not one in ten being good help. Wages 

 average $20 per month with board and $1.75 per day without board. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



Salisbury (Wesley Pettengill). — The season has been cold, 

 wet and backward, and planting has been much delayed. Pas- 

 tures and mowings are looking well, and fall seeding wintered well. 

 There was a large bloom on apple and pear trees ; a fair bloom of 

 peaches, enough, if they set well ; plums and small fruits a large 

 bloom. There are a few tent caterpillars. There is not much 

 spraying done except for canker worms. Farm help is scarce, and 

 about 25 per cent of it is good help. Wages average from $20 to 

 $25 per month with board and $1 .50 per day without board. There 

 will be a smaller acreage of farm crops than usual. 



Haverhill (Eben Webster). — The season has been late, wet 

 and cold for planting. Fall seeding wintered fairly well, and 

 pastures and mowings are in good condition. There are few 

 peach blooms, other fruits about normal. Canker worms and tent 

 caterpillars are doing some damage. Spraying is on the increase. 



