14 



Hampden. — Season a week or more earlier than last, but more 

 dry. The present dry weather will tend to bring the alkalies to 

 the surface which, with later rains, may prove a benefit to crops. 

 Tent caterpillars are doing the most damage. The nests are 

 picked off by hand or burnt by means of a cloth saturated with 

 kerosene. Good help is scarce. Wages !$16 to $24 per mouth. 



J. N. ISHAM. 



Tolland. — Season not as good as last year. Very cold and dry 

 and very little grass yet. We cannot have good crops without 

 rain soon. It froze here on the night of the 17th and 18th so as 

 to make ice. Seed that is planted grows very slow if at all. 

 Farmers hire as little as possible. Wages from $15 to $20 per 

 month. Apple trees are in full bloom. F. T. Moore. 



Russell. — Season not as good as last, and does not at the 

 present time promise to be a favorable one for the farmer. Do 

 not hear much of potato bugs. First-class help is not easily 

 obtained and costs $1.50 per day. Roland Parks. 



West Springfield. — Farmers are feeling blue over light grass, 

 slow growing corn and potatoes and the cool dry weather. 

 Tobacco is increasing here. More corn and potatoes than usual 

 have been planted and some are still ploughing for more. The 

 tent caterpillars have been doing the most damage, but are now 

 retiring. Burning, smearing with gas tar and crushing with the 

 hand are the usual remedies. It is difficult to get first-class help. 

 Wages $18 to $20 per month and board. J. N. Bagg. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Amherst. — This season does not compare favorably with last, 

 and does not now promise to be favorable for the farmer. Tent 

 caterpillars are doing the most damage. They are being killed by 

 burning with kerosene. First-class help is scarce, and commands 

 $20 per month and board. Crops of of all kinds need rain. 



C. E. Wilson. 



Chesterfield. — On account of continued drought and frequent 

 frosts the farmer has reason to be discouraged. The frost of the 

 27th was quite severe. The hay crop must be liglit, and spring 

 seeding nearly a failure unless relief soon comes. The tent cater- 

 pillar we have in quantities, and some kill them by use of gunpow- 

 der and some remove them by hand. Help is not pleuty. Wages 

 about $20 per month and board. Horatio Bisbee. 



