16 



Medjield. — Dry weather in April and May has retarded hoed 

 crops and grass. Pastures are in bad shape. Frequent frosts 

 have cut off vegetation that was up, except the most hardy. 

 Grass is our main crop ; milk the chief product. Unless grain 

 should be decidedly lower next winter the outlook will not be 

 encouraging. Some farmers are trying hard to do their duty in 

 destroying the tent caterpillar ; others do nothing. It is very diffi- 

 cult to get first-class help, and such get $26 per month easily. 



George R. Chase. 



Medicay. — Season compares well with last, except for want of 

 rain, which at present is promising mischief. Season promises to 

 be a fairly favorable one for the farmer. Tent caterpillars are 

 doing the most damage, and many neglect to remove the nests. 

 First-class help is always scarce. Monroe Morse. 



Millis. — Season started very favorably, but the drought and 

 frosts have put it back. Season not so favorable for grass as 

 last. Tent caterpillars are doing the most damage, and are 

 destroyed by the usual methods. First-class help is difficult to get 

 and commands $20 and $22 per month. E. F. Riciiaudson. 



Walpole. — Season very backward on account of frosts and cool 

 weather. Grass is looking well now ; much fruit ruined and early 

 truck behind. Some corn plots have been planted three times on 

 account of frosts, and other early crops have likewise suffered. 

 Tent caterpillars are very numerous, the black knot is spreading 

 on plum trees and other pests are fairly numerous. On account 

 of some men not doing anything to exterminate pests they con- 

 stantly increase. First-class help is scarce, and is worth about 

 $45 per month. F. H. Fairfield. 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Billerica. — Season not so early as last. Cold and dry, grass 

 very late, pastures. short, fruit not promising, milk low, grain high, 

 crops grow slowly. A frost on night of May 18 cut off tomato 

 plants, damaged strawberries, killed peach buds and hurt potatoes. 

 Milk is one of our staples. With pastures short, soiling crops 

 backward, grain high and price of milk 22 cents per can, the sit- 

 uation is not favorable. Tent caterpillars are doing the most dam- 

 age, and are destroyed by burning, kerosene and Paris green. 

 Currant worms are destroyed by white hellebore. First-class help 

 very difficult to get at $18 to $22 per month and board for the 

 season. J. N. Pardee. 



