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well. Apples not an average blossom. Grass somewhat winter 

 killed and short for the season of the year. Corn and potatoes 

 nearly all planted, and more are planted this year. Tent cater- 

 pillars are doing the most damage. Somewhat difficult to get 

 first-class help. AVages about S25 per month and board. 



Ahei. Stickney. 



Haverhill. — We have had a month with but little rain and 

 seeds come up slow. Late frosts have damaged potatoes, corn, 

 beans and other early crops. If we have rain the outlook will be 

 about as usual. Tent caterpillars are about the only insects with 

 us now. First-class help hard to get at $20 per month and board. 

 •• Eben Webster. 



Ipswich. — Considerable grass roots were killed in this section, 

 and meadows generally look unusually backward. Some com- 

 plaint is made that potatoes do not come forward as fast as they 

 should. Corn is growing well. The tent caterpillar and the 

 canker worm are doing the most damage. For destroying the 

 former the nests are taken off by hand, burning them off with a 

 kerosene torch and by pouring kerosene on them ; for the canker 

 worm, spraying with Paris green and water. Good help is scarce. 

 Wages S20 to $25 per month and board. O. C. Smith. 



Topsfield. — There is more corn and potatoes planted this year 

 than last. Season more dry than last ; but, with the exception of 

 the hay crop, now promises to be a favorable one for the farmer. 

 Very few blossoms on Baldwin trees ; others medium. Tent 

 caterpillar most numerous ; destroyed by picking, burning and 

 spraying with Paris green, but none have been practiced to any 

 great extent. First-class help hard to get. Wages from $20 to 

 $25 per month. B. P, Pike. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Colrain. — The season was certainly earlier by two weeks, and 

 had the usual amount of rain fallen would have been far in advance 

 of former years. The frost of May 18 did much damage to fruit. 

 The season does not now promise to be a favorable one for the 

 farmer. It is difficult to get first-class help, and $20 per month 

 and board is given such. A. A. Smith. 



Comvay. — April was very warm and favorable to early crops, 

 but May has beeji cold, windy and dry, with frosts. On the 18th 

 a hard frost killed potatoes, corn and tomatoes. The feed in the 



