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Lincoln (Samuel Hartwell). — The season is about a normal 

 one. The promise for pastures and mowings is excellent and fall 

 seeding is in fair condition. The fruit bloom was much heavier 

 than in most years, but it has suffered from frosts. No insects 

 are doing damage as yet. Spraying is practised to only a small 

 extent and does not appear to be on the increase. Farm help is 

 rather scarce, perhaps one-fourth may be called good. Wages 

 average $20 per month with board and $35 per month without 

 board. There are no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Woburn (W. H. Bartlett). — The season is two weeks later 

 than the average. Grass is now looking well but has made slow 

 growth. There is an extra heavy bloom on all fruit trees; pos- 

 sibly some damage by frost to peaches and currants. There is 

 some spraying in this vicinity and it is on the increase. Farm 

 help is scarce, and good help is almost impossible to get. Wages 

 are $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of farm crops is 

 about the same as usual. Small fruits do not pay us and several 

 have dug up their bushes. The cold of the 10th and 11th injured 

 some tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, corn and beans. We are 

 now hoeing peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, etc. 



Winchester (Marshall Symmes). — The season is about two 

 weeks later than the normal. The promise for pastures and mow- 

 ings is good, and fall seeding wintered well. There was a great 

 bloom on all fruit trees and the frost did little damage. Very 

 little spraying is done here. It is too cold for insects and very 

 few are in sight. There is plenty of ordinary help, but the best 

 help is scarce. Wages are about $20 per month with board and 

 from $8 to $10 per week without board. Ploughed fields suffered 

 during the winter by being washed and gullied. 



Wakefield (Chas. Talbot). — The season is a very favorable 

 one. Pastures and mowings were never in better condition ; fall 

 seeding did not take very well. The fruit bloom was . never 

 equalled in this section, and peaches were the only kind injured 

 by frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Spraying is 

 very generally practised, but there has been no increase for the 

 last few years. Farm help is scarce and most of it of poor qual- 

 ity. Wages are from $12 to $18 per month with board and from 

 $35 to $40 per month without board. There will be no marked 

 changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 

 Amesbury (F. W. Sargent). — The season is backward ; spring 

 work well in hand, but warmer weather and sunshine is needed. 



