13 



board, and $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of farm 

 crops will remain about the same as usual. 



Bernardston (R. H. Cushman). — The season does not promise 

 very well. Pastures are in need of rain ; fall seeding wintered 

 well. Fruit trees have bloomed very full; frosts from 19th to 

 24th were unseasonable, and I think caused damage in low-lying 

 areas. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Farm help is 

 scarce, and 10 per cent of it is good help. Wages range from 

 $20 to $25 per month with board, and from $1 to $1.50 per day 

 without board. The acreage of sweet corn for the cannery at 

 Brattleboro, Vt., will be larger than last year. 



Ashfield (Chas. Howes). — The season has been cold, and not 

 quite up to the average. Mowings and pastures are looking well 

 now, and fall seeding wintered well. Fruit trees of all kinds 

 blossomed very full, and have not suffered from frosts. Spraying 

 is practised to some extent, and is rather on the increase. Farm 

 help is scarce, but is mostly native help, and good. Wages range 

 from $20 to $25 per month with board, and average $1.50 per 

 day without board. There is the usual acreage of the usual farm 

 crops. 



Deerfield (H. A. Wells). — The season is fully a week late. 

 Pastures and mowings are backward, and need rain ; fall seeding 

 wintered well. The fruit bloom was very full ; heavy frost on 

 the 22d, damage not known. No insects have appeared. Spray- 

 ing is not practised in this locality. Farm help is very plenty, 

 mostly Polanders, and generally good help. Wages average from 

 $20 to $24 per month with board, and $1.50 per day without 

 board. There is a large increase in the acreage of onions. 



Sunderland (Geo. P. Smith). — The season opened normally, 

 but is now backward, from lack of heat and moisture. Fall seed- 

 ing wintered well, but pastures and mowings have made small 

 growth. Pears, plums and small fruits made a full bloom ; apples 

 good, except Baldwins ; frost 21st and 22d ; cannot estimate dam- 

 age as yet. Very few insects have appeared. Hardly any spraying 

 is done, and it is not on the increase. Supply and demand of help 

 about even ; mostly Polish, and good, but need directing. Wages 

 average $20 per month with board, and $1.50 per day without 

 board. There is a slight increase in the acreage of onions and 

 tobacco. Onion seed germinated well, but they have not made a 

 normal growth. 



Northfield (Thos. R. Callender). — The season is ten days 

 later than normal, and rain is badly needed. Grass is thin; fall 

 seeding generally wintered well. Fruit trees, except peaches, 

 full of bloom; frost on 21st and 22d did damage on low lands. 



