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are in good condition. Fall seeding generally wintered well. Apples 

 showed a full average bloom, pears light, plums quite light and small 

 fruits full of bloom. There has been no frost injury. Peaches are 

 not raised here. The season has been unfavorable to the develop- 

 ment of any considerable number of insect pests. Planting is very 

 much behind. No particular change in quantity or quality of farm 

 help. Wages run from $18 to $30 per month with board, or $1.50 

 to $2 per day without board. There will be a slight increase in 

 the acreage of corn in this vicinity this season. Pheasants are not 

 plenty enough so that any damage is noticed. 



Fitchburg (Dr. Jabez Fisher). — The fruit bloom this season is 

 the exact average in date of the past fifty-six years. Everything 

 has wintered well. Grass lands and pastures looking unusually 

 fine. The bloom is generally a full one, especially of apples; few 

 peaches. No insects have put in an appearance as yet, except a 

 few tent caterpillars. The planting is late, owing to lack of sun- 

 shine. No superabundance of farm help, esijecially of the best 

 grade. Wages with board $20 per month, without board $1.50 to 

 $1.75 per day. There is no marked change in the acreage to be 

 devoted to the leading farm crops. No damage from pheasants 

 observed in this locality. 



Harvard (John S. Preston). — Things look favorable at the 

 present time for a good season. Pastures, mowings and fall seed- 

 ings looking very well indeed. A very heavy fruit bloom in this 

 section. No damage from frost so far. Brown-tail moths, gypsy 

 moths and tent caterpillars are very numerous. Planting is be- 

 hindhand, owing to excessive rain. Good help is growing more 

 scarce every year, and it is hard to get help of any kind. Wages 

 are about $25 per month with board, $1.75 to $2 per day without 

 board. The acreage of potatoes will probably be larger this year 

 than usual, and several parties are considering the establishment 

 of apple orchards. I do not hear of any damage from pheasants. 



Petersham (B. W. Spooner). — The present season is way be- 

 hind normal and the ground is too wet to cultivate. Mowing-s and 

 pastures are much in advance of the nomial season. All fruit trees 

 are in full blossom. No damage from frost. No complaints as yet 

 of any damage by insects. Nothing has been planted at this date 

 except a few early vegetables. Help is very scarce, and a very 

 small proportion is reliable. Wages are about $25 per month with 

 board, or $1.75 to $2 for day hands. The acreage of staple crops 

 will be about the same as usual. Do not hear of any damage by 

 pheasants. 



Tlubhardston (CiiAS. C. Colby). — It has been cold and very 

 wet, making farm operations very late. Mowings and pastures all 

 looking fine and promise good return. The apple bloom is much 



