28 



Leicester (H. H. Kingsbury). — The season is rather below nor- 

 ma] in general. Pastures and mowings are fully up to normal 

 conditions and fall seedings of grass and grain are in good shape. 

 Apples, pears, plums and small fruits have made a large bloom. 

 No peach bloom to speak of. No frosts. Tent caterpillars very 

 numerous. Very little planting done at this date, a few potatoes 

 and peas on especially dry, early land. There is no unusual scarcity 

 of help, about 10 per cent being good help. There is no marked 

 change in wages or in the price of board. There will be more pota- 

 toes than usual. There is a tendency toward the establishing of apple 

 orchards, eropi^ing the ground between the rows. No pheasants 

 have been seen in this vicinity. 



Brookfield (Frank E. Prouty). — The season is late. Pastures 

 and mowings look well and fall seeding wintered well. About the 

 usual bloom of apples; pears a light bloom; peaches quite light, 

 many trees winterkilled ; plums and small fruits about the same as 

 in former years. No frost as yet. Planting coming on slowly on 

 accoiuit of wet weather. There seems to be help enough so far. 

 Wages $20 per month with beard, and about $30 without board. 

 No marked change in the area of farm crops. No damage noticed 

 by pheasants as yet. 



Charlton (Loren E. Stevens). — The season is very late. Pas- 

 tures and mowings in good condition and fall seeding doing well. 

 Trees blossomed full, giving promise of much fruit. All planting 

 is late on account of much rainy weather. All help is scarce. Wages 

 average $25 per month with board, and $1.75 per day without board. 

 No new agricultural enterprises in evidence. No noticeable damage 

 by pheasants. 



Uxbridge (Everett D. Robinson). — It has been rather cold and 

 wet this spring. Pastures and mowings look fine and fall seeding 

 has wintered well. Apple bloom was better than last year; other 

 fruits the same, except pears, which are not quite as heavy. The 

 elm-leaf beetle, San Jose scale and codling moth are doing more or less 

 serious damage. Planting is progressing rather slowly, on account 

 of wet weather. Help is scarce, and about 10 per cent is good help. 

 Wages run from $20 to $25 per month with board, and $1.50 to $2 

 per day without board. It is rumored that a large canning factory 

 for sweet corn will be opened at Hopkinton. It is some distance 

 from this town, and it seems as if there were a good chance for many 

 such factories in this State. I have not heard of any damage by 

 pheasants. 



