29 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 



Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — The season is vei-y backward in this 

 section. Pastures are in good condition and mowings promise well. 

 Fall seeding wintered fairly well. As a whole, there has been a 

 light bloom of fruit trees and a full bloom of berries and small 

 fruits. No frosts. The tent caterpillar is here in abundance, but 

 no other insects are doing any appreciable damage. Very little 

 planting has been done to date. Farm help is not very plenty, but 

 what there is is very good. Wages average about $25 per month 

 with board, and $1.75 per day without board. There will be no 

 marked changes in the acreage of the leading crops. No damage 

 from pheasants has been reported. 



BiUerica (E. F. Dickinson). — The season has been very wet and 

 is about two weeks late for cultivated crops. The promise for pas- 

 tures and mowings, where the sward was vigorous, Avas never better. 

 Fall seeding wintered very well. The bloom of apples was about 

 one-half, plums fair, peaches light and pears a failure; small fruits 

 showed an average bloom. No frosts. The San Jose scale, the 

 broAvn-tail moth and the tent caterpillar have been most in evidence 

 so far this spring. Planting is progressing very slowly, much land 

 being too wet to work as yet. No over supply of help. AVages 

 average about $20 per month with board, or $1.75 per day without 

 board. Some tendency toward the establishment of young orchards 

 is in evidence. Have seen no pheasants yet. The season is generally 

 late, but a hopeful feeling prevails among farmers here and liberal 

 planting is planned. 



Littleton (Geo. W. Sanderson). — Vegetable growth in general 

 delayed on account of excessive rains. There is good promise for 

 pastures and mowings, and fall seedings wintered as well as the 

 average. Not as heavy a fruit bloom as in 1911, but early fruits 

 promise well. No frost damage. The brown-tail and gypsy moths 

 are doing more damage than any other insects in this locality. Plant- 

 ing is backward. Good farm help is scarce. Wages range from 

 $28 per month with board to $45 without board. There will be a 

 larger acreage of corn than usual this season, and there seems to 

 be an increased interest in apple culture in this vicinity. The dairy 

 interests do not seem to be as prominent as formerly, as many are 

 turning their attention to orcharding. I have heard of no damage 

 by pheasants. 



Stow (Geo. W. Bradley). — The season is about two weeks late. 

 Prospects are very favorable for a large hay crop. Fall seedings 

 are looking fine. There is about two-thirds of an average fruit 

 bloom, and no frost damage. Tent caterpillars and brown-tail moths 



