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plums which has not suffered from frosts. Tent caterpillars, elm- 

 leaf beetles and brown-tail moths are doing the greatest damage at 

 present. Farm help is scarce, and only about one-half can be called 

 good help. Wages average about $20 to $25 per month with board, 

 and $35 to $40 without board. More corn than usual will be planted 

 this season. Pheasants have not yet done any damage. 



Newton (G. L, Maecy). — It has been cold, wet and backward 

 this season so far. The weather has been favorable for mowings, 

 pastures and for fall seeding^. There is a light fruit bloom, and 

 no late frosts. Very little insect activity as yet. Planting goes 

 on very slowly. Good help scarce, but poor help is plenty. Wages, 

 without board, $2 per day. There will be no noticeable change in 

 the acreage of farm crops, and we note no new agricultural enter- 

 prises hereabouts. 



Hopkinton (W. V. Thompson). — More rain and less heat than 

 in a normal season. Grass and jDastures looking fine. Apple bloom 

 full, pears very light, peaches very few and plums light. Tent 

 caterpillars and brown-tail moths are much in evidence. Not much 

 planting done yet. Help scarce. Wages about 20 cents i^er hour. 

 Acreage of principal crops about the same as usual. A canning 

 factory has been put up. No damage by pheasants reported. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



Haverhill (Milton A. Corliss). — The season is very late and 

 cold, on account of heavy rains. Pastures and mowings look better 

 than normal, and fall seeding wintered comparatively well. Apples 

 and plums blossomed well; pears and peaches will be a failure in 

 this vicinity. No damage from frosts. Tent caterpillars are doing 

 the most damage of any insect. Planting is nearly three weeks later 

 than last year. Farm help is very scarce, and only about 20 per 

 cent can be called good help. Wages average $24 to $28 per month 

 with board, or $2 and upwards a day without board. The acreage 

 of corn will be about normal, but there will not be as many potatoes 

 as usual in this locality. Many apple trees have been set this spring 

 and much interest has been taken in trimming and spraying old 

 orchards. There has been an increase in the acreage of oats. Good 

 hay sells for $27 per ton at this writing. Pheasants have done no 

 noticeable damage. 



Methuen (Frederick A. Russell). — The season compares favor- 

 ably with a normal one. Pastures and mowings in excellent condi- 

 tion. Fall seeding looking very well indeed. Apple trees that did 

 not fruit last year are blooming very freely; pears, peaches and 

 plums light; strawberries looking well. No frost damage. Tent 

 caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting progressing about 



