12 



Hinsdale (Thos. F. Barker). — There has been no rain, except 

 one small shower, for five weeks, and crops are very backward. 

 Pastures and mowings have been very good, but are now drying 

 up ; fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was very much 

 below that of last year, but has not suffered from frosts. No in- 

 sects are doing damage at present. Farm help is scarce, with 

 one-third of it fair help. Wages average from $18 to $22 per 

 month with board, and about $28 without board. More corn and 

 oats than usual have been put in. 



Dalton (Wesley B. Barton). — The season is about an average 

 one, agriculturally speaking. Pastures and mowings look badly, 

 because of drought ; fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom 

 was a full average one. Canker worms are doing some damage. 

 Ten per cent of our farmers spray their fruit trees, and the prac- 

 tice is increasing. Farm help is scarce, with 10 per cent of it 

 good help. Wages average $20 per month with board, and $1.50 

 per day without board. Less potatoes than usual and more corn 

 have been put in. Cows are scarce and high, and milk scarce. 



New Ashford (Elihd Ingraham). — The season is a poor one, 

 from lack of rain. Pastures and mowings are in very poor condi- 

 tion; fall seeding wintered well. There is a good fruit bloom, 

 with no injury from frost. Tent caterpillars are doing some dam- 

 age. Spraying is not practised at all. Farm help is plenty, and 

 half of it good help. Wages average $16 per month with board, 

 and $1 per day without board. 



Florida (E. D. Rice) . — The season is about as forward as usual, 

 with farm work more than ordinarily so. Pastures and mowings 

 are in very poor condition, and need rain. The fruit bloom was 

 about half the normal, but there has not been much damage from 

 frost. Spraying against insects attacking fruit is practised by 

 10 per cent of our people. Farm help is scarce, and one-fourth of 

 it is good help. Wages average $20 per month with board, and 

 $1.50 per day without board. Acreage of farm crops about the 

 same as usual ; quite a number of farms have been sold during the 

 past year. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Colrain (A. A. Smith). — The season is below the normal, 

 agriculturally speaking. Pastures and mowings are in very poor 

 condition ; fall seeding wintered well, but the dry spring has 

 nearly ruined it. There was a full fruit bloom. Spraying against 

 insects attacking fruit is practised to a considerable extent, and 

 is on the increase. Farm help is scarce, and a very small propor- 

 tion of that available is good help. Any price asked is paid for 

 good help, both with and without board. 



