14 



Wendell (N. D. Plumb). — The season is very forward, but the 

 ground is too dry for seed to germinate. Pasturage is very back- 

 ward, also mowings and seeding, as we have had no rain since 

 April 20. Apples and pears look promising. But very little spray- 

 ing is done. Good help is very scarce, and there is a good demand 

 for help, good, bad and indifferent. Wages range from $18 to S25 

 per month with board, and from $1.50 to $1.75 per day without 

 board. There is an increased acreage of oats. 



Orange (A. C. White). — Spring opened very early, but the 

 present dry weather is spoiling all. Pastures and mowings are too 

 dry to make any calculation as to the prospect. There was the 

 normal fruit bloom, with no damage from frost. Currant worms 

 and potato bugs are doing some damage. Spraying is practised 

 to a very limited extent. Help is scarce. Wages average $20 per 

 month with board, and $1.50 per day without board. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Greeyiwich (Wm. S. Douglas). —The season is backward, and 

 very dry. The promise for pastures and mowings is poor, on 

 account of the continued dry weather. The fruit bloom was very 

 light, and it has suffered from frost. Tent caterpillars and cur- 

 rant worms are doing some damage. Spraying is but little prac- 

 tised. Farm help is scarce, and but a small proportion of it is 

 good help. Wages average $25 per month with board, and $1.50 

 per day without board. 



Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The season is from two to three 

 weeks earlier than usual, but exceptionally dry and hot. All fall 

 seeding wintered exceptionally well, but the present outlook is for 

 a very light hay crop and scanty pastures, save on rich and moist 

 soils. Apple bloom uneven, but on the whole very abundant for 

 an odd year ; pears full, but -many varieties injured by frost ; 

 peaches no bloom ; plums full, but badly hurt by frost, espe- 

 cially Japanese plums ; raspberries, blackberries and currants full ; 

 strawberries, early bloom destroyed, but doing well except on 

 dryest soils. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Spray- 

 ing is not much practised, and is increasing but slowly. Farm 

 help is very scarce, and there are but few good men. Wages 

 range from $15 to $30 per month with board. The acreage of 

 onions is increased from 12 to 15 per cent, and they have generally 

 come up well. Shade tobacco setting has begun. 



South Hadley (H. W. Gaylord). — The season opened very 

 early, but everything seems to be at a standstill now. Fall seed- 

 ing wintered well, but is making no growth ; pastures and mow- 



