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Williamstown (S. A. Hickox). — The spring came in cold and 

 dry, and vegetation came along but slowly until May came with 

 rains. Grass never looked better here at this season of the year. 

 Planting is late, on account of the wet weather. It is difficult to 

 get first-class farm help. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Charlemont (H. S. Giles). — April was cool and dry. Some 

 mornings in May the ground has been frozen, and about the 20th 

 snow fell on the hills a number of inches in depth. There has 

 been plenty of rain in the last two weeks, and it has been unfavor- 

 able for planting or for seeds which were already planted in moist 

 ground. 



BucTdand (J. D. Aveky). — Much corn is still unplanted, and 

 a large amount must be replanted in consequence of cold and 

 excessively wet weather. Few of our farmers take the daily 

 papers, but I think those who do consider the weather forecasts 

 valuable. It is exceedingly difficult to get first-class help, and to 

 such $20 to $25 per month is paid. 



Conway (J. C. Newiiall). — May has been cold and windy, 

 and very many have not planted their corn. Potatoes planted 

 early are hardly up yet. Tobacco plants not under glass are very 

 late. Grass is looking well. Tent caterpillars are hatching out 

 very thick. Have not seen anyone trying to destroy them, ex- 

 cept by picking off the nests by hand. Very difficult to get first- 

 class help at any price. We are away from the railroad and it is 

 late before the mails arrive, so that the farmers do not get the 

 news until near night. For this reason the daily weather forecasts 

 are not especially valuable. 



Sunderland (W. L. Warner). — Everything being so late, it is 

 very difficult at the present time to form any opinion as to the true 

 prospects of the farmers. Grass is looking finely. Tobacco plants 

 are late and small. Apple trees blossomed fully. Onions are 

 looking fairly well. 



Montague (C. S. Raymond). — There is no first-class help to be 

 had. Polanders get $10 with board. April and the first part of 

 May was dry, and the latter part of May excessively wet. I think 

 the cool, wet weather has caused corn to rot in the ground to 

 some extent. A little corn was planted very early and came up 

 before the bad weather. Some potatoes are up and looking finely. 

 Grass and fruit promise abundant crops. 



Orange (Ansel Harrington). — Those who receive the daily 

 papers consider the weather forecasts they contain to be of great 



