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Thej^ would be valuable if received from twelve to twenty-four 

 hours in advance, providing they were equally reliable. 



Marblehead (W. S. Phillips, Jr.). — The weather forecasts in 

 the dail}' papers are eagerly looked for, and the prophet ridiculed 

 when he does not predict rightly. The farmers would be very 

 much benefited could they receive them from twelve to twenty-four 

 hours in advance. The backward spring has helped the indolent 

 farmer. Many of those who planted very early cannot show better 

 crops than the easier brother who put his work in two or three 

 weeks later. 



West Boxford (J. W. Chadwick) . — The tent caterpillar is 

 doing the most damage of any insect. The method used to check 

 them is hand picking in the early morning. Our farmers think 

 the weather forecasts in the daily papers of great value, and go 

 almost entirely by them. The apple and peach trees have had the 

 fullest bloom for many years. 



Danvers (C. H. Preston). — The tent caterpillar is doing the 

 most damage of any insect. Some spray them, others brush them 

 down, more do nothing. The weather forecasts in the daily papers 

 are of little value, because not received early enough. Farmers 

 would be benefited by such forecasts and frost warnings could they 

 be received from twelve to twenty-four hours in advance. 



NORFOLK COUNTY. 



Cohasset (E. E. Ellms). — The tent caterpillar is making great 

 ravages on the apple trees, and wild cherry trees are completely 

 stripped of their foliage. No measures are being taken to exter- 

 minate them. First-class farm help very difficult to get. 



Medfield (Geo. R. Chase). — Season more backward than last. 

 Of the insects the tent caterpillar is doing the most damage. 

 A few fight and destroy them, but half at least of the farmers let 

 them alone even in orchards, to say nothing of roadside trees. 

 Every man ought to be compelled by law to destro}' them on his 

 own trees, while roadside trees might be treated at public expense, 

 where there was no immediate interested owner. 



Norfolk (J. W. Hinkley). — The asparagus beetle and tent 

 caterpillar are doing the most damage of any insects. The cater- 

 pillar is being burned and picked. I think picking them by hand 

 the surest and best way. Do not think farmers would be especially 

 benefited by weather forecasts and frost warnings. Having had a 

 bright, dry April, and a wet May, the hay crop promises to 

 be a good one. Rains in May have retarded planting to some 

 extent. 



