18* 



Sunderland (J. M. J. Lkgate). — The season is two weeks 

 earlier than last year. Live stock is in good condition. The 

 drought has crippled the pastures, and the hay crop will be light. 

 Fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was not average ; the 

 frost of the loth damaged it somewhat. Help is very plenty, all 

 being foreign help and most of it good. Wages are from $10 to 

 $15 per month with board and from §1 to $1.25 per day without. 

 The acreage of all crops, except tobacco, much larger than in 

 former years. The acreage of tobacco has decreased. 



Orange (Ansel Harrington). — The season is about as last 

 year. Live stock is in very good condition. Pastures and mow- 

 ings are not very promising. Fall seeding wintered finely. Fruit 

 trees blossomed very full but were injured by frost on low lands. 

 Potato beetles and cut worms are the only insects. Farm help is 

 rather scarce, but is mostly very good; few foreigners. Wages 

 are $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without. 

 Acreage of crops remains as usual. 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



•Greenvjich (Wir. L. Douglas). — The season is much earlier 

 ithan last year. Live stock is in fairly good condition. Pastures 

 -and mowings are improving since the rain. Fall seeding wintered 

 fairly well. The fruit bloom was much larger than last year. 

 nCut worms are doing the most damage. Farm help is not very 

 (plenty. There is little difference in the acreage of crops. 



Belchertoivn (H. C. West). — The present season compares 

 favorably with last year. Live stock is in very good condition. 

 Pastures and mowings are not in good condition although recent 

 rains have given them a start. The fruit bloom was a full average. 

 Cut worms are doing the most damage. Farm help is scarce and 

 •one in twenty good help. Wages range from $15 to $20 per month 

 with board. Hay will be a light crop and fodder crops must be 

 substituted. Acreage of crops about the same as usual. 



Amherst (Wm. P. Brooks). — The season is ten days earlier 

 than last year and everything looks very well. Live stock is in 

 good condition. Pastures have improved since the rain, but old 

 mowings were injured by drought. Fall seeding wintered well. 

 Apples were a very full bloom ; pears, cherries and quinces aver- 

 age ; peaches very light. Farm help is plenty, but mostly ignorant 

 and inexperienced. Wages are from $12 to $20 per month with 

 board and from $30 to $40 without. The industrial depression 

 has decreased the acreage of tobacco and increased the acreage 

 of other crops. 



