19 



South Hadley (H. "W. Gaylord). — The season has been back- 

 ward, owiog to dry weather. Live stock is in good condition. 

 Fall seeding wintered well and pastures and mowings now promise 

 well. Apples had nearly an average bloom, cherries and pears a 

 three-fourths bloom, and peaches a one-fourth. Cut worms are 

 doing considerable damage. Help is plenty, one-half being good. 

 Wages are $1.50 per day and from $12 to $20 per mouth; not 

 over ten per cent get $20. The acreage of crops has been in- 

 creased by the industrial depression because people from the city 

 have rented land in the country. 



Northampton (D. A. Hokton). — The season is quite as forward 

 as last year. Live stock is in good condition. The grass crop is 

 very forward and new seeding is good. The fruit bloom was un- 

 usually full. No insects except a few tent caterpillars. Farm help 

 is plenty, one-fourth being good help. Wages are from $15 to $20 

 per month with board. The acreage of onions, corn and potatoes 

 has increased and that of tobacco decreased one-fourth. 



Southampton (C. B. Lyman). — All crops are earlier than last 

 year and work is more advanced. Live stock has wintered well 

 and is now doing well. Pastures and mowings are doing well since 

 the rains. Fruit bloom very large. Farm help is plenty, perhaps 

 two-thirds being good help. Wages are $18 to $20 per month with 

 board and $1.25 to $1.50 per day without. Fall seeding has done 

 very well. There is not as much tobacco as usual but the acreage 

 of other crops is about the same. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Tolland (F. T. Mooke) . — The season is a little ahead of last 

 year. Live stock is in very fair condition. Pastures are in good 

 condition and the present wet spell may save the mowings. Apples 

 had a very full bloom. There are some potato bugs but the apple 

 trees are free from insects. Farm help is not plenty, one-third 

 good help. Wages are from $12 to $15 per month with board. 

 The average amount of crops will be put in. 



West Springjield^ (J. N. Bagg) . — The season compares favorably 

 with last year. Live stock is in good condition. Pastures and 

 mowings promise well. Fall seeding wintered well. The fruit 

 bloom was light, particularly for pears. Cut worms, currant worms 

 and potato beetles are doing the most damage. Farm help is 

 plenty, less than half being good help. With board wages are 75 

 cents per day and without board $1.25. Planting is about over. 

 The industrial depression has increased the acreage of crops. 



Holyoke (J. C. Thorpe). — The season is nearly two weeks 

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



