20 



weather has injured pastures and mowings. Fall seeding has 

 wintered well. The fruit bloom was heavy, except that of peaches, 

 which was light. Farm help is plenty, about one-half being good. 

 Wages are from $35 to $40 without board and from $18 to $25 

 with board for good, and $12 to $18 for poor. 



Chicopee (R. W. Bemis). — The season is earlier than usual. 

 Live stock is in about average condition. Grass is thinner than 

 usual because of dry weather but has improved since the rains. 

 The early fruit bloom was quite full and the late bloom light. The 

 cut worm is the only insect at present. There are plenty who 

 appl}' for work but good help is scarce. Wages are from $6 to $12 

 per week, about $1 less than last year for the same grade of help. 

 There is no change in the acreage of crops except, perhaps, tobacco 

 has decreased. 



Wilbraliam (F. E. Clark). — The season is two weeks earlier 

 than last year, but in many instances potatoes and corn failed to 

 germinate because of dry weather. Live stock is in fine condition. 

 Old mowings and pastures promise a very light yield. Fall seed- 

 ing looks finely. The fruit bloom was very full on high land and 

 perhaps a one-third bloom on low land. Help is plenty, not more 

 than one-fourth being good help. Good help commands from $20 

 to $25 per month with board and from $30 to $35 without. The 

 acreage of crops is increased because help is plenty and wages low. 



Brimfield (8. W. Brown). — The season is fully equal to last 

 year. Live stock is in good condition. Pastures and mowings 

 promise well. Fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom is 

 twenty-five per cent better than last year. Farm help is scarce 

 and not over twenty per cent is good help. Wages as high as $23 

 per month and $1.50 per day are paid. No change in the acreage 

 of crops. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



North Brookjield (J. H. Lane). — Live stock is in good con- 

 dition, much grain being fed. Pastures are bare from the dry 

 weather. The fruit bloom was very full. Very few insects except 

 the potato beetle. Farm help is scarce, not more than one in ten 

 being good help. Wages are from $20 to $30 per month with 

 board. The acreage is increased, and if crops are good the result 

 will be very bad as over-production will reduce prices. 



Dana (E. A. Albee). — The season is about ten days earlier 

 than last year. Live stock wintered well and is in good condition. 

 The recent rains improved pastures and mowings. Fall seeding 

 wintered well. The fruit bloom was average but the frosts did 

 great damage. There are only a few tent caterpillars. Farm help 

 is plenty, one-half being good help ; with board $20 per month 



