14 



behind the usual rate at this time. Farm help is scarce, and one- 

 fourth of it good help. Wages average $25 per month with board, 

 and S35 to S40 per month without board. There will be no change 

 in the acreage of the usual farm crops. Rain is very much needed. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Monroe (David H. Sherman). — The season is backward. 

 Grass looks fairly well on very rich and new seeded fields, but 

 old meadows are very brown for the time of year from lack of 

 rain. Fruit trees have not bloomed as yet; white frosts on the 

 mornings of the 21st and 22d. No insects have put in an appear- 

 ance as yet. Farm help is scarce, and perhaps half of it is good 

 help. Wages range from $20 to $30 per month with board, and 

 from $1.50 to $2 per day without board. There are no marked 

 changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Charlemont (J. M. J. Legate). — The season is a little later 

 than the average, but the weather has been such that farm work 

 is well along. Pastures and mowings are looking well, but we 

 need rain badly ; fall seeding never wintered better. There is 

 more than average fruit bloom, but it has suffered from frosts, 

 though it is not entirely ruined. No insects are doing damage. 

 Potatoes are mostly planted, and our farmers are in the thick of 

 corn planting. Farm help is very scarce, but what there is is 

 good help. Wages average $20 per month with board, and $1.50 

 per day without board. There is no marked change in the acreage 

 of farm crops. 



Hawley (C. C. Fuller). — The season is rather below the aver- 

 age in promise at present. Pastures and mowings are rather dry ; 

 and fall seeding lacked snow to protect it. The fruit bloom is not 

 fully out yet, so has not suffered much from frost. Not much 

 trouble from insects as yet. Planting is late. Farm help is very 

 scarce, but what can be obtained is good. Wages average about 

 $25 per month, and about $1.50 per day without board. There 

 are no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops. 



Shelhnrne (Geo. E. Taylor). — The season is a few days late. 

 Grass in pastures wintered well. There is an average fruit bloom, 

 and no damage from frost. No insects have been doing damage 

 to date. Planting is nearly finished. More farm help is needed, 

 but what we have is fair. Wages average $20 per month with 

 board, and from $1 to $1.50 per day without board. The acreage 

 of farm crops will probably run on about the usual lines. Rain is 

 very much needed. 



Gill (F. F. Stoughton). — The season is late and dry. Pastures 

 and mowings are not looking very well, owing to the lack of rain. 



