16 



HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 



Enfield (D. O. Ciiickering). — The season is from a week to 

 ten days late. Dr}' weather has hurt pastijres and mowings ; fall 

 seeding wintered well. There has been about au average fruit 

 bloom. Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is 

 well along. But little farm help is employed here. There are no 

 marked changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Pelham (John L. Brewer). — The season is one week late. 

 Pastures and mowings appear well, and fall seeding wintered fairly 

 well. There is a full bloom of apples, pears, peaches and plums, 

 and so far as we have observed small fruits are blossoming well ; 

 light frosts did no damage. No insects are doing damage as yet. 

 Planting is somewhat late. Farm help is scarce, but all that avail- 

 able is good help. Wages average $1 per day with board, and 

 $1.50 per day without board. There will be no marked changes 

 in the acreage of the usual farm crops. 



Amherst (Prof. Wm. P. Brooks) . — The season is a normal one ; 

 if anything, rather exceptionally favorable. Mowings and pastures 

 never looked better, and fall seeding wintered well. Apples made 

 an uneven bloom, on the whole light for bearing year ; pears, peaches 

 and plums heavy ; currants and strawberries heavy, but latter some- 

 what injured by frost. Cut worms are doing some damage. Plant- 

 ing is well advanced, corn being quite generally in. Farm help is 

 scarce, and the number of really competent men small. Wages 

 range from 816 to $30 per montli with board, and average $45 per 

 month without board. The acreage of tobacco will be increased. 

 Rather more interest is shown in wise selection of fertilizers, and 

 more are using chemicals. More farmers than usual are spraying 

 fruit trees. 



South Hadley (W. F. Person). — The season compares well 

 with the normal. Pastures are in fair condition, mowings look 

 well and fall seeding is in good condition. Apples and pears 

 blossomed full, and were not injured by frost. Planting is pro- 

 gressing very slowly. Farm help is very scarce, and about one- 

 third of it good help. Wages average about S22 per month with 

 board, and 81.50 per day without board. There will be a large 

 acreage of corn this year and au average one of potatoes. 



Northami^ton (H. C. Comins). — The season is a fair average 

 one, though rather backward. Pastures and mowings promise 

 well, and new seeding looks well. All fruit trees have blossomed 

 quite full, and there has been no damage from frost. Cut worms 

 are very troublesome on early vegetables. Planting is nearly all 

 done, as the fair weather has given an opportunity for farm work. 



