17 



Farm help is very scarce, and not over ten per cent is first class. 

 Wages range from $20 to $25 per month with board, and from 

 $36 to $40 per month without board. The acreage of onions and 

 tobacco will be somewhat increased. Rain is greatly needed by 

 pastures and mowings as well as to hasten germination of seeds. 



Easthampton (Wm. C. Clapp). — The season is about an aver- 

 age one at present. Pastures and mowings promise well, and fall 

 seeding looks better than could be expected after the open winter. 

 There was a full fruit bloom, but early strawberries suffered from 

 frost. Caterpillars and cut worms are numerous. Planting is in 

 full progress, and some farmers have most of their corn and all 

 their potatoes planted. There seems to be plenty of Polish help, 

 and most of it is good help. Wages range from $15 to $20 per 

 month with board, and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. 

 There will be fully as large an acreage of tobacco, corn and pota- 

 toes as usual. 



Williamsburg (F. C. Richards). — The season is later than 

 usual, the weather having been cool and the ground not yet well 

 warmed. Pastures and mowings are looking well, but fall seeding 

 winter-killed in some places. Pears, peaches and plums and small 

 fruits gave a full bloom, with no injury from frosts. Tent cater- 

 pillars are beginning to appear. Planting is late, but with season- 

 able warm weather now we will have it well in hand. There is the 

 usual scarcity of help, and that available is poor. Wages average 

 $18 to $20 per month with board, and $30 to $35 without board. 

 The acreage of corn aud potatoes will be about as usual. Apples, 

 with exception of Baldwins, show a heavy bloom. 



Goshen (Hon. Alvan Barrus). — The season is a week to ten 

 days late. Though late, pastures are fairly promising ; also mow- 

 ings aud fall seeding. All fruit trees show a very uneven bloom, 

 all the way from none to very full. Very few insects have made 

 their appearance. Farm help is scarce, and good help out of the 

 question. Wages range from $1.50 to $2 per day with board, and 

 from $1.75 to $2 per day without board. No changes in the acre- 

 age of farm crops worthy of mention. There have been severe 

 frosts on low lands, none appearing to be damaging on the hills. 



Plainfield (S. W. Clark). — The season is a little late, but is 

 otherwise normal. Grass is looking very well and fall seeding 

 wintered very well. Fruit trees have bloomed full, and there has 

 been no injury from frosts. Tent caterpillars are the only insects 

 that have appeared as yet. Planting is progressing very well, 

 with no delay from rainy weather, but rain will be needed very 

 soon. Farm help has been scarce, but a lot of Poles are just in 

 and they are good help. Wages average $25 per month for six 



