18 



months with board, and $18 to S20 per month by the year; no 

 help hired without board. Many farmers are giving more atten- 

 tion to potatoes than formerly. The prices of dairy products are 

 a little off from last year, but the quantity and quality are fully 

 up to the normal. 



Huntington (Henry W. Stickney). — Pastures are very back- 

 ward and do not have much feed. Mowings promise well; fall 

 seeding winter-killed on low lands. The bloom for all kinds of 

 fruits is very good, but it is feared that frosts have injured it on 

 low lands. There are very few insects to be seen. Most farmers 

 have finished planting, but rain is needed to germinate the seed- 

 Good help is scarce. Wages average $1 per day with board, and 

 $1.50 per day without board. The acreage of potatoes is larger 

 than usual. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Blandford (Enos W. Boise). — The season compares favorably 

 with the normal. The month has been so dry and cold that pas- 

 tures and mowings do not promise well, and without rain soon the 

 hay crop will be short; fall seeding wintered well. There was a 

 very full bloom of all fruits except peaches, and no damage from 

 frost. No insects have appeared as yet. Much planting has been 

 done and there is yet much to do. Farm help is scarce, and re- 

 liable men hardly to be obtained. Wages average from $20 to 

 $25 per month with board, and $35 to $40 per month without 

 board. There are no changes from the usual acreages of the 

 usual farm crops. 



Russell (E. D. Parks). — The season is up to the average, ex- 

 cept that it is very dry at present. Pastures and mowings need 

 rain; fall seeding wintered very well. The fruit bloom was up 

 to the average, the apple bloom being very full ; no damage from 

 frost. Currant worms and tent caterpillars are doing some dam- 

 age. Planting is nearly completed. Farm help is scarce, and but 

 little good help is obtainable. Wages average $25 per month 

 with board, and $1.75 per day without board. There will be no 

 marked changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Southwick (L. A. Fowler). — The season is quite up to the 

 average. Pastures and mowings are needing rain, and fall seed- 

 ing wintered well. Fruit trees bloomed well ; strawberries suf- 

 fered slightly from frost in some localities. Cut worms are doing 

 some damage. Planting is well under way. Farm help is scarce. 

 Wages average from $18 to $20 per month with board, and $1.50 

 per day without board. There are no changes in the acreage of 

 farm crops. 



