20 



Palmer (0. P. Allen). — The season is very late. Pastures 

 and mowings promise well, and fall seeding came through the 

 winter well. The bloom of all fruit trees was very full, but 

 late frosts have probably done some injury in some localities. 

 But few insects are in evidence as yet. Planting is progressing 

 fairly well, but is late. Farm help is scarce, and about one-third 

 of it good help. Wages average Sl8 per month with board, and 

 $1.50 per day without board. There will be but little change in 

 the acreage of the usual farm crops. 



Holland (Francis Wight) . — The season is about an average 

 one to date. Pasture and mowings are fairly good, and fall seed- 

 ing is in fair condition. The fruit bloom was above the average, 

 but has been severely injured in some places by frost. Tent 

 caterpillars are the only insects doing damage. Planting is being 

 driven hard just now. Farm help is scarce, and not over half of 

 it can be called good help. Wages average $1 per day with board, 

 and $1.50 per day without board. 



WORCESTER COUNTY. 



Dudley (J. J. Gilles). — The season is from ten to twelve days 

 late, but otherwise is normal. Pastures and mowings up to the 

 present week have done finely, but now are very much in need of 

 rain; fall seeding wintered well. Bloom of all fruits quite pro- 

 fuse ; in some instaiices peaches have suffered from frost. Insects 

 have done very little damage thus far. Planting is progressing 

 with average promptness. Farm help is neither scarce nor plenty, 

 and half of it is good help. Wages average $20 per month with 

 board, and $35 to $40 without board. 



West Brookfield (Myron A. Richardson). — There is no feed 

 in the pastures, and while mowings are looking well they need 

 rain. The fruit bloom was about the same as usual, but frosts 

 have done considerable injury in some places. Currant worms 

 appear to be more plentiful and to be doing more damage than 

 usual. Planting is progressing about as usual, though some is 

 later. Farm help is scarce and wages higher than usual, with one- 

 half of the supply good help. Wages average $25 per month with 

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



North Brookfield (John II. Lane). — The season is an average 

 one, but backward. The promise for pastures and mowings is 

 good if we can have rain. There was a full bloom on all kinds of 

 fruit. Very few insects have appeared. Planting is progressing 

 finely, and crops are mostly in. Farm help is about in the usual 

 supply, with 10 per cent of it good help. Wages average $20 per 

 month with board, and $1.50 per day without board. 



