11 



to the quality of that to be had, but it is probal)lj not below 

 the usual average of the same class of labor in former years. 

 The highest efficiency is not to be expected in any but a 

 very few of those content to be wage earners, either on the 

 farm or elsewhere, and farmers are perhaps inclined to set 

 their standard for "good help" too high, calling only the 

 best ffood, though not expecting to secure the measure of 

 efficiency they hope for. Wages average about $20 per 

 month with board in the strictly farming districts, and a 

 little higher near the cities. Twenty-eight dollars per 

 month would perhaps be a fair average of the wage paid 

 without board, where tenement, milk and firewood are fur- 

 nished, and $35 without any of these accessories. For day 

 work farmers are generally obliged to pay $1.50 per day, 

 and higher prices during haying and harvesting. 



Acreage of Farm Crops. 

 There is no particular change in the acreage of farm crops, 

 though perhaps more corn and potatoes have been put in 

 than in immediately recent years. In the Connecticut valley 

 it is probable that the acreage of both tobacco and onions 

 Avill be slightly increased. New cranberry bog is also re- 

 ported as being made in more than average amount in south- 

 eastern sections. Some correspondents report an increased 

 amount of forage crops as being planted, to supplement 

 the pastures and aid in keeping up the milk supply during 

 the summer months. 



