9 



warmer and generally seasonable, with sunshine near the 

 average, and with slight exceptions the conditions continued 

 through the remainder of the month. General moderate to 

 heavy showers occurred on the 23d, especially in parts of 

 Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. 

 Scattered local showers occurred on several other days, but 

 were irregularly distributed. The precipitation for the 

 month as a whole, over the entire State, was considerably 

 below the average for the month of Mav. At the close of the 

 month the season was very near the average. 



In the circular to corresjDondents, returnable May 25, the 

 following questions were asked : — 



1. How does the j) resent season compare, agriculturally 

 sj^eaking, with a normal season? 



2. "What is the promise for pastures and mowings, and 

 did fall seeding winter well ? 



3. How did the bloom of aj^ples, pears, peaches, plums and 

 small fruits compare with the bloom of former years, and has 

 it suffered from frosts ? 



•4. What insects are doing the most damage in your lo- 

 calitv ? 



5. How is planting progressing? 



6. Is farm help scarce, or plenty, and what proportion can 

 be called good help? 



T. What are the average wages paid farm help in your 

 vicinity, with board ? Without board ? 



8. Will there be any marked change i]i the acreage of the 

 usual farm crops, particularly corn and potatoes, and do you 

 note any new enterprises in the line of agriculture ? 



Returns were received from 151 correspondents, and from 

 them the following summary has been compiled : — 



The SEASOisr. 

 April was a cold and unpleasant month, and May opened 

 behind the average of other years. The same conditions con- 

 tinued during the first days of the month, and planting and 

 farm work of all kinds did not progress rapidly, while vege- 



