18 



and no damage from frosts. No insects have appeared as yet. There 

 is plenty of help, but it is not what it should be. Wages average 

 from $18 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without 

 board. But little planting has been done. There will be an increased 

 acreage of corn and potatoes, and the increase would be greater 

 except for the high price of help. 



Goshen (Alvan Barrus). — The season is at least two weeks later 

 than the normal. According to the old adage of a cold, wet May, there 

 should be a good hay crop, but ice beds have left many winter-killed 

 sections. The fruit bloom is at its height, and unusually full for all 

 fruits. No insects have appeared as yet. Very little planting has 

 been done, most lands being still too cold and wet. There is more 

 help at hand than usual, and about half of it is good help. Wages 

 are from $1.50 to $2 per day without board; none to be had by the 

 month. There will be little change from the usual acreage of farm 

 crops. 



HAMPDEN COUNTY. 



Blandford (Enos W. Boise). — The season is about a normal one. 

 Grass on all meadows is looking extra good, as are also pastures; no 

 complaint of grass winter-killing. All fruits will give an extra yield, 

 if bloom promises anything. Tent caterpillars are the only insects 

 doing damage. Land has been so wet and cold that planting has been 

 delayed, but is now being rushed. Farm help is more plenty than 

 for several years, and about half of it is good help. Wages are about 

 10 per cent less than last season. The usual amount and kinds of 

 crops will be raised. 



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

 but is rather wet. Pastures and mowings are in very good condition, 

 and fall seeding wintered well. There is a very good fruit bloom, 

 with no damage from frost. Planting is rather backward, on account 

 of wet weather. There is plenty of help, but not much good help. 

 Wages average $20 per month with board and $1.50 per day without 

 board. There will be no marked changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Southwick (L. A. Fow^ler). — The season compares very favorably 

 with the normal. The promise for pastures and mowings is very 

 good, and fall seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom was very abun- 

 dant, with no damage from frost. Plaifting is progressing about as 

 usual. Farm help is plenty, with but a small percentage of it good 

 help. Wages range from $12 to $20 per month with board and $1.50 

 to $1.75 per day without board. "Slore corn and potatoes have been 

 put in than usual. The acreage of tobacco will be less this year than 

 usual, and setting will be w^ell commenced this week. 



Agaicam (J. G. Burt). — The season is better than a year ago at 

 this time. Pastures and mowings are looking well, and fall seeding 

 wintered well. The fruit bloom is better than in former years, with 



