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show a normal bloom. There are very few insects in evidence at 

 present, mostly tent caterpillars. Planting is progressing rapidly. 

 Farm help is rather more plentiful than last year, but the quality 

 is no better. Wages range from $15 to $30 per month with board 

 and $1.50 to $2.50 per day without board. There is some increase 

 in the acreage of corn and potatoes. 



Gardner (W. E. Kxight). — The season is about a normal one. 

 Grass in pastures and mowings looks well; fall seeding winter-killed 

 badly. Apples are hardly in bloom as yet; no damage from frost. 

 Tent caterpillars are doing some damage. Planting is progressing 

 as usual. Good help is scarce, while foreign-speaking help is plenty, 

 but poor. Wages range from $12 to $30 per month with board and 

 average $1.50 per day without board. There are no marked changes 

 in the acreage of farm crops. 



Winchendon (Arthur Stockwell). — The season is very back- 

 ward. Pastures and mowings are looking well. Frost has done some 

 damage to fruit bloom. Gypsy moths are doing some damage in this 

 locality. Planting is progressing finely. There is plenty of farm help 

 at present. Wages are about the same as in former years. There 

 are no marked changes in the acreage of the usual farm crops. 



Fitchburg (Jabez Fisher). — The season is fully as favorable as 

 usual. Grass of all kinds has wintered well. The fruit bloom is the 

 heaviest for many years, with no drawbacks; apple bloom two days 

 earlier than the average of the past fifty-two years. Insects have 

 not appeared in any numbers as yet. Planting is progressing well. 

 Farm help is scarce, especially good help. Wages average $20 per' 

 month with board and $1.50 per day without board. 



Princeton (A. 0. Tyler). — The season is a little backward, but 

 good for grass. Pastures and mowings are in good condition, and fall 

 seeding wintered well. The fruit bloom compares favorably with 

 that of former years, and so far has not suffered from frost. There are 

 a few tent caterpillars doing damage. Planting is progressing well, 

 but is not quite as far advanced as some years. Farm help is plenty 

 this spring, and perhaps two-thirds of it is good help. Wages average 

 $20 per month with board through the spring and summer, and from 

 $1.50 to $2 per day without board. There are no marked changes 

 in the acreage of farm crops. 



Sterling (Henry S. Sawyer). — The season is two weeks earlier 

 than usual. Grass in pastures and mowings is looking well. Apples 

 bloomed well, also pears, peaches and plums, with no injury from 

 frost. No insects are doing damage at present. Planting is pro- 

 gressing as rapidly as the weather will allow, with quite an acreage 

 of potatoes planted. Farm help is more plent)' than for several 

 years, and one-half of it is fairly good help. Wages average $20 per 

 month with board and $1.75 per day without board. There is about 

 the same acreage as usual of farm crops. 



Shrewsbury (Fred J. Reed). — The season is about an average 



