17 



the normal, but has been too dry. Pastures are in fair shape, but 

 new seeding looks very poorly. There was a full fruit bloom, with 

 no damage from frost. Very little spraying is done. Help is very 

 scarce, and much of it is inferior. Wages average $20 per month 

 with board, and SI. 50 per day without board. The acreage of 

 corn will be much increased, perhaps 50 per cent. 



hampdp:n county. 



Blandford (E. "W. Boise). — The season about a normal one 

 at the present time. Pastures are becoming short, and meadows 

 are growing up thin, on account of lack of rain. All fruits are 

 one mass of bloom, and have not been injured by frosts. Tent 

 caterpillars ai'e quite plenty, and more spraying will be done than 

 usual. Farm help is very scarce, and not over one-fourth of it is 

 good help. Wages average from $20 to $25 porinontli and $1.25 

 to $1.50 per day with board, and from $35 to $40 per m.onth and 

 $1.50 to $1.75 per day without board. Much more corn than 

 usual will be planted, and much laud brought under the plow that 

 is in need of being cropped. 



Russell (E. D. Parks). — The season is about as forward as 

 usual, but is very dry in this section. The promise for pastures 

 and mowings is very poor at present. Tent caterpillars and 

 currant worms are doing some damage. Spraying is ])ut very 

 little practised. Farm help is very scarce, and there is but little 

 good help. Wages average $1 per day with board, and $1.50 per 

 day without board. There will be no marked changes in the 

 acreage of farm crops. 



Westjield (C. F. Fowler) . — The season opened early, but there 

 has been but little warm, growing weather. Grass starts very 

 slowly, as the ground is cold, and there is prospect of a short 

 crop. Fruit trees bloomed full and a week earlier tlian usual, and 

 show no signs of injury from frost. Tent caterpillars are very 

 plentiful. Spraying must soon be the universal practice, if we arc 

 to have fruifr. Farm help is scarce, and good, trusty help not to 

 be had. Wages average from $20 to $22 per month with board, 

 and $1.50 per day without board. There will be a larger acreage 

 of potatoes and corn; other crops about as usual. 



West Spriufi/ield (T. A. Ro<iEus). — The season is about normal, 

 but rain is needed. Pastures and mowings started well, but the 

 frost of the 10th checked growth; fall seeding wintered well. 

 Apples made a full bloom ; pears, peaches and plums a partial 

 bloom; quinces full. Tent' caterpillars arc (juite pU'iitiful, and 

 horn flies are annoying cattle somewhat. Farm help is not plenty, 



