11 



NOTES OF CORRESPONDENTS. 



(Returned to U8 May 23.) 



BERKSHIRE COUNTY. 



Sheffield (D. R. Andrews). — The present season is a full 

 average one. Pastures and mowings promise very well, and fall 

 seeding is looking well. The fruit bloom was a full average one, 

 but has suffered more or less from frost. Tent caterpillars are 

 doing some. damage. Spraying is not much practised, but is on 

 the increase. Help is scarce, and one in ten is good help. Wages 

 average from $18 to $20 per month with board, and from $30 to 

 $35 per month without board. There will be more corn raised 

 than in former years. 



Otis (S. H. Norton). — The season is backward, owing to cold, 

 frosty weather. Pastures and mowings are very backward. There 

 is a full average fruit bloom. No damage from insects is to be 

 noticed as yet. Spraying is not practised in this section. Farm 

 help is very scarce. Wages average $18 to $20 per month with 

 board, and from $1.25 to $1.50 per day without board. I notice 

 no special changes in the usual line of farming. 



Tyrinr/ham (E. H. Slater). — The season is somewhat back- 

 ward. Pastures and mowings- are suffering for want of rain. 

 The fruit bloom is not as good as usual, and has suffered some 

 from late frosts. Very little spraying is done in this section. 

 Farm help is very scarce, and only a small portion of it is good. 

 Wages average $20 per month with board, and $1.50 per day 

 without board. There will be more corn raised than usual. 



West Stockbrid(/e (Wm. C. Spaulding). — The season is about 

 as early as usual ; cold, frosty nights, days fair. Meado\<'s and 

 pastures look well, but much need rain ; fall seeding did fairly 

 well. Some fruit trees show a lighter bloom than last year, and 

 frost caught early blooms to some extent. Tent caterpillars and 

 currant worms have made their appearance. Spraying is not prac- 

 tised hereabouts. There seems to be help enough, but not over 

 half of it is good help. Wages average from $1 to $1.25 per day 



