20 



for odd year. White grubs are doing some damage to grass lands. But 

 little planting has been done; we are just getting ready. Not much 

 help is hired here. The acreage of all crops remains about the same as 

 usual. 



Marlborough (E. D. Howe). — The season is fully a week late. 

 Pastures and mowings are green, but backward. Apples show half a 

 bloom ; pears three-fourths ; peaches none ; plums full and small fruits 

 nearly so. No damage from frost. Currant worms are working; also 

 brown-tail moths. Not more than 10 per cent of the planting has been 

 done. Wages average $26 per month with board and $10.50 per week 

 without board. There are no changes in the acreage of farm crops. 



Stow (G. W, Bradley). — The season is later than usual. The 

 prospect is good for a good hay crop; fall seeding wintered finely. 

 Apples and pears are just coming into bloom, and look well for the odd 

 year; no damage from frost. Tent caterpillars have appeared, but the 

 cold weather is keeping them back. Planting is progressing very 

 slowly. Farm help is very scarce and poor. Wages range from $15 to 

 $30 per month with board and from $1 . 50 to $2 per day without board. 

 There will not be much change in the acreage of farm crops. 



Townsend (Geo. A. Wilder). — The season is late. Pastures and 

 mowings look fairly well, and fall seeding wintered well. There was a 

 heavy fruit bloom, but there has been a loss of 75 per cent of it from 

 frost. A few brown-tail moths have appeared. Planting is very late. 

 Farm help is scarce, and not over half of it good help. Wages average 

 $20 per month -vvdth board and range from $1 . 50 to $2 per day without 

 board. There are no special changes in the acreage of field crops. 



Dunstable (A. J. Gilson). — The season is fully two weeks later than 

 the normal. Pastures and mowings are backward; fall seeding win- 

 tered well. Light bloom of Baldwin apples, other varieties fuller ; pears 

 a full bloom; peaches none; plums and small fruits about the same 

 as usual; damage from frost uncertain. No trouble from insects at 

 present. Planting is progressing slowly, little having been done. 

 Farm help is very scarce, and not as good as it should be. Wages 

 average $1.25 per day with board and $1.50 without board. There 

 will probably be a smaller acreage of hoed crops than usual. 



Tewksbury (G. E. Crosby). — The season is very backward. Pas- 

 tures and mowings are coming on slowl)^ Very light bloom of peaches, 

 plums and apples, but good for an off j^ear. No special damage is being 

 done by insects. Planting is progressing slowly, owing to fear of frosts. 

 Farm help is scarce, and perhaps one-fourth is good help. Wages 

 average from $20 to $25 per month with board and from $1 .50 to $2 

 per day without board. There will be about the usual acreage of farm 

 crops. 



Carlisle (Alvah Carr) . — This is the most backward season for 

 years. Pastures are looking well; also mowings and fall seeding. 

 The fruit bloom is light, especially for peaches and plums. The gypsy 



