10 



month did not apparently do iniicli damage to fruit bloom, 

 though it is still too early to predict final results, except that 

 strawberries were considerably damaged in eastern sections. 



Insects. 

 Few insects had appeared at the time of making returns, 

 and those present were doing little damage. Tent cater- 

 pillars were those most frequently reported. Other insects 

 mentioned were currant worms, potato bugs, cut worms, 

 white grubs, gypsy and brown-tail moth caterpillars and the 

 San Jose scale. This latter pest was reported as doing 

 damage and killing trees in a number of sections. There 

 is no question but that it has become a serious menace to our 

 orchards. jSTature Leaflet Xo. 33, issued by this Board, 

 deals with the best methods of combating it. 



Planting. 

 Planting had progressed slowly, and was not up with 

 the usual normal at the time of making returns. Though the 

 weather was in the main favorable for working the soil, the 

 soil itself in many cases remained too cold for successful 

 planting, and the weather conditions were not such as to 

 encourage farmers to hurry their crops in. Those who 

 planted early either had their crops nipped by frost, or 

 found that they germinated poorly and made little progress 

 after appearing above the ground. 



Farm Help and Wages. 

 Never has farm help been reported so difficult to secure 

 as this season. The question as to quality has become sec- 

 ondary in many cases, any kind of help being gladly en- 

 gaged. The proportions of good and poor help remain 

 relatively about the same as in other years. Wages appear 

 to be somewhat higher than formerly, $22 per month with 

 board being perhaps a fair average, and $30 without board, 

 but with tenement, milk and fuel. There is little help hired 

 by the month except under these conditions, the week or day 

 being the basis for payment where the laborer houses him- 



