Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-07
General average and total,
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The average value of the hay crop may be
estimated at $40 per ton, but of the total
product only about one-fOurth finds its way
into the market, the balance being consumed
upon the farm. Very little old hay is re-
ported on hand in any of the counties except
kennebec, and BY the time the present crop
is harvested the old hay will in the main be
disposed OF in the cities of this State and the
Boston market.
There is more annual variation in the grain
than in the hay crop. OF late there has been
a general tendency to SOW less wheat year by
year, and more oats. partly on account of the
weevil which has affected the crop in some
sections, and also on account of the finer
grades of -four and prevailing high price Of
oats. More bushels of oats per acre can also
be raised than of wheat The acreage Of
oats has been increased over last year in
Franklin, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford Penob-
scot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington
counties. and in the other eight is about an
average with other years. The acreage of
wheat has been increased in Franklin and
Somerset counties, and decreased in Cumber-
land, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot
and Waldo counties. the other counties main-
tanning the customary average with previous
yesrs. In Penobscot county, owing to wet
weather, considerable land has been sown
with barley after having been prepared for
wheat and oats. Very little barley is raised
in Androscoggin county, and less than last
year will be raised in Cumberland, Kennebec
and Waldo counties, but in Franklin, Lincoln,
Penobscot and Washington counties the acre
age has been considerably increased In
Piscataquis and Somerset counties q custom
has grown up, and is being followed up by
other counties, Of planting = mixed crop
nr ks~l nd e. e.. AZ
farm stock, the crop running from 60 to 80
bushels per acre. Atpresent il is too early to
speak definitely of any of these crops, as the
prevailing vet weather has caused them to
come forward slowly, but with favorable
weather there will be . large yield. Each
year the farmers are taking increased care in
the preparation of their lands for crops by
the use of commercial fertilizers, and the
State may be depended upon for good average
crops. with q tendency to increase, rather
than decrease, each year.
Hoed crops are quite generally backward,
As the vet weather has prevented the farmers
from completing their planting before the
first planted has come forward and required
hoeing. Corn and potatoes that we're planted
early are looking finely, the former especial,
as the cool weather allowed the crop to be.
come well rooted, so that every warm day
now shows marked progress in its growth.
The canning industry 10 increasing in this
State every year. and larger amount OF
sweet corn is annually planted for this pur-
pose. In Aroostook, Cumberland, andre
scoggin, Kennebec, Oxford Penebscot and
Washington countias are the acreage Of pots.
toes has been largely increased, but in Pis-
cataquis and Waldo Counties the average has
decreased. The high pvice that has ruled for
the pust few years has rmade potato culture q