Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-11
CROP BULLETIN.
That Tor September Now 0ut-crop Condl
lions Favorable.

uuHS Fat0faplo.
The September crop bulletin is now ready
for distribution. In his summary Secretary
McKeen says: -. 49,.
We continue our summary of the condi-
ton of the growing crops in this issue of
the bulletin, with the addition of an attempt
to ascertain the results Of spraying as a
preventive of rust on potatoes, the COM
parative acreage of corn grown for the sito
and the number of silos built the present
season. Returns have come in from one
hundred and seventy five towns in all Sec
tons of the State, showing that our cores
spondents are keeping up their interest in
the work, and that they are closely observ-
ing the conditions of farming in their local
tiles.
The following is the list of questions sent
out:
l. What kinds of grain are sown, and is
there an increase in mixed grain?
2. How has the grain been harvested?
3. Was the oat crop seriously injured
by the rust reported last month?
4. How does the acreage and yield of
all grains compare with last year?
5. What proportion of the grain sown.
will be fed in the straw without threshing?
6. Give the result of your experience or
observation in regard to the value of grain
cut IN the milk, and fed in the straw las COM
pared with the same ripened and threshed.
Z. What is the prospect of the potato
crop as compared with last month?
s. If you have used Bordeaux mixture
as rust preventive, or known of its be-
ing used in your vicinity, please report re-
suits fully.
8. Give condition of the corn crop, both
sweet and yellow. ..
10. Please give comparative acreage of
corn planted for the siIo, and number of
silos that will be built this season in your
vicinity. i
Replies to question one plainly show that
oats and barley are our principal grain
crops, although in some sections small
quantities of wheat are sown, and in others
quite large areas of buckwheat. But little
rye is reported, and that mostly on
new land. One or two correspondents
speak of sowing it in limited quantities as a
soiling crop, and are highly pleased with the
results. In our best dairy sections, there is
a marked increase in mixed grains, while in
others there seems to be no sentiment in
their favor. .-. ..
One correspondent, in reporting his sue
cess with the various grains, triumphantly
adds 81 hope to have raised grain enough
this season to fully supply my entire stock
the coming winter
From replies to question two, we learn
that, generally, grain has been harvested in
very good condition, and at less expense
than usual, by the increased use of ma
chimes. ..:+ u: -...
The rust, which appeared to such an ex-
tent on the oats, early in the season did not
do the damage it was feared it might Being
confined almost entirely to the leaves, the
grain was not materially injured, perhaps
not any, except in tendency to make it
somewhat light in the kernel.
The average is about ten per cent. larger
than last year, with yield per acre, little
lower, as far as threshed.
Replies to question five as averaged, give
/ the proportion of grain that will be fed
without threshing to be twenty-three per
cent. This is mostly oats. Most of those
who have tried feeding unthreshed grain
report good results while some find the
reasons mustiness in NOW, and depreda-
tons of mice.
The prospects for good potato crop re-
mains fully equal on the whole to last
months report. A few correspondents re-
port indications of rot
The returns to question eight are not as
full as we had hoped and the conclusions
drawn by those who used the Bordeaux
mixture are somewhat conflicting. The
larger part reporting believe they have re-
ceived benefit from the spraying. We
shall try for a more full report after dig
ging, as we fully believe that a great addi-
ton may be made to the value of our pota-
to crop, in seasons when rust prevails, by
the extended period of growth which may
be obtained by preventing its ravages.
The condition of both sweet and yellow
corn 10 reported as considerably more fav-
| orable than last month. The slight frost
last month doing no damage in any locality.
| Corn factories begun york full earlier than
| usual and the continued warm weather is
still pushing the corn along rspidly.s
The acreage of corn planted for ensilage
| is slightly on the increase, and as far as
| reported, there will be fiftyfour new silos
erected this season.
In answer to questions of ]. T. Lonely
| of PALMYRA, received too late for last issue
of the bulletin, we will say, much depends
upon location, condition of farm and
amount of labor at command, when consid.
ering the question of the most profitable
stock to build up the fertility. No one can
afford to keep stock simply for the purpose
of manufacturing fertility, but must study
for a profit from the stock itself. IL the
general conditions are favorable we would
recommend the dairy COW as the best soil
removal The sheep will come next
More depends, however, upon the saving
and proper application Of the manure from
our stock, than upon the class of animals
| fed. Study to save the last possible pound