The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-01-15
STATES WORK
FOR FARMERS.
Annual Report Of Secretary
Hamilton Shows What the De-
partment of Agricultural Has
Done During the Past Year.
Scarcity of Help Due to Indus
trial Activity.

Secretary OF Agriculture Johr
Hamilton has sent his annual report
to Governor Stone. In the report
Secretary Hamilton says there is a
scarcity Of farm and domestic help
due 10 the increasing number of IN
dustrial plants throughout the state,
which offer larger wages than those
obtained on farm.
He refers to the necessity for con
tlnuing the farmers institutes, which
he says, have been OF great benefit tc
agricultuiists, and he asks for an ap
preparation to continue the work.
During the year 3o23 samples o.
butter we're analyzed, of which 1910
were pure, $40 oleomargarne and
Goa renovated butter The amount
of license fees for the sale of oleo
margarine was $23,477.o4i for license
allowing sale OF renovated butter,
$766.o7, and for fines and costs, the
result of prosecutions under the pure
food law, $1,000 79. State and
national laws are further recommend
ed for the bet,erment of pure toCt
conditions.
NEW WORK SUGGESTED.
Secretary Hamilton recommenli
the creation of division OF anlma
husbandry, division OF horticulture
ard pomonology, a division of high
way improvements and well selected
library; a museum and an exhibit a
the state fair and an appropriation o
$4,000 for an exhibit at the ST
Louis Exposition.
He dwells on the question OF goo'
roads and shows that reports iron
other states place Pennsylvania in tn
background on this question. II
recommends immediate Legislation
that will bring about the results hope
for and suggests that convict labo
: might be used to advantage in tn
service of the public roads.
CROPS OF THE YEAR.
The report says
"The general condition ard ylei
of the crops during the year have bee
about an average. Wheat was afiec
ed by early drought, but a!teEward
had an abundance Of moisture. In
rains con,inu. ed through harvest and
good deal of the wheat was lnJure
BY sprouting. The yield, however,
above expectation. Corn in mlddI
and western Pennsylvania was caugl
BY the early September frosts and
large amount of immature and SO
corn is the result. Oats was a goo
crop. Potatoes rotted conslderab
in MANY sections. The late crop is
a good size and quality Hay wi
short but the rains during and ait
harvest brought forward the secor
crop to exceed the first IN quaint
Tobacco has proved a fairly goo
crop and was housed in good con
uon. The apple crop was large
some sections and OF good quailt
Peaches were only a partial Gro
Pears were plenty, well deVelop'
and of good flavor.
"The general averages OF prices
the year are as follows: Wheat, So'7
corn, 5000; oats, $o.44' potatot
So "a; clover hay, $II.33, tlmot
hay, $14s5; butter, $o'a4; eve
So. 50; lambs, $a.75; horses, sIrI's
cows, $33.aa; chickens per pou
1ive), SOLO; chickens per pou
(dressed), $o.I3; labor per day WI
board, $1.a5; farm land per acre, Il
proved, SIS; farm land per ac
average quality, $34' These pr'C
are in nearly every case IN advance
those of last year."
REFORM IN COUNTY FAIRS.
Referring to county fair associate
he urges the obliteratlon OF all cate
penny features, immoral shows, gau
ling and illegal liquor selling He 81
gests as a remedy that the slate appl
pirate sufficient money to allow
premiums to be paid on all eNhlb
and closer attention to racing a.
other legitimate sports -,
In conclusion, Secretary Haml'
asks for an appropriation OF $I,oo
900 for good roads; $4,000 Tor
State Board of Agriculture. Ho
cultural Society. State Poultry As
cistion and State Live Stock Breed
Association; $4,000 for farmers
stitutes; $4,000 for county fairs {
$4,000 for an agricultural library