Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-12-07
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE.

The following item is synopsis OF
the Fifteenth Annual Report of the
Secretary of Agriculture which has
just been made public:
In the discussion Of crop produc-
ton and values the Secretary states
that the climatic conditions Of the
early part of the growing season OF
1911 were adverse to agriculture
throughout the country east OF the
Rocky Mountains in degree that
exceeds all records. For period OF
go days, beginning early in May, a
series Of hot waves of marked severity
20 early in the season followed one
another in rapid succession, and the
Weather Bureau is quoted as dcclar-
ing that is probable that during no
previous similar period Of 60 days has
the temperature been 50 continuously
and largely above the average over
30 extensive a region in the last half
century. At the same time there
was large deficiency of rainfall that
added to the crop damage.
The Secretary declares that while
the total values Of the crops in 1911
are not go high as in 1910, there il
great abundance for all purposes. "
For the. first time in many years the
total value of farm products has de.
,lined from that Of the preceding
year. The estimate for 1911 is based
on the census items, and is SO, 4l1,-
100000, or $2777, OOO,O 600 under the
total for 1910. The loss is chargeahle
to the general classes of animal pro-
duets and animals sold and slaugh-
tered. Dairy cows are the only farm
animals for which increase of price
is indicated. Eggs, wool, butter and
poultry have suffered in farm price
during the year. In consequence OF
the decline of prices of farm animals
and their products, this group is esti-
mated as having produced value OF
'$2,9l3, 600, 600 in 1911 or 1921 .OOO,-
600 below the amount for 1910.
On the other hand, the crops are
worth more than those for 1910, the
estimate of their farm value being
s5,504. 900, 900. a gain Of $4,000
600 over 1910. Farm prices of all
crops are higher than for 1910 except
for cotton, cotton seed, and flaxseed,
and this general fact, notwithstand-
ing the other general fact that pro-
duction was low, makes. about ten
crops of 1911 the most valuable ones
of the same kinds that the farms of
this country have ever produced.
With a value more than twice that
of the cotton crop this year and but
little less than the combined values
of the cotton, wheat and oats crops,
corn is by far the leading crop as
wealth producer. The estimate Of
2,776.OO, 600 bushels indicates pro-
duction that has been exceeded in
only two years. The farm price of
corn is now higher than it has been
since the records of the department
began in 1865, except in 1883, and
this establishes a total value for the
crop that reaches 81, 700, 600, 600 and
breaks the record.
A low production of 100000
tons of hay is far below the fve-year
average yield of SO. 500, 600 tons, and
was exceeded by the crop of 1884 and
every year since 1883. Notwith-
standing the low production the price
has not correspondingly advanced,
for the reasons, probably, that there
was good and late fall pasturage and
that the farms have great deal of
roughagr to take the place Of hay.
The valuc of hay is plac. d at a little
less than s7OO. 100000. and this is
$50, 900, 600 more than the estimated
value of the cotton lint prnl,lc,rl this
y ar and 500. COG, 600 nn,r. than tie.
value Of the whra, crop.
Wheat is the crop fourth in order
Of value and is worth $500, 900, 900.
The%stimate of the department places
the production at $50, 900, 900 bush
els, an amount that would have been
much exceeded had weather condi-
tons been favorable.
The yield Of the oats crop is esti-
mated to be S7f, 900, 600 bushels, a
low amount caused by adverse wealth
er. It's value is placed at $3.50, Co.,
600, or 5 per cent more than the five
year average, About one-fourth Of