Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-08
Important Suggestions in
Sec. of Agrculture's Report.


: out the country east of the Rocky
s Mountains in degree that exceeds
all records. For period of so days,
beginning early in May, series of hot
waves of marked severity so early in
the season followed one another in
rapid succession, and the Weather
Bureau is quoted as declaring that it
, is probable that during no previous
similar period of so days has the TEN
perature been. so continuously and
largely above the average over so ex-
tensive a region in the last half CEN
fury. 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 so high as In 1910. there Is
great abundance for all purposes"
For the first time in many years the
total value of farm products has de-
clined from that of the preceding year.
The estimate for 1911 is based on the
census items, and is sS,417 100000. or
$27f, 100000 under the total for 1910.
The loss is chargeable to the general
classes of-aninnal products and animals
sold and slaughtered. Dairy COWS are
the only ldTin duil1dlS ioi WlH1h ~
crease of price is indicated. Eggs,
wool. butter and poultry have sur
fered in farm price during the year.
in consequence of the decline of prices
OF farm animals and their products,
this group is estimated as having pro-
ldueed a value of s2,913,000,000 in 1911,
or 1921 900, 600 below the amount Of
I191e
In orA
worth more than those for 1910, the
OBSTINATE of their farm value being
l$5, 504, 900 200 a gain of $4400o,000
over 1910. Farm prices of all crops
lare higher than for 1910 except for
cotton. cotton seed. and fiaxseed, and
this general fact, Notwithstanding the
other general fact that production was
low, makes about 10 crops OF 1911 the
lmcst valuable ones Of the same kinds
THAT the farms Of this country have
lever produced.
/ Interesting comparisons are made
with official estimates in other coun-
tries Of the value of products pro-
duced by the farms in those countries.
An estimate of Sl,35l, COCOON is quoted
for italy, Of 613,000,000 for Japan, OF
ls5S4. 900, 600 for Australia, and of $780,
0o0,6 900 for Canada.
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
r producer The estimate of 2,176,-
; 100000 bushels indicates a production
that has been exceeded in only two
5 ty6ars. The farm price of corn is now
higher than ii has been since the
records of the department began in
5 1866. except in 1883. and this estab-
fishes a total value for the crop that
breaches 81 100000 and breaks the
/ irecord.
So prominently is corn the leading
: crop of this country that about three
5 fourths of the worlds crop is grown
/, | here But the exports of corn con-
stitute one one third of the world s
exports of corn.
/ That large crop may be worth less
to the producers than small one is
exemplifed by the cotton crop of this
! year. Commonly supposed to be the
largest one ever grown, this crop has
reached a price that is 5 cents
pound of lint below that of last year.
| when the crop was much less in
quantity. and for the same reason the
price OF seed has declined. Apparent
iy the value of the fiber and seed of
this years crop will not exceed $T15,-
600, 000-an amount that is below that
: OF two former crops, although above
the average of the preceding five
years.
There is no crop that this country
produces that excites such world
/. wide interest as cotton, for the reason
that the crop of the United States is
about three-fifths of the worlds pro-
duetion, contributes two-thirds of the
worlds exports, and has fiber of a
SORT that has no direct competition in
other countries
A low production of 47,000,000 tons
of hay is far below the five-year
leverage yield of 63,500,0e0 tons, and
was exceeded by the crop of 1884 and
= every year since 1888. Notwithstand-
; ling the low production the price has
, rct correspondingly advanced, for the
reasons. probably, that there was good
: land late fall pasturage and that the
farms have a great deal OF roughage
; to take the place of hay. The value
, | of hay is placed at little less than
800, 100000, and this is s50.000,000
more than the estimated value Of the
i cotton lint produced this year and
: 800, 100000 more than the value of the
5 wheat crop.
Wheat is the crop fourth in order Of
! lvaiue and is worth s600,000.o00. The
/ estimate of the department places the
: production at 656.o0o.o08 bushels an
: amount that would have been much
t Exceeded had weather conditions been
: favorable.
This country produced one-fifth of
the worlds wheat crop during the last
, five years and contributed about one
! Eighth of the worlds exports
| The yield of the oats crop is esti-
mated to be S74,o00.00o bushels. low
. amount caused by adverse weather
It's value is placed at $3S0,000.000. or
per cent. more than the five-year aver
lage. About one fourth of the worlds
loats is grown in this country.
| Nha n00 hIiSh-