Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-12

20 cents in 1923 compared with As
cents last year and $IOS. the five
year average.
"In production and value hay
fiuctuates much less than potatoes.
Hay production in 1923 was 1854, 600
tons compared with 1.541 600 in
1922 and 1.2SS. 066. the five-year av-
erage. It's total value was $21,519,
600 in 1923 and SIC. 600 in 1872.
although oats do not leave the
farm in large quantities they are an
important feed crop for home use
and despite rumors of western COM
petition, the crop persists.
production in 1923 was 4.l25,OOO
bushels compared with 4.560.OO0 for
the preceding year and the FIVE
year average OF 4.9O6,4OO
Mature sometimes takes a hand
and the low temperatures of 1917
Is went long way towards elimi-
mating the neglected apple trees.
True, there were important losses
of commercial apple trees. but new
setting and better care of orchards
can overcome this Production of
Maine apples has decreased steadily
since 1917, the decrease being great
err in the non-commercial grades
than in the commercial grades AL
though the 1923 crop of 100000
bushels is nearly double the 1850.
600 bushels of 1922. it is below the
fve-year average of 2,767 800 BUSH
els This refers to the entire crop
which was valued at $2.20S,0OO in
1923 and $1,33S,OOO in 1922, while
the fiye-year average value was So,
O72.O36.
THAT part of the crop. rated as
commercial, was 425,O00 barrels in
1928, valued at $1.14S,O0O, compared
with $4,000 barrels. valued at 1854,
600 in 1922, while the five-year av-
erage production was 100000 bar
rels. valued at $1,296, $40.
Sweet corn as a cash crop is
next in value, being worth $915,25S
to the farmers in 1923, and $7S3.75O
in 1922. compared with the five-year
average Of 81 ,125, 205. Acreage, pro-
duction and prices of this crop in
both 1922 and 1923 were below the
five year average. Conditions last
spring seemed more encouraging,
but the season proved unfavorabe
and about 20 percent of the planted
acreage failed to make a crop. In
value per acre. sweet corn stands
next to potatoes while dry beans
comes third.
1.-THE less important crops. barley,
buckwheat, wheat and corn for
grain. appear to be decreasing, be-
cause they cannot return sufficient
profit. Corn for silage tends to hold
its own in close relation with the
number Of cattle. This crop and
hay are the ones that dairymen find
they can best afford to raise in New
England food feed.
ION the whole. the farmers of
Maine are better satisfied with their
returns than they were a year ago.
One hears more reports of hard
times from those types of farming
conducted on too small a scale or
with too much hired labor, or whose
products are in poor demand.
1.-THE most encouraging reports
come from those types of farming
that make the best use OF available
scientific information, seek out ways
to cut the cost of production and
recognize that profitable marketing
of their products is equally 1mpor-
tant with producing them. In one
county, it is the pottatoe grower, IN
another q dairyman or sweet corn
farmer, or apple grower. But from
whatever source the gist of these re-
ports is the application of careful
7 thought to the business.
1.-THE number of work horses has
| for some years been decreasing
about two percent annually and the
rate OF decrease is higher for colts
Milk cows. too. are again decreasing
one or two percent annually while
the decrease among young neat cat
tie is more than twice as much
! Sheep and swine too, show steady
decrease the past few years although
the numbers rose temporarily dur
ing the World War