Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-31
Farm Crop Values
In Maine S76.197,O00

Wakefield, Mass, Dec. 80 1926-A
summary, Dee. 20 by the New Eng
land Crop Reporting Service shows
the total farm value of principal crops
in Maine, based on prices about De-
cember /. as sac, 10000. This is a
decline of 20Go from their combined
value OF S95,673,000 last year. but 29q5
above Their average total value in the
years of 1925. In 1926 the average
farm price of potatoes per bushel
was $500 compared with 4S cents in
1924 and 20 cents in the 1920-24 aver
age and this big price increase ac-
counted for most of the gain in total
values. Average price of potatoes
December this year is s1.S3 per
bushel and their total value at S4S,-
$4,000 is 1880 below their value of
s67. 100000 last year when this crop
made up 1000 of the value of princi-
pal crops Their value this year Is
64Ro of the total,
TIL wear 1925 was an average one
in weather influences upon crops.
Snowfall to February l was light,
but during the next three months il
was heavy and considerable rain fell.
thus replenishing water suppliesS Cold
weather anu IEOSlS CoullIIF7rI WV "
three weeks later than usual and pro-
portionately delayed planting and
growth of crops Often. if conditions
finally become and remain favorable
long enough in summer and fall. most
crops make up in rapid growth the
loss from late start. but not so in
1926. Some crops, notably potatoes
and apples, show the effects of the
shortened growing period.
Total acreage in crops decreased
slightly and moderate shifts among
the crops occurred. Potato acreage,
decreased SEQ while oats, hay, all corn,
buckwheat and barley gained moder-
ately. Acreage in potatoes proved
adequate and demonstrated the
soundness of keeping production in
! suitable balance with demand. No
one benefits materially from excess
lively large production one year and
shortage the next. Use of better seed
has increased yields the past few
years And acreage should be planned
in the light of this fact and of pros
pective demand for the proposed
crop.
Hay in 1926 is a rifle larger crop
than average but not up to last years
big crop In the commercial potato
region it was considerably better than
for two or three years. Numbers of
livestock have decreased for several
years and this shows up in lessening
demand for hay. Oats yield was Just
beloy, average but due to larger acre
age production at 5.16S,000 bushels
exceeds the 1925 average of 1870
900 and compares with last years big
crop of 6.o75,O00. Minor grains were
moderate crops. Field corn for grain,
silage or forage was not quite up to
average.
Crop yiefds per acre were near the
1926 average but below those OF
last year except in potatoes and sweet
corn Potatoes average 290 bushels
in 1926 compared with $50 last year
and 262 in the years 1921-25. Pota-
toes totalled 36,S30,000 bushels as
against 33,7500O0 in 1925 and the
Swear average of s4,S95,00O. The
1924 crop exceeded As million bushels
and remains more than 1000 above
the next largest crop of 40.5 millions
in 1914. OF the New England potato
crop 1870 is in Maine this wear.
The season throughout was unfav-
orable for apples and the crop is es-
timated at 100000 bushels. or about
third less than last year. OF the
entire apple crop 100000 barrels were
rated commercial in grade compared
with $4,000 last year. Apple prices
have been low because of the very
large crop in New England and the
United States. Sweet corn prices per
pound of cut corn were about the
same as in 1925 but yield of cut corn
was less The National Gamers
Association estimates the pack at L.
$4,000 cases in 1926 and 1858, 900 in
1925 which was the largest pack ever
renOrtpd