Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-31
Value Farm Crops,
(Continued from Page One)

ed with 43 cents in 1924 and 20 cents
in the 1920-24 average and this big
price increase accounted for most OF
the gain in total values. Average
price of potatoes December 1 this
year is $1.33 per bushel and their
total value at S48,9S4,000 is % per-
cent below their value of S67,500,000
lasa year when this crop made up 20
percent of the value of principal
crops. Their value this year is "a
percent of the total.
The year 1926 was an average one
in weather influences upon crops.
Snowfall to February l was light.
but during the next three months it
was heavy and considerable rain fell,
thus replenishing water supplies.
Cold weather and frosts continued
two to three weeks later than usual
and proportionately delayed planting
and growth of crops. Often, il con-
ditions 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 percent while oats, hay,
all corn, buckWheat and barley gain
ed moderately. Acreage in potatoes
prived adequate and demonstrated
the soundness of keeping production
in suitable balance with the demand.
No one benefits materially from ex-
cesSively large production one year
and shortage the next. Use of bet
ter seed has increased yields the last
few years and acreage should be
planned in the light of this fact and
Of prospective demand for the pro-
posed crops.
Hay in 1926 is a trife 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 decreas-
ed for several years and this shows
up in lessening demand for hay.
Oats yield was just below average
but due to larger acreage produc-
ton at 5,16S,000 bushels exceeds the
1925 average of 4,S70,OOO and COM
pares with last years big crop of
6,O75,0O0. Minor grains were mod
crate crops. Field corn for grain,
silage or forage was not quite up to
average.
Crop yields per acre were near
the 1925 average but below those
of last year except in potatoes and
sweet corn. Potatoes averaged 29O
bushels in 1926 compared with $50
last year and 262 in the years 1921
25. Potatoes totalled Sc, $4,000
bushels as against 33,750,000 in 1925
and the 5 year average of 4,S95.O 900.
The 1924 crop exceeded 45.O0O,Wn
bushels and remains more than 10
percent above the next largest crop
Of 40.5 millions in 1914. OF the New
England potato crop 70 percent is
in Maine this year.
The season throughout was unfa-
vorable for apples and the crop Is
estimated at 2,260,000 bushels, or
about third less than last year. OF
the entire apple crop 100000 bar
rels were rated commercial in grade
compared with $4,000 last year. APP
pie prices have been low because
of the very large crop in New Eng
land 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 Ma
tional Gamers Association estimates
the pack at 1,347-000 cases in 1926
and ] ,693, 900 in 1925, which was the
largest pack ever reported.