Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1926-03-05
AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FOR
MARYLAND FOR 1s2e.
Adapted from the General Agricultural
Outlook Issued by the United
States Department of
Agriculture.

Prepared by Specialists IN the College
Of Agriculture, Experiment
Station and Extension
Service.
While the farming industry is in the
best general position since 1920, any gem
eral expansion in production this year
would tend to place the farmers in less
favorable economic position than they
now hold. Any material expansion in
Maryland should be done on the basis
Of local markets.
There is little likelihood of an increased
domestic and foreign demand for farm
products during the year 1926. 1t APP
pears more probable that the close OF
the year will see decrease in demand.
Farmers in Maryland should, so far as
possible, adjust their production to meet
local market requirements, especially in
those products for which there is likely
to be keen competition from other states
and counties.
40 material change in the supply of
farm labor, and no reduction in farm
wages is expected in 1926, and the price
OF farm materials. probably will remain
at the present level. While there has
been a general scarcity of seasonal labor
IN Maryland for the past year or so,
conditions indicate that the situation in
1926 will be no worse than last year.
Sufficient funds for agricultural credit
will be available in most regions at about
the same rate as in 1925. In the East
ern states particularly no difficulty should
be encountered in securing credit at rea-
sonably low rates.
Whedt. Although it is yet too early
to form an estimate OF the 1926 world
wheat production, it is expected that it
will be smaller than in 1926. In the
United States the acreage Of winter
wheat planted last fall was per cent
greater than in the fall of 1924. Mary
land harvested about $4,000 acres in 1925
and produced about II, 100000 bushels OF
wheat, all Of which grades as soft winter
wheat. This wheat has been selling at a
premium because it is not on an export
price basis. As long as present price
conditions prevail, Maryland growers
should maintain their present wheat
acreages. Inasmuch as Maryland farmers
will not complete plans for wheat acre
age until the fall, later reports upon
wheat production will be valuable in de-
termining the best policy to pursue.
Corn. A slightly enlarged corn crop
acreage, with yields above normal. coin
cident with a decreased feeding require
ment for hogs and cattle is principally
responsible for low prices now prevailing
in the United States. Maryland nor
mally produces less corn than is con-
sumed within the state. 1t would seem.
therefore, that the corn acreage of 1925
(646, 900 acres) should be duplicated in
1926 throughout the state as a whole and
some slight increases might be made in
Southern Maryland and on the lower
Eastern Shore.
Oats. The decreasing supply Of horses
on the farms and in the cities has caused
a low demand for oats, resulting in the
lowest prices for this grain since 1921-22.
Winter oats should be grown in Southern
and Southeastern Maryland and spring
oats in the two western counties In all
other parts of the state this crop should
be grown only under favorable conditions
as to- fertility and where early planting
is possible.
Barley The demand for barley in the
United States is very low, and it should
be grown in this state for use on the
farm only. Winter barley may be grown
anywhere in the state except in the noun
tain sections. 1t is our best companion
crop for alfalfa and clover.
CIOyer and Grass Seeds. Seed stocks
of red and alsike clover are considerably
below normal in the United States and
prices are consequently high. Local seed
more certain of producing good crops
han seed from other sources. The pro-
duction of clean seed in Maryland should
be increased. Alfalfa seed stocks are
plentiful and prices comparatively low.
The acreage Of alfalfa in combination
with alsike clover and of alfalfa alone
should be greatly increased
Tobacco. Maryland tobacco presents
the unusual situation of declining prices
accompanying declining supply. Since
1920 the production has been on low
basis, although that for 1925 was more
nearly in line with the average. The
trend Of stocks has been steadily down
ward, dropping from about 90 million
pounds on October /, 1921, to about II
million pounds on Ocisber /, 1925. The
supply on October /, stocks plus current
crop, was about AZ million pounds, From
1917 to 1922 the supply ranged from 46
to IS million pounds. While at least
three feurths Of the Maryland tobacco in
former years was exported, Its use more
recently in cigarette blends has reduced
exports to about one-half.
Two possible causes exist for the pres
ent situation in Maryland leaf. High
prices during and following the war re-
suited from the competition between ex-
port demand and domestic cigarette man
ufacture This has probably turned ex-
port demand toward less expensive types
Of tobacco of either American or for
eign production. Lack of uniformity and
care in grading and packing has had a
further influence. 1t also seems prob
able that the supply of this type in grades
suitable for cigarette. manufacture is in
sufficient to maintain dependable mar
ket. Improvement in the price situation
would appear to depend upon the pro-
duction of larger percentage of cigar
cite grades and upon greater attention to
grading and packing for export trade.
Potatoes. Growers of very early po-
tatoes in states south of Maryland who
can market their product by the first of
June have an unusual opportunity this
season. There is danger, however, that
Maryland growers of late and niidseason-
potatoes may be influenced by present
prices to plant too heavily Maryland's
fall potato crop is planted late enough
to permit the growers to know before
planting time whether paintings for the
country as a whole have been heavy
enough to make increased paintings mad