Year: 1877

Inc Lewiston journal has gathered from
its correspondents reports of the crops
throughout the State. These reports it
sums up as follows:


Maine is making greater efforts than
heretofore, to grow her own grain, the
farmers having become nearly or quite con-
vinced that an agricultural State ought not
to depend largely upon other States for
the supply of flour, wheat and corn. 1t
Is becoming apparent to all that Maine can
not reach that degree OF prosperity which
IS her natural right TO enjoy until she be-
ONES sefsustaining as an agricultural
State, or. in other words until she shall
produce all the staple agricultural crops
suited to her climate and soil, in quantities
sufficient to meet all the wants OF her peo-
pie. She does not do this at present, but
she comes nearer to it than she did five
years ago, and an equal advance for the
next ten years will bring her very near if
not quite up TO It,


This is encouraging and matter for
hearty congratulation with all who have
the best interests of Maine farmers at
heart. 1t is quite surprising how rapidly
the culture OF wheat has increased of late.
and what is equally as satisfactory. to note
the almost uniform success which of late
years has attended the attempt at wheat
raising with new and suitable varieties and
improved methods of culture. Further
efforts in this direction are full of promise
to the farmers. 1t will be noticed that
some OF our reports show that already half
enough wheat to supply the town is raised
in some localities. This IS a marked in
crease over what it was only three or four
years ago. One farmer in Limerick. Mr..
Moore, this year raised $50 bushels of as
plump, nice looking winter wheat as we
ever saw. A few such farmers as that in
every town, is what we want to enabIe
the to raise her own flour.


The reports of the hay crop are quite
favorable. The amount of the crop il
slightly below the average but the quali-
ty is unusually good, and that will almost
or quite compensate for the slight falling
off IN quantity. so that it may virtually be
considered that an average crop has been
harvested. The hay crop is the most val
liable crop raised in Maine, and when the
farmers secure an average yield of that,
they possess the basis of prosperity.


The statistics OF the corn crop show
that large area has been planted, and
the yield on the whole will be rather above
an average which will secure very large
crop in the State. ltwas only few wears
ago that it was quite common to have
farmers say that they could buy their corn
cheaper than they can raise it. We have
not heard this expression now for two
years, which wa regard as an indication
that farmers have changed their opinions
as well as practice as regards corn-raising.


The fruit crop is universally admitted 10
be about the same as q failure all over the
State. The ravages of the caterpillar last
year and the fact of this being the off year
Tor trees to bear will account for the fail
ure. But this year is the last, let us hope
in which the fruit crop will prove failure.
A brighter future awaits fruit-growing in
Maine. The results of the past few years
have etlectually done away with the fear
sometimes expressed that so much fruit
would be raised that 1t would become un-
profitable. Notwithstanding the immense
crops raised last year in nearly all the 9TH
er States except Maine, it was readily dis
posed of, large quantities having been
shipped to England Opening market
which will require large quantities every
year)and in the spring prices were rang
ing from 81 to So per barrel for apples.
Farmers need have no fear of raising too





greater the demand is for them At 81 80
TO - per barrel apples are the most profit
able crop raised on the farm, and at these
prices immense quantities could be sold.


The potato crop is bountiful one. The
area planted was unusually large, and the
yield is good. The rot in some localities
IS injuring the crop. The damage from
the Colorado beetle has not been very ex-
tensve. The farmers were on the alert,
and fought him vigorously, coming off VIC
torious. Next year, however, the beetle
will appear in much larger numbers, ear
ly III the season, and more severe con-
test will be had with them. The high
price of potatoes last winter induced
farmers to plant too extensively, and
prices are very low this fall. The result
will be that next year limited amount
OF land will be planted to potatoes, and
good prices will prevail. ~; 4. .4'.. -, Fl,


Other crops indicate a very satisfactory
condition. The produce OF the dairy viii.
be about an average. The prolonged
drought in May, June and July, seriously
injured the feed, and diminished the pro-
dactlon OF cheese and butter somewhat.
The dairy industry, however, has largely
Increased In extent and importance DUR
ihS lhe past five years, and is one OF the
most important branches of farm enter
prise.


'on the whole, the present year has been
an unusually successful and prosperous
one TO the farmers, and they should feel
encouraged to enter upon next years
work with an increased determination
TO excel in their chosen calling, advance
its interest and improve its methods.