26 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



The work as a whole had gotten into that position where it 

 seemed absolutely essential that it become self-sustaining, other- 

 wise, there could be no appropriation made, even if the legis- 

 lature was so disposed, which would come reasonably near the 

 exact amount needed. 



Weather conditions are a large determining factor as to the 

 acreage entered from most of the state, and a fixed sum of 

 money, which might be adequate one season, would be totally 

 insufhcient the next — caused by weather conditions alone. 

 Therefore, a schedule of prices was worked out, designed to 

 cover the cost of the field inspection, and another to govern 

 the cost of the final or shipping inspection. It is gratifying to 

 note that the prices which were decided upon, namely, $2.50 

 per acre for the field work and two cents a bushel or five cents 

 a barrel for the shipping inspection, are nearly sufficient to 

 carry on the work this year, and, I think, will be ample in the 

 future, as the work can be more economically carried on as 

 experience is gained. 



As was to be expected, the acreage entered was greatly re- 

 duced this year. ])artly owing to the increased prices for 

 doing the work, but more largely due to the fact that many of 

 those who grew certified seed in 191 5 sold them in the fall for 

 spring delivery, at prices much above what could have been 

 received at the time the sale was made, but were much below 

 the prices paid for table stock at the time of delivery. As this 

 part of the work has been dealt with in my report as secretary 

 of the Seed Improvement Association, which will appear in 

 another section of the annual report of the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture, it will not be inserted here. 



The work of the final inspection was taken up the latter 

 part of October and, so far, only one man has been employed 

 and this was wholly in Aroostook county where large ship- 

 ments were made. It has not been, as yet, a difficult matter 

 to handle this work in a satisfactory way. The trouble with 

 this final inspection will come later, when the few small growers 

 of the southern part of the state begin to ship their orders. 



The amount collected, at the stijmlated price of five cents 

 per barrel sack, will more than ])ay for the work done in 

 Aroostook coimty and will be enough, in my opinion, to make 

 the work for the state, as a whole, self-sustaining. Here is a 



