AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



The publications of the experiment stations of the different 

 states and of the United States Department of Agriculture are 

 so well arranged, and the subject index, by the card system, not 

 only of these but of the reports of the Maine Board of Agricul- 

 ture from its organization, is so complete, that any part of the 

 large amount of valuable information contained in these reports 

 and bulletins is readily available. 



The work of the past year has been carried on along the same 

 general lines that were pursued by the board of agriculture. The 

 year has been a prosperous one for the farmers of the State. The 

 excessive rain and cool weather during the growing season were 

 unfavorable for some crops, particularly the corn crop, which in 

 many sections was almost a failure ; the potato crop also suffered 

 severely in some localities. But with the high prices of farm 

 products, and the general encouraging outlook for agriculture 

 in the state, farmers will begin the season of 1903 with good 

 courage, and the acreage of land tilled will be somewhat 

 increased. We believe that the possibilities of Maine as an 

 agricultural state are becoming more fully realized ; that there 

 has been an advancement in methods pursued in all lines of farm 

 work ; that farmers are awakening to the fact, not only that their 

 occupation presents large opportunities for success, but that the 

 highest and most remunerative type of farming requires a wider 

 range of knowledge, a more general intelligence, than is required 

 in any other profession ; and in many instances they are endeav- 

 oring to make use of all the means at their command to extend 

 their knowledge and keep in touch with the best methods of the 

 times. 



OUR LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY INTERESTS. 



We are able to report an increase in the number of cows, sheep 

 and swine in the State, also a considerable increase in the number 

 of oxen. Owing to the high price of beef, farmers in some sec- 

 tions are turning their attention to the line of beef raising more 

 than formerly, and we think this industry might be still further 

 pursued with profit, if animals of the right type were used, 

 economical methods pursued, and the beef matured at an early 

 age. We also think there is an opportunity in our State for the 

 raising of good family horses at a fair remuneration. There 

 is a demand for good working and driving horses which would 



