6 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



almost remarkable extent under the favorable conditions later in 

 the season. The corn crop in many places was practically a fail- 

 ure, but the farmers of Maine are not discouraged. Although 

 for the past two seasons the crop has not been a complete suc- 

 cess, we still believe in corn culture. W't cannot afford to aban- 

 don the great sweet corn industry ; also, with increased dairying 

 silos must increase, and it has been demonstrated that corn is pre- 

 eminently the crop for the silo, that no crop can take its place for 

 any length of time for that purpose. It is our opinion that corn 

 in average years is a safe, profitable crop for Maine farmers to 

 raise. 



While the apple crop throughout the State hardly reached an 

 average, the yield in many sections was much greater than in 

 former years, and a larger income will be derived from the apple 

 crop of 1903 than was anticipated by the most sanguine apple 

 producers. We believe a careful estimate of the apples exported 

 would not fall short of one million barrels. This crop has been 

 receiving more attention than formerly. The orchard acreage 

 has been largely increased during the past year, and fruit grow- 

 ers are giving their trees better care. An increased per cent of 

 the orchards are under cultivation. The farmers have found 

 that it is quite as profitable to fertilize and spray the orchard as 

 any of their hoed crops. For the increased interest in apple cul- 

 ture great credit is due the Maine Pomological Society, which 

 has spared no pains and used every effort to impress the fruit 

 growers with the great financial importance of this crop. At 

 their annual exhibition at Auburn, the fine display of fruit would 

 have been a credit to any state in this Union. Their report is 

 embraced in this volume, and it should be carefully read by every 

 fruit grower in the land. 



Wherever the soil is suited to this industry, and the farmer can 

 give it his attention, it is certainly a good investment to convert 

 these Maine hillside fields and pastures into orchards, planting 

 the best varieties of standard winter fruit. 



The potato crop of the State was the largest for years. Pota- 

 toes are bringing a good price and indications warrant us in mak- 

 ing the assertion that the amount received by the producers this 

 year will be far above the average. An increased interest in this 

 crop has been noted during the past year. Not only has the crop 

 in Aroostook county been such as to awaken new interest, but 



