REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 7 



brought our farmers very good returns, as our oats are consid- 

 ered very valuable for seed and command a high price. 



Siveet Corn. Our sweet corn crop was the largest ever pro- 

 duced in this State, there being packed in the different factories 

 of the State over forty million cans. That gave the farmers 

 $1,025,000 for their sweet corn crop. Though the early frost 

 cut off a large amount, it was without question the largest sweet 

 corn crop ever raised in Maine. 



Field Corn. Our field corn was estimated at $300,000, as the 

 price was very high, as was that of almost all grains. This 

 gave the farmer who raised field corn very good pay for his 

 work. 



Wheat. The wheat crop was estimated at $250,000. Wheat 

 is a crop that can be raised in many parts of our State with the 

 best of results, and as good quality can be grown in Maine as 

 in any part of this country, especially winter wheat. I hope 

 the farmers will raise more wheat, as they did in years past, as 

 it is a very important crop. We should not depend so much on 

 the W^est to raise our wheat, as we can raise it to good advan- 

 tage in this State. 



Barley. Our barley crop amounted to about $100,000. This 

 is another crop that can be grown in many parts of this vState 

 to good advantage. 



Miscellaneous Crops. INIany of our farmers are growing 

 large'amounts of cabbage and squash, which bring a good price 

 in the Boston markets ; and we are able to raise various other 

 crops and vegetables to good advantage. 



THE MAINE ORCHARDS. 



Our orcharding is on the increase, as hundreds of acres of 

 young orchards have been set out during the past few years, 

 and many of our old orchards are being cared for and put into 

 a productive condition. If the orchardists of our State will 

 trim and prune their trees and spray at the proper time, thereby 

 taking care of the insect pests and diseases, it will be of great 

 assistance in producing better crops. Our State Horticulturist 

 and his Assistant have been assisting the growers by demonstra- 

 tions that have been carried out in different parts of the State, 

 which will be of great benefit to the growers of fruit in produc- 



