Xvi BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



Hancock. (S. Wasson.) Hay crop extra in bulk, but much 

 injured in curing ; potatoes rotted badly, but there was no 

 injury from bugs ; corn, good ; wheat yielded at the rate of 

 about twenty bushels per acre, and for the first time in many 

 years we have grown our own flour ; apples damaged by cod- 

 dling moth ; cranberries a total failure ; sugar beets a fair 

 yield, and we grow them to advantage on marine manure. 

 Farmers' clubs are in a prosperous condition, and we regard 

 the "hard times" a blessing in disguise to cultivators of the 

 soil. 



No rejjort was presented on the crops of Aroostook county, 

 but from the observation of members of the Board, and the 

 statements of farmers, it was clear that they were abundant, 

 corn and apples excepted. 



The papers presented at the Presque Isle meeting were 

 arranged to have special reference to Aroostook resources, 

 capabilities and needs, and as given in the body of the report 

 will be found to have carried out their method quite satisfac- 

 torily. Commencing with the lecture of Dr. Allen on the 

 means of retaining the fertility of the virgin soil, and follow- 

 ing on through those papers relating to stock and crop hus- 

 bandry and dairying, the several subjects treated, as will be 

 seen, have direct bearing upon the peculiarities of Aroostook 

 farming, and comprehend much sound information. Especially 

 noticeable among these subjects was that relating to the 

 sugar beet industry in this State, so well presented by Mr. 

 Ernest Th. Gennert, which was made doubly interesting from 

 the fact that at the time of the meeting at Presque Isle, the 

 Dry House built by the Maine Beet Sugar Company for dry- 

 ing the sugar beets, to be transported from thence to the 

 refinery of the company in Portland, was nearly read}'' to be 

 started up, and was visited by the members of the Board and 

 other farmers visiting the place, and examined with much 

 satisfaction. At this meeting, by request. Prof. Farrington 

 of the State College gave an account of the various agricul- 

 tural experiments that have been carried on at the college 



