RE^^EW OF THE YEAR. 25 



The early part of the summer was too cool for pushing the corn 

 into an early growth and as a consequence the crop was somewhat 

 reduced in yield. The area devoted to sweet corn for canning was 

 larger than in the previous year, owing to better demand for the 

 product, and this swelled in a measure the aggregate area of the 

 crop in the State to a full average. With the improved culture now 

 given the crop, the unfavorable weather was in a measure overcome 

 and the yield was up to average results. The contract price was 

 three cents per can of twenty-six ounces. 



Potatoes were an average crop in area and in yield. Aroostook 

 County is still the great potato field of the State. The better trans- 

 portation facilities send a much larger proportion of tlie crop to dis- 

 tant markets than formerly, so that the starch industry is not on the 

 increase in that section. In fact, starch can only be manufactured 

 from cheap potatoes. 



The crop of grain of the different kinds did not yield equal to the 

 great crops of the two previous years, but was above an average. 

 The appreciation of growing grain for home use is somewhat on the 

 increase and the area has slightly extended in consequence. The 

 low price of flour from western wheat is still crowding out the wheat 

 crop and its place is being taken by other kinds of grain. What is 

 termed ''mixed grain," or a mixture of barley and oats, with wheat 

 sometimes added, is in favor with man\' farmers and is now largely 

 grown for stock feed. 



The apple crop of the State was an abundant one, making the 

 third crop in succession. This is quite remarkable in the historj' of 

 apple production, the experience formerly having been that bountiful 

 crops alternate with barren years about equally. The aggregate 

 crop in the State at large has not widely differed in each of the last 

 three years. The benefits of this succession of crops to the State 

 has been sensibly felt. Some of the crop was sold early after har- 

 vesting for about one dollar and a half a barrel, but the larger part 

 of the crop realized from two to three dollars, and for late sales the 

 price went even higher. New orchards are rapidl}' coming into bear- 

 ing and the business of fruit production is destined to be of still 

 more importance among us. 



Changes in the live-stock interests are chiefl}* in the direction of 

 an increase of dairy stock. Breeds noted for milk and butter pro- 

 duction are receiving marked attention. Animals of Holstein- 

 Friesian blood, both bulls and cows, have been introduced in various 



