4 AGRICUIvTURE OF MAINfi. 



drought of the two preceding seasons, it was thought that it 

 would take several years for the grass fields to be restored to 

 their natural vigor, so that they would produce as much as 

 formerly, but the recovery from the drought was surprisingly 

 rapid. Those fields of clover that seemed to be practically 

 ruined were revived by the warm, wet season to an extent 

 almost beyond belief. The farmers of the State have not 

 received such a large hay crop for years. The lesson learned 

 from previous short hay crops was heeded, and an unusually 

 large acreage of forage crops for summer and winter feeding 

 was planted, from which a good supply was harvested. Large 

 crops of small grains w'ere also raised ; and the question now 

 confronting the farmer is that of finding more stock to which 

 these crops can be fed. 



The acreage of potatoes was equal to that of last year, and 

 the weather conditions in the great potato county of the State. 

 Aroostook, were far superior to those of last season. An 

 abundant crop of potatoes was raised and while in some sec- 

 tions of the State rot has been reported, as a whole the crop 

 i;-. in better condition than last year. Potatoes are bringing a 

 fair price, and the indications are that they will be disposed 

 of at a price above the average of the past few years. 



A very much larger acreage of field corn was planted and 

 the yield and quality are much in advance of former years. 

 The acreage of sweet corn was also much larger than the aver- 

 age and as a whole the crop was better than any that we have 

 raised for many years. The season has been favorable and 

 this year's sweet corn has been a very profitable crop for the 

 farmers. The price received at the factory for the corn pro- 

 duced on some of the best acres was more than $ioo, and very 

 many acres brought from $85 to $90. There was also a great 

 yield of fodder. 



THE MAINE) ORCHARDS. 



The apple crop in some parts of the State was very light. 

 There have been a few reports from the central and southern 

 parts of the State of a fair crop of apples of good quality, but 

 on the whole, throughout the State, not much more than fifty 

 per cent of the usual crop was harvested. The small crop of 

 this year, however, has not discouraged the orchardists. The 

 Gregory gift and the prizes following this, and the special fruit 



