5 ANNITAI. REPORT OF THE Off. Doe. 



uf ili.'sc purposes is paiJially shown in llu" following report, and in 

 thnsi' of the Division olliccrs inrorporated herewith. 



Tlie past vear has been oi)e of the most abundant in agrieultural 

 pn.du.ts. There has been more (hau the ordinary amount of moist- 

 ure and the rainfall has been pretty evenly distribnted. 



Some losses oeeurred in the eastern portion of the State from rain 

 during harvest, but this was largely loeal. The prices of farm pro- 

 duets were well maintained, and in some cases exceeded those of 

 I'.KMK Corn, oats and potatoes were considerably higher than in the 

 previous year, as were also horses and mules. There was a short 

 crop of apples and pears. Prices, therefore, for these fruits were 

 correspondingly advanced. Full reports of prices of farm crops and 

 wa'M's for each countv in the State, are given in the report of the 

 Deputy Secretary, and in the Appendix to this report. 



FA KM TTELP AND ^YAGES. 



NNagcs of faiiu hrl[) were higher than in lUOO, and in some localities 

 hands could not be obtained at any price. The great demand for 

 labor by the building, transportation awd manufacturing industries, 

 h.as drained the rural communities of most of its efficient help, and 

 luis left the farmers to get through with their work as best they 

 can. The farm labor i^oblem has, therefore, become suddenly very 

 serious. Fortunately agricultural machinery has reached such per- 

 fection, that one or two persons can now accomplish more upon a 

 larm. than six or eight could perform years ago, and yet iu some farm 

 opeiatious, as in the fruit-growing and dairy districts, much of the 

 work njust still be done by hand, and it is here that the lack of suf- 

 ficient help is most severely felt. 



If the present demand for labor in the manufacturing and other 

 industries continues, land owners will be obliged to sub-divide their 

 farms, rcduring their size suflicicntly, to make it possible for an 

 ordinary family to perform the necessary labor without hiring addi- 

 tional help, excejit for a sliort time and only upon special occasions. 



As labor becomes dearer, or which is the same thing, scarcer, far- 

 ni(TB will have to adopt more economical methods in their business, 

 ami use their time l(» belter advantage. Wherever possible, gang 

 plow« will lake the place of the single i)low, four horse harrows will 

 supplant the two hors.' drag. The wider mowers, horse rake and 

 drill will take the place of the present smaller sizes; horses will have 

 to step more raj.idly lh:m now, less tim<' will be wasted in going t 



