8 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



and that with well directed efforts, it can be made one of the very 

 best paying crops our farmers can raise. But few counties are do- 

 ing anything in the way of raising tobacco; but there is no reason, 

 except it be the question of farm help, why tobacco growing should 

 not become more popular and receive the attention of farmers in 

 many of the counties in which the subject has heretofore been 

 given no thought. 



DAIRY INTERESTS. 



The dairying interests of the State are growing in importance 

 and profit and our dairy products are said to exceed in value any 

 of the cereal crops we produce. This growth is due to a number of 

 causes. Increasing knowledge of the business, as well as modern 

 implements and appliances for carrying it on, have had a beneficial 

 effect. The organization of dairy associations whose members are 

 by contact with each other stimulated to put forth every effort to 

 produce better results has been very helpful. The instructions 

 given at the dairy school connected with our State College have 

 been of great service in i^roducing better conditions throughout the 

 State. The work of the State Dairy Union has been very helpful 

 and deserves the highest commendation. This progressive move- 

 ment Siiould be continued and should receive the most liberal recog- 

 nition. Like other operations upon the farm, this industry cannot 

 be carried forward successfully without a considerable amount of 

 farm help; but whether the business be conducted upon a large or 

 a small scale, the practical dairyman has a sure and profitable 

 source of income. 



Attention has recently been turned by some of the dairymen of 

 the State, to the manufacture or preparation of condensed milk. A 

 condensing factory established in one of the northern counties of 

 the State, is said to be yielding large returns to its patrons. This 

 is a matter that it will pay our farmers to look into. The demand 

 for condensed milk is constantly increasing. Every vessel that 

 sails from an American harbor wants to take on board a large quan- 

 tity of this important commodity. The increase of our army and 

 navy is greatly increasing the demand for it, and farmers in sections 

 well adapted to milk production, should not fail to inform them- 

 selves concerning this industry, which, although it is old, is com- 

 paratively new in Pennsylvania. 



HAT CROP. 



The amount of hay produced in our State in 1907 was considera- 

 bly below that of the previous year. It is quite possible, however, 

 that the aggregate value mav have equaled or even surpassed that 

 of the crop of 1906. 



It is difficult to make even an approximate estimate of the value 

 of our hay crop for any given year, owing to the different varieties 

 and the diversified quality of the hay produced. Timothy and 

 clover continue to hold first rank in importance among plants 

 grown for hay. A few farmers are experimenting with alfalfa, a 

 plant which thus far seems to be somewhat uncertain as to its 

 adaption to the conditions prevalent in our State. Agricultural 

 stations throuffhout the country are doing much to bring it into 

 greater publicity and there can be no question as to its great 

 value wherever it can be succes»sfully grown. The large 



