18 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE OfC. Doc. 



ago, a stalk of either wild mustard or dodder could be found any- 

 where in the State. Now, both these plants are becoming quite 

 common. The former no doubt has been introduced by sowing oats 

 and barley seed, obtained from the West, in some parts of which this 

 weed abounds. The latter is more likely to have been brought into 

 our State with clover or grass seed. Many other weeds not native 

 to our State have been introduced in the same manner. 



There are few greater hindrances to crop production than this 

 soil pollution, and the struggle the farmer has upon his hands to 

 rid his fields of these pests when they have once gotten a fixed 

 hold, is both annoying and expensive. 



In addition to the introduction of foul weeds in the way suggested, 

 much of the clover and grass seed brought into this State, and pos- 

 sibly some that is produced in the State, is adulterated by having 

 mixed with it low grade and infertile seeds imported solely for the 

 purpose of such adulteration. 



The propriety of some legislation to correct this evil may be 

 worthy of the consideration of the law makers of the Common- 

 wealth. 



FARM HEKP. 



The information gathered by this Department, in relation to farm 

 wages, shows that covering a period of several years, there has 

 been but very little changes. 



The average amount paid to farm hands employed by the year, 

 with board, is |220.00. 



For summer months only, with board, |22.50 per mo. 



For entire year, without board, 315.00 



For harvest work, by the day, with board, . . 1.75 

 Irregular work, by the day, with board, .... 1.10 

 Female household help, per week, 2.75 



While some of these figures may not appear attractive to wage 

 earners, when compared with wages paid to miners and factory 

 hands, the farm laborers enjoy certain privileges and perquisites 

 that count for much, and at the end of the year, he is likely to have 

 laid by for future use, from what to him may seem scant wages, 

 more than the man who is employed in either factory or mine. 



The solution of the complex farm help problem remains unsolved, 

 and as long as the unusually prosperous times for all manufacturing 

 industries continue, farm help will be scare at any price the farmer 

 can afford to pay. Whenever a period of financial depression comes, 

 and men employed in other industries are put upon short time or 

 'iaid off'' entirely, the labor of the country naturally seeks relief by 

 going ^'back fo the land" where the Creator first placed it and di- 

 rected the Garden to be dressed and kept. 



It is unpleasant to record the fact that during the year, there 

 were some instances where the owners of good farms gave up all 

 farm operations on account of the serious trouble experienced in 

 securing suitable help. 



The farmer cannot succeed with the indifferent help that may 

 prove satisfactory in other industries. All the operations of the 

 farm require good management and skillful execution. It requires 

 infinitely more skill to run a corn planter or to dray with listing 



