No. I DKFAHTMliNT OF AfJItlCULTURK li2 



MK. SULLYYAKZ: Mr. Chairman, 1 would like to uak the (lis 

 tance apart that the Department expects those walnut trees to 

 grow. 



MR. WILLIAMS: At first, until the\ reach a size large enough 

 to shade the ground, we will probably let them grow at distances of 

 three feet apart; then as the size of the tree increases, we will take 

 out each second tree; that will make it about six feet. If we find 

 that is satisfactory for producing proper timber, they will be al- 

 lowed to remain; if not satisfactory, another tree will be taken out 

 which will produce distances of about ten to twelve feet. 



The CHAIRMAN: Our next report is by the Committee on Cereals 

 and Cereal Crops, Mr. I. A. Eschbach, Milton, Pa. 



Mr. Eschbach presented and read the report of the Committee as 

 follows: 



REPORT ON CEREALS AND CEREAL CROPS. 



By 1. A. Eschbach. Chairman. 



In entering upon a report of the Cereals and Cereal Crops of Penn- 

 sylvania, I deem it but appropriate to mention a few developments 

 along the lines of agriculture in a general way. To persons unac- 

 quainted with Pennsylvania, they are liable to underrate her posi- 

 tion and rank as an agricultural State. The fact that she stands 

 first among the states of the Union in the production of iron and 

 coal and second in the value of her manufactured products, naturally 

 leads to the conclusion that but little attention is given to agricul- 

 ture. Instead of this being true, the thrift of the Pennsylvania 

 farmer is proverbial, and the extent and variety of the crops grown 

 in the Keystone State, gives her a very high rank as an agricultural 

 State. The soil of all the counties west of the mountain ranges is of 

 excellent quality, producing fine crops of grass for pasturage and 

 hay, as well as large yields of the chief cereal crops grown in this 

 latitude. The extreme northwestern part of the State possesses 

 special advantages as a fruit-growing section. The leading farm 

 industry in the northern tier of counties are dairying and stock-rais- 

 ing. The southeast section of the State or southern counties of the 

 eastern border possess a climate adapted to the production of all 

 the cereal crops and the immense milk-supply to meet the wants of 

 the great city of Philadelphia, gives the milk dairy a very prominent 

 place among the farmers of this section, and some of the finest 

 equipped dairies to be found in America are located here. 



As was said before, in the variety of crops grown in Pennsyl- 

 vania, she stands prominent as one of the greatest in the Union in 

 agricultural wealth, considering the area under cultivation. The 

 handling of these cereal crops of Pennsylvania could not be ac- 

 complished under the old style of operation less than 50 years ago. 

 Well does the writer recall a few back-breaking operations, such 

 as using the sickle in some lodged rye, and swinging the cradle (not 

 an comfortable n one as our dear motherfi provided for their habesi 



