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f 
gy 
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112 
is, overlooked by most poopie. The value of our hay crop in New 
York State was, in 1888, more than three-fourths of a million dollars — 
greater than that of all the corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat i 
and tobacco crops combined. Counting all these (including hay) at 
100 per cent., the hay crop comprised 53.2 per cent., and all the 
others only 46.8 per cent. eS 
But more striking even than this is the rate at which the hay crop : 
has been falling off while the most important of the other crops hayes 
nearly or quite held their own. a 
This steady decline in the hay crop has gone on, in part, no doubt tp 
from the fact that the average farmer uses his manure on the culti- _ s 
vated crops, which the hay crop has thus been regularly contributing ~ P 
to support, while itself neglected. Not only is the value greater, but — 
the acreage of the hay crop stands to that of all the others, as ai ; Me : 
five to forty-five. a 
F 
This showing does not include pasture grass, which supports i 
almost the whole of our dairy, sheep and growing stock about half __ 
the year, and is second to no other than the hay crop itself, if indeed — 
it is second in value to that. 
It seems desirable that some special attention be given to improved 
method of culture, to finding out the best species for hay and grazing - 
and, finally, for diffusing a better knowledge of some of the forage “4 
species of this great family of useful plants. me > 
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BULLETINS AND CORRESPONDENCE. i 
@ Ns 
Since the publication of the last annual report there have been 
published seven bulletins, containing an aggregate of 189 pages, ; 
upon the following subjects : 
Bulletin No. 19.— June, 1890. 
A method for the determination of fat in milk and cream. 
Bulletin No. 20.— June, 1890. : * , 
Pedigrees of dairy animals under investigation. 
Bulletin No. 21.— July, 1890. 
Testing of dairy breeds: 
Introductory. 
Foods. 
