10 



THE FARMERS' MONTHLY, MARCH, 1928 



THE NEW ENGLAND OUTLOOK 

 FOR AGRICULTURE IN 1928 



The outlook for New England agricul- 

 ture is generally favorable for J.928. This 

 conclusion is based on the Federal outlook 

 report for 1928 issued February 1 and 

 upon the New England outlook report 

 just prepared under the auspices of the 

 New England Research Council. 



The demand for New England farm 

 products is expected to continue at a 

 satisfactory level during 1928. The posi- 

 tion of the textile and shoe industries has 

 improved during the past few years and 

 buying power from these industries is 

 expected to be maintained. A .slackening 

 in certain other lines may reduce buying 

 power in some local markets. New Eng- 

 land farmers have an opportunity to 

 strengthen their position in their own 

 markets by placing greater emphasis up- 

 on high quality, well graded products. 



Dairy Outlook Favorable 



It is likely that there will be no 

 material increase in the number of cows 

 on farms during 1928. Losses in flooded 

 areas and from tuberculosis eradication, 

 continued high feed prices, and the pre- 

 sent high price of stock for replacements, 

 all tend to prevent expansion. Present 

 numbers of young stock are also insuffi- 

 cient to take care of normal replacements. 

 These factors indicate favorable prices 

 for milk throughout the year. 



Present prices of dairy products may 

 stimulate the raising of more calves. 

 Farmers who have been raising calves 

 may find this profitable. However, the 

 growing of young stock for sale, while 

 apparently attractive for the moment, 

 does not promsie to yield as good financial 

 returns after a few years. 



Poultry Should Not Be Expanded 



The outlook for egg, broiler, and poul- 

 try prices is slightly better than for 1927. 

 Feed costs on the other hand are expect- 

 ed to continue high, at lea.st during the 

 first half of the year. 



Uufavorable prices last year, higher 

 mortality than usual, and high feed costs 

 have intended to prevent expansion. The 

 profitable storage season just passed and 

 the reduced receipt of eggs at leading 

 markets in recent months indicate an ac- 

 tive demand and firm prices for eggs 

 this spring. Prices of live poultry and 

 broilers are expected to show some im- 

 provement over last year. 



Westei-n eggs of fancy quality are 

 likely to be increasingly important in 

 determining winter prices of local eggs. 

 Under present conditions, little expansion 

 is justified except where warranted by 

 local market conditions. 



Larger Apple Crop Expected 



Barring unusual weather conditions. 

 New England and other barrel apple re- 

 gions may expect to have large crops in 

 1928 because of alternate bearing. In 

 this case proper pruning, spraying, and 

 thinning to increase the production of 

 higher grades are especially recommend- 

 ed. There is nothing in the long time 

 national outlook to discourage unduly the 

 commercial growers who are favorably 

 located and who produce high quality 

 fruit of desired varieties at a low cost. 



Potato Prices May Be Lower 



Present indications are that there will 

 be, unless farmers change their plans, a 

 substantial increase in the acreage plant- 

 ed to potatoes this year. If average yields 

 are obtained rfom this increased acreage, 

 prices for the 1928 crop cannot be expect- 

 ed to equal those received for the 1927 

 crop. Under these conditions the coming 

 year is not a good year to raise potatoes 

 for those who have not raised them 

 previously. However, those growers in 

 close proximity to market who have ade- 

 quate spraying and harvesting machinery 

 may find it profitable to maintain their 

 1927 acreage. 



No Improvement For Onions 



During the past two years the acreage 

 and production of late onions have been 

 so large that prices have been generally 

 unfavorable. The United States outlook 

 indicates that a reduction of at least 10 

 per cent is needed to restore a more 

 favorable price level. Connecticut Valley 

 growers can improve their position by im- 

 proved cultural practices and particularly 

 by better care of their crop in the field at 

 harvest time. 



Quality Needed in Other Vegetables 



Present indications are that the com- 

 petition from other regions shipping to 

 New England markets will continue to in- 



crease. Consequently those market gar- 

 deners who do not market high quality 

 produce, well graded and attractively 

 packed, may expect even more unfavor- 

 able returns than in the past. 



Tobacco Situation Improved 



The tobacco outlook is somewhat more 

 favorable than in recent years due to re- 

 duced stocks and the light crop of 1927. 

 However, the manufacture of the types of 

 cigars in which Connecticut Valley tobac- 

 co is largely used continued to decrease. 



This summary compiled by F. H. 

 Branch and H. W. Yount, M. A. C. 



NEW EXTENSION LEAFLETS 



Spraying and dusting at the wrong 

 time is almost as ineffective as no spray 

 or dust at all. A leaflet just issued by 

 the Extension Service under the title of 

 "Vegetable Spraying and Dusting Calen- 

 dar" is ready for distribution. Prepared 

 by E. F. Cuba and W. D. Whitcomb, this 

 leaflet contains methods for controlling 

 more than fifty common insects and pests 

 attacking the principal vegetable and cash 

 crops of Massachusetts. Citizens of 

 Massachusetts may obtain free copies of 

 the same by writing to the Mailing Room, 

 Extension Service M. A. C, and asking 

 for Extension Leaflet No. 116. 



Of particular interests to home makers 

 will be the Extension Leaflet, "Home 

 Canning," No. 13. The Horticultural 

 Manufacturers department gives in this 

 leaflet its latest data on canning of vege- 

 tables, fruits, and other products for the 

 home. 



Home makers should also be interested 

 in Leaflet No. 107, "Pickles and Relishes," 

 just issued by the Horticultural Manu- 

 facturers department. Both of these leaf- 

 lets may be obtained from the Mailing 

 Room. 



You have labor saving 



machinery on the farm. 



WHY NOT GET YOUR WIFE LABOR SAVING 

 DEVICES FOR THE KITCHEN? 



HOW ABOUT AN ELECTRIC TOASTER OR PERCOLATOR? 

 Such conveniences help to make house work easier. 



That Good Hardicare Store 



Tel. 11 



Foster-Farrar Co. 



162 Main Street 



Open 



Saturday 



Evening 



Northampton, Mass. 



