8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



was, therefore, curtailed, and most farmers only planted areas 

 which they could take care of themselves or with the help of 

 their families. In some sections crops were ruined owing to the 

 impossibility of getting labor to gather them. All of these 

 factors have no doubt increased the cost of production, and 

 while it may seem that the farmers have reaped large rewards 

 this year, this factor of increased costs must be taken into con- 

 sideration. With the labor outlook as it is, and with no 

 immediate relief in sight, the question of the use of machinery 

 in agriculture comes more prominently in view, and eliminating 

 those sections near cities where there is a possibility of the use 

 of shifting labor, the agriculture of the next few years is bound 

 to change to those areas where the use of machinery is possible 

 and where crops may be produced more cheaply. This will un- 

 doubtedly affect conditions in New England at least, where in 

 our uplands and broken country there will be more opportunity 

 to use rough land for the production of animals, and the 

 larger, more open areas for crops. 



One noticeable factor has entered into agriculture this year 

 quite prominently, and that is that large industrial companies 

 using agricultural products have gotten together with the idea 

 of stimulating production. Particularly is this noticeable in the 

 wool industry, where all factors engaged in this business are 

 getting together for the mutual benefit of all concerned. 



A large meeting is called, to be held in Chicago early in 

 December, in order to get at some definite program, looking 

 toward an increase in the production of sheep. Leather mer- 

 chants and those interested in cotton are also alive to the 

 problem of greater production, and are considering the question 

 along lines similar to those interested in wool. 



A continued increase of interest in agriculture on the part of 

 people of small means has been noted, and the fact that the 

 referendum of 1916, authorizing cities to establish agricultural 

 and horticultural schools, was accepted by every city in this 

 Commonwealth is a good indication of the general interest in 

 this subject. 



That great economic waste noted in my last report — 

 namely, of the shipment of our soil fertility in the form of 

 agricultural products, and with no adequate return — still goes 



