22 AGRICULTURAL 



some sections would be overburdened, as they doubtless were; 

 but as the season went on, nature, through agency of wind and 

 survival of the fittest, remedied things to a certain extent. On 

 the whole, apples in particular were a fine crop and compar- 

 atively free from injuries. The fruit was of fair size, colored 

 up well, and sold for about one dollar per barrel on the average. 

 Pears, plums, and peaches were plentiful generally and brought 

 in very fair returns. Grapes, again, gave a very heavy yield 

 and demonstrated that New Hampshire grapes can be grown 

 with profit. There is a certain loyalty to home-grown fruit. 

 The exhibits at the fairs were generally very fine. The season 

 was a very severe one for the vegetable grower, especially in the 

 southern part of the state. A continued drought throughout 

 July and August shortened the vegetable crop very much. 

 Most crops suffered, especially on naturally well-drained or 

 light lands. Muskmelons and the celery crops were badly 

 affected. The early potato crop was almost a complete failure, 

 and the late crop was lessened materially except where planted 

 in a very retentive soil. Where irrigation was possible, it was 

 a great advantage. Ornamental planting, unless given special 

 care, was severely checked by the drought. Currants and 

 gooseberries were a fair crop. 



Frank Wm. Kane, 



Horticulturist. 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The work of the department of agriculture during the year 

 has been the continuation of that begun in part last year and 

 the year previous to that, with the addition during the present 

 year of work along the line of improving the worn-out pasture 

 lands in the state. During the coming j^ear co-operative ex- 

 periments in each county of the state will be begun along this 

 same line. Experiments in feeding dairy cattle, horses, and 

 swine are being continued; also, experiments in the best meth- 

 ods of applying manures, soil improvements, and soil moisture, 

 corn culture, forage crops, etc., etc. 



