16 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and all field crops 25 per cent; and for the 10 years, 1909-1918, over 

 the average for 1881-1890 : Corn 38 per cent, wheat 60, oats 24, bar- 

 ley 29, rye M, buckwheat 45, potatoes 69, hay 23, and all field crops 

 26 per cent. For convenience of comparison, the accompanying table 

 is inserted : 



Comparison of crop yields in six New England States. 



The gains noted are real; that is, they are not due to changes in 

 statistical method. They are observed in the official statistics of most 

 foreign countries, as well as in those of the United States. 



The increased production per acre shown is due, in considerable 

 measure, to the practice of better agricultural methods, including the 

 use of more efficient farm machinery; better knowledge and fuller 

 adoption of crop rotations; planting of crops better adapted to pre- 

 vailing climatic conditions; development and adoption of varieties 

 more resistant to plant diseases and insect pests ; more general appli- 

 cation of disease and insect control measures; increased and more 

 intelligent use of fertilizers ; and improved efficiency in crop produc- 

 tion generally. 



FOREIGN YIELDS ALSO INCREASED. 



Not only in the United States, but in most civilized countries of 

 the world, the yield per acre has been tending upward in recent 

 years. This is noted in respect to wheat in practically all wheat- 

 growing countries. If we compare the average wheat yields per 



