No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 11 



of approximately 4,680,000 bushels as against 4,370,000 in 

 1917. 



Coming to our special crops, the onion crop was larger and 

 of good quality. This was the case throughout the country, 

 and very low prices have resulted, in many cases way below 

 cost of production. Sales have been recorded in the Connecti- 

 cut Valley as low as $1.10 a hundred pounds. To say that the 

 grower has been keenly discouraged is to put it mildly, and 

 there is prospect for a reduction in acreage next year. Two 

 years ago, when there was a nation-wide shortage in onions, 

 and prices went to $12 and $13 a hundred during the winter, 

 there was much loose talk about "speculation" and "robbery," 

 while this year the same papers which were so denunciatory of 

 the farm at that time are now strangely silent over the farmers' 

 losses. Seemingly overproduction, which happens in some 

 crop almost every year, can often be taken care of by a better 

 system of distribution, and by letting the public know that 

 there is likely to be a surplus of a certain crop. 



The fruit crop, especially strawberries, was short, and sold 

 for exceptionally high prices throughout the season. Even the 

 sugar rationing did not depress the market, the probable ex- 

 planation being that the crop was just about large enough for 

 the dessert demand, and so the lack of sugar for canning was 

 not a factor. 



Fruit orchards were injured by the severe winter. The 

 peach crop in the State was entirely wiped out, and thousands 

 of trees were killed or irreparably injured. Considerable injury 

 was done to apple trees, especially old trees which had borne 

 heavily in 1917. The amount of injury was at first exaggerated 

 and the apple crop underestimated. The best estimate now is 

 that the crop is 85 per cent of the 1917 crop. As that crop 

 was below normal, it will be seen that this year's yield was not 

 a full one. 



The tobacco crop was a good one and has sold well. The 

 demand for smoking material for our army has undoubtedly 

 effected a rise in tobacco prices. 



Market-garden crops have varied. Asparagus sold on a fair 

 average through the season. Early truck crops, as lettuce, 

 cabbage and spinach, sold well and were fairly satisfactory. 



