i vious year, ivhile barley showed an

‘DECEMBER 31. 1931

Gains And Losses

ln Farm

Production “Keenly Disappointing” In Many Departments While

g Distinctly Encouraging In A Few Others. Importance Of Mixed Farming 1s Emphasized.

(fly W. It. Shaw, Deputy Minister‘

of Agriculture!

‘flu agricultural production of Prince Edward Island for the year i513.’ was keenly disappointing in iii. 1f.‘ departments, and distinctly <-inoiir-.igi;:g in a few others. Fle d \)l‘t)(ill(!tl0ll, partcularly 1m grains and roots, was tiie lowest for some _\‘L‘lll‘$, while the livestock industry _ll‘-llltllf"(l the ngr cultural, economic l‘:¢i1l'lC,\t\‘ll.ll its usual protective stability.

The year opened with market cpiototions at n favourable level, and the early growing season, lireuatht crop prospects of a more than ordinary promise. Frequent l.ll\1~ stimiilateil hay ilild pasture aioath. and dalzgviiig received pro-

Industry

art-as 0f good drainage, but farin- 6115 Willi. low, flat lands, were paced at a disadvantage on account of excessive moisture. Generally speak- ing, however, prospects were seldom brighter for a heavy yield of farm crops. Aiztd then drought struck. Crops early sowed and planted, and having good growth, survived well, the unusual dry weather. but late crops and growth in low lying lands, suffered a disastrous reverse. Many farmers although drastically cut- ting down on ther livestock, wil be short of hay, grain and seed, and to those particularly who have been compelled to make large oiit- flavs on machinery and other equip- nient, the year has brought pros- pects of a rather gloomy nature.

poriiiiiintc stimulation. Grrtns and

routs received an excellent start h the agricultural statistics for the -- - ' '_-_-—- - —"i;:_*_-i__"*’“—* 1Y5?!“ No. Acres Yield Total Production Price Value per Bus. Wheat 18,590 14.5 bus. 269,555 bus. $1.00 $ 269,555.00 Outs 153,800 26.8 bus. 4,121,840 bus. .50 2,060,920.00 Barley 6,500 24,9 bus. 101,850 bus. .70 113,295.00 Buckwheat 3,700 22.2 bus. 82.140 bus. .60 49,284.00 Mixed Grains 29.300 29.’! bus. 870.210 bus. .60 522,126.00 ‘Hay 31,100 1.4 tons 323,440 bus. ,8.00 2,587,520.00 Potatoes 34,700 150 bus. 5,205,000 bus. .20 1,041,000.00 'i‘lll‘llll')S 10.790 475 bus. 5,125,250 bus. .12 615030.00 Mongols 810 650 bus. 575,500 bus. .12 63,180.00 Livestock Number Value

Cattle 99530 $3,483,550.00

sheep 49640 297,840.00

Hogs 43910 014,740.00

Horses 28820 2,593,800.00

Poultry 826160 660,928.00

Gralps

The cheat crop was somewhat in excess of the -previous seasons yield. but other grains were much bciow the average of a number of years.

Ont production was over one niiiron bushels less than in the pre-

iui-iease. Farmers growing barley 1m mixtures or alone, have been well paid and the crop suppiies the best home grown feed for general feed- ing and finishing purposes.

In Western Prince county. and other localized areas, the grain crop was almost a failure, and a large number of farmers will not have sufficient feed or seed for ex- isfing requirements.

Market levels for oats have been higher than for some years. a. very good thing for those having grain to selZ, but rather unfortunate for thc large number whose crop proved a failure, and who will have to buy for both seeding and feeding pur- ixiscs.

’I'hr hay rmp was somewhat liclilor than. in the previous year but. higher than the average for the last six years. A large quantity of hay provides a valuable basis for feeding iirid- farmers experiencing grain and root shortages, wll be able to secure their hay require- meniz.‘ at a price which is perhaps the lowest for some years.

Root Crops

The potato acreage was almost l‘\'-l thousand acres higher than in 1036, while the, average production was fully fifty bushels per acre less than in the previous yenr The purchase of fertiizer was up very materially and at the same time, market prices sagizecl to a point \\'t‘il ui'irlri' cost of yivodnctioti. The rtemaiid for seed and table stock has been dull. To those who have llf"l a large money outlay on pota- tois. the season has been put cu- larly g'oomy. A new outlet for po- tatoes developed during the year in South Ainericn. and some thou- sartls of llllfihFlS were forwarded to Lin: market. A number of promin- eiii. isllovs from the Argentine and

The following is a compilation oi

rm: cnaizcorrizrowiv____cu_giwoiaiv_

i1-

HON. W. ll. DENNIS Minister of Agriculture ____. ._;__ .‘_'_.i’ »_~___q~ fideince in the dairy industry by the lending dairyincn of the province.

Horse Breeding

This period has been a fine year for horse breeding. The exhibition record “as never better and on ev- ery hand there seems to be a re- vlvnl in the industry, A number of splendd young stallions have beer. seeii in use and producers are eh king up on their breeding priuticcs. making an honest effort to improve the breeding stock. At the same lllll" we are still eriperi- curing a shortage in good (lraft ani- mals arid the western horse is bridging the gap until such time as home production reaches up the demand. The markets have been brsk for horses and the pros- pects are bright.

Swine industry

Possibly the brightest spot in production centred‘ in the swine iri- diisiry. Both Departments of Agri- culture have concentrated their at- teritfou on the extension of this important phase of agriculture pro- duction. with the result that. our swine DOllullltlCll in 1937, has been the. highest for a number of years. The demand for small pigs in the adjacent provinces and Newfound- Iriiic‘, was not as high as previous years, and for this reason, a larger number have been left on the far- mers’ hands for finishing purposes. Packers’. reports indicate that greater number are going forward in a more uniform mafi-ner than in previous y-ears and up to the pres- ent. the fnish has been vcry satis- factory. Overseas exports of Mari- time liogs has reached a consider- able number and it is gratifying to noic that our Island producers are doing their share in meeting the quota requirements of the Overseas market. The hog prices for the year have advanced somewhat. with a. strongtheulng tendency at the tim". of writing. It is cncouraghg to note a greater measure of stability of production and an apparent recog-

Progress In

MR. W. R. SHAW Deputy Minister of Agriculture

sold off on farms which nave ex-

perienced feed shortages. At the same time, some few carloads of

cnttlc have been brought in from

Western Canada. for feedng pur-

poses. This PxllPfllllfllll» will be

watched with interest. Markets for

beef have been at a fairly satis-

factory level, although recently

there have been evident‘ tendencies, towards weakening. There is a pos- slbiiity that these tendencies may undergo development, if large num-

hers of cattle brought from Western Canada into eastern areas, are placed on the market during the late w'nter or spring. From a long time standpoint, however, prospects. are for good beef prices and aTso for good prices for dairy cattle, which seem to be in excellent de- maud.

The Department of Agriculture gave assistance during the year in the importation of high class breed- ing‘ cattle and horses, making freights easier and bonusng in cases of purchase of high class ani- mals. A number of very excellent breeding sires and dams were dis- tributed in this way. The cattle industry holds out brighter pros- peels than ever before and produ- cers would do well to concentrate their attention on this Dhflisf! of pro- duction. which has always had an important ‘nfluenec. upon the up- keep of soil fertility and thc eco-

otliii- Smith Aniei-lrzivi States. visit- I-rl the Province during the season, lmrl n distinct irifieiest has h-en aroused in our seed. Plans have. hood formulated for conducting of lest? and other experiments. It is It it cult to state at the present timr. what the value of this mar- iv“.- may be, but it is encouraging to note the development in a new area, ,

The turnip crop was decreased in both acreage and ylefd. Dry weath- ci" and insect attacks were the two main causes and the crop reached M almost new-low in. average pro- duction. Prices for table stock have tier-n exeeedinglv low, considering the lolnl supplies. Experiences in mar- keting would justify some careful attention to the formulating of mar- keting plans and orodnlzatlon, which would render a reasonable message of protection in the selling of this firoduet. Bales conducted under a. system of cut-throat competition, without regard for order-linear, sup- nlv or demand. cannot: bi-‘miz other than disastrous prices to the pro- lurrrs.

Liveslnvlc

An increase has been not-ed in the cattle population. Since the census was taken. however. there has been n. substantial reduction h numb-rs. ‘Large number-ii of cattle. ‘with young rind old, have be-n -rlp__oed to dairy sections and very

__._;q_

Dairy Production

Dairy production has been very satisfactory and received a veiy considerable impetus during the eariy part of the year, due to ade- quate feed supplies from previous season and the excellence of the June grazing. The dry fendng pas- ture conditions of the late summer. retarded production, however, to a very great extent. and the, high price of concentrated feeds during the fail and early winter, has had an adverse effect on the industry. Fortunately, adequate supplies of hay have helped to some extent and the prevailing butter levels have given an incentive which has been missing ‘n the dairy industry for some years.

The following figures indicate the dgh-y production for the year, through organized plants:

Butter 1936 2.008.052 lbs. $500287!!! ‘I037 2.200.000 lbs. 532,000.00 (‘lieu-m 1030 204.354 42.177112! 1037 446.518 65265.95 The year saw the largest invest- ments for improvements the

larger dairy plants, than in any yearly period for many years. This

. out and semi; to the market.

noinic independence of the farmers. _

iiiiioii of the great value of hogs on the farm.

Sheep And Lambs

Markets for sheep and lambs have undergone slight improve- ment. but have been somewhat dis- appointing in view of early pros- poets.

Poultry

Pouliiw production still continues approximately’ at the same. level cs in previous years. A large measure of extension work was conducted during the season. The Department established a field service in the cirliug of flocks and large numbers of old and useless hens were culled The service of blood testing was also extended and it can be said. that a substantial measure of improve- mecl has taken place in the qual- ity and production in the Island flock.“ during the year. Prices of poultry experienced a dsfinet up- troiu! durinzu the season.

'I‘lie Department of Agriculture undertook a large amount of ail- ditioiinl work during the present year. making a survey of the cran- berry areas in the province and as- sisting lll the cstabiislirucut of cv- ])f‘l'llll(‘lliil1 work in connection with these areas. There is no doubt of the value of cranberry production, if conducted =u a methodical, ex- perimental manner. Care of the barrens, c caning-up. sanding anti replantittg. and a system of grad- i‘\_:. marketing and inimiiizzitiori, are vital factors. it is intended to

spccis. Fruit Production

Some investigation also took place with regard to frut growing arid plans are unw being formulat- ed to a. ist, particularly, the apple industry’.

The Department also took charge of an experimental shipment of strawberries to the 01d Country. Th.» shipment did not tum out as satisfactorily in the ivay of returns as was anticipated. but the berry dealers in England and Scotland stated that Island berries were equal io the best on the market in quality.

.~\ great amount of work was con- ducted on Adult Education, and a large number of Clubs were m"- gaifved in the province. This woik ls still continuing. and is br'ugln~ results in eqnlplng our people for more effective, economic and social development. ,

During the latter part of the year. the Department undertook the lid- ministration of thc Dominion-Pre- viiicfal Youth Uuenipkiyment Policy. A number of training courses have been conducted. These courses wit‘- bc eoiilliuirrl throughout. the New Year lt is expected that hundreds of boys and girls will receive train- ing nlong the lines which equip them more highly to meet life's problems.

A great extension has taken paw during the year in the ae-

tiv.ties of the Women's Institute

n ‘ rifffffifififififfffflfifffififlfi

(By F. M. Nash, Senior Fieldman Live Stock Branch)

During the fiscal year 1936-37 continued progress has been made in carrying out the work of the Livestock Branch Dominion De- partment of Agriculture in this Province. ous activities oi’ the Branch which include cattle, sheep, swine and poultry-contacts are established through Branch policies. We thank all those who were instrumental in assisting us in bringing the policies before the people and hope they accomplished the good for which they were intended.

CATTLE (L. W. Roper)

Continued increases in the num- ber of cattle qualifying under the Canadian Record of Performance for Dairy Cattle indicates thc ever- growing importance placed upon production credentials by construc- tive breeders of dairy cattle. The fact that entries in the Record of Performance has increased eon- siderably in the lastyeai" is par- ticularly significant.

Sirev Assistance Policies

‘The Bull loaning policy was 1n- augurated in 1930 to give assistance to farmers in the more needy dis- tricts who under difficult condi- tions were unable to purchase a desirable class of sires to improve or even maintain the quality of their herds.

The Dominion Department of Agriculture has 65 bulls on loan tn Associations in the Province. 1n 1937 there were approximately 5000 cows bred to these bulls,

That this service is greatly ap- preciated is demonstrated by the large number of favourable com- ments heard and received at this office. Breeders of pure bred cat- tle also appreciate the market which the purchase of this number of bulls has created.

Junior Club Work

Through interesting boys and girls in various breeds of cattle the junior calf club policy operating jointly with the Provincial Depart- ment of Agriculture provides one of the best means for establishing good cattle on farms throughout the Province. ,l.iive stock men, agricultural workers and even iii- dustrlal concerns are according ever increasing recognition to the value of club interprises. During the past year there were 335 clubs in operation in Canada with a membership of over 6500. The

encourage promotion in those re:

Dominion and Provinces contri- buted over $21,000 in grants and prize money. The Dominion De- partment superviscs 12 of these clubs in this Province with a mem- bership of 300.

SHEEP AND SWINE INDUSTRIES (S. D. Irvine)

In reviewing the swiiic industry for the past year it will be geri- "Rlly agreed that the industry gave an exceptionally good account oi’ itself for 1937. The marketing of commercial hogs provided a de- finitely remunerative source of revenue to our fanners. Com- monly termed‘ mortgage lifters’, hogs this Fall furnished revenue for nianyiieeds on the farm in a year when revenue from the sale of other farm commodities fell short of expectations. Particular- ly was this true in Prince Edward Island during the past low months, when the wisdom of mixed live. stock farming ivas again made evi- dent.