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COMMUNICATIONS FROM MR. JOSEPH ORR. 



Laporte, Ind., January 1st, 1852. 



Hon. J. a. Weight, 



President of the Indiana State Board of Ayriculture: 



Our agricultural society has done but little since its organization. But as 

 it has united with the horticultural society, better things may be expected- 

 At least I hope a delegate will be sent to your meeting next week. Supposing 

 that no report will be furnished you by the society, I will try and furnish you 

 with information upon such points contained in your circular as I am familiar 

 with. 



Wheat. 



As an early, hardy and productive variety, we esteem the Mediterranean the 

 best. Next the Starbuck — called after the man who brought it to the country. 

 It is a hardy, red-chaffed, bearded variety, and does better under bad culture 

 than any other among us. Beside these we cultivate the Canada flint, Genessee, 

 Hutchinson, and others of the white wheat. But as they mature later, they are 

 more apt to be injured by the rust. Seeding is generally done between the 5th and 

 the 20th of September; by some with tlie drill, by others broadcast and harrowed 

 in, and from IJ^ to 1% bushels to the acre. In dry .seasons, (fail,) open and 

 cold dry winters, the drill is the better plan. But in favorable seasons, wheat 

 sowed broadcast by a skillful hand, and harrowed in, will give a larger yield. 

 We commence cutting our Mediterranean about the first of July, and other va- 

 rieties one to two weeks later ; use the cradle in rough ground, and generally 

 McCormack's reaper in smooth; stack in the field, and thrash at intervals as we 

 want for use, or can take to market. 



Our crops of 1850 was extra good, averaging some 2.3 bushels to the acre; and 

 as it brought 70 to 75 cents per bushel at Michigan City, where sold, was gene- 

 rally taken to market. That of 1851 was some 20 per cent, less in yield than 

 the previous year, and as the price ranged low (50 to 55 cents) all fall, was not 

 sent to market freely; consequently the surplus now on hand exceeds very 

 largely the quantity on hand this time last year. There has, however, been 

 shipped from Michigan City in 1851, 205,146 bushels of wheat, and .1,000 bar- 

 rels of flour — say equal to 230,000 bushels, which at the lowest figure sold for, 

 neated $110,000. Some of this, however, is due to the credit of other counties, 

 selling at the same market. But not more, it is believed, than the excess now 

 on hand over last year this time; so that the figures above give very nearly the 

 surplus for 1851. 



