198 



may be increased to eighty or even ninety bushels. The 

 price (twenty cents) is low ; although it is the present price, 

 it is no criterion, as it is below the price paid for many seasons 

 past. We think twenty cents per bushel can be realized as 

 an average price for the crop exclusive of the cost of hauling 

 to market, as is represented by the foregoing calculation. 



Oats. — This crop is not cultivated to any extent, not being 

 so certain to ensure a remunerating yield as the corn crop. 

 Our alluvial soil is too rich to accord with its habits; it causes 

 an overgrowth of straw, and in consequence falls before the 

 grain is mature. Of a dry season only the crop is profitable. 



These remarks refer of course to our soil in its naturally 

 fertile condition. Lands that have been cultivated for many 

 years and are comparatively sterile, will yield a reasonably 

 good crop, however wet the season may be. 



The varieties cultivated, are chiefly confined to the white, 

 the straw of the black growing too rank. 



The present season being unusually wet the amount pro- 

 duced or harvested will be comparatively small. In many 

 cases where the crop had fallen before fully ripe, much of it 

 was burned upon the ground to save the trouble of remov- 

 ing it. 



The average yield per acre would have been very great the 

 past season, if the disasters referred to could have been 

 evaded. We may, however, be justifiable in placing the 

 estimate the same as though such had not occurred. Many 

 crops we have noticed would undoubtedly have yielded as 

 much as forty or fifty bushels to the acre, but the average 

 could not be justly rated at more than thirty-five bushels. 



The present prices for oats are fifteen to seventeen cents. 



Rye. — Very little raised. The full amount raised in 1850 

 in the county according to the census statistics was but 160 

 bushels. From the little experience we have had in cultiva- 

 ting the crop we consider it equally, if not more profitable 

 than wheat, not being liable to so many casualties. 



If our farmers would attempt the culture of it, there, is 



