424 FASSEMELT 



* 



1 . The chief or most staple production of our county is that of 

 the dairy. Beef, pork, and some grain, are also exported to some 

 extent. 



2. The number of cows in use for ihe production of the dairy 

 is larger than at any former period ; the whole number employed 

 for that purpose in our county can safely be set down at 50,000. 

 In consequence, however, of the severe drought the past season 

 the yield per cow is, as near as I can ascertain, some 1 5 per cent 

 less than usual- 



3. The number of acres occupied for dairy production is near 

 225,000, or 4^ acres per cow. . The quantity of butter and cheese 

 produced from said cows may be set down atabout 4,000,000 lbs. 

 of each, and the improvement in quality is also keeping pace 

 with the increased quantity, as the records and award of pre- 

 miums by your State Society the past two years will fully attest. 

 I think I can say without fear of contradiction, that our county 

 society has done much towards improving both the quantity and 

 quality of this article, as our premiums have been awarded with 

 especial reference to both, the applicant giving full informaiion 

 as to the number of cows, mode of feeding, and process of mann- 

 lacture, to the traveling committee, who always examine the dai- 

 lies on the farms personally, and report fully to the society. 



4. In regard to the other productions of our county, I would, 

 say first that we raise bread sufficient for our own consumption. 

 The average quantity of wheat may be estimated at 280,000 

 bushels, or four bushels to each person, young and old, the larger 

 pcrtiCn of which is spring wheat, it being the safest on account of 

 the midge; this, together with the Indian corn and buckwheat, is 

 sufficient for our own consumption. The average amount of rye 

 and corn may be estimated at 70,000 brshels of the former and 

 380,000 of the latter, some portion of which is fed to live stock 

 by our farmers, the balance is used in our distilleries, and not- 

 "withstanding the large amount of beef and pork made by them, 

 is worsQ, than lost. Of barley we raise about 230,000 bushels, a 

 considerable portion of which is fed, the balance exported for 

 brewing. Of oats, some 450^000 bushels^ most of which is oon- 



