316 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



not only may farming be advantageously pursued in Massachu- 

 setts, but that in point of production she is far above the aver- 

 age of her sister States. 



The average crop of Indian corn per acre in the Union, for 

 1850, was twenty-five bushels. The highest average in any 

 State was forty bushels, — Connecticut. The average in Mas- 

 sachusetts was thirty-one bushels. The average crop in eigh- 

 teen of the States was below that of Massachusetts. 



Of wheat, the average in the Union was about eleven bushels 

 per acre. The average in Massachusetts was sixteen bushels 

 per acre, and exceeded that of any other State. Sixteen of the 

 States had an average below twelve bushels, and eight of them 

 below ten bushels. 



Of rye, Massachusetts raises a fraction less than the general 

 average per acre, — ten of the States exceeding her in the cul- 

 tivation of that staple. 



Of oats, five of the States exceed the average in Massachu- 

 setts, and seventeen are below it. 



Of potatoes, four States exceed the average in Massachusetts? 

 and twenty-two are below it. 



It will be difficult to find in this comparison the evidence 

 that farming is unprofitable in Massachusetts ; and if we look at 

 the general average value of many of the crops per acre, it will 

 appear that in the value of the crops grown per acre, Massa- 

 chusetts stands as favorably as she does in the quantity pro- 

 duced. 



The average value of an acre of corn in the United States in 

 1850, taking the census report as a guide, was nearly $9.55. 

 The average value of an acre of hay was $7.45. Of an acre of 

 wheat, $9.13^. Of an acre of oats, f5.8Gi. Of an acre of 

 rye, 16.50. Of an acre of orchard products, $15.44. Of an 

 acre of potatoes, $26.32. Of an acre of garden vegetables, 

 $10.50. 



The census report does not furnish the means of ascertaining 

 the average value per acre of the crops in Massachusetts. Nor 

 does the agricultural transactions of the State, previous to 1853, 

 afford suitable data upon which the value of those offered for 

 premiums may be calculated. But from our general knowl- 

 edge of values attaching to the grains raised for consumption, 

 it will be readily seen that the amounts above stated were less 



