CONDITION OF AGRICULTURE. 317 



than the values per acre of the same crops in Massachusetts for 

 the year 1850. 



The Reports of 1853 and 1854, where the value of the crops, 

 the cost of raising the same, and the net profit thereon, as well 

 as the quantities, are in many instances given, will show what 

 the value of the leading crops may be in Massachusetts, when 

 her agriculture has been brought to what is proved to be an at- 

 tainable standard. The condition of the returns does not allow 

 of all the crops offered being taken into account in forming an 

 average ; for the cost of raising and other details do not in- 

 variably enter into the statement of the grower, or that of the 

 examining committee, and the average expense of growing the 

 crop, and the net profit of the same, are not made upon all the 

 returns taken, to form the average of quantities. 



So far, however, as the details were intelligible they have 

 been used, and the result is, that of thirty-five crops of Indian 

 corn offered for premium, the average yield was ninety-three 

 bushels per acre, and the average profit, 151.11. The largest 

 crop was one hundred and thirty-eight and one-half bushels. 

 Nhieteen exceeded one hundred bushels and two fell below 

 seventy bushels. 



Of thirteen crops of wheat, the average yield was twenty-five 

 and one-half bushels per acre, and the average profit, $33.04. 

 The largest crop was forty-two bushels. The smallest, fifteen. 



Of thirteen crops of rye, the average yield was thirty-four 

 bushels per acre, and the profit, $29.75. The largest crop was 

 forty-seven bushels. The smallest, twenty-five. 



The average crop of oats, in 1854, was sixty-one and seven- 

 eighths bushels, of which the average profit per acre was $33.18. 



Of potatoes, for the same year, the average yield was one 

 hundred and sixty bushels per acre. The average value was 

 $71.50, and the average net profit, $41.40. 



It appears by the census report, that the crop of Indian corn 

 in 1850 nearly trebled that of any other agricultural product, 

 and slightly exceeded the three great staples of wheat, cotton 

 and hay. This fact shows its importance and value, as a feed- 

 ing crop, to the Union generally. The average value of this 

 crop, in Massachusetts, for the years 1853 and 1854, offered for 

 premiums, was about $93 per acre, which is more than treble 

 the value of any crop in the United States for the year 1850, 



