20 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



in 1850, the number of bushels had risen to 2,295,856, making 

 an increase of 520,782 bushels in the ten years preceding 1850, 

 or an average annual increase of about 52,078 bushels. Unfor- 

 tunately, the number of acres devoted to this crop were not 

 returned, and we cannot, therefore, arrive at a direct and 

 reliable result. The num])er of acres of tillage land, during 

 the same ten years, had increased from 259,038 to 300,269, 

 or at the rate of about 4,000 acres annually. But allowance 

 should be made for the increase in the number of actual 

 cultivators, which in some localities has been considerable. 

 From other sources, also, it has been ascertained with tol- 

 erable certainty, tliat the average yield at that time was not 

 greater than from twenty to twenty-five bushels per acre, 

 while the average yield at the present time cannot be less 

 than thirty bushels per acre ; and in the judgment of most 

 of those who have expressed an opinion on the subject, it is 

 at least thirty-five bushels per acre. The yield for the last 

 season was greater than usual. It is thought by the best 

 judges, to be at least ten per cent, greater, and many would 

 say twenty per cent, greater than that of 1850. Estimating 

 it, however, at only ten per cent., and we have raised the past 

 season, at least 2,525,441 bushels. 



It is the opinion of many, fully capable of judging, that, con- 

 sidering our proximity to the market, and the various other 

 facilities at our command, we can afford to raise corn and put 

 it into the market, cheaper than it can be brought from the 

 West. Much of our land is well adapted to it. Within the 

 last ten years, probably larger crops have been raised than 

 were ever before known in the State. They have, at least, 

 shoAvn what can be done, and the result has been highly benefi- 

 cial to many sections of the State. 



A most intelligent and practical farmer of Plymouth County, 

 speaking of this crop, says : — " Indian corn is easily and prof- 

 itabl}' raised, where proper attention is given to the cultiva- 

 tion. Less extensive fields are now planted tlian formerly, 

 but much more corn taken from the acre. The average yield 

 now, is probably about forty bushels to the acre. Many fields 

 are planted, which produce far less. Others, well prepared 

 and cultivated, yield from eighty to more than an hundred 



