12 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



produced on farms in 1899 be regarded as 100, the wealth produced 

 10 years ago, or in 1897, is represented by 84, and the wealth pro- 

 duced in 1912 by 202.1. During the IG years the farmers' wealth 

 production increased 141 per cent. 



The array of figures that expresses the farmers' contribution to 

 national wealth production testifies to the farmers' basic importance 

 to the Nation. During the last 16 years the wealth production on 

 farms, according to the census items, reached the grand total of more 

 than $105,000,000,000. This stream of wealth has poured out of the 

 farmers' horn of plenty, and in 16 years has equaled about three- 

 quarters of the present national wealth. 



CHIEF CROPS. 



In the statement that follows concerning the crop quantities and 

 values for 1912 no figures should be accepted as anticipating the 

 final estimates of this department to be made later. Only approxi- 

 mations can be adopted, such as could be made by any competent 

 person outside of this department. All values are for products at 

 the farm unless otherwise stated, and in no item are values at the 

 produce or commercial exchange. 



CORN. 



A cornfield half as large again as Italy, or nearly as large as 

 either France or Germany, is the area of this country's cornfield. 

 The largest crop of corn ever produced in this country was that of 

 1912. It reached the staggering amount of 3,169,000,000 bushels, 

 or considerably more than the record crop of 1906, and much above 

 the average crop of the preceding five years. For reasons which are 

 perhaps economic, or perhaps due to custom, the United States raises 

 three-quarters of the world's crop of corn. As a corn-producing 

 country Austria-Hungar}^ stands next to the United States, with a 

 maximum production of over 200,000,000 bushels, and Argentina, 

 standing third, has a maximum production of a little less than that 

 amount. 



The value, too, of the corn crop of this year is the highest on 

 record. The most valuable previous crop was that of 1908, but the 

 value of this year's crop much exceeded it and reaches the fabulous 

 amount of $1,759,000,000. Well did the poet sing, " No richer gift 

 has Autumn poured from out her lavish horn ! " The corn crop of 

 this year is worth to the farmer 20 per cent more than the average 

 corn crop of the previous five years. 



HAY. 



Hay has returned to its old place and is the crop that is second 

 in value. It held this place for many years until in recent times, 



