176 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



being about thirty-four bushels, and the total for the state grown on an 

 area of about 8,700,000 acres, is 29G,950,230 bushels. 



On account of the unfavorable character of the crop season, and the 

 unusually variable condition of the corn crop a special report was called 

 for in answer to inquiries as to the average yield of hard and soft corn, 

 the percentage that is sound and merchantable, the local price of sound 

 corn and the feeding value of the softer portion of the crop. The tabu- 

 lated reports show the following results of this investigation: Dividing 

 the state into three sections, or belts three counties wide crossing east 

 to west, we find that in the northern section (thirty counties) the sound 

 corn is estimated at 29 per cent; in the central section (thirty-eight 

 counties) it is 48 per cent; and in the southern section (thirty-one coun- 

 ties) the average is 64 per cent. For the state as a whole the average 

 condition appears to be 47 per cent sound and merchantable, and 53 per 

 cent graded as soft, chaffy or unmerchantable. The total yield by sec- 

 tions is as follows: Northern section, in round numbers, 73,000,000 

 bushels; central section, 129,000,000 bushels; southern section. 94,000,000 

 bushels. 



The average local price of the sound corn is reported to be 35 cents 

 per bushel, and the average feeding value of the softer portion is esti- 

 mated at 22 cents per bushel. 



This serves as a basis for estimating the total value of the corn crop 

 this year in round numbers at $83,000,000. Last year the yield was 227,- 

 000,000 bushels and the value $113,000,000. In 1900 the total yield was 

 345,000,000 bushels, and the value, at the current prices, $93,000,000. 



Wheat. — The acreage of winter wheat is small, and the total yield 

 appears to be only 825,045 bushels, an average of eighteen bushels per 

 acre. In spring wheat the yield is thirteen bushels per acre and a total 

 of 12,680,800 bushels. The total yields of both winter and spring wheat is 13,- 

 532,845 bushels. The quality of the wheat is generally poor, on acount of the 

 very wet harvest, and the price of winter wheat is reported to be 55 cents, 

 and spring wheat 52 cents. The total value of the crop appears to be $7,002,- 

 640. Last year the yield was 18,295,000 bushels and the value was $10,- 

 976,000. 



Oats. — This crop suffered greater damage than any other cereal from 

 effects of excessive rains, and it has been impracticable to secure reports 

 as to the extent of total loss, and the quality of the grain that was 

 secured in condition to repay th'e cost of threshing. The returns from 

 correspondents indicate an average yield of thirty-four bushels per acre 

 from the portion of the crop that was secured and threshed. Making a liberal 

 deduction from the acreage planted in each county we have a total of 

 92,907,960 bushels, as against 114,000,000 bushels last year, and 138,000,- 

 000 bushels in 1900. The average local value of this year's product 

 appears to be 24 cents per bushel and the total $22,297,910. Last year's 

 oats crop was valued at $40,209,000. 



Barley. — Estimated yield per acre, twenty-five bushels, and total 

 yield, 15,380,940, valued at 33 cents per bushel, or a total of $5,075,710. 

 Last year's crop was 14,654,000 bushels, worth $6,447,000. 



