11 



THE TABLES SHOWIXG THE SYSTEM OF OUR AGRICULTURE AS TO USE OF MA- 

 NURES AND DEPTH OF PLOUUHLNG. 



Having, in the last two monthly reports, exhibited the magnitude of the crops 

 produced in the loyal States, and not wishing to make any inquiries relative to 

 farm stock before the circular for January was issued, the most useful subject, 

 of examination at this time was the mode by which these great crops was pro- 

 duced. Was American agriculture based on an exhaustion of the rich soils 

 nature had given it, or was it self-sustaining by the use of manures and deep 

 tillage? 



Without dwelling on each of the elements of fertility in soils, we assume that 

 what is most needed in our agriculture is vegetable matter, which includes all 

 minerals that have entered into the plants forming it. The table, compiled 

 from the circular for November, shows the comparative number of bushels of 

 clover and timothy seed raised last year; the average number of acres of clover; 

 the average proportion of full crops of clover turned under; the use of lime and 

 plaster, and the prices of the latter; the increase of barn-yard manures; that of 

 gi'ain and phosphates; and the depth of ploughing. AVe notice each in the 

 order stated. 



1. The clover seed crop of 1S63. — In 1850 the clover seed crop was 43:2,742 

 bushels in the loyal States, and in 1860, 881,918 bushels, being an increase of 

 103 per cent. This is a general average increase of 10 per cent, per annum 

 during the decade. 



In the following table will be found our estimates of the crop of 1862 and of 

 1863 of the principal clover seed producing States. The omitted States raise 

 so little of it that their omission is of no material consequence. The first 

 column is taken from the census returns of 1860; the second is estimated; the 

 third is the tenths decrease from the crop of 1862, and the fourth shows what 

 the crop of 1863 is. 



Tahle of the clover seed crops in bushels. 



1859. 



1863. 



Illinois i 16, 687 



Indiana l 45, 321 



Maine ! 48, 851 



Maryland , 39, 81 1 



Michigan 49, 480 



New Jersey i 39, 208 



New York 106, 933 



Ohio 216, 545 



Pennsylvania 274, 363 



837, 199 



1,034,790 



22, 350 

 .51,. 554 

 55, 365 

 42, 300 



38, 594 



38, 816 



107, 624 



209,778 

 240, 067 



806, 448 



This shows a decrease of 228,342 bushels, or 28 per cent, in the year 1863. 

 2. The clover crops turned under for manure. — The manure most iised in 

 our general agriculture is clover and sods. Hence the amount of clover and 

 grass seeds grown gives an indication of their use in producing this manure, 

 except so far as they are exported. In 1850 this amount for the loyal States 

 was 432,742 bushels of clover seed, and 280,037 bushels of grass seed. In 

 1860 the clover seed was 881,918 bushels, and the grass seed 791,698 bushels, 

 showing an increase of the first of 103 per cent., and of the last 182 per cent. 



