36 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
MicuicAn.— Wheats from the department yield well, from 15 to 40 
bushels, much above the average, which is 134 bushels per acre.” 
Another: “The new oats are satisfactory, altogether the best raised 
here.” 
Mississippr.— Oats introduced by department have been a great 
advantage to this section.” 
Missouri—*“ The introduction of improved wheats by the department 
has been of great value by increasing our crop.” 
‘“ NEBRASKA.—“ The wheats from the department gave great satisfae- 
tion, yielding from 13 to 40 bushels to the acre; much above past. average.” 
Another: “The corn is a valuable acquisition; the best grown here.” 
NortTH CAROLINA.—‘‘ The introduction by the department of improved 
varieties of wheat has been the means of largely increasing the produc- 
tion of that crop in these counties.” 
PENNSYLVANIA.—“ The wheat sent from the department has made a 
decided improvement in the yield and quality of our wheat crop, and 
given great satisfaction.” Another: “Since the distribution of the two 
varieties of oats by the Agricultural Department, our oat crop has been 
nearly doubled, both in quantity and weight of the bushel.” 
SoutH CAROLINA.—“‘ The wheat sent from the department is beauti- 
ful, gives large yield, nearly free from rust; greatly increasing our 
crop, and we want more of it.” 
VIRGINIA.—‘‘All are well pleased with the new varieties of wheat from 
the department; have much increased our yield.” Another: ‘The yield 
ranges from 14 to 40 bushels per acre; the average in past years has 
been from 8 to 104 bushels per acre.” Another: “The pecuniary advan- 
tage to our State from the improved oats is greater than the entire 
annual appropriations for the Agricultural Department.” Another: 
“The value of the new potatoes sent to our State is worth more in 
benefits to us than the whole cost of the department.” 
WISconsiIN.—“The improved varieties of oats, wheat, and barley 
sent to our State from the department are a most valuable acquisition, 
and have largely increased our crops.” 
A comparison of the statistics of production at different dates shows 
that there has been an increase in average yield per acre of wheat, corn, 
oats, and other crops; much of this is without doubt due to the use of 
seeds of improved varieties of those grains distributed by the department 
during the last decade. For instance, in 1870, the average yield per 
acre in the United States was, of wheat, 12.4 bushels; ef Indian corn, 
28.3 bushels; of oats, 28.1 bushels; and correspondingly so with other 
crops. In 1877, the average yield per acre of the same crops was, of 
wheat, 13.9 bushels; Indian corn, 28.6 bushels; oats, 31.6 bushels. Total 
yield or crop of wheat in 1870 was 235,884,700 bushels; of Indian corn, 
1,094,255,000; of oats, 247,277,400. Yield of same crops in 1577 was, 
wheat, 364,194,146; of Indian corn, 1,342,558,000; of oats, 406,394,000; 
showing a general inerease in the seven years of about 50 per cent. . 
Analyzing these facts will show results in localities as follows: 
