XVIL 



MAIZE. 



I. PRODUCTION AND MARKETING. 



358. Maize Crop of the "World. — The production of maize in 

 the world has varied during the years 1898 to 1902, inclusive, 

 from 2,363 million bushels (1901) to 3,183 million bushels 

 (1902) per annum, the average yearly production being 2,747 

 million bushels, which is slightly less than the production of 

 wheat during the same period. 



The following table gives the average annual production for 

 half decade by continents in million bushels 



Europe 



North America 

 South America 

 Australasia . 

 Africa . 



Total 



[898 to 1902, inclusive 

 2,149 



86 



9 



32 



2,747 



Aside from the United States, the most important maize 

 producing countries are Hungary, Roumania, Italy, Russia, 

 Mexico, Argentina and Egypt. Great Britain, Ireland, Ger- 

 many and the countries farther north do not raise maize, except 

 occasionally as a vegetable, on account of lack of heat and sun- 

 shine during the growing season. During the past five years 

 the production of maize has developed more rapidly in Argen- 

 tina than elsewhere. Argentina appears to have the largest 

 body of undeveloped land adapted to raising maize of any 

 country. 



