PRODUCTION' OF MAIZE 



2 0c 



359. Maize in the United States. — One-fifth of the area in 

 improved land, one-third the area in crops of all kinds, except 

 pasture, and one-half the area in cereal crops is devoted to 

 raising maize. In 1899, while thirt}'-five per cent of the farms 

 in the United States raised wheat, eighty-two per cent raised 

 maize. 



The average annual production of maize in the United States 

 for three decades, according to the estimates of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, is given below : 



The estimates of the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture make it appear that the average annual production during 

 the ninety decade was only slightly larger than the eighty decade, 

 while the census returns indicate that in 1899 the acreage was 

 thirt}^-two per cent and the production twent}'-six per cent 

 greater than in 1889. The average gross value of an acre of 

 maize has been less during all the decades than that of wheat, 

 though in the decline in value of both crops per acre, that of 

 wheat has been more rapid than maize, which would seem to 

 indicate that maize is relatively increasing in value. While in 

 fifty years the production of wheat has increased sLx and one-half 

 times, that of maize has increased four and one-half times. 



360. Maize Surplus States. — Over one-half of the entire 

 maize crop of the United States is contributed from five States, 

 and over two-thirds from seven States, in the following order : 

 Illinois, Iowa. Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, 



