242 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



in climates too hot and too cold for wheat or rye. Like rye, it has not 

 entered to a great extent into our foreign commerce, as the consumption at 

 home has generally been equal to the quantity raised. In 1845, 1846 and 

 1847, during the famine in Ireland, occasioned by the rot in potatoes, we 

 exported a larger quantity than ever before or since. In the year 1850, 

 the total produce of the United States amounted to cue hundred and forty- 

 six million, six hundred and seventy-eight thousand, eight hundred and 

 seventy-nine bushels. 



Barley has never been exported largely from this country, as we con- 

 sume all we raise for the manufacture of spirituous liquors. Gosnold, 

 likewise, introduced this grain. And although it is indigenous to the 

 regions bordering on the torrid zone, it flourishes near the fiftieth parallel 

 of north latitude. In 1850 we raised five million, one hundred and sixty- 

 seven thousand, one hundred and sixteen bushels. This crop not being 

 exported, the loss of fertility to the soil is not great, as the straw is gene- 

 rally returned to the field from which the crop is taken. 



Buckwheat is cultivated throughout the civilized world, and aff"ords a 

 delicious article of diet to a very large portion of the human family. It 

 is also found to be an excellent food for milch cows. It has never entered 

 into the list of our exportations, and is, consequently, an important 

 enricher of the soil. We grew in 1850, eight million, nine hundred and 

 fifty-six thousand, nine hundred and sixteen bushels. 



Tobacco assuredly exhibits one of the most striking features in man's 

 history. It is indigenous to the tropical regions, and was cultivated by the 

 savages. When Columbus arrived, in 1492, he was invited by an Indian 

 chief, on the Island of Cuba, to take a smoke. Its importance in com- 

 merce, and the many modes of employing it to gratify the senses of the 

 poor and rich throughout the world, from the burning sands of Africa to 

 the Arctic regions is amazing. In 1611 it was first cultivated in Virginia, 

 by the use of the spade, and in 1616, its cultivation increased to such an 

 extent that even the public streets in Jamestown were plowed up and 

 planted with it. James the 1st, attempted to restrain its use, but was en- 

 tirely unsuccessful. Its culture spread from Virginia into Louisiana, 

 Carolina, Georgia and Maryland, and they supplied all Europe. In 

 1840 the United States raised two hundred and nineteen millions, one hun- 

 dred and sixty-three thousand, three hundred and nineten pounds. In 

 1850, one hundred and ninety-nine aiillions, seven hundred and fifty-two 

 thousand, six hundred and forty-six pounds. Showing a falling off" in its 

 cultivation of nineteen million, four hundred and ton thousand, six hundred 

 and seventy-three pounds. There is no crop grown that has rendered more 

 land sterile than tobacco, as the roots even are removed from the soil. 



For manure we mainly depend upon our hay, and fodder crops, including 

 dried Indian corn blades, straw, haulm of peas, beans, &c. The eastern 

 and middle states arc the principal raisers of hay, which instead of retain- 

 ing, they ship in large quantities pressed in bales to southern markets, 



