EXTENT AND VALUE OF THE COEN CEOP. 25 



The first six of these States produced in 1860 about 

 four hundred and fifty million bushels, being more 

 than half the product of the whole country. 



In 1840, Tennessee was the greatest corn-produc- 

 ing State ; in 1850, Ohio took the first rank, and in 

 1860 Illinois stood at the head. 



The greatest gain made by any of the principal 

 corn-growing States has been made by Iowa. In 

 twenty years the product of that State has increased 

 from less than one and a half million bushels to over 

 forty-two million bushels. 



The proportion of Indian corn to the whole num- 

 ber of inhabitants is not a little remarkable. Com- 

 pared with that of potatoes and wheat, it stands as 

 follows : 



Potatoes to each inhabitant, 210 Ibs. 



Wheat, " " 330" 



Corn " " 1,590" 



2,130 



This gives an aggregate of more than two thousand 

 pounds of food to every man, woman, and child in 

 the country, from three leading crops. 



The following is an approximation to the average 

 yield per acre, and the number of acres in corn, for the 

 last two decades : 



