EXTENT AND VALUE OF THE CORN CROP. 27 



but its positive pecuniary value is not, for that reason, 

 any less. It is variously estimated from three or four 

 dollars a ton up to twelve dollars and over. In some 

 parts of the country, and by many of the best farmers, 

 it is considered quite equal in value to good hay. 



As there is, however, some difference of opinion 

 in regard to the value of corn-stalks, we will assume 

 that they are worth five dollars a ton, on an average ; 

 although it is demonstrable that, when turned to the 

 best account, they can be made to realize, in most 

 cases, nearly or quite double that amount. 



Taking the grain, then, at sixty cents per bushel, 

 and the stover at five dollars per ton, the total value 

 of the corn crop for 1860 will foot up as follows : 



838,792,740 bushels of grain, at 60c. . . . . .$503,275,644 



40,000,000 tons of stalks, at $5 200,000,000 



$703,275,644 



ESTIMATED CROP FOR 1870. In forming any con- 

 clusions on this subject, there is perhaps no better 

 guide than the comparative increase of the crop during 

 the last two decades. Though agricultural operations 

 have been temporarily interrupted in a portion of the 

 country by the events of the war, it is now probable 

 that the nation will be soon restored to a condition of 

 more than former prosperity ; that whatever the coun- 

 try has lost by the Rebellion in agricultural products, 

 will be more than compensated by the increased ac- 

 tivity of the coming years ; and that the census of 

 1870 will show that our staple crops have not lost 

 ground in consequence of the war. 



