14 PRODUCE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



paring them, so as to require no use of manures, will be found in our 

 article on seeds. 



If an improvement in the seed of our crops was made to the extent 

 of 10 per cent, only, the increased value of the crops would be equal 

 to $20,000,000 annually. Thus we -may safely calculate on improve- 

 ments and additional culture to the extent of more than 10 per cent. 



Wheat has decreased in price, and the consumption for distillation 

 has also greatly decreased within a year or two. This decrease for 

 this purpose is equal to three millions of bushels annually in the state 

 of New- York alone, as there has been a diminution in the manufacture 

 of spirits of 10 millions of gallons. 



Barley has not increased in the United States since 1840, far 

 less having been manufactured into malt liquors. Oats are said to 

 have been far above an average crop last year, and in New York to 

 have gained 25 or 30 per cent. Rye, in the aggregate, was in advance 

 last year. Potatoes were more abundant than in 1841, though proba- 

 bly not an average crop. Maize, or corn, yielded a large crop last 

 year, in the aggregate, though not greater than the year previous. In 

 some States it was very productive, while in others it suffered much. 

 Mr. Young of Ken. raised 190 bushels on an acre, and his average 

 crop for some years is said to have been 140 to the acre. 



The estimated crops of the United States, as we have shown, are 

 sufficient to support many times our population ; and when our vacant 

 lands are improved, 300 millions of people may be supported by them 

 alone. Were the 39 millions of acres of our prairie lands cultivated, 

 they alone would produce, at 20 bushels of wheat the acre, 780 mil- 

 lions of bushels of wheat, or more than 6j times the present crop of 

 our whole country. There were exported from the United States into 

 Canada, in 1841, 193,137 bbls. of flour, and 212,458 bushels of wheat, 

 (in 1840, 1,720, 659) and 90,158 bushels of maize, besides about 400,000 

 remaining to ship in the spring. Last year, from Cleveland alone, 

 380,684 bushels of wheat, 94,248 bbls. of flour, and 59,670 bushels of 

 maize were shipped to Canada, besides 44,750 bbls. of pork, and 170,000 

 bushels of wheat, on hand, to ship this spring ; all valued at 

 $981,348. Wheat, corn, and other grains, flour and pork, are admit- 

 ted free into Canada. A small duty has been imposed this year, which 

 on flour, is 2s. per bbl. 



The increase of last year, over 1840, was, in Wheat 17.494.068 

 bushels; in Rye, 4.117.385; in Indian Corn, 64.297.371; in Oats, 

 27.812.276; in Suck Wheat, 2.191.666; in Potatoes, 27.585.321 ; in 

 Rice, 13.166.062 Ibs. From this may be easily estimated the additional 

 population which the increase would support, although the crop of 

 last year is doubtless considerably below a just estimate. There was 

 a decrease in Barley of 289.882 bushels. 



Our annual productions and exportations of grains may be estimated 



