176 Mineral and Agricultural Resources of Mew York. [Oct. 



on an acre, when shelled and accurately measured. The pre- 

 mium crop for Washington county amounted to 131 bushels per 

 acre, and another crop in the same county yielded 128 bushels 

 per acre. Mr. George Geddes of Onondaga county raised corn 

 at the rate of 71 and 80 bushels per acre on different pieces of 

 land, but differently cultivated. These instances may be con- 

 trasted with the average of the state, or of the different districts of 

 the state. We learn from the above also, that the eastern coun- 

 ties are as well adapted to the corn crop as the central and w^est- 

 ern. This appears both from the average yield and from the 

 premium crops given above, as well as in precedhig years. 



It will be observed from the foregoing results, that corn may 

 be raised with almost equal facility in all the sections of the state, 

 if we except those districts whose height exceeds a thousand feet 

 above tide. At this height in this latitude, frost often injures the 

 crop. There is probably but one kind of grain which will give 

 so much nutriment as corn. W'heat gives muscle and strength, 

 and still for sustaining young animals -while growing, whether 

 fed in small quantities, or given to the mother, it is quite doubtful 

 whether it is not superior to wheat. It is richer in phosphates, 

 and hence supplies the material for bone. It is true it may be 

 regarded as an expensive crop compared with some others, and 

 yet will it not be found that the quantity of nutricious food in the 

 grain, husks, stalks, &c., pays the farmer a better profit, all 

 things considered, than any other grain. So far as the market is 

 concerned it fluctuates less, bears a steadier price, and certainly 

 so far as home consumption is concerned, it must rank among the 

 best products for fattening swine and cattle. We have even 

 regarded roots an inferior kind of feed for cattle and hogs, and not 

 by any means to be brought into competition with corn. It is 

 true that in feeding some care is required if fed raw in the ground 

 or unground state. If however it could be cooked and given in 

 the form of a coarse bread, it would be much safer and give a 

 greater return in profit. Roots in small quantities for the purpose 

 of giving bulk and sufficient moisture to feed are important. 

 The quantity of oats raised in the state of New York in 1845, 



