OATS 91 



19% 



The yield and profit. The average yield per acre 

 throughout the United States is about thirty bushels. The 

 highest yields are in the far Northwest, where the rainfall 

 is heavy during the growing season, or where irrigation is 

 used. Here the crop not uncommonly runs from one hun- 

 dred to one hundred and twenty-five bushels to the acre, 

 and sometimes reaches one hundred and fifty bushels. 



In the corn belt, oats are usually a less profitable crop 

 than corn. The yield is less per acre, and the market price 

 lower, while the cost of production is about the same. 

 Iowa and Illinois are the two leading states in the amount of 

 oats produced. The cost of growing an acre of oats if we 

 include the rental value of the land, will average from ten 

 to twelve dollars. When oats are thirty-five cents a bushel, 

 it is evident that a crop of thirty bushels to the acre leaves no 

 margin of profit. 



While oats do not pay so well as corn, it is necessary, 

 nevertheless, to raise them, even in the corn region. For 

 oats are needed, ( 1 ) to make possible the rotation of crops, 

 and (2) as a food for stock, especially working horses. 

 This crop, like corn and wheat, can easily be increased in 



