20 AGRICULTURE OS THE RHINE. 



circumstanced might not be contented. The following 

 estimate of the crop in the upland is from high authority, 

 and has been confirmed by our inquiries : — 



Wheat, 8 to 12 fold Peas, 20 fold 



Rye, 8 to 20 fold Tares, 16 to 2-1 fold 



Oats, 12 to 20 fold Beans, 12 to 16 fold 



Barley, 12 to 16 fold Clover, 3 tons and 5 cwt. setd 

 Buck-Wheat, 40 to 60 fold per acre. 



The farmer's speculation turns, in this district, not 

 upon forcing corn crops, for which he has but a limited 

 average sale. If he can extract more than usual from 

 the soil, he would in the uplands increase or repeat liis 

 growth of flax. In the lowlands he would gi'ow more 

 rape-seed, clover-seed, and tobacco than he now does. 

 The change recently made in the English import duties 

 on seeds has laid the foundation for a great influx of 

 wealth into the Rhenish district. 



We may venture to assume that the above statement 

 represents the average return of fair soils in the whole of 

 the region of the Rhine for a careful farmer. More than 

 thirty bushels of wheat per acre is nowhere obtained, and 

 with the prevailing meat and corn prices it would evidently 

 not pay to force a greater corn production at the cost of a 

 greater consumption of manure. On the other hand, the 

 repetition of saleable crops is limited by the necessity of 

 changing frequently the products raised. 



A German farm usually supports itself, care being 

 taken to want as little as possible that is not sujjjdied by 

 the ground. The bread is baked at home, and the oven, 

 if possible, heated by faggots from the copse or hedges, 

 where they exist. The meat is also usually slaughtered 

 at home, and provisions of beef and pork sausages, of 

 lard, butter, bacon, hams, and smoked meat, are periodi- 



