] 



INTRODUCTION. 



Li the production of Indian corn, as in all other evidences of material prosperity, California pre 

 sents a conspicuous instance of rapid increase. From 12,236 bushels in 1850, she produces 510,708 

 bushels of Indian corn in 1860, or over forty times as much as in 1850. This is by no means equal to 

 the ratio of increase in Minnesota only, in fact, one-fourth as great ; but it shows, nevertheless, that 

 the golden State is rapidly developing her agricultural resources. 



The following table shows the production of Indian corn in the New England, middle, western, 

 southern, and Pacific States in the years 1860, 1850, and 1840, together with the number of inhabitants : 



The following table shows the number of bushels of Indian corn produced in the different sections of 

 the United States to each inhabitant, in the years 1860, 1850, and 1840: 



I860. 



New England States 2.90 



Middle States 9.04 



Southern States 30.83 



Pacific States 2..05 



Western States 45.27 



The United States and Territories. . 26.12 



26.04 



22.11 



In the New England States the production of corn increased over three million bushels from 1840 

 to 1850, but decreased over a million bushels from 1850 to 1860. In proportion to population there 

 was also a slight increase from 1840 to 1850; but a decrease of nearly one bushel to each inhabitant 

 from 1850 to 1860. With the exception of the Pacific States, the New England States, in proportion 

 to population, produce far less Indian corn than any other section in 1860 less than three bushels to 

 each inhabitant. 



The middle States have nearly doubled their production of Indian corn since 1840. From 1840 

 to 1850 the increase was from nearly forty millions to over sixty-one millions of bushels; and in 1860 

 to over sixty-five millions of bushels. 



In proportion to population, the middle States show a slight decrease in the production of Indian 

 corn since the census of 1850, but a decided increase from 1840 to 1850. These States now produce 

 about nine bushels of Indian corn to each inhabitant, or more than three times as much as the New 

 England States. 



We have no means of knowing the actual increase in the number of acres planted to Indian corn 

 but it is hardly probable that they have increased more than the increase in the production of this 

 grain. The increase in the population is due mainly to the growth of the cities and villages rather 

 than to an increase in the number of persons engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The table, how 

 ever, is interesting in reference to our ability to sustain a rapidly increasing population. 



Indian corn is probably the best crop for such an object. In the case of an individual fanner we 

 are apt to judge of the character of his farming from the appearance and product of his corn crop; and 



