INTRODUCTION. li 



what is true of an individual is no less true of a nation. If the average yield of Indian corn is increas 

 ing, it is pretty good evidence that our general system of agriculture is improving. For this reason 

 the tables here presented are pre-eminently worthy of study. 



In the New England States, as we have shown, the aggregate crop of Indian corn in 1860 was 



less than in 1850. 



In the middle States there has been a steady increase from 1840 to 1850, and from 1850 to 1860; 

 but from 1850 to 1860 this increase in the corn crop has barely kept pace with the increase in popu 

 lation. 



In the southern States there has also been a steady increase in the amount of Indian corn pro 

 duced in 1840, 1850, and 1860. The increase in 1850, as compared with 1840, was about fifty-three 

 million bushels; and from 1850 to 1860 a little less than forty-two and a half millions. 



The increase of the corn crop in the southern States, however, has not kept pace witli the increase 

 in population. There were produced in 1840 a little over thirty-three bushels to an inhabitant; in 

 1850, thirty-two and three-fourths bushels, and in 1860 less than thirty-one bushels to each person. 



The southern States, it will be seen, produce, in proportion to population, fen times as much corn 

 as the New England States, and over three times as much as the middle States. 



In the western States the aggregate production of Indian corn was, in round numbers, 145,000,000 

 bushels in 1840, 280,000,000 bushels in 1850, and 470,000,000 bushels in 1860; while the popula 

 tion, in round numbers, was 4,000,000 in 1840, 6,000,000 in 1850, and 10,000,000 in 1860. 



The western States are the only section of the country (except the Pacific States) in which the 

 production of Indian corn has steadily increased in greater proportion than the population. In 1840 

 the western States produced 35 bushels to each inhabitant; 44 bushels in 1850, and 45 bushels to 

 each person in 1860. 



This result is owing, in a good degree, to the increased facilities of transportation, and still more 

 to the improved processes of culture which have followed the introduction of improved implements and 

 machines. In no other section have farmers manifested a greater promptitude to avail themselves of 

 the labors of the inventor and mechanic, and the result is shown in the above table. In no country in 

 the world is there a finer field for the introduction of mechanical appliances for the culture of the soil 

 than on the rich prairies of the western States. It was here that the reaper first found its way into 

 general use ; and what is true of the reaper is equally true of nearly all other agricultural machinery. 

 The steam-plough, introduced the present year from England, will here, if anywhere, be speedily em 

 ployed to pulverize the soil and prepare it for a crop. 



Taking the country as a whole, the production of Indian corn to each inhabitant was 22 bushels 

 in 1840, 26 bushels in 1850, and a little over 26 bushels in 1860. The census of 1850 showed an 

 increase of four bushels to each inhabitant, while the last census shows that the production of Indian 

 corn, taking the country as a whole, fully keeps pace with the increase in population. 



Illinois not only produces the largest aggregate amount of Indian corn, but also produces more in 

 proportion to population than any other State. She produced 67 bushels of corn to each inhabitant in 

 1850, and also in 1860, and 47 bushels in 1840. 



Iowa comes next. She produced 32 bushels of corn to each inhabitant in 1840, 45 bushels in 

 1850, and 60 bushels in 1860. 



The next highest is Kansas. She produced 52 bushels of corn to each inhabitant in 1860. 



Indiana succeeds, with 41 bushels to each inhabitant in 1840, 50 bushels in 1850, and 51 bushels 

 in 1860. 



Tennessee stands next. She produced 42 bushels of corn to each person in 1860. This, however, 

 is far less than she produced in 1850 and in 1840. In 1850 she produced 52 bushels of corn to each 

 person, and in 1840, 54 bushels. 



