PRODUCTION 



17 



In the preceding Table No. 7 we find the states listed in the order of their 

 average yield per acre, covering a 45 year period. Vermont stands 

 first with an average yield of 35.8 bushels, and Florida and South Carolina 

 take last place with only 10.2 bushels. Thus we see that in order to have 

 a creditable average it is necessary for a large number of the states to stand 

 high in order to make up for those which tend to pull down the average. 



If any definite conclusions may be derived from the foregoing table 

 we might say that the district of highest average yield extends from Maine 

 south to Maryland, west, taking in a strip of corresponding width running 

 gently southward to California. As we go South or North from this belt we 

 find the average yield gradually decreasing. 



Dividing the United States into the following five districts. North 

 Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Central, South Central, and Western, the 

 following, shows the relative average production as found in the last census 

 report : 



TABLE NO. 8 

 PEECBNTAGE OF PRODUCTION OF COEN IN THE UNITED STATES BY 

 DISTRICTS, 1850 TO 1900. 



At present the North Central district produces nearly two-thirds of the 

 entire annual yield of our country. The South Central district follows with 

 a trifle less than one-fourth of the total yield. Thus it is seen that the North 

 Atlantic and Western sections combined produce but about one-tenth of our 

 annual crop. • ! 



The center of production of the corn crop has been moving slowly west- 

 ward. Its position since 1850 is shown in the following table: 



1900 



1890 



1880 



1870 



1860 



1850 



North Latitude 

 . . 39—19—33 



39—16—57 

 39—38—13 

 38-^7—13 



38- 



1—54 



39—14—54 



West Longitude 

 90—27— 6 



90—26-^9 



89— 7^3 



87—14—15 



86—29— 4 



81—43—38 



Figures taken from Twelfth Census Report. 



54 miles southwest of 

 Springfield, Dlinois. 



55 miles southwest of 

 Springfield, Illinois. 

 36 miles southwest of 



Springfield Illinois. 

 90 miles southwest of 

 Indianapolis, Indiana 

 47 miles southwest of 

 jNew Albany, Indiana 

 86 miles southeast of 



Columbus, Ohio. 



