The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1862-12-25
From the Iowa Homestead
WHEAT AND CORN IN IOWA.

the years embraced, is made up from the
most reliable data which could be pro-
cured.
For 1850, no document which | knew
Of could be found to give the number of
acres occupied by either wheat or corn
but as the |. s. census gives the mum
Der of bushels produced, by placing the
average yield of the former at thirteen
bushels, and the latter at forty.Gve bush.
els per acre, the result is as given
For 1886 and 1855, we have the State
census for those years, presumed to be as
correct as such documents usually are.
1893 was the most disastrous year which
the State has ever experienced a.rcul-
| tura!iy, and the extraordinary short crops
of which have Influenced the general
average of production to lower figure
than the State deserves but even with
this reduction, Iowa ranks above her
sister States, in her general average pro,
| ductloDs for the breadth of land under
/ cultivation.
For the crop of 1889, we have the L.
S. census for 1860 In the fall of 1860,
published an estimate Of the crops for
the years 1859 and 1860, based, princi-
pally. for the breadth of land "~~-r:-I,
on the ratio Of increase be ween 1896
and 1858. In that gave the yield of
wheat 1890 bushels, and of corn
44,374,32O bushels. In the former |
was little under, and in the latter
little above the amounts given in the U.
s. census, taken the year after, which
proves, when taken with the general in
formation had at the time Of the aver
age yield, that my system of computation
was near enough for safe approxima,
| tion.
In 1860, the breadth of land given as
occupied by wheat and corn, had a SINH
lar basis as the above but in addition, |
made an extensive personal examination
through the most productive wheat sec
tions Of the State, embracing at least one
half of the State under cultivation, and
corresponded extensively with parties on
whom | could rely in other sections,
which also gave me superior facilities for
ascertainipg the yield All this, when
taken with the average proportionate
occupation of the improved land as given
in the assessors returns, induces mo to
believe that in this also have a reliable
, approximation. There are several very
observing men, however, who also trav.
eled short time after harvest, over ex-
tcpsive portions of the northeastern sec,
tion of the State, where | placed the
average yield of wheat at twenty bushels
per acre, who, judging from that princi
pally, have expressed to me their judg-
mcnt that had placed the State average
at least four bushels too low But in the
southern portion of the State prin c,paly,
where the average yield was not over
twelve bushels, other parties, whose OBJ,
servation was confined to that section;
inform me that placed the total average
yield too high With all the pforma-
tion obtained since, have not bad any
gooc reason to change my figures.
For 1861 and 1862, the figures for
breadth of land occupied, are made on
the same basis as for other years. The
Weld stated is the result Of extensive
correspondence, and personal inquiry Of,
the most reliable sources. Both Of these
years gave promise, until within short
time before harvest, of much better
average of wheat than is given in the
table. In 1861 the yield was better b,
at least two bushels per acre, notwith
standing the crop suffered considerable
from rust and the chinch bug--but a:
the season for harvesting the wheat wa:
very wet, and much of it injured in the
stack, that amount was deducted from
the general aggregate. In 1862, th'
chinch bug destroyed the wheat in many
t fields, to such an extent in some sections
as to give the impression to many tha
the crop was almost an entire failure
The average yield is placed at only tel
? bushels per acre. including some $4,000
a or 100, 900 acres Of winter wheat, which
yielded on an average from twenty tt
twenty-five bushels per acre. In regart
, to the corn of 1862, I fear that l shal
: be complained of for placing the avaTac'
yield as low as fifty bushels per acre. I
is not only this much, but the whole crol
is of good quality as any ever raised il
the State.
With even tho disastrous year Of 1923,
= the seven years, as given in the t .aois
oxhibit between eleven and fWe''e pue
oIs "a the average yield of wheat-o"t IN
.a,nd Numbers we should claim twelve
busbeIs, at least, as the general average
crop of the State, and of corn forty bush
uunr,lS cyft.