The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-04-01
KANSAS IN THE LIGHT OF COMPARI.
S0N

The January report of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, contains table,
showing the yield per acre of the prin-
cipal crops raised in the several States,
in the year 1869. This table is an inter-
esting study, as it presents each State in
comparison with every other one, and
affords the most conclusive evidence of
producing merit in each of the leading
crops.
We cannot give an opinion of the ap-
proXimate accuracy of these statistics.
We all know they cannot be absolutely
correct; but they are, no doubt, reliable
as any that can be secured through vol
unteer agencies, and if not correct in
inasmuch as they all come through
channals of the same character thFough>
out the country.
Now let us see how Kansas stands the
test of comparison, by Commissioner
Capron's carefully collated statistics, as
an agricultural State
WHEAT.
This embraces winter and spring va
rieties, and refers to the aggregate pro-
duct of both. Kansas, 49, bushels per
acre. California alone exceeds this. and
yielded 20.7 bushels. The average
yield of thirty-two States was 1875 bush
els per acre, or about thirty per cent.
less than the yield of Kansas.
WINTER XHEAT. -
This is given in a separate item, in
twenty-seVen States, Kansas leading the
list with Isl bushels per acre, her high
est competitors being West Virginia and
Kentucky, each of which produced l1.5
bushels. The average yield of twenty
seven States was 1912 bushels to the acre
only two-thirds that of Kansas.
RYE.
Kansas produced 25.5 bushels to the
acre. The yield of California was 80,
and it is the only State surprising Kan
sas. Nebraska is next-19.4 bushels.
The average of thirty-two States was
l4.6 bushels per acre-showing the yield
of Kansas to be .tOrty-sir per cent. above
the average.
WINTER RYE.
Kansas yielded 12.9 bushels per acre
of this grain, and was only beaten by
Nebraska, which gave Ia bushels. Thir-
ty States are represented, with an aver
age yield of 10.l bushels; or taceaty-taco
per cent. less than the yield of Kansas.
BARLEY.
This embraces the entire product of
winter and spring varieties. The pro-
duct of Kansas was 30.6 bushels to the
acre. California produced 1853, and is
the only State ahead of Kansas. Ne
braska, however, is close upon her heels,
having yielded 30.2, only four-tenths
of bushel less than Kansas. The av-
erage yield of twenty-five States was
1872 bushels per acre, leaving the yield
of Kansas twenty-seVen per cent. above
the average.
WINTER BARLEY.
Yield of Kansas, IL bushels per acre ;
Georgia being the only State above this,
it Welding lit bushels. Only sixteen
States are represented in the product of
this grain, the yield being very
uniform, with an average of SO bushels
per acre, or ten per cent. less than the
crop of Kansas.
In this important grain Kansas heads
the column of thirty -four States, with
q yield of AL bushels, and the average
of the whole number of States 27.6, or
thirty-four per cent. less than the yield
of Kansas.
Here again Kansas asserts her suprem-
acy, and stands at the head of thirty
four States, showing yield of 4S.f
bushels to the acre. The next highest
is Nebraska, with 42.2 bushels per acre,
and California Ala: No other State
touches 40 bushels; The average yield
of the thirty-four States combined was
90 bushels per acre, or thirty-eight per
cent. less than the yield of Kansas.
BUCKwHEAT.
Few would anticipate report of this
crop fiattering to Kansas. 1t is at best
very capricious, and of uncertain ma
turity. Hot weather at the period OF
bloom will blast it, and the slightest
frost kill it. 1t must, therefore, be sown
at period most likely to carry it safely
through the gauntlet of heat and cold.
Our impression has always been adverse
to it as a crop for Kansas, on account of
the hot weather incident to midsummer,
time when buckwheat would have to
he maturing, if early sown, or put i'll
for early autumn maturity. 1t is little
cultivated South, ten States being un-
represented in this report, and Tennes-
see only giving 60 bushels to the acre
yet, strange to say North Carolina gives
one-third larger yield than any other
State, viz, 1912 bushels per acre, against
22.05 in New Hampshire. The yield OF
Kansas was 1S.5 bushels, against an av-
erage yield in the twenty-three of 16.6,
and with six States above her.
IRISH POTATOES.
Kansas stands fourth in the yield of
potatoes, at I49 bushels to the acre Cal
ifornia yielding 165, Vermont 160, and
New Hampshire 150. Virginia and
Tennessee are the lowest, each standing
at 80 bushels; the average of thirty
three States heing 1875, or thirty per
cent. less than that of Kansas.
SWEET POTATOES.
In this crop we are only excelled by
California and Texas, which yielded 153
and 40 busheIes to the acre, respective
ly, against ITO bushels in Kansas. The
lowest in the list of twenty-five States
is South Carolina, 80 bushels, and the
average of the combined States "a
bushels-nearly twenty-five per cent.
less than that of Kansas.
HAY.
Thirty-two States are embraced in the
Commissioners report-IoWa at the
head, I.S6 tons per acre; Missouri next,
LIZ and then Kansas, LIS; Maine and
Massachusetts being the least, yielding
OBJ and 0.99 tons to the acre, respect
lively. The average yield of the thirty
two States was 1.4l tons per acre, or
twenty per cent. less than Kansas.
Perhaps in no other product does COM
parison do Kansas so great injustice as
in the yield per acre of hay. To put
prairie against cultivated grasses, is like
comparing savage with a civilized be-
ing. When Kansas meadows are COW
cred with clover and other tame grasses,
the yield viii be immensely increased
in weight per acre, and place her pre-
enlinently ahead ofall other grass grow
ing States. AT least, this we believe.
We have not exhausted this interest
ing subject, but have tried to condense
and present it in q manner to CONVEX a
just impression of the capabilities of
our soil, without prejudice to less ia
vored localities. 1t embraces a class of
facts that are sought with ayidfty be-
yond the borders of our State, and will.
no doubt, be read with satisfaction at
home.-KdnsGs Farmer.
The Sandusky, Ohio, Register says :
at is safe to say that the party TO which
the neonla for the neYf fxpclItv Yea ps