The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-09-24

perity may be attributed.
BY the census statistics of 1870, the
nine North western States Qndiana, Hill
nois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin, contain
29.1 per cent 1,s45 $3.50 of the popula-
ton of all the States aud Territories We
may consequently assume that they de-
mand for consumption about three-tenths
Of all the food and manufactures cansum-
ed throughout the country.
Corn and wheat are the leading farm
productions of these States, constituting
in 1872, accordidg to the report of the
Commissioner Of Agriculture, 65.8 per
cent. nearly two-thirds the value of all
their farm produce. The wheat grown
by them amounted to SO per cent of that
grown in the Union. while of corn they
Isi ed So per cent.
The relative amount of these staples
produced to the population was. in differ
ent parts of the country in 1870, as fol-
lows:
n England pro duced to each inhabitant. 81 OTIS.
NJ States " :. - Alb bu.
W. States i" 1904
The produce of corn to each inhabitant a:
the same time was for
New Engla nd. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2, bushels
M Ssates ..'....'..''''.'..'''..;o ~ :.
western ;is3si 81 !
*The corn crop Of 1s69-census Of 1s70-was an
unusually poor crop.
A comparison of the production of
these cereals III all the States and terito-
ries with that of the Western States dur
ing tho hast twenty years shows much
more rapid increase in the production of
the West, then in the whole country taken
together. There were raised Of wheat to
each inha bitant in the
1850. 1850. 1870.
w SesasG ou Is S Su
Showing that while the production in the
whole country increased but rs per cent.
to each inhsbitant, that of the Western
States increased IS per cent, or eleven
per cent. more rapidly. During this same
period, the quantity raised to each inhab-
liant decreased in both the New England
and Middle States
The product of corn to inhabitant dur.
ing the same time, and including the yield
Of 1872, was, in the
1850. 1860. 1870. 1879.
United States. .26H hn. 81 bu, 1871 bu. % 8 bu.
Western States. 1914 I" 42.t bu 1871 52.2 blu.
This is an average gain of 81 per CENT. to
each inhabitant for the United States, and
for the Western States of 1875 per cent !.
Or the increase IN the amount of corn
raised to each inhabitant, was in the lat
ter nearly four times greater than that of
the whole country, notwithstanding the
fact that this was also the period of the
very rapid settlement of the West The
Middle States scarcely changed their pro
duction during this time, while the yield
of New England decreased.
These statistics show that there is in
the West large production in corn
and wheat, and that this over-production
is so great that when the requirements of
the other states are supplied, there is
still on hand large surplus for which a
market must be sought abroad, This is
exceedingly gratifying as showing the
capabilities of the West to furnish bread
for the world, and as an index of the rap
i'd progress and development of its agri-
cultural resources. But when regarded
with the full bearing thst they have upon
The permanent prosperity and happiness
of great portion of the country, they be.
come serious questions, demanding care.
full and thoughtful consideration, mot from
La single standpoint merely, but in all the
relations, both near and remote, which
they bear to the industry and wealth of
the nation. Already have they brought
upon the West the great problem of
transportation" that will require Tor its
proper solution, not only time. but care
full and wise action as well, and they are
disappointing to more intricate problems
and to harder times for thew Western farm
er if the lesion of the hour is not well
needed.
It has been quite the custom for farmers
to regard theirs the most independent of
all professions. Fifty years ago. when