The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-08-17
FARM AND PRESIDE.

Our FooD STAPLEs.-Conrad Wilson
writes to the Christian Union on this sub
ject: The wheat crop of the United
States is estimated to average from
twelve to fifteen bushels per acre, while
the possible yield has been shown to be
over seventy bushels.
The yield of hay for the whole country
is not much over one ton per acre, on a
general average, against possible yield
of five tons and over as shown by various
successful farmers.
The average product of potatoes is not
far from seventy-five bushels per acre,
with occasional yields that prove a
possibility of eight or nine hundred
bushels.
There are some root crops that pro-
duce on an average less than two hun
dred bushels per acre, which, according
to authentic records, have occasionally
yielded over sixteen hundred bushels.
In the case of Indian corn, the great
staple of the country, the average pro-
duct is not more than thirty-five bushels
per acre, though crops of one hundred
and fifty bushels and over have been
well attested, and crop of two hundred
bushels has been reported and anthem
ticated by DIR. Parker, of South Carolina.
Now the great fact we wish to empha-
size here is this: Somewhere between
the extreme figures given above there is
paying yield which, though not start
ling in amount, is far better than the
present average, and is entirely possible
to ordinary farmers; and, what is still
more important, these same facts are
equally true in regard to the cost of
production. The corn crop of this
country costs the producer, on an
average, over fifty cents bushel in the
Eastern States and under twenty-five
cents in the West. Yet cases of cost
have been reported from Western
prairies even lower than seven cents
bushel, and corn crop of some notO-
riety was announced last season in New
England at cost of twelve and half
cents per bushel. Whether or not these
extreme figures can be shown to be pos
sible, it is certain they are beyond the
range of ordinary experience. On the
other hand, the present average cost OF
| fifty or sixty cents bushel in the
Eastern Safes is entirely too high, and
there is, beyond any doubt, lower rate
of cost that is clearly within reach of
ordinary farmers.
Here, then, arises the question that
most Of all interests the tiller of the
soil in America. If there is an attain.
able yield per acre and an attainable
cost per bushel, so much better than the
present average of the country, what
are the figures that represent these pos
sibilities, and how may they be realized
by practical farmers?
In answer to this inquiry, it is suffi
Gent for the present to state definitely
and briefly our position that seventy
bushels of corn per acre is yield fairly
within reach of majority of farmers
and that there is no good reason why the
average yield of the whole country
should any longer remain at thirty OF
thirty-five bushels per acre. In regart
also to the cost of production, it il
equally certain that thirty-five cent
per bushel, as a rule, and thirty cent
under favorable conditions, is rate O
cost for this cereal that is entirely attain
able by average farmers, even in TIT
Atlantic States.
If any practical men are inclined t.
think that we claim too much, we invite
discussion and hold ourselves open tt
conviction. But from such data as w
have, embracing the gathered facts an;
observations of many years, we art
confident of maintaining the position
here taken.
Now let any man calculate the differ
ence between thirty bushels per acre, a
cost of fifty cents per bushel, ant
seventy bushels per acre, at cost o
thirty-five cents, and he will soon dis
cover that the question is too serious tt
be ignored. Assuming the market pric,
of corn to be eighty cents per bushel
then the cash result would be in ont
case a profit of SO per acre and in tn,
other profit of $3.50.
But if, after all, there are any intelli
gent, progressive farmers who still dOub
the possibility of thus increasing thu
yield and diminishing the cost of thi
and other staples, the best thing the.
can do is to re-examine the whole ques
ton. Let them thoroughly Investigate
the possibilities of the crop, and the,
will make new and valuable discoveries
Let every farmer review his own ex
perience and gather new facts from tn
experience OF others. Let him bring VI
the question at his club, discuss it in thu
grange and in the columns of agricultra
journals, and, more than all, let hin
carry the problem home to his owl
farm, and interrogate the soil under hi
feet. When he has done all this he will
be better prepared to say whether, a
farmers, we can afford to accept tn
present average yield and cost of on
staple crops as fairly representing tn
quality of American soil or the best at
taiDable results OF American husbandry
SHEEP AND MAN.-Of all the dc
nestle animals none need the attention
and demand the protection of man NOR
than the sheep; and mans dependence
on the sheep for clothing is equal.
marked. No other animal cOnfides s,
much in man, and none other pays bette
for attention and services rendered; ant
these mutual relations and association
ought to, and do, bring out the bes
qualities of both man and sheep. II
speaking of the value of sheep and thu
duty of farmers, V. Z. Richmond, o
Illinois, says: All farmers should kee]
sheep l think can make this plain Il
all who care to examine into the matter
About seventeen years ago l came int
possession of flock of about fifty sheep
which number have kept up or rattle
exceeded. My farm was sixty-five acres
fifteen years in cultivation, and by man,
persons considered as becoming an oil,
farm. Ihave averaged sheep to eacl
acre since began with my present flock
and the production of the farm ha
steadily increased, and thi, year has tn
heaviest crop of corn ever produced.
About ten years ago / came into pos
session of about forty-four acres NOR
of farm land, and am satisfied to-da,
that sheep, year by year, have paid mi
the most money-not the greatest pc
centage for capital, but the most money
received a letter few days since iron
friend who is becoming very much in
terested in sheep. He says: "Sheel
make great deal of manure;
have hauled out three hundred load
and have two hundred more to get on
| thia aaaenn ~ Ia not this tho riUht ua,