Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-01-24

corn, December lst. since 1872, ha.
been: 1872, Is cts; 1873, 81 cts 1874
43 cts; 1875, ~ cts; 1876, 35. Fo,
several years our exports have moi
reached 4 per cent, while it has beer
reduced below l per cent. The pres.
ent large yield will affect the price
in market and on the farm, and
should stimulate farmers to convert
corn into more marketable shape, and
thus secure more remunerative pri-
ccs.
WHEAT.
In June the wheat crop promised
to be the average yield, but at harvest
time it was reduced to not exceeding
six bushels per acre throughout the
state. The largest yield was in some
of the grasshopper regions. In quail
| ity it is generally superior to that of
1875.
The crop of the United States in
1875 was 29O,0O0,OOO bushels. The
present crop is estimated at 25O,OOO,-
600 bushcls-a decrease of 10000, 600.
The area sown in Iowa in 1874 was
3,244954 acres in 1876 it was 1884
954 acres with yield of 1865, ,724
bushels, or decrease of over 25,OOO,-
GOO bushels from 1875. The heaviest
loss is in spring wheat, it being long
est exposed to climatic influence and
insects. The grasshoppers in several
counties have beep disastrous, and in
some localities distress must be the
result.
1t is evident the wheat crop is only
moderate for the worlds supply, and
will be insufficient for the next two
years. The outlook should cncour-
age farmers to improve every acre, SO
as 10 bring back our soil to its wheat
growing qualities, and adopt the
most thorough cultivation.
CATTLE.
A gratifying and marked improve
ment is noted in cattle in every coun-
ty in the state. The bcef-producing
farmer is crossing the native with
the short horn, and the result is large
ly to increase the weight and value
the dairyman is partial to the Jersey
and Attorneys; while Hcrcfords,
Holsteins, Gucrnseys and Devons are
receiving attention as their merits
develop. In 1875 the sales of short
horns was 5Sl, at $220,0o0. In 1876
the sales reached l 900, at $3OS,OO0. 1t
is safe to say that nothing i'm the stock
department will repay better than
breeding short-horns. Sales of short
horns have increased in the United
States and Canada from 1876, at an av-
erage per head of $343, in 1870, to
4,3i7, at an average per head of $422,
in 1875.
HERD PRODUCTS.
In 1910 there were i'm Iowa 369,Sll
milch cows, yielding ~ ,5l2, l79 pounds
of butter, l,0S7,74l pounds of cheese
and 6SS,S0O gallons of milk sold.
These have been increased W3,7l2
cows, producing 1885, ,3Gl pounds OF
butter, 100000 pounds of cheese, and
2,Gl6,6O0 gallons of milk--or total
increase in diary products of s. 500,
600; and the quality has also increas-
ed from the lowest grade to the best
in the world, demanding and recciv-
ing the grand gold medal at the
great Exposition at Philadelphia
This branch of industry is assuming
immense proportions, and shows tina,
Iowa is coming rapidly to the front
rank.
Iowa stands al the head of the list as
a hog-growing State. The crop has
been decimated by disease, which
has batlled all attempts to eradicate it
1t is suggested that the General AS
sembly provide means and com.
mittec TO thoroughly investigate the
disease wherever it is manifest in the
| State.
Although Iowa is adapted to sheep.
raising, the culture has retrograded
In five years--the decrease being l.,
076, ,406 head. For this there is nc
good reason, as wool-growing can be
made profitable and successful.
DOGS.
AS there has been no existing cpl
demic among dogs, the crop is about
the same as in lS75-l97, 500. Estimat-
ing the cost of keeping dog at
cents per day, the cost of the dog -croI
is 50, 757, ,263-a sum sufficient to pur.
chase an equal number of hogs, and
fatten them to $50 pounds. With 8
State tax of SO on each dog the rev
enue would be $395, ,0lS, or nearly suf.
iicicnt to complete the new Capitol.
HORSES.
| There is steady growing senti
meut that the best breeds are thu
cheapest, and breeders are adopting
English views, and securing heavy
horses for farm work. The importa
tions into the State the past year o
draft stations will not be less in val
ue than $4,000.
Rust and wet season cause shor
crop, and of light weight. The aver
lage will not be 20 bushels per acre
or less than half the usual average
Acres cultivated, 100000; product
20O00,000 bushels; decrease in val
ne since 1876 of $4,000.
RYE.
i This cereal Is rapidly increasing il
Importance and value. The increase
has been from lSS,022 bushels in lS6l
to 432,00S bushels in 1875. The crol
of 1876, owing to bad season, viii
not reach 100000 bushela-its casl
value being estimated at 100000.
p.prrx
49, n,.a..,,. e,
loMa - o. miro ~ Sne. us, Oh oariey
now srsa ~ I.a'c:. nc oaa a-s season u ue :,
creased the Yield Tor 1910 about l.
per cent. The average yield Of 1877
! was twenty-seven and one-half bush
els per acre, and it was valued at $3,
h;gh nr,cas ana e... nnm fn.
nrctit in it, cnit;va.;on
. " - S'. ".'o"'
!, - FLAx.
The product Is estimated at !25,U
} bushels of seed for lS76--a large IN
+ crease over 1875. Flax planters esti
mate the profit Of this grain TO be tn
seed--thc fiber paying tho cost of cul
tivation.
POTATOES.
Product in 1871 7osa o5o bushel,
! valned NJ AI 800 aSs Thoorea of IS7
: Il nbont 0ti000 acres nrodncino aboI
/, 5000 OOO bushels. a. m estimated ya]
ne Of $1,000. 900: and This with all III