The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-10-16

SluuIe 20 96U,000 9,S34,i27
SS a.iSsH State S7oOSo +4GSSII
raclhc 2Ss1o,0O 2,G09, $50
Territories "........"."...."... 55O9,OOO SO5,656
Although the agreeable wheat yield OF
the United States is small as compared
with the twenty-eight bushels which Is
the produce OF Great Britain, it neverthe.
less represents better margin OF profit
than OF late years has been obtained by
English farmers. Estimating rents and
rates, interest on capital, with outlay for
manure and labor, the British wheat crop
costs on an average GS an acre. With the
enormous diversities Of soil, climate and
circumstances OF this great continent, it is
difficult to determine averages. Taking,
however, the Western farmer. who has e2
sterling invested in his soil and its EQUIP
ments, his expenses would DO somewhat
as follows: Interest at 10 per cent. on cap
ital, As; twice ploughing, los; two bush
els olseed, is; reaping and binding los;
threshiug and marketing, 2s; total, 81 rs.
Fourteen bushels OF saleable wheat mar
keted even ut one.fourth less than the dol
lar, whichis the average price given in the
official tables, yield al gross return Of AIS,
or profit OF los per acre. Two years
profits thus moderately estimated, would
purchase the fee simple OF muchof the
land in the Western States. ,r,,.4s.,s''5
From personal inspection and inquiry in
various parts5of the country, I expect to
obtain trustworthy figures regarding; the
production and cost and value OF wheat
and other crops. Information will also be
gathered rs to the Capability Of the soil In
various districts to maintain or increase
the present supplies OF grain. " here CON
tinuouswheat growing without any return
Of plant food exhausts the virgin soils and
the prairies will no longer Yield remG nera,
tive wheat crops, Indian corn without
manuring still produces fair raturns for
several years; and when this fails, as il
has done In some OF the older cultivated
EStetes, clover, grass, and stock-ieeding
arc successfully introduced. In some Of
the Eastern States the continued sys,
tematic removal OF the resources Of
the soil by carrying away the produce and
returning nothing has naturally led to
such impoverishment of even good farms
that concentrated fertilizers are now being
used in market.gardeninge Horticulture
and cotton.growing: 99nnrs0me cotton
plantations it has been found prohta BILE Ia
purchase hundreds OF tons OF guano
Even the New jersey and Pennsylvania
dairymen are beginning to discover thai
dressings OF bones are now necessary ia
maintain tho condition OF their pastures
the yield OF milk and the health OF the
young stock, Except, experimentally
manures, however, are not yet applied fol
the growth OF grain; but 1t becomes an
important problem to ascertain whether
naturally good but exhausted soils meal
4 the 3seaboard, If handicapped with forty
shillings an acre for concentrated ma
nures, could successfully compete In corr
raising with the unexhausted soils l sd
miles westward.
Many other questions connected with
the grain trade demand consideration. Al
the thriving population OF the United
States rapidly increases, while more food
is needed for home consumption, and Ia
Dor is attached to other industries, will
American farming be neglected and ioot
supplies be shortened? The profits hith
er tusecured bygood farmers donot JUST
fy such conclusions. Il has further beer
urged that brisker trade may increase
railway and ocean traffic charges, ami
thus add to the present moderate, cost o
bread and meat on both sides Of III,
world, Such effect will doubtless bl
neutralized By keen competition, by i'm
proved mechanical appliances, 50 varied
numerous and striking on thi
side OF the Atlantic, and by Til
increasing disposition toiworkl for smal
and quick returns. With the splendid
cheap water-power 80 common! through
out the States, the export Of flour, whicl
Is generally very superior to that made I