Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-09-16
WHEAT PRODUCT OF LAFAYETTE
COUNTY.

EDITOR observation-disclosures always
elicits truth, and brings to light facts that enable
us to arrive at correct conclusions. In July last
q number of gentlemen were engaged in the dis
cussion Of the question OF the amount of wheat
produced in this county. 1t was surprising to
see the variety Of opinions expressed. They
ranged in their estimates from 10000 to 80. 0cO
acres in wheat. and from 100 900 to = Zoo. 00O
bushels as the aggregate yield of the county.
None at that time thought of more than the last
named amount. l determined to obtain such
facts as would enable me to form an opinion and
approximate the amount. The plan adopted was
to see many Of the farmers and get q statement
from each. Of the amount OF land owned. or. if
renters. the amount In. the tract leased by them;
the amount of the same In wheat. and the aver
age production per acre. The amount of land
owned. and the amount in wheat. is doubtless SO
near correct that it may be taken as entirely so,
- it was given by the parties themselves. The
average yield per acre was in most cases given
before threshing. and WAS only the opinion Of
the persons giving 1t; but will say that in every
instance. except one, that l have heard Of, when
the same parties have threshed. the yield ex-
ceetled the estimate. All were requested not to
put their guess too high.
l interviewed PA farmers, who owned or
rented 69, sl2 acres Of land. of which ls 32l acres
were in wheat. By dividing the amount owned
by the amount in wheat. it " ill show that one
aerc In every three and four-t1ths is in wheat.
Adopting this as q basis for the whole county,
the result is as follows: There are about 400, =
600 acres of land in the county, aud the amount
in wheat would be los. 263. The average yield
per acre. as given, 10 . little over twenty-five
bushels. At twenty-five bushels. the yield
would be 1881 ,575 bushels.
II I fQki tho ofofnunnrra have taI,an all ~ =
we're called upon, the small as well US large
farmers, and from the timber aud prairie land.
1 have taken the statements of some who had
large tracts Of land none Of which was in wheat,
and that Of many who owned large amounts and
only y small portion in wheat. was not able
to get from Freedom or Davis town.
shIps, where there is the densest population. and
where there is the largest percentage of land in
wheat. ! believe il q correct staten ent could be
obtained from every farmer the amount would
be increased.
While writing on this subject let me 60 q little
farther and estimate the income OF the county
for the year. 1t Is estimated that 1t will require
800, 600 bushels of wheat 10 seed and bread the
county, leaving 2 ,a3l .675 bushels for shipment,
which. 1T eighty five cents per bushel is 81, 9sI,
1913. Those better posted than myself say that thu
receipts f. ON the corn and hay crops, the hogs
sheep, cattle. mules and horses. will amount 10
mOre. say 81, 900. 100. The income from Goa
$50. GOO; from apples sloO. 600. Potatoes $50, 900
and from the three female schools and one male
school in Lexington s76. OOO. Making a Crane
total gross income of -. 6s6. 1913. This is . yer,
large amount and IA many may doubt it l invit
any one to ~criticise the stimate and show tn
errors. if any.
With suchsaa income We may well be prou'
of our county, and should care but little for IL