The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-10


The March report Of the statistical divi'
sion Of the Department Of Agriculture pre-.
sents some interesting figures, showing the
distribution Of corn and wheat, and the
comparative quantity still remaining on
the farm March l. In regard TO corn the
returns show that about 20 per cent Of the
crop still remained in the hands Of the
growers, or about. 5S8, 100000 bushels, Of
l,elsOO0,OoO bushels representing the crop
Of 1882. Nearly two-thirds Of this amount
is in the Western States, aud about three
tenths in the Southern States.
Comparing with an average Of the five
preceding years, one Of which (lssl) was a
year Of great scarcity, We find that New
England had less than that average; the
Middle States, 37.4 per cent, the average
being 3B.7; the Southern States, 1876 per
cent, instead Of $50; the Western States
only fraction more than such average, OF
1873 per cent, in place Of 32,9 per cent; the
Pacific coast, 1854, the average being 245
per cent; and the Territories, IS per cent
very largo increase, due to the develop
ment Of corn culture in Dakota.
West virginia's product in 1882 aggre.
gated l4,o27ooo bushels, and Of this
amount the stock on hand March was
e,26s, $40 bushels. The largest proportions
Of corn on hand are those Of the Southern
States, which, the report says, is in accord
ance with intelligent expectation, not be-
cause there Is any surplus for shipment,
nor because more Is consumed than In the
West. On the contrary, the requirements
Of that region are far smaller than Of the
States where pork and beef are made. The
larger portion Is used for feeding the horses
and mules employed so constantly in plow.
ing during the spring and early summer.
Pork Is not made for shipment, and only a
partial supply for home consumption, from
mast, and the run Of the pea field, and a
limited supply Of corn towards killing time.
These conditions are reflected in the re.
suits Of inquiry. showing great contrast
with Western practice.
l,7sl,24O bushels Of West Virginias crop
was used for human food, 500, 800 bushels
as food for work animals, 6,l20,o70 bushels
food for cattle and swine, and 1,044,s90
bushels was shipped from the State. The
local peculiarities Of consumption and dis.
tribution In several counties in this State
are as fellows: E-.
Hardy: Mostly consumed by hogs and
cattle. Berkeley: Failure Of crop 1882 has
caused farmers to retain more than usual
quantity on hand. Morgan: Crop Of 1881
insufficient for home consumption and
about fifteen thousand bushels impor-
ted into the county. Brooke: Consid-
cradle fed 10 sheep. Pendleton: Quite
scarce at from so ceRts to IS cents per
bushel, presumably held back for higher
price; not much fed 10 cattle except milk
cows; work animals and hogs get the most
Of It. Summers: Good crop, but the need
was 90 great that less proportion remains
on hand at present than usual. Fayette:
Mostly used for bread, and 10 frequently
insufficient in quantity. Randolph: Only
enough raised for home use. Monongalia:
Very little exported. areenbrier: Large
amount still ungathered. Tyler: More on
hand than usual, owing to the scarcity OF
stock.
The average yield per acre Of the crop Of
1882 was twenty.iour and q half bushels.
The returns OF wheat on hand indicate .
remainder Of 2S per cent. Of the crop on
the LIST Of March, or about $4,000, 900
bushels. This appears to be very slightly
in excess Of the average stock at that date
in previous years The total crop Of West
Virginia in 1882 amounted to 4,S54,SO0
bushels, and the stock on hand March l.,
1888, was 1901, 1888 bushels. The total con-
sumption in the State was 2,sl2Rso BUSH
els, and l,ell,720 bushels were shipped
from tho State ..r....