Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-25
KANSAS VS.. MICHIGAN

\ somewhat enthusiastic aamirer OF
the good old Pcnin,ular state, declared
ed the other day that Michigan was n
better farming state acre for acre, th1n
Kansas. This led US to look up The
statistics on the subject and we were a
little astonished at the actual facts, and
began TO wonder why a farmer should
STAY in Michigan a; all, when he could
get land in Kansas. In sober ruth
Michigan has been tucked away up IN
the corner beside Canada SO long. and
her people have done so well that they
cam scarcely realize that Kansas la,
done better.
But now to the facts: Last year
Kansas raised 36.7 bushels OF corn 10
the acre. while Michigan farmers were
gathering 23.5 bushels. And more
than that. Michigan only raised 2l,-
AZ. poe bushels, and but 3,S5i.2l4
bushels were understandable. while the
Kansans produced l72 SOC, 900 bushels,
of which 1890. S2S bushels were
understandable, according 10 Comnis-
sioner Lorings report. This looks "A
little rs if Kansas were the better
corn state. OF wheat Kansas aver
aged l6. 5 bushels, while Michigan was
threshing out IA. The Kansas oat
crop went 40 bushels TO the acre.
that of Michigan $40. These and SIM
liar facts will startle those who have
been accustomed to regard Michigan
rs "a very fine farming state. sir.
But the fact is that the great prairie
state already occupies one of the big
mahogany chairs in the national circle,
and shows disposition to stay there
Commissioner Loring's reports fur
Their proves that Kansas field crops
actually yield four per cent. more on
money invested in land, in farms, than
do those OF Michigan.
Nor do the reports now in for 1854
show any decrease, but rather an in
crease in the Kansas crops. The YIELD
of whest is estimated AT 100000
bushels. "A gain OF some 2S,oOo,un
bushels. The average j. reported at
22.2S bushels, a gain OF five bushels.
Later reports may show slight m
crease or decrease from This, bus IL u
very nearly right at least.
The area planted to sorghum cane l.
much larger than that of last year.
Other crops have mere i>cd in area
as follows: Flax Ia per cen. oats ID
per cent. and wheat % pc cent lu-
deed. il looks as if Kansas would do
better this year than last. The longer
we study the figures the more surpris-
ed we are al the claim of our Michigan
friend. Why. four counties like Scdg-
wick raise more corn than the whole
state of Michigan, and Sedgwick real
" did raise more merchantable corn
last wear than did Michigan. Six coun-
ties ike Mcpherson would outdo the
Michigan wheat yield.
National statisticians give the aver
age value of land in faruG> il Kansas
at $1,000 per acre, while those OF
Michigan are held at $3.50. WAT
is the use of holding land
worth $50 that will onlt yield
2S.5 bushels of corn and II bushels of
wheat. when Won can buy land for Sll
tha, is producing 36.1 bushels of corn
and Il. 5 bushels of wheat: Invest $50
in Michigan and ven get 2S.5 bushels
of corn of Ii bushels Of wheat. Invest
the same amount III Kansas AID You
receive lo2 bushels of corn or IS of
wheat. The present generation OF
Michigan farmers bought their lands
at from 81 TO SIS per acre. and have
felt them grow in value beneath
their very feet. So il will be in Ham
sas. Those who now own land worth